Hong Kong: Green, sustainable trade supported Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today said Hong Kong sees the need to ensure that trade could benefit all in a sustainable manner, and is committed to ensuring its policies are green and sustainable in the face of climate change and other challenges. He made the statement at a discussion session titled Fostering Sustainable & Inclusive Trade in the Region, and other issues at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Detroit, the US. To accelerate our development to becoming an international green technology and finance centre, Hong Kong will set up the Green Technology & Finance Development Committee to formulate an action agenda for future endeavours. In terms of inclusive development, Mr Yau pointed out that Hong Kong is stepping up support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them grow, innovate and embrace future opportunities, including funding programmes to help their brand building, operation upgrading and export marketing as well as adoption of innovation and technology. Additionally, Hong Kong is strengthening support for the development of women and youth. On ways to achieve a resilient transition to a more sustainable and inclusive regional economy, the commerce chief said: The collective efforts in deepening economic integration, embodied by comprehensive regional undertakings such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, hold great promise for overcoming divisions and bolstering connectivity. He also called on member economies to keep up the momentum and accelerate discussion on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. On the margins of the meeting, Mr Yau met Peru Minister of Foreign Trade & Tourism Juan Carlos Matthews Salazar to discuss trade and economic issues. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on Sunday morning. This story has been published on: 2023-05-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. George Floyd's murder still haunts Black Americans, fuels distrust of police: Anadolu report Xinhua) 09:54, May 27, 2023 ANKARA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Three years after George Floyd was killed by four police officers in the U.S. state of Minnesota, the case still haunts Black Americans and fuels their skepticism and distrust of police, Turkiye's semi-official Anadolu Agency reported on Thursday. The murder of Floyd on May 25, 2020 "showed the world how (American) police treat Black people differently than white people," Anadolu quoted Alicia Jennings, a 39-year-old living in Houston, as saying. "There is this long history of police brutality towards Black people," Derek Handley, an assistant professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, told Anadolu. While Floyd's killing caught the attention of the younger generation, police violence against Black people in America is nothing new, Handley added. Handley believed that societal stereotyping would not change anytime soon and the U.S. criminal justice system as a whole needed to be overhauled to prevent incidents like Floyd's murder from happening again. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) by Xinhua writer Gao Wencheng BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Days before the Group of Seven (G7) Hiroshima summit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said China's use of so-called "economic coercion" should constitute "concern to all of us." Yellen's words have revealed a self-serving Washington's murky incentives to distract the international community from the real coercer, whitewash its lucrative anti-China schemes, and tie its allies to its own chariot. First of all, the so-called "China's economic coercion" hype is a design Washington made to paper over its own coercive diplomacy. The top coercer is clearly the United States: As of 2021, Washington has enforced more than 9,400 sanctions and imposed unilateral economic embargoes on nearly 40 countries, affecting nearly half of the world's population. Even Washington's allies aren't immune to its coercive diplomacy. To eliminate Japan's economic threat, Washington compelled the country to sign the "Plaza Accord" in 1985, forcing the yen to appreciate, which led to the rapid expansion of the East Asian state's domestic economic bubble, the collapse of the real estate bubble and the long-term stagnation of the Japanese economy. Later, Washington dismembered Alstom, a French power and transport group, with American legal action in 2010-15, in a scenario featuring the arrest of Alstom executives by the U.S. Department of Justice in dirty tricks against the French manufacturer. Under pressure, Alstom had to accept an acquisition bid from American conglomerate General Electric in 2015. Washington has also repeatedly wielded tariffs against its European partners and interfered in market competition. Not to mention its ripping into the semiconductor industry, where it "extorts" confidential data from various chip companies to maintain dominance in the sector. Just as U.S. think tank the Center for a New American Security pointed out in a report, "Coercive economic measures have been a longstanding tool of American foreign policy, dating back to the early 19th century. But since the end of the Cold War, coercive economic measures have become an ever more important instrument of U.S. foreign policy." Second, Washington attempted to use the hype to justify its unreasonable suppression of China while camouflaging itself as a "big brother" who stands up to those countries that have walked right into its "you-fight-the-tussle-and-I-win" trap. "It's been over three decades since the United States engaged in great power peer competition, and some may have forgotten that high-stakes competition against another great power is not pretty and sometimes dirty," Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said when boasting about the so-called "strategy to deter China's economic coercion" in his congressional testimony. While the word "dirty" is fairly accurate to describe U.S. political tricks against China's legitimate and reasonable development, the hypocrisy in Cha's words reflects how Washington is struggling to find excuses for its actions that undermine economic and trade freedom. Meanwhile, let's not forget that as Australia, which is enchanted by Washington and repeatedly challenged China's bottom line, was experiencing decreasing exports of coal, wine, cotton and other products to China, U.S. exports to the country in Oceania increased correspondingly. That's probably why the South China Morning Post commented in the article "U.S. Exports to China Grow at 'Expense' of Australia after Beijing's Trade Ban" that the United States will prioritize its own economic needs over those of its allies, including Australia, despite its close ties with them. Third, with the "China's economic coercion" hype, Washington wants to take its allies hostage to the political and economic costs of its own "great power peer competition" game. A report by the RAND Corporation has brought Washington's calculation to light: Restricting imports from China or raising tariffs makes products from China more expensive, and an outright ban on Chinese imports forces consumers to purchase other, more expensive or lower quality goods. Such costs would be passed on to consumers in the United States. However, a so-called "multilateral response" will help Washington split the costs with its "coalition" partners. The truth is, there are a bunch of facts that Washington cannot twist: China is an indispensable partner to many countries around the world. It has a vast and promising market. And all sober minds have deemed China attractive because of its longstanding commitment to opening-up and win-win cooperation. Clearly, Washington's imaginary "China's economic coercion" is a non-starter. The right thing for the United States to do, instead, is take a cold, hard look at itself and reflect on its deeds. Recently, a friend of minewell call her Belaenjoyed a blended family retreat to Joshua Tree, California, with all the mothers in her life. The car was packed with Belas biological mother, 68, her stepdads daughter, 42, and her respective biological mom, 69. The quartet fussed over all of the details crucial for a weekend in the desert. What must be retrieved from the grocery store? Whod drive? And, of course, how much weed did they need to bring? Advertisement Bela is 33, childless, and the literal opposite of a prude. Shes fluent in every flavor of millennial excessmushrooms, MDMA, sex parties, 4 a.m. last callsas well as being a bon vivant of weed. But these three mothers, and their plastic day-of-the-week pill trays brimming with world-erasing THC gummies, were ready to party at unprecedented levels. The 60-year-olds were simply too much to handle, and for the first time in her life, Bela couldnt keep up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minute we got there, they tore into the gummies like people stranded in the desert deprived of water, she told me. Girls trip! they shouted upon entering their Airbnb, funneling what appeared to be fistfuls of weed candy into their mouths. It was 9 a.m. when they started and Bela was flabbergastedthey hadnt even had coffee yet! They got high and stayed high, she continued. I had, like, half of one edible before becoming paranoid and swearing to stick to wine. Advertisement It was there, while witnessing a mother of five rolling on the floorcackling about an imaginary landmark called Pickle Mountain under the influence of a sativa/indica edible selected with sommelier precisionthat Bela arrived at a realization: Moms are way higher than they used to be. I concur. Im 32, and spend much of my free time in the presence of other 32-year-oldsall of whom have moms who are receding into their glorious sundowning eras. They have an empty nest, a retirement scrapbook, and a veritable cornucopia of tinctures, balms, gummies, and pre-rolls harvested from the local head shop. As such, many of us are learning to navigate a new family dynamic in which our beautiful mothers are rhapsodically baked when we circle back home. Advertisement Advertisement Ive seen it often. Cut to the time my girlfriends mom parceled out a thick, THC-rich gelatin cube into pre-restaurant morselsinto uber-precise motherly measurementswhich practically ensured that the conversation around the dinner table would go silent by the time the main course arrived. Ive even lent my own mom a couple of weed gummies before a trip to the Turks and Caicos, which I assume were put to good use at her all-inclusive resort. Advertisement Theyre certainly not alone. Theres been somewhat of a senior marijuana boom over the past few years, one that seems to be affecting older women as of late. According to a report published by JAMA Internal Medicine, cannabis use among Americans 65 and older grew 75 percent between 2015 and 2018which puts boomers just behind Gen Z in total weed sales. The data suggests that there are more senior men with a marijuana habit than senior women, but those levels do seem to be evening out, especially as legalization sweeps through the nation. In 2015 only 1.5 percent of the women surveyed by JAMA reported routine use of cannabis. By 2018, that number had almost doubled to 2.9 percent.* Its rare to see that much change in a three-year period, said William Jesdale, an epidemiologist at the University of Massachusetts, in an interview with the New York Times about the studys conclusions. It shocked us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Candy Schulman, a 70-year old who works at the New School as a writing professor, is one of many such women who recently got back into weed. Like most people her age, Schulman had the majority of her marijuana experiences occurred in her youth, when the drug was wielded as a weapon of revolution. She was never a dyed-in-the-wool stoner, but Schulman savored plenty of weekend THC doses in college, as American conformity shattered under the insurgence of flower children. Schulman dropped the habit in the decades afterwards, breaking her abstinence exactly once, five summers ago, when she smoked a joint while watching the sunset on vacation in Spain. It was so strong, she told me. I hated it. I mean, I liked it for 10 minutes, but then I couldnt get up to my bedroom. I said, This is not where I want to be. Advertisement Advertisement Schulman clearly needed a weed sherpa, which she found in her millennial daughter. Years after that delirious Spanish evening, the two explored a boutique Massachusetts dispensary in hopes of reigniting Schulmans marijuana renaissance once and for all. Like many older women, Schulman suffers from insomnia and was looking for a natural, non-pharmaceutical remedy. With her daughters assistance, she purchased a tasteful, beginner-ready set of blackberry-flavored, 5-milligram sleep chews, which cured what ailed her. Ive felt more rested than in years, and I dont get a hangover, she told me. Advertisement Schulman told me that among her circle of New York literary types, the women are indeed lighting up more frequently than the men. I dont know any men who are using cannabis in my friend group, she said. The women I know dont even like the legal dispensaries and would rather keep their dealer. Advertisement More research needs to be done on older womens marijuana habits to find out exactly why, but Bela has her own theory: Weed is simply the easiest and most accessible way for older women to party. Historically, boomer and Gen X mothers have been shut off from other, more intense forms of disassociation that younger, childless people have an easier time accessingayahuasca weekends and 11 p.m. Tuesday Tinder dates, for exampleand while some moms do go that hard, many stop taking those risks after they have kids. Having a family can update your perspective on personal responsibility, and besides, its difficult to get that twisted when youre trying to raise discerning members of society and be present for your children. Alcohol, the other legal party substance, isnt always an optionits too dangerous, expensive, and hangover-y to truly go HAM on with any degree of frequency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as marijuana has become more accessible over the past decade, its provided a safer, more efficient avenue to Moms wilder years. Weed is also easy to hide and suitably debauched, and, Bela argues, the way its marketed makes it seem like a medicinal solution rather than an item of inebriation, something some moms may prefer. (Consider, for instance, women turning to weed to regulate their menopausal hot flashes.) It can also provide community: In 2023 some mothers even have their own stoner solidarity groups to kick back with, maybe with a joint in hand. (A growing number of women now identify as proud, card-carrying cannamoms.) The millennials I interviewed for this story are all universally thrilled that marijuana useor at least shame-free marijuana discussionhas become a fixture of their family unit, especially in contrast to the war-on-drugs punitive mania that defined the parenting techniques of the 80s and 90s. Katie Ruiz, a 25-year-old in San Diego, said that this Mothers Day, in lieu of a bouquet or a box of flowers, she sent her mother a package of THC-infused peach rings to demonstrate her affection. She lives in Wisconsin, where recreational weed is unfortunately still illegal, continued Ruiz. She was excited to get something high-quality for once. Advertisement Advertisement Cannabis was once taboo in Ruizs household. Like Schulman, her mothera 66-year-old named Cathy Gordonindulged in her share of marijuana before rearing her children, and drifted away from corporeal intemperance as adulthood settled in. But one day, after Ruizs boyfriend (and now husband) overheard Gordon complaining about her chronic pain, he floated the idea of securing her some bud. My mom jumped at the opportunity and has really been all about it since, said Ruiz. I really do think older women are embracing marijuana because of the relief it provides. Shes constantly trying to coax her older friends into trying it. Advertisement When I reached out to Gordon, she told me that as the cultural attitude toward marijuana has changed, shes felt less bashful about her own appetite. I can do it more in the open now, she explained. It relaxes me without adding extra calories. It helps me cope in this whacked-out world were stuck in. (Gordon is currently thriving in retirement after a long career in military engineering.) Advertisement Another mom, Sarah, whos 64 and asked to remain anonymous, feels the same way. She rediscovered marijuana as a substitute to her anxiety medications, freeing her of the onerous side effects. Weed has affected every facet of Sarahs life, from her relationship with her children to her sex drive with her husband. A therapist once told me that cannabis kicks out the critical parent of the mind, she laughed. So its possible that when those critical voices go away, it has an impact on my libido. Advertisement Advertisement Sarah started fostering a cannabis habit after her son left home. He was a routine user throughout high schoolwhich she never acknowledged directlyand after he was out of the house, it became clear that this mom and son had a dalliance in common. The pair now get high together when hes around. There are no secrets anymore. That, to me, is the best outcome of Americas burgeoning marijuana boom: At last, children and mothers alike no longer need to keep up appearances. When he went away from college and marijuana became more of a part of my life, and his life, I felt that there was a barrier between us, said Sarah. We have a relationship where there usually isnt anything between us. Not being secretive about it has brought us closer. In a very strange way, it makes me a cool mom. Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, the last edition of Slates politics newsletter that you may read before America defaults on its debt! Hey shouldnt you be stocking up on canned food and firearms instead of reading a politics newsletter? This week, we check on the latest debt ceiling maneuvering, where the players on both sides are getting just unhappy enough to strike a deal that no one likes. We look at the bedlam in the Texas state Legislature, No Labels losing all of its Democratic friends, and recently declared presidential candidates and presidential candidates to come, including [checks notes] North Dakota Gov. Dorg Boormag. Let us begin, though, with Meatball Rob. Slates archives are full of important stories. Were republishing this article for the start of summer. It was originally published June 4, 2013. The new captain jumped from the deck, fully dressed, and sprinted through the water. A former lifeguard, he kept his eyes on his victim as he headed straight for the couple swimming between their anchored sportfisher and the beach. I think he thinks youre drowning, the husband said to his wife. They had been splashing each other and she had screamed but now they were just standing, neck-deep on the sand bar. Were fine; what is he doing? she asked, a little annoyed. Were fine! the husband yelled, waving him off, but his captain kept swimming hard. Move! he barked as he sprinted between the stunned owners. Directly behind them, not 10 feet away, their 9-year-old daughter was drowning. Safely above the surface in the arms of the captain, she burst into tears, Daddy! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How did this captain knowfrom 50 feet awaywhat the father couldnt recognize from just 10? Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect. The captain was trained to recognize drowning by experts and years of experience. The father, on the other hand, had learned what drowning looks like by watching television. If you spend time on or near the water (hint: thats all of us) then you should make sure that you and your crew know what to look for whenever people enter the water. Until she cried a tearful, Daddy, she hadnt made a sound. As a former Coast Guard rescue swimmer, I wasnt surprised at all by this story. Drowning is almost always a deceptively quiet event. The waving, splashing, and yelling that dramatic conditioning (television) prepares us to look for is rarely seen in real life. Advertisement The Instinctive Drowning Responseso named by Francesco A. Pia, Ph.D., is what people do to avoid actual or perceived suffocation in the water. And it does not look like most people expect. There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the No. 2 cause of accidental death in children, ages 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents)of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. According to the CDC, in 10 percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch the child do it, having no idea it is happening. Drowning does not look like drowningDr. Pia, in an article in the Coast Guards On Scene magazine, described the Instinctive Drowning Response like this: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled before speech occurs. Drowning peoples mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning peoples mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the waters surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response peoples bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This doesnt mean that a person that is yelling for help and thrashing isnt in real troublethey are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the Instinctive Drowning Response, aquatic distress doesnt last longbut unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw rings, etc. Advertisement Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are in the water: Head low in the water, mouth at water level Head tilted back with mouth open Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus Eyes closed Hair over forehead or eyes Not using legsvertical Hyperventilating or gasping Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway Trying to roll over on the back Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder Advertisement So if a crew member falls overboard and everything looks OKdont be too sure. Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they dont look like theyre drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking up at the deck. One way to be sure? Ask them, Are you all right? If they can answer at allthey probably are. If they return a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them. And parentschildren playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why. (See a video of the Instinctive Drowning Response.) This article is reprinted from Mario Vittones blog. Join him on Facebook. An expert in computing responds to Tara Isabella Burtons I Know Thy Works. In 2018 researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab, Harvard University, the University of British Columbia, and Universite Toulouse Capitole shared the results of one of the largest moral experiments conducted to date. They recorded 40 million ethical decisions from millions of people across 233 countries. The experiments Moral Machine posed to users variations of the classic trolley problem, imagining instead the trolley as a self-driving car. Should the car swerve and collide with jaywalking pedestrians or maintain its current trajectory, which would yield inevitable doom for the passengers inside? What if the jaywalkers are elderly? What if the passengers are doctors? Advertisement The results of the study highlight various preferences and implicit bias in decision making (for example, sparing doctors over elderly people), as well as cultural preferences between countries clustered into global Western, Eastern, and Southern categories. (For example, countries in the Southern category showed a strong preference for sparing physically fit individuals.) Theres debate over whether the trolley problem is really the right framing to interrogate ethical choices (specifically whether decisions made in the simulation really reflect what you would choose in real life), and the experiment itself has also been criticized for both its setup and assumptions. But the Moral Machine does provide a fascinating example of an algorithm that observes your ability to make decisions in a handful of tense driving situations, and then spits out a bulleted list of your preferences for saving babies over dogs, and how that compares with the rest of the world (or at least the rest of the people who have taken the test). Theres something oddly compelling about seeing a neat, orderly enumeration of your ethical valuesthe Moral Machine is much quicker at computing those supposed values than was the college roommate you stayed up all night with discussing the sticking points of utilitarianism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tara Isabella Burtons I Know Thy Works revolves around a similar human desire to skip the lengthy debates and figure out the next best ethical thing to do in a logical, calculated fashion. The story does this through the Arete system, whose goal is to outsource morality. First, users input their meta-ethic, the driving principle they want to base decisions on (The pursuit of truth at all costs or The greatest happiness for the greatest number). Then, the app builds recommendations and suggestions to comply with that ethic: for example, what jobs users can work or pleasures they can indulge in. The apps ethical accounting also tracks users every action and calculates a publicly posted score, which is linked to things like CVs and dating profiles. The plot of the story revolves around characters who try to briefly escape the system through clandestine Black Dinners, during which they leave their phonesand their meta-ethicsbehind. Advertisement The Arete system is fascinating in its conception, and perhaps not too distant from our own reality. Effective computability, broadly defined as the domain of phenomena that can be algorithmically measured and computed, used to be restrained to measuring physical quantities like vehicle speed or electrons flowing down a copper wire. Now techs inextricability from our lives means we can compute more abstract quantities, such as ones FICO score or the attributes of a perfect romantic partner. Smartphones and wearable devices have folded the outside world into our cognitive processes as extended minds, which in turn has made users reliant on the algorithms and applications that organize our groceries, help us communicate with our loved ones, and remind us to take our medication. The final frontier for this creep in effective computability is ethics and morality: Can we outsource our own ethical decisions to machines? And if we can, do we want to? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Arete builds upon a culture of tracking and surveillance that has accompanied our lives online, especially when it comes to personal well-being and self-help apps. People log their every minute on productivity apps and every dollar on budget apps, they meditate on mental health apps and pray on religious ones, they count steps and caloriesand they willingly consent to sharing their personal information with companies and advertisers for this convenience. Beyond personal apps, were also enmeshed in larger government and economic systems that leverage user surveillance and tracking to build profiles for individuals and make algorithmic decisions, which in turn often alter the trajectories of lives. These systems range from credit scores (which endeavor to judge financial trustworthiness) to pretrial risk assessments. There are also examples like Chinas social credit system, which claims to assess financial and social creditworthiness. These systems have their own meta-ethics and automated processes to compute alignment to those ethics and are ripe with examples of bias and discrimination against minority groups (for example, higher mortgage-application denial rates for Black Americans). Advertisement Conceptually, it would be challenging to design a computational ethics algorithm like the one described in I Know Thy Works. Implicit in Burtons story is the idea that the meta-ethics are linguistic in nature and translatable into logic compatible with Aretes code base. In reality, it would be hard to assign a philosophical principlethe greatest happiness for the greatest numberwith a computational output. Determining such clear moralistic/ethical statements has perplexed philosophers for centuries, and it is unlikely that a person could articulate a coherent set of meta-ethics for themselves within Arete. Indeed, characters in Burtons story have trouble picking a meta-ethic and sticking with it. These sorts of dilemmas are familiar: How can one simultaneously express a desire for privacy and security in personal life while yearning to display their life on social media? As the story notes, We all want exactly two things in this life: to be seen, and to be invisible. The question is which one we want more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, modern algorithms grounded in machine learning do not rely solely on explicit logical rulesthey also crowdsource their decision making based on statistical patterns gleaned from large amounts of training data. Although this has led to great mimicry of intelligent behavior (hello, ChatGPT), developing an algorithm that mimics the statistical majority of ethical decisions in its recommendations is fraught. These models arent good at handling the complex moral quandaries that arise at the fringes. In the story, as Aretes algorithmized ethics govern the minutiae of daily life, the idea of personal resistance becomes central: How do you assert ethical independence? Theres a performative aspect to ethics, as with other aspects of identity. The public scoring systems on both Arete and other, real-world apps (like step counters or Instagram) are designed to facilitate that performance. The story has another notable stage: the Gothic ambience of the Black Dinners, distinguished by excess and the desire for escape. Although the theatrics of the storys particular Black Dinner ultimately culminate in tragedy, there is an undercurrent of hope for individuals coming together, bending and shifting their values in defiance of a cold ethical calculus, avoiding the wrenching emptiness in [their] sternum. Id like to think that, in that world, I would also turn off my app and turn up my apocalyptic playlist until morning. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. US and Mexican authorities are calling on the World Health Organization to declare an emergency over an outbreak of fungal diseases linked to cosmetic surgery in Mexico. Two people who underwent surgery in Mexico died of meningitis after the surgery, and at least 400 people are now under observation. Many US citizens travel to Mexico for cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, or a Brazilian butt lift, and the surgeries require an anesthetic to be injected into the area around the spine. In certain clinics, fungal diseases spread after these operations, and two people died from meningitis. In the Mexican city of Matamoros, two cosmetic clinics have been closed, while others are being warned to check their patients, including those who underwent operations earlier in the year. In the United States, 25 people with symptoms of fungal meningitis have been identified. Cosmetic surgery PHOTO: Shutterstock Dallas Smith from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that drugs used during anesthesia in this outbreak may have been contaminated in the therapy itself or in other drugs added during surgery, such as morphine. It is currently in short supply in Mexico and there is a possibility that contaminated drugs could appear on the black market, Smith said. The most common early symptom of fungal meningitis is a headache, followed by symptoms such as fever, vomiting, neck pain, and blurred vision. Fungal meningitis is not contagious and can be treated with antifungal medications, but it can quickly become life-threatening once symptoms begin to appear. The World Health Organization declares a public health emergency when a disease spreads between countries and requires a coordinated international response to control it. -- The Serbian armed forces remain at the highest level of combat readiness after the riots that broke out in the north of Kosovo on Friday, it was concluded at a meeting of the National Security Council in Belgrade. NATOs KFOR mission was accused of not doing its job. Then, in response, he called for an easing of tensions in Kosovo. Riots broke out in northern Kosovo on Friday. PHOTO: AP The Prime Minister of Kosovo is at the council meeting Albina Kurti accused of brutal use of force and and his forces against the Serbian people. They were also critical of the NATO mission in Kosovo (Kfor), which they accused of not carrying out its work in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the military-technical agreement from Kumanovo. In light of the events, they agreed on all necessary security measures aimed at strengthening Serbias defense capacity, the Serbian press agency Tanjug summarizes the governments message. Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army Milan Mojsilovic were authorized to maintain direct contacts with the KFOR commander in order to ensure the fulfillment of the mandate of the NATO mission in accordance with the relevant UN acts. Serbia remains steadfast in protecting its people, they wrote in a press release. In addition to the mayor, the Serbian president also attended the council meeting Aleksandar Vucicthe Prime Minister Ana BrnabicForeign Minister Ivica DacicMinister of Defense Milos VucevicMinister of the Interior Bratislav GasicMinister of Justice Maja Popovicdirector of the security intelligence agency Bia Alexander Vulin and Director of the Serbian Office for Kosovo Petar Petkovic. Clashes between the Kosovo police and members of the Serbian community in Zvecan PHOTO: AP The unrest in northern Kosovo broke out on Friday when Serbian residents tried to prevent the ethnic Albanian mayors from entering municipal buildings in the towns of Zubin Potok, Leposavic and Zvecan. Kosovo police used tear gas and stun grenades to help the new mayors take their positions in the municipal buildings, and several people were injured. NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu today, on Twitter, she called on all Kosovo institutions to immediately ease tensions and resolve disagreements through dialogue. She added that Kfor remains attentive to the situation in Kosovo and will continue to strive to ensure a safe environment in accordance with the mandate of the UN Security Council. Today, Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain and the USA reacted strongly to the situation in Kosovo. We condemn the decision of the Kosovo police, which, despite our calls for restraint, forcefully invades municipal premises in the north of Kosovo, is written in the joint statement of the foreign ministries. The countries have also expressed concern about raising the readiness level of the Serbian army to the highest level, reports the German news agency dpa. Spokesperson of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Peter Stano meanwhile, he condemned the fighting in Kosovo and deplored the attacks on EU Eulex civilian mission patrols. Chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani however, he called for the situation to calm down and said that Ovse is ready to help with this. READ MORE In the north of Kosovo, stun grenades and tear gas, the Serbian army is on alert Spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova condemned Kosovo, the United States and the European Union for the escalation of tensions in the Balkans, and stressed that it was monitoring the situation in the north of Kosovo with concern. We strongly condemn Pristinas provocative steps, which threaten the security of the entire Balkans and for which the USA and the EU are also responsible, she warned and, according to the Croatian news agency Hina, added that Western countries decided too late to condemn Kosovos actions. Meanwhile, Kurti stated that Pristina understands the concerns of its international partners, but any other option would mean a failure to fulfill its constitutional obligations. I call on everyone, especially the citizens of Kosovo Serbs, to cooperate with the new mayors and their cabinets, which will be multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual, he wrote on Facebook. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230526/jpmorgan-claims-wife-of-ex-virgin-islands-governor-aided-jeffrey-epsteins-crimes-1110619337.html JPMorgan Claims Wife of Ex-Virgin Islands Governor Aided Jeffrey Epsteins Crimes JPMorgan Claims Wife of Ex-Virgin Islands Governor Aided Jeffrey Epsteins Crimes On Thursday the bank alleged de Jongh has been accused by the bank of being Epsteins primary conduit for spreading money and influence throughout the USVI government." The filing reveals how and when she assisted Epstein. 2023-05-26T23:06+0000 2023-05-26T23:06+0000 2023-05-26T23:01+0000 americas jeffrey epstein sex trafficking virgin islands lawsuit jpmorgan chase /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101802/72/1018027231_0:19:1000:582_1920x0_80_0_0_ae9cd7d85a8fe2dd6c9fd6b0b19fee66.jpg One of the worlds largest banks has accused the wife of the former governor of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) of aiding in Jeffrey Epsteins sex crimes. Cecile de Jongh, who may go by her maiden name Cecile Galiber, is the former first lady of the Virgin Islands and took on that role from 2007 until 2015 while her husband was the governor.JPMorgan also alleges that Epstein paid for the tuition of the former first lady's children as she advised Epstein on how to buy control of the USVI political class.The USVI brought a civil lawsuit against the bank last year, alleging JPMorgan was indispensable to the operation and concealment of the Epstein trafficking enterprise. Their allegation against Cecile is part of a defense in response to the lawsuit, which is seeking monetary damages from the bank.The bank also alleges that Cecile helped Epstein get student visas for his victims, and helped enroll them in bespoke class at the University of the Virgin Islands which was created to provide cover for their presence in the territory. The same year they were enrolled, Epstein donated $20,000 to the university through one of his companies.The filing adds that Cecile advised Epstein to have someone else sign the victims school payment letters, because she was possibly cognizant of the risk in having a registered sex offender sign the letter.Epstein also met with leadership at the USVI Port Authority, which ran an airport on St. Thomas where Epstein allegedly trafficked his victims. Cecile, according to the report, asked Epstein to support a local legislators bid to return to a position with the Port Authority because it would be a good person for him to have there.The filing shows Epstein donated heavily to USVI politicians and the government, including $30,000 to the campaign of Stacey Plaskett - a delegate to US House of Representatives since 2015, and a $25,000 gift to current Governor Albert Bryans inaugural committee and donations to a school library.The filing also found that in 2010, Epstein emailed Cecile and complained to her about a difficult customs officer at the airport. Then, two years later he asked about sending all 78 airport officers turkeys for Thanksgiving.In 2011, Cecile also contacted Epstein to make sure the wording of a legislative bill which proposed to increase the monitoring sex offenders would work for him. Then, when the bill passed, she apologized to him for how things panned out.Reports have indicated that Cecile has not commented on the filing. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230522/report-jeffrey-epstein-allegedly-tried-to-extort-bill-gates-over-extramarital-affair-1110526821.html americas virgin islands Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg jeffrey epstein, crime, sex crime, usvi, united states virgin islands, jpmorgan bank, lawsuit https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/desantis-trump-standoff-florida-governor-reveals-how-his-agenda-differs--1110624247.html DeSantis-Trump Standoff: Florida Governor Reveals How His Agenda Differs DeSantis-Trump Standoff: Florida Governor Reveals How His Agenda Differs The past several years have seen DeSantis avoid directly lashing out at Trump, who earlier endorsed the 44-year-olds gubernatorial bid. 2023-05-27T08:32+0000 2023-05-27T08:32+0000 2023-05-27T08:32+0000 americas us florida donald trump ron desantis election race covid-19 migration /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/11/1092329809_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_95ec80549841ac6c9b741db8388a808b.jpg A standoff between former US President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has intensified after the latter formally entered the 2024 White House race.Shortly after the Wednesday launch of his presidential bid on Twitter, though, DeSantis made it clear that he is no longer tiptoeing around the ex-POTUS, nor is he being shy about his plans to flex the powers of the presidency, as the US broadcaster put it.DeSantis said he believes all candidates should participate in the planned GOP primary debates, which Trump previously threatened to boycott. Nobodys entitled to anything in this world, the Florida governor emphasized.In his post-launch speech, the Florida governor named the guidelines of the GOP as "tired dogmas of the past inadequate for the future" and pointed out spheres to be reformed.In particular, he slammed the former US president as fiscally irresponsible and a supporter of amnesty for undocumented immigrants now that America is in the grip of a migration crisis.He drew attention to the shortcomings of Trumps COVID-19 mitigation policies and also warned against the longstanding tradition that government institutions like the US Department of Justice (DOJ) should operate independently from the president, striking more decisive tone than POTUS in this regard, according to American media. The Florida governor added that if elected, his day one priority would be to fire the 45th presidents handpicked Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Christopher Wray.Political analyst and activist Keith Preston has, meanwhile, told Sputnik that while DeSantis could win the Republican nomination, Trump remains the most popular GOP candidate, especially among primary voters, and will benefit from an expanding roster of candidates.Preston was echoed by Clodagh Harrington, a lecturer in US politics at University College Cork, who argued that while DeSantis potentially has a shot at taking the GOP nomination from Trump, it would be safer for him to wait for 2028, when both the ex-POTUS and the current President Joe Biden do not pose a challenge.He also suggested that clashes between Trump and DeSantis could create an image of dysfunctionality on the Republican side that would work to the Democrats' advantage.At the same time, both Harrington and Preston drew attention to DeSantis' "social conservatism" that may undermine him in a nationwide contest against Biden.Robert Weissberg, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, for his part, believes that the lack of panache that Trump has could prove an asset rather than a handicap for the Florida governor."DeSantis is a very strong candidate whose lack of charisma may be an advantage after the wild man Trump," Weissberg said, suggesting that DeSantis could also do well with Hispanic voters. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230524/what-does-ron-desantis-say-about-us-foreign-policy-1110561005.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230526/twitter-engineering-chief-leaves-the-nest-after-ron-desantis-glitchy-presidential-launch-1110598114.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230525/mastering-social-media-more-important-to-desantis-than-musks-backing-1110588118.html americas florida Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg trump-desantis rivalry, launch of desantis' presidential bid, 2024 us presidential election, trump's covid-19 mitigation policies https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/fitch-says-places-11-us-credit-linked-notes-on-rating-watch-negative-1110622881.html Fitch Says Places 11 US Credit-Linked Notes on Rating Watch Negative Fitch Says Places 11 US Credit-Linked Notes on Rating Watch Negative WASHINGTON, (Sputnik) - Fitch Ratings said on Friday it has placed 11 US credit-linked notes on a Rating Watch Negative, citing growing risks that the government administration could begin to default on payments as the Biden administration remains locked in a political standoff with its rivals in raising the nations debt ceiling. 2023-05-27T04:47+0000 2023-05-27T04:47+0000 2023-05-27T04:47+0000 americas joe biden janet yellen kevin mccarthy republicans fitch us debt ceiling crisis debt ceiling us debt default /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104264/83/1042648346_0:219:4256:2613_1920x0_80_0_0_12a4ce1bbbf4757161e561206ce79637.jpg Fitch still expects a resolution to the debt limit before the x-date, the rating agency said of the June 5 deadline that US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has given as the last day that the government will be able to pay for its obligations without default. Despite its optimism that the administration will resolve the crisis in time, Fitch said it believed risks have risen that the debt limit will not be raised or suspended before the x-date and consequently the government could begin to miss payments on some of its obligations. Yellen told Congress in a letter on Friday that based on most recent data, the Treasury will be unable to meet its obligations if the nations debt limit, currently standing at $31.4 trillion, is not raised by June 5. Prior to this, the Treasury secretary had cited June 1 as the date of likely default without a higher debt ceiling. President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies have negotiated without success for weeks with Republican congressional leader Kevin McCarthy, whos also Speaker of the US House of Representatives, for a new debt deal for the country. McCarthy said on Wednesday he and other Republicans were still far apart with the Democrats on various issues, though both he and Biden have repeatedly stressed that default is not an option. At the crux of the disagreement is how much the government should or should not spend next year. While any deal reached now will only cover 2023 obligations, the Republicans are casting the ball forward to tie down federal commitments for 2024 as well. With legacy US debt already at $21.5 trillion and growing each year, the Republicans say the country cannot continue with Democrats overspending. House Republicans passed a plan last month to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for cuts to government spending, but Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer quickly dismissed the proposal. Democrats, on their part, are seething at Republicans refusal to raise taxes on the rich a privileged group that Biden says has never paid its fair share of the countrys revenue and seeking increases in the budget for defense a favorite political play for the Republicans, which have traditionally enjoyed strong support from military and other uniformed personnel. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230523/what-can-replace-us-dollar-as-world-reserve-currency-1110538607.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230525/us-senator-vows-to-use-all-tools-to-impede-any-debt-ceiling-deal-without-spending-reform-1110584558.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230526/failure-to-reach-us-debt-ceiling-deal-would-cause-contraction-in-us-world-economies---imf-1110616778.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us economy, deb ceiling, debt limit, yellen, deal https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/kiev-disrupts-rotation-of-iaea-staff-at-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant---regional-authorities-1110620617.html Kiev Disrupts Rotation of IAEA Staff at Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant - Regional Authorities Kiev Disrupts Rotation of IAEA Staff at Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant - Regional Authorities The Kiev authorities have disrupted the rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency staff at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Zaporozhye regional administration, told Sputnik. 2023-05-27T01:57+0000 2023-05-27T01:57+0000 2023-05-27T01:52+0000 world zaporozhye npp sergei rogov kiev international atomic energy agency (iaea) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/18881/06/188810638_0:132:3087:1868_1920x0_80_0_0_52050cdee1168bc92af9cd989616e9dd.jpg The IAEA mission has been present at the ZNPP since September 2022. A total of seven IAEA staff rotations have taken place since then, the last one having been completed at the end of April. The senior official specified that three IAEA inspectors were supposed to arrive at the ZNPP: from Argentina, Ireland and Morocco. "On the eve of the [IAEA] missions arrival, the regime of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky gave the order to subject the city of Vasylivka, through which the usual route of the monitoring mission runs, to massive shelling from heavy weapons," Rogov told Sputnik. Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nicolas Bideau told Sputnik on Thursday that the UN Security Council was planning to convene on May 30 to address the safety of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. Located on the left bank of the Dnepr River, the Zaporozhye NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe by number of units and energy output. The ZNPP came under Russian control in early March 2022 during Russias special military operation. It has come under Ukrainian shelling several times, raising international concerns over the possibility of a nuclear accident. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230507/iaea-says-concerned-about-nuclear-safety-risks-at-zaporozhye-npp-1110157223.html kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International kiev, ukraine, international atomic energy agency, zaporozhye nuclear power plant, vladimir rogov KAMPALA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military on Saturday said it has sent a team of experts to investigate the Friday attack on its troops in Somalia by the militant group al-Shabab. The military in a statement issued here said the team will investigate circumstances under which the east African country's peacekeepers in Somalia were attacked. Uganda is one of the troop contributing countries to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) battling terrorists in Somalia. Others are Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia. The military called for calm in the country as the investigations start. "A team of UPDF (Uganda People's Defence Forces) under the leadership of the Commander of Land Forces, Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, has been dispatched to Somalia to ascertain the circumstances under which the attack happened and devise the way forward," the statement said. Ugandan peacekeepers deployed under ATMIS were attacked by al-Shabab in Bulo Marer, 120 km southwest on Mogadishu in Lower Shabelle region, according to the military. The army is yet to establish the number of casualties. The militant group claims to have killed more than 130 soldiers. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/moscow-minsk-have-right-to-ensure-security-in-military-nuclear-sphere---russian-embassy-1110623587.html Moscow, Minsk Have Right to Ensure Security in Military-Nuclear Sphere - Russian Embassy Moscow, Minsk Have Right to Ensure Security in Military-Nuclear Sphere - Russian Embassy Russia and Belarus, in the conditions of the hybrid war unleashed by Washington, have the right to ensure their security, including in the military-nuclear sphere, the Russian Embassy in the United States said. 2023-05-27T06:10+0000 2023-05-27T06:10+0000 2023-05-27T06:10+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine alexander lukashenko belarus russia joe biden special operation nuclear weapons /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0b/13/1090845428_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_f022c75fa772c158d2aceaf97e4228ab.jpg US President Joe Biden told reporters on Friday, before he left Washington for Camp David, that he had an "extremely negative" reaction to reports that Russia had decided to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. "We have noted increasingly frequent comments in recent days coming from White House and State Department concerning the Russia-Belarus military-nuclear cooperation. They once again accused us of irresponsible and provocative behavior," the Russian embassy said in a statement, adding that "it is the sovereign right of Russia and Belarus to ensure their security by means we deem necessary amidst of a large-scale hybrid war unleashed by Washington against us." The embassy emphasized that the recent measures with regard to nuclear weapons are fully consistent with Russias international legal obligations. "Before blaming others, Washington could use some introspection. The United States has been for decades maintaining a large arsenal of its nuclear weapons in Europe. Together with its NATO allies it participates in nuclear sharing arrangements and trains for scenarios of nuclear weapons use against our country," the Russian embassy said. On Thursday, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and his Belarusian counterpart, Viktor Khrenin, signed documents defining the procedure for keeping Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons in a special storage facility on the territory of Belarus. On the same day, Lukashenko said that the transfer of nuclear ammunition had begun within the framework of agreements with Russia on the stationing of tactical nuclear weapons in the republic. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on March 25 that Moscow and Minsk had agreed on the deployment of Russia's tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which does not violate Russia's nuclear non-proliferation commitments. On April 2, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov said that nuclear weapons in Belarus would be stationed closer to the western borders of the union state. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230526/why-is-russia-deploying-tactical-nuclear-weapons-in-belarus-1110607130.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/drone-boats-used-in-attack-on-russian-ship-ivan-khurs-launched-with-us-support---source-1110621650.html belarus russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia special operation in ukraine, minsk, nuclear deployment, vladimir putin, alexander lukashenko, belarus https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/moscow-says-will-further-support-belgrade-in-efforts-to-protect-its-rights-sovereignty-1110624858.html Moscow Says Will Further Support Belgrade in Efforts to Protect Its Rights, Sovereignty Moscow Says Will Further Support Belgrade in Efforts to Protect Its Rights, Sovereignty Russia will continue to support Serbia in its efforts to protect its legitimate rights, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Yuri Pilipson, Director of the Fourth European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik. 2023-05-27T07:34+0000 2023-05-27T07:34+0000 2023-05-27T07:40+0000 world russia serbia aleksandar vucic /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/17/1107745660_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_8d6ed510b9e59ae9e81809cac5eecd9a.jpg "We will continue to support Belgrade in its efforts to protect legitimate rights, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have no reason to question the stability of the Serbian government when it comes to the protection of state interests," the diplomat stated. Any decision on Kosovo should be acceptable for Serbians and approved by the UN Security Council, Pilipson also stated, adding that the West is trying to promote other ways to solve the issue with no regard for interests of the Serbian people. On Friday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic brought the Serbian military to a state of maximum alert due to the situation in Kosovo and Metohija over unilateral steps taken by Pristina. He also demanded that NATO "urgently stop violence against Serbs" in Kosovo and Metohija. The reason was an attempt by the authorities of Pristina to appoint Albanians as mayors in the north of the province after the April 23 elections to local self-government bodies in the north of Kosovo, which were boycotted by local Serbs. https://sputnikglobe.com/20220801/kremlin-serbs-rights-must-be-guaranteed-in-resolution-of-conflict-in-kosovo-1097994643.html russia serbia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, serbia, sovereignty, territorail integrity, russia and serbia https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/putin-says-border-guards-to-continue-protecting-russias-sovereignty-territorial-integrity-1110643895.html Putin Says Border Guards to Continue Protecting Russias Sovereignty Territorial Integrity Putin Says Border Guards to Continue Protecting Russias Sovereignty Territorial Integrity Russian President Vladimir Putin honored Russian border guards in a speech on Sunday for Border Guards Day 2023-05-27T21:37+0000 2023-05-27T21:37+0000 2023-05-27T21:37+0000 russia vladimir putin russia russian border guard service border border control /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/1a/1110613082_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_c3f4ed5d43910254907e11a5b3160a7e.jpg "You, the successors and heirs of the victors generation, of those who defeated Nazism, continue to discharge your duty with honour and dignity, solve challenging high-priority tasks to protect the state borders, carry out border control and protection of marine resources, make an important contribution to implementing international integration projects and development of cross-border cooperation, fight transnational crime and smuggling, and prevent diversions and terrorist attacks," Putin said in a Sunday statement. The Russian president thanked border guards for their service, particularly those participating in the special military operation in Ukraine. The president said that Russian border guards must work in close cooperation with other units of the Federal Security Service, the Armed Forces and the National Guard of the Russian Federation, as well as regional government bodies. Border Guards Day is celebrated in Russia annually on May 28. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230406/kremlin-natos-expansion-towards-russian-borders-causes-concerns-for-countrys-security-1109192759.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian border guards, russian territory, sovereignty, border guards day https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/taiwan-reports-33-chinese-warplanes-detected-around-island-over-past-24-hours-1110623764.html Taiwan Reports 33 Chinese Warplanes Detected Around Island Over Past 24 Hours Taiwan Reports 33 Chinese Warplanes Detected Around Island Over Past 24 Hours The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Saturday that it had detected 33 aircraft and 10 vessels of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) around the island over the past 24 hours. 2023-05-27T06:27+0000 2023-05-27T06:27+0000 2023-05-27T06:27+0000 asia china taiwan taiwan strait us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/09/01/1083769624_0:151:2901:1782_1920x0_80_0_0_4f7deb81a771b64a9f8d4b59bb1b782f.jpg "[A total of] 33 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN [People's Liberation Army Navy] vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m. (UTC+8) [22:00 GMT] today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities," the ministry tweeted. It added that 12 of the detected aircraft, including SU-30, J-10 and J-16 jets, Y-8 transport aircraft, a WZ-7 drone and a Z-9 helicopter, had entered the island's southwest and southeast air defense identification zone. The situation around Taiwan recently escalated again after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in April, with Beijing launching massive three-day military drills near the island in what it called a "warning" to Taiwanese separatists and foreign powers. Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949. Beijing regards the island as its province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an autonomous entity but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official foreign contacts with Taipei and regards Chinese sovereignty over the island as indisputable. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230322/us-increasing-military-presence-in-asia-pacific-region-to-deter-russia-china-shoigu-says--1108682980.html china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International china, taiwan, us, tensions over taiwan https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/ukraine-requests-taurus-long-range-cruise-missiles-from-germany---reports-1110627465.html Ukraine Requests Taurus Long-Range Cruise Missiles From Germany - Reports Ukraine Requests Taurus Long-Range Cruise Missiles From Germany - Reports Ukraine has made a request to the German government to acquire Swedish-German long-range cruise missiles Taurus KEPD 350 with a range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles), German newspaper has reported, citing government sources. 2023-05-27T09:48+0000 2023-05-27T09:48+0000 2023-05-27T09:48+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis taurus cruise missile /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104432/25/1044322500_0:120:1280:840_1920x0_80_0_0_f4852422b776b652c9f413435c31beac.jpg Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky raised the issue of the shipment of German missiles to Ukraine during his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier in the month, the newspaper said, adding that the German Defense Ministry confirmed that Kiev had requested Taurus from Berlin. Earlier in the week, Roderich Kiesewetter, a German lawmaker from the opposition Christian Democratic Union, said that Berlin should abandon "red lines" in its approach to the Ukrainian conflict and provide cruise missiles with over 500km range to Kiev. Western countries have been supplying military aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's special military operation in February 2022. The aid includes both light and heavy weapons, such as tanks and other armored vehicles, missiles, drones, artillery and munitions. On May 11, Ukraine was confirmed to have received its first long-range cruise missiles, which were sent by the United Kingdom. The 250km-range Storm Shadow missiles came with a condition that they would not be used to strike Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukraine had violated this condition and its strikes had resulted in civilian casualties. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230510/borrell-ukraine-conflict-could-end-immediately-if-west-stops-weapons-supply-to-kiev-1110248037.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230512/what-are-storm-shadow-missiles-and-how-can-russia-defeat-them-1110288372.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian crisis, ukrainian agression, kiev terrorism https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/ukrainian-military-starts-training-in-germany-to-operate-us-abrams-tanks---reports-1110636622.html Ukrainian Military Starts Training in Germany to Operate US Abrams Tanks - Reports Ukrainian Military Starts Training in Germany to Operate US Abrams Tanks - Reports bout 400 Ukrainian troops in Germany have started a training to operate the US-made M1 Abrams tanks, US newspaper reported on Saturday, citing a Pentagon spokesman. 2023-05-27T12:45+0000 2023-05-27T12:45+0000 2023-05-27T13:07+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis abrams tanks /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/19173/69/191736959_0:54:1025:630_1920x0_80_0_0_83aef01983c5887d8cc692af7ee7d12c.jpg About 200 Ukrainian troops started combined arms instruction at training ranges in Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels on Friday, while another 200 started being trained in tank refueling and maintenance, spokesman Garron Garn was cited as saying. Western countries have been supplying military aid to Kiev since Russia started it military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The aid evolved from artillery munitions and training to heavier weapons, including tanks. For months, Ukraine has pushed donors to supply fighter jets. It was not until last week that the White House gave its consent to European allies to sent Ukraine their US-made F16 jets Kiev's fighter aircraft of choice. Germany said it would not send fighter jets but would continue supporting Ukraine in other ways. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against Western arms deliveries to Kiev. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230127/four-reasons-leopard-2s--m1-abrams-will-bite-the-dust-in-ukraine-1106772754.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian crisis, russia special military operation, m1 abrams https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/ukrainians-may-fly-f-16s-with-wing--prayer-but-wont-be-effective-in-combat-1110641779.html Ukrainians May Fly F-16s With Wing & Prayer, But Won't Be Effective in Combat Ukrainians May Fly F-16s With Wing & Prayer, But Won't Be Effective in Combat There are vested interests behind Washington's green-lighting transfers of F-16 to Ukraine by its NATO allies, US military veteran and foreign affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda told Sputnik, adding that the move is more about politics than about military support. 2023-05-27T18:47+0000 2023-05-27T18:47+0000 2023-05-27T18:51+0000 us mark sleboda mark milley joe biden ukraine nato russia kiev f-35 nasams /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082928925_0:0:1600:901_1920x0_80_0_0_cee70c974a59be9e2ca804dd2e4a78ac.jpg After months of ambiguity, the Biden administration has given a nod to its allies to provide training and F-16 aircraft to the Kiev regime. Washington's change of heart followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's European tour, during which he expressed hope of creating a "fighter jet coalition" in Ukraine. However, after the White House's announcement concerning F-16s, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley poured some cold water on Kiev's joy by saying on May 24 that F-16s wont act as a "magic weapon" for Ukraine.Sleboda drew attention to the fact that Romania has been transitioning to F-16s for a staggering eight years. "And their comment was 'We're almost there'," he stressed. Romania joined NATO on March 29, 2004. However, for almost two decades it used Soviet-era weapons. In 2016, the nation bought its first F-16s from Portugal to replace its ageing MiG-21 warplanes. Last year it decided to ground its MiG 21 LanceR jet fleet citing high accident rate.Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon on Wednesday, Milley stressed that "the Russians have 1,000 fourth-generation fighters." According to the joint chiefs' chair, if Kiev wants to contest Russia in the air, it would need a substantial amount of fourth and fifth generation fighters. Milley went on to say that if one "looks at the cost curve" and "does the analysis", the smartest thing to have done would be to provide Ukraine with a significant amount of integrated air defenses to cover the battlespace and "deny the Russians the airspace." As of yet, however, the US has given Kiev a couple of NASAMS and a couple of Patriots, as well as some other equipment, which have proven to be vulnerable amid Russia's hypersonic missiles, and failed not only to deny the airspace to the Russian forces, but also cover any meaningful part of the frontline. What is behind this military aid then? Washington is pushing its NATO allies to hand over their legacy weapons to Kiev in order to sell them new and more expensive arms, according to Sleboda.For more of Mark Sleboda exclusive analysis on US policies in Ukraine, check out the full episode of the Fault Lines podcast. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230525/scott-ritter-sending-f-16-to-ukraine-will-backfire-1110582931.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230515/zelenskys-fighter-jet-coalition-depends-on-russian-advancement-1110383880.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230526/france-can-offer-ukraine-basic-pilot-training-instead-of-f-16-jets---foreign-minister-1110604563.html ukraine russia kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova ukraine f-16, joe biden, nato weapons, ukrainian air force, f-16 training ukraine, f-16 jets ukraine, soviet-era mig jets, us military industrial complex, zelensky fighter coalition, russian air force, fourth generation fighters https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/weekly-news-wrap-debt-ceiling-talks-uhuru-day-of-action-china-war-games-for-pacific-1110623389.html Weekly News Wrap; Debt Ceiling Talks; Uhuru Day of Action; China War Games for Pacific Weekly News Wrap; Debt Ceiling Talks; Uhuru Day of Action; China War Games for Pacific China has war-gamed a scenario in the South China Sea wherein the People's Liberation Army confronts and destroys a US Carrier group. 27.05.2023, Sputnik International 2023-05-27T04:06+0000 2023-05-27T04:06+0000 2023-05-27T09:47+0000 the critical hour radio john durham china uhuru movement peru ukraine debt ceiling /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/1b/1110623230_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_2f3baa02c09e5544f779d21d6e71e2ac.png Weekly News Wrap; Debt Ceiling Talks; Uhuru Day of Action; China War Games for Pacific China has war-gamed a scenario in the South China Sea wherein the People's Liberation Army confronts and destroys a US Carrier group. Caleb Maupin, journalist and political analyst, joins us to discuss this week's important news stories. The fact that the conflict in Ukraine was provoked is critical to finding an end to it. Also, Ukrainian intelligence says that it plans to kill President Putin.Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor of Economics and Politics at St. Mary's College in California, joins us to discuss this week's important news stories. A potential debt ceiling concussion may be near as social activists fear that the Democrats will again double-cross them. Also, the US and China discuss trade tensions in a high-level meeting.Dr. Colin Campbell, DC senior news correspondent, joins us to discuss this week's important news stories Joe Biden's debt ceiling betrayal is a democratic tradition. Also, US troops are heading to occupy Peru and the US is attacking the Uhuru movement.Ajamu Baraka, 2016 US vice presidential candidate for the Green Party, and Dan Kovalik, writer, author, and lawyer, come together to discuss this week's important news stories. The 200-year-old Monroe Doctrine is a blueprint for racism and imperialist theft of resources. Also, Peru has been overthrown and will soon be occupied by the US Empire.Jim Kavanagh, whose work can be found at Jim Kavanagh's Substack, thepolemicist.net, and Counterpunch, and Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, come together to discuss this week's important news stories. The Trump-Russia conspiracy theory will not go away because the victims of propaganda delight in believing the trope that Hillary Clinton did not lose the election. Also, the Durham investigation is getting panned by alternative media and 70 percent of US voters fear that the intelligence agencies will interfere in the 2024 election.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik. china peru ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg radio, john durham , china, uhuru movement, peru, ukraine, debt ceiling, While Lindy The Great was the most accomplished and most recognizable name among the horses entered in the 2023 Mid Ohio Memorial Cataloged Trotting Sale on Friday (May 26), he wasn't the sale topper despite fetching a six-figure sale price. Limited to 10 starts over the past two seasons, nine-year-old millionaire Lindy The Great was one of the 145 registered Standardbreds catalogued in the sale that features some of the "best buggy and/or show horses in the nation" according to the sale's website. The 2021 Maple Leaf Trot winner sold for $145,000 to Christian Kauffman of Michigan. The same auction that boasted a seven-figure sale one year ago when Lordy Lordy fetched more than $1.3 million, the Mid Ohio Memorial Trotting Sale boasted four six-figure sales in 2023 with Jasper The Man garnering the most interest. An unraced four-year-old son of O U Man - Lady Anna Dynasty, Jasper The Man was purchased by Indiana's Pleasant Ridge Equine for $250,000. Horses sold on Friday averaged $27,279. Full sale results from the auction are available here: 2023 Mid Ohio Memorial Cataloged Trotting Sale Results. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Communities throughout the Panhandle have planned observances for Memorial Day, set aside for remembering and honoring people who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This year, Memorial Day is observed on May 29. Area observances will begin on Sunday. Sunday, May 28 Melbeta: Creighton Valley Cemetery, 2:30 p.m. The cemetery is located east of Gering on Highway 92, County Road U & 27th and a half-mile south. Monday, May 29 Alliance: The Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance will be hosting its annual Memorial Day program on Monday at 1 p.m. Cemetery Manager Jim Goodwin will recognize the sacrifices made by service members who are interred at NVCA. St. Johns Brass will contribute to the program with the playing of patriotic music. As homage to our fallen heroes, Alliance American Legion Post 7 will conduct a rifle salute and play Taps. The event is open to the public. Seating is available but families are welcome to bring lawn chairs. The Nebraska Veterans Cemetery is located at 2610 County Road 57 in Alliance. Hemingford: The Avenue of Flags in Hemingford will go up on Monday, May 29 at 7 a.m., weather permitting. The Memorial Day Program will be at the Hemingford Legion at 10:30 a.m. and conclude at Memorial Park at noon. Banner County: The Pleasant Hill Cemetery (also known as the Hull Cemetery, 14 miles south of Stegall) will have a program at 11 a.m. Children will decorate veterans graves with flowers. The speaker will be Commander Reginald Preston of the United States Navy followed by a flag folding ceremony and a laying a wreath on the Unknown Soldiers Memorial. The playing of Taps will conclude the ceremony. Following the program, the gathering will adjourn to the Dean Lerwick Farm, which is four miles north of the cemetery (190852 Stegall Road), for a carry-in-dinner with attendees bringing a main dish, table service and chairs. Drinks will be furnished. Please bring your community and family stories and photos to share. For more information, call Jack Preston, 308-641-1398 or email jpreston@prestonpast.com. Bayard: Bayard Cemetery, 11 a.m. In case of inclement weather, services will be held at the American Legion Hall. Chadron: Catholic Cemetery, 9 a.m.; Greenwood Cemetery, 9:30 a.m.; Whitney Cemetery, 10:15 a.m. A luncheon will follow, starting at 11 a.m., at the Chadron American Legion. Gering: Westlawn Cemetery, 10 a.m. The American Legion Post 36 will include a dedication of its recently-completed pavilion during its ceremonies. Scottsbluff: Fairview Cemetery, 9 a.m.; Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 11 a.m.; Western Nebraska State Veterans Home, 1:30 p.m. During the pandemic, ceremonies at the Western Nebraska State Veterans Home have been closed to the public. This year, the public is once again invited to join in ceremonies. Each of the ceremonies will feature Scotts Bluff County Veterans Service Officer Matt Meyers as the master of ceremonies. Oscar Gonzalez, who served in the U.S. Army, will be the Memorial Day speaker, with other observances such as a patriotic song, poem and the playing of Taps planned. Minatare: Eastlawn Cemetery, 11 a.m. Kimball: Kimballs Memorial Day observance will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the Kimball Cemetery. The VFW also will serve burgers and fixings at their hall at 227 South Chestnut. Donations will be accepted for the meal. Kimball resident and Kimball High School social studies teacher Matthew Shoup will be the speaker for 2023 service. Shoup served in the Army for 10 years with the 101st Airborne. He was deployed to Afghanistan from 2001-02 and Iraq from 2003-04. Shoup spent another year in Iraq with the 203rd military intelligence as a biological forensic collector from 2009-10. When Shoup left the Army, he was an E6 staff sergeant. Statewide: VA Black Hills is also asking the public to take part in a National Moment of Remembrance. According to a press release, a National Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time to remember and honor the fallen. All Americans are asked to pause for a moment of silence for one minute in remembrance of the fallen. CAIRO, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi stressed on Saturday the necessity of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable cease-fire in Sudan which has been going through an internal armed conflict since mid-April. Sisi made the remarks during a virtual meeting of the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) held to discuss the developments of the Sudanese crisis, said the Egyptian presidency in a statement. Addressing the PSC gathering, the Egyptian president underlined "the need for a comprehensive and sustainable cease-fire that is not limited to humanitarian purposes." Armed clashes have been going on between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, leaving so far about 865 civilians dead and 3,634 others wounded, according to the latest data from the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate. A week-long cease-fire between the Sudanese warring parties was reached on May 20 in the Saudi port city of Jeddah, but sporadic clashes have continued in the capital of Khartoum in the past few days. None of the previous truces, likewise, was truly observed by the two sides. The Egyptian president noted that Egypt has received so far 150,000 Sudanese citizens fleeing the ongoing conflict, besides already hosting five million Sudanese. "I call on relief agencies and donor countries to provide the necessary support to (Sudan's) neighboring countries in order to continue undertaking this role," Sisi said. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. As Bette Kohler walks among the flags along the greenway in Troutman, she is surrounded by 250 American flags set up by the Evening Exchange Club of Lake Norman for its Walk of Heroes. Its quite astounding, Kohler said. Its very beautiful, very honoring. I was very appreciative of it as well. Kohler is a former member of the Vermont National Guard, but she choose to honor her own father who served in World War II when she purchased a flag as part of the Exchange Clubs event, which also raises money for its charitable activities throughout the year. The names of the honored veterans are attached to the flag. She said it was important to have a reminder as Memorial Day comes over the weekend. In todays day and age, people dont understand being patriotic and honoring the flag. Its humbling and honoring to walk through here, Kohler said. Remembering those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces is the reason for the holiday. That is part of the reason why Patty Wilson took part in purchasing one in honor of her nephew, who died in the Vietnam War. I saw them and thought they were beautiful, Wilson said, adding that once she found out the reason for them being set up, she wanted to get one in honor of her nephew, who was a helicopter pilot. I honor him every day, Wilson said. I think about him every day, and the sacrifice he paid in Vietnam and didnt get honored. The Walk of Heroes was inspired by the Lake Norman Exchange Clubs Field of Flags event that began in 2005 and was done every five years before it became a yearly event around the Fourth of July. The Evening Exchange Club of Lake Norman elected to have a similar version of the event but on Memorial Day. Cotton Ketchie of the Evening Exchange Club said they hope to help people like Kohler and Wilson observe the Memorial Day holiday while supporting the organization. Flags are $35 and can be kept and taken home after the event on Monday. To purchase flags or for more information, click on the QR code on the flyer posted at the Troutman Town Hall, email psummerville01@gmail.com, or call 704-677-6900 or 980-585-9946. The Walk of Heroes caps off with its celebration event on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Troutman ESC Park. The event is free and will have music and food. Paul Summerville of the Evening Exchange Club said the town of Troutman has been very supportive of the event, and Lowes helped by providing lights to properly illuminate the flags. Niagara Bottling is providing water for Mondays event. Ketchie said money raised will help a number of the Evening Exchange Clubs projects, which arent limited to but include helping veterans, supporting Pharos Parenting, scholarships, and programs for seniors in nursing homes. Ketchie said that they also hope that people in Troutman will be starting their own Exchange Club chapter after the event. The Exchange Club of Mooresville/Lake Norman is also behind an event Monday to raise money for a scholarship program. The inaugural 5K Memorial Ruck will begin at 9 a.m. Monday at Richards Coffee Shop, 165 N. Main St., Mooresville. The registration desk opens at 8 a.m. The registration levels are as follows: Patriot $25, which includes an 8X4 flag to commemorate the event. Folds of Honor $35, which includes a flag and custom pin Honor Detail $45 which includes a custom T-shirt, a custom pin and participation in carrying the fallen warrior during the event. All proceeds will help fund a scholarship for an individual selected by Folds of Honor. It also will provide ongoing support for local veterans and their families. For more information visit www.mooresvillelknexhange.org. Local veterans groups will also pay tribute to the fallen with ceremonies at area cemeteries. The veterans, representing the Iredell County Burial Detail, will conduct a solemn ceremony at the veterans monuments and place a wreath in front of the monuments. They will begin at Oakwood Cemetery at 11 a.m. and then go to Belmont Cemetery for a service at 11:30 a.m. The detail will then go to Iredell Memorial Park for a service at noon and conclude at the VFW Post on Jordan Lane at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend these services. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A traffic stop for a registration violation led to the arrest of a Salisbury man on marijuana possession charges. Dekarius Michael Hoosier, 24, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver Schedule VI, felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling to keep or sell controlled substance, misdemeanor aggravated possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. A magistrate set bond at $5,000. Iredell Sheriff Darren Campbell, in a news release, said that on Tuesday, Deputy Will Wiedenmann of the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) team stopped a vehicle on Taylorsville Highway at Butterfield Circle for a registration violation. Hoosier was the driver of that vehicle, Campbell said. Wiedenmann searched the vehicle and found three plastic bags of marijuana and digital scales, Campbell said. Hoosier is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain UK airports were chaotic on Saturday after glitches in the passport e-gate system held up people arriving in the country for hours. It comes at a busy weekend with a bank holiday on Monday overlapping with a school holiday. Travelers said on social media they waited hours as those eligible to use the e-gates had to have their passports checked by immigration officials instead. A woman who landed at Heathrow early Saturday wrote: "Returning from Dubai overnight to this mother of queues. "My plane landed at 6 am, there is still a sea of people in front of me, passport checks are being done manually." London's two main airportsHeathrow and Gatwickwere among those affected. Heathrow said it was "working closely with Border Force", which operates the e-gates, "to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible" and has deployed additional staff. The Home Office said the Border Force had "robust plans in place" to send its officers to help reduce wait times. There are over 270 e-gates at 15 air and rail ports in the UK, according to the government, available to British nationals, EU citizens over the age of 12 as well as passport holders of several other countries, such as Australia and Canada. On Saturday evening, the Home Office said the issue was resolved. "Following a technical border system fault which affected e-gate arrivals into the UK, we can confirm all e-gates are now operating as normal," it said. The delays come after the UK's British Airways airline canceled dozens of flights through Heathrow airport over the course of Thursday and Friday following a knock-on technical issue. Long queues also formed at Dover, a major port for ferries to France in the southeast of England, on Saturday due to IT issues at French passport control. The Port of Dover said on Twitter that the technical issues were resolved and that the average waiting time was down to 30-45 minutes, compared to 90 minutes earlier in the day. 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The Twitter logo is seen on the awning of the building that houses the Twitter office in New York, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. Twitter has dropped out of a voluntary European Union agreement to combat online disinformation, a top EU official said Friday, May 26, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File Twitter has dropped out of a voluntary European Union agreement to combat online disinformation, a top EU official said Friday. European Commissioner Thierry Breton tweeted that Twitter had pulled out of the EU's disinformation "code of practice" that other major social media platforms have pledged to support. But he added that Twitter's "obligation" remained, referring to the EU's tough new digital rules taking effect in August. "You can run but you can't hide," Breton said. San Francisco-based Twitter responded with an automated reply, as it does to most press inquiries, and did not comment. The decision to abandon the commitment to fighting false information appears to be the latest move by billionaire owner Elon Musk to loosen the reins on the social media company after he bought it last year. He has rolled back previous anti-misinformation rules, and has thrown its verification system and content-moderation policies into chaos as he pursues his goal of turning Twitter into a digital town square. Google, TikTok, Microsoft and Facebook and Instagram parent Meta are among those that have signed up to the EU code, which requires companies to measure their work on combating disinformation and issue regular reports on their progress. There were already signs Twitter wasn't prepared to live up to its commitments. The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's executive arm, blasted Twitter earlier this year for failing to provide a full first report under the code, saying it provided little specific information and no targeted data. Breton said that under the new digital rules that incorporate the code of practice, fighting disinformation will become a "legal obligation." "Our teams will be ready for enforcement," he said. 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. KIEV, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine is seeking to fix its perspective of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at the alliance's upcoming summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, head of the Ukrainian president's office Andriy Yermak said Friday. "Our expectations from the summit in Vilnius boil down to two key priorities: fixing in one form or another the absence of alternatives to the fact that we are on the path to NATO membership, and before joining the alliance, obtaining security guarantees," Yermak was quoted as saying by the presidential press service. Currently, Ukraine is holding talks with partner countries over the form of security guarantees, which will be in place before the country joins NATO, Yermak said. The Ukrainian government is aware that the country could become a member of the alliance only when "the security situation allows," the official emphasized. The Vilnius NATO summit is slated for July 11-12. NATO recognized Ukraine as its Enhanced Opportunities Partner in 2020. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Five days was long enough for Troubadour Festival organizers to announce the one-day barbecue and country music festival will return to Aggieland in 2024 after its first appearance at Aggie Park last Saturday. Troubadour Festival will return to Aggie Park on May 18, 2024. Aggieland! Yall showed up in a way beyond our wildest imagination, Troubadour Festival organizers wrote in a tweet on Sunday. You welcomed us with open arms, and we hope yall had a day as great as we did. Last Saturdays festival in Aggie Park featured a lineup of 34 barbecue restaurants and eight musical artists, headlined by the band Midland. College Stations 1775 Texas Pit BBQ, Brenhams LJs BBQ and Truth BBQ, and Rockdales Bretts Backyard Bar-B-Que were among the barbecue restaurants in attendance. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Bryans Doyle Moore turns 100 next month, but he can still remember his 21st birthday well. Thats because Doyle, a member of the 437th Troop Carrier Group in the 9th Air Force, was in western Europe on D-Day during World War II when he turned 21 on June 6, 1944. Although Doyle returned home and has lived a full life since, Mondays annual Memorial Day will recognize the 400,000-plus Americans who died in the second world war. I tie things before and after that, Moore said. [I was] very fortunate to serve and come away without a scratch. Last September, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said only around 167,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII were still alive. Only 8,200 were estimated to live in Texas. Moore and fellow Bryan resident Buddy McGown are two of them. Most are over the age of 95 and the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates less than 2,000 will still be alive in 2033. McGown, 98, said Memorial Day brings up many memories. So many people call us heroes, McGown said. No, the heroes are still over there. They died over there. Moore, a Stephenville native, graduated from Texas A&M University at age 19 with a degree in dairy science and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After training assignments in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Walterboro, South Carolina, Moore was sent to Boston to depart for England on the USS Explorer in November 1943. Moore said he wont forget crossing over to Scotland since the ship had to take a route through the North Atlantic Ocean to avoid German submarines. All the while, Moore battled extreme seasickness. Once in Scotland, his job was in communications as he supported pilots who carried paratroopers, gliders and equipment to mainland Europe for D-Day and subsequent missions. Moore was often safe since he worked in a concrete bunker. In June 1945, he was sent to France. Moore expected to go to the Pacific Theater, but the war ended before he was sent. He arrived in New York on Sept. 12, 1945, and was honorably discharged in November. While Moore returned home, others he knew didnt, including a close friend from home who was killed during the first day of an invasion in Europe. I think about those a lot and I think about their families, Moore said. They never saw them grow up like my family did. Those kinds of memories stick with you. Once back in Texas, Moore was hired by A&Ms Agricultural Extension Service, now known as AgriLife, and spent almost 40 years working for the agency in Brenham, Columbus, Uvalde and College Station, where he moved to in 1982. Almost 50 years after his service in WWII, Moore went back to France with his wife while his daughter was in graduate school at Oxford University in London. He said the trip satisfied his desire to go back. Ive had a good life, Moore said. McGown graduated high school in Mexia at age 16 and completed three semesters at Sam Houston State for a music degree before he enlisted in the military just before his 18th birthday. He volunteered so he could select the Army Air Corps to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot, but a vision exam during a physical in Dallas kept him from being a pilot. Instead, he was sent to basic training for the Army Infantry. McGown was accepted to officer candidacy school and later graduated from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. During that time, McGown noticed the Air Corps was accepting people with lower vision to become pilots, but after graduation the notice had been reversed since the Air Corps was rife with pilots again. So McGown returned to the ground forces and was assigned to the 33rd Mechanized Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron of the 20th Armored Division. In February 1945, McGown landed in Le Havre, France. By coincidence, it was where his father landed when he went to Europe for World War I. McGown was assigned to drive a jeep with a radio in the back seat and a 30-caliber machine gun mounted between the front seats. His reconnaissance squadron spent several weeks in France getting more battle equipment before they moved toward Germany. Multiple skirmishes were unavoidable for McGown and his unit. He once came upon one of their armored cars where two men were killed by hidden artillery. McGown removed their dog tags and returned them to headquarters. McGown received major battle stars for his involvement at the Battle of Ruhr Pocket and the Battle of Munich. On May 4, 1945, McGowns unit reached Salzburg, Austria, and captured the airfield. While there, he visited several sites, including Hitlers Eagles Nest resort. McGown was shipped to California to train for the war in the Pacific, but like Moore, didnt end up going since the war ended. McGown was discharged from service in March 1946. We were just so glad the war was over, McGown said. Thats all we could think about. We had survived and we were going to get to go home. In 1948, McGown was hired as band director at the former Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan. He later served as principal at Bonham and Henderson elementary schools and as assistant superintendent for the district. He and his wife, Jeane, both retired in 1986 with a combined 71 years in education in the Bryan school district. While both McGown and Moore had short stints in the military, they said their time in service has been memorable. I hope there are enough good people around, reasonable, sensible people around that will keep our government running in the right direction and not let anything like that happen again, McGown said. Canadian Critical Minerals Inc. (OTCMKTS:RIINF Get Rating) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 19,900 shares, a drop of 61.7% from the April 30th total of 52,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 286,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Canadian Critical Minerals Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS RIINF remained flat at $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday. 121,250 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 99,772. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.22 and a quick ratio of 0.22. The business has a fifty day moving average of $0.03 and a 200-day moving average of $0.05. Canadian Critical Minerals has a 52-week low of $0.02 and a 52-week high of $0.09. Get Canadian Critical Minerals alerts: Canadian Critical Minerals Company Profile (Get Rating) Recommended Stories Canadian Critical Minerals, Inc engages in the exploration, acquisition, and development of mineral properties throughout Canada. It focuses on Bull River Mine, Thierry, and Alpine property. The company was founded on October 13, 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Critical Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Critical Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SpareBank 1 SMN (OTCMKTS:SRMGF Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 50,300 shares, a growth of 244.5% from the April 30th total of 14,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently days. SpareBank 1 SMN Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:SRMGF remained flat at $11.50 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $11.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.37. SpareBank 1 SMN has a 1 year low of $11.50 and a 1 year high of $11.50. Get SpareBank 1 SMN alerts: About SpareBank 1 SMN (Get Rating) Featured Stories SpareBank 1 SMN, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking, accounting, and real estate products and services to private individuals and companies in Norway and internationally. The company offers mortgage, green, car, boat, other vehicles, and consumer loans, as well as refinancing, as well as savings accounts. Receive News & Ratings for SpareBank 1 SMN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SpareBank 1 SMN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Consolidated Planning Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 7,164 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $515,000. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AFL. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Aflac by 36.2% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 23,941 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,542,000 after purchasing an additional 6,369 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL raised its holdings in Aflac by 6.8% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 17,268 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,112,000 after purchasing an additional 1,102 shares in the last quarter. Aviva PLC grew its position in shares of Aflac by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 210,634 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,563,000 after buying an additional 1,503 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Aflac in the first quarter valued at approximately $428,000. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in Aflac by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 6,142 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $396,000 after buying an additional 417 shares in the last quarter. 66.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Aflac alerts: Insider Transactions at Aflac In other news, Director Barbara K. Rimer sold 18,210 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.18, for a total value of $1,241,557.80. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 35,813 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,441,730.34. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Aflac news, Director Barbara K. Rimer sold 18,210 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.18, for a total value of $1,241,557.80. Following the transaction, the director now owns 35,813 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,441,730.34. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Steven Kent Beaver sold 13,118 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.33, for a total transaction of $870,116.94. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 20,793 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,379,199.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 112,582 shares of company stock valued at $7,647,192 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Aflac Price Performance A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Aflac from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Aflac from $77.00 to $72.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Aflac in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. VNET Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Aflac in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Aflac in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $73.00 price objective on the stock. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $71.22. Shares of Aflac stock traded down $0.12 on Friday, reaching $64.49. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,149,874 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,257,146. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $65.80 and a 200-day moving average price of $68.57. Aflac Incorporated has a 52-week low of $52.07 and a 52-week high of $74.01. The company has a market capitalization of $38.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.31, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. Aflac (NYSE:AFL Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.40 by $0.15. Aflac had a net margin of 22.90% and a return on equity of 15.25%. The business had revenue of $4.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.61 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.42 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Aflac Incorporated will post 5.79 EPS for the current year. Aflac Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 16th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.61%. Aflacs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.24%. Aflac Profile (Get Rating) Aflac, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial protection services. It operates through the following segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers life insurance, death benefits, and cash surrender values. The Aflac U.S. segment sells voluntary supplemental insurance products for people who already have major medical or primary insurance coverage. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BT Group (OTCMKTS:BTGOF Get Rating) had its price objective trimmed by Berenberg Bank from GBX 160 ($1.99) to GBX 150 ($1.87) in a report released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on BTGOF. UBS Group upped their price objective on BT Group from GBX 130 ($1.62) to GBX 135 ($1.68) in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Barclays lowered their price target on BT Group from GBX 240 ($2.99) to GBX 225 ($2.80) in a report on Friday, May 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on BT Group from GBX 275 ($3.42) to GBX 280 ($3.48) in a report on Friday, April 14th. Get BT Group alerts: BT Group Stock Down 0.6 % BTGOF stock opened at $1.79 on Tuesday. BT Group has a 12-month low of $1.25 and a 12-month high of $2.42. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $1.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1.65. About BT Group BT Group Plc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of communications services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer, Enterprise, Global, Openreach, and Other. The Consumer segment offers mobile, broadband, home phone, and television services. The Enterprise segment sells communications and information technology (IT) services to businesses and public sector organizations; and provides network products and services to communications. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BT Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BT Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded shares of Julius Bar Gruppe (OTCMKTS:JBAXY Get Rating) from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a report issued on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Separately, Barclays raised Julius Bar Gruppe from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, April 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Julius Bar Gruppe has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $61.80. Get Julius Bar Gruppe alerts: Julius Bar Gruppe Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of JBAXY opened at $12.50 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $13.68 and a 200 day moving average of $12.71. Julius Bar Gruppe has a 12 month low of $8.17 and a 12 month high of $14.69. Julius Bar Gruppe Increases Dividend About Julius Bar Gruppe The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 18th were issued a $0.3219 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, April 17th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.38%. This is an increase from Julius Bar Gruppes previous dividend of $0.16. Julius Bar Gruppes payout ratio is currently 119.40%. (Get Rating) Julius Bar Gruppe AG engages in the provision of private banking services. Its services include discretionary mandates, investment advisory, open product and service platform, financial market services, investor services, financing, and wealth planning. The company was founded by Raymond Julius Baer in 2009 and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Julius Bar Gruppe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Julius Bar Gruppe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New York Life Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE Get Rating) by 1.1% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 44,826 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 499 shares during the quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLCs holdings in Sempra Energy were worth $6,927,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of SRE. AMF Tjanstepension AB increased its holdings in Sempra Energy by 791.5% during the 4th quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 1,356,502 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $209,740,000 after purchasing an additional 1,204,338 shares during the last quarter. ClearBridge Investments Ltd purchased a new stake in Sempra Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $130,223,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Sempra Energy by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 28,199,642 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,228,254,000 after purchasing an additional 625,052 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Sempra Energy by 22.2% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,287,516 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $384,577,000 after purchasing an additional 416,022 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Neuberger Berman Group LLC increased its holdings in Sempra Energy by 16.8% during the 3rd quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 2,540,802 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $381,066,000 after purchasing an additional 366,259 shares during the last quarter. 84.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Sempra Energy alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on SRE. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Sempra Energy from $150.00 to $164.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com began coverage on Sempra Energy in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Sempra Energy from $169.00 to $166.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. Bank of America lowered their price target on Sempra Energy from $173.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Sempra Energy from $180.00 to $174.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $167.25. Sempra Energy Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of SRE stock opened at $143.85 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.54. Sempra Energy has a 1 year low of $136.54 and a 1 year high of $176.47. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $151.23 and a two-hundred day moving average of $154.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $45.26 billion, a PE ratio of 18.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 0.73. Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.76 by $0.16. Sempra Energy had a return on equity of 10.28% and a net margin of 14.47%. The company had revenue of $6.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.91 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 71.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Sempra Energy will post 8.99 EPS for the current year. Sempra Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 5th will be issued a $1.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 3rd. This represents a $4.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.31%. Sempra Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 61.34%. Insider Activity In other news, CFO Trevor I. Mihalik sold 2,306 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.50, for a total value of $342,441.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 21,362 shares in the company, valued at $3,172,257. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 10,413 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.99, for a total transaction of $1,572,258.87. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 19,261 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,908,218.39. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Trevor I. Mihalik sold 2,306 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.50, for a total value of $342,441.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 21,362 shares in the company, valued at $3,172,257. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,979 shares of company stock worth $4,728,393 over the last 90 days. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Sempra Energy Profile (Get Rating) Sempra Energy is an energy-service holding company, which engages in the development and operation of energy infrastructure, and provision of electric and gas services. It operates through the following segments: San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), Sempra Texas Utilities, Sempra Mexico, and Sempra LNG. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SRE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Sempra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sempra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG Get Rating) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the nine research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $74.17. A number of analysts have recently issued reports on STNG shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on shares of Scorpio Tankers from $65.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Wednesday, March 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $87.00 price target for the company. B. Riley lifted their price target on shares of Scorpio Tankers from $65.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a $76.00 price target on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Get Scorpio Tankers alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Scorpio Tankers Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Alterna Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Scorpio Tankers in the 1st quarter valued at about $242,000. Toroso Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Scorpio Tankers by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 16,675 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $939,000 after acquiring an additional 827 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in Scorpio Tankers by 145.6% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 46,156 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $2,599,000 after acquiring an additional 147,359 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in Scorpio Tankers by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 754,620 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $42,493,000 after acquiring an additional 27,918 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Snowden Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Scorpio Tankers in the 1st quarter valued at about $2,784,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.53% of the companys stock. Scorpio Tankers Trading Up 2.6 % STNG opened at $48.39 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.22, a P/E/G ratio of 0.14 and a beta of 0.38. The firms 50 day moving average is $52.74 and its 200-day moving average is $53.35. Scorpio Tankers has a 52-week low of $28.50 and a 52-week high of $64.20. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shipping company reported $3.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.92 by $0.39. The company had revenue of $377.16 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $387.37 million. Scorpio Tankers had a net margin of 51.60% and a return on equity of 40.01%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 119.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($0.27) earnings per share. Analysts expect that Scorpio Tankers will post 10.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. Scorpio Tankers Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 13th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.07%. This is an increase from Scorpio Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Scorpio Tankerss dividend payout ratio is presently 5.33%. About Scorpio Tankers (Get Rating) Scorpio Tankers, Inc engages in the provision of marine transportation of petroleum products. Its consists of wholly owned, finance leased, and bareboat chartered-in tankers. It operates through the following segments: MR, LR2, Handymax, and LR1. The company was founded by Emanuele A. Lauro on July 1, 2009 and is headquartered in Monaco. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Scorpio Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Scorpio Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Friday revoked the Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) of Gentle Hands Inc. (GHI), a Quezon City orphanage, after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ordered its closure. The DSWD issued a cease-and-desist order against GHI last Monday after Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the orphanage and claimed it put children in "imminent danger." It directed the BFP to conduct a fire safety inspection of the building. READ: DSWD orders QC orphanage closure "GHI was found to have violated pertinent provisions of the revised implementing rules and regulations of R.A. (Republic Act) 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines during said inspection resulting to the revocation of its FSIC," BFP Quezon City district marshal SSupt. Aristotle Banaga said in a report to the DSWD dated May 25. Some violations noted by the BFP included obstructed hallways, narrow aisles and corridors, blocked fire exits, no automatic fire detection and alarm systems, no approved automatic sprinklers, insufficient emergency lighting, and no emergency evacuation plan. Banaga said the BFP is monitoring GHI to see if it had rectified the violations. However, GHI questioned the BFP's revocation of their fire safety certificate. "I don't understand how suddenly we have violations, where we didn't have violations ever in the past. We always have updated certificates and we've always complied," GHI Executive Director Charity Graff told CNN Philippines, in response to the revocation. Graff further said GHI did not receive any warning on the supposed violations. "We've been in this building and been licensed as a child caring agency under the DSWD since 2004should we have been given a request, we would have done it immediately," she said. She added that GHI would address the violations so that 149 children who were sent to other orphanages in Alabang, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City could be returned to the facility. The DSWD earlier said it is investigating three cases of children under GHI's temporary custody who have allegedly displayed disruptive behavior. On Friday, GHI returned a one-year-old child to its mother, who claimed that her request to regain custody of her child was earlier denied by GHI. "The parenting capability is already available so di ko po malaman [I don't know] what's the reason for holding my baby," Melanie Marzan, the childs mother, said. In a press conference, the DSWD said Marzan had passed the agencys assessment. However, Graff maintained that GHI had followed protocol to ensure parents are mentally fit to take care of their children. "We don't keep children when there is a safe place for them to beWe didn't feel that it was time and we didn't feel that she [Marzan] complied," Graff said. CNN Philippines correspondent Paige Javier contributed to this report. Sendas Distribuidora (NYSE:ASAI Get Rating) is one of 51 public companies in the Grocery stores industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Sendas Distribuidora to related businesses based on the strength of its dividends, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation and analyst recommendations. Volatility & Risk Sendas Distribuidora has a beta of 0.77, meaning that its share price is 23% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sendas Distribuidoras competitors have a beta of -2.58, meaning that their average share price is 358% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Sendas Distribuidora alerts: Institutional and Insider Ownership 4.5% of Sendas Distribuidora shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 46.1% of shares of all Grocery stores companies are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of Sendas Distribuidora shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 21.1% of shares of all Grocery stores companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sendas Distribuidora 1.86% 29.13% 2.88% Sendas Distribuidora Competitors 1.80% 15.76% 4.55% Dividends This table compares Sendas Distribuidora and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Sendas Distribuidora pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Sendas Distribuidora pays out 10.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery stores companies pay a dividend yield of 3.8% and pay out 57.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Sendas Distribuidora and its competitors revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Sendas Distribuidora $10.56 billion $236.31 million 14.60 Sendas Distribuidora Competitors $28.89 billion $705.75 million 234.71 Sendas Distribuidoras competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Sendas Distribuidora. Sendas Distribuidora is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current recommendations for Sendas Distribuidora and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sendas Distribuidora 0 1 0 0 2.00 Sendas Distribuidora Competitors 1096 2661 2843 112 2.29 As a group, Grocery stores companies have a potential upside of 18.51%. Given Sendas Distribuidoras competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Sendas Distribuidora has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Summary Sendas Distribuidora competitors beat Sendas Distribuidora on 11 of the 15 factors compared. About Sendas Distribuidora (Get Rating) Sendas Distribuidora S.A. engages in the retail and wholesale sale of food products, bazaar items, and other products in Brazil. As of March 31, 2022, the company operated 216 stores under the Assai banner, as well as 13 distribution centers. It serves restaurants, pizzerias, snack bars, schools, small businesses, religious institutions, hospitals, hotels, grocery stores, neighborhood supermarkets, and individuals. The company sells its products through brick-and-mortar stores, as well as through telesales. Sendas Distribuidora S.A. was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Receive News & Ratings for Sendas Distribuidora Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sendas Distribuidora and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Good Life Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Get Rating) by 14.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 12,700 shares of the airlines stock after selling 2,200 shares during the period. Good Life Advisors LLCs holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $428,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in LUV. Cowa LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC raised its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 247.5% during the 1st quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC now owns 702 shares of the airlines stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. First Community Trust NA acquired a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.71% of the companys stock. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Ryan C. Green sold 4,936 shares of Southwest Airlines stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.94, for a total transaction of $147,783.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at $789,248.34. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Southwest Airlines Price Performance Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on LUV shares. Barclays lowered Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their target price for the stock from $42.00 to $38.00 in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on Southwest Airlines from $56.00 to $52.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $64.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Redburn Partners downgraded Southwest Airlines from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $40.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Southwest Airlines from $68.00 to $63.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 30th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $44.71. Shares of Southwest Airlines stock traded up $0.41 during trading on Friday, reaching $29.65. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,414,409 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,540,475. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 12-month low of $28.40 and a 12-month high of $46.46. The company has a market capitalization of $17.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 1.14. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $30.64 and a 200-day moving average price of $34.05. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The airline reported ($0.27) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.06). Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.65% and a return on equity of 6.99%. The business had revenue of $5.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.73 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($0.32) earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 21.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.62 EPS for the current year. Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 20th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.43%. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio is presently 72.00%. Southwest Airlines Profile (Get Rating) Southwest Airlines Co engages in the operation and management of a passenger airline. The firm also offers ancillary services such as early bird check-in, upgraded boarding, and transportation of pets and unaccompanied minors. It operates in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LUV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE:SFE Get Rating) in a research report report published on Wednesday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the asset managers stock. Safeguard Scientifics Price Performance SFE stock opened at $1.75 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.54 million, a P/E ratio of -2.57 and a beta of 0.90. The businesss 50-day moving average is $1.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2.62. Safeguard Scientifics has a 1 year low of $1.42 and a 1 year high of $4.68. Get Safeguard Scientifics alerts: Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE:SFE Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 9th. The asset manager reported ($0.30) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Insider Buying and Selling at Safeguard Scientifics Institutional Trading of Safeguard Scientifics In other Safeguard Scientifics news, major shareholder Thomas A. Satterfield, Jr. acquired 48,032 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $1.53 per share, with a total value of $73,488.96. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 356,700 shares in the company, valued at approximately $545,751. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In related news, major shareholder Thomas A. Satterfield, Jr. purchased 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $1.76 per share, for a total transaction of $88,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 221,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $388,960. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, major shareholder Thomas A. Satterfield, Jr. purchased 48,032 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $1.53 per share, for a total transaction of $73,488.96. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 356,700 shares of the companys stock, valued at $545,751. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . 7.10% of the stock is owned by insiders. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in SFE. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of Safeguard Scientifics by 32,504.1% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 128,786 shares of the asset managers stock worth $222,000 after purchasing an additional 128,391 shares in the last quarter. Almitas Capital LLC raised its position in Safeguard Scientifics by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Almitas Capital LLC now owns 796,632 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,470,000 after purchasing an additional 83,187 shares during the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. raised its position in Safeguard Scientifics by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 1,104,006 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $4,117,000 after purchasing an additional 46,600 shares during the last quarter. Yakira Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Safeguard Scientifics by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Yakira Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,153,745 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $3,577,000 after purchasing an additional 39,180 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clayton Partners LLC raised its position in Safeguard Scientifics by 15.7% in the 1st quarter. Clayton Partners LLC now owns 143,349 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $247,000 after purchasing an additional 19,429 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 50.86% of the companys stock. About Safeguard Scientifics (Get Rating) Safeguard Scientifics, Inc engages in the provision capital to technology-driven businesses in healthcare, financial services, and digital media. The company was founded by Warren V. Musser and Frank A. Diamond in 1953 and is headquartered in Radnor, PA. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Safeguard Scientifics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Safeguard Scientifics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE:NOVA Get Rating) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty-four analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, sixteen have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $34.95. NOVA has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Sunnova Energy International from $31.00 to $27.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. KeyCorp lowered their price target on Sunnova Energy International from $39.00 to $34.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Credit Suisse Group reiterated an outperform rating and set a $43.00 target price on shares of Sunnova Energy International in a research note on Monday, February 27th. Guggenheim raised their price target on shares of Sunnova Energy International from $51.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 28th. Finally, B. Riley decreased their price target on shares of Sunnova Energy International from $32.00 to $31.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Get Sunnova Energy International alerts: Sunnova Energy International Stock Performance Shares of NOVA opened at $16.48 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.18. The businesss 50 day moving average is $15.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $18.12. The firm has a market cap of $1.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.47 and a beta of 2.08. Sunnova Energy International has a 52-week low of $12.46 and a 52-week high of $31.47. Insider Activity at Sunnova Energy International Sunnova Energy International ( NYSE:NOVA Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported ($0.70) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.58) by ($0.12). The company had revenue of $161.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $159.54 million. Sunnova Energy International had a negative return on equity of 13.47% and a negative net margin of 30.75%. Sunnova Energy Internationals revenue was up 146.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned ($0.30) earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Sunnova Energy International will post -1.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other news, insider Kelsey Hultberg sold 2,400 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.03, for a total value of $33,672.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 19,974 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $280,235.22. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, insider Kelsey Hultberg sold 2,400 shares of Sunnova Energy International stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.03, for a total transaction of $33,672.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 19,974 shares in the company, valued at approximately $280,235.22. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Akbar Mohamed bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $14.37 per share, with a total value of $143,700.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 83,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,202,610.93. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased 11,000 shares of company stock worth $158,116 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 4.20% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Sunnova Energy International by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 16,530,455 shares of the companys stock worth $381,192,000 after acquiring an additional 261,186 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Sunnova Energy International by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,537,879 shares of the companys stock worth $210,596,000 after buying an additional 114,448 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB raised its holdings in Sunnova Energy International by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 5,615,457 shares of the companys stock worth $87,713,000 after buying an additional 296,499 shares during the period. Nuveen Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Sunnova Energy International by 410.2% during the 3rd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 3,731,515 shares of the companys stock worth $82,392,000 after buying an additional 3,000,199 shares during the period. Finally, Pictet Asset Management SA increased its position in shares of Sunnova Energy International by 6.4% in the first quarter. Pictet Asset Management SA now owns 3,397,667 shares of the companys stock worth $53,072,000 after acquiring an additional 204,757 shares in the last quarter. About Sunnova Energy International (Get Rating) Sunnova Energy International, Inc operates as a residential energy service provider. It offers solar energy systems, electric vehicle chargers, and home solar protection. The company was founded by William Jackson Berger in 2012 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Sunnova Energy International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sunnova Energy International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS Get Rating) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the twenty-four research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have issued a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $137.71. UHS has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $130.00 to $152.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Stephens reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $155.00 to $140.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $154.00 to $138.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 6th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $140.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Get Universal Health Services alerts: Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of UHS stock opened at $127.98 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 1.26 and a current ratio of 1.37. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $82.50 and a fifty-two week high of $154.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $134.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $135.83. Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement Universal Health Services ( NYSE:UHS Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The health services provider reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.19. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 5.05% and a return on equity of 12.33%. The company had revenue of $3.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.45 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.15 EPS. The firms revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 10.25 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.63%. Universal Health Servicess dividend payout ratio is currently 8.50%. Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services In other Universal Health Services news, CEO Marc D. Miller sold 44,110 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $142.65, for a total value of $6,292,291.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 160,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,878,634.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Director Lawrence S. Gibbs sold 1,568 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.29, for a total transaction of $201,158.72. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,023 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $387,820.67. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Marc D. Miller sold 44,110 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.65, for a total transaction of $6,292,291.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 160,383 shares in the company, valued at $22,878,634.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 76,258 shares of company stock valued at $10,733,371. 15.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the 1st quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 12,946 shares of the health services providers stock worth $1,645,000 after purchasing an additional 4,276 shares during the period. Toroso Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth $265,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,206,558 shares of the health services providers stock worth $153,353,000 after purchasing an additional 39,076 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 892.5% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 1,985 shares of the health services providers stock worth $252,000 after purchasing an additional 1,785 shares during the period. Finally, Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC now owns 37,283 shares of the health services providers stock worth $4,739,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares during the period. 87.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Universal Health Services Company Profile (Get Rating) Universal Health Services, Inc operates as a healthcare management company, which through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, behavioral health centers, and outpatient facilities. It operates through the following segments: Acute Care Hospital Services, Behavioral Health Care Services, and Other. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Universal Health Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Universal Health Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Have you ever wanted to hold a baby goat while drinking at the same time? Adults were able to pet young goats while drinking a martini for the Goat and Greet event at J. Alfred Prufrocks, 308 N. Pine St., on Thursday, May 25. CB Farms provided five goats, four girls and one boy, for attendees to hold. Set up at Kowalski Family Farm, CB Farms is a U.S. Department of Agriculture funded meat goat and poultry operation local to Grand Island. The farm also sells products, such as eggs and plants, as well as some of the animals. The goal of CB Farms is to raise and sell the "highest quality" farm products to the community. The operation started up last year, but owner Carter Hiegel said he began raising goats as a hobby a couple of years ago. I found a passion in it, said Hiegel. Found a love for goats and doin my thing raising them. According to Hiegel, his roommate and manager of J. Alfred Prufrocks, Katie Kowalski, helped organize the event. Kowalski talked to the owner of the J. Alfred Prufrocks about bringing goats down to the bar for customers to pet. The Goat and Greet was put on to bring awareness to CB Farms and what Hiegel is trying to start up. CB Farms is the first USDA funded meat goat farm in central Nebraska, As far as Hiegel is aware. Its just kind of to show off the goats we raise, said Hiegel. Help raise some support for me, some awareness of you know, kind of like what happens with a goat operation and kind of what I do as CB Farms. The event started at 5:30 p.m., with the attendees loving the goats: Big Bird, Donut, Fancy Nancy, Lady and Pepe. The goats remained on the patio of the bar, while people had to buy a drink inside before they could hold one. The event was only for people 21-years and older, since the bar doesnt serve food. Unfortunately, a rainstorm passed over the event a little after 6 p.m. Customers either went inside J. Alfred Prufrocks to stay dry or hide under the patio cover to continue petting the goats. "[Goats] hate the rain," said Hiegel. "They don't like being sprayed." If you wanted to attend a Goat and Greet but couldnt due to the rain or age, dont worry. Another Goat and Greet will be held at Wave Pizza Company on May 30 for friends and families to enjoy. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A 25-year-old Omaha man was sentenced in federal court Wednesday for sex trafficking of a minor. Dalonte Foard will serve 45 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to sex traffic a minor, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Nebraska. Federal agents began investigating the case in September 2020 after two Omaha foster children went missing from their foster home, according to the release. Evidence showed that Foard had picked up the two girls and taken them to a hotel, where another man posted online ads promoting them for commercial sex acts, the release said. The next morning, Foard sexually assaulted one of the girls and then posted a new ad promoting her for commercial sex, according to the release. A man responding to Foards ad came to the hotel and Foard waited while the man paid $60 to engage in sex with the victim, the release said. Afterward, Foard took $50 of the $60 the victim was paid. After his prison sentence, Foard will remain on supervised release for life, according to the release. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Omaha Police Department and the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office. Biggest tornadoes in Nebraska of the past decade Biggest tornadoes in Nebraska of the past decade #15. Apr. 14, 2012 #14. Jun. 12, 2017 #13. May. 26, 2021 #12. May. 27, 2013 #11. Jun. 16, 2014 #10. Jun. 25, 2015 #9. Aug. 19, 2017 #8. Oct. 4, 2013 #7. Mar. 18, 2012 #6. May. 17, 2019 #5. Jun. 17, 2014 #4. May. 11, 2014 #3. May. 11, 2014 #2. Jun. 16, 2014 #1. Oct. 4, 2013 Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Brig. Gen. Craig Strong, a 30-year veteran of the Nebraska National Guard who has worked at the Pentagon for the last four years, was named Friday by Gov. Jim Pillen to become Nebraska's next adjutant general and director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Strong will succeed Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, who has been adjutant general since 2013 and is retiring after a decade of leading more than 4,500 Army and Air National Guard personnel. The change of command will take place during a ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on July 8. Strong will immediately face a recruitment challenge to bring Nebraska Guard personnel numbers back to full strength. "COVID compromised our ability to recruit in the schools for about two years," Bohac noted during a news conference at the Capitol, "but recruiting is turning around now." "There is no better civics education than service in the Nebraska National Guard," Strong said, and he will lead a statewide effort to "secure the future pipeline of soldiers and airmen." Under Bohac's leadership, the Guard was a vital resource in responding to record flooding, tornadoes and storm damage, helping implement the state's response to the COVID pandemic and responding to some civic unrest. "It's been an amazing journey," he said. Pillen saluted Bohac and members of the Guard for their public service. Bohac, he said, is the longest-serving adjutant general in the 50 states, having worked under the command of three governors. Strong currently is assigned to the National Guard Bureau in Washington and has served in Iraq. A graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law and former practicing attorney in Lincoln, he is a former president of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Board of Health. Photos: National Guard Sendoff held at Memorial Stadium Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Parts of southwest Nebraska saw heavy rain Friday morning that led to flash flooding that closed several highways as well as a state park. McCook, in Red Willow County, had officially received more than 6 inches of rain as of 1 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a flash flood warning for the northwestern part of the county. The weather service said U.S. 83 south of McCook was underwater,. There were reports of more than 7 inches in Wauneta in Chase County. In Dundy County, the sheriff's office posted on social media that several roads were closed as of Friday afternoon and were likely to stay that way for days, including Nebraska 61, which it said was underwater. The sheriff's office also reported that a bridge was out on Max-Wauneta road, which runs north and south between the two towns. In Hayes County, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission temporarily closed the Frenchman Wildlife Management Area north of Palisade on Friday. The commission said in a news release that the road leading into the area was flooded, as were parts of the park. "These conditions are dangerous for guests, as well as Nebraska Game and Parks employees," the news release said. The weather service issued flood warnings for several rivers and creeks, including the Republican River at both McCook and Stratton, Frenchman Creek near Culbertson and Driftwood Creek near McCook. Eight years ago: Floodwaters swamp Lincoln, surrounding areas Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Saudi Arabian Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) Ahmad bin Sulaiman AlRajhi will visit the Philippines for bilateral talks, which may include amendments to the labor agreement between the two countries. 'Yung balak kasi ng both sides, magkakaroon ng amendments sa bilateral labor agreement para maipasok doon yung mga additional nilang ginagawa to enhance protection for the domestic workers, DMW Secretary Susan Ople said in a press briefing on Friday. [Translation: The plan of both sides is that there will be amendments to the bilateral labor agreement to include the additional initiatives they are doing to enhance protection for the domestic workers.] Ople said representatives of the Saudi government will arrive in Manila next month to arrange the details of the minister's visit. Unpaid claims and other proposed projects such as a special hiring program for skilled Filipino workers and the agencys digitalization process are also among the agenda of the DMW once the representatives visit the country. She added that the Saudi government has a health program that is free for foreign domestic workers including Filipinos. "Very progressive mag-isip ang Saudi Arabia [Translation: Saudi Arabia is very progressive in its thinking]," Ople said. We are looking forward to their visit to the Philippines. Im sure by the time that the minister visits the Philippines, mas klaro na yung mga detalye about the claims [Translation: details about the claims will be clearer.]" The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. To sign-up for EZ-Pay, call us at (903) 785-6901 or e-mail us at circulation@theparisnews.com. We will use the information you provide to change your current billing to EZ-PAY. Your current subscription delivery schedule will not be changed. No refunds for early cancellations. Remainder of early cancellation funds will be donated to Newspapers in Education. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. For Mark Denzer, sharing his love and knowledge of the regions outdoors and waterways is more important than making money. Thats why, in 2018, it made perfect sense for him to reorganize his business which was then known as White Crane Canoes. In its new iteration, Cache Bayou Outfitters, Denzer is able to focus on educating clients about the areas wetlands as well as the plants and animals that live in the region. Were not just a canoe or kayak rental business, he said of the Ullin-based enterprise. We do a lot of things, we do tours, we offer trips on different rivers in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri and we do primitive living workshops. According to the organizations website, Cache Bayou Outfitters mission is to promote, establish, develop and preserve historic and ecological understandings and ancient ways of life, which will be beneficial in understanding and caring for our natural resources and the health and well-being of people and community. Its a formal way of saying Denzer and his staff want to help others appreciate, understand and care for the Cache River basin, the Southern Illinois wilderness and the waterways which border the region. Were just here to connect people to the outdoors, said Denzer, who studied outdoor recreation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He explained that the organization offers canoe and kayak rentals as well as canoe tours of the Cache and other area bodies of water. We do full moon tours, and this summer we are planning a trip on the Ohio River. I like to take people on bodies of water that are not explored very much, he explained. He also said the organization is researching grant opportunities to do more youth programming and he especially enjoys what he calls primitive living workshops. I like to call them ancestral skills, he said. Things like how to light a fire without matches, flint knapping workshops, hide tanning workshops, wild edibles, and a whole host of different outdoor skills, he said. Whether it is teaching a class on how to create fire from friction alone to pointing out various types of wildlife while guiding a canoe tour of the Cache River Basin, the programs are the type of things Denzer said hes always wanted to do. Ive been doing trips on the water since I was a kid. Ive paddled the Cache as a kid and Ive always liked the outdoors, he added. Denzer said he enjoys what he does. This is a beautiful place and a great little organization, he said. Very few people get to do what they really love and it has worked out that way for me. More information about Cache Bayou Outfitters is available online at www.cachebayououtfitters.com or by calling Denzer at (618) 201-4090. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. CARBONDALE State and local police departments say they are doing everything they can to recruit diverse applicants so that their officers look more like the people they serve. But officials say these efforts have been met with hiring challenges. Illinois State Police say they have done a lot in the way of diversity, equity and inclusion within their agency. "We are constantly seeking out people of good character who take pride in their work, who have integrity and are dedicated to service regardless of their race, nationality, religion, creed or otherwise," said Illinois State Police Master Sergeant and ISP spokesman Christopher Watson, who also said the agency has been focusing heavily on expanding diversity-focused recruitment. "ISP has increased outreach to colleges and universities with large Hispanic and African American student populations. The ISP Recruitment Bureau conducts outreach to students at Historically Black colleges and Universities, Hispanic serving institutions, historically womens colleges and military events," Watson said. He cited the ISP's work with the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association (HISLEA), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and the Association of Black Law Enforcers (ABLE) to promote diversity. Additionally, Watson said, the ISP is working to increase internship opportunities through Daley College, which has a significant minority student population. "As a result of these efforts and the many years we have been committed to the foundational tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ISP has successfully increased diversity within its senior command. Of the seven ISP divisions, four are being led by deputy directors of color three African Americans and one Hispanic," Watson said. However, diversity of the rank-and-file ISP troopers leaves something to be desired. In the summer of 2020, as the nation was reeling from weeks of protests following the murder of George Floyd, Lee Enterprises newspapers in the Midwest launched a project looking at diversity in local law enforcement. In 2023, Lee, along with Type Investigations, expanded the project to include departments in more sections of the country. Reporters reached out to more than 170 agencies that are in or near Lee newspaper coverage areas. We asked for, among other items, data on racial, ethnic and gender diversity of the sworn members of the agency, racial and ethnic diversity of leadership, usage of and the policies surrounding body worn cameras and dash cameras and complaints to the agencies about excessive use of force and racial profiling. Diversity underrepresentation in policing Data gathered from October 2022 to May 2023 from nearly 120 law enforcement agencies in 14 states shows frequent disparity in the racial and ethnic makeup of the agencies compared to the communities they are hired to protect and serve. Data gathered from October 2022 to May 2023 from nearly 120 law enforcement agencies in 14 states shows frequent disparity in the racial and ethnic makeup of the agencies compared to the communities they are hired to protect and serve. We compared the proportion of people of color in the area under the agencys jurisdiction, based on Census data, to the percent of people of color on the force to determine which departments were more representative of their communities. Data provided from ISP shows that there is a 21% difference between minority ISP officers and minorities in the Illinois population, which means ISP is underrepresenting the minority groups of Illinois by nearly a quarter. Specifically, Black Americans are underrepresented by 6%, Hispanics by 9%, Native Americans by 27% and Asian/Pacific Islanders by 5%. Ideally, the diversity of people on the state police force should match the people in the state as a whole. But that has been a challenge. "According to studies from the Police Executive Research Forum, nationally, not just in Illinois, one of law enforcements biggest challenges is retention and recruitment," Watson said. The challenge of diverse recruitment is a local issue as well. We are facing the same recruiting and retention challenges that police departments across the country are experiencing," Carbondale Police Chief Stan Reno said. "We work very hard, literally daily, to recruit with a focus on diversity. This is done hand in hand with our Human Resources Office that includes the city's diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator. 3 years after George Floyd's death, are local police as diverse as their communities? A special investigation by Lee Enterprises showed that of 105 agencies serving communities identified as diverse, 76 underrepresented the percentages of people of color by 10 points or more. Reno wants to have a department that is representative of the community because diversity provides opportunities for improved communication, trust and understanding when responding to the needs of the public." The Carbondale Police Department tries to recruit for diversity, sending recruiters to minority-sponsored job fairs. Chief Reno says he meets regularly with community groups to get the message out that the CPD wants to hire a diverse police force. "We are recruiting all over the state. We are working on a partnership with City Colleges in Chicago that allows students to apply for the police department and test on site. We also recruit at other HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges or Universities)," Reno said. Despite CPDs efforts to bring in minorities, the disparity of the percentage of people of color within Carbondale and its police force is no better than at the state level. The CPD staffs 52 sworn personnel, of those 52, 46 of them are white, meaning 88% of CPD officers are white. In the city of Carbondale, only 57% of the community identifies as white. The difference in minority representation between CPD and the city of Carbondale is 31%, a 10% increase in disparity between the state and local level. Chief Reno suggests that the hiring markets are to blame. "One of the biggest challenges the Carbondale Police Department faces is attracting applicants given all of the competing agencies. Many state agencies, for instance, offer higher pay and better benefit packages. Agencies outside of this area offer larger hiring incentives," Reno said. The starting salary for a first-year CPD police officer is $53,331, compared with an ISP first-year salary of $64,680. That margin may account for a more diverse state-level police force. "Everyone is competing for applicants from a decreased applicant pool. Qualified minority applicants have very good odds of getting hired at a department of their choosing," Reno said. Diversity data from other Southern Illinois Police Departments The city of Anna has a population that is 89% white. The Anna Police Department has nine sworn personnel on their police force. Of those nine sworn personnel, all nine are white. The city of Benton has a population that is 92% white. The Benton Police Department has 12 sworn personnel on their police force. Of those 12 sworn personnel, all 12 are white. The city of Carterville has a population that is 87% white. The Carterville Police Department has 16 sworn personnel on their police force. Of those 16 sworn personnel, 13 are white. The Carterville Police Department has three sworn members who identify as another ethnicity or race, including biracial. That means just 81% of the Carterville Police Department's sworn-in personnel is white. The city of Herrin has a population that is 86% white. The Herrin Police Department has 24 sworn personnel on their police force. Of those 24 sworn personnel, 23 are white. The Herrin Police Department has one sworn member who is Hispanic. 96% of the Herrin Police Department's sworn-in personnel is white. The city of Marion has a population that is 86% white. The Marion Police Department has 40 sworn personnel on their police force. Of those 40 sworn personnel, 37 are white. The Marion Police Department has one Black sworn-in officer and two Hispanic sworn-in officers. 92% of the Marion Police Department's sworn-in personnel is white. The city of West Frankfort has a population that is 96% white people. The West Frankfort Police Department has 14 sworn personnel on their police force. Of those 14 sworn personnel, 13 are white. The West Frankfort Police Department has one sworn officer that identifies as Asian/Pacific Islander. 92% of the West Frankfort Police Department's sworn-in personnel is white. Photos | Hundreds march in Carbondale at Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Justice for George Floyd Protest Carbondale march Carbondale march Carbondale march Carbondale march Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Tom Hough, an editor, outdoors writer and photographer for the Casper Star-Tribune, is driving westbound into the Wind River Range in his Volkswagen Beetle in July 1977. This weekend, hes heading to Double Diamond Ranch near Dubois on a horseback-riding trip into the high country for his weekly column, Headin Out with Tom Hough. The Beetle collides with a United Parcel truck coming the opposite direction, according to an obituary published by the Jackson Hole News at the time. Toms car is decimated. He was 41 at the time of his death. He leaves behind a wife, two biological children Christina and Steven and a filing cabinet full of his work in the basement of his home in Casper. *** Forty-four years later, in July of 2021, Christina, now an architectural historian who owns a company that restores historic buildings in and around Washington, D.C., has returned to the Mountain West for a family reunion. While in Casper, she rediscovers the filing cabinet. Its still there, the articles and photographs in them meticulously organized by Tom and miraculously preserved due to the cabinets proximity to the laundry room. It has not been opened since Toms death. Christina decides that its time. The cabinet contains several time capsules worth of work by her father. She has a background working in museums. This could maybe be something. Her younger brother, Steven, and her mother, who both live in Casper, are there, too. Christina calls Hanz Olson, librarian and archivist at Casper College, and tells him, Come box everything up, and lets see what weve got. As we went through it, it became very clear to me that there was enough plenty of stuff for an exhibition of some sort, she recalled to the Star-Tribune. Hundreds of stories, photos and other documents materialize after their 40-plus-year hibernation. Christina goes to the Nicolaysen Art Museum, and she says to former Nicolaysen director Andy Couch that she needs to reserve a gallery. The soonest she can get one is in two years. So she gets the pieces in place, at the Nic. But shes got to get back to Washington, D.C., where shes made her life. She delegates the project to Steven. I had more time with our dad than Steve did. And Steve is in Casper. So I really encouraged him to take the lead on this, Christina said. And so hes really done the lions share of the work, in terms of boots on the ground. And Ive been available in an advisory capacity. The project largely lays dormant for around a year before Steven starts working on it. It will be the biggest thing hes ever done, he tells the Star-Tribune later. *** In an interview just before the opening of the exhibit honoring his father aptly titled Headin Out with Tom Hough, a name Christina and Stevens mother came up with Steven notes that they had to get a locksmith to open up the filing cabinet because it had been shut for so long. Steven was only seven years old when Tom died. Toms artistic side lives on through his son Steven mentioned that he was an art student at one point but he prefers paintball over hunting, he said. It was really bizarre to start out, he said of opening the cabinet. But I really started enjoying it, and he was such a good writer. I had no idea. Because this stuff was in the file cabinet in the basement for so long. All those years compressed into one cabinet have taken quite a while for Steven to untangle and process. Besides just going through each file, hes had to scan the articles a process he started at Casper College but finished at Atlas Communications, as they had larger machines as well as the photos, gather items for the life history section of the exhibit and communicate with sponsors and the Nic to ensure everyones on the same page. It just keeps going, and the amount of time weve had to put into it, and the people Ive had to find to help me with this its just been crazy, he said. No, it hasnt been easy, he added, and he cratered, about a week before the exhibit opened. But with the difficulty has also come some catharsis. Its nice to let it all out there. Ive got all this stuff in my head. And its just kind of he moves his hands in a gesture that suggests his thoughts have been all knotted up. Besides, the exhibit will open soon, and Christina will be here to help a few days before, along with much of the rest of their immediate and extended families. *** On the morning of Thursday, May 25, Christina and Steven are in the McMurry Foundation Gallery at the Nicolaysen Art Museum. This is it: The big moment they have both been working towards for two years. They will finally get to see the exhibit come together, photos, articles, personal memorabilia, cameras, typewriter and all. Christina, who told the Star-Tribune over Zoom that seeing her fathers passion pour out of the work he had done in that filing cabinet was painful yet very healing and almost therapeutic in a way, now remarks that the exhibit takes on a life of its own. Most of said exhibit is sitting on the floor, waiting to be hung up. But its all there and arranged, the articles which are poster-sized now, big enough to read acting as anchors for the photos, which form a sort of Morse Code language along the walls. Dot, dot, dash. Their subjects: outdoorsmen, campers, climbers, horseback riders, hunters, fishers, animals (dead and alive), mountains, ridges, rivers, streams. All taken in Wyoming. More than just where he lived, the Cowboy State is the place Tom loved to be. Its about him, but its about Wyoming, too, Christina said over Zoom. This is prep time, but the siblings have reached the point where all they can do is watch the Nic employees hang each item up. They have everything they need, its just about actually doing it at this point. Steven points out his favorite photo, which is titled Kickin Off the Ridge and is a family favorite as well as an award-winner. Christina says that her favorites are the ones with horses in them, of which there are several. Theres more items in the back, too. Military gear (Christina says one of her dads shirts has been worn by Steven during a paintball game), cameras and a typewriter. Theyve been dusted or dry-cleaned. Theyll be on display soon. Christina notes that the pink dry cleaners tag in the military shirt needs to be taken out before it goes into the gallery. *** On the evening of Friday, May 26, the Nic is alive with family members and friends of Tom Hough. Theyve traveled from all over the country to be at the opening night of the exhibit, which will run until Aug. 24. Christina and Steven, along with their mother, Elaine Hough, anchor the exhibition. They guide attendees around while light jazz plays in the background, giving more context and telling stories. The mood is mostly quiet and reflective, aside from exclamations of delight when they see more people they know walk in. Under the overhead lights of the gallery, many eyes gleam with tears. Toms younger brother, David Hough, is here, too, all the way from Kansas, wearing a navy suit jacket with a pearl pin on his tie. Im still processing this, he says. Ive run out of words. Elaine Hough, Toms widow, nibbles on a sandwich at a table in the lobby area and tells the Star-Tribune that she composed the press release for the exhibition in her head and then asked Steven to write it. A former journalist herself, Elaine met Tom while covering a murder trial and state government. They got married soon after they met. Where did they go on their honeymoon? Camping. She never liked camping, she says. That was Toms thing. (Christina and Steven also both independently told the Star-Tribune that theyre not big into tent camping either.) One thing Elaine does enjoy, however, is history the story itself and keeping record of it. She was the historian at the Wyoming Medical Center for many years. The family gathers in the gallery for a photo with all of them. Dressed in suits and ties and slacks and dresses, they wrap their arms around each other and smile. Several cameras go off, capturing the moment forever, Toms photographs surrounding them. *** Amidst the descriptions of Tom Hough that the Star-Tribune gathered during interviews, a few stand out: adrenaline junkie, worked hard, played hard, good at filing and keeping things organized, attentive to aesthetic and beauty, a real adventure spirit. Toms younger brother, David Hough, described him this way: At one point, somewhere, Tom made the remark he said, I want to be the kind of man that every little boy wants to be. Now that was his view of what he wanted to be and what little boys wanted. He was the kind of man he wanted to be: good and kind and energetic and adventurous. More than just a father, he was an older brother with a sibling who regarded Tom as his guideline. He was a journalist but also an explorer, and he combined the two on a regular basis. He also, ostensibly, really loved his family. In a Headin Out with Tom Hough column selection in the McMurry Foundation Gallery at the Nic, Tom describes a camping getaway with his family. The usual antics play out theres a lot of stuff to pack and carry, the kids want to stand dangerously close to the fire to keep warm, so on and so forth. Tom adopts the caring but exhausted tone of a father who is trying to keep everyone on task. But he finishes the column on a hopeful note. Its nice to know weve got all the pictures of the stuff that you can see in magazines and brochures and stuff every day, he writes. But we got something special from that camping vacation last summer. We got something unique only to us, that will forever be with us. Im wondering if I can muster up the courage to try it again. <&rule> PHOTOS: A preview of "Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough" Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Headin' Out The Work of Tom Hough Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The number of University of Wyoming students who reported experiencing at least one instance of sexual assault at the school has fallen, a recent survey by the school shows. Of the 2,223 surveyed students in the school's 2023 sexual misconduct climate report, 18% of them 23% of women, 11% of men and 12% of transgender, gender variant and/or nonbinary people reported experiencing at least one instance of sexual assault. That's an 11% drop from the school's 2018 climate survey. About 13% of students said they had experienced an attempted or completed rape an 18% reduction from 2018. The survey found a 16% intimate partner and dating violence victimization rate among the students, representing a 27% drop from rates in 2018. About 20% of women, 8% of men and 22% of transgender, gender variant and/or nonbinary people reported at least one instance of physical assault or dating violence by an intimate partner. More than a quarter of the surveyed students who experienced sexual assault had never told anyone about the incidents before the survey. Among those who did disclose these incidents, 81% told a close friend, 56% a roommate, 40% a romantic partner and 36% a parent. Only 6% reported the assaults to UW faculty or staff members, and 6% said they made a complaint or filed a report with the UW's Dean of Students Office or through formal UW reporting avenues. The report describes the findings as "unfortunately typical." Even with the 11% decline in students who reported experiencing sexual assault at the school, the new figures reflect national averages at universities. These numbers are not spuriously high or atypical but, rather, indicative of the true prevalence of sexual violence among college students across the nation, the report states, noting that the data shows most sexual assault survivors don't report their experiences to campus authorities, faculty or staff. Sexual harassment rates also dropped significantly from the 2018 climate survey. About a quarter of respondents reported at least one experience of sexual harassment from another student, and 14% reported experiencing harassment by faculty or staff. The report notes that a majority of instances in the latter group stemmed from "perceptions of differential treatment as a function of gender" rather than sexual advances. The report says that the decline in the number of students who experienced at least one instance of sexual assault is likely tied to the school's use of Green Dot, a prevention program that targets community members as potential bystanders and aims to engage them in behaviors that establish intolerance of sexual violence. At UW, 1,230 students, faculty and staff members have received Green Dot trainings. Plans are in place for expansion of the program on campus. Respondents who said they had participated in the school's Green Dot prevention program training reported engaging in more bystander intervention in sexual misconduct situations. They also reported lower acceptance of rape myths attitudes and beliefs that shift blame for sexual assault from perpetrators to victims and showed greater knowledge about sexual misconduct reporting and institutional response. Rome (CNN) Pope Francis Saturday addressed a conference attended by prominent artists and directors including Martin Scorsese, a day after he canceled his regular work schedule due to a fever. Returning to his duties on Saturday, Francis made a speech at the event at the Vatican, which was called The Global Esthetics of the Catholic Imagination, the Vatican News reported. Speaking of his love of literature, he said, according to the title: The words of those authors helped me to understand myself, the world and my people, but also to understand more profoundly the human heart, my personal life of faith, and my pastoral work, even now in my present ministry. He added that he has loved many poets in his life and taught himself literature when he was young. Award-winning film director Martin Scorsese and his family were among the audience of international writers, poets and other artists at the conference. Scorsese met Pope Francis in 2016, when the two held a private audience to discuss his film Silence, about Christians persecuted in 17th century Japan Francis was earlier this week struck down by a fever which forced him to cancel his work commitments on Friday and sparked renewed concerns for his health. However, the daily appointment schedule sent by the Vatican Saturday showed that Francis was resuming his work. The Vatican did not issue any new update on the 86-year-old pontiffs health. Francis is expected to celebrate mass for Pentecost in St. Peters Square on Sunday. On Thursday, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said Francis was tired after a very intense day, according to Italian news agency ANSA. The Pope was tired. Yesterday he had a very intense day and saw many people. There was the meeting with Scholas Occurrentes and he wanted to greet each person individually. At a certain point, one becomes less resistant, Parolin said. Francis was seen looking well Thursday afternoon at a live-streamed event from the Vatican for Scholas Occurrentes, an international education network that he founded, according to CNNs team on the ground. He was hospitalized in March for bronchitis but responded well to antibiotics. Leaving hospital on that occasion, the Pope joked that hes still alive. The pontiff who as a young man suffered from severe pneumonia and had part of a lung removed has had a recent history of medical issues. He has often been seen with a walking stick and sometimes uses a wheelchair due to pain in his right knee. Last year, he canceled a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan after doctors said he might also have to miss a later trip to Canada unless he agreed to have 20 more days of therapy and rest for his knee. He ultimately went to the DRC and South Sudan in February. Francis also suffers from diverticular disease, a common condition that can cause the inflammation or infection of the colon. In 2021, he had surgery to remove part of his colon. "This story was first published on CNN.com, "Pope Francis cancels meetings due to fever" ON the Chaguanas main road opposite the police station stands a six-storey building, which once housed the Hindu Credit Union financial complex. The building stands as a monument of sorts of the former credit union that was wound up and placed into liquidation more than 14 years ago. A police officer died in a crash on the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway, near Barataria, yesterday morning. Around 6.15 a.m., PC Triston Williams was heading east when his Nissan Tiida motor car veered off the road and broadsided a utility pole. The force of the impact split the car in two. WE salute all victims of revenge porn who have chosen not to cower and hide but to bravely take the fight to their criminal abusers. We note the constitutional action filed on behalf of a group of underage girls and young women by the civil society organisation, Humanitarian Foundation for Positive Social Change (HFPSC). The group is claiming that the rights of the 25 women represented are being violated by the apparent unwillingness of the police to investigate their clients complaints, leaving them exposed to continued torment by the predators. Pima Community Colleges Governing Board is weighing the fate of three historic hotel properties on Drachman Street north of downtown Tucson. At a board study session Monday, dozens of community members came out in support of preserving the structures and using the spaces to support the colleges operations instead of tearing them down. Youre inheriting a moral duty to do the right thing, Carlos Lozano, who served eight years on the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission, told the board. The Drachman hotels can be used productively. He added that in his view, Local governments and public institutions that serve the community are held to a higher standard than the average developer. But some arent so sure PCC should be putting its money toward historic preservation projects, especially because the college originally set aside $10 million for the project, but new estimates show a tentative plan the board advanced two years ago would now cost $35.7 million. Board member Maria D. Garcia said at a study session in April that shes fully supportive of cultural history, but that given the colleges declining enrollment, renovating these properties should not be a priority for PCC. She added that If the city wants them, let the city do something with them. The college purchased the hotels the Tucson Inn (1952), Frontier Motel (1941) and Copper Cactus (1942) several years ago. Theyve sat vacant since, sustaining damage from weather and vandalism. All of the buildings would need considerable physical repairs and modifications before they could serve the colleges needs. After it gathers more public comment, the board will eventually pick one of the following options: For $35.7 million: Keeping the original plan the board advanced in 2021, which included restoring the Frontier Motel and Copper Cactus and the diner at the Tucson Inn and creating a 26,750-square-foot space over a portion of the Tucson Inn that would be demolished. For $8.9 million: Demolishing the Copper Cactus, Frontier Motel and the back half of the Tucson Inn, but repurposing the inns front half which includes the diner. The plan also calls for preserving the hotel signs. The plan would create a 4,500-square-foot space in addition to a 190,000-square-foot parking lot. For $17.3 million: Repurposing the front of the Tucson Inn, demolishing the Copper Cactus, maintaining all signage and building a new 6,000-square-foot building. This would create 10,500 square feet of space and 137,500 square feet for parking. For $3.6 million: Demolishing all three hotels, but maintaining signage. This would create a 220,000 square-foot parking lot. Tell PCC's board what you think Now its the publics turn to weigh in on what it wants to see happen to the hotels. The board heard plenty of public comment on Monday night, which heavily favored preserving the properties in some form. It will continue gathering public input before it makes a final decision. If you would like to let the board know your thoughts, you can email board@pima.edu, chancellor@pima.edu or call (520) 206-4747. Part of historic district All three hotels are contributing properties to Tucsons Miracle Mile Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Former PCC board member Demion Clinco, who lost his bid for re-election last fall, wrote the nomination for the district in 2017. The district is considered historically significant because in the mid-20th century it served as a commercial corridor for travelers touring the nation, and represents the rise of auto culture in the United States. According to the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, the Tucson Inn, which architect Anne Rysdale designed in 1952, is considered one of the finest examples of roadside architecture in the city and the state, alongside Tucsons Ghost Ranch Lodge on Miracle Mile and Flamingo Hotel on Stone Avenue. While the Tucson Inns fate remains unknown, PCC recently completed restoration of the hotels iconic neon sign. How PCC may use properties The upcoming vote has been more than five years in the making. In September 2017, the board approved purchase of the Tucson Inn at 127 W. Drachman St. for roughly $1.1 million. It subsequently approved buying the nearby Frontier Motel for $1.3 million and the Copper Cactus for $1.6 million in June and November of 2018, respectively. According to PCCs 2018 facilities master plan and other board documents, the board approved the purchase of the hotels with an intent to expand the colleges downtown footprint to allow for program growth, program relocation and potential new centers. The college has proposed multiple possible uses for the spaces, which could include: Using the diner at the Tucson Inn for the PCC culinary and hospitality program. A diversity, equity and inclusion center. A teaching and learning center. An innovation center. An education technology lab. At a June 2021 board study session, PCC Chancellor Lee Lambert who on Tuesday announced his imminent departure for a new job helming a California community college and his staff presented multiple options for the planning, design and construction for the adaptive repurposing and development of the Downtown Campus Hotel/Motel properties. Those options included a significant range in estimated cost and scope from $3.7 million to demolish all of the properties and build a parking lot in their place, to $83 million to repurpose the hotels and build an additional building. But one option emerged as the leading choice for the board. It involved restoring the Frontier Motel and Copper Cactus and the diner at the Tucson Inn. This plan additionally called for building a parking lot over a portion of the Tucson Inn that would be demolished. Two days after the five-member board heard these project options, it approved a motion to move forward with pursuing that plan, with a modification to conduct a feasibility study related to the south-end building of the Tucson Inn for either parking and/or hotel use. At that time, that option with those modifications was estimated to cost around $13.6 million. But the motion the board passed in June 2021 did not authorize spending any money, it only authorized consideration of the project and a feasibility study. However, in anticipation of the project moving forward, college administrators earmarked $10 million to have on hand for when the renovation project got underway. Project never had full support And while the board approved the motion to move forward in June 2021, it did so with support from only three of its members, and none of those supporters, who included Clinco, are still on the board. Garcia and board member Luis L. Gonzales, who have publicly criticized Lambert for years, abstained from voting on the 2021 motion. They are now the only two current board members who were present when the initial discussion of the project started. In an interview Thursday with the Arizona Daily Star, Lambert said the colleges attention to the hotel properties met a pause shortly after the 2021 motion passed. Thats because around that time, the college was also dealing with complaints which Garcia and Gonzales openly endorsed about Lamberts leadership an ex-employee made to PCCs accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission. It took more than a year for the commission to investigate and resolve those complaints, but last fall it issued its final report, which dismissed the majority of the accusations. We only have so much bandwidth as an institution, Lambert said. We had to focus our energies in certain areas. This (hotels project) did not require us to make an immediate decision. The HLC issues required a greater level of attention, and then we also had an election coming up. But by this spring, other costly maintenance issues including a failing HVAC system at PCCs 29th Coalition Center had arisen, which, according to Lambert, prompted the college to revisit its plans for the hotel properties within the context of its broader discussions about budgeting for facilities maintenance. Cost estimates detailed At an April 24 board study session, where a range of maintenance issues were discussed, facilities management staff told the board that a recent feasibility study showed the plan for the hotels the board approved in 2021 would cost about $35.7 million roughly $26 million more than the $10 million the college had originally allocated for the project. While members of the historic preservation community have questioned those major cost discrepancies, Brandye DLena, assistant vice chancellor for facilities, explained that its not a direct comparison. The $10 million figure was never intended to represent a project budget, DLena told the board on Monday. Rather, it was an amount set aside so we could go through this process and get into construction, and at that point understand truly what the budget would be. According to a presentation by GLHN Architects and Engineers, Inc., the local firm that did a feasibility study for the project, the $35.7 million estimate can be traced to a drastic rise in construction costs over the past three years. According to the firms research, new construction costs of specialized spaces (the hotel properties have potential to fall into that category) could run upwards of $1,000 per square foot. Additionally, the report also notes that heavy renovation costs in the Phoenix area (the closest geographic area with this available data) have risen from $350 per square foot prior to 2020 to $625 this year. At the April board meeting, Lambert said that because the board had already made a commitment to adaptively reuse those properties, it should weigh that before it makes a final decision. If you change the commitment, he said, we need to be able to explain very clearly the reasons why (you made) the change. KYIV, Ukraine Russias southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine came under attack Friday from Ukrainian artillery fire, mortar shells and drones, authorities said, hours after two drones struck a Russian city in an area next to the annexed Crimea Peninsula. Moscows forces, meanwhile, struck a building containing psychology and veterinary clinics in the city of Dnipro, in central Ukraine, killing two people and wounding 30, including two children, Ukrainian officials said. Video released by regional Gov. Serhiy Lysak showed fire engulfing the three-story building that appeared almost destroyed, with only parts of a wall standing, as firefighters battled the flames. A Russian S-300 missile hit a dam in the Karlivka district of Donetsk province in eastern Ukraine, threatening nearby settlements with flooding. The town of Graivoron in Russias Belgorod region, more than 4 miles from the Ukrainian border, came under fire for several hours, damaging four houses, a store, a car, a gas pipeline and a power line, Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov reported. Closer to the frontier, a recreation center, a shop and an empty house were damaged in the village of Glotovo. One woman was wounded when nearby Novaya Tavolzhanka was shelled, Gladkov said. Earlier this week, the Belgorod region was the target of one of the most serious cross-border attacks from Ukraine since the war began 15 months ago. Details of the raid were murky. Russia blamed the Ukrainian armed forces, but two Russian groups said they were involved, with the aim of bringing down Russian President Vladimir Putin. Officials in Russias southern city of Krasnodar, in the region of the same name bordering Crimea, said two drones struck there. Witnesses told local media they heard something like the sound of a moped and then two explosions. The blasts smashed a hole in the roof of one building and blew out windows in an apartment building. We just went to bed and then there was such a strong, terrible boom, resident Tatiana Safonova said. We ran outside. There were people running, but nothing else was going on. She said described the sound beforehand like a growling, noisy moped driving by. Krasnodar regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev wrote on Telegram that there were no casualties and while some buildings were damaged, essential infrastructure was unharmed. Krasnodar Mayor Yevgeny Naumov said a residential building and an office building were damaged. Drone attacks against Russian border regions have been a regular occurrence since the start of the invasion in February 2022, with attacks increasing last month. Earlier this month, an oil refinery in Krasnodar was attacked by drones on two straight days. Ukraines Defense Ministry on Thursday published video that appeared to show a marine drone heading for Russias Ivan Khurs reconnaissance ship in the Black Sea. The video didnt show the drone hitting the ship. The video followed reports by Russias Defense Ministry on Wednesday that Ukraine launched an unsuccessful attack on the Ivan Khurs using three unmanned speedboats, with all three destroyed prior to reaching the ship. Moscow released video allegedly showing the destruction of one of the marine drones. At a meeting in Estonia, German and Baltic leaders played down concerns about fighting spilling over into Russia. Russia attacked Ukraine, and so Ukraine can defend itself, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. It is clear that the weapons we have delivered will only be used on Ukrainian territory. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas noted Ukraine does not have any wish to invade Russia, and Lithuanian Prime Minster Ingrida Simonyte added: Im somewhat puzzled by the worry of Russia, because Russia is at war so its quite strange to think that the war can only be in that other territory that you invaded. In Moscow, Chinas special envoy Li Hui met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and they exchanged opinions on the situation around Ukraine and prospects for resolving the conflict, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Lavrov cited serious obstacles to the resumption of peace talks created by the Ukrainian side and its Western handlers, the statement said, but it did not disclose what Li said or proposed. Li visited Kyiv earlier this month. Chinese leader Xi Jinpings government says its neutral and wants to serve as mediator in the conflict, but has supported Moscow politically. Beijing released a proposed peace plan in February, but Ukraines allies largely dismissed it, insisting that Putin must first withdraw his forces. At least two civilians were killed and three others wounded in Russian attacks on Ukraine in the previous 24 hours, the Ukrainian presidents office reported Friday. Late Friday, officials in the Russian-held sector of Donetsk reported two missile strikes on the city of Mariupol, where a monthslong siege early in the war left much of the city in ruins. Russias state news agency Tass cited an unnamed official as saying the missiles were long-range Storm Shadows, which the United Kingdom delivered to Ukraine this month. Ciscomani throws Arizona to the wolves It distresses me that Representative Ciscomani voted for McCarthys Limit, Save, Grow Act. How could he support a bill that makes drastic cuts to education, slashing 100,000 teaching positions and eliminating preschool for hundreds of thousands of children? That perpetuates inadequate veterans health care, with longer wait times and 30 million fewer outpatient visits? That takes Meals on Wheels from a million seniors and increases hardships for them in finding low-income housing. With his vote, Ciscomani has thrown every category of vulnerable person, adult and child, to the wolves. The Ciscomani who campaigned for office would have stood up for his constituents and voted no. That would have shown real governing, but he went along with the extremists in the Republican party. When will Ciscomani and his fellow Republicans quit their posturing and find the courage to offer viable solutions to urgent problems facing our nation? Lois Postil Oro Valley Crime We have a problem with increased crime. The second problem is the underinvestment in our criminal justice system. The news outlets like to show the bad cops. There are over 800,000 law enforcement officers in the United States. Data shows one percent are bad cops. Police make you feel safe. When you have a safe street you have community, people venture out, talk to neighbors, even strangers, build relationships. When you have crime and violence people retreat, get suspicious of neighbors and folks on the street. If you care about relationships, equality, diversity, inclusion, civic harmony, then you must feel safe. We need to act on recruiting in the police department. There are times the police put themselves in danger for our safety. The police should be celebrated and praised when they reduce crime. Just a note, chronic criminals belong in jail, it does cost money, but what price do you put on someones debilitating attack or death. Valentine Ferraris East side Free bus service Once again, our wise city council and genius mayor has decided riders dont have to pay for their bus service. We hear that it will be free. But we little folks know nothing is free. Now the council and mayor are scrambling for ideas on how to pay for the free service. Hmmm oh yeah, how about riders pay for it? But no, the rest of us will pay for it one way or another while those in charge pat themselves on the back for free service. The council and mayor think local partners are going to enthusiastically pitch in money to continue this entitlement for the free stuff. Really? In the meantime, expect layoffs of Sun Tran workers while the busses serve as shelters for the homeless and people crossing the border illegally. The council may as well put rest rooms and wifi on the busses. Free bus service will never survive. Make those who use it pay for it. But I guess thats just too much common sense. Nate Baker North side Some choice The Republicans are a wonderment. Against a president who much of his own party isnt happy with, they proffer a guy who likely will end up in prison (or certainly should) and another guy who as governor just destroyed a $1 billion project from Disney which would have created 2,000 high-paying jobs. Meanwhile, limping along at under 5% is Nikki Haley, who has more experience, more competence and is more electable than any other republican candidate. Unless and until the republicans get a clue the only option is to vote for the democrats. Or stay home if you cant abide that. The day will come when we return to normal order with politicians who will lie as almost all do but not close to the nonsense we currently endure. Lawrence Fleischman North side Deaths Statistics indicate that 407,000 Americans were killed in World War II. That is not counting the millions from elsewhere murdered through the death camps. Approximately 36,000 American lives were lost in the Korean Conflict, 58,220 Americans were killed in Vietnam. Others with deaths of various number include, Bosnia, Haiti, Somalia, Kuwait, Libya, Grenada, Afghanistan. Forgive me for missing some. I am a person of four score years and have lived through all these ghastly periods. While considering the many lost lives I wonder whether I have become saturated with death and carnage. I wonder if the newspaper headlines outlining eight students murdered doesnt bother me as if should. Yes, I am stunned, horrified and distraught by the news. But maybe, just maybe, my life has been so continuously filled with killing of young people, each with mother and father, that I am conditioned to death. I want it to stop but, if history tells me anything, it simply wont. Phil Reinecker East side Sensible gun legislation Re: the May 22 letter Guns have changed. Often, as in the recent letter the basis for many people that favor additional gun control centers around the modern advancement in weapon capacity and efficiency. As well meaning as that may be, the true grounds for opposing the 2nd Amendment is contained in the history and tortured language of the amendment itself. The circumstances were the very real possibility of the Constitution not being successfully ratified in 1791. Madison whipped out the copy using modern terms on a bar napkin so they could satisfy the slave states demand that the states could overrule the Federal Army and use their states Militia to track down and capture runaway slaves. The additional language was such to appear as a reasoned amendment again satisfying the slave states fear of excessive federal power, language at the time was The People meant the states having participants in well trained military force. If you were to use the creative editing like the NRA it suggests that now gun owners are all soldiers! Robert Cozad Oro Valley Hard times Well, because of Trump, no vacation this year gas prices more than doubled, motels are outrageous, restaurants too expensive, border in crisis, tax money spent on undocumented for food, lodging and transportation. I sell my plasma to make ends meet. Solider killed in Afghanistan, people left behind, millions of dollars of military equipment left for the Taliban, what used to be wrong is right and whats right is wrong, women truly losing their rights and taken by men. The Bible being torn up and stomped on why dont you see anyone doing that to the Quran? Trump did all of this! Oh wait he hasnt been in office for 29 months. Trump wasnt so bad Biden did all of this in only 29 months. Our country wont last another 19 months with him in charge. Betty Freyer North side Sinema supports environmental devastation Please contact Sen. Kyrsten Sinema asking why she, together with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto have introduced a bill that would allow Hudbay Mining company to dump millions of toxic tailings on public lands! The environmental damage that a mine in the Santa Rita mountains will do will last for hundreds of years. And this bill totally overlooks the fact that the Colorado river is at its lowest level ever and yet mining is one of the greatest users of water in Arizona. Hudbay is planning on pumping water from the aquifer in Green Valley and replenishing it with CAP water very short-sighted, and potentially devastating to area residents, as our CAP allocations are in the process of being cut. Why would she support a Canadian company devastating our environment in order to mine copper to send to China? Beth Dingman Green Valley Smith is right on Ciscomani Re: the May 20 article Ciscomani fails to represent CD 6. I wanted to second Julie Smiths editorial. It is not that Rep. Ciscomani is a bad congressman. He would be a perfectly suitable congressman for some deep red district in a deep red state like Alabama or Wyoming. But Arizona is a purple state and the 6th District, as the last election shows, is evenly divided. Ms. Smith correctly argues that the deeply conservative nature of Ciscomanis views make him unfit to serve an evenly divided district. For example, while some moderate Republicans from swing districts have reached out to Democrats to try to solve the debt crisis, Ciscomani has sided with the hard liners. Fortunately, even with Republican gerrymandering, Ciscomani won his election by a razor thin margin in an off-year election that typically favors the party out of power. The only solace should be that his extremist views will not play well nearly as well in a presidential election year. Peter Vernezze The following is the opinion and analysis of the writers: The lower basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada recently announced a proposal to voluntarily cut some 3 million-acre-feet of water, or almost 14% of their Colorado River allocation. The latest proposal represents a cooperative move between the states where tensions have been running high in recent months. It answers the call from the feds for action from the states to address shortage in the basin. And the plan is tied to some new federal investments in the region. There is a lot to celebrate here, but by no means is the crisis over for Arizona. This plan just gets us to 2026. It is a band aid, not a long-term solution. It represents just 50% of the minimum cuts that the feds originally wanted the amount they said is needed to account for the shortage in the basin and keep the reservoirs from running dry over the long term. We got lucky this year with the winter precipitation that is giving our reservoirs much needed water, but climate experts tell us that the longer-term pattern of lower flows and drought will be the new normal. One wet year should not distract us from the real challenges still at hand. Ultimately, basin-wide, all 7 basin states and Mexico need to come to new terms with a smaller river. The average Colorado River flow for the past 30 years has only been about 60% of the 16.5 million acre-feet that has been allocated. Additionally, tribal water users are an important part of the conversation, and the solution. Tribes in the basin currently have recognized rights to 20% of total allocations, but many are not using all their allocated water, and still others have unsettled water rights claims that impede tribal economic development and basin-wide planning. In many ways, this current deal is a no-brainer for Arizona. California is willing to take cuts. Federal money will help tribes, cities and farmers better manage the water cuts. But real trade-offs still need to be made that affect the future of agriculture in Arizona and our development patterns and growth. We likely cannot expect the federal government to provide billions of dollars each year for temporary conservation measures. It is time to end the annual cycle of collective breath-holding about how much water needs to be cut each year and who will receive water. We need a durable plan that provides certainty in terms of minimum water deliveries to all water users under various conditions. We need to negotiate new, permanent agreements that enable access to affordable and reliable water for all in the basin. Lets celebrate this one but keep working to build a more sustainable, resilient future for all Arizonans. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Try walking five miles, without water, across uninhabited desert in June in southern Arizona. Then try 20 miles. Only if you have experienced walking in extreme heat can you know the difficulty. Thousands of people from Mexico and Central and South America have walked hundreds of miles in such conditions, to reach the United States border. Others may be escaping gang violence, murder, kidnappings and extortion. They are leaving areas where there may be no jobs whatsoever, or ones paying $12 per day or less, inadequate to support a family. Their long journeys are desperate acts of survival. Some have started in South America, then must cross the hazardous Darien Gap into Central America. They may encounter gangs, dangerous animals and brutal weather, yet push onward. When they finally make it to Mexico, there are hundreds of miles to the United States border. When they do arrive, there is no assurance of entry. Some may cross illegally, and others wait along the border in the thousands, hoping to be granted asylum from situations formerly endured. In some instances, immigrants have crossed with negative intent. There is human smuggling, and drugs like fentanyl are illegally transported, because we buy them. There may be others intent on doing harm, but those numbers are a small percentage, receiving the greatest attention. The vast majority simply want a chance at a better life. Our Congress has not found a satisfactory method to solve the legal and humanitarian border crisis for the past 30 years. Fear and paranoia are used. Claims may be that immigrants are coming to take jobs. Their gangs will plunder, vandalize, injure, or worse. They will get free health care, free education, free everything, destroying our economy. The warnings are only limited by conspiratorial thinking. The vast majority just want to support their families. Getting into trouble could mean potential deportation. We have all heard that immigrants will do the jobs that no one else wants to do. The truth is that few people want to pick crops, work on roofs, or perform landscaping in long days of hot or cold weather, mostly undertaken by those considered inferior. What are solutions to the border impasse? Improving the asylum system is key. Many seeking asylum must wait not weeks or months, but years. Imagine having made the difficult trip to the border, then existing without adequate food, shelter, clothing or medical care in deplorable conditions for that long. Significantly increasing the number of asylum judges seems to be a necessary solution. Some desperate immigrants pay a coyote thousands of dollars to get them across the border, often with disastrous results. As a possible pathway to citizenship, there must be a way for vetted immigrants to pay and receive work visas for a certain length of time. If they contribute positively, they can reapply, or receive documentation as a legal avenue to become productive members of our nation. It is a massive problem as it now exists since Title 42 has ended, but Congress could work in a bipartisan way to try and solve it. It appears, however, in our divided two party system, that one political side may not want the other to receive credit for doing so. It is much easier to assign blame. Meanwhile, thousands wait with faint hope. There are organizations who provide assistance with basic necessities for the migrants in many ways. The Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans is one. Their site is www.gvs-samaritans.org. Sahuaritas Good Shepherd Church Randy Mayer, an exceptional humanitarian, is strongly affiliated with this group, which assists with needs at the border in many ways. Another way is to contact your elected representatives with positive ideas to help remedy the so far unresolved border situation. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) In the four years since progressive reform prosecutors swept into office across northern Virginia, they have faced constant criticism, ranging from conservatives who deride them as bleeding-heart Soros prosecutors to judges who claim they abuse their discretion. Now, as these prosecutors are up for reelection in Virginias off-off year elections, the challengers in next months Democratic primaries arent challenging the reform agenda. Instead, they too are casting themselves as reformers. Political analysts look to Virginias odd-year elections for clues about voter sentiment heading into midterms and presidential years. This year, the prosecutor races may show how voters feel about crime, three years after protests over racial injustice both energized progressives and prompted a conservativebacklash. Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions from a primary that historically draws only a narrow slice of the electorate. Still, he said if voters were to reject reform incumbents, it would be noteworthy. If the incumbents cant persuade that sector of the electorate that the reform agenda is the agenda to pursue, then thats a warning sign for the Democratic Party, he said. Nationally, reform prosecutors have had mixed political success after their initial elections. In San Francisco, voters recalled District Attorney Chesa Boudin over rising crime concerns. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced her resignation earlier this month amid pressure from Republicans, and in Chicago, Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx last month said she wont seek another term. But in 2022, reform prosecutors in Dallas and Indianapolis won reelection despite tough opposition. And in 2021, Philadelphias Larry Krasner, an icon in the criminal justice reform movement, won a second term. The Virginia races, meanwhile, may provide more insight into the views of suburban voters. The primary challengers, thus far, are embracing the reform agenda. Even Ed Nuttall, who is running as a common sense Democrat and is best known for representing police officers charged with misconduct by the reformers now in office, has sought to embrace the mantle of reformer. Sure, why not?" Nuttall said when asked whether he considers himself a reformer. He said he supports efforts to find alternatives to jail for nonviolent offenders dealing with addiction and mental health issues. The problem, according to Nuttall and the other primary challengers, is mismanagement of day-to-day affairs. They cite turnover in the offices and criticism levied by crime victims and judges that cases have faltered because prosecutors have failed to follow procedure. Theres a lot of frustration in the courthouse with everyone about how these cases are being handled, Nuttall said. Nuttall's opponent, Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano, who won four years ago after knocking off a longtime incumbent, said the mismanagement critiques are off base. While there have been hiccups, he said critics fail to recognize the massive overhaul his office has undertaken. It takes more than one term to undo decades of bad policy, decades of injustice, Descano said. Nuttall's race against Descano is one of three in northern Virginia, the wealthy suburban area outside the nation's capital. In Arlington County, closest to the District of Columbia, Josh Katcher is challenging his former boss, Parisa Dehghani-Tafti. And in the outer suburbs of Loudoun County, attorney Elizabeth Lancaster is challenging incumbent Buta Biberaj. Incumbents say the challengers' effort to paint themselves as reformers rings hollow. In Loudoun County, Biberaj says her opponent's support comes from Republicans who have sought to block reforms. Weve actually done the work since coming into the office, Biberaj said. So when you've got these challengers saying, I am a true reformer, well, what have you done?" Lancaster said her reform credentials are solid. She worked as a public defender for more than a decade and served on a task force that overhauled the prosecution of juveniles. She said she was recruited to run by members of the county bar who are frustrated with mismanagement in the prosecutors' office. "As an 18-year Loudoun County attorney, it's embarrassing, and it gives criminal justice reform a bad name and it pisses me off," she said. The incumbents are facing criticism not just from their opponents but in many cases from the judges in their own courthouses. In Arlington County, some judges require Dehghani-Tafti's prosecutors to file written briefs outlining why they are dropping charges against defendants, a time-consuming process that she says infringes on her discretion. Dehghani-Tafti said the answer is not to replace her, but the judges. Get a new bench, she said, noting that two of her deputies have now been chosen to serve as judges in Arlington. Her opponent, Katcher, has faulted Dehghani-Tafti for an inability to build relationships with judges, police, and with her own staff that has thwarted real reform. I have both the experience and the relationships to deliver real reform and real justice, he said at a debate last month. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A 25-year-old firefighter from South Carolina has died after part of a burning apartment building collapsed while firefighters were inside. Authorities said James Muller of the Irmo Fire District died Friday while he was providing aid during the response to a fire at Tropical Ridge apartments in Columbia. WLTX-TV reports that Muller, of Columbia, was one of seven firefighters who were taken to the hospital after the collapse. Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins said five firefighters from Columbia and two from Irmo had to be taken to the hospital. Two residents were also taken to the hospital, Jenkins said. In total, about 19 people were displaced from the damaged apartments. The American Red Cross is working with residents on lodging and other immediate needs. Chief Mike Sonefeld of the Irmo Fire District said Muller worked for the district for seven years and had a love and passion for the job. Firefighter Muller will be greatly missed amongst his firefighting family, Sonefeld said on Twitter. The fire is being investigated by the Columbia Police Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Richland County Fire Marshals Office and other agencies. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) A Montana woman charged with torturing and killing her 12-year-old grandson more than three years ago pleaded guilty Friday to deliberate homicide and two other felonies in an agreement with the state that calls for her to spend the rest of her life in prison. Patricia Batts was charged in the death of James Alex Hurley in February 2020 in West Yellowstone. Her trial had been scheduled to start in July, but she will now be sentenced on July 11. Under the agreement, she also pleaded guilty to felony criminal child endangerment for failing to get him medical help after he was fatally injured and witness tampering by trying to get family members to provide false statements to investigators, the Department of Justice said. This was a very tragic death of a blameless child. These cases are not easy, and our hard-working prosecutors are one step closer to achieving justice for Alexs family, Attorney General Knudsen said in a statement. I look forward to the sentencing and expect the judge will impose the life sentence we requested in the plea deal." Alex had been living with Batts and her husband, James Sasser Jr., following the death of his father, who was Batts' son. An autopsy found Alex died of blunt force trauma to the back of his head. He also had bruises and wounds all over his body, court records said. Gallatin County prosecutors alleged Alex was beaten and denied food. Investigators found videos of the boy being tortured and punished on cellphones seized from the family members. Sasser Jr. was sentenced in March 2022 to 100 years in prison for his role in Alex's death. He pleaded guilty to deliberate homicide, child endangerment and tampering with a witness. At sentencing, he acknowledged he failed to protect Alex. Two children belonging to Sasser and Batts were also charged in the case along with a family friend. Their 14-year-old son was charged in youth court and acknowledged causing the injuries that likely led to Alex's death. Youth Court Judge John Brown sentenced him to juvenile detention until he reaches age 18, followed by seven years on probation. Alex's aunt was sentenced to probation. Gallatin County prosecutors initially sought the death penalty against Batts, accusing her of systematically torturing and killing Alex. A new county attorney elected in 2022 took that sentencing option off the table after asking the state Attorney General's Prosecution Services Bureau for its recommendation. It will make this move more swiftly and secure a sentence where Ms. Batts will never see the outside of a prison cell again," County Attorney Cromwell said in January. Batts has been jailed since her arrest on Feb. 12, 2020. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The local community is rallying around a Tulsa firefighter who is battling cancer. Harrison Moseby was diagnosed with high-grade epithelioid sarcoma, or ES, in March 2022, and is continuing to receive ongoing medical care for his condition, which has intensified over the last year. The 25-year-old Owasso native and his wife, Mallory Moseby, of Collinsville, are learning to adjust to new challenges, all while raising their 18-month-old daughter, Kollyns, and their newborn daughter, Gracelee. Its completely changed our lives, our daily living, and doctors appointments and work life, everything, Harrison said. Between coordinating our schedule and our kids, its added a level of difficulty there for sure. A biopsy on Harrisons left shoulder in September confirmed ES, a rare type of soft tissue cancer, and he has since received several rounds of radiation and chemo- and immuno-therapy to mitigate its progression. He has also received dozens of blood transfusions about one to two per day in recent weeks after the wound from his biopsy failed to heal properly, causing him to lose large amounts of Type O-negative blood. Harrison on Thursday successfully underwent a lengthy palliative surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, to amputate his arm to stop the bleeding so he can continue his treatments. Doctors removed Harrisons shoulder, two ribs and collarbone during the seven-hour procedure. He will spend the next two weeks in the hospital. Despite their ongoing hardships, Mallory sees her husbands ability to overcome yet another obstacle is a true testament of his fearless character. The strength that he has shown its God giving him this strength to keep on fighting, she said. Theres never a day that he wants to give up. He just keeps pushing through, and hes so determined that hes going to beat this. Harrison, remarking on his wifes resilience, added: She has stepped up in ways Id never expected anyone to do for me. She has faithfully and persistently stayed by my side. Shes a rock for our girls shes on the phone and shes talking to doctors. She does it all, and its pretty amazing to see that. The Mosebys continue to carry that inspiration on their long road to recovery, which will now include physical therapy in addition to several more rounds of chemo and possible radiation. The painstaking journey, however, has been paved by the support of their friends and family along with thousands of people in multiple cities who have stood in solidarity with the courageous couple. The Owasso, Tulsa and Houston communities, for example, have hosted a number of blood drives for Type O-negative donors, as well as fundraisers, concerts, prayer services and more to help the Mosebys during this difficult time. There is also a GoFundMe page that has raised, as of Friday, more than $60,000 that will go toward helping the couple pay for medical expenses. It means the world to us, Mallory said. We wouldnt have gotten through this without our faith in our church, and family and friends just helping us and the constant love and support. Were seeing Gods grace through this whole thing. Harrison went into Thursdays surgery with high hopes and a renewed perspective on the future. Weve seen our lives actually improve through the midst of this craziness, he said. This has just made us all the more thankful for what we had and what we were taking for granted, and just all the more thankful for life and family and God, and so its really been a blessing in that way. Those interested in donating funds to help the Mosebys can visit: gofundme.com/f/help-with-medical-expenses-for-harrison-moseby <&rule> Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A June 6 public meeting regarding the conversion of much of U.S. 412 to an interstate highway is the first step in a long, long process, an ODOT spokesman said, but its a critical step in bringing the project to fruition. This is just a preliminary study in order to view and gauge where we are today and what needs to be done, said T.J. Gerlach, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Former Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, along with Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton, both R-Ark., introduced legislation in May 2021 to give the interstate designation to the 190-mile stretch of U.S. 412 from Interstate 35 in Noble County to Interstate 49 in Springdale, Arkansas. That portion of the highway travels through Tulsa. In Sand Springs, a Tulsa suburb bisected by U.S. 412, City Manager Mike Carter said he sees no down side to the proposal, pointing to opportunities for greater economic development and improved road safety across the area. What it does for us on economic development is there are some businesses that in their metrics their standards, if you will they want to be located within a certain distance to an interstate, he said. So putting one running right through the middle of your city, that will definitely help Sand Springs, and we are excited about that. That could mean more jobs in this area and all the things that come with it, so I view it as a very positive thing, Carter said. Besides the economic opportunity, he said he supports the project for safety reasons. One of the main focuses for us will be economic development, but overall, 412 will become safer just because of the standards that they hold for interstate highways, he said, specifically for entrances and exits. Even beyond the city limits, our Fire Department responds to collisions and things like that, so any safety improvements to 412 will be a good deal for all of us, he said. ODOT and ARDOT, its Arkansas counterpart, will use information developed throughout the study process to complete any needed improvements before applying to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials for interstate designation for the corridor. Some of the projects that are needed in order to bring portions of 412 up to interstate standards are already programmed in our eight-year construction work plan, and then well also need to gauge what else will need to be done and added to future programs when the construction work plan is reevaluated annually, Gerlach said. Exactly how long the project could take will be determined in part by the information collected during the study process, he said. Gerlach said he was aware of only one intersection on the western portion of the corridor that needs to be improved, near Keystone Lake. The biggest challenge for us is going to be between the Will Rogers Turnpike (east of Tulsa) and the Cherokee Turnpike, which runs east from Mayes County nearly to the state line, he said. There are a lot of at-grade crossings. Neither the Cherokee nor the Cimarron Turnpike, which runs from I-35 to just west of Westport, would become free roads because of any interstate designation, according to a statement from ODOT. ODOT has no intention of paying off the construction bonds or taking over the additional maintenance and operational costs of any of the U.S. 412 toll roads in Oklahoma, it says. Just as the H.E. Bailey, Turner and Will Rogers turnpikes are designated I-44, a new interstate designation on U.S. 412 would utilize the Cimarron and Cherokee Turnpikes. While most major metropolitan areas across the nation have two or more interstate highways connecting their regions, the Tulsa metro area and the northwest Arkansas metropolitan area are both served by just one interstate highway each Interstates 44 and 49, respectively. In a 2021 letter to the senators who proposed the interstate status, transportation officials in Oklahoma and Arkansas said the proposal would connect three key interstate freight corridors in the heartland: Interstates 35, 44 and 49. The letter also noted that U.S. 412 serves major inland ports on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, including the Tulsa Ports of Catoosa and Inola, and says upgrading it to interstate status would improve airport access in both the Tulsa and northwest Arkansas areas. Having an interstate is definitely a big boost to commercial traffic, to tourism everything like that, ODOTs Gerlach said. But he cautioned that while the public meeting is an important step, it remains a first step in a very long process. U.S. 412 public hearing What: ODOT will present information and seek input about the proposal to designate as an interstate U.S. 412 between Interstate 35 in Oklahoma and Interstate 49 in Arkansas. When: Come and go anytime between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6. Where: Cyntergy Community Space, 810 S. Cincinnati Ave. Online participation: People who cannot attend the meeting are invited to view a self-guided virtual presentation and complete a survey that will be posted online at odot.org/US412interstateDesignationStudy beginning June 7. Comments on the study will be accepted until June 28. For more: Contact ODOTs Environmental Programs Division at 405-325-3269 or environment@odot.org. U.S. 412 spans nations midsection U.S. 412 stretches more than 1,100 miles from its western terminus at Interstate 25 at Springer, New Mexico, to its eastern edge at I-65 at Columbia, Tennessee. No state has more miles of the road than Oklahoma, where U.S. 412 runs 504 miles from the southwestern corner of the Panhandle near Clayton, New Mexico, to Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Thats nearly as long as the 607 miles the four other states that host U.S. 412 can claim combined: 94 miles in New Mexico 284 miles in Arkansas 55 miles across the boot heel of Missouri 174 miles in Tennessee The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. OKLAHOMA CITY Lawmakers on Friday sent Gov. Kevin Stitt a historic budget of $12.9 billion, adjourned the 2023 regular session and then left the building. But they left the door open to return in the special session that began last week, should Stitt veto portions of the budget something that has occurred in the past. Stitt, meanwhile, said he hasnt completely given up on getting tax cuts through a different special session. Also left unresolved was the future of Tulsas Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, known as OKPOP. Some $18 million in matching funds to complete the project on North Main Street were included in the general appropriations bill and the Oklahoma Historical Societys spending limits bill, but a third measure to create a revolving fund was one of three budget bills not taken up by the House of Representatives on Friday. All three bills had previously passed the Senate. Without revolving fund authorization, it is thought the OKPOP project cannot move forward. House officials said the authorization Senate Bill 22x could still be taken up. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, said the fiscal year 2024 budget is the highest appropriation in the states history. This will change the lives of the people of Oklahoma for generations, Thompson said. Speaker of the House Charles McCall, R-Atoka, called the FY 2024 budget forward-thinking and innovative. House Republicans started session with a to-do list we received from our constituents, and this state budget includes many of the issues we prioritized, said McCall. But one of those priorities, at least for McCall and some in his leadership team, was tax cuts. That didnt happen this session, largely because of opposition by Thompson and the Senate. Their concern is that recent robust tax revenue is tailing off as the economy comes down from the sugar high of federal COVID-19 money. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, described the session as a roller coaster on which lawmakers spent weeks working out an education budget component that includes record funding and a $600 million commitment over three years to tax credits for private- and home-school expenses. Stitt said hes still reviewing all the details of the budget. I dont like the amount of spending that were doing, he said. It looks like were spending a lot of our savings account and were also raising base-level expenses above reoccurring revenue. Stitt had advocated for cutting the income tax and eliminating the states portion of the grocery tax, but the Senate would not consider it. The budget plan provides historic spending levels for education, including raises for certified school personnel. It also includes added funds for school literacy, safety, buildings and students. Thompson said the budget includes funds to finish the veterans center at Sallisaw and millions of dollars for drought relief and nursing homes and to address the waiting list for services for people with disabilities. The budget leaves the state with $3.6 billion in reserves, Thompson said. Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said the budget contains many bright spots. Many special projects are getting millions of dollars, she said. But the budget does not invest enough in health and human services, Kirt said. Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, said she was greatly concerned that more than $600 million in tax dollars will be going to private schools during the next three years. Hicks said she was also concerned that the Oklahoma Tax Commission will not be able to adequately oversee the program to ensure that there is no fraud. Public funds belong in public schools, she said. The general appropriations bill passed the Senate on Friday by a vote of 35-10. It had passed the House on Wednesday. The Senate also passed a bill called the Caring for Caregivers Act to provide tax credits for caregivers. Before leaving, the Senate voted down pay raises for statewide elected officials, with critics saying they already make a healthy salary. The Senate also defeated a bill to create the Office of Judicial Performance. The budget package included more than 50 pieces of legislation, including the general appropriations bill, all of which were handled in a continuing special session that allowed the Legislature to work around Fridays mandatory final adjournment for the regular session. Those 50 bills include SB 22x the OKPOP authorization and House officials said it could still get a vote. Carmen Forman contributed to this story. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Lawmakers sent Gov. Kevin Stitt several significant changes to the states medical marijuana laws as the 59th Legislature hurried to final adjournment of its first regular session. After clearing the Senate on Thursday, Senate Bills 437 and 831 made it through the House on Friday just ahead of the gavel. SB 831 would authorize the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to operate its own quality assurance lab, while SB 437 is stitched together from remnants of several other measures. No opposition was heard to SB 831, but SB 437 ran into some resistance from industry allies. Provisions of SB 437 include mandatory prepackaging of cannabis products, more restrictions on use of medical marijuana by minors, limits on edibles THC content, and continuing education requirements for medical marijuana workers and prescribing physicians. These bills are the result of months of collaboration with the House, industry professionals and patients, as well as research of other states medical marijuana industries to see what has and hasnt worked, said Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, the Senate author of both bills. This is an industry that has helped many Oklahomans and boosted local economies, but there are still areas that need attention. I urge the governor to sign these critical reforms into law. As part of the budget package, the House on Friday passed and sent to the governor SB 15x, which would increase the annual license fee from marijuana growers from $500 to $2,500, and SB 18x, which would discontinue automatic apportionment of medical marijuana tax revenue to education and leave it to the Legislature to decide how to spend revenue in excess of that needed to run the OMMA. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A Coweta man was killed Friday night when his motorcycle collided with a pickup in Okmulgee County, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report states. Russell Gadlage, 65, was riding his 2006 Harley- Davidson east on Oklahoma 16 west of Oklahoma 52 near Preston about 7:30 p.m. Friday when a westbound 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 made a left turn into a private drive and struck the motorcycle, the OHP reported. Gadlage was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the report, he was not wearing a helmet. The pickup driver and passenger were wearing seat belts and were not injured, troopers said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Related Content Legislature sends budget bills to governor and adjourns sort of A deal to complete Tulsas Oklahoma Popular Culture Museum appears to be in jeopardy after the Legislature adjourned Friday without taking up a measure needed to access $18 million set aside in the coming budget year. To be 100% honest, I dont know what the implications are, Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Director Trait Thompson said late Friday. I dont expect an answer until next week. OKPOP has been a tough sell to legislators since it was first proposed more than a decade ago. It received $25 million from a 2015 state bond issue, with the intention of paying for the rest of the project with private donations and revenue generated by a parking garage on a site at Archer Street and Boston Avenue. Both the location and the parking garage failed to materialize, however, and a building for the museum was ultimately constructed at 422 N. Main St., across from Cains Ballroom. Officials said last fall that $35 million to $40 million is needed to finish out the interior and open the doors. This years budget agreement included $18 million for OKPOP on the condition that it be matched by other sources. The House and Senate passed the general appropriations and Historical Society spending limits bill, each of which includes the $18 million, but the House did not take up a third measure that would authorize a revolving fund in which to put the $18 million. House sources said that bill might still be heard before the ongoing special session adjourns, but no one would say why the bill wasnt heard before the regular session ended. Objections to OKPOP were heard during consideration of the Historical Society limits bill, but it passed the House on Friday, 75-19. In perhaps a sign that something was up, Budget Vice Chairman Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, who voted for the bill, made an unusual move by serving notice of possible reconsideration, which he later waived. Notably, the OHS appropriation also included $5 million for Oklahoma Citys First Americans Museum, which is not owned or operated by the Historical Society, and into which the state has put $90 million over the past 25 years. Thompson said hes been given no explanation of why the Historical Society was appropriated the money or what hes supposed to do with it. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Vietnam has lost textile and garment orders to Bangladesh and may be stripped of the position of the second largest exporter of apparel products in the world by the South Asian country due to its tardiness in green transition. Bangladesh has been quicker in greening supply chains. Its requirements to green supply chains have been made clear and improved its exporters competitiveness and opportunities to secure orders, Nguyen Minh Duy, general secretary of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, said at the Green Linkage Green Export seminar held on Thursday. The seminar is part of the ongoing Ho Chi Minh Export Forum and Trade Fair 2023 held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. Bangladesh has up to 153 apparel factories meeting Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards as of this year and 500 others have filed for the LEED certification. The certification is based on a set of performance criteria that evaluate the environmental performance of a building in six categories: materials and resources, indoor environment quality, energy and atmosphere, water efficiency, sustainable sites, and innovation in design. Economic expert Vo Tri Thanh said green and digital are the two most important factors of enterprises which wish to satisfy the global markets requirements. Greening their production will help protect their competitiveness, maintain production, and sell products to other markets. The global textile and garment sector has required that fabric scraps or defective products must be recycled instead of being destroyed. In reality, enterprises meeting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards have more orders and better orders, Thanh said. He affirmed that efforts from both enterprises and the state are needed. Vietnam annually needs US$14-15 billion to fulfill green commitments, heading towards the net-zero emissions commitment by 2050. Vietnamese small and medium enterprises face many obstacles to export their products to the international market amid the rising protection in importing markets. Photo: N.Binh / Tuoi Tre Vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Vo Van Hoan said the city pursues green export and develops industries meeting international circular economy standards. This is one of the 12 key enterprise development and innovation programs in the 2020-25 period. The city is drawing up some policies to boost the green growth. The world is developing new trends. If enterprises do not innovate to keep pace with these trends, they will lag behind and be weeded out, Hoan added. Green commitments will pave the way for the export of enterprises products and facilitate them to enjoy tariff incentives. The process also proves that Vietnam is responsible for green, sustainable and eco-friendly production, the municipal vice chairman noted. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The administration of north-central Nghe An Province has established an interdisciplinary team to inspect a stone powder manufacturer in Nghi Loc District where three deaths and five hospitalizations of workers were allegedly linked to pneumoconiosis. The stone power business subject to the inspection is Chau Tien Limited Company, located in the Nam Cam Industrial Park in Nghi Loc District, a representative of the Dong Nam Economic Zone management board, which operates the industrial park, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday evening. According to a report of the Nghi Loc administration, the three deceased all started working at this company from 2017 to 2022. Meanwhile, the five hospitalized workers had to undergo lung lavage. They suffered shortness of breath and thereby required oxygen therapy, with worsening health conditions. Nghe An Lung Hospital confirmed that it was providing medical treatment for one of the five affected workers. The patient, named H.V.S., 47, residing in Nghi Loc, is in critical condition and on a ventilator. Given the deaths and hospitalizations, the inspection team, headed by Nguyen Van Hai, deputy head of the economic zone management authority, will examine the companys compliance with prevailing regulations on occupational diseases and working environment, monitor its working environment and check its deployment of social insurance and health insurance policies for its employees. The inspection is scheduled to last 45 days. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ho Chi Minh City has saved 10.23 million kWh of electricity since May 16, or nearly 1.14 million kWh worth VND2.4 billion (US$102,204) per day, Nguyen Phu Vinh from Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation said on Thursday. Ho Chi Minh City consumed an average of over 86 kWh of electricity per day from May 1 to 20, up 9.47 percent year on year, Vinh told a press briefing to discuss the citys socio-economy. The city set a new record in power consumption at 94.85 million kWh on May 6. Hydropower reservoirs currently have low water levels due to the scorching weather, said Dinh The Phuc, a member of the members council of the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), adding that coal-, oil- and gas-fired power plants have seen their capacity reduced due to a shortage of materials. As a result, EVN has employed many urgent solutions to mobilize the available power resources and proposed the Ministry of Industry and Trade remove difficulties and mobilize more power resources. Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation called on its customers to adopt power saving measures, such as cutting power sources when not using electrical devices, setting air conditioners at 26 degrees Celsius or above, and reducing lights in public areas, parking lots, and corridors in apartment buildings. The municipal Department of Industry and Trade had earlier asked Thu Duc City and districts in the city to enhance the power saving. In particular, lighting systems along streets will be turned on 30 minutes later and turned off 30 minutes earlier than normal. The city has also turned off half of the lights on those streets with low traffic after 10:00 pm. Half of the advertising lights and all decorative lights have also been switched off after 10:00 pm. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Vietnamese female karaoke bar staff member has been charged with beating her two-year-old son to death while she was under the influence in southern Binh Duong Province. She was identified as Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, 28, a native of An Giang Province, southern Vietnam. The Binh Duong Provincial Peoples Procuracy on Friday approved a decision to file charges against Thao for the alleged murder of her son. She was earlier detained by the investigators of Binh Duong on May 18. According to a police report, Thao was living with her two kids, aged 3 and 2, in a boarding house in Binh Duong. At around 7:30 pm on May 16, she returned home from work and was drunk. Her younger child, named N.H.G.A., cried while Thao was asleep. After failing to soothe the crying baby, Thao kept beating him until he stopped crying. The mother went back to sleep then. At about 11:00 pm the same day, she woke up and discovered her younger child was pale and no longer breathing. She requested someone to rush her and the baby to a local hospital, where the boy was confirmed dead before being hospitalized. Thao confessed that she had beaten her son multiple times but could not recall which parts of his body that she beat. This mother also admitted to using meth. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Nearly 70 masterpieces of Dutch artists from the Golden Age to the end of the 19th century are being showcased at the exhibition Blooming Light, Soaking Light which opened in Hanoi on Friday. The exhibition is co-organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hanoi and the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Netherlands diplomatic ties. Sixty-nine works of art by 66 Dutch master painters, selected from the collection of Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, are introduced at the exhibition through a hybrid format which combines fine printing on silk and digital projection. The exhibition recreates and interprets light in Dutch art history and reveals how it reflects the changes in the human perception of reality and the metaphysical world. Art lovers and visitors to the exhibition can enjoy classic works from the Dutch Golden Age, which started from the end of the 16th century to the 17th century, such as self-portraits of Vincent van Gogh and masterpieces by Cornelis van Haarlem, Frans Hals, and Rembrandt van Rjin. Delegates attend the opening ceremony of the Blooming Light, Soaking Light exhibition in Hanoi on May 26, 2023. Photo: Thanh Hien / Tuoi Tre Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam Kees van Baar expressed his happiness to introduce masterpieces of the Dutch fine arts to the public in the Vietnamese capital city. The Dutch ambassador told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that: These works of art are our national treasures. And we would like to introduce them to Vietnam - our dear friend. Commenting on the future prospects of the Vietnam-Netherlands relationship, the Dutch diplomat said that the two nations would become major partners in green economic development. Vietnam and the Netherlands established their diplomatic relations on April 9,1973. The Netherlands is one of the first Western nations to set up diplomatic ties with and offer development aid to Vietnam. Regarding the Blooming Light, Soaking Light exhibition, it opens from May 26 to June 11, 2023 at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, located at No. 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! ABC has announced a review into racism affecting staff, following abuse directed at Q+A host Stan Grant. The review will hear from both past and present staff impacted by racial abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination or antisocial behaviour. An ABC spokesman said, ABC Managing Director David Anderson has, in consultation with the Bonner Committee, announced a review to investigate and make recommendations about ABC responses to racism affecting staff, and what additional support can be provided to staff who are subjected to racist or other forms of discriminatory behaviour. Mr Anderson has today consulted with senior ABC Diversity Leads about how the review panel will work and who will lead it. Current and former employees will be invited to share their experiences. The ABC has zero tolerance for racism in the workplace, as well as bullying, harassment, discrimination or any antisocial behaviour. All ABC employees deserve to feel welcomed, included, supported and safe in our workplace. Any such behaviour is investigated when complaints are made, and actions taken when warranted. Former ABC employees Sami Shah has previously cited racism within ABC including from management while Osman Faruqi has pointed to a lack of diversity amongst management and board. David Anderson this week told a Senate Estimates hearing, As former ABC employees, it is quite troubling to hear. over the last three years we have certainly looked at who we are as an organisation. Weve issued targets in our diversity inclusion plan. Weve set up different frameworks. Weve set up a Diversity Advocates Network. Weve set up resources for people within the organisation, weve increased the diversity of the organisation over that time. I dont by any stretch of the imagination suggest the work is done or weve done enough. It is never enough. Our job is to reflect the community that we serve and thats our goal. In content terms weve also issued our diversity commissioning guidelines, which again is to reflect what people see from the ABC. It should reflect the community back to itself. Yesterday ABC Chair Ita Buttrose said, Our audience researcher show us that 75% of people think that our content reflects the diversity of Australia. I think what management needs to do is make sure that we support the people who make that content when they are subjected to racist behaviour. Its unacceptable and Im appalled at what Stan went through. If Id known earlier, I would have spoken to him about it. But I didnt know and I dont think many of us knew until fairly late in the piece. Q+A is live from Sydney on Monday with host Patricia Karvelas. This week on Q+A writing the wrongs of history as literary giants Shehan Karunatilaka and Geraldine Brooks join the panel. Each authors most recent work tackles civil war and its impacts in Sri Lanka and the US so what can these conflicts teach us about geopolitics today and the polarisation that is plaguing contemporary societies? Closer to home, supporters of Julian Assange had been hoping to appeal directly to the US President to stop his countrys pursuit of the jailed Wikileaks founder, but those hopes were dashed as Joe Bidens visit was cancelled. Assanges family says his life is in the hands of the Australian government now. What more could politicians do to secure his release? But while one state visit was cancelled, another was just beginning, with Indias Prime Minister here for talks with Anthony Albanese. Narendra Modi is a divisive figure at home and abroad will Australia tackle the tough issues with him as he faces claims of human rights violations against minority groups in India? And as signs point towards a rapprochement with China, Australia still has a precarious path to follow keeping the trade relationship on track while staying strong on defence. So just how difficult a balance is that to strike? Panellists: Human Rights Lawyer, Jen Robinson, Booker Prize-winning author Shehan Karunatilaka, Author & Journalist Geraldine Brooks, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism Kevin Hogan. Monday, May 29 at 9.35pm on ABC. Israeli media put the number of participants in the Tel Aviv demonstration at 'tens of thousands' Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv Saturday night for the 21st straight week against the hard-right government's controversial judicial reform plans, days after parliament approved the state budget. Protesters gathered in other major cities, Haifa and Beersheba, as well as at dozens of junctions and locales throughout the country, to decry what they perceive as a threat to Israel's democracy. The government's reform proposals would curtail the authority of the Supreme Court and give politicians greater powers over the selection of judges. In March, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced a "pause" to allow for talks on the reforms, which were moving through parliament and split the nation. Ongoing dialogue produced no major breakthrough, and on Wednesday parliament approved the state budget, with Netanyahu vowing to "continue our efforts to reach understandings as broad as possible on the legal reform." Israeli media put the number of participants in the Tel Aviv demonstration at "tens of thousands," as has occurred on previous occasions. Among the crowd was Israel Alva, a technology entrepreneur from Karmei Yosef. To him, the budget was "outrageous" as "it gives certain sectors perks and doesn't take the general population into consideration." He said it was important to demonstrate against the legal overhaul since "Our DNA is democratic and liberal. We want a life of freedom and not to be told what to do." Yael Ben Shalom, an MA student at Tel Aviv University, said she was demonstrating "because people are trying to take control over our regime and turn it into something bad" and "ruin the countrys future." Netanyahu's government, a coalition between his Likud party and extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, argues the changes are needed to rebalance powers between lawmakers and the judiciary. sha-jjm/it Thirty elderly women kidnapped by separatists in Cameroon's restive anglophone region a week ago after protesting against taxes levied by them have been freed, a government official told AFP Saturday. The women were released on the evening of May 23, three days after they were abducted in the mostly English-speaking Northwest region, said Denis Omgba Bomba, head of the communication ministry's National Media Observatory. The "elderly" women were "kidnapped by heavily-armed terrorists" in the village of Kedjom Keku a day after taking part in protests against monthly taxes demanded by thecla separatists, local officials said earlier this week. They also said the women had been "severely tortured". The government typically uses the phrase "terrorists" in connection with armed insurgents from the majority-francophone country's English-speaking minority, who are fighting to establish an independent homeland. A mayor in the region confirmed the release of the hostages to AFP, asking to remain anonymous. Omgba Bomba said he did not want to give further details on the women's release or their condition, except to specify that one had a broken leg. He also said that originally around 50 women were kidnapped and "severely beaten" but released the same day. The next morning the rebels returned and kidnapped 30 women. The women had demonstrated against "monthly taxes of 10,000 CFA francs ($17) for men and 5,000 for women" levied by the insurgents, according to the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa. Taxes (AFP) Read more on FRANCE 24 English Read also: Questions over human rights in Cameroon as Macron visits Emmanuel Macron in West Africa as French influence called into question Femicides on the rise in Cameroon: womens rights activists blame culture of impunity HCM CITY Nestle Vietnam has launched NAN Optipro Plus 4 formula products containing five human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), a probiotic known as Bifidobacteria and Optipro protein, which the company says support childrens digestion and strengthen immune systems. The HMOs used in the product are 2-FL, DFL, LNT, 3-SL and 6-SL, which account for nearly 45 per cent of HMOs found in breast milk and have been scientifically proven to improve children's immunity in the first years of life. In addition, the addition of 100 million beneficial probiotic Bifidobacteria, a special probiotic found in breast milk, to the product has been clinically proven to help children fight against infections, boost immunity and promote digestive health. Nestle also adds an exclusive nutrient Optipro to the product, providing just the right amount of high-quality protein to help children digest and absorb nutrients and develop healthy muscle. "The advanced combination of five HMOs has been clinically proven to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This, together with Bifidobacteria, can help reduce the risk of infections and support the immune system and digestive health in infants," Norbert Sprenger, senior expert at Nestle Research, said. The products are imported directly from Switzerland and distributing through retail chains of mother and baby products such as Con Cung, Kids Plaza, BiboMart and e-commerce platforms. At the event, Dr. Pham Diep Thuy Duong, former lecturer in pediatrics at HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy also shared the latest knowledge in nutrition for children. VNS HA NOI The National Assembly (NA) yesterday opened discussions on the draft version of the Revised Law on Protection of Consumer Rights. Le Quang Huy, Head of the NA's Committee of Science, Technology, and Environment, revealed that lawmakers had introduced two new concepts to the draft, namely 'organisational consumer' and 'sustainable consumption'. They had also expanded the scope of Article 10 to cover consumers and providers of public service, and Article 36 had been developed in this regard to define the latter's responsibilities. Under the draft, consumers must provide full and accurate information about their transactions to the authorities on request. They would be held responsible for disclosure of inadequate and inaccurate of information, Huy said. The draft had also shaped the relationships between consumers and producers in the cyber environment by defining their rights and responsibilities online. The role of social organisations, such as Vietnam Consumer Protection Associations (VCPAs), in protecting consumer rights was enhanced as per the draft. They could now take legal action against violators on behalf of consumers. Legal disputes arising from transactions of VN100 million (US$4260) or above, under the draft, would be settled according to simplified procedures. NA deputy Nguyen Van Canh opined that the draft should be revised to settle the situation in which a consumer violates another consumer's rights. "Some consumers behave as if they were 'God'," Canh said. "They jostle for a position in the line, affecting others' rights." Canh called for a new article to the draft, which would stipulate that consumer rights would not be violated by other organisations, individuals, and consumers. NA deputy Nguyen Thi Suu believed that the provision on public service providers under the draft was not exhaustive. She proposed a new notion, 'the State bodies that provide public service', be added to the draft to fill the gap. She also suggested a modification to Article 3 to ensure the article was in line with other relevant legal documents. "The phrase 'for profit-making purposes' in Article 3 should be changed into 'for profit-seeking purposes' to be compatible with other regulations," Suu said. NA deputy Pham Van Hoa remarked many producers had employed puffery to boost sales. Such a practice harms consumers as puffery was nothing more than false praise. He called for two new articles to the draft, one to hold producers accountable for any damage to consumers caused by exaggerated praise and the other to ensure consumers' warranty claims be handled without hindrance. NA deputy Ta inh Thi said VCPAs had little funding to operate because they did not collect member fees, which had hindered their objective of safeguarding consumer rights. He suggested putting in place a mechanism under which VCPAs' operating costs would be covered partly by the State budget to give them more financial room to support consumers. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam always treasures comprehensive partnership with the US, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told a delegation from the US Senate led by Senator Mike Crapo in Ha Noi on Friday. PM Chinh spoke highly of the maintenance of high-level contacts, especially the recent successful phone talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden. He suggested that in the near future, both sides continue enhancing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, science and technology, education and training, innovation, digital transformation, and climate change response. The host asked the US senators to support the US opening its market to and limiting anti-dumping investigations and trade remedy measures against Vietnamese goods, especially agro-forestry-fisheries, which directly affect the peoples livelihoods. He also urged the US Congress to continue heeding and allocating resources for cooperation with Viet Nam in overcoming the war consequences, as well as offer support to the Vietnamese community in the US. Expressing their impression on Viet Nam's land, people, and development, the US senators said they support a strong, independent, self-resilient, and prosperous Viet Nam and respect its independence, sovereignty, and political regime. They said they will promote substantive and effective relations between the two countries, wish for stronger partnerships in trade and investment, and support negotiations on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements of which both countries are members. The guests vowed to back Viet Nam's and ASEAN's stance on the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) issue and underlined the need to maintain peace, stability, freedom, security and safety of navigation and overflight in the waters. VNS HA NOI The Vietnam Pediatrics Association (VPA) and US drug company Pfizer (Viet Nam) on May 26 signed a memorandum of understanding for enhancing the capacity of paediatric healthcare workers in the country. Through interdisciplinary co-ordination and instruction on how to use antibiotics safely and effectively, they seek to enhance the capacity of healthcare workers in pulmonary, neonatology, emergency resuscitation, infectious diseases, and surgical departments. In Viet Nam, some 33,000 children aged under five years die of preventable diseases every year. The World Health Organization said pneumonia is the leading cause of death of children under five years of age globally. Tran Minh ien, president of the VPA, said the COVID-19 pandemic has led to unpredictability in the disease model, creating more difficulties in paediatric healthcare. "In the disease model in Viet Nam, infectious diseases ranked top, especially respiratory and gastrointestinal infections and seasonal epidemics, and they require attention in terms of both prevention and treatment," he said. The VPA hopes to collaborate with various institutions to enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes of paediatric doctors and nurses to improve healthcare services for children across the country, he said. This partnership is expected to promote co-operation and effectively carry out activities to achieve equity in healthcare for children, he said. Darrell Oh, general director of Pfizer Vietnam, said infectious diseases are a global concern in public health and antibiotics are a primary area of focus for Pfizer. When it comes to paediatric health, capacity building for paediatric patients as well as the safe and effective application of antibiotics in treatment will help improve the quality of the health system. Pfizer is a leader in areas like infection, oncology, rare diseases, immunology and inflammation, internal medicine, cardiology, vaccines. VNS U.S. urged to stop military contact with Taiwan: Chinese spokesperson Xinhua) 10:04, May 27, 2023 BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday said the U.S. provision of weapons to Taiwan is extremely wrong and dangerous, urging the U.S. to stop military contact with Taiwan and arming the island. Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing, in response to media reports that the U.S. government has started to deliver its plan to send weapons aid to Taiwan via presidential drawdown authority, with the first batch of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles already arrived in Taiwan on May 24. The U.S. provision of weapons to Taiwan gravely violates the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques, especially the August 17 Communique, interferes in China's internal affairs, harms China's sovereignty and security interests, and undermines cross-Strait peace and stability, Mao said. "This is extremely wrong and dangerous. China strongly deplores and firmly rejects this and has made serious demarches to the U.S. side," said Mao. From U.S. politician's clamoring for "destroying Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC)" to arming the island of Taiwan into a "porcupine," Mao said it is all too obvious that the U.S. would stop at nothing - even if it means destroying Taiwan - to contain China. The over 1.4 billion Chinese people, including the Taiwan compatriots, will not accept this, Mao said. China urges the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, stop military contact with Taiwan and arming Taiwan, stop creating factors that heighten tensions across the Taiwan Strait, and stop conniving at and supporting separatist forces' attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" by force, said the spokesperson. "China will closely follow the developments of the situation and resolutely safeguard our nation's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity," she added. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) Local businesses call for greater transparency and openness in Government, which is seen as an effective way to support economic recovery and speed up the decision-making process among agencies and units. Electronics production at Vingroup's manufacturing plant in Hoa Lac Hi-tech Industrial Park. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times The recommendation was made following a survey conducted by the Private Economic Development Research Board (Board IV) on the state of businesses and their view of the economic outlook for the remainder of 2023. The survey, conducted by Board IV at the end of April with the participation of nearly 9,560 companies, suggested a gloomy economic outlook. Specifically, 82% of enterprises said they intend to downsize, suspend operations, or cease operations in the coming months of this year. Of the companies that plan to continue operating, more than 71% plan to reduce their workforce by more than 5%, with 22% considering a reduction of more than half. Nearly 81% of companies expect revenues to decline by more than 5%, while 29.4% anticipate a decline of more than 50%. The survey also revealed that business confidence is particularly low, with over 81% of respondents expressing a negative or very negative view of the economic outlook for the remainder of the year. The four main challenges faced by businesses include a lack of orders, difficulties in accessing credit, burdensome administrative procedures and the risk of being criminalized for economic infringements. In addition, local authorities have not provided adequate support, with 84% of businesses rating their assistance as "inefficient". To address these challenges, businesses have proposed several solutions. They recommend cost-cutting measures to improve competitiveness. For example, businesses suggested extending the deadline for the 2% VAT reduction to the end of 2025 instead of the end of this year. Other suggestions include reducing labor costs by lowering union dues and social security contributions, and considering adjustments to the personal income tax threshold. Businesses have also asked banks to create more favorable conditions for businesses to access credit. "There should be a preferential credit package specialized for key manufacturing industries and sectors, focusing on small and medium enterprises," Board IV said. Board IV added that it is necessary to avoid tightening credit for real estate projects related to social housing, hospitals, schools and production infrastructure. In addition, improving the business investment environment is essential, with surveyed companies expecting the authorities to refrain from unnecessary new regulations. To address external challenges, businesses said the government should prioritize intensifying trade negotiations to diversify input markets, particularly in garments, leather and footwear, and furniture. Similarly, efforts should be made to expand output markets and reduce dependence on traditional markets. According to a report by the Economic Committee of the National Assembly, the overall health of enterprises is deteriorating and the economic situation is highly challenging. In the first four months of the year, about 79,000 new or restarted businesses were registered. On average, about 19,700 new enterprises are established or resume operations each month. On the other hand, more than 19,200 companies are exiting the market each month. Many are struggling with mounting debt repayment pressures, prompting them to sell shares at significantly reduced prices, often to foreigners. The shortage of orders is a widespread problem for businesses, leading to job losses in various industrial parks. According to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, between September 2022 and January 2023, nearly 547,000 employees from 1,300 enterprises experienced reduced working hours due to dwindling orders. Of the total, 75% of these affected employees work in foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises. Hanoi Times HCMC The Government has proposed that the National Assembly (NA) extend the e-visa validity to 90 days with single or multiple entries to attract more international visitors to Vietnam. The recommendation was part of the Governments proposals presented to the NA plenary session today, May 27, to revise immigration procedures, e-visa issuance and visa exemption for foreign visitors. On behalf of the Government, General To Lam, Minister of Public Security, said the effort is aimed at creating favorable conditions and making it easy for foreign visitors who want to spend more time in Vietnam. The Government also suggested issuing e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories. Vietnam now grants one-month single-entry e-visas to visitors from 80 countries and territories, the local media reported. In addition, the Government proposed extending the duration of visa-free stay for international tourists to 45 days from the current 15 days to provide momentum for the recovery of tourism post pandemic. The NA National Defense and Security Committee has endorsed the Governments proposals in principle, said Le Tan Toi, the committee chairman. The agency advised the relevant authorities to consider granting visa exemptions for visitors from more countries and territories, as Vietnams current list of 25 countries receiving visa waivers is considerably fewer than that of other regional countries. (from left) H.E. Hynek Kmonicek Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic in Vietnam, Mr. Jan Bartosek - Deputy Speaker of The Chamber of Deputies of The Parliament, Ms. Annica Witschard CEO of Home Credit Vietnam and Ms. Pham Vu Minh Dan Home Credit Vietnams Chief People Officer This visit holds special significance as it coincides with the celebration of the company's 15-year anniversary. Jan Bartosek - deputy speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament and his delegates commended Home Credit Vietnam for its achievements and valuable contributions to the economy and the country as a whole. The frequent meetings between senior government officials and Home Credit Vietnam underscore the company's pivotal role in fostering business relationships between the Czech Republic and Vietnam. The deputy speaker and his delegates praised Home Credit's notable accomplishments in financial inclusion, responsible lending, sustainable growth as well as its strong commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Deputy speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament congratulates Home Credit on its 15th anniversary Over the past 15 years, Home Credit Vietnam has made significant strides in providing financial services to individuals with limited access to traditional banking. Serving nearly 15 million customers nationwide, the majority of whom have low incomes and no credit history, the company has successfully bridged the gap and enabled these individuals to access financing with ease and security, empowering them to achieve their daily goals. Home Credit Vietnam's success story is a testament to its position as one of the largest companies in the consumer finance industry. Its remarkable growth has not only contributed to the overall economic development of Vietnam but has also played a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion among the underbanked population, bringing them into the formal financial system. Senior leaders of the Czech Republic and Home Credit Vietnams Board of Directors. A key factor behind Home Credit Vietnam's success is its steadfast commitment to responsible lending practices, reflected in its market-leading low non-performing loan ratio. Furthermore, the company has earned immense trust and loyalty from its customers, with three out of four customers recommending Home Credit's services to their friends and families. Returning customers generate 75 per cent of the company's new revenue, showcasing the exceptional customer satisfaction and loyalty it has fostered over the years. These accomplishments have solidified Home Credit Vietnam's position as the most desired brand in the market, as recognized through the prestigious Annual Brand Health Track conducted by Ipsos from 2020 to 2022. In addition to its financial achievements, Home Credit Vietnam has been at the forefront of implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance principles in its business operations. This dedication to sustainability and responsible practices have earned the company the distinguished Top 100 Sustainable Companies award from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, making it the sole Consumer Finance Company (CFC) to receive this prestigious recognition. With an unwavering dedication to its customers and society at large, Home Credit Vietnam exemplifies the success of the Vietnam-Czech business relationship and is poised to achieve even greater milestones in the years to come. Home Credit Vietnam CRO wins prestigious C-Suite Awards Home Credits Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Fabien Sanchez has been honoured as the Most Trusted Financial Services CRO in Southeast Asia by London-based CEO Monthly, the magazine for top professionals globally. Last month, CEO Monthly unveiled its inaugural C-Suite Awards. Home Credit invests VND200 billion into Buy Now Pay Later service Home PayLater a digital financial product with a VND200 billion ($8.7 million) investment is set to enhance the convenience of consumers online shopping experiences. Assessing the potential of buy now, pay later services Home Credit is betting on the prospects of buy now, pay later services in Vietnam. Michal Skalicky, chief customer officer of Home Credit Vietnam, shared with VIRs Thanh Van his insight into the growth potential in Vietnams e-commerce market. Home Credit impresses investors with strong growth Home Credit Vietnam, Vietnams leading consumer finance firm, has continued to achieve major success in the first nine months of the year, with top ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards and a breakthrough strategy in digital transformation. Home Credit Vietnam proud to receive Inspirational Brand Award Home Credit Vietnam was recognised as an Inspirational Brand by the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) A jury convicted on Friday a Fort Wayne man of three counts of murder in what prosecutors said were the execution-style slayings of three other men nearly five years ago. Jacquail Belcher, 30, also was found guilty of a firearm enhancement, which could add 20 years to the sentence of up to 195 years he faces in the shooting deaths of Dernail Brown, 26; DeShaun Richards, 25; and Breondon Pinkston, 28, on June 28, 2018. Police have said they found Brown on a sidewalk just north of downtown Fort Wayne and rushed him to a hospital where he died. Later, officers discovered Richards and Pinkston fatally shot inside a car. Allen County Deputy Prosecutor Tom Chaille said eyewitness accounts, DNA evidence suggesting Belcher was the shooter and conflicting accounts of his alibi showed he was the killer. However, Eric Gardner, Belchers attorney, told jurors that several witnesses could not positively identify his client from a photo array. Eyewitnesses said the shooter was tall with a dark complexion, but Belcher is fair-skinned and 5-foot-5, the attorney said. The motive for the shootings wasn't clear. Belcher is scheduled to be sentenced July 6. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Almost 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War, 30 chairs in front of the Waco Vietnam Veterans Memorial were filled by the Waco community to honor locals who died in service. Surrounding the 30 chairs were about 50 more veterans, families and Young Marines listening to the ceremony. The Sunset Ceremony, hosted by the Heart of Texas Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1012, opens Memorial Day weekend each year, honoring the 83 veterans from McLennan County who were killed in action in Vietnam and whose names are on the memorial. It also gives an opportunity for community members to honor by name other service members who have died. James Savell, a former Green Beret, said it is a part of his duty as a veteran to honor all veterans. You have to honor the people who died for your country, Savell said. I was taught in my training to live for my country and to let the other guy die for his. Well, a lot of us didnt make it back. Memorial Day is a day to honor people who left their families to serve their countries and died before they could come home, said Gary Urban, vice president of the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter. To him, it is extremely personal. Every now and again, my memory will come to the forefront, Urban said. I tried to think of the good things, because I can tell you good things about each one of those gentlemen. Fridays ceremony opened with a prayer of peace, the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, a veteran went on to explain how Wacos Vietnam War memorial came to be in 2004. Then, the 83 names of the Waco area veterans were read aloud. Audience members were invited to say into the microphone the names of their loved ones who had died. The Henry Downs and the Elizabeth Gordon Bradley chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented about 20 veterans with lapel pins. Afterward, they presented lapel pins to family members of veterans who had died as well. Patricia Lee, veteran chair of the Henry Downs chapter, said she admires the people who served in Vietnam, especially her husband. My favorite part about this is seeing the expression on these men when theyre noticed, Lee said. The sunset ceremony closed with a prayer and taps. Jon Ker, a veteran who served in Vietnam and Iraq, said anytime a person has the opportunity to recognize a veteran for his contribution to the country, especially one who has died, they should absolutely take it. Ker said liberty comes at the price of patriots blood and that todays youth need to understand that. A good friend of mine, who is no longer with us, when he was 16 years old, he parachuted into Switzerland during World War Two, Ker said. Now think about the 16-year-olds today. Do they have that kind of commitment to protect our way of life here in the United States? I dont think so. Robert Allen, a retired marine, said it is important that the next generations be willing to serve. Be willing to serve, willing to go outside yourself and do things for the good of the nation, Allen said. I despise war. Ive been in it twice. I absolutely despise war. But were in a world where there are people who try to take advantage of others, where countries try to take advantage of other countries. I would say to young people, be willing to serve, whether it be in the military or other forms of service. Be willing to serve even if it means going to war. Of the service members he knew who have died, Ker said he remembers them as being good men who love the United States, their families and everything about their lives and yet, they surrendered it for you and me. Sunset Ceremony at the Waco Vietnam Veterans Memorial: May 26, 2023 Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Regional Assemblies of God officials said they ousted minister Chris Hundl on May 4 from his leadership positions in Baylor Chi Alpha and a local church as part of their investigation into links between a registered sex offender and Texas Chi Alpha chapters. In a statement to Tribune-Herald, officials from the denominations North District Council stated that they recommended Chris Hundls dismissal to the General Council Credentials Committee, which action is in process. Hundl was arrested Tuesday and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony. He was released Wednesday from McLennan County Jail on $50,000 bond. Hundl was the pastor of Mountain Valley Church in Waco, an affiliate of the Assemblies of God. As of Friday, the Mountain Valley Waco website could no longer be accessed, along with the Baylor Chi Alpha website and social media pages. Baylor University has suspended the campus Chi Alpha chapter and is investigating it, university officials have told the Tribune-Herald. They have emphasized that Hundl was not a Baylor employee. Hundls arrest warrant says he allowed a registered sex offender access to two young family members several times between summer 2021 and March 2022. The warrant says Hundl described the registered sex offender as his spiritual mentor. Hundl said he had known the sex offender since college, and the two men had engaged in sexual acts as a spiritual activity, according to the affidavit. The affidavit also says Hundl told investigators the sex offender acted as a grandfather to the children. According to the Texas sex offender registry, the offender was charged in 2012 for sexual abuse of a minor, a third-degree felony. According to court documents, he committed the offense in Alaska between 1995 and 1997. The online forum XA and the Lions Den was created to create an atmosphere of openness and transparency to acknowledge the wrongs done in Chi Alpha by the hands of (the sex offender) and other XA leaders over time, according to the forums statement of purpose. The site has collected numerous allegations of abuse against the sex offender and Chi Alpha leadership dating back over 30 years. In April, Scheef & Stone LLP, a Frisco law firm representing victims of the sex offender, released a letter addressed to Texas A&M University, Texas State University, the University of Houston, Rice University and the University of Texas, alleging Chi Alpha and Assembly of God leadership was aware of the mans sex offender status and continued to associate with him and direct young men to him for spiritual guidance. The letter alleges Texas Chi Alpha and Assembly of God leadership wrote letters asking for leniency in the sentencing of the sex offender in 2012. Eli Stewart was affiliated with the Texas A&M chapter of Chi Alpha and was the pastor of the Mountain Valley Church in College Station until a few weeks ago. The church board announced his dismissal May 21. A statement on the churchs website says the church learned Stewart knew the man was a convicted sex offender and continued to refer young men to him for spiritual guidance. The Board and Elders commissioned an independent investigation into those allegations, and as the investigation began in early May it quickly become clear that Eli Stewart had fallen into sinful practices unbecoming of the office of a pastor and that he had neglected his duty to protect his flock from a known predator, both of which disqualify him from ministry, a statement from the church says. The Board and Elders voted to dismiss Eli Stewart as pastor in accordance with our bylaws. In the statement to the Tribune-Herald, the denominations district council states that it had no record of the sex offender ever serving as a North Texas District Assemblies of God Minister or holding a position with Chi Alpha in North Texas. Other Chi Alpha chapters under scrutiny include the one at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. William Robinson served as a minister for the chapter until June 2022, when he was arrested on several felony charges, including continuous sexual abuse of a child, sexual assault of a child, two counts of indecent contact with a child and one count of indecent exposure to a child, Nueces County court records show. His trial is set for next month, according to court records. An archived version of Chi Alpha Baylors website says Hundl served the Corpus Christi Chi Alpha chapter from 2010 to 2019 before coming to Waco to start the Baylor chapter. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. LINCOLN The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) received a record-breaking number of applications from current high school juniors and seniors across the state to attend the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) this summer. NAYI brings together hundreds of students every year to learn more about Nebraska agriculture, network with ag leaders and explore career opportunities. This year, NAYI will be held July 10-14 on the University of Nebraska-Lincolns East Campus. NAYI is an incredible opportunity for young leaders to expand their knowledge of agriculture and connect with peers from around the state, said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. Im encouraged by the record-breaking number of students, 270 of them, who applied to attend NAYI. These students are the future leaders and innovators of Nebraskas ag industry, and they will be the ones who will continue to help grow our states number one industry. NAYI is in its 52nd year, making it the longest running ag youth program of its kind in the nation. This years theme is For the Future. NAYI features motivational speakers, discussions on agricultural issues, career development, networking opportunities, leadership activities, a farm management game, a formal banquet and a dance. NAYI is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC), which is comprised of 21 college-aged students selected by NDA for their passion and interest in the ag industry. During NAYI, NAYC members provide valuable insight and advice about agriculture, college coursework and career-building. Area delegates include the following students. Cedar Bluffs High School: Madelyn Thomas of Cedar Bluffs, Raymond Central High School: Olyvia Korthanke and Hailee Nelson, both of Ceresco, and Aleyna Cuttlers, Jaden Kohl, Leslie Bos and Rachel Bos, all of Raymond; Jaelynn Kliment, Ben Kliment, all of Valparaiso. Mead High School: Paige Williams of Colon. East Butler Public School: Lauren Sousek of Malmo; Miranda Strizek of Valparaiso. Bishop Neumann High School: Chisum Wilson of Yutan. To learn more about NAYC or NAYI 2023, visit nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/. by Richard Mallory Allnutt The team at Fagen Fighters Restoration never seems to slow down. With the airworthy resurrection of Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver BuNo.83393 fast approaching its conclusion, another WWII-era U.S. Navy warbird project may soon take its place in their workshop, this being TBM-3S Avenger BuNo.85597. This Avenger is the second example which the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum has acquired. It arrived from Carson City, Nevada on the back of a low-loader this past Saturday, whereupon it was soon unloaded and guided into a hangar to await its turn in the restoration queue. Given the push to get the Helldiver ready for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this coming July, its quite possible that space will free up to allow the Avenger to receive some TLC later this year, although no firm decisions have been posted on this front as of yet. Rolling off the final assembly line at General Motors Eastern Aircraft Division plant in Trenton, New Jersey during 1945, this TBM arrived too late to see service in WWII. In 1952, following a period of storage, BuNo.85597 made the journey north to join the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), one of 125 Avengers to do so. The aircraft underwent conversion into an AS.3 anti-submarine variant with Fairey Aviation of Canada, and served with both VS 880 and 881 in the RCN, based principally at HCMS Shearwater near Halifax, Nova Scotia but also deployed, at times, aboard the carriers HMCS Magnificent and later, Bonaventure. Following the end of the Avengers military service, the Canadian government sold on the bulk of their surviving Avenger fleet to the civilian market. A good number of these airframes ended up as aerial sprayers and water bombers, and so it was with 85597, which took up the civil registration CF-IMK with Skyway Air Services Ltd in Langley, British Columbia during January, 1958. Here the Avenger served as fire tanker #602, keeping this number (and registration) following its move to Conair Aviation Ltd in Abbottsford, BC in 1969. In August 1977, Forest Protection Ltd (FPL) acquired the TBM (along with Conairs remaining Avenger inventory), moving it to their home in Fredericton, New Brunswick (updating the registration to C-FIMK). The aircraft served with FPL for several seasons as both a fire bomber and bug sprayer before moving into inactive storage at Fredericton in 1985. FPL sold the Avenger to Jeff Thomas in Seattle, Washington during 1994, but he soon sold the project on to Byron Neely of Austin, Texas. Neely placed the aircraft on the U.S. register as N704QZ. The Commemorative Air Force acquired the Avenger in 2003, and while it entered restoration with the Florida Wing in DeLand, Florida, the CAF eventually parted with the airframe in 2012, selling it to an undisclosed buyer in Carson City, Nevada. While some additional restoration work did take place, the Avenger clearly will need significant additional work to return it to flying condition. Fagen Fighters acquired the airframe in 2022; their restoration wing has a significant inventory of parts and plenty of experience to return this aircraft to its authentic military configuration in due course. The plan, as published at present, is to restore this airframe to airworthy condition while restoring the other example to static for museum display. Using a natural weed killer recipe has a few key advantages over chemical-laden commercial weed killers. If you have pets or small children who play in your garden, a synthetic weed killer could cause skin, nose, or eye irritation and other health problems. Synthetic herbicides can also harm beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, earthworms, and lacewings. These insects naturally keep your plants and soil healthy, even keeping predators at bay in some cases. Making your own natural herbicide is also budget-friendly. As youll see in the simple recipe below, you can make an effective eco-friendly weed killer from household products you likely already have on hand. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. CEDAR FALLS A 37-year old businessman is seeking to become the youngest person ever elected president of the United States. Vivek Ramaswamy joined radio broadcaster Jeff Stein on Friday at a Mudd Advertising studio to discuss his Republican candidacy and views on key issues during a recording of the Iowa Talking Points program. Hes the fourth Republican presidential candidate to campaign in the Cedar Valley in recent days. He said he can replicate what former president Ronald Reagan accomplished when, according to Ramaswamy, he pulled the country out of a national identity crisis. Born in Cincinnati, the Harvard University and Yale Law School graduate is focused on taking down bureaucracy. He founded Roivant Sciences, a biotech company, and Strive Asset Management. I built my career as a capitalist by taking on bureaucracy, he said. Well, now I want to take on the biggest of those bureaucracies of all that is the administrative state thats really where a lot of the problem begins, the three-letter acronym alphabet soup, FTC to FDA to SCC, to God knows what. He said bureaucracy is the fourth branch of government, that I view as fundamentally unconstitutional. Ramaswamy said the three branches of government are guilty of handing responsibilities to non-elected agencies and that theyve gone a step further, passing the baton to Big Tech especially Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook and Google. Im running for president to be the president who we elect to run the government (who) will actually be the one who runs the government, he said. He didnt directly address other Republicans or Democrats and made little mention of President Joe Biden. Ramaswamy didnt even address his proposal about raising the voting age to 25, which has gained widespread national attention. He admitted to having ambitious and controversial ideas, and expanded on his beliefs with examples. One was in the form of an attack on LinkedIn, the company that locked his campaign account. Microsoft is the owner of LinkedIn, the very platform that this week censored me as a U.S. presidential candidate, he said. Think about that, from talking about climate change or Bidens relationship with China, he said. He stepped down as CEO of Roivant Sciences in 2021 because he wanted to issue a statement in support of Black Lives Matter after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police. Its led to his challenge of what he calls the woke industrial complex and the cancer of politics seeping into companies actions. This was now a multi-billion dollar company I built from scratch, leading it as CEO. And even then I wasnt free to speak my mind as a citizen or, to the contrary, had to speak something that was other than what was on my mind or in my heart, he said. Ramaswamy shared the stage with Gentry Collins, CEO of American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, and Rob Mudd, chief futurist at Mudd Advertising, and took questions from the audience. He was not shy about prioritizing support for products and bottom line over a social and political agenda. He decried the tricks of the woke industrial complex and suggested we have a culture thats willing to buy up what theyre selling. I wasnt going to solve that through the market. To solve that, we need a national revival of our culture itself, he said. Ramaswamy wants to replace the woke agenda with values like family and God. He also called for more oil drilling and less of a push for electric vehicles. He wants to roll back carbon regulations and eliminate subsidies for companies that take advantage of them. Hes a full-throated capitalist and said apologizing for success leads to anti-growth. He said that formula will lead to larger GDP growth and a balanced budget. He said the current government fuels laziness by paying people to stay home, leading to depression and anxiety. He wants to cut financial dependence on China and support for Ukraine, saying theres no return on those investments. He said civic education is important, citing a poll he claimed showed 60% of young Americans would give up their right to vote if it meant being able to continue to use TikTok. Ramaswamy said he is adamantly pro-life, and that the U.S.-Mexico border has more holes than Swiss cheese. 8 tips for healthy grilling 8 tips for healthy grilling 1) Grill with gas 4) Pick the right protein 7) Try a new tool Materials of the Briefing by Chief of Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops General Lieutenant Igor Kirillov on U.S. military-biological activity Link to PDF on our server below, since Russia is very blocked by the West, internet wise The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation continues to analyse the military and biological activities of the U.S. and its allies in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world. We noted earlier that during the special military operation, documentary evidence was obtained confirming that employees of the Biosphere Reserve in Askania Nova, Kherson region, were studying the migration routes of migratory birds and selecting and transferring biological material abroad. The task force of the Russian Ministry of Defence together with officers of the Federal Security Service and Rosselkhoznadzor have confirmed the collection and certification of avian influenza virus strains with a high potential for epidemic spread and the ability to cross the species barrier, particularly the H5N8 strain, whose lethality in human transmission can reach 40%. Remember that 1% of new coronavirus infections result in death. Despite efforts by the Reserves staff to destroy the biomaterials by cutting off the power to the refrigeration units and destroying the cryopreservoir with liquid nitrogen, specialists from the 48th Central Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defence found traces of genetic material of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Newcastle disease virus, and avuloviruses even in the samples that had undergone decomposition. According to the employees who remained in the Reserve, the Ukrainian side offered them a large cash reward for removing or destroying the research results. Documents seized in the Reserves veterinary laboratory confirm the involvement of the Kharkov Institute of Veterinary Medicine in the work of the American UP-8 and P-444 Projects and preparations for the Flu-Fly-Way project. Their goal was to evaluate the circumstances in which the transmission of diseases associated with economically significant infections may become uncontrollable, result in economic harm, and constitute a threat to food security. It is necessary to emphasize that once more that the U.S. Department of Defense, an organisation that has nothing to do with the research of bird migratory routes, commissioned the projects. We have already brought up the observed widespread bird mortality in the Askania Nova Nature Reserve in 2021, which experts think is infectious in nature. The experiments being undertaken and a disregard for biosecurity regulations were recognised as the causes of the single-stage bird mortality. Against this background, of particular concern is the increase in the incidence of bird flu in Russia and in European countries, where, according to the International Office of Epizootics, the disease has become a year-round disease with losses exceeding 3 billion since 2021. Since the beginning of 2023, there have been 32 outbreaks of avian influenza recorded in Russia in all federal districts. In the last week alone, the disease was detected in poultry farms in the Kirov and Yaroslavl regions. Quarantine measures for highly pathogenic avian influenza have been imposed in Moscow since 17 May 2023. At the same time, the total damage to the agricultural sector caused by the disease in the last three years has exceeded 4.5 billion roubles, and more than 10 million poultry have been eliminated. African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, which pose a serious threat to food security, have never been recorded in the U.S., despite the fact that the U.S. has seen avian influenza epizootics since 2003. At the same time, the U.S. military is actively studying these economically significant infections outside the national territory in bio-laboratories located along the borders of its geopolitical adversaries. This demonstrates once more that the U.S. is creating biological weapons components abroad, notably in Ukraine. Recall that the United States published its National Biodefense Strategy in October 2022. The doctrinal paper identifies biological risk management as a top concern for the United States. Washington intends to develop a U.S.-controlled architecture for preventing, responding to, and neutralising biothreats in U.S. national interest under the approved Strategy. One of the areas of strategic development is the improvement of individual and group biosecurity methods for U.S. military personnel in different theatres of war. The goal is also to continue the study of area-endemic pathogens of particularly dangerous infectious diseases. This is confirmed by another long-term planning document, the new U.S. DoD Biomanufacturing Strategy approved on 23 March 2023. I draw your attention to the fact that the strategy was developed specifically by the US military department. The document defines long-term goals for the development of biotechnology and the search for its military applications. The claimed goal is to ensure technological sovereignty in the field of bioproduction and to outpace strategic rivals. The amount of funding for activities within the framework of the approved strategic documents for the next five years will be about $90 billion. In addition, the U.S. intends to strengthen global control of the biological situation in the world and reserves the right to conduct dual-use research, including outside the national territory. In the post-Soviet region, the U.S. has already stepped up its military-biological activities. Pentagon contractors and civilian intermediates like the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Gryphon Scientific research company have taken the position of the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and Pentagon contractors. Work is scheduled to collect and genotype samples of the pathogens of three extremely hazardous illnesses indigenous to these regionsplague, anthrax, and tularaemiaunder the cover of doing completely peaceful tasks in the states of Central Asia and Transcaucasia. The U.S. government is achieving this by employing a tried-and-true scenario of purportedly humanitarian collaboration. First, issues related to the biological situation are brought forward. Intergovernmental agreements are then finalised after securing the line ministries interest in cooperating. As a result, a bio-facility that is wired into a solitary biosurveillance system is built. The United States acquires ownership of all biological developments made in the nation, including collections of pathogens, and the laboratory infrastructure put in place is rendered ineffective without U.S. assistance. I would like to point out that the number of biolaboratories in the United States with the highest possible BSL-3-plus and BSL-4 containment levels has increased significantly over the past few years. According to a report by Kings College London, there are 25 active laboratories in the US and three under construction where research on highly dangerous viruses and bacteria is being conducted. In accordance with the document, 18 additional BSL-4 laboratories will open in the upcoming years, the most of which will be situated in Asian nations outside the legal jurisdiction of the U.S. There are concerns that these facilities will pose serious risks: they are located in densely populated areas, save on protective equipment, and lack effective biosafety regulations in the countries where they are based. Furthermore, in the US Intelligence Communitys February 2023 Global Threat Assessment, the authors emphasise that, there is no effective mechanism to control and address biorisk, and international surveillance bodies with competencies in this area are fragmented and lack authority. Despite compelling evidence from the scientific community, the U.S. government is unable to come to the correct conclusions and keeps engaging in murky biological operations globally. Washingtons professed dedication to global biosafety standards and norms really manifests as a rejection of international efforts to fortify the BWC and a blocking of the development of its verification mechanism. It should be noted that the U.S. has never clearly stated its commitment to the safety of research carried out in biolaboratories under its control. This is supported by a review of US National Institutes of Health documents that relate to safety violations. In the course of an investigation conducted by the Intersept independent company, more than five and a half thousand pages of incident reports were studied. It concluded that research carried out at universities in Washington, Minnesota, and Illinois led to in-lab contamination and created the risk of further spread of dangerous pathogens. These statistics do not take into account incidents at military-biological facilities, a key one being the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick. However, the Institute has repeatedly been the subject of investigations by U.S. federal agencies because of its non-transparent and unsafe activities. In 2009, for example, its operations were suspended due to violations of the rules governing the accounting of biomaterials, creating risks of loss, theft and illegal trafficking of pathogens. Recall that it was this institute where microbiologist Bruce Evans, the prime suspect in the bio-terrorist attacks linked to the sending of anthrax spores to the U.S. in 2001, worked. In 2019, federal regulatory agencies banned work on dangerous pathogens at Fort Detrick due to poor efficacy of effluent disinfection systems and numerous safety violations, which took almost a year to fix. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China, it was during this period that localised outbreaks of pneumonia of unknown origin were reported in several areas of the U.S. Systematic breaches of security requirements at U.S. biolabs have raised justifiable concerns in the global community. In December 2019, for example, the relocation of the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit Three (NAMRU-3) from Cairo to Sicilys Sigonella Air Base has provoked an extremely negative reaction from Italian citizens. According to the Italian media, the U.S. used the pandemic to divert public attention from the fact that the biolaboratory had been relocated. As LAntidiplomatico notes, that it is highly suspicious that the opportunity to spread the word about this laboratory was not taken, if on paper its purpose is to study health threats. I would like to recall that of all European countries it was Italy that was most seriously affected by the COVID-19 virus, and the Russian Ministry of Defence, at the request of the Italian authorities, promptly provided assistance to the Italian people at the height of the epidemic. However, not a single source mentions the activities of NAMRU-3 to protect Italian citizens, although the level of equipment of the facility allowed and allows for the full range of research with the new coronavirus agent. Clearly, the redeployment of NAMRU-3 under the pretext of providing assistance was not intended to protect Italians, and the role of the biolab in the spread of COVID-19 has yet to be assessed. No wonder that the decision by the Pesaro city authorities to construct a national biolaboratory sparked a wave of local protests and widespread pleas to state authorities given the deployment of a U.S. military biological facility in Italy. Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported on the Pentagons establishment of the Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System (EIDSS). Equipping bioweapons facilities on the territory of other countries with such systems provides the U.S. with an opportunity not only to ensure the security of its military contingents at their deployment sites, but also to remotely monitor the activities of biolaboratories outside national jurisdictions. The surveillance system includes U.S. Army and Navy laboratories as well as verification points located at U.S. military bases in different regions of the world. The core part of this network, which has been forming since 1997, is the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. I would like to describe its activities in more detail. Documents obtained during the special military operation show that for several years the Institute has been involved in training Ukrainian personnel as part of the Biological Threat Reduction Programme. Robert Lipnik, head of the epidemiology department, and his subordinates were involved in the training of Ukrainian specialists. Representatives of the institute supervised military and biological projects UP-1 and UP-2, organised by DTRA, during which active collection of biomaterials of Ukrainian population was carried out. In the UP-1 project alone, more than 800 blood samples were collected under the pretext of studying the spread of tick-borne infections. According to the documents in our possession, the Walter Reed Institute was actively involved in the 20142020 conflict in Donbas in studying the antibiotic resistance of microbes isolated from military troops of the AFU. As part of this project, 813 microorganisms obtained from 162 patients were studied in four Ukrainian military hospitals located in different parts of the country and full-genome sequencing of 52 isolates was carried out. It is understandable to wonder why the U.S. Army Institute would research the antibiotic resistance of microbes found in Donbass land. This provides more proof that the U.S. considered Ukraines territory to be a base for the entry of NATO military forces. The Russian Defence Ministry shall keep tracking the operations of the agencies subordinate to the U.S. Department of Defense that are involved in creating bioweapon components. WtR Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. TOWN OF LOMIRA A 51-year-old Hartford man, who was flown by Flight for Life from the scene of an accident on Friday morning, was released from the hospital later in the day. According to a press release from the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, the two-vehicle crash occurred on Center Drive at Highway HH in the town of Lomira at 7 a.m. The initial investigation showed a 2015 Volkwagen Jetta, operated by Adam Reible, 22, was traveling north on Center Drive and failed to yield right of way from a stop sign to a 2020 Ford Explorer, operated by James OBrien, as he was traveling west on County Highway HH. OBrien was flown from the scene by Flight for Life and released from the hospital later. Reible was taken to St. Agnes Hospital for minor injuries and released. The Brownsville Police and Fire Departments and First Responders, Mayville EMS, Flight for Life, Dodge County Sheriffs Office and the Dodge County Crash Investigation Team assisted at the crash. The crash remains under investigation by the Dodge County Crash Investigation Team. Mega Prince Varun Tej will be next seen in the action thriller Gandeevadhari Arjuna. Directed by Praveen Sattaru, the movie is said to be based on an important global issue. Agent beauty Sakshi Vaidya is playing the love interest of Varun Tej. The team headed to Hungary a few days back to shoot some key scenes. Now the production house informed that this key and energetic schedule in Hungary had been wrapped. Brace yourselves for some high-octane action on the big screen, read the caption of the production houses social media tweet. Majority of the films shoot is happening in foreign countries. Mickey J Meyer is composing the tunes, and veteran producer BVSN Prasad is bankrolling the film under the Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra banner. Vinay Rai plays the antagonist. Gandeevadhari Arjuna marks the 12th film for Varun Tej. The release date is yet to be announced. Articles that might interest you: We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Lawyers for the man accused of killing a Fernley 18-year-old are again trying to get the case dismissed on grounds of jurisdiction. Lawyers for Troy Driver said they were filing the motion on Friday. They also want to change the venue for the trial. Driver is accused of kidnapping and killing Naomi Irion last year. He's been charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault and more in the case. He's pleaded not guilty. March 12, 2023: The Lyon County Sheriff's Office and the Fernley community are paying their respects as Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of Naomi Irion going missing. The Sheriff's Office says they think of Naomi and her family every day and are asking the community to take a moment of silence in honor of Naomi. Naomi's sister is also asking the community to wear rainbow colors to support Naomi. March 6, 2023: In his latest court appearance, accused killer Troy Driver pleaded not guilty to all counts he is facing in the death of then 18-year-old Naomi Irion. Driver is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted person, burglary of a motor vehicle and destroying evidence. Driver also waived his right to a speedy trial to give his legal counsel more time to prepare. Prosecutors say they are seeking that Driver face the death penalty in the case. While his next court appearance hasn't been set, the State of Nevada and Driver's attorney's will have 10 days to pick a date for his next appearance. ------------------------------- February 27, 2023 Update: A scheduled Monday preliminary hearing for accused killer Troy Driver is now happening March 6th. Driver's February 27th hearing was continued due to snowy weather conditions. Previously, Driver waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Driver was found competent to stand trial in early December. Driver is accused of murdering and kidnapping 18-year-old Naomi Irion of Fernley. December 5, 2022 Update: After being found competent to stand trial, accused killer Troy Driver is scheduled to attend a preliminary hearing this upcoming February. On December 5th, the Fernley Justice Court announced that his preliminary hearing will be February 16 & 17 at 9 a.m. Driver is accused of murdering and kidnapping 18-year-old Naomi Irion of Fernley. November 14, 2022 Update: A Yerington district court has found accused killer Troy Driver competent enough to stand trial. Driver appeared in court Monday, November 14 on order of a competency hearing. He's now been ordered back to the Fernley Justice Court for a preliminary hearing. There's no immediate word on when this may be. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The man accused of kidnapping and killing Naomi Irion of Fernley appeared in court to determine if he is fit enough to stand trial. The court decided that Driver needed to be evaluated while recommending Lake's Crossing Center in Sparks. After he is evaluated, they will come back together and review his evaluation. There was no specific date given on when he will be evaluated or will appear in court again. September 2, 2022 Update: A Nevada justice of the peace has canceled this months preliminary hearing for a man accused of kidnapping and killing a Fernley teenager until a state judge decides if hes competent to stand trial. Troy Driver was scheduled to appear in a justice court in Fernley Sept. 13-15 for a preliminary hearing to determine whether theres enough evidence to bound him over to Lyon County District Court on murder, kidnapping and other charges in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Naomi Irion. Canal Township Justice Court Judge Lori Matheus vacated the hearing in an order on Thursday, along with a Sept. 13 hearing on Drivers public defenders motion to dismiss some of the charges. The Fernley Justice Court says Driver's competency hearing is set for September 12. On August 30, Lyon County deputies confirm that accused murderer Troy Driver is still alive despite social media rumors that he's killed himself in jail. The Lyon County Sheriff's Office addressed the rumor on its official Facebook page on Tuesday. You can read the statement below - AUGUST 5, 2022: A judge has ordered a mental competency hearing for accused murderer Troy Driver, whose lawyers requested an evaluation last month. Driver's lawyers had requested one out of concern that he may not be able to help in his own defense. As of now, his preliminary hearing is still scheduled for September 13th, which is the first time he'll appear in court in person. Driver is accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing 18-year-old Naomi Irion back in March. UPDATE: JULY 28, 2022 Defense lawyers for accused murderer Troy Driver have requested a mental competency evaluation. In a filed motion, "the undersigned counsel believes that good cause exists to refer Mr. Driver for an evaluation to determine whether he is competent." They claim that he may not be able to help in his own defense "with a reasonable degree of rational understanding" as requested by Nevada law. They further request that any future proceedings be suspended until a decision can be made on whether he is allegedly competent to stand trial. Also, Driver's lawyers have filed to amend the motion to dismiss his murder charge to include the newly filed sexual assault felony charge. His lawyers also propose that the Court order a modified briefing schedule to include both of these charges concurrently. UPDATE: JULY 27, 2022 The Fernley Justice Court reports that Troy Driver has waived his right to an arraignment after the district attorney added a charge of sexual assault against him last week. 2 News has also learned that Driver's attorney has until August 2nd to respond to the DA's opposition to a motion to dismiss the murder charge against him His preliminary hearing is still set for September 13th, which is the first time he'll appear in court in person. UPDATE: JUNE 21, 2022 The Lyon County District Attorney is asking the judge to oppose a motion from Troy Driver's attorneys to dismiss the murder charge against him. Driver is accused of murdering and kidnapping 18-year-old Naomi Irion of Fernley. Defense lawyers argue that Driver shouldn't be tried in Lyon County since investigators found Irion's body in Churchill County. In the letter to the judge filed Wednesday, the DA argued that the motion does not provide any factual or legal basis for relief. The district attorney also asked for a sexual assault charge to be added to the murder and kidnapping charges Driver is already facing. A preliminary hearing is set for September 13th. That is also the first time Driver will appear in the courtroom in person. JUNE 5, 2022: The man suspected of killing Naomi Irion was back in court on Tuesday. Troy Driver's defense team asked the judge to dismiss his first-degree murder charge. Driver's attorney says the murder charge should be dropped because the homicide happened in Churchill County arguing that Lyon County doesn't have jurisdiction over that crime. The prosecution is confident that the case meets the requirements to hold the trial in one venue, including the murder charge. Driver's evidentiary and preliminary hearings will begin September 13, 2022. The man accused of kidnapping and killing a woman from Fernley made a quick appearance on Zoom for a status hearing on his case. The defense asked the pre-trial hearing for Troy Driver to be delayed as they seek more evidence. The judge agreed to the request and has moved the pre-trial hearing to July 5, 2022. Troy Driver, accused of killing Naomi Irion, was formally charged with murder and is being held without bail at the Lyon County Jail. Driver, his defense attorney along with most of the Irion family will be appearing via Zoom. His arraignment happened Friday, April 8th at a hearing at the Canal Township Justice Court in Fernley. Driver appeared via zoom from Yerington. The Lyon County District Attorneys Office says Troy Driver fatally shot Naomi Irion before burying her body in the desert, according to an amended criminal complaint. Lyon County District Attorney Stephen Rye filed the amended criminal complaint Tuesday adding first-degree murder and other crimes to the kidnapping charge already facing 41-year-old Troy Driver. Driver is accused of kidnapping Irion from the Fernley Walmart parking lot on March 12, and killing her on or before March 25 - the same day Driver was arrested for kidnapping. Four days later, authorities say investigators acted on a tip and found her body in a grave near the Churchill County line. Hes now accused of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping, robbery, burglary of a motor vehicle and destroying evidence, according to the new complaint Rye filed Tuesday in Canal Township Justice Court in Fernley. Drivers public defender, Mario Walther, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The complaint said Driver shot Irion in Churchill County northeast of Fernley, where he took her for the purpose of committing sexual assault and/or purpose of killing her. The document also alleged that Driver destroyed her cell phone and left pieces in Lyon, Churchill, Pershing, Humboldt and Eureka counties. The Lyon County Sheriff's Office says Driver shot Irion in the head and chest. The local community has been rallying around this family since this all started - there are a couple of events this weekend. Kim Lovett, a Fernley resident says, "For this to happen is a scary thing, that even in our quiet little sleepy town that we have predators out there that would do something like this." A devastated community that carried hopes of finding Naomi for weeks, and went on countless searches with her family. They said this outcome wasn't one anyone wanted. Some of the resident we spoke with extended their condolences to Naomi's family, and want them to know they are supported. Tisha Leija, another Fernley resident visibly upset told us, "I can't even imagine... the first thing I thought of was poor mom...poor mom...very sad. " ---------------------------------------------------------- The man accused of kidnapping Naomi Irion will stay in Lyon County Jail on $750,000 bondable bail. 41-year-old Troy E. Driver was arrested and booked into the jail last Friday. He's officially now charged with first degree kidnapping, a felony. "Should the defendant post bail, he will not be released from custody until a GPS monitoring device is installed," Judge Lori Matheus, Canal Township Justice Court said. The judge set Driver's preliminary hearing for April 12 for 1:30pm. Irion's family attended the court hearing. "It does look like they're going to be posting bail, from what I understand, so he's the only one who can help us bring Naomi home," Casey Valley, Irion's brother said. "He's the only one that we know about." If he does get released from jail, Driver will be ordered to stay out of Fernley. He also must not contact Irion's family. Driver has a criminal history. According to old articles in the Ukiah Daily Journal, he pleaded guilty to accessory to murder after the fact for his role in a 1997 homicide in Willits, California. He was 17 years old at the time of the murder. The article says Driver stuffed the body of an alleged drug dealer, Paul Steven Rodriguez in a trunk and then left it in a wooded area. The article says he pleaded guilty to three charges of robbery and one of burglary. A judge sentenced him to 15 years in prison but the article said he could have been released after serving 12. "It is upsetting to me that there is people out here in the general public that have these capabilities with this kind of past and people should be more aware of that," Naomi's brother, Casey Valley, said. "We talk about sex offenders all the time but where is the list with this guy?" Deputies also announced Friday, March 25th that Driver's Chevy truck was impounded and is being processed for possible evidence. This photo below, shows the truck being taken into evidence. David Ausano took the picture from his porch in Fallon, the night of March 25, 2022. A second public search was organized for Saturday, March 26th, 2022 by Naomi's brother, Casey Valley. In a Facebook post, he asked community members to gather at Love's Travel Stop on Commerce Center Drive in Fernley, Saturday at 10am. Valley says, "this will be the first of a few areas of a concentrated search." He also requested no pets or children. During the search on March 26th, more than 110 people showed up to help find Naomi. Diana Irion says she's been getting massages from all over the country from people who want to help her family. Casey Valley tells us, "Today's search covered more ground, if not just as much, as last weekends search." -------------------------------------------------------- On Thursday, March 24th, Lyon County Deputies said they identified a potential witness vehicle and occupant(s) that appears in the Walmart parking lot minutes before Naomi was abducted. They say they've contacted the occupant of the car. The 4-door sedan enters the east Walmart parking lot at approximately 5:15 a.m. and then drives around the median on the east side before parking at the the southeast corner of the Walmart building. Police were able to locate the vehicle with help from the public. Irion was last seen March 12th at the parking lot at the Fernley Walmart. Her car was found a few days later and is undergoing processing for possible evidence. The Lyon County Sheriff's Office held a press conference on Tuesday, along with Irion's family where again they asked for the public's help in finding her, adding they are getting "hundreds" of tips everyday. They also mentioned that her car, which was found a few days after her disappearance, is still undergoing processing for any related evidence. Her family also made another plea for help, with her mother saying, "please save my daughter. Bring her home." Because Irion's possible kidnapping happened near I-80, her mother also said that her daughter could be anywhere in the U.S. by now. Irion's sister and brother also spoke, mentioning that tips to law enforcement can stay anonymous, if need be. He also said that another search will happen this Saturday. During the weekend, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office released new surveillance video from the Walmart parking lot where Naomi was reportedly last seen. The footage shows the suspect standing in front of the Walmart entrance, pacing the east side of the building, before walking toward the front of cars with their headlights on. Authorities say this footage was recorded minutes before Naomi was abducted. If you were in the east Walmart parking lot between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. on March 12th, 2022 and have not been contacted by law enforcement, reach out to the Lyon County Sheriffs Office, Major Crimes Bureau. The Lyon County Sheriffs Office can be reached at 775-463-6620, Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900 or by email at detective@lyon-county.org. Authorities said a cell phone ping led officers to the Wadsworth area last week. She was last seen wearing a blue Panasonic company shirt, gray cardigan sweater, gray pants, brown boots and was carrying a black purse. She had an iPhone, Airpods and a fidget spinner. She is 511 tall, weighs about 230 pounds and has green eyes. Her hair is currently dyed black and she has a septum piercing and smiley face tattoo on her right ankle. On Thursday, March 17th, Lyon County deputies announced that they were working with the Pyramid Lake Police Department and the FBI near Highway 427 in Wadsworth searching for evidence related to the disappearance of Naomi Irion. They asked the public to stay away from the area as not to damage any evidence. Her family made a public plea on Thursday for her safe return. Authorities also thanked the Fernley community for their help. Her family members said that they are in contact with police about the case's progression. On Friday, supporters gathered at the Round Table Pizza in Fernley to make signs to post around town in hopes of someone recognizing Irion's photo and calling police with information. The newest released photos show Irion on the morning she was last seen and also include a person of interest. The investigation now indicates that the suspect may be driving a dark 2020 or newer Chevrolet, 2500, High Country 4-Door Pickup Truck. Authorities say the forensic evidence collected by investigators show that her disappearance is 'suspicious' in nature and that the driver of the truck "has a direct connection to her disappearance and her current whereabouts." Previous video surveillance showed that person walking from a nearby 'homeless camp' looking in cars. The unknown person then gets into the driver's seat of Irion's Mercury Sable and then leaves with her in the passenger seat. During the course of the investigation, evidence was discovered leading investigators to believe Naomis disappearance was suspicious in nature. Her 1992 blue Sable has a Nevada license plate of 595T37 was located in a industrial park in Fernley and has since been searched and forensically analyzed. The first vehicle photo with the plate is Naomi's actual vehicle. The second vehicle photo is a stock photo and not her actual car. If you have any information, contact Lyon County Sheriff's Office with case number 22ly01068 at 775-463-6620, or call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900. Weather Alert ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible this afternoon and evening. * WHERE...Portions of California and Nevada, including the following areas, in California, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties, Mono County and Surprise Valley California. In Nevada, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area, Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties and Northern Washoe County. * WHEN...Through this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other flood-prone locations. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with heavy rain. Extensive street flooding is also possible in urbanized locations. Debris flows possible in and around burn scars. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Slow moving showers and thunderstorms will produce areas of heavy rainfall during the afternoon and evening hours. Soils are already saturated with creeks, streams, and rivers running full due to ongoing snowmelt. It will not take as much rain to cause excessive runoff. Also, heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding and debris flows in and around burn scars. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. If you are camping or hiking in flash flood-prone areas, make note of escape routes in case you have to get to quickly get to higher ground. If you come across a flooded roadway, do not attempt to cross it. Turn Around, Don't Drown! && FILE - President Joe Biden waves as he boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 26, 2023, as he heads to Camp David for the weekend. Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an agreement in principle to raise the nations legal debt ceiling late Saturday as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and avert a potentially disastrous U.S. default. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) Rep. Andrew Murr, R - Junction, Chair of the House General Investigating Committee, center, joins fellow lawmakers in the pledge before the impeachment proceedings against state Attorney General Ken Paxton in the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Saturday, May 27, 2023. Texas lawmakers have issued 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton, ranging from bribery to abuse of public trust as state Republicans surged toward a swift and sudden vote that could remove him from office. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 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. The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County got the community of Verdi together to talk about what needs to be changed. 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. 1926 11 22 1925 727 6560 1920 1919 1918 1926 1919 1918 1917 1914 Where are a million tiny Godzillas when you need them? Thats what some New Mexicans may be wondering as crowds of moths descend on cities and mountain towns. Professionals say we should welcome them with open arms. After all, this is business as usual for the army cutworm moth, commonly called the miller moth. Senior Collection Manager David Lightfoot, with the Division of Arthropods at the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico, said business just happens to be booming this year thanks to favorable conditions from last year: a wet summer followed by mild winter. Basically, whats going on always happens, its just that were seeing way more of them now. So were more aware of their presence, he said, adding that Wyoming and Colorado are seeing the same migrations. Lightfoot said, historically, the large moth migrations occur every five to 10 years. That is expected to change in the future. With climate change, with global warming, that pattern is being disrupted and it may be more frequent or less frequent, he said. The year-long life cycle starts on the eastern plains of New Mexico, West Texas and Oklahoma. Its there that the moths start as caterpillars and thrive on alfalfa fields. They become moths by March and travel to higher elevations, like Albuquerque, for the wildflowers. Lightfoot said in a few weeks the moths will return to the plains where they mate, breed and die. He said theres no reason to fear the fluttering tourists on their way to the mountains for the summer. Lightfoot said they cant bite and are totally harmless. They have a long tongue but its for the flowers. Lightfoot said they hide out to sleep during the day often in places where people may startle them. Thats why we see a concentration of them around peoples homes and under cars, things like that. Theyre just sleeping, he said. Lightfoot said the benefits of the moths far outweigh the annoyance they may cause for residents. He said they serve as pollinators and are also a food source for birds and other wildlife. Right now all the breeding birds in the Albuquerque are doing great with these moths to feed their chicks, Lightfoot said. He said birds increase their egg-laying numbers in the same conditions that lead to the moth boom. Theyre not responding directly to the increase in insects. Theyre responding physiologically to the mechanism that causes the increase in insects, he said. Its pretty amazing, really, how it all works. Lightfoot advised locals to see the good in the papery, frantic tourists. They will be gone in a few weeks, just tolerate them for now and think of the benefits of them feeding all the local wild birds, he said. Next up: grasshoppers. Illustration by Kevin Beaty This story first published by Searchlight New Mexico. One evening last December, a 14-year-old foster youth sexually assaulted a child four years younger than himself in the Albuquerque office of New Mexicos Children, Youth and Families Department. It happened, according to police, in a bathroom near the facilitys outdoor playground, as a CYFD supervisor was chatting on a personal phone call. The incident was reported to State Police about an hour later, when a CYFD worker dialed 911. Something sexual happened between two children, she told the dispatcher. Though the 10-year-old was plainly traumatized, CYFD began making arrangements to transfer him to a youth homeless shelter in Santa Fe. Shortly after his arrival at the shelter, he broke down and threatened to kill himself and a caseworker, according to several people with direct knowledge of the incident. It was then that CYFD checked the boy into a hospital. The sexual assault of a child in CYFDs office, first reported by Searchlight New Mexico in February, set off alarm bells among lawmakers and advocates, leading to calls for more oversight of CYFD in the legislature. Foster youth in particular, teenagers with serious mental health conditions are routinely placed in dangerous situations while in state custody. Across the state, CYFD consistently houses its highest-needs kids in inappropriate placements such as youth homeless shelters or agency offices, resulting in near-daily calls to 911. Like the 10-year-old, they can face danger wherever they land. The same is true for the alleged perpetrator, who sometimes goes by the name John. As a child, he was placed in the care of a foster parent who would later plead guilty to seven charges of sexually abusing children, according to court records. His safety has been compromised in CYFD custody, said his attorney, Amanda Aragon. He has defenses and would love to comment in depth. However, the closed CYFD system and law prohibit us from commenting and allowing him to defend himself properly. CYFD knew of previous allegations against suspect When CYFD sent John to live in its Albuquerque headquarters last year, staff were aware that he had a history of dangerous behavior, according to employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity. He was supposed to be supervised while in the company of other youth in the building, the employees said. Yet within hours of arrival, he assaulted the 10-year-old, according to an analysis of police documents. In the days leading up to that incident, John resided at Summer House, a specialized group home in Albuquerque for hard-to-place foster youth. While there, Summer employees reported that he had sexually harassed or assaulted several teenage residents, according to New Mexico State Police files released to Searchlight through an open records request. John would constantly sexually harass a female resident, and make inappropriate sexual comments toward yet another female in the home, the police report said. In one instance, he threatened to cut the throat of a resident unless that youth masturbated in front of him, according to police documents. None of the teenagers confirmed the allegations against John when later interviewed by police. CYFD declined to answer questions from Searchlight about what safety protocols should have been put into place after learning of the allegations. The children involved are safe and are receiving necessary services, CYFD spokesperson Rob Johnson said in an email. The department continues to coordinate its response with investigators from the New Mexico State Police. There are multiple investigations into this incident, and we will be reviewing those investigations to improve outcomes for children in state custody. Playground at the CYFD Pinetree office in Albuquerque (Nadav Soroker/Searchlight New Mexico) Suspect, victims had long histories of trauma By the time John and the four youths the ones he allegedly assaulted or harassed met up last year, each one of them had experienced some form of major trauma in their previous foster placements. One of the four was the subject of a 2018 investigation by Searchlight that detailed a pattern of abuses in New Mexicos treatment foster care system. When he was 11 years old, he was placed in the home of a Farmington foster parent who abused him and his sister, at one point beating him so brutally that he had to be hospitalized. CYFD repeatedly renewed the license of the company that hired the abusive foster parent, despite finding multiple safety violations. The boys former foster mother, Hope Graciano, is currently serving an 18-year sentence for felony child abuse in the case. Five years later, this same boy ended up as Johns roommate at Summer House, where John allegedly threatened to cut his throat. But John also had a history of dangerous foster placements. As a child, CYFD entrusted him and his sister to Familyworks Inc., a now-defunct for-profit company that specialized in the placement and treatment of children with severe mental health or medical needs. Familyworks placed the siblings in the home of Clarence Garcia, a foster parent who was later discovered to be a serial pedophile, according to a 2018 police report. (That report does not indicate whether John or his sister were assaulted there.) By the time police discovered that Garcia presented a danger to children, he had already sexually assaulted at least six young foster girls, according to police and court records. Garcia, now 66, has pleaded guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. In January 2023, he was sentenced in state court to five to 20 years of supervised release. He was back in court four months later for violating the terms of his parole. One of Garcias victims was a 10-year-old girl referred to in First Judicial Court documents as M.M. In 2018, she sued Garcia and Acadia Healthcare, the parent company of Familyworks, alleging that it knew of Garcias criminal activity. Nonetheless, the lawsuit claims, Familyworks placed M.M. in his home, where Garcia allegedly raped her repeatedly. That suit is ongoing. Four years later, CYFD placed M.M. in the same group home as John, according to police reports. When interviewed by police about allegations that John had sexually harassed her, she told officers that she was just trying to move forward with her life. Searchlight New Mexico is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization dedicated to investigative reporting in New Mexico. SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO The message on a cellphone came up shortly after trying to pull up Google maps on the San Ildefonso Pueblo Wednesday evening. Something went wrong, it said. Please check your internet connection and try again. Such messages are not uncommon on the pueblo just 25 minutes north of Santa Fe. Despite being a short distance from both the state Capitol and Los Alamos National Laboratory, the roughly 1,200 people who live on the pueblo are worlds away when it comes to connectivity. About 60% of the residents have no internet services at all, said Laurence Pena, a director of planning and economic development for the pueblo. The other 40% have slow and unreliable internet. I had kids at home at the start of COVID. And the bandwidth was just not there, Pena said. We could not get into Zoom. We could not get into Google Meet. On Wednesday, Alan Davidson, the head of the Commerce Departments National Telecommunications and Information Administration, visited the pueblo, which has plans to ramp up connectivity with the help of a nearly $5 million grant. Two New Mexico pueblos, San Ildefonso and Santa Clara, have received a total of $14 million from the NTIA to expand internet capabilities. Thats just a small fraction of the hundreds of millions of dollars that could flow into New Mexico in the coming years from federal grants that were included in a massive infrastructure law passed in 2021. New Mexico has also recently announced tens of millions worth of grants to expand broadband from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Being sheltered and having to be remote we have a very disengaged society, and Im worried about that, Pena said. There are opportunities that can develop with infrastructure that we dont have right now. San Ildefonso officials hope to break ground on construction in September. Pena said the goal is to connect every home to fiber cable lines. Davidson also attended a broadband summit at Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder Casino, where he and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., held a fireside chat about the future of broadband access in New Mexico. Davidson said the NTIA will be announcing at the end of June how much funding each state will receive to build up broadband infrastructure from an NTIA grant program. The NTIA estimates that close to 20% of New Mexico residents dont use the internet, in part because they dont have access to it. Expanding internet access will have an immediate impact on the lives of all ages of New Mexicans, Lujan said. Children will be able to use it for school, people can see doctors for certain issues and employment opportunities will increase, he said. Officials said the COVID-19 pandemic showed the importance of quality internet services when class work and work opportunities shifted to a more online format. Some tribal and pueblo lands are particularly lacking internet services. Several of the federal grants for expanding broadband are geared specifically for Native American communities. The amount of homework that students were doing in schools was heavily dependent on access to the internet. But not every student had access, Lujan said. During COVID, there was a magnifying glass put on the challenge for kids and for educators across America, especially here in New Mexico. Albuquerque Fire Rescue helped get a paddle-boarder and his 10-year-old Boston Terrier to safety Saturday after the pair got stuck on the Rio Grande. AFR Lt. Taylor Smith said the middle-aged man and dog are both doing well. Smith said AFR responded around 12:30 p.m. to reports of a man who was in distress and trapped on an island in the middle of the river. He said the man was stuck near Avenida Dolores Huerta and it took a half-hour to get he and his dog to dry ground. Smith said the man was very relieved upon being rescued. Cover Images/KIKA Press Celebrity Prior to this, the Roman Pearce depicter declares that he doesn't want to sing about his and Samantha Lee's divorce anymore because it's 'heartbreaking.' May 27, 2023 AceShowbiz - Tyrese Gibson was reflecting on his and Samantha Lee's failed marriage in a new video. When sharing his thoughts, the Roman Pearce depicter in the "Fast and Furious" film series said he finally realized that their relationship was just "all about money and status." "I left the courtroom during a divorce trial, and I realized it was never love; it was just a transaction," the 44-year-old said in the clip shared on Instagram. "Wow, we did a whole marriage and did the whole duration of a child and starting a family, just to find out it was all about money. Status. Transaction" Tyrese went on to argue, "Imagine me being the only actor in a relationship, to then realize that I was in a relationship for five years with one of the best actors I've ever met in my f**king life." Prior to this, Tyrese declared that he doesn't "want to sing about this divorce no more." He added, "I don't want to sing about none of this painful s**t, heartbreaking sad s**t even though it's my truth and it's the most important album that I've ever done Talking about my ex, I just don't want to do it for another two years" Tyrese announced his split from Samantha in December 2020. Since then, the exes have had a nasty divorce with the actor being told to pay $636,000 for child support as well as his ex's lawyer fee. The decision came after the "Fast X" star took to his Instagram account to share a video of him slamming the judge. In the 30-minute Instagram video, he accused the judge of being "racist" and calling his ex-wife a "b***h." "Now listen, we ain't together no more, we have our share of issues," he said. "But I have never referred to the mother of my child as a b***h. To hear this man, this white man, on the bench, wearing a black robe, who is supposed to represent the law, to refer to my ex-wife and the mother of my child as a b***h why is he still on the stand?" You can share this post! https://www.beyonce.com/ Celebrity Bey and Hov recently made headlines after they set a new record with their recent real-estate purchase as their new Malibu house is the most expensive house ever sold in California. May 27, 2023 AceShowbiz - Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z's new Malibu house may cost a whopping $200 million, but it seems like not everyone is a fan of its design. Internet users ripped the couple's luxury property by calling it "ugly" with some comparing the home to a prison. "It will never fail to surprise me how celebrities can buy such ugly homes worth $200M that looks like a construction site," one user commented on the sprawling 30,000-square-foot concrete home. Another added, "They really spent $200 mill for Prison walls," with someone else similarly saying, "They could have just bought a prison since it looks identical. Saved money too!" One person, meanwhile, said that the Malibu house has "all the charm of an empty Costco distribution center." One also wrote, "It's ugly Looks like a WWII bunker or abandoned mall." Some others came with more blunt opinion, saying, "Jesus that's ugly," and "That's an ugly a** home." Bey and Hov recently made headlines after they set a new record with their recent real-estate purchase. Their new house is situated on an 8-acre cliff viewing the Pacific Ocean in the Paradise Cove neighborhood, which is known as Billionaires' Row. Breaking the prior record of $177 million, their jaw-dropping spending on the house also became the second most expensive residential property transaction in the country since the highest price for a Manhattan, New York City flat was at $238 million price. The power couple would have got the country record as well if they bought the house within its original price for $295 million. Even after spending a hefty sum on the new property, it was reported that the Carters will keep their $100 million Bel-Air mansion. According to a source, the pair plan to make the new Malibu pad their weekend home for the time being. Meanwhile, the Bel-Air home, which the pop star and the rap mogul purchased for $88 million back in 2017, is still "home" as is close to the kids' schools and friends. While they do plan to move to the new Malibu estate full-time eventually, it's unknown when they will relocate or if that means the pair will be putting the Bel-Air mansion on sale. You can share this post! Cover Images/Jennifer Graylock Celebrity A new report claims that the cosmetics mogul's car is spotted subtly arriving and then leaving the actor's home in Beverly Hills, California amid rumors that they are dating. May 27, 2023 AceShowbiz - Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet are apparently going strong. A new report claims that the cosmetics mogul's car was spotted subtly arriving and then leaving the actor's home in Beverly Hills, California, on Thursday morning, May 25. In a new picture that circulated online, Kylie's black Range Rover SVA was photographed arriving at her rumored beau's mansion around 10 A.M. The vehicle, however, was seen leaving a few minutes later with a black security Escalade behind her. It's unknown if "The Kardashians" star was actually in either car as the windows of both cars were tinted black. Kylie and the "Call Me by Your Name" star were first romantically linked in early April after the popular Instagram gossip account Deuxmoi claimed they were seeing each other. Detailing the nature of their relationship, a report claimed that the 25-year-old make-up mogul and the 27-year-old actor "hang out every week," though their relationship is "not serious" for the time being. "She is getting to know him. Kylie is having fun," a source told PEOPLE last month. "After years of back and forth with [Travis Scott (II)], she just wants to date without any pressure. Another report, meanwhile, revealed that Kylie enjoyed being courted by Timothee. "Kylie and Timothee text, FaceTime or communicate in some way almost every day. They have a really fun and flirty exchange between them, and he makes Kylie smile. Kylie is definitely open to seeing Timothee again, but she's letting him take the lead. She enjoys being courted and feels like the more effort he puts in, the more she likes him," an insider said. The "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" alum allegedly felt that Timothee "doesn't need to go super over the top" in his efforts to pursue her. The source additionally described the billionaire businesswoman as being "down-to-earth" and unlike what fans may think of her. The source added, "At the same time, she appreciates that he doesn't feel the need to go super over the top with grand gestures just to impress her. Despite what some people may think, Kylie really is down-to-earth and laidback. Having some tacos and just hanging out is a perfect date idea for her. She is having fun getting to know Timothee better." Meanwhile, Kylie's ex Travis was said to be not thrilled about the reality TV star's alleged romance with Timothee. "Although Travis understands that Kylie is free to date whoever she wants, he's not exactly ecstatic about the whole situation [with Timothee]," a source said of the "ASTROWORLD" artist, who shares two children with Kylie. "Despite his feelings, Kylie and Travis have both been very mature about their split, and are focused on co-parenting in a healthy manner." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The model has clapped back at the former 'Jackass' star who alleged in court documents that she doesn't allow him to spend time with their 5-year-old son Phoenix. May 27, 2023 AceShowbiz - Bam Margera's estranged wife Nicole Boyd has shut down claims that she's keeping him from seeing their son. In new court documents, the model clapped back at the former "Jackass" star who said that she doesn't allow him to spend time with their 5-year-old son Phoenix. She claimed in the legal documents, obtained by TMZ on Friday, May 26, that there's no reason to move up the hearing in their legal separation case because she's abiding by the current custody orders. She added that the actor is able to spend time with their child as long as he's in California and sober. "Mr. Margera continues to claim to be the 'injured' party because he isn't seeing Phoenix - even though he placed himself 3,000 miles away after exposing the child to abuse and drug/alcohol abuse," her attorney told the news outlet. Her response came after Bam asked a judge to set an earlier court hearing because Nicole allegedly kept him from seeing their son. Prior to this, he also filed to dismiss Nicole's request for a legal separation as he insists they "have never been married, legally or otherwise." "To my knowledge, Boyd has never legally changed her name in any state to 'Nicole Margera,' " he told the court. "Every driver's license or other form of identification I have seen Boyd possess bears the name 'Nicole Boyd.' " In response to the claim, Nicole insisted that they had a wedding ceremony. "As an initial matter, it was not until just recently that Nikki had ever heard Bam's claim that they were never married," Nicole's attorney, David Glass, explained. "She was told that the wedding would occur in Iceland and that it was all taken care of." "She had a wedding ceremony," the lawyer further elaborated. "And then returned to the U.S. and lived like a married couple with Bam for years." Bam and Nicole had a matrimonial ceremony in Reykjavik, Iceland, on October 5, 2013. The wedding itself was featured in a since-deleted video on the MTV alum's YouTube channel. However, it's unknown if the former couple ever got a marriage license in the United States. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The Goop founder says her two teenage children, Apple and Moses, have gotten closer since her eldest went to college as it brought 'growth' for both of them. May 28, 2023 AceShowbiz - Gwyneth Paltrow is thrilled her daughter Apple is back from college after the Goop founder confessed she felt "not very well" about the prospect of being left with an empty nest. In January, the "Sliding Doors" Oscar-winner, 50, who shares her 19-year-old girl and son Moses, 17, with her Coldplay frontman ex-husband Chris Martin, 46, admitted her fear over both her children leaving her $5 million home in Montecito, California, and has now said Apple leaving has brought her and her brother closer. She said in a newsletter note on Thursday, May 25 to fans, "Apple has returned from her freshman year at college, and I am so struck by how quickly this school year has passed. It is lovely to see her and her elementary school friends back together like a flock of sweet sparrows, coming in and out of one another's houses in packs, then dispersing." "My heart is full hearing their laughter ricochet through the halls. Dynamics in the house have shifted back to what they were a year ago, only she and her brother bicker less, these 10 months bringing growth for them both." Gwyneth, now married to TV writer Brad Falchuk, 52, added the family marked Apple's 19th birthday on May 14 with a homecooked dinner. She said, "We celebrated Apple's birthday last week, and I made dinner for the occasion, a super easy (I swear) chicken recipe, the vegetable paella from 'My Father's Daughter' (Gwyneth's cook book), tortilla Espanola, and pan con tomate." Gwyneth said on "The Late Late Show" in January when its dad-of-three host James Corden, 44, asked how she felt about an "impending empty nest," "Not very well. Not very well." Appearing on the show alongside mum-of-two actress Hilary Swank, 48, she added, "I'm going to be at Hilary's house, just hand me one." Hilary told her, "Come over, there's plenty to go around." You can share this post! Day 2 of Goafest was filled with various activities tailored to the advertising and media industry. These included keynote speeches by industry leaders, panel discussions, presentations on emerging trends, workshops on creative advertising techniques, networking opportunities, and more. Here's what some industry leaders had to say about being part of GoaFest 2023: According to Srinivasan Swamy, GoaFest as a combination of learning, fun, and networking. It's a platform for having an amazing time, and attendees are not just there for the knowledge sessions but also for other aspects of the festival. Ramesh Narayanan, Founder of Canco Advertising, has been associated with GoaFest for a long time. He believes it is the largest and most important advertising festival in India. Geet Lulla, the Comscore Revenue Leader for APAC, attended GoaFest for the first time and had an outstanding experience. The energy, knowledge, and collective experience of the event make it a must-visit for everyone. Rajdeepak Das, CEO & CCO, Leo Burnett South Asia, mentioned that the process has evolved significantly. Goa offers the unique combination of work and the beach, making it an ideal setting for the festival. Madhu Soman from WION decided to attend GoaFest based on recommendations from others. He highlighted the camaraderie and community feeling among attendees while discussing content, creativity, and the importance of making commercial sense in the content and creative aspects of advertising. iBroad7 (www.ibroad7.com), the countrys largest agency in the audio market with proven capabilities across multiple media including print, outdoor, and television, is now expanding and scaling up rapidly with focus on the new economy, along with a sharp focus on localisation of campaigns and content. This restructuring has been done keeping in mind the emerging landscape in the media, brand communication and content space. This includes programmatic audio, branded podcasts, digital media, and tech-enabled real time media buying and planning. Over the last few years we have seen many brands and organisations, some of which we have had the privilege to serve and many which we would love to serve, grow manifold. We would like to be a part of this journey, chronicling their march, telling their stories, and amplifying and localising their conversations through audio, digital, content, and other formats in any language, anywhere in India, said Rohit Upadhyay, Managing Director of Reach India. Mr Upadhyay founded iBroad7 in 2010 and since shepherded it into Indias biggest in the audio space. It has created and serviced 1800+ brands, across geographies, industries, sectors, products and services through 2 million + campaigns and 4 million+ creatives. iBroad7 will remain the anchor entity for steering the groups flagship radio operations. It currently serves several marque brands across a wide range of industries and segments including start-ups, e-commerce, real estate, government, automobile, food, spirits and beverages, hospitality, travel and tourism, electronics, pharmaceuticals, ed-tech, and BFSI among others. The brand portfolio includes Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI), Zomato, Spicejet, Cars24, SBI, L&T Realty, Godrej group, Goodyear, HDFC Ergo, Foodpanda, Cure.Fit, MI, Zoomcar, Dunzo, Patanjali, and Eazydiner among a host of other storied MNC and Indian brands. iBroad7 is expanding internationally as well. It has recently set up its office in Dubai to service the Middle-east and North Africa Region (MENA). There are plans to expand to Singapore, soon, Mr Upadhyay said. The new businesses include Audiostream (www.audiostream.in), to serve as a single roof solution for programmatically buying digital audio at scale. Audiostream allows brands to reach across multiple music streaming and podcast publishers to optimally reach their target audience at the click of a button. It enables non-skippable audio spots with a very high listen through ratio (LTR) of 90-95%, complete transparency in KPI measurement. Brands can reach out to listeners via: Age, Gender, Location, Language, Genre. l Audiostream enables video advertisement on Spotify, Wynk, Hungama and Saavn. A new businessThe Buying Hub (www.thebuyinghub.in)--has also been set up as a one-stop shop for real-time media buying and planning on a single platform that enables brands to localise their campaigns. Brands will be able to log on to the specially created platform that contains all information about inventories and rates across mediafrom radio, print, television, OOH, OTTs, and much more. Another arm, Digisutra (www.thedigisutra.com), is a future-ready digital marketing, social media, and branding & communications solutions agency. Digisutras range of offering includes digital media, digital media buying & PPC, influencer marketing, integrated creative development, content creation, website development and management, social media strategy and development, SEO, CRO &SEM strategy & implementation, OTT & connected TVs, and much more. It has also branched into the creator economy with Earshot Audio (www.earshotaudio.in), Indias only PaaS (Podcast as a Service) company, offering a complete suite of services that includes production, publishing and promotion of branded podcast IPs for brands and organisations. JioCinema is all set to showcase the gripping amalgamation of mythology with science with the premiere of the highly anticipated Asur 2, streaming exclusively for free from 1st June. After creating a stir with the first look promo, the platform has doubled up the excitement and unveiled the trailer today. Directed by Oni Sen, Asur 2 starring Arshad Warsi, Barun Sobti, Ridhi Dogra, Anupriya Goenka, Amey Wagh, Meiyang Chang, Gaurav Arora, amongst others in key roles promises a spell-binding experience with its intense plot and nail-biting suspense. The devastating events of Season 1 take a heavy toll on everyone involved in the hunt for Asur. Season 2 chronicles the rise of the dark side and continues the high-octane chase as the CBI is racing against time to gather evidence and hunt down the serial killer. The mystique backdrop of Varanasi brings alive the mythological connect alluded throughout the narrative, coupled with spine-chilling visuals that accentuates the curiosity for the second season of the sur-asur saga. Asur 2 is produced by Bombay Fables, Sejal Shah, Bhavesh Mandalia, and Gaurav Shukla, showrun and created by Gaurav Shukla. Arshad Warsi shared his excitement for the launch of the show and said, "Asur is very special to me, the journey has been fabulous, personally and cinematically. It was overwhelming to see the love that poured in for the show and we as a team had been as eager as the audience was for the release of the second season. The second installment of shows come with a different set of expectations and pressure, but when something like this mounts up, its rewarding. The fandom has reignited, and we cant wait to see the reactions with its release on JioCinema. Ive been waiting for a long time for you all to see this. Barun Sobti expressed his feelings and said, For me, Asur has been an emotional awakening. I owe it to this show to unravel so many facets of me as an individual, and as an actor. It is also the love of the audience that made Asur what it is today. I can assure you that Season 2 is worth the wait and is sure to create an uproar. Ridhi Dogra further commented, When I read the script for Asur, I knew we had something big in our hands but the kind of reaction the series has received has been every bit surreal. Season 2 was always on the cards, but we needed time to do justice to the story and to the fandom of the show. Were all geared up to showcase our labour of love on JioCinema! Anupriya Goenka also stated, "Asur has been one of the most crucial roles for me, I am extremely proud of the show and have worked with some of the most creative minds in the process. Its heartwarming to see the love its getting from every nook and cornerWere excited and emotional at the same time to bring Season 2 on JioCinema for you all, and were certain that this will be loved the same way the first season was. Watch the second season of the highly acclaimed mythological crime thriller Asur, to stream for free from 1st June only on JioCinema. After two remarkable days of thought-provoking Knowledge Seminars and Conclaves featuring industry experts and creative minds, there was a strong air of anticipation of a spectacular Day 3 at Goafest 2023. Heres what some industry leaders had to say about being part of GoaFest 2023: Kunal Lalani, MD, Crayon Advertising, who has been attending Goafest for quite a while now, said, I am actually also on the managing committee of the AAAI. And for the last 10 years or so, one has seen the transformation of Goafest from being a very sort of native kind of festival to where it has moved today, he remarked. Navin Khemka, CEO - South Asia, EssenceMediacom, commented, I think Goafest is a great place to connect with so many media people, so many agency folks, and so many friends. Otherwise, we really dont get the time. Its like an excellent 2-3 days break. I wish the weather could be a bit better, though, but I think thats fine. Utsav Chaudhuri, Head of Marketing, YME, Viacom18, said, Its an honour to be here as a speaker. During Covid we all have missed each others company. It has always been special. We have come here so often and I am absolutely delighted to be here and its a great experience. Rajiv Jain, VP - Corporate Marketing, DS Group, regarded his experience at GoaFest to be fantastic. Digital is playing a very important role and its a game changer and a couple of sessions at Goafest were on these aspects. Overall it is a fantastic experience. Arjun Dhananjayan, Founder, 88GB, shared, This is my first time at GoaFest. It is a great experience for any professional from this particular industry. The thing that fascinates me is that this is a place where I was able to connect with a lot of people around the country. Shrenik Gandhi, Co-Founder, White Rivers Media, noted, While there were some fascinating panel discussions happening, to add on values to it, the kind of conversations that were happening during the breaks were fascinating and quality conversations. I have come here hoping to learn so many things. There are a lot of discussions on technology and how to overcome the ongoing challenges in the industries, said Outreach Nepals Ujaya Shakya. Shreyas Sathe, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Hybrid Insea, found the conversations future-facing, as whatever was being discussed would be implemented soon. His only complaint was that Goafest needs to be held a couple of months earlier as he found the weather a bit too hot. This was Hybrids Gandharv Sachdevas second time at Goafest. He found the sessions much more engaging and the speaker line-up stronger this year. Ahead of International Day of Action for Womens Health (28 May 2023), The Weber Shandwick Collective today announced the launch of its bespoke, cross-market offering committed to shaping healthier futures for all women in Asia Pacific. The Weber Shandwick Collective Womens Health offer brings together a passionate group of agency experts from across the region, covering health communications, corporate communications, policy and advocacy, employee engagement, digital innovation, and design experience. The offer is fuelled by unparalleled data intelligence and works closely with a curated group of in-culture advisors and external consultants from business, government, academia and society. The offer will be led by Rachael Pay, managing director, health, Weber Shandwick EMEA and senior health sponsor for the APAC region, and is designed to drive a change in the definition of womens health historically niched around reproductive health and diseases unique to women to a more holistic view on health, wellness, and wellbeing. Evidence shows women in Asia are at a higher risk of suffering from a multitude of diseases or experience poorer outcomes than men, as is the case with such common conditions including heart disease caused by hypertension, diabetes, auto-immune diseases and Alzheimers disease. The Womens Health offer is underpinned by a suite of products and services including the agencys latest proprietary insights product, The Womens Health Indicator. Developed by data analysts and behaviour experts, it informs and identifies specific gaps in womens health by analysing and assessing data points measured across society, media and policy. Research shows that across the Asia Pacific region, women are more prone to experiencing health inequalities brought on by sociocultural influences and conditions and political environments that limit their ability to initiate and access optimal care," said Liz Clark Martinez, Vice President, Health Strategy, Weber Shandwick Hong Kong & Singapore. "To foster change in the field of women's health, we must gain a deep understanding of women and the intersections of culture and modern medicine only then can we support clients to actively drive progress across all areas of health by developing communications programs that truly resonate and drive action. Research recently conducted by The Weber Shandwick Collective reinforces the need for bespoke multi-stakeholder education and awareness campaigns, not only to reach women but to resonate with them to drive meaningful change. Take it in your stride is a phrase that women in India often hear when they voice health issues. However, healthcare needs to be gender-specific which is often overlooked. Every woman should have access to curated information specific to her concerns without stigma, and it is imperative that this is normalized. said Ruchika Vyas, EVP- Client Experience and Health Practice Lead, Weber Shandwick Mumbai. Findings from media coverage and social media data analysed from April 2022 to March 2023 in multiple Asian markets show a lack of information specific to women about Alzheimers disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), despite the increased risks for women: Despite evidence that women in Asia with type 2 diabetes are almost twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease as men with diabetes, 2 only 4% of total diabetes coverage in the region mentions women explicitly. as men with diabetes, only 4% of total diabetes coverage in the region mentions women explicitly. Despite data in Japan showing almost twice as many new cases of Alzheimers disease in women than in men, 5 less than 1% of Alzheimers disease conversation in the region is female-focused. less than 1% of Alzheimers disease conversation in the region is female-focused. Despite evidence that there are at least three times as many women with RA than men with RA in South Korea6, only 3.5% of online content in the region is specific to women. At The Weber Shandwick Collective, were helping clients rewrite the script for womens health, widely acknowledged as one of the critical areas of inequity in our region today. Our offer is driven by a force of passionate health experts and specialists from every office across our business, spanning areas like diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI), employee engagement and Femtech innovation who are catalysing change in fair treatment, care, and access to truly reflect the experiences, cultures and life stages of women in Asia Pacific today," said Vanessa Ho Nikolovski, Chief Client & Growth Officer, Weber Shandwick, Asia Pacific. Our unique offer will bridge knowledge gaps and help companies and brands sit at the heart of womens health through creativity, action, and measurable impact. In addition to the launch of the Womens Health offer in the Asia Pacific region, Weber Shandwick is proud to be an industry leader in its commitment to supporting womens health and well-being through its existing and evolving People Programmes and Policies across the region. We are proud to be leading in the development of best-in-class programs focusing on our employees who are women, who make up over 70% of our current workforce, said Susie Bates, Chief People Officer, Weber Shandwick, Asia Pacific. In addition to supporting mental well-being talks and resources, our markets are committed to the ongoing development of programmes, including country-relevant menstrual and psychological support to employees, as well as flexible working policies at all levels. We remain completely committed to drive programmes in this space, whilst continuing to be mindful of our culturally nuanced markets and sensitivities around them. Cast of film Bharateeyan The sense of pride and patriotism cannot be quantified. Nationalism is evoked by people more than anywhere else, but especially in India. And there is nothing better than a movie that makes the audience feel the deepest love. Producer Shankar Naidu Adusumilli is excited about his upcoming movie Bharateeyans, which he says will deliver impactful and jaw-dropping cinema to the audience. Dr. Shankar describes himself as a proud Bharateeyans (Indian) and considers it an honour to be Bharat Matas son. On various occasions, he has expressed his love for India, and this movie is said to be a tribute to Hindustan. The forthcoming Hindi film is written and directed by Deena Raj and has an ensemble star cast including Nirroze Putcha, Subha Ranjan, Sonam Thendup Barphungpa, Samaira Sandhu, Peden O Namgyal and Rajeswari Chakraborty in lead roles. The first look of the film was unveiled earlier in 2022, and it promises to evoke patriotism. The films storyline has all the emotional chords that will make the audience feel proud of their country, India. As per the sources, Bharateeyans has a perfect dose of love, action, drama, and patriotism in abundance. When asked by Dr. Shankar to shed light on the film, he said, The primary reason behind producing the film was to tell the audience a power-packed story. The film will show how an ordinary person can turn into a warrior to safeguard the country. In addition, Dr. Shankar Naidu Adusumilli went on to say that the neighbouring country, China, is the biggest threat, wanting to encroach on the land and change the map of India. Furthermore, the producer expressed his rage over the recent coronavirus pandemic. Holding China responsible for the virus leak in the Wuhan lab, Dr. Shankar stated that the deadly virus has killed millions of people across the globe. Another reason is that the producer is miffed after China killed 20 soldiers in Galvan Valley in June 2020. With the right emotions and patriotism, Bharateeyans will be the first film to confront Chinas aggression and wrongdoings against India. Produced under Dr. Shankar Naidu Adusumillis banner, Bharat American Creations, the film is slated to release soon. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday slammed the Centre over the construction of the new Parliament building and said that there is no sense to attend the NITI Aayog meeting and the inauguration ceremony of the new building. Talking to the reporters in Patna, Mr Kumar said, What was the need for a new Parliament? The earlier building was a historic one. I have repeatedly said that the people in power will change the history of this country. On May 28, 2023, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the new Parliament building, which is part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. One of the highlights of the event will be the installation of a historic golden sceptre, called Sengol, near the Speakers seat. The Sengol is a symbol of Indias independence and sovereignty, as well as its cultural heritage and diversity. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar also said that he will skip the NITI Aayog meeting today held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There was no sense in attending the NITI Aayog meeting today and the inauguration of the new Parliament building tomorrow, he added. PM Modi will chair the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog on Saturday on the Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India theme at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, PM Modi will preside over the meeting. Keralas Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rajasthans Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wont attend the NITI Aayog Council meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Saturday. CM Gehlot has cited health reasons for not attending the meeting, while CM Vijayan has not given any specific reason for his absence. Other than him, Delhis CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjabs CM Bhagwant Mann, Telanganas CM K Chandrashekhar Rao, and West Bengals CM Mamata Banerjee are expected to skip the meeting on Saturday. PM Modi will deliberate on issues related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long Meeting including Viksit Bharat@2047, Thrust on MSMEs, Infrastructure and Investments, Minimising Compliances, Women Empowerment, Health and Nutrition, Skill Development, and Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure, the NITI Aayog stated. It added, The Meeting will see the participation of Chief Ministers/Lt Governors of all States and Union Territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio Members, and the Vice Chairman and Members of NITI Aayog. PM Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla will lead the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament building on Sunday, May 28, which will be dedicated to the nation. They think, Those things taste like pinecones. I dont want that. Michael Payne, of Huntsville retailer Liquor Express and Craft Beer, is explaining why he thinks some beer drinkers want nothing to do with craft beer, those locally-made creative brews. The other thing is that people are brand loyalists, Payne continues. Paynes 6-foot-4 height and long hair give him the vibe of an alternative-rock Sasquatch. Theyre just so comfortable with, you know, buying Anheuser Busch products or stuff like that because they see it all the time. He adds, Or they think all these craft beers are like hipster thing. Its a fad. Whatever the case, despite the legions of goateed craft-beer enthusiasts, millions of other beer drinkers want nothing to do with brew that are more and here comes the dreaded A word artisanal. But craft beer is much more than stouts, sours and other hops-and-malt razzle-dazzle. And more than those high gravity (industry spin for high alcohol) IPAs (India Pale Ales) or double IPAs that after just two beers will leave you sloshed like a teenager at their first kegger. With all that in mind, AL.com asked Payne to put together a make-your-own sixpack of Huntsville area made craft beers for beer drinkers who dont like craft beer. A selection of Huntsville area made craft beers, as picked by Michael Payne of Liquor Express and Craft Beer. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) Straight To Ale Chill Pils 4.5 percent ABV (alcohol by volume) So, Payne says, the Pilsner section is [mainstream] stuff like Stella Artois, Peroni, Heineken. Theyre light beers. Theyre that nice golden color. Theyre really easy to drink. Thats something like this Chill Pils right here. Its good a nice light taste. It doesnt sit in your stomach, and it doesnt bog you down. Straight To Ale Chill Pils. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) Fractal Brewing Project Time Taker German-Style Pilsner 4.7 percent ABV Well-known Pilsners also include the likes of Miller Lite, Budweiser and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Payne says of local upstarts Fractal, These guys are really cool. They have some of the best beers Ive had out of this town. Fractal Brewing Project Time Taker German-Style Pilsner. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) Yellowhammer Brewing Gold American Light Lager 5 percent ABV Payne says, That ones really good. If you wanted to replace your Bud Light, that would be a solid choice for it. Yellowhammer Brewing Gold American Light Lager. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) Old Black Bear Cave City Lager 5.2 percent ABV Payne says Madison brewery Old Black Bears Cave City Lager is another gateway craft beer for Bud Light drinkers. We sell this one all the time, he says. Old Black Bear Cave City Lager. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) Fractal Brewing Project Invariant Amber Ale 5.3 percent ABV Amber ales are going to be things like New Belgium Fat Tire, Payne says, which some people consider craft beer, but theyve gotten so big its not one anymore. Killians Red is also kind of in that sort of vein, even though its more of an Irish red ale. Red ales and amber ales are a little bit different it would be complicated to get into that. But that would also be in the Yuengling area too. So if you like drinking Yuengling, this Fractal Invariant Ale is really good. Fractal Brewing Project Invariant Amber Ale. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) Yellowhammer Brewing Belgian White Ale 4.8 percent ABV Payne says, This is my favorite beer made in Huntsville. Its got so many complicated flavors. Its delicious. Its one of those beers that you would like just sit on your porch in 85, 90-degree weather and drink all day. Payne says YHs Belgian White would be a good local craft beer gateway for fans of Blue Moon or even Michelob Ultra. MORE ON LOCAL CULTURE: Local beer fans, meet Huntsvilles only female head-brewer Tip Top Cafe: New update on reopening of iconic Huntsville music bar This new Huntsville record store is small but awesome Huntsville has a video rental store again. Yes, a video rental store The art of minor league baseball concessions in a Food Network world A Georgia teen was killed, and a child injured, in an ATV crash Friday afternoon in an east Alabama. The wreck happened at 2:25 p.m. on Cherokee County 102, about two miles north of Cedar Bluff in Cherokee County. Senior Alabama State Trooper Brandon Bailey said the 14-year-old was driving a Mahindra ATV that left the road, traveled up a guy wire and overturned. The teen was ejected and pronounced dead a short time later at an area hospital. An 8-year-old passenger was hospitalized. Neither child was using a seat belt, Bailey said. The investigation is ongoing. Troopers do not release the names of juvenile traffic fatality victims. Memorial Day weekend marks the official start to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Summer of Safety campaign, which will bring increased highway and marine patrol through Labor Day weekend. ALEA is preparing for an influx of people on roadways and waterways this weekend and have stated that their highway and marine divisions will be actively patrolling for anyone operating a boat or car while impaired. Summer is a wonderful time to plan family vacations, travel and enjoy the waterways. Unfortunately, it can also be filled with hazards and has proven to be one of the most dangerous times of the year, said Hal Taylor, the ALEA Secretary, in a press release. Safety is our top priority, and this holiday weekend will be no different as we are proud to participate and conduct a variety of initiatives, details and safety events in the days leading up to Memorial Day to reduce crashes on both the highways and waterways in order to save lives. The law enforcement agency will also participate in the Click it or Ticket campaign, which runs until June 4. Drivers can expect numerous license checkpoints across the state., As part of National Safe Boating Week, the state police say they will share important boating and water safety reminders. ALEA Troopers and Tuscaloosa Police lake patrol officers will also be stepping up enforcement on Lake Tuscaloosa this weekend to make sure boaters are wearing life jackets and no one is drinking alcohol while operating a boat, according to CBS 42. There will be zero tolerance and its the same as driving on the highway and its the same as driving a boat if you drive drunk you will go to jail, Wes Hollingsworth, a Tuscaloosa lake patrol officer, told the TV station. You can find a full list of ALEAs Summer of Safety tips for the roadways, waterways and beach here. A Decatur man was killed in a car wreck Friday night, local police reported. Mason Smith, 32, was the sole occupant of the vehicle that rolled over on the 5300 block of Danville Road in Decatur at 10 p.m., a city police spokeswoman said in an email to news reporters. Smith succumbed to his injuries after emergency workers took him to the hospital, according to Irene Cardenes-Martinez, the police spokeswoman. Police continue to investigate the wreck. U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, says he completely supports Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers probe into whether the mission behind Space Command has changed. Rogers on Thursday released a letter saying the secretary of the Air Force, authorized with making the final decision on the permanent home for Space Command headquarters, is investigating changes to the mission. Rogers also announced a probe looking into those changes as well by the House Armed Services Committee that he chairs. Alabama was rightfully chosen to be the home of the U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters, but because the people of Alabama support protecting life and reject immoral left-wing policy, there are efforts underway to retaliate and halt construction of the installation, Gaetz tweeted Friday. See also: Gaetz once considered run for Alabama Senate seat NBC News reported May 17 that some defense and congressional officials believe President Bidens White House is laying the groundwork to stop the commands move to Alabama in part because of concerns about the states restrictive abortion law. Redstone Arsenal has emerged through multiple assessments as the best location for Space Command. Yet the decision remains undetermined despite the Air Force announcement more than two years ago that Redstone was the preferred location. It is unacceptable for the Biden administration to make unilateral military decisions on the basis of state abortion policy, Gaetz tweeted. I look forward to demanding answers from military leadership under oath. The message of support from Gaetz comes nearly five months after Rogers had to be held back by one of his colleagues after confronting Gaetz during a contentious late night vote for U.S. House speaker. Rogers was one of Kevin McCarthys top backers of the congressmans bid for speaker. Gaetz withheld support for McCarthys bid through more than a dozen rounds of voting in early January. Rogers was restrained by Rep. Richard Hudson, R.-N.C., who grabbed Rogers by the face. Rogers was frustrated because Gaetz had been holding out for a subcommittee gavel on the Armed Services Committee, NBC News reported at the time. After the incident, Gaetz was photographed standing, smiling and flexing his bicep. Gaetz voted present on the 15th vote as McCarthy secured the votes he needed to become speaker. Glad its over, ABC reported Gaetz said as he walked off the House floor. The Sunday after the angry Friday night exchange, Rogers tweeted: I regret that I briefly lost my temper on the House floor Friday evening and appreciate Matts kind understanding. I was just exasperated that Matt [Gaetz] was treating [Kevin] McCarthy so badly, Rogers told The New York Post in an interview. Emergency workers in Birmingham spent more than two hours negotiating with a woman who was suffering a mental health crisis and threatening to jump from a tree onto a railroad track on Friday evening. The Fire and Rescue Service and Birmingham police responded just before 6:30 p.m. to a report of a person trapped in a tree at Georgia Road and Oporto-Madrid Boulevard. The crews arrived to find a 32-year-old woman over the tracks, authorities said. Norfolk Southern stopped trains from traveling on the track as police talked to the woman and convinced her to come down. The negotiations lasted more than two hours. Birmingham police Lt. Katherine Snider, one of the lead negotiators, was crucial in resolving the situation, authorities said. Norfolk Southern Agent Jay Lacy got into a harness and helped the woman to safety. She was taken to the hospital to receive treatment. Each person who responded and assisted with this call exemplified our motto which is Excellence Through Service, the fire service said in a Facebook post. Their resilience, patience, bravery and professionalism contributed to the successful rescue of this victim. Two men were shot, including one who suffered life-threatening injuries after gunfire rang out following an argument during a dice game Friday night in east Birmingham, police said. East Precinct officers were dispatched around 8:30 p.m. Friday to the 7200 block of Paris Ave. in the Brown Springs community on a report of multiple ShotSpotter alerts, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. Officers at the scene found multiple shell casings and a vehicle shot into but did not observe any victims, Fitzgerald said. Police were later notified that one gunshot victim was at UAB Hospital while the second man was found in the 1700 block of 5th Avenue North suffering from a gunshot wound. The second victim was later taken to UAB. The victim who was originally at the hospital has a non-life-threatening injury, Fitzgerald said, while the second victim has a life-threatening wounds. According to the preliminary investigation, we believe that some sort of argument took place during a dice game, Fitzgerald said. Police found dice in the middle of the street, he said. No suspects were in custody as of 10 p.m. Friday. English News China's foreign trade sector strives for steady, high-quality growth Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 25 Mai 2023 "The Canton Fair is a hot destination for global products and merchants. It is where the flows of personnel, logistics, capital and information gather. It has forcefully promoted the development of trade, investment, consumption, tourism and catering," said Chu Shijia, head of the China Foreign Trade Center, at a recent press conference. By Li Jie China's foreign trade, after experiencing a 7 percent year-on-year drop in January this year, went up 8 percent and 15.5 percent in the following two months, respectively. It manifests the country's confidence in ensuring steady and high-quality foreign trade growth against a complicated background. Recently, Chinese enterprises just wrapped up their exhibition at The World Smart Energy Week 2023 running from March 15 to 17 at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center features top-notch energy technologies and products in various categories. Many of them engaged in the new energy sector have signed major deals and met with new and old partners. Japan is an important market for Chinese new energy products. Many Japanese companies have cooperated with their Chinese suppliers for over a decade. "Chinese enterprises rushed to visit their Japanese clients at the earliest time possible immediately after China optimized its COVID-19 response last December," said Meng Jing, general manager of the business department of Grand International Exhibition Co., Ltd., the company that led the Chinese enterprise delegation to Japan this time. A high passion for joining overseas exhibitions has been observed among Chinese enterprises. The total exhibition area of Chinese enterprises at The World Smart Energy Week was expanded to 7,000 square meters from 2,000 square meters last year. According to Meng, Chinese enterprises shone through at The World Smart Energy Week, thanks to their delicately decorated booths, well-prepared exhibits and sales strategy. Compared with that at the event held before COVID-19, the number of visitors this year rose 10 percent. Chinese new energy enterprises just received high attention. Market expansion and order seeking have remained keywords for the Chinese foreign trade sector this year. Some regions have sent business delegations overseas for business negotiation and exhibitions, and some hosted brick-and-mortar economic forums, trying to gain an initiative as external demand weakens. Expanding the foreign trade market is important for relevant enterprises. According to statistics, 457,000 foreign trade enterprises in China registered import and export performance in the first quarter, up 5.9 percent from a year ago. In the first three months, China's trade with ASEAN, its largest trading partner, stood at 1.56 trillion yuan ($226.15 billion), up 16.1 percent year-on-year, 11.3 percentage points higher than the country's overall trade growth rate. It accounted for 15.8 percent of China's total foreign trade in the same period. China's trade with the EU, the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea reached 1.34 trillion yuan, 1.11 trillion yuan, 546.41 billion yuan and 528.46 billion yuan, respectively, during the three-month period, accounting for 35.6 percent of the country's foreign trade. From January to March, China's imports and exports with economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative surged 16.8 percent year-on-year to account for 34.6 percent of its foreign trade, while trade with other participating countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership rose 7.3 percent from the first quarter of 2022. The country's total imports and exports with emerging markets in Latin America and Africa grew 11.7 percent and 14.1 percent, respectively. Bai Ming, a senior researcher with a Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) think tank, believes that developing countries and ASEAN make a huge market, and foreign enterprises should take the opportunities of the China-ASEAN free trade area and the RCEP to work for win-win results. As the Philippines ratified the RCEP agreement, the trade pact has taken effect for all 15 member countries, which significantly widens market access for Chinese enterprises. Wang Shouwen, vice commerce minister and China international trade representative at the MOFCOM, noted that relevant departments are still negotiating over and signing new deals of free trade, to create a better external environment for China's foreign trade. As a barometer of China's foreign trade, the China Import and Export Fair, also dubbed as the Canton Fair, is currently being hosted in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province. The event has resumed physical exhibition and is joined by hundreds of thousands of exhibitors from more than 220 countries and regions. "The Canton Fair is a hot destination for global products and merchants. It is where the flows of personnel, logistics, capital and information gather. It has forcefully promoted the development of trade, investment, consumption, tourism and catering," said Chu Shijia, head of the China Foreign Trade Center, at a recent press conference. A study showed that the Canton Fair contributed to the development of local economy by 1:13.6, which fully indicates the event's important role in serving global trade, promoting Chinese-foreign connection and driving economic development. Dans la meme rubrique : < > WHA rejects Taiwan-related proposal again, a legitimate move wins public support China builds a complete red line system to strengthen ecological conversation Mines on Ningxia's Helan Mountain turn green, contribute to better ecology Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Hainan works to promote high-level opening-up Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 25 Mai 2023 Many enterprises, after settling in Hainan, have made active moves to invest in the foreign market, including Zijin Mining Group, Nanjing Iron and Steel Company and pharmaceutical company Yunnan Baiyao. Last year, Hainan reported outbound foreign direct investment of more than $1.89 billion, up 137.46 percent year-on-year. By Zhao Peng, Cao Wenxuan, People's Daily Recently, an intercontinental cargo ship departing from Brazil for the first time arrived at the Yangpu international container port in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in Danzhou, south China's Hainan province. This was the third intercontinental container shipping route that passes the Hainan Free Trade Port after the first two to South Pacific and West Africa, said Zhou Changmao, head of the port logistics development office under the Yangpu Economic Development Zone's transport and port bureau. As of the end of 2022, 481 new vessels had been registered at the Yangpu international container port, whose total shipping capacity added up to 11.65 million tons. In particular, 34 of them were from foreign countries, with total shipping capacity of more than 4.9 million tons. This makes Hainan one of the largest provinces in China in terms of the total tonnage of international vessels. Hainan has adopted a more proactive opening-up strategy over the recent years, to accelerate the building of a new system of an open economy, forge a new paradigm of comprehensive opening-up and build a globally influential free trade port with Chinese characteristics. In recent years, Hainan has given high priority to institutional integration and innovation. As of now, a total of 134 cases of institutional innovation have seen success in Hainan. Aiming to finish building all the necessary infrastructure for independent customs operations by 2023, Hainan is strengthening whole-process targeted management and making continuous efforts. At present, 25 projects of independent customs operations are under construction and expected to be completed this year. Hainan sent a business delegation to Indonesia and Vietnam to promote the Hainan Free Trade Port this February. At the promotional event in Indonesia, 13 cooperation projects were signed, covering international shipping, purchase of natural rubber materials, plant building and cross-border e-commerce. The total value of the deals reached nearly 3.5 billion yuan ($509 million). "The rapid development of the Hainan Free Trade Port has created rare opportunities for our business expansion, " said Go Tek Yok, chairman of Indonesia's coffee brand Kapal Api. This largest coffee producer of Indonesia recently opened its first shop in Hainan. More and more internationally renowned brands and enterprises are trying to get a share in the Chinese province. Tapestry, Inc., a New York-based house of modern luxury lifestyle brands has inaugurated its China travel retail headquarters in Hainan, and Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. has registered a company in the province's Haikou Integrated Free Trade Zone. In the recent five years, Hainan's trade in goods and services grew 1.8 and 1.2 times, respectively, and the province's foreign direct investment, in actual use, exceeded that in the previous three decades. Besides, the ratio of Hainan's foreign trade to the province's GDP increased 15 percent in the same period. Meanwhile, to make foreign investment via Hainan province has become a choice for many enterprises, which is injecting new impetus into the province's opening-up and development. On Indonesia's Sulawesi Island, a modern coking industrial park has been built recently. "This is our first overseas park, and will be put into use this May," said Xiao Wei, vice general manager of a Hainan-based international investment company. Hainan enjoys a great geographical location in doing business with Southeast Asia, as well as favorable tax policies and investment facilitation measures, said Xiao. Many enterprises, after settling in Hainan, have made active moves to invest in the foreign market, including Zijin Mining Group, Nanjing Iron and Steel Company and pharmaceutical company Yunnan Baiyao. Last year, Hainan reported outbound foreign direct investment of more than $1.89 billion, up 137.46 percent year-on-year. Hainan is working to build itself into a base of headquarters from which Chinese enterprises enter the global market and foreign enterprises enter the Chinese market. Besides, it is establishing an air and maritime transport network and an international economic and trade cooperation network. Since 2018, Hainan has introduced 4,790 foreign enterprises from 127 countries and regions. Last year, its total trade in goods grew 36.8 percent to 200.95 billion yuan, and the growth was among the highest in China. Dans la meme rubrique : < > WHA rejects Taiwan-related proposal again, a legitimate move wins public support China builds a complete red line system to strengthen ecological conversation Mines on Ningxia's Helan Mountain turn green, contribute to better ecology Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Mines on Ningxia's Helan Mountain turn green, contribute to better ecology Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 25 Mai 2023 Tree planting activities are now commonly seen in the treated areas and along the roads on the mountain. "We planted Armenian plums at the foot of the mountain in the previous years, and this year we plan to green the areas covered by coal cinders," said Zhang Tingxie, head of an ecological forest farm of Shizuishan. By He Yuche, Qin Ruijie, People's Daily "Look! There are bharals on our right side!" Ge Yihong shouted on a vehicle heading to Helan Mountain in northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Three bharals were drinking water leisurely by a creek. In the distance, there was Helan Mountain covered in a shade of green. Ge, 60, is the head of a sanitation station in Shitanjing neighborhood, which sits in the hinterland of Helan Mountain in Dawukou district, Shizuishan of Ningxia. Helan Mountain is an important physical boundary in China and a vital ecological barrier in the northwest region of the country. It is also an important source of coal resources. The mountain's landform had been severely damaged since 1950s as a result of massive unregulated mining activities. In 2018, a pilot project aiming at holistic conservation and restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands officially kicked off on the east slope of the mountain, and three years later, Helan Mountain's ecological and environmental governance was jointly recommended as one of the 10 classic examples of ecological restoration with Chinese characteristics by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Today, holistic restoration has been completed at 214 sites in and around the Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve, which cover a total area of 405,000 mu, or 27,000 hectares. Ge was born and raised in a mining area on Helan Mountain, and has been working there since he grew up. The massive mining activities in the past were still a fresh memory for the man. "There was no trace of red deer or bharals at all. The shirts we wore could be blackened fast by the coal ash. Local residents didn't dry their clothes outdoor," he recalled. Since 2017, Ningxia has made huge efforts to restore ecology in Helan Mountain. All open-pit coal mines in mining areas were shut down, and the mining rights to 83 sites were canceled. Besides, 561 poorly managed and polluting small enterprises at the foot of the mountain were closed. What followed was the treatment of mines. To prevent soil erosion, coal gangues that piled up nearly 100 meters were leveled and thus turned into "terraced fields." These "terraced fields" were later covered with nearly 50 centimeters of earth, which helped the black and barren mountain gain the capability to grow vegetation. Besides, the original landform of the mountain was restored to lower the risks of landslides and debris flows. Today, new "peaks" have been forged on treated areas. "They heal the 'scars' that were left. Only by sound treatment, can we have the possibility to further green the mountain," Ge told People's Daily. Helan Mountain is a rock mountain covered by thin earth. Therefore, it's uneasy to grow vegetation on it. The annual precipitation there stands at around only 200 to 300 millimeters, but the annual evaporation is more than 10 times of that. How to expand the green area became the top issue of treatment after mines were shut down on the mountain. In 2018, forest authorities of Shizuishan, in collaboration with Ningxia University and other research institutions, launched a series of experiments on Helan Mountain and decided to plant cold-resisting, drought-resisting and salt-tolerant trees on the mountain, such as Korshinsk pea shrub, Salix cheilophila, Siberian elm, Pinus sylvestris and black locust. Tree planting activities are now commonly seen in the treated areas and along the roads on the mountain. "We planted Armenian plums at the foot of the mountain in the previous years, and this year we plan to green the areas covered by coal cinders," said Zhang Tingxie, head of an ecological forest farm of Shizuishan. Dans la meme rubrique : < > WHA rejects Taiwan-related proposal again, a legitimate move wins public support China builds a complete red line system to strengthen ecological conversation China's foreign trade sector strives for steady, high-quality growth Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Universities are forums for the free exchange of ideas, for learning how to think, not what to think; for debate, not indoctrination. Unfortunately, that can no longer be said of American universities. Open inquiry and critical thinking untainted by ideology have been supplanted by leftist dogma, including Critical Race Theory and social justice advocacy. Except at the increasingly rare institution offering a classical liberal arts education, it has become impossible for impressionable students to earn a degree without becoming steeped in leftist rhetoric and the extreme ideas of race and gender. They end up believing that America was built on racism and defining themselves as either oppressors or victims. These ideological intrusions were insidiously mainstreamed from the seventies onward, especially in the humanities departments, by gradually building an ecosystem fostering faculty members who are left-leaning and sidelining those who are not. Universities are now taking this to the next level by precluding the recruitment of independent thinkers and conservatives. They are requiring prospective faculty to submit a loyalty oath to the tenets of diversity, inclusion, and equity (DIE; sometimes DEI) as a de facto litmus test of their political affiliation. Examples abound of universities where DIE statements are a prerequisite for consideration for any job. At Arizona's public universities, they are a standard feature of the hiring process for all faculty, professional, and staff positions. Some institutions in the state require prospective candidates to demonstrate their allegiance to DIE ideology even before a review of their qualifications takes place. At the University of Washington, support for DIE principles is de rigueur, and faculty applicants must justify their commitment by describing their past actions and explaining how they will continue to pursue DIE goals if appointed. The University of Pennsylvania website gives applicants guidelines for composing effective DIE statements. And at all campuses of the University of California (U.C.), faculty applicants must submit DIE statements that will determine if they merit consideration, regardless of their academic credentials or their teaching and research plans. From their statements, applicants are evaluated for DIE awareness and experience and their plans for advancing DIE on campus. They must agree to treat individuals differently based on their race, sex, and gender identity. One highly qualified applicant at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) is determined to expose the tyranny of "compelled speech," not to mention its hypocrisy. John D. Haltigan, a former assistant professor at the University of Toronto, has applied for a tenure-track position at the university's psychology department but knows well he will not be selected because he refuses to profess beliefs he does not agree with. The university's guidelines for a passable DIE statement include acceptance and endorsement of political and ideological perspectives without even a concessive acknowledgment of their controversial nature and the uncertainties surrounding them. Haltigan has posted his DIE statement for the job, titled "Against the Use of DEI Statements in Faculty Job Searches," online. He begins by describing how his experience in the mental health field has made him deeply sensitive to the social and cultural factors that shape human development, how he is committed to "colorblind inclusivity, viewpoint diversity," and "merit-based evaluation" and values "outreach to underrepresented groups." Also, the statement insists, he is well positioned to carry out the university's avowed mission. Thereafter, he affirmatively declares that DIE statements are an "anathema to the ideals and principles of rigorous scholarship" and the "sound practice of science and teaching." Haltigan is also suing the president, chancellor, psychology chair, and dean of social sciences of UCSC in federal court to seek an appointment based on his professional qualifications, not on a coerced pledge to uphold dogma he disagrees with. He is being represented by the pro bono law firm Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), which is basing its case on the fact that demanding an acceptable DIE statement violates First Amendment rights: no individual can be compelled to say something he doesn't want to or be kept from hearing or reading the words of others. Being required to waive the right to free expression for a job is unconstitutional and imposes a condition that has nothing to do with the professional qualifications required. Further, such a policy is discriminatory and violates the Fourteenth Amendment prohibition on racial quotas. PLF is seeking the following from the court: a declaration that DIE statements violate the First Amendment, a preliminary injunction forbidding UCSC and the Board of Regents from enforcing it, a permanent injunction forbidding UCSC and the Board of Regents from using a DIE statement against their client, and coverage of all legal fees. The capitulation to an ideological precept such as DIE is reminiscent of anti-communist loyalty oaths required in the 1950-60s, struck down by the Supreme Court. In the Keyishian v. Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York case of 1967, state laws requiring educators to sign loyalty oaths and refrain from "treasonable and seditious speech or acts" were deemed unconstitutional. The Supreme Court characterized the university classroom as "a marketplace of ideas" and ruled that the State University of New York (SUNY) could neither require faculty to sign an oath of loyalty as a condition of employment nor infringe applicants' rights to free speech, assembly, and academic freedom. Similarly, in Baggett v. Bullitt (1964), the high court ruled that employees' First Amendment rights of association and speech had been violated by Washington state laws making employment contracts for teachers contingent on oaths of allegiance to the United States and vows of not advocating the overthrow of the government. In Elfbrandt v. Russell (1966), the Supreme Court found that an oath to "defend the United States and Arizona against all enemies, foreign and domestic" and renounce political ideas that the state viewed as a threat to security was an infringement of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of association. And in Cole v. Richardson (1972), a case that overturned a Massachusetts statute requiring public employees to "uphold and defend" the U.S. and state constitutions, the court set conditions an oath must meet to be deemed constitutional. It was established that such an oath must not infringe on First and Fourteenth Amendment rights or be a condition for employment. Clearly, leftist ideologies, and DIE doctrine enforcement in universities, have gone too far in the ivory tower of academia. Besides promoting tokenism, dishonesty, and the establishment of an ideological monoculture in a place where disparate views must compete and coexist, DIE statements are, as Haltigan says, "unethical" and "serve to preclude the very attributes they presume to enhance, instead creating censorious, divisive, polarizing, and otherwise inhospitable workplace cultures that are at odds with the core principles upon which public universities have been founded." The left has not spared even its own champions when they speak out against its unreasonable fiats. In 2017, biology professor Bret Weinstein, who describes himself as a left-libertarian, objected to a change to Evergreen State College's annual "Day of Absence." Diversity groups had insisted that instead of non-white people staying away to underline the diversity they bring, whites must remain off campus. In his email, Weinstein said that in the past, when minorities were absent, it was a "call to consciousness," but prohibiting the presence of whites was a "show of force" and an "act of oppression." He stayed on campus and was heckled and threatened by activists, who called for him to be fired. Weinstein and his wife, who also taught at Evergreen, quit their jobs, sued the college, and received a $500,000 settlement. DIE ignores hard work and scholarship, but it is now one of the shibboleths of the left that faculty are forced to swear allegiance to. Viewpoint diversity, free expression, and academic freedom are under assault on the campus. A fight is long overdue. Hopefully, Haltigan's lawsuit will be a first step in turning the tide. Image: Pezibear via Pixabay, Pixabay License. Nietzsche, who abhorred the politics of the Left, and who envisaged a new aristocracy, may be said to have invented the atheism of the political right. - Werner Dannhauser [i] , Nietzsche (1844-1900) August Harriman argued on these pages that the guiding philosopher of the global elites is not Karl Marx. Rather, Nietzsche is the unifying theory that explains whats happened to the Western world formerly known as Christendom a word and world now extinct. Nietzsche around age 30 in 1875 (public domain) Harriman continues, Nietzsche is the justification for the totalitarian control, Nazi and Communist, that was dominant for a significant portion of the 20th Century. Our elite have chosen the Left as their vehicle to win and maintain power. The Left seeks the demise of the Judeo-Christian moral code, and the dissolution of the American nation white Christian America. There is nothing in the Lefts agenda that fails to comport with Nietzsche. Harriman is correct that one should not make the mistake of assuming that the entirety of the psychotic Left derives from Marxism. And he may be correct that many of the Western elites may think of themselves as followers of Nietzsche. But if so, it is a bastardized Nietzsche, not the real Nietzsche, who made his abhorrence of the Left abundantly clear, writing: This overall degeneration of man down to what today appears to the socialist dolts and flatheads as their man of the futuretheir idealthis degeneration and diminution of man into the perfect herd animal ( the free society), this animalization of man into the dwarf animal of equal rights and claims, is possible, there is no doubt of it. Anyone who has once thought through this possibility to the end no longer knows any nausea than other men, but perhaps also a new task! - Beyond Good and Evil (para. 203) Dannhauser also points out that Nietzsches work is an implicit critique of Marxism. Part of the problem interpreting Nietzsche is that the current Left does not really have a coherent philosophy. Since it is an inconsistent mixture of neo-Marxism, childish romanticism, incoherent post-Modernism that rejects the notion of truth, revenge masquerading as social justice, plain old greed and lust for power, and even Satanism, it is hard to characterize. If a movement does not have any clear principles, but only narcissism, hate and rage, one cant attack its principles. This is why the left cannot exist or get its way except, with the help of what masquerades as our news media, by hiding its true intentions. Harrimans argument is based on Nietzsches attack on Christianity (God is dead.) and his promotion of a master morality and the associated doctrine of the Nietzschean superman [Ubermensch, literally over-man or higher-than-man]. Harriman writes: His [Nietzsches] masters of the earth rule through wealth, media, and the manipulation of law, science and culture. As if coming out of central casting is Klaus Schwab and his World Economic Forum. In fact, Klaus Schwab and the WEF, not to mention the other authoritarian elites that are currently working in the service of their inflated egos and bank accounts, are nothing like Nietzsches masters of the earth. Although Nietzsches concept of master morality is obscure, these masters are, as Dannhauser makes clear, conceived as part poet, part philosopher, part saint. Nietzsches masters of the earth will resemble the saint because his soul will retain all the depth which Christianity has given man. He will be Caesar with the soul of Christ. Dannhauser, further characterizing Nietzsches view of Christianity, continues, Christianity has deepened man. [It] spiritualizes man by sublimating his instincts until [the] possibility of their expression in ever more delicate forms. [T]his has produced, among other things, science. Christianity has superseded the Greeks. Nietzsches transvaluation of values will transcend Christianity rather than destroy it. Christian morality deepened and heightened mans spiritual powers. [It] emphasizes truthfulness. It makes man a more subtle and clever animal. [Its] devotion to God evolves into a devotion to truth . Nietzsches rhetoric may suggest a complete abandonment of Christianity, and for that he maybe justly blamed, but it is in the nature of his view of history, like Hegel before him, that the new view generally incorporates much of what is positive in the older one. Nietzsche does envisage what he calls a great politics, presumably practiced by his artist-philosopher Ubermensch, but, Dannhauser points out, his concept of the superman [ubermensch] is necessarily vague and ambiguous [because] there is a strong strain of radical individualism in Nietzsche. Nietzsche compares his Ubermensch not to a lion but a child (a new innocent birth). Perhaps Ayn Rands fiercely individualistic architect, Roark, in The Fountainhead may be one example familiar to ordinary Americans of a popularized quasi-Nietzschean ubermensch. And whatever one thinks of Roark, he was not the least bit interested in telling other people what to do. Quite the contrary, he was entirely about individual artistic achievement, the pure antithesis of the completely spiritless money/power charlatan authoritarians like Schwab and the WEF. Indeed, it is arguable that Nietzsches concept of the Ubermensch was entirely aesthetic, not political in the ordinary sense. In his Twilight of the Idols Nietzsche titles a section Whispers to conservatives in which he states that, unfortunately, the old conservatism is no longer possible because the world has just become much too complicated. A new synthesis on the right is necessary. The title of the section is a literary device that suggests a sympathy towards conservativism. Dannhauser points out that as many commentators on Nietzsche have noted, he was no fascist, he was a violent critic of German nationalism and he would have loathed Hitler. However, though true, that misses the main point, Nietzsche has a noble vision of mans future. His own delicacy, integrity and courage shine through his writings. He was also free of the crude racism that was to be an important element of fascism, and he had only contempt for political anti-Semitism. Despite all this, Dannhauser admits that Nietzsche did influence fascism, but that this is because the fascists, like the Nazis, abused his words (misinterpreted him). Dannhauser gives an informed and balanced view of Nietzsches thought, both the good and the bad. Nor does he agree with all of Nietzsches views. He concludes, Any examination of Nietzsches political philosophy must not only reveal the deep ambiguities but must point to the grave consequences of that political philosophy. [However,] the errors of great men are venerable because they are more truthful than the truths of little men. There are few philosophers who are more antithetical to the Left than Nietzsche. Some leftists may think of themselves of Nietzschean masters of the earth but Nietzsche would find themabhorrent. This is important because one does not want to give the impression that the contemporary Left can find a philosophical justification in Nietzsche. Nietzsche may be obscure, but properly understood he is one of the Lefts worst enemies. On June 1st, the Biden administration will launch a particularly egregious assault against law-abiding firearms owners through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)s Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached Stabilizing Braces rule and Congress may not even vote on the proposed change. By no stretch of the imagination is this a partisan issue, despite some vulnerable members concern that this is a controversial topic far from it! On the contrary, supporting this rule is the radical position which will require an answer from enraged voters. Since pistols and people with disabilities exist in every congressional district, all constituencies are affected by this rule. Congressional Research Service estimates up to 40 million pistol braces are in circulation among Americans. When Americans legally bought their ATF-approved pistol braces several years ago and attached it to their firearm making it more concealable (in theory) but easier for the disabled to use how could they know that on June 1st, 2023 they would be made de facto felons for their legal purchase? No member of Congress should want to see any of their constituents face prison time and enormous fines for buying a device approved by the ATF at the time of purchase, sanctioned by the Second Amendment, and upheld by numerous Supreme Court decisions including last years NYSRPA v. Bruen which affirmed any law related to firearms must conform to American history, text, and tradition. This rule is an unprecedented infringement to the largest scale in American history. Just yesterday, a three-judge panel in the fifth circuit ruled a preliminary injunction which protected the particular plaintiffs from Bidens rule. Last week Congress commemorated police week, but if we allow this rule to pass without lifting a finger, we dishonor law enforcement. Few things would do greater harm to the thin blue line between law enforcement and the civilians they are charged to protect and serve. This rule would pit peaceful Americans against officers obligated to enforce this rule. No officer should be put into the position to confiscate pistol brace firearms from peaceful civilians who legally purchased them. What officer wants to carry on their conscience that they imprisoned unaware, physically disabled members of their community? If an objectors concern is public safety, then know enforcement of this rule will only endanger the American citizenry. There is no evidence the pistol brace makes firearms more deadly, because a pistol brace is simply a stabilizing component to secure the firearm to the forearm of the operator. Since Obamas ATF approved its use over ten years ago in 2012, anti-gun activists can only point to three major mass killings in which a pistol brace was used: Boulder, CO; Dayton, OH; Nashville, TN. In none of those cases are they able to explain how the tragedies would have resulted in fewer fatalities if the pistol brace were not legally permitted (or not even used). Falling for this fallacy is a classic example of ignoring evil people, the true cause of violence, and instead, focusing on an inanimate object. My honorable colleague, Congressman Andrew Clyde, introduced H.J. Res 44, which is the legislation allowing for congressional disapproval of the ATF rule in March. It was voted on by the Judiciary Committee in April and reported this month. Its ready for a vote. If given a vote before the deadline, voters will only target their wrath on the radical members who opted to turn peaceful citizens into felons. Voting against this rule will not make or break any campaign barring a select few areas with the lowest firearm ownership rates. However, not voting for this rule, which affects tens of millions of Americans, will hurt the legitimacy of Congress. The resolutions of disapproval for executive rules scheduled for a vote this week (S.J. Res. 11, H.J. Res. 45, and H.J. Res. 39), have 37, 94, and 10 cosponsors, respectively. H.J. Res 44 has 188 cosponsors twice the amount of the resolution with the most cosponsors scheduled for a vote this week. This is not to disparage any of the scheduled resolutions in any way. Rather, it is a demonstration of H.J. Res 44s popularity within Congress. I realize many of my colleagues are focused on the debt limit negotiations and overall spending and rightfully so since the issue is of critical importance. It is because the debt limit debate is so important, we should take a vote on H.J. Res 44. With the passage of the Limit, Save, Grow Act, there is demonstrable evidence of unity in the House on fiscal responsibility, where as the fiscally irresponsible are breaking apart at the seams. Adding Clydes resolution to the calendar will suck the oxygen out of the detractors from the good-faith negotiations, and be redirected towards correcting misinformation that a piece of plastic attached to the end of a firearm somehow turns it into a machine gun. There is also no significant grassroot support for this rule. The billionaire-funded, astro-turf, anti-gun lobby has failed to show sustained support from their donors for this rule. Yet, coalitions of Second Amendment supporters flooded Congressional offices with tens of thousands of messages begging for a vote, disapproving of the draconian measure since the rules final announcement. As if that werent enough, a series of coalition letters from Gun Owners of America demonstrated disapproval by many leaders in the firearm industry, firearm sellers, and firearm influencers; this amounted to a combined audience of over 30 million. Hesitant members will return to their districts and need to explain why they stood with Biden on gun policy all while hes polling at a mere 31% approval on that issue among U.S. adults. Voting on this rule will make it obvious which members support the Second Amendment. Refusing to act will only hurt my colleagues election chances and further deteriorate the trust Second Amendment supporters have with this Congress. If any member still worries opposing Bidens rule will be harmful in any way to their constituents or election changes, either I or my staff, are happy to have a more detailed conversation. Finally, I want to thank House leadership for taking the concerns of gun owners seriously. The willingness to keep communications open with outspoken pro-Second Amendment members and those on the fence alike is deeply appreciated. Image: Public domain. The Left has certainly been busy over the past several years renaming or tearing down every building, monument, and institution it deems racist. One institution has inexplicably escaped its wrath. It is, of course, the Democratic party. Racial division has been a pillar of the party since its inception whether it was slavery, segregation, Jim Crow, welfare dependence, affirmative action, or the destruction of the Black family, the Democratic Party is at the forefront of using race to divide the country for its own political power and the economic gain of its wealthy donors. We have witnessed the destruction of statues and monuments that have stood for over a hundred years, numerous renaming of buildings on college campuses and in government, as well as bridges and parks. They have even tried to erase the Founding Fathers from everywhere their names appear. The goal is apparently the destruction of American society by the cultural Marxists who have seized control of the Left and have the support of the Democratic party. They are their shock troops and the street army of the Leftand they are ramping up their shenanigans in advance of the 2024 presidential election. As historian and author Bruce Barlett outlines in his book Wrong on Race the Democratic Partys Buried Past, the Party has deceptively reinvented itself as the Civil Rights Party, in spite of its despicable racial history. Lets review a few of the destructive and divisive policies the Democrats have advanced: Woodrow Wilsons segregation of the entire federal civil service FDRs appointment of a member of the KKK to the Supreme Court Affirmative action, which has driven a wedge between the races and sexes by doling out college admissions and jobs based upon immutable characteristics The late Robert Byrd, who was once President pro tempore of the Senate, third in line in the presidential line of succession, was former member of the KKK Lyndon Johnsons administrations welfare rules, which effectively banished fathers from homes receiving assistance, and effectively led to the destruction of the urban Black family Democrats will argue that the parties realigned in the 1960s, and Democrats have assumed the role of defender of minorities civil rights, but is this only a ruse to cover malicious policy decisions that have kept Blacks mired in poverty ever since? Consider these statistics: In 2021, 19.5 percent of Black people living in the United States were living below the poverty line. This is compared to 8.2 percent of White people, and 8.1 percent of Asian people. In 1964, the Black poverty rate was around 30%. Today, despite spending trillions of dollars on LBJs War on Poverty programs, the Black poverty rate remains alarmingly high at nearly 20%. Today, homicide is the leading cause of death among young Black men, and contributes significantly to the shortened lifespan of the Black male. In about 80-90% of the cases, the Black victim was killed by another Black, and about 52% of the murder victims were acquainted with their assailant. The late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan learned the consequences of bucking the racial narrative advanced by the social engineers who infested LBJs administration. The Negro Family: The Case For National Action, commonly known as the Moynihan Report, was a 1965 report on Black poverty in the United States. He sounded the alarm about the Great Society programs negative effect on the Black family, but was immediately attacked by the left of his own party. Looking back over the several decades since its publication, Moynihan has been proven to be correct. We must continue to call out the Democratic partys racism, and can even use Saul Alinskys instruction which they have effectively used to advance their agenda over the last 60 years. They need to be asked why they havent changed the name of the Democratic party, especially since the brand has been tarnished by racist policies, all advanced by its leadership. In his book Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, Alinsky wrote: Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage. Conservative activists need to heed this advice and demand that the historically racist Democratic party change its name in accordance with the Lefts unrelenting push to purge all names perceived to be associated with racism in Western society. Michael A. Bertolone, M.S. is a freelance writer in Rochester, NY. His eBook The War on Equality: How Equity is Destroying Our Society is available on Amazon, and also posts on Substack. https://michaelbertolone.substack.com/. Image: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons. Internationally known as the Nazi hunter, Simon Wiesenthal (19082005) didnt like this title. In his own words neither hater nor a fanatic, the Holocaust survivor who hoped to contribute to atonement toward the victims of unspeakable crimes had two work principles: first truth, then justice and information is resistance. Nowadays, so many people will tell you they are struggling for justice. Well, the credible ones are actually fighting for the truth. One cant help but notice that omission of facts is normalized by the mainstream media and denial of reality is tailored to appear trendy. The further away from the real word, the more remote the truth, and justice is to fade into the distance Paraphrasing John Adams: Facts are stubborn things, bona-fide reporters must be more than obstinate and self-serving social engineers. Meanwhile, UNESCO deplores the fact that impunity for killings of journalists remains unacceptably high at 86%: Freedom of expression cannot be protected when there is such a staggering number of unresolved cases. While its impossible to disagree with their statement: UNESCO is concerned that impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime, I cant help but wonder if multiple forms of violence against journalists are recorded worldwide, or only within borders of political correctness. The assumption that bad things happen in developing countries only would be a blatant lie. These days Africa reflects on who writes the Western scripts. The importance of accountability was a subject of an interesting study: Justice heals: The impact of impunity and the fight against it on the recovery of severe human rights violations survivors. The authors, Knut Rauchfuss, MD and Bianca Schmolze, BA, BSc observe: Under the atmosphere and culture of impunity, a recovery of society is impossible and the recovery of individual survivors faces insurmountable barriers. While impunity can be defined as the exercise of power without accountability, interpretation of crime depends on collective conscience within society. Children should learn the societal norms through socialization, but if right is no longer encouraged and wrong is normalized, neither accountability, nor consensus on what constitutes a crime can exist. If we want a world by Abel, not by Cain we need to strengthen our collective conscience and to refresh our collective memory. Meeting President Carter in 1980, Simon Wiesenthal warned: "There is no denying that Hitler and Stalin are alive today... they are waiting for us to forget, because this is what makes possible the resurrection of these two monsters." First truth, then justice. How do we get there? Is a world by Abel, not by Cain even realistic? Well, Mahatma Gandhi thought so: When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, always. Image: Assereto See also: LA Dodgers kinkfest with the anti-Catholic degenerates spotlights one certain freak CatholicVote is increasing pressure on the Los Angeles Dodgers over its pandering to an anti-Catholic transgender drag queen group the team invited to its upcoming Pride Night game. The Dodgers also plan to endow the group, known as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, with a Community Heroes Award. According to Fox News, CatholicVote president Brian Burch sent a letter to Dodgers owner Mark Walter and CEO Stan Kasten to express his groups concern over the teams invitation to the anti-Catholic group. Per the report: I represent the nations largest lay Catholic advocacy organization, Burch says in the letter. We are supported by millions of devoted Catholics across America who believe that the time-honored values of life, family, and freedom which the Dodgers used to celebrate are demonstrably good for America, and worthy of respect, not ridicule. We wrote to you last week with a reasonable ask: Please do not honor this anti-Catholic hate group, Burch continued. There is no place for anti-Catholic bigotry, mocking of religious sisters, or celebrating a perverse activist group whose identity is marked by blasphemy and mockery of Catholics. Burch added that he doubts the teams claims that they were listening to everyone regarding the issue. He said that CatholicVote is preparing a $1 million commercial campaign to urge people to boycott the team over its decision to support a hate group. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) also criticized the team for partnering with the Sisters in a statement, Rubio questioned whether the Dodgers are being inclusive and welcoming by providing a group of transgender drag performers that mocks Christians and nuns with an award. Let's be clear. @dodgers aren't just welcoming the "queer nuns" as part of their Pride Night. They are giving them a "community heroes" award.https://t.co/g5JQGbdllC Megan Basham (@megbasham) May 23, 2023 Catholic League president Bill Donohue also condemned the Dodgers decision to give the Community Hero Award to the obscene anti-Catholic group. Donohue claimed that the Dodgers tarnished their civil rights record by promoting bigotry, not fighting it, and added by rewarding anti-Catholicism, the Dodgers have broken bread with the most despicable elements in American society today. Catholic Bishop Robert Barron also called for a boycott of the Dodgers for its support of a transgender drag queen group. Barron said Catholics must boycott the team because it is clearly not responding to a decent appeal to reason for the teams support of the transgender group. The issue arose after the Dodgers received criticism for plans to give the hate group a Hero award at its Pride Night game. At first, complaints from Catholics and Christians caused the team to disinvite the Sisters from its Pride Night. Despite this, radical pro-LGBTQ organizations pressured the team to make another reversal. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. It should not shock anyone, except for perhaps Rip Van Winkle, and even he should have long ago stopped his slumber, that our universities are now intellectual cesspools. Political correctness, wokeism, DIE, cultural and economic Marxism, Black History Month, affirmative action, anti-racism, allyship, non-colorblind, hetero-normativity, trigger warnings, cultural appropriation reign pretty much unopposed, at least on campus. Thank God for Governors DeSantis of Florida and Abbott of Texas. They, along with the legislatures of a dozen or so additional states, have been trying to do something about this disgrace in academia. But these folks are like the boy who put his finger in the hole in the dike well intentioned, but all but powerless to keep the waters from rising and continuing to overwhelm higher education. The first foray of the good guys was to enquire as to the amount of money spent on DIE for attacks on academic freedom. The bad guys responded, exultantly, "less than 1%." They were saying, in effect, that this can hardly amount to any significant threat to the university mandate namely, to be a bastion of open inquiry. Nonsense on stilts. A virus can wreak havoc on the human person, even given that it weighs far less than 1% of total body weight. Ditto for a nail in the tire, which again accounts for an infinitesimal proportion of the car's total weight. A few teeny, tiny cancer cells can spell the death knell for their relatively heavy host. In the magnificent movie The Mouse That Roared, Peter Sellers (who played pretty much all the roles) was the general of a country like Monaco or Liechtenstein, yet his army of about a dozen soldiers conquered the entire United States military (the bigger they are, the harder they fall). The relatively few deans, provosts, and assistant and associate deans and provosts in charge of the DIE initiatives can totally undermine the academic freedom of literally thousands of professors with their threats to fire them for not toeing the leftist party line. Endangered, also, are even those who hold tenured faculty posts. The next missile tossed at the forces of evil on campus by Governor DeSantis was to forbid the teaching of Critical Race Theory, intersectionality, Black Lives Matter, systemic racism and sexism, the abominations of cisgendered white males, and all the other Marxist-inspired accoutrements of modern college life taught by the usual suspects. But this too will miss its mark. First of all, there is nothing wrong with teaching that is, giving both sides of all debatable issues. It is exceedingly difficult to refute these noxious doctrines if one cannot discuss them at all. The problem is that the professors on the distaff side of the political spectrum do not believe in teaching. Force-feeding is more their style. Secondly, these pinko professors need not mention any of these philosophies, explicitly, in order to cram them down the throats of their students and supposed colleagues. They just exude these views with every fiber of their beings and can easily articulate them without explicitly mentioning any of the proscribed viewpoints. They can still promulgate these socialist fallacies and compel students and fellow professors to parrot them, or at the very least engage in self-censorship. They can use as vehicles toward these malevolent ends the works of leftists such as Rawls, Krugman, Card, Krueger. Heck, they can use the Bible, or the U.S. Constitution, toward these ends; both were written by white males, no? The point is, when there are 30 professors in the sociology department, 29 of them who support Bernie Sanders and Pocahontas, and only one who is, at best, a RINO, this weltanschauung remains supreme no matter that a few viewpoints are verboten. Further, compelling these ideas will still be a threat to the proper academic mission. No, the only policy likely to suffice is affirmative action. Please don't stop reading at this point. Instead of selecting the next generation of professors on the basis of pigment and plumbing, do so on the basis of ideological diversity. Specifically, conservative and libertarian intellectuals should be hired until the professoriate doesn't "look like America," but instead thinks like America in terms of political and economic philosophy. If this plan is pursued, it will take not years, but decades, since that is how long retirements take. But if we start right now, eventually, we will see the light at the end of the tunnel. And immediately, the forces of unreason and totalitarianism will be put on notice. That will take at least some of the wind out of their sails. There is one policy that will speed this process along right away. Get rid of all grievance studies programs immediately: black studies, feminist studies, queer studies, and all the rest of this sorry ilk. These initiatives came into being in the first place only because affirmative action admittances could not survive if they had to major in math, the physical sciences, or economics. Grievance "studies" were intended to ensure that they "belonged" in college. Eliminating these programs would in one fell swoop rid the university of professors who really do not belong there in the first place. What about tenure review? This is a tempting policy. Scrutinize professors every five years or so, and if there are too many lefties for ideological balance, fire some of them. This would have far more positive and immediate effects than forbidding the mention of Marxist fallacies or ideological affirmative action. However, there are strong downsides to this policy. The entire ethos of the university, the reason it differs from virtually all other institutions in society (apart from judges, who also have lifetime tenure), is due to this longevity. Tenured professors can pursue research without fear or favor. They can go where "no man has gone before," as the Star Trek folks used to say (before they succumbed to political correctness). To in effect cancel tenure with tenure review risks throwing out the baby with the bathwater. There is nothing wrong with the present tenure situation apart from the fact that the left has pretty much taken it over. The slow but sure method to rectify this sad state of affairs is affirmative action, based on political economic philosophy. When the professoriate includes about 30% left liberal "progressives," 30% right-wing conservatives, and 30% libertarians (I am one of the third category), reason will prevail on college campuses, and Governor DeSantis, bless him for trying to root out evil at university, will have won. Image via Pxfuel. The three-ring circus also known as the presidential primaries is in full swing. The lines are clearly drawn on the Republican side, particularly now that DeSantis has made his bid official, albeit in an epic fail of technical incompetence. It's no longer Donald Trump v. The Keebler Elves, as Steve Bannon has labeled the hopefuls. It's now Donald Trump v. Ron DeSantis and the Seven Dwarves, as an homage to Ron's favorite nemesis. The rest are just noise. Certainly, Tim Scott and Vivek Ramaswamy have impressive MAGA cred, but no chance of winning. Nikki Hailey is tainted by her participation in the World Economic Forum's Young Leaders program, and Judas Pence is betting on the metals market with his investment of 30 pieces of silver. To many of us, DeSantis tarnished himself by tying his launch to a group of billionaires and mega-donors. This cabal of establishment RINOs and the political consulting class leaves a stench on Ron's credibility as a populist candidate. If they get him across the finish line, they will expect their pound of flesh in the form of Cabinet positions and policy concessions. Populist Ron will be bought-and-paid-for Ron. It is laughable that Rupert Murdoch has committed Fox's full support to Ron. Now Fox News will not just report the news, but will also be openly committed to defining the narrative. All brought to you by the globalist Murdoch clan. What's wrong with this picture? The Democrat side is much more entertaining. Many believe that Joe Biden will not be the candidate in 2024, that he will be dumped in favor of someone else. But whom? Beside his undeniable descent into senility, his poll numbers continue their steady decline to a yet to be determined bottom. Not the recipe for a winning race, even accounting for Democrat election creativity, and it's a clear sign that someone else needs to lead the ticket. It's an unusual step for a party to primary out its own incumbent, but the Democrats may have no choice. Of course, they could let the FBI release the documents about Biden family corruption and let the impeachment process do the work. But the Democrat bench is shaky, to say the least. Cackling Kamala is a master word salad chef, and her campaign from a yellow school bus would certainly add a new dynamic, but it doesn't speak of gravitas and leadership. There are the wicked witches: Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren. Hillary has an image problem now that the Durham Report clearly lands 2016 election interference in her lap. She's now "ultra-crooked Hilary." Pocahontas Elizabeth Warren almost makes Hilary likable a very low bar. Can Gavin Newsom overcome the disaster that is California? How about Pete Buttigieg? His incompetence at the Department of Transportation speaks for itself. Some postulate Michelle Obama, but who really wants a fourth Obama presidency? And who is Marianne Williamson? Enter stage right Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the Democrat problem comes into clear focus. They really, really, really don't want a primary challenge when the strongest contender, polling as strongly as Biden, is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Why wouldn't they welcome with open arms a man of integrity with the Kennedy name and growing popular support? Probably because a President Bobby Jr. would be a disaster for the progressive left. He not only knows the truth about the tyranny behind the COVID pandemic, but has written a jaw-dropping expose to back it up. Consequently, he has big enemies, particularly Big Pharma and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation darlings of globalists and progressives worldwide. He has publicly alleged CIA involvement in the assassination of his uncle, John F. Kennedy, giving him another powerful group of enemies in the Intelligence Community who don't want the truth known and don't want the inevitable reforms knowing the truth will bring. He's already launched his campaign and has shown himself to be a major primary challenger forcing the Democrats to take him seriously. Oh, what fun! Image via Public Domain Pictures. To paraphrase that famous line from Anne Richards about then-V.P. George H.W. Bush: "Poor Andres, he can't help it. He was born with a leftist foot in his mouth. As you may remember, V.P. Bush went on to win big in 1988. My guess is that Hispanics are not going to vote based on what they hear from AMLO. The man who always wants a headline, President Andres Lopez Obrador of Mexico, decided to go cute on us. Let's hear about it: Lopez Obrador accused DeSantis of pushing "anti-immigrant" policies and urged Hispanics not to vote for him. "I hope the Hispanics of Florida wake up and don't give him any votes, that they don't vote for those who persecute migrants, those who don't respect migrants," he said, according to The Guardian. The remarks are the latest instance of meddling in U.S. elections by the unpredictable Mexican premier, who has fumed at Republican criticism of his handling of immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. In March, he threatened to launch an "information campaign" against Republicans, telling Hispanics not to vote for them, after lawmakers suggested potential military action to take out the drug cartels pumping out fentanyl and sending it to the U.S. So much for all those lectures about not intervening in other country's elections. My guess is that AMLO is talking to Hispanics who are U.S. citizens and can vote in our elections. The problem for AMLO is that Hispanics have soured on President Biden. It's funny how paying more for gasoline and tortillas will change your political alliances. The second mistake is that AMLO thinks that Hispanics spend all their time talking about immigration. Most don't, but they do care about border control. So maybe Governor DeSantis should say that we should declare the big mouth a "persona non grata" like they did in Peru. Go out and eat some ceviche this weekend and say thanks to Peru. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Tumiscu, Pixabay Susie Gelman is absolutely the wrong candidate for US ambassador to Israel. Ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, maybe, but not to Israel. In her role as chair of the Israel Policy Forum (someone will have to explain to me how she ever got that position), Gelman professed to love Israel as she works tirelessly against the best interests of Israel. Israel Policy Forum, like JStreet, attempts to impose left-wing radical policies on Israel. Susie Gelman embodies their unacceptable ideas. She has worked to undermine the current Bibi Netanyahu government which she views as "extremist." Gelman has called Israels Independence Day as Nakba Day. How can someone who wrote in 2018 that the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem was the highest level of brazen partisanship in U.S.-Israel relations since Prime Minister Netanyahus speech to a joint session of Congress in 2015 in which he expressed his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal," even agree to accept the position to sit in that embassy as the US Ambassador to Israel? That would be the height of personal and political hypocrisy by Susie Gelman. It would also indicate to Israel that we have an American enemy sitting in our capital. In her role as Ambassador to Israel she would be likely to implement the Biden administrations intention behind a grant to provide 5,000 Palestinians with commando training in Jordan and then deploy them to northern Samaria, and perhaps the South Hebron Hills." I live in Netanya, very close to the Mediterranean Sea and I look at those South Hebron Hills from my living room and from my study where I wrote this report. If I can see them, American-trained Palestinian gunmen can see me and my hometown. Netanya is a town that has a tragic history of foolish American policies imposed on Israel and, as one of the founders of the Netanya Terror Victims organization, I say never again. Our antennas are hot wired into identifying who is good for us and who is against us, and Gelman does not fit into the former category. Wealthy Gelman (granddaughter of Walter A. Haas, president and owner of Levi Strauss & Co.) and her husband have established a foundation that funds anti-Israel leftists causes. Her money has gotten her positions of influence and power from within the Democrat hierarchy. As David Greenfield, researcher, and respected journalist, summarized, Gelman, sitting in her role in Jerusalem, would be in a position to wage diplomatic war against Israel. If Biden or Blinken pick Gelman to this role it will be perceived in Israel as an unfriendly act. Susie Gelman is absolutely the wrong candidate to be the next US Ambassador to Israel. Photo credit: YouTube screeengrab Donald J. Trumps iconic escalator descent to announce his campaign for the presidency was the catalyst for an unprecedented level of mass hysteria and irrational hatred as we all know, the derogatory one-liner developed to describe this actual pandemic is Trump Derangement Syndrome. And few Democrats have embodied TDS more completely than MSNBCs Rachel Maddow and Marylands Jamie Raskin. After all, Raskin was cast in Nancy Pelosis kangaroo court political drama, and Maddow outdid herself when she shot this exceptionally disparaging segment which aired the night before Joe Biden began his reign: Maddow and Raskin are undoubtedly unapologetic over their distaste for Trump and his kind unless perhaps, the price is right? An article out at The Intercept yesterday reported that both Maddow and Raskin are scheduled to headline TruCon, a conference put on by the pro-Democrat party Truman Center (okay, nothing odd there), but its the events sponsors that are drawing the real attention; two of the corporate financiers include Lockheed Martin and Palantir. Now, both Maddow and Raskin have shaped their identities to reflect principled liberalism, a character which stands in stark contrast to the reality of crony capitalism, the war racket, and backroom deals so obviously, the intimacy with Lockheed Martin is rather unsightly. As Intercept reporter Eli Clifton writes: Raskin co-sponsored a House resolution in 2020 denouncing wasteful Pentagon spending and supporting cuts to the bloated defense budget. The bill, which did not make it to the floor for a vote, highlighted that the Pentagon had no way to track replacement parts for the $1,400,000,000,000 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program a Lockheed project widely considered to be the biggest military procurement boondoggle in history [emphasis added]. Per Clifton, a source close to the lawmaker said the sponsors were publicized after Raskin agreed to attend but strangely (or not), as of yet, I still see Raskin advertised on TruCons digital flyer, and I know of no press release in which the House member addresses the situation that some might perceive as a betrayal. Will Raskin denounce the defense contractor thats helping to foot the bill for the ritzy function? Or, shut up and take the perks and/or money? Gee, let me think. Now, it gets slightly more interesting with Palantir. The firm is a software company that specializes in data analytics... and one of the founders is Peter Thiel. Of course, we know Peter Thiel as the Silicon Valley billionaire who once sat on the board of Mark Zuckerbergs Meta, and who was an early backer to Donald Trump; hes also listed as an alumnus of Klaus Schwabs Young Global Leaders program. Anyways, per Clifton: Palantir provided software used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in support of the Trump administrations controversial detention, deportation, and family separation policies policies denounced by both Raskin and Maddow. And once again, not a peep from those two moralistic Democrats; I wont hold my breath. Of course its entertaining to strap the virtue-signaling elitists into the hot seat and watch them squirm as they seemingly(?) sell out for a free lunch at a four-star hotel talk about a dimestore entrepreneur but this story should serve as a sobering reminder that federal politics are hopelessly and irredeemably corrupted. Clifton closed his report with a quote from national security analyst Mark Thompson: Its typically tawdry but its the way business is done in this townif Truman wants to be a player, they have to do events, they need money for events, and they need to barter away their sense of themselves in order to sponsor these events. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. Humans and stegosaurus missed each other by more than 150 million years, but people have always wondered how difficult or terrifying life would have been if dinosaurs and humans co-existed. This premise is often explored humorously in cartoons and in movies. Cavemen and dinosaurs frequently featured in cartoonist Gary Larsons The Far Side a single-panel comic that ran for fifteen years during the 1980s and 90s. The Far Side was known for its surrealistic and dark humor based on uncomfortable social situations and improbable events, including aliens, talking cows, as well as human-dinosaur interaction. Watercolor of a stegosaurus by Katrine Glazkova/Shutterstock.com In 1982, Larson drew a comic depicting a prehistoric classroom. A caveman is giving a lecture to an audience of other cavemen. Before them is a large image of a stegosaurs tail. The professor points towards the spikes at the end of the tail and explains that they are called the thagomizer, after the late Thag Simmons. Presumably, caveman Thag Simmons had gone too close to the stegosaurus and was clubbed to death by its spiky tail. Having learned a valuable lesson that it was best to avoid the tail of this particular animal, the other cavemen who witnessed the unfortunate incident decided to immortalize Thags name on the prehistoric animals anatomy. Larson later joked that if there were confessionals for cartoonists, he would have gone to seek absolution: Father, I have sinnedI have drawn dinosaurs and hominids together in the same cartoon. Of course, The Far Side is fiction, and no one named Thag Simmons was fatally wounded by an extinct animal. But the thagomizer itself is real. It turns out that this arrangement of spikes at the tip of a stegosauruss tail had no formal name. A 2006 article in the New Scientist explains why that happened: Paleontologists don't get many chances to name new bones. Evolution uses the same bones over and over again, altering their shape and purpose but preserving their basic nature, so anatomists simply use the same old terms to describe them. A humerus is a humerus, whether it's in a chicken wing, a walrus flipper, the massive front leg of a brachiosaurus or our own upper arm. Only in a few animals do bones evolve into something different enough to earn their own distinct name, like the fearful-looking spikes at the end of a stegosaurus tail. Nevertheless, nobody had bothered to give an easy-to-remember name to the spikes, until Gary Larson came up with thagomizer. Larson, being a biologist, was aware of the deficiency. Mounted Thagomizer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Photo: Kevmin/Wikimedia Commons In 1993, at the annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, paleontologist Ken Carpenter was making a presentation about a recently discovered stegosaurus skeleton. One of the spikes had apparently broken and healed, and there was a compelling evidence that the stegosaur had used its spiky tail as a weapon. Carpenter remembered Larsons cartoon that he read years ago, and he found the joke too good to pass. That was the first time anybody, outside Larson, had used the word thagomizer in a professional way. Shortly after, the Dinosaur National Monument in Utah got the thagomizer label on its spikes, and James Orville Farlow of Indiana University included the term in his book The Complete Dinosaur. Smithsonian Institution's stegosaur fossil display also has the label thagomizer. Since then, the word has become a semi-formal term for that part of the stegosaurs anatomy. Gary Larson also carries the honor of having two insect species named after hima louse called "Strigiphilus garylarsoni" and a beetle named "Garylarsonus. Dale H. Clayton, who named Strigiphilus garylarsoni, wrote in a letter to Larson praising the cartoonist for the enormous contribution that my colleagues and I feel you have made to biology through your cartoons. In his book The Prehistory of the Far Side, Larson quipped: I considered this an extreme honor. Besides, I knew no one was going to write and ask to name a new species of swan after me. You have to grab these opportunities when they come along. References # The word: Thagomizer, https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125592-200-the-word-thagomizer/ # http://www.dinochecker.com/dinosaurfaqs/what-is-a-thagomizer # Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thagomizer In May 1783, in a small village named Mundul Gaut, in Bengal, India, a strange child was born. He had two heads. The midwife assisting the birth was so horrified by the child's appearance that she tried to kill the monstrosity by throwing him into the fire. Fortunately, the baby was rescued with some burns in one eye and ear. The parents, after recovering from the initial shock, began to see the newborn as a money making opportunity, and with that in mind, left their village for Calcutta where their deformed baby could be exhibited. The two-headed baby attracted great deal of attention and earned the family a fair amount of money. Between shows, to prevent the crowd from taking a peek without paying, his parents kept the unfortunate child hidden, usually under a sheet, sometimes for hours at a time. As his fame spread across India, several nobleman, civil servants and city officials invited the child and his parents to their homes for private exhibitions, where their guests could examine the curious specimen up close. One of these observers was a Colonel Pierce who described the encounter to the President of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks and it was Sir Banks who later forwarded the account to the surgeon Everard Home. By two headed some people might assume two heads growing side by side from a single neck. In this case, however, the boys second head grew atop the other. It sat inverted on top of the main head, and ended in a neck-like stump. The second head had a few irregularities the ears were malformed, the tongue was small, and the lower jaw was rather small, but otherwise both heads were of the same size, and were covered by black hair at their junction. The second head seemed to function independently of the main head. When the child cried or smiled, the features of the upper head were not always affected and did not match the emotion of the child. When the child slept, the second head might be awake and its eyes moving as if observing the surrounding. The second head reacted to external stimulus; a pinch in the cheek produced a grimace, and when it was given the breast, its lips attempted to suck. It also produced plenty of tears and saliva. However, the corneal reflexes were missing and the eyes reacted weakly to light. Despite its freakish appearance, the boy did not seemed to suffer any ill effects due to its condition. One day when the child was 4 years old, his mother left him alone to fetch water. When she returned, she found the child dead by the bite of a cobra. Many anatomists offered to buy the corpse, but the religious parents could not allow such desecration. The child was buried near the Boopnorain River, outside the city of Tumloch, but his grave was robbed by Mr. Dent, a salt agent for the East India Company. He dissected the putrefied body and gave the skull to a Captain Buchanan of the East Indian Company. The captain later brought the skull to England and gave it to his friend Everard Home. The skull of the Boy of Bengal can still be seen at the Hunterian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of London. Skull of the two-headed boy from Bengal at The Hunterian Museum, The Royal College of Surgeons of England. When Mr. Dent dissected the heads, he discovered that the brains were separate and distinct. Each brain was firmly covered in its own dura mater and was supplied by large vessels which delivered nutrition to the upper head. The boys condition is today known as craniopagus parasiticus, an extremely rare type of parasitic twinning that occurs in about 2 to 3 in 5 million births. The embryo initially develops as twins, but it fails to completely separate and one of the twins remain underdeveloped and attached to the developed one. Parasitic conjoined twins are very rare are often stillborn or incapable of surviving after birth. The only viable treatment is to surgically remove the parasitic twin. But these kind of surgeries are very risky. In 2004, Rebeca Martinez was born in the Dominican Republic with this rare condition. She underwent surgery at the age of eight weeks but died as a result of blood loss. In 2005, Manar Maged was also born with the same condition, and underwent a successful 13-hour surgery in Egypt, but died on several weeks later due to repeated infection. More recently, in 2021, a baby was born with two heads, at the Elias Hospital in Bucharest, Romania, but died some hours after it was born. References: # Jan Bondeson, Craniopagus parasiticus: Everard Home's Two-Headed Boy of Bengal and some other cases, Surgical Neurology A couple of weeks back, Samsung released the May 2023 security update for the Galaxy S20 FE in select European countries. The company is now pushing the new security patch to the device globally, also covering the 5G model. The latest SMR (Security Maintenance Release) is also available for the Galaxy A34 5G in some regions. The May SMR was first released for the 4G version of the Galaxy S20 FE in Russia. Samsung gradually expanded the rollout to more countries in the region. In recent days, the new security patch has reached the phone pretty much everywhere. For 4G models, the new firmware build number is G780GXXU4EWD2 or G780FXXUBFWD2 depending on your region and model number. The same update for the Galaxy S20 FE 5G, meanwhile, comes with build numbers G781USQSAHWD4 (US carrier-locked version), G7810ZHS4HWE1 (Hong Kong and China version), and G781BXXS5HWD4 (global version). Samsung appears to be pushing some system optimizations along with the latest security fixes to the phone in select markets. But there arent any new features to look forward to here. As far as the security fixes are concerned, Samsungs monthly security bulletin has already revealed that the May SMR patches more than 70 issues. Around 20 of those are Galaxy-specific issues and arent found in Android products from other brands. The remaining patches concern flaws found in Android OS and other partner components. These patches come direct from the vendor of the respective component. At least six vulnerabilities patched this month were critical. Advertisement The Galaxy A34 5G is also getting the May security update The aforementioned vulnerability patches are also rolling out to the Galaxy A34 5G. The newly-launched mid-range smartphone is picking up the May SMR widely in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The update in the former region comes with the build number A346BXXU2AWE2, while that in the latter two regions is A346EXXU2AWE2. Samsung should soon cover units in Latin America as well. The Galaxy A34 5G didnt arrive in the US, at least not yet. Along with the latest security fixes, the Galaxy A34 5G may also be getting Samsungs Image Clipper feature. The official changelog doesnt explicitly name this addition, but says the update brings improvements to Camera and Gallery functions. Thats precisely what the changelogs for updates containing Image Clipper for other devices mentioned. This feature lets you quickly crop out objects from images when viewing them in Samsungs Gallery app. You can crop out objects by pressing and holding onto them for a few seconds. Demonstrators condemned the Governments controversial laws on protests as draconian and authoritarian as hundreds of them marched through central London. Supporters and volunteers for Just Stop Oil (JSO), Extinction Rebellion (XR), Republic, Black Lives Matter and more gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday to protest against recent legislation, including the Public Order Bill, which critics say could curb the right to peaceful protest. Speeches and live music were heard on the green before protesters marched to Downing Street and back as part of the #NotMyBill demonstration, holding colourful banners and signs reading No more police powers and Defend the right to protest. Protesters in Parliament Square (James Manning/PA) The Public Order Bill introduced new offences including locking on a tactic used in recent years by some environmental protesters to fasten themselves to a protest point going equipped to lock on and interfering with key national infrastructure. Member of anti-monarchy group Republic, Tom Lines, told the PA news agency he was protesting because of the arrests his group experienced on the day of the Kings coronation. Calling the incident an outrage, the 68-year-old said he arrived late to the coronation protest, having travelled from his home in Brighton. If I had been (there) I probably would have been in the back of a van as well, he said. Republic chief executive Graham Smith (James Manning/PA) Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, was detained for 16 hours on the day of the Kings crowning after officers deemed that straps in his organisations van could be used to lock on. Mr Smith was one of six Republic members who were the first people to be arrested under the sweeping Public Order Act, brought in days before the coronation. That is what happened on the day but worse than that is that the Government has passed this legislation that is going to allow that in the future, Mr Lines said. Moyra Samuels, a volunteer for Stand Up to Racism, also condemned the Bill. We have all come together to protest the Governments draconian authoritarian attack on our democratic rights, she told PA. She added: We want to protect our right to protest because how else can we challenge and hold them to account in all the issues that actually we need to protest about? Ms Samuels, from west London, referenced the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the murder by a police officer of George Floyd in the United States. If you think about the George Floyd protests, how else could we express, could the world express, its outrage at police violence but through protest? How else will a government hear what its people are saying unless we take to the streets with our message, a loud message? So the silencing of us, I think, is very, very worrying. A person with their dog during the Not My Bill protest (James Manning/PA) She told PA she wants the Bill kicked out but is not hopeful the Government will do so. This is not a government that is in a listening mood because its in crisis. So its not ready to listen. But it has an election coming up so it may get a little bit worried that actually this may be too far for some of the voters in the shires because Britain does have some tradition of democracy. XR volunteer Sarah Montgomery, 72, accused the Government of pushing through outrageous and undemocratic laws. She referenced the two year and seven month prison sentence given to Marcus Decker for scaling the Queen Elizabeth II bridge as an example of the Government cracking down on protesters. Asked about her biggest concern, she told PA: Its about being arrested for locking on to somebody else or for holding hands or for being seen to be walking towards a protest perhaps with a banner. Then you know you are had for conspiracy to protest. This is outrageous. We need to have a voice so at the very basic level its about being able to protest. In a statement, environmental campaign group JSO said: The Governments plan to stop dissent is to ban bike locks and megaphones. This is no plan at all. Its like banning fire alarms instead of stopping fires. Outside the gates of Downing Street, protesters chanted: Rishi, Rishi, Rishi. Out, out, out. The crowd thinned and calmed once it returned to Parliament Square. Labour would impose time limits on the hiring of overseas workers in shortage occupations to restrict immigration, the shadow home secretary has said. Yvette Cooper told the Sunday Telegraph the party believes the measure would give an incentive to companies to train more British staff. The party would use a strengthened Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) which provides independent advice to the Government to guide on appropriate timescales for importing labour, she suggested. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper (Jordan Pettitt/PA) In an interview, the Labour frontbencher accused the Tories of presiding over a huge gap between rhetoric and reality on immigration. She told the paper: It (the MAC) only does very periodic reviews, and we want it to be able to look at not simply which occupations are on the shortage occupation list, but also what would be a sensible timescale. How long should they be on the shortage occupation list for? It forms part of Labours wider efforts to project a toughened stance on migration, with Sir Keir Starmer writing in the Sun on Sunday that hiring overseas workers on cheap wages is no substitute for a proper plan. The Labour leader suggested he would focus on apprenticeships as a ticket to a better future as he branded the current system a travesty and said immigration must come down. Meanwhile, in an op-ed for the Mail on Sunday shadow health secretary Wes Streeting criticised the overreliance on overseas recruitment within the NHS and promised Labour would focus more on homegrown talent. It comes after the party announced last week that it would scrap rules allowing firms to pay 20% below the going rate to hire overseas workers for jobs on the list in another sign of its toughening stance on migration. The measures would form part of its proposed reform of the points-based system to create a fair but controlled system, Labour said. Healthcare, engineering and IT are among the sectors where someone can be paid 80% of the usual going rate to qualify for a skilled worker visa. Rishi Sunak has said legal migration is too high and has repeated a commitment to achieve a 2019 Tory manifesto pledge to bring it down after figures revealed record-high levels. But the Government is facing pressure from businesses to ensure there are not labour shortages in key industries. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been publicly pushing for lower immigration, saying more Britons should be trained to be lorry drivers and seasonal workers to plug demand. But the Prime Minister has taken a more pragmatic approach, having made clear to farmers that more overseas fruit pickers will be allowed into the UK if they are needed. A man who was arrested after a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street has been separately charged with making indecent images of children. Seth Kneller, from Crewe, was detained by armed officers after a collision involving a silver Kia near the Prime Ministers official residence in Whitehall at 4.20pm on Thursday. The Metropolitan Police said the 43-year-old was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving before being released under investigation. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with the unrelated matter of making indecent images of children. After the hearing, a court official said Kneller was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Southwark Crown Court on June 23. The Met said: The man was charged with an unrelated matter of making indecent images of children and appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday May 27. He was remanded in custody to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on Friday June 23. Rishi Sunak was in Downing Street at the time of Thursdays crash, the PA news agency understands, and departed Downing Street shortly afterwards having been due to leave anyway. There were no injuries reported and the incident is not being treated as terror-related, the Met said. Post Office prosecutors tasked with investigating sub-postmasters in the notorious Horizon scandal used a racial slur to classify black workers, according to documents obtained by campaigners. Fraud investigators were asked to group suspects based on racial features and used a racist term for staff from the colonial era of the 1800s which refers to people of African descent. The Post Office Horizon scandal, which has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history, saw hundreds of innocent postmasters convicted. The information came to light through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request obtained by Eleanor Shaikh, a supporter of the more than 700 branch managers who were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 on theft, fraud and false accounting charges. Protestors outside the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry at the International Dispute Resolution Centre, London (Kirsty OConnor/PA) The document, thought to have been published in 2008, asked investigators if the suspects were Negroid Types. Other categories on the document include Chinese/Japanese types and Dark Skinned European Types. Responding to the FOI, a Post Office spokesperson described it as a historic document but said the organisation did not tolerate racism in any shape or form and condemned the abhorrent language. They added: We fully support investigations into Post Offices past wrong doings and believe the Horizon IT Inquiry will help ensure todays Post Office has the confidence of its Postmasters and the communities it supports. Former post office worker Noel Thomas , who was convicted of false accounting in 2006, celebrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London, after having his conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2021 (Yui Mok/PA) The Post Office began installing Horizon accounting software in the late 1990s, but faults in the software led to shortfalls in accounts, which sparked demands on sub-postmasters to cover the difference. Many were wrongfully prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 for false accounting, theft and fraud. Between 2000 and 2014, more than 700 sub-postmasters were prosecuted based on information from the accounting system, which saw workers wrongly accused of theft, fraud and false accounting. However, in December 2019, a High Court judge ruled the system contained a number of bugs, errors and defects and there was a material risk that shortfalls in Post Office branch accounts were in fact caused by it. Many sub-postmasters have had criminal convictions overturned. A teenager is to appear in court after he was charged with breaching a criminal behaviour order imposed for posting a prank video on TikTok. Bacari-Bronze OGarro, 18, known as Mizzy, of Manor Road, Hackney, north London, was made subject to the order at Thames Magistrates Court on Wednesday banning him from posting videos on social media without the consent of those featuring in them. In a video posted to Twitter on Friday, OGorro was seen being arrested by a plain-clothed police officer who references videos published on social media on Wednesday and Thursday. OGarro has now been charged with three counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order and placed in custody to appear at the same court on Saturday. During Wednesdays court appearance, he admitted one count of failing to comply with a community protection notice issued on May 11 2022. Judge Charlotte Crangle issued him with a two-year criminal behaviour order, including that he must not directly or indirectly post videos on to social media without the documented consent of the people featured in the content, must not trespass into private property and must not attend the Westfield Centre in Stratford, east London. She also ordered OGarro to pay a fine of 200, as well as a victim surcharge of 80 and costs of 85 totalling 365. A Met Police spokesman said: A teenager has been charged with breaching a criminal behaviour order following an investigation into social media footage posted online. Bacari-Bronze OGarro, 18, of Manor Road, Hackney, was charged on Friday May 26 with three counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order. He will appear in custody at Thames Magistrates Court on the morning of Saturday May 27. Ulrika Jonsson has claimed the late disgraced Australian entertainer Rolf Harris groped her early on in her career when he appeared as a guest on a show she was working on. Harris, who died on May 10 aged 93, was a family favourite for decades before being convicted of a string of indecent assaults in June 2014. In her column for The Sun newspaper on Saturday, Jonsson, 55, said the incident allegedly occurred on a day when Harris was the showbiz guest on the former ITV breakfast programme TV-am where she worked as a weather presenter at the time. Rolf Harris (Gareth Fuller/PA) She wrote: The studios were laid out such that it was impossible not to bump into guests during the live show. I felt quite enamoured to be introduced to him. This was Rolf Harris, for goodness sake. I reached out my hand and he chose instead to embrace me. I remember thinking that was either really flattering or a bit forward. Either way, it was confusing. Then his hand travelled down to my bum, gave it a few squeezes and stayed there for what felt like years but was probably only 30 seconds. But it was long enough for my 21-year-old self to feel deeply uncomfortable, and speechless. I know I wont have been the only one who fell victim to his hands. The TV presenter added that people didnt pipe up or call anyone out at this time around 35 years ago, especially if they were of a celebrity status. We may have come a long way in making that kind of behaviour unacceptable but we still have miles to travel, she noted. Following Harris death, presenter Vanessa Feltz also said she felt Harris knew she couldnt do anything about him allegedly groping her live during a segment when she was presenting Channel 4s morning talk show The Big Breakfast which previously aired from 1992 to 2002. Recalling the incident on This Morning on Wednesday, Feltz said she could hear her dress being scrunched up by Harris while she was the on-the-bed interviewer. She added: For all I knew I was the only person that had ever happened to, I didnt know Nobody had ever said a bad word about him in front of me. Feltz said police went to her house in 2013 to ask about footage from the incident. Vanessa Feltz (Ian West/PA) Harris was the second person convicted under the high-profile sex crime investigation Operation Yewtree, set up in the wake of abuse claims made against late DJ and entertainer Jimmy Savile. Harris was jailed for five years and nine months after being convicted of 12 assaults which took place between 1968 and 1986. Mr Justice Sweeney told him: Your reputation lies in ruins. You have been stripped of your honours and you have no-one to blame but yourself. In May 2017, Harris was formally cleared of four unconnected historical sex offences, which he had denied. Later the same year, one of the 12 indecent assault convictions was overturned by the Court of Appeal. On May 19 2017, Harris was released on licence, less than three years after his sentence began. His death certificate, filed at Maidenhead Town Hall and seen by the PA news agency, lists the causes of death as neck cancer and frailty of old age. Harris died at his home in Bray, Berkshire. When I read that several books have been banned from the Bob Graham Educational Center in Miami Lakes, including the poem The Hill We Climb, the poem by Amanda Gorman that the young poetess read at President Joe Bidens inauguration, I thought: Now, somebody is really tripping. It was bad enough that the story of Ruby Bridges had been placed on the banned books list, now this. I took comfort in knowing that our very own Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, immediately extended an invitation to Gorman to come to Miami for a public reading of her poem. The mayors gesture of good will reminded me of Eleanor Roosevelt. It was in 1939, when the famed opera singer Marian Anderson was not allowed to appear in concert at Constitution Hall, a venue owned by the all-white organization, The Daughters of the American Revolution, because she was Black. READ MORE: Poet speaks up after Miami-Dade school bars elementary students from reading her poem Eleanor Roosevelt, who had met Anderson in 1935, when she sang at the White House, was appalled. That this great American talent, who was revered throughout the world, would be the victim of such hate and racism right here in her own country was beside the then First Lady. Like our mayor, Eleanor Roosevelt had a plan. She invited the singer to do a concert in at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial on April 9, 1939. That day, Anderson sang before an audience of 75,00 people! I dont know how many will attend a reading by Gorman if she decides to accept the mayors invitation. I suspect thousands. And I would like to be in the number. When Gorman learned that her poem had been banned from the elementary section of the school, she said, I was gutted. Because of one persons complaint, my inaugural poem, The Hill We Climb has been banned from an elementary school in Miami-Dade, Florida Gorman said she wrote the poem so that all young people could see themselves in a historical moment. She said since reading the poem at the presidents inauguration she has received countless letters and videos from children inspired by the poem to write their own poems... Robbing children of their chance to find their own voices in literature is a violation of their right to free thought and free speech Together, this is a hill we wont just climb, but a hill we will conquer, she said. As I thought about the banning of Gormans poem and of other books so significant to the historical education of our children, I thought about how much alike the banning of Marian Anderson from Constitutional Hall 84 years ago, and the reaction of Eleanor Roosevelt, is like the recent Gorman incident and Mayor Levine Cavas invitation. It seems that history really is repeating itself. Right before our eyes. READ MORE: A Miami-Dade school flagged her poem. The countys mayor invited her to read it To me, banning books especially those that tell the stories of the treatment of Blacks in America down through the ages, is like building a slow and deliberate killing field. Kill our history and you kill us. As I think back over the paths, we as Blacks have trod; the blood-stained, tear-smeared road we have traveled to get to this point in our history, I dare say: We wont go quietly. We never have. We never will. We will continue to fight the good fight. We have been through worse times than now. And we survived. With the help of the Lord, we will continue to survive. So, to you, Gov. DeSantis, and to all who think that by banning a few books, you have buried our history, I say this: You dont know us. You never have. You have created myths about us and tried to make us live up to those myths. But they are only myths. Not us. You dont know our resilience, how we were born to persevere. How do you think we made it this far? By faith, we learned how to climb over mountains and maneuver our way through mind fields set by you, to trap us. But those things only serve to delay us, because we just keep on, keeping on. Its in our DNA. Nope! We wont go quietly into the night and be a forgotten people. We wont hover about in some dark corner of the world, afraid to lift our voices and be heard. We will keep on writing and telling our stories. So, ban our books if you will. And we will write their pages on our hearts and minds. We will whisper them into the ears of our young and help them to memorize our stories. We will survive. Yes, we will. Its what we do. READ MORE: Fabiola Santiago: Miami censors Amanda Gormans luminous poem. Will they ban Jose Marti, too? | Opinion Miami native appointed to senior role at Office of Head Start I am happy to announce the recent appointment by the Biden/Harris administration of Khari M. Garvin, M.Ed., as director of the Office of Head Start at the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Garvin, a Miami native, is the son of medical doctor Thom Garvin, was just an adolescence, when he became interested in childrens education and development, said his mom June Garvin. Khari M. Garvin, M.Ed. His interest never waned and after graduating from American High School, he entered Emory University, where he earned a bachelors degree in psychology. He later earned a masters degree in education from Southern Illinois University. In 1999, Garvin started his Head Start career when he became a Head Start Fellow. Garvin also served as the executive director of Head Start Programs for Save the Children Federation. Garvin, who at the time of his appointment lived in Greensboro, also has served as CEO and president of the United Way of Greensboro, where he has developed and implemented the organizations 2030 strategy to end local poverty. Garvin and his wife Leslie, have re-located to Washington, D. C. Reach Bea Hines at bea.hines@gmail.com CANNES, France (AP) Molly Manning Walker was still bleary-eyed from six months in the editing suite rushing to finish her first feature film when she arrived at the Cannes Film Festival. Its nice to have a deadline," Walker, 29, said while sipping an espresso. I work best with chaos. Six weeks earlier, Walker had just gotten off the Tube in London when her producer, a normally calm person, called her shouting: Where have you been? We got into Cannes!" The news set off perhaps the most surreal six weeks of Walker's life. A headlong sprint to finish the film began and didn't stop until 48 hours before Walker stepped into Cannes with her feature debut, How to Have Sex." It premiered in the festival's Un Certain Regard section and won its top honor on Friday. Preparing for Cannes is rarely a relaxed process for even the most veteran filmmakers. More editing, sound mixing or other last-minute tweaks are often needed. Sales meetings need to be lined up. A battalion of international journalists needs prepping for. And then there's the looming pressure of one of the world's most famous red carpets. Every exec was like: But what are you wearing?" says Walker, chuckling. Im finishing the film! The whirlwind can be both discombobulating and thrilling for newcomers. As much as stars dominate the red carpet and renown auteurs parade through the Palais, Cannes has, year after year, been arguably the biggest stage for new directing talents to emerge. Nearly 50 years ago, it was Martin Scorsese. Last year, Charlotte Wells ("Aftersun") debuted as a major new voice. This year, Walker is among the most promising new filmmakers in Cannes. How to Have Sex" is a vivid, assured drama about 16-year-old Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce, also a revelation) who travels with her best friends (Lara Peake, Enva Lewis) from England to Crete for a spring break-style vacation. Tara, like many male protagonists before her, wants to lose her virginity. But while How to Have Sex details the hard-partying, EDM-thumping hedonism of teenagers on a European holiday, it approaches young sex far more honestly and disquietingly than any similar coming-of-age film. Little is black and white in Tara's experiences, which are boozy, bewildering, isolating and devastating. For Walker, it's a profoundly personal story that partly draws from her own experiences, about which she's courageously frank. I was assaulted when I was 16 while I was out drinking in London, she says. Part of why I made it was to talk about that and talk about how it doesnt get talked about. It can suck the air out of a room but it shouldnt. If so many people have experienced it, we should be talking about it openly." Walker grew up in London and first fell into filmmaking by documenting her older brother's punk band. Her parents both wanted to be filmmakers and are still at it. Watching their movies not get made, she says, gave her her hustle. It's my whole life, Walker says of filmmaking. As a teenager, she went on trips like the one in How to Have Sex," to Majorca and Ibiza. While Walker remembers them fondly ("I've got some amazing pictures"), she began to question some of the things she saw. After her short Good Thanks, You? made it into Cannes' Critics Week during the virtual 2020 edition of the festival, she wrote a 50-page script, leaving lots of room for improvisation. Walker made authenticity a priority. Before filming, she held workshops around the U.K. with 16-year-old girls and slightly older guys to ask them about sex and their interpretations of what she had written. Everything from what music are you into, what films are you watching to whats your concept of consent? Walker says. We'd say, 'Heres a scene from the film. How does that read to you?' And none of them recognized it as assault. After spending months raising money, Walker shot How to Have Sex in Greece. Some of the most challenging days were immediate. Day two required hundreds of extras. Walker was throwing up on set. Day three, I decided either Im going to make myself ill and be really anxious throughout the entire shoot, or I have to enjoy this process," she says. And I just managed to flip a switch in my head. I honestly had the best time of my life, Walker continues. I dont know if thats a combination of factors. Youre on a Greek island, with a really young crew, in a party town. I dont know if its that or whether its your first film. But I would do it again in a heartbeat. Cannes, in the South of France, is its own glamorous summer vacation destination, of course. How to Have Sex brought a group of 30 actors, crew members and producers who descended eager to party together again. Still, Walker had plenty of obligations to attend to. A day of interviews. Meetings with sales agents. A test screening at 1 a.m. the night before her premiere at the Debussy Theatre. Walker was worried about her just-completed sound mix, wondering what could possibly be done to change anything in the middle of the night. I was like 'What if its not good? What if somethings wrong? Walker says, laughing. My mom was like, Dont worry, its not your problem. I was like, 'I think it is my problem.' But she was resolved, like in Greece, to enjoy the moment. It might not come around again, she shrugged. The big day came on Friday: the premiere, a photo call, walking the red carpet. Inside the Debussy when the end credits rolled, there was warm applause but not the response Walker had hoped for. I thought: Oh, they like it but they dont love it,'" said Walker later that night. Then the lights came up and everyone stood up. For eight minutes the standing ovation continued. Festival director Thierry Fremaux turned to the gob-smacked Walker. Look, he said, gesturing at the crowd. You did this. Walker had given herself the rule of not reading reviews until the next day. She didn't need to worry, though; they were raves. Variety called it a fresh, head-turning debut. Before hitting the dance floor that night at a beachside party for the film, Walker took a moment to reflect on what she had been through. The whole thing is really bizarre, to be honest, especially when youve been editing in a dark room for six months and then suddenly youre thrown into this very strange world, she said. It kind of feels like Ive been at 12 weddings in a row." At no point, though, had Walker seemed even slightly overwhelmed by the experience. She seemed fully ready and entirely present. Seeing women connect with the film, she said, had been gratifying. But the moment she felt the most emotional wasn't in the celebration after. It was just before her movie played. I just felt like getting to that point was the real thing. ___ This story first moved May 23, 2023. It was updated on May 26, 2023, to reflect that Walkers film won the Un Certain Regard sections top prize. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP Never underestimate the determination of a Swiftie. Devoted fans of Taylor Swift who weren't able to get tickets to her Eras Tour have resorted to tailgating outside the New Jersey stadium where Swift is performing this week. The MetLife stadium where Swift is playing, along with state authorities, have already gotten involved. On Friday, MetLife released in a statement on social media stating fans will be barred from entering the stadium parking lot if they do not have a ticket to the concert. New Jersey State Police echoed the sentiment on social media. "Sorry Swifties No Ticket, No Taylor-Gating," read their Instagram post. "Only patrons with concert tickets for the day of the event will be granted access to the parking lots. Tickets will not be sold at the stadium." With ticket prices in the thousands and presales selling out quickly, fans are finding workarounds to see (or hear) Swift anyway. Many are choosing to park at the nearby American Dream mall or catch a train before walking over to MetLife. Longtime Swiftie Allison Ekeman and her 10-year-old daughter Kayleigh originally intended to sit in the MetLife stadiums parking lot, but will now walk over from the mall. They will enjoy the Saturday show outside the stadium walls with a blanket to lay on while singing Swifts top hits. Im not willing to spend over a $1,000 on tickets, but I can stand outside for free, Ekeman said. Ekeman said other fans will likely be doing the same, as she saw on TikTok and other social media platforms including last weekends Philadelphia show. Andover Township native Stephanie Poli-Zilinski got the same idea after presales sold out and ticket prices went up in the thousands. Since listening to Swifts debut single Tim McGraw, Poli-Zilinski has been a devoted Swiftie and eventually brought her daughter Ainsley into the Taylor community as well. They plan to park at American Dream early from the comfort of their minivan. MetLife experienced a sampling of the Taylor Swift mania to come this weekend with the merchandise store opening on May. 25. Fans started camping in line around 10 p.m. the night before and waited for hours doors to open at 10 a.m. Contributing: Darren Cooper, NorthJersey.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Swifties blocked from parking outside Eras tour: 'No Taylor-gating' A 16-year-old Texas boy was shot several times in his upper body Thursday night in north Wichita, police spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said Friday. EMS took the teen to the hospital with critical but non-life-threatening injuries. Police were called to the shooting around 9:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of North Market and found the wounded teen. Rebolledo wouldnt give any other details about the case. Police are asking for anyone with information about the shooting to call detectives at 316-268-4407. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an agreement in principle to raise the nation's legal debt ceiling late Saturday as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and avert a potentially disastrous U.S. default. However, the agreement risks angering both Democratic and Republican sides with the concessions made to reach it. Negotiators agreed to some Republican demands for increased work requirements for recipients of food stamps that had sparked an uproar from House Democrats as a nonstarter. Support from both parties will be needed to win congressional approval next week before a June 5 deadline. The Democratic president and Republican speaker reached the agreement after the two spoke earlier Saturday evening by phone, said McCarthy. The country and the world have been watching and waiting for a resolution to a political standoff that threatened the U.S. and global economies. The agreement represents a compromise, which means not everyone gets what they want, Biden said in a statement late Saturday night. Thats the responsibility of governing, he said. Biden called the agreement good news for the American people, because it prevents what could have been a catastrophic default and would have led to an economic recession, retirement accounts devastated, and millions of jobs lost. McCarthy in brief remarks at the Capitol, said that "we still have a lot of work to do. But the Republican speaker said: I believe this is an agreement in principle thats worthy of the American people. With the outlines of a deal in place, the legislative package could be drafted and shared with lawmakers in time for votes early next week in the House and later in the Senate. Central to the package is a two-year budget deal that would hold spending flat for 2024 and impose limits for 2025 in exchange for raising the debt limit for two years, pushing the volatile political issue past the next presidential election. The agreement would limit food stamp eligibility for able-bodied adults up to age 54, but Biden was able to secure waivers for veterans and the homeless. The two sides had also reached for an ambitious overhaul of federal permitting to ease development of energy projects and transmission lines. Instead, the agreement puts in place changes in the the National Environmental Policy Act that will designate a single lead agency to develop economic reviews, in hopes of streamlining the process. The deal came together after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress that the United States could default on its debt obligations by June 5 four days later than previously estimated if lawmakers did not act in time to raise the federal debt ceiling. The extended X-date gave the two sides a bit of extra time as they scrambled for a deal. Biden also spoke earlier in the day with Democratic leaders in Congress to discuss the status of the talks. The Republican House speaker had gathered top allies behind closed doors at the Capitol as negotiators pushed for a deal that would avoid a first-ever government default while also making spending cuts that House Republicans are demanding. But as another day dragged on with financial disaster looming closer, it had appeared some of the problems over policy issues that dogged talks all week remained unresolved. Both sides have suggested one of the main holdups was a GOP effort to expand work requirements for recipients of food stamps and other federal aid programs, a longtime Republican goal that Democrats have strenuously opposed. The White House said the Republican proposals were cruel and senseless. Biden has said the work requirements for Medicaid would be a nonstarter. He seemed potentially open to negotiating minor changes on food stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, despite objections from rank-and-file Democrats. McCarthy, who dashed out before the lunch hour Saturday and arrived back at the Capitol with a big box of takeout, declined to elaborate on those discussions. One of his negotiators, Louisiana Rep. Garret Graves, said there was not a chance that Republicans might relent on the work requirements issue. Americans and the world were uneasily watching the negotiating brinkmanship that could throw the U.S. economy into chaos and sap world confidence in the nations leadership. Anxious retirees and others were already making contingency plans for missed checks, with the next Social Security payments due next week. Yellen said failure to act by the new date would cause severe hardship to American families, harm our global leadership position and raise questions about our ability to defend our national security interests. The president, spending part of the weekend at Camp David, continued to talk with his negotiating team multiple times a day, signing off on offers and counteroffers. Any deal would need to be a political compromise in a divided Congress. Many of the hard-right Trump-aligned Republicans in Congress have long been skeptical of the Treasurys projections, and they are pressing McCarthy to hold out. Lawmakers are not expected to return to work from the Memorial Day weekend before Tuesday, at the earliest, and McCarthy has promised lawmakers he will abide by the rule to post any bill for 72 hours before voting. The Democratic-held Senate has largely stayed out of the negotiations, leaving the talks to Biden and McCarthy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has pledged to move quickly to send a compromise package to Bidens desk. Weeks of talks have failed to produce a deal in part because the Biden administration resisted for months on negotiating with McCarthy, arguing that the countrys full faith and credit should not be used as leverage to extract other partisan priorities. But House Republicans united behind a plan to cut spending, narrowly passing legislation in late April that would raise the debt ceiling in exchange for the spending reductions. ___ Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Stephen Groves, Fatima Hussein, Farnoush Amiri, Seung Min Kim and videojournalist Rick Gentilo contributed to this report. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power headquarters. (Richard Vogel / Associated Press) A top executive at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has been placed on administrative leave while the utility looks into his involvement in the bitcoin mining industry and whether he complied with ethics rules that require employees to obtain permission for outside work. John Chen, who earns $320,688 as director of the DWPs corporate performance office, owns a company that began doing bitcoin mining in Colorado in 2018, court and business records show. Chen, a 30-year veteran of the DWP, also registered as the manager of a mining data center company in North Dakota in 2018, business records show. Chen was placed on leave last month after The Times asked the DWP about Chen's ventures, according to a source at the utility. A DWP spokesperson declined to comment on Chen's administrative leave. Cynthia McClain-Hill, president of the DWP board of commissioners, called the issue of Chen's outside ventures a "concern." "I would expect that employees at DWP and in particularly employees at his level, would be giving their full-time attention to the city and the citys business," McClain-Hill said. Chen, in an interview with The Times, likened the bitcoin businesses to owning real estate or stock and said he didn't need the utility's permission to work on it. Its an investment, he said. Im not running it. Theres outside staff that are running it." Chens lawyer, Michael Faber, said Chen is exploring all of his options, including the possibility of litigation against the DWP. Bob Stern, who helped draft the city's ethics and public campaign finance laws, said that Chens bitcoin work is a problem only if he's not able to perform his DWP job. Is he giving L.A. what hes earning? Is he performing 40 hours a week?" Stern said. Court documents, business records, and news stories about Chen's holdings provide some details about the operation. A company owned by Chen paid $13 million to purchase a former Intel Corp. plant in Colorado Springs in 2018. A different company owned by Chen spent $6.5 million to upgrade the property and increase its electrical capacity, according to documents filed in federal bankruptcy court in Colorado. (In December 2020, one of Chen's companies filed for bankruptcy. The case was dismissed several months later.) Chen confirmed that he partnered with Chinese and Singaporean companies on the Colorado venture. Chen also secured an economic development deal with Colorado Springs Utilities, a publicly owned electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services utility, in 2018, to get a reduced rate for electricity. Chen said he chose to invest in Colorado Springs because he was able to get a one-of-a-kind building. He secured a very low rate in Colorado Springs for electricity, he said. In 2018, the general manager of energy supplies at Colorado Springs Utilities was Aram Benyamin. Benyamin and Chen worked together at the DWP before Benyamin was hired by Colorado Springs Utilities in 2015. Benyamin rejoined the DWP last year as its chief operating officer, the No. 2 position at the utility. Benyamin, in an interview, said he had no involvement with Chen's company securing an economic development contract in 2018. Chen said he regularly flew to Colorado, but said that he traveled on my own time. Two employees who worked for Chen's company in Colorado Springs told The Times that Chen visited the site sometimes up to twice a month. Chen made no secret of his business in Colorado Springs. When neighbors there complained about the loud noise from computer cooling fans at the bitcoin mining operation, he gave an interview to the Colorado Springs Independent, promising to plant pine trees to muffle the sound. North Dakota news outlets also covered a massive 2019 fire that burned down a Grand Forks, N.D., warehouse. The warehouse was operated by one of Chen's companies, according to a Grand Forks Fire Department report that was reviewed by The Times. The report estimated that the building had $6 million worth of bitcoin mining equipment inside. Chen joined the DWP in 1990. As director of DWPs corporate performance, he is responsible for ensuring that the utility is transparent and accountable in its work. Times researcher David Shen contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A jury has indicted a Houston-area man for murder in the fatal shooting of Migos rapper Takeoff. (Rebecca Sapp / Getty Images for the Recording Academy) A grand jury in Harris County, Texas, indicted a man suspected of killing rapper Takeoff on a murder charge on Thursday. Patrick Xavier Clark is accused of shooting and killing the Migos member, whose real name was Kirshnik Khari Ball, on Nov. 1 outside a Houston bowling alley, the grand jury said, according to court documents reviewed by The Times. Clark, a 33-year-old DJ and nightclub promoter, was arrested by Houston police in December and has been out on a $1-million bond, court records said. He is under house arrest awaiting his next hearing, set for August. Letitia Quinones-Hollins, one of Clarks attorneys, told The Times that the indictment was not unexpected and added that the action "requires meeting a very, very minimal standard of proof." When we get inside a courtroom and in front of a jury, where we will be able to put on our evidence and cross-examine the states witnesses ... we expect the jury will come back with a verdict of not guilty, Quinones-Hollins said Thursday in a statement. Homicide detectives with the Houston Police Department previously said that video surveillance, cellphone video and audio, physical and ballistic evidence and shooting reconstruction led to Clarks arrest. Takeoff was "an innocent bystander" who was "in the wrong place at the wrong time," police said. The Atlanta rapper had been in a crowd, leaving a private party at the bowling alley, when he was shot in the head and torso. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 28. The gunshots came after a "lucrative dice game" at the event spilled outside, where an argument took place, according to investigators. Takeoff was involved in neither the dice game nor the argument outside and was not armed. Takeoff was one of three members of the Atlanta-based hip-hop Migos, along with his uncle Quavo, 32, and friend Offset, 31. The Grammy-nominated group is known for hits such as Walk It Talk It, Stir Fry and Bad and Boujee. A month before Takeoff died, he and Quavo released an album, "Only Built for Infinity Links," under the name Unc & Phew short for uncle and nephew. His death reverberated around the hip-hop world, with tributes from fellow artists pouring in for the rapper. Quavo gave a tribute performance of a song written for his late nephew, "Without You," at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Amid news of the indictment, Cardi B, who is married to Offset, shared her own message about Takeoff on Thursday. "What a angel god blessed this earth with," the "I Like It" performer wrote on her Instagram story. "Protect your brothers and your family. I know you see the tears. I know you see them looking at the sky askin why what a beautiful soul to take." Times staff writers Nardine Saad and Kenan Draughorne contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Vice President Harris told graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point that they are entering an increasingly unsettled world in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and with continued threats around the world. Harris said in her commencement address to the West Point graduates that the world has changed significantly since they began as students at the academy. She noted that the pandemic caused the deaths of millions and upended life for many more, the U.S. ended its longest war in Afghanistan and Russia launched the first major European ground war since World War II with its invasion of Ukraine. Looking forward to the future, it is clear you graduate into an increasingly unsettled world where longstanding principles are at risk, Harris said. She said Russias invasion of Ukraine is an attack on the lives and freedom of the Ukrainian people and on international rules that have served as the foundation of international security and prosperity for decades. She also mentioned that China has been modernizing its military while it threatens freedom of the waters in the Indo-Pacific region and violates rules of international commerce. China has increasingly stepped up its threats and military operations in the South China Sea and near Taiwan, which is a self-governing democratic island that China claims as part of its own. The U.S. has also accused China of violating international trade practices. Harris said autocracies have also become bolder, terrorism remains a threat and climate change is affecting more peoples lives, which she said is all a threat to global stability and security. In the face of all these challenges, America plays a singular role of leadership, she said. She said global prosperity depends on U.S. leadership, and U.S. strength is indispensable to the world, inspiring other countries with its democracy and driving growth in the global economy. She added that the U.S. military is the strongest in the world and maintains global and U.S. security. And it is this pillar of our strength where you, cadets, have dedicated yourself to lead, Harris said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP) The director of a southern Indiana funeral home where 31 decomposing bodies and the cremains of 17 others were found pleaded guilty Friday to more than 40 counts of felony theft. Randy Lankford, owner of Lankford Funeral Home and Family Center in Jeffersonville, faces a proposed sentence of 12 years: four years in prison and eight years of home incarceration, Clark County Circuit Court Judge N. Lisa Glickfield said. Lankford was charged with theft for failing to complete the funeral services he was paid for, and must also pay restitution to 53 families totaling $46,000. Lankford was released to home incarceration following the hearing. A formal sentencing hearing is planned for June 23. Jeffersonville Police began investigating the funeral home early last July after the county coroners office reported a strong odor emanating from the building. The unrefrigerated bodies were found in various states of decomposition, and some had been at the funeral home since March. Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull said the many charges against Lankford and existing court backups from the COVID-19 pandemic complicated the process. He said he felt the states move to eliminate about half of the counts will grant the most immediate form of relief. We wanted to get justice for these families, he said. Derrick Kessinger attended Friday's court hearing. He said he trusted Lankford while the remains of three loved ones sat inside the funeral home. Its been tough, but I do forgive him for what he did, Kessinger said. I hope he can find forgiveness. Kessinger eventually received the cremains. PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) Serbian troops on the border with Kosovo were put on high alert Friday following clashes between ethnic Serbs and Kosovo police that left more than a dozen injured on both sides. Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, who are a majority in that part of the country, had tried to block recently-elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings earlier Friday. The April 23 snap election was largely boycotted by ethnic Serbs and only ethnic Albanian or other smaller minority representatives were elected in the mayoral posts and assemblies. Kosovo police fired tear gas and several cars were set ablaze. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and let the new officials into the offices. Kosovo Serb hospital officials said about 10 protesters were injured. Police said five officers were injured by stun grenades and other objects thrown by protesters. A police car was burned. In response to the clashes, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he put the army on the highest state of alert and ordered an urgent movement of troops closer to the border. He also demanded that NATO-led troops stationed in Kosovo protect ethnic Serbs from the Kosovo police. The United States condemned Kosovo's government for using police to forcibly enter the municipal buildings. These actions have sharply and unnecessarily escalated tensions, undermining our efforts to help normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia and will have consequences for our bilateral relations with Kosovo, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday. Vucic spoke at a rally Friday evening in Belgrade as tens of thousands of people turned out to support the government in the wake of two mass shootings earlier this month that killed 18 people and wounded 20 others, stunning the nation. We will preserve peace but I am telling you that Serbia wont sit idle the moment Serbs in northern Kosovo are attacked, he told the crowd. Vucic has previously warned that Belgrade would respond to violence against Serbs, and has stepped up combat readiness several times during moments of tension with Kosovo. However, any attempt by Serbia to send its troops over the border would mean a clash with NATO troops stationed there. Zdravko Ponos, a former Serbian army chief turned opposition politician, criticized Vucic's response as inappropriate. This is only saber-rattling that serves as face-saving for Vucic, Ponos told the N1 regional television network. Kosovo police acknowledged their increased presence in the north to assist mayors of the northern communes of Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok to exert their right of work." New mayors in three northern communities were prevented from entering municipal buildings, with small groups of Serbs raising their hands at the entrances, apparently to show they were not there to take part in violence, according to Albanian news outlet indexonline.net, which also published photos. In Zvecan, the news website Kosovo-online.com showed clashes with police in front of the municipal building, while in Leposavic the main square was blocked with cars and trucks. Earlier, Serbs switched on loud sirens in the four communities, including in the main northern town of Mitrovica, police said, describing the sirens as a call to gather and a warning that security forces are in the area. Local elections were held in four Serb-dominated communes in northern Kosovo after Serb representatives left their posts last year. They had resigned in protest over the refusal by Kosovo authorities to allow the establishment of their association to coordinate work on education, health care, land planning and economic development at the local level. A 2013 Pristina-Belgrade agreement on that plan to form the Serb association was later declared unconstitutional by Kosovos Constitutional Court, which ruled that it wasnt inclusive of other ethnicities and could entail the use of executive powers to impose laws. The two sides have tentatively agreed to back a EU plan on how to proceed, but tensions still simmer. The U.S. and the EU have stepped up efforts to help solve the Kosovo-Serbia dispute, fearing further instability in Europe as war rages in Ukraine. The EU has made it clear to both Serbia and Kosovo they must normalize relations to advance in their intentions to join the bloc. The conflict in Kosovo erupted in 1998 when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died. NATOs military intervention in 1999 eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory. Washington and most EU countries have recognized Kosovo as an independent state, but Serbia, Russia and China have not. ___ Semini reported from Tirana, Albania. Associated Press writers Dusan Stojanovic and Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed to this report. Local, state federal law enforcement on Friday announced the arrest of 34 people and the seizures of 64 guns in an operation that targeted prison and street gangs in Fresno County. At least 13 of those arrested face federal charges, including several people who are facing conspiracy to commit murder in furtherance of a gang in Parlier and Reedley, prosecutors said. The charges also include a slew of drug and guns crimes, a court filing shows, in what was a 100-day effort dubbed Operation Broken Bonds. All 34 arrested remained in custody on Friday, investigators said. The other 21 yet to be charged could face local or state charges and were expected to be charged by Tuesday, according to Fresno County Senior Deputy District Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes. (Law enforcement) have been pulling together for two missions: Get justice for families that lost their loved ones, and stop the violence caused by this vicious street gang, he said Friday. He said prosecutors charged Francisco Munoz Jr., 26, with a special circumstances murder for the alleged killing of 52-year-old Silvano Medoza, who was in front of a home on Ninth Street in Parlier around 4:45 a.m. on June 13, 2021, when he and another man were shot. Investigators said Mendoza was a farm laborer on his way to work and was a victim of mistaken identity. Veneman-Hughes said at least 16 face charges other than homicide, like carjacking, witness intimidation and burglary. Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said investigators were able to determine that some of the gang members intended to kill rivals, but deputies were able to intercept them before the act. We believe by getting those guns off the street and taking those individuals into custody, we did prevent violent crimes from happening, he said. Investigators said they believe some of those taken in were responsible for other violence in Parlier though they were not ready to name specific suspects on Friday. One of those unsolved murders was the killing of 15-year-old Anthony Garcia, who was shot when someone fired into his Parlier home at King Street and Orit Avenue on June 30. Zanoni said detectives believe that case to also be a mistaken identity. California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a statement applauded the work done by law enforcement across several jurisdictions. This operation sends a strong message that criminal activity targeting our communities and threatening public servants protecting Californians will not be tolerated, Bonta said. I want to thank the work of our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for their collaboration in making Fresno County a safer place. Protecting public safety is our highest priority and we wont rest until the job is done. Federal U.S. Attorney Kirk Sherriff said his agency has been investigating the Nuestra Familia prison gang and Norteno street gang in Parlier since 2021. Fresno County law enforcement Friday, May 26, 2023, showed off the guns seized during Operation Broken Bonds. Irmo Mayor Barry Walker and neighboring fire departments, law enforcement agencies and others across the Midlands and South Carolina expressed sympathy and support for the family, friends and colleagues of Irmo firefighter James Michael Muller, who was killed Friday while fighting an apartment fire in Columbia. Firefighter J. Michael Muller exemplified the spirit of selflessness and bravery that defines our firefighting community. He fearlessly put himself in harms way to protect the lives and property of others, demonstrating unwavering dedication to his duty as a firefighter, Walker said in a statement. We are forever indebted to him for his service and sacrifice. Walker said he ordered flags at all Irmo facilities to be lowered to half-mast to honor Muller, and a memorial service is being planned. His legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those he touched, and his service will be remembered as an inspiration to us all, Walker said in a statement. May his soul find eternal peace. The Columbia-Richland Fire Department was also among those that shared condolences. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our partners at Irmo Fire District and our many dedicated firefigthers following this tragic day, the department wrote on Twitter. The University of South Carolina Police Department called the tragedy a great loss for the entire community. Our hearts are breaking for @IrmoFire during this tragic time. Firefighter James Michael Mullers ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. A great loss for the entire community. Our hearts are breaking for @IrmoFire during this tragic time. Firefighter James Michael Mullers ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. https://t.co/6j3a8L9ag7 USC Police (@USCPD) May 27, 2023 Here are other comments posted to social media about Mullers passing. SCSFA President Josh Holzheimer, Executive Committee + staff offer our condolences to the family of James Muller & the @IrmoFire after Muller died from injuries sustained during an apartment fire this afternoon. We ask that you keep Muller's family + Irmo Fire in your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/ln3WS4cA5F SC State Firefighters' Association (@scfirefighters) May 27, 2023 Sending a multitude of thoughts & prayers to @IrmoFire for your tremendous loss of Fireman Muller. We sympathize with the tragedy & are here for support. To his family & friends - we mourn with you. https://t.co/ynX5imCYcA Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) May 27, 2023 Richland County Administration is deeply saddened to hear about the loss of an @IrmoFire District firefighter, the injured @ColaFire firefighters & those displaced by the incident which occurred earlier today. Our thoughts & prayers are with those impacted by this tragedy. RichlandSC (@RichlandSC) May 27, 2023 Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of James Michael Muller, a firefighter with @IrmoFire, who lost his life while fighting an apartment fire yesterday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/h3dfxoKRc3 Lexington Police(SC) (@LexingtonPD) May 27, 2023 Texas troopers watch over the impeachment proceedings against state Attorney General Ken Paxton in the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Saturday, May 27, 2023. Texas lawmakers have issued 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton, ranging from bribery to abuse of public trust as state Republicans surged toward a swift and sudden vote that could remove him from office. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas GOP-led House of Representatives impeached state Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday on articles including bribery and abuse of public trust, a sudden, historic rebuke of a fellow Republican who rose to be a star of the conservative legal movement despite years of scandal and alleged crimes. The vote triggers Paxtons immediate suspension from office pending the outcome of a trial in the state Senate and empowers Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to appoint someone else as Texas top lawyer in the interim. The 121-23 vote constitutes an abrupt downfall for one of the GOPs most prominent legal combatants, who in 2020 asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn President Joe Bidens electoral defeat of Donald Trump. It makes Paxton only the third sitting official in Texas nearly 200-year history to have been impeached. Moments after the vote, Paxtons office said the impeachment was based on totally false claims and pointed to internal reports that found no wrongdoing. House investigators said the attorney generals own probe into Paxtons actions includes false and disproven claims. No one person should be above the law, least not the top law enforcement officer of the state of Texas, Rep. David Spiller, a Republican member of the committee that investigated Paxton, said in opening statements. Rep. Ann Johnson, a Democratic member, told lawmakers that Texas top cop is on the take. Rep. Charlie Geren, a Republican committee member, said without elaborating that Paxton had called lawmakers and threatened them with political consequences. As the articles of impeachment were laid out, some of the lawmakers shook their heads. Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations that he used his office to help a donor and was separately indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015, though he has yet to stand trial. Until this week, his fellow Republicans had taken a muted stance on the allegations. Lawmakers allied with Paxton tried to discredit the investigation by noting that hired investigators, not panel members, interviewed witnesses. They also said several of the investigators had voted in Democratic primaries, tainting the impeachment, and that they had too little time to review evidence. I perceive it could be political weaponization, said Rep. Tony Tinderholt, one of the Houses most conservative members. Republican Rep. John Smithee compared the proceeding to "a Saturday mob out for an afternoon lynching. Paxton is automatically suspended from office pending a Senate trial, and it falls to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to appoint an interim replacement. Final removal would require a two-thirds vote in the Senate, where Paxtons wifes, Angela, is a member. Texas' top elected Republicans had been notably quiet about Paxton this week. But on Saturday both Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz came to his defense, with the senator calling the impeachment process a travesty and saying the attorney generals legal troubles should be left to the courts. Free Ken Paxton, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, warning that if House Republicans proceeded with the process, I will fight you. Abbott, who lauded Paxton while swearing him in for a third term in January, has remained silent. The governor spoke at a Memorial Day service in the House chamber about three hours before the impeachment proceedings began. Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan also attended but the two appeared to exchange few words, and Abbott left without commenting to reporters. In one sense, Paxtons political peril arrived with dizzying speed: The House committee's investigation came to light Tuesday, and by Thursday lawmakers issued 20 articles of impeachment. But to Paxtons detractors, the rebuke was years overdue. In 2014, he admitted to violating Texas securities law, and a year later he was indicted on securities fraud charges in his hometown near Dallas, accused of defrauding investors in a tech startup. He pleaded not guilty to two felony counts carrying a potential sentence of five to 99 years. He opened a legal defense fund and accepted $100,000 from an executive whose company was under investigation by Paxtons office for Medicaid fraud. An additional $50,000 was donated by an Arizona retiree whose son Paxton later hired to a high-ranking job but was soon fired after displaying child pornography in a meeting. In 2020, Paxton intervened in a Colorado mountain community where a Texas donor and college classmate faced removal from his lakeside home under coronavirus orders. But what ultimately unleased the impeachment push was Paxton's relationship with Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. In 2020, eight top aides told the FBI they were concerned Paxton was misusing his office to help Paul over the developer's unproven claims that an elaborate conspiracy to steal $200 million of his properties was afoot. The FBI searched Pauls home in 2019, but he has not been charged and denies wrongdoing. Paxton also told staff members he had an affair with a woman who, it later emerged, worked for Paul. The impeachment accuses Paxton of attempting to interfere in foreclosure lawsuits and issuing legal opinions to benefit Paul. Its bribery charges allege that Paul employed the woman with whom Paxton had an affair in exchange for legal help and that he paid for expensive renovations to the attorney general's home. A senior lawyer for Paxtons office, Chris Hilton, said Friday that the attorney general paid for all repairs and renovations. Other charges, including lying to investigators, date back to Paxtons still-pending securities fraud indictment. Four of the aides who reported Paxton to the FBI later sued under Texas whistleblower law, and in February he agreed to settle the case for $3.3 million. The House committee said it was Paxton seeking legislative approval for the payout that sparked their probe. But for Paxtons own request for a taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct, Paxton would not be facing impeachment, the panel said. ___ Bleiberg reported from Dallas. TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Danielle Williams gave up a run on six hits with six strikeouts, Angela Zedak hit a solo home run and No. 12 seed Northwestern beat fifth-seeded Alabama 3-1 Friday night in Game 1 of a best-of-three series at the Tuscaloosa Super Regional. Northwestern (42-11), which has won eight games in a row, can secure a trip to the 2023 Women's College World Series, which begins June 1, with a win in Game 2 on Saturday. Zedak hit a two-out solo homer in the top of the second to open the scoring, Nader singled to open the third and later scored on Jordyn Rudd's infield single and Zedak scored on a single by Nader in the fourth to give Northwestern 3-0 lead. Kristen White hit a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fourth for No. 5 seed Alabama but Williams (23-1) allowed just one hit and faced the minimum batters from there. Nader finished 2 for 2 with a walk and a run. Jaala Torrence came on in relief of starter Montana Fouts and pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, a walk, and a hit by pitch with no runs and three strikeouts for Alabama (43-20). ___ More AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 An early wave of warmth washed over the Finger Lakes region in New York State in April, bringing the vines back to life at the area's multiple vineyards weeks ahead of schedule. But when a cold snap hit the area in mid-May, it brought some of the worst frosts the region's winemakers had faced in decades. While the full extent of the frost's impact on this year's crop isn't clear yet, it's likely that yields will be lower than usual this year for some grape varieties across the region. "When you have a week of 80 degrees in April, it really sets the table for disaster," Lakewood Vineyards winemaker Chris Stamp told AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell. Lakewood was one of the area's multiple vineyards to be hit by the frost that struck May 18. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP "High pressure areas over the past couple of weeks originated in Canada, which allowed for very low dew points and temperatures to drop quickly at night, leading to frost and freezes," AccuWeather Meteorologist Scott Homan said. "Normally, this time of year, you start to see dew points rise into the 50s, which keeps temperatures in the 'safe' range for crops." Stamp described the valley as a "thermal reservoir" that generally provides comfortable temperatures for the vines. But temperatures in Watkins Glen, New York, where Lakewood Vineyards is located, dropped from a daily high of 69 degrees Fahrenheit to 24 degrees on May 18, the valley unable to protect against temperatures below freezing. Within six hours, major damage was already done. "With that much time below freezing, the water inside the tissue basically turns to ice, and that's what causes the damage," Hans Walter Peterson, a viticulture specialist from Cornell, told Wadell. It isn't unusual for the weather to throw vineyards curveballs, but winemakers like Stamp still worry about what the future might have in store for them. "You've always got at the back of your head: is this climate change, and is this what's in store for us? These longer warm spells in the spring and then winter comes back to get you one last time?" Stamp said. Chris Stamp, a winemaker at Lakewood Vineyards, tells AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell about the frost damage done to the vineyard. Since 2010, May temperatures in Ithaca, New York, the main weather station in the Finger Lakes region, were below the historical average in 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2019, according to Homan. He observed that low May temperatures don't happen frequently enough to dip below the average most years, but cold nights "are still possible at any given time, even if the month of May was above historical averages." One example he gave was in May 2010, when temperatures were above average by 4.2 degrees but were then between 27 and 36 degrees for five consecutive nights afterward. But for the upcoming week, temperatures will remain mild for the grapevine shoots that survived. "The holiday weekend outlook is for plenty of sunshine and turning warmer each day," Homan said. "Highs on Saturday will be in the middle 70s, Sunday in the lower 80s and Monday in the middle 80s. Warm and dry weather continues into the middle of next week. There will be a thunderstorm chance by Thursday." Reporting by AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. U.S. gun violence survivors struggle with long-term trauma: study Xinhua) 10:07, May 27, 2023 NEW YORK, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A recent study in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine highlights an under-recognized consequence of all the gun violence in the United States: the long-term mental trauma inflicted upon the most immediate survivors, those who are actually injured by guns. By looking at data from 87 adults who had been injured by guns and visited trauma centers in midwestern cities, the researchers found that patients experienced heightened symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. "In particular, these survivors had a markedly worse quality of life than individuals who had not undergone those experiences," said news portal Salon in its report of the study. As the authors wrote in the study, "Patients' health-related quality of life" had been poor at the outset, remained poor six months after the incidents and had remained "well below scores reported in previous studies of both injury populations and the general population." "This study provides a picture of what the mental health experience is for firearm violence survivors early after being injured," Sydney Timmer-Murillo, a Health &Trauma Psychology Fellow at the Medical College of Wisconsin, was quoted by Salon as saying. "Our study provides evidence that firearm violence survivors report higher PTSD symptoms that remain high six months later. Additionally, their 'health-related quality of life,' or the impact that physical health has on their daily life, is poor after gun violence and continues to be poor," added Timmer-Murillo. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) A model is supporting her terminally ill grandmother through a medically-assisted death in a heartfelt TikTok series. Two months ago, Ali Tate's grandmother "Bubbie" was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, which she accepted without resistance. "My grandmother decided 30 years ago that if her death would be drawn out and painful, that she was mentally and spiritually committed to medical assistance in death," Tate, 32, a mother of one in Texas, tells TODAY.com. To Tate's knowledge, her grandmother has not chosen her death date, but it's imminent. Tate's grandmother, who lives in Canada where medically-assisted death is legal, asked TODAY.com to not disclose her name to protect her privacy. Tate is also not revealing Bubbie's exact age for privacy reasons, although shared that she is in her "mid-80s." Bubbie did, however, consent to participating in a TikTok series with Tate to explore her choice and discuss the death experience. "What are your thoughts as you move closer to the date?" Tate asked Bubbie in a video. "It's like the light at the end of the tunnel," she answered. According to the Canadian Department of Justice, in order to qualify for a medically-assisted death, a person must be over the age of 18, "have a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability," be capable of decision making and provide informed consent. That person must "have enduring and intolerable physical or psychological suffering that cannot be alleviated under conditions the person considers acceptable." Bubbie explained that she will make an appointment on a particular day and receive an injection that puts her to sleep, followed by other injections. "It's painless," said Bubbie, stating her preference to die at a hospital rather than home. "I came in quietly, I'd like to go out quietly," she said, adding, "I'm looking forward to just putting it in, to being dependent, no control." "When I'll be ready, I'll know," said Bubbie, adding of her late husband, "I do believe (he) is there saying, 'It's about time.' And I'll say, 'Hi ... I'm here. That's it." Bubbie gave "life advice" to young people feeling upset: "Laugh, have fun, enjoy your loved ones as much as you can. Tell them you love them. Share, be open, be honest. Talk, just talk." "If you have love in your life, hold onto it because it's so precious," she said. "Just honor love. Express it, live it." Although the videos have gotten millions of views and likes, noting Bubbie's bravery and beauty, commenters have said that Tate is "exploiting" her grandmother and that Bubbie is "playing God." "I have no regrets about sharing this journey," says Tate. "I wanted to have a conversation and a showing of death because it's so taboo in the West. You can see how triggered some people are; it's triggering because most haven't integrated the fact that they too, are going to die ... but (those who are dying) can teach the next generation." Tate admits that she initially thought euthanasia was a "terrible idea" although "When it's (in your life), it becomes a pertinent issue to flesh out. What I realized is that body sovereignty is the highest value from which everything must flow." According to Tate, Bubbie's peers and family aren't passing judgment on her decision. "I'm proud of my family for supporting Bubbie," she says. "We're focused on her transition and giving her whatever she needs to feel at peace and that she gets the most out of life before it ends." "I feel lucky to have her," says Tate. "I will absolutely miss her." This article was originally published on TODAY.com Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk. Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen. If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned. I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country. It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously. Vote View Results remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. It is becoming more than apparent that the BJP is acrimoniously unreconciled to losing electoral battles In 1803, the blind Mughal king, Shah Alam, sat in a balcony of the Red Fort in Delhi, awaiting the result of the battle between the Marathas and the British East India Company at Patparganj across the Yamuna. The British won, and Delhi came under their control. A British Resident was appointed, who effectively became the de facto ruler of the city. The king was made a pensioner, a prisoner in his own palace, with an annual income of Rs 11.5 lakhs a year. The clever citizens of Delhi, coined a saying that summed up this asymmetry of power: Az Dilli te Palam, Badshahat-e-Shah Alam: From Delhi to Palam, is the kingdom of Shah Alam. Something of the same kind has happened to the elected government of Delhi. I am not a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), nor supportive of all its actions. But I do know that the chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, won two democratic elections. In 2015, his party won an unprecedented 67 of the 70 seats in the state Assembly; in 2020 it won 62 of the 70 seats. But clearly, the BJP government at the Centre has not accepted this situation. Its consistent and hostile attempt has been to use an unelected lieutenant governor (L-G) appointed by it to usurp the powers of the elected government, or obstruct its governance agenda. It is true that Delhi is not a full state. Considering that it is the capital of the Republic, the L-G appointed by the Centre, has control over three specific matters: land, public order and police. But in all other respects the democratically elected government is in charge. However, in May 2015, just months after the AAP had won a resounding majority in the February Assembly elections, the Union home ministry, issued a notification that put, in addition to land, public order and police, services under the control of the L-G. In other words, the elected chief minister lost control, by an executive order, of the transfer and postings of officers serving under him, and vested these in the L-G. Understandably, the AAP government challenged this move. After eight long years, the matter finally came up before a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court (SC), presided over by the Chief Justice of India. On May 11, 2023, the court passed a landmark judgement restoring the department of services to the elected Delhi government. While recognising that Delhi enjoys a special status, and is not a full state, the court stressed the principles of federalism as enshrined in the Constitution, and said that that the L-Gs purview is strictly limited to the three issues of land, public order and police. On other matters he must act on the advice of the council of ministers of the elected government. It further said that the L-G, even in a special state like Delhi, should play a cooperative and not an adversarial role, allowing for the implementation of the legitimate governance agenda of the government which the people had voted to power. The democratic choice of the people of Delhi is not an unimportant matter. In 1803, when the British Resident usurped the powers to run Delhi, the population of the city was around one lakh; in 1947, it was around seven lakhs; in 2023, the population of the Delhi metro area is estimated to be in the vicinity of 3.3 crores or 33 million! This is larger than most medium-sized countries in the world. In 2020, the number of eligible voters was 1.46 crores (14.6 million), out of which 62.2 per cent cast their vote. In percentage terms this was 2.2 per cent higher than the voter turn-out in the 2019 general elections. Such a large number of citizens who voted in the Delhi Assembly elections, want the government they electedto fulfil its promises. But a government, that has no control over its own officers, or has the LG ranged against it, is seriously handicapped in doing so. The Central governments decision to overrule the majesty of the Constitution Bench judgement of the SC through an ordinance is a blatantly undemocratic move, and a direct contempt of the Constitution Bench of the SC. It is becoming more than apparent that the BJP is acrimoniously unreconciled to losing electoral battles, and is willing to tinker with even the Constitution and the SC to ensure its political primacy. There are several unsavory precedents in the past, where in states that it has lost elections, it has cobbled together a government which, prima facie, appears to be both unethical and a subversion of the mandate of the people. The use of BJP-appointed governors to facilitate this role has become rampant. The SC itself has, most recently in the political developments in Maharashtra, commented adversely on the role of the governor. Bills of non-BJP elected governments are held up indefinitely by governors whose partisanship is transparent. States such as Tamil Nadu have been constrained to pass a resolution in the Assembly against the governor inordinately delaying assent to Bills. In fact, the whole argument, much touted by the BJP, of a double engine sarkar, is suspect if its real intention is to be supportive of a state government only if it elects a BJP government. The BJP and AAP may be political opponents, but the way to settle scores is the ballot box, not an arbitrary ordinance. Such a move insults the democratic choice of the people of Delhi, impacts the federal structure of our polity, ignores the considered opinion of the SC, and is reminiscent of the misuse of powers by governors during Congress rule in the 1970s and 80s, which the BJP itself used to oppose. All Opposition parties, in their own self-interest, must come together to oppose this ordinance when it comes up for ratification in Parliament. Otherwise, the only hope, as always, will be with the SC, to protect the Constitution, in letter and spirit. by Nirmala Carvalho The only Catholic family in an Orissa village, they were forced to flee during the 2008 persecution, losing everything. Now the little girl from that time has made her first religious profession, and the Hindus who had participated in the violence also took part in the Christians' celebration. A ray of light amid gathering darkness for Christians in the state of Manipur. Kandhamal (AsiaNews) - It is weeks of renewed apprehension in India over the grave situation affecting Christian communities in the state of Manipur, including deaths and the destruction of their churches in ethnic clashes between Meitei and local tribal groups. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, himself expressed deep concern about the escalating tensions at a press conference in Geneva and called on the Indian authorities to respond quickly to the situation. Turk stressed the importance of investigating and addressing the root causes of the violence while complying with international human rights obligations. Meanwhile, the mobilization of the Indian Catholic community continues for the thousands of displaced people to whom the Archdiocese of Imphal is offering emergency aid. Card. Anthony Poola, archbishop of Hyderabad, sent a message to all parishes inviting them to an extraordinary collection this Sunday in favor of their brothers and sisters in Manipur. In the text, Card. Poola asks people to continue to pray for an end to the violence and unrest. What is happening in recent weeks in Manipur is reminiscent of other painful pages in the recent history of India's Christian communities. And precisely from the district of Kandhamal, which in 2008 was hit by the most severe of waves of persecution, came in these very days a story of great faith and hope beyond the tribulation that we want to offer as a ray of light at this very difficult time. With her family as a child in Orissa, she was violently forced to leave the village during the persecution of 2008. They were the only Christian family in that community in Kandhamal district. Now, 15 years later, Sanomina has taken the first step to becoming a nun. And the celebration in her honor was also attended by Hindus from the village. Sr. Sanomina Kanhar, only daughter of Kumar and Lourd Kanhar, made her first profession at the Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima in Bangalore. She belongs to the village of Sadingia, in Pobingia parish, Kandhamal district. Hers is the only Catholic family in the village, while 54 families are Hindus. Fr. Madan Singh, director of Jana Vikas, a social service center in Kandhamal district, told this story to AsiaNews this way, "During the violence in August 2008, Mr. Kumar was severely beaten. At that time Sr. Salomina was 5 years old. When people attacked them, they devastated their houses, damaged property and took away 7 goats, 5 sheep and 4 cows. They wanted to force Kumar to deny Jesus, but he told them, 'I will not deny my Lord who gave me life and faith, I am ready even to die.' He was forced to move away from the village, leaving everything behind and taking his wife and three children with him. His family went to the Janla relief camp run by Mother Teresa's sisters in Bhubaneswar. That experience broke his heart. Even when he returned to the village, they threatened to kill him if he practiced Christianity. But he persevered in his faith, resumed cultivating the land and rebuilding his home." To help his children, Kumar had turned to Fr. Manoj Nayak when they were at the Jana Vikas. And with him Solomina discovered her vocation to religious life. "When I asked her father why he had agreed," Fr. Madan Singh recounts further, "he said, 'God gave me an only daughter and I gave her to God's work.' But most interestingly, the very people who were persecuting her family today welcomed Sr. Salomina to her home from the entrance of the village with traditional dances and music. They also helped cook meals for the guests and relatives. Pastor Fr. Cassian Pradhan organized the ceremony, which was attended by nine priests and four sisters and more than 400 Christians from nearby villages. It was a testimony of faith and a sign of unity and brotherhood." Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government, however, has been widely criticized. According to Islamist parties, the amendment had already been approved by the previous cabinet. Experts say the executive is trying to woo conservative Muslims ahead of local elections scheduled for July. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - A recent proposal by Malaysia's prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, regarding an amendment that would increase the powers of Islamic courts has generated several criticisms. The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), part of the ruling coalition, has raised concerns that even non-Muslims could be tried by shari'a courts, also known as the syariah court system, using the Malaysian spelling. Commentators say this is an attempt by the executive to move closer to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition dominated by the Islamist Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) party ahead of local elections scheduled for July. The bill proposes to increase the maximum sentencing limits for criminal offenses tried by syariah courts to 30 years in prison, a fine of 100 thousand rupees (1,130 euros) and 100 strokes of the cane. The current limits are three years in prison, a fine of 5 thousand rupees (57 euros) and six strokes. The current Minister for Religious Affairs announced on May 25 that the amendment known in Malaysia as RUU355 would be submitted to Parliament once the government's approval was obtained, but he did not specify the timeline for it, while the following day PAS Vice President Idris Ahmad, Minister for Religious Affairs from August 2021 to November last year, said the previous cabinet had already given the go-ahead for the bill to be submitted to Parliament. Although the amendment is expected to affect only Muslims, members of other religions remain wary. According to experts, the current Anwar Ibrahim-led government is trying to boost its credibility among the conservative Muslim electorate without losing the support of non-Malaysian ethnic groups. "The national unity government should submit this proposal to bolster its religious credentials ahead of elections in the country's various states, where another green wave looks set to sweep everyone away," Oh Ei Sun, a member of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, told Strait Times, referring to the green color of Islam. Authorities recently conducted seizures at Swatch stores to withdraw watches with rainbow designs in support of the LGBTQ movement. At the same time, in recent weeks the government also decided to withdraw its appeal against a High Court verdict allowing non-Muslims to use the word "Allah" to refer to God, generating the ire of Islamist parties after decades of legal battles. Mazlan Ali, a lecturer at the Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, explained, "The Anwar administration is under pressure from the opposition. It is accused of being pro-liberal and pro-LGBTQ. The PN often uses religion and race to attack the government," but, he continued, "the prime minister wants to show that the opposite is true and that the national unity government is serious about addressing issues related to Islam." Today's headlines: Famous hip-hop singer arrested in Myanmar; Papua rebels threaten to kill New Zealand pilot in their hostage; Man who opened an emergency door on a plane in Korea arrested; At least 13 killed and eight injured in floods in Afghanistan; Iran and Belgium have made a prisoner exchange; Beijing prefers a Turkmen gas pipeline to Russian projects. PHILIPPINES - KUWAIT Kuwait has suspended all new visas for Filipino nationals indefinitley, who make up about 6 percent of the Gulf nation's 4.7 million population. In February, Manila had stopped sending workers after the body of a domestic worker was found in the desert. The last agreement between the two countries had been signed in 2018 to ensure a range of protections for female workers. MYANMAR Noted hip-hop artist Byuhar was arrested by Burma's junta for criticizing the military's management of electricity on Facebook. It is unclear where the rapper is detained or what condition he is in. Meanwhile, two people who were bringing aid to displaced people in Rakhine also remain in detention on suspicion of having links to "outlawed" news outlets. INDONESIA According to a video released yesterday, rebels in Indonesian Papua threatened to kill the New Zealand pilot taken hostage in February if talks on the region's independence are not initiated within two months. Phillip Mehrtens, who appears emaciated in the footage, had been captured after he landed a commercial plane in the mountainous Nduga area. SOUTH KOREA The passenger on an Asiana Airlines plane who opened an emergency door in flight has been arrested. The man told police that he felt "uncomfortable," that he "wanted to get off quickly," and that he was under a lot of stress from losing his job. All 194 passengers who were on board survived but some were hospitalized. AFGHANISTAN At least 13 people have died and eight others have been injured in nine provinces of Afghanistan due to flooding in the past five days, Taliban authorities announced, adding that more than 50 houses were destroyed and many agricultural fields damaged. IRAN - BELGIUM Belgium and Iran conducted a prisoner swap in Oman: Tehran freed aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele, imprisoned for 455 days after being accused of espionage, while Brussels freed diplomat Assadollah Assadi, found guilty by a Belgian court of planning a bombing attack on a demonstration by an Iranian opposition group in exile in France. RUSSIA - CHINA - TURKMENISTAN Instead of the 50 billion cubic meter "Siberia Force-2" pipeline, which the Kremlin has been trying to build for the past 7 years to increase gas supplies to China, Beijing has decided to prioritize a new "D Line" pipeline from Turkmenistan for 30 billion sq. m. annually, Reuters reports according to Chinese sources in the energy field, despite the higher costs of the operation. by Stefano Caprio Prigozin has left Bakhmut, reduced to a pile of rubble, giving rapid-fire interviews that look more like an acknowledgement of defeat than a proclamation of victory. If Ukraine has a clear future as a member of the Western and European communities, if Central Asia now discusses all its affairs with the great power of Beijing, Moscow must try not to resign itself to its own insignificance. The epic "Battle of Bakhmut," which held peoples and nations in suspense for six months, seems to have finally ended. It has concentrated supersonic weapons and bombs and gigantic armies around a country that until last year had a population of 70,000 and now has at least 50,000 war dead. The Russians call it "Artemovsk," the name assigned in 1924 in honor of Soviet politician Sergeev, who used the pseudonym "Artem" during the revolution, while the Ukrainians in 2015 had restored the ancient name of the Bakhmut fortress, built in the 16th century in front of the river of the same name. Everything about this war, in fact, recalls events from the time of Ivan the Terrible, at the end of the Middle Ages. The conquest of Artemovsk, after all, is a modern version of the ancient "victory of Pyrrhus," the king of Epirus who defeated the Romans three centuries before Christ, but sustaining such high losses that he eventually succumbed to the enemy. The decimated conquering army, in the current case, is Prigozin's Wagner Company, which has complained of losing more than 20,000 men, more than half of them ex-prisoners, after protesting at length, and increasingly explicitly and brazenly, against the inability of Russian generals and Defense Minister Sojgu, the "scapegoat" whom Putin does not dare to change, despite the spin of the generals themselves. Prigozin has abandoned the fortress, reduced to a pile of rubble, issuing a barrage of interviews and statements that look much more like an acknowledgement of defeat than a proclamation of victory. Or at least they bear a strong resemblance to the truth, which is usually little attended by the Kremlin's official information. Putin's "cook" even acknowledged that he is not a cook: "I don't even know how to cook, at most you can call me Putin's butcher," the one who is sent to destroy and gut. Above all, he said that "this absurd war leads nowhere"; a phrase that, instead, would lead any other Russian citizen straight to the lager. The great truth, obvious to anyone, is that Putin's war "created a great Ukrainian army, today one of the best in the world," Prigozin assures, "second only to Wagner Company." Behind the military glories, the underlying truth is that the war revived battered Ukraine, and instead destroyed imperial Russia. Thus, the post-Soviet phase of the empire's dissolution, the 30 years in which Ukraine oscillated for a long time between nostalgia for Moscow's big brother, and the attraction of the liberal West, has come to an end. Today, the president of Kiev tours the capitals of the world -- not just Western ones -- even sitting among the G-7 powers, while the czar of Russia is even excluded from trade routes between China and Central Asia. Ukraine has finally become a nation thanks to Russian aggression, and the other former Soviet countries also claim their own identity, except for Belarus oppressed by the eternal president Lukasenko, who went from agricultural kolkhoz to government in Minsk, never changing jobs, as a servant of the Kremlin. A new, post-post-imperial phase opens, in which it is only Russia, having resurrected Ukraine and NATO, and almost Europe, the quintessential comatose giant of world politics, that risks dissolution. The pathetic figure of Putin is increasingly overshadowed by his former boss, who does not attack him directly; he only alludes to the "senile grandpa who thinks he won the war," and perhaps prepares to replace him. One joke among many well describes the current perceived lack of credibility and lucidity of the bunker master, who wants to make himself master of the world. In one photo, a general can be seen showing Putin a world map, lying on the table, and the president has a speech bubble with the phrase, "Why don't we attack the blue countries, that are bigger than everyone else? Then we would have everything in our hands." "Those are the oceans, sire," the general replies resignedly. Russia's hopes, more than in the nuclear weapons stockpiles stowed under Lukasenko's chair, are pinned on the Vatican mission of Cardinal Zuppi, who, according to Pope Francis's wishes, will try to persuade the contenders to lower their weapons, stopping the slaughter. This would allow Putin to boast that he has liberated Crimea, Donbass and Zaporizja, the equivalent of the area of Ascoli Satriano conquered by Pyrrhus, without having to admit defeat. It would conclude the medieval crusade of the 21st century, and for Russia it would indeed open a jump back a few centuries. Some Duma deputies would like to further amend the Constitution, taking Putin's ideological operation to the extreme in 2020, when he included the name of God and "traditional values" in the Basic Law. Now they would like to rewrite Article 17, the one wanted by Yeltsyn that excludes a "state ideology," to avoid falling back into the mists of Soviet communism. The new Putinian ideology would be a reissue of the many formulations of imperial Russia, capable of rallying peoples in the name of sacred religious or atheistic orthodoxy, but for the time being the discussion has been postponed, lest it fall too far into the grotesque. Even Kazakhstan's Tokaev disputes Russia's "unitary" vision when he made it clear at the meeting of Eurasian economies in Moscow in recent days that Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan have no intention of joining a "unitary state" such as that presented by the Moscow-Minsk union. And the other member of the group, Armenia, also discusses with Moscow possible peace agreements with Azerbaijan, but insists on the need to obtain "international guarantees": the Kremlin's shadow, now grown too short for everyone, is certainly no longer enough. What Russia will emerge after the darkness of war? If Ukraine, though devastated, has a clear future as a member of the Western and European communities, if Central Asia now discusses all its affairs with the great power of Beijing, Moscow will try not to resign itself to its own insignificance. Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov, known as Putin's "spiritual father" (but even he, like Prigozin, now rejects that definition), insists in public statements on Russia's "imperial identity," which can only assert itself as the "reuniting people" of East and West, on pain of its own demise. The Muscovy of Ivan III the Great became an empire with his grandson, Ivan IV the Terrible, who ruined everything with wars and repressions, just like today's Putin I the Terrible. Moreover, it opened the convulsive phases of the "Turbids" that shook Russia throughout the seventeenth century, until the proclamation of the new empire of St. Petersburg, envisioned by Peter the Great as the ruler of Europe. The new Torbids may involve the ethnic claims of the Federation's many peoples, with the armed gangs of oligarchs imposing themselves even on state and regional institutions, and the vast Siberian areas increasingly willing to invest in yuan. Or they will lead to new religious schisms, such as that of the seventeenth-century "Old-Believers," who claimed the superiority of Slavic prayers over Greek ones; the break with Constantinople, and with much of the rest of the Orthodox world, retraces the contradictions of a Christianity rooted in the Fathers of the early Church, and then made their own by the new starets of the Imperial Church. The Church reclaims icons, relics and symbols long since stowed away in museums, to revive a religion annihilated by a century of atheism; and only because of what little healthy atheism still remains in institutions, perhaps not all these monuments of faith, art and culture will be disintegrated. Throughout the rest of the Christian world litanies of support should be raised for the curators of the Tretyakov Gallery, who are willing to sacrifice their own bodies in order not to hand over Rublev's icon of the Trinity to Patriarch Kirill. Even Putin's political opponents, almost all of whom are in exile abroad or in the lager, are struggling to shed their "imperial" and "Moscow-centric robes," as the many activists of the non-Russian peoples of the Federation accuse them. The Berlin Declaration of early May, circulated by all Russian "democratic forces" abroad, calls for the emergence of a new "free, just and federal Russia," because "there is no other," inogo ne dano, a symbolic phrase of those who want to do away with Putinism but cannot give up the great Russia. Between the imperialism of the "Russian world" and the new federalism of the "liberal democracy" desired by opponents there is less difference than it seems, so much so that the "democrats" rule out that, once Putin is removed, elections can be immediatley called, because "the supporters of the past regime would win." They assume a period of "interim administration," perpetuating total ignorance of democracy in Russia. Even the separatists, representatives of the future "post-Russian" peoples, rule out the possibility of new states coming into being on their own with free elections, and in this case call for an "external administration" to overcome the uncertainties of the present. The problem, after all, is not the waning overlord, but uncertainty about the sunrise in an overgrown country like Russia, which never knows which way to turn. RUSSIAN WORLD IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO RUSSIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SATURDAY IN YOUR E-MAIL? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE I'm fine, as I'm very fortunate to own my home I own, but I'm feeling the pinch on my mortgage with other inflation costs I rent and it's expensive, but it could be worse I'm seriously considering leaving the valley if something doesn't give Vote View Results Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Photo: Northrop & Johnson Photo: Northrop & Johnson Folks, Fourth Down, is the name of the superyacht we see here today. But, before you go one, take the time to stroll through the image gallery to get a feeling for things. What did you think? Are you starting to understand why this sells for $16 million (14.9 million at current exchange rates)? If you still need some help, stick around for the next 5 minutes or so and follow along with this text.Fourth Down is a machine completed just last year, in September 2022, making it an infant of the superyacht world . It's still under manufacturer warranty. Speaking of the manufacturers, the crew behind the magic you see is none other than Ocean Alexander, a Taiwan-based brand that's actually been around since 1977. Oh, and don't doubt their abilities because, according to sources, some of the original boats to come out of this yard are selling for around "triple their original price." But Ocean Alexander is just the builder of this beauty. But, it is Evan K. Marshall and Arrabito Naval Architects that bring the styling and interiors from pencil and paper to reality.As for the Fourth Down, let's start our exploration by taking in the exterior of the ship. After all, it stands as the base for the interior and spaces brought to life. To craft the hull, fiberglass is used, leading to a relatively light craft. One hundred eighty-five tons are pushed around by tow MAN V12 engines, allowing for a top speed of 20 knots (23 mph). Since the hull is rather low and wide, a draft of just 1.8 m (5.9 ft) is in place. This allows you to access some of those hidden gulfs the island life throws at you. As a result of the way the hull is crafted, Fourth Down is also considered one of the most spacious vessels in its class.One aspect of the exterior I want to attract your attention to is how minimalist yet futuristic styling is brought to light. The long and fluid lines of the hull and superstructure sit in contrast to the limited privacy glass seen, giving off a balanced feel to the whole thing. All those lines start from a sharp bow and lead to the ship's rear, where they craft a wide and spacious beach deck. With the exterior out of the way, let's stroll through that lavish interior you witnessed earlier.Now, upon seeing the exterior of the Fourth Down for the first time, I did ask myself why this thing is selling for $16 million. However, once I witnessed the interior, I completely understood why the asking price; this thing is friggin flawless! From the exterior alfresco dining set to the staircases that carry souls up to the flybridge, interior lounge, staterooms, and even kitchen, you'll be pressed hard to find a dang scratch or fingerprint anywhere.The layout expressed is one based around the whole "open-space" idea, ad floor-to-ceiling windows make great use of natural light but keep prying eyes out. As you stand in the main lounge, your eyes will be struck by a balanced blend of materials such as glass, wood, stones, and semi-precious metals. Only one other element is missing from the picture, fire. Other than that, spaces are airy, accented by metal and stones (earth), and water is found all around the ship. A fireplace would have been nice.Continuing our journey into the Fourth Down, we find ourselves in any of the five staterooms. But, it's the owner's suite that really stands apart from all others . Here, a full-beam space invites you to rest upon a massive king bed while lateral windows flood the space with sunlight reflecting off the local waters. As for the ensuite bathroom, here, too, luxury is found in simplicity and brought to life with a shower room and bathtub, and a large window for illumination. Even guest rooms are amazing, just a bit more cramped, is all.Finally, I want to bring you to the very top of the Fourth Down. It's here that you'll be spending most of your time. Aside from the helm, guests and owners will be able to lounge around on sofas, be served drinks and meals, and soak up as much sun as they'd like. If things get too hot, the overhead structure is sure to offer the necessary shade. You may be into watersports. If that's the case, use the submersible swimming platform, any of the Waverunners on board, or take a dip in the hot tub. Sounds like one hell of a lifestyle, if you ask me, and all you need is $16 million and to give old Northrop & Johnson a call , the crew brokering this deal. Heck, tell them auto evolution sent you, and who knows, maybe we get a cut of the deal too. Just wishful thinking. EV BEV Hyundai has significant electrification goals planned, all possible via massive financial investments. Last month, the Asian automaker announced it would invest a staggering 24 trillion KRW (about $18B) by the end of the decade to growproduction and export and support domestic EV-related industries.By 2030, Hyundai targets an annual EV production of 1.21 million units in Korea and a global volume of 3.54 million units. Together with its partner brands Kia and Genesis, Hyundai wants to be part of the top three EV manufacturers in terms of EV sales, also by 2030.To support these ambitious growth plans, Hyundai will introduce 17(Battery Electric Vehicles) models by 2030, 11 of which will be under the Hyundai brand and six under its Genesis umbrella. The new Hyundai models will include three sedans, six SUVs, one light commercial vehicle, and one new type model.Hyundai Motor Group and LGES have signed a memorandum of understanding to manufacture EV batteries in the US, thus accelerating the company's electrification efforts in North America. Both parties will each hold a 50% stake in the joint venture this initiative involves an investment of more than KRW 5.7 trillion ($4.3 billion).The two companies' joint venture aim for an annual production capacity of 30 GWh, which will be able to support the production of 300,000 EVs annually. The facility will be located next to the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant Aerica, currently under construction, in Bryan County, Savannah, Georgia.The new facility will be built starting in the second half of 2023, with operations to go live at the end of 2025 at the earliest. Hyundai Mobis will assemble battery packs using the cells made at the plant they will be used in Hyundai's US manufacturing facilities to produce Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EV models. With the popularity of EVs on the rise in the US market, the Group will have a stable supply to adapt to the demand.LGES is also focusing on expanding its production capacity in the US, as it now has seven battery plants currently operating or being constructed. For instance, the company announced in January this year that it teamed up with Honda to open a battery production plant in Ohio.This new partnership between Hyundai and LGES will further strengthen their ties, which go way back, as they have worked together to supply batteries for EVs such as the Elantra Hybrid, Kona Electric, and the Ioniq 6. The two also started a joint venture in Indonesia to produce batteries that facility is set to go live in the first half of 2024. Bruce Meyers used his experience building boats to make the Manx Dune Buggy Photo: YouTube Screenshot/Jay Leno's Garage The Meyer Manx won the inaugural Mexican 1000 in 1967 Photo: YouTube Screenshot/Jay Leno's Garage Original Manx was powered by a Type 1 VW engine Photo: YouTube Screenshot/Jay Leno's Garage Uses off-the-shelf LS1 internals Photo: YouTube Screenshot/Jay Leno's Garage On a recent YouTube upload, Jay Leno hosted Meyers Manx, new owner, and chairman Philip Sarofim, and featured a Meyer Manx Dune Buggy powered by an aircraft-inspired radial engine.The story of the Meyer Manx started in the early 1960s. During this time, Bruce Meyers was an artist, painter, musician, boat builder, and world war II veteran. According to Philip, Bruce spotted these tube frame chassis gliding over sun dunes in California and, at that point, hit a lightbulb moment to develop the dune buggy."He thought. I would love to create a body kind of in the same way that I make boats. He wanted it to look like Marilyn Monroe's dress blowing up in that famous photograph. That was the inspiration," Philip revealed.Bruce used his experience building boats to develop a fiberglass tub bolted onto a shortened Volkswagen Beetle chassis and the rest was history. He'd created a new beach buggy automobile segment without even knowing.Unfortunately, the story takes a sudden twist. Despite Bruce being an excellent innovator, he wasn't a businessman. With the car's rapid fame in pop culture, his brilliant innovation was taken over by the replica industry, and soon cheap knockoffs by illegitimate companies tore down the company."He didn't get rich off this game. A lot of other people did, but he was an innovator, and he was an interesting character," Jay Leno said about Bruce Meyers.So, what did Bruce Meyers do to cause ripples in the beach buggy segment? Using his experience building boats, he applied the same general concept to the VW concept. The result was one of the most capable off-road buggies of its time.The Manx was a 100% authentic innovation and unlike any replica. According to Philip, the best way to differentiate it from other imitations and knockoffs was by sitting on the fender or placing a beer can on top of it (it wouldn't slide off). Bruce believed in quality, and as a result, the Manx was developed with extra thick fiberglass.As simple as it looks, the Meyers Manx had a relatively sophisticated setup. It consisted of a fiberglass body, with the structural architecture embedded in steel. This setup was bolted onto the suspension, and at the heart of it was a Volkswagen Beetle powertrain.In 1967, Bruce's buggy won the inaugural Mexican 1000, an initial version of the Baja 1000 trashing mainstream bikes, off-road cars, and trucks.But the 70s are done and dusted. What's left of that beautiful era is nostalgia. Fortunately, Meyers' dream wasn't a total loss. Under the new stewardship of Philip Sarofim, the Meyers Manx is making a comeback. This time with the classic conversion kit and, more interestingly, a new recipe to the old formula in the form of an electric Meyers Manx According to Philip, the company is selling the electric car as a complete car. They are also selling remastered kits for the classic buggy all to retain the spirit and heritage of the brand The original Meyers Manx came with a water-cooled four-cylinder engine out of the Type 1 VeeDub engine. The Prototype at Jay Leno's Garage is an improved Radial-powered variant developed by the new Meyers Manx team in California in collaboration with Australian-based Radial Motion.As Leno soon discovered, the prototype Manx runs a three-pot radial engine designed for airplanes. As if that's not enough, the company first tested the engine on a VW making it the perfect fit for the Manx considering its Beetle underpinning.Powering the 1,600 lb (726 kgs) modern Manx is a 2-liter three-cylinder detuned engine good for 130 hp (132 ps) and 130 lb-ft (176 Nm) of torque. All that power is transferred to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. It has a very flat torque curve, making it very thrilling to drive.According to Philip, Radial Motion is getting 200 hp (203 ps) on their naturally aspirated versions and well over 300 hp (304 ps) with forced induction.From the exterior, it's designed to look like an air-cooled engine (finned), but if you look keenly, you'll notice radiators and fans.So, how do they keep the aero engine from hydraulic locking, considering the cylinders on this powerplant are below the crankcase? Gravity's expected to force the oil down into the cylinders, which could ultimately kill the cylinder if it seeps for an extended period.The setup on the prototype is designed with a compression pump and an electric scavenger pump. When you are cranking the engine, it drains all the oil. As a result, when turning off the engine, you must pull the valve.All the oil will be drained when you start the engine (valve pulled during shutdown). Unlike traditional radial engines, it doesn't go out through the exhaust Radial Motion was keen to build a smokeless radial engine.An aircraft engine isn't the simplest to maintain, so the team designed it with off-the-shelf LS1 internals. The setup has zero belts or chains it's all gear driven."Nice! Very good. A lot of fun. The steering is heavier than I thought; I think that's the big tires, but maybe a new steering box might lighten it up a bit," Leno said about what he thinks of the Meyers Manx prototype. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Going as far as possible Photo: Twitter Screenshot A checkmarked future? AMG You must hand it to the guy. Not only has he taken the reins of a startup that introduced a type of car that needed no fossil fuel and made it reach unbelievable heights of success in the very conservative and simultaneously competitive business sector that is the automotive industry, but he also got involved in other businesses at the same time. Elon Musk is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. He has helped launch other interesting ventures like Neuralink and OpenAI. Currently the second-wealthiest person in the world, Musk is also the CEO of Twitter.We won't get into the specifics of how he ended up in this position, but it's interesting to see that one man can run the world's most valuable car company, a business that might one day put humans on Mars, a social media corporation, and has some time left for other side projects as well.Since taking over Twitter, Elon Musk has wanted to make it profitable. After some hiccups and a lot of firing, a system was set in place some users must pay if they want to remain relevant on the platform or enjoy various advantages. Individuals can pay $8 ($11 if you're an Apple customer) monthly or $84 per year for the previously coveted blue checkmark. But they also get the option to edit tweets, see fewer ads, enjoy favorable ranking, text formatting, and many other virtual goodies.Businesses can pay $1,000 (or more if based in Europe) for a gold checkmark and a square profile picture. Besides that, they get access to "premium support," more significant upload limits, an affiliation tool for employees and partners through which a small picture is displayed next to their name, "impersonation defense," the Twitter Blue perks, and other employer-specific advantages.Since Formula 1 is a motorsport known worldwide with millions of fans run by the Formula One Group, the corporate entity understood that fans desire in-depth access and established its own media company Liberty Media. That's why there are so many ways in which the races can be experienced by anyone , virtually everywhere on Earth.But F1 also understood it needed to reach a broader audience and gain new fans. That's one of the reasons why it is so invested in social media. Another one is that social media engagement can provide essential data that can help identify what fans want and the trends that may start once a good meme is created, or something out of the ordinary happens.Formula 1 is also a place where brands like to get involved, and they are willing to spend the big bucks to display their names in visible areas during a race. Building a solid identity is possible with F1 because it simply reaches millions of people, whether they pay or not, to see the competition happening.Thus, F1 is everywhere, including TikTok. But while Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube remain free to use and can even be set up so that they can generate revenue, it's interesting to see how the teams involved in the motorsport and the company running it decided to tackle the new Twitter leadership era.Formula 1 is spending $1,000 per month to have its gold tick on the social media platform that Tesla's CEO leads. But only some constructors were ready to follow suit as soon as the new rules were enforced. For example, Scuderia Ferrari, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake, and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team decided they did not require a gold checkmark and were happy with the cheapest verification method available the blue tick.Oracle Red Bull Racing, BWT Alpine F1 Team, Mercedes-Petronas F1 Team, Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team, McLaren Racing , Scuderia AlphaTauri, and Williams Racing are all paying for the gold tick. That's at least $7,000 a month from just these seven F1 teams that want to be seen on Twitter.While Ferrari and Alfa Romeo may not need a gold tick to be identified by fans that spend time on the reformed social media platform, it's weird that America's F1 team decided against going with the majority. It's unlikely to be about the money, so we're not exactly sure why Haas wouldn't want to support another American business. Maybe they just don't put so much value on Twitter or social media in general.Red Bull, Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari, and Aston Martin currently dominate Formula 1. The fight for the top stop is still ongoing. We have 16 races left. Will one of these be live-streamed on Twitter? Or will the platform implement a special section for the popular motorsport now that F1 and the constructors are willing to spend more to reach a broader audience? It remains to be seen, but it's something that may help F1 generate even more buzz for itself. Twitter stands to gain something too.It might just be that everything Elon Musk touches turns to gold. A passenger opened an emergency exit door during a flight in South Korea, forcing the crew to land while it was still open. Air blew through the cabin of the Asiana Airlines jet, slightly injuring 12 people. pic.twitter.com/Nl8HqXeiLb The Associated Press (@AP) May 26, 2023 While this might seem like a scene straight out of a Hollywood action film, Asiana Airlines officials say the passenger aboard the Airbus A321 plane somehow managed to pull the door lever open , causing the wind to gush into the cabin of the passenger aircraft.The plane's door swung open moments before landing in Daegu, South Korea, on Friday afternoon. As you'd imagine, the bizarre incident triggered panic among the 194 passengers onboard the plane.The plane Airbus A321 had set off an hour earlier from a holiday island (Jeju), at around 12:40 PM (0340 GMT).Fortunately, the airline crew was able to land the plane safely an hour later. However, nine passengers (all teenagers) were slightly injured. According to the local media, some passengers fainted, while others experienced breathing problems and were immediately rushed to hospital.Science tells us that opening an airplane door mid-flight is practically impossible. For starters and safety reasons, the cabin doors are always mechanically locked.Also, at normal cruising altitude, about 3.3 lbs (1.4 kgs) of pressure is applied on every square inch of the aircraft. Simply put, cabin pressure won't allow it. Therefore, flinging the door open mid-cruise would take more than human power.Still, it's possible to open a passenger airplane's emergency exit if the plane is close to the ground the pressure inside and outside the cabin are similar.A video that surfaced online (taken by a passenger onboard) showed a gap on the left-hand side of the plane and wind blowing on rows of seated Asiana Airlines passengers.Many safety checks are involved when locking and unlocking passenger aircraft cabin doors. However, passengers on board told the local media that the man was able to open the door lever because the plane was about to land (250 meters/820 feet) off the ground).The cabin crew could not prevent the man from opening the door because they were already buckled in for a landing. Witnesses also said the man attempted to jump off the plane after successfully opening the cabin door. South Korean transport ministry, in a statement, said the man who opened the plane's door had been taken into custody by authorities, and the Police were investigating the incident. Authorities are also investigating if the cabin crew followed the necessary protocols to prevent the incident.Police told the local media that the man confessed during questioning that he was stressed after losing his job, BBC reported Most of the plane's passengers were teenage athletes in transit to a track and field competition in Ulsan City. SUV Photo: Rezvani Motors Photo: Rezvani Motors Photo: Rezvani Motors Rezvani is a California-based company that offers various imposing vehicles, such as the Beas t, Tank, or Hercules. Last year, it added the Cadillac Escalade-based Vengeance into the mix. You don't need more than a glance at the vehicle to understand this is no ordinary machine. It looks like it's been brought straight out of a video game.And well, it kind of was the concept was designed by Milen Ivanov, a Bulgarian digital artist whose work includes video games. Rezvani Motors chief executive officer Ferris Rezvani explained that "the goal was to put a science fiction video game concept car in people's driveways."The Vengeance is a luxuryfitted as standard with most of the features you'd expect from a high-end vehicle . Oh, before we go further into detail, you might want to know that the beast is targeted toward, as the company's president put it, "accomplished people." This millionaire's toy price starts at $285,000 (264,583), but it can quickly increase if customers go for numerous upgrades.It's powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine that outputs 420 hp and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque and tips the scales at 6,200 lbs. (2812 kg) - and that's just for the standard version. Customers can opt for a power upgrade consisting of an 800-hp V8 or downgrade to a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine producing 277 hp with the same 460 lb-ft of torque.The car's design is as aggressive as it can get. It features bulky bodywork and angular lines. You'll notice a slim grille surrounded by LED headlights and a massive ventilated hood, as well as arched and bulging fenders. The SUV's rear looks very sci-fi, with a huge LED stoplight. It's fitted with 22-inch wheels with 35-inch off-road tires, complete with Magnetic Ride Control suspension.Moving on to the interior, there's a noticeable shift toward luxury. As its maker describes, "The Vengeance is tough on the outside, but soft on the inside." It can seat seven or eight people (depending on the configuration) via three rows of seats. You'll find an OLED instrument cluster, a tri-zone automatic climate control system, a 19-speaker AKG sound system, and a panoramic roof, among other features. It's also equipped with all the safety systems you can expect from a quarter-million vehicle, such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, safety belt tightening, and more.So far, so good. Let's say you opt for the military package here's when things take a wild turn. And when I say "wild," it might be an understatement. As I mentioned earlier, this package makes the vehicle bulletproof via bulletproof glass and body armor, nothing we haven't seen before.Another feature is an armored undercarriage, protecting the vehicle's components, such as the self-sealing fuel tank. Other parts, like the radiator, are secured via angled armor steel. If gunfire damages or destroys the wheels, you can still drive this thing. Furthermore, the steel bumper ensures you can go through whatever you need to make your escape, while the in-built winch makes you even more unstoppable.The suspension is reinforced, and you can even add an explosive device detection system. Moreover, crazily enough, not even an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) can affect the Vengeance, as Rezvani designed it to be protected against this threat.Inside, the Vengeance security package comes with gas masks, as well as hypothermia blankets, and a first aid kit. You'll also discover a thermal night vision camera, allowing the driver to see even in darkness. Furthermore, drivers can make themselves known in their surroundings by using the intercom system, complete with a speaker. A safe is integrated into the center console, where you can place your most valuable belongings.You'll notice many buttons on the vehicle's ceiling that activate all sorts of security measures. For instance, you can use front and rear blinding lights to deter your assailants, as well as strobe lights. If that's not enough and assailants try to open your doors, you won't have to worry, especially if you activate the magnetic deadbolts.Another insane system is the shocking doors feature, which shocks any intruders using your door handles. If that's not enough, the mirrors are equipped with a pepper spray dispenser that will surely deter anyone from getting near your vehicle. It's pretty hard for someone to sneak up on your car, as a camera system tracks movement outside the vehicle.If you want to make a quick getaway or can't get away from someone following your car, you can activate the smoke screen and shoot dense smoke out of the vehicle's rear.Rezvani has really gone the extra mile to ensure optimum protection in the Vengeance, especially when customers opt for the military package. But let's be frank isn't it a bit of overkill? What are the chances you will actually use the military package to its fullest? In any case, in case of that odd chance you find yourself in severe danger, you can rest assured inside the Vengeance that nothing can get to you. Just be prepared to spend a truckload of money on this monster of a vehicle. Photo: ESA Photo: ESA That's a term that translates into New Worlds, and a very fitting choice for a plan for space exploration unprecedented in scale for Europe. It's also a very high-intensity strategy, as it has been devised as a medium-term plan, extending solely into the 2030s.Despite being quite comprehensive, the strategy is centered around three main goals. These are, ESA says, the three New Worlds targeted by the Terrae Novae strategy. The first has to do with ensuring there is still a European astronaut presence in Earth orbit after the International Space Station (ISS) is decommissioned (the station is expected to enter and burn in the Earth's atmosphere in 2031).Second on the list is the presence of European nations on the Moon, most likely as part of the Artemis program. The last goal on the list, but perhaps more important than anything, is to ensure ESA has a say and presence in the first crewed mission to Mars.As far as the first New World is concerned, ESA is planning several major milestones this decade. The first and most within reach is sending an increased number of astronauts to the ISS on long-duration missions. Then, training for the future generation of astronauts should begin a huge recruitment effort for this was completed recently by ESA.Most importantly, the 2020s will bring to the ISS, for the first time, an astronaut with a physical disability. Details on this mission are not yet known, but its success will open up new opportunities for people who up until now believed they would never have a shot at going to space.The second world of the Terrae Novae plan is the Moon. ESA is already involved in the Artemis program through a number of pieces of hardware it develops for the Orion spacecraft the so-called European Service Modules. The agency will however play a huge role in the development of the lunar space station that is presently known as the Gateway, and which should have its first modules up and running by the end of the decade.No less than two of the three Gateway habitation modules will be built by ESA and its partners and, on top of that, the organization has also been tasked with providing refueling and communications functions between the station and the outposts on the lunar surface.Europe plans to send three of its astronauts out there to help with the assembly of the Gateway, but also with its operation. For the Old Continent, this assignment will mark the moment when some of its citizens reach the farthest point from Earth in their history.Once a presence is established around the Moon, a series of missions to the surface are planned, including independent ones. They target anything from prospecting for water and other resources, to developing ways to harness and use said resources. The first European is scheduled to set foot on the Moon before 2030.The Argonaut lander we mentioned earlier will play a very big role in keeping whatever lunar presence humanity will have supplied, up, and running. It will not be alone in this, as a series of rovers and infrastructure are also being planned across the pond. Naturally, all these assets will be shared with the Americans and Canadians.The third and last New World ESA targets with this plan is Mars. The continent already has a Martian rover primed and ready to go, the Rosalind Franklin . The hardware was scheduled to launch from French Guiana long ago, but the fallout of Russia's invasion of Ukraine put an indefinite stop to that.ESA is also involved in perhaps the most important alien world exploration effort ever devised, the Mars Sample Return mission. Using the Perseverance rover currently on Mars, but also a series of other pieces of hardware that are yet to be developed, the effort will bring back, for the first time, samples of the Martian surface for proper study here on Earth.All of the above is expected to unfold by the end of the current decade. In the 2030s, plans will probably be even grander, and all of them will culminate with the first crewed mission to Mars, of which ESA clearly plans to be a part. Just so you know, official guidelines are for that to happen before 2040.Aside from these cooperative efforts with other international partners, without which NASA's Artemis program, for instance, wouldn't have been possible, ESA does plan to go down its own path in space exploration, with its own science and technology projects, and development plans.And given how competition is the engine of development, such bold plans will ultimately benefit us all. 27 May 2023 13:00 (UTC+04:00) The other day, one small incompetent prime minister of one small incapacitated banana republic once again allowed himself very unfriendly rhetoric against a well-known military-political union. As you might guess, the incompetent prime minister is Pashinyan, the incapacitated republic is Armenia. And the unfriendly rhetoric lies again in the speculations of the Armenian side on the topic of its membership in the CSTO. To be more precise, the Prime Minister of Armenia said that his country would withdraw from the CSTO if it considers it "an incapable organization." Azernews informs, referring to the Russian Telegram channel "Kremlin Laundress" which wrote about this, speaking about the anti-Russian steps of Armenia. According to the author, this alone was enough to turn the presumptuous Armenian "king" inside with fur, but this character decided to add to the list of his verbal interventions, for which he would have to bear responsibility. 27 May 2023 10:40 (UTC+04:00) In UK's Victoria and Albert Museum, Galerie Edition Raphael (Raphael Gallery) hosted an event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, Azernews reports. Heydar Aliyev, during his visit to the UK in 1998, took part in a concert event organized in this place, where he delivered a speech. He underlined the importance of presenting Azerbaijani music and art in this historic hall. This significant historical moment gave another exceptional feature to the event on May 25 dedicated to national leader's anniversary. The event, held with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was attended by UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan Baroness Emma Nicholson, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov, speakers of the House of Commons of the UK. Moreover, the event was attended by members of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) working group on Azerbaijani-British inter-parliamentary relations, members of the diplomatic corps, accredited in this country, representatives of the private sector, well-known public figures, and members of the country's community in the UK. An exhibition and concert program dedicated to the life and work of national leader Heydar Aliyev were presented at the event. In turn, the exhibition presented photographic materials and information about the life and political activities of the great leader, and the main events in the history of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani-British bilateral relations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 12:00 (UTC+04:00) President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the government and people of Brazil and on my own behalf, I extend my congratulations to Your Excellency on the occasion of Azerbaijans Day of Independence, and wish happiness and tranquility to the people of Azerbaijan. I once again reiterate that I am looking forward for Brazil and Azerbaijan continue working together to contribute to the strengthening of friendly relations for the benefit of our peoples. Please accept, dear Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva President of the Federative Republic of Brazil --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 13:30 (UTC+04:00) United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, I wish to extend to all people of the Republic of Azerbaijan my warmest greetings on the occasion of Independence Day. From poverty and inequality, to violent conflict and climate change, the challenges faced by our world demand collective action, rooted in solidarity, mutual respect and understanding. A better future requires each country to look beyond their national borders, and to support efforts to advance peace, human rights, prosperity and sustainable development for all people, no matter where they may live. The United Nations joins all people of the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebrating your special day, and we look forward to our continued work together to secure a better, healthier and safer future for people and planet alike. Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration. Sincerely, Antonio Guterres United Nations Secretary-General --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 13:36 (UTC+04:00) President of Slovakia Zuzana Caputova has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the citizens of the Slovak Republic, as well as on behalf of myself, I congratulate you on the National Holiday of your country- Independence Day. I am convinced that now more than ever, close international cooperation is needed in many areas, such as climate change and related social and economic challenges, energy, hybrid threats, and also Russias aggression against Ukraine, which disrupts the global security and economic architecture. Dear Mr. President, I wish You and the citizens of Azerbaijan peace, development, stability, prosperity, progress in building a democratic society, and I believe that the relations between Slovakia and Azerbaijan will continue to develop successfully in all areas of mutual interest and for the benefit of the citizens of both our states. Sincerely, Zuzana Caputova, President of the Slovak Republic --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 12:20 (UTC+04:00) President of Republic of India, Droupadi Murmu has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency! On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend warm greetings and felicitations to your Excellency, the Government and to the friendly people of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of your Independence Day. India and Azerbaijan share a relationship with historical underpinnings. Trade and commerce between India and Azerbaijan have increased significantly lately. I hope that our engagement will mature further respecting mutual sensitivities and interests. I avail of this opportunity to convey to Your Excellency my sincere wishes for your good health and well-being, as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Azerbaijan. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Droupadi Murmu President of Republic of India --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 17:00 (UTC+04:00) With the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Hungary held an event on the occasion of the Independence Day of Azerbaijan and the 100th anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the Ybl villa, which is considered one of the prominent buildings of the city of Budapest, Azernews reports. The representatives of the Hungarian National Assembly, other state institutions and the diplomatic corps accredited to Hungary, members of the Azerbaijani diaspora took part in the event. Ambassador Tahir Taghizade emphasized that after the restoration of independence, Azerbaijan emerged stronger from the crisis and the political, security and economic challenges of that period thanks to the visionary policy under the leadership of a great personality like National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Stating that the strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary are developing successfully both bilaterally and multilaterally, Tahir Taghizade pointed out that the official visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Hungary in 2023 is an important step in this direction and a foundation for future beneficial cooperation. The Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Sandor Lezsak, First Deputy Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Fargan Novruzov, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Efendiyeva also made speeches at the event. Sandor Lejak congratulated Azerbaijan on the Independence Day and the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He expressed satisfaction with the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary. Fargan Novruzov gave detailed information on the multifaceted activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The restoration projects implemented in a number of countries, as well as the construction works carried out in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan under the leadership of the President of the Foundation, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, were brought to attention. Fargan Novruzov emphasized that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation plays a major role in promoting the political legacy of the Great Leader. Gunay Efendiyeva spoke about the National Leader Heydar Aliyev's irreplaceable role in the history of Azerbaijan. She talked about the important services of Heydar Aliyev in the establishment and development of Azerbaijan statehood. At the event, members of the Karabakh folk music group led by People's Artist of Azerbaijan Mansum Ibrahimov performed samples of Azerbaijani music. At the same time, the members of the "Yeddi biss" musical group representing the Turkic states, led by Honored artist, conductor, composer and pianist Turan Manafzade, performed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 16:40 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the village of Zallar of the Kalbajar district, Azernews reports. The head of state was informed about the project of the village. The total projected area of the village is 137 hectares. A total of 487 families are scheduled to be settled in the village. The first phase will see the construction of one-storey houses for 350 families. There will be 100 two-apartment, 167 three-apartment, 57 four-apartment and 26 five-apartment houses. The village will have a 360-seat school and 120-seat kindergarten. The green energy will be used to light houses and streets. Then, the Azerbaijani President watched a video about the village development plan. President Ilham Aliyev laid a foundation stone for the village of Zallar. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 15:55 (UTC+04:00) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, my Dear Brother! On behalf of the people of Turkiye and my own behalf, I cordially congratulate Your Excellency and the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Independence Day. On this day, which has a profound meaning, we sincerely share well-deserved pride and joy of the people of Azerbaijan. Once again, I want to express my gratitude for the strong support and helping hand extended by brotherly Azerbaijan under the motto your grief is our grief following the earthquake that struck Turkiye. Your Excellencys personal visit to our country to demonstrate solidarity is the brightest example of strong ties between us. The people of Turkiye will never forget this fraternal assistance. I once again convey my condolences over the death of Azerbaijani brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the earthquake. Our exceptional relations, which were further strengthened by the signing of the Shusha Declaration under the motto One nation, two states, will continue to be the biggest guarantee for peace and stability of our countries and the region in the future. I avail myself of this opportunity and once again extend my warmest wishes of robust health and happiness to Your Excellency, tranquility and prosperity to friendly and brotherly people of Azerbaijan. Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of the Republic of Turkiye --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, I would like to extend congratulations to you and the people of Azerbaijan as you celebrate the 105th anniversary of Independence Day and to wish you all peace and continued well-being. It was a pleasure to welcome you on your recent visit to Lithuania. I appreciate that we were able to discuss cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the economy, innovation and environmental protection, the security situation in the South Caucasus, and the consequences of the Russian-Ukraine war. I hope that you also found this visit meaningful and that the agreements signed in Vilnius will open up favorable opportunities for the further development of relations between our two countries. Azerbaijan and Lithuania enjoy close and meaningful partnership ties. Lithuania strongly supports the development of the European Union's dialogue with Azerbaijan. Our partnership is even more significant in the face of Russia's war against Ukraine. I firmly believe that we will continue our successful collaborative work in providing extensive support to Ukraine until its victory and in ensuring the implementation of sanctions against Russia. Allow me to highlight the importance of expanding mutually beneficial bilateral relations. There is considerable scope for developing cooperation between Lithuania and Azerbaijan in information technology, manufacturing, food industry, and renewable energy. May I again offer congratulations on your national day. Please accept, Mr. President, my best wishes and the assurances of my highest consideration. Sincerely, Gitanas Nauseda President of the Republic of Lithuania --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 13:45 (UTC+04:00) President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Ilham Heydarovich! I sincerely congratulate you and the entire brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of your countrys Independence Day. Today, Azerbaijan is confidently moving forward along the road of progress and dynamic development, and plays an important role in regional and international processes. It is gratifying to note that the relations between our countries have noticeably intensified and enriched by new contents in recent years. We are convinced that friendly and good-neighborly relations between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan will continue to steadily develop for the common good. Dear Ilham Heydarovich, I wish you robust health, happiness, success in your high state activity, and peace, tranquility and prosperity to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan. With deep respect, Serdar Berdimuhamedov President of Turkmenistan --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 14:03 (UTC+04:00) President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letters reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Ilham Heydarovich! I sincerely congratulate you and the entire brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of your national holiday - the Independence Day. Your country welcomes this landmark day as a state with nationwide unity, which made great strides in socio-economic development and enjoys high authority on the global scale. I am convinced that under your strong leadership, Azerbaijan will continue moving forward along the path of sustainable development by realizing its high goals and tasks of nation building. It is with great pleasure that I note the high dynamics of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, which is enriched by new qualitative content and fully in line with the level of strategic partnership and alliance. Dear, Ilham Heydarovich, on this solemn day, I wish you new achievements in your high state activity, and tranquility and prosperity to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan. Sincerely, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev President of the Republic of Kazakhstan --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 14:21 (UTC+04:00) President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev offered his congratulations to President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The letter reads: Dear Madame President, I convey my sincerest congratulations to you and your people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. I believe that bilateral relations between our countries will continue to evolve in line with interests of our peoples as our fruitful cooperation will further expand within international institutions. On this remarkable day, I wish you strong health, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Ethiopia. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 14:11 (UTC+04:00) President of Latvia, Egils Levits has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, On the occasion of the celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I extend my most sincere congratulations along with wishes for long years of peace and prosperity for Azerbaijan and its people. Latvia and Azerbaijan have developed constructive relations based on friendship and mutual interest. With the best memories I recall our recent meeting and exchange of views in Baku, as well as my participation in the Global Baku Forum this spring. We can successfully build on these positive events to further develop our bilateral and multilateral agenda. Today, as we witness Russia`s war against Ukraine, it is important than ever to work together to protect the international order, based on the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations. I am confident that through working together we will ensure that our people thrive in peace and security. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration along with the best wishes of health and strength to You and the people of Azerbaijan. Yours sincerely, Egils Levits President of the Republic of Latvia --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 14:36 (UTC+04:00) President of Malta George Vella has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: Excellency, On the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the People of the Republic of Malta join me in conveying sincere greetings to Your Excellency and to the People of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Republic of Malta and the Republic of Azerbaijan enjoy longstanding bilateral ties. I am confident that our two countries can further work together to explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation in order to further strengthen our relations. The Republic of Malta likewise continues to support closer engagement on a regional and multilateral fora, including the UN and the Republic of Azerbaijan, including through the Eastern Partnership (EaP) framework. The EaP continues to be a unique framework towards closer cooperation between the EU and its Eastern Partners, including the Republic of Azerbaijan. Above all, as the international community continues to encounter several challenges, my country believes that global challenges require global solutions. Aware of its responsibilities at international level, Malta is committed towards promoting global peace, security and prosperity. As an elected member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2023-2024, the Republic of Malta is determined to play its role in building trust and political will to confront such challenges, whilst upholding the key principles of the UN Charter. A avail myself of this opportunity to extend my wishes of good health and serenity, as well as continue peace, progress and prosperity to your country. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration, the letter said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 16:24 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Honorable Mr. President. I have the special pleasure that on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Independence Day, on my behalf and that of the Albanian people, to convey to You and the friendly people of Azerbaijan, the warmest and most friendly wishes on this memorable day. I seize the opportunity to express once again, that for me and the Albanian people was a great honor and pleasure to welcome You on a state visit to Tirana, in November of last year. The importance of this meeting and the issues discussed will serve to further strengthen the excellent ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries and peoples, which I note with great pleasure, that in recent years they have seen dynamic developments in areas of mutual interest. Along with the pleasure of meeting you soon and with the most friendly greetings, please accept, dear Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration. Sincerely, Bajram Begaj President of the Republic of Albania --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 May 2023 19:05 (UTC+04:00) President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, On behalf of the people of Ukraine and on my own behalf, please accept my sincerest congratulations on the occasion of the national holiday of Azerbaijan - the Independence Day. Relations between Ukraine and Azerbaijan have deep historical roots and are based on mutual respect, trust and fruitful cooperation. I am confident that through joint efforts we can fully realize the existing potential of strategic partnership in all areas of mutual interest between Kyiv and Baku. National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, whose 100th anniversary is celebrated this year, said: There is no more difficult road than the road to independence. At the same time, despite all difficulties, our countries are confidently moving on this road. In these turbulent times for our state and the entire civilized world, amid Russias ongoing war against Ukraine, I wish to express my gratitude for Azerbaijans consistent position of support for our countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty within the internationally recognized borders. I once again reiterate Ukraines unwavering position in support of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. I avail myself of this opportunity to wish you robust health, new achievements on the path of development of strong and prosperous Azerbaijan, and peace, prosperity and tranquility to the people of Azerbaijan. Sincerely, Volodymyr Zelensky President of Ukraine --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 May 2023 19:55 (UTC+04:00) President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr President, On the occasion of the National Day of Azerbaijan, I would like to convey to Your Excellency my congratulations and sincere wishes for your personal well-being and for the progress and prosperity of the Azerbaijani people. Sincerely, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa President of the Portuguese Republic --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 20:30 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of a military hospital in Kalbajar, Azernews reports. Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov reported to President, Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. Then, the head of state familiarized himself with the conditions created in the military hospital. The military hospital, which occupies a total area of 3.6 hectares, has 180 beds during peace time with the possibility to increase up to 300 beds in a combat condition. The first treatment building of the hospital, which will be fitted with the cutting-edge, fully digital, artificial intelligence-based medical devices and equipment, has a polyclinic, therapy, surgery, anesthesiology, intensive care units while the second one features infectious disease and skin disease unit, the headquarters building, as well as medical oxygen supply station, a laundry-boiler room, a checkpoint and a canteen. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 May 2023 20:10 (UTC+04:00) President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, On behalf of the Swiss Federal Council and Switzerland's citizens, I am pleased to offer my congratulations to you and your fellow citizens on the occasion of this year's Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I would also like to take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for a happy and peaceful future for your citizens and your country. In this vein, I am confident that we will be able to further expand our bilateral relations in the years to come. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Sincerely, Alain Berset President of the Swiss Confederation --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 May 2023 20:44 (UTC+04:00) President of Hungary, Katalin Novak has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, Please allow me to congratulate you and the citizens of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the country`s national holiday, Independence Day. Relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan are of particular importance for Hungary. I am pleased that during Mr. Presidents visit in January, we have elevated our relations to the level of an enhanced strategic partnership. I can assure you that Hungary remains committed to the further dynamic development of the cooperation between our countries. I would like to thank you for our response to my invitation to the fifth Budapest Demographic Summit in September, confirming the high-level representation of Azerbaijan at the meeting. I wish you good health and further successes in your responsible position. Sincerely, Katalin Novak President of Hungary --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 May 2023 21:01 (UTC+04:00) Italian President, Sergio Mattarella has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the Italian Republic and on my own behalf, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you and to the friendly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of your national holiday the Independence Day. I am particularly pleased to note the continuous strengthening of strong ties connecting Baku and Rome, as we also confirmed during our numerous meetings in a sensitive period marked by the Russian-Ukrainian war. Based on a true friendship that unites our peoples, I am convinced that we will continue to use all opportunities to deepen our multifaceted strategic partnership in all areas of mutual interest. In this vein, Italy will continue its strong support for the further development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. Mr. President, in the spirit of sincere friendship, I convey my wishes for your personal well-being and prosperous future for the friendly people of Azerbaijan. Sincerely, Sergio Mattarella President of the Italian Republic --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 May 2023 22:04 (UTC+04:00) Prime Minister of Hungary, Katalin Novak has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Esteemed Mr. President, Please allow me to extend to you my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Independence Day. The cooperation between Hungary and the Republic of Azerbaijan is exemplary, supported also by the uninterrupted development of our economic and political relations. I am delighted that in January this year we elevated relations between our countries to the level of an enhanced strategic partnership. I can assure you that my Government remains committed to working for the further development of our multifaceted relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan, both on a bilateral basis and in the framework of Turkic cooperation. I firmly believe that our fruitful cooperation will be to the satisfaction of the citizens of both countries. I wish you further successes and good health in your responsible position. Respectfully, Viktor Orban Prime Minister of Hungary --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 May 2023 22:33 (UTC+04:00) Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Kunio Mikuriya has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and on my own behalf, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate you and the people of Azerbaijan on your Independence Day. You are celebrating this day at a time when Azerbaijan is marking the centennial anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who saw the establishment of a high-level Customs service as one of the main focuses in the preservation and further development of Azerbaijan's independence. I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for Your Excellency's personal commitment to strengthen the partnership between the WCO and Azerbaijan. Today, under your leadership, the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan continues to advance in its modernization efforts, supported by the WCO. I would like to reiterate my pledge to continue our close cooperation and I look forward to having an opportunity to meet with Your Excellency in the near future to discuss topics of mutual interest to further enhance this cooperation. Please accept, Mr. President, my best wishes, and the assurances of my highest consideration. Yours sincerely, Kunio Mikuriya Secretary General of the World Customs Organization --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 May 2023 22:51 (UTC+04:00) bp Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkiye, Gary Jones has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, I would like to convey my sincere congratulations and good wishes to you and the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the national holiday - Independence Day. As Azerbaijan's long-standing strategic partner, bp is proud to witness modern Azerbaijan's progress in different fields and contribute to the development of the country's oil and gas industry. We believe that this fruitful partnership will be continued for many years and serve to further enhance the well-being of the Azerbaijani people. Your Excellency, I once again congratulate you on this remarkable occasion and extend the wishes of good health and happiness to you, and peace, prosperity and progress to the people of Azerbaijan. Sincerely, Gary Jones bp Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkiye --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 22:25 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended an inauguration of the 110/35/10 kV Lachin city substation owned by Azerenergy OJSC, Azernews reports. The head of state was informed about the substation. The 110/35/10 kV Lachin shahar substation integrated into the Azerbaijans power grid was built in the south of the city. The substation will function as a tie-station for the liberated lands. President Ilham Aliyev launched the substation. The facilities include 110 kV switchyard and Digital Control Center. The substation was fully automated thanks to the SCADA dispatch control system, which was integrated with the central SCADA system. The SERGI transformer protector was also installed to save from fire and explosion. President Ilham Aliyev also viewed fish farms on the way over. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 May 2023 23:25 (UTC+04:00) First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan-Elbasy, Nursultan Nazarbayev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Ilham Heydar oglu! Please accept my sincere wishes on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Azerbaijan - the Independence Day. Today, it is well known that your country, which has set a goal to achieve new heights, has made significant strides in improving the prosperity of people and strengthening the security of state. You are well aware that I always highly appreciate your great contribution to the future development of special relationship between our friendly peoples. I am convinced that the friendship and respect established between us will continue in the future. Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, I avail myself of the opportunity to wish you robust health, success in your responsible activity, and peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan. Sincerely, Nursultan Nazarbayev First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan-Elbasy --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 22:23 (UTC+04:00) President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letters reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, Please allow me to extend my sincerest congratulations to you and the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Azerbaijans national holiday-the Independence Day. Over the last 30 years and since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Azerbaijan and France have established strong relations based on the partnership in the fields of economy, university and education. The visit of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna to Baku on April 26-27 has enabled us to see common wish to develop bilateral relations, and it makes me satisfied. This allowed us to recall Frances commitment for the just and lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is essential for the stability and prosperity of the entire region. I am glad to meet you again at the second meeting of European Political Community in Chisinau on June 1, which will allow us to continue our mutual exchange on challenges encountered by Caucasus and our continent. I express my hope that this summit, just like the meetings in Prague, will enable us to support the talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Mr, President, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration. Sincerely, Emmanuel Macron President of the French Republic --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 22:59 (UTC+04:00) Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letters reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Excellency, On behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan as well as on my own behalf, I extend our heartfelt felicitations to Your Excellency and the people of Azerbaijan on the auspicious occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Pakistan greatly values its fraternal bond with Azerbaijan and will continue to offer steadfast support to its sovereign sovereignty and territorial integrity. I also remain confident that the close cooperation between our countries will expand further for the mutual benefit of our two peoples. In this regard, I look forward to visiting your beautiful country soon. I would also like to take this opportunity to convey my best wishes to you and the people of Azerbaijan on the recently commemorated centennial anniversary of the founding father and great national leader His Excellency Heydar Aliyev. Present day Azerbaijan, advancing on the path of progress and prosperity, is indeed a celebration of Heydar Aliyev's life-long mission. I avail myself of this opportunity to pray for Your Excellency's good health and happiness, and for the continued progress and prosperity of the brotherly people of Azerbaijan. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Shehbaz Sharif Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 23:11 (UTC+04:00) Director General of ICESCO, Salim bin Mohammed Almalik has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letters reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, In celebration of the Republic of the Azerbaijan Independence Day on 28 May 2023, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), extends its greetings and congratulations to Your Excellency and your nations people on this auspicious day with honor and pride. ICESCO remains steadfast to its advocacy to stand united with its Member States in all its endeavors, including festive moments the country is commemorating. We celebrate with you and the rest of the nation on this jubilant day. Rest assured of ICESCOs continued support and cooperation today and the years ahead. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest considerations. Most respectfully, Salim bin Mohammed Almalik Director General of ICESCO --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 20:45 (UTC+04:00) Turkiye hosted 9.5 million foreign tourists in the first four months of this year, according to official figures revealed on Friday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. The number of foreign arrivals in January-April rose 27.51% on a yearly basis, the country's Culture and Tourism Ministry stated. Istanbul, Turkiye's largest city by population and a top tourist draw, welcomed over half of all foreign visitors, or nearly 4.77 million, in the four-month period. It was followed by the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya with 1.6 million foreign tourists and Edirne in northwestern Turkiye, which borders both Bulgaria and Greece, with 1.1 million foreign visitors. As for the nationalities of foreign tourists, Russia took first place with 12.1% nearly 1.15 million visitors over the same period, followed by Germany (10.14%) and Bulgaria (8.37%). In April alone, 3.3 million foreigners visited the country, up 29.03% on a yearly basis. Turkiye hosted 9.5 million foreign tourists in the first four months of this year, according to official figures revealed on Friday. The number of foreign arrivals in January-April rose 27.51% on a yearly basis, the country's Culture and Tourism Ministry stated. Istanbul, Turkiye's largest city by population and a top tourist draw, welcomed over half of all foreign visitors, or nearly 4.77 million, in the four-month period. It was followed by the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya with 1.6 million foreign tourists and Edirne in northwestern Turkiye, which borders both Bulgaria and Greece, with 1.1 million foreign visitors. As for the nationalities of foreign tourists, Russia took first place with 12.1% nearly 1.15 million visitors over the same period, followed by Germany (10.14%) and Bulgaria (8.37%). In April alone, 3.3 million foreigners visited the country, up 29.03% on a yearly basis. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 May 2023 23:50 (UTC+04:00) Serbia will call an emergency meeting of the countrys Security Council over the escalation of the situation in northern Kosovo after the authorities of the self-proclaimed republic of Kosovo tries to take control of the buildings of local administrations, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday, Azernews reports, citing TASS. "They waited for the day when many men from northern Kosovo and Metohija go to Belgrade and attacked municipal buildings in Zvecan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavic. The quint (the UK, Germany, Italy, the US, and France - TASS) representatives now condemn this but they allowed the Albanians to do that. We will hold a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss what will happen in Kosovo and Metohija," he said at a nationwide pro-government rally. The situation in four municipalities in northern Kosovo and Metohija escalated on Friday after Kosovo law enforcement officers tried to seize the buildings of local administrations, despite the resistance of local residents. The Kosovo police reportedly used tear gas and flash bang grenades. According to the local mass media, a police car was set on fire in the Zvecan municipality and armored vehicles were reportedly deployed to the site. In response to the actions of the Kosovo authorities, Belgrade put its army on high alert and deployed troops to the administrative border with Kosovo. Pristina insists that the new mayors of the four municipalities, who were elected amid the election boycotting by the Serb population, take their offices. Elections to local self-governments in four municipalities - Zvecan, Zubin Potok, Leposavic and North Mitrovica - in northern Kosovo and Metohija were held on April 23. The elections were boycotted by the Serb List party because of Pristinas non-fulfilment of its commitments. As a result, the voter turnout was a mere 3.47%, with 1,566 Albanians and only 13 out of 45,095 eligible Serbs taking part. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 84F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low around 60F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter. Email Dan Walters of CalMatters at dan@calmatters.org. CalMatters is a nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias state Capitol works and why it matters. For more columns by Walters, go to calmatters.org/dan-walters. Empowerment is an important thematic concern of the movie, directed by Keith Farrell, and one that is embodied through Karens character Alison. Rough around the edges, she has been dragged into a life of crime after arriving in England from Ireland. When she meets Sam, who also has a troubled past, he inspires her to see that life can be a beautiful thing and they go in search of the child she gave up years earlier. I would say that its a challenging film, says Karen (41), who is well-known for roles in The Fall, Vikings and Hollyoaks. I know Bernard OToole wanted to write a kind of dirty-fingernails type of script. I think it shows people maybe not at their best, but just trying to succeed in life and always stumbling and coming up against these obstacles. I play a character called Alison. She has had a troubled childhood and ends up falling into the sex trade and surrounding herself with people who have always taken advantage of her. Shes never really had the opportunity in life to be better. Karen Hassan Karen describes Alison as a bit of a closed fist in that shes always had to fight her way through life. Alison can come across as aggressive and a closed-off person and may be intolerant to a lot of things, but its just because shes had such a difficult upbringing, she adds. The world that she now exists in as a prostitute is much of the same as what shes always experienced. She has the potential to possibly find her daughter who was taken away from her. And the film starts to change when she goes on this journey to find her daughter, and that closed fist starts to open up a bit. You see that if she had these other opportunities in life, somewhere away from the people who oppress her, that she could have had an amazing life and she could have been a wonderful mother. Alisons plight is an emotive one that Karen feels is certain to resonate with the audience. I think thats the really sad thing about Wait For Me. Its that, in a way, Alison somehow realises she cant escape her past. Thats the sadness that I think is there for her and also for the audience, to see someone with such potential and yet life just keeps throwing barriers in her way. Its a heavy-hitting film. I think it is a true reflection of what real people have to face. Karen, who played Lynsey Nolan in Hollyoaks for three years, has enjoyed the challenge of trying to get to grips with her character in a shorter time-frame than usual. She explains: Getting to play a character like that is obviously the best challenge that you can have. I got cast a few days before filming. The film had been in production for quite some time, so I just jumped in at the deep end. The challenge was discovering who that character was in real time, her interactions with everyone she meets in those scenes, but also my interaction with being new to the project and trying to find out who she is. So, everything that is played out was discovered in real time. That was the biggest challenge, and that level of grappling with the character in each scene probably added an element that wouldnt have been there if I had a year to prep it. It definitely gave it a different edge to it. Karen is effusive in her praise for Farrell, who was awarded Best Director at Manchester Film Festival 2023. Keith was so lovely to me when I came on board, to come at such late notice, he was one of my anchors through the film, she says. I could see why he would win that award, he was absolutely amazing to work with. Karen also is busy on the Hope Street set where shes set to play new character Jo Lipton in season three of the popular police drama. Without giving anything away, she reveals that her arrival in Port Devine will be a memorable one. I cant really say too much about it, but everybody sort of looks at her in a kind of wide-eyed way who is this person? She arrives with a bit of a bang. Jo is a complicated character. Shes from the big city, Belfast, and then comes to Port Devine. It takes her a while to not feel like an outsider and I think with that she sometimes can rub people up the wrong way. She has no desire to follow the herd and kind of stands on her own two feet. Jo is somebody whos very good at their job and just wants to solve crimes that land on their desk. However, Karen explains that before long, Jo is charmed by Port Devine and soon finds herself wanting to be part of the community and more of a team player. Karen says she has been welcomed with open arms by the cast and crew. Having that experience and being part of Hope Street has been absolutely wonderful, she says. Everybody is lovely and very welcoming. I obviously was a fan of the show before I went in, and you can tell its a happy set. Its one where the cast and crew are constantly laughing, telling jokes and everyones enjoying filming. So even though Ive had some hard-hitting scenes, Im having the best time. Wait For Me, an Old Hall Films production, will be screened at Queens Film Theatre tonight at 6.15pm followed by a Q&A session with Karen and some of the cast and crew. It is showing at Queens Film Theatre until June 8 and is scheduled for a UK cinema release on June 2 Editors are calling on the Conservative Party to scrap undemocratic and detrimental fees imposed on the media for attending its annual conference. National, regional and international news outlets are refusing to sign up to the conference in the autumn following the decision by the party to implement a fee for reporting on the event. Editors regard the fee as draconian and believe it contradicts the partys claim to be a defender of press freedom. It costs 137 for a journalist to book up until July 31, before rising to 880 after that date. The issue of the fees has caused deep concern among a coalition of industry bodies including the News Media Association, Society of Editors, News Media Coalition and Foreign Press Association. The industry bodies have challenged the fees on the basis that any fee for media attendance at party conferences regardless of the political party sets a deeply concerning precedent in a democratic society. The organisations said the decision by newsrooms to withhold booking for the event is also being supported by the Press Gallery of Westminster political correspondents. In a joint statement, the coalition of industry bodies said: For more than a year, we have been seeking discussion with the Conservative Party to review these charges, as promised. This was to find an alternative solution to supposed concerns which the party seeks to address by charging the media for attendance a decision which we are united in viewing as undemocratic and detrimental to the interests of society and the party itself. In a democratic society, all party conferences are of considerable political and public importance and, as such, there should be no charging barrier for journalists to be able to act as the eyes and ears of the public by freely reporting at such events. Through objective journalism, the conference also provides a window for the global community to see UK democracy in action. The statement comes after the Culture Secretary vowed to protect public service broadcasters and fearless truth-telling. In a speech on May 18, Lucy Frazer said the Government was taking steps to increase press freedoms and make sure journalists can do their jobs effectively, including by guaranteeing the long-term future of first class public service broadcasters. Speaking to a media conference in London, she said a free press played a vital role in protecting democracy, but was under threat across the world with the arrest of journalists in places such as Russia. She added: No government has all the answers to all the challenges the media faces, but what I can promise you is that my approach will be guided by the following principles protect our public service broadcasters; stand up for independent voices; and nurture a thriving media landscape which upholds and champions fearless truth-telling. The coalition of industry bodies said the Conservative Campaign Headquarters has stated previously that the fee is to cover admin costs which have risen because it says the party receives numerous press pass applications from journalists who do not then attend. In addressing this, the industry bodies said: The issue of so-called no-shows is a factor experienced by all popular events of press interest often due to changing daily news agendas. We have offered alternative ways to reduce the impact and cost of speculative applications, which have fallen on deaf ears. To live up to the Conservative Governments mantra on press freedom, the accreditation fee for attending the conference must be scrapped. A Conservative Party spokesman said: A modest charge was introduced to discourage over-accreditation by some media outlets. At one recent conference several thousand people who applied for free media accreditation failed to collect their passes, generating large amounts of paper and plastic waste. In previous years, police security checks for non-attendees have cost the party tens of thousands of pounds. We do not believe members and other attendees should effectively subsidise this. There are a range of exemptions on offer owing to the challenging financial situation many local outlets face. Video Puffins enjoying the sun on in Co Wexford Donna Traynor has taken an employment case against the BBC An employment case taken against BBC NI by one of its best-known faces is set to open next week. Former Newsline presenter Donna Traynor is taking an industrial tribunal against the broadcaster and its Northern Ireland director, Adam Smyth. It comes after Ms Traynor dramatically quit her job at the corporation in November 2021. The tribunal is scheduled to open in Belfast on Tuesday. However, it is understood evidence may not be heard on the first day. The BBC and Mr Smyth are named as respondents in the case. Mr Smyth, formerly head of news at BBC NI, was appointed as its interim director in December 2021. He was appointed to the role permanently last month. Read more BBC NI strike: Eamonn Holmes drops by to show support for hundreds of journalists Now, just weeks after being confirmed in the job, he faces the prospect of a high-profile tribunal involving a former BBC favourite. When contacted on Friday, a BBC spokesperson said: It wouldnt be appropriate for us to comment on legal proceedings. Adam Smyth Ms Traynor was one of Northern Irelands most high-profile broadcasters. She began her career at RTE, and joined the BBC in 1989, presenting radio news bulletins, before moving into television. She was nominated twice for the Royal Television Society award for presenter of the year. Her departure as presenter announced via Twitter in November 2021 left viewers stunned. She said at the time: It is with deep sadness that, after almost 33 years, I am leaving the job that I love and resigning from BBC Northern Ireland with immediate effect. Because this is the subject of ongoing tribunal and other legal proceedings, I am not able to respond to any questions or comments about my reason for leaving the organisation. It is thought the journalist would no longer have been the first-choice presenter for the flagship Newsline programme and would also have been required to work on Radio Ulster. Declan Harvey and Tara Mills are now the main Newsline presenters. Last year the BBC failed in a bid to prevent journalists from attending part of the case. Employment judge Orla Murray ruled that a Mediahuis journalist be permitted to attend all of the substantive hearing including any private session. Referring to the open justice principle, the role of the press as public watchdog, and the publics right to know what is happening during a hearing, Judge Murray said it was important that the press be allowed to attend to understand the material under scrutiny. She added: I am not persuaded that a fully private hearing, even if restricted to a portion of the hearing, would be proportionate as I consider that it is important that the press, as the eyes and ears of the public, can be in attendance to hear the detail of the material under scrutiny so that they can understand it with a view to reporting on it as and when permitted by order of the tribunal. The judge instead imposed a hybrid privacy order, preventing, for a period, the reporting of certain information, and designating part of the hearing private, apart from the attendance of media representatives. She determined this order to be the minimum necessary interference the open justice principle required, and that it could be kept under review as the evidence unfolded in the case. The BBC pointed out that its application related to a without prejudice privilege point and not any other part of the hearing. The Irish prime minister has said the time is not right for a border poll on a united Ireland and warned that the push for a referendum is counterproductive. Leo Varadkar made the remarks in an interview with the Irish Times as he told the newspaper he is definitely hopeful that power-sharing will be restored in the autumn. The push for a Border poll, I think, is counterproductive, he said. "What we need to do is to make the Good Friday Agreement work, get the Assembly, the Executive, the north-south and east-west bodies functioning and functioning well. And then have the conversation between the governments and with the parties about what changes we might be able to make. Mr Varadkar, who has previously said he wants to see a united Ireland in his lifetime, said now is not the time to begin preparations for what that might mean. The conditions are not right, he said citing opinion-poll evidence that shows there is no sign of a majority in favour of unification. It comes after DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson rejected suggestions that an Irish border poll is close in the wake of Sinn Fein's success in the council elections. The Irish republican party surpassed the DUP as the biggest in local government in Northern Ireland last week adding 39 seats to its previous overall tally of 105. The DUP took the same number as it had done in 2019 prompting Sir Jeffrey to warn that unionism has "a lot of work" to do to get voters to the polls. The Taoiseach revealed he is in regular contact, both directly and indirectly with prime minister Rishi Sunak and the DUP leader. Mr Varadkar is relaxed about the unionist partys requests for changes to UK laws which govern trade relations between Northern Ireland and Britain as long as it doesnt affect the peace process and doesnt undermine whats been agreed between the EU and the UK under the terms of the Windsor protocol. He said he wants to be an honest broker and work with all five major parties here, even suggesting that the Republic could co-fund projects in NI because it might help with the real budget squeeze. The Irish premier cited the co-funding of the A5 road to Derry as an example. Thats the kind of conversation were willing to have, as to how we can identify other projects, he added. Mr Varadkar refused to be drawn on questions about when a general election will take place in the Republic which legally must be no later than March 25. I havent set a date, he said, stressing that he didnt have a date in my mind. Detectives are investigating a report that the female had a suspected firearm in the Joys Entry area on Friday. A 51-year-old woman was later arrested. Detective Sergeant Kennedy said: "Police received a report shortly after 2.05pm yesterday, Friday May 26, that a woman had a gun and was threatening to shoot a number of people in a licensed premises. "Officers attended and arrested a 51-year-old woman on suspicion of a number of offences, including carrying an imitation firearm in a public place. She remains in police custody at this time. "Our investigation is continuing and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area and saw what happened, or has any CCTV or dash-cam footage to call us on 101, quoting reference number 1020 of 26/05/23. Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime. A former Metropolitan Police officer who has been banned from policing over her handling of two incidents of flashing by Wayne Couzens says she has received hundreds of hate messages. Samantha Lee, 29, did not make the correct investigative inquiries over two incidents where the killer exposed himself to female staff members at a McDonalds restaurant in Swanley, Kent, days before he kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard, a disciplinary panel found. She also lied about her actions when questioned. Her behaviour was found to have amounted to gross misconduct and she is now banned from serving in any police force again. Wayne Couzens (Met Police) The tribunal heard she attended the restaurant on March 3 and interviewed manager Sam Taylor hours before 33-year-old marketing executive Ms Everard was kidnapped by the former firearms officer in Clapham, south-west London. She claimed she believed CCTV at the restaurant was deleted automatically so there would be no footage of Couzens or the offence. In his evidence, Mr Taylor said that he had shown Ms Lee CCTV footage and told her it could be downloaded on to a USB stick. He also said that he explained to her that Couzens registration plate could be seen in the CCTV footage of the second incident. For her part, Ms Lee denied that this was the case, saying that he had told her that there was no CCTV. Ms Lee told BBC Newsnight some of the abusive messages say she should have been the one kidnapped and murdered and that she felt she was being blamed completely for the killing. Some of them have been reported to police. She told the broadcaster: I think Im seen as this horrendous, awful person that has let an absolutely heinous crime take place. And Im being looked at as if Im just as guilty as what Couzens is. But literally, there was nothing that I could have done that would have changed the outcome. I dont want any sympathy at all. All I want is people just to understand that there is nothing that I could have done. Its been a case of lets go in at the bottom rather than going up higher at the top. The only person that should be blamed for that awful, awful, horrendous crime should be Wayne Couzens. After the ruling she said she had been made a scapegoat and says she feels she has been thrown under the bus. She said at the time: I am a young female Pc and I am the only person who has faced any disciplinary action in relation to this. There is only one person who is responsible for everything that happened and that is Wayne Couzens. I have never lied. In March, Couzens was sentenced to 19 months in prison after admitting three counts of indecent exposure, including flashing at the McDonalds restaurant on February 14 and 27 2021. He was already serving life behind bars for kidnapping Ms Everard as she walked home through Clapham, south London, on March 3 2021 and then murdering her. The third indecent exposure incident related to when Couzens exposed himself to a female cyclist on a Kent country lane in November 2020. Oscar Burrow has bene trying to climb 12 UK mountains to raise funds for Derian House Childrens Hospice (Matt Burrow/PA) A six-year-old who went viral for attempting to climb 12 of the highest mountains in the UK to help poorly children to go on holiday is to take on his final hike. Oscar Burrow from Lancaster plans to summit Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland, on May 29, alongside family members and his friend Ollie Perkins which marks the 70th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Over the course of nine months starting from October 2022 Oscar has reached the top of mountains including Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, and Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. Oscar Burrow is to tackle Ben Nevis on May 29 (Matt Burrow/PA) He drew inspiration from a video he saw of Sir Edmund Hillary climbing Mount Everest at school, which prompted him to say: I want to be the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. In a bid to satisfy his sons ambition, Mr Burrow, 38, a project manager in the NHS, thought: Why dont we start Oscar on this journey by picking 12 UK mountains that if you added them all up from where you start to where you finish on every mountain would be of a similar height to that of Everest? Oscar has gone on to raise more than 30,000 for Derian House Childrens Hospice, in Chorley, and as he prepares to ascend Ben Nevis, he said he is most looking forward to camping from Saturday to Wednesday, as a newbie to the activity. (from left to right) Matt and Oscar Burrow (Matt Burrow/PA) I want to make a fire using rocks, he told the PA news agency. Its my first time in a tent and I get to be sleeping outdoors. He added: Its the biggest mountain in the UK and there might be snow on the top. The youngster has visited the Chorley-based hospice several times and due to his heroic efforts, Oscar was given a gold badge by staff, which he proudly showed to PA. I got a very special badge and I want to take it to school, he added. Derian House has been at the forefront of his mind while on the climbs, prompted by his desire for poorly children to have a holiday, with the hospice allowing those who are sick to spend valuable time with their families at its lodges. (back row left to right) Kim, Matt and Mark Burrow, (front left to right) Ada and Oscar Burrow (Matt Burrow/PA) I want poorly children to go swimming on their holiday, Oscar added. Mr Burrow explained that when Oscar first visited Derian House, he was shown its facilities, including a swimming pool which has been heated to a specific temperature to make the children more comfortable and kept super clean to reduce the chance of infection. As a keen swimmer himself, the six-year-old wanted others to be able to swim. The money from this phase of the challenge will go towards helping the staff there run the swimming pool, equipment and also paying for children to have lessons and adolescents to stay at the hospice, Mr Burrow added. Mr Burrow said that at the start, instead of looking at the fundraising figures as money, Oscar views each thousand pounds raised as being a holiday for a child in need, with 30,000 equating to 30 children being able to go on holiday. Oscar and Matt Burrow (Matt Burrow/PA) The fundraising target stands at 60,000, and has been raised several times throughout the challenge, which Mr Burrow said has been something he did not expect. But if you can keep raising the target and do more for the hospice, why wouldnt you? Especially if you have the time. Oscars mountaineering journey has been filled with humorous, enjoyable and challenging moments, including a time when he thought he might get blown away. Oscar Burrow (centre), with his father Matt Burrow (left) and his grandfather Mark Burrow (Matt Burrow/PA) (When I did Helvellyn in the Lake District), I almost blew off and grandad and daddy had to hold onto me, he said. He liked climbing Glyder Fawr, in Snowdonia, because it was really steep and you have to climb up sections with your hands. He added that he found climbing Cairn Gorm, in Scotland, the hardest because of the deep snow. We made a giant snowball bigger than me and rolled it down the hill, Oscar added. Oscar has even met prolific fundraiser Speedo Mick. We met in Lancaster and he gave Oscar a special Speedo Mick key ring, then we met him a few weeks later on Snowdon, Mr Burrow said. Speedo Mick, Oscar Burrow (centre) and Ollie Perkins (Matt Burrow/PA) Mr Burrow added that support from the public leaving comments on both the JustGiving page and Oscars Facebook page, which has been tracking his journey, has been amazing. Some people have even said they might join us on Ben Nevis and weve had people send us gifts for Oscar, Ollie and Ada (Oscars younger sister), so its just fantastic. Seeing people continually follow his journey is lovely. Oscar has no plans to stop taking on fundraising challenges. I want to do the national three peaks with my grandad. Pascale Harvie, president and general manager at JustGiving, added: Oscar is a superstar and we have been completely blown away by what he has done and how much he has raised to help poorly children. What hes achieved at just six years old is extraordinary and as a result of Oscars efforts hes been recognised by the public and nominated for a JustGiving Award. Oscars JustGiving page can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oscar-burrow1?fbclid=IwAR2XJQg2J2-8zvOyc5XN5hKkenlpZ-G7tbiswedRgxZv3-OKuCFdCGFv4pA Oscars journey can be followed along via his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088803157394 Ukraines military intelligence says Russia is plotting a large-scale provocation at a nuclear power station it occupies in the south-east of the country to disrupt a looming counteroffensive (Leo Correa/AP) Ukraines military intelligence says Russia is plotting a large-scale provocation at a nuclear power station it occupies in the south-east of the country to disrupt a looming counteroffensive. A statement from the intelligence directorate of Ukraines Defence Ministry claimed Russian forces will strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe, and report a radioactive leak in order to trigger an international probe that would pause the hostilities and give them the respite they need to regroup. In order to make that happen, Russia disrupted the rotation of personnel of the permanent monitoring mission of the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that was scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. It did not offer evidence to back up any of the claims. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The IAEA said it did not have any immediate comment on the allegations and Russian officials did not immediately comment on the Ukrainian claims. The White House said it is watching the situation closely and has seen no indication radioactive material has been leaked. The claim mirrors similar statements Moscow regularly makes, alleging without evidence that Kyiv is plotting provocations involving various dangerous weapons or substances in order to then accuse Russia of war crimes. It comes as Moscows military in Ukraine braces for a looming counteroffensive by Kyivs forces, which has not started yet but could begin tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, told the BBC. The Zaporizhzhia station is one of the 10 biggest nuclear plants in the world. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content It is in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in south-eastern Ukraine. The plants six reactors have been shut down for months but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features. Fighting near it repeatedly disrupted power supplies and has fuelled fears of a potential catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, where a reactor exploded in 1986 and spewed deadly radiation, contaminating a vast area in the worlds worst nuclear disaster. In other developments, Russia on Saturday reported more attacks on its territory, with drones crashing in its western regions and areas on the border with Ukraine coming under shelling. Two drones attacked an administrative building of an oil company in Russias western Pskov region that borders Belarus, Latvia and Estonia, Pskov governor Mikhail Vedernikov reported on Saturday. The building was damaged as the result of an explosion, Mr Vedernikov said. A Ukrainian soldier jumping off the German self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery at his position at the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) Another drone went down in the Tver region about 90 miles north of Moscow, local authorities said. Russias Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine on Saturday came under multiple rounds of shelling, killing one person, according to its governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. In the neighbouring Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine, one person was killed by cross-border mortar fire, its governor Roman Starovoit said. And 60-year-old man was killed on Saturday evening by Russian shelling in the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, about 20 miles from the Russia border, Ukraines national police said. Meanwhile, the British military said on Saturday that Russias private military force, Wagner, is withdrawing from areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut that Moscow claims to have captured earlier this month. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier this week announced the pullout, saying Wagner would hand control over the ruined city over to the Russian military. Some were sceptical, however. An aerial view of damaged private houses, shell and rocket craters in the suburbs of Donetsk (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) Mr Prigozhin is known for making unverifiable, headline-grabbing statements on which he later backtracks. But the Ministry of Defence in Britain said in a series of tweets on Saturday that Wagner fighters have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions around Bakhmut. The Ukrainian deputy defence minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town, it added. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said the projected debt ceiling deadline is extended to June 5, four days later than previously estimated. Ms Yellen renewed her warning in a letter to Congress that inaction on raising the borrowing limit would cause severe hardship. Ms Yellens latest letter to legislators on the X-date came as Congress broke for the long Memorial Day weekend. She said that the Treasury Department had deployed an extraordinary measure not used since 2015 to get the US financial position to this point. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy talks to reporters about the debt limit negotiations as he arrives at the Capitol in Washington (J Scott Applewhite/AP/PA) The X-date arrives when the government no longer has enough of a financial cushion to pay all its bills, having exhausted the measures it has been using since January to stretch existing funds. Earlier on Friday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said his Republican debt negotiators and the White House had hit crunch time, straining to wrap up an agreement with President Joe Biden to curb federal spending and lift the nations borrowing limit ahead of the fast-approaching deadline. They had hoped to end weeks of frustrating talks and strike a deal by this weekend. The Treasury now says the government could start running out of money as soon as a week on Monday, sending the US into a potentially catastrophic default with economic spillover around the world. Anxious pensioners and social service groups were among those making default contingency plans as politicians left town for the long holiday weekend. The next batch of social security payments are due to go out next week. The world is watching, said International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva after meeting on Friday with Ms Yellen. Lets remember we are now in the 12th hour. Democrat Mr Biden and the Republican speaker were narrowing differences, labouring to lock in details on a two-year agreement that would restrain federal spending and lift the legal borrowing limit past next years presidential election. Any deal would need to be a political compromise, with support from both Democrats and Republicans to pass the divided Congress. We know its a crunch, Mr McCarthy said as he arrived at the Capitol, acknowledging more progress needed to be made. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks to reporters about debt limit negotiations on Capitol Hill in Washington (Jacquelyn Martin/AP/PA) While the contours of the deal have been taking shape to cut spending for 2024 and impose a 1% cap on spending growth for 2025, the two sides remain stuck on various provisions. The debt ceiling, now at 31 trillion dollars (25.1 trillion), would be lifted for two years to pay the nations incurred bills. A person familiar with the talks said the two sides were dug in on whether or not to agree to Republican demands to impose stiffer work requirements on people who receive government food stamps, cash assistance and healthcare aid. House Democrats have called such requirements for healthcare and food aid a nonstarter. Politicians are tentatively not expected back at work until Tuesday, just two days from the June 1 X-date when Treasury Secretary Yellen has said the US could face default. Mr Biden will also be away this weekend, departing on Friday for the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, and Sunday for his home in Wilmington, Delaware. The Senate is on recess and will return after Memorial Day. Each time there is forward progress, the issues that remain become more difficult and more challenging, said negotiator Rep Patrick McHenry on Friday. Weeks of negotiations between Republicans and the White House have failed to produce a deal in part because the Biden administration resisted negotiating with Mr McCarthy over the debt limit, arguing that the countrys full faith and credit should not be used as leverage to extract other partisan priorities. We have to spend less than we spent last year. That is the starting point, said Mr McCarthy. One idea is to set the topline budget numbers but then add a snap-back provision to enforce cuts if Congress is unable during its annual appropriations process to meet the new goals. On work requirements for aid recipients, the White House is particularly resisting measures that could drive more people into poverty or take their healthcare, said the person familiar with the talks, who was granted anonymity to describe behind-closed-door discussions. Over the Republican demand to rescind money for the Internal Revenue Service, it is still an open issue whether the sides will compromise by allowing the funding to be pushed into other domestic programmes, the person said. In one potential development, Republicans may be easing their demand to boost defence spending beyond what Mr Biden had proposed in his budget, instead offering to keep it at his proposed levels, according to another person familiar with the talks. Mr McCarthy said Donald Trump, the former president who is again running for office, told him, Make sure you get a good agreement. Even if negotiators strike a deal in coming days, Mr McCarthy has promised he will abide by the rule to post any Bill for 72 hours before voting now likely Tuesday or even Wednesday. The Democratic-held Senate has vowed to move quickly to send the package to Mr Bidens desk, right before next Thursdays possible deadline. Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings agency placed the United States AAA credit on ratings watch negative, warning of a possible downgrade. Judge tells fraudster shes lucky he didnt send her to jail This is the disgraced hospital nurse who has narrowly escaped going to jail after she targeted six elderly and vulnerable patients, stealing their bank details and cash to cover her gambling debts. Instead 27-year-old Natalia Winiarska walked out of court after the fraudster was handed a combination order of 100 hours community service and two years probation. Judge Alistair Devlin told the registered nurse, who stole more than 6,200 and is still to face health service disciplinary proceedings, that given the gross breach of trust her crimes merited a jail sentence. However, he noted she was now the mother of a seven-month-old daughter and he had to take account of the likely harm and long-term impact that an immediate, but relatively short term of imprisonment would have not just on her but her child. Earlier this year Winiarska, with an address as c/o solicitor Hamill Clawson, pleaded guilty to 49 dishonesty offences, most of them fraud by false representation. They were committed against six victims over 11 months between October 1, 2020 and August 5, 2021. On Tuesday, Antrim Crown Court was told the series of frauds came to light when an 83-year-old lady alerted her bank to report two fraudulent transactions. The pensioner had been an inpatient in Antrim Area Hospital (AAH) and brought her bank card and mobile phone in a handbag with her to hospital. While her personal effects were put into the bedside locker, the actual lock broke during her admission and the victim told cops she had left her handbag unattended inside when she had been sent for scans. Two days later, a 68-year-old male patient told police his wallet had been stolen while he was in the same hospital. His family were able to confirm to the hospital that during his stay there had also been four unauthorised transactions from his Santander bank account and three unauthorised attempted transactions, the prosecution told the court. Ballymena Credit Union staff confirmed funds from the 83-year-old womans account had been transferred to Winiarska through her ex-boyfriends accounts. She had withdrawn the cash three days later. Winiarska was arrested and questioned but she refused to answer police questions and was freed on police bail pending further enquiries. Then police received reports of yet another theft at Antrim Area Hospital. This time from the sister of a 61-year-old man with learning difficulties who had his wallet stolen when he was a patient there. The wallet was found with the cards still inside, but 110 in cash was missing. The victims sister was able to tell detectives there had been three unauthorised transactions and two unauthorised attempted transactions from the victims account. Police examination of the Ballymena Credit Union account of Natalia Winiarska revealed a further three victims, said the barrister. They were an 82-year-old woman who had been a patient in the Ulster Hospital and two men, aged 71 and 72 respectively, in Antrim Area. The prosecution told the court that in most of the cases, the callous fraudster was directly involved in caring for the patients. Arrested and reinterviewed in June last year, Winiarska made almost full confessions to what she had done. Although she denied stealing cash at that stage, Winiarska later admitted that she had stolen money from two patients, claiming that she was really sorry and had used it to cover her gambling debts. On top of that, the court was also told the nurse used the stolen card to pay for electricity, mobile phone top-ups, clothes and skincare products. The prosecution argued that while the victims various banks had refunded them for the losses, there was a litany of aggravating features in the case. Winiarska abused her position of trust, deliberately targeted her vulnerable victims, planned her litany of deception and also tried to implicate her former partner. Branding her offences quite disgraceful, Judge Devlin said the combination order a mix of community service and probation was the best way of addressing her addressing her gambling and mental health issues. He warned any breach would see her back in court and facing almost certainty jail. The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming Targets Pride collection features a bathing suit for kids that is labeled tuck-friendly. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Business writer Tony Dobrowolski's main focus is on business reporting. He came to The Eagle in 1992 after previously working for newspapers in Connecticut and Montreal. He can be reached at tdobrowolski@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6224. PITTSFIELD The prosecution of a Vermont man who allegedly lost his son in a brook while fleeing police has been moved to Superior Court. Darrel A. Galorenzo, 35, of Readsboro, was indicted by a grand jury this month and arraigned Thursday before Judge Francis Flannery, who maintained his bail at $250,000 cash with the agreement of both the prosecution and his defense lawyer. Community News Editor / Librarian Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. In 1998: Michael Fortier, the governments star witness in the Oklahoma City bombing case, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after apologizing for not warning anyone about the deadly plot. (Fortier was freed in January 2006.) Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You are the owner of this article. A Jamaican man who volunteered for the Royal Air Force and flew bombing missions in World War II was remembered at his funeral as a dignified, gracious, quiet man with an old-school charm. Former flight Sgt. Peter Brown died alone in his London home in December at age 96 with no immediate family. Word of his death inspired hundreds of strangers to turn out to honor his service in Britains hour of need. The Rev. Ruth Hake says the large turnout at St. Clement Danes Church reflected the debt of gratitude that his adopted country owed such a modest man. Super Typhoon Mawar is currently on course to bring heavy rainfall to the Philippines and Taiwan over the weekend. The storm has recently ravaged Guam and is among the top 10 strongest storms to occur globally since 2000. While Mawar would not strike the Philippines, weather forecasts indicate that it would recurve and weaken when it approaches the eastern seaboard of Taiwan. Philippines gets ready Mawar's gustiness has slightly slowed from 260 km per hour to 250 km per hour as it approaches the Philippines due to two high-pressure systems in the northeast and the southwest. According to the country's weather bureau, Mawar is expected to enter its area of responsibility and will be given the local name "Betty." While the typhoon is not expected to hit any part of the country, authorities still urge Filipinos to prepare for possible flooding and landslides due to heavy rainfall. The typhoon could maintain its west-northwest direction, speeding its course until Saturday before slowing down by Sunday. By Monday, the typhoon would move towards the east of the Batanes islands and is expected to slow further upon approaching the seas east of Taiwan. Marcos: We are ready for Mawar Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday that the country has adequately prepared for the possible damage brought about by Mawar. Marcos told local media that relief goods had been prepared and prepositioned in the northern part of the island of Luzon, which would be the most affected area during the storm's passage. "We are in constant contact with the local governments to see what the situation is in their place," he said. @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Springfield diocese settles with man raped in 1960s by late Bishop Weldon The resolution follows two years of contentious litigation with the man, identified only as John Doe in public court filings. With the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfields settlement announcement, a powerful institution that deals in absolution finally accepted a real measure of accountability to a Chicopee man who endured clergy abuse as a boy and undermining of his truth as an adult. The end to this saga, long delayed by the dioceses shameful obfuscation, underscores the fact that often such morally necessary accountability can only be unearthed by the courage of survivors and the tireless truth-seeking of community journalists. The settlement agreement averts a trial in the civil lawsuit brought against the diocese by a man identified in court documents as John Doe. A decade ago, when the Springfield Diocese and the Catholic Church more broadly were grappling with the fallout of a systemic sexual abuse coverup scandal, John Doe came forward with allegations that the late Bishop Christopher J. Weldon and several other priests gang-raped him while he was an altar boy in the 1960s. But diocese leadership for years sought to discredit John Doe and obfuscate the extent of abuse accusations against Bishop Weldon, a prominent 20th-century diocesan figure whose name and likeness appeared on properties across the Springfield Diocese. Weldons name was kept off the running list of credibly accused clergy a mechanism meant to increase the dioceses accountability and transparency in how it handled the many credible complaints of abuse against priests it employed. Judge finds allegation against former Bishop Weldon 'unequivocally credible' Officials in the Springfield Diocese sought to protect the reputation of the late Bishop Christopher J. Weldon, a retired judge says, despite a former altar boys unequivocally credible complaint that the bishop sexually molested him in the 1960s. Judge Peter A. Velis said in a report made public Wednesday that a Chicopee mans allegations of repeated sexual assaults by the bishop are believable. Now, Weldons name and likeness will be purged from Catholic church venues and his remains moved from a place of honor. The diocese eventually did place Bishop Weldons name on the credibly accused list and soon after scrubbed most diocesan references to him and exhumed his body from a prominent spot in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. But that was only after the diocese hired retired Judge Peter Velis to conduct an independent review, in which the former Superior Court justice found John Does allegations unequivocally credible though the dioceses own review board also concluded the allegations were credible years earlier while doing little to officially acknowledge them. The exposure of the dioceses effort to save face at the expense of retraumatizing a clergy abuse victim as well as the public pressure that led the diocese to tap Judge Velis for his independent report can be traced directly to the dogged investigative work of former Eagle reporter and editor Larry Parnass. He is now executive editor of The Republican in Springfield. As we have urged before on this editorial page, neither the diocese nor the Western Massachusetts community should look away from the painful truths revealed for public scrutiny by Mr. Parnass work: the physical and spiritual trauma John Doe and others endured at the hands of socially powerful clergyman, the contemptible cover-up attempt by a diocese ostensibly working to ease the pain of an abuse scandal. Those truths would never have seen the light of day without John Does courage in coming forward and Mr. Parnass careful and consummate reporting work and both individuals were punished for their good deeds. We cant imagine what it was like for John Doe to suffer not just the unspeakable injury of abuse but the demoralizing insult of years-long denial. We are familiar, though, with the hardship the diocese decided to heap on Mr. Parnass and The Berkshire Eagle by filing a subpoena demanding an array of information. The dioceses demands included access to reporter notes that could have compromised Mr. Parnass promises of confidentiality to key sources in his investigation of this local chapter in a sprawling clergy abuse scandal. A judge deemed the dioceses seemingly punitive tactic a classic fishing expedition, though it was one that cost The Eagle around $20,000 to fight in court. In order to defend a reporters critical work and the powers of accountability with which the First Amendment charges the free press, thats a price we were willing to pay but its a heavy one, as any community newspaper trying to survive modernity would attest. While the settlement agreements monetary aspect is confidential, we believe the most crucial steps toward closure and justice come out of the dioceses admissions in Fridays statement from Bishop William D. Byrne. The diocese acknowledges not only the extent of John Does allegations but their credibility, and more importantly it formally retracts past statements that contradicted or muddled this reality. Bishop Byrnes statement also alludes to the broader issue of how the diocese handles all abuse claims, underscoring the need to not just help survivors who came forward but avoid further harm by needlessly retraumatizing those who have already endured great pain. The statement also announces a new hire to lead the dioceses Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance. Arguably, this is an ounce of contrition where a pound is needed. The statement gives no mention of the dioceses very recent efforts to drag its feet on this issue, including using the courts to target a reporter and attempt to expose confidential sources in years of sensitive reporting. Still, there is real contrition in the bishops statement a prerequisite for the dignity survivors deserve and a real pathway forward for the diocese to earn back the moral trust it has systematically relinquished for years. A chance at healing requires recognizing just how deeply went these festering wounds. We hope the diocese will follow the bishops words with action and adopt a new standard of care for those it has wounded to which it will faithfully hold itself. And we wish the most possible peace for John Doe. For there to be peace, there must first be truth. While it is often said that the truth will out, it does not do so passively. That the Springfield Diocese or any powerful institution is forced to grapple with the truth of its costly failures and grievous harms is only possible because of wounded but unbroken survivors like John Doe and the disinfecting spotlight directed by journalists like Larry Parnass. More than a decade has passed since my church family experienced one of the hardest years in the life of our body. In the course of a few months, we lost an eight-year-old to Cystic Fibrosis and a seventeen-year-old to cancer. A man in his early forties passed away of a sudden heart attack on the last night of a ten-day tour of Israel with thirty-five other members of our church, including his wife and daughter. And before the year ended, we buried a nineteen-year-old from alcohol poisoning. We prayed a lot during that year. We held multiple prayer vigils at our church; we gathered with family members at the hospital. My husband and other pastors drove hours to be with grieving families. We asked God for miracles; after all, the God we knew was fully capable of intervening in these events. With a simple change of His will, much suffering could have been avoided. And from our perspective, who knows how much our faith might have grown if He answered according to our will? It was a difficult year. I remember hearing the mother of the seventeen-year-old speak about her experiences and the many ways her relationship with God changed during the time they battled the rare cancer that was stealing her daughters life. So many miracles happened along the way. Prayers were answered in specific ways that could only have come from Gods hand. She kept a record of their journey, documenting the ways God was answering our pleas for this young girls life. She described her emotions when she realized that her precious child would not be healed on this side of an earthly grave. Im paraphrasing, but essentially, she expressed it this way. Each time God answered a prayer, it was like rolling a ball toward the edge of a drop off, and every single time, it came back. After so many answers, I never expected the ball not to come back. Suddenly, it didnt. Like many others who have experienced similar circumstances, the final answer of no deeply challenged this sweet sisters faith. For a very long time, she couldnt pray, couldnt worship. I believe she would tell us she truly felt God had let her down. What do we do when our faith is shaken, when we feel like God didnt come through for us? How do we find our footing again on solid ground and restore our confidence in a God who says He loves us, but fails to answer our prayers in the way we think He should? How do we learn to trust God when He allows such pain and suffering into our lives? Here are four things we can do to rebuild our trust in God when we feel like He let us down. Photo credit: Getty Images/Antonio Guillem Tonight's rundown: Talking Points Memo: Joe Biden continues to decline with the world watching and remains out of the press reach Presidential Historian Larry Cook weighs in on how Bidens relationship with the press compares to past presidents US Special Forces have been confirmed to be in Ukraine OReilly describes Democrats hosting the DNC in Chicago as Crazy Arrogant The trial of Fox News gets underway 58% of Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck even as inflation begins to cool off Smart Life: Utilizing Kelly Blue Book when searching for a new car This Day in History: FDR dies in office Final Thought: what to do when someone is disrespectful to you In Case You Missed It: Read Bill's latest column, "Reason to Believe" Join 'Team Normal!' Order your gear now at BillOReilly.com! Pre-order Bills next bestseller Killing the Witches NOW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Researchers launch scientific expedition to investigate water resources on Kunlun Mountains, NW China Xinhua) 10:16, May 27, 2023 A researcher tests the river velocity in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) A researcher takes photos of a spring in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) This aerial photo taken on May 23, 2023 shows researchers heading for Ayakum Lake at the eastern foot of the Kunlun Mountains in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Researchers pose for a group photo at Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 23, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Researchers test the water quality in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 23, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) This aerial photo taken on May 23, 2023 shows researchers working in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) This aerial photo taken on May 22, 2023 shows researchers working in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Researchers test the river velocity and discharge in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Researchers test the river velocity and discharge in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) A researcher collects water samples in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Researchers check statistics on water resources in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Researchers conduct research work in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Researchers collect water samples in the Kumkol Basin in the east of the Kunlun Mountains, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 23, 2023. Recently, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have launched a scientific expedition to investigate water resources on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) (Photo : Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images) Boris Johnson's representative said he met with former US President Donald Trump this week to discuss Ukraine matters. Johnson has been lobbying prominent Republicans in the US to assist Ukraine following Russia's incursion. Johnson addresses Texas pro-Ukraine think tanks during a private lunch. Trump has been criticized for his Russia-Ukraine stance. According to Johnson's representative, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a meeting with ex-United States President Donald Trump this week about Ukraine and the "importance of Ukrainian victory" in the ongoing war. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Boris Johnson, who was ousted from office last year, has set out on a cross-country campaign to win over leading Republicans. Two Controversial Leaders Meet Again Pro-Ukraine think tanks hosted a private lunch in Texas where Johnson spoke to lawmakers, fundraisers, and business executives on the United States' continued support for Ukraine, according to Politico. Subsequently, Johnson was supposed to have dinner with Donald Trump, who has been criticized for his position on the Russia-Ukraine war. In a recent CNN town hall, Trump avoided saying outright that he wanted Ukraine to win the conflict, focusing instead on his objective of putting a stop to the deaths of both Russians and Ukrainians within 24 hours if he wins the US presidency again. A representative for Boris Johnson confirmed that conversations concerning Ukraine were a primary subject of conversation during the Thursday meeting between Trump and Johnson. The location of the discussion has yet to be made public. Johnson used to be referred to by Trump as a "friend" and even dubbed "Britain Trump," but their political trajectories have diverged over the years. In an earlier interview with GB News, Donald Trump slammed Johnson's administration, accusing it of moving to the "far left" because of measures like its backing for wind farms and environmental projects. However, their meeting this week offered a chance to discuss Ukraine-related issues and find common ground. The two former heads of state had already met each other when they attended the 2019 G7 conference in France. With a promise of $46.65 billion in weaponry and equipment over the previous year, the United States has been Ukraine's most significant military assistance contributor. The BBC reported that the UK is the second-largest donor, having pledged $7.16 billion. Read Also: Turkey Elections: Erdogan Defies Political Demise 'Partygate' Update Over a year ago, Boris Johnson was fined by the police for a June 2020 birthday party incident. In addition, more than 100 others received penalties for activities in and near Downing Street. The "Partygate" scandal contributed to Johnson's resignation as prime minister. He has considered the possibility of returning, however. The MPs are investigating Johnson on the privileges committee to see whether he misled the House of Commons when he said Downing Street followed all COVID-19 rules. Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, recently reacted to Johnson's behavior, saying concerns remain regarding the Chequers claims and why they were not raised sooner. After looking into diary entries about visitors to Chequers during the outbreak that Johnson's legal counsel submitted as part of the COVID-19 probe, the Cabinet Office recently sent new misconduct claims to the police, as per a report from The Guardian. Related Article: Russia Arrests Ukrainians Planning To Attack Nuclear Power Plant @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Economist Michael Hudson discusses the origins of Western debt-based societies, based on the research in his book The Collapse of Antiquity: Greece and Rome as Civilizations Oligarchic Turning Point. Hudson argues this reality has for centuries been misrepresented by biased Eurocentric historians, but is relevant to understand our economic systems today. You can find links to all of Michaels books at his website Michael-Hudson.com. You can support Michael on Patreon at Patreon.com/MichaelHudson. (Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images) United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen pushes back the debt ceiling deadline to June 5, citing new information available. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says that the United States debt ceiling deadline is pushed back to June 5 The official made her remarks in a letter sent to Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy The announcement was made based on the move recent data available and as negotiators inch closer to a deal United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen pushes back the debt ceiling deadline to June 5 based on the latest data available as negotiators are inching closer to finalizing a deal. In a letter, Yellen said that the Treasury Department now estimates that the United States will run out of funds to pay its bills by June 5. Her remarks were made in a document she sent to Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Treasury Pushes Back Debt Ceiling Deadline The Treasury secretary's new estimate was more specific than her previous guidance. In her previous two letters sent to Congress, she suggested a little more uncertainty regarding the situation, saying, "as early as June 1," as per CBS News. Despite the latest warning, the exact timing of when the United States government will be unable to pay its bills has a certain degree of uncertainty. This comes despite the Treasury Department tracking funds entering and leaving its coffers. In her letter, Yellen said the country could make more than $130 billion of scheduled payments in the first two days of June. This would include payments to veterans and Social Security and Medicare recipients. These will then leave the Treasury with what she called an "extremely low level of resources." The Treasury secretary added that the department is set to make an estimated $92 billion in payments and transfers in the week of June 5. Yellen added that the American government would need more resources to satisfy its obligations by that time. Yellen added that she has highlighted to McCarthy the risk that the Treasury would only be able to satisfy some of its obligations by early June. According to Fox Business, she noted that she had done so since January and said she would continue to update Congress about the situation as more data becomes available. Read Also: Biden Nominates Air Force Gen. CQ Brown as Next Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Running Out of Funds The secretary argued that she was forced to fall back to an extraordinary measure that has yet to be invoked since 2015 just so that she could ensure that the American government has enough funds to operate. She detailed a series of payments that Washington wants to make on time in the week of June 5. With Yellen's Friday warning, Congress and the White House now have a little more time to reach a deal, but negotiators are still not on the same page. Rep. Garret Graves said that he had already spoken with one of President Joe Biden's appointed negotiators, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young. The Democratic president chipped in and is hopeful that a deal regarding the debt ceiling would be reached by negotiators later this evening. Before leaving Washington, Biden said they were negotiating the situation to look for a solution, said CNN. Related Article: DeSantis Campaign Raised Over $8 Million 24 Hours Since Glitchy Twitter Launch @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. With the curtain pulled back on the Twitter files this year, the gears of the debate machine have been grinding relentlessly on the topic of censorship and perceived liberal-establishment bias within social-media behemoths like Twitter and Facebook. And while theyve undoubtedly earned their place in the critical spotlight, the focus on them has allowed a far more devious predator to lurk largely unchecked in the shadows: Google. Recent revelations cast a disturbing light on the truth: its not just invading our privacy and appropriating our data, its aggressively targeting the impressionable minds of children. Enter stage left Harvard Ph.D., Californian Democrat, and research psychologist Dr. Robert Epstein, who has dedicated the better part of a decade to illuminating the murky underbelly of Googles Machiavellian manipulation strategies, sweeping up everything from newsfeeds to search results, and even YouTube suggestions. The insights gleaned from his pioneering research, which he recently shared with The NY Post, provide an unnerving look at the disturbing degree to which Google wields its power to manipulate the collective mindset and steer election results in a direction that conveniently aligns with its liberal corporate agenda. Despite its continued denials before Congress, this trillion-dollar tech titan exploits its unparalleled monopoly in the search-engine domain to inflate liberal ideologies, stifle conservative voices, and most alarmingly, manipulate the malleable minds of our children. When we consider the facts, the grim reality of manipulation packs a powerful punch. Remember the controversial suppression of The Posts Hunter Biden laptop stories by Twitter and Facebook? Well, thats just the icebergs tip. Consider this: what about the jaw-dropping 6 million votes covertly swayed in Joe Bidens favor during the 2020 election by Google via its calculated online content manipulation? Epstein points an accusing finger at Google, alleging it used biased algorithms to shape search results and slanted Get Out The Vote messages primarily to court Democrat voters. Preliminary findings from Epsteins latest venture further expose an even more entrenched liberal bias when examining how Googles colossal psyop targets children through platforms like YouTube and beyond. By leveraging an average ranking from three nonpartisan organizations tasked with assessing media bias, he identified the sources of the videos suggested to the young minds. Surveying the sprawling, wild expanse of the digital landscape, a mere 38% of video sources tilt liberal, with the remainder evenly spread between conservative and centrist. However, YouTube disproportionately skews this balance, presenting a disproportionately liberal point of view. For the average user, Googles manipulation operates with an alarming level of stealth. Its search results and YouTube suggestions are ephemeral, evaporating the instant you click on a link, leaving no trace to scrutinize or question. It is, in its purest form, the perfect undetectable crime. Yet, Epstein has ingeniously crafted a method to capture this transient data by essentially shadowing real users, a group he refers to as field agents. This system, akin to Nielsens TV ratings surveillance, currently oversees the Google interactions of 7,566 registered voters across all 50 states. Moreover, hes extended this to cover 1,600 children, aged 5 to 17, and has ambitious plans to swell his panel to over 25,000 field agents of all ages and political leanings. His forthcoming public dashboard, americasdigitalshield.org, slated to debut before the 2024 election, promises real-time tracking of bias across platforms like Google, YouTube, Facebook, and Bing. It will also provide an estimate of potential vote shifts arising from detected biases. Even though Google CEO Sundar Pichai vowed to Congress in 2020 that Google would not tweak its products to favor any political viewpoint, Epsteins revelations expose a glaring contradiction. Donations from employees at Google, YouTube, and parent company Alphabet predominantly lean towards Democrats, hinting at an inherent liberal bias. Googles manipulation isnt simply conjecture. Leaked internal communications from 2016 and 2017 reveal a clear partisan slant, a resolve to push certain values, and plans to mold public opinion on pivotal issues such as Trumps travel bans. Although Google denies following through with these plans, Epsteins research portrays a very different reality. Source: The Free Thought Project Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA. This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state. Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world. Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project. Follow @MattAgorist on Twitter. Elon Musk's brain-implant startup received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to conduct clinical trials of its experimental device in humans. "We are excited to share that we have received the FDA's approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!" Neuralink said Thursday in a tweet. Neuralink continued, "This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people." Musk retweeted the post, congratulating Neuralink. Founded in 2016, Neuralink is developing a small implant chip that will link the brain to a computer, via electrode-laced wires, with hopes it might one day treat paralysis and blindness in humans. The FDA approval "is really a big deal," Cristin Welle, a former FDA official and an associate professor of neurosurgery and physiology at the University of Colorado, told Bloomberg. Welle said Neuralink "can initiate human trials, which means they have passed the safety preclinical testing and the bench testing." Musk has noted the brain chip could allow humankind to keep up with artificial intelligence advances. Already, Neuralink claimed its brain chip had taught a monkey how to play video games with its mind. Musk recently said the brain chip "will succeed at solving many brain injury issuesspine injury issuesalong the way." And he even said the chip could restore vision in people, even if they're born blind. Neuralink isn't the first brain-computer interface company to enter clinical trials for humans. For example, Synchron and Blackrock Neurotech have already implanted their brain chips into the heads of people. "We want to surpass able-bodied human performance with our technology," Neuralink tweeted last month. Congress is launching an investigation into the World Health Organization (WHO) after details emerged of the United Nations health bodys disturbing Orwellian plan to combat so-called misinformation. The WHOs pandemic prevention initiative, the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET), pushes plans to use social listening surveillance systems to monitor the publics speech for misinformation. However, PRET has been met with a backlash as more people start to push back against unelected bodies who are trying to suppress speech and potentially override sovereignty. PRET aims to guide countries in pandemic planning, according to documents from the UN agency. It states that the WHO is working to incorporate the latest tools and approaches for shared learning and collective action established during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PRET document describes misinformation as a health threat. It also refers to this vague term as being part of a larger infodemic. Infodemic is the overabundance of information accurate or not which makes it difficult for individuals to adopt behaviors that will protect their health and the health of their families and communities, the document states. The infodemic can directly impact health, hamper the implementation of public health countermeasures, and undermine trust and social cohesiveness. At no point does the WHOs PRET document provide any evidence to support the claims about misinformation and infodemics, however. Nevertheless, it continues to call for invasive methods of countering the alleged issue. Establish and invest in resources for social listening surveillance systems and capacities to identify concerns as well as rumors and misinformation, the WHOs PRET document urges. To build trust, its important to be responsive to needs and concerns, to relay timely information, and to train leaders and HCWs in risk communications principles and encourage their application. Communication should be tailored to the community of interest, focusing on and prioritizing vulnerable groups. New tools and approaches for social listening have been developed using new technologies such as artificial intelligence to listen to population concerns on social media (such as the Platform EARS developed by WHO). The document also recommends testing these tactics during acute respiratory events including seasonal influenza. Develop and implement communication and behavior change strategies based on infodemic insights, and test them during acute respiratory events including seasonal influenza, it explains. This includes implementing infodemic management across sectors, and having a coordinated approach with other actors, including academia, civil society, and international agencies. The emergence of the disturbing documents has prompted calls from Republicans for an investigation into the WHO. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is holding a Congressional hearing on the WHOs pandemic accord. Democrat President Joe Bidens Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, recently met with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. They met to discuss the accord and the critical role of the U.S. in global health security. In his opening remarks at the World Health Assembly, Dr. Tedros said: I urge you to deliver the pandemic accord on time, as a generational commitment. The next pandemic will not wait for us. We must be ready. The Accords preliminary document, zero draft, was first published in February. In March, the Biden administrations envoy at the negotiations, Pamela Hamamoto, said that the administration is committed to the Pandemic Accord, to form a major component of the global health architecture for generations to come. The American people have a right to know exactly what the Biden Administration is negotiating at the WHO, especially as the President remains silent and fails to reassure us that he will protect our Constitution from bureaucrats at this troubled United Nations body, Rep. Smith said. Smith is particularly concerned that the Accord could undermine Americas sovereignty over its healthcare infrastructure. The zero-draft WHO pandemic treaty starts off with very harsh criticism of the United States and the international community by calling it a catastrophic failure of the international community in showing solidarity and equity in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Rep. Smith noted. Article 4 of the treaty pays lip service to sovereignty and then completely overcomes that lip service by saying, provided that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to their peoples and other countries, which empowers the WHO to step in and prescribe what each country would do. During the hearing, Smith plans to ask Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the contents of the accords zero draft. Under absolutely no circumstances should the Biden Administration surrender American sovereignty to the World Health Organization and allow the voice of the American people and consent of the governed to be subjugated to dictates of an agenda-driven global administrative bureaucracy, Smith insisted. READ MORE: WHO Pushes Guidance on Sexuality for Infants (Support Free Thought) - The Los Angeles city council has authorized the use of a robotic dog device by the local police department, despite protests from residents and some dissenting council members. New York previously unveiled similar tech and faced major public backlash. City lawmakers voted 8-4 on Tuesday to approve a donation of a Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle to the LAPD from the non-profit Los Angeles Police Foundation, which supplied the $277,000-robot to the force free of charge. Designed and manufactured by Boston Dynamics, the robotic dog is capable of navigating terrain and buildings autonomously, and can be equipped with a wide range of surveillance gear, sensors and other payloads. For police, it is generally intended for use in dangerous situations that could put officers at risk, acting as an extra set of eyes and ears for the department. However, the new addition to the LAPD faced sharp criticism from residents, with several citizens slamming the councils decision during public comments on Tuesday. One local said I dont want to arm [artificial intelligence], while another declared that the use of the robot would eventually lead to robot cops, asking Didnt you guys see that movie iRobot or Terminator? Yet another citizen said the city councils public comment period was clearly performative, accusing local lawmakers of ignoring the wishes of their constituents. After listening to overwhelming public comments, you vote the opposite way. New York City and San Francisco have already rejected these robot dogs. The LAPD does not need military weapons, they said. New Yorks decision in 2020 to employ the robotic dog, which the NYPD dubbed Digidog, proved equally controversial, with the city cutting short its first contract to lease the device after New Yorkers decried the tech as Orwellian. However, officials later reversed course and returned the dog to the force last month, with police commissioner Keechant Sewell stating it would be used in a way that is transparent, consistent and always done in close collaboration with the people we serve. San Francisco even considered allowing its police department to use robots for deadly force in the case of emergencies, but later voted down that policy following public outcry. LA councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez was among the lawmakers to vote against the decision, arguing this item is being painted as merely an acceptance of a donation, but it really represents an expansion of the current boundaries around policing and surveillance. City officials claim the robot will be primarily used by the LAPDs SWAT team, and will enhance officer safety during high-risk incidents, adding that it would fill a critical gap for the department given the devices unique features. by Rhoda Wilson On Tuesday, The Rockefeller Foundation announced it had partnered with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to expand global pandemic preparedness in an era of climate change. The Rockefeller Foundation launched the partnership with the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence on the side lines of the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA). The same Assembly that was meeting to negotiate proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHRs). A brief description of WHAs side events can be viewed HERE. There is no indication from any of the side events that WHO partnerships were to be decided. Interestingly, there was a side event scheduled for the day after The Rockefeller Foundations announcement dramatically titled One Health in practice Preventing the Next Pandemic Before Communities Suffer. A topic which is more in line with the Foundations announcement which makes it clear that the pandemic, climate change and surveillance ideologies have merged into one agenda. This is just the tip of the One Health iceberg that has been embedded in the amendments to the IHRs and the Pandemic Treaty. When fully implemented, One Health will give WHO Dictator General Tedros the Terrorist and those who fund him complete power and control over decisions related to the environment, plants, animal health, human health and more. It is the framework for a global all-encompassing dictatorship. The Rockefeller Foundation announced it is investing US$5 million to accelerate priority projects of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence to drive global collaboration in genomic surveillance, adoption of data tools for pathogen detection, and assessment of climate-aggravated outbreak threats. Were proud to partner with the Hub to expand its focus on preventing pandemics fuelled by climate change, Dr. Rajiv Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation said. With the increasing threats from climate change, we are excited to partner with The Rockefeller Foundation to usher in a new era of global collaboration in pandemic intelligence, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, WHO Assistant Director-General and head of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence said. With support from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the WHO Pandemic Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence was established in September 2021. It has a presence in more than 150 countries and six regional offices with its headquarters in Geneva. It is a data and surveillance network which facilitates a global collaboration of partners to prepare, detect and respond to pandemic and epidemic risks. It will also develop tools and predictive models for risk analysis, and to monitor disease control measures and infodemics. Infodemic is a blend of information and epidemic and refers to the rapid spread of both accurate and inaccurate information about a problem, such as a disease outbreak, in digital and physical environments. The purpose of the global collaboration of partners, WHO says, is so countries and stakeholders can address future pandemic and epidemic risks with better access to data, better analytical capacities, and better tools and insights for decision-making. WHO Pandemic Hub: The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Starts Up, Annual Report 2022, pg. 13 WHOs pandemic hub website hasnt named the partners, nor does it provide information where a list of these partners can be found. It is possible that the partners were only officially recognised on Tuesday and a list will be published in the coming days. But WHO has proved that openness and transparency, along with integrity, arent among its strong points. So, as things stand, it has been decided by a small group of people at the World Health Assembly that a select group of undisclosed partners will have total global control over the prediction, data and information of future pandemics. Pandemics that could be declared at the whim of WHOs Dictator General in the name of health, environment or climate. WHA and WHOs partners have not been given the authority to make these decisions on behalf of the world and they have precluded the more than 8 billion people in the world from having any say. So, who are these mysterious partners? Thanks to a Twitter thread by J Wilderness, we now know that The Rockefeller Foundation is one. Do NOT comply. Covid showed us how corrupt the medical establishment has become not only in America but worldwide. Doctors know where their bread is buttered and rarely speak out of school or provide advice based on their own independent research. They will support almost any government health narrative if thats what it takes to make sure the money continues to flow, even if it means violating their oath to do no harm. Next in line for top honors in terms of corruption, after the biomedical-security complex, is the media. People say the truth will always prevail, and I agree. But this is a lesson that governments never seem to learn, especially when they have a corrupt media willing to cover for their lies. We see the government and media colluding to deceive the masses on vaccines (theyre safe and effective, safe and effective, safe and effective). We see them colluding on the phony climate change narrative, where to save the planet youve got to grow less food, exchange real meat for fake, eat bugs, curtail freedom of movement, digitize humanity and convert all power generation to the electric grid, which is already overtaxed. We see it with so-called gun violence blame the tool not the evil people who misuse the tool. And the list goes on. But nowhere has the government-media collusion to deceive been going on longer than when it comes to the deliberate poisoning of Americas municipal drinking water. They poison it right at the source, then tell you that its good for you. It builds strong teeth! The final report of an exhaustive six-year study of fluoride neurotoxicity was blocked from public release by Biden appointee Dr. Richard Rachel Levine at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in May 2022, according to the Fluoride Action Network. Dr. Richard Rachel Levine The exhaustive study, conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), included incontrovertible evidence that fluoride hinders the development of the brain in children who consume it at levels present in most public water systems. But under an agreement reached in an ongoing lawsuit against the EPA, the report was finally made public on March 15 of this year with a table of contents. Included were comments from external peer-reviewers and internal HHS departments, along with responses from the National Toxicology Program. The review considered all human studies of fluorides effect on the developing brain. Its conclusion confirmed and strengthened the findings from two earlier drafts released in 2019 and 2020. External peer-reviewers all agreed with the conclusion that prenatal and early life fluoride exposures can reduce IQ. The report was issued in two parts, a monograph and a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that 52 of 55 studies found lower IQ with higher fluoride exposures, demonstrating remarkable consistency. Of the 19 studies rated higher quality, 18 found lowering of IQ. The meta-analysis could not detect any safe exposure, including at levels common from drinking fluoridated water. Documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show government agencies that promote fluoridation, most allied with dental interests, have tried to water down the report, according to a release by Fluoride Action Network. In the excerpt from the March 15 press release below, the Fluoride Action Network specifically names Rachel Levine, a gender-confused man, as the government official who tried to block the truth from coming out on the havoc fluoride continues to wreak on childrens brains. It took a lawsuit to force this information from the secret files of the government. The release states: When the NTP held firm, these agencies got HHS Assistant Administrator Rachel Levine to block its release. Only one historical example exists of an NTP report being blocked from release, a report on the carcinogenicity of asbestos-contaminated talc. Talc industry groups conducted an aggressive lobbying campaign, enlisting friendly congresspeople to intervene. FAN was able to force todays release of the NTP report by using leverage from the ongoing lawsuit against the EPA. Fluoridation defenders have falsely claimed draft versions of the report had been rejected by a National Academies committee. In fact, the committee recommended that NTP clarify their methods and reasoning for reaching their conclusions because the issue was considered so contentious. The NTP has done that in the report released today. There is now little question that a large body of scientific evidence supports a conclusion that fluoride can lower childs IQ, including at exposure levels from fluoridated water. With the release of this report, dental interests may have to rethink their denial of the evidence that fluoridation can reduce childrens IQ. Dentists have for decades pressured their customers to use fluoridated toothpaste while lobbying for fluoridated drinking water, despite reams of evidence showing this is a toxic chemical that provides little if any benefit to dental health. Most common water filters do not remove fluoride and the ones that do are more expensive, but worth the money, especially if you have children under your care. So, where does fluoride come from, anyway? Its an industrial-waste byproduct of the mining industry, explains Frank Zelko, in an article for the Ohio State University website Origins. Zelko writes: Highly toxic hydrogen fluoride and silicon tetrafluoride gases are by-products of fertilizer production. Prior to the 1970s, these pollutants were vented into the atmosphere and gave central Florida some of the most noxious air pollution in the country. During the 1960s, however, complaints by farmers and ranchers eventually forced reluctant manufacturers to invest in pollution abatement scrubbers that converted toxic vapors into fluorosilicic acid (FSA), a dangerous but more containable liquid waste. Zelko further explains that the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) cautions that FSA, an inorganic fluoride compound, has dire health consequences for any worker that comes into contact with it. Breathing its fumes causes severe lung damage or death and an accidental splash on bare skin will lead to burning and excruciating pain. Fortunately, it can be contained in high-density cross-linked polyethylene storage tanks. It is in such tanks, Zelko notes, that fluorosilicic acid has for the past half century been transported from Florida fertilizer factories to water reservoirs throughout the United States. Once there, it is drip fed into drinking water. This is a practice that the American Dental Association and numerous scientists and public health officials describe as the precise adjustment of the existing naturally occurring fluoride levels in drinking water to an optimal fluoride level for the prevention of dental decay. The Fluoride Action Network has a fact sheet on the toxicity of this chemical and the long fight to get it removed from public drinking water systems. Please share the fact sheet, and this article, with all your friends and family. LeoHohmann.com is 100 percent reader supported, offering news and investigative analysis. Leo accepts no corporate ads or sponsorships, which allows him to remain independent and offering critical analysis. You may send a donation of any size c/o Leo Hohmann, PO Box 291, Newnan, GA 30264, or via credit card below. Thanks for your support. Former Deputy National Security Adviser K.T. McFarland, who served for the first four months of the Trump administration under Michael Flynn, says that the deep state is going to rig the 2024 US election following their success in 2020. "We now have black-and-white evidence that the FBI interfered in the 2016 election. When they failed to elect Hillary Clinton, they set out to destroy the Trump administration," she told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo. "Go back to 2020. This time, the CIA got involved in the election with those 51 former intel agents who said the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation. So they've gotten away with it for two elections. They will surely try and get away with it in 2024, right? Because there are no consequences... "There is now hard evidence that there was election interference by the U.S. intelligence agencies and the Department of Justice. Those individuals must be terrified that a Republican president comes in with a Republican Attorney General, investigates them, and charges them with all of the crimes they have committed over the last eight years. Take it to the bank. They will absolutely interfere in 2024... These people are selling us out. Not only to foreign leaders, but they are interfering in our elections. They are tearing up the Constitution... This is just a gut punch to the American people." Watch: h/t @KanekoaTheGreat Target Utah stores have been the target of bomb threats amid the giant retailer's LGBTQ Pride Month collection, which faced backlash from conservatives or right-wingers. The retailer earlier this week removed some items from its Pride Month collection following the backlash from some of its customers. Target Stores Bomb Threats According to a report by USA Today, the police are looking into bomb threats concerning Target stores in Utah after local news outlets received such threats. Salt Lake City police communications director Brent Weisberg says in a statement that "officers will continue neighborhood patrols around the Target locations in Salt Lake City out of an abundance of caution." Weisberg says that the authorities worked hand in hand with the giant retailer following the bomb threat reports. However, as it turns out, they determined that the threats were unfounded. USA Today notes the Salt Lake City police communications director refused to go into the details of the Target store bomb threats, noting that the situation is still under investigation. Instead, Weisberg only urged people to report suspicious activities to the authorities by calling the 911 emergency hotline. Meanwhile, Target kept mum about the situation. Layton Police Sgt. John Ottesen disclosed that Target stores in Utah, such as Provo, Layton, Salt Lake, and Taylorsville, received bomb threats. He says the threats were made via email, which the police describe as "bogus." According to Newsweek, a CBS News affiliate WOIO in Cleveland, Ohia, got the email at around 12:26 pm on May 16, which warned about bombs in the giant retailer's five stores nearby. The email notes that the threat was made as a response to the recent move of Target to pull out some of its products under its new LGBTQ Pride collection. A screenshot of the email reads, "Target is full of cowards who turned their back on the LGBT community and decided to cater to homophobic ring-wing redneck bigots who protested and vandalized their store." However, the police consider it a bogus email. Read Also: Target Faces $9 Billion Market Value Drop Over Controversial LGBTQ Products Backlash LGBTQ Pride Month Collection Backlash Early this May, the giant retailer introduced its Pride Month collection, a month before the annual celebration, featuring thousands of LGBTQ-themed items, including books, clothing, and mugs. However, after the backlash against its collection, which led to violent confrontations between its customers and staffers, Target decided to prioritize the safety and well-being of its staffers. The retailer pulled some items from the Pride collection from its shelves. Meanwhile, Target is also facing backlash after reportedly collaborating with a K-12 education group, GLSEN, which supports LGBTQ+ education among youth. Related Article: Target To Remove Some LGBTQ Products Amid Customer Backlash: Here's Why! @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Dick and Angel Strawbridge have confirmed they have parted ways with Channel 4 after seven years of the hugely popular television series Escape To The Chateau. The couple found fame documenting their challenging journey renovating and transforming the dilapidated 19th century Chateau de la Motte Husson in France into a family home and wedding venue, where they live with their children, Arthur and Dorothy. In 2015, they traded their two-bedroom flat in Essex to move to France, paying 280,000 for the 45-room property and endless grounds, before turning it into a hugely successful enterprise. Confirming they will not be starring in any more series of Escape To The Chateau, the couple shared a collage of pictures from their time on the programme, thanking fans for inviting us into your living room. The statement on Instagram continued: It was a Strawbridge Family decision early last year to conclude Escape To The Chateau, but we have loved every moment and, despite the many challenges, we refused to give up on our dream, and in doing so have filled the chateau with love and laughter, and, most importantly, have created the most wonderful home for our family. Advertisement The couple also referred to reports that their exit from Channel 4 was amid claims of clashes on set between the pair and production staff. Dorothy, Dick, Angel and Arthur Strawbridge (Ian Wallace/PA) We know there are lots of stories in the press right now. Its not worth us even trying to comment or give context, because anything can be made into a good headline, a statement said. It continued: There are two sides to every story and from the incredible support we have received, most of you know that. We are proud of who we are, and we feel we must do what we believe to be correct, that is in fact what kept Escape To The Chateau unique, and whilst we have indeed parted ways with Channel 4, we are hugely grateful to them and their teams for their support and creativity over the years. The future truly could not look more exciting and we thank you for your continued love and support. In a statement, a spokesman for Channel 4 said it is taking an active role in challenging unacceptable behaviour in our industry. It added: Following a review of our processes in 2021 we have made it easier to raise complaints both formally and informally. We require all our production partners to follow our Supplier Code of Conduct and when concerns are raised with us, they will be taken seriously and action will happen to ensure they are investigated and addressed appropriately. There is always more to do and alongside our suppliers we are committed to building safe, inclusive and professional working environments. Adopting a 'seven-day' roster in the health service would be a "practical way to tackle" overcrowding issues at hospitals around the country according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). The comments come after HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster appealed for HSE staff to volunteer to work over the June bank holiday weekend to avoid hospitals ending up in a "dreadful position". Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly also addressed the matter, stating the health system needs to offer services seven days per week all year round. As reported by the Irish Examiner, Mr Donnelly said patients need access to health services every day of the week, adding that a move to a seven-day roster would "get rid of the scourge of patients on trolleys". The INMO echoed this sentiment, noting their trolley watch figures show the number of patients left waiting for hospital beds spikes following a bank holiday weekend "as the bed numbers available over the weekend remain largely static". Advertisement "People get sick and need hospital care morning, noon and night no matter what day of the week it is," the union said, adding nursing and midwifery working patterns already reflect this. The INMO added: "We must look seven-day rosters as a practical way to tackle this problem - all necessary dialogue with the health-sector unions, including the INMO, should start immediately to ensure all rosters and remuneration are fair and observant of agreements for shift workers." Sinn Fein health spokesperson David Cullinane agreed the current Monday to Friday model for some health services is impacting the timely provision of care. "I think in principle absolutely it's something that should be done. It already happens in nursing, it happens in other elements of the healthcare system, but I think what the head of the HSE is talking about is a totality of the healthcare service. "There is a situation where we don't always get bang for our buck on weekends, and on bank holidays weekends especially, because the system isn't set up to deliver the type of care which can and should be delivered on weekends. "I do think it makes sense to be looking at allied healthcare professionals, where contracts can be five/seven contracts, as they're called, rather than the five/five contracts which exist." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is "sure" Ireland will not apply to join Nato, however, he said the State will "become more involved in European defence and security". He said Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to a re-think in defence and security policy. Mr Varadkar was speaking on The Rest Is Politics Leading, a podcast with author and former UK Labour strategist Alastair Campbell, and former Conservative politician Rory Stewart. Mr Campbell asked if the war in Ukraine had changed his view on Ireland's strategic and security interests, and neutrality. Mr Varadkar replied: "I think it's definitely caused Irish people and the Irish Government to think about neutrality and think about security in a way we didn't in the past. Ukraine was a neutral non-aligned country, and it got attacked... Nato countries will not be attacked. Advertisement "That's why Finland - a historically neutral country - has joined Nato, and Sweden is going to join. They've made the calculus now that not being in a military alliance can potentially make you more vulnerable, you're a soft target. That has made us think again." When asked directly if he could ever see Ireland applying to join Nato, Mr Varadkar said: "I don't anticipate... in fact, I'm sure Ireland will not apply to join Nato. We will do three things; we're going to increase our own military spending, particularly when it comes to things like radar and cybersecurity, not just traditional security. "We will become more involved in European defence and security, we're part of the Pesco programme. Sinn Fein by the way wants to take us out of that, I think that would be a big mistake, it's one of the differences between the government parties and opposition parties." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar appeared on The Rest Is Politics Leading podcast with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart. The Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) is the part of the European Union's security and defence policy in which 26 of the 27 national armed forces pursue structural integration. Ireland is a member of the group, with Malta the only EU country not involved. While Mr Varadkar claimed Sinn Fein would seek to withdraw the Republic from Pesco if the party comes to power, it has since changed this policy. Advertisement In response to a recent query from The Irish Times, Sinn Fein said it had dropped its pledges to withdraw from the EU common defence arrangement known as Pesco and from Natos Partnership for Peace (PfP) project. Mr Varadkar added: "We are also a part of Nato's Partnership for Peace, and we're going to re-negotiate that link in the period ahead. Perhaps more important though, is Irish people are more comfortable with the idea that while we are militarily neutral, we are not politically neutral. "We know exactly whose side we are on when it comes to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Going back to the Cold War, Irish people would have been more ambiguous, there would have been people with a sneaking regard for the Soviet Union believe it or not. You don't see much of that when it comes to Russia now." When asked if Sinn Fein's rise in popularity reflected a global trend towards populism, the Taoiseach replied: "Sinn Fein figures describe their own party as a left populist party, so I don't think it's an insult to describe them as populist, left wing, ethno nationalist... that is what they are, and that's not what I stand for. Advertisement "I think populism is largely an international phenomenon at the moment, and it's defined by some very simple things; simple solutions to complex problems, emotions being stronger than facts, 'my emotions are more important than your facts', demonisation of opponents, and also these conspiracy ideas of elites plotting against the virtuous masses. And whether it's left populism or right populism, it's there and it's dangerous." However, he admitted that Fine Gael's approach when in opposition had some similarities to the current leading opposition party. "Certainly for people in opposition I can see the attraction of it. When we were in opposition ourselves, we were populist... a bit, sometimes, so I'm not going to be overly righteous about these things." On the differences between the Coalition and opposition, Mr Varadkar said the public don't accept "rhetoric" from politicians in power. While people will accept rhetoric from opposition politicians, from government politicians they want to see results. "I think for politicians in government you do have to continually try and convince people that you're on their side and want to solve their problems... because sometimes they doubt that, particularly when you're struggling to solve their problems. That can be a real challenge to demonstrate you're on their side, care about their problems and that's what you're spending most of your day and most of your weekend on, and I am. Whether it's housing, healthcare, cost-of-living issues, you name it. The other is to make inroads into solving those problems. While people will accept rhetoric from opposition politicians, from government politicians they want to see results." Leading is a spin-off of the popular Rest Is Politics podcast hosted by Mr Campbell and Mr Stewart, in which they interview leaders in politics and other fields. Other guests on the podcast have included Bertie Ahern, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Gerry Adams. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has defended the Fine Gael junior ministers who wrote an opinion piece advocating for tax cuts in the next budget. Mr Varadkar said his party is committed to cutting income tax as part of its effort to look after middle Ireland. We were very clear that our basis for participation in this Government is that middle Ireland gets looked after, and thats looking after working people, its looking after business, its promoting things like homeownership, he told The Irish Times. So wed be very clear in this Government that we want income taxes reduced. We think middle-income people pay too much income tax. In an op-ed published this week, Minister of State Martin Heydon and two other Fine Gael junior ministers Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Peter Burke called for a full-time worker on a wage of 52,000 to get 1,000 back in tax relief in the next budget. Advertisement As the upcoming budget will be from Minister for Finance Michael McGrath, Fianna Fail TD for Cork South-Central, the piece was seen to cause tension between the coalition parties. On Friday, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said all Coalition parties had signed up to reduce income tax under their programme for government. The Tanaiste added: I think Government must act with coherence and collective Cabinet responsibility. Minister of State Martin Heydon (PA) The Taoiseach confirmed he had prior knowledge of the article and its contents, but said the choice to support the ministers in publishing the piece was not an attempt to associate Fine Gael with the tax cuts in the minds of potential voters. Well, look, youre making out some sort of clever PR or political strategy behind this. There isnt, he said. This is three Ministers of State who chose to write an article, and they did, and they made me aware of it before it was published. Thats what happened. There isnt any cunning strategy behind this. However, when speaking on the different parties demands on entering the coalition, he said Fianna Fail would not increase the pension age despite it being the fiscally prudent option. Advertisement Fianna Fail [was] very clear on pension reform, that they didnt want to increase the pension age, notwithstanding the fact that IFAC (Irish Fiscal Advisory Council) and others said that that was the fiscally prudent thing to do, he said. With the level of tax cuts proposed by the junior ministers estimated to cost upwards of 1 billion, Mr Varadkar said the overall tax package in the upcoming budget may need to be increased. I believe it does. I think we need to have a tax package in the forthcoming budget that is as good, or bigger than in the last, he said. Mr Varadkar added that despite his stated approval of the proposals laid out by the ministers, he would not tie himself to a specific policy. Just to be clear, the three ministers of state have made a specific proposal. Ive been very clear that Im not tying myself to any specific policy, I am tying myself to the programme for government commitment, which is that we index tax bands and credits. If we can afford to do so, I expect that commitment to be honoured, he said. (Photo : ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) A Chinese hacking group, known as "Volt Typhoon," is reportedly responsible for a cyber attack on U.S. Navy infrastructure. US Navy struck by Chinese hacking campaign, a new report suggests The latest attack is believed to be part of a broader plan to disrupt communications in the Pacific region Microsoft Corp. warned that the group was able to gain access to targets in the US as well as Guam The Chinese hacker group known as "Volt Typhoon" is believed to be responsible for a targeted attack on the US Navy infrastructure, a new report suggests. American authorities believe that the latest hacking attack is part of a broader campaign that cybersecurity experts warn is designed to disrupt communications in the Pacific region. In a statement on Thursday, US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said that the Chinese state-sponsored hacking group hit the Navy. Chinese Hacking Group Targets US Navy Volt Typhoon has previously been accused of breaching government, communications, manufacturing, and IT organizations. Microsoft Corp. was the one that named the group and gave the warning of the hacking attacks on Wednesday. They added that the assailants were able to gain access to targets in the United States and Guam, where a key US military installation in the Pacific is located. Microsoft noted that it had "moderate confidence" that the hacks were made in preparation to upend communications in the event of a future crisis, as per the South China Morning Post. The disclosure of the attack comes amid rising concerns that China could proceed with military action to enforce its repeated claim to the self-ruled island of Taiwan. The National Security Agency (NSA) and intelligence agencies from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, provided more details regarding the hacking group. All of these countries are part of a key intelligence alliance that allows the sharing of cybersecurity information known as the Five Eyes. On Thursday, Beijing denied it had anything to do with the hacking attacks. In a statement, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that the report was extremely unprofessional and called it a "patchwork with a broken chain of evidence." She added that the US had launched a collective disinformation campaign through the Five Eyes to serve its geopolitical agenda. Read Also: North Korea Sentences Toddler to Prison Camp Over Parents' Bible, US Says Broader Campaign To Disrupt Communications On the other hand, a State Department spokesperson noted that the government and the public needed to stay vigilant. During a briefing, Matthew Miller said they would continue coordinating with allies and partners to address what he called a "critical issue," according to CNBC. The director of cybersecurity at the NSA, Rob Joyce, said that the hackers could still have access to sensitive US networks. He added that the recent intrusions were unique due to their brazen "scope and scale." The former NSA director of operations, Jon Darby, said the process was comparable to a well-known way of infiltrating networks by accessing them at the edges instead of a bulls-eye approach. He noted that this was how the Chinese hacking group could stay undetected for several years, said Yahoo Finance. Related Article: Anti-Kremlin Russian Group Responsible for Belgorod Raid Led by Neo-Nazi @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Police have charged a 51-year-old woman with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. The PSNI received reports at around 2pm on Friday that a woman in the Joys Entry area of Belfast had a gun and was threatening to shoot a number of people in a licensed premises. The 51-year-old is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court at the end of June. Advertisement The Sursock Museum in Beirut has reopened to the public almost three years after a deadly explosion in the citys port reduced many of its treasured paintings and collections to ashes. The reopening on Friday night offered Beirut residents a rare bright spot in a country reeling from a crippling economic crisis that has left around three-quarters of Lebanons population of six million in poverty. Originally built as a private villa in 1912 on a hilltop overlooking the citys Achrafieh area, the opulent residence integrated Venetian and Ottoman styles. Its owner, famed Lebanese art collector Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock, bequeathed his beloved home to his people, to be turned into a contemporary art museum upon his death in 1952. The museum housed Lebanese art dating back from the late 1800s, including the work of distinguished painter Georges Corm and Fouad Debbas library of 30,000 photographs one of the largest private photo collections. Advertisement Guests tour the museums exhibitions (Hussein Malla/AP/PA) The photos are from across the Levant, a region encompassing countries along the eastern Mediterranean, from Turkey to Egypt, from 1830 until the 1960s. In 2008, a seven-year project renovated and expanded the museum, relaunching it in 2015. However, an explosion on August 4th, 2020, in Beiruts port only about 800 metres away hit the museum fully front on. Its stained-glass windows were shattered, doors were blown out and almost half the artwork on display was damaged. The explosion set off by tons of improperly stored chemicals ripped through much of Beirut, killing more than 200 people and injuring in excess of 6,000. The destruction in the museum was unprecedented, said director Karina El Helou, a level unseen even during Lebanons 1975-1990 civil war. Dozens of people attended the reopening (Hussein Malla/AP/PA) Some 70 per cent of the building was badly damaged, as were 66 of the 132 art pieces on display, she said. Glass shards tore through Dutch artist Kees Von Dongens portrait of Nicolas Sursock. Two months after the explosion, then-museum director Zeina Arida launched a fundraising campaign, estimating the damages to be around $3 million at the time. The museum eventually raised more than $2 million to restore the building and the artwork with support from Italy, France, Unesco and various private organisations. Dozens of people gathered in Sursocks large, tree-lined courtyard on Friday evening, serenaded by a choir and a band performing on the entrance stairs for the reopening. Advertisement The museum, looking almost exactly as it did before the blast, drew sighs of appreciation. Others remembered how much Beirut has withered since then and how scores of artists have left the country. I now hope all the friends of the Sursock who may have left Lebanon in recent years at least come back to visit us, the museums chairman, Tarek Mitri, told The Associated Press as he greeted guests. Tens of thousands of exhausted people are heading home to the worlds youngest country as they flee a brutal conflict in neighbouring Sudan. A bottleneck of men, women and children are camping near the border of Sudan and South Sudan, and the international community and the government are worried about a prolonged conflict. Fighting between Sudans military and a rival militia killed at least 863 civilians in Sudan before a seven-day ceasefire began on Monday night. Years of fighting between government and opposition forces in South Sudan killed almost 400,000 people and displaced millions until a peace agreement was signed nearly five years ago. Large-scale clashes between the main parties have subsided, but there is still fighting in parts of the country. South Sudan has billions in oil reserves that it moves to international markets through a pipeline that runs through Sudan in territories controlled by the warring parties. Advertisement People who fled from Sudan sit outside a nutrition clinic in Renk, South Sudan (Sam Mednick/AP/PA) If that pipeline is damaged, South Sudans economy could collapse within months, said Ferenc David Marko, a researcher at the International Crisis Group. However, the most immediate concern is the tens of thousands of South Sudanese who are returning with no idea of how they will get home to their towns and villages. Many are unable to afford the trip, with aid groups and the government stretched for resources they can use to help. Some 50,000 people have crossed into the border town of Renk, many sheltering in stick huts along the road and in government buildings throughout the city. Some wander aimlessly in the market, desperately asking foreigners how to get home. People are arriving faster than they can be taken to new locations. The longer they stay, the greater the risk of fighting between communities, many with long-standing grievances stemming from the civil war. Many are frustrated because they do not know what lies ahead. At first, the local government wanted to divide the South Sudanese returning through Renk, based on their place of origin. Aid groups, however, pushed back. Together with the government and community leaders, the aid groups are engaging in peace dialogues. We are worried (about more violence), said Yohannes William, the chairman for the humanitarian arm of the government in Upper Nile state. Advertisement The services that (are) being provided here, they are limited. We have been told that this is a transit centre, anyone who comes should be there two days or three days and then transit. But now, unfortunately, due to the delayment of transportation, they have been there for more than two weeks, three weeks. US vice president Kamala Harris is to become the first woman to deliver a commencement address at the US Military Academy, an institution that has made slow progress diversifying its ranks in the four decades since the first class of female cadets graduated. This year some 950 men and women are expected to take part in the graduation ceremony on Saturday in West Point, New York. While Ms Harris visits West Point, about 60 miles north of Manhattan, US president Joe Biden is to head to Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Thursday to address graduates at the US Air Force Academy. Vice presidents typically travel to one of the federal service academies to address graduating classes. Ms Harris visit will be her first to the US Army academy. About a quarter of the current student body are women. Only a few dozen graduates each year are black women, though the number has increased in recent years. Advertisement The academy did not admit women until 1976 and had its first female graduates in 1980. West Point dates to 1802. Since then, the college has educated future military leaders including General Douglas MacArthur, General George Patton and presidents Ulysses S Grant and Dwight D Eisenhower. Upon graduation, the cadets will be commissioned as Army second lieutenants. Last year, Mr Harris addressed graduates at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. The year before, she spoke at commencement ceremonies for the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. ITV News health and science editor Emily Morgan has died aged 45 after a short battle with lung cancer, the UK broadcaster said. Ms Morgan worked as a journalist at ITV News for 23 years, and a colleague described her as a true trailblazer. ITN announced her death on Twitter and said it is devastated. We are devastated at the passing of our remarkable colleague Emily Morgan. Emily was a hugely talented journalist and a much-loved friend and mentor to so many here. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Emilys family. Statement: https://t.co/6gbP4VsU7T pic.twitter.com/U0beQBnF98 ITN (@itn) May 27, 2023 Emily was a hugely talented journalist and a much-loved friend and mentor to so many here, ITN continued. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Emilys family. Advertisement Andrew Dagnell, editor at ITV Network News, said: We are deeply saddened by the passing of our remarkable colleague, Emily Morgan. Emily was not only an incredibly talented journalist, but a much-loved member of the ITV Newsroom and her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her. He said Ms Morgan played a pivotal role in shaping ITV coverage through some of the most important stories of our time. He referenced her courageous reporting through the Covid-19 pandemic, during which she visited hospitals and healthcare workers on the front lines to share their stories. Her reporting was instrumental in exposing the immense pressure and strain that NHS workers were under, and she became a trusted voice for the public during an unprecedented time, Mr Dagnell said. Emilys passion for the role was evident in everything she did and her work was a constant reminder of why journalism matters. Her dedication to informing and educating our viewers will continue to inspire all those who were privileged to work alongside her. He said Ms Morgan was proud to be a journalist but even more proud of her family, whom she adored. Entertainment Holly Willoughby says Phillip Schofield 'directly'... Read More We are sending them our love and support at this unthinkably difficult time, Mr Dagnell added. Advertisement Emily was an exceptional journalist, a devoted mother and wife and a true trailblazer in our field. Her friendship, her professionalism and her enormous contribution to our industry and to the public conversation will not be forgotten. Serbia has condemned Nato-led peacekeepers stationed in neighbouring Kosovo for their alleged failure to stop brutal actions by Kosovo police against ethnic Serbs. Officials in Serbia said its armed forces stationed near the border will remain on the highest state of alert until further notice. The countrys top political and security leadership, led by president Aleksandar Vucic, met in Belgrade on Saturday following violent clashes a day earlier between Kosovo police and ethnic Serbs that injured more than a dozen people. In response to the clashes, Mr Vucic on Friday had ordered troops closer to the border with Kosovo. A statement issued after the meeting on Saturday said: Due to the brutal use of force by (Kosovo prime minister) Albin Kurti and his forces against the Serbian people in Kosovo the armed forces of the Republic of Serbia will remain at the highest level of combat readiness. Advertisement The statement also said that an international civilian mission and Nato-led troops, that have been stationed in the former Serbian province since Serbian troops were forced to leave the region in 1999, did not do their job to protect the Serbs. Kosovo police officers guard a municipal building after the violent clashes (Dejan Simicevic/AP/PA) Nato spokesperson Oana Longescu urged institutions in Kosovo to de-escalate immediately and called on all parties to resolve the situation through dialogue. She said on Twitter that Nato remains vigilant & will ensure a safe & secure environment in Kosovo. Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, who are a majority in that part of the country, had tried to block recently-elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings on Friday. Last months snap local election was largely boycotted by ethnic Serbs and only ethnic Albanian or other smaller minority representatives were elected in the mayoral posts and assemblies. Kosovo police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and let the new officials into the offices. Several cars were set ablaze. The United States and several Western countries condemned Kosovos government for using police to forcibly allow entry to the municipal buildings. Mr Kurti on Saturday defended the police action. It is the right of those elected in democratic elections to assume office without threats or intimidation, he said on Twitter. It is also the right of citizens to be served by those elected officials. Participation not violent obstruction is the proper way to express political views in a democracy. Ukraines military intelligence says Russia is plotting a large-scale provocation at a nuclear power station it occupies in the south-east of the country to disrupt a looming counteroffensive. A statement from the intelligence directorate of Ukraines Defence Ministry claimed Russian forces will strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe, and report a radioactive leak in order to trigger an international probe that would pause the hostilities and give them the respite they need to regroup. In order to make that happen, Russia disrupted the rotation of personnel of the permanent monitoring mission of the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that was scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. It did not offer evidence to back up any of the claims. Despite the Kremlin saying they would not attack civilian infrastructure, Russias attacks have left Ukrainians with a lack of access to essential health services and support.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/FFeVxahmJW Advertisement Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) May 27, 2023 The IAEA said it did not have any immediate comment on the allegations and Russian officials did not immediately comment on the Ukrainian claims. The White House said it is watching the situation closely and has seen no indication radioactive material has been leaked. The claim mirrors similar statements Moscow regularly makes, alleging without evidence that Kyiv is plotting provocations involving various dangerous weapons or substances in order to then accuse Russia of war crimes. It comes as Moscows military in Ukraine braces for a looming counteroffensive by Kyivs forces, which has not started yet but could begin tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, told the BBC. The Zaporizhzhia station is one of the 10 biggest nuclear plants in the world. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 27 May 2023. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/mWADInKNj3 #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/6pgyQ1bYxV Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) May 27, 2023 It is in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in south-eastern Ukraine. The plants six reactors have been shut down for months but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features. Advertisement Fighting near it repeatedly disrupted power supplies and has fuelled fears of a potential catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, where a reactor exploded in 1986 and spewed deadly radiation, contaminating a vast area in the worlds worst nuclear disaster. In other developments, Russia on Saturday reported more attacks on its territory, with drones crashing in its western regions and areas on the border with Ukraine coming under shelling. Two drones attacked an administrative building of an oil company in Russias western Pskov region that borders Belarus, Latvia and Estonia, Pskov governor Mikhail Vedernikov reported on Saturday. The building was damaged as the result of an explosion, Mr Vedernikov said. A Ukrainian soldier jumping off the German self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery at his position at the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) Another drone went down in the Tver region about 90 miles north of Moscow, local authorities said. Russias Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine on Saturday came under multiple rounds of shelling, killing one person, according to its governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. In the neighbouring Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine, one person was killed by cross-border mortar fire, its governor Roman Starovoit said. And 60-year-old man was killed on Saturday evening by Russian shelling in the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, about 20 miles from the Russia border, Ukraines national police said. Advertisement Meanwhile, the British military said on Saturday that Russias private military force, Wagner, is withdrawing from areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut that Moscow claims to have captured earlier this month. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier this week announced the pullout, saying Wagner would hand control over the ruined city over to the Russian military. Some were sceptical, however. An aerial view of damaged private houses, shell and rocket craters in the suburbs of Donetsk (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) Mr Prigozhin is known for making unverifiable, headline-grabbing statements on which he later backtracks. But the Ministry of Defence in Britain said in a series of tweets on Saturday that Wagner fighters have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions around Bakhmut. The Ukrainian deputy defence minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town, it added. Significant changes to Queenslands environment laws have been accepted by the Palaszczuk government, triggered by 4600 complaints of putrid smells from waste dumps near Swanbank in Ipswich. Legislation changes are now planned for the second half of 2023. Resident from suburbs ringing waste dumps at Ipswich have for more than a decade complained about horrible smells, similar to faecal matter, from the dumps preventing sleep, causing headaches and breathing difficulties. Some Ipswich residents have protested for more than a decade over expansion plans by waste companies near Ipswich. Credit: Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments. A September 2022 review of Queenslands overriding environment protection legislation the 1994 Environmental Protection Act was completed by retired Environment and Planning Court judge Richard Jones and former crown prosecutor and barrister Susan Hedge. Bidding opened at $880,000, the bottom of the $880,000 to $930,000 price guide. A flurry of $10,000 and $5000 bids took the price to $1.01 million and the buyers then made a $2000 increase to get the deal done. Nelson Alexander Northcotes Janine Ballantyne said the property garnered a lot of interest from young, professional couples. I think if things are priced right, theyre still selling well, Ballantyne said. The demand is there. In Reservoir, a couple paid $986,000 for a three-bedroom house for their daughter, after the home passed in on their $985,000 bid. The buyers, who live in Preston, were searching for a nearby home for their child, Ray White Prestons Chris Michael said. Bidding on 606 Gilbert Road opened at $750,000, well below the $900,000 to $990,000 guide, and three parties made offers before the home was passed in. However, the vendors were happy to sell for just $1000 more in post-auction negotiations. Michael said there has been an increase in homes listed for sale in the suburb last week. There were 11 houses listed, and we havent seen that many come to the market in one week in a long time. A Richmond terrace has sold for $1.9 million to a very determined buyer, who phoned in from another auction she was attending. The downsizer had two properties she was prepared to buy on Saturday morning, and sent her son to the Richmond auction to bid on her behalf while she attended another auction in a nearby suburb to hedge her bets. Bidding on the three-bedroom Victorian terrace at 48 Cutter Street started at $1.65 million the low end of the $1.65 million to $1.8 million price expectation. Jellis Craig Richmond auctioneer Elliot Gill sold the property to a buyer who was waiting for another auction to begin. Credit: Joe Armao Bids of $10,000 flew between the downsizers son, who had his mother on the phone, and one other party. The home went on to sell for $50,000 above the reserve before the second auction had even started. It was lucky the auction was quick, so the buyer didnt have a chance to start bidding at the next auction, Jellis Craig Richmond director and auctioneer Elliot Gill said. Gill said the renovated terrace, which retained some of its period charm, had been popular with both buyers and those looking for renovation inspiration given its redesign by vendor Clementine Jacobs, the head of interiors for architecture firm Powell & Glenn. The result was well above the $915,000 that records show the vendors paid for the previously unrenovated home in 2015. There had been a lot of interest from buyers for the renovated home. Credit: Joe Armao Theres still a lack of stock on the market for these quality renovated homes, we need more of them, Gill said. A lot of people are still nervous about renovating a home because of the market and the extra costs, but it is opening up opportunities for unrenovated houses. The price differences are so great at the moment. He noted the vendors are now looking for their next project. There were no signs of renovation nerves in Abbotsford, where a local buyer snapped up a two-bedroom Victorian terrace that no one was allowed to enter because it was in such bad shape. The fixer upper at 25 Fairchild Street sold for $700,000, in the middle of the $695,000 to $750,000 price range. Four bidders competed, including three developers and the local buyer, despite never being able to set foot inside. Though they couldnt physically inspect the home, they did see photos of the interior and an engineering report which revealed a list of issues, including problems with the homes underpinning. Loading Bidding for the dilapidated home opened at $650,000, and $5000 increases took bidding to the $695,000 reserve price. A final $5000 bid saw the local buyer walk away with the keys. While Target said its decision had been made in the interest of employee safety, many said its actions along with a conservative backlash against Bud Light after it worked with a transgender influencer might alienate the community it was seeking to support. And those who criticised Target and Bud Light in the first place may now feel further emboldened to attack inclusive initiatives by other companies. Were in a new space here with safety and employee safety being threatened by policy and purpose, said Vanitha Swaminathan, professor of marketing at the University of Pittsburgh. I cant say that you can disregard employee safety. Thats very core to what a company has to do. At the same time, Target can still, from a policy standpoint, be supportive of their initial stance. Its sad to see that weve reached this point in our culture wars. Employee safety is prompting the removal of some Pride items from Target shelves. Credit: AP Marketing campaigns around Pride Month in June have become routine for many companies, with opposition cropping up at times. Last year, for instance, Pizza Hut faced calls for a boycott after it recommended Big Wig, a book featuring drag performers, as part of its childrens summer reading program. Yet companies and marketers say the political climate makes this year different primarily because a number of Republican-led states have introduced and passed legislation restricting transition care for transgender minors and adults, and transgender rights has become a galvanising issue for many conservatives. GLAAD, the LGBTQ advocacy group that works with more than 160 companies, is considering having communications professionals in its GLAAD Media Institute work with brands that are planning Pride Month celebrations so they can better respond to criticism. We do feel like were at a moment where, with the politicisation of trans and gender-nonconforming folks, that we probably need to assemble a Pride war room for brands so that we can push back, Sarah Kate Ellis, the groups chief executive, said in an interview. Sarah Kate Ellis, president and chief executive officer of GLAAD. Credit: Bloomberg On Thursday, GLAAD and six other advocacy groups called on Target to return to its stores and its website any Pride merchandise it had removed and to release a statement in the next 24 hours reaffirming their commitment to the LGBTQ community. When faced with criticism and social media calls for boycotts in the past, most companies learned that the declarations of outrage soon faded away. Then Bud Light happened. Owned by the beer giant Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light continues to struggle with the fallout from a social media campaign in mid-March with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. After calls for a boycott of the beer, sales in the four weeks ending in mid-May dropped more than 23 per cent from a year earlier, according to data from the research firm NIQ and Bump Williams Consulting, which works with the alcoholic beverage industry. Bud Light sales have not recovered from the backlash to a social media campaign with Dylan Mulvaney. Credit: Invision In some markets in the South, such as Jacksonville, Florida, and New Orleans, Bud Lights sales were down 40 per cent in those four weeks. Anheuser-Busch, which in recent years has released rainbow-hued bottles and cans of Bud Light for Pride Month, did not respond to a question about its plans for this year. Some marketing and communications consultants said the negative reaction to Bud Lights campaign with Mulvaney was a product of the beers generally more politically conservative customer base. Companies like Nike or Starbucks can more easily create products or campaigns around gay and transgender issues or Pride Month because their consumers tend to be younger and more progressive, said David Johnson, chief executive of Strategic Vision PR Group in Atlanta. When they embrace the gay or transgender community, its not out of line with their core beliefs, he said. A number of companies are moving forward with their Pride Month plans. In June, the Coors Light Denver Pride Parade will weave its way through the city. Advertisements for a one-piece Adidas swimsuit created by South African queer designer Rich Mnisi feature a transgender man as the model. Levis has a campaign showing a half-dozen gay and transgender people talking about how they show up while wearing the companys denim and tops. But a number of other companies are being much less forthcoming about specific Pride Month plans. And some LGBTQ advocates criticised Target for seeming to cave to pressure. (The companys decision did come as employees in the retail industry have faced increasingly aggressive behaviour from customers since the start of the pandemic.) Target also removed a Pride line from Abprallen, an LGBTQ fashion and accessories company based in London, some of whose designs have been criticised for depicting satanic symbols like pentagrams and a shirt that reads Satan respects pronouns. Abprallen did not respond to a request for comment. Well find out in the next week which companies are continuing to make a push and do Pride Month campaigns, said Matt Skallerud, the president of Pink Media, which specialises in LGBTQ online marketing. If companies we know have been supportive of Pride Month dont show up this year, their absence will be noticed, and Id be concerned that could harm them. Advocacy groups are wary that all of this could create a chilling effect, especially when it comes to attaining a broader representation of LGBTQ people in advertising. White gay men are the one segment that are most likely represented on our screens, whether its programing or ads, said Lisette Arsuaga, co-founder of the Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing. We now started moving forward with a greater representation of all of the letters within the LGBTQ. Loading The overall consumer sentiment for seeing trans representation on TV and in advertising hasnt changed, according to recent GLAAD research. In a survey that was conducted in February, GLAAD said 75 per cent of people who did not identify as LGBTQ were comfortable seeing those people represented in marketing campaigns. That figure held steady from 2020. You can absolutely roll out an ad campaign and include LGBTQ folks in it, Ellis of GLAAD said. And at the same time, there is this political right-wing arm that you have to be aware of when youre doing it and just be prepared for. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. TikTok is now testing its AI chatbot called Tako to select users in the Philippines. Amid the popularity of Google Bard and OpenAI's ChatGPT, the Chinese social network is testing its version. TikTok's AI Chatbot Tako According to Tech Crunch, the experimental chatbot Tako suddenly shows up when users view videos on TikTok. The option to access the in-app tools appears on the right side of the screen, alongside the buttons for comments and likes. When users tap the chatbot, it lets them ask questions relevant to the clip they are watching. The ByteDance-owned social media explained to its users how its new in-app feature works via a pop-up, which appears to select users. It gives users a heads-up that Tako is still an "experimental chatbot." On top of that, the alert sheds light on what it does, including answering questions and conversing with users. However, the video-sharing service gave a piece of disclaimer, warning users that the responses of the chatbot are generated by an AI. And as such, it could be misleading at times, making it unreliable for getting advice on serious matters like legal, medical, and financial. Furthermore, the pop-up notifies users that all their conversations with Tako are subjected to review, citing safety purposes. Besides that, TikTok also seeks to use users' interaction with the experimental chatbot to help further improve its overall experience. So the alert explicitly tells users not to share their private information with the AI-powered bot. The pop-up gives users two options, whether they proceed using it by tapping "Confirm" or they choose to "Quit." Read Also: TikTok Sues Montana to Overturn First-Ever US Statewide Ban TikTok Confirms Testing AI Chatbot The Chinese tech giant confirms on Twitter that it is already testing a new in-app feature, which allows users to interact with an AI-powered chatbot. TikTok Comms says the limited test of its AI chatbot, Tako, has kicked off to select users in the Philippines, where video sharing platform is insanely popular. The tweet says, "[We are] in the early stages of exploring chatbot tools." But despite the limited rollout of Tako, Android Headlines notes that the tech juggernaut assures that the experimental chatbot is only available to legal-aged users. Meanwhile, the TikTok spokesperson, Zachary Kizer, told The Verge that the chatbot AI experiment is not yet available to its users in North America or Europe. So if you are in the US or the UK, the new in-app tool is inaccessible. But folks in the Philippines have a chance to get their hands on it under its limited testing stage. As TikTok's AI chatbot Tako is still in the works, it remains to be seen if it will roll out to other countries apart from the Philippines later on. Related Article: Montana Bans TikTok, Becomes First in US To Restrict Access to Social Media App @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Then, on January 24, the United States-based short-seller, Hindenburg Research, released a report casting serious allegations and raising concerns over the groups debt and valuation. Things turned topsy-turvy. Share prices of Adani companies plummeted, dragging along their chiefs ranking on the rich list. For about a decade or so, it seemed nobody could stop Gautam Adani. His eponymous business group scaled new peaks in diverse businesses. Adani, the man, zoomed up the list of the worlds richest to reach, for a while, the second spot. Story of the week: Adani out of the woods Now, it seems, the group, and the man, are emerging out of the depths. In an interview with Bloomberg, GQG's chief investment officer, Rajiv Jain, said, Within five years, we would like to be one of the largest investors in Adani Group. Without specifying the companies, he said GQG had raised its stake in the group by 10 per cent, and that its holdings value had reached $3.5 billion. Tuesday was the third consecutive day of sharp gains for Adani stocks, with two of them nearly erasing all the Hindenburg-caused losses. It was the day US-based GQG Partners raised its investment in the group and expressed the willingness to back any of the Adani groups new offerings. Also Read Adani Green Energy to seek board approval to raise up to $1 billion Adani woos bankers: Invites them for a trip to restore confidence Rajiv Jain's GQG Partners to invest another $1 bn in Adani group stocks Hindenburg Research: All you need to know about US-based investment firm Angel tax draft rules likely in 10 days; may clear the air on valuation NCLAT sets aside NCLT order on Zee Entertainment-Sony India merger Meesho hints at IPO in 2025; focus shifts to generating profits after tax Promoters of the group can't dispose of Vedanta shares, says lender Engineers India secures business worth Rs 4,700 crore in FY23; up 185% HC refuses to interfere with Trai decision imposing penalty on Vodafone Another source of succour to Adani was the interim report of the Supreme Court-appointed expert committee, which said it had not found any conclusive evidence to support Hindenburgs allegations. For its part, the group has been moving heaven and earth to prune its debt. GQG had made a huge contrarian call on Adani by investing Rs 15,000 crore when the Hindenburg-induced erosion was in full swing. In other news Investment bankers told Business Standard high-profile investors others than GQG could also be looking favourably at Adani . It seems Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, International Holding Company, and the Hinduja group have shown interest in the forthcoming share sale of the Adani group companies. Anil Agarwals Vedanta Ltd has pledged almost its entire 64.92 per cent stake in Hindustan Zinc to raise funds. The company has been continuously increasing the pledging of its shares in HZL over the past 12 months, with the latest pledging of 3.3 per cent on Tuesday to JPMorgan Chase Bank. The draft Digital India Bill will have special provisions for safeguarding children , Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state for electronics and IT, told Business Standard. The draft of the Bill will be released by the first week of June for public consultation. Reliance Retail has started consolidating its JioMart business-to-business vertical with the METRO Cash & Carry India operations it recently acquired. It has shut down some of its warehouses and laid off some employees. Wads of Rs 2,000 notes have been gushing out at Posta Bazar, North Kolkata, one of the largest wholesale markets for perishable commodities in east India. Posta Bazar symbolises the urgency to use the notes by everyone from jewellers and wholesalers to neighbourhood fruit vendors, shopkeepers in malls, and petrol pumps. Tech that: Word from the world of technology and start-ups Facebook owner Meta Platforms was hit by a record 1.2-billion-euro ($1.3-billion) European Union privacy fine and given a deadline to stop shipping users data to the US after regulators said it failed to protect personal information from the American security services. Let us tell you about a US-based company that is at the heart of the AI revolution sweeping across the tech world, and it is not Open AI. Here is how Nvidia is leading other chipmakers amid the emergence of ChatGPT. With the third and final round of layoffs by Meta underway globally, India felt the impact, with some senior executives being asked to leave. How do the nine years of the Modi government stack up? Watch it here Watch it: From The Morning Show The origin of Indias so-called Angel Tax lies in scandal, said a report in The Economist in March. A government official allegedly directed money through a shell company and declared the proceeds to be investment, not taxable income. What is Suveen obsessing over? In this, as sometimes happens with sweeping policies, the baby was thrown out with the bathwater. The baby, in this case, were start-ups, which typically operate on meagre revenues, usually make losses, and yet command high valuations during investment rounds because of the promise they hold. So, the fair value at present can be astonishingly different from the value investors see in their future. Pranab Mukherjee, as the finance minister presenting the Budget in 2012, added a provision to curb such tax evasion. If investors bought shares in unlisted companies by paying more than their fair market value, the recipients would have to pay a tax on the excess money. Nerves were calmed. But that was until this years Budget sought to apply the tax on money from foreign investors, including venture capital firms and pension funds not registered with Sebi, the securities markets regulator. As the implications of the Angel Tax sank in, exemptions came. Start-ups were exempted if they had not completed 10 years, had a turnover of less than Rs 100 crore, and their paid-up share capital was less than Rs 25 crore. Most importantly, start-ups did not have to pay tax if they raised funds from foreign entities. On Thursday, the government notified a list of specified jurisdictions featuring 21 nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany, that will have immunity from the new tax. In April, the Income-Tax Department sent notices to start-ups for raising capital at an excessive premium from domestic investors between the assessment years 2018-19 and 2020-21. To compound matters, the Budget and the notices came in the middle of what is being called the funding winter for Indias start-ups. This prompted our Edit Page team to write a moving piece: Let start-ups live . It is good to see the wheels turn. Is it turning enough? However, Singapore, Ireland, the Netherlands, UAE, and Mauritius did not find a mention. Investment vehicles in Mauritius and Singapore are used by global investors to invest in unlisted Indian companies. Experts say it is not clear whether special-purpose vehicles in non-specified countries will get immunity from the tax. This is Suveen signing off. Please send comments, news, or views about anything from recovering tycoons to demons living inside angels to suveen.sinha@bsmail.in. One thing is sure, we have not fully exorcised the demons of the Angel Tax. (Suveen Sinha is Chief Content Editor at Business Standard) The meeting, held in the backdrop of Indias G20 presidency, was attended by chief ministers of all except 11 states. Focusing on the theme of Viksit Bharat or Developed India by 2047, Modi asked states to grab this opportunity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised states to maintain fiscal discipline by using funds judiciously so that future generations are not burdened. PM Modi, who is also the chairperson of NITI Aayog, was addressing the eighth governing council meeting of the government think tank on Saturday. India grows when the states growRaise your quality to the level of developed nations. Work with NITI Aayog so that the country can take a quantum leap towards achieving its vision for the Amrit Kaal, he added. He said that the centre, states and UTs should work as a team India and fulfill the dreams and aspirations of people for a Viksit Bharat. Addressing a press briefing, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subramanyam said that states were asked to prepare an action plan to follow up on G20 and not treat it as a one-off event. He said most states had been internationally exposed. Major challenges that states discussed in the meeting included climate change, artificial intelligence which could lead to job losses, geopolitics and income disparities in the country, The prime minister urged states to proactively use the Gati Shakti Portal not only for infrastructure and logistics but also for local area development and the creation of social infrastructure. The meeting was held for the first time at the national convention centre at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, where the G20 summit will also be held in September. Also Read NITI Aayog to rank states on measures taken to increase farmers' income 'Go getter' in the thinktank: Meet BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog NITI Aayog proposes to make 'gaushalas' self-sustaining entities The Ashok Hotel divestment: 1956-built hotel to undergo a structural audit Union govt ready to launch flagship scheme for Scheduled castes, tribes India is all set to be 4th largest global economy within 2 years: Vaishnaw India will be able to become $5-trillion economy by 2027: Sunil Mittal Sittwe Port in Myanmar, B'desh rail link highlight govt's NE growth push India to be 4th largest economy globally within 2 years: Vaishnaw NGOs urge govt not to join trade pillar of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework PM Modi also spoke about the importance of skilling people with a view to meeting global requirements, supporting MSMEs, developing the tourism potential of the country, reducing compliances at the State level including decriminalisation of minor offences and creation of Ekta Malls. All states have also been asked to establish NITT Aayog like institutions to drive their long-term planning and vision. While India aims to become a developed nation in the next 25 years, NITI Aayog is yet to share the parameters for the same or the average economic growth that the country needs to have in order to achieve this goal. The meeting was attended by the chief ministers and Lt governors representing 19 states and 6 UTs. Some of the key suggestions and best practices highlighted by the states included green strategies, the need for zone-wise planning especially in the north east area, tourism, urban planning, agriculture, quality of workmanship and logistics among others. Suman Bery, vice chairman of Niti Aayog said in the press conference that this was the take-off moment for India, the fifth largest economy in the world. The eleven states that skipped the meeting include Odisha, Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka, West Bengal, Bihar, Kerala, Manipur, Haryana and Telangana. West Bengal minister Birbaha Hansda's vehicle was vandalised in Paschim Medinipur district on Friday as members of the Kurmi community allegedly hurled stones at senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee's convoy, in which she was travelling, officials said. The incident happened in Salboni where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to attend a party programme on Saturday. Abhishek, a Z-plus protectee, led a roadshow in Jhargram's Binpur and Gopiballavpur as part of his Trinamooley Nabojowar (new wave in Trinamool) campaign. Following the rally, he was travelling through Salboni when members of the Kurmi community, who are protesting demanding ST status, gathered on both sides of the road, a party leader said. As his car moved ahead, they allegedly started throwing stones at the convoy. "The vehicle of Hansda, which was in the convoy, was damaged in the attack," the leader said. A huge police contingent was rushed to the spot to control the situation, officials said. It could not be immediately known if anyone was arrested. Also Read TMC's Abhishek welcomes SC decision on reassigning hearings in school scam Mamata Banerjee to leave for three-day tour to West Bengal districts Legal crisis erupts in Bengal over slander campaign against HC judge BJP slams TMC's Abhishek Banerjee over his remark on Bengal Panchayat polls Mission Meghalaya: Mamata, Abhishek Banerjee on 3-day tour from today 70.5% Indians satisfied with BJP-led Centre's works: CVoter Survey 56% will still elect Modi as PM given choice between him and Rahul: Survey I-T dept invites comments on draft rules for valuing startup investment Satyendar Jain suffers head injury, medical board constituted for treatment Meghalaya board declares class 10 results, only 51.93% students successful Banerjee alleged that the BJP was behind the attack. "I support democratic protests. If somebody wants to come to me and speak, they are always free to do so, but what form of protest is this that you are throwing stones, beating up people, and ransacking vehicles?" "I believe that some miscreants of BJP disguised as members of the Kurmi community are behind this attack to malign TMC's campaign," he said, addressing a party programme late in the night. He demanded a statement from the leaders of the Kurmi community over the attack within 48 hours. "I am giving a 48-hour ultimatum to the leaders of the Kurmi community. They should clarify whether they were behind this incident. If they don't give a statement, it will prove that they were behind it, and then the law will take its course," he said. Banerjee asked TMC workers to maintain peace and not step into any form of provocation. "When I was in Bankura, the leaders of the Kurmi community came to meet me. I spoke to them and told them that I support their democratic demands. But what happened today is unacceptable. And what's more surprising is the protestors were chanting Jai Shri Ram," he said. Rejecting Banerjee's allegations, the BJP said in no way its members were involved in the violence. "The protests reflected people's anger against the TMC," BJP leader Rahul Sinha said. Hansda, whose car was vandalised in the attack, said violence can never be the form of a democratic protest. "This can never be a fight for the rights of a community. All those who have thrown stones are outsiders, and are using the garb of being members of a specific community to justify the violence," said Hansda, the MoS for Forests. Last week, BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh's house in Paschim Medinipur's Kharagpur was vandalised allegedly by members of a Kurmi outfit over his comments against the community. "The TMC has been fanning this movement. When my house was attacked they had cherished it, now they are at the receiving end," Ghosh said. The Kurmi community, which is classified as OBC in West Bengal at present, protested for days in April in different districts of the state, including Dakshin Dinajpur, Purulia, Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur, disrupting traffic on highways and railways. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said the TMC leadership should do some soul-searching as to why such protests are taking place in the state. He claimed that people are angry with the state government over various issues. These principles include promoting the integrity and effectiveness of public bodies and authorities responsible for preventing and combating corruption, reinforcing law enforcement-related international cooperation, and strengthening mechanisms for asset recovery. The second meeting of the G20 Anti-corruption Working Group (ACWG), which began on Thursday, came to a conclusion on Saturday with the delegates zeroing in on three high-level principles for future summits. The agreement on the three principles also sets the tone for the third and final leg of the ACWG meeting which will be held at Kolkata between August 9 and 11. In this third meeting, India will also host the first-ever in-person Anti-Corruption ministerial meeting. According to an official statement, the three-day debates were also dominated by issues such as fugitive economic offenders, formal and informal channels of information sharing, and institutional frameworks for combating corruption and mutual legal assistance. Both asset recovery and fugitive economic offenders have remained issues of top priority for India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi tabled his nine-point agenda around these issues in 2018, during Argentinas G20 presidency. The meeting also became an occasion for the delegates to experience the culture, traditions, and cuisine local to Uttarakhand. They took part in a Ganga Aarti conducted at the ghats of the Ganges in Rishikesh and attended performances by local musicians and artists on the banks of the river. Over the course of three days, the meeting which was chaired by Rahul Singh, Additional Secretary, DoPT, Giovanni Tartaglia Polcini, Head of Task Force, Italy, and Fabrizio Marcelli, Minister Plenipotentiary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy saw the participation from 90 delegates of 20 member countries, ten invitee countries and nine international organisations including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), INTERPOL, and the International Monetary Fund. Amid concerns among teachers and students over the delay in the proposed launch of the 4-year honours course at the undergraduate level in state-run and aided higher educational institutions, Education Minister Bratya Basu said the government will take the final call on the matter next week. Basu told this to reporters on Friday on the sidelines of an event. "I will meet the chief minister next week to hold detailed talks on the issue (4-year UG course). We will come up with the notice afterwards" he told reporters when asked about the introduction of four-year UG courses in state-run and aided higher educational institutions. Meanwhile, some college authorities and teacher associations have expressed concern over the delay in official notice changing the period of honours studies in the state from three to four years. Principal of government-run Lady Brabourne College, Siuli Sarkar told PTI, "We had participated in various workshops on New Education Policy till mid-May. We had even given our views to the advisory board of the higher education department but there has not been any such communique. "We have to introduce the four-year honours course if we are asked. But there is no notification from the government on the matter as yet." Sarkar said. Also Read No official communication to colleges yet regarding 4-year hons in UG level Legal crisis erupts in Bengal over slander campaign against HC judge 700,000 appear in TET exam; education minister denies paper leak report Nobel laureate Amartya Sen moves HC against Visva-Bharati's eviction order Studying abroad not just about degree: Experts on foreign campuses in India K'taka Cong govt withdraws appointment order of Praveen Nettaru's wife Four Delhi flights diverted to Jaipur due to bad weather: Officials India logs 425 new Covid-19 cases, active infection tally down at 5,259 Plastic garbage becoming threat in Himalayan regions: Environment scientist Latest LIVE: PM Modi to chair NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting today West Bengal College and University Teachers Association President Subhoday Dasgupta told PTI that none actually knows when the notice on the UG honours course will reach the higher educational institutions. "To our dismay, this state government had accepted the NEP 2020 draft recommendations early this year and announced it will have four-year honours courses instead of the hitherto studied three-year honours," he added. He said WBCUTA will "oppose" any move by the state government to introduce four-year undergraduate courses in the state. Principals of three other colleges, PTI talked to, also have no clue about the implementation of the NEP draft which entailed having 4-year honours from 2023. Some key features of the National Education Policy, 2020, include four-year honours courses in UG courses in place of the existing three years. In 2018, South Korean giant Samsung inaugurated the world's largest mobile factory in India. The 35-acre facility at Sector 81 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in officially inaugurating it together -- placing the country firmly on the global manufacturing map. Even before that, the country saw a massive turnaround in mobile manufacturing. Before 2014, there were two mobile manufacturing factories and now, more than 200 manufacturing units have been set up in India, producing millions of devices and exporting them to other countries. Fast forward to 2023. Led by locally-manufactured mobile phones, India's electronics industry saw a record exports of electronic goods at an estimated Rs 1,85,000 crore in FY22-23 -- compared to Rs 1,16,936 crore in FY21-22 -- marking a whopping 58 per cent increase. According to data by the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), mobile phone exports made history by crossing the $10 billion threshold for the first time in any fiscal year, reaching an estimated $11.12 billion (over Rs 90,000 crore) in FY23. This growth has been primarily driven by the Apple ecosystem, which alone crossed a record $5 billion in exports from India in FY23. The country has now taken a leap on manufacturing IT hardware (laptops, servers, tablets), semiconductors and more. Also Read India's semiconductor market to touch $64 bn by 2026: Counterpoint-IESA Foxconn lines up Rs 4,110 cr for new Hyderabad plant, 25,000 jobs likely Vedanta-Foxconn JV set to get govt approval for its chip-making plant PM Modi meets CEO of Japanese semiconductor firm, discusses tech HCL Tech to double semiconductor biz in 4 yrs, needs 2 yrs to build fab From 350 in 2014 to 90K, Indian startups mushroom amid funding winter Sun Pharma proposes to acquire Israel-based Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Nepal starts exporting electricity to India, as generation increases Covid-19 pandemic thruster off, demand for chartered flight declines Medical device's environmental impact can challenge innovation: Report Vedanta-Foxconn Semiconductors Limited (VFSL), a joint venture between Foxconn and Vedanta Group, is one such example. Vedanta and Foxconn signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government last year to invest Rs 1,54,000 crore to set up the semiconductor and display manufacturing plant which is India's first. In April, Vedanta Group signed MoUs with 20 Korean companies from the display glass industry for the development of an electronics manufacturing hub in the country. The Centre last week approved an updated production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware, nearly doubling the overall outlay for the scheme to around Rs 17,000 crore. The tenure of the programme will be applicable for six years and the government expects investments worth Rs 2,430 crore in the scheme. "PLI 2.0 for IT hardware will be a catalyst for India's $300 billion electronics manufacturing mission, an important part of India's trillion dollar digital economy goal," according to Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The IT hardware PLI 2.0 is focused on expanding India's production and presence in the global value chains of IT hardware/servers/laptops. The country recently launched a Rs 76,000 crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for semiconductors and display manufacturing units. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi allocated a budget of Rs 1,200 crore to invest in the Indian semiconductor design startups. The government is aiming to create 100 semiconductor design startups in the near future that will develop innovative designs and solutions not only for the domestic market but also for the world, according to Chandrasekhar. The country will soon have a talent pool of 85,000 highly-skilled professionals in the semiconductor space, according to the minister. India's semiconductor market was valued at $22.7 billion in 2019, according to a recent joint report by Counterpoint Research and the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). The 2026 forecast of $64 billion is set to be driven by both domestic and export markets with significant demand from the consumer electronics, telecom, IT hardware and industrial sectors. India's 'telecom stack' and industrial applications are expected to account for two-thirds of the total. "In the short term, there is a huge opportunity being driven by domestic demand across applications like sensors, logic chips and analog devices," according to Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint. "Local sourcing is already happening in a significant way. It accounted for around 10 per cent of the overall market in 2022," he added. According to Amitesh Kumar Sinha, CEO of ISM and Joint Secretary, MeitY, "India is committed to becoming a reliable partner in global supply chains and we are working towards that by framing long-term policies, keeping the next 25 years in mind." As 5G roll-out picks up pace in India, Prime Minister Modi is already laying out the blueprint for 6G and has asked global giants like Cisco to begin research and development (R&D) around the next-gen telecommunication technology to further empower millions. The company's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Maria Martinez told IANS earlier this month that Prime Minister Modi has asked them to engage on 6G. "We talked about building some kind of joint R&D around 6G as well. We are very excited after seeing the 5G roll-out globally, including in India. We're very excited about 6G too," Martinez said. The Prime Minister has already emphasised that the 6G initiative will create new opportunities for innovators, industries and startups. In March, he released a vision document that details India's plans to develop and launch 6G telecom services in a few years. The Modi government's next target is to increase electronics manufacturing capability to Rs 24 lakh crore by 2025-26, which will also help create over 10 lakh jobs. Next on the anvil may be Tesla manufacturing its electric cars in the country. Elon Musk will likely pick a new location for a Tesla factory by the end of this year and according to him, India is very much part of his scheme of things. In an interview with Wall Street Journal, when asked if India is an interesting choice for a new Tesla location, Musk responded: "Absolutely". (Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in) --IANS na/sha Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday said all parliamentarians should welcome the construction of a new Parliament building. The former Congress leader, however, added that the idea of the construction of a new Parliament building was first mooted during the time of the P V Narasimha Rao government, but was later sent to the cold storage. "It (the construction of a new Parliament building) is a good thing. It is a good Parliament (house). It was proposed during the Narasimha Rao government but it could not be done. Now that it has been constructed, all parliamentarians should welcome it," Azad told reporters here. "I have no opposition to it," he added. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said people are facing problems due to the absence of a legislative setup in the Union Territory. "Seats of MLAs are vacant. Restoration of this setup can mitigate the problems of the people," he said. Azad stressed the need for the restoration of the "old India" based on the idea of communal harmony and brotherhood. Also Read DAP chief Ghulam Nabi Azad cautions party leaders against groupism From Chola tradition to Jawaharlal Nehru: All you need to know about Sengol It's wrong, says Ghulam Nabi Azad on Rahul Gandhi's disqualification Not Kharge, but Rahul is captain of Congress: Ghulam Nabi Azad Will continue fight for restoration of J&K's statehood: Ghulam Nabi Azad BJP sabotaging Parliamentary convention, Constitution, says Congress 9 years of PM Narendra Modi's govt: Leaders outline 'hits', road ahead Basavaraj Bommai dares Congress govt to ban RSS, Bajrang Dal in Karnataka Cong to hold events in 35 cities to highlight Modi govt 'failures' in 9 yrs India under PM Modi witnessing all-round development: BJP on 9 yrs of govt "We also want the restoration of the old Jammu and Kashmir," he said. On the second day of his visit to Rajouri, Azad expressed concern over the soaring unemployment and price rise and the dwindling economy of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are facing multiple challenges as jobs and land are being taken away from them. Interacting with the party workers, Azad said if elected to power, the DPAP will not be a mute spectator to the plight of the locals and take all political and legal initiatives to secure their jobs and land rights. He said certain regions face additional challenges as they are landlocked, adding that these areas were overlooked by successive regimes with no job opportunities and economic growth. "When I was heading the Jammu and Kashmir government in the erstwhile state, I gave a special focus to the region and tried for its economic uplift. Since then, no one seems to have understood the needs and aspirations of the region," Azad said. He said the DPAP will restore the Roshni Act as its revocation has rendered thousands of families landless. Azad said according to laws, those who possessed land for more than 20 years should have been granted ownership rights but in Jammu and Kashmir, the administration took anti-people measures and snatched their land instead. Amid the controversy over the inauguration of the new Parliament Building on May 28 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Friday once again hit back at the BJP, saying that it is the ruling party which is sabotaging the Parliamentary conventions and the Constitution of the country. Speaking to the media here, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said: "The BJP is entirely sabotaging the traditions of the country." Pointing out the traditions of Parliament, the Congress leader said "the President of India is the part and parcel of the Parliamentary system and the Parliament". "They are totally ignoring the President (Droupadi Murmu), who is the first woman tribal President. Then, they are blaming the Congress and the entire country is witnessing that the BJP is sabotaging the Parliamentary conventions and even the Constitution of India. They don't have a moral right to criticise Congress for boycotting the inauguration of Parliament," Venugopal said, slamming the BJP. His remarks came after the BJP slammed the Congress for its stand to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on May 28. PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the new four-storey Parliament building on May 28. Also Read Constitution is supreme, says Chidambaram as he counters V-P Dhankhar RSS, BJP want to finish off Constitution discreetly: Rahul Gandhi BJP parliamentary party meeting today, discussion on crucial issues likely Prez Murmu graces valedictory function of Constitution Day organised by SC Constitution has withstood test of time: Prez Murmu on eve of R-Day 9 years of PM Narendra Modi's govt: Leaders outline 'hits', road ahead Basavaraj Bommai dares Congress govt to ban RSS, Bajrang Dal in Karnataka Cong to hold events in 35 cities to highlight Modi govt 'failures' in 9 yrs India under PM Modi witnessing all-round development: BJP on 9 yrs of govt Cooperative federalism being turned into joke: Kejriwal wrote to PM Modi The issue snowballed into a major controversy, with the opposition parties arguing "President Murmu (head of the state) and not PM Modi (head of the government), should perform the inauguration". --IANS aks/pgh Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of the party leaders on May 29 to discuss whether the party needs to support Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the Centre's ordinance to negate the Supreme Court judgement on placing 'services' under the control of the state government in the national capital. According to party sources, Kharge has called a meeting of the party leaders to discuss the issue on May 29 at 10.30 a.m. The meeting comes in the wake of the request from Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi over the ordinance issue. In a tweet on Friday, Kejriwal said, "Sought time this morning to meet Congress President Kharge ji and Rahul Gandhi ji to seek Congress support in Parliament against undemocratic and unconstitutional ordinance passed by BJP government and also to discuss general assault on federal structure and prevailing political situation." After the request from the AAP leader, Congress sources on Friday said that the party is still considering his request. On Monday night, Congress general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said, "The Congress Party has not taken any decision on the issue of the Ordinance brought against the SC judgment on the powers of the Government of NCT of Delhi with respect to appointment of officers. It will consult its state units and other like-minded parties on the same. The Party believes in the Rule of Law and at the same time does not condone unnecessary confrontation, political witch-hunt and campaigns based on lies against political opponents by any political party." Also Read Kejriwal should realise his mistake: Delhi Cong chief over ordinance row BJP demands white paper on pollution from Delhi govt as AQI deteriorates BJP govt at Centre fighting with everyone, alleges Delhi CM Kejriwal Kejriwal loves power, position, money: BJP spokespman Sambit Patra AAP calls SC verdict on services row 'tight slap' on mission to topple govt ORR Toll Scam is thousand times bigger than Delhi liquor scam: TPCC Chief Politics divided, 'acchhe din' subsided: Sibal's dig over 9 yrs of NDA govt Kerala, Rajasthan CMs to not attend PM Modi's NITI Aayog meeting today Kejriwal should realise his mistake: Delhi Cong chief over ordinance row Gandhi family kept 'Sengol' in dark corner as Nehru's stick: Irani jibes Many Congress leaders from Delhi and Punjab have opposed supporting Kejriwal over the issue. Senior COngress leaders like Ajay Maken, Sandeep Dikshit and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had already echoed that the party should not support AAP. Kejriwal has already met Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal(U) leader Nitish Kumar along with his deputy and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on May 21. Both the leaders have announced to support the AAP over the ordinance issue. On Tuesday, Kejriwal travelled to West Bengal to meet his counterpart and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and seek her support. Banerjee also announced her support to the AAP leader. The AAP leaders also travelled to Maharashtra and met former chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar separately. Both the leaders have also extended their support to Kejriwal's party. Kejriwal is also supposed to travel to Hyderabad to meet Bharath Rashtra Samithi leader and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao seeking his support over the issue on Saturday. Kejriwal has last week urged the opposition parties to not let the Bill over ordinance to pass in Rajya Sabha for the people of Delhi. The Central government has brought an ordinance to set up a permanent authority known as the National Capital Civil Service Authority whose chairperson will be Delhi chief minister, who, along with chief secretary, Delhi, Principal Secretary (Home), Delhi, will make recommendations to the Delhi L-G regarding matters concerning transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters. However, in case of difference of opinion, the decision of the L-G shall be final. On May 11, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court ruled that it is ideal to hold that a democratically elected Delhi government should have control over its officers and the L-G is bound by the advice of the elected government in everything other than public order, police, and land. The top court stressed that if the government is not able to control and hold to account the officers posted in its service, then its responsibility towards the legislature as well as the public is diluted. The ordinance came after the apex court gave the Delhi government control in services matters, including transfer and posting of officers. --IANS aks/svn/ Saying that Haryana will play a key role in the development of the country, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said the state is committed to achieving the Prime Minister's ambition of making the country a $5 trillion economy by 2024. Speaking at a meeting of the eighth Governing Council meeting of the Niti Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Khattar said just as the Prime Minister "ensures the development of the country through the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, and Sabka Vishwas', the state ensures the identical development of Haryana while following the mantra of 'Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek'. Under the Prime Minister's leadership, India has established new dimensions every day intending to be prosperous, powerful, and empowered in the last nine years, he said, adding under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the Haryana government has been successfully implementing Central initiatives for the last eight and a half years, and is also assuring the welfare of all sections by introducing new schemes. Khattar said Haryana was the first state in the country to launch its ambitious Vision Document-2030 in 2017. "Haryana has been termed by Niti Aayog as the state that has introduced continuous reforms. Our score on the Sustainable Development Goals has risen from 57 to 67. Gender equality, hunger and anaemia elimination, quality education, economic growth, and climate change are all priorities for us and special attention for these," said Khattar. The Chief Minister said the government has launched the Parivar Pehchan Patra programme to bring government schemes and programmes to the people's doorsteps. Also Read Khattar announces Lord Parshuram Jayanti as gazetted holiday in Haryana Haryana CM Khattar keeps Sports portfolio held by Minister Sandeep Singh Haryana govt to open drug de-addiction centres across the state: CM Khattar Heading in right direction by maximising use of digital platforms: Khattar Haryana to introduce law ensuring quick redressal of family land disputes BJP eyes hat-trick in 2024 at Centre riding on '9 years of achievements' MPs not taken into confidence on new Parliament building: NCP chief Pawar Congress questions govt on country's economic health, national security Boycotting NITI Aayog meet by some CMs is anti-people, irresponsible: BJP Bihar CM Nitish blames Centre for failure to attend Niti Aayog meet "The advantages of various government initiatives and services are now being delivered to people's homes via one single document, eliminating the need for them to visit offices. This has had a beneficial impact on the lives of the common man. Other states are studying the Parivar Pehchan Patra as well. Work on implementing Haryana's ambitious scheme has begun in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand." The Chief Minister said through the Parivar Pehchan Patra more than 44,000 elderly people and 81,000 PwDs (persons with disabilities) got automated pension benefits. "About 75 lakh CHIRAYU health cards have been issued under the Ayushman and CHIRAYU Yojana. In the last five months, health checkups for more than 7 lakh poor people have been conducted under the Nirogi Haryana Yojana," he said. The Chief Minister said PM Modi believes that India's vision of self-reliance is dependent on water connectivity. "The Haryana government has launched a number of initiatives to realise the Prime Minister's vision of water conservation. Besides, the Haryana Treated Waste Water Policy was formulated with the goal of using 50 per cent treated water by 2025. The Mera Pani-Meri Virasat scheme was launched to foster water conservation, agricultural variety, and direct seeded rice technique is also being promoted among the farmers," Khattar added. --IANS vg/pgh (Photo : NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images) A Chinese research vessel and five escort vessels were in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near gas blocks operated by Russian firms. (not the actual photo) China disregarded Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and sent a research ship and five escort vessels to an energy-rich South China Sea area where a Russian state firm jointly operates a gas tract with Hanoi. The move is Beijing's latest escalation in the region, following the deployment of a research vessel, at least one Chinese coast guard ship, and nearly a dozen other vessels earlier this month. China Vessels Enter Vietnam Waters On Friday, the research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 10 traversed the 04-03 gas block operated by Vietsovpetr, a joint venture between the Russian-owned Zarubezhneft and PetroVietnam. According to Fox News, the announcement comes one day after Vietnam demanded the Chinese vessel depart the area near the Spratly Islands, which it had entered on May 7. China has attempted to assert sovereignty over the entirety of the South China Sea, increasing its aggressive posture against neighboring nations with jurisdictional rights in the vast body of water, such as the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. After the Chinese vessels crossed block 129, which Vietgazprom also operates, Vietnam issued a rare public statement on Thursday demanding that they vacate the area. In response to queries from reporters, Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning asserted Beijing's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Spratly Islands and adjacent waters. International ships are permitted to cross the exclusive economic zones of other nations because they are not the direct territory of any particular sovereign. However, under international law, nations have jurisdictional rights over these zones, granting them special rights regarding exploration, use of marine resources, and energy production. According to Ray Powell, who heads Stanford University's Project Myoushu in the South China Sea, the Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong 10 began operating in Vietnam's EEZ on May 7, representing the most significant incursion since 2019. The 2019 impasse lasted over three months and primarily targeted a block operated by the Russian state energy company Rosneft at the time. Less than two years later, Rosneft transferred its assets in the South China Sea to the Russian state-owned company Zarubezhneft, which operates some of the gas fields at the center of the current dispute. South China Sea Chronicle Initiative (SCSCI), an independent non-profit, shared vessel-tracking data with Reuters indicating that in the weeks since May 7, the Chinese research ship, sometimes accompanied by a dozen vessels, has been moving primarily across gas block 04-03, operated by Vietsovpetr, a joint venture between Zarubezhneft and PetroVietnam. Read Also: Russia Arrests Ukrainians Planning To Attack Nuclear Power Plant Vietnam Asks China to Withdraw Ships In addition, it routinely traverses blocks 132 and 131 that Vietnam has licensed to Vietgazprom, a joint venture between the Russian energy behemoth Gazprom and PetroVietnam. China has submitted contending license applications for these two blocks. The three businesses and the Russian embassy in Hanoi did not respond to requests for comment immediately. In response to a query about the stalemate, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, stated that China had sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and its adjacent waters and jurisdiction over relevant waters. Ships are permitted to cross other countries' EEZs under international law, but Vietnam and other countries with claims in the South China Sea, including the Philippines and Malaysia, have long viewed China's operations as hostile. The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies have repeatedly engaged in dialogue with the Chinese side and taken measures in accordance with international and Vietnamese law to protect Vietnam's legitimate rights and interests. Vietnam requests that Chinese agencies comply with the shared understandings of the two countries leaders, promptly cease all violations, and respect Vietnamese sovereignty, rights, and jurisdiction. The foreign ministry representative added that the Southeast Asian nation also urged its northern neighbor to strictly implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC), maintain peace, cooperation, and development in the maritime area, and contribute to the development of bilateral relations. Per tuoitrenews.com, the China Maritime Safety Administration under the Chinese Ministry of Transport announced the installation of three light beacons in the Truong Sa archipelago in Vietnam on Wednesday. According to the Chinese side, the establishment of the light beacons is intended to "ensure safety" for vessels in the region. Related Article: China, Russia Deepen Ties by Signing Economic Pacts Despite Western Criticism @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rajasthan's Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot won't be attending the NITI Aayog Council meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Saturday. CM Gehlot has cited health reasons for not attending the meeting, while CM Vijayan has not given any specific reason for his absence. Other than him, Delhi's CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's CM Bhagwant Mann, Telangana's CM K Chandrashekhar Rao, West Bengal's CM Mamata Banerjee and Bihar's CM Nitish Kumar are expected to skip the meeting on Saturday. PM Modi will chair the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog on Saturday on the theme of 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India' at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, PM Modi will preside over the meeting. PM Modi will deliberate on issues related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Also Read Punjab CM to skip NITI Aayog meet amid AAP's ongoing tussle with Centre Vijayan to go slow on case against 7 Oppn MLAs for Assembly fiasco: Rpt Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan meets PM Modi to discuss the ESZ issue India's economy to grow at 6% in 2023-24: Former NITI Aayog VC Rajiv Kumar Commerce ministry may rework draft Bills on tea, coffee with NITI Aayog Kejriwal should realise his mistake: Delhi Cong chief over ordinance row Gandhi family kept 'Sengol' in dark corner as Nehru's stick: Irani jibes K'taka Cong accommodates 6 Lingayat, 4 Vokkaligas, Shettar, Savadi miss out All MPs should welcome construction of new Parliament building: Azad BJP sabotaging Parliamentary convention, Constitution, says Congress "Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long Meeting including (i) Viksit Bharat@2047, (ii) Thrust on MSMEs, (iii) Infrastructure and Investments, (iv) Minimising Compliances, (v) Women Empowerment, (vi) Health and Nutrition, (vii) Skill Development, and (viii) Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure," the NITI Aayog stated. It added, "The Meeting will see the participation of Chief Ministers/Lt Governors of all States and Union Territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio Members, and the Vice Chairman and Members of NITI Aayog". The Congress on Saturday said it has high regard for the efforts of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to bring opposition parties together but was "still not able to trust" leaders such as Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. AICC spokesperson Alok Sharma alleged that these leaders had "helped BJP in the last eight-nine years". "With a full sense of responsibility, as an official spokesperson of the Congress, I assert that we are still not able to trust Kejriwal and KCR," Sharma told reporters at Sadaqat Ashram, the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) headquarters. To buttress his point, he underscored the Delhi CM's support for the now withdrawn farm bills, besides raking up the AAP founder calling for "arrest" of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to bust corruption. Nonetheless, he added, "We leave it to the discretion of Nitish babu. He may decide whom to take along." The Congress is the third largest constituent of Bihar's ruling 'Mahagathbandhan', which Kumar, the JD(U) supremo, joined after quitting the BJP-led NDA. Sharma also claimed that the NDA was in the tatters with former BJP allies either parting ways or accusing the saffron party of "backstabbing", while the Congress-led UPA, which has been out of power since 2014, "has remained intact, and even added some new constituents". Also Read Appreciate Rahul Gandhi for Bharat Jodo Yatra: Secretary Ram Mandir Trust Nitish meets Cong, AAP in attempt for Oppn unity for 2024; BJP hits back Balance sheet comfort may allow RBI to let rupee appreciate: Citi As Nitish tries to bring Opposition together, here's a look at his journey Nitish Kumar backs Kejriwal over CBI summon, says people respect him Threat calls to Gadkari: NIA team leaves from Nagpur with case documents Invest in logistics to make Indian products competitive: AP CM at NITI meet Delhi records 12 fresh coronavirus cases, one death in last 24 hours Along with material knowledge, peace of mind must for success: Om Birla Cleared hurdles in Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project: Maharashtra CM The AICC spokesman, who released the Congress' "seven years, seven questions" document in Bihar, also charged the Narendra Modi government with harming the state by its policies. "The state's youngsters performed well in exams conducted by UPSC and SSC, both of which have been forced to reduce recruitment. Armed forces have been a popular career option here, a reason why Bihar saw the most vehement protests against the Agnipath scheme," he added. A court here on Saturday sent gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to four days' custody of Delhi Police's Special Cell in an illegal arms supply case. The court passed the order on an application moved by Delhi Police seeking Bishnoi's custodial interrogation in a case related to the recovery of 25 pistols from an alleged arms trafficker, Mukund Singh, who supplied weapons and ammunition to the Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Jathedi gang. The police submitted that sustained interrogation of the accused was required to identify his gang members to whom the recovered arms and ammunition were to be supplied and to unearth the conspiracy hatched by the gang to eliminate its rivals and others. Delhi Police also said that Bishnoi needs to be confronted with Singh, who is already in custody in this case. Also Read Court sends Lawrence Bishnoi to NIA custody for a week for terror funding NIA conducts raids at locations linked to Lawrence Bishnoi, aides NIA raids 70 locations linked to Bishnoi, Bawana, other gangsters Accomplice of gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi, Godara arrested in Rajasthan Delhi court sends gangster Deepak 'Boxer' to 8-day police custody India-Saudi Arabia bilateral maritime exercise conducted successfully PM Modi meets Adheenams day before inaugurating parliament building HP CM urges Centre to return funds deposited for National Pension System CM Stalin thanks PM for nod to hosting Khelo India 2023 in Tamil Nadu Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik skips NITI Aayog meeting due to prior commitment Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has approved for transfer of land to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the construction of a station at Keshopur under its Ph-IV project, officials said on Saturday. The site of the station falls on the under-construction metro corridor between Janakpuri and R K Ashram Marg. The LG has approved for transfer of land from the city's Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC) department to the DMRC, officials in the LG Office said. The DMRC's request with the Delhi government for the transfer of land was pending since April 2019, a senior official said. DMRC sources also confirmed the development. Keshopur station on this upcoming corridor will be an elevated structure. Also Read 2022: Looking back at 20 years of Delhi Metro, on track for 2023 Kolkata underwater metro to be completed by December 2023, says KMRC Glitch on metro's yellow line: The monkey business of Delhi's monkeys Chennai metro passengers can buy tickets on WhatsApp: Here's how to book Signs of recovery: Delhi Metro regains 90% of pre-pandemic ridership levels ED attaches assets worth Rs 36.3 crore of Udayanidhi Stalin Foundation 1 in 5 'healthy' adults have glucose metabolism of a prediabetic: Study Official drains out 4.1 mn-litre water from weir to find phone; suspended Sittwe Port in Myanmar, B'desh rail link highlight govt's NE growth push Non-communicable diseases bigger issue than Covid pandemic: Apollo JMD At present, the DMRC is doing construction work on 65.1 km of Phase-IV priority corridors, which comprise Janakpuri West to RK Ashram Marg (28.92 km), Majlis Park to Maujpur (12.55 km), which are extensions of the already operational Magenta Line and Pink Line respectively, and Tughalakabad to Aerocity (23.62 km) which is being built as Silver Line'. The Silver Line will connect the Violet Line and Airport Line. Russia will start expelling German diplomats, teachers and employees of German cultural institutions next month, the German Foreign Office said on Saturday a move that will further enhance tensions between the two countries that have already had very fraught ties since Russia invaded Ukraine early last year. The German foreign ministry sharply criticized Russia's move, calling the upcoming expulsions a unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible decision. The expulsion will affect several hundred German state employees, including teachers and staff of the Goethe Institute, which promotes German culture and language abroad, daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported. The expulsion comes in response to the reduction of the presence of Russian intelligence services in Germany earlier this year. The Russian Foreign Ministry had made public in April its decision to introduce a cap on the number of staff at our missions abroad and at German intermediary organistions in Russia, a German Foreign Office spokesperson said, on condition of anonymity in line with government policy. The expulsions will lead to a major cut in all areas of our presence in Russia, the spokesperson added. Also Read Russian court fines Wikipedia again over article about Ukraine war Amid Ukraine conflict, Covid-19, India emerges as voice of Global South Russia threat to exit Ukraine grain deal adds risk to global food security Fourth Reich to be created: Russia's Dmitry Medvedev makes 2023 prediction G7 leaders ready to pile fresh sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war Yemen's food insecurity remains serious threat, warns UN official Pak govt cancels diplomatic passports of 9 PTI leaders, launches crackdown Iconic Beirut museum reopens 3 years after massive damage from port blast Canadian party calls on govt to stop deportation of 150 Punjabi students Nepal PM Prachanda to embark on 4-day official visit to India on May 31 Germany did not announce any concrete response to Russia's expulsions, which are expected to begin next week, but the Foreign Office said that with regard to the upper limit on the Russian presence in Germany, the German government will ensure that there is a real balance in practice as well. Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Jitendra Singh Saturday claimed Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik remained close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Dubbing BJD as the B-Team of the BJP, Singh said the Odisha government is being remote controlled by officers who he alluded were in the chief minister's office. Singh, who was here to address a press conference, said: "It is a matter of grave concern that the BJD president Naveen Ji has been 'sitting in the laps' of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. It is not that he is abiding by Modi and Shah now, it has been happening since a long time." He went on to claim that the state was being run by a coterie of powerful officers and not by its political leadership. "I feel pity for the Odisha ministers, MPs and MLAs who are found sitting outside the chambers of these officers. Their condition is precarious in the state," Singh said. Referring to the inaugural function of new Parliament building in the national capital slated for Sunday, Singh said Naveen has joined hands with BJP leaders to "insult" the Hon'ble President of India. "By supporting Modi with regard to Parliament building inauguration, Naveen has also insulted Droupadi Murmu, who happens to be daughter of Odisha. They have insulted the state and the entire country by denying the President the right to inaugurate the new Parliament building," he said. Also Read Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik owns property worth Rs 65.40 crore, shows CMO Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's assets increase by Rs 42.90 lakh in 2022 Pradhan asks Odisha CM Patnaik to get cabinet nod for Padampur district Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik skips NITI Aayog meeting due to prior commitment Odisha CM Patnaik attempting to garner sympathy ahead of 2024 election: BJP Ministers hail PM's decisive leadership at '9 yrs of Modi govt' conclave PM Modi become most trusted, popular leader with his Seva Bhaav, says FM AAP dissolves Goa executive committee; party to undergo complete revamp Jailed Manish Sisodia appeals PM to ensure justice for protesting wrestlers BJP urges Congress govt to fulfil election guarantees in Karnataka He claimed that the opposition leaders who are boycotting the Parliament inauguration function are worried that it will be an insult to the first citizen of the country. The BJD's reactions to Singh's statement could not be acertained despite several attempts. Singh also alleged that the BJP used Pulwama incident to its political benefit. The Congress leader also said that former governor of Jammu & Kashmir Satpal Malik's claims that the incident could have been averted if standard operating procedures on movement of central police and army perswonnel was followed. Singh said, "He is right. There is a SOP for movement of army and central armed force personnel in critical areas. It was not followed in Pulwama for which brave sons of the soil attained martyrdom. The government did not allowed air surveillance during the force movement. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday urged the Centre to make a "permanent arrangement" to compensate for the revenue loss suffered by states due to the GST regime and demanded a refund of Rs 19,000 crore deposited in the New Pension Scheme. The chief minister made the demands during the eighth meeting of the governing council of NITI Aayog held here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting, Baghel also asked the central government to transfer the amount of 4,170 crore additional levy received from minerals to Chhattisgarh. The senior Congress leader said a civil suit has been filed by the Chhattisgarh government in the Supreme Court in this matter, and requested the Centre to reply soon and resolve the issue, according to a statement issued by the state government. Besides, the chief minister demanded revision of royalty rates of coal and other major minerals from his state. Baghel said that due to non-amendment, the financial interests of the state are being adversely affected. The Chhattisgarh chief minister also urged the central government to bear the security expenditure of Rs 11,828 crore on the deployment of central forces and free the state from such costs, the statement said. Also Read Chhattisgarh govt to introduce reservation bill within two days: Baghel Chhattisgarh liquor scam case: ED should arrest CM Baghel, says AAP Chhattisgarh tribal leader joins Congress, says tough decision to quit BJP Weakened BJP in Chhattisgarh struggles to find a face to counter Baghel Bhupesh Baghel writes to PM Modi, urges to announce Census schedule soon Know your minister: A look at 24 MLAs sworn-in to Karnataka cabinet today CMs boycotting NITI Aayog meeting is anti-people, irresponsible: BJP Kharge, Kejriwal booked over 'inciteful' remarks against President Murmu What is the need for new Parliament building, asks Bihar CM Nitish Cong Prez Kharge calls meeting to discuss 'ordinance' issue in Delhi He raised the issue of refund of Rs 19,000 crore deposited in the New Pension Scheme during the meeting, it said. Baghel, during the budget session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly last year, had announced that his government would reinstate the old pension scheme (OPS). Later, his government wrote to the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority demanding refund of money deposited in the form of government and employee contribution towards NPS since November 2004. During the NITI Aayog meeting, Baghel also demanded compensation for the losses suffered by the states due to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. "A permanent arrangement should be made at the earliest to compensate for the revenue loss," he was quoted as saying during the meeting. The state's share in central taxes is getting less, Baghel argued, demanding that an amount of Rs 2,659 crore be made available to the state this financial year. On the agenda of the meeting, Chief Minister Baghel said the states have an important role in maintaining the unity and integrity of the country. He said the central government should respect the rights of the states and strengthen the system of transferring its share of resources as well. Emphasizing on MSMEs, the chief minister said that the Rural and Cottage Industrial Policy 2023-24 has been announced with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship in rural areas in the state and to use the resources of the area at the local level. Baghel said that only 25-30 per cent iron ore is being made available by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) to the units located in the state. He urged the Centre to make available adequate iron ore for the units in the state. He said that the MSME industries of Chhattisgarh are not getting coal from South Eastern Coalfields Limited for the last two-three years as per the requirement of the state, and requested the Centre to take action on this subject to secure the interest of the state. During the meeting, Baghel highlighted that in order to promote industrialization in the tribal region of Bastar, memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed for capital investment of about Rs 9,000 crore in the last four years. He pointed out that three million tonnes of iron ore would be required annually for the steel industries. Baghel requested that iron ore should be kept in reserve according to the production capacity of these steel plants and made available on priority basis. Along with this, 30 per cent discount should also be given in the rate of iron ore by NMDC under special incentive, he demanded. He also suggested implementing MNREGA in cities with less than 20 thousand population. He called for appointing a nodal officer for early start and coordination of international air service from Raipur airport, the statement said. During the meeting, Baghel also demanded setting up of solar power plants in 10 aspirational districts of Chhattisgarh as well as setting up of solar power plants up to 5 MW as green activities, and demanded exemption from forest diversion under the Forest Conservation Act. The chief minister said that there should be an integrated MIS system for all programmes for the care of women and children. Besides, he also called for increasing the share of Centre-State funding to 75:25 under centrally sponsored schemes. The NITI Aayog's eighth governing council meeting was held with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday blamed the Centre for his inability to attend the Niti Aayog meeting on Saturday where he wished to raise issues like caste census and special status for the state. The JD(U) leader, whose party is boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday, dubbed the function as an attempt to change history by those who had made no contributions to the freedom struggle. Kumar, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the death anniversary of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, said, When I received the schedule of the Niti Aayog meet I sought a change in the timings since it clashed with the function here. We have respected Pandit Nehru since our childhood, though politically I have pursued a different line, said the veteran socialist leader, who now has the Congress as an ally. They (the Centre), however, did not agree to change the timing of the Niti Aayog meeting. Had they even agreed to hold the meeting in the afternoon, I would have been able to attend. "We sent a few other names who could represent the state, which too was turned down. So, Bihar remained unrepresented, Kumar said. Also Read Kerala, Rajasthan CMs to not attend PM Modi's NITI Aayog meeting today From Chola tradition to Jawaharlal Nehru: All you need to know about Sengol Nehru's legacy stands tall like beacon: Rahul pays tributes to 1st PM Modi should return as PM in 2024, says Madurai Adheenam head priest What is the need for new Parliament building, asks Bihar CM Nitish NITI meet: C'garh CM asks Centre to make arrangement for GST compensation Know your minister: A look at 24 MLAs sworn-in to Karnataka cabinet today CMs boycotting NITI Aayog meeting is anti-people, irresponsible: BJP Kharge, Kejriwal booked over 'inciteful' remarks against President Murmu What is the need for new Parliament building, asks Bihar CM Nitish He continued, "I was amazed to read in papers today that five other states have been deprived of attendance at the Niti Aayog meet for one reason or the other. Kumar said, Had I been at the meeting, I would have definitely raised the issue of caste census, pointed out the legal hurdles that hit the survey we undertook at the state level. After all, we conducted the survey only after the Centre said it will not conduct a caste census but states were free to hold a headcount. I would also have raised the long-standing issue of a special status (to Bihar) and the need for greater central assistance to poor states, said Kumar, now a votary of opposition unity. To questions on the inauguration of the new Parliament building, which is being boycotted by the opposition parties with the demand that President Droupadi Murmu and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the new premises, he asserted First of all, there was no need for a new Parliament building. Kumar had been a Lok Sabha member for several terms in the past. Without mentioning the BJP or Modi by name, he said, Those in power nowadays have no respect for history. This is an attempt to change history by those who made no contribution to the freedom struggle. Asked to comment on the scrapping of Rs 2,000 notes, Kumar, who had supported demonetisation in 2016, said I fail to understand what they are trying to achieve. After invalidating the old Rs 1,000 notes, they should have brought in new ones. But they introduced Rs 2,000 notes. Now they are withdrawing these too. Only they can say what is their intention. The Bihar chief minister said, The media too is not unfettered now and hence cannot ask probing questions about government's steps like it used to do in the past. About the much-awaited meeting of Opposition parties which is expected to be held in Bihar, Kumar said he has discussed the issue with most of the Opposition leaders and will inform the exact date at an appropriate time. Kumar's counterpart in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee had asked him to hold a meeting of Opposition parties in Patna at the end of May. Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday hit out at the Opposition for its decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building, saying it was an "insult". Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday and 20 Opposition parties, including Congress, AAP, TMC and Samajwadi Party, have announced a boycott of the function contending that President Droupadi Murmu should do the honours. "It is a different matter that some people got barred from Parliament. Earlier, they used to find excuses for not allowing Parliament to function. Now, they are talking of boycott which is also an insult," Thakur said. The minister for information and broadcasting was addressing the inaugural session of a day-long national conclave organised by Doordarshan to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Modi government. India takes pride in being the "mother of democracy" and Prime Minister Modi has given a new Parliament building to the nation, which is the world's largest democracy, said Thakur. Minister for Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra and Prasar Bharti CEO Gaurav Dwivedi attended the inaugural session of the conclave. Also Read No, Israel has NOT found two cases of a new variant of coronavirus Connect with aspirational India through technology: Anurag Thakur to NRIs Anurag Thakur unveils newly constructed hostel of SAI in Lucknow, UP All demands of wrestlers met, let police finish its probe: Anurag Thakur Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Thakur asks young diaspora to invest in India Nehru's legacy stands tall like beacon: Rahul pays tributes to 1st PM Nepal starts exporting electricity to India, as generation increases Court not an institution to sermonise society on morality, ethics: SC Orange alert in Haryana, Raj, UP amid possibility of thunderstorms in Delhi Int'l tourist footfall in India will rise if citizens promote places: EAM A booklet titled "9 Years -- Seva, Sushasan, Garib Kalyan", listing the achievement of the Modi government, was also released on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the Centre, states and Union Territories need to work as a team and develop a long-term common vision to fulfil the aspirations of people to make India a developed country by 2047, when the country completes 100 years of Independence. Addressing the eighth Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog here, Modi also urged the states to maintain fiscal discipline and take financially prudent decisions which are capable of delivering programmes that meet the aspirations of the people. The Prime Minister urged the states to proactively use the Gati Shakti Portal not only for infrastructure and logistics but also for local area development and creation of social infrastructure. Briefing media about the deliberations of the meeting, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said that chief ministers and Lt Governors of 19 states and six UTs attending the meeting. However, chief ministers of 11 states -- Punjab, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Manipur and Rajasthan -- did not attend the meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog. It was also the first formal meeting at the newly-constructed Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan which later in the year will host G20 Summit. Also Read Union Budget 2023-24 ready reckoner: A fiscally prudent approach Maintain 'raj dharma': Pradhan urges Patnaik as police detain BJP leaders Centre's fiscal deficit touches 45.6% of Budget target till October Govt on track to meet fiscal deficit target of 6.4% for current FY: Report Budget 2023-24: Centre to target higher capex but lower fiscal deficit NITI Aayog meet: PM advises fiscal prudence, work towards 'Viksit Bharat' India is all set to be 4th largest global economy within 2 years: Vaishnaw India will be able to become $5-trillion economy by 2027: Sunil Mittal Sittwe Port in Myanmar, B'desh rail link highlight govt's NE growth push India to be 4th largest economy globally within 2 years: Vaishnaw In his address to the Governing Council, the Prime Minister said that it was essential to combine the vision of states and districts with the national vision to reach the goal of Vikasit Bharat by 2047. "At #NITIAayog's #8thGCM, PM @narendramodi stated that when states grow, India grows. He also emphasised the importance of evolving a common vision to achieve a #VikasitBharat @ 2047," NITI Aayog said in a series of tweets. Modi asked the States and UTs to work with NITI Aayog so that the country can take a quantum leap towards achieving its vision for the Amrit Kaal. The Prime Minister also urged the states to take financially prudent decisions which would make them fiscally strong and capable of undertaking programmes for the welfare of citizens. "PM @narendramodi urged States to take financially prudent decisions so as to become fiscally strong and capable of delivering programmes that meet the dreams of citizens," the Aayog said in another tweet. According to an official statement, chief ministers/Lt. Governors gave various policy-level suggestions. They mentioned specific issues pertaining to the states which require Centre-State cooperation, it added. Some of the key suggestions and best practices highlighted by them included opting for green strategies, a need for zone wise planning, tourism, urban planning, agriculture, quality of workmanship, and logistics, among others. The Prime Minister said NITI Aayog will study the states' concerns, challenges, and best practices and subsequently plan the way forward. He said that NITI Aayog can play a critical role in helping States to develop their strategies for the next 25 years and align the same with the National Development Agenda NITI Aayog's eighth Governing Council meeting deliberated on several issues including, health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Union ministers Amit Shah, Niramala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal and chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh, among others, attended the meeting. AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, and announced boycotting the NITI Aayog meeting over the Centre's recent ordinance and charged that "cooperative federalism" in the country was being turned into a "joke". The Chief Minister of the AAP-ruled Punjab, Bhagawant Mann, had also declared to boycott the Niti Aayog meeting. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2019 skipped the Niti Aayog meeting, saying that the think-tank had no power and the meetings were "fruitless". Generally, the full council meeting happens every year and last year, it was held under the chairmanship of Modi on August 7. The council meeting was not convened in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first meeting of the council took place on February 8, 2015. (Photo : VITALII MATOKHA/AFP via Getty Images) Ukraine experienced a night of intense bombing in the central region as Russian soldiers targeted a Dnipro medical facility. At least two persons were killed, and dozens more were injured when Russian forces attacked a medical facility in Dnipro on Friday morning, following a night of heavy bombardment in central Ukraine. The director of the military administration for the region, Serhii Lysak, stated that a 69-year-old man was killed while "passing by when the missile struck the city" and that the corpse of a second man was "pulled from the debris." Russia Strikes Dnipro Medical Facility CNN geolocated the assault to Dnipropetrovsk City Hospital No. 14 and a veterinary clinic in an industrial neighborhood north of the Dnipro River in the city's central region. CCTV reports that the detonation in Dnipro occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time (3:30 a.m. ET) on Friday. Earlier, the Ukrainian Air Force reported attacks on the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions between 10 p.m. on Thursday and 5 a.m. on Friday. The Air Force command reported 17 cruise missiles and 31 "attack drones," and S-300/S-400 missile system strikes in the Dnipro and Kharkiv regions. According to Serhii Popko, the director of Kyiv's military administration, there were also air attacks across the city. He added that no casualties were reported. Mykola Lukashuk, the president of Dnipro's regional council, reported that approximately 31 people were injured in the bombardment, including eight doctors and two minors. Lukashuk stated in a Telegram message that 16 wounded were brought to hospitals, and the rest are receiving outpatient treatment. On Friday afternoon, rescue operations continued as employees searched for survivors beneath the debris. Following the assault, three individuals were missing. There were reports of fires racing through one of the medical clinic's structures. Lysak's video also showed flames streaming from windows and a collapsed roof. A CNN team on the site observed rescue workers on scaffolds lowering water hoses over the devastation while excavators removed debris. Mayor of Dnipro Boris Filatov stated that a shift change for doctors resulted in fewer persons working at the facility than customary at the time of the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the attack as a crime against humanity, and the Ukrainian Defense Ministry described it as a severe war crime under the Geneva Conventions, which dictate how combatants and civilians should be treated during armed conflict. Per The Independent, rescue personnel could observe a demolished structure with smoke streaming from it on video footage. A significant portion of the upper floor of what appeared to be a three-story structure and adjacent parked vehicles had been severely damaged. In Dnipro, the structures of a psychological clinic and a veterinary clinic were devastated. Earlier Friday, Ukrainian officials reported that air defenses had intercepted ten missiles and more than 20 drones launched by Russia in nocturnal attacks on Kyiv, Dnipro, and eastern regions. Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine 15 months ago, did not immediately comment on the reported airstrikes. Still, Ukraine reportedly hit two southern Russian regions with a missile and a drone. Reafd Also: 1.5 Million Migrants Urge To Apply for US Sponsorship as Dems Beg Biden To Expedite Migrant Work Permits Ukraine Attacks Russia's Southern Belgorod Meanwhile, Ukrainian artillery fire, mortar projectiles, and drones attacked Russia's southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine on Friday, authorities said, hours after two drones struck a Russian city in an area adjacent to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that four residences, a store, a vehicle, a gas conduit, and an electrical line were damaged in the Belgorod town of Graivoron, located more than 6 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. In the village of Glotovo, a recreation center, a store, and an uninhabited home sustained harm near the border. Gladkov indicated that there were no casualties, as per AZ Central. This week, the Belgorod region was the target of one of Ukraine's most severe cross-border incursions since the beginning of the conflict 15 months ago. The raid's particulars were obscure. Russia blamed the Ukrainian armed forces, but two Russian organizations claimed they were implicated in an attempt to oust Vladimir Putin. The mayor of Krasnodar, Yevgeny Naumov, stated that a residential structure and an office building were damaged, but no one was injured. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February of last year, drone attacks against Russian regions on the border with Ukraine have been a regular occurrence, with the frequency of attacks increasing previous month. Drones attacked a Krasnodar oil refinery on two consecutive days earlier this month. In what appears to be another instance of Ukraine's forces harassing Russia, Ukraine's defense ministry published imagery on Thursday that appears to show an unmanned drone boat attacking the Ivan Khurs reconnaissance ship in the Black Sea. The video did not depict the drone colliding with the ship. Related Article: Pro-Ukraine Russian Fighters 'Sabotage' Belgorod Towns, Vow To Liberate Russia @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy informed the eighth Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog on Saturday that his government would establish an IT park in the Union Territory to generate job opportunities for the youth. Keeping in view the national strategies and the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) 2047, the Puducherry government has framed a vision document for raising the GSDP of the Union Territory to USD 50 million by 2047. In his speech at the meeting in New Delhi, Rangasamy said that through development of Karasur industrial estate, it is expected that around Rs 5,000 crore would be invested through private investment over a period of five years and around 10,000 people would be benefitted either directly or indirectly. The Chief Minister said it is a challenging task for the line departments to ascertain whether welfare measures of the government reach intended beneficiaries without pilferage. To overcome this arduous task, a centralised database called 'Unified Data Hub' has been developed that would be combined with the 'Aadhaar Data Vault' with features of common online validation, de-duplication and cross referencing of data helping in quicker service delivery besides plugging leakages in the system. He told the meeting that the Puducherry administration had requested the Tamil Nadu government to provide 395 acres of land to expand the Puducherry airport. "We have emphasised that the expansion of the airport in Puducherry would not only increase the number of tourists visiting Puducherry for both spiritual and medical tourist but would also facilitate the industrial improvement and development in and around the adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu." Rangasamy said spiritual tourism is now becoming widespread and occupies an important segment of international tourist arrivals. At present, the UT sees 19 lakh tourists coming in annually including 1.5 lakh foreigners with eight per cent of average growth rate every year. Also Read Kerala, Rajasthan CMs to not attend PM Modi's NITI Aayog meeting today Set up medical varsity in Puducherry, CM tells Union Minister of State Govt accords priority for jobs to youth in Puducherry: CM Rangasamy Govt to set up Siddha college-cum-hospital in Puducherry: CM Rangasamy Punjab CM to skip NITI Aayog meet amid AAP's ongoing tussle with Centre Heavy rains, strong winds in north, east India bring respite from heat Appreciate Nitish's efforts for oppn unity; can't trust KCR, Kejriwal: Cong Threat calls to Gadkari: NIA team leaves from Nagpur with case documents Invest in logistics to make Indian products competitive: AP CM at NITI meet Delhi records 12 fresh coronavirus cases, one death in last 24 hours Regarding women empowerment, the Chief Minister referred to grant of monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to women who are heads of families living below poverty line between the age group of 21 to 55 years rolled out from January this year. Rangasamy said the government is encouraging registration of properties in the name of women and a 50 per cent concession in stamp duty is also provided. He pointed out that the UT administration has constantly been requesting the Government of India to include in the terms of reference of the Finance Commission by suitably amending Article 280(3) of the Constitution as regards the word 'State'. A special reference may be made to the Finance Commission to include the Union Territory of Puducherry with legislature. He pleaded for the Union Territory of Puducherry to be included in the proposed 16th Finance Commission. Rangasamy also urged the Centre to bring Puducherry into the 'Financial Assistance to States for Capital Investment' category. "We have been constantly submitting the plea to the Union Home and Finance Ministries for grant of special central assistance with a total project cost of Rs 2,328 crore to create five major capital infrastructure facilities in Puducherry," he said. The Chief Minister also drew the attention of the meeting to the dilemma the government is facing in the fund allocation for the centrally sponsored schemes (CSS). "The dilemma arises with Puducherry neither being treated as a full-fledged State nor as a Union Territory. Puducherry is not included under the ambit of Finance Commission recommendation as it does not fall under the definition of 'State'. He requested the Centre to restore funding pattern for CSS to 100 per cent for the Union Territtory of Puducherry to ease the financial burden. Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia "planted" manufactured public opinions in support of the excise policy by getting favourable views from interns of Delhi Minority Commission to make grounds for the now scrapped policy, the CBI has alleged in its supplementary charge sheet. The Delhi government had constituted an expert committee on overhauling the excise policy, which had given its recommendations. Sisodia was unhappy with the recommendations, so he asked the then excise commissioner Rahul Singh to seek public opinion by placing the Dhawan Committee report on web site, the agency alleged in the charge sheet filed before the Special CBI court on April 25. In the supplementary charge sheet filed in the case against Sisodia and other accused, the central agency said he "dishonestly and fraudulently" wanted to prepare grounds through "fabricated public opinions" for incorporating provisions in the policy as per his "pre-conceived" ideas. The charge sheet said Sisodia "got fabricated certain emails through Zakir Khan, chairperson of Delhi Minorities Commission which were sent by interns of Delhi Minorities Commission on the dedicated email ID of the excise department...with a copy to...accused Manish Sisodia," the charge sheet accessed by the PTI alleged. The suggestions given in the emails -- allotment of retail liquor licence through the auction of zones, reduction of excise and VAT as well as enhancement of licence fee and increase in the number of liquor vends, were handed over to Khan by Sisodia "in a handwritten note" with the directions to get multiple emails on "said lines" on the email id given for seeking public opinion, it alleged. "This proves that the accused Manish Sisodia was working with pre-conceived ideas for the formulation of the Excise Policy and was planting manufactured public opinion in support of the same," it alleged. Also Read CBI files supplementary charge sheet against Sisodia in excise policy scam Delhi court reserves order on Sisodia's bail plea in Excise policy scam State Taxes, Excise Department plans to enhance audit enforcement using AI Manish Sisodia to be produced in court today: All you need to know CBI confronts Sisodia with former secretary, ex-excise commissioner PM Modi urges states to maintain fiscal discipline, take prudent decisions CM Sawant: Iron ore mining in Goa may resume in 2023-24 Delhi court sends Bishnoi to 4-day police custody in arms supply case India-Saudi Arabia bilateral maritime exercise conducted successfully PM Modi meets Adheenams day before inaugurating parliament building The agency has relied heavily on the testimony of government officials, including the FIR named accused former excise commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, against whom the CBI could not find any incriminating evidence of criminal misconduct and quoted him as a witness only. The agency said that his statements recorded before the Magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC are "relevant" to prove the accusations against Sisodia and other accused. The CBI has alleged that Sisodia obtained copies of the fabricated emails, sent by the interns of Delhi Minorities Commission from the Excise Department through his Secretary C Arvind. He directed Excise Commissioner Rahul Singh that many of the opinions received on his emails have not been included in the summary prepared by the department and directed him to include them as well. "In this manner, Manish Sisodia dishonestly and fraudulently wanted to prepare grounds through these fabricated public opinions for creating ground for incorporating provisions in the Excise Policy as per his pre-conceived ideas," the charge sheet alleged. Sisodia then directed Singh to prepare a draft cabinet note on the lines of the summary to be placed before the Council of Ministers Meeting held on January 28, 2021. According to the charge sheet, Sisodia provided a draft of the cabinet note to Singh through secretary on WhatsApp. In the draft note prepared on the directions of Sisodia, the excise department also incorporated legal opinions by three legal stalwarts -- former CJIs Ranjan Gogoi and KG Balakrishnan and former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi -- who suggested status quo. These opinions were obtained by Delhi ALCOBEV Retailers Association and were submitted as part of public opinion. The cabinet note did not come for consideration at the council meeting on January 28, 2021, but Sisodia expressed his anger at Singh for incorporating the view of legal experts. The said file remains "untraceable", the CBI has alleged, adding Sisodia "destroyed/caused disappearance" of the file of the note because it was not suiting their "ulterior" designs. The agency used digital forensic evidence retrieved from the phones of government officials involved in the process. Sisodia "with mala fide intention suppressed the existence/submission" in the meeting of the Cabinet on January 28, 2021, the CBI alleged. Later, Sisodia got prepared a fresh note withholding the legal opinions and placed it before the Cabinet on February 5, 2021, in which it was decided to form a Group of Ministers under him to formulate the excise policy. The policy came into being in November 2021 but was later scrapped following allegations of corruption. It is alleged that the policy favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. "It was further alleged that irregularities were committed, including modifications in Excise Policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee, the extension of L-1 license without approval etc. "It was also alleged that illegal gains on the count of these acts were diverted to concerned public servants by private parties by making false entries in their books of accounts," a CBI spokesperson had said after FIR filed on August 17, 2022. The National Investigation Agency which probed the threat calls made to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has left for Mumbai after taking case documents from the Nagpur police, an official said on Saturday. The NIA team had arrived in Nagpur on Thursday to probe the case, for which a murder convict lodged in a Karnataka jail has been held, an official said. Jayesh Pujari alias Kantha is accused of making the calls from a jail in Belgaum in neighbouring Karnataka, as per police. On January 14, he demanded Rs 100 crore from Gadkari claiming to be a member of the Dawood Ibrahim gang, while he made a second call seeking Rs 10 crore on March 21. He was brought to Nagpur on March 28 after police invoked the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). "The NIA team left for Mumbai on Friday. They have taken investigation reports and have asked us to prepare some documents related to the case," the Nagpur police station official said. Also Read NIA team visits Nitin Gadkari's Nagpur office after threat call to minister Threat calls to Gadkari: Nagpur cops take custody of suspected caller Threat calls to Gadkari: Accused remanded in police custody till Apr 24 Who leaked the alleged classified US documents online & what do they tell? PM Modi to inaugurate 1st phase of Mumbai-Nagpur Super Expressway on Sunday Invest in logistics to make Indian products competitive: AP CM at NITI meet Delhi records 12 fresh coronavirus cases, one death in last 24 hours Along with material knowledge, peace of mind must for success: Om Birla Cleared hurdles in Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project: Maharashtra CM Under PM Modi, country accomplished achievements in every field: Adityanath A police probe found he had links to Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives and had also got arms training from ultras in the north east of the country, after which the Ministry of Home Affairs directed the NIA to begin a probe, the official said. "An NIA team under a deputy inspector general rank officer has arrived in Nagpur. The NIA team took case papers of two offences registered in the matter in Dhantoli police station in their possession. They will decide if Kantha needs to be arrested immediately," a Nagpur police official had said on Thursday. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately withdraw the ordinance issued by the Centre on control of services in Delhi, as his counterparts from Delhi and Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, met him over the issue here. Rao made the demand during a joint press conference with his Kejriwal and Mann. The two AAP leaders met KCR here seeking support over the Kejriwal's fight against the Centre's ordinance. "We demand the Prime Minister to withdraw the ordinance yourself or else we all will support Kejriwal Ji. We will stand by him. We will use all our strength in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to defeat the ordinance. Unnecessarily don't make an issue. Let the government work," Rao told the NDA government at the Centre. Modi government has insulted the people of the Delhi by bringing in the ordinance. "I can say without an iota of doubt it is insult to the Delhi state people," KCR, as Rao is addressed, said. The Centre recently promulgated an ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi, with the AAP government calling the move a deception with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services. Also Read Aim of BJP-led Centre is to defame Kejriwal, AAP leaders: Sanjay Singh Scared of Kejriwal's growing popularity: AAP leader Atishi attacks Centre BJP demands white paper on pollution from Delhi govt as AQI deteriorates Kejriwal should realise his mistake: Delhi Cong chief over ordinance row Gujarat Assembly elections: BJP upbeat ahead of counting of votes Petrol pump employee refuses to accept Rs 2,000 note, man files complaint NITI meet: C'garh CM asks Centre to make arrangement for GST compensation Oppn's boycott of new Parl building inauguration an insult: Anurag Thakur Nehru's legacy stands tall like beacon: Rahul pays tributes to 1st PM Nepal starts exporting electricity to India, as generation increases The ordinance, which came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government, seeks to set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. KCR blamed the Modi-led central government for "harassing the democratically elected state governments". He alleged there was no difference between the situation when Emergency was imposed and now. Outgoing Twitter CEO Elon Musk has said that Silicon Valley companies can afford to cut more workforce without affecting productivity. Musk slashed over 80 per cent of the Twitter staff in October-November last year as he took over after acquiring the platform for $44 billion. Speaking virtually at The Wall Street Journal's summit in London, Musk said there were a lot of people at Twitter that didn't seem to have a lot of value. "I think that's true at many Silicon Valley companies. I think there is the possibility for significant cuts at other companies without affecting their productivity, in fact, increasing their productivity," he was quoted as saying in the report. He said that Twitter was in a situation where you'd have a meeting of 10 people and "one person with an accelerator and nine with a set of brakes". Musk told conference attendees that Twitter now has around 1,500 employees, saying it is "probably a reasonable number". Also Read Elon Musk credits father for teaching 'physics, engineering & construction' Musk's title of world's richest person at risk after net worth dips $70 bn Elon Musk says he takes Kanye's 'half Chinese' comment as a compliment New Twitter policy to follow and question science, says Elon Musk We're keeping a close eye on Twitter under Elon Musk: White House Will work on issue of immigration, says Biden's top aide Neera Tanden Harris to be 1st woman to give commencement speech at US Military Academy Incredible rich diaspora truly an asset to both countries: Biden's top aide US lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali as a federal holiday IMF urges crisis-hit Sri Lanka to decide on debt restructuring: Report Musk continued to sack Twitter employees even after the massive round in October, despite promising not to fire more staff after his brutal layoff exercise in November that affected two-thirds of the micro-blogging platform's 7,500 employees. Twitter also shut down two of its three India offices and directed its employees to work from home. In November, Musk fired more than 90 per cent of its staff in India, around 200-plus. "We will need to be extremely hardcore. This will mean working long hours at high intensity. Only exceptional performance will constitute a passing grade," Musk had said. --IANS na/shb/ Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP) has called on the government not to deport 150 Punjabi students who were told to leave the country as they arrived on fake college admission letters, according to the Canadian Border Security Agency. The students, whose deportation order is scheduled on May 29, said they were cheated by their immigration consultation agency in India that provided them fake documents, of which they were unaware of. The NDP, in a statement released on Friday, said the international students who were misled by dishonest recruiters shouldn't have to pay the price. "Right now, students who came to Canada for their university education are under threat of deportation. I wrote to the minister (Immigration Minister Sean Fraser) on May 25 urgently calling for action to help these students who unknowingly received fraudulent travel documentation from bad actors looking to make money from their deceit," NDP critic for Citizenship and Immigration Jenny Kwan said. Minister Fraser had earlier tweeted that he is focusing on "identifying culprits" and not penalising victims of fraudulent acceptance letters. Welcoming Fraser's response to the situation, Kwan said that it is critical that the pending deportations are stayed. Also Read Indian companies need to reduce corporate flying emissions: Report Number of NRI courts in Punjab should be increased, said NAPA official Prime Minister Trudeau says Canadian healthcare isn't living up to promise Congress releases list of 40-star campaigners for Jalandhar LS bypoll Sitiveni Rabuka sworn in as Fiji prime minister after close election Nepal PM Prachanda to embark on 4-day official visit to India on May 31 Twitter Spaces team cut down to 'roughly three' employees from 100 Tesla Model Y becomes 1st EV to earn world's best-selling car tag Bill introduced in US to hire foreign health workers on H-1B visa US court orders Google to pay Sonos $32.5 mn over patent infringement "I want to make it clear that as the Liberal government goes after the culprits, it is critical that the pending deportations are stayed, and inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation waived." She called for an alternate pathway to permanent status for the students -- whether it's humanitarian and compassionate application process or a broad regularisation program. Some of these students have already spent half a decade living in Canada and paid international tuition fees to complete their studies. Many are now reportedly working in essential frontline jobs. "It is crucial that anyone who considers studying here can have confidence that they will be treated well and that our processes are trustworthy and fair. I urge the minister to act immediately to stop these unjust deportations," Kwan said. According to the Canadian Border Service Agency, more than 700 Indian students are reportedly facing deportation after finding that their educational institution's admission offer letters were fake. Most of these students had come to the country to study in 2018 and 2019. The fraud was discovered when the students applied for permanent residency in Canada. Brijesh Mishra, a Jalandhar-based agent, was responsible for providing fake admission letters, charging students thousands of dollars, according to media reports. --IANS mi/ksk/ Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Friday told Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan that the "game is over", following an exodus of his party's senior members, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. Geo News is a Pakistani news channel. Maryam made the speech in Pakistan's Vehari while addressing the PML-N's youth convention. During her address, she talked about the incidents on May 9, the day on which the PTI chief was arrested, triggering violent protests countrywide. Maryan while taking a jibe at the PTI over leaders' mass departure, said that there were ques of those quitting the party. The PTI leaders' exodus started when the security forces launched a crackdown against the party following the attacks on the civil and military institutions, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the Lahore Corps Commander's House (Jinnah House), according to Geo News. Over 70 lawyers and leaders from the party have parted ways with the PTI so for following the May 9 mayhem. Also Read Pakistan: PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz mocks Imran Khan for avoiding arrest IMF treating cash-strapped Pakistan like a 'colony': Maryam Nawaz New audio leak surfaces allegedly of Imran asking PTI leader to approach SC Pakistan deploys troops to halt unrest from ex-PM Imran Khan's arrest Why are the police trying to arrest Imran Khan? All that you need to know UN regional group endorses Amazon city to host 2025 climate conference More than 9,000 Afghans file asylum applications in EU in a month Pakistan SC stops proceedings of judicial commission on audio leaks Twitter has dumped bloc's code of practice on disinformation: EU official China braces for next wave of Covid-19 infections, peak in June: Report "How will the people stand when the leader himself is a jackal?" she criticised the former prime minister, who was removed from office via a vote of no confidence in April last year. "Your people are revealing that Imran Khan is the mastermind of May 9 [incidents]" she added, as per Geo News. The PML-N senior vice president said that Khan was the mastermind of the May 9 "terrorism" but his workers are facing anti-terrorism court. Meanwhile, Imran Khan on Friday appealed for immediate talks with state officials. This comes as pressure mounts on him amid a crackdown on his top aides and supporters that saw thousands arrested as well as many leaving his party, Pakistan based The Express Tribune newspaper reported. Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday will become the first woman to deliver a commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy, an institution that has made slow progress diversifying its ranks in the four decades since the first class of female cadets graduated. This year some 950 men and women are expected to take part in the graduation ceremony in West Point, New York. While Harris visits West Point, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of Manhattan, President Joe Biden heads to Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Thursday to address graduates at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Vice presidents typically travel to one of the federal service academies to address graduating classes. Harris' visit will be her first to the U.S. Army academy. Today, about one quarter of the student body are women. Only a few dozen graduates each year are Black women, like Harris, though the number has ticked up in recent years. The academy didn't admit women until 1976 and had its first female graduates in 1980. West Point dates to 1802. Since then, the college has educated future military leaders including Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. George Patton and Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Also Read Arizona county refuses to certify election despite lack of evidence Tornadoes strike Arkansas, Illinois, leave 18 dead, dozens injured NY Guv requests for emergency declaration over 'historic' winter storm Powerful storms slam central Alabama; at least 6 killed, 12 injured US to send $1.8 billion in aid, patriot battery, to Ukraine against Russia Incredible rich diaspora truly an asset to both countries: Biden's top aide US lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali as a federal holiday IMF urges crisis-hit Sri Lanka to decide on debt restructuring: Report Russia offers floating nuclear power plants tech to friendly nations Latest LIVE: PM Modi to chair NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting today Upon graduation, the cadets will be commissioned as Army second lieutenants. Last year, Harris addressed graduates at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. The year before, she spoke at commencement ceremonies for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The "incredibly rich" diaspora is truly an asset to both India and the United States, Neera Tanden, a top Indian-American aide to President Joe Biden has said as the White House prepares to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an Official State Visit next month. Indian Americans, who constitute about one per cent of the US population, and are said to be having the highest per capita income among various ethnic groups in the US, over the years have played a key role in strengthening the India-US relationship, a fact that has been acknowledged at the highest level, including by President Biden. One thing that is truly an asset to both countries is the incredibly rich diaspora here in the United States. I have been engaged with organisations that have really focused on the diaspora in the United States, and the rich connections between Indian Americans, Indians who've been born here, who are first generation, second generation, and their families in India. This is a major asset to the relationship, 52-year-old Tanden, senior advisor and staff secretary to President Joe Biden, told PTI in an exclusive interview. Friday was her last day as the senior advisor and staff secretary to the President. From Monday, Tanden would take charge as the White House Domestic Policy Advisor, making her one of the most powerful Indian Americans in the White House. She replaces former National Security Advisor and former US Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, as the White House Domestic Policy Advisor. I'm excited for the (Indian) State Visit, Tanden said in response to a question. Modi has been invited by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an Official State Visit on June 22. I'm really also excited for us to highlight the deep relationships between Indian Americans and their families in India and really how we learn back and forth. That's not just a one-way conversation. We learn a lot from them, and they learn from us. It's a big asset to the relationship that those organisations' voices are so strong, and they are all throughout the country, not just in the east coast or the West Coast, but really, all throughout the country, Tanden said. Also Read Biden appoints Indian-American Neera Tanden as his Domestic Policy Advisor Indian American Richard Verma to be Dy Secy of US State Department 2024 going to be a big year for India-US relationship, says official No deal has yet been reached, says Joe Biden after debt ceiling talks US reopening visa, consular services in Cuba post-2017 health issues US lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali as a federal holiday IMF urges crisis-hit Sri Lanka to decide on debt restructuring: Report Russia offers floating nuclear power plants tech to friendly nations Latest LIVE: PM Modi to chair NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting today US: Chinese agents paid bribes in plot to disrupt Falun Gong movement Tanden started working in politics and policy in government in the late 1990s. She has been working in Washington at different levels for the last 25 years. I am just really proud of the role Indian Americans are playing. There were very few Indian Americans in the Clinton White House. There are very few Indian Americans in the Clinton administration. A lot of families have pushed their children in other directions, sometimes in medicine, business, and other areas. But what's really gratifying is to be in the White House and sit at the table, and see not just Asian Americans, but a lot of Indian Americans, she said. Tanden has served in both the Obama and Clinton administrations, as well as presidential campaigns and think tanks. Most recently, she was the President and CEO of the Center for American Progress and the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Tanden previously served as senior advisor for health reform at the Department of Health and Human Services, working on President Obama's health reform team in the White House. So just yesterday I had a meeting with Dr Arti Prabhakar on artificial intelligence, she said. She is an Indian American woman. I'm an Indian American woman. That's incredibly unusual. I do a lot of work with Vinai Reddy, who's the president's chief speechwriter, and very close to the president, she said. So, I feel like I'm just incredibly proud of how much the Indian American community is contributing, South Asians are contributing to this administration, but more importantly, contributing to the country. Our voices are being heard in halls around the country, not just in medicine or business or tech, really at the highest levels of this government and more and more in Congress, she said. I think what's really important is that the President feels so strongly that our policies are better when everyone is at the table, and we bring our lived experiences. Some of my lived experiences are being an immigrant, the daughter of immigrants, and so I think that's the president's commitment, the vice president's commitment." "Obviously, we're incredibly proud of having the daughter of an Indian immigrant as well as the vice president. So I feel like our voices are louder than ever, she said. President Biden has appointed a historic large number of Indian Americans in the Administration. Is this because of his love towards Indian Americans or the merit of the Indian Americans? She was asked. Maybe both, Tanden responded. I really think the president is ensuring that everyone is represented and at the same time, I think Indian American leaders are demonstrating their value to the process. The president does a lot of work with Dr Vivek Murthy. He worked with him during the campaign. Vivek, I know, is very close to the president,... because Vivek is a great leader on healthcare issues. As Surgeon General during the Obama administration and Surgeon General in this administration he is just demonstrating profound leadership, Tanden said. The European Census Bureau has reported that over the past month, more than 9,000 Afghan citizens have applied for asylum applications in the EU member states, a record-high number of asylum applications by any single country, according to Khaama Press. According to the European Census Bureau, asylum interests in the EU member states at the beginning of the current year have increased by 40 per cent compared to last year. While releasing the monthly report on Thursday, the European Census Bureau said that 76,500 people have submitted asylum applications to the EU in February alone, indicating a 40 per cent increase compared to that of last year. The EU has added that based on the available statistics, the number of initial asylum requests in February last year was 54,370. It is reported that Syrians and Afghans are the largest groups of asylum seekers in the EU member states over the past years. The statistics indicated that 77 per cent of the asylum application have been recorded in Spain, Germany, France and Italy respectively. Germany alone received more than 25,000 applications in February, making it the largest number of asylum requests in the country, as per Khaama Press. Also Read Afghanistan gets humanitarian aid amid harsh winters from UNHCR, Uzbekistan Explainer: What will happen if Covid asylum restrictions in the US end Around 28 million Afghans will need humanitarian assistance in 2023: UN US govt appeals ruling that would lift asylum restrictions for migrants Plan for asylum seekers' deportation to Rwanda lawful, says British court Pakistan SC stops proceedings of judicial commission on audio leaks Twitter abandons bloc's code of practice on disinformation: EU official China braces for next wave of Covid-19 infections, peak in June: Report US Debt ceiling deadline extended to June 5, later than estimated: Yellen 'Crunch' time in debt ceiling talks, as McCarthy, Biden reach for a deal According to European Union statistics, among the new asylum seekers, 2,745 are unaccompanied minors of which 1,025 were Afghan citizens. (Photo : STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images) Following disputes between police and ethnic Serbs, the United States and its leading European allies condemned Kosovo's government. The United States and its allies criticized Kosovo on Friday for escalating tensions with Serbia, stating that the use of force to install mayors in ethnic Serb areas undermined efforts to repair relations with Serbia. Following confrontations between Kosovar police and demonstrators opposed to the ethnic Albanian mayors, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic placed the army on full combat alert and ordered units to advance closer to the border. US Condemns Kosovo Government After a vote in April was boycotted by the Kosovo Serb majority in four northern municipalities near the Serbian border, police in the town of Zvecan used tear gas to disperse a throng attempting to prevent a newly-elected mayor from entering his office. Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the United States criticized the Kosovo government for forcibly entering municipal buildings and urged Prime Minister Albin Kurti to reverse course. Blinken said that Kosovo's actions were contrary to US and European advice and had "sharply and needlessly escalated tensions, undermining our efforts to help normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and will have repercussions for our bilateral relations with Kosovo." The United States, Britain, France, Italy, and Germany issued a joint statement urging Kosovar authorities to withdraw and de-escalate the situation, Reuters reported. Per AOL, several vehicles were set on fire after police in Kosovo launched tear gas. The throng was dispersed with tear gas so that the new officials could enter their offices. According to Kosovo Serb hospital officials, approximately 10 demonstrators were injured. Five police officers were injured by stun grenades and other projectiles hurled by demonstrators, according to the police. A police vehicle was set ablaze. Additionally, Vucic demanded that NATO-led forces stationed in Kosovo defend ethnic Serbs from Kosovo police. The United States condemned the Kosovo government's use of police to infiltrate municipal buildings by force. Read Also: Heavy Bombardment Happens in Ukraine After Russia Attacked Dnipro Medical Facility, Killing 2, Injuring Dozens Kosovo Serbs Clash with Police Vucic spoke at a rally in Belgrade on Friday evening as tens of thousands of people gathered to support the government in the aftermath of two shocking mass shootings earlier this month that left 18 people dead and 20 others wounded. He has previously warned that Belgrade would respond to violence against Serbs, and he has repeatedly increased combat readiness during periods of heightened tension with Kosovo. Any attempt by Serbia to cross the frontier, however, would result in a confrontation with NATO troops stationed there. Former Serbian army chief and current opposition politician Zdravko Ponos criticized Vucic's response as "inappropriate." Ponos stated on the N1 regional television network, "This is merely Vucic's attempt to save dignity through bluster." The Kosovo police acknowledged their enhanced presence in the north "to aid the mayors of Zvecan, Leposavic, and Zubin Potok in exercising their right to work." Small groups of Serbs reportedly raised their palms at the entrances of municipal facilities in three northern communities to demonstrate that they were not there to engage in violence, as reported by the Albanian news website indexonline.net, which also published photographs. In Zvecan, the Kosovo-online.com website depicted police confrontations in front of the public building, while in Leposavic, the main square was obstructed by vehicles. Earlier, Serbs activated their alarm sirens in the four communes, including the principal northern town of Mitrovica, as a warning signal and rallying call, as per Aljazeera via MSN. Related Article: China Violates Vietnam Exclusive Economic Zone After Deploying Ships From Russian-Run Gas Fields @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Brazil's government announced Friday that a UN Latin America regional group has endorsed a Brazilian city in the Amazon region to host the 2025 UN climate change conference, though the world body has not yet publicly confirmed the venue. President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva initially said Brazil will hold the conference, known as COP 30, in the city of Belem, state of Para, in the heart of the Brazilian rainforest, reflecting his intention to bring attention to the Amazon. A statement from the Brazilian government later clarified that the region's support was merely a step in the selection process. The "support for the Brazilian candidacy demonstrates the region's confidence in Brazil's capacity to advance the agenda in the fight against climate change," the statement read. The latest UN climate conference was hosted by Egypt in Sharm el-Sheikh, and this year's will take place in Dubai. The UN has not yet announced the 2024 venue, let alone the 2025 one, but the locations tend to rotate among regions, and the Brazilian government statement Friday indicated that a Latin American working group was choosing the 2025 venue, and had endorsed Belem. The final decision won't be made until COP 29 next year. "It will be an honour for Brazil to welcome representatives from all over the world in a state in our Amazon," Lula said in a video posted on his social media channels. "I went to COPs in Egypt, in Paris, in Copenhagen, and all people talk about is the Amazon. So I said, 'Why don't we go there so you see what the Amazon is like?'" Brazil's foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, says in the video that the decision was made at the UN on May 18. The UN is yet to confirm the venue. Also Read Bolsonaro denounces violence after supporters storm Brazil's govt buildings Brazil's Lula sworn in as prez, vows accountability from outgoing Bolsonaro Brazil declares three days of mourning over football legend Pele's demise Jair Bolsonaro to return to Brazil for 1st time since losing election Brazil's Supreme Court agrees to include Bolsonaro in riots probe More than 9,000 Afghans file asylum applications in EU in a month Pakistan SC stops proceedings of judicial commission on audio leaks Twitter has dumped bloc's code of practice on disinformation: EU official China braces for next wave of Covid-19 infections, peak in June: Report US Debt ceiling deadline extended to June 5, later than estimated: Yellen Brazil's announcement comes in a week that Lula's administration's environmental governance has faced headwinds from Brazil's congress. Lawmakers by a large majority approved a measure that eroded the environment ministry's authority over construction in forested and coastal areas, as well as other development. Also this week, the congress is debating whether the state-run oil giant should be allowed to drill off the coast in the Amazon states of Amapa and Para. US authorities have arrested two suspected Chinese government agents in connection with an alleged plot by Beijing to disrupt and ultimately topple the exiled anti-communist Falun Gong spiritual movement. John Chen and Lin Feng were charged in an indictment unsealed Friday with scheming to revoke a New York-based Falun Gong organization's tax-exempt status and paying bribes to a undercover officer posing as a US tax agent. The undercover officer recorded multiple conversations with Chen, and investigators obtained a wire tap to record phone calls in which Chen and Feng discussed instructions they purportedly received from Chinese government officials, prosecutors said. In one recording, prosecutors said, Chen referred to Chinese government officials as akin to blood brothers" and, in another, he said Beijing would be very generous in rewarding the undercover officer's help cracking down on Falun Gong's non-profit status. Chen, a 70-year-old U.S. citizen, and Feng, a 43-year-old lawful permanent resident, are charged with acting as unregistered agents of a foreign government, bribing a public official and conspiracy to commit international money laundering. Chen and Feng were both born in China but now live in the Los Angeles area, where they were arrested Friday. Information on an initial court appearance or lawyers who could speak on their behalf was not immediately available. Also Read Former President Jiang Zemin, who guided China's rise, dies at 96 China's Communist Party holds memorial meeting for ex-President Jiang Zemin Xi ensures 'complete control' over Chinese military in third term: Report China defence budget up for 8th consecutive year, 7.2% increase to $225 bn 47 Chinese military aircrafts enter air defence zone, claims Taiwan Game is over: PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz tells ex-Pak CM Imran Khan UN regional group endorses Amazon city to host 2025 climate conference More than 9,000 Afghans file asylum applications in EU in a month Pakistan SC stops proceedings of judicial commission on audio leaks Twitter has dumped bloc's code of practice on disinformation: EU official Messages seeking comment were left with the Chinese Embassy in Washington and with the Falun Gong movement. China banned the Falun Gong movement in 1999, classifying it as an evil cult and one of the Five Poisons, or chief threats to its rule. Since then, Falun Gong practitioners have found refuge at a 400-acre compound called Dragon Springs in upstate New York. In the U.S., the Falun Gong movement is known mostly for its ties to Shen Yun, a touring performing arts group, and The Epoch Times, a newspaper that has been marketed as an alternative to traditional U.S. media while also coming under fire for amplifying misinformation and conspiracy theories. The Justice Department has made a series of prosecutions in recent years to disrupt China's efforts in the U.S. to identify, locate and silence pro-democracy activists and others who are openly critical of Beijing's policies. Such practices by foreign governments are known as transnational repression." The Chinese government has yet again attempted, and failed, to target critics of the (People's Republic of China) here in the United States, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. The U.S., Garland added, will continue to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute China's efforts to silence its critics and extend the reaches of its regime onto U.S. soil. In seeking to undermine Falun Gong, federal prosecutors allege, Chen and Feng's urged the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the organization's non-profit tax status. In a whistleblower complaint to the tax agency in February, Chen described Falun Gong as a gigantic mega cult echoing language China's government uses to describe the movement. Chen and Feng then turned to the undercover officer to make sure the IRS acted on the complaint, offering a $50,000 reward and handing over $5,000 in cash as a down payment if the tax agency conducted an audit, prosecutors said. Chen met with the officer at a restaurant north of New York City on May 14, prosecutors said. A few days later, the officer sent Chen a letter on fake IRS letterhead that stated the agency had opened a case on Falun Gong, prosecutors said. Chen relayed the news to Feng in a wire tapped phoned conversation, indicating that he was planning to update Chinese government officials on their progress, prosecutors said. Chen and Feng's arrest comes a month after the Justice Department charged two men with establishing a secret police station in New York City on behalf of the Chinese government. Around the same time, federal prosecutors charged about three dozen officers with China's national police force with using social media to harass dissidents inside the U.S. In 2020, the Justice Department charged more than a half-dozen people with working on behalf of the Chinese government in a pressure campaign aimed at coercing a New Jersey man wanted by Beijing into returning to China to face charges. A court in the US has ordered Google to pay $32.5 million to high-tech audio technology company Sonos, for infringing on the company's smart speaker patent. The verdict by a San Francisco jury found that Google's smart speakers and media players infringed on one of two Sonos patents, reports The Verge, citing the court filing. Jurors said that Google should pay $2.30 for each of the more than 14 million devices sold. In a ruling in January last year, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) said that Google violated five patents of high-tech speaker and audio technology company Sonos, relating to smart speakers. A US judge had ruled in August last year that Google infringed upon the Sonos patents. In January 2020, Sonos first sued tech giant Google for allegedly copying its wireless speaker design, urging the ITC to ban Google products like laptops, phones and speakers. Also Read Comfort and security: what does it take to set up a smart home Amazon to add Matter-over-Thread support to Echo devices this spring Alexa app to allow move music between speakers without voice command Sony Audio Days sale: Check deals on headphones, speakers, earbuds and more Fitbit to end music streaming services Deezer, Pandora from older devices Big tech firms can sack more employees to boost productivity: Elon Musk Will work on issue of immigration, says Biden's top aide Neera Tanden Harris to be 1st woman to give commencement speech at US Military Academy Incredible rich diaspora truly an asset to both countries: Biden's top aide US lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali as a federal holiday Sonos CEO Patrick Spence testified before the US House antitrust committee that Google "blocked the company from enabling both Amazon's Alexa assistant and the Google Assistant from being active at the same time". Google had said "we do not expect any impact to our ability to import or sell our products". Sonos accused Google of infringing on a total of 100 patents. Google has always maintained that its technology was developed independently and it was not copied from Sonos. The tech giant also sued Sonos, alleging that the company infringed on its patents around smart speakers and voice control technology. --IANS na/prw/ksk/ (Photo : BARBARA DEBOUT/AFP via Getty Images) A Pennsylvania nurse is accused of administering lethal doses of insulin to two patients and injuring another. (not the actual photo) Prosecutors allege that a Pennsylvania nurse murdered two patients and severely injured a third individual in the past year. According to court records, Heather Pressdee, 40, was dismissed from a dozen workplaces prior to her employment at Quality Life Services, a nursing facility in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Nurse Kills Patients with Overdoses of Insulin On Thursday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that Pressdee was charged with two counts of homicide, one count of attempted murder, one count of aggravated assault, three counts of neglect of a care-dependent person, and three counts of reckless endangerment in connection with incidents that occurred over a four-month period. According to the prosecution, Pressdee, a registered nurse, administered insulin to two non-diabetic patients and one diabetic patient. The victims, a 55-year-old man and an 83-year-old, died on December 4 and December 25. The 73-year-old victim who survived emergency hospitalization was given a potentially lethal dose of insulin on August 31. Pressdee was detained on Wednesday at her residence in Natrona Heights, 23 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Pressdee's RN license was issued on July 31, 2018, and was set to expire at the end of October. It was renewed in August 2021 and marked as active on Friday's Pennsylvania Department of State website. According to a criminal complaint, Pressdee was disciplined at eleven former nursing jobs for "abusive behavior toward patients or staff" and either resigned or was fired from each facility. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Pressdee was disciplined at each facility for "abusive behavior toward patients or staff." According to the affidavit, the first victim died on December 4, 2022, at Butler Memorial Hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania, after being admitted for critically low blood sugar. He had been hospitalized earlier in the fall but was stabilized and returned to the nursing home. According to the affidavit, he perished a few weeks later after failing to recover, and investigators determined he had been injected with insulin, although the victim was not diabetic. The second victim was "suitemates" with the first victim, and a communal toilet connected their rooms. According to the affidavit, he was also found with an elevated glucose level the same night and was transported to the same hospital 10 minutes after the first victim. Per CBS News, his family returned him to the facility, where he passed away on December 25, 2022. According to investigators, he was a non-insulin-dependent diabetic. The third victim was discovered convulsing in his bed at the nursing home on August 31, 2022. He was stabilized and then transferred to a new facility. Pressdee was employed at the nursing home during all three incidents. Read Also: Georgia Police Found Mother of 'Baby India,' the Infant Found Alive Inside Plastic Bag in Woods Suspect Worked to Several Western Pennsylvania Facilities The affidavit states that on May 24, 2023, investigators went to Pressdee's residence in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, where she confessed to giving insulin to the victims in the hopes that "they would slip into a coma and just pass away." Online records indicate that Pressdee is currently incarcerated in Butler County Jail. Since 2018, Pressdee has been employed at eleven distinct facilities. On May 23, 2022, she was engaged by Quality of Life Services, where she remained employed until November 2022. According to its website, the family-owned healthcare business has ten Pennsylvania locations providing palliative care, specialized nursing care, family home health, and personal care. Quality Life Services stated that it was "shocked and devastated to discover that the Attorney General's Office has charged Ms. Pressdee with purported illegal activity at our QLS - Chicora facility." In addition to Quality Life Services, court documents indicate Pressdee worked at the following Western Pennsylvania facilities, according to USA Today: Orchards of Saxonburg, Butler Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Harmarville Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights, Harrison UPMC Passavant, McCandless Concordia at Rebecca Residence, West Deer Guardian Healthcare, operating as Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Lower Burrell Woodhaven Care Center, Monroeville Platinum Ridge Center for Rehabilitation & Healing, Brackenridge Orchards of Saxonburg, Butler Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Kittanning Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Butler Related Article: Kid's Book Author Poisoned Utah Husband with Fentanyl in Cocktail, Took $2 Million Life Insurance Policies @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This July will mark four years since an arson attack took the lives of 36 employees and injured another 32 working at Kyoto Animations Studio 1. Today, the company outlined its plans to construct two memorials for the victims of that attack. Back in 2019, studio president Kideaki Hatta first indicated that the company would like to construct a memorial on the site where Studio 1 once stood. However, his plans werent well received by the studios neighbors. Before the fire, Studio 1 was the largest building in a small, quiet suburb of Kyoto and many living nearby are concerned that a public memorial will create an influx of visitors which would drastically alter the area. Now, rather than building on the former location of Studio 1, Kyoto Animation will place the first memorial near the companys main headquarters in Uji City, just one train stop from where Studio 1 once stood. The first memorial is planned to be finished by July 18, 2024, the fifth anniversary of the attack. Kyoto Animation has asked its employees to submit designs for the monument, which will be installed in an open park space at the companys headquarters and easily accessible to those looking to pay their respects. A second memorial site is planned for the space where Studio 1 used to sit, but it will be a private memorial housed inside a new Kyoto Animation building that will not be open to the public. (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) A California man who won the record-breaking $2 billion Powerball jackpot last year could face the court to defend his winnings. The winner of the $2.04 billion Powerball lottery in California last year is being sued by a man claiming his ticket was stolen before the drawing. In February 2022, Edwin Castro was named the winner of the record-setting prize. At the time, he described himself as "shocked and elated" and chose to receive the windfall as a $997.6 million lump sum, NBC News reported. Powerball Winner Accused of Stealing Winning Ticket In the same month that he was identified, a man named Jose Rivera filed a civil complaint in Alhambra Superior Court alleging that the winnings should belong to him. Rivera filed a lawsuit against Castro, the California State Lottery Commission, the state of California, and Urachi F. Romero, whom he accused of stealing his lottery ticket According to the complaint, Rivera purchased the $2.04 billion Powerball lottery ticket on November 7 at Joe's Service Center in Altadena, California, one day before the drawing. Rivera said Romero stole the ticket on the same day. The complaint lacked specifics regarding how the alleged larceny occurred. After allegedly taking the ticket, Rivera made "numerous requests and demands" for Romero to return it, but Romero refused. On November 8, the lucky numbers were drawn, and Rivera again requested that Romero return the winning ticket. Rivera reported the alleged larceny to the California Lottery and law enforcement. The California State Lottery Commission and the state of California proclaimed Castro as the Powerball victor on February 14. Lottery officials stated they conducted a verification procedure to ensure the legitimacy of the ticket and claim. Castro has since acquired two multimillion-dollar California properties and a vintage Porsche convertible for $250,000. However, Rivera asserts that he reported the larceny to the police and the California Lottery and repeatedly attempted to contact the agency about his concerns, NY Post reported. He believes store surveillance images will prove his case and has requested that the state lottery agency "make all video depicting the purchase of the winning ticket accessible for our evaluation." In the latest development in an already peculiar case, Castro is attempting to disprove that he was duly served with court documents. Castro's father, who shares the same first and last names but a different middle initial, was inadvertently sued and served by Rivera's legal team. His motion states, "The Edwin Castro who was served was not the recipient of the Powerball winnings referenced in the Complaint." Read Also: Serbia Orders Troops on High Alert as Ethnic Clashes in Kosovo; US Rebukes Escalating Tensions Powerball Jackpot Winner Edwin Castro Files a Motion Meanwhile, Castro has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that he stole his $2 billion golden ticket. In the filing, Castro's attorney, David De Paoli, argued that the accused, Jose Rivera, brazenly lied about serving the minted billionaire and served the wrong Edwin Castro. On May 17, a proof of service was filed indicating that Castro's court documents were allegedly delivered to his new $25 million residence in the Hollywood Hills and received by an unidentified male. Per The Sun, the summons, complaint, and other case-related documents were delivered to a Hispanic individual in his 50s at Castro's listed address above Sunset Strip on April 25. Castro's legal team, however, refuted the plaintiff's claims, stating that the documents were delivered to their client's childhood home in Altadena, not his residence in Hollywood Hills. Related Article: Pennsylvania Nurse Accused of Killing Patients by Intentionally Injecting Unnecessary Insulin That Caused Overdose @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Iran slams U.S., France for voicing concern over new ballistic missile Xinhua) 10:36, May 27, 2023 TEHRAN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday censured the U.S. and French governments, which he described as two major arms exporters to the Middle East, for expressing concern over Iran's test-launch of a new ballistic missile. Nasser Kanaani made the remarks on his Twitter page in response to the worries voiced by the U.S. State Department and French Foreign Ministry about Iran's successful test-launch of the latest domestically-developed ballistic missile on Thursday. He said the U.S. and French governments are expressing concern about Iran's "defense" advances and power while they played an important role in "provoking and arming the Baath Party of the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in its military aggression against Iran and bombardment of the country's cities and defenseless people" during the Iraq-Iran war, which lasted from 1980-88. Kanaani stressed that the United States and France are also atop the list of arms exporters to the region, adding they are opposed to a "powerful Iran." Iran on Thursday unveiled and test-launched its latest domestically-developed ballistic missile, known as Kheibar, with a range of 2,000 kilometers and a warhead capacity of 1,500 kilograms, according to the official news agency IRNA. The U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing later on Thursday that "Iran's development and proliferation of ballistic missiles pose a serious threat to regional and international security and remains a significant nonproliferation challenge." On the same day, French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre accused Iran of "violating the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 of 2015 which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program by unveiling the ballistic missile." She said these activities are worrying in the context of the continuing escalation of Iran's nuclear program. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Keon Apachito was charged with murder in the second degree. Apachito, 21, of To'Hajiilee, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court for a detention hearing and was released to a halfway house pending trial, which has not been scheduled. According to an indictment, on May 28, 2022, along with two others, Apachito and co-defendant Cole Ray Shorty allegedly beat the victim in retaliation for stealing an item from Shorty. The victim died from their injuries at the University of New Mexico Hospital on May 30, 2022. The incident occurred within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation. READ NEXT: Florida Woman Convicted After Eight-Day Trial For The Voluntary Manslaughter of Her Girlfriend An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Apachito faces up to 17 years in prison. Cole Ray Shorty, 19, was arraigned on Sept. 13, 2022, and will remain in custody pending trial. If convicted, Shorty faces up to 17 years in prison. The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany DuChaussee is prosecuting the case. READ MORE: Readout of White House Listening Session on Automated Worker Surveillance and Management @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Tennessee Supreme Court held Thursday that a cap imposed by the Division of TennCare on reimbursements to certain healthcare providers is a rule within the meaning of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act that should have been implemented through notice-and-comment rulemaking. As part of a broader effort to reduce spending, TennCare imposed a $50 cap on reimbursements to emergency-department physicians for non-emergent services they provide to TennCare enrollees. Emergency Medical Care Facilities, P.C., a professional corporation made up of private healthcare professionals who provide emergency-department services to TennCare enrollees, filed suit challenging the cap. Emergency Medical sought a judgment declaring that the $50 cap was void and of no effect because it constitutes a rule under the Act and therefore should have been implemented through the notice-and-comment process, which allows the public an opportunity to weigh in. Both Emergency Medical and TennCare moved for summary judgment. The trial court agreed with Emergency Medical. The court concluded that the $50 cap is a rule because it is a statement of general applicability. And it rejected TennCares argument that the cap falls within the Acts internal-management exception, which excludes from the definition of rule any agency statements concerning only the internal management of state government and not affecting private rights, privileges, or procedures available to the public. TennCare appealed, and the Court of Appeals reversed. It agreed with the trial court that the $50 cap is generally applicable, reasoning that it applies to all emergency-department physicians across the state who provide care to TennCare patients. But the court reached a different conclusion about the internal-management exception. The Court of Appeals held that the $50 cap falls within that exception because it does not address or bear on procedures available to the public or affect entities other than those in contractual privity with TennCare. The Supreme Court granted Emergency Medicals application for permission to appeal. The Court first considered whether the $50 cap is a rule under the Act. The Court held that the cap is a statement of general applicability because it applies or is capable of being applied to an entire class or categoryall emergency-department physicians who have agreements with TennCare and treat TennCare enrollees. The Court further held that the Acts internal-management exception does not apply because the cap regulates reimbursements to private emergency-department physicians who are not internal to state government. The Court clarified that the mere existence of a contractual relationship with a regulated entity does not free agencies from the Acts rulemaking requirements. After concluding that the $50 cap is a rule within the meaning of the Act that should have been implemented through notice-and-comment rulemaking, the Court next considered TennCares argument, not addressed in the courts below, that Tennessee Code Annotated section 71-5-102(d), a statute that grants TennCare the authority to implement cost-control measures, exempted the $50 cap from the Acts otherwise-applicable rulemaking requirements. The Court held that it does not. To read the Courts unanimous opinion, authored by Justice Sarah K. Campbell, visit the opinions section of TNCourts.gov. The Health Department announces safety tips ahead of the holiday weekend and summer season.Officials said, "Memorial Day weekend is the official kick-off for summer, and it's a time when many residents will enjoy outdoor activities. So whether it's swimming in our beautiful waterways, exploring the area's mountain terrain or celebrating with loved ones, the Hamilton County Health Department encourages residents to make safety a part of this summer's plans.""With the sunshine, warm weather and beautiful scenery here in Tennessee, many residents will participate in fun activities this summer.Unfortunately, though this time of year can be exciting, it can also be dangerous if the proper safety precautions are not in place. Remember that the best summers are safe summers," says Dr. Stephen Miller, Hamilton County Health Department's health officer.Water Safety:According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, every year, there are over 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings, including boating-related drowning. Never leave children unattended in or near a body of water, and always designate an adult to watch over the area. Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim. Always wear a life jacket. Know the risks of natural waters - Lakes, rivers, and oceans have hidden hazards such as dangerous currents, waves, rocks, and limited visibility. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or other water activities. If in a personal pool/community pool, be aware of the chemical levels and the Health Departments health score.Outdoor Safety: Always bring a first aid kit. Never feed wild animals if bitten by a wild animal, seek medical attention & contact the Health Departments Rabies Program at 423-209-8110. Stay hydrated & be aware of the symptoms of a heat stroke. Wear sunscreen & insect repellant.Road Safety:More than 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers occur during the 100 Deadliest Days - a period that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, according to AAA. Check the back seat for children, pets, or elderly adults before locking & exiting your vehicle. Never drink and drive. Have a sober ride home. Always wear your seatbelt and obey the speed limit. Never Text and Drive.Additional resources: For Health Department information visit: Health.HamiltonTN.gov or call 423-209-8383. To read this information in Spanish, visit the Health Departments Spanish Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SaludHamiltonTN. RiseUP Cooperative will host Adventure Trek, an all-ages scavenger hunt that will take participants of all ages across downtown Chattanooga in search of clues, treats and prizes.The event will take place on Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m.-noon."Start at the Chattanooga Green, and be whisked away in a morning of adventure that will challenge your teams ability to work together, test your smarts and push your problem-solving skills to their limits as you make your way through Chattanoogas downtown district," organizers said."At the end of the scavenger hunt, take part in our celebratory post-hunt party."RiseUP Cooperative is a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of Chattanoogas youth via cooperative workshops designed to encourage teamwork, interpersonal skills and assisting teens and young adults with all factors of life. Find us at riseupcooperative.org or contact us at sandy@riseupcooperative.org." Educators have argued about approaches to reading instruction since public education began. A one-size-fits-all solution to reading does not work for everyone. Our state has correctly placed literacy as a high priority. We support all efforts to improve literacy in our state. At Professional Educators of Tennessee, we view the assessment of students much like a getting school picture made. It may not be an accurate depiction, but it is what the student looks like on that day. However, this year the stakes have never been higher for third-grade students. Reading is the fundamental foundation for all learning. Reading proficiently by third grade is a crucial target for every student. If students cannot read at grade level by third grade, it is much harder to catch up with their peers and succeed further in their educational journey. Third-grade reading proficiency has been called the most important benchmark in a students academic career. The move from third grade to fourth grade also begins the shift from learning to read to reading to learn other material. The question for policymakers and stakeholders alike is, Do we trust a high-stakes test administered once a year, or not? Classroom observations by trained personnel, along with teacher and principal input, would likely produce far more consistent and reliable data for assessing the quality of teaching and student progress than scores on an annual assessment. The Tennessee Department of Education released statewide average scores from the spring 2023 Tennessee Comprehensive Academic Program (TCAP) tests on Friday afternoon, May 19th, 2023. This left students, parents, schools, and districts scrambling now and rushing to meet new deadlines made necessary by the 2021 third-grade retention law now tied to statewide standardized testing. Student retention has been in the law since 2011. In addition, the Tennessee State Board also didnt finish with the rules on what constitutes adequate growth until Friday, May 19. Third-grade students are now put into one of four categories based on their TCAP scores: 1) Exceeds Expectations. Moving on to fourth grade; 2) Meets Expectations. Moving on to fourth grade. 3) Approaching Expectations. Choice of whether to go to summer school or be tutored the entire fourth-grade year. Districts and schools are responsible for providing this. The state has provided Tennessee All Core since the COVID-19 pandemic as a funding source. It provides small-group tutoring and is intensive; and, Below Expectations: Students who score below the top two categories must do both summer school and intensive tutoring. The implementation and timeline of the new law have been classic examples of good intentions meeting ineffective bureaucracy. This is something that most people have agreed on while discussing this issue. State Senator Jon Lundberg indicated that he had concerns with the rollout and the communication to parents. State Rep. Scott Cepicky also recognized the need for improved communications from state and district officials. Many taxpayers might consider the tone-deaf nature of the Legislatures Joint Fiscal Review Committee adding another year for British-based NCS Pearson to administer TNReady and increase the total contract to $132 million from $93 million to the list of ineptitudes. Taxpayers certainly need a fiscal accounting of the cost of all statewide testing. Is the program cost-efficient? Does it meet student needs? When students are behind, the state standardized assessment measures knowledge and skills that students lack. The results have little capacity to inform teachers and other education stakeholders of the path to best assist those students. For students who are excelling, testing only grade-level material also fails to provide feedback that can move them ahead to advanced academic content. Tennessee should move to progress monitoring instead of end-of-year standardized testing, just as Florida did recently. This would give teachers and parents more impactful and timely input on student performance. It would allow us to better adjust to make sure children can in fact read proficiently. Tennessee was correct to place such a high priority on literacy. Now lets have an assessment system with progress monitoring that allows us to make actionable decisions in real-time. Moving away from high-stakes testing will increase instruction time, and progress monitoring will provide timely and useful feedback for student goals, including reading proficiency. Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds will be taking the reins of the Tennessee Department of Education on July 1. Can she run a more efficient agency than her predecessor? We can only hope. Nothing unites policymakers and stakeholders in Tennessee like wasted tax dollars and inefficient government. JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee A woman on E. 11th Street flagged down an officer and said a white female known as Tiffany picked up a black flip phone ($40) which belonged to her and left with it. The woman said she didnt see this but that some people who had been in the area at the time witnessed this. An exact time of the occurrence is not known. The woman just wanted her phone back and will call police to make contact with Tiffany if she is found in order to retrieve her phone. * * * A woman on Regency Court called police and said she was concerned about multiple things happening around her condo. She reported neighbors banging on the wall, pulling into her driveway to turn around, and parking a bicycle for a short time in front of her garage. She was most concerned that people would point at her home and drive by frequently. She believes that this is intentional on the part of the neighbors. Police explained that was possible but it was also possible that it was all just normal frustrations of living in close proximity to other people. She admitted that was possible. She will continue to document the items and call police if it becomes threatening. She later called back to add she believes someone used a "signal jammer" to disrupt her Internet that morning. * * * A woman on ONeal Street told police she got into a verbal disorder with her neighbor. She said her neighbor started cussing at her because she was feeding a cat in front of the apartments. The woman just wants her neighbor to leave her alone. Police spoke with the neighbor who said she was not confrontational with the woman. She said they weren't allowed to have animals there. * * * An employee of Red Roof Inn at 7014 Shallowford Road told police a guest in a room hadn't paid and needed to leave the property. Police spoke with the guest who said she was attempting to call someone to help her move her belongings out of the room because she was elderly and couldnt move them by herself. The officer asked the motel employee if she could give her a little more time and she said it would be fine. * * * A woman on Central Avenue told police someone busted out her Nissan Rogue driver side window and stole items out of the vehicle. She said three watches were stolen and a pair of sunglasses. Her deductible is $750 for the window damage. * * * Police responded to a well-being check on Arlington Avenue after an anonymous complainant said a woman was reportedly struck by her boyfriend. Police spoke with the woman who appeared fine and said she got into a verbal argument with her boyfriend. The boyfriend was not on scene. She said they both pushed each other during the argument but it was nothing serious. She didnt wish to make a report or provide her new boyfriend's information. * * * An officer was dispatched to 103 Cherokee Blvd. because a man was refusing to leave when asked by the staff. He agreed to leave when asked by police. He was given a ride to Wendy's in Red Bank without incident. * * * A woman on E. 10th St. told police the janitor had accused her of spilling grease in the hall. She told police she wanted it documented that she said she didn't spill anything. * * * A man on E. 5th Street told police an unknown vehicle side swiped him on his left side. Police saw left side damage to the mans vehicle. He didnt want an accident report but wanted to report someone hit him and drove off. * * * Police were called to Zaxbys at 623 Signal Mountain Road on a report of a man with a large knife. Police met with the man whose knife was in his pocket. He was not breaking the law in any way. Haywood's Piano Bar and Grill photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer Cyrus McCormick Farm photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer Tantivy Lavender Farm photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer Season's Yield Farm and Bakery photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer Virginia Military Institute photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer Washington & Lee University photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer Natural Tunnel State Park photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer Wades Mill photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery photo by Ann N. Yungmeyer Heliotrope Brewery photo by Eva Simpson Carriage Tour photo by Chris Weisler Previous Next Home to Washington & Lee University (WLU) and Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Lexington, Virginia is best known as a college town. It frequently garners a spot on lists of Best Small Towns and deservedly so, as it thrives on the rich cultural and historical aspects of the two institutions, and much more. Lexingtons charming town center is set on a hill with colonial brick and cottage architecture housing attractive boutiques, cafes, restaurants and lodging. Its appeal stretches into surrounding Rockbridge County, dotted with family-owned farms, orchards, vineyards and breweries. This area of the southern Shenandoah Valley boasts an array of local makers who are proud to keep artisanal traditions alive, and the hills are also a hub for scenic drives and outdoor recreation along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail. Having spent many parent weekends in the college town, I always emphasized in Virginia when mentioning Lexington because Tennesseans nearly always associate the name with Kentucky. Ive since learned that there are 25 Lexingtons in the U.S. (Lexington, Va. was the second city so named for Lexington, Mass., site of the first shots of the American Revolutionary War.) I recently made a return visit and walked familiar routes through campus and town, popping into timeless shops like Pappagallo, Artists in Cahoots and Sweet Things, and discovering reimagined spaces that are now new eateries, brewpubs and lovely hotel accommodations. I was reminded of why this so called small town with a big back yard is easy to love; its natural beauty and variety of attractions make it a fun getaway or stopover while driving Interstate 81 or I-64. Here are some of my choices for how to fill a few days. Delve into history, stroll and browse Stay in the heart of town at The Georges, a hotel consisting of five refurbished historic buildings along Main St., named for George Washington, George Marshall, and maybe others! The well-appointed rooms come with nice amenities including heated bathroom floors and towel racks, and the locations are convenient for browsing the galleries and shops. Clip clop through town and get your bearings on a carriage tour with Lexington Carriage Company. The drivers are well versed in area history, from Native American inhabitants and early European settlement in the 1730s, to stories of Lexingtons famous citizens. Along the tour, the Haflinger draft horses pause in front of historic attractions, including the Stonewall Jackson home (circa 1800), now a museum. Have an intimate dinner at The Red Hen, a long-time favorite small restaurant featuring local produce from Shenandoah Valley farms, a fine wine list and creative cocktails. Architecture, museums and a scenic country drive Stroll the grounds of the two schools, connected by sidewalks, to see their distinctive architecture. Both are National Historic Landmarks; VMI of simple Gothic Revival style and WLU of Roman Revival featuring a classical Colonnade. VMI was founded in 1839, the oldest state-run military institute. A statue of George Marshall, who taught at the post, is a focal point in front of the barracks, and VMI Museum is a highlight for visitors, honoring the nations military heritage with an extensive collection of artifacts and artillery. WLU was established as Augusta Academy by Scots-Irish settlers in 1749, later renamed to honor George Washington and Robert E. Lee who at various times saved the college from financial demise. A museum on the lower level of University Chapel depicts the history of the institution and informs with changing exhibits. Lee was president of the college from 1865-1870, and his famous horse Traveler is buried beside the Chapel. Nearby, the horse stall doors remain open following popular legend that his spirit can return freely. Grab lunch at Pure Eats at the former Pure Oil filling station. Its a favorite for casual fare, famous for its juicy burgers and fresh-made donuts. Take a country drive north of town to Wades Mill and McCormick Farm. You can arrange a tour at Wades Mill, a working flourmill dating from the 1750s with a magnificent water wheel and original mechanisms. The mill Gift Shop offers freshly milled grains including grits, corn muffin mixes and kitchen accessories. Nearby is Cyrus McCormick Farm, where the grain reaper was invented, launching a mechanical revolution in farming. Wander the site and browse exhibits in the recreated gristmill and blacksmith shop. Visit Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery, a longstanding winery growing varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling and buying from local growers to produce about 7,000 cases of wine per year. Try a tasting of award-winning wines at the magnificent round bar constructed from an antique silo. Rockbridge also crafts small batch beer and is a recent addition on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail, a network of 17 breweries in the valley. Theres also a Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail, of which Rockbridge is a member. Back in town, have dinner at Haywoods Piano Bar and Grill, where French Chef Xavier prepares local, ingredient-driven cuisine. If youre in town on a Wednesday morning you might catch him at Lexington Farmers Market selecting produce for the evening meal. He was happy for us to follow along with him and hear his menu plans, based on whats fresh and in season. Tastes of the countryside Start your day back at Haywoods for freshly baked croissants and coffee offered by Seasons Yield Farm. A variety of wood-fired, naturally leavened breads and pastries is carted in Mon.- Sat. mornings from the family-owned farm and bakery, which also makes maple syrup from local maple trees. Seasons Yield offers a farm-stay Airbnb above the bakery and twice monthly Bread Days on Saturdays at the farm. Explore more of Rockbridge County with a visit to Tantivy Lavender Farm and several vineyards and breweries. Meet Brian and Penny Ross, who began lavender farming after retiring from the equestrian world at Lexingtons state-of-the-art Virginia Horse Center. Stop by their Gift Shop for handmade lavender products, take a hike through the 54-acre farm, or relax and enjoy the mountain views from the Gift Shop porch. Ecco Adesso Vineyards is a newly opened vineyard that sits on a lush property offering a selection of Virginia wines and ciders plus Airbnb lodging, hiking trails, peach picking from their orchard (in fall), goat yoga and other events. Call ahead to enjoy a tasting with local cheeses in the cellar or to plan your bespoke countryside vineyard experience. Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery offers hard-to-beat panoramic views at this combo brewery/winery at the southern end the Beerwerks Trail. Owner Nathan Bailey moved to Rockbridge County about 10 years ago with a passion for quality beer. He specializes in Belgian style farmhouse ales, and in 2019, he began producing wines from Austrian and French varietals grown on the farm and at other Shenandoah Valley vineyards. Try a Hibiscus Wit Beer or a glass of Gruner Veltliner for an excellent refreshment while relaxing in Adirondack chairs overlooking the valley. Dont miss Happy Hour at Heliotrope Brewing the only Beerwerks stop in downtown Lexington. Owners Erik Jones (a WLU alum) and Jenefer Davies moved from Portland, Oregon, to start the brewpub with a distinctive focus on seasonal flavors of the Shenandoah Valley. Their ales and lagers utilize regional malt and locally foraged microflora; wood-fired pizza and small bites are made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Heliotropes whimsically named artisan beers such as Trust Your Mechanic, Wiffleball Umpire and The Brixton Sun will tease your curiosity its best to order a flight. Dinner at Southern Inn For classic southern cuisine with a modern twist, this Main Street mainstay is a favorite for signature dishes such as fried chicken, mac and cheese and cider-braised greens. Be sure to try the cheese plate, fresh-made locally at Mountain View Farm. Enjoy the outdoors Take a walk on the Chessie Nature Trail, a former C&O rail line that connects Lexington and the quaint town of Buena Vista, or enjoy a picnic at an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Make time for a stop at Natural Bridge State Park, home of a geologically formed rock bridge estimated to be 500 million years old. You can walk under the bridge on a nice creek-side path that leads to a waterfall. Natural Bridge is an International Dark Sky Park that hosts stargazing nights and year-round events. ----- Ann N. Yungmeyer is a freelance travel writer. Read more of her work at www.annyungmeyer.wordpress.com Queen Maxima cherishes a sentimental bracelet that holds a special place in her heart. While her symbolic engagement ring captivated the nation, the bracelet holds a treasured place in her collection. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands | Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images Queen Maxima wears this sentimental bracelet nearly every day Since her marriage to King Willem-Alexander in 2002, Queen Maxima has held a prominent position in the royal family of the Netherlands. Willem-Alexander ascended to the throne of the Netherlands in April 2013 following the abdication of his mother, Beatrix, who had reigned for 33 years. Their engagement was a momentous occasion, announced to the nation during a live televised broadcast in The Hague in 2001. On that day, Maxima addressed the nation in her native Dutch, capturing the hearts of the people. Although hailing from Argentina, Maxima endeared herself to the nation with her symbolic engagement ring. The ring pays homage to the House of Orange-Nassau, the illustrious Dutch royal dynasty. Despite the importance of the ring, there is another piece of jewelry Maxima wears almost daily. Since 2011, Maxima has been adorning her wrist with a yellow-gold chain bracelet that holds immense sentimental value. A closer look at Queen Maximas sentimental bracelet On most days, Maxima adds a touch of elegance to her ensemble with a yellow gold chain bracelet featuring vibrant cabochon gemstones. This unique piece showcases a stylish rubber set design. Interestingly, the bracelet holds a sentimental significance. Willem-Alexander and the couples three daughters gave her the bracelet on her 40th birthday. The gemstones adorning the piece symbolize the birth months of her family members. For instance, crystal symbolizes Willem-Alexander, while blue topaz represents their eldest child and the future heir to the throne, Princess Catharina-Amalia. Adding an extra layer of sentimentality, the corresponding names of each family member are delicately engraved beneath their respective gemstones. Jewelry expert Maxwell Stone estimates that the bracelet is worth around $40,000. Though, admittedly, it is difficult to put a price on a piece that holds this much sentimental value. Though oozing with sentimental value, the bracelet doesnt carry a high monetary value, Stone explained. Id estimate it to be worth $40,000 (32,000). The Dutch royal jewelry collection is owned by a trust Maxima met Willem-Alexander back in 1999. In the early days of their romance, Maxima had no idea she was dating the King. After a few years of dating, they tied the knot in a gorgeous ceremony in 2002. Although Maxima holds an important place in Dutch royalty, her jewelry collection has an interesting backstory. According to Duchess Diary, the most significant and splendid pieces of the Dutch royal jewel collection are held in trust. So, although Maxima adorns herself with these magnificent jewels, they are not owned by her personally. Instead, they belong to the esteemed Orange-Nassau Foundation, established to ensure the preservation of this invaluable collection. This arrangement allows various members of the royal family to wear these historical treasures. It is important to note, however, that Maximas bracelet is not currently a part of the trust items. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 8, 2022. The Surgeon General is warning there is not enough evidence to show that social media is safe for young people and is calling on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take "immediate action to protect kids now." A virtual map can be found on the Cherokee Nation website that shows areas where CN citizens may hunt and fish within the reservation boundaries using CN tribal IDs or blue cards. Trade Minister Ahn Duk-guen, second from left, attends the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers meeting in Detroit, the United States, May 25. Yonhap China and Korea have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on semiconductor industry supply chains, amid broader global concerns over chip supplies, sanctions and national security, according to China's commerce minister. Wang Wentao met with Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit, which ended Friday. They exchanged views on maintaining the stability of the industrial supply chain and strengthening cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral fields, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce the following day. Wang also said that China is willing to work with South Korea to deepen trade ties and investment cooperation. However, a Korean statement on the same meeting did not mention chips, instead saying the country's trade minister had asked China to stabilize the supply of key raw materials, and asked for a predictable business environment for Korean companies in China. "The South Korean side expressed that communication is needed between working-level officials over all industries," not just for semiconductors, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The source declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Korea is in the crosshairs of a tit-for-tat row between the United States and China over semiconductors. China's cyberspace regulator said last week that Micron had failed its network security review and that it would block operators of key infrastructure from buying from the company. The U.S. has pushed for countries to limit China's access to advanced chips, citing a host of reasons including national security. About 40 percent Korea's chip exports go to China, according to trade ministry data, while U.S. technology and equipment are necessary for South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. (Reuters) It is known as the forgotten war. From 1950 through 1953, the Korean War raged and, by the time it came to an end, America had lost more than 36,000 soldiers and suffered approximately 137,000 total casualties. As devastating as those statistics may have been, they paled in comparison to the casualties suffered by North and South Korea, respectively. In total, South Korea saw 990,000 casualties while North Korea experienced 1.5 million casualties. When one considers that between 2 and 3 million civilians are estimated to have lost their lives during the conflict, its clear that those three years of fighting were some of the most costly and tragic of the entire 20th century. Yet, in modern history the Korean War often gets overshadowed. Having come directly after World War II and before the Vietnam War, it routinely gets overlooked in school curriculums or when it comes to national recognition. With this being the 70th anniversary of the wars end, Cheshire is dedicating its annual Memorial Day Parade to remembering the conflict and, most especially, the 36,000-plus soldiers who died. It promises to be an emotional day, as some of the remaining veterans of that war will be on hand to be honored. And given that its been 70 years since the war came to an end, America as a whole and Cheshire in particular are running out of time to celebrate these individuals in person. They are living history, and all of us should be grateful that these veterans are still here to share their stories and their experiences with a new generation of Americans. Only they can truly know what the war was like, in a way that none of us who were born afterwards ever will. In 1963, the country was only 10 years removed from the Korean War, and the men who had served were back and taking part in Memorial Day Parade festivities. Yet, perhaps as a sign of things to come, no special acknowledgments were made on that 10-year anniversary. Instead, two other guests, with connections to another tragic American conflict, took center stage that day. On the front page of The Cheshire Heralds June 6, 1963 edition, a photo greeted readers. It featured two men standing alongside a monument, ready to place a wreath at its base. The two men were Walter C. Tucker of Cheshire, and Robert Hotchkiss of West Haven, the two most prominent participants in the Memorial Day Parade celebration, as The Heralds article explained: Highlighting the ceremonies was a pause at the Cheshire Green where wreaths were placed on the Civil War monument on the green and on the World War I monument on the lawn (in front) of the Town Hall, directly across the street. Paying tribute to the dead of World War I was Frank Loghlin, commander, John Pershing Rigney Barracks, World War I. Placing the wreath on the Civil War Monument were two members of the now-defunct Cheshire-Southington unit of the Sons of Veterans (Civil War), Walter C. Tucker of Tucker Road and Robert Hotchkiss, a resident of the Methodist Home in West Haven. Tucker said that his father, George Tucker, had enlisted with Co. E., 20th Regiment Volunteers. At the outbreak of hostilities George was working in Plantsville, although his parents were living in the Broad Swamp area of Cheshire. Tucker said that so far as he knew, his fathers name wasnt engraved on any monument. He pointed out, however, that the other side of the family is represented on the monument with the inclusion of the name of Oliver Smith, his maternal uncle. Smith was one of the 14 men from Cheshire who lost their lives in the conflict. Tucker recalls that his father took part in Shermans march to the sea, returning home after three years to live through the days of World War I. The article went on to briefly mention Hotchkiss father, Robert L., stating that he had been born in Waterbury in 1836 and died in 1904, but no other details were provided. However, both men had found it important to be at the Memorial Day Parade ceremony as a way to honor their fathers service to the country during such a difficult time. The Herald article also gave a brief history of the monument, which still stands to this day: Believed to be the first Civil War monument to be erected in Connecticut and the third to be dedicated, the shaft on the Cheshire Green was designed by architect Robert Wright of New Haven and executed with granite from Plymouth. The idea for the monument originated shortly after the return of the 20th Regiment Volunteers at a dinner given by the townspeople for the veterans. George J. Jarvis of Brooklyn, N.Y., offered to contribute $1,000 if townspeople would match this amount. In a short time, citizens had over-subscribed the challenge by raising $1,100. Although the monument was put in place in April, 1866, dedication ceremonies were postponed to the following Fourth of July when elaborate ceremonies were held. An inscription, now covered with bronze plates inscribed with names of all Civil War veterans, read erected 1866 to perpetuate the memory of those who lost their lives in the war of the rebellion. At the time of the 1963 Memorial Day Parade in Cheshire, it had been 98 years since the end of the Civil War. Two years from now, the nation will mark the 160th anniversary of that occasion. In 1963, the end of the Korean War was so recent, the men who had served were still young and in the prime of their lives. Now, their children are all entering middle age. Memorial Day serves as a reminder of how quickly time passes. We are long since removed from a time when anyone connected to Civil War veterans, let alone the veterans themselves, were around to personally share their experiences. The same is becoming true of World War I and, unfortunately, we are losing members of the greatest generation the one that fought in World War II and the Korean War with ever-more frequency. Thats why moments such as the one approaching Sunday remain so important. We will eventually lose the chance to acknowledge these veterans in person, and while we take time this weekend to honor all of our nations fallen heroes, its vital that we recognize, to their faces, those who are still here, to whom we can still offer our profound thanks. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Attaching crystals to dresses is nothing new. But this one gown isnt like anything youve ever seen before. A wedding dress boasting over 50,000 Swarovski crystals debuted at the Si Sposaitalia Collezioni fashion show, instantly becoming every brides dream garment. On April 14, 2023, an Italian bridal shop named Michela Ferriero snagged the Guinness World Record for most crystals sewn on a wedding dress. As a result, the ensemble delivers more glitz and glamor than you can even imagine! Michela Ferriero is a luxury brand that employs the finest fabrics and takes precious care with its embroideries. They specialize in custom-made wedding gowns. The record-breaking dress contains 50,890 crystals, to be exact. It gives off a form-fitting shape and features a sheer, gauzy material and an open back. The previous world record was held by a bridal shop located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was presented on January 29, 2011, and was made with 45,024 crystals. Co-founder Michaela Ferriero designed the dress and led the project. The dress was created over the course of four months. Michaela worked with a pattern maker and a group of seamstresses to turn the design into a reality. It took 200 hours to sew each crystal onto the gown individually. First, crystals were sewn on the dresss tulle base. Then, they were affixed to the bodice and gloves, and finally, crystal chains were added to the back. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Pixabay/UnratedStudio A Catholic human rights activist recently generated a report claiming that bandit attacks in Nigeria have killed 900 civilians. It was also discovered that the majority of the victims were Christians. Catholic Human Rights Activist's Report The diminished capabilities of the state and the decreased strength of law enforcement are to blame for the rise in criminal activity of gunmen and armed non-state organizations. The kidnapping of citizens to extract a ransom has recently seen a significant uptick in this nation: 1,484 persons were taken captive between January and March 2022. Based on an article from Council on Foreign Relations, there have been instances where security agencies have been suspected of working in conjunction with criminal organizations. Desertification, aggravated by increasing dryness due to climate change, appears to be a driving force behind attacks by herders on farming settlements. These attacks are also motivated by ethnoreligious tensions. It has been revealed that herders killed 2,539 people in as many as 654 separate attacks between 2017 and 2020. The rate of desertification in Nigeria is estimated to be as high as sixty percent of the country's territory. Moreover, UCA News reported that Emeka Umeagbalasi, a Catholic human rights activist and chairman of the Intersociety organization, stated on Sunday, May 21, during the presentation of the report over a press conference that in just 29 months, from January 2021 to May 2023, "security forces and allied militias killed 900 unarmed citizens, wounded 700, arrested 3,500, extorted 1,400, and disappeared 300." The report also claimed that 1,200 civilian homes had been destroyed by fire, which displaced 30,000 owners and their families and the flight of 500,000 inhabitants. In addition, non-state actors such as Fulani jihadists and other militias carried out most of the deaths, which totaled 700, and the extra 900 kidnappings that took place over the same period. According to the authors of the research, the vast majority of people who were murdered in Imo state and elsewhere in southeast Nigeria may have been attacked because of their Christian beliefs. Furthermore, Umeagbalasi asserted that individuals are killed because of their race and religion, and he blamed the Nigerian authorities for not investigating the killings too often. On the other hand, a Fulani jihadist organization carried out the most recent terrible mass massacre on Saturday, May 20, when parishioners of St. Michael's Agasha Parish in Father Ihyula's parish were attacked and slain while quietly working on their farms. The Catholic activist noted that the administration has resorted to "bribes" to "silence the voices of dissent" rather than defending the country's residents. He pointed out that many activists have been forced to "become government supporters." He also stated that debts had been taken for granted by the government to pay lobbyists and "cover up the persecution of Christians." Also Read: Terrorists in Nigeria Killed Rev. Musa Mairimi of Evangelical Church Winning All, Wife Kidnapped Increasing Deaths of Christians in Nigeria There is mounting evidence that Islamic extremist groups are starting to work with other groups to broaden the scope of the impact of their atrocities. According to Open Door UK, Nigeria appears to be contending with an influential trio; some would say a three-headed monster, as Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani militants, and so-called bandits are functioning in collaboration. However, it would indicate that the government is also aware of this. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes due to increased violent crime. As mentioned, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) stated that more than 8.4 million people in Nigeria's northeastern area alone need humanitarian aid, and most of these people are dealing with a food shortage. Related Article: Nigeria Terrorist Killed Another 33 Christians Pixabay/Maruf Rahman A misunderstanding between followers of the Sikh religion and Christians led to increased hostility between the two faiths. Recently, Skih Nihangs launched an assault against a Christian Church. As a result, Christians are demanding that action should be taken against their attackers. Church Attack A report from English News Track Live stated that an incident in which individuals attacked a church in Amritsar, Punjab, was brought to light on Sunday, May 21. The perpetrators of the attack are being referred to as Nihang Sikhs. When Christians prayed inside the church, an assault occurred on the building. Both groups were reportedly brought face to face with one another, which caused the situation to become tense. There was a great deal of sloganeering and throwing stones at the location. Moreover, the presence of law enforcement at the scene helped bring the situation under control. Due to the Nihangs' alleged desecration of the Bible, Christians have called for stern action to be taken. According to UCA News, a state of relative tranquility, Punjab is governed by the Aam Admi Party. On Tuesday, May 23, Pastor Hanook Bhatti, who is based in Punjab, stated that, as of late, there had been a climate of misunderstanding between the Christian and Sikh communities, which has led to friction between the faiths. For the past two years, they have seen attacks on churches, and Bhatti has emphasized that people need to work together to find a solution to this problem as quickly as possible before it spirals out of control. Some individuals are under the impression that they are trying to convert Sikhs to Christianity. According to the Christian leader, this accusation has no basis in reality. Furthermore, as part of their religious practices, Sikhs are permitted to carry swords at all times. Following the assault, Christians marched demanding action against the attackers who objected to Christians adopting Sikh garb for propagandizing. At the request of the Amritsar rural police, a complaint has been filed against those who remain anonymous. Satinder Singh, a senior police official leading the inquiry, told the Christians it would be performed comprehensively. Additionally, Pastor Jaspal Singh, also from Punjab, which borders Pakistan, stated that it is done intentionally to sow confusion among those who adhere to the Christian and Sikh faiths. They are certain that some individuals with vested interests are responsible for doing this. According to the Christian Forum's head in Chhattisgarh, Arun Pannalal, a state in the central region of India that has seen violent incidents against Christians, claimed that the government of Punjab appears to have failed to preserve peace and order. Also Read: Christian Prayer Meeting Interrupted By Authorities, Arrested 10 People for Branding Forum as Religious Conversion Activity Recent Assaults Against Christians There has been a steady increase in the number of attacks carried out against Christians in India, which has prompted some people to call for a review of the anti-conversion legislation enacted by several different state governments. Others emphasize the significance of peace-building at the grassroots level. Fair Planet stated that an interdenominational organization that fights for the rights of Christians in India announced that as of the end of July, a shocking 302 occurrences of violence targeting the Christian community in India had been recorded. This represents a significant increase from the 186 incidents reported during the same period in the previous year. Based on the data, there were 41 instances in January, 35 in February, 35 in March, 40 in April, 58 in May, 38 in June, and 55 in July. With 84 cases of violence reported against Christians, Uttar Pradesh, currently governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is at the top of the list of Christian assaults. Related Article: Church Attack During Christian Prayer Meeting Allegedly Insults Bible, 2 Injured Unsplash/Aaron Burden A history textbook for students in Ghana's basic four grades that discusses the drawbacks of religion, particularly Christianity, has caused controversy. Due to its controversial subject matter, the book "History of Ghana for Basic Schools, Learner's Book 4," written by Francis Benjamin Appiah and Henry David Appiah, has aroused discussions on social media. Despite the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's denial of its acceptance of the aforementioned version, the organization's endorsement appears on the textbook's cover. The contentious page is found on a page titled "NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES." Anti-Christian Points Given in a Textbook from Ghana According to the article shared in Neat FM, the seven criticisms of Christianity listed in this section have sparked discussions and arguments on social media. The arguments made in the points include assertions that religion is a major contributor to international conflict, that Christianity increases poverty, and that the new religions that missionaries spread "create a sense of fear or timidity in their adherents." The content of the textbook has generated much discussion, bringing attention to the sensitive nature of religious instruction in schools and the wider societal ramifications. The book's critics claim that it promotes anti-Christian sentiment and casts doubt on the review procedure for educational materials. The dispute also highlights the need for fair viewpoints that respect other faiths and values by bringing up issues with how religion is presented in school curricula. The NaCCA's refusal to approve the textbook also raises concerns about governance in the educational publishing industry, which will probably be the focus of additional research. Also Read: Alarming Rise in Anti-Christian Sentiments Amid Biden Administration, Cultural Shifts The Contents of the Textbook Attacking Christians According to the story in Ghana Web, the writers contend that conflicts and ideological issues have their roots in religion, notably Christianity, not just in Ghana but around the world. They contend that by encouraging complacency and discouraging real measures to improve living conditions, Christianity has worsened poverty levels. Another debated topic brought up in the textbook is the effect of religious ideas that were introduced by missionaries. According to the writers, these ideas promote fear and obstruct human development and empowerment. The book also makes the claims that some religious groups actively discriminate against women, contributing to gender inequity and that religion gives con artists a way to take advantage of the weak. The textbook also criticizes the politicization of religion, alleging that some Ghanaian politicians take advantage of religious sentiments for their own political gain. Finally, the textbook contends that because of its conservative and static nature, religion, particularly Christianity, stifles innovation, creativity, and critical thinking. Stakeholders in Ghanaian society, including educators, spiritual leaders, and policymakers, are having fruitful discussions to address the issues brought up in the book and advance a more inclusive understanding of religion's function in the country. Other Anti-Christian Attacks Recently Happened In the article shared here in Christianity Daily, actor Rainn Wilson has attacked Hollywood's alleged anti-Christian bias. He tweeted his disapproval of the HBO rendition of "The Last of Us," saying it was predictable to represent a man who quotes the Bible as a vile enemy. Wilson has advocated for environmental activism and gotten support from his coworkers. He advocated for religious equality and the acknowledgement of Christians' beneficial contributions while also admitting the harm that some evangelical practices had created. Related Article:New Year Prophecies: Ghana Issues Warning to Stay Safe and Think Critically Before Believing Pixabay/ truthseeker08 In anticipation of a draft Bill set to be presented to Holyrood later this year, faith leaders representing the Church of Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, and the Scottish Association of Mosques have come together to release a joint statement opposing assisted dying. Faith Leaders' Statement on Assisted Dying According to the Premier Christian News, the faith leaders hold a staunchly different viewpoint, firmly believing that the proposed Bill would have severe repercussions for the most vulnerable members of society. They have called on the Scottish Parliament to consider the implications before making decisions. Moreover, The Tablet reported that Bishop John Keenan, Dr. Iain Greenshields, and Imam Hamza Khandwalla have jointly expressed their concerns, emphasizing the potential harm to vulnerable individuals if assisted dying is legalized. In their joint statement, the leaders expressed, "Our faith traditions are united in the principle that assisted dying inherently undermines the dignity of the human person. Should it be allowed, our society would lose its common humanity." They empathized with those grieving and suffering, acknowledging the genuine intentions of those seeking change but asserting that assisted dying is not the correct approach to alleviate suffering. They went on to suggest that the legalization of such techniques could place excessive pressure on persons who are vulnerable to choose assisted suicide as an option. As mentioned, the faith leaders emphasized their belief that society is responsible for caring for those suffering rather than seeking to end their lives. They also reaffirmed their united opposition to assisted suicide and euthanasia, underlining the importance of preserving the sanctity of life. In their concluding remarks, the faith leaders urged Members of the Scottish Parliament to critically evaluate the implications of the proposed Bill, expressing their concerns and ultimately voting against it. MSPs will reportedly be granted a "free vote," allowing them to vote according to their convictions rather than adhere to their party's stance. Also Read: Church Of Scotland Looking To Drop 'Husband And Wife' Reference During Marriage Ceremonies Assisted Dying in Scotland Spice Scotland reported that Scotland is taking a big step towards allowing assisted dying for people who are terminally ill. The Scottish Parliament has made a new bill that might let patients end their lives with medical help. But this has caused a lot of debate among politicians, doctors, and the public. The Bill says that people with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less might be able to get assisted dying. However, strict rules will ensure it is not misused and protect the patient's rights. Accordingly, if the Bill becomes law, Scotland will be the first country in the UK to legalize assisted dying. Countries like Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands already have similar laws. People who support the Bill say it gives a compassionate option to those suffering a lot and lets them choose their fate. Yet, some people do not agree with assisted dying. They worry that it might be forced on people who are vulnerable and that it goes against the value of life. Doctors also have mixed opinions. Some think respecting patients' choices is an excellent way, but others worry it might change how doctors and patients work together. Related Article:Scotland Takes Legal Action Against UK on Gender Identity Reform; Catholic Bishops Calls Lawmakers to Oppose Bill Korea pledged to send a total of $2.3 million in humanitarian assistance to the Horn of Africa to help tackle the region's protracted drought and food crisis, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. Kim Sang-jin, deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, announced the new funding plan at a U.N. conference held Wednesday in New York, and offered to contribute another $18.4 million of rice assistance to Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. "As a responsible member of the international community, we will actively participate in the global community's efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa," the ministry said in a press release. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, at least $7 billion is needed this year to assist millions of people in the region suffering from drought, displacement and food insecurity. (Yonhap) Unsplash/Kat J On Tuesday, more than 450 Catholic clergy members in the state have been charged with sexually abusing over 2,000 children since 1950, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul of Illinois disclosed this report. This shocking revelation shows that the issue is much worse than the Church has previously indicated. Raoul said that evidence of 1,997 children being abused by 451 Catholic clergy members in Illinois between 1950 and 2019 was discovered by investigators. He did point out that a lot of these instances, however, are outside the statute of limitations, which means that the alleged abusers "will never see justice in a legal sense." Investigation Reveals Over 450 Catholic Clergy Abused Nearly 2,000 Children Since 1950 According to an Associated Press News article, Raoul stated his hope that the study would draw attention to individuals who abused innocent children while abusing their positions of trust and power, as well as to church authorities who covered up the abuse. Raoul also made a statement highlighting the potential issue that the offenders may never appear in court but emphasized that their public identification is intended to hold them accountable. Moreover, he stated that this action aims to provide some level of healing for the survivors, who have endured their suffering quietly for a long time. Under Lisa Madigan, Raoul's predecessor, this lengthy study got underway in 2018. Madigan ordered the probe and, as she got ready to leave office, issued a damning report. Raoul and his colleagues continued the investigation after Madigan. He revealed that 25 employees went through more than 100,000 pages of diocese papers and had more than 600 private conversations with contacts. Catholic dioceses in Illinois have updated their sexual abuse protocols as a result of multiple allegations against clergy and a state attorney general inquiry. According to the article shared in Yahoo! News, the archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich, condemned abuse as "repugnant" and pledged to uphold children's rights. The investigation went into depth about specific allegations of sexual abuse, including those made against notorious clergy like Father Daniel McCormack, who was convicted of five years in prison after being accused of abusing more than 100 people. McCormack remained in the ministry despite an initial arrest in 2005 and a recommendation for dismissal when the charges were dismissed for lack of evidence. According to the study, this choice allowed for additional abuse, and the mother of a victim has accused Francis George, who was cardinal at the time, of condoning McCormack's misdeeds. Also Read:Bishop of Oxford Stands Firm Despite Abuse Review Findings SNAP Urges Nationwide Investigation into Catholic Dioceses Following Illinois Report In the article that was shared in National Catholic Reporter, the advocacy organization requested attorneys general and prosecutors to launch comparable probes against Catholic dioceses inside their respective states on May 23. Secular investigations are seen by the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) as a potential way to advance healing and develop understanding among the community. They contend that these investigations can open up new lines of communication, promote victim rehabilitation, and aid communities in accepting their traumatic past and current threats. The group noted that such investigations could assist in helping convey critical information about the global issue of child sexual abuse to the public and survivors alike when the court system fails to grant justice to the victims. According to the Catholic Conference of Illinois, the state's 3.5 million Catholic members make up around 27% of the entire population. With a ministry that consists of 2,215 priests, 1,372 deacons, and 260 religious brothers, the Church runs 949 parishes across the state. The potential for widespread misuse within such a huge network is highlighted by the most recent results. Related Article:St Augustine Churchs Volunteers Endure Verbal Abuse From Drivers in School Parking Dispute Unspalsh/Maria Oswalt A professor from Hunter College in New York City has been a center of controversy following her profanity-filled rage and her action of destroying a pro-life display. Also recently, this teacher has been showing in the headlines for she has gone overboard for having to threaten a reporter who was documenting the incident with a machete. The New York Post shared on Tuesday that adjunct assistant professor of art Shellyne Rodriguez allegedly threatened the reporter with a machete. Reuven Fenton, a reporter for The Post, had a terrifying encounter on Tuesday morning at Rodriguez's Bronx home. According to reports, by the time Fenton has knocked on Rodriguez's door, she allegedly threatened him with violence and profanity, telling him to get off her doorway or risk a machete attack. She allegedly used the machete to threaten Fenton by holding it close to his neck. NYC Professor Allegedly Threatens Reporter with Machete Amid Controversy Over Anti-Pro-Life Display Incident According to the article in Fox News, Rodriguez reportedly "barged out" of her apartment when Fenton introduced himself and repeated her request for him to leave her property while holding a machete. After the event, Fenton and a New York Post photographer fled the premises right away. Before the pair tried to leave, the photographer was able to capture the action. Nevertheless, Rodriguez is accused of pursuing the duo outside while still carrying the machete and yelling threats long after they had left her building. Rodriguez is also reported to have issued a further warning to Fenton. Allegedly, she sternly instructed him to vacate the block, stating profanity and reiterating her demand for him to leave the vicinity. According to The Post, Rodriguez pursued Fenton and the photographer down the street. She is reportedly said to have kicked Fenton in the shins before heading back to her building as he attempted to get into his vehicle. Hunter College hasn't spoken anything about the incident as of yet. Fox News Digital contacted the NYPD for comment regarding the event, but they did not answer right away. Rodriguez and the professor's union did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Also Read:Chinese Catholic Teachers Banned and Denied from 'Freedom of Speech and Religion' NYC Hunter College Professor Fired Following Vandalism of Pro-Life Display A pro-life display was vandalized by adjunct assistant professor Shellyne Rodriguez, who was fired from Hunter College in New York City after the incident was caught on camera. According to the report in Catholic News Agency, on May 2, Rodriguez dismantled the display, which was sponsored by Students for Life of America. Rodriguez is seen on camera cursing as he criticizes the student protestors and their display. The footage shows her shouting profane words and saying that they are not educating; they are promoting propaganda. Hunter College has taken a strong stance against Rodriguez's reported actions, as conveyed in a statement issued to CNA on Tuesday. The college's spokesperson, Vince DiMiceli, indicated that the institution had responded firmly to the incident, harshly criticizing Rodriguez's conduct and taking swift corrective action. DiMiceli announced that Rodriguez, a professor of studio art at the public university, had been removed from her duties with immediate effect and that she would not be returning to the institution to continue her teaching career. Related Article:Religious Freedom Under Threat: Recent US Report Identifies China, Iran, India as Major Violators Flickr/Mike Mozart Erik Carnell, an LGBTQ+ designer based in London, made a big professional advancement when he was selected to create a selection of products for the giant store Target as part of their yearly Pride Month collection. Carnell lauded this opportunity as his most significant endeavor to date. Carnell quit his managerial position at Starbucks in 2017 to launch his own LGBTQ+ centered art and fashion company, Abprallen. The high-profile partnership, however, quickly sparked a storm of controversy. Following the introduction of Target's Pride collection, which featured more than 2,000 products, the shop came under fire from anti-LGBTQ+ activists on right-wing video platforms and on social media. Every time major firms openly support the LGBTQ+ community, and there is a pushback. LGBTQ+ Designer's Collaboration with Target Incites Controversy According to the story in the Washington Post, when activists learned that Carnell had been selling goods with Satanic and occult symbols to draw attention to transphobic issues, the uproar became more intense. He sells a variety of pins and medallions, the most well-known of which is a lavender medallion with a goat's head with the words "Satan respects pronouns" engraved on it. The "Homophobe Headrest" pin, which features a guillotine image, is another inflammatory item. As the debate grew, conservative media groups and tabloids began to accuse Target of being a proponent of drugs, violence, and Satanic principles. The coverage was characterized by Fox News headlines like target customers shocked after the company featured pride items by a Satanist partner. Also Read:Churchs Opposition on LGBT Rights Allegedly Influence Banning of Pride Flags Target Pulls Some LGBTQ Merchandise From Store According to the article in PBS NewsHour, mega-retailer Target made the decision this week to take items made by trans designer Erik Carnell out of their Pride Month collection in response to escalating outrage and threats made against its employees. Target never carried any of Carnell's designs with images of Satan. Still, the decision affected other items like a fanny pack with the words "We belong everywhere" and a UFO on it, as well as a tote bag with the phrases "Too queer for here." Target said that it is changing its strategies in response to the uncertain conditions in an announcement made earlier this week. This includes removing products that have been the focus of significant confrontational actions. The ongoing dispute's explosive nature was further highlighted by the company's acknowledgement that it has been the target of threats directed at its personnel. After his goods were removed from Target's Pride collection as a result of negative customer feedback, transgender designer Erik Carnell noticed a spike in demand for his goods. According to Reuters, after Carnell's brand was dropped by Target, there were altercations in the stores and instances of merchandise being thrown away. Carnell was momentarily compelled to cease taking new orders due to the enormous support. It is unknown if Target will replenish Abprallen products. The response mostly targeted non-Target products, such as those featuring pentagrams and horned ram skulls, which are symbols of Satanism. Even though many social media hashtags have claimed otherwise, Carnell has denied being a Satanist. Related Article:LA Dodgers' Alliance with LGBT Activists Sparks Outrage Among Catholic Community Actor Kirk Cameron releases new childrens book teaching humility while others celebrate 'pride' Actor Kirk Cameron will release a new childrens book in June, at the beginning of what LGBT activists call "pride month." The book is designed to teach children lessons on how they can live humble lives and avoid being prideful. In an interview with The Christian Post, Cameron summarized his book, Pride Comes Before The Fall, as an exciting new childrens book that features two main animal characters, an elephant named Kevin and a zebra-like cat creature named Valor. Valor and Kevin are partnered together to compete in a canoeing race against other breeds of animals who formed groups of their own as they seek to reach the finish line. At the start of the story, Valor is upset because he didn't want to be paired with Kevin to compete in the canoeing race. All the other animals had teamed up with one another before Valor could try to partner with another animal besides Kevin. Valor is filled with pride throughout the book because he judges Kevin by viewing himself as far more talented and capable of winning the race without Kevins help. Valor also sees Kevin as not talented enough at canoeing to win any race. Throughout the book, Valor learns that humility is key in life and he humbles himself and works together with Kevin to finish the race. I wrote this book to teach kids the importance of humility, Cameron told The Christian Post. It's so exciting to see the kids react as strongly as they did a couple of weekends ago at the Billy Graham Library. We previewed the book and the kids got so excited because the story has lots of adventure and lots of danger. And the parents loved it because it underscores the importance of humility during a time when children are being taught to celebrate the opposite, which is pride. And pride, we know from experience and we know from the Bible is dangerous. The Bible says that pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall and that its better to have a humble spirit with the lowly than to share plunder with the crowd, he added. Kids deserve to know the truth and they deserve to know whats going to lead to their blessing. Nobody likes a proud person. Everybody loves a humble person. Think of your own life. Do you want a husband who is proud and full of himself? Or do you want someone who is going to put his wife and children before himself and be the servant of all? Thats humility. And thats what my book teaches kids. Cameron insisted that it was no accident that his book is being released on June 1, which is the start of the month recognized by LGBT activists as pride month. In popular culture, the month of June once known as the height of wedding season is now celebrated by corporations as pride month by displaying rainbow colors affiliated with LGBT activism on their social media profiles as well as offering special editions of products that pay homage to LGBT ideology. I think my book couldnt be coming out at a better time for a couple of reasons. No. 1, Im thrilled that this book is out just in time for kids and their summer reading programs. Kids are getting out of school in June. And parents and teachers are making lists for kids to read over the summer to get them off of television and away from their phones and social media, Cameron said. No. 2, this is a book that will teach kids the importance of character, especially humility. And the other reason is, this book is the first of a series of books Im writing on the seven deadly sins and the deadliest of them all is pride, he continued. Its grieving to me and to millions of Americans that we have an entire month that is being devoted to celebrating a very dangerous vice. And I think that its great that children are being attracted to the virtue of humility, not just this month in June but in every month of the year. Cameron described writing this book as a humbling experience for him because he struggled with pride in his past: I think that pride leads us to compare ourselves to other people. And thats not limited to church people. Its often in church where people learn the importance of remembering. So that's why Im so grateful. I had a problem with pride when I was a kid and it was in church that I learned about humility. Christians and people of faith ought to be leading our children and the nation to be known for our humility, not for our pride. Pride causes us to compare ourselves to one another, to try to have these one-up contests to see who can be bigger, who can be better, who can be faster, who can be more famous, and that doesnt lead anywhere, he added. Cameron noted that pride is the worst of all sins, according to Scripture: Pride; when it comes to self-focus, is the worst of all sins. Its the mother sin that gives birth to greed, to lust, to envy, to sloth, to gluttony and all the other things you dont want for your children. What we ought to be doing is humbling ourselves, considering others needs before ourselves and helping each other. And thats what God says in the Bible. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up. Trent Talbot serves as CEO of Brave Publishing Co., the conservative publishing company that published Camerons book. He told CP in an interview that he was pleased to work with Cameron on his new book because he admires the messages and lessons the book will teach children: I struggle with pride. We all struggle with pride and especially children. And it makes that struggle even more difficult when kids see pride being celebrated for an entire month and it can make us and children think that theres nothing wrong with pride. But the Bible clearly states that its not just a sin. Its the most deadly of sins. Its a very important topic that we all need to be reminded of and especially kids, Talbot asserted. Family of pastor killed in his car plead with public to share leads to catch shooter A 33-year-old pastor and former city employee was gunned down near a Boston middle school during the bustling afternoon rush hour. The pastor, identified as Daniel Danny Mayers of Haverhill, was discovered in his vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. The site of the shooting was about half a mile away from St. Marks Episcopal Church, a place deeply significant to the Mayers family as Mayers father, the Rev. Thomas W. O. Mayers, served as rector for close to two decades, The Boston Globe reported, citing a statement from his family. After the shooting near Frederick Middle School on Monday, Mayers was swiftly transported to a local hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead, according to the Boston Police Department. The shooter reportedly fled the scene and is at large. Mayers, known affectionately as Danny, was a beloved son, brother and newly minted uncle, the family said. We are extremely devastated, and this loss is unfathomable as we try to understand the details of this tragedy and find who took the life of someone who impacted so many others in nothing but the most positive ways, they said. A lifelong resident of the neighborhood, Mayers had served as a pastor in Haverhill and devoted over a decade to the Boston Public Schools Welcome Center, Transportation, and Special Education Departments. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox has urged anyone with information about the daylight shooting to step forward or make an anonymous tip. Frederick Middle School responded to the incident by placing students on Safe Mode for about 20 minutes, Boston 25 News reported, adding that parents were later reassured that after-school activities could continue and that students were relocated to another area where their families could collect them. At a press conference, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu praised Mayers as a beloved uncle and son and someone whos active in his church as a pastor, and longtime Boston Public Schools employee and public servant, Boston.com reported. Mayers family recalled that the victim always tried to do everything within his means to assist any colleague, parent, or student he ever came across that reached out to him for assistance, navigating with ease between English and Spanish. They added, As a family, we are all hurting, and the lack of information that would help with the ongoing investigation leaves us with an even deeper sense of loss. If anyone in the public has information that may be helpful in finding the person who committed this heinous and senseless act, we plead with you to please come forward and assist the authorities in helping our family seek justice for Danny. Christian mother of 5 held hostage, beaten by police and Muslim employer in Pakistan LAHORE, Pakistan A Christian housecleaner in Pakistan was beaten and illegally confined for a week by her Muslim employers after she tried to leave her job due to pregnancy, she said. Asma Gulfam, a 28-year-old Catholic maid in the Paka Ghara area of Sialkot District, Punjab Province, said she had worked for Huda Adnan for five years. Gulfam said that in early April she informed Adnan that she was five months pregnant and could not continue working due to a medical condition, but Adnan said she had to remain. On April 18, Adnan accused her of stealing 1 million rupees (US$3,490) that had been left in a bathroom some days prior, Gulfam said. When she denied it, Gulfam said, Adnan dragged her into a room where a police assistant sub-inspector, Ijaz Ahmed, and three other policemen were waiting with Adnans husband, Mian Adnan. As soon as they saw me, the policemen led by Ijaz started hurling abuses and curses at me, Gulfam told Morning Star News. They threatened to tear my clothes if I did not admit to the alleged theft, but when I refused, they pulled my hair and started beating me up mercilessly. During the torture, Ijaz also tried to pull my nails. They ignored her cries that she was innocent, Gulfam said. She began bleeding from the uterus due to the blows to her abdominal area, but the policemen and her employers husband continued hitting her, Gulfam said. I cried and screamed for help, but no one came to rescue me, she told Morning Star News. I have worked in that house for so many years, and not once had the couple accused me of any wrongdoing. I worked very hard and honestly because, for me, this was a good testimony of my Christian faith. The mother of five children including the unborn baby said they held her against her will for eight days and repeatedly beat her. I was held hostage in Hudas house all this time during which I was repeatedly tortured, she said. My assailants rebuked me for being a Christian and said no one could save me from them until I confessed to the false allegation. When her husband, rickshaw driver Gulfam Masih, went to Civil Lines police station to report her missing, officers arrested him, she said. They kept him in illegal confinement for a week and released him on April 26, only after my health worsened, she said. Her husband rushed her to a government hospital, where a medical examination showed that she had been physically abused. My unborn childs life was at serious risk due to internal hemorrhaging, but doctors managed to save it, she said. Asma Gulfam said that as soon as she was able, she went to police, reporting the brutality and illegal confinement to a Sialkot District police officer on May 10. The District Police Officer ordered an investigation, but officers dismissed her complaint without even questioning her, she said. Her attempt to obtain justice angered her former employers, who registered a theft charge against her and her husband on May 17, she said. They initially registered a First Information Report (FIR) against unknown persons, but later named the couple in a supplementary statement, Asma Gulfam said. I can now only appeal to our community leaders and government high-ups to save us and our children from this persecution, she said. Injustice Imran Sahotra of the Maseehi Bedari Tehreek (Christian Awakening Movement) said his group was able to secure interim bails for the couple on May 23. The Muslim family used its influence to discharge Asmas complaint against her torture and then registered a false FIR against the couple to teach them a lesson, Sahotra told Morning Star News. "The case shows how the vulnerable Christian community does not have access to justice in Pakistan. Sahotra said they had also filed a petition seeking legal action against Assistant Sub-Inspector Ahmed. Additional District and Sessions Judge Abdul Jabbar has directed police to submit a response by May 31. The police officer must be punished, because the poor woman could have lost her unborn child or even died herself due to his torture, Sahotra said. Sahotra said that Asma Gulfams ordeal began when she declined to continue working for her Muslim employers because of her pregnancy. Many poor Christians are victimized through false allegations, including blasphemy, if they choose to discontinue working for their Muslim employers, he said. The pattern is quite similar when you examine such cases. The activist appealed to church and community leaders to raise their voices for persecuted Christians. Our people will continue to suffer from persecution unless we unite as a community and raise a collective voice against this oppression and demand justice, he said, adding that the government should also ensure easy access to justice for religious minorities. Costs and lack of resources are the most prominent barriers for religious minorities in accessing justice in Pakistan, according to the Karachi-based Legal Aid Society. Religious minorities were less confident about attaining a fair trial compared to their Muslim counterparts, the legal group stated in its 2021 Legal Needs Assessment Survey. They foremost identified themselves as not affluent and powerful, and therefore not possessing the law to seek protection within its ambit, nor the law taking ownership of them. Consequently, they seldom approach the judicial system to seek justice. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, up from eighth the previous year. Australian Doctor Kenneth Elliott freed 7 years after abduction by Qaeda-linked militants After enduring seven grueling years of captivity in West Africa, 88-year-old Australian Dr. Kenneth Elliott has finally been released, the Australian government announced. He was kidnapped in Burkina Faso by al Qaeda-affiliated jihadists in January 2016. Elliott is now safe and has been happily reunited with his wife, Jocelyn, and their children, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced in a statement. The Australian Government, like the Elliott family, has worked tirelessly toward Dr. Elliotts release, she said. We acknowledge the strength and resilience Dr. Elliott and members of his family have shown through the most difficult of circumstances. The doctor and his wife were abducted together in Islamic Maghreb, however, she was set free just three weeks later, UPI reported. A Perth native, Elliott and his wife were both in their 80s when they we abducted by al Qaeda militants in northern Burkina Faso. The couple had managed a 120-bed clinic in the town of Djibo since 1972, with Elliott serving as the sole surgeon. After Jocelyn was released, an international campaign rallied for Elliotts freedom over the next seven years. This campaign involved his family, the Australian government, and the local community, whom the couple had diligently served for decades. The U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern noted that Elliott was given the nicknames the Doctor of the Poor and Savior of the Sahel for the work he was doing. Following Elliot's abduction, the hospital, which could accommodate 120 patients, had to close. Elliot offered his services free to the population of roughly 2 million, gaining widespread admiration and respect for his work. Expressing their relief at Dr. Elliotts freedom, the family said in a statement, We also continue to pray for those still held captive and wish for their freedom and safe return to their loved ones. They requested time and privacy for Dr. Elliott to recuperate and regain his strength after his lengthy captivity. Burkina Faso is witnessing one of the fastest-growing displacement and protection crises globally due to terrorism and other challenges, the United Nations said in January, when unidentified armed men killed a 67-year-old Catholic priest, Fr. Jacques Yaro Zerbo, in northwestern Burkina Faso. Last June, at least 100 people were reportedly killed by an armed group in Seytanga district in northern Burkina Faso near the Niger border, where al Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated militants are conducting an insurgency. The attack was said to be among the deadliest since the insurgency in Burkina began in 2016, when there had been an increase in Islamic State fighters fleeing from the Middle East to Africa, leading to a sharp rise in extremism across the Sahel and other regions in Africa. In 2021, as many as 160 civilians were killed in an attack in the Yagha province of northeastern Burkina Faso. The rise of extremism in Burkina Faso has led to international concern as both Muslims and Christians continue to bear the brunt of Islamic extremism. Over 1.4 million people have fled their homes in search of safety making the situation in Burkina Faso one of the fastest-growing displacement and protection crises globally, UNHCR said earlier. Longtime megachurch Pastor Michael Catt to enter Hospice care Megachurch Pastor Michael Catt, who helped to produce Christian films "Fireproof" and "Courageous," has chosen not to continue cancer treatments as his health worsens, leaving him with only a few months this side of Heaven. The family of Catt, the retired pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, posted a statement to his Twitter account on Wednesday, explaining that he has been battling prostate cancer over the last five years. In those five years, he has been blessed to have minimal side effects or pain, despite dozens of radiation and chemo treatments," the Catt family stated. However, in recent months, his health has taken a turn for the worse, and he has had several surgeries, hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Recently doctors found a tumor in his brain stem. They do not recommend operating on the tumor. As many of you know, Michael has been courageously battling prostate cancer for the past five years. In those five years, he has been blessed to have minimal side effects or pain, despite dozens of radiation and chemo treatments. ???? Michael Catt (@MichaelCatt) May 24, 2023 The statement informed Catts nearly 20,000 Twitter followers that because of this, we have chosen to forego any future cancer treatments, with the goal now being to make him as comfortable as possible through palliative care for the few months that he has left this side of Heaven. The thread went on to request prayers for his wife, Terri, as well as their children, Erin and Hayley, son-in-law Drew and foster child Paisley. We hope in Heaven, where one day there will be no more suffering, pain, tears or death. Where we will one day worship at the feet of Jesus together," the family continued. "We trust in El Roi, the God who sees us. We look to the Good Shepherd to comfort us & Make His presence known to us in our grief. The Catt family vowed to give updates, while noting that he will not be able to take many calls at this time, as he has lost a lot of his voice as a side effect of treatments. According to the Sherwood Baptist website, Catt became pastor of the church in 1989. He served in that position until April 2021, when he retired after preaching more than 2,000 sermons. In addition to serving as pastor of Sherwood Baptist, Catt played an instrumental role in the development of Sherwood Pictures, which has produced several faith-based films. Michaels goal as the pastor of a church in a rural part of Georgia was to change the world from Albany, Georgia, a biography on the pastors personal website states. "This ministry of Sherwood began with a conversation between Michael and Alex Kendrick on a back lot tour of Disney World. That conversation birthed a very 'out of the box' church outreach." Catt served as the executive producer for Christian movies that include "Facing the Giants," "Fireproof" and "Courageous." He also wrote multiple books: Fireproof Your Life, Prepare for Rain, The Power of Desperation, The Power of Persistence, The Power of Surrender, The Power of Purpose, Courageous Living and Courageous Teens. Catt is not the only prominent Christian public figure to signal an intention to enter Hospice Care in recent months. Earlier this year, the Carter Center announced that former President Jimmy Carter was ceasing medical intervention and entering into the final stage of his life. The 98-year-old former president, a longtime Sunday School teacher who has lived longer than any of his predecessors and successors in the Oval Office, remains in hospice care at his home. Most Americans don't like Christian celebrity culture, megachurches: study While a majority of Americans have a positive view of Jesus, most, including Christians, also have a negative opinion of celebrity Christian culture, celebrity pastors, Evangelicals, megachurches and famous worship bands, a new study from Barna Group shows. And the situation is among a number of drivers inching the nation toward a post-Christian era. The data for the study, conducted online from Dec. 1322, 2022, via a consumer research panel, was based on a survey of 2,005 U.S. adults and teenagers called the Spiritually Open project. Gloo and He Gets Us partnered with Barna for the research. When we asked Americans whether they have a positive or negative opinion of Jesus, seven in 10 (71%) say they view him positively. Of all U.S. teens and adults, 63 percent say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today, Barna researchers said. This is actually most common among millennials, of whom 70 percent say their commitment to Jesus is still important to them. When asked if they have a positive opinion of certain aspects of Christian culture like megachurches, the study shows that just a minority of both Christians and non-Christians approve. Overall, only 16% of U.S. teens and adults have a positive view of megachurches, and among Christians, it doesnt get much better. Only 17% view them positively. For people of other faiths, 21% said they have a positive view of megachurches, while just 9% of people with no faith said the same. For celebrity pastors, only 19% of Christians and people of other faiths had a positive view of those ministers, while just 17% of respondents overall said the same. Famous people or celebrities who are Christian are also not seen positively. Only 26% of respondents overall in the survey and 30% of Christians approve. Twenty-six percent of respondents in the study overall also had a positive view of famous or well-known worship bands. Among Christians, just 30% view these bands positively, along with 29% of people from other faiths and 12% of people who profess no faith at all. Evangelicals are also not well-liked. Only 26% of respondents overall have a positive view of the group. Among Christians, that view increases to 31% but falls to 24% among people of other faiths. While some 56% of Christians in the survey said they had a positive view of Christian pastors or priests, less than half (44%) of the respondents in the study overall reported the same. Only 47% of respondents overall had a positive view of churches in their community, while 58% of Christians did. Majorities of overall respondents viewed Jesus Christ (71%), Christianity (57%), the Bible (63%) and spirituality (65%) favorably. Larger majorities of Christians also expressed positive views regarding Jesus Christ (84%), Christianity (74%), the Bible (78%) and spirituality (75%). On the other hand, Christianity is not viewed positively by people of other faiths, just 36% of whom have warm feelings toward the religion. Beyond Jesus, when it comes to views of other Christian groups or entities, positive opinions wane. People of no faith are neutral or leaning negative and for celebrity, mega or famous representatives of the faith, opinions are decidedly negative, researchers said. The top reason given by people of no faith and other faiths for doubting Christianity is the hypocrisy of religious people, while among Christians it is human suffering. The work of Christians is to embody Jesus full of truth and grace and reflect his image in all they say and do, Barna Group CEO David Kinnaman said in a statement. The data shows they too often fall short. Ron DeSantis tells Christians to 'put on the full Armor of God;' vows to protect families, children Shortly before announcing his presidential campaign Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined his views on faith, family and the education of the countrys children at the National Religious Broadcasters Associations annual media convention. On Monday, DeSantis spoke at NRBs opening session for the event, held at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Florida. NRB is a nonpartisan association that equips Christian communicators to share the Gospel and provides them with training and networking opportunities. According to a statement published by NRB Tuesday, the Republican governor urged those in attendance to Get ready, put on the full Armor of God, stand firm in the truth, and never ever back down. DeSantis spoke on the issue of family during the opening session, drawing attention to his states efforts to emphasize the importance of fatherhood and assist children growing up without a dad,Fox News reported. Last April, the Florida governor signed HB 7065, a bill designed to encourage responsible fatherhood by providing grants to community nonprofits to offer mentorship programs, among other provisions. Were working with groups that are addressing the needs of the father and trying to get them engaged with their kids, DeSantis said, adding that the state is also providing mentorship programs for children whose fathers are in prison. If you have somebody in the community that takes an interest, that child can be so much better in the future, he continued. Regarding education, DeSantis said children need to understand the foundations of our country and need to understand our Constitution and our Bill of Rights and understand what it means to be an American. In April of 2022, DeSantis signed HB 7, a bill that bars educators from teaching critical race theory and the ideas that members of one race, color, national origin, or sex are morally superior to members of another race, color, national origin, or sex or that a person, by virtue of his or her race, color, national origin, or sex is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously. DeSantis provided further details about the types of policies he supports when announcing his intention to seek the Republican nomination for president. As The Christian Post previously reported, the Florida governor revealed his vision for the country in a Twitter space hosted by Twitter CEO Elon Musk and venture capitalist David Sacks Wednesday. In response to a question about whether he was trying to ban books, blocking efforts to teach kids about slavery and telling schools to say that gay people dont exist, DeSantis clarified how his policies are intended to benefit parents. What we have done is empowered parents with the ability to review the curriculum, to know what books are being used in school and then to ensure that those books match state standards and are age and developmentally appropriate, he asserted. The 2024 presidential hopeful cited examples of books that teach middle school kids how to use sex apps, that provide graphic depictions of sex acts and sex toys for people as young as fifth grade. According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls analyzing Republican primary voters preferences among the 2024 Republican presidential nominees taken from April 28 through May 22, DeSantis has 21.3% support while former President Donald Trump remains the frontrunner with 53.9% support. On Wednesday, MSNBCs Steve Kornacki shared a chart on social media showing how DeSantis won re-election as Floridas governor by 19.4 points two years after Trump carried Florida by a 3.3% margin during the 2020 presidential election. The data presented by Kornacki showed that DeSantis outperformed Trump in every county in the state. In his 2020 re-election bid, Trump carried Florida by 3.3 points. In his 2022 re-election bid, DeSantis carried it by 19.4%. Here's how much DeSantis outperformed Trump by in each of FL's counties, ranked from most to least: pic.twitter.com/aKI9eLXh8e Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) May 24, 2023 A separate RealClearPolitics average of polls taken between April 11 and May 22 measuring voter preferences in a hypothetical general election matchup between DeSantis and President Joe Biden shows the former securing 44.1% support and the latter receiving 43.5%. The RealClearPolitics average of polls from the same time period analyzing a potential matchup between Trump and Biden shows Trump at 45.4% and Biden at 44.0%. The U.S. military has revealed it conducted combined intelligence training with South Korea in a southern city last week to enhance readiness, as the allies are striving to sharpen deterrence against persistent North Korean threats. On the Pentagon's Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), the Eighth Army of the U.S. Forces Korea posted a set of photos showing troops engaging in the Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Intelligence Training (RUCIT) in Pohang, 272 kilometers southeast of Seoul, May 17. The Eighth Army's 501st Military Intelligence Brigade and the South Korean Army's 2nd Operational Command mobilized over 250 troops as well as various intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, according to the Army. The goal of the RUCIT was to "strengthen readiness and interoperability by utilizing combined information assets in a simulated battlefield environment," the Army said in a post. The drills involved identifying "enemy" movements with intelligence assets and then reading and analyzing them together, while efforts were made to create a training situation resembling an actual battle, it added. The exercise first began in 2021 to develop the allies' readiness for intelligence operations. Separately, the 7th Air Force disclosed a series of photos on their communication readiness exercise that took place from May 15 to 19. It was aimed at practicing communications resilience across multiple networks in Korea, the unit said. (Yonhap) Can Southern Baptists do the unexpected and break the downward spiral? The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is the largest Protestant family of churches in America, known for its conservative theology and evangelistic zeal. For nearly four decades I served Southern Baptists as a professor of evangelism and seminary president. In 2010, a special task force recommended a series of proposals called the Great Commission Resurgence, intended to ignite a fresh passion to fulfill the Great Commission among Southern Baptists. I chose not to endorse the proposals because I feared they were more focused on funding issues, Convention infrastructure, and a singular methodology, while turning away from the historic role of rich and varied Spirit-led evangelism in SBC congregational life. Press and social media coverage prior to the Conventions annual meeting was almost entirely on the funding proposals. The hour-long discussion of the proposals during the Convention (very long by SBC business standards) also zeroed in on the funding emphasis. Messengers (Convention participants) gave no attention to the state of evangelism, discipleship, or missions in SBC life. Approval of the proposals eventually came. The Great Commission Resurgence proved to be a turning point in the life of the SBC. Alas, it was not the turning point many expected or hoped it would be. Twelve years have passed since the approval and implementation of the Great Commission Resurgence proposals, and Southern Baptists find themselves firmly in the grip of unprecedented decline in nearly every statistical category. Recent SBC annual meetings have been roiled with controversy over issues growing out of progressive Baptist agenda items such as Critical Race Theory, racial equity, and sexual abuse, not concerns about Great Commission progress. Southern Baptists now deploy fewer missionaries at home and abroad. The North American Mission Board (NAMB) has even stopped reporting the number of its missionaries assigned to church planting. This past February, the Conventions Executive Committee, which handles the legal and financial affairs of the SBC, heard auditors report that the current financial position for the distribution of SBC funds is unsustainable. After operating without a permanent CEO for a year, on May 1, 2023, the nominee to fill the position was overwhelmingly rejected by the Committee, a first in SBC history. The survival of the SBC is not in question, but for the first time, its role as a Great Commission pacesetter in the evangelical world shows signs of erosion. What is happening to the Southern Baptist Convention? Here are some snapshots of the SBC from 2011 to 2021. Church membership dropped by 2,297,619 people. Worship attendance dropped by 2,547,586. The average number of baptisms per church dropped from 7.2 baptisms per church to 3.2 baptisms per church. The outcomes of the highly publicized new approach to church planting by the North American Mission Board have been especially stark. From 2000 to 2010 NAMB spent $227,448,246 on church planting resulting in a net increase of 4,139 in the total number of SBC churches. From 2011 to 2021, NAMB spent $667,391,815 on church planting but saw the net total of churches increase by only 1,850 congregations, about 55% less than the previous decade after spending nearly 300% more money. Adding to the bad news, the 2022 SBC statistical report released just days ago indicated another drop of 457,371 members, the largest single-year decline in more than 100 years, and a rare net loss in the total number of SBC churches. Perhaps more concerning is declining participation in the Cooperative Program, the financial lifeline of the SBC. According to a report in the Summer 2021 edition of SBC Life Journal, in 2019 (pre-pandemic) 19,645 SBC churches (40%) did not give to the Cooperative Program, a stunning piece of data published without fanfare. This downward spiral reflects a lack of transparency. Southern Baptists assigned the responsibility to support churches in evangelism and discipleship to the North American Mission Board and Lifeway Christian Resources. The SBC Executive Committee is responsible for the health and distribution of the Cooperative Program. Alarm bells have not been sounded nor major new initiatives launched and sustained by any of these entities to address the SBCs unprecedented decline. Numbers that were positive in the context of a single year were reported in Baptist Press. Negative trendlines revealed when the numbers are examined over the course of a decade were largely ignored. The Convention assumed all was well when the reality was quite different. Two decisions by the North American Mission Board proved to be very costly. Turning away from its historic emphasis on congregational evangelism in order to increase dramatically money and attention for church planting and compassion ministry did not have the expected results. Baptisms continually dropped, and the number of new churches decreased year after year in spite of far higher budgets for church planting. Also, the Great Commission Resurgence recommended ending historic strategic partnership agreements with the state conventions formed by SBC churches. Instead, NAMB used Cooperative Program funds to centralize control over state convention activities and implement its own strategic priorities, replacing the decentralized partnerships reflecting both regional and national priorities that had been in place for decades. This change had a devastating effect, especially on many non-South state conventions. It eroded the national fabric of cooperation that was the superpower of Southern Baptists. The worst statistical decade in SBC history followed these two decisions. The Southern Baptist Convention must face the reality of these challenges. I describe myself as an optimistic pessimist. I know how bad things are, but I choose hope for the future, rather than resignation or despair. Southern Baptists need to understand that they are in truly difficult circumstances, yet believe in a future bright with hope. There is no time to waste, but there is time to change direction and recapture the identity of the SBC as a family of churches that exists to make a coordinated, cooperative effort to reach a lost world for Jesus. Second, the Convention must prioritize clearly the work of Spirit-led evangelism in and through its congregations, telling people, especially children and students, about Jesus, calling all who hear the Gospel to respond to Him in faith, and discipling the ones who believe. Doing this effectively will require a pervasive emphasis on applied discipleship that produces distinctive lives, a way of living that differs from that of lost neighbors. Fruitful evangelism and effective discipleship can then produce a multiplication of churches. Third, the SBC must recognize the necessity of logistical support for its churches. The steady erosion of logistical support for local churches and pastors under the banner of operational efficiency was accelerated by the decision of NAMB to increase centralized control by withdrawing or significantly reducing support for state conventions and associations, especially the smaller conventions outside the South. A top military leader once told me: Amateurs plan strategy. Experts plan logistics. Southern Baptists would do well to heed the wisdom of that comment. The strategic partnerships between NAMB and all the state conventions and associations must be rebuilt if there is to be a fruitful future. Again, cooperation is the SBC superpower. The rosy reports Southern Baptists are accustomed to hearing are not so much inaccurate as they are incomplete. They do not fully portray what data collected over time reveal. Great leaders risk telling the whole story in order to do what is necessary to make victorious endings possible. The SBC must identify its Great Commission problems before they can be resolved. After getting those problems on the table, the Convention must then be willing to earnestly seek the Lords leadership in how to rectify them. The SBC tolerance for change will be tested. To be honest, other denominations spiraling into decline have failed that test. In terms of the Great Commission's progress over the last decade, Southern Baptists have little to celebrate. However, one potential dramatic celebration awaits the Convention. For a denomination this deep into decline to break the downward spiral and learn to grow again is very rare. Can Southern Baptists do the unexpected and allow God to use them to blaze a new trail for the recovery of evangelistic fervor and effectiveness? If so, there will be plenty for Southern Baptists and all evangelical Christians to celebrate with deep rejoicing. Stay tuned to the Southern Baptist story. It is getting very interesting. Among Turkeys alluring tourist offerings, a strong dash of Christian history ANTALYA, Turkey Tesekkur ederim pronounced Teh-sheh-kull-erh Ed-erh-im, is one way to say thank you in Turkey. Should you decide to take a trip here, you might find yourself saying Tesekkur ederim repeatedly in this stunningly beautiful transcontinental country straddling Western Asia and Southeast Europe for just their delicious cuisine and alluring culture alone. American author Fanny Fern is credited with coining the phrase "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach" and the rich and healthy Mediterranean cuisine of Turkey, officially known as the Republic of Turkiye, seems designed to strike at the heart of every palate. Whether its a well-prepared gourmet meal by the sea, chai or coffee brewed at a humble street side cafe, a popular pancake called Gozleme or a sweet pastry called known as a Kunefe, Turkish food is never boring. And while Turkeys popularity for other offerings like hair transplant tourism has been growing among Americans in recent years along with political headlines, a recent visit to the country with an estimated population of almost 86 million, shows there is much more to see and experience here like their food, such as a growing investment in unearthing Christian history. Its an absolutely stunning place, British expatriate Nikki Bullock told The Christian Post inside the historic St. Nicholas Church in Demre last December where the saints desecrated sarcophagus is protected by plexiglass. Turkey, is prominently featured in the Bible, particularly in the book of Acts, where it is called Asia Minor and credited as the place that allowed the flourishing of early Christianity. It is the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, who was born in Tarsus. He is considered by many experts to be the second most important Christian figure after Jesus because about half of the 27 books in the New Testament can be attributed to him. Thanks to Turkeys Ministry of Culture and Tourism, CP traveled with representatives from GoTurkiye, the countrys official travel guide, and got a firsthand look at Christian history and Turkish culture in the old world and the experience made a compelling case for Turkey being added to a must-see place to visit for Christians. For six days beginning Dec. 1, a journey on Turkeys Seven Churches of Revelation tour highlighted remnants of the seven churches of Asia written about by St. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, in the book of Revelation. These churches, which received letters from Jesus, are well-known among Christians to be located in the ancient cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Remnants of churches in these iconic cities, along with other important Christian sites like the tomb and church of St. Philip located on the site of the ancient Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Denizli; the Basilica of St. John, in Selcuk; or the remains of the ancient city of Patara located near the modern small town of Gelemis, in Antalya Province, have all been expertly curated amid both modern and fast developing Turkish cities and towns that are easily accessible via public transportation or private cars on well-kept highways. The remains of the city of Ephesus now sit about 1.8 miles away from present-day Selcuk district. The church there had forsaken its first love. The church of Smyrna, now located in modern-day Izmir, suffered persecution. The remains of Pergamum are now located in a town called Bergama. The church in that city needed to repent. The church in Thyatira, which had a false prophetess, can now be found in the city of Akhisar. The ruins of Sardis, the church that had fallen asleep, are located in Salihli, Manisa. Remains of the church in Philadelphia, which had endured patiently, are located in Alasehir, Manisa, while remnants from Laodicea, the church with lukewarm faith, are still being excavated in Denizli. With the help of tour guide Servet Ugur and tourism official Asli Sener, journalists toured ruins of churches in the ancient cities unearthed by archaeologists over several decades and each site had its own story to tell. In Ephesus, for example, where early Christians faced significant persecution, the narrative of how they survived in a city where the dominant religion was the worship of the goddess Artemis, also known as Diana, was more palpable as we toured the remains of her temple. Comparing the humble remains of a small church next to a pagan temple in wealthy Sardis, which also featured a Jewish temple, to grand church buildings with beautiful mosaics in Laodicea, showed how much the culture of each city impacted the expression of faith in each location. Much of the experience of touring these ancient sites for Christians will simply come from just being present on the ground and understanding how far their faith has traveled and the trials many suffered to keep it. Its also a very surreal experience to explore this history as the Adhan, the Islamic call to public prayer, fills the air several times throughout the day. Even though she is an atheist, Bullock, who has been living on her boat in Turkey for the last four years, told CP last December as she visited the St. Nicholas Church in Demre that she was pleasantly surprised to see members of the Greek Orthodox Church being allowed to publicly celebrate the saint in a country where 99% of the population is Muslim. Its very rare in Turkey that you get somewhere where they allow the Christian faith, Bullock said of Turkey. They (the general public) dont know about this church. If they knew, and it was advertised, a lot more people would have showed up. In Turkey, a wealth of early church remains beckons the Christian traveler ANTALYA, Turkey If you didn't pay attention in history class, chances are, you might not connect modern-day Turkey with Christianity. A recent trip to this secular republic where 99% of the population is Muslim, however, revealed an impressive collection of sites from the early Church that could turn you into a church history buff and give you an even deeper connection to the Gospel. Turkey, officially known as the Republic of Turkiye, is prominently featured in the Bible, particularly in the book of Acts, where it is called Asia Minor and credited as the place that allowed the flourishing of early Christianity. It is the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, who was born in Tarsus. He is considered by many experts to be the second most important Christian figure after Jesus because about half of the 27 books in the New Testament can be attributed to him. Thanks to Turkeys Ministry of Culture and Tourism, The Christian Post traveled with representatives from GoTurkiye, the countrys official travel guide, and got a firsthand look at Christian history and Turkish culture in the old world and the experience made a compelling case for Turkey being added to a must-see place to visit for Christians. View Photos For six days beginning Dec. 1, a journey on Turkeys Seven Churches of Revelation tour highlighted remnants of the seven churches of Asia written about by St. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, in the book of Revelation. These churches, which received letters from Jesus, are well-known among Christians to be located in the ancient cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. On the Lords Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches, St. John recalled in Revelation 1:10-11. To Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. View Photos Remnants of churches in these iconic cities, along with other important Christian sites like the tomb and church of St. Philip located on the site of the ancient Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Denizli; the Basilica of St. John, in Selcuk; or the remains of the ancient city of Patara located near the modern small town of Gelemis, in Antalya Province, where the Apostle Paul also traveled, have all been expertly curated amid both modern and fast developing Turkish cities and towns that are easily accessible via public transportation or private cars on well-kept highways. The remains of the city of Ephesus now sit about 1.8 miles away from present-day Selcuk district. The church there had forsaken its first love. The church of Smyrna, now located in modern-day Izmir, suffered persecution. The remains of Pergamum are now located in a town called Bergama. The church in that city needed to repent. The church in Thyatira, which had a false prophetess, can now be found in the city of Akhisar. The ruins of Sardis, the church that had fallen asleep, are located in Salihli, Manisa. Remains of the church in Philadelphia, which had endured patiently, are located in Alasehir, Manisa, while remnants from Laodicea, the church with lukewarm faith, are still being excavated in Denizli. With the help of tour guide Servet Ugur and tourism official Asli Sener, journalists toured ruins of churches in the ancient cities unearthed by archaeologists over several decades and each site had its own story to tell. View Photos In Ephesus, for example, where early Christians faced significant persecution, the narrative of how they survived in a city where the dominant religion was the worship of the goddess Artemis, also known as Diana, was more palpable as we toured the remains of her temple. Comparing the humble remains of a small church next to a pagan temple in wealthy Sardis, which also featured a Jewish temple, to grand church buildings with beautiful mosaics in Laodicea, showed how much the culture of each city impacted the expression of faith in each location. Much of the experience of touring these ancient sites for Christians will simply come from just being present on the ground and understanding how far their faith has traveled and the trials many suffered to keep it. Its also a very surreal experience to explore this history as the Adhan, the Islamic call to public prayer, fills the air several times throughout the day. With events such as the November bomb explosion in Istanbul, which left six people dead and 81 wounded, or the tensions triggered by the conversion of the famous Hagia Sophia into a mosque again in 2020, many Christians might be wondering if it's safe in Turkey. And are they welcome? For those wondering about the importance of the Hagia Sophia, the sixth century building, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is widely regarded as the foremost example of Byzantine Christian architecture in the world, according to the United Nations. It was a church for more than 900 years until it was converted into a mosque after the Ottomans conquered Istanbul in 1453. It was transformed into a museum in 1934 both as a way to generate income to maintain the building and for political reasons. In July 2020, Turkish authorities transformed it into a mosque again, triggering concerns from UNESCO and other members of the international community. Ugur explained, however, that Turkey is safe for visitors and compared news of bombings in Turkey to news of school shootings in America infrequent but tragic events that tend to dominate the news cycle and have an outsize impact on the countrys reputation. Christians and people of other faiths, Ugur says, are welcome in Turkey, which has some 3,000 functional churches and 700 synagogues. And that is one of the reasons so much effort is being made to excavate ruins across the country and make them accessible to the world. In Turkiye, there is no oppression of each other [when it comes to religion]. Its like the colors of a beautiful mosaic. In Istanbul, I can show you places which we have a church, a synagogue, and a mosque in the same courtyard facing each other, he said. There are two places like that. A church, a synagogue and a mosque next to each other wall to wall. He acknowledged Turkeys history with past wars and religious conflicts but assured Christian travelers who want to explore the journey of the church locally that a new day has dawned. In todays Turkey, there isnt a problem between Christian communities and Muslim communities, Ugur said. While politicians may fight over issues like the Hagia Sophia, he explained, the people of Turkey are focused on other things. We (the general public) dont have problems (like this). Politicians may have problems but the people dont, he said. Turkey is a secular country. For more information on visiting Turkey check out: goturkiye.com A new province for traditionalists in the Church of England? In a previous article for Christian Today I suggested that the Church of England needs a new settlement which would allow conservatives and liberals to each have their own province (or provinces) within which they could either maintain or alter the current doctrine of the Church of England on marriage and sexuality and the disciplines that go with it. This suggestion prompts the obvious question: 'What would such a settlement look like in practice?'. In this article I shall attempt to answer this question by sketching out what a province for conservatives (let's call it the 'Province of Mercia') might look like, drawing on material I produced for the Church of England Evangelical Council's paper, Visibly Different. The formation of the Province The Province of Mercia would be established through a measure passed by General Synod and endorsed by both Houses of Parliament and receiving Royal Assent. This measure would contain a provision that it could not be repealed except with the consent of the province. The province would come into being by means of parishes voting in their PCCs to leave their existing diocese and transfer to a diocese in the new province instead. To give the new province stability, parishes would not be able to return to their previous diocese for a period of ten years. Apart from that requirement, parishes would be free to move from the provinces of Canterbury and York to the new province, or to move back the other way. The organisation of the province Like the existing provinces of Canterbury and York, the new province would consist of parishes, deaneries, archdeaconries and dioceses. The number of dioceses that would initially be formed would obviously depend on how many parishes opted to join the new province, but one possible pattern would be for there to initially be four dioceses, one in the Southwest, one in the South and Southeast, one in the Midlands and East Anglia, and one in the North. Chaplaincies in Europe would come under the diocese for the South and Southeast. Each diocese would initially have one bishop and one of these would be the archbishop of the province. There would be no fixed archiepiscopal diocese and the office of archbishop would subsequently be held by the senior bishop of the province. A parish church in each diocese would be the cathedral. This would contain the bishop's chair and would be used for diocesan services such as the enthronement of the bishop, ordinations, and the renewal of ordination vows on Maundy Thursday. The diocese would be named after the location of the cathedral and the incumbent would carry the title Dean. There would be no cathedral chapter and when not being used for diocesan services the cathedral would act as a normal parish church. The doctrine, law and liturgy of the province The doctrine of the Province of Mercia would be that of the Church of England at the point of its formation, minus any elements that were supportive of same-sex relationships and gender transition. In order to publicly show its alignment with other orthodox Anglican around the world, the province could formally declare its allegiance to the 2008 Jerusalem Declaration and its adherence to the Fundamental Declarations of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches. The law of the province would be that of the Church of England at the point of its formation minus any elements that did not apply to the new province (such as provision for Cathedral chapters) and any elements that were supportive of same-sex relationships and gender transition. The liturgy of the province would be the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, the 1662 Ordinal and Common Worship. Any liturgy that had been introduced into Common Worship to mark same-sex relationships or gender transition would not be permissible. Ministry in the province The forms of ordained and lay ministry current in the Church of England would continue in the new province. Women would therefore be eligible to serve as deacons, priests and bishops. Parishes unable to accept the ministry of women as priests or bishops could request to come under the oversight of a male bishop who shared their convictions. The Patronage system would continue in the new province. The rights of presentation held by bodies such as the Church Pastoral Aid Society and Church Society and by private individuals would remain unchanged. Rights of presentation belonging to a bishop or to the Dean and Chapter of a cathedral would be automatically transferred to the bishop of a parish's new diocese. Candidates for ordained ministry would be selected using Bishops Advisory Panels. These would be organised by the Church of England Ministry Division as at present, but the selectors would be members of the new province. The dioceses would establish a list of approved colleges and courses for ordination training and might also establish their own training courses. Clergy from the other provinces in the Church of England could transfer to serve in the new province subject to them being judged suitable by the bishop of the diocese concerned and subject to their personal life being in accordance with the requirements that clergy should not be involved in a sexual relationship outside (heterosexual) marriage and that gender transition would be a bar to ministry. Because clergy in the province would be ministers of the Church of England they would continue to be eligible to serve as Anglican chaplains in hospitals, schools, prisons and the armed forces. The governance of the province The Province of Mercia would be governed by a Convocation consisting of the bishops and elected members of the clergy and an elected House of Laity. The members of the Convocation and of the House of Laity would be members of the General Synod of the Church of England. They would speak and vote at Synod and the House of Bishops on matters of common concern to the Church of England as a whole. They would not speak on matters pertaining to the Provinces of Canterbury and York unless invited to do so and would not be able to vote on such matters. Legislation passed by the General Synod would only apply to the Province of Mercia if there was specific agreement from the province that it should, with appropriate modifications if necessary This would be similar to the way in which existing measures of the Church of England can be adopted with modifications for the Diocese in Europe, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. The Convocation and the House of Laity would also form the Provincial Synod of the Province of Mercia. This would meet separately from the General Synod to consider matters concerning province. It would have the same law-making powers as the General Synod, but could only create law on matters relating to the province. Each diocese and deanery would have its own synod and there would be Diocesan Boards of Finance and Education. A Diocesan Board of Education would be necessary because church schools belonging to parishes that had become part of one of the new dioceses would be the responsibility of that diocese. Where church schools served both parishes in a new diocese and parishes in one of the old dioceses then there would need to be local arrangements to ensure that there was fair representation from both dioceses in the governance of these schools. This would be similar to the arrangements already in place in ecumenical schools. It would be possible for dioceses of the Province of Mercia to reach agreement with dioceses in the other provinces to provide shared services on matters such as property maintenance, safeguarding, or legal services. The dioceses in the new province would relate to the Church of England Pensions Board and the Church Commissioners in the same way as the dioceses in the provinces of Canterbury and York. Establishment The Province of Mercia would remain part of the established church. Parishioners would therefore continue to have the right to worship and to be baptized, married or buried in or from their parish church in the province in accordance with the law applicable within the province. Bishops in the province would be appointed by the king on the basis of names agreed by a Crown Nominations Commission consisting of representatives from the province. Legislation from the Provincial Synod would need to receive royal assent after having been considered by the Ecclesiastical Committee in Parliament. Ecumenical Relationships The Provincial Synod would decide whether the existing ecumenical relationships of the Church of England would apply on the basis of whether the theology and practice of the other churches involved was compatible with that of the province. Clergy from the Anglican Network in Europe could be granted permission to serve in the new province under the terms of the existing 1967 Overseas and Other Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure. In line with the Pauline principle that we should not say to other members of the body of Christ 'I have no need of you' (1 Corinthians 12:12-26), the creation of new province along the lines sketched out above would mean that the Church of England could stay together, but in a way which respected the conscientious convictions on both sides and would prevent the Church of England fracturing entirely. It would also mean that at least one part of the Church of England would be able to maintain close links with the majority of Anglican churches round the world who would be unwilling to maintain ties with Anglicans in England who decide to accept either same-sex marriage or same-sex relationships in general. Martin Davie is a lay Anglican theologian and Associate Tutor in Doctrine at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Christian celebrity culture, megachurches are a turn-off, poll finds (CP) While a majority of Americans have a positive view of Jesus, most, including Christians, also have a negative opinion of celebrity Christian culture, celebrity pastors, Evangelicals, megachurches and famous worship bands, a new study from Barna Group shows. And the situation is among a number of drivers inching the nation toward a post-Christian era. The data for the study, conducted online from Dec. 1322, 2022, via a consumer research panel, was based on a survey of 2,005 U.S. adults and teenagers called the Spiritually Open project. Gloo and He Gets Us partnered with Barna for the research. "When we asked Americans whether they have a positive or negative opinion of Jesus, seven in 10 (71%) say they view him positively. Of all U.S. teens and adults, 63 percent say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today," Barna researchers said. "This is actually most common among millennials, of whom 70 percent say their commitment to Jesus is still important to them." When asked if they have a "positive" opinion of certain aspects of Christian culture like megachurches, the study shows that just a minority of both Christians and non-Christians approve. Overall, only 16% of U.S. teens and adults have a positive view of megachurches, and among Christians, it doesn't get much better. Only 17% view them positively. For people of other faiths, 21% said they have a positive view of megachurches, while just 9% of people with no faith said the same. For celebrity pastors, only 19% of Christians and people of other faiths had a positive view of those ministers, while just 17% of respondents overall said the same. Famous people or celebrities who are Christian are also not seen positively. Only 26% of respondents overall in the survey and 30% of Christians approve. Twenty-six percent of respondents in the study overall also had a positive view of famous or well-known worship bands. Among Christians, just 30% view these bands positively, along with 29% of people from other faiths and 12% of people who profess no faith at all. Evangelicals are also not well-liked. Only 26% of respondents overall have a positive view of the group. Among Christians, that view increases to 31% but falls to 24% among people of other faiths. While some 56% of Christians in the survey said they had a positive view of Christian pastors or priests, less than half (44%) of the respondents in the study overall reported the same. Only 47% of respondents overall had a positive view of churches in their community, while 58% of Christians did. Majorities of overall respondents viewed Jesus Christ (71%), Christianity (57%), the Bible (63%) and spirituality (65%) favorably. Larger majorities of Christians also expressed positive views regarding Jesus Christ (84%), Christianity (74%), the Bible (78%) and spirituality (75%). On the other hand, Christianity is not viewed positively by people of other faiths, just 36% of whom have warm feelings toward the religion. "Beyond Jesus, when it comes to views of other Christian groups or entities, positive opinions wane. People of no faith are neutral or leaning negative and for celebrity, mega or famous representatives of the faith, opinions are decidedly negative," researchers said. The top reason given by people of no faith and other faiths for doubting Christianity is "the hypocrisy of religious people," while among Christians it is "human suffering." "The work of Christians is to embody Jesus full of truth and grace and reflect his image in all they say and do," Barna Group CEO David Kinnaman said in a statement. "The data shows they too often fall short." The Christian Post Church of Scotland to review position on assisted suicide The Church of Scotland General Assembly has voted to review its position on assisted suicide as Scottish parliamentarians prepare to consider whether to legalise the practice. A majority of commissioners at the General Assembly in Edinburgh voted in support of "exploring more deeply the diverse views held by Kirk members on the controversial subject". The Kirk has traditionally been opposed to assisted suicide. The issue has come to the forefront of national debate because of fresh attempts to change the law. Leading the campaign in Holyrood is Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, whose Member's Bill wants to allow competent terminally ill adults to request assistance to die. The debate in the General Assembly on Wednesday recognised a diversity of opinions on the topic among Kirk members. The countermotion backed by the General Assembly was put forward by Rev Jonathan Fleming and pledges to bring a new report on the issue back to a future meeting. Opponents of assisted suicide in the Kirk include its outgoing General Assembly Moderator, the Rt Rev Iain Greenshields. He joined other faith leaders in addressing MSPs in the Scottish Parliament last week, urging them to protect the most vulnerable by preserving the current law. Rev Greenshields said: "Our opposition to assisted dying is based on our Christian faith, and involves concerns around the principle of assisted dying, around the application of the law in practice, the perception of the value of human lives, and also the effect which any change is likely to have on the provision of care - in particular, on palliative care." Clergy cuts and the bishops' platform in Parliament Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is determined to continue opposing the government's Illegal Migration Bill but for how much longer will Anglican bishops be allowed a platform in Parliament? MPs' disillusion with the Church of England's leadership, it seems, is being fuelled not so much by political disagreements but by the creation of mega-parishes depriving local communities of their vicars. The Save the Parish network has posted on its website a recent BBC Politics South West broadcast in which two regular church-going MPs, one Conservative and one Labour, were fiercely critical of the CofE hierarchy, particularly in Cornwall's Truro diocese where the cost-cutting strategy of amalgamating parishes is being rolled out. Filmed playing the organ in a parish church and then in the lobby of the House of Commons, Chris Loder, Conservative MP for Dorset West, said: "One of the things I've valued so much in my life is being able to know who the parish priest is and to be able to have a relationship with them and that's very, very important. That's something that is becoming more and more difficult I think, particularly in the diocese of Truro." He then called on the CofE bishops in the House of Lords to put their own house in order before presuming to "pontificate" about political issues: "I know that when people see here in the Houses of Parliament bishops having very strong opinions you could say pontificating on legislation here in Parliament rather than focussing on the health and well-being of the Church of which they are leaders, it understandably is causing great concern." Labour MP for Exeter Ben Bradshaw joined Loder in criticising frontline clergy cuts. He said: "The Church of England is an extremely rich institution. It is one of our country's major land owners. There are certain dioceses, and Truro is one of these, where there are real concerns that there's money in the pot that's not being used to support and appoint clergy. "Parishes are losing their clergy or getting these huge mega-parishes which are unmanageable and people, particularly in rural areas, are not being served." Controversy is now raging over the formation of mega-parishes, called Minster Communities, in Leicester diocese after the first one was launched on April 30. The Launde Minster Community brings together 35 churches in 24 parishes under one "Oversight Minister", Canon Jonathan Dowman. In a letter to the Church Times on May 26, Leicester's diocesan secretary, Jonathan Kerry, responded to an article by Canon Angela Tilby which was critical of the scheme. He wrote: "It is incorrect to state that minster communities are an attempt to merge or abolish parishes. Rather, they seek to put them on a footing that is sustainable for mission and ministry in the 21st century and is financially self-sustaining." But in her letter to the paper Save the Parish campaigner Canon Professor Alison Milbank said the large minster communities in Leicester "might more properly be described as 'monster' communities". "How can any proper cure of souls be exercised in such a unit?" she asked. There are 26 bishops in the House of Lords, called Lords Spiritual, including the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. The CofE has that platform because it is the national Church by law established in England. It is certainly true that regular church-going MPs like Bradshaw and Loder are in a minority in the House of Commons and therefore most MPs do not at present share their strong views about clergy cuts. But once MPs register disquiet from their constituents about mega-parishes, more of them could start piping up. Furthermore, if the General Election in 2024 produces a Labour-SNP coalition government, that regime would be more favourable to calls to disestablish the CofE than the present Conservative government. Under that political scenario and with growing outrage among MPs about frontline clergy cuts, the bishops might find that being reliably Left-wing does not suffice to save them. Julian Mann is a former Church of England vicar, now an evangelical journalist based in Lancashire. Three Aegis-equipped destroyers Korea's Yulgok Yi I, front, the Benfold, center, of the U.S. Navy and the JS Atago of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sail in waters off Korea's east coast in this April 17 photo released by the Navy. Yonhap U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs Bonnie Jenkins will travel to Korea next week to take part in an international meeting on anti-proliferation efforts, the State Department said Friday. Jenkins will visit Korea from Monday through Friday, leading the U.S. delegation to the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) High-Level Political Meeting (HLPM), according to the department. "At the HLPM, Under Secretary Jenkins will deliver the U.S. National Statement, hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from participating states, and attend a multilateral maritime interdiction exercise that demonstrates regional counterproliferation capabilities at sea," it said in a press release. The PSI is a global initiative launched in 2003 that aims to interdict transfers of weapons of mass destruction to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern. Seoul earlier said the high-level meeting of the PSI will be held Tuesday on the southern resort island of Jeju, attended by officials from some 70 countries. At the meeting, Jenkins will reaffirm U.S. commitment to "strengthen and expand the PSI," the department said. "The under-secretary will also attend bilateral meetings with ROK counterparts in Seoul," it added, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. (Yonhap) IRCC inventory stands at 2 million applications Edana Robitaille Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Data from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that the backlog of applications in inventory, across all lines of business, is now just slightly over 800,000. The numbers are current as of April 30. There are 2,006,000 million applications in inventory in total. IRCC defines its inventory as applications that have not been finalized. The department says it finalized more than 5.2 million applications in 2022, double the number it finalized in 2021. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration The latest inventory data does not reflect the full period of the recent labour disruption caused by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) strike that lasted 12 days between April 19 and May 1, 2023. During the final week of the strike, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told reporters that there were approximately 100,000 applications not processed throughout the strike that otherwise would have been but said that it would not take long for IRCC to get back on track and process any resulting backlog. Service standards IRCC strives to process 80% of applications received, from all lines of business, within service standards. Service standards are the expected timeline or goal that IRCC sets for itself in terms of how long it should take for the department to process an application. The service standard is different from the actual amount of time that IRCC takes to process applications. An application is considered in backlog if it does not meet the service standard for the type of application. Service standards vary depending on the type of application. For example, applications submitted through an Express Entry program have a standard of six months, family class sponsorship applications are 12 months and temporary residence applications can range from 60-120 days depending on if it is a work or study permit. Permanent residence The April 30 data shows that there were 632,000 applications in inventory for permanent residence. Of these, 51% or 322,000 were considered backlog, or not meeting service standards. The data further breaks it down and shows IRCCs projected backlogs vs. actual backlogs for the different types of applications. The total backlog of applications for Federal High Skilled Workers (Express Entry) stands at 17%, which exceeds IRCCs goal of processing 80% of applications within service standards. The backlog for Express Entry applications for Provincial Nominee Program candidates is still higher than the targeted 20% and as of April, 28% of applications were not processed within service standards. Applications for spouses, and partners and children of permanent residence candidates sat at 23% backlog. Citizenship IRCC reports that of the 294,000 citizenship applications in inventory, 221,000, or 75%, have been processed within service standards. August 2022 data shows that 30% of citizenship applications did not meet service standards and as of April 2023, IRCC has been gradually closing the gap to the current 25% not meeting the service standard. Temporary residence The backlog of temporary residence applications stands at 414,000 applications, or 38%, of the 1,080,000 applications in inventory. The data shows that 50% of temporary resident (visitor) visas are not being processed within the targeted service standard. Minister Fraser has said that this is one area that was impacted by the strike and that it could take longer than the department anticipated to process all visitor visas. The number of study permits processed exceeded the service standard with 82% of applications finalized in time. Work permits dropped below 20% in March, but they climbed back to 22% not meeting the standard in April. It is usual for there to be a higher number of temporary residence visas in the spring and summer months. Visitors to Canada from abroad increase with the warmer weather and international students are submitting their applications before starting their programs in the coming autumn. There is also typically an uptick in the number of seasonal workers in Canada at this time of year who require work permits. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Ven. Jinwoo of the Jogye Order, the nation's largest Buddhist sect, speaks during a ceremony celebrating Buddha's birthday at Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul, May 27. Yonhap Temples across Korea held ceremonies celebrating Buddha's birthday Saturday without social distancing measures for the first time in four years. The Jogye Order, the nation's largest Buddhist sect, began a large-scale ceremony at Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul hosted by Ven. Jinwoo at 10 a.m. With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, the event brought together about 10,000 participants, including President Yoon Suk Yeol, political party leaders, the sect's senior officials, leaders of other religious groups, foreigners and people from various circles. During the ceremony, Yoon said values the government strives for, such as respecting human rights, protecting the vulnerable, and world peace, are derived from Buddha's teachings. "The government will take care of those in need more warmly, and will do its best so that hope can spread to every corner of the people's lives, and help others around the world to find peace," he said in a speech. Other sects also hosted traditional Buddhist rituals at their major temples. Last Saturday, about 50,000 people attended the annual lantern parade held at full-scale in central Seoul to celebrate Buddha's Birthday. Also known as "Yeondeunghoe" in Korean, the annual festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List in 2020. (Yonhap) A woman prays under colorful lanterns at a temple on Mount Palgong in North Gyeongsang Province, May 26, the eve of Buddha's birthday. Yonhap President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, participates in a ceremony celebrating Buddha's birthday at Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul, May 27. Yonhap BROOK PARK, Ohio -- A Parma man, 35, was arrested at about 11:30 a.m. May 7 after he threatened to physically harm a worker at Travelodge by Wyndham, 14043 Brookpark Road. The man told police he was angry because Travelodge workers had refused to refund his deposit, due to his smoking inside a nonsmoking hotel room. He admitted calling one worker names, but denied threatening anyone. Police noticed that the man was wearing an ankle monitor. He said he was on probation through Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. BROOK PARK, Ohio -- A Cleveland woman was arrested at about 8:30 p.m. May 16 after police saw her try to urinate on the John J. Walsh Safety Town for children at the northeast corner of Holland and Engle roads. Police saw the woman, who was 30 at the time of the incident, stop her Chevrolet Equinox in a parking lot near the Brook Park Library on Engle. She stepped out of her car and walked toward Safety Town. The woman stopped at one of the Safety Town miniature buildings and pulled down her black romper. She then realized that police were watching and ran back to her car. AMHERST, Ohio - The Amherst Police Department announced the citys Memorial Day Parade will be rerouted due to a single-vehicle crash into a building housing Barra Restaurant on Park Avenue. At 4:21 a.m. on Saturday morning, a 2017 Volkswagon Tiguan occupied by an 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl crashed into the Barra Restaurant at 105 Park Ave., according to a statement released by Amherst police. The occupants were transported to Mercy Health Hospital in Lorain with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say impairment is not believed to be a factor in the crash. No charges have been filed but the accident remains under investigation. In a Facebook post, Barra Restaurant said it would be closed until further notice. We hope to see you soon, Barrachachos, the post said. Amherst Police also announced the new route for the citys annual Memorial Day Parade: - Start at High School on Washing St. southbound to Forest Street. - Right turn westbound to Park Avenue - Left turn southbound on Church Street - Left turn eastbound on Tenney Avenue -Parade will conclude in the green space at the northeast corner of Church St. and Tenney Ave. All ball teams participating in the parade will conclude and exit the parade east on Tenney Ave. The rerouted parade will also necessitate a change in parking. Parking will be permitted on Park Ave. west of Church Street and parking will be restricted in the city lots between Park Avenue and Tenney Avenue. CLEVELAND, Ohio - The holiday weekend began tragically Friday with the shooting deaths of two peoplein separate incidents in Cleveland, police say. One shooting took place in the Lake Shore Boulevard and Villa Beach Drive area, where a 15-year-old boy died after being shot multiple times in the head. Also injured in the incident was a 16-year-old boy who was shot in the hip. No update on the boys condition was given by police. Another male, 24 years old, was fatally shot in the head and chest on the 12408 block of Union Ave and died on the scene, police said. Neither victim has been identified and police are investigating both shootings as homicides. A mobile image of Naver Webtoon's Toon Filter, an artificial intelligence image generator, released May 12 / Courtesy of Naver Webtoon By Lee Hae-rin With the ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) within the realm of the creative industry, there is an increasing demand to establish guidelines for its use and to safeguard the intellectual property rights of artists. Earlier this month, Naver Webtoon, a digital comics platform by Korea's largest portal Naver, introduced Toon Filter, its AI image generator. This tool converts a photo into the drawing styles of 10 popular artists who publish their works on Naver Webtoon, such as Lee Dong-geon of "Yumi's Cells," 232 of "Love Revolution," Park Tae-jun of "Lookism" and Oh Sung-dae of "Tales of the Unusual." Aimed to give users the feeling of having their portraits drawn by their favorite artists, the Toon Filter became an instant sensation, generating over 20 million images within a week after its release and nearly quintupling the number of new users on the platform. Over 80 percent of the users were overseas fans of Korean webcomics from 30 countries, noticeably from Indonesia, Russia, The Philippines, Malaysia, and France among others. In response, the company announced plans to launch an English version of Toon Filter for global fans as soon as possible. Despite its popularity, the Toon Filter has also triggered criticisms regarding the protection of artist's copyrights. Critics and domestic fans who believe that Naver Webtoon, which has been instrumental in the growth of the webcomic industry, is potentially undermining it. One online user wrote, "Naver Webtoon is now destroying what it helped to build." Another user commented that instead of creating AI to mimic artists' styles, "Naver should be protecting (the copyrights of) the artists' drawing styles." However, the company is "leading the way in assisting artists with technology and protecting the creative ecosystem," its official said, explaining that all 10 artists who provided their drawing styles for Toon Filter agreed to the service's intent and the company would have never proceeded without the artists' consent. Four variations of the same photo, each transformed into a different drawing style using Naver Webtoon's Toon Filter / Screenshot from Naver Webtoon application Realtor.com found the U.S. towns where buyers can find the most affordable homes near the water. Whether you're looking to purchase your first home or to invest in a rental property it is important to consider where you'll be able to get the most for your money. In May, Realtor.com ranked the U.S. towns where buyers will find the most affordable homes near the water. And while places such as the Hamptons and Malibu aren't on the list, the beach towns that did rank range from small communities to big cities. To rank each town, Realtor.com aggregated its listing data for every home put on the market in the past year within a one-mile radius of a beach, pulled out the most affordable based on price per square foot, and listed the locations with at least 50 properties. Gulfport, Mississippi, ranked as the cheapest town in which to buy a beach house, according to Realtor.com. Dszc | Istock | Getty Images Top 10 cheapest places in the U.S. to buy a beach house Gulfport, Miss. Newport News, Va. New London, Conn. Grand Isle, La. Corpus Christi, Texas Atlantic City, N.J. Navarre, Fla. North Beach, Md. Crescent City, Calif. Shirley, N.Y. Gulfport, Mississippi, is the most affordable town in which to buy a beach house. It is located about halfway between Mississippi's borders with Louisiana and Alabama and has 26 miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico. The median sale price of a home within a mile of a beach is $224,900, with the median price per square foot within one mile of a beach at $144, according to Realtor.com. Gulfport offers residents a nice blend of a small-town community and city life. It has become a tourism hub thanks to its fishing tours and boat charters, as well as the fact that it neighbors the casino town of Biloxi. Newport News, Virginia, is home to beaches on the James River. Sherryvsmith_images | Istock | Getty Images Newport News, Virginia, ranked second on the list. The city is located on the southern tip of the Virginia peninsula and is about 25 miles from historic Jamestown. The Virginia city is home to beaches on the James River. If you're willing to drive for oceanfront options, Newport News is also about 40 miles from Virginia Beach, the best in the state, according to Realtor.com. In Newport News, the median price within one mile of a beach is $200,000 and the median price per square foot within one mile of a beach is $150. The third place on the list is New London, Connecticut. It has one of the best public beaches in the state, Ocean Beach Park, which sits on the Long Island Sound. The median price within one mile of a beach is $257,000 in New London, while the median price per square foot within one mile of a beach is $175. New London, Connecticut, is a seaport town and has one of the best public beaches in the state, Ocean Beach Park. Denistangneyjr | Istock | Getty Images The National Bureau of Statistics of China reports retail sales have been increasing since last November. "We're seeing the incremental rebound from the Chinese consumer," the firm's chief investment officer told " ETF Edge " this week. "[But] it's not like turning on a light switch." China's pandemic-battered economy is starting to see consumers open their wallets wider, according to KraneShares' Brendan Ahern. Ahern, who's involved with the firm's China-focused ETFs, expects quarterly earnings for Chinese companies to improve with each consecutive quarter a forecast that may already be unfolding. Tech giants Baidu and Tencent beat revenue expectations for the fiscal first quarter of 2023. Alibaba , on the other hand, missed revenue estimates. "We're actually hearing that for many of the companies in the management calls, they're speaking to how Q2 already is outpacing Q1, which outpaced Q4 of last year," Ahern said. China's reopening is also anticipated to have a positive impact on the airline industry. Singapore Airlines , Japan's All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines all noted demand from China as a factor in future earnings while reporting net profits earlier this month for the financial year ended March 2023. GraniteShares' Will Rhind sees a similar growth trajectory. "Domestic travel [is] rebounding but we've yet to see that from the international sector," the ETF provider's CEO said. "It will come, but maybe just not yet." Rhind told CNBC in a special interview later in the week that international travel from China could start to rebound this summer following a sluggish start. His forecast comes as a government-backed epidemiologist said the country's new Covid wave could infect 65 million a week by the end of next month. Rhind believes the recent Covid surge won't affect the reopening's trajectory, adding past lockdowns seen across China are "very, very much unlikely to be repeated." Mastercard is one of the world's most recognizable brands today. It is the second largest card network in the U.S., accounting for more than a quarter of all purchase volume using a payment card, according to Nilson Report. As the world transitions to a more cashless society, Mastercard's value has continued to soar. The company in May 2023 had a market cap of over $360 billion , and its shares have seen a nearly 100% gain over the past five years. "Post-financial crisis, pre-pandemic, Mastercard grew earnings at a 10-year CAGR [compound annual growth rate] of 20%," according to Lisa Ellis, a senior research analyst at MoffettNathanson, LLC. "For context, earnings growth of the S&P, market overall is like in the high single digits." While Visa outpaces Mastercard in terms of cards in circulation, net revenue and market share based on purchase transactions, Mastercard's stock has outperformed Visa's over the past 5 years. "It has faster top-line growth and it has that acquisitive nature that gives it a premium," said Dominick Gabriele, senior analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. "People do believe one day it could get to that same margin that Visa has and they're also taking some partners away." One edge that Mastercard has over Visa is its position in the international market. "Visa did not use to own Visa Europe. It was branded Visa, but it was still a separate entity," said Ellis. "Back in 2016, 2017, Visa was able to buy Visa Europe, and they have gone through a huge effort to modernize Visa's operations in Europe. But in the meantime, Mastercard has taken advantage of that sort of disruption to outgrow Visa significantly in Europe." "That's obviously a really big cross-border hub as well," explained Gabriele. "So, it's kind of a double benefit to revenue when you have more market share in Europe in particular." Visa did not respond to CNBC's request for comment in time for publication. Watch the video above to see how Mastercard is competing favorably against the No. 1 card company Visa. Mark Cuban is still frustrated with Elon Musk's changes to Twitter. This time, he's accusing Musk of rigging the platform to promote his own tweets and points of view. Last week, Cuban wrote he did his own deep dive into how Twitter determines who sees what posts. At the core of the issue, Cuban said, is that the site's algorithm highly ranks tweets that your followers interact with. That metric is a good way to see popular posts. But it's very convenient for Musk, who as Cuban points out, is the most followed person on Twitter. "The largest Twitter account has the greatest reach," Cuban wrote. "So who @elonmusk engages with on Twitter has an ENORMOUS impact on what an indeterminable number of people see in their For You Timelines." Those algorithms are more influential than before because of Twitter's new "For You" timeline, Cuban said. Formerly, the platform allowed users to choose how often they saw tweets from people they didn't follow. Now, when users open the site, they automatically see a "For You" timeline, which is comprised of "50% in network and 50% out of network" posts, according to Twitter. There's still a feed that only shows tweets from accounts you personally follow, but now it's one window over. By Cuban's logic, the added click necessary to take users there will keep most of them on the "For You" timeline. That will make the most followed Twitter accounts, like Musk's, more influential. In this article MSFT Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Brittany Matter's home desk features the mouse, keyboard and number pad that come in the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop set, which has been discontinued. She sticks the keyboard in a backpack when she travels, because she likes to be comfortable when she works. Brittany Matter When Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a memo in January that there would be "changes to our hardware portfolio," the news had troubling significance for people like Brittany Matter. A freelance writer in Olympia, Washington, Matter is a devotee of Microsoft's ergonomic keyboard, the first variation of which the company started selling almost 30 years ago. She even brought along her keyboard and mouse when she traveled to Hawaii for a few days earlier this month. Nadella's pronouncement meant the end for her beloved accessory. "Have you ever experienced fainting symptoms?" Matter said in an interview. "It's this pain that crawls up the back of your neck. It prevents you from moving your neck left and right, and then your mobility is completely diminished. That's the pain that I've experienced when my mouse and keyboard are not ergonomic." Keyboards have never been a huge business for Microsoft, which became a household name due to its ubiquitous PC software and then made a massive entrance into gaming with the Xbox. Now, much of Microsoft's business comes from use of its cloud services by businesses, schools and government agencies. But since entering the keyboard business in 1994 four years earlier than current market leader Logitech Microsoft has attracted legions of fans to its ergonomic offerings. While the company will continue producing keyboards, it's sunsetting the more well-known ergonomic products as part of a broader effort to prioritize growing categories. Beige in color, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard split the letter keys into two clusters so that the typist's left hand would be slightly slanted right, and vice versa. It featured Windows keys on either side of the space bar. "It was actually pleasant to use," said Jeff Atwood, a co-founder of the programming question-and-answer site Stack Overflow. "It looked cool. You could see they were trying to do something. It wasn't just aesthetics. It had a purpose." Matter discovered ergonomic keyboards roughly a decade ago, when she worked for Zulily. The e-commerce company gave her an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, which reduced her wrist pain. After that, she went the Apple route and used the built-in keyboard on her laptop. Then, four years ago, she found herself in a freelance role with Marvel, which wasn't giving her equipment. "I needed something that was $100 or less," Matter said. Wirecutter, the New York Times' product-review website, recommended a keyboard from Microsoft. She went to Best Buy and bought the Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop, containing a mouse, a keyboard and a separate number pad that she could place beside the keyboard. Within a year, two of the keycaps popped off. "I kept putting them on and kind of dealing with it," she said. "But then I remembered, I have this warranty." Matter returned to Best Buy, which gave her a replacement. The new set has held up ever since. And now when she travels, Matter stows the keyboard in her Chrome Industries backpack. "It's kind of tall, and so it fits right in there," she said. Keyboard for mother and son When the Microsoft Natural Keyboard appeared on the market, it caught the attention of Matt Steinhoff, who was working as a systems administrator at a newspaper in Florida. People in the news business had become concerned that certain keyboards could leave them with repetitive stress injuries. Microsoft's keyboard looked strange to Steinhoff, but he bought one anyway after finding a coupon for it. "It was a learning curve," Steinhoff said. "I got a lot of weird looks. But once I got used to it, it just felt comfortable. Logically, it made perfect sense that the wrists were in a better position." Steinhoff became an evangelist for the product. He switched newspapers in 1998 and bought the newer model, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. His mother, a retired librarian in West Palm Beach, Florida, got one, too. Lila Steinhoff, a retired bookkeeper, still uses the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite, released in 1998. Matt Steinhoff Still, the Natural Keyboard Elite was not a universally loved product. The arrow keys were arranged in a diamond shape. Microsoft designed them that way because some people complained that the predecessor keyboard took up too much desk space, said Hugh McLoone, who was a senior user experience researcher at the company. However, the updated layout made it "impossible to game or get around a spreadsheet," Steinhoff said. "They're just not in the right position." To the critics of the diamond arrow cluster, McLoone had these words: "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." By 2005, Steinhoff had started at a new job. He got Microsoft's Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, which had returned the arrow keys to a more traditional inverted T orientation. McLoone had labored over the design of the 4000 model for seven years. The new keyboard had a taller bump in the middle, and certain keys were set inward and upward so users wouldn't have to reach their fingers as far. It wasn't only meant to be comfortable. McLoone also cared about performance and appeal. A study had shown that 22 out of 23 people preferred the geometry of the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 over the older Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. It became the best-selling aftermarket wired keyboard in the U.S., according to Circana data. Software developer Marco Arment recommended it. Paul Graham, a co-founder of Silicon Valley startup accelerator Y Combinator, was photographed using it. "I'm ecstatic!" Atwood wrote on his Coding Horror blog after buying one. Steinhoff used his for 11 years. A replacement lasted another six years. In 2022, he bought a Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard for his house in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and another one for when he was working at a client's office. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards From top to bottom, Matt Steinhoff's home collection includes the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard he uses every day, a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000 keyboard someone gave him and his old Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, which he keeps around as a backup. Matt Steinhoff None of the models have been perfect for Steinhoff, but he appreciates their affordability. And relying on them for all these years might have been a kind of preventive measure. His brother recently had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. "I've certainly put if off by having an ergonomic keyboard," he said. As for his mother's keyboard, Steinhoff''s family knows not to touch it even when they update her computer every 10 years or so. "I really, really, really like my keyboard," she wrote in an email to her son. "No, you can't have it." Plenty of software developers at Microsoft like them too, Edie Adams, a director of ergonomics at the company, said in a 2022 interview. "I think that's because people are used to it," she said. A changing market Atwood said he understands why Microsoft chose to step back from the market after so many years. For one, keyboards have exploded in popularity, and people post social media videos of themselves assembling them. In the 1990s, the average person who bought a PC just used the keyboard that came in the box. On Atwood's desk at his home in Berkeley, California, sits an iridescent keyboard someone built for him. "The industry is mature, and they have other things they want to focus on," said Atwood, who announced in 2013 that he had collaborated with WASD Keyboards on a stripped-down mechanical keyboard called the Code. "They really deserve a lot of credit for hardware stuff. It was unappreciated, in my opinion. They really moved things forward." A Microsoft spokesperson told CNBC in an email that the company is "focusing on its Windows PC accessories portfolio under the Surface brand." McLoone owns a Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5050, whose keyboard utilizes the curvy design he pioneered before leaving Microsoft in 2009. The keys are set up to encourage good posture, with larger keys in the middle. Microsoft's contemporary Sculpt Comfort Desktop kit includes a keyboard that employs a similar style. The keyboard is out of stock on Microsoft's website, although it remains available on Amazon. One person in Japan bought 10 on Amazon after hearing the news that Microsoft would stop making the product. What does McLoone suggest? "I don't know. Buy the next best thing. Stockpile them," said McLoone, who now works as a senior manager of user experience research at T-Mobile. Other versions of Microsoft's older keyboards are likewise out of stock but still can be found elsewhere online for the time being. Microsoft is still selling the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard, which came out in 2016. While it's out of stock on the company's website, it "remains part of our Surface-branded PC Accessories lineup," the company spokesperson said. The model costs $129.99 on Amazon, twice the price of the discontinued Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard. Other companies, including Logitech, still make ergonomic keyboards. But that's of little consolation to people like Matter. "I am so devastated," Matter wrote in an email. "I'll have to buy another set as a backup before they stop selling them." WATCH: Elon Musk says he's worried about Microsoft's control over OpenAI Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stepped down as leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) at a party congress on Saturday, saying a new approach was needed to unite the country, but said he would remain head of state. The move came a day after tens of thousands of people from across Serbia and from neighboring Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia rallied in the center of Belgrade in a show of support for Vucic following big anti-government protests over two mass shootings that killed 18 people earlier this month. Another anti-government protest is scheduled for later on Saturday. Leaders of the SNS accepted Vucic's resignation offer at the party congress in Kragujevac, central Serbia, and appointed defense minister Milos Vucevic to replace him, as Vucic had proposed. Vucic told the congress he believes "a slightly different approach is needed to unite a greater number of those who want to fight for the victory of patriotic Serbia ... a successful Serbia that will focus on its citizens, for a country that will not look for reasons for division, but for unification and togetherness." Opposition parties and rights watchdogs have long accused Vucic and the SNS of autocracy, stifling media freedoms, violence against political opponents, corruption and ties with organized crime. Vucic and his allies deny the accusations. Ukrainian serviceman operates a reconnaissance unmanned aerial device over the outskirts of Bakhmut town, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near a frontline Donetsk region, Ukraine May 25, 2023. Ukraine struck oil pipeline installations deep inside Russia on Saturday with a series of drone attacks including on a station serving the vast Druzhba oil pipeline that sends Western Siberian crude to Europe, according to Russian media. Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia have been growing in intensity in recent weeks, and the New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence believes Ukraine was behind a drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month. Ukraine has not publicly acknowledged launching attacks against targets inside Russia. The Ukrainian defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. In the Tver region, which lies just northwest of Moscow, two drones attacked a station that serves the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, one of the world's largest oil pipelines, the Kommersant newspaper said. The Tver local council said that a drone had crashed near the village of Erokhino, around 500 km (310 miles) from the border with Ukraine. The Telegram channel Baza, which has good sources among Russia's security services, said the drones attacked a station serving the Druzhba pipeline. Druzhba, built by the Soviet Union, has capacity to pump more than 2 million barrels per day (bpd) but has been severely under-utilized after Europe sought to reduce its dependency on Russian energy after President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine last year. Russia's oil pipeline operator Transneft said earlier this month that a filling point on Druzhba in a Russian region bordering Ukraine had been attacked. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27) Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to remind banks to accept the national ID as sufficient proof of identity as provided under the Philippine Identification System Act. The senator made the call following complaints that some banks disallow the use of the national ID in transactions because there is no owners signature on the card. "This is not the intention of the law. The national ID system is meant to simplify public and private transactions. The BSP should immediately look into this issue and ensure that all financial institutions, especially Landbank and Development Bank of the Philippines, adhere to the law," Gatchalian said in a statement. Under the law, banks that will refuse to recognize the national ID as a valid proof of identity must be fined 500,000, he added. Moreover, BSP's Memorandum No. M-2021-057 stated that the the non-inclusion of signatures was deliberate and aligns with other national ID systems such as India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, among others. Gatchalian also noted that the memo allows both offline and online authentication of the ID owner's identity. Banks normally require two or more IDs, among other documentary requirements, to open a bank account. Those with only one valid ID, who usually come from the low-income sector, are rejected. "There shouldn't be a need for another valid ID if the individual concerned only has the national ID," Gatchalian said. He also encouraged the public to report to the BSP banks that refuse to accept the validity of national IDs in their transactions. Over 50 million national IDs have been issued as of March this year, the Philippine Statistics Authority said. Up to 7,000 national IDs set for delivery in the City of Manila were burned during the Manila Central Post Office fire. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27) A dynamic support vessel (DSV) chartered to siphon the remaining oil from the sunken MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro has arrived in the Philippines from Singapore, the Presidential Communications Office said Saturday. According to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, the DSV Fire Opal will set sail from Subic to Batangas on the night of May 28. From there, it will proceed to the affected waters and begin its siphoning operations on May 29. The oil extraction is expected to be completed within 20 to 30 days, or by late June, if weather conditions permit, Abu added. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in March that he wanted the oil spill to be cleaned up in less than four months. READ: Marcos wants oil spill cleanup finished in under 4 months The MT Princess Empress ran aground off the coast of Pola, Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28. It was carrying 900,000 liters of industrial oil as cargo and had even more fossil fuel in its engine. The OCD said the sunken vessel could contain over one million liters of oil. Defense officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez, citing the Office of Civil Defense, earlier reported that a total of 6,801 liters of oil waste and more than 300,600 liters of oil-contaminated waste had been collected by multiple government agencies so far. He also said that almost 63 kilometers or 84% of the 74.41 km of affected coastline had been cleaned up as of May 10. Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) recently revoked the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of RDC Reield Marine Services, Inc., the shipping company which operated the sunken tanker, and was looking into possible liabilities of personnel from relevant maritime agencies in relation to the sinking of the tanker. READ: MARINA revokes MT Princess Empress owner's permit to operate It also filed administrative charges against RDC for operating without authority or operating without a valid CPC." The Department of Justice is also trying to build a case and even mulled filing a writ of kalikasan against RDC. READ: DOJ eyes writ of kalikasan over Oriental Mindoro oil spill Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an expanded session of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan, May 21. Yonhap The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday denied a Japanese news report that Yoon could visit Ukraine in July. Japanese broadcaster TBS reported Thursday, citing multiple Japanese government sources, that discussions are under way about Yoon attending a NATO summit to be held in Lithuania in July, and he could visit the war-torn Ukraine before or after the summit. "There is no such plan whatsoever," a senior presidential official told Yonhap News Agency. "Only when there is a qualitative change in our assistance to Ukraine would it be possible to make a visit and hold a summit." Korea has sent various forms of nonlethal aid to Ukraine but has stayed away from weapons aid. Yoon met for the first time with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the margins of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on Sunday and promised additional aid, including demining equipment and ambulances. Another presidential official dismissed the report as "inaccurate," expressing concerns that such misleading reports could undermine trust between the two countries. (Yonhap) (CNN) The door of an Asiana Airlines jet opened as it was coming in to land in Daegu, South Korea, on Friday afternoon, leaving wind whipping through the planes cabin as terrified passengers gripped their armrests, video of the incident shows. An airline official said a man in his 30s who was sitting at the emergency seat seemed to have opened the door when the aircraft was about 700 feet (213 meters) above the ground and about two to three minutes from landing in the city 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Seoul. However, company officials told CNN the plane had landed safely. Local police said a man had been arrested. They said he confessed to opening the door, but would not say why he did it. South Koreas Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement Friday that police and the ministry were investigating an individual over violation of aviation law. Any person who contravenes the Aviation Security Act, which includes passengers operating doors, exits, or equipment inside an aircraft, could be prosecuted and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, the statement said. The ministry also said that it had dispatched an aviation safety supervisor to the site to check whether there was an abnormality in aircraft maintenance. A total of 200 people were on board, including 194 passengers, according to Asiana Airlines. According to the Daegu Fire Department, 12 people suffered minor injuries from hyperventilation and nine of them have been sent to hospitals in Daegu. The aircraft was identified on the Flightradar 24 tracking website as an Airbus 321. The jet was on a flight from Jeju island, off South Koreas southern coast, to Daegu. Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas of Airline Ratings described the incident as very bizarre. Technically, its not possible to open those doors in flight, he told CNN. Thomas noted that the landing speed of an A321 is about 150 knots (172 mph), meaning winds of that speed are passing the aircraft. The door, behind the wing of the aircraft, opened into that airstream, he said. It seems implausible that the door could be opened in the first place and then against the airstream technically impossible, but somehow or another it has happened, Thomas said. Asiana Airlines told CNN: The airplane is automatically set to adjust the pressure of the cabin according to the altitude of the aircraft. When the aircraft is high up in the air, it is impossible to open the door but when the altitude is low and close to landing, the door can be opened. This story was first published on CNN.com, Terrifying moments as plane door opens midair on Asiana Airlines flight" Nineteen days after the end of Colorado's 2023 legislative session, Gov. Jared Polis has signed 297 bills into law. After being signed, bills take effect in August, 90 days after the general assembly adjourns, unless otherwise specified in the bill. A full list of legislation signed this year can be found online by clicking here. Polis has until June 7 to sign, veto or let the bills passed this session become law without his signature. Here are all of the bills signed into law this week. Senate Bill 1: Authority of public-private collaboration unit for housing Transfers $13 million to the Unused State-Owned Real Property Fund and expands allowable uses of the fund to include development of housing projects by the Public-Private Collaboration Unit in the Department of Personnel and Administration. Signed on Saturday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 275: Colorado Wild Horse Project Creates the Wild Horse Management Project in the Department of Agriculture to operate programs to support the management of wild horses in Colorado. Signed on Saturday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 6: Creation of the Rural Opportunity Office Codifies the Rural Opportunity Office in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Signed on Saturday. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1247: Assess advanced energy solutions in rural Colorado Requires the Colorado Energy Office to conduct studies of electric transmission and energy generation in rural Colorado. Signed on Saturday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 295: Colorado River Drought Task Force Creates the Colorado River Drought Task Force. Signed on Saturday. Senate Bill 174: Access to certain behavioral health services Requires select mental health services to be covered for Medicaid members under 21. Signed on Saturday. House Bill 1265: Born to be wild special license plate Creates the "Born to be Wild" special license plate for the purpose of funding conflict mitigation related to gray wolf population management. Signed on Saturday. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1268: Private treatment for out-of-state defendant Updates the process and parameters for private treatment standards for interstate compact offenders. Signed on Saturday. House Bill 1260: Advanced industry and semiconductor manufacturing incentives Modifies existing tax credits, allows local governments to designate new areas where manufacturers may access certain enterprise zone tax credits, and creates a task force. Signed on Saturday. Senate Bill 145: Stegosaurus state fossil license plate Creates the stegosaurus state fossil license plate. Signed on Monday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 285: Energy and carbon management regulation in Colorado Renames the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as the Energy and Carbon Management Commission and expands the commission's regulatory authority to include emerging energy generation and storage technologies specifically deep geothermal and underground gas storage. Signed on Monday. House Bill 1210: Carbon management Directs the Colorado Energy Office to contract with an organization to develop a carbon management roadmap. Signed on Monday. House Bill 1281: Advance the use of clean hydrogen Creates a state approval process for clean hydrogen projects and a refundable income tax credit for using clean hydrogen. Signed on Monday. House Bill 1198: Teacher externship program for science technology engineering and math disciplines Establishes a teacher externship program in the Department of Labor and Employment. Signed on Monday. Senate Bill 283: Mechanisms for federal infrastructure funding Makes two transfers for the purpose of providing state matching funds for federal funding opportunities. Signed on Monday. Senate Bill 75: Deletion of child's name from criminal justice records Requires courts to replace identifying information on judicial records involving children with child victim or child witness to protect the individuals identity. Signed on Tuesday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 290: Natural medicine regulation and legalization Modifies the regulation of certain natural psychedelics and updates the criminal provisions related to the administration Proposition 122. Signed on Tuesday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 255: Wolf Depredation Compensation Fund Creates the Wolf Depredation Compensation Fund in the Department of Natural Resources to compensate landowners and agricultural producers for losses from wolf depredation. Signed on Tuesday. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1026: Family time for grandparents Allows appointments of legal representatives to represent children in matters involving grandparent family time. Signed on Tuesday. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1187: Alternatives in criminal justice system and pregnant persons Limits when the courts may detain or incarcerate a pregnant person or a person in a postpartum period. Signed on Tuesday. House Bill 1091: Continuation of child care contribution tax credit Extends the child care contribution tax credit, currently set to expire after 2024, through 2027. Signed on Tuesday. House Bill 1233: Electric vehicle charging and parking requirements Includes a number of provisions to incentivize the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Signed on Tuesday. Senate Bill 292: Labor requirements for energy sector construction Requires energy sector public works projects to comply with apprenticeship and prevailing wage requirements. Signed on Tuesday. House Bill 1081: Employee ownership tax credit expansion Makes several changes to expand the Employee Ownership Tax Credit. Signed on Tuesday. Senate Bill 303: Reduce property taxes and voter-approved revenue change Refers a ballot measure to voters at the November 2023 election and changes the treatment of property tax backfill payments to consolidated city and county governments under Senate Bill 22-238. Signed on Wednesday. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1311: Identical temporary TABOR refund Conditional upon approval of the ballot measure referred to voters in Senate Bill 23-303, this bill directs that TABOR refunds that would otherwise be paid in FY 2023-24 via the six-tier sales tax refund mechanism be instead paid in equal amounts to qualifying taxpayers. Signed on Wednesday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 304: Property tax valuation Specifies factors that assessors must consider when valuing property, requires counties with a population of at least 300,000 people to use the alternative protest and appeal procedure, and requires assessors to provide certain information to taxpayers upon request. Signed on Wednesday. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1057: Amenities for all genders in public buildings Creates requirements for public buildings regarding non-gendered bathrooms, baby diaper changing stations, and signage. Signed on Wednesday. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1105: Homeowners' association and metropolitan district homeowners' rights task forces Creates the HOA Homeowners Rights Task Force and the Metropolitan District Homeowners Rights Task Force in the Department of Law. Signed on Wednesday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 265: Prohibit professional discipline for marijuana Limits the consideration of civil or criminal judgements based solely on the consumption, possession, cultivation, or processing of marijuana during professional licensure applications and disciplinary actions. Signed on Wednesday. House Bill 1241: Task force to study K-12 accountability system Creates a task force in the Colorado Department of Education to study and make recommendations concerning best practices and improvements to the public school accountability and accreditation system. Signed on Wednesday. Senate Bill 209: Remove erroneous date from CLIMBER Act Removes a reference to an erroneous date in the Colorado Loans for Increasing Main Street Business Economic Recovery Act, or CLIMBER Act. Signed on Wednesday. Senate Bill 210: Update administration of certain human services Modifies procedures for human services functions in multiple agencies. Signed on Wednesday. Senate Bill 282: Jury Appreciation Day Establishes Sept. 5 as Jury Appreciation Day, an observed state holiday. Signed on Wednesday. House Bill 1077: Informed consent to intimate patient examinations Requires health professionals, students, and trainees to obtain informed consent from sedated or unconscious patients before performing intimate examinations. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1178: Court personnel and domestic violence awareness Places additional requirements and restrictions on the courts in certain family law cases involving domestic violence and child abuse. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1108: Victim and survivor training for judicial personnel Creates a task force to study victim and survivor training for judicial personnel. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1032: Remedies persons with disabilities Specifies the legal remedies that a person with a disability may pursue in cases alleging discrimination. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1136: Prosthetic devices for recreational activity Requires state-regulated insurance plans to cover an alternative prosthetic limb if the patients physician determines that it is necessary to engage in physical and recreational activity. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. Read more about the bill here. House Bill 1184: Low-income housing property tax exemptions Expands an existing property tax exemption for vacant land held by a nonprofit organization to build and sell affordable housing units, and deems certain land leased by nonprofit community land trusts and home developers as charitable and exempt under the state constitution. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. Senate Bill 167: Board of Nursing regulate certified midwives Requires the Board of Nursing in the Department of Regulatory Agencies to regulate certified midwives. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. House Bill 1199: Forensic medical evidence process improvements Requires the Department of Public Safety to establish tracking systems for sexual assault forensic medical evidence examinations and reimbursements under the SAVE program. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. House Bill 1107: Crime victim services funding Provides funding to the State Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services Fund and continues the Crime Victim Service Fund. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. House Bill 1222: Cases of domestic violence in municipal court Creates new requirements for domestic violence cases heard in municipal courts. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. House Bill 1296: Create task force study rights persons disabilities Creates a task force and four subcommittees to study issues concerning persons with disabilities. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. Senate Bill 289: Community First Choice Medicaid benefit Creates the Community First Choice option. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. House Bill 1168: Legal representation and students with disabilities Requires the Colorado Department of Education to contract with a nonprofit organization to develop a list of attorneys qualified to represent parents in special education disputes with public schools. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. House Bill 1263: Translating individualized education programs Requires Individualized Education Plans to be translated into the dominant language spoken at the home of the student. Signed on Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera while serving as acting governor. Polis also vetoed three bills this week: House Bill 1146: Employees may accept cash tips Prohibits employers from taking adverse action against an employee who accepts a cash gratuity offered by a patron of the business. Vetoed on Tuesday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 259: Extension of credit for limited gaming Allows operators of casinos and others with a gaming license to extend credit to another person for gambling. Vetoed on Tuesday. Read more about the bill here. Senate Bill 273: Agricultural land in urban renewal areas Specifies that agricultural land that was added to an urban renewal area prior to June 1, 2010, can only be part of the same URA that originally included it prior to that date. Vetoed on Tuesday. Read more about the bill here. Offer a personal message of sympathy... By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account. Purulia Chhau is a vehicle of empowerment, says scholar and change-maker Sneha Bhattacharyya One of the most spectacular folk art forms in India, with choreography drawn from folk and classical dance movements and martial arts, Purulia Chhau recently visited Singapore to take part in A Tapestry of Sacred Music festival. Biren Kalindi Chhau Dance Ensemble recently took part in A Tapestry of Sacred Music festival, in Singapore. Photo courtesy: Esplanade Theatres on the Bay Kuda Kepang was presented at the Singapore festival by Kesenian Tedja Timur. Photo courtesy: Esplanade Theatres on the Bay The event, held at Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, brought together two Asian dance forms Purulia Chhau from West Bengal, eastern India; and Kuda Kepang from Java, Indonesia that unite communities and where the performers take on warrior personas. The performing troupes were Biren Kalindi Chhau Dance Ensemble and Kesenian Tedja Timur. As part of the Esplanade event, Purulia Chhau was introduced to the Singapore audience by Sneha Bhattacharyya, a PhD scholar on this dance form and one of the people behind Banglanatak.com, an India-based organisation that makes social change through culture. Sneha Bhattacharyya held a session within A Tapestry of Sacred Music festival, where her purpose was to demystify how safeguarding Chhau contributed to revitalising the fate of the folk tradition and also transformed the fate of Purulia district. Photo courtesy: Sneha Bhattacharyya In an interview with Connected to India, Bhattacharyya said that promoting Purulia Chhau could empower the rural folk and also power tourism in eastern India, especially to the Purulia district of West Bengal. Purulia Chhau is one of the three main Chhau forms of eastern India, the other two being Mayurbhanj Chhau of Odisha, and Saraikela Chhau of Jharkhand. Talking about her reason for doing a doctorate on Purulia Chhau, Bhattacharyya first explained the context: Purulia, even a decade back, was identified as a politically disturbed area, infused with Maoist insurgencies (a left-leaning extremist movement in India). Attempts to safeguard Chhau not only contributed to altering the fate of the folk practice but also radically transformed the districts fate, thereby replacing Purulias political identity with a cultural one. She added that international recognition helped the cause of the dance form. Chhau dance got inscribed in UNESCOs Representative list of Heritage of Humanity in 2010, but past two decades of ground work and using this UNESCO accreditation, Purulia Chhau actually managed to get the advantage and got highlighted in global festivals, creating opportunities for the artists themselves, she said. A Purulia Chhau dancer performs in splendid costume. The Chhau dance form is now going to several global festivals, enhancing the cultural profile of Purulia district in West Bengal, eastern India. Photo courtesy: puruliachau.com While the dancers win the adulation of the audience, the artisans working behind the scenes have just as much to give. Magnificent and elaborate masks complement the vigorous movements of Purulia Chhau. Mask creation is a complex process, and it sustains local knowledge and livelihoods. In order to support the craft, the Department of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises & Textiles (MSME&T), Government of West Bengal, in collaboration with UNESCO, has developed a hub of Chhau mask makers at Charida, in Purulia district. Bhattacharyya told CtoI, Purulias Chhau mask also got accredited with the tag of Geographical Indication (GI) in 2018 and that also helped in strengthening Chhau tourism. Local artisans can earn a living by making masks for Purulia Chhau. Photo courtesy: Rural Craft Hub, Charida, Purulia Thapi, a small wooden piece, is among the simple tools used for finishing Purulia Chhau masks. Photo courtesy: Rural Craft Hub, Charida, Purulia She continued, Given the visibility of the folk tradition in socio-political forums, following the accreditations, the content and context of Chhau as well as its impact have significantly changed. My interest in doing a PhD on Purulia Chhau stems from my desire to initiate a dialogue between folk practice, practitioners and practised locale embedded in contemporary socio-political fabric and how once influences the other within the village-art-artist dynamics. Elaborating on the economic aspects of Purulia Chhau, the empowerment factor, and its power to drive tourism, Bhattacharyya said, Purulias Chhau dancers as well as the mask-makers belong to subaltern communities. While a decade back, the practitioners were suffering from acute poverty and practising Chhau was more of a passion activity to them, efforts to safeguard the tradition have made Chhau a viable source of livelihood to them now and given them the status of artist. Chhau had given the land a status of eminence on the West Bengal tourism map, said Bhattacharyya. Purulia as a district evolved from a no-tourist zone to attract more tourists than popular destinations in West Bengal like Darjeeling in the past two years. Hence, she added, Chhau can rightly be identified as a vehicle of empowerment for these subaltern groups of practitioners and also bring pride to the place, i.e. Purulia, and attract visitors. The various stages of making a Purulia Chhau mask: 1. The clay is kneaded. 2. Clay model of the mask is dried in direct sunlight and covered with powdered ash. 3. Layers of moist paper are pasted on the powdered mask. 4. The mask is again covered with clay. 5. The mask is then layered with pieces of soft fabric. 6. The initial layer of clay is removed. 7. A coat of white paint is applied. 8. The mask is coloured and decorated with embellishments. Photo courtesy: Rural Craft Hub, Charida, Purulia If income improvement comes through the promotion of local culture, it should equally benefit men and women. The gender empowerment achieved through Purulia Chhau is evident in the rise of female dancers. Bhattacharyya said, While initially Chhau was a male-dominated art form, at present female dancers are equally competing with their male counterparts, giving rise to around 13 female troupes in Purulia. These aspects socio-political, economic, cultural made Chhau a vehicle for gender empowerment and development of indigenous communities, said Bhattacharyya, adding that her research helped her explore how culture works as a tool for development. On the importance of supporting and promoting folk dance forms, she said, Folk traditions are cultural expressions and an integral part of life. Theyre not just aggregates of the past, but reflect their attempts to keep the heritage component intact while diversifying to include contemporary perspectives. Folk traditions, embedded in roots, can contribute to establishing the uniqueness of a particular society. Introducing Purulia Chhau to Singapore Bhattacharyya held a session as part of the Tapestry festival, where her purpose was to demystify how safeguarding Chhau contributed to revitalising the fate of the folk tradition and also transformed the fate of Purulia district. Her session gave the Singapore audience an overview of the rich cultural tapestry of West Bengal, and then moved on to the intricacies of Purulia Chhau, focusing both on the dance form and the art of mask-making. The session also covered the different themes, steps, and costumes integral to Purulia Chhau. Government support for Purulia Chhau has enabled local artisans to remain in the district instead of moving elsewhere in search of livelihood. Photo courtesy: Rural Craft Hub, Charida, Purulia Additionally, I spoke on the impact of Chhau and how it has been converted from a seasonal to a year-round activity. I talked about our organisations work in safeguarding the tradition of Chhau and how cultural tourism has prospered in Purulia, she said. For example, the first Chhau festival started in Bamnia village in Purulia in 2010 and the first Chhau mask festival started in Charida village in Purulia in 2014 both were done by us, and now both the festivals are annual festivals of Purulia. Referring to the efforts to Banglanatak.com, she said, Our organisations work of safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage of West Bengal (since 2004) is now part of a collaborative project of the Department of MSME&T, Government of West Bengal, and UNESCO (since 2016). The project has been immensely catalytic in safeguarding folk traditions and improving socio-economic prospects of tradition bearers. The South Gate of Gaeseong circa early 20th century was built between 1391 and 1393. It was badly damaged during the Korean War and was rebuilt in 1954. Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff In the late 19th century, the people of Gaeseong were somewhat unlike the residents of other parts of the peninsula. When John Baptiste Bernadou, a 24-year-old ensign in the United States Navy temporarily assigned to the legation in Seoul, visited the city in early July 1884, he noted that the people of Gaeseong dressed somewhat differently from the people in Seoul. In one of the few articles he published about Korea, he wrote: "The black hat so common in the former city [Gaeseong] is replaced by a bullock driver's hat of matting, and the green gown worn over the head as a veil by the women of the capital is not here seen." It is a shame that he did not elaborate on some of the other differences, but fortunately, other subsequent visitors did. Some of these visitors noted the great hospitality they received from the residents treated to pears, dried persimmons, dates and other dainties while picnicking in the ruined palace or at the tombs. One missionary noted that they were extremely conservative "anything like modern life or activity" was foreign and they were "uncouth in behaviour' as they [were] in other details of life." They were also very defiant and resented the glory that once belonged to their city before the fall of Goryeo and the establishment of Joseon in 1392. A small store in the early 20th century Robert Neff Collection In the 1890s, Mary Gifford, the wife of one of the first American teachers in Korea, verified Bernadou's earlier observation and tied it to the people's resentment of their political fate: "The inhabitants of [Gaeseong] have never been willing to acknowledge the present dynasty, and to this day the citizens, except the unimportant [commoner], wear huge hats such as we see in Seoul worn by the countrymen. They have never forgiven providence for the fall of their dynasty and refuse to look toward his dwelling place. They declare themselves still without a sovereign." Two women in Seoul are dressed to go out in the late 19th or early 20th century. Robert Neff Collection As Bernadou noted, the people of Gaeseong had a "reputation for commercial shrewdness" but he never elaborated as to the reasons. According to a later writer, this was also a result of the change of dynasties and the capital moving to modern-day Seoul. "All who hailed from [Gaeseong] were debarred from holding office. With the path of political preferment officially closed to them the chief incentive to the study of the classics was taken away. Deprived of other opportunities the people turned to trade; not trade on a large scale which discovers new markets, takes risks, has in it an element of adventure and results in a broadening of the interests, but rather a cautious, careful, bargaining kind of trade which develops shrewdness, persistence and endurance and cultivates an unemotional type of mind that shrinks from any great adventure of the spirit." Economic success also bred jealousies. People in Seoul referred to their northern neighbors as low-class money-grubbers. The insults were not one-sided. One observer noted that while most people on the Korean Peninsula ate "Yi rice" (implying the Joseon Kingdom), the people of Gaeseong ate "Wang rice" ('wang' meaning king and representing the Goryeo Kingdom). "[The people of Gaeseong] also established a new method of measuring or handling grains, casting it over the back of the hand in emptying the measure. Seeing men handling grain in the ordinary way, the writer took the measure and casting the contents over the back of the hand asked them why they did not handle it that way. One replied, 'That is the way rustics do.' Another, thinking the remark of his friend had not been sufficiently distinct added: 'That's the way they do in [Gaeseong].'" Straw shoes being sold in a market in the late 19th or early 20th century. Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection According to the same account, farmers in the Gaeseong area often defiantly called their pigs "Seong-gye a name which the people dare not utter." Yi Seong-gye was the name of the founder of Joseon before being crowned as King Taejo. Considering Gaeseong's entrepreneurship, it isn't surprising to note that in 1898, the city was said to have only one beggar. Of course, he wasn't an original inhabitant of Gaeseong, but "an importation" from Seoul. Little more than a month after John Cleese announced that he was partnering with British Fox News to wage war on cancel culture, Eric Idle has joined the overwrought and exhausting comedy culture wars with his own opinions on the multi-millionaire comedy legends who cry censorship every time theres a negative reaction to their material. Monty Python is unofficially a house divided. The Monty Python founding member and writer of Spamalot appeared on yesterdays episode of On with Kara Swisher, wherein Swisher, an accomplished journalist and massive Python fan, asked Idle about the differences between British and American television, his opinion on Twitter CEO Elon Musk, and his thoughts on the ever-growing and decreasingly substantive debate regarding what constitutes censorship in comedy. For once, a massively popular comic with a huge platform doesnt feel like hes being silenced. Python (Monty) Pictures This is how Maher thinks he looks I think the thing about comedy is its disastrous when you want to be liked, said Idle. He explained the difference in the philosophies of comedy from across the Atlantic, saying, On the whole, English comedians dont want to be loved or dont put that up front, whereas I think its very important in American terms that theyre somehow liked or lovable. When asked about the television years of Monty Python, Idle commented on how he saw their relationship to the BBC change as Monty Pythons Flying Circus increased in popularity with each successive series, telling the story of how he wrote a wine tasting sketch that the network cut in which an English wine snob kept trying to guess the name of the wine he was drinking while the French sommelier simply replied, No, sir, it is Oui Oui. Advertisement On the topic of censorship, Swisher naturally asked Idle if he had any thoughts on Dave Chappelles constant claims that he is being silenced while getting paid $24 million per special to complain about how canceled he is. Said Idle, Where does he say it? On SNL Well, youre not being that much canceled, are you? If you were in your room complaining, Id have a lot more sympathy. Play Advertisement Advertisement Idle continued on to address another fabulously wealthy and perpetually platformed comedy crybaby, Bill Maher, whose war on naysayers started in 1993 with his first talk show, Politically Incorrect. Idle challenged Mahers apparent assumption that anyone who doesnt think hes funny must be a cancel culture snowflake, saying, I didnt like it when Bill Maher complains about the audience for not laughing, theyre telling you they dont find it funny. You shouldnt moan about the audience. Theres nothing wrong with the audience. If they dont laugh at your jokes, theres something wrong with your joke. And so Im not terribly sympathetic to that sort of attitude, to be honest." The Monty Python member had another topical jab for the owner of Twitter, likening Musks failed Twitter Blue campaign to "buying a petting zoo and then charging the animals." Advertisement Its reassuring to hear a comedian with as much wisdom and experience as Idle speak so directly about the absurdity of the censorship discussion as it relates to immensely wealthy and popular comedians complaining about how some audiences are having a negative reaction to their material. Neither Chappelle, nor Maher, nor Cleese are being censored when people criticize the points of view that they openly express to millions of viewers. Actual censorship is when Russian satirists are jailed for mocking a Kremlin-favored local politician, not when some Cracked writer says that Bill Maher hasnt been funny since 2005. You know what else works against less resistance than something rolling down a road? Something gliding across water. Thats why we transport stuff on barges (extra points if the water happens to be flowing in the same direction we want to travel). But what happens if no waterway connects the two spots we want to link? Then we had to build a canal, of course. And what happens if you want to move against the flow of the current? With the wind unreliable, and engines not yet invented, barges used horses. Sedgwick Council Next time you feel sad, just say, Horse barge. Its an inherently funny phrase. Advertisement The horses didnt swim in the water, as that would have ended poorly for everyone. The horses walked on the land alongside the waterway, dragging the boat up or down the canal. This worked superbly well. One horse could pull a ton of coal in a cart but could pull 40 tons in a boat. In England, people were using these horse barges as far back as Roman times, and the practice came back during the Industrial Revolution, once we finally had a lot to transport. In the 1790s, one single canal eased transport so much that the price of coal halved. The country approved dozens more canals in the years immediately thereafter, and by the middle of the next century, they measured 5,000 miles in length. It was the age of Canal Mania. It worked fine, right up until the rise of the locomotive, which could pull a whole lot more coal than any horse barge. Advertisement Today, you can still hunt down some boats pulled by horses, just as a gimmick. Visitors look at the horse and marvel at how its able to pull something so heavy. Then (since this is just some small novelty boat rather than a barge loaded with 40 tons), they can get down and grab the rope themselves and find that even they, a measly human, are able to pull the load when its on a boat. Many people have suggested that schools waste time teaching useless knowledge, producing graduates who know about mitochondria but not how to pay their taxes. Thats a dumb complaint. Everyone knows they have to pay their taxes, and if you want to find out how, just look it up. Its not so hard. No, its the schools job to teach you things that you wouldnt look up if left to your own devices, things you don't even know you want to know till you know them. Things like the following 1. Tsunami Warning In 2012, a town in the Philippines panicked after an earthquake, when word spread that a tsunami was on the way. No tsunami was on the way. The rumor started when someone heard a parent calling out for their daughter, Chona Mae. 2. New Jersey The Bloodhound Gangs album Hooray for Boobies featured a song called The Ten Coolest Things About New Jersey. The song consists of 10 seconds of silence. 3. Mighty Umpire Major League Baseball has a rule banning umpires from weighing more than 300 pounds. Theyve enforced it too, fining one 6-foot-3 umpire $5,000. 4. Switcheroo Two mothers gave birth to two babies each one day in Colombia. The hospital mixed up the babies, giving each mom one son and one unrelated child. The original pairs were each identical twins, so keeping them together shouldnt have been hard. Courtesy of zerotake By David A. Tizzard China's private sector benefits most from tax relief: official Xinhua) 10:40, May 27, 2023 BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Taxpayers from China's private sector have benefited the most from the country's tax and fee relief measures. Over 339.3 billion yuan (about 47.95 billion U.S. dollars) of tax and fee payments were rebated, deducted, or deferred for the country's private businesses and self-employed households in the first four months of this year, accounting for over 70 percent of the total, Rong Hailou, an official with the State Taxation Administration, told a press conference Friday. Regarding industry-wise figures, the manufacturing, wholesale, and retail industries were the biggest beneficiaries of all industries in the private economy, enjoying 48 percent of the total tax and fee relief, said Rong. Small and micro enterprises saw 195.8 billion yuan in tax rebates, tax and fee reductions, and deferrals from January to April. During the period, China's tax refunds, as well as tax and fee cuts and deferrals, amounted to 468.9 billion yuan, Rong added. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) A Samsung Electronics employee works at a memory chip production line at the company's plant in Xi'an, China, in this May 9, 2014, file photo. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics Experts say Korea's top export item should not fall victim to trade dispute By Baek Byung-yeul The United States should give Korea's chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix the utmost respect for their commercial activities in the Chinese market at a time when calls are growing among U.S. politicians for Korean firms not to be allowed to fill the vacuum left in China by a ban on U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology, according to experts, Friday. On May 23, Rep. Mike Gallagher said in an interview with a media outlet that Korean chip companies should not be allowed to fill the U.S. chipmaker's absence in the Chinese market. His comments came after the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced on May 21 that Micron's products sold in China failed its cybersecurity review and decided to ban operators of critical infrastructure from buying the products of the U.S. chipmaker. The U.S. announced restrictions on semiconductor equipment imported into China in October 2022 in order to limit China's chip technology. Though Samsung and SK hynix received a one-year reprieve from the regulations, Rep. Gallagher argued that Samsung and SK hynix should not receive the reprieve as Micron was penalized in China. Regarding the remark of the U.S. congressman, experts said that pressuring Korean companies further to limit their commercial activities in the Chinese market would be a hindrance to private enterprises, as they are already fully on board with U.S. restrictions on Chinese chip technology. They added that the move could lead to a negative chain reaction on all chip companies, including the U.S. chip giants if viewed in a wider context, because the industry is growing alongside the Chinese one, which has the largest chip market in the world. "Mike Gallagher is one of 435 house representatives in the U.S. Congress. The fact that he's very noisy doesn't make him more important than the others," Jim Handy, general director at Silicon Valley-based semiconductor market research company Objective Analysis, told The Korea Times. "No matter what issue is currently being discussed, some representatives will take strong stands for it, and others will take strong stands against it. It's something that politicians do to make their constituents aware that they are working hard to fulfill the voters' ideals. I suspect that the same thing is true in Korean politics." Stating that "Samsung and SK hynix are in a very difficult position" amid the escalating chip technology war between the U.S. and China, the analyst said that the Korean companies mentioned that because of their large presence in China, they are currently unable to take all of their business strategies in the direction the U.S. wants them to go. "They have both worked hard to win the favor of China's government by building huge and important facilities in Wuxi (SK hynix) and Xi'an (Samsung)," he said. "If they suddenly follow every wish that comes from any U.S. politician then China will find a way to make these companies wish they hadn't done that." SK hynix's chip plant in Wuxi, China / Courtesy of SK hynix Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets with Li Hui, China's special envoy for Ukraine, in Moscow, May 26. AFP-Yonhap Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told China's special envoy Li Hui, Friday, that there were "serious obstacles" to resuming peace talks, blaming Ukraine and Western countries. "The Russian foreign minister reaffirmed Moscow's commitment to a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, noting the serious obstacles to the resumption of peace talks created by the Ukrainian side and its Western mentors," the foreign ministry said. During the meeting with Li, who was China's ambassador in Russia between 2009 and 2019, Lavrov also praised Beijing's "balanced" position on Ukraine. While China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has been criticized for refusing to condemn Moscow for its offensive. Andrew Lloyd Webber feels like a bit of an anomaly in his family. Although the celebrated composer comes from a musical clan his father was also a composer and his mother a piano teacher the creator of Cats, Evita and Phantom Of The Opera has found no evidence among his ancestors of anyone who shares his love of showy musical theatre. That's why Lord Lloyd-Webber agreed to dig into his roots for this week's Who Do You Think You Are?, BBC1's flagship genealogy show, which is back for its 20th series. He hopes to find a link between his personality traits and those of his forebears. 'I love taking on challenges, so there has to be some strong person somewhere around,' says Andrew, 75. British musical theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber will dig into his ancestry in a new episode of Who Do You Think You Are? 'I suppose the thing I'd most like to discover is where on earth my love of musical theatre came from and where the shows I like to write came from.' What he does discover is an extraordinary lineage that includes a working-class London hero, a chorister at a coronation, posh ancestors and some distant relatives with whom he and his younger brother, the celebrated cellist Julian, have an astonishing amount in common. Another famous face hoping to flesh out his family tree is Bear Grylls, who wants to learn about the top-secret documents his paternal grandfather, Brigadier Ted Grylls, left behind when he died. 'He never spoke about the war, but I'd love to know, "What were you doing?"' says Bear, 48, adding, 'My mum's always wanted me to do this show. I think she's hoping I find we're related to royalty.' Bear and his mum are in for a surprise when he travels to Scotland. Also peering into her history is The Crown actress Claire Foy, who gets anxious about uncovering her ancestors' involvement in a Victorian murder trial. Strictly legend Kevin Clifton is eager to find out if it's true he's descended from Canada's aboriginal people, while TV doctors and twins Chris and Xand Van Tulleken explore their Dutch ancestry, and DJ Dev Griffin traces the roots of his Irish mum and Jamaican dad. Comedian Chris Ramsey wonders if the good luck he's had in his career can be traced back through two world wars and beyond, and actress Lesley Manville finds a poignant story when she learns why her mother's parents never married. Lord Lloyd-Webber agreed to dig into his roots for this week's Who Do You Think You Are?, BBC1's flagship genealogy show, which is back for its 20th series While some subjects do discover they have royal connections, only Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack can boast links to current royalty of the pop music variety, at least. Emily is related to the world's most famous living pop star: Sir Paul McCartney is her granny's cousin, and Emily recalls holidays picnicking with Macca. In her quest, Emily visits his brother Mike, and learns exciting titbits about The Beatles. Given some of the revelations the show's given us in the past, don't be surprised if this series ends in floods of tears and whoops of delight for some of its subjects. Who Do You Think You Are?, Thursday, 9pm, BBC1. Frefighters hose down a Policlinic following a Russian attack in Dnipro, Ukraine, May 26, in this handout photo made available by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. AP-Yonhap Russian missiles hit a medical clinic in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Friday, killing at least two people, as Russia blamed Kyiv for dozens of strikes in its southern Belgorod region. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the Ukraine conflict with China's special envoy Li Hui, blaming Ukraine and Western countries for creating "serious obstacles" to resuming peace talks. In Belgorod in southern Russia, the governor said the Ukrainian military was responsible for dozens of artillery, mortar and drone attacks across the region but reported no casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video of smoke billowing from roofless buildings with blown-out windows after the attack that authorities said had left 30 people injured including two boys aged three and six. The head of the regional military administration Sergiy Lysak said that Russia struck a residential area with a medical and veterinary clinic and high-rise blocks. Zelenskyy said that by hitting civilian medical facilities, "Russian terrorists once again confirm their status of fighters against everything humane and honest." U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, on his third visit to Ukraine, condemned the attack as a war crime. "There was a hospital bomb today. Just over 500 medical facilities have been hit by the Russians. A war crime was committed while I was here, just one of many war crimes," he said. The Russian defence ministry said that its strikes on Ukraine had targeted arms depots and that all the assigned targets had been hit. Ukrainian journalists posted video footage of rescuers helping people with blood on their faces escape from the clinic through corridors full of rubble. Skincare experts have revealed the biggest mistakes people are making when it comes to their sunscreen application. Even though you should be wearing it year round, FEMAIL has asked a team of experts, including dermatologists and an esthetician, to share their best sunscreen tips ahead of summer. They have also weighed in on the minimum SPF you should be using daily whether you're indoors or outdoors, how often you should be reapplying, and the application amount you should be using on your face and body. When shopping for sunscreen, the experts say people should make sure their sunscreen is broad spectrum and has an SPF of at least 30. Two things people should look for when buying sunscreen is that it's broad spectrum and has an SPF of at least 30 (stock image) Brands describe a product as 'broad spectrum' when it protects against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVB rays can cause sunburn and play a role in the development of skin cancer, while UVA ones lead to skin damage along with aging and wrinkles. SPF stands sun protection factor and it's a measure of how long it would take the sun's UV radiation would take to redden your skin compared to the time when you're not wearing sunscreen. To avoid harm, follow our experts' advice below to make sure you're getting the best protection and what you should be looking for when making a sunscreen purchase. What is the minimum SPF people should be using on a day-to-day basis? Dr. Mona Gohara, who practices at the Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut and is an EltaMD board member, cited the American Academy of Dermatology who recommend a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher. She said this was regardless of weather conditions or skin type. 'Remember that indoor lights, computer screens and cell phones can cause skin damage,' Dr. Gohara told DailyMail.com. And it doesn't matter if you're inside either, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Hale, who is senior vice-president of the Skin Cancer Foundation and chief medical advisor to sunscreen brand Vacation. 'Even if you're working from home inside, UVA rays penetrate through windows, or you'll end up running outside for a quick errand,' she said. 'Remember that indoor lights, computer screens and cell phones can cause skin damage,' dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara told DailyMail.com (stock image) 'That being said, if you're staying inside for the majority of the day you don't need to reapply as often; a liberally-applied base coat is enough.' Esthetician Joanna Czech - who counts Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian and Hailey Bieber as clients - added she preferred using a maximum of SPF 35 for everyday use on the face because 'higher SPF can cause skin reactions.' 'Also, don't forget your ears, hands, feet, soles of the feet, and lips, a mistake many people make,' she said. Czech also advised people should avoid mixing their SPF with other products, such as foundation or moisturizers, because it would affect its efficacy. 'The SPF also needs to create an even shield-type layer on your skin for maximum protection against the sun,' she said. 'SPF should be the last step in your skincare routine before you apply makeup.' How often should people be reapplying their sunscreen? Our experts are unanimous on this advice: every two hours. 'When you're outside or on the beach, try to reapply your sunscreen every two hours and even more often if you're sweating, swimming, or toweling off,' Dr. Hale explained. 'You should also seek the shade whenever possible, and try to avoid the peak hours of sunlight (10AM - 4PM). When you are going to be exposed to the sun, in addition to applying (and reapplying) sunscreen, wear sun protective clothing, a wide brimmed hat, and sunglasses.' But if 'you're truly indoors all day, it's sufficient to apply an ample base coat in the morning,' she told DailyMail.com. 'Whenever you leave the office, whether it's to run an errand or just take a quick walk around the block, you should reapply SPF ahead of time.' Dr. Gohara also advised people to consider increasing the SPF of their sunscreen if they're going to be experiencing 'more intense UV exposure.' And this reapplication guideline also applies to the sunscreen you put on your face in the morning. For those not wanting to disturb their makeup, Dr. Hale recommends an SPF powder or face mist, like Vacation's Super Spritz SPF 50. How much sunscreen should be applied? Czech recommends the two-finger rule, which should be sufficient to cover your face and neck. Dr. Hale added the official guideline was two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin, 'but that can be hard to visualize.' 'You can think of it as a shot glass full for your whole body, or a quarter-sized dollop for your face, neck, and chest to ensure complete coverage,' she told DailyMail.com. 'If you're using a spray sunscreen, make sure you see an even sheen of product all over, and then rub it in with your hands.' Esthetician Joanna Czech recommends the two-finger rule, which should be sufficient to cover your face and neck Can the same product be used for face and the body - both in terms of formula and SPF? The experts said people should make sure their sunscreen was broad spectrum and had an SPF of at least 30. Dr. Gohara added you could use the same product for both the face and body. But one might opt for a moisturizing formulation when it came to the face. 'EltaMD UV Daily is a perfect example, or if they have inflammation on the face such as acne the may want an appropriate product such as EltaMD UV Clear which is made with a clear, lightweight texture and niacinamide to reduce irritation,' she said. 'In other words faces may require more nuanced consideration when choosing a product.' Dr. Hale agreed people should be using broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for both your face and your body. 'You can absolutely use the same formula from head to toe, however some people are more sensitive to products on their face. If that's the case, sensitive skin tends to tolerate mineral formulas better, and look for products that are fragrance-free,' she said. And when it comes to shopping for the best sunscreen for you, Czech said there were two different types to watch out for: physical and chemical. 'Physical sunscreen will have key ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Both ingredients create a protective barrier from the sun by sitting on top of your skin. This type of sunscreen is less likely to clog pores, as it doesn't penetrate the dermis,' the esthetician explained. 'On the other hand, chemical sunscreen is absorbed into the epidermis. It is important to apply chemical sunscreens 30 minutes before exposing yourself to the sun giving it time to soak into the skin. 'If you have acne-prone skin or sensitive skin, I would recommend a physical sunscreen.' Dr. Gohara said people should also search for a sunscreen with a water-resistant formula and 'choose brands... that are rooted in science around sun care.' And for those with dry skin, Dr. Hale recommended looking for 'hydrating non-actives that deliver hydration to the skin such as niacinamide or hyaluronic acid.' How to treat sunburn symptoms 'I have to caveat this with the obvious: try your best to avoid a sunburn in the first place,' Dr. Hale said. But if the worst should happen, the dermatologist advises removing yourself from the sun immediately. 'For any pain, an NSAID can help with the inflammation that comes from a sunburn. Then apply a product like Vacation's After Sun Gel, which is a really soothing aloe vera-based product that helps to cool the skin down,' she said. 'Make sure to keep your skin well moisturized, because skin that's hydrated repairs more easily. If you're still experiencing pain, a homeopathic remedy you can try is to apply cold milk compresses; just make sure it's not skim milk, since it's the fat and proteins in milk that are soothing to damaged skin. Keep your skin hydrated and continue using sunscreen after you get sunburned, the experts advised 'Finally, make sure to tell your dermatologist if you get a sunburn, because it directly increases your chance for skin cancer.' Dr. Gohara added: 'Wear sunscreen with any additional exposure, stay out of the sun if possible... and anti-inflammatories topically or orally if need be.' As for the maximum amount of time people should spend in the sun even when wearing sunscreen: 'There is no number here, the idea is simply to protect yourself with clothing, SPF, and shade when possible.' Are tanning oils ever OK to use? Dr. Hale said oils were OK to use as long as they had at least an SPF of 30. 'You can use them as you would any other sunscreen. Just make sure if the formula is not water-resistant, to reapply immediately if you're sweating or exposed to water,' she told DailyMail.com. 'Some people simply prefer oils, and I'm so glad that the days of "tanning oils" are mostly behind us.' Any other sun protection tips? Czech also warns people about heat-induced hyper-pigmentation. 'While it is known that the sun can cause hyperpigmentation, heat induced hyperpigmentation is also something to keep in mind during the warmer months,' she said. 'SPF does a great job protecting you from the sun but it does not protect against the heat. I recommend The Cream from my skincare line which contains a unique tetrapeptide defense that protects your skin from the heat-induced hyperpigmentation.' Talk about keeping it in the family. Through a series of TikToks, Utah-based Skylar Horanyi, 26, reveals how her father and brother are both pilots for United Airlines, while her mother works as a flight attendant for the carrier too. While Skylar didn't go into the aviation industry herself, the brunette says that she shares her family's passion for travel and some of the perks she gets through their line of work is free travel, complimentary upgrades to first class and in-flight announcements to mark special occasions. While it might sound attractive to most, Skylar points out that when she does fly, she is always on standby and the whole production can be pretty stressful. Skylar Horanyi's father and brother are both pilots for United Airlines. The 26 year old's mother works as a flight attendant for the carrier too While she didn't go into the aviation industry herself, the brunette says that she shares her family's passion for travel In one video, with her boyfriend in tow, she explains: 'Since we don't pay for flights we don't have confirmed seats and we only get on the flight if there are open seats available.' The couple were looking to travel from Salt Lake City to Denver, and Skylar says: 'We checked the seat map and saw a few seats available so we decided to take a chance and try for the flight. 'We showed up to the airport with absolutely no idea if we would make it on the flight or not, but we got extremely lucky and we made it on this first flight. 'We got seats in the exit row and we even got to seat next to each other.' Skylar was on another standby flight for the next leg of her journey from Denver to Houston and she was doubtful that she would make the cut as it was busier. But 'luckily a few seats opened up and I got a seat on the Houston flight.' In another TikTok, Skylar details her parents' heartwarming love story. While they both work for the same airline, Skylar says her mother and father didn't meet on a plane, and they were actually high school sweethearts and got together when they were 18 years old. After graduating college, around the age of 23, they moved to New Jersey and got jobs with the now-defunct People Express Airlines together. Skylar's father is currently based out of San Francisco as a pilot, so he has to commute there from Houston Some of the perks Skylar gets through her family's line of work is free travel, complimentary upgrades to first class and in-flight announcements to mark special occasions While they both work for the same airline, Skylar says her mother and father didn't meet on a plane, and they were actually high school sweethearts After the airline merged with Continental Airlines, the Horanyis moved to Houston, Texas, where they remain to this day, and Continental eventually merged with United Airlines in 2012. Skylar's mother and father have now been working in aviation for just over 40 years and they have been together for 46 years. The avid traveler's father - who is of Filipino and Hungarian heritage - is currently based out of San Francisco as a pilot, so he has to commute there from Houston. The two transport hubs are about a four-hour flight apart. Skylar's brother decided to follow in his father's footsteps and at 25, he was one of the youngest pilots United had at the time. Skylar says as a family member of a United employee, you get to fly for free up until the age of 26. However, her mother went on to list her as her 'companion' so she could keep getting free flights. Skylar says as a family member of a United employee, you get free flights up until the age of 26 Skylar's brother decided to follow in his father's footsteps and at 25, he was one of the youngest pilots United had at the time For her 25th birthday, Skylar reveals in a TikTok how she went on a whirlwind trip to London with her parents. Her mother was off duty, while her father piloted the airplane. She got to go to the United Club lounge at San Francisco International Airport using her credit card and as the flight was fairly quiet, she got upgraded to United Polaris (the airline's equivalent of first class). As the plane came into land in the UK, Skylar's father made a special public announcement to celebrate her birthday which she said was 'adorable.' Skylar's story around her family of airline crew has intrigued many of her TikTok fans. Many commenters have asked if her name was intentional, given the aviation theme but she revealed: 'It's actually a family name but very fitting. 'I'm sure working for the airlines had an influence on my name!' Dear Bel, I realise worse things are going on in the world, but my feelings have been well and truly hurt. My husband and I have been together nearly 30 years, married for 25. It was passionate initially, but has now settled into companionship. Ive always felt he didnt truly love me. Its a second marriage for us both; we had children by our first spouses and then together. When we met we were months into marital splits, our partners having left us for others. He seemed more upset than I did. Neither marriage had been good. Very quickly I became pregnant. He was shocked, but seemed pleased, as was I. A mutual friend took me aside and said I should be wary as my then boyfriend was someone likely to take up with someone else before really getting over the ex. He said he didnt want me to get hurt, but feared Id be dumped. I told my boyfriend about this conversation and he was furious, saying this guy had always disliked him and his family. He assured me there was no truth in the suggestion. So we married. But a few months ago in a casual conversation, not even an argument, he admitted that had his ex-wife asked him to go back to her, he would have done, even though Id have been left abandoned and pregnant. He said you dont get over a ten-year marriage in a few months and hed have gone back to her to prioritise his older children as what you dont have, you dont miss. Meaning our unborn child! When I said this hurt and I wish hed never told me, he said it hardly mattered as it didnt happen anyway because his ex didnt ask him back. Now I just feel I was the back-up plan, second best and our entire relationship and the longevity of it has been based on a lie. He remains quite happily unconcerned at how its made me feel, but it gnaws away at me and I cant see a way forward. MOLLY This week Bel Mooney advises a woman who asks whether she was always her husband's back-up option There is nothing at all trivial about the hurt human beings have always been ready to inflict on one another. Sometimes its deliberate and cold, sometimes truly cruel. Other times the hurt is carelessly dished out, as if it didnt really matter. Thought of the day Mma Ramotswe looked up at the ceiling. What could she do? People treated her like one of those agony aunts in the newspapers they expected her to make their decisions for them. This woman was obviously troubled but she did not see what she could do for her, other than advise her to give one boyfriend up. from Tea Time For The Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith Advertisement Thats what your husband has done, and I am not surprised you feel you cant get over it. In fact, I feel indignant on your behalf because it all seems so unnecessary. What on earth possessed the man to be so brutally honest? First, perhaps you should consider the exact content of that casual conversation. Then think hard about something anything which might have prompted this strange confession. Do things truly ever come out of the blue? Somehow I dont think so and nor did Freud. Im asking whether something triggered his brooding about the past. Has he had any problems with health (physical or mental) recently? Is he worried about something? Has something happened within his first family to upset his equilibrium? I imagine he is in regular touch with those adult children, so wonder if somebody said something to make him reflect on what his life would have been like had that first marriage not broken up, instigated by his first wife. Many men are poor at communicating their thoughts and feelings, which is why I ask these questions. This whole episode may not be so much about you and your relationship, but more about him at this point in his life. I know it wont seem that way to you, but its worth a few thoughts. That is one way forward. The second is to realise that you rescued him from loneliness and loss all those years ago, but the woman who caused that hurt has remained frozen in time ever since: his lost love. You dont want to hear that, but it expresses a truth about humans that an emotion can remain stuck, and repeat itself like a broken record. Maybe a part of him hankers after that long-gone state of victimhood, when all his emotions were highly tuned and real in contrast to the ordinary, companionable, rather humdrum present. Getting older can be quite depressing; some people react by sending their daydreams spiralling backwards towards a reality thats preferred to the present. You say hes unconcerned, yet men can be obtuse. If I were you, Id talk to him again, not as somebody hurt and upset (i.e. a victim) but as a wife who wants to know if he has been unhappy for the past 30 years (i.e. someone in control) or, if not, whats wrong now? Dont be fobbed off. I simply dont believe he never loved you, or that he saw you as second-best. Hes just all over the place, and the way forward is to find out whats going on. The worlds gone stark raving mad! Dear Bel, Oh please will you help me to understand the world I am living in at the moment? Im no longer young not really, except in spirit. But how do you cope when the world drives you mad? Its a serious question. I open a newspaper to read that John Allan, former president of the CBI, complimented a mid-ranking CBI manager on her dress. She complained to her boss, who passed the complaint to the director-general, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, who viewed it as wholly inappropriate, demeaning and objectifying. What!? Mr Allan is said to have felt mortified and apologised to the woman involved. His words have been called, stupid, awful, insensitive and insulting and he was decried as being of a certain generation and one of those people who sadly just didnt quite get it. Surely he just wanted to say something nice? Then I read that the Labour MP Stella Creasy was under investigation from social services. Apparently, some troll had reported her because he didnt agree with her political views, felt this would harm her children and that they should be taken from her. What!? Instead of her local council just dismissing this person, she was the subject of a safe-guarding review and the complaint will be on her record for ever. Please Bel, tell me I havent fallen down some rabbit hole. What with male-bodied trans people winning races competing as women and depriving female competitors of huge sums of money, I seem to feel angry every day, and just dont understand how the world has changed. It gets me down. How to cope? LEE I love the fact youre asking me when I have the same problem! A friend once suggested I solve it by not reading a daily newspaper, but I pointed out that since I (a) love and (b) contribute to the Daily Mail, that is an impossible ask. Nevertheless there are days when you wonder if you are tumbling down into an Alice in Wonderland burrow where the Mad Hatter says: If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isnt. Thinking of your point about sport, that sounds horribly familiar just like the White Queens statement: Why, sometimes Ive believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. As you say, coping with a world which has changed at a dizzying speed does become a problem for older people. But it does for many younger people, too the less noisy ones who are starting to object to the fact an aggressive minority of activists set the agenda in schools, universities and institutions, and achieve this by intimidating all voices of sanity. Of course, much of this is due to the influence of social media, which were stuck with. The world was so much easier and more pleasant without it. People take offence at the slightest thing, dont they? (I call them the huffended.) We cant know the precise circumstances of the case you mention because so much depends on tone and expression, but in theory I agree with you. Personally, I love being paid compliments and rather wistfully remember being flirted with . Back then we didnt get our knickers in a twist about everything. We were confident, robust, tolerant free-thinkers who also knew how to have a lot of fun, too. But we have to deal with the world as it is. Otherwise you can end up in a permanent state of frustration and rage. Your uncut email offered one way to cope, since its overall tone was light-hearted. Like Puck in A Midsummer Nights Dream, you seem to be saying, Lord, what fools these mortals be. Making fun of fashionable wokeries is one way of coping. Another way is to realise that nothing lasts for ever. Fads and fancies come and go, yet core values do stay the same. Here today, gone tomorrow politicians, social media nasties, shrieking students thinking the world is interested in their idiotic pronoun obsession all of them fade to nothingness besides the things we truly value, like friends and family. We have to chill out and remember the world has not gone mad, its just that there are just a lot of nutcases on the loose. So try to relax Mind you, since I value King, country, Christianity, conservatism (small c) and sound common sense, Ill continue to rant as often as I can! And finally... My secret source of inspiration Some of you may have noticed that at the top of the column I often use a quotation from the work of that marvellous writer, Alexander McCall Smith, especially his long-running series of books: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Contact Bel Bel answers readers questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5hy, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence. Advertisement I also admire his Isabel Dalhousie and 44 Scotland Street series. But for me the stories of the kind, chubby detective Precious Ramotswe, her husband, the gentle mechanic Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, and her spiky assistant Grace Makutsi reveal more about the human spirit than any number of more difficult and consciously literary novels. Why feel so passionately about 22 novels set in Botswana, spinning stories about the lives of a small group of local people their jokes, problems, entanglements, and ways of being happy? Ive loved every one yet what have they to do with the problems that come into this age? The answer is everything. In these tender, funny, perceptive novels the great McCall Smith demonstrates the power of imagination and proves that art has nothing to do with race, class or gender and everything to do with the miracle of shared humanity, which can transport you to Botswana and enable you to feel you belong. How glorious that the former Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh can so fully inhabit the soul of his female creation Mma Ramotswe and present her to all of us as a force for good in the world. The books are full of gems to carry in your heart. Two simple examples: When you are with somebody you love, the smallest, smallest things can be important, so amusing, because love transforms the world, everything. And, that is what redeems us, that is what makes our pain and sorrow bearable this giving of love to others, this sharing of the heart. I could fill this whole section with passages from these enchanting books which are imbued, above all, with a spirit of compassion, tolerance and forgiveness. I find them a joyful inspiration for this column. The mother-of-two stood by Schofield after he came out as gay in February 2020 Phillip Schofield's bombshell admission that he cheated on his wife with a young, male colleague sparks fresh speculation about the future of their relationship. The presenter had been married to Stephanie Lowe, 59 - with whom he shares two daughters, Ruby 27, and Molly, 30 - for 27 years when he came out as gay in February 2020. In the aftermath of Schofield's announcement, it was suggested that although they had separated, the couple would remain married until they were both ready to move on. That October, Schofield confirmed the pair were still married in Chris Evans' podcast - and he was photographed wearing his wedding ring as recently as January 2023. 'I'm still married to Steph. With divorce... we've not discussed that at all,' he told Evans. However, it is unclear whether this will change in the wake of last night's revelations, to which Stephanie and her family have not yet publicly responded. Phillip Schofield had been married to Stephanie Lowe for 27 years when he came out as gay In the aftermath of Schofield's announcement in 2020, it was suggested that although they had separated, the couple would remain married until they were both ready to move on That October, Schofield confirmed the pair were still married in Chris Evans' podcast - and he was photographed wearing his wedding ring as recently as January 2023 Schofield last night admitted the 'unwise' romance with a much younger male colleague took place during the couple's marriage - adding that he was 'so very sorry' for being unfaithful. It came after footage re-emerged of Schofield discussing his relationship with Stephanie, and the difficulties they faced during his coming out, in an interview with fellow ITV star. He said: '[There were] lots and lots of hours talking to Steph and hugging Steph. We talked the whole thing through. There were no secrets, there have never been any secrets. What I knew, she knew.' Schofield also claimed in the interview in October 2020, seven months after making the announcement about his sexuality: 'It's not in my nature to hurt people.' The couple met while they were both working for the BBC, Stephanie as a production assistant and Schofield presenting children's TV. He once told Lorraine: 'She worked in television years ago, that was how we met.' Schofield and Stephanie married at the 16th century Ackergill Tower in northern Scotland in 1993, and welcomed their eldest daughter Molly in the same year. The couple had a second daughter, Ruby, in 1996. For most of their married life, Schofield and Stephanie lived with their children in Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire. They kept their relationship rather private, with the mother-of-two largely staying out of the public eye despite her husband's fame in the UK. However, she did appear in Schofield's three-part documentary in 2017 - Schofield's South African Adventure. Stephanie was also featured in his 2019 show How To Spend Well At Christmas. His wife, Stephanie Lowe, 59, with whom he shares two daughters, Ruby, 27, and Molly, 30, vowed to stand by him - and to this day, the couple have yet to file for divorce In the aftermath of Schofield's news in February 2020, it was revealed that although they had separated, the couple would remain married until they were both ready to move on But their picture perfect life was thrown into the air in February 2020, when Schofield came out as gay to his 2.7 million followers on social media. His statement read: 'You never know whats going on in someone's seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing and so you won't know what has been consuming me for the last few years. 'With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.' Stephanie Lowe, 59, who shares two children, Ruby and Molly with Schofield, issued a statement when her then husband came out as gay in 2020 The 'unwise' romance took place during the couple's 30-year marriage and Schofield has said he was 'so very sorry' (pictured with their two children, Ruby and Molly) Schofield later said he believed he was bisexual at the time he married Stephanie. In a follow-up post, he spoke about how Stephanie had continued to support him after he came out. 'Steph has been incredible I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met. My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort. 'Both mine and Steph's entire families have stunned me with their love, instant acceptance and support. Of course, they are worried about Steph, but I know they will scoop us both up.' His wife, with whom he celebrated 25 years of marriage in 2018, immediately rallied behind him, releasing a statement in support of his 'brave step'. She said: 'I love Phillip, as much today as I ever have, and always will. We've been awestruck by the strength and love of our precious girls, even as they've been trying to make sense of it all for themselves. Our family have also been so supportive and will help us going forward. 'Although this is difficult for us all, I support Phillip in taking this brave step. I will still be there, holding his hand. Everyone should be proud to live their own truth.' The pair went their separate ways shortly after, with Schofield moving out of the family home in Oxfordshire into a bachelor's pad in Chiswick, west London. But they appeared to be as close knit as ever, never filing for divorce and both being pictured wearing their wedding and engagement bands as recently as January. Stephanie has yet to release a statement in the wake of Schofield's admission that he had an affair with a This Morning colleague during their 30 years of marriage. The presenter stepped down from his This Morning hosting duties last weekend after more than 20 years on the airwaves before confirming the affair in a statement to the Daily Mail on Friday. He has also resigned from ITV and will not host the British Soap Awards. He has also been dropped by his agents at YMU 'with immediate effect'. In a statement, the former ITV presenter said: 'I am making this statement via the Daily Mail, to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story [sic] which they wanted to write about me a few days ago. 'The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning. In October 2020, Schofield confirmed the pair were still married in Chris Evans' podcast - and he was photographed wearing his wedding ring as recently as January 2023 Schofield and Stephanie married at the 16th century Ackergill Tower in northern Scotland in 1993, and welcomed their eldest daughter Molly in the same year 'I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. 'Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than a just a friendship. 'That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over... 'I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife... The presenter stepped down from his This Morning hosting duties last weekend after more than 20 years on the airwaves before confirming the affair in a statement to the Daily Mail on Friday For most of their married life, Schofield and Stephanie lived with their children in Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire 'I am resigning from ITV with immediate effect, expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me. 'I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.' An ITV Spokesperson said on Friday evening: 'We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield. 'The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down. 'We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated.' A woman who lost her husband to a brain tumour has given birth to their second child through IVF 16 months after he died. Jasdip Sumal, 38, gave birth to Amandeep through IVF on April 9. Her husband, Aman Sumal, was diagnosed with a grade four brain tumour after suffering a seizure and headaches in August 2020. He underwent chemotherapy and intensive radiotherapy, but sadly his health continued to deteriorate and he died in December 2021, aged 36. Following his death, Jasdip took the decision to fulfil her and Aman's dream to have another child. Pictured: Jasdip Sumal with her daughter Amandeep (left) and son Rajan. Jasdip, 38, gave birth to Amandeep through IVF on April 9 She gave birth to their daughter, Amandeep, through IVF on Easter Sunday, a week before what would have been Aman's 38th birthday. Jasdip, a data analyst from Ruislip, London, said: 'We had our son through IVF in 2019 and we always planned to have another child, but then Aman got sick and everything after that was a whirlwind so we never got the chance. 'I thought about doing it while he was still here. 'I knew he didn't have long and thought it would be a nice thing to tell him if he could understand me, but he passed away in December 2021 and after that I was coping with the grief of losing him. 'I still wanted to have a family though, and knew there would never be a good time.' She added: 'It was always the plan to have a sibling for Rajan, and that was important to Aman too, so I decided to go ahead with it. 'Aman's strength is what showed me I could do it. He was so strong during what was an incredibly hard time and I knew nothing I did would be harder than that.' Initially, it was thought that Aman had a low-grade tumour and he was given anti-seizure medication and referred for scans every three months. However, after suffering from another seizure five months later, an MRI showed areas of concern and he underwent debulking surgery. A biopsy of Aman's tumour revealed it was, in fact, a grade 4 glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive brain tumour with a short prognosis of just 12 to 18 months. Jasdip fell pregnant in August 2022, eight months after Aman's death. In April, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Pictured: Aman Sumal and son Rajan. Aman was diagnosed with a grade four brain tumour after suffering a seizure and headaches in August 2020. He underwent chemotherapy and intensive radiotherapy, but sadly his health continued to deteriorate and he died in December 2021, aged 36 She said: 'Aman was over-the-moon with Rajan but always said 'I have one of me and it would be nice to have one of you too. 'I know he would have been all over our daughter. It's just such a shame he won't ever get to meet her. 'It's bittersweet, which is what I think everyone struggles with, but hopefully she'll bring acceptance that Aman's gone and that the next chapter for all of us is the kids. 'I have a big family and had so much support throughout. 'I couldn't have done it without them.' She continued: 'My sisters-in-law came to my appointments with me and were my labouring partners, so I didn't have the worry of being alone. 'Aman was obviously very missed, but having the girls with me was the next best thing, and for that I am truly grateful. 'One of them even cut Amandeep's umbilical cord, which was lovely.' Jasdip decided to name Amandeep after her late husband, something she said she had always planned to do. She said: 'I always knew I was going to name her Aman because in our religion it's a name for both sexes, but in the end, I decided to combine parts of both our names. I've spelt mine differently, but the pronunciation is the same. 'I know Aman won't be forgotten but doing this gives us another memory of him. 'Hopefully both our kids will grow up feeling like they know him.' Pictured: Baby Amandeep. Jasdip decided to name Amandeep after her late husband, something she said she had always planned to do Jasdip and her family have supported Brain Tumour Research since Aman's diagnosis and continue to raise awareness and funds for the charity. According to the charity, 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK and just 12 per cent of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years, compared with an average of 54 per cent across all cancers. Jasdip said: 'It's very close to our hearts now. 'We want to do all we can to help others in Aman's honour. It's what he would have wanted and is all we can do now to keep him alive.' Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: 'We were over-the-moon to learn about the birth of Amandeep, which has come as such a blessing for her family. 'Her mum, Jasdip, has shown incredible strength since Aman's passing and is much admired by the team at Brain Tumour Research. 'Aman's sad story is a stark reminder that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. 'We're determined to change this but it's only by working together we will be able to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure.' Prince Andrew appeared in high spirits today as he was spotted out riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The royal, 63, was without his brother Prince Edward, who often joins him for his weekly outings. But the solitude didn't appear to bother Andrew, who was clearly enjoying the mild weather. It comes as Prince Andrew is said to be trying to re-launch himself as a royal, following him being forced to take a step back and cease royal work following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. He is also set to refuse his older brother's request that he swaps the 30-room lodge, where he currently lives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, for the considerably smaller Frogmore Cottage. King Charles is said to have 'no power' to kick Prince Andrew out of his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor, and sources say the Duke has 'no plans' to vacate. Prince Andrew appeared in high spirits today as he was spotted out riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle Prince Andrew grinned as he travelled around the Windsor estate on Saturday morning, accompanied by two other riders. An insider claims the monarch will be unable to remove the disgraced royal from the property because his brother's name is on the lease, not the royal family's. It has been reported that the Royal Lodge had been lined up for Prince William and Kate to move into. But Andrew reportedly intends to honour the lease he signed in 2003 - which expires in 75 years - by refusing to move out of the 30million mansion. This is despite alleged pressure from Buckingham Palace to move to Frogmore Cottage, a smaller residence on the Windsor estate previously lived in by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. An insider, who is in regular contact with Andrew, told The Times: 'The lease is in the duke's name so no one can take that away from him. 'It has never been suggested that it could be taken away from him. It's a long lease with 80 to 90 years left on it. 'This is a lease between him and the Crown Estate. That's not a matter for the King. It's a matter for the chancellor of the exchequer. The only way you could get him to move out would be through an arrangement he would have to agree.' The royal, 63, was without his brother Prince Edward, who often joins him for his weekly outings. But the solitude didn't appear to bother Andrew, who was clearly enjoying the mild weather Prince Andrew was seen riding alongside his younger brother Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, last week The brothers appeared to be in deep conversation as they soaked up the sun at Windsor A friend told the Mail On Sunday that Andrew is feeling down and 'refusing to budge' from the property, which is believed to have been set aside for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children. 'He is so fragile,' the friend told the Mail. Reports have swirled that Andrew has been in low spirits and even reclusive. 'He's refusing to see anybody. This has been his family home for the past 20 years. Is it really sensible to kick him out?' They added: 'He's concerned that now the Coronation is over, the knives are out. He's worried that the royals might even turn off the utilities to get him out of there. But we're dealing with human beings, not real estate.' It is widely thought that Royal Lodge, once occupied by the Queen Mother, has been earmarked for Prince William and his family. There is a good reason moms have always warned us not to swallow gum because it could stay inside our bodies 'forever'. A boy in Ohio swallowed almost 40 pieces of the stuff and had to have an emergency operation highlights this point. The child began suffering cramps and diarrhea when the gum clumped together in his stomach and began to obstruct his digestive system. The emergency operation involved pulling the clump of gum back out through his throat. He suffered no long-term effects, but doctors said he was lucky that the gum had not gone on to block his intestine which can be fatal because it may lead to the walls of the bowels being pierced and leaking their contents into the body. The youngster, who has not been named, had a large mass of gum medically termed a gum bezoar lodged in his stomach (pictured) Doctors removed it by placing a metal tube down his throat and gradually scooping pieces back up through the mouth The doctors, led by Dr Chizite Iheonunekwu at the Cleveland Clinic, revealed the case in the medical publication JEM Reports. They said children who present at hospital with stomach pain and diarrhea should be checked for 'bezoars', the name for swallowed foreign material. On the day of the accident, the patient's mother said the child had eaten an entire tub of sugar-free chewing gum. She immediately called the local poison center, which advised her to go to the emergency room if her son had stomach problems. Hours later he developed stomach pain and began suffering from diarrhea, prompting a trip to the ER. Scans revealed the patient had a large mass medically termed a bezoar stuck in his stomach, taking up around 25 percent of the space. After discussing options, doctors decided to remove it using multiple 'passes' of the esophagus or gullet. This involved placing an esophagoscope, or hollow metal tube, down the throat. Other implements like forceps are then put down the tube and used to pull off bits of the object to be removed. These are then brought back up through the throat. Doctors said the procedure took 'multiple' removals of gum. They did not say whether the child was awake, although he was likely sedated for the procedure. During this time, the youngster would have been asked to lie on his back with the tube then placed down his throat. Doctors said the next day the boy complained of a sore throat due to the 'number of passes' needed to remove the gum. He was given painkillers and discharged home. The youngster has suffered no long-term ill effects. Doctors advise people not to swallow chewing gum, although say it isn't harmful if one piece is accidentally ingested. They say it will generally move through the digestive system in tact before being removed in feces. But Dr Elizabeth Rajan, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, said: 'On very rare occasions, large amounts of swallowed gum combined with constipation have blocked intestines in children. 'It's for this reason that frequent swallowing of chewing gum should be discouraged, especially in children.' The body cannot digest chewing gum because it is built out of synthetic polymers and latex, which don't break down easily when ingested. When someone swallows too much chewing gum it can clump together and form a mass that blocks the intestines. The 41-year-old mother-of-two with incurable breast cancer, running to give hope to others facing an uncertain future. The woman racing to boost funding for pancreatic cancer research the disease that killed her mum on the day of her wedding. And the three siblings who, astonishingly, have had their stomachs removed to stop them developing a rare genetic cancer that has stalked their family but haven't let it stop them from tackling tough, muddy runs to raise thousands. These are just three awe-inspiring stories of participants in this year's Cancer Research UK Race For Life. Now in its 30th year, more than ten million people have taken part so far, raising a staggering 920 million and The Mail on Sunday is backing the drive, which helps fund cutting-edge research into the disease that affects one in two of us. This year there are more than 450 events at nearly 190 locations across the UK, with women, men and children running, walking or jogging 3km, 5km or 10km. Anyone can sign up (see panel on the right) regardless of fitness, background or experience and participants include everyone from OAPs and mothers pushing prams to people with their pets and devoted joggers. You can race alone or in groups, and you certainly don't need to have had cancer or even know anyone who has. But read on to hear about some of the inspiring individuals whose lives have been touched by the illness and how they've not let it stand in their way... FORMIDABLE: Muddy Sophie Springford, who has breast cancer, after a run with husband Jamie IT'S TOO LATE FOR ME BUT I STILL WANT TO DO MY BIT When mother-of-two Sophie Springford was told the devastating news that she had incurable breast cancer at 37, and given just two years to live, she vowed 'to live life to the full and make every day count, whatever my future'. True to her word, she has defied the odds earlier this month she was one of hundreds of runners who took part in the Pretty Muddy Race For Life in Norwich. The 5km obstacle course includes mud pits, climbing frames, tunnels and a giant inflatable slide. By her side throughout was husband Jamie, a primary care medic, and their sons Isaac, 16, and Jude, 13, as well as three other families. Sophie says: 'The cancer has spread to my bones it's in my spine and hips so I'm in pain every day and have to be careful. 'The obstacles that involved climbing and crawling I just walked around I was chief photographer for those bits. But I got around the whole thing and together we raised more than 1,800 for Cancer Research UK.' Sophie noticed a lump in her right breast in April 2018, a few months before her 37th birthday. 'I got it checked out immediately, but assumed the tests would come back negative,' she says. However, a mammogram and biopsy showed she had early-stage breast cancer. Sophie underwent surgery to remove the lump but, a month later, as doctors were concerned it hadn't removed all of the tumour, she had a double mastectomy. Then, at her six-month check-up, she showed doctors some small spots that had appeared on her chest around her surgery scars, and she was rushed in for more tests. 'I was told the cancer was in my liver and that meant it was incurable,' says Sophie. 'It was horrific, but I couldn't just fall apart, as much as I wanted to I had to carry on being a mum to my sons.' Sophie was put on chemotherapy, hormone-blocking medication and palbociclib a newer, targeted breast cancer drug that stops tumours growing. 'My liver is clear now and the cancer in my bones is stable. I've seen my 40th birthday, I'm watching my boys grow up, I've lived more life since my diagnosis than I did before and I'm hoping for even more time with my boys.' Sophie says she's taking part in the Race For Life for those who are also facing a difficult prognosis and to support research that might help incurable breast cancer patients in the future. 'I know mine will progress again,' she says. 'Even if something new is discovered, it's probably too late for me now, but I want to do my bit to help the next generation.' THEY DIDN'T SAY A WORD - I KNEW MY MUM HAD GONE It was meant to be the happiest day of her life. But hours before her wedding on October 8, 2016, Lara Heaney received the news she had been dreading. Her mum, Ann, had died that morning, just seven months after being told she had pancreatic cancer which is almost always fatal if caught late. 'At 6am I was woken by the intercom in my flat. It was my dad, Andrew, and my younger brother, David,' says Lara, 36, a deputy manager at an aquarium in Newquay, Cornwall. 'They didn't have to say a word, I knew Mum had gone. I just said, "No, not today!" and burst into tears.' Ann's presence was heavily felt throughout Lara's big day as she married highways manager Sean, 40. Lara says: 'Apparently Mum's last words were that the show had to go on. So, in her honour, we pulled together and vowed to make it special. And even though it was an October day, Sean and I walked out of the church into blazing sunshine Dad turned to me and said, "That's your mum shining down." 'I knew we had to laugh, dance, drink and enjoy ourselves in Mum's memory. And, apart from when I first got the news, I didn't cry once in sorrow all day.' THE SHOW GOES ON: Lara Heaney with her late mother Ann, who died seven months after her cancer diagnosis TOUGH STUFF: Lara (centre) with friends Louise (left) and Lexi after their muddy fundraiser Ann was only 59 when she died. She'd been given a crushing diagnosis that, with high-strength chemotherapy, she might see out nine months. Without it she might have only three months left. She opted for treatment, as her other daughter, Sarah, 40, was expecting a baby. Ann was desperate to see Lara's wedding day, too. 'It's been more than seven years since Mum died, and while I've never shied away from talking about her and our wedding day, it's only now that I've finally opened up about all that happened,' says Lara, now mother to five-year-old son Lowen. Ann's premature death has driven Lara to support the Race For Life campaign in the hope that research will find better treatments for pancreatic cancer. Last year she completed a 5km event in Truro, Cornwall, and last weekend took part in the Pretty Muddy Race For Life. Lara says: 'Lowen never knew Mum, but he and Sean cheered me on. Mum would have so loved to have met our boy.' Having our stomachs removed didn't stop us Three siblings running in the Sandwell Pretty Muddy Race For Life in June have already overcome huge obstacles in their life having had their stomachs surgically removed to prevent cancer. Tahir and Omar Khan and Sophia Ahmed underwent the drastic surgery after losing their mother, Pearl, at 49 and sister Yasmin at 32 from the disease. A series of tests revealed they all carry the genetic mutation CDH1, which meant they had a 90 per cent chance of developing aggressive stomach cancer. Surgery has cut that risk to almost zero. Now, the West Midlands family are determined to 'give back' to Cancer Research UK, the charity they credit for saving their lives. STRONG GENES: Sophia Ahmed, far left, with her family at a Race For Life event Sophia, 43, said: 'We lost Mum to this horrible cancer just six months after she was diagnosed. Then we lost our sister ten years later. 'I read in Yasmins hospital notes that it might be genetic, so I did some research and found out Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge was doing a study into cancer genes. I contacted them and volunteered us for testing. 'The results came back showing three out of four us were carriers of the gene called CDH1.' Sister Tracey, 52, wasnt a carrier, but Tahir, Omar and Sophia all opted to have their stomachs removed in a procedure known as a total gastrectomy. Surgeons then create a small pouch that collects food by connecting the oesophagus to the small intestine. The family last year began fundraising for Cancer Research UK. 'We did our first Race For Life, which was the best day of our lives. We raised around 7,000 by the end, which was fantastic,' says Sophia. In December, her 19-year-old son, Zain, was found to carry the CDH1 gene. 'In this years Race For Life, Zain will be running with us and we cant wait to raise funds and awareness for the charity. We owe them everything.' Advertisement TELLING OUR GIRLS WAS THE HARDEST THING EVER Stephen Daniels, 43, was one of hundreds of runners who took part in the Race For Life 5k in Lydiard Park, Swindon, earlier this month. The marketing manager was joined by his wife Kate, 43, and their daughter Grace, 13. Reaching the finish line was a significant achievement for the family not only because Grace had broken her leg just weeks before the race, but also because Stephen is receiving end-of-life care for an incurable brain tumour. 'Grace really wanted to do the race, despite the injury,' he says. 'So we walked most of it together as a family, supporting each other. It was really special.' IT'S SO SIMPLE TO ENTER AND RAISE VITAL CASH It couldn't be easier to enter a Race For Life event. Go to raceforlife.org and you can search for one due to take place in the general location youre interested in. You can further refine the search by adding the type of event you'd like to join 3km, 5km, 10km, Pretty Muddy or Pretty Muddy Kids as well as dates. Once you've picked one, click on 'event info' which takes you to the specific race's home page. This is where you can enter. Most charge an entry fee, which is between 10 and 20 for adults and less for children. Fill out the form, make the payment and you'll be emailed an information pack to help you start fundraising. Advertisement Stephen was diagnosed with brain cancer in November 2021 after suffering a massive seizure. The father-of-two his oldest daughter, Sophia, is 15 was told he had stage-four glioblastoma a very aggressive form of brain cancer which affects about 3,000 people in the UK every year. The average survival time is about 15 months, with less than ten per cent living longer than five years after diagnosis. Stephen's consultant told him that he could undergo surgery to remove the tumour, the size of a 50p coin, but it could not cure him. This is because glioblastoma tumours spread tendrils throughout surrounding tissue, which are nearly impossible to spot until they form new tumours, and can never be fully removed from the brain. Stephen says telling his family about the diagnosis was incredibly difficult. 'Kate, especially, was in pieces, as her father had died from a brain tumour when she was just three,' he adds. 'Telling our girls the news was the hardest thing I've ever done.' Stephen underwent surgery in December 2021 and has since had radiotherapy and chemotherapy to keep the cancer under control. 'What's made me really angry is how the prognosis for glioblastoma and brain tumours in general don't seem to have changed in decades such little funding has been invested into researching it. 'It's the biggest cancer killer for under-40s, yet just one per cent of the total national spend on cancer research has gone into brain tumours in the past five years. 'That's why taking part in fundraisers such as Race For Life is so important. I might not have much longer, but that doesn't mean it has to be that way for everyone.' WHY ME? THAT'S CANCER, IT DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE Former police officer Kevin Philliskirk, 66, is alive and well five years after being diagnosed with incurable bladder cancer which had spread to his lungs thanks to the ground-breaking immunotherapy drugs developed with funding from Cancer Research UK. Now the grandfather from Sheffield plans to give something back by raising money when he takes part in the city's Race For Life event on June 11. 'I was on a trial for an immunotherapy drug called Tecentriq [also known as atezolizumab] for two years, and it really did the trick,' says Kevin. 'My cancer isn't gone but the treatment has definitely kept it at bay. I feel like the treatment saved my life.' Drugs such as Tecentriq work by harnessing the power of the body's immune system to seek out and destroy cancerous cells. They have transformed treatment of numerous cancers previously regarded as a death sentence, such as the skin cancer malignant melanoma. Kevin was on holiday in France in 2018 when he first noticed blood in his urine. He saw his GP who referred him for tests that revealed he had bladder cancer which affects about 20,000 people every year in the UK, with men most likely to be victims. The disease soon spread to his lungs, drastically reducing his chances of survival. 'One of the first things I thought was, why me? I'd always been fit and healthy. But that's cancer for you it doesn't discriminate.' Kevin needed surgery to remove his bladder and create a permanent stoma an opening on the abdomen to divert the flow of bodily waste into a bag. 'I needed to make friends with it so I call it Paloma,' he quips. 'Research into better treatments has given me the greatest gift more time with my loved ones. But scientists need our support success stories such as mine would not be possible without the work of scientists funded by Cancer Research UK, who have played a key part in the development of immunotherapy treatment.' It isn't hard to understand why back pain can leave you feeling blue. But can stress and depression make the problem worse? It's generally accepted that mental health issues can worsen how we cope with physical pain, and studies have shown psychological therapies can help ease the discomfort. So could a massage treatment solve such a complex issue? Not easily. But the Ila Only Spa at Lotte New York Palace may be on to something with its Beat The Blues Back Massage (60 minutes, 165), a stress-reducing and pain-busting treatment to help 'when you're feeling emotionally drained, with stress in your neck and shoulders'. ROYAL APPROVAL: Meghan and Harry The Ila Only Spa at Lotte New York Palace may be on to something with its Beat The Blues Back Massage (60 minutes, 165), a stress-reducing and pain-busting treatment to help 'when you're feeling emotionally drained, with stress in your neck and shoulders' THE TREATMENT Lotte New York Palace is a gem. Situated on Madison Avenue, it oozes old-school New York glamour. Many of the rooms overlook the iconic St Patrick's Cathedral, opened in 1879, and it is a stone's throw from the Rockefeller Center and the fashionable shops of 5th Avenue. The spa is Cotswolds-based organic skincare firm Ila's first venture into the US market. Ila is, reportedly, a favourite of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. If it's good enough for her... The massage focuses on the back of the body, perfect for my stressed-out, post-flight neck and shoulders. The initial part is done without oil, through a sheet, focusing on pressure points to help reduce tension and improve circulation both natural pain relievers. My therapist then uses warm poultices cloth pouches filled with Himalayan salt and lavender, known to help with anxiety along my spine. I leave feeling like a weight has been lifted, ready to take on a day of sightseeing. Jonathan Neal The Government has agreed to enshrine in law a requirement for banks to provide customers with convenient free access to cash on the high street. The move comes against a backdrop of hundreds of bank branch closures since the start of last year and a steep long-term decline in the number of free-to-use cash machines. Reduced access to cash or a bank makes it difficult for cash-dependent people especially the elderly to go about their everyday lives, whether doing their banking or shopping. The step represents a big victory for the MoS, which has championed the right of consumers to have nationwide access to cash. We have fiercely campaigned against bank closures, especially when they turn a community into a banking desert. We have also been instrumental in banks agreeing to fund new-style banking hubs in communities which have lost their last bank. These hubs provide banking services for all customers business and personal of the country's biggest banks. Cash in hand: Reduced access to cash or a bank makes it difficult for cash-dependent people to go about their everyday lives, whether doing their banking or shopping 'Well done MoS,' said Baroness Ros Altmann on Friday. It was Altmann, prompted by consumer group Which?, who persuaded the Government to toughen up legislation passing through Parliament, paving the way for 'minimum levels of free access to cash'. She was backed by Life Peers from all three main political parties. Although the amendment to the Financial Services And Markets Bill is unlikely to stem bank branch and ATM closures, it should mean that every high street will now allow consumers to withdraw cash for free. This is likely to be through a free-to-use ATM, bank branch, hub, Post Office or even a cashback service provided by a local retailer. 'It is great news and about time there was recognition of the role played by cash in many people's lives,' says Altmann. Government figures confirm that more than two million over-70s do not access the internet. This means they cannot do banking online and are reliant on the high street. Over the last 15 months, the big banks have shut or announced their intention to close almost 900 branches, bringing the number left to around 5,000. Although the number of free-to-use ATMs only fell by four per cent last year, more than 15,000 cash machines have been removed from high streets over the past five years. Which? says that without Altmann's amendment, the objective of the new legislation protecting access to cash would have been undermined as swathes of free-to-use ATMs were either shut or replaced with fee-charging machines. Victory: Campaigner Ros Altmann It adds: 'Free access to cash is important for those on lower incomes as some fee-charging ATMs levy fees of up to 2.' Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, says: 'Whether it's to buy everyday essentials or to keep track of spending during the cost-of-living crisis, cash is important for millions of consumers. 'With bank branches and ATMs closing at a rapid rate, those who are not yet ready or able to make the switch to digital payments must not be left behind. We have campaigned to ensure that laws protect free access to cash and are delighted the Government agrees that people should not have to pay fees to access their own money.' John Howells, chief executive of cash machine network Link, agrees. He believes the toughening up of the legislation represents a big step forward. Link has already had to protect 3,400 free-to-use cash machines that would have been shut. In a deal with the banks, it has recommended more than 100 banking hubs in communities where all branches have been axed. The task of opening them is in the hands of Cash Access UK, funded by the banks. So far only a handful have opened, the latest in Troon, South Ayrshire. Howells says: 'At least five million people rely on cash and although its use is declining, we must protect access to it.' Tulip Siddiq, Shadow City Minister, said: 'If the Government is serious about ensuring no one is cut off from the services they need, it must go further and adopt Labour's policy to protect face-to-face banking services.' NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks to journalists as he arrives for a Foreign Affairs Council at the EU headquarters in Brussels, May 23. AFP-Yonhap The race to be the next NATO boss is heating up. But it is a race run largely in the dark, with no sign of a winner yet. Jens Stoltenberg, the transatlantic military alliance's Norwegian secretary-general, is due to step down at the end of September after nine years in the post. Many alliance members would like his succession settled at, or even before, a NATO summit in Lithuania in mid-July. That does not give NATO's 31 nations, spanning from the United States through new member Finland to Turkey, much time to forge the consensus needed to pick a new leader. They could also ask Stoltenberg to extend his term for a fourth time. Whoever takes the reins will do so at a critical time, facing the twin challenges of keeping allies together in supporting Ukraine while guarding against any escalation that would draw NATO directly into a war with Russia. British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace declared last week that he would like the job. But, as some governments push for a first female NATO secretary-general, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is also emerging as a serious contender. Though a very public role, the contest is extremely opaque, played out mainly in consultations among leaders and diplomats. Those consultations continue until all NATO members agree they have reached a consensus. Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official who served with the alliance for 38 years, said leaders will be looking for a highly skilled politician, communicator and diplomat. "Keeping the family together, keeping everybody on board constantly, being in touch with all of the allies to make sure that you're addressing their concerns, is an important part of the job," said Shea, now with the Chatham House think tank. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen before a visit of the future site of Zagreb's terminal Deep Sea, the future Rijeka Gateway terminal, in Rijeka on March 6. AFP-Yonhap Fallen star: Neil Woodford's 3.4billion Equity Income fund was suspended after its performance dipped This Saturday will mark the fourth anniversary of the suspension of high-profile investment fund Woodford Equity Income, run by Neil Woodford. The fund was suspended because it didn't have sufficient cash to meet the flood of redemption requests from investors as its performance dipped alarmingly. It will be a far from happy occasion for the 300,000 plus investors who have been patiently waiting to be compensated for the losses they suffered as the 3.4 billion fund awash with illiquid assets was subsequently broken up and the holdings (most of them) sold off. Although the Financial Conduct Authority has hardly covered itself in glory with its probe into the circumstances behind the fund's shuttering, there is now a whiff of compensation on the horizon. But it's far from certain. In a deal struck with Link Group the owner of the business whose role was to ensure Neil Woodford stayed on the straight and narrow compensation of up to 235 million could be paid to investors. Yet it's not a slam dunk, there are many hurdles to clear, and, as the FCA said last month, it will still leave Equity Income investors with losses of at least 23 pence in the pound. One investor who has taken a keen interest in the Woodford debacle from day one told me last week that he would be amazed if anything like 235 million comes back to investors. He also believes the regulator has not devoted enough resource to holding to account other organisations involved in the Woodford debacle namely, investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown which recommended Equity Income as a best buy right up until it was suspended; and, of course, Neil Woodford and for that matter, the FCA itself. (In the regulator's defence, it has said its investigations into 'other parties' is continuing and that it will 'consider any further failings which may have negatively impacted investors'.) The investor says he is not holding his breath waiting for the FCA to conclude matters. His view is that someone like Dame Elizabeth Gloster should be brought in to sort out the mess. It was Dame Gloster who was asked to investigate the FCA's regulation of investment bond issuer London Capital & Finance which collapsed in 2019 owing more than 240 million to 14,000 investors. Following her work, which took 18 months to complete, compensation was promptly paid to those caught up in the financial scandal. Woodford investors deserve compensation soonest. They've waited far too long. If the FCA can't get it over the line, a mover and a shaker like Dame Gloster should be asked to bring it about. Customers come first in equity release reforms THE equity release industry has fought hard to clean up its act and make itself consumer-friendly. It has made a good job of it, although the cleaning-up is far from finished. Equity release is aimed at the over-55s who want to extract cash from the value of their home (asset rich, income poor). It involves the taking-out of a fixed-rate, interest-only mortgage, but unlike a conventional home loan, interest is rolled up into the debt rather than paid by the customer every month. The loan is cleared by the sale of the home when the planholder dies or goes into care with the equity release provider guaranteeing to take the hit if there is any negative equity. Though plans now allow partial payments of interest to be made mitigating the impact of rolled-up interest increasing the size of the outstanding loan equity release customers need particular looking after. The Equity Release Council, the industry's trade association, acknowledges this. It has just reminded plan providers and equity release advisers of their lifetime responsibilities to customers. With new consumer duty rules being introduced across the financial services industry by the City regulator, the council is keen to ensure its industry meets them. So it wants customers to be treated royally from the time they buy a plan through to when they die with key information made available at key moments in their equity release journey. For example, this should happen when a loved one dies, leaving a surviving partner with a plan that maybe they don't understand. I trust plan providers and advisers take on board what the council says. Customers must come first. Hats off to scam-buster Scam-buster: Doug Brodie Hats off to Doug Brodie, founder of retirement income planning specialist Chancery Lane, who is earning himself a reputation for being a mighty fine scam-buster. The latest scammers to be targeted by Brodie were those peddling an NHS five-year, fixed-rate bond paying six per cent interest. Emailed from mail@nhsinvest.uk, the offer said investors could 'earn a steady income stream while also contributing to the well-being of the UK population'. Utter lies. Brodie immediately contacted the company that provided the fraudsters with the email address and within hours it had agreed to 'terminate' the client's account. If only the Financial Conduct Authority were as effective in making life difficult for fraudsters. It's a clean sweep from Newbury IN recent weeks, I have detailed the steady withdrawal of banking facilities from my home town of Wokingham in Berkshire. In doing so, I have been unkind to one sturdy financial remainer: building society Newbury. My apologies to Newbury and thank you to local chimney sweep Paul Clarke (Sootbusters of Berkshire) for correcting my error. While NatWest and Santander have already given up the ghost in thriving Wokingham and Barclays is about to Newbury continues to wave the flag. Although it doesn't offer a current account and won't be paying windfalls any time soon, Newbury's savings accounts are worth more than a cursory glance. They can be operated by post, online and via its branches located in Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. A number of its accounts are eye-catching, especially the Senior Saver for over-55s which pays 3.05 per cent interest and a Junior Isa, paying 3.65 per cent. If Charlotte Hall and Justine Ransom, the society's branch managers in Wokingham, are anything to go by, you will also be greeted with a friendly smile too when using its services. Paul and his wife are recent Newbury converts and they have been impressed with its service. 'We even get passbooks,' he exclaimed, 'and the society is really involved in the community.' So, a big shout-out to all those low-key building societies up and down the country which serve with distinction. And if you live in Berkshire and need your chimney sweeping, Paul is your man (sootbusters.org.uk). Monthly savings usually good for financial health I'm a big advocate of monthly investing. It's a great way to fund a pension or a tax-friendly Individual Savings Account without denuding your finances. Investment specialist Fidelity International has just produced some numbers that prove the worth of this gently-gently investment approach. Assuming someone invests 69 a month into an Isa which enjoys an annual investment return of 3.9 per cent, Fidelity says it would be worth 25,106 at the end of 20 years. Along the way, they would have made contributions totalling 16,560. Of course, the numbers are illustrative but they do confirm that monthly investing is usually good for your financial health. Gently does it. An influential British pension fund has blasted BHP for its clean-up in an area of Brazil left devastated by the deadly collapse of a mine dam in 2015. The Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF), which manages 350 billion in assets for more than 90 councils, said it came across a host of environmental and human rights concerns. This included 'severe' worries about water quality and access for local people. In a report compiled following a two-week visit to Brazil by LAPFF representatives, the fund also accused the mining giant of failing to engage adequately with the local community. In November 2015, the wall of a dam holding waste from the Mariana iron ore mine cracked. Its collapse released 50 million cubic metres of toxic sludge that destroyed the village of Bento Rodrigues, killing 19, and spilled into multiple rivers before eventually reaching the Atlantic. It was the worst environmental crisis in Brazilian history. The mine was run by a group called Samarco, jointly owned by BHP and Brazilian group Vale. LAPFF chairman Doug McMurdo said: 'I knew the visit would be difficult, but I wasn't prepared for the scale of devastation I saw nearly seven years on from the Mariana collapse. Digging deep: There are a number of metals that need to be mined in large quantities, such as lithium, copper and silver, to build technology such as wind turbines and electric cars 'Seeing it with my own eyes was a wake-up call investors must do more. It was truly heartbreaking.' The LAPFF said reparations provided by the Renova Foundation, which BHP and Vale set up to oversee the clean-up and community support, needed to be delivered more quickly. It added that some community members claimed they had been 'bullied' by the Renova Foundation into accepting compensation that 'doesn't suit them' though it did not go into more detail. The LAPFF spoke to a range of communities and other groups connected to the Samarco mine and a similar disaster at Brumadinho, a mine owned solely by Vale, which killed 270 when the wall of its waste dam broke in 2019. The Renova foundation has spent about 4.7 billion on the clean-up and community assistance since it was set up in 2016. The majority of people who needed to be resettled have been moved to new homes. BHP is already facing what could be one of the world's largest class action lawsuits of its kind for the disaster. The court of appeal last year paved the way for a case representing 200,000 claimants to go to trial in the UK. The LAPFF said it believes it is important to engage with mining companies in part because the industry will play a key role in the green revolution. There are a number of metals that need to be mined in large quantities, such as lithium, copper and silver, to build technology such as wind turbines and electric cars. BHP declined to comment. Advertisement The world-renowned Cannes Film Festival brings a who's who of movie stars, celebrities and millionaires to the South of France each year, and inevitably many of them are intent on arriving in style. The Cote d'Azur is a hotspot for boats big and small at all times, but the weeks surrounding the famed festival see some of the world's most decadent superyachts glide into Cannes' harbour. Recent days have seen all manner of stunning vessels jostling for position off the French coast, with the likes of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos - the third richest man in the world according to Forbes - pitting his prized floating palace against that of Australian casino and media magnate James Packer, serial investor Todd Chaffee, and more. Here, MailOnline compares the two most impressive megayachts to descend on Cannes this year - both of which carry nine-figure price tags, before investigating some of the more some of the most stylish and sleek crafts to have been spotted dropping anchor near the Palais des Festivals for the 76th edition of the internationally acclaimed movie gala. Jeff Bezos $500 million megayacht is named Koru after the Maori word for 'new beginnings' Jeff Bezos' New $500 Million Superyacht 'Koru' Bezos and Sanchez are pictured aboard Koru in Cannes earlier this week The Koru (background) alone is simply not enough for the ex-Amazon chief, who also arrived in the French Riviera with a support yacht, the Abeona (foreground), which itself measures 246ft and carries a slew of gadgets, as well as a helicopter Jeff Bezos and his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez are holidaying on his yacht 'Koru' (left) with escort yacht 'Abeona' (right) in Cannes Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the polished wooden sculpture of a curvaceous woman carved in the style of a Roman goddess, dressed in a flowing gown and with long hair Taking pride of place among the superyachts in Cannes this year is the stunning $500 million Koru - the brand new pearl of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' fleet. Measuring a whopping 417ft, the Koru - so named after the Maori word for 'new beginnings - is a fitting vessel for the third-richest man in the world. The seafaring mansion is the world's second largest sailing ship, surpassed only by the somewhat underwhelmingly-named 'Sailing Yacht A', owned by Russian fertilizer billionaire Andrey Melnichenko. The staggering vessel wraps the very best of modern maritime technology with the look and feel of sailing ships of old. The Koru is powered by a pair of extremely powerful MTU Rolls Royce engines, but also comes complete with an array of sails which allow the craft to harness the power of mother nature. A polished wooden sculpture of a Roman goddess is carved into the ship's bow, which some have commented looks as though it is styled on Bezos' glamorous girlfriend Lauren Sanchez. Not much is known about the interior of Bezos' superyacht, but with a price tag of $500 million - and estimated running costs of roughly $25 million - it is sure to be dripping with luxury. But the Koru alone is simply not enough for the ex-Amazon chief, who also arrived in the French Riviera with a support yacht, the Abeona, which itself measures 246ft and carries a slew of gadgets, machines and toys for Bezos and his entourage to enjoy. These include a selection of supercars, motorbikes, smaller boats, jetskis, and a helicopter. With the absence of several huge luxury vessels this year at Cannes - many of which include the fleet of yachts maintained by various members of the Russian oligarchy amid the war in Ukraine - Bezos' Koru is undoubtedly the most impressive. James Packer's $282 million IJE superyacht in Antibes, France on May 23, 2023 American actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire visit James Packer on his yacht IJE off Antibes, France, on May 22, 2023 Built by Benetti, the IJE measures 354ft and is the flagship of the boat makers' custom fleet. It has 11 cabins which have enough space to accommodate up to 22 guests Australian billionaire James Packer's luxury superyacht IJE (pictured) DiCaprio and Maguire are pictured aboard IJE earlier this week Bezos' has since decided to jet off for northern Italy, but Kora and Abeona are just two of many opulent crafts that dropped by the Palais des Festivals. Australian billionaire James Packer's luxury superyacht IJE - worth a staggering $282 million, is also in town for the famed festival and is the only ship capable of rivalling the Koru. Named after the first initial of his three children's names, Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle - was crafted by master shipmakers Benetti in Livorno, Italy. The IJE - named after the first initial of Mr Packer's (pictured) three children's names, Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle - was crafted by Benetti in Livorno, Italy The superyacht was bought by the media mogul in April 2019 for an estimated $200 million after it took four years to construct. Weighing in at 300 tonnes and measuring 354ft, the IJE is designed to be a true party destination that can accommodate up to 22 guests - four more than the Koru - as well as 32 crew members. It is equipped with a large swimming pool on the main deck, an integrated cinema, a gym, a beauty salon, a helipad, and even a nightclub, which is sure to go down well with Hollywood's darlings. While Bezos' Koru may dwarf the IJE in terms of sheer size and its price tag, the attractions aboard Packer's craft have clearly proven attractive to some of the world's most recognisable faces. Leonardo DiCaprio was just one such celebrity spotted aboard the mesmerising craft this week, stepping aboard alongside fellow film star Tobey Maguire before the evening's festivities. Lower down the order, serial investor Todd Chaffee - known for his scoops in Netflix, Twitter and travel comparison website Kayak to name a few - pulled up in a $70 million yacht named Artisan. Measuring up at a paltry 207ft in comparison to the heavyweights described above, Artisan's interior is handcrafted by London design house Bannenberg & Rowell, and sleeps up to 13 guests alongside a 15-strong crew. The craft was built by Benetti in 2019, but was then retrofitted just last year to bring the latest technological upgrades. It set off from Mallorca on May 15, cruising up through the Balearic sea before coming into Cannes for Chaffee and his entourage to enjoy the festivities. Another yacht commanding a $70 million price tag is Siren, which has also been spied floating on the Riviera just off Cannes. The 241ft vessel, which outperforms Artisan in terms of its overall size, belongs to David Reuben - the Indian-born British businessman who together with brother and fellow entrepreneur Jason constitutes one of the UK's wealthiest families. Siren was built entirely in Germany. The hull and the frame of the craft were manufactured by German shipmakers Nobiskrug in 2006 and launched in 2008, while its interior design was taken care of by Newcruise, which has earned a reputation as one of the leading German design studios. Up to 12 guests can be accommodated aboard Siren, which is operated by 17 crewmembers. It is certainly an impressive craft, but at 17 years old, it is now lagging behind Artisan and other similar vessels of its class in terms of its raw capability and technology, and despite its size eclipsing that of Chaffee's Artisan, the Siren cannot host as many guests. KORU Owner: Jeff Bezos Price tag: $500 million Size: 417ft Can accommodate: 18 Crew size: 36 Power: 2x MTU Rolls Royce Engines AND sails Top speed: Unknown Advertisement IJE Owner: James Packer Price tag: $282 million Size: 354ft Can accommodate: 22 Crew size: 32 Power: 2x MTU Rolls Royce Engines Top speed: 16 knots Advertisement Chaffee pulled up in a $70 million yacht named Artisan, whose interior is handcrafted by London design house Bannenberg & Rowell Another yacht commanding a $70 million price tag is Siren, which belongs to businessman David Reuben and was also been spied floating on the Riviera just off Cannes One final vessel that is sure to catch the eye off the coast of Cannes is the Montkaj - a superyacht belonging to Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Fahd. A son of the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed certainly has the fortune befitting a royal, and a superyacht to match One final vessel that is sure to catch the eye off the coast of Cannes is the Montkaj - a superyacht belonging to Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Fahd. A son of the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed certainly has the fortune befitting a royal, and a superyacht to match. Montkaj is even older than Siren, having been constructed in 1995, but it outstrips both Artisan and Siren in terms of its size, measuring 256ft-long. The yacht's exterior and interior design was crafted by Terence Disdale, who has been described as the 'rockstar' of yacht design and is responsible for some of the most impressive interiors of any seafaring vessels. Montkaj can handle double the number of guests versus Siren - up to 24 people can be accommodated in luxury, with room for an additional 22 crew members. It is currently moored just across the bay from the Palais des Festivals, taking the leading berth on the harbour of Cannes' Boulevard de la Croisette. Satanism has roots dating back over five decades, to when nightclub entertainer and performer Anton LaVey wrote the Satanic Bible in 1969 The event was put on by The Satanic Temple, which claims to have over 700,000 members as Satanism continues to grow in America Four weeks ago, Boston played host to the largest Satanic gathering in history when SatanCon kicked off Weeks after the 'largest Satanic gathering in history', the ominous rise of America's Satanist movement has left many questioning what is behind the hellish trend. Although the event's hosts The Satanic Temple, the largest such group in America, claims to have over 700,000 followers, the religion has roots dating back over five decades to a lone eccentric author. When Anton LaVey kicked off Satanism in the 1960's, his beliefs gained traction at a time when culture was in flux. Commonly seen as the pursuit of individualism at large, Satanism found a place among those looking to challenge norms over issues including gender, sexuality and religion. But over the years its ideology has evolved to suit many 'woke' issues dominating modern culture, with some followers connecting their devotion to the Devil with debates over abortion, transgenderism and children's education. SatanCon attendees flashing the Devil-horns hand symbol as they shout 'Hail Satan' during the opening ceremony on April 28, 2023 Followers of Satanism say they are drawn to the Devil as a figure of strength and independence 'Really, it's all about religious freedom', Lucien Greaves, founder of The Satanic Temple, told DailyMail.com as he explained how Satanism has been able to grow to the extent it caused chaos in Boston four weeks ago. When members of The Satanic Temple convened inside Boston's Marriott Copley Place to celebrate their annual convention, SatanCon, a bizarre opening ceremony saw speakers tear up the bible and perform 'un-baptisms'. But the East Coast hub quickly became the epicenter of a new religious struggle, as furious Christians gathered outside the summit to face down the Satanists, continuing a decades-long struggle epitomized by the so-called 'Satanic Panic' of the 1980s. 'While they think they are coming to ambush Boston, little do they know that God has planned to ambush them,' warned Dr Jaymz Sideras, leader of religious group Revive Boston, at the time. While those outside the event would claim Satanists are intent on spreading godlessness and a demonic ideology, followers insist it couldn't be further from the truth. Anton LaVey, pictured, is widely considered the founder of Satanism after authoring the Satanic Bible in 1969 An entertainer by trade, LaVey has been dubbed 'the most iconic figure in the Satanic milieu'. he is pictured alongside iconic actress and friend Jayne Mansfield Lucien Greaves, the founder of the Satanic Temple, told DailyMail.com Satanism is 'all about religious freedom' Many maintain that they are 'atheistic Satanists' or 'romantic Satanists', a term Greaves described as seeing 'Lucifer as the bearer of knowledge' and as the 'ultimate rebel against tyranny'. 'It's becoming much more present, and much more ingrained in culture,' he added. Followers have grown in numbers enough to throw Boston into turmoil, but the organization's five-decade history dates back to outlandish carnival worker and nightclub entertainer LaVey, who kickstarted the religion by writing The Satanic Bible in 1969. Goatee wearing LaVey, described as 'the most iconic figure in the Satanic milieu' by Satanic historians before his death in 1997, authored the tome as an outline of the Satanic ideology for future decades. He was also notably friends with iconic Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield, who he met as he was laying the groundwork for his new religion in the early 1960s. The two had a rumored fling after connecting over his beliefs about Satan as a symbol for pursuing desires and individualism, however their budding friendship was cut short by her sudden death in a car crash in 1967. LaVey's following continued to gain traction into the 1970s, becoming known as the Church of Satan, which is currently a largely-online fellowship of supporters with a quasi-rivalry with to the Satanic Temple. 'We have a radical individualist philosophy,' said Raul Antony, 40, a Reverend in the Church of Satan, to DailyMail.com. 'It is an acceptance of the material world, that we only have one life and we must make the best of it enjoying our carnal desires.' A member of the Church of Satan for 15 years, he added that the movement at large 'prioritizes the individual over the greater good.' The church argues that Satan represents 'personal freedom and individualism', and unlike other religions, 'LaVey readily acknowledged that he used his own faculties to synthesize Satanism'. 'They're just really non-existent at this point,' Greaves said of the rival faction. 'They don't really have a purpose other than to assert themselves as the one true voice of Satanism.' 'They want to do this for their political agenda', responded Antonywho said while the Temple is 'broadly inclusive', the Church takes a different approach. 'We're about exclusion, not inclusion,' said the Satanic reverend. 'If the idea of Satan turns people away, that's fine. 'This idea that Satan could be this warm, cuddly thing that people can get comfortable with, that turns me off... Satan should be a figure of some kind of fear.' Furious Christian protestors gathered outside the Boston conference The rise in Satanism has led religious groups to protest their events, with members of a Christian activist group pictured outside SatanCon in April Attendees also put on a 'Satanic Ball' at the conference to celebrate their devotion to the Devil Notably, while Antony insists the church predominantly stays out of politics, The Satanic Temple has grown increasingly 'woke' in recent years, primarily focusing its activism upon social justice causes including abortion, trans rights, and education. 'We fully believe in our bodily autonomy, and our right to identify as we will,' added Greaves. ' 'It's valuable to look beyond whether people approve of our lifestyle, and more generally about whether or not they actually want to imbue the government with the authority over religious groups, and people's lifestyles and beliefs.' One its most recent fights has been over after-school kids' clubs, where Greaves clashed with former-Fox News firebrand Tucker Carlson over the presence of the 'After School Satan Club' in schools. Greaves maintains the club, and his religion at large, is supported by the Supreme Court's decisions to uphold freedom of religion. The group claims it actively avoids opening after-school clubs unless 'other religious groups are operating on campus', with its secular, anti-religious indoctrination beliefs a driving force of the modern movement. The issue consistently plagues school boards across the nation, including in an elementary school in California earlier this year, when Temple followers launched one of the clubs ostensibly to teach kids about inquiry and rationalism. While parents told KBAK at the time they thought the club was 'disgusting', the group hardly shied away from the controversy, with a placard seen on a stand at SatanCon comparing their club to the 'Good News Club', a religious club that is allowed at schools. 'The Satanic Temple does not advocate for religion in schools,' the group claims on its website. 'However, once religion invades schools, as the Good News Clubs have, the Satanic Temple will fight to ensure that plurality and true religious liberty are respected.' An 'Education with Satan' stand was installed at the conference to advertise its 'After School Satan Club' The stand included a placard comparing its Satanic after-school club with the religious Good News Club The Satanic Temple, which is currently recognized as the only official Satanic church and enjoys tax-exempt status, again showed its rivalry with religious groups following the overturning of Roe v Wade last summer. While LaVey wrote that the decision over abortion should be made by the husband decades ago, The Satanic Temple has branched out, instead focusing much of its activism on pro-choice causes. It claims to be a 'leading beacon' in abortion access, arguing that a religious exemption via its movement is the 'the only available challenge to many restrictions' that have been put in place. 'The mission of The Satanic Temple, a religious organization, is to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people,' the group claims on its website. It adds that members should 'reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits'. 'Most don't believe in Satan, not a literal Satan. It's not some 1980s horror film,' said SatanCon attendee Lael Lillard to WNB-TV. 'It's about supporting human rights.' 'It's about supporting women's bodily autonomy. It's about freedom of religion, freedom from religion,' he added, maintaining that the group's purpose is misunderstood. However, while followers claim they don't necessarily believe in the Devil as a deity, the cries of 'Hail Satan' at their Boston hub did little to convince their opponents. Members of The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property protested outside SatanCon, pictured on April 28, 2023 Demonstrators introduced several counter-events to show their opposition to the conference White nationalist group Patriot Front seen clashing with counter-protestors outside the event The growth of the movement from an entertainer's writings in the 1960's was marred by the so-called 'Satanic Panic', a phenomenon in the 1980s that sparked a cultural apprehension to the movement. But for modern-day Satanists, the issue never truly went away. 'We're seeing a resurgence of the Satanic Panic, we see it with Q-ANON and similar things,' said Greaves. 'We're not driving the narrative from our presence, but we're confusing that narrative, and maybe helping people to think deeper.' One in ten takeaways in the UK has failed food standards inspections according to shocking new research. Food retailers in England and Scotland are not obliged to show the results of safety inspections on their stores or websites, but this is mandatory in Wales and Northern Ireland. However, customers are able to check official food standards ratings online, though this can prove difficult for people without ready access to the internet. This latest data, released by the Food Standards Agency has been collated by Pantry & Larder. It shows that chicken shops are the most likely outlets to require immediate improvement, followed by Indian and Chinese restaurants. Fish and Chip shops, according to the information, were the least likely fast food outlets to fail an inspection. Almost one in 10 Chicken shops have failed food standards inspections, followed by around 9 per cent of Indian and Chinese restaurants. Fish and Chip shops are the least likely to have failed an inspection In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, food standards are graded on a six point scale from zero to five. A five rating is deemed 'very good', while anything below a two needs improvement. In Scotland there is only a pass / fail option on food standards. There are no grades to differentiate between the highest rated establishments and those who barely make the grade. Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are currently 13,945 businesses which have a food standards rating of two or less. A rating of two means improvement is necessary. In Scotland, 3,240 firms are classed as 'improvement required. Food standards inspection data is updated daily, though the information contained here is correct as of week ending May 26, 2023. To check if one of the failing restaurants is in your area, you can click HERE. Crown Chicken & Pizza in Leyton was given a zero rating when inspected in March 2023 Chicken Express in Tottenham, pictured, was also found to require major improvement when visited by the local council on February 21 Veronica Fletcher, founder of Pantry & Larder, commented on the findings: 'With this map, consumers now have a quick and easy way to see the cleanliness of their local takeaways. 'This is particularly important considering that businesses in England and Scotland arent legally required to display their food hygiene ratings. Although its mandatory in Northern Ireland and Wales. 'Food hygiene ratings take into account various factors, including how the food is handled, how it's stored and reheated, and how clean the environment is.' Pantry & Larder combined data released by the Food Standards Agency and combined it with details on business type held by Google. This allowed them to show a breakdown of restaurant by type. Among the businesses on the list is 24 Karat Chippy in Bolton, Greater Manchester. It's was handed a zero food standards rating when it was inspected on March 12, 2023. Businesses are rated along three categories; hygienic food handling; cleanliness and conditions or facilities and building; and management of food safety. Environmental health officers of Bolton City Council found that major improvement was necessary across all three areas. Fortune Chicken in Huddersfield was also found wanting when inspected on March 30 Chicken Express in Tottenham was inspected on February 21. Haringey Council found urgent improvement was required for the management of food safety. This includes ensuring that food is safe to eat and the ability to provide evidence that the staff are trained in food safety. Fortune Chicken in Huddersfield also received a zero rating following an inspection on March 30. It received criticism for its food handling, but inspectors found that the cleanliness of the building as well as pest control and hand washing facilities required major improvement. Major improvement was also needed for the management of food safety. CLICK TO READ MORE: 800 pubs and restaurants have ZERO food rating Each of the firms on the list have received a zero food rating and have been warned that urgent improvement is necessary otherwise they could face possible enforcement action Advertisement On March 8, 2023 inspectors from Waltham Forest Council arrived at Crown Chicken and Pizza Takeaway in Leyton, east London where they said urgent improvement was necessary across all areas. Despite the poor food standards, customers have been praising the takeaway for its service, food and value for money. The Food Standards Agency stresses that its scheme is concerned entirely with food standards and does not consider issues such as value for money or service when rating a business. The FSA is currently undergoing a consultation period about possible changes to the inspection regime across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The changes are intended to allow inspectors to concentrate on high risk food outlets. The agency wants to speak with local authorities, food retailers, professional agencies and trade unions about the updated system. Katie Pettifer, FSA Director for Strategy and Regulatory Compliance said: 'The food landscape has changed dramatically in the three decades since the current regulatory system was introduced, as has the way we buy and consume food. 'We want people to have food they can trust. So we want to make sure local authorities and district councils can target their resources as effectively as possible as we develop a food hygiene regulatory model that is fit for the future. 'Our proposals will enable local authorities to spend more of their time on food businesses that are non-compliant or pose the highest risk to public health, thereby reducing regulatory burdens on compliant or low-risk businesses.' Gerlach is suing the bishop for $1M after he 'burst into cloister to interrogate her' The physically disabled prioress of a Catholic convent in Texas is hitting back at a bishop's allegation that she committed adultery with a priest, after she filed a $1 million lawsuit accusing the bishop of acting in an 'unholy' and 'pure evil' manner. Speaking through her attorney, Reverend Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach vehemently rejected Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson's bombshell claim that she admitted to 'violating her vow of chastity with a priest'. 'She's never had sex with a priest,' Gerlach's attorney Michael Bobo told DailyMail.com in a phone interview this week. 'I can absolutely, categorically deny that she's ever had sex with a priest, and she's never admitted to any such thing.' Bobo suggested that there might be more to Olson's recent threats to shut down Gerlach's monastery than meet the eye, noting that the property in Arlington is owned by the Discalced Carmelite Nuns religious order rather than the diocese. 'He could arguably have the monastery shut down, and then that piece of property, which is worth about $22 million, could become part of the diocese,' the attorney said. Diocese spokesman Pat Svacina denied Bobo's claims in a statement to DailyMail.com, saying: 'His accusations are false and unsupported.' Reverend Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach denies Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson's bombshell claim that she admitted to 'violating her vow of chastity with a priest' Olson lobbed the allegation in court filings and a statement claiming Gerlach 'committed sins against the Sixth Commandment and violated her vow of chastity with a priest' The saga first emerged in a lawsuit filed by Gerlach and her convent earlier this month in Tarrant Country Court, naming Bishop Olson and the Diocese of Fort Worth as defendants. In the suit, Gerlach accused Olson of storming into the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity, which she oversees, interrogating her and the other sisters, and seizing the phones and computers they use to run the convent. Gerlach, 45, has severe chronic health issues and is confined to a wheelchair, and has lived in religious seclusion at the all-female monastery for the past 25 years, her attorney said. She was still under the influence of fentanyl from a surgical procedure when Olson entered the convent to grill her as part of his investigation, she said in a sworn affidavit. The lawsuit does not describe the nature of Olson's purported investigation. In response to the suit, the Diocese of Fort Worth issued a statement sharing allegations that Gerlach had 'committed sins against the Sixth Commandment and violated her vow of chastity with a priest' from outside the diocese. The statement said that Olson was conducting a 'ecclesiastical investigation into the report of the grave misconduct' under church rules, also known as canon law. In the Catholic Church, the Sixth Commandment is 'Thou shalt not commit adultery' and forbids sex outside of marriage. Catholic priests and nuns are forbidden to marry and take vows of celibate chastity. In a court filing viewed by DailyMail.com, the diocese asked for the suit to be dismissed and alleged that Gerlach 'has admitted to violating her vow of chastity, with a priest'. Bobo slammed that assertion as false, saying that Gerlach has not made such an admission, and that she does not even know the specific allegation against her. 'We don't even know what the allegation is, and we've asked,' said Bobo, adding that he had repeatedly asked the diocese: 'Tell me what you think she did. What is the crime or the sin you think she committed? What led you to that belief?' The diocese alleged that Gerlach admitted to breaching her vow of chastity, and asked for the court to dismiss the suit, arguing it lacked jurisdiction Gerlach oversees the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity (above) in Arlington, Texas, which sits on roughly 72 acres owned by the Discalced Carmelite Nuns religious order 'The bishop just decided to lob this bombshell out there, and for the life of us, we don't even know what the specifics of the allegation are. But I can absolutely tell you, she's never had sex with a priest,' the attorney said. 'They are the ones that put this allegation that she had sex with a priest out into the public forum, all of our filings prior to this never mentioned anything about that.' Svacina, the diocese spokesman, did not respond when asked to comment on the specific nature of the sexual misconduct allegations against Gerlach. Olson says he was investigating claims that Gerlach had 'violated her vow of chastity with a priest' from outside the diocese In one of the only clues offered in court records, a letter from Olson to a sister at the monastery makes reference to a 'canonical warning' he issued to Gerlach apparently forbidding her from using cell phones. 'Texting enables her sin,' the April 28 letter states, quoting Olson's own text message to a nun he had apparently tasked with monitoring Gerlach's communications. At the heart of Gerlach's civil claim against Olson is the assertion that the local bishop has no authority over the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, which maintains the convent on a roughly 72-acre property. 'We are not and have never been under the control of the Bishop of the local Diocese: we answer directly to the Pope,' said Gerlach in the affidavit. 'I was stunned when Bishop Olson for all intents and purposes forced himself onto our peaceful community,' she added. The lawsuit states that the Carmelite nuns 'are a cloistered Order of women dedicated to a life of contemplative prayer' who attend Mass each morning, and then gather seven times a day to chant the Liturgy of the Hours. 'The rest of their day is focused on contemplative prayer, the silent loving person to person relationship with Jesus Christ, a living prayer for the benefit of others,' the suit notes. Mother Superior made the extraordinary allegations in a sworn affidavit earlier this month According to the lawsuit, Olson first entered the convent on April 24, and brought an unidentified forensic technology specialist who confiscated Gerlach's personal cellphone, iPad and laptop computer. The suit notes that the devices were used to run the business of the monastery, and without them the nuns are unable to pay bills or operate financially. Olson then spent two hours 'interrogating' Sister Francis Therese, who is Gerlach's caregiver and has been at the convent for 46 years, according to the suit. The suit alleges that Olson returned the following day, April 25, and grilled other Sisters for hours, and demanded to interrogate Gerlach as well when she returned from a surgical procedure. 'Although I was in significant pain, under the influence of medications and feeling very weak I felt compelled to immediately acquiesce and was subjected to more interrogation,' said Gerlach. 'The Bishop knew I had just come back from the hospital and had a surgical procedure.' The Mother Superior said that the nuns then retained legal counsel, and told the bishop that the others Sisters would only consent to questioning if they were informed of the purpose and scope of the interviews. 'The Bishop threw a temper tantrum, and in an agitated and raised voice yelled that the Monastery was shut down, no Mass would be celebrated, he then slammed the door and left the Monastery, traumatizing the Sisters,' Gerlach said in her affidavit. The threat to withhold Mass is significant to the highly religious nuns, who typically celebrate the sacrament daily. In the Catholic church, only priests, who are under control of the bishop, can celebrate Mass or hear confessions. Bobo said that for the past three weeks, priests had been dispatched to the monastery only on Sundays to celebrate a perfunctory Mass, but that they had not heard confessions. Olson was ordained bishop and installed as the bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth in 2014 In response to the suit, the Diocese of Fort Worth issued a statement reporting allegations that Gerlach had 'violated her vow of chastity with a priest' Bobo told DailyMail.com that although Gerlach's devices had been returned, the diocese retains a forensic copy of their hard drives, and demanded their return. 'The stuff that was on that technology, has their private personal information, and has all the monastery's financial information, but most importantly, it has their donor list,' said Bobo. 'And that is a list that the bishop has been trying to get his hands on since he became bishop,' he added. A May 11 letter included in court records shows that canon law advocates for both sides - who were both appointed by the bishop - stipulated that the diocese could retain the forensic images 'only for the purposes of this ecclesiastical investigation,' or any civil or canonical proceedings stemming from it. In their response to the suit, the diocese argued that the court lacked jurisdiction, and asked for the case to be tossed out. 'Ecclesiastical disputes such as this do not have a place in civil courts,' attorneys for the diocese argued. 'If there is a forum that should consider Plaintiffs' complaints about Bishop Olson's investigation, it is the Roman Catholic Church. It is, respectfully, not a civil court in Tarrant County, Texas,' the filing added. Advertisement The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been undertaking an extraordinary letter writing campaign to try and persuade the world that he had no involvement in her disappearance. Police suspicions of convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner this week sparked a major new development in the case as officers searched a reservoir he frequented at the time of her disappearance 16 years ago. Now we can reveal that desperate and obsessive Brueckner, 45, has written a string of letters hoping to get publicity for his campaign to exonerate himself of anything to do with the mystery. One letter was sent just days before the start of this week's search for her at the Barragem do Arade reservoir near Silves, just 35 miles from the Algarve holiday village of Praia da Luz, from where she disappeared in May 2007 while on a family holiday. The neat, pencil-written letter gives a fascinating insight into convicted rapist Brueckner's mind and clearly shows his obsession with trying to persuade the authorities and public, via the media, that he is innocent of involvement in Madeleine's abduction. MailOnline can reveal Christian Brueckner, 45, has written a string of letters hoping to get publicity for his campaign to exonerate himself of anything to do with the mystery Madeleine McCann went missing from her room at the Portuguese holiday resort of Praia da Luz on the Algarve on 3 May 2007. Convicted sex offender Brueckner has accused police of 'attempting to create a monster' out of him over her case A graphologist, who examined the letters and Brueckner's neat handwriting for MailOnline, says they show he was 'distorted, deluded' and his 'fantastical views are constant, unchanging.' Brueckner's four-page letter ends with a drawing of a daisy (pictured) having its petals picked and the words 'not guilty' and 'guilty' circling around it and the caption 'Spring is coming' alongside it. In one of his letters from jail in Germany, where he is serving a sentence for raping an elderly lady, Brueckner does a pencil sketch of the long, dark corridor of a prison wing. Perhaps the isolation wing where he is being held at Oldenburg jail Graphologist Tracey Trussell, who examined the latest missive and others he's sent over the last two years, said they showed Brueckner was 'distorted, deluded' and his 'fantastical views are constant, unchanging.' She said his letters indicated someone who wanted to 'command and control' and she added the 'long extended endstroke on the reclining letter S is symbolic of 'someone who suffers with feelings of guilt'. She went on: 'In some cases, this symbol is seen where a violent death has taken place close to the writer, and they are trying to come to terms with it. 'Whatever the truth, there is a need to continually feed his ego, and his ultimate aim is to get some sort of recognition' before concluding that he was on a 'short fuse'. Investigators who are probing Brueckner, who is currently serving seven years in jail for rape, insist however that they have 'concrete evidence' that Madeleine is dead - and believe he killed her. He addresses this in the May letter, writing: 'You can never imagine how it is when the whole world believes you are a child murderer, and you are not.' He almost seems to gloat in the knowledge he will not face a judge and says: 'I got told a long time ago that the prosecutor's office was closing the Maddie case because there is not even the smallest evidence. There will never be a trial. 'The prosecutors are not saying anything to the public because they must give the files to my lawyers - and they contain many (sic) material which confirms my innocence.' Brueckner adds that police and prosecutors are 'attempting to create a monster' to 'divert and let people think that I am the right one'. Portuguese police at the request of the German authorities searched Barragem do Arade Reservoir in Silves on the Algarve this week. The area is around 25 miles north of the holiday apartment where Madeleine disappeared from in Praia da Luz Prime suspect Brueckner is believed to be at the centre of this search at the behest of the German authorities. According to an informant to the German authorities, Brueckner was known to spend time at the reservoir when Madeleine went missing A map shows the movements of Brueckner around the Algarve at the time Madeleine disappeared while on a family holiday Police are searching a Portuguese lake for the pink pyjamas Madeleine McCann was wearing when she vanished in 2007, sources close to the investigation have said. Officers are searching the Barragem do Arade reservoir in Portugal for any fragments of clothing or old rags that could be related to Madeleines disappearance, according to reports. The main theme throughout his letters - all written in near perfect English - is how he is being 'persecuted' by prosecutors, and he even accuses them of 'fitting' him up. In the latest one Brueckner - who is due for release in 2026 - also makes eyebrow raising sexual allegations about key members of the investigating team which cannot be repeated as they are a legal minefield, but MailOnline is aware of them. Hinting at what he claims, he writes: 'I mean a gay investigator who is in love with a big criminal. Outrageous. Have you ever heard that a hunter is xxxxing his prey?' Then complaining about the psychological battle he is going through Brueckner adds: 'The torture I'm going through is the best evidence I can have. 'If somebody would have told me things like that before I would have said 'No, I don't believe you. This is Germany and not Pakistan. 'I'm not able to tell the real treatment I get because I don't have the right words for it. Of course, this all happens by the orders of the BKA (German criminal police).' Then in a dig at the investigators he adds: 'They will never understand that the idea they had was brilliant - I said already that Hollywood couldn't do it better - but they choosed (sic) the wrong leading actor - me. 'I'm almost sure that some other persons in my situation, under all the pressure, the insults and the threatenings (sic) would have capitulated a long time ago. 'They would have asked where they can sign the death judgement. But not me. I'm tough as old boots.' Officers were searching the lake in Portugal for the pink pyjamas Madeleine was wearing when she vanished, sources close to the investigation said. Her parents Kate and Gerry were pictured hold similar ones up at a press conference in 2007 Investigators searching for Madeleine at a remote reservoir in Portugal are hoping to find evidence of other potential victims targeted by the prime suspect. They have collected samples, which have been sent for forensic testing in Germany Scientists are expected to have initial results of what they found next week but it is feared it could take months for a full analysis to be completed. Pictured: Investigators at the Algarve on Thursday Brueckner ends his letter complaining once again that he is being scapegoated by the BKA who he accuses of errors in their case but he remains unswervingly convinced that eventually time will prove that he is innocent. He says: 'Like I told you already. The responsibilities are not strong enough to admit the mistakes they made in the Maddie case. So they try despairingly to accuse me of other weird stuff. 'It doesn't matter that I have a completely different look like the victims are saying. I really would like to know what they tell them to convince them that it was me nevertheless.' Closing his latest letter Brueckner defiantly says: 'I'm writing this without self-pity and my self-confidence and self-control was never at a higher level. 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Chin up! Better days are coming.' The four-page letter ends with a drawing of a daisy having its petals picked and the words 'not guilty' and 'guilty' circling around it and the caption 'Spring is coming' alongside it. The previous letter MailOnline obtained from Brueckner, a few weeks earlier, saw him moan about being treated worse than feared Nazi war criminal Joseph Goebbels while serving his sentence in Oldenburg jail in northern Germany. He described how he was being deprived of his 'prison rights' on outside visitors because authorities feared he would get 'sexual satisfaction' from interacting with other people - and how as a result he was being kept in solitary confinement. Brueckner wrote: 'I even have to ask for the weekly jam and margarine that other inmates get automatically. 'It is against human rights to get isolated for such a long time and in this way. Not even Goebbels and his war crimes friends were isolated like me when they were awaiting their death penalty in Nuremberg prison. A timeline shows Brueckner's life from birth in 1976 in Germany to being jailed for raping a pensioner on the Algarve Brueckner (left) led a nomadic existence while he was in the Algarve, living most of the time in a campervan. In his letters Brueckner insists he is innocent over the disappearance of Madeleine (right) 'It is the right of prisoners to receive visitors - except for me. All I see is my lawyer and the guards, they say if anyone else visits me I will get sexual satisfaction.' His rant came after a similar missive last year in which he compared the German prosecutor investigating him, Hans Christian Wolters, to Adolf Hitler. In 2019 Brueckner, was jailed for seven years in his native Germany for raping a 72-year-old America woman, at her home in 2005 in Praia da Luz on Portugal's Algarve coast, close to the holiday complex from where Madeleine vanished two years later. He was convicted after his DNA was found at the scene, but he insists he was framed and while in an earlier letter he admits 'making mistakes' in his life he denied 'raping or torturing anyone'. Prosecutors in Germany have inked him to at least three rapes on the Algarve and a series of indecent exposures on children in the area during a period from December 2000 up to June 2017. National Parks are some of the most popular vacation destinations in the US and peak season is right around the corner. They saw a combined 312 million visitors last year and the demand is showing no signs of slowing down this summer. There are 63 National Parks across the country and they are at their busiest between July and September. Now some require reservations to deal with the huge numbers of people visiting where travelers have to book ahead to enter certain parks and areas or drive through. There are seven parks where you have to make a prior booking which can be made on the recreation.gov website or using its mobile app. Some National Parks have turned to a reservation system to deal with the huge numbers of people visiting where travelers have to book ahead to enter certain parks, areas Zion National Park Zion National Park in Utah was the third most visited national park last year with more than 4.5million visitors. It decided to make use of a reservation system again to deal with the huge numbers of travelers. Bookings are not needed to enter the park but are required for those who want to hike up Angels Landing. There is a season lottery which costs $6 a person or a $3 permit, available the day before. Zion National Park in Utah was the third most visited national park last year with 4.5million visitors and has decided to make use of a reservation system again to deal with the numbers Glacier National Park If you are driving through Glacier National Park in Montana to visit Going-to-the-Sun Road, you need a vehicle reservation between 6am and 3pm. The ticketing system was introduced on May 26 and will last until September 10 and vehicles need a three-day reservations to access the park's entrance on the west. Those heading to the North Fork area of the park need a one-day reservation. And between July 1 and September 10, from 6am to 3pm, the St. Mary entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier and Two Medicine will all require reservations. If you are driving through Glacier National Park in Montana to visit Going-to-the-Sun Road, you need a vehicle reservation between 6am and 3pm Rocky Mountain National Park The Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado requires one of two ticket options to visit between May 26 and October 22. The first option is to access Bear Lake Road Corridor and the park between 5am and 6pm whereas the second is needed to access the park between 9am and 2pm. Bookings started at 8am on May 1 and are open on the first day of each month for entry the following month. But around 40 per cent of tickets are available the day before a visit at 5pm. The Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado requires one of two ticket options to visit between May 26 and October 22 Shenandoah National Park Virginia's Shenandoah national park started reservations on March 1 and it will run up until November 30. There are 800 tickets are available to visit the Old Rag Mountain area every day. And there are 400 tickets released for park reservations 30 days and five days prior to a visit. Virginia's Shenandoah national park started reservations on March 1 and it will run up until November 30 Arches National Park A reservation to visit Utah's Arches national park between 7am and 4pm is a strict requirement. The booking system began on April 1 and will last up until October 31 with tickets accessible on the first day of each month at 8am for visits three months in advance. But a limited amount of tickets are released a day before for arrivals at 6pm. The reservations are free but require a non-refundable $2 processing fee. A reservation to visit Utah's Arches national park between 7am and 4pm is a strict requirement Haleakala National Park The Haleakala National Park in Hawaii on the island of Maui has had a reservation system in place for years. It is famous for beautiful sunrise views which makes it an incredibly popular place to go. Those lucky enough to visit need a vehicle reservation, which costs $1, to enter the park between 3am and 7am. But those who want to enter outside of these hours can enjoy the park without a prior booking. The Haleakala National Park in Hawaii on the island of Maui has had a reservation system in place for years Acadia National Park Acadia National Park in Maine has reverted back to its reservation system for vehicles heading to the Cadillac Summit Road section of the park between May 24 and October 24. It is a popular part where drivers can enjoy a three-mile 'scenic drive to the top of the highest peak' for breathtaking views. A total of 30 per cent of vehicle passes can be obtained 90 days before a visit while the rest are put up at 10am two days in advance. Each pass costs $6 but those who want to enter another area of the park or are not in a vehicle do not have to make a prior booking. Red carpet film premieres and appearances by Hollywood A listers make it the epitome of glamour and the most prestigious date in the film world's calendar. But behind the images of posh frocks and glitzy parties at the heart of the French Riviera, there is a seedy underbelly of sex for sale at the Cannes Film Festival which finishes today. An investigation by MailOnline has revealed that up market call girls from across Europe, known as 'putes de luxes' in France, flock to the annual event to sell their bodies in luxury hotels. The going rate for sex with a high class escort guaranteeing discretion to get round France's strict anti-prostitution laws is around 1,000 euros an hour. But a more subtle form of prostitution exists on some of the superyachts which provide a floating home during the festival for Hollywood executives, film companies, and millionaire film fans. Red carpet film premieres and appearances by Hollywood A listers make it the epitome of glamour and the most prestigious date in the film world's calendar The crew member said he believed the use of escorts on yachts had become 'much more discreet' in recent years. There is no suggestion that anything inappropriate happened on any of the yachts pictured Those who are 'on tour' in Cannes include Kazakh independent escort Alica, 25, (pictured) who normally works in the UK, but is now advertising her services on the Euro Girls Escort website The website also lists Marina, 31 (pictured), who claims to be an 'independent VIP high class escort' from Belgium who normally works in Monaco, but is in Cannes from May 15 to 31 Models, aspiring actresses and some Instagram influencers are invited to parties or to stay on board, enjoying champagne on tap. But the unwritten expectation in some cases is that so-called 'yacht girls' will have to thank their hosts by having sex with them or other guests. While there is nothing as vulgar as a price list, they can expect to round off their stay by being given a plain envelope stuffed with cash. Back on dry land, the rules are simpler with escorts charging customers by the hour, and increasing their usual rates for the festival because they are in such demand. Many can rely on boosting their earnings with tips and gifts, particularly from wealthy Middle Eastern clients. MailOnline found one escort outside Le Majestic hotel at Cannes which is known for its celebrity guests paying 2,000 euros a night for a room during the festival, compared to a normal rate of 395 euros. The blonde Slovakian call girl who gave her name as Klara was dressed in a revealing thigh split dress, making her look no different to the ranks of models, actresses and Instagram influencers tottering around in high heels as they headed out to film events. Speaking perfect English, she said: 'I normally work in Paris, but I come here every year on tour. It is a chance to make big money. 'Sometimes, I just sit in a hotel lobby or in the bar. Men come up and ask me if I am working or want to do business. They might tell me their room number. I then follow them upstairs. 'You have to be careful because the hotels don't like it going on, but they cannot stop it. This is the oldest industry in the world and the film business is all about glamour and excitement. Of course, people want to have sex. 'I charge 1,000 euros an hour, but there is a discount for two hours or more, and the rate for the whole night is 5,000 euros - but in reality, people often only take a few minutes. MailOnline found one escort outside Le Majestic hotel (pictured) at Cannes which is known for its celebrity guests paying 2,000 euros a night for a room during the festival, compared to a normal rate of 395 euros Klara said that one client last week had been so impressed by her all-night service that he bought her a 3,000 euro necklace from the Messika jewellery store on Cannes' famous seafront Boulevard de La Croisette (pictured) It also features the super luxurious Carlton Hotel (pictured) where guests this year are said to have included Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jude Law, Michael Douglas and his actress wife Catherine Zeta-Jones 'Then, it is just a question of chatting to them for the rest of the hour if they cannot rise to the occasion again. It doesn't help that they may be drunk or on drugs, unless it is Viagra and then I am in for a hard time. 'The money is no problem if they can afford to stay somewhere like Le Majestic. But what they are paying for is discretion. I would never disclose the name of anyone.' Klara said that one client last week had been so impressed by her all-night service that he bought her a 3,000 euro necklace from the Messika jewellery store on Cannes' famous seafront Boulevard de La Croisette which is packed with designer shops. The Boulevard which stretches for more than a mile is home to the Palais des Festivals et des Congres, as well as beach clubs and restaurants where parties are held every night of the festival. It also features the super luxurious Carlton Hotel where guests this year are said to have included Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jude Law, Michael Douglas and his actress wife Catherine Zeta-Jones. A waiter at a restaurant who asked not be named said: 'The Carlton is the best place in town, but security is incredibly tight. Only hotel guests are allowed to enter in the evenings but I was told two escorts had a room booked there. 'It cost them nearly 3,000 euros a night but they easily got that money back. There was no shortage of men wanting to use their services. But privacy is everything and they would never discuss the identity of their clients.' MailOnline found evidence of escorts travelling to Cannes for the duration of the 12 day festival with some accepting payment by credit card with the promise of a harmless fake payment description appearing on statements. Those who are 'on tour' in Cannes include Kazakh independent escort Alica, 25, who normally works in the UK, but is now advertising her services on the Euro Girls Escort website. The site states that she is in Cannes for a month from May 15, charging between 1,000 euros an hour for 'outcalls' and 5,500 euros for 12 hours, and listing her UK mobile number as a contact point. The site states that she is in Cannes for a month from May 15, charging between 1,000 euros an hour for 'outcalls' and 5,500 euros for 12 hours The 5ft 6ins blonde, who speaks English, French, German and Russian, charges 500 euros an hour for straight sex with a list of extra charges for additional 'services' Alica's entry states: 'Hi, welcome to my world. I'm lovely friendly Young sexy natural girl. Open minded. My pleasure to go with you for dinner date, be your companion. Travel around. Amazing time, have fun. Just tell me what do you want.' The website also lists Marina, 31, who claims to be an 'independent VIP high class escort' from Belgium who normally works in Monaco, but is in Cannes from May 15 to 31. The 5ft 6ins blonde, who speaks English, French, German and Russian, charges 500 euros an hour for straight sex with a list of extra charges for additional 'services' including a two girl bisexual experience. Her entry describes herself as 'refined, cultured and passionate' and 'eager to offer pleasant massages to you gentlemen whether it's for a few hours or an extended stay', as well as an 'intense and naughty moment'. This week the Port de Cannes marina and the Port Pierre Canto marina just over a mile away at Pointe Croisette were packed with privately owned superyachts including some hired out for the week to film industry figures. The Bay of Cannes was also full of vessels anchored offshore and visible from the beach and promenade with tenders used to ferry guests to and from landing stages. Data from ship tracking websites analysed by MailOnline showed other superyachts only a few miles away around Antibes and Nice. Some of the gas guzzling yachts which belch outs tons of carbon dioxide are said to cost more than $2million a week to rent. A crew member on one mega yacht who cannot be identified due to having signed a Non Disclosure Agreement with his wealthy employer told MailOnline that the presence of 'yacht girls' at parties on some boats was an 'open secret'. He said: 'This is Cannes and people holding parties on boats want to have celebrities and beautiful people among their guests. It all adds to the glamour of the occasion. 'There are a lot of models and wannabe actresses who will do anything for an invite and I mean anything. They might not call themselves escorts, but there is a blurring of the lines. 'They might get some money as a thank you or some sort of gift if they sleep with someone, or it could just get them access to people with power and influence. It is an arrangement that suits everyone involved. 'It is certainly not the case that every model invited to a party lands up in bed with someone, but it does happen and the crew see it all. The crews are trained to keep their mouths shut, but you hear tales.' The crew member said he believed the use of escorts on yachts had become 'much more discreet' in recent years, in part because of France's anti-prostitution laws introduced in 2016 to make it illegal to buy sex, punishable by a fine of up to 3,750 euros. While it is still legal for a person to sell sexual acts, providing they pay tax on their income, it remains illegal to procure sex by acting as a pimp or operating a brothel. The crew member added that the MeToo movement inspired by the numerous sex abuse allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein in 2017, had also led to 'people behaving more discreetly'. A crew member on one mega yacht told MailOnline that the presence of 'yacht girls' at parties on some boats was an 'open secret'. There is no suggestion that anything inappropriate happened on any of the yachts pictured Yachts from all over the world park up for the famous film festival He said: 'I guess nobody wants to be seen openly buying or selling sex. You might want to have beautiful women on your yacht, but you don't want to be seen as a sleazy old man taking advantage of girls. 'Another factor is the sanctions against Russia because of the war in Ukraine. It has meant that Russian oligarchs have disappeared from European waters. Those guys knew how to party. 'The term 'yacht girl' also seems to have changed in recent years. I have heard it being used to describe any woman hanging out with a rich man, whether it is on a boat or some place in a resort.' Things were very different when police busted a prostitution ring supplying 50 women of 'different nationalities' to mainly Middle Eastern clients during the Cannes film festival in 2007. The women who included full time escorts, models and beauty queens serviced men in hotels, on yachts and in the palatial villas which can be rented on the hillsides above Cannes overlooking the Mediterranean. Clients supplied by the gang included Mutassim Gaddafi, the playboy son of the late Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi who was shot dead alongside his father in 2011. Lebanese businessman Elie Nahas, the owner of a Beirut model agency and the alleged ringleader of the gang, was arrested when police raided his room at the Carlton Hotel. Lebanese businessman Elie Nahas, the owner of a Beirut model agency and the alleged ringleader of the gang, was arrested when police raided his room at the Carlton Hotel (pictured) Pictured: The Carlton Hotel, Cannes, France, where superstars stay at the Film Festival town Nahas who was identified by police along with seven other members of the vice ring following a lengthy investigation involving wiretaps on phones, later fled from France and was jailed for eight years in his absence by a court in Marseilles. It was claimed during the trial that some women were brought to Cannes under false pretences and coerced into prostitution. Nahas, 58, has been protesting his innocence ever since, claiming that he was picked on by prosecutors for being an associate of Gaddafi's son, having organised a party for him in Marrakesh in 2004 when he reportedly paid $500,000 to Enrique Iglesias to attend, and flew in Carmen Electra for $50,000. Kevin Costner was also reportedly a guest. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter magazine in 2013, he gave an insight into the life of escorts in Cannes, saying that the beautiful call girls target high-end hotels 'where all the Arabs stay.' Nahas said: 'They can make up to $40,000 a night. Arabs are the most generous people in the world. If they like you, they will give you a lot of money. 'At Cannes, they carry money around in wads of 10,000 euros. To them, it's just like paper. They don't even like to count it. They'll just hand it to the girls without thinking. I know the system.' He added in the interview that the serious action starts after 10pm with escorts sitting in hotel lobbies, and prospective clients checking them out. Nahas told the magazine: 'It's all done with hand signals. The guys signal their room numbers with their hands and the girls follow them.' He denied running a vice ring but admitted he arranged for women to come to Cannes during the festival. Nahas claimed his job was to simply pick them up at Nice International Airport, bring them to the port at Cannes and place them on small boats that took them out to Gaddafi's yacht, the Che Guevara, and other luxury vessels. He added: 'I was not party to anything else. I don't know what took place between any of them. I had no part of it. They may have just been there to talk and have fun.' Nahas and a number of veteran escorts spoken to by The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that payment was made in the form of 'gifts' in envelopes. He said: 'Every year during the festival there are 30 or 40 luxury yachts in the bay at Cannes, and every boat belongs to a very rich person. 'Every boat has about ten girls on it; they are usually models, and they are usually nude or half nude. It's drugs and drink and beautiful women. Go out on one and you'll see. Nahas said: 'They can make up to $40,000 a night. Arabs are the most generous people in the world. If they like you, they will give you a lot of money' Pictured: a Gucci store in Cannes, France 'The girls are all waiting for their envelopes at the end of the night. It's been going on there for 60 years.' A Russian woman overseeing a Paris-based escort agency with branches in London and Dubai, added: 'It's always a gift. Clients are told to put the money in an envelope and write 'gift' on the outside of it.' The same article in The Hollywood Reporter quoted a local prostitute in Cannes known as Daisy who said that escorts 'all look forward' to the film festival. She added: 'There's a lot of competition because there are so many girls, but the local ones have an advantage. We know the hotel concierges.' Another veteran film industry insider told the magazine that there was sometimes no difference between escorts at the festival and B- or C-list Hollywood actresses and models who accept payment for sex with rich older men. He said: 'These are actresses who made bad career choices and fell off the radar. They tell themselves what they're doing at Cannes is OK, that they're just on dates with rich men, when the reality is they're doing what prostitutes do. But they like the money.' President Joe Biden, left, reacts as he meets with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Hiroshima, May 18, ahead of the start of the G7 Summit. AP-Yonhap The United States and Japan will deepen cooperation in the research and development of advanced chips and other technologies, they said Friday, the latest sign of the two allies strengthening ties in semiconductors. The move, which also includes collaboration on quantum computing and discussions on artificial intelligence, comes as both Washington and Tokyo reduce exposure to China and work together to expand chip manufacturing and secure advanced components essential for economic growth. The United States, Japan and other members of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced nations last week agreed to "de-risk" but not decouple from China, underscoring the deep concern among advanced democracies about China's rising technological might and its lock-hold on technology supply chains. In a joint statement, the two countries agreed to increase cooperation between their research and development hubs, as they map out future technology collaboration. The statement came after Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura met in Detroit with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The two countries agreed to work together "to identify and resolve geographic concentrations of production undermining semiconductor supply chain resilience". They also committed to strengthening supply chains by collaborating with emerging and developing countries. Japan has established a new chip maker, Rapidus, which is working with International Business Machines Corp (IBM) to develop advanced logic semiconductors, and is offering subsidies to U.S. memory maker Micron Technology so it can expand production there. Japan, along with the Netherlands, has also agreed to match U.S. export controls that will limit the sale of some chip-making tools to China. Raimondo met China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao in Washington, Thursday, where the pair exchanged views on trade, investment and export policies. (Reuters) Ukraine's defence ministry has claimed Russia is planning to simulate a major accident at Europe's biggest nuclear power station in an attempt to thwart a long-planned Ukrainian counteroffensive to retake territory occupied by Russia. The Zaporizhzhia plant, which lies in an area of Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, is Europe's biggest nuclear power station and the area has been repeatedly hit by shelling that both sides blame each other for. The defence ministry's intelligence directorate said Russian forces would soon shell the plant and then announce a radiation leak. This would force an investigation by international authorities, during which all hostilities would be stopped. The directorate statement, posted on Telegram, did not provide any proof. It said Russia had disrupted the planned rotation of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, who are based at the plant. The Vienna-based IAEA, which frequently posts updates on the plant, has made no mention of any disruption. A Russian serviceman stands guard in an area of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine, May 1 2022 Ukrainian armed forces train with explosive weapons in the areas close to the frontline in Zaporizhzhia, April 20 2023. Both sides have accused each other of shelling the power station The Zaporizhzhia plant, which lies in an area of Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, is Europe's biggest nuclear power station and the area has been repeatedly hit by shelling that both sides blame each other for The defence ministry's intelligence directorate said Russian forces would soon shell the plant and then announce a radiation leak. This would force an investigation by international authorities, during which all hostilities would be stopped Last week witnesses said Russian military forces had been enhancing defensive positions in and around the plant ahead of the counter-offensive. In October 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the West to warn Russia not to blow up a dam that would flood a large area. The dam was not destroyed. In February, Russia said Ukraine was planning to stage a nuclear incident on its territory to pin the blame on Moscow. Russia has repeatedly accused Kyiv of planning 'false flag' operations with non-conventional weapons, using biological or radioactive materials. No such attack has materialised. The UN nuclear watchdog said its chief Rafael Grossi is set to brief the UN Security Council on his proposal to safeguard Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant on Tuesday. Grossi, who visited the plant in March, has upped his efforts to reach an agreement with Ukraine and Russia to ensure the plant's safety. After failing to reach a deal with both sides to set up a protection zone around the plant, his visit to New York to address the UN security council could indicate that he may have made progress. A senior European diplomat reacted cautiously when asked about the prospects of securing a last-minute agreement that both parties could sign on to ahead of Kyiv's possible counteroffensive. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi speaks to media in Zaporizhzhia on September 1 2022 as UN inspectors prepare to head to the Russian-held plant in Ukraine Last week witnesses said Russian military forces had been enhancing defensive positions in and around the plant ahead of the counter-offensive A woman removes debris of a residential house destroyed by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Malokaterynivka, Zaporizhzhia region, May 11 2023 Ukrainian servicemen in Zaporizhzhia region fire a Partyzan multiple launch rocket system towards Russian troops near a frontline, May 12 READ MORE: Russia risks catastrophe as power is cut off to Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant once more, leaving it to rely on diesel generators to prevent a meltdown Advertisement They said it looked 'unlikely at the moment' that Russia and Ukraine will agree to the principles outlined in the proposal. In a press release last week, Grossi said that: 'It is very simple: don't shoot at the plant and don't use the plant as a military base'. 'It should be in the interest of everyone to agree on a set of principles to protect the plant during the conflict,' he added. In March 2023, missile strikes again caused outages, leaving the plant reliant on its diesel generators. The reserves were vital for cooling reactor fuel and preventing a nuclear meltdown. In the event of a meltdown, harmful thermal energy and radiation would be released into the atmosphere, carried over borders by the wind. While a power plant uses nuclear fission to generate electricity, it cannot explode like an atom bomb. The powerplant at Zaporizhzhia is one of the ten biggest in the world and was responsible for nearly half the nuclear output of Ukraine's four reactors. Energoatom, who operate the four reactors in Ukraine, warned in August last year that rockets fired back and forth risked a Chernobyl-style nuclear disaster. The site has been occupied by Russian forces since the start of the war, and has often been caught up in clashes between opposing forces. A Ukrainian soldier on a tank performs firing practice at special shooting range near the frontline area amid Russia-Ukraine war, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on March 29 A Ukrainian service member smokes in a trench at a position near the frontline town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, May 23 Ukrainian servicemen fire a 120mm mortar towards Russian positions at the frontline near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, Jan 11 Zaporizhzhia's power station was knocked offline for the first time since the start of the invasion in late August 2022, reportedly due to shelling. The site was forced to fall back on diesel generators. It was the first time the plant had been disconnected from Ukraine's national grid in nearly 40 years of operation. Blackouts continued sporadically as the region became a fixed point of the frontline. The scream from behind me jolted me back to reality. 'Get in, John!', yelled a voice. Howard Turner, my sergeant, was ordering me into the ambulance. I hesitated, uncertainty paralysing my leg muscles as my brain tried to process what had happened. WPC Yvonne Fletcher, my tiny, cheeky, perpetually smiling friend, had been shot. I could not take it in. Around me outside the Libyan Embassy my mates were getting stuck in, ripping open first aid kits, pressing hands onto wounds, calling on radios to warn others what had happened. One of the men they were treating was crying out in pain as he begged for help. 'Wake up, mate. She needs you.' Howard's voice had become measured and calming. He placed a strong, encouraging hand on my shoulder. I glanced back, expecting to see his resolute face. What I saw was fear. 'Now or never, lad,' said a paramedic as he began closing the ambulance door. I looked inside. Yvonne was on her back on the bench behind the passenger seat. Her hand reached out towards me, the fingers bloodied and trembling. As I stepped forward and into the cramped interior of the ambulance, the door slammed behind us. Yvonne Joyce Fletcher was born on June 15, 1958, in the pretty village of Semley, Wiltshire Policemen attending to WPC Yvonne Fletcher who was shot during anti-Gaddafi demonstrations outside the Libyan embassy in 1984 The vehicle lurched forward and my feet skidded beneath me. I glanced down to see where my boots had left marks in the fresh blood streaked across the floor. 'Talk to her, mate,' said the paramedic. 'Try and keep her conscious. I'll be with you in a minute.' On the opposite bench to Yvonne were two of the Libyans who'd been involved in what was supposed to have been a peaceful protest outside the Embassy against the murderous regime of their country's leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Both looked deathly pale, the face of the nearest to me creased in pain. With every breath, he emitted a deep, rasping moan. I squeezed past the paramedic, knelt beside Yvonne and took her hand. The ambulance weaved from side to side as we dodged through the traffic. One of the Libyans was muttering something in Arabic. He sounded frightened. Yvonne pulled her hand away from me and reached across the aisle. 'Everything will be OK,' she said to him, with a smile. He nodded, seeming to appreciate the gesture. The next moment, her face became lined with pain. The movement must have been too much and she began to pull at the waistband of her skirt. I checked her leather belt. It was tight, really tight, and I could see her face was becoming pale. She's bleeding internally, I thought, as I recalled my first aid training. This doesn't look good. I felt for a button or zip, something to release the pressure. 'My tummy hurts, John,' she said, softly. I had no idea how a uniform skirt worked and was struggling to find a solution when the paramedic leaned across. He pointed at a small tray in a compartment above Yvonne's head. 'In there,' he said. 'Scissors.' I found the scissors and, with fingers trembling, I undid Yvonne's belt and then slipped the metal blade inside her waistband. As I cut, she let out a sigh. 'Oh God, thanks,' she whispered, her voice weak but still clear. 'You'll be OK,' I said. 'We'll be at the hospital in a couple of minutes.' 'What happened?' she asked. I wasn't sure what to say. I recalled being warned that shock is the greatest life-threatening risk to a casualty. 'I don't know,' I said. 'You're hurt, but not too bad.' 'It hurts like hell. Who did it?' 'I don't know. Someone from inside the Embassy, I think.' Yvonne was keen to learn and soon endeared herself to her new colleagues, among them John Murray (pictured) On the opposite bench to Yvonne were two of the Libyans who'd been involved in what was supposed to have been a peaceful protest outside the Embassy against the murderous regime of their country's leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi (pictured) 'Make sure you nick them.' 'I will, I promise. I'll find out who it was and I will get them for this.' 'We'll get them, John. We'll get them.' Yvonne's eyes locked on mine for a moment before rolling back in their sockets. I held her hand and spoke to her again, but she'd slipped into unconsciousness. 'Keep talking to her,' said the paramedic as he began checking for life signs. 'She's a fighter, I'll tell you that.' The ambulance driver turned off the two-tones as we began slowing to a halt. We'd arrived. Someone opened the rear doors and, next thing, a melee of uniforms and white coats were pushing past me. Within seconds, I was alone, standing by the ambulance. A nurse appeared at the hospital door. 'Come and wait in here,' she called. 'They've taken your colleague through to resus.' I followed and found myself alone in a small office near reception. Another ambulance arrived. More casualties. More screams. More people in pain. More rushing around of uniforms. The office door opened. A doctor in a green surgeon's gown, cap and mask stood in the doorway for a moment, seemingly talking to a nurse further along the corridor. 'PC Murray?' he asked as he turned. I stood to greet him. 'Your colleague's been shot through the elbow and it appears the bullet has lodged in her abdomen,' he said. 'We're taking her through to theatre now. We think she should be fine.' My legs gave way. 'Thank Christ for that,' I said, as I sat down again. 'She's going to be OK.' Yvonne Joyce Fletcher was born on June 15, 1958, in the pretty village of Semley, Wiltshire. The eldest of four sisters, she was just three when she told her parents she wanted to be a police officer. Aged 18, on March 14, 1977, she joined the Metropolitan Police. Standing only five feet one-and-a-half inches tall, Yvonne had already been rejected by two forces on account of her height. But after her interview at the Met the panel decided to make an exception. 'What Miss Fletcher lacks in height, she more than makes up for in personality and determination,' the board chairman wrote. She was posted to Bow Street in central London, one of the country's oldest police stations. Yvonne was keen to learn and soon endeared herself to her new colleagues, among them John Murray, then 19. In 1981, when she and Murray were given the job of training and mentoring new recruits to Bow Street along with their beat duties, they became close friends. Later that year John moved into a police house in East London with his future wife Julie-Ann. Yvonne, meanwhile, began dating a fellow officer, Mick Liddle, in the autumn of 1983. Within a few months she and Mick had announced their engagement. A former colleague, Pete Rogers, recalls that time. 'Yvonne was friendly, conscientious and a popular member of staff,' he says. 'She was happy in her work and personal life. Everything seemed to be coming together for her.' No Ordinary Day: Espionage, Betrayal, Terrorism And Corruption - The Truth Behind The Murder Of WPC Yvonne Fletcher, is written by Matt Johnson and John Murray But in the background a series of sinister events that would lead to the Libyan Embassy shooting was already unfolding. In the months before, Gaddafi had sent assassins to punish Libyan dissidents and critics in exile across Europe and the U.S. His strategy was to lure the 'stray dogs', as he described them, to London, where they could be seized. On April 15, 1984, two popular students critical of Gaddafi's regime were publicly hanged at their universities in Libya, the executions transmitted live on TV. The aim of this brutal act was to provoke Gaddafi's UK-based critics into demonstrating outside the Embassy in London, where his followers would be waiting for them. The strategy worked. Anti-Gaddafi protesters immediately applied for permission to gather outside the Embassy in St James's Square, near Piccadilly. The Met agreed and began preparations, ordering steel barriers to be put up outside the building in the early hours of April 17. At 12.30am that day, two Libyan diplomats turned up at the Foreign Office to complain about the demonstration. It later emerged that Gaddafi's people inside the Embassy had been caught off guard by the timing of the protest and wanted more time to prepare their attacks on dissenters. The Foreign Office duty officer explained they couldn't stop the protest in a democracy it was perfectly legal. They passed on the diplomats' complaint to the Home Office and Special Branch. But, for reasons that are unclear, the intelligence was not made available to the nearby police stations, including Bow Street, which would be responsible for maintaining order. Meanwhile the CIA and GCHQ had intercepted a communication from Gaddafi to the London Libyan Embassy giving them three options: clash with the demonstrators and abduct ringleaders; get the British Government to prevent the demonstration; or shoot the demonstrators from inside the Embassy. But again the information was not received by police. On the morning of the demonstration two Libyan men, one wearing a grey jacket, the other in a tweed jacket, came out of the Embassy and tried to stop contractors erecting the barriers. As fast as they were put up, the two men took them down again. 'I'm not taking responsibility for you or these things,' the man in the grey jacket told the contractors, indicating the barriers. 'Because we have guns here and there's going to be fighting today.' Unsure of the seriousness of the threat but fearing trouble, police arrested the two, Dr Omar Sodani and Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk, and took them into custody, despite both men claiming diplomatic immunity. On being told that the demonstration was to go ahead, Colonel Gaddafi's orders from Libya were chilling and ominous. On being told that the demonstration was to go ahead, Colonel Gaddafi's (pictured) orders from Libya were chilling and ominous 'Cover the streets of London with blood,' he said. PC JOHN Murray had been expecting a routine day on April 17 and a chance to catch up on some jobs. But, shortly after his arrival at 8am, he was spotted by John Walters, the station's duty sergeant, as he walked with Yvonne towards the staff canteen. 'You two, what are you doing today?' said Walters. 'Can you do me a favour? There's a demonstration at the Libyan Embassy and I'm two short. Can you fill in?' The two agreed and Sergeant Howard Turner, in charge of the Bow Street contingent, told them they would, with four others from the station, be assisting with traffic control at what was expected to be a noisy but well-behaved protest outside the Embassy. 'Although we'd heard it was an anti-Gaddafi demonstration, we didn't know much about him,' remembers Murray. 'Instead of talking about what we were going to be doing that day, we chatted about everyday things and enjoyed a bit of banter. Mick and Yvonne sat together. 'They'd just become engaged, so we were teasing them a bit. We were looking forward to an easy job, a couple of hours, and then back to Bow Street.' Arriving at 9.30am, they took up positions outside the Embassy with their backs to the building. Because their journey had been slower than expected, the traffic duties on the periphery of the square to which they'd originally been assigned had now been reallocated to another group of officers. Inspector Alex Fish, from nearby Vine Street station, asked for a volunteer to stand guard by the buses bringing the demonstrators to the square. Yvonne Fletcher was one of those he approached. 'I had two WPCs with me that morning,' says Fish. 'I remember Yvonne Fletcher said that if it was all going to kick off, she wanted to be with the lads. I didn't know Yvonne well, but it didn't surprise me. She returned to the barrier line [outside the Embassy] next to John Murray.' Nearby, out of sight of the Embassy, a pro-Gaddafi counter-demonstration was building in the streets around the square. 'We were surprised that one or two of them didn't try to get closer,' says Fish. 'But they stayed where they were. It was as if they knew something was about to happen.' At 10.18am, Fish looked up at the Embassy to see a black object poking out through an open window on the first floor. It was also spotted by a worker in a nearby office. 'I was looking up at a window where I'd seen a man shaking his fist,' PC Simon Withy told the later inquest. 'At that very moment, a gun barrel appeared.' David Robertson, a painter and decorator who had been working in an adjacent street, added: 'I saw a movement and looked up at a window on the first floor to the left of the Libyan flag. I saw a man holding a gun, smaller than a rifle, larger than a pistol. I turned and spoke to someone who had also stopped to watch. 'F*** me,' I said. 'He's got a gun.' Fish heard shots and saw flashes of light from the nozzle of the weapon pointing through the window. It was like 'spitting fire', he later told the inquest. He saw the crowd suddenly split apart, and Yvonne Fletcher collapse onto the Tarmac. John Murray explains that it sounded like a jumping-jack firework had gone off. In front of him, people in the crowd dived and fell in all directions. To his left, he was aware of Yvonne collapsing. The square fell silent. 'Everything seemed to freeze for a second or two,' says PC Steve Marriott. 'No sounds, no reactions.' Alex Fish adds: 'Many around me had no idea what had happened. We had no protocols to deal with a weapon being fired. It was a nightmare.' Rob Collins, a worker from another nearby office, was watching the scene from four storeys up. 'I saw the WPC was on the ground, apparently in agony, and behind the barriers, it looked like several people had been hit. 'The police were standing still at that moment; all seemingly aware something had happened, but not what. One of them went immediately to help the WPC. 'A second or two earlier, the square had been filled by deafening shouts. It was now silent.' Something had happened that no police officer in mainland UK had ever seen before, something none had ever been prepared or trained for, something no one had ever imagined possible. A machine gun had been fired at a demonstration. Slowly, as the reality of the situation began to dawn, people ran for cover or to help the injured. Demonstrators screamed in either pain or panic, with several bleeding badly. Howard Turner was the first to reach Yvonne. At first, he didn't realise she had been shot. John Murray then knelt beside his friend and cradled her in his arms. Murray recalls: 'I asked Yvonne what had happened. Where did it hurt? She didn't reply. At first I thought she must have fallen over and hurt her leg. 'It was then we saw the blood. Her eyes were open and she was trying to say something, but she was struggling for breath.' Turner called for an ambulance and instructed Murray and another PC to get ready to carry Yvonne to safety. Murray, who had his back to the Embassy, glanced over his shoulder. He remembers thinking: 'We were sitting ducks. 'If the gunman shoots again, we've had it.' JOHN Murray sat alone in the small hospital waiting room for about an hour and a half before the doctor he'd met earlier came back to see him. This time, the doctor had taken his mask and cap off and John could see he was young, around his own age. 'I'm sorry,' he said to John, his gaze fixed on the floor. He began to cry. 'Your friend died on the operating table. There was too much internal damage. Her spleen was in pieces.' John stepped forward, held out his arms, and the two men embraced as they cried together. A Chief Superintendent, who John had seen earlier, appeared with instructions for him to accompany Yvonne's body to Westminster Coroner's Court, where a Home Office pathologist would be waiting to meet him. Someone who was able to identify Yvonne to the pathologist had to go with her. As John climbed into the rear of the van used by the Coroner Service, he discovered his friend was already inside, lying on a trolley, a shroud covering her from head to toe. Although the drive to the mortuary was just a few hundred yards, to John it felt like an eternity. He felt unable to look at the outline of Yvonne's features, to imagine it was actually her lying so close, warm but devoid of life. It was only when they arrived that Murray realised that, rather than simply identifying Yvonne's body, he was expected to remain for the whole of the post-mortem examination. 'I couldn't believe it,' he says. 'I just stood there, unable to speak. It was like something out of my worst possible nightmare.' Afterwards, a car arrived to take Murray back to Bow Street police station. The first person to meet him was John Walters, the duty sergeant who'd assigned him and Yvonne to the demonstration. 'John Walters kept repeating, 'It was my fault. I sent you there,' Murray recalls. On the Tube going home later that day, Murray found himself sitting opposite a couple of female American tourists. 'I remember one said to her friend, 'Did you hear about this woman police officer that's just been shot?' 'I still had Yvonne's blood on my shirt and I wanted to shout out, wanted to tell them that was my friend they were talking about. 'I didn't. I just sat brooding as I thought to myself, if only they knew.' John Murray's life would never be the same again. From that moment on, his pledge to Yvonne dominated his waking thoughts and actions. But it would be almost 40 years before his relentless campaign saw British justice catch up with the man in the grey jacket. Adapted from No Ordinary Day: Espionage, Betrayal, Terrorism And Corruption - The Truth Behind The Murder Of WPC Yvonne Fletcher by Matt Johnson and John Murray, to be published by Ad Lib on June 8 at 10.99. Matt Johnson and John Murray 2023. To order a copy for 9.89 (offer valid to 10/06/23; UK P&P free on orders over 25), visit www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors has been quietly let go from her Warner Bros TV deal after producing no content. Cullors, 39, signed the deal with the media giant in 2020 to much fanfare but it ended in secret in October 2022, it emerged on Friday. 'The deal, unfortunately, did not result in any produced shows,' a source told the New York Post. Cullors claimed in January 2022 that she was working on a documentary about how reparations were similar to the idea of landback, where Native Americans got back their lands, and another about black social mobility. She also reportedly had scripted series about marijuana and black women leaders, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Patrisse Cullors, 39, signed a TV deal with Warner Bros. in 2020 but it quietly ended in October 2022 after failing to deliver on her promises A Warner Bros. Discovery source said: 'The deal, unfortunately, did not result in any produced shows.' (Pictured is CEO David Zaslav) Cullors posted a message on Instagram two days ago accusing the media of 'lying' about her 'Black voices, especially Black voices who have been historically marginalized, are important and integral to todays storytelling,' she said. 'Our perspective and amplification is necessary and vital to helping shape a new narrative for our families and communities. I am committed to uplifting these stories in my new creative role with the Warner Bros. family. 'As a long-time community organizer and social justice activist, I believe that my work behind the camera will be an extension of the work Ive been doing for the last twenty years. I look forward to amplifying the talent and voices of other Black creatives through my work.' The multi-platform deal was made to produce shows across the company's multiple revenue streams, including animated, children's content, scripted and unscripted shows. The value of the deal was not disclosed. DailyMail.com has reached out to Cullors for comment. Warner Bros declined to comment. The BLM activist posted a message on Instagram just days ago accusing the media of 'lying' about her. 'For the last 2.5 years Ive been relentlessly attacked by the media. So many lies and so much mis and disinformation. They are hell bent on destroying my life,' she wrote. 'Even though Ive not been at BLM since 2021 my face continues to be used to spread so many untruths. Im exhausted and I fear for my life daily. The worst is so many people have just stayed silent. 'Many havent and Im grateful for those who have helped combat the dangerous lies. But yall. I dont know how much more of this I can take.' Cullors, 39, was expected to produce shows across the company's multiple revenue streams, including animated, children's content, scripted and unscripted shows. Cullors told the Hollywood Reporter in January 2022 that she was working on a documentary about how reparations were similar to the idea of landback, where Native Americans got back their lands, and another about black social mobility Cullors became a co-founder of BLM in 2013 before stepping down in 2021. The movement started in courtyard of her Los Angeles home a decade ago. Now, Black Lives Matter's national organization is at risk of going bankrupt after its finances plunged $8.5million into the red last year - while simultaneously handing multiple staff seven-figure salaries. Financial disclosures obtained by The Washington Free Beacon show the perilous state of BLM's Global Network Foundation, which officially emerged in November 2020, as a more formal way of structuring the civil rights movement. Yet, despite the financial controversy and scrutiny, BLM GNF continued to hire relatives of Cullors, and several board members. Cullors' brother, Paul Cullors, set up two companies which were paid $1.6million providing 'professional security services' for Black Lives Matter in 2022. Paul was also one of BLM's only two paid employees during the year, collecting a $126,000 salary as 'head of security' on top of his consulting fees. He is best known as a graffiti artist, with no background in security. Cullors defended hiring him, saying registered security firms which hired former police officers could not be trusted, given the movement's opposition to police brutality. For the previous year, 2021, tax filings revealed that BLM paid a company owned by Damon Turner, the father of Cullors' child, nearly $970,000 to help 'produce live events' and provide other 'creative services.' 'While Patrisse Cullors was forced to resign due to charges of using BLM's funds for her personal use, it looks like she's still keeping it all in the family,' said Paul Kamenar, an attorney for the National Legal and Policy Center watchdog group. She was accused of using the group's $6million Los Angeles mansion (pictured) for 'personal' use A consulting firm run by BLM board member Shalomyah Bowers was paid $2.1million for providing the organization with operational support Bowers said the last BLM board approved the contract with his firm when he was not a board member. The filing also revealed that Cullors reimbursed BLM $73,000 for a charter flight and paid the foundation $390 for private use of its $6million Los Angeles mansion. Bowers, who took over from Cullors when she resigned, also benefitted handsomely from the group: in 2022, his consultancy firm was paid $1.7million for management and consulting services, the Free Beacon reported. And the sister of former Black Lives Matter board member Raymond Howard was also employed in a lucrative role as a consultant. Danielle Edwards's firm, New Impact Partners, was paid $1.1million for consulting services in 2022, the Free Beacon said. BLM GNF also agreed to pay an additional $600,000 to an unidentified former board member's consulting firm 'in connection with a contract dispute'. The non-profit group ran an $8.5million deficit, and its investment accounts fell in value by nearly $10million in the most recent tax year, financial disclosures show. The group logged a $961,000 loss on a securities sale of $172,000, suggesting the group sustained an 85 percent loss on the transaction. Further details of that security have not been shared. And the cash flowing into BLM's coffers has dropped dramatically. Donations plunged by 88 percent between 2021 and 2022, from $77million to just $9.3million for the most recent financial year. A year later, in May 2022, it was revealed Black Lives Matter spent more than $12million on luxury properties in Los Angeles and in Toronto - including a $6.3million 10,000-square-foot property in Canada that was purchased as part of a $8million 'out of country grant.' The Toronto property was bought with grant money that was meant for 'activities to educate and support black communities, and to purchase and renovate property for charitable use.' The group had said it was planning to use the property as main headquarters in Canada, and it has now been named the Wilseed Center for Arts and Activism. Rishi Sunak is drawing up plans for a rapid overhaul of regulations to control the growing impact of artificial intelligence after taking soundings from the boss of Google. The Prime Minister yesterday met with Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google's parent company Alphabet, to discuss the idea of an international agency to police AI's rapid expansion as Mr Sunak looks to tighten the UK's current regulations. The PM believes the Government's White Paper on AI, only published in March, is already out of date. And he is under pressure from his own MPs to host an annual international summit on the issue to put Britain at the forefront of the response to policing the technology. The PM believes the Government's White Paper on AI, only published in March, is already out of date Mr Sunak's meeting with Mr Pichai at the Government's Darlington Economic Campus comes after he held talks with OpenAI boss Sam Altman, whose company created Chat GPT, and other industry representatives on Wednesday. Mr Sunak and the AI bosses have already acknowledged the technology carries 'existential risks' without effective new regulation. Google owns the DeepMind AI lab. Following yesterday's meeting, Downing Street said: 'They discussed the UK's strengths and ambitions in cementing its position as a science and technology superpower. On AI, they spoke about striking the right balance to ensure the right regulatory guardrails are in place, whilst driving innovation. They discussed opportunities... on safe and responsible AI development and agreed to remain in touch.' Last month Mr Pichai said the threat AI poses to humanity 'keeps me up at night'. His fears were fuelled after his company's new AI chatbot program Bard surprised its makers by learning Bangladeshi without training. More than a thousand tech executives and academics in the US have called for an emergency pause to the 'dangerous' AI arms race. The Prime Minister yesterday met with Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google's parent company Alphabet, to discuss the idea of an international agency to police AI's rapid expansion Mr Sunak's held talks with OpenAI boss Sam Altman, whose company created Chat GPT, and other industry representatives on Wednesday Twitter boss Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak were among the co-signatories of an open letter demanding a six-month pause to AI systems such as ChatGPT. Mr Sunak first signalled a shift in the UK's approach to AI at the G7 summit in Japan last week, when he said there should be 'guardrails' in place internationally to keep pace with the technology's rapid expansion. This marked a change in tone following March's White Paper, which proposed that regulation of AI could be carried out by existing watchdogs. Michael Gove and Security Minister Tom Tugendhat are both said to have concerns about the potential impact of AI. Global health chiefs were yesterday told to forget drawing up pandemic powers that could force Britain into another lockdown. MPs, a minister and the Foreign Office all expressed concerns about the World Health Organisation trying to impose protocols on member states in future outbreaks. They fear the UN agency wants to 'transition from an advisory organisation to a controlling international authority'. It is negotiating new rules for dealing with pandemics, and has a target date of next May for a legally binding agreement. The WHO was branded 'China's puppet' by Donald Trump and critics during the pandemic for its failure to challenge Beijing over its early handling of the health crisis. Among its proposed amendments are a requirement for the UN's 194 member countries to recognise it as the global authority on public health measures. If passed, there are fears that it would enable the WHO to impose border closures, quarantines, lockdowns or vaccine passports on member countries. (Stock Photo) The WHO was branded 'China's puppet' by Donald Trump and critics during the pandemic for its failure to challenge Beijing over its early handling of the health crisis But MPs have sent a letter to the Foreign Office calling on it to block powers that 'appear to intrude materially into the UK's ability to make its own rules and control its own budgets'. Organised by Esther McVey, the letter calls for a Commons vote on the draft treaty and regulations. 'There is, rightly, growing concern about the WHO's pandemic treaty and international health regulations,' said Ms McVey. 'The plans represent a significant shift for the organisation, from a member-led advisory body to a health authority with powers of compulsion. 'This is particularly worrying when you consider the WHO's poor track record on providing consistent, clear and scientifically sound advice for managing international disease outbreaks.' Organised by Esther McVey, the letter calls for a Commons vote on the draft treaty and regulations Tory MPs Sir John Redwood, David Davis, Philip Davies, Sir Christopher Chope and Danny Kruger have also signed the letter. Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell told the Daily Telegraph: 'The UK is supportive of the pandemic treaty currently being negotiated by national governments, which could speed up the sharing of data on new pandemic threats so we are able to respond quickly in the event of future pandemics. 'We're clear that we would never agree to anything that crosses our points of principle on sovereignty or prevents the UK from taking decisive action against future pandemics.' A Foreign Office source said: 'The decisions about how to handle the Covid global pandemic came down to decisions made by individual sovereign governments not global advisory bodies. There are no plans to change that.' Molly Kingsley, founder of UsForThem, which campaigned against school closures and masks in classrooms, said: 'This is a really, really unprecedented land grab by the WHO. You have to ask, who is the WHO to be granting themselves powers?' She said the response of the UK Government justified her group's concerns about the regulations proposed by the WHO. The agency has been criticised for praising China's Covid response, for taking too long to call the outbreak an international emergency and for advising countries against imposing travel bans. Its probe into the origins of Covid, which decided the Wuhan lab leak theory was 'extremely unlikely', was widely seen as a whitewash. Since then its director-general has called for a new inquiry, saying: 'All hypotheses remain open and require further study.' A WHO spokesman said: 'This is a process led by sovereign states and the WHO secretariat is facilitating the negotiations. 'As with all international instruments, any amendments, if and when agreed by member states, would be determined by governments themselves, who would take any action while considering their own national laws and regulations.' When historians come to chronicle our current days they are unlikely to title it the 'age of reason'. They might more credibly label it the 'epoch of absurdity'. The cherished Enlightenment values of free speech, rationality and tolerance championed by the likes of John Locke are under ferocious and unremitting attack. Depressingly, we are living in a much darker time. A time when suppression of ideas and an Orwellian adherence to orthodoxies mandated by the high priests of wokeness are expected. A time when unproven allegations are once again enough to see a person damned. For simply expressing an unfashionable view on issues such as gender, race or the legacy of Britain's empire people are having their livelihoods destroyed and personal relationships ruined. If the things someone says or believes, even if manifestly true, deviate in any way from the woke narratives, these hysterical so-called progressives will come for you. Take Kathleen Stock, the philosophy professor who has become a pariah. Her crime? Arguing biological sex in human beings is real and socially important Not openly and honestly, not by engaging in debate, but by anonymous whispering campaigns. Sometimes they become shrill and orchestrate campaigns to harass, intimidate and marginalise the supposed malefactor, trashing their reputation and forcing them out. This mindset is at the malignant heart of 'cancel culture'. No sphere of life is immune from these militants. Politics, academia, business all have been the backdrop for witch hunts. Every day seems to give us another incident which proves it. Take Kathleen Stock, the philosophy professor who has become a pariah. Her crime? Arguing biological sex in human beings is real and socially important. Until recently, this view would have been so run of the mill as to hardly merit stating. But as we report, militant trans activists are trying to ban her from addressing the prestigious Oxford Union. Take also John Allan, one of the country's most prominent businessmen. Last week, three anonymous allegations about his personal conduct towards female colleagues vehemently denied appeared in a Left-wing newspaper. Despite the claims being unsubstantiated, Tesco asked him to stand down as chairman, fearing he'd be a 'distraction'. Isn't the truth they feared falling foul of social media's kangaroo court? Our major cultural, educational, political and corporate bodies are so in thrall to wokeness that activists can bully them into pursuing their own agendas. But in a hopeful sign that so-called cancel culture has begun to turn, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has suspended its bullying inquiry against its chairman, Lady Falkner. Take also John Allan, one of the country's most prominent businessmen. Last week, three anonymous allegations about his personal conduct towards female colleagues vehemently denied appeared in a Left-wing newspaper The undeniable impression is that a cadre of disgruntled staff (unnamed, of course) lodged petty complaints because she suggested amending the Equality Act to introduce explicit legal protections for biological women, making it easier to bar trans people from single-sex spaces. Lady Falkner's job is to protect everyone's rights, not kowtow to the demands of the extremist trans lobby. That EHRC staff sought to intimidate her is indefensible. Of course, allegations of misbehaviour must be treated seriously. But if people pursuing their own political or social agendas can get their opponents suspended or worse by making anonymous and malicious accusations, the country will be in fantastically dangerous territory. Organisations and companies should show some spine, proportion and common sense when confronted with anonymous grievances not just jerk their knees. If the Tories are serious about changing the direction of Britain, they too should speak up. Until then, we will continue reversing from the glorious principles of the Enlightenment to the witch trials of the Middle Ages, at breakneck speed. A Florida ice cream truck driver furious at being shot five times and robbed of $12 was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for killing two brothers he mistakenly believed were behind the attack. Michael Keetley, 52, shot and killed Juan Guitron, 28, and Sergio Guitron, 22, on Thanksgiving 2010, murdering the pair as they stood on the porch of a house in Ruskin, Florida. Four others were injured. But it later emerged that the Guitron brothers had nothing to do with the January 2010 attack on Keetley, which left him permanently disabled, with metal rods in his bones. Keetley's defense lawyers argued that he could not have physically carried out the shooing because of his injuries. Michael Keetley, 52, is pictured in court on Friday for his sentencing Victims Juan Guitron, 28, and Sergio Guitron, 22, of Ruskin, Florida Keetley is seen in an initial hearing, over 10 years ago. The ice cream man is pictured in January 2011: he was sentenced on Friday for the November 2010 killings They said that the injuries to his hands made it impossible for him to pull the trigger. 'This is our defense Michael Keetley is not guilty because he did not do it,' said John Grant, Keetley's attorney. He told the jury: 'Michael Keetley did not do it, he could not do it. He is not medically capable.' Keetley's lawyers also condemned the handling of the investigation into the shooting, which they called 'nothing short of a nightmare.' His first trial in 2020 ended in a mistrial, but his second trial concluded with a guilty verdict in March. 'This has been a very long road and a very difficult case,' said Judge Christopher Sabella, announcing the sentence. 'What it shows to the victims in this case is that justice is not always swift, but justice is eventually served.' The jury heard that a man wearing a 'sheriff' t-shirt arrived at the Ruskin house in a minivan and got out, carrying a shotgun. The house in Ruskin, Florida, where the Guitron brothers were murdered in November 2010 Keetley drove this ice cream truck. He was attacked in the truck in January 2010 and shot five times for $12: left disabled, he wanted revenge Keetley is seen on Friday with his lawyers. They argued he was physically incapable of pulling the trigger on the gun Paz Quezada, the mother of the Guitron brothers, is seen on Friday in court Paz Quezada hugs a supporter on Friday after the sentencing of Keetley He asked for someone nicknamed 'Creeper,' who was not there but was known to the group. Keetley believed 'Creeper' was responsible for the ice cream truck shooting: he was later found to have no involvement. Keetley then ordered everyone to lie on the ground, according to Fox News. Thinking Keetley was a member of law enforcement, the men complied, and he shot them one by one. Paz Quezada, the mother of the Guitron brothers, addressed Keetley directly during the sentencing hearing, NBC News reported. She told him that he 'took half of my life' and 'destroyed my heart.' 'My sons were the only thing I had,' she said. 'I loved them with all of my heart.' Gonzalo Guevara, who survived the shooting, wore a T-shirt with a photo of the Guitron brothers as he addressed the court. 'He's caused so much pain to everyone involved,' he said. 'You hurt so many people,' Guevara told Keetley directly. 'We know what you did that night and you know what you did that night.' Keetley's attorneys have said they plan to appeal. The right to free access to cash is set be enshrined in law. Amendments made to the Financial Services and Markets Bill would give the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) new powers to ensure people have access to free-to-use ATMs. Ministers acted after concerns were raised by campaigners about the closure of local bank branches and a decline in free cash machines amid the rising cost of living. The amendments, published on Thursday night, would empower the FCA to ensure reasonable provision of free cash access services, covering both deposits and withdrawals. The aim would be to ensure there are no free-to-use ATM 'blackspots' in the UK. It comes amid a rise in the number of cash machines charging to make withdrawals. (Stock Photo) The right to free access to cash is set be enshrined in law In March, major cash machine operator Notemachine became the latest to announce that it will cut the number of free-to-use machines by 1,000, introducing charges at a further 15 per cent of its ATMs. Only 3,300 UK cashpoints have 'protected' status and are guaranteed to remain free. But the number of other machines that don't charge has been falling in recent years. There were 39,429 free ATMs in the UK at the end of 2022, according to data from the largest cash machine network, Link. Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith, said: 'The convenience and speed of digital payments opens a world of opportunity for people and businesses, but the reality is that for the foreseeable future many still depend upon the ability to withdraw or deposit cash. 'That is why we are bringing forward new laws that will ensure everyone has reasonable access to be able to withdraw and deposit cash for free. (Stock Photo) Only 3,300 UK cashpoints have 'protected' status and are guaranteed to remain free 'This is especially important for those living in rural communities, the elderly and households who rely upon physical cash to manage their finances.' Consumer champion Which? was among the groups calling for more safeguards. The group's director of policy and advocacy, Rocio Concha, said: 'Whether it's to buy everyday essentials or to keep track of spending during the cost-of-living crisis, cash is hugely important for millions of consumers. 'With bank branches and ATMs continuing to close at rapid rates, those who are not yet ready or able to make the switch to digital payments can't be left behind. 'Which? has campaigned tirelessly to ensure that new laws protect free access to cash and we are delighted that the Government agrees that people should not have to pay fees just to access their own money.' The Mail has repeatedly highlighted the dwindling number of free ATMs and the impact this has had on the elderly and communities. Some machines charge as much as 1.99 for each cash withdrawal. A quarter of free hole-in-the-wall machines have disappeared since January 2018 in a blow to the elderly and communities reliant on cash. A large chunk of free cash machines that have disappeared are where big banks have axed branches. The network has more than halved in the past eight years. The decline in ATMs comes despite cash withdrawals rising last year for the first time in a decade. Experts suggest increasing numbers of people are returning to cash to cope with the cost of living. A total of 83billion was taken out of ATMs in 2022, compared with 79billion the previous year. Labour welcomed the latest move but said ministers must now 'go further' by protecting face-to-face banking services. Tulip Siddiq, shadow city minister said: 'After months of the Government opposing Labour calls to protect free access to cash, and voting against our amendments they have finally U-turned. 'The Conservatives have run out of their own ideas, and are yet again following Labour's lead. 'If the Government is serious about ensuring that no one is cut off from the services they need, they must go further and now adopt Labour's policy to protect face-to-face banking services.' Justin Welby has been criticised as 'moralising and dithering' by the Rwandan high commissioner over his outbursts against the asylum deal. The Archbishop of Canterbury's opposition was condemned as 'narrow-minded' by Johnston Busingye. The diplomat suggested Mr Welby has a 'frankly backwards impression of Rwanda'. Writing for the Comment Central website yesterday, Mr Busingye said: 'In times of crisis, the focus must be on action: on practical and pragmatic solutions, rather than on moralising and dithering. 'It seems to me that criticisms of the partnership as a narrow-minded approach to the migration crisis are themselves based on incomplete, narrow-minded perspectives of Rwanda's partnership with the UK.' Mr Busingye said the partnership is 'focused on overhauling an outdated, broken international system... and contributing to solutions to this global crisis'. Justin Welby has been criticised as 'moralising and dithering' by the Rwandan high commissioner over his outbursts against the asylum deal The Archbishop of Canterbury's opposition was condemned as 'narrow-minded' by Johnston Busingye He added: 'According to the International Maritime Organisation, at least 50,000 people have lost their lives on migration routes since 2014. Over half of them have been trying to reach Europe. This is a tragedy on an unthinkable scale. Our recent past in Rwanda, during which many of us experienced what it means to be a refugee, enables us to empathise with this suffering.' Mr Welby has vowed to carry on challenging the Government's immigration reforms, warning he and other bishops in the House of Lords 'will not abandon' their opposition to Suella Braverman's Illegal Migration Bill. The legislation, which is currently before the Lords, sets out measures to 'swiftly remove' migrants who arrive in Britain by 'irregular' routes such as across the Channel by small boat. The 140million Rwanda agreement, secured by the Home Office last year, allows migrants to be sent to the East African nation to claim asylum rather than here.But the scheme remains in limbo due to legal challenges. Writing in The Times this week, Mr Welby described the Bill as 'immoral', and said it 'will do little to resolve existing problems'. Mr Busingye said he hoped global co-operation and investment will mean that in the future refugees 'can quickly and safely reach nearby cities with welcoming migration policies'. He added: 'Progress towards achieving this is paralysed by the polarisation and politicisation of the debate around migration and asylum. 'In the UK, outdated and frankly backward impressions of Rwanda have further derailed these discussions.' He appeared to chide the cleric by remarking: 'Words... are no substitute for action, and for results.' Another 163 small boat migrants reached Dover on Thursday, bringing the total this year to 7,569. It came as Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg urged ministers to tackle legal migration. He said cuts to foreign student visas could reduce the 'shocking' numbers, with net migration up 24 per cent last year to 606,000. Home Office data showed the number of foreign workers arriving in the UK in the 12 months to March rose to 299,891, a 119 per cent jump on pre-Covid levels. Russia poses a 'direct threat' to Britain and will be 'vindictive' if it loses the war in Ukraine, the outgoing head of the RAF has warned. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, 55, said Russia's military was a threat to Britain and Moscow's aggression would only get worse if Vladimir Putin was ousted. It comes as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov slammed the West for creating 'serious obstacles' in Ukraine and the Kremlin confirmed it had moved tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. Sir Mike said Russia would be 'damaged', 'vindictive' and 'brutal' with means of attacking Britain through 'air attack, missile attack and subsurface attack' once Ukraine has restored its borders. His remarks are the first public acknowledgment from a Western military leader of the risk a humiliated Russia might pose to NATO countries after the war in Ukraine ends. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston (pictured), 55, said Russia's military was a threat to Britain and Moscow's aggression would only get worse if Vladimir Putin was ousted Sir Mike said Russia would be 'damaged', 'vindictive' and 'brutal' with means of attacking Britain through 'air attack, missile attack and subsurface attack' once Ukraine has restored its borders Sir Mike told the Daily Telegraph: 'When the Ukraine conflict is over and Ukraine has restored its borders, as it must, we will have a damaged, vindictive and brutal Russia, whose means of harming us is through air attack, missile attack and subsurface attack. 'There is a whole structure and a hierarchy behind Putin. So even if Putin was to disappear off the stage, there are countless others that could replace him that could be as equally as brutal and vicious to their own people and to neighbouring states.' He added Russia would continue to be an 'enduring threat' to the UK and the Kremlin was prepared to wage a 'brutal' war in the name of Russian historical revisionism. Sir Mike's warning came after Russian missiles on Friday hit a medical clinic in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, killing at least two people, and as Russia blamed Kyiv for dozens of strikes on its southern Belgorod region. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the Ukraine conflict with China's special envoy Li Hui, blaming Ukraine and Western countries for creating 'serious obstacles' to resuming peace talks. In Belgorod in southern Russia, the governor said the Ukrainian military was responsible for dozens of artillery, mortar and drone attacks across the region but reported no casualties. Russian missiles on Friday hit a medical clinic (pictured) in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, killing at least two people, as Russia blamed Kyiv for dozens of strikes on its southern Belgorod region Pictured: The destroyed building of a medical facility, the site of a missile strike, in the city of Dnipro Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video of smoke billowing from roofless buildings with blown-out windows after the attack that authorities said had left 30 people injured including two boys aged three and six. READ MORE: How Wagner has sacrificed thousands of men to take Bakhmut but are now trapped and unable to press on Advertisement The head of the regional military administration Sergiy Lysak said that Russia struck a residential area with a medical and veterinary clinic and high-rise blocks. Zelensky said that by hitting civilian medical facilities, 'Russian terrorists once again confirm their status of fighters against everything humane and honest.' US Senator Lindsey Graham, on his third visit to Ukraine, condemned the attack as a war crime. 'There was a hospital bomb today. Just over 500 medical facilities have been hit by the Russians. A war crime was committed while I was here, just one of many war crimes,' he said. The Russian defence ministry said that its strikes on Ukraine had targeted arms depots and that all the assigned targets had been hit. Ukrainian journalists posted video footage of rescuers helping people with blood on their faces escape from the clinic through corridors full of rubble. The attack came after Russian forces earlier this week targeted Dnipro in a late night strike with 16 missiles and 20 attack drones. The industrial hub, which had nearly one million inhabitants before the war, lies around 78 miles from the current front line. On Wednesday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, said Vladimir Putin has led Russia to abject failure with his invasion of Ukraine. Far from demilitarising Ukraine Russia's key war aim Putin's botched strategy has seen Kyiv amass 'one of the world's strongest armies' through massive Western supplies, Yevgeny Prigozhin said. The Wagner chief was once considered a close ally and confidant of Russia's tyrant and had been nicknamed Putin's 'chef'. But in the latest of his increasingly frequent outbursts, Prigozhin has given a devastating critique of his war strategy. He then warned of impending 'revolution' in Russia unless changes were made by the Kremlin leadership. In an astonishing attack on military leaders, he said Russia would restore the death penalty and the guilty he named defence ministry Sergei Shoigu and chief of the defence staff Valery Gerasimov as responsible for the war crisis would be 'hanged on Red Square'. Prigozhin blamed both Shoigu and Gerasimov for losing more men in Bakhmut than in the entire ten-year Soviet war in Afghanistan from 1979-89, which eventually led to the collapse of the USSR. 'So the de-nazification of Ukraine, which we announced we made Ukraine a nation, known to everyone around the globe,' he said, mocking Putin's warped purpose for going to war. 'They are like Greeks at their peak, or Romans.' He told interviewer Konstantin Dolgov - a prominent pro-war blogger: 'We legitimised Ukraine, it became a country which is known to everyone. 'As for de-militarisation [this is] a painful issue indeed. 'So if they had at the start of it 500 tanks now they have 5,000. If there were 20,000 men who were able to fight now there are 400,000. So how exactly did we demilitarise it? Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin warned of impending 'revolution' unless changes are made by the Kremlin leadership Prigozhin was once considered a close ally and confidant of Vladimir Putin but has given a devastating critique of war strategy in his latest outburst 'Quite the opposite! We militarised it up to the brim. 'I think Ukrainians today are one of the world's strongest armies. They have high levels of organisation, training, military intelligence. 'They have various ammunition and moreover, they are able to switch between any system - Soviet, Nato, anything at all - with the same success. They take their losses philosophically. 'All they do is to achieve the supreme goal, just like us during the Great Patriotic War [Second World War].' A bereaved father has slammed the Metropolitan Police after they apologised for losing crucial evidence in an investigation into the death of his 14-year-old daughter. The force confirmed it had lost the main sim card and a phone belonging to Mia Janin, who took her own life after being bullied by pupils in and outside of her school, her father claims. Mariano Janin, who revealed last year that his wife Marisa died suddenly from cancer four months later, claims that his tragic daughter saw cruel messages on the device on the night she died - and it was given to police where it remained locked. 'They don't care about me or the family. How could they have done this? I trusted them and co-operated with them,' he told the BBC. 'This phone was part of the evidence about what happened to my daughter. I was hoping that answers would have come out and the police told me that this was going to be key.' Mia Janin took her own life after being bullied by pupils in and outside of her school, her father claims Mariano Janin, who revealed last year that his wife Marisa died suddenly from cancer four months later, claims that his tragic daughter saw cruel messages on the device on the night she died A pre-inquest review hearing, held in March this year, into the death of Mia in March 2021 heard her parents had raised concerns over bullying with staff at the Jewish Free School in Kenton, north-west London. The year 10 pupil was found dead at her family home in nearby Harrow on March 12 2021. She was the third pupil from her school to take her own life in four years. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told the broadcaster: 'It is totally unacceptable that key evidence in this case has been lost.' The hearing was told evidence given to the Metropolitan Police after her death by pupils at the school - who cannot be named for legal reasons - had 'inconsistencies' and that some of them disputed that Mia was bullied. Items lost by the force include a sim card from her main phone and a second mobile handset. The force also revealed that it believed the items went missing when the investigating team relocated to another station. A spokesperson for the Met said: 'As part of the investigation into Mia's death, police examined a number of items belonging to her. This included a sim card from her main phone and a second mobile handset. 'Both the sim card and the handset were examined by specialists and then placed into the property store at Barnet Police station with the intention of providing them back to the family at a later date. All of our investigations relating to these two items had been completed at this point. Items lost by the force include a sim card from the year 10 pupil's main phone and a second mobile handset Mia was the third pupil from the Jewish Free School in Kenton, north west London (pictured) to take her own life in four years 'Unfortunately we have been unable to locate these items within the store. We believe this may be due to the re-location of the investigating team to another station, during which time property was also transferred. READ MORE: Father of schoolgirl at top Jewish school who took her own life after first day of classes following lockdown believes social media messages may have led to her death Advertisement 'We are extremely sorry that these items have not yet been located and have apologised directly to Mia's family for the added distress this has caused. 'Extensive searches, including reviews of all relevant paperwork, have been carried out but have so far been unsuccessful. We are continuing our efforts to search for these items.' A hearing at Barnet Coroner's Court in March was told evidence given to the Metropolitan Police following her death by pupils at the school , who cannot be named for legal reasons, had 'inconsistencies' and that some of them disputed allegations Mia was bullied. Lily Lewis, counsel for Mia's brother Douglas Stewart, said there was 'clear evidential value' in calling the child witnesses to give evidence to the inquest to clarify the issue. She added that one student believed the bullying of Mia to be so grave that it was impossible for teachers at the school to have been unaware of it. Susan Jones, representing JFS, said the school 'accepted that it was Mia's experience that she was being bullied'. But she argued child witnesses should not be called to give live evidence to the inquest for safeguarding reasons and that their police evidence should be read aloud instead. Mariano Janin (pictured),who revealed last year that his wife died suddenly from cancer four months later, told the hearing: 'We know that she was bullied. Sefton Kwasnik, representing Mr Janin, said: 'The last thing my client wants to do is exacerbate any issues that any of the child witnesses might have. 'I think there would be a common desire to minimise or mitigate that prospect to the minimum.' Assistant coroner Tony Murphy said the matter would be decided at a later date before the inquest commenced. He added: 'The key focus as I see it for this inquest is to seek to understand as much as anyone can why Mia took the steps she did on 12 March,' he said. 'That involves in my view what was going on within and without Mia's school environment in the weeks leading up to the event. 'It seems clear that Mia's experience of some behaviour by JFS students was bullying.' The coroner ruled the inquest will seek to determine Mia's wellbeing, her interactions with students and staff at JFS, support she received relating to that and what happened in the two days before Mia's death. It will also consider lessons that are to be learned from her death. Key moments leading up to her death were said to include a queue for Covid tests and a design and technology lesson - the last class Mia attended. The inquest will consider evidence from her mobile phone, social media accounts, GP and counselling records. Mia's mother Marisa died four months on from her suicide after having an aneurysm and contracting leukaemia. Speaking in July last year, Mr Janin said he believes her sudden death was due to the stress she was under after Mia's death. Pictured: Young Mia is seen in a family photograph at the beach A provisional date for the inquest has been set for Friday, June 23 and Monday, June 26. Mr Janin attended the hearing in person, along with Met officers Detective Inspector Steele and Detective Sergeant Wallace, who were involved in the police investigation into Mia's death. Mr Kwasnik, Miss Lewis, Ms Jones and Mr Stewart appeared via video link, as did Mr Stewart's solicitor Abigail Gowland, JFS headteacher Dr David Moody and Naomi Pendleton, a grief charity worker supporting Mr Janin. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123, or go to samaritans.org A pharmacy asssistant who stole about 350,000 worth of diabetes tests and other products to fund a lavish lifestyle of cars, prostitutes and holidays to Dubai and India, has been jailed. Abdul Nargoliya, 30, also lost about 230,000 of his ill-gotten profits from crime through gambling. Nargoliya, of Woodboy Street, Belgrave, Leicester, worked at the Lloyds pharmacy counter inside the Sainsburys supermarket in Fosse Park. Having been employed in 2012, his scheme involved making orders by phone and then intercepting the items when they arrived at the store. On one occasion he was challenged by security guards but told them he was just removing stock for transport to other Lloyds branches. Abdul Nargoliya, 30, was jailed for his crimes, having pleaded guilty to theft from an employer and transferring or concealing criminal properties It was only after Lloyds head office saw the massive difference between the branch's orders and its sales that Nargoliya was investigated and later arrested. At Leicester Crown Court today he was jailed for his crimes, having pleaded guilty to theft from an employer and transferring or concealing criminal properties. Describing the arrest in July 2018, prosecutor Andrew Fitch-Holland said that when he was arrested at the pharmacy he had a haul of illegally-ordered supplies that had arrived earlier that day. Mr Fitch-Holland said: 'He was caught red-handed with over-stocked items.' Evidence was found of at least 18 months of illegal activity with Nargoliya sneaking the items he had ordered out of the pharmacy and then advertising them for sale online without any help from others. The prosecutor said there was 'significant spending on cars, travel to India and Dubai and it appears money was spent on prostitution and gambling'. In mitigation, Akaal Sidhu said his client, who had been free on bail between his arrest and today's hearing, had spent the past five years rediscovering his Muslim faith, reflecting on his crimes and caring for his sick and elderly mother. He said: 'This is a very old case. He has used this time on bail wisely.' The court heard the case had been delayed by Nargoliya denying the prosecution's version of the crimes and the fact that there was a long forensic investigation by the police, tracing money through a number of bank accounts and PayPal. Despite being arrested in 2018, Nargoliya was only finally charged in 2020. Recorder Martin Reid jailed Nargoliya for 43 months. He described the crimes as an abuse of trust carried out over a long time, with 'significant planning and a high degree of sophistication'. Nargoliya, of Woodboy Street, Belgrave, Leicester, worked at the Lloyds pharmacy counter inside the Sainsburys supermarket in Fosse Park He said that because the items were things were only available from pharmacies Nargoliya 'put the public at risk of potential harm'. The officer in the case, Sergeant Mike Archer, said: 'Nargoliya was an employee who abused his position purely for his own financial gain. This was a premeditated and planned theft for a substantial sum of money. 'The consequences of his crimes had a significant impact on his colleagues and his workplace who had trusted in him. Thanks to an internal investigation in the company, evidence was presented to police allowing us to take this investigation forward and act quickly to disrupt his offending.' Turkey's opposition leader on Friday accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government of blocking his text messages to voters ahead of this weekend's historic election runoff. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People's Party, accused Turkey's information and telecommunication technologies authority (BTK) of acting on Erdogan's orders in order to hurt his campaign. It comes after Kilicdaroglu sent a text message to citizens regarding credit card debts. In a text message dated May 25, Kilicdaroglu said, according to Duvar.english: 'As soon as I assume power, the treasury of our state will take over your credit card debts from the banks due to the economic depression caused by Erdogan. The interest on your credit card debt will be completely erased and the principal will be paid in 36 monthly installments. Thus, hundreds of thousands of our citizens will be saved from being crushed under this burden. Remember, the 28 May election is a referendum to get rid of heavy debts or get stuck in debt in the country!' Turkey's opposition leader on Friday accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government of blocking his text messages to voters ahead of this weekend's historic election runoff Kemal Kilicdaroglu accused Turkey's BTK information and telecommunication technologies authority of acting on Erdogan's orders in order to hurt his campaign After his message, the BTK sent an alert to the Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) operators in Turkey, warning of the Supreme Election Council's (YSK) latest decision that 'it is forbidden to make propaganda by sending video, audio or written messages to citizens' e-mail addresses, mobile or fixed phones.' 'If it is determined that your company has sent an SMS or made a call in violation of the relevant legislation, I kindly inform you that all necessary actions will be taken by our institution, including the cancellation of the authorization, within the framework of the relevant legislation,' the BTK told GSM operators in the warning, the daily BirGun reported on May 26. 'They banned (them) because they are afraid of us,' the secular opposition leader said in a late-night television interview. 'I've been left in total darkness,' he separately added on Twitter. 'I'm asking you, Erdogan, do you not want me to run in the elections?' Kilicdaroglu's campaign team said it had earlier sent out a mass text inviting people to tune in to the opposition leader's television interview. According to Duvar, it appears that the BTK has not stopped government ministers - including interior minister Suleyman Soylu - from sending texts to citizens during the election period. BTK issued no immediate comment. Kilicdaroglu claims came in the final stretch of an increasingly bitter battle for the Turkish presidency. Erdogan fell just short of securing outright victory on May 14 but is entering Sunday's runoff as a firm favourite to extend his two-decade rule until 2028. Opinion polls show Kilicdaroglu struggling to make up the five-point deficit he suffered in the first round. The two rivals have been campaigning round the clock in what is widely viewed as Turkey's most important election in generations. Erdogan appeared in his own national television interview earlier in the day that lasted more than an hour. In a later post on his Twitter account, Klcdaroglu shared a video on the 'constant slanders, lies and conspiracies' he says have been perpetrated against him by the government. 'Constant slanders, lies, conspiracies, oddities at the ballot boxes, efforts to ban election observers, lie campaigns, montage videos, as well as bans on our mobile screens. Now I can't send text messages. Telecommunications companies prevent me from texting to (even) journalists,' Klcdaroglu said. 'I'm asking Erdogan, should I not enter the election? Is this what you want? This man is a coward. The country is tearing apart because of a coward. The election becomes impossible. What do you want from this country? Coward man!,' he added. Walgreens Boots Alliance is to layoff 504 corporate employees as financial obligations for opioid litigation and other legal matters pile up. Earlier this month, the drugstore giant settled a lawsuit with the city of San Francisco, agreeing to pay it $230 million over its sales of opioids that have contributed to the Bay Area city's drug crisis. Most of the cuts will be made at the drugstore giant's Deerfield, Illinois headquarters or its Chicago office. The layoffs represent about 10 percent of the company's corporate workforce. Walgreens Boots Alliance employs over 325,000, according to the company's latest quarterly earnings report. 'None of these roles are based at our stores, microfulfillment centers or call centers. We're grateful for the many contributions by the team members who will be leaving our organization, and are committed to supporting them as much as possible during this transition,' Spokesman Marty Maloney said. Walgreens said it plans to slash its corporate staff by about 10%, as it streamlines operations and focuses on consumer-facing healthcare businesses Walgreens stock has fallen almost 20% so far this year Maloney denied that the layoffs were connected to the company's financial liabilities. The company said during its March earnings report it had paid out $5.4 billion for opioid-related legal claims. While making the settlements, the company has denied any liability in regard to allegations of its role in the opioid crisis. Walgreens has recently moved beyond its drugstores to become a direct provider of medical care through the Walgreens-backed VillageMD, which bought Summit Health. The company contributed $3.5 billion toward the purchase. The transaction, valued at $8.9 billion, also involved investment from Cigna's Evernorth. Last week, Walgreens disputed in a federal court a $642 million arbitration award for health insurance provider Humana in a fight over drug prices. Walgreens called the sum 'staggering.' None of the 504 roles being cut are based at its stores, micro-fulfillment outlets or call centers, a company spokesperson said CEO Rosalind Brewer said in a message to employees being laid off obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, the layoffs were among a series of steps the company is taking 'to drive sustainable cost savings to help fuel investments for future growth.' Brewer did not make any reference to legal issues the company is facing. Brewer thanked workers for their contributions stating: 'While difficult, these changes are necessary to streamline our business, unlock value and support our long-term growth. Together, we will continue driving toward our vision to be the leading partner in reimagining local healthcare and wellbeing for all.' The laid-off workers will have counseling and mental health services available at the company. Workers with at least three years of service are getting severance of two weeks per year. Maloney said all affected employees will have outplacement support. Postings at the blog TheLayoff said workers with at least three years of service were getting severance of two weeks per year. San Francisco's reputation as a coastal gem has been left in tatters by worsening crime, drugs, and homelessness rates, even as it remains home to tech billionaires Addicts openly smoke drugs on the sidewalk of the Tenderloin area of San Francisco, where overdose deaths have rocketed upwards in recent months San Francisco saw a staggering 41 percent surge in the number of drug-related deaths in the first quarter of 2023 The settlement with San Francisco came nine months after US District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco said the drugstore chain could be held liable for having 'substantially contributed' to an opioid epidemic that caused 'widespread harm' in the city and constituted a public nuisance. Breyer faulted Walgreens for its '15-year failure' to properly scrutinize opioid prescriptions and flag possible misuse of the sometimes highly addictive drugs. San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu called Walgreens' settlement the largest awarded to a local government in years of opioid litigation nationwide. He said Walgreens' actions 'made the opioid epidemic in San Francisco worse than it otherwise would have been,' and that there is 'no amount of money that will bring back the lives we have lost.' In a statement, Walgreens said it 'disputes liability' but did not admit fault, but that settling allows it to focus on patients, customers and communities. 'Our thoughts are with those impacted by this tragic crisis,' it added. This graphic shows the rise in positive urine tests for fentanyl of those receiving drug abuse treatment in different parts of the US. Millennium Health's data is based on some 4.5 million samples A black Florida businessman has ridiculed the NAACP's 'travel advisory' issued last week against his state, accusing the organization of wanting to fundraise by jumping on the 'BLM gravy train'. The NAACP on May 20 warned that Florida, under its Republican governor and presidential candidate, Ron DeSantis, was 'openly hostile to African Americans'. The backlash was immediate, with many pointing out that senior NAACP leadership, including their chairman, live in the state. On Friday, financier Mike Hill, who is also part of an initiative promoting black Americans called Project 21, said the NAACP warning was absurd, and a brazen publicity stunt. 'I would tell black people who have seen this advisory to not come to Florida to simply ignore it,' said Hill, owner of an independent insurance and financial services agency in Pensacola. Hill told Fox News: 'I believe that they see the amount of tens of millions of dollars that Black Lives Matter has been able to raise from the leftist agenda, and so they want a part of that gravy train. 'I believe it was more a publicity stunt. It was an attempt to fundraise more than anything else.' Mike Hill, who owns an insurance and financial firm in Pensacola, Florida, said he thought the NAACP advisory would backfire, showing the organization to be 'irrelevant' Nikki Whiting, the press secretary for Florida's Department of Health, responded to the NAACP's advisory by reminding the organization that Joseph Ladapo, the state's Surgeon General, is black The NAACP issued this travel advisory warning African Americans against traveling to Florida, which it claims is 'hostile' Florida Republicans are leading the backlash against the warning, which was issued despite the fact the civil rights group's own chairman lives there and members of the board frequent its beaches on vacation. Leon W. Russell, 73, has lived in Florida for his adult life after growing up in Virginia. Today, he lives in a two-bedroom home in north Tampa. Karen B. Towns, the NAACP co-chair and a member of the board, also enjoys vacationing in Clearwater. Despite their connections to the sunshine state, they joined the organization in warning other African Americans against traveling there. Russell however joined calls for African Americans to boycott the state. Christian Ziegler, chairman of the Florida Republican Party, is now offering to help Russell move to a different state. 'The CHAIRMAN of the NAACP lives in Tampa, FLORIDA! True leadership is being willing to do what you ask others to do time to step up and MOVE. 'If you think our state is so bad, the Florida GOP will help with moving costs.' Leon Russell, the chair of the NAACP, lives in Tampa, Florida Karen B. Towns, the NAACP co-chair and a member of the board, enjoys vacationing in Clearwater Leon W. Russell, 73, has lived in Florida for his entire adult life after growing up in Virginia. Today, he lives in a two-bedroom home in north Tampa Hill said Russell and his team's position was ridiculous, singling out Russell for particular opprobrium. 'The irony that he has lived here most of his adult life, has actually witnessed the fact that a thousand people a day move to Florida for the opportunity that's here - and that he would still issue out a statement saying don't come here because of the racist attitudes that exist in Florida,' Hill said. And he said he thought the NAACP advisory would backfire, showing the organization to be 'irrelevant'. 'I don't think is going to deter anyone from coming to Florida,' he said. 'If anything, I think this is going to backfire on the NAACP and show just how irrelevant they've become as an organization.' The travel advisory claims DeSantis is trying to 'erase' black history by eradicating CRT from schools. DeSantis said it was ludicrous, calling it on Wednesday night a 'political stunt'. 'Claiming that Florida is unsafe is a total farce,' he told Elon Musk, during his campaign launch. A Native American teenager has sued her high school for $50,000 after they banned her from wearing a sacred eagle feather in her graduation cap. Lena' Black, of Oklahoma, has sued Broken Arrows Public Schools after school officials 'accosted' her and took away her eagle feather right before she was set to graduate in May 2022. Black, who is a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe, was told to 'remove' the plume from her cap, which hung right by her tassel, as she had not gotten approval to wear it. The feather was reportedly damaged after two school officials 'attempted to forcibly remove the eagle plume,' the lawsuit stated. Black then suffered from an anxiety attack and 'collapsed' on the ground, trying to protect herself and her feather while 'school officials continued to grab at her eagle plume and mortarboard.' She eventually walked across the graduation stage with the feather in her hand, the lawsuit said. The now-graduate says her First Amendment rights were violated, as other students were allowed to wear crosses, hijabs, secular stoles, cords, and other items to graduation. Lena' Black, of Oklahoma, has sued Broken Arrows Public Schools after school officials 'accosted' her and took away her eagle feather (pictured) right before she was set to graduate in May 2022 Black, who is a member of Otoe-Missouria Tribe, was told to 'remove' the plume from her cap, which hung right by her tassel, as she had not gotten approval to wear it. The feather was reportedly damaged after two school officials 'attempted to forcibly remove the eagle plume,' the lawsuit stated (pictured: Broken Arrows Public Schools building) 'My eagle plume has been part of my cultural and spiritual practices since I was three years old. I wore this plume on graduation day in recognition of my academic achievement and to carry the prayers of my Otoe-Missouria community with me,' she said, according to the Native American Rights Fund, who is representing her. 'The law protects my right to wear this eagle plume at my graduation, and school officials had no authority to forcibly remove it from my cap.' The school argued that she was out of dress code, as she did not seek permission to wear the feather at the ceremony. However, the Oklahoman said she wasn't aware she had to follow a certain process, according to CNN. The school requires students who want to make adjustments to their graduation attire to submit an application - including a photo of the item - and to meet with the Native American education coordinator or principal before receiving written approval. Black said the Native American coordinator was on leave at the time and when she asked a teacher if she could wear the eagle feather, she was told she'd be fine, according to CNN. The former student is now seeking $50,000 in damages and her attorney, Morgan Saunders, said the case demonstrates the continued discrimination against Native Americans. The now-graduate says her First Amendment rights were violated, as other students were allowed to wear crosses, hijabs, secular stoles, cords, and other items to graduation Governor Kevin Stitt recently vetoed legislation that would have made it illegal for schools to discriminate graduation dress code, the Native American Rights Fund said. 'The bill would have reaffirmed the rights of Native American students like Black to wear tribal regalia at graduations, a critical protection in the state with the second highest concentration of American Indians,' the fund said. 'Following his veto, Governor Stitt suggested this issue should instead be resolved at the district level.' 'This lawsuit demonstrates why these decisions cannot be left up to individual school districts,' Pipestem Law Partner Wilson Pipestem said in a statement. 'Without clarity from the State, Native students will continue to be forced to seek justice in the courts after their rights have been violated and their graduation ceremonies are long since over.' Oklahoma is home to nearly 40 Native American tribes. Kevin Monahan, the 'hot-tempered' New York homeowner accused of killing 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis when the car she was in accidentally turned onto his driveway, initially blamed the shooting on hunters. Monahan, 65, was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder, as well as two new charges of reckless endangerment and evidence tampering on Wednesday. Authorities said Gillis was traveling in her boyfriend's SUV with two other friends through the town of Hebron just before 10pm on April 15 when the group made a wrong turn onto Monahan's property. Monahan came out onto his porch and fired two shots from a 12-gauge shotgun, according to Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy, who said the homeowner showed no remorse. According to records filed in Washington County Court, when police confronted Monahan afterwards, he said he'd been in bed since 8:30 p.m. and added that 'there are hunters shooting up here all the time.' Kevin Monahan (pictured left), the 'hot-tempered' New York homeowner accused of killing 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis when the car she was in accidentally turned onto his driveway was arraigned on murder charges Wednesday Authorities said Gillis (pictured) was traveling in her boyfriend's SUV with two other friends through the town of Hebron just before 10pm when the group made a wrong turn onto Monahan's property Police were trying to get Monahan out of the house to speak to him, to which he responded by saying 'leave me alone' and 'get out of my yard so I can go back to bed,' according to the Albany Times Union. The court papers reveal that when police went to his home 'the defendant was advised that officers need to speak to him and he was asked to walk off his porch toward the driveway. The defendant refused and quickly went back into his residence.' Monahan shares the home with his wife. He was told by officers that they needed to speak with him but 'quickly went back into his residence.' Monahan added: 'I wasn't going to walk down there in the dark, I mean you guys are cops, but you know, who knows these days.' According to court documents, at least eight officers had body cameras on during Monahan's encounter. Kurt Mausert, the attorney for Monahan, called the idea that he wasn't cooperative 'complete hooey.' 'He exercised his right to call counsel. The police knew if he stepped off his porch that they could arrest him without a warrant.' He was arrested the next day, April 16. Monahan pleaded not guilty to all charges Wednesday, according to CNN. Monahan's next scheduled court date is July 28 with the trial set to begin in earnest on September 7, a date Mauser said would be impossible for him to adequately prepare for in time This comes as Monahan, 65, was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder, as well as two new charges of reckless endangerment and evidence tampering on Wednesday Mausert, the attorney for Monahan, called the idea that he wasn't cooperative 'complete hooey.' According to court documents, at least eight officers had body cameras on during Monahan's encounter Judge Adam Michelini denied Monahan bail for a third time on Wednesday Gillis (pictured right), seen here with boyfriend Blake Walsh, was killed in a shooting when Walsh turned his car in the wrong direction into Monahan's driveway His next scheduled court date is July 28 with the trial set to begin in earnest on September 7, a date Mauser said would be impossible for him to adequately prepare for in time. Monahan was also denied bail for a third time and second time in the past month. District Attorney Tony Jordan said the evidence is 'stronger than it was on the day of the [original] decision to remand him without bail.' Kevin Monahan, 65, was charged with murder in the second degree and remains in custody at Warren County Jail, officials said Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy noted in an interview with CNN that Monahan had already arranged legal representation before he emerged from his house and handed himself over to cops. The newly unveiled records show that Monahan indeed called Mausert while police were trying to get him to come out, telling the lawyer he 'had no idea' what was happening. Mausert contacted authorities to figure out what was going on and upon finding out someone had been killed, received guarantees they wouldn't search his client's home without a warrant. After getting those reassurances, Mausert advised and arranged for Monahan to surrender. Speaking in an interview with NBC News Gillis' boyfriend, Blake Walsh, 19, revealed he was the one driving on the fateful night. 'We thought we were at the right address. We didn't have any cell service to figure it out. As soon as we figured it out that we were at the wrong location, we started to leave, and that's when everything happened,' Walsh said. He said one of his friends in the car alerted him to Monahan shooting, prompting him to suddenly turn the car around and drive away. 'I tried to step on the gas as fast as possible, and that's when the fatal shot came through.' After driving for around five miles, the group finally made it to an area where they had cell service. They immediately called 911, but sadly it was too late. 'I want to believe it was instant. I'm hoping it was. I'm praying it was,' Walsh said through tears. He added the drive to get cell service felt like it lasted just 30 seconds, 'the adrenaline was rushing so bad.' Gillis was traveling in her boyfriend's SUV with two other friends through the town of Hebron just before 10pm on April 15 when the group made a wrong turn onto Monahan's property Monahan's property is on Patterson Hill Road in the town of Hebron near the Adirondack mountains Police say that Monahan emerged from his home and fired two shots from a 12 gauge shotgun Gillis and her friends were looking for a party when they stumbled upon Monahan's home In an interview with CNN, Mausert previously said his client told him that multiple vehicles had descended onto his driveway that night, including a motorcycle, revving their engines and behaving in a menacing way. He also told News10 the incident was a 'series of tragic mistakes, made by more than one person. 'The situation where we have an elderly gentleman and his elderly wife living out in the dark woods in Washington County with three vehicles that come roaring into his driveway at a high rated speed, shined their lights at his house and not leaving when he turns on the floodlights so certainly there was cause for an element of fear on Mr. Monahan's part,' Mausert added. Alcohol, drugs or mental illness are not thought to have played a role in the shooting, reported the Times-Herald. The newspaper stated there had not been any reports of increased robberies or any reason for homeowners to be extra vigilant recently. But Town Supervisor Brian Campbell told the Times-Herald that Monahan previously attended local board meetings to discuss issues such as road repairs. Campbell described the suspect as being 'very reasonable.' Gillis is pictured here with her longtime boyfriend, Blake Walsh, 19. The two had hoped to one day get married In an interview with NBC News, Walsh described how is life is shattered following Gillis's death Following Monahan's initial bail hearing on April 19, Andrew Gillis Kaylin's father said he hopes the accused gunman 'dies in jail.' He thanked Judge Michelini for his decision to deny Monahan bail, saying: 'Kaylin deserves justice. 'I want to talk about Kaylin's boyfriend,' Gillis continued. 'He wanted to marry my daughter. I would have loved that.' Walsh met Kaylin when he was a sophomore at Schuylerville High School, where she graduated from in 2021. He said the pair would often joke about being the '2 percent,' a reference to the two percent of high school sweethearts who end up getting married. They had dated for four years. In his address to the press, Kaylin's father said Walsh now blames himself for Kaylin's death, but her father said, 'It's Kevin Monahan's fault.' In early May, Mausert claimed in court that Warren County Judge Adam Michelini only considered the harm caused and Monahan's history of gun use but noted that before April 15, Monahan had never been charged with any gun-related crimes, according to WNYT. Michelini had said he opted to hold Monahan without bail on charges of second-degree murder arguing that he was known in the community as being impulsive and that the media's scrutiny gave him reason to flee. Four teenagers are dead after a horror smash on a road in regional Victoria as police probe how long they lay in the wreckage before help arrived. Emergency services were called to the scene at Bochara, three-and-a-half hours west of Melbourne, shortly after 9.30am on Saturday. Victoria Police said a car carrying five people was travelling along Wannon-Nigretta Rd when the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran into a tree. But police are hoping CCTV footage may shed light on when the accident actually happened and how long after before crash was spotted and the alarm was raised. It's feared the dead and injured may have lain unseen for hours on the lonely road until emergency services were alerted. Emergency services were called to the scene at Bochara, three-and-a-half hours west of Melbourne, shortly after 9.30am on Saturday morning Two males and two females died in the crash. It was earlier reported that four teenage girls had died, but police later amended the information. 'Two females and two males, who are all yet to be formally identified, died at the scene,' the police statement read. 'Another female has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.' She has been confirmed by an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson as a teenage girl who was flown to the Alfred Hospital with upper body injuries in a critical condition. Officers believe the five occupants of the car were locals to the area from nearby Hamilton. 'Hamilton is a very close-knit community, and there's five people involved in this and all their families and all their friends,' Victoria Police Sergeant Ryan Nelson told reporters. 'It's going to hit the town really hard.' The tragic crash happened on Wannon-Nigretta Rd in country Victoria (pictured) about 9.30am Saturday Bochara, with a population of less than a hundred people, is located about three-and-a-half hours west of Melbourne Sgt Nelson described the scene as horrific and said police wanted to give people answers about what happened. They hope surveillance footage from the nearby Nigretta Falls tourist location may show the girls' vehicle passing among the overnight traffic and indicate when the crash happened. Police cordoned off the area to allow major collision investigation unit detectives to probe the crash, with officers remaining there on Saturday evening. Locals say the single lane road is notorious in the area. Vehicles must pull over onto the verge to pass each other, but many still hurtle down at the 100km/h speed limit or more, according to residents. Southern Grampians Shire Mayor David Robertson described the crash as a parent's worst nightmare. 'This is horrific right across the community,' Cr Robertson said. 'The whole community will feel the impact of this for a long time to come.' Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and polie urged any witnesses to contact them. So far this year, 128 people have died on Victoria's roads, compared with 96 during the same period last year. The state of Texas appears set to change its AMBER Alert system after it failed to help Athena Strand, a 7-year-old girl who was kidnapped and strangled to death last November. Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, was arrested and charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in the death of Strand and is currently being held in the Wise County Jail on $1.5 million bond as prosecutors seek the death penalty. The Lone Star State's legislators voted Wednesday approving a new version of the state's AMBER Alert system that has been called 'the Athena Alert Bill,' led by State Representative Lynn Stucky. The new law would allow authorities to notify people within a 100-mile radius of a missing child as soon as they are reported missing. At the time Strand disappeared, she did not meet the state's criteria for an alert, which includes a preliminary investigation and law enforcement being able to determine the child is in 'immediate danger.' The state of Texas appears set to change its AMBER Alert system after it failed to help Athena Strand, a 7-year-old girl who was kidnapped and strangled to death last November Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, was arrested and charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in the death of Strand. Horner is currently being held in the Wise County Jail on $1.5 million bond as prosecutors seek the death penalty Wise County Sheriff Lane Aiken spoke in favor of the new system Athena's mother, Maitlyn Gandy, testified in favor of the law and believes it could have helped save her daughter's life. 'If this alert had been in place when my daughter disappeared, I have no doubt that the Wise County Sheriff's Office would have activated it,' Gandy said in a statement after the bill passed. 'Unfortunately, their hands were tied because my daughter's disappearance didn't immediately meet the strict criteria for a statewide AMBER alert. It was a helpless feeling that I wouldn't wish on any parent. My hope is that every state will follow Texas' lead and amend the law so that no other parent has to wait when their child is missing.' Wise County Sheriff Lane Aiken was appreciative of both Gandy and State Representative Lynn Stucky's efforts to pass the bill. 'With its passage, law enforcement will be able to make a local judgement call and send out an alert that may help bring a child home to his\her parents,' Akin told HuffPo. 'Hopefully, we will never need to make that judgement call, but if it does happen again and if so decided, we have an additional tool to help us recover a missing child.' The legislation must be signed into law by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott before it can go into effect. Horner entered a not guilty plea in Wise County back in March. District Attorney James Stainton filed court documents in federal court informing the judge that he will seek the death penalty against Horner if he is found guilty of capital murder. Athena's mother, Maitlyn Gandy, testified in favor of the law and believes it could have helped save her daughter's life The Lone Star State's legislators voted Wednesday approving a localized version of the AMBER Alert system that has been called 'the Athena Alert Bill,' led by State Representative Lynn Stucky Horner was arrested December 2, 2022 the same day Athena's body was found. He confessed to police that he accidentally hit Strand with his delivery van as he delivered Christmas presents to the house. He then panicked and put the little girl inside his vehicle and strangled her to death. According to an autopsy, Strand had blunt-force injuries to her head and neck and evidence of smothering and strangulation. Her death was ruled a homicide. On February 17, a jury in Wise County formally charged Horner with kidnapping and murdering the young girl. Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said prosecutors are planning to seek the death penalty against Horner. Horner has been charged with sexually assaulting a child almost a decade ago and faces three additional counts of sexually abusing a child in 2013, in Fort Worth. He is being held in jail on a $1.5 million bail. Athena's father, Jacob Strand, has launched legal action against FedEx, claiming they did not carry out sufficient background checks before hiring Horner. Athena was abducted from her father's home in Paradise, Texas, on November 30 by FedEx driver Tanner Horner, police say 'I support the death penalty. In any sentencing that may come,' Gandy told WFAA. 'Every breath he takes is one my daughter doesn't. Gandy previously said she wished he had simply driven away and let her daughter walk. 'We are very forgiving people,' she said. 'If Athena was not injured or even if she had a few bumps and scrapes, he could have just driven away. We could have forgiven him. 'Accidents do happen, but he chose to do more - and what he did was unforgivable. 'I have a hard time believing Athena couldn't have walked away. Athena could have just walked away, and I wish he would have let her.' According to the arrest affidavit, Horner said Strand was not seriously injured when he hit her with his van. Athena Strand, 7, was kidnapped and strangled on November 30, 2022 by a contracted FedEx worker delivering gifts to her family home in North Texas Horner has been charged with sexually assaulting a child almost a decade ago and faces three additional counts of sexually abusing a child in 2013, in Fort Worth Gandy says she is still grieving for her daughter while trying to care for her other young child, Rilyn. 'I triple-check my doors every night, and I hold my three-year-old tighter. I'm scared to let her go. Everything is just very, very scary and very, very sad,' Gandy said through tears. 'It's been rough for our family. For my other three-year-old. She doesn't understand why she can't call 'sissy' or why she hasn't come home yet. It's a long time for her to go without seeing her sister', she explains. 'We're coping. We're trying to function. It's been long. Hard but very chaotic at the same time. 'I'm sad. I'm angry. I'm confused. I am doing my best. 'I've been very scared, and I don't sleep very often or for an extended period of time. Noises at night scare me.' California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) issued an apology to the family of Kristin Smart for the first time since she went missing on the college campus 27 years ago. The Stockton native disappeared on Cal Poly's campus in 1996 and after campus police refused to file a missing persons report, the school told her family she had just gone camping. In March, Paul Flores was jailed for 25 years for the student's murder. The polytechnic school has now issued an apology to the family, with President Jeffrey D. Armstrong, writing: 'We are very sorry for what the Smart family has endured. What they have been through is unimaginably heartbreaking, and I feel for them in ways I can't express with words. 'While it is a different administration now than was in place in 1996, we recognize that things should had been done differently - and I personally wish that they had.' Kristin Smart disappeared on Cal Poly's campus in 1996 and after campus police refused to file a missing persons report, the school told her family she had just gone camping. Earlier this year, Paul Flores was convicted of her murder Now, the polytechnic school has issued an apology to the family for the first time, with President Jeffrey D. Armstrong, writing: 'We are very sorry for what the Smart family has endured. What they have been through is unimaginably heartbreaking, and I feel for them in ways I can't express with words. Armstrong went on to say that 'Kristin's story is something that is always with us and weighs heavy on our hearts' and that the school is 'determined to do all we can to help ensure the safety of all our students now and in the future.' 'While we will never be able to control what an individual with bad intent decides to do, we are constantly working to help ensure things like this don't happen again at Cal Poly,' he wrote. 'Cal Poly places the utmost priority on the safety of its campus community members. The university has robust programming aimed at providing public safety services to all of our students, employees and visitors.' Smart disappeared in 1996. The case remained unsolved for decades, but a 2020 true crime podcast jolted local police. Flores, now 46, was also a students at California Polytech University in San Luis Obispo. While police have never found her remains, they believe Flores raped her in his dorm room then murdered her. Smart left an off-campus party on May 25, 1996 at about 2am, accompanied by Flores. He claimed he walked her as far as her dorm, but she was never seen again. In March, Paul Flores was jailed for 25 years for the student's murder Smart and Flores were both students at California Polytech University in San Luis Obispo. Flores, now 46, was arrested as a result. While police have never found her remains, they believe Flores raped her in his dorm room then murdered her A missing persons report was filed three days later. Friends said she was intoxicated and Flores repeatedly said he would escort her home. He was identified as a 'person of interest' early in the case, but to this day insists he is innocent. On Friday, the judge said he was a dangerous predator. 'This predatory behavior has spanned your adult life, Judge Jennifer O'Keefe said. 'You deserve to spend very day you have left behind bars. 'Mr. Flores, you have been a cancer to society. Smart left an off-campus party on May 25, 1996 at around 2am, accompanied by Flores. He claimed he walked her as far as her dorm, but she was never seen again. A missing persons report was filed three days later Friends said she was intoxicated and Flores repeatedly said he would escort her home 'For 25 years you have lived free in the community' and continued to drug and assault women, she said, according to the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Flores was ordered to pay a total of $10,000 in restitution to his victims. He must also register as a sex offender for life, as he assaulted and killed Smart with the 'purpose of sexual gratification and sexual compulsion,' O'Keefe said. Flores and his father, Ruben, were both charged in connection with her death. Prosecutors say Ruben helped his son by stashing Smart's body under their backyard deck for years. The pair are suspected of moving her remains once suspicion started growing in 2020. Flores was found guilty of murder in October last year. A jury found Flores guilty of first-degree murder in October. A separate jury acquitted Ruben Flores, 81, of being an accessory. A third teenager has made themselves known to police following the massive blaze that ripped through a Sydney warehouse. The third boy, 12, is in addition to two other boys, both 13, who were already speaking to detectives - with all three confirmed to be in the building when the fire broke out. Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad's Arson Unit have established Strike Force Strontium as they investigate the inferno that razed the abandoned warehouse in Surry Hills on Thursday afternoon. Detectives said they are particularly keen to access CCTV, dash-cam, and mobile phone footage showing activity on Randle Street between 2.45pm and 4pm on Thursday. Footage can be uploaded via the Crime Stoppers website and business owners in the area with CCTV have been asked to speak to Surry Hills Police Station. Part of the building collapsed during the fire showering the street below with rubble The fire brought commuters to a standstill on Thursday afternoon NSW Fire and Rescue said parts of the rubble in the building were still smouldering on Saturday More than 120 firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) used specialist appliances and equipment to contain the blaze before it engulfed other buildings nearby. Authorities said firefighting operations were still ongoing on Saturday afternoon with the site smouldering and small fires breaking out amongst the rubble. Part of the building collapsed during the blaze and the structure is unstable. On-site investigations into the cause have been hindered with investigators unable to safely enter. Unstable walls are being monitored with laser measuring tools and drones, FRNSW said. 'One external wall has moved 70mm over night reinforcing the commitment to maintain the current exclusions zones for community safety.' Drone footage taken from above two destroyed buildings, has revealed melted interiors and piles of rubble within the partially collapsed walls of the structure. Whole floors have caved in to leave a cavity inside the empty shell of a building, while exploded windows and piles of brick were left behind. A tradie's car parked on the street burst into flames from the nearby heat About 120 firefighters were on the scene on Thursday night battling the blaze An exclusion zone has been setup in case of further wall collapses Acting zone commander Grant Rice told reporters the movement of the wall was inwards, lessening the potential for more debris to fall to the streets below. 'We're just keeping an eye on that at the moment,' he said. Mr Rice said crews were busy throughout the day working to put out any remaining fires, with attention turning now to when the building can be safely demolished and surrounding streets reopened. 'We are working with demolition companies and working with other services and don't have a time-frame as yet.' He said it would likely be a few days before the work could be completed and residents could return to their nearby homes. 'Our priority is actually getting everything back to normal around the area, and we will do the best we can.' About 50 people living in the area have been displaced since the inferno at the former hat factory lit up the sky, closing streets and public transport. Two 13-year-olds and one 12-year-old have made themselves known to police, who believe there was a large group of teenagers near the building when it caught fire NSW Acting Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said on Friday it was a massive blaze. 'This is really a once-in-a-decade type of fire,' he said. 'You've got all the dry, very seasoned timber ... stacked up, the framework, the building, the floors, the staircases. 'It enabled the fire to spread very quickly vertically. 'In a sense, it's the perfect set of conditions to have a very intense fire.' The only reported injury was a minor burn suffered by a firefighter. A young news presenter has shared the moment she received a 'scary' phone call that changed her life when she was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer. Kirstie Fitzpatrick was only 19 when she noticed a painful lesion growing on her elbow which appeared 'overnight'. The strange mark prompted her to visit multiple pharmacists and doctors, who advised her there was no concern and encouraged her to remove it 'for cosmetic purposes'. 'It was sensitive to touch, a funny texture and shape, flesh coloured, rough and painful,' the now 27-year-old said. Kirstie Fitzpatrick, 27, (pictured) was only 19 when she received the 'scary' phone call informing her about her diagnosis The reporter had it removed not long before moving from her family home in Orange into student accomodation at Macquarie University, and received a strange call from her doctor one Saturday morning. '[I] got on with life for three weeks [after the surgery] and didn't think twice... until I got a bit of a scary phone call,' she told 7Life. 'I couldn't understand why my doctor was ringing me and I thought it was quite strange. 'Then she said the word 'cancer' and that was the first time I ever heard my name and the word cancer in the same sentence. At 19. 'It was very, very scary.' Ms Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of skin cancer that to this day has not been identified, with her case progressing over time from pathologists eventually up to the head of pathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. 'Nobody knew how to identify this,' she added. The then 19-year-old (pictured) put her studies on the backburner and returned home to Orange to be with family whilst she was undergoing treatment for her mystery melanoma 'As a result, it was classified as an aggressive form of melanoma but to this day, they still don't know exactly what it was or what caused it.' The reporter moved back in with her parents in Orange before beginning treatment. 'And that was university in Sydney done and dusted for me, and I began the process of working out what my next steps were,' she said. She said it was 'pretty intense', with many hours spent travelling back and forth to see her oncologist in Sydney for appointments. 'It's that sense of the unknown, just having no idea what this meant,' she added. 'What this was going to do for my life. What this meant for me.' To have the cancerous cells removed, Ms Fitzpatrick underwent an 'invasive and major surgery' which saw her lymph nodes and cancerous cells cut out rendering her unable to move her arm for six weeks. Ms Fitzpatrick (pictured) had to relearn how to drive, shower and bend her arm after her 'major and invasive' surgery to remove her lymph nodes and cancerous cells She then had to relearn how to drive, shower and bend her elbow. 'Within a couple of weeks, I got the results back to say that the cancer was localised to that area,' she said. 'So there was no spread to the lymphatic system or to the blood, so they had isolated it during that surgery, which was good news.' Ms Fitzpatrick is now an ambassador for the Skin Cancer College Australasia, and encourages others to check their skin regularly. 'Anything that might be sore, scaly, bleeding, tender, changing in shape, size or colour. Is it abnormal? Does it feel different?' she added. 'If you do notice something that's different, find an accredited skin cancer professional so they can do a full body skin check and make sure there's nothing of concern.' The reporter (pictured) believes her experience gave her the 'kick' to start studying journalism, which was something she always wanted to be Now almost a decade later, she has had another two operations to remove potentially cancerous cells she found during regular self-checkups. 'It has been, and still is, a big part of my life,' she says. She believes her experience gave her the 'kick' she needed to start her journalism studies, enrolling at Charles Sturt University after her major surgery. 'If this hadn't have happened to me, I wouldn't be a journalist,' she revealed. 'I've always wanted to be a journalist. I've always wanted to tell stories.' Post Office prosecutors tasked with investigating sub-postmasters in the notorious Horizon scandal used a racial slur to classify black workers, according to documents obtained by campaigners. Fraud investigators were asked to group suspects based on racial features and used a racist term for staff from the colonial era of the 1800s which refers to people of African descent. The Post Office Horizon scandal, which has been described as 'the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history', saw hundreds of innocent postmasters convicted. Some 700 branch managers were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 on theft, fraud and false accounting charges. The information came to light through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request obtained by campaigner Eleanor Shaikh. Some 700 Post Office branch managers were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 on theft, fraud and false accounting charges (file image) Post Office prosecutors used a racial slur to classify black workers, according to documents obtained by campaigners The document, thought to have been published in 2008, asked investigators if the suspects were 'Negroid Types'. Other categories on the document include 'Chinese/Japanese types' and 'Dark Skinned European Types'. Responding to the FOI request, a Post Office spokesperson described it as a 'historic document' but said the organisation did not tolerate racism 'in any shape or form' and condemned the 'abhorrent' language. They added: 'We fully support investigations into Post Office's past wrong doings and believe the Horizon IT Inquiry will help ensure today's Post Office has the confidence of its Postmasters and the communities it supports.' The Post Office began installing Horizon accounting software in the late 1990s, but faults in the software led to shortfalls in accounts, which sparked demands on sub-postmasters to cover the difference. Many were wrongfully prosecuted for false accounting, theft and fraud. Starting in 1999, the Post Office began installing Horizon accounting systems - but faults in the software led to thousands of users suffering unexplained losses in their branches' accounts. Former post office workers celebrating outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London, after their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal, April 24, 2021 A supporter celebrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, April 23, 2021, following a court ruling clearing sub-postmasters of convictions for theft and false accounting The Post Office subsequently demanded that the sub-postmasters cover the shortfalls, with more than 700 wrongfully prosecuted for theft, fraud and false accounting between 1999 and 2015. But in December 2019, a High Court judge ruled that the system contained a number of 'bugs, errors and defects' and there was a 'material risk' that shortfalls in Post Office branch accounts were in fact caused by it. Many sub-postmasters have had criminal convictions overturned. A Pro-Ukraine 'saboteur' has been caught with a bomb close to Vladimir Putin's 1 billion palatial cliff top hideaway in southern Russia, Moscow's forces have claimed. The unnamed 42-year-old was branded a 'supporter of Ukrainian neo-Nazism' as he was detained by FSB agents on suspicion of 'terrorist offences'. The suspect was accused of plotting the explosion near the tyrant's Black Sea resort Gelendzhik, which is perched delicately atop the cliffs of the southern Krasnodar region. The palace is rumoured to be worth roughly 1 billion and has its own vast underground bunker. The sprawling pleasure mansion dwarfs Buckingham Palace in size and is just one of the despot's opulent private residences in Russia. Footage showed Russian forces clad in heavy-duty military fatigues leading the suspect away, one man grappling each of the suspect's arms. The unnamed 42-year-old was detained by FSB agents on suspicion of 'terrorist offences' The suspect was accused of plotting the explosion near the tyrant's Black Sea resort Gelendzhik, in the southern Krasnodar region Footage showed Russian forces clad in heavy-duty military fatigues leading the suspect away The FSB security service said: 'A ready-to-use improvised explosive device was seized from a cache equipped by a radical in a wooded area on the outskirts of the settlement. 'Components for making IEDs [improvised explosive devices] were seized at his residential address.' Instructions for assembling explosive devices and their use were also found, said the FSB counterintelligence agency once headed by Putin. These were 'received from Internet communities administered by militants of Ukrainian nationalist formations'. The man - seen on video detained by the FSB - faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted of terrorist offences. His alleged bomb-making factory was shown as was a stash supposedly to conceal explosive devices in a local forest. Putin's sprawling cliff top residence is at the elite resort, although the Russian state media is barred from revealing details of the 70-year-old dictator's palace. Recent revelations indicated Putin has constructed an elaborate bunker complex at Gelendzhik - where he might rule Russia in the event of nuclear war. Diagrams indicate a cavernous system of underground hideouts with ventilation systems, sewerage, and freshwater supply. The suspect's arms are placed behind his back as he was caught by Russian forces with a bomb close Vladimir Putin's 1 billion palatial cliff top hideaway The man - seen on video detained by the FSB - faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted of terrorist offences The unnamed 42-year-old was branded a 'supporter of Ukrainian neo-Nazism' by the FSB The FSB security service said: 'A ready-to-use improvised explosive device was seized from a cache equipped by a radical in a wooded area on the outskirts of the settlement' The FSB said: 'Components for making IEDs [improvised explosive devices] were seized at his residential address.' The underground complex spans 6,500 square feet, with a lift shaft connecting the complex to two tunnels. The main palace - larger than anything owned by the British royals - includes a pole-dancing boudoir and vineyard, according to earlier disclosures. The building is surrounded by some 17,000 acres of land owned by Russia's FSB security service, with no-fly and no-boat zones shielding it from prying eyes. A marina and helicopter pads were constructed to give the president easy access to the palace, as well as a railway which is said to be Putin's favourite method of transport. The Russian authorities have accused the unnamed man of intending an attack on a law enforcement facility. The palace is ringed by such law enforcement checkpoints, preventing access to Putin's bolthole which he is believed to share with lover Alina Kabaeva, 40, an Olympic Gold-medal winning rhythmic gymnast, and their young family. A body of a 15-year-old boy has been found dead in a river whilst a 14-year-old is fighting for his life after a group of friends 'got into difficulty' swimming yesterday evening. A search team had been assigned to look for the teenager boy after emergency authorities were made aware of the incident that took place in the River Eden in Carlisle at 6:41pm. Four teenagers were involved with Cumbria Fire and Rescue airlifting a 14-year-old boy who has been described as being in a critical condition. Two other teenagers were also checked by medical experts. The fire team also revealed that one of the teenagers managed to swim to safety whilst another was rescued safely by a member of the public. The body of a 15-year-old boy has been found dead and another 14-year-old is in critical condition after a group of teenage boys 'got into difficulty' swimming in a Carlisle river on Friday evening No formal identification has yet been confirmed, however the family of the 15-year-old have been informed. They are being supported by specialist officers. A file will be prepared for the Coroner. Chief Superintendent Lisa Hogan, Cumbria Constabulary, said: 'This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family of the 15-year-old boy at this difficult time. 'An extensive search operation has taken place since the incident was reported yesterday evening. The search activity was assisted by emergency services, search and rescue teams, and specialist search professionals from Cumbria and from outside the county.' The incident took place during the hottest weekend of the year to date with temperatures across the UK reaching the high teens and early 20s. Hundreds of anti-Ulez campaigners are demonstrating outside London Bridge station in opposition to Sadiq Khan's hated 12-a-day plan - with some saying they refuse to pay the daily charge. There is growing anger among Londoners with several of the newly-installed cameras which will enforce the proposed expansion have been attacked by self-styled vigilantes opposed to the scheme. A large group of protesters are gathered on the central London road, with banners expressing their hatred for the Ulez and Khan's 'toxic air lie'. Drivers of older, polluting cars are hard-hit by the plan, which is enforced by the cameras, have to pay 12.50 a day to use their vehicle across Greater London. This has sparked furious backlash. Richard Tice, leader of the Reform Party, was also present at the demonstration, said the next mayoral election should be a referendum on the hated plan, as he urged the Tories to stand aside and back his candidate, Howard Cox. Protesters are gathered outside London Bridge station in a demonstration against the much-hated Ulez Demonstrators are holding banners expressing their hatred for the 12-a-day plan Pictured are anti-Ulez protesters outside London Bridge station today Mr Tice looked up towards St Paul's cathedral and told MailOnline: 'This is a glorious day here today, even the sun is out for the righteous. 'The people out here today want to ditch Sadiq Khan and scrap Ulez. Our campaign is simple. Reform is the only party to pledge to scrap Ulez in its entirety. 'We also promise to lift LTNs and the majority of 20mph speed limits. We want to get London moving. Get the traffic moving. Get housing moving. 'Today on London Bridge, I am telling the Tories: Stand aside from the mayoral campaign. Nobody knows who Paul Scully [the Tory MP planning to run] is. Drop out so Howard Cox can run as the anti-Khan candidate. 'We stood aside in the national good in 2019 to get Brexit done. If the Tories run, Khan will win and it will all be their fault.' The protest comes as yesterday four London councils and a fifth in the Home Counties secured a victory in their campaign against London Mayor Sadiq Khan's decision to expand the Ulez zone to the M25 in August. The London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon as well as Surrey County Council are seeking to block the planned expansion. The coalition appealed an earlier High Court decision to block several grounds of their case against the Mayor's controversial policy. Keith Brown, 72, from Banstead, Epsom lives outside the zone but says the expansion will hit him regularly. 'I have properties in SW19 which I have to manage. I also go to shops which are two miles from my home. They are just inside the extension. 'I'm not going to pay the charge. I started work aged 15 and trained to be a structural engineer. 'I opened a health club aged 30 and sold it after 28 years. I have seven kids and six grand children. I'm doing this for them.' Richard Tice arrived at the demonstration along with his candidate for mayor of London, Howard Cox in a blue taxi promoting the campaign. Mr Tice, who is party leader of Reform UK, looked up towards St Paul's cathedral and told MailOnline: 'This is a glorious day here today, even the sun is out for the righteous. 'The people out here today want to ditch Sadiq Khan and scrap Ulez. 'Our campaign is simple. Reform is the only party to pledge to scrap Ulez in its entirety. 'We also promise to lift LTNs and the majority of 20mph speed limits. We want to get London moving. Get the traffic moving. Get housing moving. 'Today on London Bridge, I am telling the Tories. Stand aside from the mayoral campaign. Nobody knows who Paul Scully is. Drop out so Howard Cox can run as the anti-Khan candidate. We stood aside in the national food in 2019 to get Brexit done. 'If the Tories run, Khan will win and it will all be their fault.' Keith Brown, 72, said he refuses to pay the 12-a-day charge Pictured from left Carolann Edermaniger, Cllr Simon Fawthrop and Dawn Spragg Another protester holds up a sign claiming that Khan is a 'liar' Bus drivers and taxis hooted as they passed the demonstration. For Councillor Simon Fawthrop of the London Borough of Bromley, this support was easily explained. 'Many bus drivers do not live near their depots. They go to work before the service starts. This will cost many of them 12.50 a day. Their pay won't increase to cover it. Those on the late shift will face having to pay a double charge if they do not leave the zone before midnight.' Bromley is one of five local authorities taking a judicial review against the decision. He said: 'Yesterday's victory is massive. It shows that the Fearless Five councils are willing to stand up against sadiq khan. We will continue fighting until the end.' Cllr Fawthrop warned Mr Khan that Bromley has been successful in fighting city hall. 'When Ken Livingstone was running the GLC, Bromley defeated him over his Fares Fair policy. 'Bromley will win again. I have a challenge for Mr Khan. If he is so confident about Ulez's popularity. Delay it until after the next mayoral election and let the people decide.' Firefighters waved from their pump ladder amid the cacophony of whistles and airhorns. HMS Belfast sat silently in the background framed by Tower Bridge. Demonstrators took short breaks to photograph the scene as the sun moved its way westwards. Protesters hold up signs expressing their dislike towards the Ulez and mayor Sadiq Khan Hundreds of protesters were in attendance at the protest Gary McGrieg, 60, from Carshalton, Surrey said it was important he attended this demonstration. 'I was an electrician, but lockdown killed my business. A lot of people in the trades have non-compliant vans. They cannot afford to replace them. This tax on motorists will be passed onto the customer.' Mr McGrieg said it was 'a joke' to expect the trades to use the tube. 'We carry things that are not allowed on the underground. Imagine trying to fit a metre a-frame ladder on a busy train. Along with Stanley knives, hammers and electric power tools. It's not going to happen.' A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said : 'The Mayor acknowledges there are genuine concerns about ULEZ amongst the small proportion of drivers who have the most polluting vehicles and are worried about what it will mean for them. 'He has listened to Londoners throughout this process and has launched his largest scrappage scheme yet 110m to get the most polluting vehicles off the roads. Nine out of ten cars in outer London are already ULEZ compliant. 'All Londoners should use the TfL vehicle checker as their car may already be compliant without realising it. 'People are entitled to show their opposition to policies peacefully and lawfully. But causing criminal damage is never acceptable. 'The Met now have a number of investigations ongoing into ULEZ camera vandalism and will take action against any criminal behaviour at protests.' Gary McGrieg, 60, from Carshalton, Surrey is an electrician. He said it was a 'joke' that tradespeople are expected to get the tube with all their equipment Anti-Ulez protesters pictured today An anti-Ulez protester pictured today From August 29, petrol cars which do not reach the Euro IV standard or diesels which are not Euro VI compliant will be subject to a 12.50-a-day charge - unless they are deemed classic vehicles. However, supercars spewing out up to 380g of CO2 per kilometre will be welcomed into the low pollution zone. Phil Elliott of UK Unites, who is organising today's demonstration said there is growing anger in the population as they realise the impact the expanded Ulez scheme will have on their daily lives. He said in future, other policies such as road pricing - where motorists pay for each mile they drive - as authorities seek to find new revenue to make up for the road tax lost by electric cars. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is determined to expand his Ulez zone from around the north and south circular roads to the edge of the M25 on August 29. After this, any car crossing the boundary of London's orbital motorway what is not compliant or exempt from charges will have to pay 12.50 per day Phil Elliott of UK Unites, pictured, has organised today's demonstration at London Bridge station. He believes people have to stand up now to oppose the ulez expansion before it is rolled out on August 29 Ahead the demonstration, Mr Elliott said: 'The reality is that this is an awareness day. There were be placards and leaflets. People are not aware of what is coming. It is becoming more difficult to use cars, they want to stop us from driving. 'This will kill businesses and make peoples' lives far more difficult. Not everyone can afford compliant cars as there is a cost of living crisis. Compliant cars have shot up in price while the value of those that are not have plummeted. Many of the people I speak to are losing sleep and suffering from stress. 'I would far prefer to be driving in my campervan with my partner enjoying life. But if we do not act now and stand up against this plan, the damage will be done. And it's not just London. Councils across Britain have similar plans.' Mr Elliott said the plan is being touted as an environmental measure to protect public safety, but in reality it is designed to extract more tax from motorists. He said he welcomed yesterday's High Court success, but thinks the only way to stop the expansion is for ordinary people 'to stand up' and make themselves heard. Thousands of anti-Ulez protesters are meeting up at London Bridge at lunchtime in opposition to Mayor Sadiq Khan's proposed expansion of the controversial zone on August 29 The councils are seeking to challenge legality of Transport for London and the mayor's policy, including whether they failed to comply with 'relevant statutory requirements'. Leader of Bromley Council Councillor Colin Smith said: 'We are obviously delighted at the High Court's latest decision, which has given further scope to the legal challenge we are mounting as it enables a broader range of legal questions to be posed. 'We are already witnessing widespread upset and uncertainty locally over the prospect of the Mayor's threatened tax against motorists going ahead, due to the damage it will cause to local businesses, jobs and local care networks and anything which assists us in turning this outrageous money making scam away is clearly to be welcomed. 'Outer 'London' isn't the same as Inner London and never will be and every day which passes demonstrates ever more clearly that City Hall simply doesn't understand how those of us in the Outer reaches need to live our lives due to the inferior transport networks and physically longer distances which people need to travel. Today's demonstration will be addressed by Howard Cox, pictured, who is running in next year's mayoral election with a manifesto pledge to scrap ulez 'Whilst the legal questions will be examined in Court, there is still time for the Mayor to draw back from expanding his unwelcome plans to extend his camera network to the outer London border ahead of the Court case on July 4 and I once again call on him to do so for the wider good. 'If not, we travel on to 'Independence Day' bolstered by todays decision in even greater hope than previously.' Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ian Edwards welcomed the High Court's decision. '[This] result is another step forward for the coalition and outer-London. These grounds are key to understanding the harm the ULEZ expansion will have on our residents. 'The Mayor estimated that only one in 10 of vehicles in outer London would be non-compliant but this is proving to be widely inaccurate. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders data shows that one in six cars registered in outer London did not meet Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards last year, and yesterday a new study by TfL found that half the vans registered in outer London are not compliant. 'As each day passes the harm that the expansion of ULEZ will cause is becoming clearer and the sheer number of vehicles that don't meet ULEZ emissions standards in Greater London suggests there will be a massive financial impact on motorists and businesses as well as enormous social harm. 'We believe that we've assembled a valid and robust case to put before the court and have every confidence that the inappropriateness and harm of these expansion proposals will be given the scrutiny, exposure, and ultimately, the expulsion they deserve.' Mr Elliot continued: 'The Mayor and TfL have to come and live in the real world. How is someone in the trades supposed to carry knives, hammers and expensive hand tools on the tube? 'What about someone with a ladder? More evidence is coming through. It is getting worse for Sadiq. I would like to think that he may see the errors of his ways and reverse his decision.' However, a spokesperson for Mr Khan said: 'The Mayor has been clear that the decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide was not an easy one. However, around 4,000 Londoners a year die prematurely from air pollution. 'This is a health emergency and the Mayor is not prepared to stand by and do nothing while Londoners are growing up with stunted lungs and are more at risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia due to our toxic air. 'We note the Court's decision and will continue to robustly defend action to expand the ULEZ while continuing with preparations for expansion at the end of August.' A tourist has been attacked by a crocodile while snorkelling in shallow waters near a remote island in Far North Queensland. The man, believed to be in his 50s from Brisbane, is understood to have been on an excursion with a tourist boat when the attack took place. He is said to have suffered serious injuries to his hand as well as cuts and bruises to his face. A tourist has been attacked by a crocodile while snorkelling in shallow waters near remote Haggerstone Island in Far North Queensland (pictured) The incident took place around 2pm near the white sands and clear waters of Cape Grenville, close to the tip of Australia, 700km north of Cairns The tourist, believed to be in his 50s from Brisbane, is said to have suffered serious injuries to his hand as well as cuts and bruises to his face on the croc attack The incident took place around 2pm near the white sands and clear waters of Cape Grenville, close to the tip of Australia, 700km north of Cairns. Others around him managed to help fend off the croc and get him back to shore where they stemmed the blood and tended his injuries. He was rushed to nearby Haggerstone Island, 28km away, where doctors stabilised his condition, reported 9News. Haggerstone Island is an exclusive all-inclusive resort on the Great Barrier Reef. The injured tourist now reported to have been airlifted to Thursday Island for further treatment as authorities launch an investigation into the attack. It is the third crocodile attack in Queensland in the last eight weeks, after previous incidents saw a fisherman eaten by one croc and a dog snatched and killed in another incident. Said he wasn't happy with his requests ignored A man who left a decapitated horse head on the steps of a government office has revealed his reasons for the disturbing 'dramatic' act. Rocky Harvey shocked onlookers on Friday with his gruesome protest against brumby carcasses which have been left lying around Kosciuszko National Park. He said he decided to deliver the horse's head to the doorstep of National Parks and Wildlife Service office after his complaints went unheard. The avid horse rider insists he is not an eco-activist and is more concerned about the health impact of rotting animal carcasses being left near popular tourist campsites. 'I'm not taking issue with the culling management plan in the park, I have never got involved in that debate, I'm taking issue with the poor outcome,' he said. Rocky Harvey (pictured) said he was not an 'activist' and carried out the shocking act as a result of 'poor outcomes' Mr Harvey voiced concerns over leaving the carcasses of the culled brumbies laying around Kosciuszko National Park (pictured, horses laying across the Snowy Plain) 'It's just not acceptable to leave 67 carcasses laying around near a public camping ground. 'I went and did the right thing, reported it to the EPA, who then referred it to the Wild Horse Management Unit, no response. Penny Sharpe, no response,' Mr Harvey told The Sunday Telegraph. 'Maybe this was a little too dramatic but the normal pathways to get people to care just got an arrogant zero.' Frustrated his social media posts and letters to authorities had been ignored, Mr Harvey drove to the Jindabyne office and placed the horse's head at the entrance. Mr Harvey was issued with an infringement notice by police for offensive behaviour. He filmed the incident and shared it on social media, but denies his actions were any kind of a threat. 'Isn't it interesting that one horse head in front of a government building causes such outrage, when there are 67 laying around close to public camping grounds and nobody wants to talk about it or do anything about it?' he said. The avid horse rider decapitated one of the slain brumbies and placed the head at the entrance of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Jindabyne office on Friday (pictured, the horse head) 'It was a pretty dramatic statement but it certainly wasn't threatening. I was polite with my interaction with one of the employees.' At least 70 wild horses, known as brumbies, have been slaughtered on the vast Snowy Plains right in the National Park. The brumby cull throughout Kosciuszko National Park has divided people, with many concerned horses have been slain while drinking water, with their bodies then left in waterways which run into dams full of water for human consumption. 'The pictures don't do it justice, walking through it seeing the rot. It's overwhelming,' Mr Harvey added. Mr Harvey (pictured) was frustrated after he received no response to his social media posts and letters to authorities 'The carcasses are leeching poison into this crystal clear water. It's unacceptable.' 'If you look at the weight, that would probably be equivalent to 300 dead sheep. If a farmer had 300 dead sheep in public view, imagine the outrage,' he said. The National Parks and Wildlife Service says that the culling is necessary. A population estimate in 2022 found 18,000 brumbies are running free in the park, although the goal of authorities is to reduce brumby numbers to 3000 by 2027. 'The removal of wild horses will occur in accordance with best practice animal welfare requirements, informed by advice from authorities such as the RSPCA,' a statement on its website reads. He said there were 67 carcasses laying around close to public camping grounds (pictured, horse found shot dead in the national park) The brumby cull has been a divisive topic as National Parks and Wildlife Service aim to reduce population numbers down from 18,000 to 3000 by 2027 (pictured, horse found shot dead in the national park) Mr Harvey compared the visible dead bodies to sheep, saying 'if a farmer had 300 dead sheep in public view, imagine the outrage' (pictured, mare shot in the gut near a waterway in Snowy Plain) 'National Parks and Wildlife Service will continue to prioritise passive trapping and rehoming, where it leads to the highest animal welfare outcomes.' 'Where that is not practicable, the draft plan provides a range of other options including ground shooting subject to strict conditions which ensure the highest animal welfare standards are met.' Boris Johnson has vehemently shut down claims he broke Covid lockdown rules, saying they are 'total nonsense' and that entries in his ministerial diary were 'cherry-picked and handed to police'. The former prime minister sensationally sacked his government lawyers on Wednesday after discovering they passed information without his knowledge to the police and MPs investigating the Partygate row. Diary entries relating to his stays at Chequers during the pandemic supposedly raised concerns that events at the grace-and-favour mansion might have broken Covid rules in place at the time a claim strongly denied by Mr Johnson. At Dulles International Airport in Washington earlier today Mr Johnson said: 'I think it's ridiculous that elements in my diary should be cherry-picked and handed over to the police, to the privileges committee without even anybody having the basic common sense to ask me what these entries referred to. 'Theres absolutely nothing in those entries that constitutes rule breaking during Covid restrictions, Okay? I just think its totally nonsensical and bizarre,' he told a Sky News reporter. Boris Johnson has vehemently shut down claims he broke Covid lockdown rules, saying they are 'total nonsense' On Wednesday the Daily Mail can revealed that government lawyers assessed the material, telling MPs on the Commons privileges committee which is investigating Mr Johnson over allegations he misled MPs about Partygate that it suggested rules may have been broken. In a letter to Mr Johnson, seen by the Mail, the committee said: 'The Government has told us that: As part of their work preparing Boris Johnson's witness statement for the Covid Inquiry, the counsel team supporting Mr Johnson identified a number of diary entries as potentially problematic. 'These entries [] are based on an assessment by Government Legal Department as to events/activities which could reasonably be considered to constitute breaches of Covid Regulations.' A spokesman for Mr Johnson said it was 'totally untrue' that events at Chequers had broken Covid rules. The spokesman said legal advice had found that all events were within the laws in place at the time. Mr Johnson went on to cut ties with the government lawyers who handed over material to the police. They were meant to be assisting him to prepare for the Covid inquiry. But, to his fury, they handed over material to the police without discussing it with him. The Kremlin has blamed Britain's Storm Shadow missiles for a devastating long-distance attack on war-torn Mariupol as Ukraine stages a fightback against its Russian occupiers. Ukraine's once fiercely defended city, now in the Russian-held sector of Donetsk, reported two missile strikes on Friday, where a monthslong siege early in the war left much of the city in ruins. Two successive strikes hit the besieged city, one of them allegedly hitting the Azovstal steel works where Ukraine forces once battled to fend off Russian attack. Kremlin state news agency Tass cited an unnamed official as saying the missiles were long-range Storm Shadows, which Britain delivered to Ukraine this month. Britain delivered the Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine earlier this month. The long-range missiles mean Ukraine would be able to strike deep into eastern Russian-held territory. Mariupol in the Russian-held sector of Donetsk reported two missile strikes on Friday The Storm Shadow missiles allow Ukraine to hit Russian troops and logistics hubs deep behind the front line British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelensky in Hiroshima during the G7 Summit on May 20, 2023 Two strikes hit the citys industrial zone, said Russian pro-war Rybar Telegram channel with 1.1 million followers. Ukraine has not yet taken responsibility for the strike, or said it had used the Storm Shadow missiles. The missiles, jointly developed by the UK and France, has a firing range of more than 155 miles (250km). This would mean Kyiv would be able to strike deep into Russian-held territory in eastern Ukraine where the fiercest battles are ongoing. The supply of the Storm Shadow missiles by Britain was announced earlier this month by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, and was welcomed by Ukraine. The missiles, which cost about 2.2million, will allow Ukraine to hit Russian troops and logistics hubs deep behind the front line in a major blow to Vladimir Putin. Britain had received assurances from the Ukrainian government that these missiles would be used only within Ukrainian sovereign territory and not inside Russia, multiple senior Western officials said. Following the strikes, Kremlin-appointed head of Mariupol Oleg Morgun told residents to 'remain calm and trust only official sources of information'. RT claimed that Russian air defences had targeted the missiles in the city scene of the notorious Siege of Mariupol between 24 February and 20 May last year, when more than 10,000 are feared to have died. RIA Novosti cited officials in the pro-Putin Donetsk People's Republic alleging that the incoming strikes were from British Storm Shadow missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with officials at the Kremlin on May 26, 2023 Two successive strikes hit the besieged city of Mariupol, one of them allegedly hitting the Azovstal steel works Ukraine's once fiercely defended city of Mariupol now in the Russian-held sector of Donetsk reported two missile strikes on Friday Another port on the Sea of Azov - Berdiansk - was today hit for the second day in succession in another suspected long range missile strike by Ukraine. Storm Shadow The Storm Shadow, also known as SCALP, is an air-to-ground missile that can hit fixed or stationary targets. Length: 16ft 9in Range: 350 miles Speed: 600mph Advertisement Both are strategically important as access points for Putin's forces to Crimea, annexed in 2014. Meanwhile, Russian foreign ministry official Maria Zakharova pointed at Britain over incursions by anti-Putin partisans inside Russian territory close to Ukraine - and claimed Moscow could sever diplomatic relations with London. 'We do not rule out that the English participated in the planning, organisation and support of terrorist attacks carried out by the Kyiv regime on the territory of Russia, including the provision of intelligence information,' she said. 'As has been repeatedly emphasised, the Russian side reserves the right to take appropriate response measures, where and when deemed necessary. 'All responsibility for the consequences of London's destructive activity rests entirely with the authors and perpetrators of these reckless acts.' Ending diplomatic relations was an 'extreme measure that should not be ruled out when taking into account the totality of factors', said Zakharova, spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Thirsty revellers celebrated into the early hours of this morning making the most of the bank holiday weekend. Many revellers took to the streets of Newcastle, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool to enjoy themselves. Partygoers were seen dressed in cowboy hats and various funny costumes. It was not just boozy revellers enjoying themselves with some pictured laughing and joking with police officers. Temperatures across the UK are expected to reach the high teens and early 20s during the bank holiday weekend. This is the third bank holiday of this month following the one during the first week of May and King Charles' Coronation. A group of girls in Newcastle hit the town dressed in cowboy hats and boots, making the most of the bank holiday weekend A couple partygoers in Birmingham enjoying the warm weather with temperatures expected to reach the high teens and early 20s this bank holiday weekend A group of smiley revellers dressed up in funny costumes enjoy a dance during a night out in Leeds A couple of revellers being pictured smiling in Liverpool as many took to the streets to enjoy the unusually long weekend A trio of boozy revellers in Newcastle smiling and extending their arms out for a picture as they enjoy themselves Three women in Leeds dancing and posing on a night out as they make the most of the third bank holiday weekend this month A birthday girl in Liverpool shares a snap with her friend as boozy brits hit the bars and pubs during the latest May bank holiday A women in Leeds striking a pose for the camera as she enjoys herself during the long bank holiday weekend It was not just boozy revellers having fun with some police officers being pictured laughing and joking A partygoer in Newcastle donning a police officer's helmet on a night out making the most of the bank holiday weekend A distinguished university professor allegedly groomed an 11-year-old girl for a month and used social media to procure children to send him explicit videos. Professor Philip Newsholme, 62, who is a biomedical sciences academic at Curtin University in Perth allegedly told the young girl they were 'boyfriend and girlfriend,' the West Australian reported. He was arrested and charged after detectives from a WA child exploitation operations unit. Police alleged he had been talking with several children via SnapChat and Telegram after a raid on his home. Officers allegedly found several digital devices including laptops and desktop computers at his Como residence where he lives alone. Professor Philip Newsholme (pictured), 62, who is a biomedical sciences academic at Curtin University in Perth allegedly told an 11-year-old girl they were 'boyfriend and girlfriend' Detectives from the Child Exploitation Operations Squad identified three children allegedly involved who are believed to live in the UK, US and Australia, police said Category one and two child abuse images and videos were also allegedly found on storage devices. He has been charged with 12 child exploitation offences but a bail application at the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday heard he might be hit with an extra 50 charges. Newsholme allegedly used encrypted messaging services and social media apps to try and get young girls to send him explicit videos. Detectives from the Child Exploitation Operations Squad identified three children allegedly involved who are believed to live in the UK, US and Australia, police said. The academic is also accused of swapping child abuse material with other associates. The police prosecutor told the court Newsholme had sent a girl he believed was under 16 a nude photo of himself - which was connected to the tip-off officers received. He also had been chatting to an 11-year-old girl for a month where he told her they were 'boyfriend and girlfriend' and that he loved her, the court heard. His office at the Curtin University campus was also raided on Friday afternoon so police could seize his computer and other devices. A duty lawyer who was applying for bail for Newsholme told the court there would be a significant delay before the case went to trial - adding the professor had no criminal record and would follow any conditions. But Magistrate Andrew Maughan refused to give him bail because of the devices found in his home and because Newsholme had only made a partial admission to police. His office at the Curtin University campus (pictured) was also raided on Friday afternoon so police could seize his computer and other devices The professor faces eight counts of possess child exploitation material and three counts of distribute child exploitation material. He was also charged with one count of using electronic communications to expose a child believed to be under 16 years to indecent matter. Detectives said officers will review the seized devices and liaise with national and international law enforcement partners to identify and rescue any further child victims. Newsholme, who has a PHD from Oxford University, has also worked in the US, UK and Ireland. A media spokeswoman from Curtin University would not comment 'as the matter is before the courts'. Pope Francis recovered to return to work today after being forced to clear his schedule due to a fever earlier in the week. The pontiff resumed his duties, holding several private audiences, including a greeting with legendary Hollywood director Martin Scorsese. The head of the Catholic Church met the Goodfellas director and his wife Helen Morris as part of a conference at the Vatican. The trio were seen clasping each other's hands and smiling with one another. Scorsese also appeared to hand Francis a framed gift. Health concerns have surrounded the octogenarian pontiff for some months now. The 86-year-old had been hospitalised with bronchitis just two months ago. Goodfellas: Pope Francis meets with director Martin Scorsese and his wife Helen Morris. The trio were pictured clasping each other's hands and smiling with one another Pope Francis met with director Martin Scorsese at Vatican today. Scorsese also appeared to hand Francis a framed gift Pope Francis pictured during the interview on the RAI TV programme 'A Sua Immagine', Rome, Italy, 27, May 2023 On Friday Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni had said the Argentine pope was not holding audiences 'due to a feverish state'. READ MORE: Pope Francis is suffering from a fever, Vatican reveals Advertisement It was unclear who the pope had been expected to meet with, as his agenda was not made public. Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin blamed the pontiff's busy schedule, saying he was 'tired'. Francis had eight meetings Thursday, according to his published schedule. His next public appearance is Sunday's mass at St Peter's Basilica to celebrate Pentecost, followed by the traditional Regina Coeli prayer. On Monday, he is scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Francis, leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics since 2013, has suffered increasing health issues over the past year, from persistent pain in his right knee to his recent hospital stay for bronchitis. The episodes have sparked widespread concern and fuelled speculation that he might choose to retire rather than stay in the job for life, a choice made by his predecessor, Benedict XVI. In late March, Francis was admitted to hospital in Rome after having breathing difficulties, and stayed for three nights. He was treated with antibiotics for bronchitis. Pope Francis meets with officials during a conference promoted by La Civilta Cattolica and Georgetown University at the Vatican today The pontiff resumed his duties, holding several private audiences, and met with officials during a conference at the Vatican today The pope reads aloud as he greets officials during a conference at the Vatican today As he left the Gemelli Hospital on April 1, the pope smiled and joked with well-wishers, quipping: 'I am still alive!' However, the Pope was still forced to miss the 'Way of the Cross' procession on Good Friday last month due to cold weather. He instead attended an indoor Good Friday service in St Peter's Basilica. It was the first time the Pope did not preside at the 'Via Crucis' service since he was elected in 2013. He did manage to take part in Maundy Thursday duties, gathering with dozens of cardinals and bishops, and some 1,880 priests, in St Peter's Basilica. The Pope later travelled to the jail of Casal del Marmo on the outskirts of the city, where he washed and kissed the feet of 12 young inmates in a gesture meant to commemorate Jesus' humility towards his apostles on the night before his death. Francis, who became pope ten years ago, is missing part of one lung. It was removed when he was a young man in his native Argentina. A town hall meeting held by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Queens on Friday night descended into farce as the firebrand was called a 'piece of sh*t' and berated for her views on Ukraine, migrants, drag queen story hours and the debt ceiling. The meeting was held in the Corona neighborhood, AOC's constituency. Her constituents were not in welcoming mood, especially when the town hall moved to to the question and answer stage. 'American citizens before migrants,' one heckler yelled. Others chanted: 'America first.' Another shouted: 'We are on the verge of nuclear war with Russia. Are you going to stop this war?' shouted another, according to video recorded by conservative activist group Freedom News TV. Video shows one protester, wearing a Cuba t-shirt and waving miniature American flags, being led away by security after repeatedly calling AOC a 'piece of sh*t' and asking: 'Where are you on the migrant issue?' An Iraq veteran attempted to defend the Bronx-born Democrat by saying: 'Immigrants have nothing to do with vets, it's just an excuse. We all, for the most part, came through Ellis Island.' At that point a protester interjected: 'Legally!' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held a town hall meeting in her constituency in Corona, Queens, on Friday night The meeting was bombarded with protesters, one man was escorted out after he called the congresswoman a 'piece of sh*t' AOC protesters demanded to know why the congresswoman continued to support sending billions to Ukraine while many are struggling in Queens and The Bronx In social media posts heralding the event, AOC made no reference to the protesters One prominent sign read: 'AOC: An obvious criminal.' Others had phrases such as: 'Stop funding Ukraine,' 'American First. Vetted legal migrants only' and 'AOC: Stop pushing drag queen story hour' Another woman was removed when she yelled: 'Stop funding this war, there's a lot of communities that need help and need that money. I'm from that community' 'I don't like that Republicans passed a $1.7 trillion tax cut on the wealthiest people in this country,' told the crowd to large applause. One prominent sign read: 'AOC: An obvious criminal.' Others had phrases such as: 'Stop funding Ukraine,' 'American First. Vetted legal migrants only' and 'AOC: Stop pushing drag queen story hour,' reports the New York Post. The congressman was criticized loudly by one protester for voting in favor of sending $100 billion to Ukraine following the Russian invasion after she made remarks in favor of removing the debt ceiling. When that protester was shouted down by someone telling him to wait his turn, he replied: 'Freedom of speech!' President Joe Biden said a deal to resolve the government's crisis seemed 'very close' late Friday, even as the deadline for a potentially catastrophic default was pushed back to June 5 and seemed likely to drag negotiations between the White House and Republicans into another frustrating week. Social media posts from AOC's team following Friday's town hall made no reference to the protesters. 'Thank you to everyone who joined us for tonight's May town hall in Corona! We had such great turnout, even on Memorial Day weekend!,' a Facebook post from her official page read. 'It was awesome answering all your questions, discussing the debt limit negotiations, and more. See you next month!,' the congresswoman tweeted in a separate post. In 2022, AOC was pictured dancing along on-stage as protesters chanted 'AOC must go' at a town hall in Queens In 2022, AOC famously danced along to protesters at a town hall who made a drum beat telling her to resign. The grinning congresswoman shrugged off the aggressive criticism as she sipped from a water bottle and began to move her shoulders in beat with the chants. She sat on a stage throughout, and continued to smile even as one furious woman appeared ready to combust with rage while screaming herself hoarse from the seats. Comedian Alex Stein posted a video of AOC commanding the crowd to 'listen!' He jokingly wrote, 'I can't tell you in words how much it turns me on when AOC talks like this!' Some scolded the sitting member for her apparent disregard for the views of the people who put her in office. 'You're [sic] own constituents heckled you the other night and you just started dancing and degrading them? Hopefully they're actually waking up and realizing that you have yet to pass one single piece of legislation for them or anyone else and they'll vote you out of office!' wrote Brent Smith. A user identified by the handle @nashland wrote, 'You are an embarrassment and disgrace, sitting there 'dancing' at your town hall meeting instead of addressing the very serious issues people are raising. You think war is funny?' Tiffany Justice, the cofounder of parents' rights group Moms for Liberty, wrote: 'Any good leader would be thoughtful when handling constituents who are upset with their leadership. Not this woman. 'Watch as AOC sits, legs spread wife open, mocking her constituents by dancing and stocking out her tongue as they tell her they want her out of office. Gross,' she said. As the shouts in the room grew louder, AOC said to one man in the crowd, 'very classy, thank you Sir.' Earlier this week, AOC mocked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign launch, saying on Twitter that more people watched her play videos games than watched his announcement. While this month, the congresswoman made headlines for openly referring to the Marine veteran involved chokehold death of homeless Michael Jackson impersonator Jordan Neely on May 1st. She tweeted before charges were filed that Neely's 'murderer' was being 'protected' while 'many in power demonize the poor.' The appeal claims that jurors saw evidence outside the courtroom, with one juror telling a local news outlet they already 'knew of evidence' beforehand Lawyers for doomsday cult mom Lori Vallow are requesting a new trial less than two weeks after she was convicted of murdering her children Attorneys for doomsday cult mom Lori Vallow are requesting a new trial less than two weeks after she was convicted of murdering her two children. Vallow was convicted on May 12 of murdering JJ Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16, in 2019 after becoming obsessed with ideas of looming apocalypse. The high-profile nature of the trial has spurred her defense to launch an appeal - arguing the jury may have been influenced by information they heard outside the courtroom. In an interview after handing Vallow a guilty verdict, one of the jurors admitted to a local news outlet that 'he knew of evidence not submitted to the jury,' according to Fox13. Lori Vallow pictured listening to her guilty verdict in the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, on May 12, 2023 The bodies of JJ Vallow (left) and Tylee Ryan (right) were discovered in June 2020, ten months after they were last seen alive Vallow is currently being held in Madison County Jail in Rexburg, Idaho, while she awaits sentencing. She is then expected to be extradited to Arizona to face a separate conspiracy murder charge in the death of her ex-husband Charles Vallow. He was shot and killed by Vallow's brother Alex Cox in July 2019, in what was initially believed to be a self-defense shooting. In their request for a new trial, the defense cited a quote from the interview with the juror, where they said Phoenix Police 'had some significant red flags, that had they been followed up on, you know, maybe we're not here.' When asked if they meant bodycam footage of an earlier exchange with police in the Charles Vallow shooting, the juror reportedly nodded. The juror added that they were told evidence from the Charles Vallow case was presented 'only for demonstrative purposes.' This is disputed by Vallow's lawyers, who claim it was 'evidence to show some other reason other than bad character.' Vallow is currently awaiting extradition to Arizona on a separate conspiracy to murder charge. She is pictured in her booking photograph following her guilty verdict Doomsday fantasist author Chad Daybell (pictured) is facing his own murder trial after the children's bodies were discovered in his backyard Vallow is set to be extradited to face conspiracy murder charges in the 2020 death of her husband Charles Vallow, who was shot by her brother Alex Cox The key individuals in Lori Vallow's tangled family tree, including her five husbands, two dead children and killer brother 'Charles Vallow's statements to law enforcement were not part of the evidence presented in this case. The juror and the reporter refer to it, but it wasn't presented in court,' the motion reads. 'We can only conclude that the juror relied on information not presented in court to reach his conclusion that Arizona dropped the ball and should have done more, even before Charles Vallow was shot and killed by Alex Cox.' Vallow was also convicted of conspiracy to murder the wife of Chad Daybell, a doomsday fantasist author who married Vallow soon after her children were last seen. He is currently awaiting trial on his own murder charges. However, lawyers argued that Vallow's conspiracy conviction could also be problematic, because it included Chad Daybell, Alex Cox, and 'other co-conspirators, both known and unknown.' The appeal argues that the court only allowed the jury to consider two people, which they feel changed the definition of conspiracy from the grand jury trial to the jury trial. The murder trial was marked with harrowing images of the remains of JJ Vallow (left) and Tylee Ryan (right) Police discovered the remains of JJ and Tylee in a burn bit at the home of Chad Daybell in Salem, Idaho, in 2020 The bizarre case drew nationwide attention in 2019 after Vallow's children vanished. It took another nine months for their bodies to be discovered in shallow graves in Chad Daybell's backyard. JJ had been suffocated with a plastic bag, while Tylee's corpse was so badly burned and dismembered that it is still not clear how she was killed. During her blockbuster trial, the State argued that Vallow was motivated by 'money, power and sex' and that she used all three of those things to achieve her twisted ends. Jurors heard how they saw her children and Daybell's wife as 'obstacles' to the romantic life they envisioned for themselves in Hawaii. Prosecutors said Vallow and Daybell believed - or chose to believe - that those who stood in their way were 'dark' possessed individuals who they referred to as 'zombies.' After JJ and Tylee's disappearance, authorities started looking at all the deaths that were connected to the pair, including Daybell's wife Tammy. She had still been with the doomsday author when he met Vallow, before she suddenly died in October 2019. Her death was initially ruled as a result of natural causes, and Daybell refused an autopsy. When attention turned to him and Vallow amid the disappearance of her children, she was exhumed and it was ruled she died by asphyxiation. Tammy Daybell died in mysterious circumstances in October 2019, with Vallow also found guilty of conspiracy in her murder Vallow's murder trial was marked by harrowing images of the murders of JJ and Tylee, which led to audible gasps erupting through the courtroom. Jurors were shown pictures of JJ's body wrapped in trash bags and duct tape- the tape binding his arms in front of him and wrapping around his head. He had been suffocated inside a plastic bag. Tylee's remains were found in a burn pit in the backyard, and prosecutors described her as a 'mass of bone and tissue.' The teen's DNA was later found on a pickaxe and shovel in a shed on the property. Heather Pressdee, 40, is accused of administering lethal doses of insulin to three men at Quality Life Services in Chicora, Pennsylvania A Pennsylvania nurse has been accused of administering lethal doses of insulin that resulted in the death of two patients and the hospitalization of a third after she 'felt bad for their quality of life.' Heather Pressdee, 40, from Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, was charged on Wednesday with two counts of homicide, in connection with the deaths of two men one 55 another 83. Pressdee was also charged with the attempted murder of a 73-year-old man, one count of aggravated assault and three counts of neglect of a care dependent person and three counts of reckless endangerment. The deranged murders took place at the Quality Life Services, a skilled nursing facility in Chicora where Pressdee worked as a registered nurse. Investigators said the victims had been under Pressdee's care when they received overdoses of insulin that caused medical emergencies for all and two deaths. Heather Pressdee, 40, from Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, was charged on Wednesday with two counts of homicide, in connection with the deaths of two men one 55 another 83. She is also charged with the attempted murder of a third man 73 Pressdee had worked at numerous other health facilities but had to be fired or disciplined due to abusive behavior before she ended up at Quality of Life Services, pictured Pressdee is also said to have been disciplined for abusive behavior towards patients and/or staff at 11 health facilities since 2018, and she had either resigned or been fired from those. The two men died on Dec 4, 2022 and Dec 25, 2022 and the victim who survived was administered a potentially-lethal dose of insulin on Aug 31, 2022. An affidavit obtained by DailyMail.com alleges that Pressdee gave lethal doses of insulin, a hormone used to reduce levels of blood sugar in people with diabetes to her victims. The 55-year-old and the 83-year-old had become ill while in Pressdee's care in November of last year. According to the affidavit, the two men had been 'suite mates' with their rooms connected via a Jack and Jill bathroom. On the same night, both men had to be sent to the hospital for the same condition, hypoglycemia, within thirty minutes of each other. The two men later died as a result of this, and one nurse practitioner who was interviewed by police said in her thirty years of experience she had never seen anything like this. The nurse also said that Pressdee had told her one of the men 'would be better off dead.' The 73-year-old man who survived was also under Pressdee's care at the care facility and was allegedly given an overdose of insulin, despite not being diabetic. According to the affidavit, the man started to have seizures and suffered from severe hypoglycemia shortly after Pressdee provided direct care to him. A typical room at the Quality of Life Services facility located in Chicora, PA, where Pressdee had worked The incidents occurred at the Quality Life Services in Chicora while Pressdee was looking after the men After law enforcement arrived at her home on Wednesday night, Pressdee seemingly admitted to being responsible. She told officers that the surviving victim, who had been in COVID isolation, asked Pressdee to 'kill him'. Pressdee also told investigators that she felt bad for the two men who later died and that their 'quality of life was not good' before injecting them with insulin. In a statement, Quality Life Services said: 'Quality Life Services is shocked and devastated to learn that the charges brought against Ms. Pressdee by the Attorney Generals Office include alleged illegal activity that occurred at our QLS Chicora facility. 'We will continue to fully cooperate with the Attorney Generals Office as needed in the investigation and prosecution of this matter. 'We can assure our community, our residents, our families and our staff that all residents of Quality Life Services - Chicora are safe and are receiving appropriate care and services.' A Chicago beach was closed just hours after it opened for Memorial Day Weekend after shots were fired during a large brawl. The shooting comes after officials announced they are deploying 'peacekeepers' across the city in a bid to prevent holiday chaos after nine people were killed and 52 others were shot last year. Crowds of people at North Avenue Beach scrambled for cover on Friday when gun fire went off following a fight which broke out between a group of 80 to 100 teenagers. One person pulled out a gun and fired it during the fracas which happened at 1.30pm and hundreds of beachgoers were seen running away and screaming. No one was struck by the bullets and no injures were reported. A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault discharge of firearm, and one count of criminal damage to property worth $500 to $10,000. A Chicago beach was closed just hours after it opened for Memorial Day Weekend after shots were fired during a large brawl Crowds of people at North Avenue Beach scrambled for cover on Friday when gun fire went off following a fight which broke out between a group of 80 to 100 teenagers One person pulled out a gun and fired it during the fracas which happened at 1.30pm and hundreds of beachgoers were seen running away and screaming But the weapon was not recovered and is said to have been discarded somewhere. The incident was caught on camera and it shows a group of teenagers squaring up to each other while pointing and shouting. Someone then pulls out a gun and fires a shot which sends everyone scrambling to get away. People on the beach are heard screaming as they run from the gun fire and a car is seen speeding to get away. The group of teenagers had dispersed by the time the police had arrived on the scene but a 15-year-old boy was arrested over the incident. A Chicago Park District truck was struck by a bullet and had its windows broken. John Muldoon was walking near the beach at the time and he told ABC Chicago: 'We came by, and then we saw the truck here with obviously what appears to be shots coming through the windows, and we're like this is creepy.' And Dan Short who was at the beach said: 'There was just a lot of police. I saw three individuals at least that were handcuffed and didn't really see exactly what happened or what caused it, but it looked like there was some type of dispute, obviously.' Following the shooting, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said: 'I am aware of the events that have taken place at North Avenue Beach late this afternoon. 'I am in contact with our first responders and continue to keep a close eye on and monitor the situation as details unfold.' A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault discharge of firearm, and one count of criminal damage to property worth $500 to $10,000 No one was struck by the bullets and the weapon has not been recovered yet The shooting came hours after Chicago opened its 22 beaches along Lake Michigan to the public ahead of Memorial Day weekend. The Windy City suffered its most violent holiday weekend in five years in 2022 when nine people were killed and 52 others were shot. In a bid to prevent Memorial Day chaos, officials are deploying 'peacekeepers' across Chicago. Governor JB Pritzker announced on Thursday the establishment of the Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response unit which will work with community-based organizations to deploy over 30 trained neighborhood 'peacekeepers.' It was described as a highly mobile team that is specifically designed to prevent violence and address conflict and crises in the City of Chicago by providing essential assistance in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and crisis support. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Chicago Police Department for comment. Just 33 percent of Black Lives Matter's accumulated donations of $90 million found its way to charitable causes, a shocking new report says. The group doled out around $30 million between 2020 and 2022, during which time it collected $90 million in donations as it promoted itself as the preeminent civil rights organization in the US. Among the benefactors of BLM's paltry donations were friends and family of co-founder Patrisse Cullors, in particular her graffiti artist brother, Paul, who received $1.7 million in salary and contracts during that time period. Cullors' brother was on the board of BLM, received a salary of just under $140,000 while his company, Black Ties Security was paid over $750,000 by the group for 'security services,' reports the New York Post. Friends and family of Patrisse Cullors were some of the biggest benefactors of Black Lives Matter's donations Cullors' brother, Paul, received $1.7 million in salary and contracts from the group for providing security as well as his board seat A year earlier, his company, Cullors Security LLC, received $841,000, for services. In 2021, he paid $637,000 for a home in a Los Angeles-suburb. Among the causes that the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, which is based in Oakland, contributed to were pro-black and trans causes as well as anti-police efforts, according to the Post's report. The newspaper said that the total number donated was $30,498,722. Of that $30.4 milliion, $4.5 million went to non-profits that are run by known BLM supporters and associates. Despite the massive donations, BLM posted losses of $8.5 million for 2021. One group that was a recipient of a grant was the Tamir Rice Foundation, named for the 12-year-old Cleveland boy who was shot dead by Timothy Loehmann, a 26-year-old white police officer, in 2014. The foundation, run by Rice's mother, has been critical of Black Lives Matter in the past. 'They are benefiting off the blood of our loved ones, and they wont even talk to us, Samaria Rice told the Post in 2021. The biggest grant given out by BLM went to the Love Not Blood Campaign, a group set up by Cephus Johnson following the shooting death of his nephew, Oscar Grant, by a police officer in Oakland in 2009. Grant was played by Michael B. Jordan in the award-winning movie Fruitvale Station, detailing the shooting. It has recently emerged that BLM is suffering a financial crisis after donations tanked amid reports of opulent spending by board members Other recipients included the Trans Justice Housing Project in Atlanta, which got $200,000, the same amount was given to the group Reuniting African Descendants while the Michael Brown Chosen for Change Foundation was given nearly $300,000. That foundation had its non-profit status taken away by the IRS over a failure to provide proper returns. Brown's shooting death in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014 at the hands of police officer Darren Wilson caused national outrage. The Post report details that between 2020 and 2021, donations to BLM sank by $67 million from $76 million to just $9.2 million. On Friday, it was reported that Patrisse Cullors has been quietly let go from her Warner Bros TV deal after producing no content. The BLM activist posted a message on Instagram just days ago accusing the media of 'lying' about her. 'For the last 2.5 years Ive been relentlessly attacked by the media. So many lies and so much mis and disinformation. They are hell bent on destroying my life,' she wrote. 'Even though Ive not been at BLM since 2021 my face continues to be used to spread so many untruths. Im exhausted and I fear for my life daily. The worst is so many people have just stayed silent. 'Many havent and Im grateful for those who have helped combat the dangerous lies. But yall. I dont know how much more of this I can take.' Cullors became a co-founder of BLM in 2013 before stepping down in 2021. The movement started in courtyard of her Los Angeles home a decade ago. Now, Black Lives Matter's national organization is at risk of going bankrupt after its finances plunged $8.5million into the red last year - while simultaneously handing multiple staff seven-figure salaries. Financial disclosures obtained by The Washington Free Beacon show the perilous state of BLM's Global Network Foundation, which officially emerged in November 2020, as a more formal way of structuring the civil rights movement. Yet, despite the financial controversy and scrutiny, BLM GNF continued to hire relatives of Cullors, and several board members. Cullors, 39, was expected to produce shows across the Warner Brothers' multiple revenue streams, including animated, children's content, scripted and unscripted shows. For the previous year, 2021, tax filings revealed that BLM paid a company owned by Damon Turner, the father of Cullors' child, nearly $970,000 to help 'produce live events' and provide other 'creative services.' 'While Patrisse Cullors was forced to resign due to charges of using BLM's funds for her personal use, it looks like she's still keeping it all in the family,' said Paul Kamenar, an attorney for the National Legal and Policy Center watchdog group. A consulting firm run by BLM board member Shalomyah Bowers was paid $2.1million for providing the organization with operational support Bowers said the last BLM board approved the contract with his firm when he was not a board member. The filing also revealed that Cullors reimbursed BLM $73,000 for a charter flight and paid the foundation $390 for private use of its $6million Los Angeles mansion. Bowers, who took over from Cullors when she resigned, also benefitted handsomely from the group: in 2022, his consultancy firm was paid $1.7million for management and consulting services, the Free Beacon reported. And the sister of former Black Lives Matter board member Raymond Howard was also employed in a lucrative role as a consultant. Danielle Edwards's firm, New Impact Partners, was paid $1.1million for consulting services in 2022, the Free Beacon said. BLM GNF also agreed to pay an additional $600,000 to an unidentified former board member's consulting firm 'in connection with a contract dispute'. The non-profit group ran an $8.5million deficit, and its investment accounts fell in value by nearly $10million in the most recent tax year, financial disclosures show. The group logged a $961,000 loss on a securities sale of $172,000, suggesting the group sustained an 85 percent loss on the transaction. Further details of that security have not been shared. And the cash flowing into BLM's coffers has dropped dramatically. Donations plunged by 88 percent between 2021 and 2022, from $77million to just $9.3million for the most recent financial year. A year later, in May 2022, it was revealed Black Lives Matter spent more than $12million on luxury properties in Los Angeles and in Toronto - including a $6.3million 10,000-square-foot property in Canada that was purchased as part of a $8million 'out of country grant.' The Toronto property was bought with grant money that was meant for 'activities to educate and support black communities, and to purchase and renovate property for charitable use.' The group had said it was planning to use the property as main headquarters in Canada, and it has now been named the Wilseed Center for Arts and Activism. An embarrassing community note was quickly attached to his tweet, noting that the record is actually held by Donald Trump at $25 million The billionaire attempted to highlight DeSantis' $8.2 million fundraising total as a 'record' following the launch Elon Musk slammed the 'noise' over Ron DeSantis' botched presidential campaign announcement on Twitter Spaces Elon Musk suffered another embarrassing blunder in the wake of Ron Desantis' disastrous Twitter Spaces campaign launch, as his attempt to boast about the Florida Governor's fundraising 'record' was quickly corrected by his own platform. The billionaire tried to hit back at the 'noise' following the fiasco, which saw DeSantis' widely expected announcement interrupted by numerous technical glitches. 'But you what isnt noise? Setting an all-time record for fundraising!' Musk tweeted, citing the 2024 hopeful's $8.2 million haul in the first 24 hours of his candidacy. The tweet, which was viewed over 21 million times, was quickly corrected by a community note, which pointed to the actual record being set by Donald Trump at $25 million the day after he announced his failed re-election bid in 2019. Elon Musk hit back at the 'noise' surrounding his bungled hosting of Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign launch The billionaire Twitter owner attempted to boast about DeSantis' 'record' fundraising numbers - a claim which was later corrected by a community note The humiliating community note further stated that half of DeSantis' donations came via a fundraising event that started before his botched Spaces announcement. Community notes are a feature of Twitter that attempts to provide added context to posts and correct misinformation. Twitter says it has no control over the writing, rating or moderation of the notes, with the corrections appearing when they are rated helpful by other users. DeSantis has been widely mocked for his unorthodox decision to announce his White House run on Twitter Spaces in favor of a traditional rally. However, a decimated staff and shrinking server capacity have been blamed for the debacle after a large number of people flooded the platform to tune in. Twitter Spaces staff numbers have been slashed from 100 workers to just three in recent months, with engineers at the company admitting they 'weren't ready' for the onslaught of users. More than 500,000 people were waiting for more than 20 minutes for the event to start, and people who were able to join were frequently kicked out. The first audio livestream cut out before DeSantis could get his news out. The second one fared little better, drawing roughly 700,000 listeners at its peak. DeSantis is seen as the main competitor for Trump. Pictured: Trump shakes hands with DeSantis as Florida first lady Casey DeSantis looks on during a rally in Estero, Florida on October 31, 2018 A hot-mic discussion between Musk and Spaces moderator David Sacks was also picked up during the event, where they said the issues were due to 'server strain' and users were 'melting the servers'. The duo alleged it was the largest event ever hosted online - another claim that was disputed as many pointed out larger events had been held without issue. Notably, the Florida Governor did not manage to speak for the first half an hour of his launch due to the numerous glitches. When he was finally able to start, he was heard in a freewheeling conversation with Musk touting his record dealing with COVID and taking veiled swipes at Donald Trump. He also vowed to reverse 'everything' President Biden had done with America's southern border. 'I am running for president of the United States to lead our great American comeback,' DeSantis said. 'But we know our country's going in the wrong direction. We see it with our own eyes. And we feel it in our bones.' DeSantis would later claim that his announcement 'broke the internet' as he attempted to brush off the shambolic start. While the delivery was a joke and appeared to make light of the haywire announcement, DeSantis did not crack a smile - although he did manage a brief grimace as he ended his speech. DeSantis poses with his family, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis and their three children, Madison, 5, Mason, 4, and Mamie, 2 Foad Dabiri resigned as Twitter's head of engineering following the disastrous launch The humiliation of DeSantis' campaign announcement was worsened when Twitter's head of engineering, Foad Dabiri, announced his resignation after the event. He tweeted: 'After almost four incredible years at Twitter, I decided to leave the nest yesterday. 'The combination of the fantastic community, the impact it has, and its limitless potential sets Twitter apart.' He admitted the October purchase of Twitter by Musk had made work 'challenging', with plenty of 'outside noise', but put a positive spin on the situation, saying he had learned enormously from the experience. SeatGeek said the tickets were not purchased through its website but through social media and an agent mistakenly thought she was a customer She claimed she purchased two tickets for $790 and was told by the resale platform that the tickets were validated and legitimate Marisella LaFata flew from Florida to see the performance in New Jersey along with her friend on Friday but was denied entry because the tickets weren't real A Tik Tok user has claimed SeatGeek 'scammed' her by allowing her to buy fake tickets to a Taylor Swift concert from its website and confirming they were validated. Marisella LaFata, 27, flew from Florida with her two children to see the pop star perform at the Met Life stadium in New Jersey on Friday but was denied entry because the tickets weren't real. She claimed she purchased two tickets for $790 and was told by resale platform SeatGeek that the tickets were validated and legitimate. But LaFata was turned away from the concert, where 82,000 Swifties gathered for the Eras Tour, and she took to Tik Tok to hit out at the company in videos shared with her 880,000 followers. SeatGeek said the tickets were not purchased through its website but through social media and an agent mistakenly thought she was a customer. A group of other fans at the venue were also reportedly denied entry after spending $300 each on fake tickets. A Tik Tok user has claimed SeatGeek 'scammed' her by allowing her to buy fake tickets to a Taylor Swift concert from its website and confirming they were validated Marisella LaFata, 27, flew from Florida with her two children to see the pop star perform at the Met Life stadium in New Jersey on Friday but was denied entry because the tickets weren't real Around 82,000 Swifties gathered at the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey on Friday for the Eras Tour 'SeatGeek you are a f****** a****** because I emailed you to make sure my tickets were validated and you said they were validated and legitimate tickets and now we can't get into MetLife Stadium,' LaFata said in the video. 'You are not legit, don't ever buy SeatGeek tickets. Taylor Swift we tried to see you. 'I flew my 1-year-old and 2-year-old from Florida to New York to see Taylor Swift at MetLife Stadium but I got scammed through SeatGeek. 'So SeatGeek, you'd better fix yourself because you're about to get canceled.' But SeatGeek denied the claim that the tickets were bought through its site and left a comment on the video. 'Glad we could get in touch! Sorry we were not able to help as the tickets in questions were not purchased through SeatGeek,' it wrote. LaFata was left angry and posted another video to share her 'receipts' and said she emailed SeatGeek before and after purchasing the tickets to see if they were genuine. 'I emailed SeatGeek multiple times to say can you verify these tickets through this account and gave them my account,' she said. 'They repeated my account information, the time of the concert and everything and it said 'you have validated tickets, they are legit and you will get into the show. We are excited to see you have fun.' 'That's why I am mad at SeatGeek and they are 'trying' to fix it but they are really gaslighting me in their last comment which makes no sense.' She claimed the company messaged her to fix the issue but did not sort it out and didn't respond to her messages 'for a while'. LaFata then called the company and added: 'People pretended not to hear me and then hung on me multiple times. 'So their customer service is really low quality. So don't shop at SeatGeek because they literally don't care about their customers.' She claimed she was able to put the tickets back up for sale on the website despite the fact they were fake and asked for SeatGeek to 'explain yourselves'. And she shared a picture of her receipt which showed she bought two tickets to the concert at the MetLife stadium on Friday for a total of $790. LaFata also provided a screenshot of an exchange with a SeatGeek employee where she was told: 'It's a valid and legitimate ticket. 'You are all set and ready to go. I am excited for you to watch and enjoy the concert!' LaFata was left angry and posted another video to share her 'receipts' and said she emailed SeatGeek before and after purchasing the tickets to see if they were genuine She claimed the company messaged her to fix the issue but did not sort it out and didn't respond to her messages 'for a while' She shared a picture of her receipt which showed she bought two tickets to the concert at the MetLife stadium on Friday for a total of $790 LaFata also provided a screenshot of an exchange with a SeatGeek employee where she was told: 'It's a valid and legitimate ticket SeatGeek told Dailymail.com she bought the tickets on social media and an employee thought she was a customer when responding. It described the situation as a 'rare and isolated error' and offered her comparable tickets to Saturday's show. 'This customer did not purchase tickets on SeatGeek. They were fraudulent tickets posted on social media,' a spokesman for the company said. 'When she reached out to our customer service team, an agent mistakenly thought she was a customer. 'This was a rare and isolated error. Because of the confusion, our team is working with her to see how we can resolve. 'We never recommend purchasing tickets on social media. All purchases on SeatGeek are protected by our Buyer Guarantee.' Dailymail.com has contacted LaFata for comment. Screaming fans gathered to see Swift perform on Friday as she was joined by artists Ice Spice and Jack Antonoff Demand is high for Swift's first tour since 2018 and fans have been shelling thousands of dollars each to see her perform live A crowd of more than 82,000 screaming fans gathered to see Swift perform on Friday as she was joined by artists Ice Spice and Jack Antonoff. But other unlucky fans were stuck outside as they were denied entry as they had bought fake tickets. One group is reported to have paid $300 per ticket but were turned away. Demand is high for Swift's first tour since 2018 and fans have been shelling thousands of dollars each to see her perform live. Her much anticipated tour began chaotically with millions unable to buy tickets as the ticketing process on Ticketmaster descended into chaos with constant crashes due to high demand. Earlier this year group of around 320 fans filed a lawsuit against the world's largest ticket marketplace and its parent-company, Live Nation, for 'intentionally' charging 'sky high fees' and selling the 'tickets to scalpers.' The plaintiffs, demanded at least $2,500 each in damages, and claimed that the ticketing giant violated antitrust laws. Swift is also playing at the MetLife Stadium New Jersey on Saturday and Sunday. Two climate protestors have been charged after they smeared paint onto a glass case holding a Degas masterpiece in Washington DC. Tim Martin and Joanna Smith, both 53, were taken into custody on Friday after being charged on counts of conspiracy to commit an offense and causing damage to an art exhibit. According to an indictment, both Martin and Smith smeared paint on the case and the base of Degas' Little Dancer, Age Fourteen, last month at the National Gallery of Art. The Justice Department said the two caused approximately $2,400 in damage and the exhibit had to be removed from public display for ten days while it was repaired. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine that could reach $250,000. Tim Martin and Joanna Smith had been taken into custody on Friday after charged on counts of conspiracy to commit an offense and causing damage to an art exhibit The Justice Department said the two caused approximately $2,400 in damage and the exhibit had to be removed from public display for ten days while it was repaired The indictment further alleges that the two agreed, along with other uncharged co-conspirators, to enter the gallery and injure the exhibit. Martin and Smith are accused of throwing paint from water bottles on the exhibit and then smearing it onto the case and base of the artwork. Video of the incident was captured and widely shared on social media and with news organizations. In it, Martin can be heard telling one onlooker 'I'm sorry' as he slaps black paint into the glass case surrounding the statue. The two throw black and red paint around the base and glass and continue to vandalize the artwork as a group of onlookers watch on. They then sit in front of the artwork with their hands held out before they are pulled away by police officers. Earlier this week, Martin released a video of himself via the activist group Declare Emergency defending his actions. In a video, he said: 'The idea is that we wake people up with a shock, and we do it in a way that that engages and invites their emotional centers. Tim Martin, pictured, said in a video that he wanted to wake people up with a shock to the climate crisis His co-conspirator, Joanna Smith, pictured here, travelled from her home in New York to DC to partake in the protest 'We want to activate people's emotions so that they can stop ignoring and turning and looking the other way, because we cannot afford to look the other way anymore.' The activist group Declare Emergency recruits volunteers who say they're willing to get arrested, and stages regular protests to pressure the Biden Administration to radically restrict fossil fuel use. A spokeswoman told DailyMail.com of the harm to an 'inherently fragile figure' made of wood, clay, rope, paintbrushes, padding, lead, and wire, which is coated in a thin skin of beeswax. 'Damage is exacerbated by any movement, whether by vibration created when the plexiglass cover is hit or when the sculpture is physically moved to another location,' said the spokeswoman. 'The attack on April 27 brought about both conditions.' The climate protesters were arrested after smearing paint on the case that houses Edgar Degas's Little Dancer Aged Fourteen at the National Gallery of Art in Washington Gallery 3 in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC was closed after the protest, and Little Dancer was not back on display until May 8 Dozens of staff, including, carpenters, registrars, art handlers, conservators, scientists, and imaging specialists, were involved in repairs and clearing up at considerable cost to the taxpayer-funded gallery. Gallery 3 was closed for the rest of the day as police assessed the scene, and the statue was not back on public view until May 8. Its climate-controlled protective case needed extensive repairs. 'Even when cracks do not appear changed to the naked eye, microscopic and cumulative damage is always a concern,' said the spokeswoman. Going forward, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen will require regular, extensive monitoring to observe any change in the cracks or other elements of her composition.' Declare Emergency released a video of the two demonstrators smearing the paint, named them and said in a statement they had been arrested. Climate activists have increasingly turned to vandalizing artworks to draw attention to emissions of planet-heating gases but most of these antics have targeted European galleries. Campaigners last year splashed soup onto a Vincent van Gogh painting in Rome and another in London's National Gallery. In Australia, activists graffitied and glued themselves to Andy Warhol art, while in The Hague, others glued themselves to Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring painting. A drunk British Airway passenger who shoved a member of the cabin crew and terrified other flyers during a mid-air brawl with his wife has been jailed for eight months. Gurpreet Dhillon, 42, drank three-quarters of a bottle of Gordon's gin before becoming volatile on the flight from Malaga to Heathrow Airport. After pushing a cabin crew member twice, the captain of the British Airways flight made a May Day call and the plane was given priority landing. Dhillon, of Isleworth, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft, acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft and assault by beating. Isleworth Crown Court heard that Dhillon had been travelling back from Spain with his wife and brother on October 4 last year when the couple started arguing. Gurpreet Dhillon (pictured), 42, drank three-quarters of a bottle of Gordon's gin before becoming volatile on the flight from Malaga in Spain to Heathrow Airport Dhillon had bought a large bottle of gin from the duty-free store and drank from it before and during the flight. Cabin crew were alerted that the couple were arguing, with Dhillon swearing in front of young children. Flight attendant Dan Meager tried to separate the parties and told Dhillon to 'behave himself' before moving away. A short while later, he was pushed in the chest with both hands by Dhillon who was 'continuously swearing and shouting'. After informing his manager of the incident, Mr Meager returned to the aisles where Dhillon assaulted him for the second time by pushing him in the face, causing him to fall onto a passenger. As a result, he suffered pain and swelling to his upper lip and reddening to his cheek. The manager told Dhillon that his behaviour was against the law and removed the gin bottle. With the help of Dhillon's brother, she was able to calm the situation. She noted that he appeared drunk and that his head was 'heavy' and he was no longer making sense when he spoke. The plane landed six minutes ahead of schedule and Dhillon was arrested at Heathrow. He was arrested and later pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft, acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft and assault by beating (Stock image) However, 20 minutes before the flight was due to land, Dhillon began shouting and swearing again, leaving passengers 'concerned for their safety'. Judge Kuljit Bhogal KC summarised: 'The crew were so scared that it caused the captain to make a mayday call to aircraft control to seek priority landing. Clearly, the circumstances were sufficiently serious to warrant that action.' The plane landed six minutes ahead of schedule and Dhillon was arrested at Heathrow. The court heard that he has a number of previous convictions for alcohol-related offences and was handed an eight-year sentence in 2009 after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. He had been behind the wheel of a green Jaguar XK convertible when he crashed into a roundabout in September 2008 while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. His friend, passenger Tony Proctor, was left with serious injuries and his life support was turned off two days later. Prior to this, Dhillon had a drink driving conviction in 2002 and a drunk and disorderly conviction in 2004. The court heard that since his friend's death, Dhillon has suffered from PTSD and had not consumed alcohol in three months after attending AA meetings and starting therapy. Despite recognising his 'strong willingness to deal with his alcoholism', Judge Bhogal said that his offences were of an 'extremely serious nature' that could have had 'unforeseen but potentially catastrophic consequences'. He was jailed for eight months and must serve half of his sentence before he can be released. A British couple have told The Mail on Sunday how they spotted a bizarre 'shrine' to missing Madeleine McCann in the reservoir police searched last week just seven months after she vanished. The retired couple, who have asked to be named only as Ralf and Ann, were so disturbed by what they saw they took pictures and sent them to Portuguese detectives, thinking they were of significance but, amazingly, never heard back. Consisting of boulders in the shape of an arrow pointing towards a picnic site which was dug over by police last week, the makeshift memorial was weighed down by a large rock and had a bouquet of flowers and a photograph of abducted Madeleine on it. Three years ago when prime suspect Christian Brueckner, 45, was identified by German police the couple contacted detectives after seeing an appeal for anyone who was on holiday in the Algarve when Madeleine went missing in May 2007 to get in touch. This time, the German officers from the BKA (criminal investigation unit) responded within hours of Ralf and Ann emailing them and quizzed them on the telephone for several hours before asking them to give a formal statement. A British couple spotted a bizarre 'shrine' to missing Madeleine McCann (pictured) in the reservoir police searched last week just seven months after she vanished Three years ago prime suspect Christian Brueckner (pictured), 45, was identified by German police The makeshift memorial (pictured here) was weighed down by a large rock and had a bouquet of flowers and a photograph of abducted Madeleine on it Pictured: Three rocks in the Arade Reservoir in 2007 where a shrine was found. The flowers and tribute were left on the middle rock It raises the question whether it was their information that prompted the German authorities to request a search of the remote picnic area campsite on the edge of the reservoir near Silves, which Brueckner sinisterly used to call his 'little paradise'. Speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday from their holiday home, just a few minutes' drive from the reservoir, retired builder Ralf and former bank cashier Ann described the bizarre find. Ralf, 66, a father of two, said: 'It was around Christmas 2007, so Madeleine had only gone missing a few months beforehand and I went down to the reservoir with Ann, our daughter, who was then 16, and the dog . . . 'Our daughter ran on ahead of us and all of a sudden she just shouted to us, "Quick, come and look, someone must have died here." When we got down, we noticed a row of stones stretching out into the water and on the last one there was a bouquet of fresh white lilies. We went out and had a look, and on the stone where the flowers were, there was a photograph of Madeleine. 'There was no note or anything and it was all very strange.' Ann, 67, said: 'Thinking about it now gives me goosebumps because when we saw where the police were searching the past few days you could see that's where the row of stones was pointing to. 'Back then when we found it the whole thing was just so weird. At the time I thought, "has someone dumped Madeleine in the water and then come back to make a shrine in her memory?" It was so odd.' The couple contacted Portuguese police to tell them of their discovery, sending them the photos, but heard nothing from them. Strangely, when they returned just two days later, the flowers and photograph had vanished. Speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday from their holiday home, just a few minutes' drive from the reservoir, retired builder Ralf (pictured at the reservoir) and former bank cashier Ann described the bizarre find Pictured is the shrine left for the three-year-old girl Pictured are police searching the reservoir on Tuesday as part of the investigation Ralf and Ann put the incident to the back of their mind but dug out the pictures three years ago after seeing news reports naming Brueckner as the prime suspect. Ralf said: 'I immediately contacted the BKA in Germany and told them what we had and I had a reply back within a few hours. 'They wanted to know everything that we had seen and then they asked me to send them the pictures and they sent a map of the reservoir, asking me to point out where the stones were. 'As the crow flies, it was just half a mile across the water from the picnic spot where the police were digging last week. 'The German police were very interested in what we had and kept asking questions about why we were there, what we did for a living and then asked us to come to make a statement.' Ann said: 'They said they had been in the area a few months earlier but didn't say why. They were keeping their cards very close to their chest. They asked us to come to Wiesbaden, where their headquarters are, as they were taking it very seriously and wanted to meet us in person. 'Ralf couldn't make it so I went on my own, and I was there for a good couple of hours going over what we had seen and showing them the photographs. We've had a holiday home in Portugal for years and have been going to the reservoir since the late 1990s, so we know it well and we then retired out here.' The dam was first searched six months after the couple's discovery, but only by lawyer Marcos Aragao Corriea, who funded two searches of the reservoir alongside the Spanish detective agency Metodo 3, who were hired by the McCann family. Pictured: Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry in 2017 Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 while her parents were out for dinner His hunt uncovered a bag of animal bones and a child's sock but a full police search was never carried out until last week. It again raises questions about how the Portuguese police initially carried out their operation. Patricia de Sousa Cipriano, head of the Association of Missing Children, said: 'If these new searches at the Arade dam confirm flagrant errors in the investigation, then the Portuguese police has to justify itself and ensure it doesn't happen again.' Soil samples taken from the area searched last week have been sent to Germany for analysis, but sources suggest nothing of real significance was found. The German prosecutor downplayed reports that a bra, clothing and other objects had been found. In a statement on Saturday afternoon, Willoughby said the lie was 'very hurtful' Holly Willoughby is facing questions over what she knew about Schofield's affair Holly Willoughby has slammed her former 'bestie' Phillip Schofield following Friday's revelations of his 'unwise but not illegal' affair - and friends have said it was 'traumatic' for her to discover his dishonesty. Schofield, 61, made a bombshell confession to The Mail last night that he had a relationship with a much younger man who worked with him on This Morning while still married to wife Stephanie Lowe. Willoughby, his former co-host of 13 years, said in a brief statement on Saturday that she asked Scofield directly if the news was true and that it had been 'very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie'. Sources close to the presenter said it had been a 'traumatic' revelation for the This Morning host and a 'time of real sadness' as Schofield 'was her very close friend'. It comes amid reports that her career as a bubbly breakfast presenter with ITV might be hanging by a thread as questions are raised about who at the channel knew about the relationship. But friends of Ms Willoughby told The Mail in Sunday that she has 'absolutely no plans to leave This Morning,' and that she was 'looking forward to going back when she is back from her half-term break'. Holly Willoughby (right), Schofield's former co-host of 13 years, has said in a brief statement that she asked Scofield directly if the news was true Willoughby said on Instagram that it had 'taken time to process' the bombshell revelations about her ex co-host In a story shared to her 8.3million Instagram followers, Willoughby said it had 'taken time to process' the bombshell revelations about her ex co-host. The This Morning presenter added that she had questioned Schofield about the affair herself when the rumours first came to her attention. 'When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not. 'It's been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.' The statement creates questions about whether the formerly 'best friends' will ever return to the easy relationship they once shared, after months of reports of turmoil. But friends of Ms Willoughby denied that she had any knowledge of the affair, telling The Mail on Sunday: 'Holly didn't know about this and she is very upset to have learned the truth. 'She has been lied to as well. It has all been very traumatic for her and a time of real sadness. 'Phil was her very close friend, they shared so much time together, had so many laughs and supported one another through difficult times. This is all a shock.' 'The source added that Ms Willoughby 'has absolutely no plans to leave This Morning. 'She loves the show and she is looking forward to going back when she is back from her half-term break.' Holly Willoughby's future on This Morning is said to be 'hanging by a thread', after Phillip Schofield revealed he had an affair with a teenager working on the show The show's Twitter profile was updated on Saturday to remove a picture with Phillip Schofield in it When Schofield came out as gay in 2020, Holly wrote on Instagram that she had 'never been more proud of my friend than I am today' A source told GB News the situation could leave a 'huge cloud' over Holly, 41, even if was genuinely hoodwinked by Schofield. Read more: Phillip Schofield ADMITS cheating on his wife with young, male colleague who he first met when he was a teen Advertisement 'There's a growing feeling it might be better both for her and for the programme to move on so that a line can be drawn under things,' they said. Holly is also reportedly upset that her name could be 'dragged through the mud'. The source added: 'Whether she has a future on the show really is hanging by a thread. 'There's a sense that the situation is fast becoming untenable for all involved.' The news comes as bookmakers now say that Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary are favourite to become the next joint hosts if Holly leaves. Staff at the show are said to be worried about their futures amid fears that the show could be taken off air over the scandal. One source said: 'The show is an institution but it has been badly damaged by all of this. Lies have been told and that has undermined everything that the audience tunes in for. 'There is genuine concern that it could have some time off the airwaves.' Concerns will also have been raised after the This Morning Twitter account was updated to remove a picture that featured Schofield. The cover image was replaced by a blank picture with the show's branding. Yesterday, Schofield also confessed that he lied to his employer ITV, to his colleagues, his friends and his agents at the management firm YMU. Questions linger over whether Holly knew. The co-stars had previously plastered holiday snaps all over Instagram, showing them doing shots and posing in the sunshine, with Schofield labelling Holly his 'bestie'. He also described her as 'my rock' when reports of their feud emerged earlier this month. An in what many saw as a touching tribute to her former co-presenter, Willoughby shared a heartfelt statement that thanked him for 'all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour'. She added: 'The sofa won't feel the same without him.' The pair both commented on Schofield's departure from the show, with Holly Willoughby saying: 'The sofa won't be the same without him' The presenter said it had 'taken time' to process the news of the affair as she released a statement on Saturday evening Holly Willoughby sat alongside Schofield on daytime TV's most famous sofa for 13 years, and enjoyed a very public friendship with him and wife Stephanie, even holidaying together most years Holly Willoughby held Schofield's hand as he announced he was gay in February 2020 in a moving segment on This Morning Holly Willoughby, Schofield's co-host of 13 years, is facing questions over whether she knew of his 'deceit' after working with him so closely for so long When Schofield came out as gay in 2020, Holly wrote on Instagram that she had 'never been more proud of my friend than I am today' and was said to have thrown her support behind Stephanie in the lead up to and aftermath of the announcement. A source said at the time: 'Holly loves Steph and knows the two of them had been having some really difficult conversations. She was there for them both during this time and would, of course, never betray their confidence.' Holly was often pictured sharing drinks with the couple at sporting events they attended like Wimbledon and Ascot. However, the presenter has remained silent since publishing a brief 39-word statement after Schofield's departure from This Morning last week. She is halfway through a two-week break from presenting duties having taken early half term holiday leave and is due back on the sofa on Monday, June 5. Yet This Morning now faces an uncertain future, with staff at ITV left stunned by Schofield's revelation night, sparking suspicion of their bosses and questions over if and what they knew about one of their biggest stars and his much younger male friend. Schofield shares a laugh with former co-star Holly Willoughby in the back of a car, while wife Stephanie sits in the front Phillip Schofield, 61 shares emotional walk with mum Pat in the West Country after his brother Timothy was jailed for 12 years (pictured on May 19 after stepping down from This Morning) The 63-year-old broadcaster Eamonn Holmes (left) - who formerly presented on This Morning alongside Schofield - sensationally claimed bosses knew 'what kind of man' the star was and did not take action Eamonn Holmes (bottom right) - who previously presented the show alongside wife Ruth Langsford - suggested station bosses knew about the affair (pictured on This Morning in 2020) ITV's press office slammed their former star presenter's 'admissions of deceit' - essentially throwing him under the bus. The channel confirmed that they had accepted his resignation and that he would not be hosting the British Soap Awards. But at the helm of the channel is a group of executives it would be hard to believe were not aware of the allegations. MailOnline has contacted representatives of Holly Willoughby for comment. Schofield came out as gay in a moving This Morning programme in 2020 (pictured with wife of 30 years, Stephanie Lowe in 2019) In a bombshell statement to the Daily Mail, the veteran TV presenter admitted that he and the man began a relationship that was more than a friendship, while he was married to Stephanie Lowe (left, pictured in 2020) The presenter included a public apology to his wife and their two daughters in the statement he provided to the Mail Schofield admitted the affair, which he claimed was 'unwise but not illegal', in a lengthy statement released on Friday, in which he also apologised to his wife and family. Meanwhile, Eamonn Holmes - who previously presented the show alongside wife Ruth Langsford - continued to make a string of allegations suggesting station bosses knew of claims against Schofield and 'never once took action'. The 63-year-old broadcaster - who formerly presented on This Morning alongside Schofield, 61 - sensationally claimed bosses knew 'what kind of man' the star was and did not take action. An Arizona man heroically rescued two young girls from the back of a car that was engulfed in flames just moments after it caught fire. Sam Heiler, 30, had been driving to a Memorial Weekend getaway on Thursday evening with his wife Melissa in Navajo County, Arizona. The two had been on a remote stretch of highway when the car in front of them, carrying a family of four, caught fire. Speaking to Fox News, Heiler said the parents of the two girls go out of their front seats and shut their doors, which instantly locked their two girls in the backseat. He said: 'The parents were freaking out, screaming and punching the windows with their bare hands, both the back windows in front of the babies' Sam Heiler and his wife Melissa, pictured, had been traveling on the remote highway through Navajo County when the car caught fire The family's car was left completely engulfed in flames after Heiler managed to rescue the two young girls inside Dramatic footage captured after the heroic footage shows the black car completely engulfed in flames, with the rear doors the girls escaped from still open. Heiler continued: 'They had about 20 more seconds until the fire spread from the engine block to the cab. 'The girls were screaming, the parents were screaming, my wife was screamingit was bad. When the fire hit the fuel tank it made a legitimate fireball explosion.' Heiler threw a rock through a front window, breaking the glass to open the doors from the inside and rescued the children. Police on the reservation eventually arrived at the scene and hours after the incident, fires broke out in the area after spreading from the car. Heiler told Fox News that he had to break open the front window of the car to manually open the car doors, rescuing the kids The stretch of road, pictured here was littered with small fires in the hours following it It comes after California firefighters rescued a group of people from a trapped car caught in floodwaters earlier this year. The clip, shared by the Orange County Fire Authority, showed one adult who was sitting on a car rescued and four adults inside a car rescued while waiting on an off-ramp to Highway 55. In total, five people were rescued and transported from the scene in Tustin. Zombie-like addicts litter the streets in a stupor as officials fail to tame the crisis Powerful sedative Xylazine, also known as 'tranq', has flooded the streets Shocking footage has revealed the scale of Philadelphia's untamed 'tranq' epidemic, which has transformed the city's streets into a drug-infested hellhole. The Kensington neighborhood - known as 'ground zero' for the city's drug crisis - is seen littered with zombie-like addicts, with many shamelessly shooting up in broad daylight. Gruesome scenes in the 'City of Brotherly Love' show droves of homeless addicts aimlessly staggering through the streets, surrounded by tents and scattered trash. The harrowing situation is fueled by the rise of the drug Xylazine, also known as 'tranq' - a lethal sedative that is often used to enhance the effects of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine. The shocking footage laid bare how 'tranq' has turned Philadelphia's Kensington district into a drug-infested hellhole 'Tranq' users experience debilitating highs that leave them in a zombie-like stupor Drug users either inject xylazine or smoke it, mixed with fentanyl and other drugs The inner city district has long been a magnet for drug users seeking their next high, but the scale of problems caused by xylazine is shocking even to locals who have become accustomed to such distressing scenes Philadelphia has become overwhelmed with drug-fueled crime under woke District Attorney Larry Krasner, a self-described 'progressive prosecutor.' His failure to clamp down on crimes and handling of the city's drug crisis led to his impeachment in 2022 for 'dereliction of duty', however he remains in office after his impeachment trial was indefinitely postponed. But the effects of his tenure has seen tranq take over the streets of Philadelphia, with new footage showing a mass of addicts hunched over in a stupor or passed out on the sidewalk. 'I've never seen human beings remain in these kinds of conditions,' said Sarah Laurel, who runs outreach organization Savage Sisters, earlier this year. 'They have open, gaping wounds, they can't walk, and they tell me, 'If I go to the hospital, I'm going to get sick. They're so terrified of the detox.' Kensington, which up until the 1950s was a bustling industrial district, is now described by The Philadelphia Inquirer as 'the poorest neighborhood in America's poorest big city' A person is pictured passed out from the drug. Xylazine is now found in 90 per cent of all Philadelphia's heroin A man with a gaping wound on his arm sits slumped on the street. Xylazine frequently causes wounds that require amputation One woman uses a shard of mirror to check where she is injecting herself, on the streets of Kensington Earlier this year, disturbing photographs obtained by DailyMail.com laid bare the scale of the city's tragic drug problem. Amid a flood of the popular and dangerous drug, the sidewalks are more reminiscent of a scene from the Walking Dead than a bustling metro. Tranq can be consumed in a number of ways as it is mixed with other substances to enhance its 'high' - which has a similar effect to other opioid drugs. Users are seen smoking, snorting, injecting, swallowing and inhaling the drug, with some even seen injecting it between the toes in their feet. The effects of the drug appear very similar to that of an overdose, as victims suffer from an uncontrolled stupor of sedation, slowed breathing and unconsciousness. Xylazine also often causes raw, gaping wounds on its victims, many of whom are found suffering from gruesome injuries while they lay among garbage and syringes. Startling figures also found that tranq had been found in more than 90 percent of fentanyl samples in Philadelphia, and emergency rooms have reportedly seen skin and soft tissue injuries increase four-fold in the last three years. The above map shows the percentage change in drug overdose deaths by state across the US. Each has seen a rise except for Hawaii. In Oklahoma deaths did not increase or decrease compared to previous years The above graph shows the cumulative annual figure for the number of drug overdose deaths reported in the US by month. It also shows that they are continuing to trend upwards The above graph shows the CDC estimates for the number of deaths triggered by drug overdoses every year across the United States. It reveals figures have now reached a record high, and are surging on the last three years Deaths caused by fentanyl in the US surged in the 2010s. At the start of the decade, 2,666 Americans died of a fentanyl overdose. This figure shot up to 19,413 by 2016. Covid made the situation worse, with a record 72,484 deaths recorded in 2021 Users roam the streets in a trance-like state while on the drug, unaware of their movements and sprawled out on the filthy sidewalks. It has taken center stage on the drug market as a powerful cutting agent, and the zombie-like drug is one of the most addictive substances on the black market. Philip Moore, chief medical officer for the nonprofit treatment provider Gaudenzia, previously detailed how weaning people off Xylazine is a complicated procedure. 'We'll start treating for opioid withdrawal, and they should be getting better but we'll see chills, sweating, restlessness, anxiety, agitation,' he said. 'They're very, very unpleasant symptoms. That's what triggers us that we're dealing with a more complicated withdrawal, that there's more xylazine in the mix.' He said he had prescribed clonidine and lofexidine, both medications for high blood pressure, to get patients through withdrawal, as well as sedatives such as phenobarbital or Valium. Moore said there needs to be better education for medical practitioners, to enable them to deal with the withdrawal symptoms. 'The challenge is educating other physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and the community,' he said. Drugs are openly used and passed round. One addict (in red shirt) is seen holding a syringe in his teeth Kensington's streets are littered with syringes, garbage and homeless encampments, with addicts dealing and using drugs in broad daylight Xylazine leaves users in a blackout stupor, making them vulnerable to violent attacks and rape Huddled on the edge of the sidewalk, a woman helps inject drugs into a man's arm, aided by a band to find his veins 'If we don't recognize xylazine withdrawal, patients are really uncomfortable and they'll leave treatment because they don't feel like they're getting better.' Philadelphia is not alone in its struggle to contain rampant drug addiction. In 2021, there were over 107,000 deaths from drug overdoses, an increase of nearly 15 percent from the year prior. National trends indicate the numbers of drug deaths continue to soar, with tranq and fentanyl 'zombies' slumped on streets across America. The family of Jordan Neely, the homeless Michael Jackson impersonator who was killed after being placed in a chokehold by Daniel Penny, declared their intention to file a wrongful death suit against Marine veteran. Neely's aunt, Carolyn, announced the intention in a letter that was sent from her attorneys, the Manhattan-based Mills & Edwards, to Penny's lawyer. 'Please be advised that this office has been retained . . . to pursue a claim for personal injuries and wrongful death. . . . Your action resulted in the death of Jordan Neely,' the letter reads in part reports the New York Post. The May 1 confrontation was caught on video, showing Penny restraining Neely with the help of two other passengers, after Neely reportedly screamed threats and menaced people on the train. According to the Post's report, Neely's aunt is also seeking Penny's insurance information. Daniel Penny, 24, is facing 15 years in prison for putting Jordan Neely, 30, in a fatal chokehold Jordan Neely pictured with his aunt, Carolyn. His aunt is preparing to launch a wrongful death suit against Daniel Penny At the time of writing, Daniel Penny's legal defense fund on the conservative fundraising site GiveSendGo has reached $2.8 million. 'Funds are being raised to pay Mr. Pennys legal fees incurred from any criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as expenses related to his defense,' the page reads in part. The biggest donator to Penny's cause is right-wing commentator Tim Pool who has contributed $20,000. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy donated $10,000 and conservative rocker Kid Rock gave $5,000. Rock wrote on the page: 'Mr. Penny is a hero. Alvin Bragg is a POS. Kid Rock.' Meanwhile, a fundraiser on GoFundMe for Jordan Neely's family, which was set up by his aunt, Carolyn, has raised $150,000. That money will go towards Neely's funeral, burial and the public viewing which was held on May 15. Last week, Penny broke his silence about the May 1 incident. 'I judge a person based on their character. I'm not a white supremacist,' Daniel Penny told the in an interview on May 20 with the New York Post, a week after he was hit with a second-degree manslaughter charge. Penny suggests he would take action again if faced with similar circumstances, nodding and telling Post: 'I would if there was a threat and danger in the present' Penny, 24, turned himself in earlier this month after the District Attorney's office announced he would be charged with second degree manslaughter 'I judge a person based on their character. I'm not a white supremacist,' Daniel Penny said last week On May 19, Neely's funeral was held in Harlem, where Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a fiery eulogy to a crowd of hundreds, saying 'when they choked Jordan, they put their arms around all of us'. But Penny, who is currently free on a $100,000 bail, rejected the suggestion that his fatal confrontation with Neely was an act of hatred or discrimination, saying, 'This had nothing to do with race.' 'I mean, it's, it's a little bit comical. Everybody who's ever met me can tell you, I love all people, I love all cultures,' Penny told the Post. 'You can tell by my past and all my travels and adventures around the world. I was actually planning a road trip through Africa before this happened,' said Penny. 'I'm a normal guy,' added Penny, insisting that he is not a vigilante. The case has been highly polarizing, with conservative politicians jumping to defend Penny, and prominent liberals calling for him to be convicted of murder and jailed. But Penny told the Post that he does not watch the news, and that while he was aware of negative opinions about him, he tried not to let them affect him. Reverend Al Sharpton used the funeral of homeless man Jordan Neely to condemn the behavior of ex-marine Daniel Penny, who put the 30-year-old in a fatal chokehold 'If you're faced with all these challenges, you have to remain calm,' he said. 'What's the point of worrying about something, worrying is not going to make your problems disappear. I attribute this to my father and grandfather. They are very very stoic.' Penny also said he had quit social media years ago. 'I don't follow anyone, and I don't have social media because I really don't like the attention and I just think there are better ways to spend your time. I don't like the limelight.' Neely's family has called for Penny to be charged with murder. When asked what he would like to say to them, he responded somberly: 'I'm deeply saddened by the loss of life.' 'It's tragic what happened to him. Hopefully, we can change the system that's so desperately failed us,' said Penny. When a Post reporter read Penny part of Sharpton's eulogy at Friday's funeral, Penny responded by nodding and saying that he was 'not sure' who Sharpton is, adding that he doesn't 'really know celebrities that well.' Neely's funeral was attended by prominent left-wing politicians including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has accused Penny of murder. At the funeral at the Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem, Sharpton delivered a fiery eulogy condemning Neely's death as unjust and undeserved. 'We can't live in a city where you can choke me to death with no provocation, no weapon, no threat and you go home and sleep in your bed while my family has to put me into a cemetery,' said Sharpton. Neely had been threatening and throwing trash on the uptown F train in New York City before his death and had a lengthy criminal record for offenses including assault and disorderly conduct. The Tory MP who rang a Conservative Party manager begging to be extracted from a brothel feared that he was the victim of a foreign sting operation, The Mail on Sunday has learned. As revealed by this newspaper last month, the MP rang a senior Conservative at 4am and pleaded: 'I'm in a brothel. I don't know how I got here and I can't find my clothes.' The MP's bizarre predicament which has caused jitters in the party because he represents a seat high on Labour's target list for the next election was only resolved when the senior party figure sent someone to 'extract' the MP from the brothel in one of London's seedier neighbourhoods. He is understood to believe that his drinks had been spiked because he did not have any recollection of how he had come to be there, and even feared that he had been targeted in a honeytrap by agents of Russia or China. The incident has prompted fevered speculation in the Commons about the identity of the MP, whom this newspaper has agreed not to name. A Tory MP 'woke up naked in a brothel and called another politician for help' (file image) Senior party figures expressed scepticism about the honeytrap theory, with one saying: 'I can't think of a single useful thing he could tell the Russians or the Chinese' (file image) But last night, senior party figures expressed scepticism about the honeytrap theory, with one saying: 'I can't think of a single useful thing he could tell the Russians or the Chinese.' MPs were also advised last week to remove the email facility from their phones because of the 'threat of Russian hacking' although many have refused. It comes after the security services gave private warnings that the increase in international tensions with countries such as China and Russia could lead to attempts to target MPs who are susceptible to being compromised. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also recently urged MPs to be on their guard against approaches by what are privately referred to as 'foreign actors'. Last year shortly before the brothel incident Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, warned that Russia and China were both desperate to gain a foothold in the Commons by targeting MPs and their advisers. He said: 'It's always been the case that people close to the seat of power will be subject to attempted influence. The assertiveness of some of that influencing might be on the rise.' The agency also revealed that an alleged Chinese operative had infiltrated Parliament to interfere in UK politics. MI5 said Christine Ching Kui Lee 'established links' for the Chinese Communist Party with current and aspiring MPs, giving politicians donations funded by foreign nationals in China and Hong Kong. One of the most notorious Russian entrapment experts, Anna Chapman, is back in the news this weekend over her links to Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates. The Daily Mail revealed that convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein had threatened to expose Mr Gates over an alleged affair he had with Mila Antonova, a Russian bridge player nearly 30 years his junior. Ms Antonova was an acquaintance of Ms Chapman, a member of a Russian spy ring who was exposed as a sleeper agent and deported from the US in 2010. Whatever the exact circumstances of the MP's predicament, it will add to concerns about the culture at Westminster, where politicians are separated from their families for long stretches of the week and work long hours. Tory MP Charles Walker has described Parliament as 'a screwdriver that prises the lid off a tin of paint', adding: 'If your marriage is weak, it might have failed in ten years but Parliament will ensure it falls apart in five.' A source said: 'The MP seems genuinely baffled about how he came to be in that place. 'He is convinced he had his drinks spiked, but no one is quite sure. We just had to get him out of there. 'The fact that he holds a very marginal seat has made it less of a laughing matter.' Tributes have been paid to a British sailor who died after falling off a yacht in the English Channel on Friday afternoon. It is believed the man, who has not been identified and is from the Greater Manchester area, was taking part in the Royal Escape Race when the incident occurred just off the northwest coast of France at around 2pm. The historic race was first launched in 1977 to mark the Queen's Silver Jubilee and follows the route taken by King Charles II in 1651 from Shoreham-by-Sea to the Normandy port of Fecamp to escape from Cromwell following the Battle of Worcester. French rescue teams, assisted by a nearby fishing vessel, helped airlift the man to a hospital in Le Havre, while another sailor from the same vessel was rescued safely, reports Sky News. Meanwhile UK coastguard offered communications support to the teams. A British sailor has died after falling off his yacht close to the northwest coast of France at around 2pm on Friday (file pic) The Royal Escape Race was first launched in 1977 and follows the route taken by King Charles II in 1651 from Shoreham-by-Sea to the Normandy port of Fecamp to escape to France (file pic) Sussex Yacht Club posted a message of condolence to the victim's family and friends following news of his death. A statement said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our fellow sailors yesterday. 'Sussex Yacht Club are working with the police, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch to assist with their enquiries. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and supporting our sailors at this difficult time.' A spokesman for Sussex Police said: 'Sussex Police were made aware of a man having sadly died in the English Channel after falling from a yacht in French waters in the early hours of Saturday morning. 'The incident is understood to have happened at around 2pm on Friday. 'Police are supporting the coastguard by offering liaison with the man's family and will continue to offer support to the relevant agencies while the full circumstances of the situation are established.' A Los Angeles man embroiled in a legal row over who the original owner of the $2 billion Powerball lottery ticket is said to have showed his former landlord the ticket before losing it. Urachi 'Reggie' Romero claims his former tenant, Jose Rivera, had showed him the winning ticket before the draw took place and had reasons for picking the numbers. Earlier this week, Rivera filed a lawsuit claiming the winning ticket was his and not the man who claimed the prize, Edwin Castro. Speaking to the New York Post, Romero said: 'I saw Jose Rivera with that ticket, he showed it to me. 'I asked him why he picked two 10s. He said it was the date his parents both died. He picked 47 because thats how old he is. Urachi Romero, pictured, has now said that his former tenant Jose Rivera had showed him the winning ticket Edwin Castro was served with a lawsuit that alleges his $2billion winning Powerball lottery ticket was stolen Castro was served at his new $25million California home, despite lottery officials saying he is the rightful winner 'He also said his dad always wanted a 1956 Chevy truck, so he picked 56. He had a reason why he chose every number and he told me this before (the drawing).' 'Jose Rivera did show me that ticket before he knew it was the winning ticket. But I dont know how he lost that ticket.' The winning Powerball ticket was sold at Joe's Service Center in Altadena, California, for the November drawing that captivated the nation. On Thursday, Castro was served with a lawsuit claiming that his winning ticket was stolen. Castro was at his new $25 million mansion in California when he had been served the papers. Castro claimed the winning ticket and California lottery officials say he is the rightful owner of the $2billion prize. Rivera claims a man named 'Reggie' stole the ticket and refused to return it, saying it was a dud. Reggie also reportedly said if it did turn out to be a winner, that he would give up half the winnings. One of his first purchases included this $25 million home in the Hollywood Hills Rivera said he refused to be blackmailed and reported the alleged theft to police and lottery officials. Both Castro and Reggie were named as co-defendants in the suit, according to a U.S. Sun report. The winning ticket - 10, 33, 41, 47, 56, and Powerball 10 - was sold at the Altadena store, which also saw a $1million payout for the historic win. In an earlier statement California Lottery said: 'When it comes to the vetting process for big winners, California Lottery has the utmost confidence in its process for doing so. 'California Lottery remains confident that Edwin Castro is the rightful winner of the $2.04billion prize stemming from the Powerball drawing in November of 2022.' Castro has been living large since his winning, buying two separate California mansions for a total of $29 million. He was also seen driving away from a bank in a vintage Porsche. Castro's new $4million in Altadena, California, comes with its own home theater and expensive artwork Since collecting his winnings, Castro purchased two separate California mansions for a total of $29 million One of his new homes is a $4million mansion in the Los Angeles area. The home comes with its own home theater, private office and expensive artwork, which is sure to be improved given Castro's hefty new bank balance. The Altadena home is only a short drive from where Castro grew up. If Castro tires of the $4 million estate, he is only around 20 miles from his second California complex, which he bought for $25 million just eight days prior. The sprawling 13,578-square-foot hillside estate, which comes complete with a full outdoor kitchen, gym, wine cellar and infinity pool. At least 8 000 migrants who registered to return home ahead of the expiry of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) in South Africa on June 30, are expected any time soon, with the Government confirming all logistics for a smooth process were in place. This is the first batch of ZEP holders registered for assistance during the mapping exercise conducted from February until early March this year. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Deputy Minister David Musabayana said all modalities for easy movement and reception of the returning citizens were now in place. Government stands ready to receive the ZEP permit holders and all is now in order and we should be expecting them anytime soon. For further assistance, we urge people to approach the Zimbabwe Embassy in Pretoria and the two consulates in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Deputy Minister Musabayana said a committee comprising officials from several ministries was coordinating logistics for the seamless movement of people from South Africa, looking at the whole gamut of their needs. The inter-ministerial committee has covered a lot of ground so far, identifying areas of assistance for the returnees. Government will also provide buses for those needing transportation, he said. Responding to written questions from this publication, Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Mr Livit Mugejo said the 8 000 returnees in the first batch were registered in different parts of South Africa. During the mapping exercise, we managed to register more than 8 000 people out of the expected 178 000. However, the figure 178 000 comprises Zimbabweans of different standing working across different sectors of the South African economy. While the ZEP provided an umbrella immigration cover for our people, the six months extension was also meant to afford the affected citizens ample time to migrate to other available visas, he said. Through Zimbabwean consulates in South Africa, Government was assisting citizens in accessing vital documents like birth certificates, national identity cards and passports. Other forms of assistance that will be provided to the returnees include customs clearance, reintegration of children into schools, social and psychological support. Mr Mugejo said: Government will offer concessions to returning residents in the form of specific immigrants rebate, facilitation of a smooth passage for our nationals and providing adequate assistance at our ports of entry and exit, mainly at Beitbridge Border Post. (We are) Offering psycho-social support to returnees at ports of entry and exit and upon reaching their final destination, Mr Mugejo said. In line with the Second Republics thrust of leaving no one behind, Government will provide transport, Mr Mugejo said. No one is going to be left stranded. Government will ensure that those without transport are not stranded by providing buses, and transport from the ports of entry to various destinations across the country. We are also providing reintegration packages into the communities, including settling them in desired areas of work specialisation and any other necessary social integration needs, including community integration programmes. Through our embassy in Pretoria and two consulates in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Government has been issuing birth certificates, assisting with passport applications, he said. Government has partnered with the International Organisation of Migration for technical support in the anticipated mass movement of Zimbabweans from SA. Under the mapping exercise, which started on February 13, the Zimbabwean embassy in the neighbouring country advised ZEP holders who wanted to be assisted to return home to register online. The first phase ended in early March, paving the way for the embassy to initiate phase two of the mapping exercise that commenced on March 13 and ended on March 31, with enhanced support for the returnees. Since 2009, at least 178 000 Zimbabweans have been living in South Africa under the ZEP. These permits were given to Zimbabweans with skills that were crucial for the development of that country. However, SA now believes it has enough of its own citizens with the required skills. The SA government initially gave ZEP holders up to December 31, 2022 to apply for alternative visas, and later extended the permits validity to June 30, 2023. The alternatives include student, business, spousal and work permit visas. These are the normal visas foreigners working in that country need. Sunday Mail The door Le was trapped behind had been faulty for nine months, and staff had to use a screwdriver to open and close it and use a can of oil to prop it open Her children are seeking over $1 million in damages over the tragic death An Arby's manager who froze to death inside a walk-in freezer was trapped behind a door that had been broken for almost a year, a bombshell new lawsuit claims. Nguyet Le, 63, was preparing for the store's opening in New Iberia, Louisiana at around 9am on May 11 when she found herself stuck inside the icy container. Her devastated son discovered her in the fetal position an hour later, and police said there were blood stains left on the doors after her frantic attempts to escape. The lawsuit claims that the latch on the walk-in freezer had been broken since at least August 2022, and employees used a screwdriver to open and close it and a box of oil to keep the door open. Nguyet Le, 63, froze to death inside an Arby's freezer on May 11 A shocking new lawsuit claims that the freezer door had been broken for almost a year and employees were forced to use a screwdriver to open and close it A former male employee, who did not want to be identified, told KATC News that multiple work orders were submitted to fix the broken latch. He had also taken photos inside the the freezer from prior complaints. 'They've known about it,' he said. 'Workers have complained.' According to the lawsuit, Le was usually the general manager of an Arby's location in Houston, but had moved to Louisiana to temporarily take over one of the restaurants in February. Her son, Nguyen, had also moved with her because he suffers an unspecified disability, per the lawsuit. Her time in charge of the New Iberia store was supposed to last just four weeks, but it was extended by a further two weeks, during which time she suffered the chilling death. Nguyet Le is pictured with her son, who also worked at Arby's in New Iberia, and the person who discovered his mother's body The court filing claimed that she had arrived at the restaurant at around 9am on May 11, an hour earlier than her staff, including her son, were set to arrive. During the time when she was alone in the restaurant, she became trapped inside the walk-in freezer, which was usually kept at -10 degrees. She was tragically discovered by her son when he arrived for work, and the responding officer reported that the inside of the freezer door was bloodied, likely by her attempts to escape. A preliminary report from the coroner's office confirmed the mother-of-four died of hypothermia. Attorney Paul Skrabanek, who is representing the family, is calling for a formal investigation into the restaurant's alleged freezer malfunctions. A former employee told him that the latch on the cooler was not working properly since August, and that the problem was known and ignored by management. He said the family is suing, in part, because his inquiries to Arby's would have gone unanswered. The family is seeking more than $1millon in damages. Le was discovered inside the walk-in freezer at an Arby's in New Iberia, Louisiana, pictured The incident led Le's children to file a lawsuit against Turbo Restaurants, Sun Holdings and Arby's Corporate for negligence and gross negligence. The family are seeking damages of at least $1 million. Turbo Restaurants and Sun Holdings own over a thousand franchisees across 12 states, under brans Applebee's, Arby's, Burger King, Golden Corral, IHOP, McAlister's, Papa Johns and Taco Buenos. DailyMail.com has contacted Arby's and Sun Holdings for comment. Foreign teachers are being offered an extra 10,000 to come and work in Britain in a bid to fill classroom vacancies. The Department for Education has begun to offer 'international relocation payments' to overseas physics and language teachers to cover visa and moving expenses, according to The Times. Officials expect between 300 and 400 payments to be made teachers to start in the next academic year in September. Ministers are also planning to introduce new rules making it easier to recognise teaching qualifications from certain countries. Ghana, India, Singapore, Jamaica, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe are set to benefit as they are considered to have historical education links to Britain as well as teachers interested in coming here. The move would give them equal footing to those with qualifications from Europe, Australia and New Zealand looking to come to Britain. Foreign teachers are being offered an extra 10,000 to come and work in Britain in bid to fill classroom vacancies To gain a qualified teacher status they must have a degree, recognised teacher-training qualifications, at least a year's experience and the ability to speak English to undergraduate level. Under current rules, teachers are granted visas to work in Britain if they have a job offer and earn a minimum salary based on their role - usually at least 27,000. Hundreds of maths, science and language teachers are expected to be brought in through this route in the next academic year. Ministers could also expand the scheme to include other countries and subjects if it is successful. The Department for Education told the Times: 'In March we launched a one-year trial offering no more than 400 of the very best teachers from around the world the opportunity to teach in our schools. 'This is one of many options we are exploring to ensure there is an excellent teacher for every child.' It comes as teacher numbers across the UK are beginning to fall, with fewer than half the targeted number of trainee secondary teachers due to start this autumn. Subjects including biology, history, Classics and PE are the only ones on track to meet government targets, according the National Foundation for Educational Research. Earlier on Saturday, ex-President Donald Trump said that he would 'fight' any Republicans that voted to remove Paxton Paxton's three terms in office in the Lone State State have been dogged with allegations of corruption from both sides of the aisle Texas GOP-led House of Representatives impeached state Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday on articles including bribery and abuse of public trust, a sudden, historic rebuke of a fellow Republican who rose to be a star of the conservative legal movement despite years of scandal and alleged crimes. The vote triggers Paxtons immediate suspension from office pending the outcome of a trial in the state Senate and empowers Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to appoint someone else as Texas top lawyer in the interim. Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations that he used his office to help a donor and was separately indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015, though he has yet to stand trial. Until this week, his fellow Republicans had taken a muted stance on the allegations. The vote constitutes an abrupt downfall for one of the GOPs most prominent legal combatants, who in 2020 asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn President Joe Bidens electoral defeat of Donald Trump. It makes Paxton only the third sitting official in Texas nearly 200-year history to have been impeached. Paxton, 60, has decried what he called 'political theater' based on 'hearsay and gossip, parroting long-disproven claims,' and said it's an attempt to disenfranchise voters who reelected him in November. Attorney General Ken Paxton's three terms in office in the Lone State State have been dogged with allegations of corruption from both sides of the aisle Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan scheduled an afternoon start on Saturday for debate on whether to impeach and suspend Paxton It's unclear where the attorney general was Saturday, but during the House proceeding he was sharing statements from supporters on Twitter. 'No one person should be above the law, least not the top law enforcement officer of the state of Texas,' Rep. David Spiller, a Republican member of the committee that investigated Paxton, said in opening statements. Rep. Ann Johnson, a Democratic member, told lawmakers that Texas 'top cop is on the take.' Rep. Charlie Geren, a Republican committee member, said without elaborating that Paxton had called lawmakers and threatened them with political 'consequences.' As the articles of impeachment were laid out, some of the lawmakers shook their heads. They were expected to debate impeachment for four hours before voting. House Leader Dade Phelan, also a Republican, scheduled an afternoon start on Saturday for debate on whether to impeach and suspend Paxton from office over allegations of bribery, unfitness for office and abuse of public trust. Shortly before the debate began, Donald Trump took to his TruthSocial platform to say that he would 'fight' those who voted to impeach Paxton. 'Hopefully Republicans in the Texas House will agree that this is a very unfair process that should not be allowed to happen or proceed I will fight you if it does,' Trump wrote. His son, Donald Trump Jr., called the impeachment proceedings a 'disgrace' on Friady. Speaker of the House Phelan bows his head as Governor Greg Abbot (R) puts his right hand across the chest, during the national anthem in House Chamber in Austin Texas troopers watch over the impeachment proceedings On Friday night, Paxton took to Newsmax to plead his case. Calling the impeachment 'illegal.' 'There's a statute in Texas, which they are not following: This is an illegal impeachment,' Paxton said. 'The statute says that if there were complaints prior to the election, there were issues prior to the election, you can't bring impeachment on issues that occurred, whether true or false, before the election: 19 of the 20 in this complaint were from issues related to the election.' The second was related to my settlement authority, and they're saying that I deserved be impeached because I settled a case which required that the Legislature approved the money. They have to actually fund it,' the embattled lawmaker added. Taking a leaf out of Trump's book, Paxton told Newsmax personality, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, that Republicans in the Texas House are conspiring with their Democratic colleagues to impeach Paxton. Paxton alleged that both parties were 'very disturbed' by his reelection at the expense of George P. Bush, grandson of former President George H.W. Bush. 'They thought I was going to lose my election to Bush, and they became very disturbed when I won and they concocted this plan I think months and months ago, maybe right after my reelection thinking that the voters just were not smart enough to figure this out,' Paxton ranted. On Saturday, ex-President Donald Trump vowed to 'fight' any Republicans who voted to remove Paxton from office Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks in Washington, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021 The attorney general has also found support from Trump acolyte Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Georgia congresswoman wrote on Facebook: 'Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has led the fight against the corrupt Biden Administration, defended Texas election integrity, protected the lives of the unborn, and tirelessly fights to secure the southern border. This Texas House led impeachment is a witch hunt.' US Sen. Ted Cruz on Saturday called the impeachment process 'a travesty,' touted Paxton's effectiveness in suing the Biden administration, and said the attorney general's own legal troubles should be left to the courts. Abbott, who lauded Paxton while swearing him in for a third term in January, is among those who have remained silent. The governor spoke at a Memorial Day service in the House chamber about three hours before the scheduled start of the impeachment proceedings. Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan also attended but the two appeared to exchange few words, and Abbott left without commenting to reporters. In one sense, Paxton's political peril arrived with dizzying speed: The House committee's investigation of him came to light Tuesday, and by Thursday lawmakers issued 20 articles of impeachment. But to Paxton's detractors, the rebuke was years overdue. In 2014, he admitted to violating Texas securities law, and a year later he was indicted on securities fraud charges in his hometown near Dallas, accused of defrauding investors in a tech startup. He pleaded not guilty to two felony counts carrying a potential sentence of five to 99 years. He opened a legal defense fund and accepted $100,000 from an executive whose company was under investigation by Paxton's office for Medicaid fraud. An additional $50,000 was donated by an Arizona retiree whose son Paxton later hired to a high-ranking job but was fired soon after displaying child pornography in a meeting. In 2020, Paxton intervened in a Colorado mountain community where a Texas donor and college classmate faced removal from his lakeside home under coronavirus orders. But what ultimately unleased the impeachment push was Paxton's relationship with Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. In 2020, eight top aides told the FBI they were concerned Paxton was misusing his office to help Paul over the developer's unproven claims that an elaborate conspiracy to steal $200 million of his properties was afoot. The FBI searched Paul's home in 2019, but he has not been charged and denies wrongdoing. Paxton also told staff members he had an affair with a woman who, it later emerged, worked for Paul. The impeachment accuses Paxton of attempting to interfere in foreclosure lawsuits and issuing legal opinions to benefit Paul. Its bribery charges allege that Paul employed the woman with whom Paxton had an affair in exchange for legal help and that he paid for expensive renovations to the attorney general's home. A senior lawyer for Paxton's office, Chris Hilton, said Friday that the attorney general paid for all repairs and renovations. Other charges, including lying to investigators, date back to Paxton's still-pending securities fraud indictment. Four of the aides who reported Paxton to the FBI later sued under Texas' whistleblower law, and in February he agreed to settle the case for $3.3 million. The House committee said it was Paxton seeking legislative approval for the payout that sparked their probe. 'But for Paxton's own request for a taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct, Paxton would not be facing impeachment,' the panel said. Police are hunting a 42-year-old burglar who escaped from a prison van outside Brixton police station. Kwami Richards managed to break free from the van operated by a private security firm on Friday as he was being transported back to jail. A police officer chased him on foot into Brixton Underground station, but was assaulted by Richards when he tried to detain him. He quickly made it on board a Victoria line train and has not been seen since. The Metropolitan Police have warned members of the public not to approach Richards, who has links to Wandsworth, but to call 999 immediately if they see him. Police are hunting Kwami Richards, 42, (pictured) who escaped from a prison van managed to break free from the van operated by a private security firm on Friday as he was being transported back to jail outside Brixton police station (pictured) Richards, who previously served a jail sentence for burglary, was being recalled to prison after breaching his licence conditions. Police are investigating how he managed to escape from the van. A force spokesman: 'Officers are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a man who escaped from custody in south London. 'Kwami Richards escaped from a prison transport van outside Brixton police station at approximately 2pm on Friday May 26. 'The 42-year-old, who has links to Wandsworth, was wanted on recall to prison for breaching his licence conditions after serving a sentence for burglary. 'He had been arrested by Met officers and was in the process of being transported to prison by a private security company when the incident occurred. 'He was pursued by a police officer who witnessed the incident into Brixton Underground station. 'The officer was assaulted as he attempted to detain Richards who then boarded a Victoria line train. 'Richards should not be approached, and the public are asked to call 999 immediately if he is seen. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 4140/26May. 'You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' More than half a billion working days have been lost to sickness since the last general election, Labour has claimed. The number of working days lost to sickness hit 185.6 million in 2022 - the highest since records began in 1995, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. It comes after the rate of sickness absence spiked to the highest level since 2004 last year. The proportion of working hours lost to illness or injury hit 2.6 per cent, up from 2.2 per cent in 2021. But at the height of the pandemic in 2020 it fell to just 1.8 per cent, with the lack of social mixing thought to have stopped bugs circulating. The number of working days lost to sickness hit 185.6 million in 2022 - the highest since records began in 1995, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. File photo: Woman in bed with a temperature The proportion of working hours lost to illness or injury hit 2.6 per cent in 2022, up from 2.2 per cent in 2021 It was driven by an increase in 'minor' illnesses and respiratory conditions, even though the 'other' category - which includes Covid - fell. About 185.6million working days were lost due to sickness or injury during the year. That was a record high - but the workforce is significantly larger than before. A Government spokesman said it was leaving 'no stone unturned', with inactivity falling since the middle of last year by nearly 300,000, but told employers they 'also need to play their part'. 'Supporting people who are not working for health reasons is a key priority for this Government, with 3.5 billion of additional investment at the last Budget to get more people into work, including 2 billion targeted at those who are sick and disabled,' a spokesman said. 'Employers also need to play their part and we are consulting on ways to increase coverage of occupational health provision, so people can access support in the workplace before they fall out of work.' Long-term sickness has hit a record 2.5million, with the number of working-age adults no longer in employment or looking for a job due to long-term sickness hitting 2.55million in the first three months of this year. The worrying trend was blamed partly on back and neck pain caused by working from home. The rise was driven by an increase in 'minor' illnesses and respiratory conditions, even though the 'other' category - which includes Covid - fell. The worrying trend was blamed partly on back and neck pain caused by working from home. Pictured: File photo of woman with back pain A rise in mental health problems among young people and long Covid were also among the factors behind the surge, according to experts at the Office for National Statistics. They said the number of working-age adults no longer in employment or looking for a job due to long-term sickness hit 2.55million in the first three months of the year. That is an all-time high and nearly half a million more than at the end of 2019 before the pandemic. It means that for every 13 workers, there is one person who is long-term sick. The disturbing figures prompted claims that a lack of investment in the NHS was damaging the economy. Both the NHS and the labour market have become increasingly key political battlegrounds for the two main parties in recent months. Figures released earlier this year showed record numbers of people waiting to start routine hospital treatment. And ONS data released last week revealed net migration soared to a record 606,000 in 2022, with Labour blaming the rise on domestic labour shortages creating a need for overseas workers. The Labour party said its analysis of official figures shows the economic cost of the Conservatives' 'failure' to support people with ill health. Wales had by far the highest sickness rate among the home nations at 3.6 per cent, with Scotland on 3 per cent. The level in Northern Ireland was 2.7 per cent, and in England 2.5 per cent In a major speech in Essex earlier this week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer unveiled a package of pledges aimed at improving the nation's health Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth accused the Government of 'breaking all the wrong records' and spoke of 'record NHS waiting lists, record numbers of working days lost to sickness and record levels of sickness-related inactivity'. He said: 'Their failure to get Britain working is holding back our economy and squandering the potential of millions of people who want to work but aren't getting the right support.' The Government announced last week that GPs will be required to offer patients a wider range of healthcare providers for treatment as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak seeks to fulfil his promise to cut waiting times. Meanwhile, in a major speech in Essex earlier this week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer unveiled a package of pledges aimed at improving the nation's health. They include targets for 85 per cent of cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral and for 95 per cent of A&E cases to be seen within four hours, which has not been achieved nationally since 2015. It is one of the great enduring mysteries of the Second World War. Why was Flight 777A, a civilian aircraft, shot down by German pilots on its way from Portugal to Britain, with the death of all those on board? On the morning of the fateful flight, June 1, 1943, while Europe was in the depths of the deadliest war it had ever known, civilian aircraft were considered off- limits to attack. There existed a convention, widely adhered to by both the Allies and the Axis powers, to respect the neutrality of civilian planes from countries not involved in the hostilities. Portugal and Spain both ruled by nationalist dictators who wanted to avoid the conflict had kept out of the fighting, but as was common with all neutral countries on the Continent, they had become a hotbed of espionage and intrigue. Both sides in the war employed spies in Lisbon. Agents would find ways of viewing passenger lists and scanning for names of interest to their paymasters. Could there have been a high-profile target on board one that the Nazis couldn't risk landing safely in Britain? Days before the 80th anniversary of the tragedy over the Bay of Biscay, which claimed the lives of 13 passengers and four Dutch crew, I have re-investigated the incident with the help of a relative of one of those who perished. Ivan Sharp, named after the grandfather he never met, has spent more than 30 years making inquiries into the tragedy and he offers an intriguing insight into what may have happened. Target: The DC-3 was attacked by eight German Junkers Ju 88 in 1943 The plane was a Douglas DC-3, an American propeller airliner, which had been chartered to the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) by the Dutch airline KLM. It was part of a service that flew between Portela airport in Lisbon and a small airfield at Whitchurch, near Bristol, delivering mail, newspapers and other goods. But rumour had it that secret agents, and even escaped prisoners of war, used this same route to get to and from mainland Europe. The aircraft, named Ibis, had been due to take off at 7.30am, but there was a five-minute delay as a passenger had to pick up a package from customs. Whitchurch airfield maintained contact with the plane until 10.54am. About 200 miles north-west of the Spanish coast, the pilot messaged that they were being followed and then that it was under attack. Shortly afterwards, Ibis crashed into the sea with no survivors. The following day, BOAC put out a brief statement: 'We regret to announce that a civil aircraft on passage between Lisbon and the UK is overdue and presumed lost. The last message received from the aircraft stated that it was being attacked by an enemy aircraft. The aircraft carried 13 passengers and a crew of four. Next-of-kin have been informed.' It later emerged that the aircraft had been attacked by eight Junkers Ju 88s. But what had been their motive and who had given the order? The most famous passenger on the flight that morning and the person who delayed take-off to retrieve his parcel was actor Leslie Howard. The son of a Hungarian Jew, recently turned 50 and a true movie idol, he had made a name for himself playing quintessentially British gentlemen. He had starred in hit pre-war films such as The Scarlet Pimpernel, Pygmalion and Gone With The Wind. His background had made him fiercely anti-Nazi, and after the outbreak of war, Howard bought himself out of his Hollywood contract so he could return to Britain to play a role in the war effort. Two years earlier, when Howard met Winston Churchill, he shared his strong views. LORD ASHCROFT: Why was Flight 777A, a civilian aircraft, shot down by German pilots on its way from Portugal to Britain, with the death of all those on board? LORD ASHCROFT: Did German agents in Lisbon tip off the Nazis that they believed the British Prime Minister was a passenger? Churchill eventually became aware of the theory and thought it may have been true Not only was Howard asked to make propaganda for the Ministry of Information during the war, he also starred in feature films designed to boost morale at home, notably in 'Pimpernel' Smith, as the eponymous character who saved Jewish refugees from the Nazis, and The First Of The Few, about the designer of the Spitfire. In May 1943, Howard had undertaken a lecture tour to Spain and Portugal at a time when his wartime work was proving increasingly irritating to Dr Josef Goebbels, the chief propagandist for the Nazi Party. The tour also coincided with German attempts to persuade Spanish dictator General Franco to enter the war on the side of the Axis Powers. Hitler was especially keen for Spanish forces to attack the British base at Gibraltar and deprive Allied navies of access to the Mediterranean. Was Howard's 'lecture tour' a smokescreen for a more secretive role in trying to get Franco and the Spanish to resist Germany's diplomatic overtures? Or was Howard even using it as a cover for his role as a real-life James Bond? It is highly likely that pro-German agents would have got hold of a passenger list which revealed that Howard was on the flight. News of his death was published in the Times on June 4. But was Howard really the target of the mighty Luftwaffe? Another intriguing discovery involves Father A.S. Holmes, who had been seated on the aircraft at Lisbon airport but left to take an urgent phone call. Was it good fortune or something sinister that made him miss the flight? The mystery caller was never identified. So when the flight took off there were only 13, not the intended 14, on board including three women and two children. One of the 13 was Ivan Sharp, aged just 41. He is the grandfather and namesake of Ivan Sharp, now 54, a Post Office worker from Norfolk. Sharp Jnr still has a copy of the telegram sent to his grandfather's widow, Minnie, who had two young children at the time. From the British Airways 'Passenger Superintendent', it reads: 'Have to inform you with deepest regret that Mr I.H. Sharpe [sic] was believed travelling in an aeroplane lost near England yesterday. Not yet known if any survivors. Will keep you informed.' LORD ASHCROFT: The most famous passenger on the flight that morning and the person who delayed take-off to retrieve his parcel was actor Leslie Howard (pictured) Over the years, the amateur sleuth has retraced the flight path taken by 777A and obtained copies of the flight log and the passenger list. Sharp is convinced that his grandfather's wartime role might have made him a target, or even the target, for the Germans. 'My grandfather was tasked with going to Portugal to buy wolfram better known as tungsten that was being used in the manufacture of armaments. He was often competing with German buyers for the rare metal that was found in Portugal and Spain, paying for the goods in uncut diamonds that he had brought with him from Britain. '[He] was widely known as "the wolfram man" but his work was highly secretive and even his closest family did not know exactly what he was doing,' said Sharp. However, there were other passengers on board who may have been targets. One of them was Wilfred Israel, a senior member of an Anglo-German Jewish family who was known to have rescued Jews from the Holocaust and who had links to the British Government. Another was Tyrrell Shervington, a director of the Shell-Mex oil company. Far more crucially, as the Germans may have discovered, he was an intelligence operative codenamed agent 'H.100' in the Iberian force run by Britain's Special Operations Executive, the unit formed in 1940 to carry out espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in occupied Europe. Yet remarkably, the true quarry of the Nazis might have been a humble taxman. Seated next to Howard was his tax adviser Alfred Chenhalls. The financier was not a man of whom the Germans would usually have taken note. Except that tubby (15st 9lb according to the flight log), balding and smoking cigars Chenhalls bore more than a passing resemblance to Churchill. And the Prime Minister had indeed flown to North Africa in late May. Perhaps he was now making his way back to Britain. Did German agents in Lisbon tip off the Nazis that they believed the British Prime Minister was a passenger? Churchill eventually became aware of the theory and thought it may have been true. In the post-war years, at least four of the eight German pilots who attacked Ibis were interviewed. They claimed to be unaware of the civilian flights between Portugal and the UK and insisted they had targeted Ibis by mistake, thinking it was a military aircraft. Some of those pilots, however, are believed to have carried out two unsuccessful attacks on Ibis in the previous year, and their accounts are dismissed by experts as attempts to avoid war crimes charges. Leslie Howard made a name for himself playing quintessentially British gentlemen (pictured in Pygmalion) It has been more than a decade since Ivan Sharp Jnr arranged for plaques honouring the 17 dead to be unveiled in Portugal and Britain, close to the two airports. 'I don't believe that, 80 years on, we will ever know the answer to this wartime mystery,' he says. He is inclined to believe that the attack was targeted. 'It is possible that the German agents got a message out saying it would be worth targeting their aircraft because so many key "players" just happened to be on board at the same time.' But even he admits that little can be known for certain. The film critic Barry Norman once wrote that Leslie Howard had gone to a 'violent, untimely death that is, and no doubt forever will be, shrouded in mystery'. Eighty years after the tragedy, we are still wondering why the 17 souls of Flight 777A met their end. Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is an international businessman, philanthropist, author and pollster. For information visit lordashcroft.com. For information on his work on gallantry, see lordashcroftonbravery.com. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook @LordAshcroft. The murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan Embassy in 1984 had shaken no one more than her friend and colleague John Murray. In an intensely personal new book recounting the tragedy, first serialised in yesterdays Daily Mail, he tells how he tracked down Yvonnes killer and confronted him, face to face.. Hidden under a dusty blanket in a battered pick-up truck, John Murray was being driven at speed from the north African city of Tunis towards the Libyan border. At the wheel was Ahmed, a man he had met at Tripoli airport a few months previously who had offered to help him. Was he mad, John asked himself, to entrust his life to a complete stranger? Had his desperation to find WPC Yvonne Fletcher's killer clouded his judgment? It was now 2012, and he had promised her as she lay dying in his arms outside London's Libyan Embassy 28 years before that he would find her killers and bring them to justice. But for all he knew, Ahmed could be a criminal or worse. Police officer John Murray (circled) holds Yvonne Fletcher as a colleague assists outside the Libyan Embassy shortly after she was shot in 1984 PC Karl Bohanan with flowers in St James Square where WPC Yvonne Fletcher was killed during siege of Libyan embassy, 1984 WPC Yvonne Fletcher was fatally wounded on 17 April 1984 outside the Libyan Embassy in St James' Square as she monitored a demonstration against the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi In recent weeks a Libyan man, Akram Hussein (not his real name), who had been outside the Embassy that day had been in touch with John to say that he had contacts who could be helpful in the fight for justice. One of them had actually been inside the Embassy during the shooting. If John wanted to come to Libya, he would make the necessary introductions. A trip was arranged, but John had at the last minute been refused a visa. The country had been in a state of chaos since its leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, had been killed the year before, dragged from a drainage pipe in which he had been hiding and beaten to death by anti-government rebels. In desperation, John had turned to Ahmed. The drive was long and tortuous. Many hours passed in silence before John's guide announced they had arrived in Libya. 'There had been no obvious border and we'd seen no other travellers,' remembers John. 'Just the odd abandoned and decaying building, the occasional wrecked car and sand. Lots of sand.' After driving some 700 miles, they approached the suburbs of the eastern city of Benghazi. Ahmed slowed the car. They stopped outside a yellow, flat-roofed residence: Akram's house. 'We are here,' Ahmed announced. Over dinner, John's host explained that on the following day he had arranged for John to meet a man who had been involved in the shooting of Yvonne. He did not reveal a name. The next morning Akram drove John out of the city into a more rural area. The car stopped outside a semi-derelict farmhouse. 'In there,' said Akram. 'You must go alone.' John looked around. Goats and chickens walked among the ramshackle buildings. There were very few people to be seen. If this were a trap or trick, here would be a perfect place for it. The long fight: Retired police officer John Murray carries a photo of Yvonne Fletcher outside the Royal Courts of Justice John stepped out of the car into the heat of the sun. Sweat ran into his eyes as he approached the building. 'It resembled a large igloo made from clay bricks with a chimney protruding from the top. My heart was pounding so hard, I could feel the thump in my chest.' John pushed at the half-open door. Inside was a single room, empty apart from a small straw bed in the corner and two rickety-looking chairs on opposite sides of a table. There was no window. Two men were in the room. The first sat at the table and beckoned John to sit opposite him. The second remained standing. He then spoke, explaining to John in English that he was a translator. He introduced the figure sitting at the table. 'This is Salah Khalifa,' he said. John's blood ran cold. He knew that name. Sitting in front of him was the man he believed had killed his dearest friend. The fatal shooting of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan Embassy on April 17, 1984 had shocked the nation. The frustration at not being able to detain those suspected of the murder was felt by every officer. In every police station questions were being asked. Why had Yvonne Fletcher been shot from inside the Libyan Embassy? Why hadn't the officers policing the demonstration outside been warned of the danger, when intelligence had been received that violence had been threatened? Why had key suspects been deported before detectives were allowed to interview them? On the day of Yvonne's funeral April 27, 1984 all those who had been inside the building had been flown home from Heathrow to Libya, with the exception of two or three who had already gone. Why had those in government appeared so desperate to have the matter quickly resolved? John Murray had been Yvonne's best friend in the Met. It was he who had been next to her when she was shot; he who accompanied her to hospital and had later identified her body. A pallbearer at her funeral, he had returned to work the following day. But friends and colleagues soon noticed how he'd changed. Gone was the smiling and upbeat workmate, replaced by a dour, poker-faced man who kept himself to himself. Frustrated by a lack of information, John made frequent telephone calls to the Met's anti-terrorist squad, where detectives would tell him that 'everything that could be done was being done'. Later that year he made a decision. 'I concluded the best way to get some answers was to go to the top. I would ask to see the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.' It was a lengthy and uncertain process. But John was hopeful of success when he heard he was to be honoured for 'extreme bravery and professional conduct' during the Libyan Embassy shootings. Three months would pass before a response arrived at Bow Street. 'Request denied,' it said. No reason or explanation was provided. It was a sign of things to come. The events of April 1984 continued to preoccupy John throughout the following decade. In 1994, he was severely injured during a bank robbery and shortly afterwards retired with an injury award and a small pension. He was no longer part of the Met, but his determination to find justice for his fallen colleague was undimmed. When Tony Blair became Prime Minister in 1997, John wrote to him several times asking for his help. Although No 10 sent polite responses, there was no offer of assistance. But in March 2004, Murray's hopes were raised when the Cabinet Office told him Blair was to visit Colonel Gaddafi in Tripoli. The subject of identifying Yvonne's killer would be top of the agenda. The trip was a result of improving diplomatic and trading relations between the two countries, especially concerning the supply of Libyan oil, upon which the UK relied heavily. During the meeting Blair praised the Libyan leader for his decision to give up his weapons of mass destruction (WMD). But the subject of identifying and extraditing Yvonne's killers was not raised at all. 'It seemed a barrel of oil was more important than the blood of a police officer,' says John. A year later John separated from his wife, Julie-Ann. His intense preoccupation with finding justice for his friend was affecting his health and had sounded the death knell for his marriage. Living alone in a flat in East London, John now devoted his whole time to his campaign. He'd done countless media interviews and written endless letters. But he was coming close to admitting defeat. In October 2011, after Colonel Gaddafi had been killed and his regime overthrown, the country was in political turmoil and John despaired of ever fulfilling his promise to Yvonne. By now, he had suffered a series of heart attacks and spent a week in intensive care so, with his health on something of a knife-edge, he came to a terrible decision. 'I'd had enough,' John explains. 'I'd failed Yvonne and I'd become a liability to my family. 'I sat down with the pills I'd been prescribed and a bottle of vodka. I necked a few, had a large swig, sat on the settee and started thinking about the note I was going to leave my daughters.' As John's head touched the back of the chair, he fell into a deep sleep. When he awoke the sun was shining through an open window. He was feeling surprisingly well, invigorated and energised. He promised himself he would never again enter such a dark place. With that, he resolved to go to Libya. 'I'd often asked myself what I would do when this moment came,' says John, as he remembers the shock of meeting Salah Khalifa. 'Now, as I stood facing a man I should have hated more than anyone, I felt alone and empty. I just wanted to know why.' Khalifa spoke briefly in Arabic. 'I'm sorry. I pulled the trigger,' said the translator. John needed to be sure he was hearing the truth. He asked Khalifa detailed questions about the layout of the Embassy and the weapons used. The Libyan answered accurately and quickly. John was soon convinced this was indeed Khalifa, whose name he had been given some time ago as a key suspect. Khalifa explained that he had been a student, not a soldier. He had only travelled to London that day to help with the pro-Gaddafi counter-demonstration. 'I was then taken to one side and given special orders,' he said. He gave the names of two men who issued those orders: Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk and Matouk Mohammed Matouk (who went on to become a minister in Gaddafi's government). 'Together with one other, I was to use a gun they gave me to fire on the people who were preparing to attack the Embassy,' Khalifa said. 'We were told the Leader (Colonel Gaddafi) had given his personal authority to open fire and expected blood to be spilled. 'The Leader could not be disobeyed. If we had allowed the Embassy to be taken we would have paid with our lives.' Khalifa then claimed he had tried to miss the people outside and to fire over their heads. The weapon had pulled down in his hands and he had hit the crowd, he said. John asked if Yvonne had been specifically targeted. 'He does not think so,' said the interpreter. 'He did not personally shoot at the policewoman. He cannot speak for Sahli.' The gravity of what John had just heard sank in. Not only had Khalifa just admitted firing one of the weapons, he had also named a second gunman Saleh Sahli. As assuredly as a priest might receive a man's confession, Khalifa had admitted his part in the murder, and named those who had given the orders. A few months later it was reported that Khalifa was dead, and that he had been silenced to prevent him from naming those who ordered the shooting. It was rumoured, too, that Sahli was dead. 'I couldn't believe it,' John recalls. 'For every step forward I took, it was two steps back. I began to wonder if I would ever see Yvonne's murderer in the dock.' On the morning of November 19, 2015 John received a call from the Met's anti-terrorist squad. 'A detective rang to tell me they would be announcing a breakthrough,' he relates. 'All he could say was that it was major.' The detective hadn't exaggerated. At a conference attended by dozens of journalists and photographers, a spokesman revealed a UK resident had been detained on suspicion of conspiracy to murder Yvonne Fletcher and for money laundering. Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk was now in custody, he said. It was also reported that Mabrouk's wife, Camilla Othman, and his son Osama Saleh Ibrahim had been arrested for money laundering. No Ordinary Day is the intensely personal account of how John Murray has spent 28 years trying to bring the killer of WPC Yvonne Fletcher to justice John's home telephone began ringing and within the hour there were four TV crews outside his flat. During an interview, former Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson explained how surprised the Met had been to discover Mabrouk was living in the UK. To this, Sir Paul added his personal concern that Mabrouk had been allowed to remain in the UK without the police being notified. He queried what he described as a 'puzzling breach' of the Home Office rules on granting asylum, particularly as it was known by them that Mabrouk was a suspect for the murder of Yvonne. John was ecstatic when in early 2017 he was told a report recommending prosecution had been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). 'I was on cloud nine,' recalls John. 'At last, we would be seeing one of the men responsible for Yvonne's murder in court.' But his elation was short-lived. On May 16, 2017 a sombre Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, now the Met Commissioner but then the officer in charge of the anti-terrorist squad, announced that Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk would not be prosecuted after all, and nor would his wife or son. Rowley explained to stunned reporters how much he regretted not being able to bring to justice a man he strongly suspected of being involved in the murder of Yvonne Fletcher. A statement released by the Metropolitan Police, with the approval of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'We believe our investigation has identified enough material to identify those responsible for WPC Fletcher's murder if it could be presented to a court. 'However, the key material has not been made available for use in court in evidential form for reasons of national security.' One of John's closest supporters, former detective Bram Buchan, had his own theory. He takes up the story. 'To me, it appeared Mabrouk may well have been an MI5 asset inside the Embassy,' he says. 'That was why the Home Office were so desperate to keep him out of court.' In 2018, encouraged by a growing army of supporters and promises of financial backing, John decided to bring a civil case against Mabrouk for assault. As part of his preparations, he was examined by a police psychiatrist. He scored 48 on an 'Impact of Events Scale'. A score of 27 or more was enough to trigger a finding of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The high score came as a shock to John, as did the diagnosis of chronic PTSD. 'I'd never seen a counsellor, not even really talked about what happened to anyone in any depth. I put up with the nightmares, the sweats and flashbacks and just got on with my life,' he says. On August 16, 2019, the civil court that would first hear the case received a formal application from Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk Mohamed requesting the claim be struck out, describing it as a 'waste of court time'. Mabrouk said he was 'simply one of the demonstrators' on April 17, 1984, and had been arrested 'three hours prior to the shooting'. If the claim went ahead, he would be seeking compensation from John Murray for the 'damage and harm caused' to his reputation as an academic in Libya. But he would not be present in court. John's legal team confirmed that in January 2019, Mabrouk had been permanently excluded from the UK by the then Home Secretary Sajid Javid. Javid had written: 'After the most careful consideration...your presence here would not be conducive to the public good, due to your suspected involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity in Libya.' One of the witnesses on the day of the shooting gave a description of Mabrouk to John's lawyers: 'Middle Eastern appearance, around 30 years old, grey bomber jacket, open-necked shirt.' This was the man who had given the chilling warning that there were guns inside the Embassy. Mabrouk was the man in the grey jacket. The trial date for Murray versus Mabrouk who would not attend was set for Wednesday November 10, 2021 at the Royal Courts of Justice, with The Honourable Mr Justice Martin Spencer QC appointed to hear the case. The barrister Phillippa Kaufmann QC, daughter of the late Labour politician Sir Gerald Kaufmann, had agreed to prosecute on John's behalf. 'Over the next three days, 37 years of effort was going to be put to the test,' remembers John. Kaufmann made clear how John had been injured mentally as a consequence of the attack and why he was claiming just 1. 'It is not compensation he is seeking,' she said. 'It is justice.' John Murray had been a secondary victim, she told the court, even though he had not been hit by a bullet. At 10.30am on Tuesday, November 16, it was standing room only in Court 14. From as far away as Australia and Canada, veteran cops connected to a live video link ready to hear Judge Spencer's pronouncement. The judge spoke without a break for nearly three hours. Finally came the words everybody was waiting for. 'Mabrouk knew guns were going to be used and had said as much,' said the judge. 'His involvement went beyond tacit agreement. ' All present remained silent, hanging on his every word. 'The conclusion which I reach is that Mr Murray has succeeded in showing that the defendant, Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk, is jointly liable with those who carried out the shooting of Yvonne Fletcher, for the battery inflicted upon her, for the assault inflicted on all the police officers who were put at significant risk of being shot.' The case against Mabrouk was proven. John Murray's promise to Yvonne had finally been fulfilled. As Judge Spencer ended his pronouncement, former PC Steve Murphy stood up. Although his was an impromptu action, several others did the same. Together and as one, they began to clap. Within a few moments, almost everyone in the court was on their feet applauding. For the retired police officers present, many of whom had not worn the blue cloth for more than 20 years, it was a profound and emotional moment. As the applause died down, Judge Spencer raised one hand. To those watching closely, he appeared to have a tear in his eye and, when he came to speak, his voice quavered. 'Never, in all my time in the law, have I ever seen such a reaction in court,' he said, with an understated smile. 'And I suspect you never may again, my Lord,' replied Phillippa Kaufmann. A week later, John drove alone to visit the grave of his friend. 'It was good to finally spend some time with Yvonne and to give her the good news,' he says. 'One day, I told her, we'll also see Mabrouk grip the rail in a criminal court. His time has come, of that I am certain.' Currently there is no publicly available evidence confirming Mabrouk was working for UK Intelligence before his arrest. By the end of 1984, however, it seems certain he was an asset. This would explain why, within a few weeks of being told he was the subject of a civil claim relating to the shooting, the Home Office required him to leave the UK and never return. It also explains why the new regime in Libya hasn't prosecuted someone so close to Gaddafi and why, when faced with his imminent appearance before a UK court to face a charge of murder, the British Government requested his prosecution be halted on grounds of 'national security'. In March 2022, Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk appealed against the decision of Judge Spencer. The appeal failed, the judges finding that Mabrouk 'has not demonstrated that he has any prospect of success at a retrial, let alone any reasonable prospect of success'. Despite failing health, John continues to campaign for a criminal prosecution. 'Mabrouk is protected for now,' says John. 'But as his leader before him discovered, loyalty in politics is a fickle thing. And, as many cops will tell you, some we win, some we lose, but the bad guys always come again. And when this one does, we will be waiting.' Adapted from No Ordinary Day: Espionage, Betrayal, Terrorism And Corruption The Truth Behind The Murder Of WPC Yvonne Fletcher by Matt Johnson and John Murray, to be published by Ad Lib on June 8 at 10.99. Matt Johnson and John Murray 2023. To order a copy for 9.89 (offer valid to 10/06/23; UK P&P free on orders over 25), visit www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Dutch police have arrested more than 1,500 Extinction Rebellion activists as they blocked a main road in The Hague - with one even biting an officer. Protestors blocked a section of a motorway in the centre of the city on Saturday in protest against Dutch fossil fuel subsidies. A total of 1,579 people were arrested, with 40 of those set to be prosecuted on charges of 'defacement, vandalism, insult, incitement, resistance, dangerous traffic behavior or violence', according to the Public Prosecution Service. Police used water cannons to disperse the activists and dragged them into buses of public transport company HTM. They also reported that an officer was bitten during an arrest. He is now being treated for his injuries, while the activist has been arrested for assault, police said. Dutch police have arrested more than 1,500 Extinction Rebellion activists as they blocked a main road in The Hague Protestors blocked a section of a motorway in the centre of city on Saturday in protest against Dutch fossil fuel subsidies A total of 1,579 people were arrested, with 40 of those set to be prosecuted on charges of 'defacement, vandalism, insult, incitement, resistance, dangerous traffic behavior or violence', according to the Public Prosecution Service Police used water cannons to disperse the activists and lifted them into buses of public transport company HTM The 40 activists that were arrested have been transferred to the police station where their cases are being further assessed, with remaining demonstrators having now been released from custody. Several Dutch celebrities were also among the protesters, including Carice van Houten, who played Melisandre in the popular TV series 'Game of Thrones'. The Dutch news agency ANP reported that she was arrested but later allowed to return home. It did not specify if she was among those who would be prosecuted. The protests marks the seventh organised by Extinction Rebellion in this area of The Hague, but the highest number of people arrested so far, according to ANP. Demonstrators walked from the station towards the part of the A12 highway in the city, with a number of them laying down in front of the police water cannon. Activists could be heard chanting: 'Extinguish the fire, not the alarm,' according to a local media report. The 40 activists that were arrested have been transferred to the police station where their cases are being further assessed Other demonstrators who were not prosecuted have now been released from custody Demonstrators sitting down on part of the A12 highway in The Hague According to Extinction Rebellion, some 7,000 people gathered to join the demonstration. Anticipating the water cannon, some wore swimsuits or carried umbrellas as they sat in protest across the A12 motorway, holding banners and signs. The protest marks the seventh organised by Extinction Rebellion in the same section of motorway at The Hague, close to the parliament and main ministry buildings. But Saturday saw the highest number of people arrested at a protest yet, according to Dutch news agency ANP. 'We're going to stay here until they drag us away,' said postgraduate student Anne Kerevers, 31. 'Climate change is an unfolding crisis and we know the cause and it's still being subsidised by our government and it needs to stop,' she told AFP. Several Dutch celebrities were among the protesters, including actor Carice van Houten, best known for her role as Melisandre in the hit TV series 'Game of Thrones'. Van Houten posted a video on Instagram showing herself wearing a red poncho, getting drenched from a water cannon. ANP reported that she was arrested and later allowed to return home, but did not specify whether she was among those who will be prosecuted. Police said they had repeatedly 'given activists the opportunity to end their action and leave' before using the water cannon and making arrests. 'We've been coming back every month, or every two months, and every time the number (of protesters) has doubled,' said Aaron Pereira, a spokesman for Extinction Rebellion. 'There is broad popular support for real climate action and people are waking up to the fact that the government is actively going against this by subsidising the fossil fuel industry.' The environmental campaign group, shortened to XR, has become known for the disruptive and headline-catching stunts which have become their trademark. In recent years the group has caused huge disruption, hitting roads, airports and other public transport networks with direct action protests against climate change. But in January it called a temporary halt to its high-profile stunts, and instead promised to mobilise huge numbers against what it sees as government inaction against global warming. A number of activists layed down in front of the police water cannon Activists could be heard chanting: 'Extinguish the fire, not the alarm,' according to a local media report The protests marks the seventh organised by Extinction Rebellion in this area of The Hague, but the highest number of people arrested so far, according to ANP In April it held four days of action in London, including mobilising thousands to rally outside the UK parliament. In recent months it has also rallied at airports across Europe, including protests at Eindhoven airport in The Netherlands in March. This week it joined other groups in demonstrating against Europe's biggest private jet sales fair in Geneva. Some activists chained themselves to the planes on display, and air traffic was briefly disrupted at the airport due to people on the tarmac. The pedophile was snared after he was arrested as part of the far-right hate group Patriot Front last summer Jared Boyce faces 30 years behind bars after pleading guilty to child pornography charges A member of far-right group Patriot Front has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges stemming from his arrest protesting a pride event last year. Jared Boyce, 28, faces 30 years behind bars after confessing to nine felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as sending a picture of his genitals to a 16-year-old girl. The pedophile was one of 31 Patriot Front members who were arrested last year on their way to intercepting a gay pride event in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Following his arrest, a search of his phone by the FBI uncovered a slew of disturbing images, leading him to reportedly confess to the crimes to investigators. Patriot Front member Jared Boyce (pictured) faces 30 years behind bars after confessing to nine felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as sending a picture of his genitals to a 16-year-old girl Boyce's arrest came as Patriot Front members attempted to storm a gay pride event in June 2022. Dressed in the usual Patriot Front outfit of tan pants, navy shirt and white mask, the men were seen before their arrest in riot gear in a rented U-Haul truck. Police say the group had been plotting to incite violence at the event, and footage from the large-scale arrest shows dozens of men with wearing shirts branded 'reclaim America'. They were joined by several other far-right extremist factions as they gathered to accuse the LGBTQ group of being 'groomers' and spark a riot. But a tip-off from the public allowed police to intercept them before they made it to the event, and Boyce was taken into custody alongside three dozen others. He has been in Utah County jail since March 10, and faces an additional charge of criminal conspiracy related to his involvement in the Idaho pride event. Over 30 Patriot Front members, including Boyce (top left), were arrested after plotting to riot outside a gay pride event in 2022 The extremists were arrested attempting to charge a gay pride event in Idaho last year The Patriot Front has captured headlines in recent years after routinely arriving unannounced at events across the nation with the intent of causing chaos. At the bungled pride event riot, police seized a number of weapons from the group, including at least one smoke grenade, a collection of several shields and shin guards, and documents that included an 'operations plan' from the group, found by officers in the U-haul. The Patriot Front was founded in 2017 by Thomas Ryan Rousseau, who was among those also arrested alongside Boyce. Cited as one of the largest producers of white supremacist propaganda, the group was created by Rousseau in the aftermath of the infamous 2017 white nationalist 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Members base their beliefs in an extremist ideology that since their white ancestors conquered America, the country should be left exclusively to them. On its website, the group says its activism is fueled by a belief that 'America will be unshackled by tyrannical rule.' Patriot Front members pictured marching along the National Mall in Washington DC on May 13, 2023 The white nationalists could be heard chanting: 'Life, liberty and victory' The extremist group previously descended on Boston to protest SatanCon, pictured on April 29, 2023 A leader of the group previously stated on a podcast in July 2022 that the organization aims to 'make the men who will make the nation'. 'We're creating an organization that can become a legitimate body of rulemaking... our ideology demands that we stand up for something,' he added. Members routinely graffiti and place stickers on structures across the nation, and it claims Massachusetts and Texas are the most commonly hit regions. The group regularly join other protest groups unannounced, and reportedly aim to avoid counter protests by holding events without permits or outside press. They have made several headline grabbing appearances in recent months, including a menacing march on the Capitol in Washington DC. The extremists were escorted by police along the National Mall while they chanted the movement's catchphrase: 'Life, liberty and victory'. In a video posted to Telegram, a Patriot Front member leaving the march said it was a 'good demonstration' and the militants 'stayed tight and stayed in formation'. 'Put simply, we'll be back,' he added in a chilling warning. The mask-wearing extremists also sparked fury when they attempted to disrupt SatanCon in April. Billed as 'the largest Satanic gathering in history', Patriot Front members were seen brandishing crucifixes as they confronted the Satanists. It was one of the most fraught moments of the pandemic as the nation waited for news of its Prime Minister, who was battling for his life in hospital after contracting Covid. Now, for the first time, it can be revealed just how much Boris Johnson feared for his health when he learned doctors were considering puncturing a hole in his neck to help him breathe. The procedure called a tracheostomy was Mr Johnson's great fear, his former communications chief Guto Harri reveals. Until that point, Mr Johnson had believed that he would pull through because of his 'childlike' trust in doctors, Mr Harri says in his Global Player podcast Unprecedented. But he began to realise how serious his condition was when medics started discussing his 'really very dangerous' oxygen levels and the prospect of making the surgical opening into his windpipe. Mr Johnson was struck down by Covid and hospitalised for a week in April 2020, just after lockdown had been imposed. His shocked colleagues in No 10 continued to try to shepherd the country through the pandemic while their boss battled the disease, not knowing whether or not he would survive. Groggy: Boris Johnson four days before going into hospital after contracting Covid Mr Johnson offered the personal insight into his fears as Mr Harri prepared him for a television interview with fellow Tory MP Esther McVey in which he planned to open up about his experience. But when the cameras started rolling, Mr Johnson decided not to relive the ordeal. Recalling their preparation for the interview, Mr Harri said on his podcast: 'I asked him whether he thought he was actually going to die. And he said he didn't. He never really thought that because of what he called a childlike faith in doctors. 'But he could tell that the staff at the hospital were worried, and he was very conscious that they kept talking about his oxygen levels that were going down and down to levels where it was really very dangerous. 'One of the last things he kept thinking was, "Please, please don't say tracheostomy",' he said. 'I don't think any of us would like to be on the receiving end of a tracheostomy. It sounds deeply unpleasant and involves having a hole punctured in your throat, I think just under the Adam's apple to help you breathe. 'But apart from being unpleasant, it's also a sign that things are really serious, because they do it as an emergency procedure to allow you to breathe because that's the only way. So, I think for him, it was confirmation of just how bad things had become that they were actually contemplating something like this.' In a powerful insight into the effect the situation had on Downing Street staff, Mr Harri revealed that no one really knew whether or not he'd survive. 'This was a critical moment inside No 10, a turning point if you like. The Prime Minister being taken away to hospital, in a wheelchair, with Covid, at a time when we understood a lot less about Covid and the potential cures in such a situation than we do today,' he said. 'No one in No 10 really knew how this would play out, how long he'd be away, whether he'd be well enough to perform his role, whether he'd even survive, and what would happen next.' Boris Johnson was taken to the intensive care unit at St Thomas' Hospital in central London Before realising he had contracted the coronavirus, Mr Johnson had been getting 'groggier and groggier' but had refused to get tested because he didn't want to look like he was getting preferential treatment at a time when few tests were available. After being urged by the Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, to take a test, he discovered he had the disease. He got to the point where he could not walk up the stairs to his flat above No 11 Downing Street and had to move into a suite of offices where he was handed food and documents through the door. His wife Carrie who was heavily pregnant with their first child Wilf at the time moved out. Mr Harri recalls: 'In the press and media at the time, the dominant narrative was that Boris Johnson was essentially fine, that the medical interventions were pretty much precautionary. 'No 10, understandably, was trying to play the whole thing down. They didn't want to panic the public who were already anxious about the pandemic, but in reality, he was pretty ill and deteriorating. He kept deteriorating until in the end, he was basically put in a wheelchair and wheeled into an ambulance to be taken to hospital. And he said, at that time, he felt completely decrepit.' After seven days, he was discharged from hospital to recover at Chequers, the Prime Minister's official country retreat. 'From the experience, he says he sympathises with anyone who's been in intensive care. It's a big thing. He said he felt wasted, beaten up, absolutely exhausted,' Mr Harri said. 'It took him weeks to get strong again, he motored through a load of novels to do that, while resting at Chequers.' Mr Johnson has previously said that during his dramatic stay in intensive care, plans were drawn up on how to announce his death. He also admitted he had worked throughout the early stage of his illness and not taken the disease seriously enough, before being 'forced' to go to hospital on the advice of doctors. Mr Johnson tested positive for the virus in late March and went into isolation at his flat in 11 Downing Street for an initial period of seven days. By the time he ended up in St Thomas' Hospital, across the River Thames from the Palace of Westminster, he needed 'litres and litres' of oxygen, which was delivered by a tube fitted under his nose. The public were told he had persistent symptoms, including a temperature. The tube was then switched to a large face mask and, when his condition worsened, Mr Johnson was moved into intensive care, with doctors having to decide whether to put him into an induced coma and on to a ventilator. Despite those initial fears, medics ultimately decided against it. Just before he was transferred into intensive care, Mr Johnson called the then Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab from his bed to ask him 'to deputise for him where necessary'. In an interview with The Sun on Sunday afterwards, Mr Johnson said: 'To be honest, the doctors had all sorts of plans for what to do if things went badly wrong. I was not in particularly brilliant shape because the oxygen levels in my blood kept going down. 'But it was thanks to some wonderful, wonderful nursing that I made it. They really did it and they made a huge difference.' He said doctors faced a '50-50' decision on whether to put him on a ventilator, but he said that despite the bad signs, he never doubted he would pull through, explaining: 'It would be wrong to say that at any stage I thought: "Oh my goodness, this is it. "Some terrible buoyancy within me kept convincing me that everything would almost certainly be all right in the end. But I was just frustrated. I remember seeing a lot of other victims, both going in and going out of intensive care. 'I couldn't see why I wasn't getting better. I was just incredibly frustrated because the bloody indicators kept going in the wrong direction and I thought, "There's no medicine for this thing and there's no cure."' Boris Johnson (pictured with wife Carrie) said 'it was thanks to some wonderful, wonderful nursing that I made it' But then, 'after three nights, thanks to the miraculous work of the medical team, I was returned to the general ward without the need of ventilation.' Mr Johnson admitted he was a 'very lucky man' to recover in time to see the birth of his son. The first three episodes of Mr Harri's political memoir podcast Unprecedented are available on Global Player now. Episode 4, which explores the impact of the Covid pandemic on No 10, will be released on Thursday. In the first episode, Mr Harri revealed that Mr Johnson 'squared up' to the King then the Prince of Wales over a speech the Royal wanted to make about slavery, after he had criticised the Government's approach to small boats crossing the Channel with illegal migrants. He said: 'Boris squared up, confronted him and warned him, "I'd be careful," he said, "or you'll end up having to sell the Duchy of Cornwall to pay reparations for those who built it." Relations never fully recovered.' A spokesman for the former Prime Minister said: 'Boris Johnson had no involvement in this podcast and does not recognise its contents.' China's top legislator meets DRC president Xinhua) 10:40, May 27, 2023 Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with visiting President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with visiting President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo here on Friday. Zhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that China and the DRC enjoy profound traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation. "China is ready to work with the DRC to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation, strengthen coordination in international affairs, and push bilateral relations to a higher level," he said. Zhao said that the NPC of China is willing to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with the DRC parliament and jointly promote the building of democratic politics suited to national conditions. For his part, Tshisekedi said that the DRC side attaches great importance to developing relations with China and is willing to further deepen cooperation with China in various fields to improve the well-being of the two peoples. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) Mykhailo Podolyak said forces are already destroying supply lines and depots Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has released a new video advert promising to 'kill enemies' and reclaim their nation, as well as avenge those who have taken 'murdered my brother and raped my sisters'. The trailer, which called on Ukrainians to join the armed forces, promised new battalions and Western tanks to help the nation achieve its 'sacred goal of living in freedom on its God-given land'. It comes as a presidential adviser claimed the first steps of Ukraine's highly anticipated counteroffensive against Putin's forces are underway. Mykhailo Podolyak said the process was 'complicated' and that it was not 'a matter of one day or a certain date or a certain hour'. The adviser added that the 'intensity is increasing' and that certain operations were already happening, including blowing up supply lines and depots. The military recruitment video was published on Twitter yesterday morning, hours before Russia unleashed waves of air strikes on Kyiv overnight in what officials said appeared to be the largest drone attack on the city since the start of the war. Mykhailo Podolyak said the process was 'complicated' and that it was not 'a matter of one day or a certain date or a certain hour' (pictured in January) General Valeriy Zaluzhny (right), said in a message on Telegram that: 'The time has come to take back what's ours' In an interview with The Guardian, Mr Podolyak predicted that as the counteroffensive gains momentum there will be more incursions into Russia itself by rebel groups, imitating a recent raid in the Belgorod region. Expectations were raised that the counteroffensive was imminent on Saturday when the commander of Ukraine's armed forces, General Valeriy Zaluzhny, said on Telegram that: 'The time has come to take back what's ours.' The commander shared a cinematic video of troops preparing for battle with a stirring prayer recited by an officer calling for blessings in his soldiers' 'slaying' of Ukrainian enemies. Podolyak denied that recent incursions by protest groups - such as the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion, which are said to include right-wing extremists in their membership - into Russia were Kyiv-ordered. Russian authorities ordered residents of nine villages in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine to evacuate their homes after drone strikes as anti-Putin rebel groups began capturing territory on Russian soil. But Ukrainian officials did not intervene as they 'deeply sympathise with whatever protest movements are in Russia', Podolyak said. The adviser questioned how Ukraine could justify stopping Putin's own citizens from challenging the 'authoritarian regime [that] exists in Russia'. He added that there would likely be more similar attacks as Ukraine continued to work towards liberating its territory. 'It's an objective consequence of high-intensity war that will demonstrate that Russia cannot carry out the military action in Ukraine, and protect its own borders.' A Ukrainian soldier sits in a trench at the frontline near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region on May 26 A Ukrainian army, German self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery fires toward Russian positions at the frontline near Bakhmut In a cinematic video shared online by Ukrainian commanders, a narrator can be heard asking for blessings for his troops Men chant to a backdrop of action-sequence-like explosions as they prepare for the counteroffensive Silhouetted tanks with soldiers are shown getting into position ahead of the renewed attacks on Russian forces Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, told the BBC that the push could begin 'tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week' Podolyak concluded: 'Since Russia has already lost its conventional war, the consequences of this loss will gradually move into Russian territory, and the federal government will eventually lose control over its territory.' Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, told the BBC that the push could begin 'tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week'. Mr Danilov, who is at the heart of President Zelensky's de facto war cabinet, added: 'It would be weird if I were to name the dates of the start.' On Friday, Ukrainian military intelligence claimed, without offering evidence, that Russia is plotting a 'large-scale provocation' at a nuclear power plant it occupies in the southeast of the country with the aim of disrupting a looming Ukrainian counteroffensive. A statement released Friday by the intelligence directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry claimed that Russian forces would strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe, and then report a radioactive leak in order to trigger an international probe that would pause the hostilities and give the Russian forces the respite they need to regroup ahead of the counteroffensive. In order to make that happen, Russia 'disrupted the rotation of personnel of the permanent monitoring mission' of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency that was scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. A soldier trains ahead of a renewed counteroffensive in Ukraine against Putin's forces The adviser questioned how Ukraine could justify stopping Putin's own citizens from challenging the 'authoritarian regime [that] exists in Russia' Text on the screen that says in Ukrainian: 'Join those who will raise the banner of our victory' It didn't offer evidence to back up any of the claims. The IAEA said in an emailed response to the AP that it did not have any immediate comment on the allegations, and Russian officials did not immediately comment on the Ukrainian claims. The White House said it is watching the situation closely and has seen no indication that radioactive material has been leaked. The claim mirrors similar statements Moscow regularly makes, alleging without evidence that Kyiv is plotting provocations involving various dangerous weapons or substances in order to then accuse Russia of war crimes. The Buddha Of Suburbia would be butchered if it was written today, he claims Hanif Kureishi says an ''element of the Left' is 'bursting' with One of Britain's leading writers has attacked the role of 'sensitivity readers', saying they get 'excited' by controlling others' freedom of expression. In a passionately argued commentary, Hanif Kureishi blames an 'element of the Left', which he says is 'bursting with aggressive self-righteousness and is puritanical and self-defeating'. His comments inflict a wounding blow on the metropolitan elite, of which the avowedly Left-wing Kureishi has always been a committed member. The 68-year-old prize-winning author, playwright and filmmaker said his award-winning 1990 novel The Buddha Of Suburbia would be butchered by censors if it was written today 'in this atmosphere of self-consciousness and trepidation, this North Korea of the mind'. This is a reference to the readers increasingly hired by publishers to review texts for offensive content. Hanif Kureishi says an 'element of the Left' is 'bursting with aggressive self-righteousness' Earlier this year books by James Bond author Ian Fleming were stripped of terms deemed sexist and racist. Roald Dahl's novels have also been changed. Kureishi found fame nearly four decades ago with his screenplay for My Beautiful Laundrette, about an interracial gay relationship during the Thatcher era. The author, who was appointed a professor in the creative writing department at Kingston University in 2013, doubts whether he would have a career if he was starting out today. 'One of the things I've noticed about my students is that they are already inhibited,' he said. 'This is a trend I've noticed with other students and also with editors at publishing houses: whether their work will be condemned for sexism, racism, cultural appropriation and so on. 'This is the contemporary anxiety for young writers today. 'Some people are turned on and excited by the power of controlling others' speech and freedoms.' He said when he began writing The Buddha Of Suburbia which he describes as 'full of racial insults and lewd, politically incorrect language' he was 'determined to write with as much disinhibition and freedom as possible'. 'I would make it as dirty and funny as I felt my mind to be. I wouldn't hold back or hesitate to say anything I truly felt. It wasn't my job to deliberately shock but to tell the story in the most candid way.' In a series of tweets, Kureishi issued a fierce defence of freedom of expression, saying it is the business of writers to bravely 'push the boundaries of what can be said and thought'. Pictured: Daniel Day Lewis and Gordon Warnecke in the 1985 film My Beautiful Laundrette The 68-year-old prize-winning author, playwright and filmmaker said his award-winning 1990 novel The Buddha Of Suburbia would be butchered by censors if it was written today He added: 'I don't want to live in an atmosphere of fear and inhibition where writers are afraid of expressing their true selves for fear of offending someone or other. It is the work of great writers to turn the world upside down, to present opinions which go against the prevailing trends. It is not our job to please but to challenge, to make us think differently about our bodies our sexuality, politics and normativity.' Earlier this year Roald Dahl's publisher, Puffin, hired sensitivity readers to go over the author's books. It was reported that language deemed offensive would be removed. But after a backlash from writers, Puffin decided to release Dahl's works in their original versions alongside the new texts. James Bond novels have also been edited, with a number of racist and sexist terms removed. The Taliban and Iranian troops have exchanged gunfire across the Islamic Republic's border with Afghanistan, killing and wounding troops. The clashes represent a dramatic escalation in tensions between the two countries amid a dispute over water rights in the region, with both sides trading blame for the eruption of cross-border violence. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted the country's deputy police chief, Gen. Qassem Rezaei, accusing the Taliban of opening fire first Saturday morning on the border of Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province and the Afghan province of Nimroz. IRNA said Iran inflicted 'heavy casualties and serious damage.' From the Taliban's view, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor accused Iran of shooting first. The Taliban and Iran have exchanged gunfire across the Islamic Republic's border with Afghanistan, killing and wounding troops. Pictured: Video footage purportedly showing an exchange of gunfire between Taliban and Iranian forces Takor said the firefight killed two people, one from each country, and wounded others. He described the situation as now being under control. IRNA, quoting Iranian police, said two border guards had been killed. However, that number may be higher. The semiofficial, English-language newspaper Tehran Times said the fighting killed three Iranian border guards. IRNA said the Milak border crossing with Afghanistan, a major trade route, was closed until further notice over the gunfight. 'The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers dialogue to be a reasonable way for any problem,' Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khawarazmi said in a statement. 'Making excuses for war and negative actions is not in the interest of any of the parties.' The advocacy group HalVash, which reports on issues affecting the Baluch people in the predominately Sunni province of Sistan and Baluchestan, quoted residents in the area saying the fighting took place near the Kang district of Nimroz. It said some people in the area had fled the violence. The Taliban and Iran have exchanged gunfire across the Islamic Republic's border with Afghanistan, killing and wounding troops. Pictured: An Iranian soldier is seen looking out over a mountainous region in the country (file photo) Videos posted online, purportedly from the area, included the crackle of machine gun fire in the distance. HalVash later posted an image of what appeared to be the remains of a mortar round, saying that 'heavy weapons and mortars are being used.' Later videos from HalVash purported to show Iranian forces firing a mortar, as well as Taliban troops firing American-made machine guns at an Iranian border post. Other Taliban fighters drove armored vehicles likely left behind by NATO forces. Iran vowed not let the Taliban attack stand. 'The border forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will decisively respond to any border trespassing and aggression, and the current authorities of Afghanistan must be held accountable for their unmeasured and contrary actions to international principles,' IRNA quoted Iran's police chief, Gen. Ahmadreza Radan, as saying. The clash comes as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi earlier this month warned the Taliban not to violate Iran's water rights to the Helmand River. Raisi's remarks represented some of the strongest yet over the long-running concerns about water in Iran. Drought has been a problem in Iran for some 30 years, but has worsened over the past decade, according to the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization. The Iran Meteorological Organization says that an estimated 97% of the country now faces some level of drought. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. In the time since, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, depriving them of virtually all their basic rights, according to the U.N. Hunger remains endemic. While not directly accepting the Taliban government, Iran has maintained relations with Afghanistan's new rulers. Tehran also has called on the Taliban to allow women and girls to go to school. Earlier on Saturday, the Taliban's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with an Iranian envoy to Afghanistan to discuss the Helmand River water rights, according to tweets from Afghan Foreign Ministry official Zia Ahmad. Pictured: Taliban fighters pose for a photo after the Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 21, 2023 IRNA acknowledged the meeting, saying 'that issues between the two countries will be better resolved through dialogue.' But tensions have otherwise been rising. Another video posted online in recent days purportedly showed a standoff with Iranian forces and the Taliban as Iranian construction workers tried to reinforce the border between the two countries. In recent days, pro-Taliban accounts online also have been sharing a video with a song calling on the acting defense minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, to stand up to Iran. Mullah Yaqoob is the son of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Taliban's late founder and first supreme leader. 'We are a government, we have power,' the song goes. 'Our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran or we are not the republic's government. We are not slaves, our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran.' Even by the formidable standards of 20th Century carnage, the Mau Mau rebellion of the 1950s was a blood-soaked affair. Up to 25,000 people are estimated to have died as Kenyan militants revolted against the British Empire in their quest for self-rule. It is now emerging that one key figure on Kenya's side was none other than Rishi Sunak's paternal grandfather a man whose CV also reveals close links with an extremist paramilitary group. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Ramdas Sunak was a member of a Hindu supremacist outfit called Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which was modelled on fascist organisations like the Nazis. It has been accused of widespread violence and one of its members was responsible for the 1948 assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. According to family sources who do not want to be identified Sunak Snr, who moved from the Punjab to Nairobi as a young man, was involved in schooling Mau Mau militants in guerrilla techniques. Ramdas's activities were carried out despite him being on the British colonial payroll. He was a trained accountant who worked as a clerk and then a senior administrator in the finance and justice departments. Ramdas Sunak, a man whose CV also reveals close links with an extremist paramilitary group TIES: Rishi Sunak as a boy at the temple his grandfather founded The revelations come as this Tory administration has paid almost 20 million compensation to 5,000 elderly Kenyans who suffered abuse at the hands of the British during the uprising, which lasted from 1952 to 1960. Last night, commentators spoke of the irony of Mr Sunak occupying the highest office in the land after his own grandfather had fought British rule. Ramdas is believed to have become involved in the fight for Kenyan freedom through Makhan Singh, a childhood friend from India who became a prominent trade unionist in Kenya and a sympathiser of the Mau Mau rebels. But Ramdas later decided to move countries again when post-independence Kenya turned unpleasant for Indians, many of whom were subjected to racism. In 1971, he headed for Britain, already home to two of his adult sons studying at university. Settling in Southampton, Ramdas helped to establish the Vedic Society Hindu Temple although he died, aged 63, before it opened its doors to worshippers. VICTORY: Mau Mau troops in 1963, shortly after Kenya's independence The year of his death, 1980, also marked the birth of Rishi Sunak, whose father, Yashvir, followed in Ramdas's footsteps to become a trustee of the temple. In a documentary made last year about the temple, boyhood photos showed the politician-to-be enacting scenes from Hindu mythology there. The programme also featured footage of Mr Sunak, a practising Hindu, at the temple in 2019 as Chancellor of the Exchequer, making chapatis in its kitchen. Details of his grandfather's past have been uncovered by award-winning journalist Shyam Bhatia, who is set to publish his findings in a book. Political observers say Ramdas's links to the RSS are likely to be embarrassing for the PM, as the group was banned in India three times for its extremism. The UK branch of the RSS, known as the HSS, was investigated by the Charity Commission after an ITV documentary in 2015 revealed how pupils attending a summer camp were told that the number of good Muslims 'can be counted on one finger'. Last night, No 10 officials declined to comment, saying it was a personal matter relating to the PM. A key political ally of Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner is linked to a career criminal jailed for helping policewomen's killer Dale Cregan, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Arooj Shah, 44, the newly elected Labour leader of Oldham Council, was pictured celebrating her win this month with Cregan's getaway driver Mohammed Imran Ali. Ali, 42, was jailed for seven years in 2013 for driving Cregan to a safe house after he killed gangland rivals. One-eyed Cregan evaded a huge manhunt and, while on the run, murdered two policewomen in Manchester in a horrifying gun and grenade ambush. Known locally as 'Irish Imy', Ali, who has also been convicted for drug trafficking and assault, is a childhood friend of Ms Shah's and campaigned for her at the local elections, urging residents to join 'Team Arooj'. He was also pictured in front of a huge 'Vote Shah' billboard that was being towed by a blacked-out Land Rover. BACKING: Arooj Shah with Angela Rayne Arooj Shah being cheered by Mohammed Imran Ali, with fist raised, after her election win this month The Mail on Sunday has obtained another picture that shows Ali, with fist raised, among a group of Labour activists standing directly behind Ms Shah after she regained a seat on Oldham Council, in Greater Manchester, on May 5. A further image shows Ali and Ms Shah later celebrating her win at a 'mocktail' lounge in Oldham. On Facebook after the election, Ali said: 'Nice to have the real leader of Oldham Council back. Oldham stood up and got behind the best person for the job!' Ali and Ms Shah's relationship raises questions for Ms Rayner, 43, whose Ashton-under-Lyne constituency includes parts of Oldham. Like Ali, Ms Rayner, along with Shadow Environment Secretary Jim McMahon, attended the May 5 election count at Oldham Civic Centre and they were pictured congratulating Ms Shah on her win. Ms Shah also posted a picture on Twitter of her and Ms Rayner after a 'coffee and catch-up' a week before polling day. Ms Rayner spoke out in 2021 about the 'threats and abuse' her 'friend' Ms Shah faced during an earlier stint as council leader. The Mail on Sunday has learned that just hours before his appearance at last month's election count, Ali pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates' Court to breaching a restraining order and was given a 12-month community sentence. The order had banned him from approaching a local political activist. Last night Tory councillor Lewis Quigg said it was a 'disgrace' that Ms Shah was associating with Ali and called on Ms Rayner to detail what she knows about his role with the local Labour Party. He said: 'You would think from listening to Sir Keir Starmer that the Labour Party is a paragon of virtue, yet in Oldham he has a council leader who is hanging around with a convicted criminal. Irish Imy assisted one of the country's most notorious criminals, Dale Cregan, who murdered two police officers. JAILED: Mohammed Imran Ali drove Dale Cregan to a 'safe house' One-eyed Cregan evaded a huge manhunt and, while on the run, murdered two policewomen in Manchester in a horrifying gun and grenade ambush 'It's mind boggling that this person appears to have had any role in Arooj Shah's campaign. 'Angela Rayner and Jim McMahon should explain exactly what they know about this individual's role with the Labour Party in Oldham and why the council leader continues to associate with him.' Ali drove gangster Cregan and two others from Manchester to Leeds after Cregan, 39, shot David Short dead in August 2012. Cregan had shot Short's son Mark dead at a pub in Droylsden, Tameside, three months earlier. A month after killing David Short, Cregan lured PC Fiona Bone, 32, and PC Nicola Hughes, 23, to a home in Tameside with a bogus 999 call before murdering them in a sickening gun and grenade attack. Ali appeared alongside Cregan in the dock and was jailed for seven years for assisting an offender. He was freed in 2016 but recalled to prison in 2018 after breaching the terms of his early release licence. At his trial, Ali admitted serving sentences behind bars totalling 16 years, starting with three months for assault at 15. Sentences followed for trafficking drugs including heroin and cocaine. He was also convicted of assault after hitting a 59-year-old man with a two-foot plank outside a pub. In an emotional town hall speech three years ago, Ms Shah addressed her association with Ali, who she has known since age 11. She said she knew her friendships and relationships would be 'difficult for some people to accept' but added she could not 'pretend they don't exist and certainly I can't turn my back on people I've known since childhood'. She said she would never condone Ali's actions, added: 'I do not disown people for political convenience nor do I to advance my political career.' A Labour source said Ms Shah did not invite Ali to the election count and that he is not a member of the party, or formally affiliated with it. Ms Shah last night declined to comment. The dark web is the notorious 'hidden' side of the internet - hosting websites that cannot be found on Google and can only be accessed via special browsers. Identities and locations of darknet users stay anonymous and cannot be tracked due to layered encryption systems, making it a hotbed for criminals. Last month the Department of Justice busted a major fraud network that sold access to over 80 million account access credentials, including usernames and passwords. Many former and current hackers have shared horror stories about what they've found on the dark web in recent years. So this week, DailyMail.com decided to log on and see what is lurking on the darknet and the results were shocking. Hitman marketplaces selling murder-for-hire: 'Hitman' websites had alleged killers offering to murder people for as little as $5,000, with one website describing itself as the 'most reputable' hitman website on the dark web Other marketplaces sell meth in wholesale quantities. 'The dark web is part of the internet which is accessible through software such as Tor, or The Onion Router,' said Bischoff Unlike the worldwide web, there are no publicly available links and you must know exactly where you are going. So DailyMail.com recruited the help of a cyber security expert, Paul Bischoff, from the company Comparitech. I first had to install Tor - short for The Onion Router - to my computer. Tor is a seething matrix of encrypted websites that allows users to surf beneath the everyday internet with complete anonymity. From there, I went to a 'clear web' version of a popular 'listings' site for the dark web, which lists many of the illegal markets and sites available - and then to the dark web version of that site. I could follow links to other dark web markets and listings sites from there. Many markets have high levels of computer security, such as generating a password you can't then reset. Browsing the dark web is a slightly nerve-wracking experience due to the abundance of highly unpleasant material on it - although generally speaking, the drug markets tend to shun more severe criminal material such as human trafficking. Within minutes we accessed sites openly selling thousands of stolen credit cards, hard drugs, 'hacker services' that will plant child abuse material on people's computers to 'ruin their lives'. We also accessed 'hitman' websites where alleged killers offered 'worldwide services' to murder people for as little as $5,000. One website described itself as the 'most reputable' hitman website on the dark web (it's worth noting, however, that there have not been any cases where it's been proven that a murderer was contracted via one of these sites). A step-by-step guide to fraud: The dark web sells guides on how to commit cybercrimes Fake ID is freely on sale: Visitors of the dark web appear to have access to sites that sell fake identification cards for any US state Stolen PayPal accounts for sale in bulk, which has led to many recent cybercrimes. Bischoff said that while organizations, including the CIA have a presence on the dark web - as do some news organizations - he believes 'most' users use the hidden layer for illegal purposes Hard drugs are freely on sale for cryptocurrency: DailyMail.com accessed sites openly selling hard drugs that can be bought with cryptocurrency On the dark web, 'most' sites are a scam, and you can't believe anything you see, Bischoff warned - and if you find links on the 'clear' internet, they often guide you straight into the hands of scammers. Bischoff suggested a popular listing site as a jumping-off point for looking at dark web sites - which have a suffix .onion instead of .com and are not accessible through normal web browsers. Bischoff said that while organizations, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have a presence on the dark web - as do some news organizations - he believes 'most' users use the hidden layer for illegal purposes. According to Cision, some estimates suggest that between two percent and five percent of global GDP is laundered via the dark web. Several platforms offer access to the dark web, including i2p, FreeNet and Tor. One study estimated that there are around 2.6 million Tor daily users. Peter Scully (left) is spending life in prison for abuse videos involving the torture of toddlers he released on the dark web. Josh Duggar allegedly downloaded a video made by Scully that shows an 18-month-old being tortured and is now spending more than 12 years in jail Sites allegedly offering contract killings are also rife on the third layer of the internet, with dark web drug dealer Ross Ulbricht (pictured) - currently serving life without parole - having allegedly solicited assassins for $730,000 in cryptocurrency 'Somebody basically has to give you an invitation,' Bischoff said. 'They have to give you a specific address. You use the Tor browser to put in that address, and then go to that website.' 'When you access that site, there's no way to tell who owns and runs the website and there's no way for the website operator to figure out who you are.' I was able to browse through markets that had page after page of illegal drugs freely on sale. Others offered hacked accounts, bank accounts and 'fraud kits', which offered guides to how to steal online. What's unsettling is how professional much of it seems - it's as glossy and glitzy as the website for a furniture store or a High Street retailer, but what's on sale is heroin, meth, and the proceeds of cybercrime. Notorious cases involving the dark web include Peter Scully, an Australian national jailed for life, plus another 129 years, in the Philippines for abuse videos involving the torture of toddlers, which were available on a pay-per-view basis on Tor sites. Scully released 'Daisy's Destruction' on the dark web in 2012. The vile one-hour-long footage shows an 18-month-old being sexually assaulted by three adults. The footage was part of a case against Josh Duggar, a former reality TV personality from TLC's '19 Kid's and Counting,' in 2021 over child porn allegations. James Fottrell, Director of the FBI's High Tech Investigation Unit, used a series of screengrabs showing how Duggar, 33, had allegedly created a secret domain where he could access the dark web to hunt for files marked 'Jailbait,' 'Pedo Mom' and 'Daisy's Destruction.' Duggar, convicted on child pornography charges in 2021, was sentenced to 12 years and eight months. Trawling through darkweb markets and listings sites, there are pages of hackers offering their services for hire, as well as the 'fruits' of cybercrime - stolen cards, stolen accounts, stolen PayPal logins. Are the hackers who offer their services real - or will they just steal your money? It's very hard to tell on the dark web. It's common for hackers to offer highly unpleasant services such as 'destroying someone's life' or DDOS attacks (distributed denial of service) attacks which could, in theory, put a business's website offline for weeks. Chillingly, all of these services are on offer for just a few hundred dollars. Hackers also offer their services to attack websites and blackmail people Sites allegedly offering contract killings are also rife on the third layer of the internet, with dark web drug dealer Ross Ulbricht - currently serving life without parole - having allegedly solicited assassins for $730,000 in cryptocurrency. I was a hacker for 30 years - here's the scariest things I saw on the dark web The source, who has spoken anonymously, explained how hackers use ransomware to steal data for large payouts or 'to just see the world burn' and explained that any system connected to the web is at risk of an attack. Advertisement There's many sites - some convincing, some less so, but what's slightly scary is that there are forum users and posters who clearly want them to be real, and are offering Bitcoin in exchange for crimes. Tor has been lauded by internet freedom advocates - and is financed by US federal agencies, as well as private donors and other agencies. The browser has offered a way for bloggers in countries such as Egypt to get around internet censorship, the Tor project points out. Tor works using a network of thousands of 'nodes' which bounce encrypted data around, meaning that it is difficult to see the data or who a user is. 'It makes you completely untraceable. It's almost impossible for anyone to trace your connections to the Tor network back to your computer, which makes it so powerful,' Bischoff said. Some commercial companies have a presence on the dark web for legitimate reasons relating to privacy. For example, VPN companies allow users to pay for a VPN using Bitcoin, so they don't have to share personal details. Bischoff said that organizations like Wikileaks also 'have a good reason' to be on the dark web, with people able to dump documents anonymously. Much of the dark web is taken up with illegal markets, Bischoff said - the 'lighter' end of which deals in drugs such as heroin and meth, stolen credit card and bank account details and even guides on committing fraud. I explored several of the most famous current markets - all the names were unfamiliar, as these markets tend to last for months or years, get busted by police, then disappear. But no sooner than they are gone, new markets reappear, and the same dealers flock to them offering extremely high-purity drugs. On some, there are reviews, much like on Amazon - and there are whole forums of posters discussing where to get the 'best' drugs. Drug dealers boast of the purity of their products - and their fast shipping times. Bank accounts on sale: 'Criminals also openly sell stolen data on dark web sites,' said Bischoff 'Others offer violent services such as hitmen - or human trafficking, which is among the worst things on there,' said Bischoff. These markets only take payments in cryptocurrency because it's more difficult to trace users than via credit cards. On every market I visited, Bitcoin seemed to be the currency of choice, with other cryptocurrencies also used. To look at, it's much like normal online shopping - except everything on sale is illegal. 'The thing that ties it all together is cryptocurrency because nothing really works without cryptocurrency,' Bischoff said. 'Criminals also openly sell stolen data on dark web sites. 'There are forums which are just like Reddit forums, where people go and post, 'Here's a bunch of data, here's a sample, and if you want to buy it, here's my information.' Michelle Collins is reportedly returning to EastEnders 25 years after her character was killed off. The 60-year-old actress starred as Cindy Beale on the BBC soap opera from 1988 until 1998 and is reportedly due to make a return to screens. She will reportedly be joined by her on-screen husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), who is also heading back to the soap after a two-year break. Michelle will make her return even though her character was said to have died in childbirth off-screen whilst serving time in prison for attempted murder. A source told The Sun: 'This has been done so secretively but it's going to be an absolute bombshell an unbelievable twist. Ian and Cindy are one of the most memorable couples in soap history. Comeback: Ian and Cindy Beale will be seen trying to sell food on a farmers' market stall in France when the characters make a return to EastEnders this summer, according to reports (Michelle Collins pictured in 1989 as her character Cindy Beale alongside Adam Woodyatt, who played Ian Beale) Comeback: Actress Michelle, 60, starred as Cindy on the BBC soap opera from 1988 until 1998 and is reportedly due to make a return to screens (pictured this month) 'But Cindy has been dead for 25 years and nobody will see this coming. 'The biggest surprise is that Michelle has so often said there's no chance she'd come back.' Ian and Cindy will be seen trying to sell food on a farmers' market stall when the characters make a comeback to EastEnders this summer. A source told The Sun: 'Bosses wanted to deliver a backstory which explains where theyve both been all these years.' It is claimed that in scenes set to air this summer, Cindy will be seen arriving in a Citroen van while Ian uses a translation app on his phone to speak to the locals. However, apparently the pair will be snubbed by the locals and Ian begins pining for Walford and its market on Bridge Street. The source added: 'Its not entirely clear how or when they got back together, or how they ended up in France but they seem to be a couple again. 'Its a clever and funny twist to have them continuing their catering work and working on stalls, just like they did on Albert Square.' But EastEnders are far from the first soap to pull a surprise resurrection over the years. MailOnline takes a look at the most dramatic returns from the grave we've seen on our screens. 'DIRTY' DEN WATTS - EASTENDERS Dramatic: Dirty Den's return to EastEnders after his presumed death was one of the most shocking storylines on the show Dirty Den's return to EastEnders after his presumed death was one of the most shocking storylines on the show. Played by Leslie Grantham, Den was thought to have been shot and drowned in a canal by a gang member in 1989. His daughter Sharon Watts identified what she thought was her father's body, but it was in fact the gang member who'd had his teeth removed and Den's signet ring planted on him. It was eventually discovered by Den's son Dennis Rickman, that Den had survived and was secretly living in Spain. Fourteen years after his supposed death, the villain returned and surprised Sharon with the iconic line: 'Hello, princess.' He was finally killed off for good, when he was murdered by his ex-wife Chrissie Watts. KAT SLATER - EASTENDERS Shocking: Jessie Wallace's character Kat Slater was declared dead in 2018 by Big Mo after being thrown from a boat and hitting a propeller Jessie Wallace's character Kat Slater was declared dead in 2018 by Big Mo. She was last seen getting thrown from a boat and hitting a propeller before landing in the water on her spinoff show Kat & Alfie: Redwater. Her family threw a party in her honour to raise money for her funeral, when in a shocking twist Kat appeared at the bash. It was revealed she had been living in Spain with Alfie and their children and Mo had lied to get money to help her financial issues. Unsurprisingly Kat's unexpected appearance at the party led to a huge bar fight in the Queen Vic. WARREN FOX - HOLLYOAKS Fiery end: Warren Fox, played by Jamie Lomas, appeared to die dramatically after being tied up in a burning nightclub Warren Fox, played by Jamie Lomas, appeared to die dramatically after being tied up in a burning nightclub. He managed to free himself and jumped into the cellar, breaking his ankle and appearing to be crushed by a falling mirror. However, a year later it was revealed he had succeeded in escaping and a flashback revealed the mirror had missed him. Warren then stabbed Dale Greer to death before changing into his clothes and dumping the body. At the time, actor Jamie said: 'I was a bit worried at first, wondering whether it was going to be believable, but the story that they've come up with is fantastic and it's something that I'm really proud I could be a part of.' KIM TATE - EMMERDALE Repeat offender: Claire King's villain Kim Tate not only successfully faked her own death once, but twice, on Emmerdale Claire King's villain Kim Tate not only successfully faked her own death once, but twice, on Emmerdale. In 1997, she hired a lookalike sex worker to drive around the village and then drive Kim's car off a quarry into the water, escaping just in time. During the time Kim was hiding on holiday in the Caribbean. But the plan went wrong when the woman got stuck in the car and drowned for real. Kim's car was found by Andy Hopwood with the body presumed to be Kim - with many village residents convinced her husband Frank Tate had killed her. Kim then returned months later, shocking Frank so badly that he suffered a heart attack and died while she watched. Then in 2021, Kim once again faked her own death to exact revenge on her son Jamie for secretly poisoning her. She was seen being taken away by an ambulance before stepping out and saying: 'I'm going to watch him celebrate my "death", and then I'm going to come back, and I'm going to destroy him.' HAROLD BISHOP - NEIGHBOURS Resurrection: Harold Bishop was played by Ian Smith and has come back from death twice on Neighbours Harold Bishop was played by Ian Smith and has come back from death twice on Neighbours. In 1991, he was out walking with his wife Madge on the coast when he was swept out to sea. He was presumed dead but his body was never recovered, with Madge only able to find his iconic glasses. Five years later however, Harold returned to the soap, but suffering from amnesia and calling himself Ted. He eventually recovered but then in 2008 his heart stopped, after he refused treatment for his prostate cancer and suffered a heart attack. However, doctor Karl Kennedy went against Harold's wishes to resuscitate him and brought him back a second time. KATHY BEALE - EASTENDERS New life: Ian Beale's mum Kathy Beale, played by Gillian Taylforth, left the Square in 2000 to go to South Africa Ian Beale's mum Kathy Beale, played by Gillian Taylforth, left the Square in 2000 to go to South Africa. However, it was then announced that she'd been killed off screen in a car crash in 2006. But it was then revealed that Kathy had in fact faked her own death to get the insurance money, inspired by the famous real life tale of 'canoe man' John Darwin. It emerged she had been bullied into the scheme by her abusive husband Gavin Sullivan and was eventually convinced to scape and return home by Phil Mitchell. MERCEDES MCQUEEN - HOLLYOAKS Fake demise: Hollyoaks' Mercedes McQueen, played by Jennifer Metcalfe, appeared to meet a sticky end in November 2014 Hollyoaks' Mercedes McQueen, played by Jennifer Metcalfe, appeared to meet a sticky end in November 2014. She was repeatedly stabbed by gangster Grace Black and her seemingly lifeless corpse was dragged out of the house. But in February 2015, she was revealed to be alive and living in a luxury villa on the French Riviera. It emerged her 'death' had been a revenge plan, with Mercedes agreeing to help Grace frame Freddie Roscoe for her murder. After the episode aired, Jennifer tweeted: 'It's good to be back.' 'NASTY' NICK COTTON - EASTENDERS Fake: Nick Cotton was announced dead in 2014, seemingly from a drug overdose, leaving his mother Dot devastated Nick Cotton was announced dead in 2014, seemingly from a drug overdose, leaving his mother Dot devastated. But he soon returned later that year and was straight back to his villainous ways, attempting to extort money from his son Charlie, and cutting the brakes on Ronnie Mitchell's car leading her to crash her car while in labour. Dot hid Nick in an unused house and even helped get him heroin, but was shocked when Nick showed zero compassion for Ronnie, who was in a coma. Nick then suffered a real drug overdose and Dot found him unconscious, before he briefly woke to confess to her he murdered Reg Cox back in 1985. Dot refused to call for medical assistance for her abusive son and held him as he died. She later confessed to killing Nick by letting him die, and she served four months in jail for his manslaughter. GARY WINDASS - CORONATION STREET Back again: Gary Windass, played by Mikey North, was announced to have tragically died in a car explosion in Ukraine in 2017 Gary Windass, played by Mikey North, was announced to have tragically died in a car explosion in Ukraine in 2017. His girlfriend Sarah Platt was left devastated after being told by police there were no survivors and finding the St Christopher necklace she gave him in the wreckage. But months later, he quietly returned with Sarah and Bethany finding him sitting on the sofa at home, offering them a cuppa. However, Gary's return was tainted when Sarah discovered he had cheated on her and got another woman pregnant while she believed him dead. PAT PHELAN - CORONATION STREET Villain: Evil builder Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre, terrorised the residents of Coronation Street for years until 2018 Evil builder Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre, terrorised the residents of Coronation Street for years until 2018. His partner Eileen Grimshaw finally discovered his crimes and confronted him by the sea where he confessed to killing four people. He then slipped over he edge of a cliff and was left dangling over the edge, before Eileen stamped on his fingers, causing him to plunge into the water. However, he soon returned alive, being tended to by a little Irish woman after using a false intensity to cross the Irish Sea. In June of that year, he was finally killed for real after Anna Windass stabbed him to death. Patrick Whiteshell had his heart broken by Lauren Sanchez when she ran off with one of the wealthiest men in the world, Jeff Bezos. But the multi-millionaire Hollywood agent ultimately got the last laugh after finding love with Australian bombshell, Pia Whitesell. Patrick, 58, and Pia, who is 18 years her husband's junior, secretly tied the knot in 2021 after going public with their relationship two years prior. While they've remained pretty tight-lipped about their relationship, the pair have been inseparable - with the stunning actress regularly posting sweet and wholesome content with her beau on Instagram. Pia is a household name in Australia. The model-turned-actress is best known for her stint on the long-running soap Home and Away, playing Senior Constable Katarina Chapman on the show from 2015 to the 2018 season finale. Patrick Whiteshell (left) had his heart broken by Lauren Sanchez after she'd had an affair with Jeff Bezos. But the multi-millionaire Hollywood agent ultimately got the last laugh after finding love with Australian bombshell Pia Whitesell (right) But Pia's love life hasn't always been a fairytale - the mother of two previously went through a highly publicised divorce from footy hero Brad Miller, which was soon followed by a failed engagement to a Sydney businessman. Before she became a household name in Australia, Pia was a teenage mother who welcomed her first son at the tender age of 19. In 2003, she gave birth to her eldest son, Isaiah. In 2005, she met AFL legend Brad, the man who became her first husband. The pair appeared to have a happy life together, with Pia giving birth to their son Lennox in October 2006. She married the retired Richmond player the following year. Patrick, 58, and Pia, who is 18 years her husband's junior, secretly tied the knot in 2021 after going public with their relationship two years prior While they've remained pretty tight-lipped about their relationship, the pair have been inseparable ever since - as regularly posts wholesome content with her beau on Instagram However, the couple sadly announced their split in 2015 after 10 years together - the break-up blamed on their hectic work schedules. Shortly after their split, Pia was linked to film producer and businessman Tyson Mullane. They announced their romance on Valentine's Day in 2016. In November 2017, Pia confirmed their engagement in a gushing Instagram post, but the lovebirds never made it down the aisle. While neither confirmed the end of their engagement, they both quietly unfollowed each other on social media, and Pia was spotted without her ring in April 2019. Miller is seen on the set of Australian soap opera Home and Away in April 2016 Miller was married to retired AFL player Brad Miller (left) between 2007 and 2015. She called off her relationship with Tyson Mullane Later that year, she met the man of her dreams and now-husband, Patrick. The pair their public debut at a Halloween party in LA in October 2019. Pia and Patrick tied the knot in 2021 at an undisclosed location in either the US or Mexico. They appear to have celebrated her honeymoon with Patrick in Cabo, Mexico, in March. Her engagement ring alone - a solitaire oval diamond sparkler - is estimated to be worth between US$800,000 (AU$1.10million) and US$1.4million (AU$1.9million). They made their first public appearance as a couple at Casamigos Halloween Party (left) on October 25 at a private residence in Beverly Hills. However they took it to the red carpet at the Ford v Ferrari film premiere on Monday (right) a film starring Matt Damon Lauren Sanchez, 49, filed for divorce from Patrick in April. She's pictured with her new boyfriend Jeff Bezos in July at Wimbledon Patrick is considered one of Hollywood's most influential celebrity agents, representing the likes of Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, Matt Damon, Michelle Williams, Idris Elba, Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, John Krasinski, Jude Law, Ryan Reynolds, and Denzel Washington. The handsome businessman acts as the Executive Chairman of Endeavour talent agency and owns a stake in the company worth around US$480million (approx. $735million). Pia has well and truly healed Patrick's broken heart after his ex-wife Lauren, 53, left him for Bezos in one of the biggest scandals of 2019. Patrick's 14-year marriage came to an end when it was revealed in January 2019 that Sanchez and the former Amazon boss were having an affair. While it's unclear when exactly they started dating, Sanchez and Bezos' romance was first exposed by the National Enquirer in January 2019, while they were both married to their now-exes. Pia is a household name in Australia and is currently based in the US with Patrick and her two sons from previous relationships Soon after it came to light, the billionaire businessman divorced his wife-of-over-25-years and the mother of his four children, Mackenzie Scott, while Sanchez left her then-husband, Patrick. At the time, the bombshell report from the Enquirer claimed that Sanchez and Bezos had been involved in an eight-month affair, which involved him 'whisking his mistress off to exotic destinations on his $65 million private jet, sending her raunchy messages and erotic selfies, and having secret rendezvous at palatial private estates.' The outlet said that it had tracked them 'across five states and 40,000 miles, tailing them in private jets, swanky limos, helicopter rides, romantic hikes, five-star hotel hideaways, intimate dinner dates and "quality time" in hidden love nests.' As for how Bezos, 59, and Sanchez met, it was said that it was Sanchez's husband Patrick who was the first to introduce the two at an Amazon studios party for the movie Manchester By the Sea in 2016. Her production team was then hired to film footage for Bezos's rocket company, Blue Origin, in 2018. Patrick and his now-ex pose with Bezos at Matt Damon's Manchester By The Sea Holiday Party on December 3, 2016 in Los Angeles 'Patrick and Lauren have socialized with Jeff Bezos and his wife for a few years, because both [now former] couples have houses in Seattle,' a source told Page Six after their affair was first brought to light. 'Then Lauren was hired to work on one of Jeff's projects, Blue Origin, a space-launch company. She has been shooting aerial shots for Jeff.' Sanchez previously revealed to Wall Street Journal that her and Bezos connected over their shared love of flying. She got her helicopter pilot's license in 2016, and once called being in the air her 'calling,' while Jeff is in the process of getting his own pilot's license. DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Bezos popped the question to his Emmy Award winning journalist girlfriend on board his $500million superyacht earlier this week DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Bezos popped the question to his Emmy Award winning journalist girlfriend on board his $500million superyacht earlier this week. The couple was seen kissing and canoodling on board 'Koru' across the weekend, while Sanchez struggled to conceal the rock the size of a Balearic Island that glinted on her ring finger - sparkling proof that she said, 'Yes.' The newly minted fiancees were pictured off the coast of Cannes, where they are enjoying a Mediterranean odyssey and the inaugural voyage of Bezos's half a billion-dollar superyacht. The pair flew into Europe by private jet and were first seen on the deck of the superyacht last weekend. Chilean-born Pia is pictured with her two children from a previous relationship The sky's the limit for ABC investigative journalist Grace Tobin. The notoriously private Four Corners reporter enjoyed a rare moment in the mainstream spotlight this week when her unconventional wedding dress went viral. As her public profile grows, industry insiders believe the Walkley Award winner will soon move up the ranks at the public broadcaster - which is currently in the midst of a PR disaster following Stan Grant's exit from Q+A, citing relentless abuse on Twitter. Grace, who tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend Tom in Brisbane last weekend, sparked a fashion frenzy when she walked down the aisle in thigh-skimming frock. The flirty satin number featured puffy ruffled shoulders, a tasteful neckline that exposed her decolletage, and a short A-line skirt that cinched in at the waist. The sky's the limit for ABC investigative journalist Grace Tobin, who went viral last week for her thigh-skimming wedding dress (pictured) while marrying boyfriend Tom in Brisbane The investigative journalist (center) is a rising star at ABC and already boasts two Walkley Awards After Channel Nine presenter Sylvia Jeffreys, who was a guest at the wedding, posted photos of the nuptials on Instagram, fans demanded to know where they could get the dress for themselves. 'Beautiful! Would you mind sharing where your dress is from?' one asked. 'You look absolutely stunning, Grace!' another wrote, while a third fan begged: 'Please let me know where your dress is from!' 'Your dress is stunning, what brand please?!' one commented. At the wedding, Grace stood alongside Sylvia Jeffreys, and pals Katie Buxton, Charlotte Dunn, and Jill McCormick. All pictured Before joining the ABC, Grace worked as a crime reporter in Queensland before joining Channel Nine as a producer on 60 Minutes. In 2017, she won a Walkley Award for the 60 Minutes story on Matthew Leveson's death. The following year, she published a book about the crime called, 'Deal with the Devil: The death of Matthew Leveson and the ten-year search for the truth'. Tobin won her second Walkley award in 2019 for an expose on Crown Resorts. Before joining the ABC, Grace worked as a crime reporter in Queensland before joining Channel Nine as a producer on 60 Minutes The ABC is currently in need of some fresh faces after some of its biggest stars either jumped ship or had their shows cancelled. Radio personality Fran Kelly's talk show Frankly was just axed after one season, while comedian Shaun Micallef recently walked away from his satirical series Mad As Hell after fifteen seasons. However, the network's most notable departure - albeit a temporary one - has been Q+A host Stan Grant. Grant revealed last Friday he was stepping away from hosting the ABC's flagship political panel program after just ten months in the role, citing racial abuse. The 59-year-old said he was subjected to 'relentless racial filth' and accused the ABC of 'institutional failure' after no one in senior management offered him support. The glamorous reporter also boasts a Kennedy award The ABC is currently in need of some fresh faces after some of its biggest stars either jumped ship or had their shows cancelled. (Pictured: ABC headquarters in Ultimo) RN Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas has been tipped as the frontrunner to be the new host of Q+A as Grant prepares to leave the role. The sudden exit has left ABC officials scrambling to find an interim host with a week's notice. As Grant considers his future, it's understood Karvelas could be the initial replacement for a minimum of two episodes from May 29, reports The Australian. Radio personality Fran Kelly's talk show Frankly was just axed after one season. Fran is pictured Stan Grant revealed last Friday he was stepping away from hosting the ABC's flagship political panel program after just ten months in the role, citing racial abuse ABC Radio Melbourne host Virginia Trioli's name has also been thrown around, having previously worked as an interim host in 2021 following Hamish Macdonald's shock switch to Network Ten. However, Trioli isn't considered a long-term replacement due to ongoing 'family issues', which saw her take time off earlier this year. Insiders host David Speers is unlikely to be considered, despite being in the role previously as a rotating host. 'The circumstances which saw Grant's Indigenous heritage become part of the online vitriol directed towards him mean that Speers, as a white male, is unlikely to be considered for the role even on an interim basis,' journalist Nick Tabakoff writes. An inspiring, real-life story about a couple who had a pivotal role in helping Anne Frank hide from the Nazis has received a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Dutch couple Miep and Jan Gies helped the young German diarist and her Jewish family hide during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam. Now, their story has been re-told as a National Geographic Disney+ limited series starring British actors Bel Powley andJoe Cole as Miep and Jan Gies. While Anne Frank's tragic story is world famous, epitomising the terror of Hitler's genocidal regime, less is known about the experience of the heroic Gies while they risked their own lives by hiding the Franks. The eight-episode series titled A Small Light, tells Anne Frank's story from 'the other side of the bookcase'. The synopsis, as per Disney+, reads: 'While millions are familiar with Anne Frank's diary and her family's life in the Secret Annex, A Small Light is the lesser-known story' While the world has been told of the Franks' lives in the Amsterdam attic, this is the first time dramatisation of what the ordeal was like for Miep and Jan Gies who secretly housed them Filmed on location in Amsterdam and Prague, the series - created by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan - has already achieved a 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes The synopsis, as per Disney+, reads: 'Based on a true story, A Small Light follows Miep Gies, a young, carefree secretrary who hid Otto Frank and his family from the Nazis in WWII. 'For nearly two years, Miep and her husband Jan protected the Franks and others while she held down a day job, kept her marriage intact and shouldered more responsibility than anyone could imagine. 'While millions are familiar with Anne Frank's diary and her family's life in the Secret Annex, A Small Light is the lesser-known story of how an ordinary secretary showed extraordinary courage during one of the darkest moments in history.' Anne had to go into hiding with her parents and sister when the Nazi anti-Jewish measures in the Netherlands made it too dangerous to stay in their own home. Though her writings survived, Anne Fank died of typhus fever at the age of 15. Though Anne had never intended for her diary to be published, she did write in her diary that she planned to write a book about her experiences Jan Gies and Miep Gies in Amsterdam, the couple helped Anne Frank and her family during their years in hiding in Amsterdam during the Second World War And, thanks to the help of Miep Gies - known as the woman who saved Anne Frank's world famous diary - the Frank family went into hiding in the annex of a building at Prinsengracht 263, Amsterdam. In addition to provisioning the 'Secret Annex' for more than two years, Miep and Jan Gies hid another Jew in their own apartment. The family lived there, mainly on the second and third floor. The only way to enter the hiding place was through the secret entrance. The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Thanks to the help of Miep Gies on 6 July 1942, the Frank family went into hiding in annex of a building at Prinsengracht 263 Staircase in the rear of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. The only way to enter the hiding place was through the secret entrance The attic of the Anne Frank House. Anne had to go into hiding with her parents and sister, as the Nazi anti-Jewish measures in the Netherlands made it too dangerous for them to stay in their own home The Frank family at the Merwedeplein in Amsterdam, 1941. The Franks Amsterdam hiding place was raided by the Nazis and Dutch police in 1944 Circa 1940: Nazi troops and armoured divisions driving along a main street in Amsterdam, on a route from Central Station past the Queen's Palace But on August 4, 1944, the Franks Amsterdam hiding place was raided by the Nazis and Dutch police. Of the eight Jews in hiding, only Otto Frank returned from the Holocaust. Shortly after Anne's father returned to Amsterdam from Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Gies presented him with a stack of his daughters writings - including her diary and short stories. Though Anne had never intended for her diary to be published, she did write in her diary that she planned to write a book about her experiences. And while her writings survived, Anne died of typhus fever at the age of 15. Filmed on location in Amsterdam and Prague, the Disney+ series - created by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan - has already achieved a 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. This is despite the first episode only being released at the start of the month, on May 1. It also received a score of 8.2/10 on imdb. Viewers have flocked to social media to praised the creators and directors for the well-written and informative series. The first episode was only released at the start of the month, on May 1 Disney+ shared their thoughts on A Small Light, as they praised the creators for the 'fantastic' and 'well made' miniseries One user wrote on Twitter: 'Nat Geo/Disney/Hulu show A small Light is such a beautiful told story. I mean we know the ending but Im still *crying emoji*.' Another person said: 'A Small Light, the Miep Gies story on Disney is so good everyone should watch. So interesting to see the Anne Frank story from a different perspective outside of the annex.' And a third wrote: 'Highly recommend A Small Light on Disney about Miep Gies and others who helped Otto Frank and his family including of course Anne Frank.' One more person put: 'A small light on Disney plus is sooo good!!!' While another said: ''This show is fantastic!' And a sixth Twitter user commented: ''A small light'... series on Disney+ So very well made, it kicks hard in the feels!' A Small Light is available to watch on Disney+, National Geographic, Hulu and ESPN+. Ariana Madix is turning her heartache into cold hard cash. After her longtime boyfriend Tom Sandoval cheated on her with her close friend and Vanderpump Rules co-star Raquel Leviss, the former barmaid has wasted no time using the affair to build her personal brand and increase her bank balance. In addition to endorsement deals and six-figure merchandise sales, the 37-year-old has TV offers, a movie role, public appearances, and an invitation to the White House. In one outrageous move, she was even paid to stage paparazzi photos to promote a finance company. Daily Mail reached out to branding experts and PR gurus in the influencer and reality TV space, who estimated that the savvy starlet could potentially walk away with well over $1million by the end of the year thanks to her split from Tom. EXCLUSIVE: Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix (pictured) could rake in up to $1million by the end of the year off the back of her cheating scandal Business and PR experts tell the Daily Mail that Ariana (left) will do 'very well' with endorsement deals and opportunities after her boyfriend Tom Sandoval (right) cheated on her Sandoval (left) cheated on Ariana with her close friend and Vanderpump Rules co-star Raquel Leviss (right), with the pair carrying on a shocking months-long affair behind her back 'Ariana is hot in the news and everyone wants to see her do good,' said Gina Rodriquez, whose PR and production company Gitoni works with reality stars including Mama June, Scott Disick, and Nene Leakes. 'Typically, a cheating scandal can generate quite a bit of income, especially if you're not the cheater,' she continued, adding that Ariana is probably doing 'very well' thanks to the increased media exposure and public support the affair has generated. Ariana has already gained an extra 500,000 followers on Instagram in the last two months, and brands are now beating down the her door with offers for the star to sell everything from vibrators to fried chicken to her insatiable fans. Her first post-Scandoval deal was an Instagram giveaway with sex toy company Bellesa Boutique, which could have netted her a cool $25,000. Brands have been throwing money at Madix to sell everything from vibrators to beverages and fried chicken on social media The 37-year-old is pictured enjoying a cool refreshing bottle of Joyburst in a sponsored Instagram ad From there, the bankable beauty landed more social media sponsorship deals with Uber Eats and Joyburst, which may have earned her at least $20,000 each. A deal with Bloomingdales, which saw Ariana treated to a sponsored shopping spree in the department store, is estimated at around $25,000 on top of another $10,000 in free designer clothes. According to Diana Abousleiman, who is the director of the brand development and marketing firm DABC Limited, Ariana's fees for sponsored posts would have skyrocketed following Tom's affair. 'Ariana's Instagram fee before the scandal was probably between $10,000-$20,000 a post,' Diana told Daily Mail. 'Now that she is in the spotlight and really has the public's support, her engagement and influence have gone up, as will her fees and other potentially more lucrative opportunities.' 'Typically, a cheating scandal can generate quite a bit of income, especially if you're not the cheater,' PR guru Gina Rodriquez told Daily Mail when asked about Ariana's earning potential Ariana is estimated to have earned some serious cash for her commercials with BIC razors and an Uber One ad she filmed alongside Vanderpump Rules co-stars Lala Kent and Scheana Shay. Since each commercial was professionally filmed and referenced her cheating scandal, Diana believes that they may have earned Madix around $50,000 a piece. But one of her biggest pay cheques most likely came from her deal with SoFi, which was so elaborate that the blonde staged photos of herself 'moving out' of her shared home with Tom while donning a very unsubtle SoFi sweatshirt. After pretending to leave the Valley Village home which she and Tom paid $2.075million for back in 2019 Ariana revealed it was just a sponcon deal for the finance company. 'I'm moving UP, not out,' she declared on Instagram. 'Well not yet at least. It's time to get my financial house in order.' She then dropped a full commercial for SoFi on Instagram with a man named 'Dr. Money', who declared he was 'Team Ariana' as they both plugged the personal financing company. SoFi later admitted to People magazine that Ariana's move was a 'stunt', while the blonde's rep confirmed that she was still living with Sandoval. For the deal, industry experts predict that the reality star may have walked away with as much as $100,000. Ariana shocked fans when she staged photos of herself moving out of her shared home with Sandoval as part of a sponsorship deal with personal finance company SoFi She later dropped a commercial for SoFi on Instagram with a man named 'Dr. Money', who declared he was 'Team Ariana' as they both plugged the personal financing company The former bartender, who was once an aspiring comedian, has also landed her first major acting role. She will play a police officer alongside Meagan Good in the Lifetime movie Buying Back My Daughter - and the gig could earn the budding thespian around $65,000. On top of that, Ariana is rumoured to be a contestant on the next season of Dancing with the Stars, which if true will see the star pocket at least $125,000. If she stays on longer and progresses in the competition, she could walk away with as much as $360,000, says Abousleiman. Outside of film and television gigs, Ariana also has two merchandise lines, including one for the sandwich shop she shares with co-star and business partner Katie Maloney. During the Vanderpump Rules reunion, which was taped on March 23, Maloney told host Andy Cohen that the line had already raked in $200,000. In the two months since the reunion was taped, that figure could have easily doubled or even tripled. While Abousleiman says Ariana will have to split the profits with both Maloney and whatever merchandising company is running the business, the soon-to-be sandwich mogul may still walk away with around six figures. She also has her own separate merch brand called Team Ariana, which is expected to be pulling in similar sales figures. Ariana and Katie Maloney, who have a sandwich shop and a merch line together called Something About Her, claim that the line has raked in over $200,000 so far Madix confirmed the staggering figure at the reunion, which was taped in March. In the two months since it was filmed, the merch sales may have doubled or even tripled Ariana has even started making paid public appearances, with the reality star creating a media circus this week when she signed autographs and 'worked' a shift at a Raising Caine's chicken shop in El Segundo. It's unclear how much she pocketed to shill chicken fingers, but talent manager David Weintraub previously told Cosmopolitan that reality stars from franchises like the Real Housewives and Love & Hip-Hop can earn around $50,000 for appearances. Bravo also hired Madix to present at the NBCU upfronts to help launch the network's revamped Real Housewives of New York City and the next season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. She still has her yearly Vanderpump Rules salary too, which is around $500,000 per season according to various reports. On top of all that, Ariana already has a DIY cocktail line and business is expected to be booming at her and Maloney's West Hollywood sandwich shop, Something About Her. While the bistro isn't due to open for another couple of months, desperate Bravo fans have already started frequenting the premises to film TikTok videos and hopefully catch a glimpse of Madix whipping up a hoagie. Ariana has even started making public appearances, with the star creating a media circus this week when she signed autographs and 'worked' a shift at a Raising Caine's chicken shop The former aspiring comedian still has her yearly Vanderpump Rules salary too, which is around $500,000 per season according to various reports All up, the newly-single star could walk away from the Scandoval with well over $1million by the end of the year. This comes after Ariana made a slew of shocking revelations about her ex-boyfriend Sandoval's affair with Raquel while appearing on the Call Her Daddy podcast on Wednesday. The mixologist sat down with host Alex Cooper and dished about her nine-year-long relationship with the bar owner which ended after his affair with co-star Leviss came to light in March. Speaking of the torrid affair she said: 'They had sex in my guest room while I was sleeping in my own bed, that he and I went to bed together, and then he left the bed and went to the guest room and f****d her.' Ariana already has a DIY cocktail line and business is expected to be booming at her and Maloney's West Hollywood sandwich shop, Something About Her The newly-single star could walk away from the Scandoval with well over $1million by the end of the year Cooper then touched on the fact that the affair took place following the death of Ariana's grandmother. 'When you were grieving your grandmother, isn't that when Tom and Raquel apparently were like at your house, or something, having sex, potentially?' 'Potentially. He has maintained that that's not the case, but I don't trust what he says,' she replied. The blonde also shared that the duo got into couple's therapy while he was in the middle of his affair, which she did not know, and that she isn't really sure how many other women Tom cheated with. Despite her partner's affair, Madix is keeping in high spirits, and had a very confident answer when Alex said that people might be thinking '"You lose him how you got him." 'I didn't lose him, he lost me,' Ariana replied with a smile on her face. $CANDOVAL! Inside Ariana Madix's massive payday Instagram ads - $25,000 per photo post BIC Razors and Uber One commercials - $50,000 each Bloomingdales shopping spree - $35,000 Public appearances - $50,000 SoFi commercial and staged photos - $100,000 Lifetime movie role - $65,000 Merchandise lines - $200,000 Dancing with the Stars - $125,000-$360,000 Vanderpump Rules salary - $500,000 per season All figures are based on industry estimates and are not official Advertisement Kate Winslet cut an effortlessly chic figure on Friday as she and Eva Longoria led the stars at the L'Oreal Light on Women Award during the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival. The actress, 47, looked smart in a sharp white trouser suit which she teamed with a black laser cut top. The Titanic star boosted her height with pointed black heels while accessorising her look with a black clutch, cream watch and dazzling feather-shaped earrings. Finishing off her evening look, Kate added a pop of colour with a bold red lip, while her blonde locks were styled in soft waves. Meanwhile, Eva Longoria amped up the glamour in a plunging off-the-shoulder pink gown. Style: Kate Winslet cut an effortlessly chic figure on Friday as she and Eva Longoria led the stars at the L'Oreal Light on Women Award during the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival Dressed to impress: The actress, 47, looked smart in a sharp white trouser suit which she teamed with a black laser cut top The Desperate Housewives star, 48, showcased plenty of cleavage in the low-cut sparkling dress, which perfectly hugged her curves She rounded off her look with sparkling drop earrings, while her brunette tresses were worn in a sleek style. Elsewhere, Kate was in great spirits as she was seen posing with screen legend Jane Fonda at the event. The actress, 85, echoed Kate's style on the night, opting for for a sequinned white blazer and ivory trousers. Meanwhile, other attendees included Andie MacDowell, who looked radiant in a fuchsia halter neck dress. Kate serves as president and juror for the award, which sees the winner promoted across LOreals social channels and the chance to have their film screened by the brand. In addition, LOreal connects the winners with advertising agencies and producers through other events. While Kate has not taken on the challenge of directing she served as executive producer on Emmy-winning series Mare of Easttown. Glam: The Titanic star boosted her height with pointed black heels while accessorising her look with a black clutch, cream watch and dazzling feather-shaped earrings Gorgeous: Finishing off her evening look, Kate added a pop of colour with a bold red lip, while her blonde locks were styled in soft waves Look who it is: Elsewhere, Kate was in great spirits as she was seen posing with screen legend Jane Fonda at the event Fabulous: The actress, 85, echoed Kate's style on the night, opting for for a sequinned white blazer and ivory trousers Most recently she starred in Channel 4's I Am Ruth alongside her daughter Mia Threapleton, 22. In the TV drama I Am Ruth, Kate portrays concerned mother Ruth, who tries to help her teenage daughter Freya, played by Mia, overcome a mental health crisis after becoming consumed by the pressures of social media. Viewers were quick to praise the pair for their 'powerful' performances in the drama when the show aired in December, which they described as an 'important' portrayal of mental health and social media. Work it: The Desperate Housewives star, 48, showcased plenty of cleavage in the low-cut sparkling dress, which perfectly hugged her curves Here she is: Eva turned plenty of heads in the dazzling pink number Stunner: She rounded off her look with sparkling drop earrings, while her brunette tresses were worn in a sleek style Strike a pose: The star posed for a snap with Mexican actress Renata Notni at the event So pretty: Meanwhile, other attendees included Andie MacDowell, who looked radiant in a fuchsia halter neck dress All smiles: Andie beamed at the camera as she attended the ceremony Flawless: Jane posed up a storm in her sparkling white blazer Show them how it's done: The Hollywood star was radiant as she posed in her glam ensemble You go girl: Jane commanded the black carpet on Friday I Am Ruth follows the success of two previous I Am series, offering distinctive single films exploring the experience of women in moments that are emotionally raw, thought-provoking and personal. It marked the first time that Kate has worked alongside her daughter. Kate won a TV BAFTA for her role and she paid tribute to her daughter i n her rousing speech for Best Actress. Olivia Wilde showed her superstar ex Harry Styles what he was missing during her latest Los Angeles sighting. The 39-year-old actress and director was spotted Friday emerging from a strenuous workout session whose results were on full display. She modeled a set of black flesh-flashing exercise gear that allowed her to showcase her impressively chiseled midriff. Throwing a cream quilted anorak casually over her shoulders, she kept her hair swept out of her eyes in a ponytail. With a water bottle handy, Olivia popped on a sleek pair of black shades as she headed out into an overcast summer afternoon. Off she goes: Olivia Wilde showed her superstar ex Harry Styles what he was missing during her latest Los Angeles sighting Off she goes: The 39-year-old actress and director was spotted Friday emerging from a strenuous workout session whose benefits were on full display Olivia's latest outing comes on the heels of a flurry of rumors that Harry has begun to spend time with former Victoria's Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel. Candice is the seventh Victoria's Secret model he has been linked to over the years, joining a list that includes Cara Delevingne and Kendall Jenner. 'Harry is one of the biggest music superstars in the world so it's not surprising supermodels are lining up to date him,' a source spilled to The Sun. 'He's got history with Victoria's Secret models and has been linked to six others who have all walked in their fashion show.' Harry and Candice first met when he performed at the 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai, where she was part of the bombshell parade on the catwalk. Since Harry and Olivia split in March, he has been linked to a string of boldface names and was even spotted kissing Emily Ratajkowski in Tokyo. 'Olivia and Emily were friends and this is a betrayal,' a source with inside knowledge exclusively informed DailyMail.com. In a subsequent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Emily dismissed the kiss by saying she was not 'not thinking about guys' but 'sometimes things just happen.' Mover and shaker: Throwing a cream quilted anorak casually over her shoulders, she kept her hair swept out of her eyes in a ponytail Looking fab: With a water bottle handy, Olivia popped on a sleek pair of black shades as she headed out into an overcast summer afternoon Sex symbol: Olivia's latest outing comes on the heels of a flurry of rumors that Harry (pictured) has begun to spend time with former Victoria's Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel Throwback: Harry and Candice first met when he performed at the 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai, where she was part of the bombshell parade on the catwalk Harry and Olivia dated for approximately two years before splitting up in March, and during their romance she directed him in the smash hit movie Don't Worry Darling. She has forcefully denied a persistent stream of conjecture that she first took up with Harry while she was still with her ex Jason Sudeikis. 'The complete horses*** idea that I left Jason for Harry is completely inaccurate,' Olivia insisted in Vanity Fair. 'Our relationship was over long before I met Harry.' Jason, with whom Olivia shares her children Otis, eight, and Daisy, six, is locked in a custody battle with her that largely centers on where the little ones will live. Heidi Klum was the picture of elegance when she and her husband Tom Kaulitz attended the amfAR Gala in Cap d'Antibes amid the 76th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on Thursday. One day later and the longtime supermodel-turned television personality decided to enjoy a little downtown and stripped down to just her bikini bottoms for a relaxing day in Cap d'Antibes, which is near the resort town of Antibes, between Cannes and Nice on the French Riviera. Sitting on a lounge chair topless with the beach in the backdrop, Klum seductively looked over her right shoulder while holding a white rose by her nose in a photo she posted on her Instagram page. She had her back towards the camera, while wearing just black bikini bottoms that were close to being a thong design. Her long blonde tresses fell down past the middle of her back, with added volume, while still rocking major bangs in the front. Scroll down to videos Seductive: Heidi Klum, 49, went topless, wearing just skimpy bikini bottoms in a photo of herself relaxing near the beach in Cap dAntibes, France, which is near Cannes and Nice on the French Riviera Klum, who turns 50 on June 1, kept it simple, just writing 'Cap dAntibes' in thew caption. The Bergisch Gladbach, West Germany native would slip her bikini top back on for another photo taken at the same spot by the beach. This time she turned farther to her right, giving a clear view of her ample cleavage as she closed her eyes while smelling the white rose. Earlier on Friday, Klum took to her Instagram page to share some gratitude for reaching a new milestone of fans and followers on her social media platform. 'Wow, I woke up this morning to 11 million followers, and I just wanted to say thank you for being on my journey with me,' she said in a short video, where she used a popular filter that added purple hearts across the screen. 'Thank you for 11 million,' she added in the caption, along with a number of emojis that included smiley faces, party favors and a red heart. The previous night, Klum and Kaulitz made their way to the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes for the amfAR Gala. The event is a fundraiser for the organization founded by the late Dr. Mathilda Krim and Dame Elizabeth Taylor, which has been dedicated to AIDS research since 1985. Hosted by Queen Latifah, the 29th edition of the event brought out a slew of celebrities and high-profile people, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Elsa Hosk, Coco Rocha and Winnie Harlow. Eva Longoria, Fan Bingbing, Rebel Wilson, Alex Pettyfer, James Marsden, Jeremy O. Harris, Joel Kinnaman, Kate Beckinsale, Matt Smith, Odell Beckham Jr, Petra Nemcova, Sadie Frost, Shay Mitchell, Storm Reid and Teyana Taylor, among others. Smelling the roses: The Bergisch Gladbach, West Germany native would slip her bikini top back on for another photo taken at the same spot by the beach Giving thanks: Earlier on Friday, Klum took to her Instagram page to share some gratitude for reaching a new milestone of 11 million fans and followers on her Instagram platform Revealing: The former catwalk queen was still decked out in her black bikini in the video Morning surprise: 'Wow, I woke up this morning to 11 million followers, and I just wanted to say thank you for being on my journey with me,' she said in a short video, where she used a popular filter that added purple hearts across the screen Casually-clad: Over in New York, Heidi's daughter Leni cut a casual figure in jeans and a black jumper Cool: The 19-year-old model teamed the look with a green handbag and black trainers Stepping out: She headed out for a low-key stroll in Soho The evening started with sunset drinks and canapes looking out to a giant super yacht moored up in the bay, according to the Associated Press. This was followed by a delicious dinner of asparagus and truffle starter and seared salmon main course , all while guests enjoyed a night of performances kicked off by Gladys Knight. Bebe Rexha and Adam Lambert would also hit the stage and perform for the VIP guests, and then Halsey closed the show. Klum showed off her fashion sense by stepping out in a green Couture mini dress that featured a dramatic train with a layers and tasselled embellishment. The America's Got Talent judge was joined by her husband with whom she packed on the PDA. Fundraiser: The previous night the couple made their way to the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes for the amfAR Gala, which is going amid the 76th Cannes Film Festival Handsome: The couple struck a number of poses together for her Instagram page Elegance: Klum showed off her fashion sense by stepping out in a green Couture mini dress that featured a dramatic train with a layers and tasselled embellishment Making a difference: The couple, who have been married since February 2019, were among the many celebrities to attend the non-profit's event aimed at funding AIDS research Cool cat: Kaulitz, who's a member of the band Tokio Hotel, looked handsome in a black tuxedo Chic: Klum also wore a pair of silver heels with her green Couture mini dress Stylin': The longtime supermodel had her blonde tresses styled in her now trademark bangs with long length in the back The German beauty posed up a storm added to her striking ensemble with a pair of silver shimmering heels to boost her already statuesque height. There was also an auction that featured an array of artwork, diamond jewels, and experiences, including a Damien Hirst portrait of DiCaprio that eventually sold for 1.2 million euros ($1.29 million). DiCaprio, an amfAR regular, snuck into the event, as to not draw attention to himself, but did not go on stage to present the winning bidder with his prized portrait. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $600 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,500 grants to research teams worldwide. The 76th Cannes Film Festival began on May 16 and is scheduled to wrap up on Saturday, the 27th. Elizabeth Olsen has some words of wisdom for any actor thinking about suiting up to play a Marvel superhero cautioning them against multi-movie deals. The 34-year-old WandaVision star who recently took a chic walk in Los Angeles has been a mainstay in the Marvel Universe since 2015, playing the Scarlet Witch in six films and two streaming shows. Drawing on all that experience, Olsen went on the Happy Sad Confused podcast and told host Josh Horowitz how she would advise any future superhero. Olsen said that actors should only commit to just one film in the beginning in order to maintain more control. 'I say, just give them one [movie],' she said. 'I think that way you have more control.' Marvelous advice: Elizabeth Olsen, 34, has some words of wisdom for any actor thinking about suiting up to play a Marvel superhero cautioning them against multi-movie deals; seen 2023 The Avengers: Endgame star went on to explain why dipping a toe in with one film is smarter than jumping with both feet. She said: 'If you, lets say, youre like, "Oh my God, this is the most fun Ive ever had and I love this character so much, I want to do it again," you now have more creative control for the next one.' Elizabeth has voiced her frustration with being contractually obligated for multiple Marvel films in the past. Speaking to the New York Times last year, she alluded to losing out on major roles because they conflicted with her Marvel schedule. 'It took me away from the physical ability to do certain jobs that I thought were more aligned with the things I enjoyed as an audience member,' said Olsen. 'And this is me being the most honest.' The leading lady admitted that one of these 'certain jobs' was a role in The Lobster Yorgos Lanthimos' acclaimed Oscar-nominated 2015 surreal comedy. Elaborating on her professional 'frustration,' Elizabeth told the New York Times that she was sacrificing passion projects for 'job security.' 'I started to feel frustrated,' she said. 'I had this job security but I was losing these pieces that I felt were more part of my being. And the further I got away from that, the less I became considered for it.' Ask Elizabeth: Drawing on all her experience, Olsen went on the Happy Sad Confused podcast and told host Josh Horowitz how she would advise any future superhero; seen 2022 Don't go all in: 'I say, just give them one [movie],' she said. 'I think that way you have more control'; pictured in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Tread lightly: 'If you, lets say, youre like, "Oh my God, this is the most fun Ive ever had and I love this character so much, I want to do it again," you now have more creative control for the next one'; pictured in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Speaking from experience: The WandaVision star has been a mainstay in the Marvel Universe since 2015, playing the Scarlet Witch in six films and two streaming shows; pictured in Captain America Civil War (2016) It was once standard fare for actors to sign massive, multi-movie deals with Marvel, with stars like Samuel L. Jackson agreeing to nine films up front. But those days are reportedly done, as Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige told The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. Free from her multi-film obligations as the Scarlet Witch, Elizabeth has been showcasing her ample talents in a juicy new role outside of the Marvel Universe. She has received positive reviews for her portrayal of real-life murderer Candy Montgomery in the Max limited series Love & Death, playing a churchgoing mother who would eventually pickup an ax and murder her friend in 1980. Tensions between Arnold Schwarzenegger's four children from his marriage to Maria Shriver and his youngest son Joseph Baena from an extramarital affair have been reported for years. And the Los Angeles premiere of Schwarzenegger's new actioncomedy series FUBAR on Monday provided an even more awkward look at the family dynamics as the action legend's daughters Katherine, 33, and Christina, 31, joined him on the red carpet with Katherine's husband Chris Pratt, 43. However, Joseph had also attended the premiere to support his 75-year-old father, but he walked the red carpet solo without meeting up with his half-siblings. In surprisingly brutal terms, a source who knows Schwarzenegger claimed to Page Six on Friday that his children with Shriver 'don't love' their half-brother Joseph, even though his father reportedly has a strong and supportive relationship with him. DailyMail.com has reached out to Baena and representatives for Schwarzenegger and his other children. Keeping their distance: Tensions between Arnold Schwarzenegger's children with his ex Maria Shriver and his son Joseph Baena came to a head after Christina (R), Katherine (2nd to L) and her husband Chris Pratt joined Arnold at his FUBAR premiere on Monday, while Joseph had to walk separately; seen Monday in LA Painful words: In surprisingly brutal terms, a source who knows Arnold claimed to Page Six on Friday that his children with Shriver 'don't love' their half-brother Joseph, even though his father reportedly has a strong and supportive relationship with him; seen Monday Schwarzenegger also shares his actor and model son Patrick, 29, and his younger son Christopher, 25, with Shriver, though they did not attend the FUBAR premiere this week. The source described Arnold and Joseph who hails from his father's affair with his family's former housekeeper Mildred Baena as being 'very close.' 'But, to be honest, the other kids dont love Joe,' they continued. 'Its a shame as hes a really good kid, and Arnold has always treated him like all his other kids very fairly. But for whatever reason, the other kids take [the affair] out on Joe.' Despite the apparent tension at the premiere, Joseph didn't let on at all in his jubilant Instagram post after the event. He shared a photo of himself beaming ear to ear and flashing dual thumbs up for the camera. 'I give FUBAR a 2 thumbs up!!!' he wrote. 'Had an amazing time last night at the FUBAR premier!' He went on to praise the first episode that was screened at the premiere for its balance of action and comedy, before adding that he was 'especially proud' to see his father and costar Gabriel Luna 'bring this amazing show to life.' 'Just remember Heros dont retire. They reload,"' he concluded. Pointing fingers? The source added: 'Its a shame as [Joseph is] a really good kid, and Arnold has always treated him like all his other kids very fairly. But for whatever reason, the other kids take [the affair] out on Joe'; seen Monday Although Joseph didn't even mention his half-siblings, several top comments on the post called out their behavior while praising him for staying above the fray. 'Joe is Arnolds true legacy and his rich lazy kids are clearly butthurt. Keep on trucking Joe,' wrote one fan. Another said it was 'disgusting' how he was 'treated' by his 'own blood.' 'Completely ignored due to something out of your control. Is it racial hostility?' they mused, before urging him to 'use this bulls*** to fuel you.' One user said they just started following Joseph to 'support' him after his 'snobby siblings' opted not to. 'You are a great example for many. You train hard, have made it on your own without taking your father's last name, you have a job, you support your father and look up to him,' they wrote. 'In my eyes, you are an exemplary son.' It's common for public figures to delete controversial comments from their posts, but Joseph opted to leave the statements about his absent siblings in place. Witnesses reportedly saw Joseph stay at the after-party at the swanky outdoor mall The Grove, but Katherine, Chris and Christina all left shortly after the premiere wrapped. Staying positive: Despite the apparent tension at the premiere, Joseph didn't let on at all in his jubilant Instagram post after the event; seen Monday His biggest fan: He praised the first episode and his father's performance Choosing sides: Although Joseph didn't even mention his half-siblings, several top comments on the post called out their behavior while praising him for staying above the fray Making a statement? It's common for public figures to delete controversial comments from their posts, but Joseph opted to leave the statements about his absent siblings in place Although it's not clear to what extend Joseph has tried to have a relationship with his older brothers and sisters, fans noticed that he wished Katherine congratulations on Instagram after her 2019 nuptials with Chris Pratt. However, he was absent from the wedding ceremony, while the other three children were present. At the time, a source who had worked with the family told Page Six that Schwarzenegger's children with Shriver 'have really no relationship with Joseph,' though they also noted that Patrick and Christopher appeared to be somewhat closer than his sisters. A source also said that Patrick and Joseph had been spotted working out together. A family source claimed that 'They are trying to navigate a private relationship before its a public one,' though there appears to have been little progress on the public front in the four years since then. At the time, a source who knew Katherine said, 'Why should she have a relationship with this kid? Joseph is the product of an affair that Arnold kept hidden for years! This was a deeply damaging and shameful situation that destroyed her family. I cant say I blame her for not wanting to embrace this living reminder of that.' However, Joseph was not a new fixture in their lives, as he was presented as their housekeeper's son before they knew of their father's affair and Joseph's parentage. 'He grew up around them,' an insider told the publication at the time. 'He was a regular at the mansion in Pacific Palisades, where the family lived from 1986 until 2003.' Arnold has continued to have a strong relationship with his son. He has paid for his education and expenses, and they often spend time together and work up a sweat at the gym, where Joseph has followed his father's love of bodybuilding. No rush: A family source claimed in 2019 that (LR) Patrick, Katherine, Christopher and Christina were working on their relationship with Joseph privately, but little appears to have changed after four years Baby steps: Although a source who knew Katherine defended her for not wanting a relationship with Joseph in 2019, another source told Page Six that her brother Patrick has been seen working out with his half-brother in the past; seen in April A family insider said that 'Arnold loves all of his children. He has a great relationship with all of them.' 'Arnold is really close to Joe. Ive been at several events where hes brought him along,' added Page Six's first source. 'Its not fair, but I guess its understandable hes the product of something that should not have occurred,' they said of his estrangement from his half-siblings. However, another source claimed: 'The Schwarzenegger kids have consistently navigated the situation with respect and class.' Julia Fox showcased her unique fashion sense as she headed out for dinner in Paris on Friday. The 33-year-old actress and model turned heads in a see-through dress made with hair and melted plastic after stealing the show on the Cannes red carpet. The Uncut Gems star's daring ensemble showed off her trim figure on full display while leaving little to the imagination. The strapless ultra short dress hugged her hips and was paired with black heels with fabric hanging off the toes. She carried a purple bag that also seemed to be made from plastic. Looking fab: Julia Fox showcased her unique fashion sense as she headed out for dinner in Paris on Friday Leggy lady: The 33-year-old actress and model turned heads in a see-through dress made with hair and melted plastic after stealing the show on the Cannes red carpets Julia rocked a fierce makeup palette with purple and silver blush, sharply drawn eyeliner, pencil-thin eyebrows, and bluish-purple lipstick. Her luscious brunette tresses were worn down straight in a wet-look. Julia recently told PageSix that while at Cannes, she has been talking up a new movie that she is behind. The fashion influencer is in pre-production on a movie called Lipstick Palm, she shared, and she wrote the script with her friend Sara Apple. The red carpet siren said the movie is cross between Weekend At Bernie's and Spring Breakers, and it promises to be over-the-top. The mother-of-one added that the female leads with one being a drug addict and the other a nepo baby that has so many siblings it's not a big deal. And she added that there there is 'a dead body somewhere,' which would invite in the Weekend At Bernies comparisons. Weekend At Bernies was a 1989 comedy starring Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman about insurance corporation employees who discover that their boss, Bernie, is dead, after arriving at his house. The look: The strapless ultra short dress hugged her hips and was paired with black heels with fabric hanging off the toes Looker: She carried a purple bag that also seemed to be made from plastic Spring Breakers was a 2013 starring Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez and Ashley Benson movie about college students that rob a diner for fun money before driving to Florida but are arrested Fox has a background in movies: she acted in the Adam Sandler film Uncut Gems in 2019 and was also in the movie No Sudden Move in 2021. But this time she would be working behind the camera as well. 'It's about these two girls and they are in LA,' Fox told the site. She was interviewed on a yacht in Cannes during an event to benefit the charity Art of Elysium. She added: 'They are classic. 'One is an aspiring actress, and the other is a nepotism baby but her dad had like seven kids, so the pool has been diluted. 'They're drug addicts, so they are in recovery, but they are always in and out. One has a sugar daddy.' Isn't she lovely: Julia rocked a fierce makeup palette with purple and silver blush, sharply drawn eyeliner, pencil-thin eyebrows, and bluish-purple lipstick Hard at work: Julia recently told PageSix that while at Cannes, she has been talking up a new movie that she is behind Radiant: The fashion influencer is in pre-production on a movie called Lipstick Palm, she shared, and she wrote the script with her friend Sara Apple And, of course, she noted, 'There is a dead body involved somewhere.' She feels good about her chances of making it as a writer in Hollywood. 'My friends always say I would make a great dictator, but what I am hoping they mean is that I would make a great director,' she joked. Earlier this year Fox said that being 'a little bit delusional' has helped her to achieve success. The actress believes that her single-minded attitude has been central to her career in the movie business. Asked if she considers herself to be ambitious, Julia replied: 'I think to get anywhere you want in life, you have to be a little bit delusional. You have to be like, "I'm gonna be that b****,' you know?"' The star - who dated Kanye West in 2022 - also feels that she's changed markedly over the last 12 months. Julia - who has a two-year-old son called Valentino - said: 'I've definitely changed. I feel different from even, like, last year.' ITV has confirmed the British Soap Awards will go ahead as planned after Phillip Schofield stepped down with just eight days' notice amid his affair confession. The broadcaster has not yet confirmed who will host next Saturday's event instead of Phillip, 61, but bookies have tipped Joel Dommett as the favourite to take over. It comes after Phillip, 61, quit ITV and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an affair with a young male This Morning colleague. He confessed to having the 'unwise but not illegal' relationship with a man during his marriage to Stephanie Lowe, and previously denied the affair when asked about it by his agent. Phillip was due to host the British Soap Awards next weekend after quitting This Morning last week, but confirmed in Friday's statement that he has stepped down from all his ITV jobs, including the ceremony. Plans: ITV has confirmed that the British Soap Awards will go ahead as planned after Phillip Schofield (pictured in 2019) stepped down with eight days' notice amid his affair confession After his announcement, ITV said the British Soap Awards will still take place in Manchester on June 3, with a replacement host to be confirmed 'in due course'. An ITV spokesperson said: 'The British Soap Awards will take place next Saturday as planned, and we will make further announcements in due course.' Though an official replacement has not yet been confirmed, Joel Dommett is the bookies favourite to take over the hosting gig, followed by Dermot O'Leary. Bookmakers Coral put The Masked Singer UK host Joel, 37, at 1/2 odds to host the Soap Awards, followed closely by This Morning's Dermot, 50, at 5/2. Other presenters in the running are the likes of Bradley Walsh, Alison Hammond and Vernon Kay, according to Coral. Coral's John Hill said: 'Joel Dommett tops our betting to replace Philip Schofield as the host of the 2023 British Soap Awards. ITV are likely to see him as the perfect fit as he is now one of the channel's most popular presenters. 'Dermot O'Leary and Vernon Kay are both names which have been well backed, while Mo Giligan could be in the mix following his experience at the Brit Awards.' Meanwhile, Paddy Power gave Ant and Dec 3/1 odds to take over from Phillip at the annual awards ceremony, followed by Eamonn Holmes at the same odds. Favourite: The broadcaster has not yet confirmed who will host next Saturday's event instead of Phillip, 61, but bookies have tipped Joel Dommett as the favourite to take over Host: After quitting This Morning, Phillip had still been set to host the Soap Awards for a 13th successive year, but he confirmed he was quitting ITV altogether on Friday They were followed closely by Rochelle and Marvin Humes at 5/1, while they also put Joel in the running at 6/4 odds and Dermot at 5/2 odds. Rachael Kane, spokesperson for Paddy Power said: 'There's no question that ITV will be looking for a safe pair of hands for this gig, and given Ant & Dec have faced down everything from Janice Dickerson to spider bites, they and stalwart Eamon Holmes are the punters pick for the job.' WHO WILL REPLACE PHILLIP SCHOFIELD AS HOST OF THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS? Bookmakers Coral have confirmed who they have tipped as favourites to replace Phillip at the British Soap Awards on June 3: 1/2 Joel Dommett 5/2 Dermot O'Leary 3/1 Bradley Walsh 4/1 Alison Hammond 6/1 Vernon Kay 8/1 Mo Gilligan Advertisement After quitting This Morning, Phillip had still been set to host the Soap Awards for a 13th successive year, but he confirmed he was quitting ITV altogether on Friday. Phillip admitted to an affair with a younger male colleague, which he claimed was 'unwise but not illegal', in a lengthy statement released, in which he also apologised to his wife and family. The 'unwise' relationship took place during his nearly 30-year marriage to his wife Stephanie, 59, and Phillip said he was 'so very sorry' for being unfaithful. Stephanie, who shares two kids Ruby, 27, and Molly, 29, with Phillip, issued a statement when her husband came out as gay in a moving This Morning segment in 2020. Phillip stepped down from his This Morning hosting duties last weekend after more than 20 years on the airwaves before confirming the affair in a statement to the Daily Mail on Friday. He has also resigned from ITV and will not host the British Soap Awards. He has also been dropped by his agents at YMU 'with immediate effect'. In a statement, the former ITV presenter said: 'I am making this statement via the Daily Mail, to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story [sic] which they wanted to write about me a few days ago. 'The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning. Bombshell: It comes after Phillip, 61, quit ITV and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an affair with a young male This Morning colleague 'I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. 'Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than a just a friendship. 'That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over... 'I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife... 'I am resigning from ITV with immediate effect, expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me. 'I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.' After his statement, an ITV spokesman said: 'We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield. 'The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down. 'We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated.' Following his statement, Phillip has also parted company with his management team YMU after 35 years. Mary Bekhait, the Group CEO of YMU Group, said: 'Honesty and integrity are core values for YMU's whole business, defining everything we do. Admission: Phillip confessed to having the 'unwise but not illegal' romance with a man during his marriage to Stephanie Lowe, and previously denied the affair when asked by his agent 'Talent management is a relationship based entirely on trust. 'This week, we have learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield. 'These facts contradicted what Phillip had previously told YMU, as well as the external advisors we had brought in to support him. 'As a result, on Thursday we agreed to part company with Phillip, with immediate effect.' Home and Away fans are preparing themselves for heartbreak. A shock new trailer for the beloved soap has revealed that one of Summer Bay's favourite characters is about to be killed off. The preview promises plenty of mayhem in the upcoming episodes, including multiple bomb threats, a tense police siege and a kidnap. But the new trailer is bound to keep viewers guessing over just who or who won't be left alive by the end of the week. The preview begins with the ominous words: 'After this week who won't come home?'. A large box is then seen arriving at the local cafe. A shock new trailer for Home and Away has revealed that one of Summer Bay's favourite characters is about to be killed off. The preview promises plenty of mayhem in the upcoming episodes, including multiple bomb threats, a tense police siege and a kidnap It's later revealed that the package contains a bomb sent by Stunning Organics, who are in a long running feud with Marilyn (played by Emily Symons). Other scenes show that James Stewart's character Justin lands in strife at the hands of the doomsday cult Vita Nova. Other scenes show Justin trapped and desperately ill after attempting to rescue Andrew (Joshua Hewson) from the cult. Meanwhile, Jacqui Purvis' character Felicity gets into serious trouble during a night out after drinking a drugged cocktail. And in the trailer's cliffhanger climax, Mali played by Kyle Shilling appears to fall victim to an enormous car bomb. Other scenes show Ada Nicodemou's Leah trying to convince policeman Cash, played by Nicholas Cartwright, to help her locate Justin. Other scenes show that James Stewart's character Justin lands in strife at the hands of the doomsday cult Vita Nova Ada Nicodemou's Leah trying to convince policeman Cash, played by Nicholas Cartwright, to help her locate Justin Fans took to the show's Instagram page to share their excitement over the new trailer. 'Wow so much drama happening in the Bay, cant wait to watch,' messaged one viewer. 'I cannot freakin' wait!' added another. Meanwhile, one fan sounded a little cynical over the upcoming dramatic and violent storylines posting: 'Omg. Summer Bay, the most dangerous place on TV.' This is the moment Phillip Schofield claimed he 'told everything' to wife Stephanie Lowe and that there were 'no secrets' when he came out as gay in 2020. The presenter, 61, made a bombshell revelation to the Mail last night that he had a relationship with a much younger man who worked with him on This Morning while he was still married. In a grovelling apology, Schofield said he was 'painfully conscious' that he lied to many people, 'most importantly of all to my family', adding: 'I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife'. However, footage has now re-emerged of Schofield discussing his coming out with fellow ITV star Lorraine, and his relationship with Stephanie, 59, with whom he shares two children, Ruby, 27, and Molly, 29. He said: '[There were] lots and lots of hours talking to Steph and hugging Steph. We talked the whole thing through. There were no secrets, there have never been any secrets. What I knew, she knew.' Phillip Schofield claimed he 'told everything' to wife Stephanie Lowe and that there were 'no secrets' when he came out as gay in 2020 Footage has now re-emerged of Schofield discussing his coming out with fellow ITV star Lorraine, and his relationship with Stephanie, 59, with whom he shares two children, Ruby, 27, and Molly, 29 Schofield shares a laugh with former co-star Holly Willoughby in the back of a car, while wife Stephanie sits in the front Schofield also claimed in the interview in October that year, seven months after making the announcement about his sexuality: 'It's not in my nature to hurt people.' The couple married in March 1993 after meeting when Schofield worked in children's television and she was a BBC production assistant. They held their wedding in Scotland's Ackergill Tower in 1993 and celebrated their silver anniversary in 2018 - just two years before Schofield came out as gay. In February 2020, the presenter told his Instagram followers about his sexuality, saying he had the support of his wife and daughters. 'You never know whats going on in someone's seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing and so you won't know what has been consuming me for the last few years. 'With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.' In a follow-up post, he spoke about how Stephanie had continued to support him after he came out. 'Steph has been incredible I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met. My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort. 'Both mine and Steph's entire families have stunned me with their love, instant acceptance and support. Of course, they are worried about Steph, but I know they will scoop us both up.' Stephanie has also enjoyed a close relationship with Schofield's co-star Holly Willoughby (pictured together at Ascot in 2017) Holly Willoughby sat alongside Schofield on daytime TV's most famous sofa for 13 years, and enjoyed a very public friendship with him and wife Stephanie, even holidaying together most years At the time, Stephanie issued a heartfelt statement in support of her husband and said she would support him in taking the 'brave step'. 'We have had to face the most emotionally painful time in our 27 years of marriage. 'I love Phillip, as much today as I ever have, and always will.' Following Schofield's statement last night, ITV's press office slammed their former star presenter's 'admissions of deceit' - essentially throwing him under the bus. The channel confirmed that they had accepted his resignation and that he would not be hosting the British Soap Awards. Cameron Daddo and Alison Brahe have admitted they are back in therapy to do some much needed maintenance on their relationship. The couple discussed the status of their marriage on their podcast Separate Bathrooms this week. 'We have recently gone back into some couples therapy,' the 58-year-old actor confessed. Addressing wife Alison, he continued: 'For me it's like you said, our relationship is at 11. I am really happy with where we are at right now. 'But I also think that's because we chose to jump back into just a little maintenance. Having that support felt good.' Cameron Daddo and Alison Brahe have admitted they are back in therapy to do some much needed maintenance on their relationship. Both pictured The model, 53, agreed: 'We have done so much therapy as well, sometimes we can get lost in the minutiae of little things feeling like they are huge things. 'And that's why I was saying to you the other day, I said, "We actually have a really good relationship. Let's not toss everything out, the baby with the bathwater.",' she continued. 'And just go, "This part of it needs attention for sure." Alison went on: 'Having the therapist there going, "You guys are actually great. The way you talk to each other and how you listen." And hearing that again was like, "Yeah, we're alright." 'We are doing really well, we just need to work on reconnecting, little things.' Cameron chimed, backing up the sentiment, saying the pair just needed some 'tweaks'. The couple discussed the status of their marriage on their Separate Bathrooms podcast this week. 'We have recently gone back into some couples therapy,' the 58-year-old actor said The power couple have been open about their marital strife in the past, and discussed how they rebuilt their marriage after Cameron cheated in 1994. Brahe told the Sydney Morning Herald that her relationship to Daddo 'evolved the most' during marriage counselling in the wake of his infidelity. However it wasn't all smooth sailing, with the mother-of-three admitting they had 'a terrible experience' with their first therapist. 'It is so important to find the right therapist for you. The one we found was our second choice, as the first one was a terrible experience,' said Alison. However once they found a decent counsellor, the long-term couple 'both wanted the relationship to work, so that was a good starting point'. Daddo recently spoke about hurting his wife by cheating on her three years after tying the knot in 1991. 'We are doing really well, we just need to work on reconnecting, little things' Alison said The Australian actor discussed his marriage on their Separate Bathrooms podcast and admitted it's important to 'learn how to apologise'. 'We were told by Reverend Brian that married us. He said you're going to hurt your partner the most of anyone in your life.' 'In my case, it's probably true,' an emotional Cameron said. 'So it's a good idea to learn how to apologise, mean it and then make the necessary actions, so you don't repeat it. That's a good lesson,' he added. Alison said that the couple had to go through a 'hell of a lot of work' before they could finally reach a happy place. 'I was the one who left the marriage,' Cameron told Woman's Day, clarifying that he had been unfaithful, not Alison. The power couple have been open about their marital strife in the past, and discussed how they rebuilt their marriage after Cameron cheated in 1994. Pictured in 1994 His infidelity took place in America, after he had relocated there for his acting career. Alison admitted that their marriage was hardly 'couple goals', but they worked on it and are better off today. 'You don't get to 28 years of marriage without a hell of a lot of work and struggles and a fair chunk of pain and tears,' she said. In a blog post for daddy website The Father Hood, Daddo blamed alcohol for his infidelity. 'When I acted out in that way, I didn't really want to be there,' he said. 'There were reasons how I got into that place. And a lot of it was alcohol and being alone, feeling really lonely and being literally oceans away from my partner.' The star said that he and Alison both received counselling to repair their marriage, and that the experience ultimately became something that they could grow from. The couple wed in 1991 and have three children together, daughters Lotus, 27, and Bodhi, 17, and a son, River, 23. Lewis Hamilton once again showed off his quirky sense of style as he stepped out at the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday. The Formula One star, 38, looked as stylish as ever as he arrived for a practice race at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte-Carlo ahead of Sunday's big race. For the outing, Lewis cut an edgy figure in a bright yellow co-ord set, made up of a zip-up collared jumper and wide leg trousers. The Mercedes racing car driver kept comfortable in a pair of white trainers and accessorised his look with a chunky watch and a silver chain necklace. He shielded his eyes from the sun with unique silver mirrored sunglasses and carried his phone in one hand as he strolled through the crowds. Edgy: Lewis Hamilton once again showed off his quirky sense of style as he stepped out at the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday Quirky look: The Formula One star, 38, looked as stylish as ever as he arrived for a practice race at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte-Carlo ahead of the big race on Sunday Lewis wore his braided hair swept back into a ponytail and sported his signature array of facial jewellery for the outing. He set the third fastest time in first practice for the Monaco Grand Prix a session cut short when Williams' Alex Albon hit the wall with a couple of minutes remaining. At Friday's practice, he complained of banging his knees but was not seriously hurt in the 90mph incident at the first corner, Sainte Devote. His front and rear-left wheels hung off as the red flag was waved, yet he declared himself 'OK' over the radio. As for Lewis, he was armed with the huge upgrade package that is making its debut around the principality's tight streets. A new side-pod, front suspension and floor are all being introduced in a bid to correct the design problems that have dogged their progress for the past year. Lewis finished the session, in 26C heat, six-tenths behind Ferrari's pacesetter Carlos Sainz. Fernando Alonso was second quickest for Aston Martin. Alonso was expected to be strong this weekend and started practice at 4-1 with the bookies for the win on Sunday, while Lewis was in it 25-1. Mercedes have not traditionally been strong in Monaco. Stylish: He cut an edgy figure in a bright yellow co-ord set, made up of a zip-up collared jumper and wide leg trousers Practice: He shielded his eyes from the sun with unique silver mirrored sunglasses and carried his phone in one hand as he strolled through the crowds, after coming third in Friday's practice Sunday will mark 539 days since Lewis last won a race, the longest drought of his career. At Friday's practice, Lewis's third place meant he was ahead of world champion Max Verstappen, who was complaining of handling problems and was only sixth best. Team-mate Sergio Perez was fifth fastest, a place behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, the local boy. Nico Hulkenburg pranged his Haas on the kerb after exiting the Tunnel. A red flag was waved and he took no further part. Melissa Leong has explained that the grieving process is a quiet one for her, after she was criticised for not taking part in a special tribute to late co-star Jock Zonfrillo. The MasterChef Australia star writes in her column for this week's issue of Stellar Magazine that there is no wrong way to grieve. 'We all deal with loss differently, and we need to honour that,' the 41-year-old said. 'Some people need to talk in order to process emotions, while other take more time to find the words, if they can at all,' she continued. 'Some people need to be with people, while others need time alone to stare at a wall, clean incessantly or sleep. Melissa Leong (centre) has explained that the grieving process is a quiet one for her, after she was criticised for not taking part in a special tribute to late co-star Jock Zonfrillo (left) 'There is no right or wrong way to be in these moments, just what is true to you.' Melissa sparked concerns after she failed to take part in The Sunday Project's moving tribute to Jock following the MasterChef Australia star's shock death at age 46. Jock's fellow judge Andy Allen and renowned chefs Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Curtis Stone all shared their memories in the heartbreaking special. Conspicuously missing was Jock's co-star Leong, who did not appear in the program. MasterChef fans posted to Twitter wondering why Melissa was absent, with several speculating that she was too grief-stricken to take part. The MasterChef Australia star writes in her column for this week's issue of Stellar Magazine that there is no wrong way to grieve 'Is it weird that Melissa isn't part of this?' asked one person on Twitter, with several others replying. 'It is a bit, yeah...' agreed one person, but others felt differently. 'No? Everyone grieves differently. It might be still too soon for her to speak/open up. I hope she's okay,' said one. Another wrote: 'Andy was struggling enough. I'm thinking Melissa just couldn't do it. Everybody grieves differently, and people only discuss that grief when they are ready (if ever).' Someone else said: 'Not at all. If you're not in the space to do it, you cannot do it', while one more agreed, 'I don't think she could do it. She was shattered. 'Maybe she's still processing it and it would be to much for her,' yet another said. Zonfrillo was found dead by police at a hotel in Melbourne 's inner-north at about 2am on May 1, the same day Channel Ten was meant to premiere the fifteenth season of MasterChef Earlier this month, Melissa pulled out of a scheduled event at the Sydney Opera House following the death of her co-host Jock. Leong was meant to host a live Q&A with American cookbook writer Alison Roman but it was announced that she would no longer be attending. 'Following the sad news of the passing of her colleague and friend Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong is no longer able to join Alison Roman in conversation on Tuesday, May 9,' a Sydney Opera House spokesperson said in an email sent to ticketholders. Replacing Leong was MasterChef Australia season two winner Adam Liaw. Zonfrillo was found dead by police at a hotel in Melbourne's inner-north at about 2am on May 1, the same day Channel Ten was meant to premiere the fifteenth season of MasterChef Australia. Dermot O'Leary cut a low-key figure on Saturday morning. The presenter, 50, was seen for the first time since Phillip Schofield, 61, quit ITV and admitted to having affair with a young male This Morning colleague. Dermot - who co-hosts This Morning on Fridays with Alison Hammond - also has own show on BBC Radio 2 every Saturday at 8am, and strolled out of the London studio's following his morning slot before jumping on his bike and riding away. The TV star was dressed in a pair of indigo jeans and a plain white T-shirt, which he teamed with a dark blue jacket and simple white trainers. After Phillip announced last Saturday that he was leaving from This Morning with immediate effect, Dermot and Alison were brought in to host the daytime show while Holly Willoughby took an early leave for half-term amid the drama. Low-key: On Saturday morning, Dermot O'Leary, 50, was seen for the first time since Phillip Schofield, 61, quit ITV and admitted to having affair with a young male This Morning colleague Done for the day: The presenter cut a low-key figure on Saturday as he left the BBC Radio 2 studios in London after hosting his morning radio show Riding away: Dermot strolled out of the London studio's following his morning slot before jumping on his bike and riding away The duo gave Phillip just a 30-second tribute at the start of This Morning show on Monday after stepping in after he was axed. The new era also began by removing Mr Schofield from the show's credits - less than 48 hours after he left amid reports of a rift with his co-star. Alison and Dermot began the show by briefly addressing his exit, but there was no montage, just a single photo of Phil on screen and around half a minute of warm words. Opening the broadcast, Alison said: 'We can't start today's show without paying tribute to the man who spent the last two decades sitting on the This Morning sofa. Phillip Schofield.' Dermot added: 'So as a show, everyone on and off screen at ITV and This Morning on say a huge thank you to Phil for what he's done to make the show such a success over the last 21 years.' Alison continued: 'Quite simply, we all know he's one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had, and we and all the team wish him all the best for the future.' Just four days later, on Friday evening, Phil quit ITV and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after confessing to an affair with a young male This Morning colleague. He admitted to having the 'unwise but not illegal' relationship with a man during his marriage to Stephanie Lowe, having previously denied the affair when asked about it by his agent. Casual: The TV star was dressed in a pair of indigo jeans and a plain white T-shirt, which he teamed with a dark blue jacket and simple white trainers To the rescue: Dermot and Alison Hammond were brought in to host This Morning last week, while Holly Willoughby took an early leave for half-term after Phil stepped down from the show Scandalous: Four days later, on Friday, Phillip quit ITV and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after confessing to an affair with a young male This Morning colleague On Saturday morning, ITV revealed it did investigate rumours of Phillip Schofield's affair with a younger male employee - but both men 'categorically and rpeatedly' denied it when questioned. The network released a statement confirming that the star and his colleague, who MailOnline has chosen not to name, were quizzed by bosses when whispers of a relationship first began to circulate in early 2020. A spokesperson said: 'Further to our statement last night, ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated. 'Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip's then agency YMU. Phillip Schofield's statement in full as he admits affair with young This Morning colleague: I am making this statement via the Daily Mail, to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story [sic] which they wanted to write about me a few days ago. The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning. I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than a just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over... I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife... I am resigning from ITV with immediate effect, expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me. I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it. Advertisement 'In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour. 'Phillip's statement yesterday reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship.' ITV's revelation about an investigation came after they issued a first statement on Friday night, following Phillip Schofield's confession of an affair. An ITV spokesman said: 'We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield. 'The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down. 'We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated.' In his grovelling apology issued on Friday, Schofield said: 'I am making this statement via the Daily Mail, to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story [sic] which they wanted to write about me a few days ago. 'The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning. I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. 'Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than a just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over... 'I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife... 'I am resigning from ITV with immediate effect, expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me. 'I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.' MailOnline is aware of the younger man's identity, but has chosen not to name him. Schofield's extraordinary statement concluded weeks of increasingly fevered speculation in both the TV industry and the wider country about the future of his career, following his sudden departure from the This Morning sofa a week prior. Talent agency YMU, who represent entertainers, athletes and musicians, dropped the former This Morning presenter after 35 years following the bombshell revelation. In a statement, Mary Bekhait, the Group CEO of YMU Group, said: 'Honesty and integrity are core values for YMU's whole business, defining everything we do. 'Talent management is a relationship based entirely on trust. This week, we have learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield. 'These facts contradicted what Phillip had previously told YMU, as well as the external advisors we had brought in to support him. As a result, on Thursday we agreed to part company with Phillip, with immediate effect.' Todd Chrisley's son Kyle has been able to put one of his legal problems behind him. The 32-year-old whose father is in federal prison serving a 12-year sentence no longer faces charges in Georgia for allegedly threatening the life of his estranged wife. The charges were dropped because Kyle's estranged wife, Alexus, is no longer cooperating with prosecutors, according to papers obtained by TMZ. The DeKalb County DA told the outlet, 'After further investigation, review of the evidence and discussion with the victim, based on all facts and circumstances our office declined to prosecute the case.' The charges had been hanging over his head for several years. Charges dropped: Charges have been dropped against Todd Chrisley's son Kyle, 32. His ex-wife declined to cooperate with prosecutors after he allegedly sent death threats to her via text in 2019 When Kyle, who is Todd's son with his first wife, Teresa Terry, was arrested on drug charges in Oklahoma in 2019, investigators found he was also wanted in Georgia for allegedly sending threatening texts to his wife. The notes reportedly read, '[N]ot before I end you. Im going to the streets I will get my s*** and take care of this problem with you because if I'm not with you nobody will be. Bye Alexus.' She then replied 'thats a threat to my life.' Kyle allegedly answered, 'yes :Lexi it was. Goodbye.' Alexus also reportedly showed them a photo of Kyle pointing a gun to his head. Kyle told TMZ he is relieved the charges have been dropped and he 'can put that part of my life behind me for good.' However, he still faces assault charges in Smyrna, Tennessee, stemming from a reported altercation with his former boss in which he allegedly threatened him with a knife. Kyle is the father of Chloe Chrisley, 11, who is now being brought up by her aunt Savannah, 25, while Todd, 54, and his wife Julie, are serving their prison sentences for tax evasion and bank fraud. Julie was sentenced to seven years behind bars. Both reported to their respective prisons in January. Savannah also has custody of her younger brother Grayson, 17. Family: Kyle is the father of Chloe Chrisley, 11. The girl went to live with her grandparents in 2016 after Kyle lost custody due to his struggle with drugs. Her mother was also arrested that year on allegations of Medicaid fraud. She is now trying to regain custody of her daughter Kyle's mom is Todd's first wife, Teresa Terry. He is seen here with younger brothers Chase, 26 and Grayson, 17 Prison: Both Todd and Julie Chrisley are behind bars, serving time for bank fraud and tax evasion. Julie was sentenced to seven years. Todd is serving a 12 year sentence (Pictured in Nashville in October 2021) Custody: Savannah Chrisley, 25, is bringing up Chloe and younger brother Grayson, 17, while her parents serve their sentences Chloe went to live with her grandparents in 2016. Her mother, Angela Johnson, who was arrested that same year for allegedly filing a false application for Medicaid assistance, has said she will try to regain custody. Kyle was not a big part of the Chrisley Knows Best reality show due to his struggle with drugs. His siblings Savannah and Chase, 26, told In Touch in August 2021 he was 'clean and sober.' Kyle claimed in an Instagram post in December 2022 that he had been misdiagnosed as was bi-polar and the medication he was on caused 'depression and outbursts.' Khloe Kardashian left some fans recoiling at her apparent dental hygiene. The Good American founder, 38, shared a group of selfies on Thursday from a trip to see The Little Mermaid with her daughter True Thompson, five; nieces Dream Kardashian, six; North West, nine; and nephew Reign Disick, eight. In one snap, the mom of two who finally confirmed her son's name playfully sticks her tongue out and fans saw an issue right away her tongue appeared to have a white coating. And while plenty of fans commented on what a good aunt she is and how cute the kids are, several trolled her for the color of her tongue. 'Clean your tongue khloe.. it looks so dirty,' one person wrote, while another added: 'khloe forgot to brush her tongue. mule take care.' What's wrong: Khloe Kardashian might want to up her dental hygiene after posting a selfie where her tongue is white Trolled: And while plenty of fans commented on what a good aunt she is and how cute the kids are, several trolled her for the color of her tongue Family: The Good American founder, 38, shared a group of selfies from a trip to see The Little Mermaid with her daughter True Thompson, five, nieces Dream Kardashian, six, and North West, nine, and nephew Reign Disick, eight Another critic wrote: 'Your tongue should be pink, not white.' Meanwhile, over on Reddit, one fan shared his experience, writing: 'Could be tons of reasons. I had a friend at school whose tongue always looked like this, so I looked it up back then. Literally a never-ending list of possibilities many of them related to digestive tract.' Another fan said: 'It's pretty obviously just the lighting. You can tell how it's hitting her tongue.' But no one brought up an obvious possibility her tongue could appear white due to the filters she and her sisters are so fond of using on photos. The Kardashians season three just premiered on Hulu and in it, Khloe opened up about welcoming her son Tatum via a surrogate. Kim Kardashian, 42, said her sister 'had a really hard time accepting the whole process.' Khloe went on to admit that she felt less connected to her newborn son than she did True when she was born. 'It's a mindf---. It's really the weirdest thing,' Khloe said. All of this and more now streaming on Disney+ Say cheese: Another fan said: 'It's pretty obviously just the lighting. You can tell how it's hitting her tongue' Filter: But no one brought up the obvious - her tongue could appear white due to the filters she and her sisters are so fond of using on photos Growing family: The Kardashians season three just premiered on Hulu and in it, Khloe opened up about welcoming her son Tatum via a surrogate Bonding: Khloe went on to admit that she felt less connected to her newborn son than she did True when she was born 'I do think there is a difference when your baby is in your belly, the baby actually feels your real heart,' Kim said. 'Think about it. There's no one else on this planet that will feel you from the inside like that, your heart.' Kim added that some people have an easier time bonding with their baby when they use a surrogate. Khloe noted: 'Kim said hers was easy, and this is not easy.' They are proud parents to seven-year old-old twin daughters Gracie Jane and Alice Rose. Yet Ronnie Wood and his wife Sally, who share a 30 year age gap, proved all parents deserve a night off as they headed for a rare night out in London on Saturday. The 75-year-old Rolling Stones rocker showed off his typically edgy style as he wore black trousers with an unbuttoned white shirt. He finished the look with a black sequin jacket and bright red trainers with funky white laces. His stunning spouse, 45, wore a multi-coloured sequin dress with bold black lines running across it, which she paired with some silver ankle boots. Out on the town: Ronnie Wood, 75, and his wife glamorous Sally, 45, headed for a night out to celebrate the first anniversary of the ABBA voyage on Saturday Standing out: The 75-year-old Rolling Stones rocker wore an unbuttoned white shirt with a sequinned black jacket whilst Sally wore a colourful sequin dress The businesswoman and her rocker husband were out celebrating the first anniversary of ABBA voyage. The virtual concert - which opened on May 27 at a custom venue in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has earnt rave reviews from fans, critics and even ABBA members themselves. It was extended for a full year after huge demand for tickets, with shows selling out months in advance. The 90-minute art spectacular also features the Swedish foursome as avatars. Ronnie married Sally, the owner of a theatre production company, in December 2012 before announcing they had twins on the way in December. Sally has previously discussed the attraction she felt towards Ronnie and how their romance works so well. She told The Telegraph: 'Hes on my level completely. Hes a very nice and caring person. Oh God, dont use the word "nice", its so boring. Hes very funny, kind and affectionate and welcoming.' Discussing their age gap, she said: 'Um, well, I know (the age gap's) there. And I wish it wasnt, but it is. I think I had to say: "I cant do this because of the age", Star studded: The pair were joined by Mark Aldridge (top left), designer Zandra Rhodes (bottom left) and Rod Stewart's wife, Penny Lancaster (right) for the night out Proud parents: The couple share seven-year old-old twin daughters and Ronnie has four other children Jesse, 46, with first wife Krissy Findlay, and 44-year-old Leah and Tyrone, 39, with ex-wife Jo. He also adopted Jo's son Jamie, 48 'Or I just had to let it go and take it all on board. At no point, years ago, did I say to myself: "I think Ill go out with someone twice my age", but that is what has happened.' Ronnie has been through a few romantic rollercoasters of his own, but his marriage to Sally has been notably calm and settled. The guitarist quit smoking after undergoing treatment for lung cancer in 2017 and has been sober since 2010. Wood has four other children Jesse, 46, with first wife Krissy Findlay, and 44-year-old Leah and Tyrone, 39, with ex-wife Jo. He also adopted Jo's son Jamie, 48. Our expert's seen every engrossing second of the billionaire family saga. So who better to predict how the final episode might unravel tomorrow? The phoney truce is over. Within hours of their father's funeral, Kendall, Shiv and Roman Roy have hurled aside any pretence of a power-sharing alliance. But as the Succession siblings fight like hyenas, which of them will emerge victorious? Or will they all lose? Sky Atlantic's Succession, the most brutal family saga ever aired, is often compared to King Lear Shakespeare's grand tragedy of a kingdom torn apart in a battle for the throne. The play ends with everyone mad, blind or dead. Tomorrow's 90-minute finale airing at 2am appears poised to follow the same formula... but could be even more bloody. Logan Roy (played by Brian Cox) has died - so who now will take his place in Succession? In the aftermath of last week's cliffhanger, fans and critics have been arguing incessantly about possible outcomes. Don't read on if you haven't finished catching up with season four so far. But if, like us, you're agog to speculate how the 40th and final part of this series could pan out for each character, here's the best insider information. Read it now, before Tom Wambsgans orders Cousin Greg to shred it. THE STORY SO FAR Each episode of this season has taken place over a single day. On day three, patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) died aboard his private jet, on his way to seal a deal where his media company, Waystar Royco, would be sold to an eccentric Swedish internet billionaire instead of being handed down to any of his children. In the aftermath of his death, that deal was tentatively rubber-stamped but now Kendall and Roman (Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin) want it scrapped. Their pregnant sister, Siobhan, or Shiv (Sarah Snook), is keen for it to go ahead as long as she can take the helm. THE FRONT-RUNNER Kendall Roy has been desperate to succeed his father since the first episode, in 2018. He sees it as his birthright, although he is not the eldest son. That's Connor (Alan Ruck), Logan's child by his first wife, who characters gossip was committed to a mental asylum and divorced. But Connor isn't interested in business. After his delusional presidential bid ended in farce, he's got his sights set on an ambassador's role in central Europe (and reviving the Hapsburg dynasty as a European Union alternative, a contingency that can safely be dismissed from consideration here). With his father dead, though, Ken (played by Jeremy Strong) appears to have seized centre stage. He is actively recruiting underlings as allies, from PR guru Hugo to bodyguard Colin. It's as if he's no longer afraid to be the boss. Five years ago, the prospect of Kendall, or Ken, becoming Waystar's chief executive seemed remote. He cut a comic figure though actor Jeremy Strong told New Yorker magazine that he always saw Ken as tragic and never played him for laughs. Every opportunity his father gave him to impress was fumbled. His chaotic drug use spiralled, culminating in the death of an employee after a drunken family wedding, and he appeared to torpedo his last chance when he publicly denounced Logan as 'a malignant presence, a bully and a liar'. With his father dead, though, Ken appears to have seized centre stage. He is actively recruiting underlings as allies, from PR guru Hugo to bodyguard Colin. It's as if he's no longer afraid to be the boss. He turned a disastrous corporate launch into a publicity triumph with an improvised speech and repeated the trick at his father's funeral, taking the microphone when his brother Roman broke down in tears. Ken is revealing himself as the best billionaire speaker since Steve Jobs. That talent alone could be enough to propel him to power. Fans who see parallels between Succession and The Godfather films have always predicted this. In that story, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) becomes a Mafia don in the image of his father (Marlon Brando), losing his soul in the process. At this point in the series, there doesn't seem to be much left of Kendall's soul. What remains of it yearns for his dead father's approval. In his eulogy, he attacked people who tried 'to denigrate that magnificent, awful force of him'. 'But my God,' he said, 'I hope it's in me.' SUCCESSION ODDS: 4/10 THE SLIME PUPPY That's the nickname coined for Roman Roy by Waystar executive Gerri Kellman, during a bout of foul-mouthed phone sex. Actress J Smith-Cameron says she ad-libbed the phrase: 'I'm proud of slime puppy. It's my contribution to American literature.' Gerri is now looking forward to a comfortable retirement, thanks to a collection of obscene photos sent by her canine admirer. Gerri is now looking forward to a comfortable retirement, thanks to a collection of obscene photos sent by her canine admirer Roman made the mistake of upsetting her once too often (sacking her on a whim) and she coolly blackmailed him. This alone ought to rule him out as a serious contender for the crown. But Roman's combination of wit, charisma and amorality has enabled him to keep pace with Kendall's ruthless plotting. His one-liners are so disgusting that it's hard not to admire him. When his sister revealed, in the car on the way to the funeral, that she was pregnant, Roman immediately quipped, 'Is it mine?' then made an outrageous joke about watching her breastfeed. The brilliance of Culkin's performance is that we know this bravado is camouflage for his deep insecurities. His brothers bullied him viciously as a child, even locking him in a cage and forcing him to eat dog meat. He has a horror of his own emotions, is incapable of a relationship and is paralysed with envy of Kendall's business acumen. Underneath it all, Roman is naive and easy to manipulate. Logan knew it and so does Republican presidential candidate Jeryd Mencken (Justin Kirk), who might have just, controversially, won his White House bid. Roman's lack of confidence betrayed him at the funeral, when he broke down at the beginning of his tribute speech and was led away sobbing. Later, Kendall twisted the knife, accusing him of 'f***ing' everything the speech and the attempt to win over Mencken. In a fit of self-loathing, Roman dashed out into the New York streets, where an ugly protest march was close to violence. Hurling himself into the 'bull run' of demonstrators, he screamed abuse at them until being punched and kicked to the ground. So the question is not, 'Will Roman rule?' but, 'Is Roman even alive?' SUCCESSION ODDS: 1/10 THE DOUBLE AGENT Shiv Roy's duplicity was exposed on election night, when her brothers found out she was secretly undermining their efforts to stop the company falling into the hands of Lukas Matsson, Scandinavian creator of the social media giant GoJo. Kendall and Roman could hardly be surprised they outmanoeuvred her after Logan died, claiming that the board would never accept a ruling triumvirate. They meant that she was female and thus of less consequence. Shiv is used to such chauvinism from her family she told mourners at the funeral that her dad 'couldn't fit a whole woman in his head'. Shiv Roy's duplicity was exposed on election night, when her brothers found out she was secretly undermining their efforts to stop the company falling into the hands of Lukas Matsson, Scandinavian creator of the social media giant GoJo She is the most politically moderate of the siblings and the most astute. People might not like her, she's cold, abrasive and sarcastic, but they see they can do business with her. She isn't as emotionally unstable as Ken or as unpredictable as Roman. Also, she's clever. Her weakness is her failing marriage to the venal Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen), head of the right-wing ATN news channel and father of her unborn baby. Despite affairs, back-stabbings and poisonous rows, the couple seem to love each other but they might hate each other more. Shiv's only hope now of succeeding to the throne is through an alliance with Matsson, a man so socially unbalanced that he sends bricks of his own frozen blood as a love token to his ex-girlfriend. SUCCESSION ODDS: 2/10 THE SAD SWEDE That's what Shiv calls Matsson (Alexander Skarsgard), when she's flirting with him. He tolerates her teasing, because her inside information is invaluable and she's helped him hide a piece of false accounting that could have sunk his bid to buy Waystar. She wants the deal to go ahead so he can install her as CEO. This will calm American anxieties over European ownership, she says. Matsson can see the logic... but might have other candidates in mind for his puppets. The Sad Swede...That's what Shiv calls Matsson (Alexander Skarsgard), when she's flirting with him One would be Shiv's husband, Tom, who is prepared to do anything to further his career, even risking jail. Crushing his wife's lifelong dreams wouldn't give him a moment's pause. But another possibility is Tom's gopher, cousin Gregory Hirsch (Nicholas Braun) who is Logan's great-nephew. Greg is a klutz, a chump, a true American idiot. We first met him at a Waystar theme park, where he was dressed as a cartoon character and throwing up inside the costume. Since then his salary has improved but his competence hasn't. Matsson likes him, though. He needs people around him who are even more socially inept and who will never contradict him. Greg can't do much, but he knows how to say 'yes' and soak up abuse. He could go far on that alone. It seems ludicrous. After all the scheming of the siblings, surely the mantle could never fall on a simpleton. But sharp-eyed viewers spotted that Greg wasn't at the wake and Matsson left early. Later, Matsson seemed to be sharing his limo with someone. Could it be... ? SUCCESSION ODDS: 6/10 POETIC JUSTICE Kendall and Roman used their media power to influence the US election so nakedly that they risked destroying Waystar Royco's credibility and its share price. It's not hard to imagine a collapse on the stock exchange and Matsson buying them out of bankruptcy for a nominal $1. But that can't all happen in a single day. What could happen though, in an instant, is everything Kendall dreads his exposure as a killer. Since the night he crashed his car while drunk and stoned, killing his passenger, Ken has been a haunted man. Others know his secret, including Logan's ex-bodyguard. This ending is hinted at heavily in the title. Each series has concluded with an episode that takes its name from words of a sonnet called Dream Song 29 by American poet John Berryman. Tonight's episode is called With Open Eyes, a line in the second verse of the poem. The volume in which this sonnet appears is 77 Dream Songs, a collection of poems that won Berryman the 1965 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. It is about a man haunted by a death, and No 29 is explicit in its foreboding. The man cannot forget the dead face. It weighs on him, 'so heavy, if he had a hundred years and more, and weeping, sleepless,' he could never stop thinking about it. If that secret becomes public, it might be more than Kendall could stand. He has often seemed on the brink of suicide. Perhaps, in the end, Succession really will be a tragedy and not a comedy at all. SUCCESSION ODDS: 3/10 THE SPIN-OFF A GLORIOUS shot last week saw an array of Logan's ex-wives and girlfriends on the front row at the cathedral: his second wife Caroline (Harriet Walter), his third wife Marcia (Hiam Abbass), his final lover Kerry (Zoe Winters) and another ex-mistress, Sally-Anne played by Brian Cox's real-life wife, Nicole Ansari Cox. The four of them are ideally placed for a remake of Sex And The City. SUCCESSION ODDS: 0/10 Charlotte Hawkins and Alice Beer appeared in good spirits as they stepped out to the one-year anniversary performance of ABBA Voyage in London on Saturday. On Friday, their ITV co-star Phillip Schofield quit the network and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an affair with a younger This Morning colleague. Newsreader Charlotte, 48, wore a white sequinned dress which featured a plunging neckline and flared sleeves, with the skirt finishing just above the knee. She was joined by This Morning's consumer presenter Alice, 58, who wore a silky white blouse and metallic silver trousers for the evening, after speaking of her dismay at the 'sorry mess' engulfing the ITV programmer earlier in the day. They were joined by fashion presenter Mark Heyes, 46, who also regularly appears on This Morning, with the stylist looking dapper in a grey jacket which he teamed with some white trousers and a matching shirt. Out on the town: Charlotte Hawkins and Alice Beer appeared in good spirits as they stepped out to the one-year anniversary performance of ABBA Voyage in London on Saturday (Pictured: Charlotte, left, and Alice, right) Glitz: Newsreader Charlotte, 48, wore a white sequinned dress which featured a plunging neckline and flared sleeves, with the skirt finishing just above the knee (pictured with This Morning's fashion presenter Mark Heyes) The group enjoyed some drinks before heading to watch the virtual concert residency by the Swedish pop group ABBA which features the band's huge hits. On Friday, Phillip admitted to an affair with a younger male colleague, which he claimed was 'unwise but not illegal', in a lengthy statement, in which he also apologised to his wife and family. The 'unwise' relationship took place during his nearly 30-year marriage to his wife Stephanie, 59, and Phillip said he was 'so very sorry' for being unfaithful. Phillip stepped down from his This Morning hosting duties last weekend after more than 20 years on the airwaves before confirming the affair in a statement to the Daily Mail on Friday. Alice took to Twitter on Saturday morning to express her dismay at the 'sorry mess' engulfing the ITV programme. Addressing his bombshell statement, Alice admitted she was 'angry' and said his actions reflect on everyone who works at This Morning. She tweeted: 'Sad and angry. This sorry mess reflects on all of us who have enjoyed the fun and glory of working on such a successful programme.' Alice has served as This Morning's consumer presenter since 2014 and has worked alongside Phillip and Holly Willoughby for almost ten years on the show. Strike a pose: Charlotte confidently stood with her hand on her hip as she posed for pictures ahead of the performance Looking good: Fashion presenter Mark Heyes, 46, who also regularly appears on This Morning, with the stylist looking dapper in a grey jacket In style: This Morning's consumer presenter Alice, 58, wore a silky white blouse and metallic silver trousers for the evening Admission: It comes after Alice spoke on Saturday of her dismay at the 'sorry mess' engulfing the ITV programmer following Phillip Schofield's (pictured) affair admission Colleagues: Alice has served as This Morning's consumer presenter since 2014 and has worked alongside Phillip and Holly Willoughby for almost 10 years on the show On Friday, Phillip admitted to an affair with a younger male colleague, which he claimed was 'unwise but not illegal', in a lengthy statement, in which he also apologised to his wife and family. The 'unwise' relationship took place during his nearly 30-year marriage to his wife Stephanie, 59, and Phillip said he was 'so very sorry' for being unfaithful. Stephanie, who shares two kids Ruby, 27, and Molly, 29, with Phillip, issued a statement when her husband came out as gay in a moving This Morning segment in 2020. Phillip stepped down from his This Morning hosting duties last weekend after more than 20 years on the airwaves before confirming the affair in a statement to the Daily Mail on Friday. He has also resigned from ITV and will not host the British Soap Awards. He has also been dropped by his agents at YMU 'with immediate effect'. In a statement, the former ITV presenter said: 'I am making this statement via the Daily Mail, to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story [sic] which they wanted to write about me a few days ago. 'The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning. 'I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. Living it up: Elsewhere, Ronnie Wood, 75, and his wife glamorous Sally, 45, headed for a night out to celebrate the first anniversary of the ABBA Voyage Standing out: The Rolling Stones rocker wore an unbuttoned white shirt with a sequinned black jacket whilst Sally wore a colourful sequin dress Star studded: The pair were joined by Mark Aldridge (top left), designer Zandra Rhodes (bottom left) and Rod Stewart's wife, Penny Lancaster (right) for the night out All stars: Penny (left) wore an eye-catching white, pink and black tracksuit while TV star Gabby Logan (right) opted for a black jacket and some baggy trousers Stepping out: They were joined by Victoria Derbyshire who wore a black leather jacket and green top which she teamed with a black, white and red houndstooth dress 'Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than a just a friendship. 'That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over... 'I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife... 'I am resigning from ITV with immediate effect, expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me. 'I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.' After his statement, an ITV spokesman said: 'We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield. 'The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down. 'We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated.' Twinkle-toed star: Meanwhile, former Strictly Come Dancing judge and current Britain's Got Talent panellist Bruno Tonioli raise a glass at the show Famous friends: John Bishop (left) and Sir Ian McKellen (right) were all smiles as they posed arm-in-arm Following his statement, Phillip has also parted company with his management team YMU after 35 years. Mary Bekhait, the Group CEO of YMU Group, said: 'Honesty and integrity are core values for YMU's whole business, defining everything we do. Talent management is a relationship based entirely on trust. 'This week, we have learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield. 'These facts contradicted what Phillip had previously told YMU, as well as the external advisors we had brought in to support him. Music man: Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour looked smart in a black jacket, and matching top and trousers 'As a result, on Thursday we agreed to part company with Phillip, with immediate effect.' After quitting This Morning last weekend, Phillip had still been set to host the British Soap Awards for a 13th successive year, but he will no longer be doing so after quitting ITV altogether. The broadcaster has not yet confirmed who will host next Saturday's event instead of Phillip, 61, but bookies have tipped Joel Dommett as the favourite to take over. After his announcement, ITV said the British Soap Awards will still take place in Manchester on June 3, with a replacement host to be confirmed 'in due course'. We must approach God by exercising our free will, which can be done in multiple ways Yes, it is not a matter of knowledge. With the advent of the internet, who is not aware of God? But how many pursue this knowledge? Very few to say the least. Why? Because faith comes from interaction with God. We approach God and He responds, otherwise this relationship is a non-starter. A simple example will help. I dont have any interaction with a particular resident of my neighbourhood. There will be no progress in my relationship with that person. Yes, we must get in touch with God, who limits himself to instruct us through bonafide scriptures, preachers, who have a wide following, etc. We must approach God by exercising our free will. And we can do so in multiple ways like praying to God, going to a temple, chanting Gods name, etc. Every such act is taken notice of by God, who responds appropriately. To bring clarity to this phenomenon, I will narrate my experience in this connection. The very first thing God notices is our dutifulness. We, human beings, have been given the responsibility of doing our duties according to time, place and circumstances. This is how the creation can go on. Lord Krishna warns that even maintenance of the body will not be possible through inaction. (The Bhagavad-Geeta 3.8) God gets interested in those who are dutiful. The next thing, which impresses God is obeying dharma. After all, dharma is the bedrock on which the creation rests. God even incarnates to re-establish dharma. (4.8) Now such persons are keenly watched because such people become good people. The mode of goodness in them becomes predominant by overpowering the other two modes of passion and darkness. (14.10) If such a person requests help, God is prepared to do so; one just has to sincerely pray for it. We normally seek help from God in two ways. One is to get out of some trouble and the other is to gain something material like a decent job. What is Gods response? Let us understand one simple rule: God is always just; He couldnt be favouring someone at the cost of another, as will be in the case of landing a job. However, God can be more generous in case of helping someone to recover from a major illness. In this case, also, God has to determine if the sick person deserves such a favour and how much. But all said and done, God does respond. How much and when is decided by God, as found appropriate by Him. No request for help is ignored; only the quantum and the quality are to be decided. In one matter, God is more forthcoming, i.e. to guide. If a person is sincerely seeking guidance to do something noble, God will be very keen to help, because being the owner of everything, He must encourage what suits the creation. Dont we need good people to keep all of us going? God gives the right intelligence, as in the case of medical scientists. If someone is genuinely looking for a medical solution, which can help millions, and the motive is not to encash it to the fullest extent, God will help. What do you think we will do if we were to decide? God gives me spiritual solutions to common problems about which I can write. One may call it realisation as it really helps me personally. What more than any other favour reinforces faith is peace, which we all know is sought by everyone, but only a few manage it. The conclusion is to approach God in ways, which please Him, about which He has given detailed instructions. Swami Ravi Das was a leatherworker. He had no formal education, but he became a great devotee of God. Knowledge is helpful only as a tool, even spiritual; it must be practised. Spiritual activities take us to a higher level. Therefore, let us get going and link with the owner of the creation. He is waiting and He has plenty to give. Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com Even if the US revises its debt ceiling of $31.4 trillion, its risk-ridden economy may precipitate a global crisis of a larger magnitude With the looming debt crisis in the United States with the potential to default, a showdown between Republicans that control the House and the democratic white house may not augur well for the global economy and developing countries like India. Owing unsustainable economic policies over a few decades and irresponsible handling of resources has led the largest global economic powerhouse into a big mess of its own making. Even if president joe Biden manages to clinch a last-minute deal with Republican top leadership to push up the debt ceiling beyond us $ 31.4 trillion, larger questions continue to haunt the Americans. Mobilizing loans through US bonds or debt paper may not be the immediate concern but potential default on June 1 is what may turn catastrophic to not only Americans but the entire world. For Americans, it means that democrats will not be able to fund their fancied social security payments on medical and health insurance, pension or social development projects. President Biden and his Democratic administration will have to put on hold all fancy projects like waiving student loans or fees to provide personal tax concessions to youngsters and new taxpayers democrats understand the full importance of lifting the already unsustainable debt limit of $ 31.4 trillion. In fact, this also explains US President Biden's decision to forgo the scheduled quad summit in Australia and head back home after the G-7 leaders meeting in Hiroshima. Eventually, the quad summit had to be called off with heads of the US, Australia, Japan and India meeting briefly at Hiroshima on the sidelines of the G-7 congregation. The larger issue that confronts us and the world is a wee bit different and difficult. There is every possibility of us moving into economic recession thereby stymieing demand for goods and services globally. This will hit the economic growth sentiment internationally big time. Secondly, the possibility of banks getting stuck with worthless dollar-denominated bonds or debt paper in the medium term cannot be ruled out unless both the federal reserve and political leadership in the US take recourse to the mid-course correction that involves massive spending cuts or improve the country's revenues. Such a policy may be very unattractive for Democratic voters when they have to elect their president in 2024. Thirdly, containing the contagion effect of the US economy moving into the abyss will be a herculean task. One cannot easily forget the global financial crisis triggered by real estate-linked mortgages that turned worthless in 2007-08. This housing bubble stirred a perfect storm to impact both large developing countries like India as well as least developed countries alike. Excessive risk exposure taken by banks was the biggest element in this crisis of the worst kind after the great depression of 1929. Fourthly, if the US default finally happens, then countries like India having huge exposure to American greenback will also face the heat. But, this diversification should go the whole hog and consciously lead to pursuing the de-dollarization of the Indian economy as a state policy. Fifthly, while exports to the US become attractive and import bills get squeezed, a demand slump globally will negate the advantages gained in trade deals. There is no reason why India should not pursue a more independent trade and currency policy keeping herself at a safe distance from the federal reserve and recalibrating her linkages with Washington DC. Sixthly, Democrats and Republicans must work towards mid-course correction on the economic and development front rather than recklessly going for borrowing more from Tom to pay Peter. Limiting the fresh debt limit to us $ 1.5 trillion till March 31, 2024, and achieving concomitant cuts in spending by us $ 1.47 trillion would save the perilously placed our economy. Seventhly, precipitating a perfectly cooked crisis is not in anyone's interest and hence reining in the fresh spending to less than one per cent as per the limit, save, grow act of 2023 makes eminent sense. On the parallel, limiting the mop-up of fresh debt and gradual reduction in existing debt stock would augur well for the US economy thats seeking to reposition itself and instil confidence in its trading and investment partners. The debt-to-GDP ratio was approximately 97 per cent at the end of FY 2022, and under current policy and based on this report's assumptions is projected to reach 566 per cent in 2097, it pointed out. While pursuing a revised economic policy dispensation, president biden should not easily forget the 2011 crisis that was triggered by our congress. This pushed up the borrowing costs for the treasury by a humongous us $ 1.3 billion in just one year. Also, we should not provide any leverage to China for en-cashing its crisis. China is easily the largest holder of us debt paper, notes and long-term bonds with valuations ranging from $ 859.4 billion to $ one trillion. China may like to leverage our debt paper to rebalance its own resources position which again may not be looking too good. China's own debt of us $ 14.34 trillion as of April 12, 2023, and swelling at a whopping $ 3.81 trillion annually may not be something to brag about by president xis oligarchs driven communist party. Potential defaults in us, and machinations in China have valuable lessons for India that are overtly conservative on borrowings, especially by the Narendra Modi government. (The author is the director and chief executive of this non-partisan think tank based in New Delhi) The concept of a welfare state is always a welcome idea but the cost of welfare should not be such that it crumbles the state itself Siddaramaiah has taken oath as CM for the newly elected Karnataka government and the first googly has come out on the five promises which were hyped by Congress scion Rahul Gandhi. In the election manifesto, the Yuvanidhi scheme was announced to give Rs. 3,000 per month for two years to unemployed graduates and Rs. 1,500 per month for two years to unemployed diploma holders. However, minister Priyank Kharge has clarified that it would be affected for the academic year 2022-2023. As per the initial estimates, the annual cost of five promises would be Rs, 50,000 crores but the actual numbers might exceed this. Debt levels of Karnataka have more than doubled over five years and the Debt: State GDP ratio has increased from 18.4% in 2018 to 23.4% in 2023. Certain parts of the increase in debt can be attributed to external factors like the Covid-19 pandemic but there is an important factor that we all must understand. Some of the existing welfare schemes might be withdrawn by the new government to save some money while new schemes get introduced. In this case, people will benefit only from the differential. The fiscal deficit for FY23 was estimated at around Rs. 61,564 crores and it will exceed Rs. 1 lakh crore with the additional expense even if a tax buoyancy of 10% is factored YoY. It's important to highlight that the GST compensation cess is no longer there to fund the extravaganza of politicians. For perspective, the compensation cess in Karnataka budget was Rs. 25,267 crores in FY 2021-22 which came down to Rs. 5,000 crores in FY 2022-23. If we keep politics aside, it can be seen from the state finances that the debt level has gone up for almost all the states (except a few like Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh) over the last five years. Political compulsion will never allow the politicians to extend their vision beyond the short-term electoral gains and therefore India needs a law on the freebie culture. Of course, it is going to be a tough exercise because no one would like his hands tied by a piece of legislation and its hard to avoid the temptation which brings you close to the power but we need some fiscal prudence if this country does not choose to be walking on the similar path like Sri Lanka and Venezuela. The Finance Commission, which is a constitutional body, has already highlighted the risk of state debts reaching an unsustainable limit. The concept of a welfare state is always a welcome idea but the cost of welfare should not be such that it crumbles the state itself. Politicians and activists who keep floating their utopian ideas and taking shelter of our constitution for all their stupidity, forget that Article 292 and 293 of the same constitution talks about borrowings and mandates it to be within the limits specified by the legislature. The Constituent Assembly of India discussed these articles on 10th August 1949 and thought in a different context but the importance of the purpose of the loan was highlighted by Shri H. V. Kamath. Existing political leadership across the board might be shortsighted but Ananthasayanam Ayyangar emphasised the impact of borrowings in the constituent assembly discussion and his words can be referred to in todays context So far as borrowing is concernedthey may be short or long-term, imposing heavy obligations upon not only the present generation but future generation also. We must remember that nothing comes free in this world. If the cost of freebies is curtailing the capital expenses, piling up the debt, and slashing the social sector expenses like education, healthcare etc. then freebies are not free at all and we all will be paying the price one way or the other. (The writer is a chartered accountant, and policy analyst. Views expressed are personal) The war of words between the BJP and the Congress over the historical roots of the ceremonial sceptre Sengol, to be installed near the Chair of the Speaker in the new Parliament building, intensified on Friday. Lambasting the Congress for the boycott call and disputing the historical importance of sengol, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweet, Why does the Congress party hate Indian traditions and culture so much? A sacred Sengol was given to Pandit Nehru by a holy Saivite Mutt from Tamil Nadu to symbolise Indias freedom but it was banished to a museum as a walking stick. Shahs remarks came after Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed there was no documented evidence of Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari and Jawaharlal Nehru describing the Sengol as a symbol of transfer of power by the British to India. Ramesh tweeted, There is no documented evidence whatsoever of Mountbatten, Rajaji and Nehru describing this sceptre as a symbol of transfer of British power to India. All claims to this effect are plain and simple bogus. Is it any surprise that the new Parliament is being consecrated with typically false narratives from WhatsApp University? The BJP-RSS distorians stand exposed yet again with maximum claims, minimum evidence. Shah said, Now, Congress has heaped another shameful insult. The Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a holy Saivite Mutt, itself spoke about the importance of the Sengol at the time of Indias freedom. The Congress, he further posted, is calling the Adheenams history as BOGUS! Congress needs to reflect on their behaviour. The Tamil tradition of a high priest presenting a sceptre to a newly crowned king as a symbolic gesture dates back to the Chola dynasty. Several Union ministers hit out at the 20 Opposition parties, including the Congress, over their decision to boycott the inauguration ceremony. A group of 270 eminent citizens, including former bureaucrats, ambassadors and veterans condemned the Opposition parties for their decision and claimed that all the family-first parties have come together to boycott all that represents India. The head of a Tamil Nadu monastery sought to counter Rameshs claim, saying the Sengol was handed over to Lord Mountbatten and then it was presented to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947 to symbolise transfer of power from British and wrong claims made in this respect by some people has caused sadness. Tiruvavaduthurai Aadeenam, Ambalavana Desika Paramacharya Swami said the Sengol that that was away from the gaze of people would now be prominently displayed in Parliament for the world to see. To a question by reporters in Chennai on any proof for the handover of the Sengol, the pontiff said there were evidence, including photographs and reports that appeared in newspapers and magazines in 1947. BJP president JP Nadda said what connects the boycotting parties is their dynastic leadership whose monarchic methods are at loggerheads with the principles of the Constitution. While announcing the boycott, the Opposition parties had said the Prime Ministers decision to inaugurate it by himself, completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri hit out at the Congress and others who gave the boycott call, saying the boycott gang is insulting the legacy of their own leaders and the freedom fighters. In a series of tweets, Puri cited an old article of the Time Magazine published in 1947 which he said was a must read for those who wish they had built the magnificent new Parliament instead of Prime Minister Modi. Citing the article, Puri said, Vividly describes Hindu (customs and traditions) followed on eve of independence. The #Sengol they insult now was received with Hindu rituals by PM Nehru. Now hypocrisy is on full display attempts being made to paint it in different colours motives ascribed, crocodile tears shed!. Slamming Jairam Ramesh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi alleged that the Congress party has a habit of denigrating Bharatya value and culture. Today when the world is taking note of Bharats rich traditions, the Congress party is trying to find new ways to insult Bharat and its heritage. The Congress party still seems to be in a colonial hangover. The Opposition parties contend that President Droupadi Murmu should do the honours as she is not only the Head of State, but also an integral part of Parliament as she summons, prorogues, and addresses the institution. The signatories to the joint statement by eminent citizens slamming the opposition boycott included ex-NIA director YC Modi, former IAS officers RD Kapoor, Gopal Krishna and Samirendra Chatterjee, and Lingaya University Vice Chancellor Anil Roy Dubey. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena hit out at the at the Centre for not inviting President Murmu for the inauguration event and alleged that Prime Minister Modi considers the new complex his estate as he feels that it has been created by him. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan wrote to Prime Minister Modi extending his wishes for the inauguration of the new Parliament building and slammed the opposition parties for their boycott decision. Former Lok Sabha Speaker and senior BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan said Parliament is a temple of democracy and partisan politics should not be played over the institution. The old Parliament building, an architectural splendour and a historic landmark that guided the destiny of India for nearly a century and whose illustrious legacy will now be consigned to the pages of history, was inaugurated on January 18, 1927, by then Viceroy Lord Irwin. On May 28, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building and dedicate it to the nation, the old Sansad Bhavan will also hand over its position as the countrys hallowed legislature, a privilege it enjoyed for over 96 years. Revered today as Indias temple of democracy, the old Parliament House has for these nine-and-a-half decades witnessed the imperial rule of the British and its chamber has heard the echoes of bombs hurled by revolutionaries Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt in a bid to attain freedom. The building has seen the dawn of Independence and its halls have reverberated with the historic Tryst with Destiny speech delivered by first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on August 15, 1947. An architectural marvel with its charming circular design and an impressive colonnade of 144 creamy sandstone on the first floor, the old building was opened amid much fanfare at a time when the new imperial capital of the British Raj New Delhi was being built at a site in Raisina Hill area. According to archival documents and rare old images, a grand ceremony was held on January 18, 1927, to mark the opening of the majestic building, then called Council House. Over a century ago, when the nation was still in the making and Independence 26 years away, Britains Duke of Connaught had laid the foundation stone of Parliament House on February 12, 1921, and said it would stand as the symbol of Indias rebirth to yet higher destinies. The building, with a diameter of 560 ft and circumference of one-third of a mile, was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, who along with Sir Edwin Lutyens was chosen to design the new imperial capital in Delhi. According to the book New Delhi Making of a Capital, Lord Irwin had arrived in his viceregal carriage at a pavilion set up at the Great Place (now Vijay Chowk), and then proceeded to open the door of the Council House with a golden key, handed to him by Sir Herbert Baker. The sprawling edifice covering an area of nearly six acres and its creamy sandstone colonnade, is one of the most distinctive parliament buildings anywhere in the world, and one of the most defining and widely-recognised structures. The last legislative sitting in it before the inauguration was the Budget session of Parliament which concluded in April. Over the decades, as India evolved into the nation it is today, Parliament House has been witness to many a moment in history from cerebral debates to high-decibel, raucous discussions and the passing of legislations some landmark and others controversial. The multi-chequered history of the old Parliament building will now be frozen in time. The odyssey of the old Parliament building is also the journey of the new capital of India built under the rule of the then monarch King George V, later christened New Delhi by him in 1926, less than a month before the inauguration of the circular landmark. It was conceived by the British in 1920s after the imperial capital was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. Lutyens and Baker gave shape to the new imperial capital, with the Viceroys House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) and the North Block and South Block as the centrepiece of New Delhi. Lord Irwin inaugurated the Parliament building in 1927, and four years later led the inauguration ceremony of New Delhi which started on February 10 and lasted about a week. A viceroy in India was the representative of the British Crown in the country, and Lord Irwin was the first to occupy the Viceroys House built atop the Raisina Hill. After India turned a Republic in 1950, it became known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the abode of the President of India. Till the Council House or Parliament House as it is known today, was built, the legislature was housed in the iconic Old Secretariat building of the government, which today is home to the Delhi Assembly. In 2006, the Parliament Museum was added to showcase the 2,500 years of rich democratic heritage of India. Once the new Parliament building, part of the redevelopment of Central Vista, is inaugurated, India will in many ways, turn a page, since the opening of the old Parliament in 1927. Today, you meet for the first time in your new and permanent home in Delhi, Viceroy Lord Irwin had said, addressing the first session of the third legislative assembly on January 24, 1927. Congress state level disciplinary committee has been directed to take action against those leaders for breaking party discipline. Congress state level disciplinary committee deputy chief Brajendra Prasad Singh received this direction from Avinash Pandey state -in- charge of party while Singh met him at AICC headquarters at New Delhi and had apprised him of ongoing practice of leaders violating party norms. Singh told media persons that issuing statements on social media, print media or any media platform amounts to violation of party discipline as told by Avinash Pandey. Those violating such norms would henceforth face consequences as per party guidelines. Singh said, no matter what post you hold or how senior you are in party discipline has to be maintained at any cost. Violators would be dealt accordingly, added Singh. Pandey also directed the launch preparation for forthcoming elections in 2024. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday hit out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over plans to install Sengol scepter a historic Tamil artifact signifying transfer of power between kings or rulers in the new Parliament building to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh said the use of Sengol indicated that the party had accepted defeat and planned to hand over power a reference to next years general election, when the BJP will bid for an unprecedented third successive term. Akhilesh Yadav endorsed the Congress stand on this issue and questioned the BJPs claims about the Sengol and criticised it for consecrating the new Parliament and attempting to perpetuate false narratives. The Sengol is a symbol of transfer of power (from one hand to another) The BJP seems to have accepted that the time has come to hand over power, Yadav tweeted amid a row over the scepter and the decision to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the building instead of President Droupadi Murmu. There is no documented evidence whatsoever of Mountbatten, Rajaji and Nehru describing this scepter as a symbol of transfer of British power to India. All claims to this effect are simply bogus. Wholly and completely manufactured in the minds of a few and dispersed into WhatsApp, Akhilesh Yadav said. The BJP hit back through Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party boss JP Nadda. Shah accused the Congress of hating Indian civilisation and its ancient traditions. Why does the Congress party hate Indian traditions and culture so much? he said. A sacred Sengol was given to Pandit Nehru by a holy Saivite Mutt from Tamil Nadu to symbolise Indias freedom but it was banished to a museum as a walking stick, the home minister tweeted. Now, Congress has heaped another shameful insult. The Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a holy Saivite Mutt, itself spoke about the importance of the Sengol at the time of Indias freedom. Congress is calling the Adheenams history as bogus! Congress needs to reflect on their behavior, Shah said. Apart from the Sengol row, the decision to have Modi inaugurate the new Parliament building has also prompted a furious pushback from the opposition and nearly two dozen, including the SP and the Congress. The SP was one of 19 opposition outfits that issued a statement this week confirming they will all stay away from the inauguration. Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Friday said that the e Delhi governments Armed Forces Preparatory School (AFPS) is giving wings to the dreams of children from underprivileged backgrounds who want to serve the nation. Attending the investiture ceremony of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Armed Forces Preparatory School at Jharoda Kalan, Atishi said discipline and patriotism among AFPS students was unparalleled. "All students present here are part of the first batch of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Armed Forces Preparatory School, and we have great expectations from them. These students possess unmatched discipline and patriotism and they already show glimpses of future military officers," she said. The minister said through this school, the Delhi government has instilled self-confidence among the children from underprivileged families. "The Kejriwal government is preparing students as cadets to become defenders of the nation, and providing them with all the necessary facilities. In the future, some of these students will become colonels or army generals and will bravely protect the nation at our borders ," she said. "The nation is watching the children of the first batch with great expectations. Due to the countrys support, you have been provided with such magnificent hostels, campuses, education and training opportunity. It is also your duty to work hard and serve this country and bring pride to the nation," she added. The school campus, spread over 14 acres, provides residential facilities along with free training for armed forces Presently, there are 80 students enrolled in the 10th grade and 77 students in the 12th grade at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Armed Forces Preparatory School. Additionally, the admission process for the 9th grade is underway for the 2023-24 session. Delhi BJP on Friday said that the BJP will lodge a complaint with Delhi Police in connection with the alleged "stealing" of files from the office of special secretary (vigilance) YVVJ Rajasekhar at Secretariat building. In a joint Press conference with the Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramveer Singh Bidhuri, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said that if needed, BJP will also approach the court in the matter. A purported CCTV footage showing some people moving around carrying files outside Rajasekhars office on the intervening night of May 15-16 was also screened at the Press conference. "This CCTV exposes the Kejriwal government. The files from Rajasekhars office were stolen and photocopied in a nearby room because the officer was probing corruption cases against them," Tiwari alleged. He also questioned if opposition leaders like Mamta Banerjee and Sharad Pawar supported such action of the AAP government in Delhi whose party supremo Arvind Kejriwal met them seeking their support against the Centres ordinance on services matter. Questioning Kejriwals silence on this matter, Bidhuri said a delegation of BJP leaders led by Delhi state president Virendra Sachdeva will soon meet the Delhi police commissioner and demand for registration of an FIR in the matter. If there is a delay we will knock on the door of the court so that the court orders the police to register the case. Rajasekhar sent a report to his superiors regarding the opening of his office at the Secretariat on the intervening night of May 15-16 and the removal of "sensitive files" kept there for photocopying. He suspected in his report that the files may have been "tampered" with during the incident. He said that the moving of files from one room to another in the Delhi Secretariat explains why Kejriwal wanted the services so that if he gets the Anti-Corruption Branch and the Vigilance Department, he can cover up the cases and all the evidence of his corruption can be erased. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said that Chhattisgarh is witnessing a reverse migration with people returning to villages from urban areas as the government has done many new innovations for rural areas and embraced pro-farmer policies. The Chief Minister was speaking at a Public Policy Summit programme held in New Delhi where he shared his vision and thoughts along with the plans and policies of Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister said that innovations of Chhattisgarh have become examples in the country. He said arrangements have been made for input assistance under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana so that farmers can get the right price. Under the Godhan Nyay Yojana, by purchasing cow dung and cow urine from farmers, fertilizers and pesticides are being made from them. Gauthans are being constructed in every village and they are being upgraded as rural industrial parks. Small processing units like pulses mill, oil mill and mini rice mill are being set up in these areas, he said. He added that villages in Chhattisgarh are being developed as production centers and those products are being sold in the cities. For this, C-Marts have been established. He said 65 types of minor forest produce are procured in Chhattisgarh. By adding value to these minor forest produce, employment opportunities are being created for the tribals. The Millets Mission in the state aims to promote the collection, production and processing of millets. By processing it locally, it is being sold widely, increasing the income of tribal farmers. Taking cognizance of the incident of hooliganism in Tukoganj police station area of Indore last night, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave instructions to take strict action against the culprits. Chief Minister Chouhan said in strongly that strict action should be taken against those who take the law into their own hands. Madhya Pradesh is an island of peace, anarchy and hooliganism will not be tolerated here. He also directed the district and police administration to take strict action against anti-social elements. The Indore Police Administration has started action by registering a police case against the accused in the incident that took place in Tukoganj police station area. Delhi police has arrested four persons for allegedly trapping people by approaching them on a dating app meant for the LGBTQ community and later extorting money from them by threatening to share their private videos with their families. The accused were identified as Arun Kumar (22), Vishal Kohli (24), Rajesh Kumar (42) and Anuj (21). Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Rajesh Deo said the accused persons used to make fake profiles on Grindr app, chat with the targets to get friendly with them and lure them into taking part in sexual activities. They would invite the victims to select locations and record them in compromising positions. Later, they would threaten to share these videos with the family members and friends of the victims and demand money from them, he said. The matter came to light after one of the victims lodged a complaint, the police said. According to the complainant, he met a man through Grindr and met him at Vinobapuri metro station on April 24. From there, the accused took him to a room. While they were talking to each other, two men barged into the room and started making his video after forcing him to remove his clothes.The accused threatened to post video online and forced complainant to pay `2 lakh, the police said. Using technical surveillance, the accused persons Arun Kumar and Vishal Kohli were traced to Loni, Ghaziabad and were arrested from there. Later, Rajesh Kumar was arrested from Shahbad Dairy, they said. The fourth accused, Anuj, was arrested in connection with another case in which he and his associates managed to extort `33,000 from a man, the police said. They also thrashed the victim and forcibly performed oral sex on him, they said. After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has decided to skip the 8th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in the national capital on Saturday in protest against the Centres ordinance on control of services in Delhi. Chief Minister of AAP-ruled Punjab, Bhagawant Mann, has also declared to boycott Niti Aayog meeting citing the alleged discrimination against the state by the Centre over the issue of grant of funds, "The way democracy has been attacked, non-BJP governments have been toppled and stopped from functioning in the last few years, its neither vision of India nor cooperative federalism. There is no point in attending the Niti Aayog meeting when the Constitution and democracy are being openly violated and cooperative federalism is being rendered as a joke. People are saying that we should not go to the Niti Aayog meeting on Saturday. Therefore, it will not be possible for me to attend the meeting," Kejriwal said in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, lambasted Kejriwal saying that the language of the letter written by Kejriwal to the Prime Minister clearly shows that he is a victim of political frustration and depression. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the Niti Aayog Governing Council meeting. The Niti Aayog meeting will deliberate on several issues, including, health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. The council, the apex body of Niti Aayog, includes all chief ministers, lieutenant governors of Union Territories, and several Union ministers. The Chief Minister has appealed for the free functioning of non-BJP governments and urged the Prime Minister to respect the orders of the Supreme Court. Furthermore, Kejriwal has expressed concern over the PMs selective support extended to BJP governments while hindering the work of non-BJP governments. He has cautioned the PM that such biassed actions would ultimately impede the development of the nation and hinder the collective progress of all states. In his letter, the Chief Minister has highlighted the disturbing trend of non-BJP governments being toppled, overthrown, or hindered from functioning effectively. He noted that such actions do not align with the spirit of cooperative federalism, which is the objective of the NITI Aayog. He has also emphasised that it has become increasingly clear that non-BJP governments face significant challenges and resistance in carrying out their mandates. The AAP and chief minister said after a struggle of eight years, the people of the national capital won the fight in the Supreme Court and got justice, referring to the apex courts May 11 verdict giving elected arm of government in Delhi executive power including transfer and postings of officers, that was earlier Lt Governors domain. "In just eight days you passed an ordinance to overturn the SC verdict," Kejriwal said. If an officer of the Delhi government does not work, the government elected by the people cannot take action against him, he claimed. "How will the government work in this way? This is completely paralysing the government. Why do you want to paralyse the Delhi government ? Is this the vision of India, is this cooperative federalism?," he questioned in the letter to Modi. There is strong opposition among people in the country against the ordinance brought by the Centre, kejriwal asserted and added that the "people are asking if the Prime Minister does not even follow the Supreme Court, where will they go ?" He alleged that either the non-BJP governments are toppled through horse trading of their MLAs or they are weaned away through the "threat" of ED or CBI and if the legislators of any party are not bought or defect, its government is stopped from working through an ordinance or governor. Delhi University has urged the University Grants Commission (UGC) to sanction more than 3,000 additional teaching and non-teaching posts across 46 colleges to maintain the student-teacher ratio. According to official, the student-teacher ratio has been impacted due to the implementation of the 10 per cent reservation for the EWS category in admissions. The varsity has also requested the Delhi governments Department of Higher Education to sanction hundreds of teaching and non-teaching posts across 12 colleges funded by the government, official said. Letters were sent to the UGC and the Delhi government on Thursday with the list of colleges that need additional teaching and non-teaching posts to maintain the student-teacher ratio, the senior official said. The varsity has also demanded grants from the government and the UGC in this regard. The principals have prepared a proposal of their respective colleges for additional number of teaching posts based on the appropriate teacher-student ratio. In the letter sent to the UGC, the DU mentioned 46 colleges, including Ramjas College, Kirori Mal College, Hans Raj College and Miranda House, where additional teaching and non-teaching posts are needed. The list mentions the need for 3,035 teaching and non-teaching posts in 46 colleges. The sanctioning of the maximum number of additional posts of teachers is required at Hansraj College (92), followed by Gargi College (91). The three colleges that need 80 or more teachers are Deshbandhu College (80), Dyal Singh College (81), and University College of Medical Sciences (80). Similarly, the Hindu College and University College of Medical Sciences require the maximum number of non-teaching officials (75). The university last year sought information from its colleges on the number of additional teaching and non-teaching staff members required to deal with the additional pressure created due to the implementation of the 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker section (EWS) category in admissions. "The Principals/Directors of the Colleges/Institutions have prepared the proposal for an additional number of teaching posts based on appropriate teacher-student ratio," the letter to UGC said. "Also, proper justifications for additional teaching and non-teaching posts have been given in the proposals...For consideration of sanction of additional posts and grant to the Colleges of the University of Delhi. An early approval in the matter is requested," the letter added. In a similar letter to the Delhi government, the varsity sends a list of 12 colleges along with the number of teaching and non-teaching faculty required there. As per the list, 804 posts need to be sanctioned across 12 colleges which include both teaching (435) and non-teaching (369) posts. In the colleges funded by the Delhi government, Acharya Narendra Dev College requires the maximum number of teaching (72) and non-teaching (81) additional staff. The 10 per cent quota for the EWS category has led to an increase in number of seats for students, the DU official said. Aimed at improving the condition of subways across Delhi, the AAP government launched a 'mission' on Friday to revamp vital pedestrian pathways and directed the engineers concerned to work round-the-clock for a month, according to an official statement. The Public Works Department minister will personally inspect the completed work at the subways from July 1, it said. Addressing a press conference , Delhi PWD Minister Atishi said, "During a recent visit to the Punjabi Bagh subway crossing, I was appalled by the deplorable condition of the subway. The situation was such that no person, especially a woman, would ever want to use that subway. It lacked proper lighting, CCTV cameras for security, and regular cleaning. Dangling wires overhead posed a safety hazard, and filth and garbage marred the entire space." Taking cognisance of the situation, Atishi convened a meeting of all PWD engineers and issued orders to improve all subways across Delhi by the end of June. The minister emphasized that during this one-month period, PWD officials have been directed to ensure cleanliness, adequate lighting, CCTV surveillance to ensure the safety of women, children, and the elderly, as well as the deployment of security guards to protect subways from anti-social elements in the subways. In a bid to reduce oversight, the PWD will also establish a centralized control room for monitoring CCTV cameras in subways, enabling round-the-clock surveillance.Convex mirrors will be strategically placed at blind spots to guide pedestrians, fostering alertness and safety. Amid the ongoing tussle with the elected government, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who completed a year in office on Friday, listed the works done by the administration under him and claimed the national capital has not seen so much done in the last decade. Addressing the IAS officers of the AGMUT cadre attending a workshop on capacity building of civil servants for effective service delivery, Saxena asked the civil servants to commit themselves to transparency and work hard without bowing to pressures. He said if the civil servants work with honesty and integrity, then nobody can touch them. A row has erupted between the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi and the BJP-ruled Centre after the latter promulgated an ordinance effectively bringing the control of the state bureaucracy into the hands of its representative the L-G. The ordinance came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government. To give corruption-free administration to the society, the responsibility lies on your shoulders. This expectation is not only of mine but the entire society also has the same expectation, Saxena said and mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement Na Khaunga, naKhaneydoonga, in context of people-friendly and corruption-free governance. The statement of PM Modi is not just a quote or `jumla but it is a matter of fact assertion, demanding clean and transparent governance, the LG emphasized. He expressed hope that the Civil Servants will work keeping in mind the vision of the Prime Minister and contribute for the development of the country. Citing various works supervised by him in Delhi, Saxena said, "We have delivered so much in the last one year with your cooperation that could not have been done perhaps even in 10 years." The L-G said that cleaning of the river was monitored by the Supreme Court for 28 years and then by the National Green Tribunal for eight years but the result was "zero". After the January 8 order by NGT that led to the setting up of a high-level committee headed by the L-G for Yamuna cleaning, there has been a marked difference in the work done by the same officers who were engaged in the project earlier also, Saxena said. In a major setback to Samajwadi Party, its newly-elected chairperson of Maniyar nagar panchayat in Ballia was booked for allegedly fabricating her date of birth while filing her nomination papers for the civic body polls, police said on Friday. According to a complaint filed by Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) of Ballia, Maniram Singh, SP leader Ritu Devi produced her class 8 mark sheet of Naveen Balika Junior High School in Sripur as her age proof, which suggested her current age as 32 years. However, records showed that no examinee with her name took an exam at the said school that year, the complainant added. Following allegations against Devi of forging her date of birth, Ballia District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar ordered the BSA to conduct an investigation, the police said. Ballia City Kotwali Station House Officer Rajeev Singh said that based on Singhs complaint, an FIR was registered on Thursday night against Devi under sections 419 (cheating by impersonation), 420 (cheating), 467 and 468 (falsification of documents) and 471 (dishonest use of fake certificate) of the Indian Penal Code. The matter is being probed and appropriate action would be taken, the SHO said. The SP candidate had defeated Bharatiya Janata Partys Buchiya by a margin of 1,609 votes in the Maniyar nagar panchayat seat reserved for Scheduled Tribe women. Devi secured 4,919 votes, while Buchiya got 3,310 votes. A total of seven candidates contested this seat. Meanwhile, in a killing over an election related dispute, a gram pradhan (village head) was shot dead in broad daylight in Gonda, police said on Friday. The sensational killing took place on Thursday. Police personnel from nearby police stations have been deployed in the area to maintain peace. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Shivraj, Bhupmani Shukla (40), the head of Pariyava village within Tarabganj police station limits, was shot at by an unidentified assailant in the afternoon. Shukla was rushed to the district hospital where the doctors pronounced him dead. After Shukla was shot at Bhanpur intersection under Tarabganj police station, the angry relatives created a ruckus at the district hospital and insisted on taking the body home without a post-mortem. After much persuasion by the police, the relatives gave consent for autopsy. A case has been registered by the police and efforts are on to trace out the killers who are absconding from the village. A group of NIT Jamshedpur students reached Ranchi township of Port Blair under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "One India, Best India" concept, a group of tribal youths and women from Jharkhand reached Ranchi Basti, Port Blair, under the strengthening of cultural unity and identity among different states of India. Under the important and ambitious scheme "Yuva Sangam" of the Government of India, this journey was completed. The people of Jharkhand live in large numbers in the Ranchi township of Port Blair. The tribals who migrated from Jharkhand to Port Blair years ago are keeping their civilization, culture and tradition alive. This Ranchi township of Port Blair is 300 years old. Under the Yuva Sangam campaign, 45 tribal youths are traveling to Port Blair. During their visit, the youth of Jharkhand also visited several historical places. In which the sacrificial altar, Netaji Subhash Chandra Island, new terminal airport etc. are prominent. The youth also carried out a cleanliness drive on the beach. This delegation of youth also visited Baratang. Also met the local residents known as Ranchiwalas. Studied their daily life activities, their traditions and cultural characteristics. These people came from Chhotanagpur during the British period and settled here and since then they have kept their tradition and culture alive. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, a flagship Mission of Government of India being implemented by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), was launched on 25th June 2015. Notably In continuation to this Governments efforts towards empowerment of women from EWS and LIG unlike earlier schemes, PMAY (U) has made a mandatory provision for the female head of the family to be the owner or co-owner of the house under this Mission. This Scheme will provide ease of living to urban migrants/ poor in Industrial Sector as well as in non-formal urban economy to get access to dignified affordable housing close to their workplace. In the same episode Housing allotment in Chas Municipal Corporation Houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban Phase 3 was done by handing over the documents of the houses to the 85 waiting beneficiaries who were finally also given allotment letters for the Prestigious Kalapathar residential project. It is noteworthy that Presently 480 houses are being constructed in Moja Kalapathra. The total cost of the house is 5 lakh 61 thousand, in which the central and state government share is 2 lakh 50 thousand and the rest beneficiary's contribution is 3 lakh 11 thousand which too is payable in four instalments 5000/, 20000/, 71500. Today, the allotment programme was organized in Chas Municipal Corporation auditorium in which a recent allotment programme was attended by 38 beneficiaries, remaining beneficiaries who could not reach due to any reason will be given the next date . During the allotment programme Additional Municipal Commissioner Anil Kumar whose focus is always on Chas Municipal all round developments with his team including Executive Officer Chavi Bala, Santosh Kumar City Manager, Kumar Rahul CBTC, Kapishwar Singh, Rashmi, Varun Kumar , Narayan Kisku from Juidoco etc were present in said programme. Chhattisgarh Police on Friday arrested three Nigerians from New Delhi and brought them here for allegedly duping a lady doctor of Rs 13.55 lakhs through a fake profile on a matrimonial site. Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police Prashant Agrawal told The Pioneer that Emmanuel (33), Paulinus (35) and Augustine (49) are in custody. They cheated a Raipur-based woman doctor. They were living in Delhi although the visa of the first two men had expired. Last month, one of them posed as a resident of Scotland, Vikas Kumar, and posted a fake profile on the matrimonial site. The young woman, who was looking for a suitable match, interacted with him via WhatsApp. The man gradually gained the confidence of the woman and called up some days later saying he had sent some gifts for her. Another accused, posing as a customs officer, told the woman that she had to pay the money in Indian currency to get her parcel. The victim, not suspecting anything amiss, allegedly transferred money in the account number provided by the accused. After that she could no longer contact the man and realized that he had cheated her. Subsequently, she filed a complaint with the police, who seized 19 mobile phones, 31 ATM cards, a laptop, 22 passbooks, 35 cheque books and a SIM card from the Nigerians. The Uttar Pradesh Police claimed to have arrested jailed gangster Abu Salems nephew, Arif, from outside a hotel on Hill Road in Bandra, Mumbai. Arif was on the absconders list of the police and a hunt was on to apprehend him. Acting on a tip-off, a team of the UP Police rushed to Mumbai and started looking for Arif, Special Director General Prashant Kumar said here on Friday. He said the team members, with the help of the local police in Mumbai, got success when they nabbed the nephew of the don. Arif is being brought to UP for further legal proceedings. Kumar said that Arif was arrested in connection with a case lodged against him at Kotwali Azamgarh on May 25 by one Shabana Parveen. Parveen has alleged in the FIR that one Hena, her husband Salam and Mohammed Arif forcefully grabbed her ancestral land. The police had registered the FIR against the three accused under the charges of Indian Penal Code sections 386 (extortion), 420 (dishonesty), 467 (forgery). Kumar said that the Special Operations Group of Azamgarh police got information that Arif was hiding in Mumbai and a team immediately dashed off there and nabbed him. Arif is the son of Abdul Hakim who is the real elder brother of Abu Salem. In his first visit to Mainpuri after urban civic polls, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated as well as laid foundations of projects worth Rs 412 crore in the district. While inaugurating 23 industrial projects worth Rs 238.30 crore and laying the foundation stones of 40 development projects worth Rs 173.19 crore, the chief minister said that the government was working hard to make Mainpuri one of the most developed districts of the state. The government is working toward a zero-tolerance policy to get rid of corruption and corrupt people. Our goal is to establish India as the world's largest economy by associating with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolutions, he said. The chief minister also unveiled the statue of Madhavrao Scindia in the presence of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and senior ministers from his cabinet. While unveiling the statue at the ScindiaTiraha, the chief minister said everyone was shocked by his untimely death in 2001 because he was a rising star in the nation's politics. Madhavrao Scindia was Member of Parliament for nine times and was even appointed as Union minister. As railway minister he made revolutionary changes including launching of Swarn Shatabdi train, he said. Yogi said that Madhavrao Scindia always did positive politics. "A tragic incident took him away from us. Today is an emotional moment for all of us. We were paying tribute to a son of India.," he said. The intersection in Mainpuri is named after Madhavrao Scindia and today we installed his statue. The memorial built for Madhavrao Scindia is small. Work will be done to make it grand and beautiful, he said. Expressing his gratitude, the chief minister said that he was grateful to the people of Mainpuri for their support in the civic elections. Stating that Uttar Pradesh had progressed under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief minister said that in the last six years the network of highways, expressways, and roads was being laid at the same speed with which air connectivity had progressed in the state. Earlier, benefits were only provided to a select group of people, but now all poor people are receiving benefits from government schemes without any discrimination, he added. The chief minister informed that in six years, free houses have been given to 54 lakh poor people, and 1,21,000 majras have been electrified in the state. "In every district of the state, new opportunities for skill development and employment are being provided by linking the institutions with the industry," Yogi said. Atalaya Mining Plc (LON:ATYM Get Rating)s stock price crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 339.80 ($4.23) and traded as low as GBX 306.06 ($3.81). Atalaya Mining shares last traded at GBX 312 ($3.88), with a volume of 95,565 shares traded. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have commented on ATYM. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 600 ($7.46) price objective on shares of Atalaya Mining in a report on Monday, May 15th. Berenberg Bank decreased their price objective on shares of Atalaya Mining from GBX 480 ($5.97) to GBX 450 ($5.60) and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 15th. Get Atalaya Mining alerts: Atalaya Mining Trading Up 5.7 % The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 14.42. The firms 50-day simple moving average is GBX 339.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 335.53. The stock has a market capitalization of 465.80 million, a P/E ratio of 1,752.63, a PEG ratio of -2.02 and a beta of 1.70. About Atalaya Mining Atalaya Mining Plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mineral exploration and development in Spain. The company's flagship property is its 100% owned Proyecto Riotinto mine, an open-pit copper mine located in the Andalusia region of Spain. It produces copper concentrates, including silver by-products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Atalaya Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Atalaya Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Babcock International Group PLC (OTCMKTS:BCKIF Get Rating) shares dropped 1.3% on Friday . The company traded as low as $3.75 and last traded at $3.75. Approximately 750 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 9% from the average daily volume of 821 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.80. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BCKIF has been the subject of several recent research reports. Citigroup cut Babcock International Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. Berenberg Bank lowered their price target on Babcock International Group from GBX 430 ($5.35) to GBX 400 ($4.98) in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Babcock International Group from GBX 475 ($5.91) to GBX 455 ($5.66) in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Get Babcock International Group alerts: Babcock International Group Stock Down 1.3 % The company has a 50 day moving average of $3.78 and a 200 day moving average of $3.70. About Babcock International Group Babcock International Group Plc engages in the provision of engineering support services to government organizations and key industries in the private sector. It operates through the following business segments: Marine, Land, Aviation, and Nuclear. The Marine segment provides through-life support of submarines, naval ships, and infrastructure; and operates an international naval support business. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Babcock International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Babcock International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CCL Industries Inc. (TSE:CCL.B Get Rating)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$63.15 and traded as high as C$68.07. CCL Industries shares last traded at C$67.47, with a volume of 356,193 shares. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CCL.B has been the topic of several analyst reports. Pi Financial cut their price target on shares of CCL Industries from C$80.00 to C$79.00 in a research report on Monday, February 27th. CIBC boosted their price objective on shares of CCL Industries from C$72.00 to C$74.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Raymond James lowered shares of CCL Industries from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a C$71.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. TD Securities boosted their price objective on shares of CCL Industries from C$73.00 to C$77.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of CCL Industries from C$75.00 to C$78.00 in a research note on Friday, February 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, CCL Industries currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$75.13. Get CCL Industries alerts: CCL Industries Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of C$10.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 53.52. The stocks 50 day moving average is C$66.18 and its 200 day moving average is C$63.20. About CCL Industries CCL Industries Inc manufactures and sells labels, containers, consumer printable media products, technology driven label solutions, polymer bank note substrates, and specialty films. The company operates through four segments: CCL, Avery, Checkpoint, and Innovia. The CCL segment offers pressure sensitive and specialty extruded film materials for decorative, instructional, functional, and security applications in the consumer packaging, healthcare, chemicals, consumer electronic device, and automotive markets. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for CCL Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CCL Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Decisive Dividend Co. (CVE:DE Get Rating) shares rose 4.9% on Friday . The stock traded as high as C$6.65 and last traded at C$6.65. Approximately 16,865 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 24% from the average daily volume of 13,631 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$6.34. Decisive Dividend Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.87, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 114.29. The firms 50-day moving average is C$6.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$5.59. The stock has a market cap of C$115.58 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.97 and a beta of 1.19. Get Decisive Dividend alerts: Decisive Dividend (CVE:DE Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 23rd. The company reported C$0.04 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$30.78 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$29.50 million. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Decisive Dividend Co. will post 0.4190476 earnings per share for the current year. Decisive Dividend Company Profile Decisive Dividend Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells wood and gas burning stoves, and fireplace inserts in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. It operates in two segments, Finished Product and Component Manufacturing. The company also designs, manufactures, and markets air blast sprayers for use in agricultural industry under the Turbo Mist brand; and wastewater evaporator systems that are used in mining, oil and gas, and waste management industries. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Decisive Dividend Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Decisive Dividend and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Empire State Realty Trust (NYSE:ESRT Get Rating) from an in-line rating to an outperform rating in a research note published on Tuesday morning, Briefing.com reports. They currently have $8.00 price objective on the real estate investment trusts stock, up from their prior price objective of $7.00. Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. TheStreet downgraded Empire State Realty Trust from a c rating to a d+ rating in a report on Monday, April 3rd. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Empire State Realty Trust from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $9.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday, March 3rd. Bank of America upgraded Empire State Realty Trust from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $9.25 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Empire State Realty Trust in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on Empire State Realty Trust from $7.25 to $7.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $7.95. Get Empire State Realty Trust alerts: Empire State Realty Trust Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:ESRT opened at $5.89 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $944.70 million, a P/E ratio of 17.85, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 8.99 and a current ratio of 8.99. Empire State Realty Trust has a one year low of $5.39 and a one year high of $8.68. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $6.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $6.91. Empire State Realty Trust Announces Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.035 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.38%. Empire State Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 42.43%. A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Toroso Investments LLC boosted its position in Empire State Realty Trust by 10.2% during the 1st quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 19,550 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $127,000 after acquiring an additional 1,816 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in Empire State Realty Trust by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,423,615 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $22,219,000 after acquiring an additional 456,442 shares during the period. Bbjs Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Empire State Realty Trust during the 1st quarter worth $679,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Empire State Realty Trust by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,805,024 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $18,205,000 after buying an additional 80,543 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Greenland Capital Management LP raised its stake in shares of Empire State Realty Trust by 254.8% in the 1st quarter. Greenland Capital Management LP now owns 110,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $714,000 after buying an additional 79,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.81% of the companys stock. Empire State Realty Trust Company Profile (Get Rating) Empire State Realty Trust, Inc is a real estate investment trust, which engages in owning, managing, acquiring, and repositioning office and retail properties. It operates through the Real Estate and Observatory segments. The Real Estate segment includes ownership, management, operation, acquisition, repositioning, and disposition of real estate assets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Empire State Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Empire State Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. European Metals Holdings Limited (ASX:EMH Get Rating)s stock price passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of A$32.70 ($21.80) and traded as low as A$31.15 ($20.77). European Metals shares last traded at A$31.50 ($21.00), with a volume of 209,493 shares trading hands. European Metals Stock Performance The companys fifty day simple moving average is A$32.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is A$36.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 38.97 and a quick ratio of 17.52. About European Metals (Get Rating) European Metals Holdings Limited engages in the exploration and development of Cinovec lithium and tin projects in the Czech Republic. The company was formerly known as Equamineral Holdings Limited and changed its name to European Metals Holdings Limited in February 2014. European Metals Holdings Limited was incorporated in 2012 and is based in West Perth, Australia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for European Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for European Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. European Opportunities Trust plc (LON:JEO Get Rating) shares passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 843 ($10.49) and traded as low as GBX 841.44 ($10.47). European Opportunities Trust shares last traded at GBX 843 ($10.49), with a volume of 176,142 shares trading hands. European Opportunities Trust Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.64. The businesss 50 day moving average is GBX 843 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 843. The company has a market cap of 886.70 million and a PE ratio of -12.93. About European Opportunities Trust (Get Rating) European Opportunities Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Devon Equity Management Limited. Devon Equity Management Limited is the Investment manager of the European Opportunities Trust (EOT). It invests in the public equity markets of Europe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Read More Receive News & Ratings for European Opportunities Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for European Opportunities Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Horizonte Minerals Plc (OTCMKTS:HZMMF Get Rating) shares traded up 1.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $1.72 and last traded at $1.72. 2,030 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 3% from the average session volume of 2,099 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.70. Horizonte Minerals Stock Performance The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $1.72 and a 200-day moving average price of $1.66. About Horizonte Minerals (Get Rating) Horizonte Minerals Plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and development of mineral projects in Brazil. The company primarily explores for nickel deposits, as well as cobalt deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Araguaia ferronickel project and Serra do Tapa nickel project located in the State of Para; and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt project in the eastern part of the Carajas mining district. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Horizonte Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Horizonte Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Independent News & Media PLC (LON:INM Get Rating) crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 0.10 ($0.00) and traded as high as GBX 0.10 ($0.00). Independent News & Media shares last traded at GBX 0.10 ($0.00), with a volume of 38,735 shares trading hands. Independent News & Media Price Performance The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 0.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 0.10. The company has a market cap of 1.44 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.86. Independent News & Media Company Profile (Get Rating) Independent News & Media PLC primarily publishes and distributes newspapers in the Island of Ireland. The company publishes Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, The Herald, Sunday World, The Belfast Telegraph, Sunday Life, and The Star newspapers; and The Vow, a magazine for wedding planning. It also operates online portals, such as independent.ie and belfasttelegraph.co.uk, online news portals, which supports national and regional newspaper titles; CarsIreland.ie, a classified platform for auto trading; FarmIreland.ie; TheVow.ie, the weddings vertical; niJobfinder.co.uk, a recruitment portal; and PropertyNews.com, a property portal. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Independent News & Media Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Independent News & Media and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HireRight Holdings Co. (NYSE:HRT Get Rating) major shareholder Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 107,145 shares of HireRight stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.22, for a total transaction of $1,095,021.90. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 7,208,117 shares in the company, valued at approximately $73,666,955.74. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys shares are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. Rjc Gis Holdings Llc also recently made the following trade(s): Get HireRight alerts: On Wednesday, May 24th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 41,112 shares of HireRight stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.34, for a total transaction of $425,098.08. On Monday, May 22nd, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 104,654 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.35, for a total transaction of $1,083,168.90. On Friday, May 19th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 87,917 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.17, for a total transaction of $894,115.89. On Wednesday, May 17th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 60,000 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.03, for a total transaction of $601,800.00. On Thursday, May 11th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 24,608 shares of HireRight stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.20, for a total transaction of $251,001.60. On Monday, April 17th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 86,862 shares of HireRight stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.29, for a total transaction of $893,809.98. On Friday, April 14th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 42,669 shares of HireRight stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.14, for a total transaction of $432,663.66. On Wednesday, April 12th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 23,194 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.29, for a total transaction of $238,666.26. On Monday, April 10th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 122,607 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.39, for a total transaction of $1,273,886.73. On Wednesday, April 5th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 20,200 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.45, for a total transaction of $211,090.00. HireRight Stock Performance NYSE HRT traded up $0.18 on Friday, hitting $10.26. The stock had a trading volume of 377,569 shares, compared to its average volume of 317,835. HireRight Holdings Co. has a 52-week low of $6.88 and a 52-week high of $18.66. The company has a market capitalization of $28.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -41.04 and a beta of 0.17. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $10.38 and a 200-day moving average of $10.94. Hedge Funds Weigh In On HireRight HireRight ( NYSE:HRT Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 9th. The company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $175.36 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $171.03 million. A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale bought a new stake in HireRight in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc purchased a new position in HireRight during the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in HireRight during the 3rd quarter valued at about $37,000. State of Wyoming purchased a new position in HireRight during the 4th quarter valued at about $72,000. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its position in HireRight by 27.4% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 6,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,000 after acquiring an additional 1,503 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 12.49% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have weighed in on HRT. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of HireRight from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on shares of HireRight from $15.60 to $13.80 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 10th. StockNews.com cut shares of HireRight from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Credit Suisse Group dropped their price target on shares of HireRight from $17.00 to $15.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $12.00 price target on shares of HireRight in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $12.98. About HireRight (Get Rating) HireRight Holdings Corporation provides technology-driven workforce risk management and compliance solutions worldwide. The company offers background screening, verification, identification, monitoring, and drug and health screening services for customers. It provides its services through software and data platform that integrates into its customers' human capital management systems enabling workflows for workforce hiring, onboarding, and monitoring. See Also Receive News & Ratings for HireRight Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HireRight and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KONE Oyj (OTCMKTS:KNYJY Get Rating) was upgraded by investment analysts at Bank of America from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a research report issued on Thursday, The Fly reports. KNYJY has been the topic of a number of other reports. BNP Paribas cut KONE Oyj from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 8th. Morgan Stanley cut KONE Oyj from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, January 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $48.50. Get KONE Oyj alerts: KONE Oyj Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS KNYJY opened at $25.96 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $27.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. KONE Oyj has a 1-year low of $17.72 and a 1-year high of $29.19. The stocks 50-day moving average is $26.87 and its 200 day moving average is $26.23. KONE Oyj Company Profile Kone Oyj manufactures elevators, escalators, and automatic building doors. It also provides installation, maintenance, modernization, and replacement solutions. The company was founded on October 27, 1910 and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. Read More Receive News & Ratings for KONE Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KONE Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NEXT plc (LON:NXT Get Rating)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 6,393.11 ($79.52) and traded as high as GBX 6,544 ($81.39). NEXT shares last traded at GBX 6,448 ($80.20), with a volume of 309,266 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on NXT shares. Shore Capital reiterated a hold rating on shares of NEXT in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Liberum Capital restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 7,500 ($93.28) price target on shares of NEXT in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a neutral rating and issued a GBX 6,500 ($80.85) target price on shares of NEXT in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of NEXT from GBX 5,700 ($70.90) to GBX 7,500 ($93.28) and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, March 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 6,900 ($85.82). Get NEXT alerts: NEXT Trading Down 0.3 % The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 165.29. The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 6,635.17 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 6,393.68. The stock has a market cap of 8.22 billion, a PE ratio of 1,122.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.66 and a beta of 1.34. NEXT Increases Dividend Insider Buying and Selling at NEXT The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, July 6th will be paid a GBX 140 ($1.74) dividend. This is an increase from NEXTs previous dividend of $66.00. This represents a yield of 2.08%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. NEXTs dividend payout ratio is currently 3,614.04%. In other NEXT news, insider Richard Papp sold 5,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 6,506 ($80.92), for a total value of 344,818 ($428,878.11). 7.11% of the stock is owned by company insiders. NEXT Company Profile (Get Rating) NEXT plc engages in the retail of clothing, footwear, and home products in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through NEXT Retail, NEXT Online, NEXT Finance, NEXT International Retail, NEXT Sourcing, Lipsy, NENA, and Property Management segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for NEXT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NEXT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SHIMAMURA Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SHAOF Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 33,500 shares, an increase of 191.3% from the April 30th total of 11,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. SHIMAMURA Stock Performance Shares of SHAOF stock remained flat at C$93.74 during mid-day trading on Friday. SHIMAMURA has a fifty-two week low of C$93.74 and a fifty-two week high of C$93.74. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$93.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$90.11. Get SHIMAMURA alerts: About SHIMAMURA (Get Rating) Further Reading SHIMAMURA Co, Ltd. operates stores in Japan and Taiwan. The company's stores provide clothing, fashion, food, and housing-related products. SHIMAMURA Co, Ltd. was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Saitama, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for SHIMAMURA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SHIMAMURA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SinglePoint Inc. (OTCMKTS:SING Get Rating) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,400 shares, a decline of 75.6% from the April 30th total of 42,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,179,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. SinglePoint Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS SING remained flat at $0.03 during trading on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 679,654 shares, compared to its average volume of 523,405. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $0.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is $0.05. SinglePoint has a 12 month low of $0.01 and a 12 month high of $0.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $47.95 million, a PE ratio of -0.28 and a beta of 0.35. Get SinglePoint alerts: SinglePoint (OTCMKTS:SING Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 3rd. The company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $9.11 million for the quarter. About SinglePoint SinglePoint, Inc is a renewable and sustainable solutions company focused on solar power and indoor air purification. It is committed to building the largest vertically integrated network for the marketing and installation of solar panels to the residential and commercial markets. The companys subsidiary, BOX Pure Air, is engaged in the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) sector addressing the need for air purification in schools and offices. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for SinglePoint Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SinglePoint and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of China Yuchai International (NYSE:CYD Get Rating) in a report released on Tuesday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock. Separately, Greenridge Global reiterated a buy rating on shares of China Yuchai International in a research report on Tuesday, February 28th. Get China Yuchai International alerts: China Yuchai International Stock Performance CYD stock opened at $8.10 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $7.65 and a 200-day moving average of $7.91. China Yuchai International has a twelve month low of $6.73 and a twelve month high of $11.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.52. Institutional Investors Weigh In On China Yuchai International About China Yuchai International A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CYD. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in China Yuchai International by 293.6% in the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,397 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 2,534 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in China Yuchai International by 1,245.3% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 2,777 shares during the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG acquired a new position in China Yuchai International during the second quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Shell Asset Management Co. grew its holdings in China Yuchai International by 36.8% during the third quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 14,383 shares of the companys stock valued at $105,000 after purchasing an additional 3,869 shares during the period. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC bought a new stake in China Yuchai International in the second quarter valued at approximately $119,000. 19.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. (Get Rating) China Yuchai International Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the manufacture, assembly, and sale of light, medium, and heavy-duty engines for trucks, buses, passenger vehicles, construction equipment, marine, and agriculture applications. It operates through the following segments: Yuchai, HL Global Enterprises Limited (HLGE), and Corporate. Read More Receive News & Ratings for China Yuchai International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Yuchai International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Thomson Reuters Co. (TSE:TRI Get Rating) (NYSE:TRI) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$163.00 and traded as high as C$168.08. Thomson Reuters shares last traded at C$167.39, with a volume of 264,019 shares changing hands. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. National Bankshares upgraded shares of Thomson Reuters from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and set a C$184.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. TD Securities raised their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from C$175.00 to C$185.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. National Bank Financial raised shares of Thomson Reuters from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Sunday, May 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from C$182.00 to C$184.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: Thomson Reuters Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of C$79.66 billion, a PE ratio of 54.21, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 37.20. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$172.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$163.03. Thomson Reuters Cuts Dividend Thomson Reuters Company Profile The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th will be paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 17th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.16%. Thomson Reuterss payout ratio is currently 85.26%. (Get Rating) Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI Get Rating) had its price objective boosted by Barclays from $131.00 to $138.00 in a research note released on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports. Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on shares of D.R. Horton from $85.00 to $100.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of D.R. Horton from $99.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated a market perform rating on shares of D.R. Horton in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of D.R. Horton from $76.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of D.R. Horton from $122.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $110.23. Get D.R. Horton alerts: D.R. Horton Stock Performance NYSE DHI opened at $106.71 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $103.45 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $95.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 6.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. D.R. Horton has a 12-month low of $59.25 and a 12-month high of $112.88. The firm has a market cap of $36.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.20, a PEG ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.53. D.R. Horton Announces Dividend D.R. Horton ( NYSE:DHI Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The construction company reported $2.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.83. The company had revenue of $7.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.48 billion. D.R. Horton had a net margin of 15.39% and a return on equity of 25.94%. D.R. Hortons revenue for the quarter was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.03 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that D.R. Horton will post 11.01 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 3rd were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 2nd. D.R. Hortons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.74%. Insider Activity at D.R. Horton In related news, VP Aron M. Odom sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.16, for a total transaction of $96,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 3,083 shares of the companys stock, valued at $296,461.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Barbara K. Allen sold 449 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.00, for a total transaction of $43,104.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at $542,400. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Aron M. Odom sold 1,000 shares of D.R. Horton stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.16, for a total transaction of $96,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 3,083 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $296,461.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 96,122 shares of company stock valued at $10,640,284 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On D.R. Horton A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its position in D.R. Horton by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 20,300 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,983,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC grew its position in D.R. Horton by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 13,083 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,278,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. AdvisorNet Financial Inc grew its position in D.R. Horton by 26.3% in the 1st quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 490 shares of the construction companys stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLC grew its position in D.R. Horton by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 7,728 shares of the construction companys stock worth $755,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in shares of D.R. Horton by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 8,848 shares of the construction companys stock worth $864,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.87% of the companys stock. D.R. Horton Company Profile (Get Rating) D.R. Horton, Inc is a homebuilding company, which engages in the construction and sale of single-family housing. It operates through the following geographical segments: Northwest, Southwest, South Central, Southeast, East, and North. The Northwest segment includes Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for D.R. Horton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for D.R. Horton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Continuum Advisory LLC grew its position in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Get Rating) by 8.2% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 6,240 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 472 shares during the quarter. Continuum Advisory LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $446,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in SO. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in shares of Southern by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 63,002,360 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,284,352,000 after buying an additional 3,653,841 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Southern by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 94,652,372 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,436,360,000 after purchasing an additional 1,391,612 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Southern by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 65,068,549 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,424,661,000 after purchasing an additional 1,313,036 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Southern by 57.3% during the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,062,100 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $208,223,000 after purchasing an additional 1,115,989 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of Southern by 70.3% during the 3rd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 2,037,010 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $138,517,000 after purchasing an additional 841,094 shares during the last quarter. 61.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Southern alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently issued reports on SO. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Southern from $79.00 to $78.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Mizuho cut their price objective on Southern from $77.00 to $76.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Southern from $73.00 to $71.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 17th. StockNews.com raised Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Southern from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Southern has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $73.07. Insider Buying and Selling at Southern Southern Stock Performance In other Southern news, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total transaction of $3,758,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 847,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $63,705,014.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . In other news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total transaction of $359,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 146,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,516,356.76. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total value of $3,758,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 847,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,705,014.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 91,917 shares of company stock valued at $6,889,527 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock. Shares of Southern stock opened at $69.47 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $71.62 and its 200 day moving average price is $69.01. The company has a market cap of $75.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.41, a PEG ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.51. The Southern Company has a one year low of $58.85 and a one year high of $80.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.69. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.14 billion. Southern had a return on equity of 10.78% and a net margin of 11.53%. The businesss revenue was down 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.97 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that The Southern Company will post 3.61 EPS for the current year. Southern Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th. This is an increase from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.03%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is currently 90.32%. About Southern (Get Rating) The Southern Co is a holding company, which engages in the generation and sale of electricity. It operates through the following segments: Traditional Electric Operating Companies, Southern Power and Southern Company Gas. The Traditional Electric Operating Companies segment refers to vertically integrated utilities that own generation, transmission and distribution facilities, and supplies electric services in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harbour Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) by 0.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 26,612 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories accounts for about 1.7% of Harbour Investment Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Harbour Investment Management LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,922,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 83.1% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,925,012 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $582,924,000 after purchasing an additional 2,235,314 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 154,563,421 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $14,955,557,000 after purchasing an additional 2,011,683 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 99.8% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,140,866 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $371,753,000 after purchasing an additional 1,568,700 shares in the last quarter. Putnam Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 30.0% in the third quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 4,466,075 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $432,137,000 after purchasing an additional 1,031,013 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 126.1% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 1,656,522 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $160,285,000 after acquiring an additional 923,720 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.93% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ABT has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. SVB Leerink boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $90.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $136.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $122.37. Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.7 % NYSE:ABT traded up $0.73 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $102.87. 4,911,806 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,994,132. The company has a fifty day moving average of $105.75 and a 200 day moving average of $106.42. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $93.25 and a 12 month high of $118.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $178.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.27, a PEG ratio of 4.58 and a beta of 0.67. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.05. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The company had revenue of $9.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.64 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.73 EPS. The firms revenue was down 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.38 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total value of $909,466.56. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 59,937 shares of company stock valued at $6,632,764. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Abbott Laboratories Company Profile (Get Rating) Abbott Laboratories engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad and diversified line of health care products. It operates through the following business segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment refers to the international sales of a line of branded generic pharmaceutical products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schroder Investment Management Group grew its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Get Rating) by 6.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 482,042 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 27,392 shares during the quarter. Schroder Investment Management Groups holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $48,787,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in PM. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Philip Morris International by 31.9% during the 4th quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 20,788 shares of the companys stock worth $2,104,000 after purchasing an additional 5,026 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. increased its position in Philip Morris International by 82.3% during the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 65,792 shares of the companys stock worth $6,659,000 after purchasing an additional 29,707 shares in the last quarter. NS Partners Ltd increased its position in Philip Morris International by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. NS Partners Ltd now owns 99,746 shares of the companys stock worth $10,095,000 after purchasing an additional 732 shares in the last quarter. StoneX Group Inc. increased its position in Philip Morris International by 12.8% during the 4th quarter. StoneX Group Inc. now owns 16,043 shares of the companys stock worth $1,644,000 after purchasing an additional 1,815 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in Philip Morris International by 72.3% during the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 16,549 shares of the companys stock worth $1,675,000 after purchasing an additional 6,946 shares in the last quarter. 75.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Price Performance Shares of Philip Morris International stock opened at $90.84 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $82.85 and a 1 year high of $108.63. The firm has a market cap of $141.00 billion, a PE ratio of 16.25, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $96.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $98.73. Philip Morris International Announces Dividend Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.04. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 10.80% and a negative return on equity of 128.55%. The company had revenue of $8.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.56 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.2 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 23rd were paid a $1.27 dividend. This represents a $5.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 22nd. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 90.88%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have issued reports on PM shares. UBS Group upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $106.00 to $116.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $114.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $109.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $109.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $110.60. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Werner Barth sold 8,000 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.35, for a total value of $786,800.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 87,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,588,020.35. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Philip Morris International (Get Rating) Philip Morris International, Inc is a holding company engaged in the manufacturing and sale of cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine-containing products. Its products include cigarettes and reduced-risk products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: European Union, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, South and Southeast Asia, East Asia and Australia, and Americas. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of UWM Holdings Co. (NYSE:UWMC Get Rating) have earned a consensus rating of Hold from the eleven ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation and one has given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $4.53. UWMC has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on UWM from $3.50 to $5.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of UWM from $3.50 to $4.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. JMP Securities upped their price target on shares of UWM from $5.50 to $6.50 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. SpectralCast reiterated a maintains rating on shares of UWM in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on UWM from $3.50 to $4.00 in a report on Friday, May 12th. Get UWM alerts: UWM Price Performance Shares of NYSE UWMC opened at $5.14 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 2.00 and a quick ratio of 2.00. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $5.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.56. UWM has a 12 month low of $2.84 and a 12 month high of $6.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $478.54 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 85.67 and a beta of 1.46. UWM Announces Dividend UWM ( NYSE:UWMC Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $161.27 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $431.17 million. UWM had a net margin of 0.46% and a return on equity of 14.11%. Analysts expect that UWM will post 0.2 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 20th. UWMs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 666.67%. Institutional Trading of UWM Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in UWM by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,522,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,462,000 after purchasing an additional 13,800 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UWM in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al lifted its stake in UWM by 1,597.9% during the 3rd quarter. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al now owns 180,213 shares of the companys stock worth $528,000 after acquiring an additional 169,599 shares in the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in UWM during the 4th quarter valued at about $258,000. Finally, Jenkins Wealth acquired a new position in UWM in the 4th quarter valued at about $330,000. 37.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About UWM (Get Rating) UWM Holdings Corporation engages in the residential mortgage lending business in the United States. The company originates mortgage loans through wholesale channel. It originates primarily conforming and government loans. UWM Holdings Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan. See Also Receive News & Ratings for UWM Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UWM and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Published on: May 27, 2023 | Updated on: May 27, 2023 Army Chief Gen. Manoj Pande. (File Image: PTI) New Delhi: Army Chief Gen. Manoj Pande on Saturday arrived in Manipur to review the law and order situation as the state reported rising incidents of sporadic violence over the last few days. Gen. Pande, accompanied by GoC-in-C Eastern Command Lt. Gen. Rana Pratap Kalita, landed at the Bir Tikendrajit Imphal International Airport in the afternoon for his two-day visit to the state. Gen. Pande will meet on Sunday with the governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey, chief minister N. Biren Singh and chief security advisor of Manipur Kuldiep Singh to discuss the current situation. "The Chief of Army Staff Manoj Pande will visit various locations where he will interact with the local formation commanders and obtain a first-hand account of the situation on the ground," said the Indian Army in a statement. The ethnic clashes claimed over 70 lives and left scores of people injured. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy offers blessings to beneficiaries after distributing house site documents at Venkatapalem in Guntur district on Friday. (Photo by arrangement) VIJAYAWADA: With a declaration that, "From today, Amaravati belongs to everyone, not just the rich," Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the distribution of house site pattas to 50,793 beneficiaries and handed over keys of 5,024 TIDCO houses to the allottees for a token payment of 1. "These are not just house pattas but instruments of social justice," the CM declared. "Our government fought a legal battle in the Supreme Court for the poor and we won. These houses are worth 7-10 lakh and are being registered in the name of my sisters. Social justice has finally been delivered and from now on Amaravati will belong to all." Addressing a huge public meeting of beneficiaries before distributing the pattas, Jagan Reddy said construction of houses in all 25 layouts would begin on July 8, coinciding with the Jayanti of his father and former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. In a week, geo-tagging of all beneficiaries would be completed. He said the government would spend 2000 crore for construction of houses and provide infrastructure in 25 layouts, benefiting 23,762 poor women who got house site pattas in 11 layouts in Guntur district and 27,031 women who received the pattas in 14 layouts in NTR district. "The day remains special not only in the states history but also in the history of the country. The TD-backed farmers fought in vain to stop the distribution of house sites by creating legal hurdles and approaching even the Supreme Court saying the demography of the CRDA would be disturbed. These are not just house site pattas, they are instruments to ensure social justice to the poor. This event is historical and unprecedented." Explaining the three options under which the houses would be constructed, the CM said, "Under the first option, the government would transfer 1,80,000 directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries who want to construct the dwelling units on their own." Under the second option, the government would transfer the money towards labour expenses directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries after supplying them with cement, steel and door frames. Under the third option, the government would fully take upon itself the responsibility of the construction. In all three options, sand would be provided free to the beneficiaries while quality steel, cement and door frames would be supplied to them at subsidized rates as per the policy adopted in all Jagananna colonies across the state, the CM clarified. The chief minister said the government would also arrange bank loans up to 35,000 each for all the beneficiaries at a low interest of 25 paise for expediting the construction. The beneficiaries are free to choose the option. So far, house sites were given to 30, 75,000 poor women across the state, out of which 21 lakh women were sanctioned houses, each worth 2.5 lakh, he said, adding that the worth would go up to 5 or 10 lakh. This meant creating property worth 3 lakh crore on the whole, he said. Speaking about the TIDCO houses, Jagan Reddy said the government has been handing over the 300 square feet TIDCO houses for a token payment of 1 to 1,43,000 beneficiaries with full rights, while the TD government, during its term, had tried to exploit the beneficiaries by forcing them to pay 7.20 lakh per TIDCO flat in installments over several years. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on Saturday. (Photo By Arrangement) VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy appealed to all states in India to work as a team as the prosperity of the country is linked to each and every states well-being. Jagan Mohan Reddys plea came at the governing council meeting of NITI Aayog in Delhi on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting under the theme "Vikas Bharat@2047". The CMs appeal for team spirit at the Aayog meeting came even as chief ministers of seven states, including Telanganas K. Chandrasekhar Rao, skipped the meeting. Jagan Mohan Reddy sought that infrastructure be strengthened through healthy investments so that the countrys economy progresses rapidly. He said: "The cost of logistics in India is very high at 14 per cent of the GDP. Indian products thus cannot compete globally." In this context, he pointed out that cost of logistics in the USA is limited to just 7.5 per cent. Speaking on the global scenario, the Chief Minister referred to many developed countries, including Germany, facing a difficult situation due to declining birth rates. These countries will eventually face labour shortages. However, at the same time, artificial intelligence and machine learning are bringing about changes in the market scenario. "Curriculum should thus be developed dynamically," he stated. Jagan Mohan Reddy said investments are essential to achieve growth in the manufacturing and services sectors, for which a conducive business environment is essential. He pointed out that Andhra Pradesh has ranked first in the country for last three consecutive years in Ease of Doing Business. Various organisations and companies have come forward with proposals to invest 13 lakh crore. He underlined that this will create employment opportunities for around six lakh people. On health, the CM said, "We need to be aware of rising healthcare costs and the growing burden of NCDs (non-communicable chronic diseases). Andhra Pradesh has set up 10,592 village and ward clinics, where one mid-level health provider, one ANM and Asha workers are available. Each village and ward clinic has 105 types of essential medicines and 14 types of diagnostics available. During the last two-and-a-half years, we have recruited 48,639 doctors and health personnel in the state. We have launched the family doctor programme, wherein doctors from primary health centres (PHCs) visit their designated village at least twice a month to treat patients who cannot come to village and ward clinics." The Chief Minister said women's empowerment is crucial to achieving the goal of inclusive growth. Hence, AP government is implementing many schemes like Cheyutha and Aasara, offering financial assistance and even offering zero interest loans to women self-help groups on condition of timely repayment, he added. A Bengaluru-bound Nepal Airlines aircraft was forced to return to the Tribhuvan International Airport here on Saturday after it reportedly suffered a bird hit. The plane landed safely at the Tribhuvan International Airport and technicians were examining the aircraft, according to Spokesperson at TIA Teknath Sitaula. Also Read | IndiGo plane suffers bird hit on Mangaluru airport runway, take-off cancelled Passengers in flight RA-244 bound for Bengaluru reported hearing a loud noise, the Himalayan Times newspaper quoted TIA sources as saying. The flight took off from TIA at 1:45 pm, before being forced to return to the same airport after the incident. In a significant development ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, a powerful Congressional Committee has recommended strengthening NATO Plus by including India. NATO Plus, currently NATO Plus 5, is a security arrangement that brings together NATO and five aligned nations - Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea - to boost global defence cooperation. Bringing India on board would facilitate seamless intelligence sharing between these countries and India would access the latest military technology without much of a time lag. The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, overwhelmingly adopted a policy proposal to enhance Taiwan's deterrence, including through strengthening NATO Plus to include India. Also Read | Modi-Biden talks to revolve around peace, prosperity, planet, people during visits, says US Envoy "Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the United States strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India. Including India in NATO Plus security arrangements would build upon the US and India's close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region," the Select Committee recommended. An initiative of the Republican leadership, the Select Committee is popularly called the China Committee. Indian-American Ramesh Kapoor, who has been working on this proposal for the past six years, said this is a significant development. He hoped that the recommendation would find a place in the National Defense Authorization Act 2024 and finally end up becoming a law of the land. In its set of recommendations, the China Committee said that economic sanctions against China in case of an attack on Taiwan will be most effective if key allies such as G7, NATO, NATO+5, and Quad members join, and negotiating a joint response and broadcasting this message publicly have the added benefit of enhancing deterrence. "Much like we do joint contingency planning for war fighting, we need to coordinate in peacetime with US allies. To that end, Congress should pass legislation similar to the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2023 that mandates the development of an economic sanctions package to be employed in the event of a PRC attack on Taiwan," it said. It should also pass legislation to counter the CCP's economic coercion, including by providing tools to support foreign partners targeted by the PRC's economic coercion. The flip side of economic deterrence is economic engagement with Taiwan. Accordingly, Congress should support efforts to reduce the taxation burden on US-Taiwan cross-border investment as well as broader trade negotiations with a particular focus on developing shared standards and regulations to combat the CCP's unfair economic policies, the committee said. "The United States should strengthen the NATO Plus arrangement to include India. The United States should also strengthen diplomatic deterrence by supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations and amending the TAIPEI Act to provide that the United States, alongside its allies and partners, should publicly oppose any attempts by the CCP to resolve the status of Taiwan's sovereignty by intentionally misusing, misinterpreting, and misleading others on the underlying purpose of UN Resolution 2758 or the United States' One China Policy," it stated. Prime Minister Modi will pay an official state visit to the US next month. Financing of AU peace operations merits int'l support: Chinese envoy Xinhua) 10:45, May 27, 2023 UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations on Thursday called on the international community to ramp up backing for financing African Union (AU)-led peace operations. In February this year, the AU summit adopted a consensus paper, stressing the need to provide AU-led peace support operations with adequate, predictable and sustainable funding and calling for support from the United Nations. "Aspirations of African countries in this regard are legitimate and reasonable, and merit great attention and active support from the international community," Zhang Jun told a Security Council briefing. He said that when addressing the funding of AU peace operations, the fundamental principle of solving African problems in an African way should be embodied. AU-led peace support operations, after taking UN's funding support, will remain operations of the AU, Zhang said. "It is about resolving funding issues, not about turning AU forces into another UN peacekeeping force." He pointed out that the protection of human rights is part of the focus of peace support operations, but it should be put in the right place. "Human rights accountability provisions must not be used as a pretext to indefinitely delay the discussion of funding options and defer decisions thereon," he said. Support from UN-assessed contributions should be a complement to the existing funding modes of the AU, Zhang said. Developed countries, who are the traditional financial contributors, must not reduce their funding support for Africa due to this, and must refrain from simply submitting the contributions already intended for Africa to the UN with a changed name to shirk their historical responsibility towards Africa, he added. He stressed that the funding of AU peace operations should be considered together with the reform of UN peacekeeping operations in a holistic manner. China supports decisive and necessary streamlining and optimization of some UN peacekeeping operations, the resources saved from which could be used to better support AU peace operations, said the envoy. China firmly supports Africa in improving its own peace support capacity, and supports the provision of adequate, predictable and sustainable funding support to AU-led peace support operations, he said. "We expect the Security Council to take this meeting as an opportunity, stay pragmatic and results-oriented, and work for early and substantive progress on the relevant issues," Zhang said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia "planted" manufactured public opinions in support of the excise policy by getting favourable views from interns of Delhi Minority Commission to make grounds for the now scrapped policy, the CBI has alleged in its supplementary charge sheet. The Delhi government had constituted an expert committee on overhauling the excise policy, which had given its recommendations. Sisodia was unhappy with the recommendations, so he asked the then excise commissioner Rahul Singh to seek public opinion by placing the Dhawan Committee report on web site, the agency alleged in the charge sheet filed before the Special CBI court on April 25. In the supplementary charge sheet filed in the case against Sisodia and other accused, the central agency said he "dishonestly and fraudulently" wanted to prepare grounds through "fabricated public opinions" for incorporating provisions in the policy as per his "pre-conceived" ideas. Also Read; In note from Tihar, Manish Sisodia appeals to PM to ensure justice for protesting wrestlers The charge sheet said Sisodia "got fabricated certain emails through Zakir Khan, chairperson of Delhi Minorities Commission which were sent by interns of Delhi Minorities Commission on the dedicated email ID of the excise department...with a copy to...accused Manish Sisodia," the charge sheet accessed by the PTI alleged. The suggestions given in the emails -- allotment of retail liquor licence through the auction of zones, reduction of excise and VAT as well as enhancement of licence fee and increase in the number of liquor vends, were handed over to Khan by Sisodia "in a handwritten note" with the directions to get multiple emails on "said lines" on the email id given for seeking public opinion, it alleged. "This proves that the accused Manish Sisodia was working with pre-conceived ideas for the formulation of the Excise Policy and was planting manufactured public opinion in support of the same," it alleged. The agency has relied heavily on the testimony of government officials, including the FIR named accused former excise commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, against whom the CBI could not find any incriminating evidence of criminal misconduct and quoted him as a witness only. The agency said that his statements recorded before the Magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC are "relevant" to prove the accusations against Sisodia and other accused. The CBI has alleged that Sisodia obtained copies of the fabricated emails, sent by the interns of Delhi Minorities Commission from the Excise Department through his Secretary C Arvind. He directed Excise Commissioner Rahul Singh that many of the opinions received on his emails have not been included in the summary prepared by the department and directed him to include them as well. "In this manner, Manish Sisodia dishonestly and fraudulently wanted to prepare grounds through these fabricated public opinions for creating ground for incorporating provisions in the Excise Policy as per his pre-conceived ideas," the charge sheet alleged. Sisodia then directed Singh to prepare a draft cabinet note on the lines of the summary to be placed before the Council of Ministers Meeting held on January 28, 2021. According to the charge sheet, Sisodia provided a draft of the cabinet note to Singh through secretary on WhatsApp. In the draft note prepared on the directions of Sisodia, the excise department also incorporated legal opinions by three legal stalwarts -- former CJIs Ranjan Gogoi and KG Balakrishnan and former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi -- who suggested status quo. These opinions were obtained by Delhi ALCOBEV Retailers Association and were submitted as part of public opinion. The cabinet note did not come for consideration at the council meeting on January 28, 2021, but Sisodia expressed his anger at Singh for incorporating the view of legal experts. The said file remains "untraceable", the CBI has alleged, adding Sisodia "destroyed/caused disappearance" of the file of the note because it was not suiting their "ulterior" designs. The agency used digital forensic evidence retrieved from the phones of government officials involved in the process. Sisodia "with mala fide intention suppressed the existence/submission" in the meeting of the Cabinet on January 28, 2021, the CBI alleged. Later, Sisodia got prepared a fresh note withholding the legal opinions and placed it before the Cabinet on February 5, 2021, in which it was decided to form a Group of Ministers under him to formulate the excise policy. The policy came into being in November 2021 but was later scrapped following allegations of corruption. It is alleged that the policy favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. "It was further alleged that irregularities were committed, including modifications in Excise Policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee, the extension of L-1 license without approval etc. "It was also alleged that illegal gains on the count of these acts were diverted to concerned public servants by private parties by making false entries in their books of accounts," a CBI spokesperson had said after FIR filed on August 17, 2022. Shares of Compass Group PLC (LON:CPG Get Rating) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eight ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 2,041.67 ($25.39). A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Shore Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Compass Group in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. Berenberg Bank raised their target price on shares of Compass Group from GBX 2,100 ($26.12) to GBX 2,385 ($29.66) and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Numis Securities reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 1,900 ($23.63) price target on shares of Compass Group in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an underperform rating and issued a GBX 1,625 ($20.21) price target on shares of Compass Group in a research note on Monday, February 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Compass Group from GBX 2,150 ($26.74) to GBX 2,200 ($27.36) and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 10th. Get Compass Group alerts: Compass Group Trading Up 0.4 % LON:CPG opened at GBX 2,216 ($27.56) on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 78.97, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 2,083.30 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,963.10. The company has a market cap of 38.56 billion, a PE ratio of 2,954.67, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.85. Compass Group has a one year low of GBX 1,630.50 ($20.28) and a one year high of GBX 2,250 ($27.99). Compass Group Cuts Dividend Insider Activity The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 8th will be issued a GBX 15 ($0.19) dividend. This represents a yield of 0.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 8th. Compass Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4,933.33%. In other Compass Group news, insider Carol Arrowsmith sold 1,027 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 1,948 ($24.23), for a total value of 20,005.96 ($24,883.03). Corporate insiders own 0.16% of the companys stock. About Compass Group (Get Rating) Compass Group PLC operates as a food and support services company in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers support services, such as cleaning in hospitals; reception services at corporate headquarters; managing remote camps; grounds and facilities services at schools and universities; and others. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Compass Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Compass Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Raymond James & Associates lowered its position in shares of Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR Get Rating) by 43.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,928 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 17,949 shares during the quarter. Raymond James & Associates holdings in Extra Space Storage were worth $3,375,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of EXR. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in Extra Space Storage by 5.6% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 1,404 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $289,000 after buying an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 16.5% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 1,502 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $309,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the period. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in shares of Extra Space Storage in the 1st quarter valued at $625,000. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 2,522 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $519,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. Finally, Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Extra Space Storage in the 1st quarter valued at $332,000. Institutional investors own 95.32% of the companys stock. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Insider Transactions at Extra Space Storage In other news, CEO Joseph D. Margolis sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.07, for a total transaction of $800,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 15,144 shares in the company, valued at $2,424,100.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CMO Samrat Sondhi sold 6,290 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.88, for a total value of $1,018,225.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now owns 82,653 shares in the company, valued at $13,379,867.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Joseph D. Margolis sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.07, for a total value of $800,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 15,144 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,424,100.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 13,440 shares of company stock worth $2,172,313 over the last 90 days. 1.55% of the stock is owned by insiders. Extra Space Storage Price Performance Shares of EXR stock opened at $146.58 on Friday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $153.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $155.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 0.27 and a quick ratio of 0.27. Extra Space Storage Inc. has a one year low of $139.97 and a one year high of $216.52. The firm has a market cap of $19.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.05, a P/E/G ratio of 5.01 and a beta of 0.54. Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.08 by ($0.56). Extra Space Storage had a net margin of 43.79% and a return on equity of 21.62%. The business had revenue of $506.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $433.39 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.91 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Extra Space Storage Inc. will post 8.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Extra Space Storage Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.42%. Extra Space Storages payout ratio is currently 101.89%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have commented on EXR. StockNews.com began coverage on Extra Space Storage in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. KeyCorp cut their price target on Extra Space Storage from $190.00 to $172.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Truist Financial raised their price target on Extra Space Storage from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 8th. Bank of America started coverage on Extra Space Storage in a research note on Monday, May 8th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Raymond James raised Extra Space Storage from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $185.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $170.56. Extra Space Storage Company Profile (Get Rating) Extra Space Storage, Inc is a real estate investment trust. It operates through the following segments: Self-Storage Operations and Tenant Reinsurance. The Self-Storage Operations segment includes rental operations of wholly-owned stores. The Tenant Reinsurance segment includes reinsurance of risks relating to the loss of goods stored by tenants in stores. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Extra Space Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extra Space Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Trust Advisors LP lowered its holdings in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK Get Rating) by 50.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 159,244 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 159,603 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP owned approximately 0.13% of Alaska Air Group worth $6,838,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. State of Michigan Retirement System grew its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 34,462 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,480,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Coombe Bender & Co LLC grew its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Coombe Bender & Co LLC now owns 56,208 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,201,000 after buying an additional 222 shares during the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 13.7% in the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 2,077 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $89,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Penobscot Wealth Management grew its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Penobscot Wealth Management now owns 11,109 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $477,000 after buying an additional 296 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in Alaska Air Group by 19.9% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,811 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.04% of the companys stock. Get Alaska Air Group alerts: Alaska Air Group Stock Performance ALK opened at $45.10 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $42.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $45.43. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $37.19 and a 1 year high of $53.96. The stock has a market cap of $5.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 98.04, a P/E/G ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.51. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Alaska Air Group ( NYSE:ALK Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The transportation company reported ($0.62) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.48) by ($0.14). Alaska Air Group had a net margin of 0.58% and a return on equity of 17.03%. The firm had revenue of $2.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($1.33) earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 30.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.3 earnings per share for the current year. Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $71.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $57.50 to $58.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 31st. Raymond James raised shares of Alaska Air Group from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $60.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $91.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Alaska Air Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $63.86. Insider Buying and Selling at Alaska Air Group In other Alaska Air Group news, Director J Kenneth Thompson sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.58, for a total transaction of $170,030.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 29,907 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,452,882.06. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock. Alaska Air Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Alaska Air Group, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of air transportation services. It operates through the following segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The Mainline segment includes scheduled air transportation on Alaskas Boeing and Airbus jet aircraft for passengers and cargo throughout the U.S., and in parts of Mexico, Costa Rica and Belize. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ALK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Alaska Air Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alaska Air Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Rating) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$39.55. Several analysts recently weighed in on LB shares. National Bankshares decreased their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$42.00 to C$39.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. Scotiabank dropped their price target on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$39.00 to C$38.00 in a report on Friday, February 17th. Cormark dropped their price target on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$45.00 to C$42.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. CIBC decreased their price objective on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$40.00 to C$37.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$36.00 to C$34.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Get Laurentian Bank of Canada alerts: Laurentian Bank of Canada Price Performance TSE:LB opened at C$30.18 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$31.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$32.94. The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.25, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.15. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a 12-month low of C$28.23 and a 12-month high of C$43.32. Laurentian Bank of Canada Dividend Announcement Laurentian Bank of Canada ( TSE:LB Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 28th. The company reported C$1.15 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$1.12 by C$0.03. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 8.15% and a net margin of 22.90%. The company had revenue of C$260.07 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$259.00 million. Research analysts anticipate that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 4.7400612 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Investors of record on Monday, May 1st were issued a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.10%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 31st. Laurentian Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is currently 38.10%. Laurentian Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Rating) Laurentian Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services to personal, business, and institutional customers in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Capital Markets. The Personal Banking segment offers financial services, such as financial advisory services to financial intermediaries; and operates digital direct-to-customer platform to retail clients. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tate & Lyle (LON:TATE Get Rating)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by equities research analysts at Numis Securities in a note issued to investors on Thursday, MarketBeat reports. They presently have a GBX 975 ($12.13) target price on the stock. Numis Securities price objective would suggest a potential upside of 21.95% from the companys previous close. Several other analysts also recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 810 ($10.07) target price on shares of Tate & Lyle in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and set a GBX 940 ($11.69) price objective on shares of Tate & Lyle in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Tate & Lyle from GBX 890 ($11.07) to GBX 970 ($12.06) and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Tate & Lyle currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 909 ($11.31). Get Tate & Lyle alerts: Tate & Lyle Stock Performance Shares of TATE stock opened at GBX 799.50 ($9.94) on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 798.56 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 768.88. The company has a market cap of 3.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 4,702.94, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 65.22, a current ratio of 2.64 and a quick ratio of 1.77. Tate & Lyle has a one year low of GBX 647.80 ($8.06) and a one year high of GBX 837.50 ($10.42). Tate & Lyle Company Profile Tate & Lyle PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides ingredients and solutions to the food, beverage, and other industries in the United States, the United Kingdom, other European countries, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Food & Beverage Solutions, Sucralose, and Primary Products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tate & Lyle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tate & Lyle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Berenberg Bank reiterated their buy rating on shares of Tharisa (LON:THS Get Rating) in a research report released on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 290 ($3.61) price objective on the stock. Tharisa Stock Up 2.3 % Shares of THS opened at GBX 89 ($1.11) on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 94.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 98.61. The firm has a market capitalization of 266.81 million, a P/E ratio of 217.07 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.14, a quick ratio of 1.80 and a current ratio of 2.23. Tharisa has a 52 week low of GBX 82.02 ($1.02) and a 52 week high of GBX 146.50 ($1.82). Get Tharisa alerts: Tharisa Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 8th will be given a dividend of GBX 2.41 ($0.03) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 8th. Tharisas dividend payout ratio is currently 1,463.41%. Tharisa Company Profile Tharisa plc, an investment holding company, engages in the mining, processing, beneficiation, marketing, sale, and logistics of platinum group metals (PGM) and chrome concentrates in South Africa, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, and internationally. It operates through four segments: PGM, Chrome, Agency and Trading, and Manufacturing. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tharisa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tharisa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virgin Money UK PLC (LON:VMUK Get Rating) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 209 ($2.60). Several brokerages have weighed in on VMUK. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 180 ($2.24) to GBX 200 ($2.49) and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Virgin Money UK in a report on Wednesday, February 1st. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 230 ($2.86) to GBX 200 ($2.49) and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 21st. Berenberg Bank lifted their price target on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 170 ($2.11) to GBX 195 ($2.43) and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 205 ($2.55) to GBX 220 ($2.74) and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. Get Virgin Money UK alerts: Insider Activity at Virgin Money UK In related news, insider Sara Weller purchased 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 152 ($1.89) per share, for a total transaction of 30,400 ($37,810.95). 18.47% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Virgin Money UK Price Performance Virgin Money UK Cuts Dividend Shares of VMUK stock opened at GBX 151.35 ($1.88) on Friday. The firm has a market cap of 2.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 445.15, a P/E/G ratio of -0.56 and a beta of 1.97. Virgin Money UK has a 1-year low of GBX 117.25 ($1.46) and a 1-year high of GBX 200 ($2.49). The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 149.97 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 167.57. The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, May 18th will be given a GBX 3.30 ($0.04) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 18th. This represents a yield of 2.15%. Virgin Money UKs dividend payout ratio is presently 3,235.29%. About Virgin Money UK (Get Rating) Virgin Money UK PLC provides banking products and services for consumers, and small and medium sized businesses under the Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank, and Virgin Money brands in the United Kingdom. The company offers savings and current accounts, mortgages, credit cards, and home loans; business loans, overdraft facilities, treasury solutions, and corporate and structured finance; asset and invoice finance services; risk management; international trade services; and home, car, and life and critical illness insurance products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Virgin Money UK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Virgin Money UK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A multi-award winning local film production team will discover this week if they have added to their success with a Royal Television Society Award. Open Reel Productions, and the Producer/Director team of Vinny Cunningham and John Peto have been nominated for the prestigious Specialist Factual award for their film The White Handkerchief, produced for BBC Four and BBC NI. The White Handkerchief told the behind the scenes story of the creation and production of the Derry Playhouses groundbreaking piece of musical theatre that was commissioned to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Bloody Sunday in 2022. The film took viewers deep into the heart of the making of the play as a cast of local young performers were trained at the highest level to bring the events of Bloody Sunday to a new audience in the City where the tragedy took place in 1972. Through the course of the production the writer of the Play, Liam Campbell, fought and sadly died from terminal illness just weeks before the first performance and the film tells the story of Director Kieran Griffiths determination that the show must go on to honor both the Bloody Sunday dead, and Liam Campbell. Despite critical acclaim in both England and Ireland when the film was broadcast, the nomination came as a shock to Vinny. "We were really proud of The White Handkerchief even before it was ever screened, and the reaction confirmed to us that we had captured something special, but the RTS award nomination has been a lovely surprise. "The validation from a body like the Royal Television Society is really lovely to have and it is the icing on the cake of what has been a very powerful journey with the film", he said. For John, the nomination carries extra importance - "We really wanted to show an audience right across the UK just how Derrys positive attitude and vision for the future could take a terrible chapter from our history like Bloody Sunday and the subsequent cover up, and turn it into a catalyst for youth, art and creativity, and all that is good about this place. "For the RTS to recognise the power of that story, and of Liam & Kierans mission with the Play, has been a great bonus for all of us." The awards take place this Thursday night in Belfast City Hall and John & Vinny will be joined by the films Editor, Sean Coyle, alongside Open Reels Billy Gallagher and Karen Kirby from the BBC. Cannabis with an estimated street value of 6 million has been seized in Belfast. A lorry driver from Portadown has been arrested by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) following the seizure of over 300 kilos of cannabis at the port in Belfast. The 45-year-old man was detained after his lorry, which contained a consignment of soft drinks, was stopped and searched by Border Force officers on its arrival into the port on Friday, the NCA said. NCA officers estimate the drugs would be worth 6 million at Northern Ireland street level. NCA branch commander David Cunningham described a massive haul of cannabis which would have ended up on the streets of Northern Ireland. Losing this amount of drugs will be a huge blow to the organised crime group behind this importation, he said. We will continue to work with our partners to stop illegal drugs ending up in our communities. Border Force acting assistant director Darren Brabon added: This seizure underlines Border Forces commitment to reduce harm to communities, and we will continue to work with our partner agencies, including the NCA, to combat such criminality. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The official ChatGPT app for iOS is available in India now. You can download it from the Apple App Store for free. Its not just a powerful conversational AI chatbot in your pocket. I realized it from the get-go. Heres how I started using it and how that experience went about. How to download ChatGPT app on phone 1. Go to the Apple App Store and search for ChatGPT. 2. Click the one with the subtitle: The Official App by OpenAI. It is currently rated No. 1 in the productivity category on the App Store. The version I currently have is 1.2023.23 and the size is 16 MB (as per the store listing). 3. Click on the Get symbol and authorize the download by Face ID or giving Apple ID credentials. 4. Once downloaded, open the ChatGPT app on your iPhone. How to use ChatGPT app on phone Well, the very first time I opened the app, what made me thrilled is the haptics of the app. It employs vibration whenever the chatbot talks/responds to you. That is every time it types something. However, if you don't like it, you can disable it in the ChatGPT app's settings accessible from the 3-dot menu. I wished it a good morning and it wished me back and asked how can it assist me. I asked it what the weather is like and it apologized for its inability to answer that since it doesnt have access to real-time data. The good thing is that it recommended me instead to check a reliable website. When asked, it gave me examples of some good websites to get that information. Now, I asked this specific set of questions to check a few things. 3 things to note about ChatGPT app experience We expanded the ChatGPT iOS app to 30+ more countries today! Now serving users in Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Estonia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithuania (1/2) OpenAI (@OpenAI) May 25, 2023 1. It is quick to access and offers fast responses. Faster than I assumed. It is miles better than 3rd party ChatGPT clones and shortcuts. Currently, it is based on an older GPT 3.5 model and so, we are sure it will be better when it is finally updated to GPT 4. 2. It is conversational. Even if I dont frame a question in a proper grammatical structure, it could understand the context and respond accordingly. That' Also Read: - ChatGPT rivals Bard even more with its new features - ChatGPT enables chat history to secure user privacy: Heres why - How to use ChatGPT in WhatsApp, plus 4 other AI tricks - How to access ChatGPT from Macs menu bar using MacGPT - ChatGPT and the Generative AI Mania! 3. In case youre wondering, it has the same limitations as the ChatGPT web version. It cant or tries to answer anything outside its scope. So, dont expect (at least for now) it to give you real-time web results or answers. I didnt try but dont expect it to answer your NSFW or nefarious queries. There may be exceptions of course. You can buy ChatGPT Plus version and gain more premium features. Twenty four students of home economics, art and history from Colaiste Chu Chulainn recently went on the trip of a lifetime to Sorrento, Italy. The group was led by Mr Matthew Duffy, Ms Natasha Kelly and Ms Andrea Duffy. They explored the Amalfi coast drive and visited the island of Capri taking in all the culture and sites on offer. The students had private lessons in the preparation of the famous Italian Gelato, which including the tasting of many different flavours. On the Wednesday, the group visited the crater of Mount Vesuvius, the only active volcano in the mainland of Europe. Following this, the group explored the vast archaeological site of Pompeii in southern Italys Campania region. Once a thriving and sophisticated Roman city, Pompeii was buried in meters of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The site featured excavated ruins that all students explored in detail. The group also participated in a pizza making experience at Farm La Sorgente. This farm produces it's own fresh mozzarella cheese and grows it's own basil, olive and tomatoes. The Dundalk students got stuck in with the cheese making process and remarked on the pizzas being the best they have ever tasted. After a fun filled week, everyone returned to safely to Dundalk, ready to complete their summer assessments and sharing their new learning in history, art, language, cookery. Ms Kelly remarked that the very trip knitted many aspects of the broad curriculum together, with the students receiving praise from all hosts and guides they met on their trip. It has been just over 24 years since the Jack Lynch Tunnel, one of the biggest engineering projects ever to be undertaken in the history of the State, officially opened. The historic event took place on Friday, May 21, 1999, with droves of people turning out for the occasion. The 610m long structure was officially opened by the then taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. Lord Mayor Cllr Joe O'Flynn with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Cork Corporation officials Denis McCarthy and Jack Higgins at the opening of the Jack Lynch Tunnel. Picture: Des Barry 1999 An Echo article from that auspicious day captured the sense of occasion: After 21 years of planning and nearly five years of construction, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern cut the tape to officially open the tunnel, named in honour of former Taoiseach Jack Lynch. More than 500 guests watched the historic occasion and marvelled at the 80 million underwater highway, which is constructed of three massive concrete tubes two for traffic and one as an emergency exit for pedestrians. Construction on the tunnel was a mammoth task, first involving the excavation of a million tonnes of material, including 150,000 tonnes of limestone rock. A total of 120,000 cubic metres of concrete was poured in constructing the new infrastructure and approximately 8,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel was used. Don Browne washing down the Jack Lynch Tunnel in 1999 before the official opening. Picture: Richard Mills. Speaking on the day, Mr Ahern said the new tunnel would not only reduce travel times, but would boost the regions competitiveness and make it even more attractive for business. Its fitting that the new tunnel honours a great Cork man and statesman Jack Lynch for his unique and dedicated service to the city and country over the years, said Mr Ahern. The Jack Lynch Tunnel will stand as a fitting legacy from this century and millennium into the next. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern cuts the tape to offically open the Jack Lynch Tunnel. Picture: Des Barry While Jack Lynch was unable to attend the event, his brother Finbarr and sisters Rena Dunne and Eva Harvey represented him. The then Lord Mayor of Cork, Joe OFlynn, along with his wife Mary and then city manager Jack Higgins, were the first people to drive through the tunnel. Mr OFlynn said the new road network was already having a positive effect in boosting Corks economic life. Its a cause for celebration; every Cork person should be proud of what has been achieved, he said. A naval guard of honour and hundreds of flag-waving schoolchildren greeted the Taoiseach at the Mahon end of the tunnel. The new piece of infrastructure was blessed by Bishop John Buckley and Bishop Paul Colton. That weekend, Corkonians were offered a once in a lifetime chance to walk under the River Lee as a charity walk organised by Douglas and Glanmire Rotary Clubs took place. An article in the following Mondays paper reported that thousands of families turned out on Saturday and Sunday to support the Lee Link Charity Walk. Some of the crowds emerging and re-entering the Jack Lynch Tunnel during the charity walk under the Lee. Picture: Richard Mills. Speaking at the time, one of the walks organisers, Kevin Dwyer, of the Glanmire Rotary Club, explained that a visit from a New Zealander had given them the idea for the event. A man from Wellington who was involved in a Rotary Club told me about a project they organised to help raise funds there. A new art gallery was being opened in the city and the public were invited to get a sneak preview. They paid for the privilege and the event proved a tremendous success. We decided that a similar event to coincide with the opening of the Jack Lynch Tunnel would prove very popular. There was a super family atmosphere here this weekend, he said. The charity events raised money for a number of organisations, including Douglas and Glanmire Rotary Clubs and the Guide Dogs. THE Finance Minister has expressed his full support of Tanaiste Micheal Martin to lead Fianna Fail into the next general election. Michael McGrath made the comments while speaking to reporters in Cork on Friday. Asked about the leadership of Fianna Fail into the next general election, Mr McGrath said he believes Micheal Martin will remain at the helm of the party. Micheal Martin is doing a fantastic job as leader of our party. He was an outstanding Taoiseach and hes continuing all of that work now to the highest standard as Tanaiste and I believe he will lead the party into the next general election. We have local and European elections in 12 months time. We all have to put our shoulder to the wheel. Were selecting candidates right now for those local elections and after that then we will begin to think about the preparation for a general election. But a general election doesnt need to happen until the spring of 2025 and Micheal Martin, as far as Im concerned, will lead Fianna Fail into that election, he said. Mr McGrath would not be drawn on any leadership aspirations of his own, should the position of party leader become available. I have always said Ill cross that bridge when I come to it. I have never felt it helpful to comment on potential leadership issues down the line until they actually arise. I think that can be quite destabilising. I, and many others within the parliamentary party, will make their position clear when that arises, but I dont anticipate that arising for quite some time. Micheal has my absolute 100 per cent support. I believe he will lead us into the next election. He is consistently shown in opinion polls now to be the most popular leader of any political party in Ireland, and I think thats because people respect his sincerity, his track record, the work he has done. His record of public service really is remarkable, and I know he has the energy and the commitment to continue with that and hed have my full support, he said. A Cork man charged with using a hammer and chisel to break into lockers at hostels in Cork to steal suitcases and haversacks belonging to tourists now faces trial by judge and jury. Judge John King said the case was too serious to deal with at Cork District Court and he refused jurisdiction. After Sergeant Gearoid Davis outlined the allegations in respect of four separate burglaries at the Glenvera hostel and Sheilas hostel, Judge John King clarified: These would be tourist hostels? Sgt. Davis confirmed this was the case. Judge King said of the owners of the stolen luggage, These are people who are far from home isolated from their resources I am going to refuse jurisdiction. Judge King adjourned the case until July 27. One of the bail conditions on Michael OKeeffe, of 57, Mount Farran, Cork, required him to abide by a curfew to be at home between 10pm and 6am. Sergeant Davis outlined the case against the 40-year-old: On June 24, 2022, two men were seen on CCTV entering Glenvera Hostel, entering a room where they removed clothing and a rucksack containing 2,400. On March 23, there were three more counts of burglary. "A man was seen entering Sheilas hostel and making his way to the luggage area and using a hammer and chisel to break the lock off a locker and taking a suitcase and contents. The clothing and personal items to the value of 2,000. That was just after 9pm. The man re-enters the same property at 10.30pm, and again using a hammer and chisel he removed the lock and took the contents of locker a backpack and suitcase. The suitcase was recovered but $1,100 American dollars was stolen from it. Before midnight he came back to the luggage storage and using the same method he broke into a locker and stole a laptop computer and two sets of wireless headphones. Now that Judge King has refused jurisdiction, a book of evidence will be prepared. The weather over the past few days has been nothing short of glorious, with temperatures regularly above 20 degrees and barely a cloud in the sky. In typical fashion, people across Cork have been making the most of the sunshine - and our photographers were out and about to capture the fun in the sun. From Red Strand to Fountainstown, Baltimore to Inchydoney and more, people were out in force enjoying the sunshine in recent days. Pictured enjoying the fine weather at the beach at Inchydoney Island, West Cork was Joe Rigney with his grandchildren Eliza and Dan. Picture: Denis Boyle Sarah O'Sullivan with her sun Tadhg on the beach at Fountainstown, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan The West Cork coastal harbour town of Baltimore in the bright summer May sunshine on Wednesday. Pic: Larry Cummins Two-year-old Rian with his grandmother Vivienne Pennefather, from Crosshaven playing together on the beach at Fountainstown on Thursday. Pic: Larry Cummins.Chilling on a stand-up paddle board at Lough Hyne, West Cork in the bright sunshine are (from left) Christopher Crowley, Matthew O'Neill, Oliver Capener jumping into the water, and Matthew Crowley. Pic: Larry Cummins Danni Meehan from Turner's Cross, Cork enjoying the sunshine at Redstrand in West Cork this week. Picture: Eddie O'Hare Pictured enjoying the fine weather at the beach at Inchydoney Island, West Cork was Joe Rigney with his grandchildren Eliza and Dan. Picture: Denis Boyle Sarah O'Sullivan with her sun Tadhg on the beach at Fountainstown, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan The West Cork coastal harbour town of Baltimore in the bright summer May sunshine on Wednesday. Pic: Larry Cummins Two-year-old Rian with his grandmother Vivienne Pennefather, from Crosshaven playing together on the beach at Fountainstown on Thursday. Pic: Larry Cummins.Chilling on a stand-up paddle board at Lough Hyne, West Cork in the bright sunshine are (from left) Christopher Crowley, Matthew O'Neill, Oliver Capener jumping into the water, and Matthew Crowley. Pic: Larry Cummins Danni Meehan from Turner's Cross, Cork enjoying the sunshine at Redstrand in West Cork this week. Picture: Eddie O'HareSara and Leon Oczkowski from Clonakilty enjoying the sunshine at Redstrand in West Cork this week. Picture: Eddie O'Hare I DONT know about you, but whenever our Government is hailed for pulling off a world first, I let out a little groan. You just know that this world first wont be something that makes us puff out our chests with pride. In fact, it is almost certain to have the opposite effect. You just know, for instance, that the Guinness Books of Records wont be updating its chapter on The Quickest Solution To A Housing Crisis and inserting the words Ireland 2023. And you can guess that this world first doesnt stretch to Irish taxpayers seeing a jot of difference to our health system, despite billions more of our cash being pumped into it for years on end. And so it proved again this week, when Health Minister Stephen Donnelly signed the legislation that will mean Ireland becomes the first country in the world to have mandatory health warnings on alcohol products. Of course, one reason that this Draconian, nannying and holier-than-thou rule is being labelled a world first may well be because no other country in the world ever thought it was necessary. Maybe every other politician and political party on the planet, like me, thinks it a futile, pointless exercise in excessive virtue. But, setting all that aside, Ireland is once against a world leader in... something. The legislation will mean that, from 2026, alcoholic drinks sold here will require a health warning to alert people to calorie content, grams of alcohol, risks of cancer and liver disease, and the dangers of drinking while pregnant. Yes, folks, alcohol can make you put on weight, and drinking too much of it can have a detrimental effect on your health. Who knew? Apart from everyone old enough to drink in the state... This new legislation will join an ever-growing array of rules and laws brought in by this Government in recent years aimed at curbing alcohol intake. Some of this has been daft tinkering, such as cordoning off the alcohol aisles in supermarkets and making those who wander through those cowboy saloon doors feel like lepers. But some laws have been incredibly damaging, such as those on minimum pricing, which, overnight, doubled the price of the cheapest bottle of wine you could buy. Yeah, cheers for that. Now they are slapping a health warning on our booze too, just in case the drinkers of Ireland are too thick to have missed the memo. One of the things that annoys me most about this - apart from the utter pointlessness of such labels - is the mixed messaging that the Government is sending out. You might recall that just six months ago, the very same Government agreed on an outline for exciting legislation that will extend nightclub opening times from 2.30am to 6am. Under the rules, alcohol will be allowed to be sold until 5am, with an extra hour granted for drinking and dancing time. Yahoo! Opening hours for pubs are also set to be amended, allowing them to keep serving until 12.30am every day, while bars with late licences will be allowed to open until 2.30am. I dont see why the nightlife that we offer people in Ireland shouldnt be as good as anywhere in the world, then Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said at the time - the very same Leo who was so keen to bring in minimum pricing to, er, reduce our national intake of booze. You wonder if Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, who announced that wide-ranging overhaul of the countrys licensing laws, might want to get around a table with her Cabinet colleague Mr Donnelly some time, and come up with a cohesive plan on this countrys approach to alcohol. Then there is the embarrassing fact that our leaders cannot wait to usher any dignitary passing through our shores to the Guinness Storehouse - or indeed any pub at all - for the obligatory pint of the blackstuff in front of the cameras. From Barack Obama to the late Queen, the great and good have long been roped into a marketing campaign that heralds Ireland to the world as the finest destination to sip a pint. Did one of our virtuous ministers warn Mr Obama or Lizzie of the health effects of alcohol before they had their pints poured for them, I wonder? Or did they, you know, assume they already knew that, like all the rest of us? We hardly knew what to do with the teetotal Joe Biden when he recently visited our shores, but he might as well have spent his time necking down creamy ones day and night - since a few days after getting home to America, he had forgotten he had even visited the auld sod! So, what is going on? Why are some elements in Government so keen to keep on pushing back the boundaries when it comes to nannying citizens about drink? Well, lets be generous for a moment, and suggest ministers like Stephen Donnelly must genuinely care about the effects of alcohol misuse, and want to do something about it. Many of us will have seen the effects of alcoholism, and how alcohol misuse can cause debt, misery, marital break-ups, and episodes of violence and worse. Who can blame a minister for trying anything that will make a difference? In that case, I can only suggest that ministers like Mr Donnelly are hopelessly misguided, if they think health warnings stating the blindingly obvious will help. If I were being unkind, I may even suggest that this is just the kind of nannying legislation that could net a minister a decent job in Brussels, if the next election doesnt go as planned! There is another element to this: it could be argued that Covid allowed our Government to take a hold of the people in the interests of their health like never before, and this new label system is just the logical next step. In which case, we need to let our politicians know we are not children, and there are areas of our lives that should be free from interference. Some may say labels are only a minor thing, but often small steps can be the thin end of a wedge. Ireland received considerable pushback to its plan from eight EU countries, incuding Spain and Italy. In the latter, the farmers association called the idea alarmist and warned: It represents a dangerous precedent as it risks opening the door to other legislation capable of negatively influencing consumer choices. A slippery slope indeed... Some world first this could turn out to be. RECENTLY, while standing in the Blackrock End terrace of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, watching Tipperary and Cork go head-to-head, something struck me. From the moment I entered the ground, I felt nervous. I certainly wasnt about to tog out and play in front of thousands of fans like the players on the pitch, so why did I feel that way? As I looked around at the rows of supporters surrounding me, I realised it was the crowd that made me feel uneasy - something I never would have batted an eyelid at before. According to the World Health Authority, the Covid-19 pandemic is a thing of the past, as earlier in the month they declared an end to the virus as a global health emergency. Our society has reopened, moved on, and many of us now look back at 2020 and 2021 as a fever dream, as we say remember when.... From the outside, it looks like we have once again returned to the way things once were, but inside it is a different story. Psychologically, it feels as though the pandemic has left internal scarring that cant be shaken. Whereas the significant threat from the infection is thought to be gone, the psychological impact of Covid fear-mongering still haunts us. Often unknowingly. Ever since the pandemic, I have found myself doing little things subconsciously that I would never have done before. I cant help how visibly I recoil now when someone beside me on a bus splutters out a cough. I cant help feeling a slight sense of nervousness when I see a large crowd. I am hyper-aware of the germs when touching a door, a handrail, or using an ATM. I often deem a venue on a night out too busy, and opt for a quieter pub. The after-effects remain in numerous ways in day-to-day life without me even realising it. The pandemic PTSD doesnt just rear its head when faced with a potential health risk, it comes in social situations too. After being isolated for around two years, the way we interact with each other has changed. It was bound to, after being told that interaction with other people is wrong for such a long period of time. In prisons, especially in the U.S, the use of solitary confinement, lockdown and isolation is used as a punishment. Loneliness, or social isolation, which affected us all during the pandemic in the last few years, is known to cause changes in the brain. Studies have shown that one of the most remarkable effects of chronic social isolation, is the decrease in the size of the hippocampus, the brain region related to learning, memory, and spatial awareness. The sustained stress of extreme isolation leads to a decrease in the formation of new neurons, and the eventual failure in hippocampal function. Studies on mice have shown that one month of social isolation caused a decrease of around 20% of the total volume of neurons. On the other hand, the amygdala increases its activity in response to isolation. This area mediates fear and anxiety, symptoms enhanced in prisoners in solitary confinement. Robert King, an ex-inmate who was in solitary confinement for 29 years, shared his experience at the worlds biggest neuroscience conference, held by the Society for Neuroscience in November, 2018. When he finally left his cell, he realised he had trouble recognising faces and had to retrain his eyes to learn what a face was like. He was also unable to follow a simple route in the city by himself. It was as if his brain had erased all those capabilities that were no longer necessary for survival in a world outside lockdown. Mr King struggled to re-enter into mainstream society. Whilst, yes, his 29 years in solitary confinement is a bit more extreme than our own version of lockdown driven by the pandemic, the effects on the human brain remain the same. If going out to meet friends in the pub once threatened to spread a life-threatening illness to your loved ones, it can certainly be a hard thing to shake, despite the lifting of restrictions. In addition to this, despite the end of the pandemic, physical reminders are still around us every day. How many corner shops still have warning signs and tape on the floor, reminding you to distance yourself? How many times do you still have to speak through a Perspex screen in a taxi or at the post office? The physical relics of the pandemic still remain all around us. They have become part of the furniture, we are so used to them now that our conscious brain doesnt even recognise them as being unusual anymore. If thats the case, how can our mental psyche ever recover? While thinking on this amidst the crowd of GAA supporters that Saturday evening, my daydreaming admittedly caused me to miss a few points being scored on the field. However, I realised how much we have all persevered through over the past few years, and even though we can once again come together to enjoy a game at the weekend, it may take a little longer for our brains to catch up to what our physical selves have gone back to doing so naturally. 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. In a discovery by researchers from Leiden University in the Netherlands, offshore wind turbines have become a haven for benthos the community of marine organisms that live in, on or around the seafloor. There are more soil animals per square meter living in the foundations of offshore wind farms than on the floor of the North Sea, a press release from Leiden University said. The turbine foundations provide hard substrate for settlement in areas where these habitats have never been present before. Except for islands, there are now structures spanning the entire range from sea floor to sea surface, Jan Vanaverbeke, a postdoctoral researcher at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, told EcoWatch in an email. A lot of organisms, normally living on hard substrates (rocks, bio- or geogenic reefs) have larvae with pelagic stadia, drifting in the water column and trying to find a suitable place to settle and grow into an adult. The turbines provide such substrate in areas where it has never been present before. In the area surrounding the wind farms, fishing is not allowed, meaning fish can flourish. Banning fisheries from offshore wind farms has positive effects as (1) wind farms provide a safe place for fish (where some species find a lot of food), and (2) the sea floor is not disturbed and therefore long-living animals have a chance to actually live long (they are not impacted/killed by the fishing gear that is passing), Vanaverbeke told EcoWatch. The lifespan of a wind turbine is about 25 to 30 years, so Chen Li, an industrial ecologist and research lead for the study, looked at the effects of wind turbines on the soil after 25 years. Li discovered that, after a quarter century, twice as many species and a hundred times the number of marine animals could live in the same wind turbine foundations. Biodiversity thriving on an offshore wind turbine, including blue mussels, plumose anemones, sea urchins, common starfish, barnacles and tubeworms. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences / Alain Norro Before the study, not much was known about how wind farms affected marine life in the long-term. Previous studies focused only on several years, not a whole life cycle of a wind turbine, Li said in the press release. The study, Offshore Wind Energy and Marine Biodiversity in the North Sea: Life Cycle Impact Assessment for Benthic Communities, was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. The study showed that wind turbine foundations are preferred by soil animals over the floor of the North Sea. Scientists were aware that these animals were comfortable in wind farms, but now we have detailed numbers and a method to quantify the effect of wind farms on biodiversity, Li said. It is great that, along with the contributions of offshore wind energy to renewable energy, there can also be co-benefits for marine biodiversity, said Laura Scherer, an environmental scientist and co-author of the paper, in the press release. For the study, Li used data from samples of seabed life collected on six Dutch, Danish, Belgian and German wind farms over a period of up to 11 years. The data was from Ghent University, the Wageningen Marine Research institute and the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences. Li compared the samples of marine life taken from just outside the wind farms with those taken inside the farms, then used a model to approximate the development of the marine animals until the end of the lifespan of the wind turbine. Despite positive results for some sea creatures, the presence of wind turbines is not beneficial for all marine life. It depends on which species are lost or gained. An advantage for one species can be a disadvantage for another, Scherer said in the press release. The wintering or feeding grounds of some seabirds who steer clear of wind farms can be lost, for instance. Building wind turbines can also disrupt wildlife, but this was not considered in the study. Installing a turbine creates a lot of vibrations and noise, Li said in the press release. Mammals and fish can be disoriented by these disruptions. When a wind turbine reaches the end of its lifespan, what happens to the marine creatures who have made their home there? This depends on the decommissioning scenario: if the turbines are removed entirely, the associated communities are removed. If they are replaced, the expectation is that they will return. The question is whether this removal is a problem, because at some places, the additional diversity is artificial (not related to what can be expected in a natural situation), Vanaverbeke told EcoWatch. Scherer is cautiously optimistic about the effects of the growing number of North Sea wind turbines on biodiversity, if the locations are carefully chosen. [W]hen the new artificial habitat is designed according to the nature-inclusive design principle, there is a chance to combine the introduction of wind farms with conservation efforts, Vanaverbeke told EcoWatch. Steps can be taken to mitigate some of the harm caused to animals and ecosystems in the installation of wind turbines. If we talk about benthos, then the adverse effects are small. There is a loss of habitat (underneath the turbine and the scour protection layer if present), and some disturbance during construction. The benthic fauna recovers quickly from the disturbance, Vanaverbeke said. The construction phase can come with adverse effects for sea mammals, can be mitigated by an informed choice of the period of construction (when presences are low or sea mammals generally low) or noise mitigation measures (bubble curtains, sea mammal observers ). There can be negative effects on sea birds or migratory birds. Mitigation can be in providing corridors, avoiding foraging areas, or stopping the turbines in periods of mass migration. The overall positive effects of the renewable energy produced by wind farms on climate change can benefit marine life. [E]ven if there were net negative impacts of the infrastructure and operation of offshore wind power, the benefits from less climate change could possibly compensate for them, Scherer said in the press release. Do the benefits of wind turbines for benthic species and the renewable energy produced by wind farms in reducing climate change for animals overall outweigh the negative impacts of the installation and operation of offshore wind farms on certain species? Climate change will have global impacts on species, changing distributions, behaviour and possible interactions. The effect of infrastructure is local (and indeed regional, as there are multiple wind farms with cumulative effects). My feeling is that a smart, science-based location of offshore wind farms, where ecological principles are incorporated in the design is needed to combat climate change, Vanaverbeke told EcoWatch. Saturday, May 27, 2023 In the peaceful town of Uvalde, Texas, there stood a small yet vibrant elementary school called Robb Elementary. This school was a beacon of learning and growth for the children of the community. At the heart of this nurturing environment were two exceptional teachers: Eva Mireles and Irma Garcia. Eva Mireles, a beloved 42-year-old teacher with a warm smile, was known for her unwavering dedication and love for her students. Her passion for education shone through in every lesson she taught. Irma Garcia, 35 years old, was a remarkable educator described as a real-life Superwoman. Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious, and her students admired her. Tragedy struck one ordinary day when chaos erupted within the walls of Robb Elementary. An armed individual, filled with malice, infiltrated the school with the intention to harm. Panic gripped the hallways as children and teachers frantically sought refuge from the impending danger. In the midst of the chaos, Eva and Irma sprang into action, their instincts as teachers and protectors taking over. They swiftly guided their students to a nearby classroom, aiming to shield them from the impending threat. The children, frightened and bewildered, looked up to their brave teachers for comfort and guidance. As the assailant neared their location, Eva and Irma made a decision that would forever define their legacy. They positioned themselves between the intruder and their students, using their bodies as human shields. With immense courage and selflessness, they stood strong, willing to give their lives to protect the innocent children in their care. The deafening sound of gunshots echoed through the halls, shattering the tranquility that once enveloped the school. Eva and Irma bore the brunt of the attack, absorbing the bullets intended for the children they loved like their own. Eva Mireles and Irma Garcia will forever be remembered as the heroes of Robb Elementary, their names etched in the annals of bravery. Their sacrifice inspired a renewed commitment to ensuring the safety of schools and the protection of every childs right to education without fear. The April unemployment report shows that job opportunities remain at historic highs across the country. In fact, the report came in better than expected at a 3.4% unemployment rate, exceeding expectations for the resilience and strength of the labor market. In this environment, no work-capable person should be without a job. But the sad reality is that the very safety net system created to help people who are struggling is the same one contributing to keeping them mired in generational poverty. Im talking about Americas social-safety net system. As it stands, our nations welfare system is a fragmented hodgepodge of programs. The dozens of programs that make up the system have different and, at times, competing goals, inconsistent rules, and overlapping groups of recipients. The complicated nature of welfare is more than a nuisance. For recipients, its a detrimental barrier to advancing to a better life. The scenario in signing up for welfare benefits is confusing at best. Even if people do find the right office, they must resubmit the same information multiple times, and often eligibility is determined by conflicting rules. Would-be recipients may end up with multiple plans and multiple caseworkers. Ultimately, every hour someone spends navigating the safety-net system is an hour they arent spending looking for ways to escape it. Adding to the confusion, there is often a disconnect between safety-net programs and welfare-to-work initiatives. This keeps people stuck in poverty. The safety net is essential for catching those who are falling, but it isnt a destination. Although this truth is often politicized and used to advance a certain agenda, the vast majority of Americans recognize that work is the best way to escape poverty. It should be our goal to remove every barrier to a life of thriving, and that includes obstacles to work. The path into poverty is deeply individual, and so reforms are needed for a more holistic approach. Streamlining the safety-net process is mandatory to avoid conflicting rules and inconsistent treatment of people between programs. A big part of this is consolidating and combining programs that serve the same families. For individuals, this will eliminate the need to go to multiple agencies for help. It will also mean that welfare recipients will be connected straight to work programs, setting a foundation to free them from generational poverty. Is there an example of success in this arena? Thankfully, the answer is a resounding yes. We should look to Utah as an example of a state in the nation that is leading the way. Utahs one door policy has integrated human services with workforce services and provides citizens with a single program to work through. Welfare becomes work support, and people have a clear path to get the help they need while receiving education, training, and other support to find employment. On the fiscal front, the state also integrates federal and state funds using a unique cost model that has proven highly effective. With the one door model, a person looking for assistance is connected to a single point of contact, whose job is to help that person find the services and support they need to get back on their feet. This point of contact is an advocate and ally who will help the recipient achieve their goals. This one door model has been working in Utah since 1997. It has helped people like Amber, a widow and single mother whose husband passed away suddenly from stage 4 cancer. Utahs Workforce Services helped Amber complete her degree in social work at Utah Valley University, becoming the first person in her family to complete post-secondary education. Utahs approach also helps ex-offenders who account for 600,000 people nationally released from prison each year connect to work, a key metric to ensure they dont end up behind prison walls again. Robin is another example. She has felony charges on her record and is required to attend court regularly. After completing an assessment with an employment counselor, Robin decided to attend Tooele Technical College in the heavy duty diesel technician program. She received a scholarship from a local company and has already received a job offer in her chosen field. The one-door model makes stories like Ambers and Robins the norm in our safety-net system instead of the outliers. Utahs approach is worth replicating in other states, but the federal government needs to get on board. As it stands, the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a barrier to states integrating systems like Utah did because it makes it difficult for states to integrate workforce programs into the holistic system. We need Congress to expand the one-door option for all states in the next WIOA authorization. At that point, its up to individual state leaders to get onboard and work to consolidate welfare programs and integrate them with workforce-readiness initiatives. States like Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana are looking to implement these types of policies. Reforming the system isnt about making government more efficient, but about removing barriers to a thriving life for all people. Buzz Brockway is vice president of policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, a member of the Alliance for Opportunity. The sheep sector has criticised the government for being 'in turmoil' after it announced its flagship legislation looking to improve animal welfare will be dropped. The National Sheep Association (NSA) said sheep farmers would be 'extremely frustrated' over the confusion left as a result of the move. Farming Minister Mark Spencer announced the scrapping of the Kept Animals Bill earlier this week, despite the legislation almost having completed its journey through the Commons. Westminster has been accused of sitting on the key legislation that would have been a significant tool to tackle sheep worrying since June 2021. NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker said it seemed as though the government was in 'turmoil' following it 'abandoning' the bill. It has thrown so much of what our industry was expecting including the banning of live exports up in the air," Mr Stocker said. "NSA had also been waiting for the Bill to deliver greater protection against sheep worrying attacks by dogs, an issue urgently needing attention." Instead, key aspects of the bill will be introduced separately as individual measures, the government confirmed. The bill was set to legislate to end all live exports from Britain of cattle, sheep and pigs for fattening and slaughter a manifesto commitment of the government. Legislation on important welfare issues like sheep worrying will also be delayed. In 2021, Defra said it was 'committed' to improving the UK's 'already world-leading standards' by delivering animal health and welfare reforms. But the NSA told the sheep sector to expect new 'delays and uncertainty' following the move to scrap the bill. "Clarification on what will now happen is needed quickly," Mr Stocker said. "Its still highly likely that government will want to stick to its manifesto promise to ban live exports for slaughter or further finishing. "The fact that there is no Border Control Point (BCP) with a live animals facility means that no one should assume this trade will resume." Recent research by the NSA into the topic of sheep worrying by dogs has revealed a steady increase in the number of attacks on sheep by dogs. The sector has previously commended the Scottish governments action on the issue with the introduction of Dogs (Protection of Livestock) 2021, which imposes a maximum fine of 40,000 or 12 month prison sentence. Alhough proposals within the Kept Animals Bill were not considered to go far enough to protect livestock, the NSA said it recognised that steps were being taken in the right direction. But Mr Stocker said it was 'disappointing' that nearly three years on from the introduction of the bill to parliament, attacks on livestock were increasing. "To now have this legislation dropped at such an imperative time is a betrayal to farmers across the country NSA is exasperated there is still no appreciable accountability for dog owners and the disastrous impact their dogs can have on livestock. "Abandoning this Bill now will increase the risk to animal welfare at a time when dog attacks are becoming common place. Edward James Olmos has battled throat cancer. Edward James Olmos has battled throat cancer The 'Miami Vice' star says that he came "really close" to death as he revealed that he had suffered from the disease that took a devastating toll on his body. Speaking on the 'Mando and Friends' podcast, Edward said: "This would be the first time publicly Ill be coming out and saying it, but I had throat cancer. "I just finished getting through it. December 20 was my last radiation and the week before Id finished my chemo." He added: "There were times in the months of treatment that the body gives up. And I didn't want to take my food through my stomach. "They had to get 2,500 calories into my body every day. That was ridiculous, that was so hard. "It was an experience that changed me totally, the understanding of how wonderful this life is. I've been through some experiences that have gotten me close to death, but that was really close. "A lot of my friends have passed because of this. It's a very strong disease." Edward, 76, received his final bout of chemotherapy and radiation treatment last December and felt lucky to be in a good condition to fight the disease. The 'Battlestar Galactica' actor said: "I sit here saying now to you, Mando and friends, that one thing that I'm very grateful for was that I was in condition to fight this. "I was in good condition - and I still am. I swim a mile a day at least, sometimes two miles a day. Every day, seven days a week. And then I row and do weights." Rebecca Ferguson has compared shooting a Mission Impossible film to giving birth. Rebecca Ferguson compares making a movie to giving birth The 39-year-old actress who has a 15-year-old son, Isac, with former boyfriend Ludwig Hallberg and a five-year-old daughter, Sage, with her husband Rory reprises her role as Ilsa Faust in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One and though she admitted making the movies can be tough, she always wants to get involved again. Asked if it was a tough shoot, she told Radio Times magazine: It always is. Literally, from day one, I said, Its like giving birth it hurts! But once youve done it, you kind of want to do it again. Rebecca enjoys the fact director Christopher McQuarrie and lead star Tom Cruise encourage the cast to wing it and improvise with their dialogue. She continued: And its such a different way of filming, the way that Tom and McQ work. And not working that way now makes me miss it. We dont have the scripts Youre not really preparing for a role. You know your role. You wing it when youre there. And you just make it work. And they just hit it out of the ballpark every time. Rebecca knows shes done good work when she can step outside of herself. She said: When I act in a scene, if its a good scene and its well directed, and Im working alongside someone whos good, I step outside of my own being and the scene gets to live its own life, right? Thats what were working towards. The Swedish star has always found Tom to be a reassuring presence. She said: I remember the first time I worked with him [on 2015s Rogue Nation] I got a beautiful gift from him. He wrote a note that said, Thank you for taking this first leap with me. It was the first shot of the first day. Because he knew that I was nervous. Queen Camilla is genuinely important to books and is always helping the literary industry. Queen Camilla is the Queen of books The 75-year-old royal set up her online Reading Room book club in 2021 and the initiative has now expanded, with an in-person festival set to take place at Hampton Court Palace next month, and author Kate Mosse jumped at the chance to be involved because she thinks King Charles wife has done a lot for literacy. The writer told Britains HELLO! magazine: I think its fabulous that the Reading Room has been set up and I leapt at the chance of being in the festival. The Queen is genuinely important to books and a genuine reader. The Labyrinth author thinks it is particularly powerful for the queen to be promoting books and a love of reading. She added: I think for a lot of people, the queen stands for a woman who has had to put up with a great deal, as well as well as achieve a great deal. And although shes a queen, she knows what womens lives can be like. Shes not remote or divorced from things. Kate has met Camilla several times over the years and thinks she is a complete laugh. She added: [Shes] quite a giggler and really good company. And the Citadel writer thought it was hilarious when she met the king and he poked fun at her ridiculous shoes following a tip-off from his wife. She recalled: When I was getting my OBE from the king, I wore a pair of triple-stacked brothel creepers. He looked down at my feet and said, My wife told me to have a look and see if you were wearing those ridiculous shoes and you are. Id taken my mother out with me and it made her day. Rob Marshall felt it was fate for him to direct The Little Mermaid. Rob Marshall discusses directing The Little Mermaid The 62-year-old filmmaker has always felt a deep connection with the 1989 animated movie because, like his own directorial debut Chicago, it helped kick the door open for big screen musicals, so he was thrilled to take things further with the new live action Disney movie. Rob - who has also directed film versions of classic musicals 'Annie' and 'Into the Woods - told SFX magazine: When I did Chicago, I felt a deep connection with Mermaid, because they had kicked the door open for movie musicals and we then pushed the door even further with a live-action musical. Audiences were ready to accept actors moving from scene into song. So when they came and asked me to do this, it felt like fate. But Rob promised the new film is more modern than the animated tale because Ariel who is played by Halle Bailey gives up her voice because she believes the inhabitants of the sea are shutting out humans for the wrong reasons. He said: What makes it a very modern story is that Ariels not giving up her voice for a man, thats not whats happening here. That idea was very modern, to not be afraid of the other. When we were making this, walls were being put up and divisions were being created, and people were getting more insular. This is a character who is reaching through fear. They are building a bridge as opposed to a wall. It was an antidote to what was happening in the world and to the divisions that were and are happening in the world. Its a reminder that were all one. Trade between Vietnam and New Zealand, particularly in textiles, is set to surge as both nations focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, industry, and investment. Recent data suggests that Vietnamese apparel exports have been gaining significant momentum. In Q1 2023, these exports were valued at $17.824 million, while the previous year's total amounted to $67.891 million. During the 8th meeting of the Vietnam-New Zealand Joint Trade and Economic Commission (JTEC), which took place in Hanoi on Tuesday, authorities from both countries discussed various matters related to trade and investment, according to media reports. TexPro, Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool, showed that apparel exports to New Zealand rose to $17.824 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to shipments worth $16.731 million during the same period the previous year. Vietnam's apparel exports in Q4 2022 reached $17.577 million, while Q3 saw $14.148 million, and Q2 recorded $19.433 million. Vietnam and New Zealand are intensifying cooperation in trade, industry, and investment. Vietnamese apparel exports have been growing significantly, valued at $17.824 million in Q1 2023 and $67.891 million in total for 2022. Vietnam is New Zealand's 3rd largest apparel supplier, contributing 5.24 per cent to its total apparel imports in Q1 2023. The annual value of exports increased to $67.891 million in 2022, up from $53.259 million in 2021. Trade volume dropped to $39.026 million in 2020 from $44.164 million in 2019, but rebounded to $53.259 million in 2021, with the positive trend continuing into 2022. Vietnam is New Zealand's third largest apparel supplier, following China and Bangladesh. Vietnamese apparel accounted for 5.24 per cent of New Zealand's total apparel imports, which were worth $340.419 million in the first quarter of this year. However, New Zealand's share in Vietnamese apparel exports during the same period was less than half a per cent, according to TexPro. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Danny Sura IB 71: The much-awaited spy-thriller film, IB 71, was released theatrically on May 12. Apart from Vidyut Jammwal and Anupam Kher, the film sees popular actor Danny Sura play an important character. He is essaying the role of an intelligence agent, Sikander, who works for the Pakistan government. IB 71 has received amazing reactions from moviegoers, and to celebrate the film's success, the film's cast and crew recently got together. DANNY SURA SHARE PICS FROM IB 71 SUCCESS PARTY Recently, actor Danny Sura took to Instagram and shared some snippets from the success party. He captioned his post, saying, "Amazing night celebrating the success of IB 71 with the cast and crew! We had so much fun. Well done team and thank you my love Ahmareen Anjum for styling me." In the photographs shared, Danny seems overjoyed with the response from the audience. The actor is spotted posing with Vidyut Jammwal, Anupam Kher, Sankalp Reddy, and other team members. Danny's wife, Ahmareen Anjum, was also seen posing with her husband at the success party for the film. Danny Sura Receives Praise From His IB 71 Co-Actor Anupam Kher For His Acting Chops In terms of work, Danny shot to fame with his outstanding performance in the historical drama series Vidrohi. He has also been a part of several other projects, such as Main Aur Mr. Riight, Hindi Medium, Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3, and Sher-E-Punjab: Maharaja Ranjit Singh, among others. Danny is also known for his work in Girl in the City, Bose: Dead/Alive, 21 Sarfarosh: Saragarhi 1897, Tenali Rama, and Rani Rani Rani. Talking about IB 71, the spy-thriller movie revolves around an Indian intelligence service on a mission to prevent a terrorist attack in India. Set in 1971, actor Vidyut Jammwal, who plays an IB agent named Dev Jammwal, is assigned the task of preventing Pakistan and China from attacking India by blocking the airspace. IB 71 is directed by Sankalp Reddy and was released on May 12, 2023. Danny Sura Felicitated By Home Minister Amit Shah For His Performance In Vidrohi Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui was recently seen in the romantic comedy Jogira Sara Ra Ra, in which he is seen playing a matchmaker who helps a girl avoid her wedding. Meanwhile, the actor has been hogging the headlines for his tumultuous relationship with his estranged wife, Aaliya Siddiqui. For the unversed, in the past few months, the actor has been engulfed in various allegations from his wife and brother His personal life became a topic of discussion on social media after his wife accused him of disowning their children, Shora and Yani, and his mother of harassment. On the other hand, Nawazuddin's brother alleged that the actor was selfish and did not help him with his career. NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI CALLS HIMSELF A ROMANTIC Amid a legal battle with his wife Aaliya, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, in an interview with News18, called himself a 'romantic' and stated that falling in love is good. Happy Birthday Nawazuddin Siddiqui: From Serious Men To Raman Raghav 2.0; List Of His Most Iconic Roles When asked if he ever labelled himself a romantic, the Gangs of Wasseypur actor said, "It's a good thing to love, fall in love, be in love and spread love. Love is very important. I'm a very romantic person. I love my films and a lot of things in life. It's important to have some bit of romance in our lives. But there's a dearth of it today." Further, talking about true and real love, Nawazuddin added, "True romance only happens in small towns. What happens in the name of romance between people in big cities is compromise and adjustment." He then added, saying that in small towns, people are generally scared of speaking their hearts out to one another because they fear getting judged. "They fall in love without even taking the bank balance of the other person into consideration. Ishq aur pyaar abhi bhi bacha hua hai small towns mein," he shared. Netizens Call Nawazuddin Siddiqui 'Indian Johnny Depp' After He Alleges Wife Aaliya 'Blackmails' Him! Well, we don't know what the actor was suggesting, but his point stands correct in today's fake world context. Nawazuddin Siddiqui has many projects in the pipeline, including Tiku Weds Sheru, Noorani Chehra, Adbhut, and Haddi. The Kerala Story Director Hospitalized: Sudipto Sen, who directed the controversial film The Kerala Story has been hospitalized due to sudden illness today. It is said to be due to his constant travel across the country to promote the film The Kerala Story. It has been reported that the promotions of the film have been temporarily suspended in all cities until he recovers. Produced by Vipulsha and directed by Sudipto Sen, the movie 'The Kerala Story' was released in theaters on May 5. Adah Sharma, Siddhi Idnani and many others have acted in the film. Strong Opposition Ever since the release of its teaser, the film has received strong opposition from various quarters. This film, which has a story of Hindu women from Kerala converting to Islam and joining the ISIS terrorist movement, was protested in various parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Earlier, this film was released in Tamil Nadu theaters on May 5th. A case was filed in the Madras High Court that the film should not be allowed to be screened in Tamil Nadu. But the court dismissed the case. In this situaton, the film was released in 7 theatres in Chennai, only in multiplex screens operating in shopping malls including Annanagar, Neelankarai, Royapet, Velachery, and a famous theater in Maduravayal. Court Case Was Dismissed The teaser of this film has already raised objections from Islamic parties and organizations. As a result, the state intelligence agency suggested to the government to consider banning the film in Tamil Nadu. But the court case was dismissed and the film was screened as planned. The film was not screened in South Tamil Nadu due to security reasons. The Police DGP Sailendrababu issued circular and asked for precautionary measures including police protection in the theaters where film is released. Accordingly, the theaters where the film was released were given police protection. Due to the strong opposition to the film The Kerala Story across Tamil Nadu, it was decided that the film will not be screened in Tamil Nadu theaters from the 7th. While there was strong opposition to the film in South India, The Kerala Story was well received in North India. The film has crossed the Rs 200 crore mark worldwide. In such a situation, the news about director Sudipto Sen's hospitalization has become the talk of the town. Silk Smitha, the beloved heroine of 80s kids, made a mark in the film industry by starring in movies across various languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi. Despite her early marriage and subsequent divorce, she became an iconic figure during her time. With her captivating eyes, gorgeous hair, and caramel complexion, Silk Smitha soared to great heights of fame. However, her tragic suicide sent shockwaves among her fans, leaving a void that was difficult to fill. Silk Smitha's popularity was such that distributors insisted on having her presence in films. In fact, if a movie did not have Silk Smitha, the distributors would request the inclusion of one of her in at least a song sequence to woo the fans. Even actor Sathyaraj, back in the day, expressed a strong desire to act alongside Silk Smitha. However, it was reported that Silk Smitha initially refused to share the screen with Sathyaraj, citing his tall stature as the reason. She allegedly remarked, "Look how tall he is, I can't act with him." Nevertheless, after being persuaded by a director, she eventually relented and agreed to work with him. According to journalist Sabitha Joseph, once Silk Smitha got to know Sathyaraj better, she continued acting in films, putting any initial reservations aside. Their collaboration proved successful and showcased the talent and versatility of both artists in the industry. For the unversed, Smitha has acted alongside almost all big heroes in south India including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Chiranjeevi, and Mohanlal. She died by suicide for unknown reasons. Her body was found hanging from the roof of her Chennai home. A biopic was made in Bollywood for Silk Smitha, which had Vidya Balan playing the role of Smitha. Even decades after her demise, news reports about her are still pouring in, each recalling some peculiar memories about her. YouTuber Irfan Offers Rs 10,000 To Woman's Family Who Died After Being Run Over By His Car In an unexpected piece of news, popular Tamil YouTuber Irfan is making the headlines as a car owned by him has had run over a 55-year-old woman. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday night when the woman named Padmavathi was fatally struck by a Benz car owned by Irfan as his family was returning to Chennai via Chengalpattu. While some reports suggest that Irfan was present at the accident site, the police officers declined to make any comments regarding his presence. The victim, Padmavathi, hailing from a village near Potheri, worked as a security guard in a private college in the locality. On that fateful night, she had visited her daughter in Maraimalai Nagar and was on her way back home to Potheri when the tragic accident occurred. As Padmavathi was crossing the Trichy-Chennai National Highway near the Potheri municipality office, the speeding car, heading towards Chennai, collided with her, throwing her off the spot. Tragically, Padmavathi's injuries proved fatal, and the ambulance crew pronounced her dead at the scene. Her body was subsequently taken to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital for post-mortem. The Guduvanchery traffic police registered a case under section IPC 304 A, which pertains to causing death due to negligence. It was revealed that Irfan's family was present in the car, with Mohammed Azaruddin, a distant relative from Sithalapakkam, behind the wheel. Assistant Commissioner of Police Kannan from the Pallikaranai Traffic division addressed the issue, highlighting that the entire stretch of road lacked functional street lights, leading to several accidents. He further stated that despite repeatedly informing the municipality about the problem, they claimed a lack of resources to replace the light bulbs, exacerbating the safety concerns. It was reported that Irfan personally offered Rs 10,000 to assist with the funeral arrangements, considering the financial struggles faced by Padmavathi's daughter. Anupamaa Update: Ever since its premiere in 2020, Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna's Star Plus show has been making headlines for some or other reason. The family drama has been topping the charts for years and the current track is also getting an interesting response from the loyal viewers. Well, Anupamaa recently took a leap of one month after which Anuj finally returned to Ahmedabad with Maya and Choti Anu to attend the wedding festivities of Samar and Dimpi. Anupama, on the other hand, is trying to move on in life and is fulfilling her dreams. In order to do so, she has signed a contract with Malti Devi (Apara Mehta) as a part of which she'll stay with her in America for the next three years and will perform in several grand events. While Anupama is elated with the opportunity as she'll finally fulfill her old dream, it looks like things will soon get more difficult. Coming Soon: BALH 3 Star Disha Parmar Flaunts Baby Bump In Maternity Shoot, Twins With Hubby Rahul Vaidya NEW VILLAIN IN ANUPAMA'S LIFE? After Neil Bhatt & Aishwarya, THESE Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin Stars DATING Each Other In REAL Life? According to the ongoing buzz, Nakul (Aman Maheswari) will soon make Anupama's life in Malti Devi's gurkul difficult. Yes, you read that right! While Nakul was initially happy that Malti Devi selected Anupama, however, with each passing day, he's getting insecure. He's not liking the fact that Malti Devi, known for her rules and regulations, will now be changing them for Anupama who's balancing dancing and her family life perfectly. Reportedly, he will be irked by his Guru Maa Malti Devi for sidelining and praising Anupama. Hence, he'll decide to break Anupama dream and will try to stop her from going to America. However, it'll be interesting to see if he'll succeed or not. WILL ANUPAMA REUNITE WITH ANUJ KAPADIA? While MaAn fans are eagerly awaiting the reunion of Anuj and Anupama, it'll be interesting to see how she'll react after knowing the truth behind her husband staying with Maya. Keep watching this space for more updates! Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin update: Neil Bhatt and Ayesha Singh's show has remained in headlines after it was confirmed that the makers are introducing a generation leap. The romantic drama has become the talk of the town ever since the rumours about the time jump surfaced on the internet. AYESHA SINGH-NEIL BHATT QUIT GHUM HAI KISIKEY PYAAR MEIIN As the news of Ayesha Singh and Neil leaving Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin spread like wildfire, gossip mills started churning out different stories about the reason behind their exit. The two actors maintained a silence on the speculations about them quitting the popular drama but later chose to speak. While the fans expressed their displeasure over Ayesha and Neil making an exit from GHKPM, Ayesha stated that the show was moving towards the next stage and hence, the makers was planning a leap. Ayesha Singh-Neil Bhatt's Issues Are Cause Of SaiRat Destruction: Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin Fans BLAME Duo SAIRAT DEATH IN GHUM HAI KISIKEY PYAAR MEIIN Filmibeat was the first portal to confirm that SaiRat would die before the show takes a leap. "Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin will witness a tragic end of Sai and Virat's characters. The duo, who were earlier married to each other, will be killed during a bomb accident. The two characters will die before the leap track is introduced and the new storyline will now focus on their daughter Savi. The creative team has planned a shocking twist and if they implement it, Sai and Virat will meet a shocking end. Things are still under consideration as nothing has been finalised," a source told Filmibeat. It is being said that the makers are revamping the storyline as they feel the current plot (based on Kusum Dola) has run its course and hence, they should experiment with the leap to keep the viewers engaged. While Neil, Ayesha and Harshad Arora will make an exit, Virat's family members have been retained after the leap. AYESHA SINGH'S REASON FOR LEAVING GHKPM Speculations were rife that Ayesha Singh and Neil Bhatt left the show due to salary issues. It was said that the duo wanted to renegotiate their per day fees with the production house. So, what's the truth? Sai aka Ayesha, while interacting with a portal, spilled the beans on the same. She said that the artists decided to bid adieu to the show as the makers were taking a leap and they were not comfortable playing parents to grown-ups. "Actors were not comfortable playing parents after the leap," she was quoted as saying by Tellychakkar. Before the trio, Aishwarya Sharma also left the romantic drama that airs on Star Plus. She later bagged Khatron Ke Khiladi 13. Keep watching this space for more updates. Dimple Hayathi Photo Credit: Instagram Actress Dimple Hayathi, who was recently seen on the big screen alongside Gopichand in Ramabanam, is currently experiencing kind of strange happenings. Within a day after her neighbour, an IPS Officer lodged a police complaint on her for hitting his car with her luxury vehicle, a couple barged into her flat in the plush apartment complex in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. According to the available information, Dimple Hayathi has been living in a flat in SKR Enclave, in Jubilee Hills along with her partner Victor David. Rahul Hegde, DCP (Traffic) lodged a complaint about her for being rude after hitting his SUV. Meanwhile, a man and a woman tried to enter Dimple Hayathi's flat in the C2 block. They knocked on the door and the house help questioned them. As they were suspicious and new to the house, Dimple's pet dog yelled at them. The dog chased them away as the couple fled towards the lift. Later on, Dimple called up the police and filed a complaint. In the initial investigation, it was learned that they are fans of the actress and tried to take a look at her up close. They are identified as Koppisetti Sai Babu and his relative Sruthi. The cops gave them counseling before sending them away. Meanwhile, on the professional front, Dimple Hayathi, who is born to a Tamil father and Telugu mother made her acting debut in the year 2017 with a movie titled Gulf. She was part of films like Devi 2 which is dubbed as Abhinetri 2. She was featured in a special song 'Jarra Jarra' with Varun Tej in Gaddalakonda Ganesh. She made her Bollywood debut through Atrangi Re in 2021. She starred opposite Ravi Teja in Khiladi and recently in Ramabanam. The 24 year-old's future projects are yet to be announced. Availability of the Draft Accelerated Safeguard Plan Granting of the Waiver by the AMF Regulatory News: ORPEA (Paris:ORP): Convening of all classes of affected parties by the judicial administrators to vote on the accelerated safeguard plan and availability of the draft accelerated safeguard plan and the documents for the vote in the classes of affected parties By judgment dated 24 March 2023, the Specialized Commercial Court of Nanterre ruled in favor of ORPEA S.A.'s request and opened accelerated safeguard proceedings in its favor. The proceedings were extended by a judgment of the Specialized Commercial Court of Nanterre on 22 May 2023 for a further two months, until 24 July 2023. As a reminder, the proceedings only affects the financial, social and tax creditors directly concerned by its restructuring plan, to the exclusion of any other creditor or partner, in particular lessors or suppliers. In this context and following the various announcements made by the Company, Maitre Helene Bourbouloux and Maitre Thibault Martinat, in their capacity as judicial administrators of ORPEA S.A. appointed under the terms of the judgment opening the accelerated safeguard proceedings referred to above, have today convened all relevant classes of affected parties, shareholders and creditors, to vote on the draft accelerated safeguard plan which will be submitted to the classes of affected parties. The vote for each of the classes of affected parties will take place on 16 June 2023 in accordance with the procedures set out in the internal rules governing the classes of affected parties and the convening notices. To this end, the convening notices, which are subject to legal publication, have been published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales (BALO) today and can be accessed, together with the internal rules governing the classes of shares affected and voting procedures and all the documents that must be made available to shareholders under the applicable legal and regulatory conditions, on the Company's website under the heading "Restructuring": (link). The classes of affected parties, including the class of shareholders, will vote on a single resolution: the approval of the accelerated safeguard plan of ORPEA S.A. Availability of the draft safeguard plan of ORPEA S.A. The draft accelerated safeguard plan, prepared by ORPEA S.A. with the assistance of the judicial administrators, on the basis of which all classes of affected parties will vote on 16 June 2023, in person or by correspondence, as the case may be, is now available on the Company's website (www.orpea-group.com) in the "Restructuring" section (link). At the end of the vote, the results will be published on ORPEA S.A.'s website. The technical terms and conditions of the equity transactions provided for in the draft accelerated safeguard plan to be submitted to the Nanterre Commercial Court for review, and the transactions to be carried out subsequently, are described in further detail in the Appendix, which is also available in the "Restructuring" section (link). Granting of the waiver by the AMF On 25 May 2023, and published today, the Autorite des Marches Financiers granted the groupement comprising Caisse de Depots et Consignations, MACSF, CNP Assurances and MAIF a waiver from the mandatory filing of a tender offer pursuant to Articles 234-8, 234-9 2 and 234-10 of the General Regulations of the Autorite des Marches Financiers. (www.amf-france.org). About ORPEA ORPEA is a leading global player, expert in providing care for all types of frailty. The Group operates in 21 countries and covers three core businesses: care for the elderly (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, homecare and services), post-acute and rehabilitation care and mental health care (specialized clinics). It has more than 76,000 employees and welcomes more than 267,000 patients and residents each year. https://www.orpea-group.com/en ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000184798) and is a member of the SBF 120, MSCI Small Cap Europe and CAC Mid 60 indices. Appendix Terms and conditions of the equity transactions implemented as part of the financial restructuring of ORPEA S.A. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230526005326/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations ORPEA Benoit Lesieur Investor Relations Manager b.lesieur@orpea.net Toll-free number for shareholders: 0 805 480 480 Investor Relations NewCap Dusan Oresansky Tel: 01 44 71 94 94 ORPEA@newcap.eu Press Relations ORPEA Isabelle Herrier-Naufle Press Relations Director Tel: 07 70 29 53 74 i.herrier-naufle@orpea.net Image7 Charlotte Le Barbier // Laurence Heilbronn 06 78 37 27 60 06 89 87 61 37 clebarbier@image7.fr lheilbronn@image7.fr Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2023) - 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 that it has partnered with Adelaide Capital ("Adelaide"), a leading investor relations and capital markets advisory firm, to provide investor relations and consulting services to the Company. Adelaide, a full-service investor relations firm located in Toronto, Ontario, will work closely with Coho to develop and deploy a comprehensive capital markets program, which includes assisting with non-deal roadshows, virtual campaigns, social media, conferences and assisting with investor communication. In exchange for Adelaide's services, the Company has agreed to pay a monthly fee of C$12,000 for a 3-month term, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. "We're excited to collaborate with Adelaide Capital, who will offer us an extensive investor relations platform and enhance our communication with existing and potential shareholders as we embark on our next phase of growth," stated Andrew Barnes, CEO of the Company. As at the date hereof, neither Adelaide nor any employees of Adelaide have any direct or indirect interest in the Company or its securities. Subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable securities laws, Adelaide may in the future acquire such interest or a right to acquire such interest. The investor relations agreement between the Company and Adelaide is subject to the polices of the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable securities laws. Coho, Adelaide, and their respective employees are arm's length parties. 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 creating a market 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. Further information is available at https://www.cohocommissary.com/ Contacts Andrew Barnes, Chief Executive Officer andrew@cohocommissary.com (778) 877-6513 Investor Relations invest@cohocommissary.com (604) 243-7355 Neither 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 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 annual financial statements and MD&A of the Company. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although the Company 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 as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements, except as expressly required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/167734 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2023) - Bluesky Digital Assets Corp., (CSE: BTC) (OTCQB: BTCWF) ("Bluesky" or the "Corporation") announced today that it had completed several debt settlements and that the Corporation settled an aggregate of $735,343 CAD of secured debt owed to four creditors via the issuance of an aggregate 15,810,432 Common Shares. $652,575 CAD was settled via the issuance of 13,051,500 Common Shares at a price of $0.05 CAD per Common Share. $82,768 CAD was settled via the issuance of 2,758,932 Common Shares at a price of $0.03 CAD per Common Share. The Corporation settled the pricing for the $82,768 on April 4, 2023. The Debt Settlement will assist the Corporation in preserving its cash for working capital and to further advance its AI endeavors. About Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. Bluesky Digital Assets Corp, is building a high value digital enterprise. Bluesky in its startup phase, mined digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ether and developed value-added technology services for the digital currency market, such as proprietary technology solutions. Offering a complete ecosystem of value-creation, Bluesky has invested appropriate portions of its previous digital currency mining profits back into its operations. A percentage of the profit l was invested in the development of a proprietary Artificial Intelligence ("AI") based Blockchain technology. Overall, Bluesky takes an approach that enables the Corporation to scale, and respond to changing conditions, within the still-emerging Blockchain industry. The Corporation is poised to capture value in successive phases as this industry continues to change, evolve, and scale. For more information please visit Bluesky at: www.blueskydigitalassets.com or www.blueskyintel.com. Please also follow us on Linkedin at: www.linkedin.com/company/bluesky-digital-assets/. For further information please contact: Mr. Ben Gelfand CEO & Director Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. T: (416) 363-3833 E: ben.gelfand@blueskydigitalassets.com Mr. Frank Kordy Secretary & Director Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. T: (647) 466-4037 E: frank.kordy@blueskydigitalassets.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward- looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation 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 expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbor. - 30 - To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/167788 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a rare educational motivational event, the two astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni conducted three educational awareness experiments from the International Space Station in real time with 12,000 Saudi students across 42 different locations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These real time experiments with the Saudi crew aboard the ISS occurred in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the King Fahd Abdelaziz foundation and its specialized team for talents and gifts "Mawhaba", with schools in Riyadh and Misk. The objective of these three experiments is to enhance the students' knowledge of space science and its contribution to improving the quality of life on Earth, by juxtaposing their terrestrial based experiments to the ones being conducted in real-time by the Saudi crew aboard ISS. Students could see first-hand how the experiment environment can have a real effect on the results. The focus of the experiments was on Liquid Fireworks, Space Kite, and Heat transfer focused on fluid mechanics, aerodynamics and heat transfer, respectively. This real-time interaction ensured that students had access to the Saudi crew live as they performed their experiments together, one on Earth, and one in space simultaneously to compare and contrast. The students were divided in three groups relative to their age groups. The first group, 9-12 years, experimented with liquid fireworks, focussing on fluid mechanics. They could compare the effects of microgravity on the speed and shapes of the fluids in space, and witness the impact of gravity on fluids live. The second group, 13-15 years, built space kites to experiment aerodynamics' alteration in microgravity compared to earth. The third group, 15-18 years, experimented with heat transfer to see the changes of color and time in heat transfer under the impact of microgravity in space in the aim of educating the students that radiation is the only way to transfer heat in space and that heat is transferred differently in space. The three educational experiments are part of the 14 scientific experiments taken by the two Saudi astronauts during their mission, which included a range of tests from human research and cell science to artificial rain in microgravity. By engaging Saudi scientists and thousands of students across Saudi, the SSC is keen on growing its space sector through its people, by providing them with the opportunity to have a tangible impact on science and to inspire its youth to join Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This effort is one of many to follow that will capitalize on the HSF program as means to highlight science and to expand Saudi's economy to space. The efforts by the SSC are designed to prepare future astronauts and engineers, through quality educational and training programs, participation in scientific experiments, international research and future space-related missions - all of which will contribute to raising the status of the Kingdom and to achieving the goals of Vision 2030. About The Saudi Space Commission (SSC): The Saudi Space Commission was established by the royal order in December of 2018 (Rabi II 1440). This bold step serves a future that is innovative and looks forward to the latest technologies and opportunities in the Saudi Space Industry. With the Kingdom moving towards a progressive quality of life, SSC demonstrates the aligned vision of creating better, secure environments for its citizens while actively enabling prospects of lucrative economic and monetary inventions. The SSC has strategized to create primary objectives that serve national security interests against space related risks and encourage cumulative growth and advancement. https://saudispace.gov.sa/en/about-us/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2086631/Experiments.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/inspiring-a-new-generation-of-scientists-12-thousand-saudi-students-collaborated-with-the-astronauts-in-three-scientific-experiments-301835904.html TORONTO, May 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX:AGI; NYSE:AGI) ("Alamos" or the "Company") today reported a summary of the voting results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting"). The Company is also announcing the retirement of Kenneth Stowe from the Board of Directors, and the appointment of Shaun Usmar. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and management, I would like to thank Ken for his exceptional contributions throughout his many years on the Board, including his steadfast hand leading our Technical and Sustainability Committee. Ken has been a valued member of the Alamos Board since 2011 and we wish him every success in his future endeavours," said John A. McCluskey, President and Chief Executive Officer. "I would also like to welcome Shaun Usmar as a new board member. Shaun brings a wealth of operational, financial and executive leadership experience." Shaun Usmar is an international mining executive with 30 years of experience working around the globe in some of the world's largest and fastest growing mining companies. Mr. Usmar is the founder of Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. and is currently the CEO and a Director. Previously, Mr. Usmar served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Barrick Gold Corporation, from 2014 to 2016. He joined Xstrata in 2002 as a senior executive member of the management team that grew the company into one of the world's largest diversified miners at the time of its acquisition by Glencore in 2013. His roles at Xstrata included General Manager of Business Development in London, Chief Financial Officer of Xstrata's global Ferro-Alloys business in South Africa, and Chief Financial Officer of Xstrata's global Nickel business in Canada. Prior to joining Xstrata, Mr. Usmar worked at BHP Billiton in Corporate Finance in London, and started his career in mining in operations in the steel and aluminum industries as a production engineer. Mr. Usmar serves as Chair of Make- A-Wish Canada and chairs the Audit Committee of the World Gold Council. He holds a Bachelor of Science Engineering in Metallurgy and Materials from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, both with distinction. Results of the Meeting The Company is reporting the voting results of its Meeting held virtually on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The summary of the results are as follows: Total Shares Voted: 305,593,076 Total Shares Issued and Outstanding: 394,829,141 Total Percentage of Shares Voted: 77.40% 1. Election of Directors Each of the nominee directors listed in Alamos' management proxy circular dated April 3, 2023 was elected as a director as set forth in the table below: Name of Nominee Vote For % Withheld Vote % Elaine Ellingham 241,338,511 88.56 31,177,695 11.44 David Fleck 266,773,867 97.89 5,742,340 2.11 David Gower 153,814,735 56.44 118,701,471 43.56 Claire M. Kennedy 266,817,654 97.91 5,698,552 2.09 John A. McCluskey 271,019,254 99.45 1,496,952 0.55 Monique Mercier 268,367,594 98.48 4,148,612 1.52 Paul J. Murphy 260,485,053 95.59 12,031,153 4.41 J. Robert S. Prichard 269,482,099 98.89 3,034,107 1.11 Shaun Usmar 271,621,251 99.67 894,955 0.33 2. Appointment and Compensation of Auditors KPMG LLP was appointed as the Company's auditor and the directors were authorized to fix the auditor's remuneration. Vote For % Withheld Vote % KPMG LLP 298,021,076 97.52 7,571,999 2.48 3. Approval of Approach to Executive Compensation The non-binding advisory resolution approving the Company's approach to Executive Compensation was passed. Vote For % Vote Against % Executive Compensation 266,951,742 97.99 5,479,277 2.01 About Alamos Alamos is a Canadian-based intermediate gold producer with diversified production from three operating mines in North America. This includes the Young-Davidson and Island Gold mines in northern Ontario, Canada and the Mulatos mine in Sonora State, Mexico. Additionally, the Company has a strong portfolio of growth projects, including the Phase 3+ Expansion at Island Gold, and the Lynn Lake project in Manitoba, Canada. Alamos employs more than 1,900 people and is committed to the highest standards of sustainable development. The Company's shares are traded on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol "AGI". FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Scott K. Parsons Senior Vice President, Investor Relations (416) 368-9932 x 5439 All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated. Cautionary Note The TSX and NYSE have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / May 27, 2023 / LATOKEN, a global cryptocurrency exchange, is embarking on a new journey as it sets foot in Joseon, a legally recognized cyber nation-state. This strategic move marks a paradigm shift in crypto innovation as LATOKEN thrives on leveraging Joseon's favourable regulatory landscape to drive the growth and evolution of the cryptocurrency sphere. LATOKEN's expansion into Joseon is not merely a geographic endeavour but a testament to the company's commitment to championing progress and disrupting the status quo in the crypto world. Joseon's novel approach to regulation and embracing blockchain technology offers an ideal environment for LATOKEN's mission to inject transparency, fairness, and efficiency into the financial markets. In conjunction with this momentous step, LATOKEN proudly announces the listing of Joseon Mun (JSM), Joseon's national fiat currency, on its platform. JSM represents an exquisite fusion of the stability of state-backed currency with the transparency afforded by blockchain technology. However, LATOKEN's journey extends far beyond this milestone. The company's entry into Joseon signifies a durable belief in the transformative potential of cryptocurrencies. LATOKEN is committed to forging a path defined by continuous growth and innovation. This endeavour is not just an opportunity but a responsibility to LATOKEN's users and the future of the crypto space. Interested participants are encouraged to register as residents in Joseon and undergo a thorough verification process to get started. Upon completing the initial level, users can take the next step and register their businesses in Joseon. Once a business presence is established, entrepreneurs are invited to consider listing their business tokens on LATOKEN, further expanding their reach and potential. It is imperative to note that LATOKEN listing fees will still apply. About the state - Joseon: Joseon has flourished as a legally recognized cyber nation-state. It is a trailblazer in catalyzing creative and disruptive ideas in the digital realm. The issuance of their digital currency, Joseon Mun (JSM), reflects their proactive stance. Website | Twitter | Telegram | Instagram | Facebook | Discord About the Company - LATOKEN: LATOKEN is a globally renowned cryptocurrency exchange. LATOKEN is a global cryptocurrency exchange that has established itself as a prominent player in the crypto market. With its headquarters in the Cayman Islands, LATOKEN facilitates a user-friendly platform for individuals and businesses to trade a wide range of digital assets. Prospective clients can visit the following link for more information: Website: https://www.latoken.com For inquiries contact: Mohd Salman, SMM Manager E-mail: ir@latoken.com Media Contact Organization: LATOKEN Contact Person: Mohd Salman Website: https://www.latoken.com Email: ir@latoken.com City: Grand Cayman Country: Cayman Islands PR Contact King NewsWire Support@kingnewswire.com SOURCE: LATOKEN View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/757685/LATOKEN-Expands-its-Influence-to-Joseon-for-Crypto-Innovation-in-the-Industry The Academic Council of Delhi University has given its approval to various resolutions, including some contentious ones such as the introduction of a four-year integrated teacher education program, despite facing opposition from certain members. In addition, the council has also sanctioned several modifications to the syllabi, which include the removal of a chapter on Muhammad Iqbal from the BA political science syllabus, as told by the officials familiar with the situation to media outlets. The meeting, which commenced on Friday, was extended until 1:30 am on Saturday. The council has decided to remove a chapter dedicated to Pakistans national poet, Muhammad Iqbal, from the political science syllabus. This decision was confirmed by members of the statutory body. Muhammad Iqbal, who was born in 1877 in Sialkot in undivided India, is renowned for his composition Saare jahan se achcha. He is widely recognised as the key figure behind the inception of the concept of Pakistan. The chapter in question, named Modern Indian Political Thought, forms a component of the sixth-semester paper in the BA program, according to officials. The issue will be reportedly brought before the universitys Executive Council for a final decision. The council also gave its approval to a resolution that entails replacing the Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.) program with a 4-year integrated teacher education program. Six members of the Academic Council expressed their dissent against the resolution, stating that there was a lack of consultation with teachers regarding this matter. Maya John, an elected member of the Academic Council, lamented the passing of the integrated teacher education program (ITEP) despite the objections raised by some members. She said that it is regrettable that ITEP has been approved despite the dissent of the members. She added that they will persist in their efforts to protect the interests of all stakeholders. Maya John was among the group of members who expressed their disagreement with the resolution. The members argued that the Committee of Courses and the Faculty of Education were completely bypassed in the direct implementation of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) notification on ITEP without their involvement. Another contentious resolution that was approved pertained to setting limits on class sizes for undergraduate programs, with lecture classes capped at 60 students and tutorial classes at 30 students. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Anushka Sharma, grabbed all the eyeballs with her debut on the Cannes 2023 red carpet. After several speculations on what the actor will be wearing and when she will be walking the red carpet at Cannes, Anushka strutted the red carpet wearing an off shoulder ivory Richard Quinn Couture gown which has hand crafted embroidery from the in-house atelier and ivory silk taffeta roses. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) She paired it with heels from Gianvito Rossi and a luminous unique piece pear shaped white and yellow diamond drop earrings along with yellow and white diamond rings from Chopard. The actress shared multiple posts and pictures and husband Virat Kohli couldnt help but react with hearts and heart-eyed emojis. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) View this post on Instagram A post shared by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) View this post on Instagram A post shared by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) Why the debut? Sharma, who is the face of a global skincare and cosmetics brand, is set for her Cannes debut where she will honour women in cinema along with Hollywood icon Kate Winslet. The sabbatical Anushka Sharma, who was last seen in Anand L Rais Zero, seems to have been on a sabbatical from the industry. However, the actor has been busy working in different capacity with her production house Clean Slate Production and clothing brand Nush, among other things, though there is no announcement of an upcoming project as of yet. In an interview to Grazia, the actress has opened up about her personal life, her choices with films and why she decided to prioritise her personal life. You might occasionally find yourself on a plane sitting close to an emergency exit door. The exit door on a plane is asked to open in case of an emergency. However, recently, a few extremely obedient flyers have been doing the act on their own. The most recent incident included a passenger during a domestic flight in South Korea opening the emergency exit door, forcing air to gust inside the cabin before the aircraft safely landed. Youre probably now wondering what happens if an emergency exit door is opened on a plane. Lets take a look. Asiana Airlines incident A passenger in his 30s opened the emergency exit door on the Asiana Airlines Airbus A321 as it was landing in South Korea. On Friday, the passenger seated close to the emergency door pushed a lever and released a cover just as the commercial aircraft was ready to touch down. The aircraft was over 200 metres (656 feet) above the ground. On Friday, at about 11:45 local time, Airbus A321-200 flight OZ8124 took off from Jeju Island, according to BBC. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Firstpost (@firstpost) Passengers hair was seen being blown about by rushing air in video footage that was allegedly captured on board and shared on social media. Nine people were sent to the hospital after the landing due to breathing problems brought on by the abrupt opening, according to Asiana, who also noted that there were no serious injuries or damage. Witnesses told local media that the plane was close to land when the flight attendants could not stop him. The aeroplane, which landed on Friday at Daegu International Airport safely but with its door still open, carried a total of 194 passengers. The man has been arrested. According to the Yonhap news agency, the 30-year-old man claimed to be feeling suffocated and that he wanted to leave right now. According to the complaint, the man allegedly told police that he was stressed out as a result of losing his work. Its physically impossible to open an airplane door mid-flight There are two reasons why you cannot open the doors. The doors are mechanically locked, as you may anticipate, is the first. Pilot input regulates these locks. Mid-flight, however, is a different story as air pressure is the key factor. According to Boyles Law, the pressure on oxygen molecules decreases as we ascend higher in the atmosphere. It becomes more difficult to breathe since less pressure is available to allow these molecules to flow into our circulatory systems. According to Wired magazine, youll pass out in roughly 30 minutes once you rise above 18,000 feet because you stop taking in enough oxygen to nourish the brain. Air must be pumped into the aircraft to maintain a survivable internal pressure since aeroplanes fly between 30,000 and 43,000 feet At this height, youll pass out in less than a minute and become delirious within seconds, which is why air masks fall during depressurization events and why you should take care of yourself before a newborn. In reality, while flying, we are mildly hypoxic at all times. But how does any of this relate to the planes doors? Simply put, the pressure within the cabin shuts them. Steve Wright, an associate professor of aerospace engineering at the University of the West of England, compares the door to a huge bath plug. By utilising the plug-hole effect, practically all aircraft exits open inward. Wright explains that if you look at the door as you exit the aircraft, youll see that it has an intriguing tapering design. And the reason for that is that the door is actually plugged in; as a result, the cabin crew must perform a unique type of Jimmy, or sideways shuffle, when opening it, according to the magazine. In the Asiana Airlines case, a representative of the South Korean transport ministry stated yesterday that due to identical pressures inside and outside the cabin, emergency exits might be opened at or near ground level. For those with a gloomy outlook, Wright claims that the windows are typically the weak point of the aircraft, and its a fact that if a door were to blow open, people would be drawn in that direction. According to Michele Meo, a professor of materials at the University of Bath, seat belt use is always advised. In case of a decompression or doors failure, the passengers will be sucked out because of the difference in pressure pushing the passengers outside, he explains, adding, A notable depressurisation-related tragedy occurred with Aloha Airlines in the 1980s, but in that instance, there were already cracks inside the aircraft. From the interior, the pressure caused the break to widen and eventually tear apart the fuselage. When opened, it is fine or imprisonment The door opens, and the alert goes to the captain. The staff then steps in and investigates why the door was opened. It can cause the takeoff to be delayed. Following the inspection, the doors damage is evaluated, according to Business Standard. The team reports a case to the police department at the airport. Before the jet can take off again, a tonne of documentation is necessary, including giving the aviation statutory body an explanation, according to experts. Additionally, the airline may add the person to a no-fly list or even imprison them. This, however, will rely on the police station complaint. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. India will experience a historic moment when the new Parliament building is inaugurated on 28 May after nearly a century of utilising a building that represented the colonial era. Former director of the National Gallery of Modern Art Advaita Gadanayak claimed that the new building would reflect both the history of the country and its position in the twenty-first century. Parliament is the house of spirituality, politics, literature there has to be an attempt to synergise all these elements. Each element has to be developed meticulously, Gadanayak said, as per Hindustan Times. The new Parliament House also symbolises Indias rich cultural diversity since it embodies the concept of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat by using a variety of national sources for its building materials. Also read: Who should inaugurate Parliament building? The political row explained Materials from all over India According to PTI, the teakwood used in the building was sourced from Nagpur in Maharashtra, while the red and white sandstone was procured from Sarmathura in Rajasthan. The sandstone for the Red Fort and Humayuns Tomb in the national capital was also known to have been sourced from Sarmathura. The Kesharia green stone has been procured from Udaipur, the red granite from Lakha near Ajmer and the white marble has been sourced from Ambaji in Rajasthan. In a way, the entire country came together to construct the temple of democracy, thus reflecting the true spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, an official said. The new Parliament building will make every Indian proud. This video offers a glimpse of this iconic building. I have a special request- share this video with your own voice-over, which conveys your thoughts. I will re-Tweet some of them. Dont forget to use #MyParliamentMyPride. pic.twitter.com/yEt4F38e8E Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2023 The steel structure for the false ceilings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha chambers have been sourced from the union territory of Daman and Diu, while the furniture in the new building was crafted in Mumbai. The stone jaali (lattice) works dotting the building were sourced from Rajnagar in Rajasthan and Noida in Uttar Pradesh. The materials for the Ashoka Emblem were sourced from Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Jaipur in Rajasthan, while the Ashok Chakra donning the massive walls of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha chambers and the exteriors of the parliament building were procured from Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The stone carving work was done by sculptors from Abu Road and Udaipur, and stone aggregates were sourced from Kotputali, Rajasthan. The new parliament building used manufactured sand or M-sand from Charkhi Dadri in Haryana for creating a concrete mix for the construction activities. M-Sand is considered environmentally friendly as it is manufactured by crushing large hard stones or granite and not by dredging river beds. The fly ash bricks used in the construction were sourced from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, while brass works and pre-cast trenches were from Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The carpets are from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, while the bamboo flooring is from Tripura. The duty of coming up with a concept for Parliaments artwork was given to the Parliament Art Advisory Committee, which was established in February 2022. In addition to defining topics, choosing local artists and artworks, and supervising the creation and installation of the artworks, the committee also conceptualised the visual vocabulary for each gallery. The new Parliament building was built by Tata Projects Ltd, which also designed a number of noteworthy elements to highlight Indias historic democratic tradition, according to News18. Also read: New Parliament building and the many controversies surrounding the structure Artworks from various regions of the country In an effort to reflect Indias vast diversity, the interior of the new Parliament will have art installations chosen from throughout the nation. The Indian Express quoted its sources as saying that the roughly 5,000 works of art paintings, ornamental pieces, wall panels, stone sculptures, and metal objects that will be displayed, were inspired by the Sanatan Parampara and vaastu shastra. According to Hindustan Times, the installations will be displayed in the galleries of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as well as six ceremonial entrances and public access routes. These entrance installations will include symbols of national veneration such as the Garud (eagle), Gaj (elephant), Ashva (horse), and Maggar (crocodile). Three Indian galleries are intended to depict the history of the nation in chronological order, leading up to the momentous occasion of the formation of the Constitution of India. The report suggests each piece of artwork will narrate a thousand stories and that artists from all throughout the nation have worked collaboratively to bring these tales to life. The new building is believed to also have two massive brass murals each 75 feet tall, which was motivated by a representation of the incident at Cambodias Angkor Wat temple complex. One of the two would capture Indias rich tradition and culture, while the other will provide a narration of the legendary tale of Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean). The artwork at the new Parliament is the result of work by nearly 75 artists and academics who were brought together by the Ministry of Culture to develop a narrative for these distinctive installations. According to Hindustan Times source, the art within Parliament will reflect the spiritual tapestry of the country true to the philosophy of Sarv Dharam Samppan (equality of all religions). Parliament is the house of politics, literature, and spirituality. There needs to be an effort to combine these components. According to Gadanayak, every component must be carefully developed. The inauguration Amid the boycott call by 20 opposition parties, the Centre has received a confirmed list of 25 political parties, including some which are not a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that will participate in the inauguration ceremony, ANI reported. A historic moment for India! Witness an extraordinary event encapsulating the inseparable bond between our democratic ideals and the spiritual essence that permeates every aspect of our society. The sacred Sengol, a revered artifact gifted by priests from Tamil Nadu on the eve pic.twitter.com/UuLpMw5dvY Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) May 24, 2023 According to News18, the havan will take place in front of the new structure at around 7 am, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive the ceremonial sceptre Sengol from the Shaivite orders senior priests. The Sengol will be situated in the new Parliament building close to the Speakers chair. The official opening of the new complex is anticipated to be attended by former vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, and Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson Harivansh, among others. The four-story, triangular Parliament building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres. The Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar are the three primary entrances to the structure. The Rajya Sabha chamber has a higher capacity of up to 384 seats and is decorated with a lotus theme in honour of Indias national flower. The Lok Sabha chamber, which was designed after the nations bird, the peacock, has a capacity of 888 seats. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Mark Twain rightly said, Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you dont mind, it doesnt matter. Following this maxim, a 71-year-old man graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC) on Thursday, more than 50 years after he initially enrolled. He told CBC, it makes me sound like the slowest student in the world and I guess thats what I am. He took more than five decades to complete his degree, which is two years longer than the biology degree Robert FP Cronin, who started at Princeton University in 1948 and finished in 2000, currently holds the Guinness World Record. Also read: How useful is your degree? Why Indian graduates remain unemployed The Worlds slowest student & his Journey After finally graduating, the 71-year-old retiree joked with UBC, The headline on your story should to be UBC finally graduates its slowest student. When Ross enrolled at UBC after high school in 1969, when The Beatles were about to release their landmark album Abbey Road and the US had just sent a man to the moon. At the beginning of his course, he recalled not being particularly focused on anything. He joined the college theatrical club, where he developed a love for acting. I was besotted with theatre at the time. It was alive then, with a sense of vitality and newness. It seemed just electric to me, Ross remembers. In the department, Ross would cross paths with renowned Canadian actors such as Nicola Cavendish, Larry Lillo, Brent Carver and Ruth Nichol, inspiring him further to pursue theatre, according to a UBC press release. Two years later, he changed his major and relocated to Montreal, where he enrolled in the National Theatre School. Meet three remarkable students graduating from UBC this year, proving age and time constraints are no barriers to success: https://t.co/mtpOxnFqKs#UBCgrad #UBCOgrad pic.twitter.com/Ln9g5o7LAm University of British Columbia (@UBC) May 24, 2023 He completed his studies and received a certificate of accomplishment. However, Ross said he soon realised that he did not want acting to become his career. I liked it too much. It wasnt going to be healthy for me. I knew I was a good actor but I always thought you had to be great, according to NDTV. I decided, well, maybe I should go to law school and become a lawyer, sort of that last resort for everybody who cant quite figure out what they want to do, he told BBC. To complete the final year of his required three years of education before applying to law school, he returned to UBC. He obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Torontos law school after being admitted. He spent 35 years as a civil litigator in Metro Vancouver before retiring in 2016. At that point, Ross thought perhaps it was time to complete what he had begun nearly fifty years ago. It had always been in the back of my mind that, oh, maybe someday youll go back to university and start working on finishing that degree,' he told the outlet. He called UBC in November 2016 to get a new student number, and by January 2017 he was a part-time history student with an emphasis on the First World War. He decided to focus on his history studies after hearing the 1909 German opera Elektra, which reportedly inspired him to learn more about World War I. Its a waste not to take the opportunity to study something, anything that is of interest to you, he said, adding that he has enjoyed the opportunity that has presented itself to me here. Im appreciative of the students accepting that old guy tuning in from outer space, he told UBC. After all these years, Ross returned to UBC, and he remarked that a few things had changed. His tuition was now free because he is a senior who has retired, and the campus had grown in size. Like most students during the Covid-19 pandemic, he was able to do some of his coursework online thanks to technologys rapid advancement. According to Ross, the experience made him in awe of the UBC facultys accomplishments and of his fellow students, who persisted in their studies despite the challenges and disruptions of the pandemic. Ross said he was eager to cross the stage and celebrate his achievement after six years of work on his degree. Ive attended all of my kids graduations, he claimed. His family was now the one to honour him. Ross stated that he is not in a rush to determine what will happen next as he is pleased to have come this far. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For all the concern over just when the government might run short of money to pay its bills, it turns out that no one can be absolutely sure exactly when the country will default what officials are calling the X-date if theres no deal to raise the debt limit. Calculating when the country is going to run out of money requires monitoring major fluctuations in cash flowing into and out of the Treasury and factoring in the timing and size of big payments coming due, among other factors. Now, with only days left for the White House and congressional leaders to negotiate a deal that would allow the government to borrow more money before the US hits the statutory debt ceiling, knowing the drop-dead date is crucial. And amid all the squabbling over the debt, the X-date itself has inevitably become a subject of political rancour. Also read: US on the debt ledge, will it fall? What is the X-date? The X-date arrives when the government no longer has enough of a financial cushion to pay all its bills, having exhausted the extraordinary measures its been using since January to stretch existing funds. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens latest estimation is that the US could default by 5 June if theres no deal to raise the legal borrowing limit to support bill paying. In addition to Treasury, several outside groups and companies try to independently pin down the date, including the Congressional Budget Office, Moodys Analytics and the private Bipartisan Policy Center, by poring over public data on government cash flows and changes in debt. Their estimates are all within a few days of Treasurys projections. Shai Akabas, from the Bipartisan Policy Center, helped coin the term X-date along with future Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell back in 2011. We defined it as the day after which the federal government would not be able to meet all of its obligations, meaning that if policymakers didnt act by the X-date, then the default would occur the next day. And we quickly realised that that was incredibly difficult for people to understand, Akabas said. It was then revised, supposed to be known as the day on which the government doesnt meet all of its obligations, he said. Also read: US to escape catastrophic financial default states President Joe Biden How is the date calculated? This is where bureaucrats really wonk out. They study things like the Daily Treasury Statement, which offers a detailed accounting of the governments coffers and provides insight into the movement of money. Treasurys Office of Fiscal Projections works with career staff from the Offices of Tax Analysis, Economic Policy and Debt Management to produce a forecast of when the government will exhaust its resources. Just like everyday Americans who tally up their upcoming bills, the government knows a lot about its coming obligations. And its not just about servicing its existing debts. For instance, on June 1, Treasury will have to pay out $47 billion (~Rs 3.88 lakh crore) in Medicare payments, $12 billion (~Rs 990 billion) in military and civil retirement benefits and $12 billion in veterans benefits, according to a BPC analysis of Daily Treasury Statements. On the next day, the agency will have to pay out $27 billion (~Rs 2.22 lakh crore) in Social Security and Medicaid payments. Also read: US lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali a federal holiday What else can affect the X-date? All sorts of factors even the weather. This year, for example, taxpayers in areas that experienced weather disasters including California, New York and large swaths of the South have been granted filing extensions for the 2022 tax season. That means delayed income tax payments coming in that can reduce cash flow. A big infusion of quarterly tax payments is expected to come in on 15 June, which could help tide the country over for weeks if the Treasury can hold out that long. But thats looking increasingly less likely. Also read: What Germany slipping into recession means for Europe Whos questioning the X-date? Some Republicans are openly questioning Yellens calculations on when the government might no longer be fully able to pay its bills. How far are lawmakers willing to go to test that theory? Are they less willing to compromise if they dont believe an economic calamity is right around the corner? Everybodys relying on Janet Yellen to tell us this magical day. Show us. Show us the math, said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. When asked if that sentiment was in the back of his mind during negotiations, Donalds replied, I think its in the back of everybodys mind. After Yellen on Friday moved her projection of the earliest date that the US could default from 1 June to 5 June, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., took to Twitter to complain, saying: Yellen said it was June 1 earlier this WEEK. Republicans wont be intimidated by her manipulation tactics. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., asked about the X-date by Larry Kudlow on Fox Business on Wednesday, said that whoever is the secretary of the Treasury, Im going to take whatever date they say. Another lead GOP negotiator, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., said he, too, believes Yellen. Shes a straight shooter and I dont think theres any wiggle room for us, McHenry said. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As violence in Manipur takes a new turn, Army Chief Manoj Pande will visit the north-eastern state on Saturday to review the situation, army officials said. The Army Chief would be briefed by the Eastern Command officials and accordingly, measures will be taken to bring the situation under control. General Pandes visit comes as the Indian Army and Assam Rifles beefed up security in the region. Both the security teams in Imphal East and Churchandpur prevented the firing incidents between the two communities, where some armed miscreants opened fire and ran towards higher reaches, the Army said. However, there were no reports of casualties and further operations were underway. Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that the state has witnessed 60 deaths owing to the violence while many have fled to the neighbouring state of Mizoram. Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Biren Singh informed that additional security forces had been brought into the state and security personnel consisting of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Manipur Police, Manipur Rifles, India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Village Defence Force (VDF) had been deployed at 38 vulnerable areas. The government is making efforts to pacify all sides by holding peace talks with all sections of the population. Authorities have also met various peace committees formed in the wake of the prevailing situation in Manipur. In the wake of the worsening situation in Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also expected to visit the state in the next three days. There were clashes in Manipur after the verdict of a court. I would appeal to both groups they should maintain peace, and justice will be done with everyone. I will myself go to Manipur after few days and will stay there for three days and will talk to people of Manipur for establishing peace, he said. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Amul, a popular milk brand, has recently been indicted for contamination. The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells dairy products under Amul, issued an explanation over a video pointing out its lassi Tetra packs as fungal-laden. The viral video, which is making rounds on the internet, shows the packet tainted before its expiry date. A green fungus coating is visible in the Tetra pack as listed in the video. According to the person behind the camera, he discovered the lassi to be contaminated after realising its awful taste. Amul dismissed the claims The dairy cooperative took to Twitter to clear the speculations surrounding the issue. In a notification, Amul called the video fake and stated that it was being used to create misinformation about its dairy products. A key highlight included the packets having liquid leaks and damage near the straw hole. Amul further noted that the fungus growth observed in these packs was likely due to the damages shown in the clip. Morever, it is possible that the person behind the video was aware of this. This is for your kind information that a fake message is being forwarded on Whatsapp and Social Media platforms regarding the inferior quality of Amul Lassi. The creator of the video has not contacted us for clarification, nor the location has been disclosed, the dairy said in a statement. We wish to assure you that Amul Lassi is made at our state-of-the-art dairies and undergo strict quality checks for product quality and integrity of packaging. As standard practice, we mention on all our packs the following declaration for the safety of our customers, DO NOT BUY PUFFED/LEAKY PACK, it added. As a word of caution to their customers, Amul assured, This video has been used to create misinformation and spread unnecessary fear and concern among our consumers. We request you to kindly share this message with your family and friends and assure them about the goodness of Amul lassi. We request you to kindly share this message with your family and friends and assure them about the goodness of Amul Lassi. In case of any complaint, please call on our toll-free number 1800 258 3333, added the circular. According to Amuls official Twitter handle Amul_Coop, GCMMF Amul is Indias largest food product organisation with annual provisional turnover (2022-23) of Rs 55,055 crore. As it transitions from Indias largest dairy brand to Indias largest food and beverage FMCG company, GCMMF is investing in organic foods, high protein products, probiotic ranges, and fresh sweets. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog on Saturday on the theme of Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, PM Modi will preside over the meeting. PM Modi will deliberate on issues related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long Meeting including (i) Viksit Bharat@2047, (ii) Thrust on MSMEs, (iii) Infrastructure and Investments, (iv) Minimising Compliances, (v) Women Empowerment, (vi) Health and Nutrition, (vii) Skill Development, and (viii) Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure, the NITI Aayog stated.The Meeting will see the participation of Chief Ministers/Lt Governors of all States and Union Territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio Members, and the Vice Chairman and Members of NITI Aayog, it stated. As a preparatory prelude to the 8th Governing Council Meeting, the second Chief Secretaries Conference was held in January 2023, where these themes were extensively discussed. Wide-ranging stakeholder consultations and brainstorming sessions with subject experts, academia and practitioners were held prior to the Conference in order to gain well-rounded grassroots-level perspectives, it further said. The 2nd Chief Secretaries Conference, attended by the Prime Minister, brought together select Secretaries from the Government of India and Chief Secretaries from all States/UTs who proactively participated by sharing thematic best practices and policy insights, the release stated. As the worlds fifth-largest economy and the most populous nation, India is at a stage in its economic development trajectory where it can achieve accelerated growth over the next 25 years, the release said. In this context, the 8th Governing Council Meeting provides an opportunity to create a roadmap for Viksit Bharat by 2047 in which the Centre and States can work together as Team India. This will play an important role in the international context as Indias socioeconomic growth and transformation can have a positive and multiplier effect on the world at large, it said. The NITI Aayog further said, This 8th Governing Council Meeting is also being held in the backdrop of Indias G20 Presidency. Indias G20 motto One Earth, One Family, One Future conveys its civilisational values and its vision of the role of each country in creating the future of our planet. The emerging world has immense hopes for Indias ability to provide values-based leadership and its capacity to deliver development at scale. The Centre and States have played a significant role in achieving this distinctive development trajectory, the Aayog said. Indias growth is closely interlinked with the growth of States. As mentioned by the Prime Minister in his 76th Independence Day address, When our States grow, India grows.This will be the guiding spirit of Indias inclusive and sustainable vision for the next quarter century. In order to achieve this vision, the 8th Governing Council Meeting would provide a platform for strengthening Centre-State cooperation and forging partnerships for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to withdraw the Rs 2000 banknotes from circulation. However, the existing notes will still retain their status as legal tender, as stated by the RBI. In the midst of this decision by the central bank, a hilarious situation has recently occurred where a woman had an amusing encounter with a shopkeeper who refused to accept her Rs 2,000 note. Despite the RBIs assurance that the notes would remain legal tender, some shopkeepers and petrol pumps have been reluctant to accept them. The womans humorous interaction with the shopkeeper added to the frenzy surrounding the situation. On Twitter, a user shared a screenshot of a funny conversation with her friend. Her friend messaged her about a frustrating experience of trying to buy Lays Gourmet chips but facing rejection from the shopkeeper for offering a Rs 2,000 note. Frustrated, she explained that the note was still valid until 30 September. However, the shopkeeper pointed out that the note was torn, leading her to make the payment using Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Since being posted, the tweet has gained more than 26,500 views and received several likes on the social media platform. According to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, the primary purpose behind introducing the Rs 2,000 note was to promptly replace the value of the currency that was being phased out as part of the demonetization process. However, the decision to withdraw these notes has been taken as that objective has been successfully accomplished, and there are now an ample number of notes available in other denominations. Das stated that the RBI will assess the number of returned Rs 2,000 notes before deciding whether to extend the deadline beyond 30 September. He explained that setting a deadline was necessary because, without it, people might not take the exchange process seriously, causing it to prolong indefinitely. Das emphasised that establishing a cut-off date would ensure a conclusive resolution. Das emphasised that there was no need for individuals to feel compelled to immediately return or exchange their Rs 2,000 notes. He assured the public that they had a generous timeframe of four months, until 30 September to complete the process. The RBI governors statement aimed to alleviate any sense of urgency among the population. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge have found themselves on the wrong side of the law after a Supreme Court advocate filed a complaint against the two for allegedly making inciteful statements against President Droupadi Murmu with regard to the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The complaint, filed by Vineet Jindal, read, The statement has been with the intent to promote enmity among communities/groups and trying to create distrust for the Government of India to fulfil their political motives which are an office under sections 121, 153(A), 505 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It also stated that the comments made by Kejriwal and Kharge were intentional to convey that the central government have deliberately not invited Murmu because of her caste. These statements are widely published and circulated in news and social media and would result in provoking the ST and Adivasi community as our honourable President too belongs to Adivasi and ST community, the complaint further stated. It added, The political leaders just for the sake of their political gain should not be allowed to stoop to the level of disgracing the highest constitutional posts. Besides, it would cause fear in the community creating distrust against the duly elected government, which are offences under sections 121,153A,505,34 IPC. which are cognizable offences and very serious in nature. Jindal also urged the Delhi Police to lodge FIRs against Kejriwal and Kharge. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The political debate that has broken out over Sengol, a replica of the Rajadanda of the imperial Chola Empire that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will install inside the new Parliament Building during its inauguration Sunday, encapsulates the very challenges that this ancient civilization and modern nation-state faces. The sacred Sengol is derived from the Tamil word semmai, meaning righteousness. It is pregnant with history, steeped in Tamil tradition and bears the mark of Sanatan dharma. The sceptre is a timeless legacy of Indias past, a symbol of Indias sovereignty, and rooted in Indic tradition of rajdharma. Congress now disputes the Sengols legitimacy and calls it an object being used by the PM & his drum-beaters for their political ends in Tamil Nadu. Beyond the sewage-level political debate, the larger question that arises is one of denial of Indias civilisational roots a process that was formalized during the decades of Congress rule starting with our first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. That process has finally been challenged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who seeks to bring a nation out of its self-imposed somnambulism, reignite the civilizational consciousness, reclaim the Indic symbols, establish an unbroken Hindu religious and cultural continuity, and decolonise Indian minds. To arrive at that eventuality, however, we must turn the gaze inwards and address the question that is not just important but existential to Indias self-definition. As we strive to become a great power with the worlds largest population, the fifth largest economy and young demography, how do we define ourselves? Was India born in 1947 during the Nehruvian midnight hour? Or is the century-old indigenous civilizational heritage still alive, connecting the nation and binding its citizens through its great, undying traditions and common cultural cognisance? If the answer to the question is the former, then it makes sense that the historic Sengol, that signified the transfer of power from the Britishers to India during Independence, was no more than a golden sceptre gifted to Jawaharlal Nehru at a private ceremony conducted by the deputy high priest of Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam (a 500-year-old Saivaite monastery) in 1947. Going by this narrative, it may be easily explained why the five-feet long intricately carved, unbending gold-plated silver sceptre, with the orb featuring a miniature Nandi the vahana and gatekeeper of Lord Shiva, the protector and vehicle of dharma also symbolising the maritime prowess, spread, power, legitimacy and sovereignty of the Chola kings and bearing the intricate craftsmanship of Vummidi Bangaru Chetty jewellers from Tamil Nadu, was relegated to the label of Nehrus Golden Walking Stick and tucked away in a forgotten corner of Allahabad Museum where it was kept inside a nondescript glass box. The reductionism is breathtaking. And unsurprising. The Sengol was part of Nehrus personal items that Indias first prime minister, who couldnt be bothered with such religious imagery and suffered from a lack of patience with Hindu rituals and traditions, had given it away along with a few other of his personal items, to the museum. On Nehrus mindset during the elaborate investiture ceremony conducted by the priests of the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam (Mutt) in Tamil Nadu, Western accounts are revealing. In Freedom at Midnight, Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, while describing the ceremony, write, delegates from an India that venerated superstition and the occult had a rendezvous with the prophet of a new India of science and socialism. As once Hindu holy men had conferred upon ancient Indias kings their symbols of power, so the sannyasin had come to York Road to bestow their antique emblems of authority on the man about to assume the leadership of a modern Indian nation. They sprinkled Jawaharlal Nehru with holy water, smeared his forehead with sacred ash, laid their sceptre on his arms and draped him in the Cloth of God. To the man who had never ceased to proclaim the horror the word religion inspired in him, their rite was a tiresome manifestation of all he deplored in his nation. Yet he submitted to it with almost cheerful humility. Consider the words superstition and occult to describe a sacred ceremonial gesture that harks back to the Chola dynasty when a king would be presented with a Rajadanda during the coronation by the high priest as a symbol of the transfer of power. The Sengol makes it incumbent on the king to impart a rule that is just, impartial, and righteous. Lapierre and Collins presumably had no idea of its significance. For India and Indians, the unfortunate reality was that their deracinated prime minister a politician who perceived himself as belonging to an intellectual stratosphere eons above the masses shared Lapierre and Collinss Western gaze. One can almost visualise Nehru gritting his teeth throughout the ceremony. The prophet of new India, who disapproved of then president Rajendra Prasads presence at Somnath temple inauguration, must have felt suffocated by the Hindu-ness of it all. It is entirely congruent with the character of Nehru, who was as fluent in English as any Briton and chose English among Indias 800 languages and dialects for his epochal Tryst with Destiny address. Yet why would a nation become so forgetful that it would reject its own past and take part in the obliteration of history? According to a report in The Hindu, that quotes a historian and researcher of Sangam Literature, The handing over of a sceptre to denote the transfer of power has been in practice for nearly 2,000 years since the Sangam Age and finds mention in texts such as the Purananooru, Kurunthogai, Perumpaanatrupadai, and Kalithogai. A puranic story also mentions the deity Madurai Meenakshi Amman giving the sceptre to the Nayaka kings. Like most Indians, I wasnt aware that a signifier of such historical import, that symbolised the ceremonial power transfer from the British rulers to Indias first prime minister who represented Indias democratic aspirations, was gathering dust in a museum. It would be akin to the British crown lying forgotten inside a gallery only to be dusted off and presented to Charles during the coronation. The collective oblivion is mind-boggling, and it wasnt just a colonial hangover. It was the result of a meticulous project, driven by Nehru, whose modernization of India became almost a mission to civilize this ancient land. The Nehruvian model sought a clean and decisive break from the past. The dominance of Nehru in his party came despite the presence of Hindu traditionalists within Congress. The death of Sardar Patel in 1950 weakened the countervailing force within Congress and the internal battle intensified by 1951. Nehru saw through the challenge of Purshottam Das Tandon, a former close confidant of Sardar Patel, who had won party presidency in September 1950, beating Acharya Kripalani in a single point agenda: whether Nehru as PM would follow policies that accrued from his own ideas or those that reflected the views of the majority of the top Congress leadership, as political analyst Nalin Mehta writes in News18. By 8 September, 1951, Nehru had forced Tandon to resign and firmly established his primacy. The traditionalists had lost the internal debate as the partys secular ethos was decisively instituted. Nehrus Eurocentric vision and British socialist ideas that he had picked up while studying abroad meant that the overriding political framework in the decades since Independence was one of modernist reformation as he went about unmooring India from its civilisational roots. In a mirror reflection of Maos Great Leap Forward, Nehru, as it were, tried to haul this ancient civilization into the light of modernity and scientific temper. Modi has restored the glory of the forgotten Sengol, gave the royal sceptre of the mighty Cholas its rightful place in history, highlighted the richness of Tamil culture and tradition and installed in temple of democracy the motif of virtuous kingship that simultaneously represents the transfer of power from the colonial masters to independent India at midnight on 15 August. By so doing, Modi has moved one step further towards decolonising Indian minds and unshackled the constraints of Western idioms that had so long been used to describe and define India. This hasnt been done at the cost of modernity, however. As the prime ministers recent three-nation tour to Japan, Pacific Islands and Australia shows, India is now the brightest economic spot in the world, the bridge between rival camps in Europe, a voice of the Global South and a partner of choice for US, as well as its allies (such as Australia and Japan) all of whom are engaging India and engaging with India at unprecedented levels. While India moves forward and seeks to harness the tools of modernity, growth, and progress in conjunction with its like-minded partners, it will not do so by rejecting its past. The installation of the Sengol, the emblem of Indias greatest and oldest rulers, the Cholas, connects Indias past, present and future and lays down that for India to rise, it need not bury its civilisational consciousness into the depths of oblivion. India that is Bharat, can and will rise on the strength of its exceptionalism, its uniqueness, the wellspring of its knowledge and tradition, it will stand on the shoulders of its ancient kings that once ruled the subcontinent and beyond, and it will take all the sects and the sampradayas (communities) as it does so. The Congress party, that is raising objections and seeking to delegitimize the Sengol on charges that it has no links with Mountbatten and lacks official signage as the symbolic transfer of power, has still not understood this reality. Notwithstanding the facts and information available in the public domain (director of The Hindu group, Malini Parthasarathy, whose newspaper had carried a report on the governments claims, had this to say later: the core issue is that Sengols legitimacy does not depend on whether Mountbatten mentioned it, or not. It is enough that the Tiruvadudurai Adheenam has done so. The Congress must understand that Western validation is not necessary to Indias existence. The cultural congruity and civilisational memory that has survived the best efforts of a deracinated education system bind the republic and enable the people in the north to celebrate the revival of a totem whose roots lie deep in the south. The Nehruvian model had sought to impose unequal laws unto a savage race, as Tennyson says in Ulysses, through erasing of memory and rejection of the past. This new India is comfortable with symbols and symbolisms of yesteryear, and cognizant of the integral continuity even as it steps into a vibrant future. In this sense, Modi has rung in a new independence movement for a self-reliant nation that has finally gotten over the collective trauma of mental colonialism. May 28 is New Indias tryst with destiny. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The connection between India and Ethiopiaonce called Abyssiniagoes back a long way. Thanks to more recent dissemination of information (particularly via social media, not textbooks) many Indians now know not only about Razia Sultans Abyssinian lover Jamaluddin Yaqut but about the Ethiopian mercenaries who came to India to fight battles for many kingdoms in the Deccan including Malik Ambar and Ikhlas Khan. But theres a more recent link. This week theres news that Britain has turned down yet another request from Ethiopia to return the remains of their young Prince Alemayehu, who lies buried among many British monarchs, aristocrats and clergy inside St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle. Recently the world got two glimpses of the grand interiorsthough not the royal vaultof that church when Prince Philip and then Queen Elizabeth II were interred there in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Buckingham Palace averred that removing the remains of the tragic African prince 144 years later would disturb the others interred there, which is a curious reason indeed. Particularly since all the great and the good laid to rest there are in individual coffins inside stone crypts of varying sizes beneath the floor, not actually buried under the soil. And there have been cases of royals being exhumed there (including the beheaded Charles I) for different reasons. Though Alemayehu was interred at St Georges Chapel at Queen Victorias requestwith the patently disingenuous epitaph I was a stranger and ye took me in,his remains were apparently placed in the catacombs on the west side of the church among some 40 others. His coffin may not even be marked, which not only makes the identification tedious (though not impossible) it shows disrespect for his royal status. An Ethiopian could not expect more, presumably. Most Indians upon hearing the story of Prince Alemayehu will utter three words: Maharaja Duleep Singh. But the Ethiopian princes life was probably even more poignant and distressful than that of Maharaja Ranjit Singhs son as he died so youngonly 18while Duleep at least lived till 55 and even got a chance to convert back to the Sikh faith from Christianity. Alemayehu lost both his parents in quick succession and died of pleurisy in 1879 in cold England. Much like Duleep, 7-year-old Alemayehu was sent to England after the death (by suicide) of his father Tewodros II. A huge British force, comprising mainly Indian troops, arrived in Ethiopia in 1868 to rescue British missionaries and officials that the Ethiopian king had taken hostage when none of the European empires responded to his callto fellow Christians!for military help to fight the Muslim Ottoman and Egyptian advances on his northern border. Not surprisingly, the British managed to bring some rival Ethiopian rulers to their side and eventually cornered Tewodros II at his fortress Maqdala. Knowing he could not possibly win, the King shot himself. He was cremated and his ashes were buried in a church which, predictably, was lootedas was the rest of Maqdala. The looted items, reportedly carted off on elephants and mules, ended up in (where else?) the British Museum and the British Library. Echoes of the loot of Maharaja Ranjit Singhs treasury are unmistakable. But the deja vu does not end there. It was decided that Alemayehu would be sent off to Englandbut with his mother, unlike Duleep whose mother Maharani Jind Kaur was deemed to be too subversive to remain near her deposed son. Sadly, the Ethiopian queen died even before boarding the ship, leaving Alemayehu to land alone in an alien country surrounded by English speaking strangers. Photos taken in 1868 of Alemayehu still clad in Ethiopian attire tellingly capture the sadness, the lonelinessindeed the hopelessnessin his eyes as he clutches a doll. Later photos of him in a Victorian suit reveal that his eyes were still sad. Clearly his trauma he could not be assuaged by the concern of Queen Victoria, who is said to have been very fond of himas she was of Duleepbut clearly not enough to send either prince back to his home and people. Some accounts say that Alemayehu also spent a little time in India with Captain Tristram Speedy, who was in the campaign that led to Tewodros suicide and was then rather insensitively appointed as the orphaned princes guardian. If that is true, then that is yet another Ethiopian link with India. Then Alemayehu was sent off to Rugby School in England and later, to Sandhurst for military training, which he left after a month and died six weeks later of pleurisy. Duleep, who had arrived in England in 1854 already Christian and Anglicised thanks to his minders and British tutors, forged an Ethiopian link of his own in 1864. He met and married Bamba Muller, a half-German, half-Ethiopian devoutly Christian girl working in a missionary establishment in Cairo. Therefore, six of his eight children (two daughters were later born of an English chambermaid he married after Maharani Bambas death) had Ethiopian ancestry! Interestingly, Duleep Singhs third son Frederick was born the same year that sad little Alemayehu arrived in England: 1868. After Eton and Cambridge, this part-Ethiopian Indian prince became an officer in the British army and served in World War I. Queen Victorias systematic deracination of the princes that she was fond ofand their familiesis glaringly apparent. They seemed to be little more than exotic toys for the Empress and examples of civilised natives. Little wonder then that neither prince was allowed to go homeeven after their deaths. Maybe because Alemayehu died young, Queen Victoria magnanimously let him be buried in the same church as her own ancestors, albeit not in the most exalted vault. Duleep Singh, curiously, was not given that same honour though she had been godmother to several of his children. Perhaps because he became rebellious in his later years and even plotted to get Punjab back. Duleep and Alemayehu would not have had an easy time in England despite their royal lineage and imperial benefactress. And their remaining there was also a consequence of geopoliticsprotecting British commercial and political interests in Asia and the Middle East was more important than letting some lonely princes go home. The situation has changed now. Indias economy has overtaken Britains and Ethiopia is sitting on huge untapped oil and gold fields. A repatriation of Duleep Singhs remains is complicated as his fathers samadhiand those of his older brother and nepheware in Lahore but Pakistan is unlikely to push for his last rites to be held there though it has staked a claim to the Kohinoor and other jewels from the Sikh treasury! Britain will exploit this dichotomy if a demand is made for Duleep Singhs remains. But maybe Pakistan and India can come to an understanding and put the onus on the UK. Alemayehus remains do not have any possible rival claimants and Ethiopia has been demanding their return since 2007when it was turned down by Queen Elizabeth II with no explanation. Buckingham Palace even in the new Carolean Age is sticking to that old philosophy and refusing to let Alemayehu return to his people. Maybe new commercial interests should once again weigh inbut this time in a way that will finally bring that little prince back home. The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed are personal. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. HKSAR gov't refutes UK report on Hong Kong Xinhua) 10:46, May 27, 2023 HONG KONG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Thursday evening vehemently refuted, strongly disapproved and firmly rejected remarks made in United Kingdom's (UK) so-called "Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong". The so-called report made slandering remarks and ill-intentioned political attacks on the HKSAR under the successful application of the "one country, two systems" principle, a spokesperson for the HKSAR government said. The spokesperson said that the improved electoral system of the HKSAR puts in place legal safeguards to ensure full implementation of "patriots administering Hong Kong". Regardless of one's background, whoever meets the requirements and criteria of patriots, can participate in elections in accordance with the law. The 2022 Legislative Council Election Committee Constituency by-election was successfully held by the HKSAR government on Dec. 18, 2022 in strict accordance with the electoral laws of the HKSAR in an open, fair and honest manner. On safeguarding national security, the spokesperson said national security is a matter within the purview of the Central Authorities. It is the responsibility and right of every country to safeguard its national security. The UK also has many laws on national security. The HKSAR government firmly opposes the UK's repeated malicious slander against the National Security Law in Hong Kong in attempts of interfering in Hong Kong's law-based governance and undermining the rule of law of Hong Kong in the so-called report. The law has achieved the intended effect, and has swiftly and effectively restored stability and security. The HKSAR government seriously reiterated that all law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies under the National Security Law in Hong Kong, or any local laws, are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and for the acts of the people, institutions or organizations concerned, and have nothing to do with their background or occupation. Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. All Hong Kong residents shall be equal before the law, the spokesperson said. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress exercises the power of interpretation in accordance with the relevant provisions of the constitution and the National Security Law in Hong Kong, which is a fundamental aspect of the "one country, two systems" principle, and a manifestation of the principle of the rule of law. It did not in any way impair the independent judicial power and the power of final adjudication of the Hong Kong courts. In the UK, there is simply no regime for ad hoc admission of overseas lawyers similar to that in Hong Kong. Any comment on the case of the overseas lawyer's application for ad hoc admission is a paradigm case of double standards and hypocrisy. The spokesman for the HKSAR government reiterated Hong Kong residents enjoy the rights and freedoms under the Basic Law of the HKSAR and other relevant laws. However, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The exercise of such freedom may be subject to restrictions that are provided by law and are necessary for pursuing legitimate aims such as the protection of national security or public order. Since the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, the media landscape in Hong Kong has been as vibrant as ever. The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR also expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the so-called report. A spokesperson for the office said that the so-called report finger-pointed at Hong Kong affairs, distorted and smeared the Chinese government's policies towards Hong Kong, wantonly attacked on the National Security Law in Hong Kong and the electoral system of the HKSAR, and denigrated Hong Kong's human rights and rule of law. The office urged the UK side to abide by the principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop its political manipulation of crude interference in Hong Kong affairs. The spokesperson said that the National Security Law in Hong Kong and the new electoral system have successfully closed the loopholes in Hong Kong's electoral system and in safeguarding national security, and the situation in Hong Kong has turned from chaos to governance and from governance to prosperity. The legal rights and freedoms of speech, press and association enjoyed by Hong Kong residents are better protected in a safer environment. The so-called report blamed China for its just actions to safeguard national security, made irresponsible remarks about the HKSAR government's administration, and made arbitrary comments on the fair trial of the HKSAR courts, which has completely become a political performance tool and has no credibility at all. The spokesperson stressed that after Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the legal basis for the Chinese government to administer the HKSAR is the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The British side has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or supervision over Hong Kong after its return to the motherland. The British side kept talking about the so-called "historical responsibility" in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which is purely a distortion of history and jurisprudence. The spokesman pointed out that Hong Kong remains a paradise for investors from all over the world, and continues to be rated as one of the freest and most competitive economies in the world. The office firmly believed that with the strong backing of the great motherland, diligent people in Hong Kong, and the solid foundation of good governance, Hong Kong will have better development and brighter prospects. The spokesperson urged the Uk side to recognize the reality, conform to the general trend, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) The race to be the next NATO boss is heating up. But it is a race run largely in the dark, with no sign of a winner yet. Jens Stoltenberg, the transatlantic military alliances Norwegian secretary-general, is due to step down at the end of September after nine years in post. Many alliance members would like his succession settled at, or even before, a NATO summit in Lithuania in mid-July. That does not give NATOs 31 nations, spanning from the United States through new member Finland to Turkey, much time to forge the consensus needed to pick a new leader. They could also ask Stoltenberg to extend his term for a fourth time. Whoever takes the reins will do so at a critical time, facing the twin challenges of keeping allies together in supporting Ukraine while guarding against any escalation that would draw NATO directly into a war with Russia. British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace declared last week that he would like the job. But, as some governments push for a first female NATO secretary-general, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is also emerging as a serious contender. Though a very public role, the contest is extremely opaque, played out mainly in consultations among leaders and diplomats. Those consultations continue until all NATO members agree they have reached a consensus. Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official who served with the alliance for 38 years, said leaders will be looking for a highly skilled politician, communicator and diplomat. Keeping the family together, keeping everybody on board constantly, being in touch with all of the allies to make sure that youre addressing their concerns, is an important part of the job, said Shea, now with the Chatham House think tank. Many diplomats see Wallace as a long shot for the job, although he is widely respected across the alliance. The desire to pick a woman counts against him with some members. Many would also prefer a former prime minister or president to ensure NATOs boss has top-level political clout. Stoltenberg, 64, was prime minister of Norway. And some, notably France, want someone from a European Union country, hoping for closer cooperation between NATO and the EU. Frederiksen meets all of the above criteria. Although she says she is not a candidate, she has stopped short of saying she is not interested in the job. NATO diplomats say that behind the scenes she is being seriously considered. Frederiksens name first surfaced publicly in a report by Norwegian newspaper VG last month and there was a flurry of media interest again this week when the White House announced she would visit U.S. President Joe Biden in early June. Im not applying for any job postings, she told reporters in Copenhagen on Wednesday, playing down speculation that the visit might amount to a job interview for the NATO role. While the post traditionally goes to a European, any serious candidate needs buy-in from Washington, NATOs dominant power. A source familiar with U.S. thinking said the Biden administration does not yet have a favoured candidate and a lively debate among top aides was ongoing. A State Department spokesperson said it was too early in the process to speculate on who the United States will support. Social Democrat Frederiksen, 45, became Denmarks youngest prime minister in 2019. She was praised for crisis management in the COVID-19 pandemic and won a second term last year. She would have to give up her post as prime minister if she got the NATO job, which political commentators have said would bring her fragile government to the brink of collapse. And a campaign for the NATO post would not be plain sailing. Her country falls well short of the NATO goal of spending 2% of GDP on defence. Denmark is at 1.38%, although Frederiksen has pledged to speed up efforts to hit the target. Some allies also argue the job should go to an Eastern European for the first time, particularly as Russias war in Ukraine has made that region even more important for NATO. If Frederiksen got the job, she would be the third NATO boss in a row from a Nordic country. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of Germany and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland have also featured in discussions among diplomats and media reports. But diplomats say Kallas is seen as too hawkish on Russia for some NATO members, Berlin wants von der Leyen to stay at the Commission, and Freeland faces major headwinds as a non-European from a country considered a laggard on defence spending. Other names that often come up are veteran Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. But Rutte has insisted he does not want the job. And Sanchez has a general election to fight later this year. Some diplomats also suspect many mooted candidates may be unacceptable to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who is widely expected to be re-elected on Sunday and has shown no qualms about blocking NATO consensus. Turkey, along with Hungary, is holding up Swedish membership of NATO. The apparent shortage of candidates with widespread support raises the possibility of Stoltenbergs tenure being extended again, perhaps until another NATO summit in 2024. Stoltenberg has said he is not seeking to stay longer. But he has not said how he would respond if asked to do so. Reporting by Andrew Gray, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Clement Rossignol, John Irish and Michel Rose; Writing by Andrew Gray; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A day after Vietnam ordered the ships to leave, a Chinese research ship and five escorting vessels remained in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Friday near gas reserves in the South China Sea run by Russian companies. According to Ray Powell, director of Stanford Universitys Project Myoushu in the South China Sea, the Chinese ship Xiang Yang Hong 10 started operating in Vietnams Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on May 7. This is the largest incursion since 2019. He said Chinas conduct and Vietnams reaction were a worrying escalation. The majority of the South China Seas energy-rich waters are claimed by China, including those that fall within Vietnams EEZ. The 2019 standoff lasted for more than three months and primarily focused on a block that was then managed by Rosneft, the Russian government-owned oil company (ROSN.MM). Less than two years later, Rosneft sold its South China Sea holdings to Zarubezhneft, a state-owned company in Russia that manages several of the gas resources at the centre of the present controversy. According to vessel-tracking information provided to Reuters by the South China Sea Chronicle Initiative (SCSCI), an independent non-profit, the Chinese research ship has been travelling primarily across gas block 04-03 since May 7, at times flanked by a dozen other vessels. This block is operated by Vietsovpetr, a joint venture between Zarubezhneft and PetroVietnam. Additionally, Vietgazprom, a joint venture between the massive Russian company Gazprom (GAZP.MM) and PetroVietnam, is frequently crossing blocks 132 and 131 that Vietnam has granted licence to. Chinese bidders are vying for the rights to those two blocks. Requests for feedback from the three businesses and the Russian embassy in Hanoi were not immediately fulfilled. In response to a question regarding the standoff, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, stated that China held sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and the waters surrounding them as well as jurisdiction over the pertinent waters. Relevant ships of China carry out normal activities under Chinas jurisdiction. It is legitimate and lawful, and there is no issue of entering other countries exclusive economic zones, she told a regular press conference. Mao said China had maintained communications with relevant parties on the issue and would like to work with them to jointly safeguard the peace and stability of the South China Sea, adding that China would definitely protect (its) lawful rights and interests. They were in block 129, which is also run by Vietgazprom, on Thursday when Vietnam made a rare public statement asking the ships leave, according to Powell. The declaration came after Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and the vice chairman of that countrys security council, paid a visit to Hanoi on Monday. Powell said that on Friday, two Vietnamese fisheries ships were 200300 metres away from the Chinese ships, shadowing them. Powell also noted that the Chinese ships had moved to a block near the Russian companies vessels. Ships are permitted to pass across other nations Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) in accordance with international law, but Vietnam and other nations with claims in the South China Sea, such as the Philippines and Malaysia, have long seen Chinas operations as hostile. (With agency inputs) Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is all set to embark upon his three-day visit to Nigeria where he will also attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Singh will attend the event on May 29. During his visit, Singh will also meet the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari in a reception hosted by him on May 28, according to an official statement by the ministry. With this, Singh will mark his first visit as a defence minister to the West African nation. The Defence Ministers visit to the West African nation will be an important landmark in building the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries. Considering the growing defence cooperation between India and Nigeria, senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and the top leadership of important Defence PSUs will accompany Rajnath Singh. They will hold meetings with the representatives from the Nigerian industry and the Armed Forces to identify the equipment and platforms, through which the Indian defence industry can support the countrys requirements, the official press release said. Nigeria is home to an estimated 50,000 members of the Indian community. The Defence Minister will also address the Indian diaspora at Abuja during the visit. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kumar Dahal will visit India next week to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an effort to strengthen the deep-rooted ties between the two nations. The visit will further strengthen the age-old, multifaceted, and cordial relations between Nepal and India, Nepals foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Rt Honble Prime Minister Mr Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is paying an official visit to India on 31 May 2023 at the cordial invitation of the Prime Minister of India, H. E. Shri Narendra Modi. More on PR link below: https://t.co/LWqedpPqrk@NPSaudnc @PaudyalBR @sewa_lamsal MOFA of Nepal (@MofaNepal) May 27, 2023 This will mark Dahals first official foreign trip since he assumed office in December 2022. He has previously visited India thrice during his earlier tenures. Dahal, a 68-year-old former Maoist rebel leader who goes by the name Prachanda, meaning fierce, will also meet other senior Indian officials, including President Droupadi Murmu. Indias foreign ministry said in a statement, The visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of our Neighbourhood First policy. The bilateral relations between the two countries have significantly strengthened in the last few years in all areas of cooperation. During his four-day trip beginning on May 31, Dahal is expected to visit Ujjain and Indore. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A Russian missile attack in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Friday killed two people and left 30 people wounded in an attack that has been described as a crime against humanity by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Video footage showed a devastated building with smoke pouring out of it and rescue workers looking on. Much of the upper floor of what appeared to be a three-story building had been badly damaged. A covered corpse lay in the road nearby. The attack hit a psychological clinic and a veterinary clinic. Zelenskyy tweeted, Only an evil state can fight against clinics. There can be no military purpose in this. It is pure Russian terror. A 69-year-old passerby was killed during the attack while another mans body had been pulled from the rubble, the local governor informed. The Ukrainian defence ministry said that the attack merits to be considered under Geneva Conventions war crime. Russias Defence Ministry said it had carried out an overnight strike on Ukrainian ammunition depots. A Russian missile hit a clinic in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, killing at least two people and wounding 30 in an attack that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called a crime against humanity https://t.co/eUSaniJJ6S pic.twitter.com/6YKMARF1OI Reuters (@Reuters) May 27, 2023 The target of the strike has been achieved. All designated facilities were hit, the RIA news agency quoted it as saying. Moscow has dismissed allegations that its soldiers have committed war crimes and denies deliberately targeting civilians although it has bombarded cities across Ukraine since invading 15 months ago. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tareekh-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has urged the Shehbaz Sharif-ruled government to arrange immediate meetings for him with state officials. Khans decision to meet state officials comes amid mounting pressures on him following a country-wide crackdown on senior officials of PTI and supporters. I would like to appeal for talks because what is currently happening is not a solution, Imran said in a live talk streamed on YouTube, warning that the country was headed towards anarchy. An already cash-strapped Pakistan faced one of its biggest political crisis after Imran Khan was arrested at the Islamabad High Court earlier this month. According to Geo News, a number of members of PTI announced quitting the party following the crisis that ensued on May 9. Politician Maleeka Bokhari said in a press conference in Islamabad, I condemn the events that transpired on May 9. For every Pakistani, the events that took place on May 9 are very painful. She clarified that her dissociation from the party was not a cause of pressure and that no one forced me into making this decision. Cheema in a separate press conference, said he and his wife could not continue with the Khan-led party due to the violence that ensued after the PTI chiefs arrest. I was there at the Corps Commander House myself. It saddened me to see what was happening there. The people who were involved in it should be punished, he said. The former finance minister of Pakistan Asad Umar also stepped down, bringing an end to his post as PTIs Secretary General. He said, Not possible for me to lead the party under these circumstances. I am resigning as Secretary General and core committee member of PTI. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Samosa, a deep-fried conical-shaped dish of spicy mashed potatoes wrapped in white flour dough is a favourite snack among Indians. Be it a birthday celebration or the onset of the monsoon or just a mundane evening, the pocket-friendly samosa fits every occasion. In India, its taste is cherished as an experience rather than an ordinary street snack. Indians find it hard to resist these lip-smacking snacks, which are sold almost everywhere in the country. Now, foreigners are in awe of their popularity too. Drew Hick, an American YouTuber fluent in Hindi, loved samosas during his stay in India and is stunned by their price in a US restaurant. Foreigners Hindi rant Hicks recent rant on Instagram about the price in restaurant is amusing. In the clip, he says, Two samosas cost Rs 20 in India. But here, for two samosas it is Rs 500. He switches his camera to show the menu with prices and dejectedly says, Chalo Bihar vapas chalte hai bai (Come lets go back to Bihar brother). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Drew Hicks (@indiadrew77) Netizens were left shocked by Hicks way of speaking and many did ask him to return to India. A user said, Come back bihar brother. To which Drew replied a cute soon. Another user commented, Samosa k liye bus Bihar aa jao bhai. A user wrote, Mai jab pahli baar dusre countries me samosa ka price dekha tha, mera bhi dimag ghum gaya tha dekh ke, sab jagah yahi haal hai, Japan Korea ho ya London America (When I saw the price of samosa in other countries for the first time, I lost my mind. This is the same everywhere Japan, Korea, London or America). The video garnered more than 65,000 likes and 900 comments. However, its not Hicks first time. He keeps updating about his life on Instagram through the reels in Hindi. In a recent video, he is seen in a conversation with his wife discussing kya yeh bhaiya famous ho gaya? Bollywood mei jaane waala hai? about his popularity. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Drew Hicks (@indiadrew77) Seeing his wife speak fluent hindi, a user commented, Poori family ko hindi aati hai kya? Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As the war with Russia rages on Ukraine has reportedly asked Germany to supply it with Taurus cruise missiles, an air-launched weapon with a range of some 500 km (310 miles). According to a spokesperson for the German defence ministry, Germany received the request a few days ago, confirming a report from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. She chose not to elaborate further or assess the likelihood that Germany will give Ukraine the missiles. If Germany provides the missiles, it will be following in the footsteps of Britain, which was the first nation to formally send long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine earlier in May. Due to worries that Ukraine would utilise the 297-km range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles to launch attacks inside of Russias internationally acknowledged boundaries, the United States has so far rejected to provide Ukraine with them. Although Ukraine has been requesting these kinds of weaponry for months, Western allies have primarily supported shorter-range weapons. The European missile manufacturer MBDAs Taurus has characteristics in common with those of the British Storm Shadow. It can be used to hit high-value targets, troops or fuel dumps deep behind the front lines and has the capability to destroy hardened targets such as bunkers buried deep underground. (With agency inputs) Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A Congressional Committee or the Select Committee on CCP (Chinese Communist Party) in the US has recommended India to be a part of NATO Plus. The decision to add India as a member country comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the US. NATO Plus currently has five members Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea. The group works toward boosting global defence cooperation. By becoming a member, India will be able to seamlessly share intelligence with the other five countries. The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, overwhelmingly adopted a policy proposal to enhance Taiwans deterrence, including strengthening NATO Plus to include India. Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the United States strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India. Including India in NATO Plus security arrangements would build upon the US and Indias close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region, the Select Committee recommended. What is the Select Committee on CCP? As per its official website, the Select Committee on the CCP is committed to working on a bipartisan basis to build consensus on the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party and develop a plan of action to defend the American people, our economy, and our values. The panels top Democratic leader Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois said that both Democrats and Republicans should work across the aisle. We must practice bipartisanship. We must recognize that the CCP wants us to be fractious, partisan and prejudiced, a reference to the Chinese Communist Party, said Krishnamoorthi. Select Committees plan for China Indian-American Ramesh Kapoor, who has been working on this proposal for the past six years, said this is a significant development. He hoped that the recommendation would find a place in the National Defense Authorization Act 2024 and finally end up becoming a law of the land. The committee believes that hitting China with economic sanctions in case it plans to attack Taiwan is the most effective way key allies like G7, NATO, NATO+5, and Quad members join, and negotiate a joint response and broadcasting this message publicly have the added benefit of enhancing deterrence. The committee said in a statement, Much like we do joint contingency planning for war fighting, we need to coordinate in peacetime with US allies. To that end, Congress should pass legislation similar to the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2023 that mandates the development of an economic sanctions package to be employed in the event of a PRC attack on Taiwan. The United States should strengthen the NATO Plus arrangement to include India. The United States should also strengthen diplomatic deterrence by supporting Taiwans participation in international organizations and amending the TAIPEI Act to provide that the United States, alongside its allies and partners, should publicly oppose any attempts by the CCP to resolve the status of Taiwans sovereignty by intentionally misusing, misinterpreting, and misleading others on the underlying purpose of UN Resolution 2758 or the United States One China Policy, it added. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts 1. John Adams The second president was John Adams who served from 1797 to 1801 and was also the first incumbent president to lose an election. He was also the first to run against the same candidate (Thomas Jefferson) twice. Finally, he was the first president to never veto a bill. One of his most notable acts was signing the Alien and Sedition Acts, a series of four laws: Aliens Friends Act, Aliens Enemies Act, Naturalization Act, and Sedition Act. The most enforced of these four laws was the Sedition Act, which stated that people could be fined or imprisoned for making false statements against the government or employees of the government. This act was believed to be the reason why Adams lost re-election and why the Federalists lost their majority in both houses of Congress, never to regain them. Adams was also president during the XYZ Affair. Great Britain and France were at war, and France considered an invasion of the United States. This was because the United States and England had signed the Jay Treaty which eased tensions between the two countries and settle disputes regarding the 1783 Treaty of Paris. Since England and France were at war, France was angry at this, believing the United States to be pro-England and anti-France. Adams sent three diplomats to diffuse the tension between the United States and France. The delegates Adams sent meet with French diplomats, known only as X, Y, and Z. The French demanded bribes from America, and the negotiations didn't progress. Although war was not official declared, there was an unofficial naval war called the Quasi War which lasted from 1798 to 1800 and ended with the Treaty of Mortefontaine. A lesser-known fact about John Adams's presidency was that he signed a bill establishing the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., which houses the largest collection of documents in the country. 2. Thomas Jefferson The United States' third president was Thomas Jefferson, who served from 1801 to 1809. Jefferson was the first president to have previously lost a presidential election (the 1796 election against John Adams). He was also the first president to have two different vice presidents: Aaron Burr during his term and George Clinton during his second term. His 1801 inauguration was also the first time the president had been inaugurated in Washington D.C. as well as the first time the Marines performed at a presidential inauguration. One of Jefferson's most notable accomplishments was the Louisiana Purchase. The initial idea was to buy just New Orleans for $10,000,000. This was because New Orleans consisted of a port that would be useful for shipping purposes, but France had blocked America from using it. Jefferson sent James Monroe (then-future 5th president) and Robert Livingston (one of five people part of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence) to convince Napoleon, the emperor of France at the time, to sell America the land. Napoleon initially wanted to expand French territories in the United States, but France was at war with Haiti, making them seem unlikely. To fight the war, Napoleon needed money: a lot of it and very quickly. Rather than selling just New Orleans, Napoleon decided to sell the entire Louisiana Territory (which included not just Louisiana but fourteen other states as well) for $15,000,000 or $0.03 an acre. The United States accepted this agreement. Jefferson was initially unsure of how to proceed from a Constitutional standpoint. Although it did allow new states to be added, Jefferson did not believe the Constitution allowed for the purchasing of land. As a strict constitutionalist, Jefferson believed he had to interpret the Constitution as it was originally meant, so he wrote an amendment to the Constitution that he would send to Congress, so it could through the ratification process. However, his Secretary of State James Madison pointed out that buying land was allowed so long as it was done as a treaty. Jefferson submitted the Louisiana Purchase as a treaty to the Senate and it barely passed the 2/3 majority needed to ratify a treaty. A lesser-known fact regarding the Jefferson presidency was that he signed legislation in 1802 that established West Point. Although Jefferson was against a standing military, he was not anti-military, and he believed the United States needed a formal place to train its hopeful military applicants. 3. Martin van Buren Martin van Buren, who served from 1837 to 1841, was the eighth president of the United States. He was one of a few presidents to run against the same candidate (William Henry Harrison) twice. In 1848, he ran for president as a third party candidate as a member of the Free Soil party, formed on the issue of prohibiting the expansion of slavery, and thus became the first former president to run for president. Born in 1782, he was the first president to be born after the United States declared independence from Great Britain as well as the first president who spoke a language other than English as a first language (he spoke Dutch). During his predecessor Andrew Jackson's presidency, the national debt was paid off, but uncertainty of the surplus, along with an executive order that required land to be bought with gold and silver but not paper money, led to the Panic of 1837, which occurred during van Buren's presidency. van Buren refused to get the government involved believing the states should work it out themselves. The panic would end when the van Buren signed an act establishing the Independent Treasury. This act meant the government could store its money in its own vault rather than a state or a national bank. A lesser-known fact about van Buren's presidency was his role in the Aroostook War - although there was no actual shooting. There was dispute over the boundary between New Brunswick and Maine. Both sides kept making decisions on where the boundary was, which the other side rejected. Van Buren met with the British minister where they came up with an agreement: Aroostook would be divided between the two of them based on which area held the best interest for each of them. The treaty itself would not be ratified until 1842, when James Polk was president. Martin van Buren, who served from 1837 to 1841, was the eighth president of the United States. He was one of a few presidents to run against the same candidate (William Henry Harrison) twice. In 1848, he ran for president as a third party candidate as a member of the Free Soil party, formed on the issue of prohibiting the expansion of slavery, and thus became the first former president to run for president. Born in 1782, he was the first president to be born after the United States declared independence from Great Britain as well as the first president who spoke a language other than English as a first language (he spoke Dutch).During his predecessor Andrew Jackson's presidency, the national debt was paid off, but uncertainty of the surplus, along with an executive order that required land to be bought with gold and silver but not paper money, led to the Panic of 1837, which occurred during van Buren's presidency. van Buren refused to get the government involved believing the states should work it out themselves. The panic would end when the van Buren signed an act establishing the Independent Treasury. This act meant the government could store its money in its own vault rather than a state or a national bank.A lesser-known fact about van Buren's presidency was his role in the Aroostook War - although there was no actual shooting. There was dispute over the boundary between New Brunswick and Maine. Both sides kept making decisions on where the boundary was, which the other side rejected. Van Buren met with the British minister where they came up with an agreement: Aroostook would be divided between the two of them based on which area held the best interest for each of them. The treaty itself would not be ratified until 1842, when James Polk was president. 4. Millard Fillmore The 13th president was Millard Fillmore, who held the role from 1850 to 1853, following the death of Zachary Taylor. He was the last of four presidents to become a member of the Whig party before its collapse in 1856. He also did not keep any of Taylor's Cabinet members, an unusual move for someone who ascended to the presidency because of death of his predecessor. About three months into his term, Fillmore signed the Fugitive Slave Act into law. This act stated that slaves were to be returned to their masters, even if they fled to a different state even a free state. Penalties were given to people who aided in the escape of slaves. A lesser-known fact about Fillmore's presidency was him signing act that created the San Francisco Mint. The Gold Rush of 1849 meant that miners would find a lot of gold, but they needed to convert it to cash. The San Francisco Mint would allow such a thing to take place. 5. Franklin Pierce The 14th president of the United States was Franklin Pierce, serving from 1853 to 1857. He was disliked by his party that he decided not to even attempt to run for a second term in office. When Pierce took his oath of office, he said "solemnly affirm" rather than "solemnly swear", which was thought to be because Pierce believed his faith prevented him from swearing to anyone but God. He also had the unique distinction of keeping his entire cabinet throughout his presidency. (His vice president, William R. King died a month into office, but the vice president wasn't considered a cabinet position.) During Pierce's administration, in 1854, the Ostend Manifesto was leaked to the press. This manifesto stated that it was Pierce's desire to take control of Cuba away from Spain, even going as far as to declare war with Spain if it refused. Cuba would be admitted to the United States as a slave state. This national angered the anti-slavery crowd, particular those in the north. The name Ostend came from a city in Belgium where this manifesto was written. It was believed that James Buchanan, who at the time was the United States minister to the United Kingdom, was the author of this manifesto at the insistence of Secretary of State William L. Marcy. A lesser-known fact about his presidency was his veto of a bill that allowed the government to grant land to states for the benefit of those deemed mentally insane. Pierce's veto message stated that although he had sympathy towards the insane and hoped they got the necessary treatment, he did not believe that the Constitution granted him the power to deal with them. 6. Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th president of the United States, holding that position for two terms, from 1869 to 1877. He was the second president who had no political experience prior to becoming president (the first being Zachary Taylor). In 1880, four years after being out of office, Grant seriously considered running for a third term, but the nomination went to Congressman James A. Garfield. Grant, unlike his predecessor Andrew Johnson, was pro-Reconstruction and signed bills ensuring black people weren't discriminated based on race. In 1875, Grant signed a law declaring all public places must accommodate everyone regardless of skin color. This decision was overturned in the 1883 Supreme Court case Plessy vs. Ferguson (which itself was overturned by the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education). He also signed the Enforcement Act suspended writ of habeas corpus when it came to stopping members of the Ku Klux Klan. In fact, it was this act that helped put an end to the first iteration of the white supremacy group. However, there was also corruption in the Grant administration, although Grant had nothing to do with it and in fact didn't know about it. The Whiskey Ring was formed with the intent of having whiskey distillers bribe government officials in an attempt to avoid taxes. The money would then be distributed among the government officials. After it was made public, thanks to the investigation of Secretary of Treasury Benjamin Bristow, $3 million were recovered and 110 people were convicted. A lesser-known fact regarding Grant's presidency was that he was the first president to suggest a line-item veto amendment to the Constitution. This type of veto would allow the president to sign part of a bill and veto the other part. Grant noticed members of Congress had attached riders (additions to a bill, usually to help them or their district) to appropriation bills. This amendment however did not come to pass. 7. Benjamin Harrison Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd president of the United States, serving from 1889 to 1893, between Grover Cleveland's two non-consecutive terms as president. Harrison was the grandson of the ninth president, William Henry Harrison, as well as the great-grandson of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, also named Benjamin Harrison. President Harrison was the third person to lose the popular vote but win the presidency (Harrison had 233 electoral votes vs. Grover Cleveland's 168 electoral votes) and the fourth president to run against the same candidate (Grover Cleveland) twice. Harrison signed the Judiciary Act of 1891 which reorganized how circuit courts operated. Prior to this act, justices of the circuit courts rode around their area of the country to hear cases. After the act was signed, circuit courts had their own permeant building, and the people came to them. A lesser-known event that happened during the presidency of Benjamin Harrison was when he signed a bill that would create an immigration station on Ellis Island in New York, although it wouldn't be opened until about ten years afterwards. 8. Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt (who preferred being called Theodore or TR over Teddy, a nickname he hated) was the 26th president of the United States, beginning in 1901 upon the assassination of William McKinley and ending in 1909. Roosevelt was the first president to ascended to the presidency to win reelection to a full term. Roosevelt also ran for a second full term in 1912 as a third party candidate as a member of the Bull Moose Party. This was because of his disappointment in his hand-picked successor William Howard Taft. As governor of New York, he had an ambitious agenda particularly regarding immigration that some in the Republican Party disliked, so they convinced McKinley to make Roosevelt vice president, assuming he'd be powerless and would never become president in his own right. This didn't work out when McKinley was assassinated. As the Russo-Japanese War was ending, it was decided to have President Roosevelt be the mediator between the two sides when it came to the Treaty of Portsmouth. For his role as mediator, Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize, the first president to do so. It was also Roosevelt who signed a law establishing an eight-hour work day and regulated the food industry, which also resulted in the creation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A lesser-known fact about Roosevelt's presidency was that, due to his stance on conservation, he never had a Christmas tree in the White House. Theodore Roosevelt (who preferred being called Theodore or TR over Teddy, a nickname he hated) was the 26th president of the United States, beginning in 1901 upon the assassination of William McKinley and ending in 1909. Roosevelt was the first president to ascended to the presidency to win reelection to a full term. Roosevelt also ran for a second full term in 1912 as a third party candidate as a member of the Bull Moose Party. This was because of his disappointment in his hand-picked successor William Howard Taft. As governor of New York, he had an ambitious agenda particularly regarding immigration that some in the Republican Party disliked, so they convinced McKinley to make Roosevelt vice president, assuming he'd be powerless and would never become president in his own right. This didn't work out when McKinley was assassinated.As the Russo-Japanese War was ending, it was decided to have President Roosevelt be the mediator between the two sides when it came to the Treaty of Portsmouth. For his role as mediator, Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize, the first president to do so. It was also Roosevelt who signed a law establishing an eight-hour work day and regulated the food industry, which also resulted in the creation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).A lesser-known fact about Roosevelt's presidency was that, due to his stance on conservation, he never had a Christmas tree in the White House. 9. Calvin Coolidge The 30th president of the United States was Calvin Coolidge, whose presidency lasted from August 2, 1923, starting with the death of Warren G. Harding, to 1929. When Coolidge ran for his first full term, he did not actively campaign yet still won, which hadn't happened since the 1840s, the time that campaigning for the presidency became something candidates did. The main reason for Coolidge not campaigning was due to the recent death of his son, Calvin Coolidge Jr. Coolidge was known for his fiscal policies. He, with the help of his Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon, persuaded Congress to reduce the top tax rate from 57% to 25%. Coolidge was also able to reduce the national debt each of the six year he was in office. He also did not sign any bills for farming subsidies or money to assist victims of flooding, believing that was beyond the scope of the presidency. Despite his nickname of "Silent Cal", Coolidge was not as quiet as he might have seemed. He helped revolutionize the radio as a form of communication for the president (similar to Franklin Roosevelt with the radio and perhaps even Donald Trump with social media); his 1923 State of the Union was the first given over the radio and his 1924 inauguration was the first presented over the radio, given the average American their first chance to hear these events. One lesser-known fact about the Coolidge presidency was that it was Coolidge who selected Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Lincoln to be the four presidents who would be carved onto Mount Rushmore. 10. Dwight D. Eisenhower The 34th president of the United States was Dwight D. Eisenhower, who held the post from 1953 to 1961. Both times he ran for president, he had the same Democratic competitor, Adlai Stevenson II. Eisenhower was approached by both Republicans and Democrats to be their nominee in 1948, but he declined. They tried again in 1952, and this time Eisenhower chose the Republican Party, because he said that after 16 years of Democrats in control, it was time for a change. Also, he was the first president to appoint a black person to an executive position in the White House (E. Frederic Morrow, Administrative Officer for Special Projects). Eisenhower held the presidency during a time when fears of Communism became common across America. He identified Communism with secularism, so he (with the help of Congress) introduced religious elements including adding "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, establishing the National Prayer Breakfast, and adding "In God We Trust" to paper money. Eisenhower also helped expand the power of the vice presidency by keeping his vice president Richard Nixon in the loop and gave him diplomatic assignments to ensure if anything were to happen to Eisenhower, then Nixon would be prepared to take over. This was based on Eisenhower's knowledge on how uniformed Truman was on major issues (like the atomic bomb project) when he ascended to the presidency. During his farewell speech, Eisenhower warned of the influence of the military industrial complex (that is, the relationship between the military and the defense industry supplying it) and of the danger of public policy of a scientific technological elite. A lesser-known fact about Eisenhower's tenure was that he signed the first civil rights bill into law in about 80 years, albeit a watered-down version of his proposed idea, since Congress was in control of Democrats, a lot of whom were segregationists. Source: Author Buddy1 This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system. News editor's pick centerpiece featured 'Theyre really saving us': Galveston restaurant becomes haven for Ukrainians fleeing war jenniferreynolds / JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Ukrainians Nataliia Moroz, from left, Anastasiia Horova, Maria Kushch Ortiz, her sister Alina Kushch and their grandmother Hanna Zgurska have found safe harbor with island restauranteur Richard Puccetti at Sonnys Place in Galveston. GALVESTON Richard Puccetti, whose family owns the storied East End neighborhood restaurant Sonnys Place, has been sleeping on the floor for more than a year. He is, in a small way, a displaced person. Puccetti gave up his own bed to make room in his home for four Ukrainians, friends and relatives of one of his employees, who fled their homeland to escape the Russian invasion. Maria Ortiz, whose maiden name was Kushch, was a J-1 Visa student from Ukraine when she joined the restaurants staff seven years ago. When Russo-Ukraine tensions escalated to a full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, Ortiz wanted to get her friends and family away from the bombings and other perils of war. The war, which rages on, has caused more than 62,000 deaths, 59,000 injuries and has displaced about 15,000 people. On Friday afternoon, two people died and 30 were injured in a Russian attack at a clinic in Dnipro, Ukraine, according to reports. When the war broke out, I could see how distraught she was, Puccetti said of Ortiz. We were watching the war on the news every night. Id see her trying to hold back the tears. Early on, Puccetti decided to offer Ortiz the chance to bring her family to Texas. The original plan was to allow them to use a cabin in Columbus, Texas, that Puccetti owns. But the plan began to fall apart after Ortiz learned her father couldnt leave Ukraine because he was of fighting age. Men between the ages of 18 and 60 can be called up fight. Puccetti thought it wouldnt be safe to place four women in the middle of the woods by themselves in a foreign country. Puccetti and his father, Lawrence Puccetti Jr., raised money to buy plane tickets to bring some of Ortizs family to Galveston, he said. Ortizs family has paid the Puccettis back for the tickets, even though Richard Puccetti declined to accept the money numerous times, he said. Puccetti had given up his living space above the restaurant to Nataliia Moroz, Anastasiia Horova, Alina Kushch and Hanna Zgurska, grandmother of Ortiz and Kushch. Ortiz, who is from Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, which is about 15 minutes from an occupied war zone, was in the country in February, but had returned to Galveston just two weeks before the invasion. One day we had just woken up to the news that our country was getting bombed, Ortiz said. Everyone was shocked and nobody knew what was happening. The situation was stressful not only for those who lived there, but those who lived in the United States who had to constantly worry about their loved ones, Ortiz said. Ortiz still worries about her father being drafted to fight in the war, she said. On April 21, 2022, the United States created Uniting for Ukraine program which was a commitment to help connect Ukrainians with their immediate family members, Ortiz said. Ortiz and her family didnt expect the war to have lasted as long as it has, she said. The war has taken a toll on Ortiz, she said. Its crazy, Ortiz said. It messes with your mind a lot. You just start processing tragedy as a normal way of life. Ortizs mother also traveled to Galveston, but returned to Ukraine because of work. We were crying at the airport, Ortiz said. We were upset that she was leaving. It was really hard, but she had to go back to work because life still goes on during war. Ortiz has experienced loneliness as an immigrant and had always wanted her friends and family to be in Galveston with her, but not under these circumstances, she said. Its bittersweet, but its still more bitter than sweet, Ortiz said. Its hard to explain to people that you lived peacefully your whole life and a war just started. Its mind-blowing. One day, youre living your life and the next youre waking up to news your country is being bombed. Ortiz is grateful some of her family and friends are safe from war in Galveston, but she still worries about her other friends and family who had to stay. I just hope my friends and family are going to stay strong, Ortiz said. I hope they never give up and believe that everything will be over soon. Keep being strong. Life before the war was great for Alina Kushch, 21, who had been working a steady job and studied marketing. She is now working as a waitress at Sonnys with her sister, but still misses her life before the war. You have to leave everything and everyone behind you, Kushch said. I miss my family and friends a lot. Ortiz is grateful Puccetti gave her the opportunity to bring her friends and family to Galveston, she said. You never really hear about your employer becoming a part of your family, Ortiz said. Ive never heard of any other workplace thats ever done that for their employees. Puccetti said he and his family were looking to help Ortizs friends and family, but it seems to be the other way around. Puccettis father, Lawrence Puccetti Jr., fondly known by locals as Junior, earlier this year broke his pelvic bone in two places in a fall. Ortiz has visited Junior often at The Meridian, an assisted living facility where hes recovering, and visited his mother when she was ill, Puccetti said. When this all started, I thought we were saving them, Puccetti said. But theyre really saving us. Theyve been taking care of my father and the business. They didnt have to work for me, but they did. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. The Mali military government hoped that hiring Russian Wagner Group mercenaries would enable Mali to maintain control of northern and central Mali. These two regions have been under growing attack by Islamic terror groups and Russians made it worse. The Mali military government is running out of people to blame for the mess they got themselves into. The problems began when the military government ordered the independent French Barkhane counterterrorism force out of Mali by the end of 2021. Since then, Mali has been threatening to force the 15,000 UN peacekeepers out of the country unless the UN agrees to give the Mali military government control over what the peacekeepers can do. The UN and AU nations supplying the peacekeepers refuse. The government is particularly angry at the way the peacekeepers report on atrocities committed by Mali security forces as well as the Russian Wagner Group military contractors. Brutality and incompetence by the military is what triggered a 2011 rebellion in the north and it was France that restored government control in the north and that Mali held elections and restored democratic government. The new reform government quickly proved to be as corrupt as previous ones and there followed two more military governments. The current one staged a coup against a military government. That is another example of how dysfunctional Mali governments are. The government forced the French and G5 peacekeepers out by the end of 2021. Mali wanted to keep the 13,500 UN peacekeepers that maintains government control over the rebellious north. These peacekeepers are supplied by AU (African Union) nations and some of the African nations supplying these peacekeepers are withdrawing that support. A few percent of the peacekeeping force consists of troops from NATO nations that supply specialized services, especially transport helicopters and other services. There was growing opposition among UN members for maintaining the expensive peacekeeper force, which is the most dangerous the UN is currently involved with. The Mali peacekeeping operation costs about half a billion dollars a month and that is about the only foreign aid Mali gets now that the military government is in control. Most foreign aid was halted because the government was stealing so much of the aid. It is difficult to steal any of the money spent on peacekeepers but the government seems to be trying to do just that. Once the UN voted to maintain the Mali peacekeeping force for another year the military government began harassing the peacekeepers and threatening to expel all of them. The peacekeepers serve on contracts (with the UN) for varying periods usually between two and six months. While the military government feuds with the UN, the Islamic terror groups continue advancing south towards the capital, which is near the southern border and Guinea, which provides access to the sea. In the southwest is Burkina Faso, which also has a military government and growing problems with Islamic terrorists. Without the French-led counterterrorism effort in Mali, the Islamic terrorists are expanding the territory they control while also terrorizing civilians and killing soldiers and peacekeepers. The Islamic terrorists are also fighting each other. The larger Islamic terror group, an al Qaeda coalition called JNIM (Jamaah Nusrah al Islam wal Muslimin, or Group for the support of Islam and Moslems), is gaining control over more of Mali and even making more frequent attacks near the capital Bamako down south. In the north, ISGS (Islamic States in Greater Sahara) Islamic terrorists near the Niger border have taken advantage of the departure of French counterterrorism forces in 2021 by seizing and holding territory in Mali. This began with more attacks on the Niger border. The departing French and G5 counter-terrorism forces had kept the Islamic terrorists out of Mali. The Mali army and a small number of Russian (Wagner Group) military contractors have been unable, or unwilling, to carry on with that effort or prevent the Islamic terror groups from crossing the border and advancing into Mali. ISGS is one of the two ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) groups in the region. When they showed up in 2018, ISGS operated mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, especially the area where the three borders meet. Since late 2022 ISGS have been working to take control of the border between Mali and Niger. Mali responded with soldiers and a handful of Wagner Group mercenaries but that was unsuccessful. After that Mali did nothing about the situation as its security forces and the UN peacekeepers were needed elsewhere. The Niger government was also unable to respond and sought to negotiate a deal with ISGS. Appearing in 2015 as an affiliate of ISIL and part of ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) that changed in 2021 when ISGS declared itself separate from ISWAP and declared northern Mali and some areas in Niger and Burkina Faso its future caliphate. The ISIL affiliated Islamic terrorists are far more violent than the more numerous al Qaeda. This also means casualties for the 12,000 UN peacekeepers. ISGS violence involves attacks on Islamic terror groups that refuse to take orders from ISIL. The tri-border (Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso) area has been a terrorist hotspot since 2018 because Islamic terror groups can just cross the border to escape any effective counterterrorism efforts. For that reason, this area has been called the Menaka Region. Previously this area was just part of the larger Gao Region, centered on one of the few cities in the north. The area being fought over is near where the borders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso meet. Menaka has become ungovernable because so many Islamic terrorists and bandits now operate here. The French counterterrorism forces regularly searched for and attacked specific Islamic terrorist targets. The Mali government underestimated how important the French forces, with their airmobile troops, UAV surveillance and ground attack aircraft were in keeping the Islamic terrorists from establishing themselves inside Mali. The current Mali military government has no clear plan for dealing with this situation and are withdrawing their counterterrorism forces south, to protect the capital and the more prosperous and populous south. The neighbors see the reliance on Wagner Group as the main cause for more Islamic terrorists operating in Mali and spreading to neighboring countries. This includes Algeria, which has been largely Islamic terrorism free for over a decade. Now Algeria is seeing a return of Islamic terrorist activity because of the growing number of active Islamic terrorists across the border in northern Mali. Despite this, Mali does not want the French back because that makes it easier for foreigners to document the growing corruption of the military government. These corruption reports lead to more countries imposing individual sanctions on officers running the military government and profiting from the corruption. So far the strategy of the Mali military officers running the government is to abandon northern, and portions of central Mali to the Islamic terror groups. Complaints from the neighbors are ignored even though that means less foreign aid for Mali. The source of all these problems is corruption and Mali is the most corrupt and ineptly governed nation in the region. Because of that the French and AU counter-terrorism forces expelled from Mali have regrouped in neighboring countries that want protection from the growing Islamic terrorist activity in Mali. In the midst of all this, ambitious Mali politicians continue to blame all the problems on African and non-African foreigners as well as neighboring countries that cooperate with these evil foreigners and their schemes to destroy Mali. Russia is seen as a friend of Mali because Russia is one of the few countries with a veto power in the UN. This is not the same as control of the UN but does allow Russia to disrupt some UN efforts to interfere in Mali, especially criticism of the military government or publicizing the corruption and brutality of the Mali generals. Mali has become a dangerous place for foreign journalists and local journalists that criticize the government or the Russian presence. The Islamic terrorists continue advancing south towards the capital Bamako and the nearby gold mines. Bamako contains about twelve percent of the national population and an even larger proportion of the national GDP. For over a year there has been growing Islamic terrorist activity near Bamako. Most of this is attacks on police checkpoints or ambushing police or soldiers. Some of the attackers were later discovered to be locals who were recruited by Islamic terror groups and put to work. Most (95 percent) Malians are Moslem. May 25, 2023: The United States imposed sanctions on Ivan Maslov, the commander of Wagner Group forces in Mali and responsible for the recent effort to break the weapons import sanctions imposed on Russia via arms deals in the name of the Mali government. May 21, 2023: In the north (outside Kidal) four peacekeepers were wounded when a roadside bomb was used to attack their vehicle. The peacekeepers were guarding a supply convoy. A search of the area revealed another roadside bomb, which was disposed of. May 18, 2023: The Mali military government use of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries has not proved very effective for Mali but has provided Russian with an opportunity to get past the sanctions imposed on Russia and obtain needed weapons for Russian forces in Ukraine. Wagner arms buyers representing Wagner needs in Mali have been able to purchase large quantities of weapons and military equipment that is diverted to Russian forces in Ukraine. American intelligence efforts revealed the true destination of the weapons and equipment purchased for operations in Mali. Wagner was hired by the Mali military government in 2021 to train Mali troops, especially in the use of weapons purchased from Russia. The supply of Russian weapons, and Wagner mercenaries was disrupted in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine and heavy sanctions were imposed on Russia by NATO countries. African countries didnt care what Russia was doing in Ukraine but did care about their disrupted weapons supply line from Russia. There are about a thousand Wagner personnel in Mali and the Mali military government has no problem paying the mercenaries or for weapons purchased from Russia. Mali is a major producer of gold and the Russians will take payment in gold. Russia maintains a huge gold stockpile (about 2,300 tons), the fifth largest in the world. May 12, 2023: The UN released its report on the March 2022 massacre of civilians in central Mali by Russian mercenaries and Mali soldiers. The UN investigators interviewed 157 civilians who were there and survived and collected compelling and ample evidence of the lawless behavior. The UN investigators also used satellite photos taken at the time of the incident that documented the many dead (about 500). Russia and the Mali government insist those dead bodies were Islamic terrorists but offer no evidence nor an explanation why the soldiers and Russians withdrew when armed Islamic terrorists did advance. The UN report did not specify what country the foreign mercenaries came from. April 22, 2023: In central Mali, three suicide bombers were used to attack a town. The explosions destroyed twenty buildings, killing nine people and wounding over sixty. The army claimed that the explosions were caused by the Mali military using missile armed UAVs to destroy three vehicles carrying explosives. Illegal Agents of the PRC Government Charged for PRC-Directed Bribery Scheme FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, May 26, 2023 John Chen and Lin Feng Allegedly Furthered the PRC Government's Transnational Repression Campaign Against the Falun Gong by Bribing a Purported IRS Official A federal court in the Southern District of New York today unsealed a complaint charging two individuals with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as unregistered agents of the People's Republic of China (PRC), conspiring to bribe and bribing a public official, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the complaint, John Chen, aka Chen Jun, 70, a Los Angeles resident and former citizen of the PRC, and Lin Feng, a Los Angeles resident and PRC citizen, allegedly participated in a PRC Government-directed scheme targeting U.S.-based practitioners of Falun Gong a a spiritual practice banned in the PRC. Chen and Feng were arrested today in the Central District of California. "The Chinese government has yet again attempted, and failed, to target critics of the PRC here in the United States," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "We allege the defendants in this case attempted to bribe someone they thought was an IRS agent in order to further the Chinese government's campaign of transnational repression in the United States. But the individual they attempted to bribe was in fact an undercover law enforcement agent, and both defendants were arrested this morning. The Justice Department will continue to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute efforts by the PRC government to silence its critics and extend the reaches of its regime onto U.S. soil. We will never stop working to defend the rights to which every person in the United States is entitled." "The Department of Justice continues to expose the Chinese government's brazen attempts to perpetrate transnational repression, this time through attempted bribery," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. "As highlighted by today's arrests and charges of conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering, we will not tolerate efforts by the PRC or any foreign government to intimidate, harass, or undermine the rights and freedoms enjoyed by all who live in the United States." "China's government has once again shown its disregard for the rule of law and international norms," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "The FBI will not tolerate CCP repression a its efforts to threaten, harass, and intimidate people a here in the United States. We will continue to confront the Chinese government's efforts to violate our laws and repress the rights and freedoms of people in our country.""No other nation poses as severe a threat to the democratic values of the United States as the government of the People's Republic of China," said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. "The FBI will not stand by as the PRC attempts to weaponize our institutions and programs and attack the rights of those on U.S. soil. Any attempt to repress or harass individuals runs directly counter to the ideals our nation was founded upon, and it simply will not be tolerated. The FBI and our partners remain committed to confronting the illegal conduct of the PRC government that threatens our national security and freedom." "John Chen and Lin Feng allegedly waged a campaign at the behest of the Government of the People's Republic of China to influence a U.S. Government official in order to further the PRC Government's repression of practitioners of Falun Gong," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. "Efforts to manipulate and use the arms of the U.S. Government to carry out the PRC Government's autocratic aims are as shocking as they are insidious. My office will work vigorously to protect against malign foreign influences." The complaint alleges that from at least approximately January 2023 to May 2023, Chen and Feng worked inside the United States at the direction of the PRC government, including an identified PRC government official (PRC Official-1), to further the PRC government's campaign to repress and harass Falun Gong practitioners. The PRC Government has designated the Falun Gong as one of the "five poisons," or one of the top five threats to its rule. In China, Falun Gong adherents face a range of repressive and punitive measures from the PRC government, including imprisonment and torture. As part of the PRC government's campaign against the Falun Gong, Chen and Feng allegedly engaged in a PRC government-directed scheme to manipulate the IRS's Whistleblower Program in an effort to strip the tax-exempt status of an entity run and maintained by Falun Gong practitioners (Entity-1). After Chen filed a defective whistleblower complaint with the IRS (the Chen Whistleblower Complaint), Chen and Feng paid $5,000 in cash bribes, and promised to pay substantially more, to a purported IRS agent who was in fact an undercover officer (Agent-1), in exchange for Agent-1's assistance in advancing the complaint. Neither Chen nor Feng notified the Attorney General that they were acting as agents of the PRC government in the United States. In the course of the scheme, Chen, on a recorded call, explicitly noted that the purpose of paying these bribes, which were directed and funded by the PRC government, was to carry out the PRC government's aim of "toppl[ing] . . . the Falun Gong." During a call intercepted pursuant to a judicially authorized wiretap, Chen and Feng discussed receiving "direction" on the bribery scheme from PRC Official-1, deleting instructions received from PRC Official-1 in order to evade detection, and "alert[ing]" and "sound[ing] the alarm" to PRC Official-1 if Chen and Feng's meetings to bribe Agent-1 did not go as planned. Chen and Feng also discussed that PRC Official-1 was the PRC Government official "in charge" of the bribery scheme targeting the Falun Gong. As part of this scheme, Chen and Feng allegedly met with Agent-1 in Newburgh, New York, on May 14. During the meeting, Chen gave Agent-1 a $1,000 cash bribe as an initial, partial bribe payment. Chen further offered to pay Agent-1 a total of $50,000 for opening an audit of Entity-1, as well as 60% of any whistleblower award from the IRS if the Chen Whistleblower Complaint were successful. On May 18, Feng paid Agent-1 a $4,000 cash bribe at John F. Kennedy International Airport as an additional partial bribe payment in furtherance of the scheme. Chen allegedly obtained funding from the PRC government to make bribe payments during his trips to the PRC in the course of the scheme. Chen and Feng are each charged with (1) one count of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General and to bribe a public official, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; (2) one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; (3) one count of bribing a public official, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; and (4) one count of conspiring to commit international money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The FBI New York and Los Angeles Field Offices and Counterintelligence Division are investigating the case with valuable assistance provided by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shiva H. Logarajah, Qais Ghafary, Michael D. Lockard, and Kathryn Wheelock for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Christina A. Clark of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Attachment(s): Download John Chen complaint Topic(s): Countering Nation-State Threats Component(s): Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) Office of the Attorney General Office of the Deputy Attorney General USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 23-609 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Minister Jana Cernochova signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement in the Pentagon Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic 23.5.2023 Defence Minister Jana Cernochova with her counterpart U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in Washington DC today. After long negotiations led by the Defence Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry with many other Ministries and Government agencies, the DCA was endorsed by the Government in April and is now awaiting deliberation by both Chambers of the Parliament and then ratification by the President. The conclusion of the DCA is an important step in strengthening the defense cooperation with the United States and towards stepping up our defense capability while Russia's brutal war of choice is ongoing in Ukraine and the global security environment aggravates in general. "The United States is our key Ally in the domain of economy, security and science and research. The U.S. is our most important Ally in the defence domain. Strengthening of the Transatlantic link is therefore in the Czech Republic's vital interest," Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said when the negotiation was complete. "I am proud that we will sign the Defense Cooperation Agreement today," Secretary Austin said. "It will deepen our defense ties even further, enhance our interoperability, strengthen NATO, and increase stability in Europe." The DCA will enable deepening of cooperation between the Czech Armed Forces and the U.S. Armed Forces, especially with respect to deterrence and defense of NATO's Eastern Flank, sustainment of NATO's military activities, reinforcement of defense infrastructure, increased interoperability of our armed forces, military education and common training and exercises. The DCA is designed to lay down the legal status of personnel of United States Armed Forces in the territory of the Czech Republic. In accordance with the Czech Constitution, such stays are subject to endorsement by Government or the Parliament. The DCA as such does not authorize U.S. Armed Forces personnel to stay in the territory of the Czech Republic. The DCA also provides that any activities of U.S. Armed Forces in the territory of the Czech Republic will always be realized based on specific arrangement between the Czech Republic and the United States and will first have be approved by the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic was the only NATO nation in the Central and Eastern Europe not to have a bilateral defence cooperation agreement concluded with the United States. The United States have the DCA signed with twenty-four NATO member countries (out of 30 bar US). Those include Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria. The agreement will now be submitted to both Chambers of the Parliament of the Czech Republic for their endorsement of the ratification and then to the President of the Czech Republic for ratification. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PIGGSPEAK It appears a hot iron is now becoming a tool for thugs. In a gruesome incident that reportedly happened in the outskirts of Piggs Peak at Nginamadvolo, a woman was allegedly robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash, by robbers who terrorised her when her businessman husband was not at home. The incident according to police reports happened about a month ago when the robbers forced entry into the homestead. According to information gathered, it is alleged that the robbers were aware that the husband was not at home and saw it as an easy target for a robbery, as the wife was alone. This is said to be a similar modus operandi used, by robbers who break into homesteads. House break-ins have recently increased around Eswatini, though it has not yet been established if it was the same gang of thieves or there were also some copycats. It is alleged that when the gang gained unpermitted access at *Graces home, they allegedly demanded cash and despite her pleas not to be harmed, they allegedly assaulted her with kicks and fists. The robbers are said to have demanded that she give them bank cards so they could withdraw cash from the automated teller machine (ATM). The intruders appeared to have known that the husband was a business owner, as they allegedly indicated that they were aware he had cash kept in the house. As if the physical assault was not enough, it is alleged that one of the men then got an iron from the house, plugged it in and turned it on to the highest heat setting before pressing it against her bare back, burning her skin in the process. After this torture, they took the bank cards and used her vehicle to drive to one the banks atm to withdraw some money. At some point, it is alleged that the men warned that if she did not comply, they would get a piece of iron wire, heat it up and then pass it through her mouth to the back of her throat. It was gathered that the police had made a breakthrough in the matter. This publication gathered that two men had been arrested in connection with the alleged robbery, but they are yet to appear at the Piggs Peak Magistrate Court for this case. It is also alleged that they are residents of the area in which they allegedly committed the robbery. The Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, confirmed that two suspects were held for the alleged crimes. She did not mention the names of the men but only referred to them as suspects.Noteworthy, the use of an iron to induce pain before robbing people is said to have become a common occurrence according to police reports. A woman around Ndzingeni is also said to have been burnt with an iron while being robbed of cash. This is not to say that the crimes were committed by the same people. A businessman in the Mbabane area is also said to have been robbed of cash, allegedly by robbers who used an iron to induce pain. It is alleged that the robbers also kidnapped the man and forced him to withdraw money from an ATM. Other similar robberies that happened include that of alleged robbers who pounced on a bank managers home around Ezulwini. It is alleged the men scaled a fence and forced their way into the house after knocking and pretending to be police officers. Upon entering the house, they allegedly tortured the people in the house and assaulted a minor child by kicking him for crying. The men then allegedly stole one of the vehicles and drove to an ATM to withdraw money. They allegedly stole about E1 800 from the bank manager, as well as valuable items including iPhones. Targeted In a separate incident, it was also gathered that another businessmans wife was also targeted. The woman and her husband are said to own property at Buhleni and it is allegedly that thugs demanded as much as E1 million from the woman. It is alleged that just like they did with Grace of Nginamdvolo, the men targeted the Buhleni businessmans wife when they had made sure that her husband was not home. It could not yet be established if they were the same people. However, the incidences appear similar, as the men are also said to have demanded to withdraw money from her bank account. It is also alleged that the woman was kidnapped and loaded into a boot and driven off with. Meanwhile, the police this week, after a thorough investigation arrested two suspects who are accused of having committed strings of robberies in different parts of the country, including Piggs Peak. Boy Boy Mayibongwe Mlotsa and Siyabonga GanjaMapanza of Nginamadvolo and Nsangwini respectively were arrested for similar offences. The duep were slapped with 14 counts of robberies of items and cash to the value of E1.4 million. Among the crimes that they are accused of committing was also theft of guns and a vehicle belonging to the Piggs Peak Mayor Absalom Ndlovu. However they are also alleged to have committed a string of robberies in different parts of the country. * Not real names. Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 25 May 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. All right, good afternoon. ** Noon Briefing Guest In a short while, I will be bringing out Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, who will brief as we mark today the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, ahead of its official date on 29 May. ** Peacekeepers Day As you will have seen, the Secretary-General this morning participated in a wreath laying ceremony and the General Assembly and Security Council both held moments of silence in honour of our fallen peacekeepers. In his remarks today in the General Assembly, the Secretary-General told Member States that we must seriously reflect on the need for a new generation of peace-enforcement missions and counter-terrorism operations, led by our partners with a UN Security Council mandate under Chapter VII of the Charter, with guaranteed funding, namely through assessed contributions. The Secretary-General also presented the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award to Captain Cecilia Erzuah of Ghana for her work in Abyei as the Commander of the Ghana Engagement Platoon, a post she held since March 2022. In Abyei, he said, Captain Erzuah saw first-hand the enormous toll of armed conflict on entire communities and especially on women and she spared no effort to ensure that their voices were heard and reflected. ** Deputy Secretary-General's Travel A quick trip announcement for you from the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed: She will travel to Geneva, Switzerland, to brief Member States on preparations for the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) summit, and the ambition of the UN development system reforms and the UN resident coordinator system reform. She will also meet with Heads of United Nations Specialized Agencies and with UN officials, building on the outcomes from the recently held UN SDG and Chief Executives Board meetings in Nairobi. Ms. Mohammed will then travel to Lisbon, Portugal, to attend the Opening Session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Conference, entitled, "Thinking about Industrial Property, Sustainability and the Future of the Planet". She will also meet with senior Government Officials in Lisbon, and other stakeholders. The Deputy Secretary-General will be back in the office on 31 May. ** Security Council This morning, the Security Council held a session on peace and security in Africa, with a focus on predictable, sustainable and flexible resources. Rosemary DiCarlo, the Head of the Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Department, told Security Council members that the cooperation between the African Union and the UN has grown significantly in the past few years, adding that the African Union has shown its readiness to quickly deploy peace support operations in response to armed conflicts on the continent. The African Union operations should be considered as part of the range of responses to crises in Africa, alongside with established UN mechanisms, she said. As such, the case for adequately financing AU-led peace support operations is beyond solid. Ms. DiCarlo added that we are hopeful the Security Council will agree to provide its backing, including allowing access to UN assessed contributions. As the Secretary-General has stated, she concluded, concrete action on this long-standing issue will address a critical gap in the international peace and security architecture and bolster the efforts of the African Union to tackle peace and security challenges on the continent. ** Africa Day 2023 Today is also... What day is today? Africa Day, yes. Very good. In his message, the Secretary-General said Africa's dynamism is unstoppable; its potential is breath-taking, from the vibrancy of its huge number of young people to the possibilities of free trade. He also urged the international community to stand with Africa, saying that historic and economic injustices hamper its progress. The Secretary-General said the UN will continue to be a proud partner in advancing peace, sustainable development and human rights for the people of Africa. His statement was shared with you. ** Sudan A couple of updates from the continent. First in Sudan: The humanitarian community there is mobilizing to reach as many people as it can while the ceasefire is in place and respected, in the parts where it is in place and respected. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that some 20 trucks carrying supplies from UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are now on their way to different parts of Sudan today. The World Food Programme (WFP), for its part, has reached more than half a million people in nine states with food and nutrition support since restarting distributions about three weeks ago. WFP is also planning distributions in Central Darfur and Northern State. Yesterday, trucks loaded with food aid arrived in Wadi Halfa, and today in Port Sudan, WFP started providing food to some 4,000 new arrivals. And I just want to highlight the impact that the ongoing fighting is having on the humanitarian situation. According to UN agencies, six newborn babies died at a hospital in the city of Eld'aeen in East Darfur in just one week recently due to problems, including lack of oxygen amid electricity blackouts, as we have been telling you. WHO (World Health Organization) reports that more than 30 newborns have died at the hospital since the start of the fighting. The Organization is in touch with health-care providers to see what it can do to support. ** South Sudan Some updates from South Sudan: The Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim there, Peter Van der Auweraert, condemned a new attack on humanitarian supplies in Jonglei State. On 23 May, a group of armed individuals on motorbikes attacked five trucks that were carrying 100 tons of food supplies from the WFP (World Food Programme) just outside of the UN compound in Bor, in South Sudan's central region. Nearly seven tons of food were looted during the attack. Following this new incident, and for the third time this year, WFP had no choice but to pause operations in that area. This will impact more than a million people in Jonglei and Pibor area who rely on food from the World Food Programme. It's estimated that 9.4 million people, that is 76 per cent of the population in South Sudan, will need some sort of humanitarian assistance this year. ** Libya A quick update from Mr. [Abdoulaye] Bathily, our Special Representative in Libya. Yesterday he co-chaired along with Turkiye in Tripoli a plenary session of the Security Working Group of the Berlin Process International Follow-Up Committee on Libya. That is the name of the Committee. That session included the participation of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission and other relevant Libyan interlocutors. This is the first time the Security Working Group meets inside of Libya itself, which is good. Participants continued discussions on advancing the security track, implementation of the ceasefire agreement, including reunification of military institutions and withdrawal of foreign fighters and mercenaries. Mr. Bathily emphasized the importance of future meetings of the Security Working Group taking place in different regions of Libya, to continuing advancing the overall political process and to create a conducive environment for holding free and inclusive elections this year. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory An update from the Occupied Palestinian Territory: The Acting Humanitarian Coordinator there, Yvonne Helle, today warned of repeated demolitions, settlement expansion and settler violence following the dismantling of a Palestinian herding community in the West Bank. On 22 May, the Palestinian herding community of Ein Samiya, which is close to Ramallah and which is home to 178 people, began dismantling and leaving their homes. They cited settler violence as the main reason. Several communities have been displaced in similar circumstances. We and our partners are assessing their needs and will continue to provide them with assistance. ** Non-Self-Governing Territories Today [...] the International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories starts today. In these territories, people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government. Today, 17 non-self-governing territories remain under the purview of the Special Committee on Decolonization. We have been calling on the international community to find practical ways to implement the decolonization process. ** Senior Personnel Appointment A senior personnel announcement: Today, the Secretary-General, along with the World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Director General Qu Dongyu, are appointing Carl Skau of Sweden as WFP Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, to serve at the Assistant Secretary-General level. Most of you will remember Carl from his role here as Ambassador and Deputy Representative to the UN for Sweden and Deputy Representative to the European Union Political and Security Committee in Brussels. He brings over 20 years of experience and we congratulate and welcome Carl. ** Rwanda And before I finish with our quiz, it should be a good one today, I have a statement on the arrest of a Rwanda national: The Secretary-General welcomes the arrest of Fulgence Kayishema in South Africa, who has been sought since 2001 for allegedly committing genocide and crimes against humanity in Rwanda in 1994, following a warrant for his arrest by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Mr. Kayishema's apprehension sends a powerful message that those who are alleged to have committed such crimes cannot evade justice and will eventually be held accountable, even more than a quarter of a century later. The Secretary-General commends the cooperation between the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and the South African authorities for the arrest of Mr. Kayishema. He further recalls that all States have an obligation to cooperate with the Mechanism in the location, arrest, detention, surrender and transfer of the accused persons still at large. The Secretary-General's thoughts today are first and foremost with the victims of Mr. Kayishema's alleged crimes, the victims of other serious international crimes and their families. Ending impunity is essential for peace, security and justice. There is also a statement from Serge Brammertz, the Chief Prosecutor of the [Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals], who said that his arrest ensures that Mr. Kayishema will finally face justice for his alleged crimes, adding that the investigation that led to this arrest was made possible through the cooperation and support of South Africa and the Operational Task Team established by President [Cyril] Ramaphosa to assist the tribunal's Fugitive Tracking Team. ** Financial Contribution Finally, we are up to 110 Member States paid up in full. [...] Benno is still on probation. This is from our stand-in quizmaster, David Hunter. In 1976, Bob Dylan wrote a beautiful song about this Portuguese speaking country in Africa. [response from the crowd: "Mozambique!"] Mozambique, exactly. So, we say thank you to our friends in Maputo for paying their dues in full. ** Questions and Answers Spokesman : Celhia. Please, with your microphone. Question : Talking about war criminals. Why not arrested Mr. [Paul] Kagame, who is still killing a lot of people in DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and who is behind the genocide in Rwanda? Spokesman : I can only speak to people who are under the warrant of various international mechanisms, and I think we've expressed our concern about the ongoing violence in the Eastern DRC. Benno? Question : Thank you, Steph. I have a quite specific German question, so bear with me 30 seconds. The German police carried out a nationwide raid yesterday against the German climate protest group called Last Generation. They got some attention because they glued themselves on the streets and in museums, for example. Now the police raided 17 properties in Germany, and the police is investigating for them to founding and supporting a criminal organization. Does the Secretary-General think this action of the German authorities is appropriate towards climate protesters? Spokesman : Look, I don't have the details of the operation. What I can tell you is that, obviously, governments have a responsibility to uphold the law and uphold security. People also have a fundamental right to demonstrate peacefully to have their voices heard. And it is clear that a lot of the progress that we have seen on awareness on climate change and positive movement on climate change is due to the fact that people have been demonstrating peacefully throughout the world. Question : And what you say gluing your hands to the street is still an acceptable measure, or is that going too far? Spokesman : I'm not going to grade. I'm not going to go down that road with you. I'll just stick to my principles. Michelle and then Evelyn. Question : Thank you, Stephane. Just wanted to follow up on the Black Sea Grain deal and the comments you made, I think, earlier this week. About one of the ports sort of effectively being cut out of the deal. Has there been any progress on the regime...? Spokesman : No. I spoke to one of my colleagues in Istanbul a short while ago. There's been no change. There've been no movements to that third port. We do expect a more comprehensive update from the JCC (Joint Coordination Centre) tomorrow. So, I'll have more details for you tomorrow. Question : Okay. And any can you give us any indication on who is preventing the ships? [cross talk] Spokesman : Well, I mean, as you know, every ship movement has to be approved by consensus. Question : Do you know why? Spokesman : I think you'd have to ask the various parties sitting around the table. Question : But the UN is at the table. Spokesman : I know. But we are not a signatory. We are trying to facilitate everything. Evelyn? Question : All right. On the AU functioning, who decides when they would receive a contribution? Spokesman : Well, I mean, the... I think the point that we're making is that the African Union is stepping up to the plate in armed conflicts in the continent, whether it's in Somalia or, through a different configuration, the G5 Sahel force. The Secretary-General's point is that these security forces need strong Security Council mandate under Chapter 7 and, most importantly, they need strong and predictable funding through assessed contributions, and the fact that that's not happening is hampering their ability to work. Question : Right. And on South Sudan, you have any idea who attacked? Spokesman : No, but whoever is responsible, whatever criminal gangs or others are responsible, their actions have led to people not getting food. It's pretty clear. Yes, sir? Question : Thank you, Stephane. French authorities started the police operation on the Mayotte to expel people, which they consider as illegal Comoros immigrants. So, will the Secretary-General react to this kind of developments? Thank you. Spokesman : Look, we're very much aware that the issue of migration is high on the agenda of the bilateral relations between Comoros and France. We're confident that both France and the governments in the Comoros will resolve this issue through dialogue and within the existing bilateral frameworks between the two countries. Our push and our urging is that both Comoros and France ensure that the issue of migration as it is identified in the joint declaration, I think that was signed in 2018, is resolved in accordance, and this is very important for us, that all this needs to be done in accordance with relevant international human rights instruments, as well as the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. And I'd say as important if not most importantly, that the dignity and the rights of every man, woman and child involved who is being impacted is respected. Okay. I don't see any questions online, but I do see one in the room for Michelle, and then I will get Mr. Lacroix. Not even Friday, Michelle. [laughter] Question : It's been a long week. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Chief, Rafael Grossi, is going to brief the Council on Tuesday afternoon. There was a suggestion that he might be presenting some sort of agreement between Russia and Ukraine on protecting Zaporizhzhia power plant? Are you aware or is the Secretary-General aware of any agreement that's been reached on that? Spokesman : No. I mean, we're aware of the activities. I think we will have to wait for official briefing by Mr. Grossi to the Security Council. Okay. Stand by. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Conflict and economic crisis drive food insecurity and malnutrition in Yemen UNICEF 25 May 2023 ADEN, Yemen, 25 May 2023 -- The food security situation in Yemen's districts under the control of the Government of Yemen (GoY) slightly improved during the first five months of this year, while acute malnutrition increased, compared to the same period in 2022. However, the outlook for the period between now until the end of 2023 indicates the need for more programme investments, as the modest improvements may be eroded, UN agencies have warned. In a new Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) analysis on Yemen released today, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that, despite the slight improvements, nearly all districts under the control of the GoY were assessed to be facing high levels of food insecurity. Yemen remains one of the most food insecure countries globally, mainly driven by the impact of conflict and economic decline, the three UN agencies added. The report shows that Yemen continues to require attention, with hunger stalking millions of people and the situation could worsen if nothing is done to address the key drivers of food insecurity in the Middle Eastern country. Despite modest improvements, the second half of 2023 needs more investment Today's report showed that between January and May 2023, about 3.2 million people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in the GoY areas, and these are classified as severe food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and above), representing a 23 per cent reduction from the October - December 2022 estimates. Additionally, the number of people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) almost halved to 781,000 compared to the estimates for the last quarter of 2022. The three UN agencies warned that these modest improvements were only a 'temporary reprieve' as the key drivers of food insecurity remain and are projected to worsen during the period from June to December 2023. The IPC report projected a 20 per cent increase in the number of people facing IPC Phase 3 and above (638,500 additional people) during the June to December period. The number of people likely to experience high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or worse) is estimated to increase to 3.9 million (41 per cent), out of which 2.8 million people are estimated to be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and 1.1 million in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). The situation is likely to be compounded by a 20 per cent decrease in humanitarian food assistance levels and the anticipated increase in food prices. While there has been a relative calm, sporadic fighting may continue in the frontline districts which further impacts food security. Children and pregnant and lactating mothers facing acute malnutrition As acute malnutrition continues to worsen in southern governorates, it is estimated that in 2023, half a million children will be acutely malnourished, including nearly 100,000 children who are likely to be severely malnourished. It is also estimated that up to a quarter million pregnant and lactating women (PLW) will be acutely malnourished, while child stunting levels are also very high, ranging from 35.9 per cent in Abyan Lowland to 64.3 per cent in Hodeida Southern Lowland. Critical situations of acute malnutrition (IPC AMN Phase 4) persist in some parts of the southern areas. The area-level classification is expected to deteriorate further during the projection period for acute malnutrition with all 16 zones of southern governorates being classified in IPC AMN phases 3 (Serious) and above, including seven zones in IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical). David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, said: "The United Nations and its partners made strides in rolling back the worst food insecurity last year, but these gains remain fragile and 17 million people are still food insecure in Yemen. We thank generous donors for commitments made so far but need further support to reach the level of funding received last year to sustain an integrated humanitarian response. With adequate resources, we will reach millions of Yemenis with critical food and nutrition support, clean water, basic health care, protection and other necessities, while building people's resilience and preparing communities across the country to withstand future shocks." "FAO is seized with this situation, and we are working directly with farmers on the ground to enable them to maintain their livelihoods. We make sure that smallholder farmers in Yemen will withstand any shocks which impact food security. As such, our focus, through various interventions, is to improve household food security and income by strengthening agricultural production practices, increasing labour opportunities, and diversifying livelihoods in a sustainable way that fosters peaceful coexistence," said FAO Yemen Representative, Dr. Hussein Gadain. "UNICEF and partners reached about 420,000 children suffering from severe and acute malnutrition with lifesaving interventions in 2022. This is the highest ever reached in Yemen, thanks to the scale-up of nutrition services in 4700 PHC facilities. Despite this, malnutrition levels remain critical in many areas of the Southern Governorates. A multi-sectoral approach to address all forms of malnutrition is essential and together with partners UNICEF is strengthening the provision of primary health care, including early detection and treatment of severe acute malnutrition", said UNICEF Yemen Representative, Peter Hawkins. "WFP's assistance is critical for getting people to firmer ground, for averting crisis and famine, for a better future, and we urge our donors to renew their commitment to supporting the most vulnerable Yemenis. Yemen's food insecurity situation remains fragile, and the hard-won gains of the past 12 months will be lost without continued and urgent support from our donors. There are women, men and children behind these IPC statistics, whose lives straddle the fine line between hope and utter devastation. We simply cannot take our foot off the gas now," said WFP Country Director, Richard Ragan. ##### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Somalia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the attack against ATMIS European External Action Service (EEAS) 26.05.2023 EEAS Press Team The European Union condemns the latest attack by the terrorist group al-Shabaab against ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) in Buulo Mareer today. This latest attack against soldiers conducting peace support operations in Somalia only reinforces our commitment to stand with the region and to hold to account those responsible for these continuously heinous assaults against Somali citizens and those seeking to stabilize the situation in the country. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and military comrades of those affected. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rwanda: Statement by the Spokesperson on the arrest of Fulgence Kayishema European External Action Service (EEAS) 26.05.2023 Strategic Communications The European Union welcomes yesterday's arrest in South Africa of Fulgence Kayishema, one of the last fugitives indicted in connection with the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The EU commends the joint operation by the IRMCT (International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals) Office of the Prosecutor Fugitive Tracking Team and South African authorities for the arrest of Fulgence Kayishema. Ending impunity for genocide, even more than a quarter of a century later, is indispensable for peace, security and justice. The international community is committed to ensure that the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi be prosecuted and punished. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China rejects Vietnam's claims on Chinese vessel's intrusion, reiterates sovereignty over Nansha Islands Global Times By Global Times Published: May 26, 2023 06:45 PM China has sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters and it is legitimate for Chinese vessels to conduct regular activities in waters within its sovereign territory, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Friday, in response to Vietnam's "demands" of Chinese ships to "leave its exclusive economic zone." Mao's remarks came after Vietnam on Thursday accused a Chinese survey vessel and its "escorts of violating its sovereignty," and demanded that Beijing remove ships from the waters, Reuters reported. China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters and there is no such thing for Chinese vessels to enter other countries' "exclusive economic zone," said Mao, noting that on the South China Sea issues, China has maintained communication with all relevant parties We are willing to properly resolve existing differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. At the same time, we will firmly safeguard China's legitimate rights and interests, Mao said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lithuania supports Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations: our strength lies in unity and solidarity Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2023-05-26 International cooperation On May 24-27 Vice Minister of National Defence Zilvinas Tomkus is conducting a visit to Georgia to attend Independence Day events on May 26 and meet with the leadership of the Ministry of Defence. Vice Minister also took part in a NATO Liaison Office event held with NGO representatives to address the agenda of the NATO Summit in Vilnius and possibilities for implementation of Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Z. Tomkus underscored Lithuania's longstanding and continued support to Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty at a bilateral meeting with Deputy Defence Minister Lela Chikovani. "Lithuania backs Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and is there to help. It is, however, critical that Georgia keep the course of democratic values and avoids ambiguous decisions that could undermine integration processes," said Vice Minister Z. Tomkus. It was noted at the meeting that Lithuania had stepped its contribution to NATO programmes in Georgia in the recent years and was resolved to continue the bilateral cooperation. Lithuania supports strengthening of Georgia's security and defence sector with assistance on military training, exercises and cybersecurity, and with consultations on the mandatory military service reform. Vice Minister also accentuated that a lasting and standing assistance to Ukraine was one of the cornerstone objective of the moment. "We are certain that all the like-minded nations must stand together against the war Russia has started, which includes with regard to the sanctions, because only a united and consistent response can help stop Russia's actions." When speaking at the NATO Liaison Office event about the July NATO Summit in Vilnius, Vice Minister NATO, Z. Tomkus identified key priorities: implementation of the decisions on strengthening the eastern flank taken last year in Madrid, agreement of NATO Allies to step the investment in defence, and on further assistance to Ukraine. "Russia presents a threat not only to the Alliance but also to our Eastern Partners. Last year in Madrid we agreed to increase the assistance to the countries subjected to a constant Russian pressure. We encourage our partners to seek NATO and EU memberships with resolve and consistency. Our strength lies in unity and solidarity. The same can be said about the wider community of our Allies and partners. The message we send to Russia and any other aggressor has to be clear: we will not be intimidated." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US debt deal nears, but Asia will look on warily Lawmakers say they're near a deal to pay America's debts, but the fight to get there has aired much dirty laundry. Alex Willemyns for RFA 2023.05.26 -- After weeks of brinkmanship, American lawmakers may finally be approaching a deal that would raise the U.S. government's "debt ceiling," allowing it to pay its debts - held in the trillions of dollars by world governments and pension funds alike - on time. Such a last-minute deal would ensure Washington's divisive politics once again avoids torching the global economy by blowing up what is widely considered the world's safest long-term asset: the debt issued by the U.S. Treasury, backed by the immense American tax base. That would prevent the worst possible spillover of wrangling between Democrats and Republicans across global borders. But much damage to America's reputation, experts say, will have already been done. U.S. foes, in particular, would be pleased with the reminder of the indivision that can paralyze Washington, said Ryan Hass, the Michael H. Armacost Chair in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution. "The debt ceiling standoff is an early Christmas present for China and Russia," Hass told Radio Free Asia. "They both seek to portray the United States as being hobbled by internal divisions and generating dysfunction that does harm to the rest of the world." Cascading financial ruin Such a depiction could have a devastating impact on America's reputation across Asia, given the deep economic consequences it could cause if those holding the "safe" asset end up shortchanged. Japan, according to Treasury data, is the world's largest holder of U.S debt, with more than US$1.1 trillion, followed closely by China itself, which claims some $860 billion. Taiwan holds the tenth-most, at $235 billion, while India holds $232 billion and Singapore $187 billion. In 17th place, South Korea, meanwhile, holds about $106 billion. Any failure on behalf of the U.S. government to pay some of its debts to those countries would cause cascading financial damage, as key economic actors themselves wind up unable to pay debts on time. But even if the debt limit is increased, the now nearly annual exercise of uncertainty and brinkmanship will chip away at the perceived reliability of long-term U.S. debt repayment and likely cause financial planners around the world to further diversify their holdings. Credit-rating agency Fitch this week put U.S. debt's coveted Triple-A rating, which lets the United States borrow money at the lowest price, on "negative watch," citing the "increased political partisanship" in Washington it said was constantly putting repayment at risk. The agency noted Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has estimated the U.S. government would run out of money to pay its debts on Thursday, June 1, if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling and approve Treasury's ability to issue more debt to pay those now coming due. "The brinkmanship over the debt ceiling, failure of the U.S. authorities to meaningfully tackle medium-term fiscal challenges that will lead to rising budget deficits and a growing debt burden signal downside risks to U.S. creditworthiness," Fitch said in a Wednesday report. "The failure to reach a deal to raise or suspend the debt limit by the x-date would be a negative signal of the broader governance and willingness of the U.S. to honor its obligations in a timely fashion, which would be unlikely to be consistent with a 'AAA' rating, in Fitch's view." Chaos is priced-in Still, not everyone is sure the debt-ceiling fight will cause significant desecration of America's centrality to the global financial system. Some pundits, for instance, argue a short-term default would in fact perversely lead to higher world demand for U.S. debt, because in the absence of any alternative asset in a time of global chaos, it would still be viewed - in relative terms, at least - as the world's safest asset. Others have noted that China - the only economy big enough to offer an alternative to U.S. debt as an asset - would, as its second-largest holder, be as financially devastated as anyone by a default But even then, Washington's allies would understand by now that things will never get that far, with the intense last-minute politicking widely viewed as par-for-course for American democracy, said Denny Roy, a senior fellow at the East-West Center in Honolulu. "Generally, U.S. friends and allies in the region understand that the U.S. has a vibrant two-party system and that sometimes partisan disputes can result in threats of risky actions," Roy told RFA. "The danger is other countries, both friends and foes, believing that U.S. politics has become so dysfunctional it might affect U.S. reliability. " Roy said, though, that the second-order effects could be severe, with the world seeing how domestic politics can hobble U.S. foreign policy. "Now we see President Biden pulling out of a planned Quad meeting in Sydney," he said. "If the region sees U.S. internal politics regularly disrupting U.S. foreign policy, this will erode U.S. leadership." Pivot from Asia Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this month canceled a meeting of the Quad - a loose alliance of Australia, Japan, India and the United States aimed at counterbalancing China - at the Sydney Opera House after Biden said that he would skip it. Biden instead had to fly back to Washington to engage in discussions with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and the leaders of the four Quad nations instead met briefly on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Hiroshima. Albanese told reporters he understood Biden's reasons, but days later announced he planned to soon pay a visit to Beijing. In the end, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, made the trip to Sydney anyway, appearing beside Albanese at a packed-out concert venue for a public-relations coup, with Biden's absence conspicuous. The Australian prime minister likened his Indian counterpart to U.S. rock sensation Bruce Springsteen, who played at Biden's January 2021 inauguration and in March received the Medal of Arts from Biden. "Modi is 'The Boss,'" Albanese told a packed concert venue. Systemic risk The real risk of the debt-ceiling debacle, then, may be what the indivision in Washington tells allies and foes alike about a polarized American political system's ability to maneuver in times of crisis. Ja Ian Chong, a professor of international relations and expert in Chinese foreign policy at the National University of Singapore, said that the debt-ceiling fracas had blown-up months of efforts by Republicans and Democrats to depict themselves as unified on Asia foreign policy. "The debt ceiling dispute calls into question U.S. commitment and resoluteness about maintaining its presence in Asia," Chong told RFA, noting that U.S. foreign policy on China had become "the only or one of the few areas with bipartisan agreement in the United States." At best, Chong said, if such a dispute can "disrupt President Biden's visit to Papua New Guinea and Australia, this suggests that there isn't even enough bipartisan support for this [foreign policy] agenda." But a worse explanation, he added, is that there is bipartisan support in areas like countering China, but "it is not sufficient to overcome serious domestic partisan differences" due to the quirks of U.S. democracy. With so much at stake for debt-holders across America and Asia alike, he said, the argument that the near-annual exercise in brinkmanship over the key global asset was just politics was starting to wear thin. "Of course, there is a claim that this could be politics as usual or electioneering ahead of next year's presidential election," Chong said. "Onlookers from Asia are not going to pay attention to these details." Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content May not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Malaysia's Mahathir says Russia may take nuclear option The former prime minister also told Asia not to take sides in U.S.-China disputes By RFA Staff 2023.05.26 -- The world is facing the grim prospect of a nuclear war as the Ukrainian conflict drags on, a former Asian leader has warned. "I don't think you can make Russia surrender," said former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad about the ongoing Ukraine war on Friday - the second day of the Future of Asia conference hosted by the Nikkei news group in Tokyo. "They will fight to the end, and in desperation they may resort to the use of nuclear weapons," said the former statesman who will be 98 in July, adding that not only Ukraine and Russia, but "the whole world will suffer." Mahathir served as Malaysia's prime minister from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020. "Nuclear war is the worst kind of war because of the extent of destruction it causes," he said, reflecting on the end of World War II when two atomic bombs were dropped on Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. A summit of Group of Seven (G7) of the world's most developed nations was held in Hiroshima last week. "It seems that G7 countries went to Hiroshima trying to persuade the Global South that they should support the West's efforts in the Ukraine war," Mahathir said. The Global South is a term generally used for less developed countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania, as opposed to more prosperous nations in the Global North including North America, Europe, and Australia, as well as several rich Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and Singapore. "We should not get involved in wars," the former leader said before criticizing what he called "the mindset of some countries." "Global North thinks that war is a solution to conflicts between nations," Mahathir said. "Russia and the West were partners in the war against Germany," he said, "but immediately after the war the West decided that their new enemy is Russia so they set up NATO." 'World government' The rivalry between the world's two superpowers China and the U.S. once again was highlighted at the Future of Asia event, in its 28th year this year. Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Thursday that his country "welcomes the G7's announcement that they are prepared to build a stable and constructive relationship with China." Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong went further adding: "Any attempt either to contain China's rise or to limit America's presence in the region will have few takers. Nobody wants to see a new cold war." For his part, Mahathir Mohamad urged Asian countries that they "should not take sides to support either the U.S. or China." "We should support the world that includes the U.S., China and the rest." "We should free ourselves from the influences by the West both in the economic and political fields," said the former leader, known for his anti-Western rhetoric. In his opinion, the United Nations as an organization needs to be restructured in order to lead global efforts in dealing with common world problems such as climate change, pandemics and consequences of wars. "We should think of a common approach to deal with world problems, through a kind of world government," he said. Future of Asia, held by Japan's Nikkei annually since 1995, is "an international gathering where political, economic, and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific region offer their opinions frankly and freely on regional issues and the role of Asia in the world." This year's theme is 'Leveraging Asia's power to confront global challenges.' Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivered a speech Thursday saying Tokyo is "focused on co-creating the future" with its Asian partners. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content May not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Azadi Briefing: Deadly Floods Hit Afghanistan By Mustafa Sarwar May 26, 2023 The Key Issue At least 13 people have been killed and dozens injured in torrential rains and flash floods that struck a dozen provinces in Afghanistan. The worst-affected areas were in the central province of Ghor, a remote and impoverished region where at least six people died. Three women and a child from a single family perished in a village outside the provincial capital, Firoz Koh. "The flood came suddenly around noon," Agha Jan, a neighbor of the victims, told Radio Azadi on May 24. "They could not get out of their home. Four people were killed, and one person is still missing." Why It's Important: Hundreds of Afghans are killed every year in torrential rains, landslides, and floods, particularly in rural areas where poorly built homes are often at risk of collapse. The United Nations has said that decades of war, environmental degradation, and climate change have made a growing number of Afghans vulnerable to natural disasters. The latest floods are likely to exacerbate the devastating economic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where millions are on the verge of starvation. What's Next: It is unclear if the flood victims in Ghor will receive much-needed assistance. Matthew Miller, the spokesman for the U.S. State Department, recently said that aid programs in Ghor and two other provinces had been discontinued by Washington and its partners due to "Taliban interference with humanitarian activities." Nizamuddin, a resident of Ghor, pleaded for help. "The local government should address the problems of the people. Our houses were destroyed and people have been killed." The Week's Best Stories Afghanistan's extraordinarily high maternal mortality comes with the territory in a country marked by political upheaval, economic woes, and cultural restrictions, all of which have limited women's access to adequate health care. But while the Taliban government says the numbers of women dying during childbirth are holding steady, the conditions are ripe for disaster. The Taliban is trying to revive the Afghan Air Force by using and repairing aircraft inherited from the former Afghan government. But the scarcity of trained pilots, a spate of deadly accidents, and international isolation are hampering the effort. What To Keep An Eye On Jan Egeland, the secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said the Taliban had agreed to negotiate exemptions that would allow female Afghan aid workers to resume work in the southern province of Kandahar. In December, the Taliban banned Afghan women from working for local and foreign NGOs, in a move that led international organization to cut or end their operations in Afghanistan. Egeland, who met with Taliban leaders this week, said he hoped that any exemption in Kandahar would be extended across the country. "We cannot and will not work with male [staff] only," Egeland told Radio Azadi on May 25. "We would not be able to reach women in need with male [staff] only. So, I'm hopeful that we will get these exemptions and then that will be a breakthrough." Why It's Important: The Taliban's ban on Afghan women working for NGOs has affected the delivery of humanitarian aid, including food assistance, to millions of people. The hundreds of Afghan women employed by foreign NGOs are critical in delivering life-saving aid in Afghanistan, where the UN said nearly three-quarters of the population of 40 million needs assistance. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-flooding- humanitarian-aid/32429245.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kosovar Police Clash With Protesters In Serb-Majority Northern Towns, Drawing U.S., EU Rebukes By RFE/RL's Balkan Service May 26, 2023 The United States and other Western allies accused Kosovo's government of escalating tensions after security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse crowds in three Serb-majority towns and enter municipal buildings in support of recently elected ethnic Albanian mayors. Unrest on May 26 shook Zvecan, Leposavic, and Zubin Potok -- similarly sized communities of 16,000 to 18,000 people where the ethnic Albanian mayors sought to enter municipal buildings and take office amid opposition from Serb-majority protesters. Law-enforcement authorities in Zvecan said five police officers had been injured and that at least four vehicles had been damaged. There were no immediate reports of possible injuries among protesters who had gathered at town's main municipal building. Tensions rose further in the evening after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic placed his country's military on high alert and ordered troops to deploy closer to the border with Kosovo. Kosovo's Western backers -- although acknowledging that the municipalities are under Pristina's control -- took an unusually harsh line against Kosovar authorities for the aggressive police action after previously assailing the government's decision to hold elections on April 23 after a boycott was announced by the main Serb party. The so-called QUINT states -- United States, France, Italy, Germany, and Britain -- had previously expressed concerns about the situation in northern Kosovo, saying the April elections did not constitute a lasting political solution for the municipalities involved due to the boycott. In a joint statement on May 26, the group condemned the Kosovar authorities' use of force and also expressed concerns about "Serbia's decision to raise the level of readiness of its armed forces at the border with Kosovo and call all parties for maximum restraint, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on May 26 said Kosovo's government took the action to force access to municipal buildings against U.S. advice. "We strongly condemn the actions by the Government of Kosovo that are escalating tensions in the north and increasing instability. We call on Prime Minister [Albin Kurti] to immediately halt these violent measures and refocus on the EU-facilitated Dialogue," he wrote on Twitter. Blinken urged all sides in the dispute to "refrain from any further actions that will inflame tensions and promote conflict." In a tweet, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat who has been touring the region, called the police action "a provocation" and said it should end "immediately." "Yes, these municipalities are part of Kosovo and under Pristina's jurisdiction. These officials have the technical legal right to access these buildings. But at this exact moment, with the situation so tense in the north, it is an intentionally provocative and unnecessary step," the senator wrote. The European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a statement that the "European Union condemns in the strongest terms the clashes between Kosovo police and protesters in northern Kosovo, initiated by the attempt of newly elected mayors to enter municipal buildings. "Everyone must take steps to reduce the tense situation and immediately restore calm. The EU will not accept any further unilateral or provocative moves and peacekeeping and security on the ground should be a priority," the statement added. The ethnic Albanian mayors were sworn in on May 25 to lead majority Serb municipalities, replacing Serb mayors who had resigned last November to protest a cross-border dispute over vehicle registrations. The subsequent election to replace the mayors was boycotted by the dominant ethnic Serb party, Srpska Lista (Serbian List), which enjoys the support of neighboring Serbia's government -- paving the way for ethnic Albanian candidates to win with tiny vote totals. A fourth mayor was sworn in last week -- in North Mitrovica -- in a process that Vucic condemned as an "occupation" of areas of the former Serbian province. Vucic has vowed never to recognize Kosovar independence. Participation in the April elections was 3.47 percent of the total number of registered voters. The Serb minority accounts for 5 percent of Kosovo's 1.8 million population, which is 90 percent Albanian. But they hold majorities in regions near the Serbian border. A statement by Kosovo's Interior Ministry defended the police action and said that all three mayors "have settled in their offices in the municipal facilities." "They will continue their mandate by being at the service of all citizens without distinction," it said. Kosovar authorities on May 26 blamed Serbia's "criminal and illegal structures" for the unrest in the region. "Violence will not prevail. Serbia bears full responsibility for the escalation," tweeted Blerim Vela, chief of staff to President Vjosa Osmani. Vehicles and helicopters from the NATO-led KFOR mission for Kosovo were seen in Zvecan and Leposavic. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/northern-kosovo-clashes- police-protestsers-ethnic-albanian-mayors/32429637.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Arabia and the US Note Improved Respect for the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements in Sudan on May 25 Saudi Press Agency Riyadh, May 26, 2023, SPA -- In their capacity as facilitators, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America noted improved respect for the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements in Sudan on May 25. Although there was observed use of military aircraft and isolated gunfire in Khartoum, the situation improved from May 24 when the ceasefire monitoring mechanism detected significant breaches of the Agreement. Those included observed use of artillery and military aircraft and drones, credible reports of airstrikes, sustained fighting in the heart of the Khartoum Industrial Area, and clashes in Zalingei, Darfur. Following the serious violations of May 24, the facilitators engaged the parties, highlighting that the resurgent fighting had endangered civilians, obstructed humanitarian assistance and prevented restoration of essential services, undercutting the ceasefire's principal aims. They cautioned the parties against further violations and implored them to improve respect for the ceasefire on May 25, which they did. Today, humanitarian actors delivered urgently needed medical supplies to several locations in Sudan. In addition, maintenance crews were able to make repairs to begin restoring telecommunications services in Khartoum and other areas of Sudan. The facilitators urge the parties to carry forward today's positive progress for the remainder of the short-term ceasefire and uphold their commitments under the May 11 Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. Both parties must put the needs of the Sudanese people first and abide by the terms they agreed to just a few days ago. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States implore the parties to adhere to their obligations under the ceasefire agreement and take the steps necessary to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services. --SPA 13:19 LOCAL TIME 10:19 GMT 0007 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement on Violence in the North of Kosovo US Department of State Press Statement Office of the Spokesperson May 26, 2023 The following is the text of a joint statement by the United States, France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Begin text: We condemn Kosovo's decision to force access to municipal buildings in northern Kosovo despite our call for restraint. We call on Kosovo's authorities to immediately step back and de-escalate, and to closely coordinate with EULEX and KFOR. We condemn attacks on EULEX in Zvecan. We are concerned by Serbia's decision to raise the level of readiness of its Armed Forces at the border with Kosovo and call all parties for maximum restraint, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric. End text. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Dereck Hogan, Senior Advisor for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy Ruth Berry On the Secretary's Upcoming Travel to Sweden, Norway, and Finland US Department of State Special Briefing Dereck J. Hogan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Ruth Berry, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Information and Communications Policy Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy Via Teleconference May 26, 2023 MR PATEL: Hey, everybody. Good morning and thanks so much for joining on this trip preview call for Secretary Blinken's travels to Finland, Sweden, and Norway that he will depart for on late Monday evening. Joining us today for this call is Acting Assistant Secretary Dereck Hogan and the senior advisor in our Cyber and Digital Policy Bureau, Ruth Berry. We'll have them give some brief opening remarks at the top to discuss the trip and then we will take some questions. So with that, let me turn it over to Assistant Secretary Hogan. Ambassador, go ahead. AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you, Vedant, and good morning, everyone. So I'm honored to really be joined here this morning with Ruth Berry and we're going to give you the overview of the part of the trip that will begin first, which is the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council. The breadth and policy issues that will be covered in meetings with our allies and partners over the next week reflects the broad and timely goals that we expect to achieve on this trip. Secretary Blinken will begin his travel to the region by going to Lulea, Sweden on Monday, May 29th to Wednesday, May 31st. First and foremost, advancing the transatlantic cooperation and democratic approaches to trade, technology, and security are vital priorities not only for the United States and the European Union, but for the whole world as well. So this fourth meeting of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council, or TTC, will build on our shared commitment to deepening the U.S.-EU economic relationship today and for the future. In addition to deepening our trade and investment ties, we will look to address the many challenges that threaten our shared interests and values, including by boosting our resilience to economic coercion and ability to respond to non-market practices; increasing resilience in our critical supply chains; and developing and protecting critical technologies in a way that reflects our shared values. This TTC is particularly timely as it comes just two weeks after the G7 summit in Hiroshima during a period when the EU is re-evaluating its policy toward the PRC. So I'll now turn it over to my colleague, Ruth, to talk more about the TTC agenda. Ruth. MS BERRY: Thank you. As Assistant Secretary Hogan mentioned, Secretary Blinken will co-chair for the United States the fourth meeting of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council with Commerce Secretary Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Tai. The TTC has been a very busy and fruitful stream of work over the past two years or so, and we're looking forward to this ministerial. As you know, it's one of our foremost diplomatic platforms with the European Union and it's incredibly important to strengthening the transatlantic relationship and identifying areas of convergence and collaboration. And the continued participation across the U.S. Government and the European Commission has led to deeper understanding of our shared goals and improved communication and relationships at all levels of our administration. The policies, progress, and projects that have come out of the TTC continue to move the needle towards a more secure and sustainable world. And for this next TTC, we expect continued progress in several key areas, including holding Russia accountable and supporting Ukraine via work on export controls and the misuse of technology; the clean tech transition; technology cooperation; and trade and supply chains. Cooperation specifically on technology issues remains a top priority - working on standards development, artificial intelligence, combating mis- and disinformation, and promoting secure and trustworthy ICT networks in emerging economies. And across these issues, stakeholder engagement continues to be a key priority for both the United States and the European Commission. Since the last TTC, working groups have been focused on implementing the joint roadmap on artificial intelligence, identifying a common vision for 6G, working together to support secure and trustworthy digital connectivity projects in third countries, and considering ways to share information and analysis related to foreign information manipulation. And that's a bit of the focus specifically on some of the technology-related progress. And with that, I will turn it back to Acting Assistant Secretary Hogan, who can cover the rest of the Secretary's trip. AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you, Ruth. So in addition to the TTC, the Secretary will reaffirm our strong partnership with Sweden and meet with the Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson and Swedish Foreign Minister Billstrom. The Secretary will underscore U.S. support to Sweden's accession to NATO as soon as possible. On Wednesday, Secretary Blinken will travel to Oslo, Norway, where he will participate in an informal meeting of NATO ministers of foreign affairs. The Secretary will discuss preparations for the July NATO Summit in Vilnius, allied support for Ukraine, and other transatlantic priorities with Allies and with invitee, Sweden. The NATO Summit in Vilnius will be an important opportunity to further demonstrate unity and to signal our enduring commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Secretary Blinken will also discuss our longstanding friendship and cooperation with Norway when he meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Stre and Norwegian Foreign Minister Huitfeldt. The Secretary will then travel to Helsinki, Finland on Thursday evening to highlight our strong bilateral relationship with our newest NATO Ally. On Friday, the Secretary will meet with Finnish Prime Minister Marin and Finnish Foreign Minister Haavisto. Additionally on Friday, the Secretary will give a speech in Helsinki to highlight all the ways in which Russia's aggression against Ukraine has been a strategic failure, and our continued efforts to support Ukraine's defense of its territory, sovereignty, and democracy in pursuit of a just and durable peace. And the conclusion of the trip, Secretary Blinken will return to Washington on Friday, June 2nd. Thank you, and we now look forward to answering your questions. MR PATEL: All right. Operator, would you please remind our journalists how they may get in the queue to ask questions? OPERATOR: Once again, if you have a question on today's call, please press 1 then 0 on your telephone keypad. MR PATEL: All right. Why don't we start with Humeyra Pamuk from Reuters. OPERATOR: Your line is open. Please, go ahead. QUESTION: Hi, everyone. Good morning. Thanks for this. I have two quick questions. One is on China. There's been quite strong language recently in G7 communique against Chinese economic coercion, and we've seen in previous meetings with NATO they also adopted strong language. So I'm just wondering, what's your broad goal for this meeting? I know it's an informal NATO ministers meeting, but I just - can you just talk a little bit about in what context, like how would you handle the China question in this one? And are you sort of, like, aiming for some similarly strong language? And I'm also curious about Sweden's NATO bid. Finland is in, and U.S. keeps saying Sweden's ready now. But we've seen Turkish President Erdogan say last week in an interview that he doesn't think that Sweden is ready. So I'm wondering what the U.S. is able to do to bring him on board so Sweden's membership is ratified before the Vilnius summit, which has been a goal of Washington. Thanks. AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you for that. So on your first question regarding China, so clearly the informal ministerial will focus on global threats and challenges as set up, actually, by the Madrid summit last year and the Strategic Concept. We discussed - leaders discussed in detail the destabilizing influences that China has brought into the Euroatlantic community. So teeing up for the summit in Vilnius, the informal ministerial next week will focus a bit more on ways we can respond to those destabilizing influences. When it comes to your second question, Sweden, we have had extensive conversations with the Turkish Government about allies, including ours - a clear conviction that Sweden is ready for membership now. And so of course we have the elections, the second round of the elections in Turkey this coming Sunday, so we'll see how they will go. But clearly this will be an ongoing part of our discussions of our engagement with the new Turkish government. So we do very much look forward to seeing both Turkey as well as Hungary ratify Sweden's accession protocols very soon (inaudible) prior to the summit in Vilnius. MR PATEL: Thanks so much. Let's next go to Shaun Tandon from AFP. QUESTION: Hey there. Thanks for doing this call. Could I ask you in some more detail about the Oslo talks? Particularly on Ukraine, as this prepares for the Vilnius summit. What is the United States comfortable with offering to Ukraine at the summit? A full invitation of membership - is that something that's on the cards at all, or some sort of concrete commitments to NATO? And also in Oslo, to what extent do you plan to discuss a successor, if any, to Secretary General Stoltenberg? And if so, do you have any people in mind? Thanks. AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you for that. So on the first question, yeah, we look to make progress on the key deliverables for the upcoming Vilnius summit, and particularly on NATO's continued support to Ukraine - practical support, nonlethal support - and strengthening Alliance deterrence as well as defense. We will also focusing - we'll be focusing on how we can deepen our global partnerships, specifically with our Indo-Pacific partners, and so that's where we will be when it comes to your first question. And then when it comes to your second question in terms of language, we remain steadfast in our commitment to NATO's "Open Door" policy. Any Alliance decision is between all NATO Allies and the aspirant country, so we will look for ways to support Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, but right now, as I mentioned earlier, the immediate needs in Ukraine are practical, and so we should be focused on building Ukraine's defense and deterrence capabilities. And with respect to the secretary general question, of course, that's ongoing discussions that will be taking place. Over. MR PATEL: Thanks so much. Let's next go to Missy Ryan of The Washington Post. QUESTION: Hi, thank you. Shaun asked some of my questions, so I'll just follow up and ask: Is - will Secretary Blinken meet with any Ukrainian officials during the visit or in Oslo specifically? And do you expect any sort of announcement or deliverables at the NATO ministerial, just to set expectations? Thanks. AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you, Missy. So when it comes to your first question, we have nothing to announce right now when it comes to potential bilats or pull-asides. We will certainly keep you apprised should anything develop. And then when it comes to your second question, no, we're not planning on any deliverables. That's why this is an informal ministerial. This is really just the last opportunity for the foreign ministers to get together prior to the NATO Summit in July, so it's really to tee things up for the summit in Vilnius. Over. MR PATEL: We will next go to Will Mauldin with The Wall Street Journal. QUESTION: Thank you so much. I just wanted to ask, since we're in the region with a new NATO member, a maybe NATO member, and a long-term NATO member, what is the difference that that makes in terms of U.S. partnership up there? In other words, when Secretary Blinken goes to Finland, what new level of cooperation will he be able to show from the U.S. diplomatically or militarily that they couldn't already show as sort of a general partner of NATO? And what message would you have for Sweden about if its - how ties there would be able to persist even if its NATO membership is delayed? Thanks. AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thanks. So our partnership with Finland prior to the membership of Finland was already very strong, but of course, now as Allies, we will be looking to discuss what we can be doing even more together in the Alliance together as a full-fledged member. When it comes to Sweden, again, already a very, very strong partnership in all realms that we have with Sweden. And as I said before, the United States is confident that we and our allies are well-positioned to help Sweden address its security needs. So the United States and our allies have been clear that we will not tolerate any aggression against Sweden, but we very much look forward to seeing Sweden cross the finish line, becoming a full-fledged member of the Alliance, and so we'll have some discussions on that. Over. MR PATEL: Let's next go to Kylie Atwood with CNN. QUESTION: Hi, thanks for doing the call. First, a quick follow-up question on the, quote, "ongoing" discussions regarding a replacement to the NATO secretary general. I'm wondering if you could just elaborate a little bit on what the Biden administration views as a timeline here for when U.S. officials would publicly hope to say who the U.S. is looking to replace the secretary general. And then my second question is about trade. Ursula von der Leyer earlier - von der Leyen, excuse me - earlier this spring indicated that the EU might cancel a trade deal with China that it reached in 2020, as part of what their economic de-risking effort is, and I wonder if the United States would support such a move. Thanks. AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thanks, Kylie. On the first question, yeah, really not going to get into the private diplomatic discussions that are taking place in terms of the secretary general appointment. Clearly this will be, as I said before, part of our ongoing discussions, including in Oslo. When it comes to the second question, the EU itself is - as you noted, is undertaking a review of its China policy. And EU leaders have called for increasing resilience in critical supply chains, reducing dependencies on unreliable partners that do not share their values, as well as examining ways to partner with others to ensure that emerging technology is developed in a way that reflects their values. And so of course we very much support those efforts, and that will be part of the discussions that we will be having with our EU colleagues in Lulea in Sweden. Thanks. MR PATEL: Great. Let's now go to Alex Raufoglu with Turan. QUESTION: Good morning. Thanks so much for doing this. I have really quick questions - would appreciate it if you provided any preview of the Secretary's Friday speech. It's important, particularly given the venue. Why did you guys choose Helsinki to highlight Russia's strategic failure? And secondly, to just expand on Shaun's and Missy's question, curious if it is the U.S. position that NATO should consider Ukraine's accession before the end of the war, following, for example, of a divided Germany. And finally, on Georgia, given everything has been going on in Georgia recently - the Russian flights and other concerns - I'm just very curious if Georgia's NATO aspiration is still at the same level that you guys had been talking about, for example, the past couple of years. Last time we heard - last year, the Secretary met with his Georgian colleague - if there's any setback there. Thanks so much. AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you. So on your first question, I previewed already in my opening remarks the thrust, the tone of the Secretary's planned remarks in Finland. So I'm not going to get ahead of the speech itself, and we will have more to tell you as we get closer to the day of the speech, which is Friday. And of course, the backdrop is perfectly suitable given that Finland is our newest NATO Ally. When it comes to - I believe your second question was on Ukraine accession to NATO. I don't have anything more to add than what I've said before, right. I mean, we very much support Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, but we continue to remain focused with the Ukrainians on the practical support they need to preserve and defend their territorial integrity, their sovereignty, their democracy. So that's what we're focusing on. Of course, NATO has an important role to play on Ukraine, so over the next few months Allies will be meeting, including, as I mentioned earlier, in Oslo next week, to discuss the scope of its support package for Ukraine. And so we look forward to those conversations. And then if you could repeat your third question, I'm sorry. OPERATOR: Oh, they've already dropped from the queue. MR PATEL: Ambassador, I think it was about Georgia's NATO ambitions and what the discussions are going to be around that at the ministerial. AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Yeah. Yeah, nothing to announce at this time on that. Thanks. MR PATEL: All right, everybody, that looks like all the questions we have and all that we have time for today. Want to really appreciate everyone joining. Again, this call was on the record and embargoed until the call's conclusion, which will be concluding momentarily. I want to thank you again for joining, and we'll talk to you all very soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 26 May 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. Thank you for making the effort, and good afternoon. ** Deputy Secretary-General Our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is in Geneva today, as we announced she would be; she will be meeting with UN leadership from various UN entities in Geneva. Their discussions focused largely on how the system can better support Member States to deliver on the many important summits that will take place in September. In her Executive Briefing to Member States, she shared the importance of the forthcoming SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Summit, encouraging Member States to reach for the highest ambitions possible and ensure support to the transitions which will accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Outcomes from the Summit must dovetail into the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights if we are to ensure we leave no one behind, Ms. Mohammed said. On Saturday, tomorrow, she will head to Lisbon, Portugal, on behalf of the Secretary-General to participate in the opening alongside with Prime Minister Antonio Costa of Portugal at the conference organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), titled "Thinking about industrial property, sustainability and the future of the planet." ** Day of Peacekeepers On Monday which I remind you is an official holiday in our host country, and therefore a holiday in this very building, and I don't anticipate, expect to see any of you on Monday but Monday is also, very importantly, the official day of Peacekeepers and we mark 75 years of UN Peacekeeping, celebrated this year with the theme "Peace begins with me". In his message, the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, says that peacekeepers face rising global tensions and divides, stagnating peace processes, and more complex conflicts. Despite these obstacles, and working with a wide range of partners, peacekeepers persevere. And just to flag that today the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) participated in a special "Inside Out" art activation in Times Square right here in New York city. The Inside Out Project was founded by artist JR to help communities around the world to stand up for what they believe in. Please do take a look at the exhibit; it is quite interesting, to say the least. ** Peacekeeping Trip announcement also related to Peacekeeping: Starting this Sunday, 28 May, and until 7 June, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, will travel to Africa to conduct a series of engagements with troop- and police-contributing countries. He will also visit our peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO. He will go to Luanda, Angola, along with Bintou Keita, the Head of the peacekeeping mission in the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). They will be there for high-level discussions on strengthening relations between Angola and the United Nations, as well as efforts towards a lasting peace and security in the eastern part of the DRC. Mr. Lacroix will also travel to Zambia to discuss the country's contribution to UN peace operations, as well as regional security and political dynamics. Finally, Mr. Lacroix will head to the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the capital, Kinshasa, to hold consultations with Congolese authorities, notably on the development of options for MONUSCO's reconfiguration and the Mission's presence in the country. ** Ukraine Moving to Europe and to Ukraine, the Humanitarian Coordinator there, Denise Brown, strongly condemned an attack that hit a hospital this morning in Dnipro. Our humanitarian partners are on the ground providing emergency response to the survivors. Today's attacks have also reportedly impacted health facilities in Donetsk city, currently under Russian military control, and that's according to the authorities there. We, along with our humanitarian partners, continue to reach more people with assistance across the country. By the end of April, we had reached 5.4 million men, women and children, around 800,000 people more than the total number assisted by the end of March. More than 60 per cent of those reached are women and girls. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) notes that hundreds of humanitarian organizations are involved in this effort. Local groups and community-based volunteers play a vital role in delivering assistance. ** Sudan Moving to Sudan, we, alongside our partners, continue to help families displaced by the fighting, as well as the communities hosting them. The World Food Programme (WFP) has now reached more than 600,000 vulnerable people with food and nutrition aid since restarting distributions in the country. In three states in the Darfur region North, South and East WFP has now reached some 180,000 people. The agency is planning to start distributions in Central Darfur in the coming days. As of today, WFP has resumed distributions in Blue Nile State. In addition to that, during the past two weeks, the World Health Organization (WO) has verified eight new reports of attacks on health care facilities; that's 38 attacks since this round of fighting erupted in Sudan. ** Central African Republic Heading south to the Central African Republic, the Humanitarian Coordinator there, Mohamed Ag Ayoya, condemned a recent attack on humanitarian workers, and renewed our call for the protection of civilians and health facilities in the country. On Wednesday, a driver was killed when he and his colleagues were attacked on their way back from Am-Dafok, in the north of the country, after setting up tents for a health centre. As we have mentioned, the town of Am-Dafok, which borders Sudan, is currently hosting 13,000 people, including Sudanese asylum seekers. Since the beginning of the year, 57 incidents against humanitarian workers or assets have been recorded in the Central African Republic, while 17 health facilities have been the target of armed groups and looting. As a reminder, any attacks on health care facilities is contrary to international law, as if that needed to be said. ** South Africa Just moving to South Africa, the UN team there, led by Resident Coordinator Nelson Muffuh, is supporting the Government to contain and prevent the spread of the deadly cholera outbreak. Through the work of UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN country team has deployed seven technical officers to the affected provinces, providing crucial support in coordination, case management, data management, and infection prevention and control. The team has launched a campaign along with national authorities to raise awareness among local communities on preventive measures that could be taken to stop the spread of this disease. UNICEF has also activated a digital platform reaching 230,000 registered users with tips on how to fight and fight cholera. Meanwhile, WHO will assist in identifying transmission sources and supporting surveillance efforts, including case-based [surveillance], in close coordination with health authorities. ** Polio And a mention from the World Health Organization that says that Africa's largest polio vaccination campaign since 2020 begins today and aims to immunise 21 million children under the age of five throughout the continent. Vaccinations are starting in Cameroon, Chad and Niger before being extended to the Central African Republic next week. The campaign comes in response to 14 detections of the poliovirus this year. No cases were reported in Cameroon but the country has joined the vaccination campaign to avert any potential spread of the virus, particularly in the border areas. The Lake Chad region, which includes three of the four target countries, is home to one of the highest proportions of so-called "zero dose" children children who are either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. ** Yemen Quick note from Yemen, where three UN agencies warned today that nearly all districts under the control of the Government of Yemen were assessed to be facing high levels of food insecurity. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) all say that Yemen remains one of the most food insecure countries globally, mainly driven by the impact of conflict and economic decline, and it is estimated that during this current year, half a million children will be acutely malnourished. The agencies say that the outlook for the period between now until the end of the year indicates the need for far more programme investments and more money. ** Joint Coordination Centre Earlier today, our colleagues in Istanbul, the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) issued an updated that said that today it has registered two vessels, including a World Food Programme ship, heading to the port of Odesa. Since 29 April, the Joint Coordination Centre has not reached consensus to register vessels to move to the port of Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. There are currently 13 vessels loading in Ukrainian ports six in Chornomorsk and seven in Odesa; and more details can be found in the release from our colleagues. ** Financial Contribution And lastly a little Friday geography quiz from our quiz maestro don't roll your eyes on me, Edie Lederer from Jane Gaffney, who's really outdone herself today. She's testing you Wordle skills to work out the 111th Member State that paid its annual dues. Five letters in Wordle but this country has seven. The first and fifth letters are A and N, middle letters are L, B and A. It is [Albania]. Exactly, very good, Edie. [laughter] ** Questions and Answers Question : Thanks, Steph, two follow-ups on Sudan. First, you said that WFP was reaching 600,000 since they restarted, and then you mentioned 180,000 in Darfur. Is the 180,000 part of the 600,000? Spokesman : Yes. My understanding is that it is. Question : Secondly, what is the latest UN understanding on the warring sides in Sudan keeping the truce? Spokesman : Well, I mean, I think the latest information is that there's still some sporadic fighting. We are not officially monitoring the truce. And our humanitarian colleagues are exploiting any lull in the fighting to deliver humanitarian aid, but people in different parts of the country are continuing to suffer tremendously. Question : And we know that the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is going to be here on Tuesday, Rafael Grossi. I'm sure many of us would like to have an opportunity to ask him some questions. Can you please pass that on to the relevant team? Spokesman : We will be delighted to pass that on. Ms. Saloomey? Question : Thank you, Steph. Any reaction from the Secretary-General? Serbia has ordered its army to the border in Kosovo. There have been clashes with protesters there. We had a Serbian Foreign Minister calling... on our air calling on, you know, awareness of the UN and NATO? Spokesman : Yeah. I will check. I haven't seen anything on that, but I will check and get back to you. Yeah. Mr. Bulkaty? Question : Thank you, Stephane. I have a question regarding Mr. Grossi's visit. Did he share his security plan regarding the situation on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with the UN officials? Spokesman : I'm not sure he shared it with the Secretary-General, but I will check. But I'm not aware that he has. Question : Yeah. Thank you very much, Stephane. Yesterday, Russian... On the grain deal. Yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister said that if there is no progress on the issue of reconnecting Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT system, it will have to find the alternatives to the grain deal. And Deputy Russian Foreign Minister [Sergei] Vershinin also said that Russia appreciated the efforts of the Secretary-General and Rebeca Grynspan on the implementation of Russian parts of grain deal, so... but he said, there is efforts, but there is no real results yet. So do you have any to comment? And please, are there any scheduled contacts on this regard from the side of the Secretary-General and Rebeca Grynspan team? Thank you. Spokesman : Sure. Thanks, Grigory. Well, I can tell you that Rebeca Grynspan and her team are continuing to work full steam ahead to ensure the full implementation of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed with the Russian Federation. I mean, one aspect and one example that I can give you of her work is what they're doing with the African Export-Import Bank to design a trade finance platform to enable efficient transactions between Russian exporters of food and fertilizers and African buyers. It is clear that the re-inclusion of the Russian banks involved in the trade in fertilizer and food, which are not under sanctions, would facilitate the implementation. But as you well know, that's not a decision that is within the UN's own wheelhouse. We're trying to push things forward on different tracks, all with the same aim of getting as much food and fertilizer to those who desperately need it. Happy Friday. I will leave the podium to Paulina [Kubiak]. See you on Tuesday. Enjoy the long weekend. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Refueling Complex Overhaul Completed on USS George Washington (CVN 73) US Navy 26 May 2023 From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs NEWPORT NEWS, VA -- USS George Washington (CVN 73), the nation's sixth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, ushered in the second half of its service life on May 25, when it completed its refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), in Norfolk, Virginia. During sea trials, sailors, shipbuilders, industry experts, and government representatives collaborated to test the full range of the ship's operating systems, executing high-speed maneuvering evolutions and stressing new technology and equipment to ensure the ship is ready to deploy. George Washington is scheduled to return to U.S. 7th Fleet in 2024 and, in coordination with the Government of Japan, serve as the forward-deployed Naval Forces-Japan (FDNF-J) aircraft carrier, replacing USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). This will mark the second time the ship has served as the FDNF-J aircraft carrier, arriving in 2008 as the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be forward-deployed to Japan. Ronald Reagan relieved George Washington in 2015. Prior to George Washington's arrival in Japan, Ronald Reagan is scheduled to relocate to Bremerton, Washington, where the ship will conduct a docking planned incremental availability period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility, receiving repairs and upgrades after nearly a decade of service in the Western Pacific. George Washington's RCOH Process Refueling complex overhauls are performed at the mid-point of a ship's 50-plus-year lifespan, incorporating upgrades to propulsion equipment, infrastructure, and combat support systems. George Washington entered its RCOH on Aug. 4 2017, under a $2.8 billion contract with NNS. Rear Adm. James P. Downey, Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers, oversaw recent years of the George Washington's extended 69-month RCOH process, addressing challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, supplier interruptions, and competing requirements for resources. "This has been a challenging RCOH on many fronts, and the team executing the RCOH including the shipbuilder, GW crew, and many other suppliers and Navy commands teamed to redeliver this aircraft carrier during the pandemic by re-engineering our approach to working with suppliers and the shipyard and accelerating problem solving on the deck plates. It became crucial to empower decision-making at every level of the process, with the goal of delivering this ship with enhanced combat effectiveness, including technology to accommodate the F-35C Lightning II," said Downey. "Over the last 6 months the combined shipyard, ship's force, Supervisor of Shipbuilding Newport News, Type Commander, and In-service Aircraft Carrier Program Office, PMS 312, team have produced admirable schedule adherence...rising to the challenge to redeliver George Washington to the fleet in time to transition to FDNF, bringing full fifth-generation fighter capability to dissuade our peer to peer competitors." Capt. Mark Johnson, manager of the PEO Aircraft Carriers In-Service Aircraft Carrier Program Office, explained that delivering George Washington's RCOH depended on leveraging integrated digital tools and lessons learned from the Navy's previous RCOH, which concluded on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in May 2017 at Newport News. "George Washington's RCOH represents 26 million man-hours of work, that involved refitting and installing a new main mast, updating the ship's shafts, refurbishing propellers, and modernizing aircraft launch and recovery equipment," said Johnson. "The work enhanced nearly every space and system on the carrier, from the hull, screws, and rudders to more than 600 tanks; thousands of valve, pumps, and piping components; electrical cables and ventilation; as well as combat and aviation support systems. Beyond the critical need to defuel and refuel the ship's two nuclear reactors and to repair and upgrade the propulsion plant, this work touched every part of the shipand challenged every member of the planning team and ship's force." As Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic (CNAL), Rear Adm. John F. "Oscar" Meier is the Type Commander responsible for USS George Washington and her crew. "This redelivery demonstrates not just the essential teamwork required between the shipyard, contractors, the George Washington crew and CNAL staff, but also the opportunity to start a new chapter in the ship's life," said Meier. "CNAL is proud to welcome the ship back into the operational fleet as it prepares to make its way to the Pacific to become the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Japan. The crew has endured much over the last several years and we, as a U.S. Navy family, look toward to the future as George Washington embarks on her next journey." "Getting our warship redelivered and back out to sea to take its place as the premier CVN in the world's greatest Navy is a direct result of the tenacity and grit displayed by our warfighters," said Capt. Brent Gaut, USS George Washington's commanding officer. "To our incredible Sailors, contractors and shipyard workers: I am proud of you, and I sincerely hope you feel an extreme sense of pride as well, especially in light of our once-in-a-lifetime achievement. You all share an equal part in the legacy of getting our warship back into Navy service at a pivotal moment in our great nation's history. Our collective intent is to show the world what we can do, and what we must do in support of America's strategic and operational objectives." Downey embarked on the ship during its Sea Trials and was impressed by both the crew and the new technology. Looking to the future crews who will serve aboard the ship, Downey said, "When George Washington completes her service life in 2048 or beyond, we know that many of the sailors who will serve on her final deployment have yet to be born. And yet we also know who they will be: They'll be forged in the same shared legacy carried by these sailors todayand driven by the same love of country, of ship, and of the mission." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Offers Military Support to Somalia By Mohamed Olad Hassan May 26, 2023 Somali diplomats said Friday that Russia had offered to help support Somalia's armed forces in their battle against the al-Shabab terrorist group. The diplomats, who asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had made the offer during talks with his Somali counterpart, Abshir Omar Jama, in Moscow. One diplomat said, "Russia was ready to provide Somalia's army with military supplies, to strengthen the government fight against al-Shabab." The diplomats did not specify the kinds of materiel Russia was offering to Somalia, which is under a long-standing U.N. arms embargo. The U.N. Security Council imposed the embargo in 1992 after the outbreak of civil war and factional violence. The embargo was partially lifted in 2013 to help Somalia's security forces fight the Islamist militants. Russia's offer came hours after al-Shabab militants stormed a military base manned by African Union forces from Uganda in Bulo Marer, an agricultural town in the Lower Shabelle region, about 110 kilometers south of Mogadishu. Earlier, at the opening of the talks between the two foreign ministers, Lavrov emphasized the long relationship between the two countries, which goes back to quick Soviet recognition of Somalia after it gained independence in 1960. He also said he and Jama would discuss preparations for the Russia-Africa summit scheduled for late July in St. Petersburg. Diplomatic relations In modern times, Russia and Somalia have had fairly routine diplomatic relations, with Russia sending humanitarian aid to Somalia several times. In May 2010, Somalia reacted angrily to the way Russian marines handled their rescue of a tanker, the MV Moscow University, that had been hijacked 560 kilometers off the coast of Yemen. Russian media reported at the time that 10 Somali pirates, who had taken the tanker and its crew hostage, were released on the open sea because there were no grounds to prosecute them in Russia. Somali authorities said the pirates never made it ashore and likely died at sea. Somalia's Foreign Ministry statement at the time warned that relations with Russia might be harmed over the incident and demanded an apology from the Russian government. Since then, two Somali prime ministers, Omar Sharmarke and Hassan Ali Khaire, have met with top Russian officials requesting assistance to strengthen the Somali National Army. In recent years, Somali diplomats, who asked for anonymity, told VOA Somali that the Russian military has been eyeing Berbera port, located in the breakaway republic of Somaliland, as a potential base on the Red Sea. Last November, Russia, China, Gabon and Ghana abstained from a Security Council vote to maintain an arms embargo on Somalia, in support of Mogadishu's strong objections. The United States and Britain supported maintaining the ban, although the measure did loosen restrictions on some weapons like portable surface-to-air missiles in recognition of the government's improved oversight of weapons and munitions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Al-Shabab Storms AU Peacekeeper Base in Southern Somalia By Harun Maruf May 26, 2023 Officials in Somalia say Al-Shabab militants early Friday stormed a military base manned by African Union forces from Uganda, multiple sources said. The dawn attack took place in Bulo Marer, an agricultural town in Lower Shabelle region, about 110 kilometers south of Mogadishu. The militants detonated four to six explosions, including improvised bombs in vehicles driven by suicide bombers, three sources, including a local official and a security commander requesting anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media, told VOA Somali. According to the sources, the militants penetrated perimeters of the base after the explosions, which were followed by a fierce firefight. The militants were also seen inside the town. The base is just outside town. The situation of a second base manned by Somali forces not far from the AU base that al-Shabab claims to have attacked is unclear. The group sent a message via Telegram early Friday claiming they were "overrunning" the base. The Africa Union military command and the Somali government have not yet commented on the attack. The group sent a message via Telegram early Friday claiming they were "overrunning" the base. The AU mission confirmed the attack, and said they are assessing the security situation. An al-Shabab attack on the same base in April 2018 failed after the Ugandan forces held their positions. Somali officials said dozens of militants were killed at the time. This latest attack comes as the Somali government prepares the second phase of military operations against al-Shabab. The first phase, launched in August, drove al-Shabab from vast territories in central Somalia. The Somali government said it will raise enough forces to takeover security responsibilities from the AU peacekeepers by Dec 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Somalia Holds 'Historic' Regional Elections By Mohamed Olad Hassan May 26, 2023 Residents in Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland cast votes in local elections on Thursday, despite an opposition boycott that led to security incidents in the days before the polls. A VOA journalist reported seeing long lines of voters at polling stations in 30 districts. In Bosaso, the largest town and the commercial hub of the region, some voters were in line as long as two hours before polling stations opened at 7 a.m. Mohamed Abdullahi Qurshe, the electoral chairman of Bari region, said the polling stations closed at 6 p.m. "The elections were conducted in a peaceful and democratic manner," said Qurshe. "The vote counting begins immediately after the polls close." Among those voting was 64-year-old first-time voter Sirad Ahmed. "I think it was my lucky day, and I am very delighted to vote in this age and chose the candidate I want freely and democratically," she told VOA. "I'm very happy." Speaking to local reporters in Bosaso, Puntland Interior Minister Abdi Farah Juha said the region has made history. "Puntland had achieved a significant historic victory, with 30 districts holding peaceful elections," Juha said. "This is not a victory for Puntland alone, but a victory for whole Somalia and the democratic world." One person, one vote Thursday's Puntland polls are the first one-person, one-vote elections to be held in more than half a century in the conflict-ridden, fragile Horn of Africa nation, excluding the unrecognized breakaway region of Somaliland, which considers itself as an independent republic. The country's international partners, including the United Nations, European Union and the International Authority on Development also have hailed the district council elections as historic. "The partners believe that Puntland's experience with direct elections has the potential to inform and inspire the expansion of democracy across Somalia, at all levels of government," they said in a statement ahead of the vote. The Puntland local elections were held ahead of a regional parliamentary poll set for January. Opposition boycott According to election authorities, nearly 400,000 people had registered to vote, and a total of 3,775 candidates representing seven political parties, including the ruling Kaah party, were on the ballot Thursday. Some powerful politicians and members of the Puntland opposition groups in Nugal region in Puntland had boycotted Thursday's polling, forcing the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission to postpone polls in three of the region's 33 districts, including the state provincial capital, Garowe. A day before the elections, members of the Puntland forces loyal to the opposition leaders confiscated ballot boxes and other election materials from six polling stations in three districts and burned them to prevent the voting. A statement from the opposition politicians said they were not against a democratic election but described the process as illegal and manipulated by state President Said Abdullahi Deni. Deni's term is set to end in January, and the opposition has warned he may try to change Puntland's constitution to extend his mandate. Deni has accused the leaders of the central government in Mogadishu of intervening in their democratic process, an accusation repeatedly denied by Mogadishu. Struggles Somalia has been struggling for many years to stand on its legs again after more than three decades of conflict and lawlessness, deadly terrorism, piracy and natural disasters including a punishing drought that has driven the poor, aid-dependent nation to the brink of famine. Puntland, an arid region in the northeastern tip of Somalia, declared autonomy in 1998, and relations with the central government in Mogadishu have often been tense. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected by lawmakers a year ago, announced in March that the next national elections would be by universal suffrage. Currently, voting follows a complex indirect model where state legislatures and clan delegates pick lawmakers for the national parliament, who in turn choose the president. Faadumo Yaasiin contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 26 May 2023 - Day 457 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that over at least the last 20 years, Russia has experienced a proliferation of paramilitary groups out of its regular armed forces. However, this 'paramilitarisation' has dramatically accelerated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is particularly important in the Crimean Peninsula. The leader of Russian-occupied Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, has been instrumental in setting up several local units, which often claim affiliation with the Cossack tradition. Most have been given some semi-official status as reserve units of the regular army. Aksyonov is likely keen to burnish his patriotic credentials by recruiting fighters, but he is likely also concerned about the regular army's ability to defend the peninsula. The main element of the Russian garrison, 22nd Army Corps, is currently mostly deployed outside the peninsula and has taken heavy casualties. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of May 26th, Russian forces launched 18x missile strikes on populated areas of the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts using 10 Kh-101/Kh-555 air-based cruise missiles (destroyed by Ukrainian Armed Forces) and, twice during the day, used 8x S-300/S anti-aircraft guided missiles -400 in the city of Dnipro. In addition, Russian forces carried out 60x airstrikes, in particular, used Iranian strike drones of the "Shahed" type on the cities of Merefa and Izyum of the Kharkiv Oblast, and also used guided aerial bombs on Avdiivka and the village of New York. At the same time, they carried out about 34x MLRS attacks on Ukrainian settlements and Ukrainian Defense Forces. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilian. Medical institution in the city of Dnipro, educational institutions in Izyum and New York, apartment and private buildings were damaged. The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine. Russia continues to concentrate its main efforts on the Kup'yans'k, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mar'inka axes. In total, 18x combat clashes took place on the indicated axes. Volyn' and Polissya axes: the operational situation has not changed significantly. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the Russian forces carried out an airstrike in the Zemlianok area of the Kharkiv Oblast, shelled the settlements of Senkivka, Sosnivka, and Zaliznyi Myst in the Chernihiv Oblast; Svarkove, Stari Virky, Pavlivka, Volfine, Basivka, Zapsilya, Myropyllya, Velika Pisarivka of the Sumy Oblast, as well as Odnorobivka, Kozacha Lopan', Strelecha, Hlyboke, Neskuchne, Zelene, Ternova, Staritsa, Hatyshche, Vovchans'k, Karaichne, Mala Vovcha, Budarki and Vilkhuvatka in the Kharkiv Oblast. Kup'yans'k axis: the Russian forces does not stop trying to improve the tactical position. They conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area of Masyutivka. Carried out airstrikes near Kislivka, Kotlyarivka, Tabaivka, and Raigorodka in the Kharkiv Oblast. Kolodyazne, Dvorichna, Masyutivka, Kislivka, Kam''ianka in Kharkiv Oblast and Stelmakhivka in Luhansk Oblast were subjected to Russian artillery and mortar attacks. Lyman axis: the Russian forces carried out unsuccessful offensive operations in the vicinities of Bilogorivka. There, they carried out an airstrike. Nevs'ke, Dibrova, Belogorivka of the Luhansk Oblast shelled by artillery; Verkhn'okam'ians'ke and Spirne of the Donetsk Oblast. Bakhmut axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations near Predtechny. They carried out airstrikes in the districts of Hryhorivka and Bila Hora. Vasyukivka, Privillia, Orihovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Bakhmut, Kalynivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivs'ke, Stupochki, Predtechine, Kostyantynivka, Bila Hora and Pivnichne of the Donetsk Oblast were affected by Russian shelling. Avdiivka axis: Russians did not carry out any offensive operations. They carried out airstrikes on Avdiivka and Pervomaiske, carried out artillery attacks on the settlements of Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Karlivka and Nevelske in the Donetsk Oblast. Mar'inka axis: units of the defense forces repelled numerous Russian attacks in the area of the city of Mar'inka. At the same time, Heorgiyivka and Pobeda in the Donetsk Oblast also got under Russian shelling. Shakhtars'ke axis: the Russian air force launched an airstrike in the Vugledar area, shelling the settlements of Paraskoviivka, Vugledar, and Prechystivka. Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russian forces are on the defensive. Made an airstrike near Stepovoy Zaporizhzhia Oblast. They shelled the settlements of Vremivka, Novosilka, Donetsk Oblast; Olhivs'ke, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Biloghirya, Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaki and Kam'ians'ke of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Zolota Balka, Vesele, Kozatske, L'vove, Antonivka, Kizomys, Stanislav of the Kherson Oblast and the city of Kherson. Several dozen Russian troops arrived in the temporarily captured Novopetrykivka of the Donetsk Oblast to carry out so-called "counter-sabotage measures". Invaders search private houses, seize mobile devices, illegally take possession of local residents' vehicles. However, they are simply robbing citizens. Ukrainian Air Force carried out 8x strikes on Russian manpower and military equipment concentrations. Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 3x control points, 2x areas of concentration of weapons and military equipment, 1x ammunition depot, 2x artillery units in firing positions, 1x anti-aircraft defense and 1x more important Russian target. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on the units of the enemy close to Masyutovka, Timkovka, Kotlyarovka (Kharkov region), and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic). In addition, actions of four sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were thwarted near Novomlynsk, Sinkovka (Kharkov region), Ivanovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Rozovka (Lugansk People's Republic). Up to 190 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised in these directions during the day. In Krasny Liman direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Tsentr Group of Forces engaged the units of the enemy close to Raigorodka, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Up to 65 Ukrainian personnel, three pick-up trucks, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, as well as D-20 and D-30 howitzers have been eliminated. In Donetsk direction, units, aviation, and artillery of the Yug Group of Forces have eliminated up to 270 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer during the day. Moreover, two ammunition depots of the 80th Air Assault and 110th Mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been annihilated close to Stupochka and Avdeevka. In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Vostok Group of Forces have hit the enemy units in the areas of Novomikhailovka, Novoselka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Malaya Tokmachka and Nesteryanka (Zaporozhye region). One sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been disabled close to Vladimirovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Up to 110 Ukrainian servicemen, four motor vehicles, and two D-30 howitzers have been neutralised in these directions during the day. In Kherson direction, up to 25 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been destroyed over the past 24 hours. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 95 AFU artillery units, manpower and hardware in 102 areas during the day. Russian air defence forces have intercepted eight HIMARS MLRS shells during the day. In addition, 28 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed in the areas of Tokarevka (Kharkov region), Chervonaya Dibrova, Kremennaya, Zhitlovka, Zatishnoye, Novokrasnyanka (Lugansk People's Republic), Svetlodarskoye, Yevgenovka, Zelenyi Gai (Donetsk People's Republic), Chubarevka (Zaporozhye region), and Kairy (Kherson region). In total, 429 airplanes and 235 helicopters, 4,321 unmanned aerial vehicles, 424 anti-aircraft missile systems, 9,298 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,100 combat vehicles equipped with multiple launch rocket systems, 4,901 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 10,447 units of special military hardware have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Additional Oath Keepers Members Sentenced on Felony Charges Related to U.S. Capitol Breach FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, May 26, 2023 Two members of the Oath Keepers were sentenced today on felony and misdemeanor charges for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election. Kenneth Harrelson, 42, of Titusville, Florida, was sentenced to four years in prison followed by two years of supervised release for obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties, and tampering with documents or proceedings. Jessica Watkins, 40, of Woodstock, Ohio, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, and conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties. Both defendants were found guilty at trial in November 2022, along with co-defendants Elmer Stewart Rhodes and Kelly Meggs, who were sentenced earlier this week. Co-defendant Thomas Caldwell is awaiting sentencing. Co-conspirators Roberto Minuta, Edward Vallejo, Joseph Hackett, and David Moerschel a who were all found guilty at trial in January 2023 a are scheduled to be sentenced next week on June 1 and 2. According to the government's evidence, beginning in late December 2020, via encrypted and private communications applications, Harrelson, Watkins, Rhodes, Meggs, Caldwell, and others coordinated and planned to travel to Washington, D.C., on or around Jan. 6, 2021, the date of the certification of the electoral college vote. The defendants also, collectively, employed a variety of manners and means, including: organizing into teams that were prepared and willing to use force and to transport firearms and ammunition into Washington, D.C.; recruiting members and affiliates; organizing trainings to teach and learn paramilitary combat tactics; bringing and contributing paramilitary gear, weapons, and supplies - including knives, batons, camouflaged combat uniforms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, eye protection, and radio equipment - to the Capitol grounds; breaching and attempting to take control of the Capitol grounds and building on Jan. 6, 2021, in an effort to prevent, hinder and delay the certification of the electoral college vote; using force against law enforcement officers while inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; continuing to plot, after Jan. 6, 2021, to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power, and using websites, social media, text messaging and encrypted messaging applications to communicate with each other and others. On Jan. 6, 2021, a large crowd began to gather outside the Capitol perimeter as the Joint Session of Congress got under way at 1 p.m. Crowd members eventually forced their way through, up, and over U.S. Capitol Police barricades and advanced to the building's exterior faAade. Shortly after 2 p.m., crowd members forced entry into the Capitol by breaking windows, ramming open doors, and assaulting Capitol police and other law enforcement officers. At about this time, according to the government's evidence, Rhodes entered the restricted area of the Capitol grounds and directed his followers to meet him at the Capitol. At approximately 2:30 p.m., according to the government's evidence, Meggs, Harrelson, and Watkins, along with other Oath Keepers and affiliates - many wearing paramilitary clothing and patches with the Oath Keepers name, logo, and insignia - marched in a "stack" formation up the east steps of the Capitol, joined a mob, and made their way into the Capitol. Rhodes and Caldwell remained outside the Capitol, where they coordinated activities. While certain Oath Keepers members and affiliates breached the Capitol grounds and building, others remained stationed just outside of the city in quick reaction force (QRF) teams. According to the government's evidence, the QRF teams were prepared to rapidly transport firearms and other weapons into Washington, D.C., in support of operations aimed at using force to stop the lawful transfer of presidential power. Harrelson was arrested on March 10, 2021, in Florida. Watkins was arrested on Jan. 18, 2021, in Ohio. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice's National Security and Criminal Divisions are prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was provided by numerous U.S. Attorney's Offices throughout the country. The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case with valuable assistance provided by numerous FBI offices throughout the country, including the Dallas, Cincinnati, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Richmond Field Offices. In the 28 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov. Topic(s): Domestic Terrorism Component(s): Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - District of Columbia Press Release Number: 23-610 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wave of COVID-19 reinfection in China has 'limited impact' on everyday life Global Times By Global Times Published: May 26, 2023 06:28 PM A rising number of COVID-19 reinfection cases in China have caused public concern over whether there will be a new wave of the virus. Experts have noted that the epidemic situation is on a slow upward trend, but there will be limited disruption on everyday life. Many people have developed symptoms including sore throats and are concerned that they may have been reinfected. Wang Guiqiang, director of the infectious disease department of Peking University First Hospital, said there were many potential reasons behind a sore throat and that individuals should remain objective, according to the National Health Commission. COVID-19, influenza and other bacterial infections can all cause a sore throat and should all be treated differently. If a person becomes infected with COVID-19, the person should be treated as a COVID-19 patient, according to Wang. The current prevalent XBB variant is a recombinant variant of Omicron, which has higher transmissibility and immune escape capacity than the Omicron variants prevalent in previous waves, but there was no significant change in pathogenicity, health authorities stated. "It will be the epidemiological feature of COVID-19 that people may become reinfected at different times, but there will be less impact toward their lives," Lu Hongzhou, head of the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen told the Global Times on Friday. We just experienced a peak infection about half year ago, with more than 90 percent of the population becoming infected, building wide herd immunity. Although the effect of herd immunity will gradually decrease as new variant strains emerge, herd immunity still plays an effective "barrier" role in preventing the virus spreading, Lu explained. It has been about six months since the last mass wave of infections, and many people's antibodies are gradually disappearing, and it is suggested to take booster shots based on the vaccine plan issued by the national health authorities, Lu said. In Beijing alone, the top five diseases reported in the city for the week between May 15 and 21 were COVID-19, other infectious diarrheal diseases, influenza, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis, accounting for 98.9 percent of the reported cases of notifiable infectious diseases, according to the Beijing CDC on May 24. It is a rule of science that a second wave of COVID-19 has occurred in every country monitoring the epidemic without exception, Zhang Wenhong, director of Infectious Diseases Department at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University told media recently, media reported. As public immunity is weakened and the virus mutates, however, it has less severe symptoms generally and there is more effective response from medical resources, according to Zhang. Zhang said that it should not be an obstacle to people's normal life and people should not overreact. China's top respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan said that China-developed vaccines covering the XBB variant are expected to be available soon. We have predicted that there was a small peak in COVID-19 infections in late April and early May, Zhong said during the Greater Bay Area Science Forum on May 22, according to the Shenzhen Economic Daily. The country is predicted to face a peak at the end of June, with about 65 million people infected with COVID-19 each week, according to Zhong. But Zhong also noted that it's predicted based on model calculation, which might not be accurate. China's National Health Commission in April unveiled the latest plan for COVID-19 vaccination, aiming to increase the immunity levels across certain groups and reduce the risks of severe infection and death caused by the virus. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Possibility of Nord Stream-style attack in cyberspace has risen: FM Global Times By Global Times Published: May 27, 2023 12:43 AM The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday criticized the US for its irresponsible position on cyberattacks, as it puts the world's critical infrastructure at risk and raises the possibility of a Nord Stream-style attack in cyberspace. The remarks were made by Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, in response to comments from US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, who told a press briefing on Thursday that the US Intelligence Community believes that "China is almost certainly capable of launching cyberattacks that could disrupt critical infrastructure services within the US, including against oil and gas pipelines and rail systems. It's vital for government network defenders and the public to stay vigilant." US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said recently that the US Navy "has been impacted" by cyberattacks from China, adding that it was "no surprise that China has been behaving in this manner, not just for the last couple years, but for decades." All countries care about the security of their critical infrastructure. The perpetrators of the Nord Stream blasts have yet to be brought to justice. Compared to physical sabotage, how to deal with cyberattacks on critical infrastructure is a bigger challenge, Mao said. China notes with concern that the US National Security Agency, which also serves as the US Cyber Force Command, declared last year that the critical infrastructure of other countries is a legitimate target for US cyberattacks, Mao added. "Such an irresponsible policy puts the world's critical infrastructure at great risk. The possibility of a Nord Stream-style attack in cyberspace has risen considerably," Mao noted. Also on Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry noted that some Western countries and the analytics team of US-based Microsoft said that a Chinese hacking group recently launched attacks against US key infrastructure, including in Guam. The report is extremely unprofessional and shows little evidence, Mao said. The US National Security Agency (NSA) and the cybersecurity agencies of the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand have issued similar reports. Apparently, this has been a collective disinformation campaign launched by the US through the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance to serve its geopolitical agenda. The involvement of certain companies in the latest report indicates that the US is using additional channels to spread disinformation instead of just using government agencies. This is not the first time this has happened - and it won't be the last - but it will not change the fact that the US is the champion of hacking, Mao said. Since last year, China's cybersecurity agencies have released reports revealing the US government's long-running cyberattacks on China's critical infrastructure. China will continue to take the necessary action to prevent cyberattacks that threaten critical infrastructure, Mao said on Friday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon Promising to Unleash Cyber Campaigns if Needed By Jeff Seldin May 26, 2023 U.S. military leaders are starting to unveil the updated Defense Department cyber strategy, calling for troops to "campaign in and through cyberspace" in order to defend the country. The Pentagon on Friday announced it shared a classified version of its 2023 Cyber Strategy with Congress earlier this week and promised to produce an unclassified summary of the new strategy in the coming months. The new cyber strategy updates the previous one, issued in 2018, and "is informed by years of real-world experience of significant [Defense Department] cyberspace operations," according to a Pentagon statement. Those operations include 47 deployments to 22 countries by U.S. Cyber Command "hunt forward teams," most recently to Latvia and Albania. Hunt forward teams also played a role in securing the 2020 presidential election. U.S. officials have likewise been learning from Russia's attempts to use cyberattacks as part of its invasion of Ukraine. "The department will maximize its cyber capabilities in support of integrated deterrence, employing cyberspace operations in concert with other instruments of national power," the Defense Department said Friday in a separate, unclassified fact sheet. It also warned that U.S. military cyber teams "will campaign in and through cyberspace below the level of armed conflict to reinforce deterrence and frustrate adversaries." In line with previous statements and congressional testimony from top Pentagon officials, the new cyber strategy lists China as the main threat. "The People's Republic of China (PRC) represents the department's pacing challenge," according to the strategy fact sheet. "The PRC has made significant investments in military cyber capabilities and empowered a number of proxy organizations to pursue malicious cyber activities against the United States." Earlier this month, the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, warned that China would very likely turn to cyberspace should tensions between Beijing and Washington boil into something more. "In the event of a conflict with the U.S., we will almost certainly see China use aggressive cyber operations against our critical infrastructure and almost certainly be able to disrupt critical infrastructure," Jen Easterly told a forum organized by the Special Competitive Studies Project. Just this past week, CISA, along with the FBI, the U.S. National Security Agency and partners from Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, issued a warning about cyber activity by a China-linked threat actor known as Volt Typhoon. A separate report this week, issued by tech giant Microsoft, warned that Volt Typhoon "is pursuing development of capabilities that could disrupt critical communications infrastructure between the United States and Asia region during future crises." It also cautioned that the Chinese-backed cyber actor already "has targeted critical infrastructure organizations in Guam and elsewhere." Other top threats in the 2023 Pentagon Cyber Strategy include Russia, North Korea, Iran, terror organizations and crime syndicates. Additionally, the Pentagon said the new strategy complements the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy, launched by the White House earlier this year. White House cybersecurity officials said the national strategy calls for a more aggressive response from all aspects of the U.S. government to any malicious cyber activity. "We are certainly in a more forward-leaning position to make sure that we're protecting the American people from these threats," a senior administration official said during the rollout in March, adding that that included the use of military tools. "These are options that the president has, and we're certainly open to using all of them," the official noted. Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AUKUS partners demonstrate advanced capabilities AI trial 26 May 2023 AUKUS partners successfully demonstrated a trial of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomy under the Advanced Capabilities pillar (Pillar II). On 28 April, a delegation from the Australian Government joined counterparts from the United Kingdom and United States at the Upavon Airfield in the UK to observe the AI trial. This is the first instance of jointly developed Australian, UK and US AI capability being deployed on coalition autonomous systems for an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission as part of Pillar II. The trial achieved several world firsts, including live retraining at the edge of models in flight, and the interchange and use of AI models on AUKUS nations' uncrewed aerial vehicles. AUKUS covers a wide range of defence and security interests, and involves technology sharing for the development of joint capabilities. The delivery of Advanced Capabilities such as AI and autonomy enables Australia to maintain collective multi-domain awareness, operate seamlessly with partners, and enhance peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. It demonstrates AUKUS partners' contribution to a stable, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, complementing our commitment to ASEAN and regional-led security architecture. Quotes attributable to Deputy Secretary Strategy, Policy and Industry Group, Hugh Jeffrey: "As outlined in the Defence Strategic Review, this trial exemplified the determination of AUKUS partners to rapidly translate disruptive technologies into capability. "Successful collaboration between AUKUS partners brings us ever closer to understanding how we rapidly field robust and trustworthy AI in complex and contested environments. "In this trial, we demonstrated that AUKUS can deliver a capability that is greater than what any one country can do alone." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 26, 2023 Release AUKUS Partners Demonstrate Advanced Capabilities Trial Trilateral AUKUS partners successfully demonstrated a trial of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomy under the Advanced Capabilities pillar (Pillar II), April 28 in the UK. U.S. delegates joined their Australian and UK counterparts to observe the first AUKUS artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy trial, held at Upavon in Wiltshire, UK, with the aim of rapidly driving these technologies into responsible military use. The work saw the initial joint deployment of Australian, UK and U.S. AI-enabled assets in a collaborative swarm to detect and track military targets in a representative environment in real time. Accelerating the development of these technologies will have a massive impact on coalition military capability. This is the first instance of jointly developed Australian, UK and U.S. AI capability being deployed on coalition autonomous systems for an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission as part of Pillar II. "Accelerating technological advances will deliver the operational advantages necessary to defeat current and future threats across the battlespace," said UK General Rob Magowan, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Financial and Military Capability). The trial, organised by the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), achieved several firsts for the trilateral, including the live collaborative retraining of models in flight and the interchange of AI models between AUKUS nations. The AUKUS collaboration is looking to rapidly drive these technologies into military capabilities. "We recognize the immense importance of this collaboration in strengthening our combined national security of our nations," said Abe Denmark, Senior AUKUS Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Defense. "The development and deployment of advanced artificial intelligence technologies have the potential to transform the way we approach defense and security challenges. This capability demonstration is truly a shared effort, and is a critical step in our trilateral initiative to stay ahead of emerging threats." The AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Pillar, known as Pillar II, is pursuing a trilateral program of work on a range of leading-edge technologies and capabilities to promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Through Pillar II, Australia, the UK, and the US have collaborated to accelerate collective understanding of AI and autonomy technologies, and how to rapidly field robust, trustworthy AI and autonomy in complex operations, while adhering to the shared values of safe and responsible AI. "This capability of mission-tailored adaptive AI is going to be able to deliver a capability greater than what any country can do alone," said Hugh Jeffrey, Australian Deputy Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Industry. "That really is the rationale for AUKUS." By sharing AI - and the underpinning data to enable it - with one another, Australia, UK, and US militaries can access the best AI, reduce duplication of effort, and ensure interoperability. "We are pooling our expertise and resources through our AUKUS partnerships, ensuring that our militaries are equipped with the latest and most effective tools to defend our nations and uphold stability around the world," said Denmark. The delivery of Advanced Capabilities such as AI and autonomy enables Australia to maintain collective multi-domain awareness, operate seamlessly with our allies and partners, and enhance deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. It demonstrates AUKUS partners' contribution to a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, complementing our commitment to ASEAN and regional-led security architecture. "The trial demonstrates the military advantage of AUKUS advanced capabilities, working in coalition to identify, track and counter potential adversaries from a greater distance," said Magowan. "Service personnel, scientists, and engineers from our three nations combined to develop and share critical information during operations to enhance commanders' decision making." https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3408870/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belarus: Statement by the High Representative on the announced transfer of Russian nuclear warheads to Belarus European External Action Service (EEAS) 26.05.2023 EEAS Press Team Belarus: Statement by the High Representative on the announced transfer of Russian nuclear warheads to Belarus The European Union condemns the agreement by Russia and Belarus to allow the deployment of Russian nuclear warheads on the Belarusian territory. This is a step which will lead to further extremely dangerous escalation. The decision goes against commitments which Russia has undertaken in the Budapest Memorandum, whereby Belarus eliminated all nuclear weapons from its territory, and in the Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States of 3 January 2022 that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. We call on Russia to abide by these commitments. The Belarusian regime is an accomplice in Russia's illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. We call on Belarusian authorities to put an immediate end to their support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and reverse decisions that can only contribute to heightening tensions in the region, and undermine Belarus' sovereignty. Any attempt to further escalate the situation will be met by a strong and coordinated reaction. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, US 'candid' trade talks in Washington pave way for addressing 'core issues' in ties Global Times Exchange paves way for addressing 'core issues' in frayed ties By GT staff reporters Published: May 26, 2023 09:39 PM Updated: May 26, 2023 11:11 PM China's commerce minister met with US commerce secretary and US trade representative in the US on Thursday and Friday respectively and held "candid" talks in a move that Chinese analysts said could be a prelude to further high-level engagement between the world's two largest economies and could pave the way for China-US trade and economic ties to play more of a ballast role to help improve frayed bilateral relations. However, the resumption of high-level interactions comes with Washington's provocations and attempts to crack down on China in many fields, prompting calls for the US to adjust to a rational, realistic perception of China and to respect China's stance and bottom line. China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Washington on Thursday before attending the 2023 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Detroit. The two sides had "candid, professional and constructive exchanges" of views on China-US economic and trade relations as well as issues of common concern, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said in a statement on its website on Friday morning. The Chinese side expressed key concerns on the US' economic and trade policies toward China, on semiconductors and export controls, as well as its outbound investment reviews, according to MOFCOM. Wang also met with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Friday and the two had "candid, pragmatic and in-depth exchanges" of views on China-US economic and trade relations as well as regional and multilateral issues of common concern, according to MOFCOM. The Chinese side expressed concerns regarding key issues, including the US economic and trade policies toward China, Taiwan-related topics in the economic and trade domain, the Indo-Pacific economic framework and Section 301 tariffs. Both parties agreed to maintain communication. The meetings between the Chinese commerce minister and US commerce secretary and trade representative, along with the recent resumption of high-level engagements between Beijing and Washington, are one of the most important meetings between the two countries after the US shot down an unmanned Chinese civilian airship and hyped the "China threat", which drove China-US relations to a new low. It also happened after China's top diplomat Wang Yi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met in Vienna and held "candid, in-depth, substantive and constructive" talks for more than 10 hours on May 10 and May 11. "China and the US have been maintaining the necessary communication, but the key is that the US cannot engage in communication and cooperation with China while continuing to hurt China's interests," Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Friday, noting that the US should meet China halfway to bring China-US relations back to the right track of sound and steady growth. Significant meeting Chinese experts said the Thursday meeting is of major importance, as it takes one step further the pledge by the leaders of the two countries from last year's Bali meeting to manage differences and disagreements and prevent confrontation and conflict. It is believed that the meeting could help create an environment to solve, mitigate and manage differences in areas linked to trade and economic issues, the ballast of China-US relations, analysts said, holding the belief that such engagement could be a barometer of how much the two sides are heading toward the further restoration of high-level exchanges after months of recrimination. The US' crackdown and containment of China in the field of advanced technology must stop and "The concerns raised by Minister Wang are clear, detailed and to the point," He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Friday. The fact that the two ministers met for the first time since the pandemic in person in Washington showed that the working-level communications between the two sides have borne fruit, Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times Friday. According to MOFCOM, China and the US agreed to set up communication channels to maintain and strengthen exchanges on specific economic and trade issues in addition to areas of cooperation, meaning "some new channels could be set up for issues that cannot be solved by existing ones," Gao anticipated. A readout from the US Department of Commerce said the discussions were "candid and substantive" and that the meeting was "part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the relationship." Chinese experts said that the core issues hindering China-US trade and economic ties at the moment are tariffs and the US crackdown on Chinese companies. The US side has come to realize that bilateral trade grew despite the trade war and that trade with China has win-win results, experts said, noting that the meetings between the Chinese commerce minister and Raimondo and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai could lead to trade ties playing an expanded ballast role in bilateral relations. Experts said the Chinese side is making sincere efforts to improve bilateral ties. China's new ambassador to the US, Xie Feng, who arrived at his post this week, said on his Twitter account that his mission is to enhance China-US exchanges and cooperation, and he looks forward to working with his American colleagues in the future. Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen on Friday met with Colm Rafferty, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, and representatives from some American companies to exchange views on bilateral trade and economic relations, US companies' operations in China and China's business environment. However, Chinese experts also warned against being overly optimistic about these meetings, despite the positive signals that came from them. According to the US readout, Raimondo raised concerns about the recent spate of Chinese actions against US companies operating in China. Chinese experts noted that legal action taken against some US consultancy firms and the cybersecurity review by relevant Chinese authorities on Micron's products sold in China have been carried out in accordance with the law and are based on facts. They should not be confused with or compared to the US' broad crackdown on Chinese companies under the pretext of national security. The US has used national security as a pretext to put more than 1,200 Chinese companies and individuals on various lists and subjected them to all kinds of restrictions despite the lack of hard evidence of wrongdoing, spokesperson Mao Ning said at Wednesday's routine press briefing, noting that such moves constitute economic coercion and are unacceptable. Mao on Friday also called on all parties to jointly oppose the US' economic coercion and bullying practices and safeguard the multilateral trading system following the US' grouping of its allies to contain China. No easy path Despite the resumption of high-level interactions between China and the US in the economic and trade fields, Washington has not reined in its provocations and attempts to crack down on China in many fields. The US played a major role in hyping China-related topics at the just concluded Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima. The communiquA and other documents adopted at the summit smeared China and brazenly interfered in China's internal affairs. Arms sales to the island of Taiwan continue as Taiwan media said the US $500 million sale through the Presidential Drawdown Authority had recently begun, and that FIM-92 Stinger missiles arrived at Taoyuan Airport on Thursday. A bipartisan House committee on Wednesday adopted two reports recommending that Congress take action over China's Taiwan island and the Xinjiang region. The committee will focus on human rights before shifting to military and economic concerns, media reported. Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Friday that the US wanted to engage with China on economic and trade issues due to its own needs, but will not abandon containment in other fields. The US still upholds the old method of dealing with China based on strength - ordering China to cooperate according to US needs and creating problems to maximize its bargaining chips, while not respecting China's stance and bottom line, Li said. The US' hegemonic mentality and paradoxical behavioral pattern are the crux of the difficulties in China-US relations, said Li, who urged the US to adjust to a healthy, rational and realistic perception of China's development, recognize that China's growing influence will not constitute a "threat," and handle China-US relations based on equality and mutual benefit, not hegemony and a new cold war. Analysts acknowledge that due to the US' imbalance in its mentality and policy, fierce competition and confrontation will not disappear and China-US relations will continue to be very complex with interests and conflicts intertwined. As two major powers in the world, the most likely scenario would be to engage in certain areas of common interests while being cautious in managing differences and avoiding conflicts, Li said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, DR Congo elevate bilateral relationship Global Times New outcome highlights solid China-Africa friendship despite US, West hyping of 'debt trap' narrative By Liu Xin and Yin Yeping Published: May 26, 2023 06:10 PM Updated: May 26, 2023 11:38 PM The traditional China-Africa friendship has yielded a new outcome after China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced Friday the elevation of the bilateral relationship as the DRC president is paying a state visit to China from Wednesday to Monday. Analysts said that with China and Africa entering a new era of building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, their relations are unbreakable despite the US' and some Western countries' hyping of "debt trap" narrative. Moreover, as recent weeks have witnessed more active interactions between China and African countries, with many African leaders and senior officials visiting China, the two sides are strengthening efforts to seek and practice true multilateralism, and this stable and benign cooperation is also a cornerstone for global stability and governance, analysts said. On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting DRC President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo in Beijing, during which the two sides announced the upgrading of bilateral relations from a strategic partnership of win-win cooperation to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results in recent years, and China has been the DRC's largest trading partner and source of foreign investment for many years in a row. The two sides have forged a close community of shared interests and shared future, Xi said. Xi also said China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the DRC in multilateral affairs, jointly practice true multilateralism, and uphold international fairness and justice. He called on the two sides to uphold the basic norms governing international relations, oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. President Tshisekedi thanked China for its important assistance and valuable support for the economic and social development of the DRC over the past half century and said the country is willing to deepen cooperation with China in trade, energy, infrastructure and healthcare and other fields. Recent days have witnessed more frequent interactions between China and African countries, with many African leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, coming to China for visits. Also, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe Frederick Shava will pay an official visit to China from May 27 to June 2. Docking with strategic visions Xi said China's successful experience in its path to modernization shows that developing countries have the right and the ability to explore modernization paths suited to their national conditions, adding that China is ready to synergize its development strategies with the DRC, support each other and promote cooperation and development. China will, as always, help the DRC in its economic and social development, support its industrialization strategy, strengthen cooperation in energy, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing, and tap the potential of cooperation in the digital economy, education, and health, Xi said, adding that China is ready to send agricultural technology experts to the DRC. China and the DRC also released a joint statement on Friday, announcing plans to promote cooperation in various fields, ranging from mineral to agriculture. The upgrading of bilateral relations is a new outcome of the China-African friendship, and the joint statement fully demonstrates that China's cooperation with African countries is fully based on their own needs for development, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy, Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Friday. China-DRC relations will be raised to a higher level and cooperation expanded to all areas of common interest, including education, scientific research, health, infrastructure, mining, agriculture, digital, the environment, sustainable development, hydrocarbons, energy, defense and security, according to the joint statement. One of the most eye-catching fields of cooperation is on the digital economy, as the continent will miss an opportunity for future development in the post-epidemic era if it is not embedded in the digital economy, said Song. Cooperation on minerals is another example of China helping the DRC diversify its economy and assisting it to build infrastructure and basic industries. Also, revitalizing the joint economic and trade cooperation commission mechanism as mentioned in the joint statement will encourage more Chinese companies to invest in the DRC, optimize its business environment and activate its indigenous development power, said the expert. China's cooperation with the DRC highlights China's insistence on docking its own initiatives, for example the Belt and Road Initiative, with African countries' own development visions. China's sincerity in financially and politically supporting African countries based on their own interests and needs has never changed over the past six decades and will not change in the future, which is in stark contrast to the US and some Western countries' attaching political conditions to assistance, analysts said. Martin Mpana, Ambassador of Cameroon to China and Dean of the Group of African Ambassadors to China, said in a speech at the celebration of the 60th Africa Day held in Beijing on Thursday that African ambassadors to China are very appreciative of the partnership that has developed between China and various African Countries as well as regional bodies such as the African Union Commission on a wide range of issues, ranging from infrastructure development to public health, advocating peace and stability, as well as various financial assistance and support through bilateral cooperation. Mpana particularly noted the mutual benefit for both China and African nations participating in the BRI as it enters its 10th anniversary this year. Qin Gang also said at the Thursday event that "the closer China-Africa relations are, the more guaranteed world peace is; the more successful China-Africa cooperation is, the more hopefully the world will develop," noting that China and Africa have entered a new era of building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future. The close cooperation between China and Africa will also be a cornerstone for global stability and governance as they are working together to break the West's hegemony and dominant position in world order and making the voices and concerns from developing countries more heard and considered, said Song. Sowing discord doomed to fail However, China's contributions to the African continent, with infrastructure construction projects seen everywhere, as well as its friendship with African countries have worried the West and the US, which have beefed up efforts to rope in African countries and sow discord between them and China. Hyping "debt trap" or "neo-colonization" narratives are one of their tactics, said analysts. While China-African relations are seeing accumulated results that benefit the sustainable development of African countries, they have also become an easy target for Western politicians and media to sully. Qin said that to maintain their hegemony, certain countries have not hesitated to provoke division and confrontation, and have fabricated lies and false narratives such as the so-called "debt trap" and "neo-colonialism" to maliciously slander and obstruct China-Africa cooperation. JoAo Salvador dos Santos Neto, Ambassador of Angola to China, told the Global Times on Thursday that "we should not look at what some foreign media say, but look at the result - projects under the BRI have brought great changes to the development of Africa. This can be seen from the close relationship between many African countries and China." The "debt trap" or other narratives that attempt to sow discord between China and African countries are doomed to be seen as fallacies that are easily refuted by fruitful China-Africa bilateral achievements. Instead of getting involved in the geopolitical games of the US, African countries prefer to focus on their own development, said analysts, noting that African leaders are also aware of the US' hegemony, making it less possible for them to be fooled by the US. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kyiv, May 27 (UNI) Air raid warnings were issued in several regions of Ukraine late on Friday night, according to air raid data from the countrys Ministry of Digital Transformation. Air raid sirens went off in the Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv, as well as the Ukraine-controlled parts of Kherson region, shortly before midnight, the ministrys online map showed. Ukrainian media reported late on Friday night that explosions were heard in the Mykolaiv region on Friday evening. In the early hours of Saturday, air raid alerts were issued in the regions of Mykolaiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Cherkasy and Vinnytsia, as well as Ukraine-controlled parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Precision strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure have been carried out by Russia since October 10 (two days after the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge). In February, the head of Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo said that direct damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure caused by Russian strikes may amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, with economic losses ranging in billions. UNI/SPUTNIK GNK UK not woken up from old dreams of colonialism; latest report on HKSAR full of bias, severely violates intl norms: Chinese FM Global Times By Global Times Published: May 26, 2023 06:21 PM It has been nearly 26 years since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) returned to the motherland, but the British side has not yet woken up from the old dream of colonialism and its latest six-monthly report, which is full of ideological bias, severely interferes with HKSAR's affairs, and violates international relations and norms, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday, stressing China's strong dissatisfaction and opposition to the report. The British government on Thursday released the so-called United Kingdom Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong: July to December 2022 (Report) to attack the "one country, two systems" principle and the National Security Law for the HKSAR. Since the HKSAR's return to the motherland, the Chinese government has been comprehensively, accurately and unswervingly implementing the principles of "one country, two systems," and "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. Residents in the region enjoy rights and freedom that far surpass those before 1997, said Mao. With the successful implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the new election system of the SAR, Hong Kong has entered a new stage from chaos to governance, and from governance to prosperity, said Mao. The legal system and business environment have become better, and the confidence of foreign investors in Hong Kong has continued to increase. The status of the trade and shipping center was further consolidated, said the spokesperson. "It needs to be emphasized that the UK has no sovereignty, governance, or supervision over Hong Kong after its return to the motherland. The legal basis for the Chinese government to govern the HKSAR is the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law of Hong Kong, not the China-British Joint Declaration," said Mao. Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. Any noise that smears or bad-mouths Hong Kong will not shake the steady and long-term progress of "one country, two systems," said Mao. The HKSAR government on Thursday also strongly disapproved and firmly rejected the slandering remarks and ill-intentioned political attacks on the HKSAR in the report. It also urged the UK to respect the international law and basic norms governing international relations and stop interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs. Also on Thursday, the spokesperson of the Office of the Commission of the Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR released a statement to reject the UK report. The spokesperson said that the relevant report from the British side criticized China's just actions to safeguard national security, made irresponsible remarks on the SAR government's administration according to law, and made irresponsible comments on the fair trial of the SAR courts, which shows that it has been completely reduced to a tool for political performances and has no credibility at all. Any noises that slander, smear, or bad-mouth Hong Kong will not shake the determination of the majority of the HKSAR residents to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development pace. We urge the British side to recognize the reality as soon as possible, adapt to the general trend, stop indulging in the old colonial dream, and immediately stop meddling and interfering in Hong Kong affairs, said the spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese special envoy talks with Russian FM Lavrov in Moscow Global Times Europe should seize 'rare window' of communication instead of bias: experts By Fan Anqi Published: May 26, 2023 09:46 PM After concluding his trip to Brussels with a meeting with European Union officials, China's special envoy leading peacemaking efforts arrived in Russia on Friday. Experts said the Chinese side will make efforts to provide a rare window for negotiations, despite the meeting with EU officials showing that Brussels was talking like a US mouthpiece with bias and unreasonable requirements. Li Hui, China's Special Representative on Eurasian Affairs, has arrived in Moscow on Friday. Li talked with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow for about 90 minutes, over the prospects for resolving the conflict in Ukraine, according to media reports. On Thursday in Brussels, Li has met with Enrique Mora, the EU's deputy secretary general for political affairs, and Frederic Bernard, Head of Cabinet of President of European Council Charles Michel. According to a statement released by the EU after Li met with Mora, the European bloc called on China to push Russia to "unconditionally withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Friday responded to inquiries about Li's meeting with the EU officials, saying that on the Ukraine crisis, China has consistently upheld an objective and impartial stance, actively advocating for peace talks and negotiations. As the crisis unfolds in Europe, China calls for efforts to be made by European parties to put forward a peaceful resolution that is acceptable to all parties involved, Mao said. EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell earlier this month claimed that China "cannot expect to be good friends" with the bloc without Chinese efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Experts on Friday slammed the EU's such "requirements" on China as being unrealistic and unreasonable, as China is not a party to the conflict nor is it the instigator, and China does not have the right to compel any party to make important decisions as it is their own national affair. Experts noted that the EU officials' remarks are "not so much a standpoint of Europe but rather words of the US through EU leaders' mouths." Unlike major European powers such as France and Germany, which have tried to maintain diplomatic autonomy, the EU tends to align with the US while disregarding the region's own interests under tightened control from the Biden administration, Cui Heng, an assistant research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Friday. Skepticism from the West over China's peace proposals is an outright rhetorical trap, shifting the blame to China while evading its own responsibility, when the escalating tensions are a direct result of the provocative actions of the West, experts said. "It is quite ironic that those who stoke the situation are the ones speaking, while those who advocate for reconciliation are being forced to bear the responsibility," Cui said. Observers said that China's role would provide an opportunity to convey the ideas of Europe to the Russian side while listening to Moscow's perspective. It came at a critical juncture following the stalemate in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, as the deadlock provided a rare chance for negotiations between the two sides. Europe should seize this opportunity for communication rather than further exacerbate the situation, as doing so would only lead to a deterioration of the regional security situation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on May 26, 2023 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China At the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe Frederick Shava will pay an official visit to China from May 27 to June 2. CCTV: We noted that at the opening ceremony of the Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit of 2023 held a few days ago, many expressed optimism about China's economic prospect and said that decoupling will bring extra burden to global economic development. Chairman of the board of German company Siemens and CEO of US chip-maker NVIDIA also said in their interviews that the Chinese market is irreplaceable and pulling out of the market is not an option. What's your comment? Mao Ning: Since early this year, the Chinese economy has shown sound momentum of recovery and market potential has been unleashed, which has attracted foreign investors around the world. In the first four months of this year, China's actual use of foreign capital hit RMB 500 billion, up by 2.2 percent year-on-year. A recent report by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade shows that 92.4 percent of the surveyed foreign-funded enterprises see no decline in China's position in global investment decisions. Swiss Centers' recent report shows that 62 percent of surveyed Swiss companies in China expect higher profits this year. These facts show that countries are optimistic about China's economic prospect and China remains an attractive destination for global investment. For development, China needs the world, and the world needs China. We will continue to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment and share China's market and dividend of openness with companies of all countries. China will never close its door to the world. We are ready to work together with all countries that wish to pursue win-win cooperation with us for global prosperity and common progress.a Reuters: Vietnam says it has urged China to remove Chinese survey, coast guard and fishing vessels from its waters. The vessels, which first entered Vietnam's exclusive economic zone a few weeks ago, have been operating close to gas blocks operated by Russian firms in South China Sea. Can the Chinese side provide further information or comment on the incident? Has it had any contact with Vietnam or Russia on the matter? Mao Ning: China has sovereignty over Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters. It is legitimate and lawful for relevant Chinese vessels to carry out normal activities in waters under China's jurisdiction. There is no such a thing as entering in other countries' exclusive economic zones. On issues related to the South China Sea, we are in communication with all relevant parties and stand ready to handle disputes appropriately through dialogue and consultation to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea. We remain, in the meantime, fully committed to protecting China's lawful rights and interests. Global Times: Recently tensions on the Korean Peninsula seem to have worsened. The US, Japan and the ROK continue to promote the sharing of DPRK missile warning data in real time, agreeing to enhance trilateral security cooperation and holding missile defence drills with other countries. The US and the ROK held the largest ever "combined annihilation firepower drills" near the military demarcation line between the DPRK and the ROK, imposed further unilateral sanctions on the DPRK at the same time, and may hold the first meeting of the US-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group in early June. Japan's draft defense white paper characterizes the DPRK as a more critical and imminent threat. The DPRK media published several op-eds condemning the US moves in Northeast Asia to forge a US-Japan-ROK trilateral military alliance, promote "NATO-style" nuclear sharing and create a NATO-replica in Asia, which pose a major threat to world peace and security. Do you have any comment on this?a Mao Ning: China is following the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. We are concerned over relevant parties putting together exclusive military blocs, carrying out various kinds of provocative military drills and stepping up "extended deterrence" and intelligence sharing. These moves do no help alleviate the situation on the Peninsula. They will only ratchet up an arms race, disrupt the nuclear non-proliferation regime and undermine peace and stability in the region. TASS: Japanese Prime Minister Kishida is planning to attend the NATO summit in July in Lithuania, where he is expected to have talks with the NATO secretary general to discuss the opening of a NATO liaison office in Tokyo. What's your comment? Secondly, it is learned that the Black Sea grain deal will be extended for another two months. Western countries only partially comply with this agreement as part of their support for Ukraine. Russia, however, has been under Western restrictions and cannot freely export grain to the rest of the world. How does the Chinese foreign ministry see this? Mao Ning: To answer your first question, we have noted relevant reports. This has certainly drawn our attention. China believes that the relations between countries should be conducive to world peace and stability and not target any third party or harm others' interests. The Asia-Pacific lies beyond the geographical scope of the North Atlantic. NATO's attempt to make eastward inroads into the Asia-Pacific will inevitably undermine regional peace and stability. The countries and people in this region are on high alert against this and firmly oppose any words or actions designed to bring military blocs into this region and stoke division and confrontation. Japan needs to draw lessons from history, stay committed to the path of peaceful development, and avoid doing things that may erode the trust between countries and undermine peace and stability in the region. On your second question about the Black Sea grain deal, China hopes that the agreement will continue to be implemented in a balanced, comprehensive and effective manner. We welcome the consensus on extending the deal and support relevant parties in continuing their dialogue on this and striving to find a solution that accommodates all parties' concerns. China has also put forward the cooperation initiative on global food security, and would like to strengthen communication and cooperation with all parties over this to build up international consensus and contribute to world food security. CRI: We noted that the official website of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation issued an announcement of the results of the "My Dream" Painting Competition for African Youth yesterday. Could you share more details with us? Mao Ning: In March this year, the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the China Manned Space Engineering Office and the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in Africa co-hosted a painting competition on the theme of "My Dream". More than 2000 African youngsters submitted their paintings, of which 50 stood out. In the second half of this year, the hosts of this competition will organize an awarding ceremony and invite some of the prize-winners to China.a The youth are ambitious and passionate dream-chasers. The youth from Africa, with their colorful paintings, have expressed the best wishes for China-Africa cooperation, peace and development, human progress and a better life. This is a true picture of the cultural exchanges and people-to-people bond between China and Africa. China stands ready to offer a platform for African youth to show the world their youthful vitality and their African dream and renew the China-Africa friendship. In the meantime, we stand ready to share our experience and outcomes in the development of high-tech, enhance technology transfer in the agricultural and industrial fields and give a boost to Africa's modernization drive. I'd like to take this opportunity to send my best wishes to the African youth, who are so ambitious, passionate and hard-working in their pursuit of dreams. I hope that their vitality and vigor will be a source of stability, development and prosperity for the African continent and a driving force for renewing the enduring China-Africa friendship.a Hokkaido Shimbun: It has been nearly four years since Professor Yuan Keqin of Hokkaido University of Education was arrested. Could you tell us Professor Yuan Keqin's physical condition and the current progress of the case? Voice in Japan calling for his release is growing. What's China's response?a Mao Ning: I am not aware of the specifics. I can tell you that China is a country under the rule of law and handles the case in accordance with the law. Phoenix TV: The UK government issued the so-called six-monthly report on Hong Kong yesterday, which asks for the "removing of the National Security Law" and says that the UK will continue to monitor the proposed electoral changes to Hong Kong's District Council. Do you have any response? Mao Ning: The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has issued a press release refuting UK's so-called six-monthly report on Hong Kong. Nearly 26 years after Hong Kong's return, the UK still hasn't woken up from its colonial dream and continues seeking to interfere in Hong Kong affairs through a misleading "report" which is steeped in ideological bias and inconsistent with the facts. This gravely violates the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations. We strongly deplore and reject this. Since the return of Hong Kong, the Chinese government has remained firmly committed to fully and faithfully implementing One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong residents now enjoy far more rights and freedoms in accordance with law than they did before 1997. The effective implementation of the law on safeguarding national security and the new electoral system has enabled Hong Kong to enter a new stage in which Hong Kong has restored order and is set to thrive. Its rule of law and business environment have improved, confidence from foreign investors have been growing, and its status as an international finance, trade and shipping hub is further consolidated. The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of "supervision" over Hong Kong after its return to China. The legal basis for the Chinese government's governance of Hong Kong is China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. To smear Hong Kong or talk down its prospects will not sway China's steady course of advancing One Country, Two Systems. AFP: The senior EU official Enrique Mora met with China's envoy Li Hui in Brussels yesterday. At the meeting, Mora said the EU expects China to use its influence on Russia to help end the Ukraine conflict. Can you share any details of these remarks of that meeting? And what is your response to the EU's expectations? Mao Ning: We have released information on Special Representative Li Hui's visit. You may refer to that. We have noted that according to the European External Action Service, the EU side welcomed Special Envoy Li's visit to Europe and China's recent engagement with Ukraine. On the Ukraine crisis, China has held an objective and just position and actively promoted talks for peace. This has received broad understanding and support in the international community. Given that the crisis is in Europe, China supports Europe in making greater efforts for peace and putting forward a peaceful solution acceptable to all. China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in promoting talks for peace. Shenzhen TV: It was reported that a Taiwan defense official said on May 25 that the US government has started to deliver its plan to send weapons aid to Taiwan via presidential drawdown authority, with the first batch of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles already arrived in Taiwan on May 24. Do you have any comment on this? Mao Ning: The US provision of weapons to Taiwan gravely violates the three China-US Joint CommuniquAs, especially the August 17 CommuniquA, interferes in China's internal affairs, harms China's sovereignty and security interests, and undermines cross-Strait peace and stability. This is extremely wrong and dangerous. China strongly deplores and firmly rejects this and has made serious dAmarches to the US. From US politician's clamoring for "destroying TSMC" to arming the island of Taiwan into a "porcupine", it is all too obvious that the US would stop at nothing - even if it means destroying Taiwan - to contain China. The over 1.4 billion Chinese people, including our Taiwan compatriots, will not accept this. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs, stop military contact with Taiwan and arming Taiwan, stop creating factors that heighten tensions across the Strait, and stop conniving at and supporting separatist forces' attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" by force. We would like to, once again, make it clear to the DPP authorities that attempting to solicit foreign support for independence and reject reunification by force will only end in failure. China will closely follow the developments of the situation and resolutely safeguard our nation's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Kyodo News: It's reported that on May 27, an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meeting will be held in the US to discuss issues including keeping the semiconductor supply chain stable, and a preliminary document is expected to be formulated after the meeting. Does the foreign ministry have any comment? Second, the Chinese and US commerce ministers had talks in the US and expressed their respective concerns. How does China view this talks between the two ministers? Is it a sign of any turning point for the currently tense bilateral relations? Mao Ning: On your first question, openness, cooperation and mutual benefits are vital for the success of the Asia-Pacific economy. Regional cooperation frameworks, in whatever name, need to stay open and inclusive, rather than discriminatory, exclusive or protectionist.a The global industrial and supply chains are shaped by the laws of market dynamics and the choices of businesses. The US, in an attempt to hold back China's development and perpetuate its hegemony, has politicized and instrumentalized trade and tech issues, and coerced or co-opted some countries into adopting export restrictions against China. Such acts seriously disrupt the stability of the global semiconductor industrial and supply chains. We firmly oppose that. The world needs to work together to oppose US economic coercion and bullying, uphold the multilateral trading system, and maintain a stable and unblocked global industrial and supply chain. On your second question about the meeting between Chinese and US commerce ministers, the Chinese side has released information on that, which you may refer to. China views and grows its relations with the US in accordance with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation proposed by President Xi Jinping. China and the US maintain necessary communication. What's important is that the US cannot demand communication and cooperation from China while hurting and curbing China's interests in all possible means. The US needs to work with China to jointly bring bilateral relations back to the right track of sound and steady development. China Daily: US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told a press briefing on May 25 that the US Intelligence Community assesses that "China almost certainly is capable of launching cyber-attacks that could disrupt critical infrastructure services within the United States, including against oil and gas pipelines and rail systems. It's vital for government network defenders and the public to stay vigilant". US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro told an interview that the US Navy "has been impacted" by the cyberattacks from China, adding that it was "no surprise that China has been behaving in this manner, not just for the last couple years, but for decades." Do you have any response? Mao Ning: We noted relevant reports. All countries care about the security of their critical infrastructure. The perpetrators of the Nord Stream blasts have yet to be brought to justice. Compared to physical sabotage, how to deal with cyber attacks on critical infrastructure is a bigger challenge. We note with concern that the US National Security Agency, which also serves as the US Cyber Force Command, declared last year that the critical infrastructure of other countries is a legitimate target for US cyber attacks. Such an irresponsible policy puts the world's critical infrastructure at great risks. The possibility of a Nord Stream-style attack in the cyber space has risen considerably. Since last year, China's cybersecurity agencies have released reports revealing the US government's long-running cyber attacks on China's critical infrastructure. We will continue to take necessary action to prevent and stop all kinds of cyber attacks that threaten the security of our critical infrastructure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK denounces U.S.-led trilateral information sharing mechanism People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:10, May 26, 2023 SEOUL, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday denounced the establishment of a trilateral information-sharing mechanism among the United States, Japan and South Korea on the margins of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Japan's Hiroshima. Leaders of the three countries recently reaffirmed the real-time sharing of a (DPRK) missile alert information, a mechanism they were committed to setting up last November, proving that "the project of establishing a tripartite information sharing system is being pushed forward at the final stage," the DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency said in a commentary. The article noted that the United States is keen on forming the trilateral military alliance, an "Asian version of NATO," in Northeast Asia, as the region witnesses an ever more frequent deployment of U.S. strategic assets and the more publicized occurrence of U.S.-Japan-South Korea joint military exercises. It also stressed that in April, the establishment of the U.S.-South Korea "Nuclear Consultative Group," which Japan plans to join, proved that "the triangular military cooperation between the three countries will soon be shaped into a NATO-style nuclear cooperation alliance." And the addition of real-time tripartite information sharing means "the emergence of the actual U.S.-Japan-South Korea military alliance with the single nerve center in Northeast Asia." The commentary lashed out at Washington for cooking up the "Asian-version NATO" to secure its military edge in the Asia-Pacific region, saying that "the U.S. vicious scenario for confrontation is the most serious threat to global peace and security." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran: West worried about Iran's 'defensive power' after Kheibar missile test Iran Press TV Friday, 26 May 2023 9:54 AM Iran has slammed the reaction of some Western countries to its successful launch of a new medium-range precision-guided ballistic missile, saying they are opposed to the enhancement of the Islamic Republic's "defensive power." In a tweet on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani referred to the history of the Western countries' arming of Saddam Hussein's regime during the eight-year imposed war on Iran in the 1980s. "The same Western governments, especially the US and France, that played a big role in provoking and arming Saddam's Baathist regime to attack Iran and showering Iranian cities and people with missiles, those are the main suppliers of weapons to the region, are now worried about Iran's defensive power," the spokesman wrote. "They are against a powerful Iran," he stressed. Iran on Thursday successfully tested its most advanced Khorramshahr-class ballistic missile named Kheibar, a medium-range missile that can deliver a 1,500 kg warhead with high accuracy. The missile was revealed in the presence of Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani during an event commemorating the 41st anniversary of the liberation of the southwestern city of Khorramshahr. Developed by the Ministry of Defense's Aerospace Industries Organization, Kheibar is a liquid-fueled missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers. Its enhanced range, advanced guidance and control system, and improved structural features further strengthen Iran's position as a formidable missile power. Washington and Paris released statements following the successful launch. "These activities are all the more worrying in the context of the continuing escalation of Iran's nuclear program," French foreign ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre told reporters on Thursday. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also claimed that "Iran's development and proliferation of ballistic missiles poses a serious threat to regional and international security," as he addressed a Thursday briefing in Washington. Western countries claim that Iran's missile tests and rocket launches violate UN Resolution 2231, adopted in July 2015 to endorse the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany. Iran has strongly rejected the US allegations that it has violated the UN resolution, insisting that its missile tests and rocket launches are solely for defense purposes and not designed to carry nuclear warheads. Iran has always said that the nuclear deal does not affect its right to build and have a strong national defense, especially after facing international sanctions preventing it from buying weapons to defend itself against the eight-year war that Iraq started in 1980. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Hard-Liners Blast Tougher Proposed Hijab Legislation -- As Too Lenient By Golnaz Esfandiari, Parvaneh Vahidmanesh May 26, 2023 The authorities in Iran have drafted a new bill that would impose stiffer penalties against women who violate the Islamic dress code, including fines, imprisonment, and even the deprivation of rights. But hard-liners have blasted the "hijab and chastity bill" as too lenient, saying the proposed legislation will not deter women from flouting the mandatory hijab, or Islamic head scarf. The move comes as the authorities intensify efforts to enforce the hijab as more women fail to comply with the law. Women have been emboldened by the monthslong antiestablishment protests that erupted in September following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini soon after she was arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly improperly wearing the head scarf. In April, Iranian police began to use surveillance cameras to identify and punish women who failed to wear the hijab, which became compulsory for women and girls over the age of 9 in 1981, two years after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Authorities also warned that offenders would receive a warning via SMS. Repeat offenders, they warned, could face hefty fines and lose access to mobile phone and Internet services. It is unclear if the new draft bill aims to codify into law the new measures outlined last month. Tougher Penalties According to the text of the bill published by Iranian media, the proposed legislation outlines progressively tougher penalties for violators -- from fines and deprivation of "social rights" to up to three years in prison. Those who engage in social media campaigns against the hijab will also be punished, according to the text of the bill. In recent months, an increasing number of women, including celebrities, have appeared in public without a head scarf in a direct challenge to the authorities, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who said last month that the removal of the hijab in public is forbidden. Some women have also posted photos and videos of themselves defying the hijab law. The draft bill also states that those who insult, threaten, or assault women who do not observe the hijab will be punished. Women have complained that they face routine harassment and violence at the hands of the morality police and pro-government vigilantes seeking to enforce the hijab law. During the antiestablishment protests, the authorities dismantled the notorious morality police, which was tasked with enforcing the hijab law. Since then, the authorities have said they are working on introducing "smart" methods to enforce the law. The proposed legislation, drafted by the judiciary, was approved by the government over the weekend and later presented to lawmakers. It is unclear when it will be debated and voted on. 'The Bill To Support The Unveiled' Hard-liners in Iran have been angered by the draft bill, saying it does not go far enough. "It is as if the bill was prepared not to deal with unveiling, but with the aim (albeit unintentionally) of removing the existing legal obstacles and laying the groundwork for the expansion of this ugly and hideous phenomenon!" Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor of the hard-line daily Kayhan, wrote in an editorial on May 22. Hard-line eulogist Mehdi Salahshur said on May 23 that the proposed legislation should be renamed "the bill to support the unveiled." The daily Hamshahri on May 24 called on the government of President Ebrahim Raisi to revoke the bill, claiming it would create "immunity" for violators by preventing the police as well as hijab enforcers from taking action. Following the criticism, government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi said on May 25 that the text of the bill published by the media was not the version approved by the government. Lawmaker Mohammad Ali Naghali, meanwhile, said that in drafting the bill the judiciary had taken a "minimalistic" approach to the issue of noncompliance of the hijab. "Under the current conditions, the parliament does not accept the hijab bill. We will amend the bill and [create deterrence] through punishments," he said. 'Gender Apartheid' Britain-based feminist activist Samaneh Savadi told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that the draft bill is an attempt by the authorities to consolidate "gender apartheid" in Iran. "The Islamic republic is helplessly trying to satisfy its supporters while at the same time [trying to convince] the international community that these actions are legal," she said, adding that "so far it has failed at both." In recent weeks, the authorities have issued public threats and closed hundreds of businesses, including cafes and shopping malls, for allegedly failing to enforce the country's hijab law on their customers. Shahindokht Molaverdi, a jurist and former vice president, told the Emtedad news site on May 25 that the hijab crackdown was likely to result in more protests. "Predictions indicate that these encounters will lead to the spread of protests in the not-so-distant future. We see that in response to these strict [measures], unveiling has become widespread," Molaverdi said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-hijab-legislation- hardliners-protests-amini/32429586.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brussels, Tehran Swap Prisoners In Move Criticized By Iranian Exile Group By RFE/RL's Radio Farda May 26, 2023 Belgium and Iran have swapped prisoners in an exchange mediated by Oman, a move criticized by an exiled Iranian opposition group as "shameful." Oman's Foreign Ministry said the swap involving Olivier Vandecasteele, a Belgian aid worker jailed in Iran, and Asadollah Assadi, an Iranian diplomat imprisoned in Belgium, took place on May 26. Officials from Belgium and Iran both confirmed the news. "The individuals who were released have been transported from Tehran and Brussels to Muscat today in preparation for their return to their respective countries," the ministry said in a statement. Vandecasteele was sentenced in December to 28 years in prison by the Iranian judiciary for "espionage," a charge Brussels called "fabricated." Belgian TV reported late on May 26 that Vandecasteele had returned to his home country after flying through Oman on a Belgian military plane. Western countries have repeatedly charged that Iran tries to take advantage of foreign countries by taking dual and foreign nationals hostage and then using them in prisoner swaps. During a current wave of unrest sparked by the death of a young woman after she was detained for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly, Iranian security forces have taken some 40 foreign nationals into custody, often without revealing any charges. Assadi was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year in connection with a plot to bomb a rally of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an exiled opposition group, outside Paris in June 2018. Tehran considers the NCRI a terrorist group and has called the Paris attack plot a "false flag" move by the group. The NCRI immediately decried the swap, saying Belgium had released a "terrorist." "The release of the terrorist...is a shameful ransom to terrorism and hostage-taking. This will embolden the religious fascism ruling Iran to continue its crimes," the Paris-based NCRI said. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose government pushed through a a fiercely criticized treaty allowing prisoner exchanges with Iran that paved the way for the swap, said Vandecasteele is expected back in Belgium late on May 26. With reporting by Reuters and RTL Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-belgium-exchange- vandecasteele-assadi/32429143.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Lawyers Say Courts Issuing Them Dozens Of Summonses With No Charges By RFE/RL's Radio Farda May 26, 2023 A leading member of one of Iran's legal associations says more than 100 lawyers from across the country have been summoned to Tehran's security court, even though there is no mention of any charges against them. Adel Moghaddas, a member of the board of directors of the Bushehr Bar Association, said on May 25 that the summons began arriving last month and they came "without mention of any charges," saying it appears the move is a pressure tactic to keep lawyers from supporting protests that have rocked the country for months. Abuzar Nasrallah, one of the lawyers to receive a summons, said the proceedings are mostly conducted by the security court located in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison with no specific charges stated. Lawyers are being urged during the hearings to sign a prewritten "commitment letter" pledging adherence to the law as a condition for their release on bail, he said. Nasrallah said the court confronted him with posts from his social media account, which he said in no way broke the law. He said that he was dedicated to his legal oath and therefore questioned why the court wanted a commitment, especially if no crime had been committed. Nasrallah said the head of the security court issued him a warning "that while there was currently no intention to arrest lawyers, those who refused to sign the commitment may find their cases processed, and subsequent summons may follow." The commitment letter contains an "expression of regret" for nationwide protests and a strategy to limit contact with "networks outside the country, anti-revolutionary elements," according to Mohammad Hadi Jaafarpour, a member of the Fars Lawyers Association and one of the lawyers who was summoned. He stated that many lawyers refused to sign this part of the commitment but instead chose to acknowledge respect for the law and adherence to legal behavior. The unprecedented summoning of lawyers has been attributed to Behrouz Hasani Etemad, a former lawyer now representing the prosecution in numerous protester cases. His most notable case to date involved Mohsen Shakari, the first protester to be executed after Iran's recent nationwide protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody last September. Since Amini's death, at least 129 lawyers have faced "judicial encounters," according to the group Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA). This includes both arrests and summonses for a variety of reasons, ranging from practicing their profession to expressing views on social media. The HRA said that 55 lawyers have been arrested, 70 have been summoned, and numerous others have faced judicial and security confrontations since the protests began. However, the recent wave of summonings to sign a "commitment" and express regret for the protests suggests an escalation in the crackdown on the legal profession. The Islamic republic's judiciary has been restricting access to protester cases, often only accepting representation from lawyers approved by the head of the judiciary. However, independent lawyers have sometimes managed to overturn heavy sentences, like execution, during the appeal stage. The escalating number of lawyers being summoned to the Tehran Security Court has raised alarm bells, especially considering the increased risk of executing more protesters without access to independent and fair representation. Officials have launched a brutal crackdown amid the wave of unrest sparked by Amini's death in September while in police custody for an alleged infraction of the country's mandatory hijab law. Iran's judiciary, at the urging of senior leaders, has taken a hard-line stance against demonstrators, executing at least seven protesters, including three on May 19. Several others currently wait on death row for their sentences to be carried out. Amnesty International said in a report earlier this month that Iran drove a global spike in executions last year with 576, almost double the previous year. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-lawyers-courts-summons- protests/32429530.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belgian Aid Worker, Iranian Diplomat Freed in Prisoner Swap By VOA Persian Service May 26, 2023 An Iranian diplomat imprisoned in Belgium, Asadollah Assadi, and a Belgian aid worker jailed in Iran, Olivier Vandecasteele, were freed on Friday in an exchange mediated by Oman, both sides said. Assadi was the third-ranking official in Iran's embassy in Vienna, Austria. He was arrested in Germany, accused of plotting to bomb an Iranian rally organized by the exiled opposition group known as the Mojahedin-e-Khalq in Paris in 2018. A criminal court in Antwerp oversaw Assadi's case along with three accomplices. In February 2021, the court in Antwerp rejected Assadi's diplomatic immunity and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Aid worker Vandecasteele had been arrested on a visit to Iran in February 2022 and sentenced in January to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes on charges including spying. Belgian and Iranian authorities had rejected the charges against Vandecasteele and Assadi respectively as fabricated. Oman's foreign ministry said prisoners were released and transported from Brussels and Tehran to Muscat, the Omani capital, on Friday in preparation for their repatriation. "As I speak, Belgium's Olivier Vandecasteele is on his way to Belgium. If all goes to plan, he'll be with us this evening. Free at last," Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in a statement on Friday. "Last night Olivier was flown to Oman where he was looked after by a team of Belgian soldiers and diplomats. This morning he underwent a number of medical examinations to assess his state of health and to enable him to return in the best possible conditions," De Croo added. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian described Assadi in a Twitter post as "our country's innocent diplomat who was illegally arrested against international law," and said he would return to Iran soon. The U.S. State Department greeted the news of Vandecasteele's release. "We are glad to see Belgian citizen Olivier Vandecasteele released from Iran and returning home to his loved ones," a State Department spokesperson told VOA's Persian Service. "Iran's decision to sentence Mr. Vandecasteele to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes for espionage was a clear and despicable example of the regime's unjust imprisonment of foreigners for political gain." Regarding Americans held in Iran, the official said, "We remain committed to securing the freedom of all U.S. nationals who continue to be wrongfully detained overseas, and we are working relentlessly to bring them home, including Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi, and Morad Tahbaz." The United States and European countries accuse the Islamic Republic of taking hostages by detaining foreign and dual nationals to exchange with its prisoners in other countries. The Islamic Republic swapped five Iranian Americans with Iranian prisoners in the United States in 2015. The prisoner swap was choreographed to coincide with nuclear talks. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sixteen NLD lawmakers have died in junta custody or evading arrest since Myanmar coup Some were killed in detention, while others in hiding were blocked from medical treatment. By RFA Burmese 2023.05.25 -- Last June, junta security personnel arrested Kyaw Mo Myin, a lawmaker for the deposed National League for Democracy in central Myanmar's Mon state, along with two other party members and a fourth individual. More than a week later, his body was found 90 kilometers (55 miles) to the southeast, in Hpa-An township, according to a person close to his family. He is one of 16 NLD lawmakers to die in junta custody or while evading arrest since the 2021 coup, according to a statement released this week by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw - a shadow parliament made up of lawmakers ousted in the takeover. "The people who were arrested together with him were murdered first and then they killed him," said the acquaintance, who spoke to RFA Burmese on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns. "They tied his hands together behind his back and tied a rope around his neck. He was killed with his hands bound." CRPH Secretary Tun Myint called Kyaw Myo Min's death "the worst" among NLD parliamentarians in junta detention, but said all were unjust. "These MPs were arrested and tortured by the junta," he said. "Others died because they were denied access to medical treatment." According to the CRPH, at least 14 of the MPs - five from the national Union Parliament and nine state and regional lawmakers - died in hiding while being sought by the junta for arrest. One other - Nyunt Shwe, a lawmaker from the seat of Bago region - died in prison after being refused treatment for an illness, the group said. No access to treatment Myint San, the NLD's Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, was diagnosed with cancer while living in a remote location in rural Tanintharyi region's Dawei township to avoid detention, his colleague, Kyaw Htway, told RFA. "When the symptoms started showing severely, there were no doctors or medical professionals for him to seek medical treatment from," Kyaw Htway said. "He was finally forced to travel to Thailand to seek medication, as he was seriously sick." The 66-year-old, who was elected as state representative of Tanintharyi and won a seat representing the region's Launglon township in Myanmar's 2020 election, died in Phuket, Thailand, last week of complications from his disease. Since the coup, the junta has arrested or imprisoned nearly 130 NLD lawmakers - including former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint - as well as 29 CRPH parliamentarians and 59 state or regional MPs, according to the CRPH's count. The shadow parliament said that the junta typically charges lawmakers with crimes including high treason, sedition, inciting national unrest and terrorism, and sentences them to lengthy jail terms. Calls to junta Deputy Minister of Information Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the deaths of NLD lawmakers rang unanswered Thursday. Impact on party and society Political analyst Sai Kyi Zin Soe told RFA that the deaths of key politicians could severely impact the NLD's standing in Myanmar, particularly after the junta dissolved the party in late March when its leadership chose not to re-register with the country's Election Commission. "It will be difficult for them to re-establish the party without highly experienced politicians," he said, comparing such efforts to "starting from scratch again." "Without these experienced politicians to hand down what they have learned to the younger generations, the party's standing will be affected," he added. A human rights activist in Yangon, who also declined to be named for fear of reprisal, went further, saying the deaths will negatively impact wider society. "It is a very serious blow to all of Myanmar that the human rights of the MPs who lead the country by writing legislation and upholding the rule of law have been violated as they were arrested, tortured and killed in prisons by the junta," he said. In addition to arresting and causing the deaths of NLD lawmakers, the junta has also targeted members of the party by confiscating their properties. Earlier this week, the NLD revealed that the junta had seized nearly 1,000 homes and private buildings belonging to party members and their supporters since the coup. Speaking to RFA on Thursday, CRPH Secretary Tun Myint vowed to bring those responsible for the deaths to justice when a civilian government is restored to Myanmar. "The inhumane brutality of the military junta has been documented and will be reported to the United Nations Human Rights Council," he said. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content May not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address From manufacturing to agriculture, China sees wider use of robots Xinhua) 11:11, May 27, 2023 BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- From delivering food at the doorstep to picking tea, China has witnessed a remarkable expansion in the utilization of robots across diverse settings, transforming industries and people's daily life. At the seventh World Intelligence Congress held from May 18 to 21 in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, a robot shaped like a mantis climbing up and down caught the attention of visitors. It's the first intelligent tower robot to be rolled out by the State Grid Tianjin Electric Power Company. Guided by a skilled staff member, the tower robot adeptly maneuvers its eight claws. Even when faced with obstacles like nails or tilted timber, the robot effortlessly traverses them. Upon reaching its assigned position, it deftly secures the bolts and nuts, showcasing its exceptional precision and agility. Powered by a built-in lithium battery, the robot can work for more than 10 hours. "The assembly of transmission tower is risky. The robot integrates bionic climbing, intelligent perception, human-computer interaction, and other technologies, which can effectively reduce the risk for on-site workers," said Ma Jun, who works at the State Grid Tianjin Electric Power Company. Today, the use of robots in China has expanded across various sectors, including agriculture, logistics, education and healthcare. An impressive example of this technological advancement was seen in Hangzhou's West Lake scenic spot, located in east China's Zhejiang Province. Here, a tea-picking robot equipped with a sun hat made of solar panels maneuvers through rows of renowned Longjing tea bushes using its agile mechanical arms and caterpillar wheels. The introduction of the 550-kg robot tea picker has been a boon for local tea planters, who have been facing a significant shortage of labor lately. In southwest China's Guizhou Province, robots are used to conduct routine inspections at power substations in remote mountainous areas. So far, 13 robots have been deployed at 10 power substations in the city of Tongren, where they can conduct automatic inspection patrols, according to the Guizhou branch of the China Southern Power Grid. Equipped with high-precision sensors and high-definition cameras, the robots can complete a routine patrol in 50 minutes, compared with 12 hours by humans, who must also spend another 40 minutes traveling to the substation, said Zhou Jingyu, head of the Taiping Power Substation in Tongren. Earlier this year, China said it will strive to double its manufacturing robot density by 2025 compared with that of 2020, according to an action plan issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and 16 other government departments. The use of service and special robots will be significantly increased by 2025, with the capability of the country's robotics industry to promote high-quality economic and social development markedly improved, the plan stated. As for the future application of robots, Hu Yuchen, co-founder of Shanghai Dajie Robot Co., Ltd., said that flexible manufacturing has not been realized in many factories at this stage. "We hope that industrial robots have eyes and also a brain with flexible control to help some heavy and high-polluting industries facilitate machines replacing humans," Hu said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) Dhaka, 27 May 27 (UNI) Bangladesh and China held the 12th Foreign Office Consultations at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka on Saturday. Bangladesh delegation was led by Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) while the Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Vice Minister Sun Weidong mentioned that he is visiting Bangladesh after ten years and is very much impressed to see Bangladeshs tremendous development achievements carried out by the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Both the delegations discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interests and cooperation in multilateral forums. The Chinese side reiterated its appreciation to Bangladesh for its continued support to One China Policy. They recalled the recent high-level political exchanges and meetings that have further deepened the strategic partnership of cooperation. Bangladesh once again thanked China for its support for vaccines to manage the Covid-19 pandemic. The two sides reviewed the progress of different quality infrastructure projects in Bangladesh and welcomed the upcoming inauguration of mega projects like the Bangabandhu Tunnel under the river Karnaphuli and the Padma Bridge Rail-link. Both sides agreed to further streamline the outstanding issues concerning a few additional project proposals in power and communication sectors. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance the exports to China by utilizing the Duty and Quota Free (DFQF) access to 98% of the products that has come to effect on 1st September 2022. The Chinese side expressed particular interest in importing tropical fruits like mango, jackfruit, guava and frozen foods from Bangladesh in compliance with necessary quality specifications. Bangladesh side requested to include other export items like vegetables, pharmaceuticals, raw hides, foot wares, non-knit apparels, etc. in the DFQF coverage to minimize the existing trade imbalance with China. The Chinese Vice Minister assured of encouraging the Chinese farms to invest at the Chinese Special Economic Zone in Chattogram. They also advised for timely notification of interest with the Chinese Civil Aviation Authority for resuming the Dhaka-Guanzhu direct flight by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Two sides agreed to launch regular Consular Consultations with a view to addressing visa related issues specially for Bangladeshi students. Bangladesh expressed its interest in working together with China on innovation in digital technologies and biotechnologies. Both sides also showed interest in contributing to the regional connectivity in South and South East Asia under the auspices of the Belt and Road Initiative of China. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the existing defense cooperation and discussed possibilities of regular staff level talks and specialized training programs. China offered its support to build capacity for addressing emerging challenges like online gambling and drug trafficking. The two sides agreed in principle to have dedicated dialogue on public security issues. Bangladesh thanked China for sharing meteorological satellite information during natural calamities like cyclone and flood. They also discussed other multilateral and regional issues including the Rohingya crisis. The Chinese side reiterated to facilitate the early, safe, sustainable and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas to Rakhine State from Bangladesh. The Vice Minister mentioned that an early repatriation would be beneficial for Bangladesh, Myanmar and the whole region. The Chinese side appreciated the initiatives of Bangladesh to arrange the Go and See visit in Myanmar and Come and Talk visit in Bangladesh by the respective delegations of Bangladesh and Myanmar to facilitate the repatriation of the first batch of the Pilot Project. The Foreign Secretary thanked China for their cooperation and emphasized on Bangladeshs ongoing efforts to arrange continued voluntary and sustainable repatriation engaging the friendly countries, regional and international organizations. UNI MAZ BM Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh face grim choices as more cuts to food assistance imminent World Food Programme 26 May 2023 DHAKA -- Just weeks after thousands of Rohingya refugees lost their homes to Cyclone Mocha, they face another blow as funding shortages force the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to cut food vouchers in Cox's Bazar to just US$ 8, or less than 9 cents per meal. Funding shortfalls already forced WFP to cut its food vouchers from US$ 12 to US$ 10 per person per month, in March this year. "We are appealing for urgent support so that we can restore rations to the full amount as soon as possible. Anything less than US$ 12 has dire consequences not only on nutrition for women and children, but also protection, safety and security for everyone in the camps," said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Resident Representative and Country Director in Bangladesh. Six years into the refugee crisis, nearly one million Rohingya remain stranded in the camps in Bangladesh without livelihood opportunities and relying entirely on humanitarian assistance to survive. Even with WFP's food assistance, four in 10 families were not consuming enough food and 12 percent of children were acutely malnourished. This was before the ration cut. With less food to get by, refugees have little choice but to resort to negative coping mechanisms. Children may be withdrawn from school or girls offered in child marriage. If refugees seek illegal employment, they face heightened risks of exploitation and abuse, and may fuel tensions between the refugees and the host community. Those desperate enough to take to the high seas face dangerous journeys and uncertain fates. The Rohingya continue to live under the constant threat of extreme climate. While Cox's Bazar was spared a direct hit when Cyclone Mocha made landfall on 14 May, considerable destruction to shelters and infrastructure occurred in the camps. "WFP food assistance is the only reliable source of food for the Rohingya. We are extremely grateful for all contributions received so far, but we still need US$ 56 million to restore the full ration and keep this lifeline intact until the end of the year," said Scalpelli. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin Says Putin Ready to Talk With Scholz to Protect Russia's Interests Sputnik News 20230526 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Dialogue is necessary, so Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to talk with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in order to protect Russia's national interests, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. "President Putin remains open to dialogue, while, of course, pursuing the main goal of protecting the interests of our country," Peskov stressed. However, the Kremlin has no information that Germany initiated a telephone conversation with the Russian president, the spokesman added. Previously German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told German media that "it has been a while since my last phone conversation [with the Russian president]. But I am planning to talk to Putin again in due course." The last time the German and Russian heads of state held bilateral negotiations was on December 2, 2022. Putin and Scholz discussed different aspects of the situation around Ukraine during their phone conversation and the Russian president explained in detail Russia's fundamental approaches to the military operation it launched in Ukraine in February of that year. The phone talks were held at the initiative of the German side. In September 2022, Scholz said that negotiations with Putin were always amicable in tone despite the leaders' widely diverging opinions. The German leader also noted the importance of maintaining dialogue with Russia, naming some of the topics addressed in talks. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan reportedly receives Stinger missiles under U.S. military aid program ROC Central News Agency 05/26/2023 10:19 PM Taipei, May 26 (CNA) Taiwan reportedly received the first shipment of Stinger missiles from the United States under its emergency military aid program late Thursday night, but Taiwan's government would not confirm the news on Friday. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has taken delivery of FIM-92 shoulder-fired Stinger missiles which arrived late Thursday night on a Boeing cargo airplane, the Chinese-language newspaper Liberty Times reported early Friday. The package was the first batch of military grants which U.S. President Joe Biden's administration recently decided to supply to Taiwan, using the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) Under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), according to the newspaper. Taiwan and the U.S. were in talks and reached a consensus about the types of weapon systems that would be needed if the U.S. invoked PDA to address the backlog of arms due for delivery to Taiwan, the MND said, in response to the report. Based on its practice when it comes to weapons packages, the MND would not reveal details about the delivery, it added. Taiwan has a stockpile of 1,800 Stinger missiles, including Dual Mount Stingers (DMS) system and Stinger missiles that can be fired from the Avenger and AH-64 Apache, Su Tzu-yun (ece), a research fellow at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said. The Stinger weapon system provides low-altitude firepower and can be readily deployed in airports, radar stations, or other combat areas to target low-flying enemy threats, Su said. As a part of the 2023 budget, the U.S. Congress authorized up to US$1 billion in military aid to Taiwan via the PDA, which takes weapons from existing Pentagon stocks and ships them overseas. On May 8, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (ea) confirmed a Reuters report which said that the Biden administration was planning to send US$500 million worth of military aid to Taiwan under the PDA program that was being used to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's invasion. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed at a Senate hearing on May 16 that the U.S. will soon send Taiwan US$500 million in stockpiled military equipment using the PDA. (By Henry Wu and Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 13 Chinese aircraft breach Taiwan's ADIZ: Defense Ministry ROC Central News Agency 05/26/2023 02:33 PM Taipei, May 26 (CNA) A total of 13 People's Liberation Army aircraft breached Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during the 24-hour period that began at 6 a.m. Thursday, including two BZK-005 drones that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The combat and reconnaissance drones crossed the median line at its southern end and continued flying in a southeastern direction for some distance before turning back, according to the flight paths released by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Friday. There were also incursions during the period by six J-16 fighter jets, two H-6 bombers, one Y-9 electronic warfare aircraft, one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and a Z-9 anti-submarine helicopter, all of which flew along the southern boundary of the ADIZ, the flight paths indicated. An ADIZ is an area declared by a country to allow it to identify, locate and control approaching foreign aircraft, but it is not part of territorial airspace as defined by international law. In addition to the aircraft entering Taiwan's ADIZ, eight other PLA planes and 11 vessels were seen in airspace and waters around Taiwan during the 24-hour period, the MND said. Taiwan's military scrambled jets and deployed air defense missile systems in response to the aircraft and vessels operating in Taiwan's vicinity, the ministry said. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM lambasts 'extremely wrong and dangerous move' as US FIM-92 Stinger missiles arrive in Taiwan island Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: May 26, 2023 07:18 PM The US arms sale to the island of Taiwan is "an extremely wrong and dangerous move," and China will firmly safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial security, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned on Friday, after Taiwan's defense authorities confirmed that the first shipment of US FIM-92 Stinger missiles had arrived in the island while Washington is also reportedly helping the island obtain access to NATO's Link-22 secure data link system. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a press briefing on Friday. She urged the US to stop arming Taiwan island and stop creating tensions across the Taiwan Straits. US arms sale to Taiwan is a grave violation of the three China-US joint communiques, undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, and undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Mao said. We once again warn the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities that attempts to rely on external forces to seek "independence" and refuse reunification by force will only end in failure, Mao said. Citing defense officials on the island, Taiwan media said that US$500 million worth of arms sales had recently begun, and that FIM-92 Stinger missiles had arrived at Taoyuan airport on Thursday. The US has announced the sale of the FIM-92 Stinger missiles to Taiwan in 2019. The US will also help Taiwan island obtain access to NATO's Link-22 secure data link system, which will facilitate the exchange of data among the military units of participating sides. In response, 21 PLA aircraft and 11 PLA Navy vessels around Taiwan were detected on Friday morning. In total, 13 of the detected aircraft had crossed the "median line" of the Taiwan Straits or entered the island's self-proclaimed southwest and southeast "Air Defense Identification Zone," according to a release by defense authorities on the Taiwan island. "The man-portable air-defense system like the FIM-92 Stinger missile has proved its lethality in urban warfare... and once Taiwan authorities obtained the Link-22 system, it means that the island will be brought under the US combat command structure," Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Friday This shows that under the US conception, once a military conflict breaks out across the Taiwan Straits, the US will not be on the frontline, but will command and sacrifice the troops on the island to serve the US strategy of containing the Chinese mainland, Song added. Ironically, Chiu Kuo-cheng, defense chief of the Taiwan island, said on Thursday that efforts should be made to avoid a war, as "once it starts, it will be truly disastrous." He added that there is no longer a distinction between the frontline and rear for Taiwan, emphasizing that the island "would not provoke hostility." Considering that the military of Taiwan authorities have been introducing new weapons and equipment, and their connection with the US is becoming closer, the PLA will continue to improve its combat plan, so that the regular military exercises could better align with the current and even future situation, Song said. The Taiwan Straits, the entire island of Taiwan and its surrounding waters are within the range of the PLA's firepower, and the PLA's operational capabilities are aimed not only at Taiwan secessionists, but also the external military forces that attempt to create trouble in the region, Song said. If outside military forces dare to assist Taiwan secessionist to split the territory from China, PLA will use its own way to solve the Taiwan question once and for all, and let them know through actions that "Taiwan independence" is a dead end, Song noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey's Presidential Candidates Eye Nationalist Support to Win By Hilmi Hacaloglu, Ezel Sahinkaya May 26, 2023 Ahead of Turkey's presidential runoff election on Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his main contender Kemal Kilicdaroglu are both eyeing voters who back the country's various nationalist parties. Nationalist parties like Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Good Party (IYIP), Victory Party (ZP) and Great Unity Party (BBP) received more than 23% of the votes in the parliamentary election on May 14, which made Turkish nationalists "the winner of the election," according to some experts. "Political parties and candidates that define themselves [as] nationalist achieved an outstanding number of votes that no one could foresee," Ismet Akca, a political scientist formerly with Istanbul's Yildiz Technical University, told VOA. Kemal Can, a veteran journalist and commentator at digital media outlet Medyascope, does not find the increase in the nationalist votes significant, but thinks that the nationalist parties gained bargaining power. "As a result of these elections, we can say that both the visibility and bargaining ability of nationalism increased rather than the numerical increase," Can told VOA. Endorsements On Monday, the nationalist ATA alliance's presidential candidate Sinan Ogan, who placed third in the first round of the presidential election May 14, announced his endorsement of Erdogan, who got 49.52% of the votes in the first round. Ogan also highlighted that his candidacy made Turkish nationalists the key players in the election and explained why he is backing Erdogan as his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the People's Alliance hold the majority in the parliament. Even though Ogan received 5.2% of the votes in the first round, Kemal Can thinks that Ogan will not be able to carry his support in its entirety to Erdogan. "Ogan was presented as a candidate in front of a group of voters and [received] a reaction," Can told VOA. "He did not collect these votes; they are not his own votes. They are the votes of an alliance and reactionary votes," Can added. On Wednesday, Umit Ozdag, the head of the far-right Victory Party, the leading party in the ATA alliance, endorsed Erdogan's rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who received 44.88% of votes in the first round. Kilicdaroglu has toughened his tone before the second round of the election as he pledged to send Syrian refugees back and to end terrorism in his campaign posters. At the same time, Erdogan has repeatedly suggested links between him and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Kilicdaroglu has denied this allegation. Kurdish support Ozdag and Kilicdaroglu also signed a seven-point protocol Wednesday on the principles of their cooperation. The protocol promises to deport all the refugees, including 3.6 million Syrians in Turkey, within a year and to replace elected mayors with state-appointed trustees with court rulings in case of legal proof that shows their links with terrorism. Akca thinks the protocol is a success for Ozdag, but it puts Kilicdaroglu at risk of not receiving the Kurdish votes as he got in the first round because of the trustees. Since the 2019 local elections, at least 48 out of 65 municipalities won by the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party have been run by government-appointed trustees over terrorism allegations. Following Ogan and Ozdag's endorsements, the pro-Kurdish Green Left Party (YSP) on Thursday reiterated its support for opposition against Erdogan in the runoff without naming Kilicdaroglu. YSP endorsed Kilicdaroglu by name in the first round. "Even though the party has declared its support for Kilicdaroglu, it remains a question how far it can mobilize its voters to go to the ballot box amid this radical nationalist frenzy," Akca told VOA. Key party Kemal Can said that during this year's campaign, the opposition asked the public if they wanted to see a change from the country's current direction. The government instead framed the question as who should decide if there will be change: the Kurds or the nationalists? "We see that nationalists entered into a power play demanding the decision-making power in a reactionary way," Can said. According to political scientist Akca, nationalists in Turkey see refugees and the Kurds as their main problems. "Existing nationalism [in Turkey] has two main problems, and one is refugees because the nationalist movement has caught a streak over the refugee problem among the public. We see a nationalism based on xenophobia," Akca told VOA. "The second is the Kurds. 'Let's not allow the Kurds and the political movement representing them to become the key party.' Sinan Ogan and the Victory Party voiced this as they were saying, 'Everyone will see who the key is,'" Akca added. Akca views the two different endorsements by Ogan and Ozdag, the two main actors of the nationalist ATA alliance, as "a gamble on their political futures." "Here, I find Umit OzdaAY, who has an organization like the Victory Party behind him, more advantageous than lone-wolf Sinan Ogan," Akca said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Finland to send another package of defence materiel to Ukraine Finnish Ministry of Defence 25.05.2023 Finland will deliver more defence materiel to Ukraine. The President of the Republic decided on the matter on 25 May 2023 on the proposal of the Government. This is the 16th package of defence materiel to be delivered by Finland to Ukraine. It includes anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition, among other items. Replacing the defence materiel capabilities in this package will cost Finland an estimated EUR 109 million. "Finland continues to support Ukraine together with our international partners. The total value of the defence materiel packages delivered by Finland to Ukraine is now EUR 1.1 billion," says Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen. For operational reasons and to ensure that the delivery reaches its destination, more detailed information on the content of the assistance, manner of delivery or schedule will not be provided. Both Ukraine's needs and the resources of the Defence Forces have been taken into account when deciding on the additional assistance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on the situation around the Istanbul Agreements 25 May 2023 21:56 1009-25-05-2023 Russia has consented to extend the Black Sea Initiative on Ukrainian food exports by two months. As a result, the agreement will remain in effect until the end of the planned 120-day cycle (through July 17), whereupon, as it is stipulated in the document, it can be terminated by an objecting party (Russia, TArkiye, or Ukraine). However, almost immediately after the decision on extending the initiative was approved, the Westerners and the Ukrainians came forward with demands on a buildup and expansion of Ukrainian exports rather than a mere continuation of the maritime traffic. They habitually resorted to their hackneyed postulates on food security, famine relief, and aid to destitute countries, and got support from the UN staff. At the same time, Kiev unashamedly and openly talks about its purely "commercial interests, profits for Ukrainian businesses, and important tax revenues for the war economy," including in the context of possible food deliveries to African countries within the framework of Zelensky's notorious Grain from Ukraine propaganda campaign. Part of the same story is the Ukrainian demand that they should get "some additional benefits," including through adding new seaports to the initiative and expanding the range of exported cargoes in exchange for a possible unblocking of the Tolyatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline. In so doing they make peremptory claims to the effect that the transit and export of ammonia is outside of the deal's framework. At the same time, Clause 3 of the Black Sea Initiative says in no uncertain terms that it is necessary to "assist safe shipping for the purpose of exporting grain, food and fertilisers, including ammonia, from the ports of Odessa, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhny." In formal terms, this authorises the export of products - Ukrainian grain and Russian ammonia - available at the ports at the moment of the parties signing the agreement. (The storage facility of the Odessa Port Plant still holds 24,000 tonnes of ammonia, which the Ukrainians, by refusing to allow its export, have actually stolen from the Russian Federation.) Though not stipulated directly, the transit of ammonia and delivery of new batches of grain are implied by the logic of the agreement. This was done and continues to be done with regard to grain. As for ammonia, there is no progress at all. The situation being what it is, there are some legitimate questions we would like to ask. Why does Ukrainian grain continue to be successfully exported, while Russian ammonia is stuck in the port of Yuzhny? What did the UN Secretary-General coordinate in Kiev on March 8 and what is the point of his relevant proposals, if supplying this raw material of key importance for the production of fertilisers continues to be impeded by Ukraine's endless additional requests? Where are all those champions of food security, who are so vociferous in calling for allowing the export of Ukrainian fodder corn and forage but are keeping mum when the Ukrainians and others block the export of Russian ammonia needed to produce food for 45 million people, primarily in African countries? Simultaneously, the same people in Washington, Brussels and London who talk about the need to fight hunger and help the destitute, continue introducing sanctions against Russian agricultural exports, among other things. They are not hiding the fact that they have no intention to help the UN Secretary-General in his comprehensive efforts aimed at "designing and coordinating global measures for a food crisis response programme under the leadership of the Secretary-General of the United Nations," to quote the UN-Russia Memorandum on promoting Russian food products and fertilisers to the world markets. For example, Peter Stano, spokesman for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the other day that Brussels was not going to reconnect the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to SWIFT. There is no headway on other systemic problems (apart from ammonia and SWIFT) that the Memorandum seeks to solve. These include supplies of spare parts and equipment, streamlining of the transport logistics and insurance, unfreezing of bank assets, and more. In this context, the Westerners, both collectively and separately, are not above lying that their restrictions do not apply to Russian fertilisers and food. We are used to their hypocrisy and double standards. Yet, we cannot but feel surprised by their open and unconcealed disdain for the UN and personally Antonio Guterres, who proposed the well-known Istanbul package of agreements. In this context, it is all the more paradoxical that UN representatives in their public comments are still calling, as if on orders from on-high, for the continuation and even expansion of the Black Sea Initiative. They don't feel alarmed or offer criticism at the absolute lack of progress on the UN-Russia Memorandum. A spokesman for the UN Secretary-General responded to the above comment concerning failure to reconnect Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT with a routine remark that there were other opportunities for making bank transactions. For our part, we note that insofar as ammonia is not exported from the Yuzhny port, there are other ports that are still exporting Ukrainian grain with Russian assistance. If Rosselkhozbank is not connected to SWIFT and there is no progress on solving other system-wide problems that are blocking Russian agricultural exports, the Black Sea Initiative will also have to look for alternatives, such as the EU's much vaunted land "solidarity corridors," whereby large amounts of Ukrainian products are exported, if at a much greater internal and external cost. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO and Ukraine boost partnership through greater cooperation on science, technology and innovation NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 25 May. 2023 - 26 May. 2023 Last updated: 26 May. 2023 On 25-26 May 2023, officials and experts from NATO and Ukraine met in Brussels to chart the way forward on their long-standing cooperation on science and technology. Within the framework of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Working Group on Scientific and Environmental Cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov and NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, David van Weel, launched a NATO-Ukraine High-Level Innovation Dialogue. The launch of this Dialogue aims to expand the existing NATO-Ukraine partnership, by exchanging views on the development of innovation ecosystems for both commercial and defence needs, and by sharing lessons learned from Ukraine, as it continues to defend itself from Russia's war of aggression. "Along with their bravery, we praise the creativity, agility and innovation that the Armed Forces of Ukraine embody. NATO stands behind Ukraine, including in their innovation efforts. Where wartime hobbyists, startups and NGOs help overmatch Russian aggressors today - we can also see a pathway for a robust Ukrainian innovation ecosystem in economic reconstruction tomorrow," said Assistant Secretary General van Weel. "This is the biggest war since World War II and at the same time the most technological war in human history. Innovations play a special role in confronting the enemy, which is many times superior in terms of weapons and personnel. The launch of the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Dialogue is an important step that will bring cooperation between our country and the Alliance to a new level. We are also ready to share our experience with our allies. After all, we have been using innovations in real-world combat operations for more than a year now," said Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov. In these first discussions, participants already identified two areas where NATO can support the dual-use Ukrainian innovation ecosystem. The first is providing experts to help evaluate technologies, and the second is exploring financing pathways that multiply the reach of Ukrainian innovation efforts for the benefit of Ukraine and Allied innovation ecosystems. Established more than two decades ago, the NATO-Ukraine Joint Working Group on Scientific and Environmental Cooperation oversees cooperation between NATO and Ukraine in the field of security-related science and technology. It gathered this week for the 17th time, under the co-chairing of NATO's Emerging Security Challenges Division and the Ukrainian Ministries of Education and Science and of Digital Transformation. Participants took stock of the achievements made with support from the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, and recognised the renewed importance of science and innovation defending against Russia's invasion, and for the future economic reconstruction of Ukraine. They identified advanced technology, energy security and digital resilience as new priority areas for scientific cooperation, based on Ukraine's current and upcoming needs, and discussed concrete research proposals, including on the detection of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, the use of Artificial Intelligence for the prediction of threats to energy grids, spectrum monitoring, and on digital twins for energy supply monitoring and dynamic adaptation. Since 2014, Ukraine has been the most active partner in NATO's SPS Programme. This cooperation has continued against the backdrop of Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, with Ukrainian scientists currently leading well over twenty activities supported by the SPS Programme. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OSCE leaders condemn Russia's ongoing missile attacks on Ukraine OSCE | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe SKOPJE/VIENNA/COPENHAGEN 26 May 2023 SKOPJE/VIENNA/COPENHAGEN, 26 May 2023 -- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, President of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Margareta Cederfelt and Secretary General Roberto Montella today made the following statement: "We denounce the continued missile attacks against Ukraine, which have intensified in recent weeks. Such missile attacks constitute major human rights violations, are contrary to international humanitarian law, and achieve nothing but indiscriminate death and destruction, including on civilians - women, men, boys and girls. Today's strike against a medical clinic in Dnipro is an especially egregious act. We condemn in the strongest possible terms this senseless violence, committed against a civilian population that continues to pay a terrible price in this war. We reiterate our call to the Russian Federation to immediately put an end to the attacks, stop violating international law, and uphold the principles and commitments of the OSCE. We continue to stand united with Ukraine and remain committed to supporting its people." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia warns US, UK 'tempting fate' by sending warships to Black Sea Iran Press TV Friday, 26 May 2023 6:32 PM Russia has warned the United States and Britain are "tempting fate" by sending warships into the Black Sea amid the war with Ukraine. "We call on the Pentagon and the British navy, which are sending their warships into the Black Sea, not to tempt fate in vain," Major General Igor Konashenkov, the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesperson said in a televised statement on Friday. Russia will defend its borders using all possible means including military force, he warned, noting, British warships sailing off the Russian coast in Crimea are "not more than a target" for Russia's Black Sea fleet's defense forces. HMS Defender, a British destroyer sailed through the Black Sea on Wednesday. Russia said its defense forces had fired warning shots and dropped bombs in the path of the British warship sailing through waters off the coast of Crimea, reportedly en route to Georgia. The UK said it had been informed beforehand of Russian military exercises. In a separate announcement, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the US and Britain were sowing strife by sailing warships through Black Sea waters, reiterating that Russia was ready to defend its borders using all means. Russia also warned on Thursday that it would target any British warships in the Black Sea if the UK's provocative actions off the Crimean coast continued. It also warned in a separate announcement by the Defense Ministry that the Russian forces had launched a joint naval and aerial military exercise in the eastern Mediterranean. Since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, the US and most European Union member countries have supplied Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons, including rocket systems, drones, tanks and armored vehicles, communication systems, and so on. The United States is the biggest supplier of weaponry to the Kiev forces, so far alone sending some $48 billion worth of military aid and other assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Russia has repeatedly warned that flooding Kiev with weapons and munitions will only prolong the war and that the West is engaged in a proxy war with Russia over Ukraine that could escalate into a much bigger conflict. The Kremlin also insists that it does not want to trigger a direct military confrontation between the US-backed NATO and Russia. In the meantime, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said the war in Ukraine could last for a very long time with periods of fighting followed by numerous ceasefires. "This conflict will last a very long time, most likely decades," said on Thursday during a visit to Vietnam. "As long as there is such a power in place, there will be, say, three years of truce, two years of conflict, and everything will be repeated," he said, reiterating Moscow's claim that Ukraine is a Nazi state. He warned that supplying more destructive and advanced weapons by the US and its allies to Ukraine increases the probability of a "nuclear apocalypse." Russia's former president said on Tuesday, "The more weapons are supplied, the more dangerous the world will be." "And the more destructive these weapons are, the more likely the scenario becomes of what is commonly called a nuclear apocalypse," he warned during a trip to Vietnam. Medvedev, who is currently serving as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council and is seen as a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, had warned earlier that if Russia loses the conflict in Ukraine, a nuclear war could break out. "The defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger a nuclear war," Medvedev warned in a Telegram post, adding that "nuclear powers have never lost major conflicts on which their fate depends." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former Russian president warns Ukraine war could last for 'decades' Iran Press TV Friday, 26 May 2023 7:46 AM A senior ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin says the war in Ukraine can drag on for decades, with long periods of fighting followed by ceasefires, Russia's RIA news agency reported on Thursday. Speaking during his visit to Vietnam, former president Dmitry Medvedev said, "This conflict will last a very long time, most likely decades." "As long as there is such a power in place, there will be, say, three years of truce, two years of conflict, and everything will be repeated," he said, reiterating Moscow's claim that Ukraine is a Nazi state. Medvedev, who is currently serving as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has warned earlier that if Russia loses, a nuclear war could break out. "The defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger a nuclear war," Medvedev said in a post on Telegram, adding that "nuclear powers have never lost major conflicts on which their fate depends." Ukraine: Russian attacks thwarted Ukrainian officials said Friday their military forces shot down 10 missiles and more than 20 drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks on the capital Kiev, the city of Dnipro, and eastern regions. A total of 17 missiles and 31 drones were launched in the attacks, which began around 10:00 p.m. (1900 GMT) on Thursday and continued until 5:00 a.m. on Friday. Several drones and several missiles hit targets in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, they said. "It was a very difficult night. It was loud - the enemy launched a mass attack on the region with missiles and drones," Serhiy Lysak, the Dnipropetrovsk regional governor, said on the Telegram messaging app. "Dnipro has suffered." Russia has reportedly stepped up missile and drone attacks on Ukraine this month, mostly targeting logistics and infrastructure facilities ahead of an expected Ukrainian counterattack. German chancellor set to talk with Putin German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he planned to speak with President Putin "in due course" and considered the prospect of resuming contacts after the near-total breakdown in relations since the Ukraine war. "My last telephone call was some time ago," said Scholz. "But I plan to speak to Putin again in due course." In early December, the two leaders spoke by phone, during which, Scholz urged Putin to withdraw Moscow's forces from Ukraine, while the Russian leader accused the West of pursuing "destructive" policies. Since then, tensions between Moscow and Berlin have escalated, particularly over the Scholz government's decision in January to send German-made heavy battle tanks to Ukraine. Scholz insisted that his goal was to "actively support Ukraine" while "avoiding direct conflict between NATO and Russia." He emphasized that Germany does not act alone and all decisions must be coordinated with its allies. Asked about the prospect of a negotiated end to the conflict, Scholz said Putin had to understand that the war could not be ended by establishing "some kind of cold peace." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Least Two Dead After 'Extremely Heavy' Wave Of Russian Strikes On Ukraine By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service May 26, 2023 At least two people were killed and more than two dozen wounded when a medical facility in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro was hit during another wave of Russian air strikes against Ukraine, which President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called "another crime against humanity." Video from the site on May 26 showed plumes of smoke coming out of several buildings, which appeared heavily damaged and still ablaze in some parts. Zelenskiy said the buildings housed a psychological clinic and a veterinary clinic in the city. "Another Russian missile attack, another crime against humanity," Zelenskiy said on Twitter. "There can be no military purpose in this [attack]. It is pure terror." Volodymyr Orlov, the deputy governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, told a briefing that besides the two people killed, at least 25 people, including two children, were wounded in the missile attack on the health facility in Dnipro. Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said earlier on Telegram that the two wounded children were boys aged 3 and 6. Lysak said it had been an "extremely difficult night" of Russian strikes that also caused substantial damage to the region's civilian infrastructure. An hourslong air-raid alert was declared on the territory of Ukraine overnight as Kyiv and several other regions were subjected to air strikes. Most of the incoming missiles and drones were downed by Ukrainian air defenses, the military and regional officials said. The Russian military fired 17 missiles and 31 Iranian-made attack drones on civilian and military targets, but the Ukrainian air defenses managed to shoot down 10 missiles and 23 drones, Ukraine's Air Force Command reported early on May 26. Damage caused by falling debris was reported in Kyiv's Obolon and Shevchenkivskiy districts, but Serhiy Popko, the head of the capital's military administration, said there were no reports of injuries or casualties during the three-hour attack on the capital that started around 3 a.m. local time. It was the 13th such attack on the Ukrainian capital this month. The cities of Merefa and Izyum in the Kharkiv region sustained damage in the drone attack, the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, Oleh Synyehubov said. A Russian missile destroyed a residential building in the town of Avdiyivka, close to Bakhmut, the Donetsk region city that has been the epicenter of the war in the east, said Zelenskiy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak. There were no initial reports of victims, Yermak wrote on Telegram. On the battlefield, fighting continued in and around the eastern city of Bakhmut, the General Staff said in its daily report on May 26, again contradicting Russia's claims that it had captured the whole city. Meanwhile, the governor of the Belgorod region in southern Russia claimed that the Ukrainian military was behind dozens of artillery and drone attacks across the border area, but he said no casualties had been reported. And officials in Krasnodar in southern Russian said two drones damaged buildings in the city center, although no casualties were reported. Kyiv, as usual, did not comment on the action inside Russia. The claims of attacks inside Russia came days after an incursion into the Belgorod region from Ukraine by two self-proclaimed anti-Kremlin Russian fighter groups shocked Moscow. On the diplomatic front, Kyiv's agenda is now dominated by efforts to speed up the delivery of promised F-16 fighter jets, which are more sophisticated than the Soviet-made warplanes now part of its arsenal. Ukraine's Defense Ministry on May 26 announced that, according to its calculations, it would take almost 50 F-16s aircraft to secure the country's airspace. "Four F16 squadrons (48 aircraft) are what we need to liberate our country from the [Russian] aggressor," the ministry's press service said on Twitter. With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, AFP, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-wave-air- strikes/32428792.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Consider The Porcupine: Western Officials Struggle To Find A New Security Model For Ukraine By Mike Eckel May 26, 2023 Forget Finlandization. What about the porcupine? Russia's invasion of Ukraine is grinding into its 16th month with no end in sight. Impatience is mounting in Western capitals about how long the conflict will rage, how long Ukraine can hold out, and how long Western voters -- U.S. first and foremost -- will continue to support sending billions in weaponry to Kyiv. Some of Ukraine's staunchest backers -- in Washington, Brussels, and elsewhere -- say nothing less than full membership in NATO will resolve the conflict. But the prospect of NATO membership for Ukraine has been a prominent constant in a series of shifting grievances cited by the Kremlin as justification for launching Europe's largest land war since World War II. So, what about opening the spigot of Western weaponry even further, for the foreseeable future, while offering some sort of limited security assurance, and taking the near-term prospect of NATO membership off the table? Sort of like Israel. Also referred to as the "porcupine" model, the idea is gaining traction in some NATO hallways as diplomats struggle to figure out how to untangle the conflict without throwing Ukraine under the bus -- or rewarding Russia for its aggression. The president of Poland, one of Ukraine's strongest supporters, endorses the idea. "The discussions on this one are going on right now," Andrzej Duda told The Wall Street Journal an interview published this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accepted an invitation to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania in July, and alliance members will consider setting up a new entity called the Ukraine NATO Council. The arrangement would allow for Ukraine to summon the council and seek assistance in the event of threats, the newspaper said; individual members countries, but not the alliance as a whole, would then provide assistance. 'One Of The Strongest Armies In The World' Ukraine's military has defied expectations. Prior to the February 2022 invasion, many outside observers expected Ukrainian forces, hollowed out by years of corruption and mismanagement, would be quickly routed by Russian forces. Not only did that not happen, but Ukraine demonstrated to Western supporters, not to mention Russia, that its armed forces were competent, motivated, and able to handle weaponry more advanced than the Soviet-era stocks that comprised most of its arsenal. And now, armed with more sophisticated Western weaponry worth billions of dollars, Ukraine's military has proven its capabilities even further: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the blunt-talking head of Russia's most notorious mercenary company, Wagner, last week described Ukraine's army as "one of the strongest...in the world." Providing Ukraine with even more training and weaponry would make the country even more "prickly," like a porcupine, supporters of the concept say, giving a hostile adversary like Russia pause before attacking. "This strategy aims to create a relationship between Russia and Ukraine similar to that of Israel and Iran, North and South Korea, or East and West Germany during the Cold War," Lise Howard, a Georgetown University professor, and Michael O'Hanlon, director of research in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, said in an article published this month. "Only a clear, committed porcupine strategy is likely to be both politically feasible and truly capable of deterring Russia," Franz-Stefan Gady, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said in an article published on May 22. "It means helping Ukraine rearm and train in an agile, lighter way to make sure it can fight a flexible defensive military campaign against any future invading Russian force," he wrote. "It is a porcupine strategy with a hammer blow at the end." One question is whether that's enough on its own -- just give Ukraine lots of weapons -- or whether it needs to be paired with some other security agreement. Another is whether it's needed. A "porcupine" model "could be a way to go if we had to make a deal with Russia and Ukraine to end the war," said Kevin Ryan, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general, now a fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School. "But it's premature to suggest or push for it now." "My preference would be to start induction steps with Ukraine now with an eye to full membership," he said. "Russia already sees Ukraine as a 'de facto' NATO member. And, in my opinion, even though Ukraine is a shambles economically and politically, it has the best military among European members. They would be instant value-added to NATO's defense." "If NATO membership would go too far, the porcupine concept does not go far enough," Howard and O'Hanlon said in their article, calling for an entirely new organization: the Atlantic-Asian Security Community. 'Israelization' One of the United States' closest allies, Israel has reaped massive dividends for its armed forces over the decades. A 10-year defense deal signed in 2016 provided for $38 billion in U.S. military assistance. That has made Israel's most hostile neighbors wary of taking its armed forces head-on. The "example of Israel is indeed good proof that such a model is viable," Mykola Byelyeskov, a research fellow at the National Institute for Strategic Studies, a Kyiv-based government-supported think tank, said in a private message. "People are better persuaded when you give real-world examples instead of just catchy phrases." Still, he said, "No one is going to push NATO membership of Ukraine off the agenda, even if there is provisional agreement on a porcupine/Israeli strategy." Porcupine or Israel, the idea has skeptics. "The problem with the Israel analogy is that Israel is a nuclear state in a nonnuclear environment, while Ukraine, as a nonnuclear state, is the neighbor of the world's largest nuclear power," said Jana Puglierin, director of the Berlin office of the European Council on Foreign Relations. "Conventional upgrading of the Ukrainian Army alone is therefore not enough, since it would not protect Ukraine against nuclear blackmailing," she said in an e-mail. Ukraine gave up the nuclear weapons it had on its territory in 1994 under a deal known as the Budapest Memorandum, in return for security assurances from the United Sates, Britain -- and Russia. The other problem with the Israeli model, said Rajan Menon, director of the Grand Strategy program at Defense Priorities, a Washington think tank, is that Israel really doesn't have a major conventional threat on its borders. "The Ukrainians? They have a neighbor that they share a border with that is much more powerful than they are," he said. "Israel does not." A Bronze Medal? In Kyiv, Ukrainian officials are aware of the idea floating around hallways in Washington, Brussels, and elsewhere, Menon said, speaking from the Ukrainian capital. "There's not a lot of enthusiasm for the idea because, as you know, the first order of preference is membership in NATO," he said. The door to membership in NATO was cracked open at a contentious summit in Bucharest in April 2008. Ukraine, and Georgia, another country that Russia views as being in its historic sphere of influence, were offered an open-ended -- overly vague, critics argued -- promise to eventually join the alliance. The offer stopped short of a formal invitation: a Membership Action Plan. Russia invaded Georgia four months later. Some foreign policy experts and historians have drawn a straight line from the Bucharest decision to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine. In 2021, amid mounting threats against Ukraine, the Kremlin announced that Ukrainian membership in NATO was a red line and tried to persuade the West to rule it out once and for all. For the Ukrainians, Menon said, the second preference is a security guarantee -- a commitment to come to Ukraine's aid, but something short of the full commitment of NATO and its Article 5, the alliance's central provision that stipulates an attack on one member will be considered an attack on all. "They view the 'porcupine' strategy as a discussion that I think could bubble up and lead to the shelving of either option one, NATO membership, or option two, the security guarantee," he said. But he said Ukrainians have not started seriously deliberating what a "porcupine" model would entail "because I think there's a belief that they are owed NATO membership." "A porcupine strategy is their bronze medal, if that," he said. "Some might even say it's not a medal. They might even say that it's not something that is enough to deter Putin." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-porcupine-model- nato-membership-russia-invasion/32429441.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU's Former Top Diplomat Concedes Ukraine Oversights, Saying 'Hindsight Is Always Difficult' By Milos Rudovic May 26, 2023 The European Union's former high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton, has defended the bloc's initial response after Russia occupied Crimea in 2014, but acknowledged "we did not know then what we know now" and said subsequent policy did not sufficiently prioritize "what was happening in Ukraine." She also urged Balkan neighbors Serbia and Kosovo to "get round the table and find answers" to lingering differences preventing normalized relations between Belgrade and Pristina, a full decade after the so-called Brussels agreement that she helped forge. In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL's Balkan Service, Ashton underscored the Western Balkan countries' eventual suitability for EU membership and the added challenge of Russian engagement in the region. "We were always aware of Russia's influence and engagement in the Western Balkans," she said. "The events in Ukraine have brought that more into view." Ashton was the EU's first-ever high representative, serving as the bloc's chief foreign and security policy coordinator and envoy from 2009-14. Russia covertly occupied the Crimean Peninsula and annexed it in 2014 in a move overwhelmingly rejected by the United Nations, and a simmering conflict waged by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine escalated into a full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. The European Union and the United States led a sanctions push particularly after the downing of a Malaysian airliner over eastern Ukraine in July 2014 to punish Russia, the ruble, and perceived proxy fighters in Ukraine. But critics have accused the West of underestimating the threat to international order and UN-recognized borders for years from Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly in what Moscow regards as its "near abroad." "We did react at the time, imposing sanctions on Russia and trying to get negotiations moving," Ashton said. "Hindsight is always difficult. We did not know then what we know now; however, in the intervening years, what was happening in Ukraine was not as high on the agenda as it should have been, in my opinion." Ashton published her memoirs -- titled And Then What? Inside Stories Of 21st-Century Diplomacy -- in February. Speaking to RFE/RL, she drew a sharp distinction between "the challenge of China," which has grown considerably for European policymakers, and the situation with Russia. Chinese President Xi Jinping asserted a "no-limits" partnership with Russia weeks before Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and Beijing has urged peace but declined to directly criticize Moscow publicly. "I hope that we will see more effort put into developing a strategic approach to China that recognizes the connections and the concerns," Ashton said. "I recall that China played a role with the rest of the P5+1 in the Iran [nuclear] negotiations, and my hope would be that China would seek to play a positive role in the multilateral system we need to take care of." In the former Yugoslavia, Ashton was essential to an apparent breakthrough in Brussels in 2013 that provided a road map toward normalized relations between Serbia and its majority ethnic Albanian former province, Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008. A decade later, Belgrade still refuses to recognize Kosovar sovereignty while blocking its membership in international institutions. Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic has leveraged regional might to pursue closer relations with Moscow and Beijing, and outsiders accuse him of increasingly authoritarian leadership that damages Serbians' desire for EU membership. Kosovo's prime minister, Albin Kurti, has toughened Pristina's stance on a number of bilateral issues since taking over in 2020, pledging "reciprocity," and is frequently critical of Western attempts at mediation. Ashton played down a question about Washington and Brussels vying for influence in the Balkans, saying that "it's not about who has more power, it's about the power of working together." She conceded that "there is concern across the [Balkan] region that the EU is not as enthusiastic as it was once for enlargement. Yet there is no question that the countries of the Western Balkans belong inside the EU." "But there is a lot to be done by those countries who want to be part of the EU, and some of the lack of enthusiasm is because of the lack of progress being made by those who want to be members," she said. "It is not an easy journey, but a journey well worth making." Ashton stressed democracy, human rights, and rule of law as central guiding principles and "part of the ongoing dialogue." Among the lessons of her diplomatic years, Ashton stressed to RFE/RL the need for compromise and good negotiators whose "drip, drip" efforts enable solutions. "It is not just the role of the EU to push forward with the Western Balkans, it is also down to each country to determine that it will make the changes necessary to deal with all the issues that are necessary to become a member of the EU," she said. "So I hope we will see more done by everyone to address these challenges." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-ashton-interview- russia-ukraine-western-balkans/32429499.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO to Upgrade Ukraine's Partner Status Without Offering Membership - Reports Sputnik News 20230526 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO plans to support Ukraine by creating a Ukraine-NATO Council during the July summit in Vilnius instead of giving it a concrete plan for becoming a full-fledged member, for which Kiev has repeatedly requested, the European news outlet reported on Friday, citing sources. NATO diplomats told media that the alliance will have to find the right balance between maintaining the open-door policy and supporting Kiev's aspirations without directly admitting the country to the bloc. The proposed Ukraine-NATO Council should serve this purpose. Kiev will become a "full-fledged" party to the body and will have greater opportunities to communicate with the alliance, the sources said. Ukraine will be able to engage in closer intelligence sharing, joint exercises, as well as receive more options for financial support and development of its own armed forces in accordance with NATO standards, according to the report. NATO diplomats also believe that this joint format will smooth Ukraine's future transition to membership. In addition, Eastern European NATO members are pushing the bloc to provide Kiev with a crystal-clear roadmap that will ensure its speedy post-conflict admission, while others, possibly including the most powerful nations, remain reluctant over the idea, arguing that the decisions of the 2008 Bucharest summit, which stated that Ukraine will join the alliance one day, are already quite sufficient, the report said. In early May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was clear that Ukraine would not join NATO until the conflict was over, but the country hoped to receive an invitation from its Western allies to join the alliance as soon as possible. Last month, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine would eventually join the bloc as all NATO members supported its ambitions. The idea was rejected by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. In September 2022, Zelensky announced that Ukraine would apply for accelerated NATO membership. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was closely monitoring the situation, recalling that Kiev's orientation toward the alliance was one of the reasons for the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine last year. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Republika Srpska Not Planning to Supply Arms to Ukraine - President Sputnik News 20230526 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Republika Srpska, one of the governed entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is not planning to deliver weapons to Ukraine, President of the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik has told Sputnik. "We see how certain countries are, under the influence and pressure of NATO, supplying their weapons to Ukraine now. Republika Srpska, certainly, is not doing this and does not intend to do so," Dodik said. When asked about the risks of a possible entry of Western weapons from Ukraine into the black market of European countries, including the Balkans, the president said that "such a danger exists." Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with various types of weapons, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine over a year ago. Moscow has warned that the arms deliveries do not contribute to a peaceful solution and further escalate the conflict, risking full NATO involvement. Russian Gas for Bosnia and Herzegovina Refering to the economic cooperation between Russia and Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik said that an agreement on the construction of a gas pipeline from Serbia with Russia's Gazprom remains in force. "We hope that it [the construction] can begin this year, but it is necessary to complete all the procedures at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Milorad Dodik said. The Bosnian Serb leader noted that Republika Srpska would do its utmost to fulfill all obligations under the contract to start the construction. "The most important thing is that the agreement between Gazprom and Republika Srpska remains in force, and no changes are expected here," Dodik stressed. He added that if other autonomous entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina hinders the realization of this project, Republika Srpska can also block their future projects. The project of the main gas pipeline in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will connect the country with the Serbian gas transmission system and will receive gas from Russia, is currently in the preparation phase. He emphasized that republic was considering the possibility of paying for Russian gas in rubles. "During our meeting with President Putin, the position was clarified that the price of Russian gas supplied to the republic remains unchanged. Various ways and possibilities for payment are being considered on the issue of financing," Dodik said. Successful Bilateral Talks Milorad Dodik stressed that his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was "very successful" and reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia. The talks between the head of the Serb-dominated part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Russian leader took place in Moscow on May 23. The sides discussed energy cooperation among other topics. "The conversation [with Putin] was very successful ... We had an exchange of opinions on the current state of our relations, regional and global agenda. The friendly attitude of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and the Russian Federation towards Republika Srpska has been confirmed once again. We have again confirmed that we are reliable partners and all our meetings are proof of that," Dodik said. He also expressed his gratitude to Russia for its support for Republika Srpska, including on the international level, which guarantees the fulfillment of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The leader of Bosnian Serbs also said he has accepted an invitation to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which will take place from June 14-17, and will attend it, if his work schedule allows him to fly to Russia. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France Can Offer Ukraine Basic Pilot Training Instead of F-16 Jets - Foreign Minister Sputnik News 20230526 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - France has no F-16 fighters in its air fleet, but it can offer the Ukrainian army basic flight training in place of the jets, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Friday. "We know that what Ukraine is looking for is F-16 planes, which France does not have. But they also need pilots, and a distinction should be made between basic training and F-16 specific training. It is possible that we will contribute to basic training," Colonna said in an interview with the Italian daily newspaper. The top diplomat reiterated French President Emmanuel Macron's assertion that there were "no taboos" on helping Ukraine obtain warplanes, although he conceded that giving it jets would be a very big step. A spokesperson for the French government declined during a press briefing on Wednesday to comment on whether France would contribute to EU efforts to arm Ukraine with F-16s. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Saturday that the time was not yet right for Ukraine to have F-16s. He said Washington and its allies were going to decide which countries would supply these aircraft to Kiev and in what number. US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky had assured him he would not use F-16s to attack "Russian geographic territory." However, Kiev regime does not see Crimea, Sevastopol and new regions as a Russian territory and has threatened it with attacks. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address During this week, we have also made substantial progress in providing modern aircraft for Ukraine - address of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 26 May 2023 - 19:23 Dear Ukrainians, I wish you health! I just held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The questions are obvious. The front line, our defense, and our active actions, providing our soldiers with weapons and ammunition, equipment. Air defense and protection against terror. During the day, I receive reports on the situation in the city of Dnipro and the elimination of the consequences of another strike. It is a pure atrocity: a Russian missile, ballistics - against a hospital and a veterinary clinic. Absolutely sick creatures. As of this minute, two people have been killed in this strike. My condolences to families and friends! Debris clearance has not yet been completed. More than 30 people have been injured, including two children. We will do everything possible, everything impossible, to speed up the supply of more air defense systems of a higher quality to Ukraine - this is literally a daily issue for work with partners. During this week, we have also made substantial progress in providing modern aircraft for Ukraine, which will become a key component of our defense in the sky. We are moving faster in defense modernization than could have been predicted six months ago. General Syrsky made an important report at the Staff meeting - regarding the relevant directions in Donbas. Our soldiers are doing incredible things there, and every position retaken from the occupiers, every height occupied by our forces are new and new arguments for the world that Ukraine can, can win. Thanks to every soldier! Tavria, Odesa, Pivnich, defense of Kharkiv region - attention to each direction. Supplying equipment to offensive brigades. The Minister of Defense reported to me about the results of the Ramstein meeting - good results. Today, I also held a meeting with international experts regarding our movement in NATO - a more conceptual one. We have to use it - and we will use it! - every opportunity this month and next month, in general, this year, to fill our relations with the Alliance with real political content. I had an important conversation with Senator Graham, one of the most influential and experienced U.S. senators. We discussed the situation in our defense today, our needs in the near future. Thank you for understanding Ukraine! We are preparing several international appeals to increase support for our state and our struggle for freedom - support among our traditional allies and partners and in the countries of the Global South. I held a meeting devoted to new sanctions against those who support Russian aggression. And one more. Today Georgia celebrates Independence Day. I greet all the people of Georgia and wish them to be together with us and all other European nations in a free, peaceful and united European family. I wish this for the entire Georgia - and those parts of your country that are still under Russian occupation. Yet! Georgia is one of the ancient and respected historical forces, and this force CANNOT be defeated, I am sure of it. The occupier will lose. ! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with US Senator Lindsey Graham President of Ukraine 26 May 2023 - 19:33 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with US Senator Lindsey Graham, visiting our country for the third time since the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression. The Head of State highly appreciated the bicameral and bipartisan support of Ukraine in the US Congress. He expressed special thanks to the President of the United States, the entire American people for their leadership in defense and financial assistance to our country. "It is very important, we appreciate this help. We know that from the first days of full-scale Russian aggression, we have full support. I'm deeply grateful for this," Zelenskyy said. In this regard, the President thanked for the recent $375 million defense aid package provided by the United States on May 21, and emphasized the unprecedented total amount of aid provided since February of last year reaching $38 billion. The Head of State briefed the US senator in detail on the situation at the frontline and gave an assessment of its development in the near future. In this regard, Zelenskyy emphasized the primary importance of continuing and strengthening defense assistance to Ukraine from partners, which should be provided without any restrictions. The President praised the US decision to support the international fighter jet coalition and called it historic. He emphasized the need for practical filling, developing and strengthening this coalition. The Head of State separately emphasized that the time has come for partners, in particular, the United States, to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons and other types of weapons that would help the Ukrainian defense forces achieve strategic goals on the battlefield, de-occupy Ukrainian territories and reduce losses among defenders. Amid increasing Russian missile terror and heavy attacks by Iranian Shahed drones on Ukrainian cities, Zelenskyy emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the air shield over Ukraine by providing modern air defense systems, which have already proven their high effectiveness in countering many threats and saving the lives of Ukrainians, by partners. At the meeting, the issue of implementing the Ukrainian Peace Formula was separately discussed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An Indiana board has decided to reprimand an Indianapolis doctor after finding that she violated patient privacy laws by talking publicly about providing an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim from neighboring Ohio Andriy Yermak: Ukraine will become a NATO member when the security situation allows President of Ukraine 26 May 2023 - 16:38 The partner countries that Ukraine wants to see as guarantors of its security on the way to NATO membership support the provision of such guarantees, and the form of their consolidation is currently being discussed. This was stated by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak during a conversation with media representatives in Kyiv. He noted that all the leaders of the partner states have a draft of the Kyiv Security Compact for review. Andriy Yermak noted that Ukraine stands for developing a document based on the best positions of both the Kyiv Security Compact and the packages of agreements that have been concluded and are working effectively in other countries. The Head of the President's Office emphasized that security guarantees will be in place until our country joins NATO: "Ukraine's ambitions for membership in the Alliance remain unchanged, so we are working on positions to support our Euro-Atlantic course." "I have no doubt that in the future Ukraine will be a NATO member. But we are realists. We understand that this will definitely happen when the security situation allows," added Andriy Yermak. "Our expectations from the Summit in Vilnius boil down to two key priorities: fixing in one form or another the absence of alternatives to the fact that we are on the path to NATO membership, and before joining the Alliance, obtaining security guarantees," the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized. He also spoke about the results of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's participation in the Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia and the G7 Summit in Japan. According to him, the development of relations with the Arab countries and the states of the Global South is currently important for Ukraine, so painstaking work is underway in many areas. "I am confident that we will have partnership relations with Saudi Arabia at various levels. They have already provided us with humanitarian aid and I think they will continue to do so," said Andriy Yermak. The Head of the President's Office noted that he positively assesses the possible participation of this country in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and in the Global Peace Summit. According to Andriy Yermak, the bilateral meetings held by Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the Arab League Summit will be the beginning of important cooperation, and representatives of the Arab world are expected to visit Ukraine. "They are ready to invest now, even without waiting for the war to end. This is very important for us. This makes us an influential player, particularly in this region," he summarized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Exports Under Black Sea Deal Hit Lowest Levels By Margaret Besheer May 26, 2023 Despite renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative on May 17, exports of grain and food from Ukraine have slowed to their lowest levels since they resumed last August under the deal, while Russian officials repeat complaints that Moscow is not benefiting enough from the initiative. The Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Center (JCC) that oversees the implementation of the deal said Friday that only two of the three Ukrainian ports authorized to receive and send ships are working, and no new vessels have been registered to participate in the initiative in nearly a month. Earlier this month, Russia had threatened to withdraw from the grain deal, which has facilitated the export of more than 30 million metric tons of grain and other foodstuffs from Ukraine in the past 10 months, helping to lower global food prices. A parallel Memorandum of Understanding between Russia and the United Nations has made inroads in easing concerns of anxious banks, insurers, shippers and other private sector actors about doing business with Russia. Moscow agreed on May 17 a just hours before the deal would have lapsed a to renew it for another 60 days. However, on Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin again said the deal is not working. "Not only is the Russian-U.N. memorandum not being implemented, but even the Russian ammonia exports stipulated under both agreements, including from the port of Yuzhny, as mentioned in the Black Sea initiative, are not being made," Vershinin said, according to Russian news agency Tass. The export of fertilizer, including ammonia, is part of the initiative, and on Friday the JCC said "there have been no such exports so far." Food and fertilizer products are not under Western sanctions, and the U.S., Britain, and the European Union have provided so-called "letters of comfort" to businesses to ease their concerns about trading in them with Russia. "We're trying to push things forward on different tracks, all with the same aim of getting as much food and fertilizer to those who desperately need it," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said of the organization's efforts to lower barriers to Russian exports. Ukrainian exports are moving slowly. Data from the JCC show that May's exports are far below their monthly averages and capacity. Just over 1 million metric tons have been exported so far in May from the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk and Odesa, and none from the port of Pivdennyi/Yuzhny. In previous months, it has averaged around 3 million metric tons. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said Thursday on Twitter that Russia is obstructing exports from Pivdennyi and that 28 vessels are waiting to enter the port. Ships must be inspected by the JCC on their inbound and outbound journeys to Ukraine. Vessel inspections have substantially slowed to an average of 3.2 a day, down from a high of 10.6 in October. Diplomats have previously blamed Russia for slowing inspections at the JCC. The JCC said based on information it received from Ukraine, there are 54 vessels waiting to move to Ukrainian ports. Out of these, 11 applications have been shared with the JCC for registration. There are also 13 vessels loading in Ukrainian ports a six in Chornomorsk and seven in Odesa. Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the World Food Program purchased more than half of its wheat from Ukraine. Since the Black Sea Grain Initiative began in August, WFP has been able to retrieve 625,000 metric tons of grain for its operations. On Friday, the JCC said it registered two WFP-chartered vessels to sail to Ukraine to pick up cargo. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of Third Meeting of the Ukraine Donor Coordination Platform Steering Committee May 26, 2023 Today, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Mike Pyle, together with Finance Minister of Ukraine, Sergii Marchenko, and European Commission Director-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman, co-chaired the third meeting of the Steering Committee of the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine. The Government of Ukraine and G7 Members of the Steering Committee, and representatives from international financial institutions (IFIs), discussed progress on Ukraine's 2023 early recovery priorities in the areas of energy infrastructure, civilian demining, critical and social infrastructure, housing, and support to the private sector. Ukraine also provided an update on implementation of its reform agenda. Deputy National Security Advisor Pyle welcomed Ukraine's commitment to continued progress on reform efforts, which will be critical for longer-term economic sustainability and catalyzing financial support from the private sector. He emphasized that the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) next month in London will be a crucial moment to demonstrate that the platform is able to provide transparency, clarity, and coordination in meeting Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction needs. Collaboration will continue in the coming weeks, and the Steering Committee will hold its next meeting on the margins of the URC in June. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Charlotte, May 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charlotte, North Carolina - Commercial Door Worx, a commercial door and hardware installation company in Charlotte, NC, is pleased to announce the expansion of their business operations and services to the Columbia, South Carolina area. With their more than 25 years of experience in the industry, they can assure their customers of their exceptional service, top-quality materials and resources, and dependable services, no matter how difficult the project is. Tom McGarity, CEO of Commercial Door Worx, says, Are you looking to install a new door for your property? If so, then youve come to the right place. Commercial Door Worx specializes in delivering top-notch door and hardware installation services in four different regions in Columbia, SC and surrounding areas. With more than 25 years of professional experience, we can ensure that your new set of doors are installed properly. No matter if youre looking to make a traditional or custom installation, weve got you covered. Our expertise includes servicing clients like hospitals, assisted living facilities, hotels, schools, and up-fits. Whats more is that we provide exceptional customer satisfaction, meaning that our work is never done until you are completely satisfied with our service. Some of their specialties are anti-ligature doors and devices, which are frequently used in hospitals, behavioral health institutions, correctional institutes, and other similar institutions, including government offices as a way to prevent suicide or self-harm. Basically, this is a design for door handles that prevents a patient from tying an object on it for the purpose of suicide or self-harm. The anti-ligature locks have curved or sloped corners that make it almost impossible to attach any cord-like object because it will just slide right off the lock. Furthermore, the locking mechanism can be controlled on the inside of the door but there is also unrestricted access from the exterior, which means health care professionals can lock the door from the outside. Those who would like to know the exact location and other relevant information about Commercial Door Worx can check out their Google Maps page at https://goo.gl/maps/t8aW2JWQuiQueW9f9. Another innovative product that can be provided and installed by Commercial Door Worx is the hollow metal door and frame, which has been gaining in popularity among new interior designers and architects. Hollow metal doors offer several advantages. First, they are strong and durable, while being light. Second, they are both waterproof and fireproof, and they dont require much in terms of maintenance and care. Third, they are attractive and can contribute to the aesthetics of the office or commercial building. Fourth, they conform with safety rules and regulations. For instance, because they are light, they are easy to open and close, which conforms with the needs of differently abled persons. Commercial Door Worx can also provide panic devices for commercial buildings. These are designed to help people escape a building much more easily and safely, thus lessening the liability burden of business owners with regards to the issue of negligence and safety. Also available from Commercial Door Worx are bathroom partitions, which are often needed in mall washrooms and public baths. They can also provide and install public/commercial bathroom accessories, such as paper towel dispensers, paper towel holders, soap dishes, and more. Commercial Door Worx is a commercial door and hardware installation company based in Charlotte, NC with more than 25 years of experience. Their installation projects include doors and hardware for schools, assisted living facilities, hotels, up-fits, hospitals, and more. Aside from door and hardware installation, they can also provide hollow metal frame installation and bath partitions and accessories installation. They also provide related items and services, such as: door and frame repair; door push bar; locksets; closures; exit devices; panic devices; door push bar; public/commercial bathroom accessories and bath partitions; bath partitions; toilet paper holder; towel dispenser; and soap dish. Those who are interested in learning more about their commercial door installation services for automatic and manual doors in Columbia, SC, including repair and/or maintenance, can visit their website at https://commercialdoorworx.com/service-areas/columbia-sc/ or contact them on the phone or through email. ### For more information about Commercial Door Worx, contact the company here: Commercial Door Worx Tom McGarity 704-627-2164 tom@commercialdoorworx.com 227 W 4th St Charlotte, NC 28202 North Las Vegas, May 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North Las Vegas, Nevada - Indianapolis SEO Company Local Blitz is helping business owners and self-starters succeed online with its battle-tested 5-step SEO process. The companys services begin with a Discovery phase where its team of SEO experts understands its clients goals for the business. This involves a deep dive into what makes the business or organization unique compared to its competitors and pairing these insights with Local Blitzs in-house expertise. Next, during the Strategy phase, the SEO experts put together a campaign with a focus on KPIs that have been identified during the Discovery phase, including custom strategies to improve those specific targeted KPIs. Once the strategy is in place, Local Blitz gets to work implementing the proposal with a combination of technical and creative tasks. Clients can choose to have a hands-off approach or get as granular as they want with the implementation. Local Blitz promises full transparency and regular updates during the Implementation phase to ensure all parties are on the same page. In step 4, the Kickoff phase, the project is launched. Co-Founder Nick Bennett shares how the fifth step, Reporting & Review, works by saying, Digital marketing, though very trackable and quantifiable, still has an element of intangibility to it. This can be copy, video and audio content, photographs, designs, and much more. We will be with you throughout this phase, updating you on how the project is performing, and recommending changes to these intangible factors to maximize your businesss reach. We may also have to deal with updates to Googles algorithm as the search engine giant makes constant tweaks to how it works. Regardless, you can trust me and Simon, and the rest of us here at Local Blitz, to be right there alongside you offering our best advice. The companys range of digital marketing services includes SEO, Google AdWords management, Facebook ads management, Instagram ads management, email marketing, social media marketing, and more. The company has dual offices in Indianapolis and San Diego, with support teams to cover both locations. More information about the West Coast location can be found at: San Diego SEO Expert. Local Blitzs SEO process has time and time again yielded impressive results. Some of the KPIs that the company has significantly improved for its clients include a 195% increase in organic call volume, a 69.68% increase in lead flow, and a 31.48% growth in search visibility. The companys Indianapolis location also boasts a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 overall rating on its Google Business Profile from 13 reviews. One Google review says, When starting to establish an internet presence, there are so many variables to consider it becomes overwhelming. Nick and the team at Local Blitz took their time to explain approaches and scenarios to give us a solid understanding of what might work best and why. I feel confident in the decisions we've made and our current direction. Local Blitz continues to demonstrate their knowledge, skill, and professionalism throughout each interaction. Very thankful we found you!! Another Indianapolis business owner writes, We were looking for an SEO company in Indianapolis for our auto relocation business based in Zionsville and we came across Local Blitz. We wanted to work with someone local, so finding a Digital Marketing Agency in Indianapolis was a must. Local Blitz is indeed local and beyond that has a robust knowledge of many different areas of online marketing. That knowledge has allowed us to grow a specific part of our business in a short period of time and we look forward to what the future will hold! Highest recommendation for Nick and Simon and their team at Local Blitz. Co-founder Simon White summarizes the companys approach to SEO by saying, Getting results is our #1 priority, which is why we have worked tirelessly on our systems and focus constantly on continuing education to ensure that we are implementing the most up-to-date SEO tactics for our clients rather than pushing cookie-cutter or one-size-fits-all packages out the door. Readers can keep up with the news and announcements from Local Blitz by following its press room at https://www.pressadvantage.com/organization/local-blitz2. ### For more information about Local Blitz, contact the company here: Local Blitz Nick Bennett (317) 672-1156 nick@localblitz.com 815 E 63rd Pl Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46220 Hawthorn, May 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hawthorn, Victoria - Zebra Plumbing is helping Melbourne homeowners find out more about and decide between an electric and gas water heater system installation for their property. For more information about the company, readers can visit https://zebraplumbing.com.au/. Gas water heaters rely on a burner and combustion chamber to heat the water. Cold water enters the tank, and a gas burner ignites to heat it. As the water heats up, it rises to the top of the tank, and hot water is drawn from the outlet pipe when needed. A flue pipe ensures the safe venting of combustion gases. Electric water heaters, on the other hand, use heating elements submerged in the water tank to generate heat. Cold water enters the tank, and the electric heating elements heat it. Once the desired temperature is reached, the heating elements turn off, and hot water is drawn from the outlet pipe. When deciding between gas and electric water heaters, says Byron Slabbert, the founder of Zebra Plumbing, there are a few factors to consider. Gas heaters tend to have higher upfront costs, but they are generally more energy-efficient, heat water quicker, and can provide hot water even during power outages. However, they lose a lot of energy while reheating, and emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Electric heaters are typically cheaper to purchase and install, but they have higher operating costs. You can find out more about gas water heaters by visiting https://zebraplumbing.com.au/services/gas-hot-water-system/. Additionally, the availability of gas lines in the area and the cost of electricity can impact a homeowners decision. If a home already has a gas line, a gas water heater might be a more convenient and cost-effective choice. However, if gas is not available or if the homeowner prefers a simpler installation process, an electric water heater can be a viable option. Byron continues, If you are still mulling over whether you should get a gas or electric water heater system for your home, give my team here at Zebra Plumbing a call. We will consider all your needs, introduce the options available, and help you decide on the hot water system that is right for you. After youve made the choice, we will be there to get the thing installed quickly, affordably, and with absolutely no fuss. So, call us today to schedule an appointment and find out why so many Melbourne homeowners like you have put their trust in us. We also urge you to find out more about electric water heating systems by visiting https://zebraplumbing.com.au/services/electric-water-heater/. Melbourne residents have let their approval of Zebra Plumbings services known in dozens of 5-star reviews. On its Google Business Profile, the company has a perfect overall rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 from over 67 reviews with customers praising the companys knowledgeable and efficient crew, and courteous and friendly customer service. One customer talks about their experience installing a new water heater by saying, ZEBRA Plumbing was a GREAT find! Recently I had an unfortunate experience with another plumber who didnt install my new water heater correctly and a pipe started to leak, he said it would be weeks before he could come back and fix it. Leaving me in the unenviable position of having to find another plumber. Fortunately, a friend recommended ZEBRA Bryon arrived that day, it took him 20 minutes to fix the leak and check all other connections. He explained the problems to me, I felt very reassured the leak was fixed. I have already recommended ZEBRA!! Another review talks about Zebra Plumbings water heater installation services by saying, Zebra plumbing came and helped me out with a new hot water unit. Was great that he took the time to show me all the options. Installed the new unit and ran me through it. Will be using him again. Homeowners can contact Zebra Plumbing at (1300) 033-468 to get a quote or to inquire about its full range of plumbing services in Melbourne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S71maBwzpzE&t=17s https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipPmNet_9cg0PHV5Cl-D0ohqOo0u2Q1k0xYNoHrK=s1360-w1360-h1020 ### For more information about Zebra Plumbing, contact the company here: Zebra Plumbing Byron Slabbert +61424199013 contact@zebraplumbing.com.au 201/1 Morang Road Hawthorn 3122 Ideally though would want my exact address published, just Morang Road Hawthorn 3122 Hawthorn, May 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hawthorn, Victoria - Zebra Plumbing, a rising name in Melbournes residential plumbing industry, is helping Camberwell homeowners understand why drains get blocked, how to prevent it, and what they can do about it if they are already facing the issue. For more information, readers can visit https://zebraplumbing.com.au/services/blocked-drain/. There is no one reason for home drains to get blocked drains. One common cause is the gradual accumulation of debris like hair, soap residue, and food particles. As these substances gradually build up inside pipes, they restrict the flow of water and eventually cause a blockage. Single-family homes with plants on the property can also experience blocked drains due to the intrusion of tree roots which grow toward moisture sources and infiltrate drainpipes, leading to clogs. Additionally, inappropriate disposal of items such as grease, sanitary products, or excessive toilet paper can also contribute to blockages. Finally, structural issues such as an insufficient pipe slope, damage to the pipes due to inclement weather or plain old age, or foreign objects accidentally flushed down the toilet are also some of the reasons why a homes drainage system may be impeded. Being mindful while using your homes drainage system is the best way to prevent drain blockages, says the founder and spokesperson for Zebra Plumbing, Byron Slabbert. For example, grease, oil, and food scraps should never be poured down the drain and instead should be disposed of using other methods. You should also make sure that you have drain guards or strainers installed to help trap debris before it enters the pipes. Finally, using plenty of water for flushing your drains and the regular use of high-quality drain cleaners can also keep your drains in optimum condition. Blocked drains, if left unattended for too long, can lead to several problems, the least of which is a disruption in the homeowners daily schedule. Water that has been accumulating for a while can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mould, turning into a health risk. Moreover, stagnant water can also seep into the surrounding walls and building materials, threatening the homes structural integrity. Byron Slabbert offers Camberwell homeowners advice on the steps to take if they are dealing with blocked drains by saying, We understand just how anxiety-inducing a plumbing issue can be. Not only do you have to contend with lost time and plumbing fees but you also have to find a solution to the problem before it causes any more damage. If water has been pooling up in the shower, the sink, or the toilet, we recommend that you dont go at it with a plunger hoping to fix it yourself. It might end up being a short-term fix as the real problem could be far more severe than it seems. Instead, we urge you to rely on professionals for a lasting plumbing solution. At Zebra Plumbing, our 24-hour plumbing services with quick response times are just what you need to fix your homes drainage. The fully licensed and insured Melbourne company has been receiving nothing but praise for its plumbing services, a full list of which is available at https://zebraplumbing.com.au/services/. On its Google Business Profile, the company has a perfect overall rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 from over 67 reviews. Customers thank the companys plumbing crew for their professionalism, timely turnaround times, and affordable pricing. One Google review talks about the companys handling of a blocked drain by saying, I recently had to engage a plumber to look at a shower drain problem I have had for months. I contacted Zebra Plumbing on the eve of a long weekend and was able to get same-day service. Byron was friendly, knowledgeable, and transparent, and fixed my issue instantly. I know it's always hit-and-miss when trying to find a good plumber that is honest and trustworthy, so look no further than Zebra Plumbing. I will be using them for all my future plumbing needs! Melbourne homeowners can contact Zebra Plumbing at 1300 033 468 to schedule its emergency plumbing services in Camberwell. More details can be found at https://zebraplumbing.com.au/locations-local-emergency-plumber-melbourne/plumber-camberwell/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S71maBwzpzE&t=4s https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipPDzzzaGVrZB_89OJgk1Zb24vGkuFHNdyGPwNsT=s1360-w1360-h1020 ### For more information about Zebra Plumbing, contact the company here: Zebra Plumbing Byron Slabbert +61424199013 contact@zebraplumbing.com.au 201/1 Morang Road Hawthorn 3122 Ideally though would want my exact address published, just Morang Road Hawthorn 3122 in Cincinnati used to feel like they were taking their lives into their own hands. The massive Music Hall sits across from Washington Park, which until recently was best known as a good place to score and shoot up heroin. Police would sometimes station themselves every 25 feet along Elm Street after concerts to prevent music lovers from having to go from hearing Mahler to being mugged.The scene is completely different these days. Students from a neighboring arts high school were hanging out on the steps of the parks bandshell on a recent Thursday afternoon, while city workers set up tables and tents for the weekly yappy hour for dogs. Younger kids performed cartwheels or raced down slides on playground equipment made to look like medieval fortresses. I was there one night with my mother and mother-in-law and thinking to myself that as recently as four years ago, neither one of them would be caught dead in that park, let alone at 10 oclock at night, says local attorney Eric Cross.Washington Park has undergone an $8 million renovation, but that represents a minor facelift compared to whats been going on in the rest of the neighborhood. Cincinnatis Over-the-Rhine section, which lies directly north of the citys downtown, has seen a half-billion dollars worth of investment over the past decade, resulting in one of the most remarkable urban transformations of recent times.Due to earlier population loss, the rehab has avoided the usual arguments about gentrification: There was almost no one to drive out. We were able to do this because everything was boarded up and hardly anyone was living there, says City Councilman Chris Seelbach, who lives in the neighborhood. And although Cincinnatis politics are notoriously parochial, the whole city has embraced Over-the-Rhines success. Instead of being seen as a boondoggle only helping out one part of the city, the neighborhood is now viewed as an asset thats helping the whole city to change both its image and its fortunes.Like a hopeful suitor, Cincinnati is making itself more attractive to young people who have fled the city in recent times, as well as big corporations. When General Electric recently announced plans to open a $90 million downtown facility that will bring in 1,500 jobs, local officials celebrated it as the latest proof that their strategy of investing in older parts of the city could pay off in a big way. I cant remember the last time an employer announced that many jobs, says Michael Jones, an economist at the University of Cincinnati.No one would have expected Over-the-Rhine to become a selling point for the city. It was the scene of race riots in 2001, which ledmagazine to describe the district as ground zero in inner-city decline. Actually, the riots simply accelerated the type of decline and disinvestment that had already plagued the area for decades. Just a few years ago, it was considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country. Now, its become a fashionable urban playground. The change has been so rapid that for undergraduates at local colleges, Over-the-Rhine has gone from no-go to must-go in the time they went from being freshmen to seniors. A few blocks of Vine Street have become a major dining destination, with waits for tables sometimes stretching toward the two-hour mark. When I was in college, I would not go out in downtown Cincinnati, says Allie Honebrink, who works for the Cincinnati Ballet. Now when Im going out with friends, its Where in Over-the-Rhine are we going to go?It is not uncommon for neighborhoods to languish for decades before suddenly popping and becoming fashionable seemingly all at once. Many of them boast streets where wig shops and fast-food parlors give way to hip clothing boutiques, raw juice bars and stores selling pricey but uncomfortable-looking furniture. But perhaps nowhere in the country has that transition been as swift as in Over-the-Rhine. The breadth and the rapidity of the change is so remarkable, says Mayor John Cranley, that certainly in Cincinnati its the most dramatic and positive urban development in 50 years.Its not stopping. A new streetcar line is knitting Over-the-Rhine together with the central business district as well as the stadiums down by the Ohio River. Theres plenty of room for further development to take advantage both of the new transportation connection and the neighborhoods recent flowering. In fact, it hardly takes any imagination at all to see which buildings could be spruced up next. In an unusual touch, many empty properties are covered with painted fronts that show how cute and charming they might look once theyve been rehabbed.But now, with the area having arrived, desirable not only for diners and drinkers but also condo dwellers, some people in Cincinnati are wondering whether its time to share the wealth, ending the city subsidies artificially inflating the market and easing back on the dominant role played by the leading development corporation. Without a heavy hand and a centralized body, it might not have happened at all, but at some point normal market function needs to be resumed, says Wade Dent, a real estate broker and developer. Theres a time and a place for subsidy, to stimulate the development of an area, but youve got to know when to stop it. And power and greed make it hard for that to happen.almost as a joke from the first German settlers who moved to the area, which lay north of a canal that is now a main roadway. The settlers were pushed out of downtown and over the canal, Seelbach says. They founded this neighborhood and really built the structures. Indeed, with few exceptions, the neighborhoods building stock -- Queen Anne, Italianate and Greek Revival -- still consists of properties put up by German-Americans between the first wave of their immigration in the 1830s until World War I. Architecturally, its kind of frozen in a moment, says Mike Morgan, author of the 2010 bookMorgan calls it one of the largest, most significant urban historic districts in the United States -- slightly bigger than the French Quarter in New Orleans. Yet the city never seemed to appreciate what it had. Instead, Over-the-Rhine became a dumping ground for the poor, profitable almost exclusively to landlords who got tax credits for sheltering them. One out of every four units was very low income -- nonworking, welfare-dependent folks, says Jim Tarbell, a developer and former member of the city council.What was once one of the densest neighborhoods in the country emptied out. Over-the-Rhines population was down to about 7,000 in 2000 -- 96 percent of them renters -- from a high of 50,000. It was a place of rot, with buildings either collapsing into the street or threatening to do so. In 2005, there were nine times as many violent crimes and robberies than the average for other Cincinnati neighborhoods. Morgan compares the area a decade ago to Hamsterdam, the fictional section of Baltimore on The Wire that police allowed to become an open-air drug market, as long as dealers stayed within its confines. You could really do anything you wanted, says Morgan, who says he witnessed one person get killed and others shot in the area. You could walk down the street with a joint in one hand and a beer in the other and everything was cool, because they wouldnt arrest you.Locals still chafe at the description of the protests that followed the police shooting of an African-American teenager in April 2001 as riots, but those several days of unrest, while confined to a few square blocks, did incalculable damage to the neighborhoods image. The bad press did more damage than the riot itself, says Tarbell, who still mourns the fact that CNN was so quick on the scene with its cameras.But the events also led to some good. For one thing, Cincinnati police made a concerted effort to improve relations with African-Americans. And the top leadership of the citys major corporations -- Procter & Gamble, Kroger, Fifth Third Bank and Macys, among others -- decided they couldnt tolerate a dysfunctional neighborhood right on the doorstep of downtown. These companies put up millions of dollars to help fund the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., known as 3CDC. In addition, the city created tax increment financing districts that used property tax dollars from downtown to invest in economic development in Over-the-Rhine. Thats what paid for most of the renovation of Washington Park. As a clear object lesson for other cities around the country, its not like you can wave a magic wand and just say, Well, now were a tolerant city and we welcome entrepreneurs and therefore people are just going to show up, says Cranley. No, it took $500 million in investment.3CDC dominates Over-the-Rhine, rehabbing buildings and handpicking tenants for them -- not just the retailers and restaurateurs, but the law and architecture firms that have come in. The neighborhood, which was marred by hundreds of vacant properties just a few years ago, is now home to a Pilates studio, a shop selling vintage posters and a venture capital firm called The Brandery. The neighborhood, which was a major beer-making center before Prohibition, is seeing a revival of craft brewing, with great old Cincinnati names coming back and a Sam Adams facility nearby. The breweries in Cincinnati are starting to make a name for themselves downtown, bringing back the history, says Jack Heekin, co-owner of a new bar in Over-the-Rhine.3CDC has something akin to a monopoly throughout stretches of the neighborhood; it will decide when and if those pretty painted facades turn into real projects. Meanwhile, the parts of Over-the-Rhine where 3CDC is less active, north of Liberty Street, remain pretty much moribund. Whats happened is theyve effectively gotten a monopoly on the market, says Morgan, the neighborhood historian and activist. They do things when they want to do them, when it fits their schedule and their bottom line.Even Morgan and other critics, though, acknowledge that a neighborhood that was both as challenged and as promising as Over-the-Rhine needed 3CDC, or some entity like it. Its success is clearly attracting activity. Duy Nguyen, who spent part of his childhoodin Cincinnati, always wanted to open a restaurant, but saw little chance of that happening in Over-the-Rhine when he moved there about six years ago. A few people were rehabbing apartments, but there werent any retail outlets or restaurants to speak of yet. He planned to move to Chicago or Denver or some other large city, but he was quick to notice and take advantage of the change once it started to happen. A lot of the people who opened up the businesses three years ago became friends, we all help each other out a little bit, says Nguyen, who now co-owns a busy restaurant on Vine Street called Quan Hapa that features upscale takes on Asian street food. Weve come pretty far in a short amount of time.Just a couple of blocks north of his restaurant youll find reminders of how derelict Over-the-Rhine used to be. Even in a city riven with rivalries between its 52 neighborhoods and the separate worlds of its east and west sides, everyone recognizes that the development thats occurred so far has been a success. Not far from Quan Hapa, Gwendolyn Hill still runs, as she has for a decade, what you might describe as a traditional sort of Over-the-Rhine enterprise, selling clothes and cologne from a folding table along the sidewalk. She says she likes what shes seen. It needed a change, she says. It does some good for the neighborhood, making them want to take care of their property. The lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania doesnt have many official duties. Maybe thats one reason Mike Stack, the current holder of that office, has gotten himself into trouble.Stack and his wife Tonya are alleged to have screamed at and otherwise verbally abused members of his state police security detail, as well as other state employees who cook and clean at their official residence. There have been complaints that troopers were asked to turn on flashers and sirens to speed up trips in nonemergency situations. State Rep. Kevin Boyle claims that Tonya Stack flipped him off at a public event and threw a cup of soda at him. Stacks office announced in May that she has entered a residential treatment facility to deal with a difficult mental health issue.Before the extent of Tonya Stacks difficulties became known, Gov. Tom Wolf had pulled Mike Stacks security detail and placed restrictions on staff working at his official household. I do not delight in this decision, Wolf wrote to his lieutenant governor. He also called for the state inspector general to look into the allegations against Stack. But there may not be much more Wolf can do. Stack has spurned any talk that he might step down, and there are no hints that he has engaged in illegal behavior.As lieutenant governor, the 53-year-old Stack is provided with an official residence near the state Capitol. Despite that, he has billed the state for overnight stays at hotels in Philadelphia, even though he has a home in that city. In response to media reports about this, Stack has returned some of the money.Still, all that negative attention hasnt stopped Stack from vowing to run for re-election next year. In Pennsylvania, the governor and lieutenant governor run together in the fall, but are nominated separately in primaries. Stack, who served 14 years in the Pennsylvania Senate, was not close to Wolf before their political fates were bound together. And they arent any closer now.Some previous lieutenant governors have been given jobs of real substance, such as taking a lead role on energy policy or running emergency management. Guess how many assignments Stack got? says Terry Madonna, a political scientist at Franklin & Marshall College. Zero. For me, thats always a telltale sign.Its hard to see Wolf running alongside Stack in 2018. If he decides not to, the governor will have to find a political ally of his own to stand against Stack in the primary next year. If he goes that route, he runs the risk of angering Philadelphias Democratic machine, which Stack is part of and Wolf, a former businessman, is decidedly not.Thats why, for both men, the question of what the inspector general finds will be crucial. It takes longer to walk a block in Salt Lake City than anywhere else in the U.S. I discovered this the hard way during a recent stay downtown. At first, I would walk to restaurants that seemed close by -- just four or five blocks away -- only to discover that they took 20 minutes to reach. After a while, I just drove everywhere, despite having located centrally.This is because Salt Lake City has the largest blocks and widest streets of any major U.S. city. As I recently pointed out in my publication, downtown blocks in Salt Lake are 660 x 660 feet. By comparison, Austin and Little Rock, Ark., have block lengths and widths around 300 x 300 feet. Portland, Ore., which is known nationwide for its walkable downtown, has blocks that are 200 x 200 feet. Its not just Salt Lake Citys blocks that are wide. Its streets are too: At 130 feet, theyre double the width of those in Manhattan, Portland and San Francisco.This layout is a byproduct of the citys Mormon heritage. In 1833, several years after founding the religion in upstate New York, Joseph Smith outlined how Mormon cities should look and feel. The plan drew from that eras East Coast design principles, as well as the churchs desire for order. Smith called for a temple at the center of a grid and for large blocks that enabled family farming.In the early years, the church, thanks to persecution, had trouble finding a permanent settlement where it could execute these plans. But when Mormons finally entered Utah in 1847, the churchs then-president, Brigham Young, applied Smiths principles to Salt Lake City. Temple Square -- the current headquarters of the Mormon Church -- is in the center of the city. While Smiths plan didnt call for wide streets, Young added them, claiming that they would enable farmers to easily turn their cattle around without resorting to profanity.Today, the only group cursing Salt Lakes large blocks are urbanists. They consider them anachronisms for a densifying city, since they endanger pedestrians, separate uses and hinder walkability. Various activists have suggested implementing a complete streets strategy that features bike lanes, bulb-outs and medians. The Kentlands Initiative, a local nonprofit, has gone further, suggesting that the city build new housing and retail right in the middle of the streets. In this sense, Salt Lake Citys obscenely wide streets, while a problem, could also be an opportunity.But while the city government is somewhat receptive to that notion, its unlikely to happen. There are challenges with being too creative, says Molly Robinson, an urban designer for the planning department, especially in the actual roadways. Robinson says that Utahs arid climate makes plant-filled medians expensive to maintain, and that city residents cherish their mountain views. Putting trees, much less buildings, in the medians might block such views, which would be politically unpopular. So, for now, the Mormon planning principles that made Salt Lake Citys streets wide open remain intact. One of Fernando Alonso's most enduring colleagues and friends believes the Spaniard will stay in Formula 1 well into his mid-40s. With Aston Martin teaming up with Honda from 2026, many have wondered if 41-year-old Alonso will want to extend his stay with the team beyond next season. Honda president Toshihiro Sanbe and Aston Martin boss Mike Krack say an Alonso deal for 2026 and beyond - when the driver will be 44 - is a possibility. When asked what he thinks, Pedro de la Rosa said in Monaco: "Personally, I see him staying more than two years. "This is due to his involvement, his enthusiasm and his performance. Any team would want to have Alonso," said former F1 driver de la Rosa, who has held various roles at Alonso's teams including McLaren, Ferrari and now Aston Martin. Honda is pairing with Aston Martin for the beginning of the all-new engine regulations from 2026, where the hybrid elements of the engine will be much more powerful. "I think it's not about the regulations," Spaniard de la Rosa told El Mundo Deportivo newspaper. "Fernando's decision will be conditioned by his performance on the track. "Fernando enjoys fighting for victories. As long as he knows he's competitive, he'll continue. And the day he sees that he is not competitive and that he has dropped physically, well, he will want to dedicate himself to something else. "But I don't see any sign that Fernando has lowered his performance at all, neither in involvement, dedication, enthusiasm or performance on the track," the 52-year-old said. F1 legend Gerhard Berger said in Monaco that Alonso has so far been "the highlight of this year's Formula 1". "He's also become much more likeable," he also told Kronen Zeitung newspaper. "He always has a smile on his face and the fans are happy for him." (GMM) Toto Wolff admits Mick Schumacher may not be able to return to the Formula 1 grid in 2024. There have been rumours that the 24-year-old German, who lost his Haas race seat at the end of last season, could replace the struggling rookie Logan Sargeant at Mercedes-powered Williams. Schumacher is currently Mercedes' full-time reserve driver. "It's a difficult situation," said team boss Wolff, "because the cockpits are taken with us. "I would wish for Mick to get a seat as he deserves it, but the situation in 2024 is so unfavourable. "A few doors will open in 2025," he told Sky Deutschland, "and we'll have to see how the situation develops at Williams. "But it's not easy," Wolff admitted. The Mercedes team boss also said he will try to make Schumacher's quest for his return to Formula 1 as low-profile as possible for now. "We have to be careful because if we support Mick too much, there will then be those who want to make it particularly difficult as they come crawling out of their holes," said Wolff. (GMM) It is clear that Formula 1 is moving away from its European origins, according to former driver Ralf Schumacher. Automobile Club de Monaco chief Michel Boeri this week warned that the fabled Monaco GP could drop off the calendar after 2025 as Liberty Media shifts focus elsewhere. Some believe Monaco's only chance is to at least modify the layout so that overtaking is possible. "I don't think there would be enough space for that - it's all built up," Schumacher told Kolner Express tabloid. "I think the will would be there." But with the power dynamics of the entire world changing before our eyes, it is inevitable that F1 will change too, Schumacher warned. "We have a lot of political issues at the moment," he said. "Formula 1 wants to be sustainable by 2030, but is that fast enough at the pace that is being presented in Europe? The trend is currently towards the Middle East and America. "I would almost say it's something we have to adjust to, whether we want it or not." The situation in Schumacher's native Germany is dire, with no race at all on the calendar. The 6-time GP winner he is pinning his hopes "a bit" on Audi's full buyout of the Swiss-based Sauber team. "It will be a pure works team," Schumacher said. (GMM) On his first visit to a Formula 1 paddock since retiring, Sebastian Vettel admitted he has "missed" the sport. Wearing a plain white shirt and blue pants, the quadruple world champion caught up with old colleagues at his former teams Red Bull and Aston Martin as he visited the Monaco paddock on Friday. "I've missed it, but I'm not here because I missed it," the 35-year-old told Bild newspaper. "I am here at the invitation of Stefano (Domenicali)." The German, who retired at the end of last year, arrived in the Principality by car with his family. "I'm doing very well, the time with the family is very nice, but it flies by," said Vettel. "It's definitely nice to fly less and to be on business trips insetad." Vettel will not return the paddock on Saturday and Sunday. Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko confirmed to Sky Deutschland that he met up with Vettel on Friday. "He raises his children himself, that was one topic," the 80-year-old Austrian said. "Another topic was the forest," Marko added, referring to his own hobby using his chainsaw in his own forest outside Graz. "We only spoke very briefly about motor racing. He's doing well and enjoying life." (GMM) Absence of feeding programme: Over 100 pupils leave Gbee Primary to other schools Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Features May - 27 - 2023 , 14:27 The absence of the school feeding programme in the Gbee KG/Primary Basic School in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region is negatively affecting the enrolment of school pupils. Although the school hitherto had a population of about 250 pupils, it has drastically reduced to 133 as many of the pupils have left to nearby schools which are beneficiaries of the school feeding programme. The continuous exodus of the pupils is a threat to the survival of the only school in the community which also attracts pupils from nearby communities such as Kpatia, Kpale and Zanlerigu. According to staff of the school, despite several appeals to authorities for the school to be added to the list of schools benefiting from the school feeding programme to immediately address the dwindling population of the pupils,it has not as yet received the needed attention. History The school was initially a Childhood Development Centre constructed in 2015 for the community by Actionaid, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), with volunteers to take care of the children daily who are picked up later in the day by their parents. To attract parents to bring their children to the centre, the NGO provided free meals and other support to the children daily so as to keep the children there and achieve its objective. However, as the number of the children grew, the government took over the school in 2016 since there was no public school in the community to provide basic education to the many children in the area. Nonetheless, when the government took over, it was unable to continue feeding the pupils as it was previously done by the NGO which introduced feeding in the school. Sensing danger to the survival of the school, members of the community resolved to contribute food items to cook one square meal for the schoolchildren to attract them to school every day. However, due to the high level of poverty and harsh economic conditions, the community members were unable to sustain the feeding of the school pupils, a development which led to the exodus of the pupils to other schools benefiting from the school feeding. Many of the pupils also run home at break time to eat since they attend school on an empty stomach and some of them sometimes do not return to school. Inadequate classrooms The school, which currently has pupils from Kindergarten One to Primary Six, are being accommodated in the only two-unit classroom block provided by Actionaid. As a result, the Kindergarten One and Two pupils have been put together in one classroom, classes Five and Six have been put in another classroom, while classes Three and Four and classes One and Two study in cubicles originally meant to be a storeroom and a head teachers office. The combination of the classes is a great source of worry to the teachers and the pupils, as it has made teaching and learning very difficult. Aside the inadequate classrooms, the school does not have the needed furniture, compelling some of the pupils to either squat or lie on the floor to take part in academic work. Plight of KG pupils The plight of the Kindergarten One and Two pupils is a pathetic one as their hexagonal tables and chairs have been given to other pupils by the teachers to use for their studies, while they rather lie or sit on the floor to study. Other KG pupils also lie on their stomachs daily on mats to take part in lessons, a situation which is demotivating and does not encourage the children to attend school. Some of the pupils without exercise books also write their lessons on the bare floor. During a recent visit to the school, the staff of school numbering five, including the headmaster, were tight lipped and declined to speak for fear of victimisation. New primary block However, the School Management Committee (SMC) Chairman, Daniel Naab, said in an interview that since the current classroom block was meant for KG pupils, there was the urgent need for a new classroom block for the school. He said the provision of a new classroom block will be a departure from the current situation in the school, adding, We call on the government and NGOs to come to the aid of the school to improve the learning environment for the pupils. As the chairman of the schools SMC, I believe that the provision of a new classroom block will go a long way to improve the situation in the classrooms and create a conducive learning environment for the pupils, he stated. Unsustainable He noted that the community members had good intentions for introducing school feeding in the school which increased enrolment resulting in overcrowding, but the numbers dropped significantly when it could not be unsustained. On the combination of the classes, Mr Naab said it was unacceptable for pupils from different classes to be put together to perform exceptionally like their counterparts in the big cities and towns. Further, he appealed to the government to urgently consider enrolling the school onto the school feeding programme to halt the low enrolment in the school. For his part, an elder of the community, Tii Sampana, said, As members of the community, we are deeply worried about the situation in the school and therefore call on the appropriate authorities to take the needed action to address the teething challenges in the school. Pupils In an interview, Nancy Naab and Moses Nang, both Class Six pupils, lamented about the situation in the school, saying it was difficult for them to learn with their colleagues in Class Five in the same classroom. They said The situation in our classroom is very disruptive as in todays era, pupils from different classes cannot be taught in the same classroom, adding, Sometimes, we have to sit idle and watch our teacher teach the Primary Five pupils and vice versa. A Primary Five pupil, Hilda Mbabil, who aspires to be a nurse in the future, entreated the government to come to the aid of the school to put smiles on the faces of the pupils and teachers. I am going to prison on Wednesday! Brig. Gen. Dan Frimpong (Rtd) Opinion May - 26 - 2023 , 15:25 My statement to Manager, was simple and innocent! I am going to prison on Wednesday! Her response was aggressive. What? What did you say? You are going to prison? For what? Why? I immediately realised that I had inadvertently put myself in the firing line of Manager, the unintended consequences of my miscommunication, or not communicating effectively! For a retired English teacher, Manager took me for what I said, and not how I thought she should understand a statement I thought was brief, straightforward and harmless. I, therefore, beat a hasty retreat saying O, I meant I will be going with the Mens Fellowship of my church to Nsawam Prison on a visit on Wednesday, as you know we do from time to time. Mens Fellowship, On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, the Mens Fellowship of the Garrison-Methodist Church (GMPC) Burma Camp paid our eleventh visit to our adopted Condemned Block/Cell that houses inmates on death-row at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons. Nsawam Prison became operational in 1960 after construction work started in 1956. In 1970, the female prison was added. The facility was originally built to hold 850 prisoners. However, we were told there were over three thousand inmates at the time of our visit. More recently in 2011, a Maximum Security Prison was built at Ankaful, near Cape Coast. Our team from GMPC was led by the Director-General of Religious Affairs for the Ghana Armed Forces, Commodore (Cdre) Paul Adjei-Djan, the president of the Mens Fellowship Mr Ransford Obo, and the Vice-President Col. Daniel Mensah-Gorman. After the initial welcome and pleasantries outside the prison by the chaplain of the prison, Rev. Padi, we went through the main gate and after physical security checks, we were ushered to the office of the Regional Director of Prisons. After formally welcoming us, the Director, Mr Kwaku Ababio Ali, went with us to the condemned block to meet the 169 inmates. There was a short sermon interspersed with music by the Condemned Cell Choir. The text was from John Chapter 3, verse 16: For God so loved the world that, He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. Cdre Adjei-Djan emphasised the word whosoever, and asked the death-row inmates to trust in God, as whosoever includes them. The choir expressed appreciation for the organ our Mens Fellowship presented them during our Christmas visit to them in December 2022. Following a request they made during the December 2022 visit, the Mens Fellowship presented them this time with a Musical Combo Mixer. We also presented them with bottled water, soft drinks and food. Impressions In spite of the lively atmosphere of music and singing, the eyes of most of the inmates told a different story. Having been on death row for so long, many of them appear to have given up on life! For them, it is a day at a time as they do not know when they would face the hangmans noose at the gallows. However, since 1993, no condemned cell inmate has been executed. On a feeding allowance of GH1.80 per inmate per day, the quality of meals for the inmates can be imagined. Their congested accommodation, to say the least, is inhumane. Generally, six of them are crammed into a cell. In a particular cell however, 17 inmates were crammed in. One understands the term condemned cell better, seeing what passes for their accommodation. Prisons vrs correctional In a chat with the officers, it came out that the continued use of the word prison as it was inherited from the colonialists at independence in 1957, and hence Prison Service was anachronistic and retrogressive. It connoted retributive justice for offenders. Many countries which have benefited from training by Ghanaian Prison officers have changed the term Prison to Correctional. In line with modern trends, offenders are supposed to be reformed and reintegrated back into society, hence the term correctional. However, in Ghanas case, because we still cling to the old idea of punishing the offender, some of them come out after finishing their term more hardened criminals than they were at the first offence. The officers also said in spite of the efforts of the Prison Service to teach and equip inmates with skills to enable them to reintegrate into society, not much prominence is given the Service. Here, they were suggested to, to take the initiative in educating the public on radio/TV about their role in society and what contributions they make. Additionally, because society stigmatises ex-convicts and does not welcome them back after their term, re-offending and going back to prison, recidivism, is not uncommon. Discussion Sixty-six years after independence, a simple statement I made that, I am going to prison on Wednesday elicited the strong response it did from Manager! To her, as it is to many Ghanaians, it is taboo because of the impression that, the prison is for bad incorrigible people! And yet good people find themselves there. The Prison officers themselves were shocked when for the first time, a gentleman was sent there for six weeks ostensibly for a road traffic violation! Meanwhile, those who deserve to be there strut about confidently! As a friend put it rather sadly, in Ghana, prison is generally for the poor, not for the rich! In some Scandinavian countries, offenders live in accommodation which could easily pass for a two-star hotel. Conditions are such that, inmates with basic education are able to study to gain PhDs while serving their term. While not condoning grave offences such as murder and rape, reform and rehabilitation must have the civilised objective of a correctional facility, and not retributive justice to offenders which appears still to be the norm. The condemned block or cell is an affront to humanity. Perhaps, as a remark was made, death is better than the condemned cell. The Ghana Prisons Service is encouraged to mount a public relations exercise to educate Ghanaians on their role. Educational tours for students might help in the fight against drugs! Perhaps, a visit to Nsawam Prison, particularly the Condemned Cell/Block by our MPs might be educative and beneficial. In Scandinavia, prisons have been closed for lack of offenders! So, why do we have congested prisons? What is wrong with our society? How about the many remand cases for which accused/suspects spend years in prison waiting for trial? Finally, I returned from prison six hours after leaving Burma Camp, and safely back home to Manager an hour later! Leadership, lead! Fellow Ghanaians, wake up! The writer is former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association, Kenya & Council Chairman, Family Health University College, Ghana. IMF Bailout: Choices to make Dr John Osae-Kwapong Opinion May - 27 - 2023 , 09:41 On July 1, 2022, the Government of Ghana announced it was heading to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek an Enhanced Credit Facility (ECF) or what is commonly known as an IMF Bailout. In the official communication from the Ministry of Information that day, the governments decision was stated as follows: "The engagement with the IMF will seek to provide a balance of payment support as part of a broader effort to quicken Ghana's build back in the face of challenges induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and, recently, the Russia-Ukraine crises". After a long and arduous process, the IMF Board gave approval to the programme on May 17, 2023. For the next three years, Ghana will for the 17th time, be under an IMF programme. I took time to read the comprehensive 126-page country report and immediately felt a mixture of our harsh reality, sobering moments of the task ahead, and a little glimmer of hope that if we live up to and honour our commitments, we will begin to turn the corner in 2027. Key points The entire report revealed the extent of the difficulty we face as a country and the steps required to get out of it. I highlight the things that caught my attention reading the country report. 1. The impact of the IMF deal on the plight of Ghanaians has been a worry since the government made this decision to approach the fund for a bailout. And rightly so if one thinks back to the days of the twin structural adjustment programme (SAP) and economic recovery programme (ERP), and the documented hardships that came with it, it is a huge relief to see a clear assurance of social protection of the vulnerable under the programme. In particular, the Livelihood Empowerment Programme (LEAP), will serve as the key social protection anchor with a commitment by authorities to expand coverage. Anyone who recalls the famous PAMSCAD (Programme of Action to Mitigate the Cost of Adjustment) in the 1980s will appreciate the use of LEAP to protect the vulnerable from any negative consequences of the programme. 2. The increasing financial cost of having state-owned enterprises (SOEs). As the report rightly noted SOEs are imposing a direct fiscal cost to the central government and are a major source of fiscal risks. I often argue that The State must limit participation in direct economic activities because of its poor record. I believe the state must restrict itself to creating the enabling environment for economic enterprises to thrive. If the state must engage in economic enterprises, can it be in very few strategic areas of the economy? Also, I hope the State Interest and Governance Authority will be able to help us address this increasing fiscal risk. 3. Then there is the picture painted of the Ghana COCOBOD and the accumulated losses it has incurred over the years. According to the report, the authorities have committed to a turnaround strategy. What will the turnaround strategy look like? Time will tell but when I read words like cost rationalisation and phasing out quasi financial activities I worry a bit. The quasi-financial activities especially (fertiliser provision, rural roads development, etc.) have always been part of The States incentives to cocoa farmers and the sector. Will the programme demand the state remove all forms of subsidies to the cocoa sector? How will this affect cocoa farmers and the sector in general? 4. The activities of the central bank came under scrutiny with reforms proposed to assure not just its independence, but to strengthen certain internal processes. I recall the governor once explaining that the central banks interventions had a key goal to save the country and the economy during COVID-19. The central banks interventions may have saved the country in the short term but came at a cost. The road ahead We must be prepared to make some exceedingly difficult choices and undertake some important structural reforms if this programme is to succeed and help the country turn the corner in these challenging times. Hopefully, our commitment, especially to the reforms we have agreed to undertake, remains unwavering over the next three years. It is the only way to make sure they will have long-lasting effects. Hopefully, we can confidently answer the question will this be the last time? whenever it is asked in public conversations because of demonstration of unwavering commitment. As I think of the difficult choices ahead of us, I think of election 2024. It is one of the risks to the programme the IMF points out. Will we resist the temptation and restrain ourselves in our spending habits? Or will we throw restraint out of the window because there is an election to win? Time will tell. The writer is a fellow at Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) UK Minister commits to supporting Green Finance across Africa International News May - 26 - 2023 , 14:11 Minister of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell has committed to supporting the delivery of green finance across Africa at the African Development Banks (AfDB) Annual Meetings in Egypt. The Cabinet Minister gave a speech at the conference in Sharm el-Sheikh outlining the UKs commitment to reforming the international financial system so that it can deliver the green finance needed to fight extreme poverty and tackle climate change. He announced that the $2 billion Room to Run guarantee, which the UK announced at COP26, has unlocked funding for two new climate resilient water infrastructure projects in Egypt and Senegal. Speaking after the visit, Minister Andrew Mitchell said: Countries across Africa are facing some of the most devastating impacts of climate change but historically have received only a small proportion of the green finance available. The UK is committed to changing that through our agenda to reform the International Financial System and support for the African Development Banks vital work. Egypt is a close partner for the UK and I was delighted to be able to meet with Ambassador Loza to thank him for Egypts support in evacuating British Nationals from Sudan. The project in Egypt, worth almost 70 million, will expand the capacity of a water treatment plant so it can provide clean recycled water to serve 70,000 acres of new arable land, benefiting 5 million more people than at present. In Senegal, funding worth more than 16 million will support a project to improve access to clean water and sanitation services to 1.45 million people through the creation of more than 13,000 new latrines, 5 surface water treatment plants and a 70-kilometre sewage network which will serve more than 250,000 households. The Minister also met with AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina and counterparts from Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia to discuss how to ensure that finance from the Bank can reach countries at risk of climate-related disasters more quickly and effectively. The Minister last month set out his new vision for the UKs international development work, saying the climate and development crises are not a choice, but two sides of the same coin which need to be resolved together. Following the conference, the Minister also met with a range of counterparts to discuss key regional issues. Meeting with Egypts Assistant Foreign Minister for Africa, Ambassador Hamdi Loza, Minister Andrew Mitchell discussed the need for all international parties to work together to seek a swift and effective resolution to the violence in Sudan and thanked the Ambassador for Egypts support in the evacuation of British Nationals. Illegal mining: Go beyond call on govt - Rt Rev. Dr Dogbe charges church leaders, others Emmanuel Bonney May - 26 - 2023 , 14:50 The Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rt Rev. Dr Hilliard K. Dela Dogbe, has called on church leaders to be intentional about educating their members on illegal mining rather than calling on the government to take action on the issue. He said it was not enough to call on the government to take action since some people involved in illegal mining, commonly called galamsey locally, were in the churches. "The church must take the matter to the congregation, especially in areas that are pervasive with the practice. Let the members know how they are killing themselves slowly and destroying water bodies and the general ecosystem," he told the Daily Graphic last Thursday in his first media interview after his election. Rt Rev. Dr Dogbe was elected on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Annual General Meeting of the council in Accra. His election makes him the first from the AME Zion Church to chair the Christian Council of Ghana, succeeding the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt Rev. Prof. J.O.Y. Mante. Profile Rt Rev. Dr Hilliard K. Dela Dogbe is the Presiding Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (A.M.E Zion Church), Western West Africa Episcopal District, an area covering Liberia, Cote dIvoire, Ghana and Togo, with additional responsibilities over Angola and Namibia. He is the First Resident Indigenous Bishop of the A. M. E Zion Church in Ghana. Rt Rev. Dr Dogbe is a product of the Accra Academy and the Trinity College, University of Ghana, Legon. He is a graduate of the Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ where he graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Practical Theology (Christian Education) and the Trinity Theological Seminary, Accra, Ghana where he graduated with a Master of Theology in Pastoral Care and Counseling. He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Practical Theology with distinction from the Luther Seminary, St Paul, MN, USA, and has several certificates to his credit in leadership and administration. Grateful Rt Rev. Dr Dogbe, who was out of the country when he was elected, thanked the council members for his election and for their support. I was actually at an All African Council of Churches meeting in Kenya, he said. Asked whether his election came to him as a surprise, he yes and no, and that until he was elected, the AME Zion Church had never had a resident bishop. So the AME Zion, even though a founding member of the CCG, has never held the position of chairman of council and that the highest position the church has been able to hold is vice chairman, which he held previously for two years. Rt Rev. Dr Dogbe noted that he knew it could come but not so swiftly as it had happened. He commended Rt. Rev. Prof. Mante and his other predecessors for the able manner they were able to steer the affairs of the council. Nothing He said the council had primary objectives that included advocacy, capacity building of churches and attending to situations that would be germane to the well-being of the people of the country. I believe some heads of churches have been a bit uncomfortable within the past few years how politicians think the council should work, he said. He said objective was to make sure that he works with the general secretary and the entire leadership to make sure that we are not running after the event but we are being more proactive in what we are supposed to do Capacity For example, if we are supposed to build capacity of church leaders, what is the council doing in terms of helping to do that so that in the event of political turbulence, they would know how to speak and how to carry themselves? I think these are the things we have to be doing, we dont have to wait for election years and be listening to the politicians and then when they say the right thing or wrong thing, we commend them or we chastise them. I think we need to prepare the church and citizens to be able to discern to be able to comport themselves in their everyday lives as people of God, he said. Gertrude Torkornoo recommended for approval as Chief Justice by majority decision Enoch Darfah Frimpong May - 26 - 2023 , 20:57 Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has been recommended for approval as Chief Justice by a majority decision of the Appointments Committee of Parliament. This was after her vetting on Friday by the committee. The Minority side in Parliament on the committee want the decision on her approval to be deferred. But the Majority side says there is no basis for deferring the decision after every member on the committee was given the opportunity to ask a question when she appeared before the committee on Friday [May 26, 2023]. The Minority side had said they can fully evaluate Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and approve or disapprove of her nomination as a Chief Justice only after they have evaluated the Supreme Court reasoned judgement in the matter of James Gyakye Quayson and his removal from Parliament as a member for Assin North." However, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament and First Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei Owusu says the Minority side came to the vetting with that position. It is his position that there is no basis for deferring a decision on her recommendation after the public hearing [vetting], just because the Minority side want to read a judgment on the Gyakye Quayson case. They [Minority] came to the vetting with a position, do this for me or I dont. We went through the vetting and clearly we are satisfied that there is no basis for deferring the decision [just] because we want to read the judgment [on Gyakye Quayson]. Because they [Minority] have not read the judgment, they wont support her, it is one of a fix position versus what is there. We recommend her for approval by a majority decision, Mr Osei Owusu said. He said the Appointments Committee will go ahead with its report per a majority decision instead of a consensus to the plenary for consideration. He explained that after the public vetting and when the committee members went into a meeting like they normally do after every vetting, the Minority side brought up that issue of the outstanding Supreme Court full written ruling on the Gyakye Quayson case. Read also: When Chief Justice nominee Gertrude Torkornoo and family appeared for Parliamentary vetting [PHOTOS] Public hearing At the end of the public hearing, the chairman, Mr Osei Owusu announced that "nobody has been refused the permission to ask a question. Every opportunity has been afforded members to ask any questions they want. After the conclusion, we have to take a decision. Now I ask, what will be the justification for deferring the decision. I don't have any justification to defer this decision because of a matter which has been concluded by a panel [on Gyakye Quayson] and not her [Torkornoo]. Even if she is the one who writes the judgment [of the Supreme Court], she will be writing on behalf of the [panel], reporting the group's decision. So what is the basis for deferring," Mr Osei Owusu said in an interview with Richard Sky of Citi FM, monitored by Graphic Online. Mr Osei Owusu said there is "absolutely no basis for recalling her for a second meeting for vetting." "There is no issue that was not resolved. There is no question that there was no answer. Infact, for those who paid attention, the Minority Leader [Cassiel Ato Forson] was the last person to ask questions on behalf of Minority and he asked questions relating to this same judgment and she explained how they [judges] draw conclusions, and how the decisions that are taken, the decisions of the group are made. Press statement by Minority side Later in a press statement, the Minority side said they have been able to evaluate Justice Torkornoo on all relevant criteria except the outstanding matter of James Gyakye Quayson which would enable us come to a decision. We expect the reasoned judgement of the court on this matter by 7th June, 2023 to finalise our decision, a statement signed and issued by the Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza on Friday evening (May 26, 2023 said. This was after an earlier vetting of the nominee by the Appointments Committee of Parliament during the day. Attached below is a copy of the Minority's statement MINORITY POSITION ON VETTING OF CHIEF JUSTICE NOMINEE The Minority Members on the Appointments Committee of Parliament did not vote on President's nominee for the position of Chief Justice today due to the unavailability of the reasoned judgement of the Supreme Court in the matter of Hon. James Gyakye Quayson. It is important to state that the Appointments Committee not long ago in 2019 vetted and approved this same nominee as a Justice of the Supreme Court. However, it was imperative for Members of the Minority on the Committee to evaluate the decisions of the nominee on all other cases, including the James Gyakye Quayson case since the vetting in 2019. We successfully evaluated the nominee on all relevant criteria except the outstanding matter of James Gyakye Quayson which would enable us come to a decision. We expect the reasoned judgement of the court on this matter by 7th June, 2023 to finalise our decision. We have duly communicated our challenge to our colleagues on the Majority side and expect their cooperation. Writer's email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh Maiden Ghana Business League Awards holds in Accra Graphic Online May - 26 - 2023 , 18:08 A number of businesses and corporate entities in Accra have been awarded at the maiden edition of Ghana Business League Awards held on Friday May 12, 2023 at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra recently. Held under the theme, Celebrating leading businesses and benchmarking incredible business acumen The awards ceremony saw a number of prestigious Ghanaian companies in the Manufacturing, Supply and Service industries for their distinguished service in the year under review. An initiative of Maven Communications with support from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, (AMA), Magic Wave Consult, Silicon House Production, and the University College of Management Studies, Ghana Business League honoured distinguished entities in areas such as Telecommunications, Real Estate and Advertising. The topmost prize of Excellence in Business Leadership was awarded to Dr. Noble John Otumfour Watson, CEO of Mayfair Estates. Other winners on the night included Joissam Ghana limited which took home the Business Leader of the Year award in Water drilling and general civil engineering. MDS-Lancet laboratories Ghana Limited won the Medical Diagnostics award whiles Kab-fam Ghana limited picked the Electrical appliance supply & retail award. In a keynote address by Hon. Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, a Member of Parliament for the Achiase constituency and the Guest speaker for the event, he said that it was important to recognise the organisers' efforts in highlighting the contributions made by businesses and corporate sectors to the national economy. He stressed that government deemed it vital to transform the economy from being dependent on the production and export of raw materials to an industrialised and value-added one. The reason for which, he said government is embarking on an aggressive industrial transformation agenda with private sector participation. The Government of Ghana has brought up initiatives such as the One District, One Factory initiative, which is aimed at creating jobs and prosperity. The various initiatives by government are expected to unleash the energies of business people and stimulate the entrepreneurial potential of Ghana, he said. The Mayor of Accra Metropolitan Authority(AMA) presenting an award to a team from Berock Construction Limited for winning the Business Leader of the Year in Construction. The awarding process of Ghana Business League which began with research and evaluation for potential awardees, started on September 1, 2022, and ended on January 31, 2023. The ranking of the business league table by the awarding board and stakeholders took place from February 1st to February 28, 2023 The awarding board was chaired by Mr. Stephen Djaba, who is also a Board Member of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), and the National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. Among the many goals of Ghana Business League Awards is the opportunity provided by businesses and corporate entities to operate within industry standards as well as identify areas for significant improvement. Full list of winners Synthetic fuels from renewable energy sources will be needed to reach the climate goals in the full transport sector. So-called refuels promise to reduce CO 2 emissions by 90% compared to conventional fuels. To cover future needs of heavy-duty vehicles, airplanes, and ships and provide chemical industry with basic substances, we will require the corresponding industrial facilities. Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and their partners have now launched the REF4FU (Refineries for Future) project to determine the refuel quantities needed and what future green refineries will have to look like to supply these quantities. In spite of increasing electric mobility in the transport sector, we will continue to need liquid fuels for a long time. Only 60 percent of the fuel today is consumed by individual car traffic. When talking about phasing out of combustion engines, it is referred to car engines only. Professor Nicolaus Dahmen from KITs Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT) and head of REF4FU The REF4FU project is therefore aimed at developing, testing, and standardizing 100% renewable fuels for all transport sectors, including water and air traffic. Scheme of the planned process network. From the starting materials shown on the left, fuel fractions are generated via the process stages shown in yellow, which are further processed to the various fuels. REF4FU covers the use of sustainable hydrogen; pyrolysis oil based on biological residues, such as straw or waste wood; methanol from renewable feedstocks; and Fischer-Tropsch oil that corresponds to green crude oil. Refuels are currently being produced on a pre-industrial scale. However, it is not yet clear how these fuels will be commercialized and transferred to the customers. We already have processes and big, technically mature test facilities to produce tons of synthetic fuel. We cannot just sell them from barrels at the roadside. Professor Dahmen To find out when and where which quantities of synthetic gasoline, diesel, or kerosene will be needed, researchers use scenarios that also take into account political goals regarding the electrification of road traffic or the expected developments in the different transport sectors. According to these scenarios, gasoline will disappear from the market first, Dahmen points out. This will affect future production capacities. The REF4FU collaboration project coordinated by KIT is funded with around 7 million by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. Apart from the institutes of KIT (IKFT, IMVT, EBI-ceb, IFKM, IIP), the project partners are DLR The German Aerospace Center, Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ), Technische Universitat Bergakademie Freiberg, and Chemieanlagenbau Chemnitz, BASF, EDL Anlagenbau, and Ineratec. The MiRO refinery, Porsche, and ASG are associated project partners. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. One of the first flights arrives at A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport at 11:48 a.m. May 27, 2023. CEO Chita Blaise, center, and Red Cross Guam Chapter board members, gather for a photo in the Triple J Auto Group main showroom at Upper Tumon. The pickup was to be the grand prize at the annual Red Ball originally scheduled for May 28. The event has been postponed as the organization is focusing its efforts on the recovery of Typhoon Mawar. A new date will be announced. The Ford truck will still be the grand prize at the rescheduled event. Stephen Mulhall in the London Review of Books: For David Edmonds, and for many other philosophers, Derek Parfit, who died in 2017, was one of the greatest moral thinkers of the past century, perhaps even since John Stuart Mill. Edmonds rightly believes that if Parfits ideas about personal identity, rationality and equality were absorbed into our moral and political thinking, they would radically alter our beliefs about punishment, the distribution of social resources, our relationship to future generations, and more. So its easy to see why he wants to make Parfits ideas more widely known outside the academy. What is less easy to understand is his belief that the best, or even an appropriate, way of achieving this goal is to write a biography of him. There was a time when biographies of philosophers werent just common, but expected and even required. Following Socrates, the great schools of Hellenistic philosophy (the Stoics, the Epicureans, the Neoplatonists) all tried to encourage the pursuit of a certain kind of life. For them, philosophy wasnt primarily something you learned, but something you practised, with a view to self-transformation. So it was indispensable in critically evaluating a philosopher to critically evaluate their way of life, for that life was the definitive expression of their philosophy, and their writings were primarily a means of achieving that essential work on the self. More here. Haiti - Education : Paid remedial courses forbidden in public schools The Ministry of National Education informs the persons in charge of the Departmental Direction of Education, the schools principals, the Committee of the parents of pupils, the school councils, the associations of parents of pupils, all parents and pupils, that it is forbidden to organize remedial courses against remuneration in public schools (national schools or high schools). The Ministry denounces this practice where the teachers who must give lessons are not present in the classrooms while organizing remedial lessons for the students. The Ministry also denounces the behavior of certain teachers who do not come to provide services in public schools when they go to teach in private schools. Every teacher has the right to protest when they are not satisfied. But he also has a duty to render services, especially for children in public schools who have already lost many school days, due to the situation in the country. The Ministry appeals to the professional conscience and sense of responsibility of teachers who win and do not serve. He asks them once again to provide services to the children to help them prepare for the end-of-year exams. The Ministry takes this opportunity to remind you that it has launched a remedial course for students who will take the State exams (9th year and 4th year). These courses are offered FOR FREE in many public schools and departments. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... 2 women raped and burned alive for treason Members of the "5 seconds" gang led by "Izo" and "Manno" raped then burned alive two women cooks serving the bandits. The two women were charged with treason for sending videos and confidential information about the gang's activities to people outside the gang. A CEP within 2 weeks ? Pascal Adrien, Head of the National Movement for Transparency, said on a local radio that within two weeks at the latest, Haiti will have a new Provisional Electoral Council. He affirms that the list of 20 personalities designated by the different sectors should be submitted shortly to the High Council of Transition (HCT) which will choose the 9 electoral advisers. 15th Government Commissioner to PAP The Ministry of Justice informs that Me Elder Guillaume Government Commissioner at the Hinche Public Prosecutor's Office has been transferred to the Port-au-Prince Public Prosecutor's Office where he will replace Me Jacques Lafontant who had not been certified by the certification commission of the Superior Council of the judiciary https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38636-haiti-flash-vast-sweep-in-the-judicial-system-28-magistrates-sidelined-list.html . Me Elder Guillaume is the 15th Government Commissioner in Port-en Prince to hold this position in 10 years. Gang war in Petite-Riviere de lArtibonite On Friday, May 26, clashes between the "Gran grif" gang and an armed gang commanded by "Ti Mepri" were reported in the commune of Petite-Riviere de l'Artibonite. At least two deaths were recorded in the "Gran grif" camp. Embassy of Haiti in Cuba closed The Embassy of Haiti in Cuba informs that consular services will not be provided during the week of May 29 to June 2, 2023. During this period, only exceptional cases of Haitian citizens will be treated. All consular services will resume on Monday, June 5, 2023. Basketball Training Schedule The "J'Aime Haiti" Foundation announces that it will soon relaunch its basketball training program thanks to its partnership with the "Horwitz Family Memorial Foundation". The program will target girls and boys aged 10 to 12 in La Vallee de Bourdon, Canot and Cite Meriken (Canape Vert). HL/ HaitiLibre By Panos Kotzathanasis | Published on 2023/05/26 Extreme capitalism and its blights, particularly in the ways it has given rise to a number of sociopaths that still seem to hold key positions in the current system has been the source of a number of masterpieces in international cinema, including films like "American Psycho", "The Wolf of Wall Street" and many others. "The Age of Success" is a similar movie that moves into a path that is at least equally mocking of the whole concept. Advertisement Kim Pan-chok (which means sales promotion) is a man who believes that "Love only matters when you can sell it" and his dream is to become the ultimate salesman. As we are introduced to him in his meager apartment, we see him saluting in Nazi fashion a poster of a Korean currency note before leaving to go to a job interview. There the board of directors of Mack Gang Group are asking the interviewees to sell them something inconsequential, in order to prove their selling abilities. Pan-chok aces the interview by convincing them to give him all their money, before revealing that what he sold was nothing, or as he called it 'the sales spirit'. His shenanigans do land him a job as a lower salesman in Yumi Foods, a subsidiary of the Mack Gang that produces sweeteners. Pan-chok, expectedly, is not satisfied with his position, and after a literal and metaphorical beatdown by the company's main opposition, Gammi, he vows to take them down in three years, with his conviction actually leading him into higher and higher positions in the company. Pan-chok has a secret weapon, local bar hostess Seong So-bi, who he has tasked with spying on Gammi's latest products through the patrons she gets in her line of work. The woman falls in love with him, but soon realizes that his heart beats only for sales and money. As the competition between the two companies intensifies, our protagonist has to find more and more extreme ways to keep winning. Jang Sun-woo presents a critique of the extreme capitalism that was permeating a Korea that was handling the Olympic games at the time, where the continuous financial progress had made the pursuit of sales, and subsequently money, a one way street for a plethora of people. The tactics the company used in order to overcome one another are satirized in the most hilarious but also pointed way. The continuous increase of price off in products in convenience stores, the sexualization of the advertisements, the inclusion of technology that seems at least far fetched are just a few of the tricks presented here, essentially presenting the corporate men and their tactics as utterly ridiculous. The behavior of the higher ups, and their demand for constant results no matter what, is also presented under the same prism, essentially deeming all of them as hateful, and quite sad caricatures, even if the "sadness" gets bigger the lower one is placed in the corporate ladder. The saddest of them all however, is Pan-chok, with the way his absurd, lying, conniving, clownish way brings him to the top also providing a comment on how the industry works. Apart from that, he is portrayed as a true sociopath, whose obsession with money and success comes from his childhood years, as much as his tendency to use people around him to achieve his goals. The way he exploits Seong So-bi is a distinct sample which also provides a comment on how the perceived success of such men and their exhibiting passion make them attractive to women. The moment she realizes who he really is, though, is essentially the beginning of his downfall, with his tactics coming back to bite him in the worst way, as his grip with reality becomes thinner and thinner. The ending comment is quite melodramatic, but also can be perceived as somewhat positive for the industry, as the tricks of the past give their place to Western-oriented education, even if the competition never actually ceased its extremity, just transformed it. Ahn Sung-ki gives an astonishing performance, I daresay one of the best of his career, with his over-the-top ways and overall extravagance carrying the movie from beginning to end. It is also quite unusual to watch him in so many erotic scenes, which are done, though, in tasteful fashion, without being particularly explicit. Lee Hye-young-I as So-bi is also great as the femme fatale who becomes a woman in love and a femme fatale again. You Young-gil's cinematography captures the kitsch aesthetics of the era to perfection, with the corporate world looking both luxurious and ridiculous at the same time. Kim Hyeon-I's editing results in a fast tempo that suits the mentality of the particular industry as much as the protagonist's attitude, who, according to his own words, "runs with his brain and thinks with his legs". "The Age of Success" is an excellent satire of the corporate world, which, sadly, has not changed much until this day, something that actually makes the movie relevant even today 35 years after it was first screened. Furthermore, it also deserves a look for one of Ahn Sung-ki's best performances ever. Review by Panos Kotzathanasis ___________ "The Age of Success" is directed by Jang Sun-woo, and features Ahn Sung-ki, Lee Hye-young-I, Choi Bong, Jeong Bu-mi, Kim Eun-suk, Jung Jin. Release date in Korea: 1988/06/04. Carl Sandburg Music Festival lineup announced Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site will host the free Carl Sandburg Music Festival 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the amphitheater and goat barn. We moved the Sandburg Music Fest from its previous late May date into June, to honor Sandburg family history and the love of music passed down to the Sandburgs children and grandchildren, said park Superintendent Polly Angelakis. Carl Sandburg and Lilian Steichen were married on June 15, 1908. Music Fest dates will now occur closer to their June wedding anniversary. Amphitheater At 11 a.m., Dr. Jhon Akers presents Sandburg and the Guitar. Come hear the music that Sandburg loved to listen to, what he wrote about the guitar and how the guitar inspired him. Dr. Akers is an Associate Professor of Modern Languages at Wofford College. An avid classical guitarist, Akers has performed at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Notre Dame University, Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, and the Free Library of Philadelphia. At 1 p.m., James Bo Taylor will bring Cherokee traditional song and dance to the Sandburg stage. Bo Taylor is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Growing up in the Wolftown community, elders in the tribe presented traditional songs and dances, which Bo now performs in their honor. Important subjects, such as native language, history, and stereotypes will be intertwined within the performance, giving the audience a more complete understanding of the Cherokee culture. Barnyard From noon to 2 p.m., Patrick Ballard will play acoustic guitar and banjo. Patrick has performed all over western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and Georgia. He plays eight instruments and performs primarily as a volunteer at care centers. He has more than 40 years of musical experience. Sandburg Home Tours As part of the one-day festival, free tours of the Sandburg Home will be available at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are first come, first serve, from the Visitor Center/Park Store beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Visitor Center/Park Store is located on the ground floor of the Sandburg Home and will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information on other house tour days, visit www.nps.gov/carl or www.recreation.gov. Shuttle and parking There are three parking options available: the Main parking lot, located on Little River Road across from the Flat Rock Playhouse; the Flat Rock Playhouse lot; and the Hikers parking lot. Visitors with accessibility needs should pull into the Main parking lot and stop by the accessible parking spaces where a ranger will provide assistance. Other non-accessible parking lots are available in Flat Rock. For all festival, accessibility, shuttle, and parking information visit https://www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/musicfest.htm. Due to expected large crowds, pets are not permitted at performances. Go First airlines on Saturday announced that its flight operations will remain cancelled till May 30 adding that a full refund will be issued to the passengers. Aircraft of Go First parked at the Delhi airport. (PTI)(HT_PRINT) The official media account of Go First airlines took to Twitter and said, "Due to operational reasons, Go First flights until May 30, 2023, are cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused." "We regret to inform you that due to operational reasons, Go First flights scheduled till May 30, 2023, have been cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellations," it said. "A full refund will be issued to the original mode of payment shortly," the letter read. "We acknowledge the flight cancellations might have disrupted your travel plans and we are committed to providing all the assistance we can," it said. "As you are aware, the company has filed an application for immediate resolution and revival of operations, We will be able to resume booking shortly. We thank you for your patience," the letter added. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday advised Go First Airlines to submit a comprehensive restructuring plan for a sustainable revival of operations. A senior DGCA official informed that Go First has submitted their response to a show cause notice, issued on May 8, wherein they have requested that they may be allowed to use the moratorium period to prepare a comprehensive restructuring plan for restarting operations and present the same to DGCA for the requisite regulatory approvals before restarting operations. Accordingly, DGCA advised the airline on Wednesday to submit a comprehensive restructuring/revival plan for a sustainable revival of operations, within a period of 30 days. "The airline has been asked to furnish,inter-alia, the status of availability of operational aircraft fleet, post holders required, pilots and other personnel, maintenance arrangements, funding/working capital, arrangements with lessors and vendors etc. for the sustainable revival of operations," the official said. The revival plan once submitted by Go First shall be reviewed by DGCA for further appropriate action in the matter, the official added. Two people were arrested on Friday for allegedly harassing an interfaith couple at a restaurant in Karnatakas Chikkaballapura district, police said. According to the police, the incident took place on May 23 when the couple was at an eatery in Chikkaballapura district. (representative) According to the police, the incident took place on May 23 when the couple was at an eatery in Chikkaballapura district. Based on the statement of eyewitnesses, three men approached the couple while they were having a meal, and started questioning the woman about her religious background. They also passed derogatory remarks against the woman for being with a Hindu man, and hurled abuses. The accused captured the whole incident in a video and threatened to post it online, said an official familiar with the matter. The accused also forced the 22-year-old woman to apologise on camera, and vow not to repeat the mistake, while the man was compelled to declare that everyone present around was his brother and sister, the official added. Read: Four held for assaulting interfaith couple in Mangaluru The police took note of the incident after the video went viral, and tracked the woman. We were able to track down the woman, and based on her complaint, we have arrested the two men, said a senior officer. Those arrested have been identified as 20-year-old Wayeed and 21-year-old Saddam, both residents of Nakkalakunte in Chikkaballapur. A search operation has been launched for another accused, Imran, the official added. The incident comes days after chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar came down heavily on the top brass of the state police, and told them to take stringent actions in cases of moral policing. He also warned that a failure to do so would result in action against the district commissioner of police (DCP) and superintendent of police (SP). No moral policing here on, we will put an end to this... the CM said on May 22. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The National Investigation Agency (NIA) along with Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) raided 13 locations in Jabalpur late night on Friday and arrested three alleged members of an ISIS-linked terror module, officials said. (Representative Photo) The accused were produced before the special NIA court in Bhopal which granted them seven days in remand. According to a senior police officer, NIA found evidence regarding the connection of three persons, namely Syed Mamoor Ali, Mohammad Adil Khan and Mohammad Shahid, with the Islamic terrorist organisation ISIS. Also Read: Karnataka: NIA registers case against convict who made threat call to Gadkari Huge cash, sharp weapons, ammunition, incriminating documents and digital devices were also seized during the searches, said officials. In August 2022, the name of the accused Mohammad Adil Khan came to the notice of the investigating agency. NIA registered the case on May 24 while probing Adil Khans alleged pro-ISIS activities. Adil and his associates are accused of being involved in the propaganda of ISIS through social media platforms. The accused held meetings in local mosques and homes to spread radical activities in the country, said an officer, who didnt wish to be named. Investigation revealed that all the three accused were radicalised and wanted to carry out Jihad. They were involved in raising funds, disseminating ISIS propaganda material, motivating youth, recruiting and procuring arms and ammunition for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities, added the officer. According to the officer, Ali had formed a group by the name of Fisabilillah and was also allegedly running a WhatsApp group with the same name. Also Read: 1993 blast accused Javed Chikna behind fake currency racket: NIA He was trying to buy a pistol with his associates, for this, he was in contact with the illegal arms supplier, said the officer. NIA has also summoned advocate Naeem Khan, who lives in the Supreme Plaza Apartment in the Civil Line area, Bhopal. He had appeared as a defence lawyer in the case of the fake passport of underworld don Abu Salem. The NIA team also interrogated about a dozen people, including three advocates of activists of the banned organisation Students Islamic Movement of India, said officials. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The police have launched an investigation after registering a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a 12-year-old girl delivered a baby boy. The police have launched an investigation after registering a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a 12-year-old girl delivered a baby boy. The incident came to the light on Friday after the victim along with her pre-mature baby was referred from Kapurthala to Amritsars Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH) in an ambulance. (Representational image) The incident came to the light on Friday after the victim along with her pre-mature baby was referred from Kapurthala to Amritsars Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH) in an ambulance. Both the infant and the mother are under treatment at the hospital. The condition of the child is said to be critical, and he has been in the intensive care unit (ICU). The members of Hind Ekta Samaj Sewa Sanstha (HESSS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), noticed the unusual case and informed the police. The Ludhiana-based organisation members work to provide free medicine to needy patients. On Friday, when we reached the hospital from Ludhiana to provide help to needy patients, we noticed an unusual case. A minor girl carrying a pre-mature baby, and her father came to the hospital in an ambulance. Doctors of the hospital also informed us that the girl was a needy patient and needed our support, said Kumari Jyoti, a member of the NGO. She was only 12-year-old and pregnant for the last seven months, but her father was unaware about this. When we tried to find out more, they told us that the baby was born on Friday morning. I informed the other members of the team and the police. The baby is pre-mature, and his weight is around 800 gm. He is in the ICU and his condition is critical. The condition of the mother is normal, she said. The NGO chairman, Santosh Kumar said, The victim girl told us that she was raped when she used to go out in the open for defecation. She told us that she can identify the accused by face but doesnt know his name. She also seems to be afraid of some threats. He said according to the victim and her father, she delivered the baby in a Kapurthala hospital before being referred to Amritsar. According to the girl, her mother had left her and her father a few years ago, he added. He demanded strict action against the accused. The senior superintendent of police (SSP), Kapurthala, Rajpal Singh Sandhu said they have registered a case under the POCSO Act. We have launched an investigation into the case. Primarily, we are ensuring proper treatment of the victim girl and her baby, he added. The probe into the April 30 gas leak incident, wherein 11 people including three children died the most tragic death after being engulfed by the toxic hydrogen sulphide that leaked out from a manhole in Giaspura, is still underway. Ludhiana is home to about 95,000 micro, small and medium industrial units (SMEs) and approximately 250 large scale units. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) And while theres no telling as to what caused the formation of the gas in such a huge quantity just yet, the incident has once again highlighted the industrial towns long-standing problem of disposal of chemical effluent and the challenges faced by respective governments in dealing with the same. Manchester of India, for better or for worse Rapid industrialisation over the years has earned the city, for better or for worse, the label of Manchester of India. Today, Ludhiana is home to about 95,000 micro, small and medium industrial units (SMEs) and approximately 250 large scale units. Industry has witnessed an enormous growth in the city over the years and ancillary units like bicycle parts and dyeing units have loomed in large numbers. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) As the bicycle and hosiery industry has witnessed an enormous growth in the city, ancillary units like bicycle parts and dyeing units have loomed in large numbers. With the spurt has come its pitfalls. As per figures, as many as 20,000 such units make for major water polluting industries comprising mainly hosiery, dyeing, electroplating, dairy, units and a small section of miscellaneous industry that includes breweries, beverages, service stations etc also come under the ambit of polluting industries. Playing catch-up with effluents disposal The city has four common effluent treatment plants (CETP)s for management of wastewater coming from dyeing and electroplating industries. Aimed at reducing land cost for small-scale industrial facilities that cannot afford individual treatment centres, the CETPs are managed by the Punjab Dyers Association under close supervision of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). While three of the plants cater to collecting effluent discharge from dyeing units, one handles the discharge emanating from electroplating units. After treatment, the water is hence discharged into the Buddha Nullah. The plant located at Bahadur ke road has a capacity of treating 15 million litres daily (MLD) of effluent and is connected to 30 dyeing units. Others at Focal point and Tajpur road process 40 and 50 MLD discharge from 63 and 102 dyeing units, respectively. The fourth, operated by JBR Technology at Focal point, has a capacity of 0.5 MLD and caters to 1,746 electroplating units. Besides, 12 large-scale dyeing units in the city have installed their own treatment plants and treat 17 MLD of wastewater. As many as 54 dyeing units, which could not join the CETPs, are discharging about 25 MLD of treated wastewater into municipal sewer and in turn into the Buddha Nullah. (Gupreet Singh/HT) And yet, 54 dyeing units, which could not join the CETPs, are discharging about 25 MLD of wastewater into municipal sewer and in turn into the Buddha Nullah, PPCB data revealed. As per the figures, miscellaneous industries like milk plants, garment washing units, breweries, beverages and service stations produce 6 MLD of wastewater and have installed their captive effluent treatment plants. Challenges galore A number of industrialists dealing with the work of electroplating have highlighted inadequacy of a solitary CETP to handle the industry discharge. Dyeing units, far less in number, have three CETPs, but for almost 1,800 registered electroplating units in Ludhiana there is just one plant. The company (JBR technologies) enjoys a monopoly and issues excess charges. For treatment of every one litre water discharge, we are paying 1.5, while the rate in other states is just 0.5 per litre. We also have to bear the cost of transporting the waste to the plant. To escape these charges, many units discharge waste in MCs sewer in absence of regular checks by PPCB, an industrialist, requesting anonymity, said. The industrialist added that industry is beginning to move out of the state in view of the excess charges. Even for those units who wish to operate their own effluent treatment plants (ETP), the permissions are not easily granted by PPCB. This is the main reason why no new industry is willing to invest in the state, the industrialist added. PPCB a toothless tiger? Treatment of effluent waste continues to be an uphill task for the state government and PPCB, which has been issuing notices and levying penalties on units and CETPs for failing to comply with the norms. PPCB chairperson Adarsh Pal Vig says they conduct regular checks and plants found lacking the requisite standards are slapped with penalties and notices. Not meeting the requisite standards means discharging polluted waste into the Buddha Nullah, he said. Highlighting India as a developing nation, Vig noted that industry or plants cannot be shut completely. There is a formula on which we issue penalties to the units and this is an ongoing process, he says, adding that even penalising a unit draws ire for the regulatory body, which is often condemned for not letting the industry function. In 2021, the PPCB had imposed an environmental compensation of 2.46 crore on electroplating and acid pickling units in Ludhiana. The CETP for electroplating units operated by M/s JBR was also found violating the provisions of the Water Act, 1974, and Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016, which drew a 1.05-crore fine. With a strength of just 200 across Punjab and just 50 in Ludhiana including engineers and technical staff, PPCB officials encompassing various ranks are found lacking in sheer strength. Such a small strength cannot handle the load of 1 lakh units. Moreover, new environmental norms like checking on plastic add to the workload, a PPCB official said. Adding to woes, scores of small-scale industrial units operating illegally have come up in Ludhiana and fanned across areas including Giaspura, Janta Nagar, Shivpuri, Sundernagar, Bajwa Nagar, Focal point, Kaka-road and so on. These operate from small, dingy shops and dump the wastewater directly into the MCs sewer. Last year in May, the MC had disconnected illegal sewer connections of 37 such units. The same has been followed by 27 dyeing units being caught doing so in December 2022 and January 2023, but there seems to be no end to the continued dumping of toxic waste into the sewer lines. MC commissioner Shena Aggarwal says, The MC, on its own, as well as jointly with PPCB does random checking of sewer lines. If any irregularity is found, the sewer connection of a non-compliant unit is immediately disconnected and further penal action initiated. As recently as April 24 this year, the MC had caught an electroplating unit, JK International, discharging acidic waste into the lines. The firms connection was also snapped. Illegal storage of chemicals is also rampant, with PPCB teams, just this month raiding a chemical godown in Giaspura to find huge quantities of chemicals. The storage of acids requires permission from the health department under the Poison Act. However, even nine years since the Act came into force, the storage of chemicals goes on with impunity Federation of Punjab Small Scale Industry Association (FOPSIA) president Badish Jindal says the Punjab Poisons Possession and Sales Act, 2014, is very strict in controlling the use of 104 hazardous chemicals including hydrochloric and sulphuric acids, Nickel and Zinc mandating reports even of monthly sales and stocking to concerned the ADC or SDM. The dealers are hardly following these rules. Even the health department and district administration do not bother about the implementation of the Act. If monitored, it is impossible for any industry to use any illegal chemical or quantity, he said. What goes around, comes around All the factors combined have contributed to the alarming level of pollution in the Buddha Nullah. Despite a number of non-governmental organisations urging the government to release funds for cleaning of the nullah, little has changed. The industry has been polluting the Buddha Nullah with impunity. Ludhianas air quality is the worst, water is polluted. Heavy metals and strong acid are being used by a number of units who dump these illegally in sewers. This is a grave threat to the health of the residents and soil. Ultimately, the chemicals will come back to us through the agricultural produce and enter our bodies, environmental activist Col (retd) JS Gill cautions. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Adopting a child in Chandigarh has now become a step easier with the UT administration notifying the Chandigarh Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Amendment Rules, 2023. The Chandigarh administration has adopted the amendments in the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016, notified by the central government in September 2022. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Now, the district magistrate has the authority to issue adoption orders that were previously under the ambit of district courts, thereby speeding up the process in such cases, be it intra-country, inter-country, relative or step parent adoption. UT has adopted the amendments in the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016, notified by the central government in September 2022. Adoption means a legal process that allows someone to become the parent of a child, even though the parent and child are not related by blood. But in every other way, adoptive parents are the childs parents. With the amendment in rules, it will take lesser time, as the district magistrate will be able to dispose of cases quicker compared to courts. The department will soon be appointing an officer to address queries of parents who want to adopt a child, said Palika Arora, director social welfare, women and child development, Chandigarh. So far, the waiting period to adopt a child aged up to two was around one year. In case of a special or older child, it would take more than a year. She explained, The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a nodal body of the Union ministry of women and child development that facilitates adoption of Indian children, and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions. The agency deals with adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children through its agencies. In Chandigarh, Ashiana Childrens Home in Sector 15 caters to abandoned and orphaned children. Arora said in the past five years, 58 children had been adopted in Chandigarh and at present, 12 children were legally free for adoption. In Chandigarh, Ashiana Childrens Home in Sector 15 caters to abandoned and orphaned children. (HT) The amended rules also empower the district magistrate, along with the additional deputy commissioner to monitor the functioning of agencies concerned with adoptions, such as the Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board and the Special Juvenile Police Unit. Another significant amendment in the rules envisages immediate investigation by the police in cases where children are being employed for begging and labour before registration of FIR. In addition, any affected child or anyone connected with the child may file a grievance against the Child Welfare Committee before the district magistrate. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A total of 29 Chandigarh Police inspectors, along with six DSPs, were reshuffled with immediate effect on Saturday following the orders of superintendent of police (Headquarters) Ketan Bansal. With these transfers, now no woman inspector is posted as a station house officer (SHO) in Chandigarh. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) With these transfers, now no woman inspector is posted as a station house officer (SHO) in Chandigarh. DSP Rajnish, who had the charge of DSP (Crime and Headquarters), now only has the charge of DSP (Headquarters). DSP Uday Pal Singh, who was DSP (North-East) has been given the charge of DSP (Crime). DSP P Abhinandan has been appointed as DSP (North-East) on his joining in Chandigarh. DSP (South) Vikas Sheokand has been posted as DSP, District Crime Cell (DCC), replacing DSP Devinder Sharma, who has been shifted to DSP, Lines and Community Policing. DSP Dalbir Singh, who earlier had the charge of District Police Lines, is now DSP (South). Other than this,17 SHOs among a total of 29 inspectors have been reshuffled. Inspector Narinder Patial has been appointed as SHO of the Sector 39 police station. He was in April transferred to the police lines by the Chandigarh SSP for lack of supervision as the in-charge of DCC, while three constables under him were suspended for allegedly trying to strike a deal with three men running online IPL betting modules. Inspector Juldan Singh, who was posted in the security wing is now the Sector 19 SHO. Inspector Neeraj Sarna has been transferred from the traffic wing to the Manimajra police station as SHO. Inspector Jaspal Singh, who was in the traffic wing, is now the SHO of the IT Park police station. Sector 34 SHO Devinder Singh has been transferred to IRB. Inspector Rajiv Kumar has been shifted from the crime branch to the Sector 17 police station as SHO. Inspector Gyan Singh, who was earlier posted in the traffic wing, has been deputed as the Sector 11 SHO. Similarly, inspector Jasminder Singh has been transferred from police lines to DCC. Inspector Jaiveer Singh Rana, who was earlier the Mauli Jagran SHO, has been deputed in the high court monitoring cell. IT Park SHO Rohtash Kumar Yadav and Sarangpur SHO Rohit Kumar have been posted in the traffic wing. The latter was a member of the five-member SIT formed in the May 17 Dhanas accident case in which the 19-year-old driver of a Volkswagen Beetle had claimed the life of three and left four others injured. Inspector Amanjot Singh, who was earlier posted in the operation cell, has replaced inspector Rohit Kumar, the Sector 3 SHO, who has been transferred to the security wing. Two female inspectors Sector 39 SHO Eram Rizvi and Sector 19 SHO Mini Bhardwaj have been transferred to the traffic wing and CID, respectively, leaving no female SHO in the city. New Delhi Patiala house court on Saturday remanded gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to four-day custody of Delhi Polices special cell (HT File) Patiala house court on Saturday remanded gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to four-day custody of Delhi Polices special cell in a case registered for alleged illegal arms supply to gangsters. Delhi Police sought four-day custody to interrogate him in an Arms Act case related to the recovery of 25 pistols from an arms trafficker, Mukund Singh, who allegedly supplied arms and ammunition to Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Jathedi Gang. Delhi Police submitted: Sustained interrogation of the accused is to be conducted to identify his gang members to whom the recovered arms and ammunition were to be supplied and to unearth the conspiracy being carried out by this gang to eliminate their rival gang members and other innocent persons. Delhi Police also said that Bishnoi is to be confronted with accused Mukand Singh who is already in remand in this case. Police also submitted: Remand is required to arrest members of Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Jathedi gang by conducting raids in Delhi and various places at Punjab and to recover weapons which have been procured earlier by this syndicate from the arrested accused. Delhi Police submitted that on May 24, information was received in the special cell/NDR that one person who is an arms trafficker would come in a car near Sarai Kale Khan Bus terminal in Delhi to supply illicit firearms to members of Lawrence-Kala Jathedi Gang. On this information, this person was arrested and one pistol and live cartridges were recovered from his possession. Other 24 pistols were recovered from the car. He was interrogated and disclosed that he has been supplying illicit arms/ammunition to members of the Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Jathedi gang for the past six months at the behest of his USA-based associate namely Dilpreet Singh of Punjab, Delhi Police submitted. Recently, Dilpreet Singh told him that his criminal contact Goldy Brar had asked to supply a huge quantity of arms and ammunition to the syndicate of Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Jathedi gang, the police said. He procured 25 pistols and 50 live cartridges along with two spare magazines from Burhanpur, MP, which were recovered by the police. The recovered weapons were to be given to the members of the Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Jathedi gang in Delhi and Punjab, the police added. On interrogation, Bishnoi disclosed that he was lodged in Bhatinda jail in April 2023. During that period, he used to talk telephonically with Kala Jathedi and Naresh Sethi who asked him to arrange weapons for their gang members to commit crimes. He further asked Goldy Brar to arrange weapons. Goldy Brar told him that his contact Dilpreet Singh would arrange for the same through his Punjab contact Mukand Singh, police said. A female advocate at the Punjab and Haryana high court looking for a doctors information online was duped of 1 lakh by cyber criminals. In her police complaint, the victim, Sukhpreet Kaur of Chandigarh, stated that on May 16, she opened Google to search for the phone number of Dr Mamta in Sector 38, Chandigarh. (Getty images) In her police complaint, the victim, Sukhpreet Kaur of Chandigarh, stated that on May 16, she opened Google to search for the phone number of Dr Mamta in Sector 38, Chandigarh. I got her contact information from a page of JustDial and called the phone number, but the calls went unanswered. After a few minutes, I received a call from someone claiming to be the doctors receptionist. He asked me to get an appointment fixed by paying 5 through online payment, for which he sent a link via WhatsApp, the complainant submitted. The next day, Sukhpreet was shocked to receive a text message on her mobile phone regarding withdrawal of 1 lakh from her Punjab National Bank account, even when she never shared any OTP with the caller. Since I was in Chandigarh and my bank account is in the Nawanshahr branch, my brother met the bank manager, Sanjeev Kumar. My brother, who is a beneficiary of my account, requested the manager to block the transaction, but he turned down the request, stating that the account holder needs to visit the branch herself and raise the issue, Kaur said in her complaint. Acting on her complaint, the cyber crime police on Friday lodged an FIR for cheating and criminal conspiracy. The Haryana police have arrested a criminal from Madhya Pradesh for interstate smuggling of illegal weapons and recovered 14 illegal pistols and as many as magazines. The police with the seized weapons in Gurugram on Saturday. (HT photo) A spokesman of the Haryana police said the accused, Gurudev Singh Barnala of Madhya Pradesh, was arrested for smuggling illegal weapons in the state. On September 20 last year, the police had arrested a criminal Ashif from the Punhana road and recovered two magazines and illegal pistols. When the investigation proceeded, another accused Shehnawaz, alias Saini, was also arrested. Upon interrogation, he revealed the name of Barnala and the police team recovered 14 illegal country-made pistols and 14 magazines from his possession. So far, we have arrested three gang members and 16 magazines and as many as illegal pistols have been seized from them. An investigation is under way to arrest other gang members involved in smuggling, said the spokesman. Meanwhile, in a separate case, the police team arrested a wanted criminal who was carrying a reward of 3,000 from Nai village in Nuh. The criminal was wanted in a fraud case registered at Cama police station in Rajasthan. After his arrest, the accused was handed over to the Rajasthan police. Lodged in Kathuas Hiranagar sub-jail for the past over two years, more than 200 Rohingyas went on a protest and refused to take their food, a week ago, demanding they either be deported to, their native land, Myanmar or released. As many as 271 Rohingyas, including 74 women and 70 children, are detained at the sub-jail since March 2021. (HT File Photo) A week ago, the inmates went on a protest and had refused to take their food. However, their demand was relayed to the higher officials at the Centre but such issues take time, said a prison official. Few days ago, they staged a protest within the lodgement centre (sub-jail) and demanded that they be deported to Myanmar or released. A week ago, the deputy magistrate of Kathua along with SDM had also visited the centre and had met the inmates, added the prison official. He informed that the inmates now prefer dry ration and cook it as per their demand. They have been lodged in the prison for the past over two years and their only demand is that they should either be deported to Myanmar or released, he added. As many as 271 Rohingyas, including 74 women and 70 children, are detained at the sub-jail since March 2021. The sub-jail was notified as a holding centre on March 5, 2021, for lodging illegal immigrants as defined under Section 2(b) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. On April 6 last year, the J&K and Ladakh high court had directs the home secretary to identify all illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh in Jammu and Kashmir within six weeks. According to the government, 13,400 Myanmari and Bangladeshi illegal immigrants were living in various areas of J&K. It may be stated here that the last PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir had been asked by the BJP government at the Centre to prepare a database of Rohingyas in Jammu and Kashmir so that they could be deported to their native lands. According to an official estimate of the then BJP-PDP government, 5,700 Rohingyas had settled in and around Jammu. However, in total contravention to the statistics of then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, UNHCR on April 27, 2017, told HT that there were 7,000 Rohingyas in J&K. Rohingya Muslims are considered to be one of the most persecuted communities in the world. A government document then also stated that 17 FIRs were registered against 38 Rohingyas for various offences, including those related to illegal border crossing and drug trafficking. On March 3, 2017, the then-home minister Rajnath Singh sought a report from the state over the unabated influx of refugees to Jammu. On March 25, 2017, the then Jammu district commissioner Simrandeep Singh recovered fake state subject certificates, voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards and ration cards from the temporary shelters of Rohingyas in Jammu. On March 6, 2021, on the instructions of the Union ministry of home affairs, the Jammu & Kashmir administration started a verification drive of the Rohingyas, and moved 271 of them to the Hiranagar holding centre. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hong Kong: CE meets Philippine senate president Chief Executive John Lee today met visiting Philippine Senate President Juan Miguel Fernandez Zubiri to exchange views on matters of common interest. Mr Lee said Hong Kong and the Philippines have maintained close exchanges and co-operation in various fields such as trade, investment and finance, and that Hong Kong is an important trading and investment partner for the Philippines and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries. He encouraged more Philippine enterprises and talent to develop in Hong Kong and make better use of its professional services and internationalised business environment for expanding into Mainland markets, including those of the Greater Bay Area. As the city is striving for early entry to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the Chief Executive thanked the Philippines for its support in Hong Kongs bid for accession. This story has been published on: 2023-05-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 4 killed in fireworks explosion in north China Xinhua) 14:06, May 27, 2023 SHIJIAZHUANG, May 27 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and two are missing after a fireworks explosion occurred in Dacheng County, north China's Hebei Province, on Friday, according to local authorities. The blast happened around 4 p.m. at Zangtun police station where police officers were sampling and identifying fireworks suspected of being illegally traded. According to a preliminary investigation, 11 people were at the scene. So far, nine have been rescued, among whom four showed no vital signs, and five are under treatment. Local authorities have sent rescuers to search for the missing people. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) As the Centre termed Punjabs amendments to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to give life imprisonment to sacrilege accused as harsher punishment, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has again written to Union home minister Amit Shah for getting the Presidents assent on the two Bills that have been pending since 2018. As the Centre termed Punjabs amendments to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to give life imprisonment to sacrilege accused as harsher punishment, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has again written to Union home minister Amit Shah for getting the Presidents assent on the two Bills that have been pending since 2018. (PTI File Photo) The Bills were passed during former chief minister Amarinder Singhs tenure. The IPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018, and the CrPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018, provided punishment up to life imprisonment to whoever causes injury, damage or sacrilege to Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible with the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the people. These amendments were regarding insertion of Section 295AA to the IPC to provide that whoever causes injury, damage or sacrilege to Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible with the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the people, shall be punished with imprisonment for life. These two Bills have since been waiting for Presidential assent. But before these bills could be sent to the President, the ministry of home has been writing to the state asking for clarifications. Mann in a fresh letter to Shah on May 24 said, Now we have received response from your ministry that the punishment proposed in the amendments appears to be excessive. In this context, I would like to bring to your kind notice that Guru Granth Sahib is considered living guru by Sikhs and is accorded respect accordingly,. The chief minister has further stated that it is extremely necessary to maintain communal harmony in Punjab and for this rigorous punishment is required to deter criminals trying to disturb communal harmony. So, I again request that the Presidential assent for the said Bills may kindly be given to the state government at the earliest, said Mann. This is the second letter written by Mann to the Union home minister. Earlier, the chief minister wrote a similar letter on December 8, 2022, to which the home ministry replied that the punishment amended for sacrilege seems excessive. In an earlier communique to the previous state government, the Centre had asked Punjab if the state was sure that such harsher punishment could be given for sacrilege of holy books. During his meeting with Shah in December last year as well, Mann had said that this amendment was in consonance with the principles of secularism enshrined in the Constitution. Mann wrote the letter after two sacrilege cases that shocked Punjab in April this year. Recent sacrilege incidents May 17, 2023: A youth was handed over to police after he allegedly entered a gurdwara in Rajpura town wearing shoes. April 27, 2023: A man was arrested for desecrating Gutka Sahib at a Gurdaspur village. April 24, 2023: A man arrested for sacrilege and hitting two priests at a gurdwara in Morinda. On the same day, a sacrilege incident was reported in Faridkot as well. December 20, 2021: Youth hacked to death for sacrilege in Kapurthala. December 18, 2021: A man beaten to death by pilgrims at the Golden Temple in Amritsar after he allegedly stepped inside the central enclosure of the sanctum sanctorum where the holy book is placed. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Punjab government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate all the cases of human trafficking, especially of Punjabi women to Middle Eastern countries. MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, who made efforts for rescuing the stranded girls from Oman, thanked chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav for setting up the SIT. The Punjab government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate all the cases of human trafficking. (HT File Photo) Kaustubh Sharma, IG, Ludhiana Range, shall act as the nodal officer for hassle-free registration of FIRs in the state. Stranded girls and their families can contact Surjit Singh, WPO president, Abu Dhabi/ Al Ain - +971 55 612 9811, Kamaljeet Singh Matharoo, WPO president, Oman- +968 94055561, Ramneet Kaur Bhasin, parliament office of MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Delhi- +91 9910061111 and Gurbir Singh, WPO Chandigarh- +91 9711000837 for seeking any kind of help. MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, who made efforts for rescuing the stranded girls from Oman, thanked chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav for setting up the SIT. Sahney, who is also the international president of the World Punjabi Organisation (WPO), said his parliament office and the WPO is assisting victims to register FIRs at various police station in different districts of Punjab and rescuing stranded girls from various Middle Eastern countries. He has also launched four helpline numbers in Abu Dhabi, Oman and India. He requested all girls who have come back to India and families of illegal immigrants who are stuck in Middle Eastern countries to come forward and register cases with the police stations concerned so that guilty can be brought to book. Sahney also assured the stranded women stuck in Middle Eastern countries and their families that he will be providing free of cost skill training to these women once they will come back and facilitate sustainable and dignified employment for them in the state. The number of candidates registering for civil services exam has seen a decline in Punjab as only 5,325 have registered for the exam scheduled for Sunday, as compared to the 6,866 candidates who had registered last year. Even amid Covid, as many as 6,120 candidates had registered for the exam held in October 2020. Ludhiana hosts the centres in Punjab for exams conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). (HT File Photo) The exam will be held at 17 centres across the city. Ludhiana hosts the centres in Punjab for exams conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Officials said that out of the registered candidates, around 35 per cent skip the exams for varied reasons. They added that authorities have the capacity to host around 17,000 students at the centres and arrangements are made as per the registrations received. Centres drop to 17 The number of centres for the UPSC exam in the city has come down to 17, from the 21 centres in 2022. As many as four centres have been set up in SCD Government College for Boys, two in Government College for Girls and two in Khalsa College for Women. Other venues for the exam include SDP College for Women, Arya College for Boys, Ramgarhia Girls College, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Police DAV School, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School and Guru Nanak Public School. The centre for aspirants with special abilities has been created at the GCG College where 14 candidates are scheduled to appear. Five personnel for frisking at each centre A total of five police personnel, three males and two females, will be deployed for frisking before the students enter the examination centres, said OP Kapoor, co-ordinator. He added that tight security arrangements have been made and mobile jammers have been installed at the centres. The officials who will remain on duty include invigilators, superintendent rank inspectors and distributing officers. He added that students from other areas are advised to reach centres on time and carry the required documents to save themself from any last-minute troubles. He said that no arrangements for parents or other persons who accompany the candidates are made due to security reasons. Manish Kumar, a commerce graduate, who is appearing for the exam said it is hard to control ones nervousness that the exam is out the most difficult in the world. He added that he studied by himself for the exam for over a year and a half. The candidates will appear for the offline exam in two shifts. They will appear for general studies exam in the morning shift from 9:30 to 11:30 and CSAT General studies (qualifying exam) paper from 2.30 to 4.30 pm. : At a time when the state education department is pushing for enrolling a record number of students in government schools, around 560 students in the district dropped out of the state-run academic institutes in the district in 2022-23, as per the official data of the education department. 560 students dropped out of government schools in 2022-23 in Ludhiana district The students who do not attend classes, take part in school activities and sit in exams due to various reasons are considered dropouts. The students who shifted from one school to another are not considered dropouts. The majority, around 90% of the students who dropped out in the previous academic year 2022-2023 came from a working-class background where their parents work as manual labourers. The majority of the schools that recorded dropouts fall in rural areas of the district, including Jagraon, Mullapur, Doraha amd Dehlon. The education department had sought information from the schools in February regarding the dropout students. The data collected included the occupation of parents, address, age, class and whether the student has got admission in another school. Sukhdarshan Singh, a teacher from a government school in Kot Mangal said that the minimum criteria for an absence of 10 days without any reason or leave has been fixed for a student to be considered a dropout. Most of the students belong to migrant families, when the families go back to their hometowns or shift their location in search of work, the students cease to attend the classes, he said. He said that as the entire data regarding the students has been put online, it has become very easy to ascertain the number of students who have dropped out of school. The student cannot get admission to another school without getting the school leaving certificate which is issued by the school. He said that the students should be motivated to get back to the classrooms. The data collected by the education department also mentions whether the student has been contacted by the schools to restart education. As per the rules of the education department, a dropout student has the option to get readmitted to the same class and a gap of two years is acceptable. District education officer Harjit Singh said that the data has been maintained to avoid any duplicity in the number of students enrolled at the schools. He added that schools have been directed to visit the homes of the students to counsel them to get back to schools. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami has condemned the decision of stopping the broadcast of Punjabi news bulletins from the All-India Radio (Akashwani) stations operating at Delhi and Chandigarh. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami has condemned the decision of stopping the broadcast of Punjabi news bulletins from the All-India Radio (AIR) stations operating at Delhi and Chandigarh. (HT File Photo) He said that this decision of the government is discriminatory against Punjab and Punjabi language, which should be withdrawn immediately. Dhami said a large number of Punjabis live in Delhi, while Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab, and stopping the broadcast of Punjabi language bulletins from these areas is a big injustice to Punjab and Punjabis. He said it is necessary that the governments should make efforts to promote regional languages, but it has been the opposite. He said this is a serious matter which the government should reconsider and give orders to continue broadcasting Punjabi bulletins from the Delhi and Chandigarh centres. Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately withdraw the ordinance issued by the Centre on control of services in Delhi, as his counterparts from Delhi and Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, met him over the issue here. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann meets Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, in Hyderabad on Saturday. KCR on Saturday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately withdraw the ordinance issued by the Centre on control of services in Delhi, as his counterparts from Delhi and Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, met him over the issue here. (PTI) Rao made the demand during a joint press conference with Kejriwal and Mann. The two AAP leaders met KCR here seeking support over the Kejriwals fight against the Centres ordinance. We demand the Prime Minister to withdraw the ordinance yourself or else we all will support Kejriwal. We will stand by him. We will use all our strength in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to defeat the ordinance. Unnecessarily dont make an issue. Let the government work, Rao told the NDA government at the Centre. The Modi government has insulted the people of the Delhi by bringing in the ordinance. I can say without an iota of doubt it is insult to the Delhi state people, KCR, as Rao is addressed, said. The Centre recently promulgated an ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi, with the AAP government calling the move a deception with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services. The ordinance, which came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government, seeks to set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. KCR blamed the Modi-led central government for harassing the democratically elected state governments. He alleged there was no difference between the situation when Emergency was imposed and now. Ahead of the inauguration of new Parliament building on Sunday, Delhi traffic police issued an advisory outlining traffic regulations and restrictions to ensure smooth flow and security during the event. The traffic police urged the public to avoid the New Delhi district from 5:30 am to 3 pm. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times/File) The advisory comes as the high-profile event will be marked by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will unveil the newly-constructed complex, accompanied by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, and several dignitaries and politicians from across the country in attendance. The traffic police announced that the New Delhi district will be treated as a controlled area on May 28. This would mean that only specific movement of vehicles will be allowed, which includes public transport, civil services aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles. Additionally, the traffic police said some areas will be operated as regulated. Sharing a list of routes that fall in these areas, the police urged the public to plan their journey accordingly and avoid the New Delhi district from 5:30 am to 3 pm. As per the advisory, the area enclosed by following routes will be treated as controlled: Mother Teresa Cerscent Road Roundabout Talkatora Baba Kharak Singh Marg Roundabout Gol Dak Khana Roundabout Patel Chowk Ashoka Road Roundabout Windsor Palace Janpath Roundabout MLNP Akbar Road Roundabout Gol Methi Roundabout GKP Teen Murti Marg Roundabout Teen Murti and Mother Teresa Crescent Road Within the regulated area, only civil services aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles will be allowed, the police said. It also urged the civil services aspirants, whose exam centres are located in New Delhi district, to plan their journey a little early to avoid any inconvenience. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two men have been sentenced to a jail term of seven years each for robbing a private company executive of 10 lakh in 2021 in Sector 14, on Friday. Sentencing the duo Surendra Singh, 38, and Suresh Singh, 35, additional sessions judge SP Singh said a stern message should be sent to curb such crimes. (Representational Image) Sentencing the duo Surendra Singh, 38, and Suresh Singh, 35, additional sessions judge SP Singh said a stern message should be sent to curb such crimes. He imposed a fine of 10,000 each and convicted them of robbery. If the convicts fail to pay their fines, the imprisonment shall be increased by another year, the order said. On January 11, 2021, Deepak Pandey, a resident of Delhi, who works at a private company in Udyog Vihar, had alleged that he had gone to Sector 14 to withdraw 10 lakh from his companys account. While he was returning, three men took him hostage at gunpoint and snatched his bag with the cash and other valuables near Sector 14 crossing. A case under Section 379 B (snatching and use of force) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections of the Arms Act was registered at Palam Vihar police station. The investigation was handed over to crime unit, said police. In the court, police presented 12 witnesses, evidence and confession statement. While two suspects Shravan Kumar and Sandeep Malik were acquitted on May 22 this year, as Pandey did not recognise them in the court, police said Surendra Singh and Suresh Singh were convicted for their crime on Friday. Both were sent to Bhondsi jail, said police. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rajasthans Pali police have arrested a man for allegedly killing and later eating an elderly woman. Police said the incident took place in the Jaitaran area under Sendra police station on Friday. (Representative Photo) He was charged with cannibalism and booked under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, said police. Police have identified the accused as Surendra Thakur, a resident of Mumbai and the deceased woman as Shanti Devi, 65), a resident of Saradhana village. Police said the elderly woman had gone to graze cattle and while returning to her village, she was attacked with a stone by the accused and died after being hit in the head. The incident came to light after a few passersby saw the man allegedly eating the womans face. Initially, the people were frightened but when the accused attempted to escape, they chased him for one kilometre and caught him, and later called the police. The accused, police said, seems to be a person with mental illness, and was arrested based on the complaint filed by the son of the deceased woman and charged under section 302 (murder) of IPC. Given his actions, we admitted the accused to a hospital where his medical examination is ongoing. He even created a ruckus in the hospital, and the hospital staff had to tie him up, said Sukhram Bishnoi, circle officer at Jaitaran. Police said that it is yet the subject of the investigation as to why the accused killed Devi. Meanwhile, police handed over the deceased body to the family members after the autopsy. With 16 people killed in four blasts in West Bengal in the last 10 days, the state government announced that it will reward anyone who provides information to the administration on the operation of illegal firecracker units, a senior official said. Firecracker storing facilities should also have necessary licences from the government. (Representational Image)(Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo) Also Read | TMC leader Abhishek Banerjees convoy attacked in Bengal amid Kurmi agitation In a meeting, the district magistrates were asked to ensure that only those firecracker units that have explosive and fire licenses, besides training certificates from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, be allowed to function, he said on Friday. Firecracker storing facilities should also have necessary licences from the government, the official said. The state government is also mooting to test firecrackers for safety standards and environmental pollution before those are released in the market, he said. At least 16 people have been killed and several others injured in four blasts in different locations in the state since May 16. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited Egra in East Midnapore district on Saturday and apologised to the families that lost 10 members in a blast at an illegal firecracker factory at Khadikul village on May 16. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. (File) I bow my head and apologise to the affected families for this incident. Let me know if I can help you in any other way, Banerjee said after giving out cheques for 2.5 lakh to each family and a government job as compensation. Krishnapada Bag, the 11th victim and owner of the factory, died at a private hospital in neighbouring Odisha hours after his arrest. The explosion ripped apart the factory shed and the bodies of the deceased, who were all employees, were charred and mutilated beyond recognition, police said. Bags wife and nephew have been arrested. On May 16, the chief minister, who is also in charge of the home department, ordered a probe by the criminal Investigation Department (CID). Banerjee admitted on Saturday that senior police officers had no intelligence input on the factory while the officer-in-charge (OC) of Egra police station sat on repeated complaints from Khadikul residents. She said: I urge local people to maintain vigil and inform the OC if anyone makes illegal firecrackers. If the OC doesnt act, inform me. I will transfer him. The OC who served here has been transferred because he did not act on repeated complaints. Senior officers did not have intelligence inputs. Otherwise, this would not have happened. The villagers heckled the OC of Egra police station, Mousam Chakraborty, when he reached the blast site on May 16 alleging that he did nothing although six explosions took place at the same factory in recent years. Krishnapada Bag was injured in one of those incidents, they claimed. The chief minister said: The deaths at the illegal firecracker factory have opened our eyes. We have set up a committee headed by the chief secretary. A lot of people work in illegal firecracker factories. I will ensure that they dont lose their jobs. The government will set up clusters at locations away from human habitations. Factory owners can set up units at these clusters but only to produce environment-friendly green crackers. Making firecrackers is illegal. But many give in to greed. This incident is an eye-opener. I have come here to express my grief for the affected families and help them. We are giving each family 2.5 lakh. One member from each family will also be recruited as home guards, she added. Gaurango Maity, who lost his son and brother, said: The ex-gratia amount is not much but it will help us for some time. It is the job that is important. The blast triggered a political row in Bengal. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Sukanta Majumdar alleged that powerful bombs were being made at the factory to create violence during the forthcoming panchayat polls. The BJP, which controls the local gram panchayat at Khadikul, moved the Calcutta high court demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). On May 18, the court directed the CID to continue with its investigation. Some people tried to politicise the issue. I have not come here today to do politics, the chief minister said before leaving Egra on Saturday afternoon. The BJP took a swipe at Banerjee after she met the affected families. Samik Bhattacharya, the partys chief spokesperson in Bengal, said: These tactics can no longer fool the people of this state. Nobody has any control on the Trinamool Congress. From what she said, we can only assume that more bomb making units are coming up before the elections. Prashant Singhal of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was on Saturday sworn in as the new mayor of Aligarh. At the ceremony organised at Krishnajali Auditorium of the city, 90 corporators also took oath in the presence of Aligarh district in-charge minister Laxmi Narain Chaudhary. Mayor Prashant Singhal promised to make Aligarh an improved city. He was sworn in by Aligarh division commissioner Navneet Rinwa. (HT) Although the BJP recently won all 17 mayor elections in Uttar Pradesh, its victory in Aligarh holds more relevance since it clinched the seat from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The new mayor promised to make Aligarh an improved city. We will remain truthful and loyal to the Aligarh voters. The planned development of Aligarh will be my priority and all plans will materialise under the able leadership of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, he said. With the third engine added, the development will attain pace in Aligarh, Singhal added. The mayor was sworn in by Aligarh division commissioner Navneet Rinwa. Congratulating all the new public representatives, Chaudhary, who also holds the sugarcane development portfolio in the state cabinet, stressed on the proper monitoring of development works. Every citizen is entitled to better living conditions and, thus, it is the duty of local bodies to ensure proper civic amenities. Development projects must be planned keeping in mind the fast-growing population. The Swachh Bharat scheme of the prime minister has received international acclaim and for the success of it, denizens must need to understand their duties, he added. Minister in the state cabinet Sandeep Singh, district magistrate Indra Vikram Singh and other public representatives were also present at the ceremony. Mumbai: 45-year-old Shiv Sena shakha pramukh (ward president) from Janta Colony, Ulhasnagar, was allegedly killed by eight assailants on Friday night over a suspected money rivalry, the police said on Saturday. The victim, identified as Shabbir Salim Shaikh, operated a gambling business in the locality along with a denim manufacturing business, said police officials. Two men were detained in the murder case and rest of the accused are at large. The assailants attacked Shabbir Shaikh with a knife multiple time. He suffered injuries all over the body and was found lying in a pool of blood, said police sources. (HT Photo) The incident took place at in Ulhasnagars Jay Janta Colony at around 11.30pm Friday when the assailants with their faces covered entered a gambling den and looked for Shaikh. The harrowing incident was captured on CCTV. People at the venue, who were playing matka, a lottery-style betting game, left the spot out of fear. The assailants then attacked Shaikh with a knife multiple time. He suffered injuries all over the body and was found lying in a pool of blood, said police sources. The police sourced the CCTV footage and identified the accused as Vikram Kathonkar, Dinesh Kathonkar, Hitesh Kathonkar, Jayesh Salunkhe, Vijay Rupani, and an unknown man. Ranjit Dere, senior police inspector, Hill Line police station, The preliminary investigation showed that a possible business rivalry has led to the attack. We have formed seven teams, including a crime branch unit and are trying to trace the accused. Another officer added, Vikram, one of the accused, visited Shabbirs venue ten days ago and sought some money from him and he refused to give him which later led to a heated argument between them and Vikram was furious over the same. After the incident, Shaikh was rushed to the Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar where he was declared dead upon arrival. An FIR was lodged under sections of IPC and Maharashtra Police Act. Rajendra Chaudhary, mahanagar pramukh, Shiv Sena, Ulhasnagar said, Shabbir had joined Shiv Sena around five months ago. His father was shakha pramukh in the party earlier. A teacher in a school in Assams Majuli district allegedly chopped off the hair of more than 30 students to teach them discipline during the morning assembly on Thursday, police said adding that the deputy commissioner of the district has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The parents of one of the students said that the child is now refusing to go to the school as he felt humiliated. (Representative Image) The school authorities in their statement before the higher authorities said that the kids were keeping long hair which is not allowed as per the schools guidelines. They were warned several times and the parents were also informed but nothing happened. This was just a method of teaching discipline, the school authorities stated. Deputy commissioner, Cavery B Sarma on Friday evening asked the officials concerned to investigate the matter and give a report immediately. As per the initial investigation, the teacher only reduced the length of hair by chopping them, it was not trimmed as some reports are saying, she told HT. The teacher, identified as Nicky, said that he just followed the order of the school authorities. However, after the incident, the students are refusing to attend classes, according to their parents. Parents of one of these students told the media that the kid came home crying with his hair trimmed on the front side on Thursday. He is now refusing to go to school as he felt humiliated, they said. The parents said that the school authorities have liberty to impose discipline but there are certain limits. It is true that students must keep themselves clean and look uniform. But trimming hair in front of the entire school during assembly is humiliating, the parents said. The district administration officials said that there is no provision in the state governments guidelines under which a teacher can trim or chop off hair of students inside the campus. There are other ways to deal with the minor kids. We are investigating the matter to understand, what actually happened that day, the official said. Two weeks ago, a school in Cachar district imposed a fine of 250 on a student for accidentally speaking in his mother tongue inside the campus. This was criticised by several sections of society. The school authorities later stated that by imposing a fine, they wanted to teach the students discipline and collecting money was never their intention. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth wing leader has been arrested in connection with the smuggling of fake currency notes from Assams Nagaon district, police said. BJP youth wing leader Amir Hussain (HT Photo/Sourced) Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP is the ruling party in the northeastern state. Police said that BJP youth wing leader Amir Hussain was arrested from Rupohihat area on Friday night during a raid conducted by Nagaon police in the crackdown against Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). It was also found that Hussain was involved in the counterfeit money trade for several years. Following the arrest, a raid was conducted at Hussains residence in which currency printing machine and substantial amount of fake notes were recovered, said police. Also Read: Assam teacher chops hair of 30 students during morning assembly; probe ordered Police said they are interrogating Hussain and further probe into the matter has been launched. We are questioning him to uncover potential additional connections or networks related to the counterfeit money operation in the district and surrounding areas, said police. Nagaon police recently launched operations against fake gold and fake currency racket running across the state following the death of sub-inspector Junmoni Rabha. On Friday night, three persons were arrested by a team of the Nagaon police with fake gold in Hojai. In another, BJPs Kishan Morcha leader Moon Ingtipi was arrested on Thursday in Assams Karbi Anglong district for looting various people to the tune of 9.52 crore in the name of providing government jobs. Recently, North Lakhimpurs superintendent of police (SP) Anand Mishra took a significant step by introducing a complaint helpline number (6000815799) to tackle the menace of fake gold and counterfeit currency in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chief of army staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande arrived in Imphal on Saturday to take stock of the security scenario. Union minister of state (home) Nityanand Rai has been stationed there since Thursday. Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande called on governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan today (Twitter/@ANI) Army chief General Pande, who landed at Imphal on Saturday afternoon met governor Anusuiya Uikey at the Raj Bhawan to discuss and deliberate over the current situation in the northeastern state. He is also slated to meet chief minster N Biren Singh and state security advisor Kuldiep Singh. The COAS will visit various locations where he will interact with the local formation commanders and obtain a firsthand account of the situation obtaining on ground. He will also interact with the troops, said a PIB release. Amid the unrest, a total of 135 columns of army personnel have been deployed in the northeastern state since the violence began on May 3. A column consists of about 100 personnel. Ethnic clashes, which began on May 3 between Kuki and Meitei communities were triggered after the former opposed granting of scheduled tribe (ST) status to the former Manipurs dominant community comprising 53% of the population. The violent clashes have so far left 74 dead, nearly 300 injured and displaced more than 30,000. The meeting discussed the prevailing situation and security measures which are put in place to contain/prevent any violent and major untoward incidents in the state, said a release issued by the governors secretariat. Also Read: Amid backlash, Manipur CM makes fresh appeal for peace The Manipur government has extended a ban on internet services across the northeastern border state for five days to curb rumours-mongering spreading through images, hate speech, and hate video messages in the state, an official order said. The commissioner (Home) H Gyan Prakash in an order issued on Friday said, This order is issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the state of Manipur and shall be in force for the next five days with immediate effect from the time this suspension order becomes operational till 3pm of May 31, 2023. It said the step was taken to prevent disturbances to the entire peaceful co-existence of the communities and maintenance of public order. On Saturday, curfew was relaxed for nine hours till 2pm both in Imphal West and Imphal East districts. Amidst the curfew, hundreds of youths staged a peaceful march rally under the aegis of the District Level Committee for Rejuvenating Co-existence (DLCFRC) at Kakching town under Kakching district where curfew was relaxed for just four hours till 9am on Saturday. Regarding the peaceful march, P Somorendro of DLCFRC, said, We want to rejuvenate co-existence. We must not be apart from each of the communities as we have been in Manipur for the last so many years. We want to save Manipur. There must be no disintegration of Manipur at all cost, he added. On Saturday, former chairperson of the National School of Drama and eminent Manipuri theatre personality Ratan Thiyam appealed to the religious leaders of the state to take a proactive role in restoring peace and stability in the state. Speaking to the states information and publicity department officials, he said, Considering the grave situation that Manipur is currently facing, all religious leaders from temples, Masjids, Churches, etc should try to find out a means to restore peace. I urge them to help the government in bringing both the parties of the conflict to the negotiating table. Also Read: Curfew relaxed in 2 ethnic violence-hit Manipur districts Expressing disappointment over the weakness of the intelligence network of the state, Thiyam, who won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987, said, Had the intelligence been alerted about the violence in time, the present situation could have been avoided. Meanwhile, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation from Manipur on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take steps to bring back normalcy to the state in the shortest possible time. Despite the heavy presence of security forces...violence and uncertainty prevails at an all-time high which has eventually led to an increase of tensions among various communities residing in the state, said the memorandum submitted by the delegation led by Manipur BJP president A Sharda Devi. The memorandum pledged to uphold the territorial integrity of Manipur at all costs and oppose attempts to disrupt integrity and unity. It also opposed the formation of a separate administrative division in the state. Earlier this month, 10 MLAs from the state belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Zomi-Hmar communities (including seven legislators from the BJP) submitted a memorandum to Union home minister Amit Shah seeking separate administration in areas of Manipur where people from these communities reside. The demand has been reiterated by tribal groups like Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF). Hemlata Diwakar took oath as third woman mayor of Agra at a programme organised at Sur Sadan Auditorium, Agra, on Saturday. One hundred corporators also took oath on the occasion and the police had a tough time handling the huge turnout of supporters of elected corporators. Former mayor Naveen Jain symbolically hands over charge to new Agra mayor Hemlata Diwakar. (HT Photo) Before Diwakar, a former MLA from Agra Rural, Baby Rani Maurya, now minister in state cabinet, and Anjula Mahour, currently MLA from Hathras, were mayors of Agra. They were all from BJP which had not lost mayoral election since 1989. District magistrate of Agra, Navneet Chahal, swore in the new mayor and the outgoing mayor, Naveen Jain, symbolically handed over charge to the new mayor. Slogans of Jai Sri Ram, Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai were raised by many corporators. A cultural programme was organised and Mayur Dance (a form of folk dance in Braj area) was performed. Urban development and energy minister in UP cabinet, AK Sharma, who was the chief guest on the occasion, congratulated the new mayor and 100 elected corporators. The BJP has never lost a mayoral election in Agra and this time too 58 corporators from BJP have won. BJP had a triple engine government in Agra and performed very well, and thus, voters in Agra exhibited confidence in BJP this time too. Agra earned plaudits for hosting the visit of G 20 representatives perfectly, thus raising the pride of Uttar Pradesh, Sharma said. The civic amenities need to match the status of the iconic monument Taj Mahal which attracts millions of visitors every year. Being the seat of the Taj Mahal and near the national capital, Agra remains in focus, and this adds to the responsibility of Agra Nagar Nigam to keep the city beautiful Sharma said. It is a matter of pride for me to be elected as mayor of this historic city. I will ask the corporators to raise public issues and maintain priority for development. Ongoing projects will be completed as a priority and I will make Agra Nagar Nigam number one statewide, the new mayor said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Specially abled artists from six states played musical instruments, gave dance recitals and group art performances as part of the Divya Kala Shakti programme organised at Rudraksh Auditorium, Varanasi, here on Saturday. Specially abled artistes performing at the event in Varanasi on Saturday. (HT Photo) Consolidated Regional Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment Center (CRC), Lucknow, Department of Divyang Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and Government of Uttar Pradesh jointly organised the event which saw specially abled artistes from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa perform. A piano recital by Rini Bhattacharji, classical music by Ananya Bhardwaj, vocals by Shahista Parveen, group dance by students by Jeevan Jyoti Special School, Varanasi, group yoga performance by participants of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang University, Chitrakoot, Nava Vani School, group dance by participants of Varanasi, a dance by Korok Vishwas, Bharatnatyam dance by Manasi Srivastava, solo dance by Rimpa Rai, group dance by participants of the Institute for the Divyang and Backward People, Kiran Society, group dance by participants of Varanasi and Jharkhand folk dance art by the participants of Jharkhand Divyang Samiti and a dance performance by Satya Sagarika left the audience mesmerised. Joint secretary, Divyang empowerment department at Centre, Rajeev Sharma, welcomed all to the holy land of Banaras. Kamla Kant Pandey said that the government is continuously creating new educational, vocational and skill-rich programmes for the specially abled. District magistrate S Rajalingam lauded the artistes for their performances and motivated them. Secretary, Disabled Empowerment Department, Rajesh Agarwal, said that at present, the best empowerment of the specially abled is being done as per the intention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yoga based presentation was the most beautiful among the presentations. On Yoga itself, on the occasion of World Yoga Day on June 21, we will register a record in the Guinness Book of World Records when 3,000 especially abled people do Yoga together in Secunderabad. The present time is the time of education. Therefore, teachers should provide good education to children and prepare them for posts like IAS, PCS for good nation-building. Ramesh Pandey, director CRC, Lucknow delivered the vote of thanks. More than 1,500 spectators watched the programme directly and thousands through YouTube by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The office of the Naga Students Federation (NSF), housed at the historical Naga Club Building in the heart of Nagalads capital Kohima, was vandalised by unidentified miscreants in the early hours of Saturday, officials said. At least eight adjoining shops were also completely demolished. (HT Photo) Along with four office rooms of the building, at least eight adjoining shops were also completely demolished, police officials familiar with the matter said. NSF president Kegwayhun Tep told HT that the student body received information about the incident at around 4.30am. The NSF filed a first information report (FIR) with the Kohima police. PRO Kohima police said that the authorities received report of the vandalism at 5.30am and investigation is on. The Naga Club Building, which is said to have been constructed in the 1930s, has been occupied by the NSF since 1983 with the consent of the then Naga Club officials. The Naga Club, founded in 1918 by a group of educated Nagas during the then British rule, went on to provide the socio-political foundation for the Naga nationalist movement. In 1929, the Naga Club submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission asking that Nagas be given a choice of self-determination after the British departure from India. As per the accounts of a former NSF leader, the building was taken over by the government after the Club went dormant for some time. But members who revived the club could not reoccupy the building, therefore, they said to have approached the NSF to take over the matter and the latter in 1983 occupied the building. Issues surrounding the building cropped up around 2018 when the NSF was preparing to hold a 100 years commemorative programme of the Naga Club when a group of people including some descendants of the club members revived the Naga Club. In August 2022, the recently revived Naga Club issued an eviction notice to the NSF, however, the federation was of the view that the revived body should gain the mandate of the Naga people before claiming ownership of the building, which it said is a legacy of the original Naga Club. Presently, the Naga Club Building houses the offices of the NSF, the All Nagaland College Students Union and the Kohima Press Club. This (Naga Club Building) is not just our office, but it belongs to the entire Naga people. We are very sad that it was vandalised and in the process, documents of not only NSF but the entire Naga people have been damaged which cannot be restored, the NSF president said. We have complete trust on the authorities and we are positive that justice will be delivered, Tep added. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who is currently in Delhi took to Twitter to condemn the incident. I strongly condemn the vandalism of the building in Kohima which has NSF and ANCSU office and some shops. Respect for private and public properties is fundamental in a civilised society. I appeal to all right-thinking citizens to maintain peace and harmony, Rio tweeted. Meanwhile, an emergency presidential meeting of the NSF has been convened on Saturday afternoon where all the unit leaders are expected to attend. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday questioned the need for a new Parliament building and alleged that those in power will change the history of the country. He also abstained Niti Aayogs meeting held under Prime Minister Modi on Saturday. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar interacted with media persons after paying respects to Jawahar Lal Nehru on his death anniversary in Patna on Saturday. (ANI) What was the need for a new Parliament? The earlier building was a historic one. I have repeatedly said that the people in power will change the history of this country. There was no sense to attend the NITI Aayog meeting today and also the inauguration of the new Parliament building tomorrow, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader told media persons after paying respects to Indias first prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru on his death anniversary. The present Parliament is part of Indias history Why suddenly this government wanted to build a new Parliament? The new Parliament building is an attempt to write a new history by those who had no contribution in the freedom struggle. Had the same building been expanded, that would have been a different matter, he added. He also expressed his dismay over President Murmu and vice-president Jagdeep Dhankar, who is also the chairman of Rajya Sabha, not being invited to the function. The JD-U has already announced its decision to abstain from the new Parliament Houses inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that it should be done by President Droupadi Murmu. The party has also announced that it will observe a day-long fast in Patna on the day to protest the inauguration of the new Parliament building by PM Modi. Asked about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s accusation that the state government had not invited the governor for the inauguration ceremony of the extended building of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the CM said, Those who are speaking today were with us when the extended building of the Legislative Assembly was built. The building had only been expanded. No new assembly building had been constructed in Bihar, he said. Niti Aayog meeting On his decision not to attend the Niti Aayog meeting, Kumar said, It was in the morning and I had other engagements in Patna during the day... Therefore, I could not go to Delhi. Had the meeting been held in the afternoon, I would have attended it. I sent a list of ministers and officials who could attend the meeting, but there was no response from the Centre. So, no representative from Bihar is attending todays meeting. Kumar said had he attended the meeting; he would have raised several issues. We would have raised the issue of special status once again. Why hasnt the special status been given to Bihar yet? The caste-based census, which was conducted by the central government in 2011, should have been done by them this time, which did not happen. For the development of the states, we are not getting as much help from the central government as they used to get. We are doing a lot of work in Bihar, but if it had got the status of a special state, Bihar would have progressed a lot. Bihar has not got the status of a special state, yet we are doing the work of development, he said. The BJP, meanwhile, slammed the chief ministers who did not attend the Niti Aayog meeting on Saturday. On behalf of the Party, I would like to stress with all the emphasis at my command that this decision to boycott the (Niti Aayog) meeting by 8 CMs is totally irresponsible. It is also against the public interest, senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said. NITI Aayog is a significant platform to evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States. It is an important body for determining the entire policy-framework and the road map for development of the entire country, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday questioned the need for a new Parliament building and blamed the Centre for his inability to attend the Niti Aayog meeting where he wished to raise issues like caste census and special status for the state. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar speaks to reporters in Patna on Saturday. (Santosh Kumar/HT) The JD(U) leader, whose party is boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday, dubbed the function as an attempt to change history by those who had made no contributions to the freedom struggle. Kumar was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the death anniversary of first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. What was the need for a new Parliament building? The earlier building was a historic one. Why did suddenly this government want to build a new Parliament? It is an attempt to write a new history by those who had no contribution in the freedom struggle. Had the same building been expanded, that would have been a different matter, said Kumar. The CM also expressed dismay over President Droupadi and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar not being invited to the function. JD (U) has also announced to observe a day-long fast in Patna on the day to protest the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On BJPs allegations that the state government did not invite the Governor for the inauguration ceremony of the extended building of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the CM said, The building has only been expanded. No new assembly building has been constructed in Bihar, he said. On his decision not to attend Niti Aayog meeting on Saturday, Kumar said, It was in the morning and I had other engagements in Patna during the day... Therefore, I could not go to Delhi. Had the meeting been held in the afternoon, I would have attended it. I sent a list of ministers and officials who could attend the meeting, but there was no response from the Centre. So, no representative from Bihar is attending todays meeting. Kumar said he would have raised several issues had he attended the meeting. We would have raised the issue of special status once again. Why hasnt the special status been given to Bihar yet? The caste-based census, which was conducted by the central government in 2011, should have been done by them this time, which did not happen, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 26-year-old IT professional residing in the Balewadi area of Pune has lodged a complaint at Chaturshringi police station, accusing an unidentified person of defrauding her of 6.99 lakh. The incident occurred on April 19, said police. A case has been registered on May 26 at Chaturshringi police station against the unidentified individual. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) According to the complaint, the suspect approached the woman by impersonating a police officer and informed her that a parcel had been sent in her name, while her Aadhaar card was being misused by unknown individuals. As stated in the complaint filed with the police, the complainant received a call from an unknown individual who claimed to have received a parcel on her behalf. The caller instructed her to report the matter to the police and then transferred the call to a fake police officer. The imposter then directed the woman to download the Skype application and share her Aadhaar card details during a call made through the application. The imposter claimed that her bank account needed verification as four criminals are misusing her Aadhaar card information. Under the pretext of conducting an investigation, the suspect managed to persuade the woman to transfer 6.99 lakh to their account, assuring her that the funds would be returned once the investigation was completed. However, after an hour passed without any further communication from the suspect, the complainant realised that she had fallen victim to the deceit of a cybercriminal. A case has been registered on May 26 at Chaturshringi police station against the unidentified individual under sections 419 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as sections 66(c) and 66(d) of the Information Technology Act. The Maharashtra Temple Federation has decided to ban certain dresses like half pants that it called indecent for devotees to enter the temples saying that the move is aimed to protect the sanctity of the temple and to follow the Indian culture. The Maharashtra Temple Federation said the move is aimed to protect the sanctity of the temples and to follow the Indian culture. (Representative Image) The federations coordinator Sunil Ghanwat said, We are banning indecent dress, like half pants etc for the devotees. We just want no one to enter the temple with an indecent dress or half pants. The decision will be first implemented in four temples in Nagpur and later in all temples across Maharashtra, he said. He also added that a massive campaign would be launched across the state to implement the dress code in all the temples in Maharashtra and create awareness among the devotees about donning an attire which befits entering a temple. Plaques asking devotees to protect the sanctity of the temple and follow Indian culture will be installed at the entry gate of the temples Ghanwat said that a unanimous decision was taken to implement the dress code in the temples of Shri Gopalkrishna Mandir Gorakshana Sabha (Dhantoli), Shri Sankatmochan Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple (Belori), Shri Brihaspati Temple (Kanhorlibara), and Shri Durga Mata Temple (Hill Top) in Nagpur district. The Tulja Bhavani Temple administration in Osmanabad district had recently prohibited the entry of devotees wearing half pants or indecent clothes but reversed the decision following pushback from some quarters. Ghanwat said that a simple dress code has been in force for many years in some famous temples in the country, like Sri Mahakaleshwar Temple of Ujjain which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Ghrishneshwar Temple in Maharashtra, Kashi-Vishweshwar temple in Varanasi, Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, and Mata Temple in Kanyakumari. Everyone has personal freedom of what to wear at home and in public. But a temple is a religious place and there should be a code of conduct he said. A door-to-door health survey undertaken by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to find out the actual disease burden and rising/declining trends of diseases amongst Punekars has ground to a halt, almost, due to some citizens refusal to cooperate and allow the civic staff entry into prominent housing societies. The PMC has to cover 35 lakh people residing in the city out of which, it has managed to survey 24,77,000 people (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE) The survey began on April 1 and has to be completed by May 31. The PMC has to cover 35 lakh people residing in the city out of which, it has managed to survey 24,77,000 people living in 6,68,000 houses (individual houses and slums). However, civic health officials are now struggling to cover the remaining 10,00,000 people residing in big housing societies due to their non-cooperation and refusal to let the staff enter the housing societies. The door-to-door survey to collect information about family planning, communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCD), maternal health and immunisation began on April 1. The PMC even appointed 300 nurses for carrying out the survey. While there were no glitches in surveying around 25,00,000 people living in individual homes and slums in the city, the team is now facing resistance from around 10,00,000 people living in housing societies on Ghole Road, Aundh, Baner, Kothrud and Kalyaninagar. These residents are refusing the PMC staff entry into the housing societies and are not cooperating or sharing details and generally refusing information among others. So much so that the PMC has urged the citizens to cooperate with the team so that the survey gets completed. Dr Vaishali Jadhav, assistant health officer of the PMC, said that they will not take the help of the police but if required, will ask the ward medical officers (WMOs) and zonal medical officers (ZMOs) to hold a meeting with the residents of housing societies that are not cooperating with the PMC staff. What the PMC is doing is for the welfare of the public. So, the citizens should support us and cooperate with us. The staff has identity proofs and permission letters from the PMC and the respective WMO and ZMO to conduct the survey. In case of security concerns, the citizens can verify the documents before permitting entry and sharing information. However, non-cooperation and refusing entry to the staff is wrong, she said. Even before the survey, the WMO and ZMO have conducted community meetings to inform in advance about the survey to be conducted by the PMC. Till now, there were no issues and the people in the slums, Peth areas and individual houses supported us. But the problem started when the survey began in big and prominent housing societies, she said. A senior officer from the PMC health department on condition of anonymity said that the survey is important to find out the actual disease burden and rising/declining trend of diseases amongst the citizens. The beneficiaries that are identified during the survey will then be included in various health programmes so that they can avail the benefits of schemes. But people are not able to understand and despite several requests, many are refusing to cooperate or permit entry to the staff, the officer said. Civic officials recalled that even while tracing contacts of the kin of Covid-positive patients during the pandemic, some of them did not cooperate to the extent that they had to take the help of police officials. Abhijeet Patel, secretary, Kalyani Nagar Resident Association (KNRA), said that he does not agree with PMC stating that the citizens are not cooperating. The way the civic staff approach the citizens also matters. If identity proof is shown by PMC staff then residents would not refuse to cooperate. Residents panic when a civic staff visits, and mostly comply. However, some residents who live in elite housing societies may not cooperate due to privacy and safety concerns. Santosh Bhaskar, a resident of Kothrud, said, Civic officials are conducting surprise visits. Many may not be comfortable to share their details or permit entry to the housing societies if not informed prior due to safety reasons. People who are office goers leave their house in the morning and return late in the evening. Many times only the elderly people are at home in the afternoon. If anyone comes in the afternoon, how could they expect to be entertained? The PMC should hold a meeting in advance with the citizens to inform us about the survey. The regional wing of India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Regional Meteorological Centre, (RMC) Mumbai, has issued a yellow alert for Pune district. Pune will receive moderate rainfall in several parts on May 29-30, said officials. Pune will receive moderate rainfall in several parts on May 29-30, said officials. (HT PHOTO) The centre has also issued a rainfall warning for eight other districts in Marathwada, Central Maharashtra, and the Konkan meteorological subdivisions. According to the officials, currently a western disturbance lies over north Pakistan. A cyclonic circulation lies over northwest Rajasthan and adjoining Pakistan and a trough runs from this to north Madhya Pradesh in lower tropospheric levels. Another trough runs from Sub-Himalayan West Bengal to interior Odisha in lower tropospheric levels. The strong southwesterly winds from the Bay of Bengal to northeast India are prevailing at lower tropospheric levels. Apart from that fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from May 29. Under the influence of these weather conditions, some districts in Maharashtra are expected to receive rainfall on May 29 and 30. On May 29, light to moderate rainfall is expected in nine districts in the state, while on May 30, 14 districts including two districts from Vidarbha have issued a yellow alert by RMC, Mumbai. On May 31, rainfall is expected in four districts including Satara, Kolhapur, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli. K S Hosalikar, head of the Climate Research and Services, India Meteorological Department (IMD)-Pune said that rainfall is expected in some parts of the state and citizens must follow the warning, and advisories issued by the department to avoid inconvenience. Currently, the city is experiencing a maximum temperature below-normal level. Partly cloudy weather can also be experienced during the afternoon time. Howe ever because of the increase in relative humidity, the real temperature feel is higher than the actual level. On Saturday, the IMD recorded 35.6 degrees Celsius maximum temperature at Shivajinagar. Which is 0.4 degrees below the normal level. In the Pune city area, The highest maximum temperature was recorded in Magarpatta which is 37 degrees Celsius. While the lowest temperature was recorded in Lavasa as 31.6 degrees Celsius. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Attention all Black Clover fans! The long-awaited return of Asta is just around the corner, and this time, it's in the form of an exciting movie. After the conclusion of the television series, fans have been eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Asta's magical journey. Well, the wait is almost over because the highly anticipated film, Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King, is set to hit Netflix next month. And to add to the excitement, a brand-new trailer has just been released, giving fans a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come. Black Clover fans, get ready! Asta returns in an epic movie, 'Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King,' coming soon to Netflix. Watch the thrilling new trailer now.(Netflix) For those unfamiliar with the popular shonen franchise, the anime series came to a close after its 170th episode in 2021, leaving fans hungry for more adventures with Asta. Sword of the Wizard King will take viewers on a thrilling ride with an original story that hasn't been depicted in the manga. While manga readers are eagerly following the final arc, fans of the anime are hoping for future episodes to complete the adaptation of the source material. The upcoming film, produced by Studio Pierrot, brings Asta's story back to life with stunning animation. Studio Pierrot has been keeping busy this year, working on other popular titles like Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and the Naruto franchise. From the sneak peek provided in the trailer, it's evident that the animation studio has poured a tremendous amount of effort into this next chapter of Asta's journey. Fans can expect a visually stunning and action-packed experience when Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King premieres on Netflix on June 16th. Curious to learn more about the film? Here's a brief description of what awaits viewers: "As Asta continues his ascent to become the Wizard King, the previous Wizard King, Conrad, along with three other former Wizard Kings, resurface. Once feared as evil and sealed away, they have been revived with the Imperial Sword, and their goal is to destroy the Clover Kingdom. The boy who dreams of becoming the Wizard King is now up against the might of the previous Wizard Kings. Brace yourself for a fierce battle involving all the magic knights as they fight to protect the Wizard King and the kingdom." Also Read | Blue Lock Season 2: Everything we know so far The stage is set for an epic showdown, with Asta's determination and courage pitted against the formidable might of the previous Wizard Kings. Fans can expect a gripping narrative, intense battles, and the kind of magic-infused spectacle that has made Black Clover a beloved franchise among anime enthusiasts. With the release of Sword of the Wizard King, the world of Black Clover is about to expand even further, promising an unforgettable experience for fans new and old. So mark your calendars and prepare to be transported back into the enchanting world of Black Clover. Asta's return is sure to leave fans spellbound as they witness his heroic journey unfold on the small screen once again. Don't miss out on the action when Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King premieres on Netflix this summer. Get ready to unleash your magic and join Asta on his quest to become the Wizard King! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui recently talked about romance in small towns and big cities in a new interview. He believes that true romance only happens in small towns as people don't judge each other unlike those in the city. He also added that people from small towns don't look into the other's person's bank balance for all things related to the heart. Also read: Nawazuddin Siddiqui says people 'can hire auditoriums, click photos' at Cannes even if not officially selected Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui talks about romance in cities and towns. (Photo by SUJIT JAISWAL / AFP)(AFP) Nawazuddin Siddiqui's personal life Nawazuddin's statement arrived amid his tumultuous relationship with his estranged wife Aaliya Siddiqui. In the last few months, he kept making headlines for his personal life. Aaliya had alleged that the actor's mother harassed her. She also claimed that Nawazuddin disowned their children, Shora and Yani. Nawazuddin Siddiqui on romance in small town vs big cities Talking about real love stories, he told News18, "True romance only happens in small towns. What happens in the name of romance between people in big cities is compromise and adjustment. In small towns, people arent scared to open their hearts out to one another because they dont judge each other. They fall in love without even taking the bank balance of the other person into consideration. Ishq aur pyaar abhi bhi bacha hua hai small towns mein (love is still alive in small towns). When asked if he would call himself romantic, Nawazuddin added, Its a good thing to love, fall in love, be in love and spread love. Love is very important. Im a very romantic person. I love my films and a lot of things in life. Its important to have some bit of romance in our lives. But theres a dearth of it today. Nawazuddin Siddiqui's latest film Nawazuddin's latest outing is Jogira Sara Ra Ra, which released on Friday. He stars opposite Neha Sharma in the film. The Hindustan Times review of the movie called it yet another monotonous rom-com with zero novelty, and humour so stale that you prefer to yawn instead. The actor has several films lined up for release in the pipeline. These include Tiku Weds Sheru, Noorani Chehra, Adbhut and Haddi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Priyanka Chopra is often praised for her bold choices. However, the actor, who was crowned Miss World 2000 at the age of 18, said there was a time during the early years of her Bollywood career when she would take the smallest things very seriously. Priyanka said she was once a 'scared girl'. Also read: Priyanka Chopra recalls how a Bollywood filmmaker needed to see her underwear, calls it dehumanising Priyanka Chopra said that in her early 20s, when first started out in the film industry, she used to be scared. After Priyanka Chopra was crowned Miss World, she joined films and made her acting debut in the Tamil movie Thamizhan (2002), followed by her first Bollywood film, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003). She reflected on her early years in the film industry in a new interview. Priyanka's advice to her younger self When asked if she could 'give one note to her past self, what would it be', Priyanka told Filmfare, "I would say chill out. Its not that bad. I used to take the smallest things very seriously. Im a Cancerian and Im sensitive so I would go into my shell. I used to get hurt emotionally. It made it hard for me to get up and go to work because I used to feel such a burden after any failure or any lost opportunity." The actor added she was a 'scared girl' during her initial years in the film industry as she didnt know anyone when she started out. Priyanka said, "Especially, in my early 20s when I was first starting out in the film industry. I didnt know anyone. I was a scared girl who came in and worked with some of the biggest stars, who I grew up watching on TV. But I think that the one note I would give that girl is that youre going to be okay. Smile a little more and enjoy the process." Priyanka Chopra's bitter experience in Bollywood In an interview earlier this year that grabbed attention, Priyanka had said she was not the happiest with the work she was getting in Bollywood. She also revealed how she had 'beef' with some people in the industry, and why she chose to move to Hollywood. Speaking with Dax Shepard on his podcast Armchair Expert in March, Priyanka had said, "I was being pushed into a corner in the industry (Bollywood). I had people not casting me, I had beef with people, I am not good at playing that game so I kind of was tired of the politics and I said I needed a break." After trying her luck in the US music scene, Priyanka featured in her first American show Quantico in 2015. Since then, Priyanka has worked in Hollywood films such as Baywatch, Matrix: Revolutions, and Love Again, among others. Her eagerly-awaited Prime Video series Citadel came out in April. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Away from all the glitz and glamour at the red carpet, the Cannes Film Festival, this year, faced a storm of controversies for various reasons. We take a look at some of the major stirs that created ripples at the fest this year. A protester, wearing a dress in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, was detained by security after she covered herself in fake blood on the stairs on the Festival Palace ahead of the screening of the film Acide during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival (AFP) Depp-Heard saga continues The festival courted controversy when it rolled out its red carpet for Johnny Depp. His period drama Jeanne du Barry was selected as the opening film, and marked his return after his tumultuous legal battles. The festivals chief Thierry Fremaux also defended the decision, saying, I dont know about the image of Johnny Depp in the U.S. To tell you the truth, in my life, I only have one rule: its the freedom of thinking, and the freedom of speech and to act within a legal framework. Meanwhile, actor Amber Heard supporters slammed the festival claiming that they are celebrating abusers. Writers strike makes a big noise Hollywoods screenwriters strike became a major talking point all around the world, and Cannes was no different. On the first day of the festival, the jury spoke in support of the writers. Ruben Ostlund, head of this years Cannes festival jury, said he supports the screenwriters strike, adding, I think its great that people have a strong collegial feeling so you can go out and have a strike. US actor and director Paul Dano, one of the eight members on Ostlunds jury and married to actor and screenwriter Zoe Kazan, also voiced his support. Ukraine unrest reaches Cannes The ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisiss shadow also cast a shadow over the Cannes festival. At the festivals opening ceremony, legendary French actor Catherine Deneuve paid tribute to the wars victims by reciting a poem from Ukrainian poet Lessia Oukrainka, declaring: I no longer have either happiness or freedom, only one hope remains to me: to return one day to my beautiful Ukraine. On the business side, official Russian delegations and companies with ties to the government are again banned from participating in the Cannes Marche du Film. Anti-Surrogacy group show defiance The Cannes Film Festival red carpet is usually accustomed to protests and this time, defiance by an anti-surrogacy group was also noticed. An activist burst onto the red carpet, posting an openly anti-GPAclosely linked, according to her, to the film industry. The activist, from the group SCUMs, entered the red carpet of the festival to display her round belly and the message surrogate mother, in English, overcoming a barcode. Echoes of Iranian uprising heard at Cannes The noise of the uprising in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini reverberated profoundly at Cannes. This time, Irans Farabi Film Foundation, a national film entity, which has been attending the market for years, was not allowed to book a stand, a festival spokesperson confirmed. Dubai-based producer of director Mohammad Rasoulof, who was recently released from Tehrans Evin prison, was also not allowed to leave Iran to serve on Cannes main jury. In Todd Haynes' tonally shape-shifting May December, the first announcement of the movie's playful intentions comes with a theatrical zoom in, a few lushly melodramatic piano notes and the frightful announcement that there no more hot dogs in the fridge. Director Todd Haynes, left, and Natalie Portman pose for portrait photographs for the film 'May December' at the 76th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 21, 2023. (Photo by Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP)(Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP) That moment which Haynes says signals that there's something coy happening in the language of the film is just a taste of what's to come in May December, a delicious and disquieting drama laced with comedy and camp that Haynes premiered over the weekend at the Cannes Film Festival. Natalie Portman stars as an actor researching an upcoming film that's to dramatize a scandal from 20 years earlier. She comes to Savannah, Georgia, to spend time with Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), who years earlier become tabloid fodder for a sexual relationship with a seventh grader. Now, she's seemingly happily married to him, Joe Yoo (Charles Melton), with kids of their own and suburban barbeques to host. The film, scripted by Samy Burch, takes a light but deliberate touch in navigating through thorny themes of performance and identity. As Portman's character grows increasingly like Gracie, ethical borders begin to tumble away. It was tonally such an amazing script and so rigorous, Haynes said in an interview alongside Portman. It kept shifting the way you felt about or trusted one character versus another. That whole process as it maneuvered through the course of the script was such a compelling experience. And I just thought: Wow, how could you translate into visually? May December, which Netflix acquired Tuesday for a reported $11 million with plans to release later this year, is the first time Haynes (who has regularly worked with Moore) has made a movie with the 41-year-old Portman. For her, May December was a chance to not only work with a director she's long admired but explore some of her own fascinations. It poses a lot of the questions Im most obsessed by about performance, about the purpose of art, about innocence, says Portman, also a producer on the film. When you explore all those layers playing someone who's playing someone, making a movie of a movie in a movie theres so many layers of artifice, and what truth we can get out of artifice which is the kind of alchemy of what we do, adds Portman. Were using lies to tell the truth, and its magic. May December" has some unofficial roots in reality. Gracie isn't very different in certain ways from Mary Kay Letourneau, a Washington State schoolteacher who went to prison after a relationship with a boy in her sixth grade class. Questions of identity and artifice have run through Haynes' filmography, including the sumptuous '50s romance Carol," the Douglas Sirk-inspired melodrama Far from Heaven and his most recent film, the documentary The Velvet Underground. In Portman, he found an actor who shared a similar approach to film. A lot of narrative filmmaking and fiction-making has an internal desire to redeem oneself through the process, to sort of affirm ones own aims. Thats the thing that Im not particularly interested in as a director," says Haynes. And Im drawn to actors who feel similarly, who are actually interested in creating a distance between maybe their own values and ideas and those portrayed in the character." He praised Portman's eagerness to engage with and lean into the most disquieting aspects of the character. Portman has famously played some real-life figures, like Jacqueline Kennedy ("Jackie"), which required copious amounts of research. But in May December," she plays an actor far more reckless than herself. Yet even in a performance that could have easily slid into satire, Portman deftly inhabits her. Most artists who tell stories want to hold up their ethical standpoint in the light. It can be vampiric to take human emotion and human story and capitalize on it and tell a story, Portman says. But hopefully the energy that you come to it with is empathy and the curiosity to explore someones human behavior and someones inner self. That its an act of empathy and not an act of bloodsucking. ALSO READ| | Priyanka Chopra says she didn't want to play sidekick in Hollywood: Dont put me in stereotypical parts There were long conversations with Haynes and Moore as they prepared to make May December" in a 30-day shooting spring. But, unlike her character, Portman's preparation for the part was mostly already done. Well, Portman says smiling, Ive spent my whole life researching how to be an actress. Director Avinash Arun is best known for his hit web series, Paatal Lok. Before he returns with the second season next year, Avinash is back with another web show, School of Lies. And the National Film Award-winning filmmaker promises that the show will be as thrilling as Paatal Lok. It revolves around a 12-year-old boy who goes missing from a boarding school with a lot unfolding before and after his disappearance. Avinash says he was happy to work with kids all over again, after his debut, the Marathi film Killa. Also read: Search for missing boy brings up deception in every angle. Check out School Of Lies trailer School Of Lies revolves around a young boy, who goes missing from his school. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Avinash Arun says School of Lies is an engaging, dramatic thriller and an original concept but inspired from real incidents. "I have always been curious about the world of boarding school. I had read 1-2 articles about some incidents in boarding schools and what all I had seen in my school days, we have tried to build a story around it," he says. He adds, We open this world of boarding school which not many have tried exploring here in India. We have seen shows or films on this earlier but I wanted to do something about this adolescent, curious, not exactly mature sort of an age. Children are extremely vulnerable, they are exploring things. They are free but have to adhere to certain discipline. Every kid coming from various places, families and consciousness, has to adapt to many situations here - how they cope up with it, how they adjust and what effect such an environment has on their psychology. School of Lies has been shot in the picturesque St Lawrence school in Ooty. The story is however based in a fictional place named Dalton town in order to not invite any controversies. "I have not studied in a boarding school but I wanted to explore the life, atmosphere, and energy there through a complex narrative. I like to dwell into the complexities of human minds at different age groups. In my first film Killa, I dealt with kids, their emotions, childhood depression, coming of age, adolescents." Big screen vs OTT Avinash says after Killa, he wanted to explore all these aspects because of the larger narrative of shows. He says, "The interesting thing about show making is - you can delve into many perspectives because you get that much screen time to explore the characters, the sub plots, new plots and the nexus opens up and it's that much fun in creating so many complexities." He says watching something in the comfort of one's house is different from a theatrical experience. When you watch a film in a theatre, whatever is on the screen becomes a part of collective consciousness. You might laugh over something silly because others are laughing OTT viewing becomes an inter-personal experience. When you are sitting in your own house alone with your own intelligence, it's very difficult to deceive your mind. It's very important to respect the intelligence of the audience. You are also very honest, you are not projecting anything, not wearing beautiful clothes. And then you invite the other world into your own world, you expect that honesty from the material. More honesty, the more it will connect with you. On shooting with kids Avinash doesn't have just one memorable moment from the making of the show. For me every moment is bliss when I shoot. Its dealing with all age groups from 10-19. They are acting for the first time. I like when you are a clean slate with just honesty, no ego and curiosity. I like connecting with them. Their world is so interesting. I get so impressed by their maturity and I feel is umar mein to mujhe kujh pata hi nahi tha (I knew nothing at that age). It's a new updated, upgraded sort of chip with a new processor. "We were shooting in the cold for 5-6 hours, they always used to be excited. There is something which is very unadulterated about them, the innocence comes in their performances because they are playing what they are, they don't become someone else," he adds. On Paatal Lok 2 Avinash is in no mood to divulge much about Paatal Lok 2. On being enquired a few times about the new season, he finally says, It's very relative. It's the same genre. You can expect a similar kind of thrill, excitement and experience out of it. The Russia-Ukraine war has dealt a massive blow to a world already battered by the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) appear farther from reach. The current global scenario demands greater international cooperation for development. Yet, development aid is increasingly getting more securitised, and the imperative is for the international community to leverage cooperation during the current decade of action for the SDGs. This paper argues that Indias model of development cooperation can serve as an example of sustainable development cooperation for its many advantages over the approaches of other donors. It recommends that India assume greater global leadership for sustainable development. To achieve SDGs, world governments must focus on urgent transformative action and evidence-based approaches on a global scale. (Shutterstock) The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a huge setback to the global quest for sustainable development. In 2020, for the first time since the SDGs were adopted in 2015, the global average SDG score declined. Analysts attribute the overall drop in the composite SDG score primarily to the increased poverty and unemployment rates during the pandemic. Even high-income countries such as Finland, Sweden, and Denmarkwhich rank first, second, and third, respectively on the SDG indexare not on-track to achieve all the SDGs. The socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic on low-income countries, and particularly on their most vulnerable populations (such as migrant workers and women), were far more profound because they did not have the fiscal space to finance emergency response measures nor economic recovery plans. In February 2021 the Russia-Ukraine war erupted, and quickly dealt a massive blow to the 2030 Agenda. The war is not only causing suffering in terms of deaths and displacement, but is also disrupting global supply chains, in turn resulting in economic disruption. The prices of food, energy, and other essential commodities have soared and the world could face mass hunger and famines as blockades of grain exports have exacerbated hunger in some of the most vulnerable countries in the world. Amidst the challenges that compound the complexities of the global development agenda, it has become amply clear that no country can achieve the SDGs on their own. The imperative is for greater international cooperation, which had been recognised as early as 2016 as a powerful lever to implement the SDGs. Experts underlined the need to change the old approach to development cooperationpioneered by United States (US) President Harry Truman in 1949 for post-War reconstructiontowards a more integrated implementation of the SDGs. As Wu Hongbo, chair of the 2016 Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) Preparatory Process, said, We cannot fulfil the transformative potential of the 2030 Agenda with the old approach to development cooperation. The Agenda demands new ways of working and a change of mind-set from all development cooperation actors. This paper can be accessed by clicking here. Twenty-one Adheenams have left for Delhi from Chennai to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building. Picture of the new Parliament building that will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.(PTI) Dharmapuram Adheenam, Palani Adheenam, Virudhachalam Adheenam, Thirukoyilur Adheenam were among the Adheenams who left for Delhi from Chennai to attend the ceremony. At the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will establish the historical and sacred "Sengol" in the Parliament House. Home Minister Amit Shah had said on Wednesday that the sacred Sengol is the symbol of the transfer of power from the British to India. He said that the Parliament House is the most appropriate and sacred place to install the historic "Sengol". PM Modi took a decision to adopt Sengol as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal. The sceptre Sengol will be presented to PM Modi during the inauguration of the new Parliament building by the 293rd head priest of Madurai Aadheenam. Seers of Dharmapuram Adheenam will present a special gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talking about the installation of 'Sengol', a symbol of justice, Ambalavana Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal of Thiruvavaduthurai Aadheenam said on Friday that it is a matter of pride for Tamil Nadu that Sengol is being given its significance. "Lord Mountbatten got the Sengol and it was given to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947. It's good that PM Modi will place Sengol in the new Parliament. Tomorrow, we are going to Delhi and we'll be giving it to the PM," he said. The Thiruvavaduthurai Aadheenam said that it is a "matter of pride" for Tamil Nadu that Sengol, a symbol of justice, will be installed in the new Parliament building adding that "some people are spreading lies". He said that the then Governor General Lord Mountbatten had given the Sengol to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947, which will now be presented to PM Modi on Sunday The Home Minister had launched a special website (sengol1947.ignca.gov.in), with details and downloadable videos about the Sengol on Wednesday. "We want the people of India to see this and learn about this historic event. It is a matter of pride for all," he had said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met the Adheenam priests and took their blessings at his official residence in New Delhi a day before the inauguration of the new Parliament building. Prime Minister Modi was also presented with the sceptre Sengol which will be installed near the Speakers seat in the new Parliament. The Adheenams also presented a special gift to the prime minister. A priest hands over Sengol to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence.(sourced) Addressing the priests, Modi said, I greet you all by bowing before you. I am fortunate that you have arrived at my residence. It is the blessings of Lord Shiv due to which I am getting the opportunity for darshan of you Shiv bhakts. Made of silver and gold, the five-feet long sceptre was handed over by Lord Mountbatten to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1947, as a symbol of the transfer of power, according to the government. The Sengol, a symbol of governance in Tamil kingdoms of yore, was then kept for display in The Allahabad Museum. The sceptre triggered another political controversy over the inauguration of the new Parliament, with the Congress questioning the governments assertion that it was used to symbolise the transfer of power at the moment of Indias Independence, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissing the criticism saying the opposition party disliked Indian culture. The Congress questioned BJP's version, saying though the sceptre was crafted in Madras and presented to Nehru in 1947, it had no connection to the freedom movement or Indias Independence. There is no documented evidence whatsoever of [Louis] Mountbatten, Rajaji (C Rajagopachari) and Nehru describing this spectre as a symbol of transfer of British power to India. All claims to this effect are plain and simple bogus, tweeted senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. Hitting back at the grand old party, Union home minister Amit Shah said, Why does the Congress party hate Indian traditions and culture so much? A sacred Sengol was given to Pandit Nehru by a holy Saivite Mutt from Tamil Nadu to symbolise Indias freedom but it was banished to a museum as a walking stick. The opening ceremony is already mired in controversy after 21 opposition parties decided to boycott the high-profile event, contending that President Droupadi Murmu, being the head of the State, should do the honours instead of Prime Minister Modi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MP: Mistaking them for dacoits, villagers attack cheetah tracking team A six-member Madhya Pradesh cheetah tracking team that was looking to locate Asha, one of the Namibian cheetahs brought to India on September 17, 2022, were attacked by villagers, who mistook them for a band of dacoits, in Burakheda village in Sheopur division on Thursday night, forest officials said. Read more The cheetah tracking team was looking to locate Asha, one of the Namibian cheetahs brought to India. (File Photo) From Dharmendra, Dev Anand, Raaj Kumar and finally Amitabh Bachchan: Ram Sethi reveals 'how Zanjeer started' Veteran actor Ram Sethi has recalled how Amitabh Bachchan wasn't the first choice for Zanjeer. In a new interview, he said that Dharmendra was the first choice for the 1973 film. Read more Cannes 2023: Anushka Sharma's fashion game soars in sleeveless pink top and black sequin pants, stealing the spotlight Anushka Sharma has recently shared her latest photos, unveiling her new appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. She looked stunning in an off-shoulder top and pants, causing a frenzy on social media. Read more Thats when I realised it's my day': Shubman Gill on the over that charged him up vs MI in IPL second Qualifier Shubman Gill could do no wrong on Friday during the IPL 2023 second Qualifier match between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. To be honest, he has been in that mode for the better of the last six months. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On the eve of new Parliaments inauguration, Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday remarked he considers himself fortunate to have been a public representative in both buildings existing and upcoming - and under the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi. A glimpse of the interior of the new Parliament. The whole country is happy to see these incredible glimpses of the new Parliament house. It is a unique example of the coming together of our countrys culture and modernity. I am fortunate that I got to serve as a public representative in the old Parliament, and will now serve in the same capacity in the new one, and both times under the leadership of PM Modi, Shah tweeted in Hindi. The senior BJP leader tweeted this in response to a post from the prime minister, in which the latter shared a glimpse of the exterior and interior of the new building, two days before its opening. While PM Modi is a 2-term Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi, Shah represents their home state, Gujarat, in the Lower House, and is an MP from Gandhinagar. The new building is a part of the larger Central Vista Redevelopment Project, and its foundation stone was laid by the prime minister in December 2020. At 1,272 seats (888 Lok Sabha, 384 Rajya Sabha), its seating capacity is higher than that of the existing facility. Ahead of the inauguration, however, a controversy has broken out over President Droupadi Murmu not being invited to open the new facility. As many as 21 opposition parties, including the main opposition, the Congress, have accused the Narendra Modi government of disrespecting the President by not inviting her to inaugurate the building, despite her status as the head of state. While the ruling BJP has denied the charge of disrespecting President Murmu, the 21 parties have announced they will skip the ceremony to protest the governments non-invitation to the nation's First Citizen. On the other hand, 25 parties, including those not with the BJP, have confirmed their participation in the event. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday recalled his meeting with Google's Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai who had visited India recently. Sundar Pichai was here around 3 months back. He met me at an event in Delhi & said that he still carries the hard copy of his COVID vaccination certificate whereas in India PM Modi's govt made possible digital copies and free vaccines", the minister said, recalling his meeting with the tech boss to laud the Centre's vaccination drive. Anurag Thakur (PTI) Thakur added further, When Google's Vice President returns from India, he speaks of India's UPI digital platform. People outside were still issuing cheques during COVID, while, in India 31,000 Crores was transferred to the bank accounts of 21 crore women with the click of a button Prime Minister Modi himself called the RuPay and UPI technologies India's identity in the world. Addressing a post-Budget webinar on Enhancing Efficiency of the Financial Services for Creating Growth Opportunities, Modi said, RuPay and UPI are not just a low cost and highly secure technology, but it is our identity in the world. There is immense scope for innovation UPI should become a means of financial inclusion and empowerment for the whole world, we have to work for it collectively, Modi was quoted by news agency ANI. Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has embarked on a publicity blitzkrieg to mark nine years in power. The first Narendra Modi government was sworn in on May 26, 2014. Army chief General Manoj Pande on Saturday left for Manipur on a two-day official visit to take stock of the ground situation in the north-eastern state, which has been gripped by ethnic violence and unrest for more than three weeks, officials familiar with the matter said. Army chief General Manoj Pande (File Photo) Violent clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3 following the tribal solidarity march organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The army and Assam Rifles have deployed 135 columns to defuse the situation by carrying out domination of sensitive and fringe areas, the officials said. A column consists of about 100 personnel. The army chief will visit various locations where he will interact with the local formation commanders and troops, and obtain a first-hand account of the ground situation, the army said in a statement. Also Read: Amid backlash, Manipur CM makes fresh appeal for peace Pande will meet governor Anusuiya Uikey, chief minister N Biren Singh, and chief security advisor Kuldiep Singh on Sunday to discuss and deliberate over the current situation and future trajectory to restore normalcy at the earliest, added the statement. Clashes were triggered in Churachandpur on May 3 after Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF)s solidarity march against a proposal for ST status to the states majority Meitei community. Violence quickly engulfed the northeastern state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods. It claimed more than 70 lives, displaced over 30,000 people, and left more than 200 injured. Meiteis predominantly live in the Imphal Valley and account for around 53% of the states population. The Kuki-Zomi tribes mainly live in the hill districts and comprise around 16% of the population and the Naga tribes form 24%. About 35,000 civilians were evacuated to safe zones and immediate relief and humanitarian aid was provided to them by the army and Assam Rifles, said the statement from the army. While most of the violence took place in multiple districts over three days between May 3 and 5, sporadic incidents have continued to erupt, delaying any efforts at restoring normalcy, and showing that ethnic divisions continue to run deep, and there has been little reconciliation. The crisis began on April 19, when the Manipur high court asked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government to submit recommendations to the Union government to consider the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list. Manipur has 31% reservation for STs in jobs and education. Actor Rajinikanth on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his government's decision to install 'Sengol' in the new Parliament building, saying the move has made Tamilians proud. Actor Rajinikanth and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a tweet, the Tamil superstar said, The traditional symbol of Tamil power - the sceptre - will shine in India's new parliament building. My sincere thanks to the honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi who made Tamilians proud. Rajinikanth's tweet came shortly after the Adheenam priests handed over Sengol to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the inauguration of the new Parliament building. Modi met the Adheenams, who flew down to the national capital today, at his official residence. The prime minister also sought their blessings. Addressing the priests, Modi said, I am delighted that the symbol of India's great tradition, Sengol will be installed in the new Parliament building. This Sengol will keep reminding us that we have to walk on the path of duty and remain answerable to the public. Made of silver and gold, the five-feet long sceptre was handed over by Lord Mountbatten to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1947, as a symbol of the transfer of power, according to the government, a version dismissed by the Congress as bogus. The Sengol, a symbol of governance in Tamil kingdoms of yore, was made by Madras (now Chennai) jewellers Vummidi Bangaru Chetty and was kept for display in The Allahabad Museum. It would have been good if the holy Sengol would have been given its due respect after independence and given an honourable position. But this Sengol was kept on display as a walking stick in Anand Bhawan, Prayagraj. Your 'sevak' and our Govt have brought the Sengol out of Anand Bhawan, Modi told the Adheenams. On Sunday, the sceptre will be installed near the Speakers seat in the new Parliament, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bengaluru: The Karnataka cabinet reached its full strength of 34 on Saturday after the Congress-led state government inducted 24 new ministers, a week after chief minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy DK Shivakumar and eight others took oath as ministers. Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar with newly-inducted cabinet ministers during the swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan, in Bengaluru on Saturday. (PTI) On Saturday, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy to 24 new ministers, including Congress leader NS Boseraju, who is not a member of either of the two houses of the state legislature, during an event at the Raj Bhavan. The ceremony commenced at 11.45 am and lasted for over an hour. Though the allocation of portfolios to the newly sworn-in ministers is yet to be announced, a draft list of the same was leaked on Saturday, prompting several Congress legislators raising concerns. However, party leaders said final decision on allocation of departments is yet to be taken. Talking to reporters on Saturday, Siddaramaiah said the announcement regarding portfolios will be made on Sunday. Read: On Karnataka cabinet snub, Congress's Hariprasad says should ask Siddaramaiah People familiar with the development said chief minister Siddaramaiah is likely to keep finance, cabinet affairs and intelligence portfolios with himself. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar is likely to get crucial Bengaluru development and power portfolios. The cabinet expansion on Saturday saw representation being given to various communities, caste groups and regions, as Siddaramaiah had earlier indicated. Out of the 24 leaders who took oath as ministers on Saturday, six are from the politically dominant Lingayat community, followed by four Vokkaligas, three Scheduled Castes (SCs), two Scheduled Tribes (STs), one Muslim, and one Brahmin. Other communities also got one representation each in the expanded cabinet. Lakshmi Hebbalkar, the Congress legislator from Belagavi rural, is the lone woman minister in the new Karnataka cabinet. Hebbalkar is also among nine first-time ministers in the state along with K Venkatesh, Byrathi Suresh, Madhu Bangarappa, D Sudhakar, Mankal Vaidya, KN Rajanna, NS Boseraju, and B Nagendra. Those who were picked from the Lingayat community as ministers on Saturday are Eshwar Khandre, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Shivananda Patil, SS Mallikarjun, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, and Sharan Prakash Patil. The four Vokkaliga leaders are Krishna Byre Gowda, N Cheluvarayaswamy, K Venkatesh and MC Sudhakar. From Scheduled Castes, Siddaramaiahs close aide HC Madaveappa, along with RB Timmapur and Shivaraj Tangadagi got a berth in cabinet expansion, while B Nagendra and KN Rajanna were the two ST legislators to feature on the list. Byrathi Basavaraj (Kuruba), Madhu Bangarappa (Ediga), Santosh Lad (Maratha), Makala Vaidya (Mogaveera) and NS Boseraju (Raju) all from backward classes were also appointed as ministers in the southern state on Saturday. Rahim Khan, who becomes the second Muslim minister in the Siddaramaiah government, was the only name from his community to feature on the expanded cabinet list. D Sudhakar, a Jain, also found a spot in the new cabinet. Dinesh Gundu Rao, a Brahmin, was also included in the cabinet, along with HK Patil, who represented the Namdari Reddy community. Meanwhile, springing a surprise, NS Boseraju, who is not a member of either house of the legislature, also took oath as a minister and is likely to become a member of the legislative council. Read: Slain BJYM worker Nettarus wife will be reappointed, says Siddaramaiah after slugfest In the overall region-wise allocation of cabinet berths, both Bengaluru and Hyderabad-Karnataka got eight ministers each, followed by Bombay-Karnataka and Old Mysuru with seven each, Central Karnataka (three), and Coastal Karnataka (one). The higher allocation to Bengaluru is seen as the partys calculated ploy to strengthen its position ahead of the forthcoming civic elections in the capital city. The inclusion of eight MLAs from Bengaluru in the cabinet is aimed at the upcoming polls, said a senior Karnataka Congress leader, requesting anonymity. Meanwhile, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said it would hold statewide agitations if the Congress government fails to fulfil its five guarantees to the people. Addressing reporters in Mangaluru, state BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel said the guarantees should be implemented within a month and warned that the government will face a series of protests if there is any delay in this regard. Hours after the swearing-in of new ministers, when asked a question on the poll promises, Siddaramaiah said it was his governments first priority. I cant keep answering questions of the Opposition. I am clear that the plan discussed be announced at the first meeting of the cabinet, he told reporters. Speaking to reporters after paying his respect to former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the occasion of his 59th death anniversary, Siddaramaiah also warned of strict action against any organisation that disturbed peace and harmony in the society. Earlier, the Congress stormed to power after winning 135 seats in the 224-member legislative assembly, elections for which were held on May 10. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party chief K Annamalai has hit out at the Congress after Thiruvavaduthurai Aadeenam Ambalavana Desika Paramacharya Swami claimed that Lord Mountbatten had given the Sengol, which will be presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, to India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947. The Sengol or sceptre will be installed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the new Parliament building on Sunday, Reacting to the Congress's allegation that there is no documented evidence of Mountbatten, Rajaji and Nehru describing this sceptre as a symbol of the transfer of British power to India, Ambalavana Desika Paramacharya Swami on Friday said the Sengol that was away from the gaze of people would now be prominently displayed in Parliament for the world to see. To a question by reporters in Chennai on any proof for the handover of the Sengol, the pontiff said there were evidence including photographs and reports that appeared in newspapers and magazines in 1947. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had claimed that there is no documented evidence whatsoever of Mountbatten, Rajaji & Nehru describing this sceptre as a symbol of transfer of British power to India. All claims to this effect are plain and simple BOGUS. Wholly and completely manufactured in the minds of a few and dispersed into WhatsApp, and now to the drum-beaters in the media, he alleged. Annamalai alleged that what Ramesh did was take political discourse to a base level which only the Congress can do. Its a recorded history. There is a jewellery shop in Chennai which made the Sengol, he claimed. Annamalai also demanded an apology from the Congress for disrespecting the Sanatana Dharma. The Adheenam has spoken in the true spirit of what exactly happened in 1947. The Congress has to clarify why Sengol was marked as a walking stick in the museum. They must apologise to the Tamil Nadu people for disrespecting the Sanatana Dharma rather than getting into why Lord Mountbatten's picture was not there. This is taking politics to a stupid level, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief said amid the row. After The Thiruvavaduthurai Aadeenam's press conference, there is no need to clarify further We Tamilians are extremely happy that the PM has chosen Sengol with Tamil inscriptions, Sengol will be placed next to the speaker in Parliament, Annamalai added. The sceptre 'Sengol' will be presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the new Parliament building on May 28 by the 293rd head priest of Madurai Aadheenam. Modi should return as PM in 2024: Madurai Adheenam priest Sri Harihara Desika Swamigal, head priest of Madurai Adheenam who will be presenting the Sengol to Modi, said the latter should return as the PM in 2024. Sri Harihara Desika Swamigal said Modi has got global appreciation and everyone in the country is proud of him. Vummidi Sudhakar, chairman of Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers which made historic sceptre Sengol, said, We are the makers of the 'Sengol'. It took us a month's time to make it. It is made of silver and gold plated. I was 14 years at that time...we are grateful to PM Modi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday lashed out at chief ministers who boycotted the governing council meeting of the Niti Aayog, calling it unfortunate irresponsible and anti-people. Senior BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad (Twitter Photo) The meeting, which began in New Delhi on Saturday, has on its agenda to discuss issues including, health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Addressing a press conference in Delhi, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the decision to boycott the meeting by the opposition chief ministers was totally irresponsible, and also against the public interest and in the interest of people they govern in their states. Also Read: 8 Opposition chief ministers to skip Niti Aayog meeting today. Heres why As many as eight chief ministers, including Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, Bhagwant Mann of Punjab, Nitish Kumar of Bihar, K Chandrashekar Rao of Telangana, MK Stalin of Tamil Nadu, Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan and Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala, have decided not to attend Niti Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Why are they not coming to attend the meeting where 100 issues are to be discussed? If such a large number of chief ministers do not participate, they are not bringing the voice of their states, Prasad said. The BJP MP further stated that Niti Aayog is an important body for determining the entire objective policy framework and the road map for the development of the country. Chief ministers not showing up to the meeting means they are not willing to present the issues of their people in the council. You will get more opportunities to oppose Modi. But why are you causing harm to the people of your state? questioned Prasad. How far will you go in opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP leader asked, addressing the press at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. Prasad said decisions taken at the last seven Niti Aayog meetings resulted in lots of benefits. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog at the new Convention Centre in New Delhis Pragati Maidan on Saturday. In the apex body of Niti Aayog, the council comprises chief ministers of states, lieutenant governors of union territories and various Union ministers, among others. Also Read: No sense: Nitish Kumar on new Parliament building event, Niti Aayog meet The council meeting was not held in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The theme for this meeting, conducted at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, Delhi, is Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Role of Team India. Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long Meeting including Viksit Bharat, Thrust on MSMEs, Infrastructure and Investments, Minimising Compliances, Women Empowerment, Health and Nutrition, Skill Development, and Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure, according to a statement from Niti Aayog. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday apologized to the people of Egra for the blast at the illegal firecracker factory. The TMC leader who reached the village after 11 days of the blast, stated that the incident could have been averted if the intelligence had worked properly. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (PTI) The Egra incident has opened our eyes, I would like to apologize for this incident. Our government has decided that in the next two weeks, a report will be prepared under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, under which a green firecracker cluster will be formed Had the intelligence worked properly then this blast could have been averted. she said. Banerjee said that an ex-gratia amount of 2.5 lakhs will be released for the next of kin of those died in the firecracker blast. An ex-gratia of 2.5 lakhs will be given to the next of kin of those who died in the firecracker factory blast in Egra and a home guard job will be given to one of the family members. Along with this, an assistance of 2 lakh will be provided to the kin of the deceased in case of death due to lightning, she said. The chief minister also handed over appointment letters of 'home guards' to one member each from the family of those killed in the blast. Stating that two from the family of the primary accused have been arrested, Banerjee urged the villagers to keep the local police informed in case they find any such units operational. The blast at the illegal firecracker factory in West Bengal's Egra took the lives of 12 people and injured many others. (With inputs from agencies) Raichur : A three-year-old boy died and more than 50 people took ill after consuming contaminated water at Rekalmaradi village in Devagurga taluk in Karntakas Raichur district, officials said. Officials say drinking water is being supplied to every village in Kalyan Karnataka region through tankers in summers. (HT Archives) As many as 25 people who suffered vomiting and loose motion were taken to a primary health centre on Thursday and more than 30 on Friday. Those whose condition worsened were rushed to Raichur Institution of Medical Sciences (RIMS). As many as 30 people are still undergoing treatment, health department officials said. Raichur district health officer Dr Surendra Babu said, Most of the infected were women and children as they were at home and consumed tap water mixed with drain water. All the infected were rushed to PHC at Devagurga and the critically ill were taken to RIMS at Raichur. Rekalmaradi village with less than 2,000 population has six borewells which went dry after temperature went up and all the three RO plants which the gram panchayat has set up are not working. People are depending on private borewells and panchayat tap connection from where they get water once in 15-20 days, villagers said. On Thursday, the underground pipeline that supplies water to taps burst and drain water got mixed with tap water. People fell ill after taking this contaminated water, villagers said. The infected were with injected with IV fluids as they were dehydrated. We regret not being able to save three-year-old boy Hanumesh; he die due to continuous vomiting and loose motion. He was brought to hospital late; he would have survived had IV fluid been given. The rest are recovering, Dr Babu said. Necessary medicine and IV fluids are being give at the PHC. All the infected may be discharged on Monday. Dr Babu said such incidents are common in Kalyan Karnataka region where drinking water is being supplied to every village through tankers in summers. Tap water is not supplied as groundwater level goes down. He said, The sample of the contaminated water that people drank was sent to a Bengaluru laboratory for test. Ramesh Karoshi, a villager from Rekalmaradi, said Devagurga panchayat is to be blamed for the tragedy. Despite dozens of representations the panchayat officials did not respond. The underground pipeline got broken about a month ago. As the village is being supplied tap water once in 15-20 days, people used the water supplied on Thursday and Friday, he said. Kallappa Tore, another villager, said, People were infected as drain water got mixed up with tap water. The tap water being supplied once in about 20 days, poor people didnt have other option than drinking the water supplied by the panchayat. Karoshi said that after the tragedy, the broken underground pipeline was replaced and ROs were made functional. The administration which not care despite many petition has now woken up. We would have saved Hanumesh had the administration been sincere, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Eknath Shinde invoked prime minister Narendra Modi's sab par bhari speech, as the Maharashtra chief minister slammed opposition parties over their decision to stay away from Sunday's inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament. PM Narendra Modi (left) and Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde (right) (File Photo) That the construction of this temple of democracy was completed in record time, is a matter of great pride for the citizens. In 2019 (December 2020), its foundation stone was laid by Modi ji, and it is opening in 2023everyone should ideally participate (in its opening), Shinde said, according to ANI. There are, however, some people who will always blindly oppose anything that the prime minister does, the Maharashtra CM added. But the public can see what is going on. Those who are objecting will be taught a lesson by the people. The opposition is scared and is, therefore, ganging up against Modi ji. This has become a case of Ek Modi sab ko bhari (Modi alone is taking on the entire opposition), he remarked. Shinde, who heads his faction of the Shiv Sena, which governs Maharashtra in an alliance with the PM's BJP, will attend the ceremony. The Sena's Shinde faction is also a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). As many as 21 opposition parties, including the Congress and its ally, the Shiv Sena (UBT) the other half of what was, until June 2022, a unified Shiv Sena are boycotting the inauguration. This, they say, is because President Droupadi Murmu has been disrespected by the Narendra Modi government as, despite being the head of state, she was not invited to inaugurate the new Parliament. The BJP has rubbished the charge of disrespecting the President. On the other hand, as many as 25 parties, including several non-NDA ones, have confirmed their participation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON From manufacturing suggestions from the public and stakeholders, introducing arbitrary provisions without any discussions or study, destroying phones to hiding a cabinet note as well as legal opinions that favoured the status quo, and clearing the policy in a hurried manner, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia did everything to bring an excise policy in Delhi that was in his interest and of his associates, according to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charge sheet filed against him last month. Jailed AAP leader Manish Sisodia was arrested by CBI on February 26. (ANI) A Delhi court on Saturday took cognizance of the charge sheet, filed on April 25, after which it became a public document. Read: Sisodia withdraws interim bail pleas pending before Delhi high court The charge sheet, reviewed by HT, said Sisodia was unhappy with the report of an expert committee led by former excise commissioner Ravi Dhawan and sought public comments on it. ... to manipulate the process of seeking comments or suggestions from the public or stakeholders, (Sisodia) got fabricated certain emails through Zakir Khan, chairperson of Delhi Minorities Commission, which were sent by the interns of DMC on the dedicated email ID of the excise department i.e. excise.policy@delhi.gov.in with the copy to the email ID of Sisodia msisodia@gmail.com on January 14-15, 2021, it said. CBI said its probe found that suggestions given in these emails such as allotment of retail licences through auction of zones, reduction of excise and VAT as well as enhancement of licence fee and increase in the number of liquor vends, were handed over by Sisodia to Zakir Khan in a handwritten note with the direction to get multiple emails on the said lines sent to the dedicated email address. All these provisions were ultimately incorporated in the new excise policy, and which were at complete variance with the recommendations of the expert committee. This proves that the accused Manish Sisodia was working with pre-conceived ideas for the formulation of the excise policy and was planting the manufactured public opinions/suggestions in support of the same, CBI said. The jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader was arrested by CBI on February 26 and has been called the architect of the excise police scam by the federal probe agency. Read: AAP alleges misbehaviour with Manish Sisodia in Delhi court CBI said its investigations found that Sisodia had asked former excise commissioner Rahul Singh to prepare a draft cabinet note on given lines along with a summary of the suggestions/comments for placing before the council of ministers on January 28, 2021. With the draft note, Singh annexed public comments and three legal opinions by former chief justices of India Ranjan Gogoi and KG Balakrishnan, and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, obtained by the Alcobev retailers association and forwarded by them to the excise department. These legal opinions were in favour of maintaining the status quo, CBI said. The file with the note was signed by relevant officers of the excise department on January 28, 2021, at the chief ministers residence and was handed over to Sisodia for the CMs approval, the charge sheet said. However, the cabinet note was not considered by the council of ministers. It has also been revealed that after the meeting, Sisodia called Singh and expressed his anger for incorporating comments of the legal experts in the cabinet note, it added. It was never given back to excise officials by Sisodia and is untraceable, CBI said. Thereafter, Sisodia initiated a fresh note on February 2, 2021, with the directions to include the expert committee report and public comments. However, the previous cabinet note was not mentioned in it. The fresh note was put before the council of ministers on February 5, 2021. These facts establish that Sisodia, in criminal conspiracy with other accused persons, was working with a pre-conceived idea to formulate the excise policy in a particular manner to suit the designs of co-accused persons and dishonestly and deliberately did not put up the cabinet note containing comments of legal experts as annexure in the cabinet meeting dated January 28, 2021 and destroyed/caused disappearance of the file of the said note, because it was not suiting their ulterior designs, the charge sheet added. CBI said that in February 2021, 8-10 meetings of the GoM were held in which some data was sought from the excise department but no proper minutes or record of discussions of the said meetings were prepared, there was no decision on incorporating the GoM report, no discussion on a wholesale model, and there was no study regarding a profit margin of 12% for wholesalers. Arva Gopi Krishna, who became excise commissioner on March 5, 2021, was never invited to any of the GoM meetings nor did he attend any, CBI added. Krishna, who was named as accused in the CBI first information report (FIR) filed on August 17 last year, has been given the clean chit by the agency in its charge sheet and is a key witness against Sisodia. He has recorded statements under sections 161 and 164 of the criminal procedure code against Sisodia. The charge sheet further said that Sisodia sat with officials from time to time to give directions about certain changes or modifications and also got certain points/paragraphs highlighted in red colour when a new GoM draft was being prepared on March 18-19, 2021. ...in this draft GoM report, the profit margin for wholesalers was abruptly increased from 5% to 12%. Further, the eligibility criterion of turnover for wholesalers was increased from 100 crore to 500 crore, every year for the past five years. Calling him the main architect, CBI said that the report was then finalised by Sisodia on March 20, 2021. It was retrieved from his computer by the CBI. The agency alleged that the new policy was finally formulated on May 20 and 21, 2021, and it was processed and approved by the council of ministers through circulation on May 21, 2021 in a very hurried manner despite it being the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The charge sheet said Sisodia used three mobile phones from January 1, 2020 to August 19, 2022. The last one which was used by him was seized from him on August 19, 2022 during the searches in the case. This handset was being used on July 22, 2022, the date on which the instant matter was referred by the ministry of home affairs for a CBI enquiry. The two handsets which were used prior to July 22 have been admittedly destroyed by Sisodia as confirmed by him in his response to the notice. This wilful disposal of handsets containing incriminating evidence related to the policy is another incriminating circumstance against Sisodia, the CBI added. The agency linked Sisodia to Vijay Nair, arrested AAP communications in-charge, who was meeting the accused persons from the alleged South Group as part of a criminal conspiracy to incorporate favourable provisions in the policy. Read: ED searches AAP MP Sanjay Singh's aides' homes, offices in liquor policy case CBI said further investigation in respect of the post-tender violations of the excise policy, the role of excise officials of the Punjab government in coercing the surrender of L1 licence of Mahadev Liquor, the role of other suspects in the larger conspiracy, and the money trail, etc needed to be continued. Supplementary charge sheets will be filed later in the case, it said. The Delhi governments 2021-22 excise policy aimed to revitalise the citys flagging liquor business. It aimed to replace a sales-volume based regime with a licence fee one for traders, and promised swankier stores, free of the infamous metal grilles, ultimately giving customers a better buying experience. The policy also introduced discounts and offers on the purchase of liquor, a first for Delhi. The plan, however, came to an abrupt end, with Delhis lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommending a probe into alleged irregularities in the regime. This ultimately resulted in the policy being scrapped prematurely and being replaced by the 2020-21 regime, with the AAP alleging that Saxenas predecessor sabotaged the move with a few last-minute changes that resulted in lower-than-expected revenues. AAP did not issue an official comment on the matter. It also did not respond to HTs queries for a response on the development. Former Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party on Saturday criticised the opposition parties for boycotting the scheduled inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday. Azad said the ruling party should be appreciated for completing the project in record time, something the Opposition was never able to achieve during their tenure and said he is strictly against the boycott. Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad (PTI) Also Read | How will the new Parliament building be inaugurated? Top points Azad further said if he were in Delhi on Sunday, he would have attended the inauguration of the new Parliament building. So far, 21 opposition parties have announced their boycott, insisting that the inauguration should be done by the President of India rather than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir also said the construction of a new Parliament building was a dream 30 to 35 years ago, and he had made plans with the then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, for its realisation. However, those plans did not come to fruition. "It's good that someone has taken the initiative...the opposition should appreciate it instead of boycotting!" Azad told news agency ANI. Regarding the expanded space in the new Parliament building, Azad said, The Parliament building has also been designed with wider space, which is useful because the membership has increased fivefold since 1926. The present Parliament lacks sufficient space, so a new Parliament was much needed. Speaking on the controversy over Modi inaugurating the Parliament building, Azad said, I am against this argument! The president is also from the ruling party and has been chosen from their MLAs. If the Opposition wants to support the current president, why did they field their own candidate against the BJP's candidate during the presidential elections? Azad said the Opposition should focus on different topics to oppose the ruling party, highlighting broader issues that are beneficial to the public. New Parliament building inauguration on Sunday by PM Modi Modi, accompanied by the Lok Sabha Speaker, is set to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday. Amid the boycott call by the Opposition, the central government has received a confirmed participation list from 25 political parties, including some not affiliated with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), for the inauguration ceremony. Also Read | Delhi traffic advisory for inauguration of new Parliament building | Details A notable highlight of the event will be the installation of a historic golden sceptre known as Sengol, near the Speaker's seat. Sengol represents India's independence, sovereignty, cultural heritage, and diversity. In a significant decision, Modi has chosen to adopt the Sengol as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal. The momentous occasion will take place within the new Parliament building, where Adheenam (Priests) will conduct the ceremony, vesting the Prime Minister with the symbolic Sengol. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Nestled in the heart of the vibrant city of New Delhi, stands a magnificent circular structure that embodies the very essence of Indian democracythe Parliament House, which is set to fade into pages of history when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the new complex on Sunday. This architectural marvel served as the hub of the country's political activities and held great significance in the nation's history for almost a century. Parliament building in New Delhi, India, (Photo by Raj K Raj/ Hindustan Times) India's Parliament building, known as Sansad Bhavan in Hindi, has been a symbol of unity, power, and the collective will of its people for decades. Designed by renowned British architects Sir Herbert Becker and Sir Edwin Lutyens, the existing Parliament building was constructed in the early 20th century, with its foundation stone laid in 1921 by Britains Duke of Connaught, after whom Delhis first and biggest shopping plaza is named. The building took six years to complete and was inaugurated in 1927, marking a milestone in India's journey toward self-governance. The Parliament House stands as a testament to India's democratic ideals, reflecting a fusion of Indian and Western architectural styles. Its sprawling circular structure boasts a grand colonnaded exterior, featuring 144 imposing pillars. The central dome soars majestically, adorned with the national emblem of India, comprising four Asiatic lions, each facing a cardinal direction, symbolizing strength, courage, and power. Inside, the building houses two chambersthe Lok Sabha (House of the People or Lower House) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States or Upper House)where elected representatives from all corners of India converged to discuss, debate, and legislate. The Lok Sabha, representing the people's voice, occupied the larger chamber, while the Rajya Sabha, representing the states and union territories, resided in the smaller chamber. The Lok Sabha chamber featured vibrant green upholstery, with over 550 seats for Members of Parliament (MPs). At the front of the chamber stood the Speaker's chair, adorned with the national emblem, from where the Speaker presided over the proceedings. The Rajya Sabha chamber, in contrast, embraced shades of red, with 250 seats for Rajya Sabha members. In the centre of the chamber, a circular table known as the "Well" acted as the focal point for discussions. The significance of India's Parliament building extended far beyond its architectural grandeur. It stood as a testament to the country's democratic principles, where people elected their representatives to shape the nation's destiny. Within its hallowed halls, history was made and laws were enacted, shaping the lives of millions. The Parliament House witnessed several defining moments, such as the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, which marked India's transformation into a republic. It hosted passionate debates on critical issues, the framing of laws, and the exchange of ideas that propelled India's progress. The building reverberated with the heartfelt speeches of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the calm but firm resolve of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the eloquence of Indira Gandhi, and the poetic brilliance of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose words shaped the course of the nation. On the eve of Independence, the Constituent Assembly met at 11:00 pm with President Rajendra Prasad in the Chair. Sucheta Kriplani, a member from Uttar Pradesh, sang the first verse of Vande Mataram to mark the opening of the special session. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru delivered his famous "Tryst with destiny" speech which was followed by a pledge by members of the Constituent Assembly dedicating themselves to the service of the nation. Speaker G V Mavlankar announced the death of Mahatma Gandhi at a sitting of the Lok Sabha on February 2, 1948. It was from the same House that prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri made an appeal to the country to skip one meal every week as India struggled with food shortages and fought a war against Pakistan in 1965. In 1974, the then prime minister Indira Gandhi made a detailed statement in Parliament on July 22, apprising the House of the "peaceful nuclear experiment" at Pokhran and the reaction of other countries to it. Almost 24 years later in 1998, then prime minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee declared India as a nuclear weapons state after scientists carried out five underground nuclear tests on May 11 and May 13 that year. The Parliament building stood as a living testament to the power of dialogue and negotiation, where the ideas and concerns of all sections of society found expression. India's Parliament building embodied the spirit of democracy, unity, and progress. It stood tall as a symbol of the nation's collective aspirations, where the power of governance resided. As the sun sets over its majestic dome, casting a golden glow, the building's significance endures, inspiring generations to uphold the democratic ideals it represented. (With PTI inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail India plans to push back against "agenda-driven", "neo-colonial" country rankings produced by global agencies on topics like governance and press freedom, a key advisor to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Reuters in an interview on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Indian community programme in Sydney, (PTI) Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Modi's Economic Advisory Council, said India has begun to raise this issue at global forums. He said the indices were being compiled by a "tiny group of think-tanks in the North Atlantic," sponsored by three or four funding agencies that are "driving a real-world agenda." "It is not just narrative building in some diffused way. This has clear direct impact on trade, investment and other activities," Sanyal said. India ranked lower than Afghanistan and Pakistan in the new World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders. It was below Pakistan and Bhutan in an academic freedom index by V-Dem Institute. Over the past year, India has in various meetings pointed out the flaws in methods used to compile global indices used by institutions like the World Bank, World Economic Forum (WEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Sanyal said. The "World Bank is involved in this discussion because it takes these opinions from these think-tanks and effectively sanctifies it by putting it into something called the world governance index," Sanyal said. The World Bank, WEF, Reporters Without Borders and V-DEM Institute did not immediately respond to requests for comment. UNDP said it would respond shortly. Sanyal said the ratings also get hard-wired into decision-making through environmental, social and governance (ESG) norms and sovereign ratings. Multilateral development banks offer subsidised loans to ESG-compliant projects. "The idea of having some ESG norms is not the problem in itself. The problem relates to how these norms are defined and who certifies or measures compliance to these norms," he said. "As things are currently evolving, developing countries have been completely left out of the conversation." The matter is being taken up by the Cabinet Secretariat, which has held more than a dozen meetings on the issue this year, a government official said. The Cabinet Secretariat and finance ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. India has said it plans to be an advocate for developing countries under its G20 presidency. Sanyal did not say if India has flagged the issue of country rankings with the G20. "There are other developing countries who are also concerned about this because effectively this is a form of neo-colonialism," he said, adding that concerned ministries have been asked to establish benchmarks and engage continuously with ratings agencies. Some of the upcoming indices being watched out by India are financial development index by International Monetary Fund, gender inequality and human development indices by UNDP, logistics performance and worldwide governance indicators by the World Bank, sources said. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will be on a three-day official visit to Nigeria from May 28 to May 30 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the west African nations next President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and hold talks with Nigerian officials to identify military hardware that can be exported, the defence ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Defence minister Rajnath Singh. (File) This is the first time that an Indian defence minister is visiting Nigeria. The visit comes in the backdrop of India deepening its engagement with African countries and taking steps to tap the defence markets there. Singh will attend the swearing-in ceremony at Eagle Square in Abuja on May 29, and meet the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari at a reception on Sunday, the statement said. The visit will be an important landmark in building strong bonds of friendship between the two countries, it said. Considering the growing defence cooperation between India and Nigeria, senior officers of Ministry of Defence and top leadership of important defence PSUs will accompany Shri Rajnath Singh. They will hold meetings with the representatives from the Nigerian industry and the Armed Forces to identify the equipment and platforms, through which the Indian defence industry can support the countrys requirements, the statement added. Boosting defence exports is a priority for the government. India is currently exporting military hardware to around 85 countries, with around 100 firms involved in the exports. This hardware includes missiles, artillery guns, rockets, armoured vehicles, offshore patrol vessels, personal protective gear, a variety of radars, surveillance systems and ammunition. Weapons and systems that hold export potential include the light combat aircraft, different types of helicopters, Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and tanks. India is exporting bullet-proof jackets to 34 countries including Australia, Japan, Israel and Brazil, ammunition (ranging from 5.56mm to 155mm) to around 10 countries including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Indonesia and Thailand, fast interceptor boats to Mauritius, Seychelles and the Maldives, and defence electronics to countries like the US, the UK and France, as previously reported by HT. Also Read |Defence production beats 1 lakh crore mark on back of crucial reforms Singhs visit comes two months after India hosted the first edition of the India-Africa Army Chiefs Conclave in March. The conclave, held on the sidelines of the 2nd Africa-India Joint Exercise AFINDEX in Pune, was attended by army chief General Manoj Pande and the chiefs and representatives of 31 African nations. Addressing the conclave, Singh reiterated Indias commitment to provide support to African countries in defence related matters, including capability enhancement of their armed forces to ensure their economic growth and social development. India has been at the forefront of providing training to the militaries of African nations and equipping them with necessary skills to face emerging security challenges, officials said. The training covers a raft of areas, including counter-insurgency operations, peacekeeping, maritime security and specialised training in new domains such as cyber warfare and drone operations, they added. Singh will also address the Indian diaspora at Abuja during his visit. Nigeria is home to around 50,000 members of the Indian community. Conoce mas detalles sobre la participacion del #Mincetur en la #USAPEC2023 ?? https://t.co/vBn06JgbO9 Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that slain Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader Praveen Nettarus wife Nutan Kumari will be reappointed to her job on humanitarian grounds, a day after she was terminated from her temporary employment as part of natural process in the wake of change in government. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that slain Praveen Nettarus wife Nutan will be reappointed to job on humanitarian grounds (ANI) After a new government comes in, it is a natural process to dismiss the temporary employees who were appointed by the previous government from the government service, Siddaramaiah said in a tweet in Kannada. Not only Praveen Nettarus wife, more than 150 contract workers have already been dismissed from service. There is no government interference in this. He added: Considering this as a special case, Kumari will be re-appointed on humanitarian grounds. Read: NIA files supplementary chargesheet against 2 in Praveen Nettaru murder case The development came after a protest by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who described Kumaris termination as vendetta. State government officials, however, clarified that Kumaris job had been terminated in the natural course since she was hired on a contract basis for the tenure of BJP government led by former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. The employment order stated that her tenure would last until the chief ministers term or until further notice, explained a senior IAS officer, declining to be named. Nettaru (31), a leader of BJYM (the youth wing of BJP), was murdered in Bellare town on July 26 last year, allegedly by members of banned Islamic organisation, Popular Front of India (PFI). The case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Following the murder, then chief minister Bommai issued an order appointing Kumari on a contract basis on humanitarian grounds. The appointment came on the request of BJP state president and Dakshina Kannada lawmaker Nalin Kumar Kateel. On September 22 last year, the then BJP government issued an order appointing her as senior assistant (Group C) at the office of CM Bommai. On Kumaris request, however, she was later posted at the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioners office, where she reported to duty on October 14. Kumari received the termination order on Friday. Earlier, BJP leader Kateel said he would appeal to chief minister Siddaramaiah to reinstate Kumaris job. I will write a letter to the chief minister, and if the government denies the request, temporary employment would be arranged for her in any of the Union government establishments in Mangaluru, such as the New Mangalore Port Trust, he told reporters. The BJP Karnataka unit also attacked the newly elected Congress government in a social media post. Praveen Nettaru was killed by members of the PFI, a terrorist organization nurtured by the Congress that spreads communal hatred. His wife was given a job by our government in the deputy commissioners office in Mangaluru on compassionate grounds. That the Congress government has begun using its politics of hatred is condemnable. We demand the government to immediately withdraw the inhuman dismissal order, the state BJP posted on its official Twitter handle. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Karnataka government led by chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday expanded the state cabinet by inducting 24 more legislators as ministers, but the development evoked protests from supporters of some Congress leaders who missed out on cabinet berths. The Karnataka government led by CM Siddaramaiah on Saturday expanded the state cabinet by inducting 24 more legislators (PTI) Following the expansion on Saturday which came nearly a week after 10 ministers, including CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar, took oath the cabinet reached its full strength of 34. Earlier, Siddaramaiah had indicated that representation of various caste groups and regions will be taken into account during the cabinet expansion. One of the prominent names that did not find a mention in the expanded cabinet was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) turncoat Laxman Savadi, who switched over to the Congress in the run-up to the recently concluded assembly elections. Supporters of Savadi, a prominent Lingayat leader from Belagavi district, took to social media to express disappointment over him being ignored in the cabinet expansion, claiming that his entry into the Congress played a significant role in the partys victory in the district. Read: Day after slain BJYM worker Praveen Nettarus wife loses job, Siddaramaiah promises reappointment You (Siddaramaiah) maintained that Laxman Savadi joining Congress had brought new strength to the party. Savadi is the reason for Congress winning more seats in the Belagavi district. In spite of it, you have conveniently forgotten him, one such social media posts claimed. Prominent Lingayat pontiff Guru Siddarajayogeendra Swami also put his weight behind Savadi, saying his inclusion would benefit the ruling party. Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and [former deputy CM] Laxman Savadi are experienced and good-natured politicians; they should have got the cabinet berths. If Savadi is included in the cabinet, it will benefit the party, the pontiff claimed. State minister Satish Jarkiholi, who also comes from Savadis home district of Belagavi, said as a senior leader, he should have been accommodated. He is also a senior leader of the (Lingayat) community. I guess he missed out because of the caste-wise distribution of cabinet berth. The party will look into it, he added. Of the 24 new ministers, six are from the Lingayat community, which has the maximum representation in the cabinet. Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, followers of Congress leader Rudrappa Lamani, a prominent Banjara leader and Haveri MLA, staged a protest outside the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office. No leader from the Banjara community, which falls in the Scheduled Caste (SC) umbrella in the southern state, found a place in the cabinet despite Siddaramaiahs assurance of caste and region-based representation. BK Hariprasad, senior Congress leader and a member of the legislative council, also expressed his disappointment over not getting a cabinet seat, people familiar with the matter said. Read: In Karnataka, woman among 24 ministers inducted in Siddaramaiah cabinet Senior leader M Krishnappa and his legislator son Priya Krishna were also ignored by the party during the cabinet expansion, prompting their supporters to stage a protest in front of the Raj Bhavan, where the new ministers took oath on Saturday. Krishnappa represents Vijayanagar while Priya Krishna represents the Govindarajanagar seat in Bengaluru. C Puttarangasetty, the senior Congress leader from Chamarajanagar who defeated former BJP minister V Somanna in the May 10 assembly polls, was also overlooked by the party during the cabinet expansion. Meanwhile, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday asked the dejected leaders who missed out on a cabinet berth to be perseverant like him. I did not get any opportunity to join the cabinet during the late Dharam Singh-led Congress government and Siddaramaiah-led previous government. But I did not lose my patience. Similarly, those who have been denied cabinet posts should have patience too, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Taking a jibe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal amid the row over the Centre's ordinance on control of administrative services in the national capital, Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary on Saturday said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor should realise his "mistake of praising" the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) earlier. Anil Chaudhary(ANI) His remarks came in the wake of the Delhi Chief Minister seeking time from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former MP Rahul Gandhi demanding support against the Centre's ordinance on control of administrative services in the national capital. Speaking to ANI, Anil Chaudhary said, "Congress high command will take a decision on whether they will meet Arvind Kejriwal or not. When all opposition parties were together, he kept praising BJP. Arvind Kejriwal should realise his mistake." The Delhi Chief Minister on May 23 embarked on a nationwide tour to seek support from the Opposition parties against the ordinance brought by the central government on the transfers and postings of bureaucrats in the national capital. So far, Kejriwal has met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. He will also be meeting Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday to seek his party Bharat Rashtra Samithi's (BRS) support against the ordinance. Kejriwal also informed that he will not be able to attend the NITI Aayog meeting to be held on Saturday in the national capital. This comes after the Union government on May 19 brought an ordinance to notify rules for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) regarding the 'transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters'. The ordinance was brought to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and it circumvents the Supreme Court judgement in the Centre vs Delhi case. Union minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday took a veiled swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha while targeting the Opposition for its decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building. Addressing the inaugural session of a day-long national conclave organised by Doordarshan, the minister for information and broadcasting said the opposition parties earlier found excuses for disrupting the Houses and now they are boycotting the inauguration. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (Left) and Union minister Anurag Thakur (Right).(PTI) "It is a different matter that some people got barred from Parliament. Earlier, they used to find excuses for not allowing Parliament to function. Now, they are talking of boycott which is also an insult," Thakur said at the event organised to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Modi government. India takes pride in being the "mother of democracy" and Prime Minister Modi has given a new Parliament building to the nation, which is the world's largest democracy, said Thakur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday. Several opposition parties, including Congress, AAP, TMC and Samajwadi Party, have announced a boycott of the function contending that President Droupadi Murmu should do the honours. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies have criticised the opposition's decision to boycott the major event, slamming their stand as a "blatant affront to democratic ethos and constitutional values of our great nation". In a statement, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) also implored the Opposition parties to reconsider their decision and said the people of India will not forget their "egregious insult to our democracy and to their elected representatives" if they stick to their stand. "Their actions today will echo through the annals of history, casting a long shadow over their legacy. We urge them to think about the nation and not individual political gains," they said in the statement on Wednesday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog at the new Convention Centre in New Delhi's Pragati Maidan on Saturday. The theme of the meeting is Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India The theme of the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog will be Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India(File) As many as eight chief ministers - Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, Bhagwant Mann of Punjab, Nitish Kumar of Bihar, K Chandrashekar Rao of Telangana, MK Stalin of Tamil Nadu, Ashok Gehlot Rajathan and Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala - decided not to attend the Niti Aayog meeting. Here's why these CMs did not attending Niti Aayog meeting: Arvind Kejriwal: In a letter to PM Modi, Kejriwal said he was boycotting the meeting in protest against the undemocratic and unconstitutional May 19 ordinance that restored control over services in the national capital to the Centre under the LG, effectively nullifying a Supreme Court order that handed over control of services, barring police, public order and land, to the elected government. Mamata Banerjee: West Bengal will not have any representative at the Niti Aayog meeting as the TMC government's request to send the state finance minister and the chief secretary was "turned down" by the Centre, which "insisted" that Mamata Banerjee may attend the event. Banerjee has already decided not to attend the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog. State finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said Banerjee is busy with some other work, without elaborating the reason behind skipping the meet. Nitish Kumar: Senior members of the Bihar cabinet said Nitish Kumar expressed his inability to attend because of prior commitments, and said they were yet to hear back from the Union government if someone else could take his place. K Chandrashekar Rao: The Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) president and Telangana chief minister will also not attend the meeting since he has a scheduled meeting with Kejriwal in Hyderabad on Saturday. The meeting is part of a campaign by Kejriwal against the services ordinance for which he has been meeting leaders of Opposition parties asking for their support in blocking the ordinance when it comes in the form of a bill in Parliament. MK Stalin: The Tamil Nadu chief minister is on a visit to Singapore and Japan and hence he won't be able to attend the meeting. Bhagwant Mann: The Punjab chief minister will not attend the Niti Aayog meeting to protest the alleged discrimination against the state by the Centre over the issue of grant of funds. Aam Aadmi Party's Punjab unit chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said the chief minister has taken up with the Centre the demand to release 3,600 crore outstanding rural development fund (RDF), but the Centre has been sitting over it. Ashok Gehlot: The Rajasthan CM has cited health reasons for not attending the meeting, news agency ANI reported. Pinarayi Vijayan: The Kerala chief minister has not given any specific reason for his absence. (With inputs from Bureau) New Delhi: With the cyberattack threat from China and other adversaries mounting by the day, the national security agencies, including the tri-services, are currently participating in a weeklong cyber defence exercise to test the resilience of Indias critical civilian and military infrastructure, officials familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The cybersecurity exercises are being held under the aegis of the Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA) with other branches of national security participating in the effort to test the firewalls guarding Indias critical infrastructure. (Representative) While the government is tight-lipped on this count, the cybersecurity exercises are being held under the aegis of the Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA) with other branches of national security participating in the effort to test the firewalls guarding Indias critical infrastructure. The cyber defence exercise comes after US cyber experts found Chinese sleeper malware in Australia and Japanese networks as part of Quad cybersecurity cooperation. This malware is normally injected into the critical network and made to lie dormant for years. The bug is then activated by China any time it chooses to cripple the critical infrastructure or extract information, said one of the officials cited above. It is understood that the November 23, 2022, cyberattack on five servers of AIIMS in Delhi was engineered by China-based hackers and the cyber post-mortem of the attack showed that the malware or the bug to steal medical records was planted in the servers way back in 2014. On the military front, the 25-infantry division of Indian Army, based in Poonch, was cyber-attacked by the adversary during the Pakistani retaliation to the 2019 Operation Bander launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to destroy a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp at Balakot in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on February 26. The Balakot operation was conducted by the IAF to avenge the killings of 40 CRPF troopers at the hands of a Jaish suicide bomber in Pulwama on February 14, 2019. The Pakistani retaliation to Balakot was launching of missiles at the Indian Army's brigade at Poonch on February 27, 2019. Cybersecurity is also emerging as a key element of cooperation among Quad countries with the four leaders agreeing at Hiroshima this month to collaborate to enhance regional capacities and resilience to cyber incidents and threats. The Quad cyber challenge was held this year to promote cyber awareness and empower participants across the Indo-Pacific to protect themselves online. The four countries have worked out the Quad joint principles for secure software and Quad joint principles for cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, and work is on to develop a framework for ensuring cyber security of supply chains and resilience. These principles are designed to strengthen regional defences against cyber threats to software supply chains, the digital economy, critical infrastructure, and services. While the Indian national security agencies and tri-services network are protected by air gap and stand-alone servers, the Union government servers under the National Informatics Centre (NIC) are often cyber-attacked and compromised by Indias adversaries to glean confidential information and intelligence through planted malware. As the Indian economy expands in the digital dimension, security planners are reviewing the national networks to make them more resilient with stronger firewall architecture. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON With just a day left for the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both the Bharatiya Janta Party and the opposition trained guns at each other ahead of the event. At least 21 opposition parties have decided to boycott the PM's decision to preside over the inauguration ceremony instead of President Droupadi Murmu. READ| PM Modi to inaugurate new Parliament building on Sunday. Here's the first look The opposition said that the inauguration of the building without President Droupadi Murmu "insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution". Meanwhile, amid the boycott call by the opposition, the Centre has received a confirmed list of 25 political parties, including some which are not a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), that will participate in the inauguration ceremony. The new Parliament building is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a high-profile event on Sunday. The new Parliament building is located at the heart of the Central Vista at Sansad Marg, Gokul Nagar in New Delhi and adjacent to the old Parliament building. It is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, which includes the construction of a common central secretariat, executive enclave, and new prime minister's residence, along with other projects. The coordinates of the new Parliament building are- 2837'02.0"N 7712'36.0"E. The nearest metro station to the Parliament is Central Secretariat, which is at the intersection of Yellow and Violet Line. Also Read| How new Parliament building is different from the existing one The new building is 750 metres from the Rashtrapati Bhavan. It is surrounded by the Vijay Chowk, India Gate, National War Memorial, vice president's house, Hyderabad House, secretariat building, prime minister's office and residence, ministerial buildings, and other administrative units of the Indian government. Following are some of the nearest metro stations to the Parliament House: -Central Secretariat -Udyog Bhawan -Patel Chowk -Janpath -Rajiv Chowk These metro stations serve as crucial transportation hubs, allowing visitors and members of Parliament to easily reach the Indian Parliament. While Patel Chowk and Udyog Bhawan fall on the Yellow Line, the Central Secretariat metro station is at the intersection of the Yellow and Violet Line. Rajiv Chowk metro station is at the intersection of the Yellow and Blue Line. Janpath metro station is located at Violet Line. Distinct features of the new Parliament building Built at a cost of 971 crore, the new Parliament can accommodate 888 members in the Lok Sabha and 300 in the Rajya Sabha. According to the Central Vista Redevelopment Projects website, the new building is triangular to ensure optimum space utilisation. It has a 'constitution hall', a new addition to the framework. The new complex is a platinum-rated green building with a focus on energy efficiency. It showcases Indias commitment towards sustainable development. The new parliament is also divyang-friendly. It features a central lounge to complement the open courtyard and is meant for members to interact. The new Parliament building is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, marking a symbolic shift in the countrys political landscape. With hardly 12 hours to the ceremony, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday issued an official communication to its members of the Parliament, listing out the programmes they are expected to attend tomorrow. A view of the new Parliament building on the eve of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi, Saturday.(PTI) All BJP MPs have been asked to be present at the ceremony to pay a floral tribute to the photo of Veer Savarkar in the Central Hall of the newly-built Parliament House at 10:30 am, an official communication by the party read. This will be followed by the 101st episode of Mann Ki Baat session held by PM Modi in the GMC Balayogi auditorium of the Parliament Library building. Mann Ki Baat is the monthly radio programme addressed by PM Modi on the last Sunday of every month, which will be addressed from the newly-built Parliament complex this time. The MPs are expected be seated in the auditorium by 10:45 to attend the radio programme, the letter sent to them, seen by Hindustan Times, read. The inauguration of the new Parliament complex will be followed after the Mann Ki Baat programme. The parliamentarians will join PM Modi and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla in attending the inauguration of the new building of the Parliament, which will tentatively take place around noon. The preparations to make the high-profile event a huge success is in full swing, even as 20 parties have decided to skip it over the decision to have PM Modi inaugurate the building, instead of President Droupadi Murmu. At the event, PM Modi will also install the Sengol, a sceptre from Tamil Nadu, which was received by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to represent the transfer of power from the British, as per the central government. The sceptre was previously placed a museum in Allahabad. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Saturday urged Narendra Modi-led union government to withdraw the ordinance related to the control of administrative services in the national capital. Flanked by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann, KCR asserted at a press briefing that opposition parties will fight unitedly against the ordinance. Comparing the Modi regime with the days of the emergency, the chief minister alleged that the central government is not allowing a popular government to function. Telangana chief minister KCR with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann at a press conference.(@ArvindKejriwal) "We demand the Prime Minister to withdraw the ordinance yourself or else we all will support Kejriwal Ji. We will stand by him. We will use all our strength in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to defeat the ordinance. Unnecessarily dont make an issue. Let the government work," Rao told the NDA government at the Centre. Referring to the recent electoral defeat of the BJP in the Karnataka assembly elections, KCR said the people across the country will teach them a similar lesson if they don't take back the ordinance. That's why we are requesting you, withdraw on your own. Taking a swipe at the Modi government, he added, Like you withdrew farm bills, land acquisition bill...aap toh maafi ka saudagar ho(you are the merchant of apologies)...that's why it's better you withdraw it on your own. We are your contemporaries in politics so we are advising you that it's neither good for the democracy nor for you Modi ji, the chief minister said. The central government recently promulgated an ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi. The ordinance, which came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government, seeks to set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. Kejriwal has been seeking the support of opposition parties to defeat the bill in Rajya Sabha. Several regional satraps, including West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray have announced their support for Kejriwal in his fight against the Centre. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON " " A California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) living in the wild in Arizona. Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Virgin birth which involves the development of an unfertilized egg has preoccupied humans for eons. And although it can't happen in mammals, it does seem to be possible in other animals with backbones (vertebrates), such as birds and lizards. A recent paper led by researchers from San Diego Zoo reports two fatherless male chicks raised in a program to save the California condor from extinction. Could the species be restored by a single surviving female? Advertisement Sexual reproduction is fundamental in all vertebrates. Normally it requires an egg from a female to be fertilized by a sperm from a male, so each parent contributes one copy of the genome. Violation of this rule, as for the fatherless condor chicks, tells us a lot about why sexual reproduction is such a good biological strategy as well as how sex works in all animals, including humans. Senior Karnataka Congress leader B K Hariprasad on Saturday refused to comment on his omission from the state cabinet saying you should ask Mr Siddaramaiah. BK Hariprasad, the former Rajya Sabha MP, did not find a seat in the 34-member Karnataka cabinet even as his name prominently figured in several media reports on the initial list of eight ministers, apart from chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar. Karnataka Congress president D.K. Shivakumar with party leader B.K. Hariprasad during celebrations after the party's win in Karnataka Assembly elections, in Bengaluru.(PTI) Asked about the conspicuous omission, Hariprasad told ANI, You should ask Mr Siddaramaiah who is the chief minister. I have worked in the entire country. When the reporter further pressed on the reason behind his absence in the cabinet, he said, I may not fit in the seat exams. The test I have failed, very simple. My fight was on an ideological basis. My fight was not to become the minister or the chief minister. I wanted to defeat these fascist forces, Hariprasad, the leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, added. Also Read | BJP MP Simha calls for statewide protest over free electricity scheme Apart from Hariprasad, former CM Jagdish Shettar, who lost his election, and former deputy CM Laxman Savadi, who won his seat, did not find a place in Siddaramaiah's cabinet. Both leaders had defected from the BJP to the Congress ahead of the elections. Until Friday, senior Congress leaders had indicated that they would induct Shettar into the cabinet and nominate him as a member of the legislative council. Siddaramaiah on Saturday said all the 34 cabinet berths have been filled with an intention to impart a new touch to governance in the state. He said the decision to fill all the sanctioned ministerial posts was taken to fulfil the promises made by Congress in its election manifesto. "A full-fledged cabinet has been formed in the state. Apart from the Chief Minister, 33 posts have also been filled. Allocation of portfolios will be done by today or tomorrow," he told reporters. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan on Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the inauguration of the new parliament, asking why President Droupadi Murmu should not attend the event. This moment of national pride has become politically divisive. I ask my Prime Minister one simple question; Please tell the country, why the President of India should not attend the inauguration of our new Parliament? I see no reason why the President of India as Head of the State should not be part of this historic occasion, ANI quoted the actor-turned politician. The controversy over the inauguration of the new parliament complex rages on. At least 20 opposition parties including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and the Trinamool Congress in a joint session had announced the decision to boycott Sunday's event, calling the inauguration a grave insult and direct assault' on democracy. The opposition parties have been objecting to PM Modi presiding over the event instead of the President. ALSO READ: 'No sense': Nitish Kumar on new Parliament building event, Niti Aayog meet The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democractic Alliance (NDA) has slammed the opposition for boycotting the event, calling it a 'contempt for the very essence of democracy. Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan.(Twitter/ANI) 140 crore people of India will not forget this egregious insult to our democracy and to their elected representatives", NDA leaders had said in a statement. ALSO READ: 'This is strength of democracy': PM Modi jabs Opposition on new Parliament opening boycott On Friday, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain a petition seeking direction to the Centre on the new parliament building be unveiled by President Murmu and not the prime minister. A bench of justices JK Maheshwari and PS Narasimha told petitioner advocate Jaya Sukin that the court understands why and how this petition was filed and it is not inclined to entertain this petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After the BJP lashed out at chief ministers who boycotted the governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann defended the decision saying there was no reason to attend the meeting since the last year's demands are yet to be fulfilled. Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad alongside Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Mann alleged the central government has not released the amount allocated for Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and National Health Mission (NHM). Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann.(ANI) Hum nahin gaye. Wahan kya karna hai? Photo khichwane jana hai? Maine toh chitthi mein likh ke bhej di ki mere pichhle saal wale bhashan ko iss baar bhi maan liya jaaye. (We did not go to the meeting of NITI Aayog. What is there to do? Just to get our pictures clicked? I have sent a letter that my last year's speech should be accepted this time also.) Mann said at the press conference. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired the eighth governing council meeting of the Niti Aayog at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan in the national capital. The council, headed by the prime minister, includes all state chief ministers and lieutenant governors (LGs) of Union territories. Chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar, M K Stalin, and K Chandrashekar Rao, skipped the meeting. Because what was asked last year has not been given. Didn't give money for RIDF, doesn't give money for NHM. They do not give what is the right of the state. Will we go to Niti Aayog to get our photos clicked? They hold meetings but take decisions on their own, Mann said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a group photo with ministers, chief ministers, Lt Governors and officials during the 8th Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog.(PTI) In a letter to the Prime Minister on Friday, Kejriwal said that he was boycotting the meeting in protest against the undemocratic and unconstitutional May 19 ordinance that restored control over services in the national capital to the Centre under the LG, effectively nullifying a Supreme Court order that handed over control of services, barring police, public order and land, to the elected government. People are saying that we should not attend tomorrows NITI Aayog meeting. Hence, it is not possible for me to attend the meeting tomorrow, the Delhi CM added. The ruling BJP called their decision "anti-people" and "irresponsible". Addressing a press conference, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Why are they not coming to attend the meeting where 100 issues are to be discussed? If such a large number of chief ministers do not participate, they are not bringing the voice of their states," Prasad said. It is "very unfortunate, irresponsible and anti-people", he said, adding that people of the states are going to be "directly affected" by the absence of their chief ministers at the meeting. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked his ministers not to think about the next year or term but about the next 25 years. Union minister for external affairs S Jaishankar addresses the students of Ananta University on Modis India: A Rising Power at Manipur on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.(PTI) Jaishankar said that the government is today thinking about an "era of a generation". His remarks came while addressing 'Modi's India: Rising power' in Ahmedabad on Saturday. "Prime Minister asked us to think a little bit differently. He didn't ask us to think for the next year or the next decade or the next term. He asked us to think about the next 25 years. And I say this because that 25 years is going to be determined by all of you. We are actually today thinking of an era of a generation or more," Jaishankar said. "We have to bring to the international stage our personality, our culture, our heritage. So when Prime Minister Modi motivated the world to celebrate the practice of yoga, it wasn't just a cultural or a fitness exercise he was advocating. "When he pushes AYUSH during COVID wellness practices from India, it is today something bigger which is happening. How do we make the world understand our beliefs and practices? How do they, in a sense, get to know what is India about? What are Indians about, what is the heritage, the culture? What is the DNA of this system? Because that is really when a country is seen as rising," Jaishankar added speaking on the awareness about India's cultural heritage," he added. He said that PM Modi's India is like a designer which is trying to "shape the world". "Think of (PM) Modi's India as a designer and think of rising as a process of design, because what are we trying to do today in international relations, we are trying to shape the world. We are trying to redesign it because there's already a design that we have inherited over many years. It is partly a design process, partly it's an architectural exercise," he added. The EAM said that "PM Modi's India is different from its predecessors". "It is different in its outlook. If you look today at the politics of India, the representation of India, at the thinking, the parlance, the metaphors, the policies, it is the result of 75 years of a very deep democracy whose inclusiveness has really brought forth leadership and a thought process that is really authentically Indian," he added. The country grows when the states grow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the 8th governing council meeting of the Niti Aayog on Saturday, calling for a ground-up approach to make India a developed economy by 2047. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 8th Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog on Saturday. (PTI) In his address, PM Modi said that Indias goal of becoming a developed country had to be achieved within the bounds of fiscal prudence. It is very important that our future generations not be burdened by our present activities, he said. He added that India is now at a take-off stage and that the country had to grab a never-before opportunity. The meeting was, however, overshadowed by 11 chief ministers skipping the event, prompting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to call the boycott by someunfortunate. The chief ministers who skipped the meeting included Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Bhagwant Mann (Punjab), Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Nitish Kumar (Bihar), K Chandrashekar Rao (Telangana), MK Stalin (Tamil Nadu), Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan), Siddaramaiah (Karnataka), Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala), Naveen Patnaik (Odisha), and N Biren Singh (Manipur). Read: 'Photo khichwane?': Punjab CM Mann defends decision to skip Niti Aayog meeting Niti Aayog is an important platform for the countrys development plan. This is its eighth governing council meeting. Its boycott by some state chief ministers is unfortunate, said senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Chief ministers not showing up to the meeting means they are not willing to present the issues of their people in the council, Prasad said. You will get more opportunities to oppose Modi. But why are you causing harm to the people of your state? he asked at a press briefing at the BJP headquarters in Delhi. Briefing the media on the developments of the meeting, themed Viksit Bharat @2047, Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam, quoting the PM, said that every state will soon have a Niti Aayog-like institution so that governments at both the Centre and state-level can work in a collective manner. India grows when states grow and the most important sectors, such as education, health and agriculture are in the domain of the states. We all should have a collective vision and Niti Aayog has been a successful model for Centre-state cooperation, Subrahmanyam quoted PM Modi as saying. The absence of chief ministers from the Saturday meeting comes amid a pitched tussle between the BJP-led Centre and a host of Opposition parties, who have demanded that President Droupadi Murmu, not Prime Minister Modi, inaugurate the new Parliament complex. Fissures have also grown over the Centres May 19 ordinance, which restored control over services in Delhi to the Centre under the lieutenant governor (LG) and essentially overruled a Supreme Court order. In a letter to the Prime Minister on Friday, Kejriwal said that he was boycotting the meeting in protest against the undemocratic and unconstitutional ordinance. Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) colleague, Bhagwant Mann, on his part, said that he would stay away from the governing council meeting because the Union government was ignoring issues related to farmers. In West Bengal, Trinamool Congress leaders said CM Mamata Banerjee, who would not attend the meeting, proposed the names of finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and chief secretary HK Dwivedi as her representatives. But the Centre replied that only chief ministers could attend, they added. Other CMs, meanwhile, cited prior commitments for their inability to attend the meeting. Read: 'No sense': Nitish Kumar on new Parliament building event, Niti Aayog meet While senior members of the Bihar cabinet said that Nitish Kumar expressed his inability to attend because of prior commitments, people in KCRs office said that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president had a scheduled meeting with Kejriwal in Hyderabad. Officials in Tamil Nadu said that Stalin, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president, is on a three-day trip to Singapore and Japan. Gehlots office said he was unwell, while functionaries from Patnaiks Biju Janata Dal said the CM was busy with meetings in the state. Manipur CM Biren Singh is, meanwhile, dealing with ethnic violence in his state. Condemning the Oppositions protest, he said, On behalf of the party, we want to raise this issue seriously. How far will you go protesting against Modi? You did not come to lay the foundation stone of the Parliament, you will not come to its inauguration. Modi jis international popularity has increased and you are commenting on that too. The council, headed by the Prime Minister, who is the chairman of the Niti Aayog, includes all state chief ministers and lieutenant governors (LGs) of Union territories. Representatives from 19 states and six Union territories attended the meeting. Among them, Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel asked for the councils intervention in iron ore being made available to units in his state. Goa CM Pramod Sawant thanked the PM for assigning the highest number of G20 meetings (nine) and SCO meetings (four) to Goa. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren sought central assistance in developing the states road network, and Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy called for reductions in expenditure on logistics. Read: BJP flays CM Mann for skipping Niti Aayog meet On other states choosing to boycott the deliberations, CEO Subramaniam said: These states obviously missed the enriching discussions. The loss is of these states. But Niti Aayog will support and work with all states on all issues. The meeting discussed eight prominent themes: Viksit Bharat@2047, MSMEs, infrastructure and investments, minimising compliances, women empowerment, health and nutrition, skills and Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure. In his opening remarks, the PM said the country was now prepared to make the leap from basic infrastructure, such as roads, housing and water, to advanced and integrated infrastructure to be built in states, such as the ambitious Gati Shakti Master Plan to boost multi-modal connectivity. The idea to use Gati Shakti to decide on where to locate and build school or a public health facility, Subrahmanyam said after the meeting. The Niti Aayogs aspirational districts programme (ADP), which is focused on speeding up development in 112 districts which historically have poor socio-economic indicators, was a model for Centre-state cooperation and an aspirational blocks programme is in the offing, the PM said. To be sure, India is currently a lower-middle income country with a gross national income per capita (GNI) of $2170, according to the World Bank. Developed economies typically have a GNI per capita of $13205, according to the World Banks classification. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday inaugurate the countrys new Parliament complex, in an occasion that will represent a landmark shift to a new building that will house the heart of Indias democracy, amid an acerbic tussle between the Centre and several Opposition parties, who stayed firm on their plan to boycott the event. An illuminated view of the new Parliament House Building on Saturday. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo) Sundays inauguration will mark the end of three years of construction work and showcase the highlight of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union governments ambitious Central Vista revamp project. The new building is aimed at providing greater space and comfort for parliamentarians and modern amenities not available in its predecessor. The sprawling complex will also symbolise the replacement of Indias existing, iconic, colonial-era Parliament building, built in 1927, which served as the seat of the countrys popular will for 75 years. Read: How new Parliament building is different from the existing one On Saturday afternoon, Modi, retweeting a video of the new Parliament, said, May this Temple of Democracy continue strengthening Indias development trajectory and empowering millions. In a second tweet, Modi added, Several people are expressing their joy on #MyParliamentMyPride. Through very emotional voice-overs they are conveying a spirit of pride that our nation is getting a new Parliament which will keep working to fulfil peoples aspirations with more vigour. The ceremony has already been awash in controversy after 21 opposition parties including the Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party decided to keep away from the event, arguing that President Droupadi Murmu should have presided over the inauguration, not Prime Minister Modi. Congress leader Gourav Vallabh on Saturday accused the Union government of destroying the traditional customs of the countrys democratic framework. For their part, the government and the BJP have urged the opposition parties to rethink their decision and called the boycott an insult to democracy. Union minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday called the boycott an insult. It is a different matter that some people got barred from Parliament. Earlier, they used to find excuses for not allowing Parliament to function. Now, they are talking of boycott which is also an insult, he said, seemingly referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhis disqualification from Parliament after his conviction in a defamation case. The event is expected to begin at 7.30am, said people aware of the matter, with a puja at the sprawling new complex, to be conducted in the presence of 21 religious leaders, or Adheenams, who flew in from Chennai on Saturday. Modi met the Adheenams on Saturday at his residence, where they handed him the 5-ft-long sceptre, or Sengol, which will be installed near the Lok Sabha speakers seat as a symbolic transfer of power. This has also emerged as a key point of contention between Opposition parties and the Centre. The Congress has questioned the governments assertion that the Sengol was used to symbolise the transfer of power at the moment of Indias Independence, though the BJP dismissed the criticism saying the opposition party disliked Indian culture. Read: Left in the lurch, labelled walking stick: Modi jabs Congress over Sengol After the Sengol is installed on Sunday, Modi will lead a ceremony inside the new Lok Sabha chamber, which can accommodate nearly 900 people. The programme will also showcase modern facilities of the new building, which is likely to start functioning from the monsoon session in July. Political tensions have simmered for days now over the PMs decision to open the building. Opposition parties said that as the President summons, prorogues and addresses Parliament, and her assent is a must for any act to become law, her not inaugurating the building is an insult to her office. It undermines the spirit of inclusion which saw the nation celebrate its first woman adivasi President, said a statement released by 19 Opposition groups on Wednesday. The list of signatories also included the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Janata Dal (United), Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Indian Union Muslim League, National Conference, Communist Party of India, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Kerala Congress (Mani), Vidhuthalai Chirunthaigal Katchi, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Revolutionary Socialist Party, and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Separately, two more parties, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), also said they would stay away from the event. Read: India to get new Parliament building: 10 things you should know about complex Leaders of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) pushed back against the Oppositions decision. A statement by the alliance signed, among others, by BJP chief JP Nadda, Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma said the decision to boycott the ceremony is not merely disrespectful; it is a blatant affront to the democratic ethos and constitutional values of our great nation. To be sure, not all non-BJP parties are boycotting the event. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), YSR Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Janata Dal (Secular), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have said they will attend the event. Meanwhile on Saturday, Lok Sabha officials remained at work, sharpening and rehearsing numerous drills, along with briefings by security personnel to ensure that Sundays proceedings go off without a hitch. Security across Lutyens Delhi will be amped up on Sunday, with a host of checks in place, police officers have said. A total of 80 companies will be deployed across the Capital, senior police officers said. They added that 45 companies from the total force will be deployed in the New Delhi district alone, which will include 15 companies of women personnel. One company has 70 personnel. Traffic restrictions will also be in place till 3pm on roads around the Parliament complex. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired the eighth governing council meeting of NITI Aayog in the national capital. However, 11 chief ministers didn't attend the huddle. During the meeting, the PM expressed his gratitude to the chief ministers and lieutenant governors for attending the meeting and sharing their views and experiences, the NITI Aayog said in a statement. Modi said NITI Aayog will study the states concerns, challenges, and best practices and subsequently plan the way forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 8th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Saturday.(Twitter/ANI) Chief Minister/Lt. Governors gave various policy-level suggestions. They mentioned specific issues pertaining to the States which require Centre-State cooperation. Some of the key suggestions and best practices highlighted by them included in areas like opting for green strategies, need for zone-wise planning, tourism, urban planning, agriculture, quality of workmanship, logistics, among others, the NITI Aayog statement read. "NITI Aayog meeting was really good...I want to thank PM Modi. The way he wants to move forward with team India, a glimpse of that was visible there", Tripura chief minister Manik Saha said. The prime minister's meeting comes amid the controversy over the inauguration of new parliament building which is scheduled to take place on Sunday. However, NITI Aayog chief executive officer (CEO) BVR Subrahmanyam said the absentees might have had their personal reasons. "11 Chief Ministers didn't attend the meeting. But several other Chief Ministers did. I have seen similar attendance in previous NITI Aayog Governing Council meetings. They might have their personal reasons..," he added. If you don't attend (the meeting) you miss out on the discussion, on the rich thinking. It is not as if we will boycott someone, we will work together. Govt of India forms policies and it is not as if the states who didn't attend will be left out but loss is of those who don't participate, Subrahmanyam added. ALSO READ: Irresponsible, anti-people: BJP slams CMs boycotting Niti Aayog meeting Earlier, eight chief ministers had chosen to skip the meeting due to various reasons. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had decided to boycott the meeting because of the controversy surrounding the Centre's ordinance limiting his government's powers. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar also did not attend because of his prior commitments. West Bengal did not have any representative at the meet because the TMC government's request to send the state finance minister and chief secretary was reportedly turned down by the Centre. Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhara Rao also did not attend the meeting because he was in a huddle with Kejriwal at that time. The theme (of the meeting) was Viksit Bharat...Why is Viksit Bharat so important at this point? It is important because India is at a takeoff moment. We are not only the largest country by population but also the 5th largest economy. The fifth is going to become the third in a couple of years, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge; Rahul Gandhi and other political leaders on Saturday remembered India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 59th death anniversary and paid tributes. On his death anniversary, I pay tributes to our former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Modi tweeted. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary, at Shanti Van in New Delhi, Saturday. (PTI) Congress leaders, including Kharge, general secretary KC Venugopal and former MP Rahul Gandhi, paid floral tribute to Nehru at Delhi's Shanti Van. Sharing a video, Gandhi paid homage to his great-grandfather and he wrote, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy stands tall, like a beacon, illuminating the idea of India and the values he dedicated his life for - Freedom, Democracy, Secularism & Modernity. His vision and values always guide our conscience and actions, Rahul added. Kharge, in a tweet in Hindi, said, India of the 21st century cannot be imagined without the contribution of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. A fearless watchdog of democracy, his progressive ideas strongly propelled India's social, political, and economic development despite challenges. My humble tribute to 'Jawahar of Hind'. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also paid his homage to the leader. Respectful tribute to freedom fighter and architect of modern India, former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary. The entire nation is indebted to you for your invaluable contribution in the freedom of the country and building of New India, he tweeted in Hindi. QUEEN ELIZABETH had lunch today with six Commonwealth Prime Ministers-first time in history that the Commonwealth Premiers have joined to entertain the Sovereign. HT This Day: May 28, 1953 -- Queen lunches with premiers Six days before her Coronation, the Queen drove through crowded streets to ancient Westminster Hall to meet the Prime Ministers of Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Southern Rhodesia. With them were Ministers and politicians from Commonwealth Parliaments. The lunch, given by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, was the Queens first formal engagement of the Coronation season. Taking part in the lunch were six of the nine Commonwealth Prime Ministers attending the Coronation: Sir Winston Churchill (Britain), Mr St. Laurent (Canada), Mr Robert Menzies (Australia), Mr Sidney Holland (New Zealand), Mr Mohammed Ali (Pakistan), and Sir Godfrey Huggins (Southern Rhodesia). Mr Dudley Senanayake (Ceylon) is also in London but was unable to attend. Mr Nehru and Dr Malan are not due here until Friday. The ancient hall- scene of many dramas during the last 900 years - was today set in gleaming colours with spring flowers. The Queen presided in accordance with tradition, Westminster Hall being a royal palace. With her and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the top table were Sir Winston Churchill and the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia. TOAST PROPOSED The toast of Her Majesty was proposed by the Australian Minister of Labour and National Service, Mr Holt, who presided in his capacity of Chairman of the General Council of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Mr Holt said the Queen was a young Queen for a young Commonwealth, both with bright expectancy-the forward looking quality of youth. The Commonwealth was still young and growing up. Your Commonwealth is responding, as you have counselled us, to the spirit of adventure, he said. We feel the urge to develop our great resources, and as the young countries of our Commonwealth grow in strength, so we strengthen the whole. What a Commonwealth we have within our power to build. We can muster the resources of one-fifth of the worlds land mass; we can harness the skill of some 600 million self-governing people. The greatest days of this Commonwealth are still ahead of us. Mr Holt handed the Queen a souvenir book of pictures of the Commonwealth parliaments. The Queen, who sat down to prolonged cheers, was followed by Sir Winston Churchill who declared: Here today in this hall we salute 50 or 60 parliaments and one Queen. The Prime Minister said: It is no longer a case of the Queen versus Parliament but the Queen and Parliament. In our island by trial and error and perseverance across the centuries we have found out a very good plan. Here it is. The Queen can do no wrong. Bad advisers can be changed as often as the people like to use their rights for that purpose. A great battle is lost: Parliament turns out the Government. A great battle is won; crowds cheer the Queen. Replying to the toast, the Queen said: It is a stirring thought that all these legislatures are descended from the Assembly which first met under this roof nearly seven centuries ago. We stand here in the Palace of Westminster, which is the home of the Mother of Parliaments. Of the many ties linking this family of nations, not the least is that system of parliamentary government which is common to us all. VIVID MEMORIES I have vivid memories of my visits during my fathers lifetime to Commonwealth parliaments overseas, and I am looking forward with pleasure to seeing others during my forthcoming tour. To this great Association I offer my best wishes for the coming deliberations. Sir Winston, who proposed a vote of thanks to the Queen, said some people in other countries might say the Commonwealth wanted to have it all ways at once. I see no harm in that, he said. We are seeking the best of all worlds and certainly we have got the pick of this one. We must be very careful these days what we say about the American Constitution- I perhaps more than any because of my American forebears. Amid applause the Prime Minister said, he would say no constitution had been written in better English. The key thought alike of the British constitutional monarchy and the republic of the U.S.A. is the hatred of dictatorship. Sir John Kotelawala, Vice-Chairman of the Council of the Association and leader of the House of Representatives in Ceylon, recalled Elizabeth. He said: It is a matter of history that the foundations of the British Empire were laid during the reign of - Elizabeth and that it received great support and encouragement from the Sovereign herself. That Empire grew and flourished and it became one of the most powerful the world had ever known. Queen Elizabeth II commenced her reign as Queen of the Empire of free nations. Each of its individual choice had accepted her as Sovereign. It was their hope that during her reign the number of those nations would increase. The nations of the Commonwealth were many of various races and religious division, each having to contend with different conditions and different problems. But the aspirations and purposes of these nations were the same. The unity of the Commonwealth was characterized by the free and unanimous acceptance of Her Majesty as its head. UNIFYING FORCE Mr St. Laurent stressed the unifying force within the Commonwealth of common loyalty to the Crown. To outsiders it is frequently a great source of wonderment how an association like the Commonwealth, whose members are so widely scattered over the globe, who have such diverse interests, who comprise so many ethnic elements, can possibly survive as a harmonious international entity, he said. If they, who are perplexed, could have been with us this afternoon they would be better able to understand why this achievement of the Commonwealth has been possible. Of the forces which bind us together none is stronger than our common loyalty to the Crown and devotion to our Sovereign even in those lands where the most formal expression of that devotion has to be found in the recognition of Her Majesty as the head of a Commonwealth broad enough to include a State whose people prefer it to be called a republic. Mr St. Laurent recalled that 58 years ago people from all parts of the British Empire assembled in London to pay homage to Queen Victoria during her diamond jubilee. There had been changes in the Empire since that time. Over 90 per cent of the peoples, who formed part of the British world in 1897. have assumed and they exercise full responsibility for the management of all their internal and external affairs. For them even the name of Empire has been changed to Commonwealth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed Adheenams at his residence on the eve of the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The event was marked by the arrival of the Tamil Nadu based spiritual group, who had arrived in Delhi earlier today, to hand over the historic Sengol to PM Modi, which will be installed in the new Parliament building on Sunday. Adheenams handed over the 'Sengol' to PM Modi at his residence in Delhi on Saturday. PM Modi said he was elated that the Adheenams would be present at the inauguration ceremony tomorrow to bless the auspicious occasion. Tamil Nadu played a very crucial role in the independence struggle of IndiaRani Velu Nachiyar and many other people belonging to Tamil Nadu have always exhibited values of nationalism in different eras, PM Modi said, alleging that despite the valuable contributions, Tamil Nadu was not given its due credit in the chapters chronicling the freedom movement. Taking a veiled jibe at the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance governments, PM Modi said, It would have been better if the Sengol had been given its due place in historybut it left in the lurch in a museum in Prayagraj, labelled as walking stick...the present government will place the Sengol in the new Parliament building and revive its history The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prominently raked this issue(due to our efforts)...the public has come to know of the step motherly treatment given to Tamil Nadu.... he said. Speaking on the significance of the Sengol, PM Modi said, The historic sceptre symbolises the shift of powerIn Tamil Nadus tradition, whoever was handed over the Sengol, was trusted with the welfare of the country. He further referred to the special Sengol (which will be installed in Parliament) that was prepared by the leader of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam in 1947. it holds high significance because it not only represented a shift of power, it served as a connecting bridge between the ancient and glorious traditions of India of pre-colonial times and the future of the independent India, PM Modi said. He also hailed the contribution of the Adheenams in carrying the legacy of historical traditions and said that the renewed spotlight on Sengol will reintroduce their crucial role in nation building. He hailed the social works carried out by the spiritual group towards helping people, and promoting togetherness and kindness, and said that togetherness will bring Indians closer". Emphasising the importance of preserving this unity, he remarked, those who don't like Indias progress, try to divide our countrys unity. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON " " The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species from Asia. In seven years, it has spread from Berks County, northwest of Philadelphia, to large areas of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and adjacent states both south and north. Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle/Getty Images The spotted lanternfly was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to 26 counties in that state and at least six other Eastern states. It's moving into southern New England, Ohio and Indiana. This approximately 1-inch-long (2.54-centimeter-long) species from Asia has attractive polka-dotted front wings but can infest and kill trees and plants. Professor Frank Hale is an entomologist who is tracking this species. Advertisement How Did the Spotted Lanternfly Get to the U.S., and How Quickly Is It Spreading? It is native to India, China and Vietnam and probably arrived in a cut stone shipment in 2012. The first sighting was in 2014 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on a tree of heaven a common invasive tree brought to North America from China in the late 1700s. By July 2021 the lanternfly had spread to about half of Pennsylvania, large areas of New Jersey, parts of New York state, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. It also had been found in western Connecticut, eastern Ohio and now Indiana. To give an idea of how fast these lanternflies spread, they were introduced into South Korea in 2004 and spread throughout that entire country which is approximately the size of Pennsylvania in only three years. " " In only seven years, the spotted lanternfly has infested large areas of the Middle Atlantic and has begun to push into Connecticut. New York State Integrated Pest Management Program Advertisement How Do They Spread So Fast? The lanternflies lay egg masses in late summer and autumn on the trunks of trees and any smooth-surfaced item sitting outdoors. The egg masses, which resemble smears of dry mud, can also be laid on the smooth surfaces of cars, trucks and trains. Then, they can be unintentionally transported to any part of the country in just a few days. Once the eggs hatch, they crawl to nearby host plants to start a new infestation. Advertisement How Do They Damage Trees and Plants? What Do They Feed On? They feed by piercing the bark of trees and vines to tap into the plant's vascular system to feast on sap. For a sucking insect, lanternflies are relatively big. They remove large amounts of sap and excrete copious amounts of clear, sticky "honeydew" that can coat the tree and anything beneath. A black sooty mold grows wherever the honeydew has been deposited. While unsightly, sooty mold isn't harmful when growing on the bark of the tree or beneath it. Lanternfly feeding seriously stresses trees and vines, which lose carbohydrates and other nutrients meant for storage in the roots and eventually for new growth. Infested trees and vines grow more slowly, exhibit dieback begin to die from the branch tips and can even die. " " Collected spotted lanternfly specimens on display at the Berks County Ag Center in Berks County, Pennsylvania. MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images Advertisement How Are Scientists and Officials Trying to Stop Their Spread? Biological control shows some promise for the future. Two naturally occurring fungal pathogens of spotted lanternflies have been identified in the U.S. Also, U.S. labs are testing two parasitoid insects insects that grow by feeding on lanternflies and killing them in the process that have been brought from China for testing and possible future release. Advertisement How Worried Should People Be About This Lanternfly? Very worried. Lanternflies easily build to high numbers. The area where host trees live is relatively wide, and lanternflies damage crops, the forest and the landscape. They damage many plants and cause a major nuisance to the general public. The heavy flow of honeydew and the resulting sooty mold makes a mess of the landscape. The adults start to aggregate on plants and structures to lay their egg masses in September. Their sudden, mass appearance can be alarming to people the way periodical cicada populations shock people when they come out of the ground. But lanternflies are more shocking because the few predators that could feed on them, like wheel bugs and predatory stink bugs, do not seem to control the infestations. That is why the introduction of parasitoids from Asia are important for achieving some meaningful level of biological control. Lanternflies can be a serious pest of grapes, and where found, they have reduced grape yields and damaged or killed vines. Multiple applications of insecticides are often needed to kill them, but this increases the cost of crop production. The pest threatens the major wine-producing regions in the East, such as the Finger Lakes and Long Island in New York; parts of Virginia; and Newport, Rhode Island. " " This spotted lanternfly nymph is in the fourth instar stage of the life cycle. MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images Advertisement Have any Other Pests Similarly Damaged Trees? Yes, the emerald ash borer, which arrived in the U.S. from China by accident and was discovered in 2002. It has killed millions of ash trees in North America. The Asian longhorned beetle, which feeds on and kills many species of trees, has turned up in multiple locations, most recently near Charleston, South Carolina. Maple, buckeye, horse chestnut, willow and elm would be threatened if this pest ever got widely established. The box tree moth damages boxwoods and is known to live in Canada. It has been seen in Connecticut, Michigan and South Carolina. It possibly was spread accidentally into the U.S. in shipments of boxwoods from Canada. It is not known to be established in any state, but a federal government order has halted importing host plants like boxwood, euonymus and holly from Canada. Advertisement What Should I Do if I See One? If it has already infested the region where you live and you find spotted lanternflies on your property, contact your local county extension office for control recommendations. But if it has not been found in your county or state, report it to your state department of agriculture. If the infestation is caught early before it can become established in your area, hopefully it can be eradicated there. Eventually, it will spread to many parts of the country. We can slow the spread by identifying and eradicating new infestations wherever they arise. Frank A. Hale is a professor of horticultural crop entomology at the University of Tennessee. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday hailed the inauguration of new parliament complex, calling it a magnificent new home for the people who uphold our constitution. What a magnificent new home for the people who uphold our Constitution, represent every citizen of this great Nation and protect the diversity of her one People @narendramodi ji. A new Parliament building for a New India but with the age old dream of Glory for India. Jai Hind! #MyParliamentMyPride, the superstar tweeted. ALSO READ: How new Parliament building is different from the existing one Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new parliament building on Sunday at a mega event. Built at a cost of 971 crore, the new parliament complex can accommodate 888 Lok Sabha members and 300 members in the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is being designed to accommodate joint sessions, and will be able to host 1,272 members. Shah Rukh Khan called the new parliament a magnificent new home for the people who uphold Constitution.(AP) The triangular-shaped building is a part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. It will have a constitutional hall, and is said to be divyang friendly. The new complex has a central lounge to complement the open courtyard. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are based on Indias national bird (peacock) and national flower (lotus) respectively. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A US Congressional Committee has recommended strengthening Nato Plus by including India in the five-member grouping to win the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party. File photo of US President Joe Biden and Indian PM Narendra Modi The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) overwhelmingly adopted a policy proposal to enhance Taiwans deterrence, including through strengthening Nato Plus to include India, at a meeting on May 24. The committee is led by chairman Mike Gallagher and ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi. Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the United States strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India. Including India in Nato Plus security arrangements would build upon the US and Indias close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region, the Select Committee said in the recommendations released on Wednesday. While the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or Nato, is a 31-member alliance, with 29 European nations, and two American, the Nato Plus, currently Nato Plus 5, is a security arrangement that brings together Nato and five aligned nations Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea to boost global defence cooperation. Bringing India on board would facilitate seamless intelligence sharing between these countries and India would access the latest military technology without much of a time lag, the recommendations said. The development has come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the US next month. Read: PM Modi to address US Congress? Ro Khanna confident of invite The panel, formed in January, has no authority to draft or amend laws. It is tasked with making recommendations to legislative committees before the end of the year. Its members 13 Republican and 11 Democratic representatives sit on various House committees with jurisdiction over the recommendations, including armed services and foreign affairs. In its set of recommendations, the China Committee said that economic sanctions against Beijing in case of an attack on Taiwan will be most effective if key allies such as G7, Nato, Nato+5, and Quad members join, and negotiating a joint response and broadcasting this message publicly have the added benefit of enhancing deterrence. India is already a key member of the Quad grouping, which also includes the US, Australia and Japan, and the thinking within the American establishment clearly seems to be in favour of taking New Delhi aboard the wider Nato-Plus platform given the increasing clout that the South Asian giant wields in a multipolar world beset with geopolitical tensions that have come to a boil with the Russia-Ukraine war. Read: China was the elephant in the room in Quad summit in Hiroshima Much like we do joint contingency planning for war fighting, we need to coordinate in peacetime with US allies. To that end, Congress should pass legislation similar to the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2023 that mandates the development of an economic sanctions package to be employed in the event of a PRC attack on Taiwan, it said. It should also pass legislation to counter the CCPs economic coercion, including by providing tools to support foreign partners targeted by the PRCs economic coercion. The flip side of economic deterrence is economic engagement with Taiwan, the committee said. Accordingly, Congress should support efforts to reduce the taxation burden on US-Taiwan cross-border investment as well as broader trade negotiations with a particular focus on developing shared standards and regulations to combat the CCPs unfair economic policies, the committee said. The United States should strengthen the Nato Plus arrangement to include India. The United States should also strengthen diplomatic deterrence by supporting Taiwans participation in international organizations and amending the TAIPEI Act to provide that the United States, alongside its allies and partners, should publicly oppose any attempts by the CCP to resolve the status of Taiwans sovereignty by intentionally misusing, misinterpreting, and misleading others on the underlying purpose of UN Resolution 2758 or the United States One China Policy, it stated. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued an orange alert for Haryana, north-east Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and predicted thunderstorm along with light to moderated rainfall in Delhi for the next two days. It said that the current developments in the weather condition is due to the moisture from the Arabian Sea. The weather agency in its forecast predicted possibility of heavy rain in north-east Uttar Pradesh and thunderstorm in other areas on Sunday. The weather agency in its forecast predicted possibility of heavy rain in north-east Uttar Pradesh and thunderstorm in other areas on Sunday. "Due to the moisture from the Arabian Sea, northwest India will have similar weather today and tomorrow. From tomorrow its effect will be mainly in UP and will reduce from the next day onwards. There will be thunderstorms in North-Western India for 5 days. There is a possibility of thunderstorms in Delhi for the next 3-4 days," Dr Soma Sen Roy, IMD scientist, said. Earlier in the day, strong winds and thunderstorm lashed Delhi-NCR giving respite from heatwave. The weather department also predicted rain in national capital for the next two to three days and no heat wave is predicted until May 30. Similar conditions were also witnessed in Rajasthan where thunderstorms coupled with gusty winds and light to moderate rains were recorded at isolated pockets in the state in the last 24 hours. According to a PTI report, a total of 13 deaths related to rain and storm have been reported in the state in the last two days. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As a blanket of blazing heat descends on the north Indian plains, its time for the great summer exodus to the hills. Today, hill stations (at least the popular ones) are known more for traffic jams and unmanageable crowds than for their traditional charms. But there was a time when they offered the undiluted pleasures of promenading down the Mall, walking amidst whispering deodar trees, enjoying cool weather and a bracing breeze. PREMIUM Shimla, 2021. Indias more popular hill stations are known more for their traffic and concretisation than as breezy getaways, today. (HT Archives) At a time when exotic overseas vacations were not the norm, hill-station holidays also held out the promise of romance, excitement, and experiences outside ones normal, mundane life. Hindi writers of the 1950s and 60s seized on this possibility and wrote captivating stories set in Mussoorie, Ranikhet, Shimla, Nainital and other such retreats. Singling out just a few is not easy, but Ill go with two stories, both by women: one by the very-well-known Usha Priyamvada, now 92, who has seven novels and over 40 short stories to her credit; the other by a lesser-known writer whom even Hindi-speaking readers may not be familiar with, the talented Zahra Rai (1917-1993; incidentally, the wife of Premchands son Sripat Rai). Priyamvadas story, Poorti, was written in 1958 and Rais Lamhe in 1961. They depict the yearnings of two very different young single women, for whom a fleeting encounter in the hills becomes a memory they will cherish all their lives; a memory to help them through difficult, desolate times. Poorti (Hindi for Fulfilment) is the story of a lonely college teacher named Tara who breaks away from her indifferent family to live on her own. She tells herself that shes happy; she likes her work, shes independent. But there is an emptiness to her life. Tara goes with a group of women teachers and girl students to Mussoorie, and stays back for a few days on her own after everyone else has left. Nalin is in a neighbouring cottage, and has been the object of much interest among the girls and teachers. Once shes alone, Tara goes for long walks on Camels Back Road and watches the lights of Dehradun on twilit evenings. She bumps into Nalin off and on, on rainy evenings outside their cottages or in a Mall Road restaurant, where they have tea together. They get to know one another a little better and she discovers that hes married. But that doesnt stop the frisson between them from culminating in a night of lovemaking. Tara returns to her little room in the college and her quiet life, but she no longer thinks of herself as alone. The protagonist of Lamhe (Moments) couldnt be more different from the diffident Tara. Young and beautiful, shes very conscious of the effect she has on men. She doesnt shy away from admiring good-looking men herself, even if its just a strapping, well-built young lad carrying her luggage. Shes in Ranikhet on holiday, alone, unwinding after her MA exams (in English literature). Her mother had opposed the idea but she was supported by her abba, who understood her need to be by herself. What who is she looking for? Is it love? She doesnt know. Revelling in the feeling of being by herself, she checks into a hotel room that looks out onto snow-capped peaks. She spends time putting on makeup and a green silk sari. At breakfast she notices a handsome young Iranian man with a winning smile. In a few days, they are smiling at each other (she takes extra care to smile as sweetly as she can), and soon strike up an acquaintance. She invites him to her hotel room for coffee and they flirt lightly. They begin meeting regularly, and while walking down a deserted mountain path, he takes her in his arms and kisses her. Its her first kiss, a delicate, precious moment that will stay in a corner of her heart. These are stories of love in the hills, but the misty gloam and dimly lit roads also provide haunting backdrops for tales of loss and loneliness. Mohan Rakesh (1925-1972) wrote a series of melancholic stories such as Doraha (Crossroads), and Miss Pal, replete with memorable images. Dorahas protagonist Kesari walks on a mountain road late in the evening, wrapped in an overcoat, smoking a cigarette; Miss Pal lives alone in a cottage in Kullu, trying desperately to escape her stifling life in a Delhi office. Rakeshs 1968 novel, Na Aanewala Kal, is set in a school in the hills, where the protagonist, Manoj, is trapped in a life he didnt want, with a wife and a job (as Hindi master) that he cant bear. Rakesh, an inveterate traveller himself, taught at Shimlas Bishop Cotton School for two years. It is a vastly different world that these writers would encounter in the winding, hilly lanes today. Today, the rust-removing lubricant WD-40 has no patent, because the company doesnt want to reveal its formula. KFCs secret blend of herbs and spices is made by two different suppliers, so that neither has the full recipe. In a similar vein, Arab traders spun elaborate lies to keep Europeans from finding out where they sourced their spices. PREMIUM An illustration of the port of Calicut, the heart of the spice trade, in 1572, as seen in Civitates orbis Terrarum, a 17th-century atlas of world cities. (Wikimedia Commons) They claimed to collect cinnamon from the nests of giant birds who gathered these bits of bark from unknown trees. The traders left huge chunks of meat for the birds to carry to their nests, they said; the nests would crack and crash from their weight, raining cinnamon onto the ground. The lore around pepper was equally imaginative. Snakes guarded huge pepper forests in the East, the traders said. In order to drive them away, farmers had to set fire to the pepper trees, which is why the kernels ended up black and shrivelled. Of course, it wasnt the myths that kept Europeans away. It was sheer distance. The Arab traders were perfectly situated to build a monopoly and, amid soaring demand, prices soared too. Pepper was nicknamed the black gold. By the 1st century CE, the philosopher and military commander Pliny the Elder was complaining that the price of cinnamon had risen to 5 kg of silver for 350 gm. He was concerned, he said, that spices were draining away Roman wealth. Meanwhile, farmers in India couldnt understand what Europe wanted with so much pepper. Indians used it in food, of course; but they also used turmeric, ginger, cumin and a range of other spices. There was much scratching of heads until it was finally agreed that English houses were so cold that the walls were plastered with crushed pepper in order to produce heat, Giles Milton writes in his book Nathaniels Nutmeg: How One Mans Courage Changed the Course of History (1999), about the British-Dutch battle over that spice. Today, theres nutmeg in our lattes and cinnamon on doughnuts. But the secrets hidden in these plants are still being unravelled. Were learning, for instance, why Ceylon cinnamon is considered true cinnamon. There are two categories of this spice in nature: Ceylon cinnamon (C. verum) and Cassia. The former has a richer, well-rounded flavour. The latter grows in China (C. Cassia), Vietnam (C. loureirii) and Indonesia (C. burmanni), and isnt very highly prized. Heres why. All cinnamon contains an oil named cinnamaldehyde. Cassia is 95% cinnamaldehyde, giving it a sharp but unidimensional flavour. Ceylon cinnamon is only about 55% cinnamaldehyde. The rest of it is mild, floral notes made up of compounds such as linalool and eugenol, which are activated when it is ground up or cooked as part of a dish. All cinnamon also contains coumarin, a flavouring compound that can cause liver damage if consumed in very large doses. Yet again, Ceylon cinnamon edges out Cassia, with only 0.004% coumarin against the latters minimum of 0.5%. As for the king of spices, pepper, readers of last weeks column will remember how Christopher Columbus said he sensed a link between it and the chillies he encountered in Hispaniola. Well, the chemical compound that gives pepper its spice, piperine, is 100 times less powerful than the capsaicin in chillies. Even that pungency added quite a punch to the bland foods that Europeans had been eating. But pepper isnt remarkable just for its pungency; it also brings bags of flavour to the table. The berry contains a range of aroma compounds such as terpenes, pinene and limonene that are activated when it is ground, lending trademark woody notes and piquant elements to a dish. This would make pepper the spice that changed the world, driving generations of piracy, war and invasion. If they hadnt been chasing its high, it is possible that Europes interest in India, and Asia, would have evolved very differently. Its possible a man named Vasco da Gama would not have risked lives trying to round the Cape of Good Hope, over 500 years ago, opening the door to that strangest of experiments, a form of governance driven by traders that would come to be called colonialism. (To reach Swetha Sivakumar with questions or feedback, email upgrademyfood@gmail.com) The future is going to be weird, Elon Musk said in 2020, as he explained the potential uses of brain implants developed by his neurotechnology company Neuralink. Over the past seven years, the company has been developing a computer chip designed to be implanted into the brain, where it monitors the acitivity of thousands of neurons. (Also read: Beyond Elon Musk's Neuralink, here are 3 other jaw-dropping human-machine techs) Is the potential of brain implants like those developed by Neuralink pure science fiction?(Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto/picture alliance) The chip officially considered a "brain-computer interface" (BCI) consists of a tiny probe containing more than 3,000 electrodes attached to flexible threads thinner than a human hair. Musk wants to link the brain with computers to allow information and memories from deep inside the mind to be downloaded, like in the 1999 science fiction film "The Matrix." As well as using the technology to try and treat conditions like blindness and paralysis, Musk has voiced ambitions to use Neuralink to achieve human telepathy, which he says would help humanity prevail in a war against artificial intelligence. He also said he wants the technology to provide people with "super vision." Neuralink revealed on Thursday that it has received the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval to launch its first in-human clinical study. Sci-fi or reality? Are any of Musk's sci-fi ideas feasible? Short answer: no. We cannot read people's minds. The amount of information that we can decode from the brain is very limited, said Giacomo Valle, a neural engineer at the University of Chicago, US. Juan Alvaro Gallego, a BCI researcher at Imperial College London, UK, agreed, arguing it's hard to imagine BCIs reading our minds in this lifetime. The fundamental problem is that we don't really know where or how thoughts are stored in the brain. We can't read thoughts if we don't understand the neuroscience behind them, Gallego told DW. Clinical uses of BCIs grounded in reality Musk first showcased the Neuralink technology in 2019, introducing a pig with a Neuralink chip implanted in its brain and a video of a monkey controlling a pong paddle with its mind. But the potential for BCIs goes far beyond animals playing games. Gallego said the technology was first developed to help people paralyzed with spinal injuries or conditions like Locked-in syndrome when a patient is fully conscious but can't move any part of the body except the eyes to communicate. If you [could] translate their internal communication into words on a computer, it would be life-changing, said Gallego. In these sorts of cases, BCIs are designed to record electrical signals from neurons in the motor cortex, then send the signals to a computer where they are displayed as text. The motor cortex isn't typically thought to be involved in thinking. Instead, it's where instructions to move are sent out to the body, like the tongue and jaw muscle movements for speech. What the electrodes are really recording is a motor plan more precisely, the end result of all the processing in different parts of the brain (sensory, linguistic, cognitive) required to move or speak. So BCIs aren't really recording your thoughts, but rather the brain's plan to move a finger here, a leg there, or to open your mouth to make an "Aah" sound. Scientists also showed they can read the motor cortex's intent to draw a letter, said Gallero. Using complex modelling [with the connected computer], this allowed paralyzed participants to type 10 words per minute, which was a breakthrough. BCIs help people feel and walk again Another breakthrough occurred in 2016, when then-US-president Barack Obama shook Nathan Copeland's robotic hand. Copeland, who was paralyzed after a car accident, felt Obama's handshake as if they were touching skin to skin. This demonstrated a different capability of BCIs. Rather than using electrodes to record from the brain and interpret intended movements, they instead stimulated the brain with tiny currents to produce sensation, said Gallego. In Copeland's case, a BCI called the Utah array was implanted into his brain to improve the functioning of a disabled part of his nervous system. The device, produced by a Neuralink rival, was implanted into his sensory cortex and connected with sensors on the end of his robotic hand. When Copeland shook hands with Obama, those sensors sent signals causing electrodes in the sensory cortex to stimulate the "hand" region of the brain, allowing Copeland to "feel" the president's hand. More recently, a patient with a spinal cord injury caused by a bike accident was fitted with a brain-spine interface which enabled him to walk naturally again. The device enabled signals from the brain to connect with motor regions of the spinal cord below the level of the damage, thereby bridging the injury. These new capabilities of BCIs represent the next generation of deep brain stimulation, a treatment that involves implanting electrodes into areas of the brain to help people with movement disorders. These technologies have been around for a while. Deep brain stimulation has been used to help hundreds of thousands of people with Parkinson's disease since the 1990s, said Gallego. Brain surgery for everyone? Really? For now, BCIs like the Utah array are only being used in special one-off cases like Copeland's, and Neuralink's technology has only been tested on animals. All the clinical applications of BCIs are still at the research stage and not implemented in clinical practice yet, said Valle. Neuralink tried to receive approval from US federal drug regulators to test its technology in human trials last year, but suffered a blow when authorities rejected the application, citing major safety concerns. The device consists of 96 tiny, flexible probes that must be individually inserted into the brain. Brain surgery is no joke. Even if the invasive procedure required to wire a BCI up to the brain goes well, the potential for infection or immune rejection of the device remains long after implantation. Musk's company is reportedly seeking permission to conduct human clinical trials later this year. The birth of neuroethics In the long-term, Valle said, BCIs raise "a variety of ethical concerns" that will need to be considered carefully by researchers, companies, funding agencies, regulators and users themselves. The technology is giving birth to a new field of moral inquiry: neuroethics. It's here where discussions turn more sci-fi. For example, what are the consequences of privacy breaches when the data in question relate to people's thoughts? How can we ensure that a lack of access does not exacerbate societal inequity? What happens when this information can be directly input into the brain? said Valle. After all, it's the role of science fiction to prepare us for what might come in the future. Warnings about surveillance and technological control were all there in early 20th-century novels like "Brave New World" and "1984." Have we listened to them? Edited by: Clare Roth Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed on May 28th, highlights the critical importance of proper menstrual hygiene management. The health, happiness, and empowerment of women and girls all suffer as a result of improper management of menstrual hygiene. Menstruation is a natural and normal process experienced by females, yet societal taboos, cultural beliefs, and limited access to resources often lead to inadequate practices. According to the most recent National Family Health Survey (2020-21), more than 30 % of women between the ages of 15 and 24 do not use hygienic methods of protection during their menstrual period. Insufficient knowledge and poor hygiene during menstruation can result in various health issues. (File photo) Insufficient knowledge and poor hygiene during menstruation can result in various health issues. On this day, it is crucial to shed light on the consequences of improper menstrual hygiene management and its impact on women's health. By raising awareness and promoting proper menstrual hygiene, we can empower women to lead healthier and more confident lives. (Also read: Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023: Date, history, significance, theme, tips for menstrual hygiene ) Consequences of improper menstrual hygiene on women's health: Dr. Prajwala Addagatla, Gynaecologist and Medical Advisor at Democratic Sangha, shares with HT Lifestyle, five consequences of improper menstrual hygiene management and tips to improve it. 1. Increased chances of catching an infection Maintaining inadequate hygiene during the times of periods has higher chances of developing or catching infections which can have a long-lasting impact on the health of a woman. Yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infections are some of the basic catch that a woman can develop, which result from bacterial proliferation and moisture. Therefore, it is only important to understand that a woman should be aware that changing a sanitary napkin or product every 4-6 hours is not only necessary but crucial to maintaining her hygiene. If reusable items are used, they must be carefully cleaned using warm water and properly dried, before it is put back to use. 2. Irritation, itching, and rashes in the vaginal area Another thing that a woman should be educated on is that longer use of a napkin or any sanitary product can develop itching, rashes, and skin irritation. Redness and pain can result from rubbing your skin against a damp surface. In addition, poor-quality sanitary products with inadequate ventilation and absorbency can invite fungal infection. Therefore, it is mandatory that the right awareness should be separated from time to time, educating a woman on picking the right sanitary items with adequate absorbency and breathability, which can help in avoiding skin discomfort. Additionally, maintaining cleanliness may be achieved by practising proper personal hygiene, which includes bathing the vaginal area with mild soap and water during menstruation time. 3. Reproductive health issues A pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometriosis can develop as a result of infections, brought by improper management of menstrual hygiene, that extend to the reproductive organs. These ailments can result in long-term repercussions such as persistent discomfort, problems with fertility, and others. Menstruator need to put good hygiene practices to use if they want to protect their reproductive health. In addition, they ought to get medical help right away if they experience any signs of discomfort or feel issues, like excruciating pelvic discomfort, odd bleeding, or strange/ abnormal discharge. 4. Regular hand hygiene It is very much important to understand that maintaining clean hands is essential, not only during the time periods but for your general health as well. You must be sure to thoroughly clean your hands for at least two minutes, both before and after using/ changing a period product, to avoid the risk of yeast infection or Hepatitis B. 5. Causes disturbances in daily routines and tasks Improper menstrual hygiene management can hinder women's daily activities, both at personal and professional levels. The fear of leakage or embarrassment may prevent women from engaging fully in their regular routines, leading to a negative impact on their overall well-being. To ensure active participation, women should be aware of carefully selecting menstrual products that suit their needs and preferences. It is also essential to provide adequate sanitation facilities, including clean toilets with running water and disposal systems, in workplaces, schools, and public spaces. Talking about inadequate menstrual hygiene practices in India, Brahmachari Chaitanya, Founder of Democratic Sangha (an NGO dedicated to breaking taboos and promoting menstrual hygiene), shared with HT Lifestyle, "In India, women, especially in the rural areas, lack essential services like access to clean washrooms or the easy availability of menstrual products that are affordable. Plus, these women due to lack of awareness, also seldom pay attention to maintaining basic hygiene, which means many go without using proper sanitary wear, during the times of periods. Talking about menstruation is still frowned upon in rural Indian villages and therefore, many women still shy away from discussing personal matters, which makes it even more difficult for them to learn about it. Promoting period positivity among people is therefore obvious in this situation." "The inability to manage menstruation hygienically can lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment, and low self-esteem. Moreover, societal taboos and inadequate knowledge about menstruation can contribute to the stigmatization of women during their periods. To address these issues, it is crucial to promote awareness programs, making both men and women aware of it, thereby breaking the silence around menstruation. Creating supportive environments where women can openly discuss their menstrual health and providing access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products can help alleviate the psychological distress and social stigma associated with menstruation," concludes Brahmachari. Do you know which Indian family bought the first car in Delhi? Or, at whose house the first telephone was installed? People and lineages get lost in the mist of time. The once powerful and rich fade away, and new people take their place. The common thing among both is that at the peak of their resplendence, they think that this is how things will remain forever. But transience is the essence of this ephemeral world. As Ghalib so succinctly summed it up: Har bulandi ke nassebon mein hai pasti ek din (It is the destiny of every pinnacle to decline one day.) PREMIUM The richest person in the city just about 150 years ago was a man called Lala Chunna Mal. His haveli in Chandini Chowk occupies an entire block, and even its current dilapidated state reveals what it must have been in its grandeur(Wikimedia Commons) When I was writing and researching my book Mansions at Dusk: The Havelis of Old Delhi, (with Sondeep Shankar as the photographer), I realised forcefully how true Ghalibs observation is. In the vast metropolis of Delhi, how many would know that the richest person in the city just about 150 years ago was a man called Lala Chunna Mal. His haveli in Chandini Chowk occupies an entire block, and even its current dilapidated state reveals what it must have been in its grandeur. It was his family that acquired the first car in Delhi, which was proudly parked outside the haveli, and attracted hordes of dazzled crowds. In 1877, Chunna Mals descendants installed telephone instruments in the haveli, again attracting a crowd of wondering admirers. Chunna Mals forefathers had migrated to Delhi from Lahore around the end of the 16th century. In time they built up a flourishing business in shawls, brocades and textiles. The real opportunity for the family came after the Revolt of 1857. After the British recaptured the city in September of that year, they forfeited the lands and property of vast numbers of people who they suspected to be on the side of the rebels. These properties were auctioned off at cheap prices, and the major beneficiaries were a small cartel of the very rich who had remained loyal to the British. Chunna Mal was one of them. In a bizarre exercise of acquisition of property, he bought over a great portion of Chandini Chowk itself, much of the other property in the city, vast tracts of suburban land, and most of the royal courts jewels. Even the Fatehpuri Mosque at the end of Chandini Chowk was bought by him in 1860 for a little over 39,000. It remained his private property until 1877, when Lord Lytton returned it to the Muslims. But four villages around Delhi were given to Chunna Mal in return. Delhi was devastated after 1857, but Chunna Mals haveli stood out for its affluence and splendour. In one of his letters, Ghalib, a contemporary, wrote that while the rest of Delhi was plunged in grief and darkness, Chunna Mals haveli was so flooded with the light of chandeliers that it made night look like day. One of his businesses was money lending, and his debtors included Mirza Fakhru, the son and heir of the last Moghul emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. When Mirza Fakhru could not repay his debt in time, Chunna Mal had the power to obtain an order from the British magistrate to seize the royal scions assets. The prince escaped only by moving his assets to the Red Fort, where the royal family enjoyed immunity! Who could have thought then that the fortunes of such a family could ever decline? But that is what the alchemy of time does. One of Chunna Mals successors, Ram Kishen Das, was the founder, managing director and the largest shareholder of the Delhi Cloth & General Mills Co. Ltd. (DCM). It is said that the father of Lala Shri Ram worked as a humble munim (clerk) in the haveli. In time, Lala Shri Ram rose to become one of the leading entrepreneurs and industrialists of India, and bought DCM, even as the fortunes of the Chunna Mal family declined. Ram Parshad (1951-65) was the familys last karta or head. Today, the haveli lies forlorn and neglected, with some family descendants lingering in it. The ground floor has been rented out to shops and is a wholesale cloth market. The stables at the back of the haveli have also been rented out. The rent received is a pittance. Most of the properties of the family have been sold. The Swiss Hotel in Civil Lines was bought by the Oberois in 1968. The landmark Ludlow Castle, also in Civil Lines, was acquired by the government, as was Gulabi Bagh, near Roshanara Club, measuring 24 acres. Ram Bagh, in the then suburbs of Delhi, which had a swimming pool and a mini zoo, was sold in 1950 for a paltry sum of 4 lakh rupees. Fortunes are never static. A large clock, overlooking Chandini Chowk, still adorns the frontage of Chunna Mals haveli. The clock has not been functioning for decades. Nothing could be more symbolic of how times change. Pavan K Varma is author, diplomat, and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). Just Like That is a weekly column where Varma shares nuggets from the world of history, culture, literature, and personal reminiscences with HT Premium readers The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has issued an advisory regarding Daam, which it says is an Android malware that is capable of stealing sensitive data, bypassing antivirus programs, and deploying ransomware on the targeted devices. FILE PHOTO: A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel//File Photo How does Daam affect a device? According to CERT-IN, the central nodal agency that responds to computer security-related incidents, Daam communicates with various Android APK files to access a phone. Being distributed through third-party websites, it encrypts files in the phone through the AES encryption algorithm. Following this, files get deleted from the local storage; only the ones encrypted are left behind, and with .enc extension and readme_now.txt, a ransom note. In what ways can Daam affect a device? The malware, as per the agency, is capable of hacking call recordings and contacts; gaining access to the camera, modifying passwords, capturing screenshots, stealing SMS, downloading/uploading files, and more. How to stay away from Daam? CERT-IN gave the following recommendations to keep a device safe from Daam: (1.) Download only from official app stores to reduce the risk of potentially harmful apps. (2.) Always review app details, user reviews before downloading it; also, grant only those permissions that are relevant to the purpose of the app. (3.) Install Android updates as and when available, and only from Android device vendors. (4.) Do not browse un-trusted websites or follow un-trusted links. (5.) Install and maintain updated anti-virus and antispyware software. (6.) Be vigilant if you see mobile numbers that don't look like genuine/regular mobile numbers. (7.) Do not just click on a link provided in a message; do extensive research first. (8.) Click only those URLs that clearly indicate the website domain; exercise caution towards shortened URLs, primarily those involving bit.ly and tinyurl. (9.) Use safe browsing tools, filtering tools in antivirus, firewall, and filtering services. (10.) Before giving any sensitive information, look out for valid encryption certificates by checking for the green lock in a browser's address bar. (11.) In case there is an unusual activity in a user's bank account, the same must be reported immediately to the concerned bank. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail A video showing an artists remarkable display of creativity has left people stunned. The clip captures her turning a bread into a functional lamp. Hailing from Japan, Yukiko Morita, a baker, skillfully turns leftover breads from her bakery into incredible lamps. She has even started a brand called Pampshade with her innovative idea. The image shows the artist making a lamp using bread. (Instagram/@pampshade_by_yukikomorita) Morita shared a video capturing her craft on Instagram. The video shows her checking a piece of bread. She then uses various methods to make sure that mould does not form on the bread when it is turned into a lamp. Eventually, she fits lights inside the bread to create a lamp. Take a look at the video to see the end result: The video has left people stunned. Many also took to the comments section to express their amazement. Take a look at how Instagram users reacted: Masterpiece, wrote an Instagram user. Amazing, praised another. I love this, joined a third. Yukiko Moritas brand also has a YouTube channel and its bio explains from where the company got its name. We're based in Japan. We call our bread lamps, Pampshades. It's a play on words. The Japanese word for bread is pan, so, "pan" + lampshade = Pampshade!", it reads. Pampshades are made from real bread that has been carefully hollowed out and preserved with an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal coating. While Pampshades look delicious, they are not edible, the bio further explains. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The month of May has two important holidays: Mothers Day and Memorial Day. The Zonta Club of Auburn extends a belated Happy Mothers Day" to all the Zonta members worldwide who work to make the world a better place for women and girls, and to honor all those people who have served in the military. I thought it would be interesting to learn the history behind these two holidays, and how they became an important part of our tradition and culture. The following are some of the high points of the origin of these holidays. The origin of the idea of Mothers Day goes back to the era of ancient Greeks and Romans, whose celebrations sometimes involved worship of a mother deity, such as the goddess Isis in ancient Egypt, or Cybele and Rhea in ancient Greece. In England, Mothering Sunday was recognized with festivals and celebrations. Throughout history, certain countries linked the celebration of Mothering Sunday to certain religious seasons, such as Lent. In 1858, Ann Jarvis organized Mothers Work Days to improve the sanitation and avert deaths from disease-bearing insects and seepage of polluted water. In 1872, Julia Ward Howe, a Boston poet, pacifist and womens suffragist, established a special day for mothers and for peace not long after the bloody Franco-Prussian War. In 1905, when Ann Jarvis died, her daughter, Anna, decided to memorialize her mothers lifelong activism and began a campaign that culminated in 1914 when Congress passed a Mothers Day resolution. The white carnation became the official flower of Mothers Day, as Ann Jarvis compared that flowers shape and life cycle to a mothers love. The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying." Five facts about Memorial Day's history and meaning: Memorial Day was originally named "Decoration Day" May 30 was chosen because flowers are in bloom. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971. The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. In addition, I learned that Memorial Day in May is to honor the deceased military, and Veterans Day in November is to honor all living veterans who have served in the military. Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans the Grand Army of the Republic established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. It is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers and Sailors Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns. The poppy as a symbol of war casualties started with a poem. In the spring of 1915, a Canadian artillery unit brigade surgeon named Lt. Col. John McCrae saw bright red poppies blooming on the war-torn fields where so many soldiers had lost their lives. The sight moved him to write the famous poem In Flanders Fields." For more information on how you can participate and make a difference, please reach out to us at our website, zontadistrict2.org/auburn, or email us at auburn@zontadistrict2.org. A hungry black bear barged into the garage of a Connecticut bakery, scared several employees and helped itself to 60 cupcakes before ambling away. Workers at Taste by Spellbound in the town of Avon were loading cakes into a van for delivery on Wednesday when the bear showed up. There are between 1,000 and 1,200 black bears living in Connecticut, the state environmental agency says, with sightings last year in 158 of the states 169 towns and cities. The image shows the cupcakes that the bear destroyed. (Instagram/@tastebyspellbound) Bakery owner Miriam Stephens wrote in an Instagram post that she heard employee Maureen Williams screaming bloody murder and yelling that there was a bear in the garage. She also shared an image of the trays and half-eaten cupcakes lying on the pavement. Alongside, she also shared a detailed caption explaining the incident. Okay. Heres the real story. We have a loading garage in the back of our Avon shop for our Transit. Maureen was loading it with the last items before I was to leave. She was on the West Hartford side of the van, looked up and saw a bear staring at her from the South Windsor side. All of a sudden we hear her screaming bloody murder and then yelling theres a bear in the garage! She ran into the kitchen as fast as she could and slammed the door that goes into the loading area and held it tight. The bear then MOVED one of our fridges in front of the door. We all were stunned for a second trying to figure out what to do while she held the door shut. I immediately called 911. Lisa then had a brilliant idea to go out the front and get in her car to drive around back and she started beeping her horn like a crazy person. She finally got him out and Maureen ran to the garage to close it as fast as she could, she wrote. The cops showed up and our landlord has been working with DEEP. The bear destroyed 60 cupcakes and a bunch of coconut cakes. And that folks, is the bear story. Im so thankful Maureen was safe and wasn't hurt, as well as the rest of the team. We do not have video or pictures - that was the last thing on our mind, she added. Take a look at the Instagram post: Since being posted a day ago, the share has gathered more than 1,200 likes. It has also prompted people to post various reactions. Heres how Instagram users reacted: Glad you guys are ok - lets hope this bear isnt a gossip! joked an Instagram user. Bear necessities, joined another. That is SO scary!! So glad everyones ok, added a third. Holy macaroni!!!!! Definitely pretty scary!!! And now....the bear knows where the goods are!!!!!! wrote a fourth. Recently, the owner also shared a video of the incident. The video youve all been waiting for. Enjoy! A few facts: No bears will be harmed. They have not hurt anyone and will be totally ok. No need to worry! This video was 10 minutes that we cut to 30 seconds. So yes, all the facts we put out there are true. Why was our door up? Because we were about to make our shop deliveries. Were not irresponsible. They are more scared of us than we are of them. We all have had a good laugh about it at this point and think the bears are cute, she wrote as she posted the video. Take a look at the interesting video: The video prompted people to share various reactions. I mean- hes got good taste!! joked a Facebook user. I laughed everything funnier sped up! joined another. Kinda what I look like when I get cupcakes from you guys. I'm glad everyone is safe!! added a third. A new customer, wrote a fourth. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a shocking turn of events, a 7-year-old child from West Virginia is at the center of an arson investigation after allegedly setting a home on fire while the child's parents were inside. The incident took place in Jackson County, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Charleston. The child's parents, who were asleep at the time of the incident, sustained minor burns. However, what makes this case even more disturbing is the subsequent arrest of the child's stepfather on suspicion of child abuse. 7-year-old sets home ablaze with parents inside, leading to an arson investigation. Stepfather arrested on child abuse suspicion.(Jackson County WV Sheriff's Department) The Jackson County Sheriff's Department initiated the investigation following the home fire incident. According to a news release posted on the department's Facebook page, the fire occurred while the child's parents were sleeping. The authorities took the child into custody and charged them with first-degree arson. As the investigation unfolded, the delicate nature of the case prompted officials to limit the information disclosed. A photograph shared on the department's Facebook page revealed the devastating sight of the engulfed home, further highlighting the seriousness of the incident. However, the distressing revelations did not end there. The following day, the Jackson County Sheriff's Department made an additional announcement stating that the child's stepfather had been arrested on suspicion of child abuse. It is believed by investigators that the stepfather was subjecting the child to abuse, leading to the child's alarming actions of setting the home on fire. Also Read | Disgruntled Amazon employees prepare for massive walkout in response to layoffs and return-to-office policy The incident raises numerous concerns about the safety and well-being of the child involved. While the details of the abuse allegations are not disclosed, it underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing potential signs of abuse within households. Child abuse is a grave issue that demands immediate attention and intervention to ensure the safety and welfare of vulnerable individuals. As authorities delve deeper into this distressing case, it serves as a reminder of the responsibility society bears in safeguarding the welfare of children. Incidents like these should prompt us to remain vigilant and attentive to the well-being of children in our communities. Identifying signs of abuse, reporting suspicions, and supporting organizations dedicated to protecting children can make a significant difference in preventing such tragic incidents from occurring. Canadas immigration minister has said the governments focus is on identifying culprits rather than penalising victims, while referring to case of agents in India using fraudulent documentation to procure study permits for many international students who came to Canada between 2017 and 2021 and now face deportation. Sean Fraser, Canada's immigration, refugee and citizenship minister, during a news conference.(Bloomberg) Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, tweeted, We recognize the immense contributions international students bring to our country & remain committed to supporting victims of fraud as we evaluate each case. Were actively investigating recent reports of fraudulent acceptance letters. To be clear: Our focus is on identifying culprits, not penalizing victims. Victims of fraud will have an opportunity to demonstrate their situation & present evidence to support their case, he added. However, those impacted by the fake documentation say there is little evidence the victims are not being penalised. Among them is Lovepreet Singh, who is originally from Mohali in Punjab, and has received a removal order from the Canadian Border Services Agency or CBSA to leave Canada on June 13. There is no change in our situation, he said. He added these students were victimised several times, from the agents in India to the institutions in Canada that used them to boost earnings to businesses that only wanted them for cheap labour. Singh studied at the Lambton College in the town of Mississauga in the Greater Toronto Area and said he was represented by the agent Atul Mahajan of the immigration firm Orange Overseas. Another student Karamjeet Kaur, originally from Faridkot, is facing deportation this coming Monday. There are at least 30 other such students facing removal proceeedings, though all cases havent escalated to the final order being passed, as yet. Another 130 or so cases are being investigated. These students arrived in Canada between 2017 and 2019, and in rare instances, in 2020. They started receiving notices from the CBSA in 2021 and last year, for a hearing as the agency concluded the letter of offer of admission to a Canadian higher education institution, which formed the basis of their study permits, was fake. The majority of the affected students were represented by the agent Brijesh Mishra of the Jalandhar-based counselling firm EMSA Education and Migration Services Australia. The ex-students said they were being victimized for no fault of theirs. In an open letter under the banner of Victim Students released in March, they said, We are desperate for justice; we are victims of fraud; we have no criminal level but facing a removal order. No one can understand our anguish when we learned for the first time through CBSA that the offer was fake and we have been dying and struggling ever since, it added. Fraser also tweeted, Were also working closely with institutions to verify acceptance letters are valid at the time of application. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An alleged campaign by Chinese state-sponsored hackers on targets in the US and Guam has raised fears that Beijing is preparing to disrupt communications in the Pacific in the event of a conflict. China has denied the hacking accusations. (Representative file image)(HT_PRINT) The hacking campaign was first identified by Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday and quickly confirmed by authorities in the US, UK and other allied nations. Microsoft said the hacking group, which it dubbed Volt Typhoon, had breached government, communications, manufacturing and IT organizations in the US and Guam, a crucial military post in the western Pacific Ocean. While the identities of most of the hacking victims remains unknown, US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro told CNBC on Thursday that the Navy was impacted by the intrusions. The extent of the breach wasnt immediately known. A spokesperson for the US Navy declined to discuss the status of our networks. Meanwhile, Rob Joyce, the director of cybersecurity at the National Security Agency, told CNN Thursday that Chinese hackers could still have access to sensitive US networks that theyve targeted. Joyce said the intrusions stood out in how brazen they were in scope and scale. A NSA representative declined to comment and referred instead to a release by the NSA and other US agencies on the Chinese hacking group. Microsoft said it had moderate confidence the breaches were carried out in preparation to upend communications in the event of a future crisis. The companys disclosure came amid mounting concerns that China might take military action to enforce its claim to the self-ruled island of Taiwan. Jon Darby, NSAs director of operations until his retirement after 39 years at the spy agency in August, said the operation matched a well-known way to infiltrate networks by accessing them at the edges rather than at what he called the bulls-eye and then staying undetected for years. The interesting thing is they got in from home routers all the way into the US Navy infrastructure, said Darby, who is not familiar with the details of this specific case. The scary thing is they could then launch disruptive or destructive attacks when things are hitting the fan, he said. If theyre in these networks they can wreak havoc. Youve got to identify and plug up the vulnerabilities that allowed them to get into these networks and eradicate them. The NSA, along with intelligence agencies from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada also shared more details on the hackers. Those countries are all part of a key intelligence alliance, which includes the sharing of cybersecurity information, known as the Five Eyes. China has denied the hacking accusations. We noted this extremely unprofessional report a patchwork with a broken chain of evidence, Chinas Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said. Apparently, this has been a collective disinformation campaign launched by the US through the Five Eyes to serve its geopolitical agenda. Its widely known that the Five Eyes is the worlds biggest intelligence association, and the NSA the worlds biggest hacking group. The US has previously accused Chinese hackers for espionage and intellectual property theft, including a data breach of the Office of Personnel Management in 2015 and a hack of Equifax in 2017. In 2014, a Senate panel found that Chinese government-affiliated hackers accessed the data of military contractors including airlines and tech companies. Its not clear why Microsoft, the US and its allies decided to shine a spotlight on the hacking group this week. One reason may be to give private companies a head start on defending from this group of Chinese hackers long before a potential conflict with China over Taiwan, said John Hultquist, chief analyst at Mandiant Intelligence, a subsidiary of Google. The burden of protecting critical infrastructure from serious disruptive cyberattacks lies with the private sector. They have to defend these networks, Hultquist said. Thats why its so important that this intelligence makes its way into their hands. If it doesnt, its practically useless. Details about the alleged attacks offer rare insights into potential sabotage efforts by Chinese hackers, whose alleged theft of intellectual property and espionage capabilities are better known. By contrast, cybersecurity experts have documented Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, including hacks of the power grid in Ukraine are well documented. The organization has been around a long time, said Dakota Cary, a consultant at Krebs Stamos Group, describing the hacking group. When they walked over a line to get something of military operational value, thats when it changed. Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper believes that Chinas paramount leader is more of a long-term threat to democracies around the world than Russian President Vladimir Putin. Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.(REUTERS Photo) Harper, who Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015, made this observation while addressing a gathering in Vancouver organised by the think tank Fraser Institute. Xi Jinping (general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party) is a much more long-term, serious threat than Putin, Harper said, as per the outlet Globe and Mail, which obtained a recording of his speech. He said that the Chinese leaders ambition was to create a new world order, a hub-and-spokes global economy where all authority is ultimately centred in Beijing. His remarks came amidst on ongoing political maelstrom in Canada over Beijings alleged interference in the 2019 and 2021 Federal elections in the country. Harper also addressed that matter, as he said, I suspect it is far worse than we think. Harper said China had not had any restriction in its behaviour in terms of interfering in the Canadian political system. His comments came days after the special rapporteur appointed by the Government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to investigate Chinese interference in the elections stated that while foreign governments were attempting to influence voters and candidates, there was no need for a public inquiry. The independent special rapporteur, former Canadian Governor General David Johnston, released his report on Tuesday, amid criticism from the opposition of it being an exercise in whitewashing. The special rapporteur was appointed on March 6 after a series of reports in the outlets Globe and Mail and Global News that Beijing may have tried to influence Federal elections in Canada. A series of exposes have placed sustained pressure on the Trudeau Government. On February 17, the Globe and Mail noted, China employed a sophisticated strategy to disrupt Canadas democracy in the 2021 federal election campaign as Chinese diplomats and their proxies backed the re-election of Justin Trudeaus Liberals but only to another minority government and worked to defeat Conservative politicians considered to be unfriendly to Beijing. That report was based on intelligence documents. Harper left office in 2015, after the Conservative Party was defeated by the Trudeau-led Liberals that year. The Johnston report appears to have been met with public scepticism. According to a survey released by the public polling agency Angus Reid Institute on Friday, over half, 52 per cent, of the respondents felt the public inquiry was necessary. An even higher number, 57 per cent, felt Trudeau and his Government had been evasive on the matter of foreign interference. Two-thirds of those sampled believed China likely tried to interfere in Canadian elections. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prince Harry seems to have found an unexpected ally within the royal family, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Princess Anne, known for her strong-willed nature, reportedly has a soft spot for her nephew and their bond may play a significant role in repairing strained relationships within the monarchy. TOPSHOT - Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex talks to Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal at Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of the coronations of Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort. - The set-piece coronation is the first in Britain in 70 years, and only the second in history to be televised. Charles will be the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned at the central London church since King William I in 1066. Outside the UK, he is also king of 14 other Commonwealth countries, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Camilla, his second wife, will be crowned queen alongside him, and be known as Queen Camilla after the ceremony.(AFP) At King Charles III's coronation, the undeniable bond between Anne and Harry was on full display, leaving onlookers astonished by their warmth towards each other. Despite Anne's past remarks regarding Harry and Meghan Markle, insiders reveal that she is rapidly transforming into a pillar of support within the royal circle. According to royal expert Kate Mansey's Op-Ed in the Daily Mail, the bond between Harry and Anne may extend beyond what meets the eye. Mansey speculates that Harry might even use Anne as a bridge to mend the relationship between himself and his father, Prince Charles. During the coronation, which marked the first occasion Harry appeared alongside his father and brother since the release of his memoir, "Spare," Harry maintained a more reserved presence, interacting mainly with Anne. The connection between Harry and Princess Royal runs deeper than their shared sense of humor. Both individuals have experienced the feeling of being a "spare" within the royal family. An insider revealed to the Mail on Sunday that Anne has always felt a deep connection with Harry, given her own experiences as the second-born and the challenges she faced in carving out her unique path within the monarchy. While Anne has shown support and empathy towards Harry, it didn't stop her from making some critical remarks about the Sussexes in a recent interview. Although many assumed her comments were directed at Prince Charles, they may have been subtly aimed at Harry and Meghan instead. Also Read | Prince Harry at King Charles III coronation, looked lonely with a fake smile and ignored by family During the interview, Princess Anne tactfully alluded to the ongoing tensions within the royal family, specifically addressing the divide between the older generation and Prince Harry and Meghan. The focal point of their discussion centered around the notion of streamlining the monarchy, a concept that has garnered attention in recent times. While Prince Charles has voiced his support for this idea, Anne expressed reservations, indicating her skepticism towards its feasibility and desirability. Anne argued that Charles' plan was conceived when there were "a few more people around." This remark implies that she was alluding to a time when Harry and Meghan were still actively fulfilling their royal responsibilities. The dynamics within the royal family continue to evolve, and Anne's role as an ally to Harry adds an interesting twist to the ongoing drama. Whether their bond can help mend fractured relationships remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the royal family is in a state of flux, and every ally counts in these challenging times. Russias southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine came under attack Friday from Ukrainian artillery fire, mortar shells and drones, authorities said, hours after two drones struck a Russian city in an area next to the annexed Crimea Peninsula. An officer of Ukraine's 59th Motorized Brigade controls a drone from a shelter in the suburbs of Donetsk, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces.(AP) Moscows forces, meanwhile, struck a building containing psychology and veterinary clinics in the city of Dnipro, in central Ukraine, killing two people and wounding 30, including two children, Ukrainian officials said. Video released by regional Gov. Serhiy Lysak showed fire engulfing the three-story building that appeared almost destroyed, with only parts of a wall standing, as firefighters battled the flames. A Russian S-300 missile hit a dam in the Karlivka district of Donetsk province in eastern Ukraine, threatening nearby settlements with flooding. The town of Graivoron in Russia's Belgorod region, about 7 kilometers (more than 4 miles) from the Ukrainian border, came under fire for several hours, damaging four houses, a store, a car, a gas pipeline and a power line, Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov reported. Closer to the frontier, a recreation center, a shop and an empty house were damaged in the village of Glotovo. One woman was wounded when nearby Novaya Tavolzhanka was shelled, Gladkov said. Earlier this week, the Belgorod region was the target of one of the most serious cross-border attacks from Ukraine since the war began 15 months ago. Details of the raid were murky. Russia blamed the Ukrainian armed forces, but two Russian groups said they were involved, with the aim of bringing down Russian President Vladimir Putin. Officials in Russias southern city of Krasnodar, in the region of the same name bordering Crimea, said two drones struck there. Witnesses told local media they heard something like the sound of a moped and then two explosions. The blasts smashed a hole in the roof of one building and blew out windows in an apartment building. We just went to bed and then there was such a strong, terrible boom, said resident Tatiana Safonova. We ran outside. There were people running, but nothing else was going on. She said described the sound beforehand like a growling, noisy moped driving by. Krasnodar regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev wrote on Telegram that there were no casualties and that some buildings were damaged but essential infrastructure was unharmed. Krasnodar Mayor Yevgeny Naumov said a residential building and an office building were damaged. Drone attacks against Russian border regions have been a regular occurrence since the start of the invasion in February 2022, with attacks increasing last month. Earlier this month, an oil refinery in Krasnodar was attacked by drones on two straight days. At a meeting in Estonia, German and Baltic leaders played down concerns about fighting spilling over into Russia. Russia attacked Ukraine, and so Ukraine can defend itself, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. "It is clear that the weapons we have delivered will only be used on Ukrainian territory. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas noted that Ukraine does not have any wish to invade Russia," and Lithuanian Prime Minster Ingrida Simonyte added: "Im somewhat puzzled by the worry of Russia, because Russia is at war - so its quite strange to think that the war can only be in that other territory that you invaded. Ukraines Defense Ministry on Thursday published video that appeared to show a marine drone heading for Russias Ivan Khurs reconnaissance ship in the Black Sea. The video didn't show the drone hitting the ship. The video followed reports by Russias Defense Ministry on Wednesday that Ukraine had launched an unsuccessful attack on the Ivan Khurs using three unmanned speedboats, with all three destroyed prior to reaching the ship. Moscow released video allegedly showing the destruction of one of the marine drones. At least two civilians were killed and three others wounded in Russian attacks on Ukraine in the previous 24 hours, the Ukrainian presidents office reported Friday. Late Friday, officials in the Russian-held sector of Donetsk reported two missile strikes on the city of Mariupol, where a monthslong siege early in the war left much of the city in ruins. Russia's state news agency Tass cited an unnamed official as saying the missiles were long-range Storm Shadows, which the United Kingdom delivered to Ukraine this month. In Moscow, Chinas special envoy Li Hui met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and they exchanged opinions on the situation around Ukraine and prospects for resolving the conflict, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Lavrov cited serious obstacles to the resumption of peace talks created by the Ukrainian side and its Western handlers, the statement said, but it did not disclose what Li said or proposed. Li visited Kyiv earlier this month. Chinese leader Xi Jinpings government says its neutral and wants to serve as mediator in the conflict, but has supported Moscow politically. Beijing released a proposed peace plan in February, but Ukraines allies largely dismissed it, insisting that Russian President Vladimir Putin must first withdraw his forces. Outdoor clothing and supplies company, The North Face, is facing right-wing criticism after featuring a drag queen in an online ad as part of its "Summer of Pride" campaign. The North Face. (Image Credit: Wikipedia) The ad, which is showcased on Instagram, features Pattie Gonia, a prominent drag queen, who encourages viewers to embrace their true selves in nature with The North Face's support. Im here with The North Face to help you come outin nature with us, says Pattie on the video. The company also highlights its Pride Collection merchandise and announces plans to host outdoor Pride events in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. However, the inclusion of a drag queen in the ad has drawn criticism from conservative figures such as Congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, who called for a boycott of The North Face. Greene took to Twitter, expressing, Big name brands sexually targeting children makes me want to buy all generic brand clothing now, while Boebert drew comparisons to past controversies involving Bud Light and Target. Besides we can save a fortune NOT wasting money on labels that are grooming our children. A spokesperson from The North Face responded to the criticism, stating, The North Face has always believed the outdoors should be welcoming, equitable and safe space for all, adding, We are honored and grateful to support partners like Pattie Gonia who help make this vision reality.Creating community and belonging in the outdoors is a core part of our values and is needed now more than ever. We stand with those who support our vision for a more inclusive outdoor industry. In contrast to The North Face's response, other companies have faced similar controversies and reacted differently. Target, for example, pulled some of its Pride merchandise due to threats, while Anheuser-Busch, the brewer of Bud Light, responded with a mixed reaction to right-wing criticism. The North Face's support for inclusivity and its refusal to bow down to pressure from critics highlights its commitment to shaping a more accepting future for the outdoor industry. The company also took to Instagram to reiterate its values and commitment to an inclusive community, saying, We recognize the opportunity our brand has to shape the future of the outdoors and we want that future to be more accepting and loving place. Were partnering with Pattie because we believe the outdoors are for everyone. The North Face online community is designed to be a safe, positive and inclusive environment. Its why we have a zero-tolerance policy against racist, discriminatory, threatening, abusive, harmful, vulgar, or attacking social media comments, which will be removed immediately. GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis praised The North Face's decision, highlighting the importance of including LGBTQ+ individuals and standing by corporate values. Ellis pointed out that embracing LGBTQ+ people and their allies is not only the right thing to do but also a smart business move, especially considering the growing support for LGBTQ+ rights among Americans, including Gen Z. The North Face's unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community sends a signal to other companies that inclusivity is not only morally right but also beneficial for their business. ALSO READ| US lawmaker demands making Diwali a national holiday, introduces legislation In a time when diversity and acceptance are increasingly valued, The North Face's commitment to promoting inclusivity in the outdoors resonates with a significant portion of the population. A prominent American lawmaker has introduced a bill in the US Congress to declare Diwali, the festival of lights, a federal holiday, a move welcomed by different communities from across the country. The Diwali Day Act was signed into law by the President.(File) "Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe, and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States, Congresswoman Grace Meng told reporters during a virtual news conference here soon after introducing the bill in the House of Representatives on Friday. The Diwali Day Act, when passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President, would make the festival of lights the 12th federally recognised holiday in the United States. Establishing a federal holiday for Diwali, and the day off it would provide, would allow families and friends to celebrate together, and demonstrate that the government values the diverse cultural makeup of the nation, the Congresswoman said. Diwali celebrations are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year it is easy to see just how important this day is to so many people. America's strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures and communities that make up this nation, she said. My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day, and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress, Meng said. Welcoming the move, New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said, "This year, we saw our entire state speak with one voice in support of recognising Diwali and the South Asian community." "My extraordinary partner in government Congresswoman Meng is now taking the movement national with her historic legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday. Together, we are showing that Diwali is an American holiday. To the over 4 million Americans who celebrate Diwali, your government sees you and hears you," she said. Applauding Meng for her continued work to increase the visibility of the Asian-American community, New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney said naming Diwali a federal holiday not only honours those who observe but highlights a cultural tradition some Americans do not experience regularly. Diwali is a special holiday for so many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, said New York City Councilman Shekar Krishnan. As the first Indian American ever elected to NYC government, I am so proud to support Congresswoman Meng's legislation to establish 'Deepavali' as a federal holiday. It is crucial that children like my own are able to officially celebrate our holidays with their families in a way that I was not able to growing up, he said. A large number of community members applauded the introduction of the Diwali Day Act in the House of Representatives. The recognition of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas is pivotal to enriching the cultural fabric of the United States and fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the rich South Asian diaspora, said Sim J Singh Attariwala, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager of The Sikh Coalition. "Today is a milestone that demonstrates our visibility, our contributions, and the progress we are making in the United States with the Diwali Day Act, said Richard David, Board Member at the Indo-Caribbean Alliance. Congratulation Congresswoman Meng, Coalition of Hindus of North America president Nikunj Trivedi said this joyous festival is celebrated by millions of Americans and symbolizes the victory of good over evil and of light over darkness and brings together people from all backgrounds to cherish goodness, well-being, peace and prosperity - things that everyone can value and benefit from. "As Hindu Americans, we are so glad to see a bill to honour the multitude of celebrations that take place across the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and beyond on Diwali, said Ria Chakrabarty, Policy Director for Hindus for Human Rights. It is high time to recognise Diwali as a holiday in US public schools, said Dr. Neeta Jain, founder and president of the International Ahimsa Foundation. "Our children should be treated equally. As our children celebrate other cultures, others should celebrate and learn about our culture as well. This is the only way we can teach children to have mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual acceptance, she said. An 18-year-old teenager was apprehended in United States' Texas, for the tragic killings of his own family members. Cesar Olalde claimed that he carried out the killings, as he believed that his family members were cannibals and posed a threat of consuming him. The victims include his parents and two siblings, one of whom was just five years old, CBS News reported. Cesar Olalde was taken into custody and now faces charges of capital murder on multiple people.(GoFundMe) The police received a call on Tuesday regarding a man, who had reportedly caused harm to his family and was contemplating suicide. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered Olalde barricaded within his residence. Olalde later told police that he had pulled the trigger, and shot his family. The officers persuaded Olalde to surrender and then found the bodies of his parents, Reuben Olalde and Aida Garcia, older sister Lisbet Olalde and younger brother Oliver Olalde in a bathroom. It appeared as if the victims had been shot at various places in the residence and drug to the bathroom, according to the affidavit. Multiple spent cartridge casings were found on the floor of the home, and there was blood spatter on multiple surfaces, it said. The affidavit said a co-worker of Lisbet Olalde had gone to the home because the woman had failed to arrive at work and, with a family member, forced his way inside where he was confronted by Cesar Olalde, who pointed a firearm at him. The co-worker told police that Olalde said he had killed his family because they were cannibals, and they were going to eat him, the affidavit states. Olalde was taken into custody and now faces charges of capital murder on multiple people. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has written to Greaves Electric Mobility (GEM), a subsidiary of Greaves Cotton, to return about 124 crore along with interest for violations under the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) guidelines. The MHI said that it has proposed to deregister the company from the FAME II policy as it failed to adhere to the PMP guidelines. Greaves Electric Mobility retails electric scooters under the brand name Ampere and is one of the largest players by volume in the electric scooter segment. The MHI has directed Greaves Electric Mobility to deposit the incentives amounting to 124 crore along with interest, which was claimed under the FAME II policy, subject to the submission of necessary representation. Greaves Electric Mobility has released a statement responding to the allegations and said it was working with the government to understand the alleged violations and resolve any compliance concerns." Also Read : Ampere Primus first ride review: An affordable premium scooter Greaves Electric said it is working with the government to understand the alleged violations A company spokesperson for GEM said, Greaves Electric Mobility (GEM) is a proud Indian company and a leader in Indias rapidly expanding EV sector. GEM was one of the first companies to enthusiastically support and deliver on the Governments localisation vision. Our legacy of over 160 years represents a storied history of creating Indian jobs, supporting local suppliers, and building an inclusive workforce. We are working with the Government to better understand any alleged violations and resolve any compliance concerns in this rapidly evolving industry. GEM is committed to helping realise Indias ambitions to be a world leader in developing, engineering, and manufacturing electric vehicles." GEM sells a host of models under the Ampere brand including electric scooters like the Primus, Magnus EX, Reo Plus and more. The Ampere Primus is the manufacturers flagship offering, while the Magnus EX is its most popular product. All models have received incentives under the FAME II subsidy that aimed to make EVs more affordable. The FAME II policy was implemented on April 1, 2019, for a period of three years and was extended for a period of two years until March 31, 2024. The recent amendment in the FAME II policy was the subsidy being brought down from 15,000 per kWh to 10,000 per kWh. The subsidy has been capped at 15 per cent of the vehicles ex-factory pricing. The updated pricing will be applicable from June 1, 2023. First Published Date: Arthur Ross, a 71-year-old man, has achieved a significant milestone by completing his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC), after an astonishing 54-year journey. Ross is a record holder for the longest time taken to graduate from a university. Arthur Ross first enrolled at UBC in 1969.(UBC) "The headline on your story should be 'UBC finally graduates its slowest student,'" the 71-year-old told UBC with an easy laugh. Ross first enrolled at UBC in 1969. I just wanted to learn because I was curious. That desire for learning, he said, is what inspired him to finish his degree after all these years, he said. Initially intending to pursue a degree in English, Arthur Ross found his passion for the theatre during his second year at UBC. His devotion to the performing arts became all-consuming, as he spent an increasing amount of time in the theatre department. He was engrossed in participating in productions and enrolling in courses that fuelled his aspiration of becoming an actor. "I was besotted with theatre at the time. It was alive then, with a sense of vitality and newness. It seemed just electric to me," Ross remembers. In the department, he would cross paths with renowned Canadian actors such as Nicola Cavendish, Larry Lillo, Brent Carver and Ruth Nichol, inspiring him further to pursue theatre. After studying at UBC for two years, Arthur Ross made the decision to leavethe university. He enrolled in a comprehensive three-year programme at the esteemed National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal. However, as Ross delved deeper into the practical aspects of an actor's life and critically evaluated his own abilities, he arrived at a painful realization. "I liked it too much. It wasn't going to be healthy for me. I knew I was a good actor but I always thought you had to be great." So he did what any aspiring actor who feels they may be outclassed would do in 1975. Ross took his three years of academic work at UBC and went to law school in Toronto, graduated and spent 35 years as a civil litigator in Metro Vancouver before retiring in 2016. In November 2016, Ross reached out to UBC and initiated a fresh chapter in his educational journey. He obtained a new student number and wasted no time in January 2017 when he began attending UBC as a part-time student. His academic pursuits shifted towards the realm of history, with a keen focus on the intricacies of the First World War. "I simply could not grasp why so many people would be prepared to participate in this butchery," he explains. However, the great revelation of pursuing a history degree was not in answering that initial question, but in looking at the sordid nature of Canadian history. "I'm appreciative of the students accepting that old guy tuning in from outer space," he told UBC. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. On Friday morning, Flagstaff Police assisted a very large and furry Coconino County resident as they attempted to cross Interstate 40 a black bear. Just before 5:30 a.m., the animal tried to cross the freeway near the Fourth Street bridge. According to the Flagstaff Police Department, when they arrived, the bear was stuck in the median between west and eastbound I-40. Police say they kept an eye on the bear, and set up traffic control measures to ensure the safety of the critter and passing traffic while they waited for backup from Coconino County Animal Control and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Police say it took some creative wrangling, but first responders were eventually able to help the bear safely cross I-40 and return to the wild near Harold Ranch Road. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Click here for a Print Subscription with Online Digital included. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Below you will see test that reads Print Subscribe Access. Click this to then Get Started attaching your account number and zip code to you online user account. Click on the banner above if you would like to become a print subscriber with digital access. If you simply want online access without print click get started below. Subscribers to Register-Star or The Daily Mail are eligible to receive full access to HudsonValley360. If you have an existing print subscription, please make sure your email address on file matches your HudsonValley360 account email. Governor Establishes Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans' Services BOSTON Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Governor Maura Healey, joined by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Secretary Jon Santiago, signed Executive Order #613, creating the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans' Services to inform the Governor about veterans' issues in Massachusetts. The Council will complement the work that Secretary Santiago and the recently elevated Executive Office of Veterans Services are doing to assess current programs, services, and regulations for veterans and make recommendations to the Governor. "Today's announcement signifies a major step in amplifying the voices and influence of Massachusetts' veterans," said Governor Healey. "In the few months since we established the Executive Office of Veterans' Services and appointed Secretary Santiago, we've made important progress to improve the state's support for and engagement with veterans and their families. This Council represents another step forward in our mission to prioritize the diverse experiences of our service members and will play a crucial role in our efforts to elevate veterans' services statewide." The Council represents Massachusetts' diverse veteran community, in terms of geographic region, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, immigration status and economic status. Secretary Santiago will be an ex officio Council member to keep the Executive Office of Veterans' Services informed. Governor Healey will appoint all Council members, including a Chair and a Chair of the Women's Advisory Council. "Our Administration remains committed to honoring the veterans of our Commonwealth by providing them with the respect, service, and benefits they have rightfully earned," said Lt. Governor Driscoll. "As the proud daughter of a Navy veteran, this Executive Order has deep personal meaning to me, and I look forward to seeing and supporting the important work that this council will do." Effective immediately, Executive Order #613 supersedes Executive Order #573, signifying a new chapter of progress and innovation. Upon appointment, each Council member will serve at the Governor's discretion in an advisory capacity for three years. In addition, the Council will convene at least quarterly and provide a comprehensive written report every two years, summarizing the remarkable initiatives they undertake. "The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Executive Office of Veterans' Services stand firmly committed to supporting and engaging veterans of all backgrounds and zip codes, said Veterans Secretary Jon Santiago. The membership of this esteemed Council will encompass the diverse range of experiences among thousands of service members across our state. Adams Selectmen Move Meetings to 6 p.m. ADAMS, Mass. The Board of Selectmen is shifting its meeting times up an hour to begin at 6 p.m. The board voted at its May 17 meeting to change the start time to 6 p.m. beginning July 19, with Selectman Joseph Nowak abstaining. The decision to hold off until mid-July was to ensure that residents were fully informed. Chair Christine Hoyt said the change was prompted by conversations with presenters and others who want to attend meetings. "When we do start to put together agendas and ask people to come and present to the board, a 7 p.m. start time is somewhat difficult," she said. "I know that there were individuals this evening who were anxious to get home to put little ones to bed, or whatever it might be." Hoyt said Northern Berkshire Community Television, which records and broadcasts the meetings, was good with the change. Peter Gentile, who as operating the camera that night, gave two thumbs for the switch. Nowak said he was unaware of the reasoning for the time change being on the agenda and was not inclined to vote because "I just didn't have time to digest." "I don't like things just thrown at me haphazardly," he said, "because when I looked at that when I got the agenda, there boy, that's just the big change for this community, I think." Selectman John Duval noted that the board's workshop meetings are held at 6 p.m. "Our meetings do run longer, especially when we have executive sessions, we'll be out here at 10 o'clock at night," he said. "Having a meeting that late, the discussion can get off topic when people get tired. And I've seen that. But just speaking for myself as a member of the Board of Selectmen, six o'clock would be fine for me." Allowing people to get out of work, attend the meeting and get home at a reasonable hour would be beneficial, he said. Nowak asked if the change was being driven by town employees who often have to appear before the board, pointing out some live outside of the town. Hoyt said no, she had heard on a regular basis that residents would prefer an earlier hour. Even that evening, she continued, there has "jockeying" to get on the agenda earlier. The meeting that night ran for nearly 2 1/2 hours, prompting the board to take a five-minute break in between items. Nowak wasn't convinced, saying people could get baby-sitters if they wanted to appear before the board. "These meetings ever since I can remember, were at seven o'clock," he said. "It's just become a mainstay. A lot of people don't get home to want to watch these, you know, for six o'clock and that type of thing." It was suggested that if Nowak wanted more time to digest, the matter could be tabled to the next meeting. He declined, saying it was on the agenda but wanted to state his reason for abstaining. Selectman Howard Rosenberg thought they could pass a motion that night because "there's no overwhelming argument against it and we can go back if there's an outcry, so it's not like it's a terminal decision." The motion passed with Nowak abstaining. Selectman Richard Blanchard then had to leave because he works nights. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Meredith Talley has focused on leadership, music and the Indigenous Youth Club during her time at FALA. After graduating Friday, she plans to attend Northern Arizona University to study forensic psychology. Talley has attended FALA since the ninth grade, moving to online learning in the middle of her first year due to the pandemic. Close Quinn Darr reacts to the photograph his parents chose for his high school diploma presentation during Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy's graduation ceremonies Friday afternoon in Ashurst Hall at Northern Arizona University. Olivia Jardine is captured on a parent's cellphone Friday afternoon after performing City of Stars during graduation ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy in Ashurst Auditorium at Northern Arizona University. Daisy Kotalik, center, and Joshua Kristinat, left, react to a valedictorian speech Friday afternoon during Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy's graduation ceremony in Ashurst Auditorium at Northern Arizona University. Joshua Kristinat takes mortar board decoration in a new direction as he wore his ball cap balanced on top of his graduation cap Friday afternoon during commencement ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy. Valedictorians Sierra Woodruff, Catherine Wagner and Otis Koller each give speeches during the Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy's graduation Friday. Orion Van Ness addresses parents, staff and fellow graduates Friday afternoon during commencement ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy in Ashurst Hall at Northern Arizona University. Meredith Talley gives the land acknowledgement at the start of graduation ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy Friday afternoon. Quinn Darr walks into graduation ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy Friday afternoon in Ashurst Hall at Northern Arizona University. Gallery: FALA graduation FALA graduates took part in commencement ceremonies on Friday. Quinn Darr reacts to the photograph his parents chose for his high school diploma presentation during Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy's graduation ceremonies Friday afternoon in Ashurst Hall at Northern Arizona University. Olivia Jardine is captured on a parent's cellphone Friday afternoon after performing City of Stars during graduation ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy in Ashurst Auditorium at Northern Arizona University. Daisy Kotalik, center, and Joshua Kristinat, left, react to a valedictorian speech Friday afternoon during Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy's graduation ceremony in Ashurst Auditorium at Northern Arizona University. Joshua Kristinat takes mortar board decoration in a new direction as he wore his ball cap balanced on top of his graduation cap Friday afternoon during commencement ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy. Valedictorians Sierra Woodruff, Catherine Wagner and Otis Koller each give speeches during the Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy's graduation Friday. Orion Van Ness addresses parents, staff and fellow graduates Friday afternoon during commencement ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy in Ashurst Hall at Northern Arizona University. Meredith Talley gives the land acknowledgement at the start of graduation ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy Friday afternoon. Quinn Darr walks into graduation ceremonies for Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy Friday afternoon in Ashurst Hall at Northern Arizona University. I kind of just jumped from ninth grade to junior year, she said. For junior year, I was like, 'I need to do things,' and I really put my mind to literally everything. She focused on her studies, joined some clubs and even picked up a new instrument. Whats most defined Talleys time at FALA, she said, was her involvement in the Indigenous Youth Club, which also started in her junior year. Talley is now the club president (after moving from secretary to vice president last year), helping lead meetings and organize community service projects. Thats probably one of my favorite things at FALA and why I continue to go here and love this school, she said. She added: "I really like creating a space where Indigenous students have a space that they can share their thoughts and feelings in, and I like to create that space where they feel like, 'Oh, yay, we have club today. I can say what I've been wanting to say in my history classes,' for example, or just the feeling they feel at school. I think theres something really special abut that." Club members spent a day helping build ramps to make homes on the Hopi Reservation more accessible this year, and last year, they organized a blanket drive, distributing more than 250 donated blankets in Kykotsmovi Village and Tuba City in about 10 minutes. Talley also works with a group outside of school to advocate changing the name of Agassiz Peak to Omaki -- its Hopi name. Talley also enjoys giving speeches and has incorporated that skill in her work for the club. Over the past year, shes given three history presentations in FALA's classrooms after seeing gaps in the curriculum. She said she has even more speeches shes written that have yet to be delivered. I like to write my own reports and write my own speeches just for fun, because I like to acknowledge things that have happened in the past, she explained. I recognized that throughout the curriculum at FALA, a lot of the history classes dont really go over a lot of the things that have happened in history and when they do go over it, its pretty sugar-coated or it's glazed over or it's pushed to the side. "[So] what I decided to do this year was, OK, Im gonna make presentations of things that I want people to know.' ... I thought people should be educated on this history, since its very close to where we are. Shes also part of the schools Environmental Coalition, taking a trip to the Arizona Capitol. And she plays both piano and trumpet, starting the trumpet in fourth grade at the Peak School and picking up piano two years ago at FALA, where shes also the National Music Honors Society historian, helping keep a record of club members accomplishments. In addition to playing, shes also a composer, saying that her favorite genre was either classical modern or Ethiopian jazz inspired improv. FALAs piano and jazz band teacher, Chase Coleman, said Talley was one of his most "enthusiastic and wonderful" students, noting her rapid progress in piano over the past two years. "Meredith is one of those students who brings the other students together in a positive and joyful way," he said. "About two years ago this young person wandered into my piano class and kept visiting, and next semester they joined class and their progress was phenomenal," he said. " ... One thing led to another and now they're in virtually every music ensemble and one of the best piano students at Flagstaff. A remarkable progress." Talley plans to spend the summer playing music in a band with some friends (a mixture of funk and jazz) before beginning a forensic psychology degree. She said shes been interested in forensics since she was young, remembering that in kindergarten she had wanted to become a police officer. I was just so interested in whats going on behind the scenes, and I guess as I got older and more educated as to what exactly Ive wanted to learn, Ive narrowed it down to forensic psychology, she said. ... Something about knowing whats going on in the mind of someone is really fascinating to me. She also hopes to minor in math, as she loves the subject, particularly algebra, which is her "favorite thing ever. Her hope is to find a way to move to New York City eventually, after falling in love with the Big Apple on a recent visit. She said her studies at FALA helped develop her leadership abilities, which she plans to use as she moves on. She said she was thankful for the leadership opportunities shes had at the school as well as the chance to do public speaking and learn that she enjoys informing others. Im really glad I came here and have an opportunity, she said. I'm also really grateful for the drive I have to get to these places, because it is not easy." Close Graduates from the Coconino High School Class of 2023 throw their mortar boards into the air at the end of commencement ceremonies in the Walkup Skydome on Northern Arizona University's campus Friday afternoon. Ashley Attakai delivers the welcome in the Navajo language Friday morning during Coconino High School's graduation ceremony in the Walkup Skydome on the Northern Arizona University campus. Sofia Tabares Ramirez speaks Friday morning during graduation ceremonies for the Coconino High School class of 2023 in the Walkup Skydome. Coconino High School Principal Stacie Zanzucchi speaks to the class of 2023 during commencement ceremonies in the Walkup Skydome on the Northern Arizona University campus Friday morning. It was Zanzucchis last graduation, as she is retiring. Coconino high School senior line up for the processional in to their graduation ceremony in the Walkup Skydome Friday morning on the Northern Arizona University campus. Coconino High School students from the class of 2023 walk in to their graduation ceremony Friday morning at the Walkup Skydome on Northern Arizona University's campus. Decorated mortar boards dotted the heads of the graduation class of 2023 Friday morning during Coconino High Schools commencement ceremonies in the Walkup Skydome. Decorated mortar boards dotted the heads of the graduation class of 2023 Friday morning during Coconino High Schools commencement ceremonies in the Walkup Skydome on the NAU campus. Coconino High School Principal Stacie Zanzucchi, who is set to retire, leads her final graduating class into their commencement ceremony Friday morning in the Walkup Skydome. Gallery: Coconino High School graduation Coconino High School hosted its graduation ceremonies Friday. Graduates from the Coconino High School Class of 2023 throw their mortar boards into the air at the end of commencement ceremonies in the Walkup Skydome on Northern Arizona University's campus Friday afternoon. Ashley Attakai delivers the welcome in the Navajo language Friday morning during Coconino High School's graduation ceremony in the Walkup Skydome on the Northern Arizona University campus. Sofia Tabares Ramirez speaks Friday morning during graduation ceremonies for the Coconino High School class of 2023 in the Walkup Skydome. Coconino High School Principal Stacie Zanzucchi speaks to the class of 2023 during commencement ceremonies in the Walkup Skydome on the Northern Arizona University campus Friday morning. It was Zanzucchis last graduation, as she is retiring. Coconino high School senior line up for the processional in to their graduation ceremony in the Walkup Skydome Friday morning on the Northern Arizona University campus. Coconino High School students from the class of 2023 walk in to their graduation ceremony Friday morning at the Walkup Skydome on Northern Arizona University's campus. Decorated mortar boards dotted the heads of the graduation class of 2023 Friday morning during Coconino High Schools commencement ceremonies in the Walkup Skydome. Decorated mortar boards dotted the heads of the graduation class of 2023 Friday morning during Coconino High Schools commencement ceremonies in the Walkup Skydome on the NAU campus. Coconino High School Principal Stacie Zanzucchi, who is set to retire, leads her final graduating class into their commencement ceremony Friday morning in the Walkup Skydome. iciHaiti - Migration : 129 Haitian migrants intercepted off the Turks and Caicos Islands The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police (RTCIPF) of the Turks and Caicos Islands, alerted by the US Coast Guard, reported having intercepted an overloaded boat on May 25 with 129 Haitian migrants on board (107 men, 22 women and 1 minor) heading for Providenciales. This interception comes on Saturday May 20, 2023 when the authorities intercepted another boat in the waters of the archipelago with 30 Haitians on board. The Haitians were taken to the port on the island of Providenciales and handed over to immigration officials for processing. Since the beginning of the year, the authorities of the archipelago have intercepted 17 boats carrying a total of 1,921 illegal migrants of Haitian origin. Due to its proximity to Haiti and its standard of living, the archipelago of the Turks and Caicos Islands is a destination of choice for many Haitians in search of a better life... TB/ iciHaiti In 2013 and 2014, I wrote extensively about new revelations regarding NSA surveillance based on the documents provided by Edward Snowden. But I had a more personal involvement as well. I wrote the essay below in September 2013. The New Yorker agreed to publish it, but the Guardian asked me not to. It was scared of UK law enforcement, and worried that this essay would reflect badly on it. And given that the UK police would raid its offices in July 2014, it had legitimate cause to be worried. Now, ten years later, I offer this as a time capsule of what those early months of Snowden were like. ********** Its a surreal experience, paging through hundreds of top-secret NSA documents. Youre peering into a forbidden world: strange, confusing, and fascinating all at the same time. I had flown down to Rio de Janeiro in late August at the request of Glenn Greenwald. He had been working on the Edward Snowden archive for a couple of months, and had a pile of more technical documents that he wanted help interpreting. According to Greenwald, Snowden also thought that bringing me down was a good idea. It made sense. I didn't know either of them, but I have been writing about cryptography, security, and privacy for decades. I could decipher some of the technical language that Greenwald had difficulty with, and understand the context and importance of various document. And I have long been publicly critical of the NSAs eavesdropping capabilities. My knowledge and expertise could help figure out which stories needed to be reported. I thought about it a lot before agreeing. This was before David Miranda, Greenwalds partner, was detained at Heathrow airport by the UK authorities; but even without that, I knew there was a risk. I fly a lota quarter of a million miles per yearand being put on a TSA list, or being detained at the US border and having my electronics seized, would be a major problem. So would the FBI breaking into my home and seizing my personal electronics. But in the end, that made me more determined to do it. I did spend some time on the phone with the attorneys recommended to me by the ACLU and the EFF. And I talked about it with my partner, especially when Miranda was detained three days before my departure. Both Greenwald and his employer, the Guardian, are careful about whom they show the documents to. They publish only those portions essential to getting the story out. It was important to them that I be a co-author, not a source. I didnt follow the legal reasoning, but the point is that the Guardian doesnt want to leak the documents to random people. It will, however, write stories in the public interest, and I would be allowed to review the documents as part of that process. So after a Skype conversation with someone at the Guardian, I signed a letter of engagement. And then I flew to Brazil. I saw only a tiny slice of the documents, and most of what I saw was surprisingly banal. The concerns of the top-secret world are largely tactical: system upgrades, operational problems owing to weather, delays because of work backlogs, and so on. I paged through weekly reports, presentation slides from status meetings, and general briefings to educate visitors. Management is management, even inside the NSA Reading the documents, I felt as though I were sitting through some of those endless meetings. The meeting presenters try to spice things up. Presentations regularly include intelligence success stories. There were detailswhat had been found, and how, and where it helpedand sometimes there were attaboys from customers who used the intelligence. Im sure these are intended to remind NSA employees that theyre doing good. It definitely had an effect on me. Those were all things I want the NSA to be doing. There were so many code names. Everything has one: every program, every piece of equipment, every piece of software. Sometimes code names had their own code names. The biggest secrets seem to be the underlying real-world information: which particular company MONEYROCKET is; what software vulnerability EGOTISTICALGIRAFFEreally, I am not making that one upis; how TURBINE works. Those secrets collectively have a code nameECI, for exceptionally compartmented informationand almost never appear in the documents. Chatting with Snowden on an encrypted IM connection, I joked that the NSA cafeteria menu probably has code names for menu items. His response: Trust me when I say you have no idea. Those code names all come with logos, most of them amateurish and a lot of them dumb. Note to the NSA: take some of that more than ten-billion-dollar annual budget and hire yourself a design firm. Really; itll pay off in morale. Once in a while, though, I would see something that made me stop, stand up, and pace around in circles. It wasnt that what I read was particularly exciting, or important. It was just that it was startling. It changedever so slightlyhow I thought about the world. Greenwald said that that reaction was normal when people started reading through the documents. Intelligence professionals talk about how disorienting it is living on the inside. You read so much classified information about the worlds geopolitical events that you start seeing the world differently. You become convinced that only the insiders know whats really going on, because the news media is so often wrong. Your family is ignorant. Your friends are ignorant. The world is ignorant. The only thing keeping you from ignorance is that constant stream of classified knowledge. Its hard not to feel superior, not to say things like If you only knew what we know all the time. I can understand how General Keith Alexander, the director of the NSA, comes across as so supercilious; I only saw a minute fraction of that secret world, and I started feeling it. It turned out to be a terrible week to visit Greenwald, as he was still dealing with the fallout from Mirandas detention. Two other journalists, one from the Nation and the other from the Hindu, were also in town working with him. A lot of my week involved Greenwald rushing into my hotel room, giving me a thumb drive of new stuff to look through, and rushing out again. I did get to "meet" Snowden over secure chat. A technician from the Guardian got a search capability working while I was there, and I spent some time with it. Question: when youre given the capability to search through a database of NSA secrets, whats the first thing you look for? Answer: your name. It wasnt there. Neither were any of the algorithm names I knew, not even algorithms I knew that the US government used. I tried to talk to Greenwald about his own operational security. It had been incredibly stupid for Miranda to be traveling with NSA documents on the thumb drive. Transferring files electronically is what encryption is for. I told Greenwald that he and Laura Poitras should be sending large encrypted files of dummy documents back and forth every day. Once, at Greenwalds home, I walked into the backyard and looked for TEMPEST receivers hiding in the trees. I didnt find any, but that doesnt mean they werent there. Greenwald has a lot of dogs, but I dont think that would hinder professionals. Im sure that a bunch of major governments have a complete copy of everything Greenwald has. Maybe the black bag teams bumped into each other in those early weeks. I started doubting my own security procedures. Reading about the NSAs hacking abilities will do that to you. Can it break the encryption on my hard drive? Probably not. Has the company that makes my encryption software deliberately weakened the implementation for it? Probably. Are NSA agents listening in on my calls back to the US? Very probably. Could agents take control of my computer over the Internet if they wanted to? Definitely. In the end, I decided to do my best and stop worrying about it. It was the agencys documents, after all. And what I was working on would become public in a few weeks. I wasn't sleeping well, either. A lot of it was the sheer magnitude of what I saw. It's not that any of it was a real surprise. Those of us in the information security community had long assumed that the NSA was doing things like this. But we never really sat down and figured out the details, and to have the details confirmed made a big difference. Maybe I can make it clearer with an analogy. Everyone knows that death is inevitable; there's absolutely no surprise about that. Yet it arrives as a surprise, because we spend most of our lives refusing to think about it. The NSA documents were a bit like that. Knowing that it is surely true that the NSA is eavesdropping on the world, and doing it in such a methodical and robust manner, is very different from coming face-to-face with the reality that it is and the details of how it is doing it. I also found it incredibly difficult to keep the secrets. The Guardians process is slow and methodical. I move much faster. I drafted stories based on what I found. Then I wrote essays about those stories, and essays about the essays. Writing was therapy; I would wake up in the wee hours of the morning, and write an essay. But that put me at least three levels beyond what was published. Now that my involvement is out, and my first essays are out, I feel a lot better. I'm sure it will get worse again when I find another monumental revelation; there are still more documents to go through. Ive heard it said that Snowden wants to damage America. I can say with certainty that he does not. So far, everyone involved in this incident has been incredibly careful about what is released to the public. There are many documents that could be immensely harmful to the US, and no one has any intention of releasing them. The documents the reporters release are carefully redacted. Greenwald and I repeatedly debated with Guardian editors the newsworthiness of story ideas, stressing that we would not expose government secrets simply because theyre interesting. The NSA got incredibly lucky; this could have ended with a massive public dump like Chelsea Mannings State Department cables. I suppose it still could. Despite that, I can imagine how this feels to the NSA Its used to keeping this stuff behind multiple levels of security: gates with alarms, armed guards, safe doors, and military-grade cryptography. Its not supposed to be on a bunch of thumb drives in Brazil, Germany, the UK, the US, and who knows where else, protected largely by some random peoples opinions about what should or should not remain secret. This is easily the greatest intelligence failure in the history of ever. Its amazing that one person could have had so much access with so little accountability, and could sneak all of this data out without raising any alarms. The odds are close to zero that Snowden is the first person to do this; hes just the first person to make public that he did. Its a testament to General Alexanders power that he hasnt been forced to resign. Its not that we werent being careful about security, its that our standards of care are so different. From the NSAs point of view, were all major security risks, myself included. I was taking notes about classified material, crumpling them up, and throwing them into the wastebasket. I was printing documents marked TOP SECRET/COMINT/NOFORN in a hotel lobby. And once, I took the wrong thumb drive with me to dinner, accidentally leaving the unencrypted one filled with top-secret documents in my hotel room. It was an honest mistake; they were both blue. If I were an NSA employee, the policy would be to fire me for that alone. Many have written about how being under constant surveillance changes a person. When you know youre being watched, you censor yourself. You become less open, less spontaneous. You look at what you write on your computer and dwell on what youve said on the telephone, wonder how it would sound taken out of context, from the perspective of a hypothetical observer. Youre more likely to conform. You suppress your individuality. Even though I have worked in privacy for decades, and already knew a lot about the NSA and what it does, the change was palpable. That feeling hasnt faded. I am now more careful about what I say and write. I am less trusting of communications technology. I am less trusting of the computer industry. After much discussion, Greenwald and I agreed to write three stories together to start. All of those are still in progress. In addition, I wrote two commentaries on the Snowden documents that were recently made public. Theres a lot more to come; even Greenwald hasnt looked through everything. Since my trip to Brazil [one month before], Ive flown back to the US once and domestically seven timesall without incident. Im not on any list yet. At least, none that I know about. ********** As it happened, I didnt write much more with Greenwald or the Guardian. Those two had a falling out, and by the time everything settled and both began writing about the documents independentlyGreenwald at the newly formed website the InterceptI got cut out of the process somehow. I remember hearing that Greenwald was annoyed with me, but I never learned the reason. We havent spoken since. Still, I was happy with the one story I was part of: how the NSA hacks Tor. I consider it a personal success that I pushed the Guardian to publish NSA documents detailing QUANTUM. I dont think that would have gotten out any other way. And I still use those pages today when I teach cybersecurity to policymakers at the Harvard Kennedy School. Other people wrote about the Snowden files, and wrote a lot. It was a slow trickle at first, and then a more consistent flow. Between Greenwald, Bart Gellman, and the Guardian reporters, there ended up being steady stream of news. (Bart brought in Ashkan Soltani to help him with the technical aspects, which was a great move on his part, even if it cost Ashkan a government job later.) More stories were covered by other publications. It started getting weird. Both Greenwald and Gellman held documents back so they could publish them in their books. Jake Appelbaum, who had not yet been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, was working with Laura Poitras. He partnered with Spiegel to release an implant catalog from the NSAs Tailored Access Operations group. To this day, I am convinced that that document was not in the Snowden archives: that Jake got it somehow, and it was released under the cover of Edward Snowden. I thought it was important enough that I started writing about each item in that document in my blog: NSA Exploit of the Week. That got my website blocked by the DoD: I keep a framed print of the censors message on my wall. Perhaps the most surreal document disclosures were when artists started writing fiction based on the documents. This was in 2016, when the Intercept finally built a secure room in New York to house the documents. By then, the documents were years out of date, and now theyre over a decade out of date. (They were leaked in 2013, but most of them were from 2012 or before.) I ended up being something of a public ambassador for the documents. When I got back from Rio, I gave talks at a private conference in Woods Hole, the Berkman Center at Harvard, something called the Congress and Privacy and Surveillance in Geneva, events at both CATO and New America in DC, an event at the University of Pennsylvania, an event at EPIC and a Stop Watching Us rally in DC, the RISCS conference in London, the ISF in Paris, and...then...at the IETF meeting in Vancouver in November 2013. (I remember little of this; I am reconstructing it all from my calendar.) What struck me at the IETF was the indignation in the room, and the calls to action. And there was action, across many fronts. We technologists did a lot to help secure the Internet, for example. The government didnt do its part, though. Despite the public outcry, investigations by Congress, pronouncements by President Obama, and federal court rulings. I dont think much has changed. The NSA canceled a program here and a program there, and it is now more public about defense. But I dont think it is any less aggressive about either bulk or targeted surveillance. Certainly its government authorities havent been restricted in any way. And surveillance capitalism is still the business model of the Internet. And Edward Snowden? We were in contact for a while on Signal. I visited him once in Moscow, in 2016. And I had him do an annual guest lecture to my class at Harvard for a few years, remotely by Jitsi. Afterwards, I would hold a session where I promised to answer every question he would evade or not answer, explain every response he did give, and be candid in a way that someone with an outstanding arrest warrant simply cannot. Sometimes I thought I could channel Snowden better than he could. But now its been a decade. Everything he knows is old and out of date. Everything we know is old and out of date. The NSA suffered an even worse leak of its secrets by the Russians, under the guise of the Shadow Brokers, in 2016 and 2017. The NSA has rebuilt. It again has capabilities we can only surmise. Lazada Group has released LazzieChat, the first eCommerce AI chatbot of its kind in Southeast Asia powered by OpenAI ChatGPT technology in Azure OpenAI Service. LazzieChat can answer users shopping queries on the Lazada platform to provide an engaging, informed and personalized shopping experience. LazzieChat elevates shopping experiences on Lazada by offering personalized suggestions and product recommendations based on users queries Lazada is one of the first Southeast Asian eCommerce companies to integrate ChatGPT in Azure OpenAI Service into our chatbot. We are pleased to provide our users with LazzieChat as part of our continuous investment in technology to build a high-quality digital ecosystem that is set up for long-term growth, said Howard Wang, Chief Technology Officer, Lazada Group. Online shopping journeys are becoming more dynamic with the help of technology. We want to bridge the gap between offline and online shopping by providing high-quality experiences that consumers love, and create value for brands and sellers who can tap into new technologies to reach out to a wider audience. We are confident AI will drive new developments in making online shopping and selling a seamless daily activity for everyone. By combining the scale and power of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service with the breadth of Lazadas consumer reach, this collaboration will transform the shopping journey for Lazadas customers, sellers, and brands. Were excited to help Lazada welcome a new era of retail innovation with Microsoft Cloud. By adopting artificial intelligence, Lazada will deliver personalized recommendations, enhance the customer experience, provide faster customer assistance, and transform the buying experience in APAC, said Diomedes Kastanis, CTO for Microsoft in Asia Pacific. LazzieChat is especially useful for fast-moving consumer goods categories such as fashion and beauty which are among the top items purchased on Lazada. Brands and sellers on the Lazada platform can also benefit from LazzieChat as it helps increase product visibility, and is available around the clock. LazzieChat leverages Lazadas own AI technology and platform, complemented by the natural language capabilities of Azure OpenAI Service. It can understand and respond to queries in a natural manner, and suggest relevant products or topics that may interest the user. It can also look up product descriptions and link products available on Lazada directly in the chat console so users can be informed and shop quickly and conveniently with confidence. Named after Lazadas friendly lion mascot, Lazzie, LazzieChat is available in English in Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia markets, with the latter also receiving a Bahasa Indonesia version. More languages will be rolled out in due course. LazzieChat can be accessed by swiping down on the Lazada app homepage. While LazzieChats algorithms adhere to Lazadas trust and safety policies, Lazada also recognizes that there are challenges that come along with the ongoing development of natural language chatbots. Lazada is continuously optimizing LazzieChats algorithms to recognize inappropriate content so it can respond accordingly and responsibly to user queries. LazzieChats AI is always learning and will keep improving as user interaction increases. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A passenger opened the door of an Asiana Airlines flight just before the plane landed because he said he was feeling uncomfortable. The man, in his 30s, opened the plane door when it was still about 700ft above ground, causing panic onboard. The plane that had 194 passengers onboard was minutes away from landing in the southeastern city of Daegu from the southern island of Jeju. The flight is normally about an hour long and it was not immediately disclosed how long the door was open. An Asiana Airlines plane is parked as one of the plane's doors suddenly opened at Daegu International Airport in Daegu (AP) Videos of the traumatic incident showed horrified passengers leaning back on to their seats and clutching on to them hard as wind at high speeds lashed through the planes interior. The man who opened the door told police officials he wanted to get off the plane quickly, reported South Koreas Yonhap News Agency, citing sources at Daegu Fongbu police station. The man was also reportedly stressed about losing his job recently. Some passengers onboard tried to stop the man from opening the door, but the door partially opened despite their efforts, the countrys transport ministry said. At least nine passengers had to be sent to the hospital with breathing issues. All of them were discharged after about two hours, a fire department official said. Rescue workers move a passenger on a stretcher to an ambulance at Daegu International Airport in Daegu (South Korea Unification Ministry) Police plan to arrest the detained man once investigations conclude, Yonhap reported. An image of the man who allegedly opened the plane door being detained by police was shared by the South Korean news agency. Police officers in plain clothes arrest an airplane passenger suspected of opening an emergency exit door on an Asiana Airlines flight at Daegu International Airport on 26 May (Yun Kwan-shick/Yonhap via AP) Other images of the incident showed the emergency door completely open after the Asiana airlines flight had landed. An emergency exit door of an Asiana Airlines plane is seen at Daegu International Airport (AP) Jin Seong-hyun, a former Korean Air cabin safety official, said that as far has he knew, this case was unprecedented, but pointed out that passengers have opened emergency exits without authorisation while the plane is on the ground. A South Korean transport ministry official said on Friday that it was possible to open emergency exits at or near ground level because the pressures inside and outside airplane cabins were similar. Additional reporting by agencies Staff Reporter Sierra Ferguson comes to the Daily Sun from the world of TV news where she worked as a reporter, anchor and producer in Florida and California. She was born in Flagstaff, and loves everything about her hometown from its bustling downtown to its towering Ponderosa Pines. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An Australian man, who discovered he is a distant relative of the Princess of Wales through an AncestryDNA test, has said they both have the same smashing smiles and great dress sense. David Willis, 54, a union organiser, who lives in Avenel in Victoria, Australia, with his partner of 18 years, Rodney Kendall, 52, found out, in 2017 after doing the DNA test, that he is Kates fourth cousin once removed through his mothers working class family from Durham in the UK. David, whose friends now call him a queen, has also tracked down a fourth cousin in Durham who he speaks to regularly via email he hopes to one day meet her in person, and joked he might extend (his) invitation to Kate. But, despite the genetic evidence, Davids mum still wont believe him, as she always understood (their) roots to be working class, but his cousins are loving the royal connection. On Davids fathers side, he has discovered that they were a boat full of convicts, so he now likes to jokingly refer to himself as Kates convict cousin. I thought, what do Kate Middleton and I have in common? We both have smashing smiles, great dress sense and were distant cousins, David said. I have blue blood my friends call me a queen I truly am! David began researching his family history more than 20 years ago, he explained: Im a bit of an amateur historian. When Ancestry started Ive been involved for probably 18 to 19 years I was able to access materials, resources and documents that in the past I would have had to have travelled to England to gain access to, so I was able to do that all online. I researched my family on both sides, and thats when it came up with an interesting connection. In 2017, it appeared as if Kate was on Davids family tree, he said: No one believed me I had to double check the paperwork, and I thought what better way of doing it than testing my DNA through Ancestry. I was able to just submit my DNA to finally prove and say to everybody that I got my research right. David decided to get a DNA test to prove he had done his research correctly (Collect/PA Real Life) It was confirmed that Davids mothers working class family, from Durham in the UK, had links to Kate they are fourth cousins once removed. David explained their connection: We share a common ancestor, and were fourth cousins once removed. We go back six generations and Kate goes back seven to our common ancestor, Jane Conyers, who was the daughter of a fellow called Sir Thomas Conyers, the ninth Baronet of Horden. But, because he had three girls, the title died off with him and they married the local folk in the town. So one of those girls was called Isabella, and her sister was called Jane. About six generations ago, when my family sort of fell out of royalty with Sir Thomas, the rest of them were working in the coal mines I find that fascinating stuff. David has also discovered a third cousin, the daughter of his great-grandfather, who lives in Durham. Kate Middleton (Getty) He said: Weve actually been talking by email for probably one and a half years now, every couple of weeks. Shes all excited about our familys story. And she did her DNA test too, and shes definitely also related to Kate. David explained how his family in Australia feel about being related to Kate: My mother just doesnt want to know she doesnt believe it because our family were always understood to be very working class. Our family comes from Durham in the north, and my grandfather and his mother emigrated to Australia, after World War One, when my great-grandfather was killed. He was a coal miner from Newcastle upon Tyne, so my family escaped poverty by moving to Australia, and we just always understood our roots to be working class. So when there was a bit of a royal connection I dont think we quite knew how to feel. Mum still wont believe me, but my cousins are loving it. David is Kate Middletons fourth cousin once removed through his mothers working class family from Durham (Collect/PA Real Life) David explained how it feels to have a link to the current royal family: Im not a massive royalist by any means, because, in Australia, were a few steps removed. But having said that, I still have a fascination with UK culture I watched every bit of the coronation for example. David explained the stark contrast between his mothers and his fathers side of the family: On my mums side we have sirs and Kate Middleton, but on my dads side, on the other side of the world, they were a boat full of convicts, so I joke that Im Kates convict cousin! Looking to the future, David hopes to meet some of his closer relatives in the UK, he explained: Id love to meet the cousin Ive been emailing and have a trip to Durham. Maybe Ill also extend my invitation to Kate and see if she fancies joining! For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Spanish Jesuit priest who died in 2012 has been accused of sexually abusing a minor in Bolivia three decades ago, the latest in a string of pedophilia cases that have shaken the Catholic Church in this Andean country. Jorge Vila Despujol, who died in Barcelona in 2012, was formally accused before prosecutors Thursday by a person who alleges they were indecently touched when they were 13, the Jesuit Society in Bolivia said in a statement. The name of the alleged victim is being kept confidential. The abuse allegedly occurred when the victim was at an educational institution in the central region of Cochabamba, although no further details were given. Vila Despujol founded the organization Defense of Children International in Bolivia, which promotes the rights of minors. The organization is still active, and it condemned all forms of abuse in a statement in which it also urged other victims file reports with the Public Prosecutors Office. The Jesuits in Bolivia have been in the spotlight since the Spanish newspaper El Pais published excerpts from the diary of late priest Alfonso Pedrajas a few weeks ago, in which he admitted to sexually abusing dozens of minors in Catholic boarding schools in the 1970s and 1980s. An alleged victim of Pedrajas formally filed an accusation against the deceased priest on May 19, the Jesuit order said. The revelations about Pedrajas, a Spanish Jesuit who died in 2009, has helped uncover other cases of abuse by Church authorities, including from other orders, amid a broad inquiry by prosecutors. One Carmelite parish priest, Milton Murillo, was sent to pre-trial detention for three months earlier this month. The Public Prosecutors Office said this week it had formally charged another priest, Garvin Grech, with covering up Murillos alleged crimes. Grech has fled to neighboring Argentina, according to police. Attorney General Wilfredo Chavez said earlier this week that around 23 priests have been implicated in alleged pedophilia cases. The Jesuit Society in Bolivia previously apologized to victims and pledged to support the investigation while denouncing Pedrajas superiors for an alleged cover-up. Many of the people singled out are no longer in office or have died. Earlier this week, Jordi Bertemeu, one of the Vaticans top sex crimes investigators, arrived in Bolivia amid the growing scandal. The Bolivian Catholic Church acknowledged on Wednesday that it had been deaf to the sufferings of the victims of sexual abuse committed by priests and pledged to seek reparation for the victims. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police are hunting a man who escaped from a prison transport van outside a police station in south London. Kwami Richards absconded from the vehicle, operated by a private security company, in Brixton while he was being sent back to jail at 2pm on Friday. An officer ran after Richards into Brixton Underground Station but was assaulted when they tried to apprehend the fugitive. Richards, who has links to Wandsworth, then boarded a tube heading in the direction of London Victoria. The 42-year-old is wanted on recall to prison for breaching his licence conditions after serving a sentence for burglary. He was arrested by Metropolitan Police officers earlier and was in the process of being transported to prison when the incident occurred. The force has warned the public that Richards must not be approached and to call 999 immediately if he is spotted. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 4140/26May. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The UK is finally enjoying a spate of warm weather this bank holiday weekend, with parts of the country seeing temperatures 20C and higher. As such you might find yourself tempted to go for a dip as Britain heats up. However, its worth doing your research beforehand as the Environment Agency regularly provides updates on water quality across the country. The Swimfo website has an interactive map highlighting areas where the EA advises against bathing. Annual ratings classify each site as excellent, good, sufficient or poor based on measurements taken over a period of up to four years. Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage provides a similar map that also flags more recent sewage discharges. Below we look at more than a dozen locations around the UK where you should think twice before taking a dip, either due to sewage concerns or poor quality conditions for bathing. Blackpool North Blackpool North sand beach is opposite Blackpool Tower and between Central and North Piers. Water quality here was rated sufficient in 2018 and 2021, and good in 2019 but took a dive to poor last year. Bognor Regis (Aldwick) Aldwick is mostly a shingle resort beach with some sand exposed at low tide. There are eight sewer overflows spread out across the length of this beach with several more to the east and west. In 2019 and 2021 the water was rated as good but took a dramatic plunge in 2022 to poor. Bridlington South Beach Bridlington South Beach has one sewer overflow which discharges straight onto the beach while a long sea overflow was built in 2014 to transfer discharge from the Gypsy Race 1.1km out to sea. Water quality took a nose dive last year to poor after it was found sufficient in previous assessments. The Environment Agency highlights many of the locations on this list due to water quality concerns (Swimfo) Burnham Jetty North In 2020 the Environment Agency warned against swimming on Burnham-on-Seas main beach due to ongoing water quality concerns and that remains in place three years later. The Agencys Environment Manager Jim Flory said at the time: The Environment Agency has issued permanent advice against bathing at Burnham Jetty at Burnham-On-Sea. This advice is issued under the Bathing Water Regulations because water quality has been classified as poor for five consecutive bathing seasons at Burnham. Clacton (Groyne 41) This is another area where the EA has permanently advised against bathing. The spot in Essex was found to have been poor for five years running. The agency previously suggested pigeons were partly to blame for the conditions, with birds dropping faeces dropping into the water when they nest under the pier. Dunster North West A large pebble and sand resort beach backed by Chalets, Dunster North West faces into the Bristol Channel and is just east of the popular seaside resort of Minehead. A sewer overflow discharges directly into the sea in the middle of this beach. Bathing is not advised after previously sufficient water quality dropped to poor in 2022. Beach resort Weston Super Mare has a number of spots with poor quality water for bathing (Getty) Heacham Heacham or Stubborn Sands is a gently sloping sand beach fronting a popular Norfolk seaside resort. The sea is cloudy here due to tidal movements stirring up the sediment. There are no sewer overflows discharging directly onto the beach but there are long and short sea outfalls at Hunstanton. In 2018 and 2019 the water quality was deemed sufficient but has dropped to poor in the last two years. Ilfracombe Wildersmouth Wildersmouth beach is another Devon location where the EA permanently advises against bathing. In 2017 alone, 42 warnings were issued against swimming due to pollution risk. Instow Instow in North Devon is not a bathing beach and the public is advised not to go swimming, the local parish council says. It is another spot that has consistently had poor water quality and the EA does not believe it will meet the minimum standard in the foreseeable future. The council also warns that dog owners should bear in mind that if there are pollutants in the water that are potentially harmful to humans they are also potentially harmful to dogs. Surfers Against Sewage also shows recent sewage discharges across the country (Surfers Against Sewage) Kinghorn (Harbour Beach) Bathers are advised to avoid entering the waters of Harbour Beach in Kinghorn, Scotland, due to its poor annual classification. The beach is a mix of sand and rock pools and cliffs and stretches about 500m long. Scarborough South Bay Scarborough South Bay is a long, sandy resort beach located directly below the seafront and in one of Britains most famous seaside towns. There is a sewer overflow that discharges directly onto the beach, with two more at 800m and 2.5km away from the bathing water. Quality of the water was rated sufficient in 2021 but dipped back down to poor the year after. St Marys Bay (Kent) St Marys Bay is a shingle beach with large areas of sand flats. There are no sewer overflows discharging directly into St Marys Bay, however there are sewer overflows in the vicinity. Back in 2018 the water quality was considered good but dropped to sufficient the year after and then poor last year. Tynemouth Cullercoats The beach is enclosed by piers at each end, which means the area is a sheltered bay. Though no sewer overflows discharge directly at Tynemouth Cullercoats, there are discharges into the River Tyne, which meets the sea just south of the bathing water. Water quality here has been rated poor every year since 2018. Blackpool North is one of several areas where water quality took a dive last year (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images) Weston-super-Mare Sand Bay A sand and shingle beach resort in North Somerset, approximately 5km wide and backed by sand dunes. There is a salt marsh at the northern end, and Sand Point Headland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The outfall from Weston-super-Mare STW discharges to the sea at Black Rock 5km south of Sand Bay. Water quality was rated good in 2018, falling to sufficient the year after and then poor last year. Weston Main Located close to the popular seaside town of Weston-super-Mare, the main beach is a large stretch of sand with a pier. Two sewer overflows discharge directly into the sea here - one at the northern extent of the beach and one 2km to the south. The bathing water quality may also be affected by discharges from the surrounding urban catchment area. In 2019 it was rated as sufficient but fell to poor for the last two years. Wharfe at Cromwheel The short 160m stretch of the River Wharfe flowing through the West Yorkshire town of Ilkley is popular with swimmers and paddlers. A sewage discharge outlet is located within the designated bathing area at one of these beaches. Water quality was found to be poor in 2021 and 2022. Wolvercote Mill Stream Wolvercote Mill Stream is a bifurcation of the River Thames that splits from the main channel above Kings Lock, re-joining below Godstow Lock. The most recent water quality classification in 2022 rated it poor with bathing not advised. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Madeleine McCann, a three-year-old girl from Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from the Portuguese holiday resort of Praia da Luz on the Algarve on 3 May 2007, a case still unsolved and still the subject of intense interest among the public and press. Follow all the latest updates on The Independents live blog Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, posted a statement on the Find Madeleine website on 3 May 2023 marking the latest anniversary of their daughters disappearance, reiterating their hopes of being reunited with her one day and posting a poem, The Contradiction by Clare Pollard, to express their feelings. Today marks the 16th anniversary of Madeleines abduction. Still missing... still very much missed, they wrote. The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough. Thank you to everyone for your support- it really helps. Here is a reminder of the events of the case. The story began when the McCanns affluent doctors Kate and Gerry, their three-year-old daughter Madeleine and her two-year-old twin siblings joined a group of seven family friends and their five children on holiday at the Ocean Club in the village of Praia da Luz on the southwestern tip of Portugal on 28 April 2007. After a pleasant spring break by the sea, the adults in the party went out for dinner at the resorts open-air tapas bar on 3 May, gathering at 8.30pm. The children were left behind sleeping in their respective apartments with the doors unlocked and a rota system in place among the parents to ensure that someone returned every half-hour to check on them. When Kate McCann took her turn and returned to her apartment at 10pm, she raced back to the restaurant screaming Madeleines gone! Someones taken her! The police were quickly called and 60 staff and fellow guests searched the complex, calling out the girls name in vain until daybreak the following morning. Border police and airport staff were put on alert and hundreds of volunteers joined the efforts to find the missing girl over the coming days, the case fast becoming a sensation. Madeleine McCann (PA) The Portuguese authorities would later attract criticism over their conduct in the crucial earliest hours of the investigation when the trail might still have been warm, accused of making rudimentary mistakes like failing to conduct a house-by-house search of every local residence or interview all of the other guests at the resort, acting slowly to erect roadblocks and potentially compromising forensic evidence at the crime scene. The police initially stated that they believed Madeleine was still alive and had been abducted from the room by a stranger as the parents described their anguish and despair over her vanishing, a worst fear realised for any parent. On 26 May, police issued a description of a suspicious man seen on the night of the girls disappearance. The individual in question was spotted by Jane Tanner, one of the McCanns dining companions, who said she had seen a Mediterranean man with dark hair and beige trousers carrying a child close to the apartment when she went to check in on her own children. Scotland Yard would later come to dismiss the sighting as a red herring. The search continued as the summer progressed amid a wild media circus and with huge fundraising activities underway, the McCanns setting up Madeleines Fund on 15 May to raise cash to support further investigation and keep the profile of the case high, attracting generous donations from celebrities like Richard Branson, Simon Cowell, JK Rowling and Coleen Rooney. By 30 May, the case was such a cause celebre that they were being flown out to meet the Pope at the Vatican in Sir Phillip Greens Learjet. A local man, Robert Murat, subsequently became its first suspect and had his house and car searched, his swimming pool drained and his electronic devices confiscated but no evidence was found to link him to Madeleine and the matter was soon dropped. By June, the Portuguese police admitted that they had failed to protect potentially useful evidence at the scene as frustration with the lack of developments grew and the media began to question whether the McCanns themselves had been involved in the matter. Lurid tabloid allegations suggested the couple and their friends might have been swingers and that the McCanns, as physicians, might have been in the habit of sedating their children, while others claimed inconsistencies in their version of events. Gerry and Kate McCann (AP) The intensity of the hostility towards the parents would later be described by Roy Greenslade of The Guardian as no journalistic accident, but a sustained campaign of vitriol against a grief-stricken family, singling out The Daily Express and Daily Star for particular condemnation. In July, assistance offered by former South African police officer Danie Krugel who claimed his handheld matter orientation system could help to find Madeleine was rubbished, while British police sent over two springer spaniel sniffer dogs to search for DNA. Relations with the local authorities would ultimately sour as the latter came to resent British intrusion into a Portuguese inquiry, according to Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swans book Looking for Madeleine (2014). By August, Madeleine has been missing for 100 days and police admitted for the first time that she may never be found. They also told the McCanns that they were no longer considering the matter an abduction case but, rather, a murder inquiry. The McCanns themselves were interviewed as arguidos (suspects) by Portuguese police in September, with the parents told that the dogs had discovered DNA evidence from the missing girl in the boot of their holiday rental car, lines of inquiry that had already been leaked to the British press. They vehemently denied having any part in her disappearance. Despite being listed as suspects (a designation that would linger until the following July), the McCanns were allowed to return to Britain on 9 September. A day later, chief inspector Tavares de Almeida of the Policia Judiciaria in Portimao signed a nine-page report concluding that Madeleine McCann had died in their apartment as a result of an accident, that the tapas dinner and rota checks on the McCann children had been part of a planned cover-up, that the familys friends had helped to mislead the police and that the McCanns had concealed the body and then faked an abduction. A public prosecutor subsequently applied for the confiscation of Kate McCanns diary and Gerry McCanns laptop plus the groups phone records. On 2 October, chief inspector Goncalo Amaral was removed from the case and transferred after alleging that the British police were only interested in pursuing leads favourable to the McCanns. He would later publish a book, Maddie: The Truth of the Lie, the following summer, resulting in a lengthy libel battle with the McCanns that would run back and forth through the courts until March 2017. Back in Britain, Gerry McCann issued a video that November in which he speculated that his family had been watched by a predator during their stay at Praia da Luz. His wife had come to believe that a potential perpetrator could have seen a note in the resorts guest book visible to all in reception noting their dining arrangements on the evening of Madeleines disappearance. The couple followed up on 20 January 2008 by releasing a sketch of a creepy man they said other holidaymakers had said they had seen loitering at the Ocean Club. In April, a month before the one-year anniversary of the fateful night, Portuguese police travelled to Leicestershire to conduct further interviews with the McCanns friends. Then, on 21 July, Portugals attorney general, Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro, announced that there was no evidence to link either the McCanns or Robert Murat to the disappearance and closed the case, unsolved. With the trail cold and no closure in sight, the McCanns continued to publicise their cause, issuing computer-generated images of how Madeleine might look now that she had aged on 3 November 2009 and condemning the release of previously unseen Portuguese police files detailing possible sightings of their daughter to British newspapers in March 2010. The McCanns published a book of their own about their ordeal in May 2011, entitled simply Madeleine, which was serialised in The Sun as the newspaper led a campaign calling on British prime minister David Cameron to launch a new inquiry. He did so. Commenced by then-home secretary Theresa May, the Metropolitan Polices Operation Grange would be led by commander Simon Foy and comprise a team of three detective inspectors, five detective sergeants, 19 detective constables and six civilian staff. It began to yield results in 2013, with Scotland Yard formally announcing a new investigation in July and saying in October it had identified 41 potential suspects. That same month, BBC Crimewatch released an e-fit image of a man of particular interest who had been seen in Praia da Luz with a child matching Madeleines description in May 2007. Detectives arrived in Portugal in January 2014 promising new arrests and finally searched the village in June, interviewing four people the following month but without unearthing new information. The quartet would be definitively ruled out in April 2017, before the UK government said it would continue to fund the investigation until 2020, having already admitted it had cost 10m in its first four years of operation. That investment had enabled detectives to have tens of thousands of documents translated, investigate over 8,000 potential sightings, take 1,338 statements, collect 1,027 exhibits and investigate 650 sex offenders and 60 persons of interest, all without definitively establishing the truth. The Madeline McCann case lay dormant before suddenly exploding into life in June 2020 when German media revealed that Christian Brueckner, a 43-year-old prisoner with a track record of child abuse and drug trafficking, had been identified as a new suspect by the public prosecutor of the German city of Braunschweig. Christian Brueckner (Italian Carabinieri) He had reportedly been living in a Volkswagen camper van in the Algarve at the time of Madeleines disappearance and one woman has since come forward to suggest she saw a girl that might have been Madeleine speaking German in a supermarket in Portugal in 2017. German investigators classified their probe into his movements as a murder inquiry, saying they were working on the assumption that Madeleine is dead and reporting in July 2021 that they had found an abandoned cellar beneath his former allotment near Hanover where she could, theoretically, have been held captive. Hans Christian Wolters, the prosecutor leading the investigation into Brueckner, has said he was very confident the inmate is responsible for kidnapping her. If you knew the evidence we had you would come to the same conclusion as I do but I cant give you details because we dont want the accused to know what we have on him these are tactical considerations, he told the BBC. It was subsequently revealed that Madeleines Fund still had 773,629 to spend as of 31 March 2020, meaning the McCanns can continue to bankroll a private investigation to find their daughter long after the police hunt is finally drawn to a close, should they choose to. Brueckner was formally made a arguido in relation to the case on 21 April 2022. On 19 September, the McCanns lost their libel case against Mr Amaral, the former chief inspector who had investigated the disappearance, before the European Court of Human Rights. The couple had attempted to argue that Mr Amaral was responsible for damaging their reputation and breaching their rights to respect for their private life and to be presumed innocent after taking exception to his book and associated media appearances in which he had repeatedly suggested they were responsible for the vanishing. Their complaint also argued that Portugals Supreme Court had failed to allow them proper redress over the alleged libel by Mr Amaral after judges threw out their earlier claim in 2017. The verdict left the McCanns with three months to appeal against the decision. In February 2023, a Polish woman called Julia Faustyna made headlines by claiming she was Madeleine, using the Instagram name @iammadeleinemccann. Ms Faustyna, 21, did not provide any supporting evidence but sought DNA tests to prove her origins. The results ultimately revealed that she was entirely of Polish origin, with no British heritage, disproving her claims for good. In April 2023, a court in Braunschweig dropped a rape charge against Brueckner, unrelated to the Madeleine McCann case, concluding it did not have jurisdiction. Police in Germany continue to claim they have concrete evidence that Madeleine is dead but this has still not been confirmed and their investigation is ongoing, with Brueckner still not charged in the McCann case. Like her parents, Madeleines sister Amelie, now 18, observed the 16th anniversary of her disappearance in May 2023. Speaking publicly for the first time at a prayer meeting in Rothley, she said: Its nice that everyone is here together but its a sad occasion. Amelie McCann reportedly joined in with chants including Never never give up, leave no stone unturned, dont forget about me and still missing, still missed. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The former deputy chief of staff to Boris Johnson has poured fuel on the latest Partygate allegations engulfing the former prime minister by saying that the scandal risks being the last nail in the coffin of his political career. Cleo Watson, who says she was like a nanny to the former PM during the Covid lockdown, also gave him just five out of 10 for morality in her first television interview to launch her new book Whips, a raunchy bonkbuster set in Westminster. She warned that dozens more people could face investigations if the police decide to launch a fresh inquiry into alleged Covid breaches at Chequers. Nicknamed the Gazelle for her elegant 6ft stature, Ms Watson worked alongside Mr Johnsons former chief adviser Dominic Cummings and, like her colleague, she was fired by Mr Johnson. Cleo Watson lifts the lid on what it was really like to work for Boris Johnson (The Independent) In her interview with Independent TV, she talked candidly and revealingly about life inside No 10, with its tensions, infighting and partying. While critical of Mr Johnson, she expressed embarrassment at her own police fine for being present at a No 10 party while Covid restrictions were in place. She also suggested it would be respectful to the Covid-bereaved for Mr Johnson to pay his own legal fees now that he is earning more than 1m a month from his speeches. Ms Watson also: claimed the former prime minister was defined by Partygate revealed that illicit encounters were commonplace at party conferences warned that No 10 was the kind of building where it was difficult not to rub up against each other The Partygate scandal erupted again when it emerged that Mr Johnson had been referred to police over fresh claims he broke lockdown rules. The allegations centre on around a dozen gatherings at No 10 and at the prime ministers grace-and-favour country house, Chequers. New details were sent to the police by the Cabinet Office, prompting fevered speculation over who might have attended the alleged events. Those whose names were suggested include some of Mr Johnson and his wife Carries closest allies. Boriss former aide gives him 5/10 moral rating Asked how many people could face questions if a police investigation is launched, Ms Watson said the figure could be dozens. She said: It is up to them to decide if they want to investigate this, but it's two different [police] forces. And, as I understand it, theyre looking at multiple events. So, you know, it could be dozens [of people]. The latest development could be the final blow to Mr Johnsons political career, said Ms Watson. I think so, she said. Its my view that hes making his money, hes writing his books, hes got a lovely new baby on the way... why would he want a further political career? But if he does want to, this is potentially the last nail in the coffin. Describing the man she saw in Downing Street every day, she painted a vivid picture of someone who was disorganised ... an interesting character study to be around, and ambitious. When asked what score she would give the former prime minister out of 10 for morality, she said: Five. And she warned that he would never be able to escape the Partygate scandal. Prime minister Boris Johnson and Cleo Watson in Downing Street in 2020 ahead of a cabinet meeting at the Foreign Office (PA) Mr Johnson was fined by police after stories emerged of parties in No 10 during lockdown, and the resulting furore eventually saw him ousted from office by his own Tory MPs. An inquiry by top civil servant Sue Gray later ruled that there had been a serious failure of the leadership to abide by the standards expected of the entire British population during the pandemic. Ms Grays long-awaited report also concluded that too little thought had been given by those in No 10 to the risks the gatherings presented to public health, and to how they might appear to the public. Asked about Mr Johnsons rule-breaking, Ms Watson said: Hes obviously defined by Partygate, so thats a pretty obvious part of the rules. But in terms of political rules over the years, hes defied them at every point, and its worked for him. She also suggested that the former London mayor was a tragic figure. I think theres always something quite tragic about things not panning out for someone the way they wanted them to, she said. He obviously wanted this so badly, and yeah, that is hard, but these are his own mistakes. She said that Covid had offered him an opportunity to defy his detractors and show himself as someone incredibly diligent and hardworking and decisive. And so, as difficult as it is and I do feel for him on that it must be pretty devastating, shy of 60, to be having to kind of reassess a lot of your life. But the buck does stop with him, she added. Cleo Watson reveals that Downing Street is a funny place where colleagues rub up against each other Ms Watson said she couldnt apologise more for the event in Downing Street for which she also was fined by police. But she said it was a great shock to read about instances of events in No 10 where people were partying and being sick and throwing wine up the walls. She suggested that Mr Johnson, who has made millions of pounds since leaving office, should pay for his own legal fees as part of the parliamentary inquiry into Partygate. I think it would be very respectful, particularly with these new allegations coming forward, if he did pick up the bill personally ... I think it would be respectful to lots of Covid-bereaved families in particular. It emerged on Wednesday that Mr Johnson had sacked his government-appointed defence team after the Cabinet Office passed information to police on the latest alleged breaches. Ms Watson also suggested that the annual conferences held by political parties every autumn are a hotbed of illicit sex. There is, she said, the opportunity for sex in parliament, adding: Its obviously got nooks and crannies. Theres alcohol, they [MPs] are there late. I mean, there are those kinds of opportunities for sure. She added: Every party conference, regardless of the party, people make fools of themselves. She also described No 10 as a strange building in which it was difficult to not to literally rub up against each other. And I think thats where some of this trouble set in. Perhaps not helped by the culture being set from the top. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A flustered Boris Johnson has branded suggestions he may have taken part in further rule-breaking during the pandemic a load of absolute nonsense. The former prime minister would not say who he believes is trying to stitch him up, having previously claimed he appears to be the victim of a politically motivated plot. But he claimed that the Cabinet Office decision to hand over entries from his official diary during the pandemic to police without first querying them with him was ridiculous. No 10 and the Cabinet Office are adamant that ministers were not involved when Whitehall officials passed concerns to the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police. The entries revealed visits by Mr Johnsons friends to Chequers the prime ministers country estate and events in Downing Street during the pandemic. The new information is said to have come to light during a review by taxpayer-funded lawyers ahead of the Covid public inquiry. Mr Johnson was catching a flight in Washington DC on Friday as part of his trip to the US, where he is speaking about the war in Ukraine, when he was approached by a Sky News journalist asking about the revelations. You want my honest view, I think this whole thing is completely nonsensical, he said. Asked what the entries show, he replied: They merely record events in my day. Mr Johnson was previously fined for attending a gathering in Downing Street to mark his birthday in June 2020 one of a series of political crises that ultimately led to the end of his premiership. This whole thing is a load of nonsense from beginning to end I think its ridiculous that elements in my diary should be cherry-picked and handed over to the police, to the Privileges Committee without even anybody having the basic common sense to ask me what these entries referred to, he said. Asked whether he believes Mr Sunak is trying to stitch him up, he said: I just think its totally nonsensical and bizarre. There are tens of thousands of entries in the prime ministerial diary None of them constitute a breach of the rules during Covid. Mr Johnson suggested none of the entries in question relate to periods when the country was in lockdown, but times when other restrictions were in place. He added: For reasons that somebody, somewhere, thinks its sensible to do this I dont. The Privileges Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into whether Mr Johnson lied to Parliament about the partygate scandal, has also been informed of the new information. The fallout adds to the problems confronting Mr Sunak, who was handed a fixed penalty alongside Mr Johnson over the June 2020 event and now faces unrest from the former prime ministers allies. Mr Sunak definitely did not go to the grace-and-favour retreat in contravention of coronavirus rules when he was chancellor during the pandemic, his press secretary said. The Prime Minister has not discussed the controversy with his predecessor, the spokeswoman said. Mr Johnson, in a letter to the chair of the Covid inquiry, indicated he was severing ties with taxpayer-funded lawyers representing him. It is understood he lost confidence in the Cabinet Office. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said earlier on Friday the public was fed up to the back teeth with stories about the former prime minister. These are deeply personal things and increasing revelations about Boris Johnson, I think, just add to that sense of hurt and people are fed up with it, he said. I do think there are questions now about why have these allegations not come out before, all these allegations. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Tory minister who served under Suella Braverman at the Home Office is among high-profile MPs to have wrongly claimed hundreds of pounds in driving fines on expenses, The Independent can reveal. Amanda Solloway, who is now a minister in the energy department, claimed back an 80 fixed penalty notice issued to her while she was driving in London in July 2020, listing it under MP travel expenses. The revelation branded scandalous by a former watchdog chair means Rishi Sunak risks being dragged into yet another sleaze row just days after he rejected calls to launch an investigation into his home secretarys handling of her own speeding fine. The prime minister said a probe into Ms Bravermans actions was not necessary after it was claimed that she had asked civil servants to arrange for her to take a private speed-awareness course. Labour accused the MPs of breaking the rules and making the taxpayer pick up the bill, and urged Mr Sunak to clamp down on rulebreakers in his party. An investigation by The Independent into the expenses found that the parliamentary standards watchdog had approved the penalty charges between 2019 and 2022, including a further fine expensed by SNP MP Dave Doogan. Tory MP and select committee chair Simon Hoare, and former Tory vice-chair Bim Afolami, also got taxpayers to foot the bill for their penalties. The penalties claimed for were issued by Transport for London, which hands out fines to drivers who violate traffic laws, such as parking on double red lines, driving in buhas lanes, and wrongly using disabled bays. The IPSA register of MPs expenses shows that Mr Hoare, MP for North Dorset, claimed four times for 80 fines issued in November 2019. Mr Afolami, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, claimed for two 80 fines in December 2021. Mr Doogan, SNP MP for Angus, claimed for a 160 fine in January 2022. The expenses were approved and paid by the parliamentary expenses authority IPSA (the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) but after being approached by The Independent, it admitted it had been wrong to do so. IPSA said it would be writing to the MPs to ask for the money to be repaid, and that it would also reiterate the expenses rules to them. The Independent approached the MPs offices to ask what traffic offences the penalty charges were issued for, but those that responded were unable to say. Amanda Solloway (centre), the MP for Derby North, has since repaid her penalty charge (PA Wire) Ms Solloway and Mr Afolami claimed the expenses were submitted in error, and both confirmed they had repaid the charges after The Independent approached them this week. The offices of the other MPs are yet to respond. Labours shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire condemned the MPs claims, saying: While Rishi Sunaks MPs break the rules and try and make the taxpayer pick up the bill, working people are left struggling to cope with the soaring Tory cost of living crisis. Tory MPs flouting the rules damages public confidence in the system. Rishi Sunak must clamp down on the rulebreakers in his party and get on with delivering for the British people. Sir Alastair Graham, former chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, told The Independent that MPs should not be seen by the public as having special privileges. Its scandalous. If the home secretary can pay her fine for speeding, then everybody else should pay their fixed penalty notices, he said. MPs are ordinary citizens like the rest of us, and if theyve breached the regulations for driving then they have to pay the fixed penalty notice like the rest of us. It gives a very bad impression if theyre paid out of public funds, because it looks like theyre getting special privileges, which is most inappropriate. Sir Alastair said that on the whole IPSA had done a decent job running the MPs expenses system since the 2009 expenses scandal, but added that the revelations showed there were clearly weaknesses in their system that theyre not carefully checking. Its very clear in all the codes and everything that you have to obey the law, therefore your driving has to be up to a standard that avoids having any further expense out of public funds, he said. Bim Afolami said his claim was submitted in error and he has repaid the charge after The Independent contacted him (PA Media) The Conservative Partys central office, CCHQ, said the expense claims were a matter for the MPs offices, while the SNP did not respond to a request for comment. Hitchin and Harpenden MP Mr Afolami said he had inadvertently used his parliamentary expenses card twice for the penalties, and that he had repaid the money since being contacted by The Independent. A source close to Ms Solloway said her claim was made in error and has now been repaid in full. The minister, who is MP for the marginal seat of Derby North, worked with Ms Braverman at the Home Office in September 2022 under prime minister Liz Truss. In February, she was appointed a junior minister at the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. A spokesperson for IPSA told The Independent: MPs are not allowed to claim for penalty charges and fines under IPSA rules. Paragraph 3.26 of the Scheme of MPs Staffing and Business Costs clearly states that these fines are not claimable. IPSAs checks failed in some cases to identify these claims and some of them were paid. We will contact MPs and ask them to repay, where appropriate. We have changed our process to ensure any future such claims are not paid, and will reiterate the scheme rules to MPs. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At about 4am on 20 May, Nakala Murry handed her cellphone to her 11-year-old son Aderrien and asked him to call 911. A former partner had showed up at her property on BB King Road in Indianola, Mississippi, in the middle of the night irate. She feared for the safety of her two young children and a nephew who were in the home. Officers arrived at about 6am with their weapons drawn, and called on everyone in the house to come out, Ms Murry has said. As Aderrien followed his mother around a hallway corner and into the family living room with his arms raised, an officer, identified as 2021 Indianola Policeman of the Year Greg Capers, shot him in the chest. Family attorney Carlos Moore told The Independent that a week later, city officials were stonewalling their attempts to find answers. Were asking what did you see and why did you shoot? Mr Moore said in an interview on Friday. I think they shot first and asked questions second. He doesnt appear to be a man or anything, hes a 410 little boy. Theres no way a trained officer should have feared for his life when an 11-year-old boy approaches with no weapon in his hands. Mr Capers has since been placed on administrative leave, but the police department is refusing to release his bodycam footage. Indianola Mayor Ken Featherstone declined to provide the family with an explanation or an apology during a meeting on Thursday, Mr Moore said. Its very cruel and inhumane, he told The Independent. Hes blessed Recalling the terrifying incident at a press conference this week, Nakala Murry said she awoke to find the father of one of her children knocking on her window early last Saturday morning. She reached for her phone, woke Aderrien, and asked him to call her mother and the police. Officers arrived within a few minutes with their weapons drawn, and started kicking at the door and ordered everyone to come out, Ms Murry said. Nakala Murry speaks to Good Morning America about the police shooting of her son Aderrien (Good Morning America) As her son followed her into the living room, complying with the officers commands, he was shot once in the chest by an officer standing in the front doorway. Ms Murry said her son ran towards her and collapsed. She applied pressure to the wounds until first responders arrived, as blood seeped from his mouth. Every time I close my eyes, I see him, she said. Aderrien was airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, where he was given a chest tube and placed on a ventilator. He had suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs and a lacerated liver. Doctors would later tell the family that the bullet came within an inch of piercing vital organs. Why did he shoot me? Aderrien kept asking his mother as he lay in hospital. Family say Aderrien responded well to treatment and he was released from hospital on Wednesday. Hes blessed. I dont know how else to describe it, Ms Murry said this week. My client Aderrien Murry is blessed to be home and alive. Hes a remarkable young man and did not deserve to be shot as a 11 year old innocent child by an Indianola cop named Greg Capers. #JusticeForAderrienMurry pic.twitter.com/HzxrTRuJpW Attorney Carlos Moore (@Esquiremoore) May 25, 2023 Mr Moore said he visited the boy at home on Thursday, and he was still traumatised, in pain and was having trouble breathing. Doctors were trying to strengthen his lungs, but the longterm prognosis was encouraging. He said Aderrien was due to begin counseling on Friday. Hes doing as well as can be expected, Mr Moore told The Independent. Hes fearful of the police, and hes very disappointed the mayors not taking it seriously. Your best cop shot my baby At a heated rally outside the Indianola City Hall on Thursday, Ms Murry and Mr Moore stood beside a small group of protesters calling for justice, WLBT reported. The protesters held signs stating Your best cop shot my baby, Fire Greg Capers now, and Release bodycam footage. Ms Murry and a group of eight family members met with Indianola town leaders for about 15 minutes. They didnt answer any questions, Mr Moore told The Independent. We asked for the mayor to give his regrets or say something to the family. He didnt give anything. No answers to any of their questions. The Indianola Police Department referred media inquiries to the city attorney, who has not responded to a request for comment. Apart from a Facebook Live event the day after the shooting, Mayor Featherstone has not commented publicly on the incident. He did not respond to several requests for comment by The Independent. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) said it had opened an investigation into the shooting. In a statement, agency spokesman Bailey Martin told The Independent that a minor occupant of the residence received significant injuries and has been transported to a local hospital. MBI is currently assessing this critical incident and gathering evidence. Upon completing the investigation, agents will share their findings with the Attorney Generals Office. Mr Moore has demanded that the police chief and the officer be fired immediately, and is planning to file a federal civil lawsuit against the city of Indianola, and individual officers involved. If hes your best, you need to clean house from top to bottom, Mr Moore said during the week. He has also and asked the Department of Justice to perform a Pattern-or-Practice Investigation of the police department to examine whether it was using excessive force, biased policing and other unconstitutional practices. Mr Capers was placed on administrative leave at a meeting the Indianola Board of Aldermen this week. Aderrien knows that the people are in his corner According to a Washington Post database, 1083 people have been fatally shot by police in the last 12 months. Many hundreds more have suffered life-threatening injuries. The latest shooting of an unarmed Black child by law enforcement has garnered headlines around the world, and attracted a groundswell of support for the family. Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis shared a visual artists impression of the shooting. Mr Moore told The Independent that the support was keenly felt by the Murry family, whose lives had been upended by the shooting. I believe the more pressure applied across the nation and the world, I believe they will have to bend at some point, he said. Aderrien knows that the people are in his corner, and hes appreciative of that. Im making sure hes aware of that. Indianola has a population of about 10,000 residents last year, a third of whom live below the poverty line, according to Census data. It lies about 100 miles north of Jackson, the state capital. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Prosecutors in Donald Trumps criminal case in Manhattan have shared a recording of the former president speaking to a witness with Mr Trumps legal team. The witness hasnt been identified, a document made public by the prosecutorial office on Friday stated, according to CBS News. The document is known as an automatic discovery form and outlines the charges that a defendant is facing and also provides an overview of the evidence gathered against Mr Trump thats set to be put forward at trial or at a preliminary hearing. Both Mr Trumps lawyers and the press had made several requests that an automatic discovery form be made public after Mr Trumps 4 April arrest. Mr Trump, the first ex-president in US history to be criminally charged, has pleaded not guilty to the 34 counts of falsifying business records in the hush money case. The 34 instances are alleged to have taken place between 14 February and 5 December 2017 during Mr Trumps first year in the White House. In the lead-up to the 2016 election, Mr Trump is alleged to have directed allies to make payments to women claiming to have had affairs with him. Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen paid off adult actor Stormy Daniels and the National Review paid for the story from former Playboy model Karen McDougal, only to never publish her account. Part of the document recaps electronic evidence that will be handed over, in which a Manhattan prosecutor signalled that they have shared with the defence team a recording of a conversation between defendant and a witness. That part of the discovery form also states that prosecutors are set to make public recordings of calls between witnesses and other individuals. The form was finished on Tuesday, the same day as Mr Trump appeared virtually for a second hearing in the criminal case. Judge Juan Merchan allowed Mr Trump to appeal via video call to avoid the massive security measures required for his arraignment last month. Judge Merchan has issued a protective order blocking Mr Trump from publishing or even having in his possession large parts of the evidence thats set to be handed over. Mr Trump is also barred from speaking about or posting on social media any material from the case that hasnt already been made public. Part of the information, which prosecutors have labelled Limited Dissemination Materials will only be accessible to Mr Trump when his lawyers are present. Judge Merchan told the former president that if he doesnt adhere to the ruling, he can be fined or sanctions, up to a finding of contempt, which is punishable. The trial has been scheduled for 25 March next year, in the middle of the Republican presidential primary. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs speaks during a press conference on April 12. Photo by Caitlin Sievers | Arizona Mirror Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday issued five more vetoes, rejecting Republican-led bills that state officials warned would have undermined and overcomplicated elections in Arizona. With her five new vetoes, Hobbs has so far delivered 99 rejections in her first term as governor, the most of any of her predecessors. One of the vetoes, Senate Bill 1135, would ultimately have forced the state to withdraw from the Electronic Registration Information Center, a multistate coalition that helps states share and keep accurate voter registration rolls. Known as ERIC, the coalition has come under fire from far-right conspiracy theorists who baselessly contend it facilitates election stealing by liberals, and several Republican states have pulled out in response. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes denounced the move on Twitter, vowing to preserve Arizonas involvement against attacks. Hobbs, in her veto letter, criticized Arizona Republicans for attempting to remove a key safeguard from elections in the state, while touting election integrity as a priority. (ERIC) is an essential tool in ensuring accurate voter registration rolls in Arizona and across the country, she wrote, in a veto letter. It is unfortunate that many Republicans in the Legislature continue to fan the flames of false allegations of voter fraud, yet send to my desk a bill that would prevent Arizona from joining organizations that actually help improve the integrity of our elections. Also rejected on Friday was Senate Bill 1105, which sought to require election workers to count early ballots at polling sites on Election Day. Currently, voters can quickly drop off their early ballots for later tabulation. Hobbs worried the measure would unnecessarily complicate the work of election officials, and create burdensome logistical challenges. During committee hearings, county and election officials warned that the bills provisions would require them to secure and set up thousands of new polling sites that could accommodate both in-person voting and the tabulation of early ballots. Senate Bill 1066 would have required voter registration organizations mailing election-related documents, such as voter registration forms and guides, to print Not from a Government Agency on the envelopes. That text would be required to take up at least 10% of the documents height, which Hobbs said was an unreasonable burden for those simply attempting to improve voter access in the state. Senate Bill 1180 would have prohibited organizations from paying employees for the number of voter registrations they collect. Campaigns often hire and compensate third parties to run voter registration efforts on their behalf. In a dismissal that drew Republican backlash, Hobbs killed Senate Bill 1234, which would have outlawed photo radar and red-light cameras across Arizona. City officials opposed the measure, arguing in legislative hearings that being able to outsource speeding infractions cuts down on the manpower needed to monitor roads and helps ensure safety for law enforcement officials. Hobbs cited their criticism in her veto letter, calling photo radar a critical tool for law enforcement officials. This bills ban of photo radar would eliminate an important tool for law enforcement that allows for a more efficient allocation of limited police resources, she wrote. Republican lawmakers, who criticized photo radar as a privacy invasion and denounced law enforcement agencies for improperly reviewing citations as is required under state law, slammed Hobbs veto, accusing cities of lining their pockets to the detriment of Arizonans. These surveillance systems ignore the root causes of safety concerns on our roads, said Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, in an emailed statement. They do little to eliminate threats like drunk drivers, reckless drivers or speeders. Instead, photo radar cameras provide quick cash for the coffers of unelected municipal bureaucrats. Two bills earned Hobbs approval on Friday, including Senate Bill 1188 which alters the time frame in which cities can prohibit the use of fireworks from Dec. 24 through Jan. 3 to Dec. 26 through Jan. 4, instead. Senate Bill 1197, which eliminates most court fees for juvenile offenders, was also signed. The bill was a carryover of a measure defeated last year that sought to ease the financial strain on minors caught in the justice system. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man has been convicted in the murder of a scientist shot dead on a family camping trip while sharing a tent with his young daughters in a California state park. Anthony Rauda, 46, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Tristan Beaudette, 35, who was fatally shot in June 2018 at Malibu Creek State Park. He was also convicted of multiple burglaries and three counts of attempted murder: two counts related to opening fire in the direction of Beaudettes daughters and a third related to shooting a Tesla driver, the Los Angeles Times reported. The defendant, who has been convicted of attacking two sheriffs deputies since his arrest in late 2018, declined attendance at trial but will be present for sentencing next month. Tristan Beaudette pictured with his wife, Erica, and their two young daughters (GoFundMe) Prosecutors painted a picture of Raudas pattern of stalking and preying upon campers. He had been charged with seven other counts of attempted murder but was acquitted this month after he could not be definitively tied to the scenes. Mr Beaudette had been sleeping in a tent with his daughters, aged two and four, in the early morning hours of 22 June 2018. when he was fatally shot in the head. During the trial, his brother-in-law emotionally described awaking to hear one of his nieces crying and saying Wet, wet, ABC7 reported. He attempted to wake up his brother but found his own hand covered in blood, realising in shock that he should remove Mr Beaudettes girls from the tent. I noticed there was nothing in his eyes, he said of his brother-in-law. Anthony Rauda (AP) Mr Beaudette, a research scientist from Irvine, was the last of 11 people Rauda was accused of shooting at over the course of two years, the LA Times reported. In several instances, Rauda shot at moving vehicles or at campers in hammocks, wounding people on more than one occasion, prosecutors said. Most of the early attacks involved the use of what prosecutors described as an improvised shotgun filled with pellets that did not cause anyone life-threatening injuries, the paper reported, but the defendant at some point upgraded to a sawed-off rifle, the weapon used in each of the counts he was convicted of Friday. Prosecutors said that Rauda sought to kill victims in creative ways during his spree. Hes actively trying to do something that you know would cause death when he researches how to blow up a car by shooting out a gas tank, and then you see that he shoots at a BMW, LA County Deputy District Attorney Antonella Nistorescu said in closing arguments, according to the LA Times. Rauda is due in court on 7 June for sentencing. Mr Beaudette, who met his wife in high school, had been planning to move with his family to the Bay Area the week following the shooting. His widow, Erica Wu, filed a lawsuit against the sheriffs department, State Parks and others following her husbands murder, alleging authorities had failed to adequately warn the public at shootings in the area where Mr Beaudette was ultimately killed but a judge in 2021 ruled against her. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ron DeSantis has slammed his 2024 Republican Rival Donald Trump, claiming he is a different guy than when he first ran for president. The former president is leading all other Republican candidates for the partys presidential nomination, with Mr DeSantis running in second place, according to polls. The Florida governor officially launched his own bid earlier this week in a chaotic Twitter Spaces event with billionaire Elon Musk. And Mr DeSantis told radio host Matt Murphy that he was running to the right of Mr Trump and portrayed himself as more conservative, according to USA Today. It seems like hes running to the left and I have always been somebody thats just been moored in conservative principles, said Mr DeSantis. So these will be interesting debates to have, but I can tell you, you dont win nationally by moving to the left, you win nationally by standing for bold policy. We showed that in Florida. I never watered down anything I did. And Mr DeSantis claimed that Mr Trump is not the same person who first ran for office. I dont know what happened to Donald Trump; this is a different guy today than when he was running in 2015 and 2016 and I think the direction that hes going with his campaign is the wrong direction, Mr DeSantis said. And he attacked Mr Trump over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic while in office. I think [Trump] did great for three years, but when he turned the country over to Fauci in March of 2020 that destroyed millions of peoples lives, Mr DeSantis said on a podcast. And in Florida, we were one of the few that stood up, cut against the grain, took incoming fire from media, bureaucracy, the left, even a lot of Republicans, had school open, preserved businesses. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump Jr has shared a seemingly AI-generated clip of Ron DeSantis edited into the role of Steve Carells Michael Scott in The Office in a clip in which the character is mocked for wearing a womans suit. Imagine when next time its not an obvious spoof from The Office but an attempt to depict itself as legitimate and much more nefarious, CNNs Jake Tapper tweeted. Don Jr among others has shared this video. I dont think any of us are ready for this next election online, Alex Thompson ofAxiossaid. Democratic consultant Tim Hogan added that Folks, we simply are not ready for the 2024 GOP primary memes. Rhonda Santis is a perfect drag name, just saying, Mr Hogan tweeted. Philip Germain at the Lincoln Project added: I am once again asking for Steve Carrell to play DeSantis on SNL. I for one welcome the onslaught of election-season deepfakes, Jesse Walker of Reason magazine wrote. As the mockery continued of Mr DeSantiss glitch-ridden campaign launch, the Florida governor began to push back. He slammed his main rival for the 2024 GOP nomination, former President Donald Trump, claiming he is a different guy than when he first ran for president. Mr Trump is leading all other Republican candidates for the partys presidential nomination, with Mr DeSantis running in second place, according to polls. Mr DeSantis officially embarked on his own bid for the White House earlier this week in a chaotic Twitter Spaces event with billionaire Elon Musk. The governor told radio host Matt Murphy that he was running to the right of Mr Trump and portrayed himself as more conservative, according to USA Today. It seems like hes running to the left and I have always been somebody thats just been moored in conservative principles, said Mr DeSantis. So these will be interesting debates to have, but I can tell you, you dont win nationally by moving to the left, you win nationally by standing for bold policy. We showed that in Florida. I never watered down anything I did. And Mr DeSantis claimed that Mr Trump is not the same person who first ran for office. I dont know what happened to Donald Trump this is a different guy today than when he was running in 2015 and 2016 and I think the direction that hes going with his campaign is the wrong direction, Mr DeSantis said. And he attacked Mr Trump over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic while in office. I think [Trump] did great for three years, but when he turned the country over to Fauci in March of 2020 that destroyed millions of peoples lives, Mr DeSantis said on a podcast. And in Florida, we were one of the few that stood up, cut against the grain, took incoming fire from media, bureaucracy, the left, even a lot of Republicans, had school open, preserved businesses. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} In a Twitter spat between spokespeople for the top two candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, the military service of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared to be used as a cudgel against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Trump spokeswoman Liz Harrington tweeted on Saturday: Ron Dee-Santis has run for 4 different offices in the past 7 years. Thats not someone whos in it for the country, its someone whos in it for himself. The DeSantis War Room Twitter account then responded, saying that the Trump campaign said @RonDeSantis is not someone whos in it for the country. Heres our response, they added, sharing images of Mr DeSantis in his Navy uniform and from his time serving in Iraq, a clear dig at former President Donald Trump, who avoided joining the military by claiming that he had medical issues that prevented him from serving. Ms Harrington then replied by only posting an image of the transportation secretary in his military gear, seemingly in an attempt to denigrate the service of both Mr Buttigieg and Mr DeSantis. Mr Buttigieg served as an intelligence officer with the US Naval Reserve and was deployed to Afghanistan for seven months. The response prompted criticism from Twitter users, who slammed the spokeswoman for appearing to use the Democrats military service to criticise Mr Trumps main rival for the GOP nomination over Memorial Day weekend. Great way to dump on veterans and people in uniform... You nailed this one Liz, one Twitter user said. Lets mock vets over Memorial Day weekend. Im sure that is a great strategy, another added, to which a third referenced Mr Trumps criticism of late Arizona Senator John McCain, who spent five years in captivity in Vietnam. Mr Trump once said he only liked soldiers who werent captured. The official Trump campaign chooses Memorial Day weekend to tweet that men and women who served in uniform should be viewed with suspicion, Donny Ferguson added. Serving your country is dishonorable because libs do it is an interesting campaign message, one Twitter user said. Why would the spokeswoman for Cadet Bone Spurs think shes in any position to talk? another account holder added, referencing Mr Trumps draft dodging excuse. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An Internal Revenue Service criminal investigator who has accused Justice Department officials of slow-walking a long-running probe into President Joe Bidens son Hunters tax affairs has cut off communication with a key congressional committee amid questions about the veracity of his claims and his motivations for coming forward. The special agent, Gary Shapley, is a veteran of the IRS criminal investigations department who on Thursday revealed his identity in an interview with CBS News. Mr Shapley is set to give evidence in a closed session before the House Ways and Means Committee on Friday. That panel, which has jurisdiction over the IRS, is led by Representative Jason Smith, a Missouri Republican. But even as he is poised to testify before the House panel, the 14-year IRS veteran has now cut off communication with the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees the Internal Revenue Service, after his attorney met with committee representatives. Mr Shapley has also cancelled a scheduled interview with that committee, which is led by Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon. A Finance Committee source told The Independent that staffers from both the GOP and Democratic sides of the committee had met with one of the attorneys known to represent Mr Shapley, a former federal prosecutor named Mark Lytle. Democratic and Republican Finance Committee staff previously met for several hours with counsel representing an IRS whistleblower, and counsel were made aware of the committees investigative procedures. Committee staff on both sides agreed with counsel to meet directly with the whistleblower next week, however the whistleblower has since backed out of that agreement and declined an attempt to reschedule, they said. The source added that Finance Committee Chair Senator Wyden and his staff are ready to arrange a meeting on terms that comply with laws protecting taxpayer data and ensure a fair and rigorous investigation. Gary Shapley speaks about investigation into Hunter Bidens tax affairs (CBS Evening News) In his interview with CBS, Mr Shapley claimed that multiple steps in the long-running probe into Hunter Biden were slow-walked at the behest of Justice Department officials, and said he began raising concerns about the conduct of the investigation shortly after he was first assigned to it in early 2020. When I took control of this particular investigation, I immediately saw deviations from the normal process. It was way outside the norm of what Ive experienced in the past, he said. That probe, which began under the Obama administration, has long been under the supervision of David Weiss, a veteran federal prosecutor who has served as the US Attorney for the District of Delaware since 2018. Mr Weiss, whose nomination was approved by a Senate voice vote, was one of two US attorneys appointed by President Bidens predecessor who was asked to stay on after former president Donald Trump left office in January 2021. According to Biden administration officials, the president chose not to ask Mr Weiss to resign the customary fate of all US attorneys when a new administration takes office to avoid any appearance of meddling in the investigation into his son. The younger Mr Biden disclosed the existence of the investigation shortly after his father won the 2020 election in a statement, and said at the time he believed a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately. The IRS criminal probe into Hunter Biden has focused on whether he violated US tax laws by not paying required taxes on income he made from several foreign business ventures, as well as examining whether he possibly violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act and other federal laws. He reportedly paid off a massive tax bill in 2021 after receiving a $1m loan from a friend who also serves as a member of his legal team. Although paying off an unpaid tax bill doesnt obviate a violation of tax laws, prosecutors have often had trouble securing indictments or convictions of defendants who paid off any taxes they may have owed. Although Hunter Biden has not been charged with any crime as a result of the probe being overseen by Mr Weiss, The Wall Street Journal reported late last year that federal prosecutors were weighing whether to seek an indictment against him from the grand jury that has been hearing evidence in the case. Biden's presidential run and the Hunter Biden baggage His attorneys reportedly met with prosecutors to dissuade them from seeking an indictment against their client last month. Such a meeting is generally a sign that the investigative work performed by special agents has been completed and a case file has been handed off to prosecutors. Separately, persons familiar with the investigation have told other media outlets that the criminal investigators working on the case believed there is enough evidence to support seeking charges against Mr Biden. But ultimately, the choice of whether or not to ask a grand jury to indict a target of a given investigation is the sole province of prosecutors in the US Attorneys office and the Department of Justice. Experts cast down on investigators claims of slow-walking probe In a letter to the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee chairs that was first reported on by the New York Post, Mr Lytle said his client now known to be Mr Shapley could speak about examples of preferential treatment and politics improperly infecting decisions and protocols that would normally be followed by career law enforcement professionals in similar circumstances if the subject were not politically connected. Mr Shapley also has alleged that he and his team were removed from the Hunter Biden investigation to punish him for speaking out. The allegations of favouritism towards Hunter Biden are consistent with grievances expressed by prominent Republicans such as Donald Trump, who as recently as Tuesday had his legal team send a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland claiming he has been treated unfairly by the special prosecutor probing his alleged unlawful retention of national defence information because the presidents son has not been charged with a crime. But Mr Shapleys claim that the reassignment of him and his investigative team is either retaliatory or evidence of favouritism towards the Biden family was met with scepticism by veterans of Justice Department and IRS investigations who spoke to The Independent. The former prosecutors and investigators say theres nothing unusual about sending investigators on to work on their next case when prosecutors are ready to make charging decisions, as they appear to be in the case of Mr Biden. Hunter Biden with his father (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Because federal criminal investigators have no formal role in prosecutors decisions to seek charges or decline to prosecute in a particular case, its not unheard of for conflicts to arise between special agents and US attorneys, especially when the agents feel prosecutors are reluctant to bring evidence theyve gathered to a grand jury for indictments. Yet even when investigators feel there is sufficient evidence to support charges, prosecutors often balk at presenting that evidence for indictments because they better understand the legal requirements to obtain convictions that can be sustained on appeal. Nick Akerman, a former federal prosecutor who worked on tax cases in the Southern District of New York for many years, told The Independent its likely that the IRS agents assigned to the Hunter Biden probe were reassigned because the investigation is over and there is nothing more for them to do. They [special agents] do a very detailed report thats done with all certain information and thats really it. And then the prosecutor looks at that and takes it from there, he said. At that point, theyve got no role if you go to trial, you might want to use him for certain things, but thats it. Mr Akerman also noted that the US Attorney supervising the probe, Mr Weiss, is an appointee of Mr Trump, and suggested that it would make no sense for him to consent to having agents pulled off the case for any reason except there was no more investigative work to be done on it. Another federal law enforcement veteran, ex-FBI special agent Peter Strzok, told The Independent in a phone interview that the most likely explanation for why an entire IRS CI team would be removed from the Hunter Biden investigation en masse is that theyve completed the investigation and it is now up to prosecutors to decide what to do with the evidence theyve obtained. He said it is a frequent occurrence for there to be disagreements between agents and prosecutors over whether the agents have brought them enough to form a case that will withstand the scrutiny of a jury trial. The agents are just trying to investigate what happened, and prosecutors are thinking: Okay, how do we get this admitted into evidence? Whats the credibility of the source? Whats other information? Is it going to be undercut? So prosecutors usually are much more cautious, he said. He added that in his experience, prosecutors usually win arguments over whether to bring charges in a particular case, even in politically sensitive matters such as an investigation into a sitting presidents son. Mr Strzok, who once served as the Deputy Assistant Director of the FBIs Counterintelligence Division, also suggested that the fact that only two of the investigators have chosen to go to Congress with allegations of favouritism towards Hunter Biden is a sign that the special agents in question have an axe to grind. Theres a whole team of people if there was a real problem, I would have expected to see more, he said. It sounds very much like at least this one [agent] believes that charges should be brought. But at the end of the day, its not his call. Hes not trained as a prosecutor, hes not thinking about, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, he doesnt know what hurdles are going to exist in the courtroom. Mr Strzok added that if the concerns raised by the agents in question were valid, its highly likely that prosecutors in Mr Weiss office would have already resigned over a decision not to charge Hunter Biden if improper political influence was being exerted over the probe. Identity of Mr Shapleys other attorney raises alarms In his interview with CBS, Mr Shapley said he is a registered Republican and suggested that he should be thought of as not a political person because he has never been involved in political campaigns, though his position as an IRS criminal investigator means participating in political campaigns would be a violation of federal law. He also told the television network that his legal efforts are being aided by a nonprofit staffed by former Republican congressional staffers in addition to Mr Lytle, a former federal prosecutor who has experience representing federal employees whove been accused of political bias as well as white-collar criminal defendants. But it is the involvement of that nonprofit, Empower Oversight, that has raised suspicions of political motivations among people close to congressional oversight efforts, particularly after Mr Shapley declined to speak to the Democratic-led Finance Committee. In addition to Mr Lytle, Mr Shapley has also been represented in his whistleblower matters by the president of Empower Oversight, Tristan Leavitt. Mr Leavitt served as the general counsel and active chief executive officer for the Merit System Protection Board during the Trump administration, and was appointed to a seat on that board by President Joe Biden in 2022. He also spent time during the Trump administration working for the Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal agency charged with enforcing whistleblower protection laws as well as the Hatch Act, a New Deal-era statute which prohibits federal employees from engaging in certain partisan activities while on the government payroll. Since leaving government service, he has been involved with representing a group of former FBI special agents who call themselves The Suspendables. The ex-agents claim they were unlawfully retaliated against for expressing what they describe as conservative political viewpoints and for voicing concerns about excessive use of force when arresting suspects charged with crimes stemming from participation in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Mr Leavitt testified alongside several of the agents at a congressional hearing last week, during which two of his fellow witnesses admitted to receiving funds from a prominent ex-aide to former president Donald Trump, Kash Patel. While Mr Leavitt claimed in his testimony that his clients were unlawfully retaliated against for making protected disclosures of alleged wrongdoing, a top FBI official stated in a letter reported by The New York Times that one of the agents in question had his security clearance revoked for having espoused an alternative narrative about the events at the US Capitol in communications with supervisors, as well as refusing to carry out orders to join an FBI Swat team to aid the arrest of a suspect known to own multiple AR-15-style rifles and who belonged to the Three Percenter anti-government extremist movement. According to sources familiar with congressional efforts to verify Mr Shapleys allegations, Mr Leavitts involvement raised a big red flag because of allegations that his clients may have lied to the House Judiciary Committee regarding their receipt of funds from Mr Patel and in their description of events leading up to their dismissal from government service. The sources say Mr Shapleys use of Mr Leavitt as an attorney and the nature of the allegations which they described as appearing to be a run-of-the-mill dispute between criminal investigators and prosecutors over whether the former has collected enough evidence for the latter to justify bringing charges against a target give them reason to believe the IRS special agent is part of a coordinated effort to browbeat prosecutors into charging Hunter Biden and weaponise dispute between investigators and prosecutors against both the Biden administration and President Bidens family. One person with knowledge of Mr Shapleys efforts told The Independent that members of Congress and staff have also been troubled by the way legally protected taxpayer information information which House and Senate committees take great pains to keep secret has made it into the right-wing press at the same time it has been provided to the House and Senate panels with jurisdiction over the IRS. They noted that he was previously represented by a prominent Washington, DC attorney with extensive experience in representing law enforcement and intelligence whistleblowers and said Mr Shapley appeared to change attorneys because his first attorney appeared more concerned with following the law than getting his allegations into the press. While this person commended Mr Shapley for his years of government service, they suggested that he is being taken advantage of by Mr Leavitt, who they described as a partisan actor whose goal is to further negative narratives about the Biden administration not protecting his client. In a statement, Mr Leavitts organisation disputed that Mr Shapley had backed out of an interview with the Finance Committee and said the panel never committed to a date on which the IRS agent would have given evidence. This story has been updated to correct an earlier version which described Tristan Leavitt as a Trump appointee to the Merit Systems Protection Board by specifying that he served in multiple leadership roles at the agency under the Trump administration before being nominated for a seat on the board by President Biden Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Texas GOP-led House of Representatives was set to hold historic impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday as the scandal-plagued Republican called on supporters to protest a vote that could lead to his ouster. The House scheduled an afternoon start for debate on whether to impeach and suspend Paxton from office over allegations of bribery, unfitness for office and abuse of public trust just some of the accusations that have trailed Texas' top lawyer for most of his three terms. The hearing sets up what could be a remarkably sudden downfall for one of the GOPs most prominent legal combatants, who in 2020 asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Joe Biden's electoral defeat of President Donald Trump. Only two officials in Texas nearly 200-year history have been impeached. Paxton, 60, has called the impeachment proceedings political theater based on hearsay and gossip, parroting long-disproven claims, and an attempt to disenfranchise voters who re-elected him in November. On Friday he asked supporters "to peacefully come let their voices be heard at the Capitol tomorrow. Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations that he used his office to help a donor and was separately indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015, though he has yet to stand trial. Until this week his fellow Republicans have taken a muted stance on the allegations. Impeachment requires just a simple majority in the House. That means only a small fraction of its 85 Republicans would need to join 64 Democrats in voting against him. If impeached, Paxton would be removed from office pending a Senate trial, and it would fall to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to appoint an interim replacement. Final removal would require a two-thirds vote in the Senate, where Paxtons wifes, Angela, is a member. Texas' top elected Republicans have been notably quiet about Paxton this week. But some party members began to rally around him Friday, with the state GOP chairman, Matt Rinaldi, calling the process a sham. In one sense, Paxtons political peril arrived with dizzying speed: The House committee's investigation of him came to light Tuesday, and by Thursday lawmakers issued 20 articles of impeachment. But to Paxtons detractors, the rebuke was years overdue. In 2014 he admitted to violating Texas securities law, and a year later he was indicted on securities fraud charges in his hometown near Dallas, accused of defrauding investors in a tech startup. He pleaded not guilty to two felony counts carrying a potential sentence of five to 99 years. He opened a legal defense fund and accepted $100,000 from an executive whose company was under investigation by Paxtons office for Medicaid fraud. An additional $50,000 was donated by an Arizona retiree whose son Paxton later hired to a high-ranking job but was soon fired after displaying child pornography in a meeting. In 2020, Paxton intervened in a Colorado mountain community where a Texas donor and college classmate faced removal from his lakeside home under coronavirus orders. But what ultimately unleased the impeachment push was Paxton's relationship with Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. In 2020, eight top aides told the FBI they were concerned Paxton was misusing his office to help Paul over the developer's unproven claims that an elaborate conspiracy to steal $200 million of his properties was afoot. The FBI searched Pauls home in 2019, but he has not been charged and denies wrongdoing. Paxton also told staff members he had an affair with a woman who, it later emerged, worked for Paul. The impeachment accuses Paxton of attempting to interfere in foreclosure lawsuits and issuing legal opinions to benefit Paul. Its bribery charges allege that Paul employed the woman with whom Paxton had an affair in exchange for legal help and that he paid for expensive renovations to the attorney general's home. A senior lawyer for Paxtons office, Chris Hilton, said Friday that the attorney general paid for all repairs and renovations. Other charges, including lying to investigators, date back to Paxtons still-pending securities fraud indictment. Four of the aides who reported Paxton to the FBI later sued under Texas whistleblower law, and in February he agreed to settle the case for $3.3 million. The House committee said it was Paxton seeking legislative approval for the payout that sparked their probe. But for Paxtons own request for a taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct, Paxton would not be facing impeachment, the panel said. ___ Bleiberg reported from Dallas. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rebels in Indonesias Papua region have threatened to shoot a New Zealand pilot they took hostage if independence talks do not begin within two months. Philip Mehrtens was kidnapped earlier in February this year after he landed his plane at Paro airport in the remote highlands of the Nduga regency in Papua a region at the heart of a decades-long war led by separatists against Indonesia. He was taken hostage by the soldiers of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the militant wing of the Free Papua Organisation. In a new video released on Friday, Mr Mehrtens is seen talking to the camera, saying the separatists want countries other than Indonesia to engage in dialogue on Papuan independence. If it does not happen within two months then they say they will shoot me, Mr Mehrtens said in the video shared by Papuan rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom and verified by Deka Anwar, an analyst at the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC). Following the latest clip, New Zealands ministry of foreign affairs said they are doing everything we can to secure a peaceful resolution and Mr Mehrtens safe release. While Indonesias authorities said they are trying to negotiate with the rebels to secure the pilots peaceful release, military spokesperson Julius Widjojono said that they will continue to carry out measurable actions consistent with standard operating procedure. Papua, the worlds third-largest island country and a resource-rich region, was formerly a Dutch colony before it was controversially brought under Indonesian control in a widely criticised vote overseen by the United Nations in 1969. Still from the video released by TPNPB shows New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens sitting among separatist fighters and holding their flag in Indonesias Papua region in this undated handout picture released on 26 May (The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB)/Handout via REUTERS) Its eastern-most provinces have been battered with a low-level battle for independence, but the conflict escalated significantly since 2018, with pro-independence fighters conducting deadlier attacks. The 37-year-old Christchurch native was kidnapped after his small passenger plane, belonging to Indonesias Susi Air, landed in Nduga with five passengers. But shortly after landing, the rebels stormed into the plane and kidnapped him to use him for negotiations on the longstanding dispute. The Free Papua Movements Diplomatic Council sent a letter to the New Zealand government, specifying their demands. Its head of foreign affairs, Akouboo Amatus Douw, said Mr Mehrtens was lucky he was not killed instantly after flying into the region. We also respect his family, how theyre feeling, Mr Douw said. We say sorry but the family need to understand about the suffering of West Papuan people... more than 60 years. More recently, Rumianus Wandikbo of the TPNPB called on countries like New Zealand, Australia and other Western nations to kickstart talks with Indonesia and the separatists. We do not ask for money... We really demand our rights for sovereignty, he said in a separate video. Close Police were scouring the remote Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve, Portugal last week, around 35 miles from where the then-three-year-old went missing in 2007 while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Investigators are set to widen the search for Madeleine McCann after photos belonging to prime suspect Christian Brueckner revealed clues. Two other areas surrounding Praia da Luz, where Madeleine disappeared in 2007, could be searched by police, the Sun reported. Investigators made the discovery after looking through more than 8,000 photographs belonging to Brueckner. A source told the Sun: German officers have gone through more than 8,000 pictures belonging to Christian B. That forensic work led them to Barragem - but there are other places that have come up in the pictures too. Detectives are seeking to work out where they are and why Christian B was taking pictures of those places. It comes after police searched the remote Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve, Portugal last week, around 35 miles from where the then-three-year-old went missing. The office of German prosecutor Christian Wolters said investigators were acting in response to certain tips. The reservoir is known to have been frequented by the latest suspect in the case Christian Brueckner. According to Portuguese broadcaster SIC, the suspect considered the area his little slice of paradise. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A British sailors boat was the latest victim in a spate of orca attacks on vessels near Gibraltar, as an expert suggested a traumatised killer whale may be inadvertently teaching others to target them. There have been 20 incidents this month alone between the highly social apex predators and small vessels sailing in the Strait of Gibraltar, according to the Atlantic Orca Working Group (GTOA), with dozens of orca attacks on ships recorded on Spanish and Portuguese coasts this year. In the early hours of Thursday, a group of orcas broke the rudder and pierced the hull of a boat after ramming into the Mustique on its way to Gibraltar, prompting its crew of four to contact Spanish authorities for help, a spokesperson for the maritime rescue service said. April Boyes said she was feeling grateful for the coastguard after the scary experience (April Boyes/Instagram @ april_georgina/via REUTERS) The service deployed a rapid-response vessel and a helicopter carrying a bilge pump to assist the 20-metre (66ft) vessel, which was sailing under a British flag, a spokesperson for the maritime rescue service said. The Mustique was towed to the port of Barbate, in the province of Cadiz, for repairs. Posting footage of the ordeal on Instagram, British sailor April Boyes, aged 31, said: What started off as a seemingly unique encounter ended with orcas breaking off our rudder from the boat, then proceeding to tear bits off the boat for an hour. A huge hole in the hull meant we had water ingress to other parts of the boat and the engine room, and I can honestly say it was a scary experience. We are all safe. Im feeling grateful for the coastguard. Earlier in May, the sailing yacht Alboran Champagne suffered a similar impact from three orcas half a nautical mile off Barbate. The boat could not be towed as it was completely flooded and was left adrift to sink. Watch killer whales wreck boat in latest violent attack off Spain The boats captain, Werner Schaufelberger, told the German magazine Yacht that he saw the two smaller whales imitating the ramming tactic of the larger orca, believed to be a matriarch named White Gladis. The little ones shook the rudder at the back while the big one repeatedly backed up and rammed the ship with full force from the side, he said. The two little orcas copied the bigger ones technique and, with a slight run-up, came darting towards the boat. Mainly on the rudder, but also the keel. The boat was severely damaged during Thursdays encounter (April Boyes/Instagram @ april_georgina/via REUTERS) Just two days previously, on 2 May, six orcas rammed the hull of a Bavaria 46 cruiser yacht in an encounter lasting an hour near Tangier, reportedly causing thousands of pounds of damage. Business consultant Janet Morris and photographer Stephen Bidwell, a couple from Cambridgeshire, both aged 58, were on board for a sailing course when they heard a shout of orcas. We were sitting ducks, Ms Morris told TheDaily Telegraph, while Mr Bidwell said: I kept reminding myself we had a 22-tonne boat made of steel, but seeing three of them coming at once, quickly and at pace with their fins out of the water, was daunting. A clearly larger matriarch was definitely around and was almost supervising, he added, speculating that it was White Gladis. The first orca encounter in the area occurred in May 2020, since when more than 500 have been recorded, according to the GTOA research group. Those on board were forced to remove water from the boat damaged on Thursday (April Boyes/Instagram @ april_georgina/via REUTERS ) Most interactions have been harmless, with orcas only touching an estimated one in every 100 boats passing through the area, according to biologist Alfredo Lopez Fernandez, of the GTOA and University of Aveiro, who said that three vessels have sunk so far. Experts believe White Gladis may have suffered a critical moment of agony, such as colliding with a boat or becoming entrapped during illegal fishing, which altered her behaviour in a defensive fashion. That traumatised orca is the one that started this behaviour of physical contact with boats, Dr Lopez Fernandez told Live Science. We do not interpret that the orcas are teaching the young, although the behaviour has spread to the young vertically, simply by imitation, and later horizontally among them, because they consider it something important in their lives, he said. The behaviour has baffled scientists, with some initially suggesting it could be related to the harmful scarcity of food facing the mammals, or the disruptive resumption of business-as-usual nautical activities in the wake of the pandemic, while others have suggested it could be playful behaviour. Although known as killer whales, endangered orcas are part of the dolphin family. They can measure up to eight metres and weigh up to six tonnes as adults. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russia is plotting a large-scale provocation at a nuclear power station it occupies in the southeast of Ukraine to disrupt an imminent counteroffensive, Kyivs military intelligence has claimed. A statement from the intelligence directorate of Ukraines defence ministry claimed Russian forces will strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe. It will then report a radioactive leak in order to trigger an international probe that would pause the hostilities and give them the respite they need to regroup. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant will be targeted, its claimed (AP) In order to make that happen, Russia disrupted the rotation of personnel of the permanent monitoring mission of the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that was scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. It did not offer evidence to back up any of the claims. The IAEA said it did not have any immediate comment on the allegations and Russian officials did not immediately comment on the Ukrainian claims. The White House said it is watching the situation closely and has seen no indication radioactive material has been leaked. It comes as Moscows military in Ukraine braces for a looming counteroffensive by Kyivs forces, which has not started yet but could begin tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, told the BBC. A Ukrainian soldier near Bakhmut (AP) He said the government in Kyiv had no right to make a mistake on the decision because this is a historic opportunity that we cannot lose. The Zaporizhzhia station is one of the 10 biggest nuclear plants in the world. It is in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in southeastern Ukraine. The plants six reactors have been shut down for months but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features. Firefighters hose down a policlinic following a Russian attack in Dnipro on Friday (AP) Fighting near it repeatedly disrupted power supplies and has fuelled fears of a potential catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, where a reactor exploded in 1986 and spewed deadly radiation, contaminating a vast area. In other developments on Saturday, Russia reported more attacks on its territory, with drones crashing in its western regions and areas on the border with Ukraine coming under shelling. Two drones attacked an administrative building of an oil company in Russias western Pskov region that borders Belarus, Latvia and Estonia, Pskov governor Mikhail Vedernikov reported on Saturday. The building was damaged as the result of an explosion, Mr Vedernikov said. An officer of Ukraine's 59th Motorised Brigade controls a drone from a shelter in the suburbs of Donetsk (AP) Another drone went down in the Tver region about 145km (90 miles) north of Moscow, local authorities said. Russias Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine came under multiple rounds of shelling on Saturday, killing one person, according to its governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. In the neighbouring Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine, one person was killed by cross-border mortar fire, its governor Roman Starovoit said. And a 60-year-old man was killed by Russian shelling in the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, about 32km (20 miles) from the Russian border, Ukraines national police said. Ukrainian servicemen fire a Partyzan multiple launch rocket system towards Russian troops near a frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region (Reuters) Meanwhile, Russias ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin warned his country was yet to act very seriously in the conflict. Mr Kelin told the BBC that Moscow had enormous resources and the country was 16 times bigger than Ukraine. He said: Sooner or later, of course, this escalation may get a new dimension which we do not need and we do not want. We can make peace tomorrow. In addition, the British military said on Saturday that Russias private military force, Wagner, is withdrawing from areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut that Moscow claims to have captured earlier this month. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier this week announced the pullout, saying Wagner would hand control over the ruined city over to the Russian military. Some were sceptical, however. Mr Prigozhin is known for making unverifiable, headline-grabbing statements on which he later backtracks. But Britains Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a series of tweets on Saturday that Wagner fighters have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions around Bakhmut. The Ukrainian deputy defence minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town, it added. Additional reporting by agencies The cast of the series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds made history at Comic Con 2023 in London, appearing via hologram to answer fan questions during a panel. As each of the actors, including Melissa Navia and Rebecca Romijn, were welcomed to the stage with Alex Zane, large machines projected the live images of them, as they dialled in from different areas of the world. The first-of-its-kind panel marked the start of the shows second season on Paramount+. Click here to sign up for our newsletters. Hundreds of anti-ULEZ protesters took to London Bridge today (27 May), calling for Sadiq Khan to drop the 12.50-per-day eco charge. Banners of Get Khan Out, and Stop The Toxic Air Lie were held up by the public, as cars honked at them going past. Expansion to the zone, designed to cut emissions in the capital, will affect Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon, all of whom have tried to block it. Many Londoners who work in different areas to their homes say the new charge will hit them hardest due to the cost of living crisis. Click here to sign up for our newsletters. A new record level of homeless 12,259 people has led two parties to call for the reintroduction of the eviction ban. Labour leader Ivana Bacik and Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin made the demand after the release of figures, setting what the latter called a grim record. Ms Bacik said: Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party have utterly failed the 12,259 people, including almost 4,000 children, who are now living in homelessness. We are demanding the reintroduction of the eviction ban to protect households in fear of eviction until the Minister for Housing provides an effective plan for addressing this social crisis. Mr O Broin said the number included nearly 3,600 children. The vast majority of the increase in homelessness from March to April was caused by eviction notices, he said. That means the Government was directly responsible for every one of those additional men, women and children in emergency accommodation. If they had taken our advice and extended the ban on no-fault evictions, those people who are in emergency accommodation today would not be there. I think what this highlights is the folly of the Governments decision not only to end the ban on no-fault evictions, but not to have in place adequate emergency measures to ensure that as peoples eviction notices fell due, alternative accommodation was available for them. And were still not seeing a significant increase or acceleration in the delivery of social and affordable homes. Darragh OBrien still hasnt taken up our suggestion of using emergency procurement and planning powers. There are still no additional staff available to local authorities to speed up the tenant in situ scheme for social and affordable housing. And the problem is were only beginning to see the start of evictions many peoples notice would not have fallen due until the middle of April. Therefore, my big worry and this is confirmed by what were seeing on the ground around the country is that as we move into May, June and July, were going to see even more significant increases. Labour leader Ms Bacik said: We need radical and ambitious plans to provide people with the most basic human need shelter. We should be learning from other countries. In Finland, homelessness has fallen sharply following the introduction of a Housing First concept. People living in homelessness receive shelter and counselling with no preconditions. Four in every five people eventually make their way back to stable living. Such a programme here would provide people with dignity and a fair start. It would be an investment in our society. With such a crisis in homelessness, a crisis in supply and a crisis in affordability, we need to see action. The homelessness crisis under this Government is a direct result of political decisions and a failed reliance on the private market to deliver the housing supply that is so badly needed. There is no acceptable rate of homelessness. Having one person living in homelessness is disgraceful. What kind of society cant provide housing for working people? Recent charging of garda over chase in which three burglars were killed has heightened fears Figures reveal there were 1,079 incidents of drivers refusing to stop for gardai between January 1 and May 15. Stock photo Hundreds of drivers are attempting to evade gardai each month as organised crime gangs exploit garda concerns over high-speed pursuits, the Irish Independent can reveal. New figures show that an average of eight drivers are refusing to stop for gardai every day, with violence used by many of the offenders attempting to evade gardai, including the ramming of patrol cars. The number of incidents is not exclusively related to criminality. Motorists who fear they are over the drink-drive limit, unaccompanied learner drivers and motorists driving without insurance or tax are also fleeing. Some people even just panic when they see a Garda checkpoint. Organised crime gangs were involved in many of the incidents however, with gardai saying Irish roads are becoming increasingly lawless. Figures reveal there were 1,079 incidents of drivers refusing to stop for gardai between January 1 and May 15. Gardai now fear officers or members of the public will be killed as gangs exploit Garda rules on engaging in chases, leaving officers powerless to stop them. On Wednesday, in yet another incident of criminals failing to stop for gardai, officers attempted to stop a grey coloured 09 reg Opel Insignia car suspected of containing members of a well-known burglary gang from the Tallaght area. In an attempt to evade gardai, the car was driven at speed the wrong way southbound on the northbound carriageway of the M50 between Finglas and Ballymun before it made its escape. Meanwhile, a garda is currently facing charges over a car pursuit in which a notorious gang of burglars driving on the wrong side of the road were killed. Dean Maguire, Karl Freeman and Graham Taylor died in the crash on Dublin's N7 in July 2021 The figures for this type of offence have never been as bad and its a problem everywhere, said a source. There is no doubt that the criminals have latched onto garda concerns about being involved in pursuits. The pursuit policy in the organisation is deeply flawed and when chases happen, more than nine times out of 10, gardai are being told to stand down and back off by their control centre, often leaving the criminals to get away. What kind of message is this sending out? What it is saying, for sure, is that the more reckless and dangerous the driver is, the more likely he is to be able to escape. There are farcical levels of training for gardai in terms of being involved in pursuits. The criminals are emboldened, and this situation is going to get much worse, the source said. In one ramming incident in January, a patrol car was targeted in Tinahely, Co Wicklow. A patrol car was also rammed in Limerick in February, while in another incident in the same month, there was an attempted ramming in Tralee, Co Kerry. Also in February, a garda narrowly avoided injury in Ballyfermot in west Dublin when a suspect on a scrambler motorbike drove at him at high speed, while in March, a driver in Carlingford, Co Louth, drove at gardai, narrowly avoiding a crash a number of times before driving the wrong way down a one-way street. Last month in Dundalk, Co Louth, a garda patrol car was rammed and the driver then failed to stop before they fled across the Border to Northern Ireland. These figures do not include a car chase in the Tallaght area of south west Dublin last Tuesday night, connected with an escalating drugs-related criminal feud in the suburb, which has resulted in two recent shootings. Our figures also dont include three incidents which occurred in the space of 24 hours last Friday, in which joyriders drove against traffic in west Dublin and Co Kildare in the belief that gardai would not risk prosecution by continuing the pursuit. Karl Freeman, Graham Taylor and Dean Maguire Dean Maguire (29), Karl Freeman (26) and Graham Taylor (31) were killed when their BMW vehicle burst into flames following a head-on crash with a truck while driving on the wrong side of the carriageway on July 7, 2021. They were members of a Tallaght-based criminal gang that specialised in burglaries, The DPP has now directed that a garda involved in the pursuit face a criminal prosecution over his driving in relation to the incident. Pretty much everyone in the entire force is shocked by that decision but it is the officers who are having to deal with criminals driving away from them that have the most concerns obviously, a source said. Gardai have identified a number of young criminals who are stealing cars and then posting images of the stolen cars and their dangerous driving stunts on TikTok. A particular line of inquiry focuses on four male teenagers, aged between 14 and 16, with addresses in west Dublin and the capitals northside. These are very prolific both in Dublin and across Leinster for stealing cars and then driving the vehicles in a very dangerous manner, filming themselves and putting it on the internet. Gardai have discovered a TikTok page linked to one of them, a 16-year-old from the Dublin 5 area, which shows a lot of criminal activity, another source said. The issue of criminals failing to stop for gardai is also especially acute in border counties, particularly Louth and Monaghan where roads are being used by organised west Dublin burglary gangs to enter and exit Northern Ireland. Sources say these gangs often get involved in pursuits with the PSNI after committing crimes in the North and then crossing the Border, which regularly results in them being able to escape because of the garda stand-down policy on chases. Justice Minister Simon Harris brought a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday to increase the maximum sentence for assaulting a garda, which includes ramming offences, from seven years to 12. Garda members in Dublin Metropolitan Region West have voiced their concerns to the Garda Representative Association local rep, Mark Ferris who has said that these type of copycat incidents are happening more often, threatening the safety of both gardai and fellow road users. Currently there is a protocol which effectively means a no-pursuit policy so gardai can feel helpless when criminals purposely and recklessly drive into oncoming traffic and I believe it is only a matter of time before innocent members of the public suffer serious injury or even worse. Gardai are investigating an allegation of fraud after numerous parents complained about forking out deposits for bouncy castles for childrens first holy communions only to be let down on the day. A formal complaint has been made to Blackrock garda station in the wake of the most recent incident in Dublin. A spokesperson confirmed that the force is following up on the allegations. Gardai are investigating an incident of fraud that occurred in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Investigations are ongoing, the spokesperson said. As revealed in the Irish Independent, parents celebrating their childrens communions have been paying deposits of up to 90 via PayPal for bookings made last year. The owner of the company, which cannot be named for legal reasons, contacted them the week leading up to the communion day to confirm the booking and ask if the surface was grass or concrete. However, on the day, the owner did not show up and turned off his phone, failing to respond to text messages or calls or notify them that the inflatable they had booked would not be arriving. One mother living in Dublin 3, Emma Smith, had booked an inflatable for her son James (8). She paid a 50 deposit last October and got a confirmation message a few days prior to the communion, but the owner completely ghosted Ms Smith on the day. Over the course of the morning, my son got progressively more anxious and upset. I spent what should have been a lovely morning with my family with my phone in my hand, trying to sort out the mess and reassure my son, she said. Another mother who was left high and dry on the day of her daughters communion said she was just disgusted to be let down in that manner, with her child in tears. The website for the company in question is still live and continuing to take bookings and deposits. Fionn Ferreira examining possible micro-plastics in water under a microscope at the University of Groningen earlier this year. Photo: Jan Reinier Van Der Vliet When Fionn Ferreira saw microplastics proliferating on the shore around his west Cork home, at first he got angry. Then he got inventive. His resulting innovation has now taken him to the finals of a prestigious international competition. The 22-year-old from Ballydehob has developed a method of extracting the microscopic fragments of plastic that are omnipresent in our waters. While I was in Ireland, I couldnt clean my lab glassware using water from the mains because there was more plastic in it than in the samples I was testing, he says. He is currently researching in Svalbard, and even in this remote archipelago, located roughly halfway between Norway and the North Pole, microplastics have been washed into what should be a pristine environment. Ferreira has worked on his idea since he was just 16 when he was horrified by the plastics near his coastal home where his parents are boat-builders. His invention uses magnetised food-grade oil that attaches to microplastics. The solution can then be pulled out of the water by magnets. Fionn Ferreira: Removing microplastics from water Alternative methods exist but are heavy on equipment and energy. Its possible to evaporate water, leaving the microplastics behind, for example but that takes vast amounts of heat to convert the water into steam and further energy to cool the steam into water again. Ferreiras method requires no electricity and while his prototype is already perfect for contained areas such as houses, he says it is adaptable for any setting, from water outflows in manufacturing facilities to wastewater treatment plants to open rivers. The European Patent Office believe him and have chosen Fionn as one of three finalists in the annual European Inventor Award taking place in July. You might think water authorities would be banging his door down but thats not the case. Lack of regulation requiring the removal of microplastics is the problem, he says. Water companies seem to be quite hesitant. Companies will not test for things unless they are forced to because otherwise they will have to remove those things from the water. A draft new water directive for Europe tentatively proposes addressing the issue but Fionn wants to see his technology in use everywhere. He has had some high-profile backing, notably the FootPrint Coalition, an initiative founded by actor Robert Downey Jr which grant-aids sustainable business ideas. Now Ferreira is trying to raise $2m to get to get his invention market-ready. Meanwhile, he is studying for his masters degree at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands. He said that as a chemistry student, he couldnt find a course in Ireland with the right mix of science and sustainability. I wanted one that was around sustainability, not sending me to a pharmaceutical company. He is also writing a childrens book to encourage children to become inventors. Instead of teaching children what will make them a lot of money in the future, we need to teach them how to fall in love with the environment, how to get angry about whats happening to it, and give them a toolset to solve some of those problems, he says. Perhaps surprisingly, Ferreira isnt angry at the manufacturers of plastic. Plastic is a great material and its not something that we need to eliminate completely but instead we have to use it more wisely and also re-engineer how we make it. The plastics industry has enormous know-how and innovation, he says, and that should be harnessed to tackle the problem at source. That wont render his invention obsolete, however. We have so much plastic in the world, we will be dealing with this for hundreds if not thousands of years to come. Thats the sad truth of it. The death has occurred of the teenage daughter of Cork woman, Vera Twomey, who fought a lengthy campaign before she gained access to medicinal cannabis for her beloved Ava who had a rare form of epilepsy which caused her to have daily catastrophic seizures. Ava Barry (13), who had Dravet Syndrome, passed away peacefully in hospital in Cork on Friday surrounded by her family. She had been hospitalised following a recent illness. In 2017 then Minister for Health Simon Harris granted a licence for the use of medicinal cannabis by Ava. Her mother Vera, who is from Aghabullogue, Co Cork had walked from Cork to Leinster House in Dublin on two occasions in a bid to highlight the plight of young Ava. Her condition was so serious that it had previously pushed her in to cardiac arrest and an eight day coma. Vera gave numerous media interviews over a three year period in which she said that she was desperate to gain access to THC to prevent her daughters severe epilepsy attacks. She also assisted other parents who were in similar positions to her. Ms Twomey published a book called For Ava in 2019 in which she told of the struggles that her family experienced when her daughter was seriously ill. Vera said that they ran out of options to treat Dravet Syndrome and that there was nothing there but Google as they desperately searched for a solution to the dire circumstances of their daughter. Prior to obtaining medicinal cannabis Ava was having up to 23 seizures in 26 hours. Vera previously said that seizures were terrifying experiences as she never knew if her daughter would come out of one intact. The fear was that Ava would end up brain damaged or dead. The ambulance service call outs were so regular for Ava that they didn't need to ask her address. Vera previously stated that her life prior to obtaining medicinal cannabis for Ava was one of constant stress, pain and anxiety. "Every waking moment was consumed by it. I operated under constant fear and tension waiting for the next seizure. It was coming though you never knew when -- but as sure as day it was coming. Ava was having several seizures almost every day, with over twenty on a bad day. They may varied in extent and severity, but each one was an agonising experience, full of pain and terror." In May of 2017 Vera went to Spain to get a prescription from a consultant for medicinal cannabis for Ava. Customs officials confiscated the THC cannabis oil from Ms Twomey after questioning her for an hour after she got off a flight from Barcelona. She went to live in the Hague in the Netherlands in the latter half of 2017 where she again received a prescription of the drug for her daughter. At the time Ms Twomey said that it was a relief to finally gain consistent access to the medication even if she had to go overseas. It is freedom for us. We have a medicine that works. We can speak openly and honestly about Ava having the THC form of cannabis. We dont have to hide in the shadows. THC has saved Avas life and changed her life and is the most humane form of medication." Speaking in 2017 Ms Twomey admitted that she felt a personal responsibility to help other people in similar situations. It doesnt matter if you are the first, second or 23rd person to get medicinal cannabis. It is your duty to share some of your success and how it is achieved." Meanwhile, Ms Twomey was asked to speak in the House of Commons in London in 2019 about the benefits of the alternative medicine in treating conditions such as severe epilepsy. She was also named Cork Person of the Month in May of 2018. The funeral arrangements for Ava will be confirmed in the coming days. Ava is survived by her parents Vera and Paul and her siblings Michael, Sophia and Elvera Mae. Mediahuis Ireland COO Ian Keogh, CEO Peter Vandermeersch and Mediahuis Group CEO Gert Ysebaert accepting the award from INMA president Maribel Perez Wadsworth at the event in New York. Mediahuis Irelands regional newsrooms won the prestigious Best Innovation in Newsroom Transformation (Regional Brands) award at the International News Media Association (INMA) Global Media Awards in New York last night. The first place award was presented to Mediahuis Ireland CEO Peter Vandermeersch, COO Ian Keogh and Mediahuis Group CEO Gert Ysebaert at the event. It is the third time the project has been recognised, following on from claiming the Best Innovation award at the Local Ireland Media Awards in October 2022 and again at the Newsbrands Awards last year winning the Best Digital Innovation award. The initiative involved moving local newsrooms and brands from a digital model that followed the weekly print cycle to a fully-fledged online local news service with daily breaking news. The ultimate aim is to have a targeted local news service for all 32 counties on the island of Ireland. The project has also involved the recruitment of new journalists to establish a 'Dublin desk' which focuses on local news in the capital. The INMA Global Media Awards competition honours excellence in energizing news brands, creating new products, growing and engaging audiences, increasing reader and advertising revenue. During the awards ceremony at New Yorks Harvard Club, 40 first-place winners were unveiled across 20 categories aimed at surfacing innovation and best practices in news brands, optimising the use of media features, subscriptions, advertising, data and insights, product, and newsroom innovation. Norwegian newspaper Bergens Tidendes Journey Around the World won the highest award, Best in Show at the ceremony, This year marked the 87th year in which INMA has shined a light on how publishers smartly connect with customers. This years competition this year attracted 775 entries from 239 market-leading news media brands in 40 countries. Fifty-four (54) executives in the media and advertising communities from 19 countries judged the competition. Editor-in-chief of Mediahuis Ireland Cormac Bourke said: We are delighted that our local news project has been recognised at such a prestigious international awards ceremony. The winning project is a perfect example of how Mediahuis is using our existing resources to best serve our growing audience. We have managed to bring our regional journalists to a national audience, with the added positive of bringing all of our newsrooms around the country closer together. Mediahuis Regionals Editor-In-Chief Jim Hayes said: This global recognition of local innovation is the icing on the cake for small teams of editors and journalists who have worked together to completely transform our local online offering through independent.ie. Local journalism gives local communities a voice they can trust and the success of this pioneering project gives us the confidence to push ahead with even more ambition." Mediahuis Ireland Regionals is home to some of the countrys top local news brands, including the Wexford People, Kerryman, Sligo Champion, Wicklow People, Argus (Dundalk), Drogheda Independent, Corkman, New Ross Standard, Gorey Guardian, Enniscorthy Guardian and Bray People. Three teenage girls carry buckets of water on a dirt road in Balaka, Malawi, where drought is a problem. Photo: Getty Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Africa Union. Each year, it celebrates the rich culture and diversity of the continent. Having lived and worked in Africa for over a decade, I have witnessed first-hand its vibrancy, entrepreneurship and enduring optimism. It fills me with so much hope for the future. However, as temperatures soar and vast swathes of the region endure successive years of drought, we must all accept that the greenhouse gas emissions we are responsible for creating in the west have contribute to the global warming worst affecting people in Africa. The continent itself is responsible for only 4pc of historical emissions. Human-induced greenhouse gas emissions have warmed todays climate by 1.2C compared with pre-industrial levels, driving below-average rainfall in eastern Africa, according to a study published last month by the World Weather Attribution group of Scientists. Only this week, a separate five-year study published by Nature Reviews Earth and the Environment predicted that increased heating of the oceans, which created the El Nino and La Nina climatic patterns, would result in more extreme and frequent droughts, floods, heatwaves, wildfires and severe storms. Cyclone Freddy, which roared through Malawi and Mozambique last March, was the planets longest-lasting tropical storm on record. In eastern Africa, poor seasonal rains for five successive years have left large parts of the region parched and barren. Upwards of 36 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance. This has marked a monumental turnaround for Africas fortunes. Less than a decade ago, the continent was viewed as a future global breadbasket. Africa was a region of vast untapped potential and included many of the worlds fastest-growing economies. While it avoided the huge loss of life experienced elsewhere during the Covid-19 pandemic, the continent continues to experience the economic fall-out from the virus. The UN Conference on Trade and Development estimates foreign direct investment in Africa fell by 16pc in 2020 as global economic resources were diverted to deal with the coronavirus emergency. The outbreak of war in Ukraine has caused a further economic squeeze as fuel, food and fertiliser prices rocketed, while blockades on grain shipments from Russia and Ukraine meant African countries that relied on these supplies became proxies in the conflict in eastern Europe. Compounding the challenges, temperatures in parts of Africa have soared, with the UN Weather Agency reporting increases of at least 1C above pre-industrial levels for the eighth consecutive year. Last year was one of Africas hottest on record. The newly published Global Report on Food Crises found the number of people worldwide facing acute food insecurity many in Africa increased by more than one-third last year. An additional 65 million people had been added to the numbers at risk, as the report estimated that 258 million people worldwide were now experiencing acute food insecurity. The global community cannot shy away from the challenges we face if we are to end global hunger. But there is hope. Innovative steps are being taken to address Africas climate challenges, with world leaders pledging to invest upwards of 40bn to support climate-change adaptation in Africa at the annual COP summit in Egypt last year. In Ireland, through Irish Aid, the Government is making investments to combat the effects of climate change in Africa through bilateral aid and funding to its NGO and multilateral partners. At Self Help Africa, we too are working in partnership with government ministries, academics and local partners to improve the access farming communities have to weather information. We are also working to help reduce pest and crop disease threats. Climate adaptation strategies are at the heart of our work. We must not underestimate the enormity of the climate challenges facing the people of Africa, but we should not let it overwhelm us. As communities across Africa bravely tackle the difficulties facing them, we must summon that same courage to support them. We should celebrate every Africa Day by ensuring the continents vibrancy and entrepreneurship can thrive, even in challenging times. Feargal OConnell is CEO of Self Help Africa The word silly derives from the Greek selig, meaning blessed, but the latest budget-bickering in the coalition is more pitiful than pious. It is in need of a good plumber before whatever precious credibility it has stored goes down the plughole. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has even had to admonish his government partners to put a stop to the public tantrums. The air is heavy with rattles flying from junior ministers prams, and someone is going to get hurt in the crossfire. Mr Ryan is right to recognise that voters will not put up with such nonsense. Ministers vying with each other to look good, or to garner credit for giving taxpayers their own money back, makes for an ugly spectacle, There are demands on the public purse and there are procedures for making decisions and guaranteeing equity and fairness. So squabbles over who can give away the most are as unedifying as they are unwise. People would be rightly annoyed if the coalition parties continued to express public differences over how to frame the Budget. Environment Minister Mr Ryan said: I am old enough to remember the country falling a few times because we did not get the economic strategy right. The Budget is about getting priorities right. Mr Ryan was hoping to get through to those who had yet to recognise there was at least one adult in the Cabinet. Simon Coveney also had some pacifiers of his own to give out. No, there wasnt any tension in the coalition, nor was anyone being bullied. Just because were in coalition doesnt mean were the same. You know, different parties have different priorities, he said. For Fianna Fail, the true victim of all this subterfuge if publishing an article in this very paper can be classified as such no amount of oily words could calm its troubled waters. The three offending ministers who had written the article suggesting there ought to be big tax cuts for those who needed them most were undermining the budgetary processes, according to Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. He described their article as unhelpful. Meanwhile, the actual Finance Minister, Michael McGrath, was eager to assure everyone that he was certainly not being bullied. Anybody who knows me will know that I can be as tough as anybody else when it comes to negotiations, he said. Yet for fellow Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness, those rascally junior ministers were merely kite-flying with the tax-cut dreams. In any event, he added, ministers of state Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Martin Heydon and Peter Burke were perfectly right to air their views in a sensible parameter of the Budget expenditure. That is the thing about dysfunctional families even the ones that run the country: there is never quite enough room on the grievance scorecard to contain the outrage in everyones gripes. The LCA Student of the Year at Charleville CBS Secondary School awards ceremony was Gabriel de Paiva, pictured here with Sean Roberts, Deputy Principal; Andrea Murphy, Principal, Pat Savage, chair BoM, and Superintendent Michael Corbett who was guest speaker at the event at the Charleville Park Hotel. The winner of the Scoilaire na Bliana -Rogna na Daltai Award was Eoin O'Connor, who is pictured with Sean Roberts and Andre Murphy, School BoM Chair Pat Savage and Superintendent Michael Corbett who was guest speaker at the annual award ceremony at Charleville CBS Secondary School. Charleville CBS student Ciaran Le Febvre who is te Leaving Certificate Student of the Year '23 is pictured with the schools Depurt Principal Sean Roberst and Principal Andrea Murphy, guest speaker Superintendent Michael Corbett and school BoM chair,Pat Savage at the annual awards ceremony at the Charleville Park Hotel. Student Charlie Hayes won the John Mahady Aet Award at the CBS Charleville awards ceremony is pictured with school Principal Andrea Murphy and teacher Mary Mulroe (right). The Design and Construction Award went to Patrick O'Flynn at the CBS Charleville awards ceremony. He is [pictured with teacher Barry McGill and Principal Andrea Murphy. CBS student Ciaran Le Febvre with the Eamon Clery Award for Modern Foreign Language is pictured with Principal Andrea Murphy and teacher Laura O'Mahony (right). CBS Secondary School student Ciaran Le Febvre who was awarded the James Condon Accounting Award at the annual awards ceremony, pictured with school Principal Andrea Murphy and teacher Denis O'Donovan. Student Charlie Duignan was awarded th Con Leahy LCPE Award at the CBS Charleville awards ceremony is pictured here with teacher James O'Riordan and school Pribcipal Andrea Murphy. The three students who shared the Applications to Study Award, Jamir Binoya, Eoin O'Connor and Shane Hedderman are here with Sean Roberts, Deputy-Principal and Principal Andrea Murphy at Charleville CBS awards ceremony. The Edmund Rice Spirit of Generosity Award was won by Shane Hedderman at the student ceremony awards at Charleville CBS. He is here with Sean Roberts Deputy-Principal and Principal Andrea Murphy, Charleville CBS Secondary School. THE annual awards ceremony at Charleville CBS Secondary School took place at the Charleville Park Hotel last Thursday afternoon when the second level students gathered for the last time in a formal setting as the end of the school year approaches. At the outset teacher Niamh OSullivan set out the format for the ceremony which had former past pupil Garda Superintendent Michael Corbett as guest speaker. The students of the Junior cycle were the first to received their awards, which were introduced by CBS Deputy Principal Sean Roberts, and presented by Kevin Whooley from local engineering firm of Flow Technology, sponsors of the Junior section. Awards were also presented to 5th Year students that were presented by Superintendent Michael Corbett, while awards for sporting achievement were introduced by teacher and Cork hurling start Tim OMahony, and presented by Pat Savage, chair of the CBS Board of Management. The Leaving Certificate Awards were introduced by teacher Kevin Butler and presented by CBS Principal Andrea Murphy. Addressing the assembled students Ms Murphy said that awards day is one of the highlights of the school calendar to celebrate the achievements and talents of the students. It is an opportunity to reflect on the great team made up of students and staff we have in CBS Charleville to support the teaching, learning and extra-curricular activities in the school. The opportunities offered to our students both inside and outside the classroom in areas of sport, the arts and co-curricular activities is second to none, she said. Ms Murphy said that they are grateful for the continued support of the local community, clubs and businesses and public representatives. CBS Charleville is very fortunate to be part of such a great community, evident again with the support here today. We have had some truly great days this past academic year, such as the visit of the Minister for Education Norma Foley, T.D. and the inauguration of the Flowtech Engineering scholarship sponsored by Flowtechnology Engineering Company Charleville. She also outlined the other stand-out evets at the school over the past school year. Ms Murphy also extended condolences to the family of the ate Tim Griffin (RIP), who passed away earlier in the week. The late Mr. Griffin, who was a staff member at Flow Technology Charleville, had attended the CBS awards ceremony on behalf of the company in previous years. Guest speaker Superintendent Michael Corbett in his address referred to his time at CBS Charleville and the memories he holds of his schoolmates and teachers of that period. He congratulated the students on their achievements, and wished well as they head into Third Level education, and afterwards in their chosen careers. Pat Savage, chair of the CBS Secondary Board of Management in his talk said it had been another challenging year for the school as they returned to normal after the pandemic. He thanked the staff for their commitment and dedication to teaching and to the students for their contribution to and getting involved in school life. He congratulated the Leaving Certificate students and wished them well in their future endeavours. The awards were then presented as follows: the Michel Award for Mathematics: Oisin OSullivan, Eamon de Valera Business Award: Shane Hedderman, James Condon Accounting Award: Ciaran Lefebre, Tom Crean Geography Award: Aquil Thembani, the Michael Collins History Award: Ewan Dillon, the Harry Ferguson Agricultural Award: Rory Troy. The Professor Patrick Quinlan Science Award: Jamir Binoya, Paddy Ryan English Language & Literature Award: Charlie Duignan, Foreign Language Award: Ciaran Lefebvre. 2023 LCVP Award: Davids Skurovs; Gaeilgoir na Bliana Award: Rory Troy; John Mahady Art Award: Charlie Hayes; Design and Construction Award: Patrick OFlynn, Con Leahy PE Award: Charlie Duignan; County Hurling U20 Award (limerick): Ewan Dillon. County Hurling Minor Award (Cork): Zack Biggane. Application to Studies Award: Jamir Binoya, Eoin OConnor, Shane Heddreman. Spirit of Generosity Award: Shane Hedderman. Scolairena Bliana- Rogna na Daltai Award: Rory Troy. . The prestigious Student of the Year Award, which is now awarded by the teaching staff was won this year by Ciaran Lefevbre and was presented to the winning student by Pat Savage, chair of the Board of Management. The Dublin Smartphone Film Festival returns to Dublin on June 3 in the Mart Gallery and Rathmines Omniplex A Dublin film creator believes people dont need the most expensive cameras to create a good movie, they just need a good story and creativity. Jose Leonardo arrived in Ireland nearly four years ago without a word of English. After finishing a language course, he decided to follow his dream of studying Film and Creative Media. He created a film this year during his final year of studying Film and Creative Media in Dublin Business School. The film is called Behind My Drag Queen and follows the story of Chantelle Perez, a Brazilian drag queen who discovered a new way to live life in Ireland. It will be showing as part of the Dublin Smartphone Film Festival on June 3. The short film was made with a smartphone. Its about the story of my friend Enisio, Jose said. Hes been performing as a drag queen. He grew up in Brazil, in a church environment where he couldnt be himself. But he moved over to Ireland to start a new life. He started a self-discovery journey. The first time he did drag here was the first time he dressed up as drag. He enjoyed the freedom. Hes able to walk on the street here and have a face of make-up. He started to feel at home here. Drag completely changed his life, it became his main job and he got to travel all around Europe. We always know where to go for a drag queen show, but we never know the story behind the drag queen. Behind My Drag Queen follows Chantelle Perez, a Brazilian drag queen living in Ireland Enisios story struck deep chords for Jose, as someone who is also part of the Brazilian community living away from their home country. This story symbolises a journey of determination and self-discovery, which I want to share with all nationalities, Jose said. Being able to shoot this short film on my smartphone showed me the importance of telling stories is not about having an expensive camera but to start capturing the stories and work with what we have. Im very proud of this. To be able to do it and to have a great outcome with a smartphone, it makes me realise that we just need a good story and to be creative. The Dublin Smartphone Film Festival returns on June 3 with a mix of shorts, features and workshops. It will take place in the Mart Gallery and Rathmines Omniplex. Festival Director Robert Fitzhugh said: We just could not believe the success of the festival in the past five years. We sell out each year before the doors even open. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have brought about an incredible period of creativity with people forced to use the tools they have at their disposal to tell stories. There has never been a more interesting time to explore Smartphone filmmaking. This is what the Dublin Smartphone Film Festival is here to do; to encourage the next generation of filmmakers to create their stories using their phones and to provide them with the widest possible platform to present these stories to a wider audience. For more information visit www.dublinsmartphonefilmfestival.com Our fashion editor rounds up the latest style news and fashion trends The season of the great summer dress is upon us and, I have to say, this year many of the top brands are really rocking it out with cool and affordable pieces. I have to hand out bouquets in particular to the M&S design team because, frankly, I fell hard for about 10 of their summer dresses and that has not been the case for many years. I couldnt get over the accessible prices for what look like far more expensive dresses. I loved that so many were in pure cotton, and they are nearly all hand-washable, so happy days. I always go to the original M&S store in Ireland, the large one in the Jervis Shopping Centre, because it is close to the office and you never know what youll spot when you pop in to buy a sambo. M&S pink satin midi dress with sleeves and open detail on the back I wanted to get a better look at the pink satin midi dress with sleeves and open detail on the back (67) which has featured in adverts and, yes, it looks way more expensive and drapes very nicely. There was the inevitable honey pot curiosity around dresses worn by Holly Willoughby in the TV stars collab with M&S. The pure cotton broderie anglais belted shirt dress comes in a crisp white and also in a pale blue and, again, looks way more expensive than its 80 price tag. M&S pure cotton broderie anglais belted shirt dress in crisp white I know Australian friends will say it reminds them of their school uniform, but the pure cotton blue gingham dress (54) is a glorious work horse and it has pockets! M&S pure cotton blue gingham dress While in the shopping centre last week, I popped in to see the dress offer at New Look and also from Irish brand Carraig Donn. There was a lot of pink, including the pleat-front dress from Carraig Donn, accessorised with clashing orange bag (35) from M&S and gold sandals (50) from Schuh. And if cowboy boots are your jam and you have yet to discover the holy grail of pre-loved ones in your size for maybe some festival fashion, can I point you to some cool white and black boots at Stradivarius for 65.99. Decorative swimwear The new swim and resortwear collection from Club L London has just landed and it includes some very cute white looks in a wide selection of sizes, with prices from 35 to 130. 'Sheer Bliss' white organza swimsuit with bows, clubllondon.com Looks that caught my eye were the ones with a decorative use of fabric, like the Sheer Bliss white one-piece made in a nylon-blend knit with underwired padded cups with pretty ruching, but it is the organza detail which sweeps onto the shoulder and ties in a bow that really makes it stand out. The one-piece costs 75 and is available in sizes 6-20. There is also a bikini version with top (50) and bottoms (40). 'Sandy Shores' white asymmetric ruffle swimsuit, clubllondon.com If you like sculptural one-pieces that look great worn with a sarong skirt or wide-legged pants, check out the Sandy Shores white one-piece in 82pc nylon/18pc elastane with asymmetric ruffle which falls from one shoulder to the opposite waist (55), available in sizes 6-16. The Octavias white, one-shouldered swimsuit with flower details on the shoulder (70) is another piece that would prove very useful. clubllondon.com Rixos Agyness is back Rixo designers Orlagh McCloskey and Henrietta Rix have enjoyed incredible success with their feminine dresses and striking prints since the college friends launched their brand eight years ago from their living room. One dress seems to have captured the hearts of shoppers, especially in Ireland, where the blue and white Agyness continues to have traction and is one of the most popular styles requested at Happy Days rental store in Leopardstown, Co Dublin. The good news for fans of this bohemian dress with the pretty open back and bow detail is that the Rixo duo have reprised it this season. The all-blue, tiered midi Agyness comes in a Havana floral blue mix print which features a floral print inspired by a vintage Cuban shirt, while the paisley print was inspired by a vintage sari. It comes in Rixos extended size range and costs 420. Rixo's 'Agyness' in Havana blue floral mix print, 420 If you love the Agyness shape but dont fancy the open back, I suggest you take a look at the similarly tiered Kristen. The midi dress comes in a pink and plum paisley print in a viscose crinkle with round neckline and slightly puffed sleeves. I couldnt mention Orlagh without talking about the beautiful images from her double wedding at Gloster House in Birr, Co Offaly, which Vogue has just published online. The open back of Rixo's 'Agyness' dress Orlagh and her twin, Gemma, grew up near Derry and decided to have a joint wedding after getting engaged a few months apart. At the wedding celebration last September, the siblings wore complimentary vintage-inspired gowns designed by Orlagh, of course. Gemma runs her own interior design and creative business called Cupla Studio, and she designed Rixos new flagship store on Londons King Road, which has multiple sustainable initiatives, including rental, bridal rental, pre-loved and a selection of one-off vintage pieces curated by Orlagh and Henrietta. Check it out if you are in London during the summer. rixolondon.com A police water cannon tries to extinguish the fire from a burning police car in the town of Zvecan, Kosovo. Photo: REUTERS/Miodrag Draskic Serbia put its troops on the border with Kosovo on the highest state of alert yesterday following clashes between ethnic Serbs and Kosovo police that left more than a dozen injured on both sides. ILO/Marcel Crozet New York: With hunger spreading worldwide and tobacco responsible for eight million deaths each year, countries should stop subsidizing tobacco crops and help farmers grow food, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday 31 May, WHO deplored that 3.2 million hectares of fertile land across 124 countries are being used to grow deadly tobacco even in places where people are starving. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that governments across the world spend millions supporting tobacco farms, and that choosing to grow food instead of tobacco would allow the world to prioritize health, preserve ecosystems, and strengthen food security for all. Disaster for food, environmental security The agencys new report, Grow food, not tobacco, recalls that a record 349 million people are facing acute food insecurity, many of them in some 30 countries on the African continent, where tobacco cultivation has increased by 15 per cent in the last decade. According to WHO, nine of the 10 largest tobacco cultivators are low and middle-income countries. Tobacco farming compounds these countries food security challenges by taking up arable land. The environment and the communities which rely on it also suffer, as the crops expansion drives deforestation, contamination of water sources and soil degradation. Vicious cycle of dependence The report also exposes the tobacco industry for trapping farmers in a vicious cycle of dependence and exaggerating the economic benefits of tobacco as a cash crop. Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Friday, Dr. Rudiger Krech, WHOs Director for Health Promotion, warned that tobaccos economic importance is a myth that we urgently need to dispel. He said that the crop contributes less than 1 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in most tobacco-growing countries, and that the profits go to the worlds major cigarette-makers, while farmers struggle under the burden of debt contracted with the tobacco companies. Smokers, think twice Dr. Krech also explained that tobacco farmers find themselves exposed to nicotine poisoning and dangerous pesticides. The broader impact on communities and whole societies is devastating, as some 1.3 million child labourers are estimated to be working on tobacco farms instead of going to school, he said. The message to smokers is, think twice, Dr. Krech said, as consuming tobacco came down to supporting an iniquitous situation in which farmers and their families were suffering. Breaking the cycle WHO, along with the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have joined forces around the Tobacco Free Farms initiative, to help thousands of farmers in countries like Kenya and Zambia to grow sustainable food crops instead of tobacco. The programme provides farmers with microcredit lending to pay off their debts with tobacco companies, as well as knowledge and training to grow alternative crops, and a market for their harvest, thanks to WFPs local procurement initiatives. Dr. Krech said that the programme was a proof of concept of the power of the UN system to enable farmers to break free from harmful tobacco cultivation. He outlined ambitious plans to expand the programme, as countries in Asia and South America were already requesting support. We can help every farmer in the world to get out of tobacco farming if they wish, he said. Image: Unsplash/D koi New York: The UN convened the first ever global meeting with education ministers from around the world to explore risks and rewards of using chatbots in classrooms, announcing on Friday a new roadmap to chart a safer digital path for all. Less than 10 per cent of schools and universities follow formal guidance on using wildly popular artificial intelligence (AI) tools, like the chatbot software ChatGPT, according to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which hosted more than 40 ministers at an groundbreaking online meeting on Thursday. UNESCO The ministers exchanged policy approaches and plans while considering the agencys new roadmap on education and generative AI, which can create data and content based on existing algorithms, but can also make alarming factual errors, just like humans. Generative AI opens new horizons and challenges for education, but we urgently need to take action to ensure that new AI technologies are integrated into education on our terms, said Stefania Giannini, UNESCOs Assistant Director-General for Education. It is our duty to prioritize safety, inclusion, diversity, transparency and quality. Institutions are facing myriad challenges in crafting an immediate response to the sudden emergence of these powerful AI apps, according to a new UNESCO survey of more than 450 schools and universities. Rapidly evolving landscape At the same time, governments worldwide are in the process of shaping appropriate policy responses in a rapidly evolving education landscape, while further developing or refining national strategies on AI, data protection, and other regulatory frameworks, according to UNESCO. However, they are proceeding with caution. Risks to using these tools can see students exposed to false or biased information, some ministers said at the global meeting. The debate revealed other common concerns, including how to mitigate the chatbots inherent flaws of producing glaring errors. Ministers also addressed how best to integrate these tools into curricula, teaching methods, and exams, and adapting education systems to the disruptions which generative AI is quickly causing. Many highlighted the vital role teachers play in this new era as learning facilitators. But, teachers need guidance and training to meet these challenges, according to UNESCO. Adding to existing frameworks Teachers need guidance and training to meet these challenges. UNESCO For its part, the agency will continue to steer the global dialogue with policy makers, partners, academia, and civil society, in line with its paper, AI and education: A guide for policy-makers and Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, as well as the Beijing Consensus on Artificial Intelligence and Education. UNESCO is also developing policy guidelines on the use of generative AI in education and research, as well as frameworks of AI competencies for students and teachers for classrooms. These new tools will be launched during Digital Learning Week, to be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 4 to 7 September, the agency said. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The confirmation hearing for Nebraskas incoming chief medical officer centered primarily on the officials role in a new law restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee approved the confirmation of Dr. Timothy Tesmer in a 4-2 vote, with the remaining committee member, state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, abstaining. Tesmers confirmation will now go to the full Legislature for debate. Under the controversial LB574, Tesmer will have the authority to impose new regulations on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for individuals under 19. As a result, Tesmers confirmation is drawing more attention than usual, with Thursdays hearing stretching for several hours and nearly 100 people submitting written comments, mostly in opposition. Tesmer has more than 35 years of experience in the medical field, primarily as an ear, nose and throat physician. He served on the State Board of Health for two years and was the boards chairman before Gov. Jim Pillen appointed him to replace Dr. Gary Anthone, the former chief medical officer. LB574 opponents suggested that Tesmer would likely favor a full ban on gender-affirming care, as was proposed in the original version of the bill. In March, the state board issued an opinion supporting the original bill while Tesmer was still serving as chairman. Tesmer confirmed Thursday that he voted in favor of the opinion, but said he considered it more of a statement against gender-affirming surgeries for youths, not a statement in favor of LB574 in its entirety. He said he considers surgeries to be irreversible care that could be harmful, but noted other gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers can be reversed. Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, one of the two votes against his confirmation, was unconvinced by his statement. She said Tesmer was either pretending not to know what the opinion was about, or he was lying to the committee. Other opponents questioned Tesmers leadership on the board, noting that the March vote on the opinion didnt happen in public, and as Tesmer described was drafted and presented to the board within the span of one day. Dr. Tesmer neglected his responsibility to Nebraskans, said Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of OutNebraska. The version of LB574 that passed will ban gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under 19 starting Oct. 1. For puberty blockers and hormone therapy, Tesmer and the Department of Health and Human Services must develop regulations for the medication, following a set of criteria within the legislation. Those who were already undergoing such care before the regulations take effect are exempt. Tesmer said he doesnt expect to have the regulations ready to go by Oct. 1. It is unclear how regulations for puberty blockers and hormone therapy would change if that happens. Among the criteria is setting a minimum number of gender-identity-focused therapeutic hours a patient must undergo to receive it, and a minimum waiting period between a medical practitioner receiving the patients consent and prescribing the treatment. Several Nebraska physicians said in interviews with the World-Herald that these criteria are already part of the standard practice doctors follow when prescribing such care. Dr. Joan Daughton, a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Omaha, said a number of national organizations already have well-researched and well-documented standards of care for gender diverse and transgender youth. Dr. Andrew Ensz, a family medicine physician in Auburn, prescribes hormone treatment to some of his patients, and said the guidelines he follows from the Endocrine Society are long-established and pretty conservative. LB574 supporters described puberty blockers and hormone therapy as unregulated medication that is easily accessible to children. The bills introducer, Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, said a social contagion has contributed to a rise in young people seeking the treatment. Both Ensz and Daughton disputed this. Children and adolescents dont get to the point of puberty blockers or hormone therapy unless they have a sustained identity that does not fit the identity they were assigned at birth, Daughton said. Patients have to present letters from a mental health provider a therapist or psychiatrist documenting that they have worked with them for several months, that there is no other psychiatric condition contributing, that their mental health is stable and good and that the child or adolescent and their family all understand the risks and benefits of moving forward with any kind of treatment, she said. It cant be just today you show up and talk to a physician and you start hormones, Daughton said. That never happens. There is such a process for all these kids and their families to go through. Neither Ensz nor Daughton testified at Tesmers confirmation hearing, but several other physicians did testify and echoed their statements. Dr. Alex Dworak, a family medicine physician that works with LGBTQ+ patients and testified in a neutral capacity at the hearing, said the Legislatures LB574 debate did a lot of damage to Nebraskas trans community, but Tesmer is now in a position to repair some of it. He said experts on gender-affirming care, including himself, are willing to work with Tesmer. The chief medical officer has the unique chance to restore the legitimacy of government in the eyes of a few Nebraskans who are hurting right now, Dworak said. All he would need to do is the exact same thing hes done his entire career work collaboratively with other physicians in other disciplines, and promote best practices for people of all ages. Tesmer said he plans to follow the guidelines established by endocrinologists, pediatricians and other such medical groups, vowing to take a thorough, evidence-based approach when drafting the regulations. Though the law puts that responsibility on his shoulders, Tesmer said he plans to work with a team that includes gender-affirming care providers. We want to do the right thing within the guidelines of the law, Tesmer said. Once the team has a draft of the regulations ready, Tesmer said DHHS will hold a public hearing to gather feedback. Based on that hearing, he said, the team will likely revise the draft, and if they make any major changes there will be another hearing. Following that, Tesmer said the drafted regulations will go through several groups for review, including the Board of Health and the Attorney Generals Office, before finally going to Pillens desk for approval. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, who has led the opposition to LB574, pressed Tesmer at the hearing on his involvement with the Board of Health opinion and his overall views on gender-affirming care. She took particular issue with Tesmer opposing gender-affirming surgeries specifically for trans minors, but not opposing the procedures for all minors. Cavanaugh said his views on this were discriminatory. Tesmer said he respectfully disagreed. In his view, Tesmer found it problematic for a minor to undergo a procedure like top surgery for the purposes of changing their gender identity, while minors who are not transgender that get the same surgery for augmentation or enhancement purposes is not problematic. Changing ones gender identity to me makes top surgery not in the best interest of a minor, Tesmer said. Regardless of his views, Tesmer also promised to set aside his personal opinions and follow best practices when developing the regulations. Top Journal Star photos for May 2023 Image Credit: UNI New Delhi/UNI: Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will be on an official visit to India from May 31 to June 3, on his first bilateral visit abroad after assuming office in December last year. The Nepalese PM is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation. During the visit, the Prime Minister of Nepal will call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Modi to discuss the diverse areas of the bilateral partnership between India and Nepal. Other Indian dignitaries will call on the Prime Minister of Nepal. In addition to the official engagements, Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will also be visiting Ujjain and Indore as part of his visit, a statement said. The visit continues the tradition of regular high level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of our Neighbourhood First policy. The bilateral relations between the two countries have significantly strengthened in the last few years in all areas of cooperation. This visit underscores the importance given by both sides in adding further momentum to the bilateral partnership, it added. PM Dahal is quoted as saying that his India visit will focus on promoting bilateral interests, enhancing relations, and resolving border-related and other issues. Image Credit: UNI New Delhi/IBNS: Seven Chief Ministers- who are all from the Opposition camp- are skipping the Centre's key NITI Aayog meeting which is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, media reports said. Among the seven Chief Ministers are Ashok Gehlot from Congress-ruled Rajasthan, Pinarayi Vijayan from Left-ruled Kerala, Mamata Banerjee from Trinamool Congress-ruled West Bengal, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-ruled Delhi and Punjab respectively, Nitish Kumar from Bihar and K Chandrasekhar Rao from Telangana. While Gehlot has cited health reasons, Vijayan has given no statement regarding giving a miss to the Centre's big meeting, where various issues related to the states and union territories are discussed. Kejriwal, who is at the loggerheads with the Modi government, said he decided to boycott the meeting over the Centre's new ordinance which bypassed the Supreme Court's rule favouring the city government over share of administrative powers. Mann said he would skip the meeting as the Centre is not paying attention to the needs of the northern state of Punjab. The decision to opt out of NITI Aayog meet is widely seen as the nationally beleaguered Opposition's renewed effort to stitch various disperate opposition forces with often contradictory ideologies to challenge Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which have recently suffered a crushing defeat in Karnataka. The Centre's new ordinance over Delhi's share of administrative powers has fuelled, at least momentarily, the Opposition's plans to slam the Modi government. Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal along with his colleagues from his government even flew down to Kolkata to meet Mamata Banerjee, an arch-rival of BJP, to garner support for his party's anti-Modi stance. Prime Minister Modi, who will seek reelection for the second time next year, will discuss matters related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development in the NITI Aayog meeting. Image Credit: Screenshot grab from YouTube Srinagar , May 27 (UNI) Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are divided over the National Investigation Agency (NIA) approaching the Delhi High Court seeking death penalty for the Kashmiri separatist leader and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik. While Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said the case of a political prisoner like Yasin Malik must be "reviewed & reconsidered", the Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said, "deterrent measures" should be taken against those who are trying to threaten national security. The NIA on Friday approached the Delhi High Court seeking the death penalty for Yasin Malik who was convicted in connection with a terror funding case. The court will hear the matter on Monday. Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special NIA court in May last year after he pleaded guilty in the case. NIAs plea demanding the death penalty for Yasin Malik highlights the urgency to address militant funding in Jammu and Kashmir. We must ensure justice prevails and deterrent measures should be taken against those who are trying to threaten our nations security, Apni Party chief Bukhari said on Twitter. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti reacted sharply to Bukaris assertions on Malik terming her former party colleague as "political Ikhwan" (renegade). In a democracy like India where even the assassins of a PM were pardoned, the case of a political prisoner like Yasin Malik must be reviewed & reconsidered. The new political ikhwan gleefully supporting his hanging are a grave threat to our collective rights, she tweeted. UNI Srinagar: On eve of annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, a group of Kashmiri Pandits staged a protest in Jammu and Kashmirs Ganderbal district accusing administration of making poor arrangements for the pilgrims at the temple site. While some Kashmiri Pandits arrived last evening at the Tullamulla shrine, a large number of Kashmiri Pandits are expected to converge at the Tullamulla for the annual Mela Kheer Bhawani festival on Sunday. Located at Tullamulla, 27 km from Srinagar, the shrine of Ragnya Devi has for years been hosting the annual mela attracting devotees especially Kashmiri Pandits from all over. After we reached here last evening, we saw inadequate facilities for the pilgrims, said a Kashmiri pandit who was part of the protest. There were no facilities of drinking water and accommodation for pilgrims. The protesting Pandits said that it was strange that the government knew that they were coming here and proper arrangements should have been made. Last night, after seeing poor arrangements we thought of returning, a woman protester said. The protesters shouted slogans against the authorities. Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Shyambir, said last night pilgrims reached Kheer Bhawani Mela and some "anti-social elements were spreading misinformation". We had made arrangements for food and their stay, but due to inclement weather, water penetrated in some tents. We had a meeting with all pilgrims and we are resolving their issues along with volunteers, Shyambir told reporters at the shrine complex. He said some anti-social elements were spreading misinformation. We had adequate accommodation last night and 12 rooms of a school were vacant and still a protest was held here. We should understand that there were 2400 people (pilgrims) here and the number of those who held protests was 12, DC said. (With UNI inputs) Image Credit: UNI Rampur (UP): A delegation of Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs, MLAs and senior leaders met the District Magistrate of Rampur and submitted a memorandum alleging false and bogus cases against the party's national general secretary Mohammad Azam Khan and that action against him was taken out of malice. In its memorandum, the SP delegation said that Azam Khan, his wife former MP Tazeen Fatima and their son Abdullah Azam were kept in jail for years and they were released after the intervention of the court. It was stated that in the meantime Azam was given maximum punishment in a so-called fake hate speech case after which he was disqualified from the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly within hours and even his right to give a vote was also withdrawn. On May 24 when Azam was acquitted by the MP-MLA court, the police forcibly picked his well-wishers and witnesses from their homes and locked them in the police station. It was alleged that fearing the increasing base of SP, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is persecuting the senior party leaders by filing false and bogus cases in order to defame and humiliate them. The delegation members demanded the DM to intervene immediately to stop the atrocities and illegal action being taken against Azam, his family members, and his supporters. The SP delegation included SP MPs Shafiqur Rahman Burq, ST Hasan and Rajya Sabha MP Javed Ali, besides several MLAs and party official-bearers. (With UNI inputs) PM Modi with Adheenam seers at his residence (Image Credit: PIB) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a swipe at the Congress party for keeping the 'Sengol' or the sacred sceptre on display at Anand Bhawan in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, media reports said. He expressed happiness over the installation of the 'Sengol' at the new Parliament building on Sunday. "...It would have been good if the holy Sengol would have been given its due respect after independence and given an honourable position. But this Sengol was kept on display as a walking stick in Anand Bhawan, Prayagraj. Your sevak and our government have brought the Sengol out of Anand Bhawan," PM Modi said after meeting the Adheenams at his Delhi home and taking their blessings, reported ANI. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "I am delighted that the symbol of India's great tradition, #Sengol will be installed in the #NewParliamentBuilding. This Sengol will keep reminding us that we have to walk on the path of duty and remain answerable to the public." pic.twitter.com/EWVvG1xBl0 ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2023 On Saturday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with the Adheenam seers from Tamil Nadu a day before the inauguration of the new Parliament building. During the meeting, the seers presented the "Sengol" to the Prime Minister. I am delighted that the symbol of Indias great tradition, Sengol will be installed in the new parliament building. This Sengol will keep reminding us that we have to walk on the path of duty and remain answerable to the public, Modi further stated. The event witnessed the participation of around 60 religious heads, most of whom are from Tamil Nadu. The Adheenams or mutts of Tamil Nadu have a noteworthy history of opposing upper caste dominance and are well known for spreading religious teachings to the masses. Many of these institutions have a rich legacy spanning hundreds of years. The term "Sengol" is derived from the Tamil word "semmai," which means righteousness. This sceptre holds significant historical importance as it symbolises the transfer of power from the British to the Indians during the time of Independence. According to an official document, the Adeenams presented the Sengol to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of India's independence. Nehru, who was about to assume the role of prime minister, sought advice from C Rajagopalachari on the appropriate ceremony to signify the transfer of power from the British, reported Indian Express. In the days leading up to the inauguration of the new parliament building, the Sengol became a contentious issue and sparked a disagreement between the Congress and BJP. Jairam Ramesh, the communication head of Congress, took to Twitter stating that there is no documented evidence to support the claims made by Lord Mountbatten, C Rajagopalachari, and Jawaharlal Nehru regarding the Sengol being considered as a symbol of transfer of power from the British to India. PM Modi will be inaugurating the new Parliament building on Sunday, with the ceremony set to be boycotted by 20 Opposition parties, including the Congress. The new Parliament building will make every Indian proud. This video offers a glimpse of this iconic building. I have a special request- share this video with your own voice-over, which conveys your thoughts. I will re-Tweet some of them. Dont forget to use #MyParliamentMyPride. pic.twitter.com/yEt4F38e8E Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2023 According to them the PMs decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President (Droupadi) Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy, 20 Opposition parties have announced their decision to boycott the event. Meanwhile, a total of 25 parties, including some non-NDA parties the JD(S), BSP, and TDP, have opposed the boycott and are expected to attend the inauguration of the new Parliament building. Imphal: Five members of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) - People's War Group (PWG) surrendered to the security forces in Manipur, media reports said. The militants surrendered in the presence of the police and the Assam Rifles at Somsai in Ukhrul. As per a statement by security forces, The Assam Rifles had engaged these cadres into negotiation over a prolonged period and motivated them to surrender and join the mainstream. The surrender will not only ensure assisting cadres to exit unlawful approach but also to rebuild their lives for transformation and reconciliation. In addition to surrendering themselves, the militants also handed over their weapons and ammunition, which included three pistols, three magazines, and 19 live .22 caliber rounds. After fulfilling all necessary procedures, the surrendered militants will be part of a formal ceremony organized by the government. Last month, Chief Minister N Biren Singh received the surrender of 37 militants in Imphal, Manipur. These militants willingly gave up their weapons and renounced violence. Out of the total, 36 militants were associated with the Chin Kuki Liberation Army (CKLA), while one belonged to the PREPAK (PRO) group. The Kerala Story filmmaker Sudipto Sen | Photo by Avishek Mitra/IBNS Filmmaker Sudipto Sen, whose The Kerala Story has created ripples with its subject, was recently present in Kolkata. Amid the film's meaty numbers in the box office despite almost no show in West Bengal, Sen spoke on the subject, controversies and more. IBNS correspondent Ayush Gupta in conversation with Sen Q. What do you think of a film based on true events covering such a sensitive topic falling prey to politicisation? A. We all do have our political thoughts and ideologies, but in some places, we should keep aside our professional compulsions. As a filmmaker, I am responsible for serving all the political parties and ideologies of this country. It's surprising to see that a film got banned by the government without even watching it. I remember Mahua Moitra (MP from Mamata's Trinamool Congress) was quite instrumental in leading the criticisms against the ban on the BBC documentary (on PM Modi and Gujarat riots). I clearly remember Mamata Banerjee was the first to raise her voice against the call to ban 'Padmavaat'. What were our faults that The Kerala Story was banned? I feel this is a double standard which is not serving any good purpose in our Indian politics. Sudipto Sen (L) and Adah Sharma (R) | Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS Q. Even after the Supreme Court order, almost no show has been allowed in West Bengal. How do you see this? A. We came to Kolkata hoping the film will be screened. But no show yet is very sad and surprising to all of us. Q. Do you think the court's order to put a disclaimer on the story as fictitious is your defeat and does this question the whole foundation of the story? A. Disclaimer is a legal thing. In our film, from the first shot to the final shot, neither the honourable Supreme Court nor the censor board has compelled us to change or cut even a single frame or a dialogue. They have accepted the film as it is. Even if they tell us to change the disclaimer yet again, the film would remain the same. Q. Who do you think is sending you a threat regarding the screening of the films? A. We are in constant touch with our distributors and they are calling, saying that we do want to screen the film but we are getting a lot of threats. We don't know who they are. Sudipto Sen | Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS Q. When do you plan to launch the movie on OTT platforms? A. We have made this film to screen it on the big screens for the people to watch. This film has some statements to make, and this film has some visual treat for we shot it in Kerala and the parts of the Hindukush Mountains. Thus it has visual storytelling, so we wanted it on the big screens. (Photos by Avishek Mitra/IBNS) Citadel Twitter page Filmmaker Joe Russo will direct the second season of Citadel 2, makers confirmed on Friday. The American OTT series featured Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden in the lead roles. The announcement was made just a month after the series was released amid much excitement among fans. #CitadelOnPrime is officially set to return with season 2, directed by Joe Russo. pic.twitter.com/5FGIIPmYx5 Citadel (@CitadelonPrime) May 25, 2023 Confirming the second season of the series, the official Twitter handle said: "#CitadelOnPrime is officially set to return with season 2, directed by Joe Russo." The first season: Citadel is an American spy action thriller television series created by Josh Appelbaum, Bryan Oh, and David Weil for Amazon Prime Video, with the Russo brothers acting as executive producers. With a production budget of US$300 million, the six-episode first season ranks as one of the most expensive television shows. Jefferson Machado Instagram page Brazilian actor Jefferson Machado, who had been missing for nearly five months, was found dead in a trunk in Rio de Janeiro city. The actor, who is best known for his performance in TV series like Efeito Placebo and Reis, was 44. His friend Cintia Hilsendeger confirmed the death and wrote on Instagarm. It is with great regret that we inform you that Jeff was found dead on 05/22/2023, she wrote in the heartbreaking post as quoted by New York Post. Authorities said that the body of the 44-year-old was discovered bound and stuffed inside a wooden chest, which had been encased in concrete and buried 6 feet beneath the backyard of a house in the Campo Grande neighborhood, G1 reportedas quoted by New York Post. The attorney said that the corpse, which was identified using fingerprints, had a line on the neck, indicating that he was strangled. Police have started investigating the matter. The unidentified suspect, who reportedly knew Machado, was last seen entering the house around a month ago, reports New York Post. Jefferson was coldly and brutally murdered by envious, evil and, of course, unscrupulous people, family friend Hilsendeger wrote on the actors Instagram account as quoted by the newspaper. Image: UNICEF/Aleksey Filippov New York: Humanitarians reached 5.4 million people in Ukraine with desperately needed aid by April this year, including cash assistance, food, health services, and medicines, the UN said on Friday. The escalating war is taking a heavy toll on civilians who live close to the front lines, people who cannot go back to their homes, and people across the country living under almost daily threats of attacks, said Jens Laerke, from the UNs humanitarian affairs office, OCHA. More than a year since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, mine contamination and lack of access to Russia-controlled areas remain obstacles to reaching those in need, he said. Delivering emergency assistance Assistance has included cash to more than 2.1 million people and food for 3.5 million people, while nearly 3 million gained access to health services and medicines, Mr. Laerke said. The assistance also included support for survivors of gender-based violence, he said, adding that more than 60 per cent of those reached with aid are women and girls. Other types of assistance include access to clean water and hygiene products, emergency shelter, education services for children, and protection services, including prevention of gender-based violence and support to survivors, he said. Volunteers play vital role Hundreds of humanitarian organizations are involved in this effort working with local groups and community-based volunteers who play a vital role in getting the assistance delivered on the last mile, he said. However, assistance to areas under Russian military control remains extremely limited, he said. This year, because of the worsening security situation and shifts in the front lines, humanitarian partners have lost access to almost 60,000 people in around 40 towns and villages close to the front lines in the Donetsk, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, he said. Mine action casualties At the same time, mines and explosive remnants of war in Ukraine have left 263 killed or injured in 2023. That is more than 50 per month on average, according to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, which believes that the actual figures are considerably higher. The agencys latest report indicates that from 1 to 21 May, 46 civilians were killed or injured by mines, 44 in April, 102 in March, 36 in February and 35 in January. Mine contamination remains a deadly threat to farmers and humanitarians delivering assistance. In the agricultural regions of Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kherson, dozens of mine-related accidents are being reported every month, Mr. Laerke said. Denise Brown, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said recovery work hinges on demining. Ukraine is considered as one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world, she said. Demining agricultural land is one of the Governments priorities so that farmers can get back to work, and the UN, through WFP World Food Programme] and FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization], working with the Ministry of Agriculture, are contributing to this. Image: WFP/Mohammed Awadh New York: The food security situation in Yemens government-controlled districts slightly improved during the first five months of this year, but acute malnutrition is on the rise, UN agencies warned in a new report released on Friday. The United Nations and its partners made strides in rolling back the worst food insecurity last year, but these gains remain fragile, and 17 million people are still food insecure in Yemen, said David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the country. Compared to the same period in 2022, the levels of acutely malnourished people rose in 2023, indicating a need for more funding to stave off extreme hunger, according to the latest findings of a new report by three UN agencies that are closely monitoring the situation, following eight years of intense warfare. Drivers of hunger Yemen remains one of the most food insecure countries globally, mainly driven by the impact of conflict and economic decline, according to the report from the UN food agency, FAO, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF). The integrated phase classification (IPC) analysis provides an outlook for the period between now until the end of this year, indicating the need for more programme investments, as the modest improvements may be eroded, the agencies said. Their report showed that the people of Yemen continue to require attention, with hunger stalking millions. The agencies cautioned that the situation could worsen if nothing is done to address the key drivers of food insecurity. The new report showed that between January and May 2023, about 3.2 million people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in government-controlled areas, representing a 23 per cent reduction from the period between October and December 2022. During the June to December 2023 period, the report estimated that the number of people likely to experience high levels of acute food insecurity could increase to 3.9 million, out of which 2.8 million people are projected to reach crisis levels of hunger. Life-saving interventions FAO Yemen representative Hussein Gadain, said the agency is focused, through various interventions, on improving household food security and income by strengthening agricultural production practices, increasing labour opportunities, and diversifying livelihoods in a sustainable way that fosters peaceful coexistence. There are women, men, and children behind these IPC statistics, whose lives straddle the fine line between hope and utter devastation. Richard Ragan, WFP Country Director We are working directly with farmers on the ground to enable them to maintain their livelihoods, he said. We make sure that smallholder farmers in Yemen will withstand any shocks which impact food security. UNICEF and partners reached around 420,000 children suffering from severe and acute malnutrition with life-saving interventions in 2022, said the agencys Yemen representative, Peter Hawkins. This is the highest ever reached in Yemen, thanks to the scale-up of nutrition services, he said, adding that despite this, malnutrition levels remain critical in many areas of the southern governorates. A multisectoral approach to address all forms of malnutrition is essential and together with partners UNICEF is strengthening the provision of primary health care, including early detection and treatment of severe acute malnutrition, he said. Averting famine The UN food agencys assistance is critical for getting people to firmer ground, for averting crisis and famine, said WFP Country Director, Richard Ragan. Yemens food insecurity situation remains fragile, and the hard-won gains of the past 12 months will be lost without continued and urgent support, he said. There are women, men, and children behind these IPC statistics, whose lives straddle the fine line between hope and utter devastation, he said, urging donors to renew their commitment to supporting the most vulnerable Yemenis. We simply cannot take our foot off the gas now. Image: Pixabay Canberra: A teenager has fought off an attack by a large saltwater crocodile in Australia's Northern Territory (NT). Zefha Butcher was fishing with family on Groote Eylandt off the NT's northeast coast when he was attacked from behind by the 5.4 meter-long crocodile, local media reported on Friday. The predator held the 19-year-old between its jaws in the water until Butcher was able to poke it in the eye and escape to safety. "It was a really big one that attacked me from the back of the leg," he was quoted by News Corp Australia on Saturday. "It was hard, like being hit by a car. Then it grabbed me at the top of my waist between my hip bone and thigh and tried to lift me out of the water then fling me into the water in a death roll. "It took a couple of tries but I was able to get with my thumb first and it didn't let go then I got it an eye with my finger and it opened its mouth." After escaping from the crocodile, Butcher was taken 200 km to the nearest hospital where he was treated for bites to his legs and hand. Rangers captured and euthanized the crocodile, which was also responsible for several attacks on dogs in the area, days after the attack in mid-May. Saltwater crocodiles can grow longer than six meters and are much more aggressive than their freshwater relatives. They kill large prey by dragging them underwater and rapidly rolling in a maneuver known as the "death roll." There are approximately 200,000 mature saltwater crocodiles in Australia, more than half of which are in the NT. Butcher said he was lucky that he was too big for the crocodile to lift him. "I was too big and he couldn't lift me. He had me in the salt water while he tried to do a roll but I was too big and he couldn't roll me," he said. (With UNI inputs) Image: Wallpaper Cave The militant fighters attacked a forward operating base in Buulo Mareer, about 120 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said in a statement as quoted by CNN. According to reports, the attackers were seen using Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices and suicide bombers while conducting the attack. The casualty figure is still not known. US State Department has condemned the incident and said in a statement: " The United States strongly condemns todays attack by Al-Shabaab in Buulo Mareer on the Ugandan peacekeeping forces deployed to the African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS) in Somalia. We express our deepest condolences to the victims families and friends and wish a full recovery to those injured." " The United States commends the bravery and sacrifice of the troops participating in this important mission. We stand with our Somali and African Union partners in the fight to defeat terrorism and to advance peace and stability for the Somali people," read the statement. Pixabay A Chinese social media influencer has died after he was suspected to have drunk more than four bottles of baijiu, sometimes known as 'Chinese vodka', during a live stream. The 34-year-old social media influencer was identified as Sanqiange on Douyin. The man from Jiangsu province in eastern China died after a live-streaming contest that began at 1am on May 16, reports South China Morning Post. He was found dead later that afternoon, seated at a desk at a friends home, Shangyou News reported as quoted by South China Morning Post. The video of his live streaming has now gone viral on the social media. A close friend of the influencer, surnamed Zhao, said more than 100 people signed into the contests online chat room at the time, but no one raised any concerns. He had a wonderful personality. He was very sincere and gentle, Zhao told Shangyou News as quoted by South China Morning Post. Image: Pixabay Jhang: A girl was burnt alive in Pakistan's Jhang region in the name of 'honour'. According to local media reports, the girl later succumbed to her injuries in a medical facility where she was admitted for treatment. Police have arrested all members of the family. On the information of the brutal incident, the District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Mehboob reached Basti Dabwala, Garh Maharaja and arrested the accused father, two brothers and other family members involved in the heinous crime, reports The News International. According to police, young girl Masooma Bibi was burnt to death by her father Rajab Ali, brothers Jaber, Aamir and sisters Kausar, Sameera and Aasia, the newspaper reported. The victim recorded the statement and said she wanted to marry the person of her choice and left her residence. Her vengeful father, brothers and sisters spread petrol and burnt her, the girl said in her last statement as quoted by The News International. Dhaka: Bangladesh and China held the 12th Foreign Office Consultations at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka on Saturday. Bangladesh delegation was led by Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) while the Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Vice Minister Sun Weidong mentioned that he is visiting Bangladesh after ten years and is very much impressed to see Bangladeshs tremendous development achievements carried out by the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Both delegations discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interests and cooperation in multilateral forums. The Chinese side reiterated its appreciation to Bangladesh for its continued support of the One China Policy. They recalled the recent high-level political exchanges and meetings that have further deepened the strategic partnership of cooperation. Bangladesh once again thanked China for its support for vaccines to manage the Covid-19 pandemic. The two sides reviewed the progress of different quality infrastructure projects in Bangladesh and welcomed the upcoming inauguration of mega projects like the Bangabandhu Tunnel under the river Karnaphuli and the Padma Bridge Rail-link. Both sides agreed to further streamline the outstanding issues concerning a few additional project proposals in the power and communication sectors. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance the exports to China by utilizing the Duty and Quota Free (DFQF) access to 98% of the products that have come into effect on 1st September 2022. The Chinese side expressed particular interest in importing tropical fruits like mango, jackfruit, guava, and frozen foods from Bangladesh in compliance with necessary quality specifications. Bangladesh side requested to include other export items like vegetables, pharmaceuticals, raw hides, foot wares, non-knit apparel, etc. in the DFQF coverage to minimize the existing trade imbalance with China. The Chinese Vice Minister assured of encouraging the Chinese farms to invest in the Chinese Special Economic Zone in Chattogram. They also advised timely notification of interest with the Chinese Civil Aviation Authority for resuming the Dhaka-Guanzhu direct flight by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Two sides agreed to launch regular Consular Consultations with a view to addressing visa-related issues especially for Bangladeshi students. Bangladesh expressed its interest in working together with China on innovation in digital technologies and biotechnologies. Both sides also showed interest in contributing to the regional connectivity in South and South East Asia under the auspices of the Belt and Road Initiative of China. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the existing defense cooperation and discussed the possibilities of regular staff-level talks and specialized training programs. China offered its support to build capacity for addressing emerging challenges like online gambling and drug trafficking. The two sides agreed in principle to have dedicated dialogue on public security issues. Bangladesh thanked China for sharing meteorological satellite information during natural calamities like cyclone and flood. They also discussed other multilateral and regional issues including the Rohingya crisis. The Chinese side reiterated to facilitate the early, safe, sustainable, and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas to Rakhine State from Bangladesh. The Vice Minister mentioned that an early repatriation would be beneficial for Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the whole region. The Chinese side appreciated the initiatives of Bangladesh to arrange the Go and See visit in Myanmar and the Come and Talk visit in Bangladesh by the respective delegations of Bangladesh and Myanmar to facilitate the repatriation of the first batch of the Pilot Project. The Foreign Secretary thanked China for their cooperation and emphasized on Bangladeshs ongoing efforts to arrange continued voluntary and sustainable repatriation engaging friendly countries and regional and international organizations. (With UNI inputs) Image: Pixabay New Delhi/Washington: US lawmaker Grace Meng has introduced a bill in the US Congress to declare Diwali a federal holiday in the US. Grace Meng, a Democrat member of the House of Representatives, in a tweet said: Today, I was proud to announce the introduction of the Diwali Day Act, my bill that would make Diwali a federal holiday. Thank you to all my government colleagues and the many advocates who joined me to express their support. The Diwali Day Act, when passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President, would make Diwali the 12th federally recognised holiday in the US. Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe, and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States, said Congresswoman Meng. Diwali celebrations, are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year it is easy to see just how important this day is to so many people. Americas strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures and communities that make up this nation. My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day, and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress, she said. Diwali represents the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. While the holiday holds a different significance for various cultural, ethnic and religious groups, the Festival of Lights is universally a time for celebration, reflection, prayer and gatherings with loved ones. Diwali will be celebrated later this year on November 12, said a press statement. Establishing a federal holiday for Diwali, and the day off it would provide, would allow families and friends to celebrate together, and demonstrate that the government values the diverse cultural makeup of the nation. Meng has also pushed to make Diwali a school holiday in her hometown of New York City. The bill has been sponsored by 14 members of the House -- 13 Democrats and a Republican. Organisations backing the bill include Indian Diaspora Council, Sikh Coalition, International Commission on Dalit Rights, Indo-Caribbean Alliance, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, Asian American Federation (AAF), National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), The Sikh Cultural Society, Hindu Temple Society of North America, Hindus for Human Rights, Coalition of Hindus of North America and Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC. (With UNI inputs) Those registered with SEBI as Category-I FPI, Endowment Funds, Pension Funds and broad-based pooled investment vehicles, which are residents of 21 specified nations as per the notification. Banks or regulated entities involved in insurance business, and entities registered with Sebi as Category I foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), endowment fund and pension fund are also in the proposed exempted list. The so called angel tax which is applicable to startups is essentially a tax levied on the capital raised by a company and was introduced originally in the 2012 Budget. Until the 2023 Budget, the tax was applicable only to domestic individual investors. However, in the 2023 Budget, both foreign investors and NRI investors were also brought under the ambit of the angel tax. The so called angel tax which is applicable to startups is essentially a tax levied on the capital raised by a company and was introduced originally in the 2012 Budget. Until the 2023 Budget, the tax was applicable only to domestic individual investors. However, in the 2023 Budget, both foreign investors and NRI investors were also brought under the ambit of the angel tax. Advertisements Days after the tax department proposed to exempt SEBI-registered FPIs, pension funds and SWFs from the purview of angel tax, the government has notified 21 countries from where non-resident investment in unlisted Indian startups will not attract angel tax.Seen as breather for startups struggling with funding shortage, the Angel Tax will not be imposed on foreign investment made in unlisted Indian startup firms from 21 countries including the US, UK and France.However, this list does not include investments coming from countries like Singapore, Mauritius and UAE though highest FDI in India comes from these countries. The government stated in the FY 2023-24 budget that investments in all unlisted companies except for startup companies recognized by the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DPIIT) an angel tax will be levied. Since then, the startup and venture capital industry was seeking tax exemption for investment coming from certain countries.The Central Direct Tax Board (CBDT) issued a notification on Wednesday stating that investors of certain categories would not fall within the scope of the Angel Tax provision. These categories include first class foreign portfolio investors registered with SEBI ( SEBI), endowment funds, pension funds and investments with participation from residents of 21 countriesm. This notification has become effective from April 1, 2023. Countries included in the tax exemption include Canada, Austria, Czech Republic, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Italy, Iceland, Japan, in addition to the US, UK, Australia, Germany and Spain, Korea, Russia, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden.On May 24, CBDT notified the classes of investors who would not come under the Angel Tax provision. The entities that are excluded are Bringing an end to the Ayasha vs Ayasha controversy, in which two women with the same first name had staked the claim for the 184th rank in the Civil Services exam, the UPSC has found that one of them had forged her documents. Two girls from Madhya Pradesh, Ayasha Fatima from Dewas district and Ayasha Makrani from Alirajpur district, had claimed roll number - 7811744, which got the 184th rank belonged to them. BCCL How Ayasha Makrani faked her UPSC rank However, an investigation by the UPSC found that the claims made by Ayasha Makrani from Alirajpur were fake. According to the UPSC, Aysha Makrani, daughter of Salimmuddin Makrani, had appeared for the Civil Services examination, but her actual roll number is 7805064. She appeared in the preliminary examination held on June 5th, 2022 and scored only 22.22 marks in General Studies Paper-I and 21.09 marks in General Studies Paper-II. BCCL "As per the requirement of Examination Rules, she was required to score at least 66 marks in Paper-II. She has not only failed to qualify in Paper-II but scored far less marks than the cut-off marks of Paper-I, which were 88.22 for unreserved category for the preliminary examination of the year 2022," the UPSC said. Hence, Aysha Makrani has failed at the stage of the preliminary examination itself and could not move further in next stages of the examination, it added. On the other hand, Ayasha Fatima, daughter of Naziruddin, bearing roll number 7811744, is the genuine candidate who has been recommended by the UPSC, securing 184th rank in the final result of the civil services examination, 2022", the UPSC said in a statement. BCCL From the start, dependencies on her admit card, including the wrong date, description, and QR code, indicated that Ayasha Makrani's claim could be fake. Another rank faker in Haryana The UPSC also said that a similar incident was also reported from Haryana, where one Tushar, son of Brijmohan from Rewari, had claimed the 44th rank. Tushar had applied for the civil services (preliminary) examination in 2022 and was allotted roll number 2208860. He appeared in the preliminary examination and scored minus 22.89 (i.e. -22.89) marks in General Studies Paper-I and 44.73 marks in General Studies Paper-II, the UPSC said. As per the requirement of Examination Rules, he was required to score at least 66 marks in Paper-II, it said. Thus, Tushar failed at the preliminary examination stage and could not move further in the next stages of the examination. UNSPLASH "On the other hand, it is confirmed that Tushar Kumar, son of Ashwini Kumar Singh, bearing roll number 1521306, of state of Bihar is the genuine candidate, who has been recommended by the UPSC at 44th rank," the statement said. Action to be taken against both "The claims of both persons are fake. They have forged the documents in their favour to buttress their claims," said the statement issued on Friday. By doing so, both Makrani and Tushar have acted in contravention of the provisions of the Rules of the Civil Services Examination, 2022 notified by the government of India (Department of Personnel and Training), it said. Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of the Examination Rules, the UPSC is contemplating both criminal as well as disciplinary penal action against the two candidates for their fraudulent acts, the statement said. "The system of the UPSC is robust as well as foolproof and such errors are not possible," it added. For more on news, sports and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Gov. Greg Gianfortes veto pen hasnt run dry yet, and $23 million in proposed infrastructure projects this week fell victim to the executives check on legislative spending. The mark-downs have rankled some lawmakers who object to his characterization of their projects as pork-barrel spending. The Republican governor on Tuesday issued line-item vetoes for several projects approved by the Legislature in House Bill 5, the main infrastructure spending bill that funds most state-owned buildings and capital development projects in Montanas two-year budget. The list included $3.8 million in spending proposed by the Department of Military Affairs that Gianforte said will not go forward, along with an additional cottage proposed for the Southwestern Montana Veterans Home in Butte, for $6 million. But Gianforte also took aim at several projects tacked onto the bill during a Senate Finance and Claims Committee meeting in April, in which lawmakers added a flurry of line items that would direct funds to their districts or hometowns. As the meeting stretched into the evening, Sen. John Esp, the Republican chairman of the budget committee, at one point lamented, I just wish we were doing this out on the floor of the Senate, where God and everybody could see it. Unfortunately, projects were added into House Bill 5 at the last minute without being properly vetted, discussed and debated, Gianforte wrote in his veto letter, dated May 23. ... While the federal appropriations process in Washington, D.C., is notorious for larding up appropriations with pork, Montana is different. His language echoed that of Senate Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick, who accused colleagues of gluttony when he urged them to subsequently reject many of those projects on the Senate floor. His efforts succeeded only in removing a $9.6 million appropriation for Buttes World Museum of Mining. After the bill cleared the Legislature, Fitzpatrick sent a follow-up letter to the governor requesting the removal of some of the remaining projects, which he characterized as unnecessary and wasteful spending. Sen. Tom McGillvray, a Billings Republican, disagreed. Among the line-item vetoes was an $8 million appropriation McGillvray successfully added for the Yellowstone Conservation Area on the west side of Billings. It would give a boost to the $150 million project, for which the bulk of funding has been raised through city ratepayers. People came from Billings and testified on that amendment, McGillvray said in an interview Friday. There was no under-the-table secret. This was out in the open. He reiterated his argument from the Senate Finance and Claims Committee, that the request is a pittance compared to the degree to which Billings contributes to the states tax base. And the project is one thats critical for ensuring a reliable supply of city drinking water and averting a potential breach of the "Big Ditch" irrigation canal that runs through the city, Billings City Administrator Chris Kukulski said in an interview Friday. One of our greatest risks that we have in town for resiliency, and the governor specifically came to Billings and highlighted the issue, is the Billings Bench Water Association ditch, he said. Its 125 years old and its in serious, serious need of maintenance. Billings biggest flood in history came from this ditchs failure back in the '30s. Last year, when historic rainfall upstream pushed the Yellowstone River in Billings to a new high water mark, the citys water treatment plant had to be taken offline. That left a city of more than 100,000 people with less than two days supply of drinking water. The reservoirs and secondary water treatment plant that would be built as part of the proposed project would extend that emergency supply to 40 days, Kukulski said. Gianforte also struck more than $6 million in other projects he characterized as last-minute additions: $2 million for local park improvements $1 million for sewer system upgrades in Columbus $1 million for the Chippewa Cree Cultural Ceremony Building $1 million for the Chippewa Cree Language Immersion School $250,000 for Missoulas Riverfront Trail One item that didnt get removed, however, was a $2 million appropriation for the Miles City Train Depot. It was added by Sen. Kenneth Bogner of Miles City, at the same time as the World Museum of Mining, Yellowstone Conservation Area and Columbus sewer system projects were being tacked onto the bill. Bogner is the No. 3 Republican in the Senate. When I initially heard about this project, I thought the project should be removed, Fitzpatrick wrote in his letter to the governor. However, it is my understanding the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has been actively engaged in the project prior to the session. Thus, I believe it would be appropriate to keep this project in House Bill 5. Sen. Ryan Lynch, a Butte Democrat who was able to amend a pair of substantial additions into the bill for the Butte veterans home and mining museum rejected the governor's argument that spending was "snuck" into the bill. The characterization that it was this late night, secret meeting, it was actually the legislative process, Lynch said. The senator who carried HB 5, however, had objected at the time to many of the Senate budget committees amendments. Mike Cuffe, a Eureka Republican, was the vice chair of the budget subcommittee on infrastructure, which spent the first half of the session vetting applications and holding hearings for projects that ended up in HB 5 and other infrastructure legislation. Cuffe maintained that adding projects subsequently wasnt fair to other applicants who had lined up to pitch their proposals to the subcommittee. Because House Bill 5 passed both chambers with two-thirds votes, the Secretary of States office will automatically poll lawmakers on whether they want to override each of the governors line-item vetoes. Legislators have 30 days to vote. McGillvray said hes lobbying his colleagues to keep the $8 million for the Yellowstone Conservation Area in the bill. Im disappointed, but well try to override, McGillvray said. Thats all we can do. Today in History: May 28th is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are days 217 remaining until the end of the year. There are several notable events that happened on May 28 throughout history, and that's why it's an important day in Indian and world history. What Happened this Day in India History Events | Unsplash If you're wondering to know about what happened today in History? Then you're in the right place. On this day, there are several notable events that have occurred throughout Indian and world history. In this article, we have compiled a list of the important things that happened all around the world on May 28. Take a look: Today in History: What Happened This Day in India History Events Menstrual Hygiene Day - May 28 World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed every year on May 28 across the globe to raise awareness regarding the onset of menstruation and menstrual hygiene. The day highlights the importance of menstrual hygiene as a part of our overall health and well-being. International Day of Action for Womens Health - May 28 The International Day of Action for Women's Health is observed on May 28th every year. It is a global campaign and advocacy initiative that focuses on promoting and advocating for women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. 1930 - Bhagwati Charan Vohra died during Bomb Testing On May 28th, A revolutionary man who used the Kashmir Building in Lahore as a bomb factory and executed the plan to bomb the train Lord Irwin was travelling in, died during a bomb testing. 1963 - Cyclone in the Bay of Bengal On this day in 1963, around 22,000 died in a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal (India). What happened in World History on May 28 1918- Independence of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan declared independence from Russian Empire in Tiflis on 28 May 1918. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was founded by the Azerbaijani National Council in Tiflis on 28 May 1918 after the collapse of the Russian Empire that began with the Russian Revolution of 1917. 1937 - Volkswagen (VW) is founded On May 28, 1937, the DAF in Berlin established the Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens, or Corporation to prepare the way for the German People's Car, which on September 16, 1938, was renamed Volkswagenwerk GmbH. What Happened this Day in India History Events. Todays Highlight in History: - In 1934, the Dionne quintuplets Annette, Cecile, Emilie, Marie and Yvonne were born to Elzire Dionne at the family farm in Ontario, Canada. - On May 28, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, made up of freed Blacks, left Boston to fight for the Union in the Civil War. - In 1892, the Sierra Club was organized in San Francisco. - In 1918, American troops fought their first major battle during World War I as they launched an offensive against the German-held French village of Cantigny (kahn-tee-NYEE); the Americans succeeded in capturing the village. - In 1937, Neville Chamberlain became prime minister of Britain. - In 1940, during World War II, the Belgian army surrendered to invading German forces. - In 1959, the U.S. Army launched Able, a rhesus monkey, and Baker, a squirrel monkey, aboard a Jupiter missile for a suborbital flight which both primates survived. What Happened this Day in India History Events Also on this day: In addition to these historical events on May 28 events, there is also the birthday and death of several notable individuals that you must know about. Famous People's Birthday on May 28 1923 - N. T. Rama Rao Birth Anniversary Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, popularly known as N. T. Rama Rao or NTR, was a prominent Indian actor, filmmaker, and politician. He was born on May 28, 1923, in Nimmakuru, Andhra Pradesh, India, and passed away on January 18, 1996. 1883 - Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Birth Anniversary Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, commonly known as Veer Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, poet, writer, and politician. He was born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur, Maharashtra, India, and passed away on February 26, 1966, in Mumbai, India. List of important days in May 2023 List of Important Days in May 2023 May 2023 Important Dates Important Days in May 1 May International Labour Day 1 May Maharashtra Day 1 May Gujarat Day 1 May World Laughter Day 3 May Press Freedom Day 3 May World Asthma Day 4 May Coal Miners Day 4 May International Firefighters Day 6 May International No Diet Day 7 May World Athletics Day 8 May World Red Cross Day 8 May World Thalassaemia Day 9 May Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 11 May National Technology Day 12 May International Nurses Day 14 May Mothers Day 15 May International Day of Families 17 May World Telecommunication Day 17 May World Hypertension Day 18 May World AIDS Vaccine Day 18 May International Museum Day 20 May National Endangered Species Day 21 May National Anit-Terrorism Day 22 May International Day for Biological Diversity 31 May Anti-Tobacco Day Month-wise Important Days List 2023 Important Days and Dates List 2023 January February March April May June July August September October November December This was all about the interesting and intriguing events that occurred on May 8! For more such informative content, keep following Indiatimes. Families were forced to endure the heartache of being physically apart, as the pandemic's challenges made it nearly impossible to meet and embrace their loved ones. Across the globe, people faced the painful reality of being unable to meet their cherished family members and friends due to the pandemic's restrictive measures. Unsplash After this extended and unforeseen gap, the reunion has been special yet bittersweet. Rojan Parambil, a man from Kerala, returned to his homeland after spending five years in Switzerland. He was deeply saddened to witness his mother's aging and declining strength. screenshot Determined to create a unique experience, he planned to take her on a meaningful journey. With great care, he bathed and prepared her for the outing. Tenderly, he lifted her onto his shoulder and set off on a short road trip, cherishing every moment. The touching video documenting this heartfelt gesture was shared on the Humans of Kerala Instagram account. It captures the poignant scene of Rojan lifting his elderly mother onto his shoulder and gently placing her inside a car. A compassionate woman offers the mother a cup of tea, which she graciously sips. The mother found joy in this excursion, savoring the experience. Throughout their trip, the mother and son captured precious memories, taking pictures together as a testament to their cherished bond. He had also accompanied his beloved "Ammachi" on a memorable journey to Switzerland, revealing the wonders of the beautiful country. Now, longing to relive those cherished moments, he resolved to create a similar experience again. Despite her delicate health and advanced age, he was determined to make it happen, even if it meant exploring a nearby destination. "Years ago, I had taken Ammachi to Switzerland and showed her around Europe. She was delighted to see the new places. But I could only go to India almost five years after that because of Covid. It broke my heart to see Ammachi. She looked much older- more white hair than ever and weaker. She couldnt stand or walk properly. She told me that she hadnt even gone to church for years! I decided to take her out," Mr Parambil wrote. Sharing his experience, he added, "I work at an old age home in Switzerland. So, with that experience, I gave her a bath, got my sisters to get her dressed, and decided to take her in my car. Everyone said it was not the best idea. I went ahead anyway! I lifted her up on my shoulders and made her sit in the car, and off we went, around 20 km away to her hometown Athirumpuzha. She couldnt remember many places, but it still made her happy. I took videos to send to my siblings living in different places around the world. They were all worried for Ammachi but still happy to see her up and about. I had also once taken her to witness the Neelakurinji bloom. She was tired and sick after the journey but was elated to have finally witnessed what she had always wished for," Rojan Parambil's heartfelt account of his journey with his beloved "Ammachi" touched people's hearts online. screenshot For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Witnessing our parents grow old and embrace retirement can evoke a complex mix of emotions within us. It is a natural progression of life, yet it carries a sense of melancholy as we realize the passing of time and the inevitability of change. Their aging faces and weary bodies are a tangible reminder of their lifelong journey, the trials they endured, and the sacrifices they made for us. The roles reverse as we find ourselves in a position to provide support and care; in these moments, we are confronted with the profound depth of our love for them. He was surprised to discover that retirement brings its own set of challenges, a truth that struck a chord with many people online. Representative Image Gabbar Singh, a Twitter user, shared his experiences visiting his parents. Usually, these visits happened during special events like festivals, weddings, or when there were health emergencies. These occasions didn't offer a true glimpse into their everyday lives. However, actively participating in the mundane aspects of their routine led to a significant realization for him. "How a simple visit from an AC mechanic to service the AC becomes the highlight of the day, leading to detailed conversations with neighbors." He noticed his father engrossed in a newspaper, which he considered a symbol of deliberate ignorance. The sound of the pressure cooker's whistle echoed through the house, breaking moments of silence. He remarked that afternoons were particularly challenging. However, evenings brought back the lively atmosphere, and he even observed his father's late-night routine of checking his investments and savings on his phone, emphasizing the constant worry retirees carry. He took to Twitter to share his feelings. He wrote: I came home to Lucknow to spend a few weekdays with parents. To see what exactly is a retired life. Most visits are on occasions, either festivals or a health related emergency or a wedding or an anniversary. Outlier events, where you cant observe the mundane, and get consumed Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) May 25, 2023 "Retirement is tough. Like a slow fall," it aptly encapsulated, resonating with the experiences of many. Here is how the internet reacted: How is this tough? Sounds like pure bliss to me https://t.co/KmTiQBLTm3 SR (@Just_Sudo) May 25, 2023 This is bound to happen as today's generation is addicted to materialistic things and ignore everything thing else around them and after they fulfill a so-called purpose in their career, their rest of the life feels useless to them if there's no social interaction with anyone https://t.co/AVo6CHrcbt |$#! (@SkyStar04510789) May 26, 2023 This year trip I got to spend lot of time with mom. I cooked for her. Brushed and fed her. I always knw she likes 2 talk. So I listened a lot to her. But as she is becoming old and less mobile, the number of people she converses is dwindling. https://t.co/hvFoWEWBg3 Jason Stewart (@pawanztweets) May 26, 2023 Can't agree more. I went back to memory lane just by this post, I could see everything... https://t.co/F8l8AA33eo Vatsal Vikas (@vikaas_kumar) May 26, 2023 One comment read: "That is why having a hobby beyond meeting with friends and eating out is so important. Retirement can be difficult." Another user wrote, "My father retired 24 years ago and FIL 26 the more you age, the lonelier you become. Friends pass away, some go and settle elsewhere it can be tough." For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. They said that Kaili, still under investigation for the so-called 'Qatargate' scandal , was not perturbed by a decision forbidding her to leave Belgium, as she intends to return to Greece only after the courts vindicate her. Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has filed a libel suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) demanding to be paid damages of N100 billion over corruption allegations. Information Nigeria reports that the lawsuit, filed on her behalf at a Federal High Court in Abuja by a legal team led by senior advocate Mike Ozekhome on May 26, 2023, calls for the payment of damages and a public apology. Alison-Madueke demands that the EFCC and AGF issue apology to her through three national newspapers. According to her, they have produced false, injurious, malicious and libellous publications against her since she left the country in 2015. The former minister argues that these statements have damaged her reputation and integrity in the estimation of right-thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria and exposed her to public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy. READ ALSO: US Recovers $53m In Profits From Illegal Contracts Involving Diezani, Aluko, Omokore The lawsuit also lists a series of statements and publications issued by the EFCC, which she alleges were defamatory and intended to harm her reputation, one of which includes a claim that the EFCC discovered an additional $72.8 million in a bank allegedly belonging to her and that she has embezzled billions from the Nigerian government. Nonetheless, the EFCC and AGF have been given 14 days from the receipt of the summons to enter their defence. Recall that Alison-Madueke served as the Minister of Transportation under President Umaru Musa YarAdua from 2007 to 2009. Subsequently, she was appointed the Minister of Mines and Steel Development before becoming Petroleum Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015. See the writ of summoning: As the eight-year tenure of Nigerias President, Muhammadu Buhari winds up in two days, the presidency has declared that departing ministers will not be permitted to leave with their official vehicles. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu stated this in an interview with Punch. However, he said ministers will receive what the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission dictates as their severance benefits. Shehu further stated that both Buhari and Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, will leave behind their armoured luxury vehicles, which will be inherited by their successors, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima, respectively. The move is seen as a break from the norm of government officials departing office with their official vehicles, a practice observed across the country at all levels of government. READ ALSO: Buhari Allowed Tinubu Win, Cabinet Members Switching Allegiance To President-Elect Garba Shehu He also reaffirmed that Buhari, Osinbajo, and the ministers would not be leaving office with the vehicles assigned to them. As we speak today, nobody is entitled to official cars. What they use are project vehicles. These ones can only be boarded and sold after four years of usage. That is when the book value has been exhausted, he said. The presidential spokesperson noted that the law already outlines the provision for former presidents and their deputies to obtain a certain number of vehicles at specific intervals, therefore, do not have to take government vehicles upon leaving office. Shehu said, Former Heads of State have a prescribed number of vehicles they are entitled to, which may be changed after a certain number of years. And the President has kept to this by supplying that number of vehicles to all former Heads of State each time it is due. The President will not place himself above the others; that I can assure you. Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has pardoned 24 convicts, some of whom had already been sentenced to death. He also paid N20m in fines for 80 other inmates to secure their release. The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasara Danmallam, made this announcement on Friday while transferring the responsibilities of the Ministry of Justice to its Permanent Secretary that the pardons had been granted. As a parting gift, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has granted pardon to 24 inmates across the state under his powers of prerogative of mercy. Some of them have been on the death roll whose sentences have been commuted to a few years of prison term. READ ALSO: FG Cant Continue Feeding Inmates Jailed By States Aregbesola Six of the beneficiaries of the pardon were civil servants who had been convicted of fraud and related offenses and had been dismissed from their positions. Danmallam stated that six dismissed civil servants were reinstated as beneficiaries of the pardon. Those who had reached retirement age would be retired with full benefits. Danmallam also mentioned that 115 bills and legal instruments had been promulgated into law during the outgoing Governors eight-year administration. According to him, the Ministry also initiated Gender Issues Department mandated to handle spouse disagreements using alternative dispute resolution mechanism. The Director of the Department, Maro Mohammed Mann, revealed that his office had received 1,500 cases in 2020. They had successfully resolved 1,400 of these cases and reunited the individuals involved with their families. A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara, has been reportedly kidnapped by some unknown gunmen in Imo State. An eyewitness said that the priest was kidnapped while returning from a burial ceremony of a colleagues father at Izombe community in Oguta Local Government Area. The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the priest was double-crossed and kidnapped along with some other people in the same vehicle while driving back to Owerri. The incident happened right before us. We were also coming back to Owerri from the funeral ceremony when the incident occurred. READ MORE: Imo Cleric Regains Freedom From Kidnapers After Nine Days In Captivity Reacting to the incident, the states Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, told journalists that he was yet to receive official notice of the abduction. However, the Director of Public Communications of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Raymond Ogu, confirmed the incident to journalists saying the priest was ambushed and later kidnapped. It was on his way back from Izombe. These guys came out from the bush and ambushed them. There were about five people in the vehicle, including the priest, but one small boy among them in the vehicle escaped during the ambush. Outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari has said he will be heading to Kaduna State after handing over on Monday contrary to the impression he would go straight to his home town in Daura, Katsina State. President Buhari made this known during the launch of the book, A Promise Kept, a Compendium of Significant Achievements of Muhammadu Buhari Administration 2015-2023, held at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja. Buhari expressed his discontent with opposition parties portrayal of the 2023 General Elections as disorganized and helmed by incompetent party leadership. He said though he is looking desperately forward to Monday when he will finally exit the seat of power, he would use the weekend to sign some of the papers so that from Eagles Square he will take off. The President expressed his surprise at a gesture from the MBO Dynamic Support Group, led by Usman Ibrahim, and appreciated their unexpected gift. He said, I thank you very much for this major surprise, I think now when I go back I will have time to read some books, not just about myself, but about other issues. I assure you, I have been counting the days, I am looking forward to Monday very desperately. I will use the weekend to sign some of the papers so that from Eagles Square, I will fly to Kaduna and eventually go to Daura. I think by my profession, I spent most of my time that is the military for 20 years, there wasnt this surprise. If you allow yourself to be taken by surprise you will be virtually overwhelmed. I wasnt expecting this honestly. Especially today when I need to sign a few papers because I know on Monday, from the swearing-in venue I will fly directly to Kaduna and then I will go to the other side of Nigeria. Buhari celebrated the achievements of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political party saying, Thank you for surprising me with your generosity and kindness. I think the achievement we wanted is to make we developed a firm political culture. I think I was expecting too much. When I was in Doha, meeting some heads of state, I was getting calls from Europe, America and Nigeria, congratulating us on the success of the elections. READ MORE: Buhari Confers GCFR, GCON Honours On Tinubu, Shettima The opposition has created the impression outside the country that we are going into a mess because we have incompetent leadership of the party. They were overwhelmed that the election came and went and both at the centre and at the states, fantastic. He further said, How can ten sitting governors of states lose their constituencies, this has been unprecedented. So I congratulate you the national working committee (of the APC) and others here, that we have really proved that democracy is worth defending. Nigerians have understood it now, otherwise how can they vote against their sitting governors stopping them from going to the senate to rest. So they were really overwhelmed and I congratulate our political development. Please congratulate your constituencies, it means that even though you have excess money, they will collect and put it in their pockets but they will elect the person they trust from any constituency, either House of Assembly, House of Representatives, or Senate until it comes to the president itself. Because it was so transparent, everything was done there in front of everybody. And committee by committee from various constituencies lined up and picked the candidate they want. So really, we have virtually politically arrived. I congratulate our party. Today, we prayed together with Asiwaju (Bola Tinubu) and I congratulated him and I said I am eager to go to the other side of Nigeria. I wish him the best of luck. I said his Vice President is experienced, a two-time governor in his state and then the senate. And this is how we got the chairman of our party, two-time governor in his state and also he has been in the Senate. A yet to be identified military lady has threatened women that she would snatch their men from them, and give them unforgettable beating without incurring any consequences. The military lady took to the video-sharing platform, TikTok to make the declaration while wearing her official camouflage uniform. Sharing a video montage of herself at a military facility, she attached a caption which conveyed the threat. Meanwhile, some netizens have reacted to the post, showing their displeasure while some shared their experience about their past relationship encounters. READ MORE: Nigerians Drag Judy Austin For Mourning Yul Edochies Son this_timar wrote: Na Wetin me personally pass through ooo, them snatch the man, I come hear say them wan beat me join too, I come d wonder who I really offend omo, I come d run ooo, I no too get strength. zaff.yarmani1 wrote: Wen the man is done with u, he go remind u say u be military gal. Una no Dey stay one place, una too like men and he go fling u and run back to a normal gal! See her face like wat I dnt know! Imagine bragging with rubbish how many military gal men Dey manrrry? Dey play michelledera wrote: Because say you wear uniform no mean the other girls be weakling , what if she be boxer or wrestler ?? rockyO9__ wrote: Next thing you will hear now is that Nigerian army haff punished her for this post. lol Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Our rustic African safari camp, with chairs around a central fire pit and eating tables under a tarp canopy, was much like a group site youd find in the forests of Washington, Idaho or Montana except for the elephant by the tent. Standing 10 feet tall, weighing around 5 tons, with one of its ivory tusks inches from the canvas, the giant pachyderm stopped at the guy lines of one womans sleeping tent and raised its trunk in the air to sniff us out. After a 5-minute eternity, it calmly turned away to resume feeding. Our 22-day wildlife safari in Botswana had started with frank talk about safety. Maun-based outfitter Johnny Ramsden (www.royalewilderness.com) and guide Pat Malatsi had warned us to be especially alert at waters edge to avoid dangerous encounters with hippos and crocodiles. They also emphasized that elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, hyenas, lethal snakes and other critters could show up in camp at any time, especially at night. We had no guns or pepper spray. Use your headlamps to scan ahead and to the sides as you walk from the tents to the campfire or to breakfast and dinner, Ramsden said. If you see shining eyes, keep the beam on them. The light is your shield. They cant see whats behind it, so theyll usually turn away. Without a light, he added matter-of-factly, youre easy prey. Living close to a new cast of critters is why my wife Meredith and I traveled halfway around the planet to where the sun swings east to west in the northern sky. Nearly every morning I eagerly woke just before 5 a.m. knowing that before sunrise as a cacophony of bird songs and critter calls grew louder with the gathering light I was going to be in an open-air Land Cruiser looking for wildlife adventure. I hesitate to call our Botswana safari a vacation. For a wildlife enthusiast, it was like going to school for classes youve dreamed about since childhood. North America is no slouch at providing wildlife spectacles, but Africa serves up another level of awe. Every night we shut our eyes in the darkness of our tents absorbing the wild sounds of owls, grunting hippos, yelping jackals, giggling hyenas, rumbling elephants, and on a few occasions the spine-chilling roar of an African lion. We went in March, near the end of the rainy season. Tourism and prices hadnt yet ramped up. Temperatures werent too hot, and the generally flat landscape was green and blooming. Botswana is but a fraction of the massive African continent, which is larger than Canada, the United States and China combined. But the stable republic stood out among the many good wildlife destinations in Africa for having the sparsest human population on the continent and the highest concentration of elephants, the largest animals walking on Earth. We relished observing elephants in the bush as they used their trunks for drinking, foraging, spraying themselves with mud, shaking nuts from trees and interacting with each other. These complex, intelligent animals make a big impression. Safaris offer public exposure and discussion of the continued decline of the African elephant due to drought, conflicts with agriculture and poaching for ivory. Royale Wilderness planned a custom itinerary for the diverse interests in our private party of 11. We toured the northern half of Botswana, beginning in Nxai Pan and Makgadikgadi Pans national parks, where we began adding African bird, plant and wildlife species to our life lists at a furious pace. The first day near a waterhole, the landscape was swarming as far as we could see with springboks, impalas, wildebeest lets call it a mirage of antelopes. The next day in the same spot, the antelope species had thinned out, but there were more zebras, giraffes and elephants. The cast was constantly changing. The guides introduced us to all sorts of natural features, such as the termite mounds that stand like tombstones across expanses of pans and savanna. We learned that most trees and shrubs are booby trapped with thorns that make a hawthorn tree look tame. We ate sandwiches at Baines Baobabs, a remote cluster of huge millennia-old trees made famous in an 1862 painting by explorer Thomas Baines. Mostly we based out of comfortable rustic camps shared with a crew that supported us. An open-to-the-stars vestibule, extending from the back of each couples sleeping tent, offered some privacy for the latrine that was dug into the sand in one corner. In the other corner was a pole holding a 2-gallon bag of water for our shower. During one transition we moved into a glamping compound called Camp Kalahari (tents on platforms with flush toilets). The camp with its luxurious thatch-roofed reception and eating facility was surrounded by electric fencing to keep out elephants and other large mammals. You can put your clothes in a bag to be laundered, but they wont do your underwear, Ramsden said. Its a cultural thing. From there, our two rigs drove out and soon found our first lions. We parked within 10 feet of a female and her two yearling cubs. Our group spent another afternoon walking with San Bushmen, who demonstrated their hunting, foraging, fire-making and survival skills as well as their traditional games and songs. We spotlighted springhares and African wild cats during night drives, and we experienced a delightful afternoon embedded with a mob of weasel-like meerkats. Several times as we watched them forage, a sentry would scamper up one of our shoulders and stand tall on a head and scan the horizon for danger. After two days, we rejoined the outfitters camp crew, including the cook who made our food from scratch and baked fresh bread daily over a fire. They had moved our entire camp to a site called Khumaga, where we intercepted a zebra migration estimated at roughly 20,000 animals. A dazzle of thousands could be seen at one time up and down the valley along with tons of other wildlife along the Boteti River. We drove to the Okavango Panhandle and based for a few days in the luxury of Drotskys Cabins near Shakawe. From here we launched a range of outings including self-guided walking tours for birding and boat tours to see hippos, crocs and rare birds along the Okavango River. A day hike into the Tsodilo Hills, a national monument, led us to remnants of stone-age human activity dating back 100,000 years. Pictographs painted on the rocks as much as 3,000 years ago clearly depict critters such as rhinos, giraffes and antelopes. Its a sacred place. With the help of our two-expert guides, we recorded a whopping 310 species of birds during the trip. Birds in Botswana are a whole new world for the first-time visitor with binoculars, from the little bee eater to the turkey-size kori bustard (the national bird) and up to the ostrich, the largest and fastest-running bird on the planet. The birding experts among us were as keen as anyone on seeing apex predators such as leopards, but they were stimulated to giddiness one afternoon in the Okavango Delta after checking off rarities, such as the lesser jacana and the secretive Pels fishing owl. We also devoted a day to crossing the border and exploring Namibias Mahangu National Park, where we saw critters ranging from monkeys and warthogs to antelope, cape buffalo and, of course, more elephants. The outfitter spared us from hours of rough driving by setting up a prop-plane flight from Shakawe to the airstrip at Khwai River Concession Area. At this wildlife preserve bordering the more popular Chobe National Park, we reunited with the Royale Wilderness camp crew, who welcomed us, as usual, with a chanting song, big smiles, juice and a repitched camp. In the next four days we spent more time with now-familiar species while continuing daily to see new ones, from mongooses to leopards and more of the two dozen or so antelope species in Botswana. On two occasions, nervous starlings squawking in trees gave away the nearby locations of black mambas, one of the most venomous snakes in the world. Jackals (similar to North American coyotes) hunted around us daily and we saw vervet monkeys, a troop of baboons, and fleeting glimpses of a wild dog pack and one honey badger. One morning, our guides found a pride of lions moving through the bush. Anticipating their route, they drove off-road ahead of them and parked. We could see no more than about 40 yards in any direction when the lions emerged from openings in the brush two or three at a time, walking directly at us until nine of them were drifting around the two Land Cruisers as if they were water flowing around midstream rocks. The guides had given us strict rules for safety in the vehicles. Dont stand up when encountering wildlife. Stay calm and quiet. And never exit without asking. Movements and noise can trigger aggressiveness or defensiveness in animals. Good to know at this moment as a lioness, passing close with nothing between me and her, glanced up, her mouth open just enough to display an impressive rack of teeth. I could see the scars and a slight limp owing to the hard-knock life of high-speed chases and tackling prey with teeth, horns and flailing hooves. She paused briefly and fixed her eyes on mine just 5 feet away. Powerful moment. Also powerful is the word pula, which means rain in the Setswana language. Pula also is the name for Botswana currency. As our guides explained, water is life in the Kalahari Desert, and therefore rain is revered even more than money. Nearly every day at sunset, the guides would park the two Land Cruisers at a scenic spot for the traditional sundowner, where wed briefly gather at a portable mini bar before heading back to camp for showers and dinner. (Incidentally, the sundowner originated as the quinine break British travelers would take routinely during African journeys to fend off malaria. As these breaks became more social, they trended into happy hours with biltong, a type of jerky, nuts and other snacks. Although various beverages are offered, gin and tonics are a staple at sundowners as a sentimental link to the dash of quinine thats in tonic water.) At one sundowner, as we toasted satisfying sightings of rare birds and lions in the bush, Malatsi raised his glass to mine. Instead of saying Cheers! he said Pula! in a tribute to a particularly fine day. We say Pula! when we feel rich, he said. Legendary American wordsmith Ernest Hemingway wrote three novels specifically inspired by his safaris. In True at First Light, he wrote, I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy. After fulfilling a big tick off my wildlife adventure bucket list and feeling equally inspired, I will stop short of a novel and simply conclude, Ditto. Special Assistant on Digital Communications to President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has reacted to the revelation that the Nigeria Air plane flown into Abuja on Friday, belongs to Ethiopian Airlines. Information Nigeria had reported that the Nigeria Air plane landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja for the first time for the proposed airline. The flight, which took off from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia arrived in the country on the 26th of May, 2023. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika also took to his Twitter page to share a video of the planes arrival, saying the project has been long, tedious, and difficult. He however thanked God for the eventual success as well as every stakeholder for their support. READ ALSO: Nigeria Air Plane Lands In Abuja (Video) But shortly after, checks by Daily Trust disclosed that the aircraft is owned by Ethiopian Airlines as the world ET-APL is written on the wing of planes operated by Ethiopian Airlines. This however generated outrage on social media with many Nigerians criticizing the Federal Government for claiming ownership. Reacting to this, Bashir Ahmad in a post via Twitter, said it is no secret that Ethiopian Airlines is one of the major partners in the Nigeria Air plane project. He said Nigerians should expect to see more Ethiopian Airlines branded in national carriers colours adding that many airlines around the world are not owned by their government. It is never a secret that Ethiopian Airlines is one of the major shareholders/partners in the Nigeria Air Limited projects. Never! Save the cry now, and expect to see more Ethiopian Airlines aircraft branded in our national carriers colors. Like Nigeria Air, many major airlines around the world are not owned by their governments, British Airways, which IAG owns, is an example, he tweeted. Ruqayya Aliyu Jibia, a female journalist based in Katsina state, has cried out for justice. According to her, her life is in danger following her encounter with the police in the state. Ms Aliyu, who claimed to be a reporter with Tambarin Hausa TV, took to her Tik Tok account and shared a two minutes and 50 seconds video from her place of hiding, narrating her ordeal in the hands of the police, which she said was as a result of her earlier post concerning four young girls paraded by the police as commercial sex workers. Few days back, the Nigerian Police, Katsina state command, paraded four suspects, young ladies between the ages of 19 to 23, claiming that they are into prostitution. Upon seeing that video, I recorded a Tik Tok video at my personal Tik Tok page, where I quoted a section in Nigerian Constitution which I suggested to the police that they should have taken the girls to the court until they are proven guilty before parading them to the press. The next day, I received a call from the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Gambo Isah, inviting me to the Emirs palace that the emir wanted to see me. I was on my way to the emirs palace when Gambo Isah and his boys came with four cars, blocked my way, they dragged me out of my car, and they broke my phone and I sustained injury as you can see (showing her swollen finger) and they dragged me to the Emirs palace. Upon reaching the emirs palace, Gambo Isah then narrated to the Emir that I was responsible for looking down on the police and undermining their authority. I am also responsible for sabotaging their work, and the Emir asked Gambo Isah, or assigned them to remand me, she narrated. She further stated that when she was taken to court, the judge was not on seat and as such she was taken to the Area Command of the police, where she spent about five hours before her lawyer was able to secure her bail. She said the following day she went back to the area command where she wrote her statement and was asked to return back the following day, hoping she would be taken to court but the area commander told her that she would be taken to the Command headquarters. Ms Aliyu said her lawyer was not present on that day and she was scared to go to the command headquarters going by what transpired earlier between her and the PPRO. She therefore ran away and went into hiding. I am currently into hiding now, because my life is in danger, because the police are chasing after me. I hope I will be granted justice, she said. READ ALSO: Police Arrest Suspected Ballot Snatcher Who Killed Two Voters In Edo However, in his reaction, the PPRO, CSP Gambo Isah, described her claims as frivolous allegations adding that it was a calculated attempt to gain cheap popularity and more followers on her social media handles. For the avoidance of doubt, I want to set the records straight. Ruqayya has been using her social media handles to maliciously attack the Nigeria Police Force. You may recall that sometimes in 2022, the Katsina Police Command, succeeded in busting a notorious syndicate of armed robbers leading to the arrest of their king pin one a k.a. ABBA KALA and his team and recovery of over 13 stolen motor vehicles. He was charged to court on 7 different F.I.Rs to High courts in Katsina, now in prison. But to our utter amazement Ruqayya came out, through her Tik Tok and attacked the police that Abba Kala was so innocent that the police lied, Isah said. He added that recently the Katsina metropolis was faced with incessant attacks by Kauraye, phone snatchers and other criminals. He said the command swung into action, raided criminal hideouts, including brothels, which led to the arrest of 72 suspected persons including four young women suspected to be sex workers, who were paraded before the press. Ruqayya did not appreciate the efforts of the NPF in nipping in the bud, the crimes disturbing the community but took to her usual Tik Tok and continued to rant on the police for arresting and parading the women. Subsequently, at a security meeting, I reported her conduct to our traditional father, the Emir. And in Katsina, and the north in general, we uphold traditional values and institutions above every other one. His Royal Highness directed that she be invited but Ruqayya refused police invitation, dragged with police officers who exercised restraint, despite abuse and videos she was recording the police, the PPRO said. Isah said, when arrested, Ruqayya called her lawyer and made a statement. She was released on bail but decided to jump bail and escaped police investigation. She then decided to take to her usual place, Tik Tok where since she has been scouting for sympathizers, alleging that her life is under threat. Nobody is looking for Ruqayya to arrest because she was released on bail to a reliable surety and in the presence of her attorney, the PPRO added. Meanwhile, AMASIS Broadcasting Services Ltd, owners of Tambarin Hausa Television, has dissociated itself from Ms Aliyu, saying she is neither a reporter nor correspondent of the TV in the state. In a letter dated May 25, 2023 and addressed to the Katsina Chapter of the National Union of Journalists and copied to the Correspondent Chapel, media houses, the police and the DSS, the management said, The attention of AMASIS Broadcasting Limited, owners of Tambarin Hausa Television, has been drawn to a video that is in circulation on social media concerning a lady called Miss Rukayya Aliyu Jibia, claimed to be a staff and correspondent of Tambarin Hausa Television in Katsina State. She (Rukayya Aliyu Jibia) engages in a video that went viral on social media platform accusing the Nigerian Police Force and Katsina Emirate Council of master-minding her arrest and subsequently authorizing her detention in Prison. The management of Tambarin Hausa Television after thorough investigation of the video, it reached to a conclusion that, the station disassociates itself from the video where she claimed to be a reporter of the station, in Katsina State. In view of the above, AMASIS Broadcasting Limited, owners of Tambarin Hausa Television stated categorically that Rukayya Aliyu Jibia is not a staff and correspondent of Tambarin Hausa Television in Katsina State. In that effect, any media organization, security agency, individual and corporate organization that engage her in whatever dealing do it at its own risk. For having the Holy Bible in possession, a toddler has reportedly been sentenced to life imprisonment in North Korea. Information Nigeria reports that the two-year-old boy and his entire family were initially arrested and locked up after the discovery of the Christian Holy book in their home. Similar cases of North Korean citizens being killed for practising their Christian faith were also highlighted in the United States (US) Departments International Religious Freedom Report. The US organization in its recent publication also noted the case of a woman and her grandchild who were executed by firing squad in 2011. Another form of punishment meted out on Christian believers in the country, as stated in the report, includes pigeon torture, where those arrested are suspended with their hands tied behind their backs, unable to sit or stand for days. READ ALSO: North Korea Bans Citizens From Laughing It was the most painful of all tortures. It was so painful, I felt it was better to die, one of the victims was quoted saying. The publication also revealed that some were been tortured with sleep deprivation, including one woman in solitary confinement who was driven to suicide in 2020 after prison guards refused to let her sleep. Reports show that no fewer than 70,000 Christians have been imprisoned for their faith under President Kim Jong-uns regime, out of a possible population of 400,000. The new publication said several North Korean Christians hid their faith from their children. The Labour Partys governorship candidate in Oyo State for the 2023 election, Tawfiq Akinwale has claimed that if the partys presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had won the recent presidential race, Nigeria would have faced significant difficulties. Mr Akinwale noted that Obis attitude shows how intolerant he is to his fellow countrymen who are Muslims. According to him in an interview with Symfoni News, Akinwale, accused Obi of being the cause behind multiple defections from the Labour Party, especially among governorship candidates from the North. READ MORE: I Remain Committed To Nigerias Progress Peter Obi He said, The Peter Obi that you know is a deceit; the Peter Obi that you know is a pretender. All the bigots of this world is (sic) Peter Obi because he is not somebody that should be trusted with the leadership of this country. Glory be to God almighty that did not allow him to win the election. If he had won, Nigerians would have been in a serious problem because of his attitude. The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has severely criticized the Buhari administration, labelling the last eight years as the worst in Nigerias history. Ortom said it was a period when a country that was flourishing under then-President Goodluck Jonathan was plunged into unimaginable poverty, insecurity, and general maladministration. The Governor who made the assertion at the commissioning of the headquarters of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, BSCVGs, in Makurdi, said the President Muhammadu-led administration took Nigeria from the top to bottom, making life miserable for all Nigerians. The Outgoing Benue Governor maintained that never in the history of the country did Nigerians witness bad governance like they did in the last eight years. I served under the then President Goodluck Jonathans administration and we all saw how Nigeria flourished under that administration. We all knew what the prices of foods and services were at the time. READ MORE: Buhari Doesnt Need To Go To Niger Republic , Ive Forgiven Him Ortom Nigerias First Lady, Aisha Buhari and wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has given a personal assessment of her husbands tenure as he prepares to hand over to Bola Ahmed Tinubu in two days. Aisha, in an interview with Sun, noted that President Buhari achieved 50 per cent of his campaign promises during his eight-year term. On security, the First Lady ascribed a higher mark to the President, attributing a 70 percent rating. She said: Compared to what we met on the ground, he has done wonderfully well. But if one is to compare with the zeal that we came into power, we have achieved 50 per cent in all the areas captured in his campaign promises. READ ALSO: First Ladies Also Deserve Retirement Privileges Aisha Buhari Especially in the areas of works like road constructions, bridges, you know, infrastructure in general. He has made a lot of difference. Speaking on the state of security in the country, Aisha said, Yes, of course. You know, in every aspect. Yes, on security, I think maybe we scored 70 per cent. I say so because before now, there were a lot of barricades, a lot of roadblocks, but now there are no more roadblocks, nothing. Even the kidnapping that is happening now is being organised among the family members. It is a deliberate thing, you know. And then the insurgency or the banditry may be organised by some local people, you know. But if there is no connivance, I can say that we have achieved 90 per cent on security. Secondly, he received Nigeria intact, and he is going to hand over Nigeria intact. Student Lilly Freeman from Central Bucks East speaks at a rally as the Central Bucks School District is poised to vote on a library policy which targets books with "sexualized content." Read more Facing heated community opposition, the Central Bucks School District on Tuesday approved a contentious library policy that takes aim at challenging books with sexualized content guidelines the districts superintendent says ensure students are reading age-appropriate material, but that the Pennsylvania Library Association calls one of the most restrictive in schools across the state. In a 6-3 vote, after a rally and more than an hour of public comment most of which was vehemently opposing the policy and questions by some board members about its origins, the Republican-dominated board voted to advance the policy thats raised alarm among civil rights groups. READ MORE: Central Bucks has approved a library policy targeting sexualized content in books. Heres what we know. Members Tabitha DellAngelo, Karen Smith, and Mariam Mahmud voted against approving the policy, insisting community resistance should make them table the vote, and questioning specifics of the policy including who wrote it, and asking for more detail about the process in which a superintendent-appointed committee will weigh in on literature to be selected or removed from school shelves. Advertisement Board President Dana Hunter, Vice President Leigh Vlasblom, and members Sharon Collopy, Jim Pepper, Lisa Sciscio, and Debra T. Cannon voted in the policys favor, saying that they would leave it up to Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh to develop a committee and establish parameters for how books may be selected. READ MORE: These are the most commonly banned books in U.S. schools and in Pennsylvania There just becomes a point in time when we allow Dr. Lucabaugh and our administration, which we trust and we respect the work they do, to gather a group together to come up with a process that they will share with us, said Vlasblom, urging the board to pass the policy. Wielding signs reading dictators ban books, not democracies, and love not hate makes CB great, dozens of parents, students, community members, educators, and advocates rallied outside the Doylestown school district headquarters Tuesday night ahead of the vote, calling for the board to strike the policy. Many repeated their remarks during public comment before the school board. Only a couple speakers voiced their approval for the policy. This is not a ban, this is not censorship, its common sense, said one mother, who said she was against minors being exposed to sexually explicit content. Speakers railing against the library protocol called it intentionally vague, and asked the district to leave it up to trained librarians rather than a small group of parents to select literature for school libraries. More than 3,000 community members have signed a petition against the proposal. Karen Downer, president of the NAACPs Bucks County branch, noted that books most frequently flagged for sexual content tend to include certain themes, including the history of Black people, LGBTQ topics or characters, and race and racism. The books also are often written by marginalized authors, she said. Lucabaugh a champion of the policy said in an interview Monday that the intent is not to remove books from school libraries but to create a process for the selection of new materials and for parents to challenge gratuitous, salacious, over-the-top, unnecessary, sexualized content [in library books] that would not be age-appropriate. He did not list specific books that might fall into this category. We dont have titles in mind, per se, Lucabaugh said. The policy is rooted in prioritizing and selecting age-appropriate materials for our students that align with curriculum and materials that reflect the diversity of our student experiences. We believe that its very important that all of our students are represented in the things that they read in the library. The language introduced by the Bucks County districts school board in May calls for more control from parents to contest books available in school libraries, and outlines that at every grade level, no materials ... shall contain visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or explicit written descriptions of sexual acts. Lucabaugh said he will appoint a handful of administrators, teachers, librarians, and other educational professionals to develop a process for parents to challenge reading materials, and guidelines for determining what may be considered age-inappropriate, gratuitous content when selecting school library books. That committee, Lucabaugh said, would be large enough to be inclusive of multiple perspectives, and would eliminate the potential for any decisions to be made in isolation. He said that school board members would not be directly involved in the selection or removal of books. But addressing the crowd outside the board meeting Tuesday, a retired English teacher said the policy is vague enough that librarians arent going to know whats going to be OK. Theres no transparency and theres no recourse when a book is banned, said Julie Zaebst, senior policy advocate at ACLU of Pennsylvania, adding that shes heard from some teachers already fearing repercussions from the policy. We know that all students suffer when the expertise of professionals is replaced by a big politicized process thats happening behind closed doors, she said. We havent seen this level of proposal Lucabaugh and school board officials have said the policy was introduced because the school district Pennsylvanias third-largest did not have one in place. But Christi Buker, executive director of the Pennsylvania Library Association, which represents libraries across the state, said Central Bucks proposal stands out. This is a pretty restrictive policy, Buker said. We havent seen this level of proposal in other school districts at this time. Although Lucabaugh and school board officials say the policy is a not book ban, Buker disagreed. It is banning books, based on one specific aspect, and not considering any other value of that piece of material, she said. During Tuesdays meeting, board member Karen Smith echoed Bukers sentiments. The policy clearly allows for books to be removed from our libraries, she said. When something is removed and not allowed back, thats a ban. The policy is vague and overbroad, said Richard T. Ting, an attorney with the ACLU. Were also talking about library books, not required reading for classwork. This is just books in the library that are there for students, and students should be free to choose what they read. Families should be able to discuss those things with their kids, as well. It shouldnt be up to a few people to decide what everyone else gets access to. Lucabaugh countered that it may not be required reading, but the access to [the books] is always there. School districts have always established and maintained policy and boundaries around the propriety of content, he said. In a district-wide message to parents last week, Lucabaugh and school board president Dana Hunter said the policy has been mischaracterized within our community and the press, writing that every student deserves to be seen, heard, cared for, included, accepted, respected, loved and, most especially, educated. The letter also stated that not all books containing sexual content would be subject to removal from libraries. Books such as The Bluest Eye by Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison, which chronicles the real-life horror of racism and sexual abuse belongs in our school libraries at an age-appropriate level, they wrote. So do the classics like The Scarlet Letter or an illustrated reference book about anatomy. The message, said Ting, ironically points out the problem with this type of policy. Like, why is it that they get to say that and make that decision? A nationwide focus on LGBTQ content The Central Bucks library policy proposal comes as book bans across the nation have surged as well as a focus on content involving LGBTQ characters and story lines. Some conservative politicians and activists have accused public schools of indoctrinating students around the topics of gender and sexuality. READ MORE: Amid nationwide challenges to sexually explicit books, West Chester school district keeps Gender Queer The library policy follows other policy changes at Central Bucks, including the districts call to remove Pride flags from classrooms and shifting its sex-education classes online after facing blowback for instructing transgender and nonbinary students to attend classes corresponding with their sex assigned at birth. Its not very hard to connect the dots between this policy and these other school district actions that have a clear anti-LGBQ and T bias, Zaebst said, adding that the ACLU is monitoring the districts actions very closely. On Monday, Lucabaugh said Central Bucks proposed policy is not based on one genre of literature or one intended audience. If a book containing LGBTQ characters or plotline is found by the committee to be gratuitous and over-sensationalized, it is required to be replaced with a comparable book for an LGBTQ audience, he said. If a comparable read cannot be found by the committee, Lucabaugh said, a challenged book may remain on library shelves. No book made me transgender, just as no book turns my eyes from brown to blue, Lilly Freeman, a student at Central Bucks East, said Tuesday. Schools are a place of learning, and when you take away access to diverse books, it removes safe public resources allowing kids like me to see themselves in culture, to learn about themselves. Philadelphias transit system and its present and oncoming problems got little public airing in the Democratic mayoral primary, but nominee Cherelle Parker did indicate in candidate questionnaires and on the campaign trail that public safety would be her priority for SEPTA. Parker, a former member of City Council and the state legislature, wants a bigger law enforcement presence, with Philadelphia police officers patrolling near subway stations and transit centers in coordination with the Transit Police, according to her answers in a candidate questionnaire by SEPTAs Citizen Advisory Committee. Safety on public transit is paramount, Parker said. She faces Republican David Oh, a former City Council colleague, in the general election. As a lawmaker, he also expressed concerns about public safety on SEPTA and often prodded the agency to be more aggressive fighting crime and disorder. Advertisement Because of Philadelphias voting history and Democrats overwhelming edge in voter registration, Parker is considered the odds-on favorite to be elected the 100th mayor of the city in November. Public transportation advocates were disappointed that mobility issues did not get a thorough campaign discussion, but said in interviews that they were optimistic that Parker would likely benefit SEPTA because she knows how Harrisburg and City Hall work and has a reputation for building coalitions. Of course, mayors dont have operational power over SEPTA, a regional authority created by the state, but they can have influence if engaged, advocates said. And the city does control some things with a direct impact on SEPTAs potential for success, including its ongoing bus route overhaul, dubbed the Bus Revolution. For instance, Connor Descheemaker, coalitions manager with Transit Forward Philadelphia, said the city controls bus shelters, the establishment of rapid-bus-transit lanes and other infrastructure. SEPTAs been doing a lot with cleaning and safety but its such a tall order that, if the city could help with its own resources and funding, that would be big, said Mason Carter, chair of the SEPTA Citizen Advisory Committee, a group appointed by the city and county governments to represent riders. Parkers plan: More police, expanded service During a televised debate on PHL17 in April, Parker spoke of how the regions economy depends on SEPTA as she endorsed a proposal to extend the Broad Street Line along Roosevelt Boulevard to Bucks County. People are really shocked to learn that there is something called the reverse commute phenom taking place, Parker said on the broadcast. Folks are not simply coming to Philadelphia for employment but our residents are traveling to the five counties for opportunities. To advocate Descheemaker that answer showcased that Parker has a vision about expanding SEPTA, instead of managing its decline. Were hoping to continue to hear candidate Parker talk about going beyond a scarcity mindset, Descheemaker said. Further, he explained, investing in improvements to the transit system will take support from the city, its counties in the SEPTA service area and the state. They said Parker is well positioned to bring the relevant parties together and make progress. We cant just say, SEPTA sucks and go on our way. SEPTA faces a fiscal crisis soon, with the federal pandemic aid that has kept it afloat projected to run out next April. Agency officials say theyll have a $240 million shortfall in their budget. Currently, legislation is pending in Harrisburg that would enable counties and the city to establish a special local tax to help stabilize SEPTA finances. Jay Arzu, the doctoral urban planning student who has been the leading proponent of the Roosevelt Boulevard subway idea, was cheered by Parkers support for the project. He also said that her focus on law and order has promise. That may be the tough love SEPTA needs ... to help with its crime perception problem, Arzu said. Asked what the mayor could do to improve communication between the school district and SEPTA and how to address unruly kids riding transit after dismissal, Parker also stressed law and order. The abundance of unruly riders simply stem[s] from a lack of law enforcement presence, she said. My strategy is that with more presence, we will see a reduction in crimes or negative behavior. David Ohs vision for SEPTA Oh, the Republican nominee for mayor, has been a vocal critic of SEPTAs handling of crime and disorder for the last two years. After several violent attacks on the subways in 2021, he successfully pushed for a joint Council committee hearing on the issue. Oh also proposed withholding $10 million from the citys annual contribution to SEPTA in 2022, unless it increased pay for Transit Police officers and committed to hiring more of them. At the time, SEPTA and the Fraternal Order of Transit Police announced an agreement to sharply increase officer salaries. Oh withdrew his amendment. SEPTA officials say recruiting was boosted by the pay increase; a police academy class of 21 recruits is set to graduate on June 9 and become transit officers. Oh said in the PHL17 debate that he liked the concept of the Roosevelt Boulevard subway, but that the reality of how youre going to do it needs to be front and center. This story has been edited to correct Connor Descheemakers preferred pronoun and job title. Kathleen Scheppe, 29, of West Philadelphia and her friends make their first-ever visit to the Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion on Saturday. They decided to come after learning it would be closing. Read more John Cambridge held Rosie the Chilean rose-haired tarantula gently in his fingers, and slowly, she crawled onto the palm of a young woman whose eyes were tightly shut. This was Rosies last rodeo, her final time for now being held in the hands of a visitor at the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion. On Saturday, the Northeast Philadelphia museum permanently closed its doors, marking the end of a lengthy legal battle and other struggles that have plagued the business for years. In fact, Cambridge, the museums CEO, and all of his multi-legged and winged friends, will be evicted at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 30. He and his employees have just a few days to relocate the thousands of preserved and living insects, artwork, antiques, plants, and educational exhibits throughout the sprawling, three-story space. This has been a giant art project, and Im being forced to destroy it, Cambridge said Saturday. Its especially painful, he said, to see it destroyed for such a senseless and unjust court outcome as the one that ended up taking us down. That case stretches back to 1989, when Insectarium founder Steve Kanya entered into a $350,000 mortgage agreement with Milton Rubin, since deceased, to purchase the museums building at 8046 Frankford Ave. Rubins estate filed a foreclosure action against Kanya and the Insectarium in 2017. Advertisement Kanya testified that in 2016 Cambridge forced him out of the business, and took control of the museum. Rubins estate did not become aware of that change until 2017, and alleged that no mortgage payments had been made on the initial 1989 debt since the business changed hands. After a years-long court battle, in March, a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge ordered a $928,000 foreclosure judgment against the Insectarium. The estate also won possession of the Insectariums building, and the court ordered the property go to sheriffs sale to satisfy the money judgment. The Insectarium subsequently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but its case was dismissed, and it received no protections. On Saturday, the museums regular visitors grieved the loss of the space, while newcomers cherished it for a final moment. Jessica Gonski, 37, has brought her two daughters to the museum about once a month for the last three years. Her toddlers, ages 2 and 3, love it because each time they visit, they learn something new, she said. Its a loss to our community, said Gonski, who lives in West Philly. Theres definitely going to be a void. Relocating its residents Hand-painted murals and antiques everything from old dental sets to brass optical pieces and carnival games are embedded into the museums exhibits, and on Saturday, most of those items were on sale. As for its live inhabitants, the museum is working to ensure that most insects stay together, Cambridge said. Many will go to Wild Things Preserve, a conservation group based in Pipersville, Bucks County. Cambridge said the museum has given the group a temporary housing structure for the animals and insects as well as resources to be able to take care of them for about a year. Were very happy to have been able to transition a lot of our programs over to them just to make sure everything that we had booked for the rest of the summer is going to be done properly, Cambridge said. But most of the tropical plants and butterflies flying throughout the first-floor pavilion will have to be killed, Cambridge said. Because they are from all over the world and are non-native species, they cannot be released into the wild, he said. While Wild Things Preserve is not open to the public, the group will take over the Insectariums off-site educational programming at schools and summer camps. The effort will initially be a joint one between the preserve and the Insectarium, but Wild Things Preserve will take over the programs completely by the end of August, Cambridge said. In the meantime, some Insectarium staff will stay on to assist with the travel programs, he said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will inspect the building before the eviction to make sure it has been shut down properly. A series of struggles The museum has had its share of struggles. In 2019, an alleged burglary resulted in about 7,000 insects, lizards, and other species going missing from the museum. Cambridge at the time estimated the value of the loss at about $40,000, and speculated that the creatures would be illegally resold. No one has been officially implicated in that case. Last year, IMDb TV began streaming a docuseries about the theft called Bug Out. Directed by Lower Merion native and former lawyer Ben Feldman, the series examines the heist alongside the history of the Insectarium, as well as the illegal underground insect market. Following the documentarys release, Cambridge filed a defamation suit against the Bug Out creators, alleging that it includes numerous factual assertions that are not true. That case has yet to be resolved. On Saturday, dozens of patrons visited the museum. Noelle Barrett and Jeremy Cothran wandered through the butterfly pavilion, watching with awe as the Forest Mort Blue butterfly nursed on the nectar of an orange slice. It was their first time visiting, they said; they decided to come after reading that it was closing. Now that Im here, Im sad its going, said Barrett, 27. But also, with all the drama, I get it. Taylor Baile, 24, who specializes in photographing butterflies, said there are few butterfly pavilions in the Philadelphia region. The closest space like this one, she said, is in Hershey, and its not as large. Baile, of Croydon, reflected on the various events she attended at the museum, such as the New Years Eve party, where folks could spin a wheel to win a prize, two of them being swallow a meal worm or put a tarantula on your face. It was always a blast, she said. Theres nowhere else like this, she said. For Cambridge, hes not sure whats next. He plans on leaving Philadelphia for a while, he said, and hopes to build something similar again after taking some time to see other people doing it right. Im going to learn from it and try again, he said. And when he does, Im going to build it twice as big and twice as cool as this place. Cambridge stood calmly in the museum on Saturday, seeming to take in all the final pieces and people. He walked through the massive outdoor space that he had planned to turn into a performance venue, amid a collection of shipping containers and cans, and thought about what could have been. But hes trying to stay optimistic. I actually have the least stressful day ever, he said. I just have to exist through it. The exterior of the Sayre Morris Recreation Center in West Philadelphia. The olympic-size swimming pool inside recreation center will reopen after the school board and city signed a $15m deal. The timeline is not yet clear. Read more The long-closed Sayre-Morris pool has a clear path to reopening. After a long public battle, the Philadelphia school board voted Thursday night to sign a deal with the city to revive the Olympic-sized indoor pool at 59th and Spruce Streets, which has been closed since 2017. As part of the agreement to reopen the district-owned facility adjacent to Sayre High School, the city pledged $3 million, with the state promising an additional $500,000 and City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier also contributing $500,000 from her districts capital funds. The district will pick up about $11 million of the tab. READ MORE: Should pools be our priority? West Philly pool becomes a battleground between community, city, and school board Advertisement Though the West Philadelphia pool will remain district property, the citys recreation department will staff and run the building and all pool-related programming, as well as take on pool maintenance and upkeep. The school system would be responsible for any large capital improvements to the building and have right of first refusal to use the pool for part of the year. Its not yet clear when Sayre pool might reopen. Mayor Jim Kenney, in a letter to the school board, said its action was a major step forward in allowing students and the community to benefit from access to the pool and programming. Gauthier, who told the board the pool was the crown jewel of Cobbs Creek, was elated after the deal passed. To get a fully-improved pool with public access for the community is huge, Gauthier said Friday. Its a boost not just for West Philadelphia, but for the rest of the city, the councilmember said; the city has had difficulty attracting lifeguards to staff its public pools, in part because the only place to train them is at the single indoor city pool at Abraham Lincoln High School in the Northeast. Sayre would serve as additional training facility. Reopening Sayre helps us get out of this continuous loop of struggling to open pools every summer, said Gauthier. Sayre Pool was a flashpoint for years. Community members campaigned hard for its return to use, and a tentative deal was struck during William R. Hite Jr.s superintendency. But in February of 2022, the school board decisively voted down a plan to spend $10 million for its reopening. At that point, there was no city agreement on the table, and school leaders were loath to commit. We have huge capital needs across the district, then-school board president Joyce Wilkerson said at the time. While I realize the community has been waiting a long time and this may be a very deserving project, I think it is a mistake for us to consider this without having it considered in the context of our broader capital program. The rejection spurred advocates to push harder around aquatics equity. Members of the community would show up to monthly school board meetings and talk about how pools give young people a safe outlet in a city beset by gun violence; about the job opportunities and life skills generations of Philly kids got from public pools. The district still does not have a new facilities master plan, and its capital needs have not changed in fact, they have gotten more serious, with damaged asbestos closing six buildings so far this school year but the political calculus around the pool has shifted. School board president Reginald Streater said the community urgency around reopening the pool impressed the board, and that the commitments from other public agencies made it happen. Think of the partnership as what local control of district schools is supposed to look like, he said. The pool to me is an analogy for what happens when the system works, Streater said. The city-district deal comes at a crucial moment; for months, the two have been publicly feuding, with the school system suing the city over a law that gives Philadelphia more oversight over school buildings, and City Council publicly demanding more answers on facilities from district leaders. The board voted down spending $10 million on the Sayre pool last year; the bill rose, Streater said, because it wouldnt make sense to invest significant funds on a pool that did not match the dilapidated building that housed it. Why would you put nice rims on a hooptie? Streater asked. The community deserves better, he said. Charisma Presley, an advocate with Friends of Philly Aquatics, was thrilled at the outcome. Presley, who lives in Germantown, often brought her three children to board meetings to lobby for pools. Though Presleys neighborhood indoor pool, Pickett, remains closed, her group is optimistic the Sayre reopening opens doors for other swimming opportunities in the city. This is government working, Presley said. She was particularly heartened, she said, by a surprise: Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.s strategic plan, introduced this week, included a pilot of learn-to-swim programs in some Philadelphia elementary schools. To see that he was actually listening, that resonated with us, Presley said. He didnt just hear us, but he listened, and he found a way to incorporate it in the curriculum. We are so hopeful for what will become. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Its apparent that legislative travel needs more oversight. A story by Forum News Service shows retiring and defeated legislators attended out-of-state conferences, and a previous chairman of Legislative Management approved his own travel plans. Forum research found that since 2014 the North Dakota Legislature spent more than $45,000 to send a dozen retiring and defeated lawmakers to out-of-state conferences. Some of the legislators were members of boards and were expected to attend. Still, many took trips knowing they werent returning to the Legislature. Overall, since 2013 the state spent an average of $450,000 each two-year budget cycle for legislative travel. Former Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, served as chairman of Legislative Management for parts of eight years. As chairman he was responsible for deciding whether to approve travel requests, including his own. He was well-traveled, with Norway, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Los Angeles, Miami and Vail, Colorado, among his destinations. Holmberg said under the law he was responsible for approving his own trips, but he always consulted with the majority leader. While part of the law, University of North Dakota political science professor Mark Jendrysik says the practice is part of the law but still a basic conflict of interest. Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, who briefly served as chairman of Legislative Management, doesnt agree with outgoing legislators attending conferences or the chairman approving his or her own travel. Retiring or defeated legislators gave a number of reasons why the travel was reasonable. Some said they were preregistered before knowing they wouldnt be returning to the Legislature; some said they were on boards and expected to attend; others argued they would be able to share what they learned with other legislators when they returned. The Tribune isnt opposed to legislators traveling, since it can be educational and benefit the state. Trips to Norway helped influence decisions involving the Department of Corrections. There are some cases, the Tribune believes, where it may make sense to send an outgoing legislator on a trip. The legislator may have certain expertise that fits the conference or meeting. But the Tribune Editorial Board believes there needs to be more oversight over travel. Former Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, believes there should be a committee or some other mechanism to review approval of travel requests. House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, also thinks some form of oversight would be useful. Legislative leaders need to develop a plan for more oversight during the interim. It will benefit them if the public feels travel plans are being well-vetted. It would be helpful if the Legislature provided a list of trips approved and rejected every two years to the public. Some legislators will travel more than others if they are experts in certain fields such as taxation. Business and family responsibilities prevent some legislators from taking any trips. Term limits mean in the future that legislators traveling to conferences wont have as much experience as in the past. Conferences are usually held in locations easily accessible to people in all states, so destinations such as Los Angeles and Miami make sense. Travel is a perk for legislators just like it is for any business or organization. It needs to be a perk with a purpose. The Legislature needs oversight and transparency when it comes to travel. The newly installed Portland Loo style public restroom at Fotterall Square Park in North Philadelphia on Friday, May 26, 2023. Read more Philadelphias second modular bathroom has landed at North Philadelphias Fotterall Square. The installation near 12th and York Streets is the latest in a pilot program that will bring Portland Loo restrooms to parks and public spaces across the city. Construction barriers went up around the the first site last month at 15th and Arch Streets near the Municipal Services Building, a pedestrian-dense area where temporary porta potties had been installed since 2021. Sharon Gallagher of the Managing Directors Office confirmed the bathrooms are the first two for the six-location pilot, though neither facility is open to the public yet. City workers were seen Friday inspecting the Fotterall Square facility, which should be open soon, Gallagher said in an email. Advertisement But construction on the Center City location has not yet started, she said, noting the site had just received Art Commission approval. We hope to have a more concrete timeline from the subcontractor soon. Mayor Jim Kenneys administration has budgeted $656,864 annually to install and maintain the modular bathrooms in what marks the first effort to address a persistent lack of public hygiene options, particularly in neighborhoods outside Center City. A public bathroom is hard to find in Philadelphia. As in many cities, the local government has long placed the burden on private businesses to provide one of the most basic human amenities. Residents often rely on knowing which restaurants and retailers have toilets that are easily accessible without making a purchase. The public bathroom discourse has long revolved around issues of homelessness, substance abuse, and crime. Public health crises like the hepatitis A outbreak in Kensington in 2019 have forced the city to expand emergency bathroom options. But the majority of people appear to view public bathrooms as a force for good. Last year, officials conducted a survey gauging attitudes toward public restrooms and found that 89% of respondents envision a new permanent public restroom as a positive amenity. The goal of the public restroom pilot is to provide a permanent option that is more attractive to a broad group of people including families, tourists, businesses, and underserved individuals, officials said. The Portland Loos are prefabricated, kiosk-like units, featuring a graffiti-proof open-grating design and easy-to-clean metal parts. Nearly two dozen cities in the United States and Canada have installed them, but long manufacturing delays kept Philadelphia waiting on the arrival of the first units until last month. Officials have said another Portland Loo is slated to open in West Philadelphias Clark Park later this year, with other neighborhoods to follow. The porta potties at 15th and Arch will remain open until the Loo is finished. Officials continue to solicit input on the public bathroom pilot program via email at publicrestooms@phila.gov. Tower Health, which owns Phoenixville Hospital, reported a sharp drop in cash reserves on Friday. Read more Tower Healths finances took another turn for the worse in the nine months through March, as the not-for-profit health system continued losing money and burning through cash reserves. Towers cash reserves had dwindled to $202 million on March 31, down 45%, from the end of last June. That left the Berks County organization, anchored by Reading Hospital, with just 39 days of cash on hand, Tower reported Friday. Days of cash on hand is a common measure of financial strength and stability. Thats concerning, particularly how quickly that sharp decline happened, said Kevin Holleran, who heads the Fitch Ratings group that rates municipal bond debt issued by not-for-profit health care and higher education institutions. Tower officials said they saw positive trends despite the systems persistent financial difficulties, which grew out of its debt-fueled expansion six years ago into the Philadelphia market. Our financial performance in March was the third best month for the health system since June 2020, as patient volumes rebounded while net hiring growth and significantly lower turnover reduced the use of contract labor, Tower said in a statement. Advertisement But one good month could not make up for significant declines in patients for the nine-month period. Even excluding two hospitals that were closed in fiscal 2022, Tower said inpatient admissions were down 7.9%, and emergency department visits were off by 13.3%. Inpatient surgeries fell 10.9%, while outpatient surgeries dropped 10.3%, Tower said. Those figures include Chestnut Hill Hospital, which Tower sold on Jan. 1 for $28 million. In addition to Reading Hospital, Tower owns Phoenixville and Pottstown Hospitals. It closed Brandywine and Jennersville Hospitals, both in Chester County. Tower in 2017 paid $423 million for Brandywine, Chestnut Hill, Jennersville, Phoenixville, and Pottstown Hospitals. Tower reported $1.62 billion in revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2023, down slightly from $1.66 billion a year go. Its operating loss was $127 million, compared to $137 million. In a reporting change, Tower did not disclose individual results for Philadelphias St. Christophers Hospital for Children, which it owns in a 50-50 joint venture with Drexel University. Tower said it decided to account for St. Chris the same way it does other joint ventures, such as a 144-bed psychiatric hospital it owns jointly with Acadia Healthcare. Tower owns a third of that facility. J. Shane Creamer Jr., executive director of the Philadelphia Board of Ethics, in the agency's conference room overlooking City Hall. Read more J. Shane Creamer Jr. has been the executive director of the Philadelphia Board of Ethics since its inception almost 20 years ago, and he knew the 2023 mayors race would present one of the agencys greatest challenges. The Democratic primary featured an unusually large and deep field of candidates, and it was just the second open mayors race since the advent of super PACs, independent political action committees that can raise money in amounts that exceed the citys contribution limits so long as they do not coordinate with candidates. The regulation of super PACs is almost nonexistent in federal elections. But in Philadelphia, the ethics board actively enforces its campaign finance rules, and in December, Creamer and board chair Michael H. Reed published an opinion piece in The Inquirer to remind everyone. We were planting a flag in the ground and really trying to warn people that Philadelphia is different, Creamer said in an interview Thursday. We didnt know what was going to happen. Frankly, we were concerned we were going to be overwhelmed with issues with multiple super PACs. Advertisement READ MORE: Inside the Board of Ethics case against the super PAC supporting mayoral candidate Jeff Brown The board ended up spending much of its time dealing with one super PAC, For a Better Philadelphia, which raised about $3 million to boost ShopRite proprietor and first-time candidate Jeff Brown in the mayors race. The boards investigation into the group had an obvious effect: It upended the mayors race and damaged Browns chances of becoming mayor. But it also exposed to scrutiny the choices of the small but important city agency that plays a role in every Philadelphia election but is often invisible to voters. Creamer said he initiated the investigation into the super PAC on his own accord. He declined to say what sparked his interest. The boards investigations typically end in settlement agreements with the offending parties agreeing to pay fines and admitting fault. When it became clear that the PAC wouldnt agree to a settlement, Creamer ran out of patience. At 9:18 p.m. on April 3, he sent a pointed email to the PACs lawyer and another ethics board lawyer. Times up. These are bad people who are not negotiating in good faith, Creamer wrote in the email, which was acquired by The Inquirer. [W]e are prepared to go to court to expose the most massive scheme to circumvent the citys contribution limits in 17 years. I consider negotiations over. I dont trust you. One week later, the ethics board sued. Ethics agencies and law enforcement often try to stay above the fray and avoid playing public roles in campaigns. The boards decision to go public with its case reshaped the mayors race and pulled the agency into the political arena, with Brown and his allies questioning its impartiality. They wanted to influence the election, and they did, said Matthew A. White, an attorney for the super PAC and its related nonprofit of the same name. I think they specifically were targeting Jeff Brown. Creamer said that the five-member board, which is made up of mayoral appointees, errs on the side of taking action on campaign finance violations as soon as it can because it would leave footprints either way. If we were in a position to take action to address violations either through a settlement agreement or suing somebody in court and did not take that action until after the primary, were influencing the election, he said. This board has always chosen to take that action when it can, when it believes that it has sufficient evidence of probable violations. A family history of reform Creamer, who is 61 and lives in East Falls, grew up in Overbrook. After graduating from the Villanova School of Law, he worked for 13 years at the Duane Morris law firm before joining then-Mayor John F. Streets administration as assistant secretary for education. Public integrity laws are often forged from scandal, and Philadelphias ethics rules and the current incarnation of the board are a result of one of the most high-profile episodes in the citys long history of corruption investigations: the discovery of an FBI listening device in the mayors office during Streets first term. Then-City Councilmember Michael A. Nutter, a Street antagonist, passed legislation that led to the creation of the board as an independent and well-funded city department. Nutter went on to win the 2007 mayors race, the boards first major test since adopting campaign contribution limits. Creamer initially led the boards staff on an interim basis before becoming its permanent executive director. It was a natural fit. Being a good-government crusader is something of a family tradition for Creamer, whose late father, J. Shane Creamer Sr., was a Pennsylvania attorney general and first assistant U.S. attorney in Philadelphia. Like his son, the elder Creamer helped establish a watchdog agency, the since-disbanded Pennsylvania Crime Commission. He was a reformer, and he wanted to make things better, Creamer said of his father. He had an idealism and a belief that government, when directed well and carefully with the right policies, could be a great change agent for the better. Philadelphia now boasts unusually strong public integrity laws, with strict rules on campaign finance, conflicts of interest, city employees political activity, financial disclosure for top officials, and lobbyist registration all of which the board either oversees or has a hand in. Its amazing Philadelphia has created this board that I think is one of the strongest in the nation, Creamer said. Its had a profound impact on how not only elections are run and campaigns, but also on how the city government is run. The unusual step to sue In early March, Brown was riding high. With a string of notable endorsements and ubiquitous TV ads pitching him as an altruistic businessman and political outsider who could clean up City Hall, Brown appeared to have vaulted to the top of the field in the mayors race. Many of those ads were paid for by For a Better Philadelphia, which the board at that time had already begun investigating in connection with potential illegal coordination with Brown. The Inquirer reported that the board was looking into campaign finance activities related to Brown on March 15. His opponents pounced and called on the ethics board to wrap up its probe speedily so voters could learn about the allegations. Two weeks later, the board sued the super PAC, alleging Brown illegally coordinated with the group by fundraising for it in the months leading up to entering the race. Brown and the super PAC admit that he raised money for it before launching his campaign. But they contend that the relationship cannot be considered illegal coordination between a campaign and PAC because Brown had not yet announced his candidacy. The ethics board interprets its regulations to mean that no coordinated activity can occur within the 12 months before an election, regardless of when somebody becomes a candidate. That question is central to the still-ongoing case before Common Pleas Court Judge Joshua Roberts. The lawsuit became public the day before the first televised debate. Browns opponents piled on him during the forum, he made other unforced errors, and his candidacy never recovered. He called the probe a political hit job and implied the board was out to get him. This is about the political establishment not wanting the change that we so desperately need, he said after the debate. This has not been tried. When it gets tried, I will win. READ MORE: Why Rebecca Rhynharts second-place campaign for Philly mayor still beat expectations White has maintained that it was inappropriate for the board to take the extraordinary step of going to court when its settlement agreements are usually handled administratively. The PAC, he noted, had already agreed to stop spending money to influence the outcome of the primary by the time the board sued. Brown has since threatened to sue the board. He said on Wednesday that he hasnt decided whether to proceed with legal action and is waiting for the boards case against the super PAC to finish unfolding in the courts. Browns comments in the wake of the lawsuit put the board in the uncomfortable position. But Creamer defended the boards actions and pointedly responded to Brown. The allegations in the boards emergency petition for injunctive relief is based on facts and evidence, Creamer said in April. We know what Jeff Brown did last summer. What facts and evidence is Jeff Browns accusation against the board based upon? They had to make a hard call George Burrell, a former Council member and member of Streets administration, said he thought the ethics board acted appropriately but questioned Creamers decision to engage in a public back-and-forth with Brown. Burrell said Browns claim that he was being persecuted for being a political outsider rang hollow because the board has a long track record of going after established incumbents. But the board engaging with Brown, he said, made it seem as if it were no longer above the fray. They went about doing what they needed to do in an ethical and an appropriate way, Burrell said. I think that they should have avoided the public commentary. You do yourself a disservice whether youre right or wrong when you get into public conversation. Others have applauded Creamer and the board for being clear about what was going on with the case instead of letting voters try to figure it out based on what little information had leaked. READ MORE: Cherelle Parker breaks bread with mayor's race rivals Patrick Christmas, policy director with the good-government group Committee of Seventy, said he was alarmed by Browns comments attacking the ethics board and did not question Creamers decision to respond. We were most troubled by the campaign rhetoric [implying] that a trusted city institution in Philadelphia was wholly political, he said. Christmas added that it was appropriate for the board to make its case publicly by filing suit so that voters wouldnt be in the dark. What is lamented sometimes in ethics [cases] is that the punishments come after the fact and theyre too small, he said. They had to make a hard call, but I believe it was the right one. Brown, who is white, was seen as perhaps the only non-Black candidate who could make significant inroads with African American voters thanks to his record of opening groceries in underserved neighborhoods and hiring formerly incarcerated people at his stores. His downfall didnt just hurt his chances of mayor. It also benefited former Councilmember Cherelle Parkers hopes because she ended up being the only Black candidate among the viable contenders. By the time the primary arrived, Brown had plummeted in the polls. He finished a distant fifth to Parker. Giving our bodies consistent quality sleep is one of the most important things that we can do to help us maintain our health. This is not always the easiest task to do. One night many years ago I got drunk with the devil in Baltimore and struck a Faustian deal ensuring whenever I returned in the future to the effortlessly charming West Cork maritime village, the sun would always be splitting the stones. The next day the devil sobered up and realised my dark soul would egregiously lower the tone in hell but agreed to hold up his end of the bargain. Ok, very little, perhaps none of that, may be true, but I dont think in all my years I have ever seen Baltimore in the rain and yet again as I roll down into the village one Friday evening in May, this meteorological miracle is once more in effect and it is quite heavenly. The first huzzah of summer, it seems the entire town has decamped to the sun-kissed plaza that is the metaphorical, sometimes even literal, belly of Baltimore. I procure a fine pint of plain from Bushes and dive right in as we lounge indolently in the heat like pampered tabbies, sipping cold drinks, soaking up hot rays, there being seemingly nothing else to do in the world than gaze idly out over the harbour and across the water to nearby Sherkin Island, until Salacious B, my dinner companion arrives. The Algiers Inn is a local hostelry, a pub since 1893. Im not sure if it is the original name but it recalls the legendary Sack of Baltimore in 1631 by Barbary pirates, led by a Dutchman and crewed by Algerians, who raided the village and carried off 107 men, women and children, never to be seen again. New proprietors Bill and Ann Hillyard have grafted onto older maritime associations more than a soupcon of stylish souk to the decor, a strong North African theme running throughout: Moorish tiles, potted palms, hand carved wood-panelled screens and a gorgeous bar, opulently tiled, underlit below counter level; the buzz is entirely homegrown, crackling electricity, sparking from the moment we enter the lively space. Ann and Bill Hillyard at The Algiers Inn, Baltimore. Picture: Larry Cummins The Hillyards bought the pub in February 2020 and opened during peak pandemic, in October 2020, an act of magnificent madness suggestive of so many of the bolder hospitality dreamers but a multi-faceted menu masterminded by Ballymaloe Cookery School alumna Ann Hillyard suggests a cannier pragmatism is also at play. The core is essentially classic American diner: burgers, Mac and cheese, sliders, New York-style meatballs; this evening a special of classic meatloaf with mashed potatoes and onion and mushroom gravy. Then there are Irish additions: fish and chips, chicken and chips; and the coastal staples to be found in most casual dining venues along the Wild Atlantic Way, a mussels dish (Mussels Algiers, in harissa broth) and seafood chowder, both always welcome when done well. It may not reinvent the wheel but it is a family-friendly offering for all ages, essential in a market of comparatively limited local footfall even at the height of tourist season when you need to keep everyone happy. But where it gets really intriguing is the injection of a pronounced Mexi-Cali theme; native Californians, the Hillyards SoCal influences are evident in a special tacos section. It turns out Bill Hillyard also has a passion for premium tequilas and mezcal, a superb selection backboning a concise but muscular cocktail list. Oaxacan Dove Classic margaritas are a specialty but I opt for Oaxacan Dove, a house take on the Mexican Paloma, and it is absolutely smashing: Monte Alban Mezcal, 100% Agave Tequila, Grand Marnier, house-made grapefruit sherbet and fresh grapefruit juice. We order tacos, along with (very fine!) skinny fries and simple green salad but first up is a Mac and Cheese Bomb which SB has espied on the specials board, deep-fried breaded croquette of mac and cheese which rather tickles the mischievous SB, a proud Scot who guffaws at the cholesterol-scorning insouciance with which her national compatriots will deep fry any substance known to humanity as long as it fits in a fryer. Dredged in blue cheese dip, it is entirely shorn of subtlety but criminally addictive, though I restrict myself to one to preserve my appetite. Mac & Cheese Bomb SB has pounced on Ciu Ciu Piceno Bacchus, from a tight but intriguing list and fulsome, fruity Montepulciano, dark cherries with a hint of anise, is pleasant, easy quaffing. Good warmed corn tortillas are from Lily Ramirez-Forans Picado Mexican food store in Dublin, a promising start for the tacos. Baja fish taco is beer battered haddock, served with tangy Mexican crema, a cousin of sour cream, crunchy green cabbage slaw and perky house salsa. Carnitas taco is a sweet and savoury mouthful of tender pork confit, with a verdant, vibrant salsa verde, creamy guacamole and pickled red onions. Coliflor en Nogado taco Coliflor en Nogado taco, is steamed spiced cauliflower, with earthy black beans, cheesy walnut crema, shredded cabbage and pomegranate, and while cauliflower is flavourful, potent spicing and excessive steaming masks its primary essence and innate crunchy snap, which would have better anchored the swirling and varied complexities of this particular mouthful. As good as the fish taco, maybe even edging it, is the Carne Asada, grilled Walshs West Cork skirt steak, succulent with juicy umami, dressed with diced raw red onion, coriander, guacamole, and fiesty house salsa. Key Lime Pie Desserts are full-bore American diner, for the seriously sweet of tooth, dentist be damned. A mud pie special is long gone so we share key lime pie. Precisely rendered, delightful citric lime trilling through lush sweetness, it would be crack cocaine for any of my progeny, but a couple of mouthfuls is sufficient sugaring for this ageing palate. The big culinary beast in Baltimore these days is Dede, Ahmet Dede and Maria Archers superlative Michelin two starred restaurant that now draws guests from all over Ireland as well as the UK and around Europe. Many remain in the area for several days and after a blowout meal at Dedes are always in the market for good, well cooked tasty food and a lively atmosphere but without the Michelin bells and whistles. The Algiers Inn very much fits that bill and if you fancy topping off a fine evening of wining and dining with a tasting flight of top drawer tequilas, then The Algiers Inn is the only place around to fit that bill! The Verdict Food: 8 Service: 8 Value: 9.5 Atmosphere: 9 Fiachra McCarthy is a graphic designer with a focus on book and magazine publishing. Originally from Skerries in Dublin, he is now based in Fenit, Co Kerry. He has designed a range of book covers for publishers including Merrion Press, New Island, and Tramp Press. How did you get into book design? I studied graphic design in Athlone in the mid-90s and I got my first job in a design agency around 2000, then I moved to Hot Press as a graphic designer, where I met Lisa Coen, who was the typesetter. Years later, she started Tramp Press and she asked me to design the cover for one of their first books, A Struggle for Fame, a reissued novel [by Charlotte Riddell]. That was my first commission; I have done most of Tramp Presss books since. I stayed in magazine publishing for around 14 years, then got a corporate job. I lasted six months and quit to go freelance. That was seven years ago, and I would say book design has been about 50% of my work. Whats involved in designing a book cover? Generally, I would read the manuscript first but sometimes if you read the book, it can be overwhelming. What is more interesting to know is why did the editor or the publisher want this book out in the world. Getting them to talk about the book and asking questions can be a good way [of finding inspiration]. A really good example of that is the cover of Corpsing, by Sophie White, which is a haunted house with legs. Sarah Davis Goff of Tramp Press described it to me as a horror story but her body is the haunted house, and that was it. Sometimes it is as simple as that and sometimes it is not, there could be 20 drafts. The tendency is not to get authors involved until a late stage. I would try to have a chat early on and make them feel comfortable and then I dont talk to them until its done. There are so many books being published now, are covers more important? Its a much busier marketplace and Irish people read a lot. Everything is becoming more visual now. For example, with Emilie Pines book Notes to Self, if you went on Instagram and looked for the hashtag #notestoself loads of people were photographing the book, on a table with a cup of coffee, or holding it that was my first inkling of how important social media was. People connect with a book and want to be seen reading and sharing it. It is not just about the bookshelf in the shop any more. What do you like most about your job? It is a really good space to be creative in, Im very lucky that my clients are up for pushing it a bit. Friday is my design day, I make some coffee, put on some music, muck around, and see what comes out of it. I love when you get the package back and there is the physical object. That buzz has never left me. What do you like least? Im very lucky really. I suppose having to do my accounts. If I had to go back to when I was studying, I would be pretty happy if someone had told me that Id have my own office in Kerry, five minutes from my house and Id be designing book covers. Should book designers get more recognition? Publishers used to famously not credit designers but I do think that is changing, especially in the last 10 years, probably because of social media. I see big publishers launch stuff on Twitter and the first reply is who did the cover?. A big thing for me starting out was Tramp Press were always tagging me in their Instagram posts and on Twitter. That made a big difference when I started freelancing. Any particular favourites among the books that you have worked on? I really love The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls by Mona Elthawy. It is an illustration of Mona herself. Because she is so striking, you instantly just think, whats this about? I also got to do Paul Bradys book, Crazy Dreams, with Merrion Press, and that was great. Solar Bones with Tramp Press felt like a big shift in gears, that you can be a bit more subtle and people will respond. Should you judge a book by its cover? Absolutely. Theres tons of stuff I havent read but the covers are so class, I just put them on the shelves and look at them. One cover you wish you had designed? Theres a book called Monolithic Undertow [Harry Sword] about drone music, by White Rabbit Press. The cover is multi-coloured, but there is a tracing paper wraparound on the hardback that has the print on it, you can take it off and see the full image. I bought the hardback and I dont want to read it because Ill ruin it. Ill buy the paperback and read that. The murder of a Limerick priest killed in an unsolved case in the US is thought to have taken place during a drink-fuelled party in his motel room. Fr Patrick Ryan, 49, from Doon, was found naked, bound and beaten to death in his motel room in Odessa in Texas in December 1981. He had booked into the motel under the pseudonym John Killey. While three suspects who have been identified in the case are all deceased, police have now revealed to the Irish Examiner that further fingerprints which were found on beer cans in the room remain unidentified. An Apache Native American, James Reyos, was convicted in 1983 after he falsely admitted to the murder, before recanting. Odessa Police Department reopened the investigation into the murder recently following the identification of three suspects after fingerprints taken from the scene in 1981 found matches in the US national fingerprint system last year. The three Vietnam War veteran Bobby Collins, Gary Ehrman, and Charles Burkart are all since deceased. Ehrman was a guest in the motel on the night of the murder, while Collins and Burkart lived in Odessa. Collins was buried with military honours in 2012 and was the holder of two Purple Hearts, an honour given to those wounded or killed while serving with the US military. Further evidence about the 1981 murder of Fr Patrick Ryan in Texas came to light earlier this year. See link to this article below. Sergeant Scottie Smith of Odessa Police Department told the Irish Examiner: We still have some fingerprints in our case that are unidentified so we dont know who else was in that room. He said: There may have been a party in the room. He said there was considerable damage caused to the room on the night of the murder, including holes in doors, blood spatters on the walls, and the bed was broken. He said: The front of an air conditioner that was mounted on the wall was ripped off. It looked like it was a very violent struggle. No prior connection between the three identified suspects and Fr Ryan has been established. Police have established that a chalice, an accordion and personal items including his wallet were stolen in the incident. A decision is now awaited on a court application to have the conviction of James Reyos overturned by the Court of Appeal in Texas in the coming months. Mr Reyos met the Doon native three weeks before the murder when Fr Ryan gave him a spin when he saw him hitch hiking. Both lived in Denver City in Texas and met a number of times in the following three weeks. How the murder of Limerick priest Fr Patrick Ryan was reported in December 1981. Picture: Irish Newspaper Archive Mr Reyos, who is now 66 years old, says that Fr Ryan forced him to engage in oral sex when he visited his apartment a day before the murder in December 1981. He says he bears no grudge against the authorities in Texas for his conviction after he confessed to the killing in a drink and drug-fuelled moment 11 months after the murder. Florida-based ThreatLocker is charting new territory with its recent expansion into Dublin, Ireland. Adding 120 jobs to the Dublin suburb of Blanchardstown, the firm is preparing to cater to the increasing demand for stringent cybersecurity measures with the introduction of the EUs Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). The legislation entails stricter cybersecurity requirements for financial service providers, establishing a ripe market for ThreatLockers innovative solutions. We have ambitious targets for growth, and we aim to strengthen our foothold in the EMEA region and help businesses protect themselves from increasing cyberattacks, including ransomware, said ThreatLocker CEO and Co-Founder Danny Jenkins. Danny Jenkins Cybersecurity challenges have intensified with attacks becoming more sophisticated. ThreatLocker, established in 2017, plans to address this escalating concern through its strategic EU expansion, potentially saving businesses large sums of money spent mitigating cyberattacks. During a keynote presentation at the 2023 MSP Expo in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Jenkins discussed the evolution of security. From the advent of antivirus software, which provided a false sense of security, to the proliferation of malware with the rise of the internet, Jenkins highlighted the need for a redefined approach to cybersecurity. He emphasized that layers of protection antivirus, AI, and threat hunting do not necessarily provide sufficient protection. Instead, Jenkins advocated for a more robust approach. The best solution is to allow what you need and block everything else. If someone wants to introduce anything new, they request it, and you approve it, he stated. Jenkins went on to describe how ThreatLockers suite of products application Allowlisting, Ringfencing, storage control, elevation control, and endpoint network access control provide a more secure approach to blocking the exploits of unknown application vulnerabilities. In a live interview, Austin Hatter, MSP Sales Manager at ThreatLocker, revealed the companys new range of products and tools designed to further harden endpoints. Hatter emphasized the importance of being proactive and knowing what is attempting to infiltrate or block your system. If youre building a new home with great security, with pressure plates and heat monitors, but you forgot a lock for the doors or windows, its the control elements elsewhere, he explained. Hatter also mentioned the companys proactive support for partners, with resources such as customer-facing presentations, client-facing demos, and a white-glove onboarding approach. Their commitment to ensuring partners have everything they need extends to providing marketing, engineering, cyberhero support, and lunch-and-learn sessions with sales reps. Moreover, ThreatLockers recent acquisition of Thirdwall, a Connectwise plugin, was a strategic move to enhance their service offering. Currently rebranding it as Configuration Manager, the integration of this plugin with ThreatLockers products will provide added value for Connectwise partners. The company also announced its foray into Network Access Control (NAC), acknowledging the changing work patterns where network perimeters are dissolving as people work from multiple locations. The NAC agents, living on servers and endpoints, can change dynamically, providing an added level of security. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the role of companies like ThreatLocker becomes even more critical. Through their continuous product innovation, proactive partner support, and strategic expansion, ThreatLocker is poised to make a significant impact in the world of cybersecurity. MSPs come learn all you need to know about cybersecurity at MSP Expo, part of the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW Feb 13-15, 2024, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Aside from his role as CEO of TMC and chairman of ITEXPO, Rich Tehrani is CEO of RT Advisors and a Registered Representative with and offering securities through Four Points Capital Partners LLC (Four Points) (Member FINRA/SIPC). RT Advisors is not owned by Four Points. RT-Advisors continues its mission of assisting tech companies in M&A and capital raising using our unique tech media background and relationships to aid companies to optimally position themselves. In addition, as of late we have been increasingly assisting fast-growing tech companies in obtaining non-dilutive capital. Please let us know if we can be of assistance. The above is not an endorsement or recommendation to buy/sell any security or sector mentioned. No companies mentioned above are current or past clients of RT Advisors. The communications regulator has criticised phone companies for delays in tackling scams which continue to put Irish telephone users at serious risk from fraudsters. Comreg said consumers are being inconvenienced, confused, and threatened by the volume of scam calls and fraudulent texts they receive on a daily basis. It comes after Bank of Ireland warned that motorway toll scams are on the rise, amid fears that fraudsters could escalate efforts to dupe people by pretending to be from energy companies. Comreg made the comments in an update on how it is tackling scam calls and texts. In December 2021, it set up the Nuisance Communications Industry Taskforce to tackle this menace as data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) suggested a significant rise in fraud. The taskforce has overseen the development of measures to stop scammers getting through to Irish consumers, and the regulator said such efforts had blocked over 1m calls in March alone. One of these methods is fixed calling line identification (CLI) call blocking, which is when a call from abroad, but appearing to be coming from an Irish number, is blocked. Comreg said: When fully implemented, this intervention will block calls originating from abroad presenting with Fixed Irish CLIs, shutting the door on criminals who use this technique to defraud the Irish public. An implementation date of March 31 was proposed to the members of the taskforce, which includes the major telecoms providers. However, Comreg said that implementation has been slow. The providers who have brought it in include Three, Virgin Media, Tesco Mobile, and Eir. While the progress to date is encouraging, the delay in some quarters continues to put Irish telephone users at serious risk from fraudsters, it said. Clearly this is an undesirable situation. The regulator said it wants to roll out a similar solution for spoofed calls from mobiles with a target date of September. Ava Barry, daughter of Cork campaigner Vera Twomey, who fought a lengthy campaign to gain access to medicinal cannabis for her child, has died. Ava, 13, who had Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy which caused her to have daily catastrophic seizures, passed away in hospital on Friday, surrounded by her family. She had been hospitalised following a recent illness. In 2017, the then-health minister, Simon Harris, granted a licence for the use of medicinal cannabis by Ava. Vera, from Aghabullogue, Co Cork, had walked from Cork to Leinster House in Dublin twice in a bid to highlight her daughter's plight. Avas condition was so serious that it had previously pushed her into cardiac arrest and an eight-day coma. Vera gave numerous interviews over a three-year period in which she said she was desperate to gain access to THC to prevent her daughters severe epilepsy attacks. She also assisted other parents who were in similar positions to her. She published a book, For Ava, in 2019, in which she told of the struggles that her family experienced when her daughter was seriously ill. Ava Barry from Aghabullogue with her mum Vera Twomey and her dad Paul Barry in 2017. Picture: David Keane. Prior to obtaining medicinal cannabis, Ava was having up to 23 seizures in 26 hours. Vera said the seizures were terrifying experiences as she never knew if her daughter would come out of one intact. Vera previously said that her life prior to obtaining medicinal cannabis for Ava was one of constant stress, pain, and anxiety. In May 2017 she went to Spain to get a prescription from a consultant for medicinal cannabis for Ava. Customs officials confiscated the THC cannabis oil from Ms Twomey after questioning her after she got off a flight from Barcelona. She went to live in The Hague in the Netherlands in the latter half of 2017, where she again received a prescription of the drug for her daughter. At the time Ms Twomey said it was a relief to finally gain consistent access to the medication. THC has saved Avas life and changed her life and is the most humane form of medication, she said. Following her daughters death, Vera said that Ava is at peace now. Ava is survived by her parents and her siblings Michael, Sophia, and Elvera Mae. Take me back to those days of endless sunshine and leisure. In 2002, when we allegedly never had it so good, and five years later when the sun still shone but dark clouds crept above the horizon, two general elections took place. My abiding memory of both was the little diamond-shaped posters that appeared on lamp posts on the day and night before polling. Vote Fianna Fail. Pay Less Tax the legend whispered. Over the preceding weeks, Fine Gael had outdone the main party of government in promising to cut taxes and boost spending. And now, at the witching hour, the Soldiers of Destiny were letting you know that when the curtain comes up, it is they you can trust to apply fewer taxes. This week, we had a little reprise of such theatre, except these days the two parties are joined in a coalition. Three junior Fine Gael ministers penned a joint piece calling for a 1,000 reduction in tax for middle-income earners. These were members of a government stamping their feet six months before their government delivers a budget. Why didnt they just knock on Michael McGraths door and throw a few shapes his way? Some in Fianna Fail were outraged, not at the proposal itself but the strategy of airing it in order to claim credit down the line should it come to pass. McGrath dismissed the antics. Simon Coveney said there was no intention to upset anybody by it. (Were you upset? I couldnt stop crying). The whole palaver was juvenile, silly and indicative of a desperate attempt in Fine Gael to find something to call their own. If this is all that the party has to offer ahead of the next general election, they are in serious trouble. Some day there will have to be a grown-up conversation about tax. Last year, the Commission of Taxation and Welfare read the runes and declared that the country faces major sustainability challenges. Over time, the overall level of taxation as a share of national income will have to increase, it stated. In particular, the commission believes that there will have to be serious hikes in property and wealth taxes, including inherited wealth. This is simply to ensure that at a time of an ageing population and a creaking planet, we will be able to maintain stability and a modicum of social solidarity. On barstools around the country, there is a notion that we are already overtaxed in this country. The facts beg to differ. An analysis conducted by the Parliamentary Budget Office in the Oireachtas last August found that Ireland is a relatively low-tax country. Based on the percentage of gross income paid in direct taxes by households, Ireland ranked 18th-highest of 19 countries. Here, households paid 11.4% of gross income in taxes, compared to 38.4% in Denmark, 32.4% in Greece and 28.4% in Germany. This included a large cohort of workers who dont pay tax. The analysis found that low earners pay an effective rate of 16.7%, average earners 26.66% and high earners 36.02%. Ireland is not a high-tax country and conversation about taxation should begin to centre around how it should be designed to best suit the public interest now and into the future. 'Head in the sand' approach One small example of the prevailing head in the sand approach to these matters is inheritance tax. This is charged at 33% which is a reasonable toll. However, it doesnt kick in for the first 335,000. Take an average family of four who inherit their parents wealth, which, for the majority, if not large majority, would centre on the family home. Said home would have to have a market value in excess of 1.34m before a cent would be due in tax. Take into account also that the same home would have gone through a huge uplift in value in recent years on the basis of the property market and nothing else. Is that fair in a country where so many cant afford to even think of owning a home? Is it fair that our four inheritors are likely to be in their 40s, if not 50s, and among the demographic that is doing relatively well in the current environment? Yet very few want to talk about such unfairness. At one end, Fine Gael would characterise any move to lower the threshold as the march of communism. At the other end of the political spectrum, the comrades in People Before Profit believe the current arrangement to maximise intergenerational wealth is fine and dandy. Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein wont touch it because any such move would be unpopular among a small cohort which could make a loud noise. The tax that dares not speak its name did get a rare outing at the Labour Party conference last March when councillor Darragh Moriarty told the gathering that the current regime was unfair and even rotten. Nobody looks at the state of Irelands public services, housing, health care, transport, and thinks we need less investment, he said. Looking at inheritance tax as something to be evaded in some ways is wrong in my opinion. His observations are merely common sense. Intergenerational wealth is one of the great dividers in society so why shouldnt there at least be some fairness in the taxing of such wealth? In grown-up countries, there is an acceptance that tax is not a dirty word but a means to fund the requirements of democratic societies. Not so here. The local area property tax is another obvious example. It is a pittance compared to equivalent taxes in other democracies. We are experiencing a housing crisis in which one of the big divides is between those who own their own home and those who may never do so. Yet instead of a proper debate on how to fairly set rates for the tax, the only time it gets mentioned is in attempts to have it abolished. That is what Sinn Fein is promising to do whenever the party ascends to power. Is fairness to be determined exclusively in terms of how small sections of the electorate or even social media will react if genuine attempts are made to fashion a fairer society through the redistribution of wealth? Instead of any such conversation, we have the juvenile faffing about of junior ministers attempting to show their leader that they are the best boys and girls in the class. As with specific areas, such as third-level education and climate change, the approach to properly fund the state going into the future is merely viewed as something to be addressed after the next election. The problem with the never-never is that one day it will arrive, but todays politicians are secure in the knowledge that when the dreaded day arrives it will then be somebody elses problem. Long seen as EU-sceptics, Sinn Fein has been embarking on the Ferrero Rocher circuit in recent times in a bid to rebrand and push its policy among other European governments. A quiet but effective campaign of meeting ambassadors, forging relationships across parliaments in Europe, and making sure other governments are aware of what Sinn Fein in power would mean has been under way for some time. Its as much about personal relationships as anything, to have those types of contacts with ambassadors, but more crucially, I suppose, with the diplomatic corps that work behind them, one senior Sinn Fein source said. A key part of this strategy has been the appointment of former MEP Martina Anderson as Sinn Fein representative to Europe. Having served in Brussels, she already knows her way around the European institutions, but over the past 18 months, the Derry woman has been busy visiting some of the most exclusive residences in Dublin, tweeting out pictures with the likes of French ambassador Vincent Guerend and Italian ambassador Ruggero Corrias among others. Andersons background diplomacy in the leafy mansions of Dublins Ailesbury and Shrewsbury Roads hasnt gone unnoticed. Its exactly what we used to do and used to be good at, remarked one Fianna Fail member, who voiced concern that it is yet another area on which Sinn Fein now seems to be outpacing other parties. Following on from the work put in by Anderson, Matt Carthy has wasted no time in courting those who will carry his partys message back to Europe. Since taking up the foreign affairs spokesperson role last month, he has met with at least three ambassadors and intends to tick off more in the weeks and months ahead. This, along with a noticeable dilution of what had been core party policies, including the partys stance on the Special Criminal Court and more recently Pesco (the European Unions security and defence policy), is a clear indication of intent. Dampening expectations In preparing for government, Sinn Fein has been slowly dampening expectations. Mary Lou McDonald, for example, has previously said that it would take her government two terms to fix the housing crisis. The contribution of Carthy during a Dail debate on a new Consultative Forum on International Security Policy last week also sent out a signal of how much Sinn Fein would be prepared to do, or not do, on entering Government Buildings. Carthy warned that the approach taken by the current government on neutrality and international security could see Ireland entered into international agreements which successive governments would not be able to leave. It is clear that Sinn Fein is now dialling down some of its policies in anticipation of power while ramping up engagement with the types of people it will need in government. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald (left) and deputy leader Michelle O'Neill. Those in Sinn Fein say this new found level of interest works both ways, with embassies wanting to have discussions with party members, particularly to keep abreast of what has been happening politically in Northern Ireland but also because of the clear prospect of a Mary Lou McDonald-led government in Dublin in the not too distant future. A party source said: Theres an interest in terms of what our approach will be in government and also then I think theres an effort on our part, obviously, to build relations diplomatically to set out what our priorities will be." As part of her role, Anderson has also been mining her contacts to ensure McDonald gets invited into rooms across Europe and has welcomed numerous delegations from various parliaments to Dublin and Belfast. In March, the party briefed Spanish ambassador Jose Pascual Marco Martinez at Stormont, the same month as Sinn Fein members were meeting a delegation from the Danish European Affairs Committee in Leinster House. In her special envoy role, Anderson has taken trips to the Galician Parliament, attended the European Forum in Athens, and met with various MEPs in Brussels. Anderson said as taoiseach, McDonald would be sitting down with other governments leaders across Europe so its important that they would get to know Sinn Fein now. We take nothing for granted, but if you are to go by all of the opinion polls over the last two years, its very clear that Sinn Fein could lead the next government and Mary Lou will be Taoiseach. People are interested in our policies in that context. Unlike the 2020 election when Sinn Fein showed little to no real interest in actually forming a government despite massive electoral success, the importance now being placed on cementing alliances and relationships across the EU indicates that McDonald is serious when it comes to formation talks after the next national poll. Party message By focusing on ambassadors, McDonald is ensuring the party message filters out of Ireland and into government departments across Europe. In a clever move, Sinn Fein has made this work even easier for embassy staff by translating its Europe-focused newsletter into six languages along with English. Anderson has reached out to contacts across the continent to ensure her bulletin is available in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Danish, and Swedish. Her fourth newsletter went out this week and drops in between an international update that is also aimed at the US. I have a network of people who support Irish unity and I am getting a lot of support from people across continental Europe, she told the Irish Examiner this week when asked about the considerable effort it takes to translate the newsletter which goes out three times a year. What essentially is a Sinn Fein policy document and party update is then sent around the MPs and politicians across various parliaments, to civic society organisations, political parties, and ambassadors here. In Germany, the newsletter is sent to members of the German-Irish Parliamentary Friendship Group and to those who sit on the European Affairs Committee in the Bundestag. Another layer to this new level of communication and engagement is the focus on a future constitutional debate in relation to Irish unity, which a Sinn Fein government would be prioritising. On this, one senior member said: Obviously we wont be expecting any foreign governments to intervene in that referendum, but what we would be hoping for is a very clear indication of support for Ireland in any transition that takes place post that referendum. Some in the party will insist that Sinn Fein has always been outward looking and has enjoyed a particularly close relationship with the US for many years. So much so that Ciaran Quinn, who was involved with the party on this side of the Atlantic for many years and who sits on the Sinn Fein National Officer Board, has taken up the position of party director for North America. The desire to reach out to the diaspora was also seen in McDonalds trip to Australia last year. Some contacts have, of course, been forged down through the years, starting during the peace process as the party realised it needed international support to succeed and this increased again following Brexit. We have been in America for years, and Sinn Fein as a party has been in the EU parliament for years, but we havent really done the national parliaments or the capitals in the way which this project is reaching out, Anderson said. The allies and inroads Anderson, Carthy, and others in Sinn Fein make across Europe now will be key if McDonald ends up leading the next government. WE have serious issues in this country, chief among them a housing crisis for which no end is in short-term sight. Human rights experts, as reported in todays edition, have signalled mounting anti-refugee sentiment alongside this as it becomes more and more difficult for refugees to find accommodation. Homelessness highlighted again by Jack White in todays edition remains more endemic than it ever should in a developed society. To people who have escaped warzones and persecution, and to people who live with their families in hotel rooms across the country, the words of the Taoiseach and others that they are working on solving the problem are just that words. People have been warning of a tsunami of homelessness following the end of the eviction ban for months. Against that backdrop, how did something like renaming a library even come on the radar at Trinity College? Im referring to the announcement a few weeks back that it was going to change the name of its Berkeley Library because the 18th-century philosopher owned slaves. Now, slavery is always heinous, but throw a stone at a building that was named after somebody pre-2023 and youll hit a problem. Trinitys largest library was named in 1978 after George Berkeley, the world-renowned philosopher, and former librarian at Trinity. Picture: Trinity College Dublin The renaming was a bit of an easy win for the university, where George Berkeley was a librarian and published a number of key works in the 1700s. Berkeleys profile among the general public is quite low, and while the university said students had called on it to deal with the issue and I have no doubt the name was offensive to some Im sure most were oblivious about who the building was named after. It doesnt end at Trinity. You have to root through the UCC website to find out who the Kane Building was named after, for example, and the relevance of it being the first president of the university is lost on most. And I write as one who did an undergraduate and two postgraduate degrees in UCC and spent a lot of time in that building for lectures. The Kane Building at UCC. Trinity provost Linda Doyle said: George Berkeleys enormous contribution to philosophical thought is not in question. However, it is also clear that he was both an owner of enslaved people and a theorist of slavery and racial discrimination, which is in clear conflict with Trinitys core values. Well, I would hope that everybodys core values involve resisting racial discrimination. Given the reports today about anti-refugee and racist sentiment in the country, that seems more relevant than ever. It is not an unworthy move, but if Trinity was serious about making a stand against the misdeeds of the past, it would rename itself, because an institution name of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin doesnt sound inclusive to non-Christians. And what about Elizabeths Plantations legacy? I am being facetious. Slightly. Renaming a library is a hollow move given that our country has plenty of historic issues that it is nowhere close to resolving. I think here of the horrors to which this State and the Catholic Church subjected generations, but Im not suggesting rebranding either because its just cosmetic. There are certainly times and places when its appropriate. There was true, honest relevance to the protests and pulling down of statues in the US, where the legacy of slavery is very real to the people who live there. The problem is that everywhere you look there is something or somebody problematic. The Athenian philosophers and scientists had acres of free time on their hands because their economy was built on slavery. Cancel Plato! Some Neanderthals were cannibals lets strike them all from the record just to be safe. Never mind that they make up a sizeable portion of our DNA. Do you see how easy it is to get increasingly outlandish in this? How stupid would either of those ideas be. It is possible to retain a brand name while also acknowledging, confronting, and, where realistic, taking responsibility for past actions. I dont see a campaign to stop buying Volkswagen or Siemens products despite those companies legacy of using forced labour only 80 or so years ago. Ferdinand Porsche was in the SS. That doesnt make what previous iterations of what those companies did right. Rather they now stand for something else entirely (Volkswagen co-operated with a 1,000-page report into its past published back in the mid-1990s). What about literature? Mr Darcy in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice almost certainly made a chunk of his fortune from slave-worked estates in the Americas or Caribbean, whether indirectly or directly. My wifes students may do a double take when she tells them this, but nobodys saying ban the book. The now half-reversed edits to Roald Dahls opus and the overwhelming backlash to the plan show how people are able to tell the difference between present and past perspectives. Author Roald Dahl. Picture: PA A cutting problem for me, as a historian, is that any mutability of the past means the loss of opportunities to actually confront it, discuss it, and learn from it. History is not always beautiful. When a family friend, a history graduate, heard of somebody who didnt like history, she asked: Do they not like context?. Its time to stop paying lip service to the wrongs of history. Renaming buildings neither engages with nor resolves any issues caused by the individuals actions. Trinity is, at least, planning some sort of exhibit or commemoration to Berkeley which will reflect his slave-owning. But why not something more substantive, such as scholarships in post-colonial or race studies, where the real contexts and problems are critically engaged with? Or repurpose property to house people in desperate need? We can do better than changing the brand name on a building. Erasing the past just makes us forget it. We always need to remember it. David OMahony is 'Irish Examiner' assistant editor and a historian Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst and Francis Bacon are among the artists featured at Art and Soul at the five-star Castlemartyr resort this weekend. The international art and sculpture fair by Gormley's features 80 large pieces of outdoor sculpture and installations set throughout the 220-acre grounds plus 100 artworks on display in the hotel from Saturday, May 27, until June 18. Irish sculptors Patrick OReilly, Ian Pollock, Bob Quinn, Sandra Bell, Eamonn Ceannt, John Fitzgerald, Anthony Scott and Orla De Bri are among the line-up at the east Cork exhibition. Freedom from the Treadmill by Patrick O'Reilly. Freedom from the Treadmill, by Patrick O'Reilly, priced at 75,000, pictured, is one of the sculptures that will feature. All artworks will be on sale at prices from 1,000 to 450,000. This is the eighth edition of this event by Gormleys and the first to be held south of Dublin. ANTIQUE AUCTIONS Antique furniture, including a Killarney wood writing slope, a 19th-century boulle centre table and a Regency chest of drawers, art from Banksy to Graham Knuttel, books and collectibles including vinyl LPs and a vintage valve radio will feature at Aidan Foley's sale in Doneraile today (May 27). The auction features the estate of the late Archdeacon Gerard Casey and gets underway at 2pm. The catalogue with 471 lots is online. Two sets of Cork 11-bar chairs and an Irish Georgian mahogany dining table will lead the Lynes and Lynes auction in Carrigtwohill at 10am on May 27. The sale of 342 lots features the collection of the late Craig and Mary McKechnie of Rushbrookes and other lots. Pawnbrokers' unredeemed pledges will feature in the auction by Matthews in Kells tomorrow. There will be 450 lots of jewellery, gold and silver and 253 lots of antique furniture and collectibles. ONLINE ART SALE An off-the-wall online sale of affordable Irish art by Morgan O'Driscoll runs until next Tuesday evening, May 30. FRENCH CONNECTION Meanwhile, Come on the Dawn by Jack B Yeats made a hammer price of 241,300 at Sotheby's Irish art sale in Paris. The sale total for this auction of 50 lots was 875,919. The Three Moors by Sir John Lavery made 82,550, Gold Painting 36 by Patrick Scott made 76,200, The Road to Galway by Yeats made 57,150, A July Morn, Place du Tertre by Harry Kernoff made 50,800, A Blue Day in Autumn by William Leech made 44,450, An Indian Lady by Lavery made 38,100 and Ripples of Ulysses by Rowan Gillespie made 24,130. Tens of thousands of exhausted people are heading home to the worlds youngest country as they flee a brutal conflict in neighbouring Sudan. A bottleneck of men, women and children are camping near the border of Sudan and South Sudan, and the international community and the government are worried about a prolonged conflict. Fighting between Sudans military and a rival militia killed at least 863 civilians in Sudan before a seven-day ceasefire began on Monday night. Years of fighting between government and opposition forces in South Sudan killed almost 400,000 people and displaced millions until a peace agreement was signed nearly five years ago. Large-scale clashes between the main parties have subsided, but there is still fighting in parts of the country. South Sudan has billions in oil reserves that it moves to international markets through a pipeline that runs through Sudan in territories controlled by the warring parties. People who fled from Sudan sit outside a nutrition clinic in Renk, South Sudan (Sam Mednick/AP/PA) If that pipeline is damaged, South Sudans economy could collapse within months, said Ferenc David Marko, a researcher at the International Crisis Group. However, the most immediate concern is the tens of thousands of South Sudanese who are returning with no idea of how they will get home to their towns and villages. Many are unable to afford the trip, with aid groups and the government stretched for resources they can use to help. Some 50,000 people have crossed into the border town of Renk, many sheltering in stick huts along the road and in government buildings throughout the city. Some wander aimlessly in the market, desperately asking foreigners how to get home. People are arriving faster than they can be taken to new locations. The longer they stay, the greater the risk of fighting between communities, many with long-standing grievances stemming from the civil war. Many are frustrated because they do not know what lies ahead. At first, the local government wanted to divide the South Sudanese returning through Renk, based on their place of origin. Aid groups, however, pushed back. Together with the government and community leaders, the aid groups are engaging in peace dialogues. We are worried (about more violence), said Yohannes William, the chairman for the humanitarian arm of the government in Upper Nile state. The services that (are) being provided here, they are limited. We have been told that this is a transit centre, anyone who comes should be there two days or three days and then transit. But now, unfortunately, due to the delayment of transportation, they have been there for more than two weeks, three weeks. Vice President Kamala Harris is to become the first woman to deliver a commencement address at the US Military Academy, an institution that has made slow progress diversifying its ranks in the four decades since the first class of female cadets graduated. This year some 950 men and women are expected to take part in the graduation ceremony on Saturday in West Point, New York. Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters has spoken out after police in Berlin opened an investigation into a costume he wore when he performed in the German capital. Images on social media showed Waters firing an imitation machine gun while dressed in a long, black coat with a red armband. Police confirmed a probe was underway over suspicions the context of the outfit could constitute a glorification, justification or approval of Nazi rule and therefore a disturbance of the public peace. Once the investigation is over, the case will be handed to Berlin prosecutors, who will decide whether to pursue charges. Roger Waters performs at Barclays Arena in Hamburg, Germany, on Sunday May 7 2023 (Daniel Bockwoldt/dpa/AP) Waters rejected the accusations in a statement early on Saturday, saying the elements of my performance that have been questioned are quite clearly a statement in opposition to fascism, injustice, and bigotry in all its forms. He said attempts to portray those elements as something else are disingenuous and politically motivated. Waters has drawn ire for his support of the BDS movement, which calls for boycotts and sanctions against Israel. He has rejected accusations of antisemitism. Authorities in Frankfurt tried to prevent a concert there scheduled for May 28 but Waters challenged that move successfully in a local court. In Munich, the city council said it explored possibilities of banning a concert but concluded it was not legally possible to cancel a contract with the organiser. His appearance there on Sunday was accompanied by a protest attended by the local Jewish communitys leader. Last year, the Polish city of Krakow cancelled gigs by Waters because of his sympathetic stance towards Russia in its war against Ukraine. Pope Francis has resumed regular appointments a day after cancelling his schedule due to a fever. The pontiff held a number of private meetings, including with visitors from Georgetown University who were in town for a conference with a Jesuit-run journal, on Saturday. Francis was later seen on video arriving at the studios of the state broadcaster RAI to tape an interview, smiling animatedly at well-wishers outside. The Vaticans confirmation of the 86-year-olds fever sparked concerns about Franciss health. The last time he spiked a serious fever, in March, the pontiff was taken to hospital and diagnosed with acute bronchitis. He received intravenous antibiotics and was released three days later. The Vatican said the pope will preside over Pentecost Mass on Sunday and meet Italys president, Sergio Mattarella, on Monday. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called out Italian leader Giorgia Melonis stance on LGBTQ+ rights in a meeting Friday on the margins of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Obviously, Canada is concerned about some of the (positions) that Italy is taking in terms of LGBT rights, Trudeau told Meloni, who was visibly annoyed, according to multiple media outlets. But I look forward to talking with you about that, he added before the start of the meeting. Canadas leader restated this point in the official note issued after his bilateral with Meloni. G7 vs China: US, Europe unite in tough messaging against Beijing By Stuart Lau and Eli Stokols The leaders also exchanged views on the importance of protecting and defending human rights, including the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people, the communication read, referring to an acronym used by the government of Canada for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual. In her meeting with Trudeau, Meloni said that her government is following court decisions and is not deviating from previous administrations, according to the note. Trudeaus comments echo domestic critics of Meloni, who accuse her right-wing government of seizing on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and migration to stoke divisions. In Italy, the Meloni government closed a legal loophole in January that allowed mayors and municipal officials the power to grant legal guardianship for same-sex parents. This move was prompted by a verdict from the high court ruling that the recognition of same-sex parents can only be guaranteed if the child is adopted. The Italian governments actions were widely condemned by the opposition in Rome and by international institutions including the European Parliament, which backed an amendment in March calling the action discriminatory. Burma Myanmar Junta Troops Torch 10 Magwe Villages in Two Days Sin Te village in Yesagyo Township, Magwe Region, after the regime attack on May 26. / Yay Lal Kyun News Myanmar junta troops torched 10 villages in two days in Yesagyo Township, Magwe Region, killing a woman and injuring a child with reports of further deaths expected. Around 200 junta troops raided the border with Myaung Township in Sagaing Region on Friday morning after shelling the area. A mother of two, Daw Khin Aye Po, 38, from Mi Pha Yar village was killed and a 12-year-old in Mae Kone village was injured, according to Yay Lal Kyun Peoples Defense Force. Ko Nway Oo, leader of the Civilian Defense and Security Organization of Myaung resistance group, told The Irrawaddy that a child from Mae Kone and an elderly woman and two others from Hlay Khoke village were also reportedly killed on Friday. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports. On Friday, the junta torched five villages, including Nwet Ni, Mi Pha Yar and Sin Te, displacing residents across the area. Many civilian houses and a clinic in Nwet Ni were burned down, according to the Yay Lel Kyun information page. The levels of destruction are unknown because junta troops remain in the area, Ko Nway Oo said. On Saturday morning, regime soldiers burned down five more villages in the area. Ko Nway Oo said he heard reports of around 700 displaced villagers in need of food. Troops occupied a Myaung village school run by the civilian National Unity Government for a night and destroyed it when they left. Sagaing and Magwe regions are resistance strongholds that have suffered the heaviest damage, with regime forces committing daily arson attacks on civilian homes. By February, Sagaing Region had reported around 47,778 houses torched, followed by Magwe Region, which had lost an estimated 9,019 civilian buildings to junta arson attacks, according to the independent research group Data For Myanmar. Myanmars Crisis & the World Japan-ASEAN Center Supports Myanmar Juntas Trade and Tourism Ministries: Report Junta forces during a crackdown on anti-military regime protesters in Yangon on February 27, 2021. / The Irrawaddy The Tokyo-based ASEAN-Japan Center for Trade, Investment and Tourism has funded Myanmar juntas investment and tourism ministries, according to Justice For Myanmar (JFM). Leaked documents and public sources reveal a grant to the junta-controlled Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations for a capacity-building program, the activist group reported. The 2022-23 grant financed at least one event held in March opened by EU-sanctioned junta minister Kan Zaw, the group stated on Friday. The center refused to reveal the size of the grant to JFM. The center, which represents the governments of Japan and each ASEAN member, including Myanmar, is accused of legitimizing the junta, encouraging business engagement and building the capacity of junta staff through several initiatives working with its ministries. Myanmar is represented on the council by Soe Han, the juntas ambassador to Japan, it said. The center also has an active partnership with the juntas Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and is supporting regime attempts to promote tourism, JFM said. It provides the junta with legitimacy and a source of foreign revenue, the group said. ASEAN and Japan are celebrating 50 years of friendship and cooperation. JFM spokeswoman Ma Yadanar Maung said the anniversary shows ASEAN and Japans friendship with Myanmar is with the illegitimate junta, not the people who are being slaughtered in relentless attacks. Without an immediate end to ASEAN and Japans support for the junta, the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations will be forever tarnished with the blood of Myanmars people, Ma Yadanar Maung added. The ASEAN-Japan Centers activities with the military junta support its illegal and failed attempt to gain control of Myanmar and embolden its ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity, said Ma Yadanar Maung. The tourism ministry has organized regular training and seminars supported by the center and with junta minister Htay Aung, aimed at promoting Japanese tourism in Myanmar. In January 2022, the center supported Japanese culinary skills training, opened by Htay Aung and the centers secretary general, Kunihiko Hirabayashi. In late 2022 and early 2023, Htay Aung and center staff opened seminars for service providers for Japanese tourists in Bagan and Kalaw, which were featured in junta propaganda. The civilian National Unity Government (NUG) has made clear calls against tourism in Myanmar. In November 2021, the NUGs minister for planning, finance and investment U Tin Tun Naing told Singapores Straits Times that the people of Myanmar are being killed and raped and their houses destroyed. This is not a time for sightseeing, U Tin Tun Naing said. The center has also worked with the juntas Ministry of Commerce to promote market access to Japan. A workshop was held in January in Naypyitaw and promoted in junta propaganda, said JFM. The workshop was opened by the ministrys permanent secretary, Min Min, and Yuka Kubota, a senior executive at the center. JFM called on the center to remove the junta from its council and end all trade and tourism support. Junta Watch Junta Watch: Paranoia Deepens With Foreign Meddling Law; Chinese Products Flood Naypyitaw Expo; And More Min Aung Hlaing views the chariot of Bayinnaung, considered one of the greatest kings of Myanmar, at Kanbawzathadi Palace in Bago on May 22. / cincds Juntas xenophobia hits new level Diplomatically isolated, the xenophobic military regime is now concocting a law it says is intended to prevent infiltrators backed by foreign countries from interfering in Myanmars political, security, economic, and cultural sectors. The regime has formed a 19-member committee to draft the law on foreign and international organizations. Led by deputy police chief Major-General Aung Naing Thu, the committee consists of officials from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Defense, Legal Affairs, Commerce, and other government departments. The regime said the committee will study legal practices regarding foreign and international organizations used by ASEAN neighbors and other countries, to come up with a legal framework that suits Myanmar. The law is intended to prevent operatives from manipulating the countrys affairs with financial and other assistance from foreign powers, it added. Junta ministers have meanwhile been asking government employees serving abroad to swear allegiance to the country. Also, the junta-appointed election commission demands that political parties seek its approval before meeting with foreigners or representatives of foreign organizations. Myanmar-China expo held amid rising anti-Beijing sentiment Despite the wave of anti-China protests that followed the Chinese foreign ministers visit to Myanmar early this month, the regime and Beijing have gone ahead with the Myanmar-China (Lancang) Economic Expo at the Myanmar International Convention Center from May 25-28. Attending the Naypyitaw expo are junta deputy PM and planning and finance minister Win Shein, who is also the vice chair of the steering committee for implementation of tasks related to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, as well as ministers Aung Naing Oo and Ko Ko Hlaing. Also joining the event is Chinas ambassador to Myanmar, Chen Hai, along with hundreds of Chinese businesspeople. Beijing has major investments in Myanmar and is backing the military regime with not just trade but also diplomatic and military support. China is using the expo to showcase instant foods, electronics, and kitchen utensils. Myanmars exhibits are limited to jade and gems a testament to the military regimes pathetic trading skills. Min Aung Hlaing rejuvenates birthplace of 2008 Constitution Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing paid a visit on Saturday to Nyaungnabin in Yangons Hlegu Township, where Myanmars current constitution was drafted. It was his second visit since the coup. The village hosted the National Convention, also known as Nyaungnabin Convention, which drafted the countrys third charter, the 2008 Constitution. Drafted between 2004 and 2007 on the instructions of then-military dictator Than Shwe, the constitution was designed to maintain the militarys grip on power after the country embarked on its democratic transition. It was ratified in a national referendum held a few days after parts of the country were devastated by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, with a death toll estimated at over 100,000. During his first visit in June last year, Min Aung Hlaing described the buildings in which the 2008 Constitution was drafted as being of historic importance for the country. Finding that the main building was crumbling and overgrown with vegetation, the junta boss called for proper maintenance to ensure its preservation for posterity. After major renovation work, the buildings now look new. To Min Aung Hlaing, the buildings no doubt have value since they secure the generals grip on government and business. But to Myanmars people, the name Nyaungnabin symbolizes nothing more than the militarys inhumanity, greed, and hunger for power. Saturday, May 27th, 2023 (12:01 am) - Score 3,312 The UK Governments Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has today revealed their progress and learnings from the first phase of the 6.2m Fibre in Water trial, which aims to test the deployment of fibre optic (FTTP) broadband cables through a live water mains (used for drinking water). The original trial (details), which started a year ago and is due to run for 2 years, planned to run fibre through 17km of live drinking water mains between Barnsley and Penistone (Yorkshire). In theory, this could then be used to help monitor the network for leakages, provide capacity to nearby 5G mobile masts and spread the coverage of gigabit broadband to an estimated 8,500 rural homes and businesses along the route, with little need for costly street works. The first phase of the project (Project TAWCO) supported by a consortium of Yorkshire Water, Commsworld, Arcadis and the University of Strathclyde has now completed and was broadly focused on researching the legal and safety aspects of the plan, as well as some survey work. Overall, theyve been successful is developing a workable commercial model between the two industries, but there were a few issues along the way. For example, the survey work found that a relatively high number of private landowners along the route needed to be negotiated with and compensated for access. As a result of that, and other issues, TAWCO ended up proposing a more direct route with only 8km of Fibre in Water. This reduced the risk and cost, but the number of premises expected to benefit has been reduced a little to 7,000. A decision on whether to proceed to the next build and design phase of the project is expected to be taken between now and June 2022. The report, which was exclusively shared with ISPreview, has been summarised below by DSIT. NOTE: The following article is a special Guest Editorial for ISPreview.co.uk, which has been written by DSIT to summarise the outcome of Phase 1. The views of this piece stem from DSIT and may not represent those of this website. The Concept Fibre-optic cables would be deployed through live drinking water mains to monitor for leakage. Broadband companies could then gain access to the network to deliver gigabit-capable connections to homes and businesses along its route. The concept involves putting the fibre cables into messenger pipes. These pipes will protect the cables and make sure they dont touch the water. The installation is done whilst the pipes are in service and operating under normal pressures. This allows the water flow to be used to deploy an initial draw line, which is then used to pull the messenger pipe into the water mains. The fibre optic cable is blown into the messenger pipe to complete the installation. The Project Objectives HM Treasury approved the Fibre in Water project to spend ca. 6.2m through the Shared Outcomes Fund over 3 years (2021/22 to 2023/24) to pilot and facilitate delivery of advanced broadband and mobile services via drinking water mains. This project is led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and supported by the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Geospatial Commission. The project has initially focused on rural locations, with five key objectives: Connecting the hardest to reach areas of the UK with advanced fixed and mobile services (gigabit, 4G, 5G), supporting the Project Gigabit and Shared Rural Network; Reducing the amount of clean water leakage from the water mains (c. 3bn litres a day, around 20% of all clean water); De-risking the withdrawal of the Public Switched Telephone Network and 2G/3G from the water industry which is starting in 2021 and will be completed by 2025; and Supporting digital transformation of the UK water industry. Supporting the Geospatial Commissions National Underground Asset Map (NUAR). However, this project has its challenges. Bringing two separately regulated industries safely together in one pipe is complex. It means that a number of bodies (e.g. DSIT, Defra, Geospatial Commission,) need to be receptive and accommodating to ensure regulatory frameworks enable this at a cost that makes sense. Award process A grant competition was launched on the 9th August 2021 and closed after eight weeks on the 4th October 2021. Ultimately, a consortium was selected (Project TAWCO Telecoms and Water Combined Operations), consisting of a water company (Yorkshire Water), a telecoms operator (Commsworld), a research organisation (University of Strathclyde) and a Design & Engineering Consultancy (Arcadis). TAWCO proposed a route from Barnsley to Penistone, designed to properly put the operational and commercial models to the test. Project structure The project is set up with a three-phase approach: Phase 1. Research and Investigation (getting the right technical, commercial, legal, maintenance and benefits structure in place before deployment) gateway decision for the project and Government before moving to Phase 2 and 3. Phase 2. Design and Build (deploying and final design of the solution before data collection and benefits start accruing). Phase 3. Evaluation and Potential Scale Up (analysing the results from Phase 2 to see if it is worth pursuing this solution on a national level). Activity and Lessons Learnt We are now reaching the end of Phase 1. So, what has been done and what has this activity revealed? The project has successfully developed a workable commercial model between the two industries, and broad agreement on ownership and asset management of fibre in water. A commercial model has been developed to show that fibre in water is an investible opportunity, providing benefits to both industries and their customers. This method of installing fibre optic networks is a viable alternative to other methods such as PIA in the right location. The sensitivities to the commercial model are identified, and crucially include the number of valves along the water pipe. The market for fibre in water technology and monitoring software is expanding in Europe, and more suppliers are now looking to gain approval for their solutions in the UK. Competition in this area will motivate further technical improvements and drive prices down, improving the cost benefit ratio of deployment. Obviously, the regulatory landscape has had to be considered. The Telecoms market is competitive and Fibre in Water could be one more method of getting broadband services to homes and businesses and that is good for competition and ultimately consumers. The water sector in England and Wales is highly regulated, due to its structure i.e. a number of regional monopoly companies. Responsibility for regulatory compliance in the water sector sits with the water companies and the project team have been looking into regulatory issues as part of the project. For the project to be possible, the materials and method of the physical installation needs to be approved by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) under section 31 of The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 on advice from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). The purpose of this regulation is to provide control over the use by water suppliers of substances and products that come into contact with drinking water to ensure that they do not cause the water supply to be unwholesome. It is the responsibility of the water supplier to ensure that products used in the production, supply and distribution of drinking water are appropriately approved, or meet the requirements before introducing them into the water supply and that appropriate risk assessments are undertaken throughout the process. The Consortium has also considered the practical implication of installation along its proposed route e.g. the number of valves, pipe diameter and material, and the extent to which permission to access private land needs to be obtained. The original route looped from Barnsley to Penistone via Ingbirchworth water treatment works. However, the surveys along the route revealed the presence of Asbestos Concrete (AC) water mains. This creates a risk to carrying out under pressure connections that are required to install the fittings for entry/exit of the fibre in water solution due to the characteristics of AC pipe dimensions and material, as well as additional cost. The survey process also revealed the relatively high number of private landowners along the route that need to be negotiated with and compensate for access under the Telecoms Code, with the associated cost and risk to gaining access. Consequently, TAWCO considered a number of alternative routes and ultimately proposed a more direct route with 8 kms of Fibre in Water which reduces risk and cost but maintains the substantive benefits. Next steps A gateway to decide whether Project TAWCO moves to Phases 2 (Build, Operate and Initial Review) and 3 (Knowledge Transfer and Final Evaluation) will be undertaken by DSIT and other government partners. Project TAWCO will also follow its governance. Both involve various boards and assessing the project deliverables against prescribed gateway criteria. This process is expected to take place between April and June 2023. According to Comic Book Resources, Arnold Schwarzenegger has only one condition for becoming a member of the Marvel cinematic universe. In the early days of the Marvel cinematic universe, the studio went out of its way to cast celebrated actors to help bolster the brand's legitimacy. It's easy to forget how big of a deal it was that Anthony Hopkins signed up to play Odin in the first Thor film. Or, if we want to go even further back, how unbelievable it was to read about the original Iron Man cast during pre-production. Nowadays, Marvel's brand is infinitely bigger than any actor the studio could sign for any role. Where Marvel first sought legitimacy from established Hollywood vets, the studio now propels young actors into an A-list career almost overnight. However, even though Marvel doesn't need to snag big names anymore, the studio is always open to bolstering its ranks with more star power. I mean, The Eternals did nab Angelina Jolie, after all. Who knows, maybe Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't that far out of reach? An engraving of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton could illustrate an encyclopedia entry about everything wrong with American politics. He's been indicted for eight years on charges of securities fraud, using his elected office to keep prosecutors at bay. He's notoriously corrupt, even as he affects a pose of religiosity and propriety. He's a conspiracy theorist and a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He's so repulsive even his own party is now trying to impeach him. The House convened in the afternoon to debate whether to impeach and suspend Paxton from office over allegations of bribery, abuse of public trust and that he is unfit for office just some of the accusations that have trailed Texas' top lawyer for most of his three terms. In opening statements, Rep. Charlie Geren, a member of the committee that investigated Paxton, said the attorney general had called lawmakers and threatened them with political "consequences." As the charges against Paxton were read, some lawmakers shook their heads. Impeachment is expected to be debated for four hours, followed by closing remarks and the vote. Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations that he used his office to help a donor and was separately indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015, though he has yet to stand trial. Until this week his fellow Republicans have taken a muted stance on the allegations. Remarkable that something might be done about Paxton despite the extreme partisanship and in-group obedience of the GOP. Now that they've started, though, if they can't get rid of him, it signals that there's really no restraint or moderation on political corruption. If the courts can't put him inside and his own party can't push him outside, what's left? In commemorating Miles Davis's birthday on May 26, 1926, Reconsidering Cinema posted this stacked split-screen video of Davis scoring Elevator To The Gallows to Twitter. Elevator To The Gallows (1958) score was composed and performed by Miles Davis in a one session recording while he watched a screening of the film. He took notes while watching the rough cut and then invited 4 fellow musicians without preparation to record it in one go. Genius. pic.twitter.com/IKrZciBvOB Reconsidering Cinema (@coenesqued2) May 26, 2023 The "Elevator To The Gallows (1958) score was composed and performed by Miles Davis in a one-session recording while he watched a screening of the film. He took notes while watching the rough cut and then invited 4 fellow musicians without preparation to record it in one go. Genius." For a slightly longer video without the stacked screen, click here. In French with English subtitles, Elevator To The Gallows featured "Blonde-tressed Jeanne Moreau and ex-paratrooper lover Maurice Ronet scheme to murder her husband by faking a suicide, but a forgotten rope, a leather-jacketed young punk car thief (Georges Poujouly, the boy of Clement's FORBIDDEN GAMES), and a malfunctioning ascenseur conspire to complicate their plans, and then flics Lino Ventura and Charles Denner turn up the heat." The name of the film itself is a contested topic. As reported in The New European, "Nobody's even sure what to call it. In French, it's Ascenseur pour l'echafaud, which translates as Lift to the Scaffold. That then translates into Elevator to the Gallows in America. But on its original US release, the film was called Frantic, to which title Roman Polanski paid homage in his 1988 Paris thriller, starring Harrison Ford and Emmanuelle Seigner. For a deeper dive into the story behind the "live-score" and the "Co-opting [of] a black American music idiom to accompany French film, check out "The enduring legacy of Miles Davis's coolest mood music" by Jason Solomons. The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus has taken over an entrepreneurship program initially brought to the area two years ago by a Massachusetts-headquartered nonprofit group. EforAll opened a Buffalo office in May 2021, and initially ran the program, but the medical campus led the effort to break it away from its national arm earlier this year. The medical campus helped bring EforAll to the market but after working with the group for a year-and-a-half, decided it made more sense to launch the next phase in-house to help make the program more Western New York-centered. That, officials believed, would make it more appealing to potential entrepreneurs, as well as program investors. The locally run venture, called Innovation Community Success, is run by the same person who headed EforAll Juweria Dahir, who now is the medical campus' director of innovation and entrepreneurship. The program hasn't changed since the transition, but having more of a local presence has served to entice investors from the area who were initially skeptical of EforAll's future in Buffalo. Now they know the program isnt going anywhere, Dahir said. KeyBank was an original program investor in 2021 helping bring EforAll to Buffalo and M&T Bank committed $300,000 to support the program the next year, but there were some investors that didnt buy in initially, Dahir said. IC Success is offered at no cost to entrepreneurs thanks in large part to funding from donors. And the expanding entrepreneurial and startup space has created more competition for these funding dollars. The entrepreneurship program just graduated its third cohort earlier this month the first under the umbrella of the medical campus. Everything we did with EforAll just really made us better, Dahir said. But I saw the value in keeping things in-house. People have this Buffalo pride, so to say this is a local organization, not a new company that came in, I think people really appreciate that. IC Success is intended to provide support to aspiring entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and underrepresented communities looking to start or grow a business that will ensure the continuing economic resurgence of Western New York. A business accelerator program and pitch contest are both offered by the medical campus. The accelerator program is a yearlong entrepreneurship course that includes business classes, mentorship and funding opportunities. The pitch contests are opportunities for entrepreneurs to present their business ideas to a panel of judges and win up to $1,000 and get feedback on their idea. Im excited that the work is still going on, Dahir said. I think its inspiring. It benefits and improves the community by giving people the tools to start a business in their own communities. Fifteen Buffalo entrepreneurs showcased their companies over three nights in April with up to $11,000 in funding on the line as part of the accelerator program. Each gave a 10-minute presentation about their business idea and services bring offered, and then answered questions from the audience and a panel of judges at the Innovation Center on Ellicott Street in Buffalo. The latest cohort of the business accelerator began with classes where participants learned from experts in the community teaching the nuts and bolts of starting and running a business and ways to market and accelerate their ideas. The entrepreneurs are taught everything from insurance and legal matters to customer segmentation. Mentorship is a key component of the program. There are 45 mentors per cohort, and they offer advice, solutions and connections to the entrepreneurs. Eric Flynn of Living Icons, which creates figurines for podcasters and influencers to sell to their audiences, said he was not connected at all to the entrepreneurial community, so it was key to get intertwined in that through the program. These are people that have been in my same shoes and grown their business, so its been great to connect with those people, said Flynn of East Amherst, who also makes Bills fans figurines under the brand name Tailgate Mafia. To get the foundational pieces that you need to have a successful business, it gave us the tools we needed to get us a solid structure for our business so we can move forward. He and his business partner won $3,000 in seed money from the contest in April and will use it to build out a website to increase their clientele and process orders. The program already helped them connect with people theyd be selling to, helping validate their idea. We now have a clear picture of what the future looks like for us, Flynn said. We feel confident in our business structure. The program has supported about 200 local businesses so far since launching as EforAll two years ago. The first cohort finished in winter 2021-22 and the next one finished in the summer of 2022. The application deadline for the fourth cohort is June 9, with classes starting in September. Its not just about creating equal opportunities; its about unlocking the specific potential of every dreamer and then giving them the tools to turn that vision into reality, Dahir said. I feel as an organization were empowering individuals regardless of their background and circumstances. A Masterclass from Tarantino and a Parade of Aging Maestros at Cannes The final days of the worlds biggest film festival have seen the red carpet rolled out for veteran filmmakers including two-time Palme dOr winner Ken Loach, previous victors Wim Wenders and Nanni Moretti, and Italian director Marco Bellocchio, whose Kidnapped became a leading contender for the top prize this year. Quentin Tarantino, who won the Palme in 1994, also made an appearance, discussing violence in movies, as long as animals dont suffer. This years Cannes event has seen an increase in African films and the number of women directors competing for the Palme dOr. Italys Alice Rohrwacher won the contest with her movie La Chimera, featuring Italian tomb raiders hunting ancient graves for artefacts to sell. Meanwhile, Catherine Breillats Last Summer, a French erotic thriller, dealt with the impact of a womans relationship with her stepson. However, the festival also showcased a host of long-established stars including Martin Scorsese, making his 15th attempt to win the Palme dOr with The Old Oak, about an English pub battling to stay in business amid the arrival of Syrian refugees. Further veterans included 77-year-old Wim Wenders, whose Perfect Days was considered a hit, while Morettis A Brighter Tomorrow received mixed reviews. Period dramas formed a key theme of this years festival, with offerings ranging from Maiwenns curtain-raiser Jeanne du Barry, with Johnny Depp starring as French king Louis XV; Karim Ainouzs Firebrand, featuring Alicia Vikander as the last of Henry VIIIs six wives; and Jonathan Glazers Auschwitz-set The Zone of Interest, exploring the life of a German officer stationed at the camp. Marco Bellocchios Kidnapped is based on the true story of Edgardo Mortara, a young Jewish boy taken from his parents and raised in the Catholic faith. The Sudanese army has called for retired soldiers and reservists to rejoin the military as they struggle against a paramilitary group, while also requesting the United Nations replace its current envoy to the country. The move to have former soldiers present themselves at military bases appears to be aimed at boosting the armys numbers in its fight against the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary, which could prolong the conflict despite truces. Meanwhile, the request to the UN is believed to be tied to the political transition to civilian rule promoted by the current envoy, an idea that not all members of the army support. The ongoing conflict has caused widespread displacement and damage to critical infrastructure. The Sudanese army has issued a call for retired soldiers and reservists to rejoin the military as they struggle against the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group. This move appears to be aimed at boosting the armys numbers in its fight against the paramilitary, which could prolong the conflict despite truces. The ongoing conflict has caused widespread displacement and damage to critical infrastructure, making it difficult for civilians to access basic services such as clean water and healthcare. In addition to calling for former soldiers to rejoin the military, the Sudanese army has also requested that the United Nations replace its current envoy to the country. The request is believed to be tied to the political transition to civilian rule promoted by the current envoy, an idea that not all members of the army support. The conflict in Sudan has been ongoing for years, with various groups vying for power and control over resources. The Rapid Support Forces paramilitary is just one of many groups involved in the conflict, which has caused significant harm to civilians and critical infrastructure. As the conflict continues, it is clear that a political solution is needed to bring about lasting peace and stability. The call for former soldiers to rejoin the military may help boost the armys numbers in the short term, but it is unlikely to bring about a lasting solution to the conflict. Ultimately, the international community must work together to support the Sudanese people in their efforts to build a stable and prosperous future. This will require a sustained commitment to diplomacy, peacebuilding, and development, as well as a willingness to hold those responsible for human rights abuses accountable for their actions. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More A Rochester woman has pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to two counts of simple assault for her attack on two fellow passengers aboard an airplane last year, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. On April 19, Cynthia McKnight, 24, was a passenger on an American Airlines flight from Buffalo Niagara International Airport to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, federal prosecutors said. After the aircraft's doors were closed in preparation for departure, McKnight made her way to the front of the plane and got into a verbal altercation with one passenger and spat on another. The aircraft returned to the gate as a result of the incident. McKnight attempted to exit the plane while it was still in motion on the ground, pushing a flight attendant who was trying to prevent McKnight from opening a door on the aircraft. McKnight, however, was able to open the door of the plane, which deployed its emergency slide, allowing her to exit, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. McKnight faces a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $5,000 fine when sentenced by Vilardo on May 16. High alert for Serbian border police as ethnic clashes break out in Kosovo. The border between Serbia and Kosovo saw Serbian troops on high alert after clashes inside Kosovo between police and ethnic Serbs left more than a dozen injured. Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, who are a majority in that area, tried to block newly-elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings on Friday. Kosovo police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and let the new officials into the offices, while several cars were set on fire. The clashes prompted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to put the army on its highest state of alert and ordered an urgent movement of troops closer to the border. The United States condemned Kosovos government for forcibly entering the municipal buildings. Tens of thousands of people gathered in Belgrade to support the government in the wake of two mass shootings that killed 18 people and wounded 20 others earlier in the month. Vucic has previously warned that Belgrade would respond to violence against Serbs and has stepped up combat readiness several times during similar moments of tension with Kosovo. Local elections were held in four Serb-dominated communes in northern Kosovo after Serb representatives left their posts last year. The Kosovo-Serbia dispute continues to be a concern for the US and the EU as the conflict in Ukraine continues. NATO stopped Serbias crackdown on Kosovo in 1999, and the international community has recognised Kosovos independence except for Serbia, Russia, and China. (AP) Sudans Ceasefire Conditions See Improvement in Recent Reports from Saudi Arabia and the US Saudi Arabia and the United States confirmed on Friday that the conflicting parties in Sudan are observing the new weeklong cease-fire more closely, following days of sporadic fighting. The cease-fire was brokered by Riyadh and Washington and came into effect on Monday. However, fighting continued in Khartoum, Sudans capital, and in the western Darfur region. The joint statement by the two mediators revealed that particularly brutal battles occurred on Wednesday. The Sudan conflict materialised midway through April after months of rising tension between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has resulted in at least 863 civilian fatalities, including 190 children, according to recent data from the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate. This is the seventh time a cease-fire has been attempted after the other six were breached. A new cross-party committee was established to monitor possible breaches, and on Wednesday observed use of artillery and military aircraft and drones, credible reports of air strikes, sustained fighting in Khartoum and Darfur. According to the joint statement, humanitarian missions could deliver urgently needed medical supplies to several locations in Sudan on Thursday amid reported calmness. Additionally, the statement indicated that efforts were underway to resume telecommunications services in Khartoum and other areas of the country. On Friday, Khartoum inhabitants reported only sporadic gunfire. However, the Sudan TV broadcast a statement later in the day by the Defence Ministry, calling on all retired soldiers and citizens capable of fighting to head to the nearest military command to arm themselves for self-protection, but it did not specify why. Looting has significantly increased across many Khartoum districts over the past six weeks, and they are also without water and electricity. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned of potential sanctions on both parties if they disobeyed the latest cease-fire rules. The UN reports that over a million Sudanese have been displaced internally, with approximately 300,000 fleeing to neighbouring countries. The conflict has brought the East African country to the brink of Total System Failure, with urban parts of Khartoum and its surrounding city of Omdurman deteriorating into battlegrounds. Late Thursday, the World Food Programme reached over half a million people with food and nutrition support across nine Sudanese states, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Riyadh and Washington called on the Sudanese military and the RSF to adhere to the cease-fire. (AP) Chinese citizens who live and work in Florida have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a law recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis restricting any foreign principal from China or six other countries of concern from purchasing property in the state. The suit contends that the law, set to go into effect on July 1, will codify and expand housing discrimination against people of Asian descent in violation of the U.S. Constitution and Fair Housing Act. The federal lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee division. The ACLU of Florida and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund filed the lawsuit in coordination with the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance on behalf of four citizens of the Peoples Republic of China who lawfully reside in Florida, as well as Multi-Choice Realty, a real estate brokerage that primarily serves Chinese and Chinese American clients. The complaint lists Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, acting Florida Secretary of the Department of Economic Opportunity Meredith Ivey, and Florida Real Estate Commission Chair Patricia Fitzgerald as defendants. Their agencies are charged with enforcing the law. The legislation (SB 264) restricts ownership of real estate by Chinese buyers and individuals from the other countries of interest within 10 miles of a military installation or critical infrastructure, with some exceptions. Foreign principals who already own property within those zones must register with the Florida departments of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Economic Opportunity. Failure to file a timely registration is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each day the registration is late and may result in a lien being placed on the property for unpaid penalties. The House language was co-sponsored by Miami Republican David Borrero and Palm Beach County Democrat Katherine Waldron and received bipartisan support in both chambers. In the House, nearly half of the Democratic Caucus joined all of the Republicans in supporting the measure. But the bill was severely criticized by Chinese Americans throughout the state, including dozens who testified in person against the bill during one committee meeting, with many of them expressing concern about being discriminated against when purchasing real estate. Some warned it would lead to hate crimes. All Asian Americans will feel the stigma and the chilling effect created by this Florida law, just like the discriminatory laws did to our ancestors more than a hundred years ago, said Clay Zhu, an attorney with DeHeng Law Offices P.C., in a written statement. We shall not go back. Article continues after bonus IC video The Young Turks: DeSantis Signs Law Blocking Foreign Nationals From Buying Property Similar bills have been debated in state legislatures around the country as tensions between the Chinese and U.S. governments have escalated in recent years, but Florida is the first state to pass such a measure. Waldon told the House State Affairs Committee last month that the measure was meant to be proactive and not reactive. She referred to recent events including the U.S. Department of Justices arrest of two Americans for operating a secret Chinese police station in New York City. Florida is taking action to stand against the United States greatest geopolitical threat the Chinese Communist Party, DeSantis said in a press release after he signed the bill earlier this month. Im proud to sign this legislation to stop the purchase of our farmland and land near our military bases and critical infrastructure by Chinese agents, he continued, adding that we are following through on our commitment to crack down on Communist China. Ethnic discrimination alleged Although the law specifies that such land cannot be purchased by foreign principals from China or Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, or Syria, the lawsuit claims that the law defines those areas are so broadly that they bar affected individuals from being able to purchase property across much of the state. The central feature of the new law is that it broadly prohibits Chinese persons from purchasing or acquiring any real property, or interests in real property, within Florida based on their race, ethnicity, color, alienage, and national, the suit says. [Emphasis in original.] The suit lists the specific circumstances of the four plaintiffs. None are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or members of the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party, it says. Yifan Shen holds a H-1B visa for nonimmigrant workers. She has lived in Florida for four years. She has signed a contract to buy a single-family home in Orlando which appear to be located within 10 miles of a critical infrastructure facility and within five miles of a military installation. She is set to close on the home in December, after the laws effective date. The suit says she stands to lose all or part of her $25,000 deposit if forced to cancel her real estate contract. Xhiming Xu was persecuted by the Chinese government and fled to the United States. He has lived in Florida for four years. In early 2023, he signed a contract to buy a single-family home near Orlando that appears to be located within 10 miles of a critical infrastructure facility. The closing date is some time after July. The suit says he stands to lose all or part of his $31,250 deposit. Xinxi Wang holds an F-1 visa, a nonimmigrant document for international students and has lived in Florida for five years. She own a property in Miami which appears to be located within 10 miles of a critical infrastructure facility. She is subject to the laws registration requirement, which the suit claims is burdensome, discriminatory, and stigmatizing to Ms. Wang. Yongxin Liu holds an HB-1 visa and has lived in Florida for four years. He is an assistant professor at a Florida university and own a property close to Daytona Beach. Because his property appears to be located within 10 miles of a critical infrastructure facility, the registration requirement is burdensome, discriminatory, and stigmatizing to Mr. Liu. The suit says that Liu plans to purchase a second home in Pelican Bay near a critical infrastructure facility. Mr. Liu reasonably fears that real estate agents will refuse to represent him because he is Chinese, and that his search for real estate will be more costly, time-consuming, and burdensome as a result. The suit asserts that Multi-Choice Reality, a real estate brokerage that primarily serves Chinese-speaking clients in the United States and China, was involved in 74 property acquisitions in 2022, most of which for Chinese or Chinese American clients. The firm says the new law will force it to lose one-third of its business. A spokesperson for Agriculture Commissioner Simpson said the department is currently reviewing the lawsuit. The Department of Economic Opportunity did not respond to a request for comment, while the Phoenix could not reach the Real Estate Commission for comment. Reddit Email 68 Shares By Soren Amelang | dpa / Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung The UN has highlighted the importance of climate activists and their right to hold demonstrations following a crackdown on a street-blocking group in Germany. Climate activists led by the moral voice of young people have continued to pursue their goals even in the darkest days. They need to be protected and we need them now more than ever, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told newswire dpa in an article published in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He added that protesters had been instrumental at crucial moments in pushing governments and business leaders to do much more, and that global climate goals would already be out of reach without them. However, he also noted that despite the fundamental right to peaceful demonstrations, governments naturally have a responsibility to enforce laws and ensure security. In a probe against the Last Generation group, which for months has disrupted city traffic in German cities, police raided the homes of climate campaigners, shut down the groups website and froze two bank accounts. The raids were conducted on the behalf of the Bavarian authorities on the charge of forming or supporting a criminal organisation that was planning further crimes. Two of the defendants are suspected of sabotaging the Trieste-Ingolstadt oil pipeline deemed critical infrastructure and therefore subject to special protection in April last year. No arrests have been made. Many commentators and other environmentalists condemned the crackdown as a disproportionate state response to peaceful protest. Article continues after bonus IC video Al Jazeera English: German police conduct raids to investigate climate activists Throughout 2022, Last Generation disrupted traffic across Germany by gluing themselves to roads, and have stepped up their efforts recently. They protest against the government coalitions climate policies and claim the current coalition protects business profits, breaks its own promises and our democratic constitution. Germany aims to become climate neutral by 2045, and has set legally binding emission reduction targets for all its sectors. But the country is currently not on track to meet those targets, also because of high transport emissions. Many conservative politicians have criticised the protests and called for harsh punishments. Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticised the actions completely nutty earlier this week. Published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0) . A federal judge has sentenced a Rochester woman who admitted assaulting two people on a plane departing Buffalo Niagara International Airport last year to time served and three years of probation, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Cynthia McKnight, 24, pleaded guilty in January to two counts of simple assault for the incident on a scheduled American Airlines flight to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on April 19, 2022, prosecutors said in a news release. After the plane's doors were closed and the aircraft was being prepared for departure, McKnight went to the front of the plane, got into an argument with another passenger and spat on another passenger, prosecutors said. As the aircraft returned to the gate, McKnight tried exiting and pushed a flight attendant who tried stopping her from opening an aircraft door. McKnight opened the door, which deployed the plane's emergency slide, and she got off the plane. She faced a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $5,000 fine. Besides the never-ending investigation surrounding the drug charges, the public noticed changes in Yoo Ah In's appearance. Following the 21-hour interrogation for the second private summon on May 16, the award winning star made another public appearance for the warrant review. On May 24, the "Seoul Vibe" star appeared at Seoul Central District Court for questioning, regarding the police's request for a warrant of arrest. On his arrival at the court district, the scandal-ridden actor was moved to Mapo Police Station in handcuffs, where he will be detained while waiting for the court's decision. As he was about to enter his car, he was attacked by an unidentified man and hit by a bottle of coffee. Thankfully, he was surrounded by his bodyguard and seemed unharmed by the shocking incident. However, it was obvious that he was shocked at the attack, causing him to look behind him and check who and what it was. With all the updates and issues surrounding the "Hellbound" star, netizens can't help but notice the changes in Yoo Ah In's appearance. Public Expresses Concern With Yoo Ah In Over social media, netizens raised their concern for Yoo Ah In and how he is dealing with the ongoing investigation. Some pointed out his noticeable gray hair, tired appearance, and he seemed exhausted from all the court interrogations and procedures. "I didn't know Yoo Ah In had so many white hairs," one mentioned, while the other asked, "Is he at the age to get white hairs?" Others speculate that the change in his appearance is because of stress. "He must've been stressed... his hair..." According to a medical website, having gray hair might be a sign of stress, based on studies. "Researchers found that the body's fight-or-flight response plays a key role in turning hair gray. Your hair color is determined by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes," as mentioned by the website. On the other hand, fans were also showing their support for Yoo Ah In online. They expressed how bad they felt for the actor, especially when they brought him to the detention cell in handcuffs. I feel so bad for Yoo Ah In, man needs help but these idiots are making life even more difficult for him. They always have the energy for the wrong things aishaa (@whoisaishaa_) May 26, 2023 Some even raised the idea that what he needs is medical support, not charges, because he is not a criminal. as far as i concern yoo ah in need a medical help but ppl treating him worse than an actual criminal its ridiculous rin (@gonjunghive) May 26, 2023 Court Dismisses Arrest Warrant Request for Yoo An In Despite these, there is still light at the end of the tunnel after the court refused to grant the police's request for a warrant of arrest against Yoo Ah In. According to various reports, the court ruling says it is unnecessary to carry out the investigation since the actor admitted to some parts of the allegations except regarding the attempt to help his accomplice escape the country. IN CASE YOU MISSED: Yoo Ah In Disrespected By Civilian While Leaving the Police Station For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Geca Wills Night float had always been this mythical monster to me, an intimidating prospect that conjured up some of my greatest fears about a residency rotation jetlag, nocturnal clock, lack of continuity with patients or a day team, multiple pagers and multiple admissions every night. Maybe it was the uncertainty of the unknown that had seemed so daunting. Somehow, after three admissions on my first night, I found myself still awake yet exhausted and on my way home I had made it. As the nights went on, my internal clock adjusted a little more each day. I became more comfortable and familiar with the night team nurses and more efficient with admissions through sheer necessity. I missed the moments I had with patients and families on day rotations though, when I had developed rapport with them over the course of their hospital stay. By the time I had wrapped up admissions and pages on night float, the patients were usually asleep, and there wasnt much of an opportunity to connect with them. Nevertheless, there were still incredible patient encounters at the VA, which provided unexpected sparks and carried me through my two weeks. One patient in his 70s with multiple comorbidities came in with edema he had end-stage cancer and a stroke had previously incapacitated his wife and was now in a special care facility. You would never have guessed this patient had been dealt such an unlucky hand, as he was dressed in rainbow overalls and expressed to me how hes felt grateful ever since so many of his friends in Vietnam never made it back home from the war. Another patient in his 90s had been feeling lethargic for a few months and went to the ER; his WBC was in the 30,000s, and the smear was positive for blasts. When he received the news that he could have leukemia, he took the assessment in stride and calmly asked if he could still go on his morning walks. He then smiled and proceeded to reassure me that everything was going to be OK. For an inexplicable reason, I truly felt that I would be OK for the rest of my nights rotation, and I was. If this patient could face his mortality the way he did, I could face the rest of my night rotation. I have always admired my patients whenever and wherever I met them. Even when the days were long, they inspired me and motivated me with their strength and how they handled the challenges they faced. This was especially true with the veteran population, who had already gone through so much before presenting to the hospital. Though fewer of these moments were on a night rotation than on a day one, they were still there. And they were still special each time. This mythical monster, night float, was hard, but I had done it and given it my all. Nights were very different from days, but the key to finding joy in the work remained the same: along the way, I remembered to take a step back and appreciate the raw humanity present in every patient encounter. Johnathan Yao is an internal medicine resident. WASHINGTON With negotiators for the Biden administration and the Republican House leadership inching toward an agreement to avert an unprecedented default on the government's debts, lawmakers from both parties who represent Western New York in Congress agree on one thing: They can't let a default happen. "We're not going to default," said Rep. Claudia Tenney, a Canandaigua Republican who, like Republican Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy of the Southern Tier, refused to join a conservative rebellion against the emerging deal on Friday. "Avoiding default is nonnegotiable it must be our north star and that cannot change," Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat, said on the Senate floor last week. In other words, the Buffalo area's federal lawmakers are adopting the conventional economic wisdom about the debate over raising the federal debt ceiling. They all say it better get done, and soon. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday that the federal government could reach its congressionally-set debt ceiling as soon as June 5 and that would leave federal officials unable to pay the nation's bills. Social Security checks and veterans benefits will go undelivered if the stalemate lasted long enough. Economists predict the nation could sink into a deep recession. Asked about the ramifications of breaching the debt ceiling, both Tenney and Langworthy downplayed the possibility of a default. In essence, they said they didn't want to speculate on something they did not think would happen. "Nobody supports that," Tenney said. "And the Treasury isn't going to let it happen." Both Tenney and Langworthy cast doubt on whether the government will run out of money as soon as early June. Tenney said Yellen could prioritize the interest payments that the government absolutely must make in order to avoid default, and Langworthy said the treasury secretary is probably using an early June date as a deadline to prod Congress into action. "I have not been convinced that June 1 is a cliff," said Langworthy, who spoke before Yellen pushed the deadline back from June 1 to June 5. "That certainly has been Janet Yellen's position. If I were in her shoes, I would give an earlier date" than the one when a fiscal emergency would ensue. With Yellen's deadline approaching, the outlines of an agreement are emerging on Capitol Hill. Congressional sources say the deal would raise the debt ceiling for two years and essentially freeze domestic spending for two years as well although $10 billion clawed back from an IRS tax crackdown could cover some spending increases. The deal would also slightly expand funding for defense and veterans programs. Given that the Republican House passed a debt ceiling bill that would enact far deeper cuts, the most conservative House Republicans have already rebelled against the coming bipartisan compromise. This is totally unacceptable, and its not what we agreed to, Rep. Ralph Norman, a Republican from South Carolina who's part of the far-right Freedom Caucus, told the Washington Post. But when asked if she could support the emerging plan with two years of limits on domestic spending, Tenney said: "I support the plan. But I want to emphasize this is not a cut and it's not technically a freeze" on domestic spending. "It's a freeze on increases at an unsustainable rate." Langworthy said he wasn't ready to discuss the details of a deal that's still being negotiated. But he added: "I have trusted the speaker to get the best possible deal that can keep us from default and put responsible spending restraints in place because that is what we we ran on." Langworthy said he expects a deal to be struck that will likely draw opposition from both the far right and the far left. "I think anytime you deal with this topic, you've lost people on both sides," he said. Both Schumer and Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, have said it's imperative that Congress strike a deal. "If America would ever fail to pay its bills, the consequences would be horrific," Schumer said. "Default would bring recession. Default would kill 8 million jobs. Default would send soaring costs on credit card payments, mortgages, small businesses, loans and erode peoples 401(k)s. Nobody, nobody wants that." Reciting a similar litany of likely consequences that Schumer cited, Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, said the debt ceiling created by Congress in 1939 shouldn't even exist. "There shouldn't be a debt ceiling because the debt ceiling has now of late been weaponized as a partisan political partisan issue," thereby threatening "consequences that are too dire" every time the limit needs to be raised, Higgins said. Active Retirement Ireland has announced the launch of a new wellbeing programme to combat loneliness and isolation, and to support older people to become more aware of and prioritise their mental health in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme is to roll out to Active Retirement Associations across the country, including in Co Kilkenny. The announcement was made at the organisations AGM in Sligo, with more than 300 older people from Active Retirement Associations around the country in attendance, including from Co Kilkenny. The programme funded by Mental Health Ireland and delivered by Active Retirement Ireland, the countrys largest membership organisation for older people aims to help members laugh more, stress less, live better and was developed by Omra Support Agency with older people, for older people. Active Retirement Ireland CEO Maureen Kavanagh said: Mental wellbeing is vital for healthy, positive ageing. Mental health challenges are not only experienced by young people or those of working age but older people too. In fact, we know that many of the catalysts for poor mental health such as financial hardship, the ending of a career, loneliness, loss of a loved one, and reduced physical wellbeing also form the lived experience of many older people and often in combination. More and more older people are reporting issues relating to mental health and we have CSO data that shows that one in 10 suicides in Ireland from 20152019 were by people aged 65 and over. In addition, a great many older people in Ireland, including in Co Kilkenny, are still feeling the deep impacts of a pandemic response which saw their independence and autonomy taken from them and which left them living in fear and isolation for more than two years. Ms Kavanagh continued: The Active Retirement Wellness Programme is a grassroots programme that seeks to provide a facilitated, safe space for older people to have conversations about mental health and their experiences but also importantly to be heard, while supporting others to do the same. The programme is focused on connection, feelings of purpose and meaning, lightening a load and on friendship as well, through exercises, activities and discussions. Active Retirement Irelands mission is to support older people to enjoy strong social connection and healthy, positive ageing and we have done that now for 45 years. We are delighted to have received funding from Mental Health Ireland to enable us to develop and implement the Active Retirement Wellness Programme and extend this important support to our members, including in Co Kilkenny. However, this is a long game, and the programme will require long-term funding and support to be able to ensure all older people are supported to thrive in later life. For more information about Active Retirement Ireland, go to www.activeirl.ie. ALBANY In the final weeks of the legislative session, Albany lawmakers are examining a proposal that would allow wine and liquor store owners in New York to own more than one location. Multiple lobbying groups representing liquor stores, including the State Liquor Store Association and the Metropolitan Package Store Association, are lobbying against the idea. They argue that changing state law would open the door to major, chain retailers, while pushing out mom-and-pop establishments. But records show that in 2017, the chairman of the Metropolitan Package Store Association paid a substantial fine for engaging in an alleged scheme wherein three liquor stores illegally worked in tandem in a manner similar to a chain store, a case the state's top liquor enforcement official called "exceedingly troubling." And several major wine and liquor stores in Western New York including one owned by a board member of the Liquor Store Association are closely associated and jointly advertise, though in that instance, there is no indication the stores are operating outside the bounds of state law. Mark Notarius, the member of the Liquor Store Association board of directors, is owner of Premium Wine and Spirits in Williamsville, according to state records. Meanwhile, his mother is listed in state records as owner of Premier Wine and Spirits in Amherst, while his sister-in-law owns Prestige Wine and Spirits in Orchard Park. The three stores jointly run print advertisements in The Buffalo News under the banner of "Premier." The ads indicate that all three stores sell various liquor products at the same price, and all three also are advertised on a website, which says they are independently owned and operated parts of the "Premier Group." All three storefronts advertise the stores as "Premier," according to photos on the website. Various members of the same family to can legally each purchase liquor store licenses, then work together in certain ways. Current law requires stores to be independently owned and operated and prohibits loans between them. But joint advertising is permitted. Still, the executive vice president of the state Business Council a statewide business lobbying group that supports allowing individuals to have more than one license called the Liquor Store Associations position hypocrisy at its highest level," citing the example of Premier. You have someone sitting on the board of one of associations that is critical of allowing more than one license. And although he's doing it with the bounds of the law, he is working around the law and advertising as a chain, Zuber said. The only people that can have that type of footprint are those that have the financial wherewithal to do it, where each separate family member has their own money." The State Liquor Store Association represents 1,100 liquor stores throughout upstate New York. Stefan Kalogridis, the association's president, answered questions on behalf of Premier Group. He said there was absolutely nothing wrong with someone who grew up in a family that ran a liquor store who decides to go out on their own and open up their own business under all existing laws and regulations, which is exactly what the situation is here." Kalogridis said each of the Premier stores was "its own business that makes their own purchasing decisions" and that it was "common for local stores to band together for joint advertising and expressly permitted by the SLA." The multiple license proposal could impact the cost of alcohol in New York. Experts say the measure could reduce competition. Still, consumers may see lower prices if New York allows high volume chains to own multiple liquor stores. Zuber, the state Business Council leader, was recently on a 16-person state commission of industry stakeholders that recommended sweeping overhauls to New York's decades-old alcohol laws. Among its recommendations, by a 10-5 vote, was allowing individuals to have more than one license. The panel did not recommend a specific figure. Among the commission's "no" votes on that recommendation, according to Zuber, was Michael Correra, executive director of the Metropolitan Package Store Association, another lobbying group that represents liquor stores across New York. Like the Liquor Store Association, the Package Store Association has publicly opposed allowing multiple licenses per individual. The nonprofit has for years been chaired by Joseph Viscomi, the one-time owner of Cappys Warehouse Wine & Spirits on Long Island. As of Tuesday, Viscomi was still listed as chair on the nonprofit's website. But a spokesman for the organization said Viscomi stepped down as the Package Store Association chairman several weeks ago. In 2017, the State Liquor Authority found Viscomi was involved in a scheme in which three liquor stores were illegally working in tandem. The SLA found that Viscomi was on the payroll of another liquor store, Henry Street; that Henry Street gave six-figure illicit loans to both Cappys and a third liquor store; that Viscomi had "signature authority" over a bank account owned by Henry Street; and that Viscomi falsely told state investigators that he had "no involvement" with Henry Street. The three stores jointly paid $300,000 in fines, including $50,000 paid by Cappy's. The chairman of the State Liquor Authority, Vincent Bradley, in 2017 called the matter "one of our largest retail cases in recent memory," stating the conduct was "exceedingly troubling, striking at the heart of the SLAs primary responsibility to enforce the law and maintain a level playing field for all retailers. Viscomi did not respond to a request for comment. A bill recently introduced by Democratic State Sen. James Skoufis would allow individuals to own two liquor stores each, while Zuber supports a higher figure, noting that the limit in neighboring Massachusetts is nine. The Liquor Store Association opposes any change in state law increasing the number of licenses per person beyond one. Kalogridis said the Associations concern was that once loosening of the limit began in other states, it paved the way for multimillion-dollar corporations to take over the industry and push out mom-and-pop small businesses like us." In New York, "we've already watched some of them attempt to do this illegally and get fined for it. Now they're trying to make it legal," Kalogridis said. Kalogridis was referring to a case brought by state liquor regulators several years ago involving Wegmans, the upstate supermarket chain. Wegmans and five affiliated upstate liquor stores agreed to pay $1.1 million in civil penalties to settle the allegations. In that case, State Liquor Authority received a complaint that Buffalo-based Amherst Street Wine & Liquor was controlled by Wegmans. The Liquor Authority ultimately found that Wegmans was exercising significant control not only over Amherst, but four other affiliated stores. A Wegmans spokeswoman said while the company was "not involved in this current push for multiple licenses, we are in favor of any legislation that modernizes the ABC laws in New York State." Several grocery chains are members of the State Business Council, including Wegmans, while the group's membership does not include any liquor stores. The Business Council says its interest in the multiple license issue is "advancing projects and policies that create economic growth, good jobs and strong communities," and that it has other members in the alcohol industry, including beer manufacturers, wineries and the Farm Bureau. How would the proposal affect consumers If the state law were changed to allow multiple licenses, there would be both costs and benefits for consumers, according to Charles Lindsey, an associate professor of marketing at the University at Buffalo School of Management, calling the issue "tremendously complicated." "You have countervailing forces at play when it comes to price," he said. The easier it becomes for "quasi-chains" to expand and for big chains to enter the market, the more difficult for independent and small operators to compete and the more concentrated the industry becomes, diminishing competition. On the other hand, he said, larger operators would have "more power when it comes to wholesalers and, in many cases, get better cost breaks due to their volume." That dynamic could result in lower prices for consumers. Bradley Rickard, a professor of food and agricultural economics at Cornell University, said he believed allowing multiple licenses would create lower prices for consumers, since stores would be able to buy at bulk pricing. He has studied the price of alcoholic beverages in states that allow a greater variety of products at grocery stores, such as wine, and found alcohol is cheaper if more widely available. If only one store were allowed to sell alcohol, in the model of a state-run liquor monopoly that exists in Sweden, that could negatively impact prices for consumers. Absent that, some consolidation of the market would likely not have a major negative impact on price, Rickard said. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 85F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Sean Kirst Columnist Born in Dunkirk, a son, grandson and great-grandson of Buffalonians, I've been an Upstate journalist for more than 49 years. As a kid, I learned quiet lives are often monumental. I still try to honor that simple lesson, as a columnist. Follow Sean Kirst 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 The Waterfront Memories and More museum is on Hamburg Street in the Old First Ward. Walk outside and look beyond a nearby railroad bed, and you immediately spot Gene McCarthy's, a renowned Buffalo tavern. Still, you might see that landmark just a little differently for Memorial Day, at least after considering the work of Bertha "Bert" Guise-Hyde and her fellow museum volunteers. A couple of brief clippings about one man's sacrifice, out of hundreds those volunteers recently spread on museum tables, offer this reminder: Despite its long history, Gene McCarthy's didn't always have that name. In the 1940s, it was still called the Hamburg Tavern. The proprietor was Julia Solarczyk, whose son Anthony Balaz helped around the bar when he wasn't working at the Ford plant. He held those jobs until he left in 1943 to serve in World War II. Two years later, Balaz a 32-year-old staff sergeant was wounded and treated at a field hospital during the long and horrific battle for Okinawa, a Pacific island held by the Japanese. The papers said he was released barely a week later, and suffered fatal wounds on the same day. That was almost 80 years ago, but at least one person in greater Buffalo remembers when Balaz made it home: His only child, Geraldine Balaz Cohan, guesses she was in first or second grade. Cohan, 85, now a widow in East Amherst, went to the Central Terminal with her mother on a cold spring morning. The child watched as her dad's casket draped in an American flag was brought off a train. "At that age," Cohan said, "you don't ask many questions." She was so young she has no memories of her father before he left for the war, though she never stopped wondering about a guy whose death caused dramatic changes in her life. Her mother took a job at the old Trico plant to pay the bills, and later after Cohan's mom remarried her mother and stepfather helped run the Hamburg Tavern, while the family lived nearby. It was a really busy place, Cohan said. We had food, fish fries and roast beef sandwiches. The workers came in from the barrel factory and the grain mills and the railroads, all the places that were really going strong in those days. The trains were so close, she said, that she felt as if she could "reach out the window and touch the engineer." Even as a little girl, Cohan missed the "fatherly warmth" her friends took for granted. She would later graduate from the old Rosary Hill College, now Daemen University. She married, raised her kids and became a grandmother, eventually retiring from the Village Exchange, a consignment shop she co-owned for years in Williamsville. "You live through it and go on," she said of her father's death, "but you never forget the loss of a parent." Cohan has stopped at Gene McCarthy's a couple of times with her grown sons just to be in the rooms where her dad worked for his mom, and she hopes on Memorial Day you might do what she and her children did, when they made that pilgrimage: They thought of Anthony Balaz, and the scope of what he offered up for the rest of us. That reflection, multiplied countless times, also drives Bert Guise-Hyde at the museum. "My thing is gratitude," she said of the vast number of Americans lost in war, over the years. "They're the reason we're free." Guise-Hyde retired from years of cleaning the old Buffalo police headquarters, though at 81 she still handles cleaning duties at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, her parish church. Waterfront Memories and More grew from her passion for community history. Her uncle, Joseph Buckley, died in World War II. Years later, while sitting for hours with an ailing brother, Guise-Hyde used the time to research veteran histories in the Valley and the Old First Ward. That dedication led to the museum. Guise-Hyde said you cannot talk about the work without mentioning her co-director, Peg Szczygiel, and core volunteers Gene Witkowski,, Sue Matteson, Dottie Kruczynski and Robin Kashyap. Last week, all those clippings and copies were carefully laid out in the museum, in preparation for a Father's Day weekend display next month at Tewksbury Park. They represent men and women who served and sometimes died in conflicts as recent as Iraq and Afghanistan. "What about their sacrifice?" Guise-Hyde said of all those she commemorates. "People forget." It took an entire table to encompass the neighborhood's lost or wounded from World War II. Many 1940s newspaper accounts consisted only of a paragraph or two, at a time when soldiers, sailors and Marines were dying at such a rate that local papers struggled to keep up. Sean Kirst: A widow on her husband, wounded in WWII, who welcomed every morning Mollie Horvatis reflects on her husband Joe's constant awareness of the friends, lost in combat, who shaped how he saw the world. He appreciated living, she said. He always said, Im blessed. Every clipping equates to loss that still reverberates, across generations. Many families endured multiple blows, including a tale beginning at another well-known Old First Ward landmark: The next time you stop by Undergrounds Coffee House and Roastery, you might think of the hero officer who used to live upstairs and the way she died. According to museum records, Jean Herko was a 1939 graduate of the old Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, and then became an Army nurse at Fort Niagara. While she resigned when her mother died in 1942, she re-enlisted in the Army Air Forces in May 1943 and was given her wings Nov. 27, 1943, one Buffalo paper noted in 1945, in reporting on Jean's death at 26. She spent 24 hours with her family last July 4, when she flew to the United States with a planeload of wounded." The article reported that Jean's uncle, Capt. Henry Usiak, had also "died recently in Italy" in a campaign against the Germans a sentence hinting at the true core of the story. Jean and her sisters, Irene and Alice, grew up above the Herko Pharmacy, a family business at 580 South Park Ave. It later became the Usiak Funeral Home, long before it was converted into today's busy coffee shop. Friday, I spoke with Warren Enders, a retired lawyer in Ohio who went to law school with famed Buffalo television journalist Tim Russert. Warren is also the son of Alice Enders, Jeans youngest sister, now 95 and going through some struggles with her health. Jean was born on Dec. 26, which means the family always associated Christmas with her absence. Alice taught her kids to never forget how Jean became a second lieutenant, Warren said, and how she died on a selfless family mission: Henry Usiak, who died in Italy, was her uncle but the two were more like cousins, close in age. Jean was on her way to where Usiak died, seeking to accompany his remains as they were transported back to the U.S. She was killed with 23 other crew members and passengers when their C-47 crashed near Montieri, Italy, during extreme weather, according to records online. Enders said his grandfather, the late Frank Herko, an amateur boxer as well as a pharmacist, endured a string of wartime blows: He lost his wife, Victoria, his nephew and then his daughter, over a few short years. The family still cares for Jean's medals, Enders said. He retains lasting reverence for an aunt who risked her life to help the wounded, became a pioneering woman officer in the Army Air Forces and sacrificed everything on a journey of devotion. There were times, Enders recalled of his mom, when shed get introspective and go to a special place. At those moments, he understood: She was thinking of her big sister. Today, Jean's childhood home is the Undergrounds coffee shop. Co-owner Sara Heidinger said she and her partners have always been intrigued by the heritage of their building, and this story takes that interest to another level. Jean Herko was an American hero who represents "a strong female presence," Heidinger said. She plans to hang Jeans image in the shop, and also to name a sandwich in her memory an Undergrounds tradition of honor that already includes Russert and other prominent figures. The simple hope is that anyone stopping by for coffee will pause to think about Jean, and the sacrifice she offered for family and country. It goes to the heart of Memorial Day, which is why Bert Guise-Hyde puts it all out on the table. Shares of Agree Realty Co. (NYSE:ADC Get Rating) have earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twelve research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have issued a hold recommendation, six have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $78.55. A number of analysts have recently weighed in on ADC shares. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Agree Realty from $76.75 to $77.50 in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. JMP Securities downgraded shares of Agree Realty from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Agree Realty from $78.00 to $73.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 9th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Agree Realty in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Get Agree Realty alerts: Insider Transactions at Agree Realty In other Agree Realty news, COO Craig Erlich purchased 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $65.50 per share, with a total value of $98,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 32,151 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,105,890.50. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Agree Realty news, CEO Joey Agree purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $66.36 per share, with a total value of $331,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 519,253 shares of the companys stock, valued at $34,457,629.08. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, COO Craig Erlich acquired 1,500 shares of Agree Realty stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 17th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $65.50 per share, with a total value of $98,250.00. Following the purchase, the chief operating officer now owns 32,151 shares in the company, valued at $2,105,890.50. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders acquired 29,870 shares of company stock valued at $1,991,381. Company insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Agree Realty Stock Performance Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of ADC. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Agree Realty by 28.5% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 9,093 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $603,000 after acquiring an additional 2,014 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Agree Realty by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 7,836 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $519,000 after acquiring an additional 598 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Agree Realty by 15.9% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 15,185 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,009,000 after acquiring an additional 2,082 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in shares of Agree Realty by 10.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 27,686 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,826,000 after acquiring an additional 2,597 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Agree Realty by 57.0% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 36,972 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,453,000 after acquiring an additional 13,423 shares in the last quarter. Agree Realty stock opened at $64.59 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $66.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $69.87. Agree Realty has a twelve month low of $63.34 and a twelve month high of $80.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The company has a market cap of $6.02 billion, a PE ratio of 36.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 0.46. Agree Realty (NYSE:ADC Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.96 by ($0.52). Agree Realty had a return on equity of 4.04% and a net margin of 34.48%. The business had revenue of $126.62 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $124.55 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.97 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Agree Realty will post 3.94 EPS for the current fiscal year. Agree Realty Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be given a $0.243 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.51%. Agree Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 163.13%. About Agree Realty (Get Rating) Agree Realty Corp. is a real estate investment trust, which focuses on the ownership, development, acquisition, and management of retail properties net leased to national tenants. It specializes in acquiring and developing net leased retail properties for retail tenants. The company was founded by Richard Agree in 1971 and is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Agree Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agree Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A recent article in the Buffalo News by Chris Bragg (The insular process of picking New Yorks top judges, May 22, 2023) discussed how our Court of Appeals judges are appointed. Regrettably, the article implied that the merit selection process is tainted because the members of the State Commission on Judicial Appointments, which makes the list of recommendations from which the governor selects nominees, is made up of attorneys who appear before our highest court. This is unfair. There is no perfect system for judicial selection, but this process has an established record of selecting candidates that is non-partisan, merit based, and effective. It is true that the lawyers who are appointed to this panel may argue before the Court. It is also true that there is probably no better qualification for evaluating a judicial candidate than to be a lawyer who understands what the Court does and how it does it. It is true that the system lacks transparency, but the list of candidates that the Commission sends to the governor is public. Sometimes, multiple vacancies occur, and sometimes, there are serial vacancies, and not everyone applies for every opening. The qualifications of the candidates that make the lists are obvious to anyone who follows this process. A judges job is to make rulings on the law, not to respond to popular opinion. Judges are supposed to make correct decisions, based on the law. Judges should be knowledgeable about the law. The Commissions selection process is only part of how Court of Appeals judges are appointed. After the Commission promulgates its list, the governor reviews it, the Judiciary Committee conducts a hearing and the State Senate votes. These are not pro forma steps. The fact that a prospective nominee was just rejected shows that this is taken seriously, and the fact that rejection is rare tells us that the Commission has historically done its job well. The question is how do we best insulate the judicial selection process from the political process? At the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin proposed that lawyers should decide who should sit on the federal courts. Franklin quipped that the attorneys would select the ablest of the profession in order to get rid of him, and share his practice among themselves. Dr. Franklins rational for this proposal was tongue-in-cheek, but it resembles the merit selection process we use. Moreover, it works. At a moment when the United States Supreme Court is polling at historically low confidence numbers, the New York Court of Appeals is highly respected by the attorneys who appear before it, and by the courts of other states including federal circuit courts of appeal which routinely cite New York authority in their opinions. William C. Altreuter, of Altreuter Berlin, is a practicing litigation attorney who has appeared in state and federal courts across New York State. Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Get Rating) and Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:FRIVF Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation and dividends. Insider & Institutional Ownership 93.3% of Camden Property Trust shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.7% of Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust shares are held by institutional investors. 1.8% of Camden Property Trust shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Camden Property Trust alerts: Profitability This table compares Camden Property Trust and Fortune Real Estate Investment Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Camden Property Trust 41.27% 12.09% 6.55% Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust N/A N/A N/A Earnings & Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Camden Property Trust $1.49 billion 7.45 $653.61 million $5.62 18.49 Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust N/A N/A N/A $1.36 0.61 This table compares Camden Property Trust and Fortune Real Estate Investment Trusts revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Camden Property Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust. Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Camden Property Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Camden Property Trust and Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Camden Property Trust 1 6 7 0 2.43 Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust 0 0 1 0 3.00 Camden Property Trust currently has a consensus price target of $128.86, suggesting a potential upside of 24.00%. Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust has a consensus price target of $7.40, suggesting a potential upside of 795.23%. Given Fortune Real Estate Investment Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust is more favorable than Camden Property Trust. Summary Camden Property Trust beats Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Camden Property Trust (Get Rating) Camden Property Trust operates as a real estate investment trust. The firm engages in the ownership, management, development, reposition, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. It focus on investing in markets characterized by high-growth economic conditions, strong employment, and attractive quality of life. The company was founded by Richard J. Campo and D. Keith Oden on May 25, 1993, and is headquartered in Houston, TX. About Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust (Get Rating) Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust is a holding company, which engages in the acquisition and management of real estate properties. Its portfolio of properties include Fortune Metropolis, Laguna Plaza, Centre de Laguna, Hampton Loft, Fortune City One, Ma On Shan Plaza, Metro Town, Jubilee Square, Fortune Kingswood, Belvedere Square, Waldorf Avenue, Smartland, Tsing Yi Square, Lido Avenue, Rhine Avenue, and Caribbean Square. The company was founded on July 4, 2003 and is headquartered in Hong Kong. Receive News & Ratings for Camden Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Camden Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Canadian Utilities Limited (TSE:CU Get Rating) have received a consensus rating of Hold from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$40.07. A number of research firms have weighed in on CU. Veritas Investment Research upgraded shares of Canadian Utilities from a sell rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 9th. Scotiabank set a C$41.00 target price on shares of Canadian Utilities and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. CIBC increased their target price on shares of Canadian Utilities from C$39.00 to C$40.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, National Bankshares increased their target price on shares of Canadian Utilities from C$34.00 to C$37.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Get Canadian Utilities alerts: Canadian Utilities Price Performance TSE:CU opened at C$36.32 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 143.66, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 1.30. The firm has a market cap of C$7.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a 50 day moving average price of C$38.13 and a 200-day moving average price of C$37.12. Canadian Utilities has a 1-year low of C$33.24 and a 1-year high of C$41.94. Canadian Utilities Announces Dividend Canadian Utilities ( TSE:CU Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported C$0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.70 by C($0.04). The company had revenue of C$1.11 billion for the quarter. Canadian Utilities had a return on equity of 9.99% and a net margin of 17.13%. Equities research analysts forecast that Canadian Utilities will post 2.1176126 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, May 4th will be issued a $0.449 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 3rd. Canadian Utilitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 78.17%. About Canadian Utilities (Get Rating) Canadian Utilities Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electricity, natural gas, and retail energy businesses in the United States, Australia, and internationally. It operates through Utilities, Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate & Other segments. The Utilities segment provides regulated electricity transmission and distribution services in northern and central east Alberta, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories; and integrated natural gas transmission and distribution services in Alberta, the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan, and Western Australia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Utilities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Utilities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. InterContinental Hotels Group (LON:IHG Get Rating)s stock had its buy rating reissued by stock analysts at Jefferies Financial Group in a research report issued on Tuesday, May 23rd, MarketBeat reports. IHG has been the topic of several other reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on InterContinental Hotels Group from GBX 6,000 ($74.15) to GBX 6,200 ($76.62) and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Numis Securities reissued an add rating and set a GBX 5,550 ($68.59) price objective on shares of InterContinental Hotels Group in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and set a GBX 5,850 ($72.29) target price on shares of InterContinental Hotels Group in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. Redburn Partners downgraded InterContinental Hotels Group to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, Peel Hunt reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 5,750 ($71.06) price objective on shares of InterContinental Hotels Group in a report on Tuesday, February 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 5,836.67 ($72.13). Get InterContinental Hotels Group alerts: InterContinental Hotels Group Price Performance LON IHG opened at GBX 5,358 ($66.21) on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of 9.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3,157.14, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 5,382.16 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 5,279.20. InterContinental Hotels Group has a 1 year low of GBX 4,174 ($51.58) and a 1 year high of GBX 5,796 ($71.63). Insider Activity About InterContinental Hotels Group In other news, insider Graham Allan bought 300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 5,370 ($66.36) per share, for a total transaction of 16,110 ($19,908.55). In other news, insider Graham Allan acquired 300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 5,370 ($66.36) per share, for a total transaction of 16,110 ($19,908.55). Also, insider Daniela Barone Soares bought 150 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 5,428 ($67.08) per share, with a total value of 8,142 ($10,061.79). Insiders own 4.82% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) InterContinental Hotels Group PLC owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Greater China. The company operates hotels under the Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, EVEN Hotels, HUALUXE, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, avid, Staybridge Suites, Atwell Suites, Candlewood Suites, voco, and Crowne Plaza. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for InterContinental Hotels Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for InterContinental Hotels Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF (NYSEARCA:KFVG Get Rating)s share price traded up 1.5% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $15.80 and last traded at $15.80. 716 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 75% from the average session volume of 2,886 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.57. KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF Trading Up 1.4 % The stocks 50 day moving average is $17.10 and its 200 day moving average is $16.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.28 and a beta of 0.49. Get KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new stake in KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $238,000. Credit Suisse AG purchased a new stake in shares of KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF in the second quarter valued at $1,015,000. Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF by 23.3% during the second quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 21,168 shares of the companys stock valued at $413,000 after acquiring an additional 4,000 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its position in KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF by 79.2% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 4,506 shares of the companys stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 1,992 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF by 164.9% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 16,286 shares of the companys stock valued at $238,000 after purchasing an additional 10,139 shares during the last quarter. KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF Company Profile The KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor Index ETF (KFVG) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in information technology equity. The fund tracks a market-cap weighted index of Chinese companies in the 5G and semiconductor-related industries. KFVG was launched on Nov 24, 2020 and is managed by KraneShares. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cormark reiterated their market perform rating on shares of National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Rating) in a report released on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. Cormark also issued estimates for National Bank of Canadas Q2 2023 earnings at $2.41 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $9.76 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $10.24 EPS. NA has been the subject of several other reports. Barclays reduced their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$98.00 to C$82.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. CSFB upped their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$113.00 to C$116.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Scotiabank reduced their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$115.00 to C$111.00 in a report on Friday, February 17th. Veritas Investment Research reiterated a buy rating on shares of National Bank of Canada in a research note on Monday, February 27th. Finally, CIBC dropped their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$112.00 to C$110.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, National Bank of Canada has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$105.32. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: National Bank of Canada Stock Performance NA stock opened at C$100.10 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is C$98.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$97.75. National Bank of Canada has a fifty-two week low of C$82.16 and a fifty-two week high of C$104.83. The company has a market cap of C$33.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.11. National Bank of Canada Announces Dividend National Bank of Canada ( TSE:NA Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 1st. The financial services provider reported C$2.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$2.41 by C$0.15. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 16.00% and a net margin of 34.98%. The business had revenue of C$2.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$2.62 billion. Equities analysts predict that National Bank of Canada will post 10.0705882 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 27th were paid a dividend of $0.97 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 24th. This represents a $3.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.88%. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.01%. About National Bank of Canada (Get Rating) National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. Read More Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:NBY Get Rating) in a research note released on Tuesday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the biopharmaceutical companys stock. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance NYSEAMERICAN NBY opened at $0.68 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.27 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.12 and a beta of 2.69. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals has a 1-year low of $0.65 and a 1-year high of $12.64. The stocks 50 day moving average is $1.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1.59. Get NovaBay Pharmaceuticals alerts: NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:NBY Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($4.33) earnings per share for the quarter. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals had a negative return on equity of 18.62% and a negative net margin of 21.09%. The firm had revenue of $3.64 million for the quarter. Institutional Inflows and Outflows NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Company Profile Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of NBY. Armistice Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals in the 4th quarter worth $289,000. Virtu Financial LLC raised its position in NovaBay Pharmaceuticals by 260.4% in the 1st quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 163,451 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 118,099 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its position in shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals by 57.5% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 201,222 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 73,500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Altium Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals during the 3rd quarter worth about $121,000. (Get Rating) NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc engages in the development and sales of scientifically-created and clinically-proven eyecare and skincare. Its products include Avenova, NeutroPhase, CelleRx, and DERMAdoctor. The company was founded on January 19, 2000 and is headquartered in Emeryville, CA. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BNP Paribas reiterated their underperform rating on shares of Shopify (TSE:SHO Get Rating) in a research note released on Wednesday morning, PriceTargets.com reports. A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on SHO. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of Shopify in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. Loop Capital reiterated a hold rating on shares of Shopify in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. JMP Securities upgraded shares of Shopify from a market perform rating to a market outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, DA Davidson upgraded shares of Shopify from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Shopify alerts: Shopify Price Performance Shopify (TSE:SHO Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported C($0.11) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C($0.21) by C$0.10. The company had revenue of C$2.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$1.94 billion. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Shopify Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shopify and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citigroup upgraded shares of Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology (OTCMKTS:XJNGF Get Rating) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Separately, HSBC cut shares of Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Get Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology alerts: Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Price Performance Shares of XJNGF stock opened at $0.79 on Tuesday. Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology has a 12 month low of $0.77 and a 12 month high of $1.88. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $0.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.92. About Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co, Ltd. engages in the research and development, construction, and operation of water treatment plants mad wind turbines. It operates through the following segments: Wind Turbine Generator Manufacturing and Sales; Wind Power Services; Wind Farm Development; and Others. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Yes, by at least $1 Yes, by $2 or more No Vote View Results Gloria Yoder lives in Flat Rock, Illinois. She likes to cook, bake, garden and being a mom! Readers can send her mail at P.O. Box 157, Middletown, Ohio 45042. For more recipes and information about the Amish lifestyle go to amish365. com. The better solution on rail safety would be for Washington to take the lead, but theres no telling if it will. Absent that assurance, its encouraging that Albany is looking hard at a need that became dramatically obvious when a train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Ohio almost four months ago. The effort was led by Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. While the February disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, is driving the legislation, the measure could just as easily take in and should not disregard the apparent fire that witnesses reported in a moving rail car in Buffalo only 10 days later. Both involved trains operated by Norfolk Southern. The Ohio derailment, apparently caused by an overheated axle, ended up spouting plums of toxic smoke into the air and pouring hazardous chemicals into nearby creeks and the Ohio River. The health of nearby residents will be a concern for years to come. In Buffalo, meanwhile, at least two separate reports came in about flames shooting through the roof of a rail car as a train rolled through North Buffalo. Norfolk Southern has been curt, saying only that it knows of no such fire while offering possible explanations that dont match what witnesses reported. Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, has demanded a federal investigation. In response to the Ohio derailment, a bipartisan effort to pass new safety legislation took root in Congress. It may yet produce something of value, but New York is wise to move on this matter. Legislators in one of the nations most populous states need to pay attention to this issue. So does the entire delegation from Western New York, where trains carrying hazardous cargo regularly travel. Among the changes the State Senate approved on Wednesday are: Rules for installing heat safety gauges on tracks used by freight trains. Limits on the length of freight trains. Minimum operating staff of at least two people on freight trains. Detailed inspections producing quarterly reports. Requirements for railroad companies to inform relevant state and federal agencies before transporting hazardous materials within the state. Already, the recently approved 2023-24 state budget usefully provides $1.75 million to increase the number of railroad inspectors in New York. We must not wait for a train derailment like Norfolk Southerns in East Palestine to occur before we take action to help prevent them from happening in New York, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in a statement. In all, the Senate has passed 10 bills dealing with rail safety. All are worthy, but only one on minimum staffing of freight trains has a companion bill in the Assembly. That chambers Committee on Transportation is led by Assemblyman William Magnarelli of Syracuse, whose office has not responded to a request for information. But two Western New York Democrats serve on that committee: Karen McMahon of Amherst and Monica Wallace of Lancaster. They need to be sure their voices are heard. And all of Western New Yorks lawmakers in both chamber and of both parties need to press Norfolk Southern about the unexplained fire that different people saw from different places. If it wasnt a fire, what was it? If it was, what caused it and what was burning? The transportation of hazardous materials is an unavoidable indeed, essential fact of modern life. Theres no getting away from it. That elevates the importance of risk reduction. Given business needs around the country and the national network of tracks, Congress should play the crucial role, standardizing safety concerns whose risks were made horrifically plain in Ohio. But, in the meantime, New York should do what it can. The Senate has made a good start. The Assembly is less certain. 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 California man complained of neck pain following a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 69 near the 324 mile marker at 4 a.m. Saturday. The man was taken to Parkview Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. I am a snowbird also, just like the My View contributor Michael K. Hall. I agreed with all he said , and found his remarks about cars manufactured for Florida very amusing. My neighbors in Florida are all lovely people and we never discuss politics. I loved the editorial from May 16 that said parents should not have the right to decide what other children can read and be taught. Also, the May 17 letter that reflected the same message. I was also very relieved to see that local school board elections were won by incumbents who really do seem to be more concerned with education, than with people with a radical, far-right agenda that has nothing to do with education. Oh, if that was only true in Florida, where the radical right has been allowed to take over all levels of government there! Someone said to me recently that they predict the children graduating from Florida schools will most likely be racist, misogynistic and ignorant. Sadly, I agree and I blame it on the Democrats and Liberals in Florida that let this happen without a fight. News / Local by Staff reporter After riding out a succession storm which rocked the nation following the death of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in 2021, serious trouble is brewing in South Africa's most powerful monarchy as new Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini clashes with traditional prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi over the chairing of Ingonyama Trust.Amid an intensifying public row, Misuzulu appointed Thanduyise Mzimela to replace former judge Jerome Ngwenya as Ingonyama Trust chair, but Buthelezi (95) fiercely disagrees, describing Mzimela as a "self-confessed incompetent individual".The trust was established in 1994 and transferred land to a traditional authority, with the sole trustee being the King.It administers over two million hectares of tribal land across KwaZulu-Natal and nets millions of rand in rental income.Buthelezi on Friday told a full house of amakhosi (chiefs) that he was now finding it extremely difficult to serve the nation under the leadership of Misuzulu.In a five-hour speech, Buthelezi said the land has always been envy of those wanted it since colonial times and it must be protected at all costs. PRNewswire Beijing [China], May 27: What are the cutting-edge technologies for artificial intelligence (AI)? How can they benefit our daily life? These questions might be enlightened at a recent meeting for international collaboration and advancement in AI technology. Also Read | Chennai: Woman Dies After Being Run Over by Mercedes Car Belonging To YouTuber Mohammed Irfan, Driver Arrested. The 7th World Intelligence Congress (WIC), an international event that focused on AI and related technologies, was held this month in Tianjin. The event aimed to promote global cooperation and exchange in the field of AI, smart manufacturing, smart vehicles, 5G-plus internet, etc. The congress provides a platform for AI researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and experts from various disciplines to share knowledge, discuss innovations, and explore the impact of AI and related technologies on society. In this video featuring the display of technologies at WIC, China Matters' vloggers Evy and Jack head to Tianjin to explore new cutting-edge technologies and dive into the coolest exhibits. They challenge each other to see who can find the most interesting tech. Also Read | Cristiano Ronaldo Play Tonight in Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Nassr, Saudi Pro League 2022-23 Clash? Here's the Possibility of CR7 Featuring in the Starting XI. Evy enjoys handcrafted coffee from a robot barista who specializes in making pour-over brews. Jack gets the ultimate Grammy-style photo shoot from a high-speed robotic cameraman. He also shows off his new "power suit" by using it to lift up Evy as if she were as light as a feather. Aimed at more hi-tech exhibits, Evy challenges Jack to a head-to-head battle on a "5G racetrack." So how is this event revealing the latest advancements and trends in AI? Contact:Li SiweiTel.:008610-68996566 E-mail:lisiwei5125@gmail.com Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyH_6vcwH6 (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (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, May 27: G20 is a summit that occurs annually under different presidencies and 2023 is the year when the presidency is honoured to India. As a country dedicated to democracy and multilateralism, India's presidency will mark a significant turning point as it works to advance "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," or "the world is one family," and develop workable global solutions for everyone. As such, Pashmina.com has been honoured by the Government of India to represent the ancient art of Pashmina by displaying the most exquisite designs, paying tribute to this traditional art form. "Our team has always been a passionate advocate of the exclusivity and supremacy of Pashmina art and hence we are delighted to offer a window display of the luxury art pieces we have handpicked to introduce. This way, Customers, globally, will have the opportunity to appreciate the eccentricity of Pashmina shawls and scarves and hence learn more about this ancient craft and the craftsmanship that goes into making each piece that speaks out to you," says Varun Kumar, Founder of Pashmina.com. G20 Summit 2023 in Jammu and Kashmir: Indian Agencies Uncover Sinister Plot of Pakistan ISI, Terror Outfits To Destabilise G20 Meetings, Spread Propaganda. "It is a great honour for me and my entire team, for all the craftsman associated with us, to represent this ancient art in front of the entire world in this G20 Summit," Varun Kumar added. Pashmina shawls are handcrafted from Cashmere wool, which comes from the undercoat of Himalayan mountain goats. It is a highly prized fabric, famous for its softness, warmth, and otherworldly finesse. In Kashmir, India, highly skilled weavers create each piece with accuracy and precision as they have been doing for decades. The art of Pashmina weaving has been passed down for generations in Kashmir and octogenarian artisans still enjoy carrying out the most intricate processes of embroidery, spinning and weaving fibre, which is just 12-15.5 microns in diameter. G20 Summit in Srinagar Enormous Opportunity To Boost Jammu and Kashmir's Rich Culture, Tourism and Hospitality, Says BJP. At the G20 Summit, Pashmina.com will display a carefully curated collection of handcrafted Pashmina shawls, scarves for men and women. Each piece has been cautiously handpicked by the design and fabric experts for their exceptional quality, unparalleled design and the timelessness that the art is world-famous for. Pashmina.com's commitment to quality, finest craftsmanship and overall excellence is being admired by the global audience on their journey towards the revival of this sacred art. For more information, Kindly visit Pashmina.com (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Panaji, May 27 (PTI) The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday dissolved its Goa executive committee, a senior AAP leader said. Also Read | New Parliament Building: Security Beefed Up Near New Sansad Bhavan in Delhi Ahead of Inauguration. The move is aimed at revamping the party's state unit, AAP's Goa president Amit Palekar said. Also Read | Manipur Government Extends Internet Suspension Till May 31 To Prevent Spread of Rumours Amid Incidents of Violence. Palekar said AAP's national general secretary Dr Sandeep Pathak has issued the orders dissolving the executive committee, though he continues to hold his position. The state leaders from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party recently visited Delhi. The party has said that it would contest both the seats in the coastal state in next year's Lok Sabha elections. Palekar said the party will soon undergo a complete revamp in the state. AAP had won two seats in the 2022 Goa Assembly polls. (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], May 27 (ANI): Chief Ministers of opposition-ruled states, who have decided to skip the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting are seemingly "boycotting the development" of their states, government sources said on Saturday. More than 100 issues of importance will be discussed at the Governing Council Meeting (GCM), and the states that will not be represented will end up losing out, they said. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Shocker: Woman, Man of Different Faiths Manhandled by Mob After Dining at Indore Hotel (Watch Video). Prime Minister Narendra Modi is presiding over the NITI Aayog Governing Council being held here on Saturday. The sources said that during the meeting, roadmap and thrust will be laid out on the issues of making the country a developed economy by 2047, MSMEs, infrastructure and investments, minimising compliances, women empowerment, health and nutrition, skill development, and Gati Shakti for boosting development and social infrastructure. Also Read | Bengaluru Traffic Update: Traffic Police Issues Advisory for Diversion Due to Swearing-In Ceremony of New Cabinet Ministers at Raj Bhavan; Check Details. They said the Governing Council meetings give an opportunity to the Centre and states to identify key development issues and resolve them jointly. In the seven Governing Council meetings held to date, numerous issues were discussed and resolved, the sources said In the last Governing Council meeting, nearly 40 key areas were identified and these are being jointly implemented by the Centre, States and UTs. For the eighth Governing Council meeting, more than 100 issues have been identified for reaching a broad consensus at the national level. As per the Centre, the earlier GCM meetings paved the way for the states to develop a modern urban development model in order to address issues such as urban planning, human resource development, capacity building, skilling, urban employment, migration, mobility, urban taxation and governance. The meetings also helped in leveraging technology to promote ease of living, transparency, and participative governance The meetings have led to directions towards enabling infrastructure and clearances for the installation of national infrastructure such as optic fibre cables and 5G. The aim is to identify and deliver services to the remotest corner using these networks. The idea of making NIRF ranking mandatory for all universities including agricultural universities was also discussed during the earlier meetings. It was suggested that all higher education institutes should join the NAAC and NIRF and efforts should be made to improve their rankings. The earlier meetings also focussed on the states and UTs diversifying agriculture so as to improve its viability and promote farmers' welfare. In addition to this, leveraging FPOs to promote exports of agricultural products and laying thrust on exports of value-added products rather than raw materials was also emphasised. In the G20 presidency year, the meetings emphasised every state leveraging the opportunity to showcase their products, culture, and tourism destinations. The states were advised to develop a mass movement around G20 and provide necessary logistics support. The earlier GCM meetings also made efforts at improving GST collection with a target of recording 50 per cent growth in FY23 compared to the revenue collected in the corresponding period of the previous year In the wake of the New Education Policy, the past meetings facilitated regular monitoring at the senior level and a clear, time-bound roadmap for the implementation of NEP including the adoption of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) by all States and UTs. "This reflects the importance of the Governing Council meetings and the issues discussed during it. And, by boycotting these meetings, the respective states might actually be boycotting the development of their own states," a source said. Chief Ministers of Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala are among non-BJP CMs who have decided not to attend the Niti Aayog meeting. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kutch (Gujarat) [India], May 27 (ANI): Border Security Forces (BSF) recovered a packet of suspected drugs weighing approximately 1 kg on Friday during a search operation in the Kori Creek in the Kutch region of Gujarat. According to the Public Relations Officer, BSF Gujarat, the suspected packet of drugs weighing approximately 1 kg was recovered from an isolated bet in Kori Creek about 6 km from the border post of Koteshwar. Also Read | Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: Congress Accommodates Six Lingayat, Four Vokkaligas, Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi Miss Out. "On May 26, during a search operation by BSF, one packet of suspected drugs weighing approximately 1 kg was recovered from an isolated bet in Kori Creek about 6 km from BOP Koteshwar," the PRO statement added. It added that the recovered packet is similar to earlier recovered packets which were confirmed to be heroin having an estimated value of Rs 5 crores in the international market. Also Read | Delhi Rains: Flight Operations Impacted at Indira Gandhi International Airport Due to Heavy Rain and Bad Weather. "However exact nature and type of drug recovered today are being ascertained. Since April 2023, 29 packets of charas and 6 packets of other drugs have been recovered from Jakhau Coast," the PRO statement added. "Extensive search of the isolated bets off Jakhau coast has been launched by BSF," it added. As per the PRO statement, the packet appears to have been washed away with the waves from the deep sea and reached Indian Coast. Earlier on May 23, a BSF official said that troops of the Border Security Force on Monday shot down a Pakistani drone carrying narcotics along the international border in Punjab's Amritsar. The official added that two packets suspected to be heroin have been seized during the search. "BSF shot down a Pakistani drone carrying narcotics near the International border in Punjab's Amritsar. Troops of 144 Corps of BSF conducted an operation in the BOP Rajatal area in which a drone has been shot down. 2 packets suspected to be of heroin have been seized," Ajay Kumar Mishra, BSF Commandant, Amritsar said earlier in the month. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Panaji, May 27 (PTI) The first-ever flight connecting Goa to Dehradun turned into a memorable event for Shasha Saldanha, the co-pilot, who believes the historic journey would inspire more women to pursue a career in aviation. According to a senior official from the state tourism department, the IndiGo flight took Goa's tourism minister Rohan Khaunte to Dehradun on May 23 as part of an agreement between Uttarakhand and Goa to boost tourism in both the states. Also Read | Daam Virus: National Cyber Security Warns Against Spread of Virus That Steals Call Records, Camera and Reads History From Android Phones. Uttarakhand was connected to Goa through this maiden flight. The official said that Saldanha who lives at Parra village in North Goa, the hometown of former defence minister Manohar Parrikar, was specially requested to co-pilot the aircraft as a sign of women empowerment. Also Read | Operation Weapon Recovery: Army Defangs Rivals in Manipur, Recovering Arms To Bring Peace. Speaking to PTI at the Manohar International Airport (also called Mopa International Airport), Saldanha said that she felt honoured and grateful to be part of "the historic day in the Indian aviation". "The inaugural Mopa-Dehradun flight was welcomed with a water canon salute as we steered away from the runway," she said. Saldanha said that it was a moment of pride for her to "be able to fly our tourism minister Rohan Khaunte" along with a team of delegates to the scenic city of Dehradun. "I hope my inaugural flight to Dehradun is one of many opportunities and experiences that are presented to the women in the field of aviation. I also hope that young women will find our stories motivating and be inspired to study and apply for ambitious roles in this sector," she added. Saldanha said that the pact between Uttarakhand and Goa will not only boost tourism in both the states but also open the path of connectivity within the diverse country. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present in Dehradun when Goa and the hilly state signed the agreement as part of Prime Minister's 'Dekho Apna Desh' initiative. (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], May 27 (ANI): Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rajasthan's Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot won't be attending the NITI Aayog Council meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Saturday. CM Gehlot has cited health reasons for not attending the meeting, while CM Vijayan has not given any specific reason for his absence. Also Read | Daam Virus: National Cyber Security Warns Against Spread of Virus That Steals Call Records, Camera and Reads History From Android Phones. Other than him, Delhi's CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's CM Bhagwant Mann, Telangana's CM K Chandrashekhar Rao, West Bengal's CM Mamata Banerjee and Bihar's CM Nitish Kumar are expected to skip the meeting on Saturday. PM Modi will chair the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog on Saturday on the theme of 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India' at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Also Read | Operation Weapon Recovery: Army Defangs Rivals in Manipur, Recovering Arms To Bring Peace. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, PM Modi will preside over the meeting. PM Modi will deliberate on issues related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. "Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long Meeting including (i) Viksit Bharat@2047, (ii) Thrust on MSMEs, (iii) Infrastructure and Investments, (iv) Minimising Compliances, (v) Women Empowerment, (vi) Health and Nutrition, (vii) Skill Development, and (viii) Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure," the NITI Aayog stated. It added, "The Meeting will see the participation of Chief Ministers/Lt Governors of all States and Union Territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio Members, and the Vice Chairman and Members of NITI Aayog". (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Baramulla (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 27 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir police arrested a terror associate of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) during an operation in Nagbal Chandoosa area of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, a statement said on Saturday. According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, the terror associate was identified as Mohd Ashraf Mir, a resident of Laridoora Chandoosa, Baramulla. Also Read | Daam Virus: National Cyber Security Warns Against Spread of Virus That Steals Call Records, Camera and Reads History From Android Phones. During the search, police recovered one grenade from his possession. A case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act was registered against the accused at Chandoosa police station. Acting on a tip-off, the joint forces of Baramulla police and 52 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a search operation in the village Nagbal Chandoosa in Baramulla. Also Read | Operation Weapon Recovery: Army Defangs Rivals in Manipur, Recovering Arms To Bring Peace. "During the operation, one suspect person who was coming from Shrunz towards Nagbal Chandoosa tried to flee while noticing a joint naka party but was apprehended tactfully. During the search, one grenade was recovered from the possession of the accused terror associate and was taken into custody immediately," police said. Police informed that the arrested terror associate is a surrendered terrorist. Further investigation was underway. (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], May 27 (ANI): The Lok Nayak JP Hospital in the national capital, treating former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain, on Friday constituted a medical board comprising four senior doctors for the treatment of the senior Aam Aadmi Party leader. As per sources, senior physicians from LNJP, neurologists from GB Pant and specialists in Critical Care are included in the medical board. Also Read | US: Yellen Extends Debt Default Deadline to June 5. The health condition of Jain, who is in LNJP's Intensive Care Unit (ICU), is stable now. He had brain clotting due to head injury, which he got after falling in Tihar Jail's bathroom and is undergoing treatment," hospital sources said. Also Read | US: Yellen Extends Debt Default Deadline to June 5. "Several tests including MRI were conducted and the reports are awaited," sources told ANI. Jain was hospitalised on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds in a money laundering case. The court also imposed various conditions including neither talking with the media nor leaving Delhi without permission. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and PS Narasimha granted interim bail to Jain till July 11 and directed him not to influence witnesses in the matter. The SC directed that all relevant papers of treatment be produced before this court. The top court said that the order will remain in operation till July 11 and listed the matter for July 10 for further hearing. The top court also gave Jain to choose any hospital of his choice for his medical treatment. The top court made it clear that interim bail is considered on medical conditions. Senior Advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for Jain, said that they are seeking bail due to health reasons. ASG SV Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought Jain to be examined by a panel of doctors either by AIIMS or Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. He also informed the SC that he was the Health Minister and that government hospitals were under him. Last week, the top court asked ED to file a reply on Satyendar Jain's plea seeking bail in a money laundering case and also granted liberty to Jain to move vacation bench of the top court for an early hearing on his plea challenging Delhi High Court order dismissing his bail plea in the money laundering case against him. Jain's lawyer had told the top court that he has lost 35 kg and turned skeleton due to this. Former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain had moved Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court order dismissing his bail plea in the money laundering case against him. On April 6, the Delhi High Court dismissed the bail plea of Satyendra Jain. The HC while dismissing Satyendar Jain's bail plea stated that the applicant is an influential person and has the potential of tampering with evidence. Satyender Jain/applicant, at this stage, can't be held to clear the twin conditions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) The HC had kept the order reserved on March 21 after the conclusion of the submissions made by the defence and prosecution sides after multiple hearings. During arguments in High Court, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju appeared for Enforcement Directorate contented that money laundering is crystal clear against Jain and other co-accused. In his bail plea, Jain stated, "I appeared before ED on 7 occasions. I have cooperated and participated in the investigation. I was arrested 5 years down the line in 2022." On November 17, 2022, the trial court dismissed the bail petition of Satyendar Jain. He was arrested on May 30, 2022, under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by Enforcement Directorate and is presently in Judicial Custody in the case. The ED case is based on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) complaint registered on the allegation that Satyender Jain had acquired movable properties in the name of various persons from February 14, 2015, to May 31, 2017, which he could not satisfactorily account for. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The Government of Canada is warning its residents about mass shootings and the high rate of guns in the U.S. It is that this is happening with enough frequency that nobody knows when or where, but there is a risk all the time, says an attorney on the rise in gun violence in America. (Credit: Getty Images) A travel advisory is asking Canadians to "familiarize yourself on how to respond to an active shooter situation" when visiting the United States, in light of the mass shooting trend looming over the country. The Government of Canadas travel information page reminds travellers to be cautious and take security precautions when visiting down south, while pointing in particular to the common nature of gun violence in America. The rate of firearm possession in the United States is high, notes the official travel advisory, last updated on May 19, 2023. Incidents of mass shootings occur, resulting most often in casualties. Although tourists are rarely involved, there is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time." Theres been an upward trend of mass shootings and gun-related deaths in recent years, with more than 200 mass shootings having occurred in the first five months of 2023 alone, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit research group that has been tracking gun violence patterns. For Florida-based attorney Sean Domnick, whose work intersects with the mass shooting trend in America, the problem isnt a matter of are we generally safe. It is that this is happening with enough frequency that nobody knows when or where, but there is a risk all the time, said Domnick to Yahoo News Canada. There is no predicting where it is that this is going to occur before it occurs. The U.S. is generally consider safe for travel by the Government of Canada. However, it is the sporadic nature and frequency of mass shootings that poses a risk. The worst of the mass shootings, such as a recent one in a Dallas-area mall, which left nine people dead including the gunman, have been making headlines worldwide, adding to the fear and validity of the advisory. Only a week prior, an Oklahoma shooting resulted in the deaths of seven, including a woman and her three daughters. Just two days before, a man in Cleveland allegedly killed five people after he was asked by a neighbour to stop firing his gun in his yard. The man led police on a long day search leading to his capture. And the stories dont stop here, as it seems you can track a new story for almost every day of 2023, as mass shootings become common in the U.S. In a statement to Yahoo News Canada, James Emmanuel Wanki, spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada says the Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously. Canada monitors safety and security conditions abroad 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, to provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice and Advisories. Global Affairs Canada did not specify to Yahoo News Canada when exactly its "gun violence" advisory was issued. However, its not just Canada that has issued an advisory. Other countries such as New Zealand and Australia have also advised their citizens to exercise increased caution while visiting, directly pointing to the gun violence issues. For Domnick, the advisories are not so much a warning rather, it is a reminder to be cautious and take preventative measures. Gun violence is not unique to the U.S.A., but it is prevalent in the U.S.A. The risk is everywhere. You have to be aware of your surroundings. A deeper look into the gun pattern in America According to the Gun Violence Archive, in each of the three last complete years in the U.S., there have been more than 600 mass shootings almost two each day which is when there are at least four injuries or fatalities. In 2022, there were 20,200 deaths as a result of guns and 38,550 injuries. A study by The Violence Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research centre, shows where public mass shootings have been taking place between 1966 to present. Top of the list is retail locations which are known to have high and uncontrolled foot traffic followed by restaurants and bars. In February 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke out following a mass shooting, representing one of the many occasions hes done so, as he looks for action at a political level, noting that their current system of for gun background checks isn't enough. Gun violence is an epidemic and Congress must act now, wrote Biden in a statement. We needneedcommonsense gun law reforms. That includes requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, fully closing the boyfriend loophole to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, requiring safe storage of guns, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets." Familiarize yourself on how to respond to an active shooter situation The Department of Homeland Security defines an active shooter as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a conned and populated area. They can select victims at random, and events evolve very quickly so its important to know how to react in order to protect yourself and others around you. The protocol is to first run, hide, and fight only as a last resort. Follow the path of least resistance, said Domnick. The first thing you want to do is get away, and be aware of your surroundings. When an active shooter is in your vicinity, you should immediately leave your belongings behind and start to plan an escape route. While evacuating, help others escape but do not move the wounded. Call 911 when you are safe, and aim to hide in an area that is out of the shooters view, ideally with a blocked entry. It is important to share the following information with 911 operations while on the phone: Location of the active shooter. Number of shooters. Physical description of shooters. Number and type of weapons the shooter has. Number of potential victims at the location. Once you have reached a safe location, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control. Upon law enforcement arrival, do not ask immediate questions, remain calm and follow instructions. For more information on how to protect yourself in an active shooter situation, review the official Active Shooter Reference Guide. New Delhi [India], May 27 (ANI): Interrogation of arrested self-styled supremo of People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), Dinesh Gope, has led the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to seize a huge cache of ammunition delivered in Bihar two years ago. The seizure includes, "1,245 rounds of 7.62 MM and 271 rounds of 5.56 MM ammunition", said the NIA on Saturday, adding the ammunition was seized from a dense forest in Kamdara area of Jharkhand's Gumla district on Friday in the PLFI terror funding case. Also Read | New Parliament Building Inauguration: May 'Temple of Democracy' Continue Strengthening India's Development Trajectory, Says PM Narendra Modi (Watch Video). "The seized ammunition was received at Siksohara, Nalanda (Bihar) about two years ago. It had been carefully stashed away for eventual delivery to PLFI operatives and cadres for carrying acts of terror and violence," said the NIA. Gope, who was arrested on May 21 and is currently in NIA custody, led the NIA team to the place of concealment of ammunition located in the forest during investigations. Also Read | Maharashtra SSC Result 2023 Date: Class 10th Board Result To Be Declared Soon at mahresult.nic.in, Check Steps To View Scorecard. Gope alias Kuldeep Yadav alias Badku of Khunti district in Jharkhand was earlier chargesheeted by the NIA in a case relating to the recovery of demonetized currency of Rs 25.38 lakhs from the operatives of PLFI (People's Liberation Front of India-- a proscribed Naxal outfit of Jharkhand. Gope had been absconding and was finally nabbed by the NIA from New Delhi on May 21. According to NIA investigations, more than 102 criminal cases are registered against the accused Gope in different districts of Jharkhand. Most of these cases relate to abduction, threats, extortion, murder and raising funds for PLFI, a militant Maoist outfit formed in 2007 in Jharkhand and also a splinter group of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist). NIA had also declared a reward of Rs 5 lakh for leads on Gope, in addition to the reward of Rs 25 lakh announced by the Jharkhand Government. On February 3, 2022, an encounter had taken place between a Gope-led PLFI squad and security personnel in the forest area under the Gudri Police station of West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. "Several rounds were fired in the encounter before the rebels sneaked into the forest and Gope managed to escape. He had been absconding since then, and had been taking shelter at different places while making all efforts to re-establish the PLFI's stronghold in Jharkhand," NIA remarked Gope used to extort money and execute attacks through his PLFI team members to terrorize businessmen, contractors and the public at large, the NIA investigations have shown. The accused, along with his associates, was involved in depositing the demonetized currency in a bank account at a Petrol Pump, to be later collected through levy and extortion. "The illegal money was then invested through banking channels and dubious shell companies in the name of close associates and family members of the accused Gope. The case was initially registered on November 10, 2016, at Bero Police Station in Ranchi, and re-registered by the NIA on January 19, 2018. The Police had filed the first chargesheet against four persons on January 9, 2017. The NIA filed the first supplementary chargesheet in the case against 11 accused, including Gope. Subsequently, the NIA filed the second supplementary chargesheet in the case on July 23 last year against five individuals and three private limited companies. NIA had also attached 14 bank accounts and seized two cars from an accused Shakuntala Kumari, along with some property and cash, in the case. Known previously as Jharkhand Liberation Tigers (JLT), PLFI has been responsible for hundreds of terror incidents in Jharkhand, including several murders using firearms, as per the NIA investigations. The outfit used to lure unemployed youth by providing them with motorbikes, mobile phones and easy money. Extortion is PLFI's major source of income and the outfit has been targeting coal traders, railway contractors and various private entities involved in developmental projects in various districts of Jharkhand, said the NIA, adding "The Naxal outfit had also formed networks and alliances with different criminal gangs to spread their criminal activities and executed several incidents of murder and arson in Jharkhand." Gope was part of a criminal conspiracy to channelize the extorted funds collected from the contractors/businessmen engaged in the developmental projects in Jharkhand. "Gope was involved in investing these funds in dubious Shell Companies like Palak Enterprises, Shiv Adi Shakti, Shiv Shakti Samridhi Infra Pvt Ltd, Bhavya Engicon, formed in partnership with PLFI associates and his family members. The extorted money was also being transferred from Jharkhand to other places through a network of Hawala operators," stated NIA. In July 2007, Masi Charan Purty, a renegade of the CPI-Maoist, along with several of his followers, joined Gope in order to raise PLFI as a Naxal outfit. "Though Masi Charan Purty was subsequently arrested, the PLFI spread its activities under Gope's command. He used to collect huge amounts of extortion money, which was further used to procure sophisticated weapons, including AK 47 and foreign-made Rifles such as HK 33," added the agency. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) [India], May 27 (ANI): Odisha Special Task Force (STF) nabbed two drug peddlers and seized ganja weighing more than 106 kg and a car, said the police on Saturday. According to the police, the accused have been identified as Jugal Nayak (29) and Ranjit Bhoi (24). Also Read | BJP Like Crocodile or Python, Swallows Those With Them, Says Shiv Sena UBT Leader Sanjay Raut. Based on intelligence input, the police said that a raid was conducted by a team of STF Bhubaneshwar on Friday evening with the help of Nayagarh District Police at Itamati against illegal transportation of narcotics drugs. "During the raid two accused with ganja of more than 106 kg, one car and other incriminating materials were recovered and seized from their possession," said JN Pankaj IG STF in a press statement. Also Read | Delhi: Petrol Pump Worker Booked for Refusing To Accept Rs 2,000 Note in South Extension. A case has also been registered under section 20(b)(ii)(c)/29 of the NDPS Act 1985 at Itamati Police Station for necessary legal action. Further investigation into the matter is underway. As per an official release, a special drive against narcotic drugs is continuing. "Since 2020, STF has seized more than 69 Kg of brown sugar/heroin, 202-gram cocaine and more than 114 quintals of ganja/marijuana, and 750 grams of opium and arrested more than 171 drug dealers/peddlers," further read the release. (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, May 27: The Delhi Police on Saturday informed a court here that it has recorded the statements of women wrestlers who have accused Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. The probe agency made the submissions before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal through a status report submitted on the direction of the court. The court directed the police to supply copies of the status report to the complainants on a request made by their advocate. Wrestlers Protest: WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh Says He Is Ready for Polygraph Test if Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia Take It Too. The police informed the court that statements of all victims were recorded under Section 164 CrPC before a magistrate. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on June 27. The police had earlier informed the court that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted to probe the allegations against Singh. Considering the seriousness of the case we have formed an SIT. The SIT will be investigating the case, police had told the court. The status report was filed by police under a sealed cover. The judge had earlier issues notice to Delhi police on a plea moved by the wrestlers seeking monitoring of the investigation and recording of the statement of the alleged victims before the court. Wrestlers Protest: Delhi Police Record Statement of WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Alleged Sexual Harassment Case. The wrestlers, who are protesting at Jantar Mantar here, have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually exploiting several women grapplers including a minor. The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs including one under section 10 of POCSO Act against the BJP MP, who has denied all the charges. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Brasilia [Brazil], May 27 (ANI): The UN has chosen Brazil to host the international climate meeting, COP30, in the Amazonian city of Belem do Para in 2025. The announcement came from Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday, according to CNN. Lula in a video posted on Twitter said: "I've participated in COPs in Egypt, Paris, Copenhagen and all people talk about is the Amazon. So why not have the COP in the Amazon so [people] can get to know the Amazon, see its rivers, its forests, its fauna." Also Read | Pakistan: Alcohol and Cocaine Detected in Imran Khan's Urine Samples, Claims Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel. Brazil's Foreign Affairs Minister, Mauro Vieira, said the UN approved Brazil's bid to host COP30 on May 18 after Lula's request during last year's COP27 meeting in Egypt. Belem do Para is a northern Brazilian city located on the fringes of the Amazon forest. It's the capital city of the state of Para located on the coast of the Amazon River estuary. Also Read | US Road Accident: School Bus Carrying 36 Passengers Collides With Tanker Truck in South Carolina; 18 Injured. The governor of Para, Helder Barbalho, said in the same video that it is a "great privilege for the whole country" to host the event, saying it "increases the responsibility" of Brazil's climate agenda regarding the rights of indigenous people and the environment, according to CNN. Lula has promised to tackle Amazon deforestation and repair the damage to the Amazon caused by his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, under whose presidency deforestation surged. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hong Kong, May 27: A social media influencer died shortly after live-streaming himself consuming several bottles of strong alcohol on China's version of TikTok, a development that is expected to reignite debate about how to regulate the industry, reported CNN. The influencer "Sanqiange" (or "Brother Three Thousand") was found dead mere hours after streaming himself participating in a competition with another influencer that involved drinking Baijiu, a Chinese liquor with a normal alcohol level of 30 per cent to 60 per cent, CNN reported citing Shangyou News. Patricia Rite Dead: Spanish Social Media Influencer Dies of Skin Cancer at 30 After Making a Devastating Final Post "PK" challenges are one-on-one contests in which influencers compete for rewards and presents from viewers, and they frequently include consequences for the loser - presumably, drinking Baijiu in this case. The influencer's friend, identified as Zhao told Shangyou News, "I don't know how much he had consumed before I tuned in. But in the later part of the video, I saw him finish three bottles before starting on a fourth," as per CNN. He added, "The PK games ended at around 1 am and by 1 pm, (when his family found him), he was gone." Zhao described Wang as a "decent and straightforward" person who had a history of filming himself participating in such contests involving alcohol and publishing the videos on the application. A video purportedly showing Wang participating in his final challenge went viral on Chinese social media, but it is no longer accessible, according to CNN. Can Hickeys Kill You? XXX OnlyFans Star Janet Massa Almost Dies of Love Bite During Sex; Everything You Need To Know About Sex Injuries & Blood Clots. In recent years, the country's thriving live-streaming scene has spawned a multibillion-dollar business in which entrepreneurial influencers compete to sell their products in real-time on social media platforms. Wang's death is likely to exacerbate a debate about the industry's regulation, which has drawn attention from authorities in recent years due to the luxurious lifestyles of some streamers and the unusual challenges they participate in, CNN reported. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, May 27 (PTI) A prominent American lawmaker on Friday introduced a bill in the US Congress to declare Diwali, the festival of lights, a federal holiday, a move welcomed by different communities from across the country. "Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe, and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States, Congresswoman Graced Meng told reporters during a virtual news conference here soon after introducing the bill in the House of Representatives. Also Read | Pakistan: Alcohol and Cocaine Detected in Imran Khan's Urine Samples, Claims Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel. The Diwali Day Act, when passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President, would make the festival of lights the 12th federally recognised holiday in the United States. Establishing a federal holiday for Diwali, and the day off it would provide, would allow families and friends to celebrate together, and demonstrate that the government values the diverse cultural makeup of the nation, the Congresswoman said. Also Read | US Road Accident: School Bus Carrying 36 Passengers Collides With Tanker Truck in South Carolina; 18 Injured. Diwali celebrations are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year it is easy to see just how important this day is to so many people. America's strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures and communities that make up this nation, she said. My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day, and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress, Meng said. Welcoming the move, New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said, "This year, we saw our entire state speak with one voice in support of recognising Diwali and the South Asian community." "My extraordinary partner in government Congresswoman Meng is now taking the movement national with her historic legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday. Together, we are showing that Diwali is an American holiday. To the over 4 million Americans who celebrate Diwali, your government sees you and hears you," she said. Applauding Meng for her continued work to increase the visibility of the Asian-American community, New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney said naming Diwali a federal holiday not only honours those who observe but highlights a cultural tradition some Americans do not experience regularly. Diwali is a special holiday for so many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, said New York City Councilman Shekar Krishnan. As the first Indian American ever elected to NYC government, I am so proud to support Congresswoman Meng's legislation to establish 'Deepavali' as a federal holiday. It is crucial that children like my own are able to officially celebrate our holidays with their families in a way that I was not able to growing up, he said. A large number of community members applauded the introduction of the Diwali Day Act in the House of Representatives. The recognition of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas is pivotal to enriching the cultural fabric of the United States and fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the rich South Asian diaspora, said Sim J Singh Attariwala, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager of The Sikh Coalition. "Today is a milestone that demonstrates our visibility, our contributions, and the progress we are making in the United States with the Diwali Day Act, said Richard David, Board Member at the Indo-Caribbean Alliance. Congratulation Congresswoman Meng, Coalition of Hindus of North America president Nikunj Trivedi said this joyous festival is celebrated by millions of Americans and symbolizes the victory of good over evil and of light over darkness and brings together people from all backgrounds to cherish goodness, well-being, peace and prosperity - things that everyone can value and benefit from. "As Hindu Americans, we are so glad to see a bill to honour the multitude of celebrations that take place across the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and beyond on Diwali, said Ria Chakrabarty, Policy Director for Hindus for Human Rights. It is high time to recognise Diwali as a holiday in US public schools, said Dr. Neeta Jain, founder and president of the International Ahimsa Foundation. "Our children should be treated equally. As our children celebrate other cultures, others should celebrate and learn about our culture as well. This is the only way we can teach children to have mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual acceptance, she 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], May 27 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka 'Prachanda' is all set to visit Ujjain and Indore in Madhya Pradesh as a part of his 4-day official visit to India next week, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Dahal, who assumed office in December last year, is set to begin his India visit from May 31-June 3 at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Also Read | Tesla Model Y Becomes Worlds Best-Selling Car, 1st EV to Earn the Prestigious Tag. During the visit, the Prime Minister of Nepal will call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. In addition to the official engagements, the Prime Minister of Nepal will also be visiting Ujjain and Indore as part of his visit, according to the official release of MEA. Also Read | UK Woman Pretends To Be Man To Have Sex With Another Woman, Uses Sex Toys as Penis; Convicted of Rape. A high-level delegation will accompany Nepal PM Dahal during his visit. PM Dahal will also hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Modi to discuss the diverse areas of the bilateral partnership between India and Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement. Other Indian dignitaries will call on the Prime Minister of Nepal as well. The visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of the 'Neighbourhood First' policy. The bilateral relations between the two countries have significantly strengthened in the last few years in all areas of cooperation. This visit demonstrates the importance that both sides place on accelerating the bilateral partnership between the two nations. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dubai [UAE], May 27 (ANI/WAM): The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi (SSAD) hosted an exclusive event to present the remarkable progress and achievements of its educational project, along with the unveiling of the highly anticipated Spanish Language Center. This momentous occasion, held at the school premises in Al Bateen on Friday, May 26, brought together esteemed guests, including Spanish-speaking Ambassadors and diplomats in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to celebrate the partnership between SSAD and the Spanish-speaking community. Also Read | Tesla Model Y Becomes Worlds Best-Selling Car, 1st EV to Earn the Prestigious Tag. The educational project of SSAD has been instrumental in promoting the Spanish language and culture in Abu Dhabi, and this event provided an opportunity to share the latest developments in this transformative initiative. Under the guidance of Dr Suaad Al Suwaidi, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of SSAD, the event held a paramount objective: to strengthen the already thriving connection between the Spanish School of Abu Dhabi (SSAD) and the Spanish-speaking community within the UAE. Its primary aim was to foster a spirit of understanding and collaboration, not only between the UAE and the diverse range of Spanish-speaking nations but also among those nations themselves, united by a shared language and a rich cultural heritage. Also Read | UK Woman Pretends To Be Man To Have Sex With Another Woman, Uses Sex Toys as Penis; Convicted of Rape. The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi welcomed the following guests to the event: Inigo del Palacio Espana, Ambassador of Spain, Francisco Chacon, Costa Rica, Dean of the Ibero-American group, Augustin Molina, Ambassador of Argentina, Norberto Escalona, Ambassador of Cuba, Patricio Diaz, Ambassador of Chile, Willy Gomez, Ambassador of Guatemala, Luis Alfonso de Alba, Ambassador of Mexico, Alvaro Ceriani, Ambassador of Uruguay, Jose Aguero, Ambassador of Paraguay, Julio Simon Castenos, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, Cesar Dominguez-Ardila, Charge d'affaires of Colombia, Samir Al Attrach, Charge d'affaires of Venezuela, and Marco Antonio Santivanez, General Consul of Peru in Dubai. Their esteemed presence and valuable insights contributed to the significance of the event, further strengthening the bond between the Spanish School of Abu Dhabi and the Spanish-speaking community in the UAE. Throughout the program, guests had the opportunity to engage with Dr Suaad, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of SSAD, who warmly welcomed them and expressed gratitude for their presence and support. Inigo de Palacio, Ambassador of Spain in the UAE, delivered insightful remarks, underscoring the significance of the educational partnership between the two nations. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Spanish Language Center, a new and exciting venture that will enhance the language learning experience and cultural exchange opportunities for students. Ms Eva Sanchez Castillo, Principal of the Spanish School of Abu Dhabi and Ms Mayo Cid Lara, Coordinator of the Spanish Language Center, passionately shared insights about the school and the centre's objectives and offerings, emphasizing the role both institutions will play in promoting Spanish language fluency and deepening intercultural understanding. Following the event, guests had the opportunity to explore the school premises through a guided tour, providing firsthand experience of the innovative learning environment and the transformative impact of SSAD's educational initiatives. The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi unwaveringly upholds its dedication to achieving educational excellence while actively fostering cultural exchange between the United Arab Emirates and Spanish-speaking nations. The recent event served as a momentous milestone, signifying the continued efforts in enhancing educational cooperation among Spanish-speaking countries. Spearheaded by the Spanish Embassy and the UAE Government, this collaborative initiative aims to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, emphasizing their shared goal. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Slamming the Opposition for boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday congratulated the government for the construction being done in record time. Before becoming the Pontiff, Pope Francis was the archbishop of Buenos Aires in Argentina, and he had not been home since becoming the pope. However, he teased about returning to his home country, Argentina, on Thursday, a day before he announced his new successor as archbishop of Buenos Aires. Pope Francis has been teasing about returning to Argentina next year for a few months now. The first-ever pope from Latin America was at a forum with students when he told them about his plans to go back to Argentina, saying, "My idea is to go next year. We'll see if it's possible." The next day he announced that 55-year-old Bishop Jorge Ignacio Garcia Cuerva would become the new archbishop of Buenos Aires, replacing the retiring Cardinal Mario Aurelio Poli. Garcia Cuerva is currently the bishop of Rio Gallegos. For the first 10 years of his papacy, the pontiff has kept his home country at arms' length, even though he is still very popular back home in Argentina. The Associated Press reported that he wanted to avoid getting drawn into the country's political polarization. The main reason for announcing that he would return next year may be because his visit will happen right after the October presidential elections in Argentina. A new president would have been sworn in by then, thus avoiding getting himself used for political purposes during the election period. As for Garcia Cuerva, a canon lawyer who served as the chaplain in many Argentine prisons, he would be responsible for organizing the trip as the new archbishop of Buenos Aires and welcoming the pope back home. Pope Francis was archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998 to 2013, when he was elected to replace Pope Benedict XVI, who abdicated the papacy. READ NEXT: Pope Francis Offers Prayers to Victims of Massive Earthquake in Peru and Ecuador Pope Francis Clears Schedule After Getting a Fever While the pope is considering returning home to Argentina next year, the Catholic News Agency confirmed that he caught a fever and was forced to clear his schedule on Friday. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, noted that the pope was in a "feverish condition," so he was not able to "receive [anyone] in audience this morning." Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, told media outlet La Presse that Pope Francis was tired after having a "very busy day yesterday." "They were telling me last night that he met with a lot of people, and in the context of this meeting with Scholas Occurrentes, he wanted to greet them all, and probably at some point the stamina fails," Parolin said. Pope Francis Talked About Russia and Ukraine Before Getting Fever According to Vatican News, Pope Francis discussed several issues during an interview with Telemundo, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He told the outlet: "Peace will be achieved the day they will be able to speak to each other, either the two of them or through others." The pope has been calling on both sides to talk about a solution to the conflict so peace can resume in Ukraine. READ MORE: Pope Benedict XVI: The Complex Legacy He Leaves Behind to Catholics This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: #Pope Francis on Trip to #Argentina: "I Want to Visit the Country Next Year" - From ROME REPORTS Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Chippewa Falls High School graduated more than 300 students on Friday, and a drive-thru graduation ceremony recognized their accomplishments. It was followed by a parade through town, which began at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, looped through downtown and ended at the high school. The class of 2023 is an amazing group of young people. I cannot help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction in all that they have accomplished. They have shown dedication, perseverance and hard work throughout their academic journey. All of you should be proud of your accomplishments, said Donna Goodman, principal at the Chippewa Falls Area High School. The senior class of 2023 has accomplished so much together. Nine-year-old Kota Welker was cheering especially loud during the parade, saying hello to every passerby. She said shes looking forward to being in the parade one day herself. Its just so fun, she said. Meanwhile teachers stood alongside the road to support local students. Were all teachers. Were here to cheer on all the students, said Chippewa Falls French teacher Michele Bergeron. I get to know these kids so well, and its just really exciting to see all the things theyre going to do. Were just happy to cheer them on and wish them well. Her colleague, recently retired, said she was at the parade to support multiple international or non-native English speaking students. Im here to see four kids that I have worked with pretty closely through the years, said Jeannine Geiger. Geiger held a collection of personalized cards to hand out to her former students. Jessica Onsager, another Chippewa Falls High School teacher, said she was especially excited to see this group of graduates make it. Being a high school student during the pandemic is something that has never happened before in our lifetime so for them to persevere through this is an even bigger milestone, in spite of all of this trauma, they made it, Onsager said. Goodman said she was proud of the ways that Chippewa Falls graduates have pushed each other to be their best, to study hard, to challenge themselves with rigorous courses and to support each other. Even on our nine snow days this group of students met up to keep up with their coursework, Goodman said. This entire class should be extremely proud of their knowledge, skill sets and ability to do hard things. IN PHOTOS: Chippewa Falls graduation parade 5-26-23 Chippewa Falls graduation 1 Chippewa graduation photo 2 Chippewa Falls graduation photo 3 Chippewa Falls graduation photo 4 Chippewa Falls graduation photo 5 Chippewa Falls graduation photo 6 Chippewa Falls graduation photo 7 Chippewa Falls graduation photo 8 Chippewa Falls graduation parade 9 Chippewa Falls graduation parade 10 Chippewa Falls graduation parade 11 Chippewa Falls graduation parade 12 Chippewa Falls graduation parade 13 Chippewa Falls graduation parade 14 Chippewa Falls graduation 15 Mexican authorities confirmed on Thursday that two Americans died due to meningitis they acquired while getting medical treatment in a hospital in Mexico. According to Reuters, the two Americans died in a hospital in Matamoros City in the state of Tamaulipas. Authorities said they are investigating some 400 suspected cases of fungal meningitis after having surgical procedures at clinics in the city, located just across the border from Brownsville, Texas. In a press briefing, Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was asked about reports of 10 deaths and hundreds of people being possibly affected by contamination in hospitals at Matamoros. Lopez Obrador then said: "A contamination caused these deaths." He explained that the medication used for anesthesia in plastic surgeries in two private hospitals got contaminated. The Mexican president acknowledged they were deaths but did not specify the exact number of fatalities. A representative from the United States Embassy in Mexico has confirmed the deaths of two Americans in Matamoros but did not specify when or where. According to Vicente Joel Hernandez, the Health Minister of Tamaulipas state, five cases of meningitis had been confirmed in Matamoros. He said the fungus associated with meningitis somehow contaminated the anesthesia used in medical facilities. Earlier this month, Hernandez noted that his office had been investigating some 400 possible cases, as he revealed the scope of the ongoing inquiry. READ NEXT: Fatal Meningitis Outbreak Blamed on Private Hospitals in Mexico CDC Investigates Mexico Hospitals Suspected of Meningitis Outbreak The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched an investigation into a potential fungal meningitis outbreak that may be associated with medical procedures performed in Mexico, WFLA reported. Citing the Mexican Ministry of Health, the CDC said at least 221 Americans could have been exposed to fungal meningitis after having surgical procedures in two clinics in Matamoros. The two clinics were identified as River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3. However, after discovering other patients not on the list, the CDC updated the number of potential exposures to 224. The CDC urged anyone who received epidural anesthesia at the two clinics between January 1 and May 13, 2023, to seek immediate medical attention and request testing for fungal meningitis, even if they are asymptomatic. Diagnostic procedures such as an MRI and a spinal tap are recommended to detect any signs of infection. The CDC noted that if treated early with antifungal medications, patients have a higher chance of survival. However, treatment may take months to completely eradicate the disease. Experts said patients must still monitor themselves for symptoms for four weeks even if they test negative. The CDC is already collaborating with over two dozen state and local health departments to contact all patients who are at risk of infection. Mexico's Booming Health Tourism and Meningitis Outbreak Mexico has become a popular destination for medical procedures due to significantly lower costs than the United States. The health tourism sector is flourishing, attracting around 1.2 million Americans annually seeking medical operations at a fraction of the price, the Daily Mail reported. The CDC has already issued an advisory urging Americans to postpone any planned surgeries in Matamoros due to the potential risk of contracting meningitis. Meningitis, mainly caused by bacteria or fungus, can be life-threatening if not promptly treated. Infections are commonly associated with epidurals, a procedure in which an anesthetic is injected into the spinal cord area through a needle to alleviate pain. Meningitis is characterized by inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Early symptoms of the illness include fever, headaches, a stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. If left untreated, individuals may experience seizures, fall into a coma, and ultimately succumb to the infection. READ MORE: Shark Attack at Turks and Caicos Resort This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: CDC: 2 Dead of Suspected Cases of Meningitis After Surgeries in Mexico, Over 200 Patients at Risk - From KTSM 9 NEWS A Miami zoo in Florida has apologized and promised to end its "Kiwi Encounter" after New Zealand expressed outrage over the zoo's offering where guests could pet and feed the kiwi bird "Paora." It all happened after Paora was featured in a viral video posted on social media getting petted at Zoo Miami. Kiwi is the national bird of New Zealand. The video shows the flightless bird being handled by visitors and kept awake by artificial lighting, which prompted an online outcry that got the attention of New Zealand's Department of Conservation. Experts noted that the touching and bright lights could place the kiwi under immense stress and shorten its lifespan. According to the Associated Press, the Department of Conservation promised to reach out to the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums to express concerns about the kiwi's housing conditions. Zoo Miami officials noted that the bird is usually kept in a much quieter area with a shelter, usually in relative darkness, and is often kept out of public view. The zoo reportedly plans to build a new special habitat that will allow visitors to learn about kiwis without any direct contact. READ NEXT: Danny Trejo Wives: A Look Into the 'Machete' Actor's 4 Marriages Miami Zoo Apologizes Regarding Treatment of an Endangered Kiwi The viral videos of how the bird was being handled at Zoo Miami were posted by wildlife photographer Holly Neill, who said it was "appalling" to see the endangered bird getting treated that way. "It's being kept awake during the day despite being a nocturnal species," she wrote in her viral post. "When it runs to hide in a dark box, they open the lid." Following the public outcry, Zoo Miami released a public apology and stopped offering its "Kiwi Encounter." In a statement, Zoo Miami spokesperson Ron Magill said the zoo was sorry for the "stress initiated by a video on social media depicting the handling and housing of 'Paora'." "Though Paora has thrived at Zoo Miami while receiving the best care available, the development of the Kiwi Encounter was, in hindsight, not well conceived with regard to the national symbolism of this iconic animal and what it represents to the people of New Zealand, especially the Maori," the statement noted. According to BBC, Paora was hatched in Zoo Miami in 2019 as part of a captive breeding program that would ensure the survival of the species. However, the bird looked visibly agitated in the viral video as guests patted him. Paora even tried to retreat into darkness several times. Outrage Against the Miami Zoo in New Zealand People in New Zealand launched a petition to "help save" Paora after the video surfaced on social media. Kiwi experts said the nocturnal bird would be "terrified" by the experience of getting handled during the day. According to the New Zealand Herald, the petition has already reached over a thousand signatures. It asked that Paora be sent back to New Zealand or have its enclosure changed. The petition expressed concerns over their national bird being "treated like a lap dog." READ MORE: Antonio Banderas Net Worth: How the 'Zorro' and 'Puss in Boots' Star Got so Rich This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Call for NZ Experts to Help Care for Paora the Kiwi After US Zoo Sparks Fury - From Newshub Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Memorial Day is just two days away, which means that peak boating season is right around the corner. Using safe boating practices is vital, said Tim Stoner, the first assistant commander and vice president of the New Cumberland River Rescue. The biggest thing is wearing a life jacket, Stoner said. In a press briefing on May 19, President Joe Biden recognized the importance of safe boating measures and declared the six-day period before Memorial Day May 20-26 as National Safe Boating Week. I encourage all Americans who participate in boating activities to observe this occasion by learning more about safe boating practices and by taking advantage of boating safety education opportunities, Biden said in the release. The river rescue was established in 1967 to provide water rescue, safety training and community services to central Pennsylvania. It supports all water-related emergencies in Cumberland and York counties, according to its website. Water rescue, search recovery, safety, everything water, Stoner said. We also do traffic control, firefighter rehab, wildlife firefighting. The rescue also assists local fire departments and helps guide traffic within the borough of New Cumberland. We do a little bit of everything, he said. Tim Stoner, along with siblings Matt, director/commander, and Kyle, second assistant commander, were born into the rescue, which was initially established in part by their father and grandfather. Weve grown into it, Tim said. Weve been around the whole time. Although most consider Memorial Day to be the unofficial start of boating season, Stoner said boaters need to be aware of the still harsh conditions. Its cold out this weekend, said Stoner, who also emphasized the importance of not boating under the influence of alcohol. The current water temperature of the Susquehanna River is around 52 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The rescues 10 volunteers also organize New Cumberlands annual Halloween Parade and summer carnival. Giving back to the community is the best part of being a volunteer for the river rescue, Stoner said. What we do is to help others, Stoner said. The organization is constantly seeking new volunteers. Those interested can reach Tim Stoner at 717-774-7555 or commander101@verizon.net. We need volunteers pretty bad, Stoner said. Just like fire departments. You can also donate money on the organizations website, ncrr100.com. Stoner said donation money goes mostly toward paying bills and purchasing equipment. The rescue is in the process of purchasing a new vehicle. A High Court Judge has noted that community protests have prevented the State from allocating over 335 beds to international protection applicants who require accommodation. Mr Justice Charles Meenan remarked on the protests, and the number of beds at two facilities that the state cannot allocate, after being informed that the number of international protection applicants seeking accommodation has fallen in recent weeks from approximately 500 to 217 persons. The judge said that the state should be able to accommodate the remaining persons who are seeking accommodation but were "unable to do so" because of the protests at the two facilities. Last month, in a decision in a lead case over the issue, the judge ruled the Minister for Integration's failure to provide material reception conditions for a homeless Afghan asylum seeker was not in compliance with EU (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018.and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This case, and several other similar cases, in which orders are sought that the minister provide proper reception conditions, came back before the judge on Wednesday, May 24 when the court was updated about the state's efforts to source additional accommodation to meet the demand. In a sworn statement to the court Carol Baxter, Assistant Secretary General with responsibility for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) at the Department of Children Equality Disability Integration and Youth, said some continuing efforts are being made to secure places for international protection seekers. The court had previously been told the situation had become extremely difficulty because of an increase in the numbers of persons seeking international protection and because of the loss of thousands of beds when accommodation contracts ended earlier this year. She said that the situation has improved since the court was last updated. Additional offers of accommodation were being made to the IPS, and in the recent weeks over 280 people were given places at the Citywest Transit Hub and at a facility in Kilbride, in Co Wicklow. She said that the Department has three large projects in train which will generate 1200 additional beds, one of which came inro use last week and resulted in 220 beds being offered.. Regulatory issues were being resolved in respect of two other properties, which collectively have a capacity for 460 beds, she said. It is further hoped that more places will become available at CityWest and Kilbride. The court heard that since the end of January approximately 1000 asylum seekers who were initially without accommodation have now been offered a place to stay. The Minister's counsel David Conlan Smyth SC said that while the Department would prefer if the number was zero the number of persons currently unaccommodated has been reduced to 217 persons. However considerable progress has been made against what Ms Baxter said were "not inconsiderable headwinds." Ms Baxter added that IPAS has introduced a new system to assess the vulnerability of persons seeking international protection. and has been working with homeless charity Marchant's Quay Ireland to offer a clinic each Wednesday to unaccommodated international protection applicants. The judge after hearing the updated situation, noted that in the majority of the cases before him, the applicants have been offered accommodation by IPAS. As a result, he said most of the urgent issues in the various High Court actions launched by those seeking accommodation have in reality come to an end. The judge said he was adjourning the cases "en-bloc" to a date in June. In the meantime, he urged the parties' legal teams to address themselves to dealing with the outstanding matters that remain in the cases, namely the issue of damages and the legal costs of the proceedings. During the proceedings lawyers for some of the applicants said their clients had been accommodated while others said their clients had been left in an "unacceptable" situation because they only been offered a chair to sleep on in the locations they are staying. The judge said that he noted that some persons have only been offered chairs but noted that a system has been put in place by IPAS to allocate beds for those who are currently on chairs. The judge also said that the court was "reluctant" to get into what he said was "a supervisory role." The matter will return before Mr Justice Meenan on June 14th next. A judge refused to impose reporting restrictions in a case of a man accused of money laundering in excess of 1 million in Laois. Eugene Doyle, 48, of 35 Ardan Glas, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise is accused of money laundering the sum of 1,203,555 at the M7 Southbound, Portlaoise on January 8, 2021. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man was facing a single charge of money laundering and a book of evidence was being prepared. Judge Andrew Cody noted the alleged offence dated back to 2021. He was only charged in April, Sgt Kirby explained. Sgt Kirby said he would have to liaise with a detective from the organised crime unit in relation to the case. Solicitor Frank Taafe asked Judge Cody to impose restrictions on reporting citing undue publicity for his client. Judge Cody said the man was entitled to the presumption of innocence like everyone else. I am not going to impose reporting restrictions, he said. He adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on July 13 for service of the book of evidence. Portlaoise shops and businesses have to be protected, a judge said as he jailed a man who stole Sambuca and whiskey from local shops. Damian Fiodorowicz, 41, with an address at 29 Carmody Way, Fairgreen, Portlaoise admitted twelve counts relating to public order and theft offences in Portlaoise last year. The thefts included using a stolen bank card to steal 38.39 from Carryout on the Mountemellick Road in Portlaoise on September 9, 2022, the theft of two bottles of Sambuca from Supervalu on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise on October 18, 2022 and the theft of whiskey valued at 32 from Dunnes Stores on the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise on October 30, 2022. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said there were 12 charges in total. He said the man had 18 previous convictions. Solicitor Barry Fitzgearald said his client, who is serving a sentence with a release date in August, was pleading guilty to all of the charges. He is in custody since May 3, said Mr Fitzgerald. Mr Fitzgerald said his client was from Poland and had arrived in Ireland for work. He came to work in construction and it was going well for a year or two, he said. He was working for a painter and decorator who went out of business, Mr Fitzgerald explained. He said the man had been working cash in hand and had no PPS and subsequently fell into homelessness. The man then sought refuge in alcohol and succumbed to alcoholism, he said. Mr Fitzgerald said there was an element of desperation underpinned by alcoholism behind the crimes. He is a man who has previously worked and worked hard, said Mr Fitzgerald. He doesnt cause the State much difficulty when he is apprehended, he said. It is hard to see hope here, said Judge Andrew Cody. The shops and businesses of Portlaoise have to be protected, he said. Mr Fitzgerald suggested some post release supervision in order to get assistance getting a PPS and employment. Judge Cody sentenced the man to eight months in prison with the last four suspended for three years in relation to thefts. The rest of the charges were taken into account. Judge Cody ordered that the sentence commence on the date of the expiry of the sentence being served. A Fine Gael junior minister who represents Laois voters around Portarlington who wrote a newspaper article that caused tensions in government claims he and his co-authors were articulating a long-standing party position on tax. Minister of State Martin Heydon and two other Fine Gael ministers including a junior finance minister called for a full-time worker on a wage of 52,000 to get 1,000 back in tax relief in the next budget. As Budget 2024 will be Michael McGrath from Fianna Fails first as finance minister, the opinion piece was seen by some as unhelpful to their coalition partner. Speaking on RTEs Today With Claire Bryne, Minister Heydon, who represents Laois and Offaly, voters said there was a need for a debate on the current surplus in the State finances. Its a seminal moment for our country, when youre talking about this year having a budget surplus of 10 billion euro, next year that could be up to 16 billion, said the South Kildare TD. Fine Gael, along with the Green Party, will be involved in negotiations with Fianna Fail in the run up to this years budget. Asked if they wrote the piece because of a perception that Fianna Fail would not want to take the tax measure, he said: This isnt about Fianna Fail. He later added: Fianna Fail were not our target audience here. He added that every party in the Dail should be articulating what choices they would make. The huge threat to our economy here is that we are an outlier by international standards, that the highest rate of tax kicks in for Irish workers much earlier, he said. Mr Heydon said party leader and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had been aware they were writing the opinion piece. Speaking on the same programme, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said it was a clear sign that Fine Gael was talking to its own voting base. It was a vote-getting exercise, thats purely what it was, she said. Ms Whitmore accused Fine Gael of using the surplus in the State finances as a slush fund for its own political party purposes. That is not the way that we should be talking about how were going to actually spend the surplus that we have, this surplus is precarious and we have been consistently told that it is not guaranteed, she said. Ms Whitmore called for a full Dail debate on what was going to happen with the money, with the Social Democrats calling for investment in the future including infrastructure. Mr Heydon rejected the assertion that Fine Gael was using the surplus as a slush fund but welcomed the call for a full Dail debate. He said this was because opposition parties promise everything to everybody. Id love to hear what their priorities are and how they do spend and thats the type of debate we have, and I think in a healthy democracy this is a healthy thing to do, he said. Asked if the opinion piece was an attempt to distinguish the party from Fianna Fail on tax issues ahead of an election, Mr Heydon said: There is no election on the horizon. He added that Fine Gael was the party of enterprise and reward. My Heydon said the opinion piece was very broad ranging and included other proposals distinct from the tax package to give support to the squeezed middle. The other measures included resources for the housing crisis, National Development Plan ceilings and an anti-austerity fund. Asked if the figure of 1.9 million people benefitting from the tax proposal was a stretch, the minister said: No, because look, our taxation system is progressive. So 1.9 million people would benefit from this progressively, up to the middle-income earners. Mr Heydon said there was a good coalition partnership which was working together on joint initiatives. But he added that he did not think there was anything wrong with publicly articulating key priorities. Turf cutting has been called environmental vandalism by Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), which has complained to Bord na Mona about the harvesting of peat on a Laois bog owned by the company. However, the State-owned company insists that it does not licence turf cutting from any of its lands and says it is the responsibility of people with turbary rights on Bord na Mona lands to comply with current planning and/or environmental regulations. FIE says it has writte to Bord na Mona reporting allegations of what is says are "continuing industrial extraction" on one of their bogs at Coolnacartan five miles south of Portlaoise In the letter to Bord na Mona CEO Tom Donnellan, the organisation says it has asked the company to investigate reports of ongoing industrial cutting up to Friday, May 26, 2023. FIE Director Tony Lowes said turf cutters must understand the cost of what they are doing. "While it is fully understandable in the ongoing energy crisis and rising cost of living that people will be tempted to cut turf, if they understood the impact of their actions they would never do so. A day extracting turf is another day of flooding somewhere in the world," he said. Bord na Mona issued a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live after FIE issued a press release. "Following the High Court ruling in 2019 on peat extraction operations, Bord na Mona ceased all commercial peat harvesting on its lands and has now fully completed its transition from a traditional peat business to a climate solutions company. Since the 2019 ruling, Bord na Mona has no longer issued licences to commercial contractors or other licenced turf cutters to extract peat from any of its lands, including its Coolnacartan Bog in Co. Laois, and this remains the case today. "To ensure all third parties were aware of the legal position after the 2019 ruling, public notices were issued widely and signage prohibiting turf cutting was erected on Bord na Mona lands, including the Coolnacartan Bog. "The only parties who are permitted to cut turf on Bord na Mona lands are those who hold turbary rights to do so. Individuals with turbary rights on Bord na Mona lands still hold the same rights as before the High Court ruling in 2019, and it remains the responsibility of turbary rights holders to ensure that their activities are not in contravention of any current planning and/or environmental regulations," concluded the company. FIE says it told Bord na Mona that recent research has shown that peat soils contain three times as much carbon as was previously understood. It claims that ths means that a 10-centimeter layer of peat less than the length of a mobile phone - contains as much carbon per hectare as a tropical rainforest. According to FIE, a United Nations Global Peatlands Assessment 2022 recommends ensuring that any peat soils deeper than 10 centimeters be left undisturbed to act as a sink. The Late Late Show will be in great hands with new presenter Patrick Kielty, departing host Ryan Tubridy has said. The in-studio audience were on their feet and cheering as Tubridy entered to host his final instalment of the show. He joked not much had been said about him leaving the show, adding he had not been able to do any shopping because so many people had approached him to shake his hand and hug him ahead of his last show. Its been a wonderful 14 years, weve had 14 toy shows, best night of the year ever weve had wonderful country specials, Valentines proposals, duets, reunions, ingenious innovations, weve had dogs and cats and lambs oh my, he said. Tonight we will celebrate the last show in style. During the show, Tubridy joined Irish President Michael D Higgins in Aras an Uachtarain for their final Late Late interview together, before a reunion of some of the children who appeared on the popular annual Christmas toy show. Tubridy had his final send off from a special trad super-group which included Andrea Corr, John Sheahan from The Dubliners, Moya Brennan from Clannad and Steve Wickham from The Waterboys among many others. Tubridy gave his best wishes to Kielty for his tenure. I want to wish the very best to the new man in the job Patrick Kielty, he takes the reigns next season, great choice, lovely fella and The Late Late Show is in great safe hands, I cant wait to see what he does with the job, hes going to be great, with a great team around him, good luck Paddy, he said. Kielty will be the fourth host of the long-running show. The people of Rathdowney have been urged to give their view on a draft new master plan for the town. Sean Fleming, Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, made the call on residents to get involved when welcoming the publishing of the draft Rathdowney Town Centre Masterplan. "I was pleased that the Government provided funding for the town of Rathdowney under a new Government initiative to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into town centres," he said. The plan which was commissioned by Laois County Council and produced by KMPG is on public display in Rathdowney Library and can be accessed through the Laois County Council website. It has found dereliction to be a big problem and recommends key steps to revitalise Rathdowney. "It is vital that people have their say and make submissions on the draft plan. The plan will guide the regeneration of the town and help the people of Rathdowney," said Minister Fleming. County Hall has also organised public consultations in Rathdowney Library on Tuesday, May 30. Workshop no 1, Tuesday 30th May: 10:00 1:00pm Workshop no 2, Tuesday 30th May: 2:00pm 5:00pm "I would encourage everyone with an interest in the future of Rathdowney to attend and have their say on the plan for Rathdowney," said the Fianna Fail TD. Those who want to make submissions can do so by 5pm on the 6th June. This can be done online. Laois County Council received 100,000 to commission a plan for the town on the Government's Town Centre First policy aimed at revitalising towns around Ireland. Noel Daly, CEO of North West Simon Community, has called for swift action to address homelessness through the full implementation of Action Plans prepared by regional homeless forums across the country. Noel Dalys comment follows the publication of new figures which show that 12,259 people were allocated Local Authority-managed emergency accommodation last month. This latest figure represents an increase of 2.26% since March 2023 and a 49.3% increase when compared to the 8,212 people homeless when Housing for All, the Governments national strategy on housing was published in September 2021. Local authorities in the North West region recorded a small decrease in homelessness, with 147 individuals in emergency accommodation in counties Donegal, Leitrim, and Sligo during the last week of April. The Governments Monthly Homelessness Report records that 104 homeless households including 14 families, comprising 19 adults and 38 children, and 90 single adults, were accommodated during the week of 24-30 April. The total number of homeless in the North West last month thankfully represents a slight reduction in homelessness when compared to the 151 homeless last month, but the number of homeless is still 56% higher year on year when compared to the 94 people officially homeless in April 2022. Noel Daly points out that the Monthly Homeless Reports published by the Government relate only to individuals and families provided with emergency accommodation by the local authorities. They do not include households frequently described as the hidden homeless. People and families sleeping rough, living in cars and tents, sofa surfing, escaping domestic violence, sharing with parents, family, and friends, and/or living in houses unfit for habitation. Despite not recognising everyones predicament, the number of people entering homelessness soared in 2022, as did the cost of providing emergency accommodation in bed and breakfasts, and hotels due to the absence of sufficient supported emergency accommodation. The latest figures from the Department of Housing reveal that 835,116 was paid to B&Bs, Tourist Hostels, and Hotels for emergency homeless accommodation in the North West in 2022. Across the 3 counties expenditure increased by 271% from the amount of 224,746 spent in 2021. Sligo County Council recorded the largest increase of 375% rising from 89,128 in 2021 to 423,212 in 2022. Donegal County Council recorded a slightly smaller increase of 353% with expenditure rising from 77,171 in 2021 to 349,815 in 2022. By comparison, the increase of 6% incurred by Leitrim County Council was quite modest, however, over the past three years expenditure in the county increased by 306% from 15,276 in 2020 to 62,089 in 2022. In stark contrast to the increased payments to the hospitality sector, statutory funding for North West Simon Community was reduced by 36% to 60,250 in 2022 from 97,750 in 2021. Noel Daly explains that difficulty obtaining statutory funding is not a new development for North West Simon Community, as we have always struggled to gain support from the State. Between 2013 and 2021, North West Simon Community generated an audited income of 4,273,505, of which only 5% came from the three Local Authorities. Everybody we speak to at the local authority and departmental level expresses a deep appreciation for the work of North West Simon Community, but nobody can explain where the blockage in funding for our services occurs. The latest homeless figures may spark a political debate about whether the Governments ending of the moratorium on evictions on March 31st contributed to the latest increase in homelessness, but what we really need today is a focus on the urgent action required to reduce homelessness. Across the country, Regional Homeless Forums comprised of representatives from all statutory and voluntary agencies working with people experiencing homelessness recently prepared Homeless Action Plans to address the needs in their area. Despite a significant level of planning and debate in each region, the Action Plans are subjected to further review within the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, after which funding is allocated in accordance with departmental guidelines. The past experience of the North West Simon Community suggests the level of funding allocated to the region in 2023, is unlikely to permit the speedy implementation of the measures which the North West Regional Joint Homeless Consultative Forum has concluded are needed to address homelessness in the region. While Government debates how to best manage its expected surpluses in Corporation Taxes, it should take whatever decisions are necessary to ensure that the funding required to fully implement each Regional Homeless Action Plan, is made readily available. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. SHREWSBURY After 18 months of waiting, Catholics will soon learn the fate of their priests and parishes in the sweeping reorganization of the Archdiocese of St. Louis called All Things New. The changes, expected to include dozens of parish mergers and priest reassignments, will be released Saturday by Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski in a press conference and announced by priests during weekend Mass. More details are expected in early June, including new Mass times and worship sites for consolidated parishes. Of the 178 parishes across St. Louis city and 10 surrounding counties, about 40 are expected to keep their parish boundaries. The other 140 or so parishes will be bundled into pastorates, groups of two or more parishes that share one pastor. The number of priests retiring or moving this summer is expected to be much higher than average, in part because of a pause during the All Things New process. Other cities undergoing similar reorganizations offer keys to the future of parishes in St. Louis, including several dioceses that used the same consulting firm, Catholic Leadership Institute. The process plays out in a similar fashion in each diocese. Parishes are first grouped together to share resources, Mass times and a pastor. New planning committees form to determine the best structure for each group, which could eventually lead to mergers or closures of parishes and schools. The Diocese of Buffalo (N.Y.) announced a record-high 47 priest reassignments on Wednesday in its Road to Renewal plan that previously formed 36 families of multiple parishes. The Beacons of Light plan in Cincinnati last year combined 208 parishes into 57 families of parishes along with 78 priest reassignments. The number of Sunday masses in the archdiocese dropped to 512 from 588 in 2019. Mass attendance increased by 6% from 2021 to 2022, although still down 19% overall from 2019. Archbishop Allen Vigneron announced Detroits plan to move all parishes into families on Pentecost Sunday in 2020. There, 216 parishes were grouped into 51 families. The Pittsburgh diocese combined 188 parishes into 57 groups in 2018 as part of its On Mission for the Church Alive strategic plan. In the five years since, most of the groups have merged to form 62 single parishes under new names as part of the ongoing effort designed to help parishes mobilize their resources to prioritize mission over maintenance, according to the Pittsburgh diocese. The Renew My Church downsizing in Chicago started in 2016 and has since seen 344 parishes consolidate into around 200. In Boston, the Disciples in Mission pastoral plan was launched in 2012, and implemented with the help of Catholic Leadership Institute. The 288 parishes were organized into 135 parish collaboratives. All Things New started in St. Louis in January 2022, when Rozanski announced the 18-month process that would bring the most sweeping changes in the 200-year history of the Catholic church in St. Louis amid declining numbers of Catholics attending Mass and priests to serve them. On Saturday, five men will be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, down from an average of 18 ordinations a year in the 1960s. The Catholic population in the region has fallen below 500,000 in 2021 for the first time in half a century. Pews are only about one-quarter full on Sundays. The model that fulfilled its mission in growing and evangelizing the Church during the last century has become archaic, Rozanski wrote in a January 2022 letter to parishioners. Jesus is calling on us to re-energize and reshape our efforts to share His saving message. What comes next Some parishes have already started looking ahead toward their new pastorates. Parishioners from Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Luke the Evangelist will come together on Monday for the annual Mass on the Grass Memorial Day service at St. Lukes field in Richmond Heights. One parish that is likely to stay independent is making plans for major renovations that were put on hold during the All Things New process. Our challenge is not about needing to merge with another parish but to accommodate our prosperity and to address the limitations of our facilities, reads a letter sent earlier this month to parishioners from the Rev. Matthew OToole of St. Peter in Kirkwood. Plans at St. Peter include four main goals, OToole said a new parish hall with a commercial kitchen for large events, expansion of school buildings, additional meeting and storage spaces and a new rectory for priest housing. The plans have been approved by Rozanski and the church is working with BSI Constructors on the plans, OToole said. Meanwhile, plans to fight against All Things New are also gaining steam. Dozens of parish groups like Friends of St. Paul plan to appeal any merger to the Vatican. The latest proposal shows St. Paul parish joining with St. Joseph in western St. Charles County, a move the group opposes out of concern for the preservation of our historic and cultural patrimony, according to its website. Former state Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, is leading an archdiocesan-wide protest as procurator, or representative, of the laity under church canon law. Onder sent petitions signed by more than 3,100 Catholics from at least 120 parishes to the Vatican earlier this month. The All Things New initiative violates the legitimate structures of parishes, the rights and obligations of pastors, the rights of the lay faithful and offends the unity of the Church by encouraging parishes to compete for survival and foments mistrust of ecclesiastical authority, Onder wrote in a May 10 letter to Vatican leaders pleading for Pope Francis to suspend the plans implementation. Still, some parishioners say they are optimistic about the prospect of fuller pews and stronger ministries. It doesnt matter what building youre in, what matters is your faith and growing in that desire to be closer to God and the Mass can help you do that, said Jennifer Crutchley, a 20-year member of St. John the Beloved Disciple in Imperial, which is likely to be grouped with St. Joseph in Imperial. The real work begins after Pentecost Sunday, Crutchley said. It needs to be the entire community pulling together. Im hopeful that when the dust settles we can all come out stronger on the other end. French director Justine Triet (2ndR) poses on stage with fellow laureates Japanese actor Koji Yakusho (2ndL) and Japanese director Kore-eda Hirokazu after she won the Palme d'Or for the film "Anatomie d'une Chute" (Anatomy of a Fall) during the closing ceremony of the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 27, 2023. CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP Justine Triet's "Anatomy of a Fall" won the Palme d'Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in a ceremony Saturday, May 27, that handed the festival's prestigious top prize to a twisty French Alps courtroom drama. "Anatomy of a Fall," which stars Sandra Huller as a writer trying to prove her innocence in her husbands death, is only the third film directed by a woman to win the Palme d'Or. One of the two previous winners, Julia Ducournau, was on this year's jury. As she accepted the Palme d'Or, French director Justine Triet slammed the government of President Emmanuel Macron over its "shocking" suppression of pension protests. "The country suffered from historic protests over the reform of the pension system. These protests were denied... repressed in a shocking way," she said in her speech. Addressing the audience of Hollywood and international film stars, directors, and other industry professionals, Triet also criticized the government's cultural policies. "The commercialization of culture that this neoliberal government supports is in the process of breaking France's cultural exception, without which I wouldn't be here today," she said. Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak hit back that she was "gobsmacked" by Triet's "unfair" comments at one of France's most prominent events. "This film would not have seen the light of day without our French model of financing cinema, which allows a diversity that is unique in the world. Let's not forget it," she wrote on Twitter. "The Zone of Interest" wins Cannes' Grand Prix Cannes' Grand Prix, its second prize, went to Jonathan Glazers "The Zone of Interest," a chilling Martin Amis adaptation about a German family living next door to Auschwitz. The awards were decided by a jury presided over by two-time Palme winner Ruben Ostlund, the Swedish director who won the prize last year for "The Triangle of Sadness." The ceremony preceded the festival's closing night film, the Pixar animation "Elemental." The jury prize went to Finnish director Aki Kaurismakis "Fallen Leaves," a deadpan love story about a romance that blooms in a loveless workaday world where dispatches from the war in Ukraine regularly play on the radio. Best actor went to veteran Japanese star Koji Yakusho, who plays a reflective, middle-aged Tokyo man who cleans toilets in Wim Wenders' "Perfect Days." Wenders' film is a gentle, quotidian character study. The Turkish actor Merve Dizdar took best actress for the Nuri Bilge Ceylan's "About Dry Grasses." Ceylan's expansive tale is set in snowy eastern Anatolia about a teacher, Samet (Deniz Celiloglu), accused of misconduct by a young female student. Dizdar plays as a friend both attracted and repelled by Samet. "The character I portray in the film is someone who is fighting for her life and she's overcome a lot of difficulties. Under normal circumstances, I would have had to work hard on this character," said Dizdar. "I understand what it's like to be a woman in this area of the country," she continued. "I would like to dedicate this prize to all the women who are fighting to exist and overcome difficulties in this world and to retrain hope." Vietnamese-French director Tran Anh Hung took best director for "Pot-au-Feu," a lush, foodie love story starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel and set in a 19th-century French gourmet chateau. Best screenplay was won by Yuji Sakamoto for "Monster." Sakamoto penned Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's nuanced drama, with shifting perspectives, about two boys struggling for acceptance in their school at home. "Monster" also won the Queer Palm, an honor bestowed by journalists for the festival's strongest LGBTQ-themed film. Quentin Tarantino, who won Cannes' top award for "Pulp Fiction," attended the ceremony to present a tribute to filmmaker Roger Corman. Tarantino praised Corman for filling him and countless moviegoers with "unadulterated cinema pleasure." "My cinema is inhibited, full of excess and fun," said Corman, the independent film maverick. "I feel like this what Cannes is about." Le Monde with AP and AFP During a demonstration in front of the Salle Pleyel, the venue for the TotalEnergies Annual General Meeting, Paris, May 26, 2023. GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP "This annual shareholders' meeting will have consequences." The hundreds of climate and scientist activists gathered outside the Salle Pleyel venue in Paris were unable to prevent TotalEnergies from holding its annual meeting on Friday, May 26. They did, however, take the opportunity to once again step up the pressure on the oil giant, which is accused of jeopardizing the fight against global warming by continuing to operate in the oil sector. This concern was also expressed in the meeting, in questions put by several shareholders. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Oil companies earned record profits in 2022 Ajouter a vos selections Ajouter a vos selections Pour ajouter larticle a vos selections identifiez-vous Sinscrire gratuitement Se connecter Vous possedez deja un compte ? The group, which posted a record profit in 2022 of $20.5 billion (19.5 billion), says it has been able to "take advantage" of the unprecedented energy context, marked by a very sharp rise in oil, gas and electricity prices triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "The circumstances have been very favorable for TotalEnergies, which has entered a new era," insisted CFO Jean-Pierre Sbraire. Challenged on the company's environmental impact, CEO Patrick Pouyanne defended his climate strategy, which was unsurprisingly approved by some 1.5 million shareholders around 500 of them attended the meeting in Salle Pleyel. TotalEnergies aims to maintain oil production over the next decade and says it needs to continue investing in new sites to compensate for the natural decline in active fields. The company also stands behind its commitment to natural gas, claiming that this energy source can play a "positive" role in the transition by replacing coal. 'The challenge is to go faster' These choices run counter to the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency, which have established that achieving carbon neutrality requires a complete end to further investment in new fossil fuel resources, which are primarily responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. The French company is the seventh in the world in the amount of new oil and gas fields planned for the near future. Pouyanne also said he wanted to "answer the grumblers who accuse the company of greenwashing" by highlighting the growing investments in the electricity sector, particularly from renewable sources. Estimated at around 2 billion in 2020, these have risen to over 4 billion in 2022 and should reach 5 billion in 2023, representing half of all investment in new capacity. "The challenge is to go faster, stronger and, above all, quicker," French Minister for Energy Transition Agnes Pannier-Runacher said on Thursday. Demonstrators outside the TotalEnergies AGM venue, Paris, May 26, 2023. GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP Supported by a group of 17 shareholders, a resolution calling on the company to align its strategy for reducing its indirect emissions known as "scope 3" with the Paris Agreement by 2030 was rejected, but still approved by 30% of shareholders. "This resolution would be tantamount to saying that TotalEnergies is solely responsible for its customers' consumption, but we don't manufacture airplanes or cars," Pouyanne said. You have 57.3% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. A police officer holds a weapon during a demonstration Thursday, April 13, 2023 in Lille, northern France. MICHEL SPINGLER / AP Several nations voiced concern at the United Nations Monday, May 1, over police violence, including against protesters, in France, as the country headed into another day of mass demonstrations. Attacks on migrants, racial profiling and religious intolerance were also raised during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which all 193 UN countries must undergo every four years. France must "take measures to, in a transparent manner, address allegations regarding excessive use of force by police and gendarmerie against protestors during demonstrations," Sweden's representative told the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Other countries raised similar concerns, including Denmark, Liechtenstein and Norway, but also Russia, Venezuela and Iran -- three countries that themselves regularly face accusations of police violence and other serious and widespread human rights violations. "We are concerned about the harsh and sometimes violent measures aimed at dispersing peaceful citizens," Russia's representative Kristina Sukacheva, told the council. The criticism came as France braced for up to 1.5 million protesters to fill its streets to mark the May 1 international workers day, even as President Emmanuel Macron tries to steer the country on from a divisive pension law that has sparked anger, pan-bashing and social unrest. It echoed growing outcry in France of the police for disproportionate use of force in dealing with the crowds, amid the months of protests over the move to raise France's pension age from 62 to 64. During Monday's review, several countries including the United States and China called on France to do more to battle racial and religious discrimination. US representative Kelly Billingsley said her country urged Paris to "expand efforts to counter crimes and threats of violence motivated by religious hatred such as antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate, including cases of harassment, vandalism, and assault." The Chinese representative decried "a rise of racism and xenophobia" in France, urging it to "stop measures that violate rights of migrants." Brazil and Japan decried "racial profiling by security forces." Sabrine Balim, a judicial advisor with the French interior ministry, told the council the use of force was "strictly supervised, controlled, and in the case of erroneous use, sanctioned." She also stressed that "France condemns any form of racial profiling." Le Monde Roman Catholic Archbishop of Strasbourg Luc Ravel in Lourdes, France, on August 15, 2019. PASCAL PAVANI / AFP Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop of Strasbourg Luc Ravel, who stepped down last month following complaints about his management, the Bishops' Conference of France said on Saturday, May 27. The diocese of the eastern French city is unusual in the Catholic Church, as under a treaty known as the Concordat dating back to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French government officially appoints an archbishop chosen by the Vatican. "The Holy Father and [French President] Emmanuel Macron have jointly accepted the resignation" of Luc Ravel, the Bishops' Conference of France said. The pope has appointed Philippe Ballot, the archbishop of nearby Metz as administrator "awaiting the appointment of the next archbishop of Strasbourg," it added. Last year the Vatican ordered an inspection of the Strasbourg diocese, representing around 1.3 million Catholics, following criticism of how it was being run. Catholics in the region told Agence France-Presse and other media that Ravel's top-down style had alienated many parishioners and other Church officials. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Strasbourg archbishop resigns amid accusations of poor governance Ajouter a vos selections Ajouter a vos selections Pour ajouter larticle a vos selections identifiez-vous Sinscrire gratuitement Se connecter Vous possedez deja un compte ? Le Monde with AFP Presidential candidate Carlos Pineda, of the Prosperidad Ciudadana party, arrives at the Constitutional Court in Guatemala City, on May 20, 2023. MOISES CASTILLO / AP Guatemala's Constitutional Court on Friday, May 26, dismissed a leading opposition politician's bid to be allowed to take part in next month's presidential election. Carlos Pineda, the leading candidate according to a recent opinion poll, recently had his candidacy suspended by Guatemala's Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE) at the request of a rival party to which he had previously belonged. He went to the Constitutional Court to have that decision overturned but failed. "Corruption won, Guatemala lost," the 51-year-old rightwing politician wrote on his Twitter account after Friday's ruling. In total, 22 candidates will contest the election which kicks off with a first round on June 25. If no one takes more than 50 percent of the vote, a second round will take place on August 20. Lagging behind Pineda according to opinion polls are former first lady Sandra Torres, ex-UN official Edmond Mulet, and Zury Rios the daughter of a former dictator. The TSE had also invalidated two other serious contenders: Thelma Cabrera from the Mayan Indigenous groups that make up 40 percent of the population, and Roberto Arzu, the son of a former president. Several corruption scandals Analysts say democracy in Guatemala has been on the decline since the premature closure in 2019 of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), a UN-backed entity that helped unearth several corruption scandals. It was shuttered on the orders of former president Jimmy Morales, who was itself in its sights. Under Morales' successor, Alejandro Giammattei, several anti-corruption prosecutors have been arrested, while others have fled into exile. Giammattei's Attorney General, Maria Consuelo Porras, has been added by the United States to a list of "corrupt actors" for hampering and then firing an anti-mafia prosecutor. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Guatemala arrests journalist in new authoritarian turn Ajouter a vos selections Ajouter a vos selections Pour ajouter larticle a vos selections identifiez-vous Sinscrire gratuitement Se connecter Vous possedez deja un compte ? Others, too, have come under fire. Jose Ruben Zamora, the founder of the El Periodico newspaper that published numerous investigations into corruption cases, finds himself accused of money laundering and blackmail. Imprisoned since July 2022, he faces a sentence of six to 20 years in prison and his newspaper was recently forced to close. Le Monde with AFP GARDAI have made an arrest in connection with burglaries at three Limerick churches on St Patricks Day. Superintendent Paul Reidy revealed the news at a joint policing sub-committee meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District. It was a particularly nasty crime to break into churches, said Supt Reidy. He told councillors that gardai had done a lot of work in respect of the burglaries at the churches in Athlacca, Bruree and Bruff and a woman was arrested in Kilkenny earlier this month. Supt Reidy also told the meeting there was a significant burglary at Baggotstown, Bruff in February. A person has also been arrested and charged, he said. Supt Reidy said there were 17 thefts in the first quarter of 2023 in the municipal area compared to 11 in the last three months of 2022. There were 18 thefts in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 16 in the last three months of 2022. Supt Reidy said a shop on Lord Edward Street, Kilmallock was hit quite considerably with a store on Kilfinanes Main Street also being targeted. A shoplifter has been detected, said Supt Reidy who then spoke about very troubling assaults causing harm in the area. There were four assaults causing harm in quarter one compared to quarter four last year. There are two detections out of the four. Investigations are ongoing. We have a high detection rate, said Supt Reidy. The superintendent highlighted a significant capture by the county drugs unit based in Adare. They are targeting the supply and sale of drugs. They seized a considerable amount of cocaine and a lot of cash in a house in Bruree. It was a great detection. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes. There are a lot of targets, said Supt Reidy. On a similar theme, he said there has been an increase in drug driving. Fifteen years ago drug driving was pretty rare. Now it is probably more prevalent than drink driving. We have a drug testing kit that is like a Covid kit. We do a lot of checkpoints, said Supt Reidy. Cllr Ger Mitchell welcomed the work of the county drugs unit which has a sergeant and five gardai. Drugs are the new scourge. They are affecting people's mental health and physical health. There is a waiting list for Cuan Mhuire. We have to start putting proper policies in place, said Cllr Mitchell. Cllr Brigid Teefy said you hear horror stories in relation to drugs and how prevalent they are. Cathaoirleach John Egan said drugs are the biggest concern in rural Ireland. Twenty years ago they were unheard of, said Cllr Egan. A MAN who had a lack of sleep gave as much abuse as he received, Newcastle West Court heard. John McKenna, aged 37, of Cois na Feile, Abbeyfeale pleaded guilty to using threatening / abusive / insulting behaviour on August 12, 2022. Inspector Gearoid Thompson, prosecuting, said gardai responded to a fight at Cois na Feile, Clash Road, Abbeyfeale. There were a number of persons present including minors. Words were exchanged. He chose to get involved. Adult and juvenile cautions were issued, said Insp Thompson. The inspector said that Mr McKenna, who has a number of previous convictions including for violent disorder and robbery, was not suitable for an adult caution. Michael ODonnell, solicitor for the accused, said his client had worked a night shift. It happened outside his house. A young girl came in to him who was upset. He had a lack of sleep. He did give as much abuse as he received. Unfortunately he is not suitable for an adult caution, said Mr ODonnell. Judge Carol Anne Coolican asked the Probation Service to prepare a report on Mr McKennas suitability for community service. WORK to finalise the planning application for a new 96-bed block at University Hospital Limerick is progressing and it likely to be submitted in the coming months. Pending planning permission approval, the works will be carried out directly adjacent to the 96-bed block currently under construction at UHL, and create the lower part of the next block over which the proposed second 96-bed block can be developed. The acceleration of the project, as announced by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly earlier this week, has been welcomed by the UL Hospitals Group. Discussions are continuing, led by HSE Capital & Estates, on the logistics, phasing, and timelines for the additional works alongside the ongoing development of the first 96-bed block. "It is expected that an application for planning permission will be finalised in the coming months for the works, which will include extensions to the two-storey underground car park, and to the ground-floor and first-floor of the building that houses the hospitals Critical Care Block, Emergency Department and Renal Services," said a spokesperson for UL Hospitals. The HSE is also preparing plans for the subsequent phase of capital works, which will include the construction and fit-out of the second 96-bed block four 24-bed inpatient wards. Welcoming Mr Donnelly announcement, the CEO of UL Hospitals Group, Professor Colette Cowan, says the ultimate delivery of the second block will go a significant way towards addressing the well documented shortfall of inpatient bed capacity in UHL and the Mid-West region. Im delighted at the Minister for Healths announcement, and the acceleration of these crucial enabling works that will pave the way for development of the second 96-bed block proposed as part of the UHL Site Masterplan. I thank Minister Donnelly, and indeed the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, for their continued support for and commitment to the delivery of additional bed capacity for the UHL site, she stated. Prof Cowan added: The announcement is particularly welcome at a time when contractors are making great progress on the first 96-bed block, which was formally launched by the Minister last September. That development will not be sufficient in itself to address our historic shortfall in bed capacity, so this latest announcement is a significant step forward. HIKING abroad might just be my favourite pastime, dont tell Moylussa! After spending three days hiking in Mallorca, Im converted to active holidays in the sun. While sunbathing and reading by the pool is great - I did that for the last few days of the trip - getting out in the mornings and spending the day on the mountains meant I slept so much better each night. For those wishing to book a hiking holiday, heres what I got up to: I stayed in Port de Soller as this is a great location to base yourself, close to the mountain ranges. We rented a car as we thought it would be best for getting around but from Port de Soller, theres so many buses that go to various hiking locations. Our first hike was Penyal d'Honor, its a 12.5km loop from Bunyola village which is around 20 minutes from Port de Soller by car. It forms part of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Theres free parking at the foot of the hike. This hike had a mixed terrain and meandered through the forest. The view point on the top has an area where you can sit, eat and take in the views of Mallorca. As you descend, theres a portaloo and a water point. The second hike was from Deia to Port de Soller. We took the coastal route which was roughly 13.5km. This was a much more difficult route as the ground was uneven in parts, close to the cliff edge and you really had to be mindful through some areas. The views were incredible and it ended in Far des Cap Gros where there was a picnic table and toilet to relax and enjoy the sea views. The route we took wasnt for the faint hearted and not as easy to navigate as it wasnt as well signposted as other trails. Cala de Deia is a hidden beach along this route and on a sunny and clear day is worth the 10 minute walk off track for a dip. You can drive to this beach but theres limited parking and narrow mountain roads. Its a very popular beach so try to get there early. Deia to Port de Soller also has the GR221 forest hike which is up from the coastal route and extremely popular with hikers. This one is better signposted and has safer terrain. The third hike was Barranc de Biniaraix, a 5km loop at the village of Biniaraix. We drove to this location and parked on the street for free. Keep an eye for blue lines, that means pay and display parking. We set off through the picturesque village and made our way to the mountain. We were advised to go anticlockwise and it was spectacular. Majority of the hike was an ascent up a very stony path that meant meandering through the mountain. While it was much shorter than previous hikes, it was tough on the legs but offered incredible views. When we returned to the village, we got snacks and beverages in a quaint coffee shop. Having a car meant we could explore more freely so one day, after a hike, we went to Formentor beach which is at the northern end of the island and is nestled at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains. Its small and intimate and has crystal clear water. Theres paid parking available and restaurants along the beach. Its a stunning place with some goats roaming freely, a common sight on the island of Mallorca. While hiking is an incredible experience and way to see a country, it can get tiring on the legs so I decided to end my holiday with a few nights in Palma, the capital of Mallorca, and its also so close to the airport because let's face it, nobody wants a long journey home. Theres so many hotel options along the coastline and even if you stay at a further point from the city centre, theres bike and scooter rentals available along the prom. It's a great way to get around with dedicated cycle lanes as well as walkways. Restaurants, bars and cafes are plentiful offering local cuisine from fresh tomato burrata salads, gambas pil pil (garlic prawns), pizzas, paella and fresh seafood. Rogha na Seachtaine EVENT: I was at a mental health event and Olympian David Gillick said: Lifes going to take over, maybe write down one thing in relation to your mental health and do something about it in the next 24 hours. READ: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I devoured this on my holiday. It looks back on the life of Hollywood star, Evelyn and her tumultuous love life and many marriages. Its a book you wont want to leave down. Its also being adapted into a movie for Netflix. Contact Meghann by email - meghannmix@limerickleader.ie IT WAS "the session to end all sessions" as Ryan Tubridy completed his last Late Late Show after 14 years, but not before being joined by a special Limerick guest. Former Limerick Person of the Year, Paudcast star, and inclusion ambassador, Padraig O'Callaghan joined the broadcaster for his season finale. They shared special memories of their time together on the Toy Show, which in itself promotes all elements of diversity. Padraig performed on the famous variety show back in 2021, where he danced to Treat People With Kindness alongside Ryan and others. Last night, Padraig was welcomed back to the show to bid Ryan farewell as he took part in a heartfelt rendition of The Cup Song, alongside other previous Toy Show favourites. After the performance, Ryan spoke to the Limerick podcaster, saying, "Paudie, come come over here and say hello", before giving him a quick heartfelt hug, and offering him to sit where many legends have once sat. "Try that seat out for size," Ryan said, as he pointed to his iconic leather chair for podcaster Padraig to enjoy. Excited to join the broadcaster, Paudie shared some behind the scenes on his social media. Ryan was among other stars the Knockainey boy met last night, including boxer Kellie Harrington, singing duo Jedward, and even some of his fellow Toy Show friends. After the farewell show, Padraig took to Twitter and said, "what an amazing night last night and honoured to be invited to celebrate with Ryan on his last Late Late Show." What an amazing night last night and honoured to be invited to celebrate with Ryan on his last @RTELateLateShow. Congrats Ryan and best wishes in the next chapter. pic.twitter.com/dqwlmd5XmK Paudcast.ie (@Paudcast_ie) May 27, 2023 The host of the Monday Motivation Paudcast added, "congrats Ryan and best wishes in the next chapter." Another Limerick favourite who appeared on the show was Vicky Phelan's sister Lyndsey who discussed her prominent interviews with Ryan on The Late Late Show, and indeed her lasting legacy. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. New Dominion Bookshop will present a book talk and signing by author and University of Virginia alumnus Bart Elmore at 7 p.m. Friday. He will speak about his new book, Country Capitalism: How Corporations from the American South Remade Our Economy and the Planet, which is to be released by UNC Press. Elmore is associate professor of environmental history at The Ohio State University. The 2022 recipient of the Dan David Prize, he is the author of Citizen Coke: The Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism and Seed Money: Monsantos Past and Our Food Future. His latest book is about the Souths impact on the interconnected histories of business and ecological change. The event is free, and the bookstore staff recommends arriving early for the best seating. Learn more at ndbookshop.com or call (434) 295-2552. Jefferson-Madison Regional Library has scheduled the following book-related events for the week ahead: All JMRL branches will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. 11 a.m. Saturday at Gordon Avenue Library: Together Tales for children up to age 3 and their caregivers will include participation, songs and movement to help bring books to life and encourage early literacy skills. 2 p.m. Tuesday at Louisa County Library: Summer Reading Kickoff Party will include treats from Kona Ice and an opportunity to meet Kim Bryson and her horse Storm from Ohana Farm to see an example of Horse-Powered Reading. Sign up to participate in the Summer Reading Challenge, which will take place from Thursday through Aug. 31, at jmrl.beanstack.org. 6 p.m. Wednesday at Gordon Avenue Library: Silent Book Club members ages 13 and older will read together in quiet camaraderie. This book club does not assign readings or require discussion. Gather at 6 p.m., get a snack and settle in to read; silent reading time is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Thursday at Greene County Library: First Thursdays Book Club members will discuss Dispatches from Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta. Everyone is welcome. Sign up to participate in person or virtually. 7 p.m. Thursday at Central Library: Books on Tap participants will talk about Cannery Row by John Steinbeck. If youd like to read ahead for the next meeting, the July 6 selection is The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. It is a known fact that humans are wired to be social and friendships are crucial for well-being. However, in the past few years, external factors and pressure have hindered the formation of maintenance of friendships. Recognising the significance of friendship, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on Friday shared an interesting philosophy on this topic written by author Richard Reeves. According to a 2021 survey by the American Perspective, the world is witnessing a "friendship recession" as there is a rise in people who lack close friends. And this could become a serious crisis in the future as loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The Amercian Perspective Survey pointed out four factors that are causing a decline in friendships-- geographic mobility, increased parental focus on child-rearing, work-centric culture, and breakdown of relationships leading to the separation of friend groups. The survey highlighted that 15% of men reported lacking a close friend. Whereas in the 1990s only 3% of men went through the same emotion. Besides, more than half of women lost touch with their friends during the Covid pandemic. Raising the alarm on the 'friendship recession', the survey said that if the trend continues there could be more "atomized individuals and a dystopian outlook". The lesser number of friends in our lives would also increase " sadness and ill health". How to maintain friendships forever? Author Reeves has shared three solutions to conquer loneliness and friendship recession. -"Recognise the importance of actively working on friendships. -Friendship requires effort, like woodworking, but the rewards are worth it. -Be vulnerable and open to the need for a friend. Let go of the shame of admitting that desire as you grow older," Reeves said. Nikhil Kamath shared Reeves' The Friendship Recession philosophy on Twitter and wrote, "I have 5 bros in my life I would do all for, life-changing this is, seriously". The more #philosophy you read (not stoic), having a community seems to be the biggest precursor to #happiness (as fleeting as it might be). I have 5 bros in my life I would do all for, life-changing this is, seriously pic.twitter.com/jMxVDKs031 Nikhil Kamath (@nikhilkamathcio) May 26, 2023 How many friends are ideal? Author Reeevs mentioned that throughout history, a tribal size of around 12-15 friends has been considered reasonable. However, having around 3-4 close friends is often ideal for meaningful connections". NEW DELHI: Power and new and renewable energy minister, R. K. Singh, met with a prominent delegation from the European Union (EU) in New Delhi yesterday to delve into avenues for enhancing cooperation under the esteemed EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership. The meeting witnessed the presence of Frans Timmermans, executive vice president for the European Green Deal, and delved into diverse facets of clean energy and climate action. With a focused approach on fortifying the joint efforts between the EU and India, Minister Singh underscored the escalating power demands faced by India, projecting a staggering doubling of the countrys capacity to 416 GW by the year 2030. He added that despite Indias low per capita and cumulative emissions, the nation has emerged as a trailblazer in both energy transition and climate action. In order to provide round-the-clock renewable energy and transition to Net Zero, storage is needed. The government is coming up with bids for more storage and is encouraging other countries to add manufacturing facilities," Singh stated. The minister also proposed joint pilots between India and the EU in areas such as green steel and other frontier technologies. He mentioned Indias ongoing pilot for round-the-clock renewables, which utilises hydrogen and ammonia as storage. The executive vice president of the European Green Deal commended India for its leadership in renewable energy and energy efficiency. He suggested bringing the agenda of energy efficiency to the global stage and establishing global energy efficiency targets. R K Singh and the EU delegation discussed collaboration opportunities in grid-scale battery-based energy storage systems, with India emerging as a significant market for green mobility. They also addressed the need to detoxify agriculture and ensure access to clean energy for populations lacking energy access. The EU delegation included Ugo Astuto, ambassador of the European Union to India, and other representatives. The Indian delegation included Alok Kumar, power secretary, and Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, new and renewable energy secretary, among others. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday slammed PM Narendra Modi over the new Parliament Building inauguration and said that the people in power will change the history of this country, according to the news agency ANI. What was the need for a new Parliament? The earlier building was a historic one. I have repeatedly said that the people in power will change the history of this country. There was no sense to attend the inauguration of the new Parliament building tomorrow," Bihar CM told media persons. #WATCH | What was the need for a new Parliament? The earlier building was a historic one. I have repeatedly said that the people in power will change the history of this country. There was no sense to attend the NITI Aayog meeting today and also the inauguration of the new pic.twitter.com/ocLyBPLF4U ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament Building on May 28, 2023. All current members of both houses of Parliament, as well as ministers, secretaries, chief ministers, and administrators of Union territories, have been invited by the Centre. However, as many as 20 parties including Congress, CPI, AAP and Trinamool Congress have announced that they would boycott the event. The inauguration of a new Parliament building is a momentous occasion. Despite our belief that the government is threatening democracy, and our disapproval of the autocratic manner in which the new Parliament was built, we were open to sinking our differences and marking this occasion," the Opposition parties said in a joint statement. "However, Prime Minister Modi's decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, "completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response", it added. The statement also in its statement wrote about Article 79 of the Constitution and wrote, There shall be a Parliament for the Union which shall consist of the President and two Houses to be known respectively as the Council of States and the House of the People." The opposition parties said the president is not only the Head of State in India, but also an integral part of Parliament as she summons, prorogues, and addresses it. PM Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building on May 28 following an invitation by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. NEW DELHI : Since the start of FY24, steel prices have witnessed a continuous downward spiral, primarily driven by the demand weakness in China. As the largest consumer of commodities worldwide, Chinas steel prices serve as a bellwether for the global steel industry. With domestic demand falling, China has increased its exports to international markets, including India. According to ICICI Securities, the price of domestic hot rolled coil (HRC) in the traders market fell by 500 per tonne week-on-week, hitting a new low of 58,200 per tonne on 21 May. Analysts said dealers are apprehensive about the substantial 20% decline ($115 per tonne) in Chinese export prices over the past month, alongside the underlying weaknesses in domestic demand. Mounting import bookings have contributed to the persistent price downturn, the analysts added. Chinese export prices are at around $550 per tonne, according to Motilal Oswal Securities Ltd data. All major mills in China and Vietnam have also slashed listing prices for May 2023. An analysis by rating agency ICRA suggested that domestic HRC prices are trading at a premium of $50 a tonne over Chinese imports, and a premium of $25 a tonne over Japanese imports. Notably, Japanese exports have duty-free access to the Indian market. Furthermore, the domestic market premium indicated steel prices will remain under pressure. Domestic steel prices have been under pressure since March, and pricing pressure has intensified, said analysts at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd (MOFSL). Indian steel manufacturers are facing a double whammy, as demand pickup was slower than anticipated and there is a reduction in realizations. ICRA has cut its baseline steel price forecasts for FY24 in view of the falling domestic HRC prices, down 3.8% so far in this quarter, and rebar prices seeing a similar trend, correcting by a steeper 4.8%. Any meaningful price recovery looks unlikely in the near term, considering the external headwinds, the rating agency said. Average domestic HRC prices are now being expected to be lower by 4-5% year-on-year in FY24, against a marginal year-on-year increase of 1-2% expected earlier, it added. While the lower realizations can put pressure on profitability of steel companies, falling prices of raw material, including coal and iron ore, are likely to provide some cushion, ICRA said. Iron ore prices, ex-China, that had risen to almost $130 a tonne during the March quarter is now at around $100 a tonne. Since iron ore prices, globally, are witnessing price correction due to subdued steel demand, Indias largest iron ore producer NMDC Ltd too had to cut prices in April by 300 per tonne for lump ores to 4,200 per tonne , and by 100 a tonne for fines to 4,010. According to analysts, even coal prices have fallen from $400 a tonne levels in the last quarter to under $330 per tonne. Key positives, however, include an improvement in supplies from Australia, a decline in domestic e-auction premiums, and easing coal availability. According to ICRA, spot price of seaborne prime hard coking coal from Australia is expected to average $255-260 per tonne in FY24, down 20-25% over FY23 levels. Thermal coal prices fell, as domestic e-auction premium from Coal India declining to 137% in April (against an average of 265% in FY2023. Moderation in input cost is likely to partly cushion the impact of steel price corrections seen in the current fiscal so far, to help keep the industrys operating profit margins at 12-13% in FY24, in line with FY23 levels" said ICRA. New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is due to visit Nigeria on 28-30 May, marking the first-ever visit of an Indian defence minister to the African country, his office said on Friday. Singhs trip comes as India aims to bolster ties and explore opportunities for defence cooperation. Singhs visit will coincide with the inauguration of Nigerias President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He will also meet with outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, underscoring Indias commitment to maintain diplomatic relations at the highest levels. Senior officials from Indias defence ministry and leaders from major defence public sector undertakings (PSUs) will accompany Singh, aiming to strengthen defense ties and find collaborative opportunities with Nigeria. The delegation plans to meet with Nigerian industry and Armed Forces representatives to identify potential areas where Indias defence industry can meet Nigerias needs. Singh will also address an estimated 50,000-strong Indian diaspora in Nigeria, strengthening the shared cultural ties between the two countries. Narendra Modi should return as the Prime Minister again in 2024," said the head priest of Madurai Adheenam, Shri Harihara Desika Swamigal, who will present the Sengol to PM Modi during the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday, May 28. Speaking to ANI, the head priest said, PM Modi is a leader who got global appreciation. He is doing good things for people. Again in 2024 he has to become PM and should guide people. We are all so proud as world leaders are appreciating our PM, Modi." PM Modi will install the historic sceptre Sengol near the Speaker's chair inside the new Parliament building tomorrow. A total of 21 Adheenams left for Delhi from Chennai airport on Saturday morning to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament building. #WATCH | 21 Adheenams leave for Delhi from Chennai airport to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament building. pic.twitter.com/cUKRSG9ktG ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2023 The 'Sengol' was received by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 14 August 1947, as a representative symbol of the transfer of power from the Britishers to India. The same spectre will be handed over to PM Modi by the head priest of Madurai Adheenam on 28th May. The 'Sengol' was crafted by Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, a renowned jeweller in what was then known as Madras. This impressive sceptre measures five feet in length and features a 'nandi' bull at the top, representing the concept of justice. The Prime Minister took a decision to adopt the Sengol as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal. The new building of Parliament will witness the very same event, with Adheenam (Priests) repeating the ceremony and vesting the PM with the Sengol. The establishment of "Sengol", makes the spirit of 15 August 1947 unforgettable. It is the symbol of the promise of boundless hope, boundless possibilities and a resolve to build a strong and prosperous nation. CR Kesavan, great-grandson of first Indian Governor-General C Rajagopalachari, has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the decision to establish the historical 'Sengol' in the new Parliament House, saying only a person with a profound understanding of India's civilisational heritage and traditions can ensure that such an important event is given its due place in history. New Delhi: Nepals Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, is preparing to commence a four-day visit to India, from May 31 to June 3, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said. This tour is the result of an invitation by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and marks Prachandas first international bilateral visit since he assumed office in December 2022. Accompanying him will be a delegation of high-ranking Nepali government officials, including ministers and secretaries. The visiting PM will meet with various Indian dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, as a part of the scheduled itinerary. Further, he will participate in in-depth discussions with Prime Minister Modi, focusing on various facets of the India-Nepal bilateral relationship. The visit also affords other Indian officials the chance to engage with the Nepali Prime Minister. Aside from his official commitments in New Delhi, Prachanda plans to visit Ujjain and Indore, signifying the intent to broaden connections and collaboration beyond the capital. This visit exemplifies the tradition of routine high-level exchanges between India and Nepal and supports Indias Neighbourhood First policy. India and Nepal have witnessed significant advancements in their bilateral relations over recent years, with increased collaboration across diverse sectors. This forthcoming visit reaffirms their mutual dedication to augment the momentum of their bilateral partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the significance of this visit, stating its importance in further propelling the bilateral relationship. The journey of Prime Minister Prachanda to India epitomizes the long-standing friendship and close cooperation between the two neighboring nations, and is anticipated to foster increased collaboration and mutual growth across numerous areas of partnership. Ahead of the new Parliament Building inauguration on May 28, Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory, asking people to make necessary adjustments and avoid New Delhi District from 5.30 am to 3 pm on Sunday, according to a report published by the news agency ANI. A number of VVIPs/VIPs and other dignitaries are likely to attend the functions/ceremonies planned in connection with the inauguration. Special traffic arrangements will be in place for the smooth conduct of the functions. The area of the New Delhi District will be treated as a controlled area. Only public transport vehicles, Civil Service aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles will be allowed to move into New Delhi District, the traffic advisory read. The area enclosed by Mother Teresa Ceresent Road, R/A Talkatora, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, R/A Gol Dak Khana, Ashok Road, R/A Patel Chowk, Ashok Road, R/A Windsor Place, Janpath, R/A MLNP, Akbar Road, R/A Gol Methi, Akbar Road, R/A GKP, Teen Murti Marg, R/A Teen Murti & Mother Teresa Crescent Road will be treated as regulated area, while only Civil Service aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles will be allowed to move within this area. The advisory further stated that road users are requested to plan their journey in advance accordingly and avoid New Delhi District from 0530 hours to 1500 hours, for their own convenience. The general public and motorists are advised to keep patience, observe traffic rules and road discipline and follow directions of traffic personnel deployed at all intersections and remain updated through Delhi Traffic Police Facebook page, Twitter handle, Website and Helpline," police said. Civil Service aspirants whose examination centres are located in New Delhi District are requested to plan their journey a little early and keep sufficient time in hand to avoid inconvenience, police added. It is pertinent to note that at least 21 opposition parties have decided to boycott the PM's decision to preside over the inauguration ceremony instead of President Droupadi Murmu. They said that the inauguration of the building without President Droupadi Murmu "insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution". Meanwhile, the Centre has received a confirmed list of 25 political parties, including some which are not a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), that will participate in the inauguration ceremony. (With ANI inputs) The International Monetary Fund has urged crisis-hit Sri Lanka to decide on debt restructuring, including with China by this October this year to obtain the applied bailout fund of USD 2.9 billion from the Washington-based financial body. China's delaying tactics clearly indicate that without their assistance, an IMF bailout would be impossible for Sri Lanka, according to a report published by Daily Mirror. Sri Lanka is no longer deemed bankrupt by the world," President Ranil Wickremesinghe endorsed when the IMF team agreed to a bailout for Sri Lanka. China's role as Sri Lanka's main creditor has drawn global attention, as the delay caused by China in obtaining the IMF bailout is being closely monitored and questioned. Similarly, being a major creditor of Sri Lanka, China closely observes other countries' actions regarding an IMF bailout for Sri Lanka. The current IMF team in Colombo anticipates that the restructuring process will be finalized during the first review of the program, scheduled for September or October this year, Daily Mirror reported as quoted by ANI. Additionally, during a recent visit to Sri Lanka, Afreen Akhter, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA), emphasized the importance of China's formal participation in the common framework for creditor talks established by India and the Paris Club. Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department, IMF, said that the Sri Lankan Government is making good faith efforts and negotiating with all creditors, private and official creditors. You may have seen, three countries India, Japan, and the Paris Club team together to form a credit committee. And China decided to be an observer to this group. So, that's a process development," he said. China's influence in Sri Lanka has become so dominant that even though China is buying additional time to restructure its debt, a crucial step for securing the long-awaited IMF bailout, there appears to be no response from the desperate people of the island on China's inaction. (With ANI inputs) DALLAS (AP) Cindy Campos' 5-year-old son was so excited about the Winnie the Pooh book he got at school that he asked her to read it with him as soon as he got home. But her heart sank when she realized it was a tutorial about what to do when danger is near, advising kids to lock the doors, turn off the lights and quietly hide. As they read the Stay Safe book the school sent home without explanation or a warning to parents, she began crying, leaving her son confused. Its hard because youre reading them a bedtime story and basically now you have to explain in this cute way what the book is about, when its not exactly cute, Campos said. She said her first-grader, who goes to the same elementary school as her pre-K son, also got a copy of the book last week. After posting about it in an online neighborhood group, she found other concerned parents whose kids had also brought the book home. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 AP Show More Show Less 2 of 3 AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3 The district's decision to send kids home with the book has made waves. Californias Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, tweeted: Winnie the Pooh is now teaching Texas kids about active shooters because the elected officials do not have the courage to keep our kids safe and pass common sense gun safety laws. It sparked enough of a reaction to warrant an explanation from the Dallas Independent School District, which said in a statement Friday that it works "hard every day to prevent school shootings" by dealing with online threats and improving security measures. It also conducts active shooter drills. Recently a booklet was sent home so parents could discuss with their children how to stay safe in such cases, the district said. "Unfortunately, we did not provide parents any guide or context. We apologize for the confusion and are thankful to parents who reached out to assist us in being better partners. The district did not say how many schools and grades in the district received the books. Campos said the book was haunting her and that it seemed especially tone deaf" to send it home with kids without explanation around the time the state was marking the anniversary of last year's mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, when a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers. It also comes as Texas' Republican-controlled Legislature wraps up a session in which it rejected virtually all proposals to tighten gun laws but did pass legislation banning school libraries from having books that contain descriptions, illustrations or audio depicting sexual conduct not relevant to the required school curriculum. Active shooter drills have become common in American schools, though theres disagreement over whether they do more harm than good. Campos said that although she doesnt disagree with the book's intent, she wished it would have come with a warning to parents so that she could introduce it to her kids at the right time and in the right way. She said she has discussed school shootings with her kids, and that she might have chosen to wait to read them the book until there was another attack. I would have done it on my own time, said Campos, who first spoke to the Oak Cliff Advocate. The books cover says: If there is danger, let Winnie the Pooh and his crew show you what to do. Inside, it includes passages such as If danger is near, do not fear. Hide like Pooh does until the police appear. Doors should be locked and the passage blocked. Turn off the light to stay out of sight. The book was published by Praetorian Consulting, a Houston-based firm that provides safety, security and crisis management training and services. The company, which didn't respond to messages seeking comment, says on its website that it uses age-appropriate material to teach the concepts of run, hide, fight the approach authorities say civilians should take in active shooter situations. The company also says on its website that its K-6 curriculum features the characters of Winnie the Pooh, which are now in the public domain and even featured in a recent horror movie. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Last month, Charlottesville police officers once again arrested Mason Hughes Pickett, the man often seen around Charlottesville sporting signs in graphic opposition to social justice, civil rights and Democrats of all stripes from former City Council Member Wes Bellamy to President Biden. Pickett, this time charged with assault and battery, has become a recognized figure in Charlottesville as the sign guy for his signs, which often criticize elected officials, as well as his arrests, which appear to occur every other year. Details of Picketts arrest and the April 15 incident that led to it are not yet available for viewing at Charlottesville General District Court, although previous records show that Pickett has a history of misdemeanor assault and battery charges that date back to February 2018. We did make the arrest but the case is still pending in court, Charlottesville police spokesman Kyle Ervin told The Daily Progress. As of Friday, Pickett had been released on bond from Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Jail and is awaiting a hearing scheduled for June 29. Before being arrested in April of this year, Pickett was found guilty and charged a $100 fine for an assault and battery charge for a crime committed on Aug. 12, according to online court records. Its the first time Pickett has been convicted of assault after being found not guilty of two other assault charges back in 2017. In September 2017, Pickett pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor assault charges for an incident that occurred at the Freedom of Speech Wall on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall on Aug. 24 of that same year. During his criminal hearing, Judge Joseph Serkes heard testimony from two alleged victims Davyd Williams and Lara Harrison who claimed they witnessed Picketts aggressive behavior on two separate occasions, C-Ville Weekly reported at the time. Williams testified that, on Aug. 24, 2017, he was erasing a spot on the Freedom of Speech Wall where someone had written, Wes is a jackass. In his testimony, Williams claimed that Pickett approached him and shoulder-checked him before hitting his hand twice and snatching the bottle of liquid cleaner out of his hand hard enough that the handle broke, C-Ville Weekly reported. In February 2017, the Charlottesville General District Court found Pickett not guilty on both charges and released him on summons, which is an alternative to being taken into custody by police and transported to jail in Virginia. Charles L. Weber, the attorney who represented Pickett on the assault charges, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Progress. Pickett reappeared in the Charlottesville General District Court in November 2020 on more assault and battery charges for hitting a University of Virginia graduate student with one of his signs on Halloween night the same year. Pickett was found guilty of the misdemeanor on Jan. 29 and appealed the conviction in March to the Charlottesville Circuit Court, where the appeal was dismissed, according to records obtained by The Daily Progress. R. Cooper Vaughan, assistant commonwealths attorney for the city, filed a motion on behalf of the commonwealth opposing the appeal, citing the lateness of the appeal filing, which must be done within 10 days of conviction. A police report included with Picketts circuit court file includes a statement from the complainant named Raegan Bostic, a University of Virginia graduate student, that sheds light on the incident. According to Bostics account, she parked on University Avenue in front of Bodos Bagels and accidentally bumped Picketts sign with her elbow on Halloween night 2020. He immediately ran after me, grabbed my left arm, and yelled, You touched my sign! Bostic wrote in court documents obtained by The Daily Progress. I struggled to get away from him while yelling, Get off me! Per the report, Bostic then said Pickett said something along the lines of, Im gonna hit you in the head with my sign before proceeding to do exactly that, repeatedly. Two witnesses pulled Pickett off of her, one of whom Bostic wrote she later found out was Tim Longo, chief of the University of Virginia Police Department. Longo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Progress. In a historic move Saturday, the Texas House of Representatives voted 121-to-23 in favor of impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton after considering the 20 articles of impeachment filed against him. Paxton faced several charges that ranged from bribery to abuse of public trust to obstruction of justice, reported journalists with the Associated Press. The evidence is substantial. It is alarming and unnerving," Texas state Rep. Andrew Murr was reported saying in the proceedings' closing statements by The Texas Tribune's Patrick Svitek. Murr, a Republican, chairs the House General Investigating Committee. This unprecedented vote means Paxton will be temporarily removed from office, per The Texas Tribune's news team, and a trial will take place in the state Senate next. Depending on the trial's outcome, Paxton may be officially relieved of his duties. It's worth noting that Paxton's wife, Angela Paxton, is a state senator. Ken Paxton called the vote an "ugly spectacle" that was "never meant to be fair or just" in an official statement released shortly after the proceedings concluded. "I am beyond grateful to have the support of millions of Texans who recognize that what we just witnessed is illegal, unethical, and profoundly unjust," he said. "I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I have full confidence the process will be fair and just." This was the first time that state lawmakers considered impeaching a sitting attorney general, but accusations of wrongdoing have followed Paxton for years. Months after he was first elected to office in 2014, Paxton was indicted on state securities fraud charges a legal battle that continues to this day, according to reports from The Texas Tribune. The AP's Paul Weber and Jake Bleiberg wrote that Paxton was indicted for allegedly defrauding investors of a North Texas tech startup company, Servergy, by not disclosing he was being paid by the company to recruit them. Since then, Paxton has been accused of attempting to interfere in the ongoing criminal case and other lawsuits. Despite this, Paxton was elected as the state's top law official two more times. Many of the articles of impeachment were related to Paxton's alleged dealings with Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, the AP reported. Investigators claimed that Paxton may have committed at least three felonies in attempting to help Paul with his various legal troubles, reported James Barragan, Robert Downen and Zach Despart with The Texas Tribune. In exchange, Paul helped Paxton renovate his house and gave a job to a woman with whom Paxton was having an affair, these claims alleged. All roads lead to Nate Paul, said state Rep. Ann Johnson, a Democrat and vice chair of the House General Investigating Committee. But Paxton is not without supporters. Paxton is backed by former President Donald Trump, who took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to ask Texas lawmakers to "free Ken Paxton." And among the 23 state representatives who opposed Paxton's impeachment were Republicans Tony Tinderholt and John Smithee, reported Svitek for The Texas Tribune. They argued that the proceedings were rushed and unfair. Its what I call the hang them out and judge them later policy, Smithee said. CAIRO (AP) Sudan's military ruler demanded in a letter to the U.N. secretary general that the U.N. envoy to his country be removed, officials said Saturday. The U.N. chief was shocked by the letter, a spokesman said. The envoy, Volker Perthes, has been a key mediator in Sudan, first during the country's fitful attempts to transition to democracy and then after worsening tensions between military rivals exploded into open fighting last month. The fighting pits troops loyal to military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan against a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, headed by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Burhan's letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was received Friday. The Secretary-General is shocked by the letter he received this morning, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The Secretary-General is proud of the work done by Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative. Dujarric didnt reveal the contents of the letter. A senior Sudanese military official said Burhans letter asked Guterres to replace Perthes who was appointed to the post in 2021. According to the official, Burhan accused Perthes of being partisan, and that his approach in pre-war talks between the generals and the pro-democracy movement helped inflame the conflict. The talks had aimed at restoring the countrys democratic transition, which was derailed by a military coup in Oct. 2021. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media. Later Saturday, the U.S. State Department said it supports Perthes and that he continues to have our confidence. A statement by spokesman Matthew Miller said that we express our concern over the letter from the Sudanese Armed Forces calling for his (Perthes) resignation. Perthes declined to comment on the letter. Burhans letter came after the U.N. envoy accused the warring parties of disregarding the laws of war by attacking homes, shops, places of worship, and water and electricity installations. In his briefing to the U.N. Security Council earlier this week, Perthes blamed the leaders of the military and the RSF for the war, saying they have chosen to settle their unresolved conflict on the battlefield rather than at the table. Burhan accused Perthes last year of exceeding the U.N. missions mandate and of blatant interference in Sudanese affairs. He threatened to expel him from the country. The ongoing fighting broke out in mid-April between the military and the powerful RSF. Both Burhan and Dagalo led the 2021 coup that removed the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The fighting turned the capital of Khartoum and the adjacent city of Omdurman into a battleground. The clashes also spread elsewhere in the country, including the war-wracked Darfur region. The conflict has killed hundreds of people, wounded thousands and pushed the country to near collapse. It forced more than 1.3 million out of their homes to safer areas inside Sudan, or to neighboring nations. Sexual violence including rape of women and girls, a common practice in Sudan's wars and political upheavals, were reported in Khartoum and Darfur since the fighting began. The Combating Violence Against Women Unit, a government-run group, said Friday it received reports of at least 24 cases of sexual attacks in Khartoum, and 25 other cases in Darfur. The unit, which tracks violence against women, said most survivors reported that the attackers were in RSF uniform and in areas of Khartoum controlled by RSF checkpoints. The RSF did not respond to a request for comment. The warring parties have agreed on a weeklong cease-fire, brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. However, the truce, which is scheduled to expire Monday night, did not stop the fighting in parts of Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Residents reported sporadic clashes Saturday in parts of Omdurman, where the armys aircraft were seen flying over the city. Fighting was also reported in al-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur. A judge has put a temporary halt to South Carolinas new law banning most abortions around six weeks of pregnancy until the state Supreme Court can review the measure Chattanooga Times Free Press file photo / A University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sign near an entrance to the campus along McCallie Avenue is shown. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Monday will be bittersweet for an Albemarle County man whose uncle a soldier whose remains laid unidentified for seven decades is at rest for his first Memorial Day in Arlington National Cemetery. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class James Allen Coleman, known to family members and friends as Jimmie, was reported missing in action on April 25, 1951, near Chipori, South Korea, after an enemy mortar shell explosion during action in the Korean War. On a sunny October day in 2022, his baby sister, Mary Coleman Chauncey the last survivor of 16 siblings and about 40 of Colemans cousins and other family members from across the country gathered for the sergeants burial at Arlington. While Colemans parents and siblings mourned his loss over the years, they held on to hope that his remains would be found and identified someday. News of the identification, which was made possible in part by DNA technology, came in a phone call to Chauncey a year ago, on May 23, 2022. Colemans parents, Fay Spencer Coleman and Cora F. Rawlings Coleman of Clinton, Indiana, and all but one of his siblings died without knowing that his remains had been recovered in April 1953 by an American Graves Registration Service Group and buried in 1956, still awaiting identification, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. I was 3 when he went missing and was declared dead, Michael Coleman, Jimmie Colemans nephew, told The Daily Progress. Most of the people who attended the service in Arlington had never met him. Hed been gone about 70 years, so that seemed like a remarkable turnout, and a recognition of family and service. Michael Colemans father, Charlie, never gave up hope that his brothers remains could be located and brought home to the country hed fought two wars to protect. After talking with dad, I did some internet research, Michael Coleman said. He contacted the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and learned that some remains had been recovered after the Korean War and reinterred in Hawaii. Mitochondrial DNA, which traces matrilineal descent, offered a new way to pursue a possible identification. Charlie Coleman and his surviving brothers, Richard and Homer Coleman, submitted DNA samples. Charlie Coleman died in 2014; Richard and Homer Coleman both died in 2021. Chauncey, the baby girl of the family, was the only living sibling when she received the phone call last May, Michael Coleman said. My Aunt Mary notified me in May of 2022 after she was contacted by DPAA, the Albemarle County resident said. I was both happy and flabbergasted, because I did not think he could be identified or returned. Through painstaking research by DPAA, more pieces of his story began to come together. James Allen Coleman an Indiana native who fought with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division was killed by mortar fire and placed on a stretcher by two of his patrol members, Michael Coleman said. They had to make a rapid retreat, leaving his body behind. The sergeant was only 22. His body had just begun a long journey home. Michael Coleman said the family learned that his uncles body was found with another service members body and that of a Korean national in the village of Tumun-gol, South Korea, in 1953 and buried in a United Nations cemetery. Later, his remains were sent to Japan to be identified using the scientific tools available at the time. That attempt was unsuccessful, and the remains were buried first in Japan and then, in 1956, at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. Knowing that her son had been laid to rest in a lovingly maintained cemetery would have brought precious solace to Michael Colemans grandmother, said Michael Coleman. It would have made all the difference, he said. My grandmother had always wanted him to be returned. She did not know he was in Hawaii, because he was not identified. Jimmie Colemans remains were disinterred again in 2019 as part of an effort to restore names to all of the Korean War unknowns. Thats when the DNA samples contributed by the sergeants brothers helped solve a seven-decade mystery. It has a big emotional impact for me, Michael Coleman said. What gets me, and makes me happy, is that DPAA is there to locate and identify service people. Theyre not forgotten. It would be easy to forget someone whod been gone for 70 years. Its remarkable that the government is committed to this kind of work. Jimmie Colemans interment at Arlington brought to mind not only his service to his country in wartime, but also a family tradition of service, for Michael Coleman. All five of his brothers served in World War II. Charlie Coleman, Michael Colemans father, served as a tailgunner and was shot down over occupied France. He was smuggled out of France in the false bottom of a pig cart by the Free French, Michael Coleman said of his father. Two family members from another generation played a special role in Jimmie Colemans return. Two of Michael Colemans cousins one who serves in the U.S. Air Force, another in the Air National Guard were tapped to escort the body home. The military, when they send a deceased family member home, theyre always escorted, Michael Coleman said. His escort from Hawaii was my two cousins. A viewing was not possible, but the funeral home in Alexandria displayed a uniform of the type the sergeant would have worn. Michael Coleman said he remembers the caisson, the honor guard, the 21-gun salute, the crisp precision of the pallbearers. Jimmie Coleman, who had served in both World War II and the Korean War, had received the Silver Star for saving other lives in the heat of battle, and his Arlington service reflected his valor. He had been wounded in battle and carried another member back behind the lines to get aid, his nephew said. Then he went back and got another wounded person. Considering he was also wounded at the time, it was remarkable. Having been missing in action for 70 years and a Silver Star winner, he qualified for one of the larger gatherings. Colemans other honors for his service included the Bronze Star, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and Combat Infantryman Badge. Under all the military tributes was a familys heartfelt goodbye, on a day they never knew theyd see. At the funeral, my aunt Mary read a poem she had written when she was 12 years old about losing her brother, Michael Coleman said. He said he is grateful for the DPAAs work to help other families find the comfort his has found. We, as a family, would like to thank DPAA for all the work they did for us and for all military families, Michael Coleman said. We are appreciative of the people who remember our missing service members. There are other people out there who remember our missing. His wish is that his familys experience can offer hope to other families this Memorial Day. He encourages other loved ones of missing service members to contact DPAA. There is hope. Its an ongoing process, Michael Coleman said. Theyre still finding bodies from World War II. There is hope that one day they will be recovered and returned. In 1956, when he was moved to Hawaii, they couldnt identify the body. Weve had remarkable advances since then, such as DNA. People can be identified who could not be identified before. There will be more breakthroughs that Im sure will be used to identify more service members. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. The reasons behind the need for organ transplants are as multiple as the number of people seeking them. At any one time, around 500 people are awaiting a transplant. There were 250 transplants performed last year, so the demand is very high. This figure should increase in the near future as the Government's Human Tissue Bill will introduce an opt-out system of organ donation to Ireland. It will help increase the amount of organs available for donation to patients in need. Organ Donor Awareness Week 2023 is all about making people aware of the need for donations. Anthony Heavey (65) from Stonepark, Longford, was eighteen years old when he unknowingly drank a poisonous substance from a Miwadi bottle. The toxin left him fighting for his life and with damage to his kidneys and liver: It was a couple of weeks after I drank it that I became ill. It was just that sort of poison. It took time to act. Man to stand trial over threat to kill man in Longford town A man is to stand trial for allegedly robbing and threatening to kill or cause serious harm to another man in Longford town earlier this year. It certainly was life changing, Anthony told the Leader, There was no such thing as Health and Safety in those days. The effects of the poisoning were not instant: I went to bed on a Wednesday night at 12 o'clock, then woke up on Thursday morning crippled with pain. I was in a coma that evening. I was brought to Baggot Street Hospital, then moved to the Meath Hospital where I was put on dialysis. It was a traumatic event in his life and his road to recovery was a long one and proved a barrier to entering some types of careers. However, over time his health improved and he resumed a normal quality of life, got married and became the father to two children who are now adults. After 36 years working as a postman he is now retired. Anthony's progression from his impaired kidney function to kidney failure was a slow one: It took years for me to get back to half-normal. The liver recovered after a while, but the kidneys were damaged for life. In the past few years he required dialysis treatment, which he's been undergoing for four years. Initially he travelled to Dublin for three times weekly haemodialysis treatment at Tallaght Hospital and then began a form of home dialysis, Peritoneal, which he feels works better for him and he undergoes this six days a week for hours at a time: The one day of dialysis I have off is like Christmas, he tells. His quality of life is restricted by his dialysis treatment, diet and fluid restrictions, and extreme fatigue. Anthony has been on the transplant waiting list for a kidney for nearly four years: It would be completely life changing to get a transplant, he says, I know one man who got a transplant. I met him in town shortly after the operation. I didn't know him, he looked so well. Anthony is sharing his health story to help the public understand the plight of people with organ failure and to help highlight the importance of organ donation for transplantation: I am four years on the waiting list. My consultant said she would be very disappointed if I did not get a transplant this year, but you never know, you just have to be ready for it. Organ Donor Awareness Week 2023 runs from May 20 to May 27 and is organised by the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) in association with the HSEs Organ Donation Transplant Ireland (ODTI). This years Organ Donor Awareness Week campaign is built around the theme Dont Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt! Regional Hospital Mullingars Adult Emergency Department Services remains very busy and is in escalation today (Saturday, May 27). An Ireland East Hospital Group spokesperson stated, "We would like to ask the public to consider their care options. The Minor Injury Unit at Charter Medical Private Hospital: "We would like to remind the public that, patients who are over 16 years with the following injuries may wish to present to the Regional Hospital Mullingar Minor Injury Unit located at Charter Medical Private Hospital in Ballinderry, Mullingar: Suspected broken bones to arm (from collar bone to fingertip) Suspected broken bones in legs (from knees to toes) Sprains and strains Wounds, bites (animal or insect) cuts, grazes and scalp laceration Minor burns and scalds Foreign bodies Minor chest injuries "With the weather set to be sunny and warm this weekend, we ask that the public be Sun Smart and protect their skin from the sun! Check the UV index and remember the 5 Ss. Know the UV index: When the UV index is 3 or above you need to protect your skin. In Ireland, the UV index is usually 3 or above from April to September, even when it is cloudy. Stay safe by limiting time in the sun when UV is strongest, typically between the hours of 11am to 3pm. Check the UV index on the Met Eireann website Slip on clothing: Cover skin as much as possible, wear long sleeves, collared t-shirts, clothes made from close-woven material that does not allow sunlight through. Slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA protection and water-resistant. Reapply regularly. No sunscreen can provide 100% protection, it should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothing and shade. Slap on a wide-brimmed hat: Protect your face, ears and neck. Seek shade: Sit in the cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight. Use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight. Slide on sunglasses: Guard your eyes against harm by wearing sunglasses with UV protection. "Patients attending the ED, who require urgent care, will be prioritised. "Hospital Management would like to thank the public for their support and understanding at this time." Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, leader of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), arrived in Mogadishu. African Union peacekeepers, along with Islamic Courts Union (ICU) fighters set up security patrols throughout the city. Shabaab destroyed graves in Kismayo after accusing locals of worshiping dead people. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Shabaab fighters atop a destroyed Ugandan tank as seen from Shabaabs propaganda Shabaab, al-Qaedas branch in East Africa, briefly overran a Ugandan military base in Somalias Lower Shabelle yesterday. Though the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) of which Uganda is a constituent member has confirmed the assault, it has so far not confirmed any casualties while also denying the base was overran. Early yesterday morning, at least three suicide car bombs were launched at the Ugandan Peoples Defense Force (UPDF) base in Buulo Mareer, Lower Shabelle. Following the initial blasts, hundreds of Shabaabs men then stormed the base, prompting an intense firefight. Local residents reported hearing severe gunfire and explosions throughout the morning. Not long after, local residents of Buulo Mareer also reported that Shabaab briefly took control over the town itself, patrolling through the streets and looting local Somali military posts in the town after assaulting the base. For its part, Shabaab confirmed using multiple suicide car bombs in the raid while also claiming to have killed over 130 UPDF troops in the base in addition to capturing two others alive. This number has not been confirmed by any other source. Shabaab does routinely inflate total fatality numbers, though it has been accurate on major attacks in the past. Photos released by Shabaab, however, do show over a dozen killed Ugandan soldiers and two others in the process of being captured. Other pictures show complete destruction of the base, including tanks, armored vehicles, reinforced positions, and other areas of the base. Shabaab has now successfully utilized or attempted at least 22 suicide bombings so far this year, according to data compiled by FDDs Long War Journal. Neither Uganda nor ATMIS has confirmed any casualties from the attack. Both, however, have indeed confirmed the assault took place, with Uganda saying it was probing the attack and ATMIS later saying the assault was repelled. Ugandan Lt. General Kayanja Muhanga, the overall Commander of Land Forces for the UPDF, was sent to Somalia as part of Ugandas investigations in the assault. Yesterdays assault was the first major raid on an ATMIS base since last years attack on a Burundian outpost in Middle Shabelle. In that assault, dozens of Burundian troops were killed after Shabaab overran that base. At the time, Shabaab claimed at least 173 Burundian soldiers were killed, though the real number was still high, it was much lower than the claimed total. The two assaults mimic Shabaabs 2016 raid at El-Adde in Somalias southern Gedo region. That suicide assault left between 141 and 200 Kenyan troops dead. Kenya has rejected these numbers, however. Similarly in Jan. 2017, Kenya lost an additional 68 troops in another large suicide assault conducted by Shabaab against one of Kenyas bases in southern Somalia. And in Aug. 2018, at least 46 Ugandan troops were killed by Shabaab in a suicide assault involving two car bombs on an AU base in Lower Shabelle. A recent report from Voice of America found that at least 3,500 African Union troops have been killed inside Somalia battling Shabaab since 2007, with some quoted officials holding the possibility that this number could be higher. The vast majority of killed troops have been from Uganda and Burundi. Shabaabs raid comes as the United States launched its eighth drone strike of the year in Somalia, targeting Maalim Osman, the head of Shabaabs external operations wing, on May 20. And just earlier this week, the U.S. State Department and U.S. Treasury Department placed sanctions on over 30 Shabaab commanders and financiers as part of efforts to help support the Somali governments current offensives against Shabaab. Somalia is currently waiting to officially start the second phase of its offensive against Shabaab, this time focusing on the al Qaeda branch in Jubaland and Southwest State. Militias loyal to Jubaland state have previously conducted anti-Shabaab operations in recent months. Though Somalia benefited from clan hostility against Shabaab during the offensives first phase in central Somalia, it is unclear how well it can benefit from anti-Shabaab clan sentiment in Somalias south, where Shabaab has based much of its governance and social services. Additional troops from Djibouti, Kenyam and Ethiopia, which will be outside of African Union control, are slated to deploy to Somalia to help assist the federal forces in this endeavor. For its part, Jubaland has so far rejected overtures from the federal government to replicate the clan model it utilized in Somalias center though the rejection was largely based on intra-Somali political rivalries than any sense of futility regarding Shabaabs strong relations with the southern clans. Though its fortunes have ebbed and flowed over the past decade, it has also weathered numerous offensives from an array of local, regional, and international actors, including the United States. It is now facing its largest challenge in over a decade, though if yesterdays large assault is any indication, the fight against Shabaab is far from over. Caleb Weiss is an editor of FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. A report on the luxury housing market in Spain, commissioned by Bermuda-based insurance company Hiscox, indicates that 33% of all luxury homes in the country are in the Balearics. Defined as properties valued at three million euros or more, the Balearics - treated as a province - are second only to Malaga and by just one percentage point. The report observes that Spain is the fourth most attractive country in the world for investing in luxury homes behind the US, the UK and Australia. For buyers, Spain is "a safe investment and an ideal destination to establish a second residence", especially for foreigners from countries such as the UK, Germany, France and China. The luxury sector, according to the report, accounts for around five per cent of Spain's total residential market. The findings from the Hiscox report are similar to figures produced by the property website Idealista in August last year. This showed that 32.1% of properties on the market at three million euros or more were in the Balearics - 2,497 advertisements. In the Balearics, there is political pressure to limit the purchase of homes by foreign buyers. Around a third of all purchases per annum are by foreigners. While these are not by any means all in the luxury segment, the demand - and this is admitted by the real-estate sector - does act to push up prices of homes in general. There is also pressure to scrap the so-called Golden Visa. Introduced by the Spanish government in 2013 as a means of encouraging foreign investment, this grants residence status to foreign buyers whose investment is 500,000 euros or more. Sun Life Philippines (Sun Life), the number 1 life insurance company in the country for the 12th year in a row, and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), the countrys fastest and best mobile network according to Ookla, have renewed their strategic partnership to increase financial literacy among Smarts partner cooperatives. The renewal will expand the programs coverage, where financial literacy trainings will also be held for cooperatives in Benguet, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Metro Manila throughout the year. Sun Life and Smart are looking forward to exceeding the programs success in 2022, where close to 500 cooperative members were engaged and educated on finance fundamentals and their relevance to their industry. Sun Life has always been a staunch advocate of financial literacy as we believe it plays a key role in achieving a brighter life. We are always looking for ways to elevate our efforts and help empower even more Filipinos to pursue their financial goals. I believe the renewal of our tie-up with Smart can help us do that, said Sun Life President Alex Narciso. Smart Go-To market and subscriber management group head and first Vice President Melvin Nubla underscored the importance of empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through financial literacy and digitalization. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Keeping exotic animals as pets has continuously grown in popularity, as proven by in the previous several decades, there has been an increase in trade volume. Snakes, pythons, geckos, salamanders, turtles, pangolins, insects, and even wildlife such as ostriches, tigers, and monkeys are examples of exotic pets. Unfortunately, some of these may be on the Philippines list of endangered or vulnerable species. There is a large illegal market for exotic pets where there are no rules. While there are genuine dealers, there are also opportunistic merchants and poachers, many of whom are active on social media and are looking to make a fast cash. The unlawful and/or unsustainable trade in exotic species to be maintained as pets has a global impact on the conservation of many species. This trade also raises issues about animal welfare and worsens the problem with the invasion of non-native animals and the transmission of new zoonotic illnesses. An American Green Iguana on a tree. (Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images) In 2001, Republic Act No. 9147, often known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, was signed into law. According to the Official Gazette of the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, RA No. 9147 is a bill that established the required environmental policy to allow the Philippine government to manage and protect the countrys wildlife resources completely. According to the Act, it provides for the conservation, preservation, and protection of wildlife species and their habitats in order to preserve and encourage ecological balance and biological diversity; it also provides for the control and supervision of wildlife capture, hunting, and trade; and it finally provides for the support and promotion of scientific research on biodiversity protection. According to the provisions of this Act, it shall apply to all wildlife species, including those living in protected areas as defined by Republic Act No. 7586, National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, as well as exotic species that could be traded, lived in captivity, bred in captivity, or propagated in the country. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be in charge of all terrestrial plants and animals, turtles and tortoises, and wetland species, including crocodiles, waterbirds, amphibians, and dugong, while the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be in charge of all aquatic habitats deemed critical, all aquatic resources, including all fishes, aquatic plants, invertebrates, and all marine mammals, except dugong. A young ball python resting on a human hand. (Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images) To sell exotic animals, pet retailers must get permission from the DENR. In addition, the business needs a Wildlife Farm Permit. The last thing you want is to discover that you purchased a lovely pet only to discover that it is on the endangered species list, placing you in violation of the law. The same requirements are expected of you, who plan to own these types of animals for your pet, whether you bought it, received it as a gift from someone, or saved it from an unexpected circumstance. You, the owner, have a duty to inform the DENR of your possession of such an animal and acquire the proper permits to, whether continue owning it or surrendering it to proper authorities. Taking care of a pet is never simple. Even dog owners go to their breeders for advice and information on a variety of topics, including maintenance and upkeep, feeding and nutrition, pet product suppliers, veterinary treatment, and so on. The same is true for exotic pets, which require extremely specialized care. For example, their food, housing arrangements, and care may be highly particular. A reliable supplier will be able to provide you with direction and aid in these situations. Axolotl amphibians in an aquarium. (Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images) Animals can become ill and even carry illnesses or bacteria/viruses that can be passed on to other pets or even humans. An opportunistic seller will not be interested in dealing with this since it involves money and a time and resource investment. Opportunistic dealers will just want to make quick cash, regardless of whether the exotic pet he gave you is sick, and neither you nor the seller is aware of it. This is also true for those who purchase dogs and cats from unscrupulous breeders who do not care if the animals they sell have been properly vaccinated and health examined. Some of the most expensive pets on the market may really be endangered species. Poachers and purchasers may see these creatures as trophies or rewards, utterly unaware that they are breaching the law and contributing to the loss of biodiversity. Would you feel at ease knowing that you contributed to the loss of biodiversity, notably the extinction of a vulnerable species? Would you want to go that low, be that heartless and soulless for a trophy for yourself? A tarantula in an aquarium. (Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images) Pets are not throwaway objects that may be exchanged or dumped when you have had enough of them. If you purchase one for yourself, you should be prepared for the pets upkeep requirements. If you are considering getting someone an exotic pet, you cannot assume that the recipient is prepared for it. Exotic pets and domesticated pets may be extremely different in some aspects, yet they both demand the same level of responsibility, diligence, and education from their future owners. About the Author: Mariana Burgos is a freelance artist. She has been a solo parent for 16 years now because she is wife to a desaparecido. She and her daughter are animal lovers and are active in advocating not only human rights but the rights of animals as well. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Kerrville, TX (78028) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 86F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Its that time of year to pick up a beach towel, some sunscreen and a bathing suit and head to the shore. Eighty-one beaches and waterfronts in Massachusetts will open for the summer this Memorial Day weekend, and weekend lifeguard services are expected to begin as well to provide safer swimming environments, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation announced in a statement Friday. Ahead of the opening of designated swimming areas at inland and coastal beaches throughout the Massachusetts parks system, state officials urged the public to take precautions when on or near waterbodies and pool facilities this summer. DCR works, every year, to make our waterfronts and pools as safe as possible for visitors seeking relief from the summer heat, DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo said at an event this week at Revere Beach. Starting this weekend, I am excited to welcome families back to our parks and beaches, and I encourage everyone to take precautions and follow posted signage when visiting our properties to ensure a safe and fun experience. DCRs swimming pools are expected to open on June 24 as well, and lifeguard services will be offered seven days a week. Thirteen of the agencys 21 spray decks are also expected to open this Saturday and will remain open for the summer. The remaining spray decks are expected to open later this season, according to the departments statement. Starting June 17, lifeguards will be on duty seven days a week at select beaches and waterfronts across Massachusetts. DCR also began water quality testing this week at all 81 designated swimming areas and will have ropes and buoys in place at inland waters to indicate safe swimming areas. Life rings will be available to the public as well in the event of an emergency, the department noted in its statement. Additionally, visitors should see safety signs at unguarded locations that can be translated with a QR code into several languages, including Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, traditional Chinese and Vietnamese. The Massachusetts State Police are dedicated to keeping the commonwealths beaches, parks and reservations safe and enjoyable for all individuals and families, state police Colonel John E. Mawn Jr. said. We welcome all visitors to our magnificent waterfront areas and ask only that they respect the law and the rights of their fellow patrons and be mindful of water safety guidelines for themselves, their children and others around them. Massachusetts Environmental Police Colonel Shaun Santos added, Even the simplest safety tips go a long way, and being vigilant on the water and wearing a lifejacket could save boaters and swimmers lives. We are urging everyone to adhere to boating laws to ensure a fun and safe weekend. Safety tips to adhere to when swimming include: Only swim at or within designated swimming areas. Swimming outside of the designated swimming areas or at waterfronts where swimming is prohibited can be dangerous. Use the buddy system, and always tell someone where you are going. Keep a close eye on children near the water. Parents and other guardians serve as the first and primary line of safety for their children. Teach children to always ask permission before going near the water. Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs. Drink lots of water. Dont dive headfirst into the water. Dont swim during a storm or when there is lightning. Make sure you know how to swim. If you cant swim, keep to shallow areas or use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Dont swim beyond your skillset. If caught in a rip current, dont swim against it. Swim parallel to the shoreline to escape it and then at an angle toward the beach. When in a boat, wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. If a person in your group goes missing, check the water and notify lifeguards and park staff immediately. This year, DCR will again provide free swimming lessons to children at select agency pools across the commonwealth starting in July, through the Learn to Swim Program. Officials also approved $350,000 in funding for the Safe Water Initiative Massachusetts program, through which the state will partner with outside organizations to provide free swim lessons to people of all ages. SPRINGFIELD After the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission announced a proposed rate increase, state Rep. Orlando Ramos, D-Springfield, started a petition for residents that urges Mayor Domenic J. Sarno to address water issues in the city. The 6.5% water and sewer rate increase, part of Water and Sewer Commissions proposed budget, came weeks after the commission notified resident on April 7 that it had violated a drinking water standard in the first quarter of 2023. The increase would cost residents an average of $7.50 a month, the commission said. We call on the Commission to reject this dramatic rate increase, which will hurt middle class families disproportionately, the petition reads. The rate hike is unjust considering the ongoing failure to provide clean drinking water to Springfield residents. In its April notice, the commission said while it wasnt an emergency, its routine testing showed it violated drinking water standards because the levels for haloacetic acids exceeded the contaminants maximum level at seven of eight testing sites. A Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection fact sheet on haloacetic acids says the chemicals form when disinfectants react with other chemicals in the drinking water. Haloacetic acids are possibly cancer-causing, the fact sheet says, and are primarily a concern for pregnant women and children. In an interview Friday, Ramos said the petition had received over 1,000 signatures. Ramos, who is running for mayor against Sarno who is seeking reelection, hosted the petition on his campaign website. Residents filling out the form to join their names to the petition can select a box that says Id like to support Orlando Ramos for Mayor. Ramos said he is tackling this issue as a state representative, not a mayoral candidate. He said the reason for placing the petition on his campaign website is to keep track of whether or not signatures come from Springfield residents. The petition also asks Sarno to do his job and use a portion of the millions the city received through the American Rescue Plan Act to address water issues in the city. The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is holding a virtual hearing about its proposed $93.5 million budget on May 31 at 6 p.m. Ramos reserved a space at 154 1/2 Main St. for residents who wish to testify at the commissions hearing but have no internet access. In a statement, Ramos said state and federal government have worked to address water issues in Springfield. Mayor Sarno received $126 million in ARPA funds, and he did not dedicate a single penny towards water quality and affordability, Ramos said. The residents of our city deserve clean water. Attempts to reach a representative from the Water and Sewer Commission were unsuccessful. The Water and Sewer Commission notified residents last October that the citys water contained chemical compounds in concentrations that exceed regulation levels, although it remained drinkable. In the notice it sent to residents in April, the commission said it is working on a design for a new water treatment plant, a project it expects to finish by 2028. Several firefighters were injured in a fire in a multi-family home in Manchester, New Hampshire late Friday that all the residents and multiple pets survived, according to authorities. The two-alarm fire broke out at the two-unit duplex at 317-319 Pearl St. around 8:40 p.m. Ten people, six cats and one large lizard lived in the building. None of the residents were injured in the blaze. Five of the cats and the lizard were located by search crews and safely returned to their owners, the Manchester Fire Department said in a press release. The agency did not say in its statement what happened to the sixth cat. Three firefighters suffered burn injuries in the fire that were not major. Another two were minorly wounded while performing ladder operations, according to the departments statement. Five firefighters were injured. Four were evaluated and returned to work, District Chief Jonathan Starr told MassLive. One drove himself for an evaluation at the hospital, and he is out on injury leave. They arent major injuries, but he cant return to work. When firefighters first arrived at the scene of the blaze, they observed heavy smoke coming from the attic and roof of the duplex. Bystanders told them numerous kids were still in the building on the upper floors. Search and rescue operations and an aggressive attack on the fire inside the home immediately began, and hose lines were used in advance to locate and put out the blaze, according to the press release from the agency. The home appeared to have three bedrooms, one in each of the two basements and another in one of the attics, that were not up to code. There were also no working smoke detectors in either side of the duplex, the department said in its statement. While battling the blaze, firefighters experienced heavy smoke, high heat, limited visibility within the building and limited access to the apartments that were not up to code, according to the press release. Were classifying the fire as accidental, but the exact cause has yet to be determined, Starr said. They had three non-conforming living spaces in the house. It means there were certain building codes and safety standards that these living spaces werent conforming to, which made access to the fire and our operations more difficult. The fire appears to have started in the attic of the 317 unit. The blaze caused an estimated $150,000 in property damage, the majority of which was contained to the third floor and attic and storage spaces on both sides of the duplex. There was heavy water damage on all levels in both sides of the duplex, according to the statement. The blaze remains under investigation. A driver is accused of hitting several pedestrians in a parking lot outside of the Stop & Shop grocery store in Arlington early Saturday, according to police. First responders went to the Stop & Shop location at 905 Massachusetts Ave. shortly after 10:15 a.m. after receiving the report about the motor vehicle crash involving multiple pedestrians. At the scene, authorities found several people injured and started giving them emergency medical aid, the Arlington Police Department said in a statement. The driver, an 87-year-old Belmont man, was allegedly pulling a 2005 Mercury Marquis into the parking lot at the Stop & Shop when he hit a parked car with a person inside of it and the exterior wall of the grocery store. He is accused of subsequently reversing his vehicle and striking multiple pedestrians, according to the departments statement. Two of the pedestrians, a 61-year-old Arlington woman and a 70-year-old Randolph man, were taken to nearby hospitals. The driver himself was also treated at the scene and taken to a nearby hospital, the department said in its statement. The owner of the parked car, a Harwich woman, did not suffer any injuries, according to the statement. The crash remains under investigation by the department. Access to the parking lot will likely be disrupted for much of Saturday afternoon, the law enforcement agency noted. The Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section also responded to the scene to help Arlington police, the agency added. Le gouvernement a donne son accord a une collaboration dans le cadre dun National Awareness Campaign afin de faire connaitre les buts et objectifs des National Cleaning Programmes. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of an Agreement between the National Environment Cleaning Authority (NECA) and the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, for the implementation of its awareness campaign. NECA is embarking on a National Awareness Campaign with a view to creating awareness among the population on the goals and objectives of its National Cleaning Programmes as well as to sensitise the public on the importance of keeping the environment clean Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. An Albany man has been sentenced to a little more than six years in prison for his role in a 20-year-old Albany womans fatal fentanyl overdose. On Friday, May 26, Linn County Circuit Court Judge Rachel Kittson-MaQatish sentenced 47-year-old Thomas Turner to 75 months in prison following convictions of second-degree manslaughter and unlawful manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. Linn County District Attorney Doug Marteeny said during Fridays hearing that Turner provided a 20-year-old Albany woman with fentanyl that ultimately led to her fatal overdose in November 2021. Turner was initially charged with four counts of unlawful manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and one count of first-degree manslaughter. As a part of a plea agreement between the prosecution and defense, Turner pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree manslaughter and one count of unlawful manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. The rest of the charges were dismissed. Caught up in drugs According to Marteeny, Turner supplied drugs to the victim and gave the victim blue M30 pills. The victim was friends with Turners step-daughter, Destiny Maker. Maker was convicted in Linn County Circuit Court in January of criminally negligent homicide and unlawful manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison for her role in the victims fatal overdose. During Fridays sentencing, Marteeny detailed the events leading up to the victims death. A couple months before her death, Turner provided the victim with fentanyl. At the time, the victim overdosed and 911 was called. The victim survived thanks to Narcan. In November 2021, five days before the victim died, she again overdosed on fentanyl. But Turner discouraged witnesses from calling 911. Narcan was administered and she survived. Days later, she again overdosed and was taken to the emergency room where she was pronounced dead. Turner did not go with her into the hospital, according to Marteeny. It was clear Mr. Turner was dealing poison in our community, Marteeny told the court. Although the victim died in November 2021, Turner wasnt charged until this year. According to Marteeny, Turner lied throughout the investigation and tried to protect himself. A grieving family During sentencing, the victims parents each made statements to the court. The victims father said he was friendly with Turner and had always spoken to him dad-to-dad when it came to their daughters. He didnt have much to say to the court, but he urged Turner to go to Jesus and turn his life around. The victims mother said her daughters death has created such a void inside of her. Since the victims death, defense attorney Arnold Poole said Turner has felt remorse and indeed has tried to turn his life around. Poole said Turner did a training at local addiction recovery services organization CHANCE and became a peer mentor there. When it was his time to address the court, Turner spoke solemnly, saying he told his loved ones not to come to court and say nice things about this character to the judge. This isnt a day about me, he said. If anything, its a day about (the victim and her family). Stay up to date on mid-Willamette Valley news, wherever you go Easily access the latest Albany and Linn County news in an app that lets you select the topics that matter most to you. He added that he hopes one day the victims family will forgive him not for his sake but for their own. Time for the crime Before handing down the agreed-upon sentence, Kittson-MaQatish expressed her frustration at what Turner and so many others have done. Addressing the victim's family, she said: You have more kindness in you than I do at this moment." As a judge, Kittson-MaQatish said she has seen many young women get hooked on drugs because predators provided them with the substances. She emphasized how thankful she was that a drug dealer was facing such severe charges. Im so grateful for the D.A. for pursuing these charges because Im tired of seeing people like you ruining young girls lives, she said. Fentanyl in Linn County Fentanyl is a growing problem in Linn County. The county is a designated High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, partially due to its proximity to Interstate 5. The increasing concern about the synthetic opioid in part stems from a growing number of overdoses. In the span of a single week in March, four people died of fentanyl-related overdoses in Linn County. During that week, there were also 10 nonfatal overdoses and 13 doses of Narcan administered. As of March, Albany Police Department had counted 28 overdoses in the city for 2023. Of those, 24 were fentanyl-related. In 2022, there were 61 fentanyl-related overdoses for the entire year. Fentanyl is of high concern among Oregon legislators too. State Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin was among the sponsors of Senate Bill 238, which would establish school district-implemented curriculum about the dangers of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Earlier this month, the Oregon House of Representatives passed the bill. The bill awaits signature from Gov. Tina Kotek. After sentencing, Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Detective Joe Clausen said this was one of the most severe sentences he has seen in a case like this. He hopes it will send a message to the community that law enforcement is willing to go out and investigate these sorts of cases to find who is culpable. He said he is thankful to work with a D.A. who also wants to pursue these kinds of charges. Marteeny said hes been working with the victims family to urge state legislators to create a statute for fatal drug overdose homicides. In Washington, there is a controlled substances homicide law on the books. Its a battle we still need to fight for, Marteeny said. Related stories: by Les Luchter , May 26, 2023 Dramamine, the over-the-counter drug for nausea and motion sickness, is zeroing in on the first half of its name with two dramatic marketing campaigns. A just-launched Ditch the Drama sweepstakes running through Labor Day will award three winners with a five-day trip to their destination of choice, including roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations. The brand will spend a maximum of $7,500 on each trip. Explaining why its a good idea for travelers to ditch the drama, Dramamine released results of a survey conducted this month with Pollfish, which found that 72% of respondents with travel plans this summer would like someone else to plan their vacation for them if money was not an obstacle and 28.5% reporting that the drama of travel, including stresses associated with traveling to and from their destination, holds them back from taking their dream vacation. advertisement advertisement To promote the sweepstakes on social media and in media interviews, Dramamine has enlisted celebrity yacht captain Lee Rosbach (Bravos Below Deck). Captain Lee is used to wrangling yacht crew and guests and tending to them while experiencing sea sickness. He has even admitted to struggling with sea/motion sickness himself early on in his career, Randi Jachino, vice president of marketing for the brands parent, Prestige Consumer Healthcare, tells Marketing Daily, Entries are also being driven through activations in-store and online, where consumers can scan a QR code to enter. And they can get 50 more entries by uploading a purchase receipt. The sweepstakes campaign was developed and executed by Avalanche Marketing Group . Dramamines Drama Llama ad campaign, created by FCB Chicago with media planning by UM, will include TV, social, online video and digital out-of-home placements. The focus, Jachino says, is on nausea-inducing scenarios. In one 15-second spot shared with Marketing Daily, the llama annoys a woman as shes about to board a jet. I bet this flight is going to be so bumpy, he says. Think youll get motion sick like last time? Looks a little turbulency. Then an announcer says, ditch the drama llama of nausea with Dramamine. The ads are inspired by the llamas inherently dramatic (& annoying!) presence and the idea that nausea always tends to invite itself into your life at the most inconvenient times, says Jachino. But with Dramamine, you can take back control and ditch the drama, and the llama. Jachino adds that this campaign will be the brands first year-round activation vs. previous campaigns that ran only during peak travel seasons. While the initial buy represents a 20% YOY increase in media spend, she says there will be more dollars to come, if it [the campaign] garners the sales we expect. Prestige Consumer Health, which was known as Prestige Brands until five years ago, acquired the 70+-year-old Dramamine brand from McNeil-PPC in 2010. A man is hungry and he needs something to eat, when his girlfriend sees two eggs lying in the fridge. The man takes the eggs and tells his girlfriend to lie down on the dining table. He then breaks the shells and pours the eggs content into his girlfriends navel. Yes, you heard it right, her navel. Moments after this, the eggs start emitting smoke and start taking the form of a fluffy omelette. After some time, the double-egg omelette is ready, all fluffy and smokey. You might be thinking I wrote this story after smoking some grass, but no! This is a real scene which takes place in the 1996 film Love Birds starring Prabhu Deva and Nagma, where legend Prabhu Deva does this biology-defying stunt and it is explained beautifully in an article by Vice. You can watch the scene here. This is just a mere example of South films unusual and insane obsession with womens navels. @ Odia Movie Full YouTube But should womens navels be sexualized? The Curious Case Of The Womans Navel & Their Erogeneity Leon F Seltzer in his article for Psychology Today says, Id wager that far fewer men would be aroused by the sight of a navel alone, seen close-up. But as regards sexual activity relating to the navel, thats another story. Males who focus on the navel as a source of sexual arousal and gratification are seen as belly button fetishists, and its reported that this body part is actually one of the most common fetishisms worldwide; in 2012 it was the second most popular fetish search on Google. He further writes, The navel is an erogenous zone with a heightened sensitivity. The navel and the region below, when touched by the finger or the tip of the tongue, result in the production of erotic sensations, and some people are very ticklish to touch in that area [i.e., dont simply assume that stimulating this area will sexually titillate your partnerthey might also start giggling, distracting them and possibly undermining their carnal arousal]. Some people can be aroused by tickling, licking, blowing raspberries/zerberts (blowing air with lips), and teasing with a feather, flower or a piece of grass, especially when the person is ticklish in the navel. Fingering the navel is also a common act. @ Sri Satya Sai Arts The Inception Of Sensuality In South Indian Films Two films; Avalude Ravukal & Rathinirvedam which released in 1978 are said to be the pioneering softcore flicks. @ Murali Movies Ivi Sasis Avalude Ravukal was the first Malayalam film to get an A certificate. Both these films addressed the subjects which are considered taboo in the society. After that, many filmmakers would first get a CBFC approval and then add sensual scenes in the films using body doubles or combining in the scenes from European films. Later, Silk Smita rose to fame in the 80s and she was often portrayed as the sensual girl and did numerous intimate scenes in films. This was a major reason she got typecast in films and her roles were very limited. @ silksmithaworld intstagram To see her bold and dirty films, masses flocked to theatres. Silks life was very controversial and thats what inspired her biography The Dirty Picture starring Vidya Balan and Naseeruddin Shah in lead roles. @ Eros What Is The Reason Behind This Navel Obsession? An industry insider Aravind Vlad, writes on Quora, Most South Indian film makers want to cover more people from children to adults. So most movie producers insist the directors to get U/A certificate from the censor board. Most producers are not satisfied with A certified film as it reduces considerable revenue. To cater to the needs of people who want glamour doses, navel shows are perhaps the best choice as it is considered least vulgar that they won't affect censorship. Most movies are of masala genre. You have romance, action, comedy, sentiments and also glamour. So for the glamour dose navel shows are perfect choice that can fit in U/A. So they are not obsessed with navels but obsessed with larger audiences so most movie's have someone to crack jokes, someone to induce a fight sequence, someone for romance, someone for glamour, someone for sentiments. This whole statement perfectly encapsulates why South Indian filmmakers are obsessed with navel shows. Its not important, but its the need of the hour. @ Saregama Telugu Actresses Comments On South Obsession With Navels From Taapsee Pannu To Pooja Hegde, many actresses have spoken on the navel-farming down South and how they felt weird after the director narrated the scene to them. In an interview, Taapsee said, If I knew about this in my research before I'd gone to the South I would've worked on my navel. I clearly didn't. They didn't even start with a scene. They started with a song itself.". She further added, The director (K Raghavendra Rao) who launched me is known to show the sensuality of a woman by showing the midriff and throwing fruits and flowers on that area. So it was his 105th movie with me, she recalled and my turn came, and maybe because I was not prepared as I told you, they threw a coconut at me! I don't know what's sensuous about a coconut hitting my midriff." You can watch the whole interview here. Even Pooja Hegde spoke about the insane obsession of South Indian filmmakers with navels. In an interview with Anupama Chopra, Pooja said, "The South has an obsession with navels and midriffs, I said I'd rather have a guy look at my legs than my midriff. Later, she also faced backlash due to her comments, but Pooja justified herself on Twitter. #PoojaHegde says her words are misinterpreted and further said she is huge fan of #Telugu movies. It was #Tollywood that gave her a rebirth. All my fans are aware of this but I wish to issue a clarification once again to keep an end for the controversy. told #PoojaHegde. pic.twitter.com/DSXOsoS4aN @Yeruvaka99 - Bujji (@Yeruvaka99) November 8, 2020 The navel obsession has still not ended and in many modern South films, navel seduction and zoom-ins are an integral part of the romantic scenes or songs. Some Romantic Songs And Scenes Where Navel Was The Main Character. In Baahubali, when Prabhas is stripping off Tamannaah to give her a makeover, there are close-up shots of her navel and Prabhas holding them. @ Dharma Productions In a songYem Sakkagunnavro, we can see our hero Manchu Manoj caressing Taapsees navel with a sunflower. In a scene from the film Bengal Tiger, Ravi Teja is talking to Tamannah on the phone when a water droplet travels through from her forehead to her navel! Closing Statement As South Indian films continue to showcase actresses' navels, the fetish associated with it should be more talked about because a navel is just like any other body part and having a special attraction to it is totally normal. Sources: Psychology Today ScoopWhoop Vice a,b, Regions exposed to unprecedented heat (MAT 29 C) overlaid on population density (number in a ~100 km2 grid cell) for a world of 9.5 billion (SSP2, 2070) under 2.7 C global warming (a) and 1.5 C global warming (b). Graphic: Lenton, et al., 2023 / Nature Sustainability By Alex Morrison 22 May 2023 (University of Exeter) Current climate policies will leave more than a fifth of humanity exposed to dangerously hot temperatures by 2100, new research suggests. Despite the Paris Agreement pledge to keep global warming well below 2C (compared to pre-industrial levels), current policies are projected to result in 2.7C warming by the end of the century. The new study, led by researchers at the Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter, associated with the Earth Commission, and Nanjing University, assessed what this would mean for the number of people living outside the climate niche in which our species has thrived. It says about 60 million people are already exposed to dangerous heat (average temperature of 29C or higher). And two billion 22% of the projected end-of-century population would be exposed to this at 2.7C of global warming. 22 May 2023: Current climate policies will leave more than a fifth of humanity exposed to dangerously hot temperatures by 2100, according to new research. This video explores the human cost of global warming and highlights the urgency of taking drastic action to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Video: University of Exeter The paper highlights the huge potential for decisive climate policy to limit the human costs and inequities of climate change. Limiting warming to 1.5C would leave 5% exposed saving a sixth of humanity from dangerous heat compared to 2.7C of warming. The study also finds that the lifetime emissions of 3.5 average global citizens today or just 1.2 US citizens expose one future person to dangerous heat. This highlights the inequity of climate crisis, as these future heat-exposed people will live in places where emissions today are around half of the global average. In worst-case scenarios of 3.6C or even 4.4C global warming, half of the worlds population could be left outside the climate niche, posing what the researchers call an existential risk. a, Observed changes from the reference distribution for 1980 population (4.4 billion) under 19601990 climate (0.3 C global warming), to the 2010 population (6.9 billion) under 20002020 climate (1.0 C global warming), together with smooth fitted functions (1980 fitted is defined as the temperature niche). b, Observed and projected future changes in population density with respect to MAT following SSP2-4.5 leading to ~2.7 C global warming and peak population 9.5 billion (see Extended Data Table 1 for global warming and population levels at each time). c, Projected population density with respect to MAT for a future world of 9.5 billion people under different levels of global warming (1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.4, 2.7 and 3.6 C), contrasted with the reference distribution (0.3 C, 1980 population). Data are presented as mean values with the shaded regions corresponding to 5th95th percentiles. Graphic: Lenton, et al., 2023 / Nature Sustainability The costs of global warming are often expressed in financial terms, but our study highlights the phenomenal human cost of failing to tackle the climate emergency, said Professor Tim Lenton, director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. For every 0.1C of warming above present levels, about 140 million more people will be exposed to dangerous heat. This reveals both the scale of the problem and the importance of decisive action to reduce carbon emissions. Limiting global warming to 1.5C rather than 2.7C would mean five times fewer people in 2100 being exposed to dangerous heat. 22 May 2023: This animation shows parts of the world where the mean annual temperature will be above 29C dangerously hot for humans at 1.5C of global warming, then at 2.7C warming. Finally, it combines 2.7C warming with human presence revealing the densely populated areas that could be affected. Video: Lenton, Chi, et al. and Globaia. Defining the niche Human population density has historically peaked in places with an average temperature of about 13C, with a secondary peak at about 27C (monsoon climates, especially in South Asia). Density of crops and livestock follow similar patterns, and wealth (measured by GDP) peaks at about 13C. Mortality increases at both higher and lower temperatures, supporting the idea of a human niche. Although less than 1% of humanity currently live in places of dangerous heat exposure, the study shows climate change has already put 9% of the global population (more than 600 million people) outside the niche. Most of these people lived near the cooler 13C peak of the niche and are now in the middle ground between the two peaks. While not dangerously hot, these conditions tend to be much drier and have not historically supported dense human populations, said Professor Chi Xu, of Nanjing University. Meanwhile, the vast majority of people set to be left outside the niche due to future warming will be exposed to dangerous heat. Such high temperatures have been linked to issues including increased mortality, decreased labour productivity, decreased cognitive performance, impaired learning, adverse pregnancy outcomes, decreased crop yield, increased conflict, and infectious disease spread. While some cooler places may become more habitable due to climate change, population growth is projected to be highest in places at risk of dangerous heat, especially India and Nigeria. 22 May 2023: Professor Tim Lenton explains how positive tipping points are now essential if the world is to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Video: University of Exeter The study also found: Exposure to dangerous heat starts to increase dramatically at 1.2C (just above current global warming) and increases by about 140 million for every 0.1C of further warming. Assuming a future population of 9.5 billion people, India would have the greatest population exposed at 2.7C global warming more than 600 million. At 1.5C, this figure would be far lower, at about 90 million. Nigeria would have the second-largest heat-exposed population at 2.7C global warming, more than 300 million. At 1.5C warming this would be less than 40 million. India and Nigeria already show hotspots of dangerous temperatures. At 2.7C, almost 100% of some countries including Burkina Faso and Mali will be dangerously hot for humans. Brazil would have the largest land area exposed to dangerous heat, despite almost no area being exposed at 1.5 C. Australia and India would also experience massive increases in area exposed. The research team which included the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and the Universities of Washington, North Carolina State, Aarhus, and Wageningen stress that the worst of these impacts can be avoided by rapid action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Speaking about the conception of their idea, Professor Marten Scheffer, of Wageningen University, said: We were triggered by the fact that the economic costs of carbon emissions hardly reflect the impact on human wellbeing. Our calculations now help bridging this gap and should stimulate asking new, unorthodox questions about justice. Ashish Ghadiali, of Exeters Global Systems Institute, said: These new findings from the leading edge of Earth systems science underline the profoundly racialised nature of projected climate impacts and should inspire a policy sea-change in thinking around the urgency of decarbonisation efforts as well as in the value of massively up-shifting global investment into the frontlines of climate vulnerability. The research was funded by the Open Society Foundations and the paper is also an output of the Earth Commission convened by Future Earth, the Earth Commission is the scientific cornerstone of the Global Commons Alliance. Wendy Broadgate, Executive Director of the Earth Commission at Future Earth, said: We are already seeing effects of dangerous heat levels on people in different parts of the world today. This will only accelerate unless we take immediate and decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Work on climate solutions by the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter has identified positive tipping points to accelerate action, including a recent report that highlighted three super-leverage points that could trigger a cascade of decarbonisation. The paper, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, is titled: Quantifying the Human Cost of Global Warming. Limiting global warming to 1.5C would save billions from dangerously hot climate af, Fraction of population (%; ac) and absolute population (billion people; df) exposed to unprecedented temperatures (MAT 29 C; a,d), left outside the niche due to temperature change only (b,e,) and left outside the niche due to temperature change and demographic change (c,f) for different SSPs. Calculations are based on MAT averaged over the 20-year intervals and population density distribution at the centre year of the corresponding intervals. Data are presented as mean values with the shaded regions corresponding to the 5th95th percentiles. Graphic: Lenton, et al., 2023 / Nature Sustainability Quantifying the human cost of global warming ABSTRACT: The costs of climate change are often estimated in monetary terms, but this raises ethical issues. Here we express them in terms of numbers of people left outside the human climate nichedefined as the historically highly conserved distribution of relative human population density with respect to mean annual temperature. We show that climate change has already put ~9% of people (>600 million) outside this niche. By end-of-century (20802100), current policies leading to around 2.7 C global warming could leave one-third (2239%) of people outside the niche. Reducing global warming from 2.7 to 1.5 C results in a ~5-fold decrease in the population exposed to unprecedented heat (mean annual temperature 29 C). The lifetime emissions of ~3.5 global average citizens today (or ~1.2 average US citizens) expose one future person to unprecedented heat by end-of-century. That person comes from a place where emissions today are around half of the global average. These results highlight the need for more decisive policy action to limit the human costs and inequities of climate change. Quantifying the human cost of global warming A water meter stands in dry wetland in Donana natural park, southwest Spain as unprecedented drought hits the nation in 2023. Photo: Bernat Armangue / Africanews / AP Photo By Laura Paddison 27 May 2023 (CNN) Murderers. Criminals. We are watching you. These are just a handful of the threats and abuse sent to meteorologists at AEMET, Spains national weather agency, in recent months. They come via social media, its website, letters, phone calls even in the form of graffiti sprayed across one of its buildings. Abuse and harassment have always happened against the agencys scientists, Estrella Gutierrez-Marco, spokesperson for AEMET, told CNN. But there has been a rapid rise recently, coinciding with extreme weather in Spain. A severe drought has shrunk water levels to alarming lows, exacerbated by record-breaking April temperatures. The abuse got so bad that in April, AEMET posted a video on Twitter calling for an end to the harassment, and asking for respect. Even the government intervened. Teresa Ribera, Spains minister for the ecological transition, posted on Twitter in support of the agency: Lying, giving wings to conspiracy and fear, insulting It is time to say enough. The harassment of meteorologists by conspiracy theorists and climate deniers is not a phenomenon confined to Spain. National weather services, meteorologists and climate communicators in countries from the US to Australia say theyre experiencing an increase in threats and abuse, often around accusations they are overstating, lying about or even controlling the weather. In Spains case, much of the trolling revolves around the rehashing of an old conspiracy theory: so-called chemtrails. Under many of the agencys Twitter posts, especially those that refer to more extreme weather, users have posted images of blue skies, crisscrossed with wispy, white trails. They falsely claim the trails contain a cocktail of chemicals to artificially manipulate the weather keeping rain away and causing climate change. Its a theory roundly rejected by scientists. Airplanes do release vapor trails called contrails, short for condensation trails, which form when water vapor condenses into ice crystals around the small particles emitted by jet engines. But scientists have been clear: There is no evidence chemtrails exist. This map indicates where vegetation on the Iberian Peninsula was less healthy than usual (brown) in spring 2023. It shows anomalies in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)a satellite-derived product used to assess vegetation conditions. NDVI depicts the health, or greenness, of vegetation based on how much red and near-infrared light the leaves reflect. Healthy vegetation reflects more infrared light and less visible light than stressed vegetation. This map, which uses MODIS data from NASAs Terra satellite, compares NDVI from March 25 to April 23, 2023, with the longer-term average (20002010) for that period. Notice that southern Spaina key agricultural regionis especially brown in the map above. The Andalusia region in southern Spain is the largest olive oil producing region in the world. As of May 19, the Cordoba airport had only received about 30 percent of expected rainfall, compared to the 19812010 average. Graphic: Allison Nussbaum / NASA Earth Observatory One of the hardest experiences In April, meteorologist Isabel Moreno wrote a tweet saying rain skips Spain, with an image of a band of rain stretching across Europe but missing Spain almost entirely. She was completely unprepared for the response. It was one of the hardest experiences in social media in my life, said Moreno, who appears on the Spanish TV channel RTVE. I received HUNDREDS of responses to an (apparently) inoffensive tweet, she told CNN in an email. Many accused her of covering up weather manipulation. Do not take us for idiots, said one. They dry us up, and you are the spokesperson for those who do it, said another. And on, and on. While there were plenty of supportive messages, too, it was scary, Moreno said. I have never seen either that amount of responses nor that level of aggression. It took days for her to be able to go onto Twitter again without feeling anxious or stressed. This phenomenon may be particularly pronounced in Spain, but it spreads much wider. In France, meteorologists have been accused of exaggerating the countrys drought and heat. Meteo France, the French national meteorological service, said the agencys communications are the object of more and more repeated attacks, a Meteo France spokesman told CNN. Climate misinformation on social media is particularly widespread, he said. It seems to be on the rise, both in terms of the number of attacks directed against scientific publications but also the increasingly aggressive tone of the insults. In Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology has been bombarded with criticism of its reporting of temperature records, with claims they have been inflated to make climate change seem worse. A spokeswoman for BOM called these claims inaccurate. The Bureau transparently reports on and provides access to its very large climate data records, she said. And in the UK, meteorologists reported unprecedented levels of online harassment during last years record-breaking heat wave, which led to the first-ever red warning for heat. As scientists communicated this information, they were accused of instigating a nanny state hysteria, Liz Bentley, the chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, told CNN. The Met Office was even accused of changing the color palette of its maps to make them look more dramatic. We hadnt, it was just really hot, Oliver Claydon, a communications officer at the Met Office, told CNN. US meteorologists and climate communicators have not escaped the barrage of abuse and conspiracies. Whenever I posted about global topics, like the yearly temperature report, the comments section would be filled with political jabs and conspiracy theories, said Elisa Raffa, a broadcast meteorologist with Queen City News, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a woman in the media, she more often receives comments about her appearance than the science shes communicating, she told CNN. Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist at Woodwell Climate Research Center, said shes seen a ramp up of abuse lately. I receive almost daily verbal declarations of my ignorance and climate alarmism, she told CNN. 17 May 2023: Parts of Spain are facing their worst drought in living memory. Rain has become so infrequent that many rivers are drying up. One of the worst hit areas is Catalonia, which many consider the epicentre of the drought. Al Jazeeras Hoda Abdel-Hamid reports from the regions Sau reservoir, Catalonia. Video: Al Jazeera An erosion of trust Some disinformation experts draw a straight line from the conspiracies that flourished during the Covid pandemic when experts faced a slew of abuse to the uptick in climate conspiracies. People need trending topics on which to hang these theories, said Alexandre Lopez-Borrull, a lecturer in the Information and Communication Sciences Department at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Spain. As Covid-19 fades from the headlines, climate change has become a strong rallying point. Theres been a big increase in insults directed at all organizations related to the weather, he told CNN. Its a logical evolution of the broader trend around pushback on institutions, and the erosion of trust, said Jennie King, the head of Climate Research and Policy at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a think tank focused on disinformation and extremism. These kinds of conspiracies are usually grounded in the idea that a set of institutions is using the pretext of climate change, or the pretext of solving public policy issues, to enact some insidious agenda, she told CNN. And the weather is an easy way in. Many aspects of climate science can feel very technical or abstract, but the weather is something people interact with frequently, said King. Its a much more immediate way to bring a wider audience into that skepticism planting seeds of doubt against the climate agenda writ large, she said. [more] Murderers and criminals: Meteorologists face unprecedented harassment from conspiracy theorists This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CANNES, France (AP) In Todd Haynes' tonally shape-shifting May December, the first announcement of the movie's playful intentions comes with a theatrical zoom in, a few lushly melodramatic piano notes and the frightful announcement that there no more hot dogs in the fridge. That moment which Haynes says signals that there's something coy happening in the language of the film is just a taste of what's to come in May December, a delicious and disquieting drama laced with comedy and camp that Haynes premiered over the weekend at the Cannes Film Festival. Natalie Portman stars as an actor researching an upcoming film that's to dramatize a scandal from 20 years earlier. She comes to Savannah, Georgia, to spend time with Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), who years earlier become tabloid fodder for a sexual relationship with a seventh grader. Now, she's seemingly happily married to him, Joe Yoo (Charles Melton), with kids of their own and suburban barbeques to host. The film, scripted by Samy Burch, takes a light but deliberate touch in navigating through thorny themes of performance and identity. As Portman's character grows increasingly like Gracie, ethical borders begin to tumble away. It was tonally such an amazing script and so rigorous, Haynes said in an interview alongside Portman. It kept shifting the way you felt about or trusted one character versus another. That whole process as it maneuvered through the course of the script was such a compelling experience. And I just thought: Wow, how could you translate into visually? May December, which Netflix acquired Tuesday for a reported $11 million with plans to release later this year, is the first time Haynes (who has regularly worked with Moore) has made a movie with the 41-year-old Portman. For her, May December was a chance to not only work with a director she's long admired but explore some of her own fascinations. It poses a lot of the questions Im most obsessed by about performance, about the purpose of art, about innocence, says Portman, also a producer on the film. When you explore all those layers playing someone who's playing someone, making a movie of a movie in a movie theres so many layers of artifice, and what truth we can get out of artifice which is the kind of alchemy of what we do, adds Portman. Were using lies to tell the truth, and its magic. May December" has some unofficial roots in reality. Gracie isn't very different in certain ways from Mary Kay Letourneau, a Washington State schoolteacher who went to prison after a relationship with a boy in her sixth grade class. Questions of identity and artifice have run through Haynes' filmography, including the sumptuous '50s romance Carol," the Douglas Sirk-inspired melodrama Far from Heaven and his most recent film, the documentary The Velvet Underground. In Portman, he found an actor who shared a similar approach to film. A lot of narrative filmmaking and fiction-making has an internal desire to redeem oneself through the process, to sort of affirm ones own aims. Thats the thing that Im not particularly interested in as a director," says Haynes. And Im drawn to actors who feel similarly, who are actually interested in creating a distance between maybe their own values and ideas and those portrayed in the character." He praised Portman's eagerness to engage with and lean into the most disquieting aspects of the character. Portman has famously played some real-life figures, like Jacqueline Kennedy ("Jackie"), which required copious amounts of research. But in May December," she plays an actor far more reckless than herself. Yet even in a performance that could have easily slid into satire, Portman deftly inhabits her. Most artists who tell stories want to hold up their ethical standpoint in the light. It can be vampiric to take human emotion and human story and capitalize on it and tell a story, Portman says. But hopefully the energy that you come to it with is empathy and the curiosity to explore someones human behavior and someones inner self. That its an act of empathy and not an act of bloodsucking. There were long conversations with Haynes and Moore as they prepared to make May December" in a 30-day shooting spring. But, unlike her character, Portman's preparation for the part was mostly already done. Well, Portman says smiling, Ive spent my whole life researching how to be an actress. ___ Follow AP Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP BIG RAPIDS One Reed City Area Public Schools students life has come with some additional challenges in high school since coming out as openly transgender, but her dreams of gender affirmative surgery could become a reality thanks to the help of an entrepreneurial couple with West Michigan connections. Lilly Allers, a 17-year-old junior at RCAPS, came out as a transgender female in 2022 and received a notable community response at school board meetings after she began using the bathroom that matched her gender identity. Allers is now hoping to get gender-affirming surgery and is raising funds toward medical costs for the procedures. According to Cleveland Clinic, gender affirmation surgery refers to procedures that help people transition to their self-identified gender. Gender-affirming options may include facial surgery, top or bottom surgery. With the widespread community response following Allers board meeting appearances at Reed City, she and her mother, Rachel Haner, were contacted by a Michigan entrepreneur couple looking to help support Allers transition journey and offsetting surgery costs. Through selling t-shirts with the 'Believe In The Good' slogan concept created by the couple, the two aim to help share Allers story and spread awareness about transgender rights. Michelle Foster and Monica Ketchum are an openly lesbian couple who own the Mary & Ronda Company, an apparel and lifestyle company dedicated to providing a safe space to LGBTQIA+ individuals in Big Rapids. Foster said their goal in reaching out to Allers and Haner was to provide resources and support to an LGBTQIA+ person facing challenges locally. Our message is focusing on positivity and mental health, taking care of yourself and putting you first, Foster said. I'm deeply bothered by how history is repeating itself and we're going backward. We went so fast forward that I thought we made progress as a community, and the gay and lesbian youth and the trans community in particular is being harassed beyond belief. With this platform we have an opportunity, we have a voice, we have a window, she said. We knew we could donate money to the Trevor Project, and I'm well aware of a lot of the things that are out there. We wanted to make a difference as close to home as possible. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, there are close to 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have gone before state legislatures since the start of this year. BECOMING LILLY For Allers, life since coming out as openly transgender has come with brand-new experiences for both Allers and her family. A big aspect of her journey to gender and identity realization came from her mothers support in her exploring gender expression through clothes and hairstyles. Haner reminisced on one of the first days Lilly and she went shopping for Lillys preferred clothing for the first time fondly. I always knew Lilly was different when Lilly was younger, Haner said. When she came out a year ago, Lily said, I'm transgender, and I said, OK, I love you no matter what. I'm your biggest supporter, your biggest fan. At the beginning of this school year when we were going to go school shopping to get girl clothes, I'm like heck yeah, lets go shopping. You need a bra. Let's get you some undies. Let's get you some cute socks. We did. It was all girl stuff. She got a hair straightener, makeup, all the girl things. Haner said she had always prayed for one of her children to be a girl, and after initially having three boys and then standing beside her daughter during her transition, everything began to make sense. I know why God didn't give me a daughter at first because I would get an amazing one later in life, Haner said. She's been through so much. She's so wise beyond her age. I wish I had half the strength, the courage and voice that she does. Its amazing. I can't believe I created this human. According to Allers, her mom has been excited about each new step since she came out which has provided needed comfort. As Haner spoke of Allers journey, she struggled to use her daughter's deadname, or pre-transition given name or name given at birth, when discussing the experience as she said it felt foreign to the child she knows today. Allers just recently began a regimen of hormone blockers, which are meant to help delay unwanted physical changes that dont match a persons gender identity. According to Mayo Clinic, criteria for hormone blockers can include a child displaying a long-lasting and intense pattern of gender nonconformity or gender dysphoria, or have gender dysphoria that began or worsened at the start of puberty. Gender dysphoria is defined as the feeling of discomfort or distress that might accompany a difference between experienced or expressed gender and sex assigned at birth. The medications mostly commonly used to suppress puberty hormones are known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues. In those identified as male at birth, GnRH analogues decrease the growth of facial and body hair, prevent voice deepening, and limit the growth of genitalia. Allers said the comfort of being able to express her gender through even simple changes like clothes was transformational for her. I don't really feel like I tried to put a label on clothing like feminine masculine, Allers said. As time goes by, I've been experimenting with a lot more clothing, a lot more makeup and things with my hair. For everyone its different, but for me, when I started wearing these kinds of clothes, and actually growing out my hair, I was like, wait a second, this is more than just the clothes, it's more than just like having longer hair. This (was) literally something that I've been holding back for such a long time. As soon as I started making those small, little changes just because I wanted to, I realized this is actually who I am and I followed through with it. STRUGGLES AT SCHOOL At school, Allers has faced a variety of reactions to her living openly especially around her use of the womens restroom. According to Allers, some of the incidents shes experienced include having trash thrown at her on the bus, people threatening to beat her, people threatening to kill her online and in-person, online bullying and physical altercations when trying to use the bathroom. She has also had people find her home address to use as a threat against her. Allers said despite this she has seen some actions of support by some members of the RCAPS administration. They were able to change my preferred name and pronouns in the little profile we have on the school website, Allers said. After that, I just started using the female restroom, and everybody had a problem with it. Overall (though), the administration's been awesome, and they're very supportive of trans youth. Now I look to the superintendent (Michael Sweet) for anything, hes been really helpful. According to Thrun Law Firm, although no Michigan or federal statute expressly prohibits discrimination based on a persons transgender status or gender identity, federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have interpreted Title VII, Title IX, and the Equal Protection Act to prohibit such discrimination. State and federal guidelines also encourage school officials to protect transgender students from discrimination and harassment by supporting requests for name changes and facility access. Today, Allers said she regularly will eat lunch alone or in a teachers office if they offer, and several days a week her mom will come spend time with her during her lunch hour. Losing friends during her transition journey has been a difficult aspect for Allers, who began looking to social media to make connections and share her experiences. The hardest thing about all this is probably trying to find myself and find my happiness with all this, Allers said. Behind all the transgender things, I'm still a person and I'm still struggling with mental health. I am actually struggling and have been for the last few years in my life. My anger sometimes can really get to an extent, she said. Sometimes you look in your comment section and there's a million people telling you, you're a man, your Adam's apple is so big, your voice is deep, you don't look like that in real life. I feel like how it should be approached is either don't look at it, block it, report it, whatever it is or just say, that's how you feel about it, I can't change anything about it, but I hope you have a lovely day. CHANGING THE NARRATIVE Together with Foster and Ketchum, Allers and her mother are hoping that the visibility they create and share will help to change the perspectives people have of queer and transgender people and how they live. With over 64,000 followers on Instagram, Foster and Ketchum said they are hopeful to spread Allers message and story with both LGBTQIA+ and cisgendered straight followers alike. Ketchum said her experiences with vitriol from family after her coming out pushed her to want to make change. I came out when I was 27, I got pushed out by angry people, Ketchum said. I just became this person who blew up my world. Most of my life, and having parents who are in the very Christian side of things, I didn't have a mom like (Rachel Haner), I have the I love you, but I can't fully love you because of who you love. I didn't have to do the hard thing and leave, I got thrown out like trash. So being authentic, being brave enough to be authentic, and finding that support is so important. Through their platform, Ketchum and Foster have been able to connect with Big Rapids Pride organizer Darren Cole as well as some big name LGBTQIA+ allies like Jamie Lee Curtis, who plans to buy a shirt in support of Lilly Allers fund. A former teacher reentering the education world at Crossroads Charter Academy as a temporary biology teacher, Foster said she wants to keep being a part of making change within school walls. Sadly, we're in that position where we have to be warriors and we have to battle and exemplify and show them, Foster said. I think all we can do is model, show up, be elected, stay visible in the classroom. There are bills out there right now to remove all trans teachers (which) makes classrooms sterile. The problem is I think that the other side knows that's powerful. They want it silenced because the sands of change are already in motion. They won't stop, they might get slowed down but the sands of change are already in motion. Being able to receive the surgery would mean being able to see the body that more closely matches her gender identity and would change her life, according to Allers. Growing up in a world that socially gave little for Allers to relate with left some painful memories, but she explained why she is determined to keep sharing her story, experiences and being a voice for the transgender community in Reed City and West Michigan. Allers said she feels she is discovering new parts of herself with each day and hopes to continue growing through new experiences. The best thing is the support from my mom, my brother and people like Monica (Ketchum) and Michelle (Foster), Allers said. I don't want to wake up and already not want to go through the day, because there's so much you can do about it, there's so much you can change. Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean you have to go against it immediately. Especially being this young, it's better now being who I (truly) am so I can live a longer life of being rewarded than a shorter one. BIG RAPIDS Local farmers and others gathered for the Farmers against Gotion rally Saturday afternoon. Participants decked out their vehicles in anti-Gotion signs and American flags and traveled in a line of protest around the proposed site for the Gotion North America electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Green Charter Township. We are going to just drive around the Gotion section, Lori Brock said. We are going to do this for five hours because there are a lot of people that can only make it at different times. We are just trying to show how much the community does not want this here. In a news release from what's called the Big Rapids Grassroots Organizers a coalition of Mecosta and neighboring county residents united in opposition to the Gotion battery plant project said local farmers in Mecosta County, Marshall, and agricultural communities across West Michigan are angry that prime Michigan farmland is being sold to a partial Chinese owned company to be developed into battery facilities. Protester and local farmer Brian Finkbeiner said there is no good reason we should be selling any of our land to China, let alone our richest farmland. The practice of selling our agricultural land to other countries has got to stop, Finkbeiner said. Gotion North America vice president Chuck Thelen made the following statement in response to the protests: "The website of this events organizers links to several out-of-town groups on the left and right. Is that whos really behind all this? That would explain a lot, because true local residents know the truth: Gotion Inc. is an American company thats bringing thousands of new jobs to this community and will be great neighbors to the people who live here. One thing the people of Mecosta County dont need is more outside groups coming here to spread more lies. There is not so much as a single acre of rich farmland being considered for the project, Thelen said. The large majority of property is zoned industrial and covered in invasive brush species." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW YORK (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman to deliver a commencement speech at West Point, lauded graduating cadets Saturday for their noble sacrifice in serving their country, but noted they were entering an unsettled world because of Russian aggression and the rising threats from China. The world has drastically changed, Harris told the roughly 950 graduating cadets. She referred to the global pandemic that took millions of lives, as well as the fraught shifts in global politics in Europe and in Asia. It is clear you graduate into an increasingly unsettled world where longstanding principles are at risk," she said. As the U.S. ended two decades of war in Afghanistan, the longest in the country's history, the vice president said, Russia soon launched the first major ground war in Europe since World War II when it invaded Ukraine. At the same time, autocrats have become bolder, the threat of terrorism persists, and an accelerating climate crisis continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods," she added. She advised cadets to be wary of China, as it rapidly modernizes its military and muscles for control over parts of the high seas, ostensibly referring to the brewing disputes over the South China Sea. She spoke about the country's military might and its need to innovate, including the adoption of new technology to change how wars are fought even using artificial intelligence to predict enemy movements and to guide autonomous vehicles. Harris made no mention about the ongoing skirmishing in Washington, where the White House and congressional Republicans are trying to avert a debt crisis. Harris visit is her first to the U.S. Army academy. Commencement speakers at the countrys military academies are usually delivered by the president, vice president or high-ranking military official which until Harris election meant speakers have always been men. Harris was joined at the commencement by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, who in 2021 became the first woman to hold the military services top civilian post. Harris, the first woman to serve as the country's vice president, noted the 75th anniversary of 1948's Womens Armed Services Integration Act, which gave women the right to serve as permanent members of the military. It was also 75 years ago when President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order banning segregation in the Armed Forces. However, her address was delivered to an institution that has made slow progress diversifying its ranks in the four decades since the first class of female cadets graduated. Today, about one quarter of the student body are women. Only a few dozen graduates each year are Black women, like Harris, though the number has ticked up in recent years. The academy didn't admit women until 1976 and had its first female graduates in 1980. Upon graduation, the cadets will be commissioned as Army second lieutenants. West Point dates to 1802. Since then, the college has educated future military leaders including Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. George Patton and Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. While Harris visited West Point, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of Manhattan, President Joe Biden heads to Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Thursday to address graduates at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III addressed the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Friday. Last year, Harris addressed graduates at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. LOS ANGELES (AP) Jurors have deliberated for more than a week without reaching a verdict in the rape retrial of That '70s Show star Danny Masterson, and will have to return and resume talks after the long holiday weekend. The Los Angeles County jury of seven women and five men went home Friday without reaching a verdict on any of the three counts of rape against the 47-year-old, who could get up to 45 years in prison if convicted of all three. Daniel Bockwoldt/AP BERLIN (AP) Police in Berlin said Friday that they have opened an investigation of Roger Waters on suspicion of incitement over a costume the Pink Floyd co-founder wore when he performed in the German capital last week. Images on social media showed Waters firing an imitation machine gun while dressed in a long black coat with a red armband. Police confirmed that an investigation was opened over suspicions that the context of the costume could constitute a glorification, justification or approval of Nazi rule and therefore a disturbance of the public peace. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Most anyone whos driven between New York and Connecticut be it I-95 or the Merritt knows you need some pretty solid motivation to make a trip north during rush hour. Thursday night, Academy Award-winning performer and activist Susan Sarandon made the journey from Manhattan to Fairfield to reunite with ex-husband Chris Sarandon an Academy Award nominee himself for a live taping of the latter Sarandons podcast, Cooking by Heart, at the Sacred Heart University Community Theater. It was the first time the former couple appeared together since their divorce nearly 50 years ago. And Susan made her motivations for making the trek which pushed the show back 40 minutes because of traffic abundantly clear. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection Via Getty When I met Chris, I thought and correctly so that he knew everything. Because he took me to black and white movies and introduced me to literature and basically saved my life with his kindness, she said. As you can imagine I wasnt too stable coming (from a large working-class family in New Jersey). He was incredibly patientSo really, I credit you with my foundation and my survival. One of the reasons Im here is to publicly say that. Chris Sarandon met Susan (then Tomalin) when he was a graduate student at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and she was a freshman. Susan was the eldest of eight children at the time (her mother was pregnant with a ninth during Susan and Chris wedding) and said she was the hip the kids was on. As the oldest, she was more of a second mother to her siblings than a child. Her home life, she said, was chaotic. Food wasnt a joy, it was maintenance. Most of the neighborhood families were even larger she said. The kind of close-knit, blue collar Catholic community where she said the gene pool never had time to mutate and leisure activities included sitting in an inflatable pool or picking rocks in the yard. Katy Beth Barber / Contributed When it came time to college, she got into some, but had no concept of deadlines. But a drama teacher got her into the drama program at Catholic U and she was off. Thursdays show was Chris Sarandons second live taping of Cooking by Heart, the podcast he started last year to interview chefs, celebrities and others about food and memory. The conversation felt more like old friends catching up than watching an interview. And, in essence, thats exactly what it was. Despite being divorced for years, the Tomalin family and Sarandon families stayed in touch, just not Chris and Susan. Their mothers were even friends later in life when they both wound up in Florida. Every time I would bring my kids down to Florida to visit my mom, your mom would come over to hang out with us, Chris told Susan. She never told me, she responded. Wow, she had a whole different life. The comment got some laughter from the crowd. Chris also mentioned being in touch with her siblings. Some have even come to his shows over the years. Im the only one that wasnt in touch? Susan asked, shocked, to more laughter. Yeah, Chris said, nonplussed. Unbelievable, Susan responded to more laughter and applause. Despite the late start, the audience was warm and welcoming partly thanks to an impromptu pre-show show from Chris and his current wife of nearly 30 years, Tony winner Joanna Gleason. Gleason, an accomplished performer in her own right, engaged the crowd, asking them questions about food. She even left a few hungry with stories of her lamb tajine. Katy Beth Barber / Contributed Susan Sarandon told candid stories about family and food, including how Chriss mother also nearly saved her life with avgolemono soup, a silky Greek soup made with eggs, chicken and lots of lemon. Got through many a cramping every month with avgolemono soup, she said. She talked about her daughter, Westports Eva Amurri. Amurri, whom she had with Italian director Franco Amurri. Amurri, also an actor, currently runs a lifestyle blog, "Happily Eva After." How to make cocktails, how to cook food, how to carve pumpkins, how to do your hair, you know all that stuff, Susan said of her daughter's blog. And every now and then she writes really funny things about how much she hates her children at the moment. Which is really nice, to have someone who isn't perfect. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for BAM Her daughter, she said, is like an affordable Gwyneth Paltrow, eliciting another round of laughter. Susan Sarandon has had a prolific career as a performer spanning six decades. Shes also had some famous relationships. She and Chris Sarandon didnt have children, but she had Amurri in her next relationship and two sons with actor Tim Robbins, who she was in a relationship with for more than 20 years. After Chris, she never married again. It wasnt for her, she said. And being able to live with Chris while attending a Catholic school was a bonus. Her son, Miles, she said, gave her some dating advice during the pandemic. He said, You should pick a man with cats because they respect independent women. Someone who doesnt need your tail to be wagging, she told the crowd. Now, she says, she lives with her three cats. Theres Ida, an older, grumpy cat with a mark on her chin that makes it look like shes always sad; Sweetie, a small two-year old who Ida is constantly trying to kill and Harry, a nine-month-old male who likes to cuddle, but who the other cats wont play with. My apartment is so small I didnt have a door on my bedroom. But now I got a door on my bedroom so I can kind of manage the team, she said. So, I'm back on cats. One, that is a cat person. A cat lady is definitely when youre over two, you become a cat lady. Even with a late start, the crowd and Susan were willing to stick around. "I came all this way, we have to at least talk for a long time," she said to more laughter. Katy Beth Barber / Contributed The conversation then swung to one of her latest passions, her work with One Fair Wage, a nonprofit that looks to end the sub-minimum wage earnings of tipped workers who get carved out of minimum wage hikes. Susan was recently and proudly arrested recently while protesting a bill that would again carve tipped workers out of a raise while at the State Capitol in Albany. She said she told a guard they were actually helping the cause by arresting the protestors. "You're really on our side," she told the guard. "We need you to arrest us because that's how this is going to get in the news. I didn't know anything about it. So actually, you're working with us and there's so many people that you are really helping by working with us." The full, nearly hourlong interview will premier on Chris Sarandon's podcast, "Cooking by Heart," this fall. Li Gang/AP BEIJING (AP) Taiwans Defense Ministry said Saturday that it detected three Chinese warships, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, passing through the Taiwan Strait, as Beijing keeps up pressure on the self-ruled island it claims as its own. The ministry said it was monitoring the movements of the ships and will respond accordingly. In a tweet, the ministry said that the three vessels were headed north along the Taiwan Strait at noon and were steering along the west of the median line an unofficial boundary once tacitly accepted by both sides. WYOMING, MI With a laid-back atmosphere and a varied menu, Noble Restaurant in Wyoming is perfect for your next brunch or quick breakfast. Noble, located at 1851 44th St. SW, is a casual breakfast and lunch spot with a wide range of vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, clean label and organic items. The restaurant was rebranded in 2015 and was acquired in 2018 by Restaurant Partners, which also owns The Omelet Shoppe, Beltline Bar, Sundance Grill and The Red Geranium Cafe. Our atmosphere is more of a southern country, laid back setting, said Nate Richardson, Nobles general manager. Its a very nostalgic setting. We keep old mixing tools and utensils on display. Some of the more unique breakfast items on the menu include the Mitten breakfast pizza, a pizza in the shape of Michigans lower peninsula and topped with ham, house-made sausage, onion, green peppers, scrambled eggs, hollandaise sauce, tomato, oregano, fresh basil and feta and cheddar cheese for $12. If youre looking for something on the sweeter side, Richardson recommends stuffed French toast, made with house-made bread and stuffed with vanilla cream cheese filling, strawberries, blueberries, and topped with a vegan vanilla glaze and powdered sugar for $11. Most importantly for the breakfast crowd, the coffees always ready at Noble Restaurant. The coffees flowing, we offer pretty much any coffee you like, Richardson said. We have lattes, cappuccinos hot or cold. We offer over 15 different coffee flavors, and they taste great. Noble offers everything from omelets to burgers to salads. The omelets have a variety of toppings, some a little less traditional than expected at your typical breakfast spot. We do open-faced omelets topped with fresh spring greens and thats tossed in a white wine vinaigrette, Richardson said. Its a different experience than your typical ham and cheese. The avocado and cauliflower omelet are made with cauliflower chorizo, avocado, feta cheese, roasted tomato chutney and topped with heritage greens in a vinaigrette for $12. Theres also the veggie and hummus omelet, made with sweet potato, broccoli, kale, onion, black beans, hummus and capers, topped with greens, basil and a balsamic reduction for $12.50. For first-timers at Noble Restaurant, Richardson recommends the breakfast burrito. Its kind of like a wet burrito topped with a chipotle hollandaise sauce, he said. We wrap it all up in a nice burrito shell. The burrito is made with scrambled eggs, cauliflower chorizo, ham, bacon, house potatoes, cheddar cheese and salsa, topped with the chipotle hollandaise sauce, avocado, tomato and cilantro for $11.50. Noble Restaurant is open 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Sunday. A full menu is available online at eatnoble.com/menu and the restaurant can be reached at 616-530-8750. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More from MLive: Veterans madder than you know what after plants dug up at Vietnam War memorial Kentwood afterschool program helps refugee students flourish after coming to a new country Ribbon cutting canceled, HippoPalooza pushed back after Grand Rapids hippo kills antelope GRAND RAPIDS, MI The family of Patrick Lyoya spent Saturday remembering the loss of their son with a march and rally in Grand Rapids. Lyoya, 26, was shot in the back of the head and killed by former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr, who has since been charged with second-degree murder. The murder trial was originally scheduled to begin this spring but has been pushed back to Oct. 24 so Schurrs defense team can gather more information. Related: Theyre trying to do everything to dismiss the case: Patrick Lyoyas family renews calls for justice Schurr, 32, is white and Lyoya was a Black immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lyoyas mother and father, who both attended the march on Saturday, fear the longer the trial takes, the less chance they see a conviction for their sons killer. The nearly 2-mile march started at Martin Luther King Park, 1200 MLK Jr. St. SE at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 26. Lyoyas father, Peter Lyoya, and former Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack gave speeches during the march urging supporters to continue asking for justice. See the YouTube video here! Patrick is the son of Peter and Dorcas, but hes also become the son of Grand Rapids, Womack said. Black lives definitely matter, and we are marching for justice for Patrick today. More than three dozen others joined the march, some joining as it wound its way through residential streets. Marchers wore black T-shirts with the slogan We will never forget what you have done printed on the front and We will never forget Patrick Lyoya on the back. Protestor Reginald Thomas said hes going to continue showing up for marches and rallies until he believes justice is served. We couldnt rest until we get justice for Patrick, Thomas told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Were going to continue to keep fighting to get justice. If its 10 people, if its two people, or just the family and me and my wife, were going to be standing here saying Justice for Patrick until we feel justice has been served. They want to keep pushing the trial date back. Were tired of that, too. The trial is going to start in October, like they said. No more appeals. Peter Lyoya thanked the crowd for supporting his family during the march, calling for swift justice for his son. As he spoke, Dorcas Lyoya looked on and cried. The Lyoya family immigrated to the United States in 2014 to escape war for a safer place. Related: Judge denies stay of trial for ex-police officer in motorist Patrick Lyoyas killing You see we keep crying and mourning our son, Peter Lyoya said through interpreter and family pastor Israel Siku. ...Today (it) is Patrick (and) tomorrow could be your son or daughter. We have to stand together for justice. We are crying inside and we dont want this to happen to you tomorrow. Womack called the gathered group a rainbow coalition of concerned citizens and called for an end to qualified immunity for police officers. They tell immigrants youre coming to the land of the free and the brave. This is true, Womack said during the march. But this is also the same land that Breonna Taylor woke up to gunfire. This land is also the same place Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin was shot down. Patrick Lyoyas life matters. Your life matters. Your childrens lives matter. The march was the first of several planned for this summer, intended to keep Lyoyas shooting in the public eye until the trial begins. The next march is planned for outside Grand Rapids City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave. NW, during the next city commission meeting. The next regular city commission meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6. For more MLive coverage in Lyoyas death, go here. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More from MLive: Michigans Best Local Eats: Grab a southern country breakfast at Noble in Wyoming With red flag laws signed, whats next for Michigan Dems and gun policy? Michigan school district announces $10,000 pay increase for teachers CASS COUNTY, MI Three people were injured in a crash in Howard Township Friday night. The crash happened at 10 p.m. Friday, May 26, near the intersection of Carberry Road and Yankee Street in Cass County. According to Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke, 21-year-old Calvin Township woman Makayla Vance was stopped at the stop sign at Carberry Road and Yankee Street, then proceeded into the intersection and struck another vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle, 42-year-old Amanda Oaks and her passenger, McKenzie Ellerbrook, both received minor injuries in the crash. Vance also had minor injuries. All three people were transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. All three people were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash and neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factors in the crash. The Cass County Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by Howard Township Fire Department, SMCAS EMS and the Michigan State Police. More from MLive: 3 months after prison release, future still unclear for man wrongfully convicted Michigans Best Local Eats: B-Side Social House opens with late-night menu, musical flair Long Road Distillers quadrupling production with new facility GRAND HAVEN, MI A Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer was recently honored for arresting a man wanted for murder while he was attempting to steal a semi truck in Kalamazoo County in 2020. The officer, Sgt. Chris Holmes, arrested an Indiana man in April 2020 after the man stabbed a semi truck driver following a crash on the I-94 highway and attempted to steal the drivers semi truck. At a meeting earlier this week in Grand Haven, Holmes was awarded the DNR Law Enforcement Divisions Distinguished Service Award for his bravery and heroism. Holmes is a supervisor in southwest Michigan and has been a DNR conservation officer since 2002. Holmes was patrolling Kalamazoo County when local dispatchers reported a car and semi truck crash near Comstock Township in Kalamazoo County. Holmes observed a semi truck hopping on westbound I-94, attempting to drive away. That truck was being operated by Kenneth Hoskins, 59, of South Bend. Holmes exited his patrol tuck and climbed onto the concrete barrier between westbound and eastbound traffic, allowing him to see into the truck cab and speak to Hoskins. As other officers neared the scene, Holmes informed police the truck thief had begun harming himself. Related: Suspect arrested in double homicide in Battle Creek A Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety lieutenant smashed the trucks passenger window and got Hoskins to drop a knife he was holding. The officers were able to remove Hoskins from the truck, where he was severely bleeding. He became combative but was taken to the hospital in critical condition. After clearing the scene on I-94, Holmes learned that Hoskins was the suspect in a double homicide that happened earlier that day in Battle Creek. Hoskins was later charged with two counts of second-degree murder in Calhoun County and is currently serving a 20-year sentence with the Michigan Department of Corrections. Related: 2 men killed at veterans apartment complex were likely stabbed to death, police say This high honor represents the exceptional standards of professionalism and selflessness that conservations officers hold themselves to, stated DNR LED Chief Dave Shaw. We are proud of Sgt. Holmes, who risked his own life to ensure the safety of bystanders and responding officers. He was instrumental in peacefully apprehending an actively dangerous murder. The DNR was assisted at the scene of this incident by the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and the Michigan State Police. Free and confidential help for anyone considering self-harm is available 24/7 through the Suicide and Crisis Hotline by calling or texting 988. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. More from MLive: 3 injured in Cass County crash Kalamazoo Public Schools approves $230,000 contract with new superintendent Michigans Best Local Eats: Grab a southern country breakfast at Noble in Wyoming KALAMAZOO, MI When it comes to 45s, the artists favorite side of the record is typically the B-side, Mike Williams said. Thats where the artistry is, the passion is, he said. The A-side, thats the producers pick. Williams knows a little something about producing and writing music. Like his cousin, Kevin Williams, hes been in the music industry for two decades both as a producer and in the Kalamazoo-bred hip-hip trio Dezert Eez. Now the cousins, along with friends and fellow Western Michigan University alumni Steve Perry and Matt Bond, are putting their artistry and passion on display in a different way by opening a new restaurant. The group opened B-Side Social House, near WMUs campus, in late March. With one eye on a late-night menu and the other on providing breakfast and lunch, the four former Broncos opened where Ramen and Rice used to be, at 227 W. Michigan Ave. Located next to the Old Goat Tavern and across from the busy Campus Pointe Plaza, B-Side offers an eclectic menu, mostly dreamt up by Perry, with prices between $10 and $14 per meal. Were about daring to be different, coming up with the things that will make us stand alone and stand out, Bond said. And being a smaller place, thats what weve got to do. That means menu items like the already-popular Pearl Jam a deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich on sourdough, topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. B Side Social House co-owner Steve Perry creates a Pearl Jam, a deep fried PB&J in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com The Pearl Jam isnt the only musically-inspired name. Theres the French Montana dip and fries an aioli hoagie roll with roast beef, sauteed mushrooms, onions, green pepper and pepper jack cheese. For spice lovers, theres the Kane Brown spicy southwest wrap, loaded with crispy fried chicken, mixed greens, tomatoes, southwest ranch, flash-fried jalapenos and cheese. In the mood for breakfast? Try the Outkast Big Boi, featuring two eggs, two pieces of bacon and sausage each, two hashbrowns and two pieces of toast. Or go for the De La Scramble Bowl, with three eggs scrambled with crispy bacon and seasoned waffle fries topped with onions, green peppers and cheese. In addition to an already-robust menu, you never know what might be on special. It could be something like the Elvis Toast, which is French toast topped with peanut butter and bananas. Something cheesy? Theres the Drizzy Drake grilled cheese, made on sourdough and stuffed with mozzarella, Colby Jack, cheddar a fresh tomato slice and drizzled with a balsamic glaze. The music theme doesnt stop there. Walls are filled with record displays, featuring covers and the accompanying you guessed it B sides of each. From Elton John and Led Zeppelin, to the Beastie Boys, War, NWA, Pink Floyd, Nipsey, the Allman Brothers and 2Pac, theres a mix of classic rock and rap on display. Were trying to hit every one of your senses, Bond said. Were trying to stimulate the visuals with the music aspect and then trying to hit the auditory with playing music that complements that, and tying it into stimulating your palate. The four friends, along with a silent partner in Detroit, opened B-Side to offer something that wasnt available nearby for students at the school they attended 20 to 30 years ago. There are other late-night food options across the street at Two Fellas and at DP Dough, but the focus at B-Side is serving food not offered anywhere nearby. The late-night menu features smash burger sliders, fries, wings, tacos, the B-Side breakfast burrito, Fat Man Fish and more. The Capone and waffle fries served at B-Side Social House in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. The Capone features thin slices of seasoned beef, peppers, spicy giardiniera and is usually served with au jus on a long French roll. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com We spoke to the students about what they wanted. They wanted breakfast, Williams said. B-Side offers free Wi-Fi and welcomes students to hang out, throw in their air pods and study, Bond said. On the beverage front, in addition to fresh-roasted Kalamazoo Coffee, B-Side offers canned La Colombe coffee lattes and Kirkland cold brews, sparkling ICE drinks, Fairlife protein drinks, an assortment of juices and Celsius and ZOA energy drinks. Want more Kalamazoo news? Our 3@3 newsletter rounds up Kalamazoos top stories every weekday at 3 p.m. Enter your email to get our free newsletter: Dont forget the B-side add-ons on the menu, such as the waffle fries, sweet potato fries, hash browns, breakfast meats, Granny grits, buttermilk biscuits and toast, depending on the time of day. Heading into their first summer, B-Sides summer daytime hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Breakfast stops at noon, with the exception of the weekend, when its currently available all day. Lunch starts at noon daily. B-Side reopens with its late-night menu from midnight to 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Those hours will be expanded with breakfast starting at 7 a.m. when students return in the fall. Once staffing is rounded out, B-Side may also stay open straight through on the weekends as opposed to closing before the late night. For more information, visit bsidesocialhouse.com or call 269-459-1117. Check out B-Sides Facebook page or Instagram page for daily specials and other updates. Also on MLive: Another one bites the crust: Portage pizzeria closing shop after 44 years Kalamazoo Public Schools approves $230,000 contract with new superintendent 2 years after LGBTQ flag controversy, rural Michigan city to host Pride Festival Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI A Muskegon man will spend a little more than three years in federal prison for possessing a homemade bomb. Casey Richard Newman, 40, received the sentence of three years and three months imprisonment Thursday, May 25, from U.S. District Judge Janet T. Neff on one count of knowingly possessing a destructive device. Newmans homemade bomb was found in August 2019 after police were called to a Grand Rapids residence on reports of a suspicious device, believed initially to be a pipe bomb, according to the sentencing memorandum. The device consisted of a tape-wrapped plastic bottle that was filled with explosive powder and BBs, federal prosecutors said. It was also wrapped in electrical tape with a fuse at each end. The device wasnt detonated, and no one was harmed by it. After the discovery by authorities, the GRPD Bomb Squad made the device safe and conducted preliminary testing on it. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Forensic Science Laboratory conducted additional testing. At the time of the bombs discovery, Newman was apparently being evicted from the Grand Rapids home by his landlord, who was also his employer and had fired him just under two weeks earlier, Newmans attorney, Daniel R. Fagan, wrote in the sentencing memorandum Newman believed his landlord and former employer owed him money, and Newman cobbled together the device in an apparent attempt to cause fear, Fagan said. The citizens of the Western District of Michigan should be able to move about their communities without fear of harm or danger by homemade destructive devices, said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. Those who engage in these dangerous crimes will be held accountable. ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir said the situation could have turned out much worse. Accountability for criminal conduct is paramount in ensuring public safety in the community, Deir said. Casey Newmans reckless actions could have resulted in an explosion that killed and injured many people while at work. Grand Rapids police Capt. Michael Maycroft, who serves as commander of the departments Bomb Squad, said the conviction is a direct result of cooperation between city police, the ATF and federal prosecutors. Although this type of investigation and conviction is a rare event in the city of Grand Rapids, it was our primary mission to take a dangerous improvised explosive device off the streets and identify the culprit before anyone got hurt, Maycroft said. Read more on MLive: Grand Rapids man gets 20 years in federal prison after fentanyl he sold killed person MSP: Woman killed relative, 73, in Mackinac County Productivity credits would give Michigan prisoners chance at early release SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, MI Organizers hope once again to hook families for an annual fishing festival here next month. Organizers with the Saginaw County Parks and Recreation office will host the 2023 Catch Me If You Can fishing festival from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at William H. Haithco Recreation Area, 2121 Schust in Saginaw Township. The first 150 youths to register for the event will receive a free fishing pole, officials said. Adults are welcomed to fish with the younger participants. Volunteers including members of the Saginaw Bay Walleye Club will help attendees set up for fishing at the parks 40-acre man-made Haitcho Lake, said Brian Keenan-Lechel, director of Saginaw County Parks and Recreation. The festival will include prize giveaways and provide trophies for the biggest catches. Individuals interested in registering to participate in the Catch Me If You Can fishing festival can call (989) 790-5280. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Read more on MLive: Will Saginaw County parks continue summer attendance record streak? The count starts Friday. Heres 5 items we saw sold at Saginaw Farmers Market on opening day Amidst disorder, Saginaw City Council OKs review of its meeting rules With Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing off on the third of Democrats major gun-related policy wants, announced at the top of this year, eyes are on where the party intends to go next. Already, Democrats have crafted and passed measures dealing with extreme risk protection orders, safe storage laws and universal background checks for the sale of all firearms in Michigan. But when it comes to further mobilization on the topic, Democrats are somewhat tight-lipped. These are the things that we ran on, that we told people we were going to do ... and I dont think the conversation is over, Whitmer told reporters on Monday, May 22, after signing off on red flag legislation. There are a lot of survivors of loved ones from Oxford and from MSU here today. I know that they want to continue talking about what, in addition, we might do to keep people safe and thats a conversation were always eager to have. There has been inklings, however, of where the policy conversation could go. Earlier this year, lawmakers questioned whether firearm dealers and manufacturers would keep immunity from gun-related lawsuits as they do by current statute. As part of the negotiating process, legislators discussed whether non-federally licensed firearm dealers could lose immunity when fleshing out bill language related to the safe-storage process. That language was eventually removed from the bill prior to final passage. That doesnt mean its gone from the conversation for good, however. Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, named immunity removal and an assault weapons bans as some of the few ways the policy conversation could next go when speaking to Gongwer News Service on April 19. Closing the domestic violence loophole or preventing a person convicted of past domestic violence offences from legally obtaining a gun for a set period of time and limiting magazine capacity were also among other policy ideas she considered. RELATED: Why sheriff pushback on Michigans red flag gun laws may not matter The concept of closing the domestic violence loophole, in particular, is a popular one. Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg, founder of the legislatures Gun Violence Prevention Caucus, said there was bipartisan interest in the topic 10 years ago when he served as a House lawmaker. When it comes to domestic violence and domestic abusers, I think we have to have recourse to be able to seize their weapons as well. ... I think thats something that will have a big impact and could be an easier lift, he said. Rep. Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township, also expressed interest on the topic as well as cracking down on guns used as part of intimidation efforts when speaking on the MIRS Monday podcast in April. So, guns at our polling places, guns around where we count ballots, the absentee ballot boxes all those kinds of things, she said. Rep. Kelly Breen, D-Novi, chairs the House Judiciary Committee and, like McMorrow, was one of the bill sponsors involved in getting red flag legislation signed into law. She said her goal, moving forward, was to focus on legislation that really gets to the heart of gun violence which we know, a majority of gun deaths are suicides. She mentioned cracking down on the ability to 3D print guns, but did not go into further policy details as to how that would occur. I want to work with prosecutors, with law enforcement, with teachers and parents and kids to find out what we can do to cut down on gun violence and really get to the root of why it is ... a lot of that is going to have to do with social-emotional learning, Breen said. Social-emotional learning is the key to mitigating violence overall. More from MLive Trans athletes can play sports in Michigan, just not win, under GOP-backed bill Michigan pays bills for violent crime victims. But only a sliver see funding. Sales tax fund would help Michigan police fight violent crime Years later, Nassar-inspired sexual assault protections are closer to reality For a day, this tiny park was Michigans capital city ANN ARBOR, MI -- Dexter High School hosted their 2023 prom in the Michigan Unions Rogel Ballroom Friday. About 350 students packed the venue for a night of dancing and celebration. Students dined on charcuterie and catered sweets, sat for caricature artists and snapped selfies in a photo booth. 26.05.2023 LISTEN Ras Mubarak, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Kumbungu Constituency, is advocating for laws on political party campaign financing to be passed, which will set guidelines for political parties' spending during election seasons. The former MP remarked that the lack of legislation on campaign financing could slowly bring about a situation in which dishonest people are elected to positions of power, which he thinks could have negative impacts on the growth of the nation. Ras Mubarak underlined the necessity of the legislation in an interview with Citi News following suspicions of vote buying during the Kumawu by-election. I dont see why primaries in Ghana should cost up to GH2 million. GH2 million is a lot of money, but people are paying GH2 million just to win parliamentary primaries, and that is why when a lot of people get to Parliament, they are not serious. I dont know if you have observed proceedings of Parliament when bills are being passed into law. He added, When we are doing legislation on the floor of Parliament, the house is almost always empty. Those who got in there, the majority of them are not interested in the act of passing laws because they had spent so much to win their primariesthey are busy out there looking for money to keep up appearances. He also expressed concern over the potential negative effects of several senior lawmakers being kicked out of Parliament. You get people who dont contribute to anything in committee, they only come and sign their names and take committee allowances. They dont contribute, they come and sit in committee meetings and they wont talk, they will come to plenary, and they wont talk for four years and guess what? These people will get re-elected, and the people who are doing the grinding, the hard workthey are kicked out. Look at the 7th Parliament, the kind of people who lost their primaries. So we have Joseph Yiele Chireh, former MP for Wa West, a former Offinso South MP, Ben Abdallah Banda, a former MP for Daboya-Mankarigu, Mahama Shaibu. I mean these are fine brains, go to Parliament, read the Hansard and see the contributions they made, Ras Mubarak argued. Violence has surged in Nigeria following a brief lull for elections earlier in the year, serving as a cruel reminder of the significant security challenges faced by incoming President Bola Tinubu. Barely a week goes by in Africa's most populous nation without attacks or kidnappings by criminals known as "bandits" in the northwest and centre, jihadists in the northeast or separatists in the southeast. It was feared that the frequency and intensity of the violence would threaten elections held in February and March, with the relative calm during the polls surprising many observers. Tinubu, the 71-year-old winner of the presidential election, is set to be sworn-in on May 29. He will take over from 80-year-old Muhammadu Buhari of the same party, who has been accused of not delivered on his promise to tackle entrenched insecurity during his two terms. Despite the opposition claiming electoral fraud during the polls, officials have said the voting was free and fair, declaring Tinubu the winner. One of the new government's most urgent tasks will be to tackle insecurity, which has resurfaced in full force since April. "More than 100 people dead and 3,000 displaced after clashes", "25 kidnapped from a church", "US convoy attacked by gunmen" -- those are just some of the recent headlines in the country. 'Little or no resistance' For Emeka Okoro, security analyst with the Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence, "the incoming president will likely face significant security challenges upon assuming office." Nigeria's President-elect Bola Tinubu, who will be sworn in on Monday, will face significant security challenges as violence surges. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP) The most urgent, Okoro told AFP, is in the centre and northwest of the country, where old tensions between herders and farmers have morphed into a deadly conflict involving heavily armed criminal gangs. Impunity as well as insufficient security and wider government presence has allowed the violence to fester, Okoro said, despite some ongoing military operations against the groups. Bandits "invade a community, kill people and destroy their properties, with little or no resistance from the security officials," said Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, one of the states affected by the violence. During the presidential campaign, Tinubu promised that he would "accelerate the reforms commenced" under Buhari "in building a more robust, re-energised armed forces." He said he would "recruit, train and better equip additional military, police, paramilitary and intelligence personnel." But for Idayat Hassan, of the Abuja-based Centre for Democracy and Development, the incoming administration should also move towards "a non-military" approach and address some of the root causes of the violence. "This includes (tackling) unemployment, poverty, addressing real and perceived marginalisation, justice sector reform... stemming the flow of arms and securing the borders," she said. Jihadist conflict A major front for the Tinubu administration is the 14-year-old jihadist insurgency in the northeast, which has resulted in some 40,000 deaths and two million more displaced. Under Buhari, the military recaptured territory that had been under the control of the jihadist group Boko Haram. But rivals linked to the Islamic State group, ISWAP, have since emerged as the dominant threat. The choice of Tinubu's vice president Kashim Shettima, the former governor of the most affected region Borno State, could "make a lot of difference" in ending the conflict, Hassan said, though some have blamed Shettima for deteriorating security when he was in office. In the southeast, Tinubu also faces separatist agitation, a highly sensitive issue in Nigeria where around one million people died in a three-year civil war in the late 60s between federal forces and Igbo secessionists. To this day, some in the southeast feel marginalised and were disappointed that Igbo presidential candidate Peter Obi lost to Tinubu. Hassan said she believed it is "unlikely security will improve in the southeast" unless the "Tinubu administration builds bridges." Many Nigerians are also hoping that the new government will put an end to years of grave human rights abuses reportedly committed by security forces across the country. Human Rights Watch, one of the organisations that has documented rights violations in the country, has urged Tinubu to "reverse course on significant human rights backsliding." 27.05.2023 LISTEN Jirapa Member of Parliament, Cletus Seidu Dapilah, emerged victorious in the recent National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries, securing an overwhelming majority of votes. Known by his constituents for his hands-on approach and open communication with the people, Hon. Dapilah sees himself as a problem solver and remains focused on improving education, healthcare, student support, agriculture and infrastructure in his constituency. I can testify and the people can also testify that Ive been working so hard with them. Im a politician that is so open to them and they know I always want to solve their problems. Im a problem solver and that is what the people admire about me so I wasnt surprised about the results. He said this in an interview with JoyNews and monitored by ModernGhana News. He continued, Well, Im looking at education, Im looking at health, Im looking at support for students, agriculture and how to lobby for how to get decent road networks. Those are the areas that Im looking at, with water and sanitation inclusive. Im going to focus on students education, and agriculture. You know the farming season is at hand so Im looking at how to secure farm inputs - fertilizer and stuff to support some of the farmers so that they can improve their yield. Ahead of the 2024 general elections, Hon. Dapilah emphasized the importance of unity within the NDC. He called on party supporters not to comd togetherness and kick out incompetent New Patriotic Party (NPP). First and foremost, we need to fight these people (the NPP) on a united front - we have to be united. Primaries are over, both presidential and parliamentary primaries are all over, he said. He continued by encouraging supporters to channel their efforts towards making Mahama the president, while he aspire to serve as their Member of Parliament. He said, There is no need to be fighting President Mahama. He just wants to be president. The other positions are all for us, so lets make him the president. He wants just one thing and that is the president. The positions are numerous but we cannot get them if we have not made Mahama the president of Ghana. I also want to be just MP so dont fight melets work for the party to win 27.05.2023 LISTEN On Thursday, May 25, 2023, an exciting journey began for Dr. Nichodemus Kafui Gebe, the Ghana Health Ministry's chief biomedical engineer, when he exchanged Fodome's great oath with Togbega Gbedegbleme Akpatsa II, the Paramount Chief of Fodome, to become the newly enstooled Dufia (divisional chief) of Fodome Agbesia. At the outdooring event, which took place in Fodome Agbesia amid rich traditional customs and rites typical of the Ewe people, the chief engineer assumed his role as Togbe Adze II to mark a new era of leadership within his division. As a member of the Gebe royal clan of Fodome Agbesia, Dr. Gebe became the chosen successor following Togbe Adze I's passing twenty-three years ago. In line with Fodome customs, his stool title, Togbe Adze II, designates him as a frontline divisional war chief for the Fodome people. Within modern chieftainship, Togbe Adze II is expected to combine courage with strategic maneuvering through advocacy, negotiation, partnership, and other peaceful means possible to aid Gbedegbleme maintain unity, peace, and development within his realm. Essentially, his elevation to this esteemed title position was based on the paramount chief's resolve to find qualified occupants for all vacant stools within his domain. Specifically, it was in order to ensure the smooth operation of the recently inaugurated Fodome traditional council. At present, Dr. Gebe oversees the Biomedical Engineering Unit (BEU) under the ministry's infrastructure directorate. In addition to managing healthcare technology deployment, he supervises pre-installation and post-installation activities for the national healthcare system. Besides, he offers consulting services for various government and private agencies by offering cutting-edge solutions to their retooling, accreditation, regulation, and quality control efforts. Dr. Gebe is currently an old student of Bishop Herman College at Kpando in the Volta Region. Prior to obtaining his Master of Science in Medical Engineering from Keele University in the United Kingdom, he graduated from the University of Ghana Medical School as a medic. In his inaugural speech, Togbe Adze II pledges collaborative leadership. Moving forward, he emphasized community health promotion as a pathway to development. Moreover, he affirmed his commitment to leveraging his expertise to stimulate good wellbeing for all, particularly mothers. "Over the years, our women have undergone childbirths in the dark whenever the light went off at our community clinic. However, three days ago, for the first time, there was light at our clinic during the blackout we all experienced because solar power system is now up and running. This became possible through support by some citizens in aid of Togbegas operation of zero tolerance to delivery in darkness in Fodome," Togbe Adze II noted. He expressed his deep appreciation to the paramount chief and elders for their support and appealed to all to remember him in prayers to God for wisdom and knowledge to rule. In his keynote speech, Togbega, on behalf of the Fodome traditional council, thanked the Gebe family and the entire Agbesia for availing their capable son to lead and to support Fodomes agenda towards unity and development. "Fodome has been in existence for four hundred years as a community. Our forebears did not reach the educational heights we do now. Today, we are lucky to choose PhD holders to lead," the paramount chief stressed. Again, he stressed unity among his people. He believes that without unity, no development assistance can come to the community since the government is already overburdened. "Governments nowadays are struggling. It is the chiefs who now lobby. And so far, Fodome must be proud. We have a university sited on our land; a TVET project is also being considered for us; and the IGP has also proposed to build a police training school in the area as a support to the Regional Police Command in Hohoe," Togbega told his audience. He admonished the division chiefs to leave their pasts behind and forge forward. He called on citizens in the community and diaspora to take a kins interest in all ongoing activities in the area. A wide array of dignitaries, including chiefs, queen mothers, Catholic priests, political figures, paramedics, the police, army officers, Ministry of Health staff, and old students, attended the ceremony. Komla Lokoe [email protected] Incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the frontrunner as Turkey prepares for its first ever presidential runoff vote this weekend. But analysts say challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu has an outside chance, if he can galvanise his base. The first round saw Erdogan secure a majority in parliament and narrowly miss an outright win in the presidential race. Analysts say the political momentum has shifted away from Kilicdaroglu ahead of Sunday's runoff. "Erdogan obviously enjoys not only the 49.5 percent [of the vote] that he got in the first round, but also the parliamentary majority," explains Can Selcuki, head of opinion pollsters Istanbul Economics Research. "So these are very big motivational factors going into the second round, which renders him the likely winner. "Kilicdaroglu, on the other hand, is trying to motivate his supporters and increase mobilisation, but at the same time mitigate concerns over his nationalistic security policies," added Selcuki. Nationalist turn Both presidential candidates are targeting nationalist voters after a surprisingly strong showing by hardline nationalist candidate Sinan Ogan in the first round. Kilicdaroglu hopes to capitalise on nationalist sentiments and, since the first round, has stressed his commitment to deport millions of Syrian refugees. "Kilicdaroglu probably is interested in getting some of those Sinan Ogan supporters, supporters of the third-party candidate who are driven by TikTok or social media and nationalism, of course. So he's lurching a little more in that direction," said Asli Aydintasbas of the Brookings Institution in Washington. But such a move carries risks, given that until now, Kilicdaroglu's focus was democratic reform. "The problem is these things are very dangerous, especially if you do these rapid adjustments and changes at the last minute," warns Aydintasbas. Kurdish question Kilicdaroglu is also now taking a hard line on security, vowing never to negotiate with Kurdish separatists. But such a move threatens to alienate key Kurdish voters, who Kilicdaroglu needs to win the presidency. Sezin Oney, a political scientist who writes for the Politikyol news portal, says Kilicdaroglu is performing a tricky political balancing act. "Now the bar is much, much higher. He has to first convince, first of all, his own voters to go and vote for him... And he has to convince others. "Also, he has to convince Sinan Ogan, the nationalist voter side, and he has to keep the Kurds on his side. So this is a very delicate balance. It's not impossible, but it's much, much more difficult than the first round," said Oney. Kilicdaroglu got a campaign boost when the pro-Kurdish HDP party on Thursday renewed its support for his presidential bid, even despite his overtures towards hardline Turkish nationalists who oppose more rights for minority Kurds. Parliamentary advantage But another challenge facing Kilicdaroglu is that the coalition led by Erdogan's AKP Party is set to secure an absolute majority in parliament, giving Erdogan a strategic advance. "The government side obviously is advocating for consistency, whereas the opposition is advocating for balance," suggests pollster Selcuki. "In the past, we've seen that the Turkish electorate usually chooses consistency over the notion of balance." With Erdogan voters turning out in larger numbers than Kilicdaroglu's in their respective strongholds, Kilicdaroglu's chances now depend on how many of the incumbent president's opponents he can turn out, predicts Atilla Yesilada, a Turkey analyst for GlobalSource Partners. "The proximity of another Erdogan victory and what might happen to their future and to their children's future may force them to dispel their doubts and complaints about Kilicdaroglu and show up to the polls. That's the only thing that can change the facts on the ground," says Yesilada. Kilicdaroglu sought to gain political traction earlier this week by appearing on a popular YouTube show for four hours, taking audience questions. The show drew more than 20 million views. With momentum appearing to be with Erdogan in this final leg of the race, analysts say Kilicdaroglu needs to find more ways to reenergise his supporters at the crucial last minute. The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has asked the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to consider the negative impact of global economic challenges on Ghana rather than blame the government entirely for the country's economic hardship. NPP Communications Director Richard Ahiagbah noted that most countries are facing economic difficulties and seeking support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He cited the IMF's approval of a $3.5 billion loan for neighboring Ivory Coast, saying challenges like COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war are impacting economies worldwide. In a tweet on Friday, May 26, Mr. Ahiagbah said "All is not well with the global economy, as a result, many countries are going to the IMF for support. The IMF has just approved a $3.5 billion ECF for Cote d'Ivoire." He quoted news from International news tabloid, DW saying the "Ivorian economy is 'suffering the triple shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic, the adverse spillovers of Russias war in Ukraine, and the global monetary tightening. The ruling partys spokesperson told the media to "please, draw the NDC's attention to this reality. A private legal practitioner, Kwame Jantuah has criticised President Nana Akufo-Addo's government, stating that any government that went to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for aid has failed. During an interview on TV3's New Day program, Mr. Jantuah expressed his dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the economy. "They shouldn't come and tell us about things that they feel they have ratcheted and they're making it as if they're doing something good. They don't know how to do it, unfortunately," Mr. Jantuah asserted. He further highlighted the importance of prudent financial management, emphasising that any government that reaches a point of seeking IMF intervention is a failure. He said, Look, I thank God that Ghanaians gave President Akufo-Addo the chance to rule. We have seen his rule and we compare his rule to our tradition and it stands nowhere. Any government that takes us to the IMF has failed and they should accept it. Theyve failed because if he held the economy strong enoughif you said when you got to a stage where youre spending and you realise that this spending is not effective, stop it." Referring to the experience of Chile, Mr Jantuah suggested that implementing measures to curtail spending could have potentially saved the country from economic challenges. Mr Jantuah further stated, Would it not have saved us? Chile did it and it saved them. Now the IMF is telling us in this document that we are going to have levels of debt cancellation in terms of stopping spending when we go overboard. Looking ahead, he cautioned that the next decade is likely to pose significant challenges for Ghana and stressed the importance of preparing for the future. Lets see, the next ten years is not going to be easy so we should embrace ourselves, he cautioned. The Nogokpo shrine in Ghana's Volta region has strongly responded to comments made by renowned Ghanaian pastor, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare for labeling the town as the "headquarters of demons". In a statement, the shrine said Agyinasare's comments were "lies, fake prophecies and defrauding people under false pretence. "We will never repent of this statement from you and we shall make sure you face it squarely with us," they warned. Agyinasare, the founder of Perez Chapel International, had said in a sermon that Nogokpo is the demonic headquarters of the Volta Region. He claimed that on a visit to the town, his vehicle's tyres came off, which he attributed to witchcraft. In response, the shrine said "There are many facts we think you should be telling your followers. We are even surprised at the sons and daughters from Nogokpo who are your members yet they will applaud you for this low minded teaching or testimony you called it." They challenged Agyinasare to "prove us wrong to your members and the world. Your members must hold you to your testimony and faith 'as you always prove to them. The shrine stated that Nogokpo area records the lowest rate of accidents and deaths according to police statistics and national registers. "Do we want to say anywhere a car tyre burst on a particular journey is demonic?" they questioned. "Since Nogokpo is demonic and takes tyres out under cars, you can construct another road to Aflao so as to save your members going to Togo and Nigeria, the shrine said in a mocking tone. The University of Ghana has opened a new library and archive named after the late Ghanaian historian Emeritus Professor Albert Adu Boahen. A ceremony was recently held to officially launch the Adu Boahen Memorial Library and Archive housed within the Department of History . The new facility contains historical books, journals, newspaper archives, and oral histories, as well as publications authored by Professor Adu Boahen during his life and career. It will serve as a reference library and resource center. Late Emeritus Professor Adu Boahen was a renowned Ghanaian historian and academic who taught at the University of Ghana for decades. He is widely credited with transforming the study and teaching of African history during the post-independence era. He also ventured into politics and became the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) presidential candidate in the 1992 general elections. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Minority has expressed its reservations over the approval of Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, the Chief Justice nominee. Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader and Ranking Member of the Appointment Committee of Parliament, in his opening remarks during the vetting of the nominee, said his side of the House would like to read the reasons by the Court for its ruling in the case of Mr James Gyakye Quayson. The ruling Parliament is to expunge all records on Mr Gyakye Quayson as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North. We are of the view that we should be allowed to get a copy of the ruling so that we can be able to ask the nominee questions based on her ruling, Dr Forson said. We are going to start the vetting using the information that we have but unfortunately we cannot conclude on the matter until we have the ruling on the latest judgement that she (Chief Justice nominee) took part. He said they had started the process and that they wanted an opportunity to conclude on that particular matter. Mr Mahama Ayariga, the MP for Bawku Central, and Member of the Appointment Committee, reiterated the reservations by the Minority side of the Committee on participating in the vetting of the Chief Justice Nominee. That was because she participated in the decision of the Court involving Mr Gyakye-Quayson, which asked that his name be struck out of the records of MPs, he said. He noted, however, that the Chief Justice nominee, as a member of the panel of the Court, did not give reasons for the judgement. So, as we speak, we dont know the basis on which the court arrived at that conclusion and there is uncertainty among us members of Parliament, he said. Knowing that our Supreme Court is also our Constitutional Court, that should guide us as a country in terms of how we run public affairs. Mr Ayariga said it was a very divisive matter and that the Minority thought the Court would have carried all of them along by giving the reasons for the judgement. Because when the Court gives a judgement and doesnt give a reason, in between, people fill it with propaganda and speculations, which just divide the country. It doesnt help us to move along together as one people, he said. He said the reasons for that judgement would enable the Minority to evaluate the Chief Justice Nominee in addition to other information she had already provided to the House. He noted that the Minority Members of the Committee reached a negotiated position with their colleagues on the Majority side in which they had been assured that they would not vote on the Chief Justice nominee after the hearing and that when the Supreme Court gave its reasons, they would have another opportunity to assess the nominee based on the quality of the ruling, upon which the Committee could take a decision. Justice Sackey Torkornoo, in her response, said: I have delivered hundreds of judgements from the High Court till now, I think that it would have been of a great relief to know that I am assessed on my work as a whole. Touching on the judgements of the Supreme Court, she said the Supreme Court was not a Court unless five people were sitting and that in constitutional matters they were seven. So, seven people are working together and that is why very often, indeed, almost invariably every judgement given by the Supreme Court, the reasons come long after the orders and the rulings, because that is how we work, Mrs Justice Sackey Torkorno said. She said that the Supreme Court had the discretion to reserve its reasons for a later date and because of the nature of the panel, the Court took time to come up with its reasons to ensure that the outcome was accepted by every member of the panel. Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, the First Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Appointment Committee said the Committee had not precluded anybody from asking the Chief Justice nominee any question. He noted that because the judgement of the Supreme Court was yet to be made available, that did not prevent the Committee from concluding its work; saying: I dont think we should encourage that kind of thing. Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader, urged the Supreme Court to exercise discretion in matters that were politically sensitive or else the whole nation could be thrown into a state of confusion. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in April, nominated Mrs Justice Torkorno to fill in the vacancy following the retirement of Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah. GNA This week on The Sound Kitchen you'll hear the answer to the question about French President Emmanuel Macron at the Nexus Institute. There's a little info on spinning gorillas (yes, you read that correctly), the Listeners Corner with Paul Myers, and Erwan Rome's Music from Erwan. All that, and the new quiz question, too, so click on the Play button above and enjoy! Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll hear the winner's names announced and the week's quiz question, along with all the other ingredients you've grown accustomed to: your letters and essays, On This Day, quirky facts and news, interviews, and great music so be sure and listen every week. Erwan and I are busy cooking up special shows with your musical requests, so get them in! Send your musical requests to [email protected] Tell us why you like the piece of music, too it makes it more interesting for us all! Be sure you check out our wonderful podcasts! In addition to the breaking news articles on our site, with in-depth analysis of current affairs in France and across the globe, we have several podcasts which will leave you hungry for more. There's Paris Perspective, Spotlight on France, and of course, The Sound Kitchen. We have an award-winning bilingual series an old-time radio show, with actors (!) to help you learn French, called Les voisins du 12 bis. And there is the excellent International Report, too. As you see, sound is still quite present in the RFI English service. Keep checking our website for updates on the latest from our staff of journalists. You never know what we'll surprise you with! To listen to our podcasts from your PC, go to our website; you'll see Podcasts at the top of the page. You can either listen directly or subscribe and receive them directly on your mobile phone. To listen to our podcasts from your mobile phone, slide through the tabs just under the lead article (the first tab is Headline News) until you see Podcasts, and choose your show. Teachers, take note! I save postcards and stamps from all over the world to send to you for your students. If you would like stamps and postcards for your students, just write and let me know. The address is [email protected] If you would like to donate stamps and postcards, feel free! Our address is listed below. Another idea for your students: Br. Gerald Muller, my beloved music teacher from St Edward's University in Austin, Texas, has been writing books for young adults in his retirement and they are free! There is a volume of biographies of painters and musicians called Gentle Giants, and an excellent biography of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, too. They are also a good way to help you improve your English - that's how I worked on my French, reading books which were meant for young readers and I guarantee you, it's a good method for improving your language skills. To get Br. Gerald's free books, click here. Independent RFI English Clubs: Be sure to always include Audrey Iattoni ([email protected]) from our Listener Relations department in all your RFI Club correspondence. Remember to copy me ([email protected]) when you write to her so that I know what is going on, too. N.B.: You do not need to send her your quiz answers! Email overload! And don't forget, there is a Facebook page just for you, the independent RFI English Clubs. Only members of RFI English Clubs can belong to this group page, so when you apply to join, be sure you include the name of your RFI Club and your membership number. Everyone can look at it, but only members of the group can post on it. If you haven't yet asked to join the group, and you are a member of an independent, officially recognized RFI English club, go to the Facebook link above, and fill out the questionnaire !!!!! (if you do not answer the questions, I click decline). There's a Facebook page for members of the general RFI Listeners Club too. Just click on the link and fill out the questionnaire, and you can connect with your fellow Club members around the world. Be sure you include your RFI Listeners Club membership number (most of them begin with an A, followed by a number) in the questionnaire, or I will have to click Decline, which I don't like to do! This week's quiz: On 15 April, I asked you a question about an article written by RFI English journalist Jan van der Made: Macron lays out his plan for Europe on a visit to the Netherlands. Earlier that week, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech at the Nexus Institute in The Hague. The Institute was marking the 75th anniversary of the 1948 Congress of Europe in The Hague. My question to you was: "What is the 1948 Congress of Europe meeting most known for?" The answer is, as Jan wrote: planting the seeds of what was to become the European Union. The first Congress of Europe was organized by the International Committee of the Movements for European Unity, which after the Congress became the European Movement. It brought together 750 delegates from around Europe to discuss ideas about the development of European political cooperation. In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question, suggested by L utfor Rahaman Khan from Naogaon, Bangladesh: What did you feel the first time you attended a marriage ceremony? The winners are: RFI English listener Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khokhar, who's a member of the Sungat Radio Listeners Club in Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. Malik is also the winner of this week's bonus question. Congr atulations, Malik ! Also on the list of lucky winners this week is A. K. M. Nuruzzaman, the p resident of the RFI Amour Fan Club in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, and Ferhat Bezazel, the p resident of the RFI Butterflies Club Ain Kechera in West Skikda, Algeria. There's also Ras Franz Manko Ngogo, who heads up the Kemogemba RFI Club in Tarime, Mara, Tanzania, and last but assuredly not least, faithful RFI Listeners Club member Hans Verner Lollike from Hedehusene, Denmark. Congratulations winners! Here's the music you heard on this week's programme: Carousel (La valse a mille temps) by Jacques Brel, sung by Elly Stone and Alice Whitfield; Ode to Joy from Beethoven's Symphony No 9 (the Ode is used as the European Union's anthem); The Flight of the Bumblebee by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; The Cakewalk from Children's Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer, and You're the Dangerous Type by Bob Dorough, sung by Veronica Swift . Do you have a musical request? Send it to [email protected] This week's question ... you must listen to the show to participate. After you've listened to the show, re-read Ollia Horton's article Postcard from Cannes # 3: About a Boy to help you with the answer. You have until 19 June to enter this week's quiz; the winners will be announced on the 24 June podcast. When you enter, be sure you send your postal address with your answer, and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number. Send your answers to: [email protected] or Susan Owensby RFI The Sound Kitchen 80, rue Camille Desmoulins 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux France or By text You can also send your quiz answers to The Sound Kitchen mobile phone. Dial your country's international access code, or + , then 33 6 31 12 96 82. Don't forget to include your mailing address in your text and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number. To find out how you can win a special Sound Kitchen prize, click here. To find out how you can become a member of the RFI Listeners Club, or form your own official RFI Club, click here. Anyone who wants to know how the first lady has impacted society must pay great attention to how she acts, looks, speaks, and even dresses. What obligations do the first ladies of Africa have compared to the first ladies of the United States of America? In this article, Rebecca Akufo Addo, the first lady of Ghana, will be examined and evaluated. What does her role entail for Ghanaians, and what has she accomplished for the nation since her husband was elected president? Madam Rebecca will agree that this is my first article about her; unless there is a significant issue, I don't often write about women. I must say right away that Madam Rebecca has completely let me down, just as much as her husband has. It is claimed that "Behind every successful man, there is a woman," but since Akufo Addo is unquestionably the worst president in Ghana's political history, I will presume that Rebecca is likewise a total failure in her personal life. I've been wondering how Rebecca Akufo Addo's role as first lady has impacted Ghanaians over the years, especially given the way her husband has lied to and misled Ghanaians about improving their lives after disparaging and labeling Mahama as corrupt and incompetent. Ghanaians, however, have only seen massive corruption, unaccounted amounts of enormous debt, the failure of businesses, and domestic and foreign investments since he came to power through the power of tribalism. It is argued that behind every successful man, there is a woman, therefore; if Akufo Addo is the worst president in Ghanas political history that also reveals that Rebecca is incompetent like her husband. As a result of Akufo Addo's lack of good education, everything he attempts to accomplish either fails or is accomplished by coercion. I keep bringing up the article I wrote about the president on October 21, 2019, titled "Akufo Addo Had Thought Being President In Ghana Is Very Easy." If Akufo Addo didn't have a wife, would he have fared better? I need to know because I can't see how important this woman is to Akufo Addo. Readers will completely comprehend what I'm saying. The president known as Akufo Addo committed to protecting the public coffers, but he ended up becoming the most corrupt leader in Ghanaian political history. When yearning for power, Akufo Addo promised to lower taxes after accusing Mahama of creating more taxation. However, it turned out that he is the first Ghanaian leader to impose several taxes. Despite having built several projects, Akufo Addo called Mahama incompetent, yet he has cut more sods in the nation than any other leader without projects. It was just recently, I heard from Rev. Oduro that despite Akufo Addo cutting sod for a project at Amasaman four years ago, the project hasnt been started. This shows his cunning and deceitful nature. The involvement of Akufo Addo in illegal gold trading and mining, which cost the country billions of dollars, occurred right in front of the so-called first lady, and I think Ghanaians will be interested to hear what role she played in preventing this terrible scenario for our nation. Why has Rebecca never shown any concern to the public if she truly cares about the terrible status of the nation? Just curious as to how she felt after learning that her husband was allegedly responsible for killing NPP politician J.B. Danquah-Edu. How can a president of a country lose a politician from his party, yet Akufo Addo never called for an investigation into the death of J.B. Danquah or tried to track down the killers of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, who was killed because he was looking into corruption scandals under the current government. However, Akufo Addo quickly criticized the US police for killing George Floyd. What a hypocrite! I must be clear that while I do not support the president, I hate his lack of integrity and deceitfulness as a leader. To make life extremely difficult for other Ghanaians and the opposition, the cunning president has nominated crooked justices to the Supreme Court. He has also chosen state-sponsored media to defend his crimes and immoralities. Nothing is going well under the NPP government, this is ridiculous. It seems election rigging with impunity is now permitted by Ghana's Constitution, planned by individuals like Jean Mensa serving as the head of the Electoral Commission. Ghana is bleeding because Rebecca's husband doesn't construct projects; instead, he either demolishes them or renames them. What function does this first lady have in the life of such a nonchalant president who yet spends and embezzles Ghanaian finances, particularly COVID funds? Together with his criminal relative Ken Ofori-Atta, they tortured Ghanaians with debt restructuring to secure IMF assistance, leading to more difficulties and uncertainty throughout the nation. When a woman marries a politician, she must be prepared to accept that she will play an important role in society as the vulnerable individuals who voted for them depend on them. For example, Michelle, Barack Obama's wife, started several social events. She was fervently committed to fighting for children's obesity, supporting military families, and the rights of women. While visiting Ghana, the couple donated to enhance the hospital that provides care for the La-Teshie-Nungua people. As is well known, the hospital was demolished four years ago by the president to erect a cutting-edge medical institution, but not even the foundation has been laid. The tragic aspect of Akufo Addo's widespread corruption is that he constantly has tribal bigots on his side, including state-funded sponsored journalists, like Paul Adom-Otchere, who support him and defend his crimes. Tribalism has undermined and buried all the initiatives or accomplishments of the former Ghanaian leader, John Mahama, whom Akufo Addo repeatedly lied about, accused, and insulted. What has Rebecca accomplished as the first lady for children and orphans in Ghana? The woman has established a website called "The Rebecca Foundation," where she identified herself as the Executive Director of the Rebecca Foundation and the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana. She claims that to carry out its projects since 2017, the foundation collaborates with governmental entities, the commercial sector, development partners, civil society, and non-profit organizations. She lists some of her accomplishments as leading the effort to build a new mother and baby unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, supporting the Akwapim schools for children with special needs, helping numerous children from all over the nation receive urgent medical care, and providing resources to numerous orphanages across the nation. If Rebecca's charity has undertaken the challenges she claims, she wouldnt fail miserably together with her husband. She might probably be the worst first lady in Ghanas political history just like her husband, the worst president. It appears that Rebecca showers every morning in milk and moisturizes her body with cream of gold, therefore; she doesnt care about the suffering people her husband deliberately ruined their income through the fraudulent E-Levy and other multiple taxations, despite failing to provide work for them. Yet, he has Richard Ahiagbah and other individuals lying to Ghanaians about what he has never accomplished. Rebecca, things won't stay the same every day. If you are a woman who cares about the suffering people, take action; else, you will regret supporting someone as lazy, cunning, deceitful, and incompetent as Akufo Addo in the future. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. ELKO An Elko man was jailed Thursday on two felony counts of child abuse relating to an incident in February. Elko police spoke to the mothers of two children who were allegedly abused while in the custody of Christopher Teeter, 38, on Feb. 19. Teeter allegedly held one of the boys down and ordered the other to beat him up but he would not, according to an Elko Police Department report. One of the boys had abrasions on his upper chest. A criminal complaint filed May 10 accuses Teeter of grabbing, choking, twisting limbs, and threatening both boys. His bail was listed at $200,000 According to jail records, Teeter also had a prior misdemeanor battery arrest in 2019. To mark The Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023, Speciallady Awareness, in conjunction with Shaxi Ghana Ltd, donated sanitary products to over 1000 pupils at Apeguso Senior High School located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. As part of Shaxi Ghana Ltd's corporate social responsibility, the company decided to collaborate with Speciallady Awareness to raise awareness of menstrual health and hygiene. Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global awareness campaign that takes place on May 28 every year. It aims to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation and promote the importance of menstrual hygiene management for all people who menstruate. During the school visit, Speciallady Awareness team emphasised the importance of Menstrual Hygiene Day. It noted that education on menstruation as being a natural bodily process and proper menstrual hygiene management is crucial for maintaining good physical and mental health. In the month of April 2023, Speciallady Awareness partnered with National Academy of Students Achievement Awards Ghana organisation (NASAAG) to promote career growth, leadership and the importance of healthcare summit at Ghana Communication Technology University, Ghana Institute of Journalism, University of Winneba and Valley View University. Speciallady Awareness occasionally raises awareness about menstruation and helps dispel myths and misconceptions related to menstrual periods. The NGO has severally promoted education surrounding menstrual health and hygiene among students and women in various communities in Ghana to help eliminate the stigma surrounding menstruation. The founder of Speciallady Awareness, Elizabeth Amoaa, often highlights during her interviews the importance of acknowledging that access to clean water, sanitation facilities and affordable menstrual products are essential to ensure people who menstruate can manage their periods in a safe and hygienic manner. In summary, during the outreach activity at Apeguso Senior High School, Speciallady Awareness team stressed on the importance of raising awareness on menstrual health and hygiene as it promotes advocates for policy changes and encourages environmentally sustainable menstrual hygiene practices. It added that education on menstrual hygiene plays a role in breaking the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation and improving the well-being and rights of young girls and women. The outreach activity was sponsored by OA Pay, Rotary Direct Membership and Icann brand event and innovation. 27.05.2023 LISTEN Ghana's 1992 Constitution is a perfect example of the destruction of a nation at the hands of corruption. Not only is the Indemnity Clause (corruption cases before 1992 are not able to be prosecuted to allow a fresh new start) but other provisions also the blueprint of keeping a nation in the bondage of poverty and exploitation. The Deputy Minister for Communications under NDC President JD Mahama, a very young lady with no professional experience but well-shaped to please the eye of an African man, was bugged by her driver. While she sat in the back of the limousine he secretly recorded her call in which she said that she intended to make $ 1 Mio. from her position given. Ghana has anti-corruption laws dusted in the archives of Flagstaff House, the Office of the President. Special Prosecutor is in place. The two rotating ruling parties NDC and NPP make a loud noise about government corruption while in opposition. Yet not too loud, not too harmful as when in government the opposition should not send them to jail. The form of governance under the 1992 Constitution promotes corruption. To become an MP or President application forms must be paid for by the Electoral Commission EC never heard of in Germany. The election campaigns must be privately financed, and the favors are given or savings accounts emptied returned and filled up again. As Ghana's financial elite stays away from the parliament seats only people with no job or little substantial professional experience use politics as a source of income and sit on the China-made chairs in the national parliament. The party flag bearer and ordinary MPs must seek internal approval from party members. Party local and national Chairman and Secretaries play a vital role in the selection and acceptance process which the ordinary members mainly follow. A candidate with a serious mind to fight corruption not only as lip talk is seen as a threat to the common practice of corruption be it big or small. Corrupt leadership will not promote someone who could potentially bring them to jail. This creates and educates further generations of corrupt politicians spinning the vicious circle of constant Nations downfall. The politicians are all not to be blamed for their work as they only perform on what they know they follow the herd and sheep before them. White people who migrated to Ghana or having Ghana as its home would never be allowed to stand as MPs or Presidential candidates even holding Ghana passports in their hands. As the power is invested in the people of the land the responsibility to end the misery inflicted on them lies as well in their power only. The 1992 Constitution does not give A-level graduation to any politician in Ghana therefore admission to the University of Politics, the Parliament, should not be granted. Kinshasa, May 26, 2023Congolese authorities must investigate the recent attack on journalist Geonne Djokwa and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Saturday, May 20, a group of protesters at a rally organized by opposition presidential candidates in Kinshasa, the capital, attacked Djokwa while she covered demonstrators clashing with police, according to media reports and local journalists Prisca Yasetonga and Gloria Tshiatumba, who were at the scene. One protester swung a machete at Djokwa, a reporter with the privately owned broadcaster Congo Lisanga Television, cutting the right side of her head. Demonstrators also seized her phone and camera. Protesters also used a machete to threaten Yasetonga, who told CPJ they prevented her from covering the demonstration for the privately owned YouTube channel Mbonka nde Congo Television, but she managed to escape without injury. DRC authorities should thoroughly investigate the recent attack on journalist Geonne Djokwa and ensure that anyone who slashes a journalists head with a machete is made to face the consequences of their actions, said Muthoki Mumo, CPJs sub-Saharan Africa representative, in Nairobi. As the DRC approaches its next elections, journalists must be free to report on political activities without obstruction or fear that they will be attacked. Tshiatumba told CPJ that Djoka was taken to a hospital for treatment, where President Felix Tshisekedi visited her, and her condition was improving. Her phone and camera had not been returned as of May 25. Djokwa is seen after being slashed with a machete at a protest. (Photo: Benjamin Ndongala) The demonstration over rising living expenses, which was organized by four opposition candidates in the DRCs presidential election scheduled for December 2023, turned violent when police sought to disperse the crowd, according to media reports. When the police attacked, protesters fought back and sought to prevent journalists from documenting the scene, Tshiatumba told CPJ. CPJ called the four opposition candidates who organized the rally, Martin Fayulu, Moise Katumbi, Delly Sesanga, and Matata Ponyo. None replied, and a representative who answered Fayulus phone disconnected shortly afterward. CPJ called Kinshasa City Police Chief Sylvano Kasongo Kitenge but no one answered. 27.05.2023 LISTEN Private legal practitioner, Nana Obiri Boahen, has vowed to retrieve monies the deposed National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) James Gyakye Quayson took from the state then as a lawmaker. According to the former Deputy General Secretary of NPP, he is ready to go the extra mile to ensure Mr. Quayson refunds every pesewa he took during the period the latter carried himself as MP. "Mark my words, I Nana Obiri Boahen, I'll make ensure that every money he was paid for as an MP, the state gets it back. The allowances, per diem, and every entitlement should be returned to the state, and I'll make sure it happens, the lawyer vowed on Wontumi TV. Reacting to a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, ordering parliament to expunge the name of James Gyakye Quayson as a Member of Parliament, Nana Obiri Boahen said, "The law must deal with Guakye Quayson as it was done to Adamu Sakande. It will serve as a deterrent to everyone. He must be put into jail!." In the ruling, the apex court barred Mr. Quayson from holding himself as a Member of Parliament for Assin North for owing allegiance to Canada. The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed happiness at the completion of the Elmina Fishing Harbour in record time. He commended the chiefs and people of Elmina for trusting his government to deliver on its promises. The President noted that the former President, John Dramani Mahama who described the project as "Sakawa Harbour' together with all other "naysayers" are alive to see the harbour commissioned. The President made these statements in Elmina at the commissioning of the expanded Elmina Fishing Harbour on Friday, May 26, 2023. "Four months after I cut the sod for the project on 20th August 2020, the former President, John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Candidate of the NDC, in December 2020 said in Elmina that the project will never materialize, forgetting that he is not God," he stressed. He described the fishing industry as an important sector of the nation's economy, contributing about 60% of Ghana's protein needs annually, and 11% of annual GDP, whilst employing about 20% of the workforce through direct and indirect means. According to him, it was for these reasons that government made a decision to continuously improve infrastructure and conditions in the fishing industry to help improve catch, cut down post-harvest loses and reduce fish import, in the medium to long term. The Transport Minister, Hon. Kweku Ofori Asiamah called on the media to help in educating the people of Elmina to adhere to proper maintenance culture to ensure the longevity of the fishing harbour to benefit unborn generations. He directed the Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to operationalize the facility within two weeks. The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, hinted that the ministry as part of efforts to protect the sector had deployed the use of electronic monitoring systems on industrial canoes, use of video cameras, censors to automatically track and verify fishing activities on fishing vessels 24/7 and the close season as a rebuilding strategy of the fishery resources. All these she said have become necessary due to the depletion of the fishing stock through illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices. She appealed to stakeholders to work together to maximize the full potential of the Elmina fishing harbour to ensure that it becomes a catalyst for sustainable growth, increase job creation, and improve livelihoods. The Omanhen of the Elmina Traditional Council, Nana Kojo Konduah, VI, in thanking the president for honouring his promise of building the harbour, expressed regret that some Ghanaians could even insult the president despite the efforts government making effort in developing the country. He called on government to dredge some choked culverts in the Elmina community which results in flooding causing the loss of properties whenever there is a heavy downpour. The Managing Director for the Western and Central Regions, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Mr. Ebenezer Afedzi, disclosed that the Authority currently has the services of only four staff managing the project but, was hopeful recruitment will be done soon to operationalize the facility. He hinted that indigenes of Elmina will not be left out of the job recruitment. 27.05.2023 LISTEN Something is wrong with Islam as practiced and professed in contemporary Nigeria. Something is wrong with the Muhammadan version of the Abrahamic faith. This religion, which those who enslaved and also colonized Africa introduced in furtherance of their imperialistic agenda is holding people hostage. Something is out of step with the attitude of a critical mass of Muslims in Nigeria, their perception, representation and reckoning with their religion and their prophet. In this presentation, this vicious manifestation of Islam in Africa's most populous nation will be situated. I use the case of Nigerian humanist, Mubarak Bala to illustrate this religious anomaly, its disturbing disconnect from civilization and reason. I am drawing attention to the hampering effect of dogmatic faiths on the progressive emancipation of the African mind. Here I argue that the pernicious impact of Islam stares us on the face. The islamic wrongs, whether inspired or motivated, sanctioned or sanctified by the teachings in the Quran or in the Hadith, the Sunni, shia formulations, or by largely opinionated pronouncements by clerics, sheikhs, mullahs, imams and other earthly self acclaimed Muhammadan and Allah incarnates need to be critically examined and analyzed. I propose that these wrongs constitute an assault on free inquiry and an existential threat to humanists and human beings including muslims in 21st century Nigeria. Mubarak Bala came out as an exmuslim in 2014. The phrase, coming out is laden with meaning because to exit Islam is a struggle, in this case, a life and death struggle. Renunciation of Islam comes at a price, a huge price. It leads to structural and or physical death. In response to his leaving Islam, family members took Bala to a mental hospital. I mean, who does that? Is apostasy a disease? To his family members and many muslims across the region, Bala should be out of his senses to have renounced the faith of his fathers, and have done this openly and publicly. Apostasy is a disease according to Islam as practiced in northern Nigeria. So Bala needed some treatment for his Kufr(unbelief). People in that region have made us understand that family members were kind. They took him to a hospital to protect him, and to provide him an opportunity to reconvert and to recover. Hospitalization was an exercise in Islamic protection, kind and merciful treatment. Family members wanted to prevent him from being murdered by the foot soldiers of Allah that operate with impunity in the region. They did not want him to suffer the same fate as Deborah Samuel whose muslim school mates murdered in cold blood for making 'blasphemous' whatsapp posts. Bala's family did not want him to be killed like Pastor Shuaibu, or Mrs Agbahime and other victims of Islamic bloodletting in the country. By the way, as in other cases linked to allegations of blasphemy, those who murdered these individuals have not been brought to justice, and as we know in Nigeria, would never! Balas family took him to a state hospital, which is an extension of the Islamic clinical enterprise, a part of the malllamic, imamic sheikhist, ulamaic rehabilitation centers that operate in the region. From his hospital bed, Bala reached out to the humanist community and colleagues around the world who rallied and campaigned. And Bala was released from the hospital. Bala was not the only humanist in Africa declared mentally sick for leaving Islam. Mohamed Salih from Sudan who changed his status to non religious in his national identity card was accused of apostasy. But a judge acquitted him after declaring that he was mentally incompetent. Bala became a free man. But it was only for a short time because Islam as practiced in Nigeria has no place for freedom, freethought, freedom of expression, and free inquiry. The islamic faith is opposed to liberty and open mind. The Nigerian Islam is antithetical to human rights and equality before the law. It sanctions oppression and persecution, and deploys physical and structural violence against real and imagined religious others, non believers, dissenters and inquirers. The Islamic religion largely thrives on fear, force, and intimidation especially in sections of the country where muslim adherents are in the majority. It is in these muslim majority communities such as Bala's Kano state that political Islam is in full force. Sharia is being enforced. Islamic policing takes place. And Boko Haram militants are on rampage. Bala is of the view that to free Nigeria from the chokehold of political Islam, its doctrines and traditions, the life and teachings of its prophet need to be critical examined. Perceived conflicts and contradictions need to be highlighted, and islamic absurdities need to be foregrounded and analyzed. Muslims and non muslims need to speak freely of the religion, and critically examine Quranic teachings. Incidentally, muslims in Nigeria are largely opposed to free inquiry; they are intolerant of debates. They respond violently to any supposed blasphemous and sacrilegious look at the religion and its prophet. They designate these expressions as insults and violations of their sensibilities, as provocations and justifications to take up arms, to bloodlet, attack or murder any real or imagined violators, provocators with impunity. Meanwhile, the Quran is filled with verses that demean religious and irreligious others, injunctions that non believers consider or could designate as offensive. The Quran sanctifies hatred and violence against non believers, religious dissenters and free inquirers. Islam embodies a sacrilegious look on christianity, African traditional religion, and other prophetic, cosmological and philosophical outlooks. It accords other faith icons an inferior status and claims to be the apex and culmination of piety and prophethood. It is pertinent to note that Islam did not originate in Africa. It is an Arabic religion, and owes its spread in Africa largely to violent attacks, to criminalization of apostasy and blasphemy. Islam is like a guest who entered Africa through the door and as soon as it has gained dominance, it shut the door against freedom, freedom of religion or belief, free inquiry and free expression, and free mind. It unleashed tyrannical and totalitarian tendencies on the people. Islam holds individuals, socially and intellectually, captive. And if you are in doubt take a look at the case of Mubarak Bala. Bala tried to change the status quo. After leaving the hospital, he continued to post comments and share thoughts on social media that were critical of the Islamic religion and its prophet. In April 2020, some muslims who have been censoring Bala's posts on social media petitioned the police. They claimed that his Facebook comments and posts were blasphemous and offensive to muslim religious sensibilities. Based on the petition, the police arrested Bala. They held him incommunicado for several months, and later charged him in a court. The quasi sharia court convicted and sentenced him to 24 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the charges. Bala pleaded guilty after a sham trial in Kano. He pleaded guilty after almost two years of no guilty plea, psychological torment, arbitrary detention, threat to his life and his lawyers', harassment, intimidation, and coercion to reconvert to Islam. Bala pleaded guilty because his captors left him with no other option. The case of Bala amply illustrates that Africa, and the world need a vibrant culture of freethought, free inquiry and expression that includes free expression of ideas and thoughts about Islam and its prophet. We must be mindful of the mischievous use of Islamophobia to sustain the privilege of Islam, shut down debate and undermine critical examination of Islamic teachings and traditions. Today, Africa finds itself at a crossroads because free inquiry is under assault. The culture of free expression is threatened. From the remote corners of northern Nigeria and to other places across Africa where people cannot openly and publicly questions ideas, religious ideas, free inquiry is under assault. From places like Mr Balas Kano and Deborah Samuels Sokoto to Mohamed Salihs Sudan where people are attacked, imprisoned or killed for expressing their views about Islam and its prophet, or for stating what they believe or not believe, the culture of free expression is endangered. In the remote village in Mbaise in southern Nigeria where I was born, where many people still strongly believe that they could make money through ritual sacrifice of human heads and other body parts, free inquiry is under attack. From the remote communities of Konshisha in Benue, Central Nigeria, to Kafaba in Northern Ghana and other regions and provinces in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe where people attribute poverty, illness, death, accidents and thunder storms to witchcraft and in turn accuse people, attack, murder, lynch and buried alleged witches alive, free inquiry is under attack. Meanwhile free expression is necessary for African awakening and enlightenment. Free inquiry is imperative to combating and resisting extremism, superstition and bigotry. Africa needs a climate of critical inquiry and investigation of claims to dispel the dark and destructive hold of religions on the minds of the people. The continent needs a culture of expression that frees and can free the society from the vicious grip of islamic extremism, and the bondage of dogmatic faiths and suffocating orthodoxies. Early in this 21st century, Africans must rise up to the challenge of exercising, upholding and defending the value of free inquiry or rue it. At the end of the Berlin conference in 1896 which had resulted in the European imperialism was the correlative birth of Nationalism in Africa. The entirety of Africa, most especially West Africa had been shared among the European countries. This was done to gratify their socio-political and economic interests. There was; nationalism of resistance, nationalism of protest, nationalism of self-government and Pan-Africanism, which had become famous amongst all due to the impact of personalities and groups involved in same. By 1871, the Fante Confederacy, a proto-nationalist movement formed in the Gold Coast had already advanced its fight against certain activities of the Europeans. The Asante people had before that rejected any form of imperialism until the Kingdom was defeated in 1874 in the Sagrenti War. Then came the Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS) of 1897 which was formed to campaign against the Lands Bill of 1897. By 1917, the National Congress of British West Africa (N.C.B.W.A), which brought all the British colonies in West Africa together, was formed to protest against colonialism. These countries were Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia and Sierra Leone. Joseph Casely Hayford, Herbert McCauley of Nigeria, John Mensah Sarbah, J.W Sey, Dr. Akiwande Savage of Nigeria, T. Hutton Mills, Dr. F.V. Nanka Bruce, J.P. Brown and a host of others were leading members of the N.C.B.W.A. It was quite an elite movement. The "elitist" N.C.B.W.A could possibly have charted the path for students of African descent studying and or living in the diaspora to have joined the fight for African liberation from European imperialism. The West African Students Union (W.A.S.U), founded in 1925 in London by Nigeria's Ladipo Solanke, a "student" of Casely Hayford was the first official nationalist movement formed by Students. Leadership and largely speaking the membership of this Union was not only made up of highly educated Students but also that these were vociferous and enthusiastic young African Students ready to sacrifice their lives in the attainment of freedom from European imperialism. In furtherance to the fight against European imperialism was the founding of the Union of Gold Coast Students (U.G.C.S) which had amongst "its aims an end to British colonial rule and the achievement of independence" in Gold Coast, now Ghana. It is from the U.G.C.S which the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), founded in the 1960s (possibly in 1961 or 1964), traces its roots. This democratic, non-partisan and progressive mass movement of students called NUGS have since its foundation days protected the welfare/interest of its members, regardless of the setbacks. There is the claim of the arrest and detention without trial of founding leaders such as Prof. Anselmus Kludze, F.Y.I. Fiagbe, Kwadwo Carr and others under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's Preventive Detention Act (PDA) of 1958. Their crime, if any at all, was their nationwide massing of Students to protest against the some activities of Dr. Nkrumah, most especially his PDA. The founders of NUGS could have been incited to form the Union due to the arrest and detention without trial of Dr. J.B. Danquah who was a former Vice President of W.A.S.U (which birthed U.G.C.S which also birthed NUGS). Though unsuccessful in his activism and advocacy, Dr. J.B Danquah had challenged the validity of the PDA, calling it illegal, unconstitutional and an affront to the political and civic rights of the Ghanaian citizen. The founders of the Union (NUGS) wholly believed in the position of Dr. J.B. Danquah in relation to the PDA therefore raising their voices in protest against this obnoxious law. Pathetically, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) which is the largest student organization in Ghana is missing in the political history books of the country. The contributions of NUGS to the socio-political history of Ghana must not be overlooked. There must be a place for NUGS in our Social Studies and or Government syllablus to enable students for whose welfare needs the union was founded to have primary access to information about the Union. It must be admitted that the Fante Confederacy, Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS), National Congress of British West Africa (N.C.B.W.A), West African Students Union (W.A.S.U) and the Union of Gold Coast Students (U.G.C.S) agitations against European imperialism is what gave them a place in our history and political books, and same must be accorded the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) which strongly opposed Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's PDA and other regimes of dictatorship and militarism in Ghana as well as the impact of the Union in the struggle for better welfare of the Ghanaian Student both home and abroad. In conclusion, if the aforementioned nationalist movements which are today extinct have a place in our books, then, it is never out of place to argue a case in favor of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) which is still alive, have played and is still playing very key roles in students advocacy and activism to be incorporated into our curriculum especially History, Social Studies and Government subjects respectively. Chief Justice nominee Gertrude Torkornoo says efforts are being made to reopen the courts. This follows processes, she indicated, are underway to address the concerns of the judicial service workers who are currently on strike. Shedding more light on why the staff of the judicial service have embarked on their current strike while appearing before parliaments Appointment Committee on Friday, 26 May 2023, the Chief Justice nominee explained: Its about the review of salaries". "There is a structure for the review of salaries on a biannual basis and that process started and, staff, I think, are of the opinion that its going too slowly and this is why theyve gone are on strike", she explained. She, however, assured the committee: The process is very much going on and yesterday, we were in meetings. According to the Chief Justice nominee, the judiciary has not defaulted on its part in the process of the review of salaries of staff of the judicial service. I would say not at all because it is not a process thats limited to the judiciary. Its a process that starts with proposals from the judiciary, goes to the judicial council, goes to the executive," she explained. "Ministry of Finance is involved, the Office of the President is involved," she noted. So, its a cycle and then they get back to the judiciary. It is a cycle," she stressed. "As I said, the process is ongoing. I think their complaint was that it was going too slowly. Matters are under control," she assured, explaining that the parties concerned have had meetings. "We are one family and I believe that very soon, well see the court doors open, Justice Torkornoo noted. Meanwhile, the judicial service has appealed to the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) to call off its indefinite strike. The judicial service said it invited the executives of JUSAG to discuss their concerns but representatives of JUSAG did not honour the invitation. To help resolve their concerns, the judicial service said it will meet with the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, over the issue and, thus, appealed to the Association to call off its strike. JUSAG declared an indefinite strike on Wednesday, 24 May 2023. JUSAG, in a statement, accused the government of ignoring their concerns on the implementation of the approved cost of living allowance and general working condition of its members. JUSAG noted: Colleagues may recall that the Government of Ghana introduced the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in July 2022 for all public sector workers including staff of the judicial service due to the adverse economic condition the country was and is still undergoing. JUSAG submitted its proposal for review of salaries for 2023-2024 on 31st October 2022 to the Judicial Council for consideration in its advice to the President for determination in accordance Articles 149 and 158(2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The association said it can no longer take the mistreatment of its members and resorted to strike effective May 24. We have suffered enough. We can no longer bear it. An empty sack cannot stand upright. The National Executive Council of JUSAG, upon consultations with the Judicial Service Ladies Association of Ghana, Senior Staff Association (SSAJUG), Driver Association, Finance Staff Association, and all stakeholders who matter, hereby declared an indefinite strike," it announced. Court users have since been left stranded as courts have been closed across the country. classfmonline.com Ghana Police Service has assured that it will soon make public all the findings of the investigations into the killing of a 20-year-old man. He was allegedly shot and killed by a police officer in Wa in the Upper West regional capital. The Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service, George Akuffo Dampare gave the assurance when he visited the family of the deceased in the town on Friday to commiserate with them. The IGP who was accompanied by other top officials of the police service gave the family up to the middle of June this year to release the findings of the investigations. Abubakari Shahid, who was reported to have been an Arabic student, was allegedly shot and killed by the police on Thursday, March 9 upon suspicion that he was an armed robber. Some rampaging family members of the deceased fiercely resisted the robbery tag on him and besieged the Upper West Regional Police Headquarters and the Regional Coordinating Council to ask for an apology and a thorough investigation into the killing. The IGP swiftly dispatched a high-powered delegation to commensurate with the bereaved family and to assure them that the matter was under investigation. IGP Dampare made the visit nearly three months after the incident. citinewsroom 27.05.2023 LISTEN Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the nominee for Chief Justice of Ghana, has called on Parliament to review the countrys death penalty laws. Torkornoo, who is a Justice of the Supreme Court, said that she believes the death penalty is too final and that she would like Parliament to consider alternatives to capital punishment. As a Justice of the Supreme Court, I am mindful of the fact that when cases come to court, its my duty to preside over it. But on a personal level, I do think that the death penalty is too final. And its something that I would be grateful if the legislative body can begin to look at it. In criminal law, we are always looking at the mens rea [guilty mind] and not just the actus reus [guilty act]. Sentencing is guided by law, so long as the law says it, I cannot say otherwise, she stated. Torkornoos comments come as Ghana is considering whether to abolish the death penalty. The country has not executed anyone since 1993, and it is considered to be abolitionist in practice by Amnesty International. However, capital punishment is still a legal penalty in Ghana, and it is mandatory for certain offences, such as murder. Sevem new death sentences were handed down in 2021. Torkornoos comments are likely to be met with mixed reactions. Some people will support her call for a review of the death penalty, while others will argue that it is a necessary punishment for certain crimes. Ultimately, it is up to Parliament to decide whether or not to change the law. Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, if approved, will become the third female Chief Justice in the history of Ghana, after Justices Georgina Theodora Wood and Sophia Akuffo. She replaces Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, who retired as Chief Justice on May 24, 2023. citinewsroom Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court this week sharply limited the federal governments authority to police water pollution into certain wetlands, the second decision in as many years in which a conservative majority narrowed the reach of environmental regulations. The outcome could threaten efforts to control flooding on the Mississippi River and protect the Chesapeake Bay, among many projects, wrote Justice Brett Kavanaugh, breaking with the other five conservatives. The justices boosted property rights over concerns about clean water in a ruling in favor of an Idaho couple who sought to build a house near Priest Lake in the states panhandle. Chantell and Michael Sackett objected when federal officials identified a soggy portion of the property as a wetlands that required them to get a permit before filling it with rocks and soil. By a 5-4 vote, the court said in an opinion by Justice Samuel Alito that wetlands can only be regulated under the Clean Water Act if they have a continuous surface connection to larger, regulated bodies of water. There is no such connection on the Sacketts property. The court jettisoned the 17-year-old opinion by their former colleague, Anthony Kennedy, allowing regulation of what can be discharged into wetlands that could affect the health of the larger waterways. Kennedys opinion covering wetlands that have a significant nexus to larger bodies of water had been the standard for evaluating whether permits were required for discharges under the 1972 landmark environmental law. Opponents had objected that the standard was vague and unworkable. Environmental advocates said the new standard would strip protections from millions of acres of the wetlands across the country. Reacting to the decision, Manish Bapna, the chief executive of the Natural Resources Defense Counsel, called on Congress to amend the Clean Water Act to restore wetlands protections and on states to strengthen their own laws. The Supreme Court ripped the heart out of the law we depend on to protect American waters and wetlands. The majority chose to protect polluters at the expense of healthy wetlands and waterways. This decision will cause incalculable harm. Communities across the country will pay the price, Bapna said in a statement. The outcome almost certainly will affect ongoing court battles over new wetlands regulations that the Biden administration put in place in December. Two federal judges have temporarily blocked those rules from being enforced in 26 states. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a state that the Clean Water Act has been responsible for transformational progress in cleaning up the nations waterways. I am disappointed by todays Supreme Court decision that erodes longstanding clean water protections, Regan said in a statement. Damien Schiff, who represented the Sacketts at the Supreme Court, said the decision appropriately narrowed the reach of the law. Courts now have a clear measuring stick for fairness and consistency by federal regulators. Todays ruling is a profound win for property rights and the constitutional separation of powers, Schiff said in a statement issued by the property rights-focused Pacific Legal Foundation. In Thursdays ruling, all nine justices agreed that the wetlands on the Sacketts property are not covered by the act. But only five justices joined in the opinion that imposed a new test for evaluating when wetlands are covered by the Clean Water Act. Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and Alito would have adopted the narrower standard in 2006, in the last big wetlands case at the Supreme Court. They were joined Thursday by Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. Kavanaugh and the courts three liberal justices charged that their colleagues had rewritten that law. Kavanaugh wrote that the courts new and overly narrow test may leave long-regulated and long-accepted-to-be regulable wetlands suddenly beyond the scope of the agencies regulatory authority. Justice Elena Kagan wrote that the majoritys rewriting of the act was an effort to cabin the anti-pollution actions Congress thought appropriate. Kagan referenced last years decision limiting the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. In both cases, she noted, the court had appointed itself as the national decision-maker on environmental policy. Kagan was joined in what she wrote by her liberal colleagues Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson. The Sacketts paid $23,000 for a 0.63-acre lot near Priest Lake in 2005 and started building a three-bedroom home two years later. They had filled part of the property, described in an appellate ruling as a soggy residential lot, with rocks and soil in preparation for construction, when officials with the Environmental Protection Agency showed up and ordered a halt in the work. They also won an earlier round in their legal fight at the Supreme Court. The federal appeals court in San Francisco upheld the EPAs determination in 2021, finding that part of the property, 300 feet from the lake and 30 feet from an unnamed waterway that flows into the lake, was wetlands. The Sacketts own consultant had similarly advised them years ago that their property contained wetlands. The 9 current justices of the US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Samuel Alito Justice Sonia Sotomayor Justice Elena Kagan Justice Neil Gorsuch Justice Brett Kavanaugh Justice Amy Coney Barrett Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson The suspect with the bones and Agbogli Louis 27.05.2023 LISTEN Akatsi South Police Command has retrieved some human parts believed to be the remains of a 28-year-old motor rider, Louis Agbogli, who went missing on April 21. Louis Agbogli, a native of Atidzive who resides at Akatsi, all within the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region, reportedly went missing after he was seen picking a female pillion rider on Friday, April 21 from Akatsi to the Kpetoe area. Chief Superintendent Isaac Baah, the Akatsi South Municipal Police Commander, briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on developments relating to the incident, said on Thursday, April 27, Mr. Agbogli, father of the deceased, made a complaint to the police about the disappearance of his son. Mr. Baah said the police, in their preliminary investigations, said the suspect, Regina Dagba, an 18-year-old girl from Asafotsi-Dagbakope, a village within Akatsi South, on Thursday, April 20, sought the service of a motor rider ostensibly to pick her to Adetsewui, where she was to meet her boyfriend. He said the charge for transportation of the suspect could not meet her financial status at that time, so the deceased willingly added GH 3.00 to help aid her departure to the village. Mr. Baah said the suspect, after taking the deceased's contact, called him the next day to offer gratitude for his assistance and asked him to pick her to Kpetoe, which he obliged, even though his colleagues riders discouraged him from offering that service. Upon reaching Kpetoe, the suspect appealed to the deceased to take her to a village called Nyatsive, where the deceased had since not returned, causing fear and panic among his relations and friends, he said. Mr. Baah further disclosed that the suspect, together with Etse Datsomor, her 20-year-old boyfriend from Adetsewui, was lured from his hideout at Nyatsive in the Republic of Togo, and arrested around the Wute stretch of the Akatsi- Ziope road on Monday, May 15, where they both admitted to having murdered the victim after interrogation. He said his outfit, in collaboration with their Togolese counterpart after a court order was obtained, were led by Etse to a gravel pit site located between Kpetoe and Nyatsive, near Togo, where bones and a skull was retrieved. Suspect pointed the scene to the police and after a careful inspection, it was found that the body had decomposed, leaving behind only the bones and skull, he disclosed. Police sources revealed that the suspect also led the police team to a nearby bush to retrieve the deceased's motorbike, which was close to where he was allegedly murdered. Mr. Baah said efforts were underway to forward the bones to Accra for Forensic Laboratory examination, whilst the suspects would reappear in court on Friday, June 2. DGN online 27.05.2023 LISTEN Once again, a Minister in the Government has bared his thoughts on what he has seen going on in the country he has solemnly sworn an oath to serve. The Minister in question is Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. Here is a report of what he said: QUOTE Atiwa forest, others are under attack by galamseyers Abu Jinapor The Minister expressed concern over the persistent destruction of Ghanas forest reserves by illegal miners. He specifically highlighted the Atiwa forest and other forests in the Eastern Region, as being currently under attack by these illegal activities. During the commissioning of an office complex for the Forestry Commission in the Eastern Region, Minister Jinapor emphasized the urgent need to address the issue and protect the forest reserves in the region. He called for immediate action to rid the Atiwa forest and other forests of [the activities of] illegal miners, loggers, and other [law-breakers] that pose a threat to the survival of these important natural resources. Please rid these forest reserves of illegal miners (the Minister pleaded.) He assured the Forestry Commission that [it] would be provided with the necessary tools to combat this menace. He emphasized that no one would be exempt from prosecution, regardless of their status or position. You, the Forestry Commission, have our full support. Whether they are high-ranking individuals or ordinary citizens, whether they are political leaders or not, your work is to ensure that all forest reserves in this country are protected, Minister Jinapor affirmed. UNQUOTE We are entitled to ask a few questions about the Minister's statement. The first is this: Minister, please have you heard of 'Sir John' (the late Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, one of the highest officials of the NPP and once chairman of the Forestry Commission)? Minister, is it not a fact (revealed by a former colleague of yours in the Government) that 'Sir John' presided over the destruction of many hectares of forest reserves by galamseyers? He couldn't have done it without the knowledge of his fellow members of the then Forestry Commission, could he? He couldn't have done it without its coming to the notice of the top officials of the Ministry you now head, could he? Minister, please have you found out whether any of the top officials were involved in Sir John's racket? If you had, what ACTION did you take, or ask your Government to take, about it? If the top civil servants in charge of the Ministry are the same as those who were there at the time 'Sir John' ruled the roost, and, more important, the system remains as corruptible as it was under 'Sir John', how on earth do you expect things to improve? Furthermore, Minister, please do you know how many times members of your Government (including your good self!) have publicly announced your intention to end galamsey in this country? Are you gentlemen not aware that when a gramophone record is played again and again, and again and again, it becomes broken and people avoid listening to it and longer? Honourable Minister, as you know, the destruction of forest reserves also KILLS rivers and water-bodies. You know about the approaching, deadly effects of climate change. You know that if we persist in destroying our naturally-endowed water resources, our country will INEVITABLY DIE IN THE LIFETIME OF OUR GRAND CHILDREN, OR EARLIER! Yet all we you keep hearing from the Government (as you've just done!) is that the Government is determined to end galamsey! Sir, if you and members of the Government are not tired of hearing promises of that type, your countrymen are! You are entitled to ask me, Sir, what I would do if I were in your shoes. Well, I am ready to tell you! First of all, I would declare a state of emergency (with Parliamentary approval). Then I would earmark a sum of money to be applied for by any town or village which declared its intention to resurrect its traditional ASAFO GROUP, as was left to it by its ancestors. The money would be used exclusively for replenishing ASAFO instruments (such as drums, gong-gongs, castanets, flags etc). Thus equipped, the ASAFOS, under Asafoakyers and other officers appointed from traditional office-holding families, would be persuaded to mount PATROLS along riverbanks and other vulnerable areas, such as farmlands, threatened by galamseyers. Mr. Minister, I assure you that no force can withstand MASS ACTION aimed at DEFENDING as vital and important a natural endowment as our drinking WATER. It will interest you to know that the continued existence, amongst our people, of the spirit of MASS ACTION, was demonstrated only a few weeks ago, by the people of Winneba, during their deer-hunting festival. The people showed BRAVAERY in abundance, as they went into the bush in large numbers, not caring whether they could be harmed by snakes or thorns. They crossed deep lagoons and marshland. The impressive thing is that they did all this to commemorate events that occurred long long ago, when they faced deadly threats as they made their way from their homes in the Sahelian region of West Africa to escape enemies who wanted to kill them. Every village and town in every ethnic group in Ghana, has a festival that marks an aspect of its survival. And they know how to organise themselves to celebrate these events. All they need is a little bit of encouragement to transform their skills to achieve self-preservation in modern times. Mr. Minister, you promised Forestry officials bulletproof vests and other weapons to aid them in their efforts to fight galamsey. I assure you that when the people, armed with their ancient means of driving an enemy away, throng the riverbanks at night and at dawn; when yebo huu (making a bedlam of noise) to envelope a locality to ensure their right to survive, no bullet-proof vests would be needed. By CAMERON DUODU INTRODUCTION In this segment of the critique on the alleged two difficult years 1999-2000 coined by Kwamena Ahwoi in his Working with Rawlings, the circumstances that led to the surprise choice of Martin Amidu as the running mate to Professor Mills at the 2000 presidential elections and how he excitedly swallowed a calculated bait laid out for him by the author and his cohort of puppet masters will be examined and analyzed. The discourse will deconstruct the authors narrative of the events by stating for the first time, an encounter by Martin Amidu with the matron of the Northern Regional Administration in Tamale on 17 August 2000 and a subsequent invitation by Professor Mills to Martin Amidu to come to his office for a chat on 28 August 2000. The summons by Professor Mills of Martin Amidu to his official residence on 3 September 2000, and the events that led to his nomination as Professor Mills running mate the same day will form the subject of another critique of Working with Rawlings. MARTIN AMIDU: A SURPRISE CHOICE Kwamena Ahwoi became so addicted to concocting the data for Working with Rawlings that he had to continue doing so, and to fabricate the choice of Martin Amidu, my poor self, as Professor Mills running mate not only as a surprise choice but as a bait which Martin Amidu excitedly swallowed. The fabricated construction of Martin Amidu: A Surprise Choice instead of exposing Martin Amidus lust for political power revealed Kwamena Ahwois continued denigration of Professor Mills as still exhibiting his political naivete after almost four years of service as the vice-president of Ghana. The authors narrative as to Professor Mills reaction when the puppet masters reported the successful outcome of their meeting with Rawlings to effectively scuttle the Obed for Veep agenda to him underscored and deepened the perception of the vice-presidents continued political naiveite. The puppet masters continued to be indispensable to Mills sense of ownership of his public duty and judgment. Kwamena Ahwoi wrote that: When we returned to brief Professor Mills about the successful outcome of our meeting with President Rawlings, he gave us an assignment. My brothers, he said: then help me find a running mate. As it turned out the narrative and the circumstances that led to the puppet masters finding a running mate for Professor Mills constitute a total fabrication of data. The puppet masters claim to have acted upon rumours in their search for a running mate for Professor Mills. Kofi Totobi-Quakyi who at the time was the Minister for National Security and also one of the puppet masters is said to have made the calculations about the possibility of me, Martin Amidu, being nominated as the running mate in order to deflect or break the ranks of the Reform defection. One would have expected a competent Minister of National Security to act upon both facts and intelligence, not mere rumours. Kofi Totobi-Quakyi and I attended the same interview at the Castle, Osu in January 1983 and appointed by the PNDC as PNDC Deputy Secretaries on the same day alongside Kwame Peprah, Ohene Kena, and others. Kwamena Ahwoi and I were in Commonwealth Hall, and the Faculty of Law and were on particularly good and friendly terms until we fell out on 28 December 1990 over the draft Local Government (Amendment) (No. 2) Law, 1990. Kwamena Ahwoi over all these years did not even know that the abbreviation B in my initials is BURNS and not BENZES. I also was, and still am, one of the founding cadres of the revolution and rendered selfless service towards the cadre course and the revolution and may have been respected by a faction of the cadres of the revolution. I had, however, never been engaged with the so-called young revolutionaries who were leading the Reform Movement. Augustus Goosie Tanoh and his leadership of the Reform Movement are still alive to confirm whether they ever consulted, invited, or involved me in the organization of their movement. Kwamena Ahwoi, nonetheless, stated at pages 152 to 153 of his Working with Rawlings, inter alia, that: At the suggestion of Kofi Totobi-Quakyi, we made the following calculation: Why not dangle the running mate bait before Martin Amidu? If he swallows it, he is likely to deflect the Reform defection or at worst to split their ranks. Professor Mills agreed that their calculation be tried. President Rawlings was informed and he reluctantly gave his blessing. Martin Amidu was informed and he excitedly swallowed the bait. So Martin Amidu became the NDC vice presidential candidate for the 2000 elections. Emphasis supplied). Kwamena Ahwois narrative does not add up. When did Professor Mills, whom the author portrays as a politically naive puppet, agree that their calculated suggestion of dangling the running mate bait before Martin Amidu be tried on him? Did Professor Mills agree on the same day that the suggestion to dangle the running mate before Martin Amidu was made to him? When was President Rawlings informed and he reluctantly gave his blessing? Was it contemporaneously, a week or month after the acceptance of Kofi Totobi-Quakyis calculations by Professor Mills? Who was to try the calculation and baiting on Martin Amidu? When was Martin Amidu informed and when did he excitedly swallow the bait? Was it the day after, a week or months after the suggestion to Professor Mills? Kwamena Ahwoi calls himself a professor, and consequently presents Working with Rawlings as a scholarly and academic memoire based on experiential knowledge and research. His scholarly work must, therefore, meet the basic requirements of narrative analysis the narrative must be coherent and consistent with the story told to have a sense of fidelity. I intend to demonstrate that Kwamena Ahwoi fabricated the data giving rise to his shoddy narratives by stating how I came to reluctantly accept to be Professor Mills running mate on 3 September 2000. I did not know when Professor Mills was to nominate his running mate. Apparently, Professor Mills was to announce his running mate for the 2000 presidential elections on evening of 3 September 2000 to a meeting of the NEC of the NDC at the Castle, Osu. I have already stated whom I supported to be the running mate to Professor Mills. I will for the first time state my encounter with the matron of the Northern Regional Administration at the Tamale residency on 17 August 2000 which had remained a confidential encounter. I will also state my encounter with Professor Mills on 28 August 2000 at his invitation for a chat in his office at the Castle, Osu, and my encounter with Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu thereafter in his office at the Osu Castle on the same day. The invitation I received from Professor Mills in the early morning of 3 September 2000 to come to his residence with my curriculum vitae (C.V.) and the events that led to me reluctantly accepting to be Professor Mills running mate after he went to seek the concurrence of Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu will be the subject of another critique of Working with Rawlings. The irredeemable lie by the author that Martin Amidu was informed and he excitedly swallowed the bait will then be put to rest. Kwamena Ahwoi chose to fabricate his data after the death of Professor Mills to enable him to get away with his unethical scholarly style of data collection and analysis, but fortunately there are others still alive who know how I came to accept to be Professor Mills running mate on 3 September 2000. It was not in my wildest dreams to be a vice presidential candidate. I was looking forward to going into legal consultancy after 6 January 2001. President Rawlings had aborted a previous agreement I had with him in December 1992 after he assumed the Presidency on 7 January 1993. Dr. Ibn Chambers was sent to drag me from my residence for vetting as Deputy Attorney General in February 1993. I was, therefore looking for my freedom with the exit of President Rawlings. Martin Amidus encounter with the Matron of the Northern Regional Administration In the first week of August 2000 I had to dash home to Bawku in the Upper East Region to answer an outstanding call by the founding Regional Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Amadu Dapoore, who had been indisposed for some time. On my return journey on 16 August 2000 I decided to spend the night at the Residency at the Northern Regional Administration in Tamale. I was assigned to a chalet in the residency for the duration of my stay. I ate breakfast at about 7:30 am on the morning of Tuesday, 17 August 2000. The matron for the main residency catering services came to greet me and to find out whether there was anything more I needed. I had known Nancy for years as I schooled at the Tamale Commercial Institute and she had been born and grew up in Tamale. Nancy engaged me in conversation as usual and enquired from me my views on the politicking within the NDC and whom I thought would be the vice-presidential candidate for the 2000 presidential election. I was candid with Nancy and told her the choice was between Dr. Asamoah and Alhaji Iddrisu, but my preference was the latter. Nancy asked me to pay her consultation fees to facilitate a continuation of the conversation. I gave her a token as her consultation fees. Nancy then told me triumphantly that none of them was going to be the vice-presidential candidate. I challenged her judgment. She then asked what of if she told me that I was going to be the vice-presidential candidate. I laughed and told her that she was getting out of her mind because I had never thought of her speculation. In any case, I had not the resources and means to be a vice-presidential candidate. Nancy then got more serious and told me that what she was telling me would come to pass as a reality. Nancy asked whether I had forgotten that all the visiting government officials and their entourage accommodated at the residency are catered for by her? She declared that she had her own methods of gathering intelligence. She asked me whether I knew that Professor Mills had visited and stayed in the Tamale residency a few weeks before my arrival? I answered in the affirmative. She asked me further whether I knew that Professor Mills personal driver for 15 years was her kinsman? I affirmed that too. Nancy then told me in confidence that she had invited Professor Mills driver to their ethnic local food for dinner at her junior staff quarters residence at Kalpohini Estates in Tamale. It was during an after supper conversation with Professor Mills driver that she debated him on who was likely to be the running mate to Professor Mills for the 2000 elections. Professor Mills driver confided in her that Professor Mills had decided on me. I told Nancy that what Professor Mills driver had told her might have been said to throw her off the back of the driver as to her enquiry about who was going to be the running mate. Nancy concluded that if I did not believe her, she had passed on the information to me and forewarned me. She insisted that she would soon have the last laugh when she confronts me for doubting her sources and methods of gathering intelligence. I filed this conversation with Nancy as one of the several political gossips and forgot about it. We left for Accra that morning shortly after this encounter with Nancy. Professor Mills invites Martin Amidu to his office for a Chat On the morning of Monday, 28 August 2000 Mr. Turkson, the Secretary to the Vice- President rang me on my office telephone to take a call from Professor Mills. When Professor Mills came on the line and after exchanging the usual pleasantries he said to me: Martin can you come to my office at 9 am for a chat? I answered: Yes Sir! But the words come for a chat stuck in my mind and memory because I had internalized in my study of the British Constitution in my early years at the Tamale Commercial Institute that those were words of invitation used by the British Prime Minister when he wished to offer an appointment to a Member of Parliament from his side of the aisle in parliament. Dr. Obed Asamoah, the Attorney General was in his office and I needed to inform him that I was going to the Castle, Osu. I left my office to Dr. Asamoahs office with the intention of informing him that Professor Mills had invited me for a chat. As I stepped into Dr. Asamoahs office, my intuition dictated I tell him that I was going to the Castle and back. So, I told Dr. Asamoah that I was going to the Castle, and back. He said, okay. I went directly from the Castle gate to the Vice Presidents office and was let into Professor Mills office. I have already stated that we were family friends for many years. The conversation, therefore, started with how my mother was doing. Had I heard from my elder brother, Dr. Assibi Amidu who had left the University of Ghana to lecture at the University of Trondheim, in Norway? How was my health and how was I doing generally. He then queried why I had deserted Naadu (his wife) and him since he became the vice-president. He told me that Naadu had particularly been asking about why she was not seeing me. Professor Mills then told me that he had invited me to pick my knowledge on how to fight corruption should he win the 2000 elections as I had been in the Government for a long time and chaired the Public Agreements Board (PAB). I gave him a short brief when he intervened to ask me to put my thought into writing for him. He wanted to know from me what I thought would be Obeds feeling if he did not choose him as his running mate; my views about the political situation; he also told me about the difficult decision he had to make in agreeing to be the presidential candidate and the problem of whom to choose as his running mate; and other matters. The meeting then ended. I was relieved and elated. My notes indicate that I met Hon. Doe Adjaho, MP, at the Vice Presidents office in the Castle that morning. Nancy had been proved wrong! I did not return straight to my office. I suspected that my visit to Professor Mills office might be reported to Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu by one of his associates in the Castle, Osu. I, therefore, made straight for Alhaji Iddrisus office in the Castle to inform him myself that I had attended Professor Mills personal invitation to his office. Zinabu, his private secretary told me that Alhaji Iddrisu was chairing the Programme Management Committee meeting in the conference room. I asked Mr. Oppong, Alhaji Iddrisus driver who was sitting in the reception to whisper to Alhaji Iddrisu at the meeting that I was in his office wanting to pass on an urgent information to him. Alhaji Iddrisu excused himself from the meeting and came to meet me in his office. I told Alhaji Iddrisu that Professor Mills had invited me for a chat and narrated to him how the conversation went, as stated above. I had come from Professor Mills office to his office because I did not want him to hear about my presence in Professor Mills office from a third person. I assured him that Professor Mills never made any offer to me and that I still supported his (Alhaji Iddrisus) candidacy. Alhaji Iddrisu thanked me for giving him the information. I got to my office around 10 am and went to inform Dr. Asamoah of my return. I did not brief him about whom I saw at the Castle and what took place there. Back in my own office, I called for the main PAB file from Perpetual Naana Tuffour, the Secretary to the PAB, to enable me to write the memorandum on how to fight corruption to Professor Mills. I received the main PAB file, and after a while I changed my mind and made contemporaneous notes on the file about Professor Mills request for a memorandum on how to fight corruption using the procedure of the PAB as a framework. I signed and dated the minute to remind me of the date on which I was invited for the chat with Professor Mills. I returned the PAB file to Naana Tuffour for safe keeping. I called Dr. Amidu in Norway from my office phone which had IDD service to inform him about the invitation for a chat, the conversation, and my previous encounter with Nancy in Tamale. Dr. Amidu agreed with me that the sequence of events were mere coincidences. CONCLUSIONS This segment of the concluding critique has shown the unfolding process that led to the eventual nomination and acceptance by Martin Amidu to be the running mate to Professor Mills for the 2000 presidential elections. The discourse has also deconstructed the authors mechanical narrative of the events by introducing Martin Amidus encounter with the matron of the Northern Regional Administration, in Tamale on 17 August 2000 and a subsequent invitation by Professor Mills to Martin Amidu to come to his office for a chat on 28 August 2000 which did not turn out to be an offer to Martin Amidu to be Mills running mate. The events I have narrated has made references to where and when each event took place to enable the reader to locate them within space and time unlike the authors narratives. The summons by Professor Mills of Martin Amidu to his official residence on 3 September 2000, and the events that led to his nomination as Professor Mills running mate on the same day will form the subject of the next critique of Working with Rawlings. Martin A. B. K. Amidu 26 May 2023 27.05.2023 LISTEN Your house is built along the road where people walk all the time but for about some years now, they keep seeing you alone and can't see others around you. What do you think would be their belief about you? They will think that you do reprimand people. You don't like others around you and that's exactly what they will think about you. That won't be strange too because, ideally, a human being must reside with another human being(s). The least one can do is to reside with a pet. It would show that you care or have some sort of compassion for other creatures. But here comes you didn't even have anyone around you and not even a pet. That speaks a lot about you. You may never be a bad person but everything on the surface says bad things about you. To a greater degree, human beings like to see and witness things to believe in. Do you think you can convince someone to believe that you are a good person when even this person hasn't seen anyone around you for several weeks, months into years? That's how the world is. Just as 'experimental data from various independent sources' including the general relativity or the omega principle have proven that the earth is curvature or spherical, it means things revolve and are never stable. You can still change for the better. Changing for the better could mean peeking into your ego. Do you like to always have it all when others don't? Do you not laugh even when the scene is funny? Would you like to feel angry when there is nothing to feel angry about? What then could be your reason for detachment from others? Ok, it may not be you detaching yourself but the opposite. You have chosen to live a life worth pushing people away! Then go ahead and ask creation is it necessary to have someone by you for just a mere talk? Yes, psychologically, you must get closer to people and talk to them. Reason with people or disagree with them so that you could express yourselves or as a way of expressing yourselves. It forms a section for removing emotions, especially, negative sentiments. There is an Art portraying a beautiful story. Somewhere in France or so, in the medieval era, a man was sentenced to starvation for stealing a loaf of bread. Funny! Then whilst inside this prison, a woman sneaked inside the aisle and fed him her breastmilk. On the prison's gate were large grates or let me say iron bars so whilst this woman sticks one of her breasts out, he sucked the breast via one of them. And he survived for the moment. It continued the second time and so, in the process, a guard walked in and chanced them in the act. It was heinous to him therefore, he budged out and reported them. The emperor sent for them immediately. Imagine what would happen next. Just think about it again; what could have happened? But as an emperor, he was shocked to ever see that. To have a woman cut off her little puny baby from breastmilk to rather feed this old man with grey hair. Do you know what he did as the most powerful man at that time? He simply told them he had forgiven them both. At a point, the dictator knew power or coercion doesn't always rule so he infused MERCY or COMPASSION and it worked. He chose his decision due to the woman's level of COMPASSION. Give compassion and have compassion back. It would not always come back from the same person you offered. It may come from someone else. It would come no matter how long it may take. The only thing is that try or do give out one. Compassion builds and takes away our egoistic habits. It makes us feel as though we are equals even though we are not. Feeling equal albeit we are not, creates the happiness we enjoy every day. Could we continue to enjoy that happiness? We could be better than yesterday always. The old man was her father but let's ask, can today's women do the same or even better? Maybe they could, even better but the number of them would be a drop in a bucket. Very negligible. On the other hand, can we the men in present days with our desperation for power and domination do it? Can we as how eager we are to manipulate others; let go of someone who should have been punished for his treachery? Well, the number would be very tiny as well. Life is funny. Things at most, are judged by actions and those are what we see and that sometimes also proves right but not entirely. If someone constantly sees you in your house but never sees others around you could mean something else. It could mean you lack compassion for others. That's exactly what it would mean even though it may never be true. At least, as humans, we are not created to live in solitude. We are meant to be together to help, quarrel, forgive, laugh, get saddened, correct and many more mixed feelings. But ego and bad intentions do stand in the way---on our way. Someone could be the reason why we tend to hate all others because many monkeys are always denigrated due to one ludicrous monkey somewhere. In this case, we are humans and not monkeys. Let's welcome people into our arms and only know who we are dealing with as a friend or a neighbour. Let me take the line again; let's welcome people into our arms and only know who we are dealing with as a friend or a neighbour. That's not all, let's not only welcome people we may benefit from or think we can reap something from but even those without any potential benefits to us. The reason is just one and that's, our world is curvature so if today is good for you for throwing away people, tomorrow could be worse for you and you may be thrown too. AdamIntegrated... President Nana Addo-Dankwah Akufo-Addo has commissioned the newly constructed Elmina Fishing Harbour. He recounted that after the sod-cutting ceremony former President John Dramani Mahama raised doubt about the commitment of the government to seeing to the completion of the project. "The perennial NDC presidential candidate came to Elmina 4 months after I've cut the sod later in December and described the fishing harbour 'Sakawa Fishing Harbour'", he stated. Speaking at the commissioning of the expanded Elmina Fishing Harbour on Friday, May 26, 2023, President Akufo-Addo added that Mr Mahama was emphatic that the project would not see the light of day but he "is not God and I'm equally happy that he together with all naysayers are alive today to see President Akufo-Addo commissioning the Elmina Fishing Port." "It would be a symbol of hope, progress and prosperity for the people of Elmina. I thank the people of Elmina for trusting the Akufo-Addo government to deliver this project which sod was cut on 20th August, 2020. I thank you for not listening to the naysayers", he stated. According to the President, the commissioning of the fishing harbour will boost fishing activities in the Elmina enclave as well as contribute immensely to the reduction of Ghana's unemployment rate. "The fishing sector contributes about 11% of the agricultural sector's annual GDP and employs about 20% of the country's workforce both directly and indirectly," he stated. The Transport Minister, Hon. Kweku Ofori Asiamah present at the ceremony called on the media to help in educating the people of Elmina to adhere to proper maintenance culture of the fishing harbour to be of generational benefit. The Director for the Western and Central Regions Port and Harbour, Mr. Ebenezer Afadzi, disclosed that the Authority will consider the citizenry of Elmina in its recruitment of personnel to work at the harbour. Kwame Pianim 27.05.2023 LISTEN Renowned Ghanaian economist, Kwame Pianim has argued that if government complied with the Public Finance Management Act, the country would not be faced with so many economic challenges. Due to the economic problems facing the country, Ghana has been forced to run to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout to save the economy from total collapse. This is the 17th time Ghana has had to go to the IMF for help. Concerned about the situation, Kwame Pianim has shared the view that maybe it is time Presidents who take the country to the IMF are not paid retirement benefits after serving their terms in office. If you are a President and you take us to the IMF, we will not pay your retirement benefits, the Economist and successful businessman said in an interview with Joy News. Kwame Pianim insists that there is an urgent need for the country to change how things are done to avoid the frequent return to the IMF after the current programme runs out. This is the time as Ghanaians we have to sit down and notice what we've been doing wrong. They say it's only a mad person who keeps doing the same things and expects a different result. We got money from COVID, what did we use it for? We have to put our cards on the table. The Public Finance Management Act is very clear, if we were going by it there will be no problem, Kwame Pianim said. Although government has sealed the $3 billion deal with the IMF, Finance experts and economists are not optimistic that it will solve the countrys economic woes. They admit it will provide some sort of relief but are of the view that it is up to government to do things right to really turn things around. Torgbi Saba V, Chief of Nogokpo in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region, has advised the media, social media users and the public to refrain from passing unsavoury comments relating to Nogokpo and the deity (Shrine). His advice came in the wake of a recent comment made by Archbishop Charles Agyin-Asare, the founder and leader of Perez Chapel during a sermon in his Church auditorium in Accra. The archbishops comments received a lot of backlash from members of the public purported to be indigenes of Nogokpo, which according to Torgbi Saba, were not coming from the right people. A statement issued by the palace of Torgbi Saba V, copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said: It has come to the notice of Torgbi Saba V, Dufia of Nogokpo, the current happenings on social media about Archbishop Charles Agyin-Asare and Nogokpo we wish to let Ghanaians and the world know that we are deliberating on the issue and the general public shall hear from us in due course. The statement directs all media outlets and the public seeking further clarification, to do so through the appropriate channel. Archbishop Charles Agyin-Asare, on the third day of a Summit held recently at the headquarters of Perez Chapel in Accra, preached about divine protection and the existence of evil forces and cited several examples to support his teaching. During his preaching, the archbishop recounted an incident where his team received spiritual attacks for hosting a crusade in the Volta Region. During this crusade in Aflao, we slept at Agbozume, that was where our hotel was, and you must go through Nogokpo. And Nogokpo is the demonic headquarters in the Volta Region. We only have not said it but the second night I made Bishop Yaw Adu talk about witchcraft and we disgraced the witches and wizards When we were driving from Aflao to Agbozume, immediately we got to Nogokpo, Bishop Yaw Adu's four-wheel drive, the tyre came out from under the car, he recounted. Following the publication of the video online, the Church leader has come under heavy criticism online including from social media handles believed to belong to the Nogokpo shrine. In a related development, Ketu South citizens are demanding an apology from Perez Chapel International founder and leader over his sermon tagging Nogokpo, a community in Ketu South, demonic headquarters in the Volta Region. In reaction, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said such a tag was unfortunate and that she and her people deserved an apology from the minister of God. Very unfortunate incident. It is an unguarded and inciting comment from a revered leader of a big church. On behalf of my people, I demand an unqualified apology from the man of God, who I have enormous respect for. Mr Jonas Fotor Agbagba, Assembly member for Nogokpo/Atsivuta said people had always preconceived minds about the community, famous for its traditional and spiritual shrine, Zakadza. People say many things about Nogokpo because of the deity, but the fact is, it is one of the crime-free and most peaceful places to live in the country. Torgbui Zakadza is a deity that punishes only wrongdoers and gives justice to people served with unfair treatment. Zakadza (Fon language) is Yeweis god of thunder like the Shango cult of the Yoruba or Thor of the ancient Scandinavians. GNA 27.05.2023 LISTEN Nana Owusu Sekyere II, Akwamuhene of Kadjebi Traditional Area has passed on. Nana Sekyere, born Joseph Henry Kwesi Osei- Sekyere, died on April 24, 2023, after a short illness. His funeral rite is scheduled for October 6, at Kadjebi in the Oti Region. Okyeame Baah Danso, the Adontenhenes Okyeame officially announced this at Kadjebi on Thursday, May 25. Nana Sekyere, who was born in 1948, during the 2021 Population and Housing Census exercise, served as a District Census Implementation Committee (DCIC) member, where he made sure that accurate data was gathered on the district for factoring into the National Data. He also served as an Interim Chair for the NCCEs Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), when the Chair became vacant following the transfer of Rev. Fr. Norbert Okoledah, the former IPDC Chair from Kadjebi to Chinderi, the Krachi-Nchumuru District capital. Nana Sekyere was very instrumental in the creation of the Oti Region in 2018 leading the YES vote campaign in the Kadjebi District. Nana Asabre Amankwatia II, Baamuhene of Kadjebi Traditional Area, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), described Nana Sekyere as an important Chief in the traditional set-up and that his demise has affected them so much. Nana Amankwatia disclosed that until his death, he served as the Regent for Kordibenu Community when the Chief of that community passed on. The Baamuhene said Nana Sekyere was a hardworking Chief, down to them, always ready for duty and doing things for the traditional area during his lifetime. He said he also represented the traditional area on the Kadjebi District Assembly Development Planning Co-ordinating Unit (DPCU) till his death. Nana Amankwatia said during the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Voter Registration exercise, he was a member of the Registration Review Committee, and that Nana Sekyere has done a lot for the traditional area. GNA Belvoir Group PLC (LON:BLV Get Rating) shares crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 192.57 ($2.40) and traded as high as GBX 218 ($2.71). Belvoir Group shares last traded at GBX 216 ($2.69), with a volume of 16,088 shares traded. Belvoir Group Price Performance The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 204.50 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 192.74. The company has a market cap of 80.68 million, a PE ratio of 1,080.00 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.80, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.84. Get Belvoir Group alerts: Belvoir Group Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 6th were issued a GBX 5 ($0.06) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 6th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.99%. This is a positive change from Belvoir Groups previous dividend of $4.00. Belvoir Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 4,500.00%. Belvoir Group Company Profile Belvoir Group PLC operates as a property franchise company in the United Kingdom. It operates thorough two segments, Property Franchise and Financial Services. The company operates property franchises offering residential lettings and sales through 463 offices primarily under the Belvoir, Newton Fallowell, Lovelle, Nicholas Humphreys, Mr and Mrs Clarke, and Northwood brands. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Belvoir Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Belvoir Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Portland Estates Plc (OTCMKTS:GPEAF Get Rating) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 210,400 shares, a growth of 95.7% from the April 30th total of 107,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2,104.0 days. Great Portland Estates Stock Performance Shares of GPEAF remained flat at $5.61 during mid-day trading on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 16 shares, compared to its average volume of 7. Great Portland Estates has a fifty-two week low of $4.42 and a fifty-two week high of $9.64. The firms 50-day moving average price is $5.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $6.26. Get Great Portland Estates alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Great Portland Estates from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $560.00. Great Portland Estates Company Profile We are a FTSE 250 property investment and development company owning 2.6 billion of real estate in central London. We proactively manage our portfolio, flexing our activities in tune with London's property cycle to deliver long-term out-performance. We create in-demand spaces that people want to be part of; helping our occupiers, local communities and the city to thrive. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Great Portland Estates Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Portland Estates and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canada will hand over to Ukraine almost 5,000 machine guns and ammunition for them in the coming weeks, the Canadian Ministry of Defense reported. Delivery of the donation packages of small arms and ammunition announced in April is on track. Machine guns, assault rifles, cleaning kits, and magazines have already been delivered to Ukraine, and 1 million rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and 4,800 assault rifles are scheduled to be delivered in the coming weeks, the message reads. As the Canadian Ministry of Defense informs, it is expected that all 21,000 small arms and 2.4 million rounds of ammunition are expected to be in Ukraine by the summer. Canadas support for Ukraine is unwavering. When I travel across Canada, I see Ukrainian flags on homes, small businesses, and cars because Canadians understand that Ukraines fight to defend itself is also a fight for sovereignty, freedom, and independence, said Minister of National Defense of Canada Anita Anand, quoted by the press service of the Ministry. 3SBio Inc. (OTCMKTS:TRSBF Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,931,500 shares, a decrease of 32.2% from the April 30th total of 2,846,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently days. 3SBio Price Performance OTCMKTS TRSBF remained flat at $0.80 on Friday. 3SBio has a 1-year low of $0.80 and a 1-year high of $0.80. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $0.80 and a 200-day moving average of $0.80. Get 3SBio alerts: About 3SBio (Get Rating) Featured Articles 3SBio Inc, an investment holding company, researches, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the People's Republic of China. The company provides TPIAO, a recombinant human thrombopoietin to treat chemotherapy-induced thrombopenia and immune thrombocytopenia; YISAIPU, a tumor necrosis factor for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis; EPIAO and SEPO recombinant human erythropoietins to treat anemia; and Cipterbin for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in combination with chemotherapy. Receive News & Ratings for 3SBio Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for 3SBio and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco de Sabadell, S.A. (OTCMKTS:BNDSY Get Rating)s share price fell 11.5% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $1.93 and last traded at $1.93. 600 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 94% from the average session volume of 9,675 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.18. Banco de Sabadell Stock Performance The business has a 50 day moving average of $2.14 and a 200 day moving average of $2.12. Get Banco de Sabadell alerts: Banco de Sabadell Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 3rd were paid a $0.0307 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 31st. Banco de Sabadells payout ratio is 8.42%. Banco de Sabadell Company Profile Banco de Sabadell SA engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It operates through the following segments: Business Banking in Spain, Asset Transformation, Banking Business in the United Kingdom, and Banking Business in America. The Business Banking in Spain segment encompasses covers commercial banking, corporate banking, and markets and private banking. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Banco de Sabadell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco de Sabadell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (NYSE:HYT Get Rating) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 26,100 shares, a decline of 27.7% from the April 30th total of 36,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 517,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Institutional Trading of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund by 14.3% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 87,187 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $939,000 after acquiring an additional 10,877 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund by 37.9% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 46,908 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $505,000 after buying an additional 12,881 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new position in BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund in the 1st quarter valued at about $215,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund by 12.1% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 83,402 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $898,000 after buying an additional 9,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund by 13.8% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 134,659 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,450,000 after buying an additional 16,351 shares in the last quarter. Get BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund alerts: BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund Trading Up 0.8 % HYT traded up $0.07 during trading on Friday, hitting $8.49. The company had a trading volume of 340,877 shares, compared to its average volume of 568,074. The business has a 50-day moving average of $8.60 and a 200-day moving average of $8.82. BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund has a 1-year low of $8.13 and a 1-year high of $10.50. BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund Announces Dividend About BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.0779 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $0.93 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.01%. (Get Rating) BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in fixed income markets across the globe. The fund invests in bonds of companies operating across diversified sectors. It primarily invests in bonds rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc, or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Corporation. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Black Hills Co. (NYSE:BKH Get Rating) has been given an average rating of Hold by the eight analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $67.29. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on BKH. Mizuho lowered Black Hills from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $71.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Bank of America lowered Black Hills from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $79.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered Black Hills from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $81.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Friday, February 10th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Black Hills from $71.00 to $65.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Black Hills from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday. Get Black Hills alerts: Black Hills Trading Down 0.1 % NYSE:BKH opened at $60.60 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $63.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $66.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.76. Black Hills has a 12 month low of $58.81 and a 12 month high of $79.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.04 billion, a PE ratio of 15.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.55 and a beta of 0.59. Black Hills Dividend Announcement Black Hills ( NYSE:BKH Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The utilities provider reported $1.73 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.06. Black Hills had a return on equity of 8.33% and a net margin of 9.62%. The company had revenue of $921.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $754.70 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.82 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Black Hills will post 3.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th will be paid a $0.625 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 17th. This represents a $2.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.13%. Black Hillss payout ratio is currently 64.10%. Insider Buying and Selling at Black Hills In other Black Hills news, CFO Richard Kinzley sold 10,033 shares of Black Hills stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.49, for a total value of $657,061.17. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,576 shares in the company, valued at $2,395,362.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.61% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Black Hills A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its stake in Black Hills by 1.1% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 13,420 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,034,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in shares of Black Hills by 3.7% during the first quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,322 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $333,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Black Hills by 4.2% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,866 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $244,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Black Hills by 1.5% during the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 12,240 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $829,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the period. Finally, Horizon Investment Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Black Hills by 4.0% during the third quarter. Horizon Investment Services LLC now owns 4,756 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $322,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the period. 88.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Black Hills (Get Rating) Black Hills Corp. is a diversified energy company. It operates through the following segments: Electric Utilities, Gas Utilities, and Corporate and Other. The Electric Utilities segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The Gas Utilities segment provides natural gas in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Black Hills Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Black Hills and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Eldorado Gold Co. (NYSE:EGO Get Rating) (TSE:ELD) have received a consensus rating of Hold from the seven ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have issued a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $12.23. A number of research firms have weighed in on EGO. Stifel Nicolaus downgraded shares of Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. TD Securities upped their price target on Eldorado Gold from $11.50 to $12.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, May 1st. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Eldorado Gold in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Bank of America started coverage on Eldorado Gold in a research note on Friday, March 10th. They set an underperform rating and a $8.90 price target for the company. Finally, National Bank Financial raised their price target on shares of Eldorado Gold from C$16.50 to C$17.50 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: Eldorado Gold Price Performance Shares of EGO stock opened at $10.19 on Monday. Eldorado Gold has a 1 year low of $5.06 and a 1 year high of $12.11. The firms 50 day moving average is $10.81 and its 200-day moving average is $9.36. The company has a current ratio of 2.92, a quick ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -254.69, a PEG ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.24. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Eldorado Gold ( NYSE:EGO Get Rating ) (TSE:ELD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The basic materials company reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.09. Eldorado Gold had a positive return on equity of 1.62% and a negative net margin of 1.10%. The firm had revenue of $246.20 million during the quarter. Sell-side analysts forecast that Eldorado Gold will post 0.48 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Helikon Investments Ltd raised its stake in shares of Eldorado Gold by 26.2% during the 3rd quarter. Helikon Investments Ltd now owns 22,155,728 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $133,599,000 after buying an additional 4,600,568 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in shares of Eldorado Gold by 234.1% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,869,793 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $40,084,000 after purchasing an additional 2,711,353 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Eldorado Gold by 113.6% during the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,167,313 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $26,629,000 after buying an additional 2,216,406 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in shares of Eldorado Gold by 1,043.9% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,779,308 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $19,945,000 after acquiring an additional 1,623,765 shares during the period. Finally, Citigroup Inc. lifted its position in shares of Eldorado Gold by 2,358.6% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 1,654,218 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $17,112,000 after purchasing an additional 1,586,934 shares in the last quarter. 57.64% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Eldorado Gold (Get Rating) Eldorado Gold Corp. engages in the mining, development, and exploration of gold. It operates through the following segment: Turkey, Canada, and Greece. The company was founded by Richard J. Barclay, Marco Antonio Romero, and Gary D. Nordin on April 2, 1992 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FMCB Get Rating) shares passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $998.92 and traded as low as $971.14. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp shares last traded at $975.00, with a volume of 26 shares traded. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Trading Down 0.7 % The firms fifty day moving average is $986.41 and its 200 day moving average is $998.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Get Farmers & Merchants Bancorp alerts: Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FMCB Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The bank reported $30.80 earnings per share for the quarter. About Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Farmers & Merchants Bancorp is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services to individuals, families, and businesses. Its services include commercial, commercial real estate, real estate construction, agribusiness, consumer, credit card, residential real estate loans, and equipment leases. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JMP Securities cut shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. (NYSE:GHL Get Rating) from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, The Fly reports. Several other research firms have also issued reports on GHL. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from $9.50 to $8.50 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $11.38. Get Greenhill & Co. Inc. alerts: Greenhill & Co., Inc. Stock Performance Shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. stock opened at $14.50 on Tuesday. Greenhill & Co., Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $5.64 and a fifty-two week high of $14.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.09, a current ratio of 1.90 and a quick ratio of 1.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $265.64 million, a P/E ratio of -21.32 and a beta of 1.21. The companys 50 day moving average price is $8.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $10.09. Greenhill & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 7th will be paid a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 6th. Greenhill & Co., Inc.s payout ratio is -58.82%. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 139.0% during the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,456 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 2,010 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 69.0% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,859 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,576 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky bought a new stake in Greenhill & Co., Inc. during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 58.1% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 7,855 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $122,000 after acquiring an additional 2,886 shares during the period. 74.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Greenhill & Co., Inc. (Get Rating) Greenhill & Co, Inc is an independent investment bank, which engages in the provision of financial and strategic advice. It specializes in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, financings, and capital raising. The company was founded by Robert F. Greenhill in 1996 and is headquartered in New York, NY. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Greenhill & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Greenhill & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Uranium Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC Get Rating) had its price target cut by HC Wainwright from $8.25 to $8.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday, The Fly reports. HC Wainwright also issued estimates for Uranium Energys FY2023 earnings at $0.02 EPS. Uranium Energy Price Performance Shares of NYSEAMERICAN UEC opened at $2.57 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $3.19. The company has a market capitalization of $964.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.71 and a beta of 1.98. Uranium Energy has a 12-month low of $2.30 and a 12-month high of $4.72. Get Uranium Energy alerts: Uranium Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, March 13th. The basic materials company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $47.93 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.20 million. Uranium Energy had a net margin of 17.31% and a return on equity of 4.33%. Insider Activity at Uranium Energy Institutional Trading of Uranium Energy In other news, Director Spencer Abraham bought 38,500 shares of Uranium Energy stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 24th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $2.61 per share, with a total value of $100,485.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 605,437 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,580,190.57. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . In related news, Director Spencer Abraham purchased 38,500 shares of Uranium Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 24th. The shares were bought at an average price of $2.61 per share, with a total value of $100,485.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 605,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,580,190.57. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Amir Adnani purchased 20,000 shares of Uranium Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 24th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $2.73 per share, for a total transaction of $54,600.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,635,101 shares in the company, valued at $9,923,825.73. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Insiders have acquired a total of 79,500 shares of company stock valued at $207,585 over the last 90 days. 3.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Uranium Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Mutual Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Uranium Energy during the first quarter worth $29,000. Apexium Financial LP acquired a new position in Uranium Energy during the first quarter worth $29,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc acquired a new position in Uranium Energy during the first quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in Uranium Energy during the first quarter worth $32,000. 40.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Uranium Energy (Get Rating) Uranium Energy Corp. engages in the provision of uranium mining and related activities. It includes the exploration, pre-extraction, extraction, and processing of uranium and titanium concentrates. It operates through the following geographical segments: United States, Canada, and Paraguay. The company was founded by Alan P. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Uranium Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Uranium Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Rating) (TSE:ITH) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 107,900 shares, a drop of 32.8% from the April 30th total of 160,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 109,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.0 days. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines in a research note on Wednesday. They set a sell rating on the stock. Get International Tower Hill Mines alerts: International Tower Hill Mines Price Performance NYSEAMERICAN:THM traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $0.49. The companys stock had a trading volume of 84,729 shares, compared to its average volume of 122,334. The stock has a market cap of $95.50 million, a P/E ratio of -24.50 and a beta of 0.70. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $0.54 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.53. International Tower Hill Mines has a twelve month low of $0.38 and a twelve month high of $0.75. Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Tower Hill Mines International Tower Hill Mines Company Profile A hedge fund recently raised its stake in International Tower Hill Mines stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. ( NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Rating ) (TSE:ITH) by 187.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 215,462 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 140,462 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned about 0.11% of International Tower Hill Mines worth $211,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. 55.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. (Get Rating) International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company, which engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. It holds the right to acquire interest in an advanced stage exploration project in Alaska, known as the Livengood Gold Project. The company was founded by Jeffrey A. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for International Tower Hill Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Tower Hill Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc (LON:IPU Get Rating) passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 427.61 ($5.32) and traded as high as GBX 430.29 ($5.35). INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust shares last traded at GBX 427 ($5.31), with a volume of 55,651 shares changing hands. INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Price Performance The company has a market cap of 146.15 million, a P/E ratio of -382.30 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 427.59 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 434.61. Get INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust alerts: INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 11th will be issued a dividend of GBX 6.79 ($0.08) per share. This is a boost from INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trusts previous dividend of $3.75. This represents a dividend yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 11th. INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trusts payout ratio is currently -1,592.92%. About INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Invesco Fund Managers Limited. It is co-managed by Invesco Asset Management Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Danilov: Wagner fighters retreating from Bakhmut, but it doesn't mean they will stop fighting with us NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov believes that the mercenaries of the Wagner PMC will continue to fight against Ukraine after leaving Bakhmut. According to him, and "it doesn't mean that they will stop fighting with us. They are going to concentrate more on other fronts they are regrouping to other three locations," he said in an interview with BBC. As reported with reference to British intelligence, the forces of the Wagner PMC probably began to withdraw from some of their positions around the town of Bakhmut. JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust plc (LON:JESC Get Rating)s share price crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 499 ($6.21) and traded as high as GBX 509 ($6.33). JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust shares last traded at GBX 499 ($6.21), with a volume of 179,129 shares. JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 107.92, a quick ratio of 107.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.72. The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 499 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 499. The firm has a market capitalization of 795.72 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.60. About JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust (Get Rating) JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust plc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by JPMorgan Funds Limited. The fund is co-managed by JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of North American Construction Group (NYSE:NOA Get Rating) (TSE:NOA) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report released on Tuesday morning. Several other equities analysts also recently commented on the company. TheStreet upgraded North American Construction Group from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on North American Construction Group from C$24.00 to C$25.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. National Bank Financial lifted their target price on North American Construction Group to C$27.00 in a research report on Friday, February 17th. Finally, TD Securities lowered North American Construction Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Get North American Construction Group alerts: North American Construction Group Stock Performance NOA opened at $18.36 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 1.15. North American Construction Group has a 52-week low of $9.20 and a 52-week high of $19.70. The firm has a market cap of $485.07 million, a P/E ratio of 9.92 and a beta of 1.50. The businesss fifty day moving average is $18.06 and its 200-day moving average is $15.69. North American Construction Group Cuts Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.074 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 25th. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.61%. North American Construction Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 15.68%. Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. CWM LLC acquired a new stake in North American Construction Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. UBS Group AG increased its stake in North American Construction Group by 121.4% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,216 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,215 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in North American Construction Group during the third quarter worth $35,000. State of Tennessee Treasury Department purchased a new position in North American Construction Group during the first quarter worth $40,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in North American Construction Group by 114.5% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,831 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,511 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.19% of the companys stock. About North American Construction Group (Get Rating) North American Construction Group Ltd. engages in providing mining and heavy construction services. It offers mining and heavy construction services to customers in the resource development and industrial construction sectors. The firm focuses on supporting the construction and operation of surface mines in the oil sands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for North American Construction Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Construction Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Polaris Renewable Energy Inc. (TSE:PIF Get Rating)s share price crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$13.61 and traded as high as C$14.78. Polaris Renewable Energy shares last traded at C$14.61, with a volume of 32,816 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In PIF has been the topic of several research reports. Raymond James cut their price objective on shares of Polaris Renewable Energy from C$27.00 to C$26.00 in a report on Friday, February 10th. National Bankshares reduced their target price on Polaris Renewable Energy from C$21.00 to C$20.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. Get Polaris Renewable Energy alerts: Polaris Renewable Energy Stock Performance The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$13.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$14.09. The company has a market capitalization of C$296.73 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 67.96, a current ratio of 1.81 and a quick ratio of 1.64. Polaris Renewable Energy Announces Dividend Polaris Renewable Energy ( TSE:PIF Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The company reported C$0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.02 by C$0.17. The firm had revenue of C$22.91 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$23.75 million. Polaris Renewable Energy had a net margin of 7.00% and a return on equity of 1.76%. On average, analysts anticipate that Polaris Renewable Energy Inc. will post 0.7576558 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.25%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 12th. Polaris Renewable Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 289.29%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Marc Murnaghan purchased 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 13th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$13.11 per share, for a total transaction of C$26,220.00. 2.37% of the stock is owned by insiders. Polaris Renewable Energy Company Profile (Get Rating) Polaris Renewable Energy Inc engages in the acquisition, development, and operation of renewable energy projects in Latin America. The company operates a 72 MW net geothermal facility in Nicaragua; and three run-of-river hydroelectric facilities in Peru with approximately 5 MW net, 8 MW net, and 20 MW net capacity. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Polaris Renewable Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Polaris Renewable Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Rating) (NYSE:CM) Stock analysts at Cormark dropped their Q2 2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, May 23rd. Cormark analyst L. Persaud now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $1.71 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.77. The consensus estimate for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces current full-year earnings is $6.95 per share. Cormark also issued estimates for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces FY2023 earnings at $6.92 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $7.13 EPS. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Rating) (NYSE:CM) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 24th. The company reported C$1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$1.66 by C$0.28. The firm had revenue of C$5.93 billion during the quarter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a return on equity of 9.89% and a net margin of 22.77%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Up 1.3 % Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$70.00 to C$69.00 in a research note on Monday, February 27th. CIBC lifted their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$66.00 to C$66.50 in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$66.00 to C$66.50 in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Scotiabank lifted their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$65.00 to C$66.00 in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$62.00 to C$64.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$65.14. CM stock opened at C$57.54 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$56.71 and a 200 day moving average price of C$58.69. The stock has a market cap of C$52.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.46, a PEG ratio of 27.22 and a beta of 1.04. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a fifty-two week low of C$53.58 and a fifty-two week high of C$71.10. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 28th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 27th. This is an increase from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.85. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.05%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is 67.73%. Insider Activity at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce In other news, Director Victor George Dodig bought 34,850 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 16th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$57.65 per share, for a total transaction of C$2,009,102.50. Company insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile (Get Rating) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Rogers Communications (NYSE:RCI Get Rating) (TSE:RCI.B) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report published on Tuesday morning. Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. TD Securities lifted their target price on Rogers Communications from C$76.00 to C$78.00 in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. Desjardins downgraded shares of Rogers Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. TheStreet upgraded shares of Rogers Communications from a c rating to a b rating in a research note on Monday, February 6th. Barclays initiated coverage on Rogers Communications in a report on Monday, May 8th. They set an overweight rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Rogers Communications from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $74.31. Get Rogers Communications alerts: Rogers Communications Stock Performance Shares of RCI opened at $45.19 on Tuesday. Rogers Communications has a 52-week low of $36.23 and a 52-week high of $52.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86. The firm has a market cap of $22.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.25, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.51. The businesss 50 day moving average is $47.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $46.99. Rogers Communications Increases Dividend Rogers Communications ( NYSE:RCI Get Rating ) (TSE:RCI.B) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.78 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $2.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.71 billion. Rogers Communications had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 19.36%. Analysts forecast that Rogers Communications will post 3.76 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Friday, June 9th will be issued a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.28%. This is an increase from Rogers Communicationss previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. Rogers Communicationss dividend payout ratio is presently 56.11%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rogers Communications Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of RCI. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Rogers Communications by 15.3% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 10,930 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $650,000 after buying an additional 1,448 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Rogers Communications by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,446,956 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $67,081,000 after acquiring an additional 58,436 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Rogers Communications by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 54,786 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $2,560,000 after purchasing an additional 1,279 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC increased its stake in Rogers Communications by 82.8% in the 1st quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 12,894 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $598,000 after purchasing an additional 5,842 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Foxhaven Asset Management LP raised its holdings in Rogers Communications by 47.0% during the 1st quarter. Foxhaven Asset Management LP now owns 2,067,220 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $95,696,000 after buying an additional 660,644 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.46% of the companys stock. About Rogers Communications (Get Rating) Rogers Communications Inc operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The company offers mobile Internet access, wireless voice and enhanced voice, device and accessory financing, wireless home phone, device protection, e-mail, global voice and data roaming, bridging landline, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things solutions, and advanced wireless solutions for businesses, as well as device delivery services; and postpaid and prepaid services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands to approximately 11.3 million subscribers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rogers Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rogers Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE:WPM Get Rating) from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report published on Tuesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has C$45.00 price objective on the stock, down from their previous price objective of C$50.00. A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on WPM. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their target price on shares of Wheaton Precious Metals from C$67.00 to C$75.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Wheaton Precious Metals from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Wheaton Precious Metals from $51.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 4,700 ($58.46) price target on shares of Wheaton Precious Metals in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, TD Securities lifted their price target on shares of Wheaton Precious Metals from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $350.56. Get Wheaton Precious Metals alerts: Wheaton Precious Metals Stock Performance WPM opened at $44.65 on Tuesday. Wheaton Precious Metals has a fifty-two week low of $28.62 and a fifty-two week high of $52.76. The firms fifty day moving average is $1,308.75 and its 200 day moving average is $1,336.81. The stock has a market cap of $20.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.67 and a beta of 0.58. Wheaton Precious Metals Dividend Announcement Wheaton Precious Metals ( NYSE:WPM Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.23. The company had revenue of $214.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $237.87 million. Wheaton Precious Metals had a net margin of 64.08% and a return on equity of 6.81%. Wheaton Precious Metalss revenue for the quarter was down 30.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.35 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Wheaton Precious Metals will post 1.17 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.34%. Wheaton Precious Metalss payout ratio is presently 43.48%. Insider Transactions at Wheaton Precious Metals In other news, Director Chantal Gosselin sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.70, for a total value of $197,085.00. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Wheaton Precious Metals by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 6,344,956 shares of the companys stock valued at $301,893,000 after purchasing an additional 361,138 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Wheaton Precious Metals by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 481,497 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,909,000 after purchasing an additional 4,497 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in Wheaton Precious Metals by 4.9% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 11,778 shares of the companys stock valued at $561,000 after purchasing an additional 551 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in Wheaton Precious Metals by 21.3% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 20,122 shares of the companys stock valued at $957,000 after purchasing an additional 3,535 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in Wheaton Precious Metals by 245.5% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,530,486 shares of the companys stock valued at $120,401,000 after purchasing an additional 1,798,086 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.01% of the companys stock. About Wheaton Precious Metals (Get Rating) Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. is a mining company engages in the sale of precious metals and cobalt production. It operates through the following business segments: Gold, Silver, Palladium, Cobalt, and Other. The company was founded by Peter Derek Barnes on December 17, 2004 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Wheaton Precious Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wheaton Precious Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shore Capital restated their buy rating on shares of Kingswood (LON:KWG Get Rating) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Kingswood Stock Performance KWG opened at GBX 20.50 ($0.25) on Wednesday. Kingswood has a 52-week low of GBX 18 ($0.22) and a 52-week high of GBX 30.50 ($0.38). The firms 50-day moving average price is GBX 23.21 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 23.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.83. The company has a market cap of 44.47 million, a P/E ratio of -256.25 and a beta of -0.20. Get Kingswood alerts: About Kingswood (Get Rating) Read More Kingswood Holdings Limited engages in the investment management and financial planning business in the United Kingdom and the United States. It operates through three segments: Investment Management, Wealth Planning, and US Operations. The company provides wealth planning, advice process, pensions and retirement planning, inheritance tax and estate planning, tax planning, succession planning, protection advisory, cash management, and foreign exchange services. Receive News & Ratings for Kingswood Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kingswood and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. (OTCMKTS:TYCMY Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a growth of 300.0% from the April 30th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 5,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Price Performance Shares of Tingyi (Cayman Islands) stock traded down C$0.27 during trading hours on Friday, reaching C$31.00. The company had a trading volume of 1,962 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,408. Tingyi has a one year low of C$27.19 and a one year high of C$36.96. The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$33.67. Get Tingyi (Cayman Islands) alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Tingyi (Cayman Islands) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. About Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp., an investment holding company, manufactures and sells instant noodles, beverages, and instant food products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Instant Noodles, Beverages, and Others segments. It offers ready-to-drink teas, juices, milk tea, bottled water, and carbonated soft drinks, as well as coffee drinks/functional drinks/probiotics. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tingyi (Cayman Islands) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Berkeley Group Holdings plc (OTCMKTS:BKGFF Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 101,600 shares, a growth of 74.9% from the April 30th total of 58,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1,016.0 days. The Berkeley Group Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:BKGFF remained flat at $47.82 during midday trading on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $47.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $47.81. The Berkeley Group has a 1 year low of $37.00 and a 1 year high of $54.22. Get The Berkeley Group alerts: About The Berkeley Group (Get Rating) Featured Stories The Berkeley Group Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the residential-led and mixed-use property development activities in the United Kingdom. The company is also involved in land selling activities. It operates under the Berkeley, St Edward, St George, St James, St Joseph, and St William brand names. Receive News & Ratings for The Berkeley Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Berkeley Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Monks Investment Trust PLC (LON:MNKS Get Rating)s stock price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 963.39 ($11.98) and traded as high as GBX 993 ($12.35). The Monks Investment Trust shares last traded at GBX 979 ($12.18), with a volume of 247,563 shares. The Monks Investment Trust Trading Up 0.9 % The firm has a market cap of 2.28 billion, a P/E ratio of -236.69 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a current ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.69. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 964.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 981.43. About The Monks Investment Trust (Get Rating) The Monks Investment Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd. It is co-managed by Baillie Gifford & Co The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. See Also Receive News & Ratings for The Monks Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Monks Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Theres one Russian missile carrier in Black Sea with total salvo of eight missiles Pivden task force One carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo of up to eight missiles is on combat duty in the Black Sea as of 10:30 on Saturday. "As of 10:30, the enemy urgently brought a rocket carrier to combat duty in the Black Sea. Thus, eight Calibers are on standby," Vladyslav Nazarov, spokesperson of the operational command Pivden (South) wrote on the Telegram channel on Saturday. Amalgamated Bank boosted its holdings in shares of The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB Get Rating) by 1.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 317,062 shares of the pipeline companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,536 shares during the period. Amalgamated Banks holdings in Williams Companies were worth $10,431,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of WMB. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 85.8% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 16,352,215 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $546,327,000 after acquiring an additional 7,551,749 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in Williams Companies by 200.1% during the second quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,286,535 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $164,993,000 after acquiring an additional 3,525,097 shares during the last quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. raised its position in Williams Companies by 1,104.3% during the third quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 2,747,911 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $78,673,000 after acquiring an additional 2,519,734 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new position in Williams Companies during the first quarter worth about $76,303,000. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky acquired a new position in Williams Companies during the third quarter worth about $39,553,000. 85.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Williams Companies alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have issued reports on WMB shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Williams Companies in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Truist Financial downgraded shares of Williams Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $31.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Williams Companies from $36.00 to $35.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Argus downgraded shares of Williams Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $37.00 to $36.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $35.42. Williams Companies Stock Performance Shares of WMB opened at $28.75 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $29.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $31.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.02 billion, a PE ratio of 13.50, a P/E/G ratio of 4.19 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. The Williams Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $27.80 and a 52-week high of $37.97. Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The pipeline company reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.10. Williams Companies had a net margin of 22.53% and a return on equity of 17.24%. The company had revenue of $3.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.65 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.41 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 22.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Williams Companies, Inc. will post 1.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Williams Companies Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 12th will be issued a $0.4475 dividend. This represents a $1.79 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.23%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 9th. Williams Companiess payout ratio is 84.04%. Insider Transactions at Williams Companies In other Williams Companies news, Director William H. Spence acquired 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $29.61 per share, with a total value of $148,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 48,521 shares in the company, valued at $1,436,706.81. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.44% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Williams Companies (Get Rating) The Williams Cos., Inc operates as an energy infrastructure company, which explores, produces, transports, sells and processes natural gas and petroleum products. It operates through the following segments: Transmission and Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, and West. The Transmission and Gulf of Mexico segment consists of interstate natural gas pipelines, the Transco and Northwest Pipelines, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Williams Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE:TPZ Get Rating) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,300 shares, a decline of 59.8% from the April 30th total of 8,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 16,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund from $30.00 to $28.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. Get Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund alerts: Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund Stock Up 0.7 % TPZ traded up $0.08 during trading on Friday, reaching $12.62. The stock had a trading volume of 11,943 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,361. Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund has a one year low of $11.91 and a one year high of $14.52. The business has a 50-day moving average of $12.82 and a 200-day moving average of $13.11. Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund Dividend Announcement Institutional Trading of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.105 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.98%. Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund in the 4th quarter worth approximately $249,000. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at $336,000. Saba Capital Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund by 28.6% during the 3rd quarter. Saba Capital Management L.P. now owns 186,034 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,324,000 after acquiring an additional 41,408 shares during the period. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund by 577.9% during the 3rd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 33,032 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $412,000 after acquiring an additional 28,159 shares during the period. Finally, Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund by 70.4% during the 3rd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 26,179 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $327,000 after acquiring an additional 10,820 shares during the period. About Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund (Get Rating) Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc is a closed-ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by Tortoise Capital Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income and public equity markets of the United States. It invests in securities of companies operating in the power and energy infrastructure sectors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. VMware (NYSE:VMW Get Rating) is scheduled to be announcing its earnings results on Thursday, June 1st. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.57 per share for the quarter. VMware (NYSE:VMW Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The virtualization software provider reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.36 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $3.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.64 billion. VMware had a return on equity of 327.30% and a net margin of 9.84%. On average, analysts expect VMware to post $5 EPS for the current fiscal year and $5 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get VMware alerts: VMware Stock Up 4.2 % NYSE VMW traded up $5.38 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $133.24. 2,873,001 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 949,169. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.15, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The company has a market cap of $57.09 billion, a PE ratio of 43.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.72. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $124.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $121.21. VMware has a 52 week low of $103.55 and a 52 week high of $134.00. Insider Buying and Selling at VMware Institutional Investors Weigh In On VMware In other news, CFO Zane Rowe sold 35,715 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.53, for a total transaction of $4,447,588.95. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 174,162 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,688,393.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Company insiders own 40.30% of the companys stock. A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in VMware by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 14,309,491 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $1,786,540,000 after buying an additional 718,084 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in VMware by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,046,294 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $1,485,582,000 after buying an additional 273,093 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in VMware by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,372,625 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $611,781,000 after buying an additional 143,362 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in VMware by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,408,400 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $388,115,000 after buying an additional 186,229 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in VMware by 57.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,655,951 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $326,045,000 after buying an additional 971,516 shares during the last quarter. 45.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analyst Ratings Changes VMW has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on VMware from $142.50 to $139.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 6th. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM restated a maintains rating on shares of VMware in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. UBS Group raised their target price on VMware from $131.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on VMware in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their target price on VMware from $142.50 to $125.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $137.70. About VMware (Get Rating) VMware, Inc engages in the provision of cloud infrastructure and business mobility. Its products include Software-Defined Data Center, Hybrid Cloud Computing, and End-User Computing. It supports modernizing data centers, integrating public clouds, empowering digital workspaces and transforming security. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for VMware Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VMware and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zhihu Inc. (NYSE:ZH Get Rating) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,610,000 shares, a drop of 29.3% from the April 30th total of 13,590,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,010,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.2 days. Currently, 1.6% of the companys stock are sold short. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Zhihu Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its holdings in Zhihu by 628.2% during the 2nd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 17,477 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 15,077 shares in the last quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc bought a new position in Zhihu during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Vident Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Zhihu during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Zhihu during the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Zhihu during the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. 11.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Zhihu alerts: Zhihu Stock Up 3.0 % Shares of ZH stock traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $1.03. 3,728,605 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,876,786. Zhihu has a twelve month low of $0.89 and a twelve month high of $2.13. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $1.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1.34. About Zhihu Zhihu ( NYSE:ZH Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 22nd. The company reported ($0.04) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by $0.05. The business had revenue of $161.51 million for the quarter. Zhihu had a negative return on equity of 19.86% and a negative net margin of 29.93%. Equities analysts expect that Zhihu will post -0.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. (Get Rating) Zhihu Inc operates an online content community in the People's Republic of China. Its community allows people to seek inspiration, find solutions, make decisions, and have fun. The company also offers technology, business support, and consulting services; information transmission, software, and information technology services; information and marketing services; vocational training; and internet services, as well as holds audio-visual permit. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Zhihu Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Zhihu and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Last year was a mixed bag pay-wise for the women who run companies in the S and P 500 -- compensation increased for more than half of them, but the median pay package fell 6 percent. Of the 343 CEOs in the compensation survey of S and P 500 companies done by the AP and Equilar, only 20 were women. Because they are a small group, changes in pay for only a few can easily skew the overall figures. a year when compensation reflected a recovering economy and soaring stock prices and profits. Many chief executives were rewarded for steering their companies through the worst of the pandemic. Overall, female CEOs saw their performance bonuses fall 13per cent to USD 2.8 million last year and stock awards fall 4 percent to an average of USD 10 million. Their median total compensation fell 6 percent to USD14.7 million. The median pay for male CEOs rose 1 percent to USD 14.8 million. "We still do not have enough women CEOs," said Lorraine Hariton, President and CEO of Catalyst, a nonprofit organization focused on women in the workplace. "It's hard to make a comment about pay when we really don't have a big enough sample size. Lisa Su, CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, was the highest paid female CEO in the AP survey for the fourth year in a row, but she slipped to 26th highest paid overall, from 22nd last year. Su was the highest paid of all CEOs, men and women, in 2019. The AP's and Equilar's compensation study included pay data for 343 CEOs at S and P 500 companies who have served at least two fiscal years at their companies, which filed proxy statements between Jan. 1 and April 30. Some notable female CEOs aren't included because they became CEO less than two years ago or their companies file proxy statements at a different time, including Roz Brewer at Walgreens Boots Alliance, Jane Fraser at Citigroup and Linda Rendle at Clorox. Most of a CEO's pay package consists of stock and stock options awards. At AMD, stock awards and options made up more than 90 percent of Su's pay. Her total pay package of USD 30.2 million was up 2 percent from her package the previous year. Nasdaq's CEO Adena Friedman received the biggest pay raise, a 40 percent jump. That was mostly due to a performance-based stock option award with a value of USD 10 million, associated with the renewal of her employment agreement for an additional five years. Half of the stock option award will become available after five years of employment, and half will be awarded if Friedman reaches an earnings target in five years. Her total pay package is valued at USD 28 million. Executives could see steeper pay cuts in 2023 when boards consider the full effect of the stock market's downturn, said Kelly Malafis, a partner at Compensation Advisory Partners, a consulting firm that works with boards. The S and P 500 fell nearly 20 percent in 2022. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has received about 90,000 tonnes of aid in kind, for example, equipment and medicines, through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, DW reports. European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said that this is the most complex, the largest and the longest operation within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in the entire history of its existence. According to him, the assistance was provided with food, medicines, vehicles, generators, transformers and equipment for the repair of power grids and other critical infrastructure facilities. Lenarcic said that they even delivered such things as sunflower seeds and equipment for the protection of cultural monuments. In addition, more than 2,000 patients and wounded from Ukraine were treated in more than 20 EU countries, the European Commissioner added. Ukraine officially joined the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on April 20, 2023. Within the framework of this mechanism, EU States and other countries cooperate in the issues of preparedness and response to crises and disasters. Thanks to the Mechanism, Ukraine has received assistance before, just like any country in the world after a corresponding request. As a member of the Mechanism, Ukraine will have access to expert exchanges, training programs and trainings, and will also be able to provide assistance to countries that are in crisis. The Kremlin is likely reviving its information campaign to coerce the West into forcing Ukraine to accept concessions and negotiate on terms favorable to Russia, according to analysts of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Kremlin is likely reviving its information campaign to coerce the West into forcing Ukraine to accept concessions and negotiate on terms favorable to Russia, the report reads. According to analysts, this is confirmed by a telephone conversation between Russian President Putin and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The Kremlin claimed on May 26 that Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed the openness of the Russian side to dialogue on the political and diplomatic track, which is still blocked by Kyiv and its Western sponsors in a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Putins statement does not indicate that Russia is interested in pursuing negotiations with Ukraine, and the Kremlin has not established any serious grounds for negotiations nor abandoned its maximalist goals to force the Ukrainian government to capitulate, the ISW said. The analysts stress that the Kremlin is likely attempting to intensify its false claims about its readiness to negotiate with Ukraine amidst the arrival of the Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui in Moscow on May 26 to discuss a negotiated settlement to Russias war in Ukraine. The ISW quoted the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) which reported that Li previously urged European officials to end the conflict in Ukraine before it escalates during his visit to European states in the past week. The WSJ also reported that a (likely European, but unspecified) diplomat who spoke to Li explained that freezing the conflict was not beneficial to international interests and that Europe would not withdraw its support for Ukraine. The WSJ also reported that another (likely European, but unspecified) diplomat claimed that Chinas main interests are ensuring Russian victory and ensuring that Russia does not use nuclear weapons. The claimed interaction likely indicates that China may be attempting to push the West to influence Ukraine into accepting a ceasefire. The Kremlin is likely amplifying its false interests in negotiations ahead of the planned Ukrainian counteroffensive in order to discourage continued Western aid to Ukraine, the ISW said in its report. Drilling activity continued to slow amid economic uncertainties and oil and natural gas price volatility. Oilfield services firm Baker Hughes said Friday its US rig count, which it has released weekly since 1944, declined for a fourth consecutive week, dropping nine rigs to 711. It is also 16 rigs or 2% below last years count of 727. The rig count is the lowest since last May, and Baker Hughes said the tally fell 44 rigs during the month, its biggest decline since 2020 when the pandemic was spreading worldwide. The number of rigs drilling for crude oil fell five rigs to 570, the lowest since last May and four rigs below the 574 counted the previous May. The number of rigs drilling for oil fell 21 during the month, the biggest monthly decline since June 2020. The number of rigs drilling for natural gas fell four rigs to 137, the lowest level since March 2022 and 14 fewer than the 151 reported a year earlier. The number of rigs drilling for natural gas fell by 24, the largest monthly drop since January 2016. Texas bucked the national trend, adding two rigs for 359 at work statewide, one more than 358 last year. New Mexico dropped one rig to 108 rigs active in the state. Wyoming (1) joined Texas as the other producing state to see an increase. Alaska (1), Colorado (1), Louisiana (2), Oklahoma (5) and Utah (2) joined New Mexico as producing states to lose rigs for the week. The Permian Basin joined Texas in bucking the national trend, adding one rig for 350 rigs operating across the region, eight more than the 342 reported last year. Eddy County, New Mexico, remained the most active county in the Permian with 54 rigs, down one for the week. Lea County, New Mexico was a close second, reporting 53 rigs for a second week. Martin County had 42 rigs, down, one while Reeves County lost three rigs the steepest drop among Permian counties to 36. Midland County reported 31 rigs, down one for the week. Loving County had 27 rigs for a second week. Ward County added four rigs the sharpest rise among Permian counties for 17 rigs. Reagan and Upton County each reported 14 rigs, up three for Reagan and down one for Upton. Andrews County reported 11 rigs for a third week and Howard County had 10, down two for the week. Ector and Garza counties each saw renewed activity with one rig going to work in each county. Enverus Foundations, part of the energy-focused Software as a Service firm Enverus, said its US rig count reached 767 during the week ended May 24, falling by 13 rigs from the previous weeks peak. The count is down 5%, or 42 rigs, in the last month and down 7% year over year. The Permian led major plays in declines, falling six rigs to 335. The Anadarko Basin fell by three rigs to 60, and the Gulf Coast dropped two to 86. The DJ and Williston basins each dropped one rig to 17 and 37. The only major play to not see a decline in rigs was Appalachia, which added one for a total of 54. Midland ISD Police Chief Arthur Barclay resigned Friday. The district provided little information about the resignation, just offering the following statement. (Friday), Midland ISD accepted the resignation of Chief Arthur Barclay, effective immediately. While we appreciate his service to the district the last four plus years, it is in the best interest of the district to reevaluate the leadership of the Midland ISD Police Department. A culmination of events have led to this decision, and we are acting swiftly to find his replacement. As always, the safety and security of our campuses is our highest priority. We wish him well in his future endeavors. Former Superintendent Orlando Riddick hired Barclay in 2018. At the time, Barclay was given a salary that was more than $40,000 higher than the previous chief, David Coburn. At the time the district stated the pay increase was needed as the chief of police position was reclassified from a director to an executive director level position as part of the district's restructuring efforts under Riddick. "Chief Barclay submitted his resignation today, effective immediately," Midland ISD Superintendent Stephanie Howard wrote to the Reporter-Telegram. "Like all MISD employees, he will be paid in accordance with board policy and the MISD Compensation Plan, including all salary earned to the date of his resignation. No additional or extraordinary payments are due. Coincidentally, the MISD board approved Barclays plan in March to increase the MISD Police force by 16 positions over the next three years. On Thursday, the Conference Committee Report for the 2023-2025 biennium was released. Again, the Permian Basin and House District 82 will see Texas dollars invested in our communities. State Rep. Tom Craddicks reported the following funding was secured to directly alleviate needs and to continue ongoing work by the State of Texas. The legislation includes the following funding, according to a release from Craddicks Office: New Funding - $86.7 million for a 100-bed expansion for Permian Behavioral Health Center: West Texas has a dire need for quality mental health care and this funding will allow the construction of an additional 100 beds to serve the Permian Basin region at the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center. The first 100 beds were partially funded in October 2021 by the Texas Legislature with a one-time appropriation of $40 million. The Permian Basin Behavioral Health Hospital broke ground on April 28. - $15 million for Rural Health Initiatives: West Texas is in need of quality health care, and this funding helps increase access to care and the challenges presented in rural Texas. This effort will be led by the Texas A&M Health Sciences Center in Martin and Dawson counties. - $6 million for The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) Healthcare Workforce Training: This funding will help strengthen the quality of health workforce education and enhance the skills of Permian Basin health care workers. The funding will be used to enhance programs such as the nursing and counseling programs already in place at UTPB. - $1.75 million to create a Mental Health Workforce Training Program at Midland College: These funds will be used to establish a mental health workforce training program. This funding is a big step in Rep. Craddicks initiative to ensure the workforce is trained and ready to work in the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Hospital under construction in Midland. - $61.969 million to develop a Keeping Texas Prepared Strategy: This builds our statewide network of emergency response professionals. Across the five agencies of AgriLife Extension Service, Forest Service, Engineering Extension Service, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and the Texas Division of Emergency Management we can count on a professional trained response network in the event of an emergency. These individuals live and work amongst us and are vital in the event of an emergency such as fires, wind storms and other natural disasters. I am proud to help fund this important network of response professionals across Texas and specifically the Permian Basin. The Sustained Funding - $2.301 million for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Midland Medical Residency: This funding allows the Midland Medical Residency program to continue. This program is vital to the continued success in attracting the best health care opportunities for West Texans. - $1.676 million for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin Surgical Residency: The Surgical Residency Program has been very successful in the Permian Basin, and this funding allows the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center to keep attracting the finest healthcare professionals to West Texas. The residency was established after in 2021 and seen continued growth and success in our local communities. These funds will allow the program to continue to grow and recruit the best surgeons to the Permian Basin. - $615,707 for the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum: The Permian Basin accounts for about 40% of all oil production in the United States. This funding will allow the Petroleum Museum to continue its education and preservation of 230 million years of history for generations to come. - $139,800 for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services Chronic Disease Prevention: This funding is essential in keeping West Texans safe and prepared from chronic diseases. These agents work in our communities, providing education and resources for a variety of chronic diseases including diabetes, how we can all lead a healthy lifestyle and more. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center hasnt been built yet, but there is money in the state budget for its expansion. State Rep. Tom Craddick announced that $86.7 million in new funding has been secured that will allow for a 100-bed expansion. The first 100 beds were partially funded in October 2021 by the Texas Legislature with a one-time appropriation of $40 million. West Texas has a dire need for quality mental healthcare and this funding will allow the construction of an additional 100 beds to serve the Permian Basin region at the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center, Craddick wrote in an email to the Reporter-Telegram. In March, the Reporter-Telegram announced there was a new funding request for the 100-bed expansion and annual operating cost support A proposed expansion would bring the total to 200 beds and would be comprised of a combination of acute child/adolescent beds and competency restoration rooms, according to the update. The capital funding request, it was reported at the time, included $65 million for the 100-bed expansion, $10.5 million for infrastructure planning, design and construction to the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center site and $11.2 million in start-up funding for PBBHC workforce. The Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center is a joint venture between Midland Health and Medical Center Health System in Odessa. Officials broke ground on the project in April. The center will be located between Midland and Odessa, on 54 acres donated by Diamondback Energy adjacent to the University of Texas Permian Basins Midland campus. The current estimate of the total project cost has increased to $130 million, according to former Midland Health CEO Russell Meyers, who has transitioned to developmental role for the Midland Memorial Foundation, focusing on the completion of the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center and other developmental projects. Meyers also stated that the states $40 million appropriation has been supplemented by $45.3 million in contributions and confirmed pledges, leaving a balance to be raised locally. While fundraising efforts are still underway, indications are that sufficient local philanthropic support will be available to fully fund the project, Craddicks Office stated earlier this spring. Meyers was equally optimistic in his comments in April. This thing is going to happen, and it will be transformative to this region, Meyers said. -- In a related item, Craddicks Office reported the following funding was secured: European countries demonstrate solidarity and unity on many issues, in particular, regarding support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, French Ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins said during the 15th annual Kyiv Security Forum. The ambassador said that there are certain shifts and changes in the organization of the EU, especially with regard to the military aspect, the provision of ammunition. According to him, this is a radical change, if compare it with the philosophy of Europe a few years ago. Poncins also stressed that Ukraine would definitely become a member of the European Union in the future. The ambassador said that since February 24, Ukraine has gone a long way towards European integration and the European Union. Ukraine has received the status of a candidate, he said. He believes that additional steps will have to be taken, but with the outbreak of the war, the situation has changed. He thinks that Ukraine will become a member of the EU in the future. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change and the protection of nature for years. But it now finds itself under pressure from within to pause new environmental efforts amid fears they will hurt the economy. With the next European Parliament elections set for 2024, some leaders and lawmakers are concerned about antagonizing workers and voters with new binding legislation and restrictive measures and are urging the 27-nation bloc to hit the brakes. Since Ursula von der Leyen took the helm of the powerful European Commission back in 2019, environmental policies have topped the EU agenda. EU nations have endorsed plans to become climate neutral by 2050 and adopted a wide range of measures, from reducing energy consumption to sharply cutting transport emissions and reforming the EUs trading system for greenhouse gases. But cracks in the European united front against climate change have emerged in recent months. The first sign was earlier this year when Germany, the bloc's economic giant, delayed a deal to ban new internal combustion engines in the EU by 2035 amid ideological divisions inside the German government. An agreement was finally reached in March, but just weeks later, the bloc's other powerhouse, France, called for a pause on EU environmental regulation, causing controversy. As he presented a bill on green industry earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron said it was time for the EU to implement existing rules before adopting new ones. We have already passed a lot of regulations at European level, more than our neighbors," he said. Now we have to execute, not make new rules, because otherwise we will lose all players. Macron has been particularly concerned by a U.S. clean energy law that benefits electric vehicles and other products made in North America, fearing it will expose European companies to unfair competition. Although Europeans and their American partners keep working to resolve the challenges posed by the U.S. law, Macron's logic basically holds that a pause on environmental constraints would help EU businesses keep producing on home soil, despite competition from countries such as China that have lower environmental standards. Belgian Prime minister Alexander De Croo quickly followed suit, calling this week for a moratorium on the introduction of EU legislation aimed at nature preservation, creating a rift within the governing coalition including green politicians. The law proposed by the EU's executive arm aims, by 2030, to cover at least 20% of the EUs land and sea areas with nature restoration measures, "and eventually extend these to all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050, the commission said. De Croo said that climate legislation should not be overloaded with restoration measures or limits on agricultural nitrogen pollution, warning that businesses would no longer be able to keep up. Thats why Im asking that we press the pause button," he told VRT network. "Lets not go too far with things that, strictly speaking, have nothing to do with global warming. These other issues are important too, but measures to address them must be taken in phases. Macron and De Croo have found allies at the European Parliament, where members of the biggest group, the Christian Democrat EPP, have asked the European Commission to withdraw the nature restoration law proposal on grounds that it will threaten agriculture and undermine food security in Europe. The move came after two parliamentary committees, the Fisheries Committee and the Agriculture Committee, rejected the planned legislation. EPP lawmakers claim that abandoning farmland will lead to an increase in food prices, more imports and drive farmers out of businesses. This is an exceptional step and shows that the Parliament is not ready to accept a proposal that only increases costs and insecurity for farmers, fishers and consumers, said Siegfried Muresan, the vice-chairman of the EPP Group responsible for budget and structural policies. The growing opposition to the nature restoration law has caused great concern among environmental NGOs, and Frans Timmermans, the EU Commission's top climate official in charge of its Green Deal, warned he would not put forward an alternative proposal because there isn't time. You cant say I support the Green Deal, but not the ambition to restore nature. Its not a la carte menu,' Timmermans said. The EU commission has also proposed setting legally binding targets to reduce the use of pesticides by 50% by 2030 and a ban on all pesticide use in public parks, playgrounds and schools. To ease the transition to alternative pest control methods, farmers would be able to use EU funds to cover the cost of the new requirements for five years. If one piece falls, the other pieces fall. I dont see how we can maintain the Green Deal without the nature pillar, because without the nature pillar, the climate pillar is also not viable, Timmermans told EU lawmakers. So we need to get these two together. HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong on Saturday criticized rights group Amnesty Internationals accusation that a Uyghur student disappeared after being interrogated at the airport, and said that government records showed that he had not entered or been refused entry to the city. Amnesty International said Friday that Abuduwaili Abudureheman, who was born in Xinjiang in western China, had traveled to Hong Kong from South Korea to visit a friend on May 10 but has since gone missing after he texted the friend about being interrogated after his arrival. He spent the last seven years studying in Seoul, completing a Ph.D. in sports and leisure in 2022, according to the group. In a statement, the government strongly condemned Amnestys groundless and unfounded remarks" as an attempt to smear it. In fact, the records of the HKSAR Government show that the person has not entered or been refused entry by Hong Kong, the statement read, referring to the official name of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The organization deliberately attacked the HKSAR Government and slandered the human rights situation in Hong Kong without checking the fact. The government requested an apology from the group. While Abuduwaili remains missing, we will remain concerned for his safety. His friend who reached out to Amnesty International has still not been able to make contact with him after he sent a message saying he was being questioned by Chinese police at the time of his expected arrival in Hong Kong, Amnesty replied to The Associated Press in response for seeking comment. The United Nations and human rights groups accuse China of detaining a million or more Uyghurs and members of other predominantly Muslim groups in camps where many have said they were tortured, sexually assaulted and forced to abandon their language and religion. China denies the accusations, which are based on interviews with survivors, photos and satellite images of the Xinjiang region where many Uyghurs live. Uyghur activists abroad criticized Hong Kongs denial of its role in the students whereabouts. If he had flown to Hong Kong from South Korea, there would be records of him boarding the plane, said Nyrola Elima, an independent Uyghur researcher based in Sweden. Regardless of the Hong Kong governments efforts to deny or conceal the atrocities committed by the Beijing and Xinjiang governments against Uyghurs, it remains a fact that a Uyghur Ph.D. student vanished at the Hong Kong airport, she said. Tahir Imin, a Washington, D.C.-based Uyghur academic and founder of the Uyghur Times, said that the statement from Hong Kong authorities was a blatant lie. If it is true that he did not enter Hong Kong, he would have let his closest friends know his whereabouts for the last two weeks, he said. The statement from Hong Kong authorities is a blatant lie and attempt to avoid international criticism, to cover its possible complicity in the Chinese Communist Partys hunting down Uyghurs globally, he said. ___ Associated Press writer Kanis Leung contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Huge crowds of anti-government protesters on Saturday encircled the Serbian state television building in downtown Belgrade to press their demand for autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic to ease his tight grip on the mainstream media and allow alternative voices. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters, some chanting slogans urging Vucic's resignation, streamed into the rain-drenched streets a day after the president's followers staged an equally big rally in the capital. Most of his supporters were bused into the capital from all over Serbia and some neighboring states. Outside the RTS TV headquarters, the crowds blew whistles and booed loudly. They say that according to the laws, state TV should be unbiased as a public broadcaster, but that it has been openly pro-government. After the rally officially ended, groups of people gathered in front of the Parliament building and the state TV, claiming they want to enter the buildings by force. Organizers of the protest blocked them from entering, saying they were infiltrated by the authorities to try to portray the protesters as violent. Held for the fourth time since the early May shootings, the opposition-led protests appear to be shaping up into the biggest revolt against Vucic's autocratic rule during his over 10 years in power. The rallies initially erupted in response to two back-to-back mass shootings earlier this month that left 18 people dead and 20 wounded, many of them children from an elementary school. Other protest demands include the resignations of top officials and the revoking of licenses for pro-government media that air violent content and host crime figures and war criminals. Vucic has accused the opposition of abusing the shooting tragedy for political ends. Earlier on Saturday, he stepped down from the helm of his populist party amid plans to form a wider political movement. Vucic named his close ally, Milos Vucevic, current the defense minister, as his successor. Holding umbrellas amid heavy rain Saturday, the protesters walked slowly around the RTS television building in central Belgrade, completely covering the streets in the entire area. Many held flowers in memory of the slain children and wore badges reading vulture or hyena," mocking the expressions that officials used to describe the protesters. Vucic has said the new, national movement will be formed in June to include other parties, experts and prominent individuals and promote unity. Analysts say it is a bid to regroup amid mounting public pressure. Critics say the movement could lead to single-party rule, more or less as the case in Vladimir Putin's Russia, which Vucic supports. During the rally Friday, Vucic offered dialogue as he seeks ways to ease mounting public pressure. Opposition parties have pledged to press on with the demonstrations until their demands are fulfilled. They include the ouster of the interior minister and the intelligence chief; the revocation of nationwide broadcast licenses for two pro-government TV stations; and the dismissal of a media-monitoring body. If they dont fulfill (the demands) we are not leaving from here," said Milica Tomic, a Belgrade resident. "We will be here, if it need be, every day, every week, whenever." ___ Dusan Stojanovic contributed to this report. "We invite the faithful to offer their prayers of thanksgiving, through the intercession of Santa Marian Kamalen, that no lives were lost during the powerful typhoon," Benavente stated in the release. Pull Quote The line customers at the KFC drive-thru in Hagatna spilled onto Marine Corps Drive on Friday, May 26, 2023. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Despite the statements made by the Russian side that regular Russian forces occupy the positions of Wagner fighters in Bakhmut, this process is hampered by successful counterattacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports. It is noted that the forces of the Wagner PMC are still present in Bakhmut, but the pace of Russian offensive operations around the town continues to decline. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported that regular Russian units have replaced Wagner units in Bakhmuts suburbs, likely referring to areas on the flanks around Bakhmut. Maliar claimed that Ukrainian forces still control positions on the southwestern outskirts of the town and that Wagner forces are still present in Bakhmut city itself. Ukrainian sources continue to report that the tempo of Russian offensive operations around Bakhmut has declined since the claimed Russian capture of the city. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations near Bakhmut and in the direction of Predtechyne (15km southwest of Bakhmut) on May 26, the report reads. In addition, the ISW says, Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces conducted successful counterattacks near Horikhove-Vasylivka (11km northwest of Bakhmut) and Klischiyivka (7km southwest of Bakhmut). A prominent milblogger claimed that Ukrainian counterattacks near Horikhove-Vasylivka caused elements of the Veterany private military company (PMC) to retreat up to a kilometer from their previously held positions in the area. Also, milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces captured elevated positions along the E40 (Bakhmut to Sloviansk) highway near Horikhove-Vasylivka and that fighting is ongoing in the area. A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces advanced towards Klischiyivka and crossed the Siverskyi Donets Canal, possibly threatening to encircle the settlement and force Russian forces to retreat towards the east. Geolocated footage published on May 24 and May 25 indicates that Russian forces likely regained limited positions west of Klischiyivka, however. The ISW analysts stress that the decreased tempo of Russian offensive operations in the Bakhmut area and the reported ongoing relief in place operation are likely further providing Ukrainian forces in the area the initiative to launch a new phase of operations around the town if they so choose. GFD cautions the community to be aware of hazards such as shock and electrocution, carbon monoxide from the exhaust, fires from improper refueling or fuel storage, and noise or vibration hazards. Pull Quote "Individuals under pretrial or probation supervision, including juveniles, should await further instructions from their probation officers and continue to comply with all other requirements." - Chief Justice Robert Torres, in a court order Pull Quote FILE PHOTO: Philippines President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivers a speech on the 126th founding anniversary of the Philippines army at Fort Bonifacio, in Taguig, Philippines, March 22, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez HAGATNA (The Guam Daily Post) Frustrations are mounting over the ongoing lack of water service for many residents following Typhoon Mawar. Kathy Murray is paying $1,548 more than usual in health insurance premiums over three months to make sure son Jonathon can receive health care. Jonathon lost his Medicaid coverage on April 1 but will likely requalify July 1. (Kathy Murray/KFF Health News/TNS) Although some groups have resumed meetings, others schedules may have changed as a result of the pandemic. It is recommended you contact the group in advance to verify details. Any changes in meeting schedules can be emailed to JJCsocial@myjournalcourier.com. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 217-370-4002 Jacksonville locations: First Baptist Church, 1701 Mound Ave. Wheelchair-accessible. Club HOW, 638 S. Church St. Monday Closed discussion, 7:30 a.m. at Club HOW. Closed discussion, noon at Club HOW. Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Bowen Group. Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at Club HOW. Tuesday Open discussion, noon at Club HOW. Womens open meeting, 5:30 p.m., First Christian Churchs Fireside Room. VIRGINIA: Closed discussion, 7 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Main and Washington streets. ROODHOUSE: Closed discussion, 12-step/12 traditions, 8 p.m. at Grace Center, 114 W. Palm St. Wednesday Closed discussion, noon at Club HOW. Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at Club HOW. Thursday Closed discussion, 7:30 a.m. at Club HOW. Closed discussion, noon at Club HOW. Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at Club HOW. Newcomers Group. Friday Closed discussion, noon at Club HOW. TGIF Group. Closed discussion, 5:15 p.m., Big Book Study at Club HOW. VIRGINIA: Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 401 E. Broadway Ave. Saturday Open speaker, 8 p.m. at Club HOW. Open meeting, noon at Club HOW. Sunday Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at Club HOW. 12 & 12 Group. Closed discussion, 10 a.m. at Club HOW. (Second Sunday is open) SPRINGFIELD: AA for Women, 10 a.m. at Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St. AL-ANON Meetings are nonsmoking and open to anyone. The only requirement is that there be a problem of alcohol with a loved one or friend. 217-248-6434. Wednesday Al-Anon, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church, 331 E. State St. (use Morgan Street entrance). NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS All meetings are nonsmoking. Not affiliated with any religious organization. Jacksonville location: Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf, 104 Finley St. (enter through back door). 217-883-1975. Monday Open discussion group, 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf. Wednesday Open discussion group, 8 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf. Friday Open discussion group, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf. OTHER MEETINGS Monday Addicts Victorious, 7-8 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle, 571 Sandusky St. Use side entrance to church hall. PITTSFIELD: Addicts Victorious, 7-8 p.m. in the basement of Subway in Pittsfield. 1-800-323-1388. Tuesday Jacksonville Sunrise Rotary, 7 a.m. Holiday Inn Express meeting room, South Jacksonville. 217-243-6895. Wednesday Breastfeeding support group, 6 p.m., Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Meeting Room 2. ROODHOUSE: Women with Hearts of Love (WWHOL), 6-7 p.m. at House of Restoration, 208 W. Franklin St. 217-602-1670. Thursday Jacksonville Area Chess Club, 6-9 p.m. at Jacksonville Public Library. 217-370-0882. Jacksonville Kiwanis Club, noon at Hamiltons. WHITE HALL: Addicts Victorious, teens 5:30-6:30 p.m.; adults 7-8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of New Life Church, 626 Curtis St. Friday Jacksonville Rotary Club, noon at Hamiltons. PITTSFIELD: Addicts Victorious, 6 p.m. at Assembly of God, 575 Piper St. 800-323-1388. Saturday Jacksonville Amateur Radio Societys Net, 9 p.m. Transmitted on K9JX repeater. K9JX.com. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Teresa M. Elder, 62, of 1600 Westchester Blvd., Springfield, was arrested at 5:57 p.m. Thursday in the 300 block of Ninth Street on an Ector County, Texas, warrant accusing her of theft. A 16-year-old boy was arrested on a domestic battery charge at 12:25 p.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of East Morton Avenue after police said he hit his mother on the arm. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by his decree, put into effect the NSDC decision of May 27, 2023 "On the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)." By its decision, the NSDC supported the proposals made by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions) against 51 citizens of the Russian Federation and 220 legal entities, including those registered in Ukraine (lists of sanctioned persons are attached to the decree). This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Charles Sheaff may be retired, but that doesn't mean he has stopped working. Since his retirement last year as a general surgeon at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Sheaff has become involved in medical mission trips to Guatemala. Sheaff recently returned from a 10-day surgical mission. Sheaff's involvement with missions to Guatemala began close to where his medical career began at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He had a conversation with a friend of 45 years who was a senior resident there during the time Sheaff was training. "We talked about mission trips to Guatemala," Sheaff said. "I enjoy missionary work, so I decided I wanted to get involved. I wanted a place to do missionary work and keep my skills in shape." Sheaff now is involved with HELPS International, an organization that provides warehouse space, supplies and other resources. HELPS is affiliated with 12 U.S. hospitals that serve the indigenous Mayan population in Santa Cruz del Quiche, Guatemala. The team Sheaff is associated with is from Cascade Medical Center in Eugene, Oregon, where his mentor practices. About 90 volunteers went on his recent trip in March. About 50 of those performed surgeries while the rest built stoves. The schedule can be grueling. Ten days for a trip is standard. The team works for seven days and rests for three days. During that period, the volunteers normally perform 100 surgeries. "We get up at 5 a.m., do rounds, operate until 6 or 7 p.m., then have a debriefing meeting and (go) back to bed at 10 p.m. on a cot in a room," Sheaff said. His experience is a plus because there is no opportunity to perform laparoscopy, a type of minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis without having to make large incisions in the skin. "Not everyone trained after 1990 can take a gall bladder out in open surgery, so my experience is useful," Sheaff said. "My first trip was a year ago in March. I loved it. After things got rolling, I took a trip in July and another this past March." Sheaff's experiences have opened his eyes about Guatemala. "About 40% of Guatemalas population is 100% Mayan. Typically, they are looked down on by other Guatemalans. They are quite poor and live in dirt-floor adobe huts. They cook inside, over an open flame, so many have emphysema by the time they are 40," Sheaff said. While Sheaff and his colleagues provided surgery and a variety of other medical services, other volunteers installed stoves with chimneys that ventilate the smoke outdoors while providing heat inside. "The new stoves use less wood to cook and it's much healthier for people living in the house," Sheaff said. Communication with patients is challenging because most of them speak an ancient Mayan dialect. "We needed two interpreters one to translate Quiche to Spanish, and another from Spanish to English," Sheaff said. "Mayan civilization broke up in 900 A.D., they splintered into little city-states and retained their language. "It was interesting to me that you could have 40% of the population that still speaks (an) ancient Mayan dialect and are still practicing their ancient Mayan ways. ... They keep to themselves for the most part. Clearly, the people have worked to preserve their ancient ways and languages." People come from all over to get surgery. While there, Sheaff and the other doctors performed 100 surgeries, ranging from gall bladder removal to hysterectomies and repair of hernias and cleft palates. "It's gratifying to provide them with these kinds of services," Sheaff said. "I am sure there is no socialized care, so every kind of treatment they get is what they are able to pay for. Because of that, the indigent population doesn't have access to care, so they get on our waiting lists." With 12 teams from 12 medical centers, there are mission trips through HELPS International about every three weeks. There are no trips in November and December. "The teams do different things," said Sheaff, who practices general surgery. "Some don't do surgery. Others can't do the cleft palate surgery. Some do eye surgeries for things like glaucoma. Our team is the biggest one to go down." He uses his experiences to talk to service clubs and groups like the West Central Illinois Council on World Affairs. "Whether they want to know more about Guatemala and the history, or the trip, I can slant the presentation," Sheaff said. It's not all work for the volunteers. After seven days of demanding work, they generally are left with three days for rest and relaxation. "I try to do something I haven't done before to increase my knowledge of the country," Sheaff said. "The last time, I spent most of that time in Antigua before heading back to the United States." Antigua is renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings, many of them restored following a 1773 earthquake that ended Antigua's 200-year reign as Guatemala's colonial capital. Most of the buildings are preserved as they were in the 1500s, Sheaff said. Sheaff plans to make trips to Guatemala an annual March event. "I plan to continue doing it as long as they'll have me and as long as I continue to be capable of performing surgeries," Sheaff said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday urged his supporters to protest at the state Capitol when Republicans in the House of Representatives take up historic impeachment proceedings that threaten to oust him. The House has set a Saturday vote to consider impeaching Paxton and suspending him from office over allegations of bribery, unfitness for office and abuse of public trust just some of the accusations that have trailed him for most of his three terms. Paxton, a 60-year-old Republican, decried the impeachment proceedings as political theater that will inflict lasting damage on the Texas House, adding to his earlier claims that it's an effort to disenfranchise the voters who returned him to office in November. I want to invite my fellow citizens and friends to peacefully come let their voices be heard at the Capitol tomorrow, he said at a news conference, without taking any questions. Exercise your right to petition your government. The request echoes former President Donald Trumps call for people to protest his electoral defeat on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob violently stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Paxton, who spoke at the rally that preceded that insurrection, called his supporters to the Texas Capitol on a day when the governor is supposed to deliver a Memorial Day address to lawmakers. If impeached, Paxton would be suspended from office immediately and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott could appoint an interim replacement. The attorney general would be just the third person in the states nearly 200-year history to be impeached and the first statewide officer since former Gov. James Pa Ferguson in 1917. The House will begin considering a resolution calling for Paxtons impeachment at 1 p.m. Saturday, according to a statement released Friday by the House Committee on General Investigating. The GOP-led committee spent months quietly investigating Paxton and recommended his impeachment Thursday on 20 articles. Paxton has said the charges are based on hearsay and gossip, parroting long-disproven claims. Prominent conservatives had been notably quiet on Paxton, but some began to rally around him Friday. The chairman of the state Republican Party, Matt Rinaldi, criticized the process as a sham and urged the GOP-controlled Senate to acquit Paxton if he stands trial in that chamber. It is based on allegations already litigated by voters, led by a liberal speaker trying to undermine his conservative adversaries, Rinaldi said, echoing Paxton's criticism of Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan. He said the Senate will have to restore sanity and reason by acquitting Paxton. The process in the House will start with opening statements Saturday, followed by four hours of debate, closing statements and then a vote, according to a memo from the committee. Paxton faces grim math in the chamber, where he served five terms before becoming a state senator. Its unclear how many supporters he may have in the House, but only a simple majority is needed to impeach. That means just a small fraction of the 85 Republican members would need to vote against Paxton if all 64 Democrats do. Final removal would require two-thirds support in the Senate, where Paxtons wifes, Angela, is a member. The move to impeach Paxton sets up what could be a remarkably sudden downfall for one of the GOP's most prominent legal combatants, who in 2020 asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn President Joe Biden's victory. Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations that he used his office to help a donor. He was separately indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015, but has yet to stand trial. When the five-member committee's investigation came to light Tuesday, Paxton suggested it was a political attack by Phelan, accusing the speaker of being drunk on the House floor and calling for his resignation. Phelans office brushed this off as an attempt to save face. Paxton faces ouster just seven months after easily winning a third term. His challengers, including George P. Bush, had urged voters to reject a compromised incumbent but discovered that many didn't know about Paxton's litany of alleged misdeeds or dismissed them as political attacks. Even with Mondays end of the regular session approaching, state law allows the House to keep working on impeachment proceedings. Both chambers could call themselves back into session later. The articles of impeachment stem largely from Paxtons relationship with one of his wealthy donors, his alleged efforts to protect the donor from an FBI investigation and his attempts to thwart whistleblower complaints brought by his own staff. In one sense, Paxton's political peril arrived with dizzying speed: After the committee investigation surfaced Tuesday, it was followed the next day by an extraordinary public airing of his alleged criminal acts. But to Paxton's detractors, the rebuke was years in the making. In 2014, he admitted to violating Texas securities law over not registering as an investment advisor while soliciting clients. A year later, Paxton was indicted on felony securities charges by a grand jury in his hometown near Dallas, accused of defrauding investors in a tech startup. He has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts carrying a potential sentence of five to 99 years in prison. He opened a legal defense fund and accepted $100,000 from an executive whose company was under investigation by Paxton's office for Medicaid fraud. An additional $50,000 was donated by an Arizona retiree whose son Paxton later hired to a high-ranking job but was soon fired after displaying child pornography in a meeting. What has unleashed the most serious risk to Paxton is his relationship with a wealthy donor, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. Several of Paxton's top aides in 2020 told the FBI that they were concerned the attorney general was misusing the powers of his office to help Paul over unproven claims that an elaborate conspiracy to steal $200 million of his properties was afoot. The FBI searched Paul's home in 2019, but he has not been charged and his attorneys have denied wrongdoing. Paxton also told staff members that he had an affair with a woman who, it later emerged, worked for Paul. The impeachment charges cover accusations related to Paxtons dealings with Paul; including attempts to interfere in foreclosure lawsuits; improperly issuing legal opinions to benefit Paul; and firing, harassing and interfering with staff who reported what was going on. The bribery charges stem from Paul allegedly employing the woman with whom Paxton had an affair in exchange for legal help and Paul allegedly paying for expensive renovations to Paxton's Austin home. A senior lawyer for Paxton's office denied Friday that Paul paid for the work on the home, which also came under FBI scrutiny. He paid for all his home repairs and renovations, Chris Hilton said at the news conference, in one of the only direct responses from Paxton's team to the impeachment articles. Other charges date back to Paxtons still-pending 2015 felony securities fraud indictment, including lying to state investigators. The eight aides who reported Paxton to the FBI were all fired or quit, and four later sued under Texas' whistleblower law. In February, Paxton agreed to settle the case for $3.3 million, which must be approved by the House. The investigative committee said Friday that it was Paxton seeking the payout that brought about their probe. We cannot over-emphasize the fact that, but for Paxtons own request for a taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct, Paxton would not be facing impeachment by the House, the panel said. ___ Bleiberg reported from Dallas. Associated Press reporter Paul J. Weber contributed from Austin, Texas. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis resumed regular appointments on Saturday, one day after canceling his schedule due to a fever. The pontiff held a number of private meetings, including with visitors from Georgetown University who were in town for a conference with a Jesuit-run journal. According to Vatican News, a number of poets, writers and film directors from around the world attended the conference, including director Martin Scorsese and his family. Francis later was captured on video arriving at the studios of the state broadcaster RAI to tape an interview, smiling animatedly at well-wishers outside. The Vaticans confirmation of the 86-year-old popes fever sparked concerns about Francis health. The last time he spiked a serious fever, in March, the 86-year-old pontiff was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with acute bronchitis. He received intravenous antibiotics and was released three days later. The Vatican has confirmed that the pope will preside over Pentecost Mass on Sunday, and will meet with Italys president, Sergio Mattarella, on Monday. Ukraine has made an official request to Germany, in which it asks to provide it with Taurus cruise missiles, Spiegel reported on Friday, May 26. "Ukraine has asked Germany to supply Taurus cruise missiles. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defense said that a corresponding request was received from the Ukrainian side in the last few days. She did not provide more detailed information about the letter, for example, how many units [missiles] Kyiv is requesting," the message says. The publication says that the Taurus missiles will allow strikes against the Russian military infrastructure at long distances. "A few days ago, CDU defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter spoke in favor of supplying Ukraine with German Taurus cruise missiles. According to him, guided missiles with a range of up to 500 km will allow the attacked country to strike at the Russian military infrastructure far behind the front line. Ten years ago, about 600 Taurus were purchased for the Bundeswehr. Of these, about 150 are still in operation," the message says. Spiegel also notes that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reacted with restraint to Kiesewetter's proposal. However, he also stated that "he is of the opinion that we should support Ukraine with all systems permitted by international law that are necessary to win this war and that we are able to provide." BERLIN (AP) Russia will start expelling German diplomats, teachers and employees of German cultural institutions next month a move that will further enhance tensions between the two countries that have already had very fraught ties since Russia invaded Ukraine early last year. The German foreign ministry sharply criticized Russias move, calling the upcoming expulsions a unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible decision. The expulsion will affect several hundred German state employees, including teachers and staff of the Goethe Institute, which promotes German culture and language abroad, daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported. The expulsion comes in response to the reduction of the presence of Russian intelligence services in Germany earlier this year. The Russian Foreign Ministry had made public in April its decision to introduce a cap on the number of staff at our missions abroad and at German intermediary organizations in Russia, according to the German Foreign Office. The expulsions will lead to a major cut in all areas of our presence in Russia, according to the ministry. Germany did not announce any concrete response to Russias expulsions, which are expected to begin next week, but the Foreign Office said that with regard to the upper limit on the Russian presence in Germany, the German government will ensure that there is a real balance in practice as well. By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER Associated Press Sierra Nevada Conservancy Logo View Photo Sonora, CA The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) will consider $22.5 million in forest resilience, land conservation, and recreation grants next month, and millions could go to Mariposa County. The Conservancy is a California state agency focused on supporting and improving the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra-Cascade region. Its board is considering 24 different grants in 15 counties, including three in Mariposa County. If approved by the governing board, nine projects would receive just under $14.5 million through SNCs Wildfire Recovery and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program. Another nine would be awarded just under $6.3 million via SNCs Strategic Land Conservation Directed Grant Program, and nearly $2 million would go to six Vibrant Recreation and Tourism Directed Grant Program applicants. The SNC provided these three projects being considered for Mariposa County: Morrissey Conservation Easement Development Project (Mariposa County) The $57,500 grant would be used by the Sierra Foothill Conservancy to help put together a plan to protect 2,086 acres near the town of Hornitos. Sarah Priest Fuels Reduction Project (Mariposa County) The American Indian Council of Mariposa County would use the $862,176 grant to treat overloaded fuels on a 160-acre parcel. The Stockton Creek Preserve Recreation and Resilience Enhancements Master Plan Project (Mariposa County) The Sierra Foothill Conservancy would utilize the $438,150 grant to produce a recreation and resilience master plan for the Stockton Creek Preserve. The SNC Board will hold its quarterly board meeting Thursday, June 1 at 9 a.m. in the town of Chester in Plumas County. It will vote on which projects get approved. The other counties being considered for grants are Butte, El Dorado, Inyo, Lassen, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tulare, and Yuba. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbia on Saturday condemned NATO-led peacekeepers stationed in neighboring Kosovo for their alleged failure to stop brutal actions by Kosovo police against ethnic Serbs, and said that its armed forces stationed near the border will remain on the highest state of alert until further notice. Serbias top political and security leadership, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, met in Belgrade on Saturday following violent clashes a day earlier between Kosovo police and ethnic Serbs that injured more than a dozen people. In response to the clashes, Vucic on Friday ordered troops closer to the border with Kosovo. Due to the brutal use of force by (Kosovo Prime Minister) Albin Kurti and his forces against the Serbian people in Kosovo the armed forces of the Republic of Serbia will remain at the highest level of combat readiness, said a statement after the meeting of the top Serbian leadership on Saturday. The statement also said that an international civilian mission and NATO-led troops, that have been stationed in the former Serbian province since Serbian troops were forced to leave the region in 1999, did not do their job to protect the Serbs. NATO spokesperson Oana Longescu urged institutions in Kosovo to de-escalate immediately and called on all parties "to resolve the situation through dialogue. She said on Twitter that NATO remains vigilant & will ensure a safe & secure environment in Kosovo. Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, who are a majority in that part of the country, had tried to block recently elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings on Friday. Last months snap local election was largely boycotted by ethnic Serbs and only ethnic Albanian or other smaller minority representatives were elected in the mayoral posts and assemblies. Serb politicians in northern Kosovo on Saturday called on Serbia to suspend its participation in talks mediated by the European Union and aimed at normalizing relations between the former war foes. Kosovo politician Goran Rakic said that "we consider any further negotiations with Pristina completely illogical and also counterproductive. Kosovo police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and let the new officials into the offices. Several cars were set ablaze. The United States and several Western countries condemned Kosovos government for using police to forcibly allow entry to the municipal buildings. Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti on Saturday defended the police action. It is the right of those elected in democratic elections to assume office without threats or intimidation, Kurti said on Twitter. It is also the right of citizens to be served by those elected officials. Participation not violent obstruction is the proper way to express political views in a democracy. This is not the first time that Vucic has warned that Belgrade would respond to violence against Serbs, and he has stepped up combat readiness several times during moments of tension with Kosovo. However, any attempt by Serbia to send its troops over the border would mean a clash with NATO troops stationed there. Vucic on Saturday told a meeting of his ruling populist party that the Albanian regime" in Kosovo is "conducting terror against our people, with tacit approval of the West. I am certain Serbs will defend themselves if attacked, Vucic said. We must not allow expulsion of the Serbian people ever again. The conflict in Kosovo erupted in 1998 when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died. NATOs military intervention in 1999 eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory. Washington and most EU countries have recognized Kosovo as an independent state, but Serbia, Russia and China have not. ___ AP writer Llazar Semini contributed from Tirana, Albania. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraine's military intelligence has claimed, without offering evidence, that Russia is plotting a large-scale provocation at a nuclear power plant it occupies in the southeast of the country with the aim of disrupting a looming Ukrainian counteroffensive. A statement released Friday by the intelligence directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry claimed that Russian forces would strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe, and then report a radioactive leak in order to trigger an international probe that would pause the hostilities and give the Russian forces the respite they need to regroup ahead of the counteroffensive. In order to make that happen, Russia disrupted the rotation of personnel of the permanent monitoring mission of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency that was scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. It didn't offer evidence to back up any of the claims. The IAEA said in an emailed response to the AP that it did not have any immediate comment on the allegations, and Russian officials did not immediately comment on the Ukrainian claims. The White House said it is watching the situation closely and has seen no indication that radioactive material has been leaked. The claim mirrors similar statements Moscow regularly makes, alleging without evidence that Kyiv is plotting provocations involving various dangerous weapons or substances in order to then accuse Russia of war crimes. It comes as Moscows military in Ukraine braces for a looming counteroffensive by Kyivs forces, which hasnt started yet but could begin tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, told the BBC in an interview Saturday. The Zaporizhzhia power plant is one of the 10 biggest nuclear plants in the world. It is located in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in southeastern Ukraine. The plant's six reactors have been shut down for months, but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features. Fighting near it repeatedly disrupted power supplies and has fueled fears of a potential catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, where a reactor exploded in 1986 and spewed deadly radiation, contaminating a vast area in the worlds worst nuclear disaster. In other developments: Ukraine's national police said a 60-year-old man was killed Saturday evening by Russian shelling in the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Russian border. Russia on Saturday reported more attacks on its territory, with drones crashing in its western regions and areas on the border with Ukraine coming under shelling. Two drones attacked an administrative building of an oil company in Russias western Pskov region that borders Belarus, Latvia and Estonia, Pskov Gov. Mikhail Vedernikov reported Saturday. The building was damaged as the result of an explosion, Vedernikov said. Another drone went down in the Tver region about 150 kilometers (90 miles) north of Moscow, local authorities said. Russias Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine on Saturday came under multiple rounds of shelling, killing one person, according to its governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. In the neighboring Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine, one person was killed by cross-border mortar fire, its Gov. Roman Starovoit said. The British military said Saturday that Russia's private military force, Wagner, is withdrawing from areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut that Moscow claims to have captured earlier this month. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier this week announced the pullout, saying Wagner would hand control over the ruined city over to the Russian military. Some were skeptical, however: Prigozhin is known for making unverifiable, headline-grabbing statements on which he later backtracks. But the British Defense Ministry said in a series of tweets Saturday that Wagner fighters have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions around Bakhmut. The Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town," the ministry said. ___ Darlene Superville in Washington DC contributed to this story. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine A father in Harare offered to pay only $5 per child in monthly maintenance for his two school-going children. He claimed to the court that he only earns $15 a month from odd jobs. The father, Sifelani Mutsuto, was taken to court by his ex-wife Tendai Mupeteteri who demanded $190 in monthly support for their Form 1 and Grade 6 children. Mutsuto claimed his new wife was supporting him and accused Tendai of abandoning the children after their divorce in 2017. Tendai disputed his financial claims, arguing that Mutsuto had misused the money she sent while working in Botswana. The magistrate ordered Mutsuto to pay $60 per month in maintenance and cover half of the childrens school fees, which is more than the $5 per child totaling $10 that he had initially offered to pay for both kids. Breaking News via Email UNITED Nations special rapporteur Mary Lawlor has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwas government to stop judicial harassment of education and labour rights activists in the country. In a statement on Wednesday, Lawlor, who is a special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders singled out the judicial persecution of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) leader Obert Masaraure as an example of harassment to deter labour activists from confronting government over labour rights violations. Lawlors statement was endorsed by Alice Jill Edwards, UN special rapporteur on cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, Fionnuala Ni Aolain, special rapporteur on the protection and promotion of human rights and Farida Shaheed, special rapporteur on the right to education. I am concerned about the on-going legal proceedings against Masaraure [Obert] who is also the spokesperson of the Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe and urge authorities to drop the charges levelled against him. The charges are synonymous with criminalisation of education and labour rights defenders, Lawlor wrote. She added: Mr Obert Masaraure has long been targeted in reprisals for his peaceful work in defence of the labour rights of teachers, educators, and all those who seek to uphold the fundamental right to education in Zimbabwe. Masaraure was in 2019 charged with subverting a constitutionally-elected government and inciting public violence. Since January 2022, Masaraure has faced multiple arrests and charges, including participation in a protest, alleged murder, and public incitement to violence, while being released on strict bail conditions. He is due to stand trial on May 29 on charges related to national security, including public incitement to violence and obstruction of justice. A hearing on the murder charge that he also faces is scheduled for May 31, 2023. The expert said she had witnessed what appeared to be a systematic targeting of human rights defenders from Artuz working to promote the right to education and the right to an adequate standard of living for educators in rural areas of Zimbabwe. Since I took office in 2020, I have heard numerous allegations of arbitrary arrests, excessive use of force and ill-treatment by police officers against human rights defenders working to protect labour rights, she said. The special rapporteur expressed concern that such targeting may be an attempt to deter others from standing up and peacefully assembling to fight for the right to education in the country. I am hoping to see the charges against Mr Obert Masaraure dropped and urge the government of Zimbabwe to promote a safe and enabling environment for all human rights defenders, Lawlor said. The UN expert said she would continue to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe. NewsDay Breaking News via Email In the coming hours, the Russian occupiers are preparing large-scale provocations to create a source of radiation danger at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (NPP), the Main Intelligence Agency (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported on Friday evening. "In the coming hours, the ruscists are preparing a large-scale provocation to simulate an accident at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. To do this, a strike will be carried out directly on the territory of the NPP. After that, an emergency leak of radioactive substances will be announced. Ukraine will traditionally be blamed for the incident," the GUR said on its Facebook page. According to Ukrainian intelligence, in order to hide their actions as much as possible, the occupiers disrupted the planned rotation of the staff of the permanent monitoring mission of the IAEA. "The purpose of this action is to provoke the international community to conduct a detailed investigation during which all hostilities will be stopped," the report says. Thus, they emphasize in the GUR, the invaders hope to get a pause, which they use to regroup the occupation contingent and stop the Ukrainian counteroffensive. CCC leader Nelson Chamisa has criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa for failing to announce an election date as required by law, saying it inhibits planning and gives ZANU-PF an unfair advantage. Zimbabwes Electoral Act requires the president to proclaim an election date after consulting the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of acting as referee, match commissioner and regulatory authority by keeping the nation in suspense. He argued national affairs and peoples lives cannot be run on ad hoc basis upon guesswork. Chamisa said Kenya announced its 2027 election date years in advance, calling it good governance compared to Zimbabwes unilateralism. The opposition leader believes electoral reforms should have been completed earlier but remain important to ensure a legitimate election. However, he slammed the delay in finalizing the Electoral Amendment Bill, questioning if its a ploy to delay polls. When asked about next steps if Mnangagwa remains silent, Chamisa replied Everyone is in the dark, except for Mr Mnangagwa and possibly his colleagues in Zanu PF. That is not a desirable frameworkThat must definitely change and the law must change on that. Breaking News via Email (Natural News) Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned that there is a substantial risk of monkeypox outbreak recurrence this summer, days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it to no longer be a global health emergency. On May 15, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update saying that there had been a total of 12 confirmed and one probable case of monkeypox reported to the Chicago Department of Public Health from April 17 to May 5. All cases were among symptomatic men. None of the patients have been hospitalized. Nine (69 percent) of 13 cases were among men who had received two Jynneos vaccine doses. Confirmed cases were nine (69 percent) non-Hispanic white men, two (15 percent) non-Hispanic black men, and two (15 percent) Asian men. The median age was 34 years (range 2446 years), the alert included that travel history was available for nine cases as four recently traveled to New York City, New Orleans and Mexico. The discovery in Chicago has led experts to call for more inquiries into the efficacy and duration of the vaccines used during last years outbreak. But health officials still think vaccination is the ultimate solution to the problem. Without renewed vaccination and prevention efforts, we are at risk for a resurgence of monkeypox, said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the deputy coordinator of the White House national monkeypox response. Vaccine is a really important tool, even if its not perfect. Meanwhile, diagnosed cases have been increasing slightly in eight countries in recent weeks, including France and several countries in East Asia, said Dr. Rosamund Lewis, the WHO technical lead for monkeypox. About half of the recent French cases were in vaccinated people. Monkeypox virus is resistant to main antiviral drug used against it In an unpublished study that is yet to be peer-reviewed, the CDC reported monkeypox strains had turned up with signs of resistance to tecovirimat (TPOXX), the main antiviral drug used to treat patients. These findings inform our understanding of when tecovirimat resistance is likely to occur and highlight the need for additional [Orthopoxvirus] OPXV therapeutics, the research indicated. Moreover, one of the worrying mutations was also detected in a cluster of cases around Los Angeles. This means that drug-resistant monkeypox can be transmitted person-to-person. CBS News reported that the U.S. is still averaging less than three cases reported each day. In total, 32 infections have so far been diagnosed for the month of May nationwide. Last month had reached a sum of 41 monkeypox cases. Meanwhile, reports stated that public health experts have been worried about the possible rise in cases this summer, especially this June, as gay men travel to festival parades and other major LGBTQIA events for Pride Month. The risk of near-term clusters and outbreaks is substantial and the outbreaks could be large, especially in the warmer months, with planned gatherings that may have the potential for skin-to-skin contact and increased sexual activity, said Dr. Christopher Braden, head of the CDCs monkeypox response. (Related: PRIDE month kicks off with MONKEYPOX outbreak in the homosexual community.) Weve already, really immediately after seeing the Chicago cluster, convened folks within the U.S. government to discuss what the data is that we have and if there needs to be any change, Daskalakis told reporters last week. For now, Daskalakis said the CDC is still urging at-risk Americans to get the initial two doses of the Jynneos vaccine. Learn more about monkeypox outbreaks in the U.S. at MonkeypoxReport.com. Watch Stew Peters and Dr. Lee Merritt talking about monkeypox and gays being used as guinea pigs to test experimental vaccines for the disease. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: NIH official caught developing new version of monkeypox thats 1,000 times more lethal than the last one. Israeli doctor who linked monkeypox outbreak to covid jabs CENSORED by Twitter. Shame: The CDC should call Monkeypox what is is an STD. Video: CNN tell viewers Monkeypox is NOT sexually-transmitted. Sources include: TheHill.com Emergency.CDC.gov NBCNews.com MedRXIV.org CBSNews.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) A prominent climate change fanaticism group has been taking in and disbursing millions upon millions of dollars in what appears to be a massive eco-money laundering scheme. The non-profit Climate Emergency Fund (CEF) admits its mission is to raise funds for and make grants to the disruptive nonviolent climate movement. It did a whole lot more than that, though, having given away $5.1 million to 44 ultra-ambitious climate extremist groups in 2022 alone. When we say ultra-ambitious, what we mean are groups in the business of illegal vandalism. While technically non-violent just so long as no actual people are harmed, such illegal vandalism is still a form of violence against society and truth be told, people have died as victims of climate-related terrorism. Whether or not CEF funded those particular violent events is still for investigators to solve, but what we do know is that this kingpin climate entity has quickly become the ATM that radical environmental activists turn to in order to fund their latest disruptions, according to Caitlin Sutherland, executive director of the conservative watchdog group Americans for Public Trust. And as their destruction increases, so should the scrutiny on who is bankrolling the Climate Emergency Fund and their ties to more mainstream environmental groups that might disagree with these over-the-top and dangerous tactics. (Related: No matter how many times they repeat the lie, there is no climate emergency.) Whats the point of climate terrorism, anyway? One violent group that took in cash from CEF and used it for questionable and illegal purposes is Declare Emergency, the members of which believe that earth-based fossil fuels like oil and gas are inherently genocidal and criminal. In an effort for people to hear this bizarre belief publicly, Declare Emergency staged a paint-smearing campaign across the display case of a sculpture at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Another group called Just Stop Oil made similar headlines last fall when its members splashed tomato soup on a Vincent Van Gogh painting, estimated to be worth $84 million, at Londons National Gallery. For the past several days, members of Just Stop Oil have been blockading traffic in streets all across the United Kingdom. None of this would be possible without funding from the CEF, which appears to be the primary enabling group behind public acts of climate terrorism. CEF is also bribing individuals through grants to shut down schools for a month in protest. One wonders if kids arent going to school because they are being paid not to, is this really a protest movement? Dr. Robert Malone wrote on his Substack. As the Climate Emergency Fund is paying activists to defile great works of art, shouldnt Climate Emergency Fund be responsible for the restoration to repair the damage to these priceless works of art? As the Climate Emergency Fund is paying activists to damage parliament, shouldnt they also be responsible for repairing the damage? It would seem as though the CEF is more than happy to pay for causing all this damage, but is never around to pay for its cleanup and restoration. It is almost as if the CEF is a terrorist organization posing as a philanthropic charity group. The CEFs 2022 annual report is loaded with damning information about who is on the financial take from this organization. Why law enforcement is choosing to ignore this illegal activity and allow it to continue is a question without any answer. Malone asked: How can this organization maintain their non-profit status, as by all appearances, they are financing illegal activities? If learning about the latest climate change scams is up your alley, check out Climate.news for more. Sources for this article include: RWMaloneMD.substack.com NaturalNews.com SquareSpace.com (Natural News) The conservative watchdog group Media Research Center has obtained documents via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request showing that the Biden regime is quietly sending American taxpayer dollars to universities so they can brainwash students into believing that Christians and Republicans are Nazis. Funneling the money through a so-called anti-terrorism grant initiative, Biden and his henchmen are paying institutions of higher learning to lump members of the Republican Party and those who trust in Jesus Christ for salvation into the same category as the Nazi Party. This terrorism task force is engaged in an active effort to demonize and eliminate Christian, conservative, and Republican organizations using federal taxpayer dollars, said Brent Bozell, founder and president of the Media Research Center. What we have uncovered calls for criminal prosecution. The American people need to know those who are abusing their positions in the federal government will be held accountable for their criminal behavior. Be sure to check out the report that the Media Research Center compiled about its findings, revealing why the Biden regime needs to be prosecuted. (Related: Some House Republicans are calling for DHS chief Alejandro Mayorkas to be impeached and punished for aiding and abetting illegal immigration and drug smuggling via Americas porous southern border.) Biden has already funneled $40 million via 80 grants into various anti-conservative, antichrist initiatives The grant program in question is run by the DHS and is called the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program, or TVTP. It funnels taxpayer cash into various public, private and non-profit institutions, including colleges and universities and even local county governments. The stated goal of the program is to establish or enhance capabilities to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. In order to qualify for a grant, applicants must be based in the U.S. and implement a U.S.-based program. So far, the Biden regime has awarded 80 grants through the TVTP totaling just under $40 million. The lowest grant amounted to just $85,000 while the highest was over $1.1 million, with the median gravitating around $442,000. According to the official DHS requirements, all recipients of TVTP grants are prohibited from engaging in any kind of viewpoint discrimination at least on paper. We know through the work of the Media Research Center that TVTP grant recipients are doing just that: openly discriminating against conservatives, Christians, and other targeted demographics. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the TVTP was first launched by Barack Hussein Obama, though under a different name. It was also far less obvious about its true intentions during the Obama days, having only recently manifested its true intentions as an anti-white initiative designed to ethnically, politically, and religiously cleanse America of all right-wing Christians and their families, in essence. Among the many organizations tagged by the DHS as violent, right-wing extremist groups that need to be terminated are the Republican Party itself, the Heritage Foundation, the American Conservative Union, Fox News, Breitbart News, the National Rifle Association, PragerUniversity, Tea Party Patriots, the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, the pro-police Blue Lives Matter movement, and the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). These are the institutions at the top of the pyramid, so to speak, while all the way down at the bottom are run-of-the-mill neo-Nazi paramilitary groups and the Daily Stormer, a pro-Nazi publication. All this is conveniently coming out at the same time as the release of the Durham report, adding to the growing mountain of evidence proving that the Biden regime is engaged in illicit attacks against its political opponents. The question is: will anything be done about it? More related news coverage about the federal government assault on Christians and conservatives can be found at Fascism.news. Sources for this article include: FoxNews.com URLdefense.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Rightful governor of Arizona Kari Lake has vowed to continue her stolen election case challenging Maricopa Countys mail-in ballot signature verification system after a liberal judge rejected her claim that the county failed to correctly verify signatures. After a three-day trial, Maricopa County Superior Judge Peter A. Thompson appointed by former President Barack Obama decided that the court did not find convincing evidence that county election officials failed to correctly verify signatures during the 2022 general election, affirming the election of Democrat Katie Hobbs. This decision came despite Lakes legal counsel spending several days in court pointing out that the county failed to perform higher-level signature verifications on flagged mail-in ballots. Lakes team also showed video footage from a Maricopa County camera feed showing a signature verified incorrectly and hastily by a worker. (Related: Mail-in ballots need to GO if American elections will ever again have integrity.) Weve proven that their mail-in ballot play is a joke, said Lake during an interview with Steve Bannon on Real Americas Voice. Signature verification, that security feature of mail-in ballots, is not being done. We proved in court using the countys own data that 274,000 ballots were so-called signature verified in less than three seconds. And we proved that 70,000 mail-in ballots had their signatures verified in less than two seconds. Lake further noted that video evidence from an election center proves that one of the machines that was supposed to verify signatures was not doing its job. In his ruling, Thompson argued that it isnt necessary for a human or automated signature verifier to spend too long double-checking signatures. The Court finds that looking at signatures that, by and large, have consistent characteristics will require only a cursory examination and thus take very little time, the magistrate wrote. Thompson further claimed that representatives from Maricopa County were able to definitively prove at trial that a comparison between voter records and signatures was conducted in every instance. Lake to take stolen election fight all the way to Supreme Court In a press conference held following the Maricopa County Superior Courts dismissal of her case, Lake vowed to continue fighting her lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary. Were also going to continue to, not only raise funds, but energy, for our legal team to continue pushing our case to the U.S. Supreme Court, said Lake. During her press conference, Lake further claimed that Arizonas elections have been taken over by criminals and crooks. The courts just ruled that this corrupt election will stand, said Lake. The courts just ruled that our elections can run flawlessly. The courts have ruled that anything goes. Well, we can play by those same rules. Following this press conference, Lake announced a new initiative that will be the largest, most extensive ballot-chasing operation in our states history, and frankly, possibly in American history. Lakes plan is to legally register voters and conduct spirited get-out-the-vote campaigns. She has vowed to spend millions of dollars on this effort, funded by donations and through her Save Arizona Fund. Check out Rigged.news for more stories and updates on Lakes election integrity case. Watch Kari Lake as she discusses in detail her election integrity case at Steve Bannons War Room. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Everything Home: Michele Swinick renews call for probe on AZ corruption, election fraud Brighteon.TV. Right Now with Ann Vandersteel: Josh Barnett optimistic about Arizona election recall Brighteon.TV. Kari Lake bombshell: Freedom of information request reveals some 200k FAILED votes occurred on election day in AZ. Revealed: Internal Twitter communications reveal AZ Democratic Gov.-Elect Katie Hobbs campaign colluded to suppress political opponents. Kari Lake trashes corrupt election rigging in Arizona after discovery of multiple voting issues in Republican-heavy districts. Sources include: Brighteon.com TheGatewayPundit.com AZCentral.com (Natural News) U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has declared loneliness an epidemic that is as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily and costing the American healthcare industry billions of dollars annually. A new 81-page report from Murthys office warned that about half of adults in the U.S. have experienced loneliness and that this isolation is just as dangerous as people drinking or smoking excessively. (Related: GLOOM BLOOM: Depression rates in the US hit a record high, Gallup poll shows.) We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. Its like hunger or thirst. Its a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing, said Murthy in an interview with the Associated Press. Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and thats not right. Thats why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing. Murthy primarily blamed social media for driving the increase in loneliness, with his offices report claiming that Big Tech companies should roll out programs to protect children. Theres really no substitute for in-person interaction, said Murthy. As we shifted to use technology more and more for our communication, we lost out on a lot of that in-person interaction. How do we design technology that strengthens our relationships as opposed to weaken them? Murthy made no mention of how the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown protocols may have affected feelings of isolation, loneliness and depression. Surge of loneliness crisis driven by lockdowns Research shows that the main reason the loneliness crisis surged is due to lockdowns that forced schools and workplaces to shut their doors and tens of millions of Americans to isolate at home away from friends and loved ones. In his report, Murthy noted that loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling, and it harms not only the persons health but also the health of society at large. Research presented by Murthys office noted that loneliness increases the risk of premature death by nearly 30 percent, with the report revealing that those with poor social relationships also had a greater risk of stroke and heart disease. Furthermore, loneliness and social isolation increase a persons likelihood of experiencing depression, anxiety and dementia. The report also claims that social isolation poses a greater risk to health than obesity and physical inactivity and that it permeates all aspects of society from schools and workplaces to the economy and civil society. The surgeon general is calling on workplaces, schools, Big Tech companies, community organizations, parents and other people to make changes that will boost the countrys connectedness to properly tackle loneliness and social isolation. He has advised people to join community groups and to put down their phones when catching up with friends. He has urged employers to rethink their remote work policies and has asked healthcare workers to provide proper training for doctors and other practitioners to recognize the health risks of loneliness. Visit BeatDepression.news for more stories about mental health and the effects of depression. Watch Dr. Pam Popper explaining the connection between loneliness and health below. This video is from the channel Wellness Forum Health on Brighteon.com. More related stories: CDC report: Suicides soared to 48,183 in 2021 after two-year decline. Healthy habits and mental well-being: Natural ways to beat depression. The harrowing pictures drawn by children in lockdown: Drawings by youngsters aged from four to 14 reveal feelings of death, loss, loneliness and entrapment, reveals professor. Survey reveals mass mental illness in Gen Z, with 57% of young people now taking medication just to cope. Sources include: APNews.com WashingtonExaminer.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Public backlash that prompted the Target retail chain to pull its latest Pride Collection of LGBT clothing children has enraged California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat. Newsom took to Twitter in anger to bash Target for selling out the LGBTQ+ community by removing certain pride-themed clothing items for kids that were designed by satanist Erik Carnell of Abprallen. The offensive clothing items in question include infant onesies bearing imagery of demonic Baphomet creatures and LGBT-theme phrases like Cure Transphobia Not Trans People and Too Queer for Here. Children as young as fresh-out-of-the-womb were targeted by Targets latest Pride Collection, which is more satanic than any other pride-themed line ever before released by Target. To Newsom, depriving innocent babies of rainbow-colored pride wear is one of the most upsetting experiences of his life. And we know this because he complained all over Twitter about it. CEO of Target Brian Cornell selling out the LGBTQ+ community to extremists is a real profile in courage, Newsom scoffed sarcastically. This isnt just a couple stores in the South. There is a systemic attack on the gay community happening across the country. Wake up America. This doesnt stop here. Youre black? Youre Asian? Youre Jewish? Youre a woman? Youre next. (Related: Target is hardly the only company that hates you and your family and wants you all destroyed by LGBT perversion.) Why is Gavin Newsom so concerned about toddlers no longer being sexualized into LGBT perversion while their mothers shop at Target? In Newsoms world, having dark skin or being female is the same thing sexualizing children as young as newborn babies into the Cult of LGBT through propaganda clothing wear designed by a satanist. In Newsoms world, a corporate retail chain that decides to remove a highly offensive clothing line because its customer base disapproves of such wickedness is the same thing as rounding up blacks or Jews and tossing them into concentration camps. This is the delusion of Gavin Newsom being paraded all over social media at the current time, with the governor himself failing to see that he doth protest too much against Targets reluctant efforts to pull what amounts to pedophilia from its store shelves. Could it be that Newsom himself is a pedophile, and sees the removal of this clothing as a temporary setback in his efforts to try to normalize his perversion by lacing its ideology into childrens clothing designs? Why does he care so much what Target does, anyway? The fact that Newsom is more concerned about Target removing tuck-friendly female swimsuits from its shelves, and less about the growing homeless population in his state, is nothing short of disturbing. Who, exactly, is Gavin Newsom? Gavin Nuisance has self-identified as a pervert, one commenter wrote, summing it all up nicely. Someone should inform this blithering idiot that theres nothing morally reprehensible about being black, Asian, Jewish, and / or a woman, wrote another. Im sick of these morons trying to make sexual perversion equal with gender and ethnicity. Another pointed out that the only reason Newsom is governor in the first place is because he cheated hence why this writer put quotes around his title, which is ill-deserved. When he stands before the White Throne judgment, no amount of cheating is going to help him at all, this person added about what awaits Newsom unless he repents of his clearly egregious sins. His malignancy, Pelosis nephew, and the entire family likely already have rooms reserved for them down there, said someone else, adding to the theme of where the currently in-power political elite are soon headed. The latest news about the left-wing obsession with grooming children into the Cult of LGBT can be found at Libtards.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Power corrupts. We know this. (Article by John & Nisha Whitehead republished from Rutherford.org) In fact, we know this from experience learned the hard way at the hands of our own government. So why is anyone surprised to learn that the FBI, one of the most power-hungry and corrupt agencies within the police states vast complex of power-hungry and corrupt agencies, misused a massive government surveillance database more than 300,000 times in order to target American citizens? This is how the government operates, after all. First, they seek out extraordinary powers acquired in the wake of some national crisisin this case, warrantless surveillance powers intended to help the government spy on foreign targets suspected of engaging in terrorismand then they use those powers against the American people. According to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the FBI repeatedly misused Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in order to spy on the communications of two vastly disparate groups of Americans: those involved in the George Floyd protests and those who may have taken part in the Jan. 6, 2021, protests at the Capitol. This is par for the course for the FBI, whose modus operandi has historically been to expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit, or otherwise neutralize perceived threats to the governments power. Indeed, the FBI has a long history of persecuting, prosecuting and generally harassing activists, politicians, and cultural figures. Back in the 1950s and 60s, the FBIs targets were civil rights activists, those suspected of having Communist ties, and anti-war activists. In more recent decades, the FBI has expanded its reach to target so-called domestic extremists, environmental activists, and those who oppose the police state. In 2019, President Trump promised to give the FBI whatever they need to investigate and disrupt hate crimes and domestic terrorism, without any apparent thought for the Constitutions prohibitions on such overreach. That misguided pledge sheds a curious light on the FBIs ongoing spree of SWAT team raids, surveillance, disinformation campaigns, fear-mongering, paranoia, and strong-arm tactics meted out to dissidents on both the right and the left. Yet while these overreaching, heavy-handed lessons in how to rule by force have become standard operating procedure for a government that communicates with its citizenry primarily through the language of brutality, intimidation and fear, none of this is new. Indeed, the FBIs love affair with totalitarianism can be traced back to the Nazi police state. As historian Robert Gellately recounts, the Nazi police state was so admired for its efficiency and order by the world powers of the day that in the decades after World War II, the FBI, along with other government agencies, aggressively recruited at least a thousand Nazis, including some of Hitlers highest henchmen. Since then, U.S. government agenciesthe FBI, CIA and the militaryhave fully embraced many of the Nazis well-honed policing tactics, and used them repeatedly against American citizens. With every passing day, the United States government borrows yet another leaf from Nazi Germanys playbook: Secret police. Secret courts. Secret government agencies. Surveillance. Censorship. Intimidation. Harassment. Torture. Brutality. Widespread corruption. Entrapment. Indoctrination. Indefinite detention. These are not tactics used by constitutional republics, where the rule of law and the rights of the citizenry reign supreme. Rather, they are the hallmarks of authoritarian regimes, where secret police control the populace through intimidation, fear and official lawlessness on the part of government agents. Consider the extent to which the FBIs far-reaching powers to surveil, detain, interrogate, investigate, prosecute, punish, police and generally act as a law unto themselves resemble those of their Nazi cousins, the Gestapo. Just like the Gestapo, the FBI has vast resources, vast investigatory powers, and vast discretion to determine who is an enemy of the state. Much like the Gestapo spied on mail and phone calls, FBI agents have carte blanche access to the citizenrys most personal information. Much like the Gestapos sophisticated surveillance programs, the FBIs spying capabilities can delve into Americans most intimate details (and allow local police to do so, as well). Much like the Gestapos ability to profile based on race and religion, and its assumption of guilt by association, the FBIs approach to pre-crime allows it to profile Americans based on a broad range of characteristics including race and religion. Much like the Gestapos power to render anyone an enemy of the state, the FBI has the power to label anyone a domestic terrorist. Much like the Gestapo infiltrated communities in order to spy on the German citizenry, the FBI routinely infiltrates political and religious groups, as well as businesses. Just as the Gestapo united and militarized Germanys police forces into a national police force, Americas police forces have largely been federalized and turned into a national police force. Just as the Gestapo carried out entrapment operations, the FBI has become a master in the art of entrapment. Just as the Gestapos secret files on political leaders were used to intimidate and coerce, the FBIs attempts to target and spy on anyone suspected of anti-government sentiment have been similarly abused. The Gestapo became the terror of the Third Reich by creating a sophisticated surveillance and law enforcement system that relied for its success on the cooperation of the military, the police, the intelligence community, neighborhood watchdogs, government workers for the post office and railroads, ordinary civil servants, and a nation of snitches inclined to report rumors, deviant behavior, or even just loose talk. Likewise, as countless documents make clear, the FBI has had no qualms about using its extensive powers in order to blackmail politicians, spy on celebrities and high-ranking government officials, and intimidate and attempt to discredit dissidents of all stripes. In fact, borrowing heavily from the Gestapo, between 1956 and 1971, the FBI conducted an intensive domestic intelligence program, termed COINTELPRO, intended to neutralize domestic political dissidents. As Congressman Steve Cohen explains, COINTELPRO was set up to surveil and disrupt groups and movements that the FBI found threatening many groups, including anti-war, student, and environmental activists, and the New Left were harassed, infiltrated, falsely accused of criminal activity . Sound familiar? The more things change, the more they stay the same. Those targeted by the FBI under COINTELPRO for its intimidation, surveillance and smear campaigns included: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, the Black Panther Party, Billie Holiday, Emma Goldman, Aretha Franklin, Charlie Chaplin, Ernest Hemingway, Felix Frankfurter, John Lennon, and hundreds more. The Church Committee, the Senate task force charged with investigating COINTELPRO abuses in 1975, denounced the governments abuses: Too many people have been spied upon by too many Government agencies and too much information has been collected. The Government has often undertaken the secret surveillance of citizens on the basis of their political beliefs, even when those beliefs posed no threat of violence or illegal acts on behalf of a hostile foreign power. The report continued: Groups and individuals have been harassed and disrupted because of their political views and their lifestyles. Investigations have been based upon vague standards whose breadth made excessive collection inevitable. Unsavory and vicious tactics have been employedincluding anonymous attempts to break up marriages, disrupt meetings, ostracize persons from their professions, and provoke target groups into rivalries that might result in deaths. Intelligence agencies have served the political and personal objectives of presidents and other high officials. Whether 50 years ago or in the present day, the treatment being doled out by the governments lethal enforcers has remained consistent, no matter the threat. The FBIs laundry list of crimes against the American people includes surveillance, disinformation, blackmail, entrapment, intimidation tactics, harassment and indoctrination, governmental overreach, abuse, misconduct, trespassing, enabling criminal activity, and damaging private property, and thats just based on what we know. Whether the FBI is planting undercover agents in churches, synagogues and mosques; issuing fake emergency letters to gain access to Americans phone records; using intimidation tactics to silence Americans who are critical of the government; recruiting high school students to spy on and report fellow students who show signs of being future terrorists; or persuading impressionable individuals to plot acts of terror and then entrapping them, the overall impression of the nations secret police force is that of a well-dressed thug, flexing its muscles and doing the boss dirty work of ensuring compliance, keeping tabs on potential dissidents, and punishing those who dare to challenge the status quo. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, its time to rein in the Federal Bureau of Intimidations war on political freedom. Read more at: Rutherford.org (Natural News) Leaked documents show that the socialist Spanish government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wants to ban all end-to-end encrypted messaging within the European Union. The document is a survey commissioned by the European Council, a body within the European Unions executive branch. The survey polled member countries views on the regulation of encrypted communications systems. (Related: European Commissioner that wants to snoop on private messages has no idea how the technology works.) The leaked document provided media outlets with the behind-the-scenes opinions of European officials on how to craft a controversial law meant to stop the spread of child sexual abuse (CSA) material in Europe through the internet. This proposed law would require tech companies operating within the bloc to scan their platforms and bypass encryption to find illegal material. This proposed EU-wide legislation would be the culmination of a debate within the bloc that has been ongoing for years on whether end-to-end encrypted communication platforms like WhatsApp and Signal should be protected as a way for Europeans to exercise a fundamental right to privacy even if such protections would interfere with law enforcement investigations. End-to-end encryption is designed so only the sender and receiver of communications like messages and calls can see or hear their contents. This prevents all other parties, from scammers to law enforcement and even the companies providing the encrypted communication services, from accessing the contents sent through the platform. Law enforcement agencies around the world have long been advocating for some kind of mechanism to be installed to allow end-to-end encryption to be bypassed for investigations. But privacy advocates have argued that this would introduce weaknesses that would pretty much spell the doom of encrypted messaging. According to tech-focused media outlet Wired, which first got hold of the leaked documents, a majority of the 20 EU member states are in favor of implementing some type of scanning system for encrypted messages. Spains position has emerged as the most extreme among member states. Ideally, in our view, it would be desirable to legislatively prevent EU-based service providers from implementing end-to-end encryption, said the Spanish representatives in the document. The Spanish response to the survey, crafted with the help of the Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande Marlaska, noted that it is imperative that we have access to the data. The nation further suggested that it should be made possible for law enforcement authorities to decrypt encrypted communications to prevent the spread of CSA material. EU nations supporting decryption claim it is necessary in fight against child abuse Of the 20 countries mentioned by the leaked documents, 15 expressed support for scanning end-to-end encrypted communications for CSA material, with many claiming it is necessary to enable authorities to win the fight against child abuse. Representatives from Belgium, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia noted that it is necessary for scanning programs to apply to encrypted networks to avoid them turning into safe havens for malicious actors. Ella Jabukowska, a senior policy advisor at the European Digital Rights internet advocacy group, warned that Cyprus, Hungary and Poland held positions similar to that of Spain and they very clearly see this law as their opportunity to get inside encryption to undermine encrypted communications, and that to me is a huge problem. Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands expressed support for scanning encrypted messaging networks for CSA material while also endorsing the inclusion of wording that protects end-to-end encryption from being weakened. This is a feat that cryptographers and cybersecurity experts have said is technically impossible. The representatives from Estonia, Finland, Germany and Italy took positions in opposition to weakening encryption tech. Italy said creating a new system to weaken end-to-end encryption is a disproportionate response to the spread of CSA material online. It would represent a generalized control on all the encrypted correspondence sent through the web, the countrys representative said. Estonia warned that scanning end-to-end encrypted messages would allow companies to either redesign their systems to allow them to decrypt their data or shut down all access in the EU to protect their users. Finland warned that supporting efforts to jeopardize online security would conflict with the Finnish constitution. Germanys position was that the wording of the proposed law needs to explicitly state that no technology would be used to disrupt, circumvent or modify encryption. Learn more about the expansion of surveillance states at Surveillance.news. Watch this video of internet personality and cybersecurity and tech expert Rob Braxman discussing how Apple has a backdoor to bypass encryption. This video is from the channel Pool Pharmacy on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Elites manufacture fake hate crisis as pretext for mass spying, blacklists and censorship. Massive Censorship-Industrial Complex comprised of Big Tech, corporations, government, NGOs, fact checkers and more. Apple, Google teaming up to better track your movements under the claim of providing you more security. Twitter yielding to more government CENSORSHIP demands under Musk leadership. People are being connected to the cloud with this new technology being employed at huge scales without our knowledge or consent. Sources include: Breitbart.com Wired.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Outdoor clothing and gear company The North Face is doubling down on a perverse ad campaign that features an adult male drag queen trying to lure children to come out! as part of a so-called Summer of Pride celebration and debauchery campaign. Despite the fact that many of its customers were quick to boycott the brand, telling it you just lost a customer, in so many words, via hundreds upon hundreds of social media posts, The North Face has decided to stick with its Pattie Gonia character, named after the companys Patagonia competitor. Were partnering with Pattie because we believe the outdoors are for everyone, the company said in a statement of continued support for the controversial ad campaign. Nature lets you be who you are, so, for the second year in a row, The North Face is hosting Summer of Pride together with (they/she) to celebrate you and all the beautiful ways you get outside. (Related: Check out our earlier coverage to see for yourself what The North Face is promoting.) Corporate America wants your children REALLY BADLY Last year, The North Face ran a similar ad in the same vein featuring and adult male drag queen parading around the woods and mountaintops in an open tent-themed dress, below which another man was seen lying down. Nature lets you be who you are even gay! last years drag character yelled while atop a ridge. Put on your boots and come out side with us! See you there, besties! All the innuendos and plays on words in both commercials convey a message of trying to lure children to come out and join the perverted adults who want to groom them into the LGBT lifestyle in The North Faces case, by doing so outside in nature. The North Faces 2023 Outside Together collection features rainbow-colored t-shirts and hoodies both for adults and teenagers. There are also rainbow-themed blankets and camping gear, all grossly overpriced, for sale as part of The North Faces latest pride campaign. We recognize the opportunity our brand has to shape the future of the outdoors and we want that future to be a more accepting and loving place, the company wrote in an Instagram post defending its decision to groom via these yucky commercials. Ever since the Pattie Gonia ad aired, The North Faces stock price has fallen by around seven percent. Target, meanwhile, which unveiled a line of openly satanic LGBT clothing for babies, saw its stock price decline by 11 percent. In Targets case, the company did pull some of the more offensive Pride Collection clothing from its stores, though there is still plenty of LGBT-themed items available for children as young as babies, seeing as how there are rainbow-emblazoned onesies now being sold at Target. Target tried to blame its upset customers for making threats against team members over the offensive clothing, which prompted the corporation to remove it from store shelves. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior, the Minneapolis-based retailer said in a statement. Responding to Targets decision to remove the satanic pride clothing for babies, California Gov. Gavin Newsom threw a hissy fit on Twitter, accusing CEO Brian Cornell of selling out the LGBTQ+ community to extremists. There is a systematic attack on the gay community happening across the country. Wake up America, Newsom wrote. This doesnt stop here. Youre black? Youre Asian? Youre Jewish? Youre a woman? Youre next, he further threatened. Corporate America is being held hostage by LGBT cultists who want to convert your children to their depraved religion. Learn more at Transhumanism.news. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk NaturalNews.com The first group of about 400 Ukrainian soldiers began training in Germany on the operation and maintenance of American M1 Abrams tanks, the training course will take from 10 to 12 weeks, The New York Times reports, citing the Pentagon. Defense Ministry officials have previously stated that about 31 tanks will be sent to Germany for use in a training program that is expected to take 10 to 12 weeks, the publication said on Saturday. As reported, the first group of about 400 Ukrainian soldiers has already started a training course in Germany. About 200 military personnel about one armored battalion on Friday began conducting what the military calls combined arms exercises at the ranges in Grafenwehr and Hohenfels (Germany), according to a statement from Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Garron Garn, The New York Times informs. This part of the training includes the basic tasks of soldiers, such as marksmanship and medical skills, as well as platoon and company level training and, eventually, larger exercises involving battalion-sized units opposing each other. As reported, the second part of the cadets - 200 soldiers - began training on how to refuel tanks and maintain them. It is expected that by autumn combat crews on tanks will be able to reach the battlefields in Ukraine. In March, it was reported that the United States plans to supply Ukraine with previously promised Abrams tanks by the fall. The Pentagon decided to provide Ukraine with a modification of the Abrams M1A1 - instead of the more modern Abrams M1A2, in order to shorten the delivery time of tanks. (Natural News) An unhinged leftist who threatened a reporter from the New York Post with a machete has surrendered to the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The Post reported that Shellyne Rodriguez, 45, turned herself in at the NYPDs 43rd Precinct in the morning of May 25. The former Hunter College adjunct professor wore black sunglasses while flanked by a handful of supporters. She was later escorted out of the precinct located in The Bronx just after 11 a.m. of the same day. Two days earlier, on May 23, Rodriguez threatened veteran reporter Reuven Fenton by holding a machete against his throat. He politely knocked on the door of her apartment on the morning of that day, informing Rodriguez that he was from the Post. Fenton wanted to ask her about her comments on a viral video of an incident she was involved in. Get the f**k away from my door, or Im [going to] chop you up with this machete, she threatened from inside. The unhinged leftist barged out seconds later, put the machete to Fentons neck and told the reporter to leave, before retreating and slamming the door shut. At this point, Fenton and his accompanying photographer Robert Miller who recorded Rodriguezs outburst immediately left. However, Rodriguez wanted blood and quickly followed the two. She threatened to use the bladed weapon on both the moment she sees them on the block one more time. Unsatisfied, she chased down Miller and kicked him in the shins before finally returning to her apartment. Hunter College terminated the leftist when news of the attack on Fenton and Miller surfaced. Vince DiMiceli, a spokesman for the institution, confirmed Rodriguezs firing in the afternoon of May 23. [The college] strongly condemns the unacceptable actions of Shellyne Rodriguez and has taken immediate action, he told the Post. [She] has been relieved of her duties at Hunter College effective immediately, and will not be returning to teach at the school. (Related: Lunatic left-wing pro-abortion NYC college professor fired after wielding machete against reporter.) Rodriguez plays the victim card The leftists woes began when a video from a May 2 incident at the college surfaced. The footage posted on Twitter by Students for Life of America featured Rodriguez raining profanities at pro-life students who set up an information table. Youre not educating s**t. This is f**king propaganda, she blurted out to the pro-life students that were informing people of the truth about abortion. What are you going to do? [Is] anti-trans next? A male student behind the table clarified that they were talking about abortion, and apologized for triggering her students. In reply, the erstwhile professor blasted the student telling him he couldnt be sorry because [he] cant even have a f**king baby. Rodriguez then tossed the students pamphlets before leaving. Rodriguez broke her silence on May 24, a day after threatening Fenton, and played the victim card. In a statement given to ARTnews magazine, the leftist blasted her former place of employment for capitulating to racists, white nationalists and misogynists. According to Rodriguez, the incident has taken a toll on [her] mental health. It has also reportedly robbed her of her sense of safety and created a reasonable fear that people will show up at [her] home to cause physical harm. She also slammed right wing media organizations for weaponizing and sensationalizing this case to further their agenda. One unnamed student expressed their concerns to the Post: Im concerned about the people theyre hiring as educators here. What process are they going through? This same student also attested how teachers in Hunter College are biased and very much against critical thought. An unnamed professor at the same institution commented on the now-fired Rodriguez: Shes nutty, [and] shes not alone. Weve got plenty of nuts here. Watch the New York Posts Reuven Fenton recounting to Fox News Sean Hannity how Shellyne Rodriguez threatened him and his cameraman. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Transgender activists attack biological females at pro-woman event in Washington state. Trump-supporting women attacked by Left-wing lunatics at swanky D.C. affair who called them c**ts and Nazis. WATCH: Aggressive pro-abortion professor vandalizes table at Hunter College, accuses pro-life students of violence. Sources include: NYPost.com 1 NYPost.com 2 ARTnews.com NYPost.com 3 Brighteon.com The new report emphasized the contribution of increased carbon emissions to the rising global temperatures and wildfires, as the researchers studied the role of cement manufacturers and 88 major fuels in the problem. Human-caused climate change has been a pressing concern for experts, environmentalists and scientists due to its impact on the environment and organisms. For the impact of climate change, Aljazeera reported that climate change played a crucial role in deaths. According to the United Nations (UN), report, extreme weather events contributed to about 2 million death, noting that poorer nations could suffer more from devastating weather events. Furthermore, the increased carbon emissions contributed to the problems of burned forests, affecting communities and animals. Wildfires and carbon emissions According to the research published in the Environmental Research Letters, the study explained that carbon emissions showed a significant contribution to 40% of the burned forests or wildfires in Southwestern Canada and the western United States. The initiative of the research is part of the extreme event attribution that studies the impact of global warming on extreme events, including The report noted that southwestern Canada and the western United States had an increase in burned areas due to wildfires. However, the report noted that non-climate factors were not included in the research, such as human-caused fires and indigenous burning. The researchers noted that they looked into the impact of the cement manufacturers and 88 major fossil fuels that could contribute to increasing global temperatures. The report was also published on the Phys.org website and Los Angeles Times. Meanwhile, researchers explained that the trees and brush water could become drained due to dry conditions, which could likely result in fire or wildfires. According to the report, study author Kristina Dahl said that people affected by wildfires could see the report as how companies could become accountable. Fossil fuel industry and wildfires To understand the impact of the fossil industry on the emergence of wildfires, the researchers said they looked into the studies tracing the carbon emissions of 88 fossil producers and cement producers. Also Read: Why Record-Breaking Heat Considered Global Health Concern In the last 120 years, the researchers estimated that about an increase of 48% of the vapor pressure deficit contributed. According to the report, vapor pressure deficit in Western North America means air could likely affect plants by drying them, which could become more vulnerable to wildfires. The researchers helped to link the impact of major carbon producers on wildfires, urging for accountability from companies. On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a risk of wildfires could emerge in dry areas and with high winds. WHO explained that wildfires could impact communities' communications, health systems, and delivery of essential supplies. Furthermore, the report noted that wildfires could affect the air quality in affected areas. WHO said t about 6.2 million people became affected due to volcanic activities and wildfires, from 1998 to 2017. Related Article: Warming Temperature in Europe Increased More Than Twice Over the Past 30 Years, New Report Reveals For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News. Brown recluse spiders are known to be one of the top three arachnids in North America with dangerous venom, the other two being the infamous black widow and Chilean recluse spiders. Experts before have acknowledged that any brown recluse spider bites need medical attention. This is because the bite of a spider carries necrotic venom, a toxin that causes the breakdown of tissue. Related cases in the past had resulted in reddish skin followed by a blister that emerges in and around the spider bite area. In other words, the bite mark looks like a red, swollen open wound. Health authorities also noted of other symptoms like dizziness, chills, fever, and nausea. However, one such case stood out among the rest. In a rare medical care study reported in April 2023, a Michigan man developed deep vein blood clots or recurring deep vein thrombosis, officially abbreviated as DVT. Health authorities believed the man survived following the attack and several times of checkups and procedures. While the medical conditions have been known for years as, this is reportedly the first case of its kind. Michigan Man Spider Bite In the case study published in the journal Clinical Case Reports, researchers became aware and acknowledged the rare case of the 'recurrent deep vein thrombosis' affecting a 45-year-old man from Michigan, United States, following the brown recluse spider bite. The research team also consider the case was complicated by 'medication non-compliance' and residual scar tissue, which was initially overlooked when the spider bite victim first sought the help of health authorities. The team aims to address this first-of-its-kind discovery to clinicians for them to be aware of the occurrent of deep vein thrombosis or DVT following the spider bite. Also Read: Deadliest Animals: Top 5 Most Dangerous Creatures You May Encounter in North Florida Symptoms and Treatment Based on the narrative, the Michigan man initially complained of experiencing pain and swelling on his left calf, as well as ulcers following the incident. Health officials gave him saline, morphine, and medicine against the blood clotting. The mentioned pain and swelling symptoms earlier persisted for the man, who also underwent a balloon thrombectomy and had stents placed in several of his affected veins. Due to his reported medical non-compliance, the patient returned several times even with medications until a venous thromboembolism clinic's doctors discovered the man had scar tissue in his veins, Live Science summarized. Prior to the treatment, the patient's past medical history of asthma, active smoking, and alcohol consumption were also presented to the emergency department. The patient also disclosed his family history experienced AIDS and breast cancer. However, he assured his family had no history of thromboembolism, bleeding, or clotting disorders, the Clinical Case Reports study says. Brown Recluse Spider The study is based on prevailing medical procedures when it comes to a brown recluse spider bite. Such procedures currently do not mention DVT as a serious health risk following a bite from the said Loxosceles reclusa spider species. Brown recluse spiders can be found in the Southeast and Midwest regions of the U.S., where they prefer to live in dry, warm, and dark places. The spider is not aggressive but will bite anyone it deemed as a threat, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Related Article: New Englanders, Beware of Common Spider with Possibly Venomous Bite After coming into contact with a visitor to Yellowstone National Park, a newborn bison calf had to be euthanized as per park official decisions. Why Euthanize a Newborn Bison Calf? In response to yet another unpleasant incident between a park visitor and animals, officials at Yellowstone National Park claim they faced the decision to euthanize a newborn bison calf. According to the news release, a bison calf was disturbed on Saturday night by an unidentified man after getting separated from its mother and herd while crossing the Lamar River in the park. The man pushed the calf out of the river and onto the road as it fought, according to NPS in the news release. Visitors later observed the calf approaching and trailing both cars and people, posing a danger to those in the area, according to NPS. According to NPS, human interference can cause animals to reject their progeny. The bison calf had been abandoned by its herd and posed a danger to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians along the road, so park rangers decided to put it to death after failing to reconcile it with its herd, CNN reports. Yellowstone National Park Visitor According to park laws, visitors must maintain a distance of at least 25 yards from bison, elk, and the majority of other animals, and 100 yards from bears and wolves. According to NPS, approaching animals in their natural habitat can compromise their survival and general well-being. In the news release, Yellowstone National Park included a picture of the man who was bringing the bison calf out of the river. According to Yellowstone National Park, if the individual is found guilty of any misconduct, he could be punished with a Class B misdemeanor and face up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. According to the park, the charge would also include approaching wildlife and disturbing wildlife. Also Read: Drought in Missouri River Bares Fossil of Ancient Bison Skull Around 10,000 Years Old Bison The bison is the biggest land mammal in North America and can reach heights of six feet. A female can weigh up to 900 pounds, whereas a man can weigh up to a ton. Bison can be recognized by several distinctive characteristics in addition to their enormous size. The hump on their backs is one of the most prominent features of a bison. Their dark brown fur, which can become very long, particularly on the face and head, is another distinguishing feature. In addition, bison develop a long beard and mane. A bison's head is enormous and has a substantial skull. When fighting, bison collide their heads or horns. The small, curving, black horns on male and female bison can reach a length of two feet. Bison originally roamed across a large portion of North America, which included central Canada and the majority of the interior United States, prior to human influence. The beaches and deserts were the only areas free of bison. Savannas, open plains, and grasslands are favorites of American bison. Even though they are enormous, bison still have to be concerned about predators. A wolf group or grizzly bear can easily feast on buffalo calves, according to The National Wildlife Federation. Related Article: Bears Done Hibernating in Yellowstone, Officials Warn Visitors The Great Blue Hole off the coast of Belize has been a popular tourist attraction for years, skydiving towards the giant marine sinkhole has been a thing nowadays. It is in the Mesoamerican Reef and near the middle part of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll situated 70 kilometers from Belize City and the mainland. Reports estimate it is over 300 meters wide and 124 meters deep. Despite the popularity of the Blue Hole, no one previously know its formation and what is found at its bottom for a long time until Virgin group of company founder Richard Branson and ocean conservationist Fabien Cousteau went for a deep dive on a live broadcast in recent years. What they found has been remarkable but no hiding megalodons or unknown monstrous sea creatures. What is Under the Blue Hole? Branson and Cousteau in December 2018 launched their challenging expedition using two submarines, with the goal of finding what lies at the bottom of the "mysterious hole," which was discovered by underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau in 1971, Australia's Nationwide News reported. The expedition's chief pilot Erika Bergman, during an interview with CNN Travel, said the discovery was "really cool" and they captured images to construct the first 3D map of the Great Blue Hole, as cited by the Australian news outlet. Based on the CNN Travel interview, Bergman disclosed one of the most exciting discoveries was "never-before-seen" stalactites, mineral formations which are shaped like icicles at a depth of around 407 feet and very near in the blue hole's seabed. On the other hand, the expedition team found some mysterious, unidentified tracks at the lowest depth of the hole, which Bergman said to remain for "open interpretation." In addition to the bizarre findings, tropical fish communities and coral formations were also present in the underwater hole. Also Read: Massive Great White Shark High-Fives Diver [VIDEO] Great Belize Blue Hole Broadcasted globally on the Discovery Channel, the expedition was the first submersible dive to the hole's bottom along the said Mesoamerican Reef, which is the world's second-largest barrier reef network. The group was also present in the area at that time to support the work of Ocean Unite, which aims to raise public awareness of protecting at least 30% of Earth's ocean by 2030, according to the website Lonely Planet. Marine Sinkhole Formation Just like the blue hole, sinkholes in general form when different types of rocks, salt beds, and others are naturally dissolved by water circulating through them, according to the United States Geological Survey. When rock dissolves, the development of spaces and caverns underground is revealed, normally in a circular shape. In the case of the Belize Great Blue Hole, there are theories suggesting that the area's water levels were significantly lower before. The sinkhole initially formed as a limestone cave during the latest glacial period. When the ocean water levels started to rise, the cave system was flooded and collapsed, which resulted in a "vertical cave" under the ocean, according to Atlas Obscura. Related Article: Belize's 'Blue Hole' Holds Clues to Collapse of Mayan Civilization Volker: West failed to grasp the fact that Russia was preparing for full-scale war in Ukraine all these years In recent years, the West has failed to grasp the fact that Russia was preparing for a full-scale war in Ukraine, and continued building up relations with the Kremlin. This turned out to be a grave mistake, Kurt Volker, the Special Representative of the U.S. Government for Negotiations on Ukraine in 2017-2019, said. We failed to adequately react to the little green men in Crimea and Donbas, because we really could not think or believe that Russia was trying to steal territories from Ukraine, he said during the 15th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Open Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation. The Europeans did not supply weapons to Ukraine because they did not want to add fuel to the flame, we did not supply weapons to Ukraine until 2017 because we feared escalation of the conflict. During the Minsk negotiations, we claimed that we wanted Ukraine to implement and adopt the respective laws stipulated by the Minsk agreements. Still, no requirements were put to Russia, even though it failed implement the sole commitment of ceasefire Russia was preparing for the next war, said Volker. According to him, due to the lack of awareness of this threat, the West has lost a lot of time and has not done anything that could make the war in Ukraine not attractive to Russia. I have to give credit to the Biden administration because they stood ready for a full-scale invasion and started arming Ukraine. Naturally, it might have been worth doing on a larger scale, and now it ought to be done on a much larger scale. Nevertheless, the United States and Europe have finally united in a true partnership regarding Ukraine, and this way we are rescuing the future of all European security, said Volker. The Kyiv Security Forum was held in the Ukrainian capital on May 25-26. Kings Lynns YMCA bus hailed a life-saver Kings Lynns YMCA bus hailed a life-saver YMCA Norfolks SOS Bus service in Kings Lynn has supporting more than 24,000 people in the last year, and has been praised by members of the public as a life saver to the local community. The SOS Bus, commissioned and funded by the Integrated Care Board, operates every Friday and Saturday night from 9pm until late within the night-time economy of Kings Lynn town centre. A dedicated team of community engagement workers offers a wide variety of support and advice in partnership with local agencies, providing help to those in a crisis or in need of emergency assistance, offering a much-needed alternative to calling emergency service units which are under mounting pressure. In the last year, the service has interacted with 24,562 people through offering food parcels, clothes and first aid as well as somewhere to seek advice around safe sex, drug and alcohol abuse, cost of living and mental health crisis situations. The SOS team have also de-escalated many pre-arrest situations, preventing local police from having to spend extra time and resource on arresting and charging those in a drunk and disorderly state. They also provide medical support and first aid to those with injured or unwell to avoid adding to NHS A&E pressures and wait-times. One service user commented: I had my drink spiked on a Saturday night in a club in Kings Lynn, and the SOS Bus team assisted me outside the club for over 2 hours. I cant thank them enough for the service you provided, the team saved my life and for that I am truly grateful. In the last year the service has not only seen a rise in the overall number of users accessing the SOS bus services but have also seen an increase in families and elderly people asking for clothing, warmth and food parcels. Kate-Kemp Small, YMCA Norfolk SOS Bus Project Lead, said: Its becoming more and more evident how much charitable and community projects are needed to relieve pressures off emergency services and the NHS, and without services such as the SOS Bus, members of the public have admitted to us that they would have had to go days without eating, self-harmed or ended up in highly dangerous situations such as drink-driving. While were proud to have managed to support so many people in the last year, weve also first-hand witnessed how tough times are for many in the current climate. The SOS Bus team are currently recruiting for volunteers and would love to hear from committed, passionate individuals who are looking to make a difference in their local community. For further information, please email sosbus@ymcanorfolk.org The photo is courtesy of YMCA Norfolk. Tony Rothe, 27/05/2023 The International Bar Association (IBA) has adopted a resolution calling on UN member states to support the creation of a special international tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, the Prosecutor Generals Office (PGO) said. "Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin thanked IBA President Almudena Arpon de Mendivil Aldama and Executive Director Mark Ellis for this decisive step," the Prosecutor General's Office said on theTelegram channel on Saturday. "Justice should not be limited to punishing ordinary performers. Their leaders, who used their power to unleash this flywheel of evil, should be brought before the court. The Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression is the best possible tool to put an end to the impunity of the top of this criminal regime," Kostin said, quoted by the press service of the Office. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: A Class 10 student died under mysterious circumstances after she allegedly fell from the terrace of the school in Ayodhya on Friday. The UP Police have registered a case against three persons including the school manager Brijesh Yadav, principal Rashmi Bhatia, and PT teacher Abhishek Kannojia, invoking sections pertaining to gang rape, destruction of evidence, murder and also under the POCSO Act on the basis of the complaint lodged by victims father on Saturday. The police have already arrested the PT teacher and are investigating him. The body of the deceased was sent for autopsy examination which is being conducted by a panel of three doctors and the entire procedure is being videographed. The incident happened at the Sunbeam School on Ayodhya-Rae Bareilly Road in the Cantt area of the temple town at around 8.45 am on Friday. According to the parents, the victim was called to school by the principal regarding an article for the school magazine even as the school was shut for summer vacations on Friday morning. The victim, who used to live in the Usru locality left for school at 8:30 am. At around 10 am, the victims father Sanjeev Srivastava, an employee of a petroleum company, got a call from school authorities informing him that his daughter Ananya had fallen from a swing and had sustained serious injuries. Srivastava rushed to the hospital where his daughter Ananya was taken by the school authorities. After battling for her life the whole day, she succumbed to her injuries on Friday at 5 pm. Later the family approached the police authorities suspecting foul play with the dubious role of school authorities including the manager, principal and PT teacher. The parents alleged that the body of their daughter bore several injury marks on her hands, feet and hips. They claimed that her face was swollen and her eyes were injured which could be a result of an assault. The police scanned CCTV footage and found that the girl fell from the third floor. Contradicting the school authorities' claim, the victims father refused to accept that his daughter died after falling off a swing as it was only one-and-a-half feet high. According to police sources, the principal tried to mislead the family of the deceased by claiming that the death was due to falling from the swing. They added that the traces of blood were also removed from the place where the girl had allegedly fallen. Ananyas mother Ruchi Srivastava a government council school teacher in Siddharthnagar was visiting her parents in Indore along with her younger daughter. The school principal Rashmi Bhatia remained incommunicado. CO City Shailendra Singh said that as per the CCTV footage, Ananya died after falling from the third floor of the school. Moreover, the spectacles and mobile of the deceased found on the spot were not broken. LUCKNOW: A Class 10 student died under mysterious circumstances after she allegedly fell from the terrace of the school in Ayodhya on Friday. The UP Police have registered a case against three persons including the school manager Brijesh Yadav, principal Rashmi Bhatia, and PT teacher Abhishek Kannojia, invoking sections pertaining to gang rape, destruction of evidence, murder and also under the POCSO Act on the basis of the complaint lodged by victims father on Saturday. The police have already arrested the PT teacher and are investigating him. The body of the deceased was sent for autopsy examination which is being conducted by a panel of three doctors and the entire procedure is being videographed. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The incident happened at the Sunbeam School on Ayodhya-Rae Bareilly Road in the Cantt area of the temple town at around 8.45 am on Friday. According to the parents, the victim was called to school by the principal regarding an article for the school magazine even as the school was shut for summer vacations on Friday morning. The victim, who used to live in the Usru locality left for school at 8:30 am. At around 10 am, the victims father Sanjeev Srivastava, an employee of a petroleum company, got a call from school authorities informing him that his daughter Ananya had fallen from a swing and had sustained serious injuries. Srivastava rushed to the hospital where his daughter Ananya was taken by the school authorities. After battling for her life the whole day, she succumbed to her injuries on Friday at 5 pm. Later the family approached the police authorities suspecting foul play with the dubious role of school authorities including the manager, principal and PT teacher. The parents alleged that the body of their daughter bore several injury marks on her hands, feet and hips. They claimed that her face was swollen and her eyes were injured which could be a result of an assault. The police scanned CCTV footage and found that the girl fell from the third floor. Contradicting the school authorities' claim, the victims father refused to accept that his daughter died after falling off a swing as it was only one-and-a-half feet high. According to police sources, the principal tried to mislead the family of the deceased by claiming that the death was due to falling from the swing. They added that the traces of blood were also removed from the place where the girl had allegedly fallen. Ananyas mother Ruchi Srivastava a government council school teacher in Siddharthnagar was visiting her parents in Indore along with her younger daughter. The school principal Rashmi Bhatia remained incommunicado. CO City Shailendra Singh said that as per the CCTV footage, Ananya died after falling from the third floor of the school. Moreover, the spectacles and mobile of the deceased found on the spot were not broken. Narendra Sethi By Express News Service DEHRADUN: The three-day meeting of the Anti-corruption Working Group (ACWG) under the G20 India Presidency concluded on Saturday at the Tehri, Uttarakhand. There have been intensive and productive deliberations on several key focal areas pertaining to asset recovery, fugitive economic offenders, formal and informal channels of cooperation for information sharing, institutional frameworks for combating corruption and mutual legal assistance among others, the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry said. The meeting which began in Narendranagar (Tehri Garhwal) inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt on May 25 was attended by over 90 delegates from 20 member countries, 10 invited countries and nine international organisations. The meeting had wide participation including UNODC, OECD, Egmont Group, Interpol and IMF. It was chaired by Rahul Singh, Additional Secretary, DoPT and President of G-20 ACWG and co-chaired by Giovanni Tartaglia, Co-Chair of The G-20 ACWG, Italy and Fabrizio Marcelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. On the inaugural day of the ACWG, a unique side event on 'Gender and Corruption' was held. Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi delivered the keynote address. During the event, national and international experts and practitioners deliberated on the gender aspects of corruption, the ways in which women empowerment is intrinsically linked to anti-corruption initiatives and the need for gender sensitive governance and policy making. The delegates got a flavour of the countrys rich culture, heritage and cuisine during their stay in Rishikesh, it said, adding that India looks forward to hosting the delegates again in Kolkata during August 9-11 for the third ACWG meeting. India will also host the first-ever in-person anti-corruption ministerial meeting to provide further impetus to the G20 agenda of bolstering the international fight against corruption, the statement said. The first ACWG meeting was held from March 1-3 in Gurugram. (With inputs from PTI) DEHRADUN: The three-day meeting of the Anti-corruption Working Group (ACWG) under the G20 India Presidency concluded on Saturday at the Tehri, Uttarakhand. There have been intensive and productive deliberations on several key focal areas pertaining to asset recovery, fugitive economic offenders, formal and informal channels of cooperation for information sharing, institutional frameworks for combating corruption and mutual legal assistance among others, the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry said. The meeting which began in Narendranagar (Tehri Garhwal) inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt on May 25 was attended by over 90 delegates from 20 member countries, 10 invited countries and nine international organisations.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The meeting had wide participation including UNODC, OECD, Egmont Group, Interpol and IMF. It was chaired by Rahul Singh, Additional Secretary, DoPT and President of G-20 ACWG and co-chaired by Giovanni Tartaglia, Co-Chair of The G-20 ACWG, Italy and Fabrizio Marcelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. On the inaugural day of the ACWG, a unique side event on 'Gender and Corruption' was held. Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi delivered the keynote address. During the event, national and international experts and practitioners deliberated on the gender aspects of corruption, the ways in which women empowerment is intrinsically linked to anti-corruption initiatives and the need for gender sensitive governance and policy making. The delegates got a flavour of the countrys rich culture, heritage and cuisine during their stay in Rishikesh, it said, adding that India looks forward to hosting the delegates again in Kolkata during August 9-11 for the third ACWG meeting. India will also host the first-ever in-person anti-corruption ministerial meeting to provide further impetus to the G20 agenda of bolstering the international fight against corruption, the statement said. The first ACWG meeting was held from March 1-3 in Gurugram. (With inputs from PTI) By Express News Service BHOPAL: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the state polices anti-terrorism squad (ATS) have busted an alleged ISIS-linked terror module after overnight raids in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The module was planning to carry out 'violent jihad' in the country. The raids were carried out at 13 locations mostly in Jabalpurs Omti police station area on Friday-Saturday night, leading to the arrest of three alleged ISIS sympathisers, Syed Mamoor Ali, Mohd. Adil Khan and Mohd. Shahid. The NIA-MP ATS joint operation came two days after the countrys counter terrorism agency registered a case during a probe into the pro-ISIS activities of Mohd. Adil Khan, who came to the agencys notice in August 2022. The arrested trio were produced before the designated NIA court in Bhopal on Saturday. As per the prosecution counsel, the three men have been booked under Section 120B and Section 295-A of the IPC. The court has remanded them into NIA custody till June 3. As per NIA sources, a host of sharp-edged weapons, ammunition (including prohibited bore), incriminating documents and digital devices have been seized during the searches. The primary probe suggests that Adil and his associates were involved in disseminating ISIS propaganda through social media platforms, as well as through on-ground Dawah programmes, in order to unleash violent terror attacks in India at the instance of ISIS. For the furtherance of their violent designs across the country, the trio were in contact with a Jabalpur-based illegal arms supplier and were trying to get pistols, IEDs and grenades. The module had been conducting meetings in local mosques and houses and hatching plans and conspiracies to spread terror in the country. The three men were highly radicalized and engaged in collecting funds, disseminating ISIS propaganda material, motivating and recruiting youth. Among the arrested trio, Syed Mamoor Ali had created a local group by the name of Fisabilillah and was also operating a WhatsApp group with the same name. Along with his associates, he was trying to procure pistols. Adil, a staunch ISIS follower and supporter, had managed to assemble an active group of Jabalpur-based like-minded radicalised individuals. Some of the module members were already contemplating Hijrat (flight) to conflict theatres, while others had plans to form a local outfit for carrying out violent jihad in India, according to the NIA investigations. He was also running multiple YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp channels for motivating and recruiting youth into the ISIS fold. BHOPAL: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the state polices anti-terrorism squad (ATS) have busted an alleged ISIS-linked terror module after overnight raids in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The module was planning to carry out 'violent jihad' in the country. The raids were carried out at 13 locations mostly in Jabalpurs Omti police station area on Friday-Saturday night, leading to the arrest of three alleged ISIS sympathisers, Syed Mamoor Ali, Mohd. Adil Khan and Mohd. Shahid. The NIA-MP ATS joint operation came two days after the countrys counter terrorism agency registered a case during a probe into the pro-ISIS activities of Mohd. Adil Khan, who came to the agencys notice in August 2022.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The arrested trio were produced before the designated NIA court in Bhopal on Saturday. As per the prosecution counsel, the three men have been booked under Section 120B and Section 295-A of the IPC. The court has remanded them into NIA custody till June 3. As per NIA sources, a host of sharp-edged weapons, ammunition (including prohibited bore), incriminating documents and digital devices have been seized during the searches. The primary probe suggests that Adil and his associates were involved in disseminating ISIS propaganda through social media platforms, as well as through on-ground Dawah programmes, in order to unleash violent terror attacks in India at the instance of ISIS. For the furtherance of their violent designs across the country, the trio were in contact with a Jabalpur-based illegal arms supplier and were trying to get pistols, IEDs and grenades. The module had been conducting meetings in local mosques and houses and hatching plans and conspiracies to spread terror in the country. The three men were highly radicalized and engaged in collecting funds, disseminating ISIS propaganda material, motivating and recruiting youth. Among the arrested trio, Syed Mamoor Ali had created a local group by the name of Fisabilillah and was also operating a WhatsApp group with the same name. Along with his associates, he was trying to procure pistols. Adil, a staunch ISIS follower and supporter, had managed to assemble an active group of Jabalpur-based like-minded radicalised individuals. Some of the module members were already contemplating Hijrat (flight) to conflict theatres, while others had plans to form a local outfit for carrying out violent jihad in India, according to the NIA investigations. He was also running multiple YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp channels for motivating and recruiting youth into the ISIS fold. Sudhir Suryawanshi By Express News Service A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe has revealed that journalist Shashikant Warishe was deliberately run over by real estate dealer Pandharinath Amberkar in Maharashtra in February. According to the chargesheet filed by the SIT, Amberkar was furious with Warishe over a story in the Mahanagari Times, a Marathi daily. The protesting farmers against the proposed oil refinery asked the chief minister and deputy minister whose photographs are displayed along with the CM and DCM on banners. The CM and DCM should check the background of this particular person. He is a serious criminal, stated the story, referring to Amberkar. Amberkar supported the setting up of the Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (RRPCL) in Barsu, which was opposed by a section of locals. On February 7, he drove his Mahindra Thar on the wrong side of the road at Khondwali in Rajapur tehsil, then intentionally and deliberately mowed down Warishe's Activa two-wheeler while the scribe was waiting at a petrol pump in Ratnagiri district, dragging him for several metres before fleeing from the spot. Warishe was taken by locals to Kolhapur hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. As per the chargesheet, Amberkar has been charged under IPC sections 301 (imprisonment for life punishment for the crime of death) and 201(Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and Maharashtra media person and media institutions (prevention of violence and damage or loss to property) Act 2017, section 4. Earlier, various journalist associations in Mumbai staged a protest near Mantralaya over Warishe's murder and demanded that the case be fast-tracked. They also demanded that the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act be invoked in the case. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe has revealed that journalist Shashikant Warishe was deliberately run over by real estate dealer Pandharinath Amberkar in Maharashtra in February. According to the chargesheet filed by the SIT, Amberkar was furious with Warishe over a story in the Mahanagari Times, a Marathi daily. The protesting farmers against the proposed oil refinery asked the chief minister and deputy minister whose photographs are displayed along with the CM and DCM on banners. The CM and DCM should check the background of this particular person. He is a serious criminal, stated the story, referring to Amberkar.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Amberkar supported the setting up of the Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (RRPCL) in Barsu, which was opposed by a section of locals. On February 7, he drove his Mahindra Thar on the wrong side of the road at Khondwali in Rajapur tehsil, then intentionally and deliberately mowed down Warishe's Activa two-wheeler while the scribe was waiting at a petrol pump in Ratnagiri district, dragging him for several metres before fleeing from the spot. Warishe was taken by locals to Kolhapur hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. As per the chargesheet, Amberkar has been charged under IPC sections 301 (imprisonment for life punishment for the crime of death) and 201(Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and Maharashtra media person and media institutions (prevention of violence and damage or loss to property) Act 2017, section 4. Earlier, various journalist associations in Mumbai staged a protest near Mantralaya over Warishe's murder and demanded that the case be fast-tracked. They also demanded that the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act be invoked in the case. By IANS NEW DELHI: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of the party leaders on May 29 to discuss whether the party needs to support Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the Centre's ordinance to negate the Supreme Court judgement on placing 'services' under the control of the state government in the national capital. According to party sources, Kharge has called a meeting of the party leaders to discuss the issue on May 29 at 10.30 a.m. The meeting comes in the wake of the request from Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi over the ordinance issue. In a tweet on Friday, Kejriwal said, "Sought time this morning to meet Congress President Kharge ji and Rahul Gandhi ji to seek Congress support in Parliament against undemocratic and unconstitutional ordinance passed by BJP government and also to discuss the general assault on the federal structure and prevailing political situation." After the request from the AAP leader, Congress sources on Friday said that the party is still considering his request. On Monday night, Congress general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said, "The Congress Party has not taken any decision on the issue of the Ordinance brought against the SC judgment on the powers of the Government of NCT of Delhi with respect to the appointment of officers. It will consult its state units and other like-minded parties on the same. The Party believes in the Rule of Law and at the same time does not condone unnecessary confrontation, political witch-hunt and campaigns based on lies against political opponents by any political party." Many Congress leaders from Delhi and Punjab have opposed supporting Kejriwal over the issue. Senior Congress leaders like Ajay Maken, Sandeep Dikshit and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had already echoed that the party should not support AAP. Kejriwal has already met Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal(U) leader Nitish Kumar along with his deputy and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on May 21. Both the leaders have announced to support the AAP over the ordinance issue. On Tuesday, Kejriwal travelled to West Bengal to meet his counterpart and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and seek her support. Banerjee also announced her support for the AAP leader. The AAP leaders also travelled to Maharashtra and met former chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar separately. Both leaders have also extended their support to Kejriwal's party. Kejriwal is also supposed to travel to Hyderabad to meet Bharath Rashtra Samithi leader and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao seeking his support over the issue on Saturday. Kejriwal has last week urged the opposition parties to not let the Bill over the ordinance to pass in Rajya Sabha for the people of Delhi. The Central government has brought an ordinance to set up a permanent authority known as the National Capital Civil Service Authority whose chairperson will be Delhi chief minister, who, along with the chief secretary, Delhi, Principal Secretary (Home), Delhi, will make recommendations to the Delhi L-G regarding matters concerning transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters. However, in case of a difference of opinion, the decision of the L-G shall be final. ALSO READ | AAP slams Delhi Congress for 'politics of convenience' on Centre's ordinance on Delhi services On May 11, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court ruled that it is ideal to hold that a democratically elected Delhi government should have control over its officers and the L-G is bound by the advice of the elected government in everything other than public order, police, and land. The top court stressed that if the government is not able to control and hold to account the officers posted in its service, then its responsibility towards the legislature, as well as the public, is diluted. The ordinance came after the apex court gave the Delhi government control in services matters, including transfer and posting of officers. NEW DELHI: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of the party leaders on May 29 to discuss whether the party needs to support Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the Centre's ordinance to negate the Supreme Court judgement on placing 'services' under the control of the state government in the national capital. According to party sources, Kharge has called a meeting of the party leaders to discuss the issue on May 29 at 10.30 a.m. The meeting comes in the wake of the request from Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi over the ordinance issue.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In a tweet on Friday, Kejriwal said, "Sought time this morning to meet Congress President Kharge ji and Rahul Gandhi ji to seek Congress support in Parliament against undemocratic and unconstitutional ordinance passed by BJP government and also to discuss the general assault on the federal structure and prevailing political situation." After the request from the AAP leader, Congress sources on Friday said that the party is still considering his request. On Monday night, Congress general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said, "The Congress Party has not taken any decision on the issue of the Ordinance brought against the SC judgment on the powers of the Government of NCT of Delhi with respect to the appointment of officers. It will consult its state units and other like-minded parties on the same. The Party believes in the Rule of Law and at the same time does not condone unnecessary confrontation, political witch-hunt and campaigns based on lies against political opponents by any political party." Many Congress leaders from Delhi and Punjab have opposed supporting Kejriwal over the issue. Senior Congress leaders like Ajay Maken, Sandeep Dikshit and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had already echoed that the party should not support AAP. Kejriwal has already met Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal(U) leader Nitish Kumar along with his deputy and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on May 21. Both the leaders have announced to support the AAP over the ordinance issue. On Tuesday, Kejriwal travelled to West Bengal to meet his counterpart and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and seek her support. Banerjee also announced her support for the AAP leader. The AAP leaders also travelled to Maharashtra and met former chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar separately. Both leaders have also extended their support to Kejriwal's party. Kejriwal is also supposed to travel to Hyderabad to meet Bharath Rashtra Samithi leader and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao seeking his support over the issue on Saturday. Kejriwal has last week urged the opposition parties to not let the Bill over the ordinance to pass in Rajya Sabha for the people of Delhi. The Central government has brought an ordinance to set up a permanent authority known as the National Capital Civil Service Authority whose chairperson will be Delhi chief minister, who, along with the chief secretary, Delhi, Principal Secretary (Home), Delhi, will make recommendations to the Delhi L-G regarding matters concerning transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters. However, in case of a difference of opinion, the decision of the L-G shall be final. ALSO READ | AAP slams Delhi Congress for 'politics of convenience' on Centre's ordinance on Delhi services On May 11, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court ruled that it is ideal to hold that a democratically elected Delhi government should have control over its officers and the L-G is bound by the advice of the elected government in everything other than public order, police, and land. The top court stressed that if the government is not able to control and hold to account the officers posted in its service, then its responsibility towards the legislature, as well as the public, is diluted. The ordinance came after the apex court gave the Delhi government control in services matters, including transfer and posting of officers. By PTI PATNA: Amid Opposition call for boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday asserted that there is "no need" for a new Parliament building. The new Parliament building is an attempt to write a new history by those who had no contribution to the freedom struggle, he told reporters here. Kumar also expressed dismay over President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar, who is also the chairman of Rajya Sabha, not being invited to the function. JD(U), of which he is a senior leader, has announced that it will boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday. The party will observe a day-long fast here on the day to protest the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There is no need for a new Parliament building...Those who had no contribution to the country's fight for independence are trying to distort history. It is quite surprising that the President of India and the Vice-President, who is the chairman of Rajya Sabha, have not been invited to the inauguration programme," Kumar, who had been a cabinet minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee, told reporters here. "JD(U) strongly holds that the president is an important part of the country's parliamentary system. As the president, Droupadi Murmu holds the highest constitutional post in the country and she should have been invited by the Narendra Modi government to inaugurate the new Parliament. building," the party's state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha told reporters here on Saturday. Asked about his decision to skip the Niti Aayog meeting in Delhi on Saturday, Kumar said, "It was in the morning and I had other engagements in Patna during the day...Therefore I could not go to Delhi. Had the meeting been held in the afternoon, I would have attended it. I sent a list of ministers and officials who could attend the meeting, but there was no response from the Centre. So no representative from Bihar is attending today's meeting". ALSO READ | Not BJP or RSS office: Former PM and JDS supremo Deve Gowda to attend Parliament inauguration On the Reserve Bank of India's decision to withdraw Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation after September 30, 2023, Kumar said, "First one thousand currency notes were withdrawn and now Rs 2000...I fail to understand their intentions". To questions on a likely meeting of non-BJP parties here to discuss opposition unity before the coming Lok Sabha elections, he said, "We will talk about it later". Kumar had met Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee in March who asked him to hold a meeting of the opposition parties in Patna in May end. PATNA: Amid Opposition call for boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday asserted that there is "no need" for a new Parliament building. The new Parliament building is an attempt to write a new history by those who had no contribution to the freedom struggle, he told reporters here. Kumar also expressed dismay over President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar, who is also the chairman of Rajya Sabha, not being invited to the function.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); JD(U), of which he is a senior leader, has announced that it will boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday. The party will observe a day-long fast here on the day to protest the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There is no need for a new Parliament building...Those who had no contribution to the country's fight for independence are trying to distort history. It is quite surprising that the President of India and the Vice-President, who is the chairman of Rajya Sabha, have not been invited to the inauguration programme," Kumar, who had been a cabinet minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee, told reporters here. "JD(U) strongly holds that the president is an important part of the country's parliamentary system. As the president, Droupadi Murmu holds the highest constitutional post in the country and she should have been invited by the Narendra Modi government to inaugurate the new Parliament. building," the party's state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha told reporters here on Saturday. Asked about his decision to skip the Niti Aayog meeting in Delhi on Saturday, Kumar said, "It was in the morning and I had other engagements in Patna during the day...Therefore I could not go to Delhi. Had the meeting been held in the afternoon, I would have attended it. I sent a list of ministers and officials who could attend the meeting, but there was no response from the Centre. So no representative from Bihar is attending today's meeting". ALSO READ | Not BJP or RSS office: Former PM and JDS supremo Deve Gowda to attend Parliament inauguration On the Reserve Bank of India's decision to withdraw Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation after September 30, 2023, Kumar said, "First one thousand currency notes were withdrawn and now Rs 2000...I fail to understand their intentions". To questions on a likely meeting of non-BJP parties here to discuss opposition unity before the coming Lok Sabha elections, he said, "We will talk about it later". Kumar had met Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee in March who asked him to hold a meeting of the opposition parties in Patna in May end. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: India is continuing to strengthen its relationships with African nations, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh scheduled to visit Nigeria between May 28-30. Rajnath will attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29. He will also meet the outgoing Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari during a reception hosted by him on May 28. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in a statement said, This will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Nigeria. The Defence Ministers visit will be an important landmark in building the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries. Considering the growing defence cooperation between India and Nigeria, senior officers of the MoD and top leaders of important defence PSUs will accompany Rajnath. They will hold meetings with representatives from the Nigerian industry and the Armed Forces to identify the equipment and platforms, through which the Indian defence industry can support the countrys requirements, the MoD added. Nigeria has an estimated 50,000 members of the Indian community. Rajnath will address the Indian diaspora at Abuja during the visit. India has been taking initiatives to strengthen India-Africa ties. It hosted the first nine-day India-African Chiefs Conclave in Pune in March in which chiefs of over 20 African armies took part. The inaugural Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019 was also held in Pune, with 20 African nations participating. Continuing with Indias focus on strengthening the defence ties, a similar conclave was held on the sidelines of the DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow. The Lucknow Declaration was issued that laid down the future path of cooperation between India and African nations in the defence sphere. Building on the Lucknow declaration, the India-Africa defence dialogue was started at Gandhinagar on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022. Fifty African countries, including 20 Defence Ministers, seven CDS/service chiefs and eight permanent secretaries participated in the dialogue attesting to the high priority accorded to India-Africa engagement in defence and security. NEW DELHI: India is continuing to strengthen its relationships with African nations, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh scheduled to visit Nigeria between May 28-30. Rajnath will attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29. He will also meet the outgoing Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari during a reception hosted by him on May 28. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in a statement said, This will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Nigeria. The Defence Ministers visit will be an important landmark in building the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Considering the growing defence cooperation between India and Nigeria, senior officers of the MoD and top leaders of important defence PSUs will accompany Rajnath. They will hold meetings with representatives from the Nigerian industry and the Armed Forces to identify the equipment and platforms, through which the Indian defence industry can support the countrys requirements, the MoD added. Nigeria has an estimated 50,000 members of the Indian community. Rajnath will address the Indian diaspora at Abuja during the visit. India has been taking initiatives to strengthen India-Africa ties. It hosted the first nine-day India-African Chiefs Conclave in Pune in March in which chiefs of over 20 African armies took part. The inaugural Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019 was also held in Pune, with 20 African nations participating. Continuing with Indias focus on strengthening the defence ties, a similar conclave was held on the sidelines of the DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow. The Lucknow Declaration was issued that laid down the future path of cooperation between India and African nations in the defence sphere. Building on the Lucknow declaration, the India-Africa defence dialogue was started at Gandhinagar on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022. Fifty African countries, including 20 Defence Ministers, seven CDS/service chiefs and eight permanent secretaries participated in the dialogue attesting to the high priority accorded to India-Africa engagement in defence and security. Dilip Singh Kshatriya By Express News Service AHMEDABAD: A rally was convened in Gujarat's Ahmedabad demanding that the tribals who have converted to other religions must no longer enjoy the privileges of the communities. Janjati Suraksha Manch, a tribal organization in charge of organizing the protest, claimed that since 2006 different tribes have organized agitations around the nation demanding that those who have converted to Islam or Christianity be denied certain privileges. Janjati Suraksha Manch's official press release stated that According to the Padmashri Bajaj report, more than 70% of the benefits available to Scheduled Castes (STs) are being taken by converts. The true tribals have been wronged for the last 75 years," a press release note read. The group claimed that the converted members tend to enjoy both tribal and minority privileges. It stated in its statement that in 2022, they held conventions at the district level across the country and presented a memorandum to more than 452 MPs. Similar protests are being planned to be carried throughout the nation. District judge Prakash Uikey from Madhya Pradesh, Rajkishore Hansda, National Co-Coordinator of Jan Jajurti Suraksha Manch, Yashoda Didi, who works for the upliftment of girls' hostels and tribal communities in South Gujarat, and Ram Chandra Kharadi, who belongs to the Gayatri Parivar spoke during the Sinh Garjana 'De-listing Maha Rally'. The Congress labelled the issue as a 'politically motivated and divisive movement' in tribal society. Congress MLA from Dang and Gujarat Congress ST cell head Anant Patel told the TNIE that these issues are not really brought up for the welfare of the tribals but to divide and turn them against each other. "Tribals worship nature and do not practice any particular religion. Thus, conversion to another must be tolerated. One's religion has nothing to do with their financial situation." If they really want to talk about tribal issues, they should talk about the forest lands right issues in Gujarat, where the government is taking away tribal communitys land, he added. AHMEDABAD: A rally was convened in Gujarat's Ahmedabad demanding that the tribals who have converted to other religions must no longer enjoy the privileges of the communities. Janjati Suraksha Manch, a tribal organization in charge of organizing the protest, claimed that since 2006 different tribes have organized agitations around the nation demanding that those who have converted to Islam or Christianity be denied certain privileges. Janjati Suraksha Manch's official press release stated that According to the Padmashri Bajaj report, more than 70% of the benefits available to Scheduled Castes (STs) are being taken by converts. The true tribals have been wronged for the last 75 years," a press release note read. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The group claimed that the converted members tend to enjoy both tribal and minority privileges. It stated in its statement that in 2022, they held conventions at the district level across the country and presented a memorandum to more than 452 MPs. Similar protests are being planned to be carried throughout the nation. District judge Prakash Uikey from Madhya Pradesh, Rajkishore Hansda, National Co-Coordinator of Jan Jajurti Suraksha Manch, Yashoda Didi, who works for the upliftment of girls' hostels and tribal communities in South Gujarat, and Ram Chandra Kharadi, who belongs to the Gayatri Parivar spoke during the Sinh Garjana 'De-listing Maha Rally'. The Congress labelled the issue as a 'politically motivated and divisive movement' in tribal society. Congress MLA from Dang and Gujarat Congress ST cell head Anant Patel told the TNIE that these issues are not really brought up for the welfare of the tribals but to divide and turn them against each other. "Tribals worship nature and do not practice any particular religion. Thus, conversion to another must be tolerated. One's religion has nothing to do with their financial situation." If they really want to talk about tribal issues, they should talk about the forest lands right issues in Gujarat, where the government is taking away tribal communitys land, he added. By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Amid sporadic incidents of violence, Army Chief General Manoj Pande arrived in the strife-torn Manipur on Saturday on a two-day visit to take stock of the situation and formulate strategies to restore peace. Official sources said the army chief would visit various locations, interact with local formation commanders and obtain a first-hand account of the situation. He was scheduled to meet Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the states chief security advisor Kuldiep Singh and deliberate on the current situation and future trajectory in order to restore normalcy. Union home minister Amit Shah will visit the state for three days beginning on May 29. His deputy, Nityanand Rai, who is in the state, met the leaders of various civil society organisations. The Army and the Assam Rifles stepped up operations to track down militants suspected to be involved in the violence. Defence sources said the personnel prevented firing incidents between two communities in Imphal East and Churachandpur districts on Friday night. The armed miscreants had fired and ran towards higher reaches. Owing to the internal security situation, the state administration had requisitioned Army and Assam Rifles on May 3. As an immediate response, Army and Assam Rifles deployed 135 columns to defuse the situation by carrying out active domination of sensitive and fringe areas, a defence statement said. Army and Assam Rifles launched large-scale combing operations in vulnerable flash points as also the higher reaches surrounding Imphal Valley in the wee hours of May 27 to track down any armed insurgents operating in these areas, the statement added. WATCH | Stating that these operations are part of overall ongoing efforts to restore peace and normalcy, the statement said the army columns were using the latest weapons, equipment and other force multipliers while operating in the forested mountainous areas. The opposition Congress, which has sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu, criticised the central government for its alleged apathy towards Manipur. Congress veteran and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said if Prime Minister Narendra Modi was preoccupied with other official works, he could have sent a representative to the state soon after the violence broke out on May 3. It has been nearly a month since the violence broke out but the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have not visited Manipur so far, Singh lamented. Amid the turmoil, thousands of people hit the streets in Kakching on Saturday, demanding immediate restoration of normalcy while eminent theatre personality Dr Ratan Thiyam appealed to religious leaders in the state to take a proactive role in restoring peace and stability. Considering the grave situation, all religious leaders should try to find out a means to restore peace. I urge them to help the government in bringing both parties of the conflict to the negotiating table, Thiyam said. He asked the Centre to show its commitment and empathy during this time of crisis. GUWAHATI: Amid sporadic incidents of violence, Army Chief General Manoj Pande arrived in the strife-torn Manipur on Saturday on a two-day visit to take stock of the situation and formulate strategies to restore peace. Official sources said the army chief would visit various locations, interact with local formation commanders and obtain a first-hand account of the situation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He was scheduled to meet Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the states chief security advisor Kuldiep Singh and deliberate on the current situation and future trajectory in order to restore normalcy. Union home minister Amit Shah will visit the state for three days beginning on May 29. His deputy, Nityanand Rai, who is in the state, met the leaders of various civil society organisations. The Army and the Assam Rifles stepped up operations to track down militants suspected to be involved in the violence. Defence sources said the personnel prevented firing incidents between two communities in Imphal East and Churachandpur districts on Friday night. The armed miscreants had fired and ran towards higher reaches. Owing to the internal security situation, the state administration had requisitioned Army and Assam Rifles on May 3. As an immediate response, Army and Assam Rifles deployed 135 columns to defuse the situation by carrying out active domination of sensitive and fringe areas, a defence statement said. Army and Assam Rifles launched large-scale combing operations in vulnerable flash points as also the higher reaches surrounding Imphal Valley in the wee hours of May 27 to track down any armed insurgents operating in these areas, the statement added. WATCH | Stating that these operations are part of overall ongoing efforts to restore peace and normalcy, the statement said the army columns were using the latest weapons, equipment and other force multipliers while operating in the forested mountainous areas. The opposition Congress, which has sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu, criticised the central government for its alleged apathy towards Manipur. Congress veteran and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said if Prime Minister Narendra Modi was preoccupied with other official works, he could have sent a representative to the state soon after the violence broke out on May 3. It has been nearly a month since the violence broke out but the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have not visited Manipur so far, Singh lamented. Amid the turmoil, thousands of people hit the streets in Kakching on Saturday, demanding immediate restoration of normalcy while eminent theatre personality Dr Ratan Thiyam appealed to religious leaders in the state to take a proactive role in restoring peace and stability. Considering the grave situation, all religious leaders should try to find out a means to restore peace. I urge them to help the government in bringing both parties of the conflict to the negotiating table, Thiyam said. He asked the Centre to show its commitment and empathy during this time of crisis. Membership in NATO to become real if Ukraine returns Kherson, Zaporizhia regions thanks to counteroffensive Fukuyama Membership in NATO will become real if, thanks to the counteroffensive, Ukraine returns Kherson and Zaporizhia regions, and the effectiveness of any agreements with Russia will depend on Ukraine's membership in the Alliance, Stanford University Professor Francis Fukuyama said. Under the current circumstances, peace talks and a temporary ceasefire are very negative for Ukraine, as this would leave Russia in control of Donbas, Crimea and the southern coast of Ukraine, he said in a video message to the participants of the 15th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Open Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation. The professor also noted that as long as Vladimir Putin is in power, any peace agreements simply allow Russia to reinforce its troops to resume the war at a later stage. He believes that only Ukraine's membership in NATO and the guarantees provided for in Article 5 can prevent a new war by Russia in the future. NATO membership becomes a reality if, through its counteroffensive, Ukraine regains the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions on the Black Sea coast, said Professor at Stanford University. Fearing slow strangulating blockade of Crimea, Putin may decide to end attacking Ukraine, unblock Ukrainian ports on a long-term basis, and stop terrorist missile attacks of Ukrainian cities, he added. Fukuyama stressed that the effectiveness of any agreements with Russia will depend on Ukraine's membership in NATO. Any NATO member country doubting this should honestly admit that any peace arrangement possible in the coming years will be just another short-term ceasefire and an opportunity for Russia to reinforce, rebuild its armed forces and then resume the war, he summarized. The 15th annual Kyiv Security Forum "For Our and Your Freedom" was held on May 25-26. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Karnataka government, with a full-fledged 34-member cabinet under Chief Minister Siddaramaah, came into existence with an expansion by inducting 24 new ministers into the cabinet here on Saturday. Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot administered oath to the ministers including the new faces- lone woman Laxmi Hebbalkar, Belagavi rural MLA, Ballari rural MLA B Nagendra, Rahim Khan from Bidar, Madhu Bangarappa from Soraba, Byarathi Suresh, and Mankala Vaidya of Bhatkal. There was disgruntlement among those who missed the berths including veterans R V Deshpande, T B Jayachandra, Basavaraja Rayareddy, B K Hariprasad and M Krishnappa. The cabinet has tried to strike a balance in terms of caste and community representation. Siddaramaiah while speaking to the press said that having a full-fledged cabinet helps deliver good governance. The then chief minister Basavaraj Bommai used to often visit the BJP high command seeking expansion of his cabinet but in vain, he remarked in a press release. He claimed that a history of sorts has been created by having a 34-member cabinet in 15 days. The allocation of portfolios is likely by evening or on Sunday as it has already been declared in consultation with the party high command which includes AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge. But most of the new ministers including Dr M C Sudhakar, Chintamani MLA, speaking to reporters said that they will be happy with whichever portfolio the CM allots to them. As far as the portfolios are concerned, according to sources, Siddarmaiah will keep the finance, DPAR, and intelligence. Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar who fought hard to claim the Chief Minister post is likely to get the water resources portfolio. Siddaramaiah's close associate M B Patil may get into medium and large industries. Former DCM Dr G Parameshwara may be allotted the home portfolio and B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan the housing portfolio. Krishan Byre Gowda may get revenue and K H Muniyappa the food and civil supplies. However, Siddarmaiah after holding the cabinet meeting informed that the allocation of portfolios will be done either on Saturday or Sunday. Decision on guarantees in the next cabinet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that a clearcut decision on the implementation of the five guarantees-including the 200 units of free electricity, Rs 2,000 to every women head of a household, 10 kgs of rice to every member of a family, free travel in government buses and Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,500 to the unemployed educated youth, will be made. The next cabinet meeting is likely in June. "The opposition parties had not fulfilled their promises in the past when in power. We have fulfilled our vows in the past(2013-18). We will do this as well. Details of the five guarantees have been suggested to be tabled in the next cabinet meeting. They will be discussed and approved for early implementation", he promised. He said that the cabinet is a mix of new and old faces but no one who won for the first time MLA was made minister. "The government should fulfil the promise it has given as the people want the change and this cabinet was formed in view of giving new shape to the administration", he said. Asked as to why Kodagu, Haveri, Hassan, Kolar and Chikmagalur among other districts are not represented in the cabinet with ministerial berths, he maintained that there were no seniors and most of them were first-time MLAs from the Congress party. He claimed that Chamarajanagar MLA C Puttarangshetty who missed the berth at the last minute has been convinced to accept the deputy speaker post. BENGALURU: Karnataka government, with a full-fledged 34-member cabinet under Chief Minister Siddaramaah, came into existence with an expansion by inducting 24 new ministers into the cabinet here on Saturday. Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot administered oath to the ministers including the new faces- lone woman Laxmi Hebbalkar, Belagavi rural MLA, Ballari rural MLA B Nagendra, Rahim Khan from Bidar, Madhu Bangarappa from Soraba, Byarathi Suresh, and Mankala Vaidya of Bhatkal. There was disgruntlement among those who missed the berths including veterans R V Deshpande, T B Jayachandra, Basavaraja Rayareddy, B K Hariprasad and M Krishnappa.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The cabinet has tried to strike a balance in terms of caste and community representation. Siddaramaiah while speaking to the press said that having a full-fledged cabinet helps deliver good governance. The then chief minister Basavaraj Bommai used to often visit the BJP high command seeking expansion of his cabinet but in vain, he remarked in a press release. He claimed that a history of sorts has been created by having a 34-member cabinet in 15 days. The allocation of portfolios is likely by evening or on Sunday as it has already been declared in consultation with the party high command which includes AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge. But most of the new ministers including Dr M C Sudhakar, Chintamani MLA, speaking to reporters said that they will be happy with whichever portfolio the CM allots to them. As far as the portfolios are concerned, according to sources, Siddarmaiah will keep the finance, DPAR, and intelligence. Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar who fought hard to claim the Chief Minister post is likely to get the water resources portfolio. Siddaramaiah's close associate M B Patil may get into medium and large industries. Former DCM Dr G Parameshwara may be allotted the home portfolio and B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan the housing portfolio. Krishan Byre Gowda may get revenue and K H Muniyappa the food and civil supplies. However, Siddarmaiah after holding the cabinet meeting informed that the allocation of portfolios will be done either on Saturday or Sunday. Decision on guarantees in the next cabinet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that a clearcut decision on the implementation of the five guarantees-including the 200 units of free electricity, Rs 2,000 to every women head of a household, 10 kgs of rice to every member of a family, free travel in government buses and Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,500 to the unemployed educated youth, will be made. The next cabinet meeting is likely in June. "The opposition parties had not fulfilled their promises in the past when in power. We have fulfilled our vows in the past(2013-18). We will do this as well. Details of the five guarantees have been suggested to be tabled in the next cabinet meeting. They will be discussed and approved for early implementation", he promised. He said that the cabinet is a mix of new and old faces but no one who won for the first time MLA was made minister. "The government should fulfil the promise it has given as the people want the change and this cabinet was formed in view of giving new shape to the administration", he said. Asked as to why Kodagu, Haveri, Hassan, Kolar and Chikmagalur among other districts are not represented in the cabinet with ministerial berths, he maintained that there were no seniors and most of them were first-time MLAs from the Congress party. He claimed that Chamarajanagar MLA C Puttarangshetty who missed the berth at the last minute has been convinced to accept the deputy speaker post. SV Krishna Chaitanya By Express News Service CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu forest department has stuck to its 'no captivity' policy and is likely to capture and translocate Kerala's Arikomban, a 35-year-old tusker that has strayed into residential areas of Cumbum municipality on Saturday and triggered panic. A team of forest officials led by the Deputy Director, Megamalai Division and District Forest Officer, Theni are continuously monitoring the straying elephant. Chief Wildlife Warden Srinivas R Reddy told TNIE the option of capturing the elephant for re-releasing back to the forests is being explored. "Despite the complex situation, strenuous efforts are taken to ensure the safety of the public and property while ensuring the safety of the elephant as well." Section 144 of CrPC is imposed in the Cumbum Municipality area, Uthamapalayam Taluk, the local authorities said and added that traffic is completely regulated to protect people and damage to property. Officials said tranquiliser guns and drugs are in place at the site. A team of elephant trackers from Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve are on their way to reach Theni shortly. A pair of kumkies from ATR is transported using vehicles from Coimbatore and Hosur and would reach the location shortly. Around 150 forest frontline staff headed by 10 Forest Range Officers are in place. Special teams from Srivilliputhur led by Deputy Director, Srivilliputhur Division and from Madurai led by two Forest Range Officers are supporting the team. Special elephant trackers are deployed from Coimbatore Forest Division for monitoring the elephant and analyzing the situation, said a government press release on action taken pertaining to Arikomban. Veterinarians Kalaivanan, Prakash, Vijayaragavan and Rajesh are all on the job. Arikomban, known to raid ration shops and has a special hunger for rice, was captured in the Chinnakanal area in the Idukki district of Kerala and released in the Mullakudi area of Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), Kerala on April 29 after being radio-collared. The animal entered Vannathiparai reserved forests (Melgudalur village) of Theni district on April 30. It moved through the forests and reached Highways Town Panchayat area and remained in the surrounding forests until May 16 after which it entered back into PTR. On May 26, it reached Kumuli town and later entered Suranganar RF of Theni district and remained in Harvest Fresh Farm Stay resort in Thammanampatti village until 4 am on Saturday. The animal started moving towards the forest area during which it got agitated by a mob and got redirected towards Cumbum town. It entered Cumbum and took shelter in a tamarind grove in the Cumbum EB substation (Kenji- goundankulam). Agitated by a drone operated by a local press reporter, the elephant moved away from the town to a banana plantation and is presently sheltered at this place behind Gandhi Nagar close to Cumbum Kumuli bypass. CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu forest department has stuck to its 'no captivity' policy and is likely to capture and translocate Kerala's Arikomban, a 35-year-old tusker that has strayed into residential areas of Cumbum municipality on Saturday and triggered panic. A team of forest officials led by the Deputy Director, Megamalai Division and District Forest Officer, Theni are continuously monitoring the straying elephant. Chief Wildlife Warden Srinivas R Reddy told TNIE the option of capturing the elephant for re-releasing back to the forests is being explored. "Despite the complex situation, strenuous efforts are taken to ensure the safety of the public and property while ensuring the safety of the elephant as well." googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Section 144 of CrPC is imposed in the Cumbum Municipality area, Uthamapalayam Taluk, the local authorities said and added that traffic is completely regulated to protect people and damage to property. Officials said tranquiliser guns and drugs are in place at the site. A team of elephant trackers from Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve are on their way to reach Theni shortly. A pair of kumkies from ATR is transported using vehicles from Coimbatore and Hosur and would reach the location shortly. Around 150 forest frontline staff headed by 10 Forest Range Officers are in place. Special teams from Srivilliputhur led by Deputy Director, Srivilliputhur Division and from Madurai led by two Forest Range Officers are supporting the team. Special elephant trackers are deployed from Coimbatore Forest Division for monitoring the elephant and analyzing the situation, said a government press release on action taken pertaining to Arikomban. Veterinarians Kalaivanan, Prakash, Vijayaragavan and Rajesh are all on the job. Arikomban, known to raid ration shops and has a special hunger for rice, was captured in the Chinnakanal area in the Idukki district of Kerala and released in the Mullakudi area of Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), Kerala on April 29 after being radio-collared. The animal entered Vannathiparai reserved forests (Melgudalur village) of Theni district on April 30. It moved through the forests and reached Highways Town Panchayat area and remained in the surrounding forests until May 16 after which it entered back into PTR. On May 26, it reached Kumuli town and later entered Suranganar RF of Theni district and remained in Harvest Fresh Farm Stay resort in Thammanampatti village until 4 am on Saturday. The animal started moving towards the forest area during which it got agitated by a mob and got redirected towards Cumbum town. It entered Cumbum and took shelter in a tamarind grove in the Cumbum EB substation (Kenji- goundankulam). Agitated by a drone operated by a local press reporter, the elephant moved away from the town to a banana plantation and is presently sheltered at this place behind Gandhi Nagar close to Cumbum Kumuli bypass. Guizhou digital government takes a lead in Park Affairs, Park Management PRNewswire, Guiyang, May 26: A news report from Huanqiu. Guizhou digital government takes a lead in Park Affairs, Park Management com "The 'Smart Micro Hall' in Guiyang Nanming Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park is incredibly convenient. It allows us to handle tax-related tasks in the park, without making trips to the tax office. This not only saves our valuable time but also significantly reduces manpower and associated costs." Recently, the person in charge of a relevant enterprise had the opportunity to experience the self-service taxing service at the 'Smart Micro Hall,' and expressed his happiness with the seamless and efficient self-service taxing process.Furthermore, apart from tax services, enterprises can conveniently access over 300 government services through self-service in the "Smart Micro Hall" now. These services cover tasks such as invoicing, printing tax certificates, and obtaining licenses. The self-service equipment within the hall is equipped with advanced features like "face recognition", "remote video communication" and "all-in-one network" which can realize one-stop and intelligent handling of government services.The "Smart Micro Hall" holds significant importance in Naming District, Guiyang City, as it continues to enhance the reputation of the "Guizhou Service" brand and drive the digitization of government services. It serves as an innovative initiative by the Naming District to enhance the "Park Affairs, Park Management" processes. After conducting thorough preliminary visits and research, Nanming District carefully selected the East Tower of Huaguoyuan Twin Towers, Fuzhong International Company, and Nanming Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park as the initial pilot sites for their extensive reach and promising development potential.In recent years, Guiyang Gui'an has made substantial efforts to significantly expand the availability of government services online, aiming to achieve the vision of "all-in-one network " and "all-in-one window." Currently, the average online processing rate stays at an impressive 82.72% and the satisfaction rate of government services has soared to 99.9% in Guiyang Gui'an.Gao Shan, Deputy Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Big Data Application Technology to Enhance Government Governance, expressed, "over just several years, Guizhou has diligently prioritized the establishment of a national big data (Guizhou) comprehensive pilot zone and a digital economy development innovation zone. We have had the privilege to witness the impressive growth trajectory of Guizhou's big data industry."The National Engineering Research Centre for Big Data has accumulated extensive practical experience in bolstering government governance, fortifying the construction of a digital government, and driving the advancement of the digital economy. With its robust technical capabilities and wealth of talents, the centre stands at the forefront of these endeavors. Guiyang Gui'an, as the core area of the first state-level Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone sanctioned by the government, has been deeply committed to implementing the "digitally activating city" strategy. The successful realization of this strategy is inseparable from the innovative leadership and intellectual support provided by the "state-owned" platform."In the digital economy era, urban governance has evolved from relying solely on human governance to embracing a combination of human governance and intelligent governance," emphasized by Duan Zhongxian, Deputy Director of Guizhou University's Guizhou High-end Think Tank for Grassroots Social Governance Innovation. Duan highlighted that while the hardware infrastructure for this transformation may not pose significant challenges, the true difficulty lies in the shift from traditional ideologies to institutional mechanisms, methodologies, and approaches.At the core of a digital government lies the fundamental objective of optimizing public services. Duan Zhongxian emphasized that digitally empowered domains such as security, environmental protection, water management, transportation, landscaping, public healthcare, and education should be transformed into "open-source" platforms. This transformation enables the public, as well as scientific and innovative professionals, to access critical resources that drive scientific progress and innovation.In recent years, Guizhou has been resolutely advancing the strategic initiatives in the field of big data. Following the guiding principle of "strategic coordination," Guizhou has made significant efforts to strengthen the construction of a digital government, in particular, to emphasize "aggregation and mutual utilization" of government data resources. Through continuous efforts, it has achieved significant progress in establishing initial data sharing and promoting cross-regional, cross-departmental, and cross-level collaboration. These endeavors have resulted in notable improvements in the scientific basis of governmental decision-making and the efficiency of management services.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI26 May 2023 Shared Recently! Assam: Army helps in construction of school for visually impaired at Khatkhati village Karbi Anglong, May 26: The Gajraj Corps of the Indian Army as part of 'Operation SADBHAVANA' has been undertaking a variety of projects in underdeveloped areas of Assam with the aim of providing humanitarian assistance to the less privileged, stated an official release. Assam: Army helps in construction of school for visually impaired at Khatkhati village To empower visually challenged children living in remote areas of Assam, Gajraj Corps has helped with the construction of a school at village Khatkati in district East Karbi Anglong in a phased manner."In the year 2021, Phase I of the project was executed by constructing the blind school building. This year, the Indian Army as part of Phase II of the project has constructed another building which caters for additional classrooms and administrative setup towards enhancing the overall functionalities," stated an official release.The school was eventually dedicated to the nation and handed over to Madhumita Bhagwati, DC, East Karbi Anglong by the Indian Army in the presence of civil administration and the local populace, it said."Citizens from nearby villages gathered in large numbers on the occasion and conveyed their appreciation to the Indian Army for the construction of the school building. Which was done after taking local aspirations into consideration," it further said.Gaon Bura of Khatkati Village Babu Bongong and President United International Mission Christopher Prince Fernandes thanked the Army besides lauding the efforts made by it towards the onerous task of guarding the borders as well as undertaking efforts to mitigate the sufferings of people and improving quality of life of the deprived and physically challenged children of North East states of the country.ANI26 May 2023 Shared Recently! Consul General of Russia in Mumbai addressed the Indian medical aspirants at Russian Education Fair SRV Media, New Delhi, May 26: The Russian Education Fair, an annual event aimed at connecting Indian students with higher education opportunities in Russia, concluded successfully in Mumbai. Consul General of Russia in Mumbai addressed the Indian medical aspirants at Russian Education Fair The fair, which took place from May 14th to May 21st, attracted a diverse crowd of Indian students from across the country. The Consul General of Russia in Mumbai, Aleksei V. Surovtsev, addressed the fair and emphasized Russia's commitment to providing excellent educational opportunities for Indian students.The final leg of the Russian Education Fair 2023 was held at the Russian House in Mumbai, where representatives from Russian universities and numerous dignitaries were present. Aleksei V. Surovtsev, accompanied by Prof. Shvetsov Mikhail N., the Rector of Mari State University, and Elena Remizova, the Director of the Russian House in Mumbai, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Air Marshal (Dr) Pawan Kapoor (Retd.), Vice-Chairman of Rus Education, and other senior members of the organization played pivotal roles in ensuring the fair's success.In his address, Aleksei V. Surovtsev expressed his pleasure at reconnecting with the Indian students, recalling their previous meeting during the Russian Education Fair in September 2022. He commended the efforts of Rus Education and reiterated Russia's commitment to providing top class educational opportunities for Indian students. The Consul General acknowledged the deep bond between the people of Russia and India and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the field of education.The presence of Aleksei V. Surovtsev had a profound impact on the Indian students attending the fair. His speech not only inspired them to pursue higher education in Russia but also instilled in them the confidence, knowledge, and skills necessary to succeed in their chosen careers. His influence served as a catalyst, igniting their ambitions and fostering a sense of determination within them.The Russian Education Fair served as a gateway for Indian students to explore the diverse opportunities available in Russian universities. Participating universities included Mari State University, Perm State Medical University, Orenburg State University, Tula State University, St Petersburg University, and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.During the fair, Indian students had the unique opportunity to interact directly with representatives from these renowned Russian universities. The university experts provided valuable guidance, counseling, and comprehensive information about the academic programs, scholarships, admission procedures, and student life in Russia. The fair allowed students to gain insight into the rich history, diverse culture, and world-class education system that Russia has to offer.The Russian Education Fair 2023 in Mumbai concluded with immense success, leaving Indian students inspired and equipped with the necessary information to make informed decisions about their higher education options. The fair not only facilitated academic exchanges but also strengthened the educational ties between India and Russia, fostering cultural understanding and collaboration between the two nations.To get admission in top government universities of Russia, contact Rus Education on their student helpline number 1800-833-3338 or visit their website(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI26 May 2023 Shared Recently! Explained: What is Disease X, tagged as more lethal next pandemic? New Delhi, May 26: Even as Covid-19 is seeing a decline, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the threat of an inevitable next pandemic of Disease X, raising concerns across the globe. Explained: What is 'Disease X', tagged as more lethal next pandemic? Disease X was first coined in 2018 by the WHO, a year before the Covid-19 pandemic struck the world. It is among the WHO's "Blue print list priority diseases" that could cause the next deadly pandemic and includes Ebola, SARS, and Zika."Disease X represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease," the WHO said. The Blueprint list highlights infectious diseases for which we lack medical countermeasures.According to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), "the threat of Disease X infecting the human population, and spreading quickly around the world, is greater than ever before".Some public health experts believe the next Disease X will be zoonotic, meaning it will originate in wild or domestic animals, then spill over to infect humans, as Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and Covid-19.More than 1.6 million viruses are yet-to-be-discovered, and viral species from these viral families are estimated to exist in mammal and bird hosts -- the most important reservoirs for viral zoonoses."This isn't the stuff of science fiction. This is a scenario we have to prepare for. This is Disease X," Dr. Richard Hatchett, of the CEPI, was quoted as saying to the Telegraph.Hatchett said that the world may not be able to "prevent new pathogens from emerging", but "focus, commitment, and investment" can help prevent the devastation they cause.At the recently held 76th World Health Assembly meet, WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also issued a stark warning, urging the world to prepare for the next pandemic, which he believes could be even deadlier than Covid-19."We must strengthen systems and tools for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response at all levels," he said, highlighting that the end of Covid-19 as a global health emergency does not signify the end of its threat.In addition, he emphasised the risk of another pathogen emerging with greater chances of devastation."The threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains, and the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains," he reportedly said."It is not an exaggeration to say that there is potential of a Disease X event just around the corner," Pranab Chatterjee, researcher at the Department of International Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, was quoted as saying to the National Post.Chatterjee said surveillance may be "a key approach in our ability to detect a spillover event before it becomes too widespread".IANS26 May 2023 Shared Recently! TikTok doesnt threaten civil liberties, frees from Chinas poison: Report Washington, May 26: The ban on video-sharing social media platform TikTok does not threaten civil liberties but actually stops it from accessing the information of one-third of the American population, according to the New York Post. TikTok doesn't threaten civil liberties, frees from China's poison: Report The New York Post is a daily tabloid newspaper published in New York City.According to the publication, there is ample evidence that shows that China used TikTok as spyware and manipulation against Americans. The links between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and TikTok are direct as there are over 300 employees at the video-sharing social media platform that previously worked for Chinese state media.Twenty-three of ByteDance's directors previously worked for CCP propaganda outlets, and at least 15 ByteDance employees work for them now.Fundamentally, China is the world's most sophisticated techno-authoritarian state, and President Xi Jinping's regime believes data and the control of information bestow power.Chinese law explicitly requires businesses to operate and build their cybersecurity networks in a way that gives the CCP unfettered access to their data. So Beijing has access to TikTok's US user data by default; it doesn't even need to ask for it, reported New York Post.And TikTok aggressively harvests a wide range of user data names, contacts, networks, GPS locations, even keystrokes, outside-the-app monitoring like Internet browsing and encrypted data.China used TikTok to push divisive content during the 2022 midterm elections, promoting videos that attacked specific US politicians and hit hot-button social issues without disclosing those videos were coming from Chinese state-controlled accounts.TikTok pushes pro-CCP content to US users, which means that within the nation there are things for China people are growing and putting them against their own nation.Employees of TikTok's Top Buzz news app in the US were instructed to place specific pieces of pro-China messaging in the app and to "pin" it to the top.Earlier, the platform also suppressed information. The Washington Post found only 20 videos available with the hashtag Tiananmen Square on TikTok, most of which say that the massacre never happened.TikTok is a dystopian reality-distorter that serves the interests of Xi's CCP, according to New York Post.Make no mistake, the platform doesn't exist so we can be entertained by cat videos. Its purpose is to capture and move audiences.Then there are the pernicious effects on America's youth.The app is essentially psychological warfare against America's kids, with its aggressive algorithms sending them down rabbit holes of sex- and drug-related content.It's been linked to mental illness, anxiety, depression, attention disorders, and even physical tics, especially in teen girls. We are in a reverse opium war.Rand Paul's solution is to say if you don't like TikTok, do not use it, reported New York Post.ANI26 May 2023 Shared Recently! Sunny Hinduja begins shooting for next project in Allahabad Prayagraj, May 26: Actor Sunny Hinduja who recently wrapped up shooting for the second season of TVF 'Aspirants' is now set for the next project for which he has commenced shooting. Sunny Hinduja begins shooting for next project in Allahabad The yet-to-be-announced project went on floors recently in Allahabad, pictures of which he shared on his Instagram handle.Providing a glimpse of his exciting new journey, Sunny posted a picture from the Muhrat Pooja of his new project and expressed his gratitude for the same.He said, 'It's my first time shooting in Allahabad so I'm excited and looking forward to this experience. The amount of love the audience have always showered on me has been extremely rewarding. I look forward to their support as we start filming this really special project."In the picture, he can be seen holding a clapboard of his new film.On Thursday, Sunny shared a video from shoot moments.Sharing the video, he wrote, "Prayagraj nagri ne prem ke sangam mein baandh diya...Hamari pyaar mohabbat wali sthiti ekdum mast hai."Earlier, Sunny said, "It's been such a fun and memorable journey shooting for Aspirants Season 2. The amount of love fans showered on me and the show in the first season was endearing. We have tried to make the second season more special which probably the viewers will enjoy watching. As a team, we can't wait to bring the show out for the audiences."Released in 2021, 'Aspirants' is a story of 3 friends - Abhilash, Shwetketu(SK) and Guri. The story revolves around the past and the present time where the past captures the struggle and the drama behind the making of UPSC CSE aspirants in Old Rajinder Nagar of Delhi, while the present talks about the future.Apart from this, Sunny Hinduja will also be seen in YRF Studio's first web series "The Railway Men" along with other unannounced projects.ANI26 May 2023 Shared Recently! Ali Fazal shares pictures with Gerard Butler from Kandahar sets Mumbai, May 26: Actor Ali Fazal who is gearing up for his upcoming Hollywood action thriller film 'Kandahar' set for release in the US today, shared BTS pictures from the sets. Ali Fazal shares pictures with Gerard Butler from 'Kandahar' sets Taking to Instagram, Ali dropped behind-the-scene pictures from the sets featuring Gerard Butler, Ric Roman Waugh and the crew of 'Kandahar'.The film which is a major action motion picture stars Gerard Butler along with Ali Fazal who plays the role of Kahil.Sharing the pictures, he wrote, "Behind some greatness is always a director orchestrating it all!! KANDAHAR HITS HARD TODAY!! North America."He thanked his director and team for this beautiful journey.Ali added, "I cannot thank you both enough. Ric for bringing me on board this journey . And Mr Gerard Butler, for all things notorious on and off camera.... ( and much more ) and to the entire crew of Kandahar on sets and off sets.. you people are the real heroes. Will share more photos later. Go buy your tickets now."From posing with his co-stars and riding a bike, the pictures shows how much fun Ali had while shooting.Ali's wife and actor Richa Chadha also makes an appearance in one of the pictures.'Kandahar' directed by Ric Roman Waugh is Ali's first action film and was shot extensively in the Al Ula region in Saudi Arabia.The film is expected to release in India in a few weeks.Few days ago, Ali treated fans with a first-look poster of himself from the movie.Sharing the poster, "Pulse pounding action apparently- An adrenaline ride made for the big screen .. here's a screen grab for some context. Cuz some serious Action went down here in the desert. DIRT BIKIN' IT ON A KTM YES. Check out my new movie KANDAHAR . Only in theatres, MAY 26."In the first look poster, Ali can be seen sporting a rather rugged look in front of a dirt bike in the middle of the desert.Ali is the first Indian actor to have a lead titular role in a Hollywood film with the 2017 movie 'Victoria and Abdul' with the legendary Dame Judi Dench. The actor is now starring as one of the leads in the action caper film by the director, Ric Roman Waugh who has to his credit films including Angel Has Fallen and Greenland.Helmed by Ric Roman Waugh, the film star popular Scottish actor Gerard Butler, Navid Negahban, Travis Fimmel and Elnaaz Norouzi in lead roles.The film's description reads, "Tom Harris (Gerard Butler), an undercover CIA operative, is stuck deep in hostile territory in Afghanistan. After his mission is exposed, he must fight his way out, alongside his Afghan translator, to an extraction point in Kandahar, all whilst avoiding elite enemy forces and foreign spies tasked with hunting them down."Meanwhile, Ali Fazal will also be seen in the web series 'Mirzapur Season 3' which will stream on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video.Apart from that, he will also be seen in 'The Underbug', 'Girls will be Girls', 'Metro In Dino', and in another Hollywood film 'Afghan Dreamers'.ANI26 May 2023 Shared Recently! BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. As previously reported, Azerbaijans General Prosecutor's Office has initiated a criminal case under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code in connection with the violation of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the Armenian side on May 26 in the section of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border passing through the village of Razdara in the Zangilan district and other illegal actions of the sabotage group of the Armed Forces of Armenia, Trend reports citing General Prosecutor's Office. Within the framework of the criminal case being investigated by the Investigation Department of the General Prosecutor's Office, a measure of restraint in the form of arrest was chosen in relation to the accused two servicemen of the Armed Forces of Armenia - Arut Khovakimyan and Karen Gazaryan. London Fire Brigade issues warning after e-bike explosion London, May 26: The London Fire Brigade has issued a warning after a man narrowly avoided injury following an explosion of his e-bike, the media reported on Friday. London Fire Brigade issues warning after e-bike explosion CCTV footage from the entrance to Avi Gooransingh's home in Tangley Grove shows the bike's battery erupt after it goes into thermal runaway, producing a white and grey coloured highly flammable and toxic vapour cloud into the air which ignites into a fireball a few seconds later, reports mirror.co.uk.The 29-year-old narrowly escaped the fire and was able to run back into his flat, shocked and unhurt.Firefighters were quickly on the scene and safely put out the fire.In the wake of the incident, the London Fire Brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe campaign, which aims to highlight the fire risks associated with lithium batteries commonly used with e-bikes.The Brigade has been called to 52 e-bike and 12 e-scooter fires so far in 2023.Deputy Commissioner Dom Ellis said "Although we can't be sure why this particular battery failed, we do know that Avi's e-bike was purchased second-hand and that an additional battery pack, bought from an online marketplace, had been fitted."Cheaper batteries purchased from online sources which don't necessarily adhere to UK safety regulations are more likely to fail and present an increased fire risk. Our advice is also to buy from a reputable seller."As the video clearly shows, once the bike goes into thermal runaway, it can lead to a rapid and ferocious fire."The Deputy Commissioner further recommended charging and storing the e-bikes outside of one's house, "and if you can't, then seriously think about whether you should buy one".IANS26 May 2023 Shared Recently! Study identifies 12 key symptoms of long Covid New York, May 26: A team of US researchers have identified 12 key symptoms of Long Covid condition -- which persist more than 30 days after a Covid-19 infection. Study identifies 12 key symptoms of long Covid With over 650 million people globally having been infected with SARS-CoV-2, long Covid represents a significant public health concern that affects quality of life, earnings, and health care costs.To better understand the prevalence and severity of symptoms, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched Researching Covid to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER-Adult).Published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study examined 37 symptoms across multiple body areas and organs.Researchers identified 12 symptoms that most set apart those with and without long Covid post exertional malaise (worsening of symptoms following even minor physical or mental exertion), fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, heart palpitations, issues with sexual desire or capacity, loss of smell or taste, thirst, chronic cough, chest pain, and abnormal movements.The findings include a new scoring system for long Covid to help clinicians and researchers better define it and investigate treatments for patients."Now that we're able to identify people with long Covid, we can begin doing more in-depth studies to understand the biological mechanisms at play," said corresponding author Andrea Foulkes, Principal Investigator of the RECOVER, and Professor at Harvard Medical School."One of the big takeaways from this study is the heterogeneity of long Covid long Covid is not just one syndrome; it's a syndrome of syndromes. Understanding this idea is a really important step for doing more research and ultimately administering informed interventions," she added.The study began enrolling participants in October 2021. Researchers analysed the results of a symptoms survey distributed at 85 hospitals, health centres, and community organisations in 33 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.Over 9,500 individuals completed the survey, including uninfected adults as well as individuals who were six months past infection with Covid-19. The survey, developed in collaboration with clinicians and patient advocates, included 37 different symptoms and corresponding measures of severity.The results also suggest that re-infections, infection with a pre-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant, and absence of vaccination is associated with a higher frequency and severity of long Covid, but the authors emphasise that ongoing research is necessary.IANS26 May 2023 Shared Recently! MediaTek Envisions Roadmap to New Technologies NewsVoir, New Delhi, May 26: MediaTek, the world's leading fabless semiconductor company, powering more than 2 billion connected devices a year, hosted its 12th Chapter of Technology Diaries themed 'The Vision to Go Beyond with Brilliant Technologies' with a focus on latest technologies from MediaTek across Automotive, Satellite Communication and Space Tech. MediaTek Envisions Roadmap to New Technologies MediaTek reiterated its commitment towards expanding its footprint across Smartphone and Smart Device ecosystem in India.MediaTek shared its latest portfolio of cutting-edge technologies and a line-up of 5G chipsets, including MediaTek Dimensity 9200+, 9000+, 8020, 7050, 7200, Kompanio 1200, MediaTek Dimensity Auto and MediaTek Genio 1200. MediaTek also showcased some of the latest collaborations across the portfolio with Motorola, Flipkart, HP, OnePlus, Lava, Xiaomi, Infinix, Oppo, Vivo, Tecno, Realme, iQOO and Samsung, among others."Brilliant technology is not just about creating new products and services, but also about creating meaningful experiences that enhance peoples' lives. At MediaTek, we focus on pushing the boundaries of what is possible and using innovation to solve complex problems. With brilliant technology, we believe in transforming the world around us with increased commitment towards working with global and Indian OEMs and expanding the R and D facilities in India. New-gen technologies like the Internet of Things, 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, and AR/VR are ushering in a new wave of innovations. Further, we are looking forward to unlocking innovation in newer verticals like automotive, satellite communication and connectivity," said Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India.The event fostered insightful discussions on the next frontier for technology, while also displaying MediaTek's supremacy in arenas including smartphones, smart devices, automotive and smart vehicles, satellite communication, computing and connectivity.The event saw insightful interactions around- Flagship and premium experiences - flagship experiences with MediaTek Dimensity 9200+, 9200, 9000+, 9000 system-on-chips (SoCs) and premium experiences across MediaTek Dimensity 8000 and 7000 series.- Smart Devices - market leadership across digital TVs, smart speakers, Wi-Fi routers, arm-based Chromebooks and other smart home products. MediaTek portfolio caters to a wide range of customers across smartphones, smart homes, automotive, IoT and home/enterprise connectivity segments. Recently launched MediaTek Genio 700 is designed for smart home, interactive retail, and industrial and commercial applications.- Satellite Connectivity- reliable connectivity everywhere with two-way satellite communications on smartphones and other devices.- MediaTek Automotive Platform- MediaTek Dimensity Auto drives the future of intelligent, always-connected vehicles empowering smart vehicle technology innovation through delivering impressive computing power and wide-ranging technologies.- Wi-Fi 7 - MediaTek comprehensive Wi-Fi portfolio caters to broadband, retail routers, consumer electronics products, and gaming. The first company to showcase live demos of MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 Filogic portfolio's true potential to key customers and industry partners.The event witnessed robust participation from industry leaders and opened the stage to insightful interactions through a Fireside Chat session on "Joining the League of Extraordinary with Brilliant Technology", moderated by Anuj Sidharth, MediaTek and included expert panellists from Shivam, Motorola and Prabhu Ram, CMR.According to Shivam Ranjan, Head of Marketing at Motorola - Asia Pacific, "I was delighted to be a part of the MediaTek Technology Diaries event and interact with eminent leaders from the industry on market trends, technologies, and innovations. Meaningful consumer innovation has always been a part of Motorola's DNA. Having recently been recognized as India's best 5G smartphone brand, we have already taken a lead in enabling the best consumer experiences leveraging 5G technology in India. Plus, our devices have consistently evolved to support new technologies and consumer use-cases through industry leading hardware and software features. Our recently launched motorola edge 40, powered by the incredibly powerful and power efficient MediaTek Dimensity 8020 is testament to the two brands coming together to disrupt the marketplace with class leading features."Prabhu Ram, Head- Industry Intelligence Group, Cybermedia Research (CMR) said, "According to our research at CyberMedia Research (CMR), India's connected consumers are increasingly aware of the significance of chipsets for enhanced device performance. As they delve further into content creation, consumption, gaming, and more, their expectations for smartphones and new form factors, such as foldables, are soaring. Various players across the smartphone value chain, including chipset manufacturers, are actively engaged in continuous R and D to meet consumer aspirations for cutting-edge, innovative and yet, accessible smartphone experiences."This was followed by the panel discussion on "The Vision to Go Beyond with Incredible Technologies", moderated by Rajiv Makhni, and panellists included Anku Jain, MediaTek, Atul Handa, Flipkart, Faisal Kawoosa, TechArc, Anshika Jain, Counterpoint, Sumit Singh, Lava. The panellists offered impactful and innovative views on the post-5G ecosystem in India, the pathways for faster adoption, factors influencing consumer decisions, the potential inherent in satellite communications, and upcoming technologies expected in both hearables and wearables segment among others, while also throwing light on recent consumer and technology trends.Atul Handa, Business Head - TV, Flipkart said, "Flipkart is poised to partner with Indian consumers in their upgrade journey. The latest launch of Motorola Envision X Google TV range is a remarkable fusion of QLED display, superior technology and the powerful MediaTek Quad core processor, which stands as a testament to this commitment. By offering the latest innovations at an affordable price point, we aim to democratize the television industry in India, while providing an immersive and personalized audiovisual experience.""We have a long-standing association with MediaTek and are happy to participate in the latest edition of MediaTek Diaries which brings various stakeholders from the tech space under one roof. We are even more thrilled with the response that our latest smartphone Lava Agni 2 powered by India's first Dimensity 7050 has garnered, and we are committed to increase its production. Taking forward our partnership, our endeavor is continue providing hi-tech devices at affordable prices to Indian consumers," said Sumit Singh, Head - Product, Lava International.Speaking at the event, Faisal Kawoosa, Founder and Chief Technology Analyst at Techarc said, "Communication, collaboration, and co-creation are three important tasks that the smart devices ecosystem need to do with respective sectors like healthcare, auto, smart homes, etc. We need to first know each other's space, share data and information, and then jointly modify or create new devices. This is where I see a larger role of someone like MediaTek to drive it and create this collaborative inter-sectoral ecosystem. In fact, MediaTek Technology Diaries is the right platform to set this inter sectoral collaboration into action."Anshika Jain, Senior Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research said, "Smart TV contribution to overall shipments reached its highest ever of 90% during the year and it is expected to go up further due to more launches in the sub-INR 20,000 price range and non-smart-TV-to-smart-TV migration."The MediaTek Technology Diaries is an interactive, informative series aimed at demystifying the newest technologies transforming our daily lives. The series is in tune with MediaTek's philosophy of making great technology available to help consumers connect seamlessly with the things that shape our daily lives by enhancing, enriching, and making us smarter and healthier.For more information, please visit ,(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI26 May 2023 Shared Recently! Students of IPS academy explored Dubai in outreach program PNN, Indore, May 26: School of Architecture, IPS Academy Indore with Wheel of Innovation, Pune, had successfully completed International outreach program-Dubai. Students of IPS academy explored Dubai in outreach program The tour was envisioned by Dr. (Prof.) Manita Saxena, Principal of institute. Ar. Neelam Kushwah and Er. Sumit Singh Shekhawat accompanied 27 students and mentored them throughout the tour. Ar. Neelam Kushwah presented research work on the topic "Relevance of Sir Patrick Geddes Ideology for attaining Sustainability of Urban Poor at Indore" and Er. Sumit Singh Shekhawat presented research work on the topic "N2 Method for seismic analysis in High rise buildings" to students of Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai. The tour was a great success; students attended a workshop at Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai on topics of smart cities, digital twins and sustainability. , took a workshop on sustainability. , head of Graduate Programs and Research, took a workshop on smart cities, and took a workshop on Digital twins.They visited architectural marvels like Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, with a total height of 829.8 meters, the Museum of Future exhibits how the world will evolve in 2071; Dubai expo city, where Dubai exposition took place in 2020; Burj- al-Arab, Ethiad museum. Students learned about Architectural design and the structure of skyscraper buildings. They got exposure to steel, tensile structures, dynamic facades, pile foundations, reflective curtain glass elevations and centralized services like AC cooling plants. They also got the opportunity to experience local Arabic art and Islamic architecture elements. Students studied wind load, seismic pressures, dead and live load, services and structural grids of high-rise structures. Students experienced buildings designed by great architects.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI26 May 2023 Shared Recently! Reliance Consumer Products partners with General Mills to launch Alans Bugles snacks in India Mumbai, May 26: Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has announced its foray into the western snacks category with the launch of Alan's Bugles in India. Reliance Consumer Products partners with General Mills to launch Alan's Bugles snacks in India Reliance Consumer Products Limited is the FMCG arm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL).With this, consumers in India will be able to purchase Bugles products. The international corn chips snacks brand with more than 50 years of experience, owned by General Mills is available across major global markets including the UK, the US, and the Middle East.Alan's Bugles will offer a range of snacks to Indian consumers and will be available at rates starting from Rs 10 in flavours such as Original (Salted), Tomato and Cheese."With the launch of Alan's, we want to ensure that the aspirational Indian consumer gets to taste and enjoy rich and premium offerings to satiate their snacking needs. We intend to actively participate in the growing Western snacks market with a greater focus on taste profile and overall experience. We are excited to launch a range of Alan's snacks starting with Bugles, which is yet another step towards expanding our footprint in the FMCG market," a Reliance Consumer Products Limited spokesperson said.The launch of Alan's Bugles products will start from Kerala and will be gradually expanded across India."General Mills is thrilled to have one of its most globally loved brands - Bugles in India. Bugles are iconic cone-shaped corn chips with a light and airy crunch. What started in 1964 as the first delicious horn-shaped corn chip, has expanded across the globe. We look forward to seeing snack lovers across India enjoy Bugles that is loved by consumers globally!" said Sheshadri Savalgi, Finance Director at General Mills India.Reliance Retail Ventures Limited reported a consolidated turnover of Rs 260,364 crore (USD 31.7 billion) and a net profit of Rs 9,181 crore (USD 1.1 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2023.ANI26 May 2023 Shared Recently! OpenAI offers 10 grants worth $100K each to democratise AI New Delhi, May 26: Microsoft-backed ChatGPT developer OpenAI has introduced 10 grants worth $100,000 each for building prototypes of a democratic process for steering artificial general intelligence (AGI). OpenAI offers 10 grants worth $100K each to democratise AI The company said that its goal is to fund experimentation with methods for gathering nuanced feedback from everyone on how AI should behave."While these initial experiments are not (at least for now) intended to be binding for decisions, we hope that they explore decision relevant questions and build novel democratic tools that can more directly inform decisions in the future," the company said in a statement late on Thursday.The last date to apply for an OpenAI grant is June 24. Grant recipients are expected to implement a prototype, engaging at least 500 participants and will be required to publish a public report on their findings by October 20."The primary objective of this grant is to foster innovation in processes -- we need improved democratic methods to govern AI behaviour," OpenAI wrote. "We believe that decisions about how AI behaves should be shaped by diverse perspectives reflecting the public interest."AGI should benefit all of humanity and be shaped to be as inclusive as possible, according to OpenAI.According to recent reports, Sam Altman-run OpenAI has closed a $175 million investment fund focused on empowering other AI startups, with backing from Microsoft and other investors.OpenAI has already been investing in AI startups for some time.OpenAI recently closed a more than $300 million share sale at a valuation between $27-$29 billion, according to the reports.IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! PM urges Australians to be on right side of history on Indigenous Voice Canberra, May 26: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday appealed to the people of the country to be on the right side of history in the referendum for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. PM urges Australians to be on right side of history on Indigenous Voice Friday marked the six years since the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a petition that called for the constitution to be changed to establish the Voice, was first unveiled by more than 250 Indigenous delegates, reports Xinhua news agency."A 'Yes' vote at the 2023 referendum is a chance for all of us to take the next step on the journey to reconciliation," Albanese said in a statement on Friday."To be counted -- and heard -- on the right side of history."Addressing Parliament on Thursday, he defended the Voice proposal from criticism and ruled out change to the word of the referendum, which is expected to be held late in 2023.If successful, the referendum would establish the Voice as a body that would advise the federal parliament on issues relating to Indigenous Australians.Albanese, a strong proponent of the Voice, called for non-Indigenous Australians to imagine they were on the other side of the disparity faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."Imagine your brothers and sisters are likely to die a decade younger than the general population. Imagine your daughter is more at risk during childbirth -- and your grandchild more at risk of infant mortality. Imagine your son statistically more likely to go to jail than university," he said."Imagine all of this -- and then imagine that after generations of being sidelined and ignored, you are finally given an opportunity to change it. To be heard."The prime minister on Friday said next week the Constitutional Alteration is expected to pass the House of Representatives, one step closer to a referendum to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice to Parliament in Australia's founding document.IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Cromptons flagship Mini Master Plus Pump provides faster water-tank filling with unique Hy-flo MAX* Technology NewsVoir, Mumbai, May 26: A trusted legacy brand with quality, reliability, and innovation at its core, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. Crompton's flagship Mini Master Plus Pump provides faster water-tank filling with unique Hy-flo MAX* Technology 's launches its Mini Master Plus Pump, equipped with unique Hy-flo MAX* Technology. The latest flagship comes with an array of innovative features and speeds up the process of pumping water, thereby ensuring faster water tank filling in half the time.Today, consumers are more informed and conscious in making decisions when buying any product. In Indian households, especially those living in joint families or staying in multi-floored bungalows, tank filling can take a significant amount of time leading to a lot of inconveniences. Therefore, pumps play a crucial role in supplying a fast stream of water and ensure faster tank filling. Keeping this in mind, Crompton with its flagship Mini Master Plus Pump has taken faster tank filling to a new level. The wide product range of technologically superior pumps provide the users optimum benefits including low maintenance costs, higher durability and performance, value for money as well as less energy consumption.Crompton's Mini Master Plus Pump is equipped with advanced features including Stainless-Steel sheet (SS) on critical components, like volute casing and adapter making it rust-free and provide a hassle-free operation. This ensures no issues like jamming or pump failure thereby guaranteeing a smooth flow of water. Moreover, its construction influences the pumps' hydraulics that in turn, delivers a higher water output and better performance. The 4 key features that help in faster* tank filling and creating a seamless consumer experience include- Big Impeller Size Water delivery increases by 120% to 200% and Tank filling time is reduced by 50% to 60% due to 35%-50% bigger impeller size.- Powerful Motor A powerful motor with bigger stamping and efficient design provides 60 to 100% more power, which helps in faster tank filling.- Unique Hydraulic Design The unique design of Hydraulic flow path including hybrid pump (with SS insert) suction area and flow area, resulting in lower friction (water flow loss) and hence aids in providing consistently high-water discharge.- Warranty Twice the warranty - 24 months emphasizing the quality of performance being delivered by the productSpeaking about its flagship product, Rajat Chopra, VP and Business Head, Pumps at Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. added, "Crompton has consistently delivered innovation that adds value to the life of our consumers. Pumps are a critical application especially in delivering water to ensure uninterrupted flow of essential utilities. With our consumer centric design approach, our flagship series is equipped with long-lasting quality and modern features. As a brand that offers meaningful solutions to every need, this is our endeavor to help in significantly reducing the time and effort of pump filling and enhance the quality of consumer experience."With a brand legacy of 80+ years, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. is India's market leader in the category of fans and residential pumps. Over the years, the organization has continuously strived to produce a range of innovative products that cater to the modern consumer including superior quality and high-performance water heaters, anti-dust fans, antibacterial LED bulbs and a range of other categories like air coolers, food processors like mixer grinders, electric kettles and garment care like irons. The company has further invested in brand and innovation to not only better understand and meet consumer needs, but to also help drive energy efficiency. The consumer business also has a well-established and organized distribution network driven by a strong dealer base across the country offering a wide service network and robust after sales service to its customers.Having consistently worked towards the development of energy efficient products, the company bagged two prestigious National Energy Consumer Awards (NECA) for the Most Energy Efficient Appliances of the Year 2019 organized by the Bureau of Energy efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power - one for Ceiling Fans for its HS plus model and the other one in the LED Bulb category for its 9-Watt LED bulb. The company has also been featured in Brand Top 75 most valuable Indian brands list for 2020 released by WPP and Kantar. Furthermore, Crompton was also recognized as the Brand of the Decade 2021 by Herald Global and BARC Asia in the Consumer Electrical category.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! How INIFD Kothrud is shaping the future of fashion and interior design with Kalatmakata 2023 SRV Media, Pune, May 26 hosted the grand Kalatmakata 2023 event on May 6 2023, where budding designers displayed their creations on the runway. How INIFD Kothrud is shaping the future of fashion and interior design with Kalatmakata 2023 The event was a celebration of art and tradition, with collections inspired by various themes and stories.Kalatmakata 2023, where imagination came alive, was graced by prominent names from the fashion industry, such as Nivedita Saboo, Sundeep Kocchar, Anil Khosla, and Hemant Trevedi. Trevedi, who has designed for Bollywood celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, mentored the design of each collection.The young designers showcased their creativity and innovation through their concepts and ornamentation. Some of the highlights of the event were- Tribal Sahyadri, a collection that paid homage to Warli art and artists, was recognized as the most sustainable collection.- Avishkaram, a collection that depicted the vibrant colours and expressions of Kerala's Kathakali, won two awards the most original collection and the best tribute to India.- I Sea U, a collection that narrated the stories of the oceans through prints and textures.- Behind the Veil, a collection that featured macrame outfits with ribbons, creating a stunning visual effect.- Viva Magenta, a collection that blended Indian craftsmanship with the Pantone 2023 colour.Every collection had at least one unique saree variation, showcasing the versatility and elegance of the traditional garment. The best innovation in the saree award was won by Victorian Indulgence, a collection that fused Victorian elements with Indian fabrics.Kalatmakata 2023 event was a successful affair that highlighted the talent and potential of INIFD Kothrud students.INIFD Kothrud is one of the best fashion design and interior designing colleges in Pune. Established in 2005, it offers government-approved diplomas, advanced diplomas and certificate courses in fashion design and interior design. It also provides a 0% finance aid facility, state-of-the-art infrastructure, experienced faculty, industry expert workshops, celebrity mentors, international and national tie-ups, practical exposure, personality development and grooming sessions, hostel/PG assistance, and 100% placement assistance to its students.INIFD Kothrud is associated with prestigious events like Lakme Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week and many more. Further, the Institute aims to help aspiring designers achieve their dreams and become successful in their chosen fields.Why choose INIFD Kothrud?- INIFD Kothrud is an authorized enrollment and training partner of Medhavi Skill University, A UGC Approved University and approved by Maharashtra State Board of Skill Development (MSBSD), ensuring high-quality education and recognition.- INIFD Kothrud has exclusive mentorship programs by renowned designers like Hemant Trevedi who visit the centre every month and take specific advanced topic training for the students.- INIFD Kothrud has a strong reputation for creating highly skilled design individuals in the fashion and interior design industry and 100% lifetime support for placements. They provide internship, recruitment and training programs that help students and alumni establish connections and navigate their creative careers with their industry partners.- INIFD Kothrud has received several awards for its excellence in design education, such as the Sakal Idol Of Maharashtra for Best Fashion and Interior Design Institute - 2022, the Center of Excellence Award in the presence of Twinkle Khanna, the Excellence Award in the presence of Ashutosh Shah, Appreciation Award in the presence of Fashion Designer Rahul Mishra, The Premium Center Award by Ashley Rebello, etc.- INIFD Kothrud has a vibrant campus life with events, workshops, competitions, exhibitions, factory visits, IV trips, etc., that enrich the student experience and exposure.For more information, visit -(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Indian hospitality sector thriving, outlook for 2023 is bullish: Experts New Delhi, May 26: With the government's continued push for reforms, experts said the Indian hospitality sector is thriving and the outlook for 2023 is bullish. Indian hospitality sector thriving, outlook for 2023 is bullish: Experts Aditya Kushwaha, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Axis Ecorp, said the Indian hospitality sector had been thriving, and the outlook is bullish for 2023.He said domestic tourism was the industry's principal growth driver. "Holiday goers are keen to explore new places and are always on the lookout for comfortable stays and great deals. We had recently forayed into the sector with the launch of Deefellows and our first property in Jim Corbett. We aim to have 10-15 holiday locations and garner revenue of over Rs 50 crore in the first year of operation," Aditya Kushwaha said.A noteworthy projection made by a recent report indicated the addition of approximately 12,000 rooms in 2023 alone. Moreover, the report anticipates a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 3.3 per cent in the number of rooms by 2025.The report compiled by CBRE South Asia said the recovery in demand is expected to outpace the rate of supply expansion, resulting in positive performance indicators for the hotel sector.Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO - India, South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa, CBRE, said, "In recent years, several international hotel chains have made significant investments in the country, looking to tap into the growing demand for hospitality services."Magazine said several private equity (PE) funds have also invested in domestic and international hospitality operators looking to expand their footprint in the country."The sector has also benefited from the government's continued focus on reforms, as a result, the government expects the country's tourism and hospitality sector to earn USD 50.9 billion as visitor exports by 2028," he added.Visitor exports is the spending within a country by international tourists for leisure and business travel. This includes spending on transport.Another real estate expert said there is a greater demand for experiential and boutique properties that cater to the needs of new-age travellers.Ankit Gupta, Founder and Director of Business Development, at Roostels India, said, "We believe that there is immense growth potential in the Indian hospitality market. In this post-pandemic world, guests are looking to explore new places and focusing more on the experience. We are seeing greater demand for experiential and boutique properties that cater to the needs of new-age travellers.To cater to the demand of this segment, Gupta said, "We are launching Roadies Rostel. This will be a one-of-its-kind theme hotel where adventure junkies will be able to indulge in various indoor and outdoor sports. Our first property will be launching in Ahmedabad in July and are looking to expand our presence through franchisee routes in 15 top holiday destinations in this financial year."The CBRE report also emphasised that the sector's outlook has experienced a remarkable upturn following a successful vaccination campaign, the reopening of borders, the lifting of travel restrictions, and sustained economic growth. Encouragingly, the report predicted an influx of investments surpassing USD 2.3 billion over the next 2-5 years, with an additional investment of over USD 0.4 billion expected between 2020 and 2023.According to the report, religious tourism has long been a consistent revenue generator for the hospitality sector in India. It said leading hotel chains are recognising the evolving preferences of religious tourists and catering to their needs by offering clean, hygienic, and family-friendly accommodations. These accommodations often command a premium price due to the increased value placed on comfort and amenities, it added.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! LEIPZIG, Germany, May 27. Ukraine is eager to increase cooperation with Azerbaijan in post-war reconstruction activities, Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, told Trend on the sidelines of the International Transport Forum's Annual Summit. He noted that, from this perspective, Ukraine has all types of communication with the Ministry of Transport of Azerbaijan. "Recently, we have been cooperating on issues regarding transit permits. We have already received a quick response from our Azerbaijani colleagues in terms of giving these permits to Ukraine," he said. The deputy minister added that Ukraine will be happy if these transit restrictions would be pulled down completely, at least while the war is still underway, and, overall, will be glad to improve any sort of cooperation with Azerbaijan. On May 24-26, 2023, Leipzig, Germany hosted the ITF Summit on Transport Enabling Sustainable Economies, under the presidency of the UK. Attendees have discussed and exchange ideas on how transport can facilitate economic growth while promoting environmental and social sustainability. Japanese researchers likely to develop babies in lab by 2028: Study Tokyo, May 26: A team of Japanese researchers are working on a method to develop babies in the laboratory as early as 2028, according to a study that can help treat infertility and other birth defects. Japanese researchers likely to develop babies in lab by 2028: Study The researchers at Kyushu University aim to mass-produce eggs and sperm in the lab from ordinary human cells.In the study, published in the journal Nature, the team described their method of turning male mice's skin cells into pluripotent stem cells, which can potentially develop into various types of cells or tissues.They then grew these cells with a drug that converted the male rodent stem cells into female cells, which produced viable egg cells. These eggs were then fertilised to produce newborn male mice."The study provides insights that could ameliorate infertility caused by sex chromosome or autosomal disorders, and opens the possibility of bipaternal reproduction," wrote Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi, a stem cell biology expert at the varsity, in the paper.Previously, his team used the synthetic surrogacy method to create baby mice from two male rodents.In the new study, only seven out of 630 embryos grew into live mouse pups. Researchers believe the experiment can have potential implications in human reproduction."It's a very clever strategy," Diana Laird, a stem cell and reproductive expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the research, was quoted as saying to the New York Post."It's an important step in both stem cell and reproductive biology."Indeed, the process could theoretically be replicated in humans by infusing embryos spawned via pluripotent stem cells into a female womb.Dr. Hayashi estimates that it would take around half a decade to replicate egg-like cell production in humans, and 10-20 years of testing to ensure this artificial reproductive method is safe for use in clinics."Purely in terms of technology, it will be possible [in humans] even in 10 years," he was quoted as saying to the Guardian earlier."I don't know whether they'll be available for reproduction," he said. "That is not a question just for the scientific programme, but also for (society)."IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Pune study shows efficacy of rescue therapy for newborns who turn blue New Delhi, May 26: Doctors at a hospital in Pune have, in a study, shown the efficacy of a novel rescue therapy which may help babies born with low oxygen levels -- a rare and life-threatening condition that occurs in approximately one in 500 newborns, giving them a bluish appearance. Pune study shows efficacy of 'rescue therapy' for newborns who turn blue Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) is characterised by low oxygen levels and high pressure in the pulmonary arteries due to the blood vessels in the lungs failing to dilate after birth. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, low oxygen levels, bluish appearance, decreased blood pressure, and lethargy in newborns.Doctors at Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital in Pune determined efficacy of Vasopressin -- a hormone that can increase blood pressure by constricting blood vessels -- among 31 neonates. Vasopressin is also approved for hypotension or sudden drop in blood pressure.The results of the observational study, published in the American Journal of Perinatology, showed vasopressin as an effective solution used to treat PPHN when unresponsive to other forms of treatment.The standard treatment to PPHN cases is using a special type of ventilator known as high frequency ventilator, and usage of nitric oxide. It reduces the load on the heart, and there is increased blood flow to the lungs."PPHN is most common immediately after birth, because the baby's lungs and heart have difficulty adapting to the outside world," Dr Sachin Shah, Director - Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Services, Surya Hospitals Pune, told IANS."When the baby is inside the mother's womb, the lungs do not have any part to play, everything the gas exchange is taken care of by the placenta. So after birth, the lungs do not open up and they do not function as they should."PPHN can manifest within minutes to six hours after birth," Shah said, stressing on the need for observing newborns for symptoms and providing immediate medical attention to manage the fatal condition.In extremely rare cases, mild cases of PPHN also occur in infancy or childhood due to progressive blood vessel issues, the doctor said. Genetic causes for PPHN are also extremely rare, with the commonest factors being maternal health conditions or infections affecting blood flow to the baby during pregnancy.The observational study used vasopressin as a rescue therapy in neonates with PPHN who have refractory hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and refractory systemic hypotension.The study showed promising results with 29 out of 31 enrolled neonates responding favourably to the treatment. No side effects were observed.The findings of the study may help inform clinical practice and guide future research in the use of vasopressin as rescue therapy in term neonates with severe PPHN. However, a randomised controlled trial would be needed to establish a causal relationship between vasopressin and improved outcomes in this population, the expert noted in a statement.IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! IPL 2023: Gujarat-Mumbai Qualifier 2 toss to happen at 7.45 p.m., match to begin from 8 p.m. Ahmedabad, May 26: The toss for Qualifier 2 clash in IPL 2023 between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians will happen at 7.45 p.m. at Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday, followed by the match beginning from 8 p.m. IPL 2023: Gujarat-Mumbai Qualifier 2 toss to happen at 7.45 p.m., match to begin from 8 p.m. Around 6.20 p.m., heavy rain began in Ahmedabad, with some thunder and lightning accompanying it. But by the time the toss was officially delayed to 7 p.m., the rain had stopped with two layers of covers being taken off and players arriving at the ground to warm-up.As per playing conditions on the IPL website, a playoff match can start on the original game day as late as 9.40 p.m. without the number of overs being reduced.Though the weather forecast for the rest of the night in Ahmedabad is clear, even if rain comes and forces a washout, a Super Over will decide the winner, which can begin as late as 12.50 a.m., as there is no reserve day.Even if that isn't possible, the team that has finished higher on the table will qualify for the final, which in this case is Gujarat due to the virtue of topping the table in the league stage. The latest a five overs per side match can start is 11.56 p.m. (with 10-minute interval, no timeouts) and a scheduled finish of 12.50 a.m.The winner of Qualifier 2 between Gujarat, the defending champions and Mumbai, the five-time winners, will play against four-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the final on Sunday, while the side who doesn't win will be knocked out of the competition.Mumbai enter Qualifier 2 match high on confidence following a thumping 81-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator match, while Gujarat have another shot at making it to the final after losing to Chennai Super Kings by 15 runs in Qualifier 1.IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Country strengthened under PM Modis leadership: Khattar Chandigarh, May 26: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has strengthened in every field and is moving towards continuous progress. Country strengthened under PM Modi's leadership: Khattar "Today is a very historic day as nine years ago, Narendra Modi assumed the responsibility of the Prime Minister and started moving forward with the resolve to serve the country," he said.The Chief Minister was interacting with the people during a Jan Samvad programme at Mahendragarh's Satnali village.Welcoming the Chief Minister at the programme, former minister Ram Bilas Sharma appreciated the working style of the government.The Chief Minister said the way the country is setting new records across the world under the leadership of Modi, in the same way Haryana is also moving towards continuous development in the last eight-and-a-half years.With scathing attack on corruption, the Chief Minister said during the last eight-and-a-half-years, the state government has completely stopped the 'parchi-kharchi' system of providing jobs."With scathing attack on corruption, the government has given priority to Mission Merit and has given employment to qualified youth with transparency," he added.Meanwhile, on the demand of the people, the Chief Minister announced the construction of a new shed and boundary walls at the grain market of Satnali village.He said adequate facilities are being provided in the grain markets so that the farmers coming to the market, do not face any kind of inconvenience.The Chief Minister said that arrangements for dual desks in the classrooms are being ensured, along with construction of boundary walls of all government schools in the state, among other arrangements.IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! 9 Saal 9 Sawaal: Congress releases document questioning Centre as BJP completes nine-year-rule New Delhi, May 26: As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) completed its nine years of power at the Centre on Friday, Congress posed a set of nine questions to the party ranging from issues related to economy, farmers, corruption, democracy and national security. '9 Saal 9 Sawaal': Congress releases document questioning Centre as BJP completes nine-year-rule The Congress party also released a document with the name '9 Saal 9 Sawaal' on the occasion."On the completion of nine years of the Modi Government, the Congress party wants to ask 9 questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are also releasing a document for the same '9 saal 9 sawaal'," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said while addressing a press conference here.Congress, in a tweet, shared the nine questions and said that the Prime Minister "must respond to these nine questions before the BJP begins to celebrate"."Why are inflation and unemployment skyrocketing in India? Why have the rich become richer and the poor become poorer? Why is public property being sold to PM Modi's friends, even as economic disparities are increasing?" the document read questioning the government over the economic front.The party questioned the government over the doubling of farmers' income and also asked why the Minimum Support Price has not been legally guaranteed to them."Why is it that the agreements made with farmers while repealing the three black farm laws have not been honoured? Why has MSP not been legally guaranteed? Why didn't farmers' income double over the last 9 years?" it read.The grand old party hitting out at the centre asked why the BJP has been "silent" over the alleged corruption in BIP-ruled states."Why are you putting people's hard-earned savings in LIC and SBI at risk to benefit your friend Adani? Why are you letting thieves escape? Why are you silent on rampant corruption in BIP-ruled states, and why are you letting Indians suffer?" the document read.Questining the government over the issue of national security and China, Congress asked, "Why is it that even after your clean chit to China in 2020, they continue to occupy Indian territory? 18 meetings have been held with China, yet why do they refuse to yield Indian territory and instead continue with their aggressive tactics?""Why is it that your oppressive government is methodically destroying the foundations of social justice? Why are you silent on the atrocities against women, Dalits, SC, ST, OBCs and minorities? Why are you ignoring the demand for a caste census?," it added."Why are you deliberately using the politics of hatred for electoral gains and fueling an atmosphere of fear in society?," the Congress questioned.The party came down heavily over the issue of democracy and asked why has the government "weakened" the Constitutional values."Why have you weakened our Constitutional values and democratic institutions in the last nine years? Why are you practicing the politics of revenge against Opposition parties and leaders? And why are you using blatant 'money power to destabilise governments elected by the people?" it read."Why is it that schemes for the welfare of the poor, needy and tribals are being weakened by cutting their budgets and making restrictive rules?" read the document.Citing the time when the country was grappling with COVID pandemic, the party raised questions over the deaths and compensation by the government to the grieving families."Why is it that despite the tragic deaths of over 40 lakh people due to COVID-19, the Modi government has refused to compensate their families? Why did you suddenly impose a lockdown which forced lakhs of workers to return home, and not provide any support?" the document read.Narendra Modi was sworn in for the first time as Prime Minister on May 26, 2014, and PM Modi took oath at the office for the second term on May 30, 2019.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! JPMorgan is cutting about 1,000 First Republic Bank employees New York, May 26: JPMorgan Chase informed about 1,000 First Republic Bank employees on Thursday that they will no longer have jobs, according to CNN Business. JPMorgan is cutting about 1,000 First Republic Bank employees JPMorgan acquired most of First Republic's assets earlier this month after the San Francisco-based regional bank was seized by the government, according to CNN Business. It marked the second-biggest bank failure in US history.A JPMorgan spokesperson told CNN that the bank updated all First Republic employees on Thursday about their future employment status and the vast majority -- or nearly 85 per cent -- have been offered a transitional or full-time role.That leaves 15 per cent, or about 1,000, First Republic employees who are not receiving an employment offer. News of the job impact was previously reported by the Financial Times.JPMorgan said the company's May 1 deal with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to buy most of First Republic did not include all of the company's employees."We've been transparent with their employees and kept our promise to update them on their employment status within 30 days," JPMorgan said in a statement. "We recognise that they have been under stress and uncertainty since March and hope that today will bring clarity and closure."According to CNN Business, the bank said that employees who have not been offered a role will receive pay and benefits covering 60 days and will be offered a package that includes an additional lump sum as well as continuing benefits coverage and resources to find new opportunities.It's not clear how many First Republic employees that have been offered employment at JPMorgan will have full-time versus transitional roles.The transitional roles being offered to some First Republic employees will last for a period of between three and 12 months, JPMorgan said.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! China, Bhutan hold talks on border issues, discuss taking forward implementation of Three-Step Roadmap Thimphu [Bhutan], May 26: The 12th Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on the China-Bhutan border issues was held in Thimphu from May 24-25. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the positive consensus reached at the 11th Expert Group meeting in Kunming, China and held discussions to take forward the implementation of the Three-Step Roadmap. China, Bhutan hold talks on border issues, discuss taking forward implementation of Three-Step Roadmap China and Bhutan expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the implementation of the Roadmap during the 12th Expert Group meeting in Thimphu, according to the joint press release on the 12th Expert Group Meeting on the China-Bhutan border issues. For the meeting, the Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs."The two sides reviewed the positive consensus reached at the 11th EGM in Kunming, China and held frank and constructive discussions to take forward the implementation of the Three-Step Roadmap. They expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the implementation of the Roadmap during the 12th EGM in Thimphu," the joint press release on the 12th Expert Group Meeting on the China-Bhutan border issues said.For the meeting, the Bhutanese delegation was led by Letho Tobdhen Tangbi, Secretary of the International Boundaries of Bhutan. During the meeting, China and Bhutan expressed their confidence in the Three-Step Roadmap.The two sides reiterated the importance of increasing the frequency of their meetings to make further progress in its implementation. Both sides agreed to hold the next EGM in Beijing at an early date.The two sides also agreed to hold the 25th Round of China-Bhutan Boundary talks as soon as possible at mutually convenient dates. The joint press release on the 12th Expert Group Meeting on the China-Bhutan border issues said, "The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere in keeping with the close ties of friendship and cooperation between China and Bhutan."ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Haryana Chief Secy emphasises on timely solution of legacy waste at Gurugram landfill Gurugram, May 26: Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal on Friday directed the officials concerned to expedite the processing of legacy waste at the Bandhwari landfill site in Gurugram. Haryana Chief Secy emphasises on timely solution of legacy waste at Gurugram landfill The entire legacy waste should be processed by November 2023, he said at a virtual meeting with the officers of the Urban Local Bodies Department, Municipal Corporations of Gurugram (MCG), and Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) here.To effectively manage the fresh waste in Faridabad, the officers informed in the meeting that decentralised waste processing facilities with a capacity of 890 tonnes per day (TPD) are being established by the MCF at various sites.The Chief Secretary directed the officers to ensure the timely disposal of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) by utilising GPS-enabled vehicles.To expedite the waste disposal process, he also directed the officers to identify and finalize two more landfill sites in Gurugram within a specific timeline.He stressed the need to increase daily waste processing capacity in the Bandhwari site and asked the Commissioner of MCG to fix timelines for each activity and designate officers responsible for achieving the targets.MCG has developed 2.5 acres of land at Bandhwari for fresh waste disposal, and dumping operations have commenced since April 15.To maintain quality standards, the Chief Secretary urged the officers to regularly monitor the calorific value of processed waste at the waste-to-energy plant (WTE plant).IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! IPL 2023: Gill ton, Mohit fifer help Gujarat Titans thrash Mumbai Indians by 62 runs, set final clash with CSK Ahmedabad, May 27: Shubman Gill's sensational 129 off 60 balls followed by veteran pacer Mohit Sharma's impressive fifer (5/10) helped Gujarat Titans thrash Mumbai Indians by 62 runs in Qualifier 2 and reachA the final of the IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, here on Friday. IPL 2023: Gill ton, Mohit fifer help Gujarat Titans thrash Mumbai Indians by 62 runs, set final clash with CSK TheA win also meant that Gujarat entered the IPL final for the second successive time and will meet Chennai Super Kings in Sunday's title clash at the same venue. Co-incidentally, the first match of IPL 2023 was between Gujarat and Chennai at the very same venue on March 31.Chasing 234 was always going to be an uphill task for Mumbai. Mohammed Shami struck in his very first over when makeshift opener Nehal Wadhera went for a pull, only to edge behind to keeper. Cameron Green got going with a first-ball four, but retired hurt in second over after being hit on left forearm while trying to fend off Hardik Pandya.Shami struck again in his second over as Rohit Sharma top-edged a pull to fine leg. Tilak Varma got going by flicking and pulling for two sixes in his first four balls. The left-handed batter smashed Shami for four consecutive boundaries -- via late cut, pull and driving twice, before pulling him for six to take 24 runs off the fifth over as Mumbai raced to 65/2.Rashid Khan brought an end to Varma's cameo as the youngster missed a straighter delivery on sweep and was castled, bringing an end to his glittering cameo. Green returned to resume his innings and along with Suryakumar Yadav, the duo hit four boundaries and two sixes collectively against Rashid and Noor Ahmad.Their partnership came to an end when Green tried to pull off Josh Little, but was castled in the 12th over. Suryakumar maintained the tempo with fours off Noor and Little, before reaching his fifty in 33 balls with a scooped six off the left-arm pacer over fine leg.He welcomed Mohit Sharma with a pulled six, but the pacer bounced back immediately as Suryakumar went for another scoop, and saw his leg-stump castled. Concussion substitute Vishnu Vinod also fell to Mohit after spooning a catch to cover, followed by Tim David trapped lbw by Rashid. Mohit took the remaining three wickets to clinch a five-wicket haul in just 14 balls, thus sealing Gujarat's place in the final.Brief Scores Gujarat Titans 233/3 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 129, B Sai Sudharsan 43; Piyush Chawla 1/45) beat Mumbai Indians 171 in 18.2 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 61, Tilak Varma 43; Mohit Sharma 5/10, Rashid Khan 2/33) by 62 runs.IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! After FIR against him, director Sanoj Mishra says film The Diary of West Bengal is based on well-researched facts Kolkata, May 27: Sanoj Mishra, director of the Hindi film The Diary of West Bengal, who received a notice from the West Bengal police for allegedly defaming West Bengal, said that his intention is not to malign the image of the state and his film is based on well-researched facts. After FIR against him, director Sanoj Mishra says film The Diary of West Bengal is based on well-researched facts "My intention is not to malign the image of the state. We have shown only facts in the film which are well-researched. Our film is based on the politics of appeasement which is going on the state just for votes.""After launch of the trailer of the movie, Bengal police registered a case against me. West Bengal is trying to arrest me by any means and wants to send me jail, where anything can happen to me."Mishra also appealed to Prime Minister and Home Minister to take cognizance of the matter so that people like him do not get unnecessarily harassed.Director Sanoj Mishra has been served a notice under Section 41A of the CrPC for questioning on May 30 at Amherst Street Police Station in West Bengal. FIR has been registered under various sections of IPC, IT Act and Cinematography Act regarding this film.The Diary of West Bengal is produced by Jitendra Narayan Singh and written and directed by Sanoj Mishra. The film is said to be based on true events of mass killings and rapes linked with West Bengal.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. President of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin has sent a letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Trend reports. "Excellency, On the auspicious occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it gives me immense pleasure to convey my warmest greetings and sincere felicitations to you and to the friendly people of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I firmly believe that the existing bonds of friendship between our two countries will be further strengthened in the days come. On this joyous occasion, I would like to wish you good health, long life and happiness and to the friendly people of the Republic of Azerbaijan continued peace, progress and prosperity. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," the letter said. King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein has sent a letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day. "Your Excellency, On behalf of the people and government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, I would like to extend to Your Excellency, and the great people of Azerbaijan, our sincere congratulations on the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I avail myself of this opportunity to wish your Excellency good health and happiness, and to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan continued progress and prosperity," the letter said. President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has sent a letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day. "Dear Mr President, On the occasion of the National Day of Azerbaijan, I would like to convey to Your Excellency my congratulations and sincere wishes for your personal well-being and for the progress and prosperity of the Azerbaijani people," the letter said. President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella has sent a letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day. "Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the Italian Republic and on my own behalf, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you and to the friendly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of your national holiday the Independence Day. I am particularly pleased to note the continuous strengthening of strong ties connecting Baku and Rome, as we also confirmed during our numerous meetings in a sensitive period marked by the Russian-Ukrainian war. Based on a true friendship that unites our peoples, I am convinced that we will continue to use all opportunities to deepen our multifaceted strategic partnership in all areas of mutual interest. In this vein, Italy will continue its strong support for the further development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. Mr. President, in the spirit of sincere friendship, I convey my wishes for your personal well-being and prosperous future for the friendly people of Azerbaijan," the letter said. Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban has sent a letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day. "Esteemed Mr. President, Please allow me to extend to you my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Independence Day. The cooperation between Hungary and the Republic of Azerbaijan is exemplary, supported also by the uninterrupted development of our economic and political relations. I am delighted that in January this year we elevated relations between our countries to the level of an enhanced strategic partnership. I can assure you that my Government remains committed to working for the further development of our multifaceted relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan, both on a bilateral basis and in the framework of Turkic cooperation. I firmly believe that our fruitful cooperation will be to the satisfaction of the citizens of both countries. I wish you further successes and good health in your responsible position," the letter said. Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya has sent a letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day. "Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and on my own behalf, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate you and the people of Azerbaijan on your Independence Day. You are celebrating this day at a time when Azerbaijan is marking the centennial anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who saw the establishment of a high-level Customs service as one of the main focuses in the preservation and further development of Azerbaijan's independence. I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for Your Excellency's personal commitment to strengthen the partnership between the WCO and Azerbaijan. Today, under your leadership, the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan continues to advance in its modernization efforts, supported by the WCO. I would like to reiterate my pledge to continue our close cooperation and I look forward to having an opportunity to meet with Your Excellency in the near future to discuss topics of mutual interest to further enhance this cooperation. Please accept, Mr. President, my best wishes, and the assurances of my highest consideration," the letter said. Study shows plants remove cancer causing toxins from air Washington, May 26: A groundbreaking study has demonstrated that plants can efficiently remove hazardous petrol fumes from indoor air, including cancer-causing chemicals like benzene. Study shows plants remove cancer causing toxins from air The study was led by University of Technology Sydney (UTS) bioremediation researcher Associate Professor Fraser Torpy, in partnership with leading Australian plantscaping solutions company Ambius.The researchers found that the Ambius small green wall, containing a mix of indoor plants, was highly effective at removing harmful, cancer-causing pollutants, with 97 per cent of the most toxic compounds removed from the surrounding air in just eight hours.Poor indoor air quality is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths globally, according to the World Health Organisation. Most people spend 90% of their time indoors at home, school or the workplace, so adopting new strategies to improve air quality is critical.Ambius General Manager Johan Hodgson said the research presented new evidence into the critical role played by indoor plants and green walls in cleaning the air we breathe quickly and sustainably."We know that indoor air quality is often significantly more polluted than outdoor air, which in turn impacts mental and physical health. But the great news is this study has shown that something as simple as having plants indoors can make a huge difference," Mr Hodgson said.Previous studies on indoor plants have shown they can remove a broad range of indoor air contaminants, however this is the first study into the ability of plants to clean up gasoline vapors, which are one of the largest sources of toxic compounds in buildings worldwide.Offices and residential apartment buildings often connect directly to parking garages, either by doors or elevator shafts, making it difficult to avoid harmful gasoline-related compounds seeping into work and residential areas. Many buildings are also exposed to gasoline fumes from nearby roads and highways.Breathing gasoline fumes can lead to lung irritation, headaches and nausea, and has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, asthma and other chronic diseases from longer term exposure, contributing to decreased life expectancy.Associate Professor Torpy said the study results, based on measurements from a sealed chamber, had far exceeded their expectations when it came to removing gasoline pollutants from the air."This is the first time plants have been tested for their ability to remove gasoline-related compounds, and the results are astounding."Not only can plants remove the majority of pollutants from the air in a matter of hours, they remove the most harmful gasoline-related pollutants from the air most efficiently, for example, known carcinogen benzene is digested at a faster rate than less harmful substances, like alcohols."We also found that the more concentrated the toxins in the air, the faster and more effective the plants became at removing the toxins, showing that plants adapt to the conditions they're growing in," Associate Professor Torpy said.Mr Hodgson said the findings confirmed feedback they'd received after installing plants in hundreds of office buildings across the nation."At Ambius, we see over and over again the effects plants have in improving health, wellbeing, productivity and office attendance for the thousands of businesses we work with. This new research proves that plants should not just be seen as 'nice to have', but rather a crucial part of every workplace wellness plan."The bottom line is that the best, most cost-effective and most sustainable way to combat harmful indoor air contaminants in your workplace and home is to introduce plants," Mr Hodgson said.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister unveils G20 Global Pharma Summit 2023 Series brochure Visakhapatnam, May 27: The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, unveiled the brochure of the highly anticipated G20 Global Pharma Summit 2023 Series on Friday. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister unveils G20 Global Pharma Summit 2023 Series brochure The launch of this series signifies a significant step towards addressing global healthcare challenges and promoting technological advancements, said state officials.Following the Global Tech Summit held in various G20 cities, including Vizag, Zurich, Amsterdam, and Rome, the G20 Global Pharma Summit Series and G20 Health Summit Series will be hosted in major cities across the G20 countries. The cities include Riyadh, Seoul, Tokyo, Rome, Paris, New York, Melbourne, Beijing, London, and New Delhi.These global summits will serve as unparalleled platforms for experts, researchers, and industry leaders to come together, share knowledge, and contribute to the advancement of healthcare and technology on a global scale.The G20 Global Pharma Summit Series and G20 Health Summit Series led by the Pulsus Group are organized in collaboration with esteemed international partners, such as Walsh Medical Media from the USA, Conference Series from the UK, Longdom Group from Belgium, Ashdin Publishing from the Middle East, and EuroSciCon from the European Union Conference Group. This diverse and comprehensive collaboration ensures a wide range of perspectives and expertise, providing participants with an enriching experience.These summits aim to identify and recognize subject experts in major fields of healthcare and technology, offering them a unique platform to showcase their expertise and contribute to global advancements. Additionally, the events provide an opportunity for startup companies to promote their ventures, network with potential investors and collaborators, and raise funds to further their innovative projects. Gedela Srinubabu, Co-Convenor of the Global Tech Summit Series and CEO of Pulsus Group emphasized the significance of these platforms in supporting and fostering the growth of startups in the healthcare and technology sectors.Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed his support and highlighted the importance of showcasing investment opportunities in Vizag and Andhra Pradesh during the series of summits. The Chief Minister's endorsement adds significant weight to these global events, further enhancing their reach and impact. These series provide an excellent platform to attract international attention and investment to the region, particularly in the fields of pharma, healthcare, and technology.A major highlight of the G20 summits is the recognition and awards ceremony, where deserving individuals are honoured for their exceptional services and contributions to healthcare and technology. This recognition not only acknowledges their achievements but also serves as a catalyst for further innovation and progress in their respective fields. In addition to the awards, the summits feature scientific track presentations by scholars, students, and physicians, promoting knowledge exchange and collaboration.The launch of the G20 Global Pharma Summit Series marks a significant milestone in the global healthcare and technology landscape. With the support of international partners and the endorsement of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, these summits are set to drive collaboration, innovation, and advancements that will benefit humanity as a whole, the official press release said.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Navy, ISRO release Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan Kochi, May 27: India's foray into space gathered steam with the Indian Navy and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) releasing the Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan at Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) INS Garuda, Kochi on May 24. Navy, ISRO release Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan The training document was jointly released by VAdm Atul Anand, Director General of Naval Operations, Dr Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC) and Dr Umamaheshwaran R, Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISROThe document outlines the training plan for recovery of the Crew Module of the mission. It defines overall requirements wrt training of various teams participating in recovery operations incl Divers, MARCOs, Medical Specialists, Communicators, Technicians and Naval Aviators.The Recovery training is planned in incremental phases starting from unmanned recovery to manned recovery training in harbour and open sea conditions. The recovery operations are being led by the Indian Navy in co-ordination with other Government agencies.The Crew Module Recovery Model was also formally handed over to Indian Navy at its state-of-the-art Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) at INS Garuda, Kochi. The mass and shape simulated mockup will be used for familiarisation and training of Gaganyaan recovery teams.The Indian Navy will also assist ISRO by undertaking a series of trials to fine-tune the Standard Operating Procedures for training the crew and recovery teams of Gaganyaan.Earlier in March, in a written reply to a question to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, the scope of Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate human spaceflight capability to Low Earth Orbit and safe return.He said, ISRO is developing indigenous technologies for Human rated launch vehicle, Habitable Crew Module, Life Support System, Crew Escape System, Ground Station Network, Crew Training and Recovery. These technologies are crucial to meet the objectives of Gaganyaan mission and to take up any further interplanetary missions, the Minister added.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Security personnel deployed at 38 vulnerable areas in Manipur: CM Biren Singh Imphal, May 26: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday informed that additional security forces had been brought into the State and security personnel consisting of CAPF, Manipur Police, Manipur Rifles, IRB and VDF had been deployed at 38 vulnerable areas. Security personnel deployed at 38 vulnerable areas in Manipur: CM Biren Singh The Chief Minister was briefing the media at the Chief Minister's Secretariat today.The 38 locations where security personnel were deployed are Napat, Haotak, Salton Heiyaikon, Saiton Leitanpokpi, Nganukon, Salal Konjin, Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang, Torbung, Govindpur, Torbung Bunglow, Phougakchao Ikhai Maning, Phougakchao Ikhai Awang, Kwakta Maning, Terakhongshangbi, Khudekpi, Toronglaobi, oksongbung, Ngangkhalawai, Thamnapokpi, Naranseina, Sunusiphai, Phubala, Thinungei, Ningthoukhong Kha-Khunou, Ningthoukhong Macha Ebema, Upokpi, Potsangbam, Nachou, Chothe, Ngariyan Oil pump, Keinou, Irengbam Foothills, waroiching, Leimaram, Kamong, Heikrujam, Sagang Bazar and Chairel Manjil.Biren further informed that a team of legislators from the ruling party had visited Guwahati and met Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, apprising him of the prevailing situation in Manipur. He reiterated the Union Home Minister's commitment to take action against those who instigated violence.The Chief Minister also stated that the Union Home Minister, during his visit to the State, would meet different sections of people, appealing to the public to take part in the meeting to get a long-lasting solution. He appealed to the public to maintain a peaceful environment so that the Union Home Minister could be apprised of the prevailing situation of the State.He said that the priority of the Government is making people feel safe and secure, urging the public to have faith in the Government's effort to restore peace and normalcy.Appealing to the public not to have apprehension, the Chief Minister informed that operations had been conducted against armed militants in various areas in the periphery of the State. Efforts are being made to hold peace talks with all sections of people and the Government has been meeting various peace committees formed in the wake of the prevailing situation in Manipur, he added. He further appealed to the people to refrain from violent activities and not to believe or spread any unfounded information rumours, which could create tension among different communities. He sought the support of the public towards Government efforts to bring normalcy.Stating that the Government is unbiased in its efforts, Singh informed that paramilitary forces along with State forces had also been deployed to safeguard certain areas of Imphal inhabited by the Kuki community.The Chief Minister further informed that Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Shri Nityanand Rai, who is currently on his visit to the State, is holding meetings with different Civil Society Organisations. The MoS will visit places of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Moreh, he informed.Stating that so far around 495 guns had been returned out of more than 1000 guns snatched from different police stations, he urged them to return it before security personnel started conducting search operations so that they could avoid facing legal consequences.Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai, informing the media, on their meeting with Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah at Guwahati, stated that the team briefed the Union Home Minister about the situation of the State.Awangbow Newmai also informed that the Union Home Minister had assured that there would be no shortage of supply of essential commodities in the State, adding that the situation of the State would be normalised soon."Amit Shah appealed to the people not to have any apprehension and to have faith in the Government effort and join hands to make the State move towards peace and development," the minister informed.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Twinning and winning! Anushka Sharma, Kriti Sanon spotted wearing matching Richard Quinn gowns on same day New Delhi, May 27: From time to time, celebrities attend events wearing the same outfit. Friday was no exception as Bollywood divas Anushka Sharma and Kriti Sanon served twinning and winning goals, however, at different venues. Twinning and winning! Anushka Sharma, Kriti Sanon spotted wearing matching Richard Quinn gowns on same day Anushka made her Cannes red carpet debut in an off-shoulder ivory Richard Quinn couture gown. Interestingly, on the same day, Kriti marked a stunning appearance at IIFA ROCKS 2023 green carpet wearing the exact same dress as Anushka, but it was in black colour.Coincidentally, the duo opted for a similar hairdo. Anushka and Kriti elevated their look with a sleek hair bun.No official announcement was made about Anushka Sharma's Cannes debut but earlier this month, Emmanuel Lenin, the French Ambassador to India, revealed she would be at the film festival in a tweet. "A pleasure meeting Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma! I wished Virat and Team India all the best for the upcoming tournaments, and discussed Anushka's trip to Cannes Film Festival," he wrote after meeting Anushka and Virat at the French Embassy in New Delhi.Speaking of Anushka and Kriti's upcoming films, the actresses have plenty of projects in their kitty. Anushka will be seen in 'Chakda Xpress'. Directed by Prosit Roy, 'Chakda Xpress' is a sports biopic based on the life of former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami, which will stream exclusively on Netflix. The final release date of the film is still awaited. The 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' actor will be portraying the role of a cricketer for the first time in her career.Anushka's brother Karnesh Sharma will be producing 'Chakda Xpress' with his home production company Clean Slate Filmz. The film marks the actor's comeback after her last release 'Zero' in 2018 with Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif.On the other hand, Kriti will be seen romancing Shahid Kapoor in a yet-to-be-titled film. She also has 'Ganapath' along with Tiger Shroff.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! US lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali a federal holiday Washington, May 27: US lawmaker Grace Meng on Friday introduced a bill in the US Congress to declare Diwali as a federal holiday in the US. US lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali a federal holiday "Today, I was proud to announce the introduction of the #Diwali Day Act, my bill that would make Diwali a federal holiday. Thank you to all my government colleagues and the many advocates who joined me to express their support," Meng tweeted on Saturday.Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important festivals in India.The Diwali Day Act would make Diwali the US' 12th federally recognised holiday.Meng during a virtual news conference in the US soon after introducing the bill in the House of Representatives, said "Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States."Recently, the Pennsylvania State Senate passed a bill to recognize Diwali as an official holiday, Nikil Saval, a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate announced in a tweet.Taking to his official Twitter handle, Nikil Saval expressed gratitude to Greg Rothman for giving him the opportunity to join him in introducing the bill.He tweeted, "The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection you are seen, you are welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the opportunity to join you in introducing this bill."ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Axis Bank Lifetime Free Credit Cards for the Win! ATK, New Delhi, May 27: Credit cards are financial tools that offer a range of benefits and features to provide monetary convenience and enhance your credit score. Axis Bank Lifetime Free Credit Cards for the Win! Among popular credit cards are lifetime free credit cards that do not entail any annual or joining charges. These credit cards eliminate the hassle of paying a card fee every year to continue using your credit card.Axis Bank is a reputed financial institution that has launched some really exciting credit cards with great offers in recent years. With the new financial year just beginning, Axis Bank has announced a few lifetime free credit cards as a limited-period offer.Here are the that are lifetime free* Axis Bank MY ZONE Credit Card* IndianOil Axis Bank Credit CardAxis Bank MY ZONE Credit CardThe Axis Bank MY ZONE Credit Card offers a number of attractive features that you can now get without an annual fee. Through this card you can get instant discounts on online shopping, movies, food delivery and more. Additionally, you can also convert your purchases to EMI, get complimentary airport lounge access and so on. Furthermore, this credit card is equipped with a high-security EMV chip and PIN to ensure maximum protection.Given below are some of the features that the Axis Bank MY ZONE Credit Card offersMovie ticket perks* At Paytm Movies, get a second movie ticket at a 100% discount* The maximum discount that you can get every month is Rs200* You can make use of the coupon code AXIS200 to get the benefit* Movie transactions do no qualify for any reward pointsComplimentary OTT annual subscription* Get an annual subscription of SonyLiv Premium worth Rs999 on spending for the first time within 30 days of your card's issuance* If you qualify for this offer, you will receive a voucher code through SMS on the mobile number you've registered with* In the card's anniversary year, you will be qualified for the renewal of your SonyLiv Premium subscription on spending Rs1.5 LakhsFood delivery deals* Through the use of your MY ZONE credit card, you can get a discount of 40% on food delivery* You can use the coupon code AXIS40 to get the discount* The maximum discount that you can get per order is capped at Rs120* This offer is applicable on spending a minimum of Rs200* You can get this discount for about 4 times per month* This offer is valid on orders from restaurants that are partnered with Axis Bank* Under such a partnership, even third party offers inclusive of banks, wallet or fintech institutes will be included* This offer will not be valid for Haldirams's restaurantsLounge access privileges* One free access to selected airport lounges within the country* This access is applicable every quarterIndianOil Axis Bank Credit CardThe IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card offers alluring offers on fuel transactions. With this credit card you can earn rewards points and enjoy surcharge waivers at fuel stations. Moreover, you can get a discount on booking movie tickets through the BookMyShow app or website.Mentioned below are some of the features of the IndianOil Axis Bank Credit CardWelcome benefits* On the first fuel transaction within 30 days of your card's issuance, you can get a 100% cashback that amount to Rs250IOCL fuel outlet rewards* On every Rs100 spent at IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Limited), get up to 4% cashback by acquiring 20 reward points* This offer will be applicable on spending between Rs100 and Rs5000 on fuel transactions every month at IOCL fuel outletsOnline shopping rewards* On every Rs100 spent on shopping online, get a value back of 1% by acquiring 5 reward points* To get this benefit you will need to spend between Rs100 and Rs5000 at online merchant storesWaiver on fuel surcharge* You can rid yourself off of fuel surcharge through the use of the IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card* This offer will be valid on fuel transactions between Rs200 and Rs5000 at indian fuel outlets* Get a maximum waiver of Rs50 on every statement cycle* The applicable GST on fuel surcharge will not be refundedWaiver on annual spends* On spending more than Rs50,000 a year, you can get a waiver on the annual fee* Wallet load transactions or rent transactions will not be qualified for the calculation of spends while availing a waiver on annual feeBookMyShow discounts* On booking movies tickets through the BookMyShow website or app, you can get an instant discount of up to 10%* You will need to access this discount from the offers section of the BookMyShow app or websiteEDGE REWARD points* On every Rs100 that you spend using your credit card, you will earn one EDGE REWARD pointDining privileges* At restaurants partnered with Axis Bank, you can get a discount of up to 15% through the Axis Bank Dining Delights* To get this offer the minimum amount that you'd need to spend on your order is Rs1500* You can get a 15% discount amounting to Rs500* This benefit can be enjoyed twice a month to get benefits of up to Rs1000Now that you know of this limited time offer on Axis Bank credit cards, you can get one today and enjoy exclusive privileges. However, in order to make the most of your credit card, you will need to be mindful of a few aspects. One of them being the Axis Bank credit card payment due date. The failure of your credit card bill payment can result in unnecessary charges. This can be easily avoided if you keep an eye on the due date and make frequent payments.Moreover, the procedure is quite simple. All you need to do is head to the Axis Bank portal, type out your credit card number along with the amount and pay. So, why wait? Get an Axis Bank credit card and benefit from its exclusive offers.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Britney Spears reconciles with mom after bitter family feud Los Angeles, May 27: Pop icon Britney Spears met up with her estranged mother Lynne Spears recently and has since said she feels blessed by the opportunity to reconcile with her. Britney Spears reconciles with mom after bitter family feud There has been tension with the family for some time, particularly in relation to the conservatorship that Britney, 41, had been under for more than a decade until last year, reports 'Mirror.co.uk'.Lynne, 68 -- who's expressed interest in reconnecting with her eldest daughter in the past -- was spotted in Los Angeles this week and reportedly visited Britney's home in the area.As per 'Mirror.co.uk', Britney has since posted about meeting up with her mother on Instagram, taking to the platform to write about it alongside a photo of her younger self.Britney wrote in the caption of her post "My sweet mama showed up at my doorstep yesterday after 3 years ... it's been such a long time... with family there's always things that need to be worked out... but time heals all wounds!""And after being able to communicate what I've held in for an extremely long time, I feel so blessed we were able to try to make things right. I love you so much," she continued.She concluded the post by hinting at future interactions, with her writing "Psss... I'm so blessed we can have coffee together after 14 years. Let's go shopping afterwards."IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Amitabh Bachchans Legend 1942 Partners with Smytten to Bring Handcrafted Fragrances to Indian Customers NewsVoir, New Delhi, May 27: Smytten, India's largest product trials and discovery platform, is taking its fragrance game to the next level by teaming up with the sensational brand, Legend 1942. Amitabh Bachchan's Legend 1942 Partners with Smytten to Bring Handcrafted Fragrances to Indian Customers Armed with a firm grasp on the pulse of India and in partnership with seasoned fragrance makers, none other than the iconic Amitabh Bachchan has lent his vision to the art of perfumery at Legend 1942 to introduce gender-fluid, handcrafted, luxe perfumes that genuinely celebrate the soul of our nation.Starting today, fragrance enthusiasts will have the unique opportunity to experience the exquisite range of Legend 1942 perfumes on Smytten. The brand seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities, creating timeless yet modern scents.Smytten, the preferred destination for lifestyle trials and sampling, offers consumers the chance to discover and try a curated selection of trial packs from the comfort of their homes. Smytten will showcase six perfumes from Legend 1942 in trial sizes on its platform, allowing customers to experience the brand's unique fragrances at minimum cost. The customers can try all six fragrances on Smytten and experience the rich notes, captivating blends and exceptional longevity that make Legend 1942 perfumes a true masterpiece."We are beyond thrilled to partner with Legend 1942 for an exclusive trial and sampling activation. We have observed a 100 per cent growth in purchase frequency for fragrances in the last year, with 53% of fragrance shoppers opting to purchase post-trial (online/offline). This shows a huge demand for premium fragrances in India, and we are happy to bring more brands to our customers. We believe this partnership will be a great success, and we look forward to working with Legend 1942," says Swagata Sarangi, Co-founder, Smytten.Legends 1942 has already made a name for itself with its exceptional fragrances. The partnership with Smytten allows it to reach out to and build a larger consumer base. The perfume portfolio ranges from earthy, smoky, and vibrant to floral, spicy, and warm to woody, bold and intense, ensuring that every individual has multiple options to choose from."Bachchan and I are elated to announce the launch of Legend 1942 on Smytten. It's our dream and vision that will now be enjoyed by a wider audience. Get your hands on one of our exquisite perfumes and experience the sheer exuberance of Legend 1942. We couldn't be prouder of this collection and can't wait for you to experience it for yourself," says Anuradha Sansar, Co-founder and CEO, Legend 1942.Immerse yourself in the luxurious experience of these homegrown, long-lasting, tailor-made fragrances for individuals who appreciate refinement and sophistication. The perfume portfolio will be available on Smytten for trial and purchase.Try and Buy exclusively on SmyttenSmytten is India's largest tech-enabled D2C product discovery and trial platform. Launched by ex-Unilever and Google executives Siddhartha Nangia and Swagata Sarangi, respectively, Smytten is enhancing the way India's online consumers discover, interact with, and try consumer products and services. It hosts 1200+ brand partners on its platform across lifestyle categories, ranging from fragrances, beauty and makeup, male grooming, food and beverages, baby and mother care, and health and wellness. Smytten offers product samples to consumers across these categories to help them make the right purchase decisions. It also provides its brand partners with a suite of services, data and insights needed for scaling up customer acquisition, product development and channel expansion.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Vietnam objects to Chinas deployment of light buoys in Spratly Islands Hanoi [Vietnam], May 27: Vietnam has expressed opposition to the China Maritime Safety Administration's placement of three light buoys on some Spratly Islands, Vietnam News reported Deputy Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pham Thu Hang as saying. Vietnam objects to China's deployment of light buoys in Spratly Islands Hang emphasised that Vietnam has sufficient legal grounds and historical evidence testifying sovereignty over Spratly and Paracels in accordance with international law, as per Vietnam News.Vietnam News, launched in 1991, is a 28-page newspaper that first hit the newsstands in 1991.She made the above remarks in response to a reporter's question about the placement by the China Maritime Safety Administration under the Chinese Ministry of Transport.Terming the move "invalid", she also said that the installation of the light buoys on entities in Spratly without Vietnam's permission is an infringement of Vietnam's sovereignty over Spratly.The Vietnamese government has demanded that the parties concerned not take any actions that may complicate the situation but respect Vietnam's sovereignty, international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and maintain an environment of peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea, Hang added, as cited by Vietnam News.A week ago as well, the Vietnamese government criticized China and the Philippines for their recent activities in the disputed waters of the South China Sea and stressed that it "resolutely opposes the activities that violate its sovereignty," The Diplomat reported.While addressing a press conference in Hanoi on May 18, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said that China and the Philippines were "violating the sovereign rights and jurisdictions of Vietnam," as per the news report.She further said, "Vietnam has and is taking appropriate measures, which comply with international law, to ensure our legitimate rights and interests." The statement of Pham Thu Hang comes after Chinese and Vietnamese vessels confronted each other on multiple occasions this week, as per The Diplomat report.The vessels of China and Vietnam confronted each other after a Chinese research ship entered Hanoi's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to carry out a survey. The incursion came after a Vietnamese announced that it was expanding its oil drilling operations in Vanguard Bank, a Vietnamese-held feature claimed by China.The development came after the Chinese government opened a hot-pot restaurant on Woody Island in the Paracel Islands. Vietnamese nationalists have been angered by Chinese nationalists. As per the news report, South Vietnamese soldiers were displaced by China from the Paracels using force in 1974.Pham Thu Hang has denounced the Philippines' recent deployment of navigational buoys in disputed waters. On May 14, the Philippine Coast Guard announced that it had deployed five buoys in the South China Sea, including at Whitsun Reef in the Spratly Islands, which is also claimed by Vietnam, as per the news report.Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said that the placement of the buoys, each of which is adorned with the Philippine flag, demonstrates "the country's sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)", as per The Diplomat report.Responding to the question regarding Philippine buoys, Pham Thu Hang said that Vietnam "strongly opposes all acts violating Vietnam's sovereign rights." She further said that her government has adequate "legal basis and historical evidence" to assert sovereignty over Paracel and Spratly archipelagos according to international law.Pham Thu Hang called on all relevant parties to respect the sovereignty of Vietnam. She said, "Vietnam asks all relevant parties to respect Vietnam's sovereignty, international law, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea while making practical and positive contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability in the South China Sea, as well as creating a conducive environment for the negotiations for a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea," The Diplomat reported.The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson's remarks showcase that the Southeast Asian claimants in the South China Sea - Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei have myriad complex and unresolved maritime and territorial disputes of their own, as per the news report.These nations oppose "China's maximalist nine-dash line claim" to vast swathes of the South China Sea. However, the disagreements between these nations demonstrated by overlapping on maps of the South China Sea with one another are significant reasons that are preventing them from showcasing a united front against China's activities in the region.ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. The achievement of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia largely depends on the progress of all normalization aspects, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told reporters, Trend reports. "On May 19, in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with his colleagues from Azerbaijan and Armenia in bilateral and trilateral formats. On the sidelines of these events, a separate Armenian-Azerbaijani meeting on a peace treaty was also held. Providing our platform for such discussions is one of the elements of Russia's assistance in achieving concrete results in the peace process between Baku and Yerevan," Galuzin said. According to the deputy foreign minister, such work is being carried out within the trilateral agreements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, which form the basis of the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization. "In addition to the peace treaty, the work includes such issues as opening transport and economic communications, delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and strengthening confidence through the development of public contacts," Galuzin added. Following over a month of military action to liberate its territories from Armenian occupation from late Sept. to early Nov. 2020, Azerbaijan has pushed Armenia to sign the surrender document. A joint statement on the matter was made by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. A complete ceasefire and a cessation of all hostilities in the zone of the Karabakh conflict were introduced on Nov. 10, 2020. Apply for the IndusInd Bank Forex Card Now through Bajaj Markets NewsVoir, New Delhi, May 27 a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv, has partnered with IndusInd Bank, granting easy access to the IndusInd Bank Forex Card. Apply for the IndusInd Bank Forex Card Now through Bajaj Markets A feature-laden tool, it makes international payments easier and seamless by providing a cashless and secure way to carry foreign currency.This card is particularly handy for Indian citizens travelling overseas either for work or leisure. Accessible through Bajaj Markets, this card allows users to transact in 14 currencies, namely Euro (EUR), Great Britain Pound (GBP), United States Dollar (USD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Australian Dollar (AUD), New Zealand Dollar (NZD), Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), Singapore Dollar (SGD), Saudi Riyal (SAR), Arab Emirates Dirham (AED), Japanese Yen (JPY), Swiss Franc (CHF), Thai Baht (THB), and South African Rand (ZAR) which is accepted across the globe.The entire process is online, which enables the users to avail of the benefits of thefrom the comfort of their homes.To enjoy secured international payments from this card, users have to pay nominal fees and charges. Here are the details of applicable fees and chargesUsers can get started right away and access this forex card, and its benefits, through the official Bajaj Markets website or smartphone application.Bajaj Markets, a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv, and one of the fastest growing fintech in India, is a one-stop digital marketplace that offers multiple financial products across all categories - Loans, Cards, Insurance, Investments and Payments. Bajaj Markets has partnered with some of the most trusted names to offer choice to its customers and help them achieve their financial life goals.Having started its journey as a fintech, Bajaj Markets has since then, built a very strong business as a techfin. Its technology services businesses are built on its core capabilities in consumer insights, technology and data analytics. Its first B2B SBU, Skaleup, has been created to become the leading digital technology services provider in India through deep domain expertise and execution capabilities.Bajaj Markets has built a new business unit to become the preferred partner for digital technology initiatives across all group companies of Bajaj Finserv. Herein, the strategy is to align with digital technology roadmap objectives of all the group companies of Bajaj Finserv and offer digital technology services and platforms at market competitive rates.Visit or download the Bajaj Markets app from Play Store or App Store. With Bajaj Markets, "Ab Choices Hue Aasaan."(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Elliot Page had life-changing kiss with girl at gay bar months before Juno shot him to fame Los Angeles, May 27: Canadian actor Elliot Page has shared that he had a life-changing kiss with a girl at a gay bar three months before the film 'Juno' shot him to fame. Elliot Page had life-changing kiss with girl at gay bar months before 'Juno' shot him to fame The 36-year-old actor and transgender campaigner - propelled to fame after playing pregnant teen Juno in Jason Reitman's 2007 black comedy - came out as a trans man years after its release in 2020, and said until the encounter at the nightspot he had been riddled with "shame" over his identity, reports 'Female First UK'.Elliot said in an extract from his new memoir 'Page Boy', obtained by 'People' magazine about his visit to the gay bar aged 20 with a woman named Paula "The sound of her voice radiated warmth, a kindness. It wasn't so much that her eyes lit up but that they found you. I could feel her looking."He further mentioned, quoted by 'Female First UK', "We went to Reflections. It was the first time I had been to a gay bar and would be my last for a long time. I was a miserable flirter. Flirting when I didn't mean to and not when I wanted to. We stood close, but not too close. The air so thick, I was swimming in it (sic)."Elliot added the experience was "new" for him as it was "being in a queer space and being present, enjoying it."He said "Shame had been drilled into my bones since I was my tiniest self, and I struggled to rid my body of that old toxic and erosive marrow. But there was joy in the room, it lifted me, forced a reaction in the jaw, an uncontrolled, steady smile."Elliot said when he asked Paula for a kiss he was "jolted by my boldness", adding "And then I did. In a queer bar. In front of everyone around us... everything was cold before, motionless, emotionless. Any woman I had loved hadn't loved me back, and the one who maybe had, loved me the wrong way. But here I was, on a dance floor with a woman who wanted to kiss me and the antagonising, cruel voice that flooded my head whenever I felt desire was silent."IANS27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Modern Group of Institutions Collaborates with Nigeria for Training & Development in Pharmaceutical Industrial Management PNN, New Delhi, May 27: Modern Group of Institutions in Indore has agreed to collaborate with Nigerian officials to provide training programs for Nigerian students. Modern Group of Institutions Collaborates with Nigeria for Training & Development in Pharmaceutical Industrial Management Vesla Magai from Nigeria visited the institution and discussed various skill development programs aimed at providing professional training for pharmaceutical industrial management.Led by Group Director Dr Punit Kumar Dwivedi, the meeting was attended by officials from both sides. The Director of Export, Shivanahu Kharia, provided his valuable insights into the matter, thereby facilitating the collaboration between the institutions.The President of the Modern Group of Institutions, Shri Arun Kharia, and Chairman Dr Anil Kharia also congratulated the parties involved in this great association, which seeks to enhance the skills of Nigerian students.This collaboration is indeed a significant milestone in the field of education and training. The Modern Group of Institutions has long been heralded as a leader in providing quality education, and with this new partnership, Nigerian students can look forward to the same quality of education and training.The collaborations between institutions, particularly in the field of education and training, can help to build bridges and create better opportunities for students around the world, especially Nigerian students.Modern Group of Institutions Indore is the only institution supported by Two Pharmaceutical manufacturing giants Modern Laboratories Indore and Nandani Medical Labs Pvt. Ltd. Indore and offers many innovative Pharmaceutical and Management Programs through its Group of Institutions. Shantanu Kharia (Vice-Chairman), Dr Sapna Malviya, Dr Neha Sharma Chowdhury, Dr Girish Kumar Agrawal, and other faculty members have witnessed the collaboration meeting with Nigerian Delegation at Modern Group of Institutions, Indore.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Startup Chaupal Expands its Operations to South Asia from Singapore NewsVoir, Jaipur, May 27: Startups ChaupalA is a comprehensive platform that offers integrated support for startups, guiding them from ideation to execution and funding. Startup Chaupal Expands its Operations to South Asia from Singapore Over the past three years, they have collaborated with over 200 startups and hosted numerous events and workshops across India. With a robust network of global mentors and investors, they have been instrumental in fostering growth and success for early-stage founders.Expanding their reach beyond India, Startups Chaupal is now ready to venture into the South Asian market, aiming to establish a strong ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs. Krishnamani Kannan, a seasoned serial entrepreneur and angel investor from Singapore, has recently joined Startup Chaupal as a partner. He expressed his admiration for the organization's grassroots-level support to early-stage startups and emphasized the need for such initiatives on a global scale. Together with the team, Kannan is excited to bring Startup Chaupal's expertise to the Singapore market through multiple planned events and workshops, offering guidance and assistance to startups in the region.Sumit Srivastawa, the Founder and CEO of Startup Chaupal, expressed his enthusiasm for working with startups worldwide, building upon their experience of collaborating with numerous Indian startups. Their goal is to establish a strong network of investors in South Asia and introduce them to promising startup opportunities. Additionally, they aim to collaborate closely with ecosystem players and startups, facilitating cross-border expansion and leveraging India's vast market potential.Starting their journey in Singapore in early May this year, Startup Chaupal has already begun organizing networking events and will soon host a launch event in the month of June. This event will serve as an opportunity for startups and industry stakeholders to connect, fostering collaboration and growth in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI27 May 2023 Shared Recently! Haryana committed to make country $5 trillion economy: Khattar New Delhi, May 27: Saying that Haryana will play a key role in the development of the country, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said the state is committed to achieving the Prime Minister's ambition of making the country a $5 trillion economy by 2024. Haryana committed to make country $5 trillion economy: Khattar Speaking at a meeting of the eighth Governing Council meeting of the Niti Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Khattar said just as the Prime Minister "ensures the development of the country through the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, and Sabka Vishwas', the state ensures the identical development of Haryana while following the mantra of 'Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek'.Under the Prime Minister's leadership, India has established new dimensions every day intending to be prosperous, powerful, and empowered in the last nine years, he said, adding under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the Haryana government has been successfully implementing Central initiatives for the last eight and a half years, and is also assuring the welfare of all sections by introducing new schemes.Khattar said Haryana was the first state in the country to launch its ambitious Vision Document-2030 in 2017."Haryana has been termed by Niti Aayog as the state that has introduced continuous reforms. Our score on the Sustainable Development Goals has risen from 57 to 67. Gender equality, hunger and anaemia elimination, quality education, economic growth, and climate change are all priorities for us and special attention for these," said Khattar.The Chief Minister said the government has launched the Parivar Pehchan Patra programme to bring government schemes and programmes to the people's doorsteps."The advantages of various government initiatives and services are now being delivered to people's homes via one single document, eliminating the need for them to visit offices. This has had a beneficial impact on the lives of the common man. Other states are studying the Parivar Pehchan Patra as well. Work on implementing Haryana's ambitious scheme has begun in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand."The Chief Minister said through the Parivar Pehchan Patra more than 44,000 elderly people and 81,000 PwDs (persons with disabilities) got automated pension benefits."About 75 lakh CHIRAYU health cards have been issued under the Ayushman and CHIRAYU Yojana. In the last five months, health checkups for more than 7 lakh poor people have been conducted under the Nirogi Haryana Yojana," he said.The Chief Minister said PM Modi believes that India's vision of self-reliance is dependent on water connectivity."The Haryana government has launched a number of initiatives to realise the Prime Minister's vision of water conservation. Besides, the Haryana Treated Waste Water Policy was formulated with the goal of using 50 per cent treated water by 2025. The Mera Pani-Meri Virasat scheme was launched to foster water conservation, agricultural variety, and direct seeded rice technique is also being promoted among the farmers," Khattar added.IANS28 May 2023 Shared Recently! BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. New promising projects have been launched with the participation of Azerbaijan and Georgia, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov said at an event dedicated to the Independence Day of Georgia, Trend reports. Asadov congratulated the Georgian people and government on this holiday, noting that the Azerbaijani and Georgian peoples have historically lived in friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect. He emphasized that as a result of the efforts of the leaders of the two countries, Azerbaijani-Georgian relations are successfully developing and have risen to the level of strategic partnership. The official also noted that the projects implemented on the initiative and with the active participation of Azerbaijan and Georgia not only serve the economic development of both countries, the well-being of their peoples, but also changed the energy and transport map of the Eurasian space. At the same time, in connection with the launch of new promising projects with the participation of both countries he stressed importance of the project of laying a submarine cable along the bottom of the Black Sea to Europe. Speaking about good prospects for the further strengthening of Azerbaijani-Georgian relations in all areas, Asadov expressed confidence that mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries will continue to develop successfully and contribute to the welfare of both peoples. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary signed the agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Development and Transmission of Green Energy on December 17, 2022, which provides, among other things, for the construction of an energy bridge from the Caucasus region to Europe. As part of the agreement reached, it is expected to build Black Sea Energy's underwater electric cable with a capacity of 1,000 MW and a length of 1,195 kilometers. The cable will be intended for the supply of green energy generated in Azerbaijan through Georgia and the Black Sea to Romania for subsequent transportation to Hungary and the rest of Europe. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Trend reports. "Your Excellency, I wish to extend to all people of the Republic of Azerbaijan my warmest greetings on the occasion of Independence Day. From poverty and inequality, to violent conflict and climate change, the challenges faced by our world demand collective action, rooted in solidarity, mutual respect and understanding. A better future requires each country to look beyond their national borders, and to support efforts to advance peace, human rights, prosperity and sustainable development for all people, no matter where they may live. The United Nations joins all people of the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebrating your special day, and we look forward to our continued work together to secure a better, healthier and safer future for people and planet alike. Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration," the letter said. A new editorial paper was published in Oncoscience (Volume 10) on May 11, 2023, entitled, "UPR-induced ovarian cancer cell fusion: a mechanism favoring drug resistance?" In this editorial, researchers Melisa Husein, Patrick Petignat and Marie Cohen from the University of Geneva discuss epithelial ovarian cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer is an almost universally fatal disease, ranked as the top cause of gynecologic cancer-related deaths in industrialized countries in 2021. Apart from most diagnoses being advanced-stage diseases, the recurrence rates are exceptionally 70% within the first five years. In addition to surgical resurrection, the overall primary treatment for cancer is adjuvant care with chemotherapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel in combination with platinum-based reagents. Recurring ovarian cancers are associated with chemotherapy resistance and high death rates because of resistance to provided therapies. In their editorial, the researchers discuss chemotherapeutic resistance in recurring ovarian cancer with a focus on the unfolded protein response (UPR) and its effect on polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) formation. The importance of understanding recurring and chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancers includes investigating cancer cell molecular mechanisms. Related to this, a quiescent population of cancer cells has been in the spotlight. Cancer stem cells represent a small percentage of the total cancer cells and due to their pluripotent properties induce recurrent cancer, metastasis, and chemotherapeutic resistance. Zhang et al. revealed PGCCs share similarities with cancer stem cells. "In summary, more and more evidence shows that the ovarian PGCCs are, at least partially, formed by cell fusion and have the capacity to proliferate and promote tumor formation as well as resistance to chemotherapy." The first protein-based nano-computing agent that functions as a circuit has been created by Penn State researchers. The milestone puts them one step closer to developing next-generation cell-based therapies to treat diseases like diabetes and cancer. Traditional synthetic biology approaches for cell-based therapies, such as ones that destroy cancer cells or encourage tissue regeneration after injury, rely on the expression or suppression of proteins that produce a desired action within a cell. This approach can take time (for proteins to be expressed and degrade) and cost cellular energy in the process. A team of Penn State College of Medicine and Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences researchers are taking a different approach. We're engineering proteins that directly produce a desired action. Our protein-based devices or nano-computing agents respond directly to stimuli (inputs) and then produce a desired action (outputs)." Nikolay Dokholyan, G. Thomas Passananti Professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Pharmacology In a study published in Science Advances today (May 26) Dokholyan and bioinformatics and genomics doctoral student Jiaxing Chen describe their approach to creating their nano-computing agent. They engineered a target protein by integrating two sensor domains, or areas that respond to stimuli. In this case, the target protein responds to light and a drug called rapamycin by adjusting its orientation, or position in space. To test their design, the team introduced their engineered protein into live cells in culture. By exposing the cultured cells to the stimuli, they used equipment to measure changes in cellular orientation after cells were exposed to the sensor domains' stimuli. Previously, their nano-computing agent required two inputs to produce one output. Now, Chen says there are two possible outputs and the output depends on which order the inputs are received. If rapamycin is detected first, followed by light, the cell will adopt one angle of cell orientation, but if the stimuli are received in a reverse order, then the cell adopts a different orientation angle. Chen says this experimental proof-of-concept opens the door for the development of more complex nano-computing agents. "Theoretically, the more inputs you embed into a nano-computing agent, the more potential outcomes that could result from different combinations," Chen said. "Potential inputs could include physical or chemical stimuli and outputs could include changes in cellular behaviors, such as cell direction, migration, modifying gene expression and immune cell cytotoxicity against cancer cells." The team plans to further develop their nano-computing agents and experiment with different applications of the technology. Dokholyan, a researcher with Penn State Cancer Institute and Penn State Neuroscience Institute, said their concept could someday form the basis of the next-generation cell-based therapies for various diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, viral infections, diabetes, nerve injury and cancer. Yashavantha Vishweshwaraiah, Richard Mailman and Erdem Tabdanov of Penn State College of Medicine also contributed to this research. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health (grant 1R35GM134864) and the Passan Foundation. University of Cincinnati researchers are presenting abstracts at the European Stroke Organization Conference (ESOC) 2023, May 24-26 in Munich, Germany, including the results of the first large-scale assessment of radiological brain health in stroke patients in a population. Extensive research has helped pinpoint risk factors for initial stroke, but there is limited understanding about what the brains of stroke patients look like on a population level, according to UC's Achala Vagal, MD, professor of neuroradiology. Imaging can be an objective manifestation of the presence and severity of clinical factors such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and kidney failure. However, the majority of the large epidemiological studies of brain health have been performed in stroke-free subjects." Achala Vagal, MD, professor of neuroradiology, University of Cincinnati Vagal was a co-principal investigator on the Assessing Population-based Radiological brain health in Stroke Epidemiology (APRISE) study that gained new information from neuroimaging results of stroke patients. The research team analyzed all available clinical imaging data from nearly 3,500 patients who had a stroke in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region in 2015, assessing the imaging for signs of small vessel disease in the brain in the form of previous injury, microbleeds, white matter disease (wearing away of tissue) or brain atrophy, among other observations. Vagal said the team identified three distinct clusters of observable imaging characteristics that were each associated with a specific set of clinical variables. "This can help us understand the biology of preexisting brain health in stroke patients and help guide future interventions," she said. "We expected all the imaging parameters of brain health due to small vessel disease to be closely clustered, but we found a lack of clustering of microbleeds with white matter disease." With the knowledge gained from the study, Vagal said the team is now using the brain health imaging data to build a prediction model of recurrent stroke. "Such large-scale characterization of preexisting brain health is helpful to identify novel observable characteristics which can guide further studies," she said. Work for the much-talked-about metro rail project in Bhubaneswar capital region will start by the end of next December, a senior state government official said on Friday. The metro rail system for Bhubaneswar capital region has been sanctioned by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been engaged as the consultant for the project, state Housing and Urban Development Secretary G. Mathi Vathanan told reporters. Survey for the project is almost completed and now the DPR is under preparation. Construction work is likely to commence before the end of 2023," he said. Also Read: Odisha CM Approves Metro Rail Project Connecting Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Khurda Chief Minister Patnaik may lay the foundation stone for the mega project in June, Vathanan said. In the first phase, the government will create the metro trunk route from Trisulia near Cuttack to Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. The route will tentatively touch major landmarks such as Nandankanan, Patia, Vani Vihar, and the Railway Station. In later phases, the metro will expand to Jatni, Khurda, and Puri, the official said. On providing safe drinking water to urban population, Vathanan said 85 cities of Odisha including all five corporations have achieved 100 percent tap connection for households under the Drink from Tap Mission. The remaining 30 cities would be covered before December 2023. top videos He also said that 1.73 lakh families are granted with land right certificates in municipalities and NACs while slum household survey has been completed in five municipal corporations and 1 lakh slum families to be granted with land right certificates by December 2023. The department has constructed 1,62,327 houses. In all 2,055 wards in 115 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) door to door garbage collection was ensured, he said. Agitated passengers created ruckus at the Patna airport after a SpiceJet flight was delayed, said officials here on Friday. The passengers, who were scheduled to fly to Delhi on Thursday, waited for the entire night and finally the flight was available in the morning hours of Friday. The Patna-bound SG 471 from New Delhi was diverted to Varanasi airport on Thursday evening. The airline company claimed that the flight could not land at the Patna airport due to bad weather. Hence, it was diverted to Varanasi. The same flight had to return from Patna to Delhi. Also Read: British Airways: IT Issue Leads to Cancellation of 43 Flights The flight was scheduled to depart from the Patna airport at 4.30 p.m. on Thursday. The airlines company informed the passengers that the flight was delayed for four hours and it will depart at 8.30 p.m. Accordingly, the passengers reached Patna airport at 6.30 p.m., but the flight did not reach. The airlines finally informed the passengers at 10.15 p.m. that the flight was not coming to Patna in the night and hence it would be available on Friday morning. top videos Following the development, the passengers present at the airport created ruckus at the counter of SpiceJet. Some returned home but the majority stayed at the airport for the entire night. The passengers claimed that the weather of Patna was clean, still the airline company diverted the SG 471 flight to Varanasi. Days after Anna University suspended the civil and mechanical engineering programmes, Vice-Chancellor R Velraj revoked the decision on the temporary suspension of Tamil medium undergraduate (UG) engineering courses across its 11 affiliated colleges. The vice chancellor of the varsity informed that the decision has been withdrawn following the Higher Education Minister K Ponmudys advice. He made this announcement during a press conference held at Chennai on Thursday, May 25. The decision on the suspension of BE courses drew heavy criticism from different sections across the state. Earlier this week, a circular was distributed to constituent colleges to discontinue the Tamil programmes in BE Civil and BE Mechanical from the academic session 2023-24 due to poor enrolment of students. We had started civil and mechanical courses in Tamil. It is being perceived as if the university is neglecting its mother tongue. That is not true. Candidates are showing interest in other subjects. We wanted to introduce courses such as Computer Science and Engineering that students prefer now, Velraj said as per The Hindu reports. The Vice-Chancellor further stated that the Tamil medium Bachelors in Engineering (BE) courses in civil and mechanical will continue as usual this year. Velraj also said that the decision had been approved by the Syndicate as well, reports add. On the other hand, TN Higher Education Minister Ponmudy expressed disappointment over Velrajs decision to suspend the civil and mechanical engineering course in Tamil medium. He clarified that the decision on the temporarily suspension was made without the knowledge of the state government. While interacting with reporters in Villupuram recently, the Ponmudy asserted that the state government had red-flagged the decision of the Vice Chancellor, after which the announcement has been withdrawn. The vice chancellor made the announcement without the consent of the government, Ponmudy mentioned. top videos The government will continue to offer engineering programmes in Tamil medium in the university. In fact, arrangements have been made to introduce Tamil medium in a few other courses as well, Higher Education Minister, TN said. Ponmudy also specified that the government had earlier directed all vice chancellors as well as principals of engineering colleges to make the announcement on new courses or scrapping of existing ones only after getting the approval of the secretary of the state government. The Consortium of National Law Universities has declared the official date for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2024. According to the latest updates, the CLAT 2024 will be held on December 3. The date was confirmed in the Executive Committee and Governing Body meeting of the Consortium of National Law Universities in Bhopal, an official notice reveals. Details concerning the CLAT syllabus, application procedure, and counselling process will be released soon. CLAT is a national-level entrance exam for students seeking admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law courses offered by 22 national law universities (NLUs) across India. The entrance test is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities, including representative universities. CLAT scores are also used for recruitment purpose in many reputed organisations. All admissions to the 5-year integrated Bachelor of Legislative Law (Ll.B) and Master of Laws (Ll.M) courses that start in the Academic Year 2024-2025 will be through the CLAT 2024. Students who are going to appear for the CLAT 2024 exam should keep in mind that a total of 150 questions will be asked from five exam sections. The sections include English, Maths, Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge and Current Affairs along with Legal Aptitude. Candidates are advised to start their preparation now for the CLAT 2024 exam. The Multiple-Choice Question (MCQs) based exam paper will be for a duration of 120 minutes. top videos Every year, more than 1 lakh students appear for the Common Law Admission Test. CLAT 2023 exam was held on December 18 last year at more than 130 exam centres across the country. The results were declared on December 23. For the undergraduate programme, students who have passed/cleared their Class 12 with a minimum of 45 per cent marks (40 per cent marks for SC and ST categories) can apply for admission to law courses in 22 NLUs. For postgraduate courses, a candidate should have completed an undergraduate degree in law (either 3-year or 5-year LLB course) with at least 50 per cent aggregate scores can appear for the exam. While for SC and ST candidates, it is 45 per cent. Applicants of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2023 are dealing with a significant challengemultiple exams scheduled on the same day. Nearly 15 lakh aspirants from all across India have signed up for CUET 2023, which is being held in 272 cities for admission into various undergraduate courses. However, issues with the exam timetable have left candidates feeling overburdened. CUET, which commenced on May 21, in multiple phases, has presented applicants with a demanding timetable, especially on specific days where up to seven subjects have been scheduled into a single day. Because of this tight timetable and the requirement to take examinations from 7 am to 9 pm, students are under tremendous stress. Candidates frustration has also been increased by the delays in the delivery of city slips and admit cards. At first, the National Testing Agency (NTA), which oversees CUET, committed to delivering city slips by April 30. However, only first-phase candidates, who had to appear for examinations between May 21 and May 24, received these slips, which were ultimately delivered on May 14. Students have found this to be a big challenge since they require plenty of time to organize their travels, especially during the busiest summer vacation period. A candidate from Jammu & Kashmir took to Twitter to express her frustration by posing a question to authorities saying, Why do I have to travel 628.5 km (Kashmir to Patiala) just so that I can get admission in my state university which is only 53km away from my place?????? And how can a poor person afford all this. Why do I have to travel 628.5 km" (kashmir to patiala)just so that I can get admission in my state university which is only 53km away from my place?????? And how can a poor person afford all this .@DG_NTA #CUETUG #cuet pic.twitter.com/mRio7KkI3g Syma (@SymaMir1) May 17, 2023 Another candidate complained about being allotted a centre 500 km away from his location. Students also claim that the dates of CUET 2023 clash with ICSI. top videos The issues faced by candidates in the first phase of the CUET-UG exams were acknowledged by M. Jagadesh Kumar, chairman of the University Grants Commission. He confirmed that about 12 out of 450 exam centres, or around 2 per cent of the centres, faced delayed exam commencement as a result of things like power outages, the necessity for staggered entry, and student tardiness. These delays, therefore, caused more scheduling issues and congestion. Students seeking admission to undergraduate programmes at central universities, state universities, and specific private institutions are required to take CUET UG 2023. A total of 2,65,248 students took part in the first phase of the exam, which was held at 458 centres. CUET 2023 is scheduled to conclude in the first week of June. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. Today, Azerbaijan is confidently moving forward along the road of progress and dynamic development, and plays an important role in regional and international processes, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said in the congratulatory letter addressed to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Trend reports. "It is gratifying to note that the relations between our countries have noticeably intensified and enriched by new contents in recent years. We are convinced that friendly and good-neighborly relations between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan will continue to steadily develop for the common good," the letter said. Looks like Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin stars Vihan Verma and Sneha Bhawsar have found love off-screen. According to a report by a news portal, the duo is reportedly dating and spending quality time together. Their connection ignited on the shows set, and they instantly hit it off. In the series, Vihan portrays the character of Mohit, while Sneha brings life to the role of Karishma Chavan. The on-screen chemistry between the two has also received appreciation from the audience, adding another layer of excitement to their real-life romance. According to a report in Hindustan Times, an inside source, reportedly close to the actors, has shared delightful insights about the budding romance between Vihan V Verma and Sneha Bhawsar. They (Vihaan and Sneha) spend all their time together on sets, from eating together to coming and going back together. Even after shoot, they are together, the news portal quoted their source. The reports also stated that their friends are overjoyed to witness their happiness as a couple. However, when the portal tried contacting Sneha Bhawsar to ask about her bond with co-star Vihan Verma, she stated that they are just good friends." As of now, Vihan has not provided any comments regarding the matter. However, their Instagram profiles tell a different story, as they are adorned with numerous candid pictures capturing their moments together. While their social media presence might suggest a deeper connection, it remains to be seen whether their friendship evolves into something more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sneha Bhawsar (@snehabhawsarofficial) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sneha Bhawsar (@snehabhawsarofficial) Meanwhile, after an impressive run for over two years, Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin is gearing up for a significant leap, which will mark a turning point for the popular series. Reports suggest that the lead actors, including Neil Bhatt, Harshad Arora, and Ayesha Singh, are preparing to bid farewell to their beloved characters. According to India Forums, the actors might conclude their shooting for the shows final episode on June 15, although no official confirmation has been made regarding this development. As fans eagerly await further updates, the anticipated leap promises to bring new twists and turns to the storyline. Ever since the second season of Bigg Boss OTT has been announced, everyone is eager to know who will be locked inside the show this time. While several names are already making buzz on social media, it was also being said that Lock Upp winner and stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui is also likely to participate. However, if recent reports are to be believed, Munawar has refused to participate in Bigg Boss OTT. As reported by Telly Chakkar, Munawar rejected Bigg Boss OTT because he wants to participate in the television version of Bigg Boss. However, there is no official confirmation regarding this as of now. Last year, Munawar Faruqui was also roped in for Rohit Shettys Khatron Ke Khiladi. However, he had to back out of the show at the last moment due to visa related issues. The news of Munawar Faruqui rejecting Bigg Boss OTT 2 comes days after television actor Fahmaan Khan also clarified that even though he was also approaced by the makers, he will not be participating as well. Thats not my space and I dont understand reality shows. I believe I am not the person for reality shows. I am more of a performer and more on the creative side, and I would like to show the little bit of ability that I have in the characters that I play and the stories that I can create. I am very focussed and interested in that," the actor told Pinkvilla recently. The buzz is that Archana Gautams brother Gulshan is also likely to participate in Bigg Boss OTT. Jiya Shankar and Paras Arora, who earlier worked together in Kaatelal & Sons are also likely to participate in Salman Khans show. However, no name has been officially announced as of now. Meanwhile, the first promo of Bigg Boss OTT 2 was recently released which confirmed that not Karan Johar but Salman Khan will be hosting the reality show this time. Main lekar aa raha hoon, Bigg Boss OTT. Toh Dekhta Jaye India (I am coming back with Bigg Boss OTT. Lets keep watching, India)," Salman said in the promo. Reports also suggest that the shooting of Bigg Boss OTT 2 will begin in the first week of June. While the shows release date has not been announced as of now, it will stream on Jio Cinemas soon. South Korean authorities stated on Saturday that a man who opened an emergency exit on an Asiana Airlines flight during the flight felt a sense of suffocation and had a strong desire to disembark quickly. The incident occurred as the aircraft, carrying nearly 200 passengers, was approaching Daegu International Airport, approximately 240 kilometers (149 miles) southeast of Seoul, on a domestic flight. According to the police, the incident took place when the plane was approximately 200 meters (650 feet) above the ground. The passenger responsible, described as a man in his 30s, opened the exit door. The individual was later taken into custody by the Daegu police for questioning, during which he revealed that the recent loss of his job had caused him considerable stress. A passenger opened an emergency exit door during a flight in South Korea, forcing the crew to land while it was still open.Air blew through the cabin of the Asiana Airlines jet, slightly injuring 12 people. pic.twitter.com/Nl8HqXeiLb The Associated Press (@AP) May 26, 2023 An AFP report quoted a detective from the Daegu police, who stated that the passenger believed the flight duration was longer than expected and experienced feelings of suffocation inside the cabin. The detective further added that the passenger expressed a strong desire to leave the aircraft swiftly. The passenger now faces potential imprisonment for up to 10 years due to his violation of aviation safety laws. Videos captured by fellow passengers showcased the forceful winds entering the cabin through the open door, causing seat-backs and passengers hair to be whipped around, leading to surprise and concern among some individuals. Another video circulated on social media depicted passengers in the emergency exit row being buffeted by the strong winds. Following the incident, a dozen passengers were transported to a hospital due to breathing difficulties, although no serious injuries or significant damage occurred, as confirmed by the transport ministry. A 44-year-old passenger, recounting the chaos, informed Yonhap news agency that individuals near the door seemed to faint one after another, while flight attendants urgently sought medical assistance from onboard doctors. The passenger also expressed his fear, believing that the plane might explode and that his life was in danger. A representative from the transport ministry informed AFP that this incident appeared to be the first of its kind in the history of Korean aviation. Experts have acknowledged South Koreas aviation industry for maintaining a strong safety record. Amid the scary incident, lets learn a little more about airplane doors opening mid-air, cabin depressurizing and whether you should worry: Can Airplane Doors Actually be Opened Mid-air? Science says no. Or at least, not too far up in the air. While the scenario of a drunken or disturbed passenger opening an airplane door mid-flight is certainly unsettling, its important to note that the actual risk of such an event occurring is negligible. As an aircraft ascends to higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure decreases according to Boyles Law. This decrease in pressure makes it harder for oxygen molecules to enter our bloodstream, resulting in a reduced availability of oxygen. Beyond 18,000 feet, the oxygen intake is insufficient to sustain brain function, leading to unconsciousness within approximately 30 minutes. Since commercial airliners typically operate at altitudes between 30,000 and 43,000 feet, the cabin must be pressurized to ensure a survivable environment. This is why oxygen masks deploy during depressurization events, and passengers are instructed to attend to their own masks before assisting others, as the onset of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) can cause rapid delirium and unconsciousness, as per a report by WIRED. Now, how does this relate to airplane doors? The pressurization within the cabin effectively seals the doors shut. To understand this, imagine the door as a large plug in a bathtub drain, the report explains. Most aircraft exits are designed to open inward, taking advantage of the plug hole effect." If you observe the door closely when disembarking, youll notice its interesting tapered shape. This design allows the door to fit snugly into its designated opening, resembling a plug. When the cabin crew opens the door, they employ a specific technique or sideways shuffle to dislodge the door from its plugged position. Therefore, while the fear of an airplane door opening mid-flight is understandable, its crucial to recognize that modern aircraft are equipped with robust door mechanisms and cabin pressurization systems that effectively seal the doors shut, ensuring passenger safety throughout the flight. top videos In the recent case, the passenger opened the door when the plane was just 650 feet above the ground, making it easy to open the door due to a lesser difference in pressure. AFP contributed to this report President Joe Biden recently said that Democratic and Republican negotiators were on the verge of resolving a debt ceiling standoff, as the deadline for a potentially catastrophic US default was pushed back to June 5. Its very close and Im optimistic," Biden told reporters at the White House. Im hopeful well know by tonight whether were going to be able to have a deal." Although there was no indication of an imminent public announcement, it was the strongest sign yet that the drama in Washington might end, allowing the government to borrow and avoid a default that would likely trigger a recession and send shockwaves through the global economy. Earlier, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the dreaded X-date, when the government runs out of money unless it can borrow, will now be June 5, not June 1. Yellen, however, warned that the deadline extension does not change the urgency. When is the X Date? Despite the ongoing concerns surrounding the possibility of the US governments funds running out, determining the exact date of a potential default, commonly referred to as the X-date," remains uncertain. The calculation of this date involves closely monitoring significant fluctuations in cash inflows and outflows from the Treasury, as well as considering the timing and magnitude of impending large payments, among other factors, as per a report by Associated Press. As the deadline for the White House and congressional leaders to reach a deal on raising the debt limit approaches, knowing the precise drop-dead date becomes essential. However, even discussions about the X-date have become entangled in political disputes, adding to the existing friction surrounding the issue of national debt. What is It? The X-date" refers to the point at which the governments available funds are no longer sufficient to cover all of its financial obligations. This occurs when the government has exhausted the extraordinary measures" it has been utilizing since January to extend its available funds. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has estimated that if no agreement is reached to raise the legal borrowing limit by June 5, the United States could potentially default on its obligations. Various external entities, including the Congressional Budget Office, Moodys Analytics, and the private Bipartisan Policy Center, independently analyze public data on government cash flows and changes in debt to pinpoint the X-date. Their estimates generally align closely with the Treasurys projections, typically differing by just a few days. The term X-date" was coined in 2011 by Shai Akabas from the Bipartisan Policy Center, along with future Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Initially, it was defined as the day after which the federal government would be unable to meet all of its obligations, indicating that a default would occur the following day if policymakers did not take action. However, Akabas acknowledged that this definition proved difficult for people to comprehend, leading to a revision that describes the X-date as the day when the government does not meet all of its obligations. How is it Calculated? The calculation of the X-date involves a meticulous analysis of financial data and forecasting by government agencies. Bureaucrats rely on sources such as the Daily Treasury Statement, which provides a detailed account of the governments financial resources and tracks the movement of money. The Office of Fiscal Projections within the Treasury, in collaboration with career staff from the Offices of Tax Analysis, Economic Policy, and Debt Management, is responsible for generating a forecast of when the governments funds will be depleted. top videos Similar to how individuals track their upcoming bills, the government maintains knowledge of its forthcoming obligations. These obligations extend beyond servicing existing debts. For example, based on an analysis of the Daily Treasury Statements conducted by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), on June 1, the Treasury will need to make payments amounting to $47 billion for Medicare, $12 billion for military and civil retirement benefits, and $12 billion for veterans benefits. The following day, it will need to disburse $27 billion for Social Security and Medicaid payments. These are just a few examples of the various financial commitments the government needs to fulfill in its calculations for the X-date. Associated Press contributed to this report Police in Berlin said Friday that they have opened an investigation of Roger Waters on suspicion of incitement over a costume the Pink Floyd co-founder wore when he performed in the German capital last week. Images on social media showed Waters firing an imitation machine gun while dressed in a long black coat with a red armband. Police confirmed that an investigation was opened over suspicions that the context of the costume could constitute a glorification, justification or approval of Nazi rule and therefore a disturbance of the public peace. Once the police investigation is concluded, the case will be handed to Berlin prosecutors, who would decide whether to pursue any charges. Waters has drawn ire for his support of the BDS movement, which calls for boycotts and sanctions against Israel. He has rejected accusations of antisemitism. top videos Authorities in Frankfurt tried to prevent a concert there scheduled for May 28, but Waters challenged that move successfully in a local court. In Munich, the city council said it had explored possibilities of banning a concert but concluded that it wasnt legally possible to cancel a contract with the organizer. His appearance there on Sunday was accompanied by a protest attended by the local Jewish communitys leader. Last year, the Polish city of Krakow canceled gigs by Waters because of his sympathetic stance toward Russia in its war against Ukraine. Eleven days have passed but the pain of residents of Khadikul village in West Bengals Egra town still lingers. On May 16, a blast at an illegal firecracker factory here about a dozen people, five of them women. The prime suspect and owner of the factory, Bhanu Bag, was also killed. As one enters Khadikul, the remnants of the factory stand like a scarecrow in a paddy field. The intensity of the blast was such that the structure was blown up. Authorities have now barricaded the entire factory. People from the village see it as a curse that claimed so many lives. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited the village on Saturday and handed over compensatory cheques of Rs 2.5 lakh to the next of kin of the employees who died. I have come to stand by you. I am very sorry for whatever has happened. We have changed the police personnel also. I will be there for you," she told the locals. The chief minister also distributed appointment letters to the position of Home Guard to one member of each of the bereaved families. When one enters the village, the pain and grief of the residents is palpable. Kaushik Maitys mother was among those killed. Speaking to News18, he said, The CM came, gave jobs, but such illegal factories should not run anywhere. My mother used to work there because there was no alternative. There was no money, no work, what will we do? That day, the noise of the blast was huge. My mother had left home early in the morning. I still cant believe she is no more." Poverty forced them to do this work and the need for money made factory owner Bhanu Bag a local messiah", said residents. Sanjit Bag, husband of deceased Madhabi Bag, was sitting helplessly in his hut. top videos He showed News18 the cracks that have developed in the house due to the blast in the factory 200 metres away. We did know whether bombs were made there or not. A lot of people are now saying that. She use to get paid 200 rupees per day," he said. Most of the women who died had young kids who now sit teary-eyed in front of their mothers photos. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued an Orange alert for Haryana, North-East Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The weather office also stated that there is a possibility of thunderstorms in Delhi over the next 3-4 days. Due to the moisture from the Arabian Sea, northwest India will have similar weather today and tomorrow. From tomorrow its effect will be mainly in UP and will reduce from the next day onwards. There will be thunderstorms in North-Western India for 5 days. There is a possibility of thunderstorms in Delhi for the next 3-4 days," IMD Scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy told ANI news agency. We have issued an Orange alert for Haryana, North-East Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, with a possibility of heavy rain in North-East UP and thunderstorms in other areas tomorrow," the official stated. Earlier today, certain parts of Delhi-NCR experienced heavy rains along with thunderstorms and strong winds. This sudden shift in weather is expected to bring relief from the prevailing hot weather conditions in North India. According to the daily bulletin by the IMD, heres the forecast and warning for the next 5 days across the country: Northwest India Light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and occasional gusty winds/squalls is expected over Northwest India in the next 4-5 days. Hailstorms are likely to occur at isolated places over East Uttar Pradesh on May 27th and over north Rajasthan on May 28 and 29. Thundersqualls and gusty winds with speeds reaching 50-60 kmph are likely at isolated places over Haryana and Delhi on May 27, and over Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on May 27 and 28. Heavy rainfall is anticipated at isolated places over Haryana and northeast Rajasthan on May 27, and over northwest Uttar Pradesh on May 27 and 28. Northeast India Light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, is expected to continue over Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura for the next 24 hours, with a reduction thereafter. Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, and Nagaland on May 27h. Central India Light to moderate isolated to scattered rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, is very likely over Madhya Pradesh for the next 3 days. Hailstorms are expected at isolated places over East Madhya Pradesh on May 27. East India Light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, is very likely over West Bengal and Sikkim, Bihar, and Jharkhand for the next 2 days. Heavy rainfall is anticipated at isolated places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on May 27. South India Light to moderate fairly widespread rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, is very likely over Kerala, and isolated to scattered rainfall is expected over Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh for the next 5 days. Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over Tamil Nadu on May 27, and over Kerala from May 27 to 29, and over South Interior Karnataka on May 29. According to the latest update, several weather systems are currently affecting different regions of India. A Western Disturbance is located over north Pakistan, while a cyclonic circulation is present over northwest Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Pakistan. Additionally, a trough extends from this region to north Madhya Pradesh in the lower tropospheric levels. In another part of the country, a trough can be observed running from Sub-Himalayan West Bengal to interior Odisha in the lower tropospheric levels. Meanwhile, there are strong southwesterly winds prevailing from the Bay of Bengal to northeast India at the lower tropospheric levels. The IMD forecasts the arrival of a fresh Western Disturbance that is likely to impact Northwest India starting from May 29. 13 Dead Due to rain-related Incidents in Rajasthan According to the Disaster Relief and Management Department, the state of Rajasthan has witnessed a total of 13 deaths attributed to rain and storms in the past two days. Ten fatalities occurred in Tonk, while one each was reported in Alwar, Jaipur, and Bikaner. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot acknowledged the damage caused by the storms and rainfall in several districts of the state. He announced that a compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of the deceased. top videos In the past 24 hours, Bhilwaras Mandal recorded 11 cm of rainfall, while Rawatsar in Hanumangarh received 6 cm, and Lakshmangarh, Fatehpur, Taranagar, Thanagazi, Karanpur, Nohar, Ratangarh, Rajgarh, Sikar, Udaipurvati, Chirawa, Banera, and Tatgarh registered rainfall ranging from 1 to 5 cm. The South-west monsoon is expected to remain normal with an average of 96 percent rainfall during the monsoon season from June to September, as predicted by the department. Additionally, above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures are anticipated for most parts of Rajasthan in June. Read more New Parliament House Opening: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with Adheenam seers and said, Tamil Nadu played a very important role in freedom of India. He noted that it is unfortunate that the southern state did not receive due recognition. I am delighted that the symbol of Indias great tradition, Sengol will be installed in the new Parliament building. This Sengol will remind us that we have to walk on the path of duty and remain answerable to the public, Modi said. Adheenam seers, who arrived in New Delhi ahead of the inauguration of the new Parliament building, handed over the iconic Sengol to PM Modi on Saturday. The new Parliament House will make every Indian proud, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he gave a glimpse of the four-storey building through a video, which he will inaugurate on Sunday (May 28). The Prime Minister made a special request to people to re-share the video with their own voice-over which conveys their thoughts about the new structure that will replace the iconic circular building. He also asked the citizens to use #MyParliamentMyPride while posting the videos. With just a day left for the inauguration of the new Parliament building, special traffic arrangements will be put in place in the national capital in view of the inauguration of the new sansad. Delhi police issued a traffic advisory, according to which, the New Delhi district will be treated as a controlled area. Only public transport vehicles, civil service aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles will be allowed to move in the New Delhi area, the advisory stated. Amid the controversy over the inauguration of the new Parliament Building by PM Modi, the Congress has once again hit back at the BJP, saying that it is the ruling party which is sabotaging the Parliamentary conventions and the Constitution of the country. Addressing the media, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said, The BJP is entirely sabotaging the traditions of the country. Pointing out the traditions of Parliament, the Congress leader said The President of India is the part and parcel of the Parliamentary system and the Parliament. They are totally ignoring the President (Droupadi Murmu), who is the first woman tribal President. Then, they are blaming the Congress and the entire country is witnessing that the BJP is sabotaging the Parliamentary conventions and even the Constitution of India. They dont have a moral right to criticise Congress for boycotting the inauguration of Parliament, Venugopal said, slamming the BJP. Meanwhile, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad came in support of the BJP-led Central government and said all parliamentarians should welcome the construction of a new Parliament building. The former Congress leader, however, added that the idea of the construction of a new Parliament building was first mooted during the time of the PV Narasimha Rao government, but was later sent to cold storage. I have no opposition to it, he said. Azad also stressed the need for the restoration of the old India based on the idea of communal harmony and brotherhood. PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the new four-storey Parliament building on May 28. The issue snowballed into a major controversy, with the opposition parties arguing President Murmu (head of the state) and not PM Modi (head of the government), should perform the inauguration. As many as 20 opposition parties including the Congress have announced their boycott of the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Modi. On the other hand, 25 parties have said they will participate in the inauguration and these include seven non-NDA parties. The BSP, Shiromani Akali Dal, Janata Dal (Secular), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), YSR Congress, BJD and TDP are the seven non-NDA parties. The presence of these seven parties, which together account for 50 MPs in the Lok Sabha, will be a major relief for the BJP-led NDA. Their participation will also help the NDA blunt the Oppositions charge that it is all a government event. Nineteen Opposition parties, including the Congress, Left, TMC, Samajwadi Party (SP) and AAP, have jointly announced the boycott, saying they find no value in a new building when the soul of democracy has been sucked out. Separately, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said if Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla does not inaugurate the new Parliament building, his party would not attend the event. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday blamed the Centre for his inability to attend the Niti Aayog meeting on Saturday where he wished to raise issues like caste census and special status for the state. The JD(U) leader, whose party is boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday, dubbed the function as an attempt to change history by those who had made no contributions to the freedom struggle. Kumar, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the death anniversary of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, said, When I received the schedule of the Niti Aayog meet I sought a change in the timings since it clashed with the function here. We have respected Pandit Nehru since our childhood, though politically I have pursued a different line, said the veteran socialist leader, who now has the Congress as an ally. They (the Centre), however, did not agree to change the timing of the Niti Aayog meeting. Had they even agreed to hold the meeting in the afternoon, I would have been able to attend. We sent a few other names who could represent the state, which too was turned down. So, Bihar remained unrepresented, Kumar said. He continued, I was amazed to read in papers today that five other states have been deprived of attendance at the Niti Aayog meet for one reason or the other. Kumar said, Had I been at the meeting, I would have raised the issue of caste census, and pointed out the legal hurdles that hit the survey we undertook at the state level. After all, we conducted the survey only after the Centre said it will not conduct a caste census but states were free to hold a headcount. I would also have raised the long-standing issue of a special status (to Bihar) and the need for greater central assistance to poor states, said Kumar, now a votary of opposition unity. To questions on the inauguration of the new Parliament building, which is being boycotted by the opposition parties with the demand that President Droupadi Murmu and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new premises, he asserted First of all, there was no need for a new Parliament building. Kumar had been a Lok Sabha member for several terms in the past. Without mentioning the BJP or Modi by name, he said, Those in power nowadays have no respect for history. This is an attempt to change history by those who did not contribute to the freedom struggle. Asked to comment on the scrapping of Rs 2,000 notes, Kumar, who had supported demonetisation in 2016, said I fail to understand what they are trying to achieve. After invalidating the old Rs 1,000 notes, they should have brought in new ones. But they introduced Rs 2,000 notes. Now they are withdrawing these too. Only they can say what is their intention. The Bihar chief minister said, The media too is not unfettered now and hence cannot ask probing questions about governments steps like it used to do in the past. top videos About the much-awaited meeting of Opposition parties which is expected to be held in Bihar, Kumar said he has discussed the issue with most of the Opposition leaders and will inform the exact date at an appropriate time. Kumars counterpart in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee had asked him to hold a meeting of Opposition parties in Patna at the end of May. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the eighth Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Saturday, said the Centre, States and Union Territories should work as Team India and fulfil the dreams and aspirations of people for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The PM highlighted the crucial role of NITI Aayog in assisting states in developing long-term strategies aligned with the national development agenda and urged states and UTs to work closely with NITI Aayog to propel the country towards Amrit Kaal, according to an official statement. NITI Aayog is taking multiple initiatives for strengthening cooperative and competitive federalism like the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP). Both these programmes showcase the power of working together as Centre, States and Districts, and the impact of data-driven governance in improving the lives of common citizens at the grassroots level," he said in a statement. The Prime Minister stressed on the need for States and Centre to promote Shree Anna in the International Year of Millets. He also deliberated on the need for working towards water conservation through the Amrit Sarovar programme. He also spoke about the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline at the State levels. He urged the States to proactively use the Gati Shakti Portal not only for infrastructure and logistics but also for local area development and creation of social infrastructure, as per the statement. Speaking about G20 meetings being held in the country, he said that while meetings have brought glory to India on the world stage, it has provided States the opportunity for global exposure. The Prime Minister also spoke about the importance of skilling people with a view to meet global requirements, supporting MSMEs, developing the tourism potential of the country, reducing compliances at the State level including decriminalisation of minor offences, creation of Ekta Malls. Talking about Nari Shakti, he highlighted the significance of women-led development. He also spoke about ending the menace of Tuberculosis by 2025. Kejriwal, Mamata Among 11 CMs Who Skipped Meeting At least 11 chief ministers, mostly from states not ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its allies, skipped the meeting today. The Governing Council, the apex body of NITI Aayog, includes all chief ministers, lieutenant governors of Union Territories, and several Union ministers. The Prime Minister is the Chairman of NITI Aayog. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel attended the meeting at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Union ministers Amit Shah, Niramala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal and chief ministers of Assam and Jharkhand also attended the meeting, among others. NITI Aayog CEO B V R Subrahmanyam said 11 Chief Ministers did not attend the meeting, but highlighted the participation of several other leaders. Eleven Chief Ministers didnt attend the meeting. But several other Chief Ministers did. I have seen similar attendance in previous NITI Aayog Governing Council meetings. They might have their personal reasons," he said at a press conference after the meeting. Speaking on the boycott" of the meeting by Opposition leaders Subrahmanyam further said, If you dont attend (the meeting) you miss out on the discussion, on the rich thinking. It is not as if we will boycott someone, we will work together. Government of India forms policies and it is not as if the states who didnt attend will be left out but loss is of those who dont participate." The chief ministers who have decided to not attend the meeting include Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann, both Aam Aadmi Party leaders. Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, Bihar CM and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar, Telangana CM and Bharat Rashtra Samithi chief K Chandrashekar Rao, along with Tamil Nadu CM and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president MK Stalin, Rajasthan CM and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot and Kerala CM and CPI (M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan. Delhi Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal on Friday announced a boycott of the Niti Aayog meeting, saying if cooperative federalism becomes a joke, then it is not worth joining the meeting". He made the announcement in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he also urged him to allow the non-BJP government to also work. In his letter, Kejriwal said, Tomorrow is the meeting of the Niti Aayog. The job of the Niti Aayog is to promote cooperative federalism and prepare the vision for India. However, the way in which democracy has been targeted and non-BJP governments are being brought down and not allowed to work, then it is not the vision for new India and not in the spirit of cooperative federalism." He claimed that in the last few years, a message is being given that if any state chooses to elect a non-BJP government then it would not be tolerated". Citing the May 11 judgement of the Supreme Court, he said, After a long fight of eight years, the people of Delhi won in Supreme Court and then an ordinance was brought by your government to negate the top court orders." Punjab Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party colleague and Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann is staying away from the meeting because the Union government was ignoring issues related to farmers. The Centre has withheld Rural Development Fee (RDF) amounting to Rs 4,000 crore, reduced the RDF rate, stopped mandi tax, delayed goods and services tax (GST) compensation, and shifted some sanctioned projects to other states, AAPs Punjab unit said. West Bengal West Bengal will not have any representative at the Niti Aayog meeting as the TMC governments request to send the state finance minister and the chief secretary was turned down" by the Centre, which insisted" that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may attend the event. Banerjee has already decided not to attend the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog. Bihar Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said he would be able to attend because of prior commitments. Kumar later blamed the Centre for his inability to attend the Niti Aayog meeting. When I received the schedule of the Niti Aayog meet I sought a change in the timings since it clashed with the function here," he said on the sidelines of a function to mark the death anniversary of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in Patna. Telangana According to Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Raos office, the Bharat Rashtra Samiti president will also not attend the meeting since he has a scheduled meeting with Kejriwal in Hyderabad on Saturday. Tamil Nadu Due to his ongoing a three-day visit to Singapore and Japan, the Tamil Nadu chief minister will be unable to attend the meeting, according to reports. Rajasthan According to news agency ANI, Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot has stated health reasons as the cause for not being able to attend the meeting. Odisha Though his party BJD has decided to attend the controversial new Parliament building inauguration on Sunday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik skipped the meeting today. Patnaik remained busy through the day in several meetings including review of the four-year performance of different departments including Mission Shakti, according to a PTI report. Meanwhile, Chief ministers of three Congress-ruled states- Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh- attended the meeting. Kerala Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan has not provided any specific reason for his absence, as per reports. BJP Lashes Out at Anti-people, Irresponsible CMs Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad criticized the chief ministers who boycotted the governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog, labeling their decision as anti-people" and irresponsible." In his statement, Prasad questioned the absence of these chief ministers, stating, Why are they not coming to attend the meeting where 100 issues are to be discussed. If such a large number of chief ministers do not participate, they are not bringing the voice of their states." He further added, It is very unfortunate, irresponsible, and anti-people. How far will you go in opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi?" You will get more opportunities to oppose Modi. But why are you causing harm to the people of your state?" he questioned. This decision to boycott the meeting by eight chief ministers is totally irresponsible" and is also against the public interest and in the interest of people they govern in their states", Prasad said. NITI Aayogs Governing Council Meet NITI Aayog will be organising its 8th Governing Council Meeting on the theme of Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Role of Team India on May 27, 2023," the Aayog said in a statement earlier. Speaking to the press after the meeting, CEO of NITI Aayog BVR Subrahmanyam emphasised the significance of the theme Viksit Bharat" during the 8th Governing Council meeting. He stated, Why is Viksit Bharat so important at this point? It is important because India is at a takeoff moment. We are not only the largest country by population but also the 5th largest economy. The fifth is going to become the third in a couple of years." He highlighted the favorable demographic situation of India. Demography is in our favour not just in terms of the total number of people but also in terms of the number of youthful people. India will have about 20% of the worlds working-age population in a couple of years, and it is going to be the largest provider of working-age people for the next 20 years or so," he said. In an earlier statement the government think tank noted that as the worlds fifth-largest economy and the most populous nation, India is at a stage in its economic development trajectory where it can achieve accelerated growth over the next 25 years. In this context, the statement said the 8th Governing Council Meeting provides an opportunity to create a roadmap for Viksit Bharat by 2047 in which Centre and states can work together as Team India. Eight prominent themes will be discussed, including Viksit Bharat@2047, thrust on MSMEs, infrastructure and investments, minimising compliances, women empowerment, health and nutrition, skill development, and Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure," the statement said. According to the statement, as a prelude to the 8th Governing Council meeting, the 2nd Chief Secretaries Conference was held in January 2023 where these themes were extensively discussed. Wide-ranging stakeholder consultations and brainstorming sessions with subject experts, academia and practitioners were held prior to the Conference in order to gain well-rounded grassroot-level perspectives, it added. The statement pointed that this 8th Governing Council Meeting is also being held in the backdrop of Indias G20 Presidency. Indias G20 motto One Earth, One Family, One Future conveys its civilisational values and its vision of the role of each country in creating the future of our planet," the statement said, adding that the emerging world has immense hopes on Indias ability to provide values-based leadership and its capacity to deliver development at scale. The statement noted that the Centre and states have played a significant role in achieving this distinctive development trajectory. It emphasised that Indias growth is closely interlinked with the growth of states. Generally, the full council meeting happens every year and last year, it was held under the chairmanship of Modi on August 7. top videos The council meeting was not convened in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first meeting of the council took place on February 8, 2015. After 75 years, India gets its own Parliament building, and this is the onset of Amrit Kaal, said senior journalist and RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy in an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18 on Saturday. The next 25 years will be golden years for India, he added. PM Modi has made the right decision to recall the sengol ceremony that took place in 1947. There is no disputing that it happened back then. Kanchi Acharyas narration is corroborated by Adheenam records and vice versa, the Thuglak editor said. There is no transfer of power this time, but the sengol that should have been in Parliament and was dismissed as a walking stick, will now find its rightful place, he said. The event will play a huge role in resetting the Idea of India rooted in Sanatana Dharma. This idea was shifted in the 1940s when Jinnah moved for Partition, said Gurumurthy. He posted about the sengol in a series of tweets almost a year ago, on May 3, 2022. The opposition is erring in extending boycott calls to the Parliament inauguration, he said. This is a once-in-a-century moment. Its historic for all of us. They must be present, Gurumurthy added. top videos C Rajagopalachari made a historic decision with the sengol ceremony, said the senior journalist. He integrated Tamil Nadu with India at a time when EV Ramaswamy Naicker was pushing for Dravida Nadu. PM Modi is only repeating with Rajaji did. This is a message to such elements in Tamil politics, he said. The opposition criticism of the new Parliament building has been on ever since construction began, said Gurumurthy. They are taking a wrong position. Everyone must attend this function, he added. Notwithstanding a boycott from 20 opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday. The ruling BJP made it clear on Saturday that there will be no stopping the historic event, even as a feverish debate raged over the inaugural ceremony with the opposition insisting President Droupadi Murmu, as head of the state, should do the honours. As a preview of sorts, the prime minister shared how people were emotional over getting a new Parliament, which represented the myriad cultures as well as the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Describing the new building as a temple of democracy, he wished that it strengthened Indias development trajectory and empowered millions. Prime Minister Modi urged people to share a video of the new building on Twitter with #MyParliamentMyPride. He also retweeted several public posts with the video and their voiceovers. The video gives a virtual tour of the new building, including the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. With carpets from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, bamboo flooring from Agartala in Tripura and stone carvings from Rajasthan, the new Parliament building reflects Indias diversity. Sengol, a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu first received by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru to represent transfer of power from the British, will be installed in the new Parliament building. On the eve of the inaugural ceremony, the PM met Adheenams at his residence and took their blessings. He spoke of the cultural and historical significance of Sengol, which was handed over to him by the Shaivite seers from Tamil Nadu. Union home minister Amit Shah shared pictures of the state-of-the-art new Parliament building on Twitter, calling it an architectural marvel". He tweeted: The New Parliament building is an architectural marvel that represents the resolve of 1.4 billion Indians to build a new nation under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji. #MyParliamentMyPride" Here is all you need to know about the inauguration tomorrow (May 28): Who are the attendees? As many as 25 parties are expected to attend the inauguration. Former vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, former PM HD Deve Gowda and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh among others are expected to be present during the formal inauguration of the new complex. The BJP has issued specific instructions for its MPs with regard to attendance at some other events before the main event, as it is also the 140th birth anniversary of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar. They have also been asked to attend the Mann Ki Baat programme. What will happen at the ceremony? The ceremony will begin with an early morning havan and a multi-religion prayer followed by a formal opening in the Lok Sabha by Modi. Officials said the havan will be held outside the new building around 7 am. The Centre will also issue a commemorative Rs 75 coin. According to a gazette notification by department of economic affairs under the finance ministry, the weight of this coin could be 34.65 to 35.35 grams. On one side will be an image of Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in the centre flanked by the word Bharat in Devanagri script and INDIA in English. The INR symbol and denominational value 75 in international numeral will also be inscribed below the Lion Capital. The other side of the coin shall bear the image of Parliament Complex, and the year 2023 in international numeral below the image. What are the security and traffic arrangements? Security has been stepped up in central Delhi, better known as Lutyens. Since the elaborate ceremony will be attended by many eminent personalities, police have already issued a traffic advisory stating that the New Delhi district will be treated as a controlled area and entry of vehicles will be restricted. The Parliament building is already located in a high-security area. Besides additional deployment, there is continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras. A police official said adequate security personnel have been deployed but refused to go into details. Police pickets have been set up in central Delhi and tight security arrangements are in place to maintain law and order. Security has also been enhanced along the border entry points. Pickets will be installed and police will check the vehicles entering from borders," another official said. According to the traffic advisory, only public transport vehicles, civil service aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles will be allowed to move in the New Delhi area. Noting that many VVIPs and other dignitaries are likely to attend the inauguration ceremony, the Delhi traffic police urged people to plan their journey accordingly and avoid the New Delhi district from 5.30 am to 3 pm. What are the features of the new building? Modi had laid the foundation stone of the new parliament building on December 10, 2020. It is a triangular-shaped four-storey building with a built-up area of 64,500 sq m. It has three main gates Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar. It will have separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors. With carpets from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, bamboo flooring from Tripura and stone carvings from Rajasthan, the building has material acquired from various parts of the country. Sengol, which was handed over to Modi by Adheenam seers, will be placed near the chair of Lok Sabha speaker in the house chamber. Constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, the building will have a grand constitution hall to showcase Indias democratic heritage, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space. The building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber. In case of a joint sitting of both the Houses, a total of 1,280 members can be accommodated in the lower house. The teakwood was sourced from Nagpur in Maharashtra, while the red and white sandstone was procured from Sarmathura in Rajasthan. The Kesharia green stone has been procured from Udaipur, the red granite from Lakha near Ajmer and the white marble from Ambaji in Rajasthan. The steel structure for the false ceilings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have been sourced from Daman and Diu, while the furniture in the new building was crafted in Mumbai. The stone jaali (lattice) works were sourced from Rajnagar in Rajasthan and Noida in Uttar Pradesh. The materials for the Ashoka Emblem were sourced from Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Jaipur in Rajasthan, while the Ashok Chakra donning the massive walls of the two houses as well as exteriors were brought in from Indore in Madhya Pradesh. top videos Manufactured sand or M-sand from Charkhi Dadri in Haryana has been used for creating concrete mix for the construction activities. It is considered environment-friendly as it is manufactured by crushing large hard stones or granite and not by dredging river beds. The fly ash bricks used in construction were sourced from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, while brass works and pre-cast trenches were from Ahmedabad in Gujarat. (With PTI inputs) A 24-year-old man, believed to be suffering from hydrophobia, has been arrested by the police for allegedly killing an elderly woman and consuming her flesh. The accused has been admitted to a hospital for further evaluation and treatment, officials said on Saturday. As per the police statement, eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred in Saradhana village, under Sendra police station, on Friday. Shanti Devi (65) was grazing her cattle when the accused, Surendra Thakur, allegedly attacking her with a stone, resulting in her death. According to doctors at Bangar Hospital, Thakur, a Mumbai resident, has been diagnosed with hydrophobia, which is a fear of water resulting from an advanced stage of rabies infection. It is suspected that Thakur may have been bitten by a rabid dog in the past and did not receive appropriate treatment. The accused is behaving like a mentally sick patient and in an aggressive manner. We have admitted him to the hospital where his medical examination is going on. Even in the hospital, he created a ruckus, after which he was tied up by the nursing staff on a bed, Jaitaran Deputy Superintendent of Police Sukhram Bishnoi said. The police stated that the accused had arrived in Sendra from Mumbai on a bus, which was verified through a bus ticket found in his possession. Following the incident, Shanti Devis son, Biren Kathat, filed a police complaint, accusing the accused of murdering his mother and consuming her flesh. The police have booked Thakur under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for murder and have also charged him with cannibalism. I was returning after grazing goats when I saw the man who was eating the flesh of the deceased woman. I got scared and ran from the spot, witness Kathat said, adding he also saw the blood-stained face of the accused. At first, the local residents were frightened upon encountering the accused. However, when he attempted to flee, they pursued and apprehended him before handing him over to the police. A patient has been admitted at Bangar Hospital who is suffering from hydrophobia. It is possible that a rabid dog might have bitten him in the past. He might not have got vaccinated and because of this, he developed hydrophobia or rabies, Dr Praveen said. Meanwhile, the police handed over the body of the woman to the family members after autopsy. The incident comes months after the Kerala human sacrifice case which sent shockwaves around the country last year. According to the police, a shocking incident took place in Elanthoor village of Pathanamthitta district, where two women were sacrificed in October, 2022. It is suspected that their body parts were cooked and consumed by a couple, Bhagaval Singh and his wife Laila, who were lured with the false promise of attaining wealth by a self-proclaimed sorcerer named Muhammad Shafi. top videos All three individuals involved in the conspiracy, including Muhammad Shafi and the couple, Bhagaval Singh and Laila, have been arrested by the authorities. (With inputs from PTI) In a temporary breather to Kadapa Lok Sabha MP Avinash Reddy, the Telangana High Court on Saturday ordered the CBI not to arrest the YSR Congress Party leader in connection with the murder of former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy till the final orders in the petition are passed.The vacation bench of the court which was hearing a petition filed by the MP seeking anticipatory bail posted the case to May 31 for final orders. Following the Supreme Courts direction, the high court took up the hearing of the petition on Friday. The court heard the arguments of Suneetha, daughter of Vivekananda Reddy, Avinash Reddy and the CBI.Avinash, who was summoned by the CBI to appear before it here on May 22, wrote a letter to the central agency seeking time to appear before it citing his mothers ill health. The cousin of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Avinash is under the scanner of the CBI in connection with Vivekananda Reddys murder that took place in March 2019. He has appeared before the CBI at least five times this year. He subsequently moved the Telangana High Court with the anticipatory bail petition. His father Y S Bhaskar Reddy was arrested by the CBI on April 16 in connection with the case. The Telangana High Court on April 28 posted the hearing on the anticipatory bail plea of Avinash Reddy to June 5. Subsequently he went to the Supreme Court which directed the vacation bench of the high court to hear the case. top videos Vivekananda Reddy, one of the brothers of the late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, was found murdered at his residence in Pulivendula in Kadapa district on the night of March 15, 2019, just weeks before the Assembly elections in the State. The case was initially probed by a special investigation team (SIT) of the state crime investigation department, but was handed over to the CBI in July 2020. The CBI filed a charge sheet in the murder case on October 26, 2021 and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on January 31, 2022. The NIA on Saturday busted an ISIS-inspired terror module following raids at least 13 locations in Madhya Pradeshs Jabalpur, in its ongoing probe into a terror conspiracy case. The case is linked to the Bhopal terror funding case involving the proscribed organization, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). NIA carried out the raids in Jabalpur on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday in close coordination with the Madhya Pradesh Polices Anti-Terror Squad. Incriminating documents, sharp weapons, ammunition including prohibited bore and digital devices have been recovered during the raids. NIA has also detained 12 persons for examination. As per sources privy to the development, the module members had created a pro-IS group Fisabililah" both on the physical as well as the cyber world (WhatsApp and Telegram) and posted various jehadi materials including explosive-making manuals. One of the key members of the group Mohd Adil accepted that he had pledged allegiance to ISIS and was planning to perform hijrat to IS conflict theatre in Syria. He and his associates were planning to procure weapons for violent actions in India," they said. The fresh raids were carried out just two days after the anti-terror agency on May 25 searched two locations in Uttar Pradesh in the Bhopal terror funding case involving JMB. The raids then aimed to expose further links and conspiracies of the 10 already arrested accused and charge-sheeted in the case by NIA Court, Bhopal. Six of the arrested accused are Bangladeshi nationals and are active JMB cadres. They had entered India illegally, without any valid documents, and had acquired false and forged Indian identity documents with the help of their sympathizers in India. Wednesdays searches at the premises of various suspects led to the seizure of several digital devices (mobile phones), SIM cards, Bank Passbooks and Identity documents. The documents, currently under examination, relate to suspect transactions related to the transfer of funds by the accused.NIA investigations have revealed that all the 10 arrested accused were involved in influencing, radicalizing and motivating vulnerable Indian Muslim youth to take up violent Jihad against the democratic system of governance in the country. They had been circulating incriminating Jihadi literature, inflammatory videos and statements (Bayans,) and endorsing, justifying and glorifying the terrorist acts of the various banned terrorist organisations, including JMB, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban," said the NIA. They were conspiring to align with terrorist organisations to achieve their ultimate goal of establishing a Shariat-based Islamic rule in India through the pursuit of violent Jihad. They had grand plans of creating a pan-India network to pursue their objective and, along with their co-accused, had successfully established bases in various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura, West Bengal and Assam. The agency registered the case on April 5 last year under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Foreigners Act, of 1946. It was originally registered on March 14 last year by the Special Task Force of Madhya Pradesh Police in the wake of the arrest of six active cadres of JMB from their rented house in Bhopal. A cache of Jihadi literature, digital devices, a printer, paper cutting machine, book binding material etc., was also seized from the house. top videos Given the ramifications of the case and developments for national security, the NIA had subsequently taken over the investigations and arrested four more accused. (With ANI Inputs) An 18-year-old man was stabbed to death on Saturday morning allegedly by a group of four or five boys over an old enmity in east Delhis Kalyanpuri area, police said. Not many details, including the age of the attackers, were immediately available. top videos According to the police, they received information at 5:11 am regarding multiple stab injuries to Anshu alias Banda, a resident of Trilokpuri. He was admitted to LBS Hospital by a PCR van. The victim bearing 21 stab injuries was referred to AIIMS Delhi where he was declared dead, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Amrutha Guguloth said. Anshu disclosed that four or five boys attacked him. Two teams have been formed to apprehend the accused, the DCP said. Preliminary investigation has suggested that there was an old enmity between the attackers and the victim. However, the exact reason will be ascertained when the accused will be nabbed, police added. Indulging in a harmonious blend of wellness and tranquillity, yoga has long been celebrated as a transformative practice, offering a myriad of benefits for the mind, body, and soul. For those seeking solace from the throes of back pain, incorporating specific asanas into your routine can provide immense relief and restore a sense of balance. Here are seven extraordinary yoga postures that hold the key to alleviating back pain- Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Embrace the grandeur of the majestic mountains as you stand tall, grounding your feet firmly on the earth. Engage your core, elongate your spine, and allow your shoulders to gently roll back, welcoming a surge of strength and stability. This foundational pose promotes proper alignment, alleviating the strain on your back and nurturing a serene equilibrium. Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana): Surrender to the rhythmic undulations of the feline realm as you gracefully transition between the arching Cat Pose and the uplifting Cow Pose. This gentle flow stimulates spinal flexibility, massages the vertebrae, and soothes the tension that plagues your weary back. With each breath, feel the divine harmony between movement and breath, unveiling a renewed sense of vitality. Childs Pose (Balasana): Sink into the nurturing embrace of this restorative pose, surrendering your body to the nurturing embrace of the earth. With your knees wide apart and arms outstretched, bow forward, allowing your forehead to gently touch the ground. As you melt into this gentle embrace, feel the gentle stretch along your spine, easing the burdens of back pain and ushering in a profound sense of relaxation. Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana): Embrace the graceful elegance of a dog stretching in its serene abode as you explore this quintessential pose. Ground your palms firmly on the mat, lifting your hips high and extending your legs, forming an inverted V shape. This powerful posture rejuvenates your back muscles, relieves tension, and promotes spinal alignment, bestowing a renewed sense of balance and strength. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana): Embrace your inner serpent as you gracefully elevate your torso, gently arching your back, and allowing your heart to shine forth. Feel the subtle opening of your chest and the gentle release of your lower back, as the Cobra Pose reinvigorates your spine, strengthens your core, and instils a profound sense of vitality. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): Embrace the graceful curvature of a bridge, as you recline on your back and lift your pelvis toward the sky. Engaging your glutes and hamstrings, feel the gentle stretch coursing through your spine, releasing the tension that had once plagued your weary back. This empowering pose strengthens your back muscles, promotes flexibility, and imbues you with a renewed sense of energy. Legs Up the Wall Pose (Viparita Karani): Surrender to the tranquil embrace of this restorative pose, as you recline on your back and extend your legs upward, resting them against a wall. Allow gravity to gently guide your legs, revitalizing your circulation and alleviating pressure from your lower back. In this blissful inversion, experience a profound release of tension, calming your mind and body. Delhi and Goa, two vibrant and diverse cities in India, are known for their rich culinary scenes. If youre looking to explore new dining experiences, these cities have recently welcomed a range of exciting restaurants. In Delhi, you can indulge in a variety of cuisines, from local street food to international flavors. The new restaurants offer innovative menus, unique concepts, and stylish ambiance, catering to different tastes and preferences. In Goa, known for its coastal charm, you can savor fresh seafood, Goan delicacies, and fusion dishes. The new dining establishments in Goa reflect the vibrant spirit of the city, with beachside cafes, upscale restaurants, and quaint eateries that showcase local flavors. Whether youre in Delhi or Goa, these new restaurants promise a delightful culinary journey that showcases the best of these cities vibrant food scenes. Red Delhi Delhi is now home to Red, the unusual dining bar, a place that evokes passion and happiness in its dazzling use of the colour. The stunning interiors of Red, explore the many shades and moods of the colour red. From extravagant food and beverages inspired by the flaming red of fire, founders, Anubhav Dham and Amman Kumar have conceptualised Red as owning a colour, an emotion, a mindset, and a persona that evokes passion. Playing with the idea of transformation, the ambience transits from an invigorating day space to an almost enigmatic nightlife- balancing between the place to be and the place to disappear at. The classic cocktails curated by the experts, adding craft and passion to the beverages, comes with the pliability of flirting with the concoctions and discovering new blends. Mindful mixing techniques and seasonal sourcing hints all the pick-me-ups, especially the signature cocktail variety that includes RED ON RYE" from Back with the twist, CURE ALL from the Modern Age, MOH MAYA & TALL TALES from For the Future, DOCTORS ORDER & THE NAUTCH from RED Originals. The menu also offers extensive options for wine and beer lovers to relish with a wide selection of enticing and pocket friendly pricing, along with mixologist customizations of punches & pitchers. Wolf Delhi A new-age rooftop cocktail lab in the heart of Delhi, The Wolf sets out to bring together only the best experiences from around the world, focused on aesthetics, taste, and vibe. Giving experimental cocktails its focus, Wolf Located above the famous PVR Priya, Basant Lok, has curated signature sips through unique world-class technology that liquefies popular flavours from around the world. Extending the use of modern technology from the decor to the bar, The Wolf brings on board Giuseppe Papi Stasi, a renowned cocktail crafter from Spain, to create liquid concoctions unlike any other in the country. He has used his vast travel experiences to develop signature sips through unique world-class technology that liquefies popular tastes from around the world, garnished with a taste of complementing flavours. Some of their must-try signatures include Tiramisu, Tarte Tatin, and Banana Split. Kampai Delhi Kampai, translating to cheers in Japanese: a favourite of its patrons is all set to open its new outlet, providing an appetising selection of food and beverages. After serving irresistible Japanese delicacies to bon vivants in Aerocity, young restaurateur and entrepreneur, Avantika Sinha Bahl unveils the second outpost of her premium authentic Japanese cuisine restaurant, Kampai - Plate & Pour, at DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj. Kampai is a first of its kind Japanese restaurant which aims to promote modern Japanese cuisine. A concept like no other, the unique projections, depicting the various seasons of the country, subtle colours of the walls and the luminous laser cut panels are sure to touch your senses as you imbibe the visuals while indulging in the best being served to your table. The restaurant is a sophisticated twist on traditional Japanese Izakaya style of informal eating and drinking. With conventional furnishings, the space promises a true Japanese experience while ensuring familiarity, relaxation, rejuvenation and comfortability all at once. Overall the experience aims to transport you to the streets of Tokyo for a few meals or many! Qlay Goa Located in Assagao amidst all the sun and sand and balmy breeze of Goan lanes, Qlay is a distinctive Mediterranean restaurant. Surrounded with leafy avenues, elegant Portuguese villas and the soft sounds of nature, Qlay provides its patrons with an exquisite dining experience. The eating place is the newest addition to the fine dining restaurants in Goa with a simple and elegant setting, focused on quality food and a delicious flavour palate. Qlay has a refreshing, progressive take on authentic Mediterranean cuisine that uses local ingredients and only fresh produce. The team that built Qlay came together out of a love for travel, an appreciation of European culture and Mediterranean cuisine - Chef Neeraj Tyagi met Ankit and Nikhil on a fine day and over the next few months discussions about their love for travel and wanting to create something that celebrates Mediterranean cuisine led them to land on the golden coasts of Goa. They wanted the restaurant to honour the history of the space, stay classic and stand the test of time while also allowing plenty of room to relax. And owing to their successful experiments on Mediterranean cuisine in Delhi, they wanted to explore this further. The kitchen at Qlay is as rustic, timeless, and classic as the name. A menu designed to blend Chef Neeraj Tyagis culinary excellence with local flavours, Qlay has a refreshing, progressive take on authentic Mediterranean cuisine that uses local ingredients and only fresh produce. Chef Neeraj Tyagi, the culinary consultant says, We aim to provide fresh and authentic recipes with high end culinary offerings. They whip up the most delightful Mediterranean delicacies alongside a menu packed with some exquisite cocktails - and a promise to leave you enamoured! Rico on the beach Goa Rico on the Beach, a recently opened Tiki bar situated in Vagator, fully embraces the laid-back atmosphere of the beach with its charming and rustic shack-like design. Perched on the cliffs, it offers breathtaking views of the enchanting Ozran Beach, providing a truly immersive beach experience. At Rico on the Beach, patrons can indulge in an array of tantalizing tiki-themed cocktails and delectable appetizers. The menu boasts an impressive selection of exotic concoctions, expertly crafted with a focus on rum-based cocktails, reminiscent of the authentic Tiki bar tradition. Each sip transports guests to a tropical paradise, with the vibrant flavors and refreshing combinations perfectly complementing the coastal ambiance. Rico on the Beach is the ideal destination for beachgoers and cocktail enthusiasts alike, offering a delightful fusion of picturesque views, delicious libations, and a relaxed tropical ambiance. Its the perfect spot to unwind, sip on a flavorful drink, and immerse yourself in the blissful vibes of the beach. Malayalam cinema has always been celebrated for its unique storytelling and realistic portrayal of characters. And when it comes to real-life stories being told, Malayalam film industry has always been lauded for it. This time, too, Jude Anthany Josephs 2018 exemplifies this tradition. The film, which is being coined as the Real Kerala Story is based on the catastrophic floods that washed the state of Kerala in August 2018. The movie stars Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Indrans, Lal, Asif Ali, Narein and Vineeth Srinivasan, among others in the lead roles. The film takes audiences on a journey that brings to light the events that happened on a dreadful night during the floods of 2018. Though the movie released in Malayalam on May 5, the makers have now released a Hindi-dubbed version. At the heart of the film is a compelling narrative that not only delves into the challenges people faced during the floods, but it also shows how everyone in Kerala came together to help each other in times of need. The screenplay weaves together multiple storylines, effortlessly blending the personal struggles of the characters with larger societal issues. The script is masterfully crafted, with well-defined characters that evoke empathy and emotional investment from the audience. The performances in 2018 are nothing less than outstanding. Though everyone in the movie has been exceptional in their roles, one character that stands out in the film is that of Anoop played by Tovino Thomas. The depth and authenticity of his performance is truly commendable, making the character relatable and endearing. The portrayal of how each and every character arch unveils from time to time, and their interactions create moments of both intense drama and heartfelt emotion. Besides the storytelling and acting, the technical aspects of the film are equally praiseworthy. The cinematography and VFX is visually stunning, capturing the scenic beauty as well as the catastrophe that struck Kerala that year. Each frame attempts to add to the overall aesthetic appeal of the movie. The films background score is another highlight that enhances the narrative and evoke a range of emotions. One of the films strongest aspects is its ability to showcase societal issues with subtlety and nuance, and also give a message through scenes which have absolutely no dialogues, but just characters in motion. It seamlessly integrates these themes into the narrative, providing thought-provoking commentary on subjects such as class disparities, and cultural traditions. In addition to its compelling storytelling, 2018 also excels in its production design and attention to detail. The sets and costumes are authentic, transporting the audience to the specific time and place depicted in the film. The art direction and editing are seamless, maintaining a steady pace and ensuring a smooth flow of the narrative about the incidents that happed in August 2018. Overall, 2018 is a triumph in Malayalam cinema, showcasing the industrys ability to produce compelling narratives with profound social relevance. With its exceptional performances, captivating storytelling, and meticulous craftsmanship, this film is a must-watch for cinephiles. Actor Adil Hussain has multiple reasons to celebrate. His film Footprints On Water" had its premiere at the UK Asian Film Festival, where Hussain won the Best Actor award. The film, directed by debutant filmmaker Nathalia Syam from Britain, also received the Best Debut Film award at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). During a chat with Hindustan Times, Hussain shared that the film is the first attempt to explore a subject that is usually not discussed in this part of the world. The film focuses on the struggles of illegal immigrants in the United Kingdom. However, he is disheartened that despite international acclaim, such films often go unnoticed by Indian audiences. If you ask me, its not the audience who is to be blamed for this, as they havent really been educated by the Indian filmmakers since the last 30-40 years. The kind of films that Indian mass audiences have been given to watch by all the industries, are more black and white, typical good boy, bad boy [stories]. Thats probably one of the reasons why Indian audiences are not used to watching complex films and their awareness of watching good films is not really cultivated, he said. Adil added that he would like to put the onus on the filmmakers and tell them its easy for them to sell films which are black and white, instead of those with grey shades. He believes that a significant reason why such films often go unnoticed is the lack of financial support for their production and promotion. In India, producers are hesitant to invest in these films and create awareness among the public. Theatrical releases require substantial funds, making it challenging for films like Footprints On Water" to reach audiences unless they find a platform for streaming. Producers [in India] are not ready to trust the content, and put in money to bring these films into public consciousness and awareness. And even by promoting it, there is very little chance that films such as this would be available for public viewing, as theatrical releases need a lot of money. So, it might land on an OTT platform, but unless it is duly promoted, people would not know that such a film even exists, he added. Adil rued that even when such films make it to OTT, people tend to ask, Who is the star?. OTT platforms are following almost the similar thing like mainstream Indian cinema, except some series [where they cast fresh talent], he said. Adil Hussain was recently seen in the web series Tooth Pari: When Love Bites. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. Our exceptional relations, which were further strengthened by the signing of the Shusha Declaration under the motto One nation, two states, will continue to be the biggest guarantee for peace and stability of our countries and the region in the future, President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Trend reports. Erdogan made the remark in his congratulatory letter addressed to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day. I avail myself of this opportunity and once again extend my warmest wishes of robust health and happiness to Your Excellency, tranquility and prosperity to friendly and brotherly people of Azerbaijan, the letter said. Alia Bhatt is One of the biggest female stars of the country. As such, her presence at IIFA 2023 which is happening in Abu Dhabi this time around was eagerly awaited by her Darling fans. But it turns out that Alia Bhatt had to cancel her trip to Abu Dhabi in the light of her Nana being admitted in the ICU in critical condition. As per several reports, Alia Bhatts maternal grandfather Narendra Razdan remains critical in Breach Candy Hospital. However, Mr Razdan was earlier admitted to the same hospital following a lung infection. Because of the severe infection, the doctors had made up their mind to shift Mr Razdan to the ICU but later they decided against it. Instead, they made arrangements within the room to make Mr Razdan comfortable. According to Times Of India, Alia Bhatt had just reached the airport when she changed her plans and decided to head to the hospital instead. The source shared with the portal, Mr. Narendra Razdan is Soni Razdans father and Alias grandfather. He has been in the Breach Candy hospital for quite some time now. He had a lung infection which got worse. In the morning, the family got a distress call that the doctors wanted to shift him to the ICU. There was a decision taken not to take him to the ICU, but to make him comfortable within the room. Hes 95 and as of now hes in the sunset hours. Alia turned back from the airport because she didnt want to be there at the award function while her grandfather was going through a very vulnerable time." On the work front, Alia is set to make her Hollywood debut with Gal Gadot starrer Heart of Stone. The actress also has Karan Johars Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani in the pipeline alongwith her friend and actor Ranveer Singh. Lavani folk dancer Gautami Patil has amassed a sizable fan base across Maharashtra with her dance performances. The actress has also been subjected to criticism on numerous occasions, the latest one being about her surname. In an interview with TV 9, Rajendra Jarad Patil, of the Maratha Coordinator said that Gautamis surname is not Patil but Chabukswar. Rajendra has warned her to not use the Patil surname anymore, failing which, her shows will not be allowed in Maharashtra. Now, Surendra Patil, the leader of Maratha Seva Sangh in Jalgaon, has supported Gautami. While interacting with the media, Surendra said that Patil is a very common surname and it is not correct to intimidate the dance artist for using it. He told media persons that Gautami is a talented dance artist and some people are trying to malign her and Lavanis art form. But, he said in the closing statement that Maratha Seva Sangh will always support her. Gautami has also reacted to the controversy. In her program held in Virar, she visited Shri Satyanarayana and interacted with the journalists. The dance artist said that her surname is Patil and she will continue to use it, regardless of what others think of it. Gautami also received flak sometime back when one of her events was held at Indira Gandhi School Ground, which is close to the AIIMS Hospital and Research Center in Aundh, Pune. People questioned the administration and asked how they allowed a loud event in the vicinity of a hospital. Social activist Vaishali Patkar, the president of Aundh Vikas Mach (AVM), told Pune Mirror that organisers should be mindful before organising such an event. Patkar said that the noise pollution norms were flouted during this event which was held right next to the AIMS hospital. I wonder how police grant permission to such events, Patkar said. On the work front, Gautami keeps entertaining the audience with her Youtube channel named officialgautami941. The dance artist shared a video of her shopping spree on May 19. Check the video here- She is also looking forward to her upcoming film Ghungroo. Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui recently had a theatrical release with Jogira Sara Ra Ra, a romantic comedy, which saw him playing a matchmaker helping a girl get rid of her wedding. With the film, he returns to headlining a desi romance a long time after Photograph and Motichoor Chaknachoor (both released in 2019). Over the years, Nawazuddin has been widely praised for his rustic and raw roles but his romantic avatars have also found many fans. Case in point: his unpredictable and borderline quirky chemistry with actor Huma Qureshi in Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 has a fan following of its own. Nawazuddin may not be an open book when it comes to showcasing the soft romantic boy that resides within him but in a recent chat with News18, he bares it all about life, love and romance. Speaking about how real love stories only take place in tiny towns in heartland India, he tells us, True romance only happens in small towns. What happens in the name of romance between people in big cities is compromise and adjustment. In small towns, people arent scared to open their hearts out to one another because they dont judge each other. He candidly adds, They fall in love without even taking the bank balance of the other person into consideration. Ishq aur pyaar abhi bhi bacha hua hai small towns mein. The 49-year-old goes to reveal that he has also been a matchmaker in real life and have helped some of his friends and acquaintances find love. Putting his poetic skills to good use, he often penned love letters on their behalf. I tried being a matchmaker for my friends. Earlier, we didnt have mobile phones and we had to send messages through letter writing. A lot of boys would make me write letters to women on behalf of them because I used to write really well. In fact, some of those matches became successful, he says with a laugh. So, would he call himself a romantic? Its a good thing to love, fall in love, be in love and spread love. Love is very important. Im a very romantic person. I love my films and a lot of things in life. Its important to have some bit of romance in our lives. But theres a dearth of it today, Nawazuddin states. On a related note, his public spat with his estranged wife, producer Aaliya Siddiqui, have been a point of conversation in the press and on social media. It began when she accused him of abuse and rape. Later, the actor also claimed that his wife only wants money, a charge denied by Aaliya. She further claimed that he has filed for the custody of their children, Shora and Yaani. In April, the court ordered that their children to return to Dubai to continue with their studies. Aaliya, on the other hand, recently revealed that she has already applied for divorce but the court has asked them us to settle things outside the legal purview. While Nawazuddin decides to not comment on the consequences of having his personal life and marriage discussed on a public forum, he tells us that hes is a happier space of mind today. Im happy that my children are continuing with their studies and are happy. Nothing makes me more pleased, remarks the actor, who will soon be seen in films like Tiku Weds Sheru, Saindhav, Noorani Chehra and Haddi. Vicky Kaushal has been grabbing all the headlines and quite rightly so. The actor who is currently in Abu Dhabi to attend IIFA 2023 will soon be seen romancing Sara Ali Khan in his next Zara Hatke Zara Bachke. The trailer of the rom-com has received love from everywhere and the songs have found a special place in everyones heart too. Since one of the songs crooned by Arijit Singh topped the charts, Vicky Kaushal celebrated this feat with a happy reel. The Uri actor dropped a short reel of himself from a balcony, lip syncing and smiling to the tune of Phir Kya Chahiye from Zara Hatke Zara Bachke. Vicky wore a black t-shirt and paired it with a black hat and black sunglasses. The actor happily announced the songs milestone with a wide smile on his face. He wrote in the caption, Aapka pyaar hai toh #PhirAurKyaChahiye !!! Your love has made our Song the #1 song in the country. Thank You! .See you all in Cinemas on 2nd June. #ZaraHatkeZaraBachke " Only a few hours ago, Vicky Kaushal had shared a monochrome picture of himself from his latest photoshoot. In the snap, Vicky Kaushal was seen seated inside an SUV car dressed in a dapper looking blazer, black shirt and black trousers. He has also worn his trademark black sunglasses to give more edge to his look. For this one, Vicky penned the caption, O gaddiyaan ucchiyaan rakhiyaan " Just a day ago, Vicky Kaushal was seen taking selfies with his fans when Salman passed by with his security. While Vicky tried going up to Salman to greet him, the latters security pushed him away and did not let him meet the Tiger 3 star. The video had left Vicky Kaushals fans disappointed with a section of netizens calling Salman rude". Talking to the media at the Green Carpet of the mega show, Vicky said that things might not be as they seem in the video and therefore there is no point talking" about it. A lot of times there is unnecessary chatter about things. Theres no point about it. Things dont actually are as they seem in the video. There is no point in talking about that," Vicky told media on the sidelines of the event. Meanwhile, on the work front, Vicky Kaushal will soon be seen in Zara Hatke Zara Bachke along with Sara Ali Khan. The film marks their first collaboration together. Zara Hatke Zara Bachke is produced by Dinesh Vijans Maddock Studios and is directed by Laxman Utekar. The film is scheduled to release on June 2, 2023. Besides this, Vicky has reportedly also been roped in for a biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. However, there is no official announcement regarding this as of now. Sara Ali Khan and Vicky Kaushal are all set to star in the romantic comedy Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and the promotions are already on in full swing. The trailer of this romantic comedy has received love from audiences and the songs have also captured a special place in the hearts of fans. One of the songs, sung by Arijit Singh, has even reached the top of the charts. At the red carpet of IIFA 2023 tonight, held at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, Vicky sang the romantic song while Sara gestured and expressed her emotions from behind him. Sara lookes beautiful in a red decolletage crop top paired with a ruffled sari, while Vicky looked dapper in a monochrome tux. Check out the video right here: Earlier today, The Uri actor dropped a short reel of himself from a balcony, lip syncing and smiling to the tune of Phir Kya Chahiye from Zara Hatke Zara Bachke. Vicky wore a black t-shirt and paired it with a black hat and black sunglasses. The actor happily announced the songs milestone with a wide smile on his face. He wrote in the caption, Aapka pyaar hai toh #PhirAurKyaChahiye !!! Your love has made our Song the #1 song in the country. Thank You! .See you all in Cinemas on 2nd June. #ZaraHatkeZaraBachke " Just a day ago, Vicky Kaushal was seen taking selfies with his fans when Salman passed by with his security. While Vicky tried going up to Salman to greet him, the latters security pushed him away and did not let him meet the Tiger 3 star. The video had left Vicky Kaushals fans disappointed with a section of netizens calling Salman rude". Talking to the media at the Green Carpet of the mega show, Vicky said that things might not be as they seem in the video and therefore there is no point talking" about it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Sengol, which had charted a path to the new Parliament building all the way from Tamil Nadu, was a symbol that connected Indias glorious past with its prosperous future. In 1947, he said, when the historical sceptre was used to signify a transfer of power from the British rule to India, the Sengol became a symbol of freedom from colonial rule. Adheenams Sengol became a symbol of Indias freedom from colonial rule, how India would walk ahead into a future rid of the burden of colonialism. The moment when the transfer of power took place, the Sengol became a connection of Indias past glory and its future prosperity after freedom," the prime minister said while addressing the seers of Adheenam, who handed over the Sengol to him before the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday. The Sengol, a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu first received by then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to represent transfer of power from the British, was kept in a museum in Allahabad and will be installed in the new Parliament building. Beginning his speech with Om namaha Shivay and Har har Mahadev, Prime Minister Modi said he was fortunate to have received the Shaivite seers in his home by the grace of Lord Shiva" and to be blessed by Shiva bhakts" at once. He spoke of Tamil Nadus contribution to the freedom struggle and how it had been overlooked during Independence. The PM further said in 1947, as a symbol of the transfer of power, a special Sengol was prepared by the Thiruvaduthurai Aadhinam, but once its use was fulfilled, it was kept on display as a walking stick in Prayagrajs Anand Bhawan". Your sevak and our government has brought the Sengol out of Anand Bhawan to the new Sansad Bhawan. It would have been good if the holy Sengol would have been given its due respect after independence and given an honourable position," he said. top videos He added: I am delighted that the symbol of Indias great tradition, Sengol will be installed in the new Parliament building and this will keep reminding us that we have to walk on the path of duty and remain answerable to the public." A total of 25 Adheenam seers from Tamil Nadu greeted Modi and wished him. We gave him prasadams from various mutts. We also gave mementoes to the prime minister Tomorrow the Sengol, which was given during independence, will be consecrated and placed in the central hall. The new Parliament will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. All Adheenams will participate," said Kamatchipuri Adheenams Gnanaguru Saktha Sivalingeswara Swamigal. Priyank Kharge, the newly sworn-in Minister in Karnataka government has stoked a new controversy by reiterating the Congress pre-poll ban proposal on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal. The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reacted strongly to the ban proposal and threatened to burn" the Congress to ashes" if the party tries to act on it. Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka minister R. Ashoka have challenged the Siddaramaiah government in the state, saying, if the party bans even one branch of RSS, it would be nowhere in the state". Speaking to reporters here, Ashoka said, Your father was unable to ban RSS. It was not done by your grandmother. Even your great-grandfather could not do anything. What can you do now?" Ashoka said that the Congress had once a majority in the Parliament. There were 15-20 state governments in the country. The current condition of Congress is pathetic in the country. If you have guts, ban the RSS. Your government wont last long for even three months," he said. The BJP leader asserted that lakhs of branches of RSS are operating, and challenged the Congress government to show" by imposing a ban on one of the branches." Hindu sentiments are with RSS and Bajrang Dal," he added. The former Karnataka minister further said that in the new Congress government in the state, CM Siddaramaiah is silent but Deputy CM Shivakumar is violent". In every meeting, Shivakumar speaks ahead of the CM and threatens the police department and Hindu organisations," he said. Meanwhile, Karnataka unit BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel said that if any attempt to ban the RSS or Bajrang Dal is made, the Congress government wont survive". Priyank Kharge spoke about banning the RSS. PM Modi is an RSS swayamsevak. We are all RSS swayamsevaks. Even Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and the Narasimharao government tried to impose a ban on the RSS but couldnt succeed," Kateel said Try to ban Bajrang dal and RSS, Congress will burn to ashes Priyank Kharge should mind his tongue," the Karnataka BJP president added. top videos Priyank Kharge reiterated on Thursday that his party is ready to impose a ban on Bajrang Dal. He had also stated earlier that we will not hesitate to ban organisations which indulge in moral policing. It might be RSS or Bajrang Dal or any other communal organisation". Kharge had also said: We will change the laws brought by the BJP government. If any individual or organisation threatens peace, and acts against the Constitution, the government has the capacity to initiate proper action against them." The CBI chargesheet in the excise policy case, submitted to Delhis Rouse Avenue Court, said former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia admitted that he destroyed two mobile phones containing incriminating evidence. According to the chargesheet, the investigation revealed that from January 1, 2020 to August 19, 2022, Sisodia used three handsets of which two were used before July 22, 2022, and were confirmed destroyed by him. The response to a notice in this regard was recorded under Section 91 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The CBI stated in its chargesheet that these handsets were wilfully disposed of and contained incriminating evidence related to the (excise) policy. This was another incriminating circumstance against Sisodia, it said. The court took cognizance of the chargesheet against Sisodia, to which CNN-News18 got full access. top videos Here is all you need to know: Not all is going well with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattars ongoing on-the-spot grievance redressal programme named Jan Samvad (public connect). Khattar, who is in Delhi on Saturday to attend the eighth Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, is reportedly facing the wrath of the public in the Mahendragarh district over the announcement of a sub-tehsil a day earlier. As villagers of Dogda Ahir came to know about the announcement of a new sub-tehsil, which they claimed is announced by the Chief Minister in a smaller village, they got enraged. They said their village was bigger than Sihama village and ideally a sub-tehsil should also be set up in their village. Breaking -Haryana CM Shri Manohar Lal KhattarWas taken hostage by the angry villagers . Angry villagers are protesting outside the house where the CM stayed at night . The CM is not being allowed to leave the house.pic.twitter.com/CNRcTkTIf6 Surbhi (@SurrbhiM) May 26, 2023 The protesters staged a sit-in protest outside the official accommodation where the Chief Minister stayed for a night. As per media reports, Khattar was stuck in the same house for almost four hours, while there was continuous sloganeering against him. In the morning, the Chief Minister called the protesters for talks and convinced them to withdraw the protest with a promise to conduct a feasibility report for setting up the sub-tehsil in their area too. Ahead of the 2024 parliamentary and Assembly elections in Haryana, the BJP has stepped up its poll preparations in a bid to repeat its government in the state for the third time and win the maximum number of seats for the Lok Sabha. Khattar, who is facing anti-incumbency in the state, believes the Jan Samvad is a platform where the people are talking about the difference between the Congress regime and the present rule. Earlier, in Sirsa district, the yatra was disrupted on May 15 when a woman sarpanch confronted the Chief Minister, took off her dupatta (stole) and threw it on his feet. Within a week, three such incidents involving the Chief Minister were reported in Sirsa when he concluded his Jan Samvad programme on May 16. CM Khattar, who seems to be banking largely on Prime Minister Narendra Modis charisma, is saying the state is adapting several schemes emulated by the Centre for every section of society. He is saying the people are availing benefits of state schemes like Parivar Pehchan Patra, CHIRAYU Haryana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Old-Age Pension, Mera Pani Meri Virasat and Meri Fasal Mera Byora. He believes in the last eight-and-a-half years the government has brought many radical changes in the system along with all-round development of the state. While addressing the Jan Samvad in Nangal Sirohi village in Mahendragarh district on Friday, the Chief Minister announced that in the next four months, the government is planning to fill 65,000 vacancies in Group C and D. top videos Political observers believe that like the Congress which faced twin anti-incumbency in 2014 state polls, it is the BJP this time that is facing similar dissatisfaction among the people over corruption, law and order and unemployment. (With IANS Inputs) Handheld gaming systems have gained significant popularity latelywith devices like the ROG Ally, Steam Deck, and now the PlayStation Project Q dominating headlines. While were excited about this trend, its worth noting that consoles like the PlayStation 5 already offer a robust remote play experience, allowing you to play games on your mobile phone, PC, or Mac. However, since were focusing on portable handheld systems, lets explore how to get started with remote play on your mobile devices. Before diving in, there are a few prerequisites to keep in mind. Firstly, ensure you have a fast internet connection. Sony recommends a minimum speed of 5mbps, but if you want to enjoy games in high quality at resolutions of 720P and above, we recommend a connection of no less than 100mbps for both download and upload speeds. Secondly, make sure you have a compatible mobile device that supports the PlayStation Remote Play app. This means youll need an Android tablet or phone running Android 8.0 or higher, or an Apple device with iOS 13 or higher. Follow these steps to get started with PlayStation Remote Play: top videos If youre using an iPhone or iPad, go to the Apple App Store and search for PS Remote Play." Android users should head to the Play Store. Download the app and sign in with your PSN account. The app will prompt you to agree to the terms and conditions. Confirm and continue. iPhone or iPad users will receive a prompt that says PS Remote Play would like to find and connect to devices on your local network." Tap on Allow." Select either PS5 or PS4, depending on your console. Turn on your PS5 system and navigate to Settings > System > Remote Play to enable it if you havent already. The app will search for connections and locate your PS5 or PS4. Thats it! You should now be connected to your console. Once connected, familiarize yourself with the virtual controls and start playing your favorite games. For better controls, you can also connect your PS5 DualSense controller to your mobile devices. Additionally, devices like the Backbone One mobile controller provide a similar look and feel to what the PlayStation Project Q aims to offer. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Trend reports. Dear Madame President, I convey my sincerest congratulations to you and your people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. I believe that bilateral relations between our countries will continue to evolve in line with interests of our peoples as our fruitful cooperation will further expand within international institutions. On this remarkable day, I wish you strong health, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Ethiopia, the letter said. A 14-year-old girl student allegedly set her school dormitory on fire, which took the lives of 20 children on Monday in a central Guyana mining town, about 200 miles from the capital, Georgetown. The fire engulfed a female dormitory of the Mahdia Secondary School. The children couldnt escape as the dorms doors were locked. The tragic incident has shocked the South American country. As per the reports, the girl suspect committed the crime after her phone was confiscated by the dorm mother and her teacher. National Security Adviser Gerald Gouveia told the Associated Press that the suspects phone was taken away to discipline her for having an affair with an older man. Infuriated at the school authorities for seizing her phone, the girl set the dorm on fire. The alleged culprit was also injured in the blaze and is expected to be discharged from the hospital this week and will be held in juvenile detention. Officials also said that the dorms doors were locked and had grilled windows which prevented most of the victims from escaping the fire. The house mother was asleep at the time inside the building but panicked and could not find the right keys to unlock the building from inside but she made it out, said Gouveia. He also mentioned that the dorm mother used to lock the dorm doors out of love for them and she felt she was forced to do so because many of them leave the building at night to socialise. top videos Most of the victims were indigenous girls from remote communities near Mahdia, a mining town near the border with Brazil. The dorm mothers 5-year-old son was among the fatalities. 13 of the victims remains are burned beyond recognition and Guyana has accepted aid from the US and other countries who have volunteered to send forensic experts to assist with DNA identification. The police are also expected to arrest the man, the student was having an affair with for statutory rape. In an unconventional twist, two women joined in matrimony in a public ceremony, echoing the previous union of two male partners. Moumita and Mousumi, defying traditional norms, held each others hands tightly as they exchanged vows. Symbolising their commitment, they chose to embrace the presence of the divine as a witness at their wedding, which took place in the city. It is widely known that Moumita Majumder recently traveled from Bangaon to Kolkata. To solidify their bond, Moumita has taken on the responsibility of caring for Mousumi Duttas two children. Both Moumita and Mousumi expressed their unwavering devotion, declaring, We are inseparable, just as a tree cannot survive without water." Moumita shared her disappointment, stating, I informed my family that I intended to build a life with her, but they showed no interest. Due to their disapproval of our relationship, I had no choice but to leave home, vulnerable and without support." However, Moumita and Mousumi remain resilient, ready to forge ahead even if their family rejects them. In the presence of Mom Kali, we had our sacred union, with Mousumi and I applying vermilion to her forehead as a symbolic act," Moumita revealed. Despite being fully aware of societys reluctance to accept them, Moumita expressed her heartfelt desire, saying, I want to be with her, regardless." Expressing their unwavering devotion, the newlyweds declared Whether in life or death, we shall remain together. If the police authorities seek to harm us, they must do so to both of us simultaneously. And if they wish to keep us alive, they must ensure our safety as a pair." top videos Upon learning about this incident, concerns arose among their respective family members. However, the lesbian couple expressed its commitment to stand together, hand in hand, in any circumstance. The news of these two women, who chose to marry despite societal norms, quickly spread like wildfire on social media, causing a frenzy in the online world. Authorities in the UK have permanently banned a man from owning pets after a shocking discovery was made at his home, sparking outrage. In a house tainted with filth, 167 animals, including rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, and birds were crammed together in cages, stacked haphazardly throughout the house. The animals also had to put up with the sight of dead animals in the same cages. The shocking incident came to light when the Northamptonshire Police received a concerned welfare report in February. Officers arrived quickly at a Rushden residence on Cromwell Road after receiving reports of a repugnant odour and flies swarming the windows. They were horrified and greatly troubled by what they saw inside the residence. Body-cam footage captured the harrowing moment when officers stumbled upon the scene. Charges of inflicting unnecessary suffering to protected animals as well as violating a disqualification order that prevented him from owning or keeping animals were brought against the man, 61-year-old Kim Starks. It was revealed that Starks had previously been convicted and banned from owning animals in February 2000. The term was increased to a lifelong restriction at Northampton Crown Court in June of the same year after he breached the order in March. PC Chloe Gillies, part of the Northamptonshire Polices rural crime team, expressed disappointment that an immediate custodial sentence was not imposed but highlighted the relief that the animals were finally liberated from their distressing environment. When officers first attended the house in Rushden, they were faced with a house filled with animals, all in terrible living conditions, said PC Gillies, adding: Im very glad that the poor animals Starks was utterly failing to care for have been removed from him and will now have the chance to live healthy, happy lives (sic). top videos It was a team effort to rescue all these animals. The number of animals involved in this case was truly shocking and I am pleased that they have now been given the opportunity to find loving, caring homes," he continued. The authorities are currently working on rehabilitating the rescued animals to make sure they get the love and attention they need after going through such horrifying circumstances. Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele, who was detained for almost 15 months in Iran, landed in Belgium late Friday, according to images broadcast on television, after being freed in a prisoner exchange. The 42-year-old Belgian was greeted by his parents, sister and other family members on the tarmac of the Melsbroek military base near Brussels following his release on Friday. The military plane bringing him back from Oman landed shortly after 9:30pm (1930 GMT), according to the images shown on RTL-TVI channel. Earlier Friday, Iran freed Vandecasteele in a prisoner exchange for an Iranian diplomat convicted of terrorism. Iran announced that the freed Iranian is diplomat Assadollah Assadi, who was jailed in Belgium over a 2018 plot to bomb an Iranian opposition rally outside Paris. Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian tweeted that Assadi, the innocent diplomat of our country is now on his way back to his homeland and will soon enter our beloved Iran." Both Belgium and Iran thanked Oman for its role in securing the release. Belgium has always insisted that Vandecasteele was innocent and his trial rigged. - We do not abandon anyone - He was sentenced in January to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes for espionage", Tehrans judiciary said at the time. Olivier spent 455 days in prison in Tehran in unbearable conditions. Innocent," Belgiums Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said, following news of his release. For me, the choice has always been clear. Oliviers life has always come first. Its a responsibility that I take upon myself, that I accept. In Belgium, we do not abandon anyone," he added, without mentioning the prisoner swap. Last year, Belgium and Iran signed a treaty to enable prisoner swaps. Wearing a dark suit and trainers, visibly slimmed down but smiling, Vandecasteele emerged from the plane and was hugged at length by his waiting relatives. He was not expected to make any immediate public statements. - Unbearable conditions - Critics of the pact have alleged that the prisoner swap deal would only encourage Tehran to take Belgians hostage for use as bargaining chips to seek the return of agents like Assadi arrested for terror offences in the West. An exiled Iranian opposition group, the National Council of Resistance in Iran (NCRI), which was the target of the 2018 bomb plot, challenged the treaty in Belgiums constitutional court. The NCRI reacted furiously to Belgiums decision on Assadi and claimed it violated the courts order that the intended victims of the bomb plot should be consulted before any prisoner exchange took place under the treaty. The release of the terrorist is a shameful ransom to terrorism and hostage-taking," the group said. Amnesty International also said the return of Assadi would foster a climate of impunity. But De Croos government said that, to win Vandecasteeles release, they opted for another route: invoking a constitutional clause stipulating that the government, acting under the authority of the king, is in charge of international relations. That meant that for the Iranian opposition we didnt warn them beforehand," one government official said. Belgian officials denied that any ransom was paid. - Threat to Belgium - Assadi was an Iranian diplomat based in Vienna, who was arrested after passing explosives to a Belgian-based Iranian couple who were supposed to travel to France to bomb an NCRI rally. He was arrested in Germany as he tried to return to Austria and extradited to Belgium where he did not enjoy diplomatic immunity. He was convicted of attempted terrorist" murder and membership of a terrorist group". Tehran angrily protested, but his sentence was upheld in May 2021 when Assadi opted not to appeal. Belgian officials said they had no choice but to hand over Assadi to get Vandecasteele released, saying that since the Iranian diplomats arrest on July 1, 2018, Belgium and its interests abroad were confronted with an increased threat" from Iran. top videos Let there be no mistake about that: the arrest of our compatriot (in Iran) on February 24, 2022 is a direct result, a direct result of what the Belgian judiciary did to the alleged Iranian diplomat and nothing else," one official said. Earlier this month, Iran released a Frenchman, Benjamin Briere, and a French-Irish citizen Bernard Phelan. But it continues to hold two dozen foreigners, whom Western capitals and families regard as hostages. A Bengaluru-bound Nepal Airlines aircraft was forced to return to the Tribhuvan International Airport here on Saturday after it reportedly suffered a bird hit. The A320 aircraft of Nepals flag carrier landed safely at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and technicians were examining the aircraft, according to TIA spokesperson Teknath Sitaula. The flight took off from TIA at 1:45 pm, before being forced to return to the same airport 25 minutes later, news portal Nepal News reported. Passengers on flight RA-225 bound for Bengaluru reported hearing a loud noise, the Himalayan Times newspaper quoted TIA sources as saying. The aircraft was diverted to Kathmandu suspecting a bird strike in the course of take-off, Sitaula said. TIA engineers are now examining the aircraft, Sitaula added. top videos Arrangements have been made to shift the passengers to another aircraft, the Nepal News report said. The A320 has a maximum capacity of up to 180 passengers. Days after it was revealed that convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for having an affair with a Russian bridge player, a new report has claimed that the woman was an associate of a Russian spy. Mila Antonova, the woman with whom Bill Gates had the alleged affair, was captured in a photograph, strolling near Wall Street with Russian spy Anna Chapman, according to Daily Mail. The photograph showed Chapman, gesturing toward a former Art Deco office block near her apartment as Antonova grins next to her. Chapman, a glamorous member of a Russian spy ring, was found to be a sleeper agent and was arrested in New York City in 2010. BREAKING NEWS: Deep Ties EXPOSED Between Mila Antonova (the girl Bill Gates had an affair with) and notorious Kremlin spy Anna Chapman! HOW MANY of the girls Jeffery Epstein illegally trafficked were from Russia? Did either of these two PLAY A ROLE in the operation? THE TRUTH pic.twitter.com/9ZjJshxhJ4 Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) May 26, 2023 Although there is no evidence of any wrongdoing on Antonovas part, it raises serious questions for Bill Gates and whether Epstein and Gates knew of Antonovas links to a Russian spy ring. It emerged last week that Jeffrey Epstein had discovered the affair between Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and a Russian bridge player who was nearly 30 years his junior and used this knowledge as leverage to threaten Gates. It also raised fresh questions over the Microsoft founders links to Jeffrey Epstein. At the time of his relationship with Antonova, Gates, who was father-of-three, was still married to his former wife Melinda. Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed Bill Gates over an affair with a Russian bridge player. A report by @WSJ revealed emails sent by Epstein to Gates threatening to expose a 2010 affair with Russian woman Mila Antonova if Gates would not invest in a multi-billion dollar charitable pic.twitter.com/H9G8QUE2ob Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 21, 2023 The timeline of events suggests that Gates met the woman, Mila Antonova, in 2010, while Epstein encountered her in 2013 and subsequently funded her attendance at a software coding school. In 2017, Epstein sent an email to Gates, seeking reimbursement for the coding course expense. top videos Jeffrey Epstein faced accusations in 2006 of sexually abusing underage girls and pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. After being arrested in 2019 on sex trafficking charges, Epstein died in jail while awaiting trial, with the medical examiner ruling it as a suicide. Bill Gates acknowledged meeting Epstein a few times but claimed it was a mistake. Gates had more than half a dozen meetings with Epstein and once also flew on Epsteins private jet, known as the Lolita Express. He has maintained he regrets meeting with the disgraced billionaire financier. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Friday he had a phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and reaffirmed his willingness to establish peace talks with both sides of the war in Ukraine. Lula tweeted he had also thanked Putin for an invitation to attend an economic forum in Saint Petersburg, but had to decline it as he cant visit Russia at the moment." I reiterated Brazils willingness, along with India, Indonesia and China, to talk to both sides of the conflict in pursuit of peace," Lula added, after also discussing the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this week. The Kremlin confirmed the call and said Putin told Lula that Russia is open to dialogue over Ukraine. Lula has pitched himself as a peace broker to end the war, which began when Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022. top videos His proposal, based on Brazils tradition of non-intervention and neutrality, calls for a group of nations not involved in the war to engage both Russia and Ukraine in talks. The leftist leader was expected to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Japan this month, but the meeting fell through because of scheduling. In a significant development ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the United States, a powerful Congressional Committee has recommended strengthening NATO Plus by including India. NATO Plus, currently NATO Plus 5, is a security arrangement that brings together NATO and five aligned nations Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea to boost global defence cooperation. Bringing India on board would facilitate seamless intelligence sharing between these countries and India would access the latest military technology without much of a time lag. The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, overwhelmingly adopted a policy proposal to enhance Taiwans deterrence, including through strengthening NATO Plus to include India. Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the United States strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India. Including India in NATO Plus security arrangements would build upon the US and Indias close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region," the Select Committee recommended. An initiative of the Republican leadership, the Select Committee is popularly called the China Committee. Indian-American Ramesh Kapoor, who has been working on this proposal for the past six years, said this is a significant development. He hoped that the recommendation would find a place in the National Defense Authorization Act 2024 and finally end up becoming a law of the land. In its set of recommendations, the China Committee said that economic sanctions against China in case of an attack on Taiwan will be most effective if key allies such as G7, NATO, NATO+5, and Quad members join, and negotiating a joint response and broadcasting this message publicly have the added benefit of enhancing deterrence. Much like we do joint contingency planning for war fighting, we need to coordinate in peacetime with US allies. To that end, Congress should pass legislation similar to the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2023 that mandates the development of an economic sanctions package to be employed in the event of a PRC attack on Taiwan," it said. It should also pass legislation to counter the CCPs economic coercion, including by providing tools to support foreign partners targeted by the PRCs economic coercion. The flip side of economic deterrence is economic engagement with Taiwan. Accordingly, Congress should support efforts to reduce the taxation burden on US-Taiwan cross-border investment as well as broader trade negotiations with a particular focus on developing shared standards and regulations to combat the CCPs unfair economic policies, the committee said. The United States should strengthen the NATO Plus arrangement to include India. The United States should also strengthen diplomatic deterrence by supporting Taiwans participation in international organizations and amending the TAIPEI Act to provide that the United States, alongside its allies and partners, should publicly oppose any attempts by the CCP to resolve the status of Taiwans sovereignty by intentionally misusing, misinterpreting, and misleading others on the underlying purpose of UN Resolution 2758 or the United States One China Policy," it stated. top videos Prime Minister Modi will pay an official state visit to the US next month. Chinas first indigenously built passenger aircraft C919 is scheduled to make its maiden commercial flight on Sunday, a media report said on Friday. State-owned China Eastern Airlines (CEA), the initial customer, will launch the planes first commercial flight on May 28 from Shanghai to Beijing, state-run CGTN TV reported. The C919 is developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), and it was granted a type certificate by the Civil Aviation Administration of China last September. CEA conducted a 100-hour verification flight for its first C919 aircraft on December 26, 2022, to verify and confirm the aircrafts operational safety. So far, over 1,200 C919 jetliners have been ordered, according to COMAC. top videos According to estimates, China had 6,795 civil aircraft in 2020, mostly that of Boeing and Airbus. Officials say the entry of Chinese aircraft could reduce the reliance on Boeing and Airbus and could pose a competition to them in the international civil aviation market. Canadas immigration minister has responded to deportation of Indian students, who had their study permit issued using fraudulent documentation, by saying that the governments focus is on identifying culprits rather than penalising victims. Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said in a tweet, We recognize the immense contributions international students bring to our country & remain committed to supporting victims of fraud as we evaluate each case. Were actively investigating recent reports of fraudulent acceptance letters. To be clear: Our focus is on identifying culprits, not penalizing victims. Victims of fraud will have an opportunity to demonstrate their situation & present evidence to support their case, Fraser added. Were actively investigating recent reports of fraudulent acceptance letters.To be clear: Our focus is on identifying culprits, not penalizing victims. Victims of fraud will have an opportunity to demonstrate their situation & present evidence to support their case. Sean Fraser (@SeanFraserMP) May 26, 2023 The ministers statement comes as many international students who came to Canada between 2017 and 2021 on study permits generated on the basis of false documents are facing deportation. However, the students impacted by the fake documentation claim that they are being penalised, according to a report in Hindustan Times. The report said that one Lovepreet Singh from Mohali in Punjab received a removal order from the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to leave the country on June 13. Singh, who studied at the Lambton College in the town of Mississauga said that the students were victimised several times by the agents in India and the institutions in Canada. He further said that the institutions used them to boost earnings to businesses that required cheap labour. Singh studied at the Lambton College in the town of Mississauga in the Greater Toronto Area and said he was represented by the agent Atul Mahajan of the immigration firm Orange Overseas. The affected international students have been protesting for some time now in opposition to the removal order. There are over 30 students facing removal proceedings, though all the cases havent escalated to the final order being passed. Another 130 cases are being investigated, the report said. The students started receiving notices from the CBSA since 2021 for a hearing as the agency said that the letter of offer for admission to the Canadian higher education institution was fake. The students, on the other hand, said they were being victimized for someone elses fault. We are desperate for justice; we are victims of fraud; we have no criminal level but facing a removal order, the students said in an open letter. Meanwhile, Canadian MP Jenny Kwan urged the government to act immediately to stop the unjust deportations. Right now, students who came to Canada for university are under threat of deportation. I wrote to the minister on Thursday, May 25 urgently calling for action to help these students who, unknowingly, received fraudulent travel doc from bad actors making money from deceit. 1/ pic.twitter.com/Ual7Y3e7lQ Jenny Kwan (@JennyKwanBC) May 26, 2023 top videos Right now, students who came to Canada for university are under threat of deportation. I wrote to the minister on Thursday, May 25 urgently calling for action to help these students who, unknowingly, received fraudulent travel doc from bad actors making money from deceit, she said in a tweet. International students are a huge part of university towns across our country. They help our economy, contribute talent. International students should have confidence theyll be treated well, our processes are trustworthy, she added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. Over the last 30 years and since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Azerbaijan and France have established strong relations based on the partnership in the fields of economy, university and education, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a letter addressed to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Trend reports. The visit of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna to Baku on April 26-27 has enabled us to see common wish to develop bilateral relations, and it makes me satisfied. This allowed us to recall Frances commitment for the just and lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is essential for the stability and prosperity of the entire region, the letter further said. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan could be tried in military court in connection with the countrywide violence on May 9, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Friday. The Pakistani minister said that the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act were applicable in incidents involving military areas. He further said that these acts would be applicable against all those who entered, sent other people or abetted those who entered restricted military properties area earlier this month. The development comes after Rana Sanaullah said thirty-three supporters of Imran Khan have been handed over to the army to face trial in military courts on charges of attacking armed forces installations. Jinnah House, which was among the military properties attacked in violent protests earlier this month, contained many sensitive items, Sanaullah said in a press conference. Jinnah House, currently used as the residence of Corps Commander Lahore and his camp office, was set ablaze on May 9 following the arrest of Imran Khan in Al-Qadir Trust case. During the protest that went on for days, private and public properties were vandalised across Pakistan and Imran Khan supporters attacked military installations, including the Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) entrance. Sanaullah said that only 33 suspects have been selected for military trials although police arrested nearly 5,000 of Khans supporters over the past two weeks. He confirmed that only 19 accused have been transferred to military courts in Punjab while 14 have been transferred to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). He further said 3,944 suspects had been arrested in the two provinces and 2,588 were taken into custody from Punjab while 1,099 were arrested by KP authorities. top videos The interior minister added that another 5,536 arrests were made in other cases but most of them have been released on bail. Khan himself faces more than 100 legal cases and has also been charged with terrorism for inciting people to violence. In courts, he has got bail from arrest in multiple cases, pending trial. A prominent American lawmaker on Friday introduced a bill in the US Congress to declare Diwali, the festival of lights, a federal holiday, a move welcomed by different communities from across the country. Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe, and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States," Congresswoman Graced Meng told reporters during a virtual news conference here soon after introducing the bill in the House of Representatives. The Diwali Day Act, when passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President, would make the festival of lights the 12th federally recognised holiday in the United States. Establishing a federal holiday for Diwali, and the day off it would provide, would allow families and friends to celebrate together, and demonstrate that the government values the diverse cultural makeup of the nation, the Congresswoman said. Diwali celebrations are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year it is easy to see just how important this day is to so many people. Americas strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures and communities that make up this nation, she said. My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day, and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress, Meng said. Welcoming the move, New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said, This year, we saw our entire state speak with one voice in support of recognising Diwali and the South Asian community. My extraordinary partner in government Congresswoman Meng is now taking the movement national with her historic legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday. Together, we are showing that Diwali is an American holiday. To the over 4 million Americans who celebrate Diwali, your government sees you and hears you, she said. Applauding Meng for her continued work to increase the visibility of the Asian-American community, New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney said naming Diwali a federal holiday not only honours those who observe but highlights a cultural tradition some Americans do not experience regularly. Diwali is a special holiday for so many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, said New York City Councilman Shekar Krishnan. As the first Indian American ever elected to NYC government, I am so proud to support Congresswoman Mengs legislation to establish Deepavali as a federal holiday. It is crucial that children like my own are able to officially celebrate our holidays with their families in a way that I was not able to growing up, he said. A large number of community members applauded the introduction of the Diwali Day Act in the House of Representatives. The recognition of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas is pivotal to enriching the cultural fabric of the United States and fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the rich South Asian diaspora, said Sim J Singh Attariwala, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager of The Sikh Coalition. Today is a milestone that demonstrates our visibility, our contributions, and the progress we are making in the United States with the Diwali Day Act, said Richard David, Board Member at the Indo-Caribbean Alliance. Congratulation Congresswoman Meng, Coalition of Hindus of North America president Nikunj Trivedi said this joyous festival is celebrated by millions of Americans and symbolizes the victory of good over evil and of light over darkness and brings together people from all backgrounds to cherish goodness, well-being, peace and prosperity things that everyone can value and benefit from. top videos As Hindu Americans, we are so glad to see a bill to honour the multitude of celebrations that take place across the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and beyond on Diwali, said Ria Chakrabarty, Policy Director for Hindus for Human Rights. It is high time to recognise Diwali as a holiday in US public schools, said Dr. Neeta Jain, founder and president of the International Ahimsa Foundation. Our children should be treated equally. As our children celebrate other cultures, others should celebrate and learn about our culture as well. This is the only way we can teach children to have mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual acceptance, she said. The US State Department warned on Thursday that China was capable of launching cyber attacks against critical infrastructure, including oil and gas pipelines and rail systems, after researchers discovered a Chinese hacking group had been spying on such networks. A multi-nation alert issued Wednesday revealed the Chinese cyber-espionage campaign had been aimed at military and government targets in the United States. The Chinese government has rejected assertions that its spies are going after Western targets, calling the warning issued by the United States and its allies a collective disinformation campaign." US officials said they were still in the process of getting their arms around the threat. Weve had at least one location that we didnt know about since the hunt guide was released come forward with data and information," Rob Joyce, the U.S. National Security Agencys (NSA) cybersecurity director, told Reuters. The agency disclosed technical details earlier to help critical service providers detect the spying. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) separately said it was working to understand the breadth of potential intrusions and associated impacts." That would help it provide assistance where needed, and more effectively understand the tactics undertaken by this adversary," CISAs executive assistant director, Eric Goldstein, told Reuters. Part of the challenge in defending against this espionage work is that its more covert than regular spy operations, according to researchers and officials. In these cases the adversary is often using legitimate credentials and legitimate network administration tools to gain access to execute their objectives on a target network," Goldstein said. Many traditional methods of detection, such as antivirus, will not find these intrusions." Microsoft analysts who identified the campaign, which they dubbed Volt Typhoon, said it could disrupt critical communications infrastructure between the United States and Asia region during future crises" - a nod to escalating U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan and other issues. The U.S. intelligence community assesses that China almost certainly is capable of launching cyberattacks that could disrupt critical infrastructure services within the United States, including against oil and gas pipelines and rail systems," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing. Its vital for government and network defenders in the public to stay vigilant." U.S. agencies have been pushing for improved cybersecurity practices in its majority-privately held critical infrastructure industry, after the 2021 hack of the key Colonial Pipeline disrupted nearly half of the U.S. East Coasts fuel supply. Intelligence agencies in the United States, Britain and their close allies issued an alert Wednesday to warn about Volt Typhoon. Microsoft said the group had targeted critical infrastructure organizations in the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, and it was using the security firm Fortinets FortiGuard devices to break into targets networks. Researcher Marc Burnard, whose organisation Secureworks has dealt with several intrusions tied to Volt Typhoon, said Secureworks had seen no evidence of destructive activity by Volt Typhoon, but that its hackers were focused on stealing information that would shed light on U.S. military activities." NSAs Joyce said there was no doubt Volt Typhoon was putting itself in position to carry out disruptive attacks. Its clear that some of the entities on here are of no intelligence value," he told Reuters of the critical infrastructure sites identified by the government. top videos Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that the alerts issued by the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were intended to promote their intelligence alliance - known as the Five Eyes - and it was Washington that was guilty of hacking. The United States is the empire of hacking," Mao said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. The Turkish Embassy congratulated Azerbaijan on Independence Day, Trend reports citing the embassy publication in Twitter. "Congratulations on Independence Day brotherly Azerbaijan! The glorious flag of independent and sovereign Azerbaijan will forever fly in all territories and over the land of Azerbaijan. Long live strong and independent Azerbaijan!," publication said. The word "limerence" has been around since 1979, when psychologist Dorothy Tennov coined it to describe a particular type of one-sided romantic attachment. She was talking about "the obsessive, all-consuming fixations we sometimes develop on people who do not feel the same, or whose feelings we cannot be sure about," writes Alexandra Molotkow at Pioneer Works. And if you're thinking we already have a term for thata "crush"Molotkow is way ahead of you. The story explores the modern debate unfolding over that distinction. In one camp is the view of psychologist Albert Wakin, who argues that limerence should be added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a condition that warrants treatment. For some, the reasoning goes, it can be a long-term, debilitating situation. The other camp is exemplified by therapist Julia Pema Dolma Gutman, who considers limerence not a disorder but a normal, even healthy, part of being human. "I would be wary of medicalizing it," she says. The subject is a popular one on TikTok and Reddit, and Molotkow talks to the moderator of a limerence support forum at the latter. "Most fall on the side of 'It's destroying my life,'" he says of participants in the forum. Molotkow considers herself a limerent and has mixed views about all this. Limerence can be "painful and disruptive, but sometimes life-affirming; it conjures feelings of helplessness and shame, but also euphoria," she writes. "It's not 'just a crush,' butto my mind, anywayit's not not a crush." Read the full story, in which you learn that the person a limerent focuses on is called an LO, or limerent object. (Or check out other Longform stories.) A coroner has put to rest one aspect of the perplexing case of an alleged fraudster named Melissa Caddick that has captivated people well beyond her homeland of Australia. "The conclusion I have reached is that Melissa Caddick is deceased," writes deputy New South Wales coroner Elizabeth Ryan, reports the BBC. Then comes the caveat that will disappoint those looking for resolution: "I do not consider the evidence enables a positive finding as to how she died, or when and where this happened." Caddick disappeared in 2020 at age 49, right after authorities accused her of faking financial credentials and bilking friends, family, and other clients of $30 million in a Ponzi scheme, per the Guardian. Two years later, one of her feet washed ashore on an Australian beach. That grisly discovery did not convince people she was actually dead, however, with some speculating that she had severed the foot in a bid to fake her own death, notes CNN. (The bizarre case is the subject of a hit podcast.) However, the coroner is now convinced that Caddick is, in fact, dead. Not that the evidence is clear cut: Perhaps the most persuasive evidence that Ms Caddick is deceased, is the fact that she has not made any contact with her son, writes Ryan. Deeply attached to him as she was, it seems to me most unlikely that she would not have reached out to him in some way, were she still alive. Ryan speculates that Caddick may have taken her own life ahead of what appeared to be a slam-dunk legal case against her. The coroner's report also devotes a fair amount of space to a scathing critique of Caddick's husband, Anthony Koletti, notes Australia's ABC News. He changed his story about when he last saw his wife multiple times, and his "lack of candour was one of the reasons why it was not possible to conclude how, when and where Ms Caddick had died," she writes. Ryan adds that she has a "strong suspicion" he knows more about his wife's final days than he has divulged. Koletti has explained his changing narratives by saying he felt pressured by police. Ryan also faults investigators for being too hasty to rule out homicide, which prevented them from conducting timely evidence searches at the couple's home. (Read more Australia stories.) Jessica Watkins, a member of the Oath Keepers who described herself as "just another idiot running around the Capitol," has been sentenced to prison in the Jan. 6 attack. In imposing an 8-year term on Friday, US District Judge Amit Mehta said he found her actions considered, CNN reports. "Your role that day was more aggressive, more assaultive, more purposeful than perhaps others'. And you led others to fulfill your purposes," he told Watkins. She was tried with, among others, Stewart Rhodes and Kelly Meggs, who also received prison sentences this weekRhodes receiving 18 years and Meggs 12. The judge assessed Watkins' place in the Oath Keepers hierarchy. "Nobody would suggest you're Stewart Rhodes, and frankly, I don't think you're Kelly Meggs," the judge said, per NBC News. But she was more than a foot soldier, he said. Rhodes and Meggs were convicted of seditious conspiracy, the most serious charge facing them. Watkins was acquitted on that count but convicted of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. She apologized to the court at her sentencing in Washington. "My actions and my behaviors that fateful day were wrong, and as I now understand, criminal," Watkins said. "Violence is never the answer." In the same hearing, Kenneth Harrelson, an Oath Keeper from Florida, received a four-year sentence, with Mehta saying he was less culpable than his codefendants. Although Watkins was remorseful Friday, a prosecutor raised a phone call she'd made from jail after leading a small militia from Ohio wearing tactical gear against officers at the Capitol. "Boo hoo the poor little police officers, got a little PTSD," Alexandra Hughes told the court Watkins said in the call. Watkins, a transgender Army veteran, "has our sympathies" for the difficulties she's faced, Alex Hughes said, "but she does not have an excuse." Mehta said Watkins has demonstrated "a great deal of courage and resilience" in her life. "It makes it all the more hard for me to understand the lack of empathy for those who suffered that day," he said. (Read more Capitol attack stories.) Students being honored at Thursday's graduation ceremony at UMass Boston not only received their diplomasthere was also an extra-special gift waiting for them, courtesy of commencement speaker Robert Hale, the billionaire CEO of Granite Telecommunications and part owner of the Boston Celtics. CNN reports that as the university's chancellor, Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, started to get the diploma dissemination underway, Hale stepped back to the mic with a surprise announcement. As seen in the ceremony livestream, Hale noted to the students that they would each receive two envelopes. "One says 'gift,' and one says 'give,'" he said. Then he revealed more fully what that entailed. "Each of you is getting $1,000 cash right now!" he exclaimed, to excited cheers from the crowd. Hale explained that the first envelope of $500 was for the student to do with as they pleased. "It's a celebration of all you have done to be here today," he praised the soon-to-be grads. He added that the second $500 was to be donated to a person or group "who could use it more than you. Share in the joy of giving!" One English major waiting to throw her cap in the air tells CNN that when Hale returned to the mic, she turned to a friend "and jokingly said, 'He's going to give us each $2,000.'" Now, Wendy Humphreys says, she not only has a little extra cash for herself, but she'll be able to donate to causes dear to her heart. Per Forbes, Hale gifted 2,500 graduates, for a total of $2.5 million. NBC Boston notes he made a similar philanthropic move last year, distributing $1,000 to each graduate from Boston's Roxbury Community College, with the same directive to give half of it away. (Read more uplifting news stories.) UPDATE May 29, 2023 4:07 PM CDT Although her school district told her not to, and a judge backed that decision up, a high school graduate wore a sash representing the flags of Mexico and the US to her commencement ceremony over the weekend. "Always stand up for what you believe in," Naomi Pena Villasano said in an interview, the AP reports. The sash was partly covered by another representing her involvement in a service organization. Despite the ruling, no one tried to prevent Pena Villasano from stepping onstage to accept the diploma she earned from Grand Valley High School. May 27, 2023 9:00 AM CDT A federal judge ruled Friday that a rural Colorado school district can bar a high school student from wearing a Mexican and American flag sash at her graduation this weekend after the student sued the school district. Judge Nina Y. Wang wrote that wearing a sash during a graduation ceremony falls under school-sponsored speech, not the student's private speech. Therefore, "the school district is permitted to restrict that speech as it sees fit in the interest of the kind of graduation it would like to hold," Wang wrote, per the AP. The ruling was over the student's request for a temporary restraining order, which would have allowed her to wear the sash on Saturday for graduation because the case wouldn't have resolved in time. Wang found that the student and her attorneys failed to sufficiently show they were likely to succeed, but a final ruling is still to come. It's the latest dispute in the US about what kind of cultural graduation attire is allowed at commencement ceremonies, with many focusing on tribal regalia. Attorneys for Naomi Pena Villasano argued in a hearing Friday in Denver that the school district decision violates her free speech rights. They also said it's inconsistent for the district to allow Native American attire but not Pena Villasano's sash representing her heritage. The sash has the Mexican flag on one side and the United States flag on the other. "I'm a 200 percenter100% American and 100% Mexican," she said at a recent school board meeting in Colorado's rural Western Slope. "The district is discriminating against the expression of different cultural heritages," said her attorney, Kenneth Parreno, from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, at Friday's hearing. An attorney representing Garfield County School District 16 countered that Native American regalia is required to be allowed in Colorado and is categorically different from wearing a country's flags. Permitting Pena Villasano to sport the US and Mexican flags as a sash, said Holly Ortiz, could open "the door to offensive material." Ortiz further stated that the district doesn't want to prevent Pena Villasano from expressing herself and that the graduate could adorn her cap with the flags or wear the sash before or after the ceremony. But "she doesn't have a right to express it in any way that she wants," Ortiz added. Wang sided with the district, finding that "the school district could freely permit one sash and prohibit another." This year, Colorado passed a law making it illegal to keep Native American students from donning such regalia. Nearly a dozen states have similar laws. (Read more graduation stories.) Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman to deliver a commencement speech at West Point, lauded graduating cadets Saturday for their noble sacrifice in serving their country, but cautioned that they were entering an "unsettled world" because of Russian aggression and the rising threats from China. "The world has drastically changed," Harris told the roughly 950 graduating cadets in her first visit to the academy. She referred to the global pandemic that took millions of lives and the fraught shifts in global politics in Europe and in Asia, the AP reports. "It is clear you graduate into an increasingly unsettled world where long-standing principles are at risk," Harris said. The vice president again condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the first major ground war in Europe since World War II. She also warned cadets to be wary of China, as it rapidly modernizes its military and muscles for control of parts of the high seas, ostensibly referring to the brewing disputes over the South China Sea. In her speech, Harris touched on the importance of having institutions reflect the diversity of the broader US, making the comment at an institution that has made slow progress diversifying its ranks in the four decades since the first class of female cadets graduated. Today, about one-fourth of the student body are women. Only a few dozen graduates each year are Black women, though the number has ticked up in recent years. The academy didn't admit women until 1976, graduating its first female cadets in 1980. (Read more Kamala Harris stories.) While the Texas House considered impeaching him on Saturday, Ken Paxton offered counterprograming in his personal Twitter feed. As the hearing began in the state Capitol in Austin, the state attorney general posted screenshots of praise that former President Donald Trump put up on Truth Social, the New York Times reports. Paxton also retweeted US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene calling the impeachment hearing a witch hunt and Kimberly Guilfoyle labeling it "disgusting." He also shared an article about him on Gateway Pundit, a right-wing conspiracy site. Another post criticized Republican Speaker Dade Phelan. One Republican member told the chamber that Paxton's lobbying has involved more than tweeting. "Several members of this House, while on the floor of this House, doing the state business, received telephone calls from General Paxton personally, threatening them with political consequences in their next election," Rep. Charlie Geren said during his opening remarks, per the Texas Tribune. Geren is a member of the committee that had Paxton investigated on suspicion of abusing his office, then recommended impeachment. The articles of impeachment being considered can be found here. (Read more ken paxton stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region Gen. Charles Flynn, commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, left, presents his challenge coin to Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Cmdr. Yoichi Kabasawa and naval officers from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia during his tour of Commander, Logistics Group, Western Pacific/Task Force 73. Flynn stressed the importance of Land Forces during the 2023 Land Forces Pacific Symposium or LANPAC in May 2023. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional Allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Heath Zeigler) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 28. Secretary General of Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliyev has congratulated Azerbaijan on the occasion of 28 May the Independence Day, Trend reports. "On behalf of the Organization of Turkic States and on my own behalf, I sincerely congratulate the Government and brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of 28 May the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan. With the declaration of independence of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on 28 May 1918, the establishment of the first democratic republic in the Turkic and Islamic world was an important historical event. The Republic of Azerbaijan which has made great strides in the political, economic and social spheres since the restoration of its independence has further developed and become a prominent actor thanks to the wise and consistent policy of President H.E. Ilham Aliyev in ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond. On this occasion, I express my deep gratitude for the continuous support provided by the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Organization of Turkic States and wish well-being and happiness to all the people of Azerbaijan," the congratulatory letter said. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Total fertility rate is the average number of babies that a woman will have in a particular population. However, only half of those babies will be girls to become future mothers. Two people had the children but if they have only one child then only half of the couples have a girl who could be a future mother. Women are fertile from 15 to 39. All developed countries other than Israel are below replacement level birthrates. This means that on average the mothers and fathers are not having the children needed to replace the couple. I will describe how this causes delayed population collapse and what can be done to possibly fix this global problem. The low birthrate problem can be fixed or mitigated by giving free medical procedures to harvest younger and healthier eggs and freezing them for later surrogate mothers. The immigration and other free social service policies should be used to close the birthrate shortage. A daughter born in 2023 could have children from 2038 to 2062. However, there would only be half as many potential mothers for a country that has TFR 1.0 for two decades. Such a country would need average fertility to go to 4.0 for two decades to recover from two decadew of 1.0 TFR. Today, people on average are dying when they are 85 or even 90. If a country has 40 years with a low birthrate, the population would not be cratering for a few decades but the number of fertile women could drop to 25-30% of the old level. The number of girls in Japan of age 0-10 is 4.25 million. There are 6.3 million Japanese women of age 30-39 who are aging out of fertility. Japan is losing 2 million women per decade in terms of fertile women. By 2300, Japan could have only 2-3 million people from its current population of 122 million. However, the low number of mothers would be locked in sixty years before each step down in population. China will soon be losing 25-30 million fertile women per decade. If those women also only have one child in their life time, then there will be another halving fertile women in 2050-2080. South Korea has a total fertility rate (TFR) of 0.78 and China has a TFR of 1.18. Taiwan and other asian and European countries have those levels of fertility as well. Chinas population is 1.42 billion people. Sustaining that population level if people have a life expectancy of 100 would require 10 million babies per year with each woman having 2.1 children. Options for Increasing Fertility The policies for making society more family and baby friendly have been tried in many European countries and the best results increase total factor fertility from about 1.2 to 1.5. Longevity does not improve the situation. Increasing the fertile ages for women beyond 40 and encouraging those older women to have babies would improve the situation. The other option is to encourage (bribe) women to freeze eggs when they are young and the eggs are healthy. Have societal arrangements made to pay for childcare, education and medical procedures for all mothers and surrogate mothers and their children. Japan can either encourage 200,000 more of their own women to surrogate children or encourage the immigration of 200,000 women per year who would be willing and eager to surrogate children. Japans aging population is causing an abundance of abandoned houses. Surrogate mothers and their families and any Japanese women having two or more children could be given massively subsidized and even free housing. Fertility and Age Your chance of conceiving quickly does depend on your age. Women are most fertile between the ages of 20 and 24. It can take much longer to get pregnant when you hit your late 30s or early 40s. You may have problems conceiving at all. Most couples (85 per cent) will conceive within a year if they stop using contraception and have regular sex. Regular sex means making love every two to three days throughout your cycle. This gives you the best chance of conceiving. About half of the women who dont get pregnant in the first year do conceive during the following year. Another one per cent get pregnant if they keep trying for another year. So it pays to keep trying. This leaves about seven per cent of couples in the general population who do not conceive within three years. Figures for women aged 35 are similar, with 94 per cent conceiving within three years. By 38 years of age only 77 per cent of women fall pregnant within three years. Egg Freezing Statistics The overall chance of a live birth from the frozen eggs was 39 percent. But among women who were younger than 38 when they froze their eggs, the live birthrate was 51 percent. It rose to 70 percent if women younger than 38 also thawed 20 or more eggs. The age of the woman when she used the eggs to try to have a baby did not make a difference all that mattered was how old a woman was when she froze her eggs and how many she froze. Among IVF clinics in the United States, the success rate for a healthy birth is as high as 75%. This percentage rises to 95% once the gestational surrogate is pregnant. Approximately 1.9 percent of all babies born in the USA annually are conceived using some form of assisted reproductive technology. Success is closely related to the age of the egg provider. Using donor eggs results in a 65-70% live birth rate per embryo transfer, which increases to 75-80% if PGT-A is used. Birth rates gradually decline beyond the age of 35 and are lowest for women over 40. Denmark has 8 to 10% of all babies born in the country using assisted reproduction. This is the highest proportional rate of any country. Contributed Photo / East Haven P EAST HAVEN A 20-year-old Madison man was killed when his vehicle crashed into a utility pole on Foxon Road early Saturday, police say. East Haven police spokesperson Capt. Joseph Murgo said the fatal crash occurred in the area of 134 Foxon Road around 1:30 a.m. Saturday. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A Florida man charged with human smuggling after four migrants were found dead last year near the Canadian border has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. Court records show that Steve Shand, of Deltona, Florida, entered the plea Friday in a hearing for his arraignment held via video conference. Federal authorities arrested Shand in January 2022 after authorities found the bodies of the four, who had frozen to death during a blizzard, near Emerson, Manitoba, which borders Minnesota and North Dakota. According to a federal criminal complaint, the dead were a family of four, including an infant and a teenager, and were identified by surviving immigrants as being Indian nationals. Five other Indian nationals were also found on foot in Minnesota and two more were found in Shands van, officials said. Shand is charged with bringing two people into the country illegally and illegally transporting them once in the U.S. His trial has been set for July 17, but that is subject to change. His arraignment was postponed 10 times as courts dealt with a backlog spurred by COVID-19 pandemic measures that kept court personnel and the public from gathering in courtrooms. Shand has not been charged in the deaths of the migrants. He was released last year without bond but ordered to obey several conditions. According to the criminal complaint, one of the five immigrants who was found walking told authorities that his group had walked across the U.S. border, expecting to be picked up by someone on the other side. He said they had been walking for nearly 12 hours and had been with the family later found dead, but had gotten separated from them during the night. Neither Shands attorney, federal public defender Aaron Morrison, nor federal prosecutor Laura Provinzino immediately returned phone messages left Saturday seeking comment. Federal authorities have said that the case is believed to be linked to a larger smuggling operation along the Canadian border. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. The military attaches of foreign countries accredited to the Republic of Azerbaijan visited the Azerbaijan Naval Forces, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. In the assembly hall of the headquarters building the visitors were first presented an extensive briefing about the history and activities of the Naval Forces. Then, in the warships the military attaches got acquainted with the conditions created for the military personnel, visited the mariners' dormitory, canteen and other facilities, and signed the "Book of Honor". In the end, the sides exchanged presents and a photo was taken. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) The mother of the man who killed Gabby Petito told her son in an undated letter that she would dispose of a body if needed because she loved him so much, according to copies of the note shared publicly for the first time this week by attorneys for Petito's parents. The handwritten note by Roberta Laundrie that says burn after reading on the envelope was released after a Florida judge ruled on Wednesday that the letter could be used as evidence in a lawsuit. The Petitos sued Brian Laundrie's parents, accusing them of knowing that their son had murdered Gabby Petito and helping him with the coverup for nearly a month before her body was found in western Wyoming in September 2021, causing mental anguish, pain and suffering. The letter reads in part: We will always love each other. If youre in jail, I will bake a cake with a file in it. If you need to dispose of a body, I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags. Whether the letter was written before or after Brian Laundrie strangled Petito is in dispute between the parents. Roberta Laundrie claims in a sworn statement in the Florida case that she gave it to her son just before he and Petito left on a cross-country van trip in early June 2021. Roberta Laundrie and her son were having difficulties in their relationship at the time, three months before Brian Laundrie, 23, killed Petito, 22, the court-filed statement said. I was trying to connect with Brian and repair our relationship as he was planning to leave home," the statement said. I had hoped this letter would remind him how much I loved him. The Petito family expressed doubt about Roberta Laundries claimed timing of her letter, suggesting it was in fact written after Petitos death. A reasonable inference may be made from the letter that Roberta Laundrie knew of Petitos demise when the Laundries issued a statement Sept. 14, 2021 five days before her body was found saying they hoped she would be reunited with her family, the Petito family said in a statement Thursday. We look forward to having a jury determine when the letter was written, the statement reads. A search for Brian Laundrie ended with his suicide and discovery of his body in a Florida nature preserve in October 2021. The letter may appear to be unfortunately worded, but that was never its intention, the Laundries' attorney, Matthew Luka, wrote in a March motion trying to persuade the judge not to allow the letter to be used in the case. Along with the statements about disposing of a body and a cake with a file in it, Roberta Laundrie's letter tells her son she would get new guts if he said he hated hers, and watch the skies for his return if he ever flew to the moon, Luka pointed out in an emailed statement Friday. The statements were written before the van trip and demonstrably not intended to be serious because they are not events that would realistically occur, Luka said. Roberta Laundrie added Friday in a statement through her attorney: Although I chose words that I thought would be impactful with Brian given our relationship, the letter was in no way related to Gabby. Brian Laundrie and Petito were engaged and traveled by van across the U.S. in the summer of 2021, visiting scenic places in Colorado and Utah before heading north. They documented their trip in detail, in real time, on social media. Police in Moab, Utah, pulled over the van after it was seen speeding and hitting a curb at the entrance to Arches National Park in August 2021. Petito told police she and Laundrie had been fighting. Officers separated the couple for the night and didn't pursue charges. Searchers found Petito's body Sept. 19, 2021, near a campground on the edge of Wyomings Grand Teton National Park. A coroner determined shed been strangled a few weeks earlier. ___ Associated Press writer Terry Spencer in West Palm Beach, Florida, contributed to this report. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The Taliban and Iran exchanged heavy gunfire Saturday on the Islamic Republic's border with Afghanistan, killing and wounding troops while sharply escalating rising tensions between the two countries amid a dispute over water rights. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted the country's deputy police chief, Gen. Qassem Rezaei, accusing the Taliban of opening fire first Saturday morning on the border of Irans Sistan and Baluchestan province and the Afghan province of Nimroz. IRNA said Iran inflicted heavy casualties and serious damage." From the Taliban's view, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor accused Iran of shooting first. Takor said the firefight killed two people, one from each country, and wounded others. He described the situation as now being under control. IRNA, quoting Iranian police, said two border guards had been killed. However, that number may be higher. The semiofficial, English-language newspaper Tehran Times said the fighting killed three Iranian border guards. IRNA said the Milak border crossing with Afghanistan, a major trade route, was closed until further notice over the gunfight. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers dialogue to be a reasonable way for any problem, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khawarazmi said in a statement. Making excuses for war and negative actions is not in the interest of any of the parties. The advocacy group HalVash, which reports on issues affecting the Baluch people in the predominately Sunni province of Sistan and Baluchestan, quoted residents in the area saying the fighting took place near the Kang district of Nimroz. It said some people in the area had fled the violence. Videos posted online, purportedly from the area, included the crackle of machine gun fire in the distance. HalVash later posted an image of what appeared to be the remains of a mortar round, saying that heavy weapons and mortars are being used. Later videos from HalVash purported to show Iranian forces firing a mortar, as well as Taliban troops firing American-made machine guns at an Iranian border post. Other Taliban fighters drove armored vehicles likely left behind by NATO forces. Iran vowed not let the Taliban attack stand. The border forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will decisively respond to any border trespassing and aggression, and the current authorities of Afghanistan must be held accountable for their unmeasured and contrary actions to international principles," IRNA quoted Iran's police chief, Gen. Ahmadreza Radan, as saying. The clash comes as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi earlier this month warned the Taliban not to violate Iran's water rights to the Helmand River. Raisi's remarks represented some of the strongest yet over the long-running concerns about water in Iran. Drought has been a problem in Iran for some 30 years, but has worsened over the past decade, according to the U.N.s Food and Agriculture Organization. The Iran Meteorological Organization says that an estimated 97% of the country now faces some level of drought. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. In the time since, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, depriving them of virtually all their basic rights, according to the U.N. Hunger remains endemic. While not directly accepting the Taliban government, Iran has maintained relations with Afghanistan's new rulers. Tehran also has called on the Taliban to allow women and girls to go to school. Earlier on Saturday, the Taliban's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with an Iranian envoy to Afghanistan to discuss the Helmand River water rights, according to tweets from Afghan Foreign Ministry official Zia Ahmad. IRNA acknowledged the meeting, saying that issues between the two countries will be better resolved through dialogue. But tensions have otherwise been rising. Another video posted online in recent days purportedly showed a standoff with Iranian forces and the Taliban as Iranian construction workers tried to reinforce the border between the two countries. In recent days, pro-Taliban accounts online also have been sharing a video with a song calling on the acting defense minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, to stand up to Iran. Mullah Yaqoob is the son of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Talibans late founder and first supreme leader. We are a government, we have power, the song goes. Our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran or we are not the republics government. We are not slaves, our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran. ___ Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez in Islamabad and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. Our Negro problem, therefore, is not of the Negro's making. No group in our population is less responsible for its existence. But every group is responsible for its continuance. ... Both races need to understand that their rights and duties are mutual and equal and their interests in the common good are identical. Isabel Wilkerson,The Warmth of Other Suns As soon as Black Americans had the ability and resources to leave the Deep South after the Civil War, they left. After Jim Crow laws were enacted, as soon as Union troops were removed from the defeated Confederacy, Black Americans left. More than six million Black Americans moved from the former Confederate states to the Civil War-era Union states between 1910 and 1970. My wife and I were born in the South and were two of those six million migrants. My wifes family moved from Madison Heights, Va., near Lynchburg, to Newark, N.J., and my family moved from Pine Bluff, Ark., to Washington, D.C., both in the late 1950s. Both of our families moved to pursue better economic opportunities and less oppression and discrimination. Jim Crow laws were Americas shameful version of apartheid, resulting in racial inequality and state-sanctioned terror. Jim Crow laws restricted every aspect of life for Black Americans, making it nearly impossible for Blacks, or for that matter white Americans, to reach their human potential. But while whites suffered from the contagious disease of racism, they also benefited at the expense of their Black neighbors. The same states that practiced the most pernicious forms of Jim Crow are also the states that today restrict the health care rights of women. The lesson of the Great Migration of Black Americans is that people can and arguably should vote with their feet. Women by the millions must be at least contemplating leaving these states and moving to states where their rights are duly respected. As of this week, 15 states have passed total bans on abortion since the Supreme Courts overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision. These 15 states do not include Georgia, which recently passed a ban after six weeks, but they do include Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Idaho and Nebraska. The female population in these states is approximately 60 million. Women from these states might not want to attend a university, take a job, start a business, buy a home, teach in a public or private school, pay taxes to a misogynistic government, or raise a family in one of these restrictive states. Corporations know this and will factor their own location decisions on the availability of talent. Disney recently announced the cancellation of a billion-dollar project in Florida because of human rights restrictions by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The NAACP, Equality Florida, and the League of Latin American Citizens have issued travel advisory warnings for their constituents considering vacationing in Florida. Former Miami Heat Hall of Fame player Dwyane Wade recently announced he and his family were moving out of the state because of the states treatment of trans children. I might have to travel to Florida for business, but I go reluctantly. States like Connecticut should roll out the welcome mat and encourage the unfortunate women who, by virtue of the lottery of life, were born or currently reside in these restrictive states. They do not have to stay. Many will leave. They can come here and pursue their dreams. We should be taking out ads in restrictive states saying they are welcome here. The economic impact of a gender-based migration would exacerbate already significant differences in income and wealth between the radical religious states and Connecticut. In Connecticut, we have a tendency to look at the glass as being half-empty. But consider that the median income in Mississippi is more than $30,000 less than the median income in Connecticut. The lower cost of living in these states does not offset the lower incomes. Life is harder in these states and will only get worse. The women and men who leave the restrictive states will be those with the greatest drive and skills, which will further depress economic conditions in these states while Connecticut and other recipient states will be richer because of the incoming talent. Yes, we should gladly welcome these women entrepreneurs, teachers, physicians, executives, engineers, nurses, attorneys, scientists, leaders, taxpayers, and most importantly citizens who respect the rights of women. The Jewish festival of Shavuot commemorating the revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai is marked seven weeks following the holiday of Passover. This year it is celebrated on May 26 and 27. In Judaism, the public reading of the Torah served as a concrete reminder of the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people. Following the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem in the year 586 BCE by the Babylonians, many Jews living in exile gradually forgot the spiritual experience of hearing the public reading of the Torah. Consequently, following the Declaration of Cyrus of Persia (539 BCE) encouraging the Jewish people to return to the Holy Land, the Book of Nehemiah 8:8 records that Ezra, accompanied by an entourage of learned men including the Levites, read from Scroll the Teaching of God, translating it and providing the deeper sense, so that they understood the reading of the Torah. The words they understood the reading of the Torah, according to rabbinic tradition, refers to the melodic sounds the people heard listening to the chanting of the Torah. How so? Nehemiah 8:9 continues: This day is holy to the Lord your God: you must not mourn or weep for all the people wept as they listened to the words of the Torah. How very strange. Why were the people crying? Its certainly possible the reading evoked a reminder to once again fulfill the commandments of the Torah, an obligation they may have found difficult to observe while in exile. Or, could it be that the words referring to they understood the reading of the Torah conjured up a more dramatic, visceral response? Many years later I understood how such a reaction could occur upon listening to the chanting of the Torah through its unique biblical musical motifs. Insight into this sui generis moment occurred when I heard from a teacher engaged in a weekday prayer service had abruptly exited the service while listening to the Torah reading. Noticing her quick departure, some students ran after the teacher to find out why she wept. Her answer: I grew up in a Jewish community in Lebanon when as a child I often listened to the chanting of the Torah with its ancient and memorable melodies. When I heard the cantillation in the same musical motifs during the worship service, it brought tears to my eyes evoking such powerful memories from my childhood. The historic, biblical verses from Nehemiah came to life. In the words of the ancient sage Rabbi Levi: Whoever reads the Torah with its delightful tone and tune, of him it is said, milk and honey are under his tongue. Neither time nor space could erase the precious memories linked to the liturgical sounds connected to the chanting of the Torah. Moshe Meirovich is rabbi to the Bnai Israel congregation in St. Catharines SHARE: They came. They saw. They honked. Horns were blaring throughout the day Saturday at Gale Centre in Niagara Falls. From police cars, a fire truck and even a snow plow. In some cases, the culprits had to stretch to reach the steering wheel. The parking lot was full of families for the return of Touch-a-Truck, part of National Public Works Week. The free event was back for the first time since 2019, offering about 11 vehicles including police cruisers, construction vehicles and a Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. bucket truck. Its community involvement, said Niagara Falls street supervisor Ron Wood. Show the kids the big machinery and show the parents what their taxes are buying. The citys municipal works team was on hand for demonstrations (but no test drives) as kids eagerly lined up to sit behind the wheel of each vehicle. As expected, a Niagara Falls Fire Department truck with its basket fully extended was one of the more popular attractions. But kids and plenty of dads also flocked to the Niagara Regional Police all-black emergency task unit vehicle near the entrance. Wood said the police and fire vehicles were set up by the exits in case they had to leave in a hurry. Two-year-old Nolan Ley of St. Catharines was happy to lean on the horn of every truck he climbed into, with help from dad Shawn. The fire truck and hydro bucket truck were his favourites. He loves big trucks, said mom Jennifer. Hes been talking about (this day) since we read about it last week. He likes noisy trucks. Hes a typical boy. He has already informed his parents of his future job: He says a garbage man or a fireman so far, is what were getting, said Jennifer. Four-year-old Leo Wood, meanwhile, got comfy behind the wheel of a large riding mower the city uses for its parks. His favourite was the NRPs ETU vehicle, in which kids could climb into the back. Project Share hosted a charity barbecue at the event, with funds going to support essential support services. Niagara Regions water wagon, which promotes safe drinking water, was also giving out free bottles of tap water. National Public Works Week concluded Saturday. SHARE: To this day, Isabel Chalmers still cant take an elevator alone. Its a bit of a joke in her office, but to her, what she experienced that day in her condo building was anything but. She remembers leaving her unit on the sixth floor, stepping into the elevator with a fellow resident, and pressing the button to the main lobby. The elevator began to descend. Then, a sudden drop and they stopped moving. She pressed the emergency button but wasnt given clear direction from the buildings staff on what to do or how to get out. Eventually she was told someone would come and rescue them, but there was no word on how long it would take. My phone had no signal, but luckily the other person I was with had some reception, she said. I managed to call my husband. When her husband reached the front desk he put pressure on staff to come up with a plan. They told him the elevator mechanic had been called and would come as soon as possible. I was really scared because the elevator felt unstable, Chalmers said. I remember I was hyperventilating. Chalmers is part of an ever-growing number of condo dwellers in Toronto who face a daily challenge when trying to enter and exit their buildings: elevators that malfunction or dont function at all. There are many reasons: aging condo stock, a lack of elevator mechanics due to an ongoing labour shortage, condo boards that fail to maintain elevators properly. But increasingly, experts and politicians are pointing their fingers at oversight of the near monopoly that exists when it comes to elevator installation and repair in Toronto. Just four major companies build 90 per cent of the elevators in Ontario and they maintain more than half of them, limiting competition. Those four companies build the elevators in such a way that only they can supply many of the parts to repair them, and sometimes those parts come from overseas, resulting in long wait times. As a result, large numbers of condo residents are finding themselves out of breath and frustrated as they hike the stairs, climbing as many as 20, 30 or 40 floors to get home, while the elderly and those with disabilities can find themselves held prisoner in their units for days at a time. The situation became so dire that in 2018 the auditor general launched an investigation and found large elevator companies are the primary cause for worsening elevator safety, after failing to maintain elevators for years. Every year since the report, around 80 per cent of elevators have failed their regulatory safety inspections and the number of reported incidents such as doors closing on people have almost doubled, shooting to 637 in 2022 from 382 in 2013. Since the auditor generals investigation, little progress has been made by the regulator, industry experts say, and the problem is becoming increasingly urgent as more Toronto residents rely on elevators to leave and enter their homes. The city is set to build a record 25,000 condominium units in 2023, with an additional 100,000 units set to be completed between 2024 and 2028. Meanwhile, condos are getting taller with new builds averaging 25 storeys up from 16 storeys before 2000, according to research firm Urbanation. The elevator malfunction Chalmers endured was so traumatic, it helped lead to the couples decision to leave the building. They felt they simply couldnt trust the elevators any more. I could have handled it better, but I really wasnt doing well in there, she said. Her husband eventually called 911 to get a faster response, which the front desk said they wouldnt do because of the cost, she said. (Condo management did not respond to the Stars request for comment on the incident.) Some 30 minutes later the fire department arrived and got both residents out after theyd spent more than an hour trapped inside the steel box. Ive never had a phobia before, but now I have one, Chalmers said. We moved to a house, and its a massive relief just taking the stairs. Agency slammed for poor oversight Elevator outages and delays have been an issue in Ontario for more than a decade. By 2017 the issue had become so problematic the provincial government asked the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) a regulatory authority that enforces public safety to commission an independent report on elevator availability. The study was completed by the Hon. J. Douglas Cunningham, who provided a number of recommendations, including addressing the elevator mechanic labour shortage, creating standards for elevator repair time lines, and collecting data on elevator outages to be made publicly available. A year later, auditor general Bonnie Lysyk investigated the TSSA and slammed the agency for poor oversight. At the time, the report found that most elevators were not in compliance with safety laws and that the situation was getting worse. In 2018, just over 80 per cent of elevators failed their TSSA inspections and that failure rate has remained the same every year since. According to TSSA spokesperson Alexandra Campbell, a failed inspection isnt necessarily a serious offence. A non-compliant inspection means that an elevator could have just one infraction thats considered low-risk, such as a signature missing in a maintenance log book. The TSSA also points out that non-permanent injuries have declined by almost half from 2013 to 2022. However more minor incidents such as tripping because the elevator isnt levelling properly with the building floor or doors closing on people have risen by 40 per cent during the same time. There are many mechanisms in place to make sure people feel safe and comfortable, Campbell said. Very few elevators pose a serious safety risk and the TSSA does routine inspections on many devices. Worsening elevator safety A key finding from the auditor general report revealed that elevator companies are the primary cause for worsening elevator safety and for years they have not maintained most of Ontarios operating elevators in accordance with safety laws. In many cases, the companies maintain and install the devices, the report said. In Ontario, four major international elevator companies maintain more than half of the market. ThyssenKrupp maintains around 25 per cent of the elevators, Otis and Kone each maintain 11 per cent, and Schindler maintains 7.5 per cent, according to the TSSA. To win market share, these companies offer services at reduced rates, which in turn creates incentives for them to minimize time and effort dedicated to maintaining or fixing elevators, the report said. In addition, condo owners find it too costly to take legal action against large maintenance companies that dont fix elevators in a timely manner. They also find it difficult to switch to different maintenance companies due to ironclad contracts and elevator systems that require the use of proprietary technology. The big four elevator companies are responsible for 90 per cent of elevator construction and do the bulk of the installation in condo buildings, said Rob Isabelle, chief operating officer of KJA Consultants, an engineering firm specializing in elevator design and maintenance management. Typically, condos must sign long-term contracts with the installation company to maintain elevators, as the equipment is highly sophisticated. After 10 years, the building owners can then hire an independent contractor to service the elevators. The buildings owners typically stay with the initial construction company because it takes time for third-party vendors to provide the parts to independent contractors, Isabelle said. Thats why after 10 years you can make the switch outside of the construction company. The lifespan of an elevator is around 20 to 25 years, meaning buildings are often stuck with the elevator construction company to maintain the elevator for half its lifespan. The four major international players play into proprietary components, meaning only the company makes that part, which in turns means only they can service it, limiting competition, said Phil Staite, president of the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association. Because of this, it can take months for elevators to be fixed if certain parts are manufactured overseas, he said. Elspeth Chalmers (Isabel Chalmers sister) was a member of her condo board for a year during the pandemic and saw firsthand how one of the major elevator companies responded to maintenance issues in her building. Her building has two elevators and either one can be out of service every other day. They never came with any of the necessary parts to address the issue, and when they needed a certain part it would take weeks for it to come, she said. One time it took up to two months. On average it would take the company five business days to respond to the building managements service calls, she said. Switching to another maintenance company wasnt possible, because the building was in a long-term contract with the company. But even so, we werent confident we could get better service with a different company because so many of our residents said they had horrible experiences with their elevators at previous condos, she said. While some elevator parts might be difficult to acquire, around 85 per cent of the parts needed on a day-to-day basis are readily available in U.S. warehouses, Isabelle said. The remaining 15 per cent is harder to supply due to their advanced technology, he added. The Star reached out to the four elevator companies to find out how many elevators they service a year, what their standard response time is, and how many parts need to be shipped from overseas. For competitive reasons, we do not disclose a majority of the information requested. That said, globally, Otis maintains approximately 2.2 million customer units, which is the industrys largest service portfolio, Otis said in an email statement, adding elevator services are designed to deliver maximum uptime, and safe, comfortable rides. Sasha Bailey, spokesperson for ThyssenKrupp Elevator, said its goal is to provide excellent service to all our customers and that all emergency calls are prioritized. In fact, we offer the largest provider network in Ontario. Most of our replacement parts are available within Canada and North America and we maintain a substantial inventory of parts in our distribution centre in Toronto, she said in a statement. Kone and Schindler did not respond to the Star. Backlog of upgrades There are other reasons why fixing elevators takes so long, in addition to the delays in procuring parts from the four major companies, experts say. Were running into a similar labour shortage to the one we experienced back in 2019, said KJA Consultantss Isabelle, adding that its especially difficult to find enough workers for downtown Toronto, as many elevator mechanics prefer to live outside the city where its more affordable. Often, elevator companies assign one mechanic to 30 residential buildings. Whereas for commercial real estate, one mechanic is assigned to two or three buildings, said Murray Johnson, director of the Canadian Condominium Institute, a non-profit organization dealing exclusively with condominium issues. If an elevator stops working in a commercial building, there are significant economic repercussions, as workers cant get to their offices and access to retail is hindered, he said. Commercial landlords just pay extra for tech maintenance and pass along those fees to their tenants, Johnson said. If condos were to run like a commercial enterprise, you wouldnt be able to afford to live in one. Many elevators in the city are also old and havent been upgraded. If an elevator has been in use for 40 years, some parts are no longer available, said the Canadian Elevator Contractors Associations Staite. Elevator modernization can now take up to 12 weeks, he said. If the parts arent available, contractors tell building owners what they need to be doing to upgrade the system. But its up to the condo owners to proceed with the work. During the pandemic, upgrading the electrical and mechanical parts, as well as the controller (the brains of the machine) to new technology, which is smarter and more reliable, was put on the back burner, creating a backlog of upgrades, Staite added. At the mercy of the market Two years after the 2018 auditor general report, Lysyk followed up with the TSSA for a progress report and found 18 out of 25 recommendations had been fully implemented. In 2022, the TSSA did not report the inspection compliance rate for each elevator company in Ontario a report which still needs to be made, she told the Star. But overall, the TSSA has a high implementation rate and is ensuring elevators are being maintained within the regulatory framework, she said. Going forward, the TSSA will be grouping inspection orders into three categories: low risk, medium risk and high risk, and each category will have a set time frame in which to be addressed. Some high-risk orders, such as elevator doors closing too quickly and exerting too much force, will result in the immediate shutdown of the elevator until the issue is fixed. Low-risk infractions, such as a signature missing from a log book, will be reviewed at the next periodic inspection, the TSSAs Campbell said. This would be more similar to the Toronto restaurant inspections, where there is a red (restaurant ordered to close until issues are rectified), yellow, requiring time to comply with order and a followup by the health inspector, or green a pass that may still list some findings, she said. Its important to note that the TSSA identified just eight high-risk elevators in Ontario in 2022, Campbell added. But other industry experts say not much has changed since the report for repair times, as the four main companies still have a stronghold on the market, and the pandemic created a backlog of elevator fixes, supply chain issues and labour shortages. If youre living on one of the top floors of a condo building, youre not seeing any difference, Johnson said. If an elevator has been down for three weeks, I get the frustration. But were at the mercy of the (elevator) market. A possible way forward In 2007, the European Commission fined Otis, Kone, Schindler and ThyssenKrupp 992 million euros for operating cartels for the installation and maintenance of lifts and escalators and upholding restrictive business practices in select countries. Larger fines here in Ontario could create better checks and balances on the elevator companies, experts say. The 2018 auditor generals report noted that Ontarios Ministry of Government and Consumer Services now known as the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery is responsible for overseeing the TSSA and gave the agency additional powers to to issue fines, but details on the size of the fines were not released at the time. On July 1, 2022, the government approved changes that allow the TSSA to issue fines to contractors and licence holders for non-compliance with safety laws, but the fines only range as high as $5,000, depending on the issue. Furthermore, the TSSA has yet to issue a single penalty, Campbell said. Thats because more data needs to be collected on elevator maintenance, which she says is underway. Last summer, the TSSA launched an online tool that allows condo owners to report when an elevator has been out of service for 48 hours or more. So far, almost 300 elevator incidents have been reported, with one elevator reported to be out of service for more than three months. The TSSA plans to implement monetary penalties in the future for lack of maintenance on an elevator, which is a contributing cause to elevator outages and delays, Campbell said. For Chalmers, being stuck in an elevator for an hour is an experience she cant shake off. For a period of time, she had to attend exposure therapy, where she was shown photos of elevators to become less fearful. I work at a building on Bay and Bloor, and to this day I have to get someone from work to come down and ride it with me. I know it might seem ridiculous, but its really triggered something in me and has completely changed aspects of my life. SHARE: A 63-year-old Vancouver doctor died on Thursday pursuing his life-long dream of climbing the highest mountain in the world. UBC professor and anesthesiologist Pieter Swart, died while descending below Camp 4, the final camp, before the summit on mount Everest, after an undefined respiratory event, according to a statement by University of British Columbia. It was Swarts life-long dream to summit the highest mountain in the world, according to his family and friends. Ive known him all my life. It has always been his dream to climb Everest, his wife Suretha Swart told the Star in an interview. The couple were born and raised in South Africa, but have been living in Canada for many years. Swart was a father of two and was described as a generous, warm, a caring physician, a leader, strong educator and a loving family man, by those who knew him. Pieter had an insatiable wanderlust. He was lost to us while bravely pursuing his dream of being on top of the world, since he was nine, said Hamed Umedaly, the head of the department of anesthesiology at the university. The university said in a statement that a memorial event for Swart will be held with his family. On his last Instagram post on May 16, in which he is climbing on the Khumbu icefall - located on the south side of Mount Everest Swart wrote, Perfect day. Swart was climbing with Madison Mountaineering, a mountain guide service specializing in leading expeditions to climb Everest, according to their website. The company did not respond to the Stars request for a comment. Mount Everest is a peak in the Himalaya mountain range located between Nepal and Tibet, and it is the highest peak on Earth 8,849 meters above sea-level. According to a recent news report by Bloomberg, the average age of Everest climbers is now 42, compared to 34 in 1982, which contributes to an increase in fatalities. To summit Mount Everest has been a popular, although dangerous, expedition among mountain climbers since the 1950s. One of the biggest dangers is the altitude, according to National Geographic, as most climbers are not accustomed to the high altitude and low oxygen levels and rely on bottled oxygen. The area above 8,000 meters (26,000 feet) elevation on Mount Everest is called the death zone. RELATED STORIES Asia Climbers celebrate Mount Everest 70th anniversary amid melting glaciers, rising temperatures SHARE: MONTREAL - A fire that swept through a heritage building in downtown Montreal was brought under control Saturday about 42 hours after it first began, the citys fire department said. The blaze broke out late Thursday afternoon at the Monastere du Bon Pasteur, a 19th century former monastery, and quickly became a five-alarm fire requiring the intervention of 150 firefighters. It proved difficult to tame because of the construction and materials used in the building. Authorities believe the fire began in the attic but had difficulty reaching the source. Emilie Barbeau-Charlebois, section chief at the Montreal fire department, said Saturday both the cause of the fire and an estimate of damages remained unknown. It was about 42 hours total of intervention by firefighters who worked non-stop, Barbeau-Charlebois said. An investigation into the cause of the fire is set to begin on Monday. As of Saturday, 59 people were being taken care of by the Red Cross, Barbeau-Charlebois said. No one was injured in the blaze. About 20 firefighters were still on site Saturday to ensure a new fire doesnt start in the debris, and authorities inspected the building before allowing residents to enter. Accompanied by police or firefighters, they were led inside in small groups to briefly collect their personal belongings like medication or important documents. The monastery was built in 1846 to house the Soeurs de Notre-Dame du Bon Pasteur dAngers and maintained its religious vocation until the 1960s. Quebec officially recognized It as a heritage site in 1979 and it served as a mixed use building that includes a residence for seniors, a housing cooperative, a daycare centre and condominiums. The chapel, located in the centre of the complex, is now a concert hall and the city calls it one of its most prestigious venues, known for exceptional acoustics in a historic and intimate atmosphere. Its incredibly sad. This place is a magnificent place, were talking about a chapel, were talking about a heritage building which had been restored, Mayor Valerie Plante told reporters Friday. The venue housed a pair of unique instruments: a Fazioli concert grand piano and a 1772 Kirckman harpsichord, which were extracted or expected to be removed from the building on Saturday. The condition of the instruments was not immediately known. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraines military intelligence has claimed, without offering evidence, that Russia is plotting a large-scale provocation at a nuclear power plant it occupies in the southeast of the country with the aim of disrupting a looming Ukrainian counteroffensive. A statement released Friday by the intelligence directorate of Ukraines Defense Ministry claimed that Russian forces would strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe, and then report a radioactive leak in order to trigger an international probe that would pause the hostilities and give the Russian forces the respite they need to regroup ahead of the counteroffensive. In order to make that happen, Russia disrupted the rotation of personnel of the permanent monitoring mission of the U.N.s International Atomic Energy Agency that was scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. It didnt offer evidence to back up any of the claims. The IAEA said in an emailed response to the AP that it did not have any immediate comment on the allegations, and Russian officials did not immediately comment on the Ukrainian claims. The White House said it is watching the situation closely and has seen no indication that radioactive material has been leaked. The claim mirrors similar statements Moscow regularly makes, alleging without evidence that Kyiv is plotting provocations involving various dangerous weapons or substances in order to then accuse Russia of war crimes. It comes as Moscows military in Ukraine braces for a looming counteroffensive by Kyivs forces, which hasnt started yet but could begin tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, told the BBC in an interview Saturday. The Zaporizhzhia power plant is one of the 10 biggest nuclear plants in the world. It is located in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in southeastern Ukraine. The plants six reactors have been shut down for months, but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features. Fighting near it repeatedly disrupted power supplies and has fueled fears of a potential catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, where a reactor exploded in 1986 and spewed deadly radiation, contaminating a vast area in the worlds worst nuclear disaster. In other developments: Ukraines national police said a 60-year-old man was killed Saturday evening by Russian shelling in the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Russian border. Russia on Saturday reported more attacks on its territory, with drones crashing in its western regions and areas on the border with Ukraine coming under shelling. Two drones attacked an administrative building of an oil company in Russias western Pskov region that borders Belarus, Latvia and Estonia, Pskov Gov. Mikhail Vedernikov reported Saturday. The building was damaged as the result of an explosion, Vedernikov said. Another drone went down in the Tver region about 150 kilometers (90 miles) north of Moscow, local authorities said. Russias Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine on Saturday came under multiple rounds of shelling, killing one person, according to its governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. In the neighboring Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine, one person was killed by cross-border mortar fire, its Gov. Roman Starovoit said. The British military said Saturday that Russias private military force, Wagner, is withdrawing from areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut that Moscow claims to have captured earlier this month. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier this week announced the pullout, saying Wagner would hand control over the ruined city over to the Russian military. Some were skeptical, however: Prigozhin is known for making unverifiable, headline-grabbing statements on which he later backtracks. But the British Defense Ministry said in a series of tweets Saturday that Wagner fighters have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions around Bakhmut. The Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town, the ministry said. ___ Darlene Superville in Washington DC contributed to this story. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Read more about: SHARE: First version published at 12:02 BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. An attempt by a sabotage group of the Armenian Armed Forces to violate the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan on May 26 at a site near the village of Razdara in the Zangilan district was prevented, Trend reports. The Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Border Service have issued a joint statement on this issue. As a result of the vigilance of the servicemen serving at the border-combat point, the movement of the sabotage group was detected in a timely manner and the necessary measures were taken. Two servicemen of the Armenian Armed Forces were detained. During the investigation conducted by the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan on this fact, grounds for suspicion were revealed that Armenian servicemen Arut Khovakimyan, Karen Gazaryan and others on May 26, 2023, at about 16:00 (GMT+4), carrying firearms and ammunition, illegally crossed the guarded state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan The servicemen, by bypassing checkpoints and customs control in order to violate public security in Azerbaijan, spread panic among the population and deaths, as well as cause harm to their health, and significant property damage they wanted to influence the decision made by the state authorities of Azerbaijan, contradicting its territorial integrity, and lead to the incitement of national enmity. They opened fire with firearms at the servicemen of the N-th military unit of the Border Troops of the State Border Service, located in the village of Razdara of the Zangilan district and carrying out the protection of the state border, threatening to commit a terrorist act. In connection with the above, the Prosecutor General's Office decided to initiate criminal proceedings under articles of the Criminal Code 206.3.2 (smuggling of firearms and ammunition by a group of persons by prior agreement), 214.2.1, 214.2.3 (terrorism committed by a group of persons by prior agreement, using firearms), 228.2.1 (illegal acquisition, carrying, possession of firearms by a group of persons in collusion). The criminal case was also initiated under articles 283.2.1 (incitement of ethnic hatred and enmity with the use of violence) and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan by a group of persons by prior conspiracy or an organized group). Based on the collected evidence, Khovakimyan and Gazaryan were detained as suspects and brought to the investigation. Currently, the necessary investigative measures are being carried out in the criminal case. Detailed information on the progress and results of the investigation will be provided to the public. NEW YORK (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman to deliver a commencement speech at West Point, lauded graduating cadets Saturday for their noble sacrifice in serving their country, but noted they were entering an unsettled world because of Russian aggression and the rising threats from China. The world has drastically changed, Harris told the roughly 950 graduating cadets. She referred to the global pandemic that took millions of lives, as well as the fraught shifts in global politics in Europe and in Asia. It is clear you graduate into an increasingly unsettled world where longstanding principles are at risk, she said. As the U.S. ended two decades of war in Afghanistan, the longest in the countrys history, the vice president said, Russia soon launched the first major ground war in Europe since World War II when it invaded Ukraine. At the same time, autocrats have become bolder, the threat of terrorism persists, and an accelerating climate crisis continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods, she added. She advised cadets to be wary of China, as it rapidly modernizes its military and muscles for control over parts of the high seas, ostensibly referring to the brewing disputes over the South China Sea. She spoke about the countrys military might and its need to innovate, including the adoption of new technology to change how wars are fought even using artificial intelligence to predict enemy movements and to guide autonomous vehicles. Harris made no mention about the ongoing skirmishing in Washington, where the White House and congressional Republicans are trying to avert a debt crisis. Harris visit is her first to the U.S. Army academy. Commencement speakers at the countrys military academies are usually delivered by the president, vice president or high-ranking military official which until Harris election meant speakers have always been men. Harris was joined at the commencement by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, who in 2021 became the first woman to hold the military services top civilian post. Harris, the first woman to serve as the countrys vice president, noted the 75th anniversary of 1948s Womens Armed Services Integration Act, which gave women the right to serve as permanent members of the military. It was also 75 years ago when President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order banning segregation in the Armed Forces. However, her address was delivered to an institution that has made slow progress diversifying its ranks in the four decades since the first class of female cadets graduated. Today, about one quarter of the student body are women. Only a few dozen graduates each year are Black women, like Harris, though the number has ticked up in recent years. The academy didnt admit women until 1976 and had its first female graduates in 1980. Upon graduation, the cadets will be commissioned as Army second lieutenants. West Point dates to 1802. Since then, the college has educated future military leaders including Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. George Patton and Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. While Harris visited West Point, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of Manhattan, President Joe Biden heads to Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Thursday to address graduates at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III addressed the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Friday. Last year, Harris addressed graduates at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. SHARE: Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has granted pardon to 115 inmates serving various jail terms across correctional centres in the state. This was disclosed by the Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barrister Saleh Samanja, while presenting a report on strategies adopted by the Committee in selecting the benefiting inmates. According to the Chairman, the Committee had visited correctional centers in Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru and came up with a listed of inmates to be freed. The benefiting inmates are mostly those with minor offences who are serving lesser jail terms, as well those jailed with option of fine, among others. The inmates were very happy and they have assured us that with this act of benevolence and mercy extended to them, they will never go back to their bad ways, he said. Governor Mai Mala Buni, who commended the Committee for a job well done, also called on public spirited individuals to key into the agenda towards building a better society. He warned those inmates who made it to the list not to repeat the mistakes that took them to the correctional centers, saying the law will take its full course on whoever repeated such. Mathew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, says Nigerians traveling abroad should do so for the purpose of returning to develop the country. Speaking during an inauguration lecture on Saturday, Kukah said the incoming administration must rise up to the challenge of uniting the country. He said Nigerians traveling abroad must be given a reason to return, adding that the incoming leadership must manage the diversity and create a habitable country. I will also end by saying right now that 133 million Nigerians are suffering from various levels of multi-dimensional poverty, he said. I have not put up the light and see the part where Muslims are living that they have light, while others for not. I have not seen the part of the country where Muslims are eating and the rest of us are not. So we must come to terms with the fact that we are not bleeding. We are not suffering because we are Christians or Muslims, but we are in a country that is malfunctioning. How to make that country work, for the rich, for the poor, for the aged, and for everybody is a challenge. I would like to just end by saying and I have made the point very clearly, in the struggle with the problems of Nigeria, I remain exceptionally optimistic. I traveled the world. People say to me, well, where do you find this courage to say that Nigeria is working? Okay, it may not be working, but this is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I am not being flippant. When I went to the United States of America to study, I preached in a church but the parish priest said to me, listen to me, you speak with such eloquence and I like you, we will get you a green card, you can settle here in America. I looked at him, I said, you know, this God is a wonderful God. You are giving me a green card and my passport is actually a green passport. The challenge for us as Africans is to think the way the Asians have thought that you can go to Europe, you can go to America with a purpose. But the purpose of course means coming back to develop your country but it also means that that country must create an environment in which you can feel confident to come and present the gift that God has given you. I have two young men in America they just finished from a prestigious university, I say when are you coming home? They say Bishop coming home to do what? We do not have an uncle who is a senator, we dont have anybody, so coming to Nigeria to do what? Vice-President-elect, the challenge for you is to make this country believable, livable, credible, so that all of us together can serve and build a great nation. Ibrahim Gambari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, says his principal is leaving a legacy of free and fair elections in the country as he is about to hand over to complete his tenure. Gambari spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of a biography of the mother of emirs of Kano and Bichi entitled Maryam Ado Bayero: A Woman of Royal Virtue. The late Maryam was the wife of the late Ado Bayero, an emir of Kano. The chief of staff said Buhari worked for the diversification of the economy and oil reforms. Mr President is finishing his eight years term in office strong and well, leaving behind many legacies, which include the foundation of a free and fair election that has produced the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, he said. It has also produced the legacy of achievements in the area of diversification of our economy, reforms of the petroleum industry and infrastructure. Few days ago, we saw him commission the second Niger bridge, major parts of the Kano-Abuja expressway as well as several roads and bridges. And, of course, he is finishing strong and well in pushing back the enemies of Nigeria through insurgency and other forms of criminalities. Gambari quoted the president as saying that Maryam Ado Bayero deserves a Guinness World Record. As a professor of political science and a student of history myself, I am yet to stumble on a more interesting personality such as my late elder sister, who in her lifetime had the good fortune of being the granddaughter of an emir, the 7th emir of Ilorin; daughter of another emir (8th emir of Ilorin) and wife to an outstanding revered emir of Kano, late Ado Bayero and mother of two emirs (Bichi and Kano), he said. This should have entered the Guinness Book of Records. By virtue of this great piece of history by ambassador Sani Hajo (author), we have captured and immortalised her life and works for future generations to rely on as a compass. Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has described the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the worst in the history of Nigeria, saying the outgoing president must be told that he failed woefully and Nigerians are feeling the impact of that failure because we are all suffering. He said the president plunged the country into unimaginable poverty and insecurity, unlike what used to flourish under his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan. Speaking at the commissioning of the headquarters of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, BSCVGs, in Makurdi, Ortom said that Buhari took Nigeria from the top to the bottom, making life miserable for all Nigerians. He said, I served under the then President Goodluck Jonathans administration and we all saw how Nigeria flourished under that administration. We all knew what the prices of goods and services were at the time. We also know what our exchange rate was at the time and what it is today. I want Nigerians to do a simple comparison and you will realise how bad it has been under this government and how Nigeria has been taken several years backwards by the Buhari government. The fact is that never in the history of Nigeria did we experience this kind of bad governance in the country. Corruption is so endemic in this government, yet people who steal chicken are thrown into prison, but people in government who are busy stealing the wealth of the people are walking free. The President recently apologised to Nigerians; we accept the apology but he must be told that he failed woefully and Nigerians are feeling the impact of that failure because we are all suffering. Ortom also lamented the refusal of Buhari to curb the excesses of the armed Fulani herdsmen and designate them a terrorist organisation for being responsible for the killings in the country. The President told us he is retiring to tend to his cattle, is it because he is returning to be a herder that he failed to deal decisively with herdsmen? That was unfair to Nigerians, he added. The governor assured that he would continue to speak out against injustice in the country. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to the Supreme Court ruling on the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and Vice, Kashim Shettima. Fani-Kayode alleged that the ruling was an indication that the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his party failed to intimidate or compromise the judges. He claimed that Atiku failed in his course to pervert justice. Tweeting, Fani-Kayode wrote: Atiku Abubakar and his Peoples Destruction Partys nonsense case has finally been dismissed at the Supreme Court. I bet he and his team are shedding tears right now because they were unable to pervert the course of justice and intimidate or compromise the Judges. Once again we have won and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu comes out on top. Glory be to God! Let us hope that this will put to rest the rabid lust for power of the Obidients and the Atikulators. On Friday, the apex court dismissed the suit filed by the PDP, seeking Tinubu and Shettimas disqualification from the 2023 presidential election. The party was challenging Shettimas alleged double nomination. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the PDPs suit was grossly lacking in merit. A former Governor of Edo State, Adam Oshiomhole, on Friday, shed light on his political differences with a former governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, saying it was purely on issues of obeying the law and nothing personal. He also tackled former Senate Whip, Victor Oyofo, for alluding that former governors go to the Senate to display opulence. Oshiomhole stated these at the first Senator Ekpe Moriri Lamai Memorial Lecture organised by Senator E. A Lamai Foundation where Okorocha who was one of the panellists jokingly alleged that Oshiomhole was one of the problems of Nigeria. Okorocha had thanked God that Oshiomhole would be going to the Senate to fix the problems. Drama ensued thereafter as the comment did not go down well with Oshiomhole Oshiomhole said, My brother (Rochas Okorocha) said I am the problem of Nigeria and he is happy that I am going to the Senate. I will take the last part. He is happy for me so he would organise a dinner in my honour. There will also be a dinner to mark your exit. So as you are going, I am coming in. When people say a small man like me because big people think that mere reference to their size should not obey the law when a small man is presiding. And when they say we are short, I hardly see what I am short of. There is nothing anybody has that I dont have. When they talk about economies of scale, they dont also forget to talk about dis-economics of scale. Turning to Okorocha, he said, So, my brother, my brother, you know what caused our misunderstanding? You are my good friend until tomorrow. It is just that for me, laws are meaningful when those who are powerful are subjected to obey the law. So, sir, be rest assured, I appreciate you, I respect you but you must learn to obey the law. Dont look at my size, particularly, when I am obliged to take an oath that I shall defend the constitution. Once we go out now, I am going to hug you and I must insist you organise a dinner for my coming to the Senate. Oshiomhole also responded to Oyofo who said governors retire to the Senate to live a life of opulence He said, Nigeria was already on its way to Zimbabwe when you have a life president. When President Obasanjo wanted to amend our constitution, which should have been the beginning and the end, no gun was shot, just the power of AIT and other media, covering the session life to the credit of the National Assembly, shut down that third term bid. But the other thing with my big brother. My pension is N1,250,0000. So when you talk of opulence and corruption is not something that is restricted to the government. For every government official that is corrupt, there are three, four, or five businessmen who are even much more corrupt. They are the treasurers of public officers. So if my brother left the oil industry wealthy, and went to the Senate to live in luxury, then why are you envious of me that left the labour movement? One kobo gratuity I did not receive, even my official car, I handed it over, because that is the rule of Nigeria Labour Congress. We used the word struggle. So, why make a sweeping generalisation about people living in wealth going to the Senate to live in luxury? When I knew you as a Senator, I did not see you in luxury. I thought you were working. Actually, that is what you told our people. It was only today you said that the place is for luxury. But, Oyofo, in his response, said a Google search should be made between himself and Oshiomhole to know who made money from the government. He said, Google my name and say what is the net worth of Senator Oyofo, and they will tell you. In the same manner, Google the name of Oshiomhole and say how much is he worth, and Google will tell you. Then, you can approach the issue of defining corruption. So it is not about just standing and making things look like a joke. The truth is that we are in the grip of corruption and unless we stand up to it and admit it, we are going to pay dearly. It is not a laughing matter or a joking matter. Anybody you know his name in Nigeria, ask Google what his net worth is and search for the profession they belong to and what they are doing whether they own a business. I worked for 30 years finding oil for Nigeria. Oshiomhole continued, But let me just say that what I have enjoyed in all these conversations is the fact that we all agree that Nigeria has to change, and the change must begin with each and every one of us because senators are recruited from the larger society. Oyofo had earlier, in his opening remarks, advocated for part-time legislators for the country, saying the cost of governance is bloating every day. The former Senate Chief whip of the Senate who chaired the lecture quoted #openNass, which stated that in 2017 alone, the lawmaker cost the taxpayers $54,000 each. Oyofo, in his examination of how the country has performed since the return to democracy in 1999, said, To be successful in this exercise, let us remember that the Romans began the Senate. It was a partys occupation, and citizens were also appointed into this chamber. Such were appointed by the councils or magistrates, who, after serving their tenure, were elected into the chamber. We adopted the presidential system coming from America, but we do not have institutions that support the successful running of this political experiment. Therefore, the legislative arm, which was supposed to check the executives, and indeed its democratic arm, failed to mature or keep up to its objectives. After more than 20 years, it has proved ineffective and expensive. A former governor of Edo State, Oserhemen Osunbor, disagreed with him, saying that it was not the budget of the National Assembly that was responsible for the magnitude of the challenges confronting the country. He stressed the importance of the Senate to democracy, saying it was what gives the states equal representation. Another panellist, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada, said the problem is not the Senate but corruption, which has become endemic. Diezani Alison-Madueke has informed a federal high court in the Abuja division that she had been away from the country since May 2015 because of cancer treatment. In a writ of summons against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) marked CV/6273/2023 and seen by TheCable, the former three-time minister is asking for damages of N100 billion for the false, injurious, malicious and libelous publications. She said the EFCC and AGF defamed her by claiming she is corrupt. The former minister of petroleum resources said toward the end of the tenure of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, she was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of breast cancer which she identified as Triple Negative Cancer. She said she hurriedly flew to England on May 22, 2015 in order to undertake a critical course of treatment, which consisted of two operations, eight months of intensive chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy. Since then, she said in the court papers, she has remained in England undergoing medical care and treatment. The suit, marked CV/6273/23, was filed by her counsel, Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate. The EFCC and AGF were given 14 days from the service of the summons to enter their defence. Alison-Madueke was minister of transportation (and later mines and steel development) from 2007 to 2009 under President Umaru Musa YarAdua before serving as petroleum minister under President Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has vowed to push the incoming administration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. Soludo said if Buhari fails to release Kanu before May 29 when he hands over, he would appeal to Tinubu to take the action. Since assuming office, Soludo had severally appealed to Buhari to release Kanu, who is locked up at the Department of State Services, DSS. In April, Soludo had written a letter to Buhari to release Kanu. However, he expressed hope that his previous letters appealing for Kanus release were copied to Tinubu. Speaking on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Friday, Soludo said: The Attorney General is also copied in this letter and if President Muhammadu Buharis administration fails to take advantage of this opportunity to really rise above every other thing and be a statesman as it were, if the president fails to take advantage of that, we will be pursuing the same thing with the incoming administration. The Governor also noted that Kanus release would bring about sustainable peace and security in the Southeast. Peter Mbah, the governor-elect of Enugu, has declared his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) ahead of the May 29 inauguration. Speaking at the CCBs south-east zonal office in Enugu on Friday, Mbah said the declaration was critical for the promotion of transparency and accountability in the governance of the state. As the chief executive, we are meant to uphold the law. It is also incumbent on us to act lawfully, and what we have simply done here today is in line with the new direction of my career, he said. As you also know, I am now migrating from the corporate environment to the public sector. In the private sector, we have codes of corporate governance and here in the public sector, we also have the code of conduct for the public servants, he said. What we have simply done today is to comply with the requirements of the law by filling the forms as stipulated by law. The process is quite seamless and we have populated the forms, and we have also, in the presence of a notary public, executed the law as required. My administration shall be upholding these requirements for all public officers. It is mandatory and its not an option. As public servants, we are not left with any option, but to fill our CCB forms. We must abide by the provisions of the law. Prior to this, Mbah and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been at loggerheads over the issue of the governor-elects discharge certificate. Yishau Ahmed, director-general of the NYSC said the scheme is not responsible for the discharge certificate awarded to Mbah. The DG said he had met with Mbah saying, I was frank with him, and I told him this certificate is not from us. As a result of this, Mbah has sued the NYSC and Ibrahim Muhammad, the schemes director of certifications, for N20 billion for what he described as conspiracy, deceit, and misrepresentation of facts. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. The Azerbaijani Embassy in Hungary, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, organized a reception in Budapest on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day and the 100th anniversary of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, Trend reports. The event was attended by representatives of the Hungarian National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Defense, and other government agencies and the diplomatic corps accredited in Budapest, including the heads of diplomatic missions of more than 20 countries, members of the Azerbaijani diaspora, and Azerbaijani students studying in Hungary. In his opening speech, Ambassador Tahir Taghizade mentioned 2nd Prime Minister of Hungary Lajos Kossuth (1848-1849), who went down in the country's history as a revolutionary, and the reformist 4th Prime Minister Gyula Andrassy (1867-1871). Taghizade stressed that after the restoration of independence, Azerbaijan, under the leadership of such an outstanding personality as national leader Heydar Aliyev, thanks to his far-sighted policy which combined both approaches, was able to overcome the crisis, respond to the challenges of that period in the fields of politics, economy and security. Speaking about successful development of the strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary both on a bilateral and multilateral basis, the ambassador said that the official visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Hungary this year is an important step in this direction and a guarantee of further mutually beneficial cooperation. Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Sandor Lezsak, President of the International Foundation for Turkic Culture and Heritage Gunay Afandiyeva and First Deputy Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Fargan Novruzov also spoke at the reception. Lezsak congratulated Azerbaijan on Independence Day and the 100th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev. He expressed satisfaction with the high level of ties between Azerbaijan and Hungary. The MP shared his positive impressions of his recent visit to Azerbaijan. Fargan Novruzov informed about the multilateral activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation both within the country and abroad. He brought to the attention of the participants that under the leadership of the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, restoration work is being carried out in a number of European countries, as well as construction processes in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation plays an important role in promoting the political legacy of the great leader, Novruzov emphasized. Speaking about the indispensable role of Heydar Aliyev in the history of Azerbaijan, Gunay Afandiyeva noted the important merits of the great leader in the creation and development of the Azerbaijani statehood, informed the participants of the event about the activities of the International Foundation for Turkic Culture and Heritage. Then the members of the "Karabakh" folk music group under the leadership of the People's Artist of Azerbaijan Mansum Ibrahimov performed Azerbaijani songs. Besides, members of the "Seven Beauties" musical group, representing the Turkic states, performed under the guidance of the honored artist, conductor, composer and pianist Turan Manafzade. After the official reception, the guests tasted delicious dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine. The Senate has amended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) act increasing the ways and means borrowing threshold for the federal government. During an emergency session held on Saturday, the senate raised the limit from a 5 percent threshold to a maximum of 15 percent that the government can get from the CBN. Ways and means is a loan facility through which the CBN finances the governments budget shortfalls. The facility allows the government to borrow from the apex bank if it needs short-term or emergency finance to fund important projects. According to Ibrahim Gobir, senate leader, the amendment was necessary to enable the federal government to meet its immediate and future obligation in the approval of the ways and means by the national assembly and advances by the CBN. Mr President, my respected colleagues, permit me to lead the debate on this bill which seeks to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) act to increase the total CBN advances to the federal government from 5 percent to a maximum of 15 percent, Gobir said. The bill was read for the first time in this chamber on Wednesday, 24th May, -2023. The very essence of this bill my respected colleagues is to enable the federal government to meet its immediate and future obligation in the approval of the ways and means by the National Assembly and advances to the federal government by the Central Bank of Nigeria. This amendment is very consequential and it needs the support of us all. This is to enable the federal government to embark on very important projects that will inflate and rejig the economy. I, therefore, urge you all to support the passage of this bill. Section 38 of the CBN act, 2007, stipulates that the total amount of ways and means advances outstanding shall not at any time exceed 5 percent of the previous years actual revenue of the federal government. But the federal governments borrowings from the apex bank have repeatedly exceeded the 5 percent threshold. All advances shall be repaid as soon as possible and shall, in any event, be repayable by the end of the federal government financial year in which they are granted and if such advances remain unpaid at the end of the year, the power of the bank to grant such further advances in any subsequent year shall not be exercisable, unless the outstanding advances have been repaid, the act reads in part. The federal government unveiled Nigeria Air, the national carrier, on Friday in the countrys capital city. The unveiling ceremony was held at the airlines operation centre situated in the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja. Speaking at the event, Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, said the partnership with the Ethiopian Airlines (ET) consortium, the preferred bidder for Nigeria Air, will connect the market of both countries. Sirika said a demonstration flight would commence soon as part of the procedure to commence operations fully. This is one infrastructure that has been missing in general aviation in dynamics of the country; the airline that is equal to the size of dynamics of the market in Nigeria for its geography and fortune. Indeed, we do need the kind of infrastructure that we are having today in the name of Nigeria Air limited, he said. This Nigeria Air Limited is obviously an entity known to Nigerian laws and the partnership between entrepreneurs in Nigeria and entrepreneurs in the Ethiopia Airline consortium. The consortium is a company belonging to many partners and it is a very long journey that we started in 2016 and ended up today. There were challenges but we did not allow them to make us lose focus and today we are here. We pray that it will be good for our country, its people, its future, and humanity. Speaking on when the flight operations will commence, Sirika said in the process of establishing an airline, there are conditions set by the regulator which is the NCAA. So, this airplane will be here and we will commence the demonstration flight to show that we can do it. It is normally around 0-40 hours but it can be less. It can be five or even two hours and this is to ensure that we are able and have the capacity to do it, he said. So, I know the NCAA will give clean bills to start to fly. So, this is part of the process and it is the beginning of the establishment of the airline. The minister added that more aircraft are expected to arrive until the airline reaches the 35-aircraft mark in the next five years. It is envisaged that it will hit the 35 aircraft mark but you do not come in one day to dump the airplanes and you dont come in one day and start going to London. It is a gradual process and the aircraft will be coming one after another until the five years that we reach the 35 aircraft mark, he said. This is a private sector-led airline with only five percent and there is no stopping right by the government. So, Nigerians are welcome and I am sure the five percent will go to the public for sale at some point. He added that the airline will begin with local flights, saying it is a Boeing 737 capacity aircraft. NIGERIA AIR THE GENESIS In 2018, under the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Sirika unveiled the name and logo of the new national carrier. The minister had said the airline will have flights on 81 domestic, regional, and international routes. Sirika, in November 2021, said Nigeria Air would commence operations with three wet-leased aircraft. A wet-lease is an arrangement covering the hire of an aircraft, including the provision of a flight crew and sometimes fuel. Although the commencement of the airlines operation had missed the deadline several times, Sirika recently reiterated that the national carrier would fly before May 29. Meanwhile, domestic aviation firms, under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), had opposed the floating of the airline, saying a federal high court in Lagos had restrained the governments actions. The supreme court has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using social media to bully and terrorise justices. Inyang Okoro, justice of the supreme court, spoke on Friday while delivering judgment in an appeal filed by the PDP seeking to void the election of President-elect Bola Tinubu on the grounds that his running mate, Kashim Shettima, was guilty of double nomination. The five-member panel of the apex court dismissed the appeal and held that the appellant had no locus standi to institute the suit. Okoro held that the appellant tried to mislead the apex court by claiming that the lower court found that there was indeed a double nomination. The appellant stated to this court that the court below found that there was indeed double nomination and that the 4th respondent knowingly allowed himself to be nominated in two constituencies, Okoro said. I have searched the entirety of the record and indeed the judgement of the court below and there is no such finding. To think that learned senior counsel will mislead the court is sad. For public policy sake, I must state that indeed the 4th (Shettima) respondent withdrew from the nomination for Borno central district on the 6th of July 2022 exhibited as exhibit APC 1 on page 58 of the record of appeal. The political party sent to the INEC same 6th of July, 2022 the notice of withdrawal. The political party further sent on the 10th of July 2022, a notification of dates for the conduct of fresh primaries for the senatorial district and the latter letter exhibit APC2 on page 59 of the record carried the reference of Exhibit APC1. That is as at the 6th of July, 2022 there was no longer nomination of the 4th respondent for Borno central senatorial distict and there could not have been double nomination on the 14th of July 2022. Using the social media to terrorize and bully the justices of the supreme court by the appellant is appalling and unprofessional. The appeal is without merit and is dismissed. I abide by the award of cost in the lead judgement. The President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday took his successor and President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on a familiarisation tour of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Buhari and Tinubu arrived at the Press Gallery at around 1:18pm shortly after observing Jummat at the Aso Villa Mosque. This is the gallery where you will be meeting members of the press, Buhari told Tinubu as both men emerged from the waiting room of the Aso Chambers. This came barely 24 hours after the President conferred upon Tinubu the highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic and Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, at the State House Banquet Hall. On Thursday, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo took Shettima on a tour of the VP wing of the State House. Both leaders exchanged documents ahead of the official handover of power on Monday, May 29, 2023. However, the President-elect prayed for good health to lead the country. May God help me to carry the burden, to face the challenge, and keep me in good health to fulfill the dream and aspiration of millions of our people, Tinubu said after observing the Friday Jumaat prayers at the Presidential Villa mosque and touring the premises with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). Tinubu said his goal was to, amongst other things, kill corruption. That is a covenant that you have to really pursue. Other than that, why are you in politics? My own is not identity politics. Its not hunger or poverty politics. I have followed a man who has integrity, character and courage to say Nigerians we need to change and change we have to. Change our mindset, kill corruption in our society, he added. Tinubu urged Nigerians to support the All Progressives Congresss change agenda. He also spoke on his Renewed Hope agenda to revamp the economy, tackle security and poverty reduction, and what generally Nigerians should expect of him. Earlier, Buhari conducted the incoming President around his office building and other affiliated offices including the Executive Council Chamber, Tea Room and the State House Banquet Hall. Buhari however said it was an honour and privilege to serve the nation as he wished the incoming President success. Tinubu had joined the President for Jumaat at the Mosque as part of programmes to mark Mondays inauguration. According to a statement by Tinubus media officer, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Buhari invited the President-elect to join him in his last public prayer session at the State House Mosque. Among those who observed the Jumaat with them were former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.); Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Shehu Garba, and some other presidential aides. The statement added, Muslim prayers and interdenominational Christian service were scheduled for Friday and Sunday respectively. While the two events were billed to hold at the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, similar prayer sessions were planned all over the country. The events will climax on Monday, May 29 when the former Lagos governor takes the oath of office as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At the well-attended prayer session at the National Mosque, President-elect Tinubu was represented by vice-president-elect, Senator Shettima. At both mosques, Imams prayed for the success of the incoming administration and supplicated for Allahs guidance for Tinubu and his deputy to steer the ship of the country to a greater destination. They also admonished Muslim faithful to constantly remember their leaders and the country in prayers as enjoined by Islam. Keyamo hails President Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has hailed the Buhari regime, saying it did its best for workers between 2015 and 2023, even though some labour unions have accused the regime of treating workers poorly. Keyamo, who spoke in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja, said, President Buhari raised the minimum wage and did not downsize the civil service despite two recessions and the Covid-19 pandemic. He also ensured that civil servants were not owed salaries. Members of staff of the Government House and other political appointees were moved to tears as Governor Muhammad Badaru left the Government House on Friday after the state valedictory executive council meeting. Recall that the Governor had dissolved his cabinet ahead of the 29th May inauguration of new administration. In a momentous event marking the end of his era and the beginning of a new administration, Governor Mohammed Badaru formally presented the handover documents to his successor, Alhaji Umar Namadi, at a ceremony held at the Jigawa State Government House. Governor Badaru reiterated his commitment to ensure a seamless transition to the incoming government. It is with great honour and humility that I present these handover documents to the Governor-elect, Alhaji Umar Namadi. As we transition from one administration to another, we must maintain stability and ensure the well-being of our people. I have full confidence in Alhaji Namadis leadership abilities, and I pledge my unwavering support during this transition period, he said. He appreciates the members of his executive council, political appointees, civil servants, and the people of the state for their support and cooperation. It was observed that some of the executive council members, appointees, and staff in the government House were shedding tears as the Governor bid them farewell. It was learnt however that the Governor would not be present during the inauguration as he may travel to Saudi Arabia, as the 2023 state Amiril-Hajj. Governor-elect, Umar Namadi, in his response, expressed his gratitude to the Governor for his dedication and service to Jigawa State. He promised to build on the successes of the past administration and introduce innovative policies that will enhance the lives of the citizens A version of this story was originally published in 2020 and has been updated. The Jersey Shore is back to normal three years ago, those words seemed impossible to fathom. A former caseworker for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families has pleaded guilty to making sexual advances against women he was investigating, exploiting his position of power by pressuring them for sex, the Attorney General said. Gilberto Ortiz, 53, of Woodbury, pleaded guilty in Camden County Superior Court to one of five counts of second-degree misconduct contained in the indictment against him, the office said. Under the plea agreement, the prosecutor will recommend a five-year prison sentence with no parole eligibility when Ortiz is sentenced on July 14. He is also barred for life from holding any public office or employment in New Jersey. This defendant deliberately targeted vulnerable women who feared coming forward because of the perceived control he had over their families and children, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement. He tried to exploit his position of power and capitalize on the difficult circumstances in their lives. These victims are now seeing a measure of justice after being subjected to this criminal behavior, which was antithetical to this defendants role as a public servant. As Jersey Citys mayor runs for the New Jersey governorship, his successor in City Hall in a few years might just be a former governor himself. Former Gov. Jim McGreevey is being encouraged by several people, including state Sen. Brian Stack, to run for Jersey City mayor in 2025, according to the New Jersey Globe, a political blog run by former political operative David Wildstein. Stack told the Globe that he would support a McGreevey run and devote any resources or assistance I can provide which is considerable since the Union City mayor/state senator is seen as one of the top get-out-the-vote guys in the state. McGreevey and Stack did not respond for comment to The Jersey Journal on a potential run. Ill be there day and night for him to make sure he gets elected if Gov. McGreevey decides to run, Stack told NJGlobe. Should McGreevey, who was born in Jersey City, decide to run, it would mark the beginning of a political comeback after serving as governor from 2002 to 2004. A scandal involving an extramarital affair with an advisor promoted him to resign from office. The mayors office of the states second-largest city will be wide open after Fulop declined to run for a fourth term and is now seeking higher office in Trenton. And the field of potential candidates is growing. Other possible candidates for mayor include Council President Joyce Watterman, Councilman James Solomon, Hudson County Board of Commissioners members Bill ODea and Jerry Walker, and former Jersey City school board President Mussab Ali. Before rising to the governorship, McGreevy also served in the state Legislature as an assemblyman and later state senator in the 1990s, and as the mayor of Woodbridge from 1992 to 2002. Years after leaving the governors office following the scandal, McGreevey was appointed by Fulop in 2013 to run the Jersey City Employment and Training Program, a now-closed non-profit that had provided job training and prisoner re-entry services. He was then fired from his position in 2019 after a messy dispute with Fulop over the non-profit, and unsubstantiated allegations that he mismanaged millions of dollars to benefit the New Jersey Reentry Corp. (NJRC), an organization that he founded. McGreevey has denied any allegations of fiscal mismanagement, citing numerous annual audits. McGreevey has been lauded for his work with the NJRC, which has included new programs like one that trains priests on how to identify addicts and refer them to treatment services so they get help within 48 hours. He also created the Summer Training Institute, providing 175 court-involved young adults ages 18-25 the opportunity to undergo significant job training and industry-recognized credentialization this summer. The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton police are investigating the fatal shooting of a reputed leader of the Bloods street gang on Friday night. Sharief Treadwell, a self-described four-star general of the Trenton Gangsta Killa Bloods sect, died after being shot in the area of Oakland and Hoffman streets. Trenton police were alerted to shots fired around 8:42 p.m, and spotted a car careening down Hoffman Street, smashing into several parked cars, the Mercer County Prosecutors Office said. Treadwell, 36, was shot multiple times, the prosecutors office said. Police officers rendered first aid to the victim, and he was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. So far, there have been no arrests. The Mercer County Homicide Task Force asks anyone with information to contact Detective Elijah Phillips at (609) 414-2006 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org. Treadwell was twice charged with attempted murder for his alleged involvement in shootings, once in 2006 and again in 2014. But the charges were dismissed both times. In the second incident, Treadwell and three accomplices were accused of engaging in a shootout with rival gang members in a courtyard on Coolidge Avenue in Trenton. No one was injured, although authorities said a mother and her seven-year-old narrowly escaped the barrage of bullets. Treadwell fled and was captured days later by a SWAT team in Falls Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was initially held on $50 million bail by Pennsylvania authorities before being extradited to New Jersey. Treadwell and an alleged accomplice were indicted on attempted murder and weapons possession charges in 2015. Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter. A Bergen County man is accused of fleeing on foot after hitting an 11-year-old boy with his car in Seaside Heights on Friday, authorities said. Giancarlos Fernandez, 19, faces charges of assault by auto and fleeing the scene of an accident, prosecutors in Ocean County said in a statement. Authorities say Fernandez was driving west on Freemont Avenue when his 2012 Infinity G37 collided with the boy, who was riding a bicycle. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. An employee of a construction company was injured as a result of an ordnance explosion in Azerbaijan's Tartar district, the Barda regional group of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told Trend. According to the group, a resident of the Neftchala district Mansim Asgarov, born in 1986, who worked in one of the construction companies in the area of the Tartar district's Chayli village (liberated from Armenian occupation in the 2020 second Karabakh war), was injured in his left hand as a result of an explosion of ordnance in the territory during work in the construction of the canal. He was hospitalized. The matter is under investigation. Following the liberation of its lands, Azerbaijan from Nov. 2020 started carrying out operations on clearing its lands of mines, booby traps, and various weapons left behind by the Armenian troops. The estimates done following the end of the war, have shown that 304 Azerbaijani citizens have become victims of the mines, 57 of the citizens were killed, and 247 were injured. A judge sentenced a Bergnen County man on Thursday for fatally stabbing a 39-year-old in a hotel in Elizabeth, officials said. Javan Johnson, 32, of Bergenfield, was sentenced to 25 years in state prison for aggravated manslaughter in connection to the death of Marlon Pantin, 39, of Brooklyn, New York, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said Friday. Early in the morning on March 21, 2022, Elizabeth Police Department officers responded to the Country Inn & Suites at 100 International Drive, officials said. Officers found Pantin, who had sustained injuries after being stabbed, prosecutors said. A judge sentenced a Plainfield man for the 2021 shooting of an Amazon delivery driver, officials said Friday. Quahif Lane, 28, is sentenced to 25 years in state prison for aggravated manslaughter, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said. Judge Stacy Boretz sentenced Lane. He must serve at least 85% of that sentence, or 21 years and three months, before being eligible for parole. Seaside Heights beloved carousel could reopen as early as next month after spending the last few summers in Ohio getting a meticulous makeover. Saving the 113-year-old Dr. Floyd L. Moreland Dentzel-Looff Carousel and its 53 hand-carved and painted horses has included a legal battle, fundraising and advocacy from community members. The Jersey Shore attraction, which first moved to Seaside Heights in 1932, gave its last ride in 2019 before being carefully dismantled and shipped off to Carousels and Carvings, a restoration firm in Marion, Ohio. Now, nearly four years later, officials in the Ocean County borough are expecting to have the refurbished carousel delivered and reassembled in time for part of Seaside Heights summer season. We anticipate that the carousel will be delivered back to us sometime in June, said Seaside Heights administrator Christopher Vaz. It will take three to four weeks to reassemble the carousel at its new home a $2.6 million pavilion and museum space constructed on the north end of the boardwalk, Vaz said. The carousel, built in 1910 by acclaimed amusement artisans William Dentzel and Charles Looff, used to be housed at the boardwalk arcade north of Grant Avenue and opposite the Casino Pier amusement park. Experts say it is one of about 150 vintage carousels still operating around the country. Long before the borough took possession of the attraction in 2014, its former owners, the Fitzgerald and Wynn families, planned to auction off its antique horses to collectors. Attempts to sell off the carousel were stopped in 1980 by Floyd Moreland, a former professor of classics and graduate school dean at the City University of New York. He convinced the owners to take the carousel off the market and let him restore it. In the 1980s, Floyd L. Moreland led a volunteer restoration of a beloved carousel in Seaside Heights.David Gard | For NJ Advamce Media Decades later, the carousel came into Seaside Heights possession after a controversial trade in 2014 with the attractions then-owner, the Storino family, which owns Casino Pier. In the midst of financial troubles after Hurricane Sandy, Casino Pier gave Seaside Heights the attraction which was appraised at over $2 million. In return, Casino Pier received 1.36 acres of borough-owned beach. The trade, proposed by the borough, prompted a lawsuit from a business owner and environmental groups who questioned the fairness of the deal. But, those challenges came to an end in 2019 when the state Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in the case. A $750,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust, another $750,000 grant from the state Green Acres Local Assistance Program and private fundraising led by the boroughs historical society have helped fund the $3.5 million project. Restoration of the carousel was a specialized job that involved restoring the rides century-old mechanics, which control its bobbing and circular motions, and refurbishing the chipping paint. The Ohio shop completing the work is the only carousel manufacturer to offer all that is necessary to build or restore a complete carousel in one location, according to its website. Though the restoration is nearly complete, borough officials said a few more hurdles remain before the carousel is fully open to the public. New Jersey law requires all amusement rides to get inspected before they can operate. It is unclear when the carousels inspection will be complete, borough officials said. Were kind of going to be at the mercy of the state in terms of when they can do the inspection and get that done for us, Vaz said. Also, because the motor and mechanics of the carousel are new, the borough has been advised by Carousels and Carvings to have a break in period, so that the attraction can be tested before being fully open to the public, officials said. An official grand opening date will be announced once inspections are done, Vaz said. Over the next year, borough officials will be working on adding artifacts and finalizing the other details for the museum created next to the pavilion. Borough officials are looking forward to getting the first riders on the newly-revitalized carousel. The ride will have a brighter appearance and smoother mechanics and big change that many of its long-time fans may notice. The 53 horses and five other animals on the ride remain the same, but one of the carousels two chariots has been made accessible for the disabled. A person will be able to roll onto the deck on a ramp and secure themselves behind one of the chariots, Vaz said. We are pretty happy that were doing that because it opens up the experience to many more people, especially children that are in wheelchairs. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Staff writer Steve Strunsky contributed to this report. I remember that warning siren blaring in the classrooms and hallways of my elementary school. This sound meant that my classmates and I should duck and take cover underneath our wooden desks. Our teacher would get on her knees, crouch and cover her head with her hands. Why? To protect ourselves from a possible atomic bomb attack from the Soviet Union of course. Even as a kid, I wondered how hunkering under my desk would save me from a bomb that could decimate a country. At least when we had fire drills we left the building and that seemed to make sense. The desk drill was far from life-saving, but I suppose it gave adults a psychological sense of control over outside forces. Its a very different world since I went to elementary school in the 70s, one that seems to eclipse the threat of the USSR because the bad guys are here with us, in our cities and our towns. Dont miss an issue of our Opinion newsletter! Get it delivered each Wednesday right into your inbox by adding your email below and hitting "subscribe." Dr. Khadijah Costley White, a professor of Journalism at Rutgers University-New Brunswick has explored the effect that active shooter drills have on children and their adult counterparts in a project she created titled Lockdown Culture, which was endowed with a fellowship from the Whiting Foundation. In response to acts of gun violence, schoolchildren may have to duck and cover, hide in closets, fight back or even jump out windows. The ramifications of these drills in preparation for potential violence can come with a high cost to their mental health. Instead of writing a paper, White thought about how she could share her research with the public. She began by interviewing 20 former and current teachers, students, and parents about lockdown drills and transformed that data into a multimedia installation to punctuate her findings. She erected five booths which looked like large closets and installed lights and audio recordings of interviews with students who had experienced active shooter drills. Her installation is currently at the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center. Claustrophobic makeshift closets were used to simulate the feeling of being trapped in a small space. Once inside the dark box, audio recordings of students and teachers who have had to perform these drills allowed the audience to hear their thoughts and uneasiness around both the stressful participation in these drills and the lingering notion that one day the drill could be a reality.Ande Richards |NJ Advance Media for NJ.com When we talk about gun violence in schools, the only solutions that we often hear in the media are solutions are either children fighting a gunman or more police or arming teachers, White said. Like, is this the idea? Warfare? Are we proposing that we turn schools into war zones as opposed to really thinking about the root issue how do we get guns out of peoples hands? Metal detectors, armed guards, and active-shooter lockdown drills are now commonplace. But these changes in school security are often at odds with a healthy learning environment, contributing instead to a culture of fear and anxiety. White says a school security guard visited the exhibit and he told her there was an incident in the neighborhood and the police locked down the school until 7 p.m. That meant the children could not go home, eat or leave the classroom to use the bathroom. Juliet Herndon is a mother of two. She brought her 6-year-old son who attends the South Mountain Elementary School in South Orange with her to the Lockdown Culture exhibit. There was one booth that was like super sensory overload, Herndon said. Where they repeat over and over in a loud voice This is a drill, exit the building and there is an intense bright red light. We didnt make it through the end of the whole presentation in that booth because it was just too much for us. You know, it was so intense. Herndon says the thing that stuck out to her was imagining that kids are listening to this and the impact it would have on them. In another booth, children recounted their experiences. It was heartbreaking to hear what our kids are going through, she said. These drills are proven to be ineffective and actually dont prevent any school shootings. So its like were spending all this time and resources on something that isnt going to be helpful in the end right? May 24, 2023, marked the one-year anniversary of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas where 17 children and two teachers were killed by a local teen. As news of school shootings continues to break with agonizing frequency across the country, school districts have taken measures they claim will keep students safe.Ande Richards |NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The installation is a thought-provoking piece of art and it is both educational and an opportunity for advocacy, said Sally Unsworth, the head of arts and culture for Maplewood Township. I also have young kids who are part of what is I think the epidemic of drill culture. She says when she first went through the exhibition it jolted her. It drives home the reality of the fear of experiencing those drills when there are not any real peer-reviewed studies on the effect of those drills on kids. She says the noise surprised her, and the idea that children are not being told they are in a practice drill. Youre not prepared to hear that its not actually happening, she said. That was the experience my son had in kindergarten. He wasnt told on the first drill of the school year that it wasnt real. The teacher didnt want to say there was a bad person in the school because they were so young. So she told them that there was a wild animal loose in the school. She says her son told her about the drill and she explained it wasnt real. He was more upset that his teacher lied to him, she said. So now hes lost trust in her. How does that help if theres an emergency? Unsworth says the adults need to be ready. They need to go through simulations and need to practice and train but a kindergartener does not need to be in fear during a drill. They need to be reassured and that is not happening in these practice situations. White says drills start in preschool and maybe even in daycare in New Jersey. She wants her installation to be experienced by people who make decisions about conducting these drills in schools shed love to see her work at the statehouse in Trenton. As a parent, these drills terrify me because I have a son whos autistic, she said. Hes kindergarten age, four years old. And when these drills happen they treat every child as if they are all the same, that they all have the same background, that they can all handle, you know, changes in the classroom and loud noises and hiding in dark rooms. I think were harming kids. And so as a parent, I was trying to imagine what this is, what this experience means to kids who are going to be dealing with it for the next 12 years of their lives. What that will be like for them? Lockdown Culture is on display at the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center, 1978 Springfield Ave. in Maplewood through the holiday weekend including Memorial Day. Khadijah Costley White Ph.D. is the 2020-2021 Whiting Foundation public engagement fellow and a professor of Journalism at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Ande Richards wants to hear from New Jerseys communities of color, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ communities, and those who feel underserved by traditional media. She may be reached at arichards@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anderichards. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. NEW YORK When Aaron Judge approached rookie Randy Vasquez in the Yankees clubhouse after Friday nights 5-1 loss to the Padres, the captain did more than just congratulate the pitching prospect on making his MLB debut. Judge issued an apology on behalf of the Yankees offense, a lineup that failed to provide the right-hander with any run support while he held his own against San Diegos star-studded lineup. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. The goal is to transform Azerbaijan into a country with a clean environment and green energy, the country's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said during a meeting with the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar (renewable energy company) Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Trend reports. Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov held a number of meetings in the UAE. During the meetings, which were also attended by SOCAR (State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan) President Rovshan Najaf, an exchange of views took place on the prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. During the talks with Al Jaber, the minister informed him about implemented projects for the efficient use of energy and the creation of new sustainable energy sources. The great potential of Azerbaijan in the field of creating alternative energy sources was noted, as well as the fact that the country successfully cooperates with Masdar in this field. It was highlighted that the diversification of energy production through renewable sources is one of the main goals, and cooperation with the company will contribute to the implementation of the country's priorities in the field of sustainable and clean energy. In turn, Al Jaber spoke about the activities of Masdar, and its experience in various countries and expressed satisfaction with the cooperation with Azerbaijan. He also emphasized that the favorable geographical location, potential, and developed infrastructure of the country create conditions for expanding cooperation. Furthermore, the meeting issues of successful economic ties between the two countries, projects on oil and gas production (upstream) and petrochemistry (downstream), as well as the expansion of cooperation in the transportation of hydrocarbon resources (midstream) and the production of green energy were discussed. At the same time, during the visit, a meeting was held with Ahmed al Shamsi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company. During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on the importance of efficient use of resources in the face of new economic challenges, a favorable investment climate created in Azerbaijan, and opportunities for cooperation with the country in applying innovative mechanisms for sustainable development. Comedian Shep Kelly says she was gay before arrival of all the letters LGBTQIA+. But she also was caught by surprise by some of the new terms. I was asked by somebody at work if I was transitioning, and I thought I had been fired, Kelly says. That used to be what they meant when they said someone was making a transition. Kelly still has a day job where she avoids the pronoun they to make sure no-one else is getting credit for her work, she says with a laugh but she keeps busy on the New Orleans comedy scene, hosting a few monthly and weekly shows and performing as many as eight times in a typical week. On Saturday, shes headlining a showcase at the LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest, which runs June 1-4 at local venues. This is the first full iteration of the comedy festival. Founder Ryan Rogers threw together a one-day event on short notice last year at Comedy House New Orleans. Unfortunately, they accidentally scheduled the shows on the same day as the New Orleans Pride parade, Rogers says. But when they filled the club for most of the sets, he and his husband decided they could develop it into a full-fledged festival. It also fills a need, Rogers says. There are less than five queer comedy festivals in the nation, he says. What better place to have one than in a city that champions free expression to a fault? The festival features mostly standup from more than 30 touring and local comics, plus some drag performers as well as open-mic opportunities. Each of the five Big Night Out showcases at Comedy House is topped by an extended set by one of the headliners, including Kelly, Rogers, Nashvilles Amber Autry, Colton Dowling from Austin, Texas, and L.G. Gray from Little Rock, Arkansas. Drag performer Laveau Contraire and comedian Kechi Chibueze host Funny But Make It Fashion at the AllWays Lounge at 10:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, and comedian Roman Ellis hosts GloryHole XXX there at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3. The closing event is the Oops! All Allies showcase at festival sponsor NOLA Brewing Co., and a panel of queer comics will roast the performers afterward. Rogers is a regular performer at Comedy House New Orleans, and he hosts several events at other venues, including Raw Dog, the weekly Friday night open mic at the Ugly Dog Saloon. Hes giving his regular shows a queer focus for the festival. Raw Dog Comedy Goes Gay is at 8 p.m. Friday, June 2, at the Ugly Dog. Rogers also does a monthly show at the Virgin Hotels called Cherry!, which focuses on stories about first times. The festival edition of Cherry! is at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 4. Rogers left a job with Google and a career in advertising a couple of years ago to get his start in comedy. He grew up on the West Bank, attended Brother Martin and took visual art classes at NOCCA. After attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he jumped into a career in advertising, which came naturally to him. A few years ago, at the same time as he got sober, he decided to try comedy. He drew from material he had written for a blog about dating experiences and went onstage at the open mic at Raw Dog, the show he now hosts. Hes been developing the blog material into a live show concept hes done locally. Called ExBoyfriend Material, he gets comics or audience members to share their worst dating stories onstage. He also released an album, She is Me, on Spotify, Apple and other streaming platforms. Kelly hosts events including the All-Star Comedy Sheaux with comics, poets and rappers at Hi-Ho Lounge, and Shut Yeaux Ass Up at Bar Redux. Kelly got her start in comedy clubs in Washington, D.C., where she lived after leaving the Army. She was convinced to give comedy a try by comedians at a club in her neighborhood and eventually became a regularly booked performer. She moved to New Orleans in 2016 and networked with Black women comedians including Geneva Joy and joined the Black Girl Giggles shows they put together during the Essence Festival of Culture. Rogers says New Orleans comedy scene has developed to reflect the diversity of the city in terms of race and gender. But he tours and doesnt necessarily look for LGBTQ-friendly venues. I dont feel challenged by any room I go into, whether its incredibly rural and conservative or a big weekly show at Oz, he says. I know I have to modulate a little. Sometimes Ill let them know, Listen, were going to cover a lot of ground. Were gonna talk about mental health, marriage and addiction, but its all going to be very gay. If thats not what you want, if youre good, Ill do suicide jokes. Some of the harder hitting dark stuff, they are with me for that." Rogers says he was fortunate to grow up in a very supportive family, and he hopes the festival can provide a similar sort of welcoming environment for performers and audiences. I think everyone deserves that, he says. I am trying to take that support I have from my own family, and the family of comedians I hang out with I am trying to take that spirit and put it on blast. I am trying to boost the signal. We know this is a tough time. For tickets and information, visit lgbtlol.com. Festival and day passes also are available. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. Iran has started developing the Iran-Iraq Sohrab joint oil field (called Huwaiza in Iraq), Iranian Deputy Oil Minister and the CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), Mohsen Khojasteh Mehr told reporters on May 8, Trend reports citing ILNA. The CEO said that overall, $800 million is planned to be spent on the development of the field. Sohrab oil field (called Huwaiza in Iraq) is a joint oil field between Iran and Iraq. By developing this field, Iran intends to extract 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day and a total of 160 million barrels of crude oil within 20 years. Taking into account the price of each barrel of crude oil at $50, Iran plans to earn a total of $8 billion in revenue from this field within 20 years. On February 6, 2023, a contract on the development of the Sohrab oil field was signed between the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and Iran's Dana Energy Company. Meanwhile, Khojasteh Mehr also briefly spoke on the development of the Arash (Dorra) gas field. "It is expected that relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will be fully normalized in the near future. After that, it can be possible to start discussions about the mentioned gas field," Khojasteh Mehr said. In 2022 Kuwait signed a document with Saudi Arabia to develop the field, which is expected to produce 1 billion standard cubic feet per day of gas and 84,000 barrels per day of condensates. Iran said that the signed document was "illegal" since Tehran also has a share in the field and must be included in any action to operate and develop the field. The gas field is located in the Persian Gulf. The field reportedly contains 20 trillion cubic feet (about 600 billion cubic meters) of gas and about 310 million barrels of oil. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @BaghishovElnur Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The Art Barn School of Art outside Valparaiso is exhibiting the work of an award-winning photographer. The art school and gallery at 695 N 400 E is showing "Waterdrops" by Norman Turner. It features images that depict the fluidity and form of water droplets. "Turner, an award-winning photographer native to Lake County, has traveled to 42 of 50 states to photograph landscapes, lighthouses and most recently a unique series of waterdrop images," Art Barn School of Art Executive Director Art Amy Davis Navardauskas said. "As two-time winner of the Michiana Photographers Photographer of the Year Award, he leads several workshops on photo adventures and offers tutoring in his free time." The exhibit at the Art Barn School of Art runs through June 29. "His images have been featured in many articles, and have been exhibited and sold in art galleries throughout northern Indiana, eastern Illinois and southern Michigan," she said. "Norman Turner's work has been exhibited at Art Barn previously during group exhibitions such as the annual Juried Art Exhibition and showings of Duneland Photography Club member work." Art Barn School of Art is located in a barn on a 69-acre farm in Porter County. It seeks to foster a love of the arts, offering exhibits and classes on art-making for kids and adults. It will host its annual gala at Valparaiso University on June 10 and its annual Art Blitzefestival on Sept. 16. For more information, visit artbarnschool.org, email info@artbarnschool.org or call 219-462-9009. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. PORTAGE A 44-year-old Illinois man was ordered by a Porter County judge Friday to have no contact with a 15-year-old Portage-area boy he is accused of meeting and having sex with in a local hotel room. Jason Hammer of Darien made an initial appearance in Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer's courtroom on two felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, felony contributing to the delinquency of a minor and felony possession of child pornography. Hammer, who appeared with defense attorney Adam Tavitas, waived formal reading of the charges. He was required to sign a no-contact order, prohibiting him from having contact with the boy while his criminal case proceeds. A Porter County police detective said he was called out March 31, when the father reported waking up around 3 a.m. and discovering his son sneaking back into his bedroom through an open window. The father reportedly found a Snapchat message on his son's phone describing sex between the boy and a man named Jason, and where they intended to meet, police said. They also spoke about having shared explicit photos. The boy reportedly told police he met Hammer on a mobile dating application and switched to Snapchat so they could swap photos. He said he did not know Hammer's full name. The boy said he sneaked out his bedroom window and met up with Hammer at a nearby park, according to a charging document. Hammer, who was driving a BMW, reportedly took the boy to a Valparaiso hotel where they spent a few hours having sex before the boy returned home around 3 a.m. The boy said that while he claimed on the dating app to be 16, he told Hammer he was 15, police said. "Jason replied, 'I was expecting there to be a whole bunch of cops here'," the boy told police. He also said Hammer withdrew $40 from a bank machine and provided it to him to purchase marijuana and alcohol. Police said they obtained Hammer's identity from hotel records and located sexually explicit messages on the boy's cellphone. Police traveled to Hammer's office in Downers Grove, Illinois, but he was not on site, a court document says. Hammer called back later and reportedly admitted to communicating with the boy on the dating app. Prosecutors and defense agreed to a bond for Hammer of $10,000 surety and $5,000 cash, records show. He has bonded out of the Porter County Jail. Clymer set a trial for Oct. 9, with preliminary hearings July 28 and Sept. 8. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. MUNSTER Munster High School will be the first inductee to the David Adams Hall of Fame, a new hall dedicated to student journalism and free speech, the Indiana High School Press Association announced this week. The hall, named for the former Indiana University student media director and fierce student rights advocate, will honor one school every year that promotes and protects First Amendment freedoms within the school and community, IHSPA said. Adams died in 2007. MHS's student media department is led by English teacher Sarah-Anne Lanman and includes Crier, the student newspaper, and Paragon, the school's yearbook. The judge this year was Ruth Witmer, editorial adviser for IU student media and longtime colleague of Adams. She said she was impressed with MHS's commitment to the First Amendment, press freedom, media law and ethics, and having the student voice front and center. "The degree to which Munster is tackling the kinds of stories that would need advice from the Student Press Law Center, an organization where Adams served, is in itself striking," Witmer wrote in her evaluation. "The students in Munster are covering stories on mental health, race, sexual assault, gun violence, free speech and more. These students at the Crier and Paragon fully embrace the responsibilities and challenges of covering their community." For this honor, MHS will receive $250 for its student media department, plaques for the schools main office and journalism classroom, and permanent recognition on the IHSPA website. "Its been maintained by holding fast to the things that make media organizations strong, trusted and indispensable: independence, integrity, fairness, attention to stakeholders, accuracy and courage in seeking and reporting the truth in storytelling," Witmer wrote. "Dave Adams, this honors namesake, would be proud of the student media program at Munster High School." GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Assistant Fire Chief John Daly delivers his message at the Valparaiso Memorial Day ceremony Friday at Foundation Meadows Park. VALPARAISO For 20 years, Jim Spanopolous has been reading the names of people who died in active duty. Whenever the Navy veteran comes to Valparaiso's Service Memorial, he thinks about the time he spent on an aircraft carrier in Vietnam. "We lost about 18 pilots ... they knew they might die, but they still volunteered," he said. And its important to thank those who have served, especially around Memorial Day. The Valparaiso Service Memorial, in a quiet corner of Foundation Meadows Park, was creation by the Valpo Parks Foundation in 2003. The space features a Duty and Sacrifice wall with 164 named etched into it, honoring Valparaiso-area residents who died while serving in World War I, World War II and the wars in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq/Afghanistan. "Memorial Day calls on Americans to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who gave their lives to protect others," Mayor Matt Murphy said during the service Friday morning. "Today we will read those names with gratitude and honor." Valpo Parks Director John Seibert said the service memorial was created to give visitors a peaceful place to reflect. He said the wall was intentionally placed next to a playground so "parents and kids will wander over here and say 'What is this?' and then have a conversation about what it means." Next to the Duty and Sacrifice wall are a Charity wall, a Hope wall and a Friendship wall. Each stone slab features quotes from Valparaiso middle schoolers. When the memorial was created in 2003, middle schoolers were asked the write essays about duty, sacrifice, charity, hope and friendship. The bricks surrounding the walls are etched with the names of veterans, teachers, doctors, public safety officers, volunteers and neighbors. People can honor a friend or loved one with a brick for $80. Seibert said almost 700 bricks have been engraved. Assistant Fire Chief Jon Daly was Friday's keynote speaker. The Marine Corps veteran explained that Memorial Day was initially known as Decoration Day and started in 1868, just three years after the end of the Civil War. Daly urged attendees to also honor the families of the fallen during Memorial Day. "Sometimes it's hard to truly understand the sacrifice they made for us. But, if you've ever gone to a military funeral, it won't take long," he said. "When the uniformed service member presents the United States burial flag to the family, you won't be able to catch your breath, your stomach sinks, and you'll barely be able to stand. It's such a high honor, but it will leave you heartbroken and numb." Spanopolous was raised in a big family on the east side of Gary; he moved to Valparaiso in 1967. This weekend, he and his siblings will return to Gary to decorate their parents' graves. Seibert said he hopes Valparaiso's early Memorial Day service will remind people "that along with all the barbecues and fun events," the federal holiday is a time for reflection. PHOTOS: Valpo's 2023 Memorial Day ceremony Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance Valparaiso Parks Department Memorial Day Observance LaRoccas writing is as lush as a baroque painting. A strawberry rhubarb pie is a human artery in full bloom, and a woman under Crowleys spell feels her body hardening like cooling beeswax. But LaRoccas true talent lies in his ability to bring his readers into the lives of his characters a mothers desperation to help her blind child; a widowers mourning; a gay couples fight against discrimination. Its through such explorations that readers can enter other lives, and feel empathy for those who are like us, and those who are not. That, LaRoccas novel seems to argue, is the point of fiction to crack open the shell of otherness and explore all thats inside. LaRoccas talent is even more pronounced in his story collection, THE TREES GREW BECAUSE I BLED THERE (Titan, 204 pp., $19.95). The short-story form, by definition an act of compression, distills LaRoccas vision to its essence. The stories collected here are by turns confident, brutal and breathtaking. On May 6, at the age of 74, Charles III was crowned king of England. A few weeks later, at 73, Martin Amis died at his home in Florida. One event seemed almost comically belated, the other tragically premature. Charles took over the family business well past normal retirement age, while Amis was denied the illustrious dotage that great writers deserve. Its hard to accept either one of them as old. The point of princes is that theyre young; Amis, much like the former Prince of Wales, had enjoyed (or endured) a decades-long career as a dauphin. These near-contemporaries, who once argued at a dinner party about the persecution of Salman Rushdie, shared a curious generational destiny. They were forever sons, defined and sometimes overshadowed by famous parents, dynastic heirs trying to figure out how to be self-made men. Amis, whose father, Kingsley (1922-95), was a very famous novelist, once described himself as the only hereditary novelist in the Anglophone literary corpus. We all know about Charless family. He and Martin were the leading nepo babies of the British baby boom. Written and narrated by Kalia Richardson Follow our live updates for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons impeachment proceedings. A decade ago, in a courthouse north of Dallas, a lawyer forgot his $1,000 Montblanc pen in a metal detector tray and returned to find that it had been taken. A review of surveillance footage turned up the culprit: Ken Paxton, who was a Texas state senator. A few years later, Mr. Paxton, by then the states attorney general, suffered a more serious political blow when he was indicted on charges of securities fraud. Then in 2020, several of his most senior staff members at the attorney general's office accused him of bribery, corruption and abuse of office. Mr. Paxton has managed to survive it all, in large part because of the key role he has played as one of the most aggressive figures in the conservative legal movement. His challenges to the Obama and Biden administrations and his willingness to contest the results of the 2020 election garnered him the loyalty of Republican primary voters and the endorsement, during his re-election to a third term last year, of former President Donald J. Trump. Ken Paxton has served as the tip of the spear on so many of the legal fights about which conservatives care, whether its immigration or holding the big tech monopolists accountable, said Mike Davis, a former chief counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee and the founder of the Article III Project, a nonprofit that promotes and defends conservative judges. He described Mr. Paxtons style as legal warfare. As Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida begins his presidential bid, officials in his administration have solicited donations from lobbyists and endorsements from lawmakers in the state, blurring the line between his taxpayer-funded office and his political campaign. The outreach by the governors office, which would normally fall to Mr. DeSantiss campaign staff, was described by two people who said they were approached by administration officials and who insisted on anonymity. In at least one case, a member of Mr. DeSantiss administration sent a text message to a lobbyist with a link to his presidential fund-raising platform. NBC News first reported the solicitations to the lobbyists. The people who were approached discussed the conversations only on the condition of anonymity, out of fear of reprisals by the governors office, and insisted that the government officials not be named so as to avoid revealing their own identities. Representatives for Mr. DeSantiss office and campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Mr. DeSantis has yet to sign Floridas $117 billion budget, over which he retains a line-item veto meaning he can, with the stroke of a pen, eliminate spending projects sought by lobbyists and legislators in Tallahassee, the capital, where he has exerted firm control over the Republican-controlled Legislature. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida escalated his hostilities with former President Donald J. Trump on Friday, arguing that his Republican presidential rival was weak on crime and immigration, and accusing him of ceding critical decision-making during the coronavirus pandemic to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci. In an appearance with the conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, Mr. DeSantis accused Mr. Trump, the G.O.P. front-runner, of moving left on criminal justice and immigration issues after winning over the partys base in 2015 and 2016. He pledged that he would repeal what is known as the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice measure signed into law by Mr. Trump in 2018 that expanded early-release programs and modified sentencing laws, including mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders. He enacted a bill, basically a jailbreak bill, Mr. DeSantis said. It has allowed dangerous people out of prison who have now reoffended and really, really hurt a number of people. In a room hung with empathetic black-and-white photographic portraits for her retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Judith Joy Ross, frail-looking and white-haired, was recently taking pictures for her next series. Posing a guard in front of her old-fashioned wooden view camera, she chattered on in an obscenity-laced monologue about her ineptitude. Seemingly to herself, she said, I have no idea what Im doing. Ive forgotten. Then she looked up at the bald, bushy-bearded guard, who was standing compliantly where she had placed him. Thats great, she gushed. Everybody can see thats great. Fantastic. You are perfect. He gazed ahead stolidly. Ross turned to me and said, People dont like to be photographed, but photographers also dont like to photograph. You have to get in the zone. You have to get rid of all the bull: Its not working, its not going to be right, its not as good as it was before. And then it might it might happen. The Biden administration announced Saturday that it had reached an agreement with 13 other countries in the Indo-Pacific region to coordinate supply chains, in an effort to lessen the countries dependence on China for critical products and allow them to better weather crises like wars, pandemics and climate change. The supply chain agreement is the first result of the administrations trade initiative in the region, called the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Negotiations are continuing for the other three pillars of the agreement, which focus on facilitating trade and improving conditions for workers, expanding the use of clean energy, and reforming tax structures and fighting corruption. Gina Raimondo, the secretary of commerce, said the supply chain agreement would deepen Americas economic cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region, helping American companies do business there and making the United States more competitive globally. Bottom line is, this is about increasing the U.S. economic presence in the region, she said in a call with reporters Thursday. In other words, for some, gig work has become shorthand for instability and low wages. Thats what state lawmakers in Minnesota thought, too, when they passed a bill this month guaranteeing minimum pay for Uber and Lyft drivers that they said would add a layer of security to a challenging career. It was vetoed by the governor Thursday, one sign of how fraught the question of protections for an ad hoc work force has become. The writers strike and demands have prompted renewed attention to gig work, where someone might work for a variety of companies, or for themselves, often with irregular hours. Its an old concept, with musicians playing gigs and artists and other creative types working their own hours while selling their work. Over the last decade, the idea of gig work has been popularized by app-based platforms like Uber and Lyft, which classify their drivers as independent contractors and avoid treating them as employees. Many full-time workers, especially those in low-wage jobs, were enticed to these platforms by the prospect of working flexible hours and driving passengers around to make money. The allure of flexibility soon gave way to a reality of low pay and unreliable hours, labor advocates say, though the companies say drivers wages are still increasing and that record numbers of people are driving on their platforms. Still, the shifting perception of Uber and similar companies has caused some workers to sour on the idea of gig labor, even though workers for online platforms make up only a small part of the gig economy and less than 1 percent of the overall labor force, by some estimates. The case resulted in one of the biggest legal and business debacles in the history of Rupert Murdochs media empire: an avalanche of embarrassing disclosures from internal messages released in court filings; the largest known settlement in a defamation suit, $787.5 million; two shareholder lawsuits; and the benching of Foxs top prime-time star, Tucker Carlson. And for all of that, Fox still faces a lawsuit seeking even more in damages, $2.7 billion, filed by another subject of the stolen-election theory, the voting software company Smartmatic, which can now build on the evidence produced in the Dominion case to press its own considerable claims. In the month since the settlement, Fox has refused to comment in detail on the case or the many subsequent setbacks. That has left a string of unanswered questions: Why did the company not settle earlier and avoid the release of private emails and texts from executives and hosts? How did one of the most potentially prejudicial pieces of evidence a text from Mr. Carlson about race and violence escape high-level notice until the eve of the trial? How did Foxs pretrial assessment so spectacularly miss the mark? Repeatedly, Fox executives overlooked warning signs about the damage they and their network would sustain, The Times found. They also failed to recognize how far their cable news networks, Fox News and Fox Business, had strayed into defamatory territory by promoting President Donald J. Trumps election conspiracy theories the central issue in the case. (Fox maintains it did not defame Dominion.) When pretrial rulings went against the company, Fox did not pursue a settlement in any real way. Executives were then caught flat-footed as Dominions court filings included internal Fox messages that made clear how the company chased a Trump-loving audience that preferred his election lies the same lies that helped feed the Jan. 6 Capitol riots to the truth. The 76th Cannes Film Festival ended Saturday with the Palme dOr awarded to Anatomy of a Fall. Directed by Justine Triet, this intellectual thriller centers on a woman who is brought to trial after the mysterious death of her husband. Written by Triet and Arthur Harari, the film was an early favorite with critics. Triet is the third woman to have won the Palme; Julia Ducournau won in 2021 for Titane, and Jane Campion took the prize in 1993 for The Piano. The Palme was presented to Triet by Jane Fonda, who noted the historic number of women seven who had films competing for the top honor. The strong main competition, with a jury led by the director Ruben Ostlund, effectively announced that the festival had returned to full strength after several unsteady pandemic years. The Grand Prix, essentially the festivals runner-up award, was given to The Zone of Interest. Directed by Jonathan Glazer and based on the novel of the same title by Martin Amis, the film centers on the commandant of Auschwitz and his wife, whose home is adjacent to the extermination camp. An icy exploration of the banality of evil the family eats, relaxes and sleeps to the constant sounds of screams, shouts and gunfire the movie sharply divided the critics here. The lawsuit began like so many others: A man named Roberto Mata sued the airline Avianca, saying he was injured when a metal serving cart struck his knee during a flight to Kennedy International Airport in New York. When Avianca asked a Manhattan federal judge to toss out the case, Mr. Matas lawyers vehemently objected, submitting a 10-page brief that cited more than half a dozen relevant court decisions. There was Martinez v. Delta Air Lines, Zicherman v. Korean Air Lines and, of course, Varghese v. China Southern Airlines, with its learned discussion of federal law and the tolling effect of the automatic stay on a statute of limitations. There was just one hitch: No one not the airlines lawyers, not even the judge himself could find the decisions or the quotations cited and summarized in the brief. That was because ChatGPT had invented everything. The lawyer who created the brief, Steven A. Schwartz of the firm Levidow, Levidow & Oberman, threw himself on the mercy of the court on Thursday, saying in an affidavit that he had used the artificial intelligence program to do his legal research a source that has revealed itself to be unreliable. New York City is entering the summer swimming season confronting its worst lifeguard shortage on record something officials say is partly the result of a bitter fight between the city and the little-known but extraordinarily powerful unions that represent lifeguards. The citys 14 miles of public beaches opened over Memorial Day weekend, but millions of New Yorkers are facing the prospect of partial beach closures and limited access to pools when they open next month. Parks Department officials say they currently have fewer than 500 lifeguards ready to work, roughly a third of the number they say is needed to fully staff beaches and pools. The lifeguard shortage, which also stems from perennial issues like low salaries, a difficult qualifying test and a pandemic-induced slowdown of the lifeguard pipeline, follows months of off-season maneuvering between city officials and an obscure pair of lifeguard locals. It is an intractable and bizarre union beef that stands out even in a city rife with them and one that has left the city locked in collective bargaining negotiations with union officials to reach a new contract blaming the unions for leaving key swimming spots understaffed. Im traveling in West Africa on my annual win-a-trip journey, a global reporting expedition on which I take a university student to highlight issues that deserve more attention. My winner this year is Maddie Bender, a recent Yale graduate (the pandemic delayed our trip) and with that, Im handing the rest of the column over to her. By Maddie Bender FREETOWN, Sierra Leone When Abdul was a teenager and coming to terms with being gay, he was attacked by a group of men. They mocked him with homophobic slurs and assaulted him with broken beer bottles, slicing his thumb open. He reported the incident to the police and was told that an arrest could be made of him, for homosexuality. Sierra Leone is one of more than 30 African nations (over half the continent) that criminalize same-sex relations. While most of the gay people I spoke with there did not seem to fear being arrested, they said discrimination against them was widespread in housing, employment and family life. As the strike by unions representing thousands of film and TV writers approaches its second month, the role that A.I. might play in writing scripts remains one of the biggest issues. While the Writers Guild of America has expressed a willingness to work with A.I. as a tool, some producers are dreaming bigger: They want to replace humans with chatbots. What might A.I.-written scripts look like? Heres a guess: Prompt: An episode of any Law & Order series. Scene 1 DETECTIVE: Someone has killed this dead body. Scene 2 DETECTIVE: Did you kill that dead body? CRIMINAL: No! Im not a criminal! Scene 3 DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Did you kill that dead body? And remember, youre under oath. CRIMINAL: No! Yes! But it was during a double-cross over a deal for buttcoin. JUDGE: Spell check! Prompt: The next installment of Fast & Furious. VIN DIESEL: Get more furious! So you can go faster! WASHINGTON By the time I took off my mortarboard two weeks ago, my degree in English literature was de trop. Instead of a Master of Arts, I should have gotten a Master of Algorithms. As I was pushing the rock up a hill, mastering Donne, Milton, Shakespeare, Dickens, Joyce and Mary Shelley, I failed to notice that the humanities had fallen off the cliff. It was as if the bottle of great wine I saved to celebrate my degree was bouchonne. The New Yorker ran an obit declaring The End of the English Major. One English professor flatly told Nathan Heller, the writer of the 10,000-plus-word magazine piece, that the Age of Anglophilia is over. The Harvard English department handed out tote bags with slogans like Currently reading and dropped its poetry requirement for an English degree. But it was too late for such pandering. Students were fleeing to the hotter fields of tech and science. To the Editor: Re Let Science Be Science, by Pamela Paul (column, May 5): Ms. Paul describes how a leading scientific journal declined to publish an opinion article advocating impartiality in science. Her implication is that rejecting a paper equates to rejecting its premise. This is not the case. Top scientific journals are not dissimilar to the Opinion pages of The New York Times in that the competition to appear in them is intense. The vast majority of submissions are rejected for any number of reasons: The authors claims are obvious, trite or poorly argued; they fail to support their claims with rigorous analysis; they are outside the scope or length constraints of the journal, etc. Public understanding of science is essential for democracy. Misleading readers to score political points with an argument that scientists have exchanged merit and objectivity for progressive ideology is a disservice to science and the public alike. Carl T. Bergstrom Seattle The writer is a professor of biology at the University of Washington and had a guest essay published in The Times last year. A federal judge on Friday upheld a decision barring a student from wearing a sash honoring her Mexican American heritage to her graduation ceremony after the high school senior sued her Colorado school district. In the lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, lawyers for the student, Naomi Pena Villasano, said she was told by the school principals secretary that she could not wear the sash because allowing that regalia would open too many doors. Lawyers for Ms. Villasano, 18, wrote in the suit that the sash is a reminder that not all Mexican Americans, including her parents, have the opportunity to graduate from high school and to walk across a graduation stage. They added, By wearing the sash, Naomi represents her family, her identity as a Mexican American and her culture during this important occasion. Looking for a place with waterfront views? The government might have a deal for you. The General Services Administration said on Friday that it was giving away six lighthouses to nonprofits or government agencies that promise to maintain them, and planned to sell four others to the public at auction. The lighthouses are on some of the most picturesque waters in New England and the Midwest. But aspiring lightkeepers should be prepared to do some repair work before living out their 19th-century maritime fantasies. Many of the majestic beacons, which were once vital to protecting sailors from reefs and rocky coastlines, have fallen into neglect and disrepair as navigational technology has advanced into the GPS age. Some may only be accessible by boat, like the Stratford Shoal Light, perched on a submerged reef in the middle of Long Island Sound, midway between the New York and Connecticut coasts, and the 51-foot-tall octagonal Penfield Reef Lighthouse off Fairfield, Conn., which includes a two-story house with keepers quarters. President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy spoke by telephone on Saturday evening as White House and congressional Republicans worked feverishly to cement a deal to raise the nations debt ceiling and avert a fiscal crisis. The call took place after Representative Patrick T. McHenry, Republican of North Carolina and one of the lead negotiators, told reporters on Capitol Hill earlier Saturday that the parties were either hours or days away from an agreement. Two people close to the talks who insisted on anonymity to discuss the state of play said the conversation between Mr. Biden and Mr. McCarthy who have not spoken directly since they met at the White House six days ago would determine whether a final agreement could be reached later Saturday or negotiations would have to continue. Big, thorny issues remain some that the president and the speaker have to resolve at that level, said Mr. McHenry, who has been involved in negotiations for 11 days. Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday became the first woman to address a graduating class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and used the opportunity to extol the diversity of the American armed forces at a time of struggle over the militarys identity. In an 18-minute speech, Ms. Harris noted that the nations military had evolved in the last 75 years from an institution once dominated by white men to one more open to women and minority groups. While she did not mention the significance of her own historic appearance, her presence at the microphone on the field at West Point in New York spoke for itself. To the class of 2023 and to all the cadets here today: You stand on the broad shoulders of generations of Americans who have worn the uniform, including many barrier breakers and trailblazers, Ms. Harris told the graduating cadets in their gray-and-white dress uniforms. In fact, this year, you celebrate the 75th anniversary of the integration of women in the military, as well as the desegregation of our military. These milestones are a reminder of a fundamental truth: Our military is strongest when it fully reflects the people of America, she continued. The Rev. Al Sharpton was among those who helped put the issue of reparations on the Democratic political agenda during the partys 2020 primary. In an interview, Mr. Sharpton said that even if there were never a payout in hard cash, putting a price tag on injustice was a worthy exercise that forced an examination of history as Republicans broadly deny that past racism has left an unequal playing field today. If provocative dollar amounts caused Americans to consider the scope of the countrys moral obligation to Black people, he suggested, that might lead to a more productive conversation about other ways to meet that debt. I think once we get the mainstream America to say whether they said reluctantly, belatedly or whatever Yes, we owe, then you can have a better discussion on how we pay, Mr. Sharpton said. I dont think that we have successfully had mainstream America have to come to the question of Do we owe? Critics of reparations argue that America already compensated for historic injustice by passing landmark civil rights and voting rights laws in the 1960s and by establishing a social safety net, including welfare programs and affirmative action in college admissions and in hiring, to lift people out of poverty. They say it is morally wrong to force Americans whose ancestors had no role in slavery or Jim Crow to atone for the past, and have raised the possibility of filing legal challenges. The Supreme Court is expected to ban race-conscious college admissions in a decision this spring. The legal argument from conservative critics of reparations is that government payments based on race violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution. In California, the task force decided eligibility should be tied not just to race but to direct lineage, determining that any descendant of enslaved African Americans or of a free Black person living in the United States prior to the end of the 19th century should receive reparations. Some legal scholars have said that using direct lineage has a better chance of withstanding court challenges. Former President Donald J. Trump said on Saturday that the impeachment proceedings against Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, were unfair and vowed to fight against lawmakers who pursued impeachment. Mr. Trump said in a statement on Truth Social, his social media platform, that moving to impeach Mr. Paxton was contrary to the will of voters who elected Mr. Paxton to a third term by a wide margin in November. Hopefully Republicans in the Texas House will agree that this is a very unfair process that should not be allowed to happen or proceed, Mr. Trump wrote. I will fight you if it does. A House panel led by Republicans has accused Mr. Paxton, also a Republican, of unethical behavior, including accepting favors from a real estate investor in exchange for access to and assistance from his office. Stanley Engerman, one of the authors of a deeply researched book that, wading into the fraught history of American slavery, argued that it was a rational, viable economic system and that enslaved Black people were more efficient workers than free white people in the North, died on May 11 in Watertown, Mass. He was 87. His son David said the cause was myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare form of blood and bone marrow cancer. In their two-volume Time on the Cross: The Economics of American Negro Slavery (1974), Professor Engerman and Prof. Robert W. Fogel used data analysis to challenge what they called common characterizations of slavery, including that it was unprofitable, inefficient and pervasively abusive. They said they were not defending slavery. If any aspect of the American past evokes a sense of shame, they wrote, its the system of slavery. But much of the accepted wisdom about it, they said, was distorted, or just plain wrong. In December, China abruptly abandoned its draconian Zero Covid policies, battered by a surge of infections and rising public anger against lockdowns. Half a year on, Covid cases again are on the rise, but this time the nation appears to be determined to press on with normal life as the government focuses on reigniting economic growth. Though other countries have long settled into such a pattern, it is a shift for China. Until late last year, its national leadership was still ready to lock down whole neighborhoods and districts, even cities, in a bid to stamp out what were sometimes just small clusters of cases. The Chinese health authorities have reported a rise in Covid cases since April, especially from newer subvariants that are spreading across the world. Dr. Zhong Nanshan, a prominent doctor who was among the first to openly confirm in early 2020 that Covid could easily spread among people, estimated on Monday that by late June as many as 65 million people a week could become infected with the coronavirus across China. (That would be up from what he estimated at 40 million infections a week in late May. China no longer publishes regular official nationwide estimates of infections.) By comparison, after Zero Covid controls were set aside in December, new infections reached 37 million a day in China at their peak, according to estimates cited by Bloomberg. Say you drop your brand-new smartphone into a reservoir while posing for a selfie during a picnic. Would you consider it lost and buy a replacement, or drain the reservoir to retrieve it? An Indian official who chose the latter option has been suspended from his job. He is also facing the glare of the national news media in a drought-prone country where water is a precious commodity. The official, Rajesh Vishwas, 32, was picnicking with friends in central India on May 21 when he dropped his Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra into the Paralkot reservoir in Chhattisgarh State, where he lives. The $1,200 device is a new model, and Mr. Vishwas, a government food inspector, apparently decided that he had to have it back and claimed that it had official departmental data, according to NDTV, the Indian television station. Initially, some villagers he knew spent two days diving in the reservoir in an attempt to retrieve the phone, Mr. Vishwas told The Indian Express newspaper. No luck. So he rented a diesel pump and drained about three feet of water over another two days by some estimates, enough to irrigate 1,500 acres of farmland. Ovenny Jermeto was on a combat tour 7,000 miles away from his island home in the Pacific when a bomb blew up his vehicle in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan. He survived and completed his deployment, but later lost feeling in his right foot and struggled with anxiety and depression. He returned to the United States to finish his enlistment, eventually getting discharged on medical grounds. Then, he had to make a difficult decision: remain in the United States for free health care or return home to the Marshall Islands, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and spend thousands of dollars a year traveling to military hospitals in America for treatment. This is a predicament for hundreds of people from the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia all former American colonies in Pacific Micronesia who served in the U.S. military as foreign citizens. Thousands of foreign citizens enlist in the U.S. military every year; hundreds of them are from Micronesia, a result of the countrys close ties to the United States. According to the State Department, the regional rate of enlistment is double the rate in the United States, with almost 1 percent of Micronesians serving. [Read: The Godfather of A.I. Leaves Google and Warns of Danger Ahead] [Read Dan Bilefskys 2019 Saturday Profile of Yoshua Bengio: He Helped Create A.I. Now, He Worries About Killer Robots] It is because there is an unexpected acceleration I probably would not have signed such a letter a year ago that we need to take a step back, and that my opinion on these topics has changed, said Prof. Bengio in a post on his blog. We succeeded in regulating nuclear weapons on a global scale after World War II, we can reach a similar agreement for A.I. Canada is a far ways from signing legislation, which is expected to be in effect no earlier than 2025. There are several more months needed to settle on regulations for the bill, C-27, the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, which was introduced last June. In the near term, Canadian privacy regulators are currently at work investigating an unspecified complaint into whether the chatbot ChatGPT inappropriately collects, uses or discloses the data of Canadians without the proper consent. On Thursday, the federal privacy commissioners office announced that its provincial counterparts in Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta would be joining the investigation. Young, educated and motivated, Jose Leonardo Cabrera Barroso is just the kind of immigrant the government says Germany needs. Originally from Venezuela, he settled into Germany, learned the language and got his German medical license. At 34, he is specializing as a trauma surgeon, working at a hospital in the northern port city of Hamburg. It took him a full six years and because of his expertise, he was allowed to apply for citizenship sooner than the eight years required for most others. For me, this date was a must, he said at the champagne reception in Hamburg after his citizenship ceremony in February. After all the work I did to get here, I finally feel like I can celebrate. But if his path to becoming a German citizen was not easy, neither has been the effort to simplify that process for others who want to realize the same dream. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. The trade turnover between Uzbekistan and China in 2022 increased by 20 percent, reaching a record-breaking $9 billion, Trend reports via the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan. This was confirmed during the Uzbek-Chinese Business Forum held in China's Xi'an, preceding the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Over 400 major Chinese companies interested in establishing cooperation with Uzbekistan have participated in the event. The consistent growth in trade, economic, and investment relations between the two countries was emphasized. Furthermore, the both sides have set a specific target to raise this figure to $10 billion this year through joint efforts and coordinated actions. Stable growth is also observed in the investment sphere. The total volume of Chinese investments in Uzbekistan since 2017 has increased fivefold, reaching $11 billion. In 2022 alone, $2.2 billion of Chinese investments were implemented. At the same time, the number of joint ventures in Uzbekistan has tripled in the past five years. The floods that submerged the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna this month, killing 15 people, leaving thousands homeless and grinding transportation and businesses to a halt, were not one-off events, warn experts, who predict that there are more similar, frequent and violent storms to come. The question to ask, the countrys civil protection minister, Nello Musumeci, told an Italian newspaper, is not whether a disastrous event like the deadly flooding will happen again, but when and where it will occur. The causes of floods are complex, including land development and ground conditions. But many experts in Italy, including Barbara Lastoria, a hydraulic engineer, have linked the two devastating storms that occurred over two weeks to climate change. The amount of water that fell about 19.6 inches of rain in 15 days, more than half the average annual rainfall in the region was extraordinary, experts say, exacerbated by a monthslong drought that had left the terrain struggling to absorb all of that rain. It swelled nearly two dozen rivers and sent billions of gallons of water pouring into streets and untold acres of farmland. Ukraines top military commander signaled on Saturday morning that the nations forces were ready to launch their long-anticipated counteroffensive following months of preparations, including recently stepped-up attacks on logistical targets as well as feints and disinformation intended to keep Russian forces on edge. Its time to get back whats ours, Ukraines supreme military commander, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, wrote in a statement. The blunt statement, accompanied by a slickly produced video of Ukrainian troops preparing for battle and released on social media, appeared intended to rally a nation weary from 15 months of war and to deepen anxiety within the Russian ranks. But General Zaluzhnyi offered no indication of where and when Ukrainian forces might try to break Russias hold on occupied territory. Other senior Ukrainian officials also suggested that the counteroffensive was imminent. Oleksiy Danilov, the head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, told the BBC in an interview released on Saturday that Kyivs forces were ready and that a large-scale assault could come tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week. The New York Times News Quiz, May 26, 2023 Did you follow the news this week? Take our quiz to see how well you stack up with other Times readers. OFFALY environmental campaigner Tom Roche has closed his Tullamore Credit Union account in protest against its association with a classic car convoy. RETRO Cannonball is sponsored by Tullamore Credit Union and started in Wexford on Friday morning and will finish at the Credit Union on Patrick Street at 6pm this evening (Saturday, May 27). Tullamore Credit Union chair Liam O'Callaghan said the convoy is coinciding with the credit union's 60th anniversary and described it as a fun-filled family event, with lots of excitement and spectacle, giving people a great opportunity to come together as a community. Mr Roche, who has been highlighting the link between the fossil fuel industry and climate change for many years, wrote to Mr O'Callaghan telling him he was closing the credit union account he had for 60 years. His letter said: As a vehicle for local community support Tullamore Credit Union has a great record. Personally, as a long-time member of Tullamore Credit Union, I am very grateful for the great financial support Tullamore Credit Union has provided to me since I joined in 1965. Tullamore Credit Union was there for me when I received my first loan of 100. That loan enabled me to emigrate to Australia, at the age of eighteen, under the Australian Governments Assisted Passage Scheme in September 1967. Then when I returned and started my own furniture-making business in The Tanyard in 1974, Tullamore Credit Union was there to help me get going. And again, when that business failed due in part to my many years of alcohol addiction, Tullamore Credit Union was there to help me get on my feet again. As you know we are in a climate emergency and as you are a former executive with the Midland Health Board I thought you would be the first person to see the public health implications of combustion engines burning fossil fuels. I believe Tullamore Credit Union's decision to sponsor the classic car convoy of Retro Cannonball is irresponsible. Over one hundred vehicles will converge on Tullamore Town centre, spewing copious amounts of known carcinogenic fumes into the air. Apart from being a public health issue, I believe, it undermines the great efforts by Tullamore Credit Union members who have made significant investments in electric vehicles, solar panels and retrofitting their homes to make them more energy-efficient in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint and hand on a more liveable planet to their offspring. Unlike the 1960s, 70s, and 80s our local community is vastly different. The multi-cultural nature of our local community today is made up of migrants from all corners of the globe. Many of our new inhabitants are here because of war, conflict and economic hardships in their own countries. People migrate for all sorts of reasons. But at least 20 million have been migrating each year since 2008 as a result of climate change alone, according to Diarmuid Torney, an expert on climate change at Dublin City University (The Sunday Times, May 21, 2023.) The burning of fossil fuels in combustion engines is a major contributor to climate change. As reported in mainstream media over the weekend, at least 250,000 people had to flee their homes after heavy rainfalls in the Somalia and Ethiopian highlands which led to devastating floods never before seen in the region. This comes on top of the regions worst drought in forty years. We are speeding towards complete environmental catastrophe. Just yesterday I spoke to my sister Nuala who lives in Calgary where a state of emergency has been declared as wildfires rage across Alberta. All inhabitants of Calgary have been advised to remain indoors to avoid inhaling the toxic fumes. READ Two-day RETRO Cannonball classic car convoy making its way from Wexford via Cork to Tullamore: https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/tullamore-tribune/1149078/retro-cannonball-is-coming-to-offaly-town.html Mr Roche, a native of Chapel Street, Tullamore who now lives in Rhode, referred in his letter to an excerpt from the Tullamore Credit Union website: Created in 1963 by the local community for the local community. Our members are at the heart of all we do, so we are constantly striving to improve our products and services. He said: The above statement taken from your website is at odds with todays climate emergency. Your failure to take the climate emergency seriously and act accordingly has prompted me to re-examine my relationship with Tullamore Credit Union. In solidarity with communities in the Horn of Africa impacted by our continued over-use of fossil fuels I have decided to end my almost 60 years membership of Tullamore Credit Union by closing my account with immediate effect. Those who have contributed least to the climate crisis are suffering the most while Ireland still plays. The real culprit according to the most recent IPCC report is the fossil fuel industry. OPINION: Saudi, Turkey Unmoved By Chinese Muslims Predicament Feature lekhaka-Jagdish N Singh It is hardly any secret that in their decision to boycott the recent G-20 summit on tourism, held in Srinagar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey designed to reach out to Muslims in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, and provoke them against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's 2019 decision to integrate the region fully into the Indian Union. One, however, finds there are few takers for their designs. Observers say ours is an age of technology. The Muslim masses, like other religious ones, in India, are increasingly exposed to the communication revolution in the world. They know theirs is a secular nation. It allows everybody equal right to practise their faith. While India is constitutionally secular, its successive dispensations at the Centre as well as in the states have jealously promoted the Muslim interests, even at the cost of other communities. The Muslims in India know the Modi government's decision on Jammu and Kashmir has been in the interest of all-inclusive development in the region. The observers say the Muslims in India must be aware that India has been committed to upholding all human rights abroad. Today, the whole world knows of the current oppression of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in China's north-western region of Xinjiang. The United States has labelled it a 'genocide'. India wants all the rights of the Muslim minorities in China should be "respected and guaranteed." In contrast, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have largely been silent over the predicament of the Muslims in China. They have had little interest in the welfare of the Uighur Muslims. Saudi Arabia is too focused on its growing ties with communist China to oppose what the latter is doing to its Muslims. Riyadh and Beijing are having a special liking for each other. The reasons for this are not far to seek. China has granted Saudi Arabia the status of a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). It may eventually give the kingdom full membership of the SCO. In March this year, Beijing mediated a landmark agreement between Saudi Arabia and the latter's archfoe Iran. Saudi Arabia today is China's biggest supplier of crude. China is its biggest destination of oil exports. Saudi Arabia has recently announced a $3.6-billion deal to buy 10 per cent of China's Rongsheng Petrochemical. Besides, Riyadh today is interested in procuring arms and ammunition from China. Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest defence spender. It sources weapons from a variety of countries, mostly from the US. Riyadh is now looking to diversify its weapons sources. In 2022, Saudi Arabia bought $4 billion worth of weapons from China. Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) is currently in talks with China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) to buy weapons ranging from reconnaissance drones to air defence systems. The weapons involved in the potential deal are said to include the Sky Saker FX80 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the CR500 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV, the Cruise Dragon 5 and 10 - two types of loitering munitions, better known as suicide drones - and the HQ-17AE short-range air defence (SHORAD) system. Pertinently, the United States is still the world's top weapons exporter. The world's five largest arms exporters in 2018-22 were the United States, Russia, France, China and Germany. Together, they supplied 76 per cent of the world's arms exports. China has now emerged as an alternative supplier. It is willing to sell hi-tech weapons equipment to all its friendly nations without political terms. The approach of Turkey towards Chinese Muslim minorities is more or less the same. Ankara gives priority to its increasing cooperation with Beijing. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chinese supremo Xi Jinping get on very well. Erdogan visited China in 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Presidents Xi and Erdogan showed a rare bonhomie between them at the G20 summits in Antalya in 2015, Hangzhou in 2016, Buenos Aires in 2018 and Osaka in 2019. The China-Turkey trade volume stood at around $24 billion in 2020. Cooperation between Turkey and China has been developing in the Belt and Road Initiative project. Turkey has already completed its Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project. Its first export train to China, via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, departed from Istanbul and reached Xi'an in December, 2020. Besides, Turkey today is upbeat over an increasing number of Chinese citizens visiting the country. According to an estimate, the number of Chinese tourists to Turkey rose from 1,67,570 in 2016 to 4,26,344 in 2019. The observers conclude Saudi Arabia and Turkey are unmoved by Chinese Muslims' predicament. The enlightened international community must take cognisance of it and reach out to the Muslim minorities in China. (Jagdish N. Singh is a senior journalist based in New Delhi. He is also Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Gatestone Institute, New York) Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of OneIndia and OneIndia does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. Pakistan govt likely to take decision on next Army chief's appointment by mid-September 'Expect him to stay out of politics': Imran Khan's PTI on Pak's new army chief Army Chief In Manipur On Two-Day Visit To Review Ground Situation India pti-PTI Army chief General Manoj Pande on Saturday arrived in Manipur to review the law and order situation as the state reported rising incidents of sporadic violence over the last few days, officials said. Accompanied by GoC-in-C Eastern Command Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, Gen Pande landed at the Bir Tikendrajit Imphal International Airport in the afternoon for his two-day visit to the state. A heavy pose of security took the officers to the Assam Rifles' IG headquarters at Mantripukhri in Imphal city. A senior Army official told PTI that Gen Pande and Lt Gen Kalita reached the state capital from Delhi to review the ground situation on the backdrop of ongoing ethnic clashes. "Gen Pande will meet the governor, chief minister and security advisor to discuss the situation," he added. Gen Pande and Lt Gen Kalita will also meet the ground commanders, including those from other forces, and review the law and order situation. He will visit various areas to obtain a first-hand account of the situation and interact with the troops, the official said. Gen Pande is scheduled to return on Sunday, while Lt Gen Kalita is likely to stay back for Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state from Monday, Army sources said. Clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Manipur violence: Mob Attacks Union Minister's Residence; CM Appeals For Peace The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. The ethnic clashes claimed over 70 lives and left scores of people injured. Around 140 columns of the Army and Assam Rifles, comprising over 10,000 personnel, besides other security forces had to be deployed to bring back normalcy in the Northeastern state. Armed vigilante groups have been taking the law into their own hands in parts of the state, in the wake of ethnic rioting earlier, thus complicating the peace process. At times, militant groups have also joined in the fray, creating an even more volatile cocktail of ethnic tension. BJP Trying To Replicate Manipur-Like Situation In Bengal: Mamata Banerjee India pti-PTI West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the BJP was trying to replicate a Manipur-like situation in her state by planning to orchestrate ethnic riots. She condemned the attack on state minister Birbaha Hansda's vehicle and said that the BJP activists, not members of the Kurmi community, were behind the incident that took place on Friday. "The BJP was behind ethnic violence in Manipur. The saffron party is trying to replicate similar riots between communities in West Bengal. They want to create a situation wherein Adivasis will fight Kurmis so that army can be called in and the military will have shoot-at-sight orders," she said at a rally in Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district. Banerjee said those trying to fuel ethnic riots in the state will not be spared. Earlier this month, ethnic violence broke out between Meiteis and Kukis in the northeastern state of Manipur leading to curfews, huge army deployments and banning of internet services. Army Chief In Manipur On Two-Day Visit To Review Ground Situation The Bengal minister's vehicle, which was part of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's convoy, was damaged after being pelted with stones in the tribal-dominated district. "I condemn yesterday's violence. I don't believe Kurmis were behind the attack. BJP workers disguised as members of the Kurmi community were behind it," she said, while addressing TMC's mass outreach campaign 'Trinamool e Nabojowar' (new wave in Trinamool). Earlier in the day, Banerjee visited Egra area of Purba Medinipur district to meet family members of those killed and injured in a blast in an illegal fireworks factory there 11 days ago. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the country's citizens to actively participate in the upcoming second round of the presidential elections, and jointly "open the door to a new era for Turkiye", Trend reports Erdogan called on the citizens of the country to demonstrate unity. The President of Turkiye expressed confidence that the citizens of the country will unite around the vision of the Century of Turkiye on Sunday. Delhi Court Sends Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi To 4-Day Remand India oi-Madhuri Adnal Delhi's Patiala House Court on Saturday sent gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to 4-day remand. He has been arrested in a case of Arms Act registered on 24 May 2023. The court passed the order on an application moved by Delhi Police seeking Bishnoi's custodial interrogation in a case related to the recovery of 25 pistols from an alleged arms trafficker, Mukund Singh, who supplied weapons and ammunition to the Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Jathedi gang. The police submitted that sustained interrogation of the accused was required to identify his gang members to whom the recovered arms and ammunition were to be supplied and to unearth the conspiracy hatched by the gang to eliminate its rivals and others. Delhi Police also said that Bishnoi needs to be confronted with Singh, who is already in custody in this case. Last month, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) got Bishnoi's custody in connection with a case of cross-border smuggling of drugs. ATS arrests a man over fake info on bid to kill PM Modi The ATS wanted to question the gangster about his possible links in connection with the seizure of 40 kg heroin from a Pakistani fishing boat in the Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast in September last year. The Delhi Police Special Cell also arrested an alleged member of the Bishnoi gang after a brief encounter near the Britannia Chowk flyover here on Monday. The accused, identified as Yogesh alias Himanshu, was at large for three years after jumping interim bail in a murder attempt case in Delhi, they said. Delhi Police Beefs Up Security Ahead Of New Parliament Building Inauguration India oi-Madhuri Adnal Security has been stepped up in Lutyens' Delhi ahead of the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday at an elaborate ceremony to be attended by many eminent personalities. Police have already issued a traffic advisory that the New Delhi district will be treated as a controlled area for the period and entry of vehicles will be restricted. The Parliament building is located in a high-security area. Besides additional deployment, there is continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras, the police said. While around 20 parties have announced a boycott of the ceremony, agitating wrestlers, who are demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing seven women grapplers, are threatening to hold a protest meeting before the new Parliament building on Sunday. See How New Parliament Building Looks From Inside However, an official said that no permission has been given for the 'women mahapanchayat' announced by the wrestlers, who have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar - about 3 km from Parliament complex. A police official said that adequate security personnel have been deployed near the Parliament building, but refused to go into details. Police pickets were being set up in central Delhi and tight security arrangements will be made to maintain law and order, the official said. Also, security has been enhanced along the capital's border entry points. "Pickets will be installed and police will check the vehicles entering from borders," another official said. The ceremony to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday will begin with an early morning havan and multi-faith prayers followed by the formal opening by Prime Minister Modi. Representatives of as many as 25 parties and many dignitaries, including chief ministers and ministers, are expected to attend the inauguration. According to the traffic advisory, only public transport vehicles, civil service aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles will be allowed to move in the New Delhi area. Noting that many VVIPs and other dignitaries are likely to attend the inauguration ceremony, the Delhi traffic police urged people to plan their journey accordingly and avoid the New Delhi district from 5:30 am to 3 pm. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 19:33 [IST] Mamata, Kejriwal And 6 Other CMs Skip PM Modi's Niti Aayog Meet India oi-Prakash KL West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and their counterparts from six states skipped the NITI Aayog Council meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. The 8th Governing Council Meeting is on the theme of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Role of Team India' which will be held at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Apart from Mamata and Kejriwal, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin are also not attending the event. CM Gehlot has cited health reasons for not attending the meeting, while CM Vijayan has not given any specific reason for his absence. Tamil Nadu CM Stalin is on an official foreign trip. Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long Meeting including - thrust on MSMEs, infrastructure and investments, women empowerment, health and nutrition, skill development, and Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs the 8th Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog on the theme of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Role of Team India' at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, Delhi. pic.twitter.com/6W0igz0WD8 ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2023 The Meeting will see the participation of Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors of all states and union territories, union ministers as ex-officio members, and the Vice Chairman and members of NITI Aayog. "As the world's fifth largest economy and the most populous nation, India is at a stage in its economic development trajectory where it can achieve accelerated growth over the next 25 years. In this context, the 8th Governing Council Meeting provides an opportunity to create a roadmap for Viksit Bharat by 2047 in which Centre and States can work together as Team India. This will play an important role in the international context as India's socioeconomic growth and transformation can have a positive and multiplier effect on the world at large," a statement from the PMO's Office said. Inauguration Of New Parliament Building And What An Opportunity The Opposition Missed Filled With Humility And Gratitude; Will Keep Working Harder: PM Modi On Govt Completing 9 Years Missed Out On Rich Thinking: NITI Aayog CEO As 11 CMs Skip Huddle India oi-Madhuri Adnal As several chief ministers skipped the 8th governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog, CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said the state leaders who were absent, missed out on discussions based on rich thinking. Chief ministers and Lt Governors of 19 states and six UTs attended the meeting. However, chief ministers of 11 states -- Punjab, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Manipur and Rajasthan -- did not attend the meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog. It was also the first formal meeting at the newly-constructed Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan which later in the year will host G20 Summit. In his address to the Governing Council, the Prime Minister said that it was essential to combine the vision of states and districts with the national vision to reach the goal of Vikasit Bharat by 2047. ''At #NITIAayog's #8thGCM, PM @narendramodi stated that when states grow, India grows. He also emphasised the importance of evolving a common vision to achieve a #VikasitBharat @ 2047,'' NITI Aayog said in a series of tweets. BJP Lashes Out At 8 Chief Ministers Boycotting NITI Aayog Meeting Modi asked the States and UTs to work with NITI Aayog so that the country can take a quantum leap towards achieving its vision for the Amrit Kaal. The Prime Minister also urged the states to take financially prudent decisions which would make them fiscally strong and capable of undertaking programmes for the welfare of citizens. ''PM @narendramodi urged States to take financially prudent decisions so as to become fiscally strong and capable of delivering programmes that meet the dreams of citizens,'' the Aayog said in another tweet. According to an official statement, chief ministers/Lt. Governors gave various policy-level suggestions. They mentioned specific issues pertaining to the states which require Centre-State cooperation, it added. Some of the key suggestions and best practices highlighted by them included opting for green strategies, a need for zone wise planning, tourism, urban planning, agriculture, quality of workmanship, and logistics, among others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Centre, states and Union Territories need to work as a team and develop a long-term common vision to fulfil the aspirations of people to make India a developed country by 2047, when the country completes 100 years of Independence. In his address to the Governing Council, PM Modi also urged the states to maintain fiscal discipline and take financially prudent decisions which are capable of delivering programmes that meet the aspirations of the people. The Prime Minister urged the states to proactively use the Gati Shakti Portal not only for infrastructure and logistics but also for local area development and creation of social infrastructure. The Prime Minister said NITI Aayog will study the states' concerns, challenges, and best practices and subsequently plan the way forward. He said that NITI Aayog can play a critical role in helping States to develop their strategies for the next 25 years and align the same with the National Development Agenda NITI Aayog's eighth Governing Council meeting deliberated on several issues including, health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Union ministers Amit Shah, Niramala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal and chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh, among others, attended the meeting. AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, and announced boycotting the NITI Aayog meeting over the Centre's recent ordinance and charged that ''cooperative federalism'' in the country was being turned into a ''joke''. The Chief Minister of the AAP-ruled Punjab, Bhagawant Mann, had also declared to boycott the Niti Aayog meeting. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2019 skipped the Niti Aayog meeting, saying that the think-tank had no power and the meetings were ''fruitless''. Generally, the full council meeting happens every year and last year, it was held under the chairmanship of Modi on August 7. The council meeting was not convened in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first meeting of the council took place on February 8, 2015. ISRO to launch PSLV-C55 mission with two Singaporean satellites today: When and where to watch? Navy, ISRO Join Hands For Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan India oi-Sanjeev Nayak Ahead of the launch of India's space mission scheduled for next year, the Indian Navy and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have joined hands and come up with a recovery training plan for Gaganyaan at the Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) at INS Garuda, Kochi. In a significant step towards realising India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission to put an Indian in the space with the help of indigenously developed technology, a human spaceflight is scheduled to be launched in the last quarter of 2024. This comes after successfully sending two unmanned flights. According to ISRO, the Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission and bringing them back safely to earth by landing in Indian sea waters. The training document was jointly released by Vice-Admiral Atul Anand, Director-General of Naval Operations, S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), and Umamaheshwaran R., Director of ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC). The document outlines the training plan for recovery of the Gaganyaan crew module, defines overall requirements for training of various teams participating in recovery operations, including (navy) divers, MARCOs (maritime commandos), medical specialists, communicators, technicians and naval aviators, according to Navy officials. ISRO To Launch NVS-01 Navigation Satellite On May 29 The recovery training is planned in incremental phases starting from unmanned recovery to manned recovery training in harbour and open sea conditions. The recovery operations are being led by the Indian Navy in coordination with other government agencies, the officials said. The crew module recovery model was also formally handed over to the Navy's elite marine commando unit at the state-of-the-art WSTF. The mass and shape simulated mock-up will be used for familiarisation and training of Gaganyaan recovery teams. The Navy will also assist ISRO by undertaking a series of trials to fine-tune standard operating procedures for training the crew and recovery teams of Gaganyaan. The parachutes to ensure the safe landing of re-entry capsule carrying astronauts on Earth's surface were shipped to ISRO facility in Bengaluru earlier this month. They have been developed by Agra-based Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 15:30 [IST] Rs 2000 Note Bundles Seized From Naxal Camp In Chhattisgarh India oi-Sanjeev Nayak Positive results of withdrawal of Rs 2000 notes have started trickling in even as the opposition parties have gone hammer and tongue over the decision. Interestingly, Chhattisgarh Police have arrested two persons with Rs 6 lakh in Rs 2000 notes, said to be belonging to a Naxalite commander, in the Bijapur area of the State. Gajendra Madvi and Laxman Kunjam, both Basaguda residents, were apprehended on Thursday from Mahadev Ghat by a joint team of district reserve guard and local police, news agency PTI quoted Bijapur Superintendent of Police (SP) Anjneya Varshney as saying, on Friday. "They were apprehended while fleeing after spotting a police mobile checkpoint. Three bundles of Rs 2000 notes totaling Rs 2 lakh, 11 passbooks from various banks, and Naxalite pamphlets were seized from their possession," said the police official. "According to Madvi, Naxalite commander Mallesh gave him Rs 8 lakh in Rs 2000 notes to deposit in various banks. Kunjam deposited Rs 50,000 in Punjab National Bank and Rs 48,000 in Union Bank accounts. In Madvi's accounts, Rs 38,000 was deposited in SBI and Rs 50,000 in Central Bank," the SP informed. The duo was on their way to Rekhapali village to deposit Rs 6 lakh when they were apprehended, Varshney said, adding that they have been charged under the Chhattisgarh Public Security Act. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently announced withdrawal of the Rs 2000 notes from circulation, asking people to deposit or exchange them until September 30 this year. RBI informed the Delhi High Court earlier in the day that the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation was a "currency management exercise" and a matter of economic policy. The matter was scheduled for hearing on May 29 in a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the decision to withdraw the banknote from circulation. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 11:55 [IST] Complaint Against Kejriwal, Kharge For Allegedly Making 'Inciteful' Comments on President Murmu India oi-Prakash KL An advocate has lodged a complaint against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and others allegedly for making "inciteful statements" citing the caste of President Draupadi Murmu in connection with the inauguration of the new Parliament building. "The statement has been with the intent to promote enmity among communities/groups and trying to create distrust for the Government of India to fulfil their political motives which are an office under sections 121, 153(A), 505 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)," the complainant, a Supreme Court advocate Vineet Jindal, has alleged. He has accused Kharge and Kejriwal of intentionally making the remarks to refer to the "caste" of the President with the objective of portraying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the present Government have "deliberately not invited" her for the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The report further claims that the advocate stated that the remarks are widely published and circulated in news and social media and would result in provoking the ST and Adivasi community as the President too belongs to Adivasi and ST community. The remarks are made on the ground of caste and against the duly elected government to promote enmity among communities which are highly condemnable. "The political leaders just for the sake of their political gain should not be allowed to stoop to the level of disgracing the highest constitutional posts. Besides, it would cause fear in the community creating distrust against the duly elected government, which are offences under sections 121,153A,505,34 IPC. which are cognizable offences and very serious in nature," the complainant stated. He has also requested the Delhi Police Commissioner to lodge FIR and take strict legal action against them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday. At least 19 Opposition parties have announced that they are boycotting the event. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 14:30 [IST] Democracy Is The Valuable Legacy Of Our Country: LS Speaker Om Birla From 1921 To 2023 - The Timeline Of Parliament House Inauguration Of New Parliament Building And What An Opportunity The Opposition Missed See How New Parliament Building Looks From Inside India oi-Prakash KL Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the new Parliament House to the nation on Sunday. Ahead of the inauguration, the inside pictures of the new Parliament have been released. Constructed at the cost of Rs 1250+ crore, the new Parliament building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber. In case of a joint sitting of both the Houses, a total of 1,280 members can be accommodated in the Lok Sabha chamber. The Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for the building on December 10, 2020, and has been built in record time with quality construction, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said. It has to be noted that the existing building of the Parliament was completed in 1927. According to government officials, Teak wood was obtained from Nagpur, Maharashtra, and sandstone (red and white) was acquired from Sarmathura, Rajasthan. The carpets floored inside the new building were procured from Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) and the bamboo wood flooring came from Agartala (Tripura). The materials used to construct the Ashoka Emblem were obtained from Aurangabad (Maharashtra), and Jaipur (Rajasthan), while the Ashok Chakra came from Indore (Madhya Pradesh). Certain furniture items were acquired from Mumbai. Red granite from Lakha and Ambaji White marble from Ambaji (Rajasthan) were also procured. Additionally, Kesharia Green Stone was sourced from Udaipur. The stone carving work was sourced from Abu Road in Udaipur, the stone aggregate was obtained from Kotputali (Rajasthan), M-Sand was procured from Chakari Dadri (Haryana), and Fly Ash Bricks were sourced from NCR Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, the Opposition parties have continued to attack the ruling government as they oppose the Prime Minister inaugurating the new Parliament building. They want Draupadi Murmu to inaugurate the building as she is not only the Head of State, but also an integral part of Parliament as she summons, prorogues, and addresses it. Will Support Congress Wherever It Is Strong: Mamata Banerjee's Big Proposal On 2024 Elections Strategy Ordinance In Line With SC Verdict, Delhi UT Not 'Arvind Territory', Says BJP Slain BJP Worker Praveen Nettaru's Wife Loses Job As Karnataka Govt Changes Hands India oi-Madhuri Adnal With the change of government in Karnataka, Nuthana Kumari, wife of the slain Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader Praveen Nettaru, has lost her job at the deputy commissioner's office in Mangaluru. An order has been issued relieving Kumari from service, sources said. She was appointed on contract basis after the murder of Praveen Nettaru in July last year on humanitarian grounds, as per the request of BJP state president and Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. The BJP government had on September 22, 2022 issued an order appointing her as senior assistant (Group C) at the office of the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Later, on Kumari's request, she was posted at the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner's office and had reported to duty on October 14 last year. The appointment order given at the time stated that she will be in service until the present chief minister is in office or until further orders. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 16:23 [IST] 'What Was The Need For A New Parliament?' Nitish Kumar Ahead of Its Inauguration India oi-Prakash KL Ahead of the inauguration of the new Parliament House, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday slammed the Centre, asking "what was the need" for the new building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday. At least 19 Opposition parties have announced that they are boycotting the event. "What was the need for a new Parliament? The earlier building was a historic one. I have repeatedly said that the people in power will change the history of this country," he told reporters on Saturday. The Bihar CM is also skipping the 8th Niti Aayog Council meeting which is held today in New Delhi. "There was no sense to attend the NITI Aayog meeting today and also the inauguration of the new Parliament building tomorrow," Kumar added. PM Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building on May 28 following an invitation by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The opposition parties contend that President Draupadi Murmu should inaugurate the new Parliament building as she is not only the Head of State, but also an integral part of Parliament as she summons, prorogues, and addresses it. In a joint statement, the parties said that Prime Minister Modi's decision to inaugurate the new "Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response." The Congress, TMC, DMK, JDU, AAP, CPI-M, CPI, SP, NCP, SS (UBT), RJD, IUML, JMM, NC, KC (M), RSP, VCK, MDMK, RLD are the signatories of the joint statement. Notably, the Opposition parties had skipped the foundation in 2020, citing concerns about its timing amid farmer protests, the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic distress due to a lockdown. Schedule Of Parliament Inauguration Event The ceremony will begin at 7.30 with a havan' and 'puja' and would go on till 8.30 am. The installation of the Sengol, the historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu will be installed near the chair of the Speaker between 8.30 am and 9 am. Between 9 and 9.30 am there will be a prayer meeting and many pundits and saints will represent the same. The second phase of the ceremony will begin at 12 noon with the singing of the National Anthem. Two short films will be screened at this time. The messages by President Draupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar will be read out by the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. While a provision has been made for an address, by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, he has however said that he would boycott the ceremony. A Rs 75 coin will be released on the occasion. A stamp too will be released. The programme will end with the address by the Prime Minister at 2.30 pm. ADS ADS Revisiting the first generation model of 2013, the Jura-based brand has created a divers watch incorporating numerous enhancements while still retaining the spirit of the inaugural model, especially its iconic design. During the development phase, the Swiss marque turned to ML Crew member, Lidija Lijic, a world champion freediver who holds the record for staying underwater for 5 minutes and 43 seconds. Lidija inhabits a world of extremes, exploring the limits of human performance, which made her the ideal person to put the watch through its paces. This versatile athlete regularly ventures into warm seas but also enjoys diving beneath the ice in the Himalayas. Her life is one of courage and enduring commitment to tough, consistent training, and more, as you also have to work on your mental strength to keep pushing boundaries. Self-control, concentration and confidence... Freediving is not without its risks and it requires great aplomb. Lidija Lijic Maurice Lacroix Stephane Waser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix remarks, When developing this latest PONTOS S Diver, we were keen to retain the spirit of the first generation model, but push the performance envelope with various product enhancements. As an ML Crew member, it seemed logical to ask Lidija Lijic to test the new modelexploring its full potential, deep underwater. While I was already aware of her achievements and immense talent, I was struck by her sheer dedication, not only to her sport, but in everything she does. She proved the perfect test pilot for this divers watch which is water resistant to 30 ATM. Lidija also informs us that the watch makes a strong statement on dry land too! Housed in a 42mm case, the watch is available in a choice of stainless steel or, for the first time, bronze. The hour and minute hands are facetted and lined with Super-LumiNova. Moreover, the minute hand is endued with a coloured border. The hours are denoted with applied indexes and, once again, lined with luminescent treatment. Subtle changes to the original dial design include making the indexes and minute markings crisper and more prominent. Likewise, the date is framed with a raised border, making it stand out from the rest of the dial. Each detail is optimised to deliver peerless readability. Pontos S Diver Bronze Maurice Lacroix A dedicated crown, positioned at 2 oclock, provides the wearer with the means to adjust the internal rotating bezel. Featuring a count-up scale, the rotating bezel is a useful way of measuring the elapsed time spent underwater. The watch also features a centre seconds hand and a date display at 6 oclock. A second crown, located at 3 oclock, adjusts the various indications and can also be used to manually wind the movement. This latest PONTOS S Diver is offered in a number of variants. Steel models come with a choice of black grained or white lacquered dial options. The bronze model, limited to just 500 pieces, is paired with a sumptuous blue grained dial. The aforementioned crown at 2 oclock is enlivened with a colour-coordinating circlet, ensuring it remains visible when underwater. Pontos S Diver Maurice Lacroix The automatic ML115 calibre sits at the heart of the PONTOS S Diver, obviating the need for manual winding when worn. The bronze version comes supplied with two straps, one in vintage dark blue leather, incorporating the companys M-logo, and a second in dark blue rubber embossed with Maurice Lacroix. False Claims About Plans For Coup In Belarus International dwnews-DW News Whenever the war in Ukraine is in the news, there are often also headlines about neighboring Belarus: For example, official reports that Russian tactical nuclear weapons are being deployed there, as well as rumors about the health of the 68-year-old Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. Now Russian state media has gone a step further: "Information about the preparation of a coup in Belarus by the West has been confirmed in Poland" reported the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on Wednesday, May 24. The allegation was quickly picked up, substantially altered, and circulated by other Russian and Belarusian media. So it was that, shortly afterwards, a Russian newspaper headline announced: "Polish general plans to organize and support armed coup in Belarus." One Twitter user went even further, writing in English: "The West is preparing an armed coup in Belarus with the support of the Polish army." These supposed plans would also support Lukashenko's warning, in a speech this March, that the West wants to invade Belarus and wipe it out. Lukashenko and Peskov respond to alleged coup plans Even Alexander Lukashenko himself and Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov went along with the media storm, and reacted to the supposed remarks from Poland. The Belarusian ruler saw them as confirmation of his earlier comments about the danger from the West, describing the Polish general as "sick," and saying he was ready for a possible uprising in Belarus. For his part, Peskov called Poland an "enemy state," accused Warsaw of hysterical Russophobia and intentional interference, and asserted that Russia would protect Belarus from "such a blatant threat." So what is the truth about the claim that the West is preparing an uprising in Belarus? And what role does a supposed Polish general have to play in all this? The DW Fact Check team has examined the claim. Claim: "The Polish General Skrzypczak confirmed the information about the preparation of a coup in Belarus by the West," reported RIA Novosti, citing comments supposedly made by a Polish general called Waldemar Skrzypczak in an interview with the Polish broadcaster Polsat News. Skrzypczak allegedly said: "Poland is preparing for an armed coup in Belarus, and to participate in supporting this by military means." DW Fact Check: False In fact, Skrzypczak, who is actually a retired general, spoke on May 23 in the Polsat News programme Gosc Wydarzen about events in the Russian city of Belgorod. He said that he saw them as a first sign, and expressed hope this would spread to other parts of Russian territory. "And hopefully also to part of the territory of Belarus," he added. So by this he meant that he personally hoped the partisans would advance further into Russia, and also into Belarus. Skrzypczak also made a prediction about what will happen if a Ukrainian counteroffensive, which has been much talked about recently, is successful. He predicted that Belarusians in the Ukrainian army who have been fighting against the Russians would not lay down their weapons, but would go to Belarus. He added: "I hope that this will trigger an uprising in Belarus." Skrzypczak was presumably referring to the hundreds of Belarusian volunteers in the Kastus Kalinouski regiment, who are fighting on the side of Ukraine. These Belarusians fled their homeland after mass protests were quashed by the Lukashenko regime. Skrzypczak is expressing his personal opinion When asked by the interviewer what the response should be should such an "internal war" break out in Belarus, Skrzypczak replied: "We should prepare for it now! [] I think it's now time to prepare for it. It will happen." He was therefore not saying that Poland or the West were preparing an armed coup in Belarus, nor was he calling for this to be initiated. Skrzypczak merely stressed that, in his opinion, there would be an uprising in Belarus for which Poland needed to prepare. In the rest of the TV program, Skrzypczak did not explain what he specifically meant by preparation. For example, he only said that the partisans who fought in Belgorod were equipped and trained. At the same time, he cited reasons why Poland should be prepared "to support the troops that will conduct operations against Lukashenko." Skrzypczak referred to the state of emergency on the Polish-Belarusian border in the summer and autumn of 2021. After the West tightened sanctions against Belarus, Lukashenko announced in May 2021 that he would no longer prevent migrants from continuing their journey into the EU. This led to thousands trying to cross the border from Belarus into Poland, which is part of the EU. And in response to a question of what effect such an uprising in Belarus might have in Poland, Skrzypczak spoke of Belarusians fleeing to Poland as a result: "If there is an uprising in Belarus, and we have to prepare for that, there will be an exodus of people from Belarus to northern Poland." Responding to an enquiry from DW, a Polish defense ministry spokesperson emphasized that Skrzypczak's remarks were "merely the private opinion" of the retired general. The press office also pointed out that General Skrzyczak was not an advisor to the ministry of defense and did not hold any positions there. With the assistance of Kathrin Wesolowski. This article has been translated from German. Source: DW North Korea Sentences 2-Year-Old To Life After Parents Caught With Bible International oi-Prakash KL A two-year-old child was sentenced to life in a prison camp after the toddler's parents were found with a Bible in North Korea. The plight of the baby has come to light in the new International Religious Freedom Report from the US State Department. The authorities apprehended the entire family during a raid on their home in the capital city of Pyongyang. The report claims that there were multiple cases where North Koreans were persecuted and killed for practising Christianity. It mentions an instance where a woman and her grandchild getting killed by the firing squad in 2011. In another case, the execution of a member of the ruling party was carried out in front of 3,000 people after authorities discovered a Bible with the person. The report claims that some people were subjected to the cruel practice of pigeon torture, where they were suspended with their hands securely bound behind their backs, rendering them incapable of sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time. "It was the most painful of all tortures," one victim said. "It was so painful that I felt it was better to die." Some were tortured with sleep deprivation. One woman died by suicide in solitary confinement as prison guards did not allow her to sleep. One Christian woman in solitary confinement was driven to suicide in 2020 after prison guards refused to let her sleep, according to the report. As per the report, 70,000 Christians are imprisoned for their faith under Kim Jong-Un's regime. There are about 4 lakh Christians in North Korea. The report said, "One defector told Korea Future that the government published graphic novels in which Christians coaxed children into churches and took them to the basement to draw their blood." For following Christianity, people can be executed or sentenced to 15 years or life in a prison camp. Furthermore, these consequences can be extended to three generations of the convicted individual's immediate family. Missile kills 2 in Poland: What action can member states take under NATOs Article 4 Poland Passes Contentious Bill To Examine Russian Influence International dwnews-DW News Polish lawmakers passed a bill on Friday to investigate Russian influence in the country, which the opposition says is a targeted attempt to influence elections next year. The law will establish a commission to investigate alleged Russian influence during the period from 2007 to 2022. Those found to have acted under Russian influence would be banned from working in roles where they are responsible for public funds for 10 years effectively barring them from public office as well as from positions that require security clearance. The new law was pushed by the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), which claims that the opposition party Civic Platform (PO) allowed Poland to become dangerously dependent on Russian fossil fuels when its former leader Donald Tusk was prime minister from 2007 to 2014. "We want the law on the commission for examining Russian influences to come into force and for the commission to be able to work," PiS spokesperson Rafal Bochenek said ahead of the vote. "If Mr. Donald Tusk has something on his conscience ... he should be afraid." Opposition slams political 'witch hunt' The investigations would be led by a committee selected by the parliament, where the PiS party commands a slim majority. PO leader Krzysztof Brejza said the new law is a "Soviet-style idea stemming from the mentality of (Law and Justice leader) Jaroslaw Kaczynski and an attempt at organizing a witch hunt against Donald Tusk and eliminating him" from Poland's politics. Tusk, who is no longer a member of parliament but is chair of the PO party, was present in the chamber during the vote. He called those who voted for the law "cowards" who had "broken good parliamentary manners and the fundamental principles of democracy, out of fear of losing their power, out of fear of the people, out of fear of responsibility (they should face) after they lose the elections." Tusk said the opposition has a strategy to deal with the commission and called on Poles to join him in pro-democracy marches on June 4, the anniversary of partly free elections in 1989 that led to the ouster of communists from power in Poland. Slawomir Patyra, a constitution expert at Marie Sklodowska-Curie University in Lublin, told the AFP news agency that the legislation has a vague definition of Russian influence that is open to abuse. "This regulation violates all the constitutional foundations," he said. zc/wd (AFP, Reuters) Source: DW Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadas mayors Friday that his government will roll out a new long-term infrastructure plan in the fall to boost the stock of affordable housing across the country. 2008-2023 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. In Connecticut, 12 people have been exonerated of witchcraft more than 370 years after their convictions. A funeral home director has pleaded guilty to theft after 31 decomposing bodies and 17 sets of cremated remains were found on the site of his business in Indiana. A Scottish minister has accused the UK government of "sabotage" after it ruled Scotland's deposit return scheme (DRS) could only go ahead if glass bottles were removed from the environmental initiative. Upworthy 30 May 2023 Cash levels at the US Treasury are tumbling toward a dangerously low level as Washington waits until the last minute to raise the.. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis slammed former President Donald Trump, accusing him of "running to the left" as the Republican presidential nomination race begins to heat up. An Israeli airstrike targeting positions of a Palestinian group in eastern Lebanon early Wednesday killed five Palestinian and wounded 10 others, two Palestinian officials said. The man accused of fatally shooting Migos rapper Takeoff last year outside a Houston bowling alley has been indicted on a murder charge, according to court records. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday the projected debt ceiling deadline is extended to June 5, four days later than previously estimated. Yet, Yellen renewed her warning in a letter to Congress that inaction on raising the borrowing limit would cause severe hardship. Yellens latest #treasury #janetyellen #treasurydepartment #kevinmccarthy #socialsecurity #democrat #democrats #republicans #capitol #shalandayoung Fighters in Indonesia's Papua region have threatened to shoot a New Zealand pilot they took hostage in February if independence talks are not launched. ESPN 30 May 2023 Quarterback Deshaun Watson said Tuesday that he "would love" to have former teammate DeAndre Hopkins join him with the Browns. 888 is Selling a Latvia Holding to Paf Consulting in Near 30m Deal Published May 27, 2023 by Lee R The Baltic region is experiencing a shift in a new 888-Paf deal. Operating Giant 888 has agreed to see its Latvia holding to Paf Consulting in a deal worth nearly 30m. The Deal Value Worth up to 28.3m (24.6m/$30.6m), the deal calls for Paf to pay an initial 24.0m in cash up front, with another 4.3m to be paid in 2024 upon conclusion of 2023 audited financials. Domains The Latvian holding is licensed under both William Hill and Mr. Green brands, with 888 providing brand licencing to extend the usage of these brands within Latvia for a limited period. Shares At this point 888 owns 90% of the Latvia entity, which still operates primarily as an independent entity with an individual management team and separate technology platform. The current deal is not expected to impact the Latvia entitys current organizational operations. Integration Conditions for closing the deal include extracting Latvia subsidiary contracts from the 888 ranks and integrating them into the new Latvia subsidiary arm of the PaF contacts. Closing According to 888, the deal is set to close in the coming weeks with the proceeds re-invested in general corporate purposes. Terms Paf Consulting Abp (Paf) will acquire the shares free and clear on a cash-free, debt-free basis. 888 Head Speaks The sale was a strategic move designed to reward 888 investors, according to 888 Executive Chair Lord Mendelsohn: We continually review our asset base to ensure that we are only holding assets that both contribute to our long-term strategy and will maximise value for our shareholders. Flipping the Holding Mendelsohn also explained why 888 could let the Latvia holding go: As a business, our relatively limited exposure in the Baltic region means that the region is not one of our core or growth markets where we prioritise our investments. Passing the Torch Mendelsohn expressed confidence that the Latvia entity would continue to flourish under Paf as a valuable Baltic holding. Paf Expert Speaks Paf chief executive Christer Fahlstedt was effusive about the deal as he looked forward to expanding his companys prospects. We are thrilled to get the opportunity to continue to build on a great Latvian success story. Paf Priority Fahlstedt commented on the longer-term goals of the deal as well, saying: With a long-term perspective, we are convinced that the Latvian market is moving in the direction of increased player protection and thereby a great strategic fit for Paf. Outlook This deal looks to provide an asset boon to operating giant 888 while positioning Paf as a stronger player in the Baltic regions and the iGaming sector in general. Canadian military aircraft deliver Ukraine-bound military aid not only from Canada, but from allies and partners, but Canada recently found it difficult to fly its citizens home from a war zone. Canadian citizens were caught-up in the war zone in Sudan, where two rival generals are fighting for power and control. CTV News reported that, faced with a dangerous and desperate situation, a Canadian woman from Toronto, Azza Ahmed, her mother and an elderly aunt were left to fend for themselves in evacuating Sudan, and felt forgotten by the Canadian government in the process. A Canadian government representative called the woman and advised her and her two aunts to go to a military airport 25 kilometers away to catch an evacuation flight. At that time, the situation was too dangerous to even venture outside, but they were expected to fend for themselves in getting to the airport. She recalls that Canada did not offer them any assistance with food, accommodation, transportation, or the evacuation flight home. "(The Canadian government) basically abandoned us," said Ahmed. She compared her experience with other nationalities evacuated, and found some countries got their citizens out of Sudan in just two or three days and paid for all their expenses. Many are asking about Canada's priorities, and whether the attention and expenses spent on keeping the war going in Ukraine has made Canada weaker and less prepared to care for its own citizens' needs. The Canadian government does not see it their duty to evacuate their citizens from danger abroad. They take the position of their ally, the US: you got yourself there, now get yourself home. Canada follows many American viewpoints, including the supplying of weapons to the Ukrainian military. The American-Canadian-NATO priority is to keep the fighting ongoing in Ukraine, and support the fight against Russia. Canada found it difficult to quickly evacuate its citizens in Sudan because they lacked the personnel on the ground to tackle the job. Canada relied on several Canadian planes that flew out of the capital Khartoum, but then handed off the job by relying on the US evacuation resources. The airport at Khartoum became a front line in the battles, and pilots deemed it unsafe. Then the government switched the evacuation plan to the Port Sudan, but that was 800 kilometers away, which represented a 30-hour journey filled with risks. A possible solution would have been a Canadian military convoy of buses that could have been rented from local transportation companies, and citizens living in the capital could have left for the port safely. Colin Robertson, a Canadian Global Affairs Institute Fellow and former Canadian diplomat, has said that crisis situations require a larger diplomatic corps than presently available. He says instead of increased diplomatic personnel as Canada grows, instead it has been reduced over the last two decades. In any evacuation situation, the diplomatic corps would be making travel and logistical plans with local, allied and Canadian resources according to Robertson. However, a brief study of the facts reveals that the Azov Battalion was the backbone of the Ukrainian military forces and was originally proudly identifying themselves as Nazis. Many western TV commentators would scoff at the idea while commenting, "How could there be Nazis in Ukraine, when the President is Jewish?" The Nazis in Ukraine have no problem having a Jewish President Zelensky, viewing him as useful cover to operate under. A Nazi can be described as an Ultra-Nationalist, and some will use the descriptive term of Fascist. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Elon Musks brain implant company Neuralink says its gotten permission from U.S. regulators to begin testing its device in people. The company made the announcement on Twitter Thursday evening but has provided no details about a potential study, which was not listed on the U.S. government database of clinical trials. Officials with the Food and Drug Administration wouldnt confirm or deny whether the agency granted the approval, but press officer Carly Kempler said in an email that the FDA acknowledges and understands that Musks company made the announcement. Neuralink is one of many groups working on linking the nervous system to computers, efforts aimed at helping treat brain disorders, overcoming brain injuries and other applications. Earlier this week, for example, researchers in Switzerland published research in the journal Nature describing an implant that restores communication between the brain and spinal cord to help a man with paralysis to stand and walk naturally. There are more than 30 brain or spine computer interface trials underway, according to clinicaltrials.gov. Musk who also owns Twitter and is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX said last December that his team was in the process of asking regulators to allow them to test the Neuralink device. The device is about the size of a large coin and is designed to be implanted in the skull, with ultra-thin wires going directly into the brain. Musk has said the first two applications in people would be to attempt to restore vision and try to help people with little or no ability to operate their muscles rapidly use digital devices. He also said he envisions that signals from the brain could be bridged to Neuralink devices in the spinal cord for someone with a broken neck. After Musk made a presentation late last year about the device, Rajesh Rao, co-director of the Center for Neurotechnology at the University of Washington, said he doesnt think Neuralink is ahead of other teams in terms of brain-computer interface achievements but is quite ahead in terms of the hardware in the devices. Its unclear how well this device or similar interfaces will ultimately work, or how safe they might be. Neuralinks interface is considered an investigational device at this point, and clinical trials are designed to collect data on safety and effectiveness. In its tweet this week, Neuralink said that its not yet recruiting participants for the study and will provide more information soon. -- The Associated Press Washington County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested a man for a road rage incident in Farmington Friday evening, and they are now trying to identify the victim so they can speak with him. At about 6:30 p.m., deputies received a report that one driver blocked the intersection at Southwest Farmington and River roads, got out of his car, punched another driver in the face several times and threatened to shoot him, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. Witnesses told deputies that the victim backed up his car and drove away, and then the suspect drove away. One witness got the suspects license plate, and it was registered to a red 2004 Infiniti G35. A little while later, a red Infinity was spotted in the area. Deputies arrested the driver, Carlos Garcia, 21, of Cornelius, and and booked him into jail on one count of disorderly conduct. The victim, who was driving a dark gray SUV with Oregon plates, has not been identified and deputies would like to talk to him. They ask anyone with information about the incident to call the sheriffs office at 503-846-2700. The Oregonian/OregonLive Mariachi music and groups are becoming more prevalent in Oregon, cropping up all over the state. With their joyful sound and infectious melodies, its not hard to imagine why. Portland State University is at the epicenter of this development, with their first mariachi group, Mariachi Rosa Real, stepping into the spotlight. At only a few months old, the group is already well on their way to becoming an established mariachi band. Theyre booked for venues and markets from the Portland State campus to the Portland Mercado all while fundraising to meet their goal of buying charros for each member. Charros are the traditional mariachi apparel worn throughout Mexico, consisting of embellished jackets, trousers or long skirts, neckties, boots and hats. These elaborate suits can cost upwards of $800 for professionals. The group is willing to take their time to raise enough money for every member of the band to have one. Not only do the charros look beautiful, theyre a source of pride and confidence for anyone wearing them. Some of the students have been able to wear charros before, noting the difference is significant. It definitely gives you a lot of confidence, said Citlalli Luna-Larios, a freshman violinist from Cornelius. Being on stage youre prideful being able to wear the traje (suit) and share this music to everyone else. Being able to wear the charros would also represent them as a more legitimate and professional group, said Samuel Castro, the groups director. Sometimes when the mariachis take the stage, theyre probably often judged by their attire, Castro said. You know, how sharp is it? How cool does it look? How consistent is it among the members? And when everyones wearing the exact same, it looks really tight and intentional, and thats where I want the group to be. Mariachi Rosa Real is a student-led program that gives members a chance to discover a new music style and develop their skills. The group was formed by the passion of its members, started by their very own Gladis Manriquez Vasquez, a freshman at PSU. Not many college freshmen can say they were able to coordinate a club and class before they even stepped foot on campus. But Manriquez Vasquez was able to do that and more the summer before starting at PSU. Manriquez Vasquez had been playing violin for years and was previously part of Hillsboro School Districts Mariachi band, Mariachi Una Voz, an established district-level mariachi group that is continuing to grow and develop. Wanting to continue her education, the summer before Manriquez Vasquez came to PSU, she reached out to the university about their mariachi experiences and the possibility of starting a new band. The university hired Castro, who directed Mariachi Una Voz and the pieces were in place to create a mariachi group on campus. Gladis was the connecting piece between the HSD mariachi and what is now Mariachi Rosa Real, said Castro, who continues to work with the Hillsboro mariachi program. Finding a strong cohort of interested students was the next step. PSUs demographics show a steadily growing percentage of Latinx students and the university is currently on course to become a Hispanic-Serving institution, a U.S. Department of Education designation for universities with at least 25% of enrolled students identifying as Hispanic. In fall of 2022, Portland State reported 18% of its students identify as Latino. With this exciting shift, it wasnt difficult for the band to find passionate students, staff and community members. Mariachi is just magical, what it can bring to the room, said Aoi Nathalia Mizushima, a medical doctor at PSU and vocalist for the band. Being able to have a forum in the United States in Portland where theres this much pride and excitement that theres a space being created to bring some of that energy here is fun. With a class and course credit awarded for participation, students and staff are able to be a part of the band in whatever capacity theyre able. Students and staff at PSU and community members are invited to rehearse their music once a week for course credit. Violinists, trumpeters, guitarists, vocalists and more gather every Wednesday night for two hours to polish their songs and learn new ones for concerts and showcases. Mariachi is party music, music to gather around, said Norma Velazquez Ulloa, associate professor of biology at Lewis & Clark who is a vocalist in the group. So mariachi is always at parties, graduations, celebrations of any kind. And theres also a lot of emotion positive or negative. How to help: Mariachi Rosa Real will continue to share their culture and music with PSU and the entire Portland area. They hope to raise over $12,000 for charros through gofundme.com. Follow their instagram here for updates on their fundraising and upcoming performance dates. Chiara Profenna 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com; @chiara_profenna Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hala El-Said, announced Tuesday in the Senate that the government aims to collect $83 billion in foreign currencies during FY 2023/24 through four streams, according to an official statement. Kathryn Harrison, who ushered in tribal recognition, cultural repatriation and financial independence for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, died May 21. She was 99. Mixing humor and courage, Harrison rose to acclaim later in life after experiencing firsthand the systemic abuse of Indigenous peoples and the rich tribal connections that emerged in places white Oregonians tried to erase them, including at Chemawa Indian School in Salem. Her niece Lisa Watson, the former director of Portlands Office of Equity and Human Rights, said Harrison never stopped fighting for Indigenous communities. She never really saw her job as over, Watson said. She continued to lead and inspire and try to influence the futures of everybody she came in contact with, particularly young people. Harrison made her foray into the Indigenous civil rights movement at the age of 50, when she began working at the Siletz Tribal Alcohol program as a nurse. A year later, in 1975, Harrison won election to the Siletz Tribal Council and began fighting for the 61 tribes in Oregon that lost federal recognition under the Western Oregon Indian Termination Act of 1954. In 1976, Harrison testified in front of Congress to regain tribal recognition for the Siletz, to open the door to federal resources and tribal sovereignty. She told lawmakers the process alone had generated pride among tribal members. There is a new spring in our step, a feeling of expectation in the air, a hoping that maybe this time the Indians will acquire something something desperately needed, she testified, according to Standing Tall: The Lifeway of Kathryn Jones Harrison, a 2005 biography. And it will be our own. Lawmakers passed the Siletz Restoration Act in 1977, and a few years after that Harrison reconnected with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, where her father had been an enrolled member. She was elected to its tribal council with her eldest son, Frankie Harrison, in 1982. Further federal action Alongside her son and a daughter, Harrison testified in front of Congress again in 1983, this time on behalf of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. She detailed her lived experience of the injustices committed against Indigenous tribes, and she highlighted how the restoration of tribal recognition and the reestablishment of a reservation would allow Grand Ronde tribal members to begin to address the systemic poverty, abuse and addiction that gripped Native communities after white settlers invaded. Our people have endured much, but they have endured, she told lawmakers, including Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin, who described the testimony in his memoir. Like our ancestors, we have continued to hold tightly to those strands of our heritage, mindful of the coming generations. Harrison again succeeded. Congress enacted the Grand Ronde Restoration Act in 1983, paving the way for the creation of Spirit Mountain Casino and the reestablishment of the Grand Ronde Reservation. Harrison continued to sit on the tribal council until her retirement in 2001, serving as tribal chair several times over the years. Former Gov. Barbara Roberts worked with Harrison to establish gaming rights and the protection of Indigenous cultural resources in the state. In office from 1991 to 1995, Roberts said she admired Harrisons steadfast dedication to her cause and Harrisons ability to work respectfully with other leaders who may have had conflicting goals. Kathryn was one of those people that you meet once in a lifetime, Roberts said. Theres only a handful of them who are truly leaders, who gently do the work of leading without pushing, without raising their voice, without doing any of the things we sometimes think of when we think of leaders. Others admiration for Harrison was palpable, Roberts said. Theres one word I always think of when I think of her its kind, Roberts said. Kathryn was one of the kindest people I ever knew. Kind to her own people in the tribe, kind to the people in the community, kind to people who had needs. Her kindness always shone through. Spirit Mountain Casino opened its doors in 1995 and ushered in an era of economic growth for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. With newfound financial independence, the tribe, with Harrison, helped establish the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, a charitable organization that has distributed over $94 million to nonprofits around Oregon. Funds from Oregons largest casino were used to create educational, nutritional and health programs for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, and funded its newly formed government. Harrison played a crucial role in establishing each program. Tony Johnson, tribal chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation, served as the director of the Chinuk Wawa language revival program at Grand Ronde under Harrison. He said that opportunity came out of the blue, after Harrison turned an everyday conversation into a job interview. Thats just kind of classically related to the way that she was able to manipulate, in the most positive sense, the world around her for the benefit of her community, Johnson said. For once I belonged Harrison was born to Harry William Jones of the Molalla peoples and Ella Flemming of the Alaskan Eyak tribe in Corvallis in 1924. Both parents died in a flu epidemic when she was 10, and Harrison was sent to foster care, eventually landing with a white family in Buxton, Oregon. She endured sexual abuse and was forced to perform heavy labor, she told biographer Kristine Olson in Standing Tall. Harrison fled foster care and at 15 entered Chemawa Indian School, a government boarding school for Indigenous children that combined military rigor with programs designed for prisoners to eradicate Native influence on students, according to Boarding School Season by Brenda J. Child. At least 270 children died in Chemawa custody between 1880 and 1945, according to researchers from Pacific University. Harrison told Olson that Chemawa was a refuge compared to the abusive foster home in Washington County. Here for once I belonged, she said, according to her biography. The school trained her to be a maid and found her a job with a wealthy family in Portland after graduation. Instead, she waited tables and weighed packages on the assembly line of a Northwest Portland Jell-O factory, Olson wrote. She married Chemawa classmate Frank Harrison in 1944. The couple had 10 children. In Olsons biography of Harrison, the author notes Frank Harrison was an abusive husband and an alcoholic. He faced rampant discrimination when he returned to Oregon after serving in the military during World War II. Unable to find reliable work, Frank Harrison led his family to stints at farms in Oregon, Montana, Arizona and Alaska. In 1970, at age 46, Harrison left her husband, moving back to Oregon with the five sons and daughters who were still children. She enrolled at Lane Community College, where she received an associates degree in nursing and went to work at a hospital in Lincoln City. Harrison later received honorary degrees from Portland State University, the University of Portland and Willamette University. The official end of her marriage in 1974 coincided with her rise in tribal affairs, a path that brought her in contact with Oregon elected leaders across several decades. Although leadership came naturally to Harrison, her fierceness surprised some, said Kerry Tymchuk, executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, which in 2012 made Harrison the first Indigenous person recognized as an Oregon History Maker. Tymchuk said Harrison enjoyed a lifelong friendship with former U.S. Sen. Mark O. Hatfield of Oregon, who died in 2011. It was mutual admiration with Hatfield; they really formed a great friendship and that was key in Congress passing legislation that restored their tribal recognition and land, Tymchuk said. Former Gov. Ted Kulongoski praised her widespread influence. Kathryns leadership brought respect and dignity to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and all of Oregons Native peoples, Kulongoski said. She made Oregon a better place for all of us. U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer dubbed Harrison one of most consequential people in Oregon over the past century. And AuCoin called her unforgettable: When you find somebody whos filled with so much goodness, its something that lasts a lifetime in your memory. In 2021, the Corvallis School District renamed an elementary school for Harrison. Service to her tribe A devout Christian, Harrison incorporated cultural traditions into her faith, a practice handed down from her father. When Harrison learned the American Museum of Natural History in New York City had a meteorite sacred to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde on display, she negotiated visiting privileges and the right to conduct after-hours ceremonies for tribal members. She later served on the museums board. Olson, her biographer, said the tribe makes an annual trip to Manhattan to visit the meteorite called Tomanowos, also known as the Willamette meteorite. Olson once gave Harrison a small carved turtle attached to a note that read, Behold the turtle; she makes progress only when she sticks her neck out. In return, Harrison gifted a turtle rattle to Olson, saying Watch me stick my neck out. It became an inside joke. And after that, whenever we met, she always made a point out of an exaggerated neck stretch, Olson said in an emailed response. She had a great sense of humor and didnt mind inviting laughter at herself. The day before her death, Grand Ronde tribal members honored Harrison at a naming ceremony for a dugout canoe. Harrison, the oldest member of her tribe, spoke at the event to a captivated crowd, and later huddled with Johnson, of the Chinook Indian Nation, and his teenage son. The Chinook lack federal recognition, and Harrison told the father and son about the fights she led in Congress. Literally, to her last day, she was teaching, sharing knowledge, said Johnson. The public is invited to attend a memorial luncheon in honor of Harrison at 10 a.m. June 4 at Spirit Mountain Casino, niece Lisa Watson said. Nick Gibson; ngibson@oregonian.com; 971-393-8259; @newsynicholas Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe The Oregon Department of Justice is reviewing whether to open a criminal investigation into whether the Democratic Party of Oregon violated a state law against accepting campaign contributions under a false name, a spokesperson for the department said Friday. We are reviewing the matter, Department of Justice spokesperson Roy Kaufmann wrote in an email. We have made no determination as to the scope of our inquiry related to a $500,000 contribution a cryptocurrency executive made to the party last fall. The rugged Columbia River Gorge is one of the scenic wonders of the Pacific Northwest. But not everyone has the ability or resources to enjoy it. The conservation nonprofit Friends of the Columbia Gorge is planning a new Cape Horn viewpoint and gathering place thats accessible and inclusive in just about every way. Over the past year, the group has sought advice from people of color, local tribes, older adults, disability advocates and families with young children as well as the U.S. Forest Service on how the site can make everyone feel welcome. Its such a spectacular property, said Dan Bell, Friends of the Gorge land trust director, during a recent stroll around the Washington site. Cape Horn Trail hikers may notice, off the dead-end road you cross before approaching the Nancy Russell Overlook, a gated driveway that leads into a tree-lined private property. Friends of the Columbia Gorge bought that 55-acre site a few years ago, Bell said. Its mostly rolling pasture, but a rental house sits at one end, yards from a bluff that offers a prime easterly view of the Columbia Gorge. The project aims to share this spectacular view with people who cant hike to the nearby Nancy Russell Overlook. To make that happen, Friends plans to add parking, along with other amenities (including restrooms) to make the site accessible and welcoming to all. Meyer/Reed principal landscape architect Jeramie Shane, right, talks about the designs of a new Cape Horn lookout while senior designer Margaret Drew, left, listens Friday, April 28, 2023, at Cape Horn Preserve in the Columbia River Gorge. Friends of Columbia Gorge are working with Mayer/Reed to design the lookout and outdoor area with accessibility at the forefront.Taylor Balkom/The Columbian A scooter belonging to Mayer/Reed senior designer Margaret Drew sits in the grass Friday, April 28, 2023, at Cape Horn Preserve in the Columbia River Gorge. The scooter could go no further on the uneven grass, which is the proposed site of a new scenic point that will be designed with accessibility at the forefront.Taylor Balkom/The Columbian Meyer/Reed principal landscape architect Jeramie Shane holds a clipboard displaying suggested trail widths and surfacing diagrams Friday, April 28, 2023, at Cape Horn Preserve in the Columbia River Gorge. Friends of Columbia Gorge are working with Mayer/Reed to design the lookout and outdoor area with accessibility at the forefront.Taylor Balkom/The Columbian As it slopes gently upward toward the bluff, the pasture also offers unexpected views of mountains and ridges in the opposite direction, away from the Gorge. The project will maximize those views, said landscape architect Jeramie Shane of Portland design firm Mayer/Reed, which is working with Friends of the Gorge. A habitat restoration effort will encourage growth of a white oak grove. Bell said that will require removal of some of the boundary-line fir trees, which were preferred by Pacific Northwest settlers and farmers and came to dominate much of todays landscape. The project will demolish the house and other structures on the site and may add picnic shelters with grills. Different people recreate in different ways. For some family groups and tribal groups, gathering places are very important, Bell said. The project will add environmental, scientific and cultural education stations along a new trail loop. Concept designs for that trail show surfaces and widths that are aimed at being inclusive to all. It wont be just a trailhead parking lot, Bell said of the transformed site. Therell be more to do than just take a single trail to a single overlook. The plan is likely years away from fruition. Friends of the Gorge will apply for a $250,000 grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Winning the grant will allow Friends and Mayer/Reed to take the next step of applying for an initial permit from Skamania County, Bell said. Margaret Drew, a senior designer at Mayer/Reed, participated in the recent site visit by riding her motorized scooter until the pasture got too bumpy. Then Drew had to get out and walk, which wasnt easy for her, she said. Drew said she was born with a form of dwarfism. She loves the great outdoors, but hiking on irregular ground can be tough for her. Going long distances just isnt possible. Its going to be for all of us, Drew said of the Cape Horn project. It will let people pick their own adventures. Scott Hewitt: 360-735-4525; scott.hewitt@columbian.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRETHREN Thirty-seven Brethren High School seniors received their diplomas Friday in a ceremony in the school gymnasium. During the ceremony, Maddax Fitzgerald, class president and salutatorian, told his peers he would always cherish his memories of them. "I won't forget the whole class. Each and every one of you that sits before me is a unique person, with unique goals, a unique personality and a unique past," Fitzgerald said. "I know that each one of us is destined to do amazing things in life. I couldn't be happier to call the Brethren High School Class of 2023 my graduating class." Brethren had three valedictorians: Clayton Mobley, Cora Scott and Jane Amstutz. Kyle Kotecki/News Advocate "We've spent the past four years learning math, social studies, art, music, English, science, PE and French. We've written essays, balanced equations and solved for X," Amstutz said. "... We've also grown up. ... We've made lasting friendships and changed as people, learning not only from our classes but the people that we took them with. ... I would like you all to hold onto what you've learned within these walls and take that knowledge with you into the next phase of your life. "I invite you all to remember that while our time here is over, our time in this world is merely beginning." Scott told her fellow graduates to chase their dreams and take chances in the pursuit of happiness. "Simple and small actions can lead to big things, and if something unexpected or bad happens, at least you did something, because nothing comes from nothing," she said. "... Allow uncertainty to happen. Take chances. Step out of that comfort zone, because nothing can come from nothing." Senior class advisers Kirsten Amstutz and Amanda Mobley shared some wisdom with the graduates in farewell speeches. In total, the graduates combined to receive over $500,000 in scholarships. Huron County residents lined the streets of Bad Axe to honor fallen American soldiers for the city's Memorial Day parade. The procession included local organizations and businesses showing their patriotism and gratitude for those who died in the service of their country. Afterward, County Sheriff Kelly Hanson led a gathering at the Huron County building for the raising and lowering of the flag, a performance from the Bad Axe Public Schools marching band, and other demonstrations to honor fallen soldiers and America. BERLIN (AP) Russia will start expelling German diplomats, teachers and employees of German cultural institutions next month a move that will further enhance tensions between the two countries that have already had very fraught ties since Russia invaded Ukraine early last year. The German foreign ministry sharply criticized Russia's move, calling the upcoming expulsions a unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible decision. Egypts Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi discussed the need for the UN body to mobilize humanitarian and medical aid for countries hosting displaced Sudanese fleeing violence in their country. Shoukry also highlighted Egypts commitment since the beginning of the crisis to open its borders to those fleeing the conflict in line with its international and regional obligations. So far, Egypt has received 121,000 Sudanese, most of them are women, children and the elderly, according to Egypt's top diplomat. The discussion came during a meeting in Geneva on Thursday that also touched on ways the UNHCR can help Egypt bear the enormous burden of hosting a huge number of migrants and refugees, especially from Sudan. Shoukry told Grandi that Egypt is already hosting nine million migrants and refugees from various countries. Egypt is committed to respecting their human rights and dignity, and not discriminating against them, providing them with equal services, including access to health and education, Shoukry explained to the UN official. Following the meeting, Grandi tweeted "Grateful to Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry for visiting us in Geneva. I look forward to travelling tomorrow to Cairo, where we will discuss how best to support Egypt the country currently receiving the largest number of refugees from Sudan." On Monday, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) announced allocating $5 million to support the UN efforts in Egypt to help people fleeing conflict in Sudan. Search Keywords: Short link: A paralysed man has regained the ability to walk smoothly using only his thoughts for the first time, thanks to two implants that restored communication between brain and spinal cord. The patient Gert-Jan, who did not want to reveal his surname, said the breakthrough had given him "a freedom that I did not have" before. The 40-year-old Dutchman has been paralysed in his legs for more than a decade after suffering a spinal cord injury during a bicycle accident. But using a new system he can now walk "naturally", take on difficult terrain and even climb stairs, according to a study published in the journal Nature. The advance is the result of more than a decade of work by a team of researchers in France and Switzerland. Last year the team showed that a spinal cord implant -- which sends electrical pulses to stimulate movement in leg muscles -- had allowed three paralysed patients to walk again. But they needed to press a button to move their legs each time. Gert-Jan, who also has the spinal implant, said this made it difficult to get into the rhythm of taking a "natural step". 'Digital bridge' The latest research combines the spinal implant with new technology called a brain-computer interface, which is implanted above the part of the brain that controls leg movement. The interface uses algorithms based on artificial intelligence methods to decode brain recordings in real time, the researchers said. This allows the interface, which was designed by researchers at France's Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), to work out how the patient wants to move their legs at any moment. The data is transmitted to the spinal cord implant via a portable device that fits in a walker or small backpack, allowing patients to get around without help from others. The two implants build what the researchers call a "digital bridge" to cross the disconnect between the spinal cord and brain that was created during Gert-Jan's accident. "Now I can just do what I want -- when I decide to make a step the stimulation will kick in as soon as I think about it," Gert-Jan said. After undergoing invasive surgery twice to implant both devices, it has "been a long journey to get here," he told a press conference in the Swiss city of Lausanne. But among other changes, he is now able to stand at a bar again with friends while having a beer. "This simple pleasure represents a significant change in my life," he said in a statement. 'Radically different' Gregoire Courtine, a neuroscientist at Switzerland's Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne and a study co-author, said it was "radically different" from what had been accomplished before. "Previous patients walked with a lot of effort -- now one just needs to think about walking to take a step," he told a press conference in the Swiss city of Lausanne. There was another positive sign: following six months of training, Gert-Jan recovered some sensory perception and motor skills that he had lost in the accident. He was even able to walk with crutches when the "digital bridge" was turned off. Guillaume Charvet, a researcher at France's CEA, told AFP this suggests "that the establishment of a link between the brain and spinal cord would promote a reorganisation of the neuronal networks" at the site of the injury. So when could this technology be available to paralysed people around the world? Charvet cautioned it will take "many more years of research" to get to that point. But the team are already preparing a trial to study whether this technology can restore function in arms and hands. They also hope it could apply to other problems such as paralysis caused by stroke. Search Keywords: Short link: Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - The socio-economic event of the week, which is drawing to a close, was the adoption by the Council of Ministers of a draft law ratifying an agreement on the regulation of the employment of Burundian workers in the State of Qatar Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Maltese capital, Valletta, is hosting the activities of a training and capacity-building session for 10 boat managers from the Navy and the Maritime Operations Room of the Libyan General Directorate for Coastal Security Photo: (Photo : Freepik) Shannon Marsden and Stephen Boden, parents from the UK, were found guilty of killing their 10-month-old son Finley Boden in a terrible manner, and they were given a life sentence in jail in a case that shook the country. After being judged responsible for their child's murder, the parents will each spend a minimum of 27 and 29 years, respectively. Heartbreaking aspects of the case were revealed before Derby Crown Court, where Mrs. Justice Amanda Tipples referred to the pair as "persuasive and accomplished liars" who had disguised their son's maltreatment from authorities, eventually resulting in his terrible death.The Independent reported that the pair went to great lengths to deceive social workers, even claiming that Finley had COVID-19 to prevent them from seeing the child. 10-Month-Old Suffered 130 Wounds, Including Fractures and Burns Prosecutors revealed that Finley had been taken away from Marsden and Boden at birth due to their drug use, but the couple deceived authorities by falsely claiming to be drug-free, thus regaining custody of their son in November of the same year. Tragically, once back in their care, Finley suffered immensely. According to FOX News The infant had a shocking total of 130 injuries, including 71 bruises, 57 bone fractures and breaks, and burns. Additionally, he was afflicted with sepsis and endocarditis, a life-threatening infection surrounding the heart, which ultimately proved fatal. The judge emphasized that medical intervention could have saved Finley's life, but his parents callously refused to seek help, fully aware that their actions would result in their son being taken away from them. Despite the gravity of their crimes, Marsden and Boden displayed no emotion as their sentences were read aloud in court.During the trial, Justice Tipples delivered a poignant statement, highlighting the joyful and loving nature of young Finley before his life was tragically cut short. The judge went on to describe the last days of the infant's life as "terrible to describe and extremely distressing," firmly admonishing the parents for their deliberate and continuous neglect. According to ABC News, the revelation that the couple had lied to doctors about the cause of Finley's injuries, including 46 rib fractures and 12 other bone fractures, further underscored the extent of their cruel and callous behavior. It was clear that the injuries inflicted on Finley were the result of significant force, inhibiting his ability to breathe properly and ultimately leading to the fatal infection. Read Also: Father Kills His Own Infant; Cops Found The Baby With Bruises Cannabis Paraphernalia and Soiled Clothing Found in UK Parent's Home Photographic evidence presented during the trial unveiled the squalid conditions of the couple's home, with cannabis paraphernalia found alongside expired baby formula and soiled infant clothing stained with blood and feces. The Independent reported that a social worker, who made an unannounced visit shortly before Finley's death, discovered the shocking state of the residence. Boden, in an attempt to conceal the abuse, resorted to lying, claiming that Finley had COVID-19. The terrible case has aroused outrage, with a relative of one of the accused calling Marsden and Boden "monsters" and the abuse Finley endured "horrific." Child protective authorities have expressed deep concern over the brutal violence and abuse suffered by a child named Finley. They've stressed the need to draw lessons from this tragedy to avoid repeat disasters. The death of Finley has shocked the country, and many people are trying to make sense of the events that led to his death. For the sake of better protecting vulnerable youngsters and avoiding such tragedies, authorities are presently undertaking a thorough inquiry into the case's circumstances. Related Article: Connecticut Mom Who Murdered Her Children, Then Killed Herself Laid to Rest Alongside Them Photo: (Photo : Freepik/xb100) The process of "redetermining" Montana citizens' eligibility for Medicaid has begun, and by the end of the month, roughly 7,900 people may no longer be covered, according to NY Times. Concerns regarding the possible influence on healthcare access and the financial load on healthcare systems are raised by this considerable number. According to Daily Montanan, a change in the law passed in 2021 and the expiration of COVID-19 pandemic rules that allowed for continuous eligibility have prompted the redetermination process. Previously, Montana had been one of two states providing "continuous eligibility," meaning that qualifying individuals received Medicaid coverage for a continuous 12-month period, even if their circumstances changed during that time. Advocates argued that this approach helped address the fluctuating life circumstances of Medicaid recipients. However, lawmakers from the Republican majority contended that the change was necessary to ensure coverage only for those who genuinely qualified, with the aim of saving taxpayer money. Concerns Arise Over Potential Coverage Loss as 43% of Cases Remain Unresponsive The pandemic temporarily halted the implementation of the new law, as continuous eligibility was maintained under pandemic measures. However, the change is now being put into effect as a result of those measures' recent expiration. The issue is that some Medicaid beneficiaries may not be aware of the updated specifications and the obligation to submit the required documentation for redetermination. Currently, 7,900 people, or around 43% of the 18,370 instances, have not replied to the redetermination procedure and are in danger of losing their Medicaid coverage. Health leaders anticipate that part of the decrease in coverage may be natural due to the pandemic's end and the reset of eligibility criteria. Nevertheless, there is apprehension that individuals may unintentionally lose coverage due to a lack of awareness. Olivia Riutta, the director of special populations for Cover Montana, an organization that helps residents navigate the Medicaid qualification process, emphasizes the importance of providing residents with accurate information. Riutta stresses that the process requires individual attention and urges those affected to stay informed and respond promptly to any changes or paperwork from the state. Read Also: Medicaid Coverage: Millions of American Children at Risk of Losing Health Care Access Outreach Efforts Aim To Inform Medicaid Recipients about Redetermination Process The redetermination procedure is being made known to Medicaid users via outreach efforts. In its outreach efforts, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has texted people to ask them to update their contact information. Informational materials have also been sent to Medicaid recipients, guiding them through the necessary steps. While it is too early to determine the full impact of the redetermination process on healthcare coverage in Montana, there is heightened call volume and a noticeable increase in renewals. The consequences of churn, including administrative costs and potential rises in uncompensated care, may take time to manifest fully. Monitoring uncompensated care will be crucial in assessing whether individuals who may qualify for coverage have lost it. Both Riutta and department spokesman Jon Ebelt highlight the importance of the ongoing efforts to inform Medicaid recipients about the changes. They encourage residents to seek assistance if needed, as navigators are available to provide guidance. It may take up to a year to gather reliable statewide data on the effects of the redetermination process and churn on the healthcare system.As the redetermination process continues, Montana aims to strike a balance between ensuring eligibility compliance and preventing coverage loss for those who genuinely need it. Related Article: Medicaid Extensions Grow for New Mothers in the US Photo: (Photo : Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images) South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has recently sparked controversy with her stance on drag shows, preferred pronouns, and free speech in the state's universities. In a letter addressed to the South Dakota Board of Regents, Governor Noem expressed her concerns about what she perceives as the negative influence of liberal ideologies on higher education. Challenging the Board of Regents to improve the quality of higher education in the state, Governor Noem criticized the prevalence of "liberal ideologies" on college campuses, arguing that they have poisoned the learning environment. She contended that students are being sheltered in safe spaces instead of being exposed to the realities of disagreement, discomfort, and dissent that they will encounter in the real world. South Dakota Aims To Bolster Free Speech According to NBC News, one of Governor Noem's key proposals is to protect and enhance free speech rights on campus. While advocating for free expression, her stance on drag shows has drawn attention and raised questions about the boundaries of free speech. Governor Noem has called for a ban on drag shows in universities, citing concerns over their content and appropriateness for a diverse audience. However, critics argue that drag shows fall under the umbrella of free expression, protected by the First Amendment, as long as they do not cross into obscenity. Furthermore, Governor Noem's letter also touched on the topic of preferred pronouns. She urged the removal of references to preferred pronouns in school materials. This stance has triggered discussions about inclusivity and transgender rights. Advocates argue that using preferred pronouns is a crucial step in creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all students, including transgender individuals. The message of this letter does not come as a shock to the people of South Dakota, as the state has already passed similar bills specifically intended for the transgender community. Earlier this year, as reported by CNN, Governor Kristi Noem approved legislation known as HB 1080, which prohibits transgender minors from accessing both surgical and non-surgical gender-affirming treatments in the state. The bill specifically bans the prescription and administration of sex hormones, puberty-blocking medication, and any gender transition-related surgeries for individuals under the age of 18. Healthcare providers found in violation of the new law, effective July 1, could face civil lawsuits and the potential revocation of their professional licenses. Read Also: Target Faces Scrutiny Over Removal of LGBTQIA+ Merchandise in Response To Employee Safety Threats Governor's Call for Improved Graduation Rates and Affordability According to the Yankton Daily, the Board of Regents in South Dakota oversees various educational institutions, including the University of South Dakota, Dakota State University, South Dakota Mines, Black Hills State University, Northern State University, South Dakota State University, South Dakota Services for the Deaf, USD-Sioux Falls, and the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Governor Noem emphasized the need to improve graduation rates at South Dakota's public universities. Citing data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scoreboard, she highlighted that approximately 47% of students enrolled in state public universities are graduating, which is below the national average. The governor challenged the Board of Regents to raise the graduation rate to 65% by 2028. She also called for efforts to make higher education more affordable, although specific solutions were not mentioned in the letter. In response to Governor Noem's letter, the South Dakota Board of Regents emphasized that many of the suggestions mentioned have already been addressed or are being actively pursued. They highlighted their ongoing work through internal strategic plans and the Senate Bill 55 Legislative Task Force, which aims to support the growth of South Dakota's workforce through public universities. The Board of Regents also referred to the 2020 Legislature-mandated task force. This task force has been instrumental in identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies to enhance the state's higher education system. Related Article: Arizona Teenager Arrested for Bringing Disassembled AR-15 Along With A Device to Convert It Into Fully Automatic Machine Gun Photo: (Photo : Jon Cherry / Getty Images) Indiana's medical board has imposed a fine on Dr. Caitlin Bernard after she violated privacy rules by publicly discussing her involvement in the abortion of a 10-year-old rape victim. Dr. Bernard, an OB-GYN at Indiana University Health, has been fined $3,000 and issued a letter of reprimand by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board. However, her medical license has not been suspended. The decision by the board came after Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican, accused Dr. Bernard of failing to report child abuse and violating patient privacy by discussing the case with a reporter. Rokita filed a complaint in November, urging the licensing board to take disciplinary action against Dr. Bernard. Indiana's Controversial Abortion Case As reported by ABC, the case that led to the fine involved a 10-year-old girl from Ohio who was raped and became pregnant. The child, just over six weeks pregnant, traveled to Indiana to receive care from Dr. Bernard since Ohio's abortion laws prohibited the procedure after approximately six weeks. It is important to note that Indiana has subsequently passed a near-total abortion ban, although it is currently on hold due to a judicial decision. The Indiana Medical Licensing Board concluded that Dr. Bernard violated privacy rules in three counts related to patient confidentiality. However, they rejected two other counts regarding the reporting of child abuse and professional competence. Dr. John Strobel, the president of the licensing board, characterized Dr. Bernard as a "good doctor" following the extensive 14-hour hearing. However, according to Axios, Dr. Caitlin Bernard has still been found by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board to have infringed upon patient privacy regulations, resulting in three counts of violation. As a consequence, she has been fined $1,000 for each violation, amounting to a total fine of $3,000. Additionally, the board has issued Dr. Bernard a letter of reprimand. Dr. Caitlin Bernard Allegedly Failed To Report According to NBC News, during the hearing, Cory Voight, the director of complex litigation for the Indiana attorney general's office, argued that Dr. Bernard breached patient confidentiality and failed to report the case to the appropriate authorities, violating state law. Voight further contended that Dr. Bernard had violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) by disclosing sensitive health information without patient consent. Dr. Bernard's lawyer, Alice Morical, defended her actions, stating that she had reported the case of child abuse to a social worker at her university, which complied with Indiana law. Morical also maintained that Dr. Bernard did not violate HIPAA because her comments to The Indianapolis Star did not disclose identifying information about the patient. The highly publicized case drew strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Following an internal investigation conducted by Indiana University Health, where Dr. Caitlin Bernard serves as an OB-GYN, it was concluded last year that Dr. Bernard had adhered to patient privacy regulations. Expressing her perspective during the hearing, Dr. Bernard stated that the situation would not have escalated if Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita had not chosen to approach it as a political maneuver. Read Also: Tennessee Files Lawsuit for Social Media Impact on Students' Mental Health; Sues TikTok, Facebook, YouTube The Alleged Rapist and Investigation Gerson Fuentes, a resident of Ohio, faced charges for the alleged rape of the 10-year-old girl. Dr. Caitlin Bernard, while testifying, revealed that her Ohio colleague had identified the potential involvement of the girl's two brothers and her mother's boyfriend as potential suspects. The details surrounding the case underscored the severity of the situation and the necessity of a thorough investigation. Indiana University Health, where Dr. Bernard practices, conducted an internal investigation and determined that she had followed patient privacy laws. The health system released a statement affirming its support for Dr. Bernard and expressing disagreement with the licensing board's decision regarding patient privacy regulations. As this case comes to a close, it highlights the complex and contentious nature of abortion rights, patient privacy, and the responsibilities of medical professionals. The ongoing evolution of legal and ethical landscapes surrounding abortion guarantees that cases like Dr. Bernard's will continue to ignite debates and discussions on these crucial topics. Reported Article: Arizona Teenager Arrested for Bringing Disassembled AR-15 Along With A Device to Convert It Into Fully Automatic Machine Gun My introduction to volume 56 volume 56! of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship has now gone up online. And, as usual, it has gone up in a variety of formats, include audible (read by yr obtt servant with the expert technical assistance of Tom Pittman): In This Batterd Caravanserai, written by Daniel C. Peterson Abstract: In the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, based upon verses composed by an eleventh-century Persian mathematician and astronomer, the English Victorian poet Edward FitzGerald eloquently portrays human life in an indifferent, deterministic universe that lacks any evident purpose and is bereft of divine Providence. The poems suggested response to such a universe is an unambitious life of hedonism, distraction, and gentle despair. It is curiously modern, and those considering the adoption of anything like its worldview might want to read it, and to think about its implications, very carefully. Readers of 3 Nephi who, like me, favor a Mesoamerican model for the Book of Mormon, should need no reminding that Mesoamerica is a volcanically active area. But these photographs will serve, nonetheless, as a reminder: Popocatepetl volcano spews smoke and ash, putting millions of Mexicans on alert Back now, though, to sharing notes from Robert J. Hutchinson, Searching for Jesus: New Discoveries in the Quest for Jesus of Nazareth and How They Confirm the Gospel Accounts (Nashville: Nelson Books, 2015). The French writer and historian Ernst Renan (1823-1892) was one of the pioneer writers (popularizers?) of the analysis of the historical Jesus along purely naturalistic lines. In his view, the resurrection of Christ was little more than the delusion experienced by some hysterical women when, shortly after the death and burial of Jesus, they were shocked by the discovery of an empty tomb. The Anglican bishop William Temple is said to have quipped Why anyone should have troubled to crucify the Christ of Liberal Protestantism has always been a mystery. [William Temple, Readings in St. Johns Gospel (London: Macmillan, 1945], xxiv; quoted in James D. G. Dunn, Jesus Remembered (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003), 49] Here, first, is a passage about the history of the rationalist or liberal Protestant approach to life-of-Jesus research: In his classic summary of (or eulogy for) the first quest, The Quest of the Historical Jesus, published in 1906, Dr. [Albert] Schweitzer concluded that the search for the historical Jesus had been an effort in which, in a sense, scholars peered down the long, dark well of history, and the image that they saw was nothing more than their own reflections looking back at them. What [rationalism] is looking for is not the past, but itself in the past, Schweitzer wrote. For it, the problem of the life of Jesus is solved the moment it succeeds in bringing Jesus near to its own time, in portraying Him as the great teacher of virtue, and showing that His teaching is identical with the intellectual truth which rationalism deifies. A few years earlier, another scholar, Martin Kahler (1835-1912), had offered an even better reason for why the quest was doomed from the start: the historical sources available are simply not sufficient for the task at hand. If you reject the Gospels from the start as unreliable, and insist that Jesus must have been radically different from the way he is portrayed in the New Testament, then you simply dont have enough information with which to construct a realistic portrait of Jesus of Nazareth, Kahler argued. I regard the entire Life-of-Jesus movement as a blind alley, he wrote. . . . By the turn of the twentieth century, many of the leading theologians of Europe, such as Karl Barth and Rudolf Bultmann, would have agree with Kahlers critique of the quest for the historical Jesus. They would insist that Christian faith is based on the kerygma, the proclamation of the church, and has little if anything to do with the tentative, uncertain research of academic history. The only Jesus people have access to, these theologians said, is the Jesus of the Gospels. Any other Jesus is just in the imagination of dreamy nineteenth-century rationalists such as Renan. (53, citing Albert Schweitzer, The Quest of the Historical Jesus, trans. W. Montgomery [London: Adam and Charles Black, 1911], 658, and Martin Kahler, The So-Called Historical Jesus and the Historic Biblical Christ, trans. Carl F. Braaten [Philadelphia: Fortress, 1964], 46) On 1 February 2012, Daniel Wallace, director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts at Dallas Theological Seminary, debated the famous agnostic New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman at Ehrmans home institution, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During his 2012 debate with Ehrman . . . Wallace pulled an ace out of his sleeve: he revealed that researchers associated with his Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts had recently discovered seven previously unknown New Testament papyri six of which probably date from the second century (AD 100-200) and one probably from the first (that is, the seventies, eighties, or nineties). The fragments would be published at a future date, he said. If most scholars support the dating of these ancient fragments, this is a major discovery that could change, but will more likely reinforce, what historians already know about the writing of the Gospels. According to Wallace, the discovery of these ancient papyri means that we now have eighteen New Testament manuscripts from the second century and one from the first. He estimates that more than 43 percent of all New Testament verses are found in just these eighteen early manuscripts. That would lend considerable weight to the argument that the official Greek text of the New Testament, relied upon for most modern Bible translations, is pretty close to the original. The most startling of the recent discoveries, according to Wallace, is the first-century fragment; it is from the gospel of Mark, which is widely believed by scholars to be the very first gospel written. The earliest manuscript of Mark we currently have, called P45, is dated to around the year AD 250. Thus, this new find would predate P45 by 100 to 150 years. It was dated by one of the worlds leading paleographers, Wallace wrote two weeks after the debate. He said he was certain that it was from the first century. If this is true, it would be the oldest fragment of the New Testament known to exist. (70-71, emphasis in the original; citing Daniel Wallace, Earliest Manuscript of the New Testament Discovered? Dallas Theological Seminary, 9 February 2012; https://voice.dts.edu/article/wallace-new-testament-manscript-first-century/) And, in this next passage, Hutchinson makes what I consider a very important point: Compared to other ancient writings, there exists an overwhelming volume of material and written witnesses to the New Testament text. Christian apologists have pointed out for decades just how few manuscript witnesses exist for other ancient writings. For example, we have only twenty manuscripts of the writings of Plato, with the earliest dating from the ninth century AD or more than 1,250 years after they were written! We have only eight manuscripts from the writings of the Greek historian Thucydides, one of our principal sources for the history of ancient Greece; and only eight manuscripts of the Greek historian Herodotus, all of which date from the tenth century AD or between 1,300 and 1,350 years after they were written. The same is true for most of our other sources for ancient history. We have only ten manuscripts of Julius Caesars Gallic Wars, dating from the tenth century, or 950 years after they were written; only twenty manuscripts of the writings of Tacitus, dating from AD 1100, or a thousand years after they were written; and only seven copies of Pliny the Youngers History of Rome, dating from AD 850, or 750 years after it was written. In contrast, we have 5,800 manuscripts of the New Testament writings some of which date to between fifty years (or less!) and three hundred years after the originals were first written. For example, if the gospel of John was written between AD 90 and 100, as many scholars believe, and the papyrus P52 dates to 125, then the copy we have was copied only twenty-five to thirty-five years after the gospel was originally written. That is a truly amazing chronological proximity to the original text! Yet few ancient historians claim that we cant be sure what Caesar, Tacitus, Herodotus, or Thucydides wrote, even though the earliest copies of their writings in existence date a thousand years or so after the original texts were written. There is very little discussion of copyist error in the case of Thucydides or Herodotus even though the same dynamics were no doubt present with scribes who copied these works as with those who copied the gospels. There would be the same tendencies toward routine errors, spelling mistakes, dropped words, and the like; yet most historians rely upon these documents as reflecting, with reasonable accuracy, what the ancient writers actually wrote. By contrast, a rigorous standard of scrupulosity is commonly applied to the texts of the New Testament. (81-82, citing Joseph M. Holden and Norman Geisler, The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible [Eugene OR: Harvest House, 2013], 118-119, 129) ETA: In response to this blog entry, Trevor Luke, an academic specialist on the history of ancient Rome, has written elsewhere to point out a couple of important errors in Robert Hutchinsons passage above about Pliny the Younger and to note that Daniel Wallace has apparently backed off on the Markan fragment since his debate with Bart Ehrman. I appreciate the correction. One of my reasons for posting these notes is to garner helpful responses from readers. Im gathering them for potential eventual use in future publications and, where possible, I hope to double- and triple-check every claim. I much prefer mistakes and misunderstandings to be identified prior to publication. I would rather not base my arguments on incorrect information or flawed analyses. So when others do some of my work for me, Im grateful. Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday, the WHO said it had teamed up with other United Nations agencies to support farmers wishing to convert from growing tobacco to growing food. The schemes pilot in Kenya has proved successful and now the United Nations wants to export it to other countries and continents. A record of 349 million people face acute food insecurity and that is up from 135 million in 2019, Ruediger Krech, the WHOs director for health promotion, told reporters in Geneva. Then we have 124 countries which grow tobacco as a cash crop, covering an estimated 3.2 million hectares of land. Approximately 200,000 hectares of land are cleared every year for tobacco crop growing. Beyond its effects on the health of smokers and farmers, tobacco growing poses a problem for food security, according to the WHO. The UN health agency is concerned that tobacco companies are gaining an increasing foothold in Africa, with a rise of nearly 20 percent in tobacco plantations across the continent since 2005. It is often said that tobacco farming would be so important for economic growth. This is a myth that we urgently need to dispel, said Krech. He said it only accounts for more than one percent of gross domestic product in five countries: Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and North Macedonia. So the profits go to the global tobacco companies. The WHO accuses the tobacco industry of trapping farmers in a cycle of dependency, giving them little control over product prices and quality. Theyre trapped. They need to repay the debt before they can discontinue the work for big tobacco, said Krech. Three UN agencies -- the WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme -- have set up a credit programme to help farmers pay off their tobacco industry debts and change their crop. The scheme was launched in Migori county in southwest Kenya, where 2,040 farmers have been helped in the first year. We were really positively surprised to see so much interest, said Krech. Key leaders from the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), and the European Chamber of Commerce have affirmed Ghanas position as the leading destination for FDI and trade with the highest competitiveness score in West Africa. They however noted that Senegal and Ivory Coast were fast gaining ground and Ghana had to redouble her efforts to remain competitive. These points were made by Mr. Tjalling Wiarda, General Manager of the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council and Mr. Nicholas Gebara, Executive Director of the European Chamber of Commerce during an expert panel webinar to mark European Union Day at the Institute of International Affairs, Ghana (GhIIA.org). The webinar organized by the International Economics and Trade Observatory (IETO) at the GhIIA.org was moderated by the coordinating fellow of the IETO, Mr. Fred Amissah. In setting the tone and establishing the premise for the discussion, Mr Amissah stated that the Institutes position on trade is premised on the Ricardian concept of comparative advantage. Flowing from this, the Institute was of the view that international trade based on leveraging Ghanas advantage was key to the countrys development. The webinar had thus been organized as part of the celebrations to mark European Day, and in recognition of the long period of trade relations that has existed between Europe and Ghana/ West Africa. He further noted that the webinar was an attempt to tap into the knowledge of the European Chambers of Commerce on how Ghana was competing in attracting European businesses and investments compared to its peers in sub-Saharan Africa. The panelists were emphatic that despite major challenges, Ghana remained an oasis of peace and security in ECOWAS and thus continued to be preferred. They all agreed that the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the siting of the AfCFTA office in Accra presents a bullish opportunity for growth in the economy. Mr. Gebara said any European company is looking for ease of access to large markets in Africa. So, if I can trade with Ghana, and through that gain access to the 300 million ECOWAS market as well, it will definitely be attractive. Mr. Wiarda however noted that Ghana had to do more to become more attractive with the AfCFTA framework, otherwise companies would move their bases to other African countries as entrepots. He noted for instance that more had to be done to bring to life the free zones concept as the current feedback from prospective companies indicated that the costs of setting up were a bit higher compared to other markets. He further noted that Senegal and Ivory-Coast were making great strides in attracting business, and indeed the port of Abidjan was becoming preferred for trade to the Sahelian region. He further stressed that the cost of doing business in Ghana is very high. This was on the basis that, a foreigner requires US$200,000 as capital before set-up a business in Ghana as compared to Nigeria which is US$50,000. Mr. Wiarda of GNBCC, responding to a question on Ghanas transport infrastructure in the role of competitiveness, indicated that Kotoka is at the moment the most expensive airport for airlines to land in Africa, and the fifth most expensive in the world. Therefore, more is needed to be done if Ghana wished to put in place an airbridge for produce, as Kenya had achieved for Naivasha to Europe. However, Mr Nicholas Gebara of the European Chamber of Commerce highlighted that the modification and the implementation of the companies act along with the introduction of the Insolvency Law and the Bankruptcy Law is an indication of efforts to streamline the regulatory framework which is essential for any business entity registered and operating in Ghana. He however noted that consultations could be deepened to ensure that the business community is carried along. Both Mr. Gebara and Mr. Wiarda were emphatic that European partners and participation delivered the quality that was key to the growth of the Ghanaian economy. They noted that even though other countries seem to have lax regimes and were thus inching up in the volume of trade, it was becoming evident that their lack of standards on issues like human rights, quality standards and climate issues were in the long-term leading to unsustainable growth. Mr. Wiarda said, For example, because of the high EU standards necessary to export from a Ghanaian farm into the EU, produce here will be of high quality and be excellent for local consumption. Also because of this high standard, these farms can then export this produce at a premium into other high-value markets like the USA or Britain, ultimately delivering more revenue to the farmer. In response to a question on which countries could serve as a template for Ghana becoming more competitive, both panelists indicated that Ghana could take very useful lessons from countries like Vietnam, Rwanda, Suriname, and Morocco on the needed reforms to boost competitiveness. The graduate attache in charge of research at the Institute, Mr. Prince Asante in closing the event noted that the insights gleaned were useful and added to the body of research that will be put together into a policy recommendation brief to Parliament. He also noted that the full recording of the webinar was available on the institutes social media handles and invited the public to upcoming seminars from the Institute. For a replay of the event, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Z4bkpfVupLE&ab_channel=InstituteofInternationalAffairs%2CGhana To learn more about the Ghana-Netherlands Business and Culture Council, please visit; https://www.gnbcc.net/ To learn more about the European Chamber of Commerce, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/EuroChamGhana/ To learn about GhIIA.org, kindly visit https://ghiia.org Source: Peacefmonline com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Apam Secondary School (APASS) is gearing up for a momentous milestone as it celebrates its 70th anniversary. This significant event not only marks seven decades of providing quality education but also highlights the school's commitment to sustaining its gains in the ever-evolving technological world. With a grand durbar scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, May 27, 2023, APASS is poised to commemorate this achievement in a memorable way. The theme for the 70th-anniversary celebration is "70 Years Of Quality Education: Sustaining Our Gains In The New Technological World." This theme encapsulates the school's dedication to adapting to the rapid changes brought about by technology while upholding its commitment to delivering excellence in education. Activities The week-long celebration kicked off with a series of activities that showcased the school's accomplishments and its enduring impact on the community. Today, Friday, May 26, a vibrant float procession will capture the attention of Apam residents as old and current students make their way from Apam Junction to Apam Town. This colorful display will celebrate the school's rich history and provide an opportunity for the community to join in the festivities. Following the float procession, an important event will take place. This is the inspection and commissioning of various projects undertaken by the Apam Secondary School Old Students Association (ASSOSA). These projects, aimed at improving the school's infrastructure and facilities, serve as a testament to the collective efforts of the alumni in giving back to their alma mater. By investing in these enhancements, ASSOSA ensures that future generations of students will benefit from an enriched learning environment. Continuing their commitment to community welfare, APASS and ASSOSA will also make a generous donation to the Apam Catholic Hospital. This gesture exemplifies the school's ethos of service to others and reinforces its role as a responsible and compassionate institution within the community. By extending support to the hospital, APASS and ASSOSA will demonstrate their commitment to the overall well-being of the Apam community. Grand durbar The climax of the anniversary celebrations will take place on Saturday, May 27, 2023, during the much-anticipated grand durbar. This momentous occasion will witness the presence of esteemed guests who have played influential roles in various fields. The Guest of Honour for the event is none other than President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, symbolizing the government's recognition of APASS's significant contributions to the educational landscape. Adding prestige to the event is the attendance of Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, the outgoing Chief Justice and an alumnus of Apam Secondary School from the 1976 year group. His presence not only highlights the achievements of APASS alumni but also serves as an inspiration to current students. Justice Anin-Yeboah's journey from APASS to the pinnacle of the judiciary exemplifies the school's commitment to nurturing individuals who make significant contributions to society. Professor Peter Kojo Tsiwah Grant, an accomplished alumnus from the 1990 year group, will serve as the main speaker for the grand durbar. As an expert in his field, Professor Grant's insights will shed light on sustaining educational gains in an ever-evolving technological era. His address will inspire both students and alumni to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age. The event will also be graced by other distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. Adutwum, the Minister of Education, and Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta, the Minister of Roads and Highways. Their presence signifies the government's support and appreciation for the pivotal role APASS plays in shaping the nation's future leaders. Additionally, Dr. Ishmael Yamson, an accomplished business personality from Yamson and Associates and an old student of APASS, will be present, further underscoring the school's legacy of producing successful individuals who excel in various fields. Fundraising Furthermore, the grand durbar will be a homecoming for thousands of members of the Apam Secondary School Old Students Association (ASSOSA). This gathering of alumni from different generations will provide a unique opportunity for networking, reminiscing, and strengthening the bonds forged during their time at APASS. The event will also serve as a platform for ASSOSA to contribute to the school's future development through a fundraising initiative in aid of a library complex. This endeavor reflects the alumni's commitment to supporting APASS and ensuring that future generations have access to resources that promote academic excellence. As Apam Secondary School commemorates 70 years of educational excellence, it stands as a testament to the power of quality education in transforming lives and shaping communities. The anniversary celebration not only acknowledges the achievements of the past but also emphasizes the school's commitment to embracing the challenges and opportunities of the new technological world. APASS, through its sustained dedication to providing quality education, continues to nurture generations of individuals who will make significant contributions to society. The writer is an ASSOSA (2007 year group) Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Amit Agrawal, Country Head of Olam Agri in Ghana, has been honoured with the CEO of the Year award in Agri-Business and Food Processing at the just-ended 7th Ghana CEO Summit held at Kempinski Hotel in Accra. This marks Mr. Agrawals second consecutive recognition by the Summit for excellent leadership in Agribusiness and Food processing, having been decorated as the overall CEO of the year in the private sector in 2022, sturdily affirming his reputation as an exemplary leader in the agriculture and food industries. The CEO Summit, organized by the CEO Network Ghana, is an annual business leadership forum that draws industry players and policymakers together to discuss Ghanas potential for private-public sector collaboration in exploring opportunities and ideas for addressing the economys most significant challenge. Reacting to his recognition, Amit Agrawal said, "I am deeply honoured to be recognized as the CEO of the Year in both Agribusiness and Food Processing for the second year in a row. These awards are a testament to the collective efforts of the entire team at Olam Agri Ghana, whose dedication and hard work have propelled us to new heights. I am proud of what we have achieved together, and I remain committed to driving sustainable growth and creating a lasting impact in Ghana's agricultural and food processing sectors," the Olam Agri Country Head added. The theme for this years CEO forum, Economic Sovereignty, Sustainability, Corporate Governance, and Digital Industrial Transformation: New Paths for Growth and Prosperity. A private-public sector CEO dialogue and learning, was selected to provide a platform for promoting conversations on and around ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and its impact on sustainability and business growth. Victoire de Wever, the CSR Partnership and Engagement Manager at Olam Agri, seized the opportunity offered by the forum, to speak on the company's ESG strategy for addressing climate, nature, and livelihoods, and in the process, highlighted the company's efforts to support farmers and farming communities in sustainable growth, improving nutrition and embracing climate-smart practices on and off farms to reduce climate impact while fostering growth. Olam Agri is a differentiated food, feed, and fibre agri-business with a global origination footprint, processing capabilities, and a deep understanding of market needs built over 33 years. The company has a strong presence in high-growth emerging markets and products across grains & oilseeds, animal feed and protein, rice, edible oils, specialty grains & seeds, cotton, wood products, rubber, and commodity financial services and is positioned at the heart of global food and agri-trade flows with more than 38 million MT in volume traded annually. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio says parts of the iconic cotton tree that was brought down by a storm in the capital Freetown will now be preserved in a museum. He said the tree, which stood for hundreds of years, wasnt just a tree, but a connection between the past, present and the future and we must strive to immortalize it. The preservation of the tree will be led by the tourism and cultural affairs ministry, he said and would serve as a reminder of the countrys shared heritage and history. Mr Bio spoke when he visited the site of the fallen tree in the centre of the city. Earlier, the president had described the tree as a great loss for the nation and said the tree was a symbol of liberty for early settlers. It also appears on Sierra Leone banknotes. The 70m (230 ft)-high cotton tree was said to be the oldest of its kind in the country - a government statement estimated it to be 400 years old. Just 300m away are the Freedom Steps, climbed by newly arrived freed slaves who offered prayers at the tree before making Freetown their home. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa says his country will continue to resist calls to abandon its independent and non-aligned foreign policy. Speaking on Thursday at an Africa Day celebration in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, Mr Ramaphosa said the African continent was often dragged into conflicts far beyond its borders. South Africa has not been and will not be drawn into a contest between global powers. We will maintain our position on the peaceful resolution of conflict wherever those conflicts occur, President Ramaphosa said. South Africas relationship with the US, a key trade ally, has been strained since Pretoria took a non-aligned stance in the Russian war against Ukraine. This was exacerbated by recent public statements made by the US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, that the country had sold arms to Russia. President Ramaphosa agreed to investigate the allegations but said there was no concrete evidence to support them. In his Thursday speech, the president said countries, including South Africa, were being threatened with penalties for pursuing an independent foreign policy and for adopting a position of non-alignment. He did not, however, specify the penalties or who is threatening them. President Ramaphosa said the continent had painful memories of foreign superpowers conducting "proxy wars on African soil". The South African government is also under pressure to take a decision on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to visit the country later this year. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the Ukraine conflict. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Hypertensive disorder in pregnancy has ravaged homes and hopes, ruining lives as a silent killer that many victims are yet to identify. As one such victim, Koiwah Koi-Larbi, narrates, I am a four-time survivor of preeclampsia with only one surviving child, my second child, and still waiting for the Ghana Health Service to support me to have another child because I love babies. I was fortunate to be delivered of my surviving child in the United States of America (USA), where care happens to be more advanced, although it was not easy there as well, she narrated. The condition, known as preeclampsia, has been identified as the leading cause of maternal mortality in the country, taking over from bleeding (haemorrhage), currently second on the list. It is a condition that causes a sudden rise in blood pressure and excess protein in the urine during pregnancy, and can sometimes present as headaches, palpitations and swollen feet. The Ghana Health Services data on maternal mortalities recorded in health facilities show that in 2022, 102 mothers were lost out of every 100,000 live births, with majority of the deaths caused by preeclampsia. In relation to maternal mortalities recorded both within and out of health facilities, the United Nations Inter-Agency Support Group estimated that the country lost 308 expectant mothers out of every 100,000 live births based on its recent survey in 2020. Out of the various mortality rates, it is estimated that about 21 per cent is attributed to preeclampsia. Survivors story Koiwah said early into her first pregnancy in 2012, she had all the symptoms of preeclampsia, including headaches and swollen feet, but she never knew what it was at the time. She said although she was regular at antenatal clinics, she was not told anything about what was happening to her. Around 27 weeks, I had a serious headache, but my husband thought I just needed rest so I went to sleep. Around 2 a.m., all I could hear was people calling me Koiwah, Koiwah repeatedly. I was told I had been fitting, and had been rushed to a private health facility nearby, but they did not accept me because they did not want a mortality case recorded there due to the severity of my condition. They referred me to a public facility after stabilising me. Luckily, there was a night surgeon at the public facility who did an emergency caesarian session because my blood pressure was extremely high. Dr Chris Fofie Obstetrician gynaecologist and Head of the Safe Motherhood Programme of the Ghana Health Service My baby came out, and I gained consciousness after 24 hours, asking about my baby, and was told he had been sent to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). I saw him, he was very tiny, less than a kilogramme. Eventually, we lost the baby, Koiwah said. When she got pregnant six months later, being so anxious about the survival of the baby, she sought care in the United States of America (USA). According to Ms Koi-Larbi, she attended five months of antenatal in the country before she left, and 30 weeks into the pregnancy, signs of preeclampsia set in again. I was admitted twice to the emergency ward under strict monitoring. At 37 weeks, I was told I had to be delivered of the baby girl, my only surviving child of the four pregnancies and she is almost 10 years now, she said. Thereafter, Ms Koi-Larbi said she had babies again in 2017 and 2019 but the condition had made it challenging for them to survive. Awareness Due to the high prevalence rate globally, May 22 has been designated World Preeclampsia Day to raise awareness of the hypertensive disorder identified as the leading cause of maternal deaths locally and globally. The awareness is expected to lead to improved care for patients for better pregnancy outcomes. This annual event counts as a global call to various local and government healthcare authorities and policymakers to promote action required to combat preeclampsia. Early detection Health experts such as an obstetrician gynaecologist and Head of the Safe Motherhood Programme of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Chris Fofie, said although it was a very complex and worrying health condition, early diagnosis would enhance management outcomes for patients to prevent the worst of outcomes and complications. He said it was never a death sentence if precautions were taken in time. Dr Fofie said the condition was complex because preeclampsia often presented no symptoms until a seizure occurred, which sometimes became fatal. The exact causes of preeclampsia and eclampsia are not fully understood, but some factors that may increase a persons vulnerability include a family history of preeclampsia, personal history of preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, obesity and diabetes, he said. Although knowledge of the causes and prevention is low and evolving, health experts and the World Health Organisation (WHO) says early diagnosis of the disorder could facilitate quality and timely care to save many lives. Dr Fofie said for expectant mothers, antenatal clinic was the gateway to all required interventions, and called on women to begin their clinics as soon as they got to know about their pregnancy status to avert complications arising from preeclampsia and other conditions. The obstetrician gynaecologist said preeclampsia, which was a form of threat to both mother and child, was usually diagnosed through regular prenatal check-ups, which involved monitoring blood pressure and urine protein levels. He also advised those who had challenges, including preeclampsia in previous pregnancies, and those planning to get pregnant to seek preconception clinic services to prepare them better for better outcomes of their anticipated pregnancies. Pre-conception clinics can help pick up potential challenges through examinations for better pregnancy outcomes. If some medications and processes are required before conception, all that would be done to enhance the journey through pregnancy and safe delivery, Dr Fofie said. The primary treatment for preeclampsia and eclampsia is delivery of the baby, as this resolves the condition. However, if the pregnancy is less than 37 weeks and the condition is mild, doctors may recommend close monitoring and interventions to manage blood pressure and prevent complications, the obstetrician gynaecologist said. Interventions Dr Fofie said based on the severity of the situation and the gestation period, some medications could be given to control blood pressure and other associated conditions when preeclampsia was diagnosed. However, he said, in most cases, until the pregnant persons blood pressure reduced, she was at a greater risk of stroke, severe bleeding, separation of the placenta from the uterus and seizures. Eclampsia can also set in, a severe form of preeclampsia that is characterised by the development of seizures or convulsions. These seizures can occur during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention, Dr Fofie said. In some cases, especially if preeclampsia developed earlier in pregnancy, early delivery may not be the best option for the baby. The health condition is a common factor in preterm delivery and accounts for about 20 per cent of all neonatal intensive care admissions. Another survivor, Mary, said she had the condition and never noticed. I was walking down the aisles in the hospital, heavily pregnant, but did not even notice my feet were badly swollen. A doctor, who was passing by, just said to me: Madam, you dont look okay, although I insisted I was. She said the doctor forced her to follow him to the maternal unit where her BP was taken, and it read 200/100 something. The doctor told me I was having preeclampsia, but I did not understand him at the time. He quickly made some calls and although I was around 30 weeks, I was delivered of the baby. She was put in an incubator and she survived, Mary recounted. Adwoa Pinamang Boateng Desu was also diagnosed with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in 2017 during her fourth and last pregnancy. The public health officer narrated how her routine visit in her third trimester led to the discovery of the PIH. After my BP was checked, the nurse asked me to sit for a while before another check. She was reluctant to tell me why I needed to rest, and I was not actually bothered because I felt well and thought I was okay. I was later told I had very high BP, an indication of preeclampsia. I was put on anti-hypertensive drugs in addition to my routine medication, and was closely monitored until delivery, she said. She went through a caesarian surgery due to a failed induction. Mrs Desu advised pregnant women to always attend antenatal visits on schedule because PIH could present itself with no signs and symptoms. The Chairman of the Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Professor Alexander Tawiah Odoi, said hypertensive disorders had overtaken haemorrhage as the leading cause of maternal deaths in the country and in most parts of the world. He said preeclampsia was a complex condition that was difficult to predict and prevent, and even more difficult to manage. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Taylor Swifts run of New Jersey concerts during her Eras Tour continues all weekend, and now its time to gear up for nights two and three at MetLife Stadium. On May 27 and May 28, Swift will take fans on a journey of her life by playing more than 40 songs selected through her 10 studio albums. Those who want to keep an eye on last-minute tickets for the Saturday and Sunday shows should check sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, MegaSeats, TicketCity and TicketNetwork. The first of three concerts took place Friday night. The get-in ticket price hovered around $1,500-$2,000 throughout the week but dropped leading up to the weekend. As of Saturday morning, the major ticket sellers were listing tickets for $1,200. Since tickets first went on sale, prices have skyrocketed on the resale market, leaving Swifties searching at the last minute for cheaper seats. After the New Jersey shows, Swift heads to Chicago for three concerts next weekend. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. More: Pa. native Taylor Swift calls Philly shows a dream: reports Pa. ice cream shop invited Taylor Swift to try Eras-inspired flavors: Here was her response Fans without Taylor Swift tickets brought their own seats, listened outside Linc Flash droughts develop fast, and when they hit at the wrong time, they can devastate a regions agriculture. Theyre also becoming increasingly common as the planet warms. In a new study published May 25, 2023, we found that the risk of flash droughts, which can develop in the span of a few weeks, is on pace to rise in every major agriculture region around the world in the coming decades. In North America and Europe, cropland that had a 32% annual chance of a flash drought a few years ago could have as much as a 53% annual chance of a flash drought by the final decades of this century. The result would put food production, energy and water supplies under increasing pressure. The cost of damage will also rise. A flash drought in the Dakotas and Montana in 2017 caused US$2.6 billion in agricultural damage in the U.S. alone. How flash droughts develop All droughts begin when precipitation stops. Whats interesting about flash droughts is how fast they reinforce themselves, with some help from the warming climate. When the weather is hot and dry, soil loses moisture rapidly. Dry air extracts moisture from the land, and rising temperatures can increase this evaporative demand. The lack of rain during a flash drought can further contribute to the feedback processes. Under these conditions, crops and vegetation begin to die much more quickly than they do during typical long-term droughts. Global warming and flash droughts In our new study, we used climate models and data from the past 170 years to gauge the drought risks ahead under three scenarios for how quickly the world takes action to slow global warming. If greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, power plants and other human sources continue at a high rate, we found that cropland in much of North America and Europe would have a 49% and 53% annual chance of flash droughts, respectively, by the final decades of this century. Globally, the largest projected increases would be in Europe and the Amazon. Slowing emissions can reduce the risk significantly, but we found flash droughts would still increase by about 6% worldwide under a low-emissions scenario. Timing is everything for agriculture Weve lived through a number of flash drought events, and theyre not pleasant. People suffer. Farmers lose crops. Ranchers may have to sell off cattle. In 2022, a flash drought slowed barge traffic on the Mississippi River, which carries more than 90% of U.S. agriculture exports. If a flash drought occurs at a critical point in the growing season, it could devastate an entire crop. Corn, for example, is most vulnerable during its flowering phase, called silking. That typically happens in the heat of summer. If a flash drought occurs then, its likely to have extreme consequences. However, a flash drought closer to harvest can actually help farmers, as they can get their equipment into the fields more easily. In the southern Great Plains, winter wheat is at its highest risk during seeding, in September to October the year before the crops spring harvest. When we looked at flash droughts in that region during that fall seeding period, we found greatly reduced yields the following year. Looking globally, paddy rice, a staple for more than half the global population, is at risk in northeast China and other parts of Asia. Other crops are at risk in Europe. Ranches can also be hit hard by flash droughts. During the huge flash drought in 2012 in the central U.S., cattle ran out of forage and water became scarcer. If rain doesnt fall during the growing season for natural grasses, cattle dont have food, and ranchers may have little choice but to sell off part of their herds. Again, timing is everything. Its not just agriculture. Energy and water supplies can be at risk, too. Europes intense summer drought in 2022 started as a flash drought that became a larger event as a heat wave settled in. Water levels fell so low in some rivers that power plants shut down because they couldnt get water for cooling, compounding the regions problems. Events like those are a window into what countries are already facing and could see more of in the future. Not every flash drought will be as severe as what the U.S. and Europe saw in 2012 and 2022, but were concerned about what may be ahead. A flash drought developed in the span of a few weeks in 2019. NASA Earth Observatory Can agriculture adapt? One way to help agriculture adapt to the rising risk is to improve forecasts for rainfall and temperature, which can help farmers as they make crucial decisions, such as whether theyll plant or not. When we talk with farmers and ranchers, they want to know what the weather will look like over the next one to six months. Meteorology is pretty adept at short-term forecasts that look out a couple of weeks, and at longer-term climate forecasts using computer models. But flash droughts evolve in a midrange window of time that is difficult to forecast. Were tackling the challenge of monitoring and improving the lead time and accuracy of forecasts for flash droughts, as are other scientists. For example, the United States Drought Monitor has developed an experimental short-term map that can display developing flash droughts. As scientists learn more about the conditions that cause flash droughts and about their frequency and intensity, forecasts and monitoring tools will improve. Increasing awareness can also help. If short-term forecasts show that an area is not likely to get its usual precipitation, that should immediately set off alarm bells. If forecasters are also seeing the potential for increased temperatures, that heightens the risk for a flash droughts developing. Nothing is getting easier for farmers and ranchers as global temperatures rise. Understanding the risk from flash droughts will help them, and anyone concerned with water resources, manage yet another challenge of the future. Jeff Basara, Associate Professor of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma and Jordan Christian, Postdoctoral Researcher in Meteorology, University of Oklahoma This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. By Mark S. Singel Coal Township is located deep in the hills of Northumberland County. It takes it name from the once-thriving anthracite industry that built the hard-scrabble community and others like it in the north central part of the state. Today, it is tucked away between green mountains in a beautiful setting that can have a calming effect on travelers. That sense of tranquility is shattered the moment that you see the double fencing of barbed wire surrounding the perimeter of the State Correctional Institution at Coal Township. The population at the facility includes 50 inmates currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. In an extraordinary effort to share their stories with policy makers, the lifers organized a seminar on criminal justice and invited key leaders to join them for a day. Led by Robert Pezzeca and Derrick Stevens, two inmates who are serving maximum sentences for capital crimes, the seminar presented an opportunity for legislators and state officials to hear directly from prisoners about the impact of Pennsylvanias severe sentencing laws and the need for some measure of compassion in our pardons process. Key figures like Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Secretary of Corrections Designee Laurel Harry, State Sen. Sharif Street (D-3), State Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46), State Sen. Nikil Saval (D-1), and former Speaker of the House William DeWeese made the trip to Coal Township, and each made poignant remarks about the need for compassion and mercy as we mete out justice in our state. It was an honor to join this group especially since I am something of a footnote in the history of commutations for life prisoners in Pennsylvania. As lieutenant governor, I chaired the Board of Pardons. During the period of 1991-1993, there were 2,600 lifers in our prisons. The Board of Pardons determined that 55 of them had rehabilitated to the point that they were worthy of a second chance in society. Of those 55, the governor commuted the sentences of only eight. The commonwealth decided to extend the mercy of freedom to a mere eight out of 2,600 lifers at that time. One of those eight, Reginald McFadden, was charged with the rape of a New York woman and the murder of another from Long Island. The crimes occurred one month ahead of the 1994 gubernatorial election in which I had a comfortable lead. My opponent went into full attack mode. After a brutal series of ads that all but charged me with the murders, I saw my campaign and my political career disintegrate. In 2022 the New York University Law School Center on the Administration of Criminal Law did an extensive review of the history of Pennsylvanias record of granting clemency to prisoners serving life sentences in our jails before and after the McFadden incident. The Demise of Clemency for Lifers in Pennsylvania documents the dramatic fall off in commutations. For a time, the States harsh sentencing policies were tempered by a practice of commuting several dozen life sentences each year. That changed around 1980, when commutations in Pennsylvania fell off dramatically. The study also says bluntly that the 1994 crime spree of Reginald McFadden completely derailed the States clemency system. The commonwealth overreacted to the McFadden incidents by choking off commutations. In a special session on crime, the legislature changed the procedures for any lifers to get to a commutation. Specifically, a recommendation to the governor for commutation now requires a unanimous vote from all five members of the Pardons Board. This has had the effect of making any application a nearly futile exercise. The numbers bear this out. Gov. Shapp commuted 251 lifers between 1971 and 1978. Gov. Thornburgh commuted 7 in eight years. Casey commuted 27. Ridge did not commute a single life sentence post-McFadden. The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a number of criminal justice reform proposals. SB 197 would restore the four-to-one majority for a recommendation to the governor. Another bill would allow automatic consideration of a lifers petition after 25 years of misconduct-free behavior. Other initiatives would address how we deal with terminally ill inmates and abuse victims who have been separated from their families because of harsh mandatory minimum sentences. I support these initiatives not because I am weak on crime but because I am strong on compassion. For me, mercy and compassion are the antidotes to the fear and hatred that permeates our public discourse today. I know better than most that providing second chances to known criminals is risky. But I prefer that to a society that looks with indifference at those who have turned their lives around and still languish in our overcrowded prisons. Mark S. Singel is a former Governor and Acting Governor of Pennsylvania This weekend, we are called to do one simple thing: to remember. We are called to stop at some point during the weekend festivities and reflect on the sacrifices of those who have died to protect our nation. Theres nothing wrong whatsoever with enjoying the backyard barbecues, the sunshine and sand at the beach and even the Arts Fest along the river in Harrisburg. But lets not forget to stop at some point to remember and pay homage to those who are not here to enjoy the festivities. Lets take time to remember those who gave their all so that we could eat hot dogs and get sunburned on Memorial Day. Camp Hill held a Memorial Service in the Camp Hill Cemetery following a Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 30, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Our nation began to set aside a day to commemorate fallen soldiers after the Civil War. It was originally known as Decoration Day to honor Union Army soldiers who died in that brutal war. Over the years, the Monday morphed into a weekend commemoration that now pays respect to all military personnel who died in service to the nation. For decades, Memorial Day was observed on May 30, but in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which slated the last Monday in May as Memorial Day, creating a three-day weekend for federal employees and a long holiday for us all. Memorial Day also has become the official start of summer. And, as with Christmas, the true meaning of the day can be lost in all the hoopla, fun and commercialism. Its hard to miss all those Memorial Day sales events. And as with Christmas, its important to break away at some point, reflect and reconnect with the true meaning of the holiday. The Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Memorial Day Program was held in the Pennsylvania Veterans Memorial on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Memorial Day is a solemn time for many families, especially for those still grieving. Thousand are. It is a solemn time for many veterans who bear the brutal wounds of war, both mental and physical. They, too, sacrificed greatly, and continue to suffer. They deserve to be remembered and honored on Memorial Day. Not only must we remember the wounded and the fallen, but we must take time to remember the loved ones left behind. We owe a debt to the sacrifice of so many families who lost fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, cherished aunts, and uncles. These families can never forget the pain and trauma of war, and we should never forget, either. Veteran Joe Cuvo, Easton Memorial Day Council President, waves during ceremonies in Easton as Phillipsburg and Easton observe Memorial Day with ceremonies on May 30, 2022.Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com contributor As we seek to honor those who died or suffered grave injuries in service to our country, we must also remember the ravages of war and the pain felt on the other side of the battlefield. War brings devastation to all sides. Innocents suffer in war, on all sides. Memorial Day is a reminder of wars brutality and why it should be the last resort, when all efforts at diplomacy and peace have failed. This Memorial Day lets make sure we remember the true meaning of the holiday. Lets take time to remember the fallen heroes, wounded veterans and their families. Lets take time to salute all veterans who have served our country with distinction. Lets remember to send up prayers for those in harms way, serving around the world today. And lets recommit to doing all within our power to not have to send our young sons and daughters to face the ravages of war and the tragedy of death on the battlefield. Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) said on Saturday that 66.4 percent of married women in the country use family planning methods, a 7.9 percent increase over the 58.5 percent figure back in 2014. In a statement that was released on the occasion of International Day for the Development of Womens Health, CAPMAS found that the fertility rate in the country was 2.85 births per woman in the age group 15-49 in 2021, a 22 percent decrease from the 3.5 percent figure in 2014. International Day for the Development of Womens Health, launched in 2007 by UNESCO, is celebrated on 28 May every year to raise awareness about the importance of womens health and advocate for better healthcare access for women worldwide. According to the 2021 Family Health Survey, which was cited by CAPMAS, Beheira governorate in the Nile Delta had the highest rate of married women using family planning methods at 76.7 percent while Qena governorate in Upper Egypt had the lowest rate at 46.9 percent. Women receiving prenatal care during their last pregnancy rose from 90 percent in 2014 to 97 percent in 2021, according to the survey. Meanwhile, 72.2 percent of births in 2021 were delivered through a caesarean surgery, up from 51.5 percent in 2014. Urban centres in Lower Egypt came first in caesarean births at 84 percent, border governorates came last at 53.6 percent, also according to the survey. Search Keywords: Short link: Perry County Beekeepers Club has been keeping busy ... as bees. With monthly meetings, an annual beekeeper school, and outings to the Perry County Fair and other events, the organization seeks to educate the community on beekeeping and the importance of bees. The role of our club is to educate beekeepers, and also educate the public on the benefits of what honeybees do for the environment, said Tereasa Houtz, secretary/treasurer for the organization. Without the honeybees, we wouldnt have pollination of many flowers and trees and bushes, and then we wouldnt be surviving. FRAMED A member of the Perry County Beekeepers Club inspects a frame before it is placed into a hive during the clubs monthly meeting on May 21. Club members searched for and identified the queen, made sure that the hive was healthy, and that the frames themselves were not damaged. (Paul E. Wyatt photo) PCBC started with two beekeepers who met at an auction in 2017. Soon after, small meetings started to be held at houses consisting of three to six interested people discussing hives. In August 2018, the fledgling club held its first extraction day, where hive owners brought in their raw honey to be extracted. The club held its first beekeeping school in February 2019, and in July of that year a small group of members visited the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association to see how their club should be run. By August, regular meetings started, and on Oct. 20 of that year bylaws were adopted and the club was founded. In January 2020, they became affiliated with PSBA. The clubs first major event each year is a beekeeping school, held the first Saturday of February. The next one will be on Feb. 3, 2024. The eight-hour course is designed to familiarize those who may be interested in beekeeping with how it works. BEE CAREFUL Members of the Perry County Beekeepers Club work to transfer frames from recently received nucleus colonies to empty hives during their monthly meeting on May 21. Club members generally keep their own bees, but the club has some of its own hives that members collaborate to care for. (Paul E. Wyatt photos) At beekeeping school, we generally cover bee biology, equipment you need, to whats the difference between packages and nucs, to finding a location, Houtz explained. We have an apiarist from the state who goes over the rules and regulations of beekeeping. The cost is $30, which includes meal, a book and usually a goodie bag. Packages and nucs refer to packaged bees and nucleus colonies, two ways of purchasing bees. A nuc is a partially developed colony, meaning they already have some food stores built up, while a package is simply a box of bees. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, PCBC would host extraction days, where members would bring their raw honey, put it through an extractor and extract the honey. According to Houtz, the organization hopes to bring back extraction days once they find a suitable location. BEE CAREFUL Members of the Perry County Beekeepers Club work to transfer frames from recently received nucleus colonies to empty hives during their monthly meeting on May 21. Club members generally keep their own bees, but the club has some of its own hives that members collaborate to care for. (Paul E. Wyatt photos) The club hosts monthly meetings on the third Sunday of each month from January to October. From 1:30 to 2, we have whats called Bee-Fellowship, and thats where everybody brings a covered dish, and we kind of just socialize and talk, Houtz said. It might be about bees, it might be something personal, whatever. Then we start our meetings generally at 2. We have a calendar that has chores that the common beekeeper would be doing every month, and we go over that. We go over the flowers that are giving us the pollen and all that good stuff during that month. And then we get into our discussion on bees. BEE CAREFUL Members of the Perry County Beekeepers Club work to transfer frames from recently received nucleus colonies to empty hives during their monthly meeting on May 21. Club members generally keep their own bees, but the club has some of its own hives that members collaborate to care for. (Paul E. Wyatt photos) PCBC sets up booths at various events throughout the year, including the Perry County Fair and Shermans Valley Heritage Days. At the fair, PCBC works with its relationship with PSBA to welcome the Pennsylvania Honey Queen. The Honey Queen is selected each year to be the main promoter of Pennsylvanias beekeeping industry and travels throughout the state to engage in speaking events and media interviews. The position comes with a scholarship, and the opportunity to represent the state in the American Honey Queen competition. Becoming a member of PCBC costs $20 annually for individuals, $25 for family, and a dollar for children under 16. Membership in the club offers access to the groups private Facebook page. The group also will buy beekeeping supplies, including nucs and packages, in bulk, offering them for sale to members at a reduced price. BEE CAREFUL Members of the Perry County Beekeepers Club work to transfer frames from recently received nucleus colonies to empty hives during their monthly meeting on May 21. Club members generally keep their own bees, but the club has some of its own hives that members collaborate to care for. (Paul E. Wyatt photos) The clubs youngest member is Alice Neff, a 9-year-old third-grade student in the West Perry School District. She attended beekeeping school February 2022, and her hive survived the winter. Her favorite thing about beekeeping: I would say the different kinds of bees. The club is headed by president Paul Brandl, vice president Art Vaitl, secretary/treasurer Tereasa Houtz, and board advisers Chuck Kauffman and Lloyd Knouse. Victoria Atkinson takes care of flowers around the clubs hives near Lynn Sheaffer Dum Memorial Park in Spring Twp. The property the hives are on is provided by the Friends of Spring Twp. Meetings are held at 8 South Carlisle St. in New Bloomfield and are open to non-members. The next meeting will be June 11. For more information readers may contact Houtz at 717-789-3683, visit the website at perrycountybeekeeper.wixsite.com/website, or email perrycountybeekeepersclub@gmail.com. The 2023 Lebanon High School prom was held May 26 at the Eden Resort in Lancaster. NEW SUBSCRIBER BENEFIT: This prom season, PennLive is offering a special perk exclusively for subscribers: Login, click on the photo gallery to see if we photographed your favorite prom-goer, and choose Get Photo to download free print-quality images. Plus, get 50% off the purchase of prom-related keepsakes. The Canada Revenue Agency sign outside the National Headquarters at the Connaught Building in Ottawa is seen on Monday, March 1, 2021. The Canada Revenue Agency kicked off its tax season this week by urging Canadians to file their taxes on time and reminding them that they may be owed money. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang The Egyptian president made these remarks in a speech during a virtual meeting for the African Unions Peace and Security Council (PSC), held at the level of heads of state and government, to discuss ways to resolve the conflict in Sudan. The meeting was chaired by Ugandas President Yoweri K Museveni and was attended by a number of African heads of state and government as well as a number of high-level officials, including Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and the UN Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hanna Tetteh. It discussed efforts toward finding a sustainable ceasefire and resuming a civilian-led democratic process in the country, effective humanitarian action, and ways to ensure regional stability. "I call on humanitarian organizations and donor countries to provide the necessary support to Sudan's neighbouring countries so they can continue to fulfil this role," El-Sisi said. The Egyptian president stressed that the humanitarian consequences of Sudan's crisis extend beyond its borders and impact neighbouring countries, thus necessitating close coordination with them. "Egypt has met its obligations in this regard by accepting approximately 150,000 displaced Sudanese citizens to date, in addition to hosting approximately five million other Sudanese citizens who are treated as nationals," El-Sisi noted. Egypt will continue coordinating with its partners and relief organizations to provide urgent humanitarian aid to alleviate a deteriorating situation, he said. During his speech, the Egyptian president emphasized the necessity for regional parties "to assist the Sudanese in ending the current crisis and achieving a consensus to address the underlying causes that led to its outbreak in the first place." The Egyptian president stressed the need for close coordination among Sudans neighbouring states to resolve the crisis, noting that "these states are the most affected by the crisis and, therefore, are the keenest to end it as soon as possible." He also outlined Egypts efforts in cooperating with the African Union and the Arab League to end the crisis in Sudan based on finding a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire and preserving state institutions. "Egypt backs the efforts of the African Union and all the existing mechanisms that aim at ending the current conflict," El-Sisi said. Preserving national institutions in Sudan is the basic guarantee to protect the state from the danger of collapse, he stressed. The Egyptian president also reaffirmed Cairo's respect for the will of the Sudanese people in their internal affairs, stressing the need to prevent foreign interference in Sudan's affairs. Meeting humanitarian challenge Egypt has supported regional and international efforts to end the conflict in Sudan since its start in mid-April, pushing for a sustainable ceasefire between the two warring parties. The conflict in Sudan has left 700 dead, including tens of children, according to UN Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Sudan Volker Perthes. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print In a letter, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrote that the new date when the US will run out of money is June 5. NBC News reported: Based on the most recent available data, we now estimate that Treasury will have insufficient resources to satisfy the governments obligations if Congress has not raised or suspended the debt limit by June 5, Yellen wrote to congressional leaders. The letter comes as the White House and House Republican negotiators still havent reached a deal. It gives the negotiating teams a modest reprieve as they remain stuck on several issues in the discussions, including work requirements and how to handle federal spending in the coming years. The good news for the country is that there is more time to get something done. The bad news for the country is that the new date gives Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans, many of whom believe that the default date is made up and fake, more time to screw this up and wreck the US economy. Notice that the White House is not negotiating the debt limit with Republicans, but they are trying to cut a spending deal. Kevin McCarthy and his collection of the worlds least intelligent supervillains are off on their own planet where they think that they will be able to force Biden to agree to their spending cuts demands, but that is not going to happen. The June 5th date is significant in real-world terms because Americans who rely on Social Security will get their June checks, which will spare them the nightmare of suddenly having bills to pay and no income. Nobody should feel comfortable in this situation, but having a few more days, even with Kevin McCarthy involved, is better than having less. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print The decision by Dominion to sue over Fox News pushing Donald Trumps election lies has sent the network into free fall, as the ramifications continue to send shockwaves. The New York Times gave the inside story of Foxs handling of the Dominion lawsuit and concluded: Foxs trouble has not ended. In the weeks since the settlement and Mr. Carlsons ouster, prime-time ratings have dropped (though Fox remains No. 1 in cable news), and new plaintiffs sued the network, most recently a former Homeland Security official, Nina Jankowicz. As one of Ms. Jankowiczs lawyers said in an interview, the Dominion case signals that there is a path. Still pending is the Smartmatic suit. In late April, Fox agreed to hand over additional internal documents relating to several executives, including the Murdochs and Mr. Dinh. In a statement reminiscent of Mr. Dinhs early view of the Dominion case, the network said that the $2.7 billion in damages sought by Smartmatic operating in only one county in 2020 were implausible and that Fox was protected by the First Amendment. It is true that Fox News is still the top network in cable news, but their viewership has fallen, especially in primetime. Fox has seen its primetime audience slip from 2.37 million in 2021 to 2.2 million in 2022 to 2.02 million by April 2023. Part of this is due to the audience shrinking in general for news and politics, but MSNBC has grown, and CNN was growing until they shot themselves in the foot with the Trump town hall. The problems at Fox are multilayered, but they can all be traced back to the networks decision to push Trumps big lie because they were losing viewers to Newsmax after the 2020 election. Due to carriage fees paid by cable and satellite subscribers, Fox News will still be a money-making machine, but the network is spiraling. Foxs influence is diminishing, and the political landscape is shifting away from Fox being a narrative force in American political discourse. Clashes between herders and farmers have killed at least 10 people in southern Chad, a region regularly troubled by such violence, a local governor told AFP on Saturday. The fertile border areas of Chad, Cameroon and Central African Republic have been gripped by confrontation between predominantly Muslim nomadic herders and sedentary farmers who are typically Christian or animist. Tensions are historically rooted in rivalry over land. The farmers often accuse the herders of letting their cattle trample their crops and eat them, while the herders say they have the traditional right to graze there. The latest outbreak of violence occurred on Thursday, when a 12-year-old herder took his animals onto a farmer's peanut field, leading to an altercation that left the child dead, Adoum Forteye Amadou, the governor of the Madoul region, told AFP by telephone. His parents then killed nine farmers in revenge, Amadou said, adding that the incident occurred near the village of Bara II, 600 kilometres southeast of the capital of N'Djamena. "Five herders, the authors of the killing spree, have been arrested, as well as the murderer of the young herder," he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Aiken, SC (29801) Today Some early morning breaks in the overcast, otherwise cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 78F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 62F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. The Town and Country Club of Aiken held its final meeting of the 2022/23 year with a special lunch. The meeting celebrated a year full of great speakers and paid tribute to the board members and committee chairs who worked hard to make the past year a success. Members at the meeting were abl Read moreTown and Country Club celebrates final meeting of the year with charcuterie, flowers The past couple of decades have had Marine 1st Sergeant Harry Johnson in several locations around the world, and the naval science instructor has some extremely familiar territory on his near horizon this month, through his role as a leader in Naval Junior ROTC programs. Johnson, largely known for his "N.J." involvement at Aiken High School since the 2015-16 academic year, has a prior background in helping keep C-130 cargo planes in top condition, and he's on track to help lead the N.J. program at Strom Thurmond High in a few months. He knows the landscape, as a 1988 Thurmond graduate, and can also call on a variety of life lessons, having visited more than 20 countries via his service as a Marine. He spent most of his childhood in Edgefield County, where his parents were fully involved in basic farm work, with peaches as a huge factor in the local economy and higher education as an elusive concept. Stepping into the military was a major transition for him. "My parents were migrant workers, for years, so we'd travel up and down the east coast. My grandparents and aunts and uncles were in Johnston, and they lived on Frank Berry's farm, and they worked that, and so ... my siblings and I spent a lot of years with my grandparents, uncles and aunts there, and then finally, at some point I think my eighth-grade year my parents stopped traveling. They also moved there on Frank Berry's place, and from there, I stayed and went to high school and graduated from Strom Thurmond High School." College, he said, was not a financial option and was definitely not a family tradition. "Didn't have anyone in my family that had been to college, so kind of navigating that, even still, would have been tricky." Johnson, however, did have one relative who was in the Army. "I remember seeing him in a picture, and when I saw him come, I saw he was doing well, so for me, it was, 'This is the route I can take the career path to do better ... for my future family.' That kind of drove me to the military." His intent, he said, was not to stay for 20 years, but he gave Uncle Sam two decades, largely focusing on cargo aircraft. "I ended up loving it. You know what? This is taking care of me, and now I have a family. I'm doing pretty well, so I decided to stay in 20 years and retired." Those 20 years included a non-military milestone, as he married longtime friend Bridgett Johnson, a 1990 Strom Thurmond graduate, and their family has grown to include three sons, two daughters and six grandchildren. Along the way, the father of the house picked up a bachelor's degree from Park University, focusing on business management and human resources, and also spent some time as a Marine recruiter and also as an instructor in a leadership course. Retirement was 15 years ago, with a travel record that includes Thailand, Djibouti, Kenya, Australia, Norway, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Japan, Spain, Portugal, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iceland, Mexico, Canada, Ireland and Germany His Marine uniforms accompany him to work on a regular basis and has admirers among young members of the Marine Corps and other sectors of the military. "I'm a Marine, and he's the whole reason I joined the Marine Corps," said Cpl. Kate McCaskill, a 2019 Aiken High graduate. "He's made a really big impact on my life ... He is like a father figure more than a teacher, to me." She added, "He goes above and beyond. He was one of those kinds of teachers where you would come in late and he would ask why, and make sure you were ... OK with your home life. He'd always push you past your limits, and he did a really good job of just being a mentor, being a guiding figure." Johnson may have an easier time, in the years ahead, keeping up with his students, as the Strom Thurmond student body currently numbers around 700. Aiken High, by comparison, is around 1,200. Col. Claude Davis, with South Aiken High's NJROTC program, gave Johnson a thumbs-up review. "He is a guy that spends a lot of time with his students. His students just love him." "He's got this calm humbleness that is really just grounded in strong leadership traits," said Jason Holt, director of administration for Edgefield County's school district. Holt, having served as Aiken High's principal from 2019 to 2022, has known Johnson for several years. "He has this sense about him where he can relate with almost anybody," Holt added. "He really has an infectious positivity about him, and he does an excellent job, just as a person, relating to all types of people. I mean, he really wants to get to know you and that comes out within 30 seconds of talking with him." "First Sergeant is definitely ... the best mentor that I have ever had in my life," said Aiken High senior Maya Cianni Guzman, commanding officer of the school NJROTC unit this year. "He is always looking to the 'up' side of things. Guzman, who is preparing to attend Full Sail University, in Florida, said laughter and smiles are normal features not exceptions to the rule in Johnson's classroom. "He's genuinely changed my life. I just see him as like another father figure to me. Everyone looks at him like a second dad," she said. "He treats everybody with love and kindness, and I think that's a huge part of people's lives ... He's always there to help people, all the time." Johnson's NJROTC experience also includes time in southwestern Georgia, working at Westover High School, in Albany, for three years just prior to his move back to the Aiken area. He addressed the topic of his upcoming job shift. "It's kind of bittersweet. Aiken High School ... has been great," he said. "When I first entertained doing ROTC, instantly Strom Thurmond came to mind, and it's been 11 years now, doing ROTC, but it wasn't available. Timing wasn't right, but ... I would like to give back to the community where I came from, and Strom Thurmond would have been the ideal situation, so I look forward to it. I looked forward to leading the kids here, but I look forward to that next phase, if you will." The criteria for joining one of Aiken County's smallest organizations for veterans are extremely tight and involve such elements as bullets, mortar rounds and improvised explosive devices. The Military Order of the Purple Heart has an Aiken-based chapter named in memory of Marine Cpl. Matthew Vincent Dillon, who was injured in his first tour of duty in Iraq and killed in his second, in 2006, at age 25. Dillon's parents, Neal and Lucy Dillon, are among the group's auxiliary members and were essential in the group's founding, having given their blessing in memory of their fallen son. Warrenville resident Clarence "Cooney" Palmer, an Army National Guard veteran who was wounded while serving in Iraq, said the local group's aim is "to serve our vets the best we can," with particular emphasis on those who were wounded. Activities, bankrolled by a variety of fundraising efforts, have included providing meals for patients in the veterans hospitals in Augusta, building wheelchair ramps for local homes and working "wherever we could find a need," Palmer said. Support has also gone, with help from local Marine Corps League units, to help bankroll a scholarship in Dillon's memory, to assist Junior ROTC students to make the leap to college life. The chapter dates back to 2008, and Palmer is one of the original members, having joined with John W. Rolfes, William Reese, Clarence A. Palmer, John C. Wilson, Jackie L. Widener, John A. Spawn, Daniel R. Smith, Donald C. Skinner, William P. Lott, Leroy Harris, Edward L. Hammons, Joseph F. Fresolo and Ray V. Chipley. "We strive to serve the veterans community still. We are small in numbers, but large in enthusiasm," Neal Dillon said, noting that the original group included veterans who were wounded in World War II and Korea. Those members have died, and the current population is mostly composed of vets who saw action in Vietnam and Iraq. Meetings are held at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10601, at 250 Hudson Road, at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month, and potential members are welcome to get in touch with a member or attend a meeting to learn more, Palmer said. "If you are a direct descendant of a Purple Heart recipient, you are eligible to be a member of our auxiliary," he added. "Even if they have passed on or they don't live in the area, they can still join our group. We try to provide as much as we can for the area and be involved as much as we can." The national organization, on its website, notes that members "proudly continue to serve our country by helping Americas active duty, veterans, her families and those who have borne the burden of battle." The Carnival Sunshine sailed from Charleston around 2 a.m. on May 28 after adverse weather conditions held up the cruise ship's arrival and departure. The pleasure ship was due to arrive in downtown Charleston early Saturday morning after a six-night sailing to Nassau, Bimini and Half Moon Cay and depart for a five-night voyage to the Bahamas by late afternoon. The Sunshine was finally able to dock at Union Pier Terminal around 5 p.m. after the weather improved. An updated embarkation schedule for the sailing showed passengers booked on the outbound cruise were allowed to board up until 11 p.m. The Sunshine was off Savannah around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to MarineTraffic.com. The company said it would provide a one-day refund for pre-purchased beverage and internet packages. It also said that the itinerary could be affected by the delay. Carnival apologized for the delay, which it partly attributed to high winds and rough seas. A storm system raked the coast with rain and gusty winds for most of Saturday. The departing Memorial Day weekend sailing was sold out. The Charleston-based Sunshine can accommodate about 3,000 passengers. The first update indicating a potential delay was sent the night of May 26, as the storm bore down on the region. The ship is experiencing adverse weather conditions sailing back to Charleston and may arrive later than scheduled tomorrow, according to the Friday text message. Such lengthy delays for the Sunshine are rare. Youre seeing The Post and Courier's weekly real estate newsletter. Receive all the latest transactions and top development, building, and home and commercial sales news to your inbox each Saturday here. Church wants to build new 500-seat sanctuary A Charleston-area church with roots dating back more than 150 years is looking to build a new sanctuary and hopes to cut a deal with a nearby shopping center to help pay for it. Olive Branch African Methodist Episcopal Church at 1734 Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant wants to construct a new 500-seat church beside the REI-anchored Indigo Square Shopping Center. Site plans show 211 parking spaces on the nearly 7-acre site. An onsite building used for multiple functions next to Electic Finds Antiques is likely to be eliminated and its uses possibly incorporated into the older part of the existing church once the new structure is built, according to Walter Smalls, church trustee pro tem. One acre along Indigo Market Drive is slated to be leased and become part of the retail center. Money raised from the retail center's expansion would be used to secure a loan to build an estimated $5 million to $6 million new sanctuary, Smalls said. The shopping center is operated by Jacksonville-based real estate investment trust Regency Centers. A representative did not immediately respond for comment. Olive Branch dates back to 1870 when the land was purchased and a small wood-frame structure was built. The current 380-seat sanctuary dates to 1954. A single-story fellowship hall was added in 1973, according to Smalls. The town's Planning Commission signed off on the proposed land-use changes May 24. The measure will go to the Town Council's Planning Committee on June 6 before advancing to the full council for consideration June 13 and July 11, according to senior planner Peter Stone. Want to receive this newsletter in your inbox every Saturday? Sign up for free. Pulte Homes is planning an expansion of its 55-plus community in Berkeley County that will bring the total number of homes in Del Webb Nexton to more than 1,400 at full buildout. Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email Sign Up! By the numbers 6,000: Square footage of a vacant building on King Street that will be transformed into jewelry store for a longtime Charleston merchant. 2: Number of new food-and-beverage tenants coming to a new shopping center near Charleston. 2: Number of new commercial businesses that recently signed leases for a mixed-use development on the edge of metro Charleston. This week in real estate + $500M project: Patriots Point updates lawmakers on 20-year plan to transform the maritime attraction into a hospitality hotspot. + Mall makeover: Charleston real estate investor buys shuttered shopping mall for $75 million with plans to transform property into a mixed-use development of homes and shops. + On the way: A decade-old Charleston restaurant and watering hole is slated to become a new venue for a downtown food-and-beverage group. Lowes Foods inks deal for 5th Charleston-area supermarket Lowes Foods supermarket plans to build a new store in Nexton at North Creek Drive and U.S. Highway 176, across from Cane Bay Plantation. Shown is the store at the Market at Mill Creek Shopping Center at S.C. Highway 41 and Woodpark Drive in Mount Pleasant, which opened in 2019. Did a friend forward you this email? Subscribe here. Craving more? Check out all of the Post and Courier's newsletters here. Rules from the Great Recession-era aimed at slowing down a wave of home foreclosures has been put out to pasture in South Carolina. Read moreSC mortgage rules from last foreclosure crisis fade away AHPC, a Florida-based affordable housing nonprofit that owns Tropical Ridge Apartments in Columbia, SC, is working to rehouse tenants who lost their homes in a deadly fire there on May 26, even as the community mourns the loss of Irmo firefighter James "Jay" Muller. Read moreEfforts ongoing to relocate 19 displaced in Columbia blaze that claimed life of firefighter Stabbing By the time deputies arrived to the jail around 11:20 p.m. on May 25, emergency medical technicians were loading an injured detainee on a stretcher into an ambulance. The 29-year-old detainee, whose name was redacted in the Sheriff's Department's record of the incident, was involved in a fight in one of the cells, according to a news release from the department. The detainee had a cut and a knot over his right eye, and the deputy noted his face was swollen and hands were wrapped in rags. A medical technician told the deputy the detainee also had cuts on his legs, arms and hands, "but it was hard to tell if it was from getting punched during the fight or a sharp object," according to the incident report. Only one corrections officer was working in the cell block where the fight took place the evening of May 25, according to the report. The details of the reported stabbings vary. In one case, a detainee entered the holding bay, threw urine on the person waiting there and then stabbed him, according to a deputy's account. In others, detainees were stabbed in their cells. In January, detainee Antonius Randolph was stabbed to death after faulty locks allowed others to escape their cells and attack him with homemade weapons, Sheriff Leon Lott said a the time. When the Sheriff's Department searched the jail, deputies found more than a dozen fashioned weapons. The deputy investigating the most recent incident reported not seeing any weapons despite surveying the cells. Efforts for reform Changes are in the works to reduce the number of violent incidents inside the jail, officials said. Greenville, SC (29601) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 64F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 64F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Ukraine has asked Berlin to provide it with Taurus air-to-surface missiles that have a range of in excess of 500 kilometres, Germany's defence ministry told AFP on Saturday. "We have a received a request from the Ukrainian side in recent days," a ministry spokesman said, without providing further details. The request comes as Ukraine prepares to launch a counteroffensive in an effort to wrestle back territory seized by Russia since Moscow invaded its neighbour in February 2022, sparking the biggest conflict on European soil since World War II. The missiles, produced by a Germany-Swedish joint venture Taurus Systems, would allow Ukraine to strike well inside Russia with their range of more than 500 kilometres (310 miles). The United States and other Western countries providing arms to Ukraine have up to now been cautious on giving Kyiv weapons that could reach inside nuclear-armed Russia, potentially widening the conflict. Previously seen as reticent on supplying weapons, Germany has become the second-biggest contributor of military assistance to Ukraine after the United States. It is currently preparing its biggest-yet military aid package, including anti-missile systems, 30 additional Leopard 1 tanks, more than 100 armoured combat vehicles and more than 200 surveillance drones. But it has so far been cautious on the issue of fighter jets and air-to-surface missiles. Search Keywords: Short link: The U.S. Senate voted in May to strip the northern long-eared bat of its endangered species protection, but Summerville Commissioners of Public Works crews had already taken precautions to give the small flying mammals breathing and breeding room along the Maple Street Extension Project. Read moreNo bats nearby signals go-ahead for work on Maple Street Extension Project COLUMBIA After a state circuit court judge blocked South Carolina's new six-week abortion ban from taking effect, attorneys for the state's Republican leadership filed an emergency appeal to the state Supreme Court to reverse that decision late on May 26. The appeal also urges the high court to accelerate the litigation or exercise its "original jurisdiction" to take up the legal challenge to the legislation directly, bypassing the circuit courts and state Court of Appeals. "The life of every South Carolinian born or unborn is precious and its His gift to us," Gov. Henry McMaster wrote on Twitter shortly after the appeal was filed. McMaster signed the new law, which bans abortion after an embryo's cardiac activity can be detected, the morning of May 25. It includes exceptions for the life of the mother and fatal fetal anomalies, and exceptions up to 12 weeks for rape and incest. The state's abortion providers filed a lawsuit against the ban later that day, and Judge Clifton Newman issued a preliminary injunction indefinitely halting the law's enforcement after a hearing on May 26. Newman indicated that the new law is similar enough to a six-week abortion ban passed in 2021 to warrant a pause while the courts resolve the legal challenge. The state's high court found that 2021 law unconstitutional in January In their appeal, attorneys for McMaster and the state's legislative leaders argue that the injunction represents a "harm to the democratic process" by encroaching on the executive and legislative branch's authority. The appeal also argues staying the injunction "will protect the lives of countless unborn children." Attorneys for the abortion providers told reporters May 26 that the injunction ensures South Carolinians rights arent violated by a law they view as likely to be ruled unconstitutional. In affidavits filed with the circuit court, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which operates clinics offering abortion in Charleston and Columbia, and Greenville Women's Clinic said they had more than 100 procedural or medication abortions scheduled for the latter half of the week that would have been impacted had the ban stayed in place. The Supreme Court had not responded to the appeal by Saturday afternoon. There had been some uncertainty over how the lawsuit would proceed after the injunction on Friday, but the states appeal indicates it could follow a similar path to the legal challenge to the 2021 six-week abortion ban. Last year, the state Supreme Court enjoined the six-week ban in August before taking it up directly in October, skipping the lower courts. Doing so again would quickly settle the uncertainty around abortion and ensure South Carolina law is enjoined for as short a time as possible, the states attorneys wrote in the appeal. The abortion providers' attorneys said May 26 that they were still deciding how they want to see the case proceed and whether they would support moving directly to the state Supreme Court. COLUMBIA A new law aims to ease the transition of military families moving to South Carolina by ensuring they can enroll their children in K-12 public schools before they get here. The measure signed May 16 by Gov. Henry McMaster requires school districts to accept a parent's military transfer orders electronically to sign their children up for school or any certain program. The normal proof-of-residency requirements such as utility bills, rental contracts or property deeds with their home address must be waived. Military families often "had to wait until they were physically in South Carolina before registering their child for school," said Sandy Claypoole, military affairs director for the state Department of Veterans' Affairs. Some school districts already provided proof-of-residency exceptions for military families voluntarily. The law, which took effect with McMaster's signature, means all must do so going forward. "The governor will always sign legislation that supports the men and women of our armed forces," McMaster spokesman Brandon Charochak said. "South Carolina has built a reputation as one of the most military-friendly states in the country, and with legislation like this, that reputation will only grow." The law guarantees that once military service members receive orders to move, they can use those orders to register their children. That should improve their chances of getting into classes or after-school activities with limited slots, Claypoole said. "It opens up a lot more opportunities and alleviates the rush and anxiety issues once they do move," Claypoole said. After they're settled, military parents must supply proof of an address, which can be on- or off-base military housing or a rental home. But districts must "consider that traditional forms of documentation, such as utility bills or tax bills, would not be available for newly relocated military personnel," the law reads. The state veterans' agency brought the recommendation to legislators after hearing from commanders of the state's military installations that it would be helpful, Claypoole said. Rep. Bobby Cox, the bill's main sponsor, said he remembers dealing with the bureaucratic headache during his moves. An Army Ranger who served 13 years before leaving active duty in 2015, Cox said the law is "a way to continue to show 'Hey, were a very military friendly state.' "We want to make it welcoming and make sure youre taken care of and this is off your plate as youre dealing with all the other stressors with a move," said the Greer Republican who sits on the House's military affairs committee. The bill met no resistance as it moved through the legislative process. Both chambers approved it unanimously. More than 13,000 students in South Carolina K-12 public schools are children of active-duty military personnel, according to a 2023 annual report to the Education Oversight Committee. Sixty school districts around the state reported having at least one military student last school year. But unsurprisingly, most military students lived around the state's eight major military installations. Charleston County School District ranked 10th with about 365 students, according to the report. It is among the state's nine Purple Star school districts. Requirements for the designation include having dedicated liaisons to help military families during relocations and deployment. "We believe that the law formalizes what CCSD already does to serve military families," the district said in a written statement. "We will continue to work closely with our partners at Joint Base Charleston and their counterparts to serve military families." Other Purple Star districts include Aiken, Beaufort and Berkeley counties and Richland Two. The district in suburban northeast Columbia outside of Fort Jackson accounts for roughly a quarter of all military students statewide, according to the annual report. Beaufort County has about 1,140 military students, according to the district. "Most of the time, they don't know where they'll be staying" after getting their moving orders, said Brett Fritz, data services director for Beaufort County schools. "We're already doing everything (in the law) and then some," he said. Among the manifold joys of Spoleto Festival USA is spotting the serial artists the ones who return time and again, who have come to relish their time here, immersing themselves in the city, and reveling in the alchemy possible when they mix with fellow participants. We get to watch them grow, to try new things, to become part of the collective memory of Charlestons oft-heralded cultural tradition. A day into the 2023 program, this longstanding Spoleto-begets-Spoleto tradition was already at play. One festival artist who has emerged in recent years to great acclaim has again landed at the place he has come to know as an artistic home. I first saw operatic tenor Jamez McCorkle perform as Lensky in the 2017 Spoleto production of the opera Eugene Onegin, a role that was his first on contract, a feat that fixed this festival firmly in his career ascendancy, and perhaps in his artful heart. That performance possessed such emotional pull I still vividly recall the depths of feeling it summoned in me from the comfort of my Gaillard matinee seat, prompting me on a sunny June afternoon to mourn. Then in 2022, he portrayed Omar, the self-possessed enslaved Muslim in the production of the same name who hewed to his faith and identity against all odds, propelling him from Senegal to the antebellum South, both in geography and musical expression. It was a role McCorkle has since performed around the country; the Spoleto-hatched production continues to garner great acclaim. Its composers, Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels, were recognized with a Pulitzer Prize for composition. The phenomenal trajectory presented another opportunity for McCorkle. The role under his belt, he used the time normally allotted for learning new roles to follow his own artistic pulls, both as a vocalist and as a pianist. And that led him to Robert Schumanns Dichterliebe, the song cycle based on Heinrich Heines poems that translates to A Poets Love. He found a home in which to share his exploration, or it found him. Spoleto General Director Mena Mark Hanna spotted him singing and accompanying himself on social media, and urged him to join the program. And so McCorkle has come to his adoptive home to perform A Poets Love, delivering his own interpretation of it via both his chosen instruments, vocals and piano. The resulting production is marked by another festival mainstay: new collaborations sprung from the festival. In this instance, it has come together in a multi-discipline work that merges music, dance and visuals, all in the name of elusive love. That led him to Miwa Matreyek, a visual artist and choreographer whose work has included large-scale projects of her renderings, which enfold a silhouette of a dancer who interacts with the projected illustrations. Now about that music. It was a distinct treat indeed to experience McCorkle in the more intimate setting of Queen Street Playhouse, a new Spoleto venue this year, tenderly, poignantly performing and interpreting the work. Lending his richly colored, wide-ranging tenor to Schumanns composition of Heines poems, the artist approached the work through the lens of the composers life events, as it was written at a time when Schumann was forbidden to see Clara, the woman he aimed to marry. Like the verses, McCorkles voice is steeped in the yearning referenced in them, the beauty bursting forth in May nature deceptive hope that compelled poet T.S. Eliot to anoint the neighboring month of April the cruelest in The Waste Land. From measured rumination to palpable pining, McCorkle evokes the deepest channels of a disappointed heart its self-reflection, its abiding despair. Like natures emergent tendrils, McCorkles voice, which many in town have heard unleashed with its mighty power, was marked by vulnerability and subtlety. It opened up like a summer rose, though one whose mournful tone expressed the thorns of thwarted love, too. It was realized in lyrics, that in English observe, Yet when you say I love you,/I cry so bitterly. All the while, an upstage screen frames a dancer billed as Shadow, performed behind it in silhouette by JahMar Coakley, the presumptive symbol of the poet in his pained state of quelled love. White renderings of flora and fauna grow and flutter around the silhouetted dancer, with images ranging from more abstracted outlines to more literal illustrations. As they progress, they sometimes embody a collective force to buffet the Shadow around the screen. The visuals work best when they possess a more graphic treatment. When they become too literal, in the form of a galloping horse or anatomical heart or the outline of a town, they lose evocative potential and can feel overwrought. At times they offer too dizzying a tableau for showcasing Coakley and distract from the main event: McCorkles double-barreled, superlative artistry on vocals and piano. But bearing witness to this collaborative muscle flex, as one artist joins with others in a new mode of expression, is worthwhile in its own right. In the final analysis, it was gratifying to see such impulses requited, if only to give further wing to a yearning and excellent artistic heart. PR-Inside.com: 2023-05-27 03:03:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 776 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. ("Charles River") (NYSE:CRL). The action charges Charles River with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Charles River's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Charles River's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CHARLES RIVER LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/charles-river-laboratories-international-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=crl&mktm=r LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: JULY 18, 2023CLASS PERIOD: MAY 5, 2020 THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.CHARLES RIVER'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCTCharles River is a full-service, non-clinical global drug development partner with a mission to create healthier lives. The company has three reporting segments: Research Models and Services, Discovery and Safety Assessment, and Manufacturing Solutions. The Discovery and Safety Assessment segment accounts for approximately 60% of the company's total revenue and offers, among other things, safety assessment studies required for regulatory submission of therapeutic solutions.On February 22, 2023, Charles River revealed that the company had received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice relating to an ongoing investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into the supply chain and illegal importation of non-human primates for research. On the same day, during an earnings call with investors, James C. Foster, the company's CEO, stated that the "investigation in current [non-human primate] supply situation will result in study delays in our Safety Assessment business." He further stated that the investigation into the Cambodian non-human primate chain would reduce the annual revenue forecast by approximately 200 basis points to 400 basis points.Following this news, the price of Charles River shares declined by $24.51 per share, or approximately 10.06%, from $243.60 per share to close at $219.09 on February 22, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?Charles River investors may, no later than July 18, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPor other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPencourages Charles River investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against Charles River, captioned Coleman v. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., et al, Case No. 23-cv-11132, is filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts before the Honorable Denise Jefferson Casper.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2023-05-27 05:46:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 354 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 26, 2023 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Trinseo PLC ("Trinseo" or "the Company") (NYSE:TSE) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.Investors who purchased the Company's securities between May 3, 2021 and March 27, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the firm before June 20, 2023.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Trinseo's plant in Bristol, Pennsylvania, suffered from a troubled history of safety problems under its previous ownership, which continued to be plagued with safety problems after it was acquired. The Company failed to disclose the specific risks involved in this plant's normal operations. The Company was at risk of chemical spills and other problems due to its operation of an unsafe plant. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Trinseo, investors suffered damages.Join the case to recover your losses.The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT:The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq.Office: 310-301-3335info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm PR-Inside.com: 2023-05-27 21:00:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 609 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Gellings Announces Its "On the House" Community Service ProgramSHEBOYGAN, WI / ACCESSWIRE / May 27, 2023 / When John came home in the middle of a thunderstorm, he saw that a tree had fallen on his roof. Water was everywhere; he knew the damage would get worse if he didn't do something immediately. The rotting tree was on his property line. John felt it was his neighbor's job to cut down the tree. His neighbor thought it was John's responsibility to take care of the tree. John's insurance company agreed and refused his claim. As a 92-year-old retiree, John was on a fixed income. There was no way he could cover a major repair like this on his own. But these repairs had to be made if he wanted to stay in his home. The name was changed to John to protect privacy, however, this is a real-life situation that took place. Stories like these happen every day, and people in the community continue to struggle unnoticed. They need help, but they're not sure where to turn.on the house logonew program logoMichelle Gellings, Head of Community Outreach at Gellings Roofing and Siding, announces the launch of their On the House program, which provides support for major home repair and support projects. This program is completely company funded so there are fewer restrictions than other programs that exist. This program provides assistance for:Economic or natural disastersSupport for candidates struggling with physical disabilitiesFamilies who are financially limitedIndividuals and families who are unable to update their homesAnyone needing home repair help due to economic hardship or natural disasters is encouraged to apply. Support for qualified candidates includes:VeteransPersons with physical disabilitiesSenior citizensLow-income householdsInterested candidates are encouraged to apply. They'll be asked to verify specific personal details and their circumstances. This ensures On the House is available to everyone in need when it's needed.Why 'On the House' is important for our local communityThese struggles aren't unique to a small part of the community. As it turns out, most homeowners experience these struggles from time to time. Research from Consumer Reports1 shows:"The average home needs $3,150 worth of repairs that haven't been made yet."Only 41% of homeowners could afford a $500 repair out of pocket, and only 28% could say the same for a $1,000 repair."Approximately one in four homes are in need of serious repairs, while 45% of homes are less safe as a result of neglected repairs." This shows that the need for programs like On the House is growing. Maintaining the homes in our community is an essential part of building a strong and stable community. But it starts with caring for the families in our communities. On the House is a safety net for families in the community.Qualified homeowners in Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties are encouraged to apply for On the House roof and siding replacement program. There's absolutely no cost to see if a homeowner qualifies. Visit https://www.gellingsroofing.net/program to learn more or apply.About Gellings Roofing and Siding Company LLCGellings Roofing and Siding Company LLC has more than 20 years of experience in the exterior remodeling business. Gellings Roofing and Siding services the Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties. They provide outstanding warranties that meet or exceed industry standards demonstrating the company's confidence in its products and services and the organization's willingness to stand behind them. Visit https://www.gellingsroofing.net to learn more.1) https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/holding-off-on-home-repairs.html Contact InformationMichelle GellingsV.P. and Marketingmarketing@ gellingsroofing.net 9206932240Related FilesRelease_On the house [page].docxRelease_On the house [newswire].docxSOURCE: Gellings Roofing & Siding LLC The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued procedures on how individuals can set up a profile on the new digital financial literacy platform called SabiMONI. Last week, the apex bank Deputy Governor, Aishah Ahmad, announced that the bank has developed the SabiMONI e-learning platform. In a thread of tweets with image illustrations posted on its official Twitter page, the CBN enumerated step-by-step guidelines on how to register and participate in the financial tool learning process. According to the apex bank, the first step is to log on to the SabiMONIe-Learning platform with any browser to begin registration and create an account by registering and filling in all required fields on the page. After that, the CBN said the next step is to check email inbox/spam folder for a confirmation email and then click the confirmation link to verify the account. Step-by-step guide to signing up for the SabiMONI Financial Literacy eLearning Platform https://t.co/J96oqjmFqO pic.twitter.com/IrW2oGRp59 Central Bank of Nigeria (@cenbank) May 26, 2023 What should follow this is to fill in email/Username and password to log in and update user profile to have access to the platform, the CBN said. The SabiMoni is an e-learning platform designed to train and provide people with up-to-date financial tools and resources at no cost. Significance During the launching ceremony of the digital financial tool, the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, hinted that the SabiMONI platform is a declaration that the bank is determined to meet the target of 95 per cent financial inclusion by 2024. #CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin #Emefiele, launched the Financial Literacy eLearning Platform, #SabiMONI, with the declaration that the Bank is determined to meet the target of 95% financial inclusion by 2024. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/sDcGRxVCUJ Central Bank of Nigeria (@cenbank) May 26, 2023 #SabiMONI portal will serve as a repository of information not only for learners and trainers but also for researchers in the most effective manner, he said. #SabiMONI platform consists of 15 financial literacy modules, in a train-the-trainer model with the primary targets being the Intermediaries Segment as identified by the National Financial Literacy Framework (NFLF) Dir. Consumer Protection Department, Mrs. Rashida Monguno.4/5 pic.twitter.com/Bc2XUPHGGd Central Bank of Nigeria (@cenbank) May 26, 2023 On her part, the CBN Deputy Governor, Aishah Ahmad, said the SabiMONI portal will help the Bank reach more people and make them aware of the benefits of financial products and services. She said it will increase the use of financial services, help customers make better financial decisions and further drive financial inclusion in the country. Modules The apex bank noted that the SabiMONI platform consists of 15 financial literacy modules. In a train-the-trainer model, it said the primary targets are the Intermediaries Segment as identified by the National Financial Literacy Framework (NFLF) Director of Consumer Protection Department, Rashida Monguno. Upon completion of the course, learners will qualify as Certified Financial Literacy Trainers (CFLT), the bank said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print When Governor Muhammad Badaru took office in 2015, he said he was horrified by the details of the huge debts and uncompleted capital projects that his administration was inheritting. The first day I went through the handover note submitted to me by the then People Democratic Party (PDP) administration, I felt like running away because of the gravity of problems contained in the document, he said. However, he said he overcame the challenges and put the state back on the path to recovery. Before my swearing-in, the opposition PDP dug a hole for the incoming administration to fall. They left only N16 million in the treasury thinking that we cant even pay salary. However, with prudence and God willing, Jigawa is among the states paying workers salaries unfailingly on the 25th of every month and now paying leave grants, Mr Badaru said while appraising his performance on May 2018, three years after becoming governor. In 2015, he promised that his administration would pay particular attention to security of lives and property, education and human capital development, water and sanitation and primary healthcare, youth employment, women empowerment, and poverty alleviation through agriculture and agro-allied processing. In this report, PREMIUM TIMES examines key socio-economic and health indicators to check if Mr Badaru achieved the goals he set out to achieve when he was sworn in eight years ago. Inherited financial burden As of 29 May 2015, the volume of financial liabilities and contractual commitments on ongoing and new capital projects amounted to over N110 billion which at that time, was more than the annual budget of the Jigawa state government. That was compounded with the inherited financial liquidation position of the state government which was about N16 million when the new administration took over, a financial record obtained by PREMIUM TIMES revealed. The inherited liabilities and contractual commitments from 2015 include Capital Expenditure Liabilities (unpaid capital payment voucher with the treasury) N13.64 billion. Contractual commitments on ongoing projects at various stages of completion were N91.6 billion breaking down projects yet to commence N10.6 billion; projects between 1 per cent to 30 per cent progress amounted to N52.2 billion; projects between 31 per cent to 50 per cent of progress was N3.9 billion; projects above 50 per cent progress amounted to N24.9 billion. Carried-forward liabilities from the previous administration -1997 to 2007 were N1.57 billion. Out of the inherited debts, N65 billion was for contractual commitments in respect of infrastructure projects primarily for road construction. The states governor-elect, Umar Namadi, who was the states commissioner for finance from 2015 to 2019 as well as the incumbent deputy governor, said under Mr Badaru, the state settled all the construction liabilities and completed projects inherited from the previous administration and commissioned them before the 2019 election. Going by the record when we took over from the opposition government, we inherited projects worth over N90 billion. We are proud to say those projects have been completed and commissioned, Mr Namadi told reporters after he received reports from various sub-committees of the transition committee in his office on 9th May. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) When Mr Badaru assumed duty, the internally generated revenue (IGR) of Jigawa State was rated among the poorest in the country. The state generated just over N5 billion in 2015, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). In Mr Badarus first year as governor, the states financial woes worsened. Its IGR plunged in 2016 to N3.5 billion from N5 billion in 2015 and N6.2 billion in 2014. However, in 2017 it rose to N6.6 billion. In 2018 the IGR was over N9.2 billion and in 2019 it rose to N12.9 billion. In 2020 amid the global health challenge, (COVID-19) the IGR reduces to N8.6 billion. Jigawa was ranked 23rd in the federation in BudgiTs 2022 fiscal performance index, having climbed two places from its previous ranking of 25th position. Jigawa has performed satisfactorily on its total revenue growth, the state was able to move from N112.72 billion in 2020 to N124.27 billion in 2021. Comparing IGR to total revenue for 2021, it was observed that the state is at 33.80%; which is just above one-third of the states total revenue and the fifth in the federation. The IGR grew by 33.34 billion between 2020 (8.67 billion) and 2021 (N42.01 billion): an increase of 384.98 per cent. Among the states of the federation, Jigawa had the seventh highest IGR and the second highest revenue among the seven states in the Northwest. Looking at the total expenditure, Jigawa moved from N112.12 billion in 2020 to N132.96 billion in 2021: a growth of 18.58 per cent and the 24th in the federation. Of these total expenditures, N59.19 billion was spent on capital expenditure, a move up from N41.92 billion in 2020. In terms of Jigawas debt position, the state has a total debt of N43.52 billion and debt service of N4.9 billion. This total debt places the state as the least indebted state in the federation as of 2021. Jigawas total domestic debt is N31.36 billion while its foreign total debts are $29.46 million, BudgiT reported. Ease of Doing Business Ranking Jigawa was ranked third on the subnational ranking in the ease of doing business report in 2021. In the 2023 ranking published in April, Jigawa rose a step to second position with a score of 6.88 as against the 2021 score of 6.79. The 2023 ranking report addresses the ease of doing business across six indicators and 16 sub-indicators. The six indicators include infrastructure, transparency and accessibility of information, skills and labour, secure and stable environment, regulatory environment and economic opportunity. Jigawa State Investment and Promotion Agency (IvestJigawa) said between 2015 and to date, it attracted 22 multi-million dollar investments in the state, which include GCC Vanguard Limited, granite companies, Vinylon Footwears, Dangote Rice Mills and Jigawa Rice Mills among others investments. Water and Sanitation Jigawa witnessed an increase in access to safe water from the level of about 83 per cent in 2016 to 92 per cent in 2021, according to data from the National Outcome Routine Mapping of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Level in Nigeria (WASH NORM) 2021. According to the data, Jigawa is first in Northern Nigeria and second in the country in terms of access to water supply. Meanwhile, under Mr Badarus administration, the 27 local government areas of the state attained open defecation-free ranking first in the country as validated by the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTDS). A transition committee report seen by PREMIUM TIMES said the state achieved its feat in access to safe water and good hygiene and sanitation after Mr Badaru rigorously addresses the problems of water immediately after he assumed office in 2015 We increased the volume of potable water produced from 144.01 million litres in 2015 to 293.5 million litres in 2021. In 2015 Jigawa water board had two water treatment plants, the state now has three. The Small Town Water Supply Agency (STOWA) in 2015 had only 300 water supply schemes but the number increases to 1,037, out of which 707 are solar powered while 330 are motorised, according to the annual sector performance report seen by this newspaper. Rural water supply has 13,000 hand pumps in 2015 and now has 28,508 in 2023, the report added. Healthcare Before Mr Badaru assumed office, the under-five mortality rate was 192 per 1000 live births in Jigawa, but it reduces to 174. Neonatal mortality rate was 82 deaths per 1000 live births in 2015 which has reduced to 53; and the infant mortality rate was 99 deaths per 1000 live births in 2015, but there was a slim reduction in 2023 to 95 deaths, according to MICS in 2021. Also, the percentage reduction of malaria prevalence among children under five in 2015 was 24.1, in 2023 it increased to 33.8 per cent, stunting rate was 63.4 in 2015, but has reduced to 60 per cent in 2023, according to the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2018. On maternal health, the percentage of women who delivered at health facilities rose from 6.8 per cent in 2015 to 18.2 per cent in 2023 and delivery assisted by a skilled attendant in 2015 was 14.8 per cent but in 2023 it grew to 22.2 per cent, according to the MICS survey last updated in 2021. The total fertility rate of Jigawa dropped to about 7.6 in 2023 from about 8.6 in 2015, and the modern contraceptive prevalence rate was above one per cent in 2015 but reached 3.5 per cent in 2023, according to the MICS survey 2021. This means that the availability of a wide range of family planning commodities all the years are accessible in the health facilities and girls finished at least secondary school before getting married under the Badaru administration. Jigawa emerged as the North-west champion in the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Fund (PHC-LCF) 2023. The challenge co-sponsored by the Dangote Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nigeria Governors Forum and UNICEF aims to address leadership gaps in developing the countrys primary healthcare system and improving the delivery of essential health services. The PHC-LCF also seeks to support the implementation of the Seattle Declaration and commitments through healthy competition, peer review, and cross-learning among states. The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, Salisu Muazu, said Jigawa has reached the target of one functional primary health care per political ward. He said in 2015 the state had 154 health posts but reached 201 after building an additional 45. Primary healthcare centres were 71 in 2015 now 280, secondary healthcare facilities were 12 in 2015 now 30, there was one tertiary healthcare facility in 2015, now in 2023 it reached four. Health training institutions in 2015 were two it reached four in 2023, there was no family health centre and infectious disease hospital before 2015 now we have them, Mr Muazu said. Poverty rate The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its multidimensional poverty report 2022 placed Jigawa as the third poorest state in Nigeria. Nationally, the report put Nigerias poverty index at 0.257, with about 133 million people being multi-dimensionally poor. Jigawa continues to remain among Nigerias poorest states over the years, though after Mr Badaru assumed office in 2015 the state witnessed little improvement in its poverty headcount ratio of 84.3 per cent, making it the third poorest state in the country from the initial second position. READ ALSO: Customs speaks about shooting incident at Jigawa checkpoint Factors such as healthcare, food insecurity, education, nutrition, and access to cooking fuel contributed the most to the national poverty index. According to the NBS, over half of the Nigerian population are multi-dimensional poor deprived of cooking fuel. Earlier, Mr Badaru, while responding to the poverty report index, said the investment his administration has made in the agricultural sector, and its empowerment in the last eight years, will address poverty in the state in the future. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Hundreds of German civil servants working in the education and cultural sectors will need to leave Russia following a request by Moscow, a German government source told AFP Saturday. It follows Russia's decision to force Germany to slash its diplomatic staff and presence at public institutions such as the Goethe Institute cultural organisation and the German school in Moscow by the beginning of June, the source said. The source confirmed a report in the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, which described it as a "diplomatic declaration of war by Moscow" in Berlin. "This is a unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible decision," the German foreign ministry said in a statement. A close economic partner with Russia before Moscow invaded Ukraine, Germany has since moved away from Moscow, financially and militarily supporting Kyiv in the conflict. Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian espionage in Germany has grown at a rate rarely equalled in recent years, according to German security services. In mid-April, Germany expelled a number of Russian diplomats "to reduce the presence of intelligence services" which prompted a tit-for-tat response from Moscow that booted out some 20 German embassy staff. The Russian foreign ministry in April set a ceiling for the number of German diplomats and representatives of public organizations allowed to stay in Russia, the German foreign ministry said. "This limit set by Russia from the beginning of June implies major cuts in all areas of (Germany's) presence in Russia," the source said. The ministry did not give a figure for the number of people affected, but a government source said the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily report of several hundred people affected was "correct". German authorities have tried in recent weeks to get the Russian ministry to reverse its decision, but without success, the paper said. As a result, German officials, diplomatic and consular staff, but especially those working in culture and education, will be required to pack their bags in the coming days. In spring 2022, Germany already expelled some 40 Russian diplomats who Berlin believed to represent a threat to its security. Last October, the head of German's cybersecurity agency, Arne Schoenbohm, was fired after news reports revealed his proximity to a cybersecurity consultancy believed to have contacts with Russian intelligence services. A month later, a German reserve officer was handed a suspended prison sentence of a year and nine months for spying for Russia. Search Keywords: Short link: The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has pledged the 13 members-elect from Rivers State to Tajudeen Abbas, the anointed speakership candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)noting that he will not allow the repeat of the 2015 experience. Mr Wike, a governor under the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the pledge on Friday in Port Harcourt when Mr Abbas and the leadership of the Joint Task Group visited him as part of the ongoing campaign. He said he would be joining the campaign after leaving office as governor on Monday. He said he would help to avoid the repeat of 2015, where elements within the ruling party collaborated with the minority parties to elect the leadership of the National Assembly. I want to say here that I am with you fully. You know I do my things in the open. When (Kingsley) Chinda told me that you are coming here, I said there was no need because I am with you fully. All our members are with you, except one, who is doing something else. 2015 wont repeat itself. Let me tell you, Ill leave the office on Monday, and once I leave, we will start the campaign fully. I urge all of you to support Abbas. Dont support him in the day and do something else in the night. You should support him fully, he said. The Rivers State governor has rebelled against his party since the presidential primary, where he lost to Atiku Abubakar. Mr Wike, alongside some PDP governorsSamuel Ortom of Benue, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu Abia, and Ifeanyi Uguwanyi of Enugu State formed the G5 group that opposed Atiku Abubakar. Mr Wike has admitted on several occasions that he supported Mr Tinubu during the presidential election. He has repeatedly urged all aspirants in the race to support the zoning arrangement of the ruling party. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Tinubu settled for Godswill Akpabio (South-south) and Barau Jibrin (North-west) for the senate president and deputy senate president, respectively. He also endorsed Tajudeen Abbas (North-west) and Ben Kalu (South-east) for speaker and deputy speaker, respectively. However, the party is facing the possibility of open rebellion where aggrieved members may align with lawmakers of the minority parties to pull an upset. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A meeting between the federal government and the striking health workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) ended in a deadlock. The National Vice Chairman of JOHESU, Obinna Ogbonna, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday evening. Mr Ogbonna said the meeting was held Thursday at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) shortly after the union declared its strike on Thursday. The meeting ended in a deadlock because we couldnt reach an agreement with the federal government, he said. Striking health workers PREMIUM TIMES reported how the union commenced an indefinite strike on Thursday over alleged failure of the federal government to meet its demands. The union had in a letter dated 9 May, issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government over an allegation of inconsistencies in the ongoing negotiations to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers. Mr Ogbonna said it is pertinent for the union to embark on the strike following the expiration of the ultimatum. Demands The health workers are demanding the immediate approval and implementation of the technical committee report on CONHESS adjustment by the government. They are also demanding the immediate payment of the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of affected health workers in federal health institutions. They also want the immediate and unconditional implementation of the pharmacist consultant cadre, unconditional payment of all withheld salaries of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and outstanding April and May 2018 salaries of members at FMC, Azare. The union also calls for the speedy implementation of the increase in retirement age from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants in the health professions. Adjournment Mr Ogbonna said majority of persons present at the meeting on Thursday were from the health ministry which led to an adjournment of the meeting. The union official said: On getting to the meeting, we discovered that all of the people, except those from the National Salaries Incomes And Wages Commission, were all from the FMoH and the Minister who had already taken a position over the matter that it is impossible to be given the adjusted CONHESS was the one who presided over the meeting. We had to tell him that he is an interested party in this matter and for the ministry to have allowed us to declare a strike and according to the labour law, there is a trade dispute already and if a trade dispute is declared, the interested party should not be the one to preside over the matter anymore because you cannot be a judge in your own matter. Mr Ogbonna said going forward, the matter will be taken over by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, which will be the conciliator between the health workers and the FMoH. He said the meeting was adjourned till next week, but no date has been fixed yet due to the mood of the nation and the ongoing inauguration activities. About JOHESU JOHESU is the association of health workers apart from medical doctors and dentists. JOHESU members include other health workers unions and associations, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria; Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals; Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions; Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions, and Assembly of Health Care Professional Association (AHPA). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, spoke on the significance of democracy in driving Nigerias sustainable development. Speaking at the Inauguration Lecture delivered by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Mr Tinubu highlighted the indispensable role of democracy as the cornerstone for the nations progress and prosperity, emphasising the vital nature of democracy in advancing the nations interests. In his speech, the keynote speaker, former President Kenyatta, appealed to the incoming President of Nigeria to unite the country irrespective of ethnic, political and religious clevages that may exist. The contest is now over and the hardwork of building a prosperous and unified Nigeria now begins. Upon assuming the office of president, you would be wise to transcend from tactical politics of an election and assume your role as Nigerias vision bearer. While making his remarks at the lecture, outgoing President Buhari noted that the inauguration lecture took participants on a journey of introspection on the imperatives of democratic governance and nation-building and that the various challenges that confront the socio-political fabrics of Nigeria were highlighted. We have learnt that democracy is not just a system of governance. It is a way of life. True democracy is when voice of people are heard. Our nations progress rest on inclusivity, unity and not leaving any citizen behind and by ensuring every citizen enjoy dividends of good governance. We must heed the lessons of this lecture and translate them into action. We must fight against corruption in all its form. We must remain united. Our diversity is our strength. We can overcome our differences and forge a common cause towards progress, President Buhari said. The president-elects address was delivered by the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, who used the opportunity to call on Nigerians to stand together with the incoming administration to birth a better country. President-elect Tinubu, in his speech, restated his commitment to the ideals of democracy as the best form of government. Distinguished guests, democracy is more than a system of governance; it is the very lifeblood that empowers a nation to flourish and thrive, the president-elect said. We stand at the precipice of a new era, where the ideals of democracy will guide our path towards sustainable development. Mr Tinubu while embracing his African identity, reaffirmed his love for the continent. He also recognised the collective efforts of Nigerians and Africans in shaping their democratic political cultures and institutions, tailored to the unique conditions and challenges faced by their societies. He articulated the essence of democracy, emphasizing that it transcends being a mere form of government. Democracy, my fellow countrymen, is not only a political system; it is a way of life. It embodies a distinctive code of thought and conduct, demanding the utmost integrity and self-improvement from leaders, he said. Stating the paradoxical nature of democracy, the president-elect noted that while it guarantees freedom, its survival hinges on responsible and measured use of that freedom, adding that democracy, as an ever-evolving concept, empowers the majority to express their will while safeguarding the fundamental interests of the minority. Our democracy is not an abstract ideal; it is a practical vessel that will propel our nation to new heights in every facet of our collective existence, Mr Tinubu added. Drawing insights from Nigerias national experience, he acknowledged the merits of democracy even in its imperfect manifestations, stressing that it surpasses the most perfect dictatorship in terms of justice, humanity, and productivity. He also mentioned the importance of fostering open forums for discussion and debate, where the best ideas and policies can enter the national discourse and capture the imagination of the people. He pledged to utilise democratic institutions not only to safeguard political and civil rights but also to drive comprehensive economic reforms that engender broad-based prosperity, create employment opportunities, and unlock the nations untapped potential. Today, I stand before you, ready to dedicate my entire being to the service of our great nation and the African continent, the president-elect proclaimed resolutely. He expressed deep gratitude to President Kenyatta for his exceptional address, which further invigorated his commitment to the transformative power of democracy. The well-attended lecture had in attendance National Chairman of ruling All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu; Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Idris Wase; Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha; Sultan Abubakar Saad of Sokoto; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Bishop Mathew Kukah, President of Africa Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, and Deputy Secretary-General of United Nations, Amina Muhammed. Others at the event included ministers, National Assembly members and other top government officials Office of the President-elect Tunde Rahman May 27, 2023 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has lauded workers in her office for their dedication to duty, saying they worked under intense pressure to achieve the desired goals in the last eight years of the administration. My staff worked under serious pressure and achieved the desired goals at the end of the day, she said. Mrs Buhari said this when she spoke at a farewell meeting with members of staff at the Presidential Villa. You are the brains behind my success in the last eight years I pray that what is ahead of you in future is more rewarding than what we have done in the last eight years. Because, without you, I wouldnt have achieved what I have achieved so far and I think I am one of the first ladies that Nigerians can not forget easily, she said. The first lady expressed her profound gratitude for the tenacity, courage and commitment exhibited by the staff during the period. I thank you so much. In fact, I just cant thank you enough for the efforts you make in the last eight years of my time in this office. May God bless you all, she said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, has announced the commencement of a work study programme for skilled students to earn while still attending classes. The initiative would help ease the financial burden on parents and guardians and reduce the rate at which students drop out of school due to financial constraints, the university said in a statement issued by its Registrar, Femi Ogunwomoju. Mr Ogunwomoju said the programme through the directorate of entrepreneurship studies, will enable students with demonstrable and proven vocational skills to work in the university and earn some stipends and still attend classes. About programme OOU said it launched the work study programme during its 40th anniversary in February to checkmate the increasing rate of dropouts in the institution. When we noticed the rate at which students were dropping out, we did the SWOT analysis of what happened to them, the universitys Vice-Chancellor, Ayodeji Agboola, a professor, said. We came to realise that the major problem there is funding. So, we instituted immediate funding but, of course, it cannot take care of all of them. He said the university, therefore, resolved to cater for 500 students under the work study programme. With work studies, we are sure that the majority of them will be accommodated and that will also solve the problem, he said. Students of the university who are interested and qualified to be part of the programme are requested to fill a form. The university management, therefore, urged interested qualified students should register through the Directorate of Entrepreneurship Studies within two weeks beginning from 25 May. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Muhammadu Buhari and a former Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, have advised President-elect Bola Tinubu to pacify Nigerians aggrieved over the outcome of the presidential election. The two leaders gave the advice at the Presidential Inauguration Lecture held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Saturday. Mr Kenyatta who gave the keynote address urged Mr Tinubu to ignore political differences and unite Nigerians after he is sworn in as president. The contest is now over and the hard work of building a prosperous and unified Nigeria now begins, the former Kenyan leader said. Upon assuming the office of President, you would be wise to transcend from the tactical politics of an election and assume your role as Nigerias vision bearer, he said. In his own remarks, Mr Buhari also urged Mr Tinubu to ensure he followed the principles of democracy as president. The outgoing president said the agitations that had generated differences among Nigerians can be resolved if the president-elect follows the principles of democracy. We have learnt that democracy is not just a system of governance. It is a way of life. True democracy is when the voice of people are heard. Our nations progress rests on inclusivity, unity and not leaving any citizen behind and by ensuring every citizen enjoys dividends of good governance, he said. We must heed the lessons of this lecture and translate them into action. We must fight against corruption in all its forms. We must remain united. Our diversity is our strength. We can overcome our differences and forge a common cause towards progress. Service to Nigeria In his remarks, the president elect assured that his administration will develop the country and the entire African continent. Mr Tinubu who was represented by the vice-president elect, Kashim Shettima, said he is ready to dedicate his administration to the service of the country and the African continent at large. Today, I stand before you, ready to dedicate my entire being to the service of our great nation and the African continent, he said. We stand at the precipice of a new era, where the ideals of democracy will guide our path towards sustainable development, he noted. Democracy, my fellow countrymen, is not only a political system; it is a way of life. It embodies a distinctive code of thought and conduct, demanding the utmost integrity and self-improvement from leaders. Dignitaries at the inaugural lecture include the National Chairman of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, and Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha. Also in attendance were the President of African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina; Deputy Secretary-General of United Nations, Amina Muhammed; Sultan Mohammed Abubakar Saad of Sokoto; Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah. Ministers, National Assembly members and other top government officials were also at the lecture. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian Customs Service on Saturday says it regrets the shooting of a customs officer who refused to stop at a checkpoint by his colleague. The officer, Muhammad Sayyadi, on Friday was returning from Niger Republic, and had refused to stop at a checkpoint at Kargo in Garki Local Government for checks forcing operatives to open fire on his vehicle. Unknown to the officers, Mr Sayyadi, an officer serving at the Lagos State command of the Customs, was driving the vehicle. Mr Sayyadi is the son of the Emir of Ringim, Sayyadi Mahmoud. Ringim is one of Jigawas five first-class emirates. The spokesperson, for the customs service in Jigawa/Kano command, Nura Saidu, in a statement said the management is investigating the incident. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragic event, and we extend our deepest empathy to the family and friends of the victim. As a Service, we equally assure you that the management will fully investigate the incident to determine the causes and circumstances. Our top priority is the well-being and safety of the victim and the larger community at this difficult time. We would like to remind everyone that the Service rests utmost importance on responsible firearm handling. Accidental shootings are preventable tragedies, as all officers are consciously trained to secure and only use their firearms in (an) appropriate and controlled environment. We will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available, Mr Saidu said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) for their alleged libelous publications accusing her of corruption. Mrs Alison-Madueke is suing for N100 billion as compensation for the publications which, she said, falsely portrayed her as a common looter of the national wealth and a debased and corrupt public officer. The suit which she filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on 26 May, challenges publications that date back to 2016. The suit came days before the end of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration which levelled the weighty corruption allegations against her. Ms Alison-Madueke, 62, who has left Nigeria and been living in the United Kingdom since 2015, filed the suit through her lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, urged the court to declare some specific corruption allegations, which appeared on various news platforms and EFCC websites between 2016 and 2022 as false. Apart from asking for N100 billion compensation, the former minister also urged the court to order the EFCC and the AGF to retract the alleged libelous publications. She also urged the court to order the EFCC and the AGF to publish an unreserved apology in at least three (3) national newspapers, including Thisday, The Punch and The Sun Newspapers within seven (7) days from the date of judgement. Allegations The Buhari administration came to power in 2015 accusing the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan government, in which Ms Alison-Madueke served, of monumental corruption. Activities of Ms Alison-Maduekes Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which she served as its chair, were often cited by the Buhari government as part of the worst forms of corruption that took place during the Jonathan administration. The former minister quickly became a subject of intense investigations and legal proceedings in Nigeria as soon as the new government settled down. A court document revealed that the current chair of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was appointed to head the team investigating Ms Alison-Madueke and her allies, once travelled to the United Kingdom to interrogate the former minister but could not gain access to her. EFCCs investigations culminated in the money laundering charges filed against her in 2018. The commission also targeted high-worth assets it believed she acquired with proceeds of crimes for forfeiture. Activities of some officials of the agencies linked to her ministry were also subject of corruption charges. Some electoral officers have also been jailed for funds they allegedly received from NNPC on her watch to manipulate the results of the 2015 elections. On different occasions, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against her as part of the process of bringing her to Nigeria to face charges. The EFCC blamed the United Kingdom government for shielding her from trial. Denials But Ms Alison-Madueke has insisted in her fresh suit that she had been wrongly associated with money laundering, public funds from the Federal Republic of Nigeria and of being a corrupt, dishonest, dishonourable, unscrupulous, unprincipled, debased, degenerate and decadent public officer. Specifically, she denied a corruption allegation contained in a publication titled, Diezani: EFCC uncovers additional $72.8 million in Fidelity Bank I 16 December 2021, She similarly denied a report titled, Unbelievable!!! EFCC traces N47.2 Billion, $487.5 Million to ex-Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. She also denied another report accusing her of stealing $2.5 billion, and another alleging that embezzled N47.2 billion. She said both the EFCC and the AGF had the means and opportunities of verifying the truth or otherwise of the offensive publications, but failed to do so and were motivated in making the offensive publications by the desire to increase their public profile and perception. She said the respondents by the publications brought her reputation into contempt, odium and ridicule in the eyes of an average Nigerian. Since the publications, the claimant said, her residence abroad has also been inundated with visits by relatives and friends both home and abroad, who have expressed their shock and disappointment in her over these false publications. Why I left Nigeria one week to end of Jonathan tenure Popular belief has had it that Ms Alison Madueke fled the country shortly after the Jonathan administration ended in May 2015 in fear of being caught and prosecuted by then-new administration of Mr Buhari. But Ms Alison-Madueke said she was hurriedly flown to the United Kingdom on 22 May 2015, about a week before the new government came to power, to attend to her failing health. She said towards the end of the Jonathan administration, she was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of breast cancer Triple Negative Cancer and was hurriedly flown to England on 22 May, 2015, in order to undertake a critical course of treatment. The treatment she took, according to the former minister, consisted of two operations, eight months of intensive chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy and have remained in England ever since then, undergoing medical care and treatment. In November 2015, a photo showing an emaciated Ms Alison-Madueke was released on social media platforms by a media personality, Dele Momodu. READ ALSO: Diezani sues EFCC over forfeited assets Ms Alison-Madueke, who described herself as an architect, served at various times as Minister of Transportation and Minister of Mines and Steel Development under the President Umaru YarAdua administration between 2007 and 2009. She later served as the Minister for Petroleum Resources of the between 2010 and 2015 in the government of former President Jonathan. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print It isunderstandable why his intellectual mates have consistently revered Paul Lovejoy. His dedication to studying recent African challenges has yielded substantial outcomes for the people. For one, his research involvements have taught us that the experience of slavery sets the history of Africa and Africans back but does not necessarily define it. This is underscored by the awareness that numerous great things are associated with the continent in the distant and proximal past, so they cannot be defined by it. The history of slavery has always attracted nuances from those who examine its attendant consequences, implications and significance or lack thereof, in the world of the perpetrators and the victims. Incidentally, the activities of history are not exclusive for any party to relay. No matter the gravity of destruction undertaken by one person to another, each has the latitude but not necessarily the moral right to relay history. This opportunity has been over-flogged by everyone who immediately rushes to inscribe issues on black and white paper, even when he or she is quite aware of the overbearing problems s/he is constituting for the issues being raised or discussed. For slavery as an epochal event in the history of Africans, numerous writers have struggled to put their sides of the story down for the consumption of the public. Thus, objective works on slavery are understandably inadequate for obvious reasons. Those with the resource to objectively evaluate the experiences are already compromised by their commission or collaboration. Commission because they are beneficiaries of the morally reprehensible actions of slavery, and collaboration because they have a history of playing an integral role in the process mentioned. The cumulative work of Paul Lovejoy is constantly reminiscent of the generous engagement of a committed intellectual, who makes painstaking and laudable efforts to resist the partisan temptation to mischaracterise the events of slavery, especially as seen from the angle of the exploited: Africans. The intellectual works he has produced on slavery are massive, and from them, we have gained insights into how the experience of slavery did not only wreak emotional havoc in the victims and their offspring but is also the source of the psychological, economic, moral and ideological trauma they face today. For instance, Lovejoy x-rays the underlying challenges that enslaved Africans face in an excruciatingly traumatic way. In Slavery, Abolition, and the Transition into Colonialism in Sierra Leone, the scholar educates us about the deep-seated racism that motivated and also characterised the business of slavery in Africa. It seems very apparent, for example, that the underrepresentation of the figures of Africans who were the victims of slavery was aimed at undermining the outrageous roles played by Europeans in the event of history. The book tells us, among other things, that contrary to the belief that slavery tuned down in Sierra Leone, numerous events of history reveal the patterns of enslavement that were consistent there. In all fairness, these patterns were not devoid of the brutally dangerous styles by which the people were subjected to ridicule. Apart from denying them the decency of human dignity, the Sierra Leoneans of the slavery period were forced to undergo torturous processes of naked and blatant destruction. In 2011, Lovejoy made another seminal academic exploration of reevaluating the aftermath effects of the experience. Transformations in Slavery: A History of Slavery in Africa is a landmark, unfolding in understanding otherwise misconstrued information that earlier works have made. Several materials available on transatlantic slavery underplayed the figures and gravity of the experience in ways that one would believe was a passive historical event that did not deserve attention. The implications of this orientation are numerous. Among other things, reducing the figures taken into slavery intends to achieve a purpose for which luxury the victims of slavery cannot afford. That the number of enslaved Africans was reduced, among other things, paints the European perpetrators as passive actors in the problems of Africans. And more than this, it obscures the underlying problems that the people would face in contemporary times, among which is the descaling of intellectual and economic power. Enslaved Africans carted away from their bosom in Africa were individuals of intellectual and economic importance. They were the architects of their people, doctors of their people, craftswomen and men and creatives who were drawn away forcefully, which had outrageous consequences on the continent. Invariably, Lovejoy offers a wide range of interpretations and conclusions. Lovejoy has dedicated much of his intellectual energy to examining these historical events so that the scholarly efforts to appropriately register the contributions of every party to the problems of Africans and others, who once experienced slavery, would be understood and put in the right context. If anyone offers us data about the challenges associated with slavery and colonialism, scholars have the moral responsibility to interrogate the data so that they would understand the hidden messages kept in the documents. Such is the energy dissipated by Lovejoy when he wrote an exemplary work on The Impact of the Atlantic Slave Trade on Africa: A Review of the Literature. What he does in the book is to interrogate the problems keenly connected to the history of the enslavement of Africans and the economic opportunities that perpetrators enjoyed during the time. In his review of relevant literature, he understood that the accuracy of the figures given is contestable. And more than this, his examination of the events reveals that slavery was systematically encouraged and morally supported by Europeans, who offered everything to make such an experience a success for the perpetrators. For instance, locals involved themselves more in internecine wars, conflicts and hostilities that led to the enslavement of others for sale. The expectation that these Europeans would do their bidding contributed to why they fought their types, which worked for them for a long time. Nevertheless, they were left to suffer the consequences themselves. Paul Lovejoy has approached African history by studying commodities: kola nuts, salt, tobacco, and cowries, among others. My conversations with him will reveal the crucial importance of these objects that interface with such issues as trade, trade routes, trading colonies, and short- and long-distance commerce. When you cumulate his studies on these objects peculiar products you can understand why no scholar compares with him in his enduring contributions to African economic history. With the same interest and energy, this scholar of stellar academic contributions has considered the troubles and terrible experiences enslaved Africans faced in the New World. The work titled Crossing Memories: Slavery and African Diaspora helps us to contextualise the challenges of people displaced by Europeans for economic reasons. The victims were first exposed to an unfriendly atmosphere, where they could not enjoy the dignity of being humans. They faced unprecedented racial abuses, were confronted with a deepened identity crisis, and were overwhelmed by social challenges that immersed them in the problems mentioned. Therefore, the accumulation of these bad experiences triggered them to think about their very background in Africa. While consumed by the challenges they faced there, they were relieved by the experiences of their indigenous life. They found assistance in nearly all the things done in the past before they crossed their borders, either deliberately or forcefully. They have, therefore, weathered all conceivable challenges directed towards them, and become very important in the diaspora as external wings of Africans who now contribute in different dimensions to the upliftment of the African nation. The works central message is that enslaved Africans could not but experience divided and unstable consciousness. They are already helpless in determining what happens to them from when they were taken to the New World, but they can create a better experience in New World. It is, therefore, understandable why his intellectual mates have consistently revered Paul Lovejoy. His dedication to studying recent African challenges has yielded substantial outcomes for the people. For one, his research involvements have taught us that the experience of slavery sets the history of Africa and Africans back but does not necessarily define it. This is underscored by the awareness that numerous great things are associated with the continent in the distant and proximal past, so they cannot be defined by it. He made very revealing comments about achieving specifics about captives forced to the periphery in a strange land. He understands that there is the coloration of ethnic identity associated with slavery, which means individuals either in the Americas or Europe as enslaved Africans, can have their origin looked into so that appropriate information about them can be sourced. It is a relief that he mentioned, among other things, that capitalist ambition was the primary driver of the slavery business in England and other European countries. And for them to continue to have necessary powers over others, they needed access to human and natural resources that would be used to their advantage. All the works he has authored serve as incredible sources of rigorous knowledge on slavery. Without the various books and essays by Paul Lovejoy, our understanding of slavery in general and the trans-Atlantic slave trade would have been considerably diminished. Exploring Peculiar Substances Paul Lovejoy has approached African history by studying commodities: kola nuts, salt, tobacco, and cowries, among others. My conversations with him will reveal the crucial importance of these objects that interface with such issues as trade, trade routes, trading colonies, and short- and long-distance commerce. When you cumulate his studies on these objects peculiar products you can understand why no scholar compares with him in his enduring contributions to African economic history. As objects connect with our desires and habits, Lovejoy becomes a pre-eminent social historian. He followed the trans-Saharan trade routes from one end to the other diverted to Sudan, the Swahili city-states and crossed over the Indian Ocean to Gujarat. Is a Zaki allowed to drink? If so, we must add the study of alcohol to the items of trade and habits. Critical attention that Lovejoy accorded to the exploration, examination and interrogation of slavery would almost make one assume that outside of that intellectual discourse, he barely picks other interests. This is not so. His available contributions to other related but different tropes of knowledge signal that, like all other prolific scholars, he has made an incredible addition to numerous areas of knowledge. One may not have the idea that Lovejoy dedicated much of his intellectual energy to studying objects and commodities. In the spirit of fairness, the common attitude to recognising objects is harsh, taken for granted, based on the misleading assumption that we need not study them. Why natron, why bitter kola? Meanwhile, that orientation towards all these objects and commodities is ill-motivated and misinformed, given the magnitude of ideas that the works of Lovejoy have opened our minds to. The meeting point between people and objects is understanding the cultural ideologies of groups of people. In essence, all human activities are somewhat connected. Commodities, as Lovejoy analysed, aided the transfer of cultures. He mentioned, for instance, how the Wangara became initiators of economic ideas in the old Songhai empire during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Wangara became exceptional in their economic investments by adding commodities and new products such as kola nuts, and they became actively involved in the spread of the Songhai monetary system based on cowries and gold. Paul Lovejoy, alongside some other scholars, undertakes the responsibility to understand some aspects of human cultures that are considered good and bad, respectively, concerning how they use them to drive or advance their civilisation forward, beyond the imagination of anyone. They look into drugs in human society, their consumption and the cultural attitude to their proliferation. Drugs have different levels that they operate within the human body. That they have superficial effects in some cultures or people and have deeper psychological outcomes on others reveal how some groups have decided to immerse themselves in the habit for certain reasons. In Consuming Habits: Drugs in History and Anthropology, the tripod of Lovejoy, Sherratt and Goodman perform anthropological operations on some cultures to bring to the fore the cultural reasons for the consumption of some hard drugs, ranging from opium, cocaine, coffee, tobacco, kola, and betelnut, among other substances. One thing they reveal is that these consuming habit help to characterise people and define how they understand drugs from time to time. Drugs are objects, but they are consumable ones with definite results on the human psychological domain and, in some cases, their socioeconomic conditions eventually. The central message of their examination in Consuming Habits is that behind the success of countries in their endeavours is an untold story of their deepened involvement in the patronage of some substances, as they employ them to perform engagements that dramatically affect the human world. Perhaps, the knowledge that the consumption of drugs has increased crimes and encouraged morally condemnable engagements, thus the world, through policies, has emphatically opposed the patronage of these substances. The irony of this moral quandary is that the patronage of hard substances is increasing daily in many countries. This raises important questions about the seriousness of combating the consumers of hard substances and their very intentions about others that they have successfully de-marketed. The endgame is that when they label some items legal or illegal, they have disallowed scholars from understanding the cultural context of their patronage and the reason for their continued appropriation. Lovejoy has helped us understand the overlapping beauty of culture and moral principles and how the desire to separate them has always generated unimaginable results with negative consequences. To that extent, they let us understand why humans keep using and abusing these substances. In Salt of the Desert Sun: A History of Salt Production and Trade in Central Sudan, Lovejoy uses his scholarly work to understudy production and exchange systems. Before then and after, it has often become the subject that pre-capitalist African cultures were unaware of market forces, a point that Tony Hopkins also demolished in An Economic History of West Africa. Both Lovejoy and Hopkins did not tie the idea of a subsistence economy to the template of racial ideology that drove it. In that ideological template, Africans were unfit to talk about advancement in ways we have observed in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The foundation of that assumption was faulty, given that it was recorded that salt, as an object, was sufficiently distributed across different areas in the Sudan in an advanced economy. Lovejoy saw increased salt production as a testament to the ability to produce mass commodities that they used for various purposes. Of course, the hallmark of the economic success of the period was the ability to sustain such a high level of performance to meet the demands of people in different places, especially in contiguous areas. Production quantity would be affected because the major means of conveyance and transportation were animals (camels and, in some cases, horses). However, the salt trade promoted interstate economic affairs of the time. Lovejoy opened our minds to equally significant information usually masked in popular narratives. More than the distribution of salt in Western, Central and Eastern Sudan, there was an extensive exchange of cultural ideologies. The more economic engagement they had, the deeper they penetrated the culture of one another through intermarriages, migrations and resettlements. Therefore, these aspects of history reveal the complex nature of local and international politics, as it hinges on impressive economic transactions. The interlink of economy and culture is constantly strengthened by the fact that one would have to absorb the ideas and values of others, using whatever means, before taking advantage of economic strength and activities. Commodities, as Lovejoy analysed, aided the transfer of cultures. He mentioned, for instance, how the Wangara became initiators of economic ideas in the old Songhai empire during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Wangara became exceptional in their economic investments by adding commodities and new products such as kola nuts, and they became actively involved in the spread of the Songhai monetary system based on cowries and gold. Meanwhile, they also produced quality textiles spread across the vast areas of the Hausa territory and Borno. In other words, the vast involvement in the sale of these commodities became the reason for their continued economic growth and what brought them to the limelight in the period, thereby becoming strong reasons for the unity of cultures. Objects facilitated the empowerment of the Wangara, transforming cultural and political institutions. In essence, the onus of Lovejoys argument is that there were strong economic institutions in the period constructed on the forms of substances they produced and how they managed to sustain and establish an economic system. Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print It is within the twists and turns of our paths that we uncover invaluable lessons, forging resilience and fortitude in the face of challenges. Every step forward becomes a testament to our unwavering spirit and an unyielding commitment to our aspirations. We come to realise that the pursuit of our dreams is not merely a singular event, but a continuous pilgrimage that shapes and moulds us along the way. Last year marked a personal milestone: the 20th anniversary of what I like to call my odyssey in the United States. Truth be told, my heart was filled with gratitude as I reminisced about this remarkable journey called life over the past several years. Despite the numerous hurdles and trials that America presents daily, this cultural mosaic has bestowed upon me immeasurable blessings. It has offered me transformative opportunities beyond anything I could have ever imagined in my country of birth. Thankfully, I am not one of the lost souls trapped in the soft underbelly of Americas overpowering pop culture. And so, even though I had japa-ed, one still manages to kapa. My journey began with an unexpected twist, steering me away from my original plans and leading me towards an unforeseen destination. The United States was never part of my envisioned path; it didnt even enter the equation, not because I was not obsessed with Gods own country, like most people my age. It was for the simple reason that America, for me at the time, was outside the realm of possibility. There were moments when my friend, Emeka, and I would joke about embarking on flights to one of the many Caribbean nations, only to swim fearlessly across the vast ocean to the United States, bravely facing down any sharks that dared to threaten us. Such flights of fancy served as lighthearted amusement, whimsical escapes from the limitations we perceived. Freshly graduated from medical school and disheartened by the scarcity of opportunities at home, I eagerly enrolled in a German language programme at the Goethe Institut, nestled in the highbrow neighbourhood of Ozumba Mbadiwe, in Victoria Island. This pathway was meant to be my gateway to relocate abroad, a quest to uncover the fabled Golden Fleece. You see, the disillusionment with Nigerias abysmal leadership, which prompted Andrew to check-out, has been an enduring struggle for successive generations of Nigerian youths. We have persevered through what can only be described as years devoured by swarming locusts. But, to spare you the arduous details, I completed the language course in flying colours and secured admissions into a few notable post-graduate schools in Germany. This story embodies a profound lesson on the significance of embracing the journey, rather than fixating solely on the destination. It serves as a powerful reminder to awaken each morning with revitalised hope and unwavering determination. In those pivotal moments when hope falters and the path ahead seems overwhelming, we must remember that the universe aligns in our favour when we wholeheartedly embrace our relentless pursuit. I was on the cusp of embarking on this long-awaited voyage when an unforeseen turn of events abruptly shattered that dream. All it took was a visa interview at the German Embassy, an encounter with a dashing blonde, lasting less than 15 minutes. In that brief span of time, my years of anticipation and hope came crashing around me. The sting of being denied the visa was not solely about the rejection itself; it was equally about the immense sacrifice and lost opportunities that accompanied it the true cost of pursuing my dream of leaving Nigeria. I had willingly relinquished more financially rewarding job offers to relocate to Lagos, squeezing myself into a diminutive living space, all for the sake of attending the school that promised to unlock the doors to international travel and a life abroad. The blow was devastating. There is no doubt in my mind that the missed opportunity to travel to Germany in the past is intricately linked to the circumstances that eventually paved the way for me to live and work in the United States today. Of course, there was no way to figure it all out when I was immersed in the depths of despair over the visa denial. At the time, none of these connections or possibilities made sense to me at all. But hindsight grants us perfect vision. This story embodies a profound lesson on the significance of embracing the journey, rather than fixating solely on the destination. It serves as a powerful reminder to awaken each morning with revitalised hope and unwavering determination. In those pivotal moments when hope falters and the path ahead seems overwhelming, we must remember that the universe aligns in our favour when we wholeheartedly embrace our relentless pursuit. It is during these transformative moments that our true strength and resilience are revealed. Failure, as we are often reminded, is not a terminal defeat. It is through daring to face failure that we unearth hidden treasures and invaluable lessons. In fact, someone once wisely remarked that what we perceive as failure is simply an opportunity to acquire new experiences. During my time at the Goethe Institut, I found myself surrounded by teenagers fresh out of secondary school, who astonishingly grasped the language faster than I did. It was undoubtedly humbling, yet it offered me a profound lesson in humility. To all my young companions, I implore you to place your unwavering trust in the voyage itself, while firmly embracing the hustle. But above all, remember that failure is not a fatal blow. For it is within this transformative odyssey that life reveals its magnificent splendour. True character, after all, is not forged in comfort and tranquility. It is through trials and tribulations that the soul is fortified, ambition is ignited, and triumph is ultimately attained. As Helen Keller, the revered American author, aptly stated, Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. It is within the twists and turns of our paths that we uncover invaluable lessons, forging resilience and fortitude in the face of challenges. Every step forward becomes a testament to our unwavering spirit and an unyielding commitment to our aspirations. We come to realise that the pursuit of our dreams is not merely a singular event, but a continuous pilgrimage that shapes and moulds us along the way. Failure and dissapointment are two of the surest stepping stones to success, said Dale Carnegie. In retrospect, I can only speculate about the path my life would have taken if everything had fallen into place according to my initial plan. Perhaps I would still be residing in Germany, having possibly entered a marriage of convenience with an older foreign woman to secure my residency. I may even have forsaken the practice of medicine altogether. While I was aware of these potential scenarios playing out, the precariousness of the situation back home even then was such that a fresh medical graduate was willing to make such trade-offs in search of better opportunities. Thankfully, life possesses a remarkable ability to shatter our meticulously designed plans, often for our own benefit, even if its wisdom eludes us in the immediate moment. This is what led Woody Allen to humorously remark, If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. To all my young companions, I implore you to place your unwavering trust in the voyage itself, while firmly embracing the hustle. But above all, remember that failure is not a fatal blow. For it is within this transformative odyssey that life reveals its magnificent splendour. Osmund Agbo writes from Houston, Texas. Email: Eagleosmund@yahoo.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Palestinian man was shot and killed on Friday in the occupied West Bank, amidst growing condemnation of Israeli demolitions and settler violence in the occupied territories. According to Israeli authorities, the man is alleged to have been killed after he carried out a stabbing attempt in the Tene Omarim settlement. The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the death and identified the man as Alaa Qissaya, 28. Security camera footage from the site shows a Palestinian male entering the settlement carrying a knife after crawling under a gate. The video does not show the alleged stabbing attempt. The settlement is located near Hebron, a flashpoint city in the southern West Bank, which is a frequent site of friction between Palestinian residents and Jewish settlers. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers attacked and injured several Palestinian farmers and torched five vehicles and cropland in the village of Al-Mughayyir near the city of Ramallah, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Israeli media reported that Israeli security forces were sent in to bring the situation under control. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the killing by "armed and terrorist-organized settler militias," WAFA reported. The foreign ministry denounced "the crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces and settlers against Palestinian residents, including the destruction of land, properties and crops in the area between the villages of al-Mughayyir and Turmus Ayya, east of Ramallah." "The attack took place with the apparent support and protection of Israeli soldiers, who failed to intervene and even participated in the assault," the ministry said. "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government were held fully and directly responsible for the settlers' crimes and the provocative attacks carried out by armed and organized groups. These groups receive training and arms from the occupation forces and engage in heinous acts against the Palestinian people, their land, properties, and holy sites", the minstry added. The ministry questioned the international community's silence and countries' disregard for the lives of Palestinians. It emphasized the urgent need for the world to recognize that the Palestinian people are losing trust in the UNs ability to protect them from the brutality of the occupation and armed settler militias, which the ministry described as an extension of Israeli army. In response to the recent settler attacks, Hamas issued a statement urging an effective Arab and international response to condemn the occupation and hold its leaders accountable. The statement highlighted "the ongoing assaults and terrorism carried out by settlers throughout the occupied West Bank, with the support and protection of the Israeli government." Hamas argued that "the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation army and settlers aims to displace the original inhabitants of the land in favor of expansionist settlement projects," calling for "an active Arab and international stance to support the Palestinian people and advocate for justice in their cause." Furthermore, the Palestinian resistance group emphasized the importance of condemning the occupation and holding its leaders accountable for their violations of international conventions and norms, which pose a threat to peace and security in the region and the Middle East as a whole. The recent surge in Israeli-Palestinian violence has led to frequent Israeli military raids, settler violence in the West Bank and Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Over the past year, more than 140 Palestinians and at least 19 Israelis and foreigners have been killed in these incidents. Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem, along with the Gaza Strip, in 1967. Palestinians seek these territories for a future state. Some 700,000 Israelis now live in settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Most of the international community considers these settlements illegal or obstacles to peace. Search Keywords: Short link: A patriotic citizen with this level of investments in his home state and employing hundreds of Imolites deserves commendation and encouragement. The unfair treatment which Senator Achonu has received is certainly off-putting and Senator Hope Uzodinma must do the needful to redress the situation. All across South-East Nigeria and practically in all senatorial districts within the zone, one would find the ubiquitous and conspicuous presence of billboards propagating the clarion call for investment in the Igbo homeland. The messages on those billboards, which have been disseminated over the past five years, have been articulated by a truly patriotic Igbo son, Senator Athan Achonu, to reinforce and support the movement that is fast gaining grounds in the consciousness of Ndi-Igbo that investment in the South-Eastern homeland must be seen as a development imperative and a route towards community prosperity and the enhanced livelihoods of citizens of the region. The significance of this message would appear to have assumed even more urgent dimensions, given the recent experience of Ndi-Igbo within Nigeria. As it has been generally acknowledged, Ndi-Igbo remain the foremost patriots and believers in the concept of a united Nigeria. They have demonstrated this through their wholesome and genuine efforts at being integrated into their host communities. Wherever they find themselves, they have contributed immensely to local investments in their host communities, often times making such places their homes. The Igbo trajectory in this regard would appear to have been fuelled by their world view and expansionist vision. Where others fear to tread, their republican nature and competitive spirit propels them into exploits and adventures, whose outcomes often marvel their host communities and have in numerous instances led to an attitude of envy and, in extreme cases, hatred. Whilst the Igbos continue to lead the vanguard of development in the communities where they reside, they have done so at the expense of their homeland, which has continued to grapple with the challenges of underdevelopment. With unconfirmed estimates claiming that over 90% of the Igbo commonwealth reside outside Igboland, their homeland has been left in squalor and abject poverty. Of significance is the recognition that the current state of affairs is traceable to the lack of the enabling environment so critical to development, and the absence of a focused and responsive leadership. It is on record that South-Eastern Nigeria was adjudged the fastest growing economy in the developing world before the gruesome and unfortunate civil war of the late sixties. This achievement was made possible by the exemplary leadership provided by the Eastern Regional Government led by Dr Michael Okpara. Through a range of economic policies and development initiatives, they championed the transformation of the Eastern Region into a conducive home to and recipient of industrial investments within the region in the years preceding the Nigerian civil war. Save for the interregnum of military rule between 1970 to 1979, the civilian administrations continued with the Industrialisation Policy between 1979 and 1983. A testament to this fact was the rapid industrialisation that was witnessed under the Sam Mbakwe and Jim Nwobodo administrations in the then Imo and Anambra States. Regrettably, since the return of democratic rule in 1999, very few significant landmarks have been achieved in the area of industrialisation, owing to the inability of successive administrations to evolve supportive policies that would engender industrial growth. It is instructive to note that without a supportive leadership, the South-East would continue to grapple with the twin evils of poverty and underdevelopment. Against the foregoing background, one needs to examine the experience of Senator Athan Achonu, a leading proponent of the Aku Ruo Ulo (Invest @ Home) in his private efforts to contribute to the development of his home state of Imo. Instructively, Senator Athan Achonu (through his company, Gee Plaza Limited), recognising the immense potentials of the hospitality and tourism sectors in the State, acquired the abandoned head office building of the defunct Progress Bank in Owerri, with the intention of converting it to a five-star hotel facility. Subsequently, he also acquired the controlling interest in Imo Hotels Limited that owned a contiguous property to the Progress Bank Headquarters from Binez Hotels Ltd (owned by the late Nze Maduakor), which had bought the legacy hotel under the States Privatisation Programme during the Achike Udenwa administration. As the company was about to commence the implementation of its development programme for the acquired assets, tragedy struck with the forceful takeover and trespass on its property by the Rochas Okorocha administration, after it came to power on 29 May, 2011. According to Gee Plaza Ltd, the Imo State Government, in total disregard of the existing agreements, maliciously altered part of the property by constructing roads and buildings all over the property. As a law-abiding citizen, the company approached the courts to enforce its rights and a judgement delivered by Justice I.O. Agugua on 8 November, 2012, reiterated the rights and power of the company and granted appropriate injunctive orders against the defendants. The Imo State Government, under Governor Rochas Okorocha, continued in its utter disregard for valid and subsisting court orders by the continued forceful and unlawful occupation of the companys property and destruction of structures belonging to Imo Hotels Ltd, which it subsequently acquired from Binez Hotels Ltd, the concessionaire of Imo Hotels Ltd. These strange and illegal occurrences continued until the departure of Rochas Okorocha in May 2019. I recall vividly the futile efforts I made as the Chief Economic Adviser to the Imo State government under Rochas Okorocha to get the parties to a round-table discussion to amicably resolve the dispute. My motivation then, and as it is now, was to prevent the impression being created that the Imo State government was averse to encouraging investments in the state by its citizens. I believe that the greatest enabler of investment is the existence of a supportive policy environment. Unfortunately, the attitude of the Rochas Okorocha administration in this regard was certainly hostile and unacceptable. Following the advent of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihediohas administration in 2019, Gee Plaza Ltd was invited to several meetings with the state government aimed at amicably resolving the disagreement. These efforts culminated in the Imo State government reversing its previous actions and issuing a letter to the claimants (Gee Plaza Ltd) to continue its occupation and management of Imo Hotel, as provided in the Sale Agreement and reinforced by two separate orders by courts of competent jurisdiction. Incidentally, the tenure of the Emeka Ihediohas administration was short-lived and another change of guard took place on 14 January, 2020, with the ascendency of Governor Hope Uzodinma to the governorship of Imo State. Since then, the implementation of the companys development programme for its duly acquired property has been stalled. Yet again, some time in December 2020, the Federal High Court, Owerri, in a well-considered judgement, upheld the powers of the claimant (Gee Plaza Ltd) and declared unequivocally that Imo State government cannot run the affairs of Imo Hotels Ltd in the absence of the claimant as the majority shareholder and owner of the hotel. It equally granted some injunctive orders against the defendants. Whilst the impasse lasted, one of the structures Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) caved in and had to be pulled down by the Imo State government for public safety reasons. Curiously, it is now understood that rather than yield the property to its rightful owners, the Imo State government is going ahead to construct another structure on the grounds of the previously dilapidated structure that has been pulled down in disobedience of valid and subsisting existing orders. One would have thought that the ongoing action by Imo State government in contravention of valid court orders should have been discontinued given its grave implications for the states finances and the overall investment climate. Based on available evidence, law and order and the observance thereof, are, perhaps, the most important instrument in investment promotion. Investors would definitely not be interested in investing in jurisdictions where their investments are forcefully taken over by government and court orders are not obeyed, where aggrieved parties approach the courts for protection and remedy. What Senator Hope Uzodinmas government is doing with the action is to discourage potential investors from investing in the state, since the Gee Plaza saga would always be a negative point of reference. I would urge the governor, in the interest of our state, to seek ways of resolving this unfortunate saga. With two court judgements in its favour, there is the likelihood that Gee Plaza Ltd may ultimately emerge victorious at the end of the litigations. And it is settled in law that all developments on a disputed property would be inherited by the owners of the land. And in this instance, this would include all past, current and future developments by Imo State government, whose developments and improvements would have been done with taxpayers money. The challenge of development in the South-East has been exacerbated by the absence of leadership and the failure of successive governments (with a few exceptions) to encourage investments in their homeland. Sadly, what is happening with the Gee Plaza/Imo Hotels property saga is bound to reinforce this thinking. It is my prayer that Governor Hope Uzodinma would not allow himself to be cited as being part of this retrogressive leadership that has left Igbo land in poverty and manifest retrogression. He certainly deserves a better imprimatur in the development of the South-East. The governors of the South-East must be seen to be the frontline apostles of the Aku Ruo Ulo (Invest @ Home) drive and they must not be found discouraging the active participation of their citizens in the development of their homeland. As I write, I doubt if Governor Hope Uzodinma is aware that Senator Athan Achonu (through his company, Numo Farms) has invested close to N6,000,000,000.00 (six billion naira only) in the agricultural sector in Imo State. Numo Farms in Ehime Mbano, which he owns, has the capacity and built-up infrastructure, including tarred roads, to produce 1,000,000 (one million) fish monthly, a feed mill and over 200 (two hundred) greenhouses installed and awaiting installation, in its determined bid to be the leading farmer and producer of fish, vegetables and fruits in the South-East. A patriotic citizen with this level of investments in his home state and employing hundreds of Imolites deserves commendation and encouragement. The unfair treatment which Senator Achonu has received is certainly off-putting and Senator Hope Uzodinma must do the needful to redress the situation. Nick Opara-Ndudu, a former bank director, was at various times the chief economic adviser to Imo State government and honourable commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias debt situation is a matter of concern that has drawn the attention of various international financial institutions. As reported in 2021 by the World Bank, the countrys total external debt stands at around $33 billion, which is a significant increase from previous years. This rise in the countrys debt can be attributed to the governments mounting budget deficits and the need to secure funds for infrastructure projects nationwide. Africas largest economy, Nigeria, held an election in February that will usher in a new leadership. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was named president-elect, but the election results have been marred by controversy. The opposition is currently challenging the results at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) mismanaged the election. This controversy will leave Nigeria with a president of questionable legitimacy during a crucial time, when the country must come together to find a new national purpose. While all eyes remain on the petition tribunal as it tries to assess the validity of the claims of the challengers, I think it is important to delineate the work cut out for Bola Tinubu when he is sworn in next week. I believe that the countrys food security situation requires his prompt attention. According to the 2020 Global Hunger Index, Nigeria ranks 98th out of 107 countries, indicating serious hunger and malnutrition in the land. The report states that about one in three Nigerians is undernourished, and one in five children are stunted in growth due to chronic malnutrition. Also, the World Food Programme states that over 20 million people in the country are food insecure, with many living in regions affected by conflict and displacement. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, leading to job losses and economic hardship, making it more difficult for many families to access adequate food. Poor infrastructure, inadequate agricultural investment and climate change also continue to pose significant challenges to food security efforts in Nigeria. The lack of adequate and nutritious food is not the countrys only issue. There are also security problems ranging from terrorism to ethnic tensions, banditry and kidnapping, which have impacted the economy, leading to a low GDP per capita relative to its huge population, high unemployment and poverty levels. Corruption is another problem that has negatively affected the countrys economic growth and development. Politicians have been known to divert public funds meant for development and public services into personal accounts and the purchase of properties. Additionally, Nigerias debt situation is a matter of concern that has drawn the attention of various international financial institutions. As reported in 2021 by the World Bank, the countrys total external debt stands at around $33 billion, which is a significant increase from previous years. This rise in the countrys debt can be attributed to the governments mounting budget deficits and the need to secure funds for infrastructure projects nationwide. Growing debt servicing costs and low revenue collection intensify the pressure on Nigerias vulnerable economy, causing analysts to worry about the countrys full ability to repay its debts. The debt situation is further worsened by the uncompetitiveness of Nigerian states, which has impeded the progress of non-oil revenue. States face challenges such as poverty, underdevelopment and insecurity that restrict their competitiveness. This has resulted in Nigeria ranking 116th out of 141 countries, according to the World Economic Forums 2019 Global Competitiveness Index. The issues outlined above have slowed Nigerias economic growth and made it difficult to attract foreign investment. So, what steps should Tinubu take to rectify these issues? I think it would be helpful if Tinubu supports necessary constitutional changes and enables states to capitalise on existing opportunities. For instance, the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 stipulates that the Federal Government owns and regulates all minerals and gases in the country but also empowers state governments to participate in the extraction of minerals within their respective states. One of the major challenges that Tinubu would have to face as a leader in Nigeria is the issue of growing insecurity levels. The current security situation demands an urgent need for police reform in Nigeria. The traditional centralised policing system in the country has shown its limitations in handling rising insecurity, particularly in managing terrorist attacks and criminal activities. So, it is crucial to initiate community police reforms that will help reinforce law and order in all of the countrys states. Community policing would create a better understanding of the specific security needs of each state, and local police are likelier to work better with communities to prevent crime than the national police force by gathering intelligence from different localities in a manner that is more likely to be trusted by people indigenous to various communities, rather than the current situation where there is no trust and the national police tends to act as an occupation force. However, while implementing such police reforms, certain factors need to be considered to prevent the creation of mini-emperors across the country. Measures such as regular audits, proper legal frameworks, and strict supervision must be implemented to ensure that the recruited officers are fit, properly trained and deployed in line with a well-defined law. The new president must also tackle Nigerias infrastructure shortage and highlight the importance of enhancing non-oil exports from the mining and agricultural sectors. The railway infrastructure must attain sufficient coverage for both industries to foster the creation of sustainable towns and cities and ultimately decrease migration rates to primary states and their capitals. Nigerias limited rail infrastructure has a greater impact on its economic progress than is commonly recognised. Apart from the Land Use Act, which limits property rights in the country, the limited railways are a significant factor hindering investments in mining, agriculture and manufacturing. Road transportation is typically costlier, less dependable and more susceptible to theft and equipment damage. As such, the incoming government should prioritise developing the rail system. Fortunately, individual states now have the authority to construct railways, but the Tinubu administration must provide financial assistance to enable the states to do so. This evokes an urgent demand for devolution. I think it would be helpful if Tinubu supports necessary constitutional changes and enables states to capitalise on existing opportunities. For instance, the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 stipulates that the Federal Government owns and regulates all minerals and gases in the country but also empowers state governments to participate in the extraction of minerals within their respective states. Despite the significance of state economies and empowerment, Nigerias new president must acknowledge that the violence, terrorism and unrest posing a threat to the countrys peace stems from the Sahelian region. A potential solution will be using irrigation to reclaim land lost to desertification. Bola Tinubu needs to come to terms with his significant legitimacy challenges stemming from his pre-election behaviour and how the elections were conducted and evaluated. To sustain Nigerias democratic experiment, which has only lasted for 24 years and has never been so despised and distrusted, he must admit the flaws in the process that led to his presidency and strive towards enhancing the credibility of the electoral process. While I have tried to suggest solutions to Nigerias teeming problems, the success of my proposed policies rests on the shoulders of a visionary and competent leader who can provide purposeful leadership and governance. The incoming president must be able to implement policies that will address the food security situation, boost economic development and create jobs for the young population. His government must also address corruption by strengthening institutions, promoting transparency, and engaging in serious anti-corruption campaigns. Noteworthily, the countrys challenges would also require international support and collaboration, but the international community appears to be preoccupied with the Ukrainian conflict, which has had significant direct impacts on global food and oil market prices. As a major exporter of crude oil, Nigerias economy has been affected by the fluctuations in the global oil market caused by the disruption of Russian gas exports to Europe through Ukraine. Nigerias dependence on imported refined products, resulting from its inability to refine its crude oil, has left it vulnerable to rising refining costs, straining its fuel subsidy programme. Furthermore, the Ukrainian war has heightened the competition for foreign aid and development resources, thus negatively impacting Nigerias development agenda. Despite these challenges, the country remains strategically important to Europe and the United States. The Ukrainian war may distract the international community, but a collaborative effort between local and international actors is crucial for Nigerias economic and all-round development. Specifically, the incoming administration must not undermine the international communitys contribution to its oil sector development: The European Union (EU) is Nigerias largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to 39.3 billion in 2019. The United States is also a major trading partner, with total bilateral trade of $8.4 billion in 2020. Finally, Bola Tinubu needs to come to terms with his significant legitimacy challenges stemming from his pre-election behaviour and how the elections were conducted and evaluated. To sustain Nigerias democratic experiment, which has only lasted for 24 years and has never been so despised and distrusted, he must admit the flaws in the process that led to his presidency and strive towards enhancing the credibility of the electoral process. Cheta Nwanze is a partner at SBM Intelligence. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) will leave office on 29 May after eight uneventful years. We hope it is the last time we hear from a man who rode to power eight years ago promising to end insecurity, strengthen the economy and fight corruption, none of which he achieved. Thankfully, he has vowed not to intervene in our national life and expressed his willingness to disappear to Niger Republic if we request accountability after almost a decade of ruinous leadership. It is a fitting testament to the leadership calamity of the past eight years that Gen. Buhari (rtd.) was in a London hospital two weeks to the end of his eight-year tenure, this time to treat toothache. He is ending his misrule much the same way he started it. While Gen. Buhari (rtd.) has spent the last eight years taking care of himself and his health, he has left the country prostrate; more corrupt, more insecure, and more divided than he met it eight years ago. The only thing that seems to have improved since he became president on May 29, 2015, is his health and his family fortune. Thanks to Dataphyte, a media research and data analytics organisation, we know that since 2016, General Buhari (rtd.) has budgeted a total of N7.7 billion (about $16.7 million), at the official exchange of N461 to a dollar, for the presidential clinic. A breakdown of this figure shows that N2.027 billion ($4.3 milion) was for recurrent expenditure while N5.6 billion ($12.3 million) was for capital expenditure. In 2021, General Buhari (rtd.) approved the construction and equipping of a 14-bed space presidential clinic at a cost of N21billion ($45.5 million). Last November General Buhari (rtd.), was in London on routine medical check-up. Nigerians have lost count of the number of days Mr Buhari has spent in London on medical tourism since he came to power. According to Professor Farooq A. Kperogi, in a November 2022 essay titled, Buhari Misunderstood King Charles and Burns Nigeria on His Way Out, Buharis frequent London trips while pretending to be president of Nigeria, may have provoked the question by Englands King Charles III if Buhari had a home in London. It is almost forty years since General Buhari (rtd.) overthrew the democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari, truncating Nigerias Second Republic. One of the reasons Buhari and his coterie gave for their treasonable act was to tackle the great economic predicament and uncertainty, which an inept and corrupt leadership has imposed on our beloved nation for the past four years. Brigadier General Sani Abacha (later, military dictator from 1993-1998), read the coup speech purportedly on behalf of the Nigerian Armed Forces that formally ended the government of President Shehu Shagari (1979-1983). Abacha spoke of the harsh, intolerable conditions under which we are now living. Our economy has been hopelessly mismanaged; we have become a debtor and beggar nation [sound familiar?]. There is inadequacy of food at reasonable prices for our people who are now fed up with endless announcements of importation of foodstuff; health services are in shambles as our hospitals are reduced to mere consulting clinics (emphasis mine) without drugs, water and equipment, he told a beleaguered nation. Less than two years later, another general, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, would give the same reasons for overthrowing the regime of General Buhari. The last twenty months have not witnessed any significant changes in the national economy. Contrary to expectations, we have so far been subjected to a steady deterioration in the general standard of living; and intolerable suffering by the ordinary Nigerians have risen higher, scarcity of commodities has increased, hospitals still remain mere consulting clinics (emphasis mine), while educational institutions are on the brink of decay. Unemployment has stretched to critical dimensions, Babangida averred in his 27 August, 1985, coup speech. Babangida ruled for eight years. In 2009, sixteen years after he stepped aside, he lost his wife, the delectable First Lady, Maryam Babangida, at the City Hope Hospital, California, USA, after years of battling ovarian cancer. Babangida was reported to be by her side when she died. As military president, Babangida spent time in France for surgery one of many subsequent overseas surgeries for treatment of radiculopathy (pinched nerve), a medical condition in which one or more nerves are affected and do not work properly. When you hear or read the reasons these soldiers of fortune gave for upturning the constitution and how they ended up violating our fundamental freedoms and savaging the country, you want to weep for Nigeria. Eight years ago, some Nigerians took a chance on General Buhari (rtd.). They were willing to replace a weak and rudderless president with one who vowed that he was a born-again-democrat, a man of integrity. He would end up dividing us into a country of 97% and 5%. It is trite to say Nigerians have been terribly disappointed; it is a great understatement to say that the cheque of tackling corruption and insecurity and building prosperity promised eight years ago has been nothing but a dud cheque. Today, the country is broken almost beyond repair. Corruption is rife. We are a debtor nation, a deeply fractured one at that. The country is more divided today than at any other time, and I am not talking about political division. Not since the civil war have we witnessed the level of division, fear and loathing we are experiencing today. Indeed, we are facing an existential crisis. Make no mistake, the trouble with Nigeria did not start with General Buhari (rtd.) The trouble has been there from the outset. Part of the solution to the trouble with Nigeria is effective and selfless leadership. Unfortunately, the leadership recruitment process in Nigeria is as polluted as the gutters of the major streets of the country. Prof Chinua Achebe in his 1983 book, The Trouble with Nigeria, noted that, I know enough history to realize that civilisation does not fall down from the sky; it has always been the result of peoples toil and sweat, the fruit of their long search for order and justice under brave and enlightened leaders. Of course, Nigeria can redeem itself. But a nation can only have so many chances to redeem itself. Nigeria is certainly running out of chances. Time is running out on what some people like to call the Nigerian project. Everywhere you turn to, you are confronted with poverty, decay, corruption, injustice, lawlessness, impunity, nepotism, and insecurity, occasioned by a bankrupt elite certified scoundrels in every sense of the word for whom enlightened self-interest means absolutely nothing, who have occupied the political space and are holding the country by the jugular. The educational system has all but collapsed; health services are in shambles. If our hospital were consulting clinics four decades ago when the current monstrosity truncated the Second Republic, today they are death chambers. Unfortunately, there is no let-up in this quest for redemption. Of course, the challenge today is how to pull the country from the brink, save its beleaguered citizens, and restore the dignity of Africa and the Black race. We must do it, by any means necessary! Chido Onumah is the author of We Are All Biafrans, among other books. He can be reached via Twitter @conumah This essay is an excerpt from the introduction of an up-coming book: By Any Means Necessary: Rogue Elite, State Capture, and the Transformation of Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Task Systems Ltd, a pioneering force in the West African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, has announced the appointment of Gozy Ijogun as its new managing director effective April 1, 2023. Mrs Ijogun, known for her transformative leadership, has a rich professional history in the digital technology realm. At the age of 25, armed with a degree in Chemistry from University College London and a Master of Science degree in Accounting, Organizations, and Institutions from the London School of Economics, she made a significant impact on the digital landscape of Nigeria by setting up TD-Mobile, Nigerias first structured mobile devices distribution company. Mrs Ijogun propelled the company to generate a substantial N38 billion in revenue within its first year of operation, guiding the organization from its initial team of seven to become TD Africa Distributions Ltd., now a dominant player in technology distribution in sub-Saharan Africa, representing more than 25 top global brands and introducing a plethora of ICT solutions that consolidated its standing as a solutions-focused tech firm. Gozys proven leadership, strategic acumen, and her passion for technology make her the perfect fit for Task Systems Ltd, Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Task Systems Ltd said. Her impressive track record and innovative vision align seamlessly with our growth trajectory. We are excited to usher in this new era under her stewardship. Reflecting on her appointment, Gozy Ibogun said, Im honoured to join Task Systems, a company that has consistently been at the forefront of tech innovation. We have a remarkable opportunity to grow and become the leading integrated technology and services company in Africa, and I am enthusiastic about leading Task Systems into this future. Apart from her commercial accomplishments, Mrs. Ijogun is also deeply committed to social change. She was instrumental in launching This is Me, a corporate social responsibility initiative championed by TD Africa to aid individuals and uplift their dignity. With 36 years of industry leadership, Task Systems has consistently provided innovative ICT solutions across various industries, including oil, banking, media, manufacturing, and the public sector. The company has received over 27 global awards for its exceptional contributions. With the visionary leadership of Mrs. Ijogun, Task Systems is poised for unprecedented growth and success. For over three decades, Task Systems has been a pioneer in the tech sector, introducing revolutionary ICT solutions across a broad spectrum of industries. Known for its trailblazing contributions, Task Systems remains a significant player in providing support solutions to numerous Nigerian companies. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has alleged that natives of Mwaghavul in the Mangu Local Government are planning to annihilate Fulani communities from the area. The MACBAN in a petition by its Chairman, Muhammad Nura, to the governor of the state, Simon Lalong, and heads of security agencies also claimed that over 25,000 cattle belonging to its members are missing in the area. They claimed that the cattle were either killed or rustled by Mwaghavul natives. MACBAN claimed that coordinated attacks against Fulanis were carried out in the following communities in the area: Bwoi, Kombun, Sarfal, Rinago, Jukga, Kuwes, Kaangag, Farinkasa, Kerana, Lugga Dimeza, Fungong, Gindiri Gok, Bughan Gida, Millet, Rufwang, Tidiu, Dejwak Rufwang, Lupo, Wushik, Jwack Chan, Hilltop. On 17 May coordinated attacks on Mwaghavul communities were carried out by suspected herders. The community leaders claimed 125 people were killed in the attacks. Though police later said 85 people were killed and 37 injured. The herders in the area are mainly ethnic Fulanis. There is a history of tit-for-tat attacks in Central Nigeria between herders and farmers. The group claimed Fulanis were not allowed to bury their dead from the mayhem according to their religious rites. What baffled us most is how vultures, dogs and other animals have eaten the dead bodies of our loved ones kept scattered across the Mangu local government. Hundreds of thousands of our livestock including cows, goats sheep, turkeys, ducks, chickens and other animals are also roaming about while some are being rustled away (allegedly) by the Mwaghavul. Foods items, household properties, motorcycles, water pump machines and other valuables to just mention but a few were either looted or burned down. We want government and other stakeholders in the state to investigate the reoccurrences of the crises in the state to unearth the causes to resolve it once and for all. We observed that an early warning signal of the mayhem was noted in the Mangu Local Government area about a month ago. That time, killings, destruction of properties, cattle rustling, road barricades, rumour peddling, threats, intimidations and harassments were executed on Fulani in the area, MACBAN said in the petition. They blamed highly placed personalities including politicians, traditional rulers, security personnel and religious leaders in the area for playing an active role, during the communal clash. Reliable information reaching us revealed that some experts in cattle rustling and mercenaries were hired and brought into the areas in large numbers. Therefore, cattle rustling and isolated killings are the lucrative business in the areas at the moment. On Friday 19/5/2023 some 80 cows were recovered from cattle rustler in Panyam trying to escape with them. On the same day of 19/5/2023 another 73 cows were also recovered at Garam village of Kanke LGA On the same day Friday 19/5/2023, the military officer Commanding Gembos under heavy guns battle have recovered about 70 cows at Mangu Halle Town, the MACBAN stated. Reaction Countering the MACBANs allegations, the Plateau Youth Council in a statement accused the Fulanis of genocide. The organisations chairman, Lot Adas, said MACBAN should call its members to order to stop the killings of innocent Plateau people. We are, therefore, calling on and advise the author and signatory of the petition to, in the best interest, call his people to order to stop the killings of innocent Plateau people forthwith. Unless and until the prevailing security environment is radically changed, it remains conducive for Fulani militias to continue raining havoc on defenceless hamlets, villages and communities with impunity. This is why we are calling on the international community to use its good offices to prevail on Nigerias Government to live up to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property as well as providing succour to the survivors of these attacks and the displaced, Mr Adas said. Mr Adas claimed that his people have now been reduced to second-class citizens in their own country. Therefore, the clarion call is, to make every effort to help yourself before anyone else does. However, Nigerias Government owes all citizens the constitutional duty of protecting lives and property, and this is what we demand from our rulers, the youth council said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Aminu Masari had his eyes on the governorship position of Katsina State since 2007. Though he failed to clinch the position that year and four years later, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives was third time lucky in 2015. As Mr Masari will be rounding off his constitutionally-allowed second and final term in office, this report reviews his performances in key developmental areas. IGR State governments in the country are usually criticised for not doing enough to increase their revenues. Analysts have argued that state governments need to do more to reduce their dependence on the dwindling allocations they get from the Federal Account. According to BudgIT, Katsina under Mr Masari ranks high among states that have comparatively limited reliance on the federal government. Though the state can not undertake all its activities with its internal revenue, the Masari administration did well in revenue generation in the last eight years. Though not ranked among the top five states, it has risen away from the last five (heavily relied on the federal government). The state, which was ranked the 30th most reliant state on federal allocation with a paltry internal revenue of N6.22 billion in 2015, generated N24.22 billion in 2021 and as of August 2022 had generated N10.5 billion. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Katsina generated N3.15 billion in 2010, N4.23 billion in 2011, N5.02 billion in 2012 and N6.85 billion in 2013. There has been a steady increase in the states internally-generated revenue since 2017. In 2016 after Mr Masaris first full year as governor, the states revenue generation dropped marginally from N5.79 billion to N5.55 billion. In 2017, the state generated N6 billion and N9.89 billion in 2018. However, there was a sharp drop in revenue in 2019 when the state generated N8.5 billion. In 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Katsinas internal revenue increased to N11.4 billion, while it generated N24.22 billion in 2021, according to BudgIT, which got its data from the NBS, Sustainable Development Goals and the World Bank. Mr Masari thus increased the internal revenue of Katsina State from N6.22 billion in 2015 to N24.22 billion in 2021. Debt As it stands, Katsina State has a domestic debt of N62.3 billion with an external debt of $53.9 million. In total, the state is in a debt of about N86.5 billion which will be inherited by the incoming governor. In 2014, the state had a domestic debt of N586.6 million. In 2015, when Mr Masari took over, the domestic debt was N11.5 billion with an external debt of $72.2 million. Katsinas domestic debt, thus increased by over 400 per cent under Mr Masari while the external debt decreased by about 25 per cent. In his first full year as governor (2016), the domestic debt profile of the state reached N21.4 billion while the external debt stood at $68.06 million. In 2017, domestic debt was at N31.1 billion while external debt was $67.9 million. Domestic debt declined in 2018 when it reached N30.8 billion while external debt also decreased to $64.7 billion. In 2019, domestic debt skyrocketed to N66.1 billion while the external debt was $79.0 million. Katsina States debt profile in 2020 was N48.0 billion as domestic and $56.1 million as external debt. In 2021 it was N66.6 billion in domestic and $60.0 million in external debt. From 2016 to 2020, Katsina State did not make any progress to manage its debt. In 2020, the state ranked number 32 out of the 36 most indebted states in the country. It had a debt growth of 79.6 per cent It is ranked number four among the states with the most debt growth from 2015 to 2022 with +266 per cent growth. It is only behind Sokoto ( +472), Niger (+336) and Kaduna (+287). Despite the improved efforts, the state still relies on the federal allocation from Abuja. Katsina received N41. 44 billion in 2016, N52.03 billion in 2017, N64.76 billion in 2018, N67.99 billion in 2019 and N65. 20 billion in 2020, according to Budgits State by States economic performance index. Poverty Katsina State under Mr Masari did not make appreciable efforts in tackling poverty. For instance, NBS statistics from 2018 showed that poverty rose across the country, but while some states made progress in fighting poverty, Katsina lagged behind. In 2019, the poverty index in the state showed that 56.42 per cent of its population were poor. The national average then was 40.1 per cent. Katsina State was ranked 13th out of the 36 states assessed. The recent (2022) NBS multi-dimensional poverty index showed that Katsina State had a 72.70 per cent poverty rate. In plain language, about 7 million out of the states 9.5 million people are poor. Today, Katsina is third in the list of states with the highest number of poor people, only behind Kano with 10 million people and Kaduna with eight million people. Some of the basic determinants in arriving at the poverty index include adequate food, shelter, potable water, healthcare, quality education and employment opportunities. To be fair to Mr Masari, Katsina State had always been among the poorest states long before he became governor, but the poverty rate only worsened under him. Education Mr Masari scored mixed results in the education sector. While the states performance in the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) results improved under his administration, the number of out-of-school children in the state has been on the rise. For example, in 2014 before he took over, only 30 per cent of the pupils got five credits and above in WAEC while 46 per cent did the same in NECO. The statistics changed to 57 per cent for WAEC and 67 per cent for NECO in 2016. The upward trend was not sustained, however, according to data released by the WAEC. In 2019, 41.11 per cent got five credits and above including in mathematics and English language; In 2020, 42.06 per cent passed while in 2021, 49.16 per cent got such results. Mr Masari believes the relative success of the state in both examinations is because of his administrations insistence on paying the registration fee for only qualified pupils. Even though so many people grumbled on the qualifying examinations, the results indicate drastic improvement in the general performance of the sponsored candidates, Mr Masari said in 2017. Other strides made in the education sector include the clearing of the backlog of promotion for 2013, 2014 and 2015 which saw the promotion of 19,046 primary school teachers and installation of 125 staff with complete payment of their three months salaries. While Mr Masari has improved external examinations results, the number of out-of-school children has been on the rise, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO says that Katsina is one of the 20 states with an alarming rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria. The percentage of these children roaming the streets instead of going to school in the country rose from 41.1 per cent in 2014 to 61.4 per cent in 2022. In Katsina State, the percentage of out-of-school children rose from 22 per cent in 2018 to 33.5 per cent in 2022. Health According to 2018 data by the NBS, Katsina State had appreciable statistics on neonatal, infant, and under-five mortalities. Neonatal mortality is the death of a child within the first month of birth while infant mortality is the death of a child before the first birthday. Under 5 mortality is the death of a child before reaching five years. In 2018 in neonatal deaths, the state had 38 deaths per 1,000 births. It had 66 deaths per 1,000 births in infant mortality, while it recorded 131 deaths per 1,000 in child mortality and 188 deaths in 1,000 births for under 5 mortality. In the latest (2021) Multiple Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Immunisation Coverage Survey (NICS), Katsina State recorded an improvement in child mortality and under-five mortality rates but failed to make an impact on both neonatal and infant rates. The 2021 data showed neonatal deaths increased from 38 to 49 deaths for every 1000 births while the number of dead infants increased from 66 to 89 deaths per 1000 births. Child mortality reduced to 77 deaths from 131. The under-five deaths were reduced to 159 deaths from 188 for every 1000 births in 2018. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Atiku Bagudu, notorious for helping late dictator Sani Abacha to hide his loot, in 2015 rode on the wave of the popularity of the newly-formed All Progressives Congress (APC) to become Kebbi State governor. After eight years in the office, Mr Bagudu is set to return to the National Assembly as a senator to represent the Kebbi Central District, the seat that he held before running for governor. So, how did the Northwestern state fare under his administration, and under what conditions will Nasir Idris, the governor-elect, meet the state when he mounts the saddle on 29 May? IGR One of the most important metrics in assessing a state is its ability to generate revenue for capital and recurrent expenditures, payments of debts and settlement of liabilities. Sub-national governments in Nigeria, apart from their internally generated revenues (IGR), also get monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). When Mr Bagudu took office in 2015, Kebbi States annual IGR was N3.8 billion, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), leaving the state heavily dependent on the FAAC handouts. From 2008, the states IGR had hovered between N3.5 and N4.4 billion, only reaching 5.4 billion in 2012 before dropping back to N3.7 billion in 2013. However, during Mr Bagudus eight-year tenure as governor, the IGR rose significantly and by 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic when many other states witnessed a decline in their IGR, Kebbi had the highest growth rate of 87 per cent from N7.37 billion in 2019 to N13.78 billion in 2020. The IGR, however, fell to N9.86 billion in 2021. Despite the increase in IGR, however, the state still depended heavily on federal allocation to continue running. For instance, in 2020 when the IGR recorded growth, it contributed only 20.14 per cent to total revenue, with FAAC allocation making up the remaining 80 per cent. In 2017, IGR contributed only about 9.88 per cent and 8.2 per cent in 2018, with federal allocations amounting to 90.11 and 92 per cent respectively. In 2019, the IGR represented 12.22 per cent of the total revenue as FAAC allocation remained at 87.78 per cent. IGR grew in 2020 to 20.14 per cent but fell back to 14.43 per cent in 2021. Overall, Mr Bagudu increased Kebbis IGR from N3.8 billion in 2015 to N9.86 billion in 2021. It is believed that Kebbis partnership with Lagos State to produce the Lagos-Kebbi (Lake) rice helped the state to leverage the ban placed on the importation of rice through Nigerian land borders to increase IGR. Fiscal Sustainability Meanwhile, in terms of the ability to sustain spending, tax and other policies in the long run without threatening the governments ability to pay its debts, Kebbi performed optimally under Mr Bagudu. In 2017, Kebbi was 16th in the fiscal sustainability ranking by the civic tech organisation, BudgIt. But with the growing IGR, Kebbi moved upward to 11th place in 2020 and fifth place in the 2021 rankings. The growth, BudgIt noted in its report, was driven largely by growth in the states IGR. Kebbi State grew its revenue by 87.02 per cent from N7.4bn in 2020 to N13.8bn in 2021, it noted. Debt States usually take loans to cover deficits in their budgets and Kebbi is not an exception. Under Mr Bagudu, Kebbis foreign debt burden was reduced slightly but domestic debt increased significantly. In June 2015, Kebbis foreign debt was $43.8 million while domestic debt stood at N17.2 billion in December 2014. However, between 2016 and 2021, the debt profile of the state grew by 120.33 per cent. It stood at $40.9 million in foreign debt and N61.3 billion in domestic debt as of December 2022, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO). But the state has one of the lowest debt profiles in the country, ranking as the 34th most indebted state alongside Katsina, Ebonyi, Jigawa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2021. Kebbi States total debt stock as of the year-end of 2018 stood at N81.4 billion, with its domestic debt portfolio rising from N48.7 billion by December 2017 to N67.4 billion. External debt, on the other hand, reduced slightly from the 2017 level of $47.8 million to $45.6 million. In its annual ranking report, BudgIt noted that the increase in Kebbis total debt portfolio over the last three years can be linked to its over-reliance on FAAC allocation and weak IGR. Ease of doing Business The ease of doing business is generally used to measure how government regulations affect the establishment of a business from scratch. It is used to assess how a governments regulation of businesses might encourage or discourage investors and entrepreneurs. In 2018, a report titled, Comparing Business Regulation for Domestic Firms in 36 States and FCT Abuja, placed Kebbi in 20th where the ease of doing business is fair. Kebbi scored 76 of 100, according to the report by the World Bank group. During Mr Bagudus eight-year administration, Kebbi improved in the ranking, which focused on the states rules and processes that can lead to good outcomes for entrepreneurs willing to start a business. In 2022 the state was ranked 6th in a similar report by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). In the PEBEC ranking, Kebbi scored 6.49 behind the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Gombe, which topped the list. Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Taraba, Delta and Bauchi and Akwa Ibom tied for the fourth position. Poverty deepens, Unemployment soars In spite of the good numbers on the economic front, the poverty and unemployment data reviewed for this report showed that poverty deepened and became more widespread in Kebbi even as the number of unemployed people increased between 2015 and 2023. In 2015, the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) listed Kebbi as the second poorest state just after Bauchi, with over 70 per cent of its population living in poverty. Also, in 2022, Kebbi remained one of the states with the highest number of poor people, according to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The 2022 MPI report is more inclusive. It measures multidimensional poverty using both monetary and non-monetary terms including residents access to healthcare, education, living standards, and work and shocks which was expanded to include security and unemployment shocks. The report noted that the poverty rate in Kebbi, as in Sokoto, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Gombe and Yobe, was above 95 per cent. Despite housing some of the highest numbers of people living in poverty, Kebbi still managed to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. According to the NBS unemployment data, 17.25 per cent of Kebbis working population are unemployed. But this does not mean improvement under Mr Bagudus watch. Instead, the unemployment data grew under his watch, from 6.2 per cent in 2017 to over 17 per cent in 2020. The 2017 Labour Force Statistics by the NBS showed that Kebbi, alongside Zamfara 6.5, Taraba (6.2 per cent), Adamawaa (5.9 per cent), Osun (4.6 per cent), and Katsina (2.8 per cent) have the lowest unemployment rate in the country. However, by 2020 when states like Sokoto had reduced their unemployed working population from 16 per cent in 2017 to 14.5 per cent in 2020, Kebbis grew. Health Another important index used in measuring the well-being of a state is the health condition of its residents. In Kebbi, the appalling situation of the health sector hardly improved under Mr Bagudus eight-year rule, according to several reports reviewed. When Mr Bagudu became governor in 2015, the state had one of the worst health indices, ranking 31 out of the 36 states in the State of States ranking by the Kingmakers. The ranking used a combination of figures from Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Child Mortality (CMR), Child Nutrition and Life Expectancy. In the IMR ranking, Kebbi was placed at 25 of the 36 states with the lowest number of deaths of children under one year of age. According to the Kingmakers State of States ranking of infant mortality rate (IMR), Kebbi as of 2015 recorded 56 deaths per 1,000 live births of children under the age of one. Edo and Ogun states, which ranked first and second respectively, recorded 14 deaths per 1,000 live births, the ranking shows. Yobe and Kaduna ranked the worst with 118 and 110 deaths per 1,000 live births respectively. Kebbi also recorded 266 deaths of children under the age of five per 1,000 live births in 2015, according to the CMR ranking. The ranking, which also measured childrens access to child nutrition, puts Kebbi at no 34 of 36 states, only behind Kano, Katsina and Kaduna. Also, the states life expectancy was at 53.7 per cent in 2015. But the health indices, measured again in 2020 by the same organisation, showed that the health conditions of people in Kebbi had worsened with the life expectancy dropping by six years to 47.4, the worst in the country. The report noted that any gains (or reductions) in life expectancy can be attributed to a number of factors, including rising (or lowering) living standards, improved (or deteriorating) lifestyle and better (or worsening) education, as well as greater (or reduced) access to quality health services. Kebbi is also ranked worst 37 of 37 states and FCT in the overall quality of health measured by the Kingmakers report. Also, spending for the health sector, when measured in percentages fluctuated under Mr Bagudu. The budgetary allocation for health in Kebbi State was at 7.1 per cent in 2015. It rose to nine per cent in 2016 but back to 7 per cent in 2017. In 2019 and 2020, the state government committed a total of N8.09 billion or 6.6 per cent and N9.64 billion or 6.98 per cent, respectively of its total budget for the health sector, according to BudgIt. Education Indices in Kebbis education sector revealed that the sector recorded some improvements under Mr Bagudus watch. Over 1,000 teachers in primary schools were trained under the World Bank-Federal Government-funded Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) Programme, aimed at solving the menace of out-of-school children in the country. BESDA and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) both World Bank-assisted programmes are also believed to have helped drive enrollment and retention of children in schools. Mr Bagudus government also recruited about 2,000 teachers during his tenure due to the death of teachers. Yet, during the Teachers Qualifying Examinations by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) in 2023, Kebbi had the lowest number of candidates, TRCN Registration, Josiah Ajiboye, said. When he assumed the position of leadership in 2015, Kebbis performance in education was unimpressive, ranking 33 of 37 states including the FCT. Primary and Secondary School attendance rate was at 34.9 and 34.6 per cent respectively. And the education quality was one of the worst in the country at an abysmal 12.01 per cent when measured by the pass rate of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). It was only better than Katsina (10.35), Gombe (8.69), Jigawa (7.03), Zamfara (5.37) and Yobe (4.37). The metrics, however, showed an increase in enrollment over the subsequent years with the number of candidates that secured at least five credits including English and Mathematics in 2017 rising to 43.67 per cent. In 2021, 77 per cent of candidates who sat for the WASSCE in public schools got at least five credits including English and Mathematics. However, school attendance dropped to 26.4 per cent and 18.4 per cent for primary and secondary school respectively, in 2020, according to the Kingmakers report, which also sourced its data from the NBS and the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program. Also, more than 95 per cent of children in Kebbi State are multi-dimensionally poor, according to a 2022 report by the NBS, which means they, among other things, lack proper access to quality education. This could perhaps be linked to the increase in the mass abductions of students in the Northwestern region around this time. More than 1,500 students were kidnapped in multiple attacks in the Northwest between 2020 and 2021, most of them in the neighbouring Zamfara and Niger state. But Kebbi did not witness any mass abductions until June 2021 when gunmen abducted some pupils and teachers of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri. When it did, Mr Bagudu promised to join in the search for the schoolgirls, assuring parents of their release. But as time went by, his words become mere rhetorics and parents would later accuse the government of leaving them to their fates. However, the pupils were released in batches after payment of huge ransoms, most recently N80 million by the parents. The last batch of students were released on 25 May almost two years after they were abducted. 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. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian Customs Service personnel at a checkpoint in Garki Local Government, Jigawa State on Friday shot a colleague who was returning from Niger Republic, after he failed to stop for checks. Customs personnel at the checkpoint became suspicious when the vehicle the officer identified as Muhammad Sayyadi, was travelling in failed to stop at the checkpoint. Unknown to the officers, Mr Sayyadi, an officer serving at the Lagos State command of the Customs, was driving the vehicle. He was returning from Magarya town in Niger Republic where he had gone to pay a condolence visit to the Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Ali Magashi, who lost his mother. The police spokesperson in Jigawa, Lawan Adam, told PREMIUM TIMES that the incident occurred at Kargo community in the Garki Local Government. He declined to make further comment. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Sayyadi is responding to treatment at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in the neighbouring Kano state after he got hit by a bullet in his head. Mr Sayyadi is the son of the Emir of Ringim, Sayyadi Mahmoud. Ringim is one of Jigawas five first class emirates. Witnesses said the incident caused pandemonium in the area after the officer was later identified by residents as a prince from the Ringim emirate. The spokesperson for Jigawa/Kano command of the customs, Ibrahim Suleiman, said the area where the incident occurred is not under their command and their personnel were not stationed there. He said the Operation Border Drill and Strike Force also operate in Jigawa. He said the unit only reports to the office of the National Security Adviser, and Kaduna command, respectively, thus, he cant comment on their operation and the incident. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Serbia on Saturday condemned NATO-led peacekeepers stationed in neighboring Kosovo for their alleged failure to stop brutal actions by Kosovo police against ethnic Serbs, and said that its armed forces stationed near the border will remain on the highest state of alert until further notice. Serbias top political and security leadership, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, met in Belgrade on Saturday following violent clashes a day earlier between Kosovo police and ethnic Serbs that injured more than a dozen people. In response to the clashes, Vucic on Friday ordered troops closer to the border with Kosovo. Due to the brutal use of force by (Kosovo Prime Minister) Albin Kurti and his forces against the Serbian people in Kosovo the armed forces of the Republic of Serbia will remain at the highest level of combat readiness, said a statement after the meeting of the top Serbian leadership on Saturday. The statement also said that an international civilian mission and NATO-led troops, that have been stationed in the former Serbian province since Serbian troops were forced to leave the region in 1999, did not do their job to protect the Serbs. NATO spokesperson Oana Longescu urged institutions in Kosovo to de-escalate immediately and called on all parties "to resolve the situation through dialogue. She said on Twitter that NATO remains vigilant & will ensure a safe & secure environment in Kosovo. Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, who are a majority in that part of the country, had tried to block recently elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings on Friday. Last months snap local election was largely boycotted by ethnic Serbs and only ethnic Albanian or other smaller minority representatives were elected in the mayoral posts and assemblies. Serb politicians in northern Kosovo on Saturday called on Serbia to suspend its participation in talks mediated by the European Union and aimed at normalizing relations between the former war foes. Kosovo politician Goran Rakic said that "we consider any further negotiations with Pristina completely illogical and also counterproductive. Kosovo police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and let the new officials into the offices. Several cars were set ablaze. The United States and several Western countries condemned Kosovos government for using police to forcibly allow entry to the municipal buildings. Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti on Saturday defended the police action. It is the right of those elected in democratic elections to assume office without threats or intimidation, Kurti said on Twitter. It is also the right of citizens to be served by those elected officials. Participation not violent obstruction is the proper way to express political views in a democracy. This is not the first time that Vucic has warned that Belgrade would respond to violence against Serbs, and he has stepped up combat readiness several times during moments of tension with Kosovo. However, any attempt by Serbia to send its troops over the border would mean a clash with NATO troops stationed there. Vucic on Saturday told a meeting of his ruling populist party that the Albanian regime" in Kosovo is "conducting terror against our people, with tacit approval of the West. I am certain Serbs will defend themselves if attacked, Vucic said. We must not allow expulsion of the Serbian people ever again. The conflict in Kosovo erupted in 1998 when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died. NATOs military intervention in 1999 eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory. Washington and most EU countries have recognized Kosovo as an independent state, but Serbia, Russia and China have not. Search Keywords: Short link: NEW YORK, May 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The ambulatory healthcare service market size is set to grow by USD 1207.02 billion between 2022 and 2027 and register a CAGR of 6.38%, according to Technavio's latest market research report. With a focus on identifying dominant industry influencers, Technavio's reports present a detailed study by way of synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Ambulatory Healthcare Service Market 2023-2027 Technavio offers an up-to-date analysis of the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. View Sample Report The market is concentrated, and the degree of concentration will accelerate during the forecast period. Aspen Healthcare Ltd., DaVita Inc., EBOS Group Ltd., Envision Healthcare, Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, HCA Healthcare Inc., Medical Facilities Corp., Sonic Healthcare Ltd., Suomen Terveystalo Oy, and Surgery Partners Inc. are some of the major market participants. The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, the growing geriatric population, and the rising demand for minimally-invasive surgeries will offer immense growth opportunities. To leverage the current opportunities, market vendors must strengthen their foothold in the fast-growing segments while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Ambulatory Healthcare Service Market 2023-2027: Segmentation Type Primary Care Offices: The market share growth by the primary care offices segment will be significant during the forecast period. The primary care offices segment shows a gradual increase in the market share of USD 112.85 billion in 2017 and continue to grow by 2021. in 2017 and continue to grow by 2021. Emergency Departments Medical Specialty Offices Surgical Specialty Offices Application Ophthalmology Gastroenterology Orthopedics Pain Management Others Geography North America: North America is projected to contribute 38% growth by 2023. Implementation of the vaccination drive and the uplift of lockdown, the regional ambulatory healthcare service market is expected to grow in North America during the forecast period. during the forecast period. Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) Receive our market sample report now to gain access to a detailed analysis on the ambulatory healthcare service market: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR74726 Ambulatory Healthcare Service Market 2023-2027: Vendor Analysis and Scope Some of the major vendors of the ambulatory healthcare service market include Aspen Healthcare Ltd., DaVita Inc., EBOS Group Ltd., Envision Healthcare, Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, HCA Healthcare Inc., Medical Facilities Corp., Sonic Healthcare Ltd., Suomen Terveystalo Oy, and Surgery Partners Inc. To help businesses improve their market position, Technavio's report provides a detailed analysis of around 15+ vendors operating in the market. aspen-healthcare.co.uk- The company offers ambulatory healthcare service such as Cancer Center London. davita.com- The company offers ambulatory healthcare service such as DaVita Integrated Kidney Care. ebosgroup.com- The company offers ambulatory healthcare service through its subsidiary Symbion Hospital Services. The report also covers the following areas: Market Drivers Increasing prevalence of infectious diseases Growing geriatric population Rising demand for minimally-invasive surgeries Market Trends Favorable reimbursement policies Cost-efficiency of the well-equipped ambulatory service centers Technological advancements Market Challenges Intensifying vendor competition Lack of trained personnel in the hospitals| Stringent regulations Get lifetime access to our Technavio Insights. Subscribe now to our most popular "Lite Plan" billed annually at USD 5000. View 3 reports monthly and Download 3 Reports Annually! Ambulatory Healthcare Service Market 2023-2027: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2023-2027 Detailed information on factors that will assist ambulatory healthcare service market growth during the next five years Estimation of the ambulatory healthcare service market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the ambulatory healthcare service market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of ambulatory healthcare service market vendors Related Reports: Clinical Laboratory Services Market- The clinical laboratory services market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.25% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 147.44 billion. Cancer Supportive Care Market- The cancer supportive care market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.62% between 2022 and 2027. The scancer supportive care market size is forecast to increase by USD 6,563.92 million. Ambulatory Healthcare Service Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.38% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1207.02 billion Market structure Concentrated YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 5.68 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 38% Key countries US, Germany, UK, China, and India Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Aspen Healthcare Ltd., DaVita Inc., EBOS Group Ltd., Envision Healthcare, Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, HCA Healthcare Inc., Medical Facilities Corp., Sonic Healthcare Ltd., Suomen Terveystalo Oy, and Surgery Partners Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis 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. 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Application Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global ambulatory healthcare service market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global ambulatory healthcare service market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.3 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Application Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Type 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Type 6.3 Primary care offices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Primary care offices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Primary care offices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 36: Chart on Primary care offices - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Primary care offices - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Emergency departments - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Emergency departments - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Emergency departments - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 40: Chart on Emergency departments - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Emergency departments - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Medical specialty offices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 42: Chart on Medical specialty offices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Medical specialty offices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 44: Chart on Medical specialty offices - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Medical specialty offices - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.6 Surgical specialty offices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 46: Chart on Surgical specialty offices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Surgical specialty offices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 48: Chart on Surgical specialty offices - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Surgical specialty offices - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.7 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Type ($ billion) 7 Market Segmentation by Application 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 51: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 52: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Application Exhibit 53: Chart on Comparison by Application Exhibit 54: Data Table on Comparison by Application 7.3 Ophthalmology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 55: Chart on Ophthalmology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 56: Data Table on Ophthalmology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 57: Chart on Ophthalmology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 58: Data Table on Ophthalmology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Gastroenterology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 59: Chart on Gastroenterology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 60: Data Table on Gastroenterology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 61: Chart on Gastroenterology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 62: Data Table on Gastroenterology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Orthopedics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 63: Chart on Orthopedics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 64: Data Table on Orthopedics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 65: Chart on Orthopedics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 66: Data Table on Orthopedics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Pain management - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 67: Chart on Pain management - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 68: Data Table on Pain management - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 69: Chart on Pain management - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on Pain management - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 73: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 74: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.8 Market opportunity by Application Exhibit 75: Market opportunity by Application ($ billion) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 76: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 77: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 79: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 80: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 82: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 83: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 84: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 86: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 87: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 88: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 91: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 94: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 95: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 96: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 99: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 100: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 102: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 103: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 104: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 106: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 107: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 108: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 109: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 110: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 111: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 112: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 113: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 114: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 115: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 116: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 117: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 118: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 119: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 120: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 121: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 122: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 123: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Aspen Healthcare Ltd. Exhibit 124: Aspen Healthcare Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 125: Aspen Healthcare Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 126: Aspen Healthcare Ltd. - Key offerings 12.4 DaVita Inc. Exhibit 127: DaVita Inc. - Overview Exhibit 128: DaVita Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 129: DaVita Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 130: DaVita Inc. - Segment focus 12.5 EBOS Group Ltd. Exhibit 131: EBOS Group Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 132: EBOS Group Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 133: EBOS Group Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 134: EBOS Group Ltd. - Segment focus 12.6 Envision Healthcare Exhibit 135: Envision Healthcare - Overview Exhibit 136: Envision Healthcare - Product / Service Exhibit 137: Envision Healthcare - Key news Exhibit 138: Envision Healthcare - Key offerings 12.7 Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA Exhibit 139: Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA - Overview Exhibit 140: Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA - Business segments Exhibit 141: Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA - Key news Exhibit 142: Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA - Key offerings Exhibit 143: Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA - Segment focus 12.8 HCA Healthcare Inc. Exhibit 144: HCA Healthcare Inc. - Overview Exhibit 145: HCA Healthcare Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 146: HCA Healthcare Inc. - Key offerings 12.9 Medical Facilities Corp. Exhibit 147: Medical Facilities Corp. - Overview Exhibit 148: Medical Facilities Corp. - Product / Service Exhibit 149: Medical Facilities Corp. - Key offerings 12.10 Sonic Healthcare Ltd. Exhibit 150: Sonic Healthcare Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 151: Sonic Healthcare Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 152: Sonic Healthcare Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 153: Sonic Healthcare Ltd. - Segment focus 12.11 Suomen Terveystalo Oy Exhibit 154: Suomen Terveystalo Oy - Overview Exhibit 155: Suomen Terveystalo Oy - Business segments Exhibit 156: Suomen Terveystalo Oy - Key offerings Exhibit 157: Suomen Terveystalo Oy - Segment focus 12.12 Surgery Partners Inc. Exhibit 158: Surgery Partners Inc. - Overview Exhibit 159: Surgery Partners Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 160: Surgery Partners Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 161: Surgery Partners Inc. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 162: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 163: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 164: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 165: Research methodology Exhibit 166: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 167: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 168: 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: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, May 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The banking as a service (BaaS) market size in Latin America is estimated to increase by USD 4,309.74 million, accelerating at a CAGR of 20.2% during the forecast. The growth of the market is driven by the increasing adoption of BaaS solutions by end-users. However, the implementation and data security challenges may hamper the market growth. Discover market potential and make informed business decisions based on qualitative and quantitative evidence highlighted in Technavio reports- Request a sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Latin America Banking as a Service Market 2023-2027 Banking as a Service Market in Latin America Market Dynamics Leading drivers- Increasing adoption of BaaS solutions by end-users is a primary factor driving the banking as a service (BaaS) market in Latin America market growth. BaaS platforms offer a diverse range of financial services for consumers to choose from, providing added benefits such as convenience, speed, and a wide selection of payment options. By integrating BaaS functionality into their products, NBFCs are able to provide hassle-free customer experiences, including bank accounts, digital wallets, lending, and payments. Key trends - Increasing marketing initiatives is a major trend in the Latin America BaaS market. Vendors create advertisement campaigns followed by marketing campaigns that include internet pre-roll, a wide-reaching social media and blogging program, and an interactive website. They also use social media channels such as Instagram to showcase ideas and increase their market reach. Major challenges - Implementation and data security challenges is a major concern hindering the market growth. Legal and security concerns are the top barriers, followed by a lack of understanding of the available product and the need to onboard additional service providers. Organizations are skeptical about deploying BaaS for their operations, which can become a major challenge for the growth of the banking as a service (BaaS) market in Latin America during the forecast period. In addition to the forecast, the report also highlights the key opportunities by analyzing drivers, trends, and challenges for the market ! Banking as a Service Market in Latin America- Customer Landscape To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines Key purchase criteria Adoption rates Adoption lifecycle Drivers of price sensitivity Banking as a Service Market in Latin America Vendor Analysis Some of the major Banking as a Service Market vendors in Latin America are: Alau Technology SAU Banco Inter S.A. Banco Sabadell SA BICECORP SA Credijusto Creditas Cuenca Tecnologia Financiera SA de CV DOCK EBANX GIRE SA Inteligencia en Finanzas S.A.P.I. de C.V. Klar SA de CV Maximo Pay SAC MEXARREND S.A.P.I. DE C.V. Neon Pagamentos S.A. Nu Holdings Ltd. Rappi Inc. Revolut Ltd. Servicios Broxel SAPI de CV UNIVERSO ONLINE SA The Banking as a Service Market in Latin America is fragmented, with the presence of several global as well as regional vendors. The degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Vendor offerings - Uala.com.ar- The company offers banking-as-a-service through Uala App. The company offers banking-as-a-service through Uala App. bicecorp.com- The company offers banking-as-a-service through its subsidiary Banco BICE. The company offers banking-as-a-service through its subsidiary Banco BICE. cuenca.com- The company offers banking-as-a-service such as electronic payment funds accounts. The company offers banking-as-a-service such as electronic payment funds accounts. ebanx.com- The company offers banking-as-a-service such as payment processing with international funds settlement, domestic funds settlement and payouts. The company offers banking-as-a-service such as payment processing with international funds settlement, domestic funds settlement and payouts. gire.com- The company offers banking-as-a-service through its subsidiary Banco BICE. The company offers banking-as-a-service through its subsidiary Banco BICE. For Details on the vendor and its offerings Buy the report! Banking as a Service Market in Latin America- Segmentation Assessment The banking as a Service Market in Latin America is segmented as below: Component Platform Services Type Cloud-based API-based End-user Large enterprise Small Medium enterprise For insights on global, regional, and country-level parameters with growth opportunities from 2017 to 2027 Download a Sample Report What are the key data covered in this Banking As A Service Market In Latin America report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the Banking as a Service Market in Latin America between 2023 and 2027 between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the Banking as a Service Market size in Latin America and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior Growth of the Banking as a Service Market across Latin America A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Banking as a Service Market vendors in Latin America Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: Banking as a Service Market- The Global Banking as a Service Market size is estimated to grow by USD 21,806.94 million between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a CAGR of 14.62%. Community Banking Market- The community banking market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 207.21 billion. Banking As A Service Market In Latin America Scope Report Coverage Details Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 20.2% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 4309.74 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 18.88 Regional analysis Latin America Performing market contribution Latin America at 100% Key countries Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Rest of Latin America, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Spain, India, Japan, Australia, and South Korea Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Alau Technology SAU, Banco Inter S.A., Banco Sabadell SA, BICECORP SA, Credijusto, Creditas, Cuenca Tecnologia Financiera SA de CV, DOCK, EBANX, GIRE SA, Inteligencia en Finanzas S.A.P.I. de C.V., Klar SA de CV, Maximo Pay SAC, MEXARREND S.A.P.I. DE C.V., Neon Pagamentos S.A., Nu Holdings Ltd., Rappi Inc., Revolut Ltd., Servicios Broxel SAPI de CV, and UNIVERSO ONLINE SA Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis 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. 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Country Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Component Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 10: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 11: Parent market Exhibit 12: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 13: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 14: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 15: Chart on Latin America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Data Table on Regional - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 17: Chart on Latin America : Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) : Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 18: Data Table on Regional - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Banking as a Service market in Latin America 2017 - 2021 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Data Table on Banking as a Service market in Latin America 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 Component Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Component Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 23: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 24: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 25: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 26: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 27: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 28: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 29: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 30: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Component 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 31: Chart on Component - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 32: Data Table on Component - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Component Exhibit 33: Chart on Comparison by Component Exhibit 34: Data Table on Comparison by Component 6.3 Platform - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 35: Chart on Platform - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Data Table on Platform - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 37: Chart on Platform - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 38: Data Table on Platform - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Services - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 39: Chart on Services - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Data Table on Services - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 41: Chart on Services - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 42: Data Table on Services - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Component Exhibit 43: Market opportunity by Component ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Type 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 44: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by Type 7.3 Cloud-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 48: Chart on Cloud-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Cloud-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 50: Chart on Cloud-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Cloud-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 API-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on API-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Data Table on API-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 54: Chart on API-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on API-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 56: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 8 Market Segmentation by End-user 8.1 Market segments Exhibit 57: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 58: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 8.2 Comparison by End-user Exhibit 59: Chart on Comparison by End-user Exhibit 60: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 8.3 Large enterprise - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 61: Chart on Large enterprise - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 62: Data Table on Large enterprise - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 63: Chart on Large enterprise - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 64: Data Table on Large enterprise - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 8.4 Small and medium enterprise - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 65: Chart on Small and medium enterprise - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 66: Data Table on Small and medium enterprise - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Chart on Small and medium enterprise - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 68: Data Table on Small and medium enterprise - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 8.5 Market opportunity by End-user Exhibit 69: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) 9 Customer Landscape 9.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 70: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 10 Geographic Landscape 10.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 71: Chart on Market share by geography - 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Market share by geography - 2022-2027 (%) 10.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 73: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 74: Data Table on Geographic comparison 10.3 Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 10.4 Mexico - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Mexico - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Mexico - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on Mexico - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Mexico - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 10.5 Colombia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on Colombia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on Colombia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on Colombia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on Colombia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 10.6 Argentina - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on Argentina - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on Argentina - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on Argentina - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Argentina - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 10.7 Rest of Latin America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on Rest of Latin America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Rest of Latin America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on Rest of Latin America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on Rest of Latin America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 10.8 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 95: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 11 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 11.1 Market drivers 11.2 Market challenges 11.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 96: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 11.4 Market trends 12 Vendor Landscape 12.1 Overview 12.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 97: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 12.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 98: Overview on factors of disruption 12.4 Industry risks Exhibit 99: Impact of key risks on business 13 Vendor Analysis 13.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 100: Vendors covered 13.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 101: Matrix on vendor position and classification 13.3 Alau Technology SAU Exhibit 102: Alau Technology SAU - Overview Exhibit 103: Alau Technology SAU - Product / Service Exhibit 104: Alau Technology SAU - Key offerings 13.4 BICECORP SA Exhibit 105: BICECORP SA - Overview Exhibit 106: BICECORP SA - Product / Service Exhibit 107: BICECORP SA - Key offerings 13.5 Cuenca Tecnologia Financiera SA de CV Exhibit 108: Cuenca Tecnologia Financiera SA de CV - Overview Exhibit 109: Cuenca Tecnologia Financiera SA de CV - Product / Service Exhibit 110: Cuenca Tecnologia Financiera SA de CV - Key offerings 13.6 EBANX Exhibit 111: EBANX - Overview Exhibit 112: EBANX - Product / Service Exhibit 113: EBANX - Key offerings 13.7 GIRE SA Exhibit 114: GIRE SA - Overview Exhibit 115: GIRE SA - Product / Service Exhibit 116: GIRE SA - Key offerings 13.8 Inteligencia en Finanzas S.A.P.I. de C.V. Exhibit 117: Inteligencia en Finanzas S.A.P.I. de C.V. - Overview Exhibit 118: Inteligencia en Finanzas S.A.P.I. de C.V. - Product / Service Exhibit 119: Inteligencia en Finanzas S.A.P.I. de C.V. - Key offerings 13.9 Klar SA de CV Exhibit 120: Klar SA de CV - Overview Exhibit 121: Klar SA de CV - Product / Service Exhibit 122: Klar SA de CV - Key offerings 13.10 Maximo Pay SAC Exhibit 123: Maximo Pay SAC - Overview Exhibit 124: Maximo Pay SAC - Product / Service Exhibit 125: Maximo Pay SAC - Key offerings 13.11 MEXARREND S.A.P.I. DE C.V. Exhibit 126: MEXARREND S.A.P.I. DE C.V. - Overview Exhibit 127: MEXARREND S.A.P.I. DE C.V. - Product / Service Exhibit 128: MEXARREND S.A.P.I. DE C.V. - Key offerings 13.12 Neon Pagamentos S.A. Exhibit 129: Neon Pagamentos S.A. - Overview Exhibit 130: Neon Pagamentos S.A. - Product / Service Exhibit 131: Neon Pagamentos S.A. - Key offerings 13.13 Nu Holdings Ltd. Exhibit 132: Nu Holdings Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 133: Nu Holdings Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 134: Nu Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings 13.14 Rappi Inc. Exhibit 135: Rappi Inc. - Overview Exhibit 136: Rappi Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 137: Rappi Inc. - Key offerings 13.15 Revolut Ltd. Exhibit 138: Revolut Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 139: Revolut Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 140: Revolut Ltd. - Key offerings 13.16 Servicios Broxel SAPI de CV Exhibit 141: Servicios Broxel SAPI de CV - Overview Exhibit 142: Servicios Broxel SAPI de CV - Product / Service Exhibit 143: Servicios Broxel SAPI de CV - Key offerings 13.17 UNIVERSO ONLINE SA Exhibit 144: UNIVERSO ONLINE SA - Overview Exhibit 145: UNIVERSO ONLINE SA - Product / Service Exhibit 146: UNIVERSO ONLINE SA - Key offerings 14 Appendix 14.1 Scope of the report 14.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 147: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 148: Exclusions checklist 14.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 149: Currency conversion rates for US$ 14.4 Research methodology Exhibit 150: Research methodology Exhibit 151: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 152: Information sources 14.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 153: 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 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: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, May 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market size is set to grow by USD 61.19 billion between 2022 and 2027 and register a CAGR of 3.81%, according to Technavio's latest market research report. With a focus on identifying dominant industry influencers, Technavio's reports present a detailed study by way of synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market 2023-2027 Discover market potential and make informed business decisions based on qualitative and quantitative evidence highlighted in Technavio reports Read our Sample Report The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., Air Liquide SA, Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd., BP Plc, Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp., Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd., Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd., Indian Oil Corp. Ltd., Kuwait Petroleum Corp., OQ SAOC, Reliance Industries Ltd., Repsol SA, Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Shell plc, SHV Holdings, Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. Ltd., TotalEnergies SE, UGI Corp., and Valero Energy Corp. are some of the major market participants. The increase in supply of natural gas, the increasing government support for LPG adoption, and the rising need for cleaner fuel will offer immense growth opportunities. To leverage the current opportunities, market vendors must strengthen their foothold in the fast-growing segments while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market 2023-2027: Segmentation End-user Residential Petrochemical Industrial And Commercial Transport Others Geography APAC North America Europe South America Middle East And Africa Receive our market sample report now to gain access to a detailed analysis on the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR72725 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market 2023-2027: Vendor Analysis and Scope To help businesses improve their market position, the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market provides a detailed analysis of around 15+ vendors operating in the market. Some of these vendors include Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., Air Liquide SA, Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd., BP Plc, Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp., Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd., Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd., Indian Oil Corp. Ltd., Kuwait Petroleum Corp., OQ SAOC, Reliance Industries Ltd., Repsol SA, Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Shell plc, SHV Holdings, Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. Ltd., TotalEnergies SE, UGI Corp., and Valero Energy Corp. adnoc.ae- The company offers Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) through its subsidiary ADNOC Distribution. airliquide.com- The company offers Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) for forklifts, heating and cutting. bharatpetroleum.in- The company offers Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) under its brand Bharatgas. The report also covers the following areas: Market Drivers Increase in supply of natural gas Increasing government support for LPG adoption Rising need for cleaner fuel Market Trends Adoption of LPG as marine fuel Technological advances Increasing collaboration among various stakeholders of LPG value chain Market Challenges Availability of alternative fuels for residential end-user Competition to LPG from other sources of energy Infrastructural challenges Get lifetime access to our Technavio Insights. Subscribe now to our most popular "Lite Plan" billed annually at USD 5000. View 3 reports monthly and Download 3 Reports Annually! Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market 2023-2027: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2023-2027 Detailed information on factors that will assist liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market growth during the next five years Estimation of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market vendors Related Reports: Smart Gas Meters Market- The global smart gas meters market size is estimated to decline at a CAGR of 7.64% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 2,051.13 million. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Market- The liquefied natural gas (LNG) market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.35% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 15.81 billion. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.81% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 61.19 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 3.4 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 42% Key countries US, China, India, Japan, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., Air Liquide SA, Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd., BP Plc, Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp., Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd., Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd., Indian Oil Corp. Ltd., Kuwait Petroleum Corp., OQ SAOC, Reliance Industries Ltd., Repsol SA, Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Shell plc, SHV Holdings, Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. Ltd., TotalEnergies SE, UGI Corp., and Valero Energy Corp. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis 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. 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Source Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.2 Source Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Source Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.3 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Source 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Source - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Source - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Source Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Source Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Source 6.3 Natural gas liquid - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Natural gas liquid - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Natural gas liquid - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 36: Chart on Natural gas liquid - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Natural gas liquid - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Crude oil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Crude oil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Crude oil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 40: Chart on Crude oil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Crude oil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Source Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Source ($ billion) 7 Market Segmentation by End-user 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 43: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 44: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by End-user Exhibit 45: Chart on Comparison by End-user Exhibit 46: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 7.3 Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 47: Chart on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 48: Data Table on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 49: Chart on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 50: Data Table on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Petrochemical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 51: Chart on Petrochemical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 52: Data Table on Petrochemical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 53: Chart on Petrochemical - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 54: Data Table on Petrochemical - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Industrial and commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 55: Chart on Industrial and commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 56: Data Table on Industrial and commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 57: Chart on Industrial and commercial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 58: Data Table on Industrial and commercial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Transport - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 59: Chart on Transport - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 60: Data Table on Transport - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 61: Chart on Transport - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 62: Data Table on Transport - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 63: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 64: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 65: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 66: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.8 Market opportunity by End-user Exhibit 67: Market opportunity by End-user ($ billion) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 68: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 69: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 71: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 72: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 74: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 75: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 76: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 78: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 79: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 80: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 83: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 84: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 86: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 87: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 88: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 91: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 94: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 95: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 96: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 99: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 100: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 102: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 103: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 104: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 106: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 107: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 108: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 109: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 110: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 111: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 112: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 113: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 114: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 115: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 116: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 117: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 118: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 119: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. Exhibit 120: Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. - Overview Exhibit 121: Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. - Product / Service Exhibit 122: Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. - Key offerings 12.4 Air Liquide SA Exhibit 123: Air Liquide SA - Overview Exhibit 124: Air Liquide SA - Business segments Exhibit 125: Air Liquide SA - Key news Exhibit 126: Air Liquide SA - Key offerings Exhibit 127: Air Liquide SA - Segment focus 12.5 Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. Exhibit 128: Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 129: Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 130: Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. - Key offerings 12.6 BP Plc Exhibit 131: BP Plc - Overview Exhibit 132: BP Plc - Business segments Exhibit 133: BP Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 134: BP Plc - Segment focus 12.7 Chevron Corp. Exhibit 135: Chevron Corp. - Overview Exhibit 136: Chevron Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 137: Chevron Corp. - Key news Exhibit 138: Chevron Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 139: Chevron Corp. - Segment focus 12.8 Exxon Mobil Corp. Exhibit 140: Exxon Mobil Corp. - Overview Exhibit 141: Exxon Mobil Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 142: Exxon Mobil Corp. - Key news Exhibit 143: Exxon Mobil Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 144: Exxon Mobil Corp. - Segment focus 12.9 Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. Exhibit 145: Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 146: Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 147: Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 148: Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. - Segment focus 12.10 Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. Exhibit 149: Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 150: Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 151: Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 152: Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. - Segment focus 12.11 Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. Exhibit 153: Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 154: Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 155: Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 156: Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. - Segment focus 12.12 Kuwait Petroleum Corp. Exhibit 157: Kuwait Petroleum Corp. - Overview Exhibit 158: Kuwait Petroleum Corp. - Product / Service Exhibit 159: Kuwait Petroleum Corp. - Key offerings 12.13 OQ SAOC Exhibit 160: OQ SAOC - Overview Exhibit 161: OQ SAOC - Product / Service Exhibit 162: OQ SAOC - Key offerings 12.14 Repsol SA Exhibit 163: Repsol SA - Overview Exhibit 164: Repsol SA - Product / Service Exhibit 165: Repsol SA - Key offerings 12.15 Saudi Arabian Oil Co. Exhibit 166: Saudi Arabian Oil Co. - Overview Exhibit 167: Saudi Arabian Oil Co. - Product / Service Exhibit 168: Saudi Arabian Oil Co. - Key offerings 12.16 Shell plc Exhibit 169: Shell plc - Overview Exhibit 170: Shell plc - Business segments Exhibit 171: Shell plc - Key news Exhibit 172: Shell plc - Key offerings Exhibit 173: Shell plc - Segment focus 12.17 TotalEnergies SE Exhibit 174: TotalEnergies SE - Overview Exhibit 175: TotalEnergies SE - Business segments Exhibit 176: TotalEnergies SE - Key news Exhibit 177: TotalEnergies SE - Key offerings Exhibit 178: TotalEnergies SE - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 179: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 180: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 181: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 182: Research methodology Exhibit 183: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 184: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 185: 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: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio 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 New Delhi, May 27 : He never expected that the role of 'Hathoda Tyagi' in the 'Paatal Lok' web series to be such a landmark hit considering the character did not speak much and the short screen time it got. However, he clearly remembers "some magic" being created while shooting, not just owing to the controlled rage he managed to convey but also the way the series was shot. "I fell completely in love with the role, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew it had the potential to change my life. Of course, I had no idea that people would probably know me as 'Hathoda Tyagi'. I have to constantly try and do something which is as exciting as Hathoda, which is going to be very difficult," actor Abhishek Banerjee tells IANS. The actor will soon be seen in the Short 'Sex, Likes and Stories', directed by Keith Gomes on an iPhone, where he plays the character of 'Chokra Boy', hailing from a simple social and economic background who uses the social media to pretend to be someone else and tries to live a completely different life. Banerjee smiles that the character is completely opposite to who he is. "I am who I am. Believe me, I cannot even pretend in an interview with a media person." Known for his extensive research before playing a character, the actor says the same is always a wise idea and instrumental in bringing forth diverse shades and nuances. Travelling, making extensive notes, and meeting new people is what he does even when he is not preparing for a role. "To form a character in your mind you need to understand space and their backgrounds. Travelling not only allows you to meet new people but also learn about different places, distinct cultures, and diverse societal norms." Talk to Banerjee about his fascination with Shorts, and the actor, who started his career with this genre when he was not getting any work remembers asking his struggling filmmaker friends to cast him in them. Adding that whenever he wants to "learn" something or needs a break from his usual work, he likes working in that genre, Banerjee says, "Precisely why I did 'Vakil Babu' last year, which revolved around domestic violence. I strongly feel actors and filmmakers should continue to do short films as they are 'quick' and offer a chance to learn about themselves and hone their craft." Image Source: IANS News Banerjee, who did theatre for several years in Delhi before shifting base to Mumbai feels the medium goes a long way in enhancing. "It is essential that the audience feels exactly what you are trying to portray for them to emotionally connect with the scene, and training in theatre goes a long way in ensuring that." Remembering that after being cast in comedy roles in 'Stree', 'Bala', and 'Dream Girl 2', he started wondering if he would get a chance in another genre, it was OTT that came to his rescue with roles in 'Mirzapur', 'Paatal Lok', and 'Typewriter'. "I then received offers for films like 'Rashmi Rocket', 'Ankahi Kahaniya' and 'Ajeeb Dastaan' which are completely different from my previous projects." Banerjee, who goes back a long way with Gomes and attributes his presence in Mumbai to the latter feels shooting a film on a phone has its own advantages and disadvantages. "While the process may turn out to be quick, but sometimes also gets tough to capture a suitable amount of light, sound, etc. " The actor, who is currently working for films including 'Apurva', 'Stree 2', 'Dream Girl 2', and 'Rana Naidu 2', adds, "I am also going to be part of an action film which I am quite excited about. (Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukant.d@ians.in) -- Syndicated from IANS Washington, May 27 : A US congressional committee has recommended that India should be added to an expanded group of close American allies currently called NATO+5 as part of a broader effort to deter any Chinese military aggression against Taiwan. The panel also suggested that to improve the effectiveness of economic sanctions the US must coordinate them with the Quad, an Indo-Pacific-centric group US forms with India, Australia and Japan, and other alliances and partnerships. "The US should strengthen the NATO Plus arrangement to include India," said the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the US and the Chinese Communist Party in a report released on Wednesday titled "Ten for Taiwan policy recommendations to preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait". The NATO+5 group currently comprises all 31 member countries of NATO and Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan and South Korea, all countries that have bilateral defense and security treaties with the US. India doesn't have a defence treaty with the US, but the latter has granted it the unique status of a "Major Defence Partner" with Strategic Trade Authorization 1 (STA-1) category facilitating license exemption for importing sensitive technology. NATO Plus countries enjoy better access to America's vaunted defence industry and technology. This is the first report from the select committee which was formed in January by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, to guide congress on competing with and countering China. The committee has bipartisan support from both parties and the attention of the White House, which has had a testy relationship with Beijing so far, starting with a verbal free-for-all between their top foreign policy and national security officials at a meeting in Alaska in 2021, to recent tensions over a spy balloon that floated over the American mainland for days before US fighter jets shot it down over the Atlantic Ocean. "Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the US strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India," said Raja Krishnamoorthi, the highest ranking Democrat on the committee. "Including India in NATO Plus security arrangements would build upon the US and India's close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region." NATO Plus status for India has been bandied about for years now, but without fruition. It made it quite far in one instance and cleared the House of Representatives as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which is the Defence Department's budget, but came up short. Ro Khanna, a Democratic member of the House, had introduced legislation to add India to the group some years ago. A move is underway this time to include it in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2024, as part of the main legislation and not as an amendment, which are seemingly easier to jettison during passage. And, most importantly, efforts are afoot to win over Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the powerful foreign relations committee, who is said to be the only man standing in the way of India becoming a NATO Plus country. He is a Russia hawk and wrote the legislation that is now known as the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which calls for sanctioning countries that make significant arms purchases from Russia. He is upset with India because of its purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems. The China select committee's recommendations are in the nature of policy guidance for the US congress and reflects growing American desire to loop India into a larger plan to to prepare for a confrontation with China, which many US military experts have said is inevitable and most likely over Taiwan. General Mike Minihan, a top US general, wrote in an internal memo earlier this year: "I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me we will fight in 2025." And President Joe Biden has now repeatedly said that he will send forces to defend Taiwan if it is attacked by China. "Economic sanctions will be most effective if key allies such as G7, NATO, NATO+5, and Quad members join, and negotiating a joint response and broadcasting this message publicly has the added benefit of enhancing deterrence," the report said, seeking to further draw India into US plans for a confrontation with China. The Quad -- Quadrilateral Security Dialogues -- has an avowed goal of keeping the Indo-Pacific "free and open" for all, as a bulwark against Chinese aggression. It has gained strength in recent years and though it has not gone as far yet as to coordinate economic sanctions against China, they have been moving in that direction such as their decision to block the Chinese IT giant Huawei by all four Quad member countries. The other recommendations of the select committee include basing more longer-range missiles and unmanned vehicles in the Indo-Pacific, the US should strengthen collective planning (NATO+ for India is a part of this category), improving combined training of US and Taiwanese militaries, supplying key military systems to Taiwan, preparing key US infrastructure from Chinese cyberattacks, prepare Taiwan for similar contingencies, develop plans for US forces to operate in integrated manner with Taiwan, strengthen US bases in the Indo-Pacific; and, lastly, plan for a situation in which it would be difficult to resupply Taiwan during a crisis. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked" by a letter from Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, reportedly requesting the replacement of special envoy Volker Perthes amid a brutal war with paramilitaries. Guterres "is proud of the work done by Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative", a statement from UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said late Friday. "The Secretary-General is shocked by the letter he received from General Al-Burhan," currently at war with his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The rival forces are currently in the fifth day of a one-week ceasefire brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia, during which they have repeatedly accused each other of truce violations. Neither the army nor the UN have released official copies of Burhan's letter, which reportedly requested the dismissal of Perthes as Guterres' envoy to Sudan. It is the latest in a series of moves by Burhan, who last week officially sacked Daglo as his deputy in the ruling sovereign council, pooled hardline military supporters into his inner circle and is now seeking to reinforce army ranks. Sudan's defence ministry on Friday called on "army pensioners... as well as all those capable of bearing arms" to head to their nearest military command unit and "arm themselves in order to protect themselves," their families and their neighbours. A statement later in the day walked back the call to just army "reservists" and "pensioners". Perthes and the UN mission in Sudan have been the target of several protests by thousands of military and Islamist supporters who have repeatedly accused Perthes of "foreign intervention" and demanded his dismissal. Similar protests have taken place in the eastern city of Port Sudan since the war started on April 15. The fighting across Sudan has killed more than 1,800 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The United Nations says more than a million people have been displaced within Sudan, in addition to 300,000 who have fled to neighbouring countries. Perthes is currently in New York, where he briefed the Security Council on the situation in Sudan earlier this week. There is no information on when he is due back in Sudan, where authorities have not given out visas to foreign nationals since the war started. Search Keywords: Short link: London, May 27 : A couple in the UK who murdered their baby son after he was placed back into their care, have been sentenced to life imprisonment, a media report said on Saturday. During the sentencing on Friday, Judge Amanda Tipples said Stephen Boden and partner Shannon Marsden from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, had subjected their 10-month-old son Finley to "unimaginable cruelty", the BBC reported. The court heard the murder was "savage and prolonged" with a "sadistic motivation". In the early house of December 25, 2022, paramedics were called to the couple's "cluttered" and filthy terraced home in Holland Road, Old Whittington, after Finley suffered a cardiac arrest. He was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead. Finley's injuries included 57 breaks to his bones, 71 bruises and two burns on his left hand -- one "from a hot, flat surface", the other probably "from a cigarette lighter flame". The court heard the fractures to Finley's bones led to him developing infections, including pneumonia and sepsis that ultimately killed him. Toxicology tests showed cannabis was found in Finley's blood, indicating that he must have inhaled smoke in the 24 hours before his death, reports the BBC. The court heard Boden, 30, and Marsden, 22, who were convicted of murder following a trial, worked together to keep professionals away from Finley to protect each other and cover up serious violence. This included cancelling a health visitor appointment two days before he died and telling social services when they arrived unannounced that Finley may have Covid-19 and refusing to let them in. The judge said they were "both persuasive and accomplished liars" who denied Finley medical care that would have saved his life. "No-one heard Finley cry or scream in pain because you inflicted the injuries on him together, with one of you fracturing his bones and the other keeping him quiet with your hand over his mouth." After Finley was born on February 15, 2020, social workers had decided to remove him from his parents as the local authority, Derbyshire County Council, believed he was likely to suffer "significant harm" at home. Over the next six months, Boden and Marsden lied to social workers to persuade them they had made positive changes, helped by Covid restrictions that limited physical interactions. Finley was returned to their care after a family court hearing on October 1, the papers of which were released after a media application to the High Court. Seoul, May 27 : Around one in six North Korean children under the age of 5 suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition, an international report revealed on Saturday. The stunting rate of the children in the age group in the impoverished state was estimated at 16.8 per cent, or 285,000 children, in 2022, according to the report on the levels and trends in child malnutrition released jointly by the Unicef, the World Health Organization and the World Bank Group. The figure is over 10 times greater than the 26,800 children in the same age group experiencing the condition in South Korea, Yonhap News Agency quoted the report as saying. It, however, marked a decline from 2012, when 411,300 North Korean children were estimated to have suffered from the condition. The number of overweight North Korean children in the age group stood at 47,500 last year, compared with 25,100 in 2012. The report comes amid concerns over chronic malnutrition in the isolated country, which has implemented strong antivirus measures in recent years, such as border lockdowns, to ward off the spread of Covid-19. Chandigarh, May 27 : Timely intervention, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, meticulous decision making and implementation with wholehearted support of cabin crew were the keys for the survival of a passenger who had a massive heart attack while on a long-haul international flight bound for Delhi, a cardiovascular surgeon said on Saturday. He said such incidents of fatal heart attacks have increased after the Covid-19 pandemic. Chandigarh-based cardiovascular surgeon Dr Deepak Puri told IANS people must also know difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest as every heart attack may not cause cardiac arrest but if there is a cardiac arrest the patient will die, if cardiac resuscitation is not initiated immediately and continued till the artery can be opened up. "Nowadays the young have sudden cardiac arrest and die," warned Dr Puri, the founder Chairman of a global trust started in 2011 to spread updates on comprehensive cost-effective management of heart diseases. As per studies, 1,000 lives are lost annually from cardiac arrest in commercial aircraft. Passenger Dinesh Bharatiya, 57, has a history of diabetes and Covid-19 as well. While travelling from Tokyo to Delhi in a non-stop Air India flight on Friday, he crashed after suffering a massive heart attack and was medically dead with no pulse, no heartbeat and no brain circulation with the plane flying over the sea. "His anterior descending artery supplying blood to the left ventricle of the heart was found 100 per cent blocked on angiography on reaching Kolkata," he explained. "The patient luckily belongs to Kolkata. I told airlines to make an emergency landing in Kolkata and keep the ambulance ready on landing. Before we landed, I was resuscitating the patient for over five hours with negligible medical back up. "On landing in Kolkata, we transferred the patient to a heart hospital where an angiography team was kept ready and his blocked coronary artery LAD was immediately opened." After a miraculous escape, the patient is now safe and his brain and kidneys are fully functioning because of timely cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The cardiovascular surgeon told IANS that most people are not aware and may not believe that how a passenger can be revived after his heart stopped beating on a flight with bare minimum medical aid available. "We immediately laid the patient on the floor of the aircraft and started a cardiac message at a rate of 100 per minute to maintain the circulation to the brain and kidney and other vital organs. This has to be done continuously till the heart starts beating again with two breaths being given after every 30 compressions. "If the cardiopulmonary resuscitation is conducted meticulously only then the patient will survive and his brain and kidneys will remain functional as happened in this patient. "The blocked heart artery has to be opened up immediately and the first hour is the golden hour which was not possible as we were in air over the sea. Chances of death increase if there is delay and the heart muscle dies permanently if the artery cannot be opened within six to eight hours." He explained that "if the cardiac message is not initiated immediately permanent brain death occurs in three to five minutes. Time is very crucial in this situation. Everyone must be made aware about this so that many other lives can be saved." While in emergency, the airlines had two options -- either emergency landing in China, which was nearest by two hours, or Kolkata that was five hours away. "We thought we could arrange transportation and angioplasty more easily in Kolkata, so chose this but had added responsibility of sustaining the patient for five hours which was three hours more far from China. I took the gamble and it paid off," an elated Dr Puri, who hails from Shimla, said. He said the patient might not have survived "if we had continued to fly to Delhi which would have taken another two hours or if we had diverted it to China as we were not aware about his medical insurance cover and whether we could arrange immediate angiography and stenting as quickly as we did in Kolkata". The surgeon, who believes Valentine's Day is not just about romance with the partner but also a day that reminds the importance of self-love, recently made a short movie on cardiovascular care that got nominated for two international film festivals and was also awarded as the Best Director. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com) Khartoum, May 27 : Sudan's acting Defence Minister Yassin Ibrahim Yassin has called on retired soldiers and whoever is able to carry arms to report to the nearest army base amidst the ongoing conflict. "We call on all pensioners of the armed forces, including officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and all those who are able to carry arms, to go to the nearest military base to get armed," Yassin said in a statement, adding that the move was intended to enable those people to defend themselves. The statement stressed the Sudanese Army's commitment to the humanitarian truce based on the moral responsibility to protect civilians and humanitarian aid, and accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of continuing its violations of the truce. The statement described the clashes with the RSF as a "cities war" which has no time limits, stressing the Sudanese Army's ability to defeat the remnants of the rebel force. On Friday, Saudi Arabia and the US announced that Sudan's warring parties -- the army and RSF -- are complying better with a seven-day ceasefire agreement signed on May 20 in Jeddah. According to the agreement, which was brokered by Saudi Arabia and the Us and entered into force on Monday, the warring parties shall guarantee civilians' freedom of movement throughout the country and protect them from violence, harassment, recruitment, or other abuses, as well as refrain from any violations of international human rights law. The parties shall also provide security guarantees for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies. Meanwhile, the Sudanese Doctors Union, a non-governmental body, announced that the armed clashes which broke out on April 15 have so far killed 865 people and injured 3,634 others. In its latest update on the situation in Sudan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that the conflict has forced more than 1.36 million people to flee their homes, including nearly 320,000 who have escaped to neighbouring countries. Patna, May 27 : Bihar government has decided not to attend the NITI Aayog meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday. State Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary was scheduled to attend the event but cancelled it on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's direction. Besides the Nitish Kumar government, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal CM Mamata Benerjee, Punjab CM Bhagwant Maan, Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, Telangana CM K. Chandrashekher Rao also have expressed their inability to attend the meeting. According to sources, these leaders are upset with the policies and decisions of the Narendra Modi government, especially the Centre's issuance of an ordinance against the Supreme Court's decision to give the transfer-posting power to the Delhi government. The Modi government has organised the meeting of NITI Aayog with the tagline of 'India @ 2047'. The opposition leaders of 21 parties have already announced to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday. Kochi, May 27 : Days after a single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court granted permission to a 15-year-old girl impregnated by her brother to terminate her seven-month pregnancy, a lawyer has approached the division bench of the same court to set aside the single bench order. The division bench of Acting Chief Justice S. V. Bhatti and Justice Basant Balaji allowed the appellant-lawyer, advocate Kulathoor Jaisingh (petitioner), to approach the same single-judge for impleading himself as one of the respondents in the matter. The plea said that a baby in the womb is a "gift from the almighty" that cannot be terminated by a judicial order so as to save the family of the victim girl from social and mental stigma or "false pride". He submitted that the single-judge had come to the conclusion that the pregnancy is caused by her brother only on the basis of an FIR. "The learned single-judge ought to have found that if the child is kept in the womb for two more months in a secret manner, the life of the child and the alleged social and medical complications can be sorted out and the paternity can be medically proved," the plea of the lawyer said. The plea also pointed out that the medical report does not state that the life of the child would be in danger at the time of the delivery or that the mother would have medical issues if the pregnancy is continued. "The interim order of this Honorable court is against the conscience of the common man and may have a heartbreaking feeling," the petitioner submitted. The case will now be heard by the single-judge bench on Monday. Islamabad, May 27 : "Your game is over, Imran Khan," Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz said while addressing a large number of vibrant party supporters. This claim was certainly not made for the first time by Maryam and her party leaders, but this time around, keeping in view the mass exodus (voluntary or otherwise) by the senior PTI leadership in the aftermath of May 9 riots, odds were truly stacked against Imran as he seems to be fighting a losing battle, The Express Tribune reported. Maryam addressing a youth convention, first time after the May 9 riots by alleged PTI workers, said: "This change (alluding to the PTI mantra of Tabdeli), will drown in the same open sewer it came out of." Accusing Khan of the being the mastermind of the May 9 riots that saw many military and private properties attacked by angry protesters, Maryam said that people would not spare Imran and judges who supported him in his illegal escapades, referring to Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandial, The Express Tribune reported. Maryam chided the PTI workers and leaders for being wimps, saying said that Imran and his party could not stand hardships even for a brief while, whereas her father, Nawaz Sharif, and his entire party stood tall in the face of audacity. "Those who tried to whip out Nawaz Sharif have themselves been whipped out," the PML-N SVP said. Maryam said no enemy could dare commit the kind of acts Imran and his people committed. As soon as Imran was arrested, his people proceeded with the already planned protest - attacking military installations throughout the country, Express Tribune reported. "Why did the protesters in Lahore not turn towards the Mall of Lahore, which is right across of corps commander's residence? Why did they go straight for cantonment in Quetta, towards GHQ instead of Lal Haveli in Rawalpindi and towards FC in Peshawar? "Why did they burn a plane, a symbol of our valor and bravery in Mianwali? These attacks were on Pakistan Army", Express Tribune reported. Kolkata, May 27 : Four persons have been arrested in connection with the attack on the convoy of Trinamool Congress' national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, allegedly by a group of protesters from the Kurmi community who are agitating to press for their demand of Scheduled Tribe status. The police are yet to disclose the identity of those arrested. The offenders have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including Section 307 (attempt to murder). Charges had been framed under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, since during the attack on Friday evening, the rear glass of the vehicle of West Bengal Minister Birbaha Hansda was completely smashed. Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee has claimed that during the attack on his convoy, he heard the slogan of "Jai Shree Ram". "I demand a statement from the Kurmi Community leaders in the matter within the next 48 hours. Otherwise I will consider that they were involved in the attack," he said. The attack occurred when his convoy was passing through the Salboni area in tribal-dominated West Midnapore district. Soon after the attack, Abhishek Banerjee talked to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee detailing the incident. The chief minister immediately directed state chief secretary H. K. Dwivedi and the state Director general of Police to take strong action in the matter. Meanwhile, Hansda alleged that the opposition parties like the BJP and the CPI(M) had been instigating the Kurmi protesters. "Trinamool Congress had never opposed the Kurmi community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Then why our convoy was attacked. This cannot be the nature of any caste movement," Hansda said. On Saturday, Banerjee is supposed to address a political rally at Salboni area. Kiev, May 27 : Ukraine is seeking to fix its perspective of joining the NATO during the alliance's upcoming summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July, top government offical Andriy Yermak said. "Our expectations from the summit in Vilnius boil down to two key priorities: fixing in one form or another the absence of alternatives to the fact that we are on the path to NATO membership, and before joining the alliance, obtaining security guarantees," Yermak was quoted as saying by the presidential press service. Currently, Ukraine is holding talks with partner countries over the form of security guarantees, which will be in place before the country joins NATO, Xinhua news agency reported citing the official as saying. The Ukrainian government is aware that the country could become a member of the alliance only when "the security situation allows", Yermak emphasized. The Vilnius NATO summit is slated for July 11-12. NATO recognized Ukraine as its Enhanced Opportunities Partner in 2020. Toronto, May 27 : Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP) has called on the government not to deport 150 Punjabi students who were told to leave the country as they arrived on fake college admission letters, according to the Canadian Border Security Agency. The students, whose deportation order is scheduled on May 29, said they were cheated by their immigration consultation agency in India that provided them fake documents, of which they were unaware of. The NDP, in a statement released on Friday, said the international students who were misled by dishonest recruiters shouldn't have to pay the price. "Right now, students who came to Canada for their university education are under threat of deportation. I wrote to the minister (Immigration Minister Sean Fraser) on May 25 urgently calling for action to help these students who unknowingly received fraudulent travel documentation from bad actors looking to make money from their deceit," NDP critic for Citizenship and Immigration Jenny Kwan said. Minister Fraser had earlier tweeted that he is focusing on "identifying culprits" and not penalising victims of fraudulent acceptance letters. Welcoming Fraser's response to the situation, Kwan said that it is critical that the pending deportations are stayed. "I want to make it clear that as the Liberal government goes after the culprits, it is critical that the pending deportations are stayed, and inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation waived." She called for an alternate pathway to permanent status for the students -- whether it's humanitarian and compassionate application process or a broad regularisation program. Some of these students have already spent half a decade living in Canada and paid international tuition fees to complete their studies. Many are now reportedly working in essential frontline jobs. "It is crucial that anyone who considers studying here can have confidence that they will be treated well and that our processes are trustworthy and fair. I urge the minister to act immediately to stop these unjust deportations," Kwan said. According to the Canadian Border Service Agency, more than 700 Indian students are reportedly facing deportation after finding that their educational institution's admission offer letters were fake. Most of these students had come to the country to study in 2018 and 2019. The fraud was discovered when the students applied for permanent residency in Canada. Brijesh Mishra, a Jalandhar-based agent, was responsible for providing fake admission letters, charging students thousands of dollars, according to media reports. Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Hassan Abdallah urged on Friday the African Development Bank (AfDB) to increase its lending to member states on concessional terms. The AfDB has 81 member states including regional countries in Africa and non-regional countries around the globe. Abdallah emphasized that the strong AAA credit rating of the AfDB, which allows it to obtain low-interest funding, means the bank can afford to increase concessional loans to member states. AfDB funds are derived from subscriptions by member countries, especially non-regional member countries, borrowings on international markets and loan repayments. He made this appeal during the 58th Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the AfDB, which concluded in Sharm El-Sheikh on Friday after five days of deliberations. Abdallah stressed the importance of establishing a mechanism to curb the risks associated with exchange rate fluctuations. Member states often borrow foreign currency to finance long-term projects while receiving returns from those projects in local currency. This dynamic can create significant pressures, the CBE governor added. Abdallah urged the AfDB to capitalize on the accomplishments and recommendations made during its meetings in Sharm El-Sheikh to foster sustainable development across African countries. He also extended congratulations to Kenya for being selected to host the banks annual meetings in Nairobi in 2024. During the meetings closing session, the chairmanship of the Boards of Governors was transferred to Kenya's Finance Minister, Njuguna Ndung'u. On the sidelines of the AfDB meetings last week, Egypts Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait, said Egypt is seeking concessional loans from regional and international development partners to ensure sustainable spending on healthcare, education and food security programmes. Maait explained that Egypt is coping with the impacts of the global crises by boosting production and supporting activities with the most exposure to both internal and external shocks. Search Keywords: Short link: New Delhi, May 27 : One of the most important aspects of transforming a house into a home is interior design. In most situations, the design and small details that we add to our collection tell a lot about a person's personality. It is the small details, such as door knobs, window panels, and the colour of the cabinet and chairs that determine whether we want a space to be cosy or focused on the task at hand. World Interior Design Day, which is observed annually on May 27 and is organised by IFI (International Federation of Interior Architects/ Designers), emphasises value to people's well-being. IANSlife speaks with Airbnb host Shan Bhatnagar, who is an interior designer by profession and has worked with a diverse range of clientele, including the royal families of Jaipur and Udaipur! Read on to find out what he has to say on his journey as a host and an interior designer: Tell us about your journey as an interior designer. Shan: I'm a self-taught artist and Interior designer. I studied Business and economics at the University of Maryland and then moved back to India, worked in the corporate sector and then gave it all up to paint and pursue my passion for design. What does "World Interior Design Day" mean to you? And what message/ tips would you like to give our readers? Shan: I feel that good design is food for the soul! It becomes a part of overall wellness when you surround yourself with a well-designed, well-lit, beautiful space. World Interior design day means celebrating all of that! It's acknowledging the need to plan a space and do full justice to it whether it's minimalist or maximalist, modern or classic. My tip for our readers is, to stay true and convinced about the language you follow in design and always be a little flexible to incorporate clients requirements without compromising on the overall aesthetic you aim to achieve. What is your takeaway from working closely with the Royal Families of Jaipur and Udaipur? Shan: It is amazing to work with both of these families. I've learnt a lot from these experiences. They are the most humble people and are extremely artistic. To work on palaces, one has to learn to balance the old with an undertone of modern equipment and hardware. What are some interesting artefacts you've acquired from around the world? And the reason for it. Shan: I love collecting Indian antiques. Bronze, brass, deepams, idols, mukhlingas, and miniature paintings are all things that really excite me. How many of your properties are you hosting on Airbnb? How does each residence provide a unique experience from the other? Shan: At the moment we host two Airbnb homes in Jaipur. We love hosting, and meeting people from different nationalities. We aim to give our guests an authentic modern Indian experience of how we actually live. We help guests with recommendations for where to eat, shop, party like a local and hence ensuring that their experience with us and Airbnb is wholesome. How has your experience been with Airbnb in terms of hosting your abodes? Do share an interesting anecdote (if any) from your conversations with guests you have hosted. Shan: There are so many good experiences with guests and so many repeat guests, that they have become like our family, and we look forward to hosting them each time. Some of them have attended our family weddings and other occasions as well! (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) New Delhi, May 27 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of the party leaders on May 29 to discuss whether the party needs to support Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the Centre's ordinance to negate the Supreme Court judgement on placing 'services' under the control of the state government in the national capital. According to party sources, Kharge has called a meeting of the party leaders to discuss the issue on May 29 at 10.30 a.m. The meeting comes in the wake of the request from Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi over the ordinance issue. In a tweet on Friday, Kejriwal said, "Sought time this morning to meet Congress President Kharge ji and Rahul Gandhi ji to seek Congress support in Parliament against undemocratic and unconstitutional ordinance passed by BJP government and also to discuss general assault on federal structure and prevailing political situation." After the request from the AAP leader, Congress sources on Friday said that the party is still considering his request. On Monday night, Congress general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said, "The Congress Party has not taken any decision on the issue of the Ordinance brought against the SC judgment on the powers of the Government of NCT of Delhi with respect to appointment of officers. It will consult its state units and other like-minded parties on the same. The Party believes in the Rule of Law and at the same time does not condone unnecessary confrontation, political witch-hunt and campaigns based on lies against political opponents by any political party." Many Congress leaders from Delhi and Punjab have opposed supporting Kejriwal over the issue. Senior COngress leaders like Ajay Maken, Sandeep Dikshit and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had already echoed that the party should not support AAP. Kejriwal has already met Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal(U) leader Nitish Kumar along with his deputy and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on May 21. Both the leaders have announced to support the AAP over the ordinance issue. On Tuesday, Kejriwal travelled to West Bengal to meet his counterpart and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and seek her support. Banerjee also announced her support to the AAP leader. The AAP leaders also travelled to Maharashtra and met former chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar separately. Both the leaders have also extended their support to Kejriwal's party. Kejriwal is also supposed to travel to Hyderabad to meet Bharath Rashtra Samithi leader and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao seeking his support over the issue on Saturday. Kejriwal has last week urged the opposition parties to not let the Bill over ordinance to pass in Rajya Sabha for the people of Delhi. The Central government has brought an ordinance to set up a permanent authority known as the National Capital Civil Service Authority whose chairperson will be Delhi chief minister, who, along with chief secretary, Delhi, Principal Secretary (Home), Delhi, will make recommendations to the Delhi L-G regarding matters concerning transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters. However, in case of difference of opinion, the decision of the L-G shall be final. On May 11, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court ruled that it is ideal to hold that a democratically elected Delhi government should have control over its officers and the L-G is bound by the advice of the elected government in everything other than public order, police, and land. The top court stressed that if the government is not able to control and hold to account the officers posted in its service, then its responsibility towards the legislature as well as the public is diluted. The ordinance came after the apex court gave the Delhi government control in services matters, including transfer and posting of officers. Mumbai, May 27 : Sameer Vidwans, the director of the upcoming Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani-starrer 'Satyaprem Ki Katha', has shared his experience working with Kartik and thanked him for being there by his side to achieve what he envisioned. The director took to his social media to express his delight working with the actor, writing: "Kartik you are a Director's delight! Your charm, energy, dedication, and hardworking nature made this journey not only beautiful but powerful!!" He further mentioned: "I enjoyed every bit of it! Thank you for being there by my side to achieve what we all envisioned!! @kartikaaryan." 'Satyaprem Ki Katha' marks the reunion of Kartik and Kiara after their last successful outing 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2' The film is all set to release in theatres on June 29, 2023. Apart from 'Satyaprem Ki Katha', Kartik has interesting films in the pipeline like 'Aashiqui 3', and Kabir Khan's untitled next film. San Francisco, May 27 : Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has said that the call for open cooperation on technology by Chinese President Xi Jinping "could not be timeliera, echoing Jinping's message. Addressing the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing via a live feed, Gates said that China, with its mix of expertise and experience and investment in innovation, would be able to make its contribution to the world by sharing its technology and lessons, reports South China Morning Post. Gates said that issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic, along with other challenges from food security to child welfare, do not stay within national boundaries. "So we need to commit to working across boundaries to address them," Gates was quoted as saying. "We need to mount a comprehensive, broad response (to issues like Covid-19) based on innovation and cooperation," the Microsoft founder said. "China is already playing an important role in addressing complex global challenges, including future pandemics and food insecurity," he told the gathering. Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping said it is important "more than ever" for nations to deepen cooperation and share technology. China is committed to a "win-win strategy of opening-up" and the country is ready to join hands with others to promote sci-tech innovation, according to the his letter published by Xinhua news agency. The message came as the US-China rivalry is deepening, with Washington tightening export restrictions to Beijing. Earlier this week, China banned the sale of US-based Micron Technology's chips in the country, citing "national security risks". The Chinese government said that Micro products will be banned for sale to the country's key information infrastructure, as the US continues to tighten control on China-based tech companies. The US Commerce Department replied to the ban, saying it "firmly opposes restrictions that have no basis in fact". "We will engage directly with PRC (People's Republic of China) authorities to detail our position and clarify their action," the department said in a statement. In October last year, the Joe Biden administration tightened exports of advanced US semiconductor technologies to China, including chip making equipment and design software. Recent reports claimed that the Joe Biden administration is about to announce new restrictions on US companies' investments in China. New Delhi, May 27 : A complaint has been lodged against a petrol pump worker for refusing to accept Rs 2,000 note in South Extension Part-1 in the national capital, an official of the Delhi Police said. "On Friday, a complaint was received at Kotla police station alleging that a worker of a petrol pump in South Extension Part-I refused to take Rs 2,000 note. The complainant stated that he went to a petrol pump in South Extension Part-1 to fill petrol in his scooter. He gave Rs 2,000 note against Rs 400, but the petrol pump attendant refused to take the note," said the senior police official. "We have initiated an inquiry into the matter," the official added. Thiruvananthapuram, May 27 : Two allies of the ruling Left front in Kerala began a sparring session as the rogue wild tusker called Arikomban, relocated from Chinnakanal in Idukki to Periyar Tiger Reserve near Tamil Nadu border on Saturday morning, was seen terrorising residents at Cumbum town in Tamil Nadu. The third biggest ally of the ruling Left here, Kerala Congress (M) top leader Jose K. Mani described the relocation of Arikomban as a failed operation. "This is nothing but an invited disaster as even in other parts of the world, this relocation operation has turned out to be a failure. The need of the hour is to rewrite the Wildlife laws," said Mani, a member of the Rajya Sabha as he was reacting to the news that Arikomban has reached Cumbum, close to the popular wild life sanctuary and tourist place in Kerala, Thekkady. Incidentally the Forest and Wildlife Minister A. K. Saseendran represents the NCP and reacting to Mani's barbs, he said the relocation operation cannot be termed as a failed operation. "The trouble started after elephant lovers approached the judiciary. The department's plan was not to drive away the elephant into the forests. At the moment the said elephant is located in Tamil Nadu and our officials are regularly in touch with them," said Saseendran. The reason Mani's party is up in arms is that their strongholds are areas that are closer to the forests in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Kozhikode districts and have come under severe attacks from tigers, elephants and wild gaurs, causing loss of lives and huge damage to crops. As Arikomban was creating ruckus in Cumbum, came the news that a tiger is on the prowl in Pathanamthitta district causing a scare among the villagers at Vadeserikara. Local legislator Pramod Narayan who belongs to the Kerala Congress (M) slammed the Forest department and said if a wild animal makes life miserable for human beings, then it should be shot and wish it happens here. Meanwhile at Kozhikode, a rubber tapper who was doing his job was attacked by a gaur and caused serious injuries. He is presently under treatment at a hospital. Kathmandu, May 27 : During Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's upcoming trip to India, the two neighbouring countries are planning to sign a series of agreements, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu said on Saturday. According to the Ministry, Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda, will embark on a four-day trip on May 31. This is his first official foreign visit since assuming office in December last year. In a statement, the Ministry said Dahal's visit is on the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Prachanda will be accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal and various other dignitaries and high-ranking officers. After delegation-level talks between Prachanda and Modi on June 1, a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding will be signed, according to Nepali officials. During the visit, the Nepali side will seek an air entry route via Indian territory for the utilization of its two newly built international airports in Pokhara and Bhairawha, said Haribol Gajurel, the chief political adviser to Prachanda. In an interview with the local media, Gajurel said that the two sides will also discuss the bilateral energy trade, and execution of the much-delayed Pancheshowr Multipurpose Project which was signed in 1996 but there will be no concrete progress in seeking the solution of the bilateral boundary dispute. The issue of boundary dispute cannot reach a conclusion in this visit, said Gajurel, which is a bit complex issue. Nepal and India have a boundary dispute in the Uttarakhand area of India which falls in the Darchula district of Nepal. In response to the Indian political map published in 2019, the Nepal government in May 2020 released a new map incorporating Kalapani, Lipu Lekh, and Limpiyadhura inside its map which is currently occupied by India. "The boundary dispute will not be concluded this time. This is a bit complex issue. Nepal and India have serious differences over a boundary dispute. This dispute should resolve in a positive way. Once we settle and resolve other outstanding issues, then we can move towards resolving the boundary dispute in a correct way," said Gajurel. Nepali officials said that during the visit, some crucial agreements related to cross-border energy cooperation and trade will be reached. Agreement on digital payment between Nepal and India, the construction of a dry port in the Chadani-Dodhara area in Nepal, the inauguration of the integrated check posts in Nepalgunj, and setting a new integrated check post in Bhairawaha are part of the agreement. Likewise, the inauguration of a rail yard in Biratnagar that comes from Jogbini, India; construction and expansion of the two petroleum pipelines; allowing the broadcast of the Nepal Television in India, energy trading between Nepal and Bangladesh via India, agreement on electricity trading between two state-owned agencies for another 25 years so that both sides do not need to seek approval time and again, are also list in the agreement. The construction of Lower Arun and Phukot Karnali by the Indian developers, cross border transmission line, and providing chemical fertilizer to Nepal among others will be signed during the visit. The issue of boundary dispute will be figured during the bilateral talks between Prachanda and Modi but that will not dominate the entire talks, he added, we have not reached to any conclusion yet on the boundary issue so our focus is on settling down the other issues first. During the visit, Dahal will also address the Nepal-India Business Summit in New Delhi, to be jointly organized by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the ministry said. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Dahal will also make courtesy calls on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President jagdeep Dhankhar. "In addition to the official engagements, Prime Minister Dahal will also be visiting Ujjain and Indore as part of his visit," the release from the Indian side reads. This is Prime Minister Dahal's fourth visit to India in his three terms as the country's premier. The visit is expected to further strengthen the age-old, multifaceted, and cordial relations between Nepal and India. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Bengaluru, May 27 : Amid voices of dissent by Congress leaders over not getting cabinet posts, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday asked the "dejected" leaders to be perseverant like like him. "I did not get any opportunity to join the cabinet during the late Dharam Singh-led Congress government and Siddaramaiah-led previous government. But I did not lose my patience. Similarly, those who have been denied cabinet posts should have patience too," Shivakumar stated. All are going to get opportunities, why won't it come to them? Shivakumar questioned. Meanwhile, prominent Lingayat pontiff Guru Siddarajayogeendra swamiji has urged the Congress government to allot cabinet post to Laxman Savadi in the coming days, who joined Congress after quitting BJP party. Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi are experienced and good natured politicians they should have got the cabinet berths. "If Laxman Savadi is included in the cabinet it will benefit the party," he said. Supporters of Laxman Savadi have started posting messages targetting Siddaramaiah on social media. "You (Siddaramaiah) maintained that Laxman Savadi joining Congress had brought new strength to the party. Savadi is the reason for Congress winning more seats in Belagavi district. In spite of it, you have conveniently forgotten him," the posts claimed. The supporters of senior leader M. Krishnappa and his son MLA Priyakrishna staged a protest in front of the Raj Bhavan for their exclusion in the cabinet. Krishnappa represents Vijayanagar and Priya Krishna represents Govindarajanagar seat in Bengaluru. Puttarangasetty, senior Congress leader from Chamarajanagar, who defeated BJP former minister V.Somanna has denied the post of deputy speaker of the assembly. He was expecting to join the cabinet this time. He had conveyed to the party that he would continue as a MLA. Veteran Congress leader R.V. Deshapande, Opposition leader in Legislative Council B.K. Hariprasad are upset as they have been denied cabinet posts. Los Angeles, May 27 : Actress Rebecca Ferguson has compared shooting 'Mission Impossible' film to giving birth. The 39-year-old actress - who has a 15-year-old son, Isac, with former boyfriend Ludwig Hallberg and a five-year-old daughter, Sage, with her husband Rory - reprises her role as Ilsa Faust in 'Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One' and though she admitted making the movies can be tough, she always wants to get involved again, reports Female First UK. Asked if it was a tough shoot, she told Radio Times magazine: "It always is. Literally, from day one, I said, 'It's like giving birth, it hurts'. But once you've done it, you kind of want to do it again." As per Female First UK, Rebecca enjoys the fact director Christopher McQuarrie and lead star Tom Cruise encourage the cast to "wing it" and improvise with their dialogue. She continued: "And it's such a different way of filming, the way that Tom and McQ work. And not working that way now makes me miss it. We don't have the scripts. You're not really preparing for a role. You know your role. You wing it when you're there. And you just make it work. And they just hit it out of the ballpark every time." Rebecca knows she's done good work when she can "step outside" of herself. She said: "When I act in a scene, if it's a good scene and it's well directed, and I'm working alongside someone who's good, I step outside of my own being and the scene gets to live it's own life, right? That's what we're working towards." Imphal, May 27 : Two days before the scheduled visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the ethnic violence-hit Manipur, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande reached Manipur on Saturday to hold meetings with various civil society organisations in Churachandpur district. Defence sources said that the COAS arrived in Imphal on Saturday on a two-day visit. He will visit various districts where he will interact with the local commanders and obtain a first-hand account of the ground situation. General Pande will also interact with the troops. On Sunday, he will meet Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Chief Security Advisor to Manipur Kuldiep Singh and would discuss and deliberate over the current situation and future trajectory, in order to restore normalcy in the trouble-torn state at the earliest. A Manipur government official said that in view of the widespread ethnic violence in at least 11 of the 16 districts of the state, the state administration had requisitioned Army and Assam Rifles on May 3. As an immediate response, the Army and Assam Rifles deployed 135 columns of troops to diffuse the situation by carrying out active domination of the sensitive and fringe areas. Approximately 35,000 people from different communities have been evacuated to safe zones and immediate relief and humanitarian aid has been provided to the displaced civilians by the Army and Assam Rifles. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, who is now on a visit to the strife-torn state, said that Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to reach Manipur for a three-day visit on May 29. Meanwhile, Eastern Command Army chief Lt Gen R.P. Kalita visited Manipur's several sensitive and mixed-populated districts from May 22-24 to assess and review the ground security situation. He visited Kangpokpi, Matripukhri, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Yaingangpokpi and Moreh, where he was updated on the security situation by the local commanders. Social media may be an ideal way to gauge Sudanese sentiment about the conflict in the country. Since the fall of former Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir in 2019, political and civilian circles in Sudan have been supporting either the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) or its opponents the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Divisions have been present on the Sudanese political scene since at least the countrys independence in the 1950s, but they have never been as glaring as they have been during the past five weeks since fighting broke out between the SAF and the RSF. Both parties are fighting for their existence, said Osman Mirghani, a professor of modern history in Khartoum. The defeated party will simply cease to exist, which is why neither side approved a ceasefire during the recent talks in Jeddah. This is also why there is so much political and social polarisation in Sudan, because each party is fighting for its existence. Twitter, a favourite social media platform for many Sudanese, has seen many users change their pictures to the emblem of Sudan: a secretary bird bearing a shield and two scrolls, with the upper one reading Victory is ours and the lower one The Republic of Sudan. I changed the pictures on my WhatsApp, Twitter, Spock, and Instagram accounts to the SAF emblem, said Hatem Idriss, an IT specialist at a mobile services company in Khartoum. We do not accept being ruled by a militia led by a camel thief, he added, a reference to Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, the leader of the RSF. However, not all SAF supporters have changed their social media accounts. Yassin Ahmed has kept his profile intact on Twitter even as he expressed his support for the SAF, ending his tweets with the words one army. The Janjaweed are ribata [bandits]. SAF loyalists often refer to the RSF militia, whose origin lies in the Janjaweed militia made notorious by their actions in Darfur during the Al-Bashir regime, as bandits, seeing them as camel thieves, as their political opponents claim. Al-Ahram Weekly was not able to verify this from a neutral source. Many people say may God help the army to emerge victorious when I post about the SAF and its victories, Idriss said. Ahmed could not be reached for comment. The war has reached its peak. The two sides cannot co-exist; one of them has to leave the political equation, Idriss said. Not all Sudanese support the SAF, however. Mohamed Nagati Al-Talib commented on his social media that the RSF will be triumphant, God willing. He often posts news of the RSF taking control of a neighbourhood or facility in Sudan. Some social media users do not state who they support directly, but instead refer to the flaws of their opponents, Idriss said. One user posted a video about complaints made by regular army soldiers to the effect that the military should be reformed, adding that some army personnel are traitors or receive bribes. Focusing on the opponents flaws can shake the support of some people. This is war, and it is being seen as such in Khartoum, Mirghani said. On the other hand, many Sudanese who support the army refer to the RSF militia by writing that they are thieves, ignoramuses, mercenaries and changing their name to the Rapid Looting Forces. The conflict broke out in Sudan on 15 April, and it sees the SAF, established in 1925 and one of the strongest in Africa, pitched against the RSF founded by Al-Bashir in 2013 for use in Darfur and directly answerable to him. The SAF has 250,000 soldiers in addition to reserve forces, while the RSF is composed of the Janjaweed militias who hail from rural Arab tribes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused the Janjaweed of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. Sudanese civil society figures such as Khaled Omar Youssef, minister of Cabinet Affairs in prime minister Abdallah Hamdoks government, and lawyer Wagdi Saleh, of Baathist orientation and a member of the Commission for the Liquidation of the Al-Bashir regime, have announced the establishment of a Stop the War Coalition to halt the conflict in Sudan. But this is an entity that exists only on Twitter, said Mirghani. Its members do not have power, nor are they elected. They are ineffective. The conflict has become a military one, and the coalition lacks political support on the ground. In addition, the majority of the Sudanese middle classes believe the coalition is siding with the RSF. The Western media often refers to those in Sudan who are against the SAF as democracy supporters, claiming it promotes tyranny. The result has been that they are sometimes seen as supporting the RSF. If the army is responsible for tyranny, can the RSF militia bring about a democratic transition? The answer is that this is impossible, commented Mirghani. * A version of this article appears in print in the 25 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Chandigarh, May 27 : Punjab has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for investigating cases of human trafficking, especially women from Punjab to Middle East countries under visit and employment visas, who are being exploited, an official said on Saturday. Expressing gratitude to the government, Member of Parliament, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, said the SIT has been set up under the purview of Mission Hope, recently launched by him for rescuing stranded women from Oman. Kaustubh Sharma, Inspector General (Ludhiana) will act as the nodal officer for hassle-free registration of first information reports (FIRs) in the state. Sahney, who is also International President of World Punjabi Organisation, said his Parliament office is assisting all sufferers to register FIRs in different districts and rescuing stranded women from Middle East countries. He has also launched four hotlines in Abu Dhabi, Oman and India. Sahney requested all destitute women who have come back to India, and families of illegal immigrants who are stuck in Middle East countries to come forward and register the cases with the police stations concerned so that the guilty can be brought to justice. Chennai, May 27 : After the twin hooch tragedies in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts in which 22 people lost their lives, the political party of the powerful Vanniyar community, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) is planning an extensive campaign across the state against liquor menace. Sources in the PMK told IANS that the party Chairman, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss has directed all the district committees to conduct a public awareness programme against consumption of liquor. The PMK has been a votary for the banning of liquor in Tamil Nadu and has entered into several public protest programmes against it. The PMK women's wing was also involved in conducting protests against liquor becoming a menace to the people. In the twin hooch tragedy, 22 people had died and 40 others were injured with a few left with reduced eye sights. Police have said that methyl alcohol laced liquor was used for supply in Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts and PMK wanted the party district committees across the state to liven up the issue and call for a total prohibition in the state. The party, according to sources, will conduct the district level protest marches towards the district collectorates, conduct padayatra across the districts and conduct corner meetings and speaking to people about the ill effects of alcohol and how several productive man hours are lost to the consumption of alcohol. Party state president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss and founder leader of the party, Dr S. Ramadoss would address public meetings in Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts. The PMK which is the political arm of the powerful Vanniyar community and the party has been focusing on becoming a major political party of the state. The PMK leadership has been taking up socially relevant issues in a focused manner and to catapult itself the number one political party of the state. The party, according to sources, is expecting to garner the support of women and unemployed youths in the endeavour against liquor and is planning to put both the DMK and AIADMK in a corner as both the Dravidian majors were involved in increasing the number of Tasmac liquor outlets in the state. Hyderabad, May 27 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the ordinance issued to nullify the Supreme Court order which granted control of services in the national capital to the Delhi government. Terming the ordinance an insult to the people of Delhi, he announced that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) would oppose in Parliament the Bill to be brought by the Centre to replace the ordinance. KCR said this while addressing a joint press conference with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann after they called on him to seek BRS' support against the ordinance passed by the Centre designating Delhi Lt Governor as the administrator who will have the final say on the postings and transfer of all bureaucrats serving the Delhi government. "We demand the Prime Minister to withdraw the ordinance on his own. Don't make an issue unnecessarily. Let the government elected by the people of Delhi work," said KCR. He alleged that by issuing the ordinance the Modi government insulted the people of Delhi as the government there is mandated by the people. KCR slammed the Modi government for not honouring the Supreme Court order. "The journey is towards the emergency. In fact, this is worse than the Emergency," he said, adding that the Centre should come to its senses and withdraw the ordinance. Stating that people of Karnataka taught a lesson to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), KCR said the people in other states will also teach a lesson to it. He remarked that India reacts as and when something goes wrong. "If the government of India does not honour the Supreme Court judgment, what will be the fate of the country? Where do you want to take the country," asked the BRS leader. He alleged that the Modi government at the Centre was creating problems for the non-BJP governments in the states by different means like stopping the release of Central funds and misuse of the office of the Governor. Thanking KCR for the support, Kejriwal recalled that AAP formed its first government in February 2015 and in the same year in May, the Centre brought notification and snatched the powers of the government in service related matters. "For eight long years, we ran around the courts fighting against this. When the Supreme Court's larger bench gave the order 5-0 in favour, the Centre issued an ordinance to nullify it. When the PM does not obey the Supreme Court order, where will people go for justice," he asked. The AAP leader said the Prime Minister was sending a message to people that whatever government they elect, he would not allow it to function. "This is happening across the country. They are toppling the non-BJP governments by either buying the MLAs or pressurising them by using ED and CBI against them or by misusing governors," he said. Calling this a dangerous situation, he said their fight was not just for Delhi but for the entire country and for saving democracy. "We are going around the country seeking support from various parties. We want to defeat the Bill when it comes to Rajya Sabha. There are 238 MPs in Rajya Sabha and BJP has only 93 MPs. When opposition parties unite to defeat the Bill, this will be a semifinal before 2024 elections," he said. Bhagwant Mann said the AAP government in Punjab also had to knock the doors of the Supreme Court when the governor refused to call the budget session. Jaipur, May 27 : Analysing 12-month of Tripadvisor review data from over 1.5 million hotels worldwide, Tripadvisor's Travellers Choice Best of the Best Hotels reveals travellers favourite accommodation choices across 10 categories. This year, the No. 1 rank in the prestigious Top Hotels category has gone to the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, the 1835 palace-turned-luxurious hotel which has over 5,000 five-bubble reviews. "Promoting indigenous Indian culture, celebrating festivals like Divali and Holi with grandeur, and storytelling by artisans telling the tale of timeless handmade craft of India helped us clinch the best hotel title in the world. "It's for the first time that any Indian hotel has left the best global brands behind and notched the top rank," Ashok Rathore, Area Director and General Manager, Rambagh Palace, told IANS on the sidelines of a presser organised at the hotel on Saturday. "Ever since we have named the world' best hotel, we have been flooded with calls from guests from different parts of the world seeking booking, both for leisure and destination wedding. I'm confident that post Covid, this will boost tourism not only in Rajasthan, but across India. Post the pandemic, the foreign tourist footfalls had dropped, but now with an Indian hotel securing the top spot in a Tripadvisor's survey, we are sure to get more tourists from overseas," he added. Over the years, Rambagh Palace has hosted celebrities like Queen Elizabeth II, Lord Mountbatten, former US President Bill Clinton and family, and ex-Twitter boss Jack Dorsey, among many others. "The USP of this property is that there is no renovation, but only restoration; we have preserved the legacy of the erstwhile royals," Rathore said. "As the world looks upon us as the leader now, we have bigger responsibilities. We have decided to organise a Millet Food Festival. Before Green Revolution, people used to have jowar and bajra regularly. However, after the Green Revolution, our food habits changed. Now we want the world to experience our traditional food. We are also reviving lost cuisines." Rathore said the hotel wants to create a lot more experiences to promote the heritage and culture of Rajasthan. "We also want to preserve and promote sustainability. We have partnered with UNESCO under Intangible Culture Heritage of India, and promoting artists in blue pottery, Bagru art, block printing, Bandhej Saree etc.," Rathore said. Jaipur, May 27 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives due to heavy rain and storm in the desert state. Official sources said that at least 12 people were killed in Tonk district due to thunderstorm and heavy rain on Thursday. Taking to Twitter, the Chief Minister expressed grief over the deaths and said that a financial aid of Rs 5 lakh each will be given to the next of kin of the deceased. Gehlot also expressed his concern over the damages caused by storm, rain and hailstorm in the state, stating that the damage assessment is being done by the state government. All possible help will be extended to the victims, he said. "The damages caused by storm and rain in many districts of the state are being assessed. The state government will provide all possible assistance to the victims," he tweeted. New Delhi, May 27 : Saying that Haryana will play a key role in the development of the country, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said the state is committed to achieving the Prime Minister's ambition of making the country a $5 trillion economy by 2024. Speaking at a meeting of the eighth Governing Council meeting of the Niti Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Khattar said just as the Prime Minister "ensures the development of the country through the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, and Sabka Vishwas', the state ensures the identical development of Haryana while following the mantra of 'Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek'. Under the Prime Minister's leadership, India has established new dimensions every day intending to be prosperous, powerful, and empowered in the last nine years, he said, adding under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the Haryana government has been successfully implementing Central initiatives for the last eight and a half years, and is also assuring the welfare of all sections by introducing new schemes. Khattar said Haryana was the first state in the country to launch its ambitious Vision Document-2030 in 2017. "Haryana has been termed by Niti Aayog as the state that has introduced continuous reforms. Our score on the Sustainable Development Goals has risen from 57 to 67. Gender equality, hunger and anaemia elimination, quality education, economic growth, and climate change are all priorities for us and special attention for these," said Khattar. The Chief Minister said the government has launched the Parivar Pehchan Patra programme to bring government schemes and programmes to the people's doorsteps. "The advantages of various government initiatives and services are now being delivered to people's homes via one single document, eliminating the need for them to visit offices. This has had a beneficial impact on the lives of the common man. Other states are studying the Parivar Pehchan Patra as well. Work on implementing Haryana's ambitious scheme has begun in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand." The Chief Minister said through the Parivar Pehchan Patra more than 44,000 elderly people and 81,000 PwDs (persons with disabilities) got automated pension benefits. "About 75 lakh CHIRAYU health cards have been issued under the Ayushman and CHIRAYU Yojana. In the last five months, health checkups for more than 7 lakh poor people have been conducted under the Nirogi Haryana Yojana," he said. The Chief Minister said PM Modi believes that India's vision of self-reliance is dependent on water connectivity. "The Haryana government has launched a number of initiatives to realise the Prime Minister's vision of water conservation. Besides, the Haryana Treated Waste Water Policy was formulated with the goal of using 50 per cent treated water by 2025. The Mera Pani-Meri Virasat scheme was launched to foster water conservation, agricultural variety, and direct seeded rice technique is also being promoted among the farmers," Khattar added. New Delhi, May 27 : The Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly supplying illegal weapons to the members of the infamous Neeraj Bawana gang in the national capital, the police said on Saturday. The accused, who has been identified as Navneet Hooda, is a relative of Naveen Bali, an active member of the Neeraj Bawana gang. The police said that Navneet also used to lure people for buying firearms by posting his videos brandishing weapons on Instagram. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), Alok Kumar, said that there was inputs about the involvement of Hooda in supplying firearms to the members of the Neeraj Bawana gang in Delhi. "The information was further developed through technical and manual surveillance, and after efforts for more than a month, Hooda was nabbed from Sector 9 in Rohini on Thursday," the officer said. On interrogation, Hooda disclosed that he was associated with the Neeraj Bawana gang for the last five years through Naveen Bali, a sharpshooter in the gang. "Hooda also revealed that he provided weapons and other logistic support to Naveen Bali and other members of the syndicate. He claimed to have supplied more than 20 pistols to the gang members," said Kumar. "He has also disclosed that he would procure pistols from a person in Ghaziabad in. The accused was previously involved in two criminal cases of attempt to murder and criminal intimidation, which were registered in Delhi and Noida," the officer added. Chandigarh, May 27 : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for boycotting the Niti Aayog meeting at the instance of his 'boss' Arvind Kejriwal, saying "Punjabis will be the losers in this face off". Condemning the Chief Minister for putting the political interests of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over those of Punjabis, SAD spokesman Charanjit Singh Brar said "the Punjab government has lost a chance to deliberate on key issues like education, health, skill development and infrastructure development by boycotting the meeting". "The AAP government claims these issues are the cornerstone of its governance model but it has chosen to boycott a meeting which was going to discuss them threadbare." Asserting that the eighth governing council meeting of the Niti Aayog discussed the entire roadmap for developing the country, Brar said "the Chief Minister should have attended the meeting to solicit the required funds to fulfill this goal". Taking objection to claims by the AAP government that it was boycotting the meeting in protest against discrimination against the state, the SAD leader said "this protest should have been recorded in the Niti Aayog meeting to resolve all issues faced by the state instead of staying away". Brar said the failure of Mann to adopt a proactive approach had already damaged the state and its economy. He said the Chief Minister had not taken up the issue of the release of outstanding rural development fund of Rs 3,600 crore with the Prime Minister till now. He said similarly, the Chief Minister had not taken up the value reduction imposed on wheat produce damaged by untimely rains with the Centre nor demanded adequate compensation for farmers. There are many other pending issues all of which needed to be flagged at the Niti Aayog meeting to ensure they were addressed. Punjab has lost an opportunity to resolve all these issues, the Akali Dal leader added. New Delhi, May 27 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Saturday urged the Centre to refund Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) of Rs 9,242 crore deposited under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) by the state. Attending the eighth governing council meeting of the Niti Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Saturday, the Chief Minister urged the Centre not to reduce the previous year's deposit of Rs 1,779 crore under NPS than the borrowing ceiling of this fiscal, and also to review the decision taken on March 27. Sukhu also urged the Centre to remove the limit of receiving external aid for the next three years and sought the intervention of the Centre for speedy approval of proposals submitted to the Department of Economic Affairs. He also urged for 100 per cent central funding for the strategic Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Leh railway line and consider the land acquisition cost as state's contribution. The Chief Minister requested for including ropeway projects under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna, besides demanding special financial assistance for completing the construction of medical colleges in the state. Sukhu also requested for providing the option of CAPEX model (capital expenditure) along with OPEX model (operational expenditure) under the financial assistance provided by the Government of India for purchasing e-buses. Apprising about the vision and initiatives of the state, the Chief Minister said his government is keen on developing Himachal Pradesh as a 'Green Energy State', adding that tourism development is being undertaken under the concept of 'Green Himachal' in order to protect and preserve the environment. Efforts are afoot for reducing carbon footprints and most of the diesel buses belonging to the state roadways will be replaced with e-buses in coming years, he added. New Delhi, May 27 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, during the eighth Governing Council meeting of the Niti Aayog on Saturday, urged the Centre to issue directions to the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to return the amount of Rs 9,242.60 crore deposited under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) by the state government. Sukhu attended the meeting of the eighth governing council which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting, discussions were held on infrastructure and investments, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), minimising compliance, women empowerment, health and nutrition, skill development, Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure, Viksitbharat@2047. While raising the issues of the state, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to issue directions to PFRDA to return the amount of Rs 9,242.60 crore deposited under NPS by the state government. Sukhu also urged not to reduce the previous year's deposit of Rs 1,779 crore under NPS than the borrowing ceiling of the current financial year i.e. 2023-24 and also to review the decision taken on March 27, 2023. The Chief Minister also urged for removing the limit of receiving external aid for next three years on the state and sought the intervention of Central government for speedy approval of proposals submitted to the Department of Economic Affairs. He also urged for 100 per cent central funding for the strategic Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Leh railway line and considering the land acquisition cost as state's contribution. The Chief Minister also requested for including ropeway projects under 'Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna' besides demanding special financial assistance for completing the construction of medical colleges in the hill state. Sukhu also made the request for providing the option of CAPEX model (Capital expenditure) along-with OPEX model (Operational expenditure) under the financial assistance provided by the Centre for purchasing e-buses. Apprising about the vision and initiatives of the state government, he informed that state government was keen on developing Himachal Pradesh as the 'Green Energy State' and added that tourism development was being undertaken under the concept of Green Himachal in order to protect and preserve the environment. "Efforts are afoot for reducing carbon footprints and most of the diesel buses of HRTC will be replaced with e-buses in coming years," he said, adding that an elaborate plan is being made for promoting Green Hydrogen. He also said that a Rs 2,000 crore World Bank aided project 'Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Programme' will be launched soon after holding the final round of discussions with the World Bank. He further said that an endeavour to create 40,000 direct and 50,000 indirect employment opportunities would be made besides making efforts to attract an investment of about Rs 20,000 crore during the current financial year in various sectors. The Chief Minister said that Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojna has been started in the state for destitute and orphan children and the state government will undertake their welfare and has adopted them as the 'Children of the State'. Sukhu pointed out that Rs 101 crore Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Kosh has been set up for the same. A total of eight chief ministers, namely Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Bhagwant Mann (Punjab), Nitish Kumar (Bihar), K. Chandrashekar Rao (Telangana), M.K. Stalin (Tamil Nadu), Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan), and Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala), have chosen not to participate in the Niti Aayog meeting. Two embalming workshops, the largest and most complete found to date, dedicated to humans and animals have been uncovered at the Saqqara Necropolis in a stunning discovery that is unlikely to be the last at the valuable archaeological site. The mission, under the leadership of Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, also unearthed two tombs from different historical periods, along with a significant collection of artifacts. The embalming workshops date back to the 30th Dynasty (380-343 BC) and the Ptolemaic period (305-30 BC), while the two tombs belong to the Old and New Kingdoms, according to Waziri The human embalming workshop is a rectangular building with multiple rooms containing stone beds measuring two metres long and 50 cm. These beds were used for the mummification of the deceased. They were covered with plaster and featured gutters. Among the artifacts found within the workshop were clay pots, tools and ritual vessels used for mummification. The other workshop, also rectangular in shape, was constructed with mud walls and stone floors. It consisted of several rooms where a collection of clay pots and animal burials were unearthed. Bronze tools used in the mummification process were also found. The workshop contained five stone beds, distinct from those discovered in the human embalming workshop. "According to initial studies, it is believed that this particular workshop was used for the mummification of sacred animals," Waziri said. According to Sabri Farag, the general director of the Saqqara archaeological site, the first tomb that was uncovered belongs to a prominent official named Ne Hesut Ba from the Old Kingdoms Fifth Dynasty, dating to around 2400 BC. Ne Hesut Ba held the esteemed positions of head of scribes and priest of Horus and Maat. Mohamed Youssef, the director of the Saqqara site, described the Old Kingdom tomb as a mastaba structure (a flat-roofed structure) with a painted stone facade. The names of the deceased and his wife are inscribed on the facade, along with hieroglyphic texts depicting their various titles. The walls of the tomb depict scenes of daily life, cultivation, hunting and offerings. The second tomb belongs to a Qadish Priest named Men Kheber from the New Kingdoms 18th Dynasty, dating to around 1400 BC. The tomb is cut from the rock with a decorated door and lintel bearing the names of the deceased and his wife. The tomb is decorated with scenes showing the deceased in different positions before offering tables. The interior of the tomb contained a one metre alabaster statue of the tomb's owner. The statue portrays the deceased wearing a long dress and a wig, holding a lotus flower in one hand. The statue is adorned with hieroglyphic text written in blue. Among the other findings was a collection of wooden statues depicting a man named Nesu Henu and his wife from the Fifth Dynasty, as well as an anthropoid painted coffin from the third intermediate period. A collection of ushabti figurines was also unearthed. During a press conference held on Saturday at the Bubastian necropolis in Saqqara, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa highlighted the importance of the site, which houses the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser and numerous pyramids of kings and queens. He emphasized the work carried out to develop the area as a unique tourist destination, aligns with Egypt's National Tourism Strategy. The strategy aims to increase tourism to the country by 25 to 30 percent per year, he said. The minister expressed gratitude to the excavation mission and the Supreme Council of Antiquities for their dedicated work in preserving Egypt's heritage. I witnessed their hard work during my visit last month to the necropolis of the sacred animals (Bubastian) to check upon the work being achieved and met the working members of the mission who revealed this new discovery. They are also responsible of discovering so much more, continuing to make headlines in local and international news over the past years. This has helped promote Egypt and one of its incredible tourist destinations. I assure you that Egypt, especially the archaeological site of Saqqara, has not yet revealed all its secrets and there are many more to come, Issa asserted. Search Keywords: Short link: Chandigarh, May 27 : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to review its decision to close down Punjabi news bulletins from its Delhi and Chandigarh centres, stating that these bulletins catered to a large Punjabi population and should be continued in public interest. In a statement issued here, senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the abrupt decision by the Prasar Bharati to close the Punjabi news bulletin broadcast from Delhi and Chandigarh has shocked Punjabis, who are in favour of continuation of the bulletins. "Discontinuing these bulletins will rob Punjabis of the opportunity to be abreast with news events, both in the national capital as well as the state capital," he said. Cheema said the decision to discontinue the service was also discriminatory as it further reduced Punjab's right over Chandigarh. "This is another decision in the long list of recent actions aimed at diluting Punjab's claim over its state capital," Cheema said. Giving details, the SAD leader said two news bulletins as well as a weekly round-up were broadcast in Punjabi from Chandigarh. But Prasar Bharati has directed that the staff engaged in this exercise along with the staff engaged in producing Punjabi bulletins in Delhi be transferred to the Doordarshan Kendra in Jalandhar. He said this was bound to reduce the quality of the Punjabi bulletins as Punjabi news reporters from both Delhi and Chandigarh give firsthand accounts of important developments at both the national capital as well as from Chandigarh. "Institutional coverage like that of the Parliament, the Supreme Court and ministries in Delhi as well as that of the Vidhan Sabha and the high court is bound to suffer due to this step," he added. New Delhi, May 27 : The questioning of Maoist leader Dinesh Gope, has led the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to the recovery of a huge cache of ammunition from a forest in the Kamdara area of Jharkhand's Gumla district, an official said on Saturday. Gope, the supremo of Jharkhand-based Maoist outfit People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), who had a reward of Rs 30 lakh on his head, was arrested in Delhi following a raid by the NIA on May 21, officials said. He was arrested in connection with the PLFI terror-funding case. "The seizure included 1,245 rounds of 7.62 mm and 271 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition. The seized ammunition was received at Siksohara, Nalanda (Bihar) about two years ago. It had been carefully stashed away for delivery to PLFI operatives and cadres for carrying out acts of terror and violence," said the NIA. An official said that Gope was involved in more than 102 criminal cases. These cases were registered against him in Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha. Most of these cases relate to murders, abductions, threats, extortion, and raising funds for the PLFI. "The NIA had also declared a reward of Rs 5 lakh for leads on Dinesh, in addition to the reward of Rs 25 lakh announced by the Jharkhand government. He had been absconding for almost two decades," said the official. On February 3, 2022, an encounter took place between a Dinesh-led PLFI group and security personnel in the forest area under Gudri Police station of West Singbhum district of Jharkhand. Several rounds were fired in the encounter before the rebels sneaked into the forest and Gope managed to escape. He had been absconding since then, and had been taking shelter at different places while making all efforts to re-establish the PLFI's stronghold in Jharkhand. "Gope used to extort money and execute attacks through his PLFI team members to terrorise businessmen, contractors and the public at large. The accused, along with his associates, was involved in depositing the demonetised currency in a bank account at a Petrol Pump, to be later collected through levy/extortion. The illegal money was then invested through banking channels and dubious shell companies in the name of close associates and family members of Gope," said the official. The case was initially registered on November 10, 2016 at PS Bero, Ranchi, and re-registered by the NIA on January 19, 2018. The police filed the first chargesheet against four persons on January 9, 2017. The NIA filed the first supplementary charge sheet in the case against 11 accused, including Gope. Later, the NIA filed the second supplementary chargesheet in the case on July 23, 2022, against five individuals and three private companies. The NIA had also attached 14 bank accounts and two cars, along with cash and immovable property worth more than a crore, in the case. Known previously as the Jharkhand Liberation Tigers (JLT), PLFI is responsible for hundreds of terror incidents in Jharkhand, including several murders using firearms, as per the NIA investigations. The outfit used to lure unemployed youth by providing them motorcycles, mobile phones and easy money and after imparting training, used to equip them with lethal weapons to carry out terror incidents. Dinesh was part of a criminal conspiracy to channelise the extorted funds collected from the contractors/businessmen engaged in the developmental projects in Jharkhand. What Is the Value of Honor?Author weaves a gripping story of a ruthless empire where mercenaries are faced with a moral dilemma How far can people be pushed before they are willing to sacrifice everything, even their lives if need be, purely for the sake of honor? In Jason Kyles Honor Lost, readers will get to know the Untveski Empire who conquered the eastern half of Alaris long ago and have ruled their subjects with an iron fist ever since. Within this subjugated land is Owen, a young, Alarian mage and a member of the Headhunters Mercenary Company. Being a mercenary allows for more freedom and better pay than most Alarians are given under Untveski rule, but it also requires them to fight alongside the Untveski legions whenever they require it. This situation was at least tolerable so long as the mercenaries were only asked to help defend the borders from marauders and the like, but then one day they are ordered to assist in ruthlessly crushing the rebellion of an Alarian town. This traumatic event motivates the mercenaries to consider a third option outside the dichotomy of living as slaves, or assisting the oppressors, and the solution may just reside with the fiercely independent wood elves of the western forest region, a long-standing enemy of the Untveski. Will the mercenaries make the right decision to regain their honor at the expense of wealth and privilege? Readers will unravel it all in Honor Lost. The book is available online and can be purchased at online bookstores: http://www.writersrepublic.com, http://www.amazon.com and http://www.barnesandnoble.com. About the Author A lifelong geek and history buff, Jason Kyle also loves tabletop gaming, fantasy fiction, and action movies. He also has spent over twenty years in the U.S. Army, which includes three tours to Iraq between 2003 2011. These interests and experiences inspired him to try his hand at writing. He currently lives in Georgia with his young son, a dog, and a cat.Honor Lost by Jason Kyle Paperback: 9798885365758 $19.99 Publication Date: November 30, 2022; Pages: 336 Evidence Prime with it's Laser AI were awarded the most prestigious Central European award for innovative startups - the Eagle of Innovation. The price has been awarded to Evidence Prime for its flagship product, Laser AI. This advanced solution, based on natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI), helps life sciences organizations around the world make data-driven decisions, streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiency. Laser AI has significantly improved the way organizations manage and analyze vast amounts of data, supporting the creation of so-called Living Systematic Reviews (LSR) - systematic reviews updated on an ongoing basis. "We are thrilled to receive the main prize for Best Technological Solution in the Eagle of Innovation competition," said Pawel Kunstman, President of Evidence Prime. "In 2018, we committed all our efforts to the development of Natural Language Processing technologies capable of handling the overwhelming volume of evidence that needs to be analyzed to make the right healthcare decisions. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented team, which made achieving this goal possible. We are grateful for this honour and remain committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive transformative change in the life sciences industry." Evidence Prime received the main prize in the category of the Best Technological Solution during the Eagle of Innovation award ceremony on the 24th of May, 2023, in Gdansk, Poland. The event gathered influential leaders, industry experts, and key stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of innovative companies and their contributions to the European technological landscape. About Evidence Prime: Evidence Prime is a global leader in the market of evidence-based healthcare guidelines and systematic review authoring, focusing on innovative, AI-driven tools for this market. Its flagship product, Laser AI, is a revolutionary system for automating the development of systematic reviews in healthcare. Already in use by leading US and German governmental institutions as well as major corporations, Laser AI streamlines the review process, allowing for more efficient and accurate analysis of healthcare data. With its commitment to data security, Evidence Prime stands out as the most secure Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider in its domain, bringing the safest and most effective solutions to accelerate research efforts. For more information about Evidence Prime, its groundbreaking products, and its commitment to security, visit https://laser.ai and https://evidenceprime.com. Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the lawsuit against El Pollo Loco, Inc., 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 lawsuit against El Pollo Loco, Inc. alleging the company violated Labor Code 2699, et seq. seeking penalties for DEFENDANTs alleged violation of California Labor Code 201-203, 204 et seq., 210, 218, 221, 226(a), 226.7, 227.3, 246 et seq., 510, 512, 558(a)(1)(2), 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802. The lawsuit against El Pollo Loco, Inc. is currently pending in the Riverside County Superior Court, Case No. CVRI2302131. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here. According to the lawsuit filed, El Pollo Loco, Inc. allegedly failed to pay employees for all the time they were under the employer's control. This, allegedly, includes the time Plaintiff and other Aggrieved Employees had to submit to mandatory COVID-19 screening 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. PAGA is a mechanism by which the State of California itself can enforce state labor laws through the employee suing under the PAGA who do so as the proxy or agent of the state's labor law enforcement agencies. An action to recover civil penalties under PAGA is fundamentally a law enforcement action designed to protect the public and not to benefit private parties. The purpose of PAGA is not to recover damages or restitution, but to create a means of "deputizing" citizens as private attorneys general to enforce the Labor Code. For more information about the lawsuit against El Pollo Loco, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County, and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other types of illegal workplace conduct. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** Board of Trustees Chair Peter Vaughn, Vice President and General Manager of the Boeing 737 Program Edwin J. Clark, Jr. and President DeVivo What you do every day going forward matters, advised Clark. Challenge yourself and challenge the people around you to do amazing things and be proud of what you do in aviation every day. On Saturday, May 20, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology celebrated the Class of 2023 at its annual commencement ceremony. Edwin J. Clark, Jr. 91, Vaughn alumnus and vice president and general manager of the Boeing 737 program and manufacturing site in Renton, Washington delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree. Clark spoke about his career in aviation and his love of the field from a young age. He advised students to find something they are passionate about, and to work hard and take chances to achieve their dreams. What you do every day going forward matters, advised Clark. Challenge yourself and challenge the people around you to do amazing things and be proud of what you do in aviation every day. Clarks aviation experience spans 30 years. Since joining Boeing in 2006 as the chief mechanic for single-aisle replacement studies, Clark has held several leadership positions in commercial airplanes, including: chief engineer director for 737 airplane integration. He led the production and delivery of the 737 MAX and P-8 airplanes with a team of more than 10,000 employees, served as vice president of global technical operations for Boeing Global Services, and served as the interim vice president of the safety and quality function for Global Services. He came to Boeing after 17 years in the airline industry, as the manager of systems engineering at Southwest Airlines and prior to that as project manager at Trans World Airlines for a Boeing 757 acquisition. Vaughns student speaker was Alina Santander Vinokurova 23, a mechatronic engineering graduate who reminded her peers of the challenges and resilience the class of 2023 endured during their time at Vaughn in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. She expressed gratitude for the College giving her the opportunity to travel nationwide and attend professional conferences and competitions and implored her class to push themselves beyond their perceived limits and explore uncharted territories. I want to invite you, no matter where life takes you, to carry with you the memories you made here, said Vinokurova. So go out there, shoot for the stars and make your dreams come true. Vaughn President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo closed the ceremony by thanking the graduates for their contributions to the institution and wishing them well in the next chapter of their journey. You have been challenged, you have been tested and you have prevailed, said DeVivo. Your degree is a testament to your abilities, and you will make every company and organization you join better. VAUGHN COLLEGE: Founded in 1932, Vaughn College is a private, nonprofit four-year college that enrolls more than 1,200 students in masters, bachelors and associate degree programs in engineering, technology, management and aviation on its main campus in New York City and online. The student-faculty ratio of 13 to 1 ensures a highly personalized learning environment. Ninety-two percent of Vaughn College graduates are placed in professional positions, 76 percent in a related field, or choose to continue their education within one year of graduation. Vaughn College serves many first-generation Americans and first-generation college students and is recognized by the US Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. In a study conducted by The Equality of Opportunity Project, and reported in The New York Times, Vaughn was ranked number one in upward mobility nationwide. For more information on Vaughn College, please visit http://www.vaughn.edu. The top Chinese and U.S. business and trade officials met Thursday in Washington, an infrequent direct conversation between leaders of the world's two biggest economies. The U.S. Commerce Department said in a statement Thursday that Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimond had "candid and substantive discussions on issues relating to the U.S.-China commercial relationship." Thursday's meeting, the department said, "was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage" the U.S.-China relationship. While U.S. President Joe Biden met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Bali last November, Thursday's trade talks in Washington were the first cabinet-level meeting in the U.S. capital between American and Chinese officials during the Biden administration. Wang is in the United States for the 2023 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, in Detroit -- a city in the U.S. state of Michigan -- on Thursday and Friday. Oscar winner Curtiss debut graphic novel, Mother Nature (Titan Comics, July), is an ecological horror story set in the American Southwest, cowritten with Goldman and drawn by Stevens. How did this book come about? Curtis: I had the idea when I was 19. Some years went by and I made a movie with David Gordon Green called HalloweenI came home with a renewed mojo and decided to hire somebody to write Mother Nature. My husband said to me, Why dont you write it? I literally did what youve seen in the movies. I put up index cards with characters and deaths and connected the dots. Originally, it was about a man who ran a mining company. Russell came on as cowriter and realized it was a story about mothers: a woman boss and her daughter, and a Native American woman and her daughter. I met Karl because my husband and I collect original New Yorker cartoons, and Karl was the one who suggested it be adapted into a graphic novel. Russell, what made you decide to center women in the story? Goldman: We settled on the question: What kind of planet are these two mothers trying to leave for their two daughters? After that, it felt natural to make the heroes and villains women. What research was involved in creating the town of Catch Creek? Goldman: It was a mixture of on-the-ground research trips and generating earnest, authentic connections with the Navajo community. Jamie and I were concerned because we have an Indigenous spirit at the center of this. Our advisers steered us toward the idea that with enough research and care, it could actually be really cool, because Indigenous audiences love horror. Stevens: I traveled to the region and used a lot of visual references, trying to design characters who looked like they lived in New Mexico. The sense of space and landscape was important. What was the most surprising thing you learned? Curtis: How violent Jamies imagination is! Stevens: Ill never forget the conversation we had where you were telling me to look up realistic murders. Curtis: For somebody whose basic daily juju is peace, love, understanding, sobriety, rescue dogs, childrens hospitalssomewhere deep down inside me is a really dark person. What do you hope readers take away from this story? Curtis: That were blowing it. The cataclysmic climate events weve been seeing all around the world are a direct result of the warming of the planet. This is a really gruesome, visual, and specific way of saying, Pay attention. Every morning, and at different times later in the day, two cleaners methodically vacuum the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. The section that suffers the most wear and tear, taking a particular battering from stiletto heels, is the rosso-red central area (the sides are in another shade, known as teatro red). This main section is replaced every day and re-used locally. Two or three times a day, come rain or shine, the covered entranceway leading up to the Palais des Festivals, where spotlights ensure the stars are perfectly lit as they are photographed, hosts a red-carpet walk: an event thats a blend of performance, posturing and modelling, with big investment by major fashion and jewelry firms. Sometimes, its about cinema, too. Its a 60-meter-long parade without which the festival would never get the attention it has enjoyed for two weeks every May since 1946. Aerial view of the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. Andreas Rentz / POOL (EFE) The Cannes red carpet, which only became an official staple of the festival in 1984, has a layout reminiscent of a bottleneck. It begins with a wide area, where cars laid on by the organizers drop off the stars ahead of an in-competition screening a showing involving a contender for the Palme dOr or, in some cases, one of the festivals special sessions. Every other film on the program must share its carpet walk with the in-competition movie screened closest to it. As the VIPs emerge from their vehicles, they are met by a grandstand packed with fans who have lined up for hours, and who seek autographs and selfies. There is also an initial group of photographers standing on stepladders of differing sizes. Coco Rocha, pictured in Cannes on 24 May. Scott Garfitt (Associated Press/LaPresse) The stars then head down a narrower walkway, where the true red carpet begins, with 400 photographers snapping them from both sides. This is their moment to shine, to strut their stuff. As a journalist announces over a loudspeaker who is approaching the 24 steps leading up to the Palais doorway, a disc jockey pumps out the beats: half of the tracks have been chosen by the DJ; the other half, by the director of the movie about to be screened. On the opening day of this years festival, Maiwenns choice of Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash felt like a declaration of her state of mind. What with all the shouting, the music, the pile-up of A-listers and the eye-catching haute-couture outfits, it can all be quite overwhelming. Pedro Almodovar (center), in Cannes with actors from his short film 'Strange Way of Life.' Vianney Le Caer (AP / Lapresse) I look for expressions, gestures, says Fabrizio de Gennaro, a veteran Italian photographer who, however, has only been coming to Cannes for two years. He shows off a spectacular shot of Robert De Niro at the premiere of Killers of the Flower Moon. De Gennaro covers all the red carpets and photocalls at the festival. I take about 4,000 photos a day, and around 50 of them are good enough, he notes. He has a spot in the center of the grandstand Im lucky, he acknowledges and all his shots at Cannes are for Cineuropa, an online media outlet that is very popular in the industry. Standing beside De Gennaro in the festivals media center, the German video journalist Christine Bluhm downloads the clips she has filmed that afternoon. The pair have struck up a rapport, sharing jokes in Italian, although Bluhm, who is much younger and is based in Munich, comes from a different world. This is my first year [in Cannes] and Im really enjoying myself, she says. I specialize in luxury real estate, jewelry, and fashion shows in New York and Paris. Im freelance; Ive been hired to cover Cannes by Vogue Thailand. Both Bluhm and De Gennaro are decked out in their finest: a dinner jacket is obligatory for men on the red carpet, while women must be in an evening dress but no longer have to wear heels. Ester Exposito on the red carpet for the screening of 'Lost in the Night.' LOIC VENANCE (AFP) The red carpet is also a place where statements can be made. In the past, Cannes has seen Brazilian filmmakers protest against the impeachment of the countrys former president, Dilma Rousseff, and has witnessed a sea of green scarves in support of the legalization of abortion in Argentina. This year and in 2022, the war in Ukraine has also been prominent. On Friday, police arrested an activist who tried to gatecrash the red carpet wearing a dress in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, with the message: Fuck you, Putin. Earlier this week, another Ukrainian influencer, Ilona Chernobai, was pulled off the red carpet after pouring fake blood over herself. One individual who was allowed at the event is the Russian model Victoria Bonya, who has sent out several messages in support of her countrys president, and has posted photos of herself posing in Cannes in a bathing suit bearing Vladimir Putins face and a slogan in support of the leader. A protester with a message against Vladimir Putin attempts to join the red carpet before the screening of 'The Old Oak.' YARA NARDI (REUTERS) Every morning, 17,000 free copies of the magazine Croisette Gala are handed out in Cannes. A special edition of the French publication Gala, it is produced at the Hotel Majestic, located near the Palais des Festivals. There, a team of 30 journalists publish a 96-page daily that fills its readers in on what happened on the red carpet the day before. It also offers movie news and interviews, and reports on the nighttime parties held at the festival. Croisette Galas editor, Carlos Gomez, explains: The magazines opening pages are dedicated to photos of the red carpet, because its what people find the most entertaining. We started out in 2010, in a shorter, 30-page format. The magazine really grew by covering cinema; advertising from fashion and jewelry brands rocketed. In Croisette Gala, you can see the best images from each day. What does the red carpet mean for the festival? We talk about the movie industry, right? Gomez replies. Well, the red carpet is at the heart of that industry: beautiful people in expensive clothes, sponsored by labels that want it all to look great. The best movies have been shown here for some 75 years now, but the event needs this red carpet to have the impact that it has. Thierry Fremaux (right) welcomes the director and stars of 'May December.' GONZALO FUENTES (REUTERS) Croisette Galas pages offer an infallible indication of who is at the very top of the movie and fashion worlds. Its photos are a mixture of figures from the film business (Elodie Boichez, Elle Fanning, Iris Law, Laura Harrier, Adele Exarchopoulos, the stars of Pedro Almodovars short film Strange Way of Life, Viola Davis, Alicia Vikander, Aishwarya Rai, Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Salma Hayek and dozens more); models (Thayna Soares, Sara Sampaio, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, Coco Rocha, Irina Shayk and the ubiquitous Alessandra Ambrosio); and all kinds of famous individuals (Carla Bruni, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Heidi Klum, Charlotte Casiraghi, Adriana Karembeu and a couple that has shone in Cannes: Romain Gavras and Dua Lipa). And that is to name only a few. Of all the stars that have walked the red carpet this year, who has thrived the most? Lily-Rose Depp, without a shadow of a doubt, says Gomez. She has it in her blood. On one of the days, she posed for what has been our best front cover so far. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on the red carpet before the screening of 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' on 18 May. Mohammed Badra (EFE) And how does it feel to take to the red carpet in Cannes? The Spanish actress Ester Exposito appeared on it for the first time in 2021, thanks to her partnership with a fashion label. Now, she has returned as part of the cast of Lost in the Night, by the Mexican director Amat Escalante. My whole time in Cannes has been one big injection of energy, Exposito says, adding: I wanted to come back to the red carpet as an actress. Who would have thought two years ago that Id achieve that goal so soon? The central section of the Cannes red carpet is replaced. Guillaume Horcajuelo (EFE) For the Spanish director Pablo Berger, whose movie Robot Dreams premiered in a special session, this year was his debut on the Cannes red carpet. Every carpet is similar in its dynamic, but in Cannes it ends with those stairs that are like the ones in Battleship Potemkin, Berger says. So youre just concentrating on not tripping over, and at the top of the stairs the biggest influencer in the world of cinema, [Cannes Film Festival chief] Thierry Fremaux, is waiting for you. I got to the top without making myself a laughing stock or becoming the subject of a viral video, and Fremaux gave me a really nice welcome. I came in the same way that De Niro, [Martin] Scorsese and [Leonardo] DiCaprio did an hour later, and Im sure we all felt the same emotion: the emotion youre filled with when, after years of hard work, you see your movie on the big screen. A regular on the red carpet, the Spanish actor Paz Vega was back this year, although her focus has been on promoting her first film as a director, Rita, which begins shooting on Monday. Ive been walking [the red carpet] for two decades, and in and of itself, there isnt too much to it. It is what it is: its a space for sponsors. Its like what happens in sport. Lily-Rose Depp on the Cannes red carpet before the premiere of the series The Idol. ERIC GAILLARD (REUTERS) Its hard to gauge the financial impact of the red carpet. But, Vega acknowledges, it has an effect in terms of publicity. It catches brands eyes and boosts the festivals image. Gomez concludes: The Cannes Film Festival couldnt survive just with great movies that you may never see again in your life. It needs this walk of fame. Knopf Signs New Garcia Marquez Novel Reagan Arthur, Knopf executive v-p and publisher, acquired North American rights from the Carmen Balcells Literary Agency to Until August, a novel written by Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez before his death in 2014. Diana Tejerina Miller, Knopf v-p and executive editor, will edit. Knopf will publish Until August in hardcover and e-book, and Penguin Random House will publish it as an audiobook, as part of a simultaneous global release in 2024. Garcia Marquezs sons, Rodrigo and Gonzalo Garcia Barcha, said that in reading the novel 10 years after their fathers death, we discovered that the text had many highly enjoyable merits and nothing that prevents us from delighting in the most outstanding aspects of Gabos work. Gamache Sticks with St. Martins St. Martins Press continues as the publisher of Louise Pennys bestselling Chief Inspector Gamache books. Andrew Martin, publisher of SMPs Minotaur Books imprint, acquired North American rights to the next two titles in the long-running series from David Gernert of the Gernert Company. Minotaurs Kelley Ragland will edit the new works, with the first yet-to-be-titled book under the deal set to be released in 2024, followed a year later by the second title. Mariner Wins Burroughs Novel Augusten Burroughs, known for his bestselling memoirs Running with Scissors and Dry, has sold Debris Field, his first novel in 20 years, to Rakia Clark at Mariner. Clark bought North American rights at auction from Christopher Schelling at Selectric Artists. Mariner describes the book as a darkly funny skewering of white privilege, following a dysfunctional, emotionally out-of-touch billionaire family in 1990s Manhattan whose dispassion for life and for others is upended when they become fascinated by a plane crash in Middle America. Publication is planned for fall 2024. Romance Stirs at Atria In an auction, Melanie Iglesias Perez at Atria Books acquired North American rights to Laura Woods Under Your Spell and Second Chance Romance. Both books are rom-coms set in the same world, but featuring different characters, Atria said. Under Your Spell revolves around Clemmie, who lands a dream summer job as a minder for rock star Theo Eliott, but Clemmies personal rule against dating rock stars gets in the way of romance. Second Chance Romance follows Cyn (Theos ex-girlfriend) and Jackson, though Clemmie and Theo have cameos. Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management made the sale on behalf of Louise Lamont of the U.K.s LBA Literary Agency. Under Your Spell will be published in summer 2024, and Second Chance will be released the following year. Dragon to Roar for Saga Amara Hoshijo at Saga Press acquired Canadian actor Katrina Kwans debut, The Last Dragon of the East, as well as a second title. The publisher described Last Dragon as a light romantic fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology. Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal for world English rights. Publication is set for fall 2024. Sparrow Flies to Titan In an exclusive deal conducted by Priya Doraswamy of Lotus Lane Literary, Cath Trechman of Titan Books acquired world English-language print, audio, and e-book rights to the Burnt Sparrow Trilogy by Eric LaRocca. LaRocca has published three collections of short stories and an earlier novel with Titan, and the new horror novels are set in a small New England town. The first title in the trilogy, We Are Always Tender with Our Dead, will be released in September 2025, and books two and three will be published in 2026. Poet Mary Norbert Korte, who died last November at age 88, was known as a beatnik nun who left the Dominican Order to join San Franciscos poetry scene, and as an off-grid eco-warrior who preserved more than 400 acres of old-growth redwood forest in Mendocino County, Calif. Though Korte operated under the mainstream radar, she won counterculture literary admirers. In Jumping into the American River: New and Selected Poems, Vol. 1, due out June 1 from Argos Books and TKS Books, coeditors Iris Cushing and Jason Weiss reintroduce Kortes place-based poetry and her remarkable life in Northern California. Cushing started indie publisher Argos Books in 2010 and continues to operate it with cofounder and translator Elizabeth Clark Wessel. Argos publishes two books of poetry, works in translation, or hybrid genre books per year and is distributed by Small Press Distribution. Cushing discovered Korte while working on her PhD in literature at CUNY and collaborating with Ammiel Alcalay, founder of the archival chapbook series Lost & Found: The CUNY Poetics Document Initiative. Alcalay had discovered handwritten response poems by Korte in an archived copy of poet Michael McClures Ghost Tantras. Korte gave these poems to McClure in 1968, the year she left the sisterhood. She was then 34 and had been a nun since 1951. Shed experienced a new kind of spiritual conversion at the 1965 Berkeley Poetry Conference, which inspired her to join the literary scene of Allen Ginsberg, Jack Spicer, and Diane di Prima. Cushing, already studying di Prima, ended up reading through all of Kortes archives at the University of Rochester, she said. I decided that she would be one of the people I wrote my dissertation about. Im from Northern California, and I love the literary history and folklore of the area. She published a pamphlet on Korte, The First Books of David Henderson and Mary Korte: A Research, in 2020. Mary Catherine Kinniburgh, one of Cushings fellow CUNY graduate students and the publisher of TKS Books (distributed by literary indie publisher Granary Books), turned the Ghost Tantras poems into a publication for Lost & Found. Cushing and Kinniburgh met Korte for the first time in 2017, said Cushing, who wrote about the experience in a small-press publication, Into the Long Long Time: How Mary Norbert Korte Saved the Redwoods, in 2019. The visit to Kortes cabin led to conversations about poetry and clashes between eco-activists and logging companies in the remote forests around Willits, Calif.; while writing her contemplative poetry, Korte worked with environmentalist Judi Bari and the Earth First! movement to protect old-growth forests. We got to be very dear friends, Cushing said, and between 2017 and 2022 I went there probably half a dozen times. She had a really cool handful of friends who lived on the land with her and who took care of her in the last years of her life. In her poetry, she captured a sense of place beautifully. Korte is the genuine deal, Kinniburgh agreed. She had extraordinary presence in person, and I wanted to be near it. Cushing set herself a goal of reviving Kortes work while the aging poet could see the effort and perhaps the finished product. She and Weiss, whod met Korte in 1970, pitched the book to a few presses, but it just wasnt a fit. That is when Cushing decided she should publish the book. I just had this moment where I was like, Why do I have a press if not to make things like this happen? she remembered. I called Mary Catherine and said, We should publish Kortes selected poems as a collaboration with our publishing projects. Iris and I both felt strongly about the importance of sharing Kortes work, Kinniburgh said. So we pooled our publishing resources to get it done and both contributed financially. While Iris took the lead on editorial and project management, I designed the cover and consulted with her on design and production. Last November, Korte called Cushing to see how Jumping into the American River was coming along. She was a lifelong chain smoker, and when she quit smoking, it sent her body into total turmoil, Cushing said. She called me from the hospital and said, Things arent looking good. Do you think that book is going to come out in the next couple of weeks? Cushing admitted it wouldnt be done for a couple of months. But she felt grateful to say that the book was underway, its title borrowed from Kortes 1977 poem about making a leap of faith. Historical perspectives on wealth inequality, programs for pursuing social justice in the marketplace, and tales of tech bros behaving badly headline this seasons business titles. Top 10 The Alternative: How to Build a Just Economy Nick Romeo. PublicAffairs, Jan. 16 ($30, ISBN 978-1-5417-0159-5) Reporter Romeo spotlights individuals and organizations working to create a fairer economy through worker-owned enterprises and citizen-budgeting initiatives. As Gods Among Men: A History of the Rich in the West Guido Alfani. Princeton Univ., Dec. 5 ($35, ISBN 978-0-691-21573-0) This survey from economic history professor Alfani tracks the uber-wealthy from the Middle Ages to the present, examining how they acquired their money and were viewed by the rest of society. The Big Fail: What the Pandemic Revealed About Who America Protects, and Who It Leaves Behind Joe Nocera and Bethany McLean. Portfolio, Oct. 17 ($32, ISBN 978-0-593-33102-6) Journalists Nocera and McLean follow up All the Devils Are Here with this analysis of the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and the failures of government and business leaders. Breaking Twitter: Elon Musk and the Most Controversial Corporate Takeover in History Ben Mezrich. Grand Central, Nov. 7 ($30, ISBN 978-1-5387-0759-3) The buildup to and fallout from Elon Musks purchase of Twitter gets scrutinized in bestseller Mezrichs latest. 100,000-copy announced first printing. Broken Code: Inside Facebook and the Fight to Expose Its Harmful Secrets Jeff Horwitz. Doubleday, Nov. 14 ($32.50, ISBN 978-0-385-54918-9) Wall Street Journal reporter Horwitz delves into Facebooks failure to reckon with its dark side, including the radicalization of users. 100,000-copy announced first printing. Gonzo Capitalism: How to Make Money in an Economy That Hates You Chris Guillebeau. Little, Brown Spark, Aug. 22 ($29, ISBN 978-0-316-49127-3) Side Hustle School podcaster Guillebeaus look at how young workers have used modern technologies to eke out a living includes profiles of TikTok influencers and professional gamers. Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A. (and How It Got That Way) Rachel Slade. Pantheon, Nov. 14 ($28, ISBN 978-0-593-31688-7) Journalist Slade views American deindustrialization through the lens of a Maine couple who set out in 2013 to manufacture an ethically sourced, union-made sweatshirt. The Myth That Made Us: How False Beliefs About Racism and Meritocracy Broke Our Economy (and How to Fix It) Jeff Fuhrer. MIT, Sept. 12 ($34.95, ISBN 978-0-262-04839-2) The mistaken idea that America is a postracist society where one can pull oneself up by ones bootstraps has resulted in a deeply unequal economic system, according to economist Fuhrer. Number Go Up: Inside Cryptos Wild Rise and Staggering Fall Zeke Faux. Crown, Oct. 3 ($28.99, ISBN 978-0-593-44381-1) Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is at the center of Bloomberg journalist Fauxs history of the crypto market. Ours Was the Shining Future: The Rise and Fall of the American Dream David Leonhardt. Random House, Oct. 24 ($30, ISBN 978-0-8129-9320-2) Pulitzer Prize winner Leonhardt probes the decline of economic mobility in the U.S. by tracing the evolution of grassroots political movements, corporate culture, and government policy. Business and Economics longlist Amistad Make Money Move: A Guide to Financial Wellness by Lauren Simmons (Nov. 7, $29.99, ISBN 978-0-06-324653-9). Money Moves podcaster Simmons outlines a plan for how women can save money and achieve financial security. 75,000-copy announced first printing. Atria A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life by Farnoosh Torabi (Oct. 3, $27.99, ISBN 978-1-982199-19-7) pairs reflections on the authors childhood as a second-generation Iranian immigrant with advice on how to gain confidence in managing ones finances. Ballantine The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset Into Action by Eduardo Briceno (Sept. 5, $28, ISBN 978-0-593-35690-6) suggests that the key to business success is balancing the ability to perform reliably with the will to move beyond ones comfort zone. Belknap Visions of Inequality: From the French Revolution to the End of the Cold War by Branko Milanovic (Oct. 10, $32.95, ISBN 978-0-674-26414-4) surveys how scholars have thought about inequality since the late 18th century through the biographies of economists Francois Quesnay, Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Karl Marx, Vilfredo Pareto, and Simon Kuznets. Benbella Apprentice Nation: How the Earn and Learn Alternative to Higher Education Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America by Ryan Craig (Nov. 7, $29.95, ISBN 978-1-63774-388-1) argues that more employers should offer paid apprenticeships in finance, tech, and other professions as an alternative to college. BenBella/Holt Close the Gap & Get Your Share: How Immigrants and Their Families Can Build and Protect Generational Wealth in the U.S. by Julio Cacho and Cole Conkling (Aug. 1, $26, ISBN 978-1-63774-394-2) shares advice on how recent American immigrants can start an investment portfolio. Berrett-Koehler Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace: A Guide for Equity and Inclusion by Janice Gassam Asare (Oct. 24, $22.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5230-0555-0) posits that workplace policies often reflect the assumptions of white people and provides guidance on how to build a more inclusive office. Wealth Supremacy: How the Extractive Economy and the Biased Rules of Capitalism Drive Todays Crises by Marjorie Kelly (Sept. 12, $22.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5230-0477-5) contends that corporate Americas obsession with wealth is hurting all but the richest Americans. Blackstone Family Reins: The Heartbreaking Fall of an American Dynastyand the Discovery of What Really Matters by Billy Busch (Aug. 1, $27.99, ISBN 979-82-00-79882-7). An heir to the Anheuser-Busch beer fortune dishes on his privileged upbringing and the family squabbles that have roiled the company. Bloomsbury Business The 100 Trillion Dollar Wealth Transfer: When Boomers Hand Over to Gen Z, and How It Will Change Capitalism by Ken Costa (Jan. 30, $28, ISBN 978-1-399-40763-2) explores how the growing financial power of younger generations concerned about environmental and social justice will impact markets. Brookings Institution The Rise of the Global Middle Class: How the Search for a Good Life Can Change the World by Homi Kharas (Nov. 1, $28, ISBN 978-0-8157-4032-2) chronicles the ascent of the middle class in China, India, and other parts of the world and outlines threats to its future. Columbia Univ. Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature by Dan Sinykin (Oct. 24, $30 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-231-19295-8) analyzes how consolidation in the publishing industry since the mid-20th century has affected which books are published, and how. Fulcrum Cultivating a Servant Heart: Insights from Servant Leaders by Caitlin Wilson (Oct. 24, $19.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-68275-375-0) profiles individuals who have dedicated their lives to leading nonprofits, schools, and other purpose-driven organizations. Hachette The Algorithm: How AI Can Ruin Your Education, Hijack Your Career, and Steal Your Future by Hilke Schellmann (Jan. 30, $29, ISBN 978-0-306-82734-1) raises the alarm about the spread of artificial intelligence and explores how its being used to determine who gets college admission offers or promotions at work. Hachette Go Brand It Like Serhant: How to Sell More, Earn More, and Become the Ultimate Sales Machine by Ryan Serhant (Jan. 23, $29, ISBN 978-0-306-92312-8). The star of Bravo TVs Million Dollar Listing New York outlines strategies for how businesses can establish their brand. Hanover Square Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Wealth and Happiness by Jamila Souffrant (Dec. 5, $25, ISBN 978-1-335-00779-7) provides tips on saving for the long-term without resorting to stinginess. Harper Business The Bad Bitch Business Bible: 10 Commandments to Break Free of Good Girl Brainwashing and Maximize Your Body, Boundaries, and Bank Account by Lisa Carmen Wang (Sept. 26, $32, ISBN 978-0-06-320899-5) makes the case that women should stop putting others first and dispenses advice on how they can advance their careers. How Work Works: The Subtle Science of Getting Ahead Without Losing Yourself by Michelle P. King (Oct. 10, $32, ISBN 978-0-06-322457-5) offers guidance on how to get ahead professionally by attending to informal rules of the workplace. HarperOne Leadership Is Overrated: How the Navy SEALs (and Successful Businesses) Create Self-Leading Teams That Win by Kyle Buckett and Chris Mefford (Aug. 29, $29.99, ISBN 978-0-06-320990-9). Retired Navy SEAL Buckett and business consultant Mefford suggest that productive teams begin with employees who are willing to take initiative. Harvard Univ. The Golden Passport: Global Mobility for Millionaires by Kristin Surak (Sept. 19, $35, ISBN 978-0-674-24864-9) scrutinizes how certain countries practice of selling passports to wealthy people from other parts of the world reflects and exacerbates global wealth inequities. Kogan Page 21st Century Business Icons: The Leaders Who Are Changing Our World by Sally Percy (Sept. 26, $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-398-61132-0) profiles Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd, YouTuber MrBeast, and others who have achieved success in todays economy. You Cant Make Money from a Dead Planet: The Sustainable Method for Driving Profits by Mark Shayler (Aug. 29, $15.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-398-61202-0) argues that adopting an environmentally responsible business model benefits long-term monetary gain. Little, Brown Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech by Brian Merchant (Sept. 5, $30, ISBN 978-0-316-48774-0) examines what the Luddites 19th-century uprising against industrialization can teach modern readers about the age of automation. The Geek Way: The Radical Mindset Transforming the Future of Business by Andrew McAfee (Nov. 14, $30, ISBN 978-0-316-43670-0) posits that geeks openness, ownership, science, and speed have been integral to modern corporate success. MIT Diversity Dividend: The Transformational Power of Small Changes to De-Bias Your Company, Attract Diverse Talent, Manage Everyone Better, and Make More Money by Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio (Sept. 19, $29.95, ISBN 978-0-262-04840-8) suggests that prioritizing diversity when hiring leads to better business outcomes. North Atlantic How to Hold Power: A Somatic Approach to Becoming a Leader People Love and Respect30+ Embodiment Practices to Empower Your Team and Lead with Intention by Pavini Moray (Oct. 10, $19.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-62317-924-3) outlines a program for developing rapport with employees and clients. One Signal Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weisss Glossier by Marisa Meltzer (Sept. 12, $28.99, ISBN 978-1-982190-60-6) investigates how shrewd marketing and branding strategies propelled the makeup company Glossier to financial success. Princeton Univ. Economics in America: An Immigrant Economist Explores the Land of Inequality by Angus Deaton (Oct. 3, $24.95, ISBN 978-0-691-24762-5). The Nobel Prizewinning coauthor of Deaths of Despair reflects on emigrating to the U.S. from Britain and on the profession of economics. PublicAffairs The End of Reality: How Four Billionaires Are Selling a Fantasy Future of the Metaverse, Mars, and Crypto by Jonathan Taplin (Sept. 5, $30, ISBN 978-1-5417-0315-5) casts doubt on promises made by Marc Andreesen, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Mark Zuckerberg, and other members of Silicon Valleys elite. Random House Taming the Street: The Old Guard, the New Deal, and the Battle for the Soul of the American Market by Diana B. Henriques (Sept. 12, $30, ISBN 978-0-593-13264-7). New York Times journalist Henriques chronicles Franklin Delano Roosevelts fight to rein in Wall Street after the 1929 stock market crash. Your Face Belongs to Us: A Secretive Startups Quest to End Privacy as We Know It by Kashmir Hill (Sept. 19, $28.99, ISBN 978-0-593-44856-4) investigates how Clearview AI developed facial recognition technology, with major consequences for civilian privacy. St. Martins The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend by Rob Copeland (Nov. 7, $32, ISBN 978-1-250-27693-3) takes readers behind the scenes at Bridgewater Associates, the biggest hedge fund in the world, and examines recent controversies involving founder Ray Dalio. Stanford Business Becoming a Public Benefit Corporation: Express Your Values, Energize Stakeholders, Make the World a Better Place by Michael B. Dorff (Nov. 21, $28, ISBN 978-1-5036-3280-6) explains how the legal structure of the benefit corporation enables such companies as Patagonia and Warby Parker to enact their values while turning a profit. Univ. of Pennsylvania The Captive Sea: Slavery, Communication, and Commerce in Early Modern Spain and the Mediterranean by Daniel Hershenzon (Aug. 8, $29.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-5128-2552-7) studies how the slave trade affected commerce between Spain, the Ottoman Empire, and Morocco in the 17th-century Mediterranean. Verso Tokens: The Future of Money in the Age of the Platform by Rachel ODwyer (Oct. 3, $26.95, ISBN 978-1-83976-834-7) cautions that the spread of token paymentswhich include crypto, gift cards, and such intangible rewards as special access or airtimeput undue power in the hands of the corporations issuing them. Viking A Bold Return to Giving a Damn: One Farm, Six Generations, and the Future of Food by Will Harris (Oct. 10, $29, ISBN 978-0-593-30047-3) draws on the authors experience as a fourth-generation farmer to argue for an overhaul of the agricultural industry and a return to traditional farming methods. Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant (Oct. 3, $32, ISBN 978-0-593-65314-2) delineates a program for spotting talent in overlooked individuals and offers recommendations on how readers can exceed professional expectations. Wiley The Equity Mindset: Redefining Work Culture and Designing the Just Spaces We Deserve by Ifeomasinachi Ike (Sept. 20, $28, ISBN 978-1-394-15219-3) shows how organizations can create more supportive workplaces for marginalized communities. Return to the main feature. On Thursday, the Supreme Court opted to keep in place a law that shields tech platforms from liability for hosting toxic content. The decision came in a ruling that the platforms cannot face certain legal accusations of aiding and abetting terrorism. The message is clear: the path to reforming tech platforms is not through the courts. Instead, Congress can and should regulate the industry. And there's already a regulatory framework for doing so that accounts for freedom of speech concernsnamely, a risk-based framework like the one that was used for Wall Street after 2008. A risk-based framework acknowledges the realities of social media content moderation: No system will be perfect. Social media platforms already perform content moderation, and companies such as Meta employ thousands of people and spend billions of dollars doing it. But a long list of toxic material still reaches users' feeds: misinformation, propaganda, conspiracy theories, hate speech, and incitement to violence are just a few. The problem is the sheer volume of content, more than any group of humans can review, even with algorithmic help. The risk of toxic content is a constant, yet we navigate risks every day, sometimes without much thought. You might risk jaywalking on a city street, but you probably won't risk walking across an interstate highway. The question is one of degrees, of how much risk one is willing to accept. How many cars, how busy is traffic, how wide is the road? The problem tech companies face when assessing the risk of toxic content on social media platforms is how to go about identifying the threshold. Share on Twitter On social media, the question is quite similar: how much is too much? It might be relatively benign and even acceptable to allow some political propaganda to slip through. But allowing a coordinated foreign propaganda campaign to spread across multiple platforms is almost certainly too much riskalthough Russian operatives have repeatedly succeeded in doing just that, in 2016, 2020, and again in 2022. The problem tech companies face when assessing the risk of toxic content on social media platforms is how to go about identifying the threshold. What, in other words, presents too much risk? And what is a generally acceptable level of risk? Roads and cars have laws and traffic patterns. Content on the internet is slipperier. Just who defines the risk threshold, and on what basis, are the questions at the heart of this vexing problem. Fortunately, these questions aren't particularly new. The United States has been here before, just in a different sector. Leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, Wall Street foreshadowed the tech sector in several ways, most of all in its increasing reliance on algorithms. Whereas social media companies use algorithms to assist humans in content moderation and to figure out whether or not an account is a bot, financial firms were using them (and still do) to calculate portfolio risk. Just like tech's algorithms today, the financial algorithms in 2008 had serious limitations. The newest financial products were so complex that their prices could not really be calculated. Even the ratings that investors use to gauge riskiness were poorly understood. As a result, the risk estimates were imprecise and opaque, even to the firms themselves. Instead of formally addressing the financial system's risks through regulation, government officials trusted markets to develop and enforce their own standards through self-regulatory organizations (SROs) such as stock exchanges. Government officials granted SROs regulatory authority and believed that they would properly address the risks of new financial products. Here, too, the parallels with today's social media debate are striking. Professors at Harvard and the University of Chicago have recently suggested that SROs are the best regulatory option for the tech sector. The success of that argument depends on the potential of still-nascent tech SROs such as the Digital Trust and Safety Partnership to define and monitor industry best practices for safety and content moderation. But tech SROs appear even more toothless than their financial counterparts, as they are self-organized by the firms themselves and do not have any government-sanctioned regulatory authority. History proved time and time again that self-regulation was insufficient to mitigate financial risks. So why should it work for tech? In fact, history already shows that it doesn't. Twitter's decision to replatform former-president Donald Trump, for example, shows that companies can easily backtrack on their own content moderation decisions with no repercussions. Gaps in content moderation allow malicious content to jump from fringe sites into the mainstream. Self-regulation isn't closing those gaps and likely won't in the future, because niche and fringe sites explicitly refuse to self-regulate. Such sites will always remain untethered by any industry standard, serving as ground zero for new conspiracy theories and misinformation. Neither the judicial system nor the industry itself will rein in the risks of tech platforms. Instead, the regulation of Wall Street after 2008 offers a way forward. The 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, for example, mandated that financial systemic risk be monitored by a regulatory oversight body, now called the Financial Stability Oversight Council. The Dodd-Frank framework offers several benefits for tech regulation. First, the framework mandates transparency, as audits preserve companies' privacy while ensuring fair comparisons by the regulator. And second, the framework offers flexibility, as regulatory standards can evolve over time to adapt to new technologies, such as deepfakes, and to new uses of existing technology, like the use of emojis as code for drugs. Neither the judicial system nor the industry itself will rein in the risks of tech platforms. Instead, the regulation of Wall Street after 2008 offers a way forward. Share on Twitter European Union regulators have already shown what a tech version of Dodd-Frank might look like, with the passage of the landmark Digital Services Act. The DSA contains several stipulations that echo Dodd-Frank. It creates an independent Board for Digital Services Coordinators, much like the FSOC; it provides for annual audits of tech platforms, which might look much like the Fed's stress tests; it manages access to platforms' data, analogous to regulators' access to bank data; and it designates very large online platforms that are subject to additional regulation, similar to FSOC designation of systemically important financial institutions. Putting risk at the center of a regulatory framework forces society to accept what is feasible, rather than what is ideal. As a society, we might ask how much risk we are willing to tolerate in exchange for the huge benefits of globally connected platformswhile taking, from recent history, lessons on regulating and managing that risk. James Marrone is an economist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation. This commentary originally appeared on Barrons on May 19, 2023. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. For Release Wednesday May 10, 2023 Workers employed by nonprofit homeless services agencies in Los Angeles County often do not earn a living wage, creating stress for the workers and making it difficult to retain staff, according to a new RAND Corporation study. The pay is particularly low for the frontline workers who spent time on the street engaging unhoused people. The low pay creates health concerns and housing insecurity for those workers, who already face challenging working conditions. Researchers concluded that paying homeless response sector workers higher wages could improve the quality of their work by boosting morale, easing stress, and reducing turnover. From the worker perspective, earning such low wages has material consequences, including stress and housing insecuritythey may worry about becoming unhoused themselves, said Lisa Abraham, the study's lead author and an associate economist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. These challenges make it hard for a worker to develop a career when they themselves may be struggling to make ends meet. More than 200 nonprofit organizations operate in the homeless response sector in Los Angeles County, providing a variety of services to the region's large number of unhoused residents. It is estimated that 8,000 people work in the sector. These organizations are diverse, with some exclusively focused on homeless services, while others have cross-cutting missions that may include things such as child and family services, health care, and workforce skills development. The 2017 approval of a local sales tax hike, known as Measure H, to address the needs of the unhoused transformed the sector, with both government and private agencies hiring more staff. However, there have been persistent concerns about the working conditions and high turnover in the sector. To understand whether homeless response sector workers in Los Angeles County are earning a living wage, RAND researchers collected information from three widely used job posting websites in August 2022 for positions advertised by homeless services agencies. They also collected publicly available tax information from more than 100 organizations, examining their revenue and the number of employees with salaries above $100,000 annually. The RAND analysis focused on the frontline workers who work directly with clients, such as social workers, case managers, outreach workers, shelter resident advisors, and housing navigators, as well as managers, such as supervisors, program managers, directors, and officers. The study used two methods to calculate a living wage in Los Angeles County, considering factors such as rent and other costs. A living wage is defined as the minimum income needed to meet basic needs. The study estimates that most frontline workers and even some of those in management positions in the sector often do not earn a living wage. Researchers estimate that frontline workers in the homeless services earn between about $40,000 to $60,000 annually. Supervisors and managers may earn more. The study calculated that a worker would need to a minimum salary of $64,000 annually for a living wage in Los Angeles County if they lived in a one-bedroom residence. A minimum living wage was estimated to be $82,000 for someone needing a two-bedroom unit or $108,000 for a three-bedroom unit. Nonprofit leaders told RAND researchers that they had limited authority over setting wages because government funders control much of the wage-setting process implicitly because of the restrictive nature of public service contracts. For example, government-funded contracts for nonprofit organizations may specify a minimum number of clients served, a case-management ratio, or a per-bed payment rate. The report outlines several approaches to raise pay in the homeless services sector, both in the short term and the long term. Over the longer term, the report suggests that pay cannot increase unless government and philanthropic funders commit to providing for higher pay, including allotting money in grants to cover regular cost-of-living increases for frontline workers. Organizations could work together to publicly advocate for better worker pay and learn from others regarding new resources and supports to aid workers, said Sarah Hunter, coauthor of the study and a senior behavioral scientist at RAND. Improving pay for workers in the homeless services sector has the potential to improve productivity, morale, and retentionall of which could improve client care and continuity of care. The report, Living Wages in Los Angeles County's Homeless Response Sector, is available at www.rand.org. Support for the project was provided by Social Justice Partners Los Angeles. Other authors of the report are Samantha Matthews and Alex Sizemore. The RAND Education and Labor division is dedicated to improving education and expanding economic opportunities for all through research and analysis. The RAND Social and Economic Well-Being division seeks to actively improve the health, social, and economic well-being of populations and communities throughout the world. 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One of the greatest mountain guides said Thursday hes not ready to retire after climbing Mount Everest for a record 28th time. Nepalese Sherpa Kami Rita reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit of the worlds highest mountain on Tuesday, beating his own record less than a week after setting it. I will continue to climb as long as my body allows, the 53-year-old guide told reporters after arriving from the mountain at Kathmandus airport, where he was given a heros welcome by supporters and family members. He said his goal is not to compete for any records but to help his foreign clients scale the mountain. This years climbing season is almost over, and his next climb will have to wait until next spring. Kami Rita reached the summit a day after fellow Sherpa guide Pasang Dawa matched his previous record of 27 climbs. A race for the title began with Pasang Dawa climbing the peak for a 26th time on May 14, equaling Kami Ritas earlier record. Kami Rita reached the peak three days later for the 27th time. Kami Rita first climbed Everest in 1994 and has done so nearly every year since then. He is one of many Sherpa guides whose expertise and skills are vital to the safety and success of foreign climbers who seek to reach the top of the mountain. His father was among the first Sherpa guides. Kami Rita has scaled several of the worlds highest peaks in addition to Everest, including K2, Cho Oyu, Manaslu and Lhotse. Thousands of people have climbed Mount Everest since it was first conquered by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay in 1953. This year is the 70th anniversary of the first climb. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 'The company last year took a conscious call not to grow the corporate side of the book.' Housing finance company (HFC) PNB Housing is planning to focus on reducing delinquencies in 2023-24. Its managing director & chief executive officer Girish Kousgi tells Nikesh Singh in a conversation in New Delhi that he sees a huge opportunity for the company in the prime housing segment in coming years. PNB Housing recently raised Rs 2,494 crore from its rights issue. Will the company raise more capital? After the recent raising of capital, the company is well capitalised to support its loan growth in 2023-24. There is no challenge of that aspect affecting our growth. The raised capital will be used for growth as the company sees a huge opportunity in the prime housing segment in years to come. PNB Housings gross NPA (non-performing assets) stood at 3.83 per cent at the end of 2022-23. What is your GNPA and loan growth targets for this financial year? We want to bring down delinquencies in 2023-24 to level with industry standards in the next four-six quarters. We expect disbursement and loan growth of around 22 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively, on the retail side this financial year. The retail loan book was muted in the first and second quarters. With growth returning in the last two quarters, it stood at 10 per cent year on year in 2022-23. How do you see the companys growth in the affordable housing sector in this financial year? The HFC recently entered the affordable segment, and disbursed around Rs 137 crore till the end of Q4 of 2022-23. This year, the segment will contribute 10-11 per cent to the incremental business, with good growth opportunities. It will help us grow on the retail side; we are not looking at growing the corporate book. The corporate side of the book shrank nearly halved in 2022-23. What is your take on that? The company last year took a conscious call not to grow the corporate side of the book. This was done in view of the very high GNPA of around 8.35 per cent. The company was working aggressively on resolution and settlements to bring it down to a standard level. We will restart on that aspect by the end of 2023-24. The size of the corporate book is around Rs 3,800 crore at the end of last year. Today, we have only two NPA accounts on the corporate side, amounting to Rs 846 crore. The National Housing Bank recently notified early warning signals (EWS) for HFCs to prevent accounts from turning NPA. How do you intend to implement that? The EWS framework is a formal structure put in place by the regulator to track those defaults. The company will upgrade its technology to meet the same. The mechanisms are already in place for years. The company has a team for fraud detection and prevention, and a unit for risk containment before sanction of loans. The company also has a concept of pre-delinquency management to detect such defaults. With the third and final round of layoffs implemented by Facebooks parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in process globally, India, too, has seen its impact, with some senior executives being asked to leave. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters Some of the executives to have been impacted are Avinash Pant, Indias director of marketing; Saket Jha Sourabh, director and head of media partnerships; and Amrita Mukherjee, one of the directors on the legal team. An email sent to the company did not elicit any comment on the development until the time of going to press. However, sources in the know said that this round of layoffs will impact managerial and director-level executives, and hence the total number could be far lesser in India than in the other rounds. The layoffs at Meta are part of the Year of Efficiency initiative started by founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg to make the company more efficient. As part of this, the company expects to trim its team size by about 10,000 and close about 5,000 additional open roles that it hasnt filled yet. Like in other rounds, several Meta employees took to social media and networking platforms to share their situation, where many also said that performance was not the reason for layoffs. Jodie Lynn Zdork was one such employee who got laid off. I got caught in the layoff net at Meta today. If anyone knows of a tech-leaning content design role or a product owner role, please send it my way, she tweeted. Despite getting Exceeds Expectations on my performance review, she further added. There were some who took to LinkedIn to share their situation, such as Kushal Naidu, who was with Meta for 20 months as a trust and safety program manager. He is also on an H1B visa, which means he needs to find a job quickly or return home. This is a bittersweet moment for me. "I will sincerely miss collaborating with my extremely talented colleagues at Meta. "At the same time, Im excited about new beginnings for my career. "I have been continuously employed for the past 13 years, and I wish I could use this opportunity to recharge. "However, I am in the US on a work visa (H1B), and therefore, I need to find a job soon, wrote Naidu in his LinkedIn post. In a blog post in March this year, Zuckerberg said: In our Year of Efficiency, we will make our organisation flatter by removing multiple layers of management. "As part of this, we will ask many managers to become individual contributors. "Well also have individual contributors report to almost every level not just the bottom so information flow between people doing the work and management will be faster. Two Bharatiya Janata Party councillors were arrested in connection with a clash over the singing of Vande Mataram at the swearing in of the newly elected mayor and councillors in Meerut, the police said on Saturday. IMAGE: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. Photograph: Courtesy @asadowaisi/Twitter However, both were released on bail. A clash erupted between All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen and BJP councillors of the Meerut Municipal Corporation at the oath-taking ceremony on Friday, following a disagreement over the singing of Vande Mataram to begin the event. The police registered a case against BJP leaders based on a complaint by Dilshad Saifi, the husband of an AIMIM councillor, on Friday night, station house officer Yogendra Singh said. The trouble began during the ceremony at the Chaudhary Charan Singh University auditorium when councillors of the Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM refused to sing the national song. Police personnel deployed at the venue intervened and separated the members of the two parties, and brought the situation under control. BJP councillor Rajeev Kale also filed a counter complaint against eight AIMIM councillors for alleged assault. A complaint was also filed by Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Bajpai over the alleged insult to the national anthem. However, no case has been registered in this connection yet, the police said. According to circle officer of Civil Lines Arvind Chaurasia, some AIMIM councillors were allegedly thrashed by BJP councillors over the Vande Mataram issue. In this connection, a case was registered against three BJP councillors -- Rajeev Kale, Uttam Saini and Kavita Rahi -- under Indian Penal Code sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (assault or criminal force) and 506 (criminal intimidation) on the complaint of Dilshad Saifi, he added. The police arrested two BJP councillors Rajeev Kale and Uttam Saini late Friday evening, Chaurasia said, adding they were later released on bail. Prima facie, investigation revealed that the members of the AIMIM committed indiscipline by not standing up at the time of the singing of the national song. The House shall take action on this and there is no role of the police, he said. On action taken on Bajpai's complaint, Chaurasia said that he has highlighted that treason charges be filed against the AIMIM councillors, but there is a stay on the sedition law. Moreover, this matter pertains to the national song and not the national anthem, he added. Insisting that political disagreements could wait for a day, actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Saturday appealed to political parties to reconsider their boycott and make the inauguration of the new Parliament an occasion of national unity. IMAGE: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and actor-politician Kamal Haasan during the oath taking ceremony of the newly-elected Karnataka government, at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, May 20, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo India's new home needs all its family members to reside in it, he said. He said he believed in participatory democracy and hence call upon all opposition parties who have chosen to boycott the event to reconsider it. "Any disagreements you may have over the event can be raised in public forums as well as on the floor of the houses of the new Parliament," Haasan urged. Reminding political parties to remember that "there is more that unites us than divides us," Haasan said in a statement here that the entire country is looking forward to this event. "The eyes of the world are upon us. Let's make the inauguration of a new Parliament an occasion of national unity, our political disagreements can wait for a day," Haasan, president of the Makkal Needhi Maiam, said. The veteran actor had unsuccessfully contested against Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivasan in Coimbatore south constituency in the 2021 assembly elections. The inauguration of the new Parliament on May 28 is a moment of celebration for the entire country and it moved him with immense pride. "I congratulate the government of India for this historic achievement. In national interest, I choose to celebrate the inauguration of the new Parliament with you, while maintaining my dissent over not inviting the Hon. President of India and for not involving opposition parties in the planning of the inauguration," he said. "But this moment of national pride has become politically divisive. "I ask my Prime Minister one simple question; "Please tell the country, why the President of India should not attend the inauguration of our new Parliament?" I see no reason why the President of India as Head of the State should not be part of this historic occasion," he asked. Bills passed by Parliament become law of the land only when the President gave the assent. The President has the power to convene or adjourn sessions of Parliament and is integral to the functioning of Parliament. "I advise the Prime Minister to make the conciliatory gesture and invite Hon. President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. The new Parliament is no mere ordinary building. It will be the home of Indian democracy for time immemorial. I call upon the Prime Minister to rectify this oversight, which will go down in history as a grave error, and if rectified will become a milestone in political leadership," he claimed. China doesnt want to be left behind in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors two key elements in the global race for technological superiority, which is a major source of geopolitical tension with the United States. Aware that these two fields will be crucial to Chinas economic and military future, Beijing is doubling down on efforts to find domestic solutions, at a time when Washington is out to limit Chinese access to the leading-edge technology the country needs to produce high-tech microchips. Amid big-money investment and calls from Chinese President Xi Jinping for self-sufficiency in science and technology, Chinas strategy is in part focused on the creation of a collaborative environment that promotes faster development and ups the rate at which the Asian giant is catching up with the West. In comparison with developed countries, there is still a gap in a range of areas integral to progress in AI, Mei Jianping of Chinas Ministry of Science and Technology said on Friday, during a speech at the ZGC Forum. At the technology fair, which is being held in the Beijing district of Zhongguancun, a tech hub on the outskirts of the Chinese capital, AI is one of the hot topics. During his appearance, Mei called for an exchange of ideas and for all actors to contribute to placing the next generation of AI in China, and the countrys scientific and technological industry, on a par with the rest of the world. Given the implications of the technology being discussed at the ZGC Forum, there is a clear political subtext to the conference, which is hosting events of all kinds: on sustainable development, financial technology, smart cities, the search for young entrepreneurs capable of changing the world, and the importance of innovation in state-run companies. In a presentation on AI, Dr. Yu Yue, of the Strategic Alliance for Technological Innovation in the Chinese Artificial Intelligence Industry, declared that the country would boost its technological growth by establishing a nationwide network of AI developers. We want every computing center to achieve high-quality development, he said. And, horizontally, we want to connect computing centers to carry out a wide-ranging collaboration, constructing an extensive network that ensures AI technology can adopt a new model of development. To mark the kick-off of the ZGC Forum on Thursday, President Xi sent a letter that did not go into detail, but without explicitly mentioning U.S. restrictions highlighted the need for greater global collaboration. As a new round of sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation continues to evolve, mankind needs international cooperation, openness and sharing more than ever in order to address common development problems, Xi wrote, according to Xinhua, Chinas official state news agency. The forums opening day witnessed addresses by renowned figures, such as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. China will be able to make unique contributions to sharing its technologies and its lessons, Gates said in a speech given via video link, per Chinese state media. The forum is being held against the backdrop of tension between the U.S. and China, with relations hitting a low ebb due to repeated altercations over Taiwan, in addition to the February incident that saw the U.S. shoot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon that flew over American airspace without permission. In recent weeks, however, there have been some signs of a thaw the word used by U.S. President Joe Biden during last weekends G7 summit in Hiroshima. Further evidence of a potential improvement in relations came in the form of a meeting between Chinas commerce minister, Wang Wentao, and his U.S. counterpart, Gina Raimondo, on Thursday. The talks, described by the American government as candid, saw the pair discuss the blows each country has struck against the other in the microchip sector. Wentao expressed key concerns on the U.S.s China policies on economy and trade, and semiconductors, as well as issues concerning export control and outbound investments review, Xinhua said. In turn, Raimondo spoke of her concern over Chinas growing restrictions on U.S. interests in the Asian country, such as a recent ban on the use of semiconductors produced by the American firm Micron in key infrastructure projects. The move by Beijing has been interpreted in part as a response to Washingtons October decision to curb exports of microchip-manufacturing technologies to China, to avoid Chinese development of cutting-edge weapons. These microprocessors are also necessary in the field of AI, and the development of other state-of-the-art technologies such as smart electric vehicles. Whats more, Taiwan is significantly linked to the stand-off, as it produces 60% of global microchips, and 90% of the most advanced variants (it is capable of building three-nanometer chips; China, meanwhile, is playing catch-up). In an unusually blunt rebuke in March, Xi accused the U.S. of leading a Western strategy of containment, encirclement and suppression against China, in an attempt to undermine the countrys development. At the ZGC Forum, there was an atmosphere of confidence over the future. Well overcome this problem soon weve done the same at previous points in our history, said Huo Jiaqi, 23, a postgraduate student who spoke to EL PAIS at the stand occupied by the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, one of the countrys most prestigious educational institutions in the fields of cable and wireless communications, IT and electronic engineering. Surrounding him, in an enormous space devoted to exhibiting technological advances, there was a little bit of everything: smart humanoid robots, police robots, drones, and metaverse avatars strutting about on an LED screen. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday demanded that the Centre withdraw its ordinance on control of services in Delhi, after he held a meeting with the chief ministers of Delhi and Punjab. IMAGE: Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann meet Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao (left) in Hyderabad, May 27, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo He made the demand during a joint press conference with Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann who called on him in Hyderabad to discuss the issue of the Centre's ordinance. Rao alleged that the way the Centre issued the ordinance reminded one of the days of the Emergency. "(PM) Narendra Modi ji and BJP leaders speak so vociferously against the Emergency. Exactly the same thing happened before the Emergency. Post Allahabad high court judgment, a Constitutional amendment was made nullifying that judgment," Rao said. Claiming that the National Democratic Alliance government is on a path similar to the imposition of the Emergency by Indira Gandhi in 1975, he asked what is the difference between the Indira Gandhi regime then and the Centre now. "We demand that the prime minister withdraw the ordinance. Yourself. Or else, we will all support Arvind Kejriwal ji. We will stand by him. We will use all our strength in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to defeat that ordinance and see to it that the ordinance is not passed," he said. Rao alleged that the NDA government insulted the people of Delhi. The Centre is not allowing the elected government of Delhi to function and is not honouring the Supreme Court judgment, he alleged. "Not honouring the Supreme Court's larger bench judgment means going towards Emergency," he said. He felt that the "whole system" would support Kejriwal as it is a "question of the existence of democracy". Kejriwal thanked Rao for his support. "People across the country ask where would people go for justice if the Prime Minister does not accept the Supreme Court's orders," the Delhi chief minister said. "In a way, Prime Minister is challenging the people of Delhi that he would not let the government function, whatever (be) the government elected by the people," he claimed, accusing the Centre of meddling when a non-BJP government is elected by the people in any state. He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party either "purchases MLAs, dislodges government or breaks MLAs by sending ED or brings an ordinance misusing the Governor, as seen in different states". Observing that the BJP does not have a majority in Rajya Sabha, he said if all non-BJP parties defeat the ordinance in the upper house, it will generate confidence among people of the country that the Modi government would not return to power in 2024. The fight is to safeguard democracy, he said. Mann alleged that Raj Bhavans have become "BJP offices" and the Governors are BJP's "star campaigners" of the incumbent NDA government at the Centre. Mann also said he did not attend the NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi on Saturday as what was sought in the last meeting was not given. "The BJP-led government at the Centre holds meetings but does what it wants to," he said. The strength of Rao's BRS is nine and seven in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday apologised to the people of Egra area in Purba Medinipur district of the state for a blast at an illegal firecracker factory in Egra, in which 12 people were killed and many injured. IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hands over appointment letters for jobs as home guards to one member each from the family of those killed in the blast, in Egra, May 27, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The Trinamool Congress supremo, who reached Khadikul village in this area, 11 days after the blast, also said the incident could have been averted if the state had received proper intelligence inputs. "I will bow my head down to you and apologise for the incident (blast at the illegal fire factory on May 16)... Had intelligence worked properly then this blast could have been averted," Banerjee said after distributing compensation cheques to relatives of those killed and injured in the blast. She also handed over appointment letters for jobs as home guards to one member each from the family of those killed in the May 16 blast. Stating that two members from the family which owned the illegal factory, have been arrested, Banerjee urged the villagers to keep the local police informed in case they find any other illegal fireworks units operational. The Bengal CM was accompanied by state chief secretary HK Dwivedi. The Trinamool Congress supremo's visit to Egra assumes significance as three back-to-back explosions linked to illegal firecracker factories have taken place this month, ahead of panchayat elections. The dates for the village body elections, however, are yet to be announced. After the blast at Egra occurred on May 16, three members of a family were killed in an explosion at an illegal firecracker unit in South 24 Parganas district's Budge Budge on May 21. The Calcutta high court had last week refused to hand over the blast case to the NIA as sought by the leader of the opposition and had asked state CID to continue with the probe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the new Parliament building as a "temple of democracy" and wished that it continues to strengthen India's development trajectory and empower millions. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the Adheenams as he meets them ahead of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building, at his residence in New Delhi, May 27, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Modi, who had urged people to share a video of the new building on Twitter with the hashtag 'MyParliamentMyPride', also noted that through very emotional voiceovers people are conveying a spirit of pride that the nation is getting a new Parliament which will keep working to fulfill people's aspirations with more vigour. Tagging a tweet by Union minister Hardeep Puri lauding the new Parliament building, Modi said on Twitter, "May this Temple of Democracy continue strengthening India's development trajectory and empowering millions." He used the 'My Parliament My Pride' tag along with his tweet. The prime minister also re-tweeted several people's posts with the video of the new Parliament building and their voiceovers. In another tweet, Modi said, "Several people are expressing their joy on #MyParliamentMyPride. Through very emotional voice-overs they are conveying a spirit of pride that our nation is getting a new Parliament which will keep working to fulfill people's aspirations with more vigour." Modi on Friday had said the new Parliament building will make every Indian proud, as he posted a video of the newly-constructed complex on Twitter and urged people to share it on the social media platform with the hashtag 'MyParliamentMyPride'. Modi had also urged people to share the video with their voiceover. The new Parliament building will be inaugurated on Sunday and the ceremony will begin with an early morning havan and a multi-religion prayer followed by a formal opening in the Lok Sabha by Modi. The video shared by Modi gives a virtual tour of the new building including the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. As many as 25 parties are expected to attend the inauguration of the new Parliament building even as 20 opposition parties have decided to boycott the event. Officials said the havan will be held outside the new building around 7 am and the ceremonial sceptre Sengol will be handed over to Modi by the high priests of the Shaivite order. The Sengol will be installed near the chair of the Speaker in the new Parliament building. Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh among others are expected to be present during the formal inauguration of the new complex. The triangular-shaped four-storey Parliament building has a built-up area of 64,500 sqm. The building has three main gates -- Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar. Thousands of police personnel have been deployed and multiple layers of barricades put in place in the Lutyens' Delhi area on Sunday as part of the security arrangement for the inauguration of the new parliament building and protesting wrestlers' 'Mahila Mahapanchayat', officials said. IMAGE: The new parliament building illuminates in tri-colour ahead of its inauguration ceremony, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo Also, all entry and exit gates at the Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations of the Delhi Metro have been closed as part of security measures. The new parliament building is located near the Central Secretariat station which is an interchange facility between Yellow Line and Violet Line. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new building on Sunday morning. Representatives of 25 political parties and many dignitaries, including chief ministers and ministers, are slated to attend the inauguration. A senior police officer said security has been stepped up by enhancing police deployment, placing multiple barricades and sufficient police pickets. Intensive patrolling is also being carried out across the national capital and its bordering areas to ensure that law and order is maintained, he said. The wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar, about two kilometres from the parliament building, said they will go ahead with their 'Mahila Mahapanchayat' near the new building at any cost. Police, however, said no protester will be allowed to move towards the new building as permission has not been granted to hold the 'Mahila Mahapanchayat'. "We respect our athletes, but we will not let there be any disturbance in the inauguration (of the new parliament building)," Dependra Pathak, Special CP, Law and Order, told PTI. Police personnel have put up barricades at border points and are checking vehicles entering the national capital. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said thousands of farmers from Uttar Pradesh will gather at Delhi's Ghazipur border at 10.30 am on Sunday and enter the national capital to extend their support to the protesting wrestlers. Farmers plan to enter Delhi from other border points as well. The agitating wrestlers have demanded the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Singh who, they alleged, sexually harassed several women grapplers. In view of the protests, police have requested the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to grant the necessary permission to create temporary jail in the MC Primary Girls School, Kanjawala Chowk, Old Bawana on Sunday. "Strict vigil is being kept along Delhi's borders. We have increased our pickets. Multiple barricades have been placed and no one will be allowed entry to the national capital without thorough checking," a senior police officer said. Every vehicle will be checked and no suspicious entry with potential to disrupt the law-and-order situation in Delhi will be allowed, another police officer said. Police have already issued a traffic advisory that the New Delhi district will be treated as a controlled area and entry of vehicles will be restricted. Besides additional deployment of force, CCTV monitoring is being carried out continuously, the police said. According to the traffic advisory, only public transport vehicles, civil service aspirants, bona fide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles will be allowed to move in the New Delhi area. The Delhi traffic police urged people to plan their journey accordingly and avoid the New Delhi district from 5.30 am to 3 pm. A police official said adequate security personnel have been deployed near the Parliament building and robust security arrangements have been made at Jantar Mantar where wrestlers and farmers have been staging a sit-in. "We have covered the entire Jantar Mantar protest venue. It is being guarded by our security personnel. CCTV cameras installed there are being constantly monitored. "Heavy barricades have been put up. For each protester, we have deployed at least five police personnel. That's how elaborate the security arrangement is at Jantar Mantar," he said. The ceremony to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday began with an early morning havan and multi-faith prayers followed by the formal opening by Prime Minister Modi. In a significant development ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, a powerful Congressional Committee has recommended strengthening North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Plus by including India. IMAGE: The US Capitol building in Washington, DC. Photograph: Julia Nikhinson/Reuters NATO Plus, currently NATO Plus 5, is a security arrangement that brings together NATO and five aligned nations -- Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea -- to boost global defence cooperation. Bringing India on board would facilitate seamless intelligence sharing between these countries and India would access the latest military technology without much of a time lag. The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, overwhelmingly adopted a policy proposal to enhance Taiwan's deterrence, including through strengthening NATO Plus to include India. 'Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the United States strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India. Including India in NATO Plus security arrangements would build upon the US and India's close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region,' the Select Committee recommended. An initiative of the Republican leadership, the Select Committee is popularly called the China Committee. Indian-American Ramesh Kapoor, who has been working on this proposal for the past six years, said this is a significant development. He hoped that the recommendation would find a place in the 'National Defense Authorization Act 2024' and finally end up becoming a law of the land. In its set of recommendations, the China Committee said that economic sanctions against China in case of an attack on Taiwan will be most effective if key allies such as G7, NATO, NATO+5, and Quad members join, and negotiating a joint response and broadcasting this message publicly have the added benefit of enhancing deterrence. 'Much like we do joint contingency planning for war fighting, we need to coordinate in peacetime with US allies. To that end, Congress should pass legislation similar to the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2023 that mandates the development of an economic sanctions package to be employed in the event of a PRC attack on Taiwan,' it said. 'It should also pass legislation to counter the CCP's economic coercion, including by providing tools to support foreign partners targeted by the PRC's economic coercion. The flip side of economic deterrence is economic engagement with Taiwan. 'Accordingly, Congress should support efforts to reduce the taxation burden on US-Taiwan cross-border investment as well as broader trade negotiations with a particular focus on developing shared standards and regulations to combat the CCP's unfair economic policies,' the committee said. 'The United States should strengthen the NATO Plus arrangement to include India. The United States should also strengthen diplomatic deterrence by supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations and amending the TAIPEI Act to provide that the United States, alongside its allies and partners, should publicly oppose any attempts by the CCP to resolve the status of Taiwan's sovereignty by intentionally misusing, misinterpreting, and misleading others on the underlying purpose of UN Resolution 2758 or the United States' One China Policy,' it stated. Prime Minister Modi will pay an official state visit to the US next month. A rescued tiger is released into its new habitat for the first time, at the Ostok Sanctuary, near Culiacan, Mexico, on May 23, 2023. A group of tigers and lions who are recovering from malnutrition and injuries are temporarily agitated by the sounds of machinery. A few feet away from where they are trying to rest, bulldozers are shifting earth in the Ostok Sanctuary, in the city of Culiacan, the capital of the northwestern Mexican state of Sinaloa. The engines roar as workers build a pond, in which 10 descendants of Pablo Escobars famous pet hippos will be living. From the Colombian region of Antioquia, the animals will travel by plane to Culiacan, in an operation that will cost $450,000. This is all being financed by the conservationist Ernesto Zazueta, who owns the animal shelter. Once the hippos land in Sinaloa, they will travel by road until they take the detour that leads to Jesus Maria, the bastion where the children of El Chapo Guzman were hiding until recently. A few miles from the entrance to the refuge, black spots on the asphalt can still be seen. These marks were left behind from the cars that were torched by El Chapos henchmen in January of this year, as vengeance for the arrest of Ovidio Guzman, one of the drug lords sons. Pablo Escobars hippos will soon arrive in this land, the stronghold of the Sinaloa Cartel. When Colombias most infamous drug trafficker brought four specimens of Nile hippos from Africa to his private zoo at the Hacienda Napoles in Antioquia, he couldnt imagine the consequences. Following his death in 1993, the property fell into disrepair. The animals crossed the boundaries of the land, spreading through the Magdalena River and reproducing without control in a habitat that had no natural predators. From the four hippos he kept as pets in the 1980s, at least 169 descendants have now been identified. They cause traffic accidents, damage crops and occasionally harm the local fauna. The communities of the Colombian region have long been asking for a solution. But how can you control a population of highly-territorial animals that can weigh up to three tons, can eat 40 kilos of vegetation a day and are a major tourist attraction? An Asian elephant named Big Boy eats alongside other animals in his habitat at the Ostok Sanctuary. Inaki Malvido The latest incident, in which a hippo was run over on a highway in Antioquia, led Governor Anibal Gaviria Correa to demand a quick response from the Colombian minister of the environment regarding the fate of the hippos. Minister Susana Muhamad replied that the authorities are working to comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The governor explained that the temporary measure of sterilizing the hippos wasnt fast enough to control the population, yet the procedures to transfer them to another location were being delayed far longer than expected. Minister Muhamad noted that the transfer processes were being carefully studied, so as not to end up exporting the hippos without verifying all the requirements and causing a problem elsewhere. Ernesto Zazueta, a Sinaloan businessman with a long history as a facilitator of services for zoos in Mexico, offered to host 10 specimens in his animal sanctuary. In addition, he has found a shelter in India that will care for another 60 of the hippos. Were going to bring the youngest we find, to reduce the birth rate in Colombia, which is very high, the conservationist explains. He assures EL PAIS that the hippos are already being coaxed with bait, so that they will fall into harmless traps that will make it possible to move them. The ultimate goal is to try to return the Nile hippos to their original habitat in Africa, as Zazueta has already done with other species that he has rescued from circuses, private collections, and other abusive spaces. Of course, the hippos will first have to spend a long time in Ostok. The transfer of animals is one of the containment strategies recommended by researchers from the National University of Colombia and the Alexander Von Humboldt Institute a proposal still being studied by the Colombian government. Another recommendation is to confine them in spaces with less freedom of movement to reduce mating. The most drastic and controversial measure they suggest is control hunting. It was already tried in 2009, when the government hired two German hunters who, accompanied by soldiers, shot Pepe, the first hippopotamus in the herd. The photograph of the group, which treated the corpse of the animal as a trophy, generated widespread repudiation. One of the sanctuarys watchmen observes the construction of the pond where the 10 hippos will be be living. Inaki Malvido The death of the animals is what Zazueta is trying to avoid. We want to rescue them because being an invasive species, they can be annihilated... [The Antioquian locals] may even receive permits to hunt them, the businessman warns. He isnt worried that bringing a dozen specimens will lead to the same problem of overpopulation in Mexico. [In Colombia], they let them loose, lying around. Thats why they reproduce uncontrollably. And these animals are classified as being at-risk, so it also doesnt make any sense to castrate them, he stresses. The hippos that arrive in Culiacan will live in an enclosed area with a pool of water and caretakers. But they will not be sterilized or visited, as the Ostok Sanctuary is closed to the public to ensure stress-free and effective rehabilitation for the animals. The herd will join Freddy, the only hippo living in the sanctuary at the moment. Zazueta proudly looks at the young animal, who is frolicking in a provisional pond. The new space that is being built will be incorporated into the more than 100 hectares of land that are sheltered by a landscape of dry trees between hills. With the rains, the dry land will eventually be transformed into a green space with natural shade to provide shelter for its inhabitants. Meanwhile, Zazueta and his team have built structures that provide shade. Freddy the hippo in his waterhole at the Ostok Sanctuary. Inaki Malvido A deer feeds on some peppers at the Ostok Sanctuary. Inaki Malvido Lovebird birds in their aviary, on May 23, 2023. Inaki Malvido A tiger in his "quarantine cage," a smaller space for animals that are not yet ready to live with others, in the sanctuarys newly-built habitat. Inaki Malvido Zazueta has only been bringing animals here for two years, but thats been enough time to gather 450 specimens, ranging from big cats such as panthers and jaguars to small spider monkeys. Most are rescued from circuses, species traffickers, or private collections. They usually arrive wounded and traumatized. Others, such as Freddy, come from zoos that cant take care of them anymore. [Freddy] and his father could have had a very ugly fight over territory Its better we brought him here, the rescuer notes. Before he established Ostok, Zazueta moved animals from one zoo to another, while advising companies and institutions on appropriate wildlife management. With the 2015 change to the law in Mexico that prohibited circuses with animals, dozens of them were abandoned by their owners. At first, Zazueta was able to relocate some. But in the case of Big Boy, an elephant, he found no other solution than to open his own sanctuary for his rehabilitation. Big Boy had become accustomed to being immobile, with one leg constantly tied to a stick in the terrible circus conditions. Now, hes much improved, constantly demanding cookies from Zazueta. After Big Boy, more species arrived, such as the birds that were rescued during a 2020 government raid that saw officials free 16,00 animals from wild animal traffickers in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City. The most recent achievement was bringing 35 big cats rescued from the Black Jaguar-White Tiger Refuge, a space that went viral on social media and was visited by celebrities such as Lewis Hamilton and Justin Bieber. Last year, Mexicos Prosecutors Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) closed the place due to reports of malnutrition and mistreatment of the cats. The animals who arrived at Ostok were malnourished, and several had been mutilated. However, after 10 months of rehabilitation, they have gained weight and some have even had babies. They were recently joined by a specimen that was rescued in Michoacan: an adult tiger who, while in the possession of criminals, was wounded by a bullet in a confrontation between armed groups. Ernesto Zazueta, the director of Ostok, at the sanctuarys facilities near the city of Culiacan, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Inaki Malvido Zazueta explains that he has business partners who help him finance the expenses of the animals via donations. When he took in all the tigers, Farmacias Similares a national chain of pharmacies helped him build an enclosure on the property. For daily expenses, such as the many pounds of meat required by the big cats, he ensures that local companies such as Su Carne or Bachoco donate entire trucks worth of food. And, every few days, one of his employees leaves with a truck to tour the fields of Sinaloa in search of fruits and vegetables that the farmers may want to donate. With these donations, he covers half of the expenses, while the other half comes from his own pocket. I have several companies, such as a legal advisory firm. Im also the president of the United Association for Sustainable Management of Biodiversity and the Association of Zoos, Hatcheries and Aquariums of Mexico, he adds. His partners in India will cover the two planes that will transfer the other 60 hippos, an operation that amounts to $3.5 million. The commercial flight to Sinaloa, which costs nearly half-a-million, will be financed by Zazueta, although theres still no specific date for the long-awaited arrival. Zazueta blames the Colombian bureaucracy. Im desperate, because I want it to be done now, and Im under pressure from India, the rescuer laments. Regarding Minister Susana Muhamads statements, the businessman reproaches her for wanting to interfere in the process in Mexico. Shes not in charge here, and she doesnt have to get involved. Thats the problem. [The Colombian authorities] are unaware of everything, and they have the gall to complain, he sighs. Meanwhile, it will be Freddy who inaugurates the great pond, while waiting for his future Colombian neighbors. Diego Garcia, director of the Culiacan Zoo and a supporter of the Ostok Sanctuary, closes the gate as he leaves the sanctuarys grounds. Inaki Malvido Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Justine Triet's Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme d'Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in a ceremony Saturday that bestowed the festival's prestigious top prize on an engrossing, rigorously plotted French courtroom drama that puts a marriage on trial. Anatomy of a Fall, which stars Sandra Huller as a writer trying to prove her innocence in her husbands death, is only the third film directed by a woman to win the Palme d'Or. One of the two previous winners, Julia Ducournau, was on this year's jury. Cannes' Grand Prix, its second prize, went to Jonathan Glazers The Zone of Interest, a chilling Martin Amis adaptation about a German family living next door to Auschwitz. Huller also stars in that film. The awards were decided by a jury presided over by two-time Palme winner Ruben Ostlund, the Swedish director who won the prize last year for Triangle of Sadness. The ceremony preceded the festival's closing night film, the Pixar animation Elemental. Remarkably, the award for Anatomy of a Fall gives the indie distributor Neon its fourth straight Palme winners. Neon, which acquired the film after its premiere in Cannes, also backed Triangle of Sadness,Ducournau's Titane and Bong Joon Ho's Parasite, which it steered to a best picture win at the Academy Awards. Triet was presented the Palme by Jane Fonda, who recalled coming to Cannes in 1963 when, she said, there were no female filmmakers competing and it never even occurred to us that there was something wrong with that. This year, a record seven out of the 21 films in competition at Cannes were directed by women. After a rousing standing ovation, Triet, the 44-year-old French filmmaker, spoke passionately about the protests that have roiled France this year over reforms to pension plans and the retirement age. Several protests were held during Cannes this year, but demonstrations were as they have been in many high-profile locations throughout France banned from the area around the Palais des Festivals. Protesters were largely relegated to the outskirts of Cannes. The protests were denied and repressed in a shocking way, said Triet, who linked that governmental influence to that in cinema. "The merchandizing of culture, defended by a liberal government, is breaking the French cultural exception." This award is dedicated to all the young women directors and all the young male directors and all those who cannot manage to shoot films today, she added. We must give them the space I occupied 15 years ago in a less hostile world where it was still possible to make mistakes and start again. After the ceremony, Triet reflected on being the third female director to win the Palme, following Ducournau and Jane Campion ("The Piano"). Things are truly changing, she said. Speaking to reporters, Triet was joined by her star, Huller, whose performance was arguably the most acclaimed of the festival. (The festival encourages juries not to give films more than one award.) But Anatomy of a Fall did pocket one other sought-after prize: the Palme Dog. The honor given to the best canine in the festival's films went to the film's border collie, Snoop. The jury prize went to Finnish director Aki Kaurismakis Fallen Leaves," a deadpan love story about a romance that blooms in a loveless workaday Helsinki where dispatches from the war in Ukraine regularly play on the radio. Best actor went to veteran Japanese star Koji Yakusho, who plays a reflective, middle-aged Tokyo man who cleans toilets in Wim Wenders' Perfect Days," a gentle, quotidian character study. The Turkish actor Merve Dizdar took best actress for the Nuri Bilge Ceylan's About Dry Grasses. Ceylan's expansive tale is set in snowy eastern Anatolia about a teacher, Samet (Deniz Celiloglu), accused of misconduct by a young female student. Dizdar plays a friend both attracted and repelled by Samet. I understand what it's like to be a woman in this area of the country, said Dizdar. I would like to dedicate this prize to all the women who are fighting to exist and overcome difficulties in this world and to retrain hope. Vietnamese-French director Tran Anh Hung took best director for Pot-au-Feu," a lush, foodie love story starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel and set in a 19th century French gourmet chateau. Best screenplay was won by Yuji Sakamoto for Monster. Sakamoto penned Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's nuanced drama, with shifting perspectives, about two boys struggling for acceptance in their school at home. Monster also won the Queer Palm, an honor bestowed by journalists for the festival's strongest LGBTQ-themed film. Quentin Tarantino, who won Cannes' top award for Pulp Fiction," attended the ceremony to present a tribute to filmmaker Roger Corman. Tarantino praised Corman for filling him and countless moviegoers with unadulterated cinema pleasure. My cinema is uninhibited, full of excess and fun, said Corman, the independent film maverick. I feel like this what Cannes is about. The festival's Un Certain Regard section handed out its awards on Friday, giving the top prize to Molly Manning Walker's debut feature, How to Have Sex. Saturdays ceremony drew to close a Cannes edition that hasn't lacked spectacle, stars or controversy. The biggest wattage premieres came out of competition. Martin Scorsese debuted his Osage murders epic Killers of the Flower Moon, a sprawling vision of American exploitation with Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Harrison Fords Indy farewell, launched with a tribute to Ford. Wes Anderson premiered Asteroid City. The festival opened on a note of controversy. Jeanne du Barry, a period drama co-starring Johnny Depp as Louis XV, played as the opening night film. The premiere marked Depp's highest profile appearance since the conclusion of his explosive trial last year with ex-wife Amber Heard. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP ___ For more coverage of this years festival, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/cannes-film-festival WASHINGTON As director of Shepaug Valley Schools Agriscience Academy, Tyler Cremeans knows kids dont learn best in a seat all the time. He said the schools Agriscience program runs on a three-circle model of agriculture education that includes hands-on classroom and lab experience, supervised agriculture experience work like internships, and the Future Farmers of America program. I think the ag education model is the best model for education as far as readying students for the next phase of their lives and their careers, Cremeans said. I think kids nowadays really love the hands-on opportunities that we can provide for them here. I think agriculture careers are on the rise too. Theres hundreds of agriscience related careers available for these kids to learn about and our program helps kids interested in those careers explore them. The state-funded Agriscience program in Washington is now in its fourth year of operation and is open to students from New Milford, Danbury, New Fairfield, Sherman, Brookfield, Bethel and Region 12, which encompasses the towns of Washington, Roxbury and Bridgewater. The program incorporates the fields of science, technology, engineering and math into four different educational pathways, according to its website. Due to its unique programming, demand for the Agriscience Academy is high, particularly in New Milford where several students are on the waitlist. Shepaug aims to increase the number of students who may participate over the long term and is adding new pathways to enhance opportunities for students, Cremeans said. There are 152 students for the current school year and around 164 students enrolled for the next school year, he said. Were approaching what I think is a good healthy number for next year and I think the following year we should be what our ratio should be, he said. Me personally, Id like to see 175 kids in the program. There are 20 Agriscience centers across Connecticut, and Shepaugs program is the newest, Cremeans said. Being so new, we can take the best model and the best things from each center, he said. We have a blank slate to do whatever we want here, which is really cool. Sending local students to Shepaug Cremeans said Shepaug works with the participating school districts to determine how many students are accepted into the program each year, but each town limit(s) how many students the district supports. He said expanding the number of seats in the program is in the long-term plans. We are growing slowly at the moment, Cremeans said, and were hoping to have all go here in the future. Obviously there are a lot of business aspects that play into this decision as well. After several New Milford students were put on the waitlist, parents begged the school board to add more money to next years education budget to allow more students to attend the program, but were told by the school and finance boards that it wouldnt be feasible. The schools have an agreement with Region 12 schools for 28 seats in the program, according to Superintendent Janet Parlato. This means the district budgets for seven high school students per grade to attend. Twenty-seven New Milford students applied for the Agriscience program this year, according to New Milford mother Megan Byrd. Of the 27 applicants, Byrd said 11 students scored perfectly in their interview and an additional six students scored very well and made it into the program, only to be waitlisted. Byrd, whose daughter Heather was one of the waitlisted students, said she is waiting to hear from the school board if more seats will be funded especially after the towns education passed last Tuesday. Kelly Paredes, The Sherman Schools middle school counselor, said Sherman had three eighth graders apply for the Agriscience program, all of whom were accepted. She said the school has an additional nine students that are going to Shepaug in the fall and have the option of transferring into the Agriscience program. I believe theyre looking forward to being part of the Shepaug community and I think its a good transition from Sherman, Paredes said. Going to Shepaug is a familiar feel. Kathy June, executive secretary of the Newtown school district, said the number of students Newtown sends to the program depends on how many students apply. She said six students applied for the 2023-24 school year, though the district doesnt know if all six students will attend. Its possible that more students will apply over the summer, June said, but we wont have an enrollment count 'til the beginning of next year. Ken Post, director of operations for Brookfield schools, said Brookfield allows four new students to attend the Agriscience program ever year. I think this year might have been the first year where they had more than four students apply, he said. I think they had six, seven students apply, but we only budgeted for four and we communicated with Shepaug to see if they wanted to allow more in with the money they were budgeted. Since Brookfields education budget failed at last Tuesdays budget referendum, Post said he doesnt see more seats opening up in our current budget year, but its certainly something to consider in future years. New pathways For the students who want to go to the program but werent accepted, local schools have offered a few agriculture-related courses on campus, though none quite like the classes at Shepaug. June said Newtown has a greenhouse where students can grow plants and flowers for the Newtown Greenery 1 and 2 and Greenhouse Management 1 and 2 courses. Beyond the greenhouse, she said, We dont offer the students agriscience classes that Shepaug would with animals and farm equipment. Cremeans said the Agriscience program has added two new course pathways for the 2023-24 school year. In addition to animal science, equine science, agricultural mechanics and food science, the Agriscience program will have a horticulture and landscaping pathway and an aquaponics and natural resources pathway next year. Cremeans said the program has also added new electives like livestock showing, agriculture business and leadership, and K-9 basics and dog grooming. 'A wonderful program' Cremeans said he visits the regions middle schools every fall to give presentations about the Agriscience program and recruit students. He said one of the things he emphasizes during his visits is the programs facilities, including the food science labs, the indoor horse riding arena, the greenhouse and the large animal facilities. Students can attend the programs Open House events in the spring and fall to learn more and then apply to the program in the fall of their eighth grade year. They are required to submit their transcript, a personal essay and three letters of recommendation with their application. Tammy Witt of Sherman said her older daughter Peyton, 15, currently attends the Agriscience program while her daughter Casey, 14, was accepted into the program for next year. Peyton has an incredible love and relationship with animals, Witt said. She knew instantaneously as soon as Shepaugs Agriscience program was presented that that was where she wanted to go Casey is also an animal lover and was very excited to be able to have the opportunity to apply for the program. She said it "means the world" that her daughters can attend a school where "they're exploring something that they want to do in their futures. "Its a wonderful program for students who may have some anxiety issues as well because it can be so calming I think that allows them to come out of their shells and to build their own self-efficacy and hone their skills at the same time. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW MILFORD Ricardo Vega is channeling his culinary experience and his cultures cuisine into opening his own restaurant, Vegas Mexican Kitchen, where he aims to serve authentic Mexican food. Were trying to incorporate our recipes, our food and experiences, said Vegas 19-year-old son, Richard Vega. Its an honor to share it with the community. Vegas Mexican Kitchen opens at 24 Railroad St. on May 29. Ricardo Vega, who was born in Mexico, said his restaurant offers authentic Mexican dishes, including mole poblano, Sinaloa-style ceviche de pescado, Mexican street tacos and more. Many of the restaurant's recipes came from his mother, Consuelo Vega, and grandmother, Victoria Chavero, he said. It also offers dishes made from recipes from Esperanza Hernandez, mother of the restaurants chef Roberto Pena. Ricardo Vega said he hopes to balance the restaurants unique dishes with Tex-Mex cuisine because so many people like Tex-Mex. Before opening his own restaurant, Vega previously worked at Senor Panchos and Tequilas Mexican Restaurant in Brookfield and Mexicali Rose in Bethel. Several of Vegas past co-workers now work at his new restaurant, including Pena, who is one of Vegas partners. My dads social, Richard Vega said. Hes made so many friends, so many connections. And its because of those connections we found so many trustworthy workers to help build our restaurant. The restaurant is still hiring additional employees, Richard Vega said, but it has already hired people we trust, people we have roots with, everybody who can help this restaurant grow as much as possible. We want to create a comfortable place where people can come and eat and socialize, he said. Vegas Mexican Kitchen is open for dine-in or takeout from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, visit www.vegasmexican.com or its Facebook page. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BEIRUT (AP) The United Nations announced Saturday that it will suspend a plan to begin making aid payments to Syrian refugees in crisis-wracked Lebanon in dollars, after pushback from Lebanese officials. Lebanon has been in the throes of a severe financial crisis since 2019, with triple-digit inflation and the domestic currency having lost more than 98% of its market value. An estimated three-quarters of the population is now living in poverty, with refugees having been hit particularly hard. Some 90% of Syrian refugees in Lebanon are below the extreme poverty line, according to a U.N. assessment. Since the collapse of Lebanons currency, U.N. agencies had been paying assistance to refugees in Lebanese pounds. However, on Wednesday, citing the rapid depreciation of the pound, increased fluctuations of the exchange rate, and the strain on the financial provider in supplying large volumes of cash in Lebanese pounds the U.N. refugee agency and the World Food Program, along with the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon said they would start giving refugees in Lebanon the option to receive payments in dollars, rather than in Lebanese pounds, with a maximum of $125 per family per month. Before the announcement, refugee households received a maximum of 8 million pounds per month, worth about $80. However, on Saturday, the U.N. agencies said that after meetings with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and caretaker Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar, and based on their requests, a decision has been made to temporarily pause the use of dual currency for next months disbursement of cash assistance to refugees. Spokespeople for the Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza and for UNHCR said that aid payments in Lebanese pounds will continue. Lebanons caretaker Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar said at a press conference Friday that Lebanese officials reject paying Syrian refugees in dollars because this would make them stay in Lebanon. He added that most of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon are economic refugees and not refugees who fled because of security and political reasons. Also on Friday, the World Bank announced it had approved $300 million in additional financing to provide cash assistance to poor Lebanese families, with some 160,000 households receiving up to $145 per month for 24 months. Sentiments against Syrian refugees in Lebanon have been on the rise since the economic crisis began and since Syrian government forces took control of much of the neighboring country. Officials in Lebanon now maintain that it is safe for many of the Syrian refugees to return home. In recent weeks, the Lebanese army launched a series of raids on refugee settlements, arresting and in many cases deporting those found not to have legal residency documents. In 2018, EL PAIS launched an investigation into pedophilia in the Catholic Church. We maintain an updated database with all known cases in the Hispanic world. If you know of a case that has not been reported on, you can write to us at: abusos@elpais.es. If your information is regarding a case in Latin America, the address is: abusosamerica@elpais.es. Victims of pedophilia in Jesuit schools across Bolivia have been making their voices heard, criticizing the fact that the government hasnt bothered to consult them about a law that seeks to eliminate the statute of limitations for crimes of pedophilia, nor about the creation of a truth commission to investigate specific cases and prepare a report. The politicians dont care about us. They dont care about the victims. They want to approve a truth commission that theyve designed without the advice of specialists in the field or victims associations. Its only made up of political appointees they want to quickly approve the bill to put this issue to rest, says Edwin Alvarado, spokesman for the alumni association of the Juan XXIII school in Cochabamba, the epicenter of the child abuse scandal that has engulfed the Society of Jesus in the Andean country. Many of those affected are also surprised that the bill presented a few weeks ago by President Luis Arce proposes the elimination of the crime of statuatory rape. Under current Bolivian law, this is when an adult engages in sexual relations with a minor between the ages of 14 and 16 through seduction or deceit. We dont understand it. The objective is supposed to stop impunity for abuses rape is one of them. It seems that many politicians can benefit by getting rid of these crimes, Alvarado affirms. The Latin American country has seen how, in less than a month, pedophilia within the Catholic Church has become one of the most pressing issues. The publication of the secret diary of the Spanish Jesuit priest Alfonso Pedrajas where he admitted that he abused dozens of children in Bolivian schools and that his superiors covered it all up has shaken the entire Catholic Church of Bolivia. First, the religious authorities forced the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) an institution that has quietly removed eight high-ranking officials for orchestrating the cover-up to answer for the mismanagement of decades-worth of abuses and stop the media earthquake. However, the public has not been pacified: even more cases have since come to light, while indignation has taken hold in the streets. In recent weeks, small protests have been held in the countrys largest cities, with demonstrators gathering outside the doors of seminaries, churches and other ecclesiastical organizations. They are repudiating the inadequate response of religious hierarchies towards pedophilia. In cities such as Santa Cruz, Sucre, Cochabamba or La Paz, placards call for justice and more protection for minors. The problem is now part of the governments political agenda. The Prosecutors Office opened an investigation and the Bolivian president in just a week-and-a-half already had a draft of a law ready to go that would provide victims with the right to clarify the truth and receive monetary reparations. But many of the victims feel that the content of this bill has not been properly discussed. Without the input of experts, theyre afraid that a rushed passage of this law will only favor the aggressors and those who helped cover up their crimes. For this reason, the organized group of victims has prepared a text which EL PAIS has been granted access to that contains a dozen proposals to modify several of the proposed laws points. The group plans to present this text before the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, in La Paz, the countrys seat of government. The main claim of the victims association is that the composition of the truth commission be reformulated. Under the current proposal, the members all government workers would be political appointees. The victims are demanding that this commision also include representatives of the organizations that bring together the victims of clerical sexual crimes, entities dedicated to the protection of human rights, as well as at least two independent specialists one man and one woman elected by two-thirds of the parliament. The document highlights that no member of the executive branch, any ministry or the Ombudsmans office should be part of the commission, so as to avoid the politicization of such a sensitive issue. Along the same lines, the association proposes that the commissions members come from a variety of political parties including those from opposition and minor parties to ensure that the investigative body is not held captive by the ruling party. The association also emphasizes that under no circumstances can religious institutions to which the aggressors and concealers have belonged participate in this initiative. Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) a global organization advocating for the victims of pedophilia in the Church, present in 17 countries on five continents has also spoken about the commission proposed by the government. ECA notes that this proposal is not consistent with internationally-recognized standards for the formation of truth commissions, such as those that have already [been set up] in countries such as Ireland. In a statement made just days after President Arce offered up the proposed initiatives, ECA demanded the necessary and indispensable inclusion of the work of victims and human rights organizations in order to guarantee justice in an independent and impartial manner. The international organization also has expressed concern about an interview given by Minister of Justice Ivan Lima, who the government has proposed be part of the truth commission. Without referencing any specific studies, he said that, between 1950 and 2021, 99.7% of priests have not sexually abused minors. [This] makes it possible to notice, worryingly, an unobjective take on the situation that the victims are currently experiencing, ECA warns. Regarding the case of Pedrajas, Lima maintains that the number of victims that Pedrajas himself admitted to sexually assaulting in his diary (about 85) seems excessive. ECA believes that these statements in addition to re-victimizing those affected question the impartiality of the truth commission and cause the highly commendable effort of the Bolivian government to lose legitimacy. On other points of the bill, the alumni association believes that the new law should include abuse of power or conscience as an aggravating circumstance. They propose to increase the prison sentence for those who help cover up the sexual assault of adults to a minimum of four to six years. And, in the cases of those who cover up crimes of pedophilia, they want the minimum sentences to be between seven and 10 years. A paragraph should be included that states: When [the individual who conceals the acts] is the legal representative or highest authority of an entity whose members committed sexual crimes against infants, girls, boys and adolescents, institutional responsibility is established in the commission of this crime, the text notes. The alumni association also insists that the new law must confirm that no religious institution is above national laws, especially considering that the Concordat of 1851 (an agreement between the Spanish Queen Isabella II and the Vatican) is not endorsed by any law in Bolivia and is, therefore, invalid. Rejection of the Vaticans investigation Many of the victims have not welcomed the visit to Bolivia by the Spanish priest Jordi Bertomeu a close friend of Pope Francis and one of the leading experts on abuses within the Church. Bertomeu has participated in numerous anti-abuse missions in Latin America, such as the investigation of Father Maciel in the Legionaries of Christ in Mexico, as well as the pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church of Chile, which ended with the dismissal of practically the entire ecclesial leadership in the South American country. Victims and survivors of clerical pedophilia in Chile have publicly denounced that, in 2018, a papal commission made up of Bishop Charles Sicluna and Jordi Bertumeu was merely a mechanism for re-victimization and impunity. Due to this precedent, we [wish to alert the public] that the arrival of Jordi Bertomeu to Bolivia has the intention of repeating the Chilean case, without results and with greater re-victimization, the Juan XXIII alumni association announced this past Tuesday in a statement. Those affected say that they are concerned that an institution (the Catholic Church) that is being investigated for [committing crimes and being complicit in a cover-up] meet with the victims. They are demanding that the Bolivian authorities change their position to prevent the violation of constitutional sovereignty in the face of the possibility of installing ecclesial jurisdictions, which will only re-victimize the abused and seek to maintain impunity and the cover-up of sexual crimes by Catholic clerics. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition RENK, South Sudan (AP) Tens of thousands of exhausted people are heading home to the world's youngest country as they flee a brutal conflict in neighboring Sudan. There's a bottleneck of men, women and children camping near the dusty border of Sudan and South Sudan and the international community and the government are worried about a prolonged conflict. Fighting between Sudan's military and a rival militia killed at least 863 civilians in Sudan before a seven-day ceasefire began Monday night. Many in South Sudan are concerned about what could happen if the fighting next door continues. After escaping danger theres more violence, said South Sudanese Alwel Ngok, sitting on the ground outside a church. Theres no food, no shelter, were totally stranded, and Im very tired and need to leave, she said. Ngok thought shed be safe returning home after fleeing clashes in Sudans capital, Khartoum, where she watched three of her relatives killed. She and her five children arrived in Renk, South Sudan, where people were sheltering on the ground, some sleeping with their luggage piled up near thin mats. Women prepared food in large cooking pots as teenagers roamed aimlessly. Days after Ngok and her family arrived, she said, a man was beaten to death with sticks in a fight that began with a dispute over water. Years of fighting between government and opposition forces in South Sudan killed almost 400,000 people and displaced millions until a peace agreement was signed nearly five years ago. Enacting a solid peace has been sluggish: The country has yet to deploy a unified military and create a permanent constitution. Large-scale clashes between the main parties have subsided, but there is still fighting in parts of the country. South Sudan has billions in oil reserves that it moves to international markets through a pipeline that runs through Sudan in territories controlled by the warring parties. If that pipeline is damaged, South Sudans economy could collapse within months, said Ferenc David Marko, a researcher at the International Crisis Group. However, the most immediate concern is the tens of thousands of South Sudanese who are returning with no idea of how they'll get home to their towns and villages. Many are unable to afford the trip. Aid groups and the government are stretched for resources they can use to help. Some 50,000 people have crossed into the border town of Renk, many sheltering in stick huts along the road and in government buildings throughout the city. Some wander aimlessly in the market, desperately asking foreigners how to get home. People are arriving faster than they can be taken to new locations. The longer they stay, the greater the risk of fighting between communities, many with longstanding grievances stemming from the civil war. Many are frustrated because they dont know what lies ahead. The power struggle in South Sudan between President Salva Kiir, a Dinka, and Vice President Riek Machar, a Nuer, took on an ethnic dimension during the civil war. Communities in Renk said that the conflict that broke out over water in May and led to the killing of the man with sticks quickly became a wider dispute between the ethnic groups, forcing people to flee once again. At first, the local government wanted to divide the South Sudanese returning through Renk, based on their place of origin. Aid groups, however, pushed back. Together with the government and community leaders, the aid groups are engaging in peace dialogues. We are worried (about more violence)," said Yohannes William, the chairman for the humanitarian arm of the government in Upper Nile state. The services that (are) being provided here, they are limited. We have been told that this is a transit center, anyone who comes should be there two days or three days and then transit. "But now, unfortunately, due to the delayment of transportation, they have been there for more than two weeks, three weeks, William said. Situated at the northernmost tip of South Sudan, Renk is connected to other parts of the country by few roads. The main routes are flights or boat trips along the Nile, and many people cant afford them. The United Nations' International Organization for Migration is trying to send the most vulnerable South Sudanese who have returned some 8,000 people home by boat, with the goal of transporting nearly 1,000 people daily along the Nile to the state capital of Malakal. However, the trips have just begun, and problems in coordination between aid groups and the government at the port this month delayed people from leaving, with children, babies and the sick camped by empty boats for days under the scorching sun. Aid workers say it could take up to two months to decongest the city, which has nearly doubled in size. But Malakal already hosts some 44,000 displaced people in a United Nations protection camp, many still too afraid to leave for security reasons. The problem is an out of the frying pan, into the fire conundrum, because were moving them to Malakal, and Malakal is itself congested, Nicholas Haysom, the United Nations chief in South Sudan, told The Associated Press. Some who have already returned to Malakal from Sudan say they're unsure if there's a home to go back to, having had no contact with their families during the civil war. I don't know if my relatives are dead or alive, said William Deng. The 33-year-old hasn't been able to speak to his family in neighboring Jonglei state, which has little phone service, since returning in early May. The government says that it has funding for 10 charter planes to fly people from Renk to parts of the country harder to reach by boat. But Renks tiny airport cant support large planes, so each flight can only hold 80 people. The situation is dire (South Sudan) is now being forced to receive additional refugees and returnees. As a result, the humanitarian needs in the country will continue to grow, said Michael Dunford, regional director for East Africa for the World Food Program. Even before this crisis, 70% of the population needed humanitarian assistance, and the World Food Program cant meet their needs, he said. Traders in Renk, who get the majority of their goods from Sudan, say theyre already feeling the economic pain, with prices spiking 70%. I used to send my family $100 a week. Now I send half that, said Adam Abdalla Hassan. The Sudanese shop owner supports his family in Sudan, but now is earning less because people don't have enough money, he said. Those who returned say theyve received little information about where or how theyre supposed to get home, and worry they wont make it in time before the rainy reason, which starts soon, floods roads and makes it harder to fly. How can we stay here under the rain with the kids? said Ehlam Saad. Holding up her UN-issued wristband, the 42-year-old said shes been living in Renk for nearly three weeks. She has no idea how shell get to the capital of South Sudan, Juba, where she and her family lived before the war. Her only choice now is to find a way home and reunite with her husband and son, she said. A home is a home. Even if theres fighting, even if you move around the world, even if its the worst option, its home, she said. When the cold comes, arctic ground squirrels burrow deep into the ground, until they reach the frozen layer of the earth known as permafrost. There, they sleep through the winter, reducing their metabolic activity to 1% and lowering their temperature to an almost freezing point, one of the most extreme hibernation strategies known to science. In the spring, when the snow begins to recede, they come out of their torpor and once again become the keystone of the arctic terrestrial ecosystem, being preyed upon by foxes, lynxes, wolves, bears and eagles in regions where food is not abundant. For almost three decades, a group of scientists has studied two populations of these rodents. The results of their work, published in the journal Science, show that 25 years have been enough for climate change to disrupt one of the most sophisticated survival strategies, shaped by millions of years of evolution: female ground squirrels are coming out of hibernation earlier. The males, however, are not. The consequences of this discrepancy remain to be seen. For different reasons, such as the thermal amplification caused by melting ice or the extended hours of sunshine, global warming is more evident in arctic areas. This is why scientists use the Arctic, and the species that live in it, as sentinels of climate change. One of them is the arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii), a small animal measuring 15 inches and weighing less than 2 pounds that abounds throughout the arctic strip, from Alaska to Siberia, passing through the north of Canada. For almost 30 years, American researchers in Alaska have followed the life cycle of 199 of these little animals to which they attached sensors, studying the connection between their behavior and local climate change. Our data shows that the active layer, the layer of soil above the permafrost, freezes increasingly later in the fall, doesnt get as cold at the height of winter, and thaws a bit earlier in the spring, says the US Forest Service scientist Helen Chmura, lead author of the study. The average annual temperature in the study region has risen, especially in winter, since it began in 1993, and the freezing of the soil, which they measured at a depth of one meter (3.3 feet), has been falling behind at a rate of four days per decade. Meanwhile, the minimum soil temperature, which could drop below -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit), has risen by almost 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit). Furthermore, Chmura adds, these changes, which equate to a reduction of about 10 days in the time the ground freezes, have occurred in just 25 years, which is a very fast pace. How have hibernating animals reacted to such environmental change? The sensors attached to the ground squirrels show that they have not delayed the onset of torpor, but they are awakening ten days earlier, the same length of time that the freezing of the topsoil has decreased. These rodents are among the few hibernators that use thermogenic torpor. Species from temperate zones, such as bears, are capable of lowering their body temperature to match the ambient temperature of their den. However, in the case of the arctic ground squirrels, the cold can be many degrees below the freezing point, which would freeze their tissues. In order to survive, this animal is capable of reactivating its metabolism enough to generate heat and avoid freezing as many times as necessary. According to this study, they now activate this survival mechanism 37 days less than 25 years ago. Cory Williams, a biologist at Colorado State University, has studied ground squirrels for two decades, since he worked at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Williams, a senior author of this study, explains that the key to this matter goes beyond the temperature: Although this change is caused by climate warming, we dont believe that temperature is the only signal, or even the most important signal, used by these animals. As part of our long-term study, we found that as the end of hibernation approaches, the females test the conditions on the surface. If there is a heavy layer of snow, they will go back into hibernation, lengthening it. They only come out of it when there is enough space without snow on the surface to be able to feed, and the greening in these latitudes is occurring increasingly earlier. What is most striking about this study is that, although males and females start hibernation at the same time, only females have shortened it. Williams explains that both genders wake up at different times: Males end hibernation more than a month before females. They remain underground for about another month after ending hibernation, feeding on their food reserves; they do so because it takes several weeks for them to go through puberty and reach sexual maturity every spring. By ending hibernation a month before the females, they can ensure that they are physiologically capable of mating as soon as they emerge. This difference explains why the advancement of the end of hibernation in females is not such a dramatic matter for now. In fact, the researchers think that at the moment it is positive, as they have to resort less to thermogenic torpor, a very expensive strategy. However, if the phenomenon continues, a disparity between males and females could occur. Williams believes that, if the trend continues, there will be a strong selection for the early termination of hibernation by the males; he trusts in the plasticity of these animals to respond to the climatic challenge. Most of the animals that hibernate do so in latitudes where it can get very cold, but not as cold as what that the arctic ground squirrels endure. Temperate regions have no permafrost, so they dont need a mechanism as extreme as thermogenic torpor. However, climate change is also affecting them. A review published last year with studies on more than thirty species that hibernate showed that the impact of warming is uneven. Except for bats, for which no changes have been detected, most rodents are shortening it. Meanwhile, some species of bears, like the American black bear or the Eurasian brown bear, are delaying the onset of their fall torpor. Thomas Ruf, a researcher at the Research Institute for Wildlife Ecology of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, believes that climate change will have a mixed impact with winners and losers: Different species will be affected differently, depending on their sensitivity to temperature. I think bears will be the least affected, because they are exceptional at maintaining a body temperature above 30 degrees Celsius [86 degrees Fahrenheit] and dont have periodic awakenings. The bears have shortened their torpor However, the bears are also shortening their hibernation time. The study of 70 years of data collected in 12 national and nature parks in the Soviet Union, later Russia, published in 2018, shows how changes in environmental conditions are affecting brown bears in general. They are delaying their entry into their den and exiting earlier, thus spending less time hibernating, says the Spanish biologist Maria del Mar Delgado, first author of this study. Delgado works at the Joint Institute for Biodiversity Research of the Spanish National Research Council, the University of Oviedo and the Principality of Asturias. One of her fields of study is the 370 brown bears of the Cantabrian mountain range, in Spain. The weather there is not as cold as in Russia, so bears dont hibernate, although they do spend months in a state of torpor, she points out. Especially the females, which continue to enter the dens where they finish their pregnancy, give birth and breed until they come out in spring, she adds. But while they do not hibernate, their problems are the same. By advancing the moment when they emerge, they suffer greater energy stress; the females have less time to raise their cubs, and the fact that it is hotter does not guarantee that there will be food, she adds. The imbalance means that, both in Russia and in Spain, they have to resort to agriculture and livestock, increasing conflicts with humans, Delgado concludes. You can follow MATERIA on Facebook,< i> Twitter and Instagram, or sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh will visit Nigeria from May 28 to 30, 2023, to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-elect of the West African nation. This will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Nigeria. Senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and top leadership of significant defence PSUs will accompany the defence ministry on his visit to identify systems and platforms from the Indian defence sector that can cater to Nigerias needs. The visit comes at a time when Nigeria, in the last couple of years, has been entwined in closer ties with Indias geopolitical rivals like Turkey, Pakistan, and China. Last year, Nigeria signed a deal for six TAI T-129, licensed produced versions of the AgustaWestland A129 attack helicopter from Turkey. Nigeria already operates the JF17, a leading rival aircraft of Tejas in the export market, and the Nigerian Air Force also comprises other Chinese assets. The JF17, originally the FC-1 Xiaolong, is called the pride of Pakistans aeronautical complex. However, the jets it delivered to Myanmar around 2018, according to reports, are said to have been grounded. Nigeria has been relatively successful in employing the Chinese-origin Pride of Pakistan for ground missions, mostly to track and bomb Boko Haram insurgents. It has seen little air-to-air combat or performed interception roles. Its Klimov 93D engine, a derivative of the RD 33 engine, has been found to be subpar by the Russians, while the Chinese selected this particular engine for Pakistan. The engine emits thick black smoke, which other aircraft in an active combat situation can spot from miles away. The JF17's engine does not produce enough thrust for the aircraft to be manoeuvrable during combat situations, even without carrying any weapons. It requires significant maintenance and can be a real hassle. This might be the reason why Myanmar refused to use them in their JF17, resulting in those planes being grounded. This brings forth the opportunity for India to present the Tejas and other combat platforms. In recent years, the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) has been in the spotlight for export to Nigeria. The visit might rekindle interest, and the deal might materialise in the future, making it the first export of LCH to an African nation. "We are in talks with certain countries in Africa who have shown interest in the LCH. With great value for money, the helicopter is an attractive buy for many countries," said a senior defence official to PTI, back in 2016. India has already exported its advanced light utility helicopter, HAL Dhruv, to countries across three continents and has demonstrated its dexterity in the helicopter manufacturing sector, both in armed and utility variants, in the last decade. Following the meeting, Raksha Mantri will address the Indian Diaspora in Abuja. Nigeria is home to an estimated 50,000 members of the Indian community, and this meeting aims to rejuvenate India-Nigeria ties to new heights. At least 19 members of Pakistan's security forces were critically injured on Saturday when a suicide bomber with an explosive-laden motorcycle targeted their convoy in the restive tribal district in northwest Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, an official said. The security forces' convoy were travelling to Asman Manza area of South Waziristan from DI Khan in Khyber Paktunkhwa province, when the suicide bomber attacked them, BDS (Bomb Disposal Squad) in-charge Inayayatullah Tiger said. The condition of two members of the security forces is said to be critical, he said. The entire area has been cordoned off and Pakistan's law-enforcement agencies have launched an investigation into the attack. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. On Wednesday, two soldiers were among four people, when a suicide bomber with an explosive laden car targeted a security checkpoint in the Datta Khel Bazar in north Waziristan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Saturday's attack took place in in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan and is a former stronghold of the militant Pakistani Taliban group, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. On January 30, a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up during the afternoon prayers in a mosque in Peshawar, killing 101 people and injuring more than 200 others. Pakistan has been hit by a wave of terrorism, mostly in the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, but also in Balochistan, the Punjab town of Mianwali, which borders the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and in the Sindh province. In November last year, the TTP called off an indefinite ceasefire agreed with the government in June 2022 and ordered its militants to carry out attacks on the security forces. Pakistan hoped that the Afghan Taliban after coming to power would stop the use of their soil against Pakistan by expelling the TTP operatives, but they have apparently refused to do so at the cost of straining ties with Islamabad. The TTP, set up as an umbrella group of several militant outfits in 2007, called off a ceasefire with the federal government and ordered its militants to stage terrorist attacks across the country. The group, which is believed to be close to Al-Qaeda, has been blamed for several deadly attacks across Pakistan, including an attack on army headquarters in 2009, assaults on military bases, and the 2008 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. The TTP has also orchestrated the heinous Army Public School attack in Peshawar in 2014, in which over 130 students were killed. As the war in eastern Ukraine rages on, Russia's state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom announced that it will share the technology of a floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) with only the "friendly countries" to help make provision for electricity, ANI reported. Moscow will provide the FNPP technology to enable the round-the-clock power supply to remote areas in the ally nations, the Kremlin-linked energy firm announced. Technology can supply 194.1 (Million KWh) of power FNPP, the new generation power source manufactured on the base of Russian nuclear icebreaker shipbuilding in 2020, was capable of supplying 127.3 (million KWh) of electric power. This was ramped up to 194.1 (Million KWh) in 2022 by Russia. The energy has reduced the carbon imprint in the Arctic areas, and the waste is disposed of in accordance with norms. "Rosatom is ready to share the technology with friendly nations that will help in the development and growth of remote areas and cut down dependability on carbon fuel," said Cherniy Viktor - acting Chief engineer, Floating Nuclear Power Plant (JSC REA) told ANI. Manufactured by Rosatom in Pevek, the most northern city of Russia, the floating power unit is 'Akademik Lomonosov'. It was named after the Russian scientist and is based in an Arctic port town in the Chukotka region. The town hosts a population of 5000 and has a temperature of -24 degrees Celsius. Russia has installed the floating nuclear power plant in the extremely cold Siberian region, the agency that visited the location, noted. Russia underscored the benefits the region offers. The plant supplies power to remote industrial enterprises, ports, and mining sites, a Russian source told ANI. FNPP can provide electricity for 24 hours and has been effectively generating and supplying power for lengthy hours across the residential areas as well as for commercial purposes. "It is a reliable energy supply. FNPP is completely designed and made in Russia. It is safe for the environment. We have strict procedures for the disposal of nuclear waste. The entire setup is tsunami and earthquake resistant," Andrey Zaslavskiy, Acting Deputy Director General JSC REA and Acting Director of the Floating Nuclear Power Plant affiliate told the agency. Russia and its staunchest ally Belarus earlier this week signed a deal to formalise the process of deploying Russian nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory, while the control of the weapons would be in Russia's hands. The agreement was struck by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in a meeting. Putin had announced back in the month of March that Russia is deploying tactical, comparatively short-range and small-yield nuclear weapons in neighbouring Belarus. The deployment of nonstrategic nuclear weapons in Belarus would be an appropriate response to the aggressive policy of countries unfriendly to Russia, Putin noted. Brazil's president announced Friday that the United Nations has chosen his country to host the 2025 UN climate change conference, though the world body has not yet publicly confirmed the decision. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Brazil would hold the conference, known as COP 30, in the city of Belem, state of Para, in the heart of the Brazilian rainforest. The venue reflects Lula's intention to bring attention to the Amazon region. The latest climate conference was hosted by Egypt in Sharm el-Sheikh, and this year's will take place in Dubai. "It will be a honor for Brazil to welcome representatives from all over the world in a state in our Amazon," Lula said in a video posted on his social media channels. "I went to COPs in Egypt, in Paris, in Copenhagen, and all people talk about is the Amazon. So I said, 'Why don't we go there so you see what the Amazon is like?'" Brazil's foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, says in the video that the decision was made at the UN on May 18. The UN has yet to confirm the venue. Lula's announcement comes in a week that his administration's environmental governance has faced headwinds from Brazil's congress. Lawmakers by a large majority approved a measure that eroded the environment ministry's authority over construction in forested and coastal areas, as well as other development. Also this week, the congress is debating whether the state-run oil giant should be allowed to drill off the coast in the Amazon states of Amapa and Para. Residents of Sittwe are struggling to rebuild after Cyclone Mocha hammered western Myanmar. Myanmars Sittwe University is seen Nov. 12, 2022 [left] and May 18, 2023. Credit: Google Earth [left]; Planet Labs Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmars coast on May 14 with sustained winds reaching over 220 kilometers per hour (137 mph). Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims were killed when the storm tore through western Myanmars Rakhine state, according to RFA reporting. Villagers gather materials to rebuild in Kyay Taw Paik Seik five days after Cyclone Mocha. (Photo: RFA) A view of the few remaining structures in Kyay Taw Paik Seik in the aftermath of the storm. (Photo: RFA) Some 130,000 Rohingya have lived for more than a decade in internally displaced persons camps in and around Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine. The camps are poorly funded by the junta and run by volunteer groups. The village of Dar Paing Ywar Thit in Myanmar is seen April 14, 2023 [left] and May 21, 2023. Credit: Maxar Technologies [left]; Planet Labs The Dar Paing camp for internally displaced Rohingya in Sittwe was among the hardest hit by Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine state. (Photo: Citizen Journalist) Residents of Dar Paing navigate roads flooded by Cyclone Mocha. (Photo: Citizen Journalist) Nearly 1 million Rohingya were forced to leave their homes in Rakhine state following a military crackdown against the Muslim-minority in 2017. About 740,000 fled to Bangladesh and live in Coxs Bazar, also hit hard by Cyclone Mocha. The village of Bay Dar in Myanmar is seen Nov. 12, 2022 [left] and May 21, 2023. Cyclone Mocha cut a new inlet, seen on the right side of the photo, allowing the sea to pour in and leaving the village on a peninsula. Credit: Maxar Technologies [left]; Planet Labs Another camp for internally displaced Rohingya in Sittwe known as Bay Dar Rohingya Village also sustained heavy damage from Mocha. (Photo: RFA) Wooden dwellings in Bay Dar were reduced to piles of debris by the storm. (Photo: RFA) Residents of Bay Dar salvage what they can of their belongings three days after the cyclone made landfall. (Photo: RFA) While the death toll was significantly lower in other parts of Sittwe, damage from the storm was substantial. In villages such as Kyay Taw Paik Seik, aid workers say residents are in urgent need of shelters and drinking water, as sea water has mixed in with most of the reservoirs from the flooding that followed the storm. One civilian was killed and 11 others were wounded in Russian shelling of Ukraine's Donetsk region as fighting in the east continues, the Ukrainian military and regional officials said on May 31. Indiscriminate Russian shelling killed one person and wounded one in Chasiv Yar near Horlivka, Donetsk regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said, adding that another 10 civilians were wounded across the region. Ukrainian forces repelled 22 Russian attacks in the east, the General Staff said in its daily update, although the intensity of Moscow's offensive in and around the Donetsk city of Bakhmut appeared to have subsided, according to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. Unsuccessful Russian assaults took place in the Kharkiv region's Kupyansk and Masyutivka areas, and in Novoselivske in the Luhansk region. Malyar said that in Bakhmut, which has been the epicenter of the fighting in the east for months, Russian troops had not been conducting infantry operations, apparently regrouping their forces, but had been continuing shelling and air strikes on Ukrainian positions. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, which has spearheaded the attacks on Bakhmut, last week announced he was withdrawing his fighters from the city and handing over to regular Russian forces. Ukraine's Defense Ministry has confirmed that Wagner fighters have been leaving the Bakhmut suburbs but remain in the city itself. Prigozhin has claimed that Bakhmut had fallen to his mercenaries, but his claim was rejected by the Ukrainian military, which said it has managed to occupy positions to the north and south of the devastated city. Separately, Ukraine's Energy Ministry said on May 31 that electricity had been restored to almost 2 million consumers in 12 regions of Ukraine who were left without power on May 30 because of Russian shelling. Early on May 31, the governor of Russia's Krasnodar region, Venyamin Kondratyev, said an alleged drone attack caused a fire at an oil refinery. The strike triggered a fire at one of the Afip refinery's distillation units, Kondratyev said, adding that there were no casualties and the fire had been extinguished. Late on May 30, the governor of Russia's Belgorod region said that one person was killed and six were wounded in shelling of a temporary shelter for civilians. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov blamed Ukrainian forces for artillery fire that hit the shelter, which he said housed displaced people, including elderly civilians and children. There was no comment on the claims from the Ukrainian side. Moscow-installed authorities in Ukraine's Luhansk region, which is almost completely occupied by Russia, said on May 31 that five people were killed and 19 wounded by Ukrainian shelling that hit a poultry farm in the village of Karpaty. The information could not be independently confirmed and there was no immediate reaction from Ukraine. On May 30, Russia launched a fresh wave of drone strikes on Kyiv -- the fourth attack in three days -- killing at least one person and wounding several others, but Ukrainian authorities said most of the drones were shot down by the capital's air defenses, while Moscow was subjected to a rare drone attack that damaged several buildings. Bolstered by sophisticated Western-supplied equipment, Ukrainian air defenses have been adept at thwarting Russian air attacks -- both drones and aircraft missiles. Russia has intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, targeting military facilities and supplies with waves of attacks several times a week. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he continued to speak with Ukraine's Western partners about providing further air-defense systems to repel Russian attacks. This included a conversation on May 30 with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The same day Russia launched its intense drone attack on Kyiv, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said eight drones were shot down or jammed over the Russian capital in what it said was a "terrorist attack" by the "Kyiv regime." Russia's Investigative Committee said no one was wounded. WATCH: Ukrainian survivors of a Russian drone attack, the latest in a wave of at least 17 such strikes this month, described running for their lives on May 30 as their apartments burned and crumbled. Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the attack, the Kremlin said. Putin was quoted later as saying that Ukraine sought to frighten Russians. Ukrainian denied any involvement in the attack. In Washington, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the U.S. position that it does not support attacks inside of Russia. The European Union condemned the attacks on Kyiv, with EU spokesman Peter Stano saying that such actions "indiscriminately terrorize" Ukrainian civilians. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP Kate Crawford, in New York. Victor Llorente In 2016, when Kate Crawford warned that the design of artificial intelligence was leading to discrimination, few people were aware of the social impact it would have. At the time, Crawford gave several examples, the most prominent of which was Googles photo app, which labeled Black people as gorillas. Although Google publicly apologized, different companies have repeated such blunders over and over again. Crawford says that the problem resides in the data being used, which is based on bias. This highly discriminatory data is used to create algorithms and then build system models, which perpetuate a sexist, racist and classist society because artificial intelligence (AI) reflects the values of those who create it: primarily white men. Today, at 47, she is regarded as one of the most respected researchers in the AI industry. She has devoted her entire professional career to studying the political and social implications of the misuse of technological advances. During the Obama era, she moderated a symposium on the subject at the White House and has advised the European Commission and the United Nations, among other organizations. She also pioneered many initiatives that are now crucial. In 2017, she and Meredith Whittaker founded AI Now, one of the first institutions dedicated to analyzing the impact of artificial intelligence in the social sphere. And in 2019-2020, she was the inaugural visiting chair in AI and Justice at the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris. Crawford currently works as a senior principal investigator at Microsoft, and, among her many other outstanding pursuits, she writes. We caught up with her to talk about her latest book, The Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence (Yale University Press, 2021), which the Financial Times named a 2021 best book of the year. Our interview takes place at New Yorks Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which houses a work that Crawford made with artist Vladan Joler in 2018. The piece consists of an infographic that shows the human labor, data and resources required during the lifetime of just one device, from the time it is manufactured until it is discarded, using the Amazon Echo (Alexa) as an example. Although Anatomy of an AI System has been part of MoMAs permanent collection since 2022, Crawford is standing in line to enter the museum just like any other visitor. We met her as she was waiting to buy her ticket. She was dressed comfortably in a suit jacket and white sneakers. Crawford was relaxed and approachable, and greeted us with a warm smile that remained on her face throughout the entire interview. Q. What encouraged you to create this infographic explaining an AI devices birth, life and death? A. To me, art has to enlighten and provoke, and Anatomy of an AI System achieves that. I have always believed in the power of critical mapping, and I find it very interesting to graphically show something as complex as how a system functions. I spent two and a half years researching. I traveled to all the key places in the life of an AI system, from where they are born to where they are discarded (Ghana, Pakistan). The piece was exhibited in 60 places before MoMA bought it; it has been successful. But its very light compared to my latest installation, Calculating Empires, which Ill be presenting later this year. It consists of four giant maps that trace the relationship between technology and power since 1500; it aims to offer a different way of looking at the current technological age in historical depth, showing the myriad ways in which power and technology have intertwined over five centuries. It took me four years of research to create it. Q. Your studies and PhD had nothing to do with technology. How did you end up becoming one of the worlds foremost researchers in the field of AI? A. Ive always been interested in the politics of technology, which was certainly part of my PhD. But what was really interesting to me was [that] the more I focused on the shift to the internet and large-scale data, [the more I started] to seethe enormous social transformations that this would haveAt that timeno university specialized in that. Its funny, I actually created the first course studying digital media and its politics at the University of Sydney back in 2002. Of course, Ive always been somebody whos coded, you know, built my own technologiesWhen I was a teenager, I started writing musicwith samplers, computers, and that really means that you start doing your own coding. And I was in a feminist electronic band called B(if)tek, and that band was very much about thinking about the relationship of gender and technology in particular. But the big change came when I was working as the director of a research center in Sydney and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) invited me to be a visiting professor. I was also invited to the Microsoft research lab in New England. They offered me a job. It was the moment when Microsoft was really moving into machine learning, and it was very clear to me that it was a pivotal moment, that this was going to have an enormous impact. So, to mesomeone trained in the social sciences [being] able to see inside how these systems work was an extraordinary privilege, and it became the bedrock of really understandingthe technical side but also just as importantly the sociotechnical side. Q. Youve been studying AI for 20 years and say we are now experiencing its most dramatic inflection point. A. Its gone from being something that I studied for the last 20 years, as something that was clearly influential but very often in the background, to this year becoming, honestly, the most rapidly adopted technology in the world. ChatGPT is the fastest adopted technology in history. Thats a huge shift. Q. And at the same time its exploiting workers and polluting the planet? A. Its really important to understand that there are people who do whats called reinforcement learning with human feedback. These are workers, often in the Global South, who are really essentially doing content moderation for companies that make AI. In fact, an investigation in Time magazine showed that Africans were working for less than $2 an hour doing data cleaning for AI and ChatGPTcleaning out toxic [content] and giving human feedback. This can be very traumatizing workits dehumanizing. So, theres always this human layer [in AI]. And then, on the other side, just as important, is that these are systems that are very environmentally demonic. So, if we look at generative AI, doing a search uses five times more energy than traditional searches. So, that is a huge carbon footprint that in many cases is hidden and unseen by most people. Another really important understanding of ChatGPT is that every time you make a query, its the equivalent of pouring out a large bottle of fresh water, because its also hugely water intensive. Water is used to cool the giant data centersEach query is effectively around a half liter of water poured into the ground. So, these are the environmental coststhe deep environmental costsof this turn to AI. Q. Your latest paper, published with researchers from Harvard and MIT, is entitled How AI Has Failed Us. How could the situation be improved? A. The dominant view conceives intelligence as autonomous rather than social and relational. That is an unproductive and dangerous perspective, because it optimizes artificial metrics of human replication rather than evolution. It tends to concentrate power, resources and decision-making within a small elite in the technology sector. We put forward an alternative vision based on social cooperation and equity. Wikipedia could be a model. My hope is that more organizations will work toward political and technological pluralism, which would involve a diversity of approaches and tools, regulatory protections, and benefits that are shared [among] many [people]. Q. What is the most important question we need to ask about AI today? A. The most important question is how we are going to ensure that generative AI systems are equitable and that they encourage human flourishing, rather than concentrating power and increasing inequity And this is something that is widely recognized. The best example we have is the AI Act in the EU, which has been years in the making. Q. The United States is the leading country in generative AI and, paradoxically, its one of the laxest in terms of regulation. A. The U.S. has some of the weakest regulatory protections in the world. We have less strong privacy regulation than even China, and its becoming increasingly dangerous because we need to have guardrails on these technologies. We need to have a much more comprehensive form of AI governance, which I see as one of the most urgent issues facing us right now. I have worked with Laura Poitras [a prominent documentary filmmaker and the winner of an Oscar and a Golden Lion, among many other awards] for years, and she gave me early access to the Snowden documents. For me, at the time, it was just mind-blowing, because you could see how so many of the machine-learning techniques for tracking and surveillance were being used on civilians. Q. Michael Hayden, a US National Security agent and former CIA director, famously said, We kill people with metadata. A. This is something that multiple presidents have practiced with the help of drones. Im talking about George Bush, but Obama expanded the use of drones. People suspected of being terrorists are hunted down based on their use of metadata. And they are killed, before confirming whether they are [in fact terrorists]; the assumption is that the data is conclusive. This is a violation of human rights. And it is especially serious because we all know that AI can make mistakes; it suffers from hallucinations. Kate Crawford. Victor Llorente Q. Everyone else is being watched as well. A. Theres an issue where perhaps people are less concerned because they think its happening to terrorists or its happening to people who are far from home. This idea that were always being understood and followed and tracked by our metadata now has become normalized. I think in some ways people have accepted it. And this is very commonly happening with refugee populationsA whole lot of metadata sources [were] used to try and tell if a refugee is a terrorist. And this is an example of testing experimental technologies on the most vulnerable populations. And it is precisely that sort of thing that I think is absolutely the most dangerous, and its abrogating human rights because these are people who cannot push back. Q. Youve tried to help minorities by devoting more than a decade of research to denouncing discrimination by AI systems. How does that discrimination occur? A. If you look at generative AI tools, like Dolly, Midjourney or Stable Diffusion and you say show me an image of a CEO, you will see rows and rows of images of white men in suits. But if you put in a word like nurse or teacher, you get rows and rows and rows of images of white women. And then if you put in a term like flight attendant, you get all of these images of Asian women. So, youre seeing these racialized, gendered logics being built into these AI systems. And its something thats a known problem. Myself and other researchers have been drawing attention to this issue (for almost a decade in my case), and youre starting to see tech companies try to create hacks to undo these gender and race problems. But theyre always doing it in really strange ways. So, right now, for example, when you say CEO or teacher, they randomize the background search result, they insert an invisible prompt so that 1 in 10 images will be a female CEO or a Black CEO. One of my biggest research projects in the last three years has been Knowing Machines, a collaboration between USC, NYU and multiple European researchers. Knowing Machines is really about studying the foundations of AI systems and we take a particular look at training data. Q. AI systems also discriminate in the hiring process, like Amazons resume-scanning service in 2014, which discriminated against women. What happened there? A. In the case of Amazon, and the resume scanning service, they shut it down because they realized that it was so profoundly discriminatory that no woman was actually getting selected for an interview. Even if you were a man and you mentioned the word woman on your CV, you werent getting an interview. But now people are building these systems all the time. Q. Discrimination also occurs in emotion recognition-based classification and decision-making. A. One of the things that I think is so problematic are the ways in which AI systems classify people [with] emotion recognition, for example. I think emotion recognition is fundamentally unscientific. One of the things I did for the book is I studied the deep history of where this idea came from that we all have the same emotional expressions and that our facial expressions represent how we feel inside. It goes back to a psychologist by the name of Paul Eakman, and Paul Eakman was doing these studies in the 1960s and 1970s, which in many cases were misinterpreted. Q. So emotions were boiled down to facial expressions A. Most dangerously, they were hardcoded into AI systems where, basically, AI systems will say if you smile, youre happy, if you frown, youre sad. And so, there are these six emotions that are often used by emotion recognition systems that simply dont do what they say they are [doing]. And we saw them being used in contexts of policing, weve seen them used in contexts of hiring, so looking at peoples facial expressions to determine if theyre a good employee. To me, its absolutely illogical. It makes no sense, yet because these systems are treated as somehow scientific and objective, theyve been allowed to become part of our most sensitive institutions. Many start-ups, as well as the largest technology companies (IBM, Microsoft, Amazon), have automatic emotional recognition tools. Kate Crawford, in New York. Victor Llorente Q. What should be done about AI emotion recognition? A. Emotion recognition is a really good example of a technology that I think needs to be strongly regulated. In fact, its use needs to be restricted. Q. Why do automatic emotional recognition tools continue to be built and applied if they have been found to be unreliable? A. Because its big business, a very lucrative sector that promises corporations millions in profits. Q. In light of the Edward Snowden and Timnit Gebru cases, is there any point in warning about the consequences of AI mismanagement? A. What weve been told [by technology companies] is that ethics statements will be sufficient or that [they] can have a series of principles. I think weve seen that simply doesnt work; that internal self-regulation doesnt work and that often whistleblowers are not really effective in the long term. What we really need is regulation. We need strong and effective regulation. Kate Crawford in front of 'Anatomy of an AI system', the work she created with artist Vladan Joler. Victor Llorente Q. Geoffrey Hinton, who is considered the godfather of AI, has left Google. What do you think about his departure? And how does working at Microsoft affect your own work and publication? A. Geoffrey Hinton felt that he couldnt speak freely when he was in Google. I think thats a shame. I think we urgently need a culture at AI technology companies where people can speak about things that raise concerns for them and that have democratic consequences, that will actually affect how we all live. So, my hope is that we can have a more open culture inside technology companies because otherwise they will become black boxes. The technology companies will be completely closed, and youll never know whats going on inside them. They have such enormous global democratic impact and thats a very bad situation to be in. So, we need to have more openness and more public discussionThats one of the reasons that Im at Microsoft Research; they do not have publication review. I can publish what I want. That is a crucial part of why I do the work I do and why I do it there. Q. You have a 10-year-old son. Hes just on the verge of pre-adolescence. How do you approach the use of new technologies like ChatGPT with him? A. I sit down with him, and we try to critically analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each device or program. I try to help him understand how they work, what they bring us and what problems they cause. I want to help him develop his own judgment so that he can decide for himself when to use them and how to protect himself from them. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Water has exposed cracks in the Taliban's fragile relationship with Tehran, with both sides exchanging pointed barbs over scarce supplies before coming to deadly blows along the Afghan-Iranian border. Tensions remain high following the deaths of troops from both sides on May 27, with Taliban and Iranian officials digging in on their positions with increased military activity and fresh warnings. But while disputes over water security are expected to intensify between the two drought-stricken countries, both sides appear to be keeping the door open for dialogue on the issue while boosting cooperation in other areas of mutual concern. The deadly firefight took place across the shared border between southeastern Iran and southwestern Afghanistan, with each side accusing the other of firing first. Social media footage showed Taliban heavy weaponry streaming to the border in the Kang district of Nimroz Province, where officials said one Taliban border guard was killed and several people were wounded after an exchange of heavy gunfire. Iranian media, meanwhile, said up to three Iranian border guards were killed and several people wounded in its southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan Province, where Iran has worked to fortify its border as tensions over water supplies rose over the past two weeks. Following the incident, the Taliban has continued to push back on Iran's claim that it is not honoring a water treaty ironed out by the two sides in 1973. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers dialogue to be a reasonable way for any problem," Taliban Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khawarazmi said in a statement on May 28, referring to the official name of the Taliban's unrecognized government. "Making excuses for war and negative actions is not in the interest of any of the parties." Iran has continued its harder line, with national police commander Brigadier-General Ahmadreza Radan saying the same day that "the border forces of the Islamic republic of Iran will decisively respond to any border trespassing and aggression, and the current authorities of Afghanistan must be held accountable for their unmeasured and contrary actions to international principles." But Iranian officials, too, have expressed the need for a diplomatic solution, with high-ranking security official Mohammad Ismail Kothari describing the dispute as "fighting between children of the same house" while rejecting that Tehran would resort to the "military option." Big Dam Issues Water is a precious commodity in both southwestern Afghanistan, one of the country's most productive agricultural areas, and in southeastern Iran, one of several arid areas of the country where water scarcity has fueled public protests. But with Afghanistan in control of upriver water sources that feed low-lying wetlands and lakes in Iran's southeast, the Taliban finds itself with a rare tool for leverage in its relationship with Tehran. The problem -- or the solution, depending on which side you consider -- stems from the construction of major dam projects in Afghanistan that in combination with increased drought and other factors have restricted the flow of water to the Sistan Basin. The border-straddling basin depends on perennial flooding to fill what used to be a vast wildlife oasis and was home to the massive Hamun Lake, which now consists of three smaller seasonal lakes -- Hamun-e Helmand in Iran and Hamun-e Sabari and Hamun-e Puzak in both Afghanistan and Iran. The longstanding issue of replenishing the basin with water came to the forefront earlier this month following comments by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and President Ebrahim Raisi. Amir-Abdollahian, in a call with his Taliban counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, demanded the Afghan authorities open the gates of the inland Kajaki Dam that pools water from the Helmand River "so both the people of Afghanistan and Iran can be hydrated." Shortly afterward, Raisi upped the ante during a visit to Sistan-Baluchistan on May 18 by warning the "rulers of Afghanistan to immediately give the people of Sistan-Baluchistan their water rights." He added that the Taliban should take his words "seriously" and not say "they were not told." The Taliban has consistently denied the accusation that it was not complying with the 1973 treaty and said that even if the Kajaki Dam were opened there would not be enough water to reach Iran. But just two days after Raisi's threats, the Taliban appeared to twist the knife by inaugurating a new irrigation project that involved completing the construction of the Bakhshabad Dam on the Farah River, which feeds the Sistan Basin from the north. Contentious Water Treaty According to the 1973 treaty, Afghanistan is committed to sharing water from the Helmand River with Iran at the rate of 26 cubic meters of water per second, or 850 million cubic meters per year. But the accord also allows for less water to be delivered in cases of low water levels, which have been affected by persistent drought and the construction of new dams in Afghanistan, including the Kamal Khan Dam on the Helmand River that was completed in 2021 shortly before the Taliban seized power in Kabul. The Taliban's deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, said on May 22 that Kabul was "committed to the water treaty of 1973 but the drought that exists in Afghanistan and region should not be ignored." "The pain of the people of Sistan-Baluchistan is our pain," he added. "Our hearts melt for them as much as they melt for the people of Afghanistan, but we also suffer from a shortage of water." Cooperation on the water issue was previously seen as a sign of deepening ties between Afghanistan's Sunni Taliban rulers and Shi'a-majority Iran. In January 2022, the Taliban released water from the Kamal Khan Dam on the Helmand River in Nimroz Province into the Hamun Lake. While their sectarian differences once made them enemies, their common interests in opposing Afghanistan's Western-backed government and U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan over the past two decades brought them closer. Since the Taliban returned to power, the militant group has sought to build economic and security ties with Tehran. While Iran has not recognized the Taliban-led government, it has sought to work with the group on the issues of Afghan refugees in Iran and cross-border drug trafficking. In February, Iran formally handed over the Afghan Embassy in Tehran to the Taliban. Afghanistan's and Iran's water crises require both countries to show a strong hand on the issue of water supplies, both for domestic consumption and to protect their national interests. But experts suggest the benefits of cooperation outweigh an escalation of the conflict. "Neither country at this point in time needs a really hostile border," Marvin Weinbaum, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan studies at the Middle East Institute think tank in Washington, told RFE/RL. "Economically it is an issue for both countries -- there would be no agricultural potential in Helmand Province without the water furnished by the dam. And very little of it gets into Iran. And southeast Iran is as dry as any place on the planet." Weinbaum said neither the Taliban nor Tehran is going to exhibit weakness on the issue of short-term water shortages. "As the climate heats up, this is only going to grow more acute," he said. But for both countries, Weinbaum said, "economic ties are really what matters the most," along with cooperating on other issues of mutual concern such as preventing the Islamic State extremist group from expanding its foothold in the region. Ironically, just days after Raisi's threats and the inauguration of a new dam project in Afghanistan, the Taliban's Defense Ministry announced it had reached a new agreement on cooperating with Iran on defense and border issues. And on the day of the firefight that left border guards dead on both sides, officials had met earlier to discuss the water dispute. After the deadly incident, Iranian and Taliban officials held another meeting to investigate the cause of the "tensions." Path To Resolution The construction of dams -- which both Iran and Afghanistan engage heavily in -- and their downstream impact stand out among the causes to discuss. "What really triggers these disputes?" asked Weinbaum. "The intensification of them is obviously building dams, which represent simply a lower flow than they've been accustomed to and are not happy with." Other observers suggest the decades-old water-sharing agreement that Iran and the Taliban accuse each other of failing to adhere to holds the answer to resolving the dispute. The 1973 treaty does allow for the delivery of water from the Afghan side to be lower than the agreed-upon levels under certain circumstances, which would appear to include the drought and climate change that the Taliban has said have limited water supplies. It also commits the two countries to follow a set course "in the event that a difference should develop in the interpretation" of the provisions set out in the treaty: diplomatic negotiations, turning to the "good offices" of a third party to help mediate a solution, and in the event neither step works, arbitration. With additional reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda and Radio Azadi Russian mercenaries from the private Wagner Group have reportedly begun relocating from some of their positions in and around the eastern city of Bakhmut, the epicenter of the war in Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk, according to senior Ukrainian officials and British intelligence. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the mercenary group that has spearheaded the attack on Bakhmut, on May 25 said his fighters were starting to leave the city and would be replaced by regular Russian troops. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. Prigozhin claimed his fighters had captured Bakhmut, an assertion rejected by Kyiv officials who said Ukrainian forces still control parts of the devastated city. At the same time, the Ukrainian side confirmed "certain rotational movements" of Russian forces in Bakhmut. "Indeed, they are replacing (forces), but how massively, how much he (Prigozhin) will really withdraw the units of this criminal group -- it will take a little time to verify," Ukrainian military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatiy told state television on May 27. Ukraine Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said in a statement on Telegram that Russian forces were continuing to attack Bakhmut but that overall offensive activity had decreased. "Yesterday and today there have not been any active battles -- neither in the city nor on the flanks," she said on May 27, adding that Moscow's troops were instead shelling the outskirts and approaches to Bakhmut. "The decrease in the enemy's offensive activity is due to the fact that troops are being replaced and regrouped," Maliar said. "The enemy is trying to strengthen its own capabilities." Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, also told the BBC in an interview published on May 27 that Wagner mercenaries were leaving Bakhmut, but cautioned that they were "regrouping to another three locations" and "it doesn't mean that they will stop fighting with us." British military intelligence said in its daily report on May 27 that Wagner fighters "have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions" in and around Bakhmut. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military said on May 27 that fighting has continued in and around Bakhmut, as Russia pounded the devastated city and its surroundings with air strikes. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Telegram on May 27 that Russian forces have continued attacking but "overall offensive activity has decreased." WATCH: Civilians caught near the front line in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya region continue to be evacuated. Serhiy Siryak and his wife, Tamara, from the town of Stepnohirsk, finally decided to leave when their house was destroyed by Russian shelling. Malyar said Ukrainian troops "firmly hold" the heights north and south of Bakhmut. Earlier, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said in its daily report on May 27 that Ukrainian forces repelled 25 Russian assaults on their positions in eastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours. Two people were killed and five others were wounded by Russian shelling in Donetsk region over the past 24 hours, regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on May 27. One person was killed in Chasiv Yar district and one in Vasyukivka, Kyrylenko wrote on Telegram. Fighting has been under way also around Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, where Russian forces are attempting to consolidate their tactical position, the Ukrainian military said. A missile strike also hit a village in the eastern Kharkiv region overnight, regional governor Oleh Synyehubov said on May 27, adding that the missile caused some material damage but no victims. Meanwhile, authorities in Russian-occupied Berdyansk, in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhya region, reported several explosions on the outskirts of the city that they blamed on Ukrainian drones. The information could not be independently verified. Russian officials also reported drone attacks on oil installations in two regions. In Pskov, not far from the border with Latvia and Belarus, at least one administrative building of an oil pipeline was damaged early on May 27 in an explosion caused by the attack of two drones, regional governor Mikhail Vedernikov said on Telegram, without saying where the drones came from. The explosion occurred near the village of Litvinovo. Vedernikov said there were no immediate reports of casualties. In the Tver region, northwest of Moscow, the local council reported that a drone attacked a station that serves the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline near Erokhino, some 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Druzhba is one of the world's longest and densest networks of oil pipelines. According to the Baza telegram channel, which is linked to Russian security services, drones also attacked the Belgorod region that borders Ukraine. In the Kursk region, the local governor said shelling from Ukraine killed a construction worker near the Ukrainian border. None of the reported attacks inside Russia could be independently verified. With reporting by AFP and Reuters By Andrei Besedin On May 19, a short video was posted on Telegram purportedly showing an unidentified person silently burning a Koran outside a mosque in the southern Russian city of Volgograd. The post was accompanied by the words: "Volgograd! May Allah break your back, country of Islamophobes." That 11-second clip, however, has set off a chain of events that has seen the Russian authorities taking the unusual step of transferring the investigation to the nearby Muslim-majority North Caucasus region of Chechnya, where thousands of people gathered on May 23 in a demonstration of outrage organized by the government of Kremlin-backed strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. "There are no grounds for moving the case to Chechnya," said Abubakar Yangulbayev, a Chechen human rights advocate who fled abroad citing harassment from the regional government over his online criticism of Kadyrov. "The political context is clear: Kadyrov is continuing to build his reputation as 'the defender of Muslims,' of the Koran and Sunnis. He has said as much himself." The original video appeared on the Morning In Daghestan Telegram channel, which is tied to Ilya Ponomaryov, a former Russian parliament deputy who is now based in Kyiv and is an active opponent of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In comments to the opposition Telegram channel Sota on May 21, Ponomaryov expressed no regret about posting the video while also condemning the act of burning the Islamic holy text. He speculated that the video had been produced and sent to Morning In Daghestan by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) "in order to create a scandal and earn awards for solving' the case." In a post on his Telegram channel on May 23, Kadyrov claimed without evidence that the Koran burning was "one of the crimes against Islam that are organized by henchmen of the satanic West and Europe." "The West wanted to divide us inside Russia," Kadyrov continued. "But it turned out the other way around: We hate the West even more, and Western mercenaries will feel our anger." Kadyrov's remarks echo wording in a September 2022 speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin that has since been repeated by other Kremlin-connected sources. In that speech, Putin accused the West of "the total negation of the human, the overthrow of religion and traditional values" and said that "the crushing of freedom comes to look like the opposite of religion -- open satanism." Putin has increasingly sought to cast the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, which he launched in February 2022, as a civilizational struggle against an immoral West instead of a war of aggression against a neighboring county. Quick Work The FSB and other law enforcement agencies have acted with uncharacteristic speed in the Volgograd case. A day after the anonymous video appeared, the Investigative Committee announced it had detained a man identified as 19-year-old student Nikita Zhuravel on suspicion of "offending the sensibilities of believers." The announcement asserted that Zhuravel had made the video himself and posted it to a channel controlled by the Ukrainian military. It added that under interrogation, Zhuravel had allegedly confessed and said a Ukrainian intelligence operative had paid him 10,000 rubles ($125). He also purportedly confessed to filming "military installations." The same day, the FSB released to Russian state media a video purporting to show Zhuravel's arrest. While lying face down on pavement with his hands bound behind his back, Zhuravel is asked if he knows why he is being arrested. "Because I took pictures of fighter jets," he answered. After some leading questions by an investigator off-camera, the youth confesses to burning a Koran, adding under questioning that he'd been incited to do it by people "from Ukraine" who offered him money. The video, which is characterized by numerous cuts, then switches to an image of a young man in a black T-shirt, his face blurred. He gives a concise confession in a legalistic language including the date of the incident and the precise address of the Volgograd mosque. The even pacing and intonation of the video give the impression the man may have been reading from a text. "I did this for the purpose of inciting religious indignation among Muslims," he concludes. Russian law enforcement authorities and state-controlled media regularly publish purported confessions and other material suggesting a suspect is guilty. Activists say such confessions are often made under duress and damning footage faked or presented misleadingly. On May 21, Investigative Committee head Aleksandr Bastrykin ordered the case transferred to Chechnya, citing "numerous requests from residents of the Chechen Republic that they be recognized as victims" of the alleged act. Chechen government minister Akhmed Dudayev added shortly thereafter that Zhuravel should be tried in Chechnya and serve his sentence there if convicted. Russian media have identified Zhuravel as a 19-year-old university student who originally came from the city of Sevastopol in Ukraine's Crimea region, which has been occupied by Moscow since 2014. As a student shortly after Russia seized control of Crimea, Zhuravel was listed as a member of the "presidential cadet academy" by the order of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Vladimir Malikhin of Memorial, a prominent human rights organization that has been banned by the Russian government amid a sweeping clampdown on civil society and dissent, finds the entire case suspicious. "I really doubt that we should look at the Zhuravel case in the context of the war in Ukraine," he told RFE/RL. "His purported connection with Ukrainian intelligence is clearly made up. We can suppose the case against this student is just another public-relations campaign for Kadyrov himself. The evidence for this is the supposed large group of Chechens who appealed to the head of the Investigative Committee asking that the case be moved to Chechnya." "That could only be done on Kadyrov's direct order," he added. 'A War Against Satanism' In the Chechen capital, Grozny, tens of thousands of people holding portraits of Kadyrov and copies of the Koran gathered on May 23 to hear various local religious and political leaders condemn the alleged act in Volgograd and the "satanic" West. "In today's world, when Muslims are surrounded by enemies, when the followers of satanism can burn Korans in any European country, when all sorts of filth is being spread by LGBT people, we live in Russia, where such things are impossible," said Salakh Mezhiyev, the head mufti of Chechnya. Kadyrov ally and chairman of the Chechen parliament Magomed Daudov repeated the Investigative Committee's assertions that the act had been instigated by Ukrainian intelligence "with the participation of NATO and Western secret services." He also provided no evidence. According to official Chechen media, the crowd numbered about 60,000 people. However, sources told RFE/RL's Caucasus.Realities that students and government employees were pressured to attend the rally even though many of them did not know what it was about. Schoolchildren were reportedly bused in from across the mountainous republic. RFE/RL has seen screenshots of text messages from education officials ordering schools to send specific numbers of children depending on their overall enrollment. "The most paradoxical thing about this story for me, as a Chechen, is that when Russia invaded Chechnya, they didn't only burn Korans," said Yangulbayev, recalling the two wars Russia fought against separatist and insurgents in the region in the 1990s and early 2000s. "They bombed mosques in which Korans burned together with the bodies of praying believers. If Kadyrov wants to launch a war against Satanism, he should first of all fight against Putin." Rights activist Malykhin sees the Zhuralev case as another stage in the "Kadyrovization" of Russian political culture broadly. Kadyrov, who has ruled Chechnya since his appointment by Putin in 2007, has been widely criticized for authoritarianism and accused of widespread human rights abuses. "Over the last few years, we have seen the Kadyrovization' of Russia in terms of ideology and tactics," he said. "The complete suppression of freedom of speech. The liquidation of independent media. The destruction of human rights organizations. Even the criminalization of human rights advocacy. That is just a short list of some of the practices that were perfected by the Kadyrov regime and that later became the norm across Russia." Adapted by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL Kavkaz.Realities correspondent Andrei Besedin. Current Time contributed to this report. Dan Rice is a former special adviser to Valeriy Zaluzhniy, the commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces. A graduate of West Point and now the rector of American University in Kyiv, Rice predicts that if Ukraine gets not just better training but also more and deadlier military hardware, its armed forces are heading for "strategic success on the battlefield" against invading Russian forces amid expectations of a major Ukrainian counteroffensive. In an interview with RFE/RL's Georgian Service, Rice also said the sooner Ukraine defeats Russia, the lower the chances are of a so-called black swan event, including a possible "meltdown" at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, China's entry into the conflict on the side of Russia, or even the potential use of a tactical nuclear weapon by Russia. RFE/RL: Let's begin with this: Is the Ukrainian counteroffensive under way? Dan Rice: I think history will tell when it actually started and where it went. I couldn't reveal anything that I knew, but I don't [have any special insight]. But the world is expecting a counteroffensive and it's been discussed openly, and I think it will occur within 30 to 60 days. I think you'll see some material changes on the battlefield. And I have confidence that Ukraine will have a strategic success on the battlefield in the next couple of months. The Tavberidze Interviews Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service has been interviewing diplomats, military experts, and academics who hold a wide spectrum of opinions about the war's course, causes, and effects. To read all of his interviews, click here. The Ukrainian military is getting better weapons, longer-range missiles, better armor, better everything. They're exceeding all of their training standards. Everybody is completely impressed by these battle-hardened soldiers going to France, to the U.K., to Germany to get their training, and everybody is impressed across the board with how successful and how quick they adapt to new weapons and how quickly they innovate with the new weapons. The Ukrainian military is a learning institution, and it is certainly learning on the fly and adapting to new weapons, tactics, techniques, and procedures. RFE/RL: They're getting more weaponry, better weaponry, but are they getting the quantities for a successful counteroffensive? Rice: You never have enough until the victory is won. And so, you know, "we need more of everything." But I do think the West has really stood up and realized that this threat is not just against Ukraine. This is really a threat against democracy in the entire West. And so there's no need to hold back on weapons when the Ukrainians are willing to fight and die, to use those weapons to kill everybody's enemy, which is Russia. Russia is the only aggressor here, and they have proven time and again -- in 1999 in Chechnya, in 2008 in Georgia, in 2014 in Donbas and Crimea, 2016 in Syria, 2022 in Ukraine -- they are the aggressor nation and they must be stopped. And we are stopping them. I think this counteroffensive could be a strategic success to the point that the Russian Army is defeated. I think there's the chance -- it doesn't mean it's going to happen -- there is the chance that the Ukrainian Army defeats the Russian Army on the field of battle this summer. That's the goal, that would be the hope; whether it can be achieved, you know, nobody wants to make promises they can't keep. Every battle has two sides, and the commander on each side expects and hopes to win and plans to win. The Russians expect to win, just like the Ukrainians do. But I think the Ukrainians are favored in this battle. And I think they're going to actually have a strategic success. RFE/RL: As far as offensive maneuvers go, the overwhelming consensus is that the Russians have failed miserably and repeatedly. But what about defense? They've had enough time to prepare. They have the so-called echeloned defense lines. What's your take on that? Rice: Defense is always easier than offense. Whenever you're attacking, you should have a ratio in military science of generally three-to-five to one. You need to have more soldiers, because you're going to take more casualties. When you're attacking, you're going across open ground against dug-in troops that have better defenses, that have been planning the defensive; they have land mines, they have all their fire support zoned in. It's getting more and more difficult to have offensive operations in this modern day because of precision-guided weapons and other things that make it impossible for anybody, whether it's China, North Korea, anybody' [they are] going to face trouble having an offensive operation, just like Ukraine will. But Ukraine has to have offensive operations to defeat the Russian Army to regain this territory. That's why it will be costly for Ukraine, unfortunately. But they need to achieve success to get rid of the Russians and regain all the territory back to the 1991 borders. RFE/RL: In spite of the numerical inferiority. Rice: You know, anytime you're going to be going on the attack, you're going to mass your forces at one particular place...and then hope to break through and envelop the enemy army. That would be the expectation here, that there will be an offensive operation that will be massed who knows where, but it will likely be a surprise. The question is: Can the Russians react quickly enough to stop that gap and hold back the Ukrainian Army? Or does the whole army break through and envelop and destroy the Russian Army? That's my hope. RFE/RL: You said in a March interview that you expect there to be a major battle, a major showdown. Is that still the case, in your opinion? f so, where do you believe it will occur? Rice: The West can hope that we've provided enough weapons training, intelligence, and ammunition to have a cataclysmic breakthrough and have a success and defeat the Russian Army once and for all, get them out of Ukraine, so that we don't have a black swan event. The longer this goes on, the more you have to worry about a black swan event, such as a tactical nuclear weapon used by Russia potentially, or a meltdown of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, or, say, something external, like the entrance of China on the side of Russia, [for example] if China were to come in supplying weapons or an escalation outside of the borders of Ukraine -- there have been some tensions between Russia and Poland. A black swan event could throw this into a whole separate set of uncertainty for the world. Defeating the Russian Army, getting them out, prevents that from happening and hopefully eliminates the [chance of a] black swan event. But, you know, last night (May 18) we got hit really hard here in Ukraine: 18 cruise missile, including six hypersonic missiles that were supposed to be unstoppable. Yeah, they were stopped. So, you know, I'd say the score last night was [Patriot missile-defense system maker] Raytheon 18, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin 0. That's the way I'd grade this bout last night. It was a very kinetic night. Think about it: If those had gotten through -- 18 cruise missiles, including hypersonics -- the destruction, the death in the civilian population would have been massive. But thanks to Patriot, and the weapons provided by Germany and the United States, and the NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) provided by Norway, the air-defense systems are really strong here right now, and are preventing massive death. The Russians are trying to kill a lot of people with these cruise missiles and they're not getting through, which is absolutely a testament to the West's resilience and the need to resist against these Russian forces. RFE/RL: Will that kind of showpiece performance also prompt the rest of the West -- the United States, for example -- to provide more Patriots? Rice: I hope so. Everybody likes to be on the side of success. So when you're seeing your weapons systems defend the civilian population against a massive onslaught of cruise missiles, it reinforces the fact that, one, they needed them: We didn't provide resistance to an evil threat that didn't exist; this is a real evil threat, and this evil threat is executing and trying to kill a massive number of civilians. The U.S. and the West, 65 nations, have come together to defend and have done a phenomenal job of arming Ukraine to defend herself. The weapons systems we're providing are working. The worst job in the world right now, besides being Putin, is to be a salesman for Russian hardware; I mean, it's getting just destroyed left and right. They used to have a major export industry; that industry has plummeted because the West's weapons are destroying all the Russian weapons. RFE/RL: Let's return to the counteroffensive: Should we expect Ukraine to try and actually retake Crimea? What would be the chances of that? Rice: The natural expectation would be [to] isolate the Russian forces in Crimea, and that would mean that you have to separate the land bridge from Russia. The second thing would be to take out the Kerch Bridge. It has been hit once with what appears to have been a truck bomb, but it's been repaired and is still operating. It'll need to be taken out. That can happen a number of different ways. A glide bomb that we are providing now, that is being used on the old Ukrainian Soviet-style fighters, can be dropped from 3,540 miles away and glided in with GPS. [Or it] could be some of the longer-range British weapons that are now being provided. It could be a number of different ways. But the Kerch Bridge has to come down to stop the supply from Russia. Then the land bridge: If you can actually break through the land bridge somewhere in that area and then isolate Crimea and isolate the Russian Army there and then starve it, the Russians don't have enough air transport to be able to resupply that area. They would have a very difficult time holding that for a long time without resupply. So you want to cut it off, and then starve it and kill it. RFE/RL: Probably one of the determining factors would be continued Western support. Is that secured for the foreseeable future? Rice: If Ukraine loses the West's support, Ukraine is dead; and that's why Putin has been trying to drive a wedge between the Western forces, the 65 countries. I always like to make sure I reinforce it: 65 countries are aligned against Putin. So the challenge would be keeping that 65 together and all of NATO, basically. Putin has tried a bunch of different things to try to drive a wedge between these different powers, but the West has responded by saying, "You know what, we're not gonna be held hostage by your fuel, we're not gonna be held hostage by your nuclear weapons. We're going to supply Ukraine." And I don't see that dissipating. RFE/RL: One of the major political developments outside Ukraine that's going to affect the war, I think you'd agree, will be the U.S. presidential election in 2024. What happens, for example, if [Donald] Trump becomes the president again? What would that mean for Ukraine? Rice: I think hypotheticals like that, while interesting -- and you know, we can have fun debating it -- but the realistic aspect is that's 18 months away. And we're in month 15 of this war. I don't see it going 18 more months; I see one side winning or losing. It could be either, which is why the West has to continue to supply Ukraine, because Ukraine can't survive without Western support. But I don't see the Russian Army being able to take the beating it's taken -- there's been roughly 200,000 killed in action on the Russian side. Two hundred thousand. (Editor's note: The New York Times in February quoted U.S. sources as estimating that Russia was nearing a casualty figure, including dead and wounded, of 200,000 troops.) One of the challenges is a lot of it's a mercenary army. So, the Russian army has the Wagner group [fighting alongside it], and those are mercenaries -- they're dregs of Russian society that were pulled out of prisons and given a pass, so [the idea is that] nobody's missing those men. When you're fighting a war of attrition against a mercenary army, and you're trying to break the will of the opponent's people, you're not going to achieve much because most of the mercenaries are from all across Africa and the Middle East. And these are people who, you know, they're dying at Bakhmut by the tens of thousands. But the Russian people don't care. They're not protesting in the streets [over the Russian side's casualties] because they're a bunch of mercenaries. They're using petrodollars to fuel a mercenary army. The West just needs to fuel the Ukrainian military with weapons to kill the mercenary army. That's a really tough thing for some people to get their heads around. As a professional military officer, basically, you're a manager of violence, and you want to use proportional scale to your enemies' attacks. But at some point, when you have massive waves of humans coming at you that are mercenaries that are being paid to kill your people, you just have to kill them all. That's the goal here: to kill all the Russians and the mercenaries until they're gone. That's the goal here: to kill all the Russians and the mercenaries until they're gone. RFE/RL: On to Western military assistance. The U.K. has provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles. What impact should we expect from those? Rice: The impact will be on Russians. The West as a whole should have provided Ukraine weapons to defend herself within the borders of Ukraine back in February 2022. We kept escalating slowly, slowly, slowly. "Let's try these weapons." "Let's try these." Meanwhile, every day Ukrainian young men and women are giving their lives to defend the West. I think it's great that they're getting long-range weapons; I think it's going to make a major impact. And what I mean by major impact is that all of their command-and-control, all of their supply, all of their major troops, everything is going to be within range, so they can't hide anywhere. When you add Western intelligence to long-range weapons, precision-guided weapons, and there's nowhere to hide, it's going to be very hard for the Russians to continue to conduct warfare in this environment -- when they're going to see all their supplies cut, all their command-and-control is going to be hit constantly in deep, deep areas. Not only are they further from the battlefield, but now they're within reach. And now the Ukrainians will reach out and touch them, and they'll kill them. RFE/RL: Should we expect the United States to follow suit and provide ATACMS, for example? Rice: I think we should. What America has done -- and we don't want this to look like an America-versus-Russia war, so we've allowed others to lead, and I think that's great that we're not trying to escalate this, nobody wants this to go into Russia. Nobody wants this to get to be outside of the borders of Ukraine. Now that Britain is supplying long-range weapons, I hope America will follow. I hope we will start providing some longer-range weapons. Let's win this war. Let's end the suffering on both sides. Let's get Ukraine back to the 1991 borders and stop the chaos. The only way you do that is by providing the weapons that the Ukrainians can kill the Russians with and make it just too painful [for Russia]. RFE/RL: If there's one glaring caveat in the Western military assistance provided to Ukraine, it's been the refusal to give Kyiv the fighter jets its has been requesting. Does the "jets coalition" by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and U.S. President Joe Biden announced last week endorsing training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets signal that Ukraine is getting closer to getting Western aircraft? Rice: I think it's inevitable that Ukraine will get Western fighter jets. The Ukrainian fighter pilots are being trained, and when they are ready to go, as soon as the West makes the announcements, they're going to be appearing ready to go. Because not only are the pilots trained, but the crews are trained to repair the jets. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a fundraising picnic for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, on May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. As he vies for the Republican presidential nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is touting a series of measures he has pushed that have led to an upswing in banned or restricted books not just in Florida schools but in an increasing number of other conservative states. Florida last year became the first in a wave of red states to enact laws making it easier for parents to challenge books in school libraries they deem to be pornographic, deal improperly with racial issues or are in other ways inappropriate for students. Books ensnared in the Florida regulations include explicit graphic novels about growing up LGBTQ+, a childrens book based on a true story of two male penguins raising a chick in a zoo and The Bluest Eye, a novel by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison that includes descriptions of child sexual abuse. Certain books covering racial themes also have been pulled from library shelves, sometimes temporarily, as school administrators try to assess what material is allowed under the new rules. The day before DeSantis entered the presidential race earlier this week, a K-8 school in Miami-Dade County put the poem The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman on a restricted list for elementary students after a parent complained. The reasons for the objection to the poem, which Gorman read during President Joe Bidens inauguration, were not clear. The book version remains available to the middle school students, but Gorman criticized the decision to restrict it for younger grades, saying it robbed children of the chance to find their voices in literature. While efforts to ban books or censor education material have come up sporadically over the years, critics and supporters credit DeSantis with inspiring a new wave of legislation in other conservative states to regulate the books available in schools and sometimes even in public libraries. The number of attempts to ban or restrict books across the U.S. last year was the highest in the 20 years the American Library Association has been tracking such efforts. EveryLibrary, a national political action committee, said its tracking at least 121 different proposals introduced in state legislatures this year targeting libraries, librarians, educators and access to materials. The group said 39 of those proposals would allow for criminal prosecution. He really is blazing a trail, said Tiffany Justice, the Florida-based co-founder of the conservative parents group Moms for Liberty, whose members have filed challenges to books in libraries in several states. What Ron DeSantis does that I think is effective is he uses all the levers of power to make long-term change happen. Other governors, Justice said, are paying attention and following suit. In Arkansas, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law, set to take effect this summer, that could impose criminal penalties on librarians who knowingly provide harmful materials to minors. The law also would establish a process for the public to challenge materials and ask they be relocated to a section minors cant access. Its a perverse world when were talking about trying to criminalize librarians, said Nate Coulter, executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock, which is expected to sue over Arkansas law. In Indiana, school libraries will be required by July 1 to publicly post a list of books they offer and provide a complaint process for community members under a law Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed this month. In Texas, a bill creating new standards for banning books from schools that the government considers too explicit has been sent to Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts desk. In Oklahoma, the state school board has approved new rules that prohibit pornographic materials and sexualized content in school libraries and allow parents to submit formal complaints. The rules still must be approved by Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. DeSantis insists books arent actually being banned in his states schools, preferring to call the forced removal of some books curation choices that are consistent with state standards. There has not been a single book banned in the state of Florida, DeSantis said during a live appearance on Twitter Wednesday when he announced his campaign. He later said our mantra in Florida is education, not indoctrination. Librarians, free speech advocates and some parents and educators say the push is driven by a small, conservative minority that happens to have outsized clout in Republican primaries, like the one DeSantis is now competing in. This is all part of his plan to run for president, and he believes his vilification of books and whats happening in public schools is his path to the presidency, said Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, the states main teachers union. Kasey Meehan, who directs the Freedom to Read program at the writers organization PEN America, said that, when books are targeted in Florida, they later become the subject of complaints filed by parents in other states. Its something that continues to cause alarm for individuals who are advocating for the freedom to read or for a diversity of knowledge, ideas and books to be available to students across the country, Meehan said. PEN earlier this month sued the Escambia school district in Florida over the removal of 10 books, including The Bluest Eye and Lucky, a bestselling memoir by Alice Sebold about her rape when she was 18 years old. There have been challenges to books in schools for decades The Bluest Eye has been targeted in various states for years, long before DeSantis became governor. But the restrictions accelerated in Florida after DeSantis signed bills last year barring discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third-grade classrooms, a ban that has since expanded through 12th grade. He also created a mechanism for parents to challenge books in school libraries and has targeted how race is taught in Florida schools. Many teachers and districts complain that the laws standards are so vague they dont know what books might place them in legal jeopardy. Michael Woods, a special education teacher in Palm Beach, said new rules compelling him to catalog books in his classroom led him to empty a small library he set up where students could choose to read something that interested them. Now those volumes are stored in a box hes stashed in his closet for fear of getting in trouble. That kind of positive connection to reading is no longer there, he said. The individual challenges to books might be coming from a fairly narrow segment of the population, according to PEN and the American Library Association, which track requests to pull books. The library association said 40% of all requests challenged 100 or more books at a time. Raegan Miller of Florida Freedom to Read, a group fighting the book restrictions, said she has talked about education issues with fellow parents of all political persuasions for years, and no one has ever complained about inappropriate material in their childrens schools. She contends the issue has been ginned up by a small group of conservative activists. Do you really think we are all just happily dropping our kids off at Marxist indoctrination and pornography? Miller said. You only hear this stuff at school board meetings. Moms for Liberty, which boasts 285 chapters, has a strong presence at school board meetings in the state and nationwide. It also has successfully backed several candidates for school board. Justice, the groups co-founder, notes the books are still available in public libraries and through booksellers. The question, she said, is whether its appropriate for taxpayer-funded schools to provide them to children. Some books dont belong in certain settings, she said: A seminary library would have different books than a medical school library. Its the local, elected officials, she added, who should determine whats appropriate. Thats representative government, Justice said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton at his office in Austin, Texas, on May 26. After years of legal and ethical scandals swirling around Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, the states GOP-controlled House of Representatives has moved toward a Saturday impeachment vote that could quickly throw him from office. The extraordinary and rarely used maneuver comes in the final days of the states legislative session and sets up a bruising political fight. It pits Paxton, who has aligned himself closely with former President Donald Trump and the states hard-right conservatives, against House Republican leadership, who appear to have suddenly had enough of the allegations of wrongdoing that have long dogged Texas top lawyer. Paxton is fighting it every step of the way, calling the entire process corrupt. He asked supporters to rally for him at the state Capitol during the vote. Here is how the impeachment process works in Texas, and how the 60-year-old Republican came to face the prospect of becoming just the third official to be impeached in the states nearly 200-year history: The process Under the Texas Constitution and law, impeaching a state official is similar to the process on the federal level: The action starts in the state House. In this case the five-member House General Investigating Committee voted unanimously Thursday to send 20 articles of impeachment to the full, 149-member chamber. Paxton faces grim legislative math. Just a simple majority is needed to impeach. That means only a small fraction of the Houses 85 Republicans would need to vote against him if all 64 Democrats do. The House can call witnesses to testify, but the investigating committee already did that prior to recommending impeachment. Over several hours Wednesday, investigators delivered an extraordinary public airing of Paxtons years of scandal and alleged lawbreaking. Saturdays floor debate and vote is expected to last about five hours. If the House impeaches Paxton, a Senate trial will decide whether to permanently remove him from office or acquit. Removal by the Senate requires a two-thirds majority vote. A sudden threat But there is a major difference between Texas and the federal system: And impeachment means Paxton is immediately suspended from office until the outcome of the Senate trial. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott would appoint an interim replacement. The GOP in Texas controls every branch of state government. Republican lawmakers and leaders alike have until this week taken a muted posture toward the myriad examples of Paxtons alleged misconduct and law breaking that emerged in legal filings and news reports over the years. In February, Paxton agreed to settle a whistleblower lawsuit brought by former aides who accused him of corruption. The $3.3 million payout must be approved by the House, and Republican Speaker Dade Phelan has said he doesnt think taxpayers should foot the bill. Shortly after the settlement was reached, the House investigation into Paxton began. But for Paxtons own request for a taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct, Paxton would not be facing impeachment, the investigative committee wrote in a Friday memo. The scene While the vote happens inside the House chamber, Paxton has called for supporters statewide to descend on the Capitol and demonstrate peacefully. Exercise your right to petition your government. Lets restore the power of this great state to the people, instead of the politicians, Paxton said. The request echoed Trumps call for people to protest his electoral defeat on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob violently stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Paxton spoke at the rally in Washington that day, before the insurrection. A few hours before the impeachment vote, Gov. Abbott, who has stayed quiet about it, is scheduled to make a Memorial Day address to lawmakers in the House chamber. The Capitol and the House gallery have been the site of boisterous demonstrations over gun and LGBTQ+ rights legislation in recent weeks. Hundreds of state police troopers cleared the gallery and Capitol rotunda after protests erupted over a bill to ban transgender medical care for minors. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Anurag Thakur PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday New Delhi: Union Minister Anurag Thakur hit out at the opposition's decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Saturday, saying it is a form of 'insult'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday and around 20 opposition parties, including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, have announced a boycott of the event. Opposition parties argue that the new Parliament building should be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu as she is not only the head of the republic but also the head of Parliament. Advertisement Anurag Thakur said, "It is a different thing that some people were removed from Parliament. Earlier they used to find excuses for not allowing the proceedings of the Parliament. Now they are talking about boycott, which is also a kind of insult. Anurag Thakur was addressing the inaugural session of the one-day national conference organized by Doordarshan on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the Modi government. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Thakur said that India is proud to be the "mother of democracy" and Prime Minister Modi has given the country a new parliament building, which is the largest democracy in the world. Kuldeep Dhaliwal and Foreign Secretary Ausaf Sayeed Dr. Ausaf listened to the whole matter very carefully and assured for help: Kuldeep Dhaliwal AMRITSAR: Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal met the Foreign Secretary of the Central Government, Ausaf Sayeed over the issue of two youths from the Ajnala assembly constituency in Amritsar facing consequences of death penalty in Indonesia. Kuldeep Dhaliwal appealed the Foreign Secretary to provide possible assistance to bring back the youth to the country. After meeting Ausaf Sayeed, Dhaliwal said that these young men named Gurmej Singh and Ajaypal Singh were victims of fraud at Indonesia. They were held hostage by the alleged Indian-origin agent and attempted to extort ransom. Advertisement Notably, During the fight to escape, the agent died and Gurmej Singh Gaggomahal from Rahim and Ajaypal Singh Atari from Dhanoya Modh village were arrested on the charge of his murder, which the local court declared to be punishable by death. Dhaliwal requested the Foreign Secretary to personally raise this issue with the Government of Indonesia through the Government of India so that so the boys can be saved. Dhaliwal said that Dr. Ausaf listened to the whole matter very carefully and assured that the central government will take legal steps to bring youth back to their homeland and help the youth through the Indonesian Embassy in this matter. Pathankot Police Cops have recovered fake appointment letters & fake cheques from the accused PATHANKOT: Pathankot Police has exposed the scam involving fake job offers in Food Corporation of India (FCI). The police have arrested two accused who looted a total of Rs 89,52,000 from People. The cops have recovered fake appointment letters and fake cheques from their possession. Among the arrested accused Dr. Rajkumar Kabir Das is a resident of Zirakpur. While giving information, Inspector Mandeep Salgotra, in charge of police station division number 1, said that Harpreet Singh had filed a written complaint with the police that in January 2022, he along with his friend Rajinder, had met Dr. Rajkumar Kabir Das who said that he is well known in government departments. He demanded Rs 6 lakh per person for giving direct job offers from FCI. Advertisement Reportedly, Harpreet Singh gave Rajkumar Rs 50,000 each. The accused took him to Patiala in September. Where they were given fake identity cards after filling the form. After elaborate investigation in the matter, the accused have been arrested by the police. Punjab Police 5 Pistols were recovered from Accused: Khanna SSP KHANNA: Khanna police busted an inter-state gang which was indulged in supplying arms to gangsters. One of its members was arrested and 5 pistols were recovered from his possession. The arrested accused, a resident of Jhajjar district of Haryana, used to supply arms to the gangsters in Punjab by bringing them from outside states. Khanna SSP Amneet Kondal has shared the information about this entire operation during a press conference. SSP Amneet Kondal said that a special campaign is going on to control the bad elements. Continuing this campaign, Inspector Amandeep Singh CIA In charge unmasked the inter-state gang which were supplying arms to gangsters. One of its members was arrested and 5 pistols were recovered. Advertisement She said that CIA staff Khanna received information about suspected person who is a resident of District Jhajjar (Haryana), carries illegal arms and has links with gangsters. The police party reached the spot and the arrested accused identified as Divesh was arrested. After searching Divesh's bag, many arms were recovered from it. SSP further said that the investigation so far has revealed that the accused Divesh has connections with gangsters from many outlying districts, along with whom he used to supply ammunition in Punjab. An in-depth investigation is being conducted regarding the accomplices of the accused, who may have important revelations in this matter. Currently, Divesh is being interrogated. Pearl Company Supreme Court Committee had issued orders to auction the property of Pearl Group MOHALI: The SIT of the Punjab government will now investigate the Pearl Group, a company that has cheated nearly 10 lakh people of Punjab. It will have 6 members. The SIT will be chaired by Vigilance Bureau Director Rahul S. Other members of the team include Joint Director Vigilance Kanwaldeep Singh, AIG Vigilance Daljit Singh Rana, DSP Slamudin, DSP Navdeep Singh, Inspector Mohit Dhawan and Inspector Madhvi Kalyan. These orders have been issued by the Chief Director of Vigilance Bureau. Before handing over the probe to the vigilance, a case was registered against the Pearl Group earlier in Ferozepur's Zira police station on charges of cheating, forging documents, for transactions worth crores of rupees. Advertisement As per the report, Pearl Group has invested in the properties of around 5.50 crore people in the country and earned about Rs 60,000 crores. The company embezzled money by giving fake allotment letters to the investors. The Supreme Court Committee had said to auction the property. According to the sources, it has come to light that the Punjab government had supported the Lodha Committee appointed by the Supreme Court in this matter. One and a half lakh investors approached the committee and after that the committee asked the Punjab government to auction the property of Pearl Group. Now, the newly constituted SIT will probe all aspects and prepare a detailed report identifying the assets of his Pearl Group. Assistant Vigilance Attorney Shaunak Bali will represent the case. This team will also collect information related to the company's assets. The team will find out how many people have been cheated by Pearl Company in which districts. Recently, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had said that the company has a lot of property in Punjab. The state government will legally take over the property of Pearl Company. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress on Friday that the U.S. could default on its debt obligations by June 5 four days later than previously estimated if lawmakers do not act in time to raise the federal debt ceiling. Yellens letter comes as Congress breaks for the three-day Memorial Day weekend, and as tensions build over whether a deal between the White House and Republicans in Congress will be struck in time. The so-called X-date arrives when the government no longer has enough of a financial cushion to pay all of its bills, having exhausted the extraordinary measures it has been employing since January to stretch existing funds. Yellen said in her letter that the agency used one measure for the first time since 2015 to get the U.S. financial position to this point: a swap of roughly $2 billion in Treasury securities between the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and the Federal Financing Bank. The extremely low level of remaining resources demands that I exhaust all available extraordinary measures to avoid being unable to meet all of the governments commitments, she said in her letter. Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council, said negotiators have made progress toward a reasonable, bipartisan budget agreement in recent days, and the Secretarys letter underscores the urgent need for Congress to act swiftly to prevent default. We have already seen Treasurys borrowing costs increase substantially for securities maturing in early June, Yellen said. If Congress fails to increase the debt limit, it would cause severe hardship to American families, harm our global leadership position, and raise questions about our ability to defend our national security interests, she said. The latest projection is in line with her previous estimates that the U.S. could exhaust all extraordinary measures in early June and as soon as June 1, but the latest deadline affords lawmakers and the White House more time to strike a deal. Alec Phillips, chief political economist at Goldman Sachs Research, said while the projected X-date is not surprising as the investment bank projected that it would fall in the week of June 5 the timing of the letters release was surprising given the state of negotiations. We were a little surprised that it came out today instead of waiting until after the weekend, Phillips said. I think the legislative timeline dictated that they needed a deal by tomorrow, more or less, and this essentially adds four days to the timeline. Hopefully that can get a deal this weekend, Phillips said. Maya MacGuineas, president of the bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said the new letter shouldnt mean anything other than we need to get this deal signed into law. Whether its June 1 or June 5, we have waited far too long already, she said. This could rattle markets. The point about the X-date is that we dont know when it is until we hit it and we should be trying to find out. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition For nearly 50 years, the Soto family has been riding on the success of its tasty carne asada known as Kennedys Karne. On Saturday, they celebrated both a new location and a new addition to the ownership family. On Saturday, Cardiff resident Mark M. Soto, 34, and his new business partner John Mayberry, 32, of Carlsbad celebrated the grand opening of their new Kennedys Meat Company on East Valley Parkway in Escondido. The partners 5,000-square-foot market, meat counter and restaurant at 1766 East Valley Parkway replaces the Soto familys much-smaller shop in the same shopping center. Advertisement The new Kennedys Meat Company features a large meat counter, where meat manager Dave Burr sells and cuts a variety of fresh and marinated raw meats and chicken. Theres also a refrigerator section where at least 10 of the familys 50 varieties of fresh salsa are sold. Theres a Mexican food market selling, among other items, the Sotos name-brand chips and signature hybrid corn/flour tortillas. And theres a restaurant section, run by chef Alfred Medina, where diners can eat fresh-grilled carne asada and pollo asada in tacos, burritos and more. Soto has run the old Escondido location since 2009, but when his family decided it wanted to consolidate its business in Imperial Valley a few years ago, he reached out to his friend, Mayberry, to launch a new extension of the business. The company and its famed carne asada has its roots in Mexico, where Sotos grandfather, Jesus Soto, drove a water truck. In 1960, he emigrated to the U.S. with his wife, Rosa, and they settled in the small Imperial Valley town of Heber, where he first managed and then co-owned a market. In 1972, Jesus Soto opened his own store with the help of a U.S. Small Business Administration loan. He named the store Kennedys in honor of President John F. Kennedy, who welcomed immigrants like himself to the U.S. in the early 1960s to pursue their American dreams. From the very beginning, the store became known for its award-winning carne asada, skirt steak marinated in a secret family recipe made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and garlic. Today, there are a half-dozen varieties of carne asada that range in price from $9.99 a pound for the original recipe skirt steak to $16 a pound for premium cuts of corn-fed Brandt Beef. There are now chipotle, habanero, burgundy pepper and other varieties, but the original recipe remains the top-seller. Marinated chicken breast and thigh meat sells for $3.99 to $5.99 a pound. Soto passed away in 1993 at the age of 59, but his family has carried on the business. All five of the Sotos children worked in the Kennedys stores, which would grow to include a second location in Imperial Valley and stores in El Centro, Imperial Beach and Escondido. Eldest daughter Sylvia ran the Heber store with her daughter Marla. And in 2009, Sylvias son Mark moved to North County to manage the Escondido store. At the time, the 2-year-old Escondido store was struggling because the Kennedys Karne name was not well known in this area. To spread the word, Soto bought a taco cart and took it to churches, street fairs and other community events every weekend to get people to taste the product. The strategy worked and the store began to thrive. About two years ago, Soto told his friend Mayberry that he wanted to take over and expand the Escondido business, and Mayberry agreed to come on board as a partner. Mayberry, a real estate agent and property manager, has a long history with Kennedys. Before Mayberry was born, his father worked on a geothermal energy plant near Heber and hed take his lunch break every day at Kennedys. Mayberry said he remembers stopping at the Heber store on a road trip with his dad when he was 7 years old to buy a large amount of marinated raw meat. He also remembers how much he enjoyed eating it as a kid. Rather than keep the old 2,000-square-foot store, the partners built a new, much larger operation in a former quick-service loan store. The retail operation takes up about half the space. The rest in back is reserved for future growth for the fast-rising catering operation that now makes up about 30 percent of sales. We want to grow and want to be successful, Soto said. The skys the limit. Kennedys Meat Company Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Where: 1766 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido Phone: (760) 746-4622 Online: kennedysmeatcompany.com pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com The county Board of Supervisors on Wednesday took the first step toward easing parking concerns along state Route 67 in Ramona near Mount Woodson and the popular Potato Chip Rock trail. Supervisors unanimously voted to buy 84 acres of land west of the highway for $1.7 million. The property, which is owned by the Taylor Family Trust, will allow the county to build a parking lot and add about 75 acres of open space to the area. The county is expected to make the purchase official on March 27. Advertisement The acquisition has been talked about for two years, which is when county officials began to seriously look at ways to get the cars off the shoulder of the highway and nearby surrounding streets. Every day, dozens and sometimes hundred of hikers park their vehicles along the shoulder as motorists traveling at highway speeds drive by. Roughly a decade ago, social media popularized the Potato Chip Rock hike. At times, there will be so many people that they have to wait 30 minutes or longer just to stand on the thin outcropping. There are two trails to get to the summit of Mount Woodson. The more difficult hike starts at the Lake Poway parking lot on the west side of the mountain and involves a 7.5-mile round-trip trek. The City of Poway increased the parking at its park to handle the crowds a few years ago and charges non-residents a parking fee on weekends. The other way to visit the natural attraction is from the east, where hikers park dangerously, but for free, and then hike up a utility road owned by the City of San Diego. Thats a 4-mile round trip. Neighbors in the area and law enforcement officials have maintained for years the existing parking situation is very dangerous and has led to many accidents and near tragedies. For instance, sometimes hikers looking for a parking spot will stop on the highway in order to back up into spots along the shoulder. A parking lot has not yet been designed or approved, but the deal was done with that in mind. Supervisors were told in a staff report the entire project, including land acquisition, design and construction costs would run about $3.5 million. A couple weeks ago, Supervisor Dianne Jacob said she was excited about the land purchase and a future parking lot. Its been a long time in coming and been a very complicated negotiation, but were finally here and Im hopeful there will be support to allocate the money to purchase this property, she said. This affects the entire region because people all over San Diego enjoy Potato Chip Rock and this is the easiest access point. The county has discussed the possibility of a partnership with the City of San Diego, which owns the utility road hikers use to climb the mountain. The proposal would be for the city to operate and maintain the parking lot owned by the county, if the county elects to build it. The city has not committed to operate and maintain the parking lot yet. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2023 - 22:36 | All, Japan, World Chinese vessels traveling close to the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea have begun reissuing data on their locations and routes when in and close to Japanese waters, a source close to the Japan Coast Guard said Saturday. The change in Chinese vessels' approach appears to be intended to emphasize their administrative right to the Tokyo-controlled Senkakus, which Beijing claims and calls Diaoyu, the source said. The Chinese vessels are communicating the data using an automatic identification system. Passenger ships and other vessels traveling in international waters are required by a maritime treaty to install the technology aboard. Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels do not use the technology around the disputed islands to keep their operations confidential. The source said that Chinese vessels in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands used to emit AIS signals, but that the practice had ceased in more recent years. Information conveyed by AIS is publicly available online. The Japan Coast Guard says it limits its own use of the technology to situations such as congested sea routes and marine rescue operations. The islands continue to be a source of friction for Tokyo and Beijing, which has become increasingly assertive in sending its vessels to the waters around them. On Saturday, the Japan Coast Guard said that Chinese vessels had been spotted in waters near the Senkaku Islands for a 122nd consecutive day. Related coverage: Japan, China eye defense chiefs' talks in Singapore in June: source China bans navigation north of Taiwan on April 16 over rocket debris fears Japan dismisses speculation of China link to SDF chopper accident The George Institute for Global Health today announced data from the phase III INTERACT3 study demonstrating that a new combination of treatments for stroke due to intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) significantly improves the chances of surviving without major disability. Results were presented today at the European Stroke Organisation Conference in Munich, Germany, and simultaneously published in The Lancet. The INTERACT3 study is the first-ever randomised controlled trial to show a clearly positive outcome for the treatment of ICH. Timely administration of the new treatment protocol -- known as a Care Bundle -- centred on the rapid control of high blood pressure, led to improved recovery, lower rates of death, and better overall quality of life in patients with this serious condition. Professor Craig Anderson, Director of Global Brain Health at The George Institute and a senior author of the research said, "Despite the high rates of ICH and its severity, there are few proven options for treating it, but early control of high blood pressure is the most promising. Time is critical when treating this type of stroke, so we tested a combination of interventions to rapidly stabilise the condition of these patients to improve their outcomes. We estimate that if this protocol was universally adopted, it could save tens of thousands of lives each year around the world." Commonly referred to as a haemorrhagic stroke or brain bleed, ICH is the second most common type of stroke and also the most deadly, with 40% to 50% of patients dying within 30 days. It occurs when blood leaks out of a blood vessel into the brain tissue and represents over a quarter of all cases of stroke, affecting approximately 3.4 million people a year. In the INTERACT3 study, over 7,000 patients were enrolled across 144 hospitals in 10 countries -- nine middle-income countries and one high-income country. The research team evaluated the effectiveness of the new Care Bundle, which included early intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure, strict glucose control, fever treatment, and rapid reversal of abnormal anticoagulation. They found that using this new treatment protocol compared to usual care reduced the likelihood of a poor functional outcome, including death, after six months. This was estimated to prevent one additional death for every 35 patients treated. Central to this was a rapid reduction in systolic blood pressure, where target levels were achieved, on average, in 2.3 hours [range 0.8 to 8.0hrs], compared to 4.0 hours [range 1.9 to 16.0hrs] in the control group. The interventional protocol resulted in a statistically significant reduction in mortality, number of serious adverse events, and time spent in hospital, as well as demonstrating an improvement in health-related quality of life. The burden of ICH is greatest in low- and middle-income countries. In 2019, 30% of all stroke cases in LMICs were ICH, almost double the proportion seen in high-income countries (16%). This is in part due to high rates of hypertension and limited resources for primary prevention strategies, including identification and management of stroke risk factors by healthcare services. Dr Lili Song, joint lead author and Head of the Stroke Program at The George Institute China, said, "A lack of proven treatments for ICH has led to a pessimistic view that not much can be done for these patients. However, with INTERACT3, we demonstrate on a large scale how readily available treatments can be used to improve outcomes in resource-limited settings. We hope this evidence will inform clinical practice guidelines across the globe and help save many lives." Press Release May 25, 2023 EDCOM 2 cements partnerships with British Council, Teach for the Philippines The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) cemented partnerships with the British Council and Teach for the Philippines (TFP) today in a signing ceremony held at University of the Philippines BGC. "These partnerships are essential to making EDCOM 2's work in research and policy-making successful", EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee said. "We welcome organizations like TFP and the British Council as valuable partners in our mission to elevate the quality of education in the Philippines". Present as witnesses were EDCOM 2 Co-Chairpersons Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Representative Roman Romulo, and Representative Mark Go, and Commissioners Senator Sonny Angara and Representative Kiko Benitez. Pilot study on transnational education with the British Council The British Council will work with EDCOM 2 towards the internationalization of higher education and transnational education, with several outlined programs from 2023 to 2025, including a study visit to the UK, undergoing a pilot study about the value of internationalization of higher education and transnational education, and launching a Philippine-UK policy fora in higher education by the tail end of the partnership. "We're excited to work with EDCOM II to support its objectives.", British Council Country Director Philippines Ms. Lotus Postrado said. "The British Council shares the same aspirations as our work in the Philippines and also seeks to support education quality, global competitiveness, inclusion and innovation", she added. Ms. Postrado notes that "the UK is a world leader in education--from early years to higher education, and across different academic disciplines. This opportunity to showcase the best of the UK and create more linkages with the Philippines attests to the deepening partnership between our two countries." Ambassadors from Teach for the Philippines TFP partners with EDCOM 2 through support to the Technical Secretariat by providing Alumni Ambassadors to serve as technical consultants throughout the duration of EDCOM 2. During the event, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) also signed a Data Sharing Agreement with the Commission. RA11899, which created EDCOM 2, mandated PIDS to serve as the research arm of the Commission. Under the agreement, PIDS will undertake research studies which will help the work of EDCOM 2. PIDS has started publishing "Policy Notes" which lays out the state of the different sectors of the country's education landscape. "We thank our partners for making the commitment to lift up the quality of education in the Philippines", Dr. Yee said. "With these partnerships, [these organizations] cement their hope and trust that the future looks bright for Philippine education". KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2023 - 21:57 | All, Japan, World Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday he wants to establish senior-level negotiations between Japan and North Korea in a bid to arrange a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at an early date on the return of Japanese abductees. In his remarks to a gathering in Tokyo seeking the return of Japanese nationals abducted by the North in the 1970s and 1980s, Kishida reiterated that he is committed to realizing unconditional talks with Kim "at the earliest opportunity." His government will aim to arrange negotiations with Pyongyang "at a high level under my direct control" to pave the way for talks with the North Korean leader, Kishida added. The Japanese government has officially identified 17 of its nationals as having been abducted by North Korea, and it suspects Pyongyang's involvement in many other disappearances. Although five people were returned in 2002, the other 12 remain unaccounted for. Kishida also told the gathering that establishing productive relations with Pyongyang would "be to the benefit of both sides, and be an enormous contribution to regional stability and peace." A government source said the prime minister has shown that "he is ready to speak with North Korea." With many families of those missing now aging, the issue has become increasingly urgent under the premiership of Kishida, who became prime minister in 2021. In a policy shift signaling an increased willingness to compromise to achieve their aims, the National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea said in February it would not oppose humanitarian aid to the country if it meant the abductees would be returned. Related coverage: North Korea abductee's mother longs for progress at G-7 as time runs out Japan PM vows to take every step to resolve North Korea abduction issue Families' group not to oppose aid to North Korea if abductees returned To overcome global energy challenges and fight the looming environmental crisis, researchers around the world investigate new materials for converting sunlight into electricity. Some of the most promising candidates for high-efficiency low-cost solar cell applications are based on lead halide perovskite (LHP) semiconductors. Despite record-breaking solar cell prototypes, the microscopic origin of the surprisingly excellent optoelectronic performance of this material class is still not completely understood. Now, an international team of physicists and chemists from Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, Columbia University in New York, and the Free University in Berlin demonstrated laser-driven control of fundamental motions of the LHP atomic lattice. By applying a sudden electric field spike faster than a trillionth of a second (picosecond) in the form of a single light cycle of far-infrared Terahertz radiation, the investigators unveiled the ultrafast lattice response, which might contribute to a dynamic protection mechanism for electric charges. This precise control over the atomic twist motions will allow to create novel non-equilibrium material properties, potentially providing hints for designing the solar cell material of the future. The investigated hybrid LHP solar cell materials consist of an inorganic crystal lattice, which acts as periodic cages for hosting organic molecules. The interplay of free electronic charges with this hybrid lattice and its impurities determines how much electricity can be extracted from the sun light's energy. Understanding this complicated interaction might be the key for a microscopic understanding of the outstanding optoelectronic performance of LHPs. Researchers from Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin and their international colleagues have now been able to isolate the lattice response to an electric field on timescales faster than 100 femtoseconds, that is one tenth of a trillionth of a second. The electric field has been applied by an intense laser pulse containing only a single cycle of far-infrared, so-called Terahertz (THz), light. "This THz field is so strong and so fast that it may mimic the local electric field of an excited charge carrier immediately after the absorption of a quantum of sunlight," explains Maximilian Frenzel, one of the main authors performing the experiments. By this approach, the investigators observe a concerted motion of the crystal lattice, mainly consisting of back and forth tilting of the octahedral building blocks of the inorganic cage. These nonlinearly excited vibrations can lead to -- so far neglected -- higher order screening effects, contributing to an often discussed charge carrier protection mechanism. "Moreover, the related tilting angle plays a dominating role in determining the fundamental material properties, such as the crystallographic phase or electronic bandgap," clarifies Dr. Sebastian Maehrlein, leader of the international research project. Thus, instead of static chemical tuning of material properties, ultrafast dynamic material design comes into reach: "As we can now modulate these twist angles by a single THz light cycle," summarizes Dr. Maehrlein, "in future we might be able to control material properties on demand or even discover novel exotic states of this emerging material class." By assessing such dynamic states of matter, the researchers hope to contribute some hints for designing the energy materials of the future. Scientists perform computational simulations for biological molecules detected in meteorites to clarify the origin of life on Earth. All biological amino acids on Earth appear exclusively in their left-handed form, but the reason underlying this observation is elusive. Recently, scientists from Japan uncovered new clues about the cosmic origin of this asymmetry. Based on the optical properties of amino acids found on the Murchison meteorite, they conducted physics-based simulations, revealing that the precursors to the biological amino acids may have determined the amino acid chirality during the early phase of galactic evolution. If you look at your hands, you will notice that they are mirror images of each other. However, no matter how hard you try to flip and rotate one hand, you will never be able to superimpose it perfectly over the other. Many molecules have a similar property called "chirality," which means that the "left-handed" (L) version of a molecule cannot be superimposed onto its "right-handed" (D) mirror image version. Even though both versions of a chiral molecule, called "enantiomers," have the same chemical formula, the way they interact with other molecules, especially with other chiral molecules, can vary immensely. Interestingly, one of the many mysteries surrounding the origin of life as we know it has to do with chirality. It turns out that biological amino acids (AAs) -- the building blocks of proteins -- on Earth appear only in one of their two possible enantiomeric forms, namely the L-form. However, if you synthesize AAs artificially, both L and D forms are produced in equal amounts. This suggests that, at some early point in the past, L-AAs must have come to dominate a hetero-chiral world. This phenomenon is known as "chiral symmetry breaking." Against this backdrop, a research team led by Assistant Professor Mitsuo Shoji from University of Tsukuba, Japan, conducted a study aimed at solving this mystery. As explained in their paper published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, the team sought to find evidence supporting the cosmic origin of the homochirality of AAs on Earth, as well as iron out some inconsistencies and contradictions in our previous understanding. "The idea that homochirality may have originated in space was suggested after AAs were found in the Murchison meteorite that fell in Australia in 1969," explains Dr. Shoji. Curiously enough, in the samples obtained from this meteorite, each of the L-enantiomers was more prevalent than its D-enantiomer counterpart. One popular explanation for this suggests that the asymmetry was induced by ultraviolet circularly polarized light (CPL) in the star-forming regions of our galaxy. Scientists verified that this type of radiation can, indeed, induce asymmetric photochemical reactions that, given enough time, would favor the production of L-AAs over D-AAs. However, the absorption properties of the AA isovaline are opposite to those of the other AAs, meaning that the UV-based explanation alone is either insufficient or incorrect. Against this backdrop, Dr. Shoji's team pursued an alternate hypothesis. Instead of far-UV radiation, they hypothesized that the chiral asymmetry was, in fact, induced specifically by the CP Lyman- (Ly) emission line, a spectral line of hydrogen atom that permeated the early Milky Way. Moreover, instead of focusing only on photoreactions in AAs, the researchers investigated the possibility of the chiral asymmetry starting in the precursors to the AAs, namely amino propanals (APs) and amino nitriles (ANs). Through quantum mechanical calculations, the team analyzed Ly-induced reactions for producing AAs along the chemical pathway adopted in Strecker synthesis. They then noted the ratios of L- to D-enantiomers of AAs, APs, and ANs at each step of the process. The results showed that L-enantiomers of ANs are preferentially formed under right-handed CP (R-CP) Ly irradiation, with their enantiomeric ratios matching those for the corresponding AAs. "Taken together, our findings suggest that ANs underlie the origin of the homochirality," remarks Dr. Shoji. "More specifically, irradiating AN precursors with R-CP Ly radiation lead to a higher ratio of L-enantiomers. The subsequent predominance of L-AAs is possible via reactions induced by water molecules and heat." The study thus brings us one step closer to understanding the complex history of our own biochemistry. The team emphasizes that more studies focused on ANs need to be conducted on future samples from asteroids and comets to validate their findings. "Further analyses and theoretical investigations of ANs and other prebiotic molecules related to sugars and nucleobases will provide new insights into the chemical evolution of molecules and, in turn, the origin of life," concludes an optimistic Dr. Shoji. Word choice matters -- a lot -- when it comes to research. That's the main takeaway from a new article co-authored by Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation Assistant Professor Angel Algarin and published in Health Communication. "Researchers in any field should be cognizant of the language they're using to describe the people they study so they don't inadvertently add to the use of stigmatizing language," said Algarin. For the article, Algarin and his co-authors performed a content analysis of HIV-related stigmatizing language published in scientific literature from 2010 to 2020. They found 26,476 peer-reviewed articles that used variations of the stigmatizing term "HIV/AIDS-infected." More than a third of these articles came from the United States. And the journal that used the stigmatizing language the most was one that focused on general science and medicine. "The use of stigmatizing language in science is concerning as the words we use are read by health care professionals, policymakers and journalists, who in turn, use this same language when discussing topics surrounding HIV because they trust that we are the experts," Algarin said. The consequences of using terms that stigmatize entire groups of people are well documented. As a social epidemiologist and interventionist, Algarin's previous work has focused on the impact of stigma on people living with HIV. In his 2020 articles published in AIDS and Behavior and AIDS patient care and STDs, he found that people living with HIV who experienced higher levels of stigma experienced poorer mental health and HIV care outcomes. Elijah Palles has experienced stigmatizing language firsthand in peer-to-peer conversations and in health care settings. Shortly after he was diagnosed with HIV he said he encountered a case manager who was "shocked" that someone "like him" with a job and a car and a house could be living with HIV. "I felt stupid because I do have resources and I do know better but I beat myself up for a while thinking she's right, I'm not the typical person who would contract this, and then I had to say, well no, I'm just like every other person who contracts this. So that interaction fed into my own internalized stigma for a while," Palles said. As a Valleywise Health Voices of Hope Speakers Bureau member and Maricopa County Department of Public Health Positively You! Ambassador, Palles regularly shares his story to help raise awareness about resources available, combat misinformation and reduce HIV-related stigma. Recently, he spoke with students at Edson College as part of a public health presentation by the county. He says Algarin's work on this issue is important and much needed. "They are in the driver's seat of the conversation, and if you're using a term like "HIV infected," that is very stigmatizing because you're saying someone is infected and that goes back to this idea of clean vs. dirty," Palles said. The point of Algarin's article wasn't to call anyone out, but instead, to highlight the real-world impact of researchers' work and more specifically how the words they use affect people. "I understand that people engaged in research may not intentionally be using stigmatizing language, but we should see this as an opportunity to do better," said Algarin. Indeed, Edson College Associate Dean of Research Initiatives Support and Engagement, David Coon, says there is always room for improvement. And one of the key ways to avoid harmful terminology is to connect with the community and population you research. "At ASU and Edson College, we take our commitment to social embeddedness seriously. So it's imperative that we listen to the voices of the communities we work with and do our best at every step in terms of the language we use in how we communicate with them and about them. In doing so we respect their choices about how they self-identify and want to be represented in research," Coon said. Raising the issue has resulted in some positive changes. According to the article, the use of stigmatizing language specific to HIV/AIDS started to decrease after the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS released an update to HIV terminology guidelines. In addition to referencing language guides on appropriate terms to use, Algarin says there are three specific actions researchers can take to reduce the stigma in scientific literature: Ensure the use of appropriate terms in the manuscripts you're writing. Suggest the use of non-stigmatizing terms when serving as a peer reviewer. If you are an editor, implement a non-stigmatizing terminology policy in the instructions for authors. "Implementing these practices can show the communities that we work with that we are not only listening, but we are actively making changes to respect preferred, non-stigmatizing terminology. It is my hope that making these changes bring us one step closer to ending the perpetuation of stigma in science," Algarin said. KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2023 - 23:00 | All, World, Japan ---------- Japan PM vows to swiftly arrange abductee talks with North Korea TOKYO - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday he wants to establish senior-level negotiations between Japan and North Korea in a bid to arrange a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at an early date on the return of Japanese abductees. In his remarks to a gathering in Tokyo seeking the return of Japanese nationals abducted by the North in the 1970s and 1980s, Kishida reiterated that he is committed to realizing unconditional talks with Kim "at the earliest opportunity." ---------- Japan, U.S. industry chiefs agree to boost semiconductor cooperation DETROIT - Japanese industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura and his U.S. counterpart Gina Raimondo on Friday agreed to boost cooperation on the development of next-generation semiconductors. During the meeting in Detroit, they also confirmed the need to reinforce global supply chains with other partners and through multilateral engagements such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a U.S.-led economic initiative launched last year involving 14 countries in the region. ---------- Shooter in deadly central Japan attack referred to prosecutors NAGANO, Japan - The suspect in a shooting and stabbing attack in central Japan's Nagano Prefecture that resulted in a 12-hour standoff and left four people dead was referred to prosecutors Saturday. Masanori Aoki, 31, had been arrested on suspicion of the murder of one policeman, who was killed along with another police officer who rushed to the scene in the city of Nakano, following a standoff at his home. The other fatalities were two local women whom he believed "said bad things about me," according to police. ---------- Toyota puts liquid hydrogen-powered car into 24-hour race OYAMA, Japan - Toyota Motor Corp. on Saturday entered a racing car powered by liquid hydrogen into a 24-hour endurance race in central Japan, making it the first such car in the world to participate in an official race. The move is the latest endeavor by the Japanese automaker to popularize hydrogen as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel amid tightening environmental regulations worldwide since it does not emit carbon dioxide when burnt. ---------- Yellen warns deal on debt ceiling must be struck by June 5 WASHINGTON - Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday warned that the U.S. government will not be able to pay all of its bills on time if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling by June 5. In a letter to House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders, she set a more specific deadline for legislators to strike a deal on the limit, which defines the maximum amount of money the government can legally borrow to cover its spending. ---------- Japan AI startup launches robot for home use TOKYO - A Japanese artificial intelligence startup has launched a robot for home use capable of delivering items in response to verbal commands, such as bringing dishes and condiments to the dining room table or books and drinks to the sofa. The rectangular robot called "Kachaka," developed by Tokyo-based Preferred Robotics Inc., attaches to the bottom of a specially designed table fitted with caster wheels. ---------- Sumo: Terunofuji clinches 8th Emperor's Cup with win over Kiribayama TOKYO - Lone yokozuna Terunofuji completed a triumphant comeback from injury Saturday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, outlasting title rival Kiribayama to clinch the championship with a day to spare. Returning from dual knee surgeries in October, the 31-year-old grand champion claimed his eighth Emperor's Cup by improving to an insurmountable 13-1 with victory over sekiwake Kiribayama (11-3) in the final bout of Day 14 at Ryogoku Kokugikan. ---------- China warns against Japan PM's attendance at NATO summit BEIJING - China expressed caution Friday at Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's attendance at a NATO summit scheduled for July, saying Tokyo should not do anything that damages mutual trust between regional countries. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press conference in Beijing that NATO's eastward foray into the Asia-Pacific "undermines regional peace and stability" and countries in the area "should be on high alert." ---------- South Korea fund compensates surviving Japan wartime labor victim SEOUL - A South Korean government-backed foundation said Friday it paid compensation to one of the three surviving Korean plaintiffs who won lawsuits over wartime forced labor during Japan's colonial rule. The Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan, which has been paying damages to other plaintiffs instead of two Japanese companies that were sued, said the person was the first plaintiff who is still alive and agreed to accept compensation by the organization. ---------- Video: Stabbing, shooting in central Japan KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2023 - 08:39 | All, World Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday warned that the U.S. government will not be able to pay all of its bills on time if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling by June 5. In a letter to House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders, she set a more specific deadline for legislators to strike a deal on the limit, which defines the maximum amount of money the government can legally borrow to cover its spending. Previously, Yellen had estimated the government could run out of money as soon as June 1. President Joe Biden and congressional Republicans, who want to slash the country's deficit, are still trying to narrow differences over a solution to avert an unprecedented default. "Based on the most recent available data, we now estimate that Treasury will have insufficient resources to satisfy the government's obligations if Congress has not raised or suspended the debt limit by June 5," Yellen said. She said that more than $130 billion will be spent in the first two days of next month as scheduled for social welfare and an estimated $92 billion will be needed for additional payments in the week of June 5. She called on congressional leaders to reach an early agreement, saying that "waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit can cause serious harm to business and consumer confidence, raise short-term borrowing costs for taxpayers, and negatively impact the credit rating of the United States." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WARSAW, Poland (AP) Aides to Polands President Andrzej Duda said Saturday that his experts have begun analyzing a highly contentious law on Russias alleged influence in Poland, ahead of his decision on whether to sign it. Parliament on Friday approved the law, proposed by the right-wing ruling party, that is seen as targeting the opposition. It may affect the outcome of fall parliamentary elections in which the ruling Law and Justice party is seeking a third term. The law would establish a state commission for investigating Russian influence in Poland and on national security. It is generally seen as targeting former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, now the leader of the main opposition Civic Coalition, at a time when early campaigning for the elections is underway. The law cannot take effect without Dudas approval, due within 21 days. It had caused an outcry, and the left-wing opposition has appealed to Duda to reject it, describing it as shameful and saying it may lead to wide-ranging witch hunts. Many independent experts say it violates the constitution. An aide to Duda, Lukasz Rzepecki, said that initial analyses have begun. We will be taking a very, very careful look at the bill and we will be analyzing it from the legal point of view but also in relation to the current political situation, Rzepecki said. He was apparently referring to the war that neighboring Ukraine is fighting against Russia which has long been considered a security threat in the region. Warsaw's military and political support for Kyiv has drawn angry reactions from Moscow. Rzepecki said Duda's team was aware of the plenty of negative emotions around the bill. However, another aide, Pawel Szrot, said that Duda believes that the more there is transparency in public life, the more explanations are offered on controversial matters, the better. Poland's most powerful politician, ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, said he would not influence Duda's decision but he has a quiet hope that he will sign the bill. Duda can either sign the bill, veto it or send it to the Constitutional Tribunal for review of whether it conforms with Poland's supreme law, the Constitution. Duda won the 2015 presidential election as a Law and Justice candidate, and throughout his first five-year term his decisions were in line with the ruling partys policies. Recently, though, he has questioned some legislation proposed by the party and directed some draft bills to the Constitutional Tribunal or vetoed them, as in the case of the 2021 media ownership law. The law would establish a State Commission for the Study of Russian Influences on the Internal Security of the Republic of Poland in the Years 2007-2022, which would continue even if there is a change of power in the fall. Critics say the investigative commission, with powers to ban people from public positions and to reverse administrative and business decisions, would violate citizens right to face an independent court and is a clear example of how Law and Justice has been using the law for its own ends ever since coming to power in 2015. They view the bill, dubbed Lex Tusk, as an attempt to create a powerful and unconstitutional tool that would help Law and Justice continue to wield power even if it loses control of the parliament in elections this fall. Tusk is to lead a pro-democracy march in Warsaw on June 4, the anniversary of the partly free parliamentary elections in 1989 that led to the ouster of communism. KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2023 - 10:02 | All, World, Japan Japanese industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura and his U.S. counterpart Gina Raimondo on Friday agreed to boost cooperation on the development of next-generation semiconductors. During the meeting in Detroit, they also confirmed the need to reinforce global supply chains with other partners and through multilateral engagements such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a U.S.-led economic initiative launched last year involving 14 countries in the region. A joint statement released by Japan's minister of economy, trade and industry and the U.S. commerce secretary said they will encourage semiconductor research centers of the two countries to work together in creating a road map for the development of technology and human resources associated with chips. "We want to dramatically speed up Japan-U.S. cooperation, including on future technology development," Nishimura said at a press conference. The statement said the areas of cooperation also include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and bio-related and quantum technologies. At their one-on-one talks on the margins of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum ministerial meeting in the U.S. city, the two also agreed to hold a second "two-plus-two" economic dialogue "at the earliest possible time." Japan and the United States held the inaugural talks bringing together the countries' foreign and economic ministers in July last year. The APEC ministers, meanwhile, failed to issue a joint statement after two days of discussions due to differing views over Russia's war in Ukraine, as has been the case at many other multilateral gatherings involving Russia and China held since the war began over a year ago. The United States, this year's APEC chair, had proposed to state that the war is harming the global economy, but Russia and China opposed the idea, according to officials. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who hosted the meeting, instead issued a chair's statement saying that "most members strongly condemned the war" but "there were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions." She said, however, that the members reaffirmed the importance of "upholding and further strengthening the rules-based multilateral trading system" with the World Trade Organization at its core. Japan and the United States as well as their partners are stepping up efforts to create a system to enable them to better secure key industrial materials in the face of China's so-called economic coercion, involving the use of economic means to achieve political goals, and its rising influence in the chip sector. During the bilateral meeting, Nishimura and Raimondo agreed that Japan and the United States will cooperate on geographically diversifying chip production, according to their statement. Food FMCG company Adani Wilmar on Friday said it has entered into the whole wheat category with its brand Fortune. With this pure whole wheat variants of Sharbati, Poorna 1544, Lokwan and MP Grade 1 will be available in Delhi, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan under Fortune brand, Adani Wilmar said in a regulatory filing. Adani Wilmar will be the only national player in this highly fragmented and commoditised category to provide an access to the purest wheat seed of the most premium wheat varieties in the country. "Traditional wheat connoisseur households in the west and north of the country are very selective about their preferred wheat varieties which they get ground under their supervision in neighbourhood chakki stores. The range of Fortune Whole Wheat varieties will give them just what they are looking for and will stand out for their clearly superior quality and variety assurance," Adani Wilmar Associate Vice President - Marketing and Sales Vineeth Viswambharan said. According to Viswambharan, there is a pressing need for genuine and unadulterated whole wheat options in the market. "Our products will deliver a wholesome and unadulterated whole wheat experience to consumers across the country," he said. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Smoke shops that sell illicit substances are growing like mushrooms on Staten Island in what one borough official called a modern gold rush of shady entrepreneurs who are profiting from delays in establishing a marketplace for legal marijuana in New York City. Mayor Eric Adams and other city officials have repeatedly sounded the alarm about these shops, which they believe are undermining the financial viability of the budding marketplace for legal marijuana. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island interfaith leaders, school officials and a number of community-based organizations gathered in front of Dreyfus Intermediate School (I.S. 49) in Stapleton on Friday near the site where a 13-year-old boy was shot in the head. The group had a singular message: There needs to be more done to address gun violence in North Shore communities. The rally comes after Jamoure Harrell, 13, of South Beach, was deemed brain dead. The crime at the Rev. Dr. Maggie Howard Playground is one of three deadly shootings this year that took place in Stapleton, according to the citys CompStat system. In two of them, the victims were under 18 years old. As some speakers put it, they want a smoke-free summer. What I mean by smoke-free, Im using a vernacular that we shouldnt make violence, said Rev. Dale Smith of Central Family Life Center in Stapleton. The only smoke we should be having this summer is from barbecue. Residents and local leaders have previously expressed theyre ready to see the community unite and for change to take place. Cheryl McMillan, Staten Island NAACP education chair, said parents in the community need to do their part as well. A community rally was held at the Berta A. Dreyfus School on May 26,2023. Minnie Graham, coordinator of the Staten Island Black Heritage Empowerment Zone based in Park Hill speaking at the rally. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance) Our children need to know they are loved. We are the ones who are supposed to guide our children, if someone is not doing it right, we have to hold them accountable, she said. Minnie Graham, founder and executive director of the Empowerment Zone, Inc., had similar sentiments, saying they needed to be united to save their sons and daughters. We have to ensure our children are safe in their communities, Graham said. The group also mentioned the need for more assistance in the form of funding for programs. As well as expansion to other parts of the North Shore to fully combat the problem. Bringing back community centers was also brought up. We got to continue to employ this staff here, and more men and women who care, said Mike Perry the program manager of True 2 Life, a Stapleton-based organization that is part of New York Citys Crisis Management System (CMS). CMS consists of community-based organizations that provide violence intervention and support systems in communities heavily impacted by gun violence. A community rally was held at the Berta A.Dreyfus School on May 26,2023. Rev.Dale Smith with Mike Perry. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance) [Those] who were once part of the problem are now part of the solution. We have to continue to operate in that space and make this work, the True 2 Life program manager added. Local advocates have previously told the Advance/SILive.com that educating and dedicating mental health services to youth is essential. No more violence were keep saying it loudly as we can. Save our children who else will? Theyre our children, McMillan said. Smith called it a crisis situation. We have to step up, the mission wont stop. This is about saving these kids lives. ELATED COVERAGE: The Stapleton community >> Too many lives depend on it. Staten Island leaders plead for more resources to fight gun violence. >> Source: Teen in custody in connection with fatal shooting of boy, 13, on Staten Island >> NYPD identifies boy, 13, who was shot in head at Staten Island playground >> Source: Boy, 13, shot in Staten Island playground is brain dead >> Its bad: New details emerge in shooting of 13-year-old at Staten Island playground STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The ongoing service reductions on the Staten Island Ferry have borough residents fuming that the once-reliable link to Manhattan can no longer be trusted. From Thursday, May 25, at 1 p.m., through Friday, May 26, at 2 p.m., the Staten Island Ferry operated on an hourly schedule, even during rush hour, as numerous crew members called out sick, limiting the Department of Transportations (DOT) ability to provide full service. As of Friday at 2 p.m., Staten Island Ferry service has been partially restored, with boats now running every 30 minutes. The previous hourly service reductions led to terminals packed with frustrated commuters, first at the Whitehall Terminal during Thursday evening rush hour and again at the St. George Terminal during Friday mornings commute. Typically, the Staten Island Ferry provides service every 15 or 20 minutes during rush hour, meaning the reductions forced three or four boats worth of passengers onto each trip. Borough President Vito Fossella issued a statement referring to the service reduction as unacceptable given how heavily Staten Islanders rely on consistent ferry service. The severe disruption in Staten Island Ferry service today is unacceptable and is going to hurt thousands of people unnecessarily, Fossella said. The Staten Island Ferry is a lifeline for tens of thousands of commuters. Perhaps a family member needs to pick up a child or bring an elderly parent to the doctor. The level of disruption is enormous. While the majority of recent service reductions have taken place during overnight hours, the fact that Thursday and Fridays disruptions persisted into peak commuting times made matters even worse, the borough president said. We know theres been disruption previously in late night service, but now this has gone to another level. Instead of a few hundred commuters disrupted were talking thousands, said Fossella. District Attorney Michael McMahon referred to the situation as a crisis, noting that the city is required by local law to provide half-hourly service on the Staten Island Ferry. However, the DOT could not legally provide half-hourly service with the staffing levels it had at the time due to safety requirements set forth by the United States Coast Guard. Staten Islanders who rely on the Ferry as a lifeline on a daily basis are absolutely sick of reduced service, in flagrant violation of NYC law that mandates 24/7/365 service This crisis, no matter its cause, MUST be swiftly resolved. The status quo is no longer acceptable, McMahon tweeted. Riders pack the St. George Ferry Terminal on Friday morning as the Staten Island Ferry continued to operate on an hourly schedule after the vast majority of crew members called out sick. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome) RIDERS REACT At the Whitehall Terminal on Thursday evening, an audible groan could be heard from those in the ferry terminal as an announcement detailed: Due to circumstances out of our control, ferry services will be operating on an hourly schedule. Bill, of Great Kills, said he takes the ferry every day for work and was fed up with the delays. This is atrocious, he said. Ive only heard one announcement since Ive been here. Nobody can give me an update on whats going on. I dont understand how they [DOT] can be so unprepared this keeps happening. The Great Kills resident added the ferry is meant to be reliable and hasnt been for quite some time. Its BS, said Jay, of St. George. The service has not been good -- Im lucky Im just going home and not to work. What if this was the morning? Id be stuck being responsible for that. He did, however, note that these issues wouldnt be happening if the city were properly compensating the Staten Island Ferry crew, which has been engaged in a labor dispute with New York City for over a decade. At the St. George Terminal on Friday morning, commuters who spoke to the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com were frustrated that the service reductions, which have recently come primarily during overnight hours, are now impacting rush hour, when thousands are trying to get to work. You cant do this to us. Every day its something different, said Cynthia Johnson. Im a registered nurse, I need to get to work on-time to treat my patients. Fellow commuter Cynthia Davis added: People need to be at work at a certain time or they could lose their job. Its a good thing that I have a job that understands. Davis voiced frustration with the fact that the vast majority of Staten Island Ferry crew members are calling out sick in what some believe to be a work action related to an ongoing contract dispute between the ferry workers union and the city. Even though you guys are going on strike, have some type of consideration for the people who live in Staten Island and have to go all the way to Manhattan to make a living, said Davis. Others voiced support for the Staten Island Ferry crew, which has gone over a decade without a new contract or any wage increases. To be honest with you, theyre lucky because they really could have started this strike earlier, because they owe them so much money, said Mary Ellen Thomas. I think the city needs to just pay them and get this over with. Why would you want to work if youre not getting the money they owe you? I dont know if the city has any pity for these people who work so hard, she added. Riders pack the St. George Ferry Terminal on Friday morning as the Staten Island Ferry continued to operate on an hourly schedule after the vast majority of crew members called out sick. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome) SOCIAL MEDIA REACTIONS The reduced service on Thursday and Friday prompted many Staten Islanders to take to social media as a means of voicing their frustrations. STATEN ISLAND FERRY PERSONNEL CALLED OUT AGAIN! Disrupting rush hour for WORKING PEOPLE! What are you about it? one resident wrote in a tweet directed at various elected officials. Since the beginning of last year, reduced service has been implemented at the Staten Island Ferry on more than 200 days. Whose fault is that, @NYCMayor? When are you going to figure out that swagger doesnt make the ferries run on time, another added. Maybe @NYCMayor @NYCMayorsOffice will take a break from the photo ops and actually Get Stuff Done by working with the union to get these guys a pay raise of some sort. Its not fair to Staten Island residents who rely on the ferry to be the ones bearing the brunt of this. Parisi (@Parisi2274) May 26, 2023 Some were frustrated by the fact that the service disruptions needed to occur during rush hour for officials to take notice. The Staten Island Ferry has run reduced overnight service 13 out of the first 25 nights in May. What I really like is now that it affects the 9-5 crowd, its lets do something! But you all didnt care about repeated interruptions for overnight workers that use the Staten Island Ferry every night, the rider wrote. ABOUT SERVICE REDUCTIONS The Staten Island Ferry began operating on an hourly schedule Thursday afternoon, due to a large number of crew members calling out sick and leaving the DOT with insufficient staffing levels to run full service. The department has repeatedly emphasized that one absence in a major title can disrupt service, with the U.S. Coast Guard mandating that each vessel be staffed with at least one captain, one assistant captain, three mates and various other positions, like chief marine engineers, marine engineers and marine oilers. Starting Thursday morning and continuing into Friday, the vast majority of Captains, Assistant Captains, and Mates scheduled to operate Staten Island Ferry vessels have called out sick. With a national marine worker shortage and as a result of this action, the Staten Island Ferry service is experiencing significant changes these changes are extremely disruptive to the tens of thousands of people who ride the ferry every day, Staten Islanders commuting to work or home to their families, and U.S. military personnel visiting for Fleet Week, said DOT spokesperson Scott Gastel in a statement. Department officials said that all eligible off-duty personnel were called and offered overtime to fill-in, but they did not pick up or return calls. The Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA), the union that represents the captains, assistant captains, mates, chief engineers and marine engineers on the Staten Island Ferry, issued a statement on Thursday attributing the service reduction to ongoing staffing issues. We are operating on a skeleton crew which is clear as the NYCDOT announces service delays, reductions and cancellations daily, because they have failed to attract qualified and certified officers, mariners, engineers and mates all required onboard large vessels in the harbor, said Roland Rexha, secretary/treasurer of MEBA. Union officials have repeatedly stated that the short-staffing at the Staten Island Ferry can be attributed, in part, to an ongoing contract dispute between MEBA and the city that has left crew members without wage increase since 2010. The union claims that the lack of a new contract and existing low wages have made it difficult for the city to recruit and retain talent during the national maritime workers shortage. It is time City Hall recognizes and rewards their enormous contribution and service to our great city and the borough of Staten Island, Rexha said. Riders pack the St. George Ferry Terminal on Friday morning as the Staten Island Ferry continued to operate on an hourly schedule after the vast majority of crew members called out sick. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome) SIMILAR INCIDENT IN AUGUST Thursdays evening rush hour service reduction was reminiscent of a similar situation that occurred last summer. On Aug. 3, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the Staten Island Ferry would provide reduced hourly service from Wednesday, Aug. 3, at 3 p.m., until at least Thursday, Aug. 4, at 5 a.m., after a significant share of Staten Island Ferry workers did not report to work. The mayor implied that the workers had coordinated a sick-out in response to the longstanding contract dispute between the city and the union. The DOT claimed that nearly half of the scheduled captains, one-third of the scheduled assistant captains and various other union workers called out on Aug. 3, with callouts starting in the afternoon and continuing into the overnight hours. Amidst a national marine workers shortage and ongoing labor challenges, we have already been making regular adjustments to Staten Island Ferry service. Now with this event, we are saying to the workers who did not come in today: If you are not sick, New Yorkers need you to come to work, Adams said at the time. Officials from MEBA took issue with the mayors statements, claiming that the callouts were a result of workers feeling the effects of the ongoing staff shortage, which has forced existing crew members to work longer shifts without proper breaks, contributing to worker fatigue. With the Staten Island Ferry providing hourly service during rush hour, when boats would typically run every 15 minutes, hundreds of disgruntled commuters packed the ferry terminal while others scrambled to find another way to get home. A video provided to the Advance/SILive.com showed hundreds of commuters standing shoulder-to-shoulder as they awaited the 7 p.m. boat, with reports that tourists were being asked to leave the terminal to make room for Staten Island residents. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Citing state law, New York City is threatening to hold the union that represents the captains, assistant captains, mates, chief engineers and marine engineers on the Staten Island Ferry responsible for heavily disrupted service that persisted for roughly 24 hours this week. From 1 p.m. Thursday through 2 p.m. Friday, the Staten Island Ferry operated on an hourly schedule, even during rush hour, as numerous crew members called out sick, limiting the Department of Transportations (DOT) ability to provide full service. As of Friday at 2 p.m., Staten Island Ferry service had been partially restored, with boats running every 30 minutes. Amid a national marine worker shortage, and on the second day of yet another instance of workers scheduled to operate the Staten Island Ferry calling out sick, the city has sent a letter to Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) leadership reminding them that New York state law prohibits public employees from participating in a strike or work slowdown, a mayors office spokesperson said in a statement to the Advance/SILive.com. Over the last 24 hours, we have done everything necessary to get travelers between Staten Island and Manhattan safely but while we have successfully navigated this emergency and will restore 30-minute service this afternoon, the service reductions required as a result of these actions are extremely disruptive to the tens of thousands of people who ride the ferry every day, Staten Islanders commuting to work or home to their families, and U.S. military personnel visiting for Fleet Week. We expect any Staten Island Ferry workers who are not sick, like any public employee receiving a taxpayer-funded salary, to come to work. The city is focused on ensuring that ferry riders can get to their destination safely, and we will continue to keep New Yorkers informed. The New York state law the spokesperson cited is the Public Employees Fair Employment Act, more commonly known as the Taylor Law. According to the law, concerted job actions by public employees, including strikes, mass absenteeism and other work stoppages are illegal and contrary to public policy, and viewed as unlawful job action. The law defines a strike as any strike or other concerted stoppage of work or slowdown by public employees. Additionally, union leaders have the responsibility to discourage those unlawful job actions, and must order union members to return to work, according to the law. The mayors office said that the city sent MEBA a letter on Friday to remind the union of the Taylor Law, and to advise union members that engaging in such activity may subject them to penalties. The letter obtained by the Advance/SILive.com stated that the city will be closely monitoring the situation and will take all appropriate actions to enforce the citys legal rights. MEBA issued a response through its attorney, which stated that the union has not engaged in, and is not engaging, in a strike or any other unlawful activity. Nor has it caused, instigated, encouraged, or condoned a strike or other unlawful activity. MEBA added the union has been warning the city for years about the Staten Island Ferrys inability to recruit and retain qualified licensed officers and remains, as always, willing to provide suggestions as to how to tackle the staffing problem so that reliable service can be provided. Union officials have repeatedly stated that the short-staffing at the Staten Island Ferry can be attributed, in part, to an ongoing contract dispute between MEBA and the city that has left crew members without wage increase since 2010. The union claims that the lack of a new contract and existing low wages have made it difficult for the city to recruit and retain talent during the national maritime workers shortage. HELLISH COMMUTE The previous hourly service reductions led to terminals packed with frustrated commuters, first at the Whitehall Terminal during Thursday evening rush hour and again at the St. George Terminal during Friday mornings commute. Typically, the Staten Island Ferry provides service every 15 or 20 minutes during rush hour, meaning the reductions forced three or four boats worth of passengers onto each trip. MEBA issued a statement on Thursday attributing the service reduction to ongoing staffing issues. We are operating on a skeleton crew which is clear as the NYCDOT announces service delays, reductions and cancellations daily, because they have failed to attract qualified and certified officers, mariners, engineers and mates all required onboard large vessels in the harbor, said Roland Rexha, secretary/treasurer of MEBA. Borough President Vito Fossella issued a statement referring to the service reduction as unacceptable given how heavily Staten Islanders rely on consistent ferry service. The severe disruption in Staten Island Ferry service today is unacceptable and is going to hurt thousands of people unnecessarily, Fossella said. The Staten Island Ferry is a lifeline for tens of thousands of commuters. Perhaps a family member needs to pick up a child or bring an elderly parent to the doctor. The level of disruption is enormous. RIDERS REACT At the Whitehall Terminal on Thursday evening, an audible groan could be heard from those in the ferry terminal as an announcement detailed: Due to circumstances out of our control, ferry services will be operating on an hourly schedule. Bill, of Great Kills, said he takes the ferry every day for work and was fed up with the delays. This is atrocious, he said. Ive only heard one announcement since Ive been here. Nobody can give me an update on whats going on. I dont understand how they [DOT] can be so unprepared this keeps happening. At the St. George Terminal on Friday morning, commuters who spoke to the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com were frustrated that the service reductions, which have recently come primarily during overnight hours, are now impacting rush hour, when thousands are trying to get to work. You cant do this to us. Every day its something different, said Cynthia Johnson. Im a registered nurse, I need to get to work on-time to treat my patients. SIMILAR INCIDENT IN AUGUST Thursdays evening rush hour service reduction was reminiscent of a similar situation that occurred last summer. On Aug. 3, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the Staten Island Ferry would provide reduced hourly service from Wednesday, Aug. 3, at 3 p.m., until at least Thursday, Aug. 4, at 5 a.m., after a significant share of Staten Island Ferry workers did not report to work. The mayor implied that the workers had coordinated a sick-out in response to the longstanding contract dispute between the city and the union. The DOT claimed that nearly half of the scheduled captains, one-third of the scheduled assistant captains and various other union workers called out on Aug. 3, with callouts starting in the afternoon and continuing into the overnight hours. Amidst a national marine workers shortage and ongoing labor challenges, we have already been making regular adjustments to Staten Island Ferry service. Now with this event, we are saying to the workers who did not come in today: If you are not sick, New Yorkers need you to come to work, Adams said at the time. Officials from MEBA took issue with the mayors statements, claiming that the callouts were a result of workers feeling the effects of the ongoing staff shortage, which has forced existing crew members to work longer shifts without proper breaks, contributing to worker fatigue. With the Staten Island Ferry providing hourly service during rush hour, when boats would typically run every 15 minutes, hundreds of disgruntled commuters packed the ferry terminal while others scrambled to find another way to get home. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The busiest summer travel season in years is rapidly approaching, and if youre among the more than 200 million Americans planning a trip youll want to make sure you arent unintentionally putting your personal information at risk. In recent years, savvy cyber criminals have developed innovative ways to hack into devices and steal personal information, with travelers often identified as an easy mark. Whether its a weekend at the Jersey Shore or an overseas trip, travelers should exercise extreme caution when using electronics away from home to ensure they dont fall victim to the latest attacks. Heres a list of tips. AVOID PUBLIC WI-FI NETWORKS The FBI warns residents of the dangers of connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, which is one of the most common ways that cyber criminals target travelers and steal personal information. Be careful when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network and do not conduct any sensitive transactions, including purchases, when on a public network, according to the FBI. Additionally, those who work remotely on public Wi-Fi networks during their travels could be placing confidential company information at risk, according to the National Security Agency (NSA). Accessing public Wi-Fi hotspots may be convenient to catch up on work or check email, but public Wi-Fi is often not configured securely. Using these networks may make users data and devices more vulnerable to compromise, as cyber actors employ malicious access points, redirect to malicious websites, inject malicious proxies, and eavesdrop on network traffic, the NSA advised. AVOID PUBLIC CHARGING STATIONS In April, the FBIs office in Denver, Colo., posted a tweet warning the public of the potential dangers of connecting their phone to free public charging stations. Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead, the tweet read. The FBI has said that the tweet was not prompted by a new threat, but rather was intended as a regular reminder of the ongoing cyber security issue known as juice jacking. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also issued warnings about the dangers of juice jacking, where cyber criminals load malware onto public charging stations that allows them to access personal data and passwords. If your battery is running low, be aware that juicing up your electronic device at free USB port charging stations, such as those found in airports and hotel lobbies, might have unfortunate consequences. You could become a victim of juice jacking, yet another cyber-theft tactic, according to the FCC. The FCC offered the following tips to avoid becoming the next victim of juice jacking. Avoid using a public USB charging station. Use an AC power outlet instead. Bring AC, car chargers and your own USB cables with you when traveling. Carry a portable charger or external battery. Consider carrying a charging-only cable, which prevents data from sending or receiving while charging, from a trusted supplier. If you plug your device into a USB port and a prompt appears asking you to select share data or charge only, always select charge only. AVOID PUBLIC COMPUTERS While it may seem convenient to use a public computer at a hotel or on a cruise ship, travelers should be extremely careful when doing so. Hackers can install malware on public computers that allows them to track every keystroke made on the device. If you do have to use a public computer, avoid activities that involve personal information, like logging into a bank account or entering a credit/debit card number to make a purchase. TURN OFF BLUETOOTH While the use of Bluetooth has become increasingly popular with the proliferation of wireless headphones, security experts said the technology could leave users open to cyber attacks. Malicious actors can scan for active Bluetooth signals, potentially giving them access to information about the targeted device. They can then leverage that information to compromise the device, according to the NSA. The publicly released Bluetooth exploit, Blueborne, demonstrates that Bluetooth vulnerabilities can allow malicious actors complete control over a users Bluetooth device. This could enable access to corporate data and networks. PROTECT YOUR DEVICES AND ACCOUNTS Travelers can better protect their devices by keeping them updated and installing anti-virus/anti-malware software, according to the NSA. Additionally, avoid the use of personal information when naming a device. For example, John Smiths Phone or Jane Does Laptop. To help protect your accounts, use multi-factor authentication, so hackers cant access your account even if they manage to get their hands on your password. ADDITIONAL TRAVEL NEWS Best U.S. summer travel destinations: Where does New York City rank? Google Flights launches pilot program that may help you find cheapest price on airfare What is airplane mode on a cell phone, and why is it required when flying? From getting a passport to using travel apps, experts offer tips for traveling abroad post-pandemic Spring Break 2023: Which are the most popular travel destinations? Spring Break 2023: U.S. issues Do Not Travel advisory for Mexico amid crime, kidnappings Uber unveils new features to assist spring break travelers Nearly 85% of American adults expected to travel this summer, survey finds Travelers in these states experience the most flight delays, study shows. Where does New York rank? Which U.S. airports have the most delayed flights? These are the 10 airlines most likely to delay your flight, data shows This photo taken on April 3, 2023 shows some wind turbine generators of the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm in Zhanatas, Kazakhstan. The wind farm is one of the first batch of key energy projects under the China-Kazakhstan production capacity cooperation framework. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua) Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI, Xi said that the ultimate goal of this initiative is to explore new ways for countries from near and far to achieve common development and to open up a "path of happiness" that benefits the whole world. MOSCOW, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the plenary session of the second Eurasian Economic Forum via video link upon invitation and delivered a speech on Wednesday. In his speech, Xi said that as a member of the Eurasian family, China's development cannot be achieved without the Eurasian region, and it also benefits the region. It is China's sincere hope that the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Eurasian Economic Union will be deepened, and all countries will work together with unity and dedication to open up new prospects for Asia-Europe cooperation, he said. Xi's words were warmly received in Eurasian countries, where experts appreciate China's role in promoting the peaceful development of the region and the world, and believe that Xi's speech offers significant guidance for China-Eurasia cooperation. SHARING NEW OPPORTUNITIES China's development has been very advantageous to Eurasian countries, said Vitaly Mankevich, president of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, echoing Xi's words. "The China-Central Asia Summit, which was held in the Chinese city of Xi'an and the recent visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to China have both yielded fruitful results. They are the best examples," added Mankevich. Xi's speech at the opening ceremony shows that the Chinese leader attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation with countries in the Eurasian region, Kyrgyz political scientist Bakyt Baketaev said. More than half of the members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are also members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and have close ties with China, which means that the EAEU could gain impetus from China to vitalize its development, said Baketaev. Given China's vast domestic market and its growing influence, deepening trade and financial cooperation with China will bring more opportunities that will contribute to the overall social and economic development of the EAEU, said Vice President of the Association of Russian Banks Oleg Preksin. Elena Lanina, the first vice-rector at the University under the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the EurAsEC, also believes that cooperation between China and Eurasian countries can yield many beneficial outcomes. "Through cooperation between China and member states of the EAEU, it will be possible to cultivate talents through joint education programs, which will further promote talent exchanges and provide employment opportunities," she said. EXPANDING NEW FIELDS Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI, Xi said that the ultimate goal of this initiative is to explore new ways for countries from near and far to achieve common development and to open up a "path of happiness" that benefits the whole world. People from Eurasian countries have already been benefiting from the initiative. "Thanks to the initiative, cooperation between China and Central Asia will surely be promising in the future," said Polat Mukhammed, who is from Kazakhstan and now studying at China University of Petroleum. As Belt and Road cooperation continues to expand into new fields, Mukhammed said that he has a wide range of employment opportunities after graduation. Many of his friends now are working in areas related to the BRI, such as logistics, trade, and energy. "Eurasian countries are taking practical steps to facilitate Belt and Road cooperation. These countries have achieved very concrete results, and the initiative has also opened up many broad prospects," Mankevich said. Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, rector of the Yerevan State University, is looking forward to expanding cooperation with China in the field of education. "The Yerevan State University has set up Chinese courses and has established strong ties with Chinese universities. In the future, we can explore teaching cooperation under multilateral mechanisms," he said. This aerial photo taken on Oct. 27, 2020 shows the construction site of the second phase of the north-south highway built by China in Kyrgyzstan. (China Road&Bridge Corporation/Handout via Xinhua) OPENING NEW CHAPTER Xi said in the speech that China is ready to work with the countries that took part in the BRI and the member countries of the EAEU to continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, share opportunities, overcome difficulties, create a better future, and work together to write a new chapter in the progress of civilization in a multipolar world. "There are very broad prospects for cooperation in trade, in the industrial sector, in technological development, logistics and transport," said Konstantin Dolgov, deputy chair of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy of Russia. Alexey Buravlev, director of the Research Institute of Euro-Asian Studies at the University under the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the EurAsEC, believes that Xi's speech will inject vitality into cooperation between China and the EAEU. "It will have a positive influence on joint projects in various fields such as science and technology," he said. Alexey Egorov, rector of the Belarus State University of Economics, believes that one of the most important achievements that can be accomplished through China-Eurasia cooperation is the improvement of people's well-being. "China has achieved great success in its economic development, and the concept of Chinese-style modernization should be carefully studied, and could serve as a reference point for the member states of the EAEU," he said. A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment. A recent Native American graduate is suing her former Oklahoma school district after her sacred eagle plume was damaged just before her high school graduation ceremony last year. Two school officials told Lena Black that she wouldnt be able to walk across the ceremony stage with the plume attached to her graduation cap because it is a prohibited decoration, according to the lawsuit, which was filed earlier this month. Black is an Otoe-Missouria Tribe member and of Osage descent who graduated in May 2022. The student attempted to explain the plumes significance, but her comments went ignored by the officials, who are named as defendants in the suit. The school employees then tried to forcibly remove the object from Blacks graduation cap, rendering it physically and ceremonially damaged, the complaint alleges. Black collapsed to the ground and suffered a panic attack before going on stage, according to the lawsuit. She eventually walked across the stage toward her diploma, with the plume in hand. This unnecessary, traumatic experience ruined Ms. Blacks graduation experience, a day of celebration for her, her family and her community, the lawsuit states, adding that a school employee previously told the student that shed be able to wear the object on graduation day. The suit claims that students have been allowed to wear eagle feathers as part of ceremonies in the past, however. Black is seeking $50,000 in damages and attorneys fees. Reckon has reached out to Broken Arrow School District for comment. Her attorneys claim that the actions of the school district and officials violated her right to free exercise of religion and freedom of speech under the Oklahoma Constitution, the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act and the U.S. Constitution. The right to wear items that reflect a persons identity in graduation ceremonies has been a point of contention in Oklahoma and elsewhere. On Thursday, the Oklahoma state Legislature chose to override Gov. Kevin Stitts veto of a bill that would allow Native American students to wear tribal regalia during high school and college graduation ceremonies. The measure passed the state House and Senate, which had enough votes to clear the two-thirds threshold. It takes effect July 1. On Tuesday, the Michigan state Senate passed a bill that would allow students to wear braids, dreadlocks and twists by banning the discrimination of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. But stories like Blacks arent uncommon. In April, 18-year-old B Hayes, a non-binary student in Nashville, Tenn., was banned from prom because they attended wearing a suit and not a dress, according to an Instagram post. At that point, Hayes had attended Nashville Christian School for 13 years. I should not have to conform to femininity to attend my senior prom, the student wrote in the post. I will not compromise who I am to fit in a box. Who are you to tell us what it means to be a woman. If mystery and suspense films have always tickled your fancy, you wont want to miss Nightmare Pageant Moms set to air Friday, May 26 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on the Lifetime Movie Network (LMN). The movie centers around Emilia and her daughter Sophie, who find themselves in a difficult financial situation. They stumble upon an unconventional solution to pay for Sophies college education participating in a regional mother-daughter beauty pageant with a substantial scholarship prize. And according to the Lifetime website, they soon discover that their competition is fierce and ruthless, as a rival mother-daughter duo is willing to go to extreme and dangerous lengths to secure the coveted crown. Nightmare Pageant Moms is directed by Linden Ashby and written by Melissa Cassera. HOW TO STREAM NIGHTMARE PAGEANT MOMS ONLINE FOR FREE If youre a cord-cutter or dont have cable, you can watch Nightmare Pageant Moms on Philo TV. The service offers a seven-day free trial, allowing new viewers to watch for free. At just $25 a month, this is one of the most cost-friendly streaming services. WHAT CHANNEL IS LMN ON? If you are watching on cable, catch Nightmare Pageant Moms on LMN. You can find which channel LMN is on by using the channel finders here: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV and Dish. The thriller movie stars Stars Brittney Q. Hill, Summer Monet Finley, and Gina Simms. MORE LIFETIME MOVIES Lifetime movies, much beloved for their ripped-from-the-headlines approach and addictive drama, have been making a splash this year. Among the most popular new films to premiere are The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story and Black Girl Missing, which appeared on the list of Philo TVs most-watched Lifetime movies. Both are based on true events. Then there was Girl in the Closet, inspired by the actual events of a young girl who was imprisoned in a basement and closet by her own aunt. The film is the latest in Lifetimes Girl In movies, which showcase harrowing stories of women who survive horrific circumstances, per the networks news release. The movies include Girl in Room 13, Girl in the Basement, Girl in the Bunker, Girl in the Box and Girl in the Shed. Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. 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! FUZHOU, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Zhongjing Petrochemical Group, the largest private petrochemical enterprises in east China's Fujian Province, has signed a contract with British chemical company Johnson Matthey (JM Company) in China's Fuzhou to seek cooperation in petrochemical industry. The signing ceremony marked the introduction of BDO production technology from the British company and the launch of a BDO project with an annual output of 900,000 tonnes. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Its captured our imaginations and, like Logan with his kids, broken our hearts many times over even the Prime Ministers Office confirmed that Anthony Albanese is big fan of Succession. Sadly, he didnt have time to elaborate on who he loves, who he despises, and why but other politicians around the country did. As the wildly successful series comes to its end, we spoke to people in power in Australia across politics and the media to nominate their winners and losers. Which Succession character do you love - and love to hate - the most? Vote in the poll below and reveal why in the comments. Peter Dutton nominates Greg Hirsch (Nicholas Braun) as his favourite Succession character. Credit: Aresna Villanueva Peter Dutton Leader of the opposition and federal member for Dickson, Queensland Favourite: Greg is my favourite. Hes hilarious and indefatigable and Im waiting for him to come up the middle and take over the empire! Advertisement Brian Coxs expressions have endeared Logan Roy to Leigh Sales. Credit: Aresna Villanueva Leigh Sales Host of Australian Story, ABC Favourite: Logan Roy. Brian Cox can make me laugh so hard with just the tiniest flicker of expression on his face. Im also very partial to his corporate entourage Carl, Frank, Gerri, Carolina and Hugo. They all feel like very distinct characters to me which is a great tribute to the writers and actors because they could so easily blur into one mass. Least favourite: Probably Nate, Shivs slimy ex-boyfriend. Hes one of those operatives who imagines his side of politics gives him the moral high ground but hes as craven as any of them. Wild energy: Chris Minns picks Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgard). Credit: Aresna Villanueva Chris Minns Advertisement Premier of NSW Favourite: Lukas Matsson. Weird energy but I think hes cool. The India numbers will come good and I like his plans for Waystar. Least favourite: Nate Sofrelli. Shivs too good for him anyway. Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong) is a figure of great pathos and bathos, says Virginia Trioli. Credit: Aresna Villanueva Virginia Trioli Mornings presenter, ABC Radio Melbourne Favourite: Everyone is going to say Roman he is my absolute favourite too so I feel like I need to square the ledger a bit. Im going to say Kendall just because of the arc and the journey his character has been on, and its such a credit to the writers and the showrunner of Succession that theyve managed to have him travel such a distance and to take him in and out of our minds and hearts in so many different ways. From a faintly ludicrous figure in overpriced Lanvin sneakers to someone now who has morphed into a figure of great pathos and bathos at the same time, to the point where we are about to see whether he succeeds or not and turns into his father. I think that is so beautifully and brilliantly done with an economy of line that Im going to stick with Kendall. Advertisement Least favourite: Greg, of course. Everyone thinks that Logan is the demon, the devil and the bad guy of this series. Its the Gregs of this world who will always f--- us up, its the Gregs of this world who shift every single line of morality and ethics that there is. And they always come looking like Greg, fresh-faced and wide-eyed in ill-fitting clothes and then gradually they absolutely corrupt everything. Hes awful, awful. Sarah Hanson-Young says its all political for Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook). Credit: Aresna Villanueva Sarah Hanson-Young Greens Senator for South Australia Favourite: One of the things Ive often remarked during the show is that none of the characters are likeable, you end up loving to hate them. Shiv, of course, is my favourite. I love the sass and the fact that she has to pull the boys up so often and does it so well. Sarah Snook, who plays her, is from Adelaide, a local girl, I really think she is fantastic. The combination of the personal politics you can read on her face with the family, and then how that creeps over to her love life and the marriage. You can tell that there is no personal left, its all political. The way she is treated is incredibly dismissive, it does represent many of the things that as a woman in politics you see all the time. Least favourite: Its got to be Logan Roy, doesnt it? Hes the centre of selfishness and hate. Thats whats so clever about the show, it doesnt hint at anything, its quite brutal, theres no glossing over anything. Its both a subtle and brutal exposure of dis-love I know thats not a word but thats how it feels in that family, the only person he is committed to and loyal to is himself. Roman Roys razor sharp one-liners, of course, make him endlessly entertaining, says Sylvia Jeffreys. Credit: Aresna Villanueva Advertisement Sylvia Jeffreys Today Extra co-host, Nine* Favourite: Favourite is an interesting word to use for the Succession characters because they are all generally awful people. However, I find Roman to be the most compelling character in this season due to his complex emotional unravelling. And his razor sharp one-liners, of course, make him endlessly entertaining. Least favourite: While they are all horribly ruthless and power-obsessed, Tom stands out as especially spineless and pathetic. Shiv hit the nail on the head in their balcony blow up when she described him as servile. Anyone who gifts their on-again-off-again wife a scorpion deserves that level of insult. Zoe Daniel says Cousin Greg offers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, particularly involving Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen). Credit: Aresna Villanueva Zoe Daniel Independent MP for Goldstein Advertisement Its time to stop talking about the individuals caught in the eye of an internet pile-on and train our attention on the mob. Stan Grant has been caught in the same vortex as many other prominent individuals. Instead of wondering what it is about them that has made them a target, we should be wondering what it is about us that we tolerate a mob mentality or, much worse, participate in it. Stan Grant at the Sydney Writers Festival on Friday. Predictably, Grants reasons for taking a timeout from the media have been used to justify existing resentments. News Corp has copped it from News Corp-haters for repeatedly publishing and airing complaints by its commentators about Grants part in a panel discussion during the coronation. The ABC has copped it from ABC-haters because Grant referred in an article published on the ABC website to its legacy of racism. Twitter has copped it from Twitter-haters because it is the forum in which Grant says that my family and I are regularly racially mocked or abused. But by pointing the finger at institutions, we miss the culture we are all part of. It is not the abuse but how we not the victim respond which creates such intense pressure on individuals that they see no option other than to flee the country or the limelight. Regardless of the topic, they are always presented as the result of the words, actions or characteristics of the person who has become the focal point. While nobody should be beyond criticism for what they say or do, the idea that mob behaviour is the fault of the individual is demonstrably nonsense. PS: For me, it was other things that really drove me into activism but, certainly, my sexuality brought with it a different perspective on being outside the mainstream, being different, and what that means when institutions dont recognise you under the law. When I came into parliament in 2005, my partner and I had two children but I was not legally recognised as a parent, as I was not the biological birth-mother. And it was the Morris Iemma government that changed the law to actually allow the recognition of lesbian parents on birth certificates, leading to profound change. Sharpe visited Kosciuszko National Park in April. Credit: James Brickwood Fitz: No less than Penny Wong credits you as being significant in getting Marriage Equality on the agenda, saying: Change happened because of champions like Penny Sharpe, who has worked to build momentum for change in our party. PS: That was generous of her, but it was a very collective effort. And it took 10 years. That is the message I give to our young activists: Never take no for an answer! My major feeling when it passed was one of relief, as I was petrified that it would be rejected by the Australian people. Fitz: But now to the big change! Instead of being a protester on George Street, or a significant voice in the ranks of the opposition, Labor wins government earlier this year and Premier Chris Minns calls you the next day asks you to become the minister for the environment ... and heritage, and energy, and climate change. PS: Right. And I took a deep breath and said: Yes, I do want to do that. Fitz: Which takes you from the streets and the opposition benches, to may I take your coat, maam? the Establishment. You now own all the problems youve previously called down the loudhailer and from the opposition benches to be fixed! Labor leader Chris Minns (right, nursing wombat) with Goulburn candidate Michael Pilbrow and Sharpe on the campaign trail in March. Credit: Janie Barrett PS: Yes. And I think its an incredible privilege to be in this position, one that I feel a great responsibility for. I know so many environmental activists, how hard they work and how much they care. And I want to live up to what they hope to see, which is that we have strong environmental laws to help turn around the kind of crisis that weve got in biodiversity. I feel an immense responsibility to do that. Fitz: What are your broad aims specifically as environment minister in this really seminal time, when we either have a very green decade or a very black millennium? PS: Youre right the choices that we make in the next decade really will set up what future generations will inherit. So, my priorities are these: I want us to protect whats left as much as we can. I want us to restore whats been harmed. And I want us to make sure weve got the right rules in the right place to deliver that. And then the fourth bit is really about the fact that the jobs of the future are actually in environmental restoration and in renewable energy and making sure that NSW is in the best position to do that. Loading Fitz: Lets get to tin tacks. Before the election, you announced that a Minns government would establish the Great Koala National Park 300,000 hectares of koala habitat protected from logging, stretching from Kempsey to Coffs Harbour. When will you deliver? PS: Were absolutely under way in getting that done. That part of the world is incredibly important, and we think that it holds about 20 per cent of the koalas left in NSW. We know that if we dont do something about it, koalas are on track to be extinct in the world by 2050. It will be a National Park. Weve said that we will deliver it in our first term. No, I havent created it yet. Were doing it as quickly as possible, but it will take some time. I cant just make it happen overnight. Fitz: And yet, the environmental activists specifically about Pine Creek right in the middle of the proposed Greater Koala National Park basically say theyve got just five weeks to stop logging that will destroy the key koala habitat. Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you. PS: I have sought advice and there are no immediate plans for logging in Pine Creek State Forest. However, a plan could be provided within the next 12 months and the EPA will be informed of that. But Pine Creek is really important. As the shadow minister, I met many people around there who are very passionate about that forest and whats happening with koalas and other threatened species in there. Forestry Corp which is in charge of logging on the public estate has a proposed operation, but what that means is that they actually have to put in place a plan that goes to the Environmental Protection Agency and that hasnt occurred yet. A sign blocking public access to the Lower Bucca State Forest - an area where logging is permitted in koala habitat - near Coffs Harbour, NSW. Credit: Kate Geraghty Fitz: There appears to be confusion on the timing of that logging, as the activists there have received notification of logging, likely to occur during mid-late 2023. But if that plan does come before you to knock over the koala habitat while at Pine Creek, is there any chance you will say yes or given everything you have just said to me will you do the obvious and say: NO!? PS: Were not putting in place the moratorium straight away as we need to follow the process and carefully assess the impact on communities. But were working carefully and the NSW Environment Protection Authority will be working carefully and in a precautionary way with Forestry Corps around any harvesting that will take place into the future. But there are very strict rules around the current operations around koalas and what trees may or may not be cut down there. I would make the point that Ive been very disappointed that Forestry Corps has had breaches and the EPA has fined Forestry Corps for doing that. Fitz: Go on ... PS: And the other point that Id make around all of this is that weve made it very clear that were going to be making a Greater Koala National Park, and its going to be an iconic park. Its actually an idea loosely based on the Panda Park in China where people come to see them. And theyre incredibly important in terms of economic activity, but importantly, as well, theyre about a conservation outcome. You know, if we cant save koalas I think were all in a lot of trouble. Loading Fitz: Agreed! Last questions, while I have you, in your role as minister for energy. Every now and then we see the professional dinosaurs mount fear campaigns that as coal power stations are phased out in this country, and we go to renewable, we will experience blackouts. In the silent watch of the night, as the buck stops and hovers low over your house, do you share that fear? PS: No. But it is challenging. As the coal stations come offline we need to make sure that the renewable energy is ready to replace it. Were doing it as quickly as possible, and have our pedal to the metal. It is challenging, but the urgency is there, and I am confident we wont have blackouts. Fitz: On your watch, will you spend a single dollar on exploring nuclear energy for NSW? PS: No. It takes too long, it costs too much, and our future is in renewable energy. No to nuclear. Fitz: The other live issue is soaring power costs. What will you do? PS: We are keeping energy prices in check in the short term through the cap on goal and gas prices and our energy rebates for low-income households and small businesses while working to increase the supply of renewable energy in NSW, which will drive down prices over the longer term. Fitz: Thank you, minister. Please finish this for me: What do we want? To save the koalas! When do we want it? PS: As soon as possible! Quote of the week We learnt that Gen Z, the younger generation, need three times a week praise from their supervisors. The next generation only needs three times a year and my generation only need once a year. - Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw in Senate estimates. Joke of the week The lesson of the day at Army Airborne School, just outside of Canberra, is what procedures you should follow if your parachute malfunctions. An eager student up the front raises his hand as soon as the subject of reserve chutes comes up. If the main parachute malfunctions, he said, how long do we have to deploy the reserve? I have just returned from Dili, in Timor-Leste, where I was one of around 30 self-funded Australian volunteer observers for the 2023 parliamentary elections. As widely reported, the people of one of the worlds poorest and youngest democracies just peacefully changed their government, an astonishing accomplishment for a nation where so much blood was spilled not many years ago. The Timorese voters rejected the Fretilin-led coalition of Mari Alkatiri and, after an eight-year absence, have resurrected septuagenarian revolutionary hero Xanana Gusmao for a new spell as prime minister. People queue up to cast their votes at a polling station in Dili. Credit: AP I will leave the deep analysis of the reasons for and impact of the result to those far better steeped in the twists and turns of politics in our region. Separate from the outcome, but just as important, was how professionally and communally one of our nearest neighbours conducted their hotly contested election. It was a privilege to witness first hand the overwhelmingly respectful way in which 860,000 registered voters went about the business of disagreeing with each other but still peacefully and calmly choosing their politicians. As one of my fellow observers remarked, I was handing out how-to-vote cards in the last federal election, was spat at, screamed at, threatened and abused and had to call the police it is so much better over here! A 12-year-old boy who was inside a Surry Hills building before it burnt down on Thursday has come forward and is assisting police with their inquiries into the fire, as it emerged that the buildings owners failed to file annual fire safety paperwork with the council this year. The boy handed himself into police on Saturday morning. Police are also speaking to two 13-year-old boys after they attended Paddington and Kings Cross police stations with their parents late on Thursday. No charges have been laid. Police said they were also still looking for multiple other teenagers who were seen near the warehouse at the time of the blaze. They have appealed for those teenagers and their parents or carers to come forward, and asked for anyone with CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage of Randle Street, Surry Hills between 2.45pm and 4pm on Thursday. A Sydney council has raised the alarm after mangroves suddenly started dying along its waterways, three months after an emergency sewerage system overflow into the area. Georges River Council and wetlands researchers are pushing for a state government investigation into the sudden deterioration of mangroves at Lime Kiln Bay in Oatley after the trees leaves started turning brown this month. Councillor Peter Mahoney and Oatley resident Kim Wagstaff are concerned the suburbs mangroves have suddenly started dying. Credit: Steven Siewert Ive lived around this area for most of my life, and I have never seen the mangroves look like that, said councillor Peter Mahoney, who brought the matter to the councils meeting last week. Mangroves are woody trees and shrubs which grow along sheltered intertidal zones (between the water and the coast). It found the top 10 accounts promoting the No case which sent 2609 tweets over this period appear to be pseudonymous profiles which dont contain any identifying information, real profile pictures or original photos. Loading Four out of the top 10 Yes accounts are pseudonymous, while the other six are authentic. The analysis used a detection model known as Botometer and found little evidence that either side were using bots to boost their campaign efforts. There are likely about six bots tweeting using the #VoiceToParliament hashtag, with three on each side, the analysis showed. Something different starting to happen on Twitter At some point between October and December, Australians will vote on the referendum to enshrine in the constitution a Voice to parliament, which will make representations to the parliament and the government on issues that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Australias chief union boss Sally McManus last week said something different was starting to happen on Twitter, with hundreds of accounts she had never seen before spreading racist content about the referendum. This was different to the normal trolling, the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions said. It is clearly organised, on a large scale, racist and designed to sow division. The No side on Twitter is now more active, sending a total of 34,395 tweets (61 per cent), compared to 20,244 tweets for the Yes side (36 per cent), according to Grahams analysis. Out of the top 20 most active accounts, only three are Yes supporters. There has also been a big influx of new accounts on the No side since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the referendum last year, with 30 per cent of accounts against the Voice created since 2022 compared to 9 per cent on the Yes side. The analysis used a program called HateSonar to find that 327 tweets on the No side amounted to hate speech while 63 tweets supporting the Voice also qualified. The No side also had twice the amount of offensive language in its tweets. Leading No campaigners including Warren Mundine and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have been subject to racial abuse on Twitter, including with the racial slur of coconut . There are concerns that the toxic debate online could lead to violence. Warren Mundine and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The nations top spy, Mike Burgess, last week said his agency had recently undertaken security assessments on the referendum, which he labelled a significant event which may incite spontaneous violence. The director-general of ASIO said there was no intelligence that other countries were planning to interfere in the referendum, but warned the agency was on the lookout for such a risk. Playbook that comes straight from the pandemic Like McManus, ABC radio host Virginia Trioli said her Twitter account had recently been flooded with the most awful racist shit and inflammatory Voice disinformation since posting in support of her indigenous colleague Stan Grant. Loading Very few of these accounts actually follow me, so what evil Elon algo draws this stuff to my account? Trioli said last week, referring to Twitters owner Elon Musks changes to the social media platform. Labor MPs privately said they were experiencing something similar lately on both Twitter and Facebook, with their posts being deluged by No Voice messaging which included conspiracy theories and racist abuse. Albert Zhang, an analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institutes International Cyber Policy Centre, said his think tank hadnt yet observed any mass-coordinated inauthentic accounts such as bots, but warned that would probably change in the lead-up to the referendum. Loading Based on the language used by accounts in the tweets targeting public figures online, it appears that most of the accounts are probably from Australia and a small amount are probably from the US, Zhang said. This reflects some existing racist views in Australia and the additional anonymity on social media allows users to be more abusive with impunity. Instead of bots, Zhang said he suspected the online abuse and trolling was being influenced by prominent Twitter users such as Josephine Cashman, who has stated that the Voice is a United Nations and globalist conspiracy. Cashman, an Aboriginal lawyer and former One Nation candidate who has more than 15,000 followers on Twitter, posted nine replies to Triolis two tweets last week which included erroneous accusations against the ABC journalist. Zhang said the proliferation of conspiracy theories was being worsened by the fact that anyone on Twitter can now pay to amplify their posts after Musk removed blue checks for verified accounts. This is partly fuelling distrust in public figures and is creating an environment where misinformation and hate speech thrive, he said. Ed Coper, director of communications agency Populares, said he believed there was a coordinated campaign on Twitter to manipulate the narrative even if it did not involve bots. The digital communications expert said this was being done by copy and pasting the same comments repeatedly so that the algorithm starts boosting the message. Loading Theres very similar messages all over Twitter, he said. That is a playbook that comes straight from the pandemic, and prior to that around Donald Trumps election in 2016. Either they are genuine accounts, or they might be what we call sock puppet accounts one person might be operating a handful of different accounts just to give their voice a bit more spread further and wider, and its very effective. Coper said platforms such as Twitter need to do a much better job of ensuring every account is genuine, and that users arent deliberately manipulating the algorithm to spread conspiracy theories. ~ Working committee will be established to work on better cooperation.~ PHILIPSBURG/MARIGOT:--- Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Honorable Ms. Silveria Jacobs announces the successful conclusion of extensive discussions related to the border between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin. The dialogues were aimed at fostering mutual understanding and cooperation and after diplomatic negotiations, an agreement was reached on a new treaty that will define the shared border on the island. The official signing ceremony took place today, Friday, May 26, 2023 at the border Monument in Belvedere/Belle Plaine. Prime Minister Jacobs signed the treaty, on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Minister of Interior Gerard Darmanin signed on behalf of the French Republic. The official signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from both governments, including the Governor. The former Governor, former Lieutenant Governors, as well as former Prime Ministers; and the French Overseas Minister Jean-Francois Carenco; President of the Collectivite of Saint-Martin, Mr. Louis Mussington; and Prefet of Saint-Barthelemy and Saint-Martin, Mr. Vincent Berton, was present at the signing. Representatives of the consular and diplomatic corps, residing on the island, were also present. The event served as a testament to the positive and constructive dialogue that has taken place between the two nations, setting a precedent for future collaborations. In addition to the signing, the ceremony featured speeches highlighting the significance of this milestone and the potential it holds for the advancement of bilateral relations. In attendance were media representatives, witnessing this historic moment first-hand. Following the signing of the treaty, both parties anticipate a smooth implementation of the agreed-upon measures, which will promote increased cooperation and facilitate more effective dialogue, thereby strengthening the bonds of friendship and understanding between the people of the island. I am immensely pleased to announce the successful signing of this border treaty. The outcome fills me with satisfaction and optimism for the future. Through diplomatic dialogue and collaboration, we have achieved a mutually beneficial agreement that fosters peace, stability, and cooperation with Saint Martin. This treaty's signing is not a means of division or just a symbolic gesture; it is a testament to dialogue, compromise, and unity. It signals an era of cooperation, where map lines no longer divide us, said Prime Minister Jacobs. The Prime Minister continued, I commend the dedication and hard work of the negotiating team, both from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Foreign Relations, who represented The Kingdom with professionalism and resolve. This agreement demonstrates our commitment to resolving differences through peaceful means and finding common ground for the collective prosperity of our citizens. Together, we embark on a new era of collaboration and shared progress, solidifying our position as a nation that values peace, diplomacy, and positive engagement with our family to the North. Click the link for more photos. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks at a rally in front of the Serbian parliament building in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 26, 2023. In front of tens of thousands of supporters at the rally on Friday, Vucic announced he will resign from the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party on Saturday, to promote national unity at a time of crisis. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) BELGRADE, May 26 (Xinhua) -- In front of tens of thousands of supporters at a rally in Belgrade on Friday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced he will resign from the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) on Saturday, to promote national unity at a time of crisis. The rally brought together government officials, leaders of ruling parties in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungary, as well as public figures and celebrities who came to express their support for the policy adopted by the Serbian president to overcome the crisis created by two mass killings at the beginning of May. "This is the last evening that I am addressing you as the president of SNS, tomorrow someone else will take over my, your, our Serbian Progressive Party, of which I will remain a faithful and loyal member," Vucic said, ahead of Saturday's party leadership meeting to be held in the city of Kragujevac. In response to two separate shootings that claimed 18 lives, mostly of young people and children, and left dozens injured, thousands of protesters took to the streets over the past two weeks to demand social and political changes. In his speech, Vucic invited the opposition and protesters to participate in a dialogue and table their proposals, but stressed that there could be no change of government between elections. He said that he would establish a new political organization "Movement for People and State" by the end of June, to improve the country's unity and political capacity to overcome "the next two or three years of crisis that will prove decisive for Serbia's future." The presidential speech received a warm welcome from the participants of the rally, who were enduring the rain for hours. Vucic was elected as president of the SNS in 2012, and in 2017 he won his first mandate as president of Serbia. Last year, he was re-elected for another five-year term. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (at the podium and on screens) speaks at a rally in front of the Serbian parliament building in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 26, 2023. In front of tens of thousands of supporters at the rally on Friday, Vucic announced he will resign from the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party on Saturday, to promote national unity at a time of crisis. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks at a rally in front of the Serbian parliament building in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 26, 2023. In front of tens of thousands of supporters at the rally on Friday, Vucic announced he will resign from the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party on Saturday, to promote national unity at a time of crisis. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) Enceladus is Saturn's sixth-largest moon and one of the most promising potential sites in the solar system for hosting life. It orbits Saturn within the planets E-ring, and continually spews out a concoction of water and simple organic chemicals into space, at around 800 miles per hour (400 meters per second) forming huge plumes that extend hundreds of miles into space according to NASA . While some of the material falls back to the icy world, some escapes and feeds Saturn's large E ring. Because Enceladus is coated in clean, highly reflective ice, it has the brightest surface of any object in our solar system . However, its surface is not uniform, with some of it being highly cratered and other areas being almost entirely crater-free, according to NASA. Scientists think this points to relatively recent geological processes that enabled Enceladus to renew its surface. Like other icy moons that orbit gas giants , it's thought that Enceladus maintains a liquid subsurface ocean through tidal heating. Enceladus is closer to Saturn at some points than others, causing Saturn's gravity to generate intense tides and friction, which dissipates as heat. Related: Saturn's moons: Facts about the weird and wonderful satellites of the ringed According to recent research , Enceladus' subsurface ocean likely contains most, if not all of the chemical ingredients necessary for life. The Voyager spacecrafts' ( Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 ) collected some of the first real data on Enceladus, while the Cassini spacecraft took the first close-up photographs of the moon, as well as collected detailed data on its chemical composition. Proposed future missions to Enceladus would study the moon's geology, chemistry, and potential to sustain life. Who discovered Enceladus and when? Enceladus was discovered on Aug. 28, 1789, by British astronomer, Sir William Herschel The icy satellite was the first of two moons discovered by Herschel he found Mimas several weeks later on Sept. 17, 1789. It's likely Herschel discovered both moons, using his 40-ft telescope , which at the time was the largest in the world. Herschel's sister, the astronomer Caroline Herschel , helped construct the telescope, for which she received a small pension, making her the first woman in England to be paid as an astronomer. Where did Enceladus get its name? Like the other moons of Saturn, Enceladus went nameless for years. Until Herschel's son, John, published a work titled "Results of Astronomical Observation made at the Cape of Good Hope", in 1847, suggesting that the first seven Saturnian moons discovered were to be named after the Titans. His reasoning behind this was that Saturn is known as Cronus in Greek mythology and Cronus is the leader of the Titans, according to these resources from NASA. What is Enceladus' surface like? Gif showing an illustration of the interior of Enceladus. The moon is geologically active beneath it's icy exterior. (Image credit: Gif made using images from NASA/JPL-Caltech) Despite its extremely cold exterior, it's clear that it is geologically active under its bright white surface. In addition to evidence pointing to the recent regeneration of the surface of Enceladus in some areas, plumes spewing Enceladas' ocean into space contain chemicals suggesting that the moon's seafloor may be rocky and contain hydrothermal vents, like Earth's seafloor. This is particularly intriguing because scientists think these kinds of conditions led to the origin of life on Earth, according to The Planetary Society . According to NASA, the material Enceladus spews out is made of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and several other cases, which may include ammonia, nitrogen gas, and carbon monoxide. It also contains salts and nanograins of the mineral silica, which only forms on Earth during the interaction of rock with very hot water, suggesting that Enceladus has hydrothermal vents. Enceladus' plumes could be carrying microorganisms within their water. (Image credit: NASA/JPLCaltech/Space Science Institute) At least 101 geysers vent icy material from beneath the moon's surface into space as the moon interacted with its parent planet. Gravitational forces open and close the cracks as Enceladus travels closer to and farther from Saturn over the course of its elliptical 1.37-Earth-day orbit. The geysers are at their strongest when the moon is farthest from Saturn, but the gas output does not increase at that time. This is counterintuitive to what scientists thought and suggests that something interesting is going on with its internal plumbing. Also, at least some of Enceladus' geysers have decreased their output substantially since the Cassini mission began observing them in 2015, but the exact reason is not yet known. Although the freezing moon should be too cold for liquid water, the presence of ammonia in the material streaming from Enceladus could act as antifreeze to keep water beneath the surface from freezing. The acidity detected from Enceladus' plumes also doesn't rule out life. Enceladus is only one-seventh the diameter of Earth's moon . It is the sixth largest and most massive moon of Saturn. Like most spherical bodies, it takes the shape of an oblate spheroid, bulging out slightly around its equator due to the effects of gravity as it spins. Because the moon is rather small and feels only the smallest tug of gravity at its surface, scientists were surprised to discover that Enceladus has an atmosphere, which dominates at its warmer south pole. Enceladus key facts Age Enceladus is likely about a billion years old, according to an April 2019 study . That could make it the perfect age to potentially support life, according to study author and NASA research scientist Marc Neveu. However, the study was based on the result of a single computer simulation, and its hard to know for sure how old Enceladus might be. Earlier research suggested that Enceladus and several of Saturns other moons formed as recently as 100 million years ago. Distance from Saturn Orbiting between moons Mimas and Tethys , Enceladus circles Saturn from about 148,000 miles away. It takes about 33 hours for it to complete one orbit. Like our own moon, Enceladus is tidally locked with Saturn, meaning that the same side always faces the planet. It also has what's called an orbital resonance, where the interaction of gravity between Enceladus and one of Saturn's larger moons, Dione , causes the moons to line up at regular intervals. Dione orbits Saturn exactly once in the time it takes Enceladus to orbit twice. The effect of Dione's gravity elongates Enceladus' orbit, making Dione responsible for the smaller moon's tidal heating, and thus, possibly responsible for its subsurface ocean remaining liquid. Size Though it is one of Saturn's larger moons (the planet has 145 known moons in total), Enceladus is only about 315 mi (500 km) across, which is about as wide as the state of Arizona. That makes it only about one-seventh the size of Earth's moon. Enceladus is losing mass at the rate of about 440 lbs (200 kilograms) per second through the ocean material it ejects via geysers. However, research suggests that the rate at which Enceladus is losing mass may be slowing down due to reduced geyser activity. Temperature Enceladus reflects up to 90% of the light that hits its icy surface, which is what makes it the brightest white known in our solar system. That also makes it extremely cold, with an average temperature of -330 degrees Fahrenheit (-201 degrees Celsius). Enceladus is warmest at its south pole, where scientists think the heat from its interior is escaping, causing its spewing of water vapor into space through its "tiger stripes," or large cracks in its surface ice that crisscross the moon's surface. However, the Cassini spacecraft determined that even the small areas most impacted by this heat were still a cool -261 degrees Fahrenheit (-163 degrees Celsius). Enceladus FAQs answered by an expert We asked Erin Leonard, a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory a few frequently asked questions about Enceladus. Dr. Erin Leonard Research Scientist Leonard is a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her research includes studying the geology of icy moons and characterizing Ice Giants. She is the lead author on the new global geologic map of Europa for the United States Geologic Survey (USGS). Does Enceladus have an atmosphere? Enceladus has an exosphere, which is the scientific way of saying that it has a very thin and variable atmosphere. The exosphere at Enceladus is mostly made up of water vapor and is primarily sourced from the plume activity near the South Pole. These plumes are fed by jets of water ice venting from the moon's interior. Could there be life on Enceladus? Enceladus could maintain a habitable environment for microbial-like life within its subsurface ocean. The Cassini spacecraft returned data that suggest that the subsurface ocean on Enceladus may be in contact with rock and that there is a significant amount of heat present associated with the plume activity. We do not yet understand if or how long Enceladus has maintained these conditions associated with sustaining a habitable environment that could support life, and therefore we do not know if life could exist there. So, it is possible that Enceladus could host life, but we need to go back and learn more! Why is Enceladus an interesting target for research? Enceladus is such a small moon, only about 314 miles (504 km) across. I drive more miles when I take a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco! Because of its size, it should have lost much of its internal heat and frozen solid long ago, so it is particularly interesting that it is active rather than a cold, dead ball of ice. It turns out that this little moon is kept warm by the tidal forces imparted on it as it orbits Saturn every 33 hours. Additionally, there is evidence that subsurface liquid water may be in contact with rock in the interior of the moon, which is intriguing because we think life on Earth emerged under similar conditions long ago. However, without understanding how long these types of conditions have been present on Enceladus and whether the subsurface water can maintain a sustained habitable environment, we just do not know how habitable Enceladus may be. As a planetary geologist, I am also particularly interested in how the structures on Enceladus' surface formed as these features can provide a window into the past, informing us on how Enceladus came to be how it is and how it might evolve in the future. Additional resources Find out more about Saturn and its moons with The Planetary Society. Take a free course on the moons of our solar system with The Open University to expand your knowledge. Explore 10 mysteries about Saturn's moons that scientists are eager to solve, with this feature from NASA Science. Bibliography Enceladus In-depth, NASA: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/saturn-moons/enceladus/in-depth/ Phosphorous and the prospects of life on Enceladus, NASA astrobiology: https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/news/phosphorus-and-the-prospects-for-life-on-enceladus/ 40-foot Herschelian (reflector) telescope tube remains, Royal Museums Greenwich: https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-11109 Enceladus science, NASA: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/cassini/science/enceladus/ Mass loss as a driving mechanism of tectonics of Enceladus, L. Czechowski, EGU General Assembly 2015: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015EGUGA..1710033C/abstract Over 1,500 arrested at climate protest in The Netherlands The Hague, May 27 (AFP) May 27, 2023 More than 1,500 people were arrested during a protest by the Extinction Rebellion climate group in The Hague on Saturday, Dutch police said. Activists blocked a section of a motorway during the afternoon in protest against Dutch fossil fuel subsidies. Police said they had used water cannon to disperse activists blocking a major road in the city, and arrested "a total of 1,579 people... 40 of whom will be prosecuted" on charges including vandalism. One of the activists bit a policeman during his arrest, police said. According to Extinction Rebellion, some 7,000 people gathered to join the demonstration. Anticipating the water cannon, some wore swimsuits or carried umbrellas as they sat in protest across the A12 motorway, holding banners and signs. The protest marks the seventh organised by Extinction Rebellion in the same section of motorway at The Hague, close to the parliament and main ministry buildings. But Saturday saw the highest number of people arrested at a protest yet, according to Dutch news agency ANP. "We're going to stay here until they drag us away," said postgraduate student Anne Kerevers, 31. "Climate change is an unfolding crisis and we know the cause and it's still being subsidised by our government and it needs to stop," she told AFP. Several Dutch celebrities were among the protesters, including actor Carice van Houten, best known for her role as Melisandre in the hit TV series "Game of Thrones". Van Houten posted a video on Instagram showing herself wearing a red poncho, getting drenched from a water cannon. ANP reported that she was arrested and later allowed to return home, but did not specify whether she was among those who will be prosecuted. - 'Broad support' - Police said they had repeatedly "given activists the opportunity to end their action and leave" before using the water cannon and making arrests. "We've been coming back every month, or every two months, and every time the number (of protesters) has doubled," said Aaron Pereira, a spokesman for Extinction Rebellion. "There is broad popular support for real climate action and people are waking up to the fact that the government is actively going against this by subsidising the fossil fuel industry." The environmental campaign group, shortened to XR, has become known for the disruptive and headline-catching stunts which have become their trademark. In recent years the group has caused huge disruption, hitting roads, airports and other public transport networks with direct action protests against climate change. But in January it called a temporary halt to its high-profile stunts, and instead promised to mobilise huge numbers against what it sees as government inaction against global warming. In April it held four days of action in London, including mobilising thousands to rally outside the UK parliament. In recent months it has also rallied at airports across Europe, including protests at Eindhoven airport in The Netherlands in March. This week it joined other groups in demonstrating against Europe's biggest private jet sales fair in Geneva. Some activists chained themselves to the planes on display, and air traffic was briefly disrupted at the airport due to people on the tarmac. The last episode was outside its usual surroundings and took place at the annual Firefighters ball. A new captain of 19 was named, which did lead to disappointments and broken relationships. But we got some mended relationships as well. And of course, it could not all go well the Ball ended in disaster. Carina doesnt have a dress for the Firefighters Ball, since she had thought for a while that she wouldnt be accompanying Maya to the event. So Maya suggests she should wear her wedding outfit, to which she agrees. But before Carina gets a chance to get dressed Maya seduces her to make out. They end up in bed, discussing growing their family and how many kids they want to raise afterward. Then Carina confesses she has been researching IVF doctors while they were both working on their relationship. Maya responds with Lets do it meaning they will continue to try and grow their family next season, hopefully with more luck this time. At the firefights ball, Andy is lobbying for Chief Ross to get her to stay on as chief. Chief Ross appreciates it but doesnt want her to do it. It will look bad on her when she is named captain. She promoted Andy officially as the new captain of Station 19. Both Ruiz and Sullivan are disappointed that Andy made captain over them. Ruiz blames her for playing a game, and Sullivan blames Chief Ross. Both men take their disappointment out on their relationship, Sullivan breaking up with Ross, who finally tells him she wants to be open about their relationship. And Ruiz on Vic, who couldnt do anything right in his eyes and was unsupportive of him. Jack keeps running into a pregnant woman who seems to be struggling to do her job due to cramping in her stomach. After a few run-ins she tells Jack she is in labor but that if she stops denying it, it becomes more real. The baby becomes real. We learn this was an unwanted pregnancy, and she is debating giving the baby up for adoption but hasnt decided on a family yet. We see how far Jack has come here because even though he struggled a lot after finding out he was the only one of his siblings who was put up for adoption, he supports the woman completely. Jack is asked to check something in the kitchen since there is an issue with the ovens. In the kitchen he sees smoke coming from one of the walls. And all of a sudden Andy, Chief Ross, and more men come into the kitchen to take command and get to the source of the fire in the building. Meanwhile, Bailey gets impatient about the award ceremony, since she and Warren need to be on a flight to Boston for the Harper Avery Awards. She takes matters into her own hands and takes the stage. While Kitty Dixon tries to get her off, Bailey gives her iconic stare down and Kitty backs off. After this Bailey gives a speech on the respect she has for firefighters and praising Warren for his actions and handing over his medal. So afterward they can leave for the airport. While opening up walls to find where the fire has spread and to put it out Andy also notices in the basement that the ballroom floor is about to give in. They need to evacuate everyone off the floor, but the moment they run into the ballroom yelling for everyone to get off the floor collapses, leaving Jack hanging off the ledge. Chief Ross, Dixon, Kate Powell, the pregnant women, and possibly more victims fell through the floor leaving them with various injuries. Andy immediately takes control of the scene in her new position as captain ordering everyone to start working or leave if they are not needed there. The pregnant woman is pulled up first, she is in bad shape. They move her to the kitchen area, where Carina starts doing CPR on her. After five minutes the ambulance personnel is ready to take her to the hospital but nobody else is moving. Carina explains that they have a five-minute window when doing CPR and they need to get the baby out for both of them to have a chance of survival. After Carina performed the C-section in the kitchen they pack the woman up to get to the hospital. The baby seemed okay and was crying while Maya continued CPR on the woman. Dixon is stuck under large bricks of debris, and while Kitty desperately wants to go down and save him it is Travis who goes down to help him, Dixon seems to know his end is nearing and tries to make amends with Travis by telling him out of all of Emmets boyfriends he liked him the most. As soon as the debris is lifted off Dixon he crashes and Travis starts doing CPR. After a while, Andy tells him to stop because he is dead. Sullivan frantically searches for Natasha. When he finds her and pulls her up, she is still unconscious. He is desperate for her to wake up because only then he realizes how much he loves her. So when she wakes up, they kiss. While Jack kept pushing everyone away by telling them he was fine, we see clear signs of him not being okay. Andy warns him that he cannot have another concussion, so he promises her to get it checked out. But before he can he walks over to Travis and collapses on the floor. So this season we get to wonder yet again, is Jack okay and will he be there next season? F rench filmmaker Justine Triet has been awarded the coveted Palme dOr on the final day of the Cannes Film Festival for her courtroom drama Anatomy Of A Fall. The thriller, which stars Sandra Huller as a writer trying to prove her innocence in her husbands death, is only the third film directed by a woman to win the top honour at the French festival. It saw off tough competition from new films by acclaimed directors including Wes Anderson, Todd Haynes and Karim Ainouz to be declared the winner during the events closing ceremony on Saturday. The Palme dOr is the highest prize awarded at the festival and was introduced in 1955 by the festivals organising committee. Veteran actress Jane Fonda presented the award to Triet, who has previously directed 2013s Age Of Panic and 2019s Sibyl. Jane Campion and Julia Ducournau, who was on this years jury, are the only female directors to have previously won the prize for 1993s The Piano and 2021s Titane respectively. Two-time winner Ruben Ostlund, who took home the top gong last year for his satirical comedy Triangle Of Sadness after previously triumphing in 2017 with The Square, presided over this years jury. The ceremony also saw Cannes Grand Prix go to Jonathan Glazers The Zone Of Interest, an adaptation of Martin Amiss novel of the same name about a German family living next door to Auschwitz. Justine Triet accepts the Palme dOr from Jane Fonda / AP Meanwhile, the jury prize went to Finnish director Aki Kaurismakis Fallen Leaves, a deadpan love story about a romance that blooms in a loveless workaday world. Japanese actor Koji Yakusho, who plays a middle-aged Tokyo man who cleans toilets in Wim Wenders Perfect Days, won the best actor award. Turkish star Merve Dizdar took best actress for the Nuri Bilge Ceylans About Dry Grasses which sees her play a teacher who helps her colleague find a new perspective after he has lost of escaping his dreary life. Vietnamese-French director Tran Anh Hung won best director for Pot-au-Feu, love story starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel set in a 19th century French gourmet chateau. Best screenplay was awarded to Yuji Sakamoto for Monster, which also won the Queer Palm, an honour bestowed by journalists for the festivals strongest LGBT themed film. Some of the festivals biggest premieres centred around films that did not compete Palme dOr including Martin Scorsese debuting his Osage murders epic Killers Of The Flower Moon starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro. Harrison Ford received an honorary Palme dOr ahead of the world debut screening of his new film Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny. The veteran US star, 80, said he was deeply moved and humbled to be honoured with the accolade. Johnny Depp also returned to the spotlight on the opening day of the film festival as his new historical drama Jeanne Du Barry premiered. The project is his first major onscreen appearance since his high-profile defamation case with his ex-wife Amber Heard last year. P olice have issued an appeal after a man escaped from custody in south London. Kwami Richards escaped from a prison transport van outside Brixton Police Station at around 2pm on Friday, the Met Police said. The 42-year-old, who has links to Wandsworth, was wanted on recall to prison for breaching his licence conditions after serving a sentence for burglary. He had been arrested by Met officers and was in the process of being transported to prison by a private security company when the incident occurred, police said. Richards was then pursued by an officer who witnessed the incident into Brixton tube station. The officer was assaulted as he attempted to detain Richards who then boarded a Victoria Line train, police said. The Met said that Richards should not be approached and urged the public to call 999 if he is seen. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 4140/26May. This aerial photo taken on Nov. 15, 2022 shows the rooftop photovoltaic (PV) power installations at Liuji Village of Shanghe County, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Fan Changguo) JINAN, May 27 (Xinhua) -- At a photovoltaic (PV) power generation station in Suanzili Village in east China's Shandong Province, endless arrays of blue photovoltaic panels glow in the sun. Located in the old waterway of the Yellow River, most of the land in Suanzili is saline and alkaline, but the light conditions of the village are good, which makes it a suitable spot for developing PV power generation. An investment of the Xinjiayuan Photovoltaic Agriculture Co., Ltd, the 40-megawatt power station was connected to the grid in 2017. With an average annual generating capacity of 49 million kWh, which is equivalent to saving 16,000 tonnes of standard coal each year, it achieved a revenue of 40.82 million yuan (about 5.77 million U.S. dollars) last year. "The photovoltaic power station leases 1,200 mu (about 80 hectares) of saline and alkaline land in the village, and the annual land circulation fee per mu is more than 1,100 yuan," said Li Dengxin, Party chief of the village. Besides, Xinjiayuan sets aside 3.6 million yuan every year from its revenue as special funds for rural revitalization for Suanzili, increasing the income of both villagers and the village, Li added. Shandong is an economic powerhouse and major energy consumer in east China. "Photovoltaic power generation features low pollution and outstanding environmental benefits, which is conducive to reducing the consumption of fossil energy, said Zhang Xiaobin, executive vice director of the Shandong solar energy industry association. In recent years, Shandong has also actively utilized rooftop resources on sites such as factories and rural residential buildings to promote distributed PV power generation, injecting new momentum into green development. In New Zhangyanzhai Village of Liaocheng City in Shandong, an 11-megawatt rooftop PV power generation project is in operation. "As long as the sun is there, you can earn money. Photovoltaic power generation can increase the income of our village by more than 300,000 yuan annually, and the profit period can last up to 20 years," said Zhang Wei, Party chief of the village. The growth of distributed PV power generation in Shandong mirrors China's strenuous efforts to develop new energy. China has fast-tracked its green drive in recent years, bringing a boom in development within the new-energy sector, with a world-leading installed capacity. By the end of 2021, the country's annual power generation from wind and solar energy accounted for 11.7 percent of its total electricity consumption. Furthermore, China has rolled out a raft of measures to significantly move its installed wind and solar power capacity toward a low-carbon, secure and efficient energy mix. In a national action plan issued in May 2022, the country pledged to accelerate its construction of large wind power and photovoltaic bases in deserts, and will in the meantime encourage distributed power generation in villages, industrial parks, and on building rooftops. By 2025, half of all new public institution buildings will have solar power facilities on their rooftops, it said. T ikTok prankster Mizzy has been charged for breaching a court order just days after he was released, police have said. The 18-year-old, whose real name is Bacari-Bronze OGarro of Manor Road, Hackney, appeared to be filmed being arrested by a plain clothes officer on Friday. In a statement, police have confirmed that the TikToker has been charged with three counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order. He appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on Saturday morning and will next appear at the same court on Tuesday. The 18-year-old was handed the two-year criminal behaviour order on Wednesday which stated that OGarro must not directly or indirectly post videos on to social media without the documented consent of the people featured in the content, that he must not trespass into private property, and that he must not attend the Westfield Centre in Stratford. He was also ordered to pay 200 fine, as well as a victim surcharge of 80 and costs of 85 totalling 365. OGarro appeared in court after he posted a clip of him invading a familys home. He says in the clip: Walking into random houses, lets go and walking towards a family home. Thames magistrates court heard the mother of the family in the video believe they were put at risk in the May 15 stunt, and OGarro has apologised for his actions. Other TikTok clips also showed him stealing a womans dog, ripping up library books and jumping into strangers cars. A man arrested after a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street has been charged with making indecent images of children, the Met has said. Seth Kneller, from Crewe, was detained by armed officers after a collision involving a silver Kia near the Prime Minister's official residence in Whitehall at 4.20pm on Thursday. The Metropolitan Police said the 43-year-old, who was also arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, had since been released under investigation but charged with the unrelated offence of making indecent images of children. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday. After the hearing, a court official said Kneller was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Southwark Crown Court on June 23. The Met said: Armed officers, who were in attendance, arrested a 43-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving. He was taken into custody and has since been released under investigation in relation to this matter. He was charged with an unrelated matter of making indecent images of children and will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday, 27 May. Rishi Sunak was in Downing Street at the time the car crashed into the front gates, the PA news agency understands. The Prime Minister, who had been due to leave No 10 anyway, departed after the crash. There were no injuries reported and police are continuing their inquiries into the incident, the Met said. Counter-terrorism police are currently supporting officers in their investigation but the incident is not being treated as terror-related, according to the force. Images on social media showed the car surrounded by emergency vehicles as police cordoned off the stretch of Whitehall outside Downing Street. Officers were seen searching the boot of the vehicle before a tow lorry removed it from the area. B oris Johnson has branded suggestions he may have taken part in further rule-breaking during the pandemic as a load of absolute nonsense. The former Prime Minister emphatically denied gatherings at Chequers had breached Covid rules when asked as he touched down in the US. He also insisted that the Cabinet Office decision to hand over entries from his official diary during the pandemic to police without first querying them with him was ridiculous. Speaking for the first time about the latest claims, he told Sky News: This whole thing is a load of nonsense from beginning to end. I think its ridiculous that elements in my diary should be cherry-picked and handed over to the police, to the privileges committee without even anybody having the basic common sense to ask me what these entries referred to. On Tuesday it emerged that Mr Johnson was referred to police after Cabinet Office lawyers discovered evidence of the new meetings, said to include former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, the TV presenter Kate Garraway and his family and friends. No10 has said ministers were not involved in the decision to pass to the police concerns over events in Chequers and Downing Street following a review of his official diary. Pressed on whether the entries showed him mingling with friends, Mr Johnson insisted that is absolutely not what these diary entries show. He said: I just think its totally nonsensical and bizarre that there are tens of thousands of entries in the prime ministers diary. Ive never seen these things before. I have looked through it. None of them constitute a breach of the rules during Covid, they werent during lockdown. They were during other periods of the restrictions. None of them constitute a breach of the rules. None of them involve socialising. It is total nonsense. His team previously said attempts were being made to stitch him up and that any meetings were lawful. Mr Johnson has since sacked the Cabinet Office legal team assigned to represent him at the official Covid Inquiry and has appointed new lawyers. They have now reportedly presented his legal defence to both the police and the Privileges Committee. A spokesperson for the committee said it had received new evidence and had written to the former Prime Minister for a response, adding: The committee will take this evidence and Mr Johnsons response into account when considering its final report. The committee is making progress with its inquiry expeditiously. The separate Covid inquiry has also demanded to see the diary entries and WhatsApp messages relating to any Downing Street parties. Mr Johnson was catching a flight in Washington DC on Friday as part of his trip to the US, where he is speaking about the war in Ukraine, when he was approached by a Sky News journalist asking about the revelations. You want my honest view, I think this whole thing is completely nonsensical, he said. Asked what the entries show, he replied: They merely record events in my day. Mr Johnson was previously fined for attending a gathering in Downing Street to mark his birthday in June 2020 one of a series of political crises that ultimately led to the end of his premiership. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said earlier on Friday the public was fed up to the back teeth with stories about the former prime minister. These are deeply personal things and increasing revelations about Boris Johnson, I think, just add to that sense of hurt and people are fed up with it, he said. I do think there are questions now about why have these allegations not come out before, all these allegations. I TV has said it has no plans to axe This Morning as a top executive denied mistakes were made in its investigation into rumours of an affair between presenter Phillip Schofield and a much younger colleague on the show. Schofield, 61, quit ITV on Friday over the scandal and it has been claimed bosses could be axed and the flagship daytime show canned amid the fallout. But executives have quashed reports that the show will end, adding that it will return as normal on Monday morning. An ITV spokesperson said on Sunday: As we said on the record yesterday, This Morning is not under review and theres no plans for the show to be axed. This Morning will return as normal tomorrow. ITV said it investigated rumours of an affair between married Schofield and the younger mail employee but it was repeatedly denied by the pair. Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby at the National Television Awards 2019 (PA) / PA Archive The corporation added that it was not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour when it looked into the matter. An ITV spokesperson said: ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated. Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillips then agency YMU. In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour. Phillips statement yesterday reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship. Meanwhile, Dr Ranj Singh, who left This Morning two years ago after working there for a decade, criticised the wider culture at the programme, saying the issues go far beyond Schofield. Speaking on Twitter, he said he did not know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but added: It takes more than one person to create a culture. Dr Ranj Singhseen arriving for the 2021 British LGBT Awards (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) / PA Archive Singh, now resident doctor on the BBCs Morning Live, added he thought long and hard before weighing in on the scandal currently engulfing ITV but decided to speak out in light of recent events. He claimed: As ITV confirmed last night, I raised my concerns about [an executives] behaviour (and the environment at TM) - especially given that my job is to look after peoples wellbeing and I had been heavily involved in diversity, anti-bullying and mental health projects across the channel. I then found myself being used less and less. I havent worked on the show since... and I am not the only one who has spoken up or experienced similar. Kevin Lygo, director of television at ITV, was approached by Sky News amid questions over what bosses knew about Schofields conduct. Speaking on Sunday, Mr Lygo declined to comment further, saying: Honestly, weve made a statement today, yesterday. I think its all clear. Asked if mistakes were made in the 2020 investigation, he replied: No. It comes after Holly Willoughby hit out at Schofield for lying to her over his affair. Holly, whose future on the show is also feared to be in doubt, stepped in to quell speculation about how much she knew. On her Instagram account, she said: Its taken time to process yesterdays news. When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not. Holly Willoughby issued a statement on her Instagram account on Saturday night / Holly Willoughby/Instagram Its been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie. In a statement, Schofield said it had been an unwise, but not illegal affair and that he had lied to ITV about the relationship with the ex-colleague. He added: I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family, he told the paper. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife. I have therefore decided to step down from the British Soap Awards, my last public commitment, and am resigning from ITV with immediate effect expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me. Phillip Schofield - In pictures 1 / 50 Phillip Schofield - In pictures Phillip Schofield on This Morning has announced he is gay ITV Phillip Schofield on This Morning ITV Phillip Schofield on This Morning ITV Phillip Schofield on This Morning ITV Phillip Schofield and Stephanie Lowe attending the National Television Awards 2019 PA Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, Dr Ranj Singh, Ruth Langsford, Eamonn Holmes, Rochelle Humes, Lisa Snowdon and the cast of "This Morning", pose in the winners room after winning the Live Magazine Show award during the National Television Awards 2020 Getty Images Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield pose with the award for Live Magazine Show for 'This Morning' in the winners room attends the National Television Awards 2020 Getty Images Phillip Schofield making his big break on New Zealand TV Phillip Schofield with Gordon The Gopher Phillip Schofield in his early BBC TV day BBC TV's Saturday morning children's programme "Going Live" with Sarah Greene, puppet "Gordon the Gopher", Phillip Schofield and resident fashion expert Annnabel Giles in 1987 PA Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene on the 'hot line' in London, as they host BBC1's saturday morning programme 'Going Live' in 1987 PA Phillip Schofield with Caron Keating and Sarah Greene in 1988 PA Phillip Schofield and his wife Stephanie attend the London premiere of Evita in 1996 PA Phillip Schofield, his wife Stephanie and children Ruby (right) and Molly arrive for the premiere of Disney's new animated film Return to Neverland at the Odeon Leicester Square, London in 2002 PA Phillip Schofield Daily Mail Phillip Schofield in Joseph Daily Mail Phillip Schofield in the 1996 title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat PA phillip Schofield with the mythical creature 'Pushmi-Pullyu' on stage in the production of Dr Doolittle at the Apollo Theatre in 1998 PA Fern Britton with Phillip Schofield prenting This Morning in 2003 Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield for Dancing On Ice in 2006 Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on the This Morning set, after Holly was named today as Fern Britton's replacement on the flagship ITV daytime show This Morning in 2009 PA hillip Schofield and family arriving for the 2009 British Soap Awards PA Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield for Dancing On Ice in 2009 Phillip Schofield and family arriving for the premiere of 'Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience' in 2009 PA Phillip Schofield The Cube with presenter Phillip Schofield iITV Phillip Schofield with the Entertainment Programme award received for The Cube at the Philips British Academy Television Awards 2011 PA Prince of Wales talking to TV presenter Philip Schofield, during a 2012 reception for celebrities and volunteers of the Diamond Champions volunteers organised by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), at Clarence House in central London PA Phillip Schofield presenting 5 Gold Rings ITV Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton presenting All Star Mr & Mrs Rex Features The Queen greeting Phillip Schofield at a reception for the Queen's Young Leaders Awards at Buckingham Palace in 2016 PA Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in 2018 PA Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Dancing On Ice: Series 12 in 2020 ITV Phillip Schofield on This Morning ITV Phillip Schofield on This Morning ITV Phillip Schofield on This Morning ITV Phillip Schofield on This Morning ITV I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it. The young male colleague who had an affair with Schofield was only 15-years-old when they first met. The Mail on Sunday reported that the veteran TV presenter met the boy while giving a talk at a theatre school. Schofield, who had co-presented This Morning with Willoughby since 2009, said last week he decided to leave the show because it had become the story. He started at This Morning in 2002 as a temporary presenter before becoming a permanent fixture at the show. Fern Britton, his original co-host, quit the programme in 2009, with Britton replaced with Willoughby. Schofields wife, Stephanie - who shares two children with Phillip - previously stood by him when he revealed in 2020 he was gay on ITV after 27 years of marriage. D emonstrators condemned the Governments controversial laws on protests as draconian and authoritarian as hundreds of them marched through central London. Supporters and volunteers for Just Stop Oil (JSO), Extinction Rebellion (XR), Republic, Black Lives Matter and more gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday to protest against recent legislation, including the Public Order Bill, which critics say could curb the right to peaceful protest. Speeches and live music were heard on the green before protesters marched to Downing Street and back as part of the #NotMyBill demonstration, holding colourful banners and signs reading No more police powers and Defend the right to protest. The Public Order Bill introduced new offences including locking on a tactic used in recent years by some environmental protesters to fasten themselves to a protest point going equipped to lock on and interfering with key national infrastructure. Member of anti-monarchy group Republic, Tom Lines, told the PA news agency he was protesting because of the arrests his group experienced on the day of the Kings coronation. Calling the incident an outrage, the 68-year-old said he arrived late to the coronation protest, having travelled from his home in Brighton. If I had been (there) I probably would have been in the back of a van as well, he said. Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, was detained for 16 hours on the day of the Kings crowning after officers deemed that straps in his organisations van could be used to lock on. Mr Smith was one of six Republic members who were the first people to be arrested under the sweeping Public Order Act, brought in days before the coronation. That is what happened on the day but worse than that is that the Government has passed this legislation that is going to allow that in the future, Mr Lines said. Moyra Samuels, a volunteer for Stand Up to Racism, also condemned the Bill. If you think about the George Floyd protests how else could we express, could the world express, its outrage at police violence but through protest? We have all come together to protest the Governments draconian authoritarian attack on our democratic rights, she told PA. She added: We want to protect our right to protest because how else can we challenge and hold them to account in all the issues that actually we need to protest about? Ms Samuels, from west London, referenced the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the murder by a police officer of George Floyd in the United States. If you think about the George Floyd protests, how else could we express, could the world express, its outrage at police violence but through protest? How else will a government hear what its people are saying unless we take to the streets with our message, a loud message? So the silencing of us, I think, is very, very worrying. She told PA she wants the Bill kicked out but is not hopeful the Government will do so. This is not a government that is in a listening mood because its in crisis. So its not ready to listen. But it has an election coming up so it may get a little bit worried that actually this may be too far for some of the voters in the shires because Britain does have some tradition of democracy. XR volunteer Sarah Montgomery, 72, accused the Government of pushing through outrageous and undemocratic laws. She referenced the two year and seven month prison sentence given to Marcus Decker for scaling the Queen Elizabeth II bridge as an example of the Government cracking down on protesters. At the very basic level its about being able to protest Asked about her biggest concern, she told PA: Its about being arrested for locking on to somebody else or for holding hands or for being seen to be walking towards a protest perhaps with a banner. Then you know you are had for conspiracy to protest. This is outrageous. We need to have a voice so at the very basic level its about being able to protest. In a statement, environmental campaign group JSO said: The Governments plan to stop dissent is to ban bike locks and megaphones. This is no plan at all. Its like banning fire alarms instead of stopping fires. Outside the gates of Downing Street, protesters chanted: Rishi, Rishi, Rishi. Out, out, out. The crowd thinned and calmed once it returned to Parliament Square. S hadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has accused energy firms of making war profits from the surge in oil and gas prices following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Ms Reeves said that companies should be taxed properly in order to help people deal with the cost-of-living crisis amid rising energy bills. There needs to be a proper windfall tax on the huge profits the energy giants are making, because while they make huge profits, people are paying huge bills. Those are the windfalls of war, they should be taxed properly, to help people with a cost-of-living crisis, she said in an interview with the BBCs economics editor Faisal Islam for Newscast. They are war profits. The only reason that energy prices rose like that is because of Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine. And the energy companies have benefited with higher profits on the back of that, and everybody else has been saddled with higher bills. Those are not profits because of the great ingenuity of the companies... that money should go into helping families with their energy bills and helping businesses who have also seen their bills go up. A Treasury spokesperson said the profits are being used to ease pressure on families in the UK. These funds are being used to hold down peoples energy bills and fund one of the most generous cost of living packages in the world- worth 94bn, which is around 3,300 per household this year and last, the spokesperson said. It comes as experts warned households to expect their gas and electricity bills to remain high for the foreseeable future. The grim prediction came even as regulator Ofgem lowered the energy price cap from 3,280 to 2,074 from July 1. The new cap - down because of plummeting wholesale prices - means the average household bill will fall by 426 a year and will replace the Governments Energy Price Guarantee, which reduced the amount a typical household could be charged to 2,500 per unit of gas or electrcity, although bills could be higher or lower depending on usage. MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis said the new cap will be a relief for many" but warned "most will still be paying more for their energy than during the winter. He explained: This is because - apart from for those with high use - the drop in the rates doesnt make up for the 66 per month state support people got until April. And most are on monthly direct debit, which means they pay the same in summer as winter. Overall, this still leaves people paying double or more what they did before the crisis hit in October 2021. The coronavirus lockdowns, cold winters, and geopolitical issues, such as Russias invasion of Ukraine are just some of the factors that have driven up the cost of energy. A senior Ukrainian security official has said the country is ready to launch a counter-offensive against Russian forces. Oleksiy Danilov said an assault to retake territory from Vladimir Putins forces could begin tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week. Mr Danilov, who is the secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, said Ukraine is ready to take advantage of this historic opportunity that we cannot lose. Asked if Ukrainian armed forces were ready for the offensive, he told the BBC: We are always ready. The same as we were ready to defend our country at any time. And it is not a question of time. We have to understand that that historic opportunity that is given to us - by God - to our country we cannot lose, so we can truly become an independent, big European country. He added: It could happen tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week. It would be weird if I were to name dates of the start of that or those events. That cannot be done. We have a very responsible task before our country. And we understand that we have no right to make a mistake. His comments come after Belarus yesterday signed a deal allowing Russian nuclear weapons to be deployed on its territory. The move formalised a plan agreed earlier by Vladimir Putin and Belarusian PresidentAlexander Lukashenko. Putin had announced in March that his country planned to deploy tactical, comparatively short-range and small-yield nuclear weapons in Belarus. Russian forces are believed to have seized control of Bakhmut following months of fighting although it is thought up to 20,000 Wagner Group troops were killed seizing it. Due to this, Wagner Group forces have begun to withdraw from the city of Bakhmut and will likely focus on other offensive operations in the Donbas region, according to British intelligence chiefs. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in its latest intelligence update that the mercenary groups chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, had said the withdrawal had begun and positions were being transferred to Russian defence ministry forces. Kyiv corroborated Wagners rotation out from the citys outskirts. The MoD said that forces of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic had probably entered the eastern Ukrainian city since Wednesday to start clearance operations as of May 24. W agner Group forces have begun to withdraw from the city of Bakhmut and will likely focus on other offensive operations in the Donbas region, according to British intelligence chiefs. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in its latest intelligence update that the mercenary groups chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, had said the withdrawal had begun and positions were being transferred to Russian defence ministry forces. Kyiv corroborated Wagners rotation out from the citys outskirts. The MoD said that forces of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic had probably entered the eastern Ukrainian city since Wednesday to start clearance operations as of May 24. Earlier this week, he said 20,000 of his Wagner Group fighters had died in the siege. The MoD wrote on Twitter: Ukrainian forces had taken 20 square kilometres of Bakhmuts flanks as of May 16. The rotation out of Wagner forces is likely to continue in controlled phases to prevent collapse in pockets around Bakhmut. Despite Prigozhins ongoing feud with the Russian MOD, Wagner forces will likely be used for further offensive operations in the Donbas following reconstituting its forces. Ukrainian officials have insisted that pockets of the city are still under its control although Prigozhin claimed control of the city last week. Footage online showed Mr Prigozhin telling his men to leave ammunition for Russian troops afterthreatening to quit the region last month as he blasted the top brass, warning the Kremlin it could face a revolution like that of 1917 without further support. In a video posted on Telegram stating his forces were withdrawing earlier this week, Prigozhin said his forces would be ready to return to Bakhmut if the regular army was unable to manage the situation. Last night, Ukraines deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said its forces had a foothold in the south-western outskirts of the city, and that some Wagner units still remained. Russian units in Ukraine also are believed to be so worn down that they will struggle to counter-punch if the formidable defences which they have built up in eastern Ukraine are breached. But while Ukraine may succeed in regaining swathes of territory, the likelihood of any breakthrough that would end the war appear remote. ANKARA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Three years after George Floyd was killed by four police officers in the U.S. state of Minnesota, the case still haunts Black Americans and fuels their skepticism and distrust of police, Turkiye's semi-official Anadolu Agency reported on Thursday. The murder of Floyd on May 25, 2020 "showed the world how (American) police treat Black people differently than white people," Anadolu quoted Alicia Jennings, a 39-year-old living in Houston, as saying. "There is this long history of police brutality towards Black people," Derek Handley, an assistant professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, told Anadolu. While Floyd's killing caught the attention of the younger generation, police violence against Black people in America is nothing new, Handley added. Handley believed that societal stereotyping would not change anytime soon and the U.S. criminal justice system as a whole needed to be overhauled to prevent incidents like Floyd's murder from happening again. You have to wonder whether Tom Stoppard wrote On the Razzle on a dare. Did he lose a bet? Was he provoked? Why exactly did the great English playwright behind Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and the mind-bending Arcadia write something more suited for a Benny Hill episode? Mistaken identities. Silly slapstick. Jokes about butts. It would be like Shaw writing a teen sex comedy. But then you remember Stoppard won an Oscar for his Shakespeare in Love screenplay and finessed the dialogue for both an Indiana Jones and Star Wars movie. Hes not above dipping into the mainstream. The Shaw Festival first tackled Stoppard for a superb production of Arcadia 10 years ago and this couldnt be a more bizarre followup. Where that play pondered virtually everything our lives, our fates this one swims in bad puns and sitcom misunderstandings. It comes off like a particularly loud and chatty dinner guest fun at first, growing tedious by the end. Its not that Stoppard isnt a wonderfully funny writer, its that his humour is best in short doses. Usually to break up the heavy stuff. Here, its all yuks, all the way through. His already bloated dialogue is in overdrive, reaching for every pun and sight gag possible. Some is clever, some is low hanging fruit. All of it is thankfully made sillier by a cast suited to the manic pace pushed by director Craig Hall. Much of it falls on Mike Nadajewski and Kristi Frank as a pair of Austrian grocery store shopkeepers who get caught up in a far-fetched debacle in Vienna involving their tongue-tied boss (Ric Reid), his niece (Lindsay Wu), the nieces suitor (Drew Plummer) and the frantic need to keep all of them apart. There are assistants, mistresses and upcoming marriages to juggle. At some point, its hard to keep track of who knows who, and whos doing what. All the while, Stoppard has the audience groaning at his wordplay. When someone orders sausage at German restaurant, hes told The wurst is yet to come. Introducing his new assistant, grocery store owner Reid says, I woke up this morning feeling like a new man so I got one. Reid sums it up best when he declares, One false move, we could have a farce on our hands. The play itself is a very loose adaptation of Johann Nestroys 1842 musical Eine Jux will er sich machen, which has gone through several transformations over the decades. In 1955 it was remade as The Matchmaker, which later spawned Hello, Dolly! Stoppard pays no heed to the original text and goes his own zany way with this version, first produced in 1981. There are no songs, no sentiment and certainly no Dolly. All it wants to do in a variety of contrived ways is make you laugh, though it might settle for chuckle. Looking for deeper meaning is pointless. For this one weird show, Stoppard just wanted to be the class clown. ON THE RAZZLE By Tom Stoppard. Starring Mike Nadajewski, Ric Reid and Kristi Frank. Directed by Craig Hall. At the Royal George Theatre until Oct. 8. *** (out of five) SHARE: Have you ever caught yourself almost nodding off during an online meeting? Or perhaps youve been caught doing something else say, idly scrolling through a shopping site while someone droned on about quarterly targets? I wouldnt recommend you do these things, but you could be forgiven if you had. Online meetings are awful, a sort of karmic punishment for the many upsides of remote work. Alas, as millions of Canadians with white collar jobs have shifted to working from home or doing hybrid work, the Zoom meeting has become an unfortunate and unavoidable part of life. But a recent sneak peek at some new technology from Google suggests that online meetings may be about to get better. The secret to the tech, though, isnt goggles or cartoon avatars or anything else, but instead, making you feel like you arent online at all. What is suggests is that the way forward for remote meetings is likely something rooted in making things feel more human and more real. Googles tech is called Project Starline, and for now its just a prototype. Essentially a sophisticated form of 3D video conferencing, it actually started out in 2021 as a large booth you would enter that contained a screen and an array of many cameras. Now, as recently showcased by popular tech personality Marques Brownlee, the tech has been shrunken down to what looks like a large-screen TV surrounded by cameras. Its now smaller because it relies on AI tech to create a 3D image of the person sitting in front of the screen mostly using regular cameras. The point is that it is meant to make a video call with another person feel much more like an in-person chat than an exhausting Zoom meeting. As described by Brownlee, it isnt quite a hologram or like a 3D movie, but something in between. The end result according to those how have used it, however, is impressive: that you feel as if you are looking at a 3D person rather than a flat image. That draining feeling of a Zoom call Its a small difference, but an important one. As the Stars Kevin Jiang wrote recently, Zoom fatigue the draining feeling of trying to maintain attention in an online meeting stems from the fact the cues we use to connect with other people are largely gone in a Zoom call. Googles Project Starline seems a step closer to fixing those issues because the tech tracks movements, making ones image appear 3D, while also letting you look straight ahead instead of up or down at a camera. What that actually amounts to is making a virtual meeting feel far like a real one. Google are not alone in this attempt to solve the problem. Other companies are working on similar tech, while competitors like Meta are investing heavily into virtual reality tech and the metaverse. The problem people are trying to solve for is what has started to be called presence: the feeling of being there when there is in fact virtual. When we tune out of a Zoom meeting we do so largely because, in appearance, it isnt any different from a YouTube video or another form of media. Its not just that we dont achieve presence; its that we are barely even present. Meeting tech, in order for it to actually get better, needs to somehow put people in each others spaces that is, rather than a voice and a small box on your laptop screen, one needs to feel as if one is actually talking to another person. Whether or not Googles tech becomes mainstream will depend on how it actually plays out in practice, not to mention cost. It seems likely that for now it will be quite an expensive proposition, even if the tech has been considerably simplified. Yet, as with all things, there are potential downsides. In making online meetings even more real and present, in an era of remote work we are also asking people into our homes and our spaces in a more intimate way. There is also the yet-to-be-seen benefits of these kinds of meetings. Early reports suggest they feel more immediate, but whether that translates into productivity benefits is unclear. But the transition to remote work was largely done under the duress of a global pandemic. What resulted was a cobbled-together mishmash of things: Zoom, Slack, Teams, all of it the product of an earlier era. Yet if remote work isnt simply a blip but is instead increasingly a norm, what will be necessary is exactly what Google is trying here. No, there wont really ever be a substitute for in-person connection. But as being apart becomes the default, the least we can do is to try and make things a little more human. SHARE: VANCOUVER - The federal government is set to begin accepting proposals to spend the remaining money in a multimillion-dollar fund aimed at fighting invasive species across Canada. Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray says the $8.75-million Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund is aimed at raising public awareness and working to stop the threat of non-native freshwater and marine species. Last fiscal year, $3.3 million from the fund went to eight multi-year projects including work by the Pacific Salmon Foundation to fight the invasive European green crab in B.C.s Salish Sea. The foundations CEO, Mike Meneer, says the $750,000 it is getting over three years is going towards work to eradicate the crabs, which compete with native species and invade habitats. A call for proposals to spend the remaining money between now and 2026-27 opens Monday and runs until Aug. 31. Murray says the fund is part of $36.6 million the government has earmarked to fight invasive species over five years. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: VICTORIA - The BC Prosecution Service says it has named a special prosecutor in a case involving a New Westminster school board candidate who was later appointed a government adviser at the beginning of May. The service says Vancouver lawyer John Gordon will give legal advice to investigators and handle the potential prosecution of Gurveen Dhaliwal, who was elected to the New Westminster school board as chair before being named a ministerial adviser to Health Minister Adrian Dix on May 1. Dhaliwal is being investigated for possibly breaking election rules by being present at a voting place as a scrutineer, which the Local Government Act prohibits, as candidates are only allowed at polling stations to vote on election day. The prosecution service says Gordon was appointed on May 4, three days after Dhaliwal was appointed a ministerial adviser to B.C.s health minister. Dhaliwals appointment to the Health Ministry was rescinded May 15, and she was made a ministerial adviser to the labour minister that same day. In a statement issued Friday, the prosecution service says special prosecutors are appointed to avoid any appearance of improper influence over the administration of justice in cases involving elected officials or government appointees. Opposition BC United MLA Peter Milobar said Friday that the party welcomes Gordons appointment, calling it deeply troubling that Dhaliwal was given a government appointment after the allegations came to light. He called on Premier David Eby to put Dhaliwal on administrative leave. The premiers office said in a statement that Dhaliwal has been placed on leave from her position as ministerial adviser. We take any such investigation very seriously, the statement said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: VANCOUVER - A Vancouver man has died while trying to pursue his lifelong dream of climbing Mount Everest. The University of British Columbias faculty of medicine says it is mourning the unexpected death of Dr. Pieter Swart, an anesthesiologist and associate professor at the school. Dr. Hamed Umedaly, one of Swarts colleagues in the universitys anesthesiology department, says Swart was a beloved friend who had an insatiable wanderlust. In a post shared online by the university, Umedaly says Swart died Thursday due to a respiratory event while descending the mountain. It says he was pursuing a childhood dream of being on top of the world and describes Swart as a respected and caring doctor. The post says a memorial will be arranged with Swarts family. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. government has a treaty obligation to support law enforcement on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, but declined for now to determine whether the Oglala Sioux Tribe is entitled to as much funding as its seeking. Tribal leaders depicted the ruling as a victory, saying the important point is that the court confirmed that the federal government has a duty to fund policing on the reservation and ordered U.S. officials to meet with Oglala Sioux leaders to work together promptly to figure out how to more fairly fund tribal law enforcement. The outcome of the case could affect other reservations, including some where Native women are killed at a rate more than 10 times the national average. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe in Montana has filed a similar lawsuit. Oglala Sioux officials contend the tribe is entitled to federal funding for 120 fully equipped officers for the sprawling Pine Ridge Reservation, something the federal government has disputed. This Court concludes that the United States has a treaty duty unique to the Tribe to provide protection and law enforcement cooperation and support on the Reservation. ... However, the Tribe has not shown at this stage that a duty extends to entitle the Tribe to the level of funding or support that it sought, U.S. District Judge Roberto Lange said in an order filed Tuesday. The tribe sued the Bureau of Indian Affairs and some high-level officials last July. The court held a two-day hearing in February. The government denied having any such obligation and asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit. Lange directed the Bureau of Indian Affairs to help the tribe refine its funding requests as soon as practicable to reflect its treaty obligations. He also told the federal government to reevaluate its census-based population estimates for the reservation of 19,800 to 32,000, which are lower than the tribes figure of 40,000. The judge said the federal estimates likely represent an undercount. Oglala Sioux President Frank Star Comes Out and Public Safety Chief Algin Young called on the government in separate statements to provide the tribe with the resources it needs to tackle the public safety and humanitarian crisis on the reservation. If the government fails, Star Comes Out said, the tribe will look forward to proving at trial that the United States has violated its treaty obligations. Officials from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. Langes ruling gave a dire depiction of crime on the more than 5,400-square-mile (14,000-square-kilometer) Pine Ridge Reservation, which is about the size of Connecticut. He noted that its among the most impoverished places in the country. In recent years, communities on the Reservation have struggled with dangerous and highly addictive drugs and experienced unprecedented levels of violence and threats to public safety, he wrote. In the Tribes view, a lack of competent and effective law enforcement on the Reservation is a big reason for the crisis. At any given time over the last several years, Lange wrote, the tribe has only had funding to employ roughly 33 police officers and seven criminal investigators to cover all of its 911 calls. In 2021 alone, nearly 134,000 calls were made to 911 on the reservation, But at any given time, he said, only six to eight, and sometimes fewer, tribal police officers are on duty to respond. So many calls are abandoned or not properly investigated, he said, that many crimes go unprosecuted. While neither side disputes that crime is very high on the reservation and that its police are underfunded, the judge wrote, the federal government insists that the funding is fair given budget constraints and Congresss decision to underfund law enforcement services in Indian country generally. Across the country, Native American tribes have increasingly advocated through the courts for treaty rights, including hunting, fishing and education, with some success. Lange concluded that the express language of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, when read in conjunction with other treaties and federal laws, imposes some duty on the United States to provide law enforcement support on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The contours of that duty is a more difficult question. ___ Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this story. SHARE: UNITED NATIONS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The world body continues to push for Russian food and fertilizer exports as a parallel agreement with the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allows Ukrainian agricultural exports from Black Sea ports, said a UN spokesman on Friday. UN Conference on Trade and Development chief Rebeca Grynspan and her team are continuing to "work full steam" ahead to ensure the full implementation of the memorandum of understanding on Russian food and fertilizer exports, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The UN side is working with the African Export-Import Bank to design a trade finance platform to enable efficient transactions between Russian exporters of food and fertilizers and African buyers, he said. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that if Rosselkhozbank is not connected to SWIFT and there is no progress on the implementation of other systemic problems that are blocking Russian agricultural exports, the Black Sea Grain Initiative will also have to look for alternatives. "It is clear that the re-inclusion of the Russian banks involved in the trade in fertilizer and food, which are not under sanctions, would facilitate the implementation. But as you well know, that's not a decision that is within the UN's own wheelhouse," said the UN spokesman. "We're trying to push things forward on different tracks, all with the same aim of getting as much food and fertilizer to those who desperately need it," he explained. The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed separately by Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul with Turkiye and the United Nations on July 22, 2022. The deal, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023. At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for 60 days, till May 18, 2023. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days. As a parallel agreement, Russia and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports. Break-ups arent easy or cheap as the residents of Peel Region are likely soon to discover. As the province embarks on dissolving the regional government in Peel, the divorce analogy is not far off. Already there are claims and counter-claims as the province, together with Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, embark on the daunting task of undoing the regional government. Done right, it could launch each municipality on an independent future. Done wrong and this political break-up could saddle each of them and their residents with a costly financial hangover. No more is Peel a region of quaint villages surrounded by fields and farmlands. This is a thriving, bustling urban region of more than 1.5 million people. Winding back the clock By that measure, the regional government established in 1974 by then premier Bill Davis to help steer the rapid growth of Mississauga and Brampton in particular has been a success. Now, Queens Park, long urged by Mississauga, seeks to wind back the clock and dissolve that regional government. In taking this action, the Ford government was persuaded by the arguments of Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie who has carried on the campaign of her predecessor Hazel McCallion in advocating for her citys independence. Crombies justification is financial. For 50 years, Mississauga has been the cash cow for the Region of Peel, she wrote in the pages of the Star. Given their size both Mississauga and Brampton rank among the countrys top 10 biggest cities the time does seem ripe for each to be freed from the upper tier government. Still, this will be an urban experiment. Municipal reforms have typically gone the other way in the form of amalgamations. For example, six cities and a regional government came together in 1998 to form the City of Toronto. In 2001, the City of Ottawa was born from the cities that made up the region of Ottawa-Carleton. A 2019 report done for Peel Region by Deloitte on governance options pointedly noted that dissolving a regional government is a rare occurrence. Nor is it done with the goal of saving money since it is intentionally moving away from desired economies of scale provided by a regional government, the report states. It also noted that under such a scenario, significant effort will be required among local municipalities to negotiate how assets and services should be divided. Those tensions are playing out. Fair to say that Brampton and Caledon are less-than-enthusiastic partners in this break-up. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says the two municipalities will be out of pocket. These costs are real and they are enormous . . . Brampton welcomes independence, but we expect to get our fair share, he stated in his own piece in the Star. That sets the stage for what is sure to be difficult negotiations to divvy up regional assets and liabilities and to sort out how services now provided region-wide, such as waste management, housing services, maintenance of arterial roads, will be delivered in the future. Already Mississauga and Brampton disagree on how to apportion policing cost, the Stars Jason Miller reports, giving a taste of the discussions yet to come. (Caledon is policed by the Ontario Provincial Police). Ambitious timetable for dissolution All that needs to be sorted quickly. Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark has set a deadline to have it all done by Jan. 1, 2025. Hell name a transition board to ensure that decisions are done in the best interests of the public and the three municipalities. Hes also made clear that he expects municipal leaders to play nice during this period. Just as we expect Peel, Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon to work together during the transition process, we also expect them to collaborate with the transition board, Clark said. Hes promised that the affected municipalities will be made whole. Thats especially important for Caledon, the smallest of the municipalities. The municipal reforms may not stop here. Clark said that he intends to soon appoint facilitators to review the governance in York, Halton, Durham, Waterloo, Niagara and Simcoe County regions. Well take a moment then to mourn the passing of regional governments. They have been instrumental in the growth of the regions. In the process of tackling issues that transcended municipal borders, they were forced to look beyond the parochialism of local councils. That is a loss. As these reforms play out, municipal leaders in the Greater Toronto Area will need to make an effort find ways to cooperate and lobby senior governments on shared issues. The consequences of a botched dissolution in Peel Region are very real, certain to impact property tax bills for years to come, perhaps even interrupt the provision of vital services. Its incumbent then that all the players get this right and ensure the divorce is amicable and orderly. 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According to the data presented by Daea, the objective of this programme is to balance the trade balance with vegetables and stabilise the domestic production of vegetables and potatoes, and the location conditions are near a source of water, near the main irrigation channels or own source of water. Through this programme a modular, energy independent drip irrigation kit is purchased, consisting of a set of solar panels, a pumping unit, a drip irrigation installation, electronic control for automatic management, with small amounts of water evenly distributed. In addition to the modular energy-independent drip irrigation kit for one hectare cultivated with vegetables or potatoes, worth about 10,000 euro, a constant temperature container is also purchased for temporary storage of the resulting production, which will be further valorised through contracts with the Unirea SA Romanian Agri-food Trading House. "This module consists of the irrigation part, and in the second stage we will also have the module for pre-cooling the products. Basically, after harvesting, the products will go to a place where the temperature will be brought to a level where they will maintain their quality. (...) We aim to take all the money from the European Union, to invest it correctly, to take it where we can have a success in production and a gain in the farmer's pocket and, last but not least, to ensure the consumption of vegetables and to balance the trade balance, being a state objective put in the governance programme that we have authorised by political decision. These things are very clear and must be followed carefully and put into practice day by day and hour by hour," said Petre Daea. Minister Daea presented in Bechet the practical implementation of the project, with the support of an entrepreneur and a farmer who has a low water consumption and energy independence irrigation module. He also said that he launched this programme in Bechet because it is the pole of drought in Romania, and without water it is impossible to grow crops. The president of Dolj County Council, Cosmin Vasile, said that the programme is welcome for young farmers in Dolj County. AGERPRES The National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics (ICI-Bucharest) is exhibiting this weekend at Tech Expo, the event that brings together all technology enthusiasts, from entrepreneurs and business people to students and anyone passionate about innovation and technology. "We are glad to participate in Bucharest Tech Week and that we can share our passion for technology and innovation to such an engaged audience. Our goal is to revolutionise the industry through cutting-edge software solutions, and Bucharest Tech Week provides an excellent platform to demonstrate the impact of our work," said ICI Bucharest General Manager Adrian-Victor Vevera. A new edition of Tech Expo, an event organised on the sidelines of the Bucharest Tech Week conference, started on Friday in Pavilion B1 of Romexpo Exhibition Centre. The exhibition, which will take place from 26 to 28 May, will feature stands by Bosch, E.ON, Honor, Oppo, OrCam, Legrand, TechCuisine.ro, yhe Special Telecommunications Service (STS), QwertyKey, BrainMap Neuroscience Institute, Manna Food Solution and Voidship, among others. Attendance at the Tech Expo is free of charge for all persons over 18 years of age, with prior registration at https://www.techexpo.ro/.AGERPRES Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Midwest is known for its rows and rows of corn and soybeans that uniformly cover the landscape. But in central Missouri, farmer Linus Rothermich disrupts the usual corn and soybean rotation with Japanese millet. He has been growing it since 1993. Golly, I have to think how far back that is, he said. I was a young man and I was looking for alternative crops to grow to make more money. We just werent making a lot of money in agriculture then. Compared to his corn and soybean crops, he spends a lot less on Japanese millet. Because its growing season is shorter, it fits perfectly into the rotation of the crops he already grows. Its working so well for him that he wants to keep the grain to himself. I have recommended it to other farmers, as long as its not my Japanese millet, he joked, pointing out prices likely would drop if a lot of other farmers start growing it. But these humble grains soon may garner more attention after the United Nations declared 2023 the International Year of Millets. Its part of an effort to encourage more awareness and a bigger market for millets, which the UN points out are extremely sustainable, weather resilient, nutritious and could help diversify the global food system. However, the grains have not gotten nearly the same level of policy and research attention compared to corn and soybeans in the United States, or even compared to other crops in the global market. Millets had gotten sort of marginalized in its place, and therefore, it didnt get the same investment and research attention that maize, wheat and rice have received over the last decades, said Makiko Taguchi, an agricultural officer at the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization, so in that sense we consider millets as one of the sort of neglected crops. She said that millets have an opportunity to assist with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and that hopefully will bring these climate-friendly grains more attention similar to the success of the UNs International Year of Quinoa in 2013. A climate-friendly crop There are several different kinds of millets. In addition to Rothermichs Japanese millet, there is pearl millet, foxtail millet, proso millet and more. Sorghum can also be considered a millet. Millets tend to need less fertilizer and are more resistant to insects and diseases (although sometimes birds like to eat them). Farmers can also use most of the same equipment for millets as they do for corn and soybeans. And while, so far, millets dont produce the same yields as those commodity crops, Rothermich says its worth it. Its not as high-yielding, but it also has lower inputs on it, he said. Perhaps more important today in parts of the Midwest and Great Plains, many types of millets are known to be incredibly drought resistant. Matt Little, a farmer just outside of Arnett, Oklahoma, started growing proso millet last year. He expected the crop to burn up alongside his wheat crop during the extreme heat and the drought, but he managed to harvest and sell it. Im really impressed with it. Ive never seen a crop that stood the heat and stood the drought and still made me money, he said. Millets are also getting attention at the University of Missouris Center for Regenerative Agriculture, which is providing information to farmers on the grains. The centers director, Rob Myers, said that millets are versatile. Proso and pearl millet would do well in drier states like Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Japanese millet survives hot humid conditions and is often used for planting in creek bottoms to support wildlife. We see millets being used in some of those areas because of concerns about the supply of irrigation water, he said. Other millets would be better in places that are prone to flooding like the Missouri and Mississippi River bottoms. That includes the Japanese millet Rothermich grows. The market for millets is not a large one in the United States, except for its use as songbird seed. However, millets could be used for livestock feed, cover crops and even biofuels. Myers said that they could even become a more popular food option as people look for gluten-free alternatives. I expect the market opportunities to continue to expand, but itll be incremental, said Myers. Research and policy investment Ram Perumal, the head of Kansas State Universitys millet breeding program, said millets dont get the same level of federal protection as corn and soybeans. Those are all cash crops. They have insurance. The prices, the market is there. Commodity grant support is there, he said. While there is insurance available for proso millet, it is only available in certain parts of the country. Perumal said that lack of support and protection also makes it harder to get research grants. Hes hoping the UN Year of Millets will help highlight the importance of millet science. More research is needed to really advance millets, said Myers of the University of Missouri. If you spend an extra $1 million on corn research, you dont necessarily advance the state of corn science very much, he said, but if you spent a million dollars on millet research, you might suddenly create a whole lot of new information that we didnt have before. For example, millet yields would be easier to improve than getting corn to take up less water, according to James Schnable, a professor at the University of Nebraska. He and his father, Patrick Schnable, a professor at Iowa State University, co-founded the start-up, Dryland Genetics. A lack of funding for research is partly why they started a company to research and breed proso millet. (Proso millet) is in this weird hole in the federal funding schemes, which is part of why we ended up using private money to start Dryland Genetics. Because its a grain, it doesnt qualify for a lot of the specialty crop grants, said James Schnable. Farmer Jeff Taylor started growing proso millet on his farm outside of Ames, Iowa, around six years ago. He uses much of the same equipment that he uses for his corn crop. In Ames, farmer Jeff Taylor said he started growing proso millet about six years ago, with the help of Dryland Genetics. He thinks more farmers would try new crops if federal programs would shoulder some of the risk. It would be wonderful if crops like proso millet were researched more and there were some incentives for farmers to consider planting alternative crops outside of just corn and soybeans, he said. This story was produced by Harvest Public Media, a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest, and the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an editorially independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri in partnership with Report For America. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Supporters of an Indianapolis doctor voiced frustration Friday with the Indiana medical boards decision that she violated patient privacy laws when she talked with a newspaper reporter about providing an abortion to a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim. The boards vote late Thursday to issue a letter of reprimand against Dr. Caitlin Bernard wont limit her ability to practice medicine in the state, and the hospital system where she works said it stood by its finding that she followed privacy rules. The medical board rejected allegations that Bernard failed to properly report suspected child abuse and was unfit to have a medical license. Some of Bernards colleagues criticized the Medical Licensing Boards vote and the state attorney generals pursuit of disciplinary action against her as trying to intimidate doctors in Indiana, where the Republican-dominated Legislature enacted an abortion ban last year that courts have put on hold. Bernards revelation of the girl traveling to Indiana to receive abortion drugs turned her case into a flashpoint in the national abortion debate days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer. Some news outlets and Republican politicians falsely suggested Bernard fabricated the story until a 27-year-old man was charged with the rape in Columbus, Ohio. During an event at the White House, President Joe Biden nearly shouted his outrage over the case. Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita, who is stridently anti-abortion, touted the boards decision as supporting his arguments that Bernard broke the trust between the doctor and patient. The boards vote to reprimand Bernard and fine her $3,000 was far short of the medical license suspension that Rokita's office asked the panel to impose. Bernard's lawyers argued Thursday that officials at Indiana University Health, her employer and the states largest hospital system, had reviewed last summer what she said about the girls treatment and found no violation of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. IU Health said in a Friday statement that it was pleased Bernard would remain among its doctors. We do not agree with the boards decision regarding patient privacy regulations and stand by the HIPAA risk assessment, the hospital system said. We believe Dr. Bernard was compliant with privacy laws. A request for an interview with Bernard was declined Friday by a spokeswoman for her attorneys. Bernards lawyers didnt say Friday whether they would appeal the board decision in the state court system. They issued a statement questioning the boards reprimand vote for not specifying what protected health information she wrongly revealed. While we wholeheartedly disagree with the letter of reprimand on privacy issues, we are proud of Dr. Bernard for standing up for access to compassionate medical care and for her consummate professionalism during these unprecedented proceedings, her lead attorney, Alice Morical, said. Bernard has consistently defended her actions. She testified Thursday that she believed it was important to use real-world impacts of anti-abortion laws and that she didnt expect so many doubts over her account of such a young girl becoming pregnant. The idea that this was something that someone would make up or was a lie or is something that doesnt happen was very surprising to me, Bernard said. Witnesses and lawyers for the attorney generals office maintained during the licensing hearing that it was the combination of Bernard telling an Indianapolis Star reporter about the girls age and home state, that she was past Ohios then-six-week limit for an abortion and that the procedure would happen in the coming days that created a violation of patient privacy laws. Dr. Tracey Wilkinson, a pediatrician who works with Bernard at IU Health, attended the board hearing in support of Bernard and called her case political persecution that should worry doctors. I think its incredibly unfortunate as the intimidation of Dr. Bernard sends a message that this can happen to any physician thats providing comprehensive evidence-based health care to their patients, Wilkinson said. Anti-abortion groups called on Indiana hospitals to reconsider whether to keep doctors who provide abortions on their staff. Dr. Bernard readily and willingly put her patient -- who was not consulted or willing -- into the public light for her own agenda, said Marc Tuttle, the president of Right to Life of Indianapolis. The medical board members five doctors and one attorney appointed or reappointed by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb rejected separate allegations that Bernard violated state law by not reporting the child abuse to Indiana authorities. Bernard and IU Health officials testified that she followed Indianas reporting requirements and hospital policy by notifying hospital social workers about the child abuse and that the girls rape was already being investigated by Ohio authorities. The boards split decision on the Bernard allegations left no clear winner in the case, said Laura Iosue, a lawyer who led medical licensing investigations at the state attorney generals office for seven years until 2020. The vote will lead to doctors watching more closely what they talk about, she said. Everybodys going to be a little more cautious, Iosue said. I think everybodys going to have their antennae up now, based on this decision. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. FRIDAY, May 26, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Be cautious when heading to Florida's beaches this summer, an expert warned, as a 5,000-mile floating mass of sargassum seaweed has begun washing up on the state's shores. It can be low risk in some instances, but it also has the potential for triggering serious respiratory health issues. The sargassum itself is not dangerous. It can have different jellyfish and sea creatures in it that could be a source of sting, said Dr. Sarah Shafer, medical toxicologist and an assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. However, once the sargassum washes up on the beach, in 48 hours it will start to break down and lose toxic gasses. As it decomposes, we have to worry about potential exposure to humans. Sargassum can decompose in one of several ways. It can release ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which is toxic, she explained in a college news release. Even at low levels, hydrogen sulfide can produce the smell of rotten eggs. Yet when the gas reaches a certain level, humans can become nose-blind and not smell it. At low levels, it smells like rotten eggs in the air. This happens in natural hot springs, like at Yellowstone. It can cause some irritant effects, Shafer said. In high levels, it can cause sudden death. This can be a concern in closed-off places where the gas is highly concentrated, such as in a sewer. A chemical asphyxiant, it can interfere with how cells function, Shafer noted. For beach seaweed, asphyxiation is not a concern because its not closed off. Still, she recommended paying attention to different smells when around seaweed this summer. Look for the smell of ammonia or rotten eggs, irritated eyes, nausea and soft tissue irritation if you touch a piece of seaweed with a higher concentration of hydrogen sulfide. Those most at risk are people who have asthma or another respiratory condition or live near the beach. Anyone with respiratory concerns should leave the area if they smell rotten eggs, Shafer advised. If you dont feel good, get away from it, she said. If there is enough sargassum thats off-gassing that much, you wont want to be there anyway. More information The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has more on sargassum seaweed. SOURCE: Baylor College of Medicine, news release, May 25, 2023 Legarda brings Elon Musk's Starlink to Antique Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda took a crucial step towards digital inclusivity for Filipino students by spearheading the installation of Starlink Internet at Lacaron Integrated School in Sibalom, Antique. This initiative made possible through Legarda's support, aims to bridge the digital divide and revolutionize internet access in the Philippines, starting with her home province. Lacaron Integrated School, a vital educational institution serving students from Sibalom and Belison municipalities, faced challenges due to its remote location in a hilly and upland area. Recognizing the importance of reliable internet connectivity for students, Legarda acted swiftly to address this issue. The senator's support enabled the successful installation of Starlink Internet, a cutting-edge technology provider that offers fast and accessible internet connectivity. Before the installation, the school had been experiencing slow internet speeds, limiting the ability to stream videos or support multiple devices. However, after the installation, substantial improvements were observed. Up to 150 users can now connect simultaneously, download speeds increased to 170.3mbps, and upload speeds reached 10.8mbps. This significant enhancement enables students and teachers to use seamless video conferencing and stream high-quality videos. The installation process at Lacaron Integrated School took approximately 4 to 5 hours, resulting in two designated access points: one for teachers and faculty and another for students. Department of Education (DepEd) Superintendent in Antique, Nicasio Frio, highlighted the significance of this project, saying that the installation of Starlink Internet will bridge the connectivity gap, allowing more schools to participate in online meetings and seminars, ultimately improving educational opportunities for the students. "I am committed to ensuring that every Filipino student has access to quality education, regardless of location. The installation of Starlink Internet at Lacaron Integrated School is a significant step towards bridging the digital divide and empowering our students," said Legarda. This initiative goes beyond Lacaron Integrated School. Four other schools in Sibalom--Tula-tula Integrated School, Cabladan (Sitio Apong Elementary School), Egana High School, and Egana Elementary School--will also be considered for Starlink Internet installation. Other DepEd schools in Antique and Panay will be surveyed for possible Starlink access, through Legarda's efforts. She is grateful to the efficient Starlink team for their quick, decisive action. BEIRUT, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Saturday declared that it has decided to temporarily pause the use of dual currency for next month's disbursement of cash assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. A UN statement said that the agency is discussing with Lebanese authorities the appropriate modalities to give cash assistance to refugees in Lebanon. The statement came after Lebanese caretaker Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar said on Friday that Lebanon refuses to give Syrian refugees aid in U.S. dollars because the Lebanese people reject this displacement. "The Lebanese compare the aid offered to the displaced with the small support they receive as Lebanese," said the minister. Lebanese authorities have been working to secure a safe return for Syrian refugees to their homeland, urging the international community to support this initiative as the country suffers from a steep financial crisis. Moreover, several incidents among Lebanese citizens and Syrian refugees have been registered recently. Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with the government estimating around 2 million Syrian refugees. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Funding for drug treatment centers in Oregon, financed by the state's pioneering drug decriminalization policy, stood at over a quarter-billion dollars Friday as officials called for closer monitoring of where the money goes. That need for oversight was demonstrated Wednesday when state officials terminated a $1.5 million grant agreement with a drug recovery nonprofit in Klamath Falls accused of failing to submit completed expenditure and data reports and buying a building for more than double the authorized amount. That $1.5 million is just a drop in a huge bucket $264.6 million has been allocated to date for recovery centers and state officials have a massive responsibility to ensure the money does what it is supposed to: combatting drug use in a state with one of the nation's highest addiction rates. Oregon's drug decriminalization had a rocky start after voters approved it in a 2020 ballot measure. Only a tiny number of people have accessed treatment services after being ticketed for possessing drugs, and funding to treatment providers was delayed. But as of Friday, $184 million has been handed out to these behavioral health resource networks, or BHRNs, in a state of 4.2 million people. To ensure things run smoothly, the Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council, responsible for overseeing addiction and recovery centers and the funds to support them, needs more staff, officials say. And the Oregon Health Authority needs more leverage to address bureaucratic and administrative barriers to oversight. But a bill to provide all that remains stuck in the Senate, along with more than 100 other bills, because of a walkout by Republican senators that began on May 3 seeking to block Democratic initiatives on abortion rights, transgender care and gun safety. This proposed legislation is grounded in the fundamental principles vital to the success of Measure 110, Monta Knudson, CEO of Bridges to Change, an addiction recovery organization based in Portland, told lawmakers. The GOP stayaway casts doubt on the bill being passed, even though it had strong bipartisan support as it cleared the House. Oregon's 2020 ballot measure marked the first time a U.S. state decriminalized hard drugs. It reframed the war on drugs to treatment instead of incarceration. Anyone caught with user amounts can call a hotline for help or face a maximum $100 fine. Tax revenues from Oregon's legal marijuana industry finance the treatment as well as harm reduction through needle exchanges and overdose medications. But with so much money involved, opportunities for abuse are ripe. The Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council voted Wednesday to terminate its $1.55 million grant agreement with a provider in Klamath Falls after it allegedly failed to submit completed expenditure and data reports. I dont really have any confidence in this grantee to move forward with funds because we are already catching a lot of flak about Measure 110," council member Hubert Mathews, Jr. said at the meeting "And I think we need to have grantees that can follow the procedures to be able to do this work. Mathews and another council member, though, expressed surprised that no state officials visited Red is the Road to Wellness in person, or other BHRNs (pronounced burns). Thats kind of incredible," Mathews said. "I think we should be able to visit some of these BHRNs to see what theyre doing physically. That would probably help. I dont know how that would happen. I think we need to have a process. Red is the Road to Wellness has already been provided with more than $1 million of its allocation, the health authority said. The health authority can recover those funds if it determines any was spent outside the scope of the grant, said health authority spokesman Tim Heider. The grant included $290,500 to purchase a building, but instead Red is the Road to Wellness bought a property for $750,000 and failed to secure a state interest in the property as required by the health authority, Heider said. William Barnes, the Klamath Falls outfit's executive director, said in a phone interview Thursday that meeting the health authority's reporting requirements is a challenge. The Measure 110 process has been a learning experience for everybody involved, including our organization," Barnes said. He said he had invited health authority staffers to visit his facility, but they never took him up on it. Barnes said he spent $561,000 in grant funding for the purchase of the building, and improvements, with the remainder coming from outside sources. In a statement Friday, Barnes said the building will have eight apartments of recovery housing, a recovery drop-in center, employment office and a bakery offering on-the-job training. Barnes said he'll appeal the termination while still continuing to serve marginalized communities of color. This version fixes a typographical error to correct Oregons population to 4.2 million. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) A man died while waiting over a half-hour for an ambulance after being struck by a hit-and-run driver last month, according to emergency dispatch logs, an incident that Portland firefighters say highlights their frustration at a lack of available ambulances to respond to emergency calls. The Bureau of Emergency Communications 911 dispatch log was obtained by KGW-TV through a public records request. It revealed that American Medical Response, the private provider contracted by Multnomah County, was operating at level zero a code meaning there are no ambulances available to respond to an emergency call. More and more, day after day, were seeing this level zero pop up, and as firefighters were getting frustrated, Isaac McLennan, president of the Portland Fire Fighters Association, told KGW-TV. This is a highly dangerous situation and it should be unacceptable not only just for firefighters, it should be unacceptable for everybody who lives in this community. Shortly after midnight on April 28, both firefighters and an ambulance crew were dispatched to the accident scene in northeast Portland. Police said it appeared the man, who has not been publicly identified, was attempting to cross the street in a wheelchair when he was hit. The man was still alive when firefighters arrived, but 911 dispatchers repeatedly told them that American Medical Response was operating at level zero, according to dispatch logs. The firefighters worked to stabilize the man in the road while waiting for an ambulance. The logs show the initial dispatch went out at 12:10 a.m. Firefighters arrived at 12:14, and an ambulance got there at 12:42. The ambulance left the scene five minutes later, as a hospital transport was no longer necessary because the man had died. McLennan told KGW-TV there was no practical way firefighters could have taken the man to the hospital themselves as it was clear he needed an ambulance. Global Medical Response, the parent company of American Medical Response, said in a statement to KGW-TV that the incident is still under review by the company as well as by county emergency officials. The safety of our patients is always our top priority. American Medical Response is committed to responding to all calls in a timely manner, it said. Official in Multnomah County, which is home to Portland, have said ambulances should arrive to 90% of emergency calls within eight minutes. However KGW-TV reported that during a five-month period ending in February, that mark was missed about a third of the time. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Elliot Stein, this regions resident guru of the last century, once discussed the difficulty of business negotiations and the importance of character. You can have a bad deal with good people, he said, but you cant have a good deal with bad people. I thought about that earlier this month when St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell struck a deal with outgoing Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner in which she sought to have the court appoint Bell transition manager and transfer to him all powers granted the circuit attorney. Can that possibly be legal? Gardner was an office-holder, not an office-owner. Office-holders cannot transfer their powers, or sell them, or rent them. Can they? In this instance, the law says that if a person resigns from an elective office in the city, the governor appoints a replacement. Period. There is nothing in the statute about the office-holder having the authority to transfer the powers of the office to somebody else. Then again, there is nothing that forbids it. What a mess and made messier by the circumstances. Gardner wrote the court order in long hand on May 15 and then quit the next day. Originally, she had agreed to remain in office until the first day of June, and with that timeline in mind, the governor had just begun the process of interviewing the 18 people who had applied for the job. Then boom. Gardner was gone. She announced a comprehensive deal with Bell and then referred all questions to him. Bells spokesperson, Chris King, said, Were here. Were ready to work. But were not sure what our legal standing is. Huh? I do not want to overstate things and say we were on the edge of a constitutional crisis, but we were certainly on the edge of increased chaos. It was as if Gardner had been getting ready to leave the building and then realized she had left a window unbroken. As you already know, the crisis at the courthouse was averted when Presiding Judge Elizabeth Hogan declined to sign Gardners order. Gov. Mike Parson, who said he didnt know anything about the arrangement between Bell and Gardner, moved quickly and rendered the Gardner-Bell deal moot when he appointed his general counsel, Evan Rodriguez, acting circuit attorney. Parson also announced that he was scuttling the proposed interviews and would be naming a new circuit attorney by the end of the week. He named Gabriel Gore, an appointment that was met with widespread approval. Gore was one of the names most often mentioned in the days when people thought Joe Biden might do the traditional thing and name a new U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. Maybe he will still get around to it. I asked a couple of attorney friends: Whats the more prestigious job? Circuit attorney or U.S. attorney? U.S. attorney, they both said. The U.S. attorney gig is a turn-key operation. It comes with a fully functioning staff. The alphabet soup of federal law enforcement agencies is constantly churning out cases. Federal juries are inclined to trust federal agents. The circuit attorneys job that Gore has stepped into is the opposite of that. City jurors dont trust the cops. Gardner got rid of the deep state, which is to say she chased away or fired the core of professional prosecutors who stick around from one regime to another. She picked fights with the police and the legal establishment. Under her watch, the criminal justice system in the city broke down. Obviously, Gore likes a challenge. Certainly, people are lining up to help. That includes Bell. I met with him the day Gore was named. I wondered what the heck he was thinking when he made a deal of dubious legality with one of the most reviled politicians in the region. That didnt seem a wise move. He was just trying to help, he explained. He said he had met with the mayor and the police chief in early May. He talked with the U.S. attorney and a representative from the attorney generals office. Everybody was concerned about the time that was left before Gardner was to leave. People were especially concerned about the warrant office. That office had to be functioning so that people could be charged after being arrested. Bell said he was asked to reach out to Gardner. He did and she responded. She was cooperative. Bells staff would get busy right away in the warrant office. Bell said the comprehensive plan was her language. More importantly, she did not say anything about leaving office early. He was as surprised as anybody, he said. One thing that made it all so awkward was that Bell and Gardner both came to office as reform candidates. They have sometimes been paired in the public eye. But the criminal justice system in the county has not broken down on Bells watch. In fact, the most common refrain from his supporters is that he is not Gardner. I asked him if there had been much blowback from his deal with Gardner. No, he said. He pointed out that the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys had thanked him for his assistance to Gardners office. That was true. But that group traditionally fears the long arm of the attorney generals office. Local court-watchers remember the bitter fight between Bells predecessor, Bob McCulloch and then-Attorney General Jay Nixon about a case against Leland Health Center, a nursing home in University City where four women died during a heat wave in 2001. Nixon said his office had lawyers with expertise in nursing home law and should therefore handle the case, but McCulloch refused to yield jurisdiction and insisted it was a county case. When a county grand jury refused to indict, this newspaper mocked McCulloch in an editorial. It is said a good prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich, we snarked. Eventually, the grand jurys decision was validated when civil cases, with their lower burden of proof, went nowhere against the nursing home. That case did not hurt McCulloch politically. Voters dont pay much attention to jurisdictional squabbles. That has to be good news for Bell. He didnt deserve to be put in such an awkward position. You have to be careful when youre just trying to help. Thats something Elliot Stein might have said. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. ST. LOUIS Sai Varshith Kandula revved the gas and slammed a U-Haul box truck into a barrier that protects the White House. He backed up, lurched forward, and slammed the barrier again, police said. After failing twice to break through and enter the White House grounds, he got out of the truck, which by then was smoking and leaking fluid. A nearby officer said he pulled a red and white swastika flag from his backpack before being arrested by U.S. Park police. The truck had stopped about 800 feet from the White House. Kandula, a 19-year-old immigrant, told investigators he intended to seize power and be put in charge of the nation, even if it meant killing the president, according to court records. Mondays attempted attack by Kandula, who said he admired Adolf Hitler and Nazi ideology, is the latest example of people of color in America expressing and acting upon white nationalist views. The details of this incident were so surprising, it piqued the interest of online conspiracy theorists, who asserted the incident was fake. Kandula was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict harm on President Joe Biden. But federal prosecutors filed only one charge: destruction of U.S. property in excess of $1,000. Authorities declined to comment on the charge other than to say the investigation is ongoing. Police said the Chesterfield teenager and graduate of Marquette High School outlined his plans in an interview with authorities. He told investigators he admires Hitler and the Nazis authoritarian nature, eugenics, and their one-world order, according to court documents. A photo of the swastika flag laid flat on the ground circulated widely online after the crash. The response in some corners of the internet was swift: Conspiracists claimed the entire incident or, at the very least, the flag was staged by either federal law enforcement or the political left to influence the masses. But Wendy Via, co-founder and CEO of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, said that while white supremacy ideology remains most common among white people, people of color can identify with that method of thinking, too. In this case, this young man thought he was willing to commit violence to take over the country, in that his idea for running the country mirrored Hitlers, Via said. When you think of it like that, its not the color of your skin. Its how you think. Racist ideologies At the root of the conspiracy posts is a central question asked by many after the attempted attack: How can a person who is not white espouse racist ideologies that are inherently biased against their own identities? Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow with the Anti-Defamation League, which studies hate organizations, noted that the far right is a lot more than white supremacists, and that people of color can also identify with extremist views centered on anti-immigration, anti-Muslim and anti-public lands sentiments. Mauricio Garcia, 33, a Hispanic man who espoused similar views as Kandula, is accused of killing eight people and injuring several others earlier this month in a mall just outside of Dallas before being killed by police. Garcia had Nazi tattoos, and police said he wore a patch on his chest that read RWDS, an acronym for the phrase Right Wing Death Squad. And a 2022 University of Chicago study found that nearly 7% of the more than 1,000 rioters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol are not white. The leader of the Proud Boys, a group at the center of the U.S. Capitol insurrection and described by the ADL as a far-right extremist group with a violent agenda, is Enrique Tarrio, a Cuban American who was convicted of seditious conspiracy in the attack. But Pitcavage said in Kandulas case, its not clear whether the teen truly subscribes to these ideologies or if this incident was solely an outcome of an untreated mental illness. Kandula does not have a criminal history and did not have explosives or weapons in the truck. One notable source of identifying political ideology, especially for extremists like Garcia, is missing for Kandula: Outside of a sparse LinkedIn page, he does not have any obvious online presence. Usually we can find (suspects), even if its not under their name, said Via, whose organization looked in every dark place on the internet searching for information about Kandula. All the usual ways that we get information are seemingly not available. Sometimes, tragically, its just baffling, because you want to assign logic to these situations. Chesterfield Kandulas family lives in a new subdivision near Wild Horse Creek Road in Chesterfield, in a two-story brick home overlooking a private lake and a playground. They declined to comment about Kandula when a reporter knocked on their front door Tuesday, and they did not come to the door later in the week. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia confirmed the teenager is in the country on a green card, which grants foreign citizens permission to reside and be employed in the U.S. Chesterfield, a suburb of about 50,000 residents incorporated in 1988, is largely white, but its also home to a substantial Asian population. The citys diversification has followed trends seen in suburbs nationwide as white people and, more broadly, people with money have left urban areas in droves, said Washington University professor and chair of sociology David Cunningham. I think St. Louis reflects a trend that weve seen in a lot of places nationally, but it might be more exaggerated here. Weve seen rapid growth of suburban and exurban communities driven in part by white flight, but then also the rapid diversification of those same places, he said. He said some of those suburban destinations are tripling or quadrupling their populations over the course of just a few decades. These are communities that have changed in multiple ways in a relatively short period of time, he said. A lot of social scientists think about how ethnic groups compete for limited power and resources. Because of these complicated political and social environments, Cunningham said cases like Kandula often feel contradictory because their ideology seems to conflict with their social and racial identity. We can see these strange intersections, as we see here, where someone who one might not imagine would be attached to an idea about white supremacy, but (who) is in an environment where white belonging has organized the growth of these communities. Kandula remains jailed in Washington, D.C., without bond. His next hearing is set for Tuesday afternoon. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. BROOKLYN, N.Y. Online appliance store Polished announced Friday that its computer system had been hacked and that its customers personal information had been stolen. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said the check-out page on its website was attacked beginning on March 16. The hackers extracted customers names, addresses, ZIP codes, payment card numbers, expiration dates, and security codes, the filing said. The problem has been resolved, the company said, but because it could not tell precisely which accounts were affected it sent out notifications to nearly 9,300 customers. The financially endangered company said it could not predict what impact the attack would have on its operations and whether it would lead to additional scrutiny from regulators. Polished started out as Goedekers, a mom-and-pop appliance store founded in St. Louis in 1951 and locally popular for its folksy advertisements (Give us a chance any day but Sunday, cause thats the Lords day). The company was sold in 2019 to a New York private equity firm, 1847 Holdings, for $6.2 million. Since then, it has acquired the much-larger company Appliances Connection, changed its name to Polished, promoted three new top executives and then forced them out, failed to meet SEC deadlines for required filings, announced that the forced-out CEO had charged the company $800,000 in expenses unrelated to the company and its operations, indicated that it had illegally been hiring undocumented workers and said that it is looking for a buyer. Polished stock closed at $0.50 Friday, up 1% on the day but down nearly 97% from its all-time high of $14.58, which was reached in February 2021. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. ST. CHARLES COUNTY Missouri state police are investigating a road rage shooting that happened Friday evening near St. Charles. Shortly before 6 p.m., a driver was merging onto westbound Missouri 364 near Arena Parkway, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol. The suspect, driving a black Audi, wouldnt let the other driver merge onto the highway. The suspect pulled a gun and fired at least two shots at the other driver. One bullet struck the victims right hand, and the suspect drove off, police said. Anyone who saw the shooting or has information about it may contact contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 636-300-2800. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. ST. LOUIS A $37 million program to inject much-needed capital into north city businesses and nonprofits has yet to award a single grant in the year since its launch, despite having over 100 applications. But a legislative fix is on the way, city officials pledged. A new bill introduced at the St. Louis Board of Aldermen could pave the way for the money to begin flowing to the citys poorest neighborhoods. The pandemic aid money that funds the program must be allocated by the end of next year. Were not gonna save the world with this one, said the bills sponsor, Alderwoman Shameen Clark Hubbard, who represents a swath of the area the bill is designed to benefit. But we need to get this one fixed, not just because of the time constraints, but because the people, its not fair to them if theyve already been waiting on this. The St. Louis Development Corp., tasked with administering the program aldermen passed last spring, opened applications June 1, 2022, for the pot of money seeded with federal pandemic aid. It has delayed awarding the funds because of ambiguity in the bill that authorized the program last year, SLDC Director Neal Richardson said Friday. He and his staff have pushed for legislative changes that clarify how the agency scores applicants and would allow any business or nonprofit in north St. Louis to qualify while stripping a requirement that applicants must receive support from their alderman. We didnt have much say in how the first legislation was written, Richardson said in an interview Friday. When it landed on our desk, it was like, this is going to be very challenging to implement. The legislative tuneup is the latest development in the policy life of a program that has generated controversy since its conception back when the city first began developing ways to use an influx of nearly $500 million in federal pandemic money two years ago. The North St. Louis Commercial Corridor Grant program, as its called, was billed as a way to support businesses along the main thoroughfares of north city such as Natural Bridge, West Florissant and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. It was the subject of one of the first political battles of Mayor Tishaura O. Jones administration as she cast doubt on the legality of the idea being pushed by her chief rival at the time, former Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed. And when leaders finally hashed out a compromise, it drew renewed scrutiny after Reed, its chief architect, was indicted along with two aldermen whose wards would have drawn much of the funding. They pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for official letters of support for tax incentives. A key requirement in the grant programs legislation in order to win some of the $37 million? An aldermanic letter of support, a condition the new bill, if passed, would finally scrap. Despite her concerns with that provision, Mayor Jones ultimately reached a deal with Reed and Comptroller Darlene Green to approve the program, even hosting a signing ceremony for the bill with U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, that Reed skipped. Still, even after Reed went to prison, an attempt to strip that language out of the bill was cut from a larger reform package aimed at curbing aldermanic influence in the wake of the indictments. Meanwhile, the program continued accepting applications, though it wasnt widely known that SLDC wasnt actually awarding grants to north St. Louis businesses. Richardson, the SLDC leader, said one of his agencys primary concerns after reviewing applications was the disparity between more sophisticated organizations applying for grants and smaller neighborhood businesses the program seemed aimed at. Many applications werent complete, and Richardson said a consultant it hired last year, the National Development Council, is working with many of the applicants and helping smaller organizations properly complete applications. Weve seen a huge discrepancy in the quality of applications between businesses and nonprofits and organizations who traditionally go after public funds versus those who operate, you know a child care facility for example, Richardson said. We want to ensure they have an opportunity to be competitive in the process. The new legislation would remove the requirement that an applicant be located along one of 10 main streets in north St. Louis, as well as the pots of money allocated to each. A scoring system would give extra points to businesses located on those streets, a nod to the original spirit of the legislation without limiting ourselves, Richardson said. There is demand well beyond the $37 million allocated for the program, Richardson said. And though the bill doesnt technically contain a limit on a grant award, Richardson said he doesnt foresee the money being used up by one or two large projects. But it does open up the opportunity that if there is a catalytic project that can lead to transformational change in north city thats aligned with the highest needs, you dont want to miss those opportunities either, he said. Aldermanic courtesy One of the main sticking points during the 2021 fight over the program between Jones and Reed was the mayors contention that it didnt comply with federal rules governing the American Rescue Plan Act funds. But after federal regulators clarified that cities had wide discretion to spend funds in poor neighborhoods, those concerns were largely dropped. Now, those concerns are again being alluded to as an impetus for the latest bill. SLDC, Comptroller Green and Clark Hubbard have all suggested there are again regulatory compliance questions. While the city must adhere to all of the federal rules and regulations, we need to keep in mind the importance of this money to so many businesses in light of COVID, Green said in a statement Friday responding to questions about the program. Alderwoman Sharon Tyus, who represents several north St. Louis neighborhoods, helped broker the compromise with the mayor and Comptroller Green last April that created the program. And shes frustrated those concerns didnt come up then. Why is it a problem, because the mayor was part of this negotiation, as was the comptroller, Tyus said. If there was a concern, then why all of this time they didnt say look, put it in writing, this is a problem this is why we need to change it. They also signed off on the aldermanic letter of support as a condition for the grant funds, Tyus said, and now they want to change it. Aldermen and alderwomen, she argued, know their neighborhoods and the businesses there better than anyone. If youre giving out this money, and you dont know, you could be giving it to one of the worst businesses in the world, Tyus said. Clark Hubbard said her constituents are frustrated by the delays, too, and she was also under the impression that the program last year was one all parties thought would work. But she defended stripping out the aldermanic letter portion given both the indictments and the fact that wards are twice as large now, stretching aldermen even more thin. The reality is thats just not fair to everybody because everybody does not have a relationship with your alderman like that, Clark Hubbard said. She and Richardson, at SLDC, said aldermen can still advocate for or against a project. But awards should be based on scoring criteria overall and not just solely based on the letter of support from the alderman, Richardson said. Nick Desideri, a spokesman for Jones, said in a statement that the mayor supported the bill, which will cut red tape while expanding access for more people to this program. It will help ensure that distribution of funds is more equitable and fair for the neighborhoods that need it most. Assuming aldermen pass the bill in the coming weeks, Richardson said his goal is to get the $37 million into the hands of businesses before the end of this year. SLDC has already begun evaluating the 120 or so applications it has and is prepared to begin using the new scoring system as soon as it is passed. In the two years he has been there, his agency has been implementing nearly 20 grant and loan programs using federal ARPA money, he said, of which the commercial corridor grant program is only one. We want to get money out the door as fast as possible, Richardson said. Its been a huge undertaking to get all these programs stood up. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Speaking at a business industry conference in April, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch joked that his title should be listener of the House, citing the 11 different caucuses among his 78 members. Most of my time is on caucus management, he said. I have an open-door policy and they take advantage of it. The difficulty in building consensus among the many competing interests among Democrats who control both the House and Senate was on clear display in the waning days of the spring legislative session, as the General Assembly blew a self-imposed adjournment date and once again went into overtime to pass a budget. The session didnt end until about 3 a.m. Saturday, shortly after the House voted 73-38 along party lines to approve a $50.6 billion spending plan that now goes to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. In presenting the plan, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria, who this year became the chief budget negotiator for the House Democrats, nodded to the challenges in getting all party members behind the budget. It isnt easy to come together when we have a diverse body, but it certainly becomes the strength that moves us forward, she said. Gordon-Booth also acknowledged during the early morning debate that not everyone would be completely satisfied with the final product, but argued that the spending plan seeks to ensure the state can keep its promises. The reality of this budget is that no one in here, no one in communities is going to get everything that they asked for because we simply dont have the resources to do everything that everyone is asking, Gordon-Booth said. The things that we are engaging in we believe that we can sustain over time. The fits and starts that marked the end of the legislative session belied the huge gains Democrats made in November, when Pritzker consolidated his power within the party while Democrats retained their supermajority in the Senate and expanded it to a record high in the House. It also pointed to growing pains under the leadership of Welch. The Democrat from Hillside in 2021 replaced longtime Speaker Michael Madigan, who lost his job after becoming ensnared in a wider ranging corruption investigation and now stands indicted and awaiting trial on racketeering charges. Welchs election to the speakers post promised a transformational and transparent House operation after years of Madigans tightfisted control over his members. But the delay in approving a state budget showed Welchs leadership remains in a transitional phase. Welch was first forced to push back a self-set adjournment deadline of May 19 because a budget deal could not be brokered, then had to hold off again after standing with Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon on Wednesday to announce a budget deal had been reached, which quickly became clear was not the case. Giving more power to racial and ethnic caucuses and their priorities while the state faces a contraction in tax revenues and confronting a progressive-moderate split, Welch had difficulty navigating the budget lines to try to preserve unity among his members. It didnt help that Greg Harris, the former House point man on spending and a longtime architect of legislative budgets, had retired, stepping down in January after not seeking reelection. Hours before the Senate passed the budget late Thursday in a 34-22 vote, House Democrats gathered privately in a committee room on the first floor of the State Capitol to discuss the budget and other bills they were preparing for floor action. Outside the room, state Rep. Fred Crespo, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates whos been in the House since 2007, acknowledged that there were a lot of new players involved that havent done this before. Greg Harris was the one running the show for a long time, said Crespo, a member of both the moderate and Latino caucuses in the House. We have new people running the show. We have a lot of new members in the House. And because of that, youre going to have to go through some growing pains. And weve been through some growing pains. A key point of contention during budget negotiations was how to manage a state-funded health care program for noncitizens who dont qualify for traditional federal Medicaid. The state-funding program is geared toward immigrants who are in the country without legal permission or who have green cards but havent completed a five-year waiting period. The program was created for people 65 and older in 2020 but has since been expanded to cover those 42 and older. Advocates and some Democratic lawmakers have been pushing to cover people 19 and older. Pritzkers February spending plan pegged the cost of the program at $220 million. But subsequent projections pegged the cost at closer to $1.1 billion, according to the administration, though some Democratic lawmakers and advocates questioned that projection. Democratic lawmakers refused to cut funding in other programs or enact the governors recommended cost controls, such as copays or income limitations, resulting in a deal that allocated about $550 million for the program while, according to the governors office, giving the administration tools to control costs. In effect, Pritzker agreed to assume any political liabilities that come with controlling future costs. Shortly before the Senate adjourned early Friday for the final time this spring, the tension and emotional nature of the issue burst into the open when state Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Chicago Democrat, slammed critics, including those in the GOP, whove questioned the funding for the health care program. She talked about how her mother, before she died of cancer, was sick and needed to have surgery. My mother said, Mija, I have you but what about everyone else here who doesnt speak the language or doesnt have the status that we have to be able to handle things, that doesnt have the health insurance that we have to be able to cover the cost of this? Villanueva said. Dont use my communities as political scapegoats and whatever games youre trying to play as a political ploy, and that is for anybody that is continuing to try to insinuate that undocumented people deserve any less, she said. They pay taxes. And they contribute to our economy. During the House debate early Saturday, Republicans voiced their perennial objections about being excluded from budget talks. Rep. Norine Hammond of McComb, the House GOPs chief budget negotiator, characterized the Democrats plan as another partisan, one-sided budget and suggested there was a lack of interest by the majority party to work with Republicans. This is not a balanced budget, Hammond said. The revenues that are needed for this budget, they are not my money, it is not your money, it is not Republican money, it is not Democratic money. This money belongs to the taxpayers of the state of Illinois and they deserve better. In the Senate, however, there was less public friction between Republicans and Democrats than in the past. Moments before the budget passed through the chamber, Republican leader John Curran acknowledged how the Democrats included his caucus in budget talks, something he described as a step forward in our working relationships. But he indicated that the final product of the budget does not reflect the entire state of Illinois. He criticized the budget for ignoring the overwhelming call for relief from tax and utility costs that he believes are crushing families and small- and medium-sized businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic. And he said the budget is not friendly to big business, noting companies like Caterpillar and Boeing have relocated offices out of state. The budget presented here today undoubtedly represents a further expansion and growth of state government at a time when Illinois itself is contracted, Curran said. In addition to Curran and all 18 other Senate Republicans voting against the budget, so did three Democrats, Sens. Patrick Joyce of Reddick, Suzy Glowiak Hilton of Western Springs and Doris Turner of Springfield. Confronted by reporters after the Senate adjournment early Friday morning, Turner and Glowiak Hilton, who represent districts with a lot of moderate Democratic and Republican voters, each indicated they were unhappy with the budgets proposed 5.5% pay raises for rank-and-file lawmakers, which would bring their annual pay from $85,000 to $89,675. Those raises would come after a separate raise given to lawmakers in January that boosted the annual salaries of rank-and-file lawmakers to $85,000 from $72,906, a nearly 17% increase. On Thursday, state Sen. Elgie Sims, a Chicago Democrat and the Senates chief budget negotiator, insisted the Democrats are not trying to hide anything or do anything nefarious with the new raises, saying theyre merely part of a cost-of-living adjustment. Harmon said on the Senate floor he was disappointed that Curran didnt support the budget. This is a budget that invests in our shared priorities. We are investing in schools in red districts and in blue districts. Were investing in hospitals in red districts and blue districts, and health care workers across the state, Harmon said. Hours before the House took the floor on Friday, House Republican leader Tony McCombie criticized not only the costs of the immigrant health care program, but the absence of tax breaks on gas, groceries and school supplies that were in place during 2022s reelection year for Pritzker, the pay raises for lawmakers and uncertainty over anticipated costs related to contract negotiations with the states largest public employee union. We cannot trust the majority party with more money when all they offer is so little in return to tangible benefits for Illinois families all around 102 counties that we represent, McCombie, of Savanna, said during a news conference at the Capitol. We do not want new spending. Now is not the time. We dont know what is happening with the (anticipated) upcoming recession. We dont know how bad its going to be. Aside from the contention over the funding for the immigrant health care program, there were also differences over whether to extend a $75 million tax credit program for private school scholarship donors, which was left out of the final budget package. During the Senate floor debate, Curran lamented the children whose lives have been forever changed by scholarships to schools being excluded from the budget. Talking to reporters after the budgets passage, Sims downplayed Currans remarks, and also appeared to leave the door open on the program, saying we will have until the fall to take this up. In his remarks closing the session for the House, Welch confronted Republicans over their votes against the budget, and bet them that theyd soon be talking up the gains it provided for their districts. When you go home and brag about all the money going in your schools, your community colleges, your park districts, your universities that are in your districts, Welch said, gesturing to the Republican side as he spoke. The 7% increase to every university thats in districts you represent that you voted no against. You should be proud and tomorrow I guarantee you will be bragging about it. The Pritzker administration has highlighted elements of the budget that boost education, including an additional $100 million for Monetary Award Program grant funding. Other areas of the budget highlighted by the governors office include an increase of $85 million to support homelessness prevention, affordable housing and other programs related to a vision of ending homelessness in the state. The budget proposal also includes an additional $200 million to the states underfunded pension plans on top of the $9.8 billion required under state law. Pritzkers staff also highlighted a $20 million investment in a new program to expand grocery access to urban neighborhoods and rural towns. The initiative comes after the governor suspended the states grocery tax for 12 months in the current budget that expires at the end of June. The more-than-3,400-page budget that kicks in July 1 also includes $15 million for the states violent crime witness protection program, which is half of the $30 million that Pritzker proposed for the program in February. Also in the budget was a $30 million appropriation for a fund that distributes money to police departments for body cameras and squad car dashboard camera systems. Another $15 million was also set aside for grants associated with a youth summer jobs program, geared toward especially benefiting young people in Chicago and other urban areas. And the budget includes a roughly $112 million increase in the share of state income tax revenue distributed to local governments, partially satisfying a request from some suburban mayors, as well as new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. In response to another request from Johnson, the budget would provide $42.5 million to aid migrants arriving from the countrys southern border. The rejiggered plan that came out Thursday, however, would make that money available to counties and towns statewide rather than just Chicago and other parts of Cook County. In the end, it may have been appropriate that one of the major budget implementation bills was shoehorned into legislation that began as an effort to make the soybean the official state bean. Illinois legislators wound up writing their own version of the old saw that people should never see how sausage and the law is made, replacing it with tofu. Petrella and Pearson reported from Chicago. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. All Things New shouldnt have come as a surprise to anyone Concerning plans of the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis for All Things New (Rural Catholic churches circle the wagons ahead of St. Louis archbishops restructuring plan, May 20): Twenty years ago, I heard my pastor at the time lay out for people the facts of what was going to inevitably happen to parish structures in 10 years. Then, he said he knew that some would be like the man who looks up one evening and sees his wife walking out the door with her suitcase. Shocked, the husband says: Whats happening? I thought everything was fine here. The woman replies: Ive been telling you for the last five years that my life with you is intolerable. You refused to listen or to make changes. Even after two years of sincere listening to people, and tweaking plans for All Things New, some folks still claim that the whole thing is an unfair surprise. Sorry, this should not be a surprise to anyone. If anything, I think it should be a pleasant surprise. Rev. John Vogler St. Louis The church is driving away young people with its restrictions Regarding the letter to the editor The archdiocese of St. Louis should grow, not shrink its footprint (May 22): I totally agree with the author, as I am sure most Catholics would. The problem with the church is not a St. Louis Archdiocese problem. It is the problem is the Roman Catholic Church. The church needs to change the rules and embrace all people, allow them to be full members to bring the church into the modern world, like they did with Vatican II in the 1960s. It is obvious the church would rather stick to their outdated rules and traditions, views that are no longer relevant to todays world, and close parishes than find ways to increase members. A lot of women dont feel they are full members of an organization they cant participate in because of their sex. Men as priests arent allowed to marry. The LGBTQ community isnt welcome to be full members and participate in all the sacraments of the church. The pedophiles within the church would probably have a hard time feeling comfortable in the church if more women and married men were priests sharing the church and school hallways. The church generally does not even allow outdoor weddings. I know young members getting married outside the church and leaving because of these and other traditions. I am pretty sure God will bless a union outside a church as much as inside. God does love all LGBTQ people, and women should be able to perform the same duties as men. Karin Mark Manchester Rep. Bushs vote not to honor fallen officers was shameful Regarding St. Louis Cori Bush opposes resolution honoring police officers killed on duty (May 22): I am writing to express my disappointment in my congresswoman, Cori Bush, who was one of two representatives who voted against this resolution. I am the mother of a young police officer, and I am immensely proud of the time and service he provides. It is not the career that we would have chosen for him, but its one where he works extremely hard with dedication and ethics. Bush cited politics as her reason for this negative vote, saying it was a Republican narrative. But then she expressed her support for first responders. She was the one who sounded political to me. I am a Democrat who voted for Bush. But she will not have my support in the future. To vote against this resolution was shameful. I would ask everyone to appreciate our first responders in a non-political way. Jacqueline Mink Bellefontaine Neighbors Americans living on the edge need federal aid programs I am haunted by the article Half in US lack the cash to cover surprise $400 bill (May 5): Its actually not surprising, since millions of Americans work at poverty-level jobs and millions more survive on low-wage jobs. Typically they have no vacation or sick-leave and no medical insurance. Often they are part-time, or work temporary gigs with irregular hours and no pathway to advancement. Its not unusual for people to work two jobs to try to make ends meet. True, there have been some wage bumps lately, but rent and utilities are up, automobiles are up, gasoline is up, food is way up, and medical care is out of the question without insurance. Our local food pantry reported having to serve 50% more clients now than a year ago. Many hard-working Americans are struggling financially, and with unemployment at historic lows, it is not a case of poor people refusing to work. I am appealing to members of Congress not to give in to pressure to cut federal nutrition programs or Medicaid, which offer a little assistance to our friends and neighbors and family members who are fighting to keep their heads above water in our low-wage economy. Jane Klopfenstein Edwardsville Read letters online at STLToday.com Looking ahead, Ifzal and Heina, two Hong Kong constables of Pakistani origin stationed at Kowloon West, said they would continue to dedicate themselves to social activities that promote ethnic harmony and inclusion, and steadily perform their duties in the police force. by Zhou Danni HONG KONG, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Ifzal Zaffar and Heina Rizwan Mohammad, two Hong Kong constables of Pakistani origin stationed at Kowloon West, are the very epitome of about a dozen of new-generation police officers who are committed to maintaining peace and tranquility in the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR). According to the statistics released by the HKSAR government, South Asians, with over 100,000 population, were the largest ethnic minority group in Hong Kong as of 2021, apart from foreign workers. To this day, those of South Asian descent have become increasingly present in the Hong Kong Police Force. REALIZING POLICE DREAMS Ifzal's parents migrated from Pakistan and settled down in Hong Kong years ago, and Ifzal himself is born and bred in Hong Kong. Ifzal's dream of becoming a policeman was rooted in his childhood. "When I was little, I always thought police officers were stylish and they could help people," he said. After graduating from high school, he studied under the Yi Jin Diploma program in disciplinary forces and successfully joined the police force upon his first application in 2015. The 26-year-old, a proficient speaker of Urdu and Cantonese, can also speak fluent Mandarin, English and Punjabi. Ifzal Zaffar poses for a photo at Hong Kong Police Force Emergency Unit Kowloon West Base in Hong Kong, south China, April 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) Heina, 32, is the first-ever South Asian woman to join the Hong Kong Police Force since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997. A fourth-generation Pakistani immigrant to Hong Kong, she studied at local schools, took Chinese history courses out of interest, and was familiar with classic policewomen characters in the Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) dramas. Heina's grandfather served as a Hong Kong policeman until retiring in the 1990s and her parents' occupations were also closely associated with police, thus she determined to pursue a career in the police force to inherit the family honor passed down to her. Heina initially worked as a community liaison officer in the Yuen Long Division before she was encouraged by her seniors to apply to be a policewoman. After months of preparations, she passed the challenging fitness test and interviews, and stood out among several ethnic minority candidates with her excellent Cantonese. Finally, her dream came true in the year of 2012. Heina Rizwan Mohammad poses for a photo at Hong Kong Police Force Emergency Unit Kowloon West Base in Hong Kong, south China, April 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) SERVING SOCIETY WITH INTEGRITY Located in the Mong Kok police station in Hong Kong, the sturdy, square, and cream-colored building of the Emergency Unit (EU) Kowloon West headquarter has stood straight amid the hustle and bustle of the city for more than 80 years. Currently, a member of the EU Kowloon West, Ifzal is always at the forefront of patrols, dealing with various emergency incidents. Back in March 2017, the story of Ifzal, who was working in the Yau Ma Tei police station at that time, became viral on the Internet as he rescued a distressed Pakistani man by talking him down the crane in Urdu, and Ifzal's bravery and professionalism were widely acclaimed by the public. When serving at the Special Duty Squad (SDS), Ifzal handled gambling and drug cases, which often required him to wear plain clothes and arrest dangerous suspects. He said his multiple language skills had made it easier for him to communicate with ethnic minorities, helping him conduct investigations, obtain more information and maintain law and order. Ifzal's interpretation of "Serving Hong Kong with Honor, Duty and Loyalty," the motto of the Hong Kong police force, was that the police should act as a bridge between the society and the HKSAR government. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he participated in the virus-testing operation carried out in Hong Kong's Jordan area as a member of the Police Tactical Unit (PTU). He also served as the translator, along with his brother who worked in the Tsim Sha Tsui police station, for South Asian residents that could not understand Chinese or English, explaining the government's testing measures and assisting them in taking leave from their employers in Cantonese. Ifzal Zaffar checks an emergency vehicle at Hong Kong Police Force Emergency Unit Kowloon West Base in Hong Kong, south China, April 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) These heart-warming gestures reassured many South Asian residents in the quarantined areas, who actively followed the anti-pandemic instructions. Heina is working at the Kowloon West Missing Persons Unit at present, and her daily rituals include meticulously analyzing complex clues and information and striving to enable the missing persons to reunite with their families. With extensive experience in social work, Heina often makes full use of her language advantages to console the ethnic minority kids who ran away from home because of family matters and guide them to orient their life. Passionate about Chinese culture, Heina also speaks good Mandarin. In March this year, she was out on patrol when she received the request to locate a missing 60-year-old tourist from north China's Tianjin municipality. She communicated with the requesting party in Mandarin and spent a few hours assiduously searching all the hotels along the street one by one, before she finally found the missing tourist. Heina Rizwan Mohammad on duty on the street in Hong Kong, south China, April 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIAL INCLUSION The descendants of South Asian immigrants in Hong Kong mainly cluster in districts such as Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Yuen Long and Wan Chai. Many of them can speak fluent Cantonese whereas have difficulty in reading and writing Chinese. Since 2013, the police departments of Yau Tsim and Yuen Long launched "Project Gemstone" and "Project Himalaya," respectively. By organizing free Chinese classes, fitness classes and group activities each week, the projects aim at helping non-ethnic Chinese youths improve their Chinese language skills and understand Hong Kong culture, in a bid to enable them to better integrate into local communities. In April, Raymond Siu Chak-yee, Hong Kong's Commissioner of Police, said during the event celebrating the 10th anniversary of "Project Gemstone" that more than 30 students of the program had joined the disciplined services so far, including the police force, correctional services, fire services and customs. The HKSAR government endeavored to provide learning and development opportunities to benefit more ethnic minorities, he added. Ifzal and Heina, who are beneficiaries of "Project Gemstone" and "Project Himalaya," often take part in the rich and diverse activities of the programs during their leisure time, teaching the students Chinese skills and sharing tips for police exam preparations as tutors. "It's reciprocal. The society has helped me considerably, so I want to give back to the society," Ifzal told Xinhua. Heina hoped that she could set an example for her South Asian peers and encourage them to chase their dreams. "Everyone has a chance. You are all able to realize your dreams so long as you are willing to work hard to reach the requirements," she said. Looking ahead, both Ifzal and Heina said they would continue to dedicate themselves to social activities that can promote ethnic harmony and inclusion, and steadily perform their duties in the police force. Heina has made several trips to Shenzhen in neighboring Guangdong Province and is deeply impressed by the hospitality and friendliness of the people there. It was her wish to travel to more mainland cities and "tick off" the gorgeous scenic spots in the vast mainland. "I am a Hong Kong police of China. So, I'll definitely go and visit numerous places in the mainland in the future," she said with a beaming smile on her face. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 27, 2023 / CREE8, an innovative mobile application that combines the power of an AI art generator and a versatile chatbot, has officially announced its launch. The application is available now on iOS and Android platforms. CREE8 features an AI Chatbot as a personal assistant, guiding users through the app and addressing their queries. Utilizing advanced natural language processing capabilities, the AI Chatbot understands individual needs and provides personalized recommendations based on user preferences. Whether users are beginners or seasoned artists, the AI Chatbot ensures they make the most of the app's features. At the core of CREE8 lies the AI Art generator, a tool that enables users to create stunning artwork. Powered by machine learning algorithms and intelligent design, the AI Art generator continuously evolves and improves, offering a creative experience. Furthermore, CREE8 facilitates its user-friendly interface, making it accessible for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to tap into their artistic potential and enjoy meaningful interactions. The newly launched key features of CREE8 are as follows: AI Art Generator: CREE8's AI art generator empowers users to create stunning artwork using advanced algorithms and an extensive library of artistic styles and techniques. Whether users are aspiring artists or simply exploring their creative side, CREE8 offers a world of inspiration at their fingertips. Dynamic Chatbot: CREE8's chatbot is not limited to art-related conversations alone but is designed to cater to thousands of possibilities, making it a versatile companion for all users. Powered by state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) technology, the chatbot engages in interactive conversations, providing personalized recommendations, support, and insights across various topics. CREE8 provides accessibility for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds and ages. It caters to various user groups, such as kids, students, employees, artists, and businesses. Employees can use CREE8 to unwind, boost their creativity, and find motivation. Artists can experiment with new styles, refine their techniques, and connect with like-minded communities. Additionally, businesses can leverage CREE8's AI art generator for marketing campaigns, creating visually captivating content that resonates with their audience. Additionally, CREE8 fosters a vibrant community of artists and enthusiasts, encouraging creative collaboration. Users can showcase their artwork, seek valuable feedback, and engage in constructive conversations within the app. This collaborative environment nurtures creativity, stimulates growth, and provides networking opportunities. Consequently, integrating an AI art generator and a versatile chatbot in CREE8 opens up new possibilities for creative expression and engagement. Users can explore diverse art styles, experiment with techniques, and receive real-time feedback to refine their creations. About the Company - CREE8: CREE8 is a pioneering mobile application that combines an AI art generator and a versatile chatbot, modernizing artistic creation and interactive conversations. CREE8 is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store. Potential clients can visit https://cree8.ai to learn more about CREE8. Media Contact Organization: CREE8 Contact Person: B Singh Website: https://cree8.ai Email: [email protected] City: New York City State: NY Country: United States PR Contact King NewsWire [email protected] SOURCE: CREE8 View source version on accesswire.com: Marc Gabelli Assigns Anand Rawani as the Director of Sustainability and Together Are to Present the Teton One Earth Policies of Sustainability Integrated With in Its Asset Management Business CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Teton Advisors, Inc. (Teton) (OTCQX: TETAA) will hold a webinar June 7th to discuss the Teton One Earth policy initiative. Marc Gabelli, Tetons Chairman, and Stephen Bondi, Tetons Chief Executive Officer, along with newly assigned Anand Rawani, the head of Sustainability and ESG principles, are to present the Companys Teton One Earth initiatives and outline ESG integration across its asset management platform in context. Concurrent with Teton becoming a signatory with the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing (PRI), Teton One Earth adopts an integrative approach to position client portfolios towards companies engaged in smart economic growth with respect to the planet. Our approach is dynamic, global, and multi-faceted, and integrates into the investment process along the pillars of risk management, portfolio communication, proxy, and sustainability. Assigning Anand Rawani, who has been with the group for over a decade and is both a Chartered Financial Analyst and certified with the CFA Institute as an expert in Sustainability, is our next step in product development. We are looking forward to strengthening the Teton offerings utilizing the One Earth policy with Anand as a lead, said Stephen Bondi. Marc Gabelli said, Assigning a sustainability expert underscores our commitment to this evolving area in the asset management landscape. The Teton One Earth policy initiative integrates the principles of Sustainability, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) into its investment process. This includes: Financially material ESG information is systematically considered in investment decisions. ESG information is one type of information in a mosaic of financially material information, and the investment manager uses its discretion to determine how much weight to give ESG information in any particular investment decision. The use of the proxy voting process via to influence investees and issuers policies in accordance with the Teton One Earth framework, including to disclose ESG informational disclosures that the investment manager deem financially material. Adhere to standards outlined by the CFA Institute in its 2021 publication of Global ESG Disclosure Standard for Investment Products This an exciting time for Teton and this assignment is the next step crystallizing the 'Teton One Earth' initiative from integration to outright new product initiatives and acquisitions. While the company will continue to develop its smaller company asset management business, our specializing in inefficient markets lends itself to this very important asset management topic, said Anand Rawani. With complementary investment teams expanding research coverage across the platform and marketing efforts levered against a larger organization, we believe value creation will be enhanced for both clients and shareholders, Marc Gabelli continued. The webinar The webinar will be held on June 7th, 2023 at 8:30 am Eastern time (US and Canada). You will need to register in advance for this webinar on the Companys Investor Relations page at https://www.tetonadv.com/register. Registration will be available June 1st, 2023. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. ABOUT TETON Teton Advisors, Inc. (OTCQX: TETAA) is a specialist in smaller company investing, serving a diverse client base of institutional, high net worth and mutual fund investors under brands including TETON, TETON Westwood, Gabelli and Keeley. The company was founded on a commitment to uncover value by focusing on companies that are misunderstood or ignored by the market utilizing methodologies developed by investment pioneers Mario Gabelli and John L. Keeley, Jr. As active, fundamental investors, the Teton portfolio teams think independently and focus on identifying short-term market inefficiencies to generate long-term alpha. Tetons investment professionals share in the belief that being different is the cornerstone to discovering hidden value in equities. The Teton time tested investment approaches can help set apart your client portfolios, delivering differentiated attributes to round out a broader portfolio. From modest beginnings over 40 years ago, to today, The Disciplined Discovery of Value shapes the cornerstone for our clients' long-term success. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230526005373/en/ Patrick Huvane, CPA, CFA Chief Financial Officer (914) 457-1074 For further information, please visit: www.tetonadv.com Source: Teton Advisors, Inc. SANTIAGO, Chile, May 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BANCO ITAU CHILE (NYSE: ITCL; SSE: ITAUCL) In relation to the aforementioned amendment, we hereby announced that, as was informed by the Bank through a notice published on May 5 in the electronic newspaper www.latercera.com, on the date hereof the new shares of the Bank were exchange among its shareholders as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, with a total of 216,340,749 new shares being assigned and distributed among the shareholders as a result of the application of the Exchange Ratio approved at the Meeting. Likewise, on this same date, the Stock Exchanges have noted in their records the date of the exchange of the new shares, from which they can be traded in the local stock market. As a result of the foregoing, (i) on this date, the amendments to the Banks bylaws agreed at the Meeting regarding the reduction in the number of shares into which the Banks capital stock is divided, has taken place, (ii) as of this date the Banks capital stock (amounting to $2,692,826,231,184) has been divided into 216,340,749 outstanding shares, fully subscribed and paid, (iii) as of this date the shares of Banco Itau Chile (ITAUCL) are traded ex exchange, and (iv) of the 10,000 support shares not considered in the calculation of the Exchange Ratio, 3,444 shares were assigned, leaving a remainder of 6,556 support shares after completing the exchange. Pursuant to what was agreed at the Meeting, the aforementioned 6,556 remaining shares will be formally rendered null and void at an Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting that the Board of Directors must summon to be held immediately after the next General Shareholders Meeting to be held during the first quarter of 2024. The full Material Event Notice is available on the companys investor relations website at ir.itau.cl. Investor Relations Banco Itau Chile +56 (2) 2660-1701 / [email protected] / ir.itau.cl Source: Banco Itau Chile Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Future Health Receives $100 Million Investment from Rothschild Family, Partners with International NMN Pharmaceutical Group to Create World's First NMN Futures Product On May 18, 2023, Future Trends Group, the parent company of Future Health, entered into a major strategic partnership and held a grand signing ceremony with Future Health in Dubai on May 23, 2023. Rothschild Investment Corp. Under the agreement, Rothschild Investment Corp will invest $100 million into Future Trends Group, which will be used primarily for Future Health's global business expansion and technological innovation. The Rothschild family not only occupies three board seats, but also assists Future Health in establishing a strategic partnership with the international NMN Pharmaceutical Group. The two companies will work together to launch the world's first NMN futures product in June 2023 to provide cutting-edge anti-aging solutions to wordlwide users, with an initial futures product subscription of $300 million. This NMN product is manufactured using Japan's leading biological all-enzyme method to ensure its high purity and efficiency, while adding PQQ ingredients to enhance its efficacy and absorption. The product also features plant-based enteric capsules that reach directly into the intestinal tract for maximum release of NMN activity. *Representative from International NMN Pharmaceutical Group and Future Health representative (first from left) signing site picture* The new NMN product is one of the important results of our strategic cooperation with the Rothschild family and an important milestone in the development of Future Health, which greatly enhances Future Health's leadership and influence in the global anti-aging field. This capital investment cooperation reflects Rothschild Investment's high recognition of Future Health, which not only brings strong financial and resource support to Future Health, but also shows high expectation for Future Health WEB3.0 project and innovative new products such as NMN futures. About Rothschild Investment Corporation: Rothschild & Co is one of the financial institutions still in operation by the Rothschild family, and is the legacy and continuation of this ancient financial family, currently focusing on private equity, asset management and other areas. About Future Health: Future Health is an innovative biopharmaceutical company driven by digital transformation, bringing together the world's top healthcare resources to create a global digital healthcare system. It was initiated by Chairman Mr Farzam and has invested heavily in the development of post-epidemic restoration products, with the ultimate mission of advancing the health industry for the benefit of all humans. The core competitiveness of Future Health WEB 3.0: real people, real medicine, real profit! Real people: The leader of Future Health WEB 3.0 and the founder of Future Trend Group, Chairman Mr Farzam, who will share his insights and experiences with you and lead you to higher achievements and wealth. True medicine: The core products of Future Health WEB 3.0, stem cell recovery capsules with unique advantages after the epidemic, the international famous brand NMN, Pfizer and more international famous brands will be released and listed in the next three years, bringing the gospel to worldwide consumers. True Profit: The core source of revenue for Future Health WEB 3.0 is the appreciation of Woodpecker WP tokens and dividends. Its dividends will be based on the income from innovative medicine development, operation and sales, through investment in futures of Woodpecker's series of post-epidemic restoration products; Profit from strategic investment in futures products with the world's top health products, now with international brands NMN, Pfizer, and many more internationally known brands strategic investment in futures products! Lock future profits in advance and enjoy Future Health WEB 3.0 dividends. Contact Info: Name: Daisy Email: Send Email Organization: Future Health Website: http://www.futurehealth.vip/ Release ID: 89098662 If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours. Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. The veteran-owned Cape Coral air conditioning contractor provides exceptional HVAC services, ensuring customer satisfaction with excellent quality and competitive prices. Cape Coral is well-known for its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture. However, the city's challenging climate, characterized by intense heat and elevated humidity levels year-round, makes air conditioning indispensable for residents and businesses. Priority Air Conditioning, a reputable Cape Coral air conditioning contractor, provides exceptional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions across Southwest Florida. Founded and operated by an esteemed U.S. Army veteran and firefighter, the company holds its service quality to the most rigorous standards, earning it the admiration and trust of countless regional clients and cementing its reputation as a leading HVAC service provider. When temperatures soar above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Cape Coral, residents depend on efficient air conditioning systems to combat the sweltering heat and maintain a comfortable living environment. As a key player in this industry, Priority Air Conditioning excels in delivering top-notch HVAC services to the Cape Coral community and its surrounding areas. Standing out among other HVAC companies, Priority Air Conditioning utilizes the most dependable, high-performance, and energy-efficient air conditioning equipment. In most cases it surpasses federal guidelines and outperforms industry competitors, serving as a commitment to quality that assures Cape Coral residents that it is a company they can always rely on to keep their homes cool and comfortable throughout the year. For more information, visit https://www.priorityairconditioning.com/ As a business founded by veterans, Priority Air Conditioning upholds fundamental values such as discipline, honesty, and collaboration to provide exceptional customer support. Building upon the founder's U.S. Army and firefighting background, the company's dedicated professionals address customer needs and achieve superior results. Priority Air Conditioning emphasizes customer satisfaction through transparent communication and quick response times within the HVAC sector. This approach ensures tailored services and prompt assistance, fostering trust and dependability in long-lasting customer relationships. The company also offers all-inclusive maintenance packages to enhance its offerings further, which are crucial for prolonging the lifespan of HVAC systems and maintaining peak performance. Regular upkeep reduces the likelihood of unforeseen malfunctions and assists clients in avoiding expensive repairs over time. Moreover, Priority Air Conditioning guarantees a stress-free experience for every customer by tailoring maintenance plans to accommodate each individual's unique requirements. As a leading HVAC contractor in Cape Coral, Priority Air Conditioning consistently adapts to industry innovations, supplying state-of-the-art solutions to its clients. The company is dedicated to energy conservation and employs cutting-edge technology and high-performance equipment to create comfortable spaces and long-term energy savings. This environmentally conscious approach caters to the rising demand for sustainable living and demonstrates the company's commitment to minimizing its ecological footprint. Alongside its core offerings, Priority Air Conditioning delivers comprehensive preventative maintenance plans intended to extend the lifespan of HVAC systems, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce costly repairs. These plans encompass regular inspections, cleanings, and tune-ups, assuring peak performance for every HVAC unit. Acknowledging the significance of dependable and effective AC systems, particularly during sweltering summers, Priority Air Conditioning concentrates on providing exceptional customer care. This dedication includes offering swift same-day appointments and emergency services for pressing situations. Priority Air Conditioning is more than just an HVAC service provider; it is a reliable ally for clients seeking first-rate service and assistance. With a team of highly skilled experts, advanced tools, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, Priority Air Conditioning remains the top choice for those needing outstanding HVAC services in Southwest Florida. About the Company: Priority Air Conditioning is a family-owned and operated business based in Cape Coral, Florida. A U.S. Army veteran and firefighter founded the company to provide exceptional HVAC services at competitive prices. The company is committed to delivering top-quality customer service and strives for 100% satisfaction on every job. They offer various HVAC services, including air conditioner servicing, AC maintenance, installation, and air conditioning repair. Priority Air Conditioning uses only the most reliable, high-quality, and energy-efficient AC equipment and takes special care to ensure properties remain safe and secure during installation. Contact Info: Name: Priority Air Conditioning Email: Send Email Organization: Priority Air Conditioning Address: Cape Coral, Florida, US Phone: 239-580-6200 Website: https://www.priorityairconditioning.com/ Release ID: 89098597 If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours. Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Valleywise GS and Goldman Sachs Group Jointly Launch GPTCoin to Establish An AI-Decentralized Financial Platform Valleywise GS News: The Valleywise GS Group recently disclosed a significant partnership with Goldman Sachs to jointly develop GPTCoin. It will be the first AI-powered decentralized financial platform in the United States to incorporate both blockchain technology and traditional investment banking. The platform aims to offer customers secure, effective, and personalized financial solutions. GPTCoin's features and benefits GPTCoin is a decentralized financial platform built on blockchain technology with multiple digital signatures and consensus algorithms. The core business of the platform is the incorporation of AI lending services and AI trading robots. It would utilize the Valleywise GS' and Goldman Sachs' extensive global financial network and influence to deliver personalized and secure financial solutions for global customers. GPTCoin's Partners and Development Prospects Since its debut, GPTCoin has drawn considerable interest and recognition. GPTCoin has entered into a strategic cooperation with Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange where the collaboration covers spot and contract trading among other services. The Binance platform and the AI Fox trading engine are combined in GPTCoin to create a comprehensive AI trading process that ranges from "investment advisor" to "strategy execution." The objective of the platform is to offer digital currency investors access to professional AI investment tools and security systems. Recently, GPTCoin and OKX came to a strategic partnership agreement that calls for trading on OKX and expanding the partnership to multiple levels. In the future, GPTCoin intends to join forces with more top-notch blockchain platforms to broaden the scope of its application scenarios. At the same time, GPTCoin will also continue to develop its technology and services to give customers more convenient and innovative financial experiences. AI Fox Financial Trading Engine: Its capable of comprehending and generating a wide range of trading strategies and analytical models, including financial analysis, trading strategies, investment recommendations, etc. When in use, the AI Fox and ChatGPT machine learning models will automatically perform big data analyses and generate the best trading strategy for clients based on their risk preferences, investment goals, and market conditions. They will execute trading orders in real-time to help customers increase returns and decrease risks. Also, the AI Fox technology won the 2022 National FinTech Forum Innovation Award. The World's First AI Lending Service: The technical team at GPTCoin has innovatively realized intelligent matching and cross-border placement of funds under the C2C model which can maximize the efficiency of fund flow by fusing the AI Fox and ChatGPT machine learning models with big data technology. Based on investors' investment preferences and risk tolerance, the AI Lending Service will conduct real-time P2P lending and optimize the allocation of funds. It is capable of monitoring trends in global markets and assisting customers in obtaining more reliable and effective investment returns. About Valleywise GS: It is a fintech research and development firm with headquarters in Silicon Valley, USA. The business, which was established in 2018, is devoted to the use of big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology in the financial services sector. The company has successfully incubated and invested in more than 10 fintech startups including GPTCoin, and is at the forefront of the sector in terms of research and development capabilities and industry resources. Contact Info: Name: Daisy Email: Send Email Organization: GS GPTCOIN LAB PTY LTD Address: 99 Wall St Ste 4949, New York, NY 10005, United States Website: https://www.gptcoinai.com Release ID: 89098661 If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours. Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Viper Goods Company has inaugurated a division devoted to cross-border e-commerce, initiating plans for a merchandise-free cross-border business model. Reported on June 2nd, 2021, the Viper Goods Company has demonstrated exceptional prowess in cross-border warehousing. In a bid to spur sustained growth and broaden its market, the company has founded a cross-border e-commerce division. This new entity is currently amalgamating existing resources to prepare for a merchandise-free cross-border e-commerce venture. It is focused on creating pertinent products and industry solutions, which are anticipated to catalyze fresh growth within the realm of cross-border e-commerce. As an integral component of the cross-border ecosystem, overseas warehouses have reached a commendable level of maturity and have been highly acclaimed within the industry. Through their engagements and interactions with clients, the team at Viper Goods Company astutely identified the necessity for the inauguration of a novel business model. This merchandise-free cross-border e-commerce operation aligns with the company's expansion trajectory while also catering to the distinct needs of diverse customers. The advent of the pandemic has ushered in a transformative phase for the cross-border e-commerce industry, as an increasing global consumer base has adopted the convenience of online shopping. Leveraging cross-border e-commerce platforms, consumers can indulge in global purchases without stepping outside their homes. Data released by an international data company indicates that in 2020, the global cross-border e-commerce import and export volume amounted to a staggering 2.2 trillion US dollars, marking a 25.3% growth compared to the previous year. They further predict, "By 2026, global B2C cross-border e-commerce will maintain a growth rate of 27%." However, as globalization continues to advance unabated, the competitive landscape of the cross-border e-commerce market is set to become increasingly fierce, engendering fresh demands for these platforms. Only through incessant innovation and elevations in service quality can one secure an invincible position amidst this ruthless market competition. Consequently, the Viper Goods Company has established a cross-border e-commerce division, assembling a professional management team dedicated to devising precise and logical solutions for e-commerce enterprises and warehousing service companies, encompassing both hardware and software planning. In tandem, the Viper Goods Company is integrating its inherent resources, leveraging its own capabilities and strengths to offer consumers products and services of unmatched value for money. Augmenting these internal resources with external contributions, the company forms strategic alliances with partners, ensuring the alignment of objectives, thereby facilitating a seamless and efficient global expansion. Upon the completion of the planned integration, Viper Goods Company intends to recalibrate its business operations to broaden its market coverage. Different sales measures will be employed to target strategic clients, industry clients, and small to medium-sized clients, equipping the company with a more efficient market system. Concurrently, the optimization of technology resources and their support for clients will be prioritized, resulting in the formulation of localized, personalized, and segmented cross-border e-commerce operations. As of the latest news on May 24th, the American Viper Goods Company, parent company to the well-known cross-border e-commerce platform cacashop.com, has undergone significant changes. According to the most recent public records from the US government, Viper Goods Company has finalized all equity changes. The controlling organization is now the Canadian Cacashop Capital Holding Inc., and it has formally adopted the name cacashop.com. Contact Info: Name: Roger Smith Email: Send Email Organization: CACASHOP Website: https://www.cacashop.com/ Release ID: 89098621 If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours. AI-based system for first time confirms at least five jaguars in Mexico's Dzilam nature reserve. MEXICO CITY , May 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A team of nature conservation experts have recently announced that with the help of Huawei Cloud and artificial intelligence, they have identified at least five jaguars in a nature reserve in Dzilam, Yucatan , in southeast Mexico . The Tech4Nature Mexico project, launched in the Dzilam de Bravo nature reserve last year, uses an integrated and continuous monitoring system analyzing images and sound data to identify and track jaguars and their preys. The project involves partners including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Polytechnic University of Yucatan , C Minds' AI for Climate initiative, Rainforest Connection, the local community of Dzilam, and the government authorities of Yucatan . Huawei supplied the capabilities of Huawei Cloud to the project. To date, the team has collected more than 30,000 photos, 550,000 audio recordings and numerous video clips of wild animals. This data trove provides deep insights of local wildlife to researchers and contributes to the preservation and promotion of Yucatan biodiversity. The data is processed on the ModelArts AI Platform from Huawei Cloud and Rainforest Connection's Arbimon AI platform from. Sayda Rodriguez Gomez , Secretary of Sustainable Development of Yucatan , says that the knowledge gathered through the monitoring system is helpful in driving conservation efforts. "The first thing we discovered was that it was difficult to convince someone to invest in conservation," she recalls. "Knowing is something extremely valuable. What we get now with monitoring are things that, if we do not see them, we don't know are there," she adds. "If people don't know there are these animals, they don't help us." The team identified 119 species, including 88 birds, 22 mammals, five reptiles, and four amphibians, of which 34 species are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Prior to the project, local experts didn't know whether the reserve was home to jaguars, and if so, how many there were. "We need to upload the data to a Big Data platform because it is a high volume of information," says Joaquin Saldana , director of strategy marketing at Huawei Latin America. "We need to process it at high speed and with artificial intelligence. Then start to understand the pictures and be able to detect the animals that interest us." The team is now working to develop algorithms enabling individual identification of jaguars, which will be fundamental to figure out how many jaguars live in the region. "We are setting the basis for a state-wide biodiversity monitoring platform with AI on the Huawei Cloud," says Regina Cervera , a project coordinator at the innovation agency C Minds. "Our umbrella species is the jaguar, because if we make sure to protect it, then we protect everything that surrounds them. What we are doing is a huge and pioneering step for decision-making for conservation and nature-based solutions." Ecologists estimate that around 4,000 to 5,000 jaguars live in the wild in Mexico . Of this amount, more than half of them live in the Yucatan Peninsula , making it one of the primary regions for their conservation. But their existence is threatened by illegal hunting, deforestation as well as climate change. Protecting the jaguar means a lot to local communities. Juan Castillo , a community leader in the Dzilam de Bravo Reserve, says that he has heard about the jaguars ever since he was young. In Mexico , the number of jaguars is now growing, increasing to 4,766 animals in 2018 from 4,025 in 2010, a promising sign that conservation strategies are working. "All this is jaguar land," Juan Castillo says. "Since I was a child, I liked knowing that it is part of us. Sometimes what I say makes people laugh: the day I die, I would like to be a jaguar. I wish that there is still a way to take care of them, because if not, tomorrow we would only be seeing it in books." To learn more about the story, please visit: https://www.forclimate.ai/tech4nature About Huawei Founded in 1987, Huawei is one of the world's leading providers of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 195,000 employees and operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected and intelligent world. To achieve this, we will promote universal connectivity and promote equal access to networks, laying the foundations for an intelligent world; we will deliver superior computing power where and when it is needed to bring cloud and intelligence to every corner of the globe; we will build digital platforms that help industries and companies achieve greater agility, efficiency and dynamism; and we will redefine the user experience with AI to bring a higher level of intelligence and personalization to all aspects of people's lives, whether they are at home, on the go, in the office, playing or exercising. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on: http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei http://www.twitter.com/Huawei http://www.facebook.com/Huawei http://www.youtube.com/Huawei Media contact Alberto Romero [email protected] (55) 2855-8274 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/for-the-first-time-ai-based-system-allows-identification-of-5-jaguars-in-dzilam-reserve-in-yucatan-mexico-301836104.html SOURCE Huawei NORTH BETHESDA, Md. and BETHESDA, Md. and DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. , May 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After weeks of being questioned by patients and GI providers about a new prior authorization policy planned to go into effect June 1 , UnitedHealthcare requested a meeting today with the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. UHC offers to pause controversial GI prior auth policy in exchange for support of a poorly defined alternative. The fact is that UHC has not been able to clearly articulate the need for such a sweeping prior authorization program. For weeks the GI societies have been asking UHC to share internal data that justifies prior authorization for 61 endoscopy codes, including low-volume codes. UHC's stated purpose of today's meeting was to discuss delaying their GI prior authorization program in exchange for an "advance notification program," requiring GI practices and staff to gather detailed patient data prior to procedures and in preparation for a Gold Card program in 2024. Unfortunately, what UHC verbally presented in our meeting was a poorly defined and complicated administrative process. The GI societies are not in a position to appropriately evaluate the UHC proposal with the limited information presented. A pause in the June 1 launch of UHC's prior authorization policy requires the GI societies to publicly support this alternative proposal by early next week. Our patients' health is at stake and we cannot meet this unreasonable request. The GI societies reaffirm our call on UnitedHealthcare to stop the GI prior authorization policy from going into effect June 1 . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gi-society-statement-uhc-offers-to-trade-gi-prior-auth-for-a-poorly-defined-alternative-301836166.html SOURCE American Gastroenterological Association TOKYO , May 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Japanese battery startup, PowerX, Inc. has unveiled the detailed design of the first-ever 'Battery Tanker' at the 'Bariship' International Maritime Exhibition held in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan . The inaugural ship "X" aims for completion by 2025, with domestic and international field testing planned to commence in 2026. Furthermore, a new company called 'Ocean Power Grid Inc. ( https://oceanpowergrid.jp/ ) ' will be established in the third quarter of 2023 to advance the maritime power transmission business utilizing Battery Tankers. This company will own, sell, and operate the battery tankers in Japan and abroad. PowerX is seeking business partners worldwide for this new technology and business endeavor. PowerX has signed a memorandum of understanding and a Partnership Agreement with Kyushu Electric Power Co., Ltd. and the City of Yokohama to pursue the novel maritime power transmission concept and achieve carbon-neutral ports. The first Battery Tanker is scheduled for domestic and international field testing starting in 2026. This electric propulsion vessel boasts a length of 140 meters and will be equipped with 96 containerized marine batteries, providing a total capacity of 241MWh. The onboard battery system is based on our proprietary module design, featuring safe and reliable lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells that ensure a lifespan of over 6,000 cycles. Additionally, the battery system is highly scalable, allowing for the installation of additional batteries to create larger electric transport vessels such as Power Ark 1000 or even larger sizes to meet specific mission requirements. The system includes dedicated gas emission control and fire suppression mechanisms to ensure safety. Real-time monitoring of the battery system, charging controllers, and power conversion systems further enhance safety measures. All batteries will be manufactured in-house in Okayama Prefecture and are scheduled to obtain international ship classification certifications and applicable standards such as DNV and Class NK, undergoing rigorous testing to meet the strictest conditions. Delivery of the batteries is scheduled to commence by mid-2024. The Role of Battery Tankers: Its onboard battery systems allow Battery Tankers to store and transport surplus electricity generated from renewable sources. Decommissioned or idle thermal power plants located near ports can be retrofitted into charge/discharge points for the Battery Tankers, where the power is transmitted to users via grid connections on the land, enabling further effective use of renewable energy. Moreover, areas with high potential for renewable energy generation are often distant from urban areas and regions with high power demand. Strengthening transmission infrastructure becomes essential in such cases. Given the current energy density of lithium-ion battery cells, the Battery Tanker is an optimal solution for short-distance maritime power transmission from land to land, complementing existing inter-regional grid transmission lines. For instance, in Japan , a Battery Tanker can carry power from regions with high renewable energy supply potential, such as Kyushu and Hokkaido , to high-demand areas of Honshu or for inter-island power transmission. Battery Tankers will establish new power transmission networks across the sea, promoting renewable energy storage, supply, and utilization. As the energy density of batteries improves and their cost decreases, it is expected that longer-distance maritime transmission from offshore wind power plants to the land will become feasible. Battery Tankers offer a practical solution, especially in Japan , which is prone to earthquakes and has deep-sea surroundings. The ship-based solution resolves issues such as extended downtime from undersea cable malfunctions and repairs and the high costs associated with ultra-high voltage connections and substations. As a result, the Battery Tankers will enable the installation of offshore wind farms in areas where undersea cable deployment was once challenging. Using maritime power transmission via Battery Tankers can address various challenges associated with offshore wind power, not only in Japan but also contribute to the widespread adoption of renewable energy worldwide. Press Contact: [email protected] Media Contact: [email protected] Investor Contact: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-the-worlds-first-battery-tanker-x-the-inaugural-ship-of-power-ark-100-on-track-for-completion-by-2025-with-field-testing-set-to-commence-in-2026-301836197.html SOURCE PowerX, Inc. This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the rainy landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest at sunset in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Shao Zedong) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Shao Zedong) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Shao Zedong) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Shao Zedong) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Shao Zedong) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Shao Zedong) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Shao Zedong) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest at sunset in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest at sunset in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) Three motorcyclists head towards the earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on May 25, 2023. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest at sunset in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the rainy landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest at sunset in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest at sunset in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This aerial photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Shao Zedong) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest at sunset in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) A rain cloud hovers on earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on May 25, 2023. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) A tourist poses for photos at the earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on May 25, 2023. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in twilight in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest at sunset in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest at sunset in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) This photo taken on May 25, 2023 shows the rainy landscape of earth forest in Zanda County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Zanda is famous for the unique landscape of earth forest, which was formed by geological movement and soil erosion. These "forests" look yellowish, but the color varies in different parts. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) Acquisition of select Liberty Mutual Insurance Inc. businesses in Brazil , Chile , Colombia , and Ecuador businesses in , , , and HDI International moves up to third place in the property and casualty insurance market in Latin America through acquisitions HANNOVER, Germany and BOSTON , May 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Talanx Group rises to become the third-largest insurer by premium income in property/casualty business in Latin America through the acquisition of companies from Liberty Mutual Insurance Inc. The Retail International division of the Talanx Group has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the Liberty Seguros personal and small commercial business in Brazil , Chile , Colombia , and Ecuador . HDI is expected to increase its gross written premiums (IFRS 4) in Latin America by around EUR 1.7 billion . With this transaction, HDI reaches pro forma rank 2 in Brazil , rank 1 in Chile , and rank 7 in Colombia . Furthermore, the division's overall portfolio will be significantly better diversified as a result of the increase in Latin American business to approximately 45 per cent. The purchase price is expected to be approximately EUR 1.38 billion (approximately USD 1.48 billion ) at the closing date of the transaction, subject to customary purchase price adjustment mechanisms. "With the acquisition of these Liberty Mutual operations we are continuing our success story in Latin America ," says Torsten Leue , Chairman of the Board of Management of Talanx AG. "The acquisition fits seamlessly into our strategy of achieving market-leading positions in our core markets through organic and inorganic growth. Alongside Europe , Latin America is one of our core regions in the retail business. We are therefore pleased to be among the top 3 in Latin America with this acquisition. The acquisition will improve our Group net income and our return on equity already in the first year after the expected closing in 2024. The acquisition will further strengthen our primary insurance business and our diversification across business lines." Dr Wilm Langenbach , Member of the Board of Management of Talanx AG with responsibility for the Retail International division and Chief Executive Officer of HDI International AG, says: "The acquisition is an important milestone in the implementation of our strategy to reach a top 5 position in our core markets across the property/casualty business by 2025, to further diversify our portfolio and to strengthen our technical excellence. In addition, the acquisitions will allow us to achieve significant opportunities with our existing business in Brazil , Chile , and Colombia . I am very pleased that our future Liberty colleagues will strengthen us with their outstanding expertise and experience in Latin America ." "In a world that is rapidly changing, sharpened operational focus across our channels, products and markets is becoming increasingly important for long-term success and will ensure we deliver exceptional value to our customers, brokers, agents, partners, employees, and the communities we serve," says Tim Sweeney , President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Mutual Insurance. "We thank our Latin American teams of over 4,600 employees for their tremendous commitment and dedication to our business over many years. We're confident in their future with Talanx, which shares similar core values." Liberty Mutual operates in 29 countries, making it one of the largest insurance companies in the world by insurance revenue. Liberty Seguros Brazil holds a top 5 position in motor and a top 10 position in property/casualty after full year 2022. In 2022, the Brazilian company generated gross written premiums of BRL $6.1 billion ( EUR 1.1 billion ), much of which was generated through a distribution network of 20,000 independent distributors. Liberty Seguros Chile offers non-life products and achieved a gross premium volume of CLP $325 billion ( EUR 0.4 billion ) in 2022. Liberty Seguros Colombia's gross premium volume in 2022 was COP $1,033 billion ( EUR 0.2 billion ). Liberty Seguros Ecuador generated a gross premium volume of USD $33 million ( EUR 31 million ) in 2022. The transaction includes Liberty Specialty Markets direct insurance business in Brazil , Chile and Colombia . The transaction does not include Liberty Specialty Markets facultative reinsurance, Liberty Mutual Reinsurance treaty reinsurance and Liberty Mutual Surety businesses which will continue to operate in Brazil , Chile and Colombia . HDI International AG is already represented in Brazil , Chile and Colombia through its subsidiaries. HDI Seguros generated a gross premium volume of around 4.5 billion BRL ( 789 million EUR ) in Brazil in 2022. HDI Seguros in Chile generated a gross premium volume of 488 billion Chilean pesos (533 million EUR) and HDI Seguros in Colombia 425 billion Colombian pesos (82 million EUR). The closing of the acquisition is expected in the first half of 2024. The transactions are subject to approval by the relevant governmental and regulatory authorities. Rothschild & Co acted as financial advisor and Hogan Lovells acted as legal advisor to Talanx AG and HDI International AG in the transaction. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP provided legal advice to Liberty Mutual in the transaction. About Talanx Talanx is a major European insurance group with premium income of EUR 37 billion (2022, according to IFRS 17) and roughly 24,000 employees worldwide. Based in Hannover, Germany , the Group is active in more than 175 countries. Talanx is a multi-brand provider with a focus on B2B insurance. Its industrial insurance and retail business in Germany and abroad is operated under the HDI brand, which has a rich tradition stretching back about 120 years. Other Group brands include Hannover Re, one of the world's leading reinsurers; the bancassurance specialists TARGO insurers, LifeStyle Protection and neue leben; and Polish insurer Warta. Ampega, one of Germany's largest asset management companies, manages the Talanx Group's assets and is also an experienced provider of asset management solutions for non-group institutional investors. Rating agencies have awarded the Talanx Primary Insurance Group financial strength ratings of A+ ("strong"/Standard & Poor's) and A+ ("superior"/AM Best). Hannover Re Group is rated AA ("very strong"/S&P) and A+ ("superior"/AM Best). Talanx AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, where it is a member of the MDAX, and on the Hannover stock exchange (ISIN: DE000TLX1005, German Securities Code: TLX100). Talanx Together we take care of the unexpected and foster entrepreneurship For further information, please see www.talanx.com. Current photographs and Company logos are available at https://mediathek.talanx.de. About Liberty Mutual Insurance At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people and businesses feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston , today we are the fifth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2022 gross written premium. We also rank 78 on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the US based on 2021 revenue. As of December 31, 2022 , we had $50 billion in annual consolidated revenue. We employ over 50,000 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. For media enquiries please contact: Andreas Krosta Phone: +49 511-3747-2020 E-mail: [email protected] Leonie Drees Tel.: +49 511 3747-2106 E-Mail: [email protected] Liberty Mutual Media Relations E-mail: [email protected] For investor relations enquiries please contact: Bernd Sablowsky Phone: +49 511-3747-2793 E-mail: [email protected] Bernt Gade Phone: +49 511-3747-2368 E-mail: [email protected] Liberty Mutual Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] Forward-looking statements This press release, and any related oral statements, may contain forward-looking statements that are based on certain assumptions, expectations and opinions of Talanx AG and Liberty Mutual management and include, but are not limited to, statements that represent the parties' expectations of timing for closing the proposed transaction. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond Talanx AG and Liberty Mutual's control may affect Talanx AG and Liberty Mutual's business activities, business strategy, results, performance and achievements. Should one or more of these factors or risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results, performance or achievements of Talanx AG or Liberty Mutual may vary materially from those expressed or implied in the relevant forward-looking statement. Neither Talanx AG nor Liberty Mutual guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are correct nor does Talanx AG or Liberty Mutual accept any responsibility for the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. Talanx AG and Liberty Mutual neither intend, nor assume any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments that differ from those anticipated. Footnote FX rates as of May 26, 2023 , USD/EUR = 1.07 FX rates used to translate 2022 year end premiums are as of December 31, 2022 , BRL/EUR = 5.66, CLP/EUR = 915.59, COP/EUR = 5,178.78 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/talanx-becomes-one-of-the-top-insurers-in-latin-america-through-acquisition-of-companies-from-liberty-mutual-301836219.html SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance; Talanx A view of a sarcophagus face found at the newly discovered site where two embalming workshops for humans and animals along with two tombs and a collection of artefacts were also found, near Egypt's Saqqara necropolis, in Giza, Egypt May 27, 2023. REUTERS/ By Hatem Maher SAQQARA, Egypt (Reuters) - Egypt unearthed human and animal mummification workshops as well as two tombs in the ancient burial ground of Saqqara, officials said on Saturday, marking the latest in a string of discoveries that the country hopes can help revive its vital tourism industry. Mostafa Waziri, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, told reporters that the two large "embalming workshops" date back to the 30th dynasty (380-343 BC) and the Ptolemaic (305-30 BC) eras. The discovery was made after a year-long excavation near the sanctuary of the goddess Bastet, which is home to the catacombs of mummified cats in Saqqara, some 30 kilometres (18.6 miles)south of Cairo. It was the same spot where hundreds of mummified animals and statues were uncovered in 2019. "We found embalming workshops, one for humans and one for animals. We found all the tools that they used (in mummification) in ancient times," Waziri said. Both workshops featured stone beds, clay pots, ritual vessels, natron salt, which is one of the main ingredients for mummification, and linens among other mummification instruments. The Saqqara excavations also led to the unearthing of two small 4,400 and 3,400-year-old tombs nearby, belonging to two priests, Ne Hesut Ba of the Old Kingdom's fifth dynasty and Men Kheber of the late kingdom's 18th dynasty respectively. Inscriptions of cultivation, hunting and other daily activities were found on the walls of Ne Hesut Ba's tomb while "scenes showing the deceased in different positions" were engraved in Men Kheber's tomb, officials said. Egypt has carried out extensive digging operations in Saqqara and other ancient locations in recent years, which resulted in a number of high-profile discoveries. The country plans to inaugurate the Grand Egyptian Museum, a state-of-the-art facility near the Giza Pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo, after construction is completed later this year. Egypt hopes it can further lure back tourists after the industry started to rebound of late, having been battered by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. Tourism revenues climbed to $7.3 billion in the second half of 2022, a 25.7% increase compared with the same period a year earlier, according to recently released central bank data. (Reporting and writing by Hatem Maher; editing by Clelia Oziel) An aerial view shows women dressed as handmaidens from "The Handmaid's Tale" as they take part in a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel May 27, 2 By Rami Amichay TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Amid a sea of hundreds, perhaps thousands of Israeli flags at an anti-government protest in Tel Aviv on Saturday, a plain white poster protruded with a handwritten message in black: "Democracy without compromise." For five months now, tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the street every week to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed judicial overhaul that would give politicians greater sway over selecting judges. It would also limit the power of the Supreme Court to strike down legislation. The protesters can claim some success in that the plan has not been approved as quickly as Netanyahu hoped, but his government remains committed to pushing through the changes. Under pressure at home and abroad, Netanyahu agreed to delay the overhaul to try to negotiate with the opposition a middle ground, but after shifting focus to passing a state budget last week, the highly-contested plan is again at the forefront. Netanyahu and his far-right and religious allies say the reforms aim to redress decades of overreach by the judiciary and to balance out branches of government. Critics see a threat to independence of the courts by the prime minister, who is on trial on graft charges he denies. Top economists and national security veterans have warned of fallout, saying an independent court system is crucial to Israel's economic strength and defences against attempts to isolate it internationally. Israel's president, whose role is largely ceremonial, has been mediating between the coalition and opposition. So far nothing has emerged. "I praise the president for his initiative and the temporary calm he managed to create, but factually, there hasn't been progress," said Gadi Eisenkot, an opposition lawmaker and former military chief. Eisenkot, in an interview with Israel's Channel 12, called for the proposed legislation to be frozen for a year. The demonstrations peaked in late March when Netanyahu sacked his defence minister after he broke ranks and called for the plan to be halted. Israelis spilled into the streets in an unprecedented spontaneous nationwide protest late into the night. Netanyahu later reversed his decision. Before the sun set on Saturday, ending the Jewish Sabbath, crowds once again gathered in Tel Aviv and other cities across Israel. With no official crowd sizes, it was hard to estimate whether the protest had less wind in its sails. Mira Marcus-Kalish, a university researcher, said she no longer keeps track of how many protests she attended. "I dont even count anymore," she said. "Somebody has to understand that we have our children and we have to leave a reliable country for them for the future. We dont have any other option." (Reporting by Rami Amichay and Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) FILE PHOTO: A logo of Petronas is seen at their office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 27, 2022. Picture taken on April 27, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysia's state oil firm Petronas said on Saturday an anti-corruption probe into the firm's dealings involving a $90 million project had not found any wrongdoing by the company. Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said on Friday it was investigating allegations of corruption involving Petronas and an international oil and gas company in a project worth 399 million ringgit in the state of Sarawak. It did not identify the company. Petronas said the investigation was opened in relation to its award of a contract to a Malaysian subsidiary of an international upstream company in 2021. "Petronas had given full cooperation to MACC in the investigation that had not found any wrongdoing by Petronas, its employees, and directors," the company said in a statement to Reuters. The MACC said it had found "several weaknesses in practices, systems and work procedures" in its probe, and proposed improvements to Petronas' standard operating procedures as preventive measures. Petronas said it continues to improve and strengthen its standard operating procedures as part of an effort to prevent and fight all forms of corruption and misconduct. (Reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Kim Coghill) FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council via a video link in Moscow, Russia May 26, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Sunday ordered stronger border security to ensure "fast" Russian military and civilian movement into Ukrainian regions now under Moscow control. Speaking in a congratulatory message to the border service, a branch of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), on their Border Guard Day holiday, Putin said their task was to "reliably cover" the lines in the vicinity of the combat zone. Attacks inside Russia have been growing in intensity in recent weeks, chiefly with drone strikes on regions along the border but increasingly also deep into the country, including on an oil pipeline northwest of Moscow on Saturday. "It is necessary to ensure the fast movement of both military and civilian vehicles and cargo, including food, humanitarian aid building materials sent to the new subjects of the (Russian) Federation," Putin said in a message posted on the Kremlin's Telegram messaging channel. Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk are the four regions in Ukraine that Putin proclaimed annexed last September following what Kyiv said were sham referendums. Russian forces only partly control the four regions. On Saturday, officials said three people were injured in Ukrainian shelling in Belgorod, a region that was the target of pro-Ukrainian fighters this week that sparked doubts about Russia's defence and military capabilities. The Kursk and Belgorod Russian regions bordering Ukraine have been the most frequent target of attacks that have damaged power, rail and military infrastructure, with local officials blaming Ukraine. Kyiv almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia and on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, but said that destroying infrastructure is preparation for its planned ground assault. Ukraine indicated on Saturday that it was ready to launch a long-promised counteroffensive to recapture territory taken by Russia in the 15-month long war, a conflict that has claimed the lives of thousands and turned Ukrainian cities into rubble. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Daniel Wallis) FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attend a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia April 6, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kr By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Saturday dismissed criticism from U.S. President Joe Biden over Moscow's plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, saying Washington had for decades deployed just such nuclear weapons in Europe. Russia said on Thursday it was pushing ahead with the first deployment of such weapons outside its borders since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the weapons were already on the move. Biden said on Friday he had an "extremely negative" reaction to reports that Russia has moved ahead with a plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. The U.S. State Department denounced the Russian nuclear deployment plan. "It is the sovereign right of Russia and Belarus to ensure their security by means we deem necessary amidst of a large-scale hybrid war unleashed by Washington against us," Russia's embassy in the United States said in a statement. "The measures we undertake are fully consistent with our international legal obligations." The United States has said the world faces the gravest nuclear danger since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis because of remarks by President Vladimir Putin during the Ukraine conflict, but Moscow says its position has been misinterpreted. Putin, who has cast the Ukraine war as a battle for the survival of Russia against an aggressive West, has repeatedly warned that Russia, which has more nuclear weapons than any other country, will use all means to defend itself. Tactical nuclear weapons are used for tactical gains on the battlefield, and are usually smaller in yield than the strategic nuclear weapons designed to destroy U.S., European or Russian cities. The Russian Embassy called the U.S. criticism of Moscow's planned deployment hypocritical, saying that "before blaming others, Washington could use some introspection". "The United States has been for decades maintaining a large arsenal of its nuclear weapons in Europe. Together with its NATO allies it participates in nuclear sharing arrangements and trains for scenarios of nuclear weapons use against our country." The United States has deployed nuclear weapons in Western Europe since U.S. President Dwight D Eisenhower authorised their deployment in the Cold War as a counter to the perceived threat from the Soviet Union. The first U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe were deployed in Britain in 1954. Much of the detail about the current U.S. deployment is classified, though the Federation of American Scientists says that the U.S. has 100 B61 tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Europe - in Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Frances Kerry) NEW YORK Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday will become the first woman to deliver a commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy, an institution that has made slow progress diversifying its ranks in the four decades since the first class of female cadets graduated. This year some 950 men and women are expected to take part in the graduation ceremony in West Point, New York. While Harris visits West Point, about 60 miles north of Manhattan, President Joe Biden heads to Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Thursday to address graduates at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Vice presidents typically travel to one of the federal service academies to address graduating classes. Harris' visit will be her first to the U.S. Army academy. Today, about one quarter of the student body are women. Only a few dozen graduates each year are Black women, like Harris, though the number has ticked up in recent years. The academy didn't admit women until 1976 and had its first female graduates in 1980. West Point dates to 1802. Since then, the college has educated future military leaders including Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. George Patton and Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Upon graduation, the cadets will be commissioned as Army second lieutenants. Last year, Harris addressed graduates at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. The year before, she spoke at commencement ceremonies for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, July 7, 1964: Airman 1st Class John F. Cody from Jacksonville, Fla., checks the program monitor in the control booth of the Armed Forces Radio-TV station at Adana, Turkey. Cody is in charge of radio and television production at the station. Nine AFTV service members produce the stations TV and radio broadcasts. Even with limited resources and space comprising of a small 15-by-20-foot studio, AFTV Incirlik Air Base in Turkey still manages to produce enough programming to fill their weekday 4 p.m. to midnight, and 12 to 12 weekend time slots with original programming. Looking for Stars and Stripes historic coverage? 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 https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/ RENK, South Sudan Tens of thousands of exhausted people are heading home to the world's youngest country as they flee a brutal conflict in neighboring Sudan. There's a bottleneck of men, women and children camping near the dusty border of Sudan and South Sudan and the international community and the government are worried about a prolonged conflict. Fighting between Sudan's military and a rival militia killed at least 863 civilians in Sudan before a seven-day ceasefire began Monday night. Many in South Sudan are concerned about what could happen if the fighting next door continues. "After escaping danger there's more violence," said South Sudanese Alwel Ngok, sitting on the ground outside a church. "There's no food, no shelter, we're totally stranded, and I'm very tired and need to leave," she said. Ngok thought she'd be safe returning home after fleeing clashes in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, where she watched three of her relatives killed. She and her five children arrived in Renk, South Sudan, where people were sheltering on the ground, some sleeping with their luggage piled up near thin mats. Women prepared food in large cooking pots as teenagers roamed aimlessly. Days after Ngok and her family arrived, she said, a man was beaten to death with sticks in a fight that began with a dispute over water. Years of fighting between government and opposition forces in South Sudan killed almost 400,000 people and displaced millions until a peace agreement was signed nearly five years ago. Enacting a solid peace has been sluggish: The country has yet to deploy a unified military and create a permanent constitution. Large-scale clashes between the main parties have subsided, but there is still fighting in parts of the country. South Sudan has billions in oil reserves that it moves to international markets through a pipeline that runs through Sudan in territories controlled by the warring parties. If that pipeline is damaged, South Sudan's economy could collapse within months, said Ferenc David Marko, a researcher at the International Crisis Group. However, the most immediate concern is the tens of thousands of South Sudanese who are returning with no idea of how they'll get home to their towns and villages. Many are unable to afford the trip. Aid groups and the government are stretched for resources they can use to help. Some 50,000 people have crossed into the border town of Renk, many sheltering in stick huts along the road and in government buildings throughout the city. Some wander aimlessly in the market, desperately asking foreigners how to get home. People are arriving faster than they can be taken to new locations. The longer they stay, the greater the risk of fighting between communities, many with longstanding grievances stemming from the civil war. Many are frustrated because they don't know what lies ahead. The power struggle in South Sudan between President Salva Kiir, a Dinka, and Vice President Riek Machar, a Nuer, took on an ethnic dimension during the civil war. Communities in Renk said that the conflict that broke out over water in May and led to the killing of the man with sticks quickly became a wider dispute between the ethnic groups, forcing people to flee once again. At first, the local government wanted to divide the South Sudanese returning through Renk, based on their place of origin. Aid groups, however, pushed back. Together with the government and community leaders, the aid groups are engaging in peace dialogues. "We are worried (about more violence)," said Yohannes William, the chairman for the humanitarian arm of the government in Upper Nile state. "The services that (are) being provided here, they are limited. We have been told that this is a transit center, anyone who comes should be there two days or three days and then transit." "But now, unfortunately, due to the delayment of transportation, they have been there for more than two weeks, three weeks," William said. Situated at the northernmost tip of South Sudan, Renk is connected to other parts of the country by few roads. The main routes are flights or boat trips along the Nile, and many people can't afford them. The United Nations' International Organization for Migration is trying to send the most vulnerable South Sudanese who have returned some 8,000 people home by boat, with the goal of transporting nearly 1,000 people daily along the Nile to the state capital of Malakal. However, the trips have just begun, and problems in coordination between aid groups and the government at the port this month delayed people from leaving, with children, babies and the sick camped by empty boats for days under the scorching sun. Aid workers say it could take up to two months to decongest the city, which has nearly doubled in size. But Malakal already hosts some 44,000 displaced people in a United Nations protection camp, many still too afraid to leave for security reasons. "The problem is 'an out of the frying pan, into the fire' conundrum, because we're moving them to Malakal, and Malakal is itself congested," Nicholas Haysom, the United Nations chief in South Sudan, told The Associated Press. Some who have already returned to Malakal from Sudan say they're unsure if there's a home to go back to, having had no contact with their families during the civil war. "I don't know if my relatives are dead or alive," said William Deng. The 33-year-old hasn't been able to speak to his family in neighboring Jonglei state, which has little phone service, since returning in early May. The government says that it has funding for 10 charter planes to fly people from Renk to parts of the country harder to reach by boat. But Renk's tiny airport can't support large planes, so each flight can only hold 80 people. "The situation is dire (South Sudan) is now being forced to receive additional refugees and returnees. As a result, the humanitarian needs in the country will continue to grow," said Michael Dunford, regional director for East Africa for the World Food Program. Even before this crisis, 70% of the population needed humanitarian assistance, and the World Food Program can't meet their needs, he said. Traders in Renk, who get the majority of their goods from Sudan, say they're already feeling the economic pain, with prices spiking 70%. "I used to send my family $100 a week. Now I send half that," said Adam Abdalla Hassan. The Sudanese shop owner supports his family in Sudan, but now is earning less because people don't have enough money, he said. Those who returned say they've received little information about where or how they're supposed to get home, and worry they won't make it in time before the rainy reason, which starts soon, floods roads and makes it harder to fly. "How can we stay here under the rain with the kids?" said Ehlam Saad. Holding up her UN-issued wristband, the 42-year-old said she's been living in Renk for nearly three weeks. She has no idea how she'll get to the capital of South Sudan, Juba, where she and her family lived before the war. Her only choice now is to find a way home and reunite with her husband and son, she said. "A home is a home. Even if there's fighting, even if you move around the world, even if it's the worst option, it's home," she said. A passenger caused chaos on an Asiana Airlines flight over South Korea on Friday by opening a door, injuring at least 12 people, who were treated for breathing problems. The plane was traveling from the southern island of Jeju to the city of Daegu, about an hour away, and was minutes from landing at Daegu International Airport when the incident unfolded. The plane landed safely in Daegu, authorities told the Associated Press. Police detained a 33-year-old man suspected of throwing the door open, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported. Police said the man confessed to opening the door but would not say why he did it. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement that any person who breaches the Aviation Security Act - actions that include passengers operating doors, exits or equipment inside an aircraft - could be prosecuted and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. "I thought the plane was going to explode. ... It looked like passengers next to the open door were fainting," a passenger told Yonhap. In a video that appeared to have been captured by a passenger and shared widely on social media and distributed by Reuters, wind whips the plane's cabin, battering passengers and sending unsecured fabric flapping. Flight attendants tried but failed to stop the man, Yonhap reported. "Flight attendants shouted for help from male passengers and people all around clung to him and pulled him in," a witness told the news agency. The plane was carrying 200 people, including 194 passengers, South Korean outlets reported. The airline's office at the Daegu International could not immediately be reached for comment. "It is a development initiative that serves the whole world for achieving justice, peace, and security." Iraqi experts have spoken highly of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Produced by Xinhua Global Service (Tribune News Service) Germany has been Europe's economic engine for decades, pulling the region through one crisis after another. But that resilience is breaking down, and it spells danger for the whole continent. Decades of flawed energy policy, the demise of combustion-engine cars and a sluggish transition to new technologies are converging to pose the most fundamental threat to the nation's prosperity since reunification. But unlike in 1990, the political class lacks the leadership to tackle structural issues gnawing at the heart of the country's competitiveness. "We've been naive as a society because everything seems fine," BASF Chief Executive Officer Martin Brudermuller told Bloomberg. "These problems we have in Germany are accumulating. We have a period of change ahead of us; I don't know if everyone realizes this." While Berlin has shown a knack for overcoming crises in the past, the question now is whether it can pursue a sustained strategy. The prospect looks remote. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's makeshift coalition has reverted to petty infighting over everything from debt and spending to heat pumps and speed limits as soon as the risks of energy shortfalls eased. But the warning signals are getting hard to ignore. Despite Scholz telling Bloomberg in January that Germany would ride out Russia's energy squeeze without a recession this year, data published Thursday show that the economy has in fact been contracting since October and has only expanded twice in the past five quarters. Economists see German growth lagging behind the rest of the region for years to come, and the International Monetary Fund estimates Germany will be the worst-performing G-7 economy this year. Nonetheless, Scholz again sounded upbeat. "The prospects for the German economy are very good," he told reporters in Berlin after the latest economic data. By unlocking market forces and cutting red tape, "we are solving the challenges that face us." The risk is that the latest numbers aren't a one-off, but the sign of things to come. Germany finds itself ill-suited to sustainably serve the energy needs of its industrial base; overly dependent on old-school engineering; and lacking the political and commercial agility to pivot to faster-growing sectors. The array of structural challenges points to a cold awakening for the center of European power, which has become accustomed to uninterrupted affluence. To its credit, industrial behemoths like Volkswagen, Siemens and Bayer are flanked by thousands of smaller Mittelstand companies, and the country's conservative spending habits put it on a stronger fiscal footing than its peers to support the transformation ahead. But it has little time to waste. The most pressing issue for Germany is getting its energy transition on track. Affordable power is a key precondition for industrial competitiveness, and even before the end of Russian gas supplies, Germany had some of the highest electricity costs in Europe. Failure to stabilize the situation could transform a trickle of manufacturers heading elsewhere into a stampede. Berlin is responding to concerns by seeking a cap on power prices for some energy-intensive industries like chemicals through 2030 - a plan that could cost taxpayers as much as 30 billion ($32 billion). But that would be a temporary patch, and shows Germany's desperate situation in terms of supply. After shutting its last nuclear reactors this spring and pushing to phase out coal as soon as 2030, the country installed around 10 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity last year - half the pace it needs to hit climate targets. Scholz's administration aims to hook up roughly 625 million solar panels and 19,000 wind turbines by 2030, but promises to accelerate the rollout to months from years have yet to bear fruit. Meanwhile, demand is expected to soar due to the electrification of everything from heating and transportation to steelmaking and heavy industry. "We're now seeing a resurgence, if you'd like, with some real market momentum," Siemens Energy Chief Financial Officer Maria Ferraro told a Bloomberg New Voices event in Frankfurt on Thursday. "We have an overflowing order book." The bitter reality is that resources for generating that much clean power are limited in Germany by its relatively small coastline and lack of sun. In response, the country is looking to build a vast infrastructure to import hydrogen from the likes of Australia, Canada and Saudi Arabia - banking on technology that hasn't been tested at this scale. At the same time, Germany will need to speed the construction of high-voltage grids linking wind farms off the coasts in the north to power-hungry factories and cities further south. And there's little in the way of storage to ensure the country can withstand disruptions. "Germany needs cross-party agreement on the speed of expansion of renewable energy infrastructure," said Claudia Kemfert, professor of energy economics at the DIW research institute in Berlin. After the next national election in 2025, "other political constellations could stall the energy transition again. That would not be good for Germany as a place of business." Europe's powerhouse economy looks like it has a well-funded and established system to generate ideas to keep its economy on the cutting edge. Spending on research and development is the fourth-highest in the world behind only the U.S., China and Japan. Around a third of patents filed in Europe come from Germany, according to data from the World Patent Office. Much of the innovation power though is embedded in big companies like Siemens and Volkswagen, and focused around well-established industries. While small manufacturers still thrive, the number of new start-ups is declining in Germany - in contrast to growth seen in other developed economies, according to the OECD. The reasons include excess bureaucracy - company registrations often taking place in paper form - and a cultural aversion to risk. Financing is also an issue. Venture-capital investment in Germany totaled $11.7 billion in 2022 compared with $234.5 billion in the U.S., according to DealRoom. Germany also labors under a ponderous academic system and doesn't have a single university in the top 25 of the latest Times Higher Education ranking. Patent data shows that Germany's ability to stay at the forefront is fading. In 2000, the country was among the top three for world-class patents in 43 of 58 key technology categories, but in 2019, it achieved that rank in fewer than half the number of areas, according to a recent study by the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Nowhere is Germany's disappearing technological edge more obvious than in the auto sector. While brands like Porsche and BMW defined the combustion-engine era, Germany's electric cars have struggled. BYD overtook VW to become the best-selling car brand in China last quarter. Key to its push was an electric model that costs around a third of VW's ID3, but offers greater range and connectivity with third-party applications. Much of Germany's wealth and social order rest on a vibrant manufacturing sector that provides well-paid blue-collar jobs. But that strength has led to dangerous dependencies on overseas markets for orders and raw materials - above all China. Like other democracies in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Berlin is now trying to unwind its reliance on the Asian superpower, but Germany's biggest companies aren't paying heed. There are two key areas where Germany punches well below its weight and could be ripe for broadening out its economy: finance and technology. Much of Germans' money is held by a network of around 360 public-sector savings banks, so-called Sparkassen. These institutions are controlled by local communities, raising potential conflicts of interest while also diluting the country's financial muscle. Germany's two biggest listed banks - Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank - have been mired in controversy for years, and while they're on the mend, they're still undersized compared to Wall Street peers. Their combined market capitalization is less than a tenth of JPMorgan Chase's. In technology, Germany's biggest player is SAP, which dates from the 1970s and makes complex software that helps companies manage their operations. There's little in the way of new national champions on the horizon. Digital payments company Wirecard briefly filled that role before collapsing in a sensational accounting scandal. The prerequisites aren't promising. Germany's lack of investment is particularly acute in digital technology. Despite infrastructure that had it ranked 51st in the world for fixed-line internet speeds, it had the fourth-lowest spending among OECD countries relative to the economy's size. "Years of underinvestment has left Germany lagging," said Jamie Rush, chief European economist for Bloomberg Economics. "Berlin will need to spend more and make it easier for infrastructure projects to get off the ground." To accelerate a long-delayed rollout, Scholz's administration unveiled a plan to overhaul the planning process for installing fiber-optic cables and mobile communication infrastructure. Germany needs to address its issues with a long-term program, but that looks questionable. Scholz won the chancellery with the lowest level of support in the postwar era as voters ditched the tradition of handing a clear mandate to either the Social Democrats or the Christian Democrat-led conservative bloc. With Scholz's messy three-way coalition racked with bickering, Germany is poised for instability, and the far-right Alternative for Germany has seized on the political vacuum, vying for second in some polls. Fragmentation risks intensifying as the population ages, pitting comfortable pensioners against young people worried about their futures. The tensions have sparked disruptive protests, and authorities this week searched 15 properties across Germany in connection with an investigation against a group of climate activists. Germany's industrial base is already feeling the pinch of its demographic shift. Recent surveys have found 50% of firms cut output due to staffing problems, costing the economy as much as $85 billion per year. This year, more than 1 million Germans will reach retirement age - about 320,000 more than those becoming adults. By the end of the decade, the German employment agency says the shortfall will rise to as much as 500,000 - roughly equivalent to the city of Nuremberg, adding to the strains on the economy. In a recent report, the OECD put the scale of the challenges in stark terms: "No major industrialized economy has ever had the very basis of its competitiveness and resilience so systematically challenged by changing social, environmental and regulatory pressures." That in turn will ripple across the entire continent, according to Dana Allin, a professor at SAIS Europe. "The health of the German economy is crucial for the broader European economy, and the bloc's harmony and solidarity," he said. Bloomberg's Petra Sorge, Josefine Fokuhl, Iain Rogers, Michael Nienaber, Oliver Crook, Anna Edwards, Zoe Schneeweiss and Craig Stirling contributed to this report. BERLIN (Tribune News Service) Ukraine has asked the German government to provide long-range Taurus missiles, which would be capable of hitting Moscow. A spokeswoman of the German defense ministry said that the request from Kyiv had arrived in Berlin in the past few days, but did not want to give any further details. The request, which was first reported by the Sunday edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, touches a sensitive issue for the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The Taurus missile has a range of up to 310 miles and could thus also potentially hit Moscow, which only lies around 280 miles away from the Ukraine border. Scholz has repeatedly warned Ukraine not to use German weapons to attack targets on Russian territory. Ukraine has pledged not to attack Russian territory with Western weapons. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally asked Scholz for the missiles during his recent visit in Berlin, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported. The ministry spokeswoman denied to comment and also didnt say when a decision can be expected. 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. KYIV, Ukraine Ukraine's military intelligence has claimed, without offering evidence, that Russia is plotting a "large-scale provocation" at a nuclear power plant it occupies in the southeast of the country with the aim of disrupting a looming Ukrainian counteroffensive. A statement released Friday by the intelligence directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry claimed that Russian forces would strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe, and then report a radioactive leak in order to trigger an international probe that would pause the hostilities and give the Russian forces the respite they need to regroup ahead of the counteroffensive. In order to make that happen, Russia "disrupted the rotation of personnel of the permanent monitoring mission" of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency that was scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. It didn't offer evidence to back up any of the claims. The IAEA said in an emailed response to the AP that it did not have any immediate comment on the allegations, and Russian officials did not immediately comment on the Ukrainian claims. The White House said it is watching the situation closely and has seen no indication that radioactive material has been leaked. The claim mirrors similar statements Moscow regularly makes, alleging without evidence that Kyiv is plotting provocations involving various dangerous weapons or substances in order to then accuse Russia of war crimes. It comes as Moscow's military in Ukraine braces for a looming counteroffensive by Kyiv's forces, which hasn't started yet but could begin "tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, told the BBC in an interview Saturday. The Zaporizhzhia power plant is one of the 10 biggest nuclear plants in the world. It is located in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in southeastern Ukraine. The plant's six reactors have been shut down for months, but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features. Fighting near it repeatedly disrupted power supplies and has fueled fears of a potential catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, where a reactor exploded in 1986 and spewed deadly radiation, contaminating a vast area in the world's worst nuclear disaster. In other developments: Russia on Saturday reported more attacks on its territory, with drones crashing in its western regions and areas on the border with Ukraine coming under shelling. Two drones attacked an administrative building of an oil company in Russia's western Pskov region that borders Belarus, Latvia and Estonia, Pskov Gov. Mikhail Vedernikov reported Saturday. The building was damaged as the result of an explosion, Vedernikov said. Another drone went down in the Tver region about 150 kilometers (90 miles) north of Moscow, local authorities said. Russia's Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine on Saturday came under multiple rounds of shelling, killing one person, according to its governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. In the neighboring Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine, one person was killed by cross-border mortar fire, its Gov. Roman Starovoit said. The British military said Saturday that Russia's private military force, Wagner, is withdrawing from areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut that Moscow claims to have captured earlier this month. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier this week announced the pullout, saying Wagner would hand control over the ruined city over to the Russian military. Some were skeptical, however: Prigozhin is known for making unverifiable, headline-grabbing statements on which he later backtracks. But the British Defense Ministry said in a series of tweets Saturday that Wagner fighters "have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions" around Bakhmut. "The Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town," the ministry said. Darlene Superville in Washington DC contributed to this story. When the banker learned a court had affirmed Jeffrey Epstein's status as a sex offender likely to harm more victims, she had a terse response. "Oh boy," Mary Erdoes wrote in a 2011 email to a fellow executive at JPMorgan Chase, where Epstein was a client for 15 years. It was at least the sixth time Erdoes, who leads the bank's asset and wealth management division, had been alerted to Epstein's criminal or civil legal trouble for sex crimes. She had also been informed as early as 2006 that JPMorgan flagged suspicious activity on his accounts. Erdoes's statements in a nearly nine-hour deposition conducted in March shed new light on the actions of JPMorgan's highest-ranking officials while Epstein's conduct faced legal and public scrutiny. The Washington Post obtained the transcript of the deposition, much of which has been unreported until now. This report is based on Erdoes's answers in that deposition, as well as emails and other internal bank documents that were read into the record during the deposition or introduced as evidence in other court filings. Officials from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned a private island and gaudy mansion, and attorneys for his victims claim the bank was complicit in funding Epstein's long history of abuse and child sex trafficking. A complaint filed last month by the U.S. Virgin Islands cites Erdoes's deposition as evidence that JPMorgan knew of accusations against Epstein years before the bank severed ties with him. Not until 2013 did the bank end its business relationship with Epstein, identifying the financier's routine and massive cash withdrawals as the reason for terminating the relationship. JPMorgan has rejected the allegations in the lawsuit and expressed regret for its past association with Epstein. "We all now understand that Epstein's behavior was monstrous, and his victims deserve justice - but these suits are misplaced as we did not help him commit his heinous crimes," JPMorgan spokeswoman Patricia Wexler said in a statement. The deposition transcript shows Erdoes said she had been made aware of Epstein's convictions for sexual offenses, his status as a high-risk sex offender, and public allegations of abuse of minors and human trafficking. But she said she didn't think it was her responsibility to remove him as a client, launch an inquiry into his accounts or refer them to compliance officials. JPMorgan has a separate process for dealing with client-related legal issues, she said. Jes Staley, Erdoes's supervisor and one of Epstein's close friends, did investigate the allegations against Epstein by asking the financier about them, according to records read during the deposition. JPMorgan in a statement said it was "unfair for The Post to draw these kinds of conclusions without context for the relevant processes at JPMorgan, the tens of millions of clients, and the many professionals involved." Attorneys bringing the lawsuit have sought testimony or documents from a wide array of people who had varying levels of contact with Epstein, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who is scheduled to be deposed Friday. U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. is set to give a deposition on June 6. JPMorgan in a filing Thursday accused government officials on the islands of shielding Epstein from law enforcement officials in exchange for political donations. Attorneys for the U.S. Virgin Islands called the claim "an obvious attempt to shift blame away from JPMorgan Chase." Deutsche Bank, where Epstein took much of his wealth after leaving JPMorgan in 2013, recently agreed to pay $75 million to settle a similar suit. The lawsuits against the investment banks concern the extent to which various people in Epstein's orbit are accused of enabling the sprawling sex trafficking operation that led to his arrest in 2019, or at least looking the other way - and profiting - when they should have intervened. U.S. Virgin Islands attorneys say JPMorgan "knowingly facilitated, sustained, and concealed" Epstein's human trafficking network, while profiting from deals and clients Epstein brought into the bank. JPMorgan has denied any wrongdoing and said the claims in the U.S. Virgin Islands complaint are meritless. The company has also sued Staley, accusing him of acting on his own to advance Epstein's interests. Erdoes in the deposition said that it was the responsibility of the bank's legal team to exert controls on Epstein's accounts and that Staley communicated with him about the bank's periodic concerns. "The process by which those things work is that legal risk, compliance, including supervisory management . . . have a natural process they go to when they have things like this that get alerted to them," she said. That is a fair description of how most major banks' compliance systems should work, said Eric Chaffee, a professor at the University of Toledo College of Law. But he added that after repeated unexplained suspicious transactions and public reports of criminal behavior, bank officials have a legal responsibility to step in. "When you have a lot of red flags come up, it's one of those things where the senior executives certainly have some obligation to be talking to each other and figuring out what's going on," Chaffee said. "Ultimately, there does come a point where the bank, the financial institution, becomes outright complicit in regard to the crime." Wexler said that the bank regretted doing business with Epstein and "in hindsight, any association with him was a mistake." "We are committed to combating human trafficking, and we will continue to look for ways to invest in advancing this important mission," Wexler said. Attorneys representing Staley, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Epstein's victims declined to comment. On more than 100 occasions during the deposition, Erdoes said she did not recall details of her role helping supervise Epstein's accounts, some of which date back two decades. She described Epstein's crimes as "allegations" even though he pleaded guilty to procuring a child prostitute in 2008 and was declared a Level 3 sex offender - the most serious designation - by a New York state appeals court in 2011. Asked in the March 15 deposition whether she believed Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019, was engaged in sex trafficking, Erdoes said, "I don't know what to believe." Epstein first opened accounts at JPMorgan in 1998, and he became an important client. Through his own accounts and the ones he managed for former Victoria's Secret CEO Leslie Wexner, Epstein "generate[d] one of the largest annual revenue flows of private clients in the private bank," reads a JPMorgan due diligence report from 2003, when the private bank was considerably smaller, cited in the deposition. (Wexner severed ties with Epstein in 2008, and later said Epstein misappropriated $46 million of the Wexner family's money.) A 2006 internal bank report referenced Epstein's routine cash withdrawals several times a month in amounts ranging from $40,000 to $80,000, adding up to more than $750,000 a year. By 2008, Epstein had $121 million in accounts with JPMorgan, records read during the deposition show. But Epstein, a prodigious money manager, sought to bring the bank more business, according to legal filings, and profit from fees associated with the work. Throughout that period, according to filings, Epstein benefited from the friendship and internal advocacy of Staley, who preceded Erdoes as head of JPMorgan's wealth management unit. Staley, who became the head of British bank Barclays in 2015, described a "profound" friendship with Epstein, according to court records. He resigned from Barclays in 2021 after U.K. regulators launched an investigation into his relationship with Epstein. Text messages and emails entered into evidence by the U.S. Virgin Islands suggest "albeit cryptically, that Mr. Staley had sexual encounters" with Epstein's trafficking victims, Judge Jed S. Rakoff of the Southern District of New York wrote in a May order in the U.S. Virgin Islands case. In a 2006 email exchange with Staley that was read during the deposition, Erdoes described a Palm Beach Post article about Epstein being accused of soliciting minors as "so painful to read." Staley responded: "I went and saw him last night. I've never seen him so shaken. He adamantly denies the ages." Staley's departure from JPMorgan in 2013 allowed Erdoes to end the bank's relationship with Epstein, she said in the deposition. "There was no one there to vouch for Mr. Epstein," Erdoes said. In a legal filing last month, Staley's attorneys said JPMorgan's claims amount to "provocative media fodder," but "never explain how an employee [Staley] who is not alleged to have had decision-making authority over Epstein's accounts - and who is not alleged to have seen any of the suspicious account activity that other JPMorgan employees ignored - caused the plaintiffs' alleged injuries." Around that time, she said, she became aware that Epstein's regular withdrawals were in cash. At the time, Erdoes said, she did not see Epstein's criminal history and the withdrawals as related. "Never at the time was that something that I was connecting in my mind with anything to do with any of the allegations of what he may or may not have done," she said. Wexler said the firm "did not know that such transactions could have had anything to do with a sex trafficking operation." Banks have wide discretion to drop clients in the name of risk tolerance, experts say, and are sometimes encouraged by regulators to close suspicious accounts or face penalties. During the deposition, Erdoes said that it was not her responsibility to initiate internal investigations or flag concerns about Epstein's behavior that arose from legal developments or news reports about his convictions or suspected trafficking. Instead, she said repeatedly that it was the job of the bank's legal and compliance officers to vet the information. "My responsibility is not to do something with every piece of news media that comes out on our client base," she said later. Internal JPMorgan records referenced in the U.S. Virgin Islands complaint show that bank employees flagged Epstein's copious cash withdrawals as early as 2006. In a 2010 internal email also cited in the complaint, risk management officials surfaced "allegations of an investigation related to child trafficking." In 2011, according to the filings, JPMorgan's anti-money-laundering compliance director requested re-approval from JPMorgan's general counsel of the bank's relationship with Epstein "in light of the new allegations of human trafficking." Erdoes later in the deposition appeared to say the bank's policies were hazy when encountering a client accused but not convicted of certain crimes. "I don't know what the proper process is when it's an allegation," she said. OTTUMWA, Iowa (Tribune News Service) Remains from a former corporal in the U.S. Army are being returned to Ottumwa, over 70 years after he died. The remains of Ottumwa native Delbert L. White, who was captured and held as a prisoner of war during the Korean War, will return to Ottumwa for a funeral June 16 at 10 a.m. at Reece Funeral Home, followed by burial in the Calvary Cemetery in Ottumwa. Ottumwa City Council member Doug McAntire announced the upcoming funeral during the council's May 16 meeting. White's remains were accounted for last September. "I have the honor to co-officiate that funeral," said McAntire, who is a chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. "I think it's important to support a cause like this, because this doesn't happen every day. "To be missing for 72 years and find that the remains are from right here in Ottumwa, it's pretty special." White was 20 years old when he was captured, and he was part of the 2nd Infantry Division. According to his personnel file from the U.S. Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, White was part of a group that advanced within 60 miles of the North Korea-China border, but was counterattacked by 300,000 Chinese Communist Forces soldiers. The 2nd Infantry Division was then told to withdraw, but suffered heavy losses in action. White and others were captured by enemy forces Dec. 1, and were marched toward POW Camp No. 5 in North Korea where he died of malnutrition March 18, 1951. Initially, during Operation Glory in 1954, which marked the postwar exchange of casualties, 550 sets of remains from the camp were returned, but White's were among the 38 sets that went unidentified and were buried as "unknowns." However in October 2019, as part of an exhumation project of White's camp, one set of remains was found and sent to DPAA for study. It was determined through dental and anthropological analysis, chest radiograph comparison and circumstantial evidence that the remains were White's. Because he could not be identified initially, White was already memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1956. A rosette will be placed next to his name at that site to indicate he has been accounted for. According to list of Korean War MIA's published in the Des Moines Register in 1953, White's was listed as "the son of Mrs. Darlene Edith White, Belknap." (c)2023 the Ottumwa Courier (Ottumwa, Iowa) Visit the Ottumwa Courier Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday ruled out negotiations with Imran Khan, stating talks could not be held with those who attacked the state, rather were awarded punishment. In a statement, the minister said Imran Khan was not appealing for negotiations, he was, in fact, seeking an NRO. Taking a jibe at Imran, she said the foreign agent who committed robbery on Rs 60 billion was to be brought to justice. She ruled out talks with those who attacked sensitive installations and buildings which were symbols of national pride including General Headquarters, those who desecrated the memorials of martyrs and Ghazis, who attacked ambulances, hospitals and schools and were involved in vandalism. She said talks cannot be held with those who poisoned the minds of the youth. The minister said that negotiations could not be held with the leaders of the "criminals and terrorists". She said while his party crumbled like a castle of sand, Imran was pleading for talks, recalling how electables were brought in planes to join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Marriyum Aurangzeb opined that parties not formed on any political ideology were disintegrated like the PTI. The entire leadership of the PML-N including Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shahbaz, Maryam Nawaz spent hundreds of days in jails and detention centres, she said adding they faced false cases but stood firm and finally emerged victorious. She said Imran Khan refused to negotiate with his political opponents on the economy, Kashmir and security issues. Imran was not ready to sit with the opposition parties on critical issues like corona pandemic and the FATF issue, she said. She maintained that dialogue could not be held with those who set the country on fire, create chaos and anarchy, fills the minds of masses with hatred, and harbour armed groups. Russia on Saturday dismissed criticism from US President Joe Biden over Moscows plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, saying Washington had for decades deployed just such nuclear weapons in Europe. According to interantional media reports, Russia said on Thursday it was pushing ahead with the first deployment of such weapons outside its borders since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the weapons were already on the move. Biden said on Friday he had an extremely negative reaction to reports that Russia has moved ahead with a plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. The US State Department denounced the Russian nuclear deployment plan. It is the sovereign right of Russia and Belarus to ensure their security by means we deem necessary amidst of a large-scale hybrid war unleashed by Washington against us, Russias embassy in the United States said in a statement. The measures we undertake are fully consistent with our international legal obligations. The United States has said the world faces the gravest nuclear danger since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis because of remarks by President Vladimir Putin during the Ukraine conflict, but Moscow says its position has been misinterpreted. Putin, who has cast the Ukraine war as a battle for the survival of Russia against an aggressive West, has repeatedly warned that Russia, which has more nuclear weapons than any other country, will use all means to defend itself. Tactical nuclear weapons are used for tactical gains on the battlefield, and are usually smaller in yield than the strategic nuclear weapons designed to destroy US, European or Russian cities. The Russian Embassy called the US criticism of Moscows planned deployment hypocritical, saying that before blaming others, Washington could use some introspection. Get lost in a mesmerizing sea of clouds that have blanketed the country after summer showers. Numerous places across China, including Hubei, Anhui, Hebei, and Guangxi have been blessed with these enchanting and dreamlike natural images. Caolan Quinn appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court by videolink from police custody on Saturday An alleged domestic abuser has appeared in court accused of burning, punching and holding his heavily pregnant partner prisoner. Caolan Quinn appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court by videolink from police custody on Saturday. The 26-year-old confirmed that he understood the five charges against him, alleged to have been committed between May 21 and 24. Quinn, from Carlisle Square in Belfast, is accused of attempting to inflict GBH with intent, intimidation, false imprisonment, assault and a domestic abuse offence by pursuing conduct likely to cause physical or psychological harm. According to the police case, the seven months pregnant complainant was with Quinn when he started an argument about dropping charges made previously. Reading from the case summary, District Judge Peter Magill outlined how Quinn called her inappropriate names she said she would not drop them. He punched her to the right side of her head three times, lifted a hot iron and pressed it to her arm several times causing burns. A detective constable, who testified that he believed he could connect Quinn to each of the charges, handed up copies of photographs of the burns. District Judge Magill said there are clear marks of injury to her arm. Accused of keeping the pregnant complainant prisoner for four days, Quinn allegedly locked the door and would not allow her to leave and pushed her to stop her from leaving. Quinn declared: I swear Im totally innocent, I have not done anything, I didnt do that there, claiming that while the victim is burned, she burned herself on the cooker making curry. But the judge said: If she got that from the hob, she mustve held her arm against it more than once. Defence solicitor Pearse MacDermott told the court that according to Quinn there is no iron in the flat, adding that during interviews he made the case that at all times she was free to leave. District Judge Magill said while he was not trying the case, the allegations are of the utmost seriousnessin all the circumstances Im afraid that he would commit further offences, particularly in regard to this injured party who needs, it would appear, protection. The only way that can be done adequately will be to remand him into custody, said the judge, who adjourned the case to June 20. Its a complicated case, he said, an allegation involving a tenant and a landlord. A PENSIONER landlord accused of lunging at a tenant with a circular saw could have his case moved to the circuit court where the offence on which he is charged carries a sentence of up to seven years in prison. Eighty-year-old Thomas Walsh, with an address in Salthill, Galway, appeared before Ballinasloe District Court on Thursday charged with an offence contrary to section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Act 1997. The court previously heard it had been alleged that Walsh, on April 17, 2023, at the Aonoch apartments, Dunlo Hill, Ballinasloe, did intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct. The conduct alleged was that he lunged at Mr Muhammed Raheel while operating a power hand-saw in an aggressive and threatening manner which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. After the case was called, Judge James Faughnan was informed by gardai that they were still awaiting directions from the DPP as to whether the case should be heard at district or circuit court level. Thomas Walsh If found guilty of section endangerment at district court level, an accused faces a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison and a 1,500 fine. However, if the DPP decides the matter is too serious to be heard in the district court, or a judge refuses jurisdiction and sends it forward to the circuit court, the maximum penalty rises to seven years. The court was told, pending the receipt of directions from the DPP, gardai were requesting a two-month adjournment. Counsel for Walsh told Judge James Faughnan his client had no objections to this. Its a complicated case, he said, an allegation involving a tenant and a landlord. Walsh was originally charged on April 20 of this year, three days after footage emerged on social media showing a circular saw being used to cut through the front door of a property rented by Portiuncula Hospital surgeon Dr Muhammed Raheel Bethel, his wife and two young daughters In the clip shared online, a man issued a number of threats to Dr Raheel while wielding a circular saw at the front door of his property. At the start of the shared video, the blade from a circular saw can be seen from inside, cutting through the door alongside the lock. A man is seen brandishing a saw was caught on camera at the front door of Dr Raheels home Dr Raheel then tells a man standing outside: Stay there, Im going to call the guards. The man responds: Go on, yeah go on. Again, urged to stay there by Dr Raheel, the man responds: No, no. This is my plan. You go to hell! Dr Raheel again tells the man: You cannot do this, but the man repeats: You go to hell! The man then switches on the circular saw and appears to raise it before moving forwards in Dr Raheels direction. Are you mad? asks the startled doctor in the footage. I am! the man replies. Im mad at you. You think I wouldnt do it? Ill f**king split you open you b**tard. You got it? Call the guards. Go on, call the f**king guards. I dont give a sh*t about your family or nothing. You will lose more than you have ever lost. At Thursdays sitting in Ballinasloe, Judge Faughnan remanded Walsh on bail to appear again on July 27. The drugs were seized after officers swooped on a vehicle in Balbriggan area of Co Dublin shortly after 7pm. Seizure of cannabis in Dublin. Photo: An Garda Siochana Gardai arrested one man and seized 3.92 million worth of cannabis yesterday in an operation targeting organised crime gangs. The drugs were seized after officers swooped on a vehicle in Balbriggan area of Co Dublin shortly after 7pm. During a search of the vehicle, a total of187 kilogrammes of cannabis herb and 30 kilogrammes of cannabis resin was seized. A garda spokesman said the arrested man remains in custody this morning. He said: On Friday 26th May 2023, as part of ongoing investigations targeting organised crime under Operation TARA, personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau supported by the Special Crime Task Force carried out an operation in North County Dublin. "One male aged in his 20s was arrested and is currently detained, under Section 2 of Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, at a Garda Station in North Dublin. "He can be held for up to seven days. The combined value of the drugs seized is estimated at 3.92 million and will be sent to FSI for analysis. Investigations are ongoing and further updates will follow. This seizure was made as part of Operation Tara an anti-drugs strategy launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in 2021. The aim Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national, local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs. The evacuation began after what is suspected to have been a viable pipe bomb was discovered in the arrested mans backpack. The Army Bomb Squad was called in after Tallaght Garda Station was evacuated this evening when a suspected pipe bomb was found in an arrested mans bag. The Dublin station was evacuated and the Irish Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal was requested. The alert was sparked when a man who was brought to the garda station by local officers was found to have a bag with contents of concern in his possession. The evacuation began after what is suspected to have been a viable pipe bomb was discovered in the arrested mans backpack. It can be revealed that the suspect in custody in relation to the pipe bomb incident is described as a gopher who is used by organised crime gangs in the Tallaght area. There is a bitter ongoing gangland feud in the Tallaght area that has seen attempted murders, shootings, damage to property and multiple threat incidents in recent weeks. It has not yet been established if this incident is linked to the drugs feud. The 40-year-old is originally from the Rathfarnham area and is described by senior sources as being a heavy drug user who is paid by more senior criminals in drugs rather than cash. Not considered a serious criminal, the arrested man is believed to have been used by an unknown criminal gang but possibly one of the mobs involved in the escalating Tallaght feud that has seen multiple recent serious incidents. While he remained in custody on Friday night, gardai have announced that Tallaght Garda Station has now reopened. Tallaght Garda Station has now reopened to the public and all road closures have been lifted, a garda spokeswoman said. The Irish Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team have completed their examination of the bag and contents. The bag and contents have been removed and will now be subject to further technical and forensic examination. A male in his 30s has been arrested and detained under Section 30 Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a South Dublin Garda Station. Investigations are ongoing. An Garda Siochana has no further comment at this time. Earlier, a garda spokesperson said: Members of An Garda Siochana on active patrol in the Tallaght area this evening, arrested a male. On arrival back at Tallaght Garda station an initial inspection of a bag in possession of the male has indicated contents of concern. As a precaution the Garda Station has been evacuated and the Irish Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal has been requested. An internal Law Society disciplinary committee found Ellis had been dishonest in her practice as a solicitor. A suspended Co. Leitrim solicitor, who is under investigation by the Law Society for running up a deficit of 560,000 in her client accounts, has now been hit with a separate 5,800 bill by Revenue. Orla Ellis, daughter of ex-Fianna Fail TD John Ellis, had the judgement registered against her by the Collector General on May 11. The exact sum of the judgement against Ellis, who secured a job with the Department of Social Protection in the wake of being suspended from practice by the High Court in August of last year, is for 5,833. Several probes into the actions within Elliss law firm Ellis & Co are ongoing. Earlier this year, it emerged an internal Law Society disciplinary committee found Ellis had been dishonest in her practice as a solicitor. This dishonesty caused a deficit in client funds where a number of elderly clients or the estates of dead people had been overcharged. An affidavit from a Law Society investigator, obtained by the Sunday Independent, said there was an acknowledged practice of teeming and lading, a form of bookkeeping fraud, by Ellis and she had accepted the contents of his critical report on her firm. The Law Society investigation found large bequests left by clients of Ellis to charities such as the Salvation Army and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind had not been paid as instructed to Ellis. The Irish Guides Dogs for the Blind later said it was probing the contents of the affidavit to find out if the charity had been affected. We approached the now suspended solicitor at her home in Fenagh, Co. Leitrim in an early April in an effort to have her address the findings. No, I dont want to talk to you, she told out reporter after we approached her. Then, citing personal health difficulties, she continued: I just cant deal with any of this anymore. My replying affidavit is only going in this week. Following an investigation by the Law Society and prior to a hearing about her activities, a solicitor representing Ellis said she wanted to have her name removed from the roll of solicitors and she accepted the investigation report in full. Ellis was not in a position to deal with the deficit in client funds and was receiving medical help. Mr Costello said the committee determined that Ellis had been dishonest in her practice as a solicitor and this dishonesty caused the deficit in client funds. The suspension of Ellis was confirmed by the High Court on August 18th by Judge Garrett Simmons. Officers attended and arrested a 51-year-old woman on suspicion of a number of offences, including carrying an imitation firearm in a public place Detectives are investigating a report that the female had a suspected firearm in the Joys Entry area yesterday. A 51-year-old woman was later arrested. Detective Sergeant Kennedy said: "Police received a report shortly after 2.05pm yesterday, Friday May 26, that a woman had a gun and was threatening to shoot a number of people in a licensed premises. "Officers attended and arrested a 51-year-old woman on suspicion of a number of offences, including carrying an imitation firearm in a public place. She remains in police custody at this time. "Our investigation is continuing and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area and saw what happened, or has any CCTV or dash-cam footage to call us on 101, quoting reference number 1020 of 26/05/23. Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100 per cent anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime. On Friday the Court of Appeal ruled that Enoch Burke must pay the costs for St Wilsons Hospital School in relation to the appeal. ENOCH Burke has been ordered to pay costs for his unsuccessful appeal attempting to overturn court orders preventing him from teaching or attending a Westmeath school. Members of Burkes family were removed from court by gardai amid chaotic scenes when he lost his appeal at the Court of Appeal on March 7 against a court order preventing him from attending St Wilsons Hospital School where he worked as a teacher until his suspension last year and dismissal in January. His brother Simeon, a law student, was arrested and later convicted and fined 300 for causing a breach of the peace during the court hearing in March. Dublin District Court heard Simeon was shouting and screaming largely unintelligible insults in regards to transgenderism during his brothers appeal. He had to be physically removed from gardai as he grabbed benches, latched onto the door and put his feet against the wall as he was being brought out. Their sister Ammi was also physically ejected from the courts during the appeal hearing but was not charged with any offence. On Friday the Court of Appeal ruled that Enoch Burke must pay the costs for St Wilsons Hospital School in relation to the appeal. In a judgement delivered by Court of Appeal President Mr Justice George Birmingham said that Burke had made written submissions that no cost orders should be made. The submissions referred to the fact that issues of general importance were raised. It must be said that the submissions on the part of the appellant, to some extent, at least, involve a re-litigation of the issues that were before the Court on the appeal hearing where he was unsuccessful. Mr Justice Birmingham said that Board of Management of Wilsons Hospital School contended that the usual rule is that costs follow the event and that there were no substantial reasons of an unusual kind which would justify still less, require departing from that rule. We find ourselves in agreement with the submissions of the respondent. In our view, this is indeed a case where costs must follow the event, where there must be an order for costs in favour of the successful party, the respondent, the Board of Management of Wilsons Hospital School, and against the unsuccessful party, the appellant [Burke]. The costs will be determined by a legal costs adjudicator in default of agreement. It is just the latest costs order made against Burke who was suspended as a teacher at the school last August after he caused disruption at school events due to his unhappiness with directions by the school to use preferred pronouns of a student transitioning to a different gender. He continued to turn up at the school after his suspension and a court order banning him from the premises. He found in contempt of court for his refusal to comply with the court order and was jailed for 108 days. After his release from prison he continued to breach the court order and was later subjected to fines of 700 a day for continuing to breach the injunction. He was formally dismissed from his job in January but is appealing that decision. Burke has made regular appearances in court appealing various matter stemming from his dispute with the school but so far all have been unsuccessful. Last September the High Court ordered Burke to pay the costs of the schools initial legal action against him. In March the High Court ruled that Burke must also pay the schools legal costs for motions in relation to the contempt proceedings against him. Two weeks ago the High Court ruled that the decision to suspend Burke was lawful. Mr Justice Alexander Owens ruled that, due to Burkes behaviour at a school board of management meeting, it was "rational and reasonable" for it to expect him to engage in further harmful or disruptive conduct. Mr Justice Owens granted a permanent injunction against Burke turning up at the school 15,000 in damages for trespass in addition to the daily fines imposed for breaching the court orders. influencer Mohammed Hijab had been due to appear at the college to discuss the topic of hedonism. The organisers of a controversial speaking event at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) were forced to cancel after they were told they could not organise their own security for the event. The Muslim Students Association at TCD had arranged for author and influencer Mohammed Hijab to appear at the college to discuss the topic of hedonism. They were left in a Catch-22, however, after social media posts about the event left them unable to arrange for security in time. Under Trinity rules, events that are likely to require security need to give two weeks notice to college authorities. Just two days before the event in March, an anonymous Instagram account was set up drawing attention to it and Mr Hijabs views on gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. In emails to the organisers, TCD said: You will see, however, that in the case that an event [is] likely to give rise to a need for additional security, permission must be sought two weeks in advance. In this case, however, the indication that additional security might be required only became obvious after the Instagram postings were put up, precluding any timely application for permission. The organisers were told that once discussion of an event enters the social media sphere, the chance of disruption increased. In emails that followed, a staff member at Trinity said it was unlikely security would be authorised at short notice in which case the event would have to be cancelled due to safety concerns. A short time later, TCD wrote to organisers saying: It is the case that [the] college cannot provide security at short notice for this event on this date. In response, the organisers asked: Would it be permitted for the Muslim Students Association to arrange the necessary security privately? Twenty minutes later, the college answered: That would not be permitted at this notice. Records released under FOI also show how TCD and its provost received multiple emails from concerned students and groups asking for the event to be cancelled. One pointed to Mr Hijabs public appearances with the notorious social media personality Andrew Tate and comments he made about racial and religious tensions in England in 2022. Another said they were very uncomfortable with Mr Hijabs views on sexuality and that it would be damaging and disrespectful for the event to go ahead. Asked about the records, TCD said it had nothing further to add to its original statement which said: This is a student society event... The event had been approved. However, it has become clear that it has grown beyond capacity, so the event will not go ahead. DETROIT, the United States, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met here Friday with South Korea's Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, with both sides vowing to intensify bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Meeting on the sidelines of the two-day 2023 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, the two ministers exchanged views mainly on maintaining stability of industrial and supply chains and strengthening bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation. Noting that China-South Korea economic and trade relations have been continuously deepening under the strategic guidance of the two countries' heads of state, Wang said China's efforts in promoting high-standard opening-up will create new opportunities for countries worldwide including South Korea. China is ready to work with South Korea to deepen bilateral trade and investment cooperation, maintain the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain, and jointly push bilateral, regional and multilateral economic and trade cooperation to a new level, Wang said. Ahn said that the importance of South Korea-China economic and trade relations has been increasing in recent years, and the close cooperative relationship between the two countries has played an important role in ensuring the stability and unimpeded flow of the global supply chain. South Korea is willing to further deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation and expand the areas for bilateral cooperation under regional and multilateral frameworks, he said. Both sides agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in the field of semiconductor industrial chain and supply chain. Paul Simon says his new album came to him in a dream Irelands Professor Luke O'Neill has revealed how a special dream state that inspired some of the worlds most famous artists could help patients suffering from PTSD. The Trinity scientist told The Pat Kenny Show how a new study has shown a new light on what happens to our brains as we fall asleep. They reckon that as we doze off, it is a state called hypnagogia, something happens in our minds, he said. Our thoughts begin to clarify and then we begin to get, maybe, thoughts about certain ideas certain creative things begin happening. They talk about a collective unconscious being revealed. It is a funny state to be in and it seems to relax us in some way. If you are looking to solve a problem perhaps, maybe the solution will come to you. Or strangely you go into this dreamlike state and from those dreams might come certain creative things. Professor Luke O'Neill Musician Paul Simon spoke this week about how his newest album Seven Psalms came to him in a vivid dream. Paul McCartney also revealed how his classic song Yesterday came to him in a dream, while Fleetwood Macs Christine McVie and The Rolling Stones Keith Richards have also said they have had similar experiences In Paul Simons case, he said himself, it was when he was dozing, that is when he began to dream and the lyrics and the melody of a song came to him in that moment, Professor ONeill explained. It resonates, this idea of falling asleep and being creative. Prof ONeill said Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali purposefully woke himself up at night to make use of the hypnagogic state to paint images from his dreams. So certain artists have known for a while that during that phase of sleep, something creative happens in their brains, he said. Then they can be much more creative when they wake up and do their art." According to the professor, a new study has examined the phenomenon by using technology that can register when sleepers are entering the hypnagogic state and then testing their creativity. The study involved three groups one was told to think about trees as they started to dream, another was not given a suggestion and a third did not sleep at all. They were all woken up five minutes later and asked to write an essay about trees. Using a creativity score based on semantic distance, found that those who were told to dream about trees wrote about them far more creatively. They got an average of 78% on the creativity score whereas the ones who hadnt been told to dream about trees got a much lower creative score, he said. Paul McCartney has had similar experiences So, it looks like the dreaming process made them much more creative. He said scientists now believe the same process could be used to help patients suffering from PTSD. They do this by asking them to think about their trauma and allowing the hypnagogic state to help them process it. They also hope the process could be used to help people find creative solutions to everyday problems. Avas mother had campaigned fiercely to have her granted a medicinal cannabis licence to treat her daughter Tributes have been paid to Ava Barry, the young girl with a rare form of epilepsy, who has died age 13. Avas mother Vera Twomey had campaigned fiercely to have her granted a medicinal cannabis licence to treat her daughter. Ava suffered from severe and prolonged seizures through out her life, after she was diagnosed Dravets syndrome when she was a baby. Her mother managed to obtain the medicinal marijuana licence from then-Health Minister Simon Harris in 2017, after years of campaigning Ava died last night peacefully at Cork University Hospital surrounded by family. People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny who was heavily involved in Veras Twomeys campaign paid tribute to Ava this evening, saying that her mothers campaign had led to better access to medicinal cannabis for children in need. Its a very, very sad time for the family and the many people that supported Vera and Ava to get access to medicinal cannabis, he said. Obviously Veras family had to go through a long, long, long process to get access for Ava. But that process had made it easier for other families to get access. Kenny said that access to medicinal cannabis had provided great relief to Ava in the time that she had it. He said that Twomeys campaign had garnered huge public support. When Vera went walking from Cork to the Dail that was followed by hundreds of thousands of people, he said. The amount of goodwill that was shown by the Irish people was unbelievable. That eventually did change the law in Ireland, in terms of access. Ms Twomey who is from Aghabullogue, Co Cork had walked from Cork to Leinster House in Dublin on two occasions in a bid to highlight the plight of her young daughter. Ms Twomey published a book called 'For Ava' in 2019 in which she told of the struggles that her family experienced when her daughter was seriously ill. She was asked to speak in the House of Commons in London in 2019 about the benefits of the alternative medicine in treating conditions such as severe epilepsy. City of Malaga medal awarded to Axarquia philosopher Maria Zambrano, who was born in Velez-Malaga, has a train station, schools and parks named after her Pilar R. Quiros / Jennie Rhodes Malaga Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram The Velez-Malaga born philosopher, poet and thinker Maria Zambrano (born Velez-Malaga, 22 April 1904, died Madrid, 6 February 1991) was awarded a posthumous medal of the City of Malaga award and named favourite daughter of the city in a ceremony which took place at Malaga city hall on Monday 20 March. More than a decade has passed since Malaga city hall and Velez-Malaga town hall approved an institutional motion in May 2012, signed by all the political parties, to grant this distinction to Maria Zambrano. It was hoped that the posthumous title would be awarded on the 30th anniversary of her death, in 2021. However, it finally happened on Monday when she became only the eighth woman to be recognised by Malaga City Council since 1951, compared to more than fifty such distinctions awarded to men. 45 years in exile During Mondays ceremony, which was attended by representatives from Malaga city and Velez-Malaga, mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre talked of the 45 years Zambrano spent in exile from the Civil War until her return to Spain in 1984 when Spain had returned to democracy. In 1981 she received the Prince of Asturias Award, and in 1988 she would be awarded the Cervantes Prize in 1988. Zambrano was a "hard-working, reflective and demanding woman" with almost fifty published works, as the Mayor of Velez-Malaga, Antonio Moreno Ferrer, said. He referred to the towns Maria Zambrano Foundation, of which he is President. Female beacon He spoke of Zambrano by her first name, Maria, of whom he said she was a woman well ahead of her time, who in her book 'Persona y democracia' (person and democracy) argued that without democracy it was impossible for people to achieve equality. "If there were already links between Malaga and Velez, today they are strengthened through the Maria Zambrano Foundation", Moreno Ferrer said. He ended his speech with a quote from the philosopher: "Peace is much more than taking a stance, it is an authentic revolution, a way of living, a way of speaking on the planet, of inhabiting it, and a way of being a person". Manager of the Casa Natal Picasso, Jose Maria Luna, said that Zambrano's legacy and thought "has only grown over the years, becoming an obligatory reference for thinkers and poets, and that Federico Mayor-Zaragoza defined her as a "female beacon". Ampliar Moreno Ferrer and De la Torre during Monday's ceremony at Malaga's city hall SUR Maria Zambrano Alarcon was born on 22 April 1904 in Velez-Malaga. In 1905, the family moved to Madrid and a year afterwards to Segovia, where she spent her teenage years. Zambrano studied under and was influenced by fellow Spanish philosopher and essayist Jose Ortega y Gasset and went on to teach metaphysics at Madrid University and at the Instituto Cervantes from 1931 to 1936. During the 1920s and 1930s, she actively campaigned for the establishment of the Spanish Second Republic. She turned down the opportunity to go into politics and with the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, Zambrano openly sided with the Republicans and consequently went into exile after Franco and his allies won the war in 1939. After living in France, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Italy, France again and Switzerland, Zambrano finally returned to Madrid in 1984. She died on 6 February 1991 in Madrid and is buried in Velez-Malagas cemetery. Many schools, parks and other public places are named after Maria Zambrano, most notably Malaga citys train station. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Ibrahim Aati (R), a seven-year-old Yemeni child who cannot get access to proper medication, lies on a bed in his family hut in Midi District, Hajjah Governorate, northern Yemen, on May 25, 2023. Ibrahim Aati has endured excruciating pain from large, swollen lumps on his back and stomach for more than three years. Ibrahim is among millions of Yemenis who lack access to essential medical services. The outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in late 2014 has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced 4 million people, and wreaked havoc on the country's healthcare system and economy. (Photo by Mohammed al-Wafi/Xinhua) by Mohamed al-Azaki, Mohammed al-Wafi HAJJAH, Yemen, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Seven-year-old Yemeni Ibrahim Aati has endured excruciating pain from large, swollen lumps on his back and stomach for more than three years. In late 2019, he found it difficult to play, walk, or even sleep due to the pain. The pain only gets worse with each passing day. Muhammad, Ibrahim's father, took him to a hospital in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, where doctors told them that Ibrahim would need two surgeries, but not until he was four years old. The father and son returned to their village in the Haradh district of Hajjah Governorate in northwestern Yemen, hoping to raise money for the surgeries by selling watermelons. Muhammad sold some of his wife's gold and followed the doctors' instructions to wait for more time. But it was only a few days later that their hopes were dashed. Their homes and farms turned into a battleground for the warring parties in Yemen. Muhammad had to spend all of the family's savings to ensure their survival, and they fled their home empty-handed in search of a safe shelter. The family of nine then joined many other displaced families to settle in the government-controlled Midi District of Hajjah Governorate, where they had to make do with huts. After Muhammad lost his farm, the only source of his income, he had to discontinue Ibrahim's medical care. Although fighting has largely ceased in the area after a UN-brokered nationwide truce took effect in April 2022, the Aati family's everyday challenges remain. Most of Ibrahim's time is now spent lying alone on bed, where he prefers to rest on his left side. Whenever his pain becomes unbearable, the family rushes him to the nearby hospital. Unfortunately, the hospital lacks essential medicines, medical equipment, and specialized doctors. "Every day, numerous patients seek medical assistance here, but in many cases, including Ibrahim's, we are unable to provide adequate help or even the necessary medication," said Mohammed Saif, a doctor at the hospital. "We can only offer some painkillers to alleviate their sufferings. In critical situations, such as those involving cancer patients, we advise them to travel to specialized hospitals in larger cities," added Saif. Ibrahim is among millions of Yemenis who lack access to essential medical services. The outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in late 2014 has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced 4 million people, and wreaked havoc on the country's healthcare system and economy. Moreover, the conflict has cut road connections, impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid, and hindered access to healthcare facilities. Humanitarian corridors are yet to be fully established, exacerbating the plight of Yemenis. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in a report in March that over 2.3 million Yemeni children continue to reside in displacement camps, where their access to basic health, nutrition, education, sanitation, and hygiene services remains inadequate. Now, Ibrahim can no longer stand on his own. Fawziah Abkar, his mother, believes that his son will continue to suffer from the pain as long as lasting peace is not restored in the country. "My heart aches for Ibrahim, and our home has lost its joy. We can see his symptoms are getting worse day by day," she said. Ibrahim Aati, a seven-year-old Yemeni child who cannot get access to proper medication, totters into his family hut in Midi District, Hajjah Governorate, northern Yemen, on May 25, 2023. Ibrahim Aati has endured excruciating pain from large, swollen lumps on his back and stomach for more than three years. Ibrahim is among millions of Yemenis who lack access to essential medical services. The outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in late 2014 has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced 4 million people, and wreaked havoc on the country's healthcare system and economy. (Photo by Mohammed al-Wafi/Xinhua) Ibrahim Aati (Front), a seven-year-old Yemeni child who cannot get access to proper medication, stands in front of his family hut with the help of his father in Midi District, Hajjah Governorate, northern Yemen, on May 25, 2023. Ibrahim Aati has endured excruciating pain from large, swollen lumps on his back and stomach for more than three years. Ibrahim is among millions of Yemenis who lack access to essential medical services. The outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in late 2014 has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced 4 million people, and wreaked havoc on the country's healthcare system and economy. (Photo by Mohammed al-Wafi/Xinhua) Ibrahim Aati, a seven-year-old Yemeni child who cannot get access to proper medication, looks out through a window of his family hut in Midi District, Hajjah Governorate, northern Yemen, on May 25, 2023. Ibrahim Aati has endured excruciating pain from large, swollen lumps on his back and stomach for more than three years. Ibrahim is among millions of Yemenis who lack access to essential medical services. The outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in late 2014 has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced 4 million people, and wreaked havoc on the country's healthcare system and economy. (Photo by Mohammed al-Wafi/Xinhua) Webb, N.Y. A historic Adirondack inn is a total loss after an early morning fire Saturday, police said. At 2:45 a.m., the fire was reported at the Big Moose Inn, 1510 Big Moose Rd. in the town of Webb, Town of Webb police said. It is about 13 miles northeast of Old Forge. The blaze was fought for hours from land and from the water of Big Moose Lake. Firefighters were still on the scene as of 11:30, according to a worker at the Big Moose Volunteer Fire Department station. The owner of the inn, who lives next door, spotted fire near the rear pantry and ran to evacuate guests, police said. The guests were able to get out and no one was injured, police said. The inn appears to be a total loss, police said. In one photo from police, the inn appears to be reduced to rubble. The inn was built in 1903 and had 16 guest rooms total, according to the website. Big Moose Lake was where Grace Brown was murdered in 1906, a case that gained national attention. A novel based on her murder An American Tragedy was published in 1925 and is still in print. The movie A Place in the Sun starring Elizabeth Taylor was also based on the murder, according to the New York Times. Related article: Murder of Grace Brown: Relive infamous crime at Big Moose Lake in Adirondacks State fire investigators are on scene. The owners of the inn posted that they are overwhelmed with all of your words of support and offers to assist us during this very difficult time, according to the Inns Facebook. Everyone is safe. That is what is most important, they wrote. Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com. Join NY Cannabis Insider at our next industry networking event on June 8 at Beak & Skiff. Tickets will sell out. Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone! We at NY Cannabis Insider hope you all have a few great days of sunshine and barbecues, but in your downtime, check out the weed industry news we wrote about last week. Yesterday, NY Cannabis Insider Editor/Publisher Brad Racino broke a major story about New Yorks $200 million public/private cannabis social equity fund looking nearly fully funded. All signs point to the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) having lined up a major investor for the states $200 million cannabis social equity fund, a necessary component for rolling out the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary program. Additionally, we ran a story about the Office of Cannabis Managements plan to allow licensed cultivators and retailers to organize and sell weed at farmers markets this summer. During a meeting with the Cannabis Association of New York, OCM Director of Policy John Kagia told attendees the agency will allow conditional growers and Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries (CAURDs) to team up and sell products at a location other than the retailers shop. Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox: We announced our next NY Cannabis Insider industry meetup at The Distillery at Beak & Skiff (home of ayrloom) on June 8 from 4 p.m. 7 p.m. This should be a really fun event, and great for networking, so get your tickets ASAP! As New Yorks weed retail market fills out, local zoning decisions are becoming an increasingly problematic hurdle for dispensary owners, according to stakeholders we spoke with last week. A half-dozen cannabis business owners and service providers who spoke with NY Cannabis Insider said some cities and towns may allow weed businesses on paper, but are creating zoning standards that make it nearly impossible for dispensaries to open within their borders. Paula Collins, EA, Esq., a tax attorney dedicated to the cannabis industry and a co-founder of the NY Consortium of Cannabis Accountants, wrote a pair of guest columns for us last week. Collins wrote a piece about potential compromises cannabis stakeholders could make to create a New York industry that works for everyone. In Collins second column last week, she tackled low wages for legal weed retail employees. While the approximately $20 per hour may seem like great pay for retail, Collins provides a reality check. An hourly wage of $20.40 times 40 hours a week, times four weeks a month, times 12 months is an annual salary of $39,168, Collins wrote. Dont get sick. Dont take a vacation. Dont take time off to go to your grandmothers funeral. Scott Mazza, co-founder and COO of Buffalos Vitality CBD, contributed a guest column about how the rules for digital marketing of CBD are finally changing. Now, in certain regions and under specific conditions, cannabis companies can market to online audiences for the first time, Mazza wrote. New York cannabis attorney at Feldman Legal Advisors David Pejovic wrote a piece about cannabis receiverships that OCM proposed. This new proposal allows an individual to be appointed as a receiver to temporarily operate a licensed cannabis business. Continuing our NYs women in cannabis series, we ran a profile on Britni Tantalo, the president of Flower City Dispensary and CEO of the NY CAURD Coalition, a group of New York cannabis retail dispensary applicants and licensees. We also added a new entry to our People to know in NY cannabis series: Simon Malinowski, the managing attorney of Harris Brickens New York office. Lastly, we posted attorney Jeffrey Hoffmans latest Ask Me Anything segment, in which he answered questions about onsite consumption, John Q Public and the tipping point for federal legalization. Have a great long weekend everyone, well be back on Tuesday with plenty more. MOGADISHU, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has condemned Friday's terrorist attack by al-Shabab terrorists against a military base manned by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in southern Somalia. The EU said the latest attack against soldiers conducting peace support operations in Somalia only reinforces its commitment to stand with the region and to hold to account those responsible for these continuously heinous assaults against Somali citizens and those seeking to stabilize the situation in the country. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and military comrades of those affected," the EU said in a statement issued on Friday evening in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. ATMIS confirmed that al-Shabab extremists launched the dawn attack against its military base at Bulo Marer, about 120 km southwest of Mogadishu, using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and suicide bombers. ATMIS did not reveal further details on casualties but said it was assessing the situation on the ground. TusharK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Pune Posts: 5,254 Thanked: 46,400 Times Ola Electric plans to raise US$ 1 billion through an IPO Reports also state that Ola Electric has appointed Goldman Sachs, ICICI Securities, Axis Capital, Citi and Kotak Securities as lead managers for its IPO. The EV maker is also said to have appointed Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas as legal advisors. The Ola Electric IPO is expected to open in the last quarter of the current fiscal. It could be a combination of fresh issues of shares and offer-of-sale by existing investors, accounting for around 10% of the share sale. Ola Electric would be the first Indian EV maker to be listed. If the company is able to secure the US$ 10 billion valuation, it would make it the third most-valued 2-wheeler brand in India after Bajaj Auto and Eicher Motors. Source: Link to Team-BHP News According to a media report, Ola Electric is planning to launch an initial public offering (IPO) with the aim to raise between US$ 800 million to US$ 1 billion, with a valuation of US$ 10 billion.Reports also state that Ola Electric has appointed Goldman Sachs, ICICI Securities, Axis Capital, Citi and Kotak Securities as lead managers for its IPO. The EV maker is also said to have appointed Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas as legal advisors.The Ola Electric IPO is expected to open in the last quarter of the current fiscal. It could be a combination of fresh issues of shares and offer-of-sale by existing investors, accounting for around 10% of the share sale.Ola Electric would be the first Indian EV maker to be listed. If the company is able to secure the US$ 10 billion valuation, it would make it the third most-valued 2-wheeler brand in India after Bajaj Auto and Eicher Motors.Source: ET Auto Why it matters: A San Francisco jury has found Google guilty of infringing on a Sonos speaker patent, ending one of several multi-year legal battles between the home audio manufacturers. According to the decision, Google will have to reimburse Sonos for losses on more than 14 million devices, charged on a per-unit basis. The decision is the latest step in the far-reaching legal dispute between the former audio technology partners. The verdict, issued on Friday in a San Francisco courtroom, was based on the jury's decision that Google did in fact infringe upon U.S. patent number 10,848,885, also referred to as '885 in the filed verdict form. The patent covers Sonos' Zone Scene Management solution. According to the filing, Sonos has been awarded the total sum of $32,507,183.40. The judgment's total was derived from the verdict's $2.30 per unit royalty assessment, which was then applied against a total of 14,133,558 identified units. Sonos initially pursued legal action against Google back in 2020, filing suits in two courts alleging that Google knowingly infringed upon five separate patents related to wireless speaker syncing. The suit was upheld by the International Trade Commission in 2022, agreeing that Google fact violate the patents in question. Not to be outdone, Google countersued Sonos later that same year, alleging that Sonos infringed Google's hotword detection, wireless charging, and methods that define how a group of speakers determines which one should respond to voice inputs. This 2022 countersuit was completely separate from Google's previous 2020 countersuit, alleging that Sonos infringed on patents related to mesh networking, echo cancellation, digital rights management, content notifications, and personalized search functionality. The back-and-forth legal battle between Google and Sonos hasn't exactly been well received. Both companies have been accused of employing less-than-ideal tactics throughout the legal process. Last month, Federal Judge William Alsup expressed his displeasure regarding the conduct of both companies, labeling their actions as "emblematic of the worst patent litigation." The judge's criticism was delivered in his opinion submitted to the US District Court for the Northern District of California, citing the counsel's submission of almost 5,000 documents intended to support striking less than five paragraphs of information from two pre-trial expert reports. According to Alsup, "...it appears counsel moved to strike not out of prejudice but to secure an advantage for summary judgment and trial, emblematic of the worst of patent litigation." With neither party interested in backing down, there's a high likelihood we haven't seen the last of Sonos and Google's legal dance. While no additional action has yet been identified, Google's Peter Schottenfels told The Verge, "...we have always developed technology independently and competed on the merit of our ideas. We are considering our next steps." (Photo : Jason Sweeting) People are often told to follow their dreams, but in modern times, that's often easier said than done. Balancing the desire to pursue a career that aligns with one's passions with the need to maintain a steady income can be a challenging and complex task. This is a burden that weighed heavily on Jason Sweeting, a musician-turned-trader who believes that no obstacle is impassable as long as one possesses an unwavering commitment to one's ambitions and goals. Sweeting's love for music began at a young age, and he was determined to make it in the industry. In his pursuit of the American dream, he devoted himself entirely to music and worked tirelessly, determined to achieve success one step at a time. "For any talented musician, performing on stage in front of thousands of cheering fans is a dream come true," Sweeting says. "I was one of the lucky ones because not only could I make people happy with my work, but for a while, I earned just enough money to put food on the table." Nevertheless, the journey to success in the music industry is often a winding road riddled with unique challenges. One of the most significant obstacles is the financial strain many musicians face. Despite the talent and dedication required to succeed in the industry, the reality is that financial hardship is an all-too-common experience. "My biggest problem was that whether you're in the gig economy or any other type of nine-to-five job, you're dependent upon somebody else to make money," Sweeting explains. "Back then, I was always dependent on someone else, like a booking agent or a talent agent." For a long time, Sweeting was reluctant to give up on music, yet success remained out of reach. Despite his greatest efforts and determination, the financial toll of his pursuit caused a heavy blow to his wife and children. "There was a time when I was always on tour, but I wasn't making any money. And when I did have some money, it all went on food and bills. I did everything I could to take care of my family, but it wasn't enough," Sweeting recalls. As Sweeting struggled to make headway in the music industry, he realized that his financial circumstances could cause irreversible damage to his family. After reaching his lowest point - he knew that he wanted to propose but couldn't afford a ring, so he did it with a paper straw wrapper after sharing a soda and chicken finger meal. He even asked his in-laws to care for his wife and children - a glimmer of opportunity appeared seemingly out of nowhere. One day, when he went to a friend's house, Sweeting noticed something curious on his friend's computer. "I asked what the squiggly lines on his computer were," Sweeting recalls. "That was the first time I'd ever heard about the trading business." At that moment, Sweeting could not imagine that those 'squiggly lines' would be his way out of the financial quagmire, but he was most definitely intrigued. Eager to know more about how trading could give him the financial freedom he longed for, Sweeting wasted no time studying the market. "I read every book I could find," Sweeting shares. "It was a huge leap of faith, but I knew I had to take it. I felt I was on the right path." Through a process of trial and error, Sweeting learned the ins and outs of the market, eventually developing a foolproof method that allowed him to leave his stage of life for good. Fearless in the face of crises, he focused on building his business slowly but steadily, continuously learning from both written sources and networking with more successful traders. Twenty years later, having weathered a number of market crashes and cycles, Sweeting, now known as J the Trader, is a successful businessman with a company of his own. He has also founded the Jason Sweeting Trading Academy, a platform where he selflessly shares his knowledge and provides solutions to the hopelessness people feel regarding keeping their heads above financial water so they can truly enjoy life. "Gaining financial freedom requires training, tenaciousness, and self-control," Sweeting says. "But, more importantly, in order to succeed, I tell all of my students to forgive their past mistakes. Only by letting go can you truly set yourself on a path to success." 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Samsung has commenced the long-awaited release of the May 2023 security update for its popular mid-range smartphone, the Galaxy A34 5G. This significant update will fortify the device's security and overall stability. The rollout is now underway for two device variants, SM-A346B and SM-A346E, across multiple regions, including Africa, Asia, and Europe. Galaxy A34 5G Users in Select African and Asian Countries Receive Firmware Update According to the story by Sam Mobile, Galaxy A34 5G users in Europe can expect to receive firmware version A346BXXU2AWE2 as part of the latest software update. This version improves the device's security features, ensuring a more protected user experience. In select countries across Africa and Asia, such as Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Tunisia, and Turkey, users will receive the update with firmware version A346EXXU2AWE2. Other regions can anticipate the update on their devices within the coming days, as also noted in an article by RPRNA. To acquire the new security update, Galaxy A34 5G owners residing in eligible countries or regions can simply navigate to the Settings menu, locate the Software update section, and initiate the download and installation process with a few taps. For more technically inclined users, a manual installation option is available. Galaxy A34 5G Update Addresses Potential Vulnerabilities This method involves downloading the appropriate firmware file from Samsung's comprehensive database and utilizing the Odin tool on a Windows PC to flash the firmware onto the device. Samsung's commitment to user security is demonstrated through the timely release of this crucial update. The company aims to fortify the Galaxy A34 5G against emerging threats by addressing potential vulnerabilities, ensuring users enjoy a more secure and reliable mobile experience. As Samsung continues to refine its products based on valuable user feedback and industry standards, the release of the May 2023 security update for the Galaxy A34 5G reaffirms the company's commitment to delivering high-quality and secure mobile solutions. Users can rest assured that Samsung remains dedicated to their safety and satisfaction. Read Also: iOS 17 Voice-Cloning Feature: Everything We Know About Personal Voice; Release Date, Possible Risks, More Samsung's Dedication to User Feedback and Industry Standards Stay tuned for future updates as Samsung strives to exceed expectations and provide Galaxy A34 5G users with enhanced security features, improved performance, and a seamless mobile experience. With this latest update, Samsung once again demonstrates its commitment to delivering excellence and ensuring user confidence in its devices. By promptly addressing potential vulnerabilities and delivering enhanced security measures, Samsung aims to provide Galaxy A34 5G users with a reliable and protected mobile experience. This update improves the device's security features and underscores Samsung's dedication to continually refining its products based on user feedback and industry standards. As technology advances and new threats emerge, Samsung remains proactive in fortifying its devices, ensuring that users can confidently rely on their Galaxy A34 5G for a seamless and secure smartphone experience. An article by Android Headlines shares how other Samsung units are also getting a May update. Related Article: Google Play Games for PC Beta Will Be Available Soon in Europe, New Zealand 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Reports circulating in the tech industry suggest that Xiaomi's highly anticipated Redmi Watch 3 Lite may soon reach the Indian market. This exciting news comes as a renowned tipster on Twitter. Redmi Watch 3 Lite's Impressive Water Resistance Rating Mukul Sharma dropped a subtle hint on Twitter, sparking speculation among eager Indian consumers. While specific details regarding the Indian launch are yet to be officially revealed, the smartwatch has already debuted in China, providing valuable insights into its potential features and capabilities. According to the story by Gizmo China, boasting a generously sized 1.83-inch IPS screen, the Redmi Watch 3 Lite offers users a wide range of over 200 watch faces, ensuring a personalized and customizable experience. Health-conscious individuals will be delighted to know that the smartwatch has an array of integrated sensors. These include heart rate monitoring, SpO2 blood oxygen mapping, sleep tracking, and even a menstrual cycle tracker, empowering users to monitor their well-being and fitness levels easily. The device boasts a remarkable water resistance rating of 5ATM, making it suitable for various water-based activities without compromising its functionality. An earlier report by Notebook Check also gave a peek into some potential specs. Bluetooth 5.3 and Bluetooth Calling on Redmi Watch 3 Lite With Bluetooth 5.3 support and Bluetooth calling capabilities, seamless connectivity and communication are guaranteed for Redmi Watch 3 Lite users. This feature ensures that staying connected and managing calls on the go is a breeze, enhancing the overall convenience of the smartwatch. Battery life is a significant consideration for any wearable device, and the Redmi Watch 3 Lite doesn't disappoint. With heavy usage, the watch can last up to eight days, while it offers an impressive longevity of approximately 12 days with normal use. This extended battery life allows users to make the most of their smartwatch without constant recharging. In terms of design, the Redmi Watch 3 Lite comes in two stylish variants: Space Black and Twilight Grey strap options. These options cater to individual preferences and ensure users can express their style while enjoying the watch's functionality. Read Also: Oppo K11x Launches in China: Packs 108MP Camera, 120Hz Display, 5,000 mAh Battery, 67W Fast Charing, and More Xiaomi's Redmi Watch 3 Lite Sets Sights in India Although the pricing details for the Indian market have yet to be officially disclosed, the Chinese release of the Redmi Watch 3 Lite provides some indication. In China, the smartwatch was introduced at a competitive price of 399 Yuan, suggesting that Indian consumers can expect a similarly affordable offering. As Xiaomi expands its wearable portfolio, the potential arrival of the Redmi Watch 3 Lite in the Indian market presents an exciting prospect for tech enthusiasts and fitness-conscious individuals. While waiting for official announcements and further details, potential buyers can anticipate a feature-rich smartwatch with an affordable price tag. Stay tuned for updates as Xiaomi aims to cater to the evolving needs of Indian consumers with its latest offering, the Redmi Watch 3 Lite. The Indian market has witnessed a growing demand for affordable yet feature-packed smartwatches, and Xiaomi has been at the forefront of meeting this demand. With the potential arrival of the Redmi Watch 3 Lite, Xiaomi aims to strengthen its presence further and offer Indian consumers a compelling wearable option. Related Article: Vivo V29e 5G Launch Confirmed: Dimensity 7000 Series Chip and More 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. HAVANA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Writers attending the 29th International Poetry Festival of Havana in Cuba expressed their support for peace, dialogue and justice. The event running from Monday to Saturday gathered writers from more than 15 countries including Cuba, Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay and Bolivia. Hosted by the Cuban Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC), the festival featured book launchings, poetry readings, concerts and art exhibitions. Brazilian writer Thiago Ponce de Moraes said that he felt honored to visit Cuba and promote brotherhood as the world is going through a complex crisis. "We can share the strength of words through poetry," he said. "I am very happy to see here poets I have met over the past editions of this event." Mexican poet Alejandra Torres told Xinhua she has always stood in support of justice and global understanding. Cuban writer Alex Pausides, president of the festival, told Xinhua that this literary event also denounces the six-decade U.S. embargo against the Caribbean nation. "This is a platform for solidarity with the peoples of the world in their fight for a fairer world and seeking of peace," he said. Pedro de la Hoz, deputy president of the UNEAC, said that poetry is a bridge of communication to increase international cooperation amid world challenges. "I feel poetry can very much contribute to promoting dialogue, solidarity, and friendship among peoples," he said. Dispute over climate change: How to deal with deniers at the dinner table? These are the mobiles in which WhatsApp will stop working properly from June 1 Roscosmos: the launch of the Russian Luna-25 spacecraft will take place in August The official ChatGPT app is now available in Spain Borisov: it is necessary to create a plant for the mass production of satellites in Russia by 2026 After about ten days in space: Crew of second private ISS mission back on Earth Morgana: two childhood friends and an ode to Galicia on the plate that shines with good prices from Chueca "Lack of a unified command": 800 years ago, the ancient Russian squads were defeated by the Mongols on the Kalka River Electric cars: BMW and VW catch up with Tesla and BYD, according to ICCT study The 'urban heat island' that may increase deaths and hospitalizations this summer in Spain Guangdong Province's high temperature warning continues to take effect, and many cities have experienced high temperatures of more than 37C Yushu children's first study tour of the Forbidden City: The "red" of the Forbidden City is very beautiful "It's nice to hear the song from a real singer": Campino praises Anastacia's version of "Days Like These" Yukio Mishima's novel and short stories about the future: in May, the books "Kyoko House", "Horde of Headwinds" and "Proof of Man" were published Kirimayama Ozeki promotion press conference [Details] What are your thoughts on the new name "Kirishima" "A lot of people are praying for Sergio": PSG goalkeeper Rico, who was hit by a horse, remains in intensive care Ahead of the start of the Japan Championships in Athletics, Sani Brown is eager to win back-to-back titles Ksenia Shoigu spoke about the preparation of the One Run race held in China Anders Christiansen out of action for the rest of the season for Malmo FF After five hard battles against Brazil, the Chinese women's volleyball team of the World League ushered in a good start 100% security inspection of ships passing through the Three Gorges Gate: Guarding the "heavy weapons of a big country" (Economic Watch) Why are the executives of multinational companies "coming to China fever" again? Galan (Iberdrola) doubts that a possible Feijoo government can reverse the energy policy that Sanchez has marked Calvino will present the new plan of European funds to the EU before the elections and without agreeing with the PP The Government counterattacks on the 'flight of companies': "Madrid has lost more companies than Catalonia since 2017" Mali: sub-prefect Ali Cisse released after three and a half years in the hands of Jnim The Government paralyzes the new Selectivity so as not to generate uncertainty in the new political scenario The government in Vastra Gotaland does not want to raise taxes - despite negative budget: "A welfare crisis" The mayor of Maracena stays to try to form a government despite the scandal over the kidnapping of a councilwoman The Mawa approached the east of Luzon in the Philippines with little change in intensity or a slight increase The Infanta Sofia celebrates the confirmation with King Felipe as godfather and with the whole invited family Indra, Cellnex, Unicaja, NH... power war at the top: "We have to talk about our CEO" The worst wine in the supermarket is entered in an international competition and wins the gold medal Two Italian spies and a Mossad agent among four killed in boat sinking on Lake Maggiore The head of the European Commission announced a new plan to accelerate the integration of the Balkan countries into the EU (Economic Watch) Why are the executives of multinational companies "coming to China fever" again? Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Highlights: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation from the party chairmanship. On Saturday, the SNS will hold a party congress. He did not announce who should succeed him as his successor at the head of the party. Since 2012, the Serbian president has determined the fate of the country in various functions. Critics accuse him of an authoritarian style of government, however, this will hardly make a difference, observers say. He had recently shown visible nervousness because of the protests. At a solidarity event in Belgrade with tens of thousands of participants, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation from the party chairmanship. According to observers, however, this will hardly make a difference. Zoom Image Largest People's Assembly: Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade Photo: ANDREJ CUKIC / EPA Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic wants to resign as chairman of his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). "This is the last evening on which I speak to you as chairman of the SNS," he said, according to the German Press Agency, at a major rally of the nationalist presidential party in Belgrade. On Saturday, the SNS will hold a party congress. Vucic did not announce who should succeed him as his successor at the head of the party. Since 2012, the Serbian president has determined the fate of the country in various functions. Critics accuse him of an authoritarian style of government. In this respect, his withdrawal from the top of the SNS has little significance. Vucic and his henchmen control most of the media, the judiciary and part of the economy. However, two killing sprees with 18 deaths had shaken Serbian society at the beginning of the month. Opponents of Vucic raised the question of responsibility during protests and demanded consequences. The opposition pointed to the president's aggressive rhetoric towards political opponents as well as to tabloid media, which they believe trivialize the violence of criminals and at the same time give Vucic a stage. He had recently shown visible nervousness because of the protests. He had organized the mass rally in Belgrade to demonstrate the stability of his power. As the dpa reported, buses from all over Serbia, but also from neighboring countries with Serbian populations, brought participants to the capital. According to media reports, pressure had also been exerted on state officials to travel to Belgrade against their will. Vucic had previously described the rally as the "largest people's assembly in the history of Serbia" and held out the prospect of at least 140,000 participants. According to observations by a dpa reporter and independent Serbian media, tens of thousands came to the event instead. Meanwhile, Vucic has put his country's army on standby after clashes in a Serb-majority city in Kosovo. dam/dpa YAOUNDE, May 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 people were killed on Friday in a road accident along the Douala-Edea highway in Cameroon's Littoral region, according to the country's Minister of Transport Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe. The tragedy occurred when a passenger bus carrying a corpse and mourners collided head-on with a truck, according to local police. "It's a sad day for our country. Sixteen died in the accident. Three others were injured and one of those injured is in a critical condition," Bibehe told reporters in a local hospital in the town of Edea where the corpses and injured were conveyed. Witnesses told Xinhua, children and women are among the dead. Bibehe said, it is "probable" that excess speed caused the accident. According to the Cameroonian Ministry of Transport, 1,500 people die in road accidents each year in the Central African nation. Tolentino to lead National Flag Day Rites in Imus, Cavite MANILA - Senator Francis 'TOL' N. Tolentino will lead the country's commemoration of the National Flag Day in Imus City, Cavite this coming Sunday, May 28, 2023. Tolentino, a native of Cavite, will be the guest of honor in the said event, which also commemorates the 125th anniversary of the Battle of Alapan--considered the first military victory of the Filipino Revolutionary Army under General Emilio F. Aguinaldo, following his return from exile in Hong Kong. The Caviteno senator will steer the flag-raising ceremony at exactly 8 a.m. along Heritage Park in Barangay Alapan with this year's theme: "Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan." Imus City Mayor Alex Advincula, Cavite 3rd district Rep. Adrian Jay Advincula and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairman Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo will join Tolentino during the flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at the Shrine of the National Flag of the Philippines (Dambana ng Pambansang Watawat ng Pilipinas). Following the Filipino forces' decisive victory near a Spanish garrison in Alapan on May 28, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo who later became the President of the First Philippine Republic, unfurled the original Philippine flag for the first time which was earlier sewed in Hong Kong by Dona Marcela Agoncillo. Former President Diosdado Macapagal issued Proclamation No. 374 on March 6, 1965, declaring May 28 as National Flag Day to commemorate the event the national emblem was first unfurled after Aguinaldo's forces defeated the Spanish regiment in the Battle of Alapan. Section 26 of Republic No. 8491, also known as the 'Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines' also declared May 28 to June 12 of each year as "Flag Days," in which, all offices agencies and instrumentalities of the government, business establishments, institutions of learning and private homes are enjoined to display the Philippine Flag. An airplane of the newly unveiled Nigeria Air arrives at an airport in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 26, 2023. The Nigerian government on Friday unveiled the long-awaited national carrier, Nigeria Air, in a major step forward for the aviation sector in the most populous African country. (Photo by Sodiq Adelakun/Xinhua) ABUJA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Friday unveiled the long-awaited national carrier, Nigeria Air, in a major step forward for the aviation sector in the most populous African country. The aim of setting up the national carrier is to re-position the most populous African country as a prominent player in the global aviation market, Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika said at an unveiling ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the Nigerian capital. "We have the population. We have the geography. We have the economy. We have the people. We have the know-how. We have the market," Sirika said at the ceremony where he unveiled a Boeing 737-800 aircraft of the airline before key stakeholders, aviation professionals, and aviation enthusiasts. The official noted that the airline, expected to boost the country's aviation sector and promote economic growth, represents a typical public-private partnership among entrepreneurs in Nigeria, the Nigerian government, and an Ethiopian consortium. "In this partnership, we are connecting the biggest population in Africa, Nigeria with the second biggest population in Africa, Ethiopia. It is a huge market with huge potential," he said. Nigeria and Ethiopia have a population of over 220 million and 120 million respectively, according to data from the United Nations Population Fund. Sirika said the airline will begin domestic and regional flights soon, adding the national carrier is expected to create over 70,000 jobs when it begins full operation and have up to 30 aircraft in its fleet within five years of operation. The unveiling of Nigeria Air is seen as a milestone for the country which has struggled to establish a viable national carrier, Zemedeneh Negatu, an Ethiopian investor told Xinhua at the ceremony. Negatu said the new airline is expected to weather the storm and compete with other major carriers in the region, such as South African Airways and Kenyan Airways. Nigeria had a national airline as early as the 1950s, which operated regional and domestic passenger services. Due to financial and operational challenges, Air Nigeria, the last known national flag carrier, ceased operations in September 2012. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Pile into booths for antipasti, Italian wines and bowls of pasta by a former River Cafe chef when dine-in opens by spring. Mortadeli, Torquays Euro-centric sandwich bar, grocer and deli, is set to clear its next hurdle: a dine-in restaurant. Not that it will be a formal affair, according to owner Jake Cassar. He humbly describes it as a pasta bar, situated in the space thats been a deli and grocer for the past year. Once works are complete, the restaurant will share space with retail, so diners can watch the prosciutto or mortadella being sliced for their antipasti platter, for example. Nettle, buffalo ricotta and pine mushroom ravioli is the type of seasonal cooking Glenn Laurie will showcase. Joe Armao But with 40 seats and the experienced hands of chef Glenn Laurie, whos been cooking at the nearby one-hat La Cantina for the past two years, this little pasta bar will be a big deal for Torquay. With hatted Torquay restaurant Samesyn closed while it transforms into a profit-for-purpose enterprise, dining options in the seaside town are currently concentrated on cafes, steakhouses, burgers and a smattering of Japanese. This story is part of the May 28 Edition of Sunday Life. Justin Coulson is a television host, author, and psychologist, best known as a parenting expert. The 47-year-old opens up about his first kiss, his dating strategy, and raising six daughters. From a mental health perspective, Im terribly concerned at how unkind the world weve built is to girls. My maternal grandmother, Marge, died in 2013 and her passing was the most impactful in my life. I was very, very close to her. As a kid, I used to have sleepovers at my grandparents house in Auburn, Sydney. Marge served me my dinner in front of the TV. I was honoured to be asked to conduct her funeral. I was up the front, struggling to get through it. I dedicated my first book to her. My paternal nan, Patricia, is in a nursing home on the Central Coast. Dementia, other mental health challenges and distance I live on the Sunshine Coast have made it difficult for us to communicate. Even when we do via technology, she doesnt remember who I am, which is very sad. At the heart of the Liberal Partys opposition to the Indigenous Voice is the notion that it divides Australia rather than uniting it because it gives Aboriginal people rights or privileges that others do not enjoy. In the words of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to parliament this week (borrowing some from Martin Luther King): The great progress of the 20th centurys civil rights movement was the push to eradicate difference to judge each other on the content of our character, not the colour of our skin. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton during Question Time this week. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The Voice, he says, will permanently divide us by race and re-racialise the Constitution. In Duttons argument, the 1967 referendum, which removed a number of racist provisions, had been a great step towards equality which the Orwellian Voice proposal undermined. All this was sadly a symptom of the madness of identity politics which has infected the 21st century. Superficially its a powerful argument, and its turning up increasingly in comment threads and pub talk as support for the Voice wavers. But it ignores decades of precedents in Australian and international law, including in the Constitution itself, where courts have recognised the need for, and justice of, special provisions for Indigenous Australians. From a Georgian Revival mansion in Melbournes Toorak, to a contemporary beachfront abode in Sydney, these are six of the best luxury homes for sale right now. One of the finest examples of Georgian Revival architecture in Melbourne, this Geoffrey Sommers-designed mansion sits on 3616 square meters of established gardens with a pool and tennis court. The interiors are due for an update, giving the new owner a fabulous opportunity to make their mark across two lavish levels connected by both a marble staircase and lift. Australian travellers are being caught out by international roaming plans that exclude popular stopover destinations, leading to mobile phone bills costing hundreds of dollars for just a few hours use. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to Dubai International, one of the worlds busiest airports, and Abu Dhabi International Airport, is excluded from Vodafones $5 a day global roaming plan. These roaming coverage gaps remain a blind spot for the telcos customers, who regularly stop off in the UAE on their way to Europe. Popular stopover and transit destination Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is excluded from Vodafones roaming plan. Credit: iStock Sydney student Sienna Martyn had a 4 hour stopover in Abu Dhabi in January while travelling to Spain for a study-abroad program. Shed used Vodafones $5 roaming plan before and wrongly assumed it would apply to the busy UAE transit hub. When we landed I turned my phone on and a message popped up. All I saw from the notification was the welcome part and just assumed that it would work as normal, said Martyn. After weeks of tabloid headlines that his purely platonic relationship with long-time co-host, Holly Willoughby had collapsed, Schofields 40-year career is now imploding after admitting he was a liar, a cheat, and he was sorry. In a dramatic statement on Friday night, UK time, the 61-year-old quit TV, confirming years of speculation and innuendo online that he had an inappropriate relationship with a younger male who worked as a show runner on This Morning. Phillip Schofield cried on the shoulder of his co-presenter, Holly Willoughby when he came out as gay. His career has since imploded. Credit: itv.co.uk Whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship, he said in a statement to the Daily Mail. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over. Schofield said he was painfully conscious hed lied to his employers, colleagues, friends, agents, the media and therefore the public, and was so very, very sorry to his family as well as for having been unfaithful to my wife. Loading Unless youve lived in the UK for a time during the past 20 or so years, youd have absolutely no reason whatsoever to know who Schofield is. Unlike someone such as Piers Morgan, he has never been a journalist or tabloid newspaper editor, nor a professional provocateur. Unlike David Koch, of Channel 7s Sunrise, he didnt have a career as a finance commentator. Nor was he a successful journalist, such as Todays Karl Stefanovic, on Nine. He had never really made any memorable TV moments either, beyond giggling fits at sexual innuendos and double entendres alongside his longtime co-host, the glamorous and much-younger Willoughby. Schofield was once attacked by alpacas on air, interviewed the woman with the worlds largest breasts and chatted with an 80-year-old grandmother about a night of rumpy pumpy with an Egyptian toyboy Mohammed, 35, where she used a whole tube of KY Jelly. But he was largely banal, inoffensive, occasionally warm and looked a bit like a Gazman model. A one-time childrens TV host, Schofields big cultural moment came a few years ago when he, tearfully, on national television announced he was gay despite his long-time family man persona and 27-year marriage to his wife with two adult daughters. He expressed his guilt for the pain hed caused them. Phillip Schofield and his co-presenter Holly Willoughby as he came out as gay one year ago. Credit: itv.co.uk Willoughby comforted him as he made the announcement, embracing him at the end when he called her the sister he never had. Viewers loved their chemistry. And they seemingly loved Schofield. That was until last September when, during the 10-day national period of mourning over the Queens death, the pair were accused of jumping the queue of hundreds of thousands to pay their respects to the late monarch who was lying-in-state. It dominated the tabloids for days and forced a public apology. Quarterly research by pollster YouGov this year put Schofield and Willoughby equally the fifth most famous TV stars in the mind of Brits with 97 per cent of respondents knowing who they were. Thats behind celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay (99 per cent), Morgan (98 per cent) but ahead of Oprah Winfrey, David Attenborough (96 per cent) and Stephen Fry (95 per cent). Loading Schofield has spent his entire adult life being a personality and for the past 20 years hes sat on a couch from 10.30am to lunchtime shooting the breeze with a variety of co-hosts. But like so many TV marriages things were not as they seem. Constant headlines about how things had become so bad that they could not sit next to each other on a couch and interview other celebrities about pointless things went on for weeks as ratings fell. On late-night talk television and in celebrity gossip columns hed been subject to constant innuendo about his behaviour and attitudes towards colleagues particularly women as well as speculation of his inappropriate relationships with a younger staff member. Its taken up inches of columns in the popular press and broadsheets and on their homepages. Things reached a tipping point recently following the conviction of Schofields brother, Timothy, who was found guilty of child sex offences. Loading Last weekend when Schofield announced he was leaving the show, but would continue to present events such as the British Soap Awards for ITV, the BBC sent out a news alert to mobile phones. Now seven days later he has quit altogether, and his TV peers are now publicly accusing management of knowing and covering up his behaviour. He has also been dropped by his agent of 35 years. Eamonn Holmes, a former colleague on ITV who also sat next to Schofield for his coming out, tweeted on Friday evening (UK time) that hed felt deceived and lied to. We had no issue with him being gay, only support, he said. What transpired took us for fools. The man told us complete lies, and we unfortunately believed him. Its been a turbulent past year in Britain. Political chaos of a kind not seen in generations. Deep financial and economic peril sparking a cost-of-living crisis, the death and rise of a monarch, of course, and the bloodiest battle in mainland Europe since World War II. But oddly, the Schofield affair weirdly now ranks among them. And everyone has a view. I think the level of coverage of the Phillip Schofield story which has almost no importance whatsoever is totally weird, David Aaronovich, a British columnist, radio presenter and author tweeted on Friday evening. But it never seems to matter, that it never matters. And despite the woes of the world, dont expect it to change any time soon. UNITED NATIONS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- President Csaba Korosi of the UN General Assembly condemned "in the strongest possible terms" Friday's attacks against adjacent government and African Union (AU) military bases in Somalia, said his spokeswoman. "He expresses his deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and governments of Uganda and Somalia," said his spokeswoman Paulina Kubiak, referring to the countries of raid victims. "He also wishes a speedy recovery to those injured." Terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security, she said, adding that Korosi underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said in a statement that its reinforcements repelled al-Shabaab fighters, including suicide bombers, who had stormed its forward operating base in Bulo Marer, about 120 km southwest of Mogadishu, the capital. There were no further immediate details on the raids of the government or ATMIS sites or any casualties. The AU mission, mandated by a UN Security Council resolution, includes troops from Uganda. RIYADH, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia remains dedicated to enhancing cooperation and reaping mutual benefits from collaboration with China in various domains, said Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji during a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua. Pointing to the rapid growth of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and China, Elkhereiji noted the two nations elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, and in recent years, reciprocal high-level visits have further underscored their commitment to deepening ties. The Saudi diplomat said the visits made by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Saudi Arabia in 2016 and 2022 have solidified and strengthened the relationship. Saudi Arabia and China share a common interest in sustainable development, he added. Numerous plans, agreements, and memoranda of understanding have been signed regarding Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. These agreements span a wide range of sectors, including hydrogen energy, judiciary, Chinese language education, media cooperation and digital economy. Elkhereiji acknowledged China's influential role on the political and economic fronts and highlighted continuous coordination and agreement with China on various issues in both bilateral and multilateral areas, committed to safeguarding world peace and security. The diplomat expressed gratitude for China's efforts in hosting and facilitating talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, acting as a bridge for dialogue and communication. The talks, which took place on March 6-10, resulted in the issuance of a joint trilateral statement by China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. He voiced the hope of opening a new chapter with Iran based on a firm commitment to agreed-upon principles and procedures, fostering an atmosphere of security, stability, cooperation, and development for the benefit of both countries and the wider region. Batavia, NY (14020) Today Clear skies. Low near 60F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low near 60F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. WASHINGTON (TNS) The Supreme Court on Thursday limited federal protection for wetlands, ruling that marshy areas are usually not covered by Batavia, NY (14020) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 61F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 61F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The Agricultural Bank of China, one of the country's largest commercial lenders, has scaled up support for rural revitalization, according to the latest data from the bank. As of the end of 2022, the bank's outstanding loans to sectors related to rural revitalization reached 7.31 trillion yuan (about 1.03 trillion U.S. dollars), up 1.11 trillion yuan from the beginning of the year. In particular, the outstanding loans to grain-related sectors increased 22.5 percent year on year, while those to rural construction expanded 21.6 percent. The bank has also sought to extend financial services to more rural areas nationwide, with 56 percent of all its outlets being located in county-level regions as of the end of the year. UNITED NATIONS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and its partners continue to help families displaced by the fighting in Sudan, as well as the communities hosting them, said a UN spokesman on Friday. The World Food Programme (WFP) has now reached more than 600,000 vulnerable people with food and nutrition aid since restarting distributions in the country, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The WFP has reached some 180,000 people in three of the five states of Darfur: North Darfur, South Darfur, and East Darfur. The agency is planning to start distributions in Central Darfur in the coming days, he said. As of Friday, the WFP has resumed distributions in Blue Nile state in southeastern Sudan, he added. During the past two weeks, the World Health Organization has verified eight new reports of attacks on health care facilities, bringing the total number of such attacks to 38 since this round of fighting erupted in Sudan on April 15, said the spokesman. Dujarric said there is still some sporadic fighting despite a truce. "We are not officially monitoring the truce. And our humanitarian colleagues are exploiting any lull in the fighting to deliver humanitarian aid. But people in different parts of the country are continuing to suffer tremendously," he told a daily press briefing. 2 More Oath Keepers Sentenced to Prison Over Jan. 6 Breach Members of the Oath Keepers group stand on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo) Two Army veterans and members of the Oath Keepers have been handed prison sentences following the groups founders conviction for their involvement in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta presided over the sentencing, with Jessica Watkins, a resident of Woodstock, Ohio, receiving a prison term of eight years and six months. Kenneth Harrelson, from Titusville, Florida, was sentenced to four years. The convictions of Watkins and Harrelson by a federal jury included charges of obstructing Congresss certification of the 2020 elections. Harrelson faced additional charges of tampering with documents and proceedings, while Watkins was also found guilty of conspiracy and obstruction of officers during the breach. However, both defendants were acquitted of the seditious conspiracy charge that Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was found guilty of in November 2022. These sentences are part of the Department of Justices (DOJ) extensive investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol breach and violence. They come after Rhodes received the longest prison term among the cases related to the events of that day. While the DOJ argued that Rhodes and the other Oath Keepers actions could be categorized as terrorism, which would lead to more severe sentences under federal guidelines, Judge Mehta ultimately imposed shorter prison terms. The prosecution had sought 18 years for Watkins and 15 years for Harrelson. Demolished My Life According to Mehta, Watkins, a member of the Oath Keepers who identifies as transgender, held a position beyond that of a mere foot soldier, having recruited others for the group. Watkins tearfully expressed remorse, condemning the violence against police officers and acknowledging that being at the Capitol may have influenced others, saying I was just another idiot running around the Capitol on Jan. 6. Kenneth Harrelson, another Oath Keepers member, informed the judge that he traveled to Washington, D.C., after being offered a security job by a fellow member. Harrelson claimed to have no interest in politics, stating that he had never voted for a president in his life. He broke down in tears, admitting responsibility for the immense pain caused to his family and expressing remorse for his actions. I have totally demolished my life, he said. I am responsible, and my foolish actions have caused immense pain to my wife and our children. Mehta considered Harrelson to be genuinely remorseful and less culpable than other Oath Keepers. The evidence presented did not show any extremist messages or physical attacks on or threats against law enforcement officers. The judge emphasized that Harrelsons messages did not contain revolutionary content that anyone would consider extremist. Government Allegations The DOJ said that according to the governments evidence, prosecutors relied on evidence from encrypted chat statements that revealed the Oath Keepers allegedly conspired for months to disrupt the counting of Electoral College votes on Jan. 6. The defense argued that their clients speech was protected by the First Amendment, but the judge determined that it could be considered speech in a conspiracy. Prosecutors said the Oath Keepers organized teams, recruited members, conducted paramilitary training, and brought weapons and gear to the Capitol grounds. Their goal was to allegedly obstruct the certification of the electoral college vote by breaching and taking control of the Capitol building. On Jan. 6, around 2:30 p.m., Harrelson and Watkins, accompanied by other Oath Keepers and affiliates, marched in a stacked formation up the east steps of the Capitol wearing paramilitary attire and patches displaying the Oath Keepers name, according to the DOJ. They joined a larger crowd and entered the Capitol building while Rhodes and another co-defendant remained outside, coordinating activities. The DOJ said that while some Oath Keepers breached the Capitol, other individuals belonging to quick reaction force (QRF) teams remained stationed outside the city. These QRF teams were prepared to transport firearms and weapons swiftly to Washington to support operations aimed at using force to prevent the lawful transfer of presidential power. During the trial, Rhodes testified that the Oath Keepers were in Washington to provide event and VIP security at permit-approved gatherings. He claimed that upon learning of the violence at the Capitol, he ordered all Oath Keepers to stay away from the building. Rhodes himself did not enter the Capitol or engage in any acts of violence. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Alex Murdaughs Longtime Friend Admits Helping to Steal $4 Million Wrongful Death Settlement CHARLESTON, S.C.A longtime friend of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh admitted Thursday he helped his old college roommate steal more than $4 million meant for a wrongful death settlement after Murdaughs housekeeper died in a fall. Cory Fleming, 54, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced at a later date. After Murdaughs maid, Gloria Satterfield, died following a fall at the familys home, Murdaugh convinced Satterfields sons to hire Fleming as their lawyer, saying they could help get the family money for a wrongful death settlement. Fleming got $4.3 million from Murdaughs insurers, according to an indictment. But Fleming and Murdaugh never sent any money to Satterfields sons, instead splitting it among themselves, prosecutors said. Satterfields sons later hired different attorneys who have managed to get millions for them. Flemings plea came a day after federal prosecutors charged Murdaugh with 22 financial crimes for stealing money from the Satterfield family as well as other clients and committing bank and wire fraud. Murdaughs lawyers said in a statement he is cooperating with federal investigators and suggest the charges will be resolved with a guilty plea. Murdaugh, 54, is currently serving a life sentence without parole in protective custody at an undisclosed state prison after being convicted in March of the shooting deaths of his 22-year-old son, Paul, and 52-year-old wife, Maggie, at their home. Prosecutors said he decided to kill them because his millions of dollars of theft was about to be discovered, and he was hoping their deaths would buy him sympathy and time to figure out a cover-up. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison after conviction in double murder trial during his sentencing at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C., on March 3, 2023, after he was found guilty on all four counts. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool) The once prominent South Carolina attorney is also awaiting trial on around 100 other state charges including insurance fraud, tax evasion and theft. Fleming is the second person affiliated with Murdaughs schemes to be convicted in federal court. In November, Murdaughs banker friend, Russell Laffitte, was convicted of six wire and bank fraud charges. Prosecutors said Murdaugh and Laffitte worked together to take settlement money out of clients accounts. Laffitte is appealing and has not been sentenced. ANALYSIS: Why a Growing GOP Field Is Beneficial to Trump Then-South Dakota Gov.-elect Kristi Noem (R) sits next to then-President Donald Trump and then-Florida Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis (L) at the White House on Dec. 13, 2018. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) News Analysis It took a little while, but the GOP 2024 presidential field has suddenly and dramatically expanded. In a matter of days, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis officially joined the 2024 Republican presidential field, ending months of hints and speculation. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, and others could soon start campaigns, too. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) meets with guests at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition in Clive, Iowa, on April 22, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) On May 26, NBC and other sources reported that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is readying a bid for 2024, citing comments from an unnamed aide. A source familiar with the matter confirmed that report to The Epoch Times. Former President Donald Trump remains the clear front-runner, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, businessman Perry Johnson, and others have also entered the race. Trump, DeSantis, and the Rest Trump and DeSantis backers see the crowded field differently, but activists and major scholars of history and politics seem to agree that the growing field likely works to the former presidents advantage; a race that could have been defined as Trump versus DeSantis is growing more chaotic by the day, preventing Trumps opposition from unifying against him. Were going to have an absolute clown show of a primary, Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump-aligned consultant, told The Epoch Times on May 25. He argued that the announcements from Scott and DeSantis have set the stage for more pols to rush in where many have so far feared to tread. In his judgment, thats down to DeSantiss falling poll numbers in the past several months. Bruesewitz claimed that DeSantis wouldnt be up against so many possible rivals had he kept the momentum that he had in mid-January. Its clear that DeSantis is a huge threat to Trump, Elon Gerberg, a DeSantis advocate, told The Epoch Times on May 26. Gerberg is the founder of the parental rights group Florida Fathers for Freedom. I started a whole organization trying to get dads to the forefront, he said, citing the mask mandates in schools as a trigger for his activism. DeSantis, a relatively early leader against pandemic-era restrictions on liberty, helped create the context for the conservative activism now flourishing in the Sunshine State. Florida Fathers for Freedom and Gays Against Groomers jointly held a Protect the Children rally in Fort Lauderdale in December 2022. (Courtesy of Florida Fathers for Freedom) He argued that the contest will have to come down to Trump versus DeSantis. I personally dont think any of these other candidates have a shot, Gerberg said. Im not even sure if [DeSantis] can beat [Trump], he added. The Epoch Times contacted one of the other candidates, Johnson, for a different perspective. A quality assurance guru who previously sought Michigans Republican nomination for governor, Johnsons biggest claim to credibility so far is his third-place showing in a CPAC straw poll. Voters are open to political outsiders like Perry Johnson, Elizabeth Stoddart, Johnsons communications manager, wrote in a May 26 email to The Epoch Times. Stoddart didnt explicitly call out Trump, but she did DeSantis, whom Johnson criticized for not appearing at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition meeting in late April. Republican presidential candidate Perry Johnson speaks at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition in Clive, Iowa, on April 22, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) Ramaswamy, dubbed Trumps press secretary by a pro-DeSantis Twitter account, and other candidates facing a very pro-Trump base generally avoid criticizing the former commander in chief. Simply put, Republicans gunning for the 2024 slot cant afford to scorn MAGAand with his poll numbers down, DeSantis is an easier target than ever. Parallels From History The front-runner is always the beneficiary of a crowded field, Craig Shirley, a political consultant and presidential historian whos written four books about Ronald Reagan, told The Epoch Times on May 25. Reagan faced a crowded field in 1980, and he was not polling as high as Trump is. While Shirley argued that 1980 is a good point of comparison for 2024, Larry Bartels, a presidential primary scholar, referred The Epoch Times to a more recent contestthe one that preceded Trumps election. I think the best historical analogy is the 2016 Republican primary race, Bartels, a political scientist at Vanderbilt University who has studied presidential caucuses and primaries for decades, wrote in a May 25 email. Donald Trump had the support of a substantial faction but less than a majority. He won because the rest of the party could not agree on an alternative candidate (Bush, Rubio, Cruz) quickly enough to produce a clear head-to-head matchup between Trump and someone else. Then-Republican presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Jeb Bush speak during the presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on Sept. 16, 2015. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) The more opponents there are, the better off he [Trump] is, Thomas Patterson, a political scientist at the Harvard Kennedy School, told The Epoch Times on May 26. The other candidates really need to take this down to a Trump versus Them, one-on-one [contest], he added, stating that the votes in serious contention are those of people who already oppose Trump. Patterson, an expert on the relationship between government and the press, referenced one obvious impediment to Trumps challengersthe extraordinarily large and loyal MAGA base. Yet he cautioned that unfavorable legal decisions on Trump-related cases or other developments could cut into it. He said he believes that the large field might not make much of a difference to the race as a whole unless the GOP remains divided into its national convention. Theres no question that Bernie Sanders hurt Hillary Clintons chances in 2016, Patterson said. Sanders claimed 46 percent of the nomination vote in Philadelphia that year, narrowly losing to the ex-senator from New York. Patterson also cited Ted Kennedys run for the Democratic nomination against incumbent President Jimmy Carter in 1980 and Ronald Reagans challenge to incumbent President Gerald Ford in 1976. In both cases, a hard-fought primary season battle was followed by failure in the general election. The Republican Partys contested convention in 1976, when Gerald Ford beat Ronald Reagan to the nomination. (William Fitz-Patrick, Public Domain) The size of the field matters less than how deep the hostilities go, Patterson said. Gerberg, for his part, said that a DeSantis nomination could alienate voters who are Trump First before theyre America First. I dont think it helps that either of them are attacking each other, he continued, before adding that DeSantis has taken the high road when it comes to answering Trump. Competition Mounts Shirley explained why having many candidates could work in Trumps favor. The anti-incumbents are divided. Plus, they are in competition for staff, press attention, and funding, he said. Shirley said he doesnt think the increasing competition bodes well for President Joe Biden. The president has a national approval rating of 40 percent but just 33 percent when it comes to his actions on the economy, according to a recent poll from the Associated Press. An incumbent over 50 percent is almost impossible to beat. Many candidates in the field speaks volumes about how weak Biden truly is, and it gets each candidate into sparring shape, whipping them into fighting form for the fall campaign. Plus, it gets the party more ready for the fall election as they get volunteers, money, and material earlier for the fall contest. An early and vigorous party debate is good for all around, he said. In Shirleys view, the growing field of Republican aspirants simply means there are more Republicans to attack [Biden]. Competition is a good thing. Thats what America was built on, DeSantis ally Gerberg said. Trump booster Bruesewitz is more skeptical about the talk of intraparty competition. The people that are pushing that message are all DeSantis allies or DeSantis personalities, he said. Bruesewitz alluded to claims that iron will sharpen iron in the upcoming primary season. I dont think DeSantis is iron, he said, arguing that Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) offered stiffer competition against Trump in 2016. Then-Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump shakes hands with his rival, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), following the CNN Republican Presidential Debate in Miami on March 10, 2016. (Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images) The legacy media may not go as easy on Floridas governor as some hope. Over the past few months, various articles have already asserted that DeSantis is somehow worse than Trump. Bruesewitz argued that DeSantis wont stand up to pressure from Democrats. The former president, meanwhile, shines brightest in the crucible of competitive campaigning and debate. Patterson suggested that Trumps famous verbal agility could allow him to outmaneuver the Florida governor. It shouldnt be relevant, it shouldnt make any difference, but Trump has a really remarkable way of making physical characteristics and other things stand out, he said. Hes been hacking away at [DeSantiss] smaller height. The Mantle of Moderate While Bartels sees DeSantis as a stronger contender than Trumps 2016 GOP competition, he made it clear that the Florida governor still has a lot to prove. He is inexperienced in national politics, and it remains to be seen whether he will sideline the other non-Trump candidates quickly enough to force a clear head-to-head matchup with Trump (which he would probably but not certainly win), he wrote. If DeSantis falters, it will be harder (though not impossible) for Scott or Haley or someone else to consolidate enough support quickly enough to force a clear head-to-head matchup with Trump. Susan MacManus, a political science professor emerita at the University of South Florida, had a more positive take on Scott and DeSantis. These two candidates are relatively new faces and are from younger generations, in sharp contrast to Biden and Trump, she told The Epoch Times in a May 26 message. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event in the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, in Manchester, N.H., on Feb. 17, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Gerberg suggested that DeSantis can win over a lot more moderates than Trump and questioned why the ex-president was suddenly coming from the left on issues such as abortion. DeSantis I dont think is particularly astute, Patterson said, referring to the governors fights on Disney, abortion, and other so-called culture war issues. He said that stances that can deliver wins in Florida may not play so well in other states. Yet, despite his skepticism, he isnt prepared to rule out a DeSantis victory. Its really early, Patterson said. The Path to Power Multiple insiders and analysts who spoke with The Epoch Times agreed that the men and women now running arent merely angling for the vice presidency, a Cabinet position, or some other consolation prize. Each of these candidates looks in the mirror every morning and thinks they see a president, Shirley said. Snow billows in the air as Marine One, carrying President Barack Obama, lands on the South Lawn of the White House upon his return from Chicago, on Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) As far as the general election is concerned, Bartels said he expects a result that isnt unusual by recent historical standards. The national division between Republicans and Democrats has been consistently close for the past quarter-century. An overwhelming majority of Republicans will support their partys nominee, whoever that is, and an overwhelming majority of Democrats will support Joe Biden, regardless of concerns about his age or running mate (almost certainly Kamala Harris) or anything else, he said. If I had to bet right now, Id say a very slight edge for the Democrats, but the only outcome that would shock me is a landslide for either party. Shirley sounded more optimistic about Republican prospects now that the competition is heating up. In this Nov. 3, 1980, file photo, former President Gerald Ford (L) lends his support to Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan and his running mate George H.W. Bush (R) in Peoria, Ill. (AP Photo/File) In 1980, the early contest helped Ronald Reagan get into fighting form for the fall contest against Jimmy Carter. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Vetos Major Election Bills Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs delivers her State of the State address at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix on Jan. 9, 2023. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo) Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed four election-related bills Friday. The rejected bills would have made a wide range of changes to the Copper States election laws on the voter registration system, poll site procedures, and mail-in ballots. Hobbss moves Friday raise her total number of vetos to 99, a number larger than that of any previous Arizona governor. One of the bills, Senate Bill 1135, proposed to pull Arizona from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and move voter registration to a contracted third party. The bill also specified that voters must use a blue or black pen to fill the ballot. Hobbs said ERIC is essential and helps improve election integrity. I have vetoed SB 1135. This bill would prohibit Arizona from remaining a part of the Eletronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), which is an essential tool in ensuring accurate voter registration rolls in Arizona and across the country. It is unfortunate that many Republicans in the Legislature send to my desk a bill that would prevent Arizona from joining organizations that actually help improve the integrity of our elections, she said in the veto letter. Senate Bill 1105, which would allow election workers to tabulate early ballots at polling sites on Election Day, was also vetoed. The county recorder or other county officer in charge of elections shall do all of the following for the on-site tabulation of early ballots, the bill proposed. The on-site tabulation would be very difficult for election officials to implement, Hobbs said. A poll worker sorts ballots in a file photo taken in Arizona. (Olivier Touron/AFP via Getty Images) One of the four rejected bills, Senate Bill 1066, would have required Not from a Government Agency to be printed in an obvious way on the envelopes of documents sent by voter registration organizations. Senate Bill 1180 proposed to ban organizations from paying employees based on the number of voter registrations they collect. Arizona state Senator and President Pro Tempore John Kavanagh, a primary sponsor of two of the rejected bills, said hes disappointed with the governors decision. I still stand on the side of transparency, and Im sorry the governor wasnt with me, he told The Arizona Republic. The Epoch Times reached out to Kavanagh for comments. Arizonas constitution states that a two-thirds vote is needed to overturn a veto. Its unlikely the Arizona Republicans will have the votes to override Hobbss vetoes. Arizonas legislature comprises 60 members in the state House and 30 in the state Senate. Republicans hold a majority in both the state House and Senate, but they do not have enough votes to overturn a veto and would need the support of Democrats. 99 Vetos Since Being in Office The Democrat governor has vetoed 99 bills passed by the Republican-controlled legislature. Most of the bills she rejected contained conservative-leaning measures. The long list of bills rejected by Hobbs includes a bill banning critical race theory in K-12 public schools, a bill that would have eliminated food tax, a bill that requires infants born alive during an abortion to be protected and provided the proper medical treatment, and a bill that would have protected pregnant women from being attacked during pregnancy. When vetoeing Senate Bill 1600a bill that proposed to protect born-alive babies after abortionshe claimed that the bill was unanimously opposed by the medical community and would interfere with the relationship between a patient and doctor. Vendors display hunting rifles for sale at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Ariz., on Jan. 15, 2011. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Hobbs also vetoed a bill that intended to protect Second Amendment rightsSenate Bill 1428which would prohibit local governments from prohibiting gun shows. A political subdivision should not prohibit a gun show from occurring in the political subdivision or enact or enforce any ordinance, rule or policy that primarily affects gun shows and effectively prohibits a gun show from occurring in the political subdivision, reads the bill (pdf). Hobbs said the bill would restrict the power of local authorities. This bill needlessly restricts the authority of cities and towns to make decisions about how to keep their communities safe, Hobbs wrote in her veto letter (pdf). She advised that the legislators and local governments work together to provide safety for Arizona communities. Elizabeth Dowell contributed to this report. California Senate Approves Bill to Legalize Psychedelic Mushrooms A bill to decriminalize hallucinogenic mushrooms cleared the California Senate May 24, reaching the halfway point in the states effort to legalize the drug, despite increasing opposition by law enforcement and many citizens. Senate Bill 58 was introduced in December by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who said criminalizing drug use and possession does nothing but fill up prisons with people who are addicted. We shouldnt be criminalizing people for personal use of these non-addictive substances, Wiener said in a May 24 statement. If passed, the bill would allow the cultivation, transfer, and transportation of fungi or other plant-based materials that can be used as ingredients for the drugs, according to the bill text. Psilocybin is found in a variety of mushrooms and can be produced synthetically. The bill would only allow plant-based psychedelic drugs for use by people 21 years old and older. Ingesting the drug can cause sensory perception changes, including auditory and visual hallucinations. The drugs effects after ingestion can begin within 20 to 90 minutes and can last up to 12 hours in some cases, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Several law enforcement associations, local California governments, and organizations are opposed to legalizing the substance, including the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, the City of Beverly Hills, the California State Sheriffs Association, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Concerned Women for America, and many others. The California District Attorneys Association opposed the measure, expressing concern that legalizing the drugs for recreational use is not grounded in scientific evidence. While we are sympathetic to proponents who argue that the veteran population might benefit therapeutically from exploration of these substances, these drugs are Schedule I controlled substances for a reason, the association said, according to a Senate analysis of the bill. They have no federally accepted medical use and have a high probability of misuse. The California Contract Cities Association was also against legalization and was concerned about public safety risks associated with the cultivation and transportation of the materials. This means that more hallucinogenic drugs would be able to move across local jurisdictions in far greater numbers with insufficient oversight or accountability from local agencies, the cities association wrote in a Senate analysis. This is very worrisome from the perspective of local decision-making authorities like our member cities. Support for the bill includes the Hippie and a Veteran Foundation, Initiate Justice, the Alameda County Democratic Party, the California Association of Social Rehabilitation Agencies, and the California Public Defenders Association. The cities of West Hollywood and Eureka are also in favor of the bill. Clinical trials are underway to study its use for treating depression and other mental health disorders, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The association determined in a 2020 study that while research is still preliminary, psychedelics show promise for treating conditions including treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder but the drugs were not ready for use as a treatment. Psychedelic mushrooms are still illegal under U.S. federal law. The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated psilocybin, the substance found in psychedelic mushrooms, as a breakthrough therapy, speeding up the development and review of the drug to treat serious conditions. Preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy in clinical studies, according to the FDA. Local measures to deprioritize the policing or prosecution of conduct related to hallucinogens have passed in Oakland and Santa Cruz. Ann Arbor, Michigan, Denver, and Washington, D.C., have also passed similar measures. Oregon and Colorado have passed similar measures to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize it for supervised use. The legislation is a stripped-down version of a bill proposed by the same senator in 2021. That bill, which would have legalized plant-based and synthetic psychedelicssuch as MDMA, LSD, and ketaminefailed to pass. In Wieners San Francisco district, rampant drug use has contributed to runaway homelessness throughout the city. The city passed a motion in 2022 calling for law enforcement to deprioritize investigations and arrests of adults found in possession of psychedelics. Last month, dozens of residents and advocates protested at San Francisco City Hall against open-air drug markets and unsafe streets. Rally organizer Ricci Wynne told The Epoch Times data showed that the most prominent issues in San Francisco stem from drug use and drug dealing. California Unlikely to Run Short of Electricity This Summer Thanks to Storms, New Power Sources In this photo provided by the California Governor's Office, Gov. Gavin Newsom (R) talks to a MOXION employee in Richmond, Calif., on May 25, 2023. (Sheila Fitzgerald/California Governor's Office via AP) RICHMOND, Calif.California regulators say the state is unlikely to run out of electricity this summer because of a big increase in power storage and a wet winter that filled the states reservoirs enough to restart hydroelectric power plants that were dormant during the drought. The nations most populous state normally has more than enough electricity to power the homes and businesses of more than 39 million people. But the electrical grid has trouble when it gets really hot and everyone turns on their air conditioners at the same time. It got so hot in August 2020 that Californias power grid was overwhelmed, prompting the states three largest utility companies to shut off electricity for hundreds of thousands of homes for a few hours over two consecutive days. Similar heat waves in 2021 and 2022 pushed the state to the brink again. State officials avoided blackouts by encouraging people to conserve energy and tapping some emergency gas-powered generators. In an aerial view, the Nicasio Reservoir is seen after a series of atmospheric river events drenched Northern California in Nicasio, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2023. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) The states electrical grid was strained in part because of a severe drought that left reservoirs at dangerously low levels, leaving little water available to pass through hydroelectric power plants. The water level in Lake Oroville got so low in 2021 state officials had to shut down a hydroelectric power plant that was capable of powering 80,000 homes. That wont be a problem this year after winter storms dumped massive amounts of rain and snow on the state. Plus, an additional 8,594 megawatts of power from wind, solar, and battery storage will come online by Sept. 1, according to Neil Millar, vice president of Transmission Planning & Infrastructure Development for the California Independent System Operator. One megawatt of electricity is enough to power about 750 homes. I am relieved to say that we are in a much better position than what we were going into 2022, said Siva Gunda, vice chair of the California Energy Commission. In this photo provided by the California Governors Office, Gov. Gavin Newsom (R) talks to a MOXION employee in Richmond, Calif., on May 25, 2023. (Sheila Fitzgerald/California Governors Office via AP) The struggle to power the state during severe heat waves has been a problem for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has aggressively moved the state away from fossil fuels. California gets much of its power now from sources like wind and solar. But those power sources are not always available. To avoid blackouts during heat waves, Newsom and the state Legislature spent $3.3 billion to create a strategic reliability reserve. State officials used the money to extend the life of some gas-fired power plants that were scheduled to retire and to purchase large diesel-powered generators. Last September, when a severe heat wave pushed the statewide demand for electricity to an all-time high, this reserve generated up to 1,416 megawatts of energy. The reserve helps keeps the lights on. But it also goes against the states goal of having 100 percent clean energy by 2045. The state got 59 percent of its energy from non-fossil-fuel sources in 2021, down from a high of 64 percent in 2019. State officials say the decrease is mostly because the drought reduced the amount of hydroelectric power available. One way to use solar power is to store it during the day and use it at night. Gunda said California is on track to have about 5,000 megawatts of battery storage available by June 1, an increase from just 250 megawatts in 2019. California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference in Richmond, Calif., on May 25, 2023. (Adam Beam/AP Photo) On Thursday, Newsom toured a battery manufacturing plant and touted his updated plan to ease the permitting process for new clean energy projects. I think the most important thing to reinforce is we cant get it done unless we go big and bold. and weve got to address the barriers in our way, Newsom said. While officials say the state should avoid critical power shortages, they warn the weather could change things. Wildfires are also a threat to knock out key power transmission lines. Those things could still trigger a flex alert warning people to conserve energy. I would say that folks shouldnt be surprised to see a flex alert, said Alice Reynolds, president of the California Public Utilities Commission. I mean, were talking about extreme heat, unusual events that are hard to manage. By Adam Beam MOSCOW, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the plenary session of the second Eurasian Economic Forum via video link upon invitation and delivered a speech on Wednesday. In his speech, Xi said that as a member of the Eurasian family, China's development cannot be achieved without the Eurasian region, and it also benefits the region. It is China's sincere hope that the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Eurasian Economic Union will be deepened, and all countries will work together with unity and dedication to open up new prospects for Asia-Europe cooperation, he said. Xi's words were warmly received in Eurasian countries, where experts appreciate China's role in promoting the peaceful development of the region and the world, and believe that Xi's speech offers significant guidance for China-Eurasia cooperation. SHARING NEW OPPORTUNITIES China's development has been very advantageous to Eurasian countries, said Vitaly Mankevich, president of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, echoing Xi's words. "The China-Central Asia Summit, which was held in the Chinese city of Xi'an and the recent visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to China have both yielded fruitful results. They are the best examples," added Mankevich. Xi's speech at the opening ceremony shows that the Chinese leader attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation with countries in the Eurasian region, Kyrgyz political scientist Bakyt Baketaev said. More than half of the members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are also members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and have close ties with China, which means that the EAEU could gain impetus from China to vitalize its development, said Baketaev. Given China's vast domestic market and its growing influence, deepening trade and financial cooperation with China will bring more opportunities that will contribute to the overall social and economic development of the EAEU, said Vice President of the Association of Russian Banks Oleg Preksin. Elena Lanina, the first vice-rector at the University under the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the EurAsEC, also believes that cooperation between China and Eurasian countries can yield many beneficial outcomes. "Through cooperation between China and member states of the EAEU, it will be possible to cultivate talents through joint education programs, which will further promote talent exchanges and provide employment opportunities," she said. EXPANDING NEW FIELDS Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI, Xi said that the ultimate goal of this initiative is to explore new ways for countries from near and far to achieve common development and to open up a "path of happiness" that benefits the whole world. People from Eurasian countries have already been benefiting from the initiative. "Thanks to the initiative, cooperation between China and Central Asia will surely be promising in the future," said Polat Mukhammed, who is from Kazakhstan and now studying at China University of Petroleum. As Belt and Road cooperation continues to expand into new fields, Mukhammed said that he has a wide range of employment opportunities after graduation. Many of his friends now are working in areas related to the BRI, such as logistics, trade, and energy. "Eurasian countries are taking practical steps to facilitate Belt and Road cooperation. These countries have achieved very concrete results, and the initiative has also opened up many broad prospects," Mankevich said. Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, rector of the Yerevan State University, is looking forward to expanding cooperation with China in the field of education. "The Yerevan State University has set up Chinese courses and has established strong ties with Chinese universities. In the future, we can explore teaching cooperation under multilateral mechanisms," he said. OPENING NEW CHAPTER Xi said in the speech that China is ready to work with the countries that took part in the BRI and the member countries of the EAEU to continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, share opportunities, overcome difficulties, create a better future, and work together to write a new chapter in the progress of civilization in a multipolar world. "There are very broad prospects for cooperation in trade, in the industrial sector, in technological development, logistics and transport," said Konstantin Dolgov, deputy chair of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy of Russia. Alexey Buravlev, director of the Research Institute of Euro-Asian Studies at the University under the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the EurAsEC, believes that Xi's speech will inject vitality into cooperation between China and the EAEU. "It will have a positive influence on joint projects in various fields such as science and technology," he said. Alexey Egorov, rector of the Belarus State University of Economics, believes that one of the most important achievements that can be accomplished through China-Eurasia cooperation is the improvement of people's well-being. "China has achieved great success in its economic development, and the concept of Chinese-style modernization should be carefully studied, and could serve as a reference point for the member states of the EAEU," he said. Californias Homelessness Crisis: The Illusion of Government Spending Commentary Just about everywhere you go, youre being encouraged to give money to an organization that needs it to operate and benefit people who are less fortunate than yourself. Our concept of helping is relinquishing our hard-earned money as a sacrifice for a greater good, which is a sacrifice we often gladly participate in. However, for us, the line of responsibility ends when our dollar hits the bottom of the tin can, and we presume that the organization we just gifted to will use it effectively toward reaching the end goal they marketed to the public. We can afford to be ignorant about how efficiently our $5 is going to be spent by a non-profit organization, but what happens when our government spends our tax dollars with the same mentality? It looks a lot like California. Californias homelessness crisis has been one that people all over the country discuss because of its rapid growth over the past decade and its uniqueness in scale. The situation has grown to such a monumental amount that if you live in California, you cant avoid its existence, because its seemingly everywhere. California currently ranks number one in total homeless population and has more homeless people than the next five states combined, with over 171,500 homeless people residing in the state and Los Angeles County having over 50,000 alone. With a legitimate humanitarian crisis afoot within the borders of California, the expectation is for the government to lead the charge in finding a solution. But the more money the government spends on solving the problem, the worse it seems to get. In February 2023, the states Interagency Council on Homelessness, which oversees how California implements its guidelines for housing the homeless and where financial resources are being allocated, released a report exposing the exorbitant amount of money California has spent on homelessness between 2018 and 2021. According to the report, the state spent nearly $10 billion between 2018 and 2021 and provided services to more than 571,000 people, with each year servicing more homeless people than the previous. Yet despite this tremendous spending, the majority of those people still remained homeless. However, this report doesnt address how the state could spend the money more effectively, nor was it asked to provide this methodology, because efficiency is rarely the objective of the government. There may be politicians who truly want to resolve the homeless crisis in California, but theyre outnumbered by those who just want to be associated with passing a legislative bill with a massive dollar amount to provide the illusion of doing something, not actually fixing something. This illusion simultaneously allows them a scapegoat for when the problem gets worse and to market themselves for their reelection campaigns, because at least they tried. To be a fighter for a cause, you only have to fight, not win, and thats the expectation many Americans have of our elected leaders. By refusing to follow the money or ask questions about its effectiveness, weve made it vulnerable to corruption and the gouging of tax-payer money by the many players involved in the homeless industrial complex. For example, Los Angeles voters were sold on publicly funding permanent supportive housing for the homeless by voting for Proposition HHH, which enabled $1.2 billion in bonds to develop these housing units. However, according to a report by an NPR affiliate, after the passing of this proposition, the price promised to the public quickly skyrocketed to an absurd amount. When voters passed the bond measure, they were told new permanent supportive housing would cost about $140,000 a unit. But average per unit costs are now more than triple that, the report stated. Being fiscally responsible isnt the objective of our politicians in government because its not their money theyre spending. Their objective is to remain in power by winning elections, and that doesnt necessarily require becoming our societys change agents but simply giving the illusion of providing change. We must be willing to look beyond this illusion by asking necessary questions about the people we elected to represent us and rate them by their efficiency, not just their advocacy. We cant afford to continue to believe that giving money is the last step in fixing societys problems instead of it being the first step. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A tomb containing a pair of over 2,300-year-old scissors was uncovered by ordinance disposal officers in Germany during a construction project set to move forward in the Sendling district of Munich. Prepped for handling explosive devices left over from World War II, during an excavation the officers instead found a Celtic grave site containing several metal artifactsincluding a pair of ancient, left-handed sheers. The officers reported the discovery to the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments in the early stages of its finding, who went on to extract from the grave: They found said pair of over 2,300-year-old scissors in a state of excellent preservation, a folded sword, the remnants of a shield, a spear tip, a razor blade, a belt chain, and a fibula clasp. A pair of over 0ver 2,300-year-old scissors were found in a Celtic tomb during an excavation in the Sendling district of Munich, Germany. (Courtesy of Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments) The quality of the contents points to the burial as being for someone of special social status. Estimated to be over 2,300 years old, the scissors themselves are still in mint condition, stated professor Mathias Pfeil, head of the Bavarian Office for the Preservation of Monuments, in an April 24 press release. [T]hat is a special find! The quality of craftsmanship is just as impressive as the fortunate fact that this tool has been excellently preserved. The rest of the tomb furnishings also provide a fascinating insight into our past. Several burial objects were found in a Celtic tomb during an excavation in the Sendling district of Munich, Germany. (Courtesy of Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments) Detail of the over 2,300-year-old scissors found in the Celtic tomb. (Courtesy of Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments) Scissors were multifunctional devices even then. This almost 5-inch-long (12-centimeter) pair may have been used for cutting hair or textiles, or it might have been used to shear sheep, they stated. The implement appears almost like new; without rust, it still bears a metallic sheen. Researchers believe the contents of the tomb were intended to accompany a male and female, LiveScience reported. From the 3rd century B.C. to 2nd century B.C., the Celtswho inhabited midland Europeburned their dead and buried the skeletal remains in pits alongside grave goods. Similar burials in Sendling indicate this recent tomb may have been undiscovered hitherto. The site is located centrally within a square delineated by four posts. A folded sword that would have measured 30 inches (76 centimeters) in length was found in the Celtic tomb. (Courtesy of Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments) A razor blade was also discovered among the contents of the Celtic tomb in Sendling. (Courtesy of Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments) The grave also contained a sword that would have measured 30 inches (76 centimeters) in length had it not been heated and then folded, rendering it unusable. One can only speculate as to the reason for its being folded, the researchers stated. Perhaps it was deliberately stripped of its functions to protect the site from looters. Or it may have been folded simply to fit inside the grave. They further guessed that the swords ritual destruction might have been intended to forward its uses to its owner in the afterlife, or served as a superstitious measure to ward off revenants. The folded sword found in the Celtic tomb in Sendling. (Courtesy of Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments) The over 2,300-year-old scissors found in the Celtic tomb in Sendling. (Courtesy of Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments) The planned construction in Sendling is expected to continue without delays despite the tombs finding, the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments stated. Meanwhile, this hitherto-unknown Celtic grave presents researchers a link to the ancient past from which to glean insight. Its contents have been secured in a state office, ensuring the possibility for future discovery. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Chip Giant Nvidia Nears Trillion-Dollar Status The logo of Nvidia Corporation during the annual Computex computer exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 30, 2017. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters) Nvidias stock surged 24 percent on Thursday after the chipmaker forecast a huge jump in revenue, boosting its market value close to $1 trillion. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the company was seeing surging demand for its data center products amid the rise of accelerated computing and generative AI, according to its May 24 press release. The surge more than doubled the stocks value for this year and increased the companys market capitalization by about $184 billion to nearly $939 billion. That makes Nvidia twice as big as the second-largest chip firm, Taiwans TSMC. The upbeat earnings also sparked a rally in the chip sector and for AI-focused firms. On Wednesday, the maker of graphics chips for gaming and artificial intelligence reported a quarterly profit of more than $2 billion and revenue of $7 billion, both exceeding Wall Street expectations. Its projections for sales of $11 billion this quarter is a 64 percent jump from last year during the same period, and above the $7.2 billion industry analysts were forecasting. The company said it would have more supply of AI chips in the second half to meet a surge in demand. Nvidia said that performance was driven by demand for its GPU chips from cloud vendors as well as large consumer internet companies, which use Nvidia chips to train and deploy generative AI applications. It looks like the new gold rush is upon us, and NVIDIA is selling all the picks and shovels, Susquehanna Financial Groups Christopher Rolland and Matt Myers wrote Thursday. Nvidias strong performance in data centers shows that AI chips are becoming increasingly important for cloud providers and other companies that run large numbers of servers. In the 15+ years we have been doing this job, we have never seen a guide like the one Nvidia just put up with the second-quarter outlook that was by all accounts cosmological, and which annihilated expectations, Stacy Rasgon of Bernstein said. The results bode well for Big Tech companies, which have shifted focus to AI in hopes the technology would help attract demand at a time their profit engines of digital advertising and cloud computing are under pressure from a weak economy. Some analysts said Nvidias results show that the generative AI boom could be the next big driver of growth. Were really just seeing the tip of the iceberg. This really could be another inflection point in technological history, such as the internal combustion engineor the internet, said Derren Nathan, head of equity analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said $1 trillion worth of current equipment in data centers would have to be replaced with AI chips, as generative AI is applied to every product and service. AI chips are designed to perform artificial intelligence tasks faster and more efficiently. While general-purpose chips like CPUs can also be used for simpler AI tasks, theyre becoming less and less useful as AI advances, a 2020 report from Georgetown Universitys Center for Security and Emerging Technology notes. Because of their unique features, AI chips are tens or even thousands of times faster and more efficient than CPUs for training and inference of AI algorithms, the report adds, noting that AI chips can also be more cost-effective than CPUs due to their greater efficiency. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Congressional Witness Calls Red State Election Reforms Voter Suppression Texas Gov Greg Abbott shows off Senate Bill 1, also known as the election integrity bill, after he signed it into law in Tyler, Texas, on Sept. 7, 2021. (LM Otero/AP Photo) The 2022 election failed black voters, said National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) attorney Deuel Ross in a May 24 Congressional subcommittee hearing on elections. Ross testified that since the 2020 election 400 bills were introduced in state legislatures around the country to restrict the franchise. He said 24 states had actually enacted 45 laws that roll back voting rights and interfere with election administration by shifting authority over elections from executive agencies or non-profit bodies to the legislature. Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus bow their heads in prayer with local faith leaders at the end of a news conference about voting rights at Unity Baptist Church in Washington on July 26, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Ross bemoaned new laws that he said criminalize good faith mistakes or decisions by election workers. A marked increase in voter eligibility challenges is something he also decried. Floridas elimination of most unstaffed ballot-return drop boxes and ballot harvesting; the banning of drive-thru voting in Texas; and states requiring state-issued ID card numbers or partial social security numbers on absentee ballot application and return envelopes, were cited by Ross as examples of voter suppression. The creation of the new Florida Office of Election Crimes and Security, and the resultant arrest of 20 ex-convicts for allegedly voting in the 2020 election also drew his ire. Ross said Republicans used false concerns about voter fraud to justify the barriers to the ballot and even as a pretext for violence. False rhetoric regarding stolen elections encouraged the Jan. 6 insurrection, which, according to Ross was a violent attack on the Capitol that sought to bring an end to democracy in our nation. He said the next stage of the backlash over losing the 2020 election came in the form of a wave of restrictive voting laws. Congressman Joe Morelle, who represents New Yorks 25th Congressional District, in an undated file photo. (Courtesy of Joe Morelle) Ranking member Joe Morelle (D-New York) faulted Republicans for buying into former President Donald Trumps Big Lie about a stolen election. They only accept the results when they win. There is no evidence of widespread fraud. The 2020 election was the most secure election in U.S. history, he said. Committee member Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) said false claims that the election was rigged did harm. She accused Republicans of using allegations of fraud to roll back progress. Democrat Election Deniers Highlighted Witness Scot Turner, of Eternal Vigilance, a public interest non-profit, and a former Georgia state representative, told the committee: The greatest threat to our constitutional republic is misinformation and disinformation. Turner reminded the committee that Democrat Hillary Clinton was not above falsely claiming that the 2016 election was stolen from her by the Russians. Nonetheless, he said an evident turn in the attitude of politicians and the public about the fairness of our elections began in Georgia in 2018 when the Democrat candidate for governor, Stacey Abrams, refused to concede she lost the election to Republican Brian Kemp. Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks in Washington on April 6, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Abrams refusal to concede changed the environment, Turner said. Recent election reform in Georgia has vastly improved the voting experience, according to Turner. Executive director of the Lawyers Democracy Fund Lisa Dixon testified that the nation is facing a crisis of voter confidence. She said that is significant because the peaceful transfer of power rests on that confidence. The careless handling of ballots decreases voter confidence, stated Dixon. She said people trust their local election officials more than those higher up the chain. The establishing of clear rules well ahead of the election, accurate registration rolls, transparency, and consistency in following the laws are very important to maintaining trust in the system, according to Dixon. What is Truth? Morelle blamed Republicans for creating the alleged lack of confidence. He said some are sowing doubt in elections for their own profit. He stated he was troubled by the lack of truth in the series of hearings conducted thus far and was having trouble understanding their purpose. Committee member Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) said Washington is the capital of misinformation and disinformation. He referred to the city as the fantasy kingdom of Oz. Loudermilk recalled how Barack Obama had mischaracterized a very positive Georgia election reform bill as Jim Crow 2.0. The Partisan Divide Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) commented, Conspiracy theories make it hard for local election officials to get the truth to the public. Referring to the House Republicans proposed budget plan and its impact on the conduct of elections, she wondered aloud about what damage they have in store for the American people? Subcommittee chair Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) asserted that the states have primary authority in determining their election laws and administering elections. The role of Congress is secondary. It involves support and oversight. We need to examine areas of improvement and empower states, she said. When states go amuck, what should happen? asked Sewell. Recent Record Turnouts Why voter turnout has set records despite all of the alleged voter suppression laws is a question no one at the hearing could answer. Instead, Democrats sought to deflect attention to the alleged disparate impact the reform laws have on people of color. Sewell said that historically, large segments of the American people were intentionally excluded from voting. Turnout numbers do not tell the whole story. Barriers still exist, she said. Congressman Chip Roy (R-Texas) dropped in on the subcommittee hearing to put in a plug for the proposed Protection of American Voters Act. The bill is designed to assure that only citizens of the United States are voting in our elections, according to Roy. Attorney Thor Hearne, election integrity advocate and Thomas More Society Special Counsel. (Courtesy of Thomas More Society) Witness Thor Hearne, a member of the 2005 Carter-Baker Commission, a bipartisan election reform panel, testified: The test of a fair and honest election is when the losing candidate and his or her supporters accept the outcome as the will of the people. Hearne said the commission found absentee ballots and mail-in ballots, including ballots deposited in drop boxes, to be the most significant source of vote fraud. Every illegally cast ballot disenfranchises a citizen who casts a lawful vote. Our confidence in the integrity of elections is threatened if special interests and billionaires are able to pay state and local election officials and direct how state and local election officials conduct elections, he said. Hearne said the chain of custody for absentee ballots must be kept to the voter, immediate family members, election officials, and official postal and other recognized delivery services. Party workers and candidates must be prohibited from picking up and delivering ballots and payment by the piece plans must be outlawed, according to Hearne. Voter ID laws that make it easy for poll workers to determine if a person is a U.S. citizen, the prohibition of ballot harvesting, and the maintenance of up-to-date, accurate and uniform voter registration rolls, are necessary to restore public confidence in the fairness of elections, Hearne said. DeSantis Presidential Campaign Says It Raised Over $8 Million in First 24-hours This illustration photo shows the live Twitter talk with Elon Musk on a background of Ron DeSantis as he announces his 2024 presidential run on his Twitter page, May 24, 2023. (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images) While Ron DeSantis official announcement that he was running for president, which he made on Twitter, and for which Twitter CEO Elon Musk served as host, was glitched filled, DeSantis raked in $8.2 million in the 24 hours following the announcement, breaking the previous mark of $6.3 million that Joe Biden raised on the initial day of his White House run in 2019. The tremendous support weve experienced in the last 24 hours will be critical as we hit the ground running in the early nominating states to share Governor DeSantis plan to revitalize the American Spirit, DeSantis campaign manager Generra Peck said in a statement touting the early financial numbers. DeSantis, 44, joined five other prominent Republicans officially vying to be the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election: former President Donald Trump, 76; two-term South Carolina governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, 51; South Carolina U.S. Senator Tim Scott, 57; biotech magnate Vivek Ramaswamy, 37; and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, 72. The Candidates Cash The Epoch Times took a look at campaign finance data, including the most recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings which were updated on the final day of March. Desantis out-of-the-gates $8.2 million raised adds to an already well-funded war chest. He has $86 million available through a political action committee (PAC), Friends of Ron DeSantis. And, while DeSantis trails by large measure frontrunner Donald Trump in the race for the Republican nomination, he holds an advantage, at least for now, in money at hand and fundraising. Trumps presidential campaign account has a balance of $13.9 million, and there is $18.3 million in his PAC Save America ($18.3 million), for a total of $32.2 million he can access. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) during a working session regarding the Opportunity Zones at the White House in Washington on Feb. 14, 2018. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Another GOP hopeful with a solid balance sheet is Tim Scott, one of Congress most successful and effective fundraisers. His 2022 Senate reelection run, which he completed by winning 63 percent of the vote, brought in more than $41 million, about $22 million of which was unspent and he has made available to his presidential campaign. In the first 24 hours after Scott announced he was running for president, he raised in the neighborhood of $2 million. Nikki Haley has $4.1 million in her campaign account. Vivek Ramaswamy, in large part because of his personal wealth, that Forbes estimates at $600 million, is a bit of an unknown in terms of his campaign spending potential. He loaned his campaign 10.25 million, raised 1.7 million, and has $9.4 million on hand. Still a Longshot DeSantis will follow the online kickoff of his Great America Comeback Tour run for the presidency with an on-the-ground event on May 30 in Iowa, the state that in 2024 holds the first-in-the-nation Republican presidential primary caucus on Feb. 5. Then the Florida governor goes on a four-day tour of early primary states. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives remarks in National Harbor, Md., on April 21, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Republican presidential primary polls reveal some good news for DeSantis. He is solidly in second place and the only candidate besides Donald Trump with double-digit support. But, then, there is that big Trump lead. Almost all polls register that more than twice the number of voters would cast their ballot for the former president than for DeSantis. A May 25 FOX News poll had Trump in front of DeSantis, 53 to 20 percent, followed by former Vice President Mike Pence (5 percent); Haley and Ramaswamy, both at 4 percent; Scott (2 percent); and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu tied at 1 percent. Quinnipiac University released a poll on May 24 in which Trump led DeSantis 56 to 25 percent. Haley garnered 3 percent, and Pence, Scott, and former New Jersey Governor Christ Christie each received two percent. And, yet, a truism in politics is that polls change, sometimes fast and dramatically. A Rasmussen Republican primary poll published on May 17, before Scott and DeSantis jumped in the ring, found that 62 percent would vote for Trump and 17 percent for DeSantis. Pence polled at 6 percent, Haley (5 percent), Hutchinson (3 percent), and Ramaswamy (2 percent). Engineering Firm Fined $250,000 After Worker Crushed A general view of the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne, April 3, 2023. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) An engineering firm has been fined $250,000 (US$163,000) after a worker was killed while dismantling a former Victorian cheese factory. Glen Parsons died when he was crushed by a 770kg condenser at the old Murray Goulburn Cheese factory at Leitchville, in northern Victoria, in December 2017. The equipment was being loaded into a shipping container for transport after the factory was bought by a New Zealand company in 2017. By late November there were only a handful of people left from A1 Engineering working at the site, and Parsons was the most senior employee. Site supervisor Andrew Buchanan had to return to New Zealand for family reasons as the project wrapped up but hoped to be back by Dec. 5. He was unable to return as planned. Parsons was unwell and arrived late on Dec. 6. Parsons spoke with Buchanan over the phone, and they discussed loading equipment into containers. Attempts were made to move the heavy condenser into a closed-top shipping container but its size and shape made the task difficult. A plan was devised, using a hydraulic jack and a plank of wood, but it was flawed from the start, County Court Judge Damian Murphy said. While Mr Parsons was a qualified boilermaker and a highly experienced and well regarded employee, he was left with no supervision whatsoever, Murphy said. The task was fraught with risks and required dogging and rigging skills, which neither Parsons nor the other man had. Parsons had asked his colleague for a hammer so he could remove the skates from under the condenser, to move it off the jack into the container. But it fell onto Parsons and the other man, who suffered non-fatal crush injuries. A jury found A1 Engineering guilty of one charge, in that it should have ensured there was a supervisor directly supervising the men. It was acquitted of three other occupational health and safety charges. Parsons wife Jan said she didnt blame anyone for his death and hoped the finalisation of court processes would allow her to live her life wholly again. It really is your worst nightmare when the man you adore and love does not come home from work, she said. Andrew Buchanan Engineering, the company owned by Buchanan, was fined $300,000 (US$196,000) after pleading guilty to its role in Parsons death. Ex-Marine Gets 50 Years to Life for Shooting Death Outside San Diego Bar SAN DIEGOA former U.S. Marine who fatally shot a man outside a Miramar bar last year was sentenced May 26 to 50 years to life in state prison. Damani Jerry Wiltshire-Beal, 23, was convicted by a San Diego jury of murder, plus an allegation of using a firearm in the Feb. 19, 2022, shooting death of Kyle Delangel, 37, of National City. Prosecutors allege Wiltshire-Beal shot Delangel multiple times in the parking lot of Off Base Bar, while co-defendant Samuel Victor Perez, 24, drove Wiltshire-Beal from the scene. Perez was convicted of being an accessory after the fact and was sentenced to a county jail term. The shooting stemmed from an argument that sparked between the defendants and several women in the parking lot at around 2 a.m. The women then went into the bar and told employees and other patrons about the altercation, leading Delangel to confront the defendants, according to prosecutors. After the shooting, Delangel was taken to a hospital to undergo emergency surgery, but he later died. Both defendants were arrested separately at their residences later that day. At the time of the shooting, Wiltshire-Beal was an active-duty Marine stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Wiltshire-Beals defense attorney, Caley Anderson, asked San Diego Superior Court Judge Carlos Armour to consider sentencing his client to less than the maximum term of 25 years to life for the firearm allegation. The judge declined to do so and called the killing a gratuitous murder with really no provocation. Armour said, I dont think its an exaggeration to say that [Delangel] was heroically coming to the help of young women who were being verbally and physically harassed by the defendant and his cohort. He put himself in harms way, and unfortunately suffered the consequences of the actions of the defendant and Mr. Perez. Experts to Consider Critical Listing for Ancient Australian Fish A supplied image obtained on Sep. 7, 2022, of an endangered Maugean Skate in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast. (AAP Image/Supplied by Jane Ruckert) An expert committee that decided not to list an ancient fish as critically endangered last year may be about to change its mind. An urgent report released last week warned the maugean skate is on the brink of extinction and could be one extreme weather event away from vanishing forever. The ancient species is now only found in Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania. A recent survey found no evidence of another previously known population in Bathurst Harbour. Despite being listed as endangered since 2004, the maugean skate has never had a recovery plan. On May 26, senators were told the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, which advises the federal government on endangered species, considered the skates plight last year. But the committee decided not to change its status from endangered, a listing thats been in place since 2004. Committee chair Helene Marsh says the issue will be reconsidered when the committee next meets. In two weeks time we will be consideringin light of all the scientific informationthe case for listing the maugean skate as critically endangered, the professor told a budget estimates hearing. We are deeply concerned about the situation. Marsh said that in 2021 there was a public nomination for the species to be up-listed to critically endangered. We recommended to the then-minister that it be included on a final priority assessment list. A decision was made not to do that, Marsh said, without providing further details. We looked at it again in 2022. By thenand I think partly catalysed by the concerns of the committeewe had discussions with the threatened species commissioner about this. Marsh said a survey looking for environmental DNA evidence of a skate population in Bathurst Harbour was underway at that time. So the committee looked at it in 2022 and we thought the data just arent there yet and to put it, to recommend that it go on the final priority assessment list because we knew new data was coming. And so now, were looking at it again. Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, from Tasmania, said he didnt want to cry over spilt milk but told the professor hed written to the committee years ago, to express serious concerns about the skate. I did write to the Threatened Species Scientific Committee back in 2017, urging exactly the kind of action thats now underway, Whish-Wilson said. Marsh said shed heard the senator say that earlier this week and was surprised because shed never seen the letter, despite being chair of the committee at that time. There is no record of the committee ever seeing that letter. Earlier this week Threatened Species Commissioner Fiona Fraser said Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek intended to write to her Tasmanian counterpart, urging extreme intervention to save the fish. Plibersek has promised to ward off any new extinctions in Australia. The action follows the release of an urgent report by the University of Tasmanias Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, which found the skate population had plunged by almost half in just seven years. Environmental activists have blamed reduced oxygen levels in the harbour brought about by the local salmon farming industry, and climate change effects. SacramentoJamie Mason was more than 20 years into her career in specialty coffee when she got a call from an alarming source: the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department. The Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center was starting a coffee education and barista training program, a lieutenant told Mason, and they wanted her to lead it. She demurred at first, content to write curriculum and design the cafes layout, before taking the reins in November 2020. Thus began Redemption Coffee, the Elk Grove jails internal cafe and training center for soon-to-be-released female inmates. Twenty-one women graduated since Mason took over, and alumnae have landed jobs as baristas and roasters at Camellia Coffee Roasters and Bewleys, the parent company of Java City. Redemption Coffee students first learn bean anatomy, tasting notes and coffee origins. They then dive into foundational barista knowledge such as milk science and pouring espresso shots, before learning latte art and how to pick out tasting notes. The final sessions focus on cafe operations such as taking inventory and writing schedules. Working as a barista is many peoples foot-in-the-door to the coffee industry, but Redemption Coffee shows people how to do jobs away from the counter, many of which Mason said offer more of a living wage. Mason teaches three to 12 women at a time, all of whom must have been in jail for at least three months, cant be violent offenders and must sign up for other reentry services as well. Part of my job is to really think about not just measured outcomes but changing the cultural attitudes of ex-offenders, Mason said. Theyve done their time. I want these women to have a fair chance and opportunity to thrive in their lives. These women constantly surprise me with their drive to want to change. Copyright 2023 The Sacramento Bee. Visit sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Fullerton School District Removes Nazi Symbols from Sixth-Grade Sound of Music Play A Fullerton School District school opted this week to remove Nazi symbols from their sixth-graders performance of the play The Sound of Music. The play, set in Austria at the beginning of World War II, tells the true story of a family who must flee their country as the Nazis invade. District Superintendent Rob Pletka said in a statement to The Epoch Times that he opted to remove the swastika, a symbol of the Nazi regime, and the heil Hitler salute from the play as a safety precaution. I made the decision to remove these signs and symbols associated with the Holocaust from the play, he said. By doing so, I aim to protect our children from the potential harm that could arise from their unknowing association with such destructive and harmful imagery. Pletka said that because these symbols are associated with the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of 6 million Jews, there is the potential that the young children who innocently perform in this play become associated with these destructive symbols. In this time of social media, it is likely that well-meaning parents and community members would share these images, inadvertently associating our children with signs, flags, armbands, and gestures linked to the atrocities of the Holocaust, he said. The juxtaposition of powerful and destructive symbols with innocent children has the potential not only to spark controversy but also to attract individuals or groups with ill intent. These social media posts of our children could leave them vulnerable to the co-opting of these photographs by nefarious individuals or groups meant to mock or exploit our children for their own purpose. The play took place on May 24 and 25 at Rolling Hills Elementary School. Additionally, the district also prohibited the performance from being shown to first through third graders during school hoursand required parental permission for viewing by fourth and fifth graders. Several parents spoke on the matter during a May 16 board meeting, with some supporting the superintendents decision, and others raising concerns over censorship. One parent said during the meeting that her eight-year-old came home repeating little Nazi boy, after hearing kids on the playground at school using the phrase. The parent said after reaching out to school and district officials, she realized it was likely being used by kids who were in the play. She argued that her child was too young to have an understanding of the events of World War II. I want [my child] to learn the right things at the right time, she said. Another parent who spoke at the meeting agreed, saying his child was too young to learn about such history. The portrayal and simulation of Nazis in a not-age-appropriate situation actually hurts the way kids learn about and internalize that information, said the parent. However, another parent and educator said she didnt consider The Sound Music a threat, as it portrays Nazis in a negative light. However unfortunateand sickening, Nazis are a part of our history, she said. They are neither celebrated nor glorified in any part of this musical. The day the district excludes kids from a performance like this one, is the day I start to see the districts decisions as a threat. The parent further stated that she thought it was important to have difficult conversations about history with students. While I understand the situation is fraught, as we teach our students, one of lifes obstacles is working through the complexities of situations like these with rigorous communication rather than submission, the parent said at the meeting. While I rely on the fact that [the school district] is going to protect my children I dont consider The Sound of Music a threat. Rather, I find it a delightful way to learn about courage, perseverance, and grit. Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a teleconference on consolidating poverty-relief achievements and promoting rural vitalization in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong on Friday called for efforts to consolidate poverty-relief achievements and promote rural vitalization. Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a teleconference. Noting that the poverty-relief achievements were hard-won, the vice premier stressed the consistency of supportive work and policies to prevent people from returning to poverty in large numbers. Focus should be put on key groups and greater support should be given to key areas, Liu said, urging efforts to rectify problems based on solid assessment and evaluation. On rural vitalization, Liu stressed adopting a targeted and practical approach featuring overall planning and category-based policies and urged speeding up the high-quality development of rural industries according to local conditions. Greens Seek to Release List of Names in PwC Tax Leak People pass the offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in St Helier, Jersey, on April 12, 2017. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images) The Greens have sought to publicly release a list of names of Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) employees allegedly involved in the tax advice scandal. But the finance committee on May 26 decided instead to refer the tabling of the document to Senate Clerk Richard Pye after concerns were raised it could jeopardise an Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation. Greens senator Barbara Pocock sought to table the list during a committee hearing into the Future Fund Management Agency. I would ask you to look at a list of names of the parties involved in the PwC recent events, involved in that leak, and I would ask you to look at that list and tell me whether any of these people, were they involved in giving advice to the future fund, Pocock said. The Australian public and many entities want to know the names of people who have been giving advice. Labor senator Louise Pratt urged caution, to protect the interest of the Australian public. Liberal senator Richard Colbeck questioned if the list could legally be published. There is a legal investigation ongoing and I would be very cautious about doing anything that jeopardises the legal action, Colbeck said. The hearing was suspended while senators debated if they could release the names. After deliberating, the committee decided to seek further advice from the clerk. Pocock said she accepted and respected the decision made by the committee, but believed there was a strong public interest in naming the employees. I believe that the truth and the names of people involved in this event will out, Pocock said. And I think thats an important question for the Australian public that they have that knowledge sooner rather than later. Future Fund officials told senators the body had not received any advice from PwC on multinational tax policy. This week it was confirmed the AFP has launched an investigation into one former senior manager following a referral by Treasury. And the finance department has called for the removal of any personnel involved in the incident from government contracts, at least until the internal review has wrapped up. The firm has agreed to the recommendations and is co-operating with police. Finance department officials also confirmed they had not asked for the redacted names of the 53 staff involved in the leak, unveiled in a collection of internal PwC emails. The emails show partners and staff received emails relating to a plan to use Treasury information to help clients dodge tax laws. Finance department officials said naming the partners could disrupt the criminal investigation launched by the federal police. Group Advocating Race-Blind America Wants Medical Schools to Admit DEIs Harm Students sit on the steps of Wilson Library on the campus of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C., on Sept. 20, 2018. (Jonathan Drake/Reuters) A nonprofit advocating for a race-blind America vows to take its pushback on the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in medical schools to a new level: asking leadership to admit the harm of DEI to medicine. Earlier in May, the efforts of Color Us United (CUU) and its partners drove the University of North Carolina (UNC) system to end its task force integrating social justice into the medical schools curriculum. That made UNC the first medical school to do so. The task force, led by E. Nathan Thomas III, vice dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at UNCs medical school, was a part of the public institutions DEI initiatives. In its final report (pdf) released in October 2020, the panel stated goals such as training and evaluating medical students and doctors on social justice, DEI, and health care disparitiesanother name for structural racism in hospitals. The report also recommended tying DEI evaluations with student admissions, faculty promotion, and tenure guidelines. We are not done with UNC; I know that they still have DEI practices going on, Kenny Xu, president of CUU, told The Epoch Times. We really want to push [Dean of UNC Medical School] Wesley Burks to admit the harms that DEI is causing upon their employees and patients, from the training to the seminars to the preferences and admissions that are lowering the quality of doctors and the standard. He said he would expand CUUs efforts to other top medical schools, including Harvard and Johns Hopkins. The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., on March 28, 2020. (Rob Carr/Getty Images) Initial Victory In a letter dated May 11, Kristen Stevenson, senior university counsel of UNC at Chapel Hill, told the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a group advocating free speech rights on college campuses, that the task force has concluded its work and the recommendations have not been operationalized. There is no plan to implement the Task Forces recommendations now or in the future. Even if the recommendations were revisited in the future, further review and revision would be required, she added, referring to a UNC systemwide policy that prohibits the university from making admission, employment, or promotion decisions based on beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles regarding matters of contemporary political debate or social action. The policy the UNC Board of Governors adopted in February came days after North Carolina State University rescinded a controversial essay question asking applicants to describe how they would contribute to a more diverse and inclusive environment. If passed, a North Carolina Senate bill currently progressing in the state legislature would ban compelled speech of applicants as a condition of getting a job in any state agency, department, and institution. Five Months and $100,000 Xu said the end of the task force was the outcome of a five-month $100,000 campaign, mainly on advertisements and lobbying. CUU and its partners worked on four groups to influence the UNC systemboard of trustees, alumni, state legislature, and the general publicin the red state where Republicans control both the House and Senate, he added. CUUs next step is to email employees of UNC at Chapel Hill to ask them to report any continued DEI training. We know, at Color Us United and across the country, that Americans dont care about the race of their doctor; they just want the most qualified doctor, Xu told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. Another DEI Task Force In the spring of 2021, Thomas convened another task force that made similar recommendations. However, emails (pdf) the National Association of Scholars obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request showed that Thomas wanted to keep this task force secret. I feel confident saying that when UNC rejects the task force integrating social justice, which is the public task force released by the med school, they really are scared about the blowback of the DEI, said Xu. Theyre not going to stand behind this other task force because its basically the same thing. The Epoch Times has contacted Thomas and UNC for comment. Health Care Workers Win Revival of Lawsuit Against Maine COVID Vaccine Mandate A lawsuit challenging Maines COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers was revived on May 25 by a federal appeals court. U.S. District Judge Jon Levy, an Obama appointee, wrongly tossed the case when he ruled in 2022 that the mandate is rationally based, judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit said in the new decision. It is plausible, based on the plaintiffs allegations and in the absence of further factual development, that the mandate treats comparable secular and religious activity dissimilarly without adequate justification, U.S. Circuit Judge Sandra Lynch, a Clinton appointee, said. Maines 2021 mandate prohibited religious exemptions from the mandate but not medical ones, which was a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the health care workers, who were fired for not being vaccinated, said in the suit. Levy disagreed. Title VII d does not mandate that employers provide the specific accommodation requested by an employee, nor does it require employers to provide accommodations that would require the employer to violate state law, the judge said. He also said state officials did not violate the U.S. Constitution, including the First Amendments Free Exercise Clause, citing how the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that whether two activities are comparable for purposes of the Free Exercise Clause must be judged against the asserted government interest that justifies the regulation. A medical exemption to state-mandated vaccines is fundamentally different and, therefore, not comparable to a religious exemption because a medical exemption aligns with the States interest in protecting public health and, more specifically, medically vulnerable individuals from illness and infectious diseases, while non-medical exemptions, including religious exemptions, do not, he ruled. The appeals court panel agreed that the mandate does not violate Title VII. But the case can move forward on the possibility it clashes with constitutional protections, the judges said. The Free Exercise Clause states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof while another part of the Constitution says that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Previous court rulings have found a law subject to review if it treat[s] any comparable secular activity more favorably than religious exercise. The mandate falls in this category, based on the complaints allegations that the mandate allows some number of unvaccinated individuals to continue working in healthcare facilities based on medical exemptions while refusing to allow individuals to continue working while unvaccinated for religious reasons, the appeals court panel said. Granting medical exemptions could undermine the state interests in the same way that officials said the religious exemptions would, the judges said. Of course, it is entirely possible that additional facts might show that the two types of exemption are not comparable. For example (and not by way of limitation), it may be that medical exemptions are likely to be rarer, more time limited, or more geographically diffuse than religious exemptions, such that the two exemptions would not have comparable public health effects, they said. Lawmakers in Maine in 2019 eliminated religious exemptions for required vaccinations and voters the following year rejected a referendum that would have reestablished the exemptions, meaning the COVID-19 vaccination requirements were treated the same as other vaccination requirements. Lynch was joined in the 30 ruling by Circuit Judges Bruce Selya, a Reagan appointee, and Lara Montecalvo, a Biden appointee. We look forward to taking on Gov. Janet Mills and her administration regarding the clear violations of the U.S. Constitution, Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, which is representing the workers, said in a statement. This administration operates as though it is above the law. No one is above the law. The rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution cannot be set aside, he added. Maine officials have not yet commented on the ruling. Judges sent the case back to the lower court for further proceedings consistent with their ruling. Early to bed, early to rise has been well-regarded health advice since ancient times. An ancient Chinese saying says, Work since sunrise and rest at sunset. But why is sleep so important? The idea of activity beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset aligns with the laws of nature and the human bodys internal processes. Three American scientists discovered a biological clock inside the human body, also known as the circadian rhythm. They also identified the key genes that control the biological clock, earning them the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. However, as early as 2,500 years ago, the Chinese medicine classic The Yellow Emperors Canon of Internal Medicine discussed the existence of this law, calling it Zi Wu Liu Zhu (Midnight-noon and ebb-flow doctrine). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) discovered that the human body has a meridian system responsible for transporting qi and blood around the body. These basic substances constitute human life and maintain all its physiological activities. Twelve primary meridians follow specific timing and pathways. The 12 hours of a day (one hour is equivalent to two hours in our 24-hour clock) correspond to the 12 main meridians of the human body. In each of these 12 hours, the qi and blood on the corresponding meridian will be particularly active, and the viscera governed by that meridian is in its prime too. For example, between 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., the gallbladder and liver meridians are in full swing, and this is the best time to sleep. During this period, activities such as often staying up late, eating late-night snacks, or drinking alcohol are more likely to damage the liver and prevent it from performing its normal detoxification functionality, which may cause liver and gallbladder complications. In addition, the abnormal bile secretion that follows can also cause digestive tract problems. The optimal amount of sleep for the human body is six to eight hours. A good quality sleep lasts until dawn, without waking up before that time. In addition to giving you more energy, getting a good nights sleep provides six other benefits. 6 Benefits of Sleep 1. Boosts Weight Loss Quality sleep can lead to weight loss, partially determined by the time you fall asleep. It is also closely related to the hormones produced during sleep. What hormones are produced during sleep? The first is growth hormone, produced between 10:00 p.m. and 2 a.m. This hormone helps children grow. In adults, it helps break down fat and promotes anti-aging. Going to bed at 10 p.m. will aid growth hormone production. The second hormone is cortisol, secreted between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Cortisol can break down fat and sugar. Dont stay up late; avoid interrupting your sleep at night to achieve the best weight loss effects. A paper published in JAMA Internal Medicine pointed out that developing the habit of sleeping more would also lead to reduced calorie intake. The research team collected data on the sleeping habits of 80 randomly selected participants and tracked their weight changes over six years. Previous data show that the average sleep time for this group was usually less than six and a half hours. For a two-week experiment, participants were divided into two groups. Then, one groups sleep duration was adjusted to eight and a half hours. The results showed that the group that slept eight and a half hours consumed an average of 270 fewer calories daily. Researchers then predicted that continuing this behavior would result in a loss of 26 pounds over three years. Studies like this show that good sleep quality can help balance appetite-regulating hormones and have an auxiliary effect on weight loss. 2. Prolongs Life Most people who live long lives value sleep. A good nights sleep can allow organs to get enough rest, maintain normal operation, and avoid illness. Sleep also relieves stress, which can help you keep a better mood and thus extend your life. A research report released at the 2023 American Heart Associations annual meeting pointed out that sleep quality impacts both total and cardiovascular-induced mortality and is related to life expectancy. Therefore, starting a healthy sleep habit early can reduce the risk of premature death. 3. Improves Mood According to TCM theory, the liver oversees emotions. During insomnia, one has a lot of liver heat, leading to a bad temper. For instance, women often have insufficient liver blood during menstruation, leading to poor mood. Therefore, it is best to go to bed before 11 p.m. to nourish the liver and improve spirit and mood. Studies in Italy published in the Journal of Sleep Research have also confirmed that lack of sleep may cause people to have a negative emotional bias. This means that people who get less sleep are likelier to feel and think negatively. In the study, researchers asked 42 participants to alter their sleep patterns over a two-week experimental period. The participants started off sleeping normally for five consecutive nights, but after a two-day buffer, they were asked to sleep less than five hours for five straight days. During the sleep-restricted phase, participants fell asleep at about 2 a.m. and woke up at 7 a.m. After five nights of sleep restriction, the participants had negative thoughts even while viewing pleasant and neutral pictures, compared to when they had normal sleep schedules. 4. Clears the Mind After the brain is fully rested, thinking will become sharper, improving work or study efficiency. A 2019 study published in Science pointed out that during the slow wave sleep (SWS) period, the brain will stabilize memory and cognitive functions. In addition, the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain will remove metabolic waste from the brain, including beta-amyloid. This is important because beta-amyloid aggregation is a hallmark of Alzheimers disease. 5. Prevents Disease The lymphatic system secretes T cells that can engulf bacteria and viruses. Sleep can strengthen the lymphatic system, thereby strengthening the immune system. This is why doctors often say that when you have a cold, you should rest more and dont stay up late to keep your immune system functioning properly. The endocrine system also balances while you sleep to help the body prevent diseases. 6. Nourishes Complexion Quality sleep can promote skin metabolism and has beautifying and anti-aging benefits. Studies have also shown that there is such a thing as beauty sleep, and people who dont get enough tend to be less attractive to others. This study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science involved 25 people, including 11 men and 14 women. Participants first got a good nights sleep two nights in a row. After a week, they could only sleep four hours a night for two consecutive days. Afterward, researchers took photos of them without makeup. The researchers then asked 122 men and women living in Stockholm to look at the photos and evaluate the attractiveness, health, sleepiness, and trustworthiness of these people, asking, How much would you like to socialize with this person (in the photo)? The raters could tell when someone looked tired; if the person looked sleepy, their attractiveness score would drop. Raters also said they were less willing to socialize with people who looked tired and less healthy. Panda eyes and puffy eyelids are enough to make other people less likely to socialize with you, according to the researchers. When you look tired, strangers see you as less healthy and less approachable. 3 Things That Prevent Quality Sleep So how do you get good sleep and stay healthy? Dont touch your phone before bed: Playing with your phone before bed will stimulate you, and you wont feel sleepy. If you play with your phone in a place with insufficient light, the blue light from the screen will also hurt your eyes. Going to bed late inhibits the brain from secreting melatonin, an antioxidant that increases immunity. You dont need to take melatonin supplements because the chemical will be secreted naturally if you sleep well. Its best to naturally boost melatonin production by consuming milk, eggs, bananas, and other foods containing tryptophan. Tryptophan is the raw material that helps the body produce melatonin and serotonin. Go to sleep at the same time every night: Go to bed and wake up regularly every day, even on holidays and weekends. When you get used to it, you will naturally go to sleep or wake up at the same time. This is thanks to your biological clock. Dont eat greasy food before going to bed: It is best not to eat supper or drink alcohol before going to bed, and do not eat fried food or sweets. Instead, if you are hungry, drink a small cup of warm milk without sugar to satisfy your hunger and help you sleep. Sleeping Too Much Is Not Conducive to Health Sleeping more than nine hours is sleeping too much. TCM has a saying: Prolonged lying hurts qi. Lying down for too long will cause blood circulation to lose its natural rhythm, slow the heartbeat and blood flow, affect gastrointestinal peristalsis, and cause indigestion. In addition, if a person has no appetite, he will have no energy. In TCM, this is called qi deficiency, leading to physical fatigue, lack of vitality, inactivity, and drowsiness. Therefore, sleeping too much will disrupt both your waking and sleep schedules. To stay in good health, you must maintain a proper work-rest balance. As the saying goes: If you want to live, you have to move. I have found that many Japanese people are still working 70 or 80 years old. They use work to move their joints, promote blood circulation, and make their lives healthier and more meaningful. Hugh Grants Lawsuit Alleging Illegal Snooping by the Sun Tabloid Cleared for Trial Hugh Grant arrives at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Jan. 29, 2023. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) LONDONA London court on Friday rejected an attempt by the publisher of The Sun tabloid to throw out a lawsuit by actor Hugh Grant alleging that journalists and investigators it hired illegally snooped on him. Justice Timothy Fancourt said a trial will have to determine whether Rupert Murdochs News Group Newspapers (NGN) carried out unlawful information gathering that included tapping Grants home phone, bugging his car, and breaking into his home. If truewhich will be a matter for the trial due to take place in January 2024these allegations would establish very serious, deliberate wrongdoing at NGN, conducted on an institutional basis on a huge scale, Fancourt wrote. Of particular relevance they would also establish a concerted effort to conceal the wrongdoing by hiding and destroying relevant documentary evidence, repeated public denials, lies to regulators and authorities, and unwarranted threats to those who dared to make allegations or notify intended claims against The Sun. During a hearing last month, News Group argued that claims of unlawful information gathering by Grant and Prince Harry should be thrown out because they werent brought within a six-year time limit. The ruling didnt address the Duke of Sussexs case because the judge wants to hear more at a hearing in July about Harrys allegations that he was prevented from bringing his phone hacking claims much sooner because of a secret agreement between Buckingham Palace and News Group executives. The judge dismissed Grants phone hacking claims on time limitation grounds, saying the actor, who has played a key role in the Hacked Off press reform group, was well aware of the voicemail interception scandal and could have brought such a claim much sooner. Grant previously settled a phone hacking case with News Groups former publication News of the World. That paper was closed in 2011 at the height of the hacking scandal after it was revealed that the tabloid had intercepted voicemails of a murdered girl, in addition to those of celebrities, athletes, politicians, and members of the royal family. News Group has asserted no unlawful information gathering occurred at The Sun. But the judge said the case could proceed on other allegations the actor said he only became aware of in 2021 after private investigator Gavin Burrows began disclosing alleged acts of phone tapping, bugging, and burglary on behalf of the paper. In addition to hacking my phone and tapping my landline, [Burrows] was aware that my premises had been burgled by people working for The Sun and that a tracking device had been placed in my car, Grant said in a witness statement. I found this astonishing. Grant said he could never piece together who had broken into his fourth-floor apartment in 2011. The door had been pried off its hinges and the interior looked like there had been a fight but nothing was missing. Two days later, The Sun had a story detailing the interior and signs of a domestic row. A spokesperson for News Group issued a statement Friday saying it was pleased that the court threw out Grants phone hacking allegations. NGN strongly denies the various historical allegations of unlawful information-gathering contained in what remains of Mr. Grants claim, the statement said. Indian Official Suspended After Draining Whole Dam to Recover His Phone The official allegedly lost his phone while trying to take a selfie at the site India's national flag held during a rally in Ram Lila Ground in New Delhi on Dec. 27, 2011. (Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images) An Indian government official was reportedly suspended on Friday after he allegedly ordered to drain a reservoir to retrieve his mobile phone, which he accidentally dropped while taking a selfie at the site. Food officer Rajesh Vishwas was having a picnic at the Kherkatta Paralkot reservoir in Chhattisgarh state on May 21 when his Samsung S23 phone fell into the water, India Today reported. Vishwas decided to drain the reservoir after local divers failed to find his phone. According to the report, about two million liters of water were emptied out of the dam over three days, which is enough to irrigate 600 hectares of farmland. I tried very little to find the phone. The villagers, however, were keen on finding the phone. When they were unable to find the phone, they advised that the water could be pumped out, he told India Today. In the entire search, only Rs 7,000-8,000 [around $85 and $97] was spent. I asked for pipes from the villagers and got the water poured into the canal instead of letting the water flow out. I have not misused my position, Vishwas added. Vishwas claimed that he received verbal permission from a sub-divisional officer (SDO) of the Water Resources Department to proceed with the drainage. However, the phone was already damaged by the time they pulled it out from the water. SDO RK Dhivar, who allegedly granted Vishwas verbal permission, has been ordered by the Office of Superintendent Engineer to bear the cost of the wasted water, which will be deducted from his salary. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Congress MLA Anoop Nag said that Vishwass move to empty the entire dam for his own purpose was unacceptable, even though the phone may contain important data. After he lost his phone, he emptied the whole dam to find it. This area has a lot of farmers, though the phone [and] its data are important, causing a loss of the publics water is unacceptable, he told ANI News. Nag said that an investigation will be conducted regarding the incident. He urged the concerned collector to take strict action against Vishwas if he was found guilty, noting that many people were deployed in the search for the phone. International Securities Watchdog Proposes First Set of Rules for Crypto Sector Representations of cryptocurrency Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dash plunge into water in this illustration taken on May 23, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters/Illustration) The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has released its recommendations for the first global approach to regulating cryptocurrency-based assets and digital markets. The IOSCO released a report (pdf) on May 23 that includes 18 policy recommendations that aim to incorporate established safeguards from mainstream markets to eliminate conflicts of interest between the different parts of a crypto transaction. The global watchdog for international securities said this would help create a level playing field between crypto assets and traditional financial markets. This development follows consumers massive losses with the collapse of cryptocurrencies last year, which fueled concerns over consumer protection. The industry, which typically only has to comply with anti-money laundering laws, has called for a uniform set of global regulations as different jurisdictions follow their own rules. With the $8 billion collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX last November, several other businesses have shut down from the liquidity crisis and regulatory action. There is an urgent need to ensure that investments are protected, and risks of market integrity are addressed. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves following his arraignment in New York on Dec. 22, 2022. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images) The recommendations proposed by IOSCO represent a turning point in tackling risks from crypto assets such as bitcoin and ether, said Jean-Paul Servais, who chairs the organization. Crypto business has been allowed to grow on a flawed basis, and it has to be corrected, Servais told a press conference. The new rules proposed by IOSCO cover dealing with conflicts of interest, market manipulation, cross-border regulatory cooperation, custody of crypto assets, operational risks, and treatment of retail investors. The global organization explained: One of IOSCOs goals is to promote greater consistency with respect to how IOSCO members approach the regulation and oversight of crypto-asset activities, given the cross-border nature of the markets, the risks of regulatory arbitrage and the significant risk of harm to which retail investors continue to be exposed. We Need This Haydn Jones, global lead of blockchain and crypto solutions at Kroll, said frameworks such as those of IOSCO stop criminal activity and allow everyone to benefit from the technology underlying crypto. Recent global events have shown us why we need this work. This is about making sure crypto is safe for the market, said Matthew Long, director of digital assets at Britains Financial Conduct Authority. The watchdog is seeking public opinion on the proposed regulations and intends to finalize its crypto regulations by the end of the year. It expects the 130 member nations to integrate these regulations to fill in gaps in their rules and lead to a more uniform policy globally. This development follows the European Parliaments recent passing of new crypto regulations that require lenders and exchanges dealing in digital assets to register for a license to operate on the continent. IOSCO also plans to issue recommendations this year to regulate decentralized finance (DeFi) transactions. Bitcoin coins are seen at a stand during the Bitcoin Conference 2023, in Miami Beach, Florida, on May 19, 2023. (Marco Bello/Reuters/File Photo) Established in 1983, IOSCO is an association of organizations regulating the worlds securities and futures markets. IOSCOs board is the governing and standard-setting body of its constituent members. It comprises 35 securities regulators worldwide, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Japans Financial Services Agency, Britains Financial Conduct Authority and Germanys BaFin. According to the U.S. SEC, IOSCO members regulate more than 95% of the worlds securities markets. Meanwhile, crypto companies in the United States are struggling with the lack of regulatory clarity that has led to the legal battle between the SEC and Ripple, in which the agency is accusing the blockchain company of breaking the law by selling the XRP token, which it considers a security. Reuters contributed to this report. It was said that there was nothing the young James Clerk Mazwell couldnt decode. Curiosity drove him to figure out how locks and keys and other puzzles worked. Maxwell grew up in Scotland, and his eccentric ways and introverted personality in school made him the butt of jokes among his classmates; they laughed at him and called him Dafty. Soon, however, the combination of his genius for physics, his curious mind, and hard work would come to the fore. At 14, Maxwell produced his first scientific report. He developed equations of ovals that were derived from drawing the objects. A young Maxwell at Trinity College, Cambridge, holding one of his color wheels. (Public Domain) Maxwell began teaching and studying at several major universities. One summer, while he was staying with an uncle of a classmates minister, he became ill and the family nursed him back to health. Their compassion and care greatly impressed him. After this, Maxwells religious beliefs motivated him to further his studies in physics while teaching. He, like Isaac Newton, thought that religion and science went hand in hand. As a child, Maxwell attended both the Church of Scotland, which was his fathers denomination, and his mothers denomination, the Episcopalian church. Later in life, he became an Evangelical Presbyterian before becoming an elder of the Church of Scotland. Maxwell lectured at Marischal College in Aberdeen, Scotland for 15 hours per day while he was there between 1856 and 1860. Yet he found time to teach, free of charge, an hour a week at a vocational school, and in his free time to study various subjects in physics. Discoveries and Theories His hard work paid off. One of Maxwells first major findings in 1859 came about from his fascination with the planet Saturn. He knew that the planets rings couldnt be solid because they would not stay stable. A solid ring would drift away or crash into the planet. A liquid ring would be forced by energy to break up. After a few years of experimenting further, he theorized that the ring consisted of numerous solid particles. In the 1980s, images from the Voyager proved Maxwells theory correct. Maxwell also studied how the human eye sees color. During his research in 1861, he created the first color photograph. He took three black and white images using a red, green, and blue filter. He then made transparent prints of the images using three projectors that had similar filters to come up in what is known at the first attempt at color photography. The first durable color photographic image, demonstrated by James Clerk Maxwell in an 1861 lecture. Scanned from The Illustrated History of Colour Photography, Jack H. Coote, 1993. (Public Domain) He retired from teaching at Kings College in 1865, but continued his scientific experiments. Maxwell was about to make his greatest discovery in physics yet. He proved that electric and magnetic forces were not separate, but contributed to the same electromagnetic force. In 1873, he published, A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, which contained 20 equations proving his electromagnetic field theory. Scientists previously thought that electric and magnetic forces were two separate phenomena. Maxwells studies are known to have paved the way for several scientific discoveries in physics in the 20th century. Less than a decade after his death, Maxwells theories proving the connection between light and electromagnetic waves were used to discover and create radio waves. Portrait of James Clerk Maxwell, circa 1870. (Public Domain) Albert Einstein credited Maxwells work in his own research. He famously used Maxwells discoveries to come up with the theory of relativity. Maxwells equations are still taught to this day. When Einstein was once asked if he stood on the shoulders of Isaac Newton he said, No, I stand on Maxwells shoulders. While most of us may have not heard of this outstanding scientist, even our modern conveniences of cell phones, microwaves, and color televisions would not exist without Maxwells discoveries. Today, physicists who study areas such as special relativity and quantum mechanics have Maxwell to thank for laying the groundwork for these fields of science in the 19th century. One scientific epoch ended and another began with James Clerk Maxwell, Einstein said, according to the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation. Judge Blocks South Carolinas Heartbeat Abortion Ban for Now Fetus dolls are seen in a basket at the pro-life Carolina Pregnancy Center, speaks on the phone at her facility in Spartanburg, S.C., on Sept. 19, 2016. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) A judge on Friday temporarily blocked an abortion ban in South Carolina, pending a review by the states Supreme Court. The move by Judge Clifton Newman comes just a day after Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, signed the measure into law, which came into effect immediately. The law, S. 474 or the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act, banned most abortions after a heartbeat is detected, which is usually around six weeks of gestation. There were exceptions for rape or incest during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy; as well as medical emergencies, or fatal fetal anomalies. Doctors found guilty of violating the law would face potential felony charges and up to two years in prison, as well as a $10,000 fine. The latest decision on Friday means South Carolina is subject to the previous abortion restrictions that allow abortions through 22 weeks of gestation. Planned Parenthood Files Lawsuit After McMaster signed the legislation, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, a South Carolina abortion clinic, and two doctors, immediately filed the lawsuit that prompted Newmans decision. Today the court has granted our patients a welcome reprieve from this dangerous abortion ban, Jenny Black, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, said in a statement. While we have a long fight ahead, we will not stop until our patients are again free to make their own decisions about their bodies and futures, she said. The abortion provider operates two of South Carolinas three abortion clinics. State Files Emergency Motion The governor responded to the decision on Twitter, writing: We will continue fighting to protect the lives of the unborn in South Carolina and the constitutional law that protects them. I hope that the Supreme Court will take this matter up without delay. Later, McMaster said his administration filed an emergency motion (pdf) before 5 p.m. local time to request the state Supreme Court to resolve this issue quickly. The life of every South Carolinian born or unborn is precious and its His gift to us, the governor said of the move. Lawyers for the state asked the South Carolina Supreme Court to either cancel Newmans order or hear the case as quickly as possible to protect the lives of countless unborn children. The latest abortion ban had passed the South Carolina legislature on May 23, with the Senate voting 27-19 for the measure. Three GOP state senators, all women, joined all Democrats in voting against the ban. The House had passed the measure a week prior in a vote of 82-33. State Supreme Court Previously Struck Down Similar Ban In January 2023, the South Carolina Supreme Court struck down a similar heartbeat abortion ban, saying it violated the state constitution. The 3-2 decision came nearly two years after McMaster signed into law in 2021 a separate, almost similar Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act. The majority opinion in January 2023 was written by the courts only female justiceKaye Hearnwho retired shortly after the decision, in the same month, because she reached the mandatory retirement age of 72. The state high courts decision, which made abortion legal up through 22 weeks, turned South Carolina into a key destination for people seeking abortions, according to provisional state Health Department data, which showed larger numbers of out-of-state patients following the ruling. Hearn wrote in the opinion that, although lawmakers have the authority to protect life, the privacy clause in the state constitution provides women with time to decide if they want to get an abortion, and most women dont know they are pregnant six weeks after conception. Judge Gary Hill replaced Hearn in February. He has the support of the South Carolina House Freedom Caucus, a more conservative wing of the states House Republicans. Now South Carolinas Supreme Court is the only state high court in the country without a woman on the bench. GOP lawmakers say they are confident they crafted legislation that will stand up to the state Supreme Courts scrutiny this time. While I respect Judge Newmans decision, I remain convinced that the heartbeat bill is constitutional and that the Supreme Court will agree, Republican state Senate President Thomas Alexander said in a statement. Abortion is severely restricted in much of the South, including bans throughout pregnancy in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. In Georgia, its allowed only in the first six weeks. The Associated Press contributed to this report. DNA testing at the southern border is said to prevent human trafficking, but reports say it soon wont be used anymore. Lawmakers are demanding answers from the Biden administration. We have the latest on debt ceiling negotiations, heading into the Memorial Day weekend. Will the country avoid an unprecedented default? Target and Bud Light lost big bucks after pushing controversial gender ideas. Is the MLB next? The LA Dodgers are facing backlash after re-inviting a group of self-described trans-nuns to receive an award at their stadium. We hear from a voice in the catholic community, Brian Burch, about his efforts to counter what he describes as a mockery of the Christian faith. Are more Americans getting upset with companies that require diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training? We explore the issue with an entrepreneur who founded a job-seeking platform for workers looking to avoid so-called progressive ideologies. Patients across the nation are unable to get lifesaving medications due to a shortage. Its particularly problematic for cancer patients. Find out what the FDA has to do with this shortage and what solutions are on the table. CAIRO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- As the most populous Arab country with about 105 million people, Egypt is stepping up population-control efforts, trying to make it an asset, rather than a liability, for the country. Titled Diagnosing the Population Situation in Egypt and Improving Population Characteristics, a session held on Thursday called for promoting a roadmap to control the population growth that poses a huge burden on the country's resources and budget. As part of the National Dialogue that began on May 3, this session was also attended by various groups from the government and society. "We do need to activate and finance the National Population and Development Strategy (2015-2030) that works on enhancing family planning, empowering women, promoting the welfare of youth and teenagers, improving education, and advancing media and social communication," said Talat Abdel-Gawad, a member of the Board of Trustees of the dialogue. Cognizant of the overpopulation threats to national security, Abdel-Gawad affirmed the necessity to establish three laws to curb school evasion, child marriage, and child labor. Neveen Ebeid, another participant in the session, pointed out that economic factors, such as funding problems, hinder the strategies of family planning. Ebeid said health survey failed to nail down the targeted places of high and low births in the past few decades, highlighting the need for the National Council of Population to be directly affiliated with the Egyptian Presidency. Ahmad Ashour, a housing expert, agreed that overpopulation is the main obstacle to development plans, predicting that Egypt will see a population explosion in the coming decades along with worse health and physical conditions. Meanwhile, Neven Othman, a member of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, considered the population growth a grant of human resources if it is matched by economic growth and good investment, calling for maximizing the roles of civil society and private sector through an independent mechanism to follow up and evaluate official strategies. In the past few years, Egypt has been working on solutions to curb overpopulation. In March, the government said it will pay married women aged between 21 and 45 with no more than two children an annual incentive of 1,000 Egyptian pounds (32.3 U.S. dollars). They will receive the total amount when they turn 45. In February 2022, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi launched a national family development project to tackle the health, education, social, cultural, and economic aspects of overpopulation. By the end of 2020, Egypt had adopted a comprehensive strategy that provided free sustainable means of birth control, setting up an appropriate mechanism to reach every woman in Egypt and positive incentives to control the population growth. Amro Hassan, the former secretary-general of the National Population Council, told Xinhua in an interview that handling overpopulation is a priority for the government which needs political willingness, a disciplined institutional framework, a strategy, and funding to make the plan successful. Lloyds Becomes Latest Firm to Exit UNs Net-Zero Alliance A office worker walks from the Lloyd's Building, the home of the insurance institution Lloyd's of London on September 25 2008 in London, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Insurance company Lloyds of London has announced its exit from a net-zero alliance for insurersthe sixth such organization to have pulled out from the initiative within a week. The Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA), convened by the United Nations, seeks to commit group members, composed of the worlds leading insurers and reinsurers, to fighting climate change. As part of this, members have to transition their insurance and reinsurance underwriting portfolios to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. On Friday, Lloyds of London quit the NZIA. This took the total number of members who have quit NZIA this week alone to six, which represents a fifth of the organizations total of 30 members. Since March, a total of 10 members have quit NZIA. The exodus of major insurance companies has raised questions about NZIAs viability. None of the six firms that quit this week have made it clear why they left the initiative. The insurance firms are said to have decided to pull out due to concerns about getting embroiled in disputes about net-zero initiatives in the United States. On May 15, attorneys generals from 23 American states sent a letter to 28 insurance companies asking for information about potential violations of antitrust laws. Violating Antitrust Laws In the letter, state AGs asked the firms to provide information regarding their membership in climate associations like the NZIA and the Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA), which is also sponsored by the United Nations. The insurance companies that are involved with this net zero program are, quite frankly, out on a plank, and theyve sawed it off, Robert Bork Jr., president of the Antitrust Education Project, said in an interview with The Epoch Times. The Sherman [Antitrust] Act is pretty explicit about restraint of trade, which is exactly what theyre doing here by denying insurance to companies that they think arent doing the right thing when it comes to climate change and getting to a net zero future. Just days before quitting, Lloyds Chief Executive John Neal had indicated that the NZIA could end up as a failure. There are five objectives, and you have 12 months to meet one of them and 36 months to meet three of them. NZIA need to have another look at what their objectives are, or the alliance will fall apart, Neal said to Reuters. On Wednesday, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) admitted that four of the insurance firms that quit NZIA had done so due to recent discussions within the United States. The ESG Push Initiatives like the NZIA and NZAOA are part of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda that push a range of leftist, progressive ideologies like gender equity and climate change onto corporations. ESG is based on the idea that companies should be socially responsible and work intently to resolve perceived issues like racism, sexism, pollution, and climate change. As such, firms are compelled to enact policies to achieve such objectives, which can include reducing carbon emissions and cutting down funding or not giving insurance to businesses that fail to meet carbon emission targets. By forcing companies to prioritize ideological issues, the ESG agenda risks making these firms lose focus on their business priorities, including making profits. This can have negative consequences for businesses, investors, and the economy as a whole. Republicans have been fighting the ESG push from Democrats led by the Biden administration. In March, the Republican-controlled House approved a measure to block Bidens new rule that permitted including social justice and climate change principles as criteria for pension investments. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said that in allowing peoples pension funds to be used for ideological purposes, the Biden administration is giving away the basic rights of American citizens to give more power to the radical left. If you put money into a retirement plan, you expect to get the best return you can get; you expect that whoever is running it is a fiduciary to get the best return possible. What the Biden administration is saying is no, you dont have to do that if you have some social agenda, you can focus on your social agenda. Madeleine McCann Search Wraps up With Slim Chance of Breakthrough Seen SILVES, PortugalPolice on Thursday wrapped up the latest search effort in the 16-year-old hunt for missing British girl Madeleine McCann after collecting unspecified samples by a reservoir in Portugal, as a German prosecutor played down hopes of an imminent breakthrough. Portuguese police said in a statement the three-day operation requested by Germany was now over and that the collected material would be handed over to German authorities after safeguarding the interests of the investigation still ongoing in Portugal. Police would not say whether any useful clues were found during the search that involved sniffer dogs, use of a tractor-based tree-cutter, and investigators raking the cleared ground in a few small areas. German authorities, who have named a suspect in the case, have been helping Portuguese crews comb the remote area inland from the Algarve coastal resort where McCannthen aged threewent missing during a family holiday in 2007. Of course there is a certain expectation, but it is not high, prosecutor Christian Wolters told Reuters before the end of the search. It was important to show that authorities were investigating the case, he said. He added that the investigators were looking for the body, but also for anything that could help the investigation, such as clothing: A lot is conceivable. He did not expect the results of the studies of the collected samples to be announced any time soon. Journalists work as the police search the Arade reservoir near the area where British girl Madeleine McCann went missing in the Portuguese Algarve in May 2007, in Silves, Portugal, on May 24, 2023. (Luis Ferreira/Reuters) German prosecutors last year named Christian Brueckner an official suspect in McCanns disappearance. The convicted child abuser and drug dealer is behind bars in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same part of the Algarve. Brueckner has denied any involvement in the disappearance. No body has been found. British police who assisted their Portuguese and German counterparts at the Arade reservoir had left by early Thursday afternoon, followed by German investigators who packed up their tents at a camp on a hill. If artists as brilliant as Michelangelo and artworks as definitive as his David are rare, the year marking the 120th anniversary of that sculptures unveiling saw an event almost unparalleled in artistic history. For the first and maybe the last time, there was an artist who could rival Michelangelo both as a sculptor and a master of multiple art mediums. And in 1624, that artistGian Lorenzo Berniniunveiled a David of his own. Born in 1598, Bernini benefited from a combination of genius and excellent artistic foundation. His father Pietro was among the better sculptors of his generation. Like Michelangelo, Pietro was originally from Florence and learned his trade in that city. By 1606, he moved to Rome to fulfill a papal commission and would remain there for the rest of his life. Romes Foundations Self Portrait as a Young Man, 1623, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Oil on canvas; 14.9 inches by 11.8 inches. Borghese Gallery, Italy. (Public Domain) In the 17th century, Rome was an ideal place for the younger Bernini to be educated in art. A century earlier, the masters of the Renaissance had still been refining their techniques, learning from recently discovered ancient relics, and creating works which would serve as models for the next generation of masters. By Berninis day, those works were at the top of the artistic canon. Increasingly, however, artists were building on those foundations in creative and original ways rather than merely imitating earlier works. Paintings by Caravaggio and Rubens even performed the almost impossible feat of matching those of the Renaissance masters. In sculpture, Michelangelo continued to tower above all others until Bernini appeared on the scene. It did not take artists and patrons long to see Bernini as, in the words of Pope Paul V, the Michelangelo of his age. At one point Cardinal Maffeo Barberini, later Pope Urban VIII, even considered hiring the 19-year-old prodigy to complete a sculpture left unfinished by Michelangelo himselfwhich nobody had previously dared to touch. Unfortunately, we have no record of what the sculpture was or if Bernini ever completed it. If Bernini did complete that sculpture, it would be of particular interest, not just as the joint work of two great artists but because of the differences between them. Both artists possessed similar aesthetic genius and both had an ability to make stone come alive with the ability to express the softness and suppleness of flesh and cloth. With the many Michelangelo sculptures in Rome to reference, including the Pieta, Bernini took his stylistic lead from the early Baroque painters, particularly Caravaggio. The Two Davids David, between 1623 and 1624, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Marble; 66.9 inches. Borghese Gallery, Italy. (wjarek/Shutterstock) Classical Renaissance art, as exemplified by Michelangelo and Raphael, leans towards intellect and restrained emotions, whereas the Baroque art of Caravaggio and Bernini veers more towards emotional intensity. In narrative works, classicists depicted figures paused before or after an action has occurred. Baroque artists generally preferred expressing figures in the middle of dramatic action. Even sharper differences mark the schools approaches to religious and historical figures of earlier eras. Classicists would illustrate their figures exemplifying physical perfection as a metaphor for their moral qualities, using their subjects as archetypes of virtues. Baroque artists instead focused on their subjects as individuals, trying to capture accurate emotions in action. While comparable in their beauty, Berninis and Michelangelos sculptures of David exemplify these contrasts. Michelangelos David is static, with a muscular body that conforms to Greek and Roman notions of perfection, symbolizing his heroism. Bernini depicts a somewhat diminutive David in motion. running in the act of throwing a stone with his sling, his raised hair to suggest he is using the wind at his back to aid the stones propulsion and his face showing concentration, determination and, perhaps, controlled concern. Bernini and Caravaggio David with the Head of Goliath, circa 1600 and 1601, by Caravaggio. Oil on poplar wood; 35.9 inches by 45.7 inches. Museum of Art History, Vienna. (Public Domain) The similarities between Berninis statue and Caravaggios painting David with the Head of Goliath, are just as notable as the differences between the two carved Davids. Taking place just after Goliaths death, Caravaggios painting has Davids face suggesting relief and mental recuperation. It can even seem as though David is in the act of lifting Goliaths head rather than holding it stillan impression which would accord with most of Caravaggios work. And if such similarities do not go beyond the broad contours of Baroque art, the relationship between the styles of the two artists is made clearer in comparisons of further works. Detail of Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, 16471652, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome. (Public Domain) Caravaggios painting Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy and Berninis sculpture Ecstasy of Saint Teresa have a closely themed relationship. Both artworks depict saints collapsing in ecstasy while in the presence of an angel and both have strong emotional qualitieswhereas Caravaggio chose tenderness and Bernini dramatic intensity. St. Francis had a vision of an angel at the time he received the stigmata: five wounds in his hands, feet and on the side near his heart, the parts of the body where Christ was nailed to the cross and pierced with a lance. During Saint Teresas vision, an angel used a lance to pierce her heart several times. Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy, circa 1594, by Caravaggio. Oil on canvas; 36.3 inches by 50.1 inches. Wadsworth Atheneum, Harford, Connecticut. (Public Domain) Even closer similarities exist between Caravaggios artistry and Berninis often-forgotten work as a painter. Caravaggios The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew and Berninis Saint Andrew and Saint Thomas could be mistaken as paintings by the same artist. These paintings have the same naturalistic depiction of their figures features and detailed hair and similar muted colors and tenebrism (dramatic contrast between light and dark). (L) The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew, circa 16021604, by Caravaggio. Oil on canvas; 55.1 inches by 69.2 inches. Royal Collection, U.K. (R) Saint Andrew and Saint Thomas, circa 1627, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Oil on canvas; 24.2 inches by 30.7 inches. National Gallery, London. (Public Domain) While Bernini took his stylistic lead from Caravaggio, it will always be Michelangelo to whom he will be compared. Michelangelo and Bernini were both historys greatest sculptors and the only well-known artists to have achieved the highest excellence in all three fields of art: architecture, painting, and sculpture. In that combination of height, breadth of achievement, and brilliance, Bernini was Michelangelos only successor. Montana Becomes First State to Ban Drag Story Hour Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signs five pro-life bills at the Montana State Capitol in Helena on May 3, 2023. (State of Montana) Montana has become the first state in the union to ban drag story hour for children at public schools and libraries. The states Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the new bill on May 22 after the legislature passed it. The legislation (pdf), which went immediately into effect, was written to prohibit minors from attending sexually oriented shows and watching obscene performances on public grounds. The new law defines a drag queen as a male or female performer who adopts a flamboyant or parodic feminine persona with glamorous or exaggerated costumes and makeup, while a drag king is a performer who adopts a flamboyant male persona. It further defines drag story hour as an event hosted by a drag queen or drag king who reads childrens books and engages in other learning activities with minor children present. Gianforte signed the bill because he believes its wildly inappropriate for little kids, especially preschoolers and kids in elementary school, to be exposed to sexualized content, spokeswoman Kaitlin Price said in a statement. Montana Legislation Provides the Specific Definition of a Drag Queen The Treasure State initially introduced a similar bill to Florida and Tennessee that banned sexualized drag performances with kids present but narrowed its focus specifically to protect students in schools and libraries. The drag story hour shows have been accused by many parents of being groomer events that endanger the well-being of their children. The Montana legislation is unique, as it defines drag events as being specifically hosted by a drag performer who reads childrens books to minors and does not require a sexual element to be banned. The Florida and Tennessee bills both require the performances to be sexual in nature, which could be up for interpretation and leave them open to legal challenges. The bills sponsor, Republican State Rep. Braxton Mitchell, said he wrote the legislation because drag shows in recent years have been specifically aimed at children. Mitchel spoke about online videos that show children at drag shows. In my humble opinion, theres no such thing as a family-friendly drag show, Mitchell told NBC News in April. Drag performers who opposed the legislation said they have separate drag performances for children compared to those intended for adults. Republicans and others have long opposed drag queen performances targeted at children since exposing minors to sexually mature content is considered widely inappropriate for those at that age. Transgender Activists Decry Anti-Sex Change Legislation for Kids It is not fully known how often drag reading events have been held at public schools or libraries in Montana. Drag performances were held in 2022 at ZooMontana, in Billings and another at a bookstore in downtown Helena, while a show at a Bozeman bookstore last weekend also drew protesters. All three events drew protests but would not be banned under the new law, as they were held on private grounds. Gianforte had signed a bill earlier this year to ban sex changes for minors in Montana. Transgender lawmaker, Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who calls himself a woman, was expelled from the House floor during a legislative session after he loudly protested against Republican lawmakers who had silenced him over his opposition to the child sex change bill. Meanwhile, gay and transgender advocates decried the law as an attack on their community. Montanas new law criminalizing freedom of expression and art should be a red flag for everyone. The moral panic of drag has too long been a scapegoat for transmisogyny and overall transphobia in this country, Jonathan Hamilt, the executive director of Drag Story Hour, told CNN. Uncle Sam needs a makeover, and our drag community is here to create one, said Hamilt. MP Hopes Bill Will Lead to More Human Rights Violators Being Sanctioned Conservative MP Garnett Genuis talks about issues related to human rights in an interview with The Epoch Times in Toronto on May 25, 2023. (The Epoch Times) Conservative MP Garnett Genuis said he hopes a bill introduced in Parliament last summer will lead to more human rights violators getting sanctioned. Bill C-281, a private members bill introduced by Conservative MP Philip Lawrence, seeks to amend several laws in order to put human rights abuses at the forefront, while addressing issues such as misinformation or disinformation campaigns by authoritarian state-controlled or state-backed media and sanctioning actors involved in human rights violations and acts of terrorism. This is a powerful new tool we want to create that will shift Canadian foreign policy to be more responsive to human rights abuses around the world, and contains a number of different kinds of provisions requiring the government to report annually on its work on human rights, Genuis told The Epoch Times on May 25. Conservative MP Philip Lawrence rises during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on May 28, 2021. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) Magnitsky Act Bill C-281 seeks to amend the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, also known as the Sergei Magnitsky Law, which would require the minister of Foreign Affairs to respond when a parliamentary committee recommends imposing sanctions on a certain foreign national. Bill C-281 helps because it provides that parliamentary trigger, Genuis said, describing the law as a tool for nominating [to the government] individuals and entities that should be sanctioned. It means that people in the community who are seeing instances of violence can bring names, bring proposals, to individual members of Parliament, who are parts of these various [House of Commons] committees; they can put forward motions. If the committee adopts a motion calling for an individual to be sanctioned, the government has to provide a response. The proposed law is meant to protect victims of persecution and human rights abuses worldwide. A provision of Bill C-281 requires the Foreign Affairs minister to publish a report at least once in every year, outlining the measures that the Government of Canada has taken to advance human rights internationally as part of its foreign policy. The report would also include a list of prisoners of conscience whose release Ottawa is actively working toward. It is up to the government whose release theyre working for and what they would highlight on that list. But its an important tool. When you bring more attention to these cases, its often helpful for the people that are affected, Genuis said. Ottawa has so far used the Magnitsky Law to sanction individuals in Russia, Sudan, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia for human rights violations. But the law has not been used to sanction Chinese officials since its adoption in 2017, despite the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) horrendous record of human rights violations. Conservative Member of Parliament Michael Chong speaks to reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 3, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) Genuis says inaction due to fears that authoritarian regimes may retaliate if Canada uses sanctions for human rights violators would only embolden the malign actors to make threats and continue their human rights infractions. When you say we might not act in our interest, in defence of our values because of fear of retaliation, then youre actually encouraging that retaliation, youre actually lending credibility to the threats that have been made by, in this case, the Beijing communist regime, he said We do need to be prepared to stand up for human rights, and that includes applying sanctions in these cases. And weve called for that in the case of various forms of violence that the CCP regime has been responsible for. State-Backed Media Bill C-281 also seeks to amend the Broadcasting Act to prohibit the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) from issuing or renewing a broadcasting licence to a company that is being influenced by a foreign entity that has committed acts of genocide. Currently, Canada has banned the broadcasting licence of Russias state-run broadcaster, RT, preventing it from airing in Canada. However, CCP mouthpiece CGTN, which has been fined by authorities in the United Kingdom for airing forced confessions and biased coverage of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, is still operating in Canada. MP Michael Chong has raised the issue in a House committee, urging Ottawa to issue an order-in-council asking the CRTC to review CGTNs broadcasting licence. Scenes from a programme from the CGTN archive are displayed on a computer monitor in London, England, on Feb. 4, 2021. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) Genuis echoed his colleagues request, saying that it doesnt make sense for Canada to give privileged access to Beijing-controlled media for such messages. We supported recognizing the reality that RT shouldnt be on the airwaves in Canada, we supported taking them off the air, and yet you have communications channels out of Beijing that are essentially the samethat they are pushing the message of a violent, genocidal, authoritarian political party, he said Genuis said the amendments that Bill C-281 would make to the Broadcasting Act would help address such inconsistencies in the approach that the government has so far taken against foreign state-backed information. Bill C-281 says that if a media channel is under the control of an organization, of a foreign entity, that is sanctioned or that is committing genocide, then they should be taken off the air. So I think it will really make clear what the direction of Parliament is to the CRTC, he said. Omid Ghoreishi and Peter Wilson contributed to this report. Police Looking for Suspect After Calgary Church Set on Fire Photos of an arson suspect outside St. Mary's Cathedral in Calgary on May 19, 2023. (Calgary Police Service handout) The Calgary Police Service is asking the public to help identify a suspect alleged to have started a fire and assaulted two staff members at a Catholic church last Friday. On May 19 at around 2:30 a.m., police were called about a deliberately set fire at the St. Marys Cathedral located at 219 17 Avenue S.W., a May 25 news release said. According to the release, two church staff members heard a commotion outside the church, and when they opened the back door to investigate, a man aggressively charged at them. The two men were able to close the door and get to safety while the man continued to attempt to gain entry into the church, the police said. The men called 9-1-1 and the fire was extinguished upon the Calgary Fire Departments arrival. The suspect is described as approximately 35 to 45 years old, with a bald or shaved head, and approximately 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. Police added that they are investigating whether the incident was hate-motivated. Anyone with information is asked to call the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234 or submit tips to Crime Stoppers to stay anonymous. Church Burnings The latest incident follows a series of church burnings in the last two years in Canada. On May 22, a similar incident occurred when the RCMP was called to help with a fire in St. Bernard Catholic Church in Grouard, about 360 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. Two men were charged with arson after the 121-year-old church was burnt down. They were also charged with break and enter to commit theft following their arrest on May 23. The Mounties said no one was hurt in the fire, though the church, a provincial historic site, was damaged beyond repair. Both men were placed in custody and are due in court on May 29 in High Prairie. A police spokesperson told The Epoch Times at the time they could only speak to facts at that point, and not motivation. The two incidents occurred as this month marks the two-year anniversary of Tkemlups te Secwepemc First Nations saying ground-penetrating radar had found burial sites of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. So far, none of the locations said to be unmarked grave sites have been excavated to look for remains. Shortly after the announcement on May 27, 2021, a series of churches were damaged or destroyed by arson across Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Earlier this year, The Epoch Times contacted police forces across the country to learn the status of the investigations into church burnings. Most have not resulted in charges or convictions, although in a few cases people have been charged, with at least one conviction. The Epoch Times found some cases remain officially open, while others have closed but could reopen if new evidence comes to light. Doug Lett and Lee Harding contributed to this report. Red States Ramp up Police, Troops Deployments to US Southern Border Texas National Guard soldiers uncoil concertina wire near the U.S.-Mexico border fence in El Paso, Texas, on May 10, 2023. (John Moore/Getty Images) Republican-led states are gradually committing more of their states National Guard troops and law enforcement officers to support operations to secure portions of the U.S. southern border. The troop and police deployments come as border officials are still evaluating how the repeal of Title 42 impacts cross-border traffic flow into the United States. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, U.S. officials invoked Title 42 to turn away and expel migrants under public health justifications. Many red state troops and police officers are headed to Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has been using his states National Guard and police resources to set up razor wire fences and other barriers along their border with Mexico. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers and National Guard troops were seen turning people back earlier this month after they attempted to cross into the U.S. illegally. Twenty-four Republican state governors signed a letter of support for Abbotts border control mission on May 16. The signatories included Alabamas Kay Ivey, Alaskas Mike Dunleavy, Arkansass Sarah Sanders, Floridas Ron DeSantis, Georgias Brian Kemp, Idahos Brad Little, Iowas Kim Reynolds, Indianas Eric Holcomb, Missouris Mike Parson, Mississippis Tate Reeves, Montanas Greg Gianforte, Nebraskas Jim Pillen, North Dakotas Doug Burgum, New Hampshires Chris Sununu, Nevadas Joe Lombardo, Ohios Mike DeWine, Oklahomas Kevin Stitt, South Carolinas Henry McMaster, South Dakotas Kristi Noem, Tennessees Bill Lee, Utahs Spencer Cox, Virginias Glenn Youngkin, West Virginias Jim Justice, and Wyomings Mark Gordon. A Texas National Guard soldier directs migrants during a dust storm at a makeshift camp located between the Rio Grande and the U.S.Mexico border fence in El Paso, Texas on May 10, 2023. (John Moore/Getty Images) DeSantis was among the first red state governors to pledge specific resources to Abbotts border security mission. On May 16, DeSantis announced his state would send 800 Florida National Guard soldiers, 200 Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers, 20 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, and 20 Emergency Management personnel to Texas. DeSantis also pledged five fixed-wing aircraft, two mobile command vehicles, 17 unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) 10 watercraft. On May 17, Reeves announced he had mobilized the Mississippi National Guards 112th Military Police Battalion to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents along the Southwest border. Tennessee, Nebraska Latest To Join On Wednesday, Lee announced he had authorized the deployment of 100 Tennessee National Guard troops to the border. Lee said these troops would patrol and provide an added security presence at the border, help staff outposts, and assist in road and route clearance, barrier placement, and debris removal. America continues to face an unprecedented border crisis that threatens our nations security and the safety of Tennesseans, Lee said of the deployment. The federal government owes Americans a plan to secure our country, and in the meantime, states continue to answer this important call to service. I am again authorizing the Tennessee National Guard to help secure the Southern border, and I commend these troops for providing critical support. Pillen announced he had also authorized the deployment of 10 state troopers to the Texas border on Wednesday. Our nation has a serious and unchecked threat on its hands following President Bidens decision to end Title 42, Pillen said. Nebraska is committed to using every tool in its tool box to help stop the influx of illegal immigration at our southern border. Illegal immigration hurts our nations security, undermines the rule of law, and threatens the wellbeing of our state. A Texas National Guard soldier speaks to illegal immigrants at a high-traffic illegal border crossing area along Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 20, 2022. (John Moore/Getty Images) Whats Happening at Border? Before the end of Title 42, the Biden administration implemented a policy (pdf) disqualifying people from applying for asylum in the United States if they didnt first seek protection in countries they passed through on their way to the United States. The Biden administration has also developed a parole program that allows immigrants to enter and work in the United States for up to two years. The Biden era rules state that those who still ignore the border and illegally cross will be returned and disqualified from future entry under the parole program. While federal border authorities and officials in border communities have braced for a surge in border crossings, its not entirely clear that such a surge has emerged since the end of Title 42. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the number of migrants encountered at the southern border fell by about 50 percent in the first three days after Title 42 expired compared to the traffic in the days leading up to the end of the policy. Last week, DHS Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy Blas Nunez-Neto said its still too early to draw firm conclusions about post-Title 42 immigration and border security trends. From NTD News. Regulator Investigates Victorias Big Build Fraud Allegations A general view underground of part of the Metro Tunnel metropolitan rail infrastructure project in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov. 6, 2020. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images) The rail safety regulator is investigating allegations of fraud by labour hire companies involved in Victorias big build projects. Project managers on the Metro Tunnel and level-crossings removal program have been billed for up to three shifts reportedly performed by one worker in a 24-hour period, the Herald Sun reported on May 26. The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) confirmed it was investigating the allegations. ONRSR is aware of allegations relating to fraudulent practices by labour hire companies contracted to major projects and railway operations in Melbourne, a spokesman told AAP. These allegations are currently the subject of an ONRSR investigation, with the focus of our activities being on safety matters. The regulator could not comment on specifics while the investigation was ongoing but the spokesman noted labour hire companies had safety duties under Australias Rail Safety National Law. Should any breach of (the law) be identified, ONRSR has at its disposal a full range of enforcement powers, the spokesman said. These include the ability to undertake legal proceedings and the provision to prohibit unsafe operations. The regulator is probing claims of underpaid allowances to workers among the allegations, along with claims of ghost shifts where shifts were not filled despite workers being rostered on. Metro Trains was also reviewing the allegations, a spokeswoman said. Metro has zero tolerance for actions that do not meet the required standard, the spokeswoman said. Industry Minister Ben Carroll said the government was taking the allegations seriously. We expect the highest standards particularly around safety, which is of the utmost importance for workers as well as commuters and other people that will be using these projects, he said on May 26. Premier Daniel Andrews disputed claims the issue involved more than one major project and warned against blanket criticism of the tens of thousands of workers who were doing quality work. We expect that everybody involved in every project, large and small, is doing the right thing, Andrews said. If theyre not, then they will be dealt with, and the consequences will be very, very significant for them in terms of all manner of penalties. Also, theyre not companies that we would want involved in any of our building activities in the future, so lets wait and see how those inquiries go and well be able to report progress when that work is finished. Andrews said he believed it was an isolated incident and the government had a process to contact contractors and make sure they were getting value for everybody. Opposition Leader John Pesutto told the Liberals at a post-budget lunch on May 26 he would write to police and call for them to investigate allegations labour hire companies were using fraudulent invoices. Republican North Dakota Governor Expected to Announce 2024 Run Republican Doug Burgum speaks during at a debate in Bismarck on March 3, 2016. (Will Kincaid/The Bismarck Tribune via AP) The 2024 field just got bigger: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is mulling a presidential run. A knowledgeable source confirmed NBC News May 26 reporting on the potential bid to The Epoch Times. Its one of two stories published on the same day, alongside a Wall Street Journal article, generating buzz for the little-known official. Burgum would be the latest addition to a rapidly growing field. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched their campaigns in the past several days, joining former President Donald Trump, ex-South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and a range of other minor candidates. A former Microsoft executive and McKinsey consultant, Burgum has been in office since 2016. His run that year drew comparisons from the Associated Press to now ex-Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, formerly the chairman of a private equity firm. Burgums net worth is estimated at $1.1 billion, making him one of Americas richest governors behind Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during a rally at Federal Building Plaza in Chicago on April 27, 2022. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) The North Dakotan made headlines in 2022 for spending tied to the Dakota Leadership Political Action Committee (PAC), a PAC closely linked with him. The committee targeted members of the North Dakota legislatures conservative Bastiat Caucus, perceived as to the right of Burgum. One 2022 opinion column unfriendly to the caucus linked it to a new breed of Trumpy culture warrior populists. In that same election cycle, the PAC donated to Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), a key player in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus. Feenstra, who primaried former Iowa Congressman Steve King in 2020, has hosted a range of candidates and potential candidates at his Feenstra Family Picnic. Guests have included Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, and, most recently, DeSantis. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a political roundtable in Bedford, N.H., on May 19, 2023. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP Photo) Scott will host a town hall with Feenstra in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on June 2. The North Dakota governors entry into contention for 2024 drew mixed reactions on social media. Asa Hutchinson formally entered the presidential race a month ago today. Does anyone remember that? Does anyone even remember hes in the race at all? Thats where Doug Burgum is going to be in the first week of July: an afterthought to an afterthought, historian Varad Mehta wrote on Twitter. Doug Burgum is a billionaire self-funder governor who could make his mark quickly after declaring. Keep an eye out, former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang wrote, also on Twitter. Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang gives high-fives to campaign volunteers following a town hall meeting at Penn Central Mall in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Jan. 25, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) For now, the governor appears to face an uphill battle in gaining name recognition and support. A May 25 poll from Emerson College put him at 0.4 percent among Iowa Republican Caucus voters, below Hutchinson, Ramaswamy, Scott, and all other candidates. That same survey showed Trump with a comfortable edge, at 62 percent, to second-place finisher DeSantiss 20 percent. Sen. Woo Confirms He Drafted the Citizen Petition Against Foreign Agent Registry Presented in House in April A citizen petition against a foreign agent registry that was sponsored by Liberal MP Chandra Arya in the House of Commons in April was drafted by Sen. Yuen Pau Woo, The Epoch Times has confirmed. At the request of organizers across the country, I helped to draft the petition, Woo told The Epoch Times in an email. The petition, initiated by Coquitlam, B.C., resident Li Wang, says a foreign influence registry poses a serious harassment and stigmatization risk for racialized communities. It adds: A registry is a misleading way to identify sources of foreign influence. Opposition parties and diaspora groups have been calling for Canada to establish a foreign agent registration act to combat the issue of the Chinese Communist Partys influence activities in Canada. The United States and Australia have already enacted laws for this purpose. While Canada has yet to create such legislation, the Liberal government said late last year that it will begin consultations on establishing a registry. Wang, who is listed as the initiator of the petition, has published several articles in Chinese-language media against the proposed legislation. In one of her articles, dated April 27, she wrote that the petition received guidance from Woo. She also noted that Woo, along with MP Arya and Conservative Sen. Victor Oh, have accepted interviews and recorded promotion videos for the petition. Conservative Sen. Victor Oh in a file photo. (Becky Zhou/The Epoch Times) Woo further told The Epoch Times that he provided input to the drafting process, while working with a group of concerned citizens. Petitions have to be sponsored by an MP before they can be posted, hence parliamentarians are very much part of the process, he said. Also, in my capacity as a senator, I am responding to a BC resident seeking my advice. The Epoch Times reached out to Wang, Arya, and Oh for comment, but didnt hear back by publication time. Foreign Agent Registry Parliamentary efforts to create a foreign agent registry have been going on for over two years in Canada. In the current session of Parliament, Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos presented Senate Bill S-237 seeking to create a registry, but so far the bill has not received government support. Before that, in 2021, then-Conservative MP Kenny Chiu introduced a private members bill, C-282, seeking to establish a foreign agent registry act, but the bill wasnt passed before an election was called in August that year. Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) Chiu lost his seat in the B.C. riding of StevestonRichmond East in the 2021 federal election. He has said he was the target of a widespread misinformation campaign in Chinese media claiming that Bill C-282 was anti-Chinese. Housakos and Chiu have emphasized that the proposed legislation is targeted at authoritarian regimes, and is meant to protect members of the diaspora in Canada from such regimes harassment and persecution. Woo has been opposed to attempts to establish a foreign agent registry, speaking out against it in the Senate and in the media. 100 years ago, as part of the #ChineseExclusionAct, Canada forced all Chinese people in the country to register or face deportation. How can we prevent this registry from becoming a modern form of Chinese exclusion? S-237 & the former C-282 are not the answer. Time to speak out, he said on Twitter on March 10. Woo, who was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2016 and is a member of the Independent Senators Group, has been a strong advocate for closer ties between Canada and China. In his first speech in the Senate, he spoke against a motion critical of Chinas aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea. He has also spoken out against Canada criticizing Chinas human rights record, citing the issue of residential schools for indigenous people in Canada. Former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu in a file photo. (The Epoch Times) Sen. Oh, who has also been critical of the proposed legislation calling for a foreign agent registry, has followed a similar argument as Woo on the issue. In an interview with a Chinese-language media published on May 1, Oh urged Chinese Canadians to support the petition initiated by Wang, saying in Chinese that a foreign agent registry would stigmatize ethnic Chinese and cause discrimination. He also said the law would prevent parliamentarians from engaging organizations such as Chinese hometown associations. On March 29, 2022, Oh said in the Senate that he had told Chiu that claims that Chinese agent influence sabotaged Chius re-election campaign are not true, and told Housakos Chiu is lying to you on the issue. Oh later issued an apology to Chiu and Housakos for his remarks. Oh has voiced support for some Chinese associations in Canada that have a history of taking positions aligned with Beijing. In 2020, he signed a letter issued by an Ontario-based association to a Chinese Communist Party official saying that the association had been promoting Chinas image in fighting COVID-19 and pledged to continue support of the great motherland. Oh signed as an honorary president of the Richmond Hill-based Chinese business association, the Jiangsu Commerce Council of Canada, and as a Canadian senator and member of the parliamentary forum Canada-China Legislative Association. Isaac Teo and Justina Wheale contributed to this report TRIPOLI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said on Friday that protection of civilians should remain paramount in any law enforcement measures in the country. The appeal came a day after the Government of National Unity's Defense Ministry launched airstrikes on hideouts of human and fuel traffickers in western Libya, sparking fear of civilian casualties in the operation. "UNSMIL is in contact with the concerned national authorities about the airstrikes that took place yesterday in Zawiya city, to the west of Tripoli. The Mission will continue to monitor the situation closely," UNSMIL said in a statement. "These events illustrate the urgent need for Libya to unify and enable accountable security and military institutions to ensure safety and stability for Libyan people across the country," the statement added. On Thursday, the ministry said it carried out "precise airstrikes" at traffickers' hideouts and achieved the intended goals, adding the action was carried out in accordance with instructions from Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah. Local media reported no casualties in the airstrikes in Zawiya and another western city, Zuwara. Soaring Airline Customer Complaints Push Global Legislators to Act LONDON/MONTREALNikoleta Dodova is among a growing number of dissatisfied airline customers. Having bought her mother and niece airline tickets from Sweden to Macedonia last year, their flight was cancelled and they ended up at an airport over two hours away. She is still waiting for compensation. Official data from regulatory agencies shows complaints against airlines have reached, or neared record levels in countries like Canada and Germany over the last year since COVID-19 restrictions lifted and travel restarted. Rising numbers of disputes between travelers and airlines globally are driving fresh legislation and calls for tougher enforcement of existing rules to protect consumers. If they [airlines] havent paid, theyre not following the law, Dodova said. They need to be accountable. The sharpening of rules for payouts could add to pressure on air fares from energy, labor, and other rising costs. Lufthansas payouts alone rose to 331 million in 2022 from 25 million euros in 2021, the German airline group told Reuters in previously undisclosed figures. Legislation is under review in Canada, while the U.S. government is writing new rules and the European Union is pushing for stronger enforcement of its existing regime. Pressure to act is building as summer travel is expected to break records in some regions this year following long airport lines and piles of backed up baggage last summer. Airlines fear a mish-mash of conflicting rules and want those responsible for services out of their control in the industry to help shoulder the compensation costs. European airline group Airlines for Europe (A4E) said compensation has become increasingly burdensome and existing rules leave too much down to interpretation. It is calling for reform of the legislation. While higher fares have helped carriers offset a variety of rising costs its in the airlines interest to keep passengers happy even if there are disruptions, aviation analyst James Halstead said. Lufthansa said in a statement it has no backlog of customer claims and refunds are generally paid within the statutory seven days that applies to airlines operating in Europe. Global airline body IATA called on governments to help avoid fragmented regulations and improve services, instead of singling out airlines, as recent proposals in Canada and the USA have done, director general Willie Walsh said. Canada is promoting shared accountability by providing new access to performance data that airlines can use when negotiating service agreements with airports, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra told Reuters. Some consumer advocates agree with Dodova that rules arent properly enforced. The law is not a problem, said John Oberlin-Harris, a British Airways passenger also still waiting for a refund almost a year after a delayed flight caused him to miss a connection at Indias Hyderabad airport, forcing him to return to England. British Airways said it works extremely hard to resolve cases in a timely manner when claims are raised. UK law sets out when compensation is due depending on whether any delay was the airlines fault. Swedens national consumer dispute body decided in March that Dodova is owed 800 euros compensation from Hungarian budget carrier Wizz Air. The airline said it was in touch with her and was doing more to improve customer service. Record Complaints Traveler complaints are clogging courts and regulatory agencies in Germany, Britain, Canada, and the United States. In Germany, the arbitration board at the Federal Ministry of Justice, which mediates between consumers and airlines, said it was dealing with 46 percent more complaints than in 2019, pre-pandemic. German courts reported an increase of around 40 percent to more than 70,000 cases involving traveler complaints last year. One industry official said airlines in Europe are losing a larger proportion of those battles. In Britain, county court judgments against airlines piled up to more than 4.5 million pounds ($5.68 million), according to consumer watchdog Which? citing an official register of judgments in March. In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) saw airline passenger complaints rise 55 percent in 2022. The United States is writing rules that would be proposed by years end requiring airlines to compensate passengers for lengthy delays or cancellations in their control. After two successive summers of travel chaos, U.S. airlines are going all out to prevent large-scale flight disruptions this summer in the face of rising demand. North of the border, the Canadian Transportation Agency, a quasi-judicial tribunal responsible for enforcing existing passenger refund requirements, has a record backlog of 47,000 complaints. Its so high Canada wants to charge airlines a fee if they pass on unresolved complaints to the agency. In Europe, intermediaries like AirHelp, that assist consumers with getting refunds or compensation, have boomed in popularity. AirHelp said active claims were around three times higher in 2022 versus 2019 and that number could grow with strikes expected this summer, AirHelp CEO Tomasz Pawliszyn said. Sharing Costs Airlines have balked at footing the bill for cases that arent their fault. The European Union has long enraged airlines with its comprehensive consumer protection legislation, offering payouts of up to 600 euros for delays of three hours or more, or cancellations. As a passenger, all you know is that the airline cancelled my flight, said Jeff Morrison, president of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Air Canada among others. Morrison said the cost of air travel in Canada could well rise due to new fees and compensation requirements. ($1 = 1.3372 Canadian dollars) ($1 = 0.7923 pounds) By Joanna Plucinska and Allison Lampert Target Donated Millions of Dollars to Group That Promotes LGBT Activism in Schools A shopper wheels a cart through the parking lot after making a purchase at the Target store in Salem, N.H., on Feb. 27, 2023. (Charles Krupa/AP Photo) In the wake of an ongoing customer backlash against Target, the retail chains longtime partnership with a national activist group that places LGBT-themed books in K-12 school libraries and encourages teachers to discuss sex and gender with children has gained renewed attention. Over the past decade, the New York City-based Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has received from Target more than $2 million in donations, according to the companys website. Target donated $250,000 donation to GLSEN to advance its mission of creating affirming, accessible and antiracist spaces for LGBTQIA+ students, the retail giant said last year in a blog post celebrating Pride Month. This marks our 11th year of partnership, with a total of $2.1 million in support to date. Founded in 1990 by a teacher-turned-gay activist who would later oversee the Obama administrations school drug and violence prevention program, GLSEN bills itself as a leading national organization working to guarantee LGBTQ+ students safe and affirming education, with 43 chapters in 30 states across the nation. In 2015, GLSEN worked with Target to produce a mini-documentary for the groups 25th-anniversary celebration. Together, we have been able to change school climates for LGBT youth and are excited about what the next 25 years will bring, then-GLSEN executive director Eliza Byard said at the time. While outrage over Targets effort to market LGBT-themed childrens products continues to grow, GLSENs effort to send LGBT-affirming text to schools has been going on without drawing much public attention. In a video call recording shared to social media last year, senior education programs manager Michael Rady states that GLSENs Rainbow Library initiative puts a major emphasis on books centered on the voices of trans and non-binary people as well as books that tend to the voices of BIPOC LGBTQ+ people. I know as a former teacher that having high-quality LGBTQ books at my fingertips will allow me to seamlessly integrate this into a reading lesson that I otherwise would be teaching anyway, Rady said. Its the first step for getting in front of kids. Among the list of books GLSEN wants to see elementary school students reading are When Aidan Became a Brother and I Am Jazz. The former is described as a story about how a couple fixed the parts of life that didnt fit anymore after their daughter told them she felt more like a boy. The latter tells the story of a boy who felt he had a girls brain in a boys body just because he loved stereotypical girly things like pink and dressing up as a mermaid. According to its website, the Rainbow Library program has sent 46,000 LGBTQ+ affirming K-12 books to over 4,600 schools across the country. Each set contains 10 LGBTQ+ affirming grade-aligned books, as well as posters and supplemental resources, it says. Having an LGBT library can allow a district or a state to have that first stepping stone to inclusive curriculum, according to Rady. When it comes to curriculum, GLSEN has been encouraging K-12 teachers to incorporate sex and gender discussions into their teachings, including when teaching mathematics. An example from Algebra II could be a linear programming problem constructed with the goal of finding the cheapest possible way to attend prom. The problem could include the cost of tickets per person, tuxedo rental, dresses, dinner, and a limo ride, and be explicit about including LGBTQ couples in any formal attire they choose, a trans educator at the group suggested in a blog post about trans-inclusive math class. As teachers teach about data collection and relevance, they should include whether it is beneficial to include gender or biological sex, being sure to reinforce the difference between those two terms, it read. When students are creating their own surveys, if they want to include data for biological sex, teachers need to be sure they include both intersex and other as choices, and if the students want to include data for gender, a variety of choices need to be included, such as agender, genderfluid, female, male, nonbinary, transman, transwoman, and other. GLSEN also recommends that, for the sake of students; safety and well-being at home, teachers keep parents in the dark if their child identifies as a different gender at school and doesnt want them to know. Staff or educators shall not disclose any information that may reveal a students gender identity to others, including parents or guardians and other staff, unless the student has authorized such disclosure, the information is contained in school records requested by a parent or guardian, or there is another compelling need, one of GLSENs model school guidelines read. On Friday, GLSEN put out a statement in support of Target, praising the companys commitment to the cause and claiming that extremist groups are organizing coordinated anti-LGBTQ+ attacks. Weve seen this extremist playbook of attacks before. Their goal is clear: to prevent LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation, silence our allies and make our community invisible, the group said. It didnt name any specific group supposedly organizing the said attacks. Amid an outrage similar to the one faced not too long ago by Bud Light beers because of its disastrous marketing campaign featuring transgender TikTok personality Dylan Mulvaney, Target responded by removing some of the LGBT merchandise, citing safety concerns for employees who allegedly had been threatened. Since introducing this years collection, weve experienced threats impacting our team members sense of safety and well-being while at work, the company said last week in a statement to media outlets. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year. Texas AG Ken Paxton Calls for Protests at State Capitol Ahead of Impeachment Vote Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has called on his supporters to peacefully protest at the state Capitol ahead of an expected impeachment vote Saturday afternoon that threatens to oust the states top prosecutor over alleged wrongdoings. Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Paxton decried the states efforts to remove him from office as an illegal impeachment scheme, arguing the move will inflict lasting damage on the Texas House and disenfranchise the voters who returned him to office as attorney general just months ago. The Republican lawmaker was elected to a third term in November. I want to invite my fellow citizens and friends to peacefully come let their voices be heard at the Capitol, Paxton said. Exercise your right to petition your government. Lets restore the power of this great state to the people instead of to the politicians. According to a press release by the House General Investigating Committee, the Texas House of Representatives will start to consider a resolution calling for Paxtons impeachment at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Paxton urging supporters to rally at the state Capitol comes a day after the committee filed (pdf) 20 articles of impeachment against the attorney general, who has served in the top position since January 2015. The accusations against the 60-year-old lawmaker include misuse of official powers, bribery, and abuse of public trust over several years. If impeached, Paxton would be suspended from office immediately and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, could appoint an interim replacement. Paxton would be just the third person in the states nearly 200-year history to be impeached and the first statewide officer since former Gov. James Pa Ferguson in 1917. Meanwhile, Paxton accused members of the committee of attempting to oust him on charges based on hearsay and gossip, further arguing that neither he nor his office had been given an opportunity to address the allegations. The corrupt politicians in the Texas House are demonstrating that blind loyalty to [House] Speaker Dade Phelan is more important than upholding their oath of office, Paxton told Fridays address. They are determined to ignore the law. They have denied me the opportunity to present the evidence which contradicts their politically motivated narrative and are showcasing their absolute contempt for the electoral process. Matt Rinaldi, chairman of the state Republican Party, has also denounced the process as a sham, urging the GOP-controlled Senate to acquit Paxton if he stands trial in that chamber. It is based on allegations already litigated by voters, led by a liberal speaker trying to undermine his conservative adversaries, Rinaldi said, echoing Paxtons criticism of Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont). Paxton and Phelan On May 23, Paxton accused Phelan of being drunk while presiding on the House floor on May 19, calling for the fourth-term Republican lawmakers resignation over his conduct. Phelans office brushed this off as an attempt to save face. Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan in the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, on May 26, 2023. (Eric Gay/AP Photo) The speakers office said Paxtons call for Phelans resignation was motivated by the House Ethics Committees investigation of a $3.3 million whistleblower settlement the attorney general reached with four former employees who accused him of corruption. By attacking the Office of the Attorney General, corrupt politicians in the Texas House, led by liberal Speaker Dade Phelan, are actively destroying Texas position as the most powerful backstop against the Biden agenda in the entire country, Paxton said in a statement. They want nothing more than to sabotage our legal challenges to Bidens extremist agenda by taking me out as the states Attorney General. Legal Troubles Much of the articles of impeachment revolve around Paxton allegedly using his political status to help campaign donor and real estate developer Nate Paul on several occasions in 2020allegedly trying to protect the donor from an FBI investigation and attempting to thwart whistleblower complaints brought by his own staff. Several of Paxtons top aides in 2020 told the FBI that they were concerned the attorney general was misusing the powers of his office to help Paul over unproven claims that an elaborate conspiracy to steal $200 million of his properties was afoot. The FBI searched Pauls home in 2019, but he has not been charged and his attorneys have denied wrongdoing. Paxton also told staff members that he had an affair with a woman who, it later emerged, worked for Paul. The impeachment charges cover accusations related to Paxtons dealings with Paul; including attempts to interfere in foreclosure lawsuits; improperly issuing legal opinions to benefit Paul; and firing, harassing, and interfering with staff who reported what was going on. The bribery charges stem from Paul allegedly employing the woman with whom Paxton had an affair in exchange for legal help and Paul allegedly paying for expensive renovations to Paxtons Austin home. A senior lawyer for Paxtons office denied Friday that Paul paid for the work on the home, which also came under FBI scrutiny. He paid for all his home repairs and renovations, said Chris Hilton, chief of general litigation for the attorney generals office. Hiltons comments were one of the only direct responses from Paxtons team to the impeachment articles. What Happens Next The process in the House will start with opening statements Saturday, followed by four hours of debate, closing statements, and then a vote, according to a memo from the committee. If the GOP-majority House gets enough votes to move forward, the Senate would hold a trial to determine whether to remove the Republican lawmaker. Removal from office would require a two-thirds majority of the Senate. There are 31 members of the Senate: 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats. Paxtons wife, Angela Paxton, who is a member of the Senate, would be required to vote on her husbands fate. Texas law states that each member of the [S]enate shall be in attendance when the [S]enate is meeting as a court of impeachment. Angela Paxton has not yet publicly commented on the allegations against her husband, which include the cover-up of an alleged affair with a woman who got a job working for one of her husbands campaign donors. Sen. Angela Paxton reportedly learned of the affair in 2019, that the affair ended briefly, but then it resumed in 2020 and was underway again in 2020, according to the transcript of the committees hearing on May 24. The Associated Press and Jana J. Pruet contributed to this report. From NTD News The G-7 Is a Burr in Xi Jinpings Saddle European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrive for a photo at the Itsukushima Shrine during the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 19, 2023. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool/Getty Images) Commentary The communist Chinese pour cold water on the actions and pronouncements of any international body that excludes China from participation. This is particularly true of intergovernmental organizations that can greatly affect the world economy, as the so-called Group of Seven is meant to do under the leadership of the United States. Since Xi Jinping openly aspires to world leadership, Beijing is highly critical of such groups unless China directly participatesand influencesthe outcomes of the various meetings. Since China is not a G-7 member, Chinese diplomats and state-run media openly convey their disdain for the recently completed G-7 meeting in Hiroshima, Japan. And Beijing is apoplectic about Japans references to the China threat during the conference, as well as the crescendo of Japans actions lately to respond to that threat. Let us examine the issue. The G-7 Initially formed in the 1970s, the G-7 is an intergovernmental organization made up of the worlds largest developed economies: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, as discussed by Investopedia. According to the World Population Review, a developed economy is defined as a sovereign state that possesses a mature economy and a technologically advanced infrastructure. According to the United Nations Human Development Indexwhich measures a variety of factors such as GDP per capita to literacy rate, life expectancy, political stability, and access to electricityany country scoring 0.8 or better (with 1.0 being a perfect score) is considered a developed economy. Seven of the top 10 ranked developed countries are in Europe. The G-7 nations are ranked as follows: France (28), Germany (9), Italy (30), Japan (19), the UK (18), Canada (15), and the United States (21). China is ranked No. 79. The G-7 meets periodically to discuss international economic and monetary issues, with the groups presidency rotating among the members. Previously, the G-7 has addressed critical issues such as debt crises, oil embargoes and shortages, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The G-7 leaders communique produced on May 20 lit up Xi and the communists like a Christmas tree. U.S. President Joe Biden (L) with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (2nd L), British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (back), and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in a working lunch session as part of the G-7 Leaders Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 19, 2023. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images) The G-7 Leaders Communique on China The communique contains the standard globalist-oriented goals and objectives that have been pursued by the G-7 since its inception: a world without nuclear weapons, nonproliferation and disarmament, resilient global food security for all nations, transition to clean energy economies, and a pledge of $600 billion for quality infrastructure financing through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment. Front and center in the Regional Affairs section is a discussion of relations with China. The CCP must have noticed that its primacy was sending a message straight to Beijing about Chinese aggression and belligerence in East Asia, particularly in the East China and South China seas and Taiwan Strait. That this section was featured in a Hiroshima communique must have been particularly galling to Xi and company, given their hypersensitivity to all things Japanese. Here are a few points contained therein: A hat-tip to the size of the Chinese economy and the need for constructive and stable relations (implied: not based on Chinese economic and military coercion). A call for China to engage G-7 members on addressing vulnerable countries debt sustainability and financing needs, global health and macroeconomic stability (implied: the Belt and Road debt traps have not gone unnoticed). A mixed message denying decoupling but emphasizing a move toward economic resilience [through] de-risking and diversifying (isnt this essentially decoupling from China?). A statement about a level playing field for our [G-7] workers while addressing Chinas non-market policies and practices, which distort the global economy (with a direct accusation about illegitimate technology transfer or data disclosure referring to ongoing Chinese theft of intellectual property). Opposition to Chinas use of force in the East and China seas intended to [unilaterally] change the status quo. A strong statement that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait [is] indispensable to security and prosperity in the international community (a veiled threat of joint action against the Peoples Liberation Armys invasion of Taiwan). Calling out a major concern of Chinese forced labor practices in Tibet and Xinjiang (East Turkmenistan). Calling on China to adhere to its obligations under international treaties not to conduct interference activities aimed at undermining the security and safety of our communities (a veiled threat to curtail Chinese police actions in other countries under the national security law). A firm statement that there is no legal basis for Chinas expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea or Chinese militarization activities in the area (another shot across the bow). Beijing Reacts The CCPs response to the communique was focused almost exclusively on the section summarized above. It should be remembered that commentary from Xi through the Chinese diplomatic corps and echoed by Chinese state-run media is in lockstep on all narratives. Anyone who deviates from the approved narrative risks being reassigned (with associated loss of face) or even disappeared. Thus, anything in the likes of China Daily or Xinhua about the communique reflects official Chinese policy. Here are a few emotional responses by Chinese state-run media to the communique: Peoples Daily singled out Japan: Making use of the G7 Hiroshima summit, the Japanese side has repeatedly fanned up the so-called China threat to demonstrate its leadership and the solidarity of the G7. China Daily attacked the United States as the prime motivator behind the communique: A series of topics attacking China at the summit, grossly interfering in its internal affairs, and blatantly challenging the post war international order fully demonstrate that the G7 has become a tool of the United States hegemony. The joint statement issued at the Hiroshima Summit shows how the United States is garnering consensus in the G7 for its anti-China plot. Peoples Daily chimed in, condemning the G-7 as a hegemonic clique: A joint statement was released after the meeting, which hyped a series of China-related topics, slandered and attacked China, grossly violated Chinas domestic affairs and blatantly challenged the post-war international order. Concluding Thoughts The CCP is always on the lookout for slander of China from foreignersleaders, diplomats, and media, as well as from international organizations like the G-7. Fortunately, most informed people understand what Beijing defines as slander, which most thinking people would characterize as truth. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Theres No Justification for BCs Continued War on Unvaccinated Health Workers Commentary The threat of COVID-19 has passed. But the threat of COVID-19 policy remains for the thousands of health-care workers terminated as a result of their decision to refuse the COVID-19 genetic vaccines. And the threat of COVID-19 policy also remains for all British Columbians who wish to preserve our essential right to informed consent, and our essential freedom to refuse both unwanted medical interventions and non-consensual experimentation. To be perfectly clear, COVID-19 restrictions are not over in B.C.not by a long-shot. On the contrary, the temporary restrictions brought in ostensibly to deal with COVID-19 are now formalized. In other words, these emergency measures, which flagrantly violated the rights and freedoms of British Columbians, have been written into B.C. law on a permanent basis. Unvaccinated B.C. health-care workers have been stripped of their right to employment since October 2021. Hailed as heroes the year before, thousands of vitally important health-care professionals have been fired, with nearly half of these in the Interior and Northern Health regions. Rural hospitals throughout B.C. are unable to operate their emergency departments due to staffing shortages. And just as the province is experiencing a health-care crisisfuelled by this staffing shortagecontinuing COVID-19 restrictions are forcing highly trained and experienced health-care workers to leave B.C. for work in other provinces or take early retirement. B.C.s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, has issued a series of catastrophically harmful and arguably unlawful public health orders. The most recent of these, announced on April 6, mandates COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for health-care workers and as a condition of enrolment in training for health-care professions. When rights restrictions are imposed upon a population in the context of a public emergency, there is a legal requirement that the restrictions be necessary, legitimate, proportionate, and temporary. To begin with, this public health order is utterly unjustified, because there is no COVID-19 emergency in B.C. Even worseshowing a blatant disregard for the lawthis particular order is not only unnecessary, illegitimate, and disproportionate, but it has no termination date. When we examine this order, we see that the Public Health Officer has formally terminated all of B.C.s unvaccinated health-care workers, even those who practice alternative medicines such as acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, and chiropractic medicine, to list a few. There is essentially no recourse for these health professionals and support workers. Stripped of income, not eligible for unemployment insurance, and not eligible for legal aid, our terminated health-care workers have no means to effectively challenge the lawfulness of this order. Henrys April 6 order should be terminated immediately. Furthermore, those deprived of employment by the order should be reinstated and receive fair compensation for loss of income and other consequential damages. There is no justification whatsoever for a vaccination or a vaccination status requirement for health-care workers. Even the World Health Organization announced on May 5 that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a pandemic. Public health orders that coerce individuals to accept a medical treatment not voluntarily chosen can arguably never be considered lawful, even in a state of public health emergency. Orders, such as that of April 6, that use the coercion of job loss to compel involuntary submission to injection with a pharmaceutical product that is either ineffective, unsafe, or properly considered experimental, are always unlawful and prohibited by both Canadian and international law during normal and emergency times. In addition to blatant disregard for the law, the public health order of April 6 ignores established scientific facts. The order fails to acknowledge that COVID-19 genetic vaccines do not prevent infection or transmission of disease. The last date that the BC Centre for Disease Control released data linking COVID-19 vaccine status to hospitalizations and deaths was on June 23, 2022. During the period of Jan. 2 to June 18, 2022, about 74 percent of British Columbians who were hospitalized and 81 percent who died with COVID-19 were double- or triple-vaccinated for the virus. The April 6 public health order completely ignores the proven effectiveness of natural immunity, which is expected to be very high in health-care workers to begin with in view of their increased exposure to COVID-19 patients in the first year of the pandemic. Now, the vast majority of people in B.C. have acquired both natural and vaccine-induced immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unvaccinated health-care workers simply do not pose a greater risk to patients than their vaccinated colleagues. The April 6 order also ignores mounting evidence available in government vaccine injury reporting systems such as VAERS in the United States, EudraVigilence in Europe, and the World Health Organizations VigiAccess databases, that there are more reports of COVID-19 vaccine injuries, hospitalizations, and deaths than from more than 80 other vaccines combined from over 30 years. The risk of these injuries have been well documented to be unacceptably high for a vaccine given to healthy adults. For example, published data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control shows a risk for symptomatic myocarditis or perimyocarditis in about 1 in 1,900 males aged 18 to 29 years after the second inoculation with the Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. By placing the health of health-care providers at risk in this way, we are actually endangering the health of all people in our province. The April 6 order also prohibits unvaccinated and non-disclosing students, faculty, and staff in post secondary institutions from any work in health-care settings. The order thereby prevents unvaccinated students from completing training in the health-care professions and other occupations. This is particularly egregious given that there is no factual basis for assuming that unvaccinated students pose any COVID-19-related risk to those in health-care facilities. Furthermore, by barring admission to health-care premises, this order also effectively prevents unvaccinated and non-disclosing staff and faculty from remaining employed. The April 6 order bans already certified and desperately needed health workers from employment. It thereby further reduces timely access to competent health care in B.C., even as patients suffer life-threatening health-care delays because of staffing shortages. And for those who are not yet aware, B.C. is indeed facing a health-care crisis. More than 35 emergency room physicians in Surrey have warned that patients are going without timely care and even dying due to a shortage of both acute care beds and adequate hospital accommodation. With the second-worst wait times for cancer patients in all of Canada, the B.C. government has announced that starting May 29, the province will pay to send patients currently awaiting radiation therapy to the United States for treatment. The financial costs for this program will be enormous. Additionally, it will place increased stress upon patients with an attendant decrease in positive outcomes. At the same time, patients unable to travel for treatment will be faced with increased risk of death due to further treatment delay. In a particularly sad twist of ironyconsidering both the terrible cost of cross-border radiation treatment and the groundless prohibition of employment for unvaccinated health-care workers in B.C.vaccination is no longer required for health-care workers in Washington state. By limiting the pool of trained health workers allowed to serve the critical needs of cancer patientseven as B.C. cancer treatment centres are being plagued by staff burnoutthe April 6 order compounds the problems that B.C.s health-care system is facing. It requires no great flight of the imagination to see that this public health order will inevitably lead to enormous harm for the people of British Columbiaparticularly those in need of urgent care. Apart from Nova Scotia and B.C., none of the other provinces require mandatory COVID-19 vaccination of health-care workers at this time. In contrast to B.C., public health authorities in many countries, including Australia, Denmark, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, no longer even recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy adults and children. It is time for the B.C. Ministry of Health to acknowledge what has become plainly obvious to health authorities elsewhere, i.e., COVID-19 is not the threat that it once was, and the harms of these genetic vaccines may outweigh their benefits. Health-care workers should not be forced to continue to be subjected to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination that their training and experience does not support. The April 6 public health order must be terminated immediately. Our health-care workers must be reinstated with compensation. Unlawful orders such as this must never again be imposed upon the people of British Columbia, and those responsible must be held accountable. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Timor Lestes Xanama Gusmao Poised to Push Australia for Gas Pipeline to Countrys South Coast Former Prime Minister of East Timor Xanana Gusmao attends the inauguration of a bridge named after former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie in Dili, East Timor, on Aug. 29, 2019. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) Timor Lestes independence fighter and first president Xanana Gusmao is set on pushing Australia for a gas pipeline to be built from the Greater Sunrise fields in the Timor Sea to his countrys south coast if his party wins the countrys parliamentary election. Currently, Gusmaos party, the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), has received 41.6 percent of the popular vote, claiming 31 of the 65 seats in the island nations national parliament, according to the May 21 poll. This result will likely see the return of Gusmao as prime minister after being in opposition for three years. Gusmao was prime minister between 2007 and 2015. The Revolution Front for an Independent Timor-Leste (FRETILIN), the party of Prime Minister Jose Maria Vasconcelos, popularly known as Taur Matan Ruak, was second with about 26 percent of the votes, with the rest split among 15 parties. In a pre-election interview by The Sydney Morning Herald, Gusmao said his immediate attention would be on the economy if his party wins government. Gusmao also told the masthead that if Australia supported the plan to build a gas pipeline from the Greater Sunrise fields in the Timor Sea to the countrys south coast rather than to Darwin, it would amend Australias bad behaviour over the past two decades. This follows a diplomatic stoush in August 2022 that saw President Jose Ramos-Horta say that his island country would turn to China if Woodside Energy continued with its preference to direct gas through the northern Australian city of Darwin. When asked about whether there is potential for Chinese investment if Australia and Woodside did not agree to the gas pipeline, Gusmao said: I dont raise this issue now. What I say is we will do it. From where [support for the pipeline will come], it will depend on negotiations when it is the right time. The Greater Sunrise gas fields are located approximately 450 kilometres (280 miles) northwest of Darwin and 150 kilometres south of Timor-Leste. It is estimated to be worth around $70 billion (US$50 billion) and holds around 226 million barrels of gas. The Albanese government has said it is officially neutral on the gas processing plants location but is eager for a deal to be finalised between East Timors Timor Gap and Woodside. Victorias ex-premier Steve Bracks, Gusmaos former advisor, is a key figure in negotiations with the Australian governments special representative for Greater Sunrise. Source of Contention The development of a gas pipeline in the Greater Sunrise gas fields has been a point of contention between the two countries since 2004. Ramos-Horta previously told The Guardian that his country would consider Chinese investment if other development partners, such as Australia, refused to invest in the development of a pipeline to East Timor or Timor Leste. Beijings growing influence in the Pacific has been concerning for Australia, given a recent security deal made between the Solomon Islands and the communist regime. Nevertheless, the president argued that his country would be on a financial cliff if the Greater Sunrise project is not operating within the next 10 years. Meanwhile, Timor Lestes economy has been dependent on earnings from its oil and gas reserves, which are expected to be depleted in a decade. According to the World Bank, Timor Leste has successfully rebuilt public infrastructure, reduced poverty, and quickly built from scratch a network of functional public institutions since its independence in 2002. However, the World Bank notes that there is an urgent need for private sector-centred development to be not dependent on the oil sector. Chinese Investment in Timor Leste Investment into the country by Chinese companies has increased in Timor Leste, with Chinese state-owned companies building a new Tibar Bay port outside Dili, Timor-Lestes capital, and a four-lane expressway along the south coast. Beijing was also behind the building of the presidential palace and the defence and foreign affairs ministrys buildings, and China also won contracts to run the national electricity grid and to digitalise Timor-Lestes radio and television services, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. However, fellow prime ministerial candidate Mari Alkatiri, from the FRETLIN party and rival of Gusmao, said his country should not use its strategically important location to get its own way. We cannot get involved in global strategy, geopolitics. We are a very small country. I told it to the Chinese ambassador here in this room and to the American ambassador. [I said] Please, we need peace and stability to face a lot of [the] problems of our people. Trespassing TikTok Prankster Mizzy Charged Again 2 Days After Receiving Court Order Bacari-Bronze O'Garrobetter known on TikTok as Mizzyleaves Thames Magistrates Court in London on May 25, 2023. (PA) A teenage TikTok prankster was arrested and charged with breaching a court order two days after he was given the order for entering a private home without permission. Bacari-Bronze OGarro, 18, known on social media platforms as Mizzy, appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on Saturday morning, three days after he had appeared at the same court. OGarro pleaded not guilty to three counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order. He was remanded into custody until the next hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday. During Saturdays hearing, Rose Edwin, prosecuting, said OGarro had posted two videos on social media without the consent of the people featured and one video of him visiting Westfield Centre in Stratfordactivities he had been banned from doing. The teenager from Hackney gained notoriety recently after videos of him pranking people went viral on TikTok. In one of the videos taken on May 15 for a TikTok trend of walking into random houses, he entered a private home, where a family with children live. Appearing in court on Wednesday, OGarro admitted to one count of breaching a community protection notice (CPN) issued on May 11, 2022. CPNs are designed to stop people from committing anti-social behaviour which spoils the communitys quality of life and can be used against anyone over the age of 16 or against companies and organisations. Before a CPN can be issued, the individual has to be given a written warning they will get one unless their conduct changes and ceases to have a detrimental effect on the community. Failure to comply with a CPN can result in a fine of up to 2,500 for individuals and 20,000 for businesses. OGarro was issued a two-year criminal behaviour order on Wednesday and fined a total of 365, including a 200 fine, a victim surcharge of 80, and court costs of 85. The order bans OGarro from directly or indirectly posting videos on social media without the documented consent of the people featured in the content, trespassing into private property, and going into the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford. After the hearing, OGarro posted more videos on several social media platforms, including footage that appeared to show him and his companions singing in a police station following his arrest and pranking videos. The Metropolitan Police arrested OGarro again on Friday. Edwin told the court that the alleged offences took place on Thursday and Friday. OGarro appeared on TalkTV after receiving the fine on Wednesday. Asked by presenter Piers Morgan why he was terrorising innocent members of the public, OGarro replied: I wouldnt call it terrorising, I would more call it having fun. But let me get this out of the way first, I apologise. You see this situation that blew up on the internet, like walking into random houses, the next day I apologised because I felt bad. After Morgan said the fine OGarro received was tiny and accused him of showing no real remorse, the teen responded by saying its not his fault that UK laws are weak. During the confrontational exchanges, OGarro told Morgan, Hate brings money. Hate brings likes. Hate brings views. It doesnt matter, love or hate, it still brings views. Asked why he preferred to do the hateful stuff, OGarro denied preferring them, saying its just easier to do the hateful stuff. Chris Summers contributed to this report. US Marshals Rescue 225 Endangered or Missing Children in National Operation The shadows of three children playing on swings on June 7, 2022. (Badru Katumba/AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. Marshals Service announced this week that 225 missing or endangered children were recovered as part of a 10-week, multi-state effort dubbed Operation We Will Find You. In a news release on May 24, the federal law enforcement agency said the children include runaways as well as abductees by non-custodial individuals. The operation, described by the agency as an effort focused on areas with high clusters of critically missing or endangered children, resulted in the safe location of 56 children and the recovery of 169 children. The children were found in areas both inside and outside the United States. The youngest child who was rescued during the multi-agency effort was just six months old, the agency revealed. Additionally, of the missing children recovered, 62 percent were found within a week of the U.S. Marshals Service assisting with the investigation. Meanwhile, U.S. Marshals also noted that 42 children were found outside of the city they went missing in, with 10 of those children being located in Mexico. Additionally, a number of teenage girlsdescribed by the agency as possible victims of human traffickingwere located in the Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County areas from March 1 to May 15 as part of the nationwide sting operation, according to a separate May 24 news release. Data released by the agency shows that 86 percent of the children were endangered runaways, 9 percent were family abductions, and 5 percent were considered otherwise missing. Also as part of the operation, U.S. Marshals arrested a Top 15 Most Wanted couple after they fled from Washington state to Mexico with their five childrenwho they had taken into hiding. Investigators said charges for individuals taken into custody include sex offender violations, as well as other related charges. Members of the U.S. Marshals Service monitor an area in New York City on April 2, 2015. (Victor J. Blue/Getty Images) The U.S. Marshals Service is fully committed to the important mission of protecting the American people, especially our most vulnerable populationour children, Ronald Davis, director of the federal law enforcement agency, said in a statement. The results of this operation underscore that commitment, but also highlight the necessity of these critical efforts, he continued. Our continued success can only be achieved through our collaboration with state and local law enforcement agencies, and partnership with NCMEC. The operation was largely conducted in federal districts across the United States, including the District of Columbia; Maryland; Massachusetts; South Carolina; New Orleans; San Antonio; Detroit; Yakima, Washington; Orlando, Florida; Los Angeles; eastern Virginia; northern Ohio; Guam; Puerto Rico; and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Most Challenging Cases The agency noted that the missing or endangered children were regarded as some of the most challenging recovery cases in the area largely due to indications of high-risk factors such as victimization of child sex trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions. A total of 28 cases, meanwhile, were handed to law enforcement agencies for further investigation into crimes such as drugs, weapons, sex trafficking, and sex offender violations, according to the agency. Law enforcement reported allegations of human trafficking in over 40 of the cases the U.S. Marshals Service assisted with. Operation We Will Find You is a great example of how the U.S. Marshals Service continues to prioritize child protection, NCMEC president and chief executive Michelle DeLaune said. NCMEC is proud of our long-standing partnership with the USMS and commends them and the participating state and local agencies who helped recover the 225 endangered missing children. Since the passage of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act in 2015, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) recovered over 3,100 missing children, Davis said. The 2015 law enhances law enforcements tool kit to recover endangered missing children regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved. The U.S. Marshals Service established a Missing Child Unit to oversee and manage the implementation of its enhanced authority under the act, the agency stated. Any information about missing or endangered children should be reported to local police offices or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-The-Lost. Information about violent fugitives can be provided to the U.S. Marshals Service at (504) 589-6872, via email at usms.wanted@usdoj.gov, or with the USMS tips app. Crimestoppers GNO may also be contacted with tips at (504) 822-1111. From NTD News Vietnam Noodle Vendor Jailed for 5 Years After Viral Salt Bae Parody A Vietnamese flag flying atop Lung Cu flag tower in Dong Van district, northern province of Ha Giang, Vietnam, in an undated file photo. (Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP via Getty Images) A Vietnamese noodle vendor was sentenced to five years and six months in prison after an online video of him mimicking the signature move of Turkish chef Nusret Gokcepopularly known as Salt Baewent viral. Bui Tuan Lam, 39, became famous in November 2021 after posting a parody video of himself imitating the chef celebrity by sprinkling spring onion on noodle soup and calling himself Green Onion Bae. His video was perceived as satirical towards Vietnams Public Security Minister, To Lam, who received backlash after footage of him eating a gold-encrusted steak worth over $2,000 at Gokces London restaurant went viral. Vietnamese netizens criticized and questioned how the minister could afford such a lavish meal while the people in Vietnam were facing economic difficulties following the coronavirus pandemic. The Vietnamese activist nicknamed 'Green Onion Bae', who was summoned by authorities after this 2021 viral video satire, has now been sentenced to five and a half years after an investigation into many of his social media posts. pic.twitter.com/gnu2xHFQic Amnesty International (@amnesty) May 25, 2023 Lam was interrogated several times and pressured to close his noodle soup stall. He was arrested in September last year for disseminating materials against the one-party communist regime. On May 25, a court in Da Nang sentenced Lam to five years and six months in prison for spreading anti-state propaganda. Lam was also given a four-month probationary period to be served after his release. The court stated that between April 2019 and September 2022, Lam posted 19 articles on Facebook and 25 videos on YouTube that authorities deemed libelous and defamatory of the state, local media reported. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), has called on Vietnams government to drop the charges against Lam and abolish Article 117 of the penal code, which forbids distributing propaganda against the government. The list of posts and videos listed as evidence of Bui Tuan Lams crimes shows the extreme lengths to which the Vietnamese go to block any sort of online criticism of the government, Robertson said in a statement. Besides running the stall, Lam advocated for human rights and democracy in Vietnam. He also participated in anti-China and pro-environment protests. HRW claimed that Lam could not meet his defense lawyers until May 8. Beyond the usual due process violations, the case against Bui Tuan Lam has been further marred by the authorities bogus claims that he waived his right to a defense lawyer after holding him incommunicado for more than seven months, Robertson added. Montse Ferrer, Amnesty Internationals interim deputy regional director for research, said the case lacks international standards of fairness, given that Lam has been in pre-trial detention for nearly a year. This case is emblematic of the beleaguered state of human rights in Vietnam, where even the mildest satirical jab can potentially result in blowback from authorities, Ferrer said ahead of Lams trial. Satire is not a crime. This travesty of justice must end, Ferrer added, urging the international community to demand that Vietnamese authorities cease their relentless assault on peoples basic human rights. As of April this year, Vietnamese authorities have detained more than 160 political prisoners for expressing their rights to freedom of expression, according to an HRW report. The rights group said that rights bloggers and activists in the communist-ruled country face police harassment, intimidation, surveillance, and interrogation on a daily basis. Activists face long stints of pre-trial detention, without access to lawyers or family in a one-party police state that tolerates no dissent, the report reads. HRW urged international donors and trade partners to press for the end to the systematic persecution of peaceful critics in Vietnam. Washington Doctor Facing Probe for Criticizing COVID Policies Wins Emergency Injunction The sign of the World Health Organization (WHO) at their headquarters in Geneva amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on on March 5, 2021. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images) A Washington state appeals court has granted an emergency injunction to a retired doctor facing disciplinary action from the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) over articles he wrote against the official COVID-19 narrative in 2021. Dr. Richard J. Eggleston, a retired ophthalmologist in Clarkston, Washington, faces disciplinary action over articles published in the Lewiston Tribune he wrote challenged the prevailing information and guidance regarding the pandemic. During the pandemic, doctors could be accused of spreading misinformation if they provided advice contrary to the official information. This included, for example, advocating or prescribing treatments such as ivermectin or disagreeing with the effectiveness of face masks and vaccines. The United States officially ended the pandemic emergency on May 11. The WMC filed charges against Dr. Eggleston, accusing him of unprofessional conduct, including spreading false information and misinformation about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its treatments. They assert that his actions violated state laws related to moral turpitude, misrepresentation, and interference with an investigation. In response to the charges, Dr. Eggleston has maintained his innocence and has argued that his articles are protected under the First Amendments guarantee of free speech. He sought to have the disciplinary proceedings dismissed on the grounds that the statutes applied by the WMC infringed upon his constitutional rights. Despite a separate, initial motion to dismiss being previously denied, the recent emergency injunction granted by the appeals court now provides a temporary reprieve for Dr. Eggleston. The injunction halts the disciplinary proceedings while the court further examines the case. The WMC wants to carry out the fact-finding hearing, they say, to protect public health and fulfill its disciplinary responsibilities for the medical profession and to resolve issues of fact and credibility that require the expertise of the Commission to resolve, according to a court filing (pdf). Court Commissioner Hailey L. Landrus noted in her ruling that while putting a stay on the proceeding would inconvenience the commissionas lawyers for the WMC arguedit doesnt demonstrate harm to the public. Chilling Effect on Free Speech Dr. Eggleston, on the other hand, argued that he sought to halt the disciplinary proceedings to assert his First Amendment right to free speech. Landrus favored the retired doctors argument, saying public dialogue by professionals receives strong First Amendment protection, and the mere fact of prosecution can have a chilling effect on the exercise of these rights for Dr. Eggleston and other medical professionals. Dr. Eggleston has a competing interest in enjoining the disciplinary proceedings in order to seek First Amendment protection for his speech, which is the reason for the administrative proceedings in the first place. Denying a stay would, according to Dr. Eggleston, violate his constitutional right to free speech, Landrus said in her ruling. Balancing the parties competing interests and hardships favors Dr. Eggleston, the court commissioner added. She found that it would be more efficient to review the trial courts decision on the injunction instead of proceeding with a lengthy administrative hearing. Granting the injunction could potentially resolve the entire proceedings, saving time and resources, she noted. The courts decision to grant the emergency injunction comes as a significant development in Dr. Egglestons ongoing legal battle with the WMC. The granted stay of the proceedings will delay hearings scheduled to commence this week, Wednesday through Friday. This delay provides a short window of opportunity for the WMC to withdraw the charges against Dr. Eggleston. However, if the WMC chooses not to withdraw the charges, the legal process will proceed as planned. Im very happy to see that this part of the legal system understands this First Amendment issue and basic rights to get accurate information from a physician, Dr. Eggleston told The Defender. The legal team representing Dr. Eggleston expressed their satisfaction with the courts ruling to grant the stay of proceedings. Todd Richardson, one of Dr. Egglestons lawyers, emphasized the significance of protecting First Amendment rights. As Americans, if we dont conscientiously defend these foundational rights and freedoms, we may soon wake up to realize we have lost them, he told The Defender. The Epoch Times contacted WMC for comment. NEW YORK, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Lawmakers in several U.S. states are embracing legislation to let children work in more hazardous occupations, for more hours on school nights and in expanded roles, including serving alcohol in bars and restaurants as young as 14, reported The Associated Press on Thursday. "The efforts to significantly roll back labor rules are largely led by Republican lawmakers to address worker shortages and, in some cases, run afoul of federal regulations," said the report. Child welfare advocates worry the measures represent a coordinated push to scale back hard-won protections for minors, it noted. "The consequences are potentially disastrous," Reid Maki, director of the Child Labor Coalition, which advocates against exploitative labor policies, was quoted as saying. "You can't balance a perceived labor shortage on the backs of teen workers." Lawmakers proposed loosening child labor laws in at least 10 states over the past two years, according to a report published last month by the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. Some bills became law, while others were withdrawn or vetoed, according to the Associated Press report. Whole Child Gimmick Is Health Socialism Commentary Can California further socialize the raising of children, reducing the parents role even more? Yes, it can. In the May Revision to his budget proposal for fiscal year 2023-24, Gov. Gavin Newsom advances whats called Whole Child health care: The state is reasonably positioned to sustain the continued multi-year implementation of the California for All Kids plana whole child framework to close opportunity gaps by accelerating learning and investing in the educator workforce while providing universal access to early learning, before and after school care, comprehensive nutrition services, and increasing the number of community schools in high-needs communities. The California Legislative Analysts recent report, Whole Child Model Expansion, ignores the programs socialist intent and result. Whole Child means the government takes over everything about the childpsychology, health, and nutrition. As the LAO describes it: The Whole Child Model, currently implemented in 21 counties, integrates childrens specialty care services provided in the California Childrens Services (CCS) program into Medi-Cal managed care. The Governor proposes trailer bill legislation to expand the Whole Child Model to 15 additional counties. The LAOs main concern is only about the money: Given the complex policy considerations at hand, we recommend the Legislature act cautiously with this proposal and consider deferring some or all of the proposed expansion as it weighs its long-term policy plans for CCS. Moving forward, we recommend the Legislature begin contemplating its long-term plans for CCS, focusing on an approach that best coordinates care for beneficiaries, improves the existing shortcomings in CCS, and is cost-effective. Moreover, the Legislature likely will want to minimize variation across the state in how CCS services are delivered, allowing for variation only where a clear rationale exists. That is, even more socialist centralization is needed, with variation minimized. Which means more conservative counties, such as those in rural areas, would be brought under central control. Students on their lunch break at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles on April 27, 2021. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images) National Gimmick Whole Child isnt just a California socialist gimmick, but a national one. The American Association of Pediatrics in January released a Clinical Practical Guideline (CPG) on the very real problem of childhood obesity. Their summary: The CPG reflects a whole child approach. Sections on risk factors and evaluation acknowledge the multiple influences that can lead to excess weight and influence treatment efforts. In addition to individual and familial risk factors, broader structural and contextual inequities not only contribute to obesity risk but also impede treatment success. Note the familial risk factors. Is Mom cooking the wrong food? Are the kids chowing down on too many candy bars? Does the family have time in the evening only for a Happy Meals drive-thru? The irony is most kids now eat two meals a day at public school under the states California Universal Meals Program. The California Department of Education explains: Pillar One: Californias State Meal Mandate is expanded to include both a nutritiously adequate breakfast and lunch for, not just needy children, but all children each school day. But what about the vast ethnic diversity of students in schools? According to Los Angeles Almanac, there are 98 different languages spoken in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Those reflect at least 98 different culturesas Spanish, for example, includes dozens of different cultures in Spain and Latin America, as well as some Filipinos. But there are numerous studies on how eating the cuisine of ones own ethnic heritage reduces obesity. For example, in 2019 the Journal of Transcultural Nursing published Cultural Influences on Childhood Obesity in Ethnic Minorities: A Qualitative Systematic Review. It found: Cultural care practices such as traditional foods and family meals are protective factors in childhood obesity and should be encouraged by nurses caring for and working with ethnic minority populations. Instead of pushing kids to wolf down two mass-produced, socialist meals at school, they instead should be encouraged to eat their own ethnic foods at homeand bring a bag lunch. Doing so would improve kids health far more than anything from the Whole Child scheme. California Gov. Gavin Newsom talks with 7th grade students at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco on Oct. 1, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Whole Child Ideology The Heritage Foundation came out with an analysis of Whole Child in March, Forget Parents, Heres What This Whole Child Ideology Really Promotes. It commented on the AAP obesity study: Two aspects of the whole child agenda go together. The first is the push to rely on medical intervention over lifestyle changes and counseling. The second is the willingness to take decision-making power from parents and give it to unelected, unaccountable administrators. Whole child is shorthand for the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) program. Its funded by actors such as the United Nations, Department of Education, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Education Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), and has partnerships with medical groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). WSCCs emphasis on the whole child is nothing short of a collectivist ideology. The goal is to make government-run schools, not the family or the home, the central tenet of a childs life. It would place all medical records, access to healthcare, and social services within each K-12 school. Conclusion: School Choice Needed Whole Child is part of the move to push aside American families and put the government in charge of children. Aside from the LAOs concern over the added expense of expanding the program, Whole Child also explains why the state spends on average $23,483 per student but gets pathetic results on test scores. The money is going to the wrong curricula, the wrong pedagogy, and the wrong approach to student health. Whats needed is a full-scale school-choice program, such as Arizonas universal school voucher program, now also being considered in Iowa. But for that, the immense power of the teachers unions would have to be reduced and the states socialist mentality jettisoned. John Seilers email: writejohnseiler@gmail.com Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Zero healthy individuals under the age of 50 have died of COVID-19 in Israel, according to newly released data. Zero deceased of 1849 years of age with no underlying morbidities, the Israel Ministry of Health (MOH) said in response to a formal request from an attorney. Officials noted that the statement only applies to COVID-19 deaths where the MOH conducted an epidemiological investigation and had received information about the underlying diseases. Zero is a very, very clear number, and cannot be subject to interpretation, Yoav Yehezkelli, a specialist in internal medicine and medical management, and former lecturer in the Department of Emergency and Disaster Management at Tel Aviv University in Israel, told The Epoch Times. Why were all the extreme measures of school closures, vaccination of children, and lockdowns needed? he added. The MOH did respond to a request for comment. Freedom of Information Request The information was sparked by a freedom of information request filed by attorney Ori Xabi, who has been filing several such requests as he seeks to obtain information from the MOH regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 policies. Xabi asked to know the average age of people who died of COVID-19, segmented by vaccination status at the time of death; how many COVID-19 patients with no underlying morbidities under the age of 50 died; and the annual number of cardiac arrest cases between 2018 to 2022. According to the MOH response, the average age of vaccinated COVID-19 patients who died was 80.2 years. The average for the unvaccinated was 77.4 years. The MOH emphasized that the data they have about the underlying diseases of patients is partial since it relies on information provided by the patients or their relatives, if they chose to do so. And then, only in cases in which the MOH conducted an epidemiological investigation. Therefore the available information does not necessarily reflect the health status of the patient the MOH wrote adding that they do not have access to the patients medical records. It is not clear why the MOH responded to Xabis request using only cases where the MOH had conducted an epidemiological investigation, and which was limited to deceased patients where the families had cooperated, since in 2020 the MOH told the Israeli Knessetthe Israeli parliamentthat they use an intelligence system that provides the MOH with extensive information about deceased patients that included underlying diseases. A document (pdf) from the Knesset Research and Information Center, dated June 7, 2020, stated that the MOH provided data to the Special Committee for the New COVID Virus about COVID-19 deaths298 by that day at 4:30 p.m.at the request of Yifat Shasha-Biton, a member of the Knesset, and the chair of that committee. The ministrys intelligence system has data on gender, age, district of residence, and the underlying diseases of the deceased, according to the document. The system showed that about 94 percent of the deceased were 60 years or older and that there were no deceased with zero underlying diseases. In addition, on May 4, 2020, the Medical Directorate of the MOH in a letter (pdf) issued instructions to the heads of the hospitals and the medical departments of the Health Maintenance Organizationsnational health care organizationson how to fill out COVID-19 death notices, directing them to include underlying diseases. In a December 22, 2020 letter (pdf) the Medical Directorate to the managers of the hospitals stated that for every COVID-19 patient who died during the acute phase or due to complications of the illness later, or people who were positive for COVID-19 who died, a death notice and a summary of the case must be sent to the COVID war room of the MOH. They said the purpose was to improve surveillance. Its a bit naive for the MOH to say they do not have the full data and access to the death certificates said Yehezkelli, who was also a founder of a team that advises the MOHs director general. Yet this response from the MOH is meaningful, said Yehezkelli as it finally reveals the truth. A health worker administers a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to a pregnant woman at Clalit Health Services, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 23, 2021. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images) False Presentation Studies and other data, including a study led by Stanford epidemiologist John Ioannidis, show that COVID-19 mortality, even with the original variant, was largely age-dependent. It was definitely a disease that actually only endangered the elderly, Yehezkelli said. Over the age of 60, mortality doubled every 5 years while under that age mortality was negligible, and now we really see that it was zero under the age of 50, at least. The MOHs response showed that the average age of the COVID-19 deceased is about 80 years of age, which also indicates that this is a disease of the elderly, almost exclusively, said Yehezkelli. That only means that what we were told for 3 years was not true, he said. There may not have been many young people who got seriously ill, yet the MOH had emphasized cases of pregnant women hospitalized in critical condition and young healthy people who died because of COVID-19. It was not the true situation, he said. They created a false presentation of a very severe epidemic that affects the entire population and therefore the entire population should also be vaccinated, regardless of age, said Yehezkelli. If we are talking about people under the age of 50 that means that no pregnant women actually died of COVID-19, he said. The justification given for vaccinating pregnant women, young people, and children was that they too are affected by COVID-19. It was known back then that this was not the case and we now see it clearly, Yehezkelli said, asserting that the MOH has lost the publics trust by making a false presentation of the dangers of COVID-19. Cardiac Arrest Data In response to Xabis recent FOI, the MOH provided the number of cardiac arrest cases from 2018 to 2020. They added, The information for the years 20212022 does not exist in the office. The MOH explained that The registration of the causes of death of deceased persons is carried out, in accordance with the notification of death, by the Central Bureau of Statistics, adding the data for the years 20212022 have not yet been transferred to the Ministry of Health. A study published in April 2022 that analyzed the dataset of the Israel National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) found a 25 percent increase in EMS calls due to cardiac arrests among 16- to 39-year-olds between JanuaryMay 2021. The COVID-19 vaccine rollout began in December 2020. Retsef Levi, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management, was one of the researchers of the study. The MOH objected to the findings of the study in a post on Twitter where they said that there is no connection between the EMS calls that were analyzed in the study and the COVID vaccines. In a MOH webinar on Oct. 8, 2021, about the effectiveness and the safety of the COVID vaccines, Dr. Sharon Elroy-Pries, the head of Public Health Services at the Israel MOH said regarding Levis study: This is one of the biggest fake news I have seen. The National Center for Disease Control did a very comprehensive analysisincluding of the data of that study, [which were] EMS calls, she said adding that there was nothing. No more [cases of] heart attacks. No more calls to the ER. She continued by saying that in the mortality data from the beginning of 2021, you dont see an increase in mortality except for COVID mortality. That is, if we look at excess mortality in the State of Israel we see it precisely at the peaks that were peaks of [COVID] morbidity in the State of Israel. When you remove the morbidity from COVID at all ages, one sees either the same mortality rate as in previous years, or less, she said, adding there is no increase in heart attacks here. Sharon Alroy-Preis, the head of Public Health Services at the Israel Ministry of Health at the Health Committee meeting to discuss special powers to deal with COVID-19 in Jerusalem on Feb. 6, 2023. (Dani Shem Tov / Knesset) In a February 2023 meeting of the Health Committee of the Knesset for extending the COVID special powers law, Elroy-Pries reiterated that the MOH does have access to COVID mortality data. COVID has killed over 12,000 people in the State of Israel, she said at the meeting, explaining further that this figure is known since from the beginning of the epidemic, the Medical Directorate received peoples death certificates. When asked about whether there is an increase in cardiac arrest cases in Israel among young people, Elroy-Pries said, We do not see an increase in the death of young people, adding Were checking it. Were looking for it. Levi said to The Epoch Times that the MOH attacked him personally and the EMS, and asked If they dont have data for 2021 and 2022 [according to the FOI], then how can they know that they dont have an increase [in cardiac arrests]? When the MOH says things that are contrary to science, said Levi, or are contrary to the facts on a regular basis, you must ask yourself the question: are they doing it because they didnt bother to read the science, or are they doing it even though they read the science. Both scenarios are very serious, he added. Vaccines Saved Millions Around the World: MOH The MOH did not reply to a request for comment from The Epoch Times. Yet about 2 hours after sending the request on May 25, the agency posted on its Twitter account a statement regarding Xabis FOI. Following the manipulation that has been taking place in recent days regarding one of the Ministry of Healths [reply to] Freedom of Information requests, we will clarify that the answers to the requests submitted under the Freedom of Information Law are, naturally, answered directly to the specific question that was asked. In this case, the ministry was asked about mortality data and underlying diseases. The Ministry of Health does not have access to the medical file [of patients], therefore information is only based on cases where an epidemiological investigation was carried out and the person or his family answered the question [regarding underlying morbidities]. Therefore, this is very limited information. This was of course clearly written in the answer [to the FOI]. We will clarify: So far, 356 young people (1849 years of age) have died of COVID. Of these, only about half have documentation of an epidemiological investigation (184 deceased). And only 7.5% (27 deceased) included an answer to the question regarding underlying diseases. The answer was provided based on this information. The Ministry of Health is committed to maintaining the health of all citizens and making the information available in the Ministry transparently. This is how we acted [so far] and will continue to act. We must not forget that the COVID epidemic has so far killed more than 12,500 people in Israel, caused severe and critical morbidity, and post-COVID symptoms that accompany some of those recovering to this day. The vaccination campaign began in the midst of a third lockdown that resulted from an increase in morbidity and mortality and the opening of the economy was made possible thanks to the activation of the green passport, which its purpose was to reduce the risk of infection in mass events. The vaccines have saved thousands of people in the state of Israel and millions around the worldthe attempt to rewrite history is dangerous. Following an administrative appeal filed by Xabi and colleagues, the MOH committed to publishing all-cause mortality segmented by vaccination status and age by the end of this month. This appeal is an ongoing case that followed a FOI request submitted to the MOH on Oct. 10, 2021, which was not answered within the time frame according to Israeli law, and the data provided by the agency during a number of hearings since has been incomplete. Follow RBI rule for exchange of Rs 2,000 notes Business Bureau Recently, the Government of India has announced withdrawal of Rs 2,000 currency notes from circulation though it is to be treated as legal tender for some time. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a circular S-234 dated 19-5-2022 and circular S-239 dated 22-5-2023. While announcing the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 currency notes, vide the above RBI circular S-234, banks were asked to collect a requisition letter, identity proof, etc. from those who wish to exchange the notes worth Rs 20,000. But, the customers having an account in the bank, need not have to furnish any document. Similarly, those who are going for exchange of less than Rs 20,000 also need not have to provide the details. Later on, the revised circular S-239 dated 22-5-2023 issued by the RBI directed the banks to facilitate the exchange without collecting any documents from the citizens for less than Rs 20,000 in one go. Jaiwant Gurway, General Secretary, EMBEA Nagpur, said, RBI instruction is very clear that the exchange of the Rs 2,000 banknotes across the counters should be facilitated in an usual manner i.e., without insisting on any request slip or ID proof since these bank notes continue to be a legal tender. Accordingly, it has been observed that for exchange of Rs 2,000 notes, banks like State bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Bank of India (BOI) are not asking for request slip from the citizens. But, banks like Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Union Bank and Indian Bank are asking for KYC documents, request slips, serial number of bank notes from public. This contradictory stand by the nationalised banks has created a state of confusion among the citizens. We do not want to recall the miseries faced by the employees and officers during the demonetisation process in 2016-17. They have suffered enough. We cannot face it anymore, he said. We, being a responsible union have requested all the banks to abide by RBI circulars. Our parent organisation AIBEA has sent a letter to Indian Banks Association to instruct all the banks to abide by RBI instructions, Gurway added. Ambazari police arrest Prince Tuli from Mumbai Staff Reporter A TEAM of Ambazari Police apprehended Prince Tuli from a five star hotel in Mumbai on Friday. Tuli was booked by the police for allegedly outraging the modesty of a middle-aged woman on May 16 in her house. Prince, who is the estranged husband of model-turned-Bollywood actress Yukta Mookhey, allegedly misbehaved with the 54-year-old woman and threatened her of dire consequences. The victim then approached Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar and narrated the entire episode to him. Subsequently, Ambazari Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code against Prince following the victims complaint and launched a search for him. Cops received information that Prince was at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai. A police team visited Mumbai and took Prince into custody. Earlier, Prince was booked by Sadar Police for creating ruckus at CP Club at around 1 am on April 30 and manhandling Club Manager Jayant Sudhakar Bijwar. Before leaving the club, he had allegedly threatened Bijwar of dire consequences. Body of hotelier found stuffed in trolley bags in Kerala, 3 people in police custody MALAPPURAM, IN A gruesome incident, a hotelier in Kerala was allegedly murdered by his former employee and the latters female friend, who then dumped the body parts in a gorge a week ago, police said here on Friday. Police said they have found a corpse stuffed in two trolley bags suspecting it to be that of Siddique (58), a missing hotelier from Kozhikode district. The deceased, a native of Tirur, was running a restaurant at Kozhikodes Olavanna. The body of Siddique was found in a gorge along the Attappady ghat road and three suspects have been taken into police custody. Tirur police said the body was found cut into two halves, and the torso was in one trolley bag while the lower part was in the other. Malappuram Superintendent of Police S Sujith Das told the media that the hotel owner is suspected to have been murdered by Shibili, a former employee of his hotel, and Sharfana, a female friend of the accused. We suspect that Shibili and his female friend Sharfana are involved in this. They were absconding but were detained in Chennai with the help of railway police. Our team has reached there, and they will be brought here soon, he said. Siddique had been missing from Kozhikode since May 18, and his family had lodged a complaint with the police. The police officer said the information about the body was revealed by a third person under custody, who is another friend of Shibili. As per our preliminary investigation, the death happened between May 18 and 19. Hence, the body is estimated to be around seven days old. It seems like the murder happened due to some personal issues, police said. The police have collected CCTV images of the suspect from Kozhikodes Eranhipalam area. Meanwhile, a close relative of the deceased told the media that Siddique had settled the accounts with Shibli on May 18 and later went missing. Cheetah tracking team attacked by villagers in Shivpuri, sustain injuries Staff Reporter In order to track the female cheetah which sneaked out of Kuno periphery, tracking team reached Burakheda village on intervening night of Friday where villagers attacked the team members mistaken for dacoits. The two groups (tracking team and villagers) attacked in which forest team members sustained several injuries. Sources said that local villagers of the area assumed the tracking team as dacoits and they started firing at them. Villagers also pelted stone and beat the team members with lathi. Medical treatment of the injured team members has been done at Pohari Hospital. According to reports, female cheetah Asha has sneaked out of Kuno. Following the signal of GPS attached in her neck, forest team was tracking her location. When team reached Burakheda village of Shivpuri, local villagers mistaken them as dacoits. Villagers said that when they saw group of people together, they City kid to make the prestigious pitch at WB Summit Staff Reporter In a remarkable achievement that has made the city proud, Krish Yadav, a Std XII student of MKH Sancheti Public School, has been invited by the World Bank Youth Summit at the WB headquarters in Washington DC, USA. After a rigorous selection process that involved over 1,300 proposals from more than 125 countries, Krish has become one of worlds six finalists, and the only one from entire south Asia to get the high profile invite. Krish Yadav, with his curiosity and passion, has already proposed notable solutions in various fields, ranging from environment conservation to community development. His dedication and commitment to global welfare have earned him recognition both nationally and internationally. He has been a prodigy who has worked on Computer Science topics ranging from cyber security to AI, from Game development to Quantum computing, etc, and has got awards from numerous tech giants such as Microsoft, Google, IBM, Intel, and others. Sulakshana Yadav, mother of Krish, herself a Computer Science Engineer, an alumnus of Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) told The Hitavada, The World Bank Youth Summit is completing 10 years of its existence. Its mission has been to: Empower youth to explore innovative ideas tackling development challenges; provide youth with tools to build and engage in impactful development projects; and promote dialogue among youth, the WBG, and other key stakeholders globally. Last year, Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects of Krish and his younger brother Yash, were selected for showcasing their work at UNESCO event in New Delhi. Krish presented BhashaX Code Summariser, and Yash showcased AI Infant Monitoring System. Krish's selection as a finalist not only underscores his individual achievements but also reflects the global recognition of India's youth potential. The opening remarks would be delivered by the President of World bank. Krish would also be interacting with senior officials of the World Bank, IMF, United Nations. Govts of same ideology working in Centre and State have benefitted Mah: Shinde AURANGABAD, GOVERNMENTS of the same ideology are working in the Centre and State, because of which people of Maharashtra were getting benefits of various schemes, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said here on Friday. Criticising the Opposition parties stand of boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Shinde claimed that they were doing so to deny credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his work. Shinde was speaking at the inauguration of a Shasan Aplya Dari event in Kannad area of Aurangabad, during which funds were disbursed to 1.49 lakh beneficiaries under various schemes. Both the State and Centre have Governments of the same ideology. Hence, people of Maharashtra are getting benefits of various schemes. The Centre has sanctioned proposals for urban development, roads and railways. Basic facilities have been sanctioned by the Centre without curtailing a single rupee, the Chief Minister said. Press Release May 27, 2023 Senate to Approve Major Priority Bills Before Adjournment With one week left before the sine die adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress, the Senate is expecting to give its third reading approval on three more priority bills of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council. These are the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, the Regional Specialty Centers Act, and the Maharlika Investment Fund Act, which has been certified urgent by Malacanang. Alongside these priority bills, the Estate Tax Amnesty Act is also set to be approved on third reading. Once these bills are adopted by the House of Representatives or approved in the Bicameral Conference, they will be sent to Malacanang for the President's signature together with the measure on the Condonation of Unpaid Amortization and Interests of Loans of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. If the four abovementioned priority bills are signed into law, the First Regular Session will have produced seven priority measures of the administration, including the SIM Registration, the Act Postponing the Barangay Elections, and the AFP Fixed Term Law, which have already been passed into law. "I am proud to say that the Senate has performed very well for the First Regular Session, which typically tends to have a slow start in any Congress, because we are essentially starting from scratch and studying all of the bills anew," said Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. "With the Senate being composed of twenty-four republics, we have to hear everyone's perspectives out, toward the betterment of our measures. Thankfully, we have all developed a great working relationship with one another, and we have been able to give due time for everyone to carefully debate and deliberate on all the measures that go through our committees and the plenary." "And now that our Senate committees have really gone into full swing, and been churning out more measures for plenary deliberations, then we can look forward to an even more productive Second Regular Session." Overall, the Senate has thus far produced six bills into law, four of which are of national application. At the moment, sixteen bills are awaiting the President's signature, including amendments to the National Cultural Heritage Act. Three bills are pending conference committee, including the act Standardizing and Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and the One Town, One Product Act. Six bills have also been approved by the Senate on third reading, and are now pending in the House of Representatives, with four more set to be approved on Monday, including and the Estate Tax Amnesty Act, which was approved on second reading in the Senate last week, right after the House of Representatives transmitted it to the Senate a few weeks prior. "We know that there is a lot more work to be done, and we are committed to seeing the rest of the priority bills through, as soon as we come back," Zubiri assured. Apart from the Maharlika Investment Fund Act, eight more LEDAC priority measures are already in advanced stages in the Senate, with the followings bills pending second reading approval: the Ease of Paying Taxes Act; the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Act; the Act Institutionalizing the Automatic Income Classification of Provinces, Cities, and Municipalities; the New Philippine Passport Law; amendments to the Public-Private Partnership Act; the Internet Transactions Act; the Mandatory ROTC Act; and the Center for Disease Control Act. "The Senate will continue to prioritize the quality of our measures over the speed of our performance or the quantity of our output, but we do expect to be able to devote more time to our plenary duties, now that most of our major Commission on Appointments (CA) work has already been dealt with." The Senate President said the CA duties of the thirteen senators, which consumed much of their morning schedules, made it a challenge for them to work out the schedules of the Senate. "But we are nevertheless proud of what we have been able to accomplish without sacrificing the quality of our bills, and we are ready to get right back to work in the Second Regular Session." Bhopal: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has said that if the Congress comes to power in Madhya Pradesh, a sedition case will be filed against Bajrang Dal and BJP leaders who were spying for the ISI (Pakistani agency). Digvijaya Singh alleged that Bajrang Dal people have links with Pakistani intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). In Karnataka, the Congress has already promised to ban Bajrang Dal if it violates peace. Digvijay Singh said that if our government comes to power in the state, then a sedition case will be filed against those belonging to BJP and Bajrang Dal, who have spied for Pakistan's ISI agency. The former CM has also said that all the corruption that has taken place during the BJP's tenure in Madhya Pradesh will be exposed. He said that after the formation of the government, every corruption case of the BJP tenure will be investigated. Assembly elections are scheduled in Madhya Pradesh later this year. In such a situation, Congress leader Digvijay Singh is on a tour of the state these days. The Congress is once again preparing to form the government in the state. After winning the 2018 elections, the Congress also formed the government in the state. However, after the MLAs left the party, the Congress government fell into a minority in 2020. After this, the BJP formed the government and then Shivraj Singh Chauhan took oath as CM. Int'l tourist footfall in India will grow if citizens promote places they visit: EAM Jaishankar Thiruvaduthurai arrives in Delhi, will attend the opening ceremony of Parliament, hand over 'Sengol' to PM Modi 'How far will you go in protest against Modi..', BJP furious over boycotting NITI Aayog meeting India set to see exponential growth in coming years: WEF President NEW DELHI, INDIA is expected to clock the highest growth among the worlds big economies this year and the countrys economy is witnessing the famous snowball effect that will lead to more investments and more jobs, according to World Economic Forum (WEF) President Borge Brende. There have been reforms that have led to less red tape, better climate for investments and also the digital revolution is really happening in India, Brende said and stressed that he is very bullish and optimistic about the countrys growth trajectory but not so optimistic about global growth. India, which currently holds the G20 presidency, is one of the fastest growing key economies in the world and WEF has had close collaborations with the country for the past many years. When the snowball starts to roll, it gets bigger and bigger, and that is what is happening with the Indian economy. Maoists planning Pulwama-style attack on police camps? By Kartik Lokhande DESPITE suffering huge setbacks in various States, the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist) is internally training its cadres to mount attacks on policemen. The recent attack in Chhattisgarh was a grim reminder of this. According to the sources in the security apparatus, some recent details have emerged indicating that Maoists are preparing for a Pulwama-style attack on police camps. On February 14, 2019, as many as 40 personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir when an explosive-laden SUV rammed into the bus they were travelling in. Later, Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack. Now, according to sources, details have come to light regarding the Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) of Maoists. As per the details, the Maoists are planning to mount directional mines tweaked in square box dimension on tractor loaded with gun-powder and leave the vehicle near police camps. As tractors are widely used in rural areas near forests, a tractor near police camp may not arouse much suspicion. Taking advantage of this, the Maoists plan to blast such square box tupe directional mines by using long-range remote. Apart from tractors, they plan to mount the mines on four-wheeler vehicles like Bolero that are a common mode of commute in rural areas. The directional mines can be victim-activated by a tripwire or command detonated. Once triggered, it projects metal fragments in the specific direction. According to sources, the Maoists plan appears to be to trigger such blasts of directional mines, spread panic among personnel in the police camp, and then open fire. Since Nambala Kesavarao alias Basawraj taking over as CPI (Maoist) Secretary, the banned outfit has been focussing on research and development on explosives. In fact, the square box type directional mines for tractors are under development since January 2023. The Technical Department of the Maoists manufactures IEDs, booby traps, claymore mines, directional mines, pressure mines, and land mines. According to sources, the Technical Department Battalion of Maoists is conducting experiments with the mortar manufactured by it to attack security forces camps. The shells of such mortar carry five kgs of explosive material. The plans for use of light artillery should not be taken lightly as they are learned to be having 90 mm and 120 mm size shells, said a source. For a laymans understanding, the size of Howitzer gun rounds widely used in artillery fire in the world is 155 mm. The Maoists have been using the mines as well as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) including command-wire, victim-operated, and radio-controlled ones. The tweaked square box type directional mines is being viewed as an addition to their attack plan. Previously, as per the available records, the security forces from forests under Koyalibeda police station area in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh had recovered in June 2015 a powerful directional mine planted by the Maoists. The mine contained around 20 kg of explosives. Sources cited the references from a paper in the proceedings of the Indian History Congress dating back to 2014, stating that the Maoists had learned the use of IEDs from Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE from Sri Lanka. MARTIAL LAW! THE accusation by former Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan that Pakistan is passing through a period of undeclared martial law has a strong element of truth. But that truth did not begin in the current regime of Prime Minister Mr. Shehbaz Sharif; it started almost on the first day of Pakistans formation 75 years ago. And another part of the truth is that Pakistan has been having martial-law-like conditions off and on throughout its chequered history that also saw slicing off of East Pakistan from the country in the first quarter of century after its formation. This martial-law-like condition stems from the terrible comprehensive dominance of the Army on Pakistans affairs right from Day of its formation . For reasons best known to them, the first rulers of Pakistan believed in allowing the Army an unquestioned power over even civilian matters. They did create administrative structure etc all-right, but did not bother themselves with keeping its integrity intact. That slackness helped the Army to assume powers far beyond its stated role. In other words, Pakistani power structure factored the Army as an integral component even in domestic management and governance. That was the reason why Pakistan often saw martial-law-like conditions that granted the Army direct powers to interfere with civilian administration. Thus, the Army had Pakistan to exploit to whatever ends, but Pakistan did not have the Army to be used for morally correct purposes. The Army had an unrestrained participation in domestic and civic affairs without any questioning or hindrance from the civilian component of the internal structure. The accusation by Mr. Imran Khan points to all these dimensions of Pakistans internal affairs about undeclared martial law in the country. The problem with the accusation, however, is that the condition remained the same even when Mr. Imran Khan himself was Prime Minister. Not just the country and the world but also himself knew this unstated reality of Pakistan. He ran into difficulty in continuing as Prime Minister because he started the Army head on when issues raised their ugly heads. He came to power when the Army agreed to his ascent as Prime Minister, and exited when he fell from the Armys grace. This is how martial law operates -- at the will and behest of martial authority. To that extent, Mr. Imran Khans accusation has a substance of its own -- which nobody can or will deny. In the past 75 years, the country was run by the Army directly or indirectly, discretely or indiscreetly, often riding rough-shod on democratic thought-process and action. India offered a sharp contrast. No matter their flaws and foibles, most leaders of Independent India were committed to democracy not just as a system but also as a belief system for a rules-based domestic order and as the right condition to become a better member of the international community whose ethos it had been to follow democratic ideals. The Indian military -- including all its wings -- was given a position of high honour in the larger Indian scheme. Yet, the military was never allowed to play any political role. This decision of the founding fathers of Independent India was a conscious one, purposely based on principle of peoples participation in national decision-making -- of course via the ballot box, a process in which the men in uniform too had to participate. The men and women in uniform, thus, were part of the electorate but never the part of the political structure. Pakistan could never attain such a maturity and resorted to taking militarys assistance in running the country, as if yielding to the power and pressure of the junta. Mr. Imran Khans accusation has to be looked at from this angle. Staff Reporter After examining investigation reports of Nagpur police in threat phone calls to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari case, the special team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) left for Mumbai on Friday. A senior police official said that the NIA officials took investigation reports with them and also directed the police to prepare some documents related to the case. The threat phone calls were made by a murder convict named Jayesh Pujari alias Kantha, who was arrested from a jail in Belgavi, Karnataka. Kantha is now cooling his heels at Central Jail in Nagpur. The NIA has registered a case at Bangalore in Karnataka and the Mumbai team of the agency was directed to conduct investigation. The NIA will transfer the offence registered at Dhantoli police in next few weeks and then took custody of Kantha, the official claimed. The special teams investigation will be focused on uncovering the terror network in which Kantha was playing an important role. Exploring the role of Lashkar-E-Taiba and the underworld are the main focus of the investigation. On January 14, Pujari made a threatening call to Gadkari's public relations office, demanding Rs 100 crore and claiming to be a member of the Dawood Ibrahim gang. He made another call on March 21, threatening to harm Gadkari if Rs 10 crore was not paid. Pujari was brought to Nagpur on March 28 from a jail in Belagavi city of Karnataka State, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was invoked against him. After receiving green signal from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the NIA officials launched an investigation on terror angle in as Pujari had relations with dreaded terrorists including Lashkar-e-Taiba's South Division chief Captain Naseer. Pujari had also taken training in arms in the North-East parts of the country. During Pujari's interrogation by the City police, it was revealed that he had met Naseer in jail and received training in bomb making. He also came in contact with other terrorists in the jail, including Fahad Koya, Afsar Pasha, as well as 'D' Gang members Rashid Malabari and Ganesh Shetty. These accused were supporting finance to Pujari in the jail. The police received information that Pujari gave a 'contract' to Shakeel to kill former Karnataka DCM Ishwar Appa. Shakeel was first arrested in 2018 for carrying drugs, and then in 2019, he was caught in the same crime. In 2021, he was arrested in a kidnapping and rape case. He met Pujari in jail, and Pujari helped him get bail. Phase 2 of Samruddhi Expressway inaugurated from Shirdi to Bharvir SHIRDI, MAHARASHTRA Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday inaugurated the second phase of the Samruddhi Corridor between Shirdi and Bharvir in Nashik district and took a dig at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray by claiming hurdles in the project were overcome as I dont work from home. The Bharatiya Janata Party used to routinely claim Thackeray, as Chief Minister between 2019 and June 2022, was working from home and not attending office or undertaking hinterland tours despite the State reeling under the coronavirus pandemic. Asserting that many of the hurdles in the project were deliberately created despite it being key to the prosperity of farmers, Shinde said, I dont work from home. I came on the field as MSRDC Minister under Devendra Fadnavis (between 2014 and 2019) and convinced people about the project. Land acquisition was done in record time. In an apparent reference to Thackerays claim that BJP reneged on the promise to share the chief ministerial tenure after the 2019 Assembly polls, Shinde said what is spoken behind closed doors is never known so there is room to say anything. If there is will power, projects can be completed in record time and the Samruddhi Expressway is an example, Shinde said at the inauguration event in Shirdi. With the inauguration of the 80-kilometre stretch from Shirdi to Bharvir in Nashik district, 600 kilometres of the 701-km route between Mumbai and Nagpur is now open for public use. The 520-kilometre long first phase of Samruddhi Mahamarg from Nagpur to Shirdi was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 11, 2022. Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis, speaking on the occasion, said connectivity to Mumbai and its port area was essential for the development of the States backward regions. When I this greenfield expressway as Chief Minister, many felt it was just a dream. But I and Shinde, as Maharashtra State Road NEW CANAAN On Saturday, volunteers from roughly 20 organizations put flags on the graves of veterans at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan. VFW Post 653 in New Canaan is heading up an effort to place flags at the graves of veterans in all New Canaan cemeteries with help from groups like Daughters of the American Revolution, New Canaan Fire Department and others. In addition, memorial poppies are available for any donation made to Post 653 on Memorial Day weekend at these New Canaan businesses ACME, Dunkin Donuts, Walter Stewart's Market and Zumbach's Gourmet Coffee. Post 653 uses fundraising proceeds to pay for flags and wreaths that are laid on Memorial Day and during the Christmas season on veterans' graves at Lakeview and other cemeteries in New Canaan. NORWALK Local residents remain outraged with proposed zoning changes that they say would alter some single-family neighborhoods. The recommendation to allow two-family homes to be constructed in some neighborhoods that are currently zoned for single-family homes has been the biggest sticking point in a draft rewrite of zoning regulations that was unveiled last month. This is the city's first major zoning rewrite in decades. Some of us invested into a single-family zone and we expect it stay that way, resident Rich Bonenfant said during the final district zoning meeting on May 24. Director of Planning and Zoning Steven Kleppin said they will continue to host more community meeting leading up to the public hearings on June 21 and 28. At these hearing residents will be able to voice their concerns to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Keep in mind that the draft map is a draft map; it is not the final map, Kleppin said. Its the staff initial set of recommendations on things. I expect the map will get revise prior to the end of June for sure. During the district A meeting, Kleppin outlined some of the changes including changing areas around the Norwalk Hospital from a single family zone to a CD-3 zone which allows, but does not require, two-family homes. One of the big drivers and one of the big employers for the city is Norwalk Hospital, so we think the more opportunities we can to provide housing in and around the hospital for doctors, nurses and all kinds of tech staff, Kleppin said. The more walk-able we can make that area around the hospital the better that will be for folks. The CD-3 zone proposed has upset many residents, but Kleppin said this change if adopted would be incremental and market driven. Change is scary and I understand that that, Kleppin said. We think these changes are incremental changes. They are not happening overnight. In areas that allow two-family homes, less than 50 percent of those neighborhoods have two-family houses on them, he said So whats happening is that the market is dictating what is happening on those properties, not zoning. Last week Mayor Harry Rilling said he was uncomfortable with the changes regarding single-family home zones. Upfront, I want to be perfectly clear that I am uncomfortable with some of the recommendations and disagree with the level of density being proposed, Riling said in a statement on May 18. In particular, I am concerned about where some single-family areas are being proposed as two-family and where some multifamily zones are more prominent across the city. Environmental, historic concerns One resident, Elsa Peterson Obuchowski raised concerns about environmental precautions included in the new zoning plan, citing a story about flooding and street levels publish in The Hour earlier this week. Kleppin said Norwalks Planning and Zoning and the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation are working closely together. We are well aware of the changes they're talking about and they are well aware of the proposed zoning, and we are taking about how those two work hand in hand and impacts from that how it gets tied into our code, Kleppin said. Another concern raised was the historical preservation of Norwalk buildings and landmarks. Tod Bryant, president of the Norwalk Preservation Trust, said he is concerned that the proposed zoning lacked historical preservation, citing two recently approved projects the expansion of Marriott SoNo Residence Inn and an apartment complex development at 1 Cemetery St. I think there should be more requirements for developers who are asking to build something that will impact a property either in the historic national registered, state registered or the city historic research inventory, Bryant said. Kleppin said historical preservation codes have been on the radar. Nicol Ayers, Common Council member for District A, commented on how the recent Waypointe development has blocked a lot of the natural light on surrounding properties including the historical Bethel AME Church. People are sick and tired of multi-story building that are taking natural light out of their homes, Ayers said. There is a historic church that sits on the corner of Academy Street, Bethel AME Church, the oldest Black church in the city. There is no natural light there anymore because Waypointe is so high. The Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved a text amendment change regarding properties abutting historical properties, to apply for special permits on height, parking or other exceptions. All comments from the district and community meetings will be complied and reported to the commission. Residents may also submit questions and comments for planning and zoning at their website. As Westport applications to raze older houses continue to arrive at town hall, statewide totals in Connecticut are scraping record lows dating back to the early 1990s. This comes as builders factor in higher costs for demolition and new construction against dwindling sales of new houses in the Northeast though with Connecticut's real estate market still strong by historic standards. The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development logged 10,520 permits for housing demolitions between 2012 and 2021 according to DECD's latest update. It is an arc that traversed the struggles of the Connecticut economy in the shadow of the Great Recession, through the 2020 and 2021 real estate boom as Connecticut saw influxes of new residents as employers in New York and nationally adopted remote working arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic. That was nearly 2,900 fewer than over the preceding stretch between 2002 and 2011, which included the housing bubble that precipitated the recession, for a 21 percent decline. And 2021 marked the first time since 1993 that Connecticut saw three successive years of fewer than 1,000 permits for residential demolitions on file with DECD. A DECD spokesperson noted that some municipalities have skipped reporting the numbers to the state in recent years, but several Connecticut towns provided updated counts in response to CT Insider queries on their demolition totals in recent years. Adding those in alongside average annual counts for other towns from recent years, and the final count for demolition permits is still down significantly from 2018 and earlier. Sales of newly constructed homes in the Northeast were down 17 percent over the first four months of this year, compared to the start of 2022 as estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau. But the estimated 144,000 new houses was easily above the annual averages between 2009 and 2019, though well below the construction boom during the housing bubble of 2006 and 2007. And economic uncertainty prevails against the June date when the United States could be forced to default on debt, if the Biden Administration does not reach a deal with House Republicans to raise the debt ceiling. That could impact developer appetite for new projects, as the case during the Great Recession when new home sales plunged in the United States, and in tandem demolition permits in Connecticut between 2010 and 2012. An index assessing builder confidence published by the National Association of Home Builders shows that Northeast developer confidence has risen slightly in the tight spring real estate market, while well off the levels of the spring of 2022. The demolition numbers for any given municipality can swing in years when apartment buildings are knocked down to make way for newer developments. That was the case in Hartford with the construction of the Willow Creek development to replace the former Chester A. Bowles Park apartments, which vaulted Hartford to the highest number of demolitions on a housing unit basis over 10 years. Greenwich was not far behind for the second biggest total between 2012 and 2021, but the number had been declining since a 2017 peak of 119 applications. In 2021, the Greenwich building department recorded just 38 permits for demolitions. In the past few years, Westport has been closing the gap, including a number of demolitions in its waterfront neighborhoods near Compo Beach and Sherwood Island State Park where land is scarce. A modest 1950's era beach-side bungalow sold this year for $5 million, with a demolition sign now in place to pave the way for a new house on Hillspoint Road fronting Compo Cove. In some towns, residents have voiced angst as historic residential architectural styles are replaced with newer and larger houses, changing the visual character of neighborhoods. Norwalk accelerated the process late last year to revise its municipal rules governing demolitions, after a developer tore down what was thought to be the city's oldest residential structure, with the Thomas Hyatt House dating back to 1677. Includes prior reporting by Kayla Mutchler. Lucknow: Police raided a sex racket being run in a house in Adarsh Nagar and Jasrup Nagar on Dastoi Road in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. From where the police have busted the prostitution and arrested 15 accused involved in this racket. These include women from Nepal and Bihar. Police have recovered 18 mobile phones, Rs 8,340 in cash and incriminating material from the spot. According to the report, Hapur SP Abhishek Verma has informed that the Hapur Kotwali police station of Hapur district received information that a sex racket was going on in the house of a woman named Chanchal in Jasrup Nagar on Dastoi Road of Hapur. On the basis of the information, the police laid a trap and raided the spot. The police have also seized objectionable items from the spot. Also, 15 accused, including 12 women, were arrested and sent to jail. The accused also include women from Nepal, Meerut and Bihar. The house was a breeding ground. During this time, sealed and used pornographic goods have been seized. Hapur SP Abhishek Verma said that in the joint operation of Police Station Kotwali Nagar and our AHTU, a racket has been busted, which was running in Adarsh Nagar and Jasrup Nagar of Police Station Kotwali. In this, 12 women and three men have been arrested. During interrogation, it was revealed that they used to keep some girls and used to organize programs for women from outside such as Nepal, Meerut, and nearby districts. They used to get them to do sex in their own way in a wrong way, in this also some people have been arrested in the past who have been involved in such crimes in the past. Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal to embark on India CM Ashok Gehlot also admitted that Hindu religion does not teach violence! 'Make as many laws as you want, you will not be able to stop the birth, this is Allah's law..' : SP MP Burke BEIRUT (AP) A group of Lebanese citizens detained in the United Arab Emirates have been released, Lebanons foreign ministry said Saturday. Lebanons ambassador to the UAE notified the ministry of the release of 10 Lebanese detainees who had been arrested there about two months ago, the ministry said in a statement. The release comes after the death earlier this month of a Lebanese man who was detained in the UAE on unknown charges. A committee of family members of Lebanese citizens detained in the UAE alleged in a statement that Ghazi Ezzedine, 55, had died under torture, and rights groups raised concerns about the Emirati governments lack of transparency regarding Ezzedines case and the linked detentions. Emirati authorities have not commented on the case or on the release of the other detainees. Afif Shouman, head of a group of Lebanese families with relatives detained in the Gulf country, said seven Lebanese citizens remain detained in the UAE, none of whom have been convicted of a crime, and called for their release. UAE authorities have detained dozens of Lebanese, mostly Shiites, in the past over alleged links to the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The UAE, like other Gulf Cooperation Council members, considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization. In 2019, the UAE sentenced one Lebanese national to life in prison and two to ten years in prison on charges of links to Hezbollah. Amnesty International said in a statement at the time the trial of the men failed to meet international fair trial standards, as the evidence included confessions that were extracted under duress, and the defendants were detained incommunicado for months and denied access to lawyers during interrogation and investigation. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Reuters Beijing Sat, May 27, 2023 16:08 4 d5259e4d93052b0e76bee70b05762286 2 Economy microchip,semiconductor,China,Korea,US Free China and South Korea have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on semiconductor industry supply chains, amid broader global concerns over chip supplies, sanctions and national security, China's commerce minister said. Wang Wentao met with South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit, which ended on Friday. They exchanged views on maintaining the stability of the industrial supply chain and strengthening cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral fields, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Saturday. Wang also said that China is willing to work with South Korea to deepen trade ties and investment cooperation. However, a South Korean statement on the same meeting did not mention chips, instead saying the country's trade minister had asked China to stabilize the supply of key raw materials, and asked for a predictable business environment for South Korean companies in China. "The South Korean side expressed that communication is needed between working-level officials over all industries", not just for semiconductors, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The source declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media. South Korea is in the crosshairs of a tit-for-tat row between the United States and China over semiconductors. China's cyberspace regulator said last week that Micron had failed its network security review and that it would block operators of key infrastructure from buying from the company. The US has pushed for countries to limit China's access to advanced chips, citing a host of reasons including national security. About 40 percent of South Korea's chip exports go to China, according to trade ministry data, while US technology and equipment are necessary for South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Topics : microchip semiconductor China Korea US Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rachmat Witoelar and Doddy S. Sukadri (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 27, 2023 In a Cabinet meeting earlier this year, President Joko Jokowi Widodo once again addressed the issues and opportunities of carbon trading and how Indonesia could immediately take advantage of it. The meeting was a follow-up to Presidential Regulation No. 98/2021 on carbon economic value (NEK), and Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation (Permen LHK) No. 21/2022 on the implementation procedure of NEK. It is understandable that the government is enthusiastic about this issue because of its tremendous potential revenue. According to the available data, the value of Indonesia's carbon economy could reach up to US$565.9 billion. Indonesia's largest carbon emitting sectors are forestry and land, energy and transportation, followed by industry, agriculture and waste. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yvette Tanamal (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 27 2023 The signing of the United States-Papua New Guinea defense pact earlier this week, despite the cancellation of US President Joe Bidens visit to the country, represents the superpowers latest move in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The bilateral agreement, which Washington says could close global gaps in enforcement of maritime governance in a part of the region covered in vast oceans, may further drive US-China competition, analysts say, with Beijing warning against geopolitical contest masquerading as cooperation. For neighboring Indonesia, however, increased US military presence near conflict-prone Papua offers both challenges and opportunities. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andrew MacAskill, Kylie MacLellan and Sachin Ravikumar (Reuters) London Sat, May 27, 2023 10:03 4 8c59b90329e48fb699327dfce9b69d0d 2 Europe Government-Politics,Elections-Voting,UK,election Free More than 13,000 people were denied a vote in English local elections this month because of the government's new identification law, with those in poorer areas most impacted, according to a Reuters survey of local authorities. Voters in England were legally required to produce photo ID for the first time at the May 4 elections, with the government saying it was essential to combat election fraud. But the overhaul was criticised by many opposition politicians and campaigners who said it was intended to suppress turnout and was disproportionate to the historically low levels of in-person electoral fraud in Britain. Furthermore, Jacob Rees-Mogg - a government minister when the law was passed - said last week that the move had affected elderly voters who traditionally voted for the governing Conservative Party, indicating that it had also hoped for a different outcome. "Parties that try and gerrymander end up finding their clever scheme comes back to bite them, as dare I say we found by insisting on voter ID for elections," he told the National Conservatism conference. Reuters collected data from 202 of the 230 authorities in England that held elections, in which the governing Conservative Party suffered heavy losses. The remaining 28 were either still compiling the figures or did not respond to Reuters' request. Out of the top 20 councils that turned away voters, 15 were among the most deprived areas in England as measured by the government's deprivation index, the survey found. Clive Betts, an opposition Labour Party politician and chair of a parliamentary committee which will look at the new rules, said they were "undermining and undervaluing our democracy." A government spokesperson said: "We are encouraged by the roll-out and we are confident the vast majority of voters will have cast their vote successfully". Actual impact could be higher Betts also said the total number prevented from voting would likely be much higher because some who do not have ID did not bother to turn up at polling stations. Reuters' findings showed 33,509 people were initially denied a ballot paper at polling stations because they did not have the required ID. Of those, more than 20,000 later returned with the correct ID and 13,085 did not. The data was compiled from information published online, as well as requests by phone, email and under the Freedom of Information Act. It was not possible to produce a national figure for the percentage of voters at polling stations denied the right to vote as some local authorities only provided total turnout, including postal votes which did not require ID. In cases where councils did, only a small proportion of the overall voter base were turned away with a mean of 0.24% across 98 local authorities. Turnout at local elections is usually much lower than at national elections and Labour's Betts warned that unless the rules were changed, a larger number of people could struggle to vote at a national election expected next year. Neil Halliday, 51, a project worker from central England, said he didn't go to the polling station to vote because he was unable to locate his voter ID before leaving for work on the day of the election for Fenland Council. "I was angry," Halliday, who wanted to vote for an independent candidate in his area, told Reuters. "I wrote to the MP and utilised words that were quite coarse and suggested that they look at how well this is working ... I was very hacked off." Wrong ID, no ID Knowsley, an area the government ranked as the third-most deprived in England in 2019, had the highest percentage unable to vote, with 1.1% of those at polling stations not producing the correct ID by the close of voting, Reuters found. Terry Byron, a councillor for the Labour Party in the area, said he had come across younger people who did not turn up to vote because they did not have ID, while elderly voters were more likely to go to the polling station and be denied. Byron said this may have impacted the outcome of some elections because in his area his party lost one seat by only 79 votes. Walsall, which the government says is among the 10% most deprived areas in England, was the local authority with the highest overall number of people who could not vote, with 767 of those turned away at polling stations not returning. Rushmoor and South Oxfordshire, two wealthier constituencies, were among those with the lowest proportion of people turned away, the survey found. Britain's voting regulator, the Electoral Commision, will publish its initial findings of a review of voter ID in June. The government also intends to toughen the rules around postal voting and requirements for those who apply to vote on behalf of someone else. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Burcu Karakas (Reuters) Istanbul Sat, May 27, 2023 11:00 4 5fceed71997e5776a1634d25dc75823c 2 Europe European-Union,Elections-Voting,elections,Turkey Free For some Turks who remain scarred by a state crackdown on nationwide demonstrations a decade ago, Sunday's runoff presidential vote is a chance to finally get justice against those who carried out heavy-handed attacks on protesters. Hakan Yaman, 47, a minibus driver on his way back from work in May 2013, was hit with a tear gas canister and then brutally attacked by police on Istanbul's Asian side. "I could not breathe. The police started to beat me. One of them gouged my eye out with an iron bar. They threw me on to a fire. I pretended to be dead to survive," he said in an interview this week. "It has been 10 years now. No one is put on trial yet. I will not give up until the police officers are punished," he said. In that year, small demonstrations against plans to build a shopping mall in Gezi Park, in Istanbul's central Taksim Square, swelled into hundreds of thousands of people protesting against the government nationwide - and prompted a harsh crackdown. Human rights groups say 11 people were killed and more than 8,000 were injured in the state response, while more than 3,000 were arrested. President Tayyip Erdogan's government said the crackdown was warranted given threats to the state, and he has called the protesters "looters" who were partly funded from abroad, a claim denied by defendants and civil society groups. Minibus driver Yaman became one of the symbols of the violence inflicted during the protests. He was among 11 people who suffered eye loss due to police violence during Gezi, according to the Turkish Medical Association. The attack left his cheekbone, forehead and nose broken, and his skull fractured. He said he has had 12 operations and plans two more. No prosecution was opened against suspected police officers in Yaman's case. In October 2013, Amnesty International started a campaign called "What Happened to Hakan Yaman?", calling on Turkish authorities to end impunity. Criminalizing protests The Gezi protest marked the biggest popular challenge in Erdogan's two-decade reign, and its tenth anniversary comes as Turks head to the polls Sunday for his runoff against opposition challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Erdogan is seen having the edge in the runoff after he received 49.5% support in the first round on May 14 versus Kilicdaroglu at 44.9%, while his ruling party's coalition won a majority in parliament. Some families of jailed Gezi defendants say the runoff is an opportunity to return to rule of law and democracy in Turkey, given opposition pledges to overhaul the judiciary. Critics of the response to the demonstrations say the government criminalised peaceful civil disobedience against state repression, which officials deny. In 2013, police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators. Victims and rights groups say brutality against protesters often went unpunished. In 2020, Erdogan called the 2013 protests "a heinous attack targeting the people and state just like military coups". In pre-election rallies this year, he called the protesters "looters". Alper Tas, a Left Party official, said on Twitter that voters "owe" those who died and were jailed. "We will vote on the 10th anniversary of Gezi resistance." Last year, seven people were each sentenced to 18 years for "attempting to overthrow the government" over alleged roles in the Gezi unrest. Philanthropist Osman Kavala, the most recognizable name, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for orchestrating the protests. Defendants deny the allegations. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Turkey must free Kavala and others for violations of their rights. It has been ignored, and Turkey now faces possible suspension from the Council of Europe. Gezi Park - a slice of trees and fountains amid the concrete and pavement of Taksim Square - sits between landmarks of Turkey's two political camps: the Ataturk Cultural Center that was rebuilt as an opera house, and the sprawling Taksim Mosque. Begum Ozden Firat, professor of sociology at Mimar Sinan University in Istanbul, said the protests uniquely brought different segments of society together. "It offers a way to go beyond culture wars which have been the bottom line of politics in Turkey," she said. "We are stuck with identity politics but Gezi, both as a park and as an uprising, offers something completely new." Islamabad: Pakistan, which carved out of India in 1947 and became an Islamic country, is not hiding the atrocities committed against minorities, especially Hindus and Sikhs, according to a media report. There are constant reports of minor Hindu girls being kidnapped, raped, forcibly married and converted from the neighboring country. Pakistani Hindus, who have saved their lives from these atrocities, are forced to live as refugees in different parts of India. Recently, in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer of Rajasthan, the houses of these refugees were destroyed by the administration, which caused a lot of ruckus. However, later Collector Tina Dabhi allotted land for these refugees and gave them relief. But, this action has once again made the pain of those Pakistani refugees a part of the discussion. According to the report, the story that these refugees have narrated while talking to the media is heartbreaking. Someone's wife was gang-raped, while some had to flee leaving their newborn babies across the border. It has also been revealed that they are afraid to express their pain for the safety of their relatives living in Pakistan. Bhilji Rana, who used to feed his family by working as a labourer in Rahimyar Khan. Talking about the situation in Pakistan, he told about a surprising incident. Bhilji Rana told that one day his wife was working as a laborer in the field, when suddenly some bearded people came there and took his wife and daughter with them. After some time, it was reported that his wife was taken away and gang-raped by 12 people. After that, her (wife's) name was changed to Fatima. After much persuasion, the daughter was released. So Bhilji came to India with his daughter. Now he has only his wife's passport size photo left. He does not know whether his wife is alive or dead. Similarly, a Hindu refugee woman also lives in Jaisalmer, who was raped in Pakistan. The incident affected her so much that the woman also left her daughter with a relative in Pakistan and fled to India on her own. At the same time, a young man named Wazir has come to India leaving his 7-day-old child, while Vijay was forced to flee to Jodhpur leaving his 3-day-old child in Pakistan. At the same time, another Hindu woman was raped, her religion was changed, then the victim Jamna left her one-and-a-half-month-old daughter with relatives and came to India. Pakistani Hindus say that the situation in that country is such that people are only looking for visas. If given a chance, they will leave the property here, their children will also run away. According to the report, a person from another family says that their daughter, studying in class 9, was picked up by the son of a powerful policeman with the help of fundamentalists. The family couldn't do anything. They don't even know what happened to their daughter. Bhagchand Bheel, a Hindu from Pakistan, says, "Hundreds of families do not come forward to tell their pain, because they fear that speaking here will increase the oppression of their relatives living in Pakistan." Let us know that due to the terror of fundamentalists in Pakistan, Hindus and Sikhs are constantly coming to India from there. The report cited a study by the Marginal People's Organisation which shows that nearly 700,000 Pakistani refugees have migrated to Rajasthan since 1971. Sadly, even here, they struggle every day to make ends meet. Some time ago, the roof was snatched from the house of Pakistani Hindus in Rajasthan. However, after a huge ruckus, IAS Tina Dabi, while hearing the matter, has provided land for the refugees to stay. Earlier, these refugees were forced to live without a roof in the scorching heat. Rajnath Singh embarks on Nigeria, Defence cooperation in focus Extension of Atal Bhujal Yojana water project by 2 years Babulal Marandi was shocked to see the video of the new Parliament House BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:BNY Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 16,000 shares, an increase of 92.8% from the April 30th total of 8,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 54,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fiera Capital Corp bought a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 4th quarter worth approximately $4,600,000. Logan Stone Capital LLC boosted its stake in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 1,655.8% in the 4th quarter. Logan Stone Capital LLC now owns 209,732 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,112,000 after purchasing an additional 197,787 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. bought a new stake in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the first quarter worth $1,178,000. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 25.1% in the 4th quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 505,847 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,094,000 after buying an additional 101,612 shares during the period. Finally, Robinson Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter worth about $1,050,000. Get BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust alerts: BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Price Performance Shares of BNY traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $9.83. The company had a trading volume of 30,967 shares, compared to its average volume of 54,128. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $10.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.34. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust has a 52-week low of $9.06 and a 52-week high of $11.96. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Announces Dividend BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Company Profile The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.031 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $0.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.78%. (Get Rating) BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust is a closed-end investment fund. Its investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes. The company was founded on March 30, 2001 and is headquartered in Wilmington, DE. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Frederick County Bancorp (MD) (OTCMKTS:FCBI Get Rating) shares passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $36.00 and traded as low as $36.00. Frederick County Bancorp (MD) shares last traded at $36.00, with a volume of 600 shares. Frederick County Bancorp (MD) Stock Down 0.5 % The stock has a market cap of $57.85 million, a PE ratio of 25.35 and a beta of 0.34. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $36.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.00. Frederick County Bancorp (MD) Company Profile (Get Rating) Frederick County Bancorp, Inc operates as the holding company for Frederick County Bank that provides various banking services to individuals and commercial enterprises in the Frederick County, Maryland. It offers deposit products, including personal checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, and health savings accounts; and business checking accounts, savings and money market accounts, and certificates of deposits. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Frederick County Bancorp (MD) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Frederick County Bancorp (MD) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund (NYSE:NIQ Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 62,000 shares, an increase of 192.5% from the April 30th total of 21,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 51,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.2 days. Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund Stock Performance Shares of NYSE NIQ traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $12.59. 68,462 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 49,197. Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund has a one year low of $11.88 and a one year high of $13.86. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $12.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.62. Get Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund alerts: Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a $0.034 dividend. This represents a $0.41 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund About Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Leo Brokerage LLC bought a new position in Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund during the first quarter worth $153,000. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund during the first quarter worth $355,000. American Institute for Advanced Investment Management LLP raised its holdings in Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund by 3.6% during the first quarter. American Institute for Advanced Investment Management LLP now owns 28,840 shares of the companys stock worth $368,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund by 74.5% during the first quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 148,725 shares of the companys stock worth $1,899,000 after buying an additional 63,506 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hills Bank & Trust Co acquired a new position in Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund during the first quarter worth $392,000. (Get Rating) Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests into public fixed income markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies that are operating across diversified sectors. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays upgraded shares of Africa Oil (OTCMKTS:AOIFF Get Rating) from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report issued on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Separately, Scotiabank upgraded shares of Africa Oil from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 22nd. Get Africa Oil alerts: Africa Oil Stock Up 5.2 % Africa Oil stock opened at $2.16 on Tuesday. Africa Oil has a 12 month low of $1.47 and a 12 month high of $2.65. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $2.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.05. The stock has a market cap of $998.61 million, a P/E ratio of -11.37 and a beta of 1.25. Africa Oil Dividend Announcement Africa Oil ( OTCMKTS:AOIFF Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 27th. The energy company reported ($0.39) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 13th were paid a $0.025 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 10th. Africa Oils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -26.32%. Africa Oil Company Profile (Get Rating) Africa Oil Corp. is an oil and gas company, which engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production associated with oil and gas assets. It focuses on producing and development assets in deep-water offshore Nigeria, and development assets in Kenya. Its portfolio of exploration assets includes Guyana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and in the Senegal Guinea Bissau Joint Development Zone (AGC). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Africa Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Africa Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS Get Rating) have been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the seven brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $28.00. Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Benchmark raised Emergent BioSolutions from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $22.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, April 10th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Emergent BioSolutions in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an underweight rating and set a $9.00 target price (down previously from $23.00) on shares of Emergent BioSolutions in a report on Friday, March 17th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded Emergent BioSolutions from a c- rating to a d rating in a report on Monday, February 27th. Get Emergent BioSolutions alerts: Emergent BioSolutions Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of Emergent BioSolutions stock opened at $8.17 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.59 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.53. Emergent BioSolutions has a 1 year low of $7.74 and a 1 year high of $36.14. The company has a market capitalization of $412.18 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.01 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.00 and a quick ratio of 0.70. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Emergent BioSolutions ( NYSE:EBS Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($3.17) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.67) by ($1.50). Emergent BioSolutions had a negative net margin of 41.20% and a negative return on equity of 20.18%. The business had revenue of $165.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $142.85 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.18 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 46.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Emergent BioSolutions will post -1.33 EPS for the current year. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Emergent BioSolutions by 3.4% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,258,383 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $95,917,000 after purchasing an additional 303,165 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Emergent BioSolutions by 2.0% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,191,486 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $108,969,000 after purchasing an additional 101,059 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in Emergent BioSolutions by 4.0% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,316,310 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $90,599,000 after purchasing an additional 165,678 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Emergent BioSolutions by 33.4% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,368,661 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $56,199,000 after purchasing an additional 342,964 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Emergent BioSolutions by 12.7% in the first quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 943,660 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $9,776,000 after purchasing an additional 106,300 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.44% of the companys stock. About Emergent BioSolutions (Get Rating) Emergent BioSolutions Inc engages in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of medical countermeasures. It offers products for civilian and military populations that address accidental, intentional, and naturally occurring public health threats. The firms products include ACAM2000, BioThrax, Raxibacuma, Vaxchora, and VIGIV. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Emergent BioSolutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Emergent BioSolutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE:GBTG Get Rating) have earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $8.68. Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Global Business Travel Group from $6.50 to $7.50 in a report on Sunday, March 12th. Credit Suisse Group reissued an outperform rating and set a $9.00 price objective on shares of Global Business Travel Group in a report on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Global Business Travel Group from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 10th. Get Global Business Travel Group alerts: Global Business Travel Group Stock Up 3.1 % Shares of NYSE GBTG opened at $7.27 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $6.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.64. Global Business Travel Group has a 1 year low of $4.26 and a 1 year high of $9.28. The company has a market cap of $3.38 billion, a P/E ratio of -11.73 and a beta of 0.27. Insiders Place Their Bets Global Business Travel Group ( NYSE:GBTG Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 9th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.14) by $0.01. The company had revenue of $527.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $505.15 million. Global Business Travel Group had a negative net margin of 1.30% and a negative return on equity of 2.09%. Research analysts anticipate that Global Business Travel Group will post -0.18 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, CEO Paul G. Abbott acquired 8,147 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 16th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $6.25 per share, with a total value of $50,918.75. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,537,225 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,857,656.25. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 5.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Global Business Travel Group A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in GBTG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group during the second quarter valued at $882,000. Credit Suisse AG acquired a new position in Global Business Travel Group during the second quarter valued at $69,000. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in Global Business Travel Group during the second quarter valued at $80,000. Wulff Hansen & CO. acquired a new position in Global Business Travel Group during the third quarter valued at $77,000. Finally, Dendur Capital LP lifted its position in Global Business Travel Group by 6.8% during the third quarter. Dendur Capital LP now owns 1,215,873 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,882,000 after purchasing an additional 76,973 shares during the period. 15.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Global Business Travel Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Global Business Travel Group, Inc provides business-to-business (B2B) travel platform in the United States of America and internationally. The company's platform offers a suite of technology-enabled solutions to business travelers and clients; travel content suppliers including airlines, hotels, ground transportation, and aggregators; and third-party travel agencies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Global Business Travel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Business Travel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSE:CNQ Get Rating) (NYSE:CNQ) have earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the fifteen ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$91.79. Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$86.00 to C$87.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$97.00 to C$95.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. National Bank Financial upped their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$100.00 to C$110.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from C$92.00 to C$94.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$90.00 to C$87.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Canadian Natural Resources In other news, Director Stephen W. Laut sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$80.00, for a total value of C$400,010.00. Insiders have sold 70,000 shares of company stock valued at $5,331,485 in the last 90 days. 2.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Canadian Natural Resources Trading Up 0.9 % Canadian Natural Resources stock opened at C$75.82 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$82.64 billion, a PE ratio of 8.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 2.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 35.14, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.54. Canadian Natural Resources has a 12-month low of C$58.75 and a 12-month high of C$87.92. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$77.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$77.41. Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ Get Rating) (NYSE:CNQ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported C$1.96 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$2.21 by C($0.25). Canadian Natural Resources had a return on equity of 25.00% and a net margin of 23.94%. The firm had revenue of C$9.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$9.46 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Canadian Natural Resources will post 7.9854922 EPS for the current fiscal year. Canadian Natural Resources Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Friday, June 16th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.75%. Canadian Natural Resourcess payout ratio is 42.30%. About Canadian Natural Resources (Get Rating) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers synthetic crude oil (SCO), light and medium crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), primary heavy crude oil, and Pelican Lake heavy crude oil. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB Get Rating) Stock analysts at Cormark lifted their Q2 2023 EPS estimates for Canadian Western Bank in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, May 23rd. Cormark analyst L. Persaud now forecasts that the company will earn $0.79 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.76. The consensus estimate for Canadian Western Banks current full-year earnings is $3.26 per share. Cormark also issued estimates for Canadian Western Banks FY2024 earnings at $3.76 EPS. Get Canadian Western Bank alerts: A number of other analysts have also commented on the stock. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$29.00 to C$27.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$36.00 to C$35.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. TD Securities dropped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$33.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. CSFB dropped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$28.00 to C$26.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$29.00 to C$28.00 in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$30.08. Canadian Western Bank Trading Down 5.9 % Shares of TSE CWB opened at C$22.99 on Thursday. Canadian Western Bank has a twelve month low of C$21.21 and a twelve month high of C$32.50. The company has a market capitalization of C$2.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.76, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.70. The firm has a 50-day moving average of C$24.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$25.35. Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported C$1.02 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.89 by C$0.13. The business had revenue of C$272.89 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$275.10 million. Canadian Western Bank had a net margin of 32.57% and a return on equity of 9.18%. Insider Activity at Canadian Western Bank In related news, Senior Officer Azfar Karimuddin sold 1,050 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$24.19, for a total value of C$25,401.50. 0.37% of the stock is owned by insiders. Canadian Western Bank Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, March 9th were paid a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 8th. Canadian Western Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.65%. Canadian Western Bank Company Profile (Get Rating) Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services primarily in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, notice, cash management, US dollar, and chequing accounts, as well as organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, and equipment financing and leasing products; agriculture lending products; mortgages; lines of credits; registered retirement savings loans; consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Western Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Western Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Tuesday morning. Chunghwa Telecom Stock Down 0.7 % NYSE:CHT opened at $40.78 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $40.43 and a 200-day moving average of $38.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.63 billion, a PE ratio of 25.81 and a beta of 0.13. Chunghwa Telecom has a 52 week low of $32.90 and a 52 week high of $44.16. Get Chunghwa Telecom alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. acquired a new position in Chunghwa Telecom during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 184.2% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 790 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 512 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC increased its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 50.0% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,754 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $69,000 after acquiring an additional 585 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA raised its holdings in Chunghwa Telecom by 848.0% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,877 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 1,679 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 2.19% of the companys stock. Chunghwa Telecom Company Profile Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd. engages in the provision of integrated telecommunication services. It offers domestic & international fixed communication, mobile communication, broadband, Internet services. The Company also provides information and communication technology services; and innovative technology services such as Internet of things and artificial intelligence. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Chunghwa Telecom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chunghwa Telecom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shore Capital reiterated their house stock rating on shares of Cranswick (LON:CWK Get Rating) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. Cranswick Price Performance LON:CWK opened at GBX 3,170 ($39.43) on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of 1.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,659.69, a PEG ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.02, a current ratio of 1.72 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 3,097.56 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 3,102.88. Cranswick has a one year low of GBX 2,548 ($31.69) and a one year high of GBX 3,394 ($42.21). Get Cranswick alerts: Cranswick Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be given a dividend of GBX 58.80 ($0.73) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 20th. This is an increase from Cranswicks previous dividend of $20.60. This represents a yield of 1.87%. Cranswicks dividend payout ratio is presently 3,979.06%. Cranswick Company Profile Cranswick plc manufactures and supplies food products to grocery retailers, food service sector, and other food producers in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company offers fresh pork, gourmet bacon and gammon, fresh and coated chicken, ready to eat chicken, charcuterie, houmous and dips, and olives and antipasti, gourmet sausages, cooked meats, gourmet pastries, and ingredients, as well as cheeses and pasta. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cranswick Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cranswick and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Islamabad: The arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9 and the subsequent disturbances in Pakistan do not seem to stop. Meanwhile, a report submitted to Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir has added to the woes of the Shehbaz Sharif-led government. It has been reported in this report that after Imran's arrest, attacks on some military bases were done at the behest of the government. The report pointed out that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had instigated the government supporters to carry out sabotage and damage to army property at the behest of the Ministry of Home Affairs. IB comes under the government. The purpose of such provocation was to make Imran's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) an enemy of the army. This report has been prepared by Military Intelligence (MI). Energy security scholar Saeed Afridi has said that since the ouster of Imran, PML-N leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's team was looking for an opportunity to ban PTI or Imran. In the meeting of the National Security Committee, Nawaz's team tried to reach a consensus to ban PTI, but Bilawal, the leader of the government's ally Pakistan People's Party (PPP), opposed it. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, a close aide of Nawaz Sharif and the second biggest minister in the government, has repeatedly threatened Imran, who is demanding elections. In an interview, Rana had even said that Imran has brought the country's politics to a point where only one of us can exist. If it comes to our existence, we will not miss out on taking any step that is democratic or not. Attorney: Graft case Kaili to resume MEP duties Russia is being urged to arm its self-defense forces as a result of a cross-border raid The founder of a UK animal charity praises Kabul as being "polite and friendly." Taliban Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY Get Rating) (TSE:RY) Equities researchers at Cormark upped their FY2023 EPS estimates for Royal Bank of Canada in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, May 23rd. Cormark analyst L. Persaud now forecasts that the financial services provider will earn $8.65 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $8.64. The consensus estimate for Royal Bank of Canadas current full-year earnings is $8.62 per share. Cormark also issued estimates for Royal Bank of Canadas FY2024 earnings at $9.18 EPS. Get Royal Bank of Canada alerts: Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY Get Rating) (TSE:RY) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 1st. The financial services provider reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.17 by $0.09. Royal Bank of Canada had a net margin of 18.77% and a return on equity of 16.17%. The company had revenue of $11.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.67 billion. Royal Bank of Canada Stock Up 1.5 % A number of other research analysts have also commented on the stock. Barclays lowered shares of Royal Bank of Canada from an overweight rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. CIBC lowered shares of Royal Bank of Canada from a sector outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Desjardins increased their price target on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$145.00 to C$147.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Royal Bank of Canada in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $138.33. RY stock opened at $90.41 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.89. Royal Bank of Canada has a 52-week low of $83.63 and a 52-week high of $106.43. The company has a 50-day moving average of $96.19 and a two-hundred day moving average of $97.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $125.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.82. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Royal Bank of Canada Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RY. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Royal Bank of Canada by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 817,482 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $90,144,000 after acquiring an additional 41,346 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its position in Royal Bank of Canada by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 7,030 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $775,000 after buying an additional 382 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its position in Royal Bank of Canada by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 23,498 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,591,000 after buying an additional 458 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Royal Bank of Canada by 47.1% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,942 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $545,000 after buying an additional 1,582 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Thomas White International Ltd. lifted its position in Royal Bank of Canada by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Thomas White International Ltd. now owns 15,778 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,740,000 after buying an additional 701 shares in the last quarter. 41.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Royal Bank of Canada Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 26th will be issued a $0.996 dividend. This is a positive change from Royal Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.99. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 25th. This represents a $3.98 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.41%. Royal Bank of Canadas payout ratio is 48.57%. About Royal Bank of Canada (Get Rating) Royal Bank of Canada engages in the provision of banking and financial solutions. It operates through the following segments: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, Investor and Treasury Services, Capital Markets, and Corporate Support. The Personal and Commercial Banking segment deals with a broad suite of financial products and services in Canada. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Royal Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco India ETF (NYSEARCA:PIN Get Rating)s stock price traded up 1.8% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $21.99 and last traded at $21.98. 47,772 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 176% from the average session volume of 17,328 shares. The stock had previously closed at $21.58. Invesco India ETF Trading Up 1.8 % The stock has a market capitalization of $94.07 million, a P/E ratio of 20.29 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $21.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $21.92. Get Invesco India ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of Invesco India ETF Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. OLD Mission Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Invesco India ETF by 14,225.4% in the 1st quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC now owns 165,602 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,420,000 after purchasing an additional 164,446 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC grew its position in shares of Invesco India ETF by 83.5% in the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 204,579 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,816,000 after purchasing an additional 93,113 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley grew its position in shares of Invesco India ETF by 184.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 91,702 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,952,000 after purchasing an additional 59,472 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its position in shares of Invesco India ETF by 37.5% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 149,655 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,186,000 after purchasing an additional 40,799 shares during the period. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC grew its position in shares of Invesco India ETF by 393.1% in the 1st quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 47,794 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,237,000 after purchasing an additional 38,102 shares during the period. Invesco India ETF Company Profile PowerShares India Portfolio (the Fund) is based on the Indus India Index (Index). The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary located in the Republic of Mauritius (the Subsidiary), which in turn invests at least 90% of its total assets in securities of Indian companies that consists of the Index, as well as American depositary receipts(ADR) and global depositary receipts (GDR) based on the securities in the Index. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco India ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco India ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (NYSEARCA:IRBO Get Rating)s share price shot up 2.4% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $30.84 and last traded at $30.79. 184,288 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 105% from the average session volume of 89,784 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.06. iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF Trading Up 2.4 % The companys 50-day simple moving average is $29.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.59. The stock has a market cap of $320.22 million, a P/E ratio of 11.56 and a beta of 1.13. Get iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF by 256.7% in the 1st quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 1,202 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 865 shares during the period. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Retirement Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $53,000. Sandy Spring Bank bought a new stake in shares of iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $66,000. Finally, Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV bought a new stake in shares of iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $95,000. iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF Company Profile The iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in stocks based on a particular theme. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of global equities involved in robotics and artificial intelligence. IRBO was launched on Jun 26, 2018 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MaxLinear (NYSE:MXL Get Rating) was upgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Friday. Several other brokerages also recently commented on MXL. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on MaxLinear from $48.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on MaxLinear from $48.00 to $42.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Benchmark reduced their price target on MaxLinear from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Northland Securities reduced their price target on MaxLinear from $35.00 to $25.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised MaxLinear from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $30.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $40.00. Get MaxLinear alerts: MaxLinear Stock Performance NYSE MXL traded up $1.25 on Friday, hitting $29.72. 854,994 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 584,330. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $29.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.78. MaxLinear has a 52-week low of $23.05 and a 52-week high of $43.66. The company has a market capitalization of $2.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.78 and a beta of 1.92. The company has a current ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. Institutional Trading of MaxLinear About MaxLinear Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale purchased a new position in MaxLinear in the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its position in shares of MaxLinear by 1,068.9% during the 3rd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 1,543 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 1,411 shares during the period. Strs Ohio grew its position in shares of MaxLinear by 108.3% during the 4th quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 2,500 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $84,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in MaxLinear by 189.7% in the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,448 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $86,000 after buying an additional 1,603 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. acquired a new stake in MaxLinear in the 1st quarter worth about $88,000. Institutional investors own 90.26% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) MaxLinear, Inc engages in the provision of communications systems-on-chip, or SoC, solutions used in broadband, mobile and wireline infrastructure, data center, and industrial and multi-market applications. Its products include cable broadband modems and gateways, wireline connectivity devices, radio frequency transceivers, fiber-optic modules, video set-top boxes and gateways, hybrid analog and digital televisions, direct broadcast satellite outdoor and indoor units, and power management and interface products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for MaxLinear Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MaxLinear and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Benchmark reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Ooma (NYSE:OOMA Get Rating) in a research note published on Tuesday morning, The Fly reports. Benchmark currently has a $20.00 price objective on the technology companys stock, down from their previous price objective of $24.00. OOMA has been the subject of several other research reports. Alliance Global Partners decreased their price objective on Ooma from $21.00 to $20.00 in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. JMP Securities decreased their price objective on Ooma from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Ooma in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Get Ooma alerts: Ooma Stock Performance Shares of OOMA stock opened at $12.94 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $12.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $13.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $327.64 million, a P/E ratio of -99.54 and a beta of 0.85. Ooma has a fifty-two week low of $10.82 and a fifty-two week high of $16.76. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Ooma ( NYSE:OOMA Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The technology company reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Ooma had a positive return on equity of 0.48% and a negative net margin of 1.44%. The business had revenue of $56.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $56.40 million. On average, equities analysts forecast that Ooma will post -0.02 earnings per share for the current year. A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Trigran Investments Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Ooma by 3.8% in the first quarter. Trigran Investments Inc. now owns 3,374,755 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $42,218,000 after purchasing an additional 122,741 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Ooma by 0.5% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,041,981 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $38,055,000 after purchasing an additional 16,466 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Ooma by 22.4% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,153,787 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $17,296,000 after purchasing an additional 211,434 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Ooma by 0.9% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,122,495 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $13,807,000 after purchasing an additional 10,553 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ooma by 4.9% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 972,303 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $14,575,000 after purchasing an additional 45,300 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.09% of the companys stock. About Ooma (Get Rating) Ooma, Inc engages in the provision of platforms for cloud-based communications solutions, smart security and other connected services. It helps create smart workplaces and homes by providing communications, monitoring, security, automation, productivity, and networking infrastructure applications. Its products and services include Ooma business and Ooma residential. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ooma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ooma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MV Oil Trust (NYSE:MVO Get Rating) and Repsol (OTCMKTS:REPYY Get Rating) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability and earnings. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for MV Oil Trust and Repsol, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get MV Oil Trust alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score MV Oil Trust 0 0 0 0 N/A Repsol 1 6 3 0 2.20 Repsol has a consensus price target of $16.00, suggesting a potential upside of 13.64%. Given Repsols higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Repsol is more favorable than MV Oil Trust. Insider and Institutional Ownership Earnings and Valuation 4.7% of MV Oil Trust shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.3% of Repsol shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of Repsol shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. This table compares MV Oil Trust and Repsols gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio MV Oil Trust $27.20 million 5.07 $25.53 million N/A N/A Repsol $78.85 billion 0.24 $4.48 billion $2.99 4.71 Repsol has higher revenue and earnings than MV Oil Trust. Dividends MV Oil Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.38 per share and has a dividend yield of 11.5%. Repsol pays an annual dividend of $0.59 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.2%. Repsol pays out 19.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Volatility & Risk MV Oil Trust has a beta of 0.95, indicating that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Repsol has a beta of 0.76, indicating that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares MV Oil Trust and Repsols net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets MV Oil Trust 93.50% N/A 366.53% Repsol 5.48% 28.56% 11.99% Summary MV Oil Trust beats Repsol on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About MV Oil Trust (Get Rating) MV Oil Trust is a close-ended investment trust. It engages in acquiring and holding a term net profits interest for the benefit of the trust unitholders. The company was founded on August 3, 2006 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. About Repsol (Get Rating) Repsol SA is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil, natural gas, and refined petroleum. It operates through the following business segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Corporation & Others. The Upstream segment engages in exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas reserves. The Downstream segment is involved in refining, trading and transportation of crude oil and oil products, as well as the commercialization of oil products, petrochemical products and liquefied petroleum gases; the commercialization, transport and regasification of natural gas and liquefied natural gas; and renewable energy power projects. The Corporation & Others segment includes expenses of corporate centers in Madrid and Calgary. The company was founded on October 17, 1927 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. Receive News & Ratings for MV Oil Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MV Oil Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL Get Rating) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the sixteen ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $84.71. Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Royal Caribbean Cruises in a report on Friday, April 28th. They issued an overweight rating and a $94.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Royal Caribbean Cruises in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $86.00 to $90.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 8th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $78.00 to $88.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price objective on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $62.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, March 23rd. Get Royal Caribbean Cruises alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CEO Jason T. Liberty sold 36,536 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total value of $2,922,880.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 147,078 shares in the company, valued at $11,766,240. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Arne Alexander Wilhelmsen sold 375,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.74, for a total transaction of $30,277,500.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 20,689,632 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,670,480,887.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jason T. Liberty sold 36,536 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total value of $2,922,880.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 147,078 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,766,240. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 729,861 shares of company stock worth $58,020,180 over the last 90 days. 8.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Royal Caribbean Cruises Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Performance A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in RCL. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 1,314.9% during the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 2,759,035 shares of the companys stock valued at $231,152,000 after acquiring an additional 2,564,035 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 4th quarter worth about $100,326,000. Primecap Management Co. CA boosted its stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 29.8% in the 3rd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 6,776,061 shares of the companys stock worth $256,813,000 after buying an additional 1,554,600 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 2,470.7% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,280,200 shares of the companys stock worth $63,280,000 after buying an additional 1,230,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Absolute Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 4th quarter worth about $980,000,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.27% of the companys stock. Shares of RCL opened at $79.00 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $67.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $64.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.41. The company has a market capitalization of $20.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -19.41 and a beta of 2.43. Royal Caribbean Cruises has a 52-week low of $31.09 and a 52-week high of $81.16. Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.71) by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $2.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a negative return on equity of 25.86% and a negative net margin of 9.72%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 172.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($4.57) earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Royal Caribbean Cruises will post 4.72 EPS for the current fiscal year. Royal Caribbean Cruises Company Profile (Get Rating) Royal Caribbean Group is a cruise company, which engages in the ownership and operation of the following global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. The firm also holds interest in TUI Cruises GmbH, which operates the German brands TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Taiwan Fund, Inc. (NYSE:TWN Get Rating) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,200 shares, a growth of 453.8% from the April 30th total of 1,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 14,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days. The Taiwan Fund Stock Performance The Taiwan Fund stock traded up $0.71 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $28.56. 8,250 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 12,094. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $26.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.50. The Taiwan Fund has a 12-month low of $18.35 and a 12-month high of $28.97. Get The Taiwan Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in The Taiwan Fund by 198.2% in the second quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,333 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 886 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in The Taiwan Fund in the second quarter valued at approximately $83,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in The Taiwan Fund by 21.7% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 3,652 shares of the companys stock valued at $121,000 after acquiring an additional 651 shares during the period. Almitas Capital LLC boosted its stake in The Taiwan Fund by 67.7% in the third quarter. Almitas Capital LLC now owns 7,178 shares of the companys stock valued at $150,000 after acquiring an additional 2,898 shares during the period. Finally, Wolverine Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in The Taiwan Fund in the first quarter valued at approximately $179,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.60% of the companys stock. About The Taiwan Fund Taiwan Fund is an an integral economic player and closed-end management investment company. It allows investors to access and participate in the growth of the economy and the stock market, as well as the investment potential of the mainland and other emerging economies in the region. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for The Taiwan Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Taiwan Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:SKX Get Rating) has earned an average recommendation of Buy from the twelve ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $56.27. SKX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Skechers U.S.A. from $54.00 to $59.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on shares of Skechers U.S.A. from $56.00 to $57.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Skechers U.S.A. in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Piper Sandler raised their target price on Skechers U.S.A. from $47.00 to $52.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Raymond James boosted their price target on Skechers U.S.A. from $48.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Get Skechers U.S.A. alerts: Skechers U.S.A. Stock Performance Shares of SKX opened at $51.07 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 2.41 and a quick ratio of 1.43. Skechers U.S.A. has a 12-month low of $31.28 and a 12-month high of $54.77. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $49.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.90 billion, a PE ratio of 19.42 and a beta of 1.32. Insider Buying and Selling Skechers U.S.A. ( NYSE:SKX Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The textile maker reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.41. Skechers U.S.A. had a net margin of 5.41% and a return on equity of 10.72%. The firm had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.84 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that Skechers U.S.A. will post 3.14 EPS for the current year. In other news, EVP Mark A. Nason sold 1,093 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.12, for a total transaction of $49,316.16. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 18,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at $852,903.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Mark A. Nason sold 1,093 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.12, for a total value of $49,316.16. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 18,903 shares in the company, valued at approximately $852,903.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Robert Greenberg sold 9,453 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.16, for a total transaction of $426,897.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 168,907 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,627,840.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 101,805 shares of company stock worth $4,806,675 in the last three months. 24.44% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. SageView Advisory Group LLC boosted its position in Skechers U.S.A. by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. SageView Advisory Group LLC now owns 8,802 shares of the textile makers stock worth $418,000 after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the period. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Skechers U.S.A. by 1.3% during the first quarter. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 19,400 shares of the textile makers stock worth $922,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its position in Skechers U.S.A. by 0.9% during the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 35,699 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $1,132,000 after purchasing an additional 312 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC increased its stake in Skechers U.S.A. by 122.4% in the 1st quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 585 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 322 shares during the period. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its position in Skechers U.S.A. by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 50,155 shares of the textile makers stock worth $2,104,000 after buying an additional 341 shares in the last quarter. 93.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Skechers U.S.A. Company Profile (Get Rating) Skechers U.SA, Inc engages in designing, development, and marketing of lifestyle footwear for men, women, and children of all ages. It operates through the Wholesale and Direct-to-Consumer segment. The Wholesale segment includes department stores, family shoe stores, specialty running, and sporting goods retailers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Skechers U.S.A. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skechers U.S.A. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com lowered shares of Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR Get Rating) (TSE:QSR) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Tuesday morning. QSR has been the topic of a number of other reports. Barclays boosted their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $78.00 to $84.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $81.00 to $84.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $66.00 to $74.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and set a $81.00 price objective on shares of Restaurant Brands International in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Finally, Cowen reiterated a market perform rating and issued a $72.00 price target on shares of Restaurant Brands International in a report on Monday, February 27th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $72.87. Get Restaurant Brands International alerts: Restaurant Brands International Trading Up 1.1 % NYSE:QSR opened at $73.22 on Tuesday. Restaurant Brands International has a twelve month low of $46.68 and a twelve month high of $74.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.05. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $68.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $66.59. The company has a market cap of $22.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.98. Restaurant Brands International Dividend Announcement Restaurant Brands International ( NYSE:QSR Get Rating ) (TSE:QSR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The restaurant operator reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.63 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.56 billion. Restaurant Brands International had a return on equity of 35.70% and a net margin of 15.26%. Restaurant Brands Internationals revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.64 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Restaurant Brands International will post 3.08 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 22nd will be issued a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 21st. Restaurant Brands Internationals payout ratio is 67.07%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Sami A. Siddiqui sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.40, for a total transaction of $1,086,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 116,634 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,444,301.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, insider Axel Mr Schwan sold 34,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.25, for a total transaction of $2,422,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 106,305 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,574,231.25. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Sami A. Siddiqui sold 15,000 shares of Restaurant Brands International stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.40, for a total transaction of $1,086,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 116,634 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,444,301.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 101,772 shares of company stock worth $7,366,731. 1.25% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Restaurant Brands International A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of QSR. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Restaurant Brands International by 0.9% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 301,806 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $17,623,000 after acquiring an additional 2,830 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 2.6% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 9,183 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $536,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 12.6% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,164 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $301,000 after purchasing an additional 577 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its position in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 73.6% during the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 7,076 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $413,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in Restaurant Brands International by 99.3% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 373,323 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $21,798,000 after buying an additional 185,998 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.87% of the companys stock. About Restaurant Brands International (Get Rating) Restaurant Brands International, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the operation of quick service restaurants. It operates through the following segments: Tim Hortons, Burger King, and Popeyes. The Tim Hortons segment provides donut, coffee, and tea restaurant services. The Burger King segment manages fast food hamburger restaurant. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Restaurant Brands International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Restaurant Brands International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Delhi: Rajnath Singh, Defence minister of India, is scheduled to visit Nigeria from May 28 to 30, his office announced on Friday. This will be the first time an Indian defence minister is visiting an African nation. With Singh's visit, India hopes to improve relations and look into possible defence collaboration. The arrival of Singh will coincide with Bola Ahmed Tinubu's inauguration as president of Nigeria. Additionally, he will meet with outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, demonstrating India's commitment to upholding the highest level of diplomatic ties. Singh will be accompanied by senior defence ministry representatives from India and executives from significant Nigerian defence public sector undertakings (PSUs) in an effort to forge closer defence ties and explore joint venture possibilities. To determine possible areas where India's defence industry may satisfy Nigeria's needs, the group intends to meet with members of the country's military and business sectors. About Rajnath Singh: Rajnath Singh is an Indian politician and the current Defense Minister of India. He has been associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for several decades and has held various important positions within the party and the government. Singh has made significant contributions to Indian politics and has been known for his strong leadership and administrative skills. As the Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh has focused on modernizing India's defense capabilities and enhancing the country's self-reliance in defense production. He has emphasized the importance of indigenous defense manufacturing and technology development, aiming to reduce India's dependence on foreign imports. Rajnath Singh is known for his strong advocacy of national security and has been actively involved in addressing border issues and safeguarding India's territorial integrity. He has shown a proactive approach in dealing with security challenges and has played a key role in strengthening India's defense infrastructure, particularly along the country's borders. Overall, Rajnath Singh is widely respected for his commitment to national security and his efforts to bolster India's defense capabilities. His leadership and experience in the defense sector have been instrumental in shaping India's defense policies and ensuring the country's preparedness in the face of evolving security threats. Defense Minister urges Oppn not to POLITICIZE new Par Building launch India will achieve third rank in the world economy by 2027: Rajnath Singh Japan and the UAE have signed a deal to transfer defence technology LAGOS, NIGERIA - Task Systems Ltd, a pioneering force in the West African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, has announced the appointment of Mrs. Gozy Ijogun as its new Managing Director effective April 1, 2023. Gozy Ijogun, known for her transformative leadership, has a rich professional history in the digital technology realm. At the age of 25, armed with a degree in Chemistry from University College London and a Master of Science degree in Accounting, Organizations, and Institutions from the London School of Economics, Gozy made a significant impact on the digital landscape of Nigeria by setting up TD-Mobile, Nigeria's first structured mobile devices distribution company. She propelled the company to generate a substantial N38 billion in revenue within its first year of operation, guiding the organization from its initial team of seven to become TD Africa Distributions Ltd., now a dominant player in technology distribution in sub-Saharan Africa, representing more than 25 top global brands and introducing a plethora of ICT solutions that consolidated its standing as a solutions-focused tech firm. "Gozys proven leadership, strategic acumen, and her passion for technology make her the perfect fit for Task Systems Ltd," Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Task Systems Ltd said. "Her impressive track record and innovative vision align seamlessly with our growth trajectory. We are excited to usher in this new era under her stewardship." Reflecting on her appointment, Gozy said, "I'm honoured to join Task Systems, a company that has consistently been at the forefront of tech innovation. We have a remarkable opportunity to grow and become the leading integrated technology and services company in Africa, and I am enthusiastic about leading Task Systems into this future." Apart from her commercial accomplishments, Mrs. Ijogun is also deeply committed to social change. She was instrumental in launching "This is Me", a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative championed by TD Africa to aid individuals and uplift their dignity. With 36 years of industry leadership, Task Systems has consistently provided innovative ICT solutions across various industries, including oil, banking, media, manufacturing, and the public sector. The company has received over 27 global awards for its exceptional contributions. With the visionary leadership of Mrs. Ijogun, Task Systems is poised for unprecedented growth and success. About Task Systems Ltd: For over three decades, Task Systems has been a pioneer in the tech sector, introducing revolutionary ICT solutions across a broad spectrum of industries. Known for its trailblazing contributions, Task Systems remains a significant player in providing support solutions to numerous Nigerian companies. A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, has declared the appointment and stay in office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, as illegal. It was learnt that Justice Fatun Riman sacked the police boss while ruling on a suit marked FHC/AKW/CS/58/2023, filed by Okechukwu Nwafor, a taxpayer. The court therefore ordered Alkali Baba to stop parading himself as the Inspector-General of Police. The court further ordered the President to convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to appoint a new Inspector General of Police who will hold office for four years. Defendants in the suit are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, IGP Alkali Baba, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Nigeria Police Council. President Muhammadu Buhari has slated to address the nation on Sunday in his farewell broadcast as president. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made this known on Saturday, saying that the broadcast will be made at 7 am Television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast, the statement added. The Nigerian Voice understands that the special address precedes the inauguration of President-elect Bola Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Monday. Little Mermaid brings new view to a classic Has there ever been a film that has divided people before it has been released as much as Disneys new real-life adaption of The Little Mermaid? If you have been on social media over the past few months, then it would be impossible that you havent seen people projecting what they believe they will think of the reworking of the animated family classic. World-Entertainment By David Griffiths Saturday 27 May 2023, 11:00AM Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid (2023). Image: IMDb From Im sure Im going to love it through to Im going to hate it, she doesnt even look anything like Ariel has all been said before the film has even reached cinemas. Now it has been released it is easy to see that despite some cheesy moments The Little Mermaid is actually a pretty decent watch. For those who dont know the story Ariel (Halle Bailey The Last Holiday) is a mermaid that yearns to know more about life on the surface the world of the humans. Despite warnings from her friends Flounder (Jacob Tremblay Room) and Sebastian (Daveed Diggs Hamilton) she spends most of her time combing shipwrecks to find human artifacts. She then relies on the often-wrong information from Scuttle (Awkwafina Renfield) to determine what she has found. She dreams of going to the surface but does not wnat to anger her father, King Triton (Javier Bardem Skyfall), who forbids it after her mother was killed by humans. Meanwhile on the surface, Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King A Dogs Way Home) is constantly fighting against his mother, The Queen (Noma Dumezweni Mary Poppins Returns) and her aide, Sir Grimsby (Art Malik True Lies), to be able to leave the Kingdom and explore the world in a bid to make life better for their subjects. Ariel and Erics worlds soon collide when Ariel rescues him from a shipwreck. Romance doesnt run smoothly though as Eric cant remember who exactly saved him. Spotting an opportunity to try and get revenge, the evil sea-witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy Bridesmaids) casts a spell that will give Ariel three days on the surface as a human but also means that if Eric hasnt kissed her during that time she becomes the property of Ursula something that would break her father. While this adaption of The Little Mermaid does tell basically the same story as the original animated versions, it is the updates, so to speak, that make the heart of the film. First of all, there is the fact that director Rob Marshall (Chicago) uses all of his talents as a director to bring the right mix to the film. He takes his skills as a musical director which we have seen on show with Chicago and the under-rated Nine and mixes it with the fact that he has been at the helm of epic films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. It is that epic feel that separates this version from the animated film, and then there is the fact that Marshall has once again teamed up with cinematographer Dion Beebe (Memoirs of A Geisha) to make this film look spectacular. The underwater world looks like a special kind of fairyland that just makes you want to explore while he even manages to make what appears to be a bayou swamp become one of the most romantic places on Earth. While the extended shots of Tritons Kingdom do stretch the films run time, it is well worth it to see the work of Beebe, who has created something beautiful. Screenwriter David Magee (Life of Pi) also has his moments. For the most part the film is made up of some true dramatic moments and the scenes between Ariel and Eric are very natural. The one-liners delivered by the creatures, namely Sebastian and Scuttle, also hit their mark and are guaranteed to make the audience chuckle. Sadly, though, there are some weaknesses with the script. A lot of Uruslas scenes seem to be cliche and certainly needed to be darker. There is also a kind of cheesy second ending that feels like it has been tacked onto the end of the film after the events all slow down. It feels completely out of place because just minutes earlier the story basically came to an end with a conclusion that most fans would have already been happy with. Of course, the big questions around The Little Mermaid revolve around the cast and it must be said that they do a pretty decent job. Halle Bailey is perfect as Ariel and it is easy to see that she has a big career ahead of her. Likewise, Jonah Hauer-King is likable as Eric and together the two do feel like they have genuine chemistry. Javier Bardem is stoic as King Triton and shows a great brooding side and while Melissa McCarthy is under-used, she does seem to be having fun with what she is given. The stars that steal the show here though are Art Malik and Awkwafina. Scuttles lines are some of the best of the film while Malik puts in an A+ performance as the often-worried Sir Grimsby and he gets the opportunity to be the hero at times and he truly embraces it. It is hard to see too many fans of the original The Little Mermaid being disappointed in this adaptation. The classic songs are there, and delivered in unique reworkings, with some extras also thrown in. Yes, the story has been expanded and that works to an extent, and you cant fault Halle Bailey as Ariel as she ends up being perfect for the role. This is one to savour if you are a fan of the original and one that will blow your mind if you are a newcomer. Yes, it is different from the animated version, but if you go into The Little Mermaid with an open mind you will enjoy the ride. The Little Mermaid is currently screening in Phuket and is rated G 3/5 Stars David Griffiths has been working as a film and music reviewer for over 20 years. That time has seen him work in radio, television and in print. You can follow him at www.facebook.com/subcultureentertainmentaus A 72-year-old man was attacked by 40 crocodiles in Cambodia. The old man died painfully in this attack. Both his hands and one leg were missing when he was pulled out of the crocodile enclosure. There were injury marks on the body. The whole body was mutilated. It was told that the crocodiles were resting in the water when the man tried to tease them with the help of a stick. The incident is from Cambodia. According to the report, the name of the deceased is Luan Nam. Luan was a farmer by profession and lived in the town of Kroong Siem Reap in Cambodia. The previous day, he fell into a cage full of crocodiles. He lost his life in this accident. He had been taking care of crocodiles for many years. The incident took place when Luan was trying to pull a crocodile out of the cage through a stick. Actually, crocodiles laid eggs there. Luan thought that they could harm the eggs. But then the crocodile pulled Luan towards him. On seeing this, other crocodiles also broke down on them. By the time people reached Luan's aid, crocodiles bit his entire body. After some time, Luan's blood-soaked body was taken out. Both hands and one leg of the Luan were swallowed. There were injuries from head to leg. Seeing the scene, the rescuers also woke up. Cambodian police said Luan was teasing the crocodile with a stick in an egg-laying cage when he attacked them. There were so many injury marks on Luan's body that it was difficult to count. 'If there was so much love for the President...', Ghulam Nabi Azad lashes out at boycott of Parliament inauguration Army General Manoj Pande to visit Manipur review situation ISIS entry in Jabalpur! Hindu girls targeted, target India to become 'Muslim nation' by 2050: NIA Phuket cannabis businesses call for support PHUKET: The Phuket Cannabis Association is calling for support to stave off any prospect of cannabis becoming recriminalised under the coalition formed by the leading Move Forward Party. economicspolitics By The Phuket News Saturday 27 May 2023, 09:00AM To show their support, people are urged to sign an online petition organised by cannabis association Weed in Thailand, which represents more than 4,800 licensed cannabis operators in the country. As of yesterday (May 26), the petition had 5,525 signatures, comprising 3,591 citizens, 310 farms, 191 companies, 838 expats and 595 tourists. The deadline for signing the online petition is this coming Wednesday (May 31). The signatures to the petition will be collected from throughout Thailand. They will be printed out and handed to a lawyer, who has been fighting for the legalisation of cannabis for 10 years, to present them to the new Minister of Health, explained Poonwarit Thames Wangpatravanich, President of the Phuket Cannabis Association. This is not just important for Phuket, but important for Thailand as a whole, Mr Poonwarit said. Mr Poonwarit believes cannabis becoming fully criminalised again is growing less likely. We understand that it is just a political play. I dont believe that it will be fully criminalised again, he said. What it will be is a more structured, more regulated industry, which is good for the industry as a whole. It will be more sustainable because want anything too much or too little there needs to be a balance, he said. For us to be more regulated would be the best thing that can happen to us, Mr Poonwarit noted. Even though Kao Klai Party [Move Forward] said they want to criminalise it, it sounds like what Bhumjaithai wants to do with the Cannabis Act. From this direction alone it seems like there is nothing to really worry about because it will not be back to fully criminalised, but what I think it will be is that people who do not follow the rules would be subject to criminal legal action. I think that is a good thing, and not necessarily a bad thing, because it will only affect people who do business without licence, people who do business with underage kids and pregnant women, people who sell import weed, which is destroying the market here in Thailand, and of course people who import illegal weed, he explained. So these things need to be controlled, he agreed. So if that is the case, why do we need the petition? he posed. I believe that we need to be prepared. So we hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. If that comes, then we have a full arsenal in our hands [to counter the recriminalisation], he added. If cannabis is criminalised again, then we will have thousands of people in support of us. We are also already working on a Cannabis Act drafted by the people, he said. We need to get ourselves ready for whatever situation that may come, and once we have this we will be confident, we will be calm, we will be at peace and we can continue with our lives and our business, he added. PROLIFERATION Phuket is already the capital city of cannabis in Asia, Mr Poonwarit said with full confidence. The value and the volume of what is sold here legally and illegally is most impressive, he said. There are more than 1,300 licensed operators in Phuket. From what I am aware, we already have 700-800 shops [in Phuket] already open, Mr Poonwarit noted. Already in Thailand we have over 10,000 operators who have applied or already been issued a licence, he added. ECONOMIC IMPACT For Phuket, cannabis is highly important, Mr Poonwarit noted. Even if each operator sold just one gramme of cannabis a day the smallest baseline he could think of the economic benefit to Phuket would still be of high importance, he said. According to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the cannabis industry in Thailand is expected to be worth US$1 billion by 2025. Phuket is already a tourism city. If we can increase our GDP by 5-10% with a new segment of cannabis tourism, why not? We have the infrastructure, much better than Amsterdam, where its cold and it is wet and does not have as many places to stay. In Phuket we have a tropical climate and more than 10,000 keys, or units, where visitors can stay, he said. Phuket has a strong competitive advantage compared with other locations around the world regarding the cannabis industry, he said. Right now what we have is just the minimum. We can do more way more if we do it right. And we can move in more dimensions, not just the dispensaries, but also on the medical side in terms of cannabis medical tourism, he said. Right now we dont even have a cannabis-themed hotel or a cannabis-friendly hotel that is pushing this, but if we do that, it will be another level and of course the cannabis industry here in Thailand has the biggest advantage [compared with its competitors], he added. The rapid growth of the cannabis industry has presented its own problems, not just in terms of regulations, Mr Poonwarit noted. For this new industry we will need much more human resources to make this work. Right now we are in a supply shortage of human resources to work in cannabis-related businesses already We want to be able to train them to be able to compete with international standards in the cannabis industry, he said. LOOKING FORWARD The Phuket Cannabis Association will be holding a meeting this coming Thursday (June 1), Mr Poonwarit explained. We are calling for people in the cannabis business in Phuket to come and discuss these points: the politics, potential new regulations, the illegal import stuff, and foreigners doing business here, he said. These are the problems that people are having. We hope that this event will help them feel more at ease and we will collect this data for further action, he said. For details of the meeting on Thursday, visit the Phuket Cannabis Association official Facebook page (click here). To sign the online petition, click here. Russia strikes Ukraine clinic, blames Kyiv for border attacks KYIV: Russian missiles hit a medical clinic in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro yesterday (May 26), killing at least two people, as Russia blamed Kyiv for dozens of strikes on its southern Belgorod region. RussianUkraineChineseviolencedeathmilitarypolitics By AFP Saturday 27 May 2023, 09:56AM A firefighter examines destroyed building of a medical facility, the site of a missile strike, in the city of Dnipro yesterday (May 26), amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photo: AFP In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the Ukraine conflict with Chinas special envoy Li Hui, blaming Ukraine and Western countries for creating serious obstacles to resuming peace talks. In Belgorod in southern Russia, the governor said the Ukrainian military was responsible for dozens of artillery, mortar and drone attacks across the region but reported no casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video of smoke billowing from roofless buildings with blown-out windows after the attack that authorities said had left 30 people injured including two boys aged three and six. The head of the regional military administration Sergiy Lysak said that Russia struck a residential area with a medical and veterinary clinic and high-rise blocks. Zelensky said that by hitting civilian medical facilities, Russian terrorists once again confirm their status of fighters against everything humane and honest. US Senator Lindsey Graham, on his third visit to Ukraine, condemned the attack as a war crime. There was a hospital bomb today. Just over 500 medical facilities have been hit by the Russians. A war crime was committed while I was here, just one of many war crimes, he said. The Russian defence ministry said that its strikes on Ukraine had targeted arms depots and that all the assigned targets had been hit. Ukrainian journalists posted video footage of rescuers helping people with blood on their faces escape from the clinic through corridors full of rubble. The attack came after Russian forces earlier this week targeted Dnipro in a late night strike with 16 missiles and 20 attack drones. The industrial hub, which had nearly one million inhabitants before the war, lies around 125 kilometres (78 miles) from the current front line. Hostile environment The announcement of the attack on Dnipro came as Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said at least five districts of his region in southern Russia had been repeatedly hit by Ukrainian forces over the last 24 hours. The districts had been attacked by drones, mortars and artillery and the village of Kozinka was struck more than 130 times, he said. In a rare attack on the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, two drones damaged buildings in the city centre, officials said, adding that there were no casualties. The claims of fresh strikes in the Belgorod region came after an unprecedented two-day incursion from Ukraine claimed by two anti-Kremlin groups this week, with Russia using its air force and artillery to push back the fighters. Russias defence ministry has vowed an extremely harsh response to any further attacks on its soil. The apparent exchange of artillery and missile fire reported yesterday came one day after Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko said Russia had begun the transfer of nuclear weapons to his tightly controlled country. The Kremlin, however, stopped short of confirming the start of the transfer, saying only Russias ally was seeing aggressive statements from neighbouring countries. Belarus is in a very, very hostile environment, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. In Washington, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described Russias move as yet another example of making irresponsible and provocative choices. In Brazil, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva yesterday declined an invitation to travel to Saint Petersburg during a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. I thanked (Putin) for an invitation to go to the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg and replied that I cannot go to Russia at this time, wrote Lula on Twitter about the event scheduled for June 14-17. China envoy in Moscow Putin discussed Ukraine with the Brazilian president, telling him the Kremlin was open to dialogue and accusing Kyiv and the West of blocking talks, the Kremlin said. Putins top diplomat Lavrov hosted Chinas envoy Li, praising Beijing for its balanced position on Ukraine. Lis visit to the Russian capital came after he met Zelensky in Kyiv earlier this month. The foreign ministry in Moscow also made an official diplomatic protest aimed at the US embassy for what it said were recent US comments condoning alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russia and the annexed Crimean peninsula. In Washington, the State Department said that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will next week visit new NATO member Finland, where he will deliver a speech championing Ukraines defence against Russia. Earlier yesterday, military officials in Kyiv said Russian forces launched aerial attacks on the capital overnight, adding that all the missiles were intercepted and destroyed. Another air attack on Kyiv, the 13th in a row since the beginning of May! And, as always, at night time, the citys military administration said on its Telegram account. Russian tourist drowns at Patong Beach PHUKET: A 52-year-old Russian tourist has died after authorities confirmed he drowned early ths morning (May 27) in rough waters off Patong Beach. Russiandeathweathertourism By Eakkapop Thongtub Saturday 27 May 2023, 02:20PM Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Maj. Chayakorn Tangsakul of Patong Police Station was notified of the incident around 7:45am this morning after a group noticed the mans lifeless body had washed up on the shore. Maj. Chayakorn notified the Patong branch of the Phuket Charity Resuscitation Unit who went to the scene and found the Russian mans body. He was declared dead at the scene and his body was taken to Patong Hospital for further examination. Apparently he had been swimming in the sea but, due to the very challenging conditions at the time, became disoriented and ultimately drowned. It was confirmed by authorities that the mans wife was on the shore when the incident occurred and had watched her husband drown. It was not confirmed whether any lifeguards were on duty at the time. The couple had been staying at an unnamed hotel in Patong and had gone down to the beach early to enjoy the surf, despite heavy weather conditions making it dangerous. Police confirmed they needed to talk to the dead mans wife further to get a thorough understanding of what happened although stated it looked like a genuine accident. They would also liaise with the Russian Embassy to make arrangements to have the deceased mans body flown back to his homeland for funeral rituals in due course. The incident comes as the Southern Meteorological Department issued a warning for heavy rain on the west coast of the island over the next few days. A southwestern monsoon building over the Andaman Sea, which is being impacted by typhoon Mawar in the eastern part of the Philippines, is expected to bring a heavy down pour and stormy conditions to the island. Strong winds will bring waves between 2 and 3 metres high and, as such, authorities issued a warning to restrict small boats taking to sea. As well as Phuket, people in nearby provinces such as Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang and Satun have been urged to take care and necessary precautions in regards to the heavy incoming weather and to keep abreast of further announcements from the Southern Meteorological Center on the west coast in due course. - The Phuket News has declined to release the name of the deceased Russian man to ensure his family have been notified first - The business case for Stage 2 ION just got bigger. Besides the regions planning and works committee voting on May 24 to move forward with investigating three alternative routes previously deferred, the committee additionally decided to delve into a fourth alternative proposed by regional Coun. Berry Vrbanovic, and the feasibility of a new route and terminus for southeast Galt, brought forward by Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett. As well, regional Coun. Chantal Huinink asked emergency ramps be added to all light rail trains (LRT), including those currently in use. In a separate motion, which was also passed, regional Coun. Doug Craig asked for a business case for bus rapid transit for Stage 2 instead of light rail. The three original alternatives, labelled A, B and C, considered whether the LRT should go from Fairway Station to Pinebush Station, or Fairway Station to the Delta Station, or from Fairway Station to downtown Cambridge. The location of the last terminus in downtown Galt has not been decided. Vrbanovic said consideration should be given to breaking down Stage 2 into phases, with Stage 2A being built in Cambridge first, and Phase 2B making the connection from Cambridge to Kitchener. Regional Coun. Pam Wolf backed the idea, saying its important to start construction at the Galt terminus and head to Preston. There may be some desire around this horseshoe to potentially pursue that option and I would argue with you that theres many examples in fact where people are doing that, particularly on intercity connections, Vrbanovic said. It might not be perfect, but weve got people taking GO bus from here to Brampton, GO Train from Brampton to Union Station and then connecting on in Toronto on subway or buses. I wouldnt rule it out if thats a potential path to get us to where we want to be, or particularly where Cambridge might want to be. Regional LRT co-ordinators said a phased-in plan may not be the best alternative, as the connection between Kitchener and Cambridge is a critical corridor. Transferring from LRT in Kitchener, to bus, then back to LRT in Cambridge kills ridership. Liggett noted she couldnt vote for the motion unless planners revisited the route. She said while, at one time, the route going into downtown Galt made sense, the largest growth area in the city is in the southeast, just off Dundas Street, where the recreation complex is being built. She added it might be worth exploring having a route down both Dundas Street and into the downtown. Sometimes you stay on a path of doing something that was wrong in the first place, or because you have new information come forward that would have changed what the original decision was. If we stick with something just because it was already done, that doesnt make it a good planning decision, Liggett said. Matthew ONeil, manager of rapid transit co-ordination, said investigating an alternate route or an extra spine on the line at this point would cost money and time. There may be growth in that area of town, but it is not medium and high density, its not mixed uses, and a route in that area is not consistent with city and region planning policy as to land uses, ONeil said. The Galt core is the best spot for LRT. We need to connect there with LRT because we have such good density and mixed uses there now and into the future, its only going to get greater. As an alternative to LRT, Craig, Liggett and regional Coun. Rob Deutschmann said maybe it was time to look at rapid buses as the way to go from Kitchener to Cambridge. Craig said he has been against LRT since it was first proposed when he was Cambridges mayor and the price tag of $4.46 billion projected for 2033 has reinforced his beliefs. The price matters, Craig said. I think that we need to give the people of Cambridge a transit route that works and is affordable and I dont think this in any stretch of the imagination is affordable. Despite all the talk of alternatives, regional chair Karen Redman said Stage 2 isnt going to get cheaper and to just build the entire route as planned. Were the 10th largest metropolitan area and we need to start acting like it. If I had a criticism of the LRT its the fact it didnt start in Waterloo and stop in Cambridge. We have half of an LRT right now. We should not accept anything less than our fair share. SHARE: London: Pen Farthing, the founder of the British animal charity that was accused of choosing to remove cats and dogs from Afghanistan over people, has urged the UK government to recognise the Taliban's rule. According to The Telegraph, Farthing, the founder of Nowzad and a former Royal Marine, has visited Afghanistan five times since the Taliban took power and has called the government there "friendly." Nowzad oversees a small animal care facility in Kabul where she runs vaccination and spaying/neutering campaigns for cats and dogs. In the Afghan capital, the charity also runs a sanctuary for horses and donkeys. Also Read: Black Sea grain deal moves slowly following an extension The Taliban have permitted the charity to "continue with our mission objectives," according to Farthing, who described interactions with the government as "always polite and friendly." He urged accepting the Taliban's rule, saying: "They are back in power because we put them back in power." He also urged other Western nations to do the same. In the midst of the Taliban takeover, Nowzad and Farthing were at the centre of controversy as the West evacuated Kabul. Following a prominent appeal by Farthing, the charity airlifted 94 stray animals out of the Afghan capital on one of the last flights out of the nation. Also Read: The special envoy from China and Russia claim to have discussed the prospects for peace in Ukraine Along with the animals, 67 Nowzad employees and their families departed the country for Pakistan before travelling to Britain. In the midst of desperate scenes showing the vast majority of Afghans in Kabul airport attempting to board emergency flights, critics accused the charity's director of favouring animals over people. Evidence found after the evacuation pointed to former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the one who had defied the Foreign Office by approving Nowzad's stance regarding the last-minute evacuation flights. An investigation later revealed that the charity's evacuation and appeal "absorbed significant time and resources of both civilian and military personnel." Farthing, in response, said that the "privately funded" evacuation ought to be "rightly celebrated." Maj. Andrew Fox, an Afghan war veteran of three tours, charged Farthing with "shilling Taliban propaganda" in comments to The Telegraph. It really emphasises his status as one of the greatest self-obsessed hypocrites of our time, the speaker continued. It demonstrates unequivocally that he purposefully stoked unwarranted hysteria throughout the extraction, devoting time and energy away from saving lives. Their Muslim neighbours in other nations criticise the Taliban. More than 400 British service members were murdered. They take an abhorrent stance on women's rights and education. They are destroying Afghanistan with their heinous policies. According to Nowzad's website, the organisation is working to reestablish operations in Afghanistan and is urging Western engagement with the Taliban government there. According to a statement, Western leaders continue to avoid having a productive conversation with the Afghan government, which is why the country is still being denied desperately needed aid. In our opinion, the situation is what it is. Also Read: Sheriff of a Montana park confirms Saudi nationality of drowned victim "Now that we are back in business and the word is getting out, we have seen a lot of concerned locals bringing injured dogs and cats to us for treatment. Thankfully, they never turned a blind eye. "When one delighted rescuer came back with flowers to express gratitude to the team for caring for the dog he had brought to us, we were actually quite overcome." Large sections of the beach in Port Dover remain closed to the public while the families that own the beach negotiate a new lease agreement with the county. Ward councillor Adam Veri told The Spectator he sympathizes with the property owners who closed the beach in the lakeside town in late April over concerns about upkeep, safety and liability. Put it this way we have 200,000 bikers at Friday the 13th, and they leave less of a mess than a weekend at the beach, Veri told The Spectator, echoing complaints that visitors use the beach as a dumping ground from the owners of F.W. Knechtel Foods Limited and Bucks cottage park. The beach is currently off-limits save for a 66-foot strip of county property extending from the foot of Walker Street to Lake Erie. But beachgoers have not been met with security guards telling them to leave, while part of the beach closest to the nearby Knechtel-owned restaurant has been sectioned off for patio tables. Veri and county CAO Al Meneses are in talks with the Knechtel and Buck families over what measures would have to be put in place to formally reopen the beach, which for decades has attracted thousands of visitors every summer. Liability insurance is a sticking point, but not the only one, Veri said. The owners also want to see stepped-up garbage collection and more enforcement of county bylaws, with regular patrols and enhanced crowd control measures. What they dont want is a 20-by-20 tent with four carloads of people coming with furniture and crockpots and barbecues, and digging themselves a latrine and burying their garbage and diapers, Veri said. As crowds swell, Veri said cottagers and business owners complain of intoxication and drug use among belligerent beachgoers who set up large tents that block sightlines. Its wild, Veri said. The (owners) want the enforcement (and) controlled entry points to get rid of that. The majority of beachgoers dont dine or shop locally, he added. They leave their garbage on the sand and go home without spending a dime in town. The main beach users now are using the free beach as if it were a public park. Theyre not spending money, Veri said. Historically, the county has leased the beach for a nominal fee and paid for garbage removal and clearing the sand of seaweed and trash. But that working arrangement was interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic and no lease was formalized this year. We want the beaches to be a driver for tourism, Veri said. A lot of the stuff that (the owners) are asking for is not new. Its to go back to what it was. Mayor Amy Martin told The Spectator she is optimistic a new lease can be negotiated. The best outcome is we find a mutually beneficial agreement for the landowners and the county so the beach is open for everyone to continue to use, Martin said. We need to have a long-term, ironclad agreement where were going to be able to tell people that the beach is open, not just for this year but for many years. Keeping the beach open dovetails with the countys aim of preserving waterfront access throughout Norfolk, Martin added. Theres an aspect of the beach and the water that belongs to all of us, she said. Whether the access to get to it is publicly owned is up for debate, but its an important asset and its integral to the history and heritage of our community. As for whether families in Hamilton and Toronto can confidently take a day trip to the Dover beach this summer, Veri said visitors who behave themselves are unlikely to have any issues. Everybody wants people to come. What (the beach owners) dont want is the type of traffic theyre getting now, he said. They want safe, respectful use of their property. J.P. Antonacci s reporting on Haldimand and Norfolk is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. jpantonacci@thespec.com SHARE: MONTREAL - Olymel says it is cutting about 80 jobs as it reduces its hog production in Western Canada. The company says it is closing five sow units in Alberta and one sow unit in Saskatchewan in a move that will reduce its western sow herd to 40,000 from 57,000. It says the barns will be wound down over the next several months and remain closed until market conditions improve. The company says the closures will result in a net reduction of about 200,000 market hogs annually to its Red Deer, Alta., slaughter plant from company owned farms. However, it says the impact will not be felt until 2024 at the earliest and will be subject to independent hog supply availability. The company says it will work with the affected staff to fill any vacant positions within its western hog operations or find work outside the company. Over the past two years it is well documented that Olymel has experienced significant losses in the processing of fresh pork as a result of limited market access globally, Olymel CEO Yanick Gervais said in a statement. Now coupled with stubbornly high feed costs resulting in unprecedent losses in the hog sector we have little choice but to retract and position ourselves for success in the future when conditions improve. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: Mexican authorities have made an arrest in the killing of a Quebec man earlier this month in the Pacific coast beach town of Puerto Escondido. The Oaxaca state attorney general issued a statement on Friday saying an arrest warrant was executed for a man in Puerto Escondido identified only by his initials in connection with the homicide of Victor Masson. The statement did not outline any specific charges and said that a judge would decide next steps for the accused. Prosecutors said Masson was found dead in his car on May 15 in a neighbourhood where few tourists stay. A few days after the slaying, authorities said in another statement that Massons killing stemmed from an altercation with people he had met the previous night over an unpaid bar tab at a local establishment. A senior prosecutor for the region said Masson had been visiting Oaxaca with his Mexican girlfriend, arriving just a day before the killing. Prosecutor Bernardo Rodriguez Alamillo said Masson went to a restaurant-bar in a zone known as El adoquin in Puerto Escondido by himself while his girlfriend attended an event with people she knew. Rodriguez Alamillo said the investigation revealed that Masson met four people two men and two women at the establishment. When it came time to pay the bill, there was an altercation between the victim and the people hed met. The prosecutor said after leaving, Masson called 9-1-1 to report he had been robbed. He was found dead the next day. Masson, 27, hails from the provinces Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region north of Quebec City. His family confirmed his death in a statement after the killing. You will understand that Victor Massons family is in shock and that members learned of the death through the media, the statement read, adding relatives would refrain from any comment so as not to harm the investigation. A spokesman for the family did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2023. By Sidhartha Banerjee in Montreal, with files from Brenda Molina-Navidad in Toronto. SHARE: A man has been arrested on a homicide investigation after a deadly shooting near Jane Street and Finch Avenue West. Toronto police said the incident happened on Oct. 6, 2022, at 5 Needle Firway. In a press release, police said officers answered a shooting call at 1:41 p.m. Upon arrival, they found a man with a gunshot wound who was later pronounced dead. The victim, a Toronto resident, has been since identified as Osman Bangura, 28. Toronto police have arrested a 21-year-old man from Mississauga and charged him with second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court Saturday for a bail hearing. Investigators are appealing for any witnesses or anyone driving near the scene at the time of the incident to contact police. According to Toronto police data, 68 people were killed last year across the city, 42 of them by gunfire. Correction May 29, 2023: According to Toronto police data, there were 68 homicides in 2022 and 42 of them involved gunfire. A previous version of this article misstated these values. SHARE: Toronto police are asking for the publics assistance in locating a suspect wanted after two unprovoked assaults on the TTC. Police said the incidents happened at two stations along the east end of the Bloor-Danforth line on May 15 and 16. The suspect, a 28-year-old man, allegedly spat at two riders boarding a subway car at Coxwell station as he exited the train on May 15. A day after, police said, the same man allegedly spat on another rider who was walking towards Main station. Both incidents happened without provocation, police said. The suspect, who has been identified as a man from Toronto, is facing three counts of assault and five counts of breach of probation. Police confirm to the Star that the suspect was previously arrested over unprovoked and hate-motivated assaults on the TTC. In May 2022, the suspect was arrested after allegedly spitting twice on a woman while in February last year, on a subway car travelling westbound from Broadview station. Police said the suspect was also taken in custody in 2021 after a string of assaults between April 9 and 11. In two separate incidents, the suspect allegedly spat at two riders at Christie and Wellesley stations before fleeing the TTC premises. And on another incident, the man allegedly shouted racial slurs at a woman at Lansdowne station, spitting on her before hopping on an eastbound train after a bystander tried to intervene. Police treated the incidents as suspected hate crimes Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500 or via crime stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477). SHARE: Torontos public school board has fired a researcher for allegedly plagiarizing parts of a report about specialty programs and schools, after parents groups sounded the alarm. A report on the first year of the admissions process to these highly coveted programs focused on areas such as the arts, math and science, was presented at a May 17 committee meeting of the Toronto District School Board. It was an update on the progress made on implementing the Central Student Interest Programs Policy, which was approved last spring when the board made the controversial decision to end merit-based admissions and replace them with an interest-based lottery. The report included 14 appendices, including a literature review that was separate from the update. It was that review that raised red flags. On Thursday, two parents groups opposed to the policy issued a press release criticizing the board for its failure to exercise good governance and its reliance on falsified research. That group includes University of Toronto Professor of Economics Marcin Peski who painstakingly analyzed the literature review, and says it was riddled with false citations, quotations without attribution and non-existent sources. He says 20 per cent of the 90 citations were fake and that about half the text was plagiarized without attribution. He also raised questions about whether it was written with the use of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot tool. On Friday, the TDSB recognized that the literature review did indeed contain multiple citations that were incorrect or, in some cases, missing entirely. This is a serious departure from the professional standards and academic integrity of the TDSB, said board spokesperson Ryan Bird in a statement. The researcher who authored the literature review is no longer contracted by the (board). We take professional standards seriously and will be putting in place a more rigorous review process moving forward. He said the review contained information from dozens of reputable sources, including leading academic researchers in the field of education, and we regret that these serious citation errors are distracting from the important concepts summarized in the review and the successes highlighted in the report itself. Peski, who spent a full weekend analyzing the review, told the Star its concerning how little thought (the TDSB) put into this report on such an important topic and that this raises questions about reports on other topics. Michael Teper, whos also part of one of the parents groups, said on Friday, We feel, at a bottom level, vindicated that our concerns were recognized. But were not completely satisfied because there is, so far, very little disclosure as to how this report got issued in the first place, Teper told the Star. What were the standards that the board applied for conducting the research? What checks and balances do they have within the board to make sure that anything that gets in front of the board is accurate? The new policy, approved last May, changed the admissions process for specialty schools. To get in, students no longer need to demonstrate merit, which used to include entry exams, auditions and portfolio submissions. Now, they just need to indicate interest. When there arent enough spaces for all applicants, which is often the case, a lottery is held to determine who gets in. The board says the new policy is aimed at dismantling systemic barriers, boosting equity and ensuring all students can access these programs. But the parents groups argue, in part, that its unfair, will lower standards and water down programming. Read more about: SHARE: It was the week of debates. So, so, so many debates. And luckily there are more to come, including one on May 31 hosted by the Toronto Star and moderated by city columnist Edward Keenan, who recently attended three debates in one day. With just a month to go before election day, preparation by the city is now in high gear including the release of a sample ballot to study so as not to get overwhelmed by the 102 names. Election signs will also soon start going up, and if you have questions about why the candidates picked their colours, we have the answers. Speaking of questions, youll be able to ask the City Hall Bureau (David Rider, Ben Spurr and Alyshah Hasham) about all things election this Tuesday at 1 p.m. Heres what else you might have missed this week on the campaign trail: Unions back Bailao, Chow Former councillor and housing chair Ana Bailao who has repeatedly noted during the debates that she is the proud daughter of a construction worker landed some early trade and public sector union endorsements including LiUNA Local 183, the major construction union; CUPE Local 416, which represents more than 8,000 City of Toronto outdoor workers; and CUPE Local 79, which represents 25,000 City of Toronto workers from public health to court services. While some wondered if this was bad news for Olivia Chow and some union members chafed, the NDP mainstay has landed major union endorsements of her own including the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, ATU Canada, USW District 6 and notably CUPE Ontario, the parent union of the city worker locals. On Friday, Chow landed the blessing of the main transit workers union, ATU Local 113. Olivia is the only candidate who will stand up for public transit workers and we are proud to give her our endorsement, the union said. Ex-police chief Mark Saunders, meanwhile, has won the support of CUPE 5089, the union representing TTC special constables and fare inspectors, and Protective Services Guards. The unions announcement cited his promises to hire more special constables, transfer the special constable services to the Toronto police, and implementing body-worn cameras. Not-quite-endorsements Former politician and current CEO of the Cannabis Council of Canada George Smitherman took to Twitter this past week to applaud Saunders for his mental health and addictions plan, which he sees as promoting wrap around support, crisis intervention by Health professionals and diversion from costly police and ERs. In an interview, Smitherman said he has spoken to Saunders about this issue and believes the plan will combine life-saving harm-reduction measures by increasing service hours with increased access to treatment and rehabilitation. It would include calling on the province to waive tuition for the next three years for Torontonians looking to train as mental health, addiction, or supportive housing workers, hiring up to 100 of those graduates, and hiring more public health nurses. If you spend all those years in front-line policing you have a granular understanding of drug addiction and mental health, said Smitherman, a former provincial health minister who has publicly shared his own experience of drug addiction. Its a policy Im really interested to see people tucking into and not bulls----ing around. Others are worried that Saunderss focus on treatment and incorrect comments about overdose causes will mean reduced access to safe consumption sites, safe opioid supply programs and other interim measures intended to save lives during a toxic drug supply crisis that has killed thousands of people. Saunders is also the only candidate to oppose the police-backed Toronto Public Health application to Health Canada to decriminalize small amounts of drugs and treat drug use as a health-care issue rather than a crime. Shes got a plan Former Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter has a plan to Fix the Six and shes going to show it to you on paper. Hunter has drawn lighthearted laughter with her gimmick of holding up nicely bound versions of her housing plan and her freshly released costed budget plan during the debates. Full marks for presentation but stay tuned for platform analysis in the coming days. Island (airport) in the sun This campaign has already featured remixes of Toronto election greatest hits Bike Lanes and Subways, and the next hit single was released Friday: The Island Airport. Unprompted, Bailao announced Friday that she would preserve the Toronto Island Airport and support its growth and development, unlike anti-business front-runner Olivia Chow, she said. She pointed out that Chow is endorsed by former mayoral candidate Gil Penalosa, who awkwardly walked back his plan to turn the airport into a park in the 2022 campaign. Not so, Chows camp shot back. Bailao is unfortunately trying to play politics with the future of the island airport, her spokesperson said in a statement. Olivia is committed to a transparent and democratic process that respects the local community, local councillor and our citys interests. Olivia has been clear in her opposition to the addition of jets on our waterfront and she recognizes that the airport as it is currently configured serves many people in our city and contributes to our economic growth. Bailao did not rule out jets a point of fierce contention due in part to noise for waterfront residents but said this is an ideal opportunity to use the cleanest, greenest and quietest technology in aviation. She said when making any changes to the Island Airport, they need to be done in careful consultation with the local community to ensure that the environment is protected and residents feel heard. Any changes would require renegotiating a tri-partite agreement among city council, the federal government and the Toronto Port Authority. Alyshah Hasham is a Toronto-based reporter covering city hall and municipal politics for the Star. Reach her via email: ahasham@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @alysanmati Read more about: SHARE: TORONTO - One man is in hospital with serious injuries after being stabbed at a subway station in Torontos North York neighbourhood. Toronto police were called to the Downsview Park TTC station early Saturday morning. When officers arrived, they found a man with serious injuries. He was rushed to hospital. Police say the suspect ran from the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2023. SHARE: A man was taken to hospital with multiple stab wounds following an attack near a TTC subway station in North York on Saturday morning. Police told the Star said they received reports of a stabbing just outside of Downsview Park station around 7 a.m. At the scene, police found a man with serious injuries, they said. The victim, a young adult man, was taken to a local trauma centre, paramedics told the Star. They said he had suffered multiple stab wounds. Police said the suspect escaped. The victim was in stable condition as of 2:10 p.m. on Saturday, police told the Star. They said the injuries were not life-threatening. Police said they could not confirm if it was a random attack. TTC and GO trains were bypassing the station but have since resumed. The TTC said it is supporting Toronto police in the investigation. Safety is paramount to all we do at the TTC and we take the safety of our employees and customers very seriously, a TTC spokesperson told the Star in an emailed statement. We continue to work with our partners, including the City of Toronto and Toronto Police Services, to enhance safety on the TTC. Over the last year, a number of attacks on the transit system have shocked Torontonians. Most recently, 16-year-old Gabriel Magalhaes was killed by a random attacker at Keele subway station on March 25. That month, the transit agency began a one-year pilot program to add more outreach workers in efforts to help people sheltering in subway stations. Twenty Streets to Homes workers have been added so far as well as 50 security guards trained in mental health and overdose first aid, according to a TTC spokesperson. Ana Pereira is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @anabpereiraa SHARE: GUATEMALA CITY (AP) Guatemalan police arrested the countrys prosecutor for crimes against migrants Friday, accusing him of alleged abuse of authority. Stuardo Campos was formerly an anti-corruption prosecutor in the country during the administration of former President Jimmy Morales. It was not immediately clear whether the accusations pertain to his current position or the former. The complaint against Campos was made by the far-right Foundation Against Terrorism, a group that started out defending military officers accused of war crimes, but has also targeted members of the justice system who worked corruption cases. This complaint is spurious, Campos said. I know that my work as an anti-corruption prosecutor earned me animosity in a lot of sectors. Campos was known for an investigation related to a government highway project during the Morales administration. A number of officials from that administration were arrested when repeated landslides and other problems were blamed on poor construction. In recent years, a number of prosecutors and judges who handled anti-corruption cases have been investigated and charged. Many of them have fled the country to avoid prosecution by an Attorney Generals office the United States government and others have accused seeking revenge against members of the justice system. More recently, as the lead prosecutor of migrant crimes, Campos was credited with dismantling migrant smuggling rings and oversaw the first extradition of Guatemalans to the U.S. accused of migrant smuggling. SHARE: Drone drops bomb on Belgorod Oblasts Interior Ministry in Russia 27 May, 10:39 AM Belgorod Oblast of the Russian Federation (Photo:openbelgorod31) An unidentified drone dropped an explosive device on a local body of the Interior Ministry in Maiskii settlement in Russia's Belgorod Oblast overnight, Russian independent Telegram news channel BAZA reported on May 27. "According to the preliminary reports, a UAV dropped an explosive device on a building of the migration commission," the message reads. Emergency services arrived at the scene, they added. A thermal power station in Belgorod was also attacked by a last night. A UAV dropped two bombs, BAZA wrote. No victims were reported in the incidents. Video of day A building of Gazprom, Russias state energy corporation, was attacked in Belgorod the previous day. There were also no reported casualties in that incident. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News BEIJING (AP) Taiwans Defense Ministry said Saturday that it detected three Chinese warships, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, passing through the Taiwan Strait, as Beijing keeps up pressure on the self-ruled island it claims as its own. The ministry said it was monitoring the movements of the ships and will respond accordingly. In a tweet, the ministry said that the three vessels were headed north along the Taiwan Strait at noon and were steering along the west of the median line an unofficial boundary once tacitly accepted by both sides. China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan in recent months amid deteriorating U.S.-China ties. China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary and regularly sends ships and warplanes into airspace and waters near the island. The ministry also said that in the 24 hours from 6 a.m. Friday to Saturday, it detected 33 of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army aircraft and 10 navy vessels around Taiwan. Twelve of the aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered the islands air defense identification zone. In response, Taiwans armed forces deployed aircraft, navy vessels and land-based missile systems. In April, the Chinese military said it was ready to fight after completing three days of large-scale combat exercises around Taiwan that simulated sealing off the island in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens trip to the U.S. Last August, China intensified war games around Taiwan, with missile firings and incursions into Taiwanese waters and airspace following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei. Read more about: SHARE: BERLIN (AP) Russia will start expelling German diplomats, teachers and employees of German cultural institutions next month a move that will further enhance tensions between the two countries that have already had very fraught ties since Russia invaded Ukraine early last year. The German foreign ministry sharply criticized Russias move, calling the upcoming expulsions a unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible decision. The expulsion will affect several hundred German state employees, including teachers and staff of the Goethe Institute, which promotes German culture and language abroad, daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported. The expulsion comes in response to the reduction of the presence of Russian intelligence services in Germany earlier this year. The Russian Foreign Ministry had made public in April its decision to introduce a cap on the number of staff at our missions abroad and at German intermediary organizations in Russia, according to the German Foreign Office. The expulsions will lead to a major cut in all areas of our presence in Russia, according to the ministry. Germany did not announce any concrete response to Russias expulsions, which are expected to begin next week, but the Foreign Office said that with regard to the upper limit on the Russian presence in Germany, the German government will ensure that there is a real balance in practice as well. Read more about: SHARE: McALLEN, Texas (AP) A court-appointed monitor said in January that child migrants held in medical isolation may be overlooked when Border Patrol stations get too crowded, a warning issued five months before an 8-year-old girl with a heart condition died in custody during an unusually busy period in the same Texas region he inspected. Dr. Paul H. Wise, a pediatrics professor at Stanford University, called the death of Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez of Panama preventable during an interview this week while in Texas Rio Grande Valley to look into the circumstances. Any child who is ill, but particularly kids with chronic problems, there should be little hesitation to refer them to local hospitals, preferably a childrens hospital or hospital with good pediatric capabilities, Wise told The Associated Press. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has acknowledged the girl was seen at least three times by medical personnel the day she died complaining of vomiting, a stomachache and suffering what appeared to be a seizure before she was taken to a hospital. CBP did not respond to a request for comment on Wises January report or his latest comments. Wise authored a lengthy report in January on Border Patrol custody conditions for children in the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso, Texas, that gave satisfactory reviews on many counts but also flagged serious concerns. Last year, a federal judge asked him to examine custody conditions in the two busy regions as part of a 1997 court settlemen t to ensure safe treatment of child migrants. Wise plans to submit a report soon on the May 17 death of the girl, who died on her ninth day in custody after being transferred to a station in Harlingen, Texas, with her family after being diagnosed with influenza. The agency limits custody to 72 hours under its own policy. While his findings are not yet known he declined to discuss them some of his earlier warnings may resurface. Wise previously expressed concern about crowding of children in medical isolation. His January report tells how one medical team in El Paso was responsible for 125 ill patients, a number that far surpasses the teams capabilities. The Border Patrol also struggled to meet a requirement to conduct regular medical assessments of children when they came in families and were in crowded stations, Wise said in January. The 5-day repeat medical assessment is most important when families are being held for protracted periods in overcrowded conditions, he wrote. However, because of other important demands on available medical staff, this medical protocol appears to be given relatively low priority under these conditions. Wise further raised concerns about chronic conditions going undetected and relevant medical information being unknown or not shared among staff. CBPs relatively detailed public account of the girls time in custody does not directly address the requirement for exams every five days or how crowded the Harlingen station was when she was there. The governments responsibilities for medical care of children is clearly defined in the recently updated agreement for the El Paso and Rio Grande Valley sectors. CBP shall promptly activate the 911 system or refer juveniles to the local health system whenever appropriate for evaluation and treatment. Further, CBP shall refer juveniles with urgent or emergent medical issues to the local health system, the agreement stipulates. During his visit, Wise interviewed Anadiths mother, Mabel Alvarez Benedicks, who told the AP that agents repeatedly ignored pleas to hospitalize her medically fragile daughter as she felt pain in her bones, struggled to breathe and was unable to walk. Agents said her daughters diagnosis of influenza did not require hospital care, Benedicks said. They knew the girl had a history of heart problems but was told to return if she fainted, the mother said. Troy Miller, CBPs acting commissioner, has since ordered a review of all medically fragile detainees to ensure limited time in custody. Wise said he spoke with U.S. officials, including medical staff, to convey concerns from his recent visit. I have enough information at this point to make urgent recommendations to CBP, (the Department of Homeland Security) and to the court. And this will be focused around the steps that should be taken, in my view, to ensure that no preventable deaths occur to children in CBP custody, he said. SHARE: NEW YORK (AP) U.S. authorities have arrested two suspected Chinese government agents in connection with an alleged plot by Beijing to disrupt and ultimately topple the exiled anti-communist Falun Gong spiritual movement. John Chen and Lin Feng were charged in an indictment unsealed Friday with scheming to revoke a New York-based Falun Gong organizations tax-exempt status and paying bribes to a undercover officer posing as a U.S. tax agent. The undercover officer recorded multiple conversations with Chen, and investigators obtained a wire tap to record phone calls in which Chen and Feng discussed instructions they purportedly received from Chinese government officials, prosecutors said. In one recording, prosecutors said, Chen referred to Chinese government officials as akin to blood brothers and, in another, he said Beijing would be very generous in rewarding the undercover officers help cracking down on Falun Gongs non-profit status. Chen, a 70-year-old U.S. citizen, and Feng, a 43-year-old lawful permanent resident, are charged with acting as unregistered agents of a foreign government, bribing a public official and conspiracy to commit international money laundering. Chen and Feng were both born in China but now live in the Los Angeles area, where they were arrested Friday. Information on an initial court appearance or lawyers who could speak on their behalf was not immediately available. Messages seeking comment were left with the Chinese Embassy in Washington and with the Falun Gong movement. China banned the Falun Gong movement in 1999, classifying it as an evil cult and one of the Five Poisons, or chief threats to its rule. Since then, Falun Gong practitioners have found refuge at a 400-acre compound called Dragon Springs in upstate New York. In the U.S., the Falun Gong movement is known mostly for its ties to Shen Yun, a touring performing arts group, and The Epoch Times, a newspaper that has been marketed as an alternative to traditional U.S. media while also coming under fire for amplifying misinformation and conspiracy theories. The Justice Department has made a series of prosecutions in recent years to disrupt Chinas efforts in the U.S. to identify, locate and silence pro-democracy activists and others who are openly critical of Beijings policies. Such practices by foreign governments are known as transnational repression. The Chinese government has yet again attempted, and failed, to target critics of the (Peoples Republic of China) here in the United States, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. The U.S., Garland added, will continue to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute Chinas efforts to silence its critics and extend the reaches of its regime onto U.S. soil. In seeking to undermine Falun Gong, federal prosecutors allege, Chen and Fengs urged the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the organizations non-profit tax status. In a whistleblower complaint to the tax agency in February, Chen described Falun Gong as a gigantic mega cult echoing language Chinas government uses to describe the movement. Chen and Feng then turned to the undercover officer to make sure the IRS acted on the complaint, offering a $50,000 reward and handing over $5,000 in cash as a down payment if the tax agency conducted an audit, prosecutors said. Chen met with the officer at a restaurant north of New York City on May 14, prosecutors said. A few days later, the officer sent Chen a letter on fake IRS letterhead that stated the agency had opened a case on Falun Gong, prosecutors said. Chen relayed the news to Feng in a wire tapped phoned conversation, indicating that he was planning to update Chinese government officials on their progress, prosecutors said. Chen and Fengs arrest comes a month after the Justice Department charged two men with establishing a secret police station in New York City on behalf of the Chinese government. Around the same time, federal prosecutors charged about three dozen officers with Chinas national police force with using social media to harass dissidents inside the U.S. In 2020, the Justice Department charged more than a half-dozen people with working on behalf of the Chinese government in a pressure campaign aimed at coercing a New Jersey man wanted by Beijing into returning to China to face charges. __ Associated Press reporter Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. __ Follow Michael Sisak on Twitter at twitter.com/mikesisak. Send confidential tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips/. SHARE: Albertas gruelling election campaign hasnt just been a battle between the United Conservatives and New Democrats, but a struggle by the parties leaders to define themselves. And UCP leader Danielle Smith appears to be winning that fight over NDP leader Rachel Notley, according to two new opinion polls as we enter the final weekend ahead of Mondays vote. It would seem Smith has succeeded in softening her antagonistic image, making herself out to be reasonable enough to keep enough conservative voters inside the UCP tent. One thing thats clear is that the UCP will lose seats on Monday while the NDP will gain seats. Its just not clear how many each will get. Its still going to be the closest race in Alberta history. To understand whats happening in the final days of the Alberta election campaign, think of United Conservative leader Danielle Smith and New Democrat leader Rachel Notley as mountaineers. To win, Notley needs to navigate an exceptionally steep and narrow path. Smith, on the other hand, could trip, fall over a cliff and still emerge victorious. Its a race to see who can first get to 44 the minimum number of seats needed to form government in an 87-seat legislature. In the 2019 election, the NDP won 24 seats, the UCP 63. That means the NDP has to capture 20 more seats while the UCP could lose 19 seats and still win. Thats why pretty much everyone is focused on numbers in a campaign that has often seemed too close to call. And it explains the obsession with opinion polls. A new poll from Calgary-based polling company ThinkHQ said the NDP is slightly ahead in Battleground Calgary but likely not far enough in front to win enough seats to form a government. The other survey, from Calgary-based pollster Janet Brown, is more blunt, predicting the UCP will be re-elected. ThinkHQs online poll of 1,054 Calgary residents May 19 to 23 indicates the NDP is ahead of the UCP in the city by 49 per cent to 43. Thats good news for the NDP but likely not enough to win on Monday. ThinkHQs Marc Henry said, though, the NDPs fight isnt over. They could expect to capture up to nine additional seats, but it would still leave them short of forming government, said Henry. The election will likely be determined this weekend based on the final arguments put forward by the front-running parties and their strength on the ground in getting their voters to the polls. On the other hand, Browns poll, conducted for CBC News, surveyed 1,200 Albertans May 12 to 24 and found 52 per cent of decided/leaning voters support the UCP to 44 per cent for the NDP. Brown said the UCP is on track to win 51 seats to 36 for the NDP. Why did the NDP fall so far back when they seemed ahead of the UCP or at least tied for much of the campaign? Brown blames the NDPs relentless negative attacks. I think by focusing so much on Smith, (the NDP) gave people a reason to doubt Smith and her competence as leader, but they didnt do enough to give people an affirmative reason to vote for the NDP, Brown told the CBC. Understandably, the NDP prefers Henrys conclusion over Browns. Thats why the party has spent the past few days heading into the final weekend promoting what it would do as a new government, including passing legislation to lower the cost of utility bills, help pay for childrens extracurricular activities, and extend subsidized child care to before-and-after-school care. The NDP would also take aim at UCP pet projects by scrapping the Alberta Sovereignty Act and preventing any future government from leaving the Canada Pension Plan. The NDPs policies have been announced previously but by packaging them as if theyre new, they are hoping to generate headlines and make themselves appear ready to govern. The NDP is also taking aim at Albertans still sitting on the fence. According to Henrys survey, thats about 10 per cent of Calgarians. According to Brown, thats about 20 per cent of Albertans. Notley is asking Smith-averse Conservatives to lend their vote to her while the UCP figures out its future with Smith, a leader found by Albertas Ethics Commissioner to have breached the Conflicts of Interest Act by trying to interfere in a criminal court case. Smith has responded with a mixture of apology and misdirection rolled into an Im not perfect defence. But as a polished speaker and debater, backed by $68 billion worth of spending promises from a new provincial budget, Smith has presented herself as someone much more reasonable and in tune with mainstream Albertans than the angry and divisive version of Smith who won the UCP leadership last year. And, ironically, because Smith has made so many controversial comments and made so many mistakes before and after becoming premier, the scandals have become almost commonplace. They seem pretty much baked into the equation when Conservatives go to vote. And having the word Conservative in the UCPs title is enough to convince many centre-right Albertans to support the party, if not Smith. Solidifying the case for the UCP was a third poll on Friday afternoon, this one from Leger, indicating even though the UCP and NDP are statistically tied province-wide and in Calgary, the UCP seems poised to win a majority of seats. The way the electoral maps are drawn, they (NDP) could win the popular vote and lose the election, said Leger vice-president Ian Large. There is one wild card yet to be played in the campaign even if the UCP is ahead: voter turnout. Both parties are scrambling to get out the vote and opinion polls could well play a part. If not-keen-on-Smith UCP supporters see Browns poll and think the party doesnt need their vote, they might stay home on Monday, allowing some toss-up ridings to flip to the NDP. If armchair NDP supporters see ThinkHQs poll and think they can still snatch victory from the jaws of impending defeat, they might make sure to cast a ballot. As it stands today, Smith seems more likely to win by losing seats than Notley does by winning seats. Graham Thomson is an Edmonton-based political commentator and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Reach him on email: gthomson2016@gmail.com Read more about: SHARE: MPs considering new laws to expand the powers of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), Canadas signal intelligence agency, must heed a dire warning found in a treasure trove of surveillance records. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) recently published nearly 5,000 pages of documents detailing CSEs surveillance practices, warning they paint a picture of a powerful spy agency in dire need of oversight. Their publication is timely, with MPs on the House of Commons Public Safety committee about to start scrutinizing Bill C-26, controversial cybersecurity legislation that would grant CSE sweeping new powers. The documents raise serious concerns for MPs tasked with reviewing the bill. First, the BCCLA highlights how hard CSE pushes up against the edge of legality, and pushes back against even the most reasonable regulation and oversight. When CSE management previously testified before Parliament, they assured MPs that they respect their strict legal prohibition against spying on individuals in Canada. In reality, CSE collected vast quantities of our sensitive information, including records of Canadians use of Google, Facebook, Instagram and more, while exploiting its security arrangements with government departments to intercept private communications, the BCCLA reported. And, for five years, CSE illegally shared Canadians private data with its Five Eyes counterparts in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. Thats how CSE handles the invasive powers it already has. Bill C-26 pours fuel on this fire, placing CSE at the nexus of Canadas information-sharing framework and empowering it to obtain and distribute our private information from a swath of federally regulated companies that Canadians trust including banks, telecommunications providers, energy companies, and airlines, already operating under woefully inadequate privacy rules. Second, the documents expose a deeply troubling CSE accountability deficit, which persists today, notwithstanding the creation of watchdogs like the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA). NSIRA seemed like an encouraging step forward but CSE refused to play ball. As Dr. Christopher Parsons, one of Canadas foremost experts on surveillance law, writes For two straight years, NSIRA has said its had problems getting access from the CSE to information that the watchdog uses to confirm the lawfulness of the CSEs activities. And, when NSIRA complained about CSEs disregard for international human rights law, CSE replied that this was merely a philosophical disagreement. Well the law, and our rights, arent here for philosophical creativity. And frustratingly, this culture of disregard for the law permeates CSE to this day. CSEs track record is clear. For decades, theyve played fast-and-loose with their legal obligations. When MPs finally created a meaningful oversight body, CSE treated it with utter contempt. How can any MP justify granting extensive new powers to CSE in Bill C-26 when it refuses to be held responsible for those it already has? CSE costs taxpayers over $850 million dollars a year, yet it remains an agency with a stark accountability deficit, scant respect for the law, and a history of vacuuming up our private information on an unimaginable scale then sharing it with foreign partners without care for how it may be used. Now MPs are faced with Bill C-26, which is basically the CSE wish list Bill. If left unamended, Bill C-26 would grant CSE unprecedented access to our private information without any commensurate increase in accountability or transparency, or any safeguards to ensure our information doesnt end up in foreign hands. Thankfully, there is a way forward. Before any expansion in CSE powers can be considered, MPs must first fix the current gaping accountability gap. Even then, any new cybersecurity powers must be strictly circumscribed, limited to the defensive aspect of CSEs mandate, and subjected to robust parliamentary oversight. By their actions over many years, CSE has lost the trust of Canadians yet effective cybersecurity requires broad public support. MPs need to keep these facts front-and-centre when scrutinizing Bill C-26, and fix this deeply flawed legislation so that it delivers the cybersecurity we need while upholding our basic rights. Bryan Short is a campaigner at OpenMedia, which works to keep the internet open, affordable and surveillance free. SHARE: Its no secret that getting from A to B in Scarborough is a schlep, whether youre a student waiting for a bus on Eglinton Avenue East or a journalist walking from a parking lot to a lecture hall on the evening of a mayoral debate. On Wednesday, it took me a solid 20 minutes to get from my car to the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, where the citys leading mayoral candidates met for an uncharacteristically rowdy debate. But I wasnt delayed for obvious Scarborough reasons (i.e. failing transportation, the result of long-standing political neglect). I was delayed, rather, because the scenery was so goddamn beautiful. Scarboroughs many problems arent a secret to the rest of Toronto. Ironically though, Scarborough itself is a secret, not to those of us who live here and love it deeply, but to Torontonians who know next to nothing about this place. Until a couple years ago that was me: a fool whose mind went to crime when I heard the word Scarborough, as opposed to the truth trees as far as the eye can see. A fool who thought fusion was a word on a fancy menu, not a way of life. When I moved east a relative remarked that Id never be able to find a Jewish bakery in my new neighbourhood. It turns out I didnt have to because Bread King Bakery, the Tanzanian-owned family business down the street from me makes a mean Challah. All of this is to say there is no place in Toronto like Scarborough, nor likely in the entire world. If Toronto is the economic engine of the country, Scarborough is arguably the cultural engine of the city. At Wednesday nights debate, in a rare moment of optimism, mayoral candidate Josh Matlow acknowledged this fact. This is the greenest part of our city, he said. This is the land of Mike Myers and The Weeknd and Lily Singh. This is a remarkable place and we need to see it as that. Yet, most of the time politicians and media organizations see Scarborough as an afterthought or a charity case. For decades government has failed this place miserably on so many fronts, but most egregiously on transit. Governments treatment of Scarboroughs transit riders from the ill-fated RT to the perpetually delayed subway extension, to the underfunding of a promised dedicated busway is an epic poem of broken promises and neglect. Its worth noting that multiple candidates onstage at Wednesday nights debate had some hand in writing that poem. Its no wonder many Scarborough residents are cynical about the mayoral byelection, a reality epitomized by a pair of UTSC students who sat behind me, quietly trolling every candidate on stage; even their own alumna, Mitzie Hunter, whose plugging of her website mitzieformayor.ca, they found particularly hilarious. But no candidate in this race has a spotless record when it comes to Scarborough. The question is who among them is most likely to benefit it moving forward? The answer is an honest broker: a candidate unafraid to do the thing that must be done that no one likes. That is, raise taxes. The citys financial nightmare cannot be escaped without at minimum, a modest tax increase: a reality that candidates Josh Matlow and Olivia Chow acknowledged on stage Wednesday. But mayoral candidates who claim they can solve Scarboroughs problems without raising taxes are either delusional or lying. Mark Saunders, the former police chief, would have voters believe he can dig the city out of its financial hole by finding efficiencies. Unless the efficiency he finds is Scarborough itself, his plan is a fantasy. Scarborough needs a mayor who lives in the real world. That is, a leader who does more than talk about the bluffs and beef patties; a leader with the spine to make the tough choices required to finally get this place a fair deal. SHARE: Michaelle Jean doesnt think it was a random act of fate that she was the governor general who launched the Truth and Reconciliation Commission along with survivors of the residential school system in 2009. I dont believe in coincidences, Jean told the Star in an exclusive interview this week. I will always remember that moment. For our history to see the first Black woman as governor general of Canada being with Indigenous people in that time where we had to launch together and make that call of how important it is to consider history because reconciliation is about justice. Indigenous-Black solidarity has remained a continuing theme in Jeans quest to eliminate racism since her time at Rideau Hall, whether its manifested in last years historic Halifax Declaration, demanding racial justice for Black Canadians, or at the Big Thinking lecture series May 31 at a York university conference, where she homes in on Haitis revolutionary past to serve as an inspirational road map to the future. While the diverse Black and Indigenous communities in the Americas have distinct histories, both groups bore, and bear, the harshest brunt of colonialism via dehumanization and dispossession. Statistics Canada data that show both groups continuing to be most impoverished and most subjected to racism speaks very clearly and loudly of the situation that also comes from a terrible legacy, Jean says. The history of the peoples of Africa and so-called Americas is tainted by an experience from which one does not emerge unscathed. Its one of pervasive racism, total dehumanization and genocide of untold proportions. Haiti marks a vital historical meeting point of those shared experiences between Indigenous Peoples and Africans. Jean spends more than an hour on the phone passionately telling stories and evoking images of Haitis past that she says she feels proud to share. Every time you hear again and again, Haiti stigmatized with this qualification of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere well, we need to understand that its history remains as a record of Black struggle, existence and possibility. Haiti was the first independent Black republic in the Americas, and the only enslaved society to successfully overthrow the system of chattel slavery. That defining moment in 1804 came after 13 years of revolt, of brutality and bloodshed. But nothing, says Jean, nothing like the bite of the whip and the shooting and the rape and the hate. Nothing like the centuries of infamous racism that fed the inhuman slave trade. Haiti paid a hefty price for its conviction. Nations including France, the United States and the U.K. refused to recognize it. France demanded, at gunpoint, compensation for the property enslaved labour it had lost. Haiti took nearly a century to pay off the 150 million francs, estimated at between $20 billion and $30 billion in todays U.S. dollars. Its a debt so large and so lasting that it would help cement Haitis path to poverty and underdevelopment, Jean said. We had to pay those who owned us the privilege of taking back our freedom and our dignity after centuries of violence, genocide, abuse and forced labour to their benefit. Andrea Davis is a York University professor in Black Cultures of the Americas. She is the academic convenor of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences (May 27-June 2). She says she chose Jean to deliver the Imagining Black Futures lecture (May 31) because she wanted that conversation to connect Canada to Haiti. For a lot of us, Haiti posed a contradiction of Black possibility and Black impossibility, she said. All the Big Thinking lectures this year are being delivered by Black and Indigenous speakers. Davis said this was a deliberate decision for this first in-person conference in four pivotal years globally to elevate Black thought and Indigenous knowledge as a way of answering the concerns as humanities and social science disciplines, as well as the concerns of the wider world. For me and for the Black scholars I know, we dont think that a future for Black people is possible without for a future for Indigenous Peoples on whose land we are. That interconnectedness has historical roots in Haiti. On the phone, Jean launches, podcast style, into an engaging tale of that past. The Spaniards disembarked on the island of Ayiti Bohio Kiskeya (the land of many mountains) where lived Indigenous peoples for time immemorial, she says. What unfolded is a familiar story. The Tainos and Carib offered the Spaniards, led by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, fruit dishes, tobacco pipes, hot sweet drinks, coffee and chocolate and all the exotic products and flavours totally unknown to Europe as well as necklaces adorned with gold nuggets. We call these Indigenous Peoples our ancestors, because they are, Jean says. Soon the swords and firearms of the Spaniards turned on the locals. Chiefs were massacred, the Tainos captured and hanged, the rest of the Indigenous populations enslaved to extract the gold that would make Spain one of the richest powers of Europe. After hundreds of thousands of Indigenous people were killed, a Spanish missionary priest of the Dominican order by the name of Bartolome de las Casas, known for his denunciation of the practices of the Spanish colonizers and for his defence of the rights of the Indigenous people, recommended that Black people be taken as slaves from Africa to compensate for mortality among the Natives, Jean said. Las Casas eventually realized his blunder and thereafter he went on to advocate for the Black peoples as well as the Indigenous Peoples. And he repented until his last breath, his fatal error. That nearly 500-year-old Black-Indigenous connection is featured prominently in the Halifax Declaration for the eradication of racial discrimination. The final version of the 30-page document, which was released this month, is the outcome of the first national Black Canadians Summit, hosted by the Michaelle Jean Foundation last year. We believe the wounds of history can be healed, it declares, and offers a clear list of solutions and demands from all levels of government in areas such as criminal justice, housing, education, health care. Like Indigenous peoples, our African ancestors were stripped of their land, language, culture, of their rights and fundamental humanity, it said. You would never see a truth and reconciliation commission in the United States or in France, Jean said. So if weve had the courage to do that, we need to continue on that path, for there are also other peoples still suffering from the legacy of colonization. We cannot underestimate how much exclusion is creating a deficit of our participation, our contribution, our energies and opportunities of synergies, our perspectives. It creates a deficit of democracy, she said. Thats why we need to examine and to question and to eradicate systemic racial discrimination, because it becomes a loss for all the common good and for Canada as a whole. Editors note May 29, 2023: This column has been updated to clarify that it was nearly 500 years ago that Bartolome de las Casas repented over recommending that Black people be taken as slaves from Africa to compensate for mortality among Natives. Shree Paradkar is a Toronto-based columnist covering issues around social and racial justice for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @ShreeParadkar SHARE: OTTAWA Afghan-Canadians who worked for the Canadian military in Afghanistan are asking the Federal Court to declare a special immigration program for Ukrainians in breach of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and expand it to include nationals from all countries. Two Afghan-Canadian men filed the lawsuit this week in a move they say may also be the last step left in a long fight by former language and cultural advisers to rescue their families from abroad. We are proud Canadians, we are proud of what we did for Canada and now we are being treated like trash, said one of the men, who is referred to as John Doe 1 in the lawsuit and who only spoke to the Star on the condition he not be named to protect his family. Their application argues the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program is discriminatory because its wide-ranging provisions only apply to Ukrainians, as opposed to all those fleeing conflict. The program also discriminates based on race, the lawsuit says. Ukrainians are predominantly white and European. Afghans are predominantly dark-skinned and Muslim. Thus, the CUAET has the effect of distinguishing based on race, colour, ethnic origin and religion, which are prohibited grounds under s. 15 of the Charter, reads the application, which was obtained by the Star on Friday. The men are asking for the court to declare the program in breach of the Charter, and order it applied to all foreign nationals. Their application to Federal Court comes nearly six months after two other advisers settled a human rights complaint with the government over the fact theyd initially been completely shut out of immigration programs for Afghans set up in the wake of that countrys collapse to the Taliban in 2021. Language and cultural advisers, known as LCAs, were recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces in Canada and deployed with soldiers to help them navigate the unfamiliar cultural terrain during Canadas involvement in the war. Unlike interpreters, who were hired by the military on contract via multinational firms, LCAs were akin to serving members of the military, wearing uniforms and given high-level security clearances to carry out their work. Around 45 of them worked with the CAF over the course of the mission; John Doe 1 was in one of the last deployments to Kandahar before Canadas combat mission ended in 2011. When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, Ottawa found itself rushing to find ways to rescue Afghans whod worked alongside Canadian forces there. Ultimately, Canada pledged to resettle 40,000 Afghans by the end of this year, including former interpreters, human rights activists and members of religious minority groups. But LCAs were told they had to use traditional economic or family sponsorship programs to get family members in Afghanistan to Canada. The settlement of the human rights complaint compelled Ottawa to expand its existing Afghan settlement policy to cover relatives of LCAs as well. The lawsuit argues that program is too limited in scope compared to the one Canada put in place for Ukrainians. The CUAET was one of the governments responses to demands last year that Canada offer safe haven to Ukrainians following Russias invasion of their country. It offers Ukrainians and their family members even if they arent Ukrainian extended temporary immigration status in Canada, and with it the ability to work and go to school here. There is no cap on the number of applications under the program, many of the fees are waived and there is expedited processing of forms. The policy for LCAs requires applicants to have been in Afghanistan on or after July 22, 2021 and meet a specific definition of family member. A maximum of 380 applications are being accepted. The lawsuit argues that if the LCAs were Ukrainian, theyd have no problem bringing their currently excluded family members to Canada. For John Doe 2, whose sister would be eligible to come to Canada under the existing program for LCA but wont because she couldnt bring her adult children, the lawsuit felt like the final option. We have knocked on everybodys door, he said, and they ignored us. The federal government did not respond to a request for comment from the Star on Friday afternoon. In its response to the human rights tribunal complaint earlier this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada argued the Afghans had no grounds to claim discrimination on the basis of national origin. People who arent Ukrainian dont have access to the specific Ukrainian program, IRCC wrote at the time, and all programs cant be open to everyone. If that were the case, IRCC would be unable to respond in a targeted facilitative manner to any humanitarian crisis without responding equally and simultaneously to all humanitarian crises, it said. Canada has committed to resettling 40,000 Afghans by the end of the year via programs launched in 2021; to date, about 32,000 have arrived. Those numbers are cold comfort to the men who are suing Ottawa. As Canadians, they say they dont understand why they cant bring family members here from abroad the way others can. We are Canadian citizens, said John Doe 1. We were on the front lines as Canadian citizens, and now they just dont care about us. Read more about: SHARE: Ukraine asks Germany for its long-range precision Taurus missiles 27 May, 11:47 AM Taurus missiles (Photo:) The Ukrainian government has officially requested Taurus long-range missiles from Germany, the Germany Ministry of Defence press office reported on May 26, according to the Spiegel newspaper. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed this matter in early May. Retired Bundeswehr colonel and opposition MP from the Christian Democratic Union, Roderich Kiesewetter, called on Germany to transfer the Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine on May 23. The Taurus KEPD 350 is a Swedish-German air-to-surface high-precision guided cruise missile with a more than 500-kilometer (310 miles) flight range. They are used for attacking heavily fortified and underground targets without exposing the aircraft to opposing air defense. Video of day These missiles are in service in Germany, Spain and South Korea. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News One benefit of living in Southern California is that one encounters all kinds of interesting people. One such person was Kelly, a mortgage broker by profession. I met her accidentally at an open house in the greater San Diego area. She was helping the real estate agent holding the open house. A mortgage broker is an independent business person who works with several different banks and lending institutes and can help a customer in getting the best mortgage loan. I talked to her to understand the financial picture involved if I wanted to purchase the house. It was clear that Kelly was very astute with numbers and understood her business well. I kept her business card. She later helped me in getting mortgage loans for two of my homes and a home equity line of credit on a third home. The year was 2005 and we were in the middle of a frenzy in buying real estate properties, which was a precursor to the subsequent meltdown in the market because of the socalled subprime loan crisis. Kelly and I became good friends and we used to meet every month or every other month for lunch or coffee to discuss various things including personal situations. However, I had no romantic interest in her because she had her eyes set on some very wealthy gentlemen in Del Mar. As time progressed, I noticed a gradual change in Kellys behaviour pattern and mannerism. It seems that she became more irrational and almost delusional on occasions. One afternoon she showed up at my home completely unannounced with two African American gentlemen and a woman who was also African American. After exchange of pleasantries and brief introductions, Kelly described the purpose of their visit. Those two men were Hollywood entrepreneurs and seriously planning a start-up in the music business. They were looking for investors. Kelly knew my financial situation and assets. She must have portrayed me as some type of fat cat. The woman was introduced as one of the backup dancers for the legendary Tina Turner during the early days of her career. I assumed that she was brought along to convince me about the legitimacy of their business aspirations and connections with the music industry. Frankly, I do not remember what we discussed during that meeting but I do remember the woman. She was skinny but reasonably good looking. She seemed to be sad, high on something and in daze during the entire time. She sat with her legs folded on the sofa and did not say a single word. While I was flattered by my image of a wealthy man inclined to help the music industry it was a false image. No one including Kelly knew that I had recently taken an early retirement package and ended my professional career. Even if I had money to spare, I would not have invested in such a risky venture with total strangers. I disappointed them by expressing my lack of interest. I was fascinated by the woman though. I have always been a huge fan of Tina Turner from the time I landed in the USA. The first time I saw her was in a live performance on the Johnny Carson show. She danced with three backup dancers and they were wild; each having long hair and wearing miniskirts which looked like grass skirts and gyrating their bodies every which way with high energy. I felt like I was watching a voodoo dance in some African jungle. It was hypnotic. The look of the dancers was reportedly envisioned by Tina Turners exhusband Ike as Queen Sheena of the jungle. I have seen her many times on TV since then. I followed her solo career during the MTV era in the eighties. I wish I could talk to the woman who visited my home and discuss Tina Turners music and her life with Ike. I do not remember her name and do not know if she was one of the original members, known as Ikettes the backup dancers/vocalists for Ike and Tina Turner. The Ikettes became a famous group in their own right, with hit singles like Im blue. Subsequently, other members joined the Ikettes. Tina reportedly maintained a crew of 18 backup dancers during her prime period during the eighties. Perhaps my guest could have linked me up with Tina; almost certainly, if I agreed to invest with them. At one point, they suggested that we all go to dinner but I politely declined citing some prior commitments. Perhaps their hidden agenda was for this woman to entice me with her charm into agreeing to their business proposal. I am glad that I did not get involved with them because I later learned that Kelly got hooked on cocaine no doubt a result of her financially successful business offering subprime mortgage loans. Cocaine was presumably the common bond in her association with this trio of characters. They were probably all high when they came to my home. Much of Tinas tortuous early life was caused by abusive Ike, who was a cocaine-addict. Tina was not only a survivor but a true winner when she got out of that abusive relationship and established her solo career and earned world-wide fame in her forties. Upon hearing the news about Tinas passing I am thinking of that woman, the backup dancer who visited my home. I imagine her face and can only hear Tina Turners songs. Perhaps, the song is I am your private dancer, dancer for money because she came to me for money. Perhaps she was into cocaine and sad because of a failed romance and the song is Whats love got to do with it? Whats love but a second hand emotion? I absolutely adore Tina for the way she sang about love and yet expressed her pain. Rest in peace, queen of rock! (The writer, a physicist who worked in academia and industry, is a Bengali settled in America.) Not just for citizens of nations capital city, but for countrymen at large, the constant skirmishes and running feuds between the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the Chief Minister have signified a theatre of the absurd. Hardly a day passes without the citizenry having to watch in dismay the unseemly duels, no holds-barred exchanges between the top AAP leadership and BJP politicos. Adding a bizarre element to the familiar shenanigans, what has now come about by way of an ordinance promulgated by the Central government, following the 11 May judgement by Supreme Court that restored control over services to the NCT government, has brought into focus the irrelevance of the fracas that has gone on for years. While the NCT government has termed the ordinance unconstitutional, and challenging the majesty of the Supreme Court, the Central government, citing errors in the judgement, maintains in its review plea that the apex courts ruling is contrary to the ninejudge bench decision in December 1996 in the NDMC vs state of Punjab case. The verdict had concluded that despite the insertion of Article 239AA (special provisions with respect to Delhi), the NCT is not elevated to the status of a state. In its May 11 judgement the apex court ruled that except for three entries in the state list ~ public order, police and land, Delhi government had legislative and executive power over all other subjects, including services. The Centres refrain questions the Supreme Courts premise of equating the NCT of Delhi, a Union Territory, to a state, and investing it with legislative and executive authority similar to that of a fullfledged state. The Centre asserts that the sole source of legislative power over a UT is that of Parliament. True it is that acrimony that has surfaced over last few years of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi was seldom, if ever, observed in the case of his predecessors, including the 15-year stewardship of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. By way of a facile explanation, some ascribe the fracas to overbearing, intolerant Central government leadership as much as an irascible AAP supremo, his vaulting ambition and petulance. Its not so simple. Its more a fault of the system. Given the status, trappings, and halo around an anointed chief minister of a state, that too with a 67/70 majority in Assembly, its natural that the incumbent would hanker for power and influence. Recall how with their avowed unconventional politics, AAP made an astonishing debut, generated a wave of optimism to cleanse the countrys debauched politics. The systemic fault-line lies in the aura of statehood bestowed on Delhi. It has been argued for long that most capital cities across the world have as a rule empowered municipal heads like a mayor, while the respective federal government controls its administration. Delhi, the capital city, would require a national perspective in administering its instruments of governance, which can be ensured only by the central authority. Strangely the irrefutable empirical evidence of statehood for the capital city being untenable and impractical is ignored by political masters. Both Congress and BJP have been guilty of promising full statehood for Delhi in their election manifestos, reversing the stand when in power at the Centre. Ponder the chequered record of Delhis governance. Announced at the Coronation Durbar on 12 December 1911 as British Indias new capital, a 1912 notification brought the tehsil of Delhi and the Mehrauli thana to be administered as a separate province under a Chief Commissioner. The Government of Part C States Act, 1951 provided for the capital city to be administered by the President through a Chief Commissioner/Lt Governor, with a Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers. The Legislature had no power to make laws in respect of public order, police, formation and functions of the municipal corporation and other local authorities. Then came the States Reorganisation Commission in 1953, which concluded that the dual control of Delhi resulted in marked deterioration of administrative standards, leading to the enactment of the Constitution (Seventh) Amendment Act, 1956, that abolished Delhis Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers, instead, making Delhi a Union Territory under direct administration of the President. As for local autonomy and democratic representation, the Commission suggested a municipal corporation for Delhi (which came into existence on 7 April 1958, in terms of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957). A rising crescendo for popular government from power and perkshungry netas resulted in the Delhi Administration Act,1966, providing for a Metropolitan Council of 56 elected and five nominated members, with a 4- member executive council, one of them designated as Chief Executive Councilor. The Metropolitan Council had no legislative powers; an overlap of functions and conflict of jurisdiction between the MCD and other agencies rendered them dysfunctional. There followed the Balakrishnan Committee on Reorganisation of Delhi, which, in its December 1989 report, suggested Delhi to be a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers. It recommended the MCD to be broken into several municipal corporations, while electricity, water, sewage would be transferred to two new Boards, and fire prevention, health and arterial roads to Delhi Administration, leaving national highways in Delhi and roads in New Delhi to be managed by the central government, and all other city roads by respective MCDs. Its recommendations regarding the MCD were not accepted. Parliament passed the Constitution (69th Amendment) Act, 1991 and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, providing for a 70-member directly elected Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers. The NCT Act let most of the executive powers remain with the President, so also powers over services. Implementing the verdict by the Supreme Court in the case of Government of NCT Delhi vs Union of India, 2018, regarding powers and responsibilities of elected government and Lt Governor, Parliament passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Amendment Act 2021, which came into force on 27 April 2021. With a plethora of elected and other agencies, overload of Delhis governance structure has been a huge drag. In addition to 272 councillors in the erstwhile three Municipalities, 70 MLAs in the NCT government and seven MPs, there is the New Delhi Municipal Council for the cloistered Lutyens zone, and Cantonment Board, not to talk of the Union government controlling its land and policing. Multiplicity of institutions, often with overlapping jurisdictions and sometimes contradictory goals, make for sub-optimal output and outcome, a lot of waste. The two key figures in a civic body are the Mayor and the Commissioner, the Mayor providing requisite political leadership, the Commissioner functioning as executive head like the city managers of American cities, who are professionals and specialists in city management answerable to the elected Council. While a Mayor in an Indian city municipality is seldom empowered, the Commissioner is constrained by different committees with heterogeneous character operating as sub-centres of decision-making without coordination. Local bodies in public perception are cesspools of corruption; councillors and executives in a cosy relationship to share the pie. As revealed by the Annual Survey of Indias City-Systems 2017 report, public perception endures ~ of cities in dire need of duly empowered municipalities as institutions for delivery in areas such as sanitation, health, education, mobility, and housing, matters of real concern for the citizenry. A compact, less diffused, cohesive and cooperative, and much pruned structure will usher in a promising paradigm of urban management, worthy of being replicated across the country. The Central Government needs to help evolve an optimal role model of governance for the nations capital, pragmatic and realistic, and conducive to peoples basic civic needs being adequately addressed. (The writer is former CMD of CONCOR, and now Distinguished Fellow at Asian Institute of Transport Development) Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee urged leaders of Jhargram to go to the people and tell them how the Centre has blocked the dues worth Rs 1.15 lakh crore. Mr Banerjee met the district leaders and took part in road shows in Jhargram. The Jono Sonjog Yatra, undertaken to develop mass contact, entered its 30th day today. On Friday at Gar Salboni in Jhargram his convoy was attacked by the people from the Kurmi community, who pelted stones, which damaged the car of minister Birbaha Hansda. Abhishek was not hurt in the pelting. The Yatra started from Dinhata in Cooch Behar district on 25 April. It will end after two months from the date of its commencement. Mr Banerjee told the leaders that in case of construction of rural roads, the Centre gives 60 per cent while the states share is 40 per cent. The Centre has released the funds of every state except West Bengal. I had gone to meet the Union minister for panchayat and rural development Giriraj Singh, but he did not meet the Trinamul team of partys MPs. As he was scared to answer our questions he simply refused to meet us, he said adding, If needed, we will organize dharnas in Delhi but will not back out till our dues are cleared. Mr Banerjee urged party leaders and workers to go to the people and inform them about the Centres deprivation. Those who had worked under the 100 days work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme have not received their dues. It is the Centres obligation to clear the dues of the poor people. But the BJP believes it has the right to use its power by denying funds, he said. Mr Banerjee said the BJP believes in vengeance politics and is not releasing the fund following its poor performance in the 2021 Assembly election. The people in Bengal are watching the political vendetta of the saffron party and will give them a befitting reply whenever they get an opportunity. Mr Banerjee told the party to ask the people how many times the MP from BJP had visited the area. The BJP leaders feel proud in saying that they had stopped the funds meant for Bengal. They are so shameless. Thousands of people thronged the road shows held at Binpur, Parihati and Jhargram. On Saturday Mr Banerjee will share the dais with Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banejee at Salboni in west Midnapore. Elaborate police arrangements have been made in Salboni over the trip of the chief minister. She will take part in Naba Jowar Yatra and then will address a public meeting There will be no representation from West Bengal at the Niti Aayog meeting scheduled to be held on 27 May in New Delhi, after the Central government rejected the states proposal to depute Mrs Chandrima Bhattacharya, minister of state for finance, and the state chief secretary, H K Dwivedi, to attend the meeting. After West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee decided not to attend the Niti Aayog meeting, a communication was sent from Nabanna to the Centre proposing the names of Ms Bhattacharya and Mr Dwivedi to represent the state at the meeting. However, a return communique has come from the Union government, stating that only chief ministers can attend the Niti Aayog meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Besides Miss Banerjee, two AAP chief ministers ~ Delhis Arvind Kejriwal and Punjabs Bhagwant Mann ~ have also announced their decision to abstain from the meeting. Earlier this month, Miss Banerjee had said that she would attend the NITI Aayog meeting and raise urgent issues of the state. I will be participating at the Niti Ayog meeting on May 27 in New Delhi because it is the only platform to highlight the issues of a state, she had told reporters during a during a Press conference at Nabanna more than 10 days ago. On Tuesday, the chief ministers of Delhi and Punjab Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann met Miss Banerjee at Nabanna to seek support for the Delhi governments fight against the Centre over an ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital. Miss Banerjee had assured the two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders of her partys support against the Centre. A day later, Miss Banerjee announced her decision not to attend the Niti Aayog meeting. The Trinamul Congress leadership has also announced that the party would boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building in New Delhi . The total pass percentage of the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations (WBJEE) witnessed a rise this year, registering a brilliant 99.37 per cent against last years 98.5 per cent. Two students of Delhi Public School Ruby Park, Md Sahil Akhtar and Soham Das put up a stellar performance by making it to first and second rank in the general merit list. The third rank has been secured by Sara Mukherjee of Bankura Banga Vidyalay. Two students from Kota in Rajasthan have also found a place in the top 10 list. According to the WBJEE chairman Malayendu Saha, the total number of students registered this year was 1,24,919, against 1,01,413 in 2022. Of this, male candidates this year were 91,974 almost 74 per cent while female candidates were 32,944 around 26 per cent with one transgender. There were 306 exam centres of which 303 were in West Bengal, two in Tripura and one in Assam. Notably, for the first time radio frequency detectors and hand held metal detectors were used during the WBJEE exams this year. An app was also introduced this time for real time communication with the persons appointed as centre in-charge. In the near future, the board will also make arrangements so that students would also be able to use the app and stay updated about the board. Of the total 96,913 successful candidates, 69,560 are from West Bengal while 27,353 are from outside the state. As reiterated by the board chairman, the exam was held on 30 April and the result was declared on the 26 day today. Like last year, the maximum numbers of successful candidates are from the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. According to the data shared by the board, among the candidates clearing the exam, 52.98 per cent are from WBCHSE, 2.21 percent are from Indian School Certificate (ISC), 28.92 per cent are from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), while 15.89 per cent are from other boards. Congratulating the successful WBJEE candidates, chief minister Mamata Banerjee took to her social media handle and wrote: Congratulations to the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination 2023 toppers and successful candidates from West Bengal and all over the country. I am extremely happy that 53per cent of total successful candidates are from West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. This year 27.5 per cent of the successful candidates are women. Your excellent performance has made us proud. I congratulate the successful students, their proud parents and teachers. Tata Steel has donated Rs 1.73 crore to Tata medical Centre in New Town for the latters continuous effort to serve cancer patients. The contribution was made possible through the auction of the first 4 coils (62 MT) of cold rolled steel produced at Tata Steels newly-commissioned state of the art cold rolling mill complex in Kalinganagar, Odisha. The event was attended by Dr Pattatheyil Arun, director of Tata Medical Centre and senior officials of Tata Steel, including Praveen Shrivastava, chief marketing and sales (branded products and retail). Dr Pattatheyil Arun said, Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata, is immensely thankful for the magnanimity and sense of service demonstrated by Tata Steelium channel partners. These efforts will continue to motivate us to work harder, with the support of the community, to alleviate the hardships that patients endure in their prolonged and costly battles against cancer. Prabhat Kumar, representing Tata Steel emphasised the companys commitment to building an empowered community through conscientious collaboration. As the nation prepares for the inauguration of the New Parliament Building, here are some interesting facts about it. 1. There wont be a Central Hall in the new Parliament House. The old Parliament House currently has a central hall that can hold 436 people. The joint meeting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha has been held in this central hall till now. However, due to a lack of space, approximately 200 chairs must be installed for the joint session in the Central Hall. 2. Additionally, the new Parliament building will be resistant to earthquakes. Delhi was in Zone 2 when the old Parliament House was constructed. But at present it falls in Zone 4. The new Parliament House has been strengthened to be able to withstand significant shocks in Zone 5. 3. The structure of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will have different themes. The National Bird, the Peacock, will serve as the theme for the Lok Sabha and the National Flower, the Lotus, for the Rajya Sabha. 4. As an eco-friendly building, the new Parliament Building will use green building materials. Electricity will be saved by 30% through the installation of devices. Solar power generation and rainwater harvesting will also be planned. Seats in houses will be more comfortable than they were before. Tata Projects Limited will develop the new Parliament expanding on a complete area of 64,500 sqm. HCP Design Planning and Management Private Limited created the buildings design. 5. The new Lok Sabha will be able to accommodate 888 MPs at the new Parliament House. There are only 552 MPs who can sit in the current Lok Sabha. As a result, there wont be any issues in the years to come when the number of MPs grows. 6. Additionally, the new Parliament housing Rajya Sabha will be larger than before. The current Rajya Sabha has a complete strength of 245 seats. The new Rajya Sabha will have a provision for 384 seats. Therefore, regardless of whether the number of Rajya Sabha MPs go up in the future, there will be no lack of room in the house. 7. It will be the first ever Parliament building constructed after independence. There will be a multimedia display in front of each MPs seat in the house. 8. The new Parliament House will have significantly more committee rooms. Modern general media frameworks will be accessible in each advisory group room. This will work with the working of parliamentary boards of trustees. 9. Special media facilities will also be available at the new Parliament House. Five hundred and thirty seats will be arranged for the media. The public will be able to observe parliamentary business in galleries in both houses. There will be a clear view of the house from each seat. 10. Arrangements are being made to make the new Parliament House a public parliament house. Disabled, elderly, and children will be able to enter easily. There will be two special entrance points for the general population to arrive at the Public Gallery and Central Constitutional Gallery. The new building will have better fire security arrangements, which the old one lacked. TORONTO, May 26, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--dynaCERT Inc. (TSX: DYA) (OTCQX: DYFSF) (FRA: DMJ) ("dynaCERT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has received a purchase order for 3,000 Units of its HydraGEN Technology Units designed to reduce fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in diesel engines while tracking and creating future Carbon Credits. The recipient of these HydraGEN Units is Bristol & Bristol Incorporated, an oil and gas logistics company located in Georgetown, Guyana. The contract was brokered by Mr. Amir Farahi, a director of the Company, where he will act as a conduit for the purchase of the units on behalf of dynaCERT for Bristol & Bristol. The Company has received full payment for an initial 93 HydraGEN HG-2 Units for delivery commencing immediately. A further 140 HydraGEN Units are expected to be delivered by July 30th 2023 and 750 units to be delivered by September 30th 2023. Further delivery of the remaining units beyond September 30th 2023 are to be mututally agreed upon by both Bristol & Bristol and dynaCERT. Marvin Bristol, President & CEO of Bristol & Bristol, stated, "We are very pleased to have been given the opportunity to deploy dynaCERTs HydraGEN Technology in Guyana and surrounding regions. Our country has been responsive to new technologies that reduce carbon emissions and understand the importance of deploying, today, readily available solutions to reduce pollution. Not only can we benefit from dynaCERTs HydraGEN Technology Units designed to reduce fuel consumption and save on diesel costs, but also reduce greenhouse gasses, which is important to all our citizens and visitors." Jim Payne, President & CEO of dynaCERT, stated, "dynaCERT is very pleased to be featuring our HydraGEN Technology to Bristol & Bristol. As new adopters of our technology, Bristol & Bristol are contributing to the world-wide imperatives and their associated local and global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of diesel engines. Bristol & Bristol have acknowledged that dynaCERT received the Smart Sustainable Company Rating Seal based on the results of rigorous analysis. This honourable distinction of dynaCERT and its HydraGEN technology as it applies to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Global Compact Principals has been evaluated as "high", the highest global ranking in its category. The extraordinary endorsement of dynaCERT allows its dealers to engage with customers with the assurance that the Company's HydraGEN technology has a significant contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals on the United Nations." The purchase order discussed herein has been received from an Insider of the Company on behalf of Bristol and Bristol Inc. and therefore this constitutes a Related Party Transaction within the meaning of Multi-lateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), however exemptions are available from the valuation (s. 5.5(a)) and minority shareholder approval requirements (s. 5.7(a)) of MI 61-101. The foregoing purchase order is also subject to receipt of the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. About dynaCERT Inc. dynaCERT Inc. manufactures and distributes Carbon Emission Reduction Technology along with its proprietary HydraLytica Telematics, a means of monitoring fuel consumption and calculating GHG emissions savings designed for the tracking of possible future Carbon Credits for use with internal combustion engines. As part of the growing global hydrogen economy, our patented technology creates hydrogen and oxygen on-demand through a unique electrolysis system and supplies these gases through the air intake to enhance combustion, which has shown to lower carbon emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Our technology is designed for use with many types and sizes of diesel engines used in on-road vehicles, reefer trailers, off-road construction, power generation, mining and forestry equipment. Website: www.dynaCERT.com. READER ADVISORY Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance of achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to the future delivery of HydraGEN Technology Units under the purchase order, Bristol & Bristol Incorporated and the nation of Guyana Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success for new products and technologies; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of products and services; changes in technology and changes in laws and regulations; the uncertainty of the emerging hydrogen economy; including the hydrogen economy moving at a pace not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements; and the other risk factors disclosed under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the release. On Behalf of the Board Murray James Payne, CEO View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230526005276/en/ Contacts Jim Payne, CEO & President dynaCERT Inc. #101 501 Alliance Avenue Toronto, Ontario M6N 2J1 +1 (416) 766-9691 x 2 jpayne@dynaCERT.com Investor Relations dynaCERT Inc. Nancy Massicotte +1 (416) 766-9691 x 1 nmassicotte@dynaCERT.com Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday urged the Centre for issuing directions to Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to return the amount of Rs 9,242.60 crore deposited under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) by the state government. He raised the issues during the 8th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Saturday. He also urged not to reduce the previous years deposit of Rs 1,779 crore under NPS, other than the borrowing ceiling of the current financial year (2023-24) and also to review the decision taken on March 27, 2023. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions were held on infrastructure and investments, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), minimizing compliances, women empowerment, health and nutrition, skill development, Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure. The Chief Minister also urged for removing the limit of receiving external aid for the next three years to the state and sought the intervention of the Centre for speedy approval of proposals submitted to the Department of Economic Affairs. He also urged for 100 per cent central funding for the strategic Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Leh railway line. Sukhu also requested for including a ropeway project under Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna besides demanding special financial assistance for completing the construction of medical colleges in the State. He also requested for providing the option of CAPEX model (capital expenditure) along with OPEX model (operational expenditure) under the financial assistance provided by the Government of India for purchasing e-buses. Apprising about the vision and initiatives of the state government, he informed that his government was keen to develop Himachal Pradesh as a Green Energy State and added that tourism development was being undertaken under the concept of Green Himachal in order to protect and preserve the environment. Efforts are afoot for reducing carbon footprints and most of the diesel buses of HRTC will be replaced with e-buses in coming years, he said. An elaborate plan is being made for promoting Green Hydrogen, he said, adding that the Rs 2000 crore World Bank-aided project Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Programme will be launched soon after holding the final round of discussions with the World Bank. He further said that an endeavour to create 40,000 direct and 50,000 indirect employment opportunities would be made, besides making efforts to attract an investment of about twenty thousand crore during the current financial year in various sectors. Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Yojana has been started in the state for destitute and orphan children and the state government will undertake their welfare and has adopted them as the Children of the State, he said. He sought the support of the Centre Government and NITI Aayog for fulfilling the dream of the present government for making Himachal Pradesh the most developed and prosperous state in the country. There was no purpose of attending the Niti Ayog meeting in New Delhi. We are asking for giving the status of special category to Bihar for the last so many years, but nothing has been done so far, said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar while talking to reporters here on Saturday. What is the point in attending such meetings when our justified demands are not heard, he asked, adding, today Bihar would have been a developed state if only we had the status of special category. Whatever we do for the development of the state we do within the limited resources that we have. The Centre has not been cooperative in disbursing adequate funds for development purposes, he lamented. When asked about the inauguration of the new Parliament building, he categorically said that there was no need to construct a new building which will erase the history of our independence. The existing building, which is a part of our constitution, should be repaired/refurbished only if it was needed, he said, adding they are changing the history of India, this is unacceptable for us. The BJP government is already in the process of changing the history of India by removing all the footprints of our great leaders and freedom fighters. It is unheard of, he pointed out. I was not in favour of constructing new buildings since the very beginning. What was the necessity to construct a separate new structure, he asked. The Bihar CM asked why the government had not started conducting a census in 2021 like the previous government had done it in 2011. When I started conducting caste and socio economic surveys in Bihar, these BJP leaders started questioning it, he pointed out. On the question of withdrawing Rs 2,000-denomination currency notes, he said nobody is questioning why the Centre had withdrawn Rs 1,000-denomination currency notes instead of launching Rs 2-k notes in 2016. Again after five years, they have decided to withdraw it. I failed to understand the logic behind it, he said. Making a comment on the media, CM said, Now journalists have no guts to ask questions because they have lost their freedom to ask questions. Earlier, journalists were free to ask searching questions, but now they are afraid to do so. BJP state president Samrat Choudhary called it unfortunate that Bihar that CM has not gone to attend Niti Ayog meeting in Delhi. Its a great loss to Bihar and its people. The CM is bent upon destroying Bihar to satisfy his ego, he said and added that its an insult to democracy and his anti-development approach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and paid tribute to former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the 59th anniversary of his death. In a Twitter post, PM Modi acknowledged the significant role Nehru played in Indias freedom struggle and his subsequent position as Indias first Prime Minister after independence in 1947. Taking to the microblogging site, PM Modi wrote, On his death anniversary, I pay tributes to our former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Jawaharlal Nehru was actively involved in the fight against British rule in India and was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress (INC). He served as Prime Minister from 1947 until his passing on May 27, 1964, at the age of 74. Nehru was known for his affection towards children and was fondly referred to as Chacha Nehru (Uncle Nehru) by them. Nehrus birth anniversary on November 14 is celebrated as Childrens Day in India every year, emphasizing his love for children and his contributions to their welfare. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for boycotting the Niti Aayog meeting. The party alleged that the decision for the boycott has been taken at the instance of his (Manns) boss Arvind Kejriwal, saying Punjabis will be the losers in this face off. Criticising the Punjab chief minister for putting the political interests of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over that of Punjabis, SAD spokesman Charanjit Singh Brar said, The Punjab government has lost a chance to deliberate on key issues like education, health, skill development and infrastructure development by boycotting the meeting. The AAP government claims these issues are the cornerstone of its governance model but it has chosen to boycott a meeting which was going to discuss them threadbare. The SAD leader said the eighth governing council meeting of the Niti Aayog discussed the entire road map for developing the country and the CM should have attended the meeting to solicit required funds to fulfill this goal. Taking objection to claims by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government that it was boycotting the meeting in protest against discrimination against the state, Brar said This protest should have been recorded in the Niti Aayog meeting to resolve all issues faced by the state instead of staying away. Brar said the failure of chief minister Bhagwant Mann to adopt a proactive approach had already damaged the state and its economy. He said the CM had not taken up the issue of release of outstanding rural development fund (RDF) of Rs 3,600 Crore with the Prime Minister till now. He said similarly the CM had not taken up the value reduction imposed on wheat produce damaged by untimely rains with the centre nor demanded adequate compensation for farmers. There are many other pending issues all of which needed to be flagged at the Niti Aayog meeting to ensure they were addressed. Punjab has lost an opportunity to resolve all these issues. Jailed AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Saturday said he was baffled by deafening silence from the BJP, the Centre, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the ongoing wrestlers protest at Jantar Mantar against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment. The former Delhi deputy chief minister expressed distressed over their ongoing protest. What baffles me is the deafening silence from the BJP, the central government, and even the Prime Minister himself, as if these women are from Pakistan. It was only after the intervention of the Honble Supreme Court that an FIR was finally filed in this case, Sisodia said in a note from Tihar Jail on wrestlers protest. In the letter, Sisodia appealed to Modi to ensure justice to the grapplers who have brought immense pride to India. Mr. Prime Minister, we may be political opponents, but what you are doing to our daughters is not justified. Over the last eight years, you have stifled the Constitution, you have used every agency, every means at your disposal to hinder our work and unjustly imprison us in false cases, he said. You can continue to send your political adversaries to jail, you subject them to persecution, even hang them if you want, for that seems to be your way of conducting politics. But I implore you, at the very least, provide justice to these daughters who have brought immense pride to India. Your failure to do so will discourage any talented daughter from daring to raise her voice against powerful individuals in this nation, Sisodia said. Several ace grapplers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar accusing the WFI chief of sexual harassment and demanding his arrest. On May 19, the wrestlers had marched from Jantar Mantar to Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in New Delhi on their 25th day of protest against Brij Bhushan. Grapplers including Punia, Sakshi, Vinesh and others joined the march demanding the arrest of the WFI chief charged with sexual harassment of athletes. The protestors have been demanding the registration of an FIR against the WFI chief and his arrest into the allegations of sexual harassment. Two separate FIRs were registered on April 28 following the Supreme Courts notice to Delhi Police into the plea filed by the wrestlers. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that startup avenues unfolded in nine years call for a change of mindset. The Union Minister said the nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government have been, without any doubt, youth centric but what is required is the change of mind set for optimum utilisation of avenues and various initiatives provided for the youth of this country. Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing Y20 (Yuva Utsav) with the theme [email protected] organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra at Kathua in Jammu division. While addressing a large gathering of youth, Dr Jitendra Singh said that with a plethora of opportunities knocking at the doorsteps of the youth of this country, Prime Minister Modi led government is steadfast and dedicated to providing a level playing field for the youth at different levels. The best example being the abolition of interviews for the non-gazetted posts, more than 2000 rules scrapped, many of which were hurdles for the youth of this country to grow. He said that under PM Modi, the start-up ecosystem in India is now ranked third in the world with more than 100 unicorns. It has been possible only because of the youth of this nation who have aspirations but earlier did not have the right kind of milieu and aspirational environment as provided under PM Narendra Modi. Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Aroma Mission is attracting start-ups whose birthplace is J&K as thousands of persons have been trained and several and huge amounts of farmers revenue generated so far throughout the country. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir must see Aroma Mission as one of the best opportunities in terms of start-ups knocking at their doors as the purple revolution in J&K offers attractive start-up avenues for the youth of J&K, Dr Singh added. Dr Jitendra Singh said youth are catalysts of change and Indias future will be driven by the youth power as India is a youthful nation whose strength lies in its Yuva Shakti. The Minister said the image of India has changed due to the bold leadership of Prime Minister Modi, adding he has emerged as the tallest leader of the world, capable of handling any challenge through stable governance and administration. He said that before 2014, there were 145 Medical Colleges in the country and 265 more were added in the last nine years. Similarly, there were 725 universities in the country and 300 new universities were added. He further said that Jammu and Kashmir is on the path of renewed growth and development and successful culmination of G20 meeting in Srinagar is a testament to this change as the government is committed to transforming Jammu and Kashmir. The next time you visit Sachkhand Sri Harmander Sahib, also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple in Amritsar, avoid wearing showy and short clothes, keep your phone on silent mode, dont click photographs or shoot video without permission and co-operate with sewadars (attendants) at the holy complex. The SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the shrine is visited by people of various faiths, some of whom are unaware of the norms. He said these guidelines have been issued to educate such visitors. Besides in a video at the SGPC website ( As per the guidelines, sitting in parkarma (the path) around the holy pool, visitors should sit with their legs folded. Feeding fish is prohibited and visitors should not pollute the water in the holy pool with flowers, paper, etc. These are some of the guidelines issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for visitors to the Golden Temple following a spate of unsavoury incidents at the holy complex.The SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the shrine is visited by people of various faiths, some of whom are unaware of the norms. He said these guidelines have been issued to educate such visitors.Besides in a video at the SGPC website ( https://sgpc.net/ ), these guidelines will also be displayed on a giant digital screen at the main entrance of the shrine in Punjabi, Hindi, and English to educate visitors about the dos and donts inside the complex.As per the guidelines, sitting in parkarma (the path) around the holy pool, visitors should sit with their legs folded. Feeding fish is prohibited and visitors should not pollute the water in the holy pool with flowers, paper, etc. Enter the Parkarma (circumambulation) by covering your head well with a cloth, for this, handkerchiefs are arranged by management at all main entrances. Avoid wearing showy clothes before proceeding to the holy complex, the guidelines said. Restrict yourself from using mobile phones as this disturbs the peace around. Keep phones on silent mode. Remove your shoes, and socks, and deposit them at shoe racks. Wash your hands and feet, and then go inside. It is forbidden to pluck the leaves and fruits of historical beri (jujube) and imli (tamarind) trees and tamper with the trees in Parkarma, the guidelines said. Throw tobacco, cigarette packets outside, they shouldnt even be inside your pocket You are here to seek tranquility, listen to Gurbani Kirtan. Shouting, too much talking, or disturbing serenity of the complex is prohibited, the SGPC guideline said. It said tobacco, beedi or cigarettes, alcohol, or any other narcotics or intoxicants are strictly prohibited inside the complex. Dont put prohibited items even in the handbag and pockets you are carrying in the complex. Throw these items in the bins outside, the guidelines said. Also, photography or videography is strictly prohibited without prior and proper permission from the management. The SGPC guideline said Sewadars (attendants) deputed at Sri Darbar Sahib complex are trained to explain Maryada (rules) and are duty-bound to implement the same, visitors should cooperate with them. These guidelines follow a spate of controversies at the holy complex. In April, a girl with a Tricolour painted on her cheek was prevented from entering the shrine by an attendant as she was not properly dressed. Earlier this month, an outstation visitor was allegedly slapped by a Sikh man for carrying tobacco in his pocket. An elderly woman from Bihar was also slapped by two Sikh men for allegedly smoking inside the Golden Temple complex. This apart, the accused arrested by the Punjab Police for three low-intensity explosions recently near the holy complex, had also stayed at Sri Guru Ram Dass Inn, located inside the Golden Temple complex. Since the accused, who was accompanied by a woman, allegedly assembled the crude explosive material inside the Inn, the SGPC has enhanced the security in and around the Golden Temple. For the first time, a womens force has been deputed at all the entry points of the Golden Temple to frisk the female visitors. The new parliament building is all set to be inaugurated by PM Modi on May 28. But the question arises what happens to the old Parliament building? The existing building served as the independent Indias first Parliament, It has been the house of intense debates, discussions, protests, and emotional conversations. It has witnessed some historic events including the adoption of the constitution. The old building saw the nation being built with a new building ready to take over. Conserving and rejuvenating the rich heritage of the Parliament building is a matter of national significance originally called the council house. The old Parliament building housed the imperial legislative council and is considered an icon of Indias democratic spirit. It was designed by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, which took 6 years to build and was completed in 1927. In March 2021 union housing and urban affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told the Rajya Sabha that once the new building is ready, the existing one would have to be repaired and made available for alternate use, but no comprehensive thought has been given to it. According to the source, the old building will not be demolished. The existing Parliament building will surely be conserved, as it is an archaeological asset for the country. It will be suitably retrofitted to provide more functional space for parliamentary events and to ensure that it is used along with the new building. There are some reports that say the existing parliament building may also be converted into a museum if that will happen the building will surely be opened for the common public to experience the current Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha chambers and much more. Whatever decisions will be taken by the government it is sure that the old building is part of Indias rich historical past and it should be preserved for generations to come. Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Dr Govind Singh (71) is one of the most powerful Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh. He is also one of the senior-most MLAs in the state, having been elected seven consecutive times since his first victory in 1990 from the Lahar constituency in Bhind district. Dr Singh was cabinet minister for the General Administration Department (GAD), Legislative Affairs Department and Cooperatives Department from 2018 to 2020 in the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in the state. He was earlier the Minister of State of the Home Department in 1998 when Mr. Digvijaya Singh was Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. A qualified Ayurveda doctor, he holds the degree of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) from the Government Ayurvedic College in Jabalpur, MP. He is a member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Gaurav Chandra spoke to Dr Govind Singh on various matters. Excerpts Q: With the Assembly elections due at the end of this year, how is the Congress party preparing and what outcome do you foresee? A: The Congress will return to power with a thumping majority, as the people of the state have decided to throw out the BJP. People of the state had voted the Congress to power in 2018 but they could only watch helplessly when the BJP conspired and toppled the government in 2020. People are now facing a plethora of problems under the BJP regime and this year, therefore, the people have made up their minds to vote the Congress to victory with such a margin that there remains no room for any doubt. Q: What are the main problems, according to you, troubling the people of Madhya Pradesh under the BJP rule? A: The list of problems and points of the BJPs misgovernance are endless. However, I feel the biggest problem is corruption, utterly blatant corruption in all departments and at all levels of the BJP government. Ministers and government officials are busy minting money and have no concern about the welfare of the people. Q: You have been targeting the BJP government over the law and order situation in MP and you have also criticised the Police Commissioner system introduced a couple of years ago at Bhopal and Indore. Why? A: The term Law and Order has taken a totally new meaning in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. It now means, Lao and Order le Jao (Bring money and take any order). Postings of police officers are being done through money, even at the lower ranks and police station level. As a result, officers are completely insensitive towards their duties. The crime rate across MP has soared and there is no check from the police. As far as the Commissioner system is concerned, I want it to be scrapped and will definitely try my best to get it removed when the Congress forms government. This system is very expensive and, worse, it has proved to be ineffective. Earlier there used to be one top police official in a city who felt the responsibility of his job. But now there are so many officers that no one is willing to take the onus of maintaining law and order. Q: Before the year-end polls, the monsoon session of the State Assembly could be the last one to take place. How do you plan to corner the BJP government in the session? A: Frankly, I am very doubtful whether the monsoon session would be called at all and if it were, then would it be held in a proper way. The BJP does not believe in democracy and democratic systems. It is a fascist party. No assembly session has been conducted with the proper decorum or for its entirety. As soon as some minister or important person connected to the government appears to be getting caught in any matter in the house, the government immediately starts taking measures to kill the session before schedule. During Digvijaya Singhs government, the budget sessions had sometimes been of 75 days and were conducted fully. In Shivraj Singh Chouhans rule, the assembly was conducted only for 33 days in a whole year. Q: You have been a supporter of the demand to return to the ballot paper system for voting. Do you still maintain your stand? A: Not just me and the Congress party, but several other opposition parties have also been demanding that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) must be done away with. We believe that it is best for the sake of democracy to return to the ballot paper system for polls. I strongly feel that there is a possibility of tampering with the EVM. In any case, when a majority of political parties in India are demanding to end the EVM system, I feel this demand of the majority must be respected and the ballot paper system must be reintroduced. Q: Some disgruntled senior leaders of the BJP in MP have joined the Congress in recent days. Do you think more would follow suit? A: The Congress actually does not have any dearth of powerful and efficient leaders of its own. However, if any respectable leader of the BJP, who is being overlooked and belittled by that party, wants to join the Congress, then we would have no problem. We think that even in the BJP there are still some honest leaders who respect the democratic system and believe in healthy and fair politics like the Congress. Q: Who would be the face of Chief Minister for the Congress for the year-end Assembly polls in MP? A: Without any doubt, Kamal Nath is the unanimous choice for the CM face of the Congress in MP. I am certain that the Congress will form the state government and Kamal Nath will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for the second time at the end of this year. The noose is clearly tightening around former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), including prominent ones who were once the faces of the party, have left him, and workers are being rounded up in the hundreds across the country. Mr. Khan has been placed on a No-Fly list by the authorities, which means that exile in salubrious shores may not be on the cards, at least not yet. Permission has been granted to try PTI members involved in the 9 May assault on an Army installation under draconian military laws, while those in the military establishment who were sympathetic to him are being quietly dealt with. The final nail in the coffin may come from PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardaris endorsement of a suggestion by his alliance partner to enforce a ban on the PTI. Mr. Khan has so far drawn on the support of Supreme Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and the countrys President, Dr. Arif Alvi, but their terms in office will end within days of each other in September. Given the panic in the PTI ranks, it is possible that even they might view Mr. Khans approach with a degree of circumspection. Clearly, Mr. Khans elaborate plan to become Prime Minister by forcing early elections to the National Assembly is coming unstuck, and it is entirely possible that by the time polls are announced, his party may either be rendered ineligible to contest, or be so emasculated that it will not be able to secure significant gains. This leaves two questions hanging in the air. What will happen to the hopes and aspirations of thousands of Pakistanis who joined the PTI after seeing virtues in Mr. Khans prescription for the country, one that foresaw a role for them in a governance model that was promised to be inclusive? While the politicians among them will find sanctuary in other parties, what will happen to many nameless supporters who trudged with him and offered themselves as cannon-fodder at his command? Those who did not play a role in the events of 9 May have the choice of sticking on with a leader under siege, or retreating from the political engagement with their hopes dashed. Neither situation is a happy one, for while the military establishment and the civilian government arrayed against Mr. Khan will have succeeded in snuffing out his brand of politics, the presence of a sullen citizenry can only be debilitating for a country, one reeling from economic setbacks. The other question that will be left dangling concerns the future of politics in Pakistan. While he did so for his own reasons, Mr. Khan had in the latest phase of his career offered the hope of breaking the stranglehold of the military on democratic institutions. The two other main parties have reached an accommodation with the military to put him down. And while they may not have done so happily, it seems they and Pakistan must reconcile to governance under the shadow of the gun. Saudi Arabia has condemned attacking the home of Jordans envoy in Sudan and reaffirmed its rejection of all forms of violence against diplomatic missions, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday, Azernews reports, citing Al Arabiya. The Kingdom also renewed its call for adherence to the short-term ceasefire which warring parties agreed to earlier in May. Jordans foreign ministry said on Friday that the home of its envoy in Khartoum was attacked and vandalized, adding that the ambassador was unharmed as he was in Port Sudan. Fighting in Sudan erupted on April 15 between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the RSF. Last week, the warring parties agreed to a seven-day truce that began at 9:45 p.m. (1945 GMT) on Monday, aimed to allow for the delivery of aid. The ceasefire deal, reached in talks in Jeddah, has raised hopes of a pause in a war that has driven nearly 1.1 million people from their homes, including more than 250,000 who have fled to neighboring countries, threatening to destabilize a volatile region. If you want to compound wealth in the stock market, you can do so by buying an index fund. But you can significantly boost your returns by picking above-average stocks. For example, the YTL Corporation Berhad (KLSE:YTL) share price is up 39% in the last 1 year, clearly besting the market decline of around 5.9% (not including dividends). So that should have shareholders smiling. In contrast, the longer term returns are negative, since the share price is 20% lower than it was three years ago. Since the stock has added RM658m to its market cap in the past week alone, let's see if underlying performance has been driving long-term returns. See our latest analysis for YTL Corporation Berhad To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During the last year YTL Corporation Berhad saw its earnings per share (EPS) increase strongly. We don't think the exact number is a good guide to the sustainable growth rate, but we do think this sort of increase is impressive. So we're unsurprised to see the share price gaining ground. We're real advocates of letting inflection points like this guide our research as stock pickers. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). It is of course excellent to see how YTL Corporation Berhad has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on how its financial position has changed over time. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for YTL Corporation Berhad the TSR over the last 1 year was 47%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. A Different Perspective We're pleased to report that YTL Corporation Berhad shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 47% over one year. That's including the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 0.7% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with YTL Corporation Berhad (including 1 which is a bit concerning) . But note: YTL Corporation Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is scheduled to pay an official visit to India from 31 May to 3 June at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will be the first bilateral visit abroad by the prime minister of Nepal after assuming office in December 2022. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation. The visit was earlier postponed due to domestic issues in Nepal. During his visit, the Nepalese leader will call on the President and vice-president and will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Modi to discuss the diverse areas of the bilateral partnership between India and Nepal. Other Indian dignitaries will also call on the visiting leader. In addition to the official engagements, Prachanda will visit Ujjain and Indore as part of his visit. The visit continues the tradition of regular high level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of Indias Neighbourhood First policy, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries have significantly strengthened in the last few years in all areas of cooperation. This visit underscores the importance given by both sides in adding further momentum to the bilateral partnership. X marks the spot: Yellen tells Congress US could run out of money to pay all its bills by June 5 Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has told Congress that the U.S. could default on its debt obligations by June 5 if lawmakers do not act in time to raise the federal debt ceiling Lawsuit brought by man who said he was sexually abused by Roman Catholic bishop settled A lawsuit brought by a former altar boy who said he was raped as a child in the 1960s by a now-deceased Roman Catholic bishop has been settled SPRINGFIELD After 80 years, a southern Illinois airman who was listed as missing in action is coming home. Tech. Sgt. Harold Kretzer will be interred at 1 p.m. June 2 at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. His body had been in an unmarked grave in Romania before being moved to an American cemetery in Belgium. Kretzer had been listed as missing in action since Aug. 1, 1943, when the Odin native's B-24 Liberator did not return to the airfield after fighting over Ploiesti, Romania. The 34-year-old U.S. Army Air Forces airman was 32 years old when he was presumed among 225 World War II airmen who died that day. Because his remains could not be identified, he was buried as "unknown" in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Romania. At the end of the war, the organization American Graves Registration Command recovered fallen American personnel but was unable to identify 80 unknowns from the cemetery. Their remains were interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency members exhumed in 2017 the remains of airmen unidentified from the Operation Tidal Wave mission. The agency and Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used DNA to confirm Kretzer 's identity and the identities of about 39 others. He officially was accounted for Aug. 23, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. More than 81,000 service members still are unaccounted, according to Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency representative Ashley Wright. Kretzer, who was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, U.S. Army Air Force Flight Engineer Wings Badge, and Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II for his service. His memorial services will be private, but his burial at Camp Butler will be open to the public. "We appreciate the effort of the U.S. Department of Defense to bring Uncle Harold home after 80 years and its continued effort to identify and bring others home no matter how much time has passed," said Kretzer's grand-niece, Glenda Thomas. "We are also grateful to the many veterans organizations who tirelessly advocate for those who have served in this nations wars." Madison County Transit MADISON Madison County Transit will again provide free shuttle service to and from World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) on the main race day for the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, June 4. Service will be available starting at 8 a.m. and concluding 30 minutes after the end of the last concert. chatgpt artificial intelligence Britain is to crack down on artificial intelligence (AI) companies collecting data without consent, amid fears that chatbots are scraping information on their users without permission. AI companies have been warned by Britains official information watchdog that they could be fined if they fail to get consent for gathering peoples personal data. The information commissioner has told companies using generative AI technology they are subject to data protection law, which means they must gain consent or show there is a legitimate interest for collecting the personal information. Regulators are understood to be increasingly concerned at the privacy implications of the explosion in generative AI, led by firms like OpenAI with its popular ChatGPT model. It relates not only to the personal data gathered from individuals using large language models like ChatGPT but also the companies scraping of huge amounts of data from across the internet, some of which is personal. Companies including Amazon, JPMorgan and Accenture have restricted staff from using the tool for fear of how information submitted may be used. OpenAI Sam Altman - JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock A senior regulator told The Telegraph: The reason why they put these models out there for us all to be able to download now is because they want our data for the models to learn. So has that consent been properly sought? It's a regulatory question in the UK and across Europe. The information commissioner can issue notices requiring companies to explain their activities, issue enforcement orders demanding firms cease actions or impose fines worth up to 17m under data protection laws. A spokesman for John Edwards, Britains information commissioner, said: We will act where organisations are not following the law and considering the impact on individuals. Ofcom is also planning to hit AI companies with tougher rules to ensure the technology is not being misused. The agency, which is the new online safety regulator for social media and tech companies, is planning to require risk assessments of any new AI. The crackdown comes after Rishi Sunak last week met bosses from three of the biggest AI companies OpenAI, Google-backed Anthropic and DeepMind amid rising concerns about the technologys impact on society. The Prime Minister said the technology needed to have the right guardrails and that he had discussed the risk of disinformation as well as wider existential threats. The competition watchdog has already launched an investigation into the AI market, including examining the safety implications of the technology. The issue of privacy came to the fore in March when Italys data protection authority temporarily blocked ChatGPT because there was no legal basis that justifies the massive collection and storage of personal data. OpenAI responded by applying rules across Europe enabling anyone to opt out of processing through an online form. It also expanded its privacy policy and introduced a right to erase information users considered inaccurate, similar to the right to be forgotten in data laws. Andrew Strait, associate director at the Ada Lovelace institute, said: There is a challenge with consent as a basis for processing data at the scale of ChatGPT. It is really hard to communicate to the average person what is happening with their data. Does it disappear? Is it capturing your information? Is it reusing it? Consent works best when you have a clear understanding of what you are consenting to. The Information Commissioner spokesman said: Organisations developing or using generative AI should be considering their data protection obligations from the outset. Data protection law still applies even when the personal information being processed comes from publicly accessible sources. If you are developing or using generative AI that processes personal data, you must do this in a way that is lawful. This includes consent or legitimate interests. Lorna Woods, professor of internet law at Essex University, said: Data protection rules apply whether or not youve made something public. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. SPRINGFIELD A bill that would decriminalize hanging things from a car's rearview mirror is headed to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk. House Bill 2389 passed the state Senate on May 4, clearing both legislative branches. The bill, filed in February by Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, would take away the police's ability to stop or search a car because the driver hung something off the mirror. Sen. Christopher Belt, D-East St. Louis, was the bill's chief sponsor in the Senate. The House voted 70-37 to pass HB2389 on March 24, while the Senate voted 41-11 on May 4. Reps. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, and Randy Frese, R-Quincy, as well as Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, all voted against it. Under current law, it is illegal for any driver in the state to hang an item from their rearview mirror. That includes items like air fresheners, rosaries, face masks and even placards for handicap parking spots. Texas, California, Arizona and Pennsylvania all have similar laws. The bill has picked up three other co-sponsors in the House and six in the Senate, as well as another supporter in Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Proponents of HB2389 said it would make driving conditions safer for both motorists and police officers, while also allowing law enforcement to focus on violent crimes. Supporters also said the current law allows police to racially profile drivers. In 2021, Kim Potter, a white Minneapolis police officer, shot and killed Black motorist Daunte Wright after police attempted to arrest him on an outstanding warrant. Wright's mother said he initially was pulled over for having air fresheners hanging off his rearview mirror. Opponents of the bill say it would put public safety at risk. "Obstructions that affect drivers views of their environment and other motorists or pedestrians are a form of distracted driving and put the public in danger, Tracy said. Officers must have the ability to better protect the public by using their professional judgment at any moment of the potential for harm resulting from blocked sightlines. Representatives from the Illinois Sheriffs' Association and Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police also spoke out against the bill at committee hearings in March and April, respectively. GRANITE CITY The Six Mile Regional Library District is planning several upcoming programs. Details on all of the programs can be found online at www.smrld.org or by calling 1-618-452-6238, Ext. 780. Events include: All Ages Summer Reading Challenge: Finding Your Voice, Julne1 to July 21. Register online at smrld.beanstack.com or either library location. The finale will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at the 2145 Johnson Road location. The event will include T-shirts and a foam party. Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale June 1-3 at the Wilson Park Ice Rink. Hours are 6-10 p.m. June 1, 4-8 p.m. June 2 and 9 a.m. to noon June 3. Admission is $5 June 1, free the other days. Shark Week All Ages Challenge, Aug. 6-12. Complete activities to be included in drawings for a $50 gift card to the St. Louis Aquarium. Youth Services Department Children's 2023 Summer Reading Challenge, June 1 to July 21, includes the chance to win St. Louis Cardinals tickets. Participants must read 10 books to complete the challenge. Celia's Sing-A-Long Dance Party is set for 2 p.m. Friday, June 9 at The Mill, 1311 E. 20th St. across the street from the library's Delmar Avenue location. Raise Your Voice with SIUE Outreach & STEM Center on Thursday, June 15. Sessions are 11 a.m. to noon and noon to 1 p.m. at the Delmar Avenue location for children 5-10 years old. Space is limited; call 618-452-6238. World Bird Sanctuary: Raptor Basics is at 2 p.m. Friday, June 16, at The Mill. The program will include live birds. Chef Bananas' Magic Show is at 2 p.m. Friday, June 23, at The Mill.The fun, family-friendly show features comedy and magic. Illinois Junior Chef Cooking Class will be offered for children 8-13 at the Delmar Avenue location June 26-30. Programs run 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Space is limited and participants must be able to attend all classes. Hooping Harmony, a hula hooping show, with Dizzy the Hooper at 2 p.m. Friday, June 30 at The Mill. Mad Science: Sounds Like Science is at 2 p.m. Friday, July 7 at The Mill. The program will focus on sound and sound waves with demonstrations and experiments. Choose Your Own "MESS" (Music, Education, Stories and Science) with Will Stuck is at 2 p.m. Friday, July 14 at The Mill. Storytelling with Sherry Norfolk is at 2 p.m. Friday, July 21 at The Mill. Shark Week Kick Off is at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, with representatives of the St. Louis Aquarium. Participants will learn shark facts and will meet some of the Ambassador Animals! Play & Learn For Babies & Toddlers is at 10 a.m. on June 9 & 23, July 14 & 28 and Aug. 11 & 25 at the Delmar Avenue location. Saturday Play & Learn For Babies & Toddlers is at 10 a.m. June 17, July 15 and Aug. 19 at the at the Delmar Avenue location. Story Time is at 10 a.m. Mondays at 10 a.m. at the 2145 Johnson Road and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the 2001 Delmar Ave. location. Legos is offered every 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Delmar Avenue location. 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. Register at either location or visit https://smrld.beanstack.com 2023 Teen Summer Reading Challenge. Register online at smrld.beanstack.com, with the Beanstack Tracker App, or at either library location. Teen Art Take Home Kits are available for students in Grades 7-12. Teen Cuisine: Cooking Class in partnership with University of Illinois Extension for grades 7-12 June 5-9 1-3 p.m. at the Delmar Avenue. Teens must be able to attend all class dates. Creating Your Own Cartoon Characters is planned at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 14 at the Delmar Avenue location. Teen & Tween Sharknado craft session for Grades 5-12 is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. The Teen Advisory Group will meet at noon on June 10, July 22 and Aug. 19 at the Delmar Avenue location. Nintendo Switch is 1-4 Saturdays at the Delmar Avenue location. Adult Summer Reading Challenge is June 1 - July 21. Register through smrld.beanstack.com or either library. Read eight books to earn a T-shirt. Route 66 Roundtable is at 1 p.m. June 3 at the Delmar Avenue location featuring Beth Buenger, Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway board member. Navigate Your Stars with Jesmyn Ward at 7 p.m. June 6. To register visit https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KlhSWLM0TjacDDfLiXDbAQ Braiding Sweetgrass and the Honorable Harvest: A Conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21. To register visit https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_plrq0i4TQOWUcsGcegQFjQ Get Crafty! is planned 2-3:30 p.m. June 10, July 29 and Aug. 26 at the Delmar Avenue location. Participants must be at least 18; for details and to register call 618-452-6238 Ext. 730. Job Search Training Sessions by expert Frank Alaniz include Resume Prep: How AI Can Help on Thursday, June 15 5-7 p.m.; How to find a Job: Advanced Linkedin 5-6:30 p.m. on - Thursday July 13; and Job Search Tips: Ask Frank Day! 5-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10. Registration is required; call 618-452-6238 or go to https://forms.gle/MA9ApYySXSxSq9kA6 to register. All Wound Up yarn crafts will be discussed 2-4 p.m. on June 17, July 15 and Aug. 19 at the Johnson Road location. Register at tinyurl.com/allwoundup2 or call 618-452-6238 The Mitchell Mound will be discussed at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 8 at the Delmar Avenue location. Don Booth from SCI engineering will present the program. Identifying Invasive Plants is planned 2-3 p.m. on July 13 at the Delmar Avenue location. Learn about common invasive plants in Granite City and how to properly remove them to avoid fines, improve the environment, and raise awareness of their impact. The program will feature landscape architect Christopher Carl, curator of the Granite City Art and Design District. Espanol/Ingles club de lectura bilingue (Spanish/English bilingual book club) will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Delmar Avenue location. Book Club will discuss Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave on Monday, July 31 at 11 a.m., 2145 Johnson Road, or Tuesday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m. at 2001 Delmar Ave. The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh will be discussed Monday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. at 2145 Johnson Road or Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at 2001 Delmar Ave. Copies of the book are available at both libraries. 1-on-1 Technology Instruction is available by appointment for up to 1.5 hours on new device assistance; laptops, smartphones, tablets, internet basics, search basics, computer security basics and Window basics. ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistans government said Friday that 17 more supporters of Imran Khan would be tried in military courts over recent anti-government violence, bringing the overall number of followers of the former prime minister facing military tribunals so far to 33. The development comes amid a government crackdown on Khans opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and its supporters over the violent demonstrations that followed Khan's arrest earlier this month in Islamabad. For days, Khan's followers attacked public property and military installations across the country. The violence subsided only after Khan was released on orders of Pakistan's Supreme Court. At least 10 people were killed in clashes between Khan's supporters and police. Interior Minister Rasan Sanaullah Khan, who is not related to the former premier, said that only 33 suspects have been selected for military trials although police arrested nearly 5,000 of Khan's supporters over the past two weeks. The minister said about 80% of those detained were released on bail pending trials in civilian courts. He also denounced Imran Khan, a crocket star turned Islamist politician, saying that as opposition leader, he was the mastermind of the violent attacks on military installations." We have evidence to back it up, the minister said without elaborating. Khan himself faces more than 100 legal cases, including on graft charges during his 2018-2022 term as premier, and has also been charged with terrorism for inciting people to violence. In courts, he has won protection from arrest in multiple cases, pending trial. On Thursday, Khan proposed talks between the government and his party with the aim to end the ongoing political turmoil. The government has not responded to the offer. On Friday, Khan claimed that several of his party officials and lawmakers have quit at gunpoint and have not left his camp because of the rioting by his supporters, as some have said. Separately from the political turmoil, Pakistan is also struggling with an unprecedented economic downturn. Talks between the government of Khan's successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and the International Monetary Fund for the revival of the $6 billion bailout package have been on the hold since December. Khan has claimed that his April 2022 ouster in a no-confidence vote in Parliament was illegal and a conspiracy by Sharif, Washington and the military to discredit him. All three have denied the allegations. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SANTIAGO XALITZINTLA, Mexico (AP) When the Popocatepetl volcano reawakened in 1994, Mexican scientists needed people in the area who could be their eyes and ears. State police helped them find one, Nefi de Aquino, a farmer then in his 40s who lived beside the volcano. From that moment on, his life changed. He became a police officer himself, but with a very specific job: watching Popocatepetl and reporting everything that he saw to authorities and researchers at diverse institutions. For nearly three decades, de Aquino says he has been taking care of the volcano affectionately known as El Popo. And for the past 23 of those years, he has been sending scientists daily photographs. Collaboration between researchers and local residents usually people of limited means is crucial to Mexicos volcano monitoring. Hundreds of villagers collaborate in different ways. Often local residents are the only witnesses to key events. Sometimes scientists install recording devices on their land, or have them collect ash samples. One evening this week, the thin 70-year-old policeman with a hoarse voice stopped his patrol truck near the cemetery overlooking his home town, one of the areas best vantage points. At his feet lay the town of Santiago Xalitzintla. Directly in front at a distance of 14 miles (23 kilometers) sat Popocatepetl, puffing smoke, the rim of its crater aglow. Since it appeared calm, de Aquino didnt stay long. Over the previous week, he had been busy sending digital volcano photographs to a slew of researchers at universities and government agencies as the mountains activity increased and authorities raised the alert level. Once again the worlds eyes were on the 17,797-foot Popocatepetl, including those of the 25 million people living within 60 miles of its crater. On Friday, officials said the volcano's activity had decreased somewhat although they maintained the same alert level. A farmer who was a meat packer for three years in Utah in his late 20s when he illegally emigrated to the United States, de Aquinos life took a radical turn one day in 1994 when someone in his home town told him police were looking for him. At first he was afraid to go to the police, but eventually did. The interview was brief. Do you know how to read? Yes. Write? Yes. Do you drive? Yes. Do you have a license? Yes. Heck, this one will work. Officers told de Aquino that the government was looking for people to monitor the volcano and that he, then 41, had certain advantages. He appeared serious, he had finished high school and during his short stay in the United States he had learned how to take photographs. At first he was given a volunteer civil defense role, and he took some courses at National Center for Disaster Prevention, or CENAPRED where he was immersed in the volcano. But he wasnt thrilled with doing the work without pay. So authorities offered to send him to the police academy. Although de Aquino became an officer with some normal police duties, he was an odd cop. He almost always worked alone, patrolling remote mountain roads, taking photos of the volcano. The ways that local people who help monitor the volcano are compensated are seldom straightforward, because they are not on the payrolls of universities or other research institutions, despite becoming our eyes close to the volcano, said Carlos Valdes, a researcher at the UNAM's Geophysics Institute and former head of CENAPRED. As an example, Valdes said that the key person when the seismic monitoring system was installed on Popocatepetl was a mountain climber who lived in the town of Amecameca. The man, since deceased, knew the safest routes to climb and how to avoid putting instruments in locations that were sacred to locals. The way to compensate the man, was to buy tires for his jeep, repair the vehicle, get him coats, because it was otherwise difficult to pay him. Paulino Alonso, a technician at CENAPRED who does fieldwork at Popocatepetl, said collaboration with locals also has given researchers a better understanding of how locals perceive risks. A machine is never going to speak to the human perception of danger," Alonso said. In 2000, when Popocatepetl grew more active, authorities declared a red alert and thousands of people were evacuated. De Aquinos monitoring work intensified. They gave me cameras, a patrol car and binoculars and every day I had to send three photos: one in the morning, one at midday and one at night, the policeman said. He continues that work to this day, filling up his adobe-walled home with thousands of photographs. De Aquino lives alone on a modest ranch on the volcanos slopes, where he has some fruit trees growing beside a stream, and also raises corn and a few animals. De Aquino helps keep locals informed about the volcano and assists during evacuations. Once, his house becomes an impromptu shelter for soldiers, police and government officials, he said. De Aquino has gotten to go along on overflights of the crater, the first time terrified. You see the whole base, how it lights up, how its puts out smoke ... it felt strange," he said. He has continued in his job despite being past retirement age. What I have learned from (Popocatepetl) is that while its calm, it doesnt do anything, but when it gets mad, it goes crazy, he said. OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) An attack by suspected Islamic extremists on a village in the west of Burkina Faso killed 33 civilians, the provincial governor's office said. The provisional death toll from the Thursday evening attack on the village of Youlou in Mouhoun province was announced in a press release. A 46-year-old Cahokia Heights man who police allege tried to kill another man nearly two years ago was recently captured in Atlanta, according to authorities. Walter Brown was arraigned Friday in a St. Clair County courtroom where entered a plea of not guilty. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated assault, according to charging documents from the St. Clair County States Attorneys office. Brown is in the county jail. Bond was at $300,000. Maj. Tony Tomlinson of the Cahokia Heights Police Department said officers were sent to Pops Liquor Store on Bond Avenue at 10:17 p.m. on June 2, 2021, after receiving a report of a shooting that left a victim with bullet wounds. Illinois State Police also were called to the shooting scene. While officers were enroute, we received a call notifying us that the victim had been transported to Touchette Regional Hospital, said Tomlinson, who is also the public information officer for the police department. Tomlinson said police got word that Brown was trying to raise money to get out of town because he was aware police were looking for him. He was arrested recently in Atlanta on another unrelated charge. Thats how we found out where he was, Tomlinson said. What are the early trends we should look for to identify a stock that could multiply in value over the long term? Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount of capital employed. This shows us that it's a compounding machine, able to continually reinvest its earnings back into the business and generate higher returns. Although, when we looked at My E.G. Services Berhad (KLSE:MYEG), it didn't seem to tick all of these boxes. Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It? For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for My E.G. Services Berhad, this is the formula: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.17 = RM364m (RM2.5b - RM340m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022). Thus, My E.G. Services Berhad has an ROCE of 17%. On its own, that's a standard return, however it's much better than the 10% generated by the Professional Services industry. See our latest analysis for My E.G. Services Berhad roce Above you can see how the current ROCE for My E.G. Services Berhad compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering My E.G. Services Berhad here for free. What Can We Tell From My E.G. Services Berhad's ROCE Trend? When we looked at the ROCE trend at My E.G. Services Berhad, we didn't gain much confidence. Over the last five years, returns on capital have decreased to 17% from 32% five years ago. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It may take some time before the company starts to see any change in earnings from these investments. The Bottom Line To conclude, we've found that My E.G. Services Berhad is reinvesting in the business, but returns have been falling. Since the stock has gained an impressive 95% over the last five years, investors must think there's better things to come. But if the trajectory of these underlying trends continue, we think the likelihood of it being a multi-bagger from here isn't high. One more thing to note, we've identified 1 warning sign with My E.G. Services Berhad and understanding it should be part of your investment process. While My E.G. Services Berhad isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here If your business is registered under the GST system, you can quickly have a GST certificate downloaded from the portal. Anyone who qualifies can apply for a GST certificate through the portal www.gst.gov.in. If the application is submitted within 30 days of liability for registration, the registration is effective. Even though the submission was late, the GST registration will be effective as of the day the registration was granted. Applicants can download the GST certificate within three to four days of receiving their GSTIN. Different Forms of GST Registration The GST portal cannot display the GST certificate. As a result, the only way to examine the certificate details is to download the GST certificate online and then open it in your browser. These are the various forms of GST registration that anyone can register for: Normal Taxpayer This refers to almost all Indian businesses. There is no deposit requirement for becoming a regular taxpayer. Since GSTINs don't expire, these taxpayers don't need to renew annually. Composition Taxpayer All companies with annual revenue under 1.5 crores can use the composition scheme. To calculate composition scheme turnover, all businesses with the same PAN number must have their respective turnovers added together. Non-Resident Taxpayer A non-resident taxpayer occasionally visits India and conducts business there. Non-taxable persons cannot have a permanent business location in India. In other words, Section 2(69) of the GST Law of India says that a non-resident taxpayer is a taxable person who lives outside of India but comes to India occasionally to do business but does not have a permanent location for the business in India. Casual Taxpayer Most business owners have an office. Casual taxpayers do not maintain a fixed place, like an office, factory, or similar structure. How to Download a GST Certificate? Downloading a GST certificate is a simple and approved process. With a user account on the GST system, the GST Registration Certificate download is possible. One must sign in to the GST portal to obtain his GST Registration Certificate. So, there is only one way to download a GST certificate with a GST number if an individual has the login information for that user. Follow these simple instructions to access the GST portal and download a copy of the GST registration certificate. One must follow the same procedures to download a provisional registration certificate successfully. The following instructions provide details about how to download the GST certificate from the GST tax authorities: 1. Log in to the GST website at www.gst.gov.in 2. Provide a username and password when prompted. 3. Select the View/Download Certificates option under Services > User Services. GST tax authority certifications will be displayed in descending order. 4. Select "Download" from the menu and click the link. The "open/save" option will be available in a new window. 5. Click the save button to save the GST certificate download file. Now users have a PDF copy of the GST Certificate. Advantages of Using a GST Certificate Each business entity registered for GST receives the following benefits: Being a legitimate supplier boosts business consistency and integrity. B2B customers need GST Certificate download. He or she will have the legal right to collect taxes from customers. One can receive an input tax credit for taxes paid on earnings, products, and services. Continuous national input tax credit transfer from dealers to receivers is possible. Exporters can claim a GST refund. GST represents one of India's biggest tax reforms. GST replaced several taxes and saved businesses from confusion. Certain categories of individuals must register for GST regardless of their annual turnover. Since the government does not give a physical GST Registration Certificate, one can download a GST certificate online after registering. Computer-generated GST certificate downloads do not need signatures. FAQs on GST Certificate 1. What is a GST registration certificate? Those who have enrolled for the GST are provided with a GST certificate. Certificate holders must prominently display their GST registration certificates in their places of business. 2. Is it necessary to have a bank account to register for GST? GST registration does not require bank accounts. However, after registering, you must submit your bank account information. 3. Is it free to register for GST? The GST registration process is free of cost. 4. How long is the GST certification valid? GST Registration remains active until you cancel it. Tax defaults may result in GST cancellation. 5. What is the GST turnover limit? GST registration is mandatory for businesses with sales over Rs.20 Lakhs. People residing in North Eastern regions and hilly states of India have Rs.10 Lakh as the limit. The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a warning recently that the world must prepare to battle a pandemic that could be even deadlier than the Covid-19 pandemic. The end of Covid-19 as a global health emergency is not the end of Covid-19 as a global health threat, Tedros said at the 76th World health assembly. He set the alarm bells ringing by saying the next pandemic will not wait for us and that we must be ready in advance. "When the next pandemic comes knocking, and it will, we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively, and equitably," he said. The health agency listed several priority diseases on its website that can pose a public health risk due to their potential to turn into endemic. The list consisted of diseases like Covid-19, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus disease and Marburg disease, Lassa fever, MERS-CoV and SARS, Nipah and Nipah virus diseases, Rift Valley fever, Zika, and "Disease X''. We are familiar with most of the names as the world has already witnessed them, but the final entry, 'Disease X', has caused some confusion. The term 'Disease X' represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease, according to WHO. The WHO started using the term in 2018, a year before Covid-19 began to be a dreaded disease. It could be a new agent, ie. a virus, a bacterium, or a fungus and we may witness a scarcity of vaccines and even a lack of effective treatments. Dr Michael Ryan, who is the executive director of WHOs Health Emergencies Programme, had said, Targeting priority pathogens and virus families for research and development of countermeasures is essential for a fast and effective epidemic and pandemic response. Without significant R&D investments prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, it would not have been possible to have safe and effective vaccines developed in record time. Even though the world moved on from the abrasion caused by the Covid-19, the horrors of the world coming to a standstill over the medical emergency are stills fresh in memories. While the virus took thousands of lives and left millions infected, it was a wake-up call about the need to improve public health systems. For now, the health experts are focusing on increasing surveillance and raising additional funds to come up with possible countermeasures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog at the new Convention Centre in Delhi on Saturday. The theme for the meeting this time is 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India'. Citing various reasons as many as 8 chief ministers including Delhi CM, West Bengal CM and Bihar CM wrote to PM that they will not be attending the meeting. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in his letter said that he is boycotting the meeting over the Centre's recent ordinance. In the latest development to the ongoing tensions between the Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor, the Centre has recently brought out an ordinance that has taken back the government's executive powers over bureaucracy that was earlier granted by the SC through its May 11 verdict. "There is no point in attending the Niti Aayog meeting when the Constitution and democracy are being openly violated and cooperative federalism is being rendered as a joke," Kejriwal said in his letter. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had decided not to attend the meeting as the TMC government's request to send the state finance minister and the chief secretary was "turned down" by the Centre. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann had earlier announced that he will not attend the meeting as a protest to the alleged discrimination against the state by the Centre over the issue of grant of funds. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had wrote in the letter that he has prior commitments and therefore he will not be able to attend. However, Kumar on Saturday said that there was no sense to attend the meeting. What was the need for a new Parliament? The earlier building was a historic one. I have repeatedly said that the people in power will change the history of this country. There was no sense to attend the NITI Aayog meeting today and also the inauguration of the new Parliament building tomorrow, Nitish Kumar told ANI. Among others, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has cited health reasons, and Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin is on a visit to Singapore and Japan. While Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has not given any specific reason for his absence. Telangana CM K. Chandrashekar Rao said he will not attend the meeting since he has a scheduled meeting with Kejriwal in Hyderabad on Saturday. Kejriwal has been visiting Opposition leaders to gather support in its fight against the Centre's new ordinance. PM Modi will deliberate on issues related to health, skill development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. He is also said to give the closing statement at the end of the meet. "Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long meeting including Viksit Bharat@2047, thrust on MSMEs, infrastructure and investments, minimising compliances, women empowerment, health and nutrition, skill development, gati shakti for area development and social infrastructure, the NITI Aayog stated. Gujarat BJP president C.R. Paatil, along with party MLAs and office bearers, attended a function of Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham Sarkar on Friday night, even as the opposition Congress has continued to oppose the self-styled Godman and his speeches. Shastri, who has courted multiple controversies over his speeches, is in Gujarat for a few days, and has programmes in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot. The BJP on Saturday issued a press release and photographs of Paatil at an event in Surat on Friday late evening. He was accompanied by minister of state for forest and environment Mukesh Patel, MLA Sangita Patil, Surat BJP president Niranjan Jhazhmera and party general secretaries from the diamond city. On Saturday, despite heavy police bandobast and the security provided to the preacher, there was a near stampede-like situation as people thronged to have a glimpse of him and take pictures. Security officials had a difficult time keeping people and media away from getting near Shastri. Earlier in Surat, Shastri had said that he is not in any party except for Bajrang Balis party. Seeing the sea of humanity, he said in Gujarati, Pagalo kem cho (Crazy people, how are you)? The Congress has been criticizing the state patronage given to Shastri. Speaking to THE WEEK, Gujarat Congress leader Manhar Patel asked how the state could support a person who has been speaking against the Constitution of the country. Patel held that Shastri talks about a Hindu Rashtra that India is not. He is misguiding people, he further alleged. The Congress leader also alleged that Shastri was, in his speeches, trying to look down upon the lower rung of the society. Jayant Pandya of Vigyan Jatha, an organisation promoting scientific awareness, has challenged Shastri to prove his claims of miracles. Pandya has told him that during a programme in Rajkot, members of his organization will be present at the venue and he (Shastri) should identify them. Vigyan Jatha has also written to the state government to cancel the permission for Bageshwar Dham Sarkars function in Rajkot. With Union Home Minister Amit Shah set to visit violence-hit Manipur on May 29, the Assam Rifles (AR) on Friday set up a temporary base along the Mizoram-Manipur inter-state boundary to monitor the situation and maintain peace in the border area in the wake of ethnic violence in the northeastern state, the paramilitary force said in a statement. Shah, who had earlier appealed to the people of Manipur to maintain peace and promised justice to all sections of the society, will stay in the state for three days. Manipur has witnessed violence over a move to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the majority Metei community in the state. The clashes broke out after Naga and Kuki tribals, who are opposing this plan, organised a 'Tribal Solidarity March' on May 3. Over 70 people have, reportedly, been killed in the state. AR personnel interacted with village council representatives and YMA office-bearers of Khawdungsei and Khakhawn villages and explained to them the establishment of the temporary base near Tuivai Bridge. They said the reason for establishing the temporary base was to provide protection to the internally-displaced people from Manipur and to prevent the movement of militants and weapons. Engineers and workers of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) also repaired the bridge. The bridge has now become the lifeline for the people living in southern Manipur, especially in Churachandpur as all relief materials from Mizoram are passing through this route, the statement said. However, there are some unconfirmed reports that the Zomi Revolution Army (ZRA), a militant outfit, is collecting taxes from vehicles carrying relief material to Churachandpur, it said. The Assam Rifles also rescued 188 employees of NHIDCL who were stranded in Sinzawl village in Manipur. Mob tries to gherao Union minister's residence Meanwhile, a group of people tried to gherao the residence of Union Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh in Imphal East district claiming that the government in the strife-torn state is not doing enough to protect locals from militants belonging to another community, officials said on Friday. At around 8 pm on Thursday the mob tried to gherao the residence of Singh in the Kongba area of the district but the security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob, they said. The minister and his family members were not present at home during the incident. There was no report of any damage to the minister's house, the officials said. Singh is a senior BJP leader and MP of the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency. There were reports of an exchange of fire between security forces and suspected Kuki militants on Thursday night in the Toronglaobi area in Bishnupur district. On Wednesday the house of Manipur PWD Minister Konthoujam Govindas in Bishnupur district was attacked by a group of people claiming that the government is not doing enough to protect locals from militants belonging to another community. Govindas who is a BJP leader and his family members, however, were not present at the house when the mob, comprising mostly women, attacked the house in the Ningthoukhong area and damaged a portion of a gate, windows, a few furniture and electronic gadgets. This was for the first time a minister's house was attacked during the ongoing ethnic violence. Army and paramilitary forces have been deployed to control the situation in the state. NEET-UG to be held on any date between June 3-5 Meanwhile, medical entrance exam NEET-UG, which was postponed in Manipur in view of the law and order situation, will now be conducted on any date between June 3 and 5, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Friday. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) for admissions to undergraduate courses will be conducted in the state from June 5 to 8 and that for admissions to postgraduate courses (CUET-PG) from June 5 to 17, the NTA said. The candidates who were scheduled to appear for the exams in Manipur can now opt for exam centres in Aizawl (Mizoram); Kohima/Dimapur (Nagaland); Shillong (Meghalaya); Guwahati, Jorhat and Silchar (Assam); Kolkata (West Bengal); Delhi; Bengaluru (Karnataka) and Imphal (Manipur). Ahead of Home Minister Amit Shah's visit, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles has beefed up the security in Manipur. In order to restore peace, Army deployed in the violence-hit state recovered arms from the rival communities. Army chief General Manoj Pande will be visiting Manipur on Saturday to review the security situation in view of the recent violence. He would be briefed by the Eastern Command officials on the measures taken to bring the situation under control. Meanwhile, 'Operation Weapon Recovery' was launched to search for arms in New Keithelmanbi village in Imphal on Friday. The Army and Assam Rifles personnel, who had swooped down in the village in Kangpokpi district recovered explosives, locally made pipe guns, air guns were recovered in the search operation. "In the last few days, we have observed that communities are attacking each other with firearms. In some cases, people are being killed This sudden emergence of arms is delaying the entire peace process," a senior Army official told PTI. In the wake of the ethnic clashes that broke out in the state, armed vigilante groups have been taking the law into their own hands. Even militant groups have joined creating even more tension in the region. "Indian Army and Assam Rifles have decided to carry out surprise search operations on villages of different communities. We are not targeting any one particular community. Our aim is to stop that one individual in the entire village who is threatening the other community by carrying arms. We are seizing such weapons and also apprehending them," an official was quoted by PTI. Amid clashes, the internet ban imposed in the state has been extended till May 31. Clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3 after a Tribal Solidarity March' took out a protest march against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Agitations occurred later over the eviction of Kukis, tribals, from the reserve forest land. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population, while the tribalsNagas and Kukis-- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. So far, the ethnic clashes claimed over 70 lives and some 10,000 army and para-military personnel had to be deployed to bring back normalcy in the northeastern state. The fact that Defence Minister Rajnath Singhs May 28-30 three-day-long visit to the West African country of Nigeria is the first one ever by an Indian defence minister, is replete with significance because of the timing. Besides the fact that Singhwho is leading a large delegation comprising defence ministry and military officialsis in Nigeria primarily to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, India is currently pursuing a pro-active Africa Outreach policy that is laden with huge political, economic and military implications. Just two months ago, India had invited the military chiefs of 25 African nationsincluding that of Nigeriato take part in the first-ever India-Africa chiefs conclave that was held in Pune on March 28. The military chiefs conclave had followed the India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave that was held on the sidelines of the DEFEXPO 2020 in Lucknow and the India-Africa defence dialogue in Gandhinagar on the sidelines of DEFEXPO 2022. NigeriaAfricas largest oil produceris considered to be among the most important nations on the West African coast. Despite huge hydrocarbon reserves, the oil production lacks consistency in supply because of disruptions due to local pipeline vandalism and oil theft. Nigeria has also been holding Chinas interest in Africa for quite some time. Till 2021, China had invested approximately $21 billion in the African country mainly in oil-extraction and free trade and export processing zones. China is also the leading contributor to Nigerias infrastructure including in roads, rail and airports. A growing Indian influence in Nigeria would serve to counter and circumvent Chinas String of Pearls strategy that seeks to establish a network of Chinese military and business establishments from western Africa to the Chinese mainland in the east. For India, another attractive proposition would be the big market Nigeria would provide for export of India-made weapons and other military systems and platforms, given the fact that the Indian defence production capability is growing fast. During 2018-22, Africa was the destination for about 5 per cent of the total world weapons import. The main suppliers were Russia (40 per cent of African imports of major arms), US (16 per cent), China (9.8 per cent) and France (7.6 per cent). But with Russia embroiled in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, it is much likely that Russia would encounter difficulties in maintaining assured supply of weapons and military equipment to Nigeria. And that is where India can step in with a foray into the African arms market. What would strengthen already existing bilateral ties is the similar background of being ruled by the Britishwhich means Commonwealth membership, a strong ideological mooring in democratic ideals, playing important roles in the non-aligned movement, and a history of trade relations since ancient times. Nigeria is home to more than 8,00,000 Indian-Nigerians. It is the biggest ethnic minority and mostly descendants of Indians who were taken to Nigeria by the British to build the rail network in Africa. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Maan, met Telangana CM and TRS supremo K. Chandrashekhar Rao in Hyderabad on Saturday as part of the Aam Aadmi Party's efforts to garner support of opposition leaders against an ordinance issued by the Centre on control of services in the national capital. Rao, a staunch critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extended his support to Kejriwal and asked the Centre to immediately withdraw the ordinance. "We demand the prime minister to withdraw the ordinance yourself or else we all will support Kejriwal Ji. We will stand by him. We will use all our strength in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to defeat the ordinance. Unnecessarily don't make an issue. Let the government work," Rao said, addressing a joint press conference with Kejriwal and Mann after their meeting. The Telangana CM accused the Modi government of harassing the democratically elected state governments and said the ordinance is an insult to the people of Delhi. "I can say without an iota of doubt it is insult to the Delhi state people," he said. The Centre recently promulgated an ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi, with the AAP government calling the move a deception with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services. The ordinance, which came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government, seeks to set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. The Centre is likely to bring a bill in the monsoon session of parliament to ratify the ordinance. The AAP feels that the bill can be defeated in Rajya Sabha with the support of opposition parties and that it will send a strong message to the Modi government ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Kejriwal met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and National Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar over the last one week. All these leaders have extended their support to the AAP and demanded that all non-BJP parties come together in parliament to defeat the bill. Last week, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Kejriwal in Delhi and assured JD(U)'s support in the AAP's power tussle with Centre. Kejriwal has also sought a meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday. Researchers propose using coal as a potential solution to the storage challenges of hydrogen gas, similar to how batteries store energy for future use, according to a recent study. The study, published in the journal Applied Energy, highlights the potential of coal as a geological hydrogen battery, addressing a major obstacle in establishing a sustainable clean energy supply chain. Hydrogen, known for its clean-burning properties, holds great promise for meeting the energy demands of transportation, electricity generation, and manufacturing sectors. However, the lack of a cost-effective and efficient hydrogen storage method has hindered its widespread adoption. Scientists from Penn State University, led by Associate Professor Shimin Liu, suggest that coal, with its well-established infrastructure and extensive knowledge base, could serve as a suitable medium for geological hydrogen storage. By injecting and storing hydrogen in geologic formations, large quantities can be stored to meet fluctuating energy demands. In their study, the researchers analysed eight different types of coal from various coalfields across the United States to evaluate their sorption and diffusion potentialtheir ability to capture and retain hydrogen. The results indicated that all eight coals exhibited significant sorption properties, with low-volatile bituminous coal from eastern Virginia and anthracite coal from eastern Pennsylvania demonstrating the highest performance in tests. Liu expressed optimism about coal's potential for geological hydrogen storage, citing its superior capacity, existing infrastructure, and widespread availability. He also highlighted depleted coalbed methane reservoirs as ideal candidates due to their unconventional natural gas content, primarily methane, which adheres to the surface of the coal through a process called adsorption. While the findings offer a promising avenue for advancing clean energy, further research and development are necessary to realize the full potential of hydrogen storage in coal. The study contributes to the ongoing efforts to understand the feasibility and practicality of using coal as a means of storing hydrogen on a larger scale. The concept of utilising coal as a geological hydrogen battery is particularly intriguing due to the extensive knowledge and experience gained from commercial coal gas production over the past several decades. Coal has proven to be a reliable energy resource, and leveraging its existing infrastructure for hydrogen storage could significantly accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. Moreover, the researchers emphasize that coal outperforms other potential storage formations in terms of its storage capacity, availability, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. This makes it a logical choice for geological hydrogen storage. By capitalising on depleted coalbed methane reservoirs, which have already played a crucial role in fossil fuel extraction, the researchers propose repurposing these reservoirs for hydrogen storage. The methane that naturally adheres to the coal surface can be replaced by hydrogen through the process of adsorption. This not only provides a sustainable use for these depleted reservoirs but also facilitates the integration of hydrogen storage into established energy systems. The implications of this study are significant for the advancement of clean energy technologies. If further research and development confirm the feasibility and viability of storing hydrogen in coal, it could address one of the major hurdles in the widespread adoption of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable fuel source. The ability to store large quantities of hydrogen in geologic formations would ensure a reliable supply of energy to meet fluctuating demands, paving the way for greater utilisation of hydrogen in transportation, electricity generation, and manufacturing sectors. As the world continues to seek innovative solutions to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the exploration of unconventional methods such as storing hydrogen in coal demonstrates the commitment to finding practical and sustainable alternatives. With ongoing advancements in clean energy technologies, the prospect of coal serving as a geological hydrogen battery brings us one step closer to achieving a cleaner and greener future. The fight against plastic pollution has been marred by disappointingly slow progress, according to a recent research paper published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. A network of scientists from various countries, including India, highlights the inadequate integration of key stakeholders as a significant obstacle to effectively address the global crisis. The researchers point out that despite growing awareness of the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on the natural environment and human health, the views and actions of four key stakeholder communitiesscientists, industry, society, and policymakershave not been sufficiently integrated. This lack of collaboration has hindered the development of comprehensive solutions. Every year, an estimated 400 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated globally, and this figure is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades. Shockingly, less than 20 percent of this waste is adequately managed, with the majority being incinerated, sent to landfills, or released into the environment. While concerns about plastic pollution have largely centered on marine ecosystems, mounting evidence indicates its adverse impact on terrestrial and freshwater environments as well. Given the international nature of the plastics supply chain, the researchers emphasize that coordinated global action involving all major actors is necessary to tackle plastic pollution effectively. They assert that a comprehensive approach must involve input and support from diverse interdisciplinary stakeholders. The scientific, industrial, societal, and policymaking communities are all crucial partners in developing solutions to this crisis. The paper calls for equitable partnerships among these different stakeholder communities within any international treaty. However, progress in integrating the diverse experiences and perspectives they offer has been slow and ineffective thus far. The researchers stress the urgent need to bridge this gap, highlighting the essential nature of community integration. In light of these findings, the researchers call upon the international community and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) to demonstrate leadership, courage, and integrity. They urge collaborative efforts to establish new paradigms aimed at ending environmental pollution and safeguarding the health of the planet. The findings emphasise the necessity for collective action and comprehensive strategies involving all relevant stakeholders to address this pressing crisis effectively. Only through collaborative efforts and shared responsibility can we hope to make significant strides in reducing plastic pollution and preserving the health of our environment for future generations. If we want to find a stock that could multiply over the long term, what are the underlying trends we should look for? Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. This shows us that it's a compounding machine, able to continually reinvest its earnings back into the business and generate higher returns. Speaking of which, we noticed some great changes in Chevron's (NYSE:CVX) returns on capital, so let's have a look. What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)? For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Chevron, this is the formula: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.19 = US$43b (US$256b - US$34b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2023). Thus, Chevron has an ROCE of 19%. That's a relatively normal return on capital, and it's around the 23% generated by the Oil and Gas industry. Check out our latest analysis for Chevron roce Above you can see how the current ROCE for Chevron compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company. What Can We Tell From Chevron's ROCE Trend? Chevron has not disappointed with their ROCE growth. The figures show that over the last five years, ROCE has grown 674% whilst employing roughly the same amount of capital. Basically the business is generating higher returns from the same amount of capital and that is proof that there are improvements in the company's efficiencies. The company is doing well in that sense, and it's worth investigating what the management team has planned for long term growth prospects. What We Can Learn From Chevron's ROCE In summary, we're delighted to see that Chevron has been able to increase efficiencies and earn higher rates of return on the same amount of capital. And with a respectable 55% awarded to those who held the stock over the last five years, you could argue that these developments are starting to get the attention they deserve. So given the stock has proven it has promising trends, it's worth researching the company further to see if these trends are likely to persist. On a final note, we've found 1 warning sign for Chevron that we think you should be aware of. If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here China's indigenously developed passenger aircraft C919 will make its first commercial flight on Sunday. The maiden journey will be operated by China Eastern Airlines between Shanghai and Beijing, a report said. The C919, developed by China's state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China will compete with narrow-body passenger jets manufactured by Airbus and Boeing, aiming to end the duopoly enjoyed by the manufacturers in aircraft manufacturing. According to reports, the single-aisle aircraft would have the capacity to carry 158 to 192 passengers and has a range of upto 5,555 kilometres. The South China Morning Post reported that the aircraft has been designed to compete with Boeings 737 and Airbus A320. According to reports, the maiden flight is being operated on one of the busiest domestic routes in China. The airliner would depart from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 10.45am (local time) and is expected to arrive at Beijing Capital Airport by 1.10pm (local time). SCMP reported that the airliner will return to Shanghai as flight number MU9192 in the afternoon. Developed by COMAC, the C919 was granted a type certificate by the Civil Aviation Administration of China last September. China Eastern Airlines conducted a 100-hour verification flight for its first C919 aircraft on December 26, 2022, to verify and confirm the aircraft's operational safety. According to COMAC, it has to date received orders for over 1,200 C919 jetliners. According to estimates, China had 6,795 civil aircraft in 2020, mostly that of Boeing and Airbus. According to reports, China developed the indigenous aircraft to reduce its dependence on Western technology as its ties with the West have been deteriorating. However, though developed by China, C919 relies heavily on Western components, Reuters reported. While COMAC designed the nose, fuselage, outer wing, vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer of C919, it had to depend on foreign manufacturers for the engine, avionics, control systems, communications and landing gear. New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked the states and districts to develop a long-term vision to make India a developed country by 2047, when the country completes 100 years of Independence. Addressing the eighth Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog here, Modi also urged the states to take financially prudent decisions which are capable of delivering programmes that meet the aspirations of the people. Briefing media about the deliberations of the meeting, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said that 11 chief ministers did not attend the Governing Council meeting. It was also the first formal meeting at the newly-constructed Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan which later in the year will host G20 Summit. In his address to the Governing Council, the Prime Minister said that it was essential to combine the vision of states and districts with the national vision to reach the goal of Vikasit Bharat by 2047. "At #NITIAayogs #8thGCM, PM @narendramodi stated that when states grow, India grows. He also emphasised the importance of evolving a common vision to achieve a #VikasitBharat @ 2047," NITI Aayog said in a series of tweets. The prime minister also urged the states to take financially prudent decisions which would make them fiscally strong and capable of undertaking programmes for the welfare of citizens. "PM @narendramodi urged States to take financially prudent decisions so as to become fiscally strong and capable of delivering programmes that meet the dreams of citizens," the Aayog said in another tweet. NITI Aayog's eighth Governing Council meeting deliberated on several issues including, health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting. Union ministers Amit Shah, Niramala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal and chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh, among others, attended the meeting. Chief ministers of West Bengal, Punjab and Delhi boycotted the meeting. In all 11 chief ministers did not attend the meeting for different reasons. AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, and announced boycotting the NITI Aayog meeting over the Centre's recent ordinance and charged that "cooperative federalism" in the country was being turned into a "joke". The Chief Minister of the AAP-ruled Punjab, Bhagawant Mann, had also declared to boycott the Niti Aayog meeting. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2019 skipped the Niti Aayog meeting, saying that the think-tank had no power and the meetings were "fruitless". Generally, the full council meeting happens every year and last year, it was held under the chairmanship of Modi on August 7. The council meeting was not convened in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first meeting of the council took place on February 8, 2015. Kathmandu, May 27 (PTI) Nepal has started exporting electricity to India from Saturday, as the generation of hydroelectricity from run-of-the-river projects increased with the onset of the monsoon in the Himalayan country. Last year also, Nepal exported hydroelectricity to India from June to November. We have started selling 600 MW hour electricity to India from Saturday as there is a surplus in the electricity in the country, said Suresh Bhattarai, spokesperson of Nepal Electricity Authority. Some time ago Nepal was importing up to 400 MW electricity from India to meet the domestic demand. In Nepal the domestic demand for electricity increases in winter, while the supply decreases and in summer the demand decreases while the supply increases. Most of the hydropower projects operating in Nepal are based on run-of-the-river. Last year, Nepal earned around 12 billion rupees from exporting electricity to India. With the onset of monsoons, hydropower plants in Nepal have been producing excess electricity from the elevated water levels in the Himalayan rivers. Chennai, May 27 (PTI) Foreign currencies worth Rs 3.37 crore were seized at Chennai airport and a passenger was arrested in this connection, the Customs department said on Saturday. The foreign currencies include US Dollar and Saudi Arabian Riyal in various denominations valued at Rs 3.37 crore. Acting on specific inputs, the Customs authorities intercepted a passenger bound for Singapore on May 25 and recovered 52 notes of USD 100 denominations that were concealed in his undergarment, a press release from Commissioner of Customs M Mathew Jolly said. Further examination of his baggage led to the recovery of additional 2,793 notes of USD 100 denominations and 1,000 notes of Saudi Arabian Riyal 500 denomination. In total, 3,835 notes of foreign currencies were retrieved from him under relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962. The passenger was arrested and an investigation has been launched, the release said. Belgrade, May 27 (AP) Serbia on Saturday condemned NATO-led peacekeepers stationed in neighbouring Kosovo for their alleged failure to stop brutal actions by Kosovo police against ethnic Serbs, and said that its armed forces stationed near the border will remain on the highest state of alert until further notice. Serbia's top political and security leadership, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, met in Belgrade on Saturday following violent clashes a day earlier between Kosovo police and ethnic Serbs that injured more than a dozen people. In response to the clashes, Vucic on Friday ordered troops closer to the border with Kosovo. Due to the brutal use of force by (Kosovo Prime Minister) Albin Kurti and his forces against the Serbian people in Kosovo the armed forces of the Republic of Serbia will remain at the highest level of combat readiness, said a statement after the meeting of the top Serbian leadership on Saturday. The statement also said that an international civilian mission and NATO-led troops, that have been stationed in the former Serbian province since Serbian troops were forced to leave the region in 1999, did not do their job to protect the Serbs. NATO spokesperson Oana Longescu urged institutions in Kosovo to de-escalate immediately and called on all parties "to resolve the situation through dialogue. She said on Twitter that NATO remains vigilant and will ensure a safe and secure environment in Kosovo. Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, who are a majority in that part of the country, had tried to block recently elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings on Friday. Last month's snap local election was largely boycotted by ethnic Serbs and only ethnic Albanian or other smaller minority representatives were elected in the mayoral posts and assemblies. Kosovo police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and let the new officials into the offices. Several cars were set ablaze. The United States and several Western countries condemned Kosovo's government for using police to forcibly allow entry to the municipal buildings. Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti on Saturday defended the police action. It is the right of those elected in democratic elections to assume office without threats or intimidation, Kurti said on Twitter. It is also the right of citizens to be served by those elected officials. Participation not violent obstruction is the proper way to express political views in a democracy. This is not the first time that Vucic has warned that Belgrade would respond to violence against Serbs, and he has stepped up combat readiness several times during moments of tension with Kosovo. However, any attempt by Serbia to send its troops over the border would mean a clash with NATO troops stationed there. The conflict in Kosovo erupted in 1998 when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbia's rule, and Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died. NATO's military intervention in 1999 eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory. Washington and most EU countries have recognised Kosovo as an independent state, but Serbia, Russia and China have not. (AP) FZH London, May 27 (PTI) A 43-year-old man arrested earlier this week on charges of criminal damage and dangerous driving related to a car crash into the gates of 10 Downing Street was released pending further investigation and appeared at a court here on Saturday after being re-arrested on an unrelated charge. Seth Kneller appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court charged with making indecent images of children, Scotland Yard said. After the brief hearing, Kneller was remanded in custody until his next court appearance at Southwark Crown Court in London on June 23. The man was charged with an unrelated matter of making indecent images of children and appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, May 27. He was remanded in custody to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, June 23, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The police force also confirmed that the car crash at Downing Street is currently not being treated as a terror-related incident. Enquiries into the incident continue by officers from the Central West Command Unit, supported by officers from the Counter Terrorism Command. This will include gathering and examining all available evidence to establish the circumstances that led to this incident any appropriate charges may follow. The incident is not currently being treated as terror-related, the Met Police statement said. On Thursday, armed officers on duty at the British Prime Ministers office residence arrested the man on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving. He was taken into custody and was released later under investigation until he was charged with the unrelated indecency charge. Several CCTV images from the Downing Street incident showed a small silver car crashed into the gates. The police said there are no reports of any injuries. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in his office at the time but left soon after from another exit for a pre-scheduled engagement. New Delhi: Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will travel to India on Wednesday on a four-day official visit for talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and other leaders to further strengthen the age-old, multifaceted and cordial ties, it was announced on Saturday.* FGN6 US-INDIA-NATO PLUS China Select Committee of US House recommends making India part of NATO Plus Washington: In a significant development ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, a powerful Congressional Committee has recommended strengthening NATO Plus by including India. FGN31 PAK-ISMAIL-RESIGN Now, former Sindh governor Ismail quits former Pak PM Imran Khans party Islamabad: Imran Ismail, the former Sindh governor and his close aide parted ways with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party on Saturday, hours after an anti-terrorism court in Karachi ordered his release from prison. FGN26 UK-DOWNING-STREET-LD COLLISION Man arrested for Downing Street car crash released, re-arrested London: A 43-year-old man arrested earlier this week on charges of criminal damage and dangerous driving related to a car crash into the gates of 10 Downing Street was released pending further investigation and appeared at a court here on Saturday after being re-arrested on an unrelated charge. FGN16 NEPAL-ELECTRICITY-INDIA Nepal starts exporting electricity to India Kathmandu:Nepal has started exporting electricity to India from Saturday, as the generation of hydroelectricity from run-of-the-river projects increased with the onset of the monsoon in the Himalayan country. FGN11 US-GANDHI-VISIT-VIDEO Indian Overseas Congress releases video inviting NRIs for interaction with Rahul Gandhi Washington: The Indian Overseas Congress has released a promotional video inviting Indian Americans for an exclusive interaction with visionary statesman Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the US next month. FGN4 UK-MINISTER-VISIT UK to focus on enhancing science and innovation ties with India London: Lord Tariq Ahmad, the UK's Minister of State for South Asia, arrived in India on Saturday for a four-day visit with a focus on strengthening science, research and innovation links. FGN8 US-TANDEN-IMMIGRATION 'Will work on issue of immigration: says Neera Tanden ahead of taking over as new White House Domestic Policy Advisor Washington: Indian-American public policy expert Neera Tanden has said her experience as a daughter of immigrants is akin to many immigrants in the US and she will work on the issue of immigration in her new role as the White House Domestic Policy Advisor. FGN12 PAK-MARYAM-IMRAN 'Game is over' for cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan: Maryam Nawaz Islamabad: Maryam Nawaz, Senior Vice President of PML-N party, has told Imran Khan that the "game is over" for the cricketer-turned-politician following an exodus of his party's senior members.* London, May 27 (PTI) Lord Tariq Ahmad, the UK's Minister of State for South Asia, arrived in India on Saturday for a four-day visit with a focus on strengthening science, research and innovation links. The visit's focus on science, technology and innovation emphasises the UK's commitment to deepen partnerships in these areas across the globe. Strengthening the UK-India relationship is a key pillar of the UK's long-term foreign policy, as part of its enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific set out in the Integrated Review, the Foreign Office said. "The UK and India are trusted partners united by the unique living bridge that closely connects our countries and people, Lord Ahmad said ahead of his visit. "Building on the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations, we are deepening our collaboration on science and technology, bringing new innovations to both our nations, he said. The visit comes as India and the UK are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to boost the current trading relationship worth GBP 36 billion in 2022. The 10th round of FTA talks are set to begin from June 5 in New Delhi. Lord Ahmad's visit to Rajasthan will be his first trip to his mother's birthplace of Jodhpur as Minister for South Asia and will highlight the region's rich cultural history. He will visit the iconic Mehrangarh Fort, and discuss education, sustainability and gender equality with emerging women leaders. In New Delhi, Lord Ahmad will launch the English Skills for Youth programme, co-developed by the British Council and Microsoft India, which will enhance global employment opportunities for Indian young people, especially young women. The minister will announce the winners of the UK-India Health-Tech Boot Camp boosting health-tech innovations from India. Christina Scott, Acting British High Commissioner to India, said, "The UK and India enjoy an invaluable partnership. As we deliver the UK-India Roadmap 2030, we are deepening and accelerating our collaboration on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence." "With India's Presidency of the G20, we have an opportunity also for the UK and India to work together to shape and deliver solutions to global problems. Concluding his visit in Hyderabad, Lord Ahmad will highlight science and tech innovations with trips to T-Hub and T-Works, the technology start-up incubator and prototyping facility which are part of the world's largest innovation campus, and space launch vehicle company Skyroot. He will also visit the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology and discuss further potential for science and technology collaboration with Indian alumni of Chevening, the UK's flagship international scholarship programme. Kyiv, May 27 (AP) Ukraine's military intelligence has claimed, without offering evidence, that Russia is plotting a large-scale provocation at a nuclear power plant it occupies in the southeast of the country with the aim of disrupting a looming Ukrainian counteroffensive. A statement released on Friday by the intelligence directorate of Ukraine's Defence Ministry claimed that Russian forces would strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe, and then report a radioactive leak in order to trigger an international probe that would pause the hostilities and give the Russian forces the respite they need to regroup ahead of the counteroffensive. In order to make that happen, Russia disrupted the rotation of personnel of the permanent monitoring mission of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency that was scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. It didn't offer evidence to back up any of the claims. The IAEA said in an emailed response to the AP that it did not have any immediate comment on the allegations, and Russian officials did not immediately comment on the Ukrainian claims. The White House said it is watching the situation closely and has seen no indication that radioactive material has been leaked. The claim mirrors similar statements Moscow regularly makes, alleging without evidence that Kyiv is plotting provocations involving various dangerous weapons or substances in order to then accuse Russia of war crimes. It comes as Moscow's military in Ukraine braces for a looming counteroffensive by Kyiv's forces, which hasn't started yet but could begin tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, told the BBC in an interview on Saturday. The Zaporizhzhia power plant is one of the 10 biggest nuclear plants in the world. It is located in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in southeastern Ukraine. The plant's six reactors have been shut down for months, but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features. Fighting near it repeatedly disrupted power supplies and has fuelled fears of a potential catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, where a reactor exploded in 1986 and spewed deadly radiation, contaminating a vast area in the world's worst nuclear disaster. In other developments: Russia on Saturday reported more attacks on its territory, with drones crashing in its western regions and areas on the border with Ukraine coming under shelling. Two drones attacked an administrative building of an oil company in Russia's western Pskov region that borders Belarus, Latvia and Estonia, Pskov Gov. Mikhail Vedernikov reported on Saturday. The building was damaged as the result of an explosion, Vedernikov said. Another drone went down in the Tver region about 150 kilometres (90 miles) north of Moscow, local authorities said. Russia's Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine on Saturday came under multiple rounds of shelling, killing one person, according to its governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. In the neighbouring Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine, one person was killed by cross-border mortar fire, its Gov. Roman Starovoit said. The British military said on Saturday that Russia's private military force, Wagner, is withdrawing from areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut that Moscow claims to have captured earlier this month. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier this week announced the pullout, saying Wagner would hand control over the ruined city over to the Russian military. Some were skeptical, however: Prigozhin is known for making unverifiable, headline-grabbing statements on which he later backtracks. But the British Defence Ministry said in a series of tweets on Saturday that Wagner fighters have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions around Bakhmut. The Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town," the ministry said. (AP) PY PY Cairo, May 27 (AP) The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shocked by a letter from Sudan's military ruler, demanding the removal of the UN envoy to the country, Sudanese and UN officials said on Saturday. The letter by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, Sudan's top military official and head of the ruling Sovereign Council, comes as Sudan plunged into further chaos after worsening tensions between military rivals exploded into an open fighting last month. The Secretary-General is shocked by the letter he received this (Friday) morning, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The Secretary-General is proud of the work done by (UN envoy) Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative. Dujarric didn't reveal the contents of the letter. However, a senior military official said Burhan's letter asked Guterres to replace Perthes who was appointed to the post in 2021. According to the official, Burhan accused Perthes of being partisan, and that his approach in pre-war talks between the generals and the pro-democracy movement helped inflame the conflict. The talks had aimed at restoring the country's democratic transition which was derailed by a military coup in Oct. 2021. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media. Perthes declined to comment neither on the letter. Burhan accused Perthes last year of exceeding the UN mission's mandate and of blatant interference in Sudanese affairs. He threatened to expel him from the country. The ongoing fighting broke out in mid-April between the military and the powerful Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Both Burhan and Dagalo led the 2021 coup that removed the western-backed government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The fighting centred in the capital of Khartoum, which was turned into a battleground along with its sister city of Omdurman. The clashes also spread elsewhere in the country, including the war-wrecked Darfur region. The conflict has killed hundreds of people, and wounded thousands of others, and pushed the country to near collapse. It forced more than 1.3 million out of their homes to safer areas inside Sudan, or to neighbouring nations. Sexual violence including rape of women and girls, a common practice in Sudan's wars and political upheavals, were reported in Khartoum and Darfur since the fighting began. The Combating Violence Against Women Unit, a government-run group, said on Friday it received reports of at least 24 cases of sexual attacks in Khartoum, and 25 other cases in Darfur. The unit, which tracks violence against women across the country, said most of survivors reported that the attackers were in RSF uniform and in areas in Khartoum controlled by RSF checkpoints. The RSF didn't respond to a request for comment. Both warring parties have agreed on a week-long cease-fire, brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia. However, the truce, which is scheduled to expire Monday night, did not stop the fighting in parts of Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Residents reported sporadic clashes Saturday in parts of Omdurman, where the army's aircrafts were seen flying over the city. There was also fighting reported in al-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur. Burhan's letter came after the U.N. envoy accused the warring parties of disregarding the laws of war by attacking homes, shops, places of worship and water and electricity installations. In his briefing to the UN Security Council earlier this week, Perthes blamed the leaders of the military and the RSF for the war, saying that they have chosen to settle their unresolved conflict on the battlefield rather than at the table. (AP) PY PY Key Insights Craneware's estimated fair value is UK10.18 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of UK13.30 suggests Craneware is potentially 31% overvalued Our fair value estimate is 61% lower than Craneware's analyst price target of US$25.77 In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Craneware plc (LON:CRW) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Craneware Crunching The Numbers We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$22.3m US$22.4m US$26.7m US$29.8m US$32.4m US$34.4m US$36.1m US$37.5m US$38.6m US$39.5m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Est @ 11.74% Est @ 8.59% Est @ 6.39% Est @ 4.84% Est @ 3.76% Est @ 3.00% Est @ 2.48% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.6% US$20.6 US$19.0 US$20.8 US$21.4 US$21.5 US$21.0 US$20.3 US$19.4 US$18.4 US$17.4 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$200m The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.6%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = US$40m (1 + 1.2%) (8.6% 1.2%) = US$546m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$546m ( 1 + 8.6%)10= US$240m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$440m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK13.3, the company appears potentially overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Craneware as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.052. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Craneware Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Healthcare Services market. Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market. Significant insider buying over the past 3 months. Threat Dividends are not covered by earnings. Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Next Steps: Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price exceeding the intrinsic value? For Craneware, there are three relevant factors you should consider: Risks: We feel that you should assess the 2 warning signs for Craneware we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does CRW's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Vatican City, May 27 (AP) Pope Francis resumed regular appointments on Saturday, one day after cancelling his schedule due to a fever. The pontiff held a number of private meetings, including with visitors from Georgetown University who were in town for a conference with a Jesuit-run journal. According to Vatican News, a number of poets, writers and film directors from around the world attended the conference, including director Martin Scorsese and his family. Francis later was captured on video arriving at the studios of the state broadcaster RAI to tape an interview, smiling animatedly at well-wishers outside. The Vatican's confirmation of the 86-year-old pope's fever sparked concerns about Francis' health. The last time he spiked a serious fever, in March, the 86-year-old pontiff was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with acute bronchitis. He received intravenous antibiotics and was released three days later. The Vatican has confirmed that the pope will preside over Pentecost Mass on Sunday, and will meet with Italy's president, Sergio Mattarella, on Monday. (AP) PY PY Washington, May 27 (PTI) In a significant development ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, a powerful Congressional Committee has recommended strengthening NATO Plus by including India. NATO Plus, currently NATO Plus 5, is a security arrangement that brings together NATO and five aligned nations - Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea - to boost global defence cooperation. Bringing India on board would facilitate seamless intelligence sharing between these countries and India would access the latest military technology without much of a time lag. The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, overwhelmingly adopted a policy proposal to enhance Taiwan's deterrence, including through strengthening NATO Plus to include India. "Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the United States strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India. Including India in NATO Plus security arrangements would build upon the US and India's close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region," the Select Committee recommended. An initiative of the Republican leadership, the Select Committee is popularly called the China Committee. Indian-American Ramesh Kapoor, who has been working on this proposal for the past six years, said this is a significant development. He hoped that the recommendation would find a place in the National Defense Authorization Act 2024 and finally end up becoming a law of the land. In its set of recommendations, the China Committee said that economic sanctions against China in case of an attack on Taiwan will be most effective if key allies such as G7, NATO, NATO+5, and Quad members join, and negotiating a joint response and broadcasting this message publicly have the added benefit of enhancing deterrence. "Much like we do joint contingency planning for war fighting, we need to coordinate in peacetime with US allies. To that end, Congress should pass legislation similar to the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2023 that mandates the development of an economic sanctions package to be employed in the event of a PRC attack on Taiwan," it said. It should also pass legislation to counter the CCP's economic coercion, including by providing tools to support foreign partners targeted by the PRC's economic coercion. The flip side of economic deterrence is economic engagement with Taiwan. Accordingly, Congress should support efforts to reduce the taxation burden on US-Taiwan cross-border investment as well as broader trade negotiations with a particular focus on developing shared standards and regulations to combat the CCP's unfair economic policies, the committee said. "The United States should strengthen the NATO Plus arrangement to include India. The United States should also strengthen diplomatic deterrence by supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations and amending the TAIPEI Act to provide that the United States, alongside its allies and partners, should publicly oppose any attempts by the CCP to resolve the status of Taiwan's sovereignty by intentionally misusing, misinterpreting, and misleading others on the underlying purpose of UN Resolution 2758 or the United States' One China Policy," it stated. Prime Minister Modi will pay an official state visit to the US next month. Bhopal, May 27 (PTI) A court here on Saturday sent three alleged members of an ISIS-linked terror module, arrested during overnight raids in Jabalpur city of Madhya Pradesh, in the custody of the National Investigation Agency till June 3. Syed Mamoor Ali, Mohammad Adil Khan and Mohammad Shahid were produced before special judge for NIA cases Raghuveer Prasad Patel here and the central probe agency sought their remand for further investigation, special prosecutor Deepesh Joshi told PTI. The arrests were made during raids at 13 locations in Jabalpur in an intelligence-led joint operation with the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of Madhya Pradesh Police, a spokesperson of the NIA had said earlier in the day. Adil Khan was on the agency's radar since August 2022, the spokesperson said. "The NIA learnt that he and his associates were involved in disseminating ISIS propaganda through social media platforms, as well as through on-ground 'Dawah' programmes in order to unleash violent terror attacks in India at the instance of ISIS. "The module had been conducting meetings in local masjids and houses and hatching plans and conspiracies to spread terror in the country," the spokesperson said. The official said the investigations revealed that the three accused were highly radicalised and were determined to carry out violent "jihad". "They were engaged in collecting funds, disseminating ISIS propaganda material, motivating and recruiting youth, and trying to procure arms and ammunition with the objective of carrying out terrorist acts," the spokesperson said. The official said Ali had created a local group by the name of 'Fisabilillah' and was also operating a WhatsApp group by the same name. "Along with his associates, he was trying to procure pistols and was in contact with a Jabalpur-based illegal arms supplier for this purpose." A staunch ISIS follower and supporter, Khan had managed to assemble an active group of Jabalpur-based like-minded radicalised individuals, the NIA said. "Some of the module members were already contemplating Hijrat (flight) to conflict theatres, while others had plans to form a local outfit for carrying out violent jihad in India," the spokesperson said. The official said Khan was also running multiple YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp channels for motivating and recruiting youth into the ISIS fold. "Investigations further showed that Shahid had also planned to procure weapons including pistols, improvised explosive devices and even grenades for violent attacks in India," the spokesperson said. The properties that were searched in Jabalpur included the houses of two lawyers, local sources said. Yes, the NIA team searched my house in Civil Lines between 11 pm to 2 am. As my son and I were not in the house, they handed a notice to my wife summoning my son to CID office in Bhopal on May 27," the lawyer told PTI. The agency was picking up young people linked to a WhatApp group but his son was not connected to it, the lawyer claimed, adding that he would take his son to Bhopal to get his statement recorded. According to sources, the NIA team picked up around a dozen people but barring the three men who were arrested, others were allowed to go after questioning. Beed (Maha), May 27 (PTI) The driver of a dumper truck allegedly transporting illegally-mined sand tried to hit the car in which the District Collector of Beed in Maharashtra was travelling, after the woman officer chased his vehicle and attempted to bring it to a halt, police said on Saturday. The incident, which occurred in Gevrai taluka of Beed district in the wee hours of Thursday, also witnessed collector Deepa Mudhol-Munde's car getting stuck in sand after the driver of the dumper suddenly unloaded it on a road, and her police guard hopping on to the truck in a bid to make it stop. The police on Friday arrested the dumper driver on the charge of attempt to murder, an official said. "The district collector was coming to Beed from Aurangabad in her official vehicle along with her body guard when she spotted a dumper carrying sand near Madalmohi village in Gevrai on Dhule-Solapur highway around 3.15 am on Thursday. The truck did not have a number plate," a police official said. The collector asked the driver of her car to try and stop the dumper. The car driver then signalled the other vehicle's driver to stop, but the latter did not do so. The collector then asked the driver to take their car in front of the truck so that it stops. But when he did so, the dumper driver increased the speed of his vehicle and tried to hit the collector's car, he said. The official's car was saved from being hit as it managed to swiftly move away, he added. The collector asked her driver to keep following the sand-laden vehicle. After about one km, the dumper driver suddenly unloaded the sand on an internal road, due to which the official's car got stuck in it. The collector's body guard Ambadas Pavne rushed towards the dumper and hopped on to it from the driver's side. But its driver threatened the guard and kept driving. After around 3 km, the dumper driver stopped the vehicle and fled from the spot, the police official said. Collector Mudhol-Munde said she informed the Beed Superintendent of Police about the incident after which the police immediately initiated action. The local crime branch officials then nabbed the dumper driver Prakash Kokre and also seized his vehicle. Based on a complaint lodged by the collector's body guard, a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty) was registered against the accused at Gevrai police station and he was placed under arrest. Investigation into the case is underway, the police said. Kohima, May 27 (PTI) The Naga Club building in the heart of Kohima was vandalised by unknown people early on Saturday, police said. The building housed the office of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), the apex Naga students body in the Northeast, the office of the All Nagaland College Students' Union, the Kohima Press Club and other commercial establishments. Kohima's Additional Superintendent of Police Relo T Aye said that the incident took place around 3 am, adding that an FIR has been lodged by the NSF, and an investigation is being carried out by a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by him. Various tools, including machetes and other sharp objects were seized from the spot. Police suspected that the accused used earthmovers to damage the semi-concrete structures. "Records related to Naga history were stored inside the building and are suspected to have been destroyed," NSF president Kegwayhun Tep told reporters here. He hoped that the culprits will be brought to book. The NSF issued an ultimatum to the government to nab the culprits by 6 pm on Sunday, failing which it will resort to action it deems befitting. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio strongly condemned the incident, tweeting, "Respect for private and public properties is fundamental in a civilized society." He appealed to all citizens to maintain peace and harmony. Nagaland Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along expressed shock over the incident and said identities of the culprits should be revealed after their arrest. Several tribal and youth bodies and civil society organisations condemned the act. "Naga Club is Naga history, we cannot put a price on what our pioneers achieved and passed down to us," Angami Public Organisation said. "NSF stood for the cause of the Nagas courageously. This ruthless attempt in destroying the fabric of the Nagas is most unfortunate," Naga Mothers' Association said. Bhubaneswar, May 27 (PTI) The Odisha government on Saturday said it has approached the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for taking assistance from the FBI to investigate the murder of minister Naba Kishore Das. In a statement, the government said assistant sub-inspector of police Gopal Krishna Das, who allegedly shot the minister dead at a public function in January, told the investigators that he was taking medicine for mental illness. However, medical experts found him mentally fit but suggested further examination, it said. As it is a very important, sensitive and rare case, it was decided to use the best techniques and experts to help in the investigation, the statement said. In order to clearly establish that the accused has sound mental health, the Crime Branch decided to approach the Behavioural Analysis Unit of FBI, which has the best experts and equipment for such criminal investigation, it said. Accordingly, the state Home Department approached the MHA for the assistance of FBI for the help in the investigation, it added. "Earlier also, help has been sought and received from the FBI by various police agencies of the country in their cases as in 26/11 Mumbai blast case and in Bhanwari Devi murder case of CBI (sic)," the statement said. The state government wrote to the MHA on February 22, it said. The statement was issued amid allegations from the opposition BJP and Congress that the state government misled the people over the issue as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stated in the assembly that FBI's help was south in the case, but nothing concrete was happening in the reality. Speaking in the assembly on February 22, Patnaik said, "We have requested the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to facilitate an evaluation of the behaviour of the accused by the Behavioral Support Unit of the FBI of the United States of America." Das, the health minister, died on January 29 evening, hours after he was shot by the policeman at Gandhi Chhak in the Brajrajnagar area of Jharsuguda district, where he had gone to attend an event. New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) The Delhi University's Academic Council has approved several resolutions, including some contentious ones like the implementation of a four-year integrated teacher education programme, despite dissent by some members. The council also cleared several syllabi changes, including the scrapping of a chapter on Muhammad Iqbal from the BA political science syllabus, officials aware of the matter said. The meeting, which began Friday, went on till 1:30 am on Saturday. The council approved a resolution to replace the Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.) programme with the four-year integrated teacher education programme. Six members of the Academic Council dissented against the resolution, saying there was no consultation with teachers in this regard. "It is unfortunate that ITEP has been passed despite the dissent of the members. We will continue our fight to safeguard the interests of stakeholders, AC elected member Maya John told PTI. Maya John was part of a group of members who dissented against the resolution. Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) will be replacing B.El.Ed. programme, which was introduced in 1994. The Delhi University was the only university to have its own integrated four-year programme. In their dissent notes, members have argued that the Committee of Courses and the Faculty of Education have been completely bypassed in bringing the NCTE notification on ITEP directly to the Academic Council. Another controversial resolution that was passed was related to capping the class size for lectures and tutorials at 60 and 30 students, respectively, for undergraduate programmes. A section of AC members also opposed this resolution, saying the increase in the group size of lectures, tutorials and practicals is going to negatively impact the teaching-learning process. Syllabus of several semesters across courses were presented in the council and approved. The council also passed a motion to remove a chapter on Pakistan's national poet Muhammad Iqbal from the political science syllabus, members of the statutory body confirmed. Born in 1877 in Sialkot in undivided India, Iqbal wrote the famous song "Saare jahan se achcha". He is often credited with giving birth to the idea of Pakistan. The chapter, titled 'Modern Indian Political Thought', is part of BA's sixth-semester paper, officials said, adding that the matter will now be presented before the Executive Council of the university that will take the final call. The council also passed resolutions to set up two new centres -- one related to Partition studies and another one on Tribal studies. Some of the members also issued dissent notes against the two resolutions. The Centre for Independence and Partition Studies will facilitate research on the "high voltage politics" accompanying the country's Partition and how the then central leadership failed to contain the "germs of separatism", they said. It will also focus on the "non-insistence of central leadership on having the Frontier Province with India" and the way the "Congress Working Committee consented to the Partition without consulting (Mahatma) Gandhi", according to the documents. Meanwhile, the new Centre on Tribal Studies will have seven major objectives, which include understanding the term "tribe" from an India-centric perspective and studying the "social, cultural, linguistic, religious, economic, and environmental diversity and commonalities" of different tribes. During the zero hour, a section of Academic Council members raised a slew of issues including those related to displaced temporary and ad hoc teachers. The members also protested against a Delhi University notification asking colleges to remain open from 8 am to 8 pm without any discussion in the Academic Council and the Executive Council. According to the statement, the members strongly fought against salary delays and delay of grants and funds to 12 Delhi University colleges that are entirely funded by the Delhi government. New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) An 18-year-old man was stabbed to death on Saturday morning allegedly by a group of four or five boys over an old enmity in east Delhi's Kalyanpuri area, police said. Not much details, including the age, of the attackers were immediately available, they said. According to the police, they received information at 5.11 am regarding multiple stab injuries to Anshu alias Banda, a resident of Trilokpuri. He was admitted to LBS Hospital by a PCR van. The victim bearing 21 stab injuries was referred to AIIMS Delhi where he was declared dead, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Amrutha Guguloth said. Anshu disclosed that four or five boys attacked him. Two teams have been formed to apprehend the accused, the DCP said. Preliminary investigation has suggested that there was an old enmity between the attackers and the victim. However, the exact reason will be ascertained when the accused will be nabbed, police added. Meerut (UP), May 27 (PTI) Two BJP councillors were arrested in connection with a clash over the singing of 'Vande Mataram' at the swearing in of the newly elected mayor and councillors here, police said on Saturday. However, both were released on bail. A clash erupted between AIMIM and BJP councillors of the Meerut Municipal Corporation at the oath-taking ceremony on Friday, following a disagreement over the singing of 'Vande Mataram' to begin the event. Police registered a case against BJP leaders based on a complaint by Dilshad Saifi, the husband of an AIMIM councillor, on Friday night, Station House Officer Yogendra Singh said. The trouble began during the ceremony at the Chaudhary Charan Singh University auditorium when councillors of the Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) refused to sing the national song. Police personnel deployed at the venue intervened and separated the members of the two parties, and brought the situation under control. BJP councillor Rajeev Kale also filed a counter complaint against eight AIMIM councillors for alleged assault. A complaint was also filed by Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Bajpai over the alleged insult to the national anthem. However, no case has been registered in this connection yet, police said. According to Circle Officer (CO) of Civil Lines Arvind Chaurasia, some AIMIM councillors were allegedly thrashed by BJP councillors over the Vande Mataram issue. In this connection, a case was registered against three BJP councillors -- Rajeev Kale, Uttam Saini and Kavita Rahi -- under Indian Penal Code sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (assault or criminal force) and 506 (criminal intimidation) on the complaint of Dilshad Saifi, he added. Police arrested two BJP councillors Rajeev Kale and Uttam Saini late Friday evening, Chaurasia said, adding they were later released on bail. Prima facie, investigation revealed that the members of the AIMIM committed indiscipline by not standing up at the time of the singing of the national song. The House shall take action on this and there is no role of the police, he said. On action taken on Bajpai's complaint, Chaurasia said that he has highlighted that treason charges be filed against the AIMIM councillors, but there is a stay on the sedition law. Moreover, this matter pertains to the national song and not the national anthem, he added. Jaipur, May 27 (PTI) A 24-year-old man, suspected to be suffering from hydrophobia, allegedly killed an elderly woman and ate her flesh in Rajasthan's Pali district following which police arrested the person and admitted him to a hospital, officials said on Saturday. Doctors at Bangar Hospital said Surendra Thakur, a resident of Mumbai, "is suffering from hydrophobia" -- a fear of water caused by late-stage rabies infection -- possibly because he was bitten by a "rabid dog" in the past and did not get the right treatment. According to the police, which quoted eyewitnesses, the incident happened in Saradhana village under Sendra police station on Friday when Shanti Devi (65) had gone to graze her cattle. The accused attacked the woman with a stone and killed her, they said. "The accused is behaving like a mentally sick patient and in an aggressive manner. We have admitted him to the hospital where his medical examination is going on. Even in the hospital, he created a ruckus, after which he was tied up by the nursing staff on a bed," Jaitaran Deputy Superintendent of Police Sukhram Bishnoi said. He said the accused had come to Sendra from Mumbai on a bus, which was confirmed through a bus ticket he was carrying. Shanti Devi's son Biren Kathat lodged a police complaint accusing him of killing his mother and eating her flesh. Police said Thakur has been booked under Indian Penal Code section 302 (murder) and also charged with cannibalism. "I was returning after grazing goats when I saw the man who was eating the flesh of the deceased woman. I got scared and ran from the spot," witness Kathat said, adding he also saw the blood-stained face of the accused. Initially, locals were frightened after seeing the accused but when he tried to escape they chased him and caught him and handed him over to the police. "A patient has been admitted at Bangar Hospital who is suffering from hydrophobia. It is possible that a rabid dog might have bitten him in the past. He might not have got vaccinated and because of this, he developed hydrophobia or rabies," Dr Praveen said. Meanwhile, the police handed over the body of the woman to the family members after autopsy. The five-year underlying earnings growth at Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB) is promising, but the shareholders are still in the red over that time The main aim of stock picking is to find the market-beating stocks. But the main game is to find enough winners to more than offset the losers So we wouldn't blame long term Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 32% over a half decade. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 18% in the last 90 days. This could be related to the recent financial results - you can catch up on the most recent data by reading our company report. If the past week is anything to go by, investor sentiment for Canadian Western Bank isn't positive, so let's see if there's a mismatch between fundamentals and the share price. See our latest analysis for Canadian Western Bank To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). While the share price declined over five years, Canadian Western Bank actually managed to increase EPS by an average of 3.7% per year. So it doesn't seem like EPS is a great guide to understanding how the market is valuing the stock. Alternatively, growth expectations may have been unreasonable in the past. By glancing at these numbers, we'd posit that the the market had expectations of much higher growth, five years ago. Looking to other metrics might better explain the share price change. The steady dividend doesn't really explain why the share price is down. While it's not completely obvious why the share price is down, a closer look at the company's history might help explain it. The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Canadian Western Bank's TSR for the last 5 years was -18%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective While the broader market lost about 3.2% in the twelve months, Canadian Western Bank shareholders did even worse, losing 20% (even including dividends). Having said that, it's inevitable that some stocks will be oversold in a falling market. The key is to keep your eyes on the fundamental developments. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 3% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Canadian Western Bank (1 doesn't sit too well with us!) that you should be aware of before investing here. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian exchanges. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) Lured by a buy one thali (food plate), get another free offer, a 40-year-old woman from southwest Delhi allegedly lost Rs 90,000 after downloading an app as asked by cyber crooks. Savita Sharma, the complainant, has lodged an FIR at cyber police station. Sharma, who works as a senior executive at a bank, told the police that one of her relatives informed her about the offer on Facebook. She visited the site on November 27, 2022 and made a call on the given number to make an enquiry about the deal. She didnt get any response but received a call back and the caller asked her to get the offer of Sagar Ratna (a popular restaurant chain), Sharma said in her FIR lodged on May 2 this year. The caller shared a link and asked me to download an application to avail the offer. He also sent the user ID and password to access the app. He told me that if I want to get the offer, I will have to register on this app first, Sharma told PTI. She added, I clicked on the link and the app was downloaded. Then I entered the user ID and password. The moment I did it, I lost control of my phone. It was hacked and then I received a message that Rs 40,000 was debited from my account. Sharma said that a few seconds later she received another message that Rs 50,000 was withdrawn from her account. It was very surprising for me that the money went from my credit card to my Paytm account and then moved out to the fraudsters account. I never shared any of these details with the caller, Sharma claimed, adding that she immediately blocked her credit card. Though the cyber police are probing the matter, similar cases of frauds have been reported from other cities where people lost thousands of rupees. When contacted, a representative of Sagar Ratna admitted that they received many such complaints from customers. We have received many calls where people complained that they were defrauded by someone who advertised lucrative offers in the name of our restaurant. We warned people to remain alert of any such lucrative deal as we never make offers to people through Facebook, the representative said, adding the cyber police in other cities are also probing the similar matter. Sharma told PTI that web link of such fraud offers are still circulating among people through WhatsApp and if timely action is not taken, many others may fall prey to it. Police officers said they are educating commoners not to download any application or click on any link which comes from unknown sources. Cyber criminals are devising new ways to defraud people. People should not click on any link or app which comes from unknown or unidentified sources, a cybercrime investigator said. Srinagar, May 27 (PTI) While most parts of the country are reeling under heat wave conditions, tourists are enjoying the pleasant weather in Kashmir as the Valley has witnessed rains over the past few days, leading to a drop in the mercury. The maximum temperature in the Valley, over the last few days, hovered around 20 degrees Celsius and most of the days, the weather has remained cloudy while soem areas witnessed rainfall. The pleasant weather has brought cheer to the tourists. I feel very good, the weather here is very pleasant. We are feeling relaxed here. In Punjab, the temperature is 40 degrees, but here it is only 10-15 degrees, Akansha and Happy Singh from Punjab told PTI. Pooja, a tourist from Gujarat, said they were wearing woollen clothes and enjoying the pleasant weather in the valley. In Gujarat, the temperature has gone up to around 45 degrees Celsius. Here, it is below 20 degrees. We are enjoying the greenery and weather here, she said. The tourists also witnessed snowfall at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmirs Baramulla district. Yesterday, we visited Gulmarg and witnessed rain and snowfall there. We are enjoying the cool weather in Kashmir, Mukesh, another vacationer from Gujarat, said. This is my first trip to the Valley. There is a famous phrase that Kashmir is God's own land. Now, after seeing Kashmir, I can say that it is indeed true. In Kolkata, it was 38 degrees Celsius, but we went to Pahalgam and Sonmarg where it was 8 degrees Celsius, Sana Ahmad, from Kolkata, said. Even as the Valley witnessed a sunny day on Saturday, the Meteorological Department has forecast a brief spell of rain and thunderstorm towards the evening at scattered places. While the MeT Office has forecast dry weather for Sunday, there are chances of intermittent light to moderate rain, thunder or lightning with a possibility of hailstorms and gusty winds at a few places on Monday and Tuesday. New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) A 25-year-old man who allegedly supplied arms to the members of gangster Neeraj Bawana's gang has been arrested from Rohini, the Delhi Police said on Saturday. The accused has been identified as Navneet Hooda, a resident of Rohini Sector-16, they said. Hooda is a relative of Naveen Bali, a sharpshooter of the Bawana gang, the police said. The police got a tip-off that Hooda would come to a spot near the Unity Mall at Rohini Sector 9 around 10:30 am on Thursday to meet one of his associates. A trap was laid and Hooda was apprehended from the spot, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar said. Hooda told the police that he has been associated with the Neeraj Bawana gang for the last five years through Bali, the DCP said. He has been providing weapons and other logistic support to Bali and other members of the gang. The accused has told the police that he has supplied more than 20 good-quality pistols to the gang members. Hooda would post videos showing him brandishing pistols on Instagram to lure prospective buyers of firearms. He has also disclosed that he used to procure pistols from a person from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, the police said. The accused was previously involved in two cases of attempt to murder and criminal intimidation in Delhi and Noida respectively, the police added. Chandigarh, May 27 (PTI) Punjab Police's Bureau of Investigation has formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate all human trafficking cases in the state, officials said on Saturday. The SIT will be headed by an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS), according to an order by bureau director, L K Yadav, issued on Friday. "It has been reported that a number of women were trafficked from India to other countries in the Middle East, primarily on the pretext of providing decent employment and salary but these women were/are held captive and left to struggle for survival and starvation," according to the order. "A case FIR dated May 2, 2023, has been registered for the commission of offences under section 420 IPC and section 13 of the Punjab Travel Professionals (Regulation) Act, 2014 at police station Ghali Khurd, Ferozepur in one such instance," it added. In view of the sensitivity and gravity of the matter, it is hereby ordered that any such complaint received by any other field unit shall immediately be registered as an FIR, without any loss of time, the order said. Inspector General of Police, Ludhiana Range, Kaustabh Sharma, shall act as the nodal officer for hassle-free registration of FIRs in human trafficking cases in the state, as per the order. "A Special Investigation Team headed by Randhir, IPS shall investigate all these cases. He may co-opt any officer as a member of the SIT and/or associate any officer from the local police where FIR is registered for the purpose of investigation of that case/s, under intimation to this office," it further stated. Meanwhile, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, who has been spearheading efforts to help victims of human trafficking, on Saturday thanked the state government and Punjab Police DGP for forming the SIT. "Thanks to @CMOPb & @DGPPunjabPolice for forming #SIT so promptly to investigate and book guilty to book various agents and touts indulging in #HumanTrafficking and sending innocent boys and girls abroad on false promises," Sahney said in a tweet. "Thanks to @DGP Punjab Police Shri #GauravYadav for agreeing to make SIT for taking punitive action against unscrupulous agents indulging in #HumanTrafficking of innocent girls from Punjab," Sahney had said in a tweet before the SIT was formed. New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) The Academic Council of Delhi University on Friday passed a motion to remove a chapter on Pakistan's national poet Muhammad Iqbal from the political science syllabus, members of the statutory body confirmed. Born in 1877 in Sialkot in undivided India, Iqbal wrote the famous song Saare jahan se achha. He is often credited with giving birth to the idea of Pakistan. The chapter titled 'Modern Indian Political Thought' is part of BA's sixth-semester paper, officials said, adding that the matter will now be presented before the Executive Council of the university that will take the final call. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), meanwhile, welcomed the development. "A motion was brought regarding a change in the syllabus of political science. As per the motion, there was a chapter on Iqbal that has been removed from the syllabus," said an Academic Council member. A unit on Iqbal titled 'Iqbal: Community', which is part of the syllabus was reviewed by PTI. There are 11 units as part of the course with the objective to study important themes through individual thinkers. Other thinkers that are also part of the course include Rammohan Roy, Pandita Ramabai, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, and Bhimrao Ambedkar. "The course has been designed to give students a glimpse into the richness and diversity within the Indian political thought," the syllabus mentions. The course is aimed to equip students with a critical understanding of modern Indian thought, it adds. "The thematic exploration of ideas is meant to locate the topical debates on important subjects on a historical trajectory and reflect over the diverse possibilities exhibited in the writings of the respective thinkers," it further stated. Meanwhile, the ABVP welcomed the move, saying "fanatic theological scholar" Iqbal was responsible for India's partition. "Delhi University academic council decided to scrap fanatic theological scholar Mohd Iqbal from DU's political science syllabus. It was previously included in BA's sixth-semester paper titled 'Modern Indian political thought," the ABVP said in a statement. "Mohammad Iqbal is called the 'philosophical father of Pakistan'. He was the key player in establishing Jinnah as a leader in Muslim League. Mohammad Iqbal is as responsible for India's partition as Mohammad Ali Jinnah is," it added. New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) Court is not an institution to sermonise society on morality and ethics and rather, it is bound by the rule of law while taking decisions, the Supreme Court has said. The top court made this observation while ordering premature release of a woman convicted for murder of two children. The woman had an affair with a man who used to often threaten her. So she decided to commit suicide along with her children. She bought pesticides meant for plants and administered poison to her two children. Thereafter, when she poured the pesticide in a tumbler to consume it herself, her niece pushed it down. Unfortunately, the two children were declared dead on arrival in the hospital and an FIR under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code was lodged. The trial court convicted the woman under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 309 (suicide) and sentenced her life imprisonment besides a fine. The high court partly allowed her plea by acquitting her under Section 309 while upholding the conviction under Section 302 of IPC. The woman pleaded for premature release, saying she was in prison for almost 20 years. However, the recommendation of the State Level Committee was rejected by the Tamil Nadu government considering the cruel and brutal nature of the offence committed by her. A Supreme Court bench of justices Ajay Rastogi and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said the woman never tried to murder her sons with a view to continue her illicit relationship. "On the contrary, she had tried to commit suicide herself along with her children not with a view to continue her illicit relationship with her paramour but rather, in disappointment and frustration over the quarrel picked up by her paramour. "This court is not an institution to sermonise society on morality and ethics and we say no further on this score, bound as we are, by the brooding presence of the rule of law," the bench said. The apex court said the case cannot be simply bracketed as a 'cruel and brutal' offence as the woman herself was trying to end her life but was prevented by her niece in the nick of time. "Moreover, the recommendation of the State Level Committee conveyed by the Additional Director General of Police/Inspector General of Prisons also notes her undisputed reflective conduct as also the long period of incarceration already undergone," it said. The top court said there is no valid reason or justifiable ground for the State not accepting the recommendation of the State Level Committee for premature release of the woman. "We are not oblivious to the crime but we are equally not oblivious to the fact that the appellant (mother) has already suffered at the cruel hands of fate. The reason thereof is an arena this Court would avoid entering. "The appellant is held entitled to the benefit of premature release as per G.O issued by the Home (Prison-IV) Department, under the signature of Additional Chief Secretary to Government. Accordingly, the appellant is directed to be released forthwith, if not required in any other case," the bench said. Malappuram (Kerala), May 27 (PTI) The investigation into the recent murder case of the Kozhikode-based hotelier has revealed that the three arrested accused were allegedly trying to "honeytrap the victim", a Kerala police officer said on Saturday. Malappuram District Police Chief S Sujith Das, addressing the media after the interrogation, said the accused Shibili, Farhana and Ashiq alias Chicku conspired to trap the deceased 58-year-old Sidhique at a hotel near Eranhipalam but the plan went awry on May 18. The district police chief said a fight ensued after the accused was forced to strip naked and capture objectionable pictures. "All the three accused had planned the honeytrap and were also ready to counteract any opposition from the deceased. During the melee, Farhana handed over a hammer to Shibili who hit Sidhique on his head. Ashiq kicked the victim, breaking his ribs," Das said. He added that they purchased two trolley bags and a cutter and chopped the body into two pieces before throwing the corpse in the bag at Attappady ghat road. The district police chief said Shibili, who knew the debit card PIN numbers of Sidhique, withdrew the money from some ATMs after the murder. "They were nabbed from Chennai Egmore railway station on May 24. Their plan was to escape to Assam," he said. Police had on Friday found the corpse of Siddique, a native of Tirur who was running a restaurant at Kozhikode's Olavanna, stuffed in two trolley bags in a gorge along the Attappady ghat road. Westerly, RI (02891) Today Sunny. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 63F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low near 45F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. International Consolidated Airlines Group (OTCMKTS:ICAGY Get Rating) and Harbor Diversified (OTCMKTS:HRBR Get Rating) are both transportation companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability and earnings. Profitability This table compares International Consolidated Airlines Group and Harbor Diversifieds net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get International Consolidated Airlines Group alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets International Consolidated Airlines Group -1.10% -29.49% -1.03% Harbor Diversified N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for International Consolidated Airlines Group and Harbor Diversified, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score International Consolidated Airlines Group 1 4 6 0 2.45 Harbor Diversified 0 0 0 0 N/A Volatility and Risk International Consolidated Airlines Group currently has a consensus target price of $1.70, suggesting a potential downside of 55.38%. Given International Consolidated Airlines Groups higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe International Consolidated Airlines Group is more favorable than Harbor Diversified. International Consolidated Airlines Group has a beta of 2.12, suggesting that its stock price is 112% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Harbor Diversified has a beta of 1.74, suggesting that its stock price is 74% more volatile than the S&P 500. Insider & Institutional Ownership 0.0% of Harbor Diversified shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of Harbor Diversified shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Valuation and Earnings This table compares International Consolidated Airlines Group and Harbor Diversifieds revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio International Consolidated Airlines Group $10.00 billion 0.38 -$3.47 billion N/A N/A Harbor Diversified $280.86 million 0.36 $39.11 million N/A N/A Harbor Diversified has lower revenue, but higher earnings than International Consolidated Airlines Group. Summary Harbor Diversified beats International Consolidated Airlines Group on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About International Consolidated Airlines Group (Get Rating) International Consolidated Airlines Group SA is a holding company, which engages in the provision of passenger and freight air transportation services. It operates through the following segments: British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, and Other Group companies. The company was founded on January 21, 2011 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. About Harbor Diversified (Get Rating) Harbor Diversified, Inc. is a development stage pharmaceutical company, which engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of products for the treatment of diseases related to aging. The firm focuses on two clinical development products, Apoptone and Triolex. The company was founded in November 1992 and is headquartered in Appleton, WI. Receive News & Ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Key Insights The projected fair value for Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd is RM20.82 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of RM26.00 suggests Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd is potentially 25% overvalued The RM30.76 analyst price target for F&N is 48% more than our estimate of fair value Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (KLSE:F&N) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. View our latest analysis for Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd Crunching The Numbers We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) -RM126.3m RM407.4m RM476.3m RM529.3m RM576.1m RM618.0m RM656.1m RM691.4m RM724.8m RM757.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ 11.12% Est @ 8.85% Est @ 7.27% Est @ 6.16% Est @ 5.38% Est @ 4.84% Est @ 4.46% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10.0% -RM115 RM337 RM358 RM362 RM358 RM349 RM337 RM323 RM308 RM292 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM2.9b After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 10.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = RM757m (1 + 3.6%) (10.0% 3.6%) = RM12b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM12b ( 1 + 10.0%)10= RM4.7b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM7.6b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM26.0, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf The Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Beverage industry. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Beverage market. Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Opportunity Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, we've compiled three fundamental items you should explore: Risks: As an example, we've found 1 warning sign for Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does F&N's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Kohls (NYSE:KSS Get Rating) had its target price cut by analysts at Bank of America from $25.00 to $22.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, The Fly reports. Bank of Americas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 9.84% from the companys previous close. Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on KSS. StockNews.com began coverage on Kohls in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Kohls from $35.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Thursday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on Kohls from $25.00 to $28.00 in a research note on Thursday. UBS Group cut their target price on Kohls from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Kohls from $27.00 to $24.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.88. Get Kohl's alerts: Kohls Stock Up 1.8 % KSS opened at $20.03 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $21.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $26.47. Kohls has a twelve month low of $18.61 and a twelve month high of $47.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a current ratio of 1.17. The firm has a market cap of $2.22 billion, a P/E ratio of -46.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.66. Insider Activity Kohls ( NYSE:KSS Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 24th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.44) by $0.57. Kohls had a negative return on equity of 0.47% and a negative net margin of 0.11%. The firm had revenue of $3.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.37 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.11 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Kohls will post 2.36 EPS for the current year. In other Kohls news, CEO Thomas Kingsbury purchased 92,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 29th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $21.82 per share, with a total value of $2,018,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 228,993 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,996,627.26. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kohls Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Kohls by 279.7% during the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 222,887 shares of the companys stock worth $5,604,000 after purchasing an additional 164,186 shares during the last quarter. Dupont Capital Management Corp bought a new position in Kohls in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,135,000. Whitebox Advisors LLC bought a new position in Kohls in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,227,000. Caxton Associates LP increased its position in Kohls by 100.6% in the 3rd quarter. Caxton Associates LP now owns 49,742 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,251,000 after acquiring an additional 24,940 shares during the period. Finally, Ironwood Investment Management LLC increased its position in Kohls by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Ironwood Investment Management LLC now owns 75,750 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,913,000 after acquiring an additional 2,600 shares during the period. 95.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Kohls (Get Rating) Kohls Corp. engages in the operation of family-oriented department stores. Its business line includes apparel, footwear, and accessories for women, men, and children, home products, beauty products, and accessories. The stores generally carry a consistent merchandise assortment with some differences attributable to regional preferences. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Kohl's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kohl's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victory Capital Management Inc. cut its stake in shares of Steelcase Inc. (NYSE:SCS Get Rating) by 40.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 848,472 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 576,450 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. owned 0.75% of Steelcase worth $6,618,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in SCS. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Steelcase by 12.5% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 36,070 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $431,000 after buying an additional 3,999 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in Steelcase by 32.8% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 14,724 shares of the business services providers stock worth $177,000 after purchasing an additional 3,635 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its position in Steelcase by 47.3% during the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 29,323 shares of the business services providers stock worth $350,000 after purchasing an additional 9,422 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Steelcase by 51.8% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 45,862 shares of the business services providers stock worth $548,000 after purchasing an additional 15,650 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Steelcase by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,932,474 shares of the business services providers stock worth $94,794,000 after purchasing an additional 277,505 shares during the period. 74.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Steelcase alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Peter M. Wege II sold 17,273 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.44, for a total transaction of $145,784.12. Following the sale, the director now owns 228,583 shares in the company, valued at $1,929,240.52. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Peter M. Wege II sold 5,691 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.45, for a total transaction of $48,088.95. Following the sale, the director now owns 199,644 shares in the company, valued at $1,686,991.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Peter M. Wege II sold 17,273 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.44, for a total transaction of $145,784.12. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 228,583 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,929,240.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 12.77% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Steelcase Stock Performance A number of brokerages recently weighed in on SCS. TheStreet cut shares of Steelcase from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Friday, May 12th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Steelcase in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. NYSE:SCS opened at $7.11 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 0.94. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $7.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $7.66. The stock has a market cap of $810.18 million, a P/E ratio of 23.70, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.37. Steelcase Inc. has a 1-year low of $6.20 and a 1-year high of $12.43. Steelcase (NYSE:SCS Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 22nd. The business services provider reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.06 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $801.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $751.38 million. Steelcase had a net margin of 1.09% and a return on equity of 7.96%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.02) EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Steelcase Inc. will post 0.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Steelcase Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 5th were paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 4th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.63%. Steelcases dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 133.34%. Steelcase Profile (Get Rating) Steelcase Inc engages in the manufacture and distribution of office environments. It operates through the following segmets: Americas, EMEA, and Other. The Americas segment serves customers in the US, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, and Latin America through the Steelcase, AMQ, Coalesse, HALCON, Orangebox, Smith System, and Viccarbe brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Steelcase Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Steelcase and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (NYSE:AIO Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, May 26th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, August 11th will be paid a dividend of 0.15 per share on Friday, September 1st. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 10th. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Trading Up 1.9 % Shares of NYSE:AIO opened at $16.71 on Friday. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund has a one year low of $14.92 and a one year high of $19.11. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $16.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.89. Get Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AIO. Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 95,141 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,655,000 after acquiring an additional 1,266 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 19,240 shares of the companys stock valued at $335,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 7.7% during the 1st quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 22,786 shares of the companys stock valued at $400,000 after acquiring an additional 1,624 shares in the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its stake in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 10.6% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 19,323 shares of the companys stock valued at $422,000 after acquiring an additional 1,855 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its stake in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 16.9% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 20,750 shares of the companys stock valued at $336,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. About Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund The Fund seeks to generate a stable income stream and growth of capital by focusing on one of the most significant long-term secular growth opportunities in markets today. A multi-asset approach based on fundamental research is employed, dynamically allocating to attractive segments of a companys debt and equity in order to offer an attractive risk/reward profile. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aviva PLC grew its stake in shares of Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM Get Rating) by 61.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 321,277 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 122,028 shares during the period. Aviva PLCs holdings in Howmet Aerospace were worth $15,232,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in HWM. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 51,541 shares of the companys stock worth $2,031,000 after buying an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Utah Retirement Systems boosted its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 67,074 shares of the companys stock worth $2,074,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. boosted its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 29.6% in the 4th quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 1,328 shares of the companys stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 12.8% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,904 shares of the companys stock worth $114,000 after buying an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gateway Investment Advisers LLC boosted its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC now owns 65,591 shares of the companys stock worth $2,585,000 after buying an additional 347 shares in the last quarter. 91.49% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Howmet Aerospace alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth HWM has been the topic of several recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Howmet Aerospace in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $50.00 price objective on the stock. KeyCorp upped their target price on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $41.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 16th. Argus upped their target price on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $43.00 to $49.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 21st. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $39.00 to $42.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $47.00 to $49.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $47.91. Insider Activity Howmet Aerospace Trading Up 0.6 % In related news, EVP Neil Edward Marchuk sold 57,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.61, for a total transaction of $2,485,770.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 286,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,505,211.11. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Corporate insiders own 1.23% of the companys stock. NYSE HWM opened at $43.50 on Friday. Howmet Aerospace Inc. has a 12 month low of $29.84 and a 12 month high of $45.70. The company has a 50-day moving average of $43.00 and a 200-day moving average of $40.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 2.18 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The company has a market cap of $17.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.43. Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:HWM Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.42 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.04. Howmet Aerospace had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 18.39%. The company had revenue of $1.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.31 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 21.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Howmet Aerospace Inc. will post 1.69 earnings per share for the current year. Howmet Aerospace Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 5th were paid a dividend of $0.04 per share. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 4th. Howmet Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is currently 13.91%. Howmet Aerospace Company Profile (Get Rating) Howmet Aerospace, Inc engages in provision of engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. It operates through the following segments: Engine Products, Fastening Systems, Engineered Structures, and Forged Wheels. The Engine Products segment produces investment castings, including airfoils, and seamless rolled rings primarily for aircraft engines (aerospace commercial and defense) and industrial gas turbines. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HWM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Howmet Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Howmet Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AXQ Capital LP bought a new stake in shares of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Rating) (TSE:TD) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 3,126 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $202,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Evoke Wealth LLC grew its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Evoke Wealth LLC now owns 34,281 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,220,000 after purchasing an additional 363 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 30.8% during the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 93,946 shares of the banks stock valued at $6,084,000 after purchasing an additional 22,102 shares during the last quarter. PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd. now owns 165,991 shares of the banks stock valued at $10,748,000 after purchasing an additional 14,180 shares during the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise boosted its position in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 15,417 shares of the banks stock valued at $997,000 after buying an additional 226 shares during the period. Finally, Aviva PLC boosted its position in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 706,262 shares of the banks stock valued at $10,996,000 after buying an additional 32,413 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 49.22% of the companys stock. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TD has been the subject of several analyst reports. Desjardins increased their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$105.00 to C$106.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. CIBC raised shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Barclays cut shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Scotiabank raised shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, May 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $100.57. Toronto-Dominion Bank Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of NYSE TD opened at $57.50 on Friday. The Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 1 year low of $55.43 and a 1 year high of $77.15. The stock has a market cap of $105.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.88. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $59.98 and a 200 day moving average of $63.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.97. Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Rating) (TSE:TD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The bank reported $1.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.03. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a net margin of 17.72% and a return on equity of 15.69%. The company had revenue of $9.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.97 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 6.44 EPS for the current fiscal year. Toronto-Dominion Bank Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, July 10th will be given a dividend of $0.709 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 7th. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.93%. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.65%. Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile (Get Rating) The Toronto-Dominion Bank engages in the provision of financial products and services. It operates through the following segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The Canadian Retail segment offers various financial products and services, as well as telephone, Internet, and mobile banking services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But no-one is immune from buying too high. For example the Nexa Resources S.A. (NYSE:NEXA) share price dropped 67% over five years. That's not a lot of fun for true believers. And it's not just long term holders hurting, because the stock is down 44% in the last year. More recently, the share price has dropped a further 15% in a month. If the past week is anything to go by, investor sentiment for Nexa Resources isn't positive, so let's see if there's a mismatch between fundamentals and the share price. View our latest analysis for Nexa Resources Given that Nexa Resources didn't make a profit in the last twelve months, we'll focus on revenue growth to form a quick view of its business development. Shareholders of unprofitable companies usually expect strong revenue growth. Some companies are willing to postpone profitability to grow revenue faster, but in that case one does expect good top-line growth. In the last half decade, Nexa Resources saw its revenue increase by 3.7% per year. That's far from impressive given all the money it is losing. This lacklustre growth has no doubt fueled the loss of 11% per year, in that time. We want to see an acceleration of revenue growth (or profits) before showing much interest in this one. When a stock falls hard like this, some investors like to add the company to a watchlist (in case the business recovers, longer term). The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. You can see what analysts are predicting for Nexa Resources in this interactive graph of future profit estimates. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Nexa Resources the TSR over the last 5 years was -60%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence! A Different Perspective While the broader market gained around 1.0% in the last year, Nexa Resources shareholders lost 42% (even including dividends). However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 10% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Nexa Resources better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks, for example - Nexa Resources has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Meekaam is a New Platform For B2B Industrial Sourcing. Guangzhou City, China, May 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sourcing industrial goods and machinery just got simpler. Supplychain.vip has launched Meekaam as the brand name under the company Guangzhou Mika Goods Co., Ltd, an online platform for manufacturers and purchasers of industrial goods. By simplifying sourcing and buying goods, Meekaam allows buyers and sellers to focus on their products and add more value for their end customers. With in-house expertise in product quality and project management, as well as a marketplace filled with Asias top manufacturers, Meekaam is the new one-stop shop for all B2B industrial sourcing needs. First O2O Platform For B2B Businesses Meekaam is leveraging the powers of the O2O platform for B2B dealings. While customers and manufacturers can forge connections and build partnerships online, Meekaams on-ground project management team handles all the legwork needed offline. Companies can benefit from participating in a larger marketplace online, while also ensuring their offline factory inspection and supply chain logistics will be handled responsibly. Both buyers and sellers benefit from the high product quality, favorable pricing, clarity in communication, and reliable delivery model. Like so many other fields of e-commerce, industrial goods have also found a thriving new marketplace in the digital sphere. Meekaams O2O model refines B2B dealings for industrial goods by combining advanced technology with a human touch. Asias Top Suppliers in One Place Companies looking to purchase industrial goods make an annual pilgrimage to the Canton Fair in China, seeking out the best brands and manufacturers from across Asia and the globe. Now, with Meekaam, they no longer have to wait for the annual expo. Instead, they can simply log onto Meekaams online platform to connect with over 50,000 of Asias best manufacturers and brands. Participating in the Canton Fair marks out industrial goods manufacturers as trustworthy and reliable. Chinas oldest and most well-regarded industrial product expo attracts only the best of the best among Asian manufacturers and brands. This stamp of quality is why Meekaam selects its sourcing partners from those who have exhibited at the Canton Fair. Manufacturers who have participated in the fair will get FAIR memberships. Through Meekaams platform, manufacturers get a steady stream of customers all year round, and buyers can rest assured that their goods are being purchased from a vetted source. The Ideal Industrial Goods Sourcing Platform Meekaam has disrupted the traditional model of sourcing industrial goods. The O2O platform has many advantages over the traditional method of strictly offline sourcing. The exponential increase in customers and vendors is only the start. Here is how Meekaam is harnessing technology to improve the industrial goods sourcing experience for both buyers and sellers: Online Supplier Searching Meekaams vendor list of over 50,000 manufacturers and brands means buyers are spoilt for choice. By searching on the supplychain.vip portal, users can locate the exact product or company they were looking for. RFQ Companies looking to purchase industrial goods can prepare a Request For Quote (RFQ) and post it on the Meekaam platform. Eligible vendors will then approach with their offers. This allows buyers to get the best possible price on every purchase. VIP Sourcing Service Meekaam has partnered with Sourcing Captain to handle all on-ground sourcing needs. At a low commission cost, Sourcing Captain creates a smooth, customized supply chain for every valued customer. About the Founder Gary Qiu, the founder of Meekaam, brings 16 years of supply chain management expertise. He identified a gap in the industrial goods marketplace where Chinese suppliers and overseas customers were running into hurdles. He founded Meekaam as an answer to these problems. Qius mission is to build better connections between suppliers and customers while satisfying both requirements, Keep serving the supply chain and build value chain. CompanyGuangzhou Mika Goods Co., Ltd Contact Person: Gary Qiu Email: info@supplychain.vip Website: www.supplychain.vip Telephone: 86-189 23124899 LocationGuangzhou City, China Disclaimer: This announcement is not directed at any investors or potential investors, and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, and may not be used or relied upon in evaluating the merits of any investment. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects and/or opinions expressed in this release are subject to change without notice. The contents in here should not be construed as or relied upon in any manner as investment, legal, tax, or other advice. [May 26, 2023] Hagens Berman: Settlement Worth in Excess of $500 Million Reached in Insulin Pricing Class-Action Lawsuit Attorneys at Hagens Berman and Carella Byrne Cecchi Olstein Brody & Agnello today announced a settlement with insulin-maker Eli Lilly worth more than $500 million, culminating a class-action lawsuit on behalf of insulin purchasers alleging systematic overpricing of insulin. "This settlement will bring immense, forward-looking relief, especially for those who are underinsured or paying with co-insurance - those most in need of assistance paying for the medications they need to live," said Steve Berman, managing partner and co-founder of Hagens Berman and court-appointed co-lead counsel representing insulin purchasers in the lawsuit. "Those paying out-of-pocket for insulin will receive four years of insulin at a reduced price under the settlement." "Our experts calculate this will save these consumers $500 million in payments for their insulin over the four-year period," Berman added. Hagens Berman and Carella Byrne filed the first-of-its-kind lawsuit in 2017 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The class action details several accounts from patients resorting to extreme measures to survive rising insulin prices, including starving themselves to control their blood sugar levels, intentionally slipping into diabetic ketoacidosis to receive insulin samples from hospital emergency rooms, under-dosing insulin, and taking expired insulin. "We are incredibly pleased to culminate this important case and over six years of hard-fought litigation on behalf of millions of individuals who rely on insulin every day," said James Cecchi of Carella Byne, co-lead counsel representing the class. "We believe this settlement will have a positive impact on the daily lives of millions of Americans living with diabetes." Benefits Under the Insulin Pricing Settlement The settlement for insulin purchasers includes immense benefits for those most harmed by prohibitively high prices - cash payers, as well as the underinsured and those paying through co-insurance. Forward-Looking Benefits : Eli Lilly will provide comprehensive affordability solutions to insulin purchasers through a four-ear plan that stipulates no one will pay more than $35 out-of-pocket monthly for insulin. : Eli Lilly will provide comprehensive affordability solutions to insulin purchasers through a four-ear plan that stipulates no one will pay more than $35 out-of-pocket monthly for insulin. Settlement Funds: For those not eligible for the first tier of relief, a $13.5 million settlement fund will be established for the class. If any amount remains unclaimed, remaining funds will be redistributed to claimants, so that funds are rightfully delivered to the class, for up to three times their claimed losses. According to settlement documents, "Eligible Settlement Claimants can receive cash payments based on their purchases of Lilly Insulin Products during the Settlement Class Period to be calculated based on a formula set by Plaintiffs and the approved plan of allocation." The process for submitting a settlement claim is designed to be as simple and convenient as possible, and the settlement claim form will be available on the settlement website and can be submitted electronically once the settlement has been approved by the court. Immediately following preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, plaintiffs plan to serve subpoenas on the six largest pharmacy benefit manufacturers and seven largest national retail pharmacy chains in the United States to obtain transactional data. Settlement documents state that most settlement claims will be verifiable through this transactional data without requiring class members to submit documentation. Class members will also be notified directly based on this available information, and additional targeted ads will be used to ensure all eligible are aware and notified of their benefits. The class includes anyone in the U.S. who paid any portion of the purchase price for any Lilly Insulin Product, for themselves or on behalf of any family member or dependent, no matter how they paid for it, since Jan. 1, 2009, to the date of entry of the final approval order of the settlement. The settlement references a list price, Average Wholesale Price, and Wholesale Acquisition Cost or Price. Insulin purchased exclusively through Medicaid is excluded. During the lawsuit's six years, the parties saw multiple rounds of motion to dismiss briefing, three amended complaints and extensive discovery, including more than 60 depositions of plaintiffs and defendants' employees. Read more about the law firm's class-action lawsuit against insulin makers. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm with a tenacious drive for achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. Since its founding in 1993, the firm's determination has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of "Most Feared Plaintiff's Firm," MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. About Carella Byne Carella Byrne is one of the leading law firms in the New Jersey - New York metropolitan area, serving a diverse clientele ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations. Carella Byrne has led - or been part of the leadership team - in many of the nation's most complex and important consumer class actions affecting consumer rights. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.carellabyrne.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230526005329/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 26, 2023] For the first time, AI-based system allows identification of 5 jaguars in Dzilam reserve in Yucatan, Mexico AI-based system for first time confirms at least five jaguars in Mexico's Dzilam nature reserve. MEXICO CITY, May 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A team of nature conservation experts have recently announced that with the help of Huawei Cloud and artificial intelligence, they have identified at least five jaguars in a nature reserve in Dzilam, Yucatan, in southeast Mexico. The Tech4Nature Mexico project, launched in the Dzilam de Bravo nature reserve last year, uses an integrated and continuous monitoring system analyzing images and sound data to identify and track jaguars and their preys. The project involves partners including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Polytechnic University of Yucatan, C Minds' AI for Climate initiative, Rainforest Connection, the local community of Dzilam, and the government authorities of Yucatan. Huawei supplied the capabilities of Huawei Cloud to the project. To date, the team has collected more than 30,000 photos, 550,000 audio recordings and numerous video clips of wild animals. This data trove provides deep insights of local wildlife to researchers and contributes to the preservation and promotion of Yucatan biodiversity. The data is processed on the ModelArts AI Platform from Huawei Cloud and Rainforest Connection's Arbimon AI platform from. Sayda Rodriguez Gomez, Secretary of Sustainable Development of Yucatan, says that the knowledge gathered through the monitoring system is helpful in driving conservation efforts. "The first thing we discovered was that it was difficult to convince someone to invest in conservation," she recalls. "Knowing is something extremely valuable. What we get now with monitoring are things that, if we do not see them, we don't know are there," she adds. "If people don't know there are these animals, they don't help us." The team identified 119 species, including 88 birds, 22 mammals, five reptiles, and four amphibians, of which 34 species are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Prior to the project, local experts didn't know whether the reserve was home to jaguars, and if so, how many there were. "We need to upload the data to a Big Data platform because it is a high volume of information," says Joaquin Saldana, director of strategy marketing at Huawei Latin America. "We need to process it at high speed and with artificial intelligence. Then start to understand the pictures and be able to detect the animals that interest us." The team is now working to develop algorithms enabling individual identification of jaguars, which will be fundamental to figure out how many jaguars live in the region. "We are setting the basis for a state-wide biodiversity monitoring platform with AI on the Huawei Cloud," says Regina Cervera, a project coordinator at the innovation agency C Minds. "Our umbrella species is the jaguar, because if we make sure to protect it, then we protect everything that surrounds them. What we are doing is a huge and pioneering step for decision-making for conservation and nature-based solutions." Ecologists estimate that around 4,000 to 5,000 jaguars live in the wild in Mexico. Of this amount, more than half of them live in the Yucatan Peninsula, making it one of the primary regions for their conservation. But their existence is threatened by illegal hunting, deforestation as well as climate change. Protecting the jaguar means a lot to local communities. Juan Castillo, a community leader in the Dzilam de Bravo Reserve, says that he has heard about the jaguars ever since he was young. In Mexico, the number of jaguars is now growing, increasing to 4,766 animals in 2018 from 4,025 in 2010, a promising sign that conservation strategies are working. "All this is jaguar land," Juan Castillo says. "Since I was a child, I liked knowing that it is part of us. Sometimes what I say makes people laugh: the day I die, I would like to be a jaguar. I wish that there is still a way to take care of them, because if not, tomorrow we would only be seeing it in books." To learn more about the story, please visit: https://www.forclimate.ai/tech4nature About Huawei Founded in 1987, Huawei is one of the world's leading providers of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 195,000 employees and operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected and intelligent world. To achieve this, we will promote universal connectivity and promote equal access to networks, laying the foundations for an intelligent world; we will deliver superior computing power where and when it is needed to bring cloud and intelligence to every corner of the globe; we will build digital platforms that help industries and companies achieve greater agility, efficiency and dynamism; and we will redefine the user experience with AI to bring a higher level of intelligence and personalization to all aspects of people's lives, whether they are at home, on the go, in the office, playing or exercising. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on: http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei http://www.twitter.com/Huawei http://www.facebook.com/Huawei http://www.youtube.com/Huawei Media contact Alberto Romero [email protected] (55) 2855-8274 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/for-the-first-time-ai-based-system-allows-identification-of-5-jaguars-in-dzilam-reserve-in-yucatan-mexico-301836104.html SOURCE Huawei [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 26, 2023] OLO INVESTIGATION INITIATED by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates the Officers and Directors of Olo Inc. - OLO Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into Olo Inc. (NYSE: OLO). On August 11, 2022, Olo, a software company that connects individual restaurant locations to consumers directly through mobile and online ordering, announced disappointing results for 2Q2022, disclosing lowered revenue guidance and a flat active location count due to the loss of 2,500 Subway locations. Further, the Company expected the remaining Subway locations to also end their contracts by 4Q2022 or 1Q2023, which effects the Company claimed to have incorporated into its guidance months earlier without informing the market. Thereafter, the Company and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. Recently, the court presiding over that case denied the Company's motion to dismiss, allowing the case to move forward. KSF's investigation is focusing o whether Olo's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws. If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Olo shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-833-938-0905 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-olo/ to learn more. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey. To learn more about KSF, you may visit ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230526005359/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 27, 2023] PTE Academic recognised for Student Direct Stream visas into Canada LONDON, May 27, 2023 /CNW/ -- Pearson, the world's leading learning company, has today received approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for PTE Academic to be accepted for all SDS (Student Direct Stream) applications. PTE Academic will be accepted by the IRCC for SDS applications as of August 10, 2023. This approval follows IRCC recognition earlier this year of PTE Core for proof of English language proficiency for Canadian permanent residency or citizenship. SDS is an expedited study permit process for students applying to study in Canada from Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. Latest IRCC figures for 2022 show Canada reached an all-time high for international students. As of the end of October, IRCC had processed more than 750,300 study permit applications during the 2022 calendar year. The UK, Australian and New Zealand governments already accept PTE Academic for all visa applications. PTE Academic is also accepted by thousands of universities across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA. PTE can be taken at more than 400 PTE centres in 118 countries. Andy Bird, CEO, Pearson, said: "Canada is a great place to be a student fantastic colleges, beautiful scenery, exciting culture and nightlife. With PTE Academic now recognised for SDS purposes, I'm delighted that Pearson can help even more test takers achieve their dream of studying there. "This recognition comes hot on the heels of PTE Core being approved for Canadian economic migration purposes earlier this year and reflects our determination to make PTE the test of choice for everybody wanting to live, work or study abroad." PTE brings together human expertise and the latest AI technology to deliver an English language proficiency test that is both impartial and highly accurate. AI technology is used for scoring and biometric data collection provides enhanced security measures. PTE is delivered through Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing business of Pearson. Furthermore, test takers can book online up to 24 hours in advance, take advantage of year-round worldwide test centre slots and receive their results on average within 1.3 days. PTE Academic tests taken before 10th August will be eligible for SDS provided they are submitted after this date and are within the expiry period stipulated by IRCC. Applicants are advised to check IRCC guidance. About Pearson At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in c.200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at person.com Media contact: Kasia Reardon [email protected] [email protected] 07702 512 312 SOURCE Pearson [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 27, 2023] Big Data Expo 2023: Merging Digital Technology with Culture GUIYANG, China, May 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by Huanqiu.com: The much-awaited Big Data Expo 2023, taking place from May 26th to 28th in Guiyang, presents an array of groundbreaking technological accomplishments that are redefining the nexus of culture and technology. As digital technology such as big data, cloud computing, and AI evolve at a rapid pace, they are propelling the cultural sector into a new era of creativity and distribution, thus sparking a wealth of opportunities for cultural expansion. Technologies that provide immersive experiences, such as xR and holographic projections, are not only transforming the way cultural products are consumed, but also how they are produced. Shenzhen Absen Optoelectronic, a leading LED display manufacturer, showcases its top-of-the-line products and innovative solutions at the Expo, enabling visitors to experience captivating visuals firsthand. A major highlight at Absen's booth is the virtual shooting stage, which primarily employs LED display screens from Absen to produce predefined visuals, creating distinctive settings. As visitors step onto the stage, they are transported into the scene through high-tech processing, thus experiencing an immersive sensory spectacle. Absen's virtual stage utilizes "xR" virtual shooting as the technical support to deliver an immersive experience to the audience. xR refers to extended reality, which encompasses VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), and MR (mixed reality). This technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in several fields, including advertising, film production, and live commerce. One notable application is the virtual shooting studio, where LED screens and virtual shooting technology merge to digitally replicate specific "scenes". This allows actors to perform directly within an AR virtual environment, leading to significant savings in production time and cost. Discussing the rationale for venturing into xR virtual shooting, a director of Absen stated, "xR offers a gateway to the metaverse, integrating a wide variety of virtual realities. It represents a groundbreaking technology in the film and television sector, enhancing overall ndustry shooting efficiency and fostering growth. Given its enormous potential, xR will also link the industry to others, including education, smart manufacturing, and energy supply. Undoubtedly, this signifies a forthcoming trend in the display industry's evolution." In addition to the innovation generated by its virtual shooting technology, Absen has also been enriching the novel experience of digital culture in culture-themed tourism. For instance, Absen has played a vital role in the construction of themed attractions in the core area of Universal Beijing Resort. It creates a multi-dimensional, all sensory immersive experience with the advanced LED display technology. The Performing Arts Center of Guiyang Grand Theatre benefits from stages adorned with movable LED screens and a four-sided rotating stage, offering viewers a spectacular visual treat. Furthermore, Absen has influenced the exhibition industry, particularly in the Sci-Tech Cultural Center of Wannian County of Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province. Here, Absen's immersive digital sand table (CAVE) and large-scale data visualization smart screen have turned the center into a new science, technology, and culture landmark. The director of Absen said, "We aim to use LED display technology to revolutionize content, models, and business modes, crafting immersive cultural attractions and continually enhancing visitors' audio-visual experience." In the digital era, technological advancements and content drive the cultural industry's evolution. Consequently, the demand for intellectual property protection is becoming more urgent. At the Expo, Intellectual Property Publishing House presents the China IPR Big Data and Intelligent Service System (Inspiro). The publishing house director explained, "We have collected 491 pools of data, reaching a capacity of 383T+ and an amount of 1 billion+. Inspiro integrates data resources, including domestic and foreign patents, trademarks, intellectual property cases and standards, scientific journals, geographical indications, new plant varieties, and layout-designs of integrated circuit. Inspiro performs multiple functions, such as information retrieval, analysis, early warnings, and project management in big data." Using interactive data visualization and data monitoring and analysis, Inspiro communicates complex data relationships and data-driven insights in an easily digestible manner. The director further noted, "The publishing house is tasked with overseeing intellectual property throughout its lifecycle. From the moment books, paintings, or other works are created, we manage the verification of their originality and intellectual property protection, realization, and infringement." Cultural digitization is now a national strategy. In Guizhou, digitization enriches public cultural services, meeting diverse needs. Libraries are enhancing the reading experience through technologies such as robot guides, digital resources, and virtual reality. Cultural venues like museums, connected to the "cloud," provide audiences with new and immersive experiences through cloud performances and exhibitions. The "Travel Guizhou with One Code" app, which compiles information on Guizhou's tourist attractions, enables a seamless, smart tourism experience. The data-driven evolution of the cultural industry is yielding benefits for more people. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/big-data-expo-2023-merging-digital-technology-with-culture-301836227.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 27, 2023] Monumental Gathering of Wealth at the Historic Guildhall & House of Commons Parliament: SWFI Global Wealth Conference 2023 In the heart of Britain's historic capital, the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), esteemed as the global oracle on institutional investors and capital flows, will be hosting the monumental Global Wealth Conference. The rendezvous, scheduled to illuminate London's majestic Guildhall from May 31 - June 1, 2023, promises a gathering of the world's most influential financial figures, eminent leaders, and seasoned investors. The illustrious assembly will witness the convergence of 40 sovereign wealth funds, 50+ family offices worldwide, 30+ pension and public funds, 50+ institutional global asset managers, and 30+ distinguished personalities including members of royal households and policymakers. An astounding $5 Trillion USD AUM from Global SWFs and asset managers will coalesce at the Global Wealth Conference, in an unprecedented display of global financial clout. In 2022, sovereign wealth funds have made their mark in the United Kingdom, investing an impressive US$ 14.66 billion, a significant leap from US$ 8.205 billion in 2021. Global powerhouses such as Mubadala Investment Company, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Singapore's GIC Private Limited, and Canadian pension plans like CDPQ, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, CPP Investments, continue to channel capital directly into the UK, according to SWFI transaction data. Today, the UK stands tall as a premier destination for direct investments by sovereign wealth funds globally. "The Global Wealth Conference serves as an extraordinary beacon of business prospects. It fosters the flux of capital and paves the way for strategic alliances, enhancing the UK's attractiveness for sovereign wealth fund capital. The participation of UK businesses and investors is instrumental in this process, leading to increased capital inflow," said Lakshmi Narayanan, Chairman of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. "The UK's remarkable ascent as a global powerhouse is bolstere by the significant contributions of sovereign wealth funds and pension capital, as validated by our comprehensive research data. A key catalyst behind this success lies in commendable government efforts to facilitate seamless access to lucrative opportunities for foreign investors. Thus, the significance of eminent gatherings like the Global Wealth Conference becomes paramount, serving as an influential platform where asset owners, governments, and astute fund managers converge to forge fruitful alliances," said Michael Maduell, President of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. This spectacular event will unfold over three days, beginning in the grandeur of the House of Commons for the first Parliament day, and then continuing to the timeless Guildhall in collaboration with the City of London. To make the most of this opportunity, the Global Wealth Conference is set to be a riveting affair. The agenda is a mosaic of thought-provoking keynote presentations, enlightening panel discussions, interactive workshops, and exclusive private dinners at historic venues. Participants will enjoy an unparalleled opportunity to network, cultivating valuable partnerships and alliances. The conference is a celebration of financial prowess, a manifestation of global unity in wealth management, and a testament to the continued prosperity and resilience of the United Kingdom as a financial powerhouse. To register, visit https://events.swfinstitute.org/. To inquire regarding memberships, sponsorships, and partnerships, contact Edward Longhurst-Pierce at [email protected] For event inquiries, contact Karen Maduell, [email protected] or [email protected] About Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute is a global organization designed to study sovereign wealth funds, public pensions, central banks, and other long-term public investors in the areas of investing, asset allocation, risk, governance, economics, policy, trade, and other relevant issues. We provide specialized services such as research and consulting to various corporations, funds, and governments. The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute delivers information and insights on current issues and trends related to sovereign wealth. Our flagship publication, The Sovereign Wealth Quarterly, is the premier publication on public sector asset ownership and management globally. In addition, the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute facilitates sovereign fund events around the world. For more information, please visit: www.swfinstitute.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230527005018/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Despite local outrage and a great deal of sketchy reporting by local news outlets . . . The DA backs police in their argument that a driver was using his car as a weapon. Here are the basics of the story released late Friday . . . Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said Kansas law allows an officer to use deadly force if he is in immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death. Dupree said Amareeya Henderson refused to obey the officers commands to stop his car, and the officer was caught between the drivers side door and Henderson. The suspect continued to drive at a high rate of speed. The suspect refused commands to stop the vehicle and the officer discharged his weapon, Dupree wrote. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Wyandotte County district attorney won't charge police in April killing of Amaree'ya Henderson District Attorney Mark Dupree said Amaree'ya Henderson refused the officer's commands to stop his car, which caught the officer in between the driver's door and Henderson. Kansas law allows the use of deadly force if an officer is in danger and fears for his life, Dupree said. KCK officer who killed DoorDash driver will not be charged KANSAS CITY, Kan. - A Kansas City, Kansas, police officer who shot and killed a DoorDash driver will not face criminal charges. The Wyandotte County District Attorney made the announcement Friday afternoon. The officer shot and killed Amaree'ya Henderson in Kansas City, Kansas on April 26. Wyandotte County DA announces no charges for officer in shooting of Amaree'ya Henderson The Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office will not be filing criminal charges against a Kansas City, Kan., police officer who shot and killed a man.Amaree'ya Henderson was shot and killed during a traffic stop April 26 at 12th and Metropolitian in KCK. The district attorney's office said family members were allowed to view the footage of the shooting. Developing . . . Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), a leading process technology licensor for refining hydroprocessing technologies and alternative source fuels, has announced that it has been awarded a key contract by Saudi energy group Taqat Development for a new 75,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) needle coke/synthetic graphite complex in Rabigh. A joint venture between US energy major Chevron and Lummus Technology, CLG is a global leader in catalyst system supply. It offers the most complete bottom-of-the-barrel solution for upgrading heavy oil residues. Under the agreement, the Chevron JV will provide pilot plant testing, licensing, basic design, and additional engineering and operations support. The feedstock will be supplied by Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Company (Petro Rabigh), it stated. The grassroots complex will utilize CLG's two-step coking process to convert feedstock streams, which would otherwise be used as fuel oil, into high-quality needle coke, and synthetic graphite, said the statement from the company. This process helps to reduce environmental impact by repurposing feedstock streams that would otherwise be considered lower-value or waste materials into valuable products, contributing to a more sustainable approach to resource utilization, it stated. CLG pointed out that its proprietary technology was a result of decades of continual refinement and accumulated data from over 60 unit designs and commercial installations. It has proven to be a superior option for converting heavy feedstocks into in-demand products like needle coke and synthetic graphite. This contract award highlights CLG's expertise and leadership in the field of advanced carbon products, it added.-TradeArabia News Service When veteran stockbroker Tom Chan Pak-lam first entered the securities industry in 1993, the yuan currency that he carried during his deal-making trips to China was strictly for spending on meals and hotels. "Thirty years ago, international investors did not care about the yuan shares listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen," said Chan, permanent honourable president of industry body Institute of Securities Dealers, while referring to the indifference towards the undervalued currency which was hard-pegged to the dollar. But things have changed. The 60-year old Chan says the wave of reforms unleashed by China in the past two decades has increased the demand for its currency, propelling its value. It all began in 2005 when China's exchange rate regime shifted to a managed float under which its moves are driven by a basket of currencies. This drove a rapid appreciation of the currency which now fetches HK$1.12, a vast improvement from the early 90s when the pegged currency could only buy HK$0.94. 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. "The yuan has turned from a domestic currency into a more internationally accepted unit, thanks to the Central government's reforms over the past two decades which allowed the use of the yuan to settle trade, make investments and buy insurance products," Chan said. A view of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) building in Central on 23 February 2023. Photo: Jonathan Wong alt=A view of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) building in Central on 23 February 2023. Photo: Jonathan Wong> The currency may be on the cusp of another transformational phase after the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing's (HKEX) will launch a facility on June 19 which permits investors to seamlessly interchange between securities listed in both Hong Kong dollar and yuan. With this facility Hong Kong, which is sitting on a one trillion yuan deposit base, will introduce another investment option for those holding the Chinese currency. "To boost the issuance and trading of yuan securities in Hong Kong, the HKEX will introduce a dualcounter market makers (DCMM) regime in the first half of this year to promote the liquidity of yuandenominated stocks and price efficiency as well as to tie in with the setting up of yuan trading counters by issuers," Finance Secretary Paul Chan said in his budget speech earlier this year following the passage of a bill by the Legislative Council (Legco)to exempt the stamp duty payable for certain transactions by DCMMs. Some 24 Hong Kong-listed companies, including AIA, Ping An Insurance, Kuaishou Technology, the HKEX, and Alibaba Group Holding, which owns the Post, have applied for permission to open a yuan-share trading counter alongside the existing Hong Kong dollar share counter. Their combined market capitalisation of HK$12.31 trillion (US$1.57 trillion) represents 36 per cent of the Hong Kong stock exchange total. The dual-currency counters will offer investors a choice of trading in Hong Kong dollars or in yuan and the two categories of shares will be fungible. Market makers, who will provide two-way price quotes, will also ensure adequate trading liquidity of the underlying shares. "This latest market enhancement will provide issuers with more opportunity to tap into the significant offshore RMB pool in Hong Kong, and offer more investment opportunities in RMB-denominated assets for investors in Hong Kong and globally," HKEX Co-COO and Head of Equities Wilfred Yiu told The Post. "It will also pave the way for supporting Mainland Chinese investors wishing to trade RMB-denominated securities through Southbound Stock Connect, as part of the next phase of development." The yuan shares will only be traded by Hong Kong and international investors initially, and the facility will be extended to mainland investors at a later stage via the southbound stock connect. The southbound stock connect currently allows mainland investors to buy Hong Kong dollar traded stocks listed on the HKEX. "Yuan shares give yuan investors another avenue to deploy their funds and will boost the ongoing internationalisation of the yuan," said Jeremy Kok, head of treasury & markets of DBS Hong Kong. The yuan, also known as renminbi (RMB), has grown in stature since Hong Kong banks were allowed to accept individual yuan deposits in 2004. Investors, such as those holding US or Hong Kong dollars, who had put their money in yuan time deposits in 2004 have made strong capital gains - the Chinese currency at its peak in 2013 rose as much as 36 per cent since it was re-pegged. The Hong Kong dollar is still pegged to the US dollar under the currency board system under which the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the city's de facto central bank is committed to sell Hong Kong dollars when it strengthens to HK$7.75 per US dollar, and to buy Hong Kong dollars when it weakens to HK$7.85 per US dollar. Hong Kong investment managers already sell funds that invest in yuan denominated stocks or bonds. The local fund houses also offer a number of yuan-share class funds, which are invested in US or Hong Kong dollar bonds or stocks but then these funds are sold to investors in yuan. The number of yuan-share class funds sold in Hong Kong almost doubled to 377 at the end of last year from 191 in 2018, according to data from the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association (HKIFA), the industry body of the local fund industry. "We believe that to promote yuan internationalisation, it is imperative that yuan becomes a currency for investment. The roles that funds can play are very important and there is a steady growth of funds which provide yuan share class options," said Sally Wong, CEO of HKIFA. Under the Wealth Management Connect scheme, mainland Greater Bay Area investors can use the yuan currency to buy funds from Hong Kong-based investment managers and these can be redeemed in yuan. "They do not have to worry about the hazards of doing forex conversion as they will be handled by the professionals," she said. "We believe that the Wealth Management Connect scheme is a very important channel to increase the supply of yuan in the offshore market." This the second attempt by the HKEX to generate interest in yuan share trading after the first attempt in 2011 met with limited success. The first yuan listing in Hong Kong in April 2011 by Hui Xian Real Estate Investment Trust, was followed by a yuan share placement by Hopewell Highway Infrastructure a year later. There are in all 42 exchange-traded funds and 81 debt securities that are denominated in the yuan, but there is little trading interest, because of the lack of market makers. Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development, formerly known as Hopewell Highway Infrastructure, is currently the only Hong Kong-listed company that currently has shares trading in both the yuan and Hong Kong dollar currencies, but the absence of market making hinders liquidity. But stock market broker Chan says the latest move will produce different results. "This time we understand it is a very different game. We will have many stocks to add to the yuan share counter, while they have already been very liquid and have a good existing investor base," Chan said. "There will also be market makers who will provide liquidity in yuan counters and minimise arbitrage gaps with the Hong Kong dollar counters. And the yuan flow is much stronger today. We did not have all these factors 10 years ago." Bank of China (Hong Kong), one of three note-issuing bank in Hong Kong, is among the about 20 firms that have applied to add a yuan share counter. "The launch of the Hong Kong dollar-yuan dual counters will add a yuan denominated asset class for international investors and expand the usage of offshore yuan. It will also allow mainland investors to invest in yuan shares in Hong Kong via the stock connect at a later stage," said Li Haiying, managing director of the yuan business of BOCHK. "For the listed companies, the addition of yuan share counter will pave the way to raise yuan funding in future. " Ping An Group, the largest insurance company in China in terms of market capitalisation, has also applied for a yuan share counter. The yuan share scheme will help boost turnover of the local stock market, according to Robert Lui, a partner at Deloitte, after the average daily transactions on the stock exchange shrank by 12.8 per cent to HK$127.82 billion during the first quarter from a year ago. The turnover decline coincides with the fall in HKEX's global IPO ranking. A total of 17 IPOs raised US$837 million, the HKEX's worst first-quarter performance since 2009 at the height of the global financial crisis, pushing the city to seventh place among global IPO centres, according to data provider Refinitiv. HKEX has been the world's largest IPO venue seven times in the past 14 years, and ranked third in 2022. "When the market turnover improves, it will help attract more companies to list in Hong Kong," said Lui. 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 2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. The top local writer on faith and morals in Kansas City shares a moment of doubt in tech and the opportunities it provides . . . Here's the word . . . "The relentless hunt for profits has so warped the bright early promise of social media that we might, as a society, be better off if they all just shut down . . . Even more distressing, something that has great promise but may become even more destructive than social media platforms' use of algorithms is Artificial Intelligence. We seem to be rushing forward into an A.I. future that none of us truly understands and that carries with it dire possibilities for making our political, social, economic and religious divisions even worse." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . He's not completely wrong here . . . What we're noticing is that many of our smarter residents in ever corner of Kansas City are using this "opportunity" to reject divisive ideas from politicos and refocusing on LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE & BASIC SERVICES THAT HELP EVERYONE. Translation . . . The support for reparations is PAPER THIN on the East side and throughout KC. Even worse, when politicos don't deliver on these promises . . . They almost assure DISAPPOINTMENT. Of course, as always, we share a more optimistic outlook . . . I hope that people who are reluctant to see this as even a viable opportunity, its not about fight 200 years back, Lucas told KMBC. Its about finally doing the right things to build up the entirety of our community. Among the form of reparations that could be considered are direct payments, land, tax relief, scholarships, free healthcare or funds for home building or home buying. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . The fight for local public opinion is underway . . . It's our job here at TKC to share the rhetorical game in progress. Here's what voters need to know first and foremost . . . KANSAS CITY OFFICIALS DESPERATELY SEEK TO CONTROL THE NARRATIVE THIS WEEKEND AND ARGUE AGAINST THE ONGOING TRAFFIC CRISIS AT NEW KCI!!! We've seen this effort in play for about 48 hours . . . Here's how it looks . . . Locals hype men are using social media to blame airport probs on these type of people . . . - Oldsters - F-150 drivers - Suburbanites The logic . . . Blame shifting will direct attention away from FAILED airport design that reduced traffic space by half and created a hot mess in the cell phone parking lot. Of course . . . We'll share both sides of the story . . . KSHB is currently carrying city hall's water on this topic . . . "One frequent traveler admired the new terminals design. Since Kansas City has redone this airport as of recent, the check-in process is a lot more efficient, SOME RANDOM DUDE said." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Passengers pleased with KCI during new terminal's 1st holiday travel weekend KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Memorial Day marks the first test of Kansas City International Airport's new single terminal during a holiday weekend. KCI moved operations from two terminals to the new $1.5 billion terminal in February. Travel agency AAA expects more people to fly to destinations this holiday than Memorial Day 2019, the last Memorial Day before the COVID19 pandemic. A more objective take . . . KCI experiences busiest days since 2019 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - More than 80,000 people have taken off or landed at KCI over the last two days, which is the busiest KCI has been since before the pandemic. "If you have lots of people coming in to serve, then you need lots of people to serve them," said Joe McBride, a spokesman for KCI. Developing . . . After a leadership change . . . The local Latino community has noticed continued decline in service from a longstanding institution. There's a lot to unpack here but here's the main point story . . . GUADALUPE CENTER SERVICE REMAINS IN DECLINE AND NEW LEADERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE THE SKILL TO MAINTAIN THEIR OPERATIONS!!! Here's the inside word . . . "A lot of people are looking at these numbers and they're worried about the REAL RISK of Guadalupe Centers losing their public school charter . . . Nobody thought it would happen to the Genesis School but there is not getting around the numbers." More perspecitve . . . "Given the level of funding their receiving, there is no excuse for these kind of numbers and such poor performance for the students in our community." This isn't just talk . . . The words are backed up by data . . . Take a look: More info here via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Believe it or not . . . Legend surrounding this very great lady is attracting Catholics from across the nation. With respect to everyone's superstitions . . . Here are more deets . . . In Gower, Missouri, thousands of people are spending this Memorial Day weekend seeking a blessing, visiting the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, which are gathering attention from all across the United States. Sister Lancaster, who passed away in 2019, served at the Benedictine Mary Queen of Apostles Monastery. Crowds arrive to find a Latin Mass being served. Attendance has grown since word of Sister Lancasters incorrupt remains being exhumed. When workers unearthed her corpse on April 28, intending to inter it in a new location, her remains were found to be intact four years after her burial. Catholics in attendance on Friday said they believe this to be a blessing from God and the makings of a modern-day miracle. As of Tuesday, they were seeing about 1,000 visitors a day. I think now, its probably well above that. The expectation is the crowd will grow over the holiday weekend, said Ashlie Hand, a spokesperson with the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Missouri town prepares for thousands coming to see exhumed nun's body GOWER, Mo. - Thousands of people are flocking to a rural Catholic monastery to witness a Memorial Day weekend miracle. But miracles don't typically offer preparation time. The remains of a late Catholic nun are attracting major tourist traffic, as word spreads about the intact nature of her corpse. Faithful flock to Missouri monastery to see intact remains of exhumed nun Hundreds of people have descended on a rural Missouri town to flock to a convent that recently exhumed the remains of its founder. Four years after the death and burial of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster at age 95, The Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of the Apostles made a surprising discovery after sisters exhumed her wooden coffin on May 18 and found her remains to be remarkably intact. The analysts covering Tate & Lyle plc (LON:TATE) delivered a dose of negativity to shareholders today, by making a substantial revision to their statutory forecasts for this year. This report focused on revenue estimates, and it looks as though the consensus view of the business has become substantially more conservative. Following the latest downgrade, the current consensus, from the eight analysts covering Tate & Lyle, is for revenues of UK1.7b in 2024, which would reflect a small 5.4% reduction in Tate & Lyle's sales over the past 12 months. Prior to the latest estimates, the analysts were forecasting revenues of UK1.9b in 2024. The consensus view seems to have become more pessimistic on Tate & Lyle, noting the substantial drop in revenue estimates in this update. Check out our latest analysis for Tate & Lyle We'd point out that there was no major changes to their price target of UK9.07, suggesting the latest estimates were not enough to shift their view on the value of the business. The consensus price target is just an average of individual analyst targets, so - it could be handy to see how wide the range of underlying estimates is. There are some variant perceptions on Tate & Lyle, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at UK9.75 and the most bearish at UK8.10 per share. Still, with such a tight range of estimates, it suggests the analysts have a pretty good idea of what they think the company is worth. One way to get more context on these forecasts is to look at how they compare to both past performance, and how other companies in the same industry are performing. We would also point out that the forecast 5.4% annualised revenue decline to the end of 2024 is better than the historical trend, which saw revenues shrink 17% annually over the past five years By contrast, our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in a similar industry are forecast to see their revenue grow 4.1% per year. So while a broad number of companies are forecast to grow, unfortunately Tate & Lyle is expected to see its sales affected worse than other companies in the industry. The Bottom Line The most important thing to take away is that analysts cut their revenue estimates for this year. They also expect company revenue to perform worse than the wider market. Overall, given the drastic downgrade to this year's forecasts, we'd be feeling a little more wary of Tate & Lyle going forwards. Not only have the analysts been downgrading the stock, but it looks like Tate & Lyle might find it hard to maintain its dividends, if these forecasts prove accurate. You can learn more, and discover the 1 possible risk we've identified, for free on our platform here. Another way to search for interesting companies that could be reaching an inflection point is to track whether management are buying or selling, with our free list of growing companies 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Ukraine has submitted a request to Germany for the supply of Taurus long-range cruise missiles. This was reported by DW with reference to a spokeswoman for the German Ministry of Defence, Ukrinform reports. It is reported that Ukraine has asked Germany to provide it with Taurus cruise missiles. The corresponding request was received from Kyiv the other day. A few days ago, on 23 May, German member of parliament from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Roderich Kiesewetter called on the government to provide the missiles to Ukraine. He said that Ukraine's partners should now go all-in and provide Ukraine with everything it can use in combined arms combat and that is permitted by international law. According to him, Taurus cruise missiles with a range of 400-500 kilometers would be a very useful contribution from Germany. Kiesewetter stressed that there should be no more red lines. Read also: Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany announces handover of 110 Leopard tanks German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius reacted cautiously to Kiesewetter's proposal, but also noted that he is of the opinion that Ukraine should be supported by all systems permitted by international law. As Ukrinform earlier reported, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his position that Western weapons provided to Ukraine should be used for defence purposes on the territory of our country. Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko and Brussels Mayor Philippe Close have discussed options for cooperation in matters of reviving Mariupol after the city is liberated from Russian forces. The Mariupol City Council reported this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. "The mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boichenko, met with the mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, during his working trip to Belgium. They discussed options for cooperation in matters of reviving Mariupol after its de-occupation and implementation of the Mariupol Reborn Plan," the report reads. Boichenko said that the reconstruction of Mariupol is a historical challenge not only to Ukraine but also to the whole of Europe. "The city, which became a symbol of the devastating Russian war, may turn into a symbol of victory and unity of the whole world in its struggle for peace, freedom and democracy. For the sake of this future, we are working on the development of the Mariupol Reborn City Revival Plan. Around it, we are forming a circle of revival teams, where we will be happy to see Brussels,"Boichenko said. He added that the leading experience of Brussels and its expertise would help build a new Mariupol. Denmark has launched a special investment fund for Ukraine for a total of DKK 1 billion (about $133 million). That's according to the Ukrainian Economy Ministry's press service, Ukrinform reports. The launch of the social program was announced during the Ukrainian Investment Forum in Copenhagen. "Denmark is a leader in terms of financial aid to Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion began, the total military support amounted to $1.4 billion, and the total humanitarian aid, including macro-financial aid, reached $212 million. The Government of Ukraine highly appreciates Denmark's support and expects the deepening of bilateral cooperation and the further involvement of Danish business in Ukraine reconstruction projects. The special investment fund created for Ukraine will finance projects involving the best Danish technologies and innovative solutions, and will be available to both the public and private sectors," said Ukraine's Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. Ukraine's Deputy Economy Minister Oleksandr Hryban, in turn, noted that the main cooperation between Ukraine and Denmark is the establishment of mutually beneficial relations, when Ukrainian companies not only import Danish products, but also set up the production of such products in Ukraine. As part of the forum, the approval of financing for two pilot projects in the field of agriculture and agricultural processing was announced. The issue concerns the affected companies of the southern region - Nibulon, which will be given a EUR 25 million loan, and Agrofusion EUR 15 million. Also, loans will be provided to agricultural companies located near the front line in Mykolaiv, which will restore destroyed production facilities, purchasing equipment from Danish exporters. According to Hryban, the Danish fund will not only provide financial guarantees, but will also be engaged in lending, which puts it on a separate level among financial institutions that have opened their programs for Ukraine. Also, the Danish government plans to significantly increase the limits and expand the financial assistance program for Ukraine. Russia's war against Ukraine must not end in a frozen conflict, as it will become a breeding ground for future conflicts. The leaders of Germany and the Baltic states said this at a joint press conference in Tallinn on Friday, May 26, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "It is absolutely clear that it could be not a frozen conflict. So if Russia is just thinking that it could succeed with its robbery of land of Ukraine, it will not succeed with this idea and attempts. And this is because and this is why we are supporting Ukraine as long as it is necessary. Russia must withdraw troops and this is the basis for peace," said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas completely agreed with him. "Of course, Ukraine itself decides when this war ends and when it is possible to enter into negotiations. But as Olaf Scholz just said, a frozen conflict will only be a breeding ground for future conflicts. And we cannot allow that. Therefore, we have to put an end to 'gray zones' in Europe, particularly in Ukraine," she said. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, in turn, said that the choice of the format of negotiations definitely remains with Ukraine. "But, obviously, it would be necessary to start with the fact that for this it is necessary to completely liberate Ukraine," he said, adding that the starting point for settlement should be the peace initiatives presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: twitter.com/Bundeskanzler In order to justify the effort of selecting individual stocks, it's worth striving to beat the returns from a market index fund. But the main game is to find enough winners to more than offset the losers At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB), since the last five years saw the share price fall 35%. Furthermore, it's down 14% in about a quarter. That's not much fun for holders. Since shareholders are down over the longer term, lets look at the underlying fundamentals over the that time and see if they've been consistent with returns. Check out our latest analysis for Laurentian Bank of Canada To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During the five years over which the share price declined, Laurentian Bank of Canada's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 2.4% each year. Readers should note that the share price has fallen faster than the EPS, at a rate of 8% per year, over the period. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past. The less favorable sentiment is reflected in its current P/E ratio of 6.20. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. This free interactive report on Laurentian Bank of Canada's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Laurentian Bank of Canada's TSR for the last 5 years was -15%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective We regret to report that Laurentian Bank of Canada shareholders are down 17% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 3.2%. However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 3% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Laurentian Bank of Canada (including 1 which can't be ignored) . There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian exchanges. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here The results of opinion polls in Hungary show the presence of a powerful pro-Ukrainian segment. This was stated by Peter Kreko, a social psychologist and executive director of Political Capital, an independent institute for political research, analysis and consulting in Budapest, at the Lviv Media Forum, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. According to the scientist, Political Capital has recently launched a project with the support of the European Commission aimed at countering disinformation and propaganda. Together with the Litmus Company, the institute's analysts verify facts and publish truthful information. Last year only, the media platform reached more than a million people. In addition, together with a French company, the researchers are conducting a study of Hungarian sentiment through surveys and social media monitoring, and have also conducted an experimental study to help people distinguish between real and fake news. "We realised that if we use media literacy tools to empower people, to say: read this text, how to counteract disinformation, and then try to explain it to your friends, your mother, your grandmother... And when you put a person in the role of an expert, then this method works quite effectively. We saw good results after this study," the scientist said. According to him, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Hungarians condemned Russia and supported Ukrainians. However, after the general election in April, which was won by Viktor Orban, the narrative of "peace" became dominant in Hungarian political discourse, which influenced the opinion of pro-government voters. According to Kreko, "this is the result of the influence of the media system that the Orban government has built, which is very effective." "Hungary now has a media system with more than 500 organisations, and many of them are controlled by the government. And as a result of the effectiveness of this media machine, we can reach a point where public opinion in Hungary will not be the cause of political decisions, but will be their consequence," the expert believes. As reported earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman of war propaganda. In April, supporters of the ruling Fidesz party in the Hungarian parliament did not vote for a document supporting the arrest and transfer of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the International Criminal Court if he comes to Hungary. In late February, at the opening of the regular session of parliament, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban voiced a number of contradictory narratives about Russia's war against Ukraine. In particular, he stated that the war is "bad for Ukrainians, Russians, Hungarian people, for Europe, and it is increasingly clear that it is bad for the whole world", but Hungarians believe that they should stay away from it. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 27th May, 2023) The second edition of Mediclinic Abu Dhabi Annual Cancer Conference kicked off today, featuring 18 different speakers from the UAE and from Mediclinics sister division in Switzerland, Hirslanden. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and the support of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, the one-day event discussed diverse topics and saw attendance of more than 250 medical professionals working in the field of oncology from across the UAE. In his opening address, Sheikh Nahyan said, Under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we, in the UAE, have assumed a comprehensive approach to health care. Not only do we strive to ensure the best care is provided to patients, but we also stress health promotion and preventative medicine in ensuring the best public health." "Your conference, which carries the name of Abu Dhabi in its title, underscores the fact that Abu Dhabi has emerged as a regional and global center of excellence for health care. With the strong leadership and guidance of His Highness the President, our goal is a health care system that is responsive to the needs of individuals and the community at large. Regarding the scourge of cancer, we strive to attain the most advanced technologies, to detect the disease as early as possible, to implement the most effective treatments and cures, to produce research that is relevant to our region, to improve cancer education and awareness, and to empower all segments of society to support cancer patients and their families. Your annual conference is certainly an important contributor to that effort, he added. The focus of this conference on a 'Multi-disciplinary Approach to Cancer' reflects the latest strategies for fighting the disease. The fight against cancer has grown more sophisticated. It has increasingly become an information-based science. Rapid advances in bio-informatics, huge leaps in computer processing power, and better understanding of the role of molecular structure in the fight against disease, are transforming the process of medical care. Innovations such as nanotechnology, T-cell therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, precision medicine, cancer vaccines, artificial intelligence, and robotic surgery are helping to prolong lives and energise the fight against this dreaded disease," Sheikh Nahyan went on to explain. These new methods of treatment are far more effective than a one-treatment fits all approach. Medicine is moving from the traditional assumption that drugs and diseases work the same way in all human beings to customising them at the individual level. Personalised medicine has demonstrated its effectiveness. The results of these information-based, biomedical, and multi-disciplinary approaches are producing new methods for treating the disease through early diagnosis and customised drug treatments. Hein Van Eck, Chief Executive Officer at Mediclinic middle East, said, Oncology is an ever-evolving and continuously progressing field, therefore it is of paramount importance that professionals in these areas of medicine stay abreast of the latest new evidence, research findings and tools to provide world class cancer treatments to the communities in which we operate. This educational initiative is also in line with our mission to ensure the safety of the community by raising awareness of public and preventative health. The conference is a testament to the efforts being exerted by all stakeholders to work collectively to combat cancer and promote screening, which leads to early detection of the disease and result in better clinical outcomes. Mediclinic Middle East is steadfast in its commitment to providing comprehensive cancer treatment in the United Arab Emirates and has established two Comprehensive Cancer Centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, operated in collaboration with Mediclinic Middle Easts sister platform in Switzerland, Hirslanden. Patients of Mediclinics Comprehensive Cancer Centres benefit from the sharing of knowledge and experience between some of the leading oncology experts in Europe and the Middle East, as well as have access to the very latest treatment programmes and technologies. (@ChaudhryMAli88) LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th May, 2023 ) :Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that provision of equal opportunities to the country's youth to excel in different fields and get respectable jobs was among the top priorities of the government. He said that provision of international standard educational and skills facilities was being ensured for the young people, besides arrangements were also made for holding of different games. The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with his Special Assistant on Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The prime minister also expressed his pleasure over the youth taking part in the positive activities during the ongoing 34th National Games in Quetta. Their objective was to provide opportunities to the young segment of the society so that they could utilize their complete energies for the positive activities and save them from the negative effects of propaganda. The Armenian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that it had lost communication with two soldiers on the border with Azerbaijan, with search operations currently being carried out MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2023) The Armenian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that it had lost communication with two soldiers on the border with Azerbaijan, with search operations currently being carried out. Earlier in the week, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated that it had thwarted an attempt to "violate the Azerbaijani state border by a sabotage and reconnaissance group of Armenian armed forces" and detained two Armenian servicepeople. Yerevan rejected the accusation. "On May 26, from 7 p.m. (15:00 GMT), communication with 2 servicemen of the RA Armed Forces supplying food to combat positions was interrupted. Search operations are being carried out to find the servicemen," the ministry said in a statement. It added that the version of them "turning up the Azerbaijani side" was also being investigated. (@FahadShabbir) Governor Alexander Bogomaz of Russia's Bryansk Region on the border with northern Ukraine said on Saturday that Ukrainian troops did not attempt infiltration despite shelling Klimovsky District earlier in the day BRYANSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2023) Governor Alexander Bogomaz of Russia's Bryansk Region on the border with northern Ukraine said on Saturday that Ukrainian troops did not attempt infiltration despite shelling Klimovsky District earlier in the day. "Today, many Telegram channels spread information about an attempt by a sabotage group to illegally enter the territory of the Klimovsky district. This information is false. There were no attempts by Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups to infiltrate," Bogomaz said on his Telegram channel. The district's Sushany, Khoromnoe and Zabrama settlements were shelled by Ukrainian troops earlier in the day, but Russian forces promptly returned the fire and quelled the perpetrators, the governor said. No civilian casualties resulted from the fire, he added. (@FahadShabbir) A Saudi Arabian technical delegation has arrived in the Syrian capital of Damascus to handle the reopening of the Gulf monarchy's embassy as the two countries have agreed to resume the official relations following an over a decade pause, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Saturday CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2023) A Saudi Arabian technical delegation has arrived in the Syrian capital of Damascus to handle the reopening of the Gulf monarchy's embassy as the two countries have agreed to resume the official relations following an over a decade pause, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. "The Saudi technical team responsible for the reopening of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Syrian Arab Republic arrived in the capital Damascus, in implementation of the decision of the Kingdom to resume the work of its diplomatic mission in Syria," the ministry said on Twitter. Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries withdrew their embassies from Syria after the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Syria was reinstated as a member of the Arab League earlier this month, and the summit in the Saudi city of Jeddah was the first in 12 years to be attended by Syrian President Bashar Assad. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2023) Air raid warnings were issued in several regions of Ukraine late on Friday night, according to air raid data from the country's Ministry of Digital Transformation. Air raid sirens went off in the Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv, as well as the Ukraine-controlled parts of Kherson region, shortly before midnight, the ministry's online map showed. Ukrainian media reported late on Friday night that explosions were heard in the Mykolaiv region on Friday evening. In the early hours of Saturday, air raid alerts were issued in the regions of Mykolaiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Cherkasy and Vinnytsia, as well as Ukraine-controlled parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Precision strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure have been carried out by Russia since October 10 (two days after the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge). In February, the head of Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo said that direct damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure caused by Russian strikes may amount to hundreds of millions of Dollars, with economic losses ranging in billions. Mastercard's (NYSE:MA) investors will be pleased with their respectable 97% return over the last five years Generally speaking the aim of active stock picking is to find companies that provide returns that are superior to the market average. And the truth is, you can make significant gains if you buy good quality businesses at the right price. For example, the Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) share price is up 92% in the last 5 years, clearly besting the market return of around 45% (ignoring dividends). However, more recent returns haven't been as impressive as that, with the stock returning just 5.3% in the last year , including dividends . So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns. See our latest analysis for Mastercard While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. During five years of share price growth, Mastercard achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 20% per year. This EPS growth is higher than the 14% average annual increase in the share price. So it seems the market isn't so enthusiastic about the stock these days. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, Mastercard's TSR for the last 5 years was 97%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective It's good to see that Mastercard has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 5.3% in the last twelve months. Of course, that includes the dividend. Having said that, the five-year TSR of 15% a year, is even better. Potential buyers might understandably feel they've missed the opportunity, but it's always possible business is still firing on all cylinders. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Mastercard . If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2023) Fitch Ratings said on Friday it has placed 11 US credit-linked notes on a "Rating Watch Negative", citing growing risks that the government administration could begin to default on payments as the Biden administration remains locked in a political standoff with its rivals in raising the nation's debt ceiling. "Fitch still expects a resolution to the debt limit before the x-date," the rating agency said of the June 5 deadline that US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has given as the last day that the government will be able to pay for its obligations without default. Despite its optimism that the administration will resolve the crisis in time, Fitch said it believed "risks have risen that the debt limit will not be raised or suspended before the x-date and consequently ... the government could begin to miss payments on some of its obligations." Thus, the rating agency said it had placed 11 credit-linked notes, or CLNS, on a negative rating watch. "The CLN ratings are directly dependent on the US sovereign rating, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and will be downgraded if the ratings are downgraded," Fitch added. Yellen told Congress in a letter on Friday that based on most recent data, the Treasury will be unable to meet its obligations if the nation's debt limit, currently standing at $31.4 trillion, is not raised by June 5. Prior to this, the Treasury secretary had cited June 1 as the date of likely default without a higher debt ceiling. President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies have negotiated without success for weeks with Republican congressional leader Kevin McCarthy, who's also Speaker of the US House of Representatives, for a new debt deal for the country. McCarthy said on Wednesday he and other Republicans were still "far apart" with the Democrats on various issues, though both he and Biden have repeatedly stressed that "default is not an option". At the crux of the disagreement is how much the government should or should not spend next year. While any deal reached now will only cover 2023 obligations, the Republicans are casting the ball forward to tie down Federal commitments for 2024 as well. With legacy US debt already at $21.5 million and growing each year, the Republicans say the country cannot continue with Democrats' overspending. House Republicans passed a plan last month to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for cuts to government spending, but Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer quickly dismissed the proposal. Democrats, on their part, are seething at Republicans' refusal to raise taxes on the rich a privileged group that Biden says has never paid its fair share of the country's revenue and seeking increases in the budget for defense a favorite political play for the Republicans, which have traditionally enjoyed strong support from military and other uniformed personnel. Brazil's government announced on Friday that the United Nations has confirmed the Amazonian city of Belem as the host of the COP30 climate change summit scheduled for November 2025. By Thaddeus Jones Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, made the announcement about the Amazonian city of Belem being chosen to host the next climate change summit saying he's sure it will be a landmark event. The Brazilian president appeared together with his foreign relations minister and Para state governor where the Amazonian city is located amidst the world's largest rainforest. Read also 13/11/2022 Pope encourages COP27, recalls Laudato Si Action Platform anniversary Pope Francis encourages the work of the COP27 climate summit taking place in Egypt, and recalls the first anniversary of the Laudato Si Action Platform. The Conference of the Parties, known as COP, makes up the top decision-making body of the Convention concerning climate change. It focuses on how nations can reduce or reverse climate change through agreed policies and signed treaties, while dealing with the reality and negative impacts caused by it in the meantime. The COP usually meets every year. The first such meeting took place in Berlin, Germany, in March, 1995. The COP Presidency rotates among the five recognized UN regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe and Western Europe, and others, while the host nationa and venue of the COP changes from region to region. In 2022 members met in they Eyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh; this year's will be held in the United Arab Emirates. The most recent COP meeting in Sharm el-Sheik opened with stark warnings from the United Nations that planet earth was "sending a distress signal," as the lastest UN climate report revealed that the past eight years were on track to be the warmest on record. 200 countries then began talks on on the next steps needed to cut emissions that cause global warming. Pope Francis at the time expressed his hopes the COP 27 would lead to effective, lasting efforts to deal with climate change, marking "steps forward are taken with courage and determination, in the footsteps of the Paris Accords. Read also 17/11/2022 Holy See at COP27: Urgency and responsibility should orient work of summit Speaking at the COP27 summit in Sharm El-Sheik, Archbishop Nicolas Thevenin, Apostolic Nuncio in Egypt, urges a renewed model of development and sustainability based on care, ... The head of the Vatican delegation at the COP27 summit in his address spoke of the need for "urgency and responsibility for concrete and far-sighted actions to face the climate crisis, which is affecting so many people, especially the poorest and the most vulnerable". Archbishop Nicolas Thevenin, Apostolic Nuncio to Egypt and delegate of the Holy See to the League of Arab States, emphasied four concrete actions needed based on the landmark Paris Agreement: mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage management, and education. The Nuncio explained that political, technical and operational measures are no longer enough. They must be combined with an educational approach that promotes new lifestyles, while fostering a renewed pattern of development and sustainability based on care, fraternity and cooperation. Archbishop Thevenin also highlighted the link between climate, food, and water and how together they can and should play an essential role in climate policies and should be included in national climate strategies. This week, U.S. and Chinese officials held meetings in Washington aimed at building ties following months of tension since Beijings surveillance balloon floated across the U.S. in early February. For the former U.S. officials who used to broker such talks 15 years ago, the tensions reflect how Beijing itself has changed under leader Xi Jinping. Stephen Hadley, who served as national security adviser for former President George W. Bush, said Beijing has gone from wanting to be a part of the international system at the end of the Bush administration to trying to challenge it now. The China we faced was a China that wanted a benign international environment so they could focus on their own domestic development, Hadley, one of the highest-profile U.S. foreign policy specialists of the past 25 years, told an audience in Washington this week. It was a China that did not want to overturn the international system but wanted to be a part of that system and made that very clear. It was a China that wanted a constructive relationship with the United States. And we tried to build that, he added. Hadley and other former Bush administration officials gathered this week to discuss relations with China during the Bush administration, just as Chinas leader Xi Jinping was rising to power. Dennis Wilder, a senior fellow for the Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues at Georgetown University, who appeared with Hadley at the event, said the Bush administration "did try to figure out Xi Jinping" during its first meeting with the Chinese leader. Wilder served as the National Security Council's special assistant to Bush. When we went to the 2008 Olympics, Xi Jinping was actually in charge of the Olympics. It was one of the most boring meetings I'd ever been in. Xi Jinping gave nothing. He was cardboard. He wasn't going to tell us a thing about himself. He was not going to show his hand. And this is how he got to the top of the Chinese system. He did hide his cards, Wilder said. Wilder added that many thought Xi Jinping was another reformist Chinese leader, but everyone was surprised by him. Xis vision Xi is enhancing Beijings diplomacy, economic strength and military capability, believing the United States is in terminal decline, according to Hadley, whose book Hand-Off: The Foreign Policy George W. Bush Passed to Barack Obama was published in February. Xi, Hadley said, views that "the West is in decline" and "the United States is in terminal decline." "Xi was prepared to put his power center stage and then to use it to intimidate his neighbors and others abroad, with his enhanced diplomacy, economic strength and military capability, he said. "China is a defender of the international order. We always firmly safeguard the UN-centered international system, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," said Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu in an email to VOA on Saturday. In 1978, Deng Xiaoping, who is widely considered the father of modern China, kick-started the countrys economic reform that embraces a free-market economy while maintaining the political model of one-party dictatorship. The reform led China to open up to the world economically and politically, achieving double-digit GDP growth rates for over 30 years by becoming the global manufacturing hub. Today, China is the worlds second-biggest economy. Hadley said Dengs hide and bide strategy, which guides China to build power while hiding from international leadership responsibility, continued to be prominent in the Chinese leadership until Xi came to power in 2012. The U.S. sees China as its main strategic and geopolitical challenge. The U.S. national security strategy published on October 2022 states that "the Peoples Republic of China harbors the intention and, increasingly, the capacity to reshape the international order in favor of one that tilts the global playing field to its benefit." Bonny Lin, director of the China Power Project at CSIS, who also attended the event, said the U.S. right now is not necessarily able to communicate with China the way it could during the Bush administration. But she added that there is a continued emphasis on President [Joe] Biden being able to speak directly with Xi Jinping. "Given how much China has centralized power under Xi - very different than under Hu Jintao, who was going in sort of the opposite direction, inviting more collective leadership - that is even more important for the two leaders to maintain that personal bond," Lin said. Hadley said the foreign policy of the Bush administration that was passed to the Obama administration was to try to cooperate and engage with China and to bring China into the international system, but Chinas shift to challenge the system was not anything the U.S. can control. "Who leads countries really matters," he said. "And I think if China decided in 2012 for a Jiang Zemin- or Hu Jintao-type leader, and we had that leader for 2012 to 2022, I think China would be in a very different place today. And America's relationship with China would be very different today." Christy Lee contributed to this story. China and South Korea have agreed to strengthen dialog and cooperation on semiconductor industry supply chains, amid broader global concerns over chip supplies, sanctions and national security, China's commerce minister said. Wang Wentao met with South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit, which ended Friday. They exchanged views on maintaining the stability of the industrial supply chain and strengthening cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral fields, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Saturday. Wang also said that China is willing to work with South Korea to deepen trade ties and investment cooperation. However, a South Korean statement on the same meeting did not mention chips, instead saying the country's trade minister had asked China to stabilize the supply of key raw materials and asked for a predictable business environment for South Korean companies in China. "The South Korean side expressed that communication is needed between working-level officials over all industries," not just for semiconductors, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The source declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media. South Korea is in the crosshairs of a tit-for-tat row between the United States and China over semiconductors. China's cyberspace regulator said last week that Micron had failed its network security review and that it would block operators of key infrastructure from buying from the company. The U.S. has pushed for countries to limit China's access to advanced chips, citing a host of reasons including national security. About 40% South Korea's chip exports go to China, according to trade ministry data, while U.S. technology and equipment are necessary for South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Values-based diplomacy lies at the heart of the Czech Republics support for Ukraine and Taiwan alike, the countrys Chamber of Deputies president emphasized this week during a visit to Washington. Newly elected Czech President Petr Pavel sounded a similar note at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit earlier this month as he laid out how Prague views the threat posed by Moscow and Beijing. Marketa Pekarova Adamova was 5 years old when the Velvet Revolution swept the communists out of power in winter 1989. Stories of how people suffered under communism shaped her worldview, she told VOA during her visit to Washington as leader of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, which is comparable to the U.S. House of Representatives. For example, my mother couldnt study what she wished to study, due to the governments severe control of everyday life, she recalled. This is why we know, even in my generation, what communism is about. The fact that dissidents such as Vaclav Havel were forced to spend years in prison also had a huge impact on me, she added. The 38-year-old led a parliamentary delegation to engage with U.S. officials in Washington and the states of Maryland and Georgia this week to bolster bilateral ties and common approaches to global issues including Ukraine and Taiwan. While in Washington, Adamova told a news briefing that undergirding her countrys strong support for Ukraine and Taiwan is the value her government and people attach to democracy, freedom and human rights. "Our current governments diplomacy is focused on these values personified by Havel, the dissident playwright who became the first elected president of her country, she said. Adamova said her trip to Taiwan earlier this year was guided by this spirit. While they dealt with cyberattacks on our mobile phones and other equipment, she said they faced much less pressure than did Czech Senate Leader Milos Vystrcil and the delegation he led to visit Taiwan in 2020. Back then, she explained, her Senate colleague had to endure pressure from Beijing and from critics within the Czech government, most notably then-President Milos Zeman, who cultivated economic and political ties with both Beijing and Moscow. Vystrcil was very brave and a great example to follow, she said. Unlike his experience, she and her delegation had the full support of the Czech government that came to power following the October 2021 election. Speaking at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit held May 15-16 in the Danish capital, Petr Pavel, who succeeded Milos Zeman as president of the Czech Republic after winning a nationwide election in March, gave his full support to the values-based diplomacy in which Adamova and Vystrcil before her believe. In a keynote speech, Defending Global Values, Pavel assessed the challenge to peace and democracy posed by Moscow and Beijing. He cast the battle in Ukraine as a conflict not only about territory and of regional impact, but as one that tests the strength of democratic aspirations as well as democratic solidarity in the face of aggression by a state armed with power and the desire to subjugate another people and society. Pavel, along with other senior Czech officials, is a strong proponent of supporting both Ukraine and Taiwan. In the long run, China poses a greater danger to world peace and rules-based order than Russia, which is being weakened by the current conflict in Ukraine, he argued. China has emerged much bigger and much stronger than Russia, he warned, and the more power wielded by a nondemocratic and aggressive government, the more danger it poses to peace and democracy worldwide, especially Taiwan. While Beijing is often said to have learned from the conflict in Ukraine that Western democracies were quick to form an alliance and issue punishing sanctions against the aggressor, Pavel cautioned that is not the only lesson Beijing has learned. China has learned that under pressure, were able to be united quite quickly, he said. But they also learned that we also had difficulties providing direct support from the very beginning, he pointed out. Just look at how long it took for major European countries to provide major support to Ukraine with heavy equipment. So, they learned that we need time, and we prefer not to sacrifice too much, the Czech president noted. It is learning from the whole situation, first with regard to [a potential conflict with] Taiwan, as well as with regard to global competition, he said. If we want to preserve a world order where the rules and not the biggest stick matter, we should stick together, work together, be more flexible in cooperation with all willing countries. Editor's note: Here is a look at immigration-related news around the U.S. this week. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com. 8-Year-Old Girl Sought Medical Help 3 Times on Day She Died, US Immigration Officials Say An 8-year-old girl who died last week in Border Patrol custody was seen at least three times by medical personnel on the day of her death complaining of vomiting, a stomachache and later suffering what appeared to be a seizure before she was taken to a hospital, U.S. immigration officials said Sunday. The Associated Press reports. Citing Migrant Influx, New York Mayor Asks Court to Suspend Long-Standing 'Right to Shelter' New York's mayor asked a judge on Tuesday to let the city suspend its long-standing "right to shelter" obligation, saying officials are no longer able to house every homeless person because of the arrival of tens of thousands of international migrants. The Associated Press reports. Day in Photos: Police evict migrants, mostly from Venezuela, from a camp that was located in front of the migration detention center where migrants died during a fire in March, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, May 22, 2023. Immigration around the world UN Moves Sudanese Refugees in Chad Away from Border The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, is moving tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees in Chad away from the Sudan border and into new camps. The UNHCR's visiting deputy says concerns about security and access to aid are increasing, along with the number of refugees. Henry Wilkins reports from the Gaga refugee site in Chad. UN: Sudan Conflict Displaces Over 1.3 Million The fighting between Sudan's military and a powerful paramilitary force has displaced more than 1.3 million people, the U.N. migration agency said Wednesday. The International Organization for Migration said the clashes have forced more than 1 million people to leave their homes for safer areas inside Sudan. Some 320,000 others have fled to the neighboring countries of Egypt, South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic and Libya. The Associated Press reports. HRW Calls for Halt to Rohingya Repatriation from Bangladesh to Myanmar As Bangladesh and Myanmar gear up to repatriate about 1,100 Rohingya refugees in a pilot project, rights group Human Rights Watch says conditions in Myanmars state of Rakhine are still not favorable for sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees. Produced by Shaikh Azizur Rahman. Humanitarian Group Blasts Greece Over Treatment of Asylum-Seekers on Island A prominent humanitarian group on Thursdayblasted Greece for its treatment of asylum-seekers on the island of Lesbos, repeating allegations of illegal deportations back to Turkey and claiming authorities are using hunger as a weapon against some migrants. The Associated Press reports. Greece Probes Video Purportedly Showing Migrants Forcibly Abandoned at Sea Greek authorities have been caught on film apparently forcing asylum-seekers into a life raft and abandoning them at sea. Human rights groups have long accused Athens of such practices. Greece denies carrying out so-called pushbacks and says it has launched an investigation into the video. Henry Ridgwell reports from London. News Brief The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an agencywide policy on body worn cameras. In the next 180 days, the DHS agencies and offices will draft and issue, or update their own body worn camera policies that meet or exceed the requirements set forth in the departmentwide policy. Readers hoping to buy Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. Typically, the ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date which is the date on which a company determines the shareholders eligible to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is of consequence because whenever a stock is bought or sold, the trade takes at least two business day to settle. Thus, you can purchase Molson Coors Beverage's shares before the 1st of June in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 15th of June. The company's upcoming dividend is US$0.41 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of US$1.64 per share to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Molson Coors Beverage has a trailing yield of 2.7% on the current stock price of $60.64. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Molson Coors Beverage's dividend is reliable and sustainable. So we need to investigate whether Molson Coors Beverage can afford its dividend, and if the dividend could grow. Check out our latest analysis for Molson Coors Beverage Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. Molson Coors Beverage's dividend is not well covered by earnings, as the company lost money last year. This is not a sustainable state of affairs, so it would be worth investigating if earnings are expected to recover. With the recent loss, it's important to check if the business generated enough cash to pay its dividend. If Molson Coors Beverage didn't generate enough cash to pay the dividend, then it must have either paid from cash in the bank or by borrowing money, neither of which is sustainable in the long term. Fortunately, it paid out only 33% of its free cash flow in the past year. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. Molson Coors Beverage reported a loss last year, and the general trend suggests its earnings have also been declining in recent years, making us wonder if the dividend is at risk. Many investors will assess a company's dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. Molson Coors Beverage has delivered 2.5% dividend growth per year on average over the past 10 years. Remember, you can always get a snapshot of Molson Coors Beverage's financial health, by checking our visualisation of its financial health, here. The Bottom Line Is Molson Coors Beverage an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? We're a bit uncomfortable with it paying a dividend while being loss-making. However, we note that the dividend was covered by cash flow. It's not the most attractive proposition from a dividend perspective, and we'd probably give this one a miss for now. With that in mind though, if the poor dividend characteristics of Molson Coors Beverage don't faze you, it's worth being mindful of the risks involved with this business. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Molson Coors Beverage you should know about. A common investing mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a full list of high-yield dividend stocks. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here When the Popocatepetl volcano reawakened in 1994, Mexican scientists needed people in the area who could be their eyes and ears. State police helped them find one, Nefi de Aquino, a farmer then in his 40s who lived beside the volcano. From that moment on, his life changed. He became a police officer himself, but with a very specific job: watching Popocatepetl and reporting everything that he saw to authorities and researchers at diverse institutions. For nearly three decades, de Aquino says he has been "taking care of" the volcano affectionately known as "El Popo." And for the past 23 of those years, he has been sending scientists daily photographs. Collaboration between researchers and local residents usually people of limited means is crucial to Mexico's volcano monitoring. Hundreds of villagers collaborate in different ways. Often local residents are the only witnesses to key events. Sometimes scientists install recording devices on their land, or have them collect ash samples. One evening this week, the thin 70-year-old policeman with a hoarse voice stopped his patrol truck near the cemetery overlooking his home town, one of the area's best vantage points. At his feet lay the town of Santiago Xalitzintla. Directly in front at a distance of 14 miles (23 kilometers) sat Popocatepetl, puffing smoke, the rim of its crater aglow. Because it appeared calm, de Aquino didn't stay long. Over the previous week, he had been busy sending digital volcano photographs to a slew of researchers at universities and government agencies as the mountain's activity increased and authorities raised the alert level. Once again, the world's eyes were on the 17,797-foot Popocatepetl, including those of the 25 million people living within 60 miles of its crater. On Friday, officials said the volcano's activity had decreased somewhat although they maintained the same alert level. A farmer who was a meat packer for three years in Utah in his late 20s when he illegally emigrated to the United States, de Aquino's life took a radical turn one day in 1994 when someone in his home town told him police were looking for him. At first he was afraid to go to the police, but eventually did. The interview was brief. "'Do you know how to read?' 'Yes.' 'Write?' 'Yes.' 'Do you drive?' 'Yes.' 'Do you have a license?' 'Yes.' 'Heck, this one will work.'" Officers told de Aquino that the government was looking for people to monitor the volcano and that he, then 41, had certain advantages. He appeared serious, he had finished high school, and during his short stay in the United States he had learned how to take photographs. 'Immersed in the volcano' At first, de Aquino was given a volunteer civil defense role, and he took some courses at National Center for Disaster Prevention, or CENAPRED where he was "immersed in the volcano." But he wasn't thrilled with doing the work without pay. So authorities offered to send him to the police academy. Although de Aquino became an officer with some normal police duties, he was an odd cop. He almost always worked alone, patrolling remote mountain roads, taking photos of the volcano. The ways that local people who help monitor the volcano are compensated are seldom straightforward, because they are not on the payrolls of universities or other research institutions, despite "becoming our eyes close to the volcano," said Carlos Valdes, a researcher at the UNAM's Geophysics Institute and former head of CENAPRED. As an example, Valdes said that the key person when the seismic monitoring system was installed on Popocatepetl was a mountain climber who lived in the town of Amecameca. The man, since deceased, knew the safest routes to climb and how to avoid putting instruments in locations that were sacred to locals. The way to compensate the man, was "to buy tires for his jeep, repair the vehicle, get him coats," because it was otherwise difficult to pay him. Paulino Alonso, a technician at CENAPRED who does fieldwork at Popocatepetl, said collaboration with locals also has given researchers a better understanding of how locals perceive risks. "A machine is never going to speak to the human perception of danger," Alonso said. Three photos a day In 2000, when Popocatepetl grew more active, authorities declared a red alert and thousands of people were evacuated. De Aquino's monitoring work intensified. "They gave me cameras, a patrol car and binoculars and every day I had to send three photos: one in the morning, one at midday and one at night," the policeman said. De Aquino continues working to this day, filling his adobe-walled home with thousands of photographs. He lives alone on a modest ranch on the volcano's slopes, where he has some fruit trees growing beside a stream, and raises corn and a few animals. De Aquino helps keep locals informed about the volcano and assists during evacuations. Once, his house became an impromptu shelter for soldiers, police and government officials, he said. De Aquino has gotten to go along on overflights of the crater, the first time terrified. "You see the whole base, how it lights up, how it puts out smoke ... it felt strange," he said. He has continued in his job despite being past retirement age. "What I have learned from (Popocatepetl) is that while it's calm, it doesn't do anything," he said. "But when it gets mad, it goes crazy." Hong Kong on Saturday "strongly condemned" rights group Amnesty International for alleging that a Uyghur man had gone missing after he arrived at the city's airport. The group said in a statement Friday that Abuduwaili Abudureheman, born in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang, traveled from South Korea to Hong Kong on May 10 to visit a friend and had not been heard from since. His final communication was a brief text to his friend while waiting at the airport saying, "Chinese police are asking me questions," according to the message shown to AFP by Amnesty. In a statement late Saturday, the Hong Kong government said Amnesty's claims were "groundless and unfounded" and "slandered the human rights situation" in the city. "The records of the HKSAR Government show that the person has not entered or been refused entry by Hong Kong," a spokesperson said, demanding an apology from the group. Amnesty told AFP in response that the group "will remain concerned for (Abuduwaili's) safety" and that his friend is still unable to contact him. The friend, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, told AFP on Saturday that Abuduwaili flew to Hong Kong for a visit, despite the friend's skepticism. "He miscalculated... he did not understand the grave consequences," the friend said. The text message attributed to Abuduwaili which AFP has not been able to independently verify was written in simplified Chinese and told his waiting friend to leave without him. "I'm being checked, Chinese police are asking me questions, and it may take time for me to get out," the message read. The friend said Abuduwaili had a track record of being "held back for questioning" when traveling to China and so did not think much of it. A day after receiving the message and hearing nothing, the friend contacted Hong Kong's immigration authorities but could not get much additional information, the friend said. According to Amnesty, Abuduwaili was on a Cathay Pacific flight from Seoul to Hong Kong that was scheduled to land at 11 p.m. (1500 GMT) May 10, according to Amnesty. Airline Cathay Pacific did not respond to questions on whether he was on board. Deeply worrying Abuduwaili, who completed a doctorate degree at Seoul's Kookmin University last year, was on a Chinese government "watch list" because of his history of overseas travel, the rights group said earlier. Beijing stands accused of detaining over 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang under security measures Washington and some lawmakers in other Western countries have labelled a "genocide." China denies the allegations, saying its actions are aimed at combating terrorism. Chinese authorities are increasingly pressuring Uyghurs outside its borders and have, in some cases, forced their repatriation, according to Amnesty. Alkan Akad, Amnesty International's China researcher, said in the Friday statement that the "unknown fate of Abuduwaili Abudureheman is deeply worrying." "That Abuduwaili appears to have been detained on arrival and interrogated raises questions about the potential complicity of the Hong Kong government in human rights violations being committed against Uyghurs by the Chinese government," he added. Since Beijing imposed its national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, Chinese law enforcement agents have been given more leeway in operating within the city once considered off-limits due to the city's semi-autonomous status. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a new parliament complex on Sunday, the centerpiece of a $2.4 billion project that aims to remake British colonial-era buildings in the capital's center and give it a distinct Indian identity. The inauguration, and the ongoing makeover of the heart of New Delhi based on Indian culture, traditions and symbols, comes a year before parliamentary elections in which Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will pitch its strong Hindu nationalist credentials, besides its performance in office over the last decade, to seek a third term. The Modi government has also similarly renovated some of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimage centers since first sweeping to power in 2014. The new, triangular-shaped parliament complex is just across from the heritage building built by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker in 1927, two decades before India's independence. The old parliament will be converted into a museum, the government has said. It has said a new parliament building is badly needed as the existing structure "is highly stressed" for a number of reasons including capacity, infrastructure, technology and safety. The new building, Modi said when he launched its construction in December 2020 during the pandemic, "would become a witness to the creation of a self-reliant India," underlining another pet theme. Besides modern technology, the new parliament has a total of 1,272 seats in two chambers, nearly 500 more than the old building, and at least three times as much space. It features four stories and halls themed according to the national symbols of the peacock, lotus and banyan tree, and murals, sculptures and art from across the country capturing 5,000 years of Indian civilization, said an architect directly involved in the project. But critics of Modi see the new parliament, designed by an architect from his home state of Gujarat, as an attempt to bolster his brand of nationalism as part of a personal legacy. Opposition parties have announced a boycott of the inauguration. The president, the highest executive of the country, should open the new parliament and not Modi, the opposition members said. The president's office declined to comment. An official in Modi's office said the prime minister respects the constitutional head of the country. On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed a public interest petition that sought a direction from the court to get the president to inaugurate the building instead of Modi. The overall makeover includes the new parliament, the construction of several government buildings along the lawns of India Gate in the center of the city and new residences for the vice-president and the prime minister. The plan has drawn objections from conservationists and urban planners who say it will obliterate the character of the city. "The decision to build a new parliament building was abrupt and there has been no transparency, probity and frugality in the entire process," said A.G. Krishna Menon, an architect and conservation consultant. India helped inaugurate a long-awaited seaport in western Myanmar this month amid New Delhis efforts to cope with rival Chinas growing influence in Southeast Asia and across the Indo-Pacific. A maiden delivery of 1,000 metric tons of cement from the Indian metropolis of Kolkata docked May 9 in Sittwe, Myanmar, at a new port funded by New Delhi. The Sittwe port is the first node in the $484 million Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, aimed at connecting greater India with its landlocked northeast through western Myanmars Rakhine and Chin states, bypassing Bangladesh. In a statement, Indias Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said the Sittwe port would herald a new age of transportation with Myanmar and unlock tremendous economic potential across the region by bridging South and Southeast Asia. Once completed with a 158-kilometer shipping route up the Kaladan River from Sittwe and another 210 kilometers of road leading back into India, the ministry said the corridor would slash transport times and costs between Kolkata and Mizoram state by more than half. India and Myanmar shook hands on the project 15 years ago, but it actually stems from goals of plugging Indias economy into the bustling markets of Southeast Asia dating back to the 1960s, Avinash Paliwal, a senior lecturer at Britains School of Oriental and African Studies told VOA. This is the larger aspiration, which has always been couched in terms of the Look East or Act East policy of India. And today it is also being made ... an important element of Indias Indo-Pacific approach and to counter China, because this is a region where China has also been dominant, he said. Balancing China Paliwal said concern over Chinas growing sway in the region is an article of faith for India, even if it has never invested the money into pushing back with much force. Compared with China, he added, India has also done relatively little to cultivate the ethnic-minority rebel armies that control much of Myanmars borderlands, Rakhine and Chin included. Even if China continues to dominate relations with Myanmar, Paliwal said Indias investment in the Sittwe port at least helps to keep it in the good graces of the military regime that seized power in 2021. The bottom line is Indias main idea is to make sure the channels with the junta remain open, because they need to know what the Chinese are doing. The intelligence pipeline needs to be open, he said. If throwing some money on the Kaladan helps them keep that pipeline open, thats fine for them. If and when it is finished, the corridor could give India an important economic boost too, Sreeparna Banerjee, a junior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation think tank based in Kolkata, told VOA. By connecting Indias northeast to the sea, she said, the corridor could spur job and business growth in an underdeveloped part of the country, help India tap into Myanmars natural resources, and reinforce the countrys land and sea trade routes with the rest of Southeast Asia, but still with an eye on China. While emphasizing its own interests, [India] is seeking to balance Chinas influence by deepening its ties with Myanmar and undertaking collaborative infrastructure projects, Banerjee said. "So, the Kaladan project serves as a strategic counterbalance to Chinas regional dominance. It not only strengthens Indias connectivity with Myanmar, but also showcases Indias commitment to supporting Myanmars development and fostering regional cooperation, she added. Hunter Marston, a doctoral candidate at Australian National University studying Myanmar, told VOA India hopes its port in Rakhine state can even compete some day with the larger and deeper port China is building in Kyaukphyu, a few dozen kilometers southeast of Sittwe, where Chinas own economic corridor project through Myanmar hits the sea. Thats definitely the goal; India is trying to do this to vie with China, he said. But Chinese trade with Myanmar ... dwarfs that with India. I think India has a lot of potential for the economic relationship to grow in the future, but in some ways its been too little too late to catch up with China. United Nations figures show Myanmars trade with China topped $9 billion in 2022. Its trade with India that year was $1.5 billion. Indias foreign direct investments in Myanmar are a small fraction of Chinas as well. Foul weather friends Even so, said Marston, Myanmar can still use Indias investment in the Kaladan project to hedge against China, being wary itself of relying too much on any one country, especially since the coup. The juntas brutal repression of a growing armed resistance has been whittling away at Myanmars foreign allies, yet India has held firm. Along with China and Russia, it abstained from a U.N. Security Council resolution in December calling for an immediate end to the violence. India is also one of the few countries still selling arms to Myanmar, though far less than China or Russia. The juntas efforts ... arent doing much to win popular support in the country, but its looking to deepen its external partnerships, especially those that allow it to avoid relying too much on just China, especially in foreign investment, Marston said. Even with enough funding, though, finishing the Kaladan corridor will not be easy, the analysts said. Long-running insurgencies pockmark both sides of the border. Fighting has been especially intense on the Myanmar side since the coup. Marston said the ongoing violence will be a huge obstacle to building the road meant to complete the corridor north of Sittwe. That road is not being built any time soon, Paliwal agreed. Banerjee said she is more optimistic, assuming the Myanmar juntas efforts to strike a cease-fire with some of the countrys major rebel armies bear fruit and that India can cozy up to Myanmars opposition government in exile, which has close ties with some of the groups. If India is able to strike the right chords, I think there is a hope that it [the corridor] will be completed after a few years, but not right now, she said. The Taliban and Iran exchanged heavy gunfire Saturday on the Islamic Republic's border with Afghanistan, killing and wounding troops while sharply escalating rising tensions between the two countries amid a dispute over water rights. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted the country's deputy police chief, Gen. Qassem Rezaei, accusing the Taliban of opening fire first Saturday morning on the border of Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province and the Afghan province of Nimroz. IRNA said Iran inflicted "heavy casualties and serious damage." From the Taliban's view, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor accused Iran of shooting first. Takor said the firefight killed two people, one from each country, and wounded others. He described the situation as now being under control. IRNA, quoting Iranian police, said two border guards had been killed. However, that number may be higher. The semiofficial, English-language newspaper Tehran Times said the fighting killed three Iranian border guards. IRNA said the Milak border crossing with Afghanistan, a major trade route, was closed until further notice over the gunfight. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers dialogue to be a reasonable way for any problem," Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khawarazmi said in a statement. "Making excuses for war and negative actions is not in the interest of any of the parties." The advocacy group HalVash, which reports on issues affecting the Baluch people in the predominately Sunni province of Sistan and Baluchestan, quoted residents in the area saying the fighting took place near the Kang district of Nimroz. It said some people in the area had fled the violence. Videos posted online, purportedly from the area, included the crackle of machine gun fire in the distance. HalVash later posted an image of what appeared to be the remains of a mortar round, saying that "heavy weapons and mortars are being used." Later videos from HalVash purported to show Iranian forces firing a mortar, as well as Taliban troops firing American-made machine guns at an Iranian border post. Other Taliban fighters drove armored vehicles likely left behind by NATO forces. Iran vowed not let the Taliban attack stand. "The border forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will decisively respond to any border trespassing and aggression, and the current authorities of Afghanistan must be held accountable for their unmeasured and contrary actions to international principles," IRNA quoted Iran's police chief, Gen. Ahmadreza Radan, as saying. The clash comes as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi earlier this month warned the Taliban not to violate Iran's water rights to the Helmand River. Raisi's remarks represented some of the strongest yet over the long-running concerns about water in Iran. Drought has been a problem in Iran for some 30 years, but has worsened over the past decade, according to the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization. The Iran Meteorological Organization says that an estimated 97% of the country now faces some level of drought. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August of 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. In the time since, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, depriving them of virtually all their basic rights, according to the U.N. Hunger remains endemic. While not directly accepting the Taliban government, Iran has maintained relations with Afghanistan's new rulers. Tehran also has called on the Taliban to allow women and girls to go to school. Earlier on Saturday, the Taliban's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with an Iranian envoy to Afghanistan to discuss the Helmand River water rights, according to tweets from Afghan Foreign Ministry official Zia Ahmad. IRNA acknowledged the meeting, saying "that issues between the two countries will be better resolved through dialogue." But tensions have otherwise been rising. Another video posted online in recent days purportedly showed a standoff with Iranian forces and the Taliban as Iranian construction workers tried to reinforce the border between the two countries. In recent days, pro-Taliban accounts online also have been sharing a video with a song calling on the acting defense minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, to stand up to Iran. Mullah Yaqoob is the son of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Taliban's late founder and first supreme leader. "We are a government, we have power," the song goes. "Our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran or we are not the republic's government. We are not slaves, our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran." U.S. President Joe Biden and top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy have reached a tentative deal to raise the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, ending a monthslong stalemate. However, the deal was described in terms that indicated it might not be absolute, and without any celebration, an indication it may have of a difficult path through Congress before the United States runs out of money to pay its debts in early June. McCarthy spoke briefly to reporters in the Capitol Saturday night, describing the deal as one "worthy of the American people." The deal would raise the debt limit for two years while capping spending over that time and includes some extra work requirements for programs for the poor. Biden and McCarthy held a 90-minute phone call earlier Saturday evening to discuss the deal. "We still have more work to do tonight to finish the writing of it," McCarthy told reporters on Capitol Hill. McCarthy said he expects to finish writing the bill Sunday, then speak to Biden and have a vote on the deal on Wednesday. Next step: Congress The deal will avert an economically destabilizing default, so long as they succeed in passing it through the narrowly divided Congress before the Treasury Department runs short of money to cover all its obligations, which it warned Friday will occur if the debt ceiling is not raised by June 5. Republicans who control the House of Representatives have pushed for steep cuts to spending and other conditions, including new work requirements on some benefit programs for low-income Americans and for funds to be stripped from the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. tax agency. They said they want to slow the growth of the U.S. debt, which is now roughly equal to the annual output of the country's economy. Negotiators have agreed to cap non-defense discretionary spending at 2023 levels for one year and increase it by 1% in 2025, sources said. The two sides must carefully thread the needle in finding a compromise that can clear the House, with a 222-213 Republican majority, and Senate, with a 51-49 Democratic majority. One high-ranking member of the hardline House Freedom Caucus said they were in the process of gauging member sentiment, and unsure what the vote numbers might be. The long standoff spooked financial markets, weighing on stocks and forcing the United States to pay record-high interest rates in some bond sales. A default would take a far heavier toll, economists say, likely pushing the nation into recession, shaking the world economy and leading to a spike in unemployment. Biden for months refused to negotiate with McCarthy over future spending cuts, demanding that lawmakers first pass a debt-ceiling increase free of other conditions, and present a 2024 budget proposal to counter his issued in March. Two-way negotiations between Biden and McCarthy began in earnest on May 16. Democrats accused Republicans of playing a dangerous game of brinkmanship with the economy. Republicans say recent increased government spending is fueling the growth of the U.S. debt. The last time the nation got this close to default was in 2011, when Washington also had a Democratic president and Senate and a Republican-led House. Congress eventually averted default, but the economy endured heavy shocks, including the first-ever downgrade of the United States' top-tier credit rating and a major stock sell-off. The work to raise the debt ceiling is far from done. McCarthy has vowed to give House members 72 hours to read the legislation before bringing it to the floor for a vote. That will test whether enough moderate members support the compromises in the bill to overcome opposition from both hard-right Republicans and progressive Democrats. Then it will need to pass the Senate, where it will need at least nine Republican votes to succeed. There are multiple opportunities in each chamber along the way to slow down the process. Huge crowds of antigovernment protesters Saturday encircled the Serbian state television building in downtown Belgrade to press their demand for autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic to ease his tight grip on the mainstream media and allow alternative voices. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters, some chanting slogans urging Vucic's resignation, streamed into the rain-drenched streets a day after the president's followers staged an equally big rally in the capital. Most of his supporters were bused into the capital from all over Serbia and some neighboring states. Outside the RTS TV headquarters, the crowds blew whistles and booed loudly. They say that according to the laws, state TV should be unbiased as a public broadcaster, but that it has been openly pro-government. Held for the fourth time since the early May shootings, the opposition-led protests appear to be shaping up into the biggest revolt against Vucic's autocratic rule during his over 10 years in power. The rallies initially erupted in response to two back-to-back mass shootings earlier this month that left 18 people dead and 20 wounded, many of them children from an elementary school. Other protest demands include the resignations of top officials and the revoking of licenses for pro-government media that air violent content and host crime figures and war criminals. Vucic has accused the opposition of abusing the shooting tragedy for political ends. Earlier Saturday, he stepped down from the helm of his populist party amid plans to form a wider political movement. Vucic named his close ally, Milos Vucevic, the current defense minister, as his successor. Holding umbrellas amid heavy rain Saturday, the protesters walked slowly around the RTS television building in central Belgrade, completely covering the streets in the entire area. Many held flowers in memory of the slain children and wore badges reading "vulture" or "hyena," mocking the expressions that officials used to describe the protesters. Vucic has said the new, national movement will be formed in June to include other parties, experts and prominent individuals and promote unity. Analysts say it is a bid to regroup amid mounting public pressure. Critics say the movement could lead to single-party rule, more or less as the case in Vladimir Putin's Russia, which Vucic supports. During the rally Friday, Vucic offered dialogue as he seeks ways to ease mounting public pressure. Opposition parties have pledged to press on with the demonstrations until their demands are fulfilled. They include the ouster of the interior minister and the intelligence chief; the revocation of nationwide broadcast licenses for two pro-government TV stations; and the dismissal of a media-monitoring body. "If they don't fulfill (the demands) we are not leaving from here," said Milica Tomic, a Belgrade resident. "We will be here, if it need be, every day, every week, whenever." Sudan's army chief, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has accused U.N. special envoy Volker Perthes of stoking a brutal conflict with paramilitaries, the latest in a series of apparent moves to bolster his war effort. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was shocked by Burhan's letter, which requested "the nomination of a replacement" to Perthes and accused him of committing "fraud and disinformation" in facilitating a political process that broke down into six weeks of devastating urban warfare. Guterres said he was "proud of the work done by Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative." Burhan and his former deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, were meant to meet for negotiations facilitated by the U.N. on April 15, the day they turned Khartoum into a war zone. The meeting aimed to restore a transition to civilian rule disrupted since 2021 when Burhan and Dagalo together seized power in a coup before falling out. As their feud worsened, the international community tried to get them to reach a deal on integration of Dagalo's RSF into the regular army. Since late last year Perthes and the U.N. mission in Sudan, which he heads, have been the target of several protests by thousands of military and Islamist supporters who accused Perthes of foreign intervention and demanded his dismissal. Similar protests have taken place in the eastern city of Port Sudan since the war started. Perthes had maintained his optimism and said the war took him "by surprise." In the letter, Burhan said Perthes presented a misleading picture of consensus in his reports to the U.N., and "without these signs of encouragement, the rebel leader Dagalo would not have launched his military operations." It has not been possible to verify who fired the first shots. The fighting across Sudan has killed more than 1,800 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The United Nations says more than a million people have been displaced within Sudan, in addition to 319,000 who have fled to neighboring countries, raising concerns for regional stability. A one-week cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia expires Monday night. Burhan last week officially sacked Dagalo as his deputy in the ruling Sovereign Council, replacing him with former rebel leader Malik Agar. But even after reports of Burhan's letter emerged, Agar said he had spoken to Perthes about "ways to resolve the crisis and end the war." Perthes is in New York, where last Monday he briefed the Security Council on Sudan. He responded to those who "accuse the U.N." by saying those responsible are "the two generals at war." Perthes "may not be allowed back into Sudan," according to Sudanese analyst Kholood Khair, founder of Khartoum-based think tank Confluence Advisory. "His visa will be a litmus test to gauge the resurgence of the Islamists," she wrote on Twitter. Pro-democracy voices have long accused Burhan of being a Trojan horse for Islamists from the regime of strongman Omar al-Bashir, whom the military ousted in 2019 after mass protests. Several high-ranking officials from the Bashir era have found roles in Burhan's administration since the coup. During the fighting Burhan's backing has grown clearer, including "a web of crony-capitalist corporations, from banks and telecom companies owned by Islamists and intelligence officers to companies owned by the military itself," according to Sudan expert Alex de Waal. Dagalo himself has called Burhan an "Islamist" and a "coup plotter" intent on reviving "the vestiges of the old regime." Dagalo, whose RSF are descendants of the notorious Janjaweed militia unleashed by Bashir in Darfur, has links to gold mines, and de Waal has said he has thrived in an environment "where money and guns determine everything." Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao was in the U.S. this week, meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. The meetings took place days after President Joe Biden signaled a thaw in bilateral relations strained by trade and security issues and the takedown by a U.S. fighter jet of a Chinese espionage balloon over American territory in February. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reports. Drone attacks targeted oil pipeline installations inside Russia Saturday, including a station serving the vast Druzhba oil pipeline that sends Western Siberian crude to Europe, according to Russian media. Kyiv has not commented on the attacks and Reuters could not verify the reports. Russia's Wagner mercenaries are "regrouping to another three locations" after partially withdrawing from Bakhmut, according to Ukraines National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov in an interview released Saturday. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham expressed confidence that the Ukrainian counteroffensive will yield results. I'm here to tell you that the Russian military is about to have holy hell unleashed upon them, he said during a news conference Friday in Kyiv. Ukraine is prepared to launch its long-expected counteroffensive against Russian forces, according to Ukraines National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov. In an interview with the BBC Saturday, Danilov said the counteroffensive is coming very soon. It could begin "tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week," he said, though he refused to offer a date for the launch to begin. It would be weird if I were to name dates of the start of that, he said. We have a very responsible task before our country. Danilov confirmed in the interview that the Wagner Group is withdrawing its forces from the war-ravaged Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, but he acknowledged that Russia's Wagner mercenaries are "regrouping to another three locations" after what he called their partial withdrawal from Bakhmut. Ukraine Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar also noted, on the Telegram messaging app, that Wagners offensive activity had decreased in Bakhmut but said that Russian troops are being replaced and are regrouping. The enemy is trying to strengthen its own capabilities," she said. Danilov acknowledged that Ukrainian forces control only a small part of the city but underscored that "Bakhmut has played a big role in this war," despite the heavy toll on Ukrainian defenders. Wagner and the Russian Defense Ministry claimed victory over Bakhmut on May 20, about 10 months after the heavy battle for the city started. Zelenskyy: More sanctions In his nightly video address Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised to continue with even more extensive sanctions against legal entities and individuals, most of them Russian, who work for terror. Zelenskyy said in total 220 companies and 51 individuals will be sanctioned regardless of where they operate in the world. Russian aggressors and their enablers will be marginalized, he warned. When Russia started this aggression, they looked at the world as if they were looking at themselves in a mirror, he said. They thought that supposedly everyone in the world was as cynical and despised people in the same way as the masters of Russia do. But the world is different the world helps us protect life. Evicting Russia from Ukraine U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham expressed confidence that the Ukrainian counteroffensive will yield results. I'm here to tell you that the last chapter of the battle of Bakhmut is yet to be written. I'm here to tell you that the Russian military is about to have holy hell unleashed upon them, he said during a news conference Friday in Kyiv. Graham also stated that Republicans and Democrats are united in their goal to help Ukraine, and he noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin must not be allowed to win. History tells us aggression unchecked leads to more aggression, he said. He also expressed admiration for the Ukrainian people, their strength and courage. I am in awe of you. I admire you. You represent the best in humanity. You will win, he said. Graham said there are no magic weapons to winning a war, but he acknowledged that the F-16s will matter. He called on the Biden administration to do more and expressed his conviction that there will be bipartisan support to providing more weapons that can turn the tide of battle in the upcoming counteroffensive. Responding to a VOA question about whether the U.S. will support Ukraines bid to join NATO, Graham said Ukraine will eventually become part of the alliance and a member of the European Union but for now, the priority, he said, is for Ukraine to evict the invader, from Ukrainian territories. I told President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy nobody is signed up for an invasion of Russia. The weapons we're providing are to evict Russia from Ukraine. Ukraines drone attacks Drone attacks struck oil pipeline installations deep inside Russia on Saturday, including a station serving the Druzhba pipeline, one of the world's largest oil pipelines that sends Western Siberian crude to Europe. Russian media reported the attacks were launched by Ukraine and said that shelling from Ukraine killed at least two people and injured others. Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia have been growing in intensity in recent weeks, and The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence believes Ukraine was behind a drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month. Ukrainian officials have not publicly acknowledged launching attacks against targets inside Russia. The Ukrainian defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. In Russia's Belgorod region, Ukrainian shelling killed at least one person and injured three, including a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the region said. Ukrainian shelling killed a construction worker in Russias Kursk region near the border with Ukraine, the local governor said. At its daily briefing about the Ukraine war, Russia's defense ministry said it had destroyed 12 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours and intercepted two long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles that were supplied to Ukraine by Britain. Reuters could not immediately verify battlefield accounts from either side. VOA's Eastern Europe Bureau Chief Myroslava Gongadze contributed to this report. Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Mike Lynch Darktrace - REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo US courts have frozen tens of millions of dollars of Darktrace shares owned by Mike Lynch as the British entrepreneur awaits trial on fraud charges. Mr Lynch has put up $54m (44m) worth of shares in the London-listed cybersecurity company to meet his bail demands after being extradited to the US last week. They will remain in the custody of the US court system until Mr Lynchs legal battle is resolved, which could take years. The development is the latest cloud over Darktrace, which has sought to distance itself from Mr Lynch, its founding investor, since he was charged with fraud in 2018. The charges related to the sale of Mr Lynch's business Autonomy to Hewlett Packard 12 years ago. Darktrace, which provides cyber security software, is also battling to repair relations with City investors after being targeted by short sellers who claimed the company has used aggressive accounting and sales tactics to boost growth figures. Shares have fallen by more than a quarter over the last 12 months and the stock fell by 10pc on Friday after the Wall Street giant Bank of America told investors to sell. The 14.6m shares put up as collateral by Mr Lynch represent around half of his 4.5pc stake in the company. His wife, Angela Bacares, owns a separate 6.4pc stake worth 122m. Mr Lynchs lawyers at Clifford Chance took custody of $93m of Mr Lynch and Ms Bacares shares on the day he was extradited to the US earlier this month, his lawyers told a US judge. The 57-year-olds bail was set at $100m after Mr Lynch was deemed a serious flight risk, having fought his extradition for years. Mr Lynch posted half the total under the term of his bail but is liable for the whole sum if he absconds. Only Mr Lynchs shares were transferred under the deal, not Ms Bacares', and Mr Lynch also contributed $15m in cash. The United States District Court of Northern California confirmed it had taken custody of the share certificates, which remain in Mr Lynchs name. A spokesman for Darktrace said: Dr Lynch has no operational, advisory or any other role at Darktrace. His relationship with Darktrace is purely limited to his shareholding in the business. These are publicly traded shares and his decisions on how to use his shareholding remain his own. Mr Lynch faces 17 charges related to the $11bn sale of Autonomy, the former FTSE 100 software company. The US giant wrote down most of the value of the deal a year after buying Autonomy and said it had inflated its financial position. The charges could lead to a maximum sentence of decades in prison. Mr Lynch and his co-defendant, former finance director Stephen Chamberlain, have pleaded not guilty. Mr Lynch was a founding investor in Darktrace and was on the companys board until 2018, when he was charged. He remained an adviser until last year when then Home Secretary Priti Patel approved his extradition. Mr Lynchs venture capital firm, Invoke, retains a seat on the companys board. In February, Darktrace hired EY to review its finances after short seller Quintessential said it was deeply sceptical about the validity of Darktraces financial statements. Under the terms of his bail, Mr Lynch is confined to an address in San Francisco where he must be guarded by private security he pays for himself. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Living in New York City, working full time and without a car, Jessica Ray and her husband have come to rely on deliveries of food and just about everything else for their home. It has meant more free time on weekends with their young son, rather than standing in line for toilet paper or dragging heavy bags of dog food back to their apartment. "I don't even know where to buy dog food," said Jessica Ray of the specialty food she buys for the family's aging dog. There are millions of families like the Rays who have swapped store visits for doorstep deliveries in recent years, meaning that contentious labor negotiations now underway at UPS could become vastly more disruptive than the last time it happened in 1997, when a scrappy upstart called Amazon.com became a public company. UPS delivers millions more packages every day than it did just five years ago and its 350,000 unionized workers, represented by the Teamsters, still seethe about a contract they feel was forced on them in 2018. In an environment of energized labor movements and lingering resentment among UPS workers, the Teamsters are expected to dig in, with the potential to cow a major logistical force in the U.S. 'Something's got to give' The 24 million packages UPS ships on an average day amounts to about a quarter of all U.S. parcel volume, according to the global shipping and logistics firm Pitney Bowes, or as UPS puts it, the equivalent of about 6% of nation's gross domestic product. Higher prices and long wait times are all but certain if there is an impasse. "Something's got to give," said Thomas Goldsby, logistics chairman in the Supply Chain Management Department at the University of Tennessee. "The python can't swallow the alligator, and that's going to be felt by all of us." In other words, brace yourself for Supply Chain Breakdown: The Sequel. In the second half of 2021, the phrase "global supply chain" began to enter casual conversations as the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses struggled to get what they needed, raising prices and wait times. Automakers held vehicles just off the assembly line because they didn't have all the parts. Some of those problems still linger and a strike at UPS threatens to extend the suffering. Household routines at risk Those who have come to rely on doorstep deliveries for the basics might have to rethink weekly schedules. "We finally reached a point where we finally feel pretty good about it," Ray said. "We can take a Saturday afternoon and do a fun family activity and not feel the burden of making everything work for the day-to-day functioning of our household." UPS workers feel they have played a part in the transformation of how Americans shop since the last contract was ratified in 2018, while helping to make UPS a much more valuable company. Annual profits at UPS in the past two years are close to three times what they were before the pandemic. The Atlanta company returned about $8.6 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and stock buybacks in 2022, and forecasts another $8.4 billion for shareholders this year. The Teamsters say frontline UPS workers deserve some of that windfall. "Our members worked really hard over the pandemic," said Teamsters spokesperson Kara Denize. "They need to see their fair share." Union members rejected the contract they were offered in 2018, but it was pushed through by union leadership based on a technicality. The acrimony over the current contract was so fierce that last year workers rejected a candidate to lead the Teamsters favored by longtime union head James Hoffa, instead choosing the more combative Sean O'Brien. O'Brien went on a nationwide tour of local Teamsters shops preparing frontline workers ahead of negotiations. In addition to addressing part-time pay, and what workers say is excessive overtime, the union wants to eliminate a contract provision that created two separate hierarchies of workers with different pay scales, hours and benefits. Driver safety, particularly the lack of air conditioning in delivery trucks, is also in the mix. Possible ripple effect A win at UPS could have implications for the organized labor outside the company. Teamsters are attempting to organize Amazon workers and dozens of company delivery drivers and dispatchers in California joined the union last month. There are also prominent labor organization campaigns at Apple, Starbucks, Trader Joe's, Apple, even strippers at a dance club in Los Angeles. "This has just huge implications for the entire labor movement in the United States," said John Logan, the director of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University, referring to labor talks at UPS. "There's greater assertiveness and militancy on the part of a lot of young labor activists and some sectors of the labor establishment. Sean O'Brien is representative of that." When dozens of UPS locals met with Teamsters leadership early this year, O'Brien delivered a message of urgency. "We're going into these negotiations with a clear message to UPS that we're not going past August 1," O'Brien told the gathering. It would be the first work stoppage since a walkout by 185,000 workers crippled the company a quarter century ago. UPS CEO Carol Tome has remained optimistic publicly, telling investors recently that the company and the Teamsters were not far apart on major issues. "While we expect to hear a great deal of noise during the negotiation, I remain confident that a win-win-win contract is very achievable and that UPS and the Teamsters will reach agreement by the end of July," Tome said. If Tome is wrong, Americans might need to put aside more time to shop like they used to do. "It has the potential to be significantly impactful," said Ray, the New York City resident. "My husband and I have invested a lot in figuring out how to remove the burden of just making sure we always have toilet paper." The United States "won't tolerate" China's effective ban on purchases of Micron Technology MU.O memory chips and is working closely with allies to address such "economic coercion," U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Saturday. Raimondo told a news conference after a meeting of trade ministers in the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework talks that the U.S. "firmly opposes" China's actions against Micron. These "target a single U.S. company without any basis in fact, and we see it as plain and simple economic coercion and we won't tolerate it, nor do we think it will be successful." China's cyberspace regulator said May 21 that Micron, the biggest U.S. memory chip maker, had failed its network security review and that it would block operators of key infrastructure from buying from the company, prompting it to predict a revenue reduction. The move came a day after leaders of the G7 industrial democracies agreed to new initiatives to push back against economic coercion by China a decision noted by Raimondo. "As we said at the G7 and as we have said consistently, we are closely engaging with partners addressing this specific challenge and all challenges related to China's non-market practices." Raimondo also raised the Micron issue in a meeting Thursday with China's Commerce Minister, Wang Wentao. She also said the IPEF agreement on supply chains and other pillars of the talks would be consistent with U.S. investments in the $52 billion CHIPS Act to foster semiconductor production in the United States. "The investments in the CHIPS Act are to strengthen and bolster our domestic production of semiconductors. Having said that, we welcome participation from companies that are in IPEF countries, you know, so we expect that companies from Japan, Korea, Singapore, etc, will participate in the CHIPS Act funding," Raimondo said. The U.S. government can keep using chemical retardant dropped from aircraft to fight wildfires, despite finding that the practice pollutes streams in western states in violation of federal law, a judge ruled Friday. Halting the use of the red slurry material could have resulted in greater environmental damage from wildfires, said U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen in Missoula, Montana. The judge agreed with U.S. Forest Service officials who said dropping retardant into areas with waterways was sometimes necessary to protect lives and property. The ruling came after environmentalists sued following revelations that the Forest Service dropped retardant into waterways hundreds of times over the past decade. Government officials say chemical fire retardant can be crucial to slowing the advance of dangerous blazes. Wildfires across North America have grown bigger and more destructive over the past two decades as climate change warms the planet. More than 200 loads of retardant got into waterways over the past decade. Federal officials say those situations usually occurred by mistake and in less than 1% of the thousands of loads used annually. A coalition that includes Paradise, California where a 2018 blaze killed 85 people and destroyed the town said a court ruling that stopped the use of retardant would have put lives, homes and forests at risk. "This case was very personal for us," Paradise Mayor Greg Bolin said. "Our brave firefighters need every tool in the toolbox to protect human lives and property against wildfires, and today's ruling ensures we have a fighting chance this fire season." State and local agencies lean heavily on the U.S. Forest Service to help fight fires, many of which originate on, or include federal land. Fire retardant is a specialized mixture of water and chemicals including inorganic fertilizers or salts. It's designed to alter the way fire burns, making blazes less intense and slowing their advance. That can give firefighters time to steer flames away from inhabited areas and in extreme situations to evacuate people from danger. "Retardant lasts and even works if it's dry," said Scott Upton, a former region chief and air attack group supervisor for California's state fire agency. "Water is only so good because it dries out. It does very well to suppress fires, but it won't last." The Oregon-based group Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics argued in its lawsuit filed last year that the Forest Service was disregarding federal law by continuing to use retardant without taking adequate precautions to protect streams and rivers. Christensen said stopping the use of fire retardant would "conceivably result in greater harm from wildfires including to human life and property and to the environment." The judge said his ruling was limited to 10 western states where members of the plaintiff's group alleged harm from pollution in waterways that they use. After the lawsuit was filed the Forest Service applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for a permit that would allow it to continue using retardant without breaking the law. The process could take several years. Forest Service spokesperson Wade Muehlhof said the agency believes retardant can be used "without compromising public health and the environment." "The Forest Service is working diligently with the Environmental Protection Agency on a general permit for aerially delivered retardant that will allow us to continue using wildfire retardant to protect homes and communities," Muehlhof said. Climate change, people moving into fire-prone areas, and overgrown forests are creating more catastrophic megafires that are harder to fight. Many areas of the western U.S. experienced heavy snowfalls this past winter, and as a result fire dangers are lower than in recent years across much of the region. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai raised complaints about China's state-led economic policies during a meeting on Friday with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who objected to U.S. tariffs and trade policies, their offices said. But statements from the U.S. Trade Representative's office and China's Commerce Ministry both emphasized the need for Washington and Beijing to maintain communication on trade. "Ambassador Tai highlighted the need to address the critical imbalances caused by Chinas state-led, nonmarket approach to the economy and trade policy," USTR said in a statement released after the meeting on the sidelines of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit. "She also raised concerns about PRC [People's Republic of China] actions taken against U.S. companies operating there," the statement said. China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement that Wang raised complaints about U.S. economic and trade policies toward China, including U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, economic and trade issues related to Taiwan, and on the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) that excludes China. Tai on Saturday will hold a ministerial meeting of countries in the IPEF talks, which exclude China and aim to provide a U.S.-centered alternative to its influence. Last week, she announced initial trade agreements with Taiwan. China claims the self-governed island as its own territory. USTR is conducting a four-year review of U.S. tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of Chinese imports, imposed in 2018 and 2019 by then-President Donald Trump. Tai has long raised objections to China's attempts to dominate certain industries using massive state subsidies and said such issues continue to come up in the relationship. Asked during a press conference whether the U.S. would resort to using further trade tools to address China's practices, such as a new "Section 301" investigation that could lead to more U.S. tariffs, Tai said that "aspects" of the Biden administration's response were already evident in U.S economic policies. "The benefit of sitting down and having a conversation with interlocutors from Beijing is so that we can understand each other better and understand how we are experiencing the impacts that we have on each other's economies," Tai said. Cabinet-level discussion Wang's meetings with Tai in Detroit and with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Washington on Thursday marked the first Cabinet-level exchanges in months between U.S. and Chinese officials, following a series of setbacks that raised tensions between the world's two largest economies. Tai stressed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between Washington and Beijing as they spoke on the sidelines of APEC, the U.S. statement said. The Chinese statement was similar in tone to concerns raised with Raimondo about U.S. trade, investment and export policies. U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged more frequent communications at a Group of 20 summit in Indonesia last November to avoid U.S.-China tensions from turning into a new cold war. But those plans suffered several setbacks, starting with the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon in U.S. coastal waters. These irritants continued through last Sunday, when Group of Seven leaders pledged to resist China's "economic coercion" and Beijing responded by declaring U.S. memory chip maker Micron Technology a national security risk, banning its sales to major domestic industries. Mohamed Olad Hassan Somali diplomats said Friday that Russia had offered to help support Somalias armed forces in their battle against the al-Shabab terrorist group. The diplomats, who asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had made the offer during talks with his Somali counterpart, Abshir Omar Jama, in Moscow. One diplomat said, Russia was ready to provide Somalia's army with military supplies, to strengthen the government fight against al-Shabab. The diplomats did not specify the kinds of materiel Russia was offering to Somalia, which is under a long-standing U.N. arms embargo. The U.N. Security Council imposed the embargo in 1992 after the outbreak of civil war and factional violence. The embargo was partially lifted in 2013 to help Somalia's security forces fight the Islamist militants. Russias offer came hours after al-Shabab militants stormed a military base manned by African Union forces from Uganda in Bulo Marer, an agricultural town in the Lower Shabelle region, about 110 kilometers south of Mogadishu. Earlier, at the opening of the talks between the two foreign ministers, Lavrov emphasized the long relationship between the two countries, which goes back to quick Soviet recognition of Somalia after it gained independence in 1960. He also said he and Jama would discuss preparations for the Russia-Africa summit scheduled for late July in St. Petersburg. Diplomatic relations In modern times, Russia and Somalia have had fairly routine diplomatic relations, with Russia sending humanitarian aid to Somalia several times. In May 2010, Somalia reacted angrily to the way Russian marines handled their rescue of a tanker, the MV Moscow University, that had been hijacked 560 kilometers off the coast of Yemen. Russian media reported at the time that 10 Somali pirates, who had taken the tanker and its crew hostage, were released on the open sea because there were no grounds to prosecute them in Russia. Somali authorities said the pirates never made it ashore and likely died at sea. Somalias Foreign Ministry statement at the time warned that relations with Russia might be harmed over the incident and demanded an apology from the Russian government. Since then, two Somali prime ministers, Omar Sharmarke and Hassan Ali Khaire, have met with top Russian officials requesting assistance to strengthen the Somali National Army. In recent years, Somali diplomats, who asked for anonymity, told VOA Somali that the Russian military has been eyeing Berbera port, located in the breakaway republic of Somaliland, as a potential base on the Red Sea. Last November, Russia, China, Gabon and Ghana abstained from a Security Council vote to maintain an arms embargo on Somalia, in support of Mogadishus strong objections. The United States and Britain supported maintaining the ban, although the measure did loosen restrictions on some weapons like portable surface-to-air missiles in recognition of the governments improved oversight of weapons and munitions. Blue Ivy Carter and her biggest fan. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images Well, wed hate to be the other kids in Blue Ivy Carters class when its time for everyone to share something cool they did over the summer. The 11-year-old Grammy winner graciously made a surprise appearance at the Paris stop of her mothers Renaissance world tour. My bloodline give it up for Blue! Beyonce said before bringing her daughter out for the Lion King track My Power. Its not their first time onstage together. The pair sang a duet of Brown Skin Girl in Dubai earlier this year although we, uh, wouldnt know anything about what happened at that no-phones-allowed performance. For this public performance, Blue limited her cameo to casually executing tour choreography alongside Beys dancers. She didnt miss a beat while performing in front of 80,000 people, including proud dad Jay-Z, as well as other celebs like Selena Gomez, Natalie Portman, Pharrell Williams, Megan Thee Stallion, Kris and Kylie Jenner, Lenny Kravitz, and more. With all that star power in the sold-out Stade De France, its no wonder the ever-pragmatic Blue decided to wear shades. BEYONCE BROUGHT OUT BLUE IVY OMFG ICONIC pic.twitter.com/dgX4Jt10yg (@beyoncegarden) May 26, 2023 Beyonce performing with her daughter Blue Ivy, simply legendary pic.twitter.com/G3ZbIbnC62 (@beyoncegarden) May 26, 2023 Beyonce daughter, Blue Ivy, dances to Kendricks Alright in Paris tonight. #RENAISSANCEWorldTour Paris - https://t.co/Iw9YKSr0Pd Use code RENAISSANCEWT for $20 off SeatGeek resale. pic.twitter.com/EhiWqZlDZK RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR (@RenaissanceWT) May 26, 2023 Photo: Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Early into the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, an electronic traffic sign appeared outside Warner Bros. Burbank lot. Excessive horn use, the sign warned, violates 27001 CVC. Spotted outside of the Warner Bros lot. They dont like how much people are honking in support of writers, Abbott Elementary writer Brittani Nichols posted on Twitter. We cant help that people love us [] #WGAstrong. The sign, of course, raised eyebrows for strike participants and passersby alike. What was 27001 CVC, anyway? Is there really some sort of prohibition on car-honking in the Golden State? Could this be some sort of Banksy-like prank to drum up still more auditory support for striking writers? As it turns out, the sign is not some sort of performance art. The WGA strike began on May 2, 2023. The Burbank Police Department (BPD) began receiving complaints about the incessant noise levels and vehicle horn honking on May 8 from residents that live adjacent to Warner Bros. Studios, a department spokesman said in an email. One of the residents expressed their displeasure with the BPD for allowing the incessant vehicle horn honking, which they understood was determined as not being a 1st Amendment protected activity A recent decision in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that honking ones car horn is not protected by the First Amendment and that klaxons should only be used according to the California Vehicle Codes regulations that 27001 CVC written in blinking letters. The driver of a motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation shall give an audible warning with his horn, the code states. The horn shall not otherwise be used, except as a theft alarm system And even though a car horn is a car horn, there can be stiff penalties for honking outside the code. The penalties for violating car-horn laws can prompt traffic citation for disturbing the peace, handed out primarily for honking excessively, and can result in up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $400, without counting court fees and other expenses. So you could, theoretically, wind up behind bars for honking if they threw the book at you. Residents kvetching about horns seemed to invoke discourse on disorderly behavior. People who complained about the horn, the spokesman said, asked for solutions to the problem, with a majority stating they work from home, have small children, and must leave their homes every weekday to simply avoid the problems caused by the WGA activity that is directly impacting their quality of life. The department, this spokesman said, tried to come up with a way that would address alleged nuisance noise while upholding First Amendment rights to free speech. To help mitigate the excessive amount of horn honking near Warner Bros. Studios, the BPD Traffic Bureau decided to use an educational approach by placing a mobile changeable message sign board at the approach to Warner Bros. Studios on Olive Avenue, the spokesman said of the sign. The intent was to encourage compliance with 27001 CVC and reduce the noise levels that are negatively impacting nearby residents. Passing motorists can still show their support for WGA members in a variety of manners, without the use of their vehicle horns, the spokesperson said. A message sign was also put outside the approach to Disneys studios following complaints about honking. Neither Warner Bros., Disney, nor WGA reps immediately responded to requests for comment. Disturbing the peace outside of studios is kind of the whole point of the picket line, and for some WGA supporters, the honks are melodious and a good reminder of their end goal: Make the studios listen and acknowledge the WGAs demands. Still, a spokesperson told Vulture that the placement of the sign has significantly reduced but has not eliminated the number of passing vehicles using their horns, and said that the department has been in regular communication with the organizers of the WGA strike and has worked towards mitigating excessive noise resulting in complaints from residents. So, yes, if youre cruising by the picket lines then you can honk in support of writers just maybe dont be like this guy. Jason Segel in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Netflix, Universal Pictures, 20th Century Studios Disappointed that youre not able to get away anytime soon? Just remember that vacations arent always all theyre cracked up to be. Imagine one right now: A trip, in your fantasies, probably involves you floating in a pool, reading a novel, and logging off for a full week. In reality, though, its all traffic jams, airport security, and screaming kids and dont forget the stress of figuring out finances and planning. Its just not worth it. And as the following films show, those arent the only risks. To help you feel more at ease when it seems like everyone is heading out of town without you, weve put together a list of movies that showcase the absolute worst-case scenarios for trips of all kinds: accidents, deaths, dinosaurs, and torture abound. The Evil Dead (1981) Maybe nothing can put you off planes, road trips, islands, or beaches. But if nothing else, you can at least be dissuaded from taking any invitations to isolated cabins in rural areas. In The Evil Dead, a group of students go on vacation in a cabin that is absolutely teeming with demonic energy. It is infested from the get-go. If you took the creepies and ghoulies out of this cabin, it would simply fall apart and there would be nothing but a pile of wood, and actually, that would be better. When two dumbass members of the group find a Sumerian version of the Book of the Dead in the cellar alongside an archaeologists tape recorder, they do the smart thing and play the tape, thus resurrecting a demon entity. Everything goes to shit, obviously, and from there its a lot of murder and demon activity and possession. Its just relentlessly chaotic and traumatic in a way vacations probably shouldnt be, so to spare yourself the trouble, just dont go anywhere. Available to rent on Amazon National Lampoons Vacation (1983) It is (probably) a fact at this point that no one entity has made more cash off the back of badly executed vacations than the National Lampoon series. Vacations: European ones, Vegas ones, Christmas ones, summer ones, its hard to keep track of just how many bad trips Chevy Chase can go on before he calls it quits. In the first of the Vacation installments, Clark Griswold (Chase) wants to spend more time with his wife and kids (always the first mistake) and suggests a trip to a theme park in California. If you thought you might be safer on the ground, youd be wrong: Griswold insists on driving across the entire country. They crash, they get stuck, a family member dies (classic). Its a whole mess, and its just not worth it. Available to stream on Max Weekend at Bernies (1989) If your boss invites you on vacation, do not go. There are no free rides, no good bosses, and no positive way for this to end. In Weekend at Bernies, which has perhaps been referenced more times than it has been watched, two colleagues (Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman) discover insurance fraud at their company. When they inform their CEO, he offers them a trip to his beach house for Labor Day, but is actually planning to have them killed. Instead surprise! Bernie is murdered by the hitman. When guests rock up for a yearly party, they dont realize that Bernie is dead. Sensing an opportunity to get some use out of the fancy house, Larry and Richard pretend Bernie is still alive, keeping his sunglasses on and entering into escalating ridiculous scenarios to keep up the pretense. Do you really have the energy for all that? Available to stream on AMC+ Thelma & Louise (1991) The first true female road movie, Ridley Scotts Thelma & Louise quickly makes clear the reasons why women dont tend to go on trips alone. Best friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) decide to get away from their boring lives with a weekend getaway in the mountains. After a stranger assaults Thelma, good friend Louise does him in, but things escalate to a point where they have to decide whether to give themselves up or run forever. Of course, you cant run forever, and eventually they drive off a cliff. Thelma & Louise offered a nuanced conversation on assault long before we were having them regularly, and there are arguments to be made that dying was better than losing their freedom. Still, though, thats not a decision youll have to make if you just stay put and avoid the crime spree in the first place. Available to stream on Prime Video Jurassic Park (1993) Youre dying for a getaway, even if its work-related, huh? How does a nice, dinosaur-infested vacation on Maui sound? Jurassic Park isnt necessarily a vacation for anyone, but it is a good fable for the dangers of taking up just any old rich dude on his offers of free board on his island: Chances are he wants you to be a witness to some moral quandaries. In Jurassic Park, that moral quandary is over whether human beings have the right to play god: can, and should, humans bring back long-extinct animals from the dead? If they do, what happens next? In the case of Jurassic Park, the answer is a lot of carnage, fear, and rain. Plus the worse you behave, the worse the punishment you endure at the hands of nature. The moral is: Dont bring back dinosaurs from the dead, and dont go on any vacations before considering every outcome. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) In the black comedy Little Miss Sunshine, starring Greg Kinnear, Steve Carrell, and Toni Collette, the Hoover family is flat broke and fighting constantly. When daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin) gets offered the chance to participate in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant, the entire family reluctantly agrees to go, including the color-blind wannabe pilot son (Paul Dano), the recently suicidal uncle (Steve Carrell), and the grandfather (Alan Arkin) who has been training her himself. The trip is a disaster: screaming, drugs, car failure. The death of a relative leads to the theft of a corpse. Olive loses her competition, rendering the journey pointless. You could argue that the wholesome unity the family finds through their distress makes the vacation a success. But is it really worth the drama? Available to stream on Max Snakes on a Plane (2006) While I have seen Snakes on a Plane maybe even twice I did have to look up the plot to write this, so convinced was I that it did not have one. Essentially, a man is being escorted on a plane from Hawaii to LAX to testify against a gang boss. The gang boss, not thrilled, arranges for a crate of venomous snakes to be placed in the cargo hold and for the passengers leis to be sprayed with a pheromone that will ignite the snakes bloodlust. That is a lot of effort to go to to kill one man, and cynical minds might think that its almost as if the entire plot was written based off the one-line premise of snakes on a plane. Putting aside that, and the impossibility of getting a load of snakes onto a plane post-9/11, it still poses some risks. You could go all the way to Hawaii for a paradise-island vacation, think youre safe on the trip back home, only to be brutally murdered by a malevolent snake before you reach LAX. Snakes on a Plane didnt do to air travel what Jaws did to beaches, but if airport chaos isnt enough to keep you off an airplane, maybe this will do it. Available to stream on Prime Video Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) Going on a blissful retreat to Hawaii, paradise on Earth, never seems to end the way anyone is expecting. In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) runs there in a tornado of self-pity and flagellation after a humiliating breakup with his girlfriend, the titular Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). While on his trip, Peter runs into Sarah and her new rock-star boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), which really only makes things worse. From there, the vacation is a series of mishaps, downs, and sad realizations. Imagine spending upwards of hundreds of dollars on a holiday, only to run into your ex and a new boyfriend with an inexplicably grating accent? Youre safer staying home and if your ex is showing up there, youve got bigger problems. Available to stream on Prime Video The Hangover (2009) While bros quoting Zach Galifianakis basically ruined The Hangover in 2009, it is still pretty enjoyable in and of itself, even if you find yourself preempting most of the lines. As we all know by now, the film follows three friends on a bachelor party in the aftermath of a big night out as they work backwards to figure out what happened. The conclusion that they were accidentally roofied is less hilarious in 2020 than if you were a teenage boy in 2009. However, its still a lesson in the myriad ways that an innocent vacation can go wrong. Even if youre as careful as can be, like Alan, you can still end up getting lost, taking the wrong drugs, getting obliterated, getting attacked by a tiger the possibilities are endless. Spring Breakers (2012) Things are tight, financially, for most people who arent grubby billionaires right now. That makes it harder for anyone to get away on vacation, but what you probably shouldnt do is emulate the behavior of any character in Harmony Korines Spring Breakers. After a bunch of college students fail to make it to spring break (my heart bleeds), they opt to rob a local restaurant instead of like, washing cars. Once they make it to Florida, things only get worse. Its a real after-school special for the consequences of drugs, crime and threesomes its a slippery slope, starting with just wanting to get on vacation and ending in murder, jail, and chaos. Just! Stay! Home! Available to stream on Max Sightseers (2012) Possibly because its British, Sightseers is criminally underrated. A dark comedy directed by Ben Wheatley, Sightseers will put you off even a short trip. It follows a couple, Tina and Chris, on a countryside caravan vacation (very normal in the U.K., exactly as boring as it sounds). After Chris kills a man with his car over a littering disagreement, he gets a taste for blood and murders basically anyone hes annoyed by or jealous of along the way. If that wasnt enough, Tina gets carried away doing some murders, too, which leads to some more fighting between them and an eventual suicide pact gone awry. Its very bleak, very violent, and while its funny to watch, its more than enough to dissuade you from getting in a caravan and going to the middle of nowhere. You dont really know your partner until youre trapped alone in a small space together, and Sightseers is a quarantine step too far. Available to stream on Tubi Midsommar (2019) No matter how bored you are, no matter how desperate for some kind of getaway from your life, if anyone offers you the opportunity to go to a remote Swedish village, just say no. In fact, remote villages of any kind are usually a no-no theyve always got some kind of weird rituals that theyll expect you to partake in. In Ari Asters Midsommar, a traumatized student is invited to attend a midsummer celebration with her friends at another friends commune. The group members take mushrooms (another no-no, especially if youre already traumatized) and start to witness some pretty horrific things taking place for real. Theres no point upsetting you with the details, but its nasty, and it makes a strong case against European jaunts anytime soon. Available to stream on Showtime Us (2019) When you think of what could go wrong on vacation, your brain likely goes to some pretty pedestrian places: missed flights, lost luggage, expensive taxis, language barriers. Have you considered, as Jordan Peeles 2019 horror Us asks you to, that there might be a doppelganger waiting for you? In Us, Adelaide (Lupita Nyongo) is understandably traumatized when she runs into a carbon copy of herself. Later, on vacation with husband Gabe (Winston Duke) and their children, they are confronted by their doubles, learning that their sadistic counterparts are the Tethered, sharing a soul with their look-alikes while living in the shadows. The Tethered (actually genetic clones), are sick of being ignored and go on a wild rampage across the USA and everything that happens in between is more than messed up. Again, it might seem unrealistic, but at least you know your scissor-wielding doppelganger isnt at home. Destination weddings often drain your bank account and throw you into the middle of nowhere with a bunch of relative strangers whats not to love? In Palm Springs, directed by Max Barbakow and co-produced by Andy Samberg, two strangers, Nyles and Sarah (Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti), meet at Sarahs sisters wedding, but it turns out Nyles has already met Sarah before at this exact wedding. Hes stuck in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over again, a glitch that Sarah gets trapped in as well. Its a sci-fi rom-com that plays up its desert setting, complete with a big drug trip and frequent floats in the pool. While it all ends well, I dont know that many of us would have the means to learn quantum physics and break the time cycle. So why risk it? Available to stream on Hulu Bad Trip (2021) Sure, any vacation that you actually plan is likely to have a higher success rate than a spontaneous road trip. In Eric Andres hidden-camera comedy Bad Trip, directed by Kitao Sakurai, best friends Chris (Andre) and Bud (Lil Rel Howery) take a road trip from Florida to New York City so Chris can confess his love to his high-school crush. It all starts out bad enough when they decide to steal Buds sister Trinas (Tiffany Haddish) car, leading to a cross-country chase. What happens next is kind of a messed-up mutant love child of Nathan for You, Jackass, and Borat with pranks, stunts and every embarrassing fuckup you can imagine. Unsurprisingly, Andre consulted with Sacha Baron Cohen, Nathan Fielder, and Jeff Tremaine (whose company Gorilla Flicks produced the movie) to make it as uncomfortable as possible something you can avoid by staying home. Available to stream on Netflix Old (2021) The events of the past few years pandemics, politics, Supreme Court rulings are enough to make anyone feel beyond their years. You might be tempted, with all that going on in the world, to head off to a secluded beach and try to heal and recoup your health and happiness. What if, though hear me out the beach is actually rapidly aging people? And the resort is a front for a pharmaceutical-research team spiking guests drinks so they can perform lifelong medical trials in the space of a day? That, for some reason, is just what happens in M. Night Shyamalans 2021 thriller Old. It might sound ridiculous, and you might be willing to take that chance so you can have a little break during your messy divorce, but its probably not worth the risk. Available to stream on HBO Max The Trip (2021) With everything going on in the U.S. right now, Europe might seem like a safer bet. However, as Midsommar proves, its not actually that much safer on that continent and the Norwegian movie The Trip seals the deal while taking into account the lessons learned from Sightseers and The Evil Dead. First: Do not go to a cabin in the woods. Second: Do not ever go on an isolated trip with the intention of fixing your marriage. Dont. In Tommy Wirkolas The Trip, a husband (Aksel Hennie) and wife (Noomi Rapace) secretly plan to murder each other during their getaway. However, things get even worse, and three fugitives take them captive. Just dont go anywhere, and dont trust anyone. Available to stream on Netflix When Airbnb first became a thing, there were plenty of people who struggled to get their heads around the idea of renting a room in some strangers house. There were so many terrible things that could go wrong, but Barbarian takes a nightmare scenario to a whole other level. In writer-director Zach Creggers indie horror, Tess (Georgina Campbell) is upset to find out that the Detroit rental home shes staying in the night before a job interview has been double-booked by a man (Bill Skarsgard). While Skarsgard plays creepy well (see: It, John Wick: Chapter 4), hes a red herring theres another, scarier villain to this story. Sure, Tess isnt on vacation per se, but this movie might make you rethink booking that short-term rental. You never really know whats missing from the listing nor what dwells inside the basement. Available to stream on Max If you had a rich friend from your past who invited you to stay on some crazy Greek island, youd go, right? Weird intricate puzzle aside, nobody turns down a free vacation, even in the middle of a raging pandemic. In Rian Johnsons follow-up to Knives Out, Daniel Craig reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc, now tasked with solving a mystery for tech billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton), but this whodunit is (of course) much more complex than it at first seems. Glass Onion is fun and silly and a shiny reminder as to why you should never, ever trust a rich person offering something gratis. Its only ever going to go badly especially if said free trip is on a remote private island. With one eye on neighbours, Thailand sets its sights on hi-tech cooperation with China's Greater Bay Area Thailand has been flagging the idea of joining hands with China in tapping new energy and digital markets in Southeast Asia, a move that would elevate bilateral cooperation to new dimensions beyond tourism and tropical fruits. The notion, mentioned recently by Thailand's ambassador to China, Arthayudh Srisamoot, could also be beneficial to Beijing as the world's second-largest economy looks to the 10 member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the 15 members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as alternatives to the US market. Arthayudh said the Thai government was focusing on new industries and innovative products as it sought co-investment with Chinese companies in wind turbines, hydroelectric dams and solar farms in countries like Laos and Vietnam. 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. "This is an example of an operation that Chinese businessmen and Thai businessmen are doing to help a third country in the area of new energy," he said on the sidelines of a global talent forum in Macau in mid-May. Citing historical connections, Arthayudh singled out the potential for cooperation with China's Greater Bay Area, a key growth engine in southern China and base of new energy and digital development. The economic development zone, comprising Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities including Shenzhen and Guangzhou, aims to become China's leading growth and innovation centre, and is already home to leading brands such as telecoms giant Huawei, new energy vehicle producer BYD, internet titan Tencent and drone maker DJI. Asean was China's largest export destination in the first four months of this year, outpacing the United States and the European Union. Chinese manufacturers are building many factories in Southeast Asia, which has a population of 660 million, and many Chinese technology firms have expanded their market presence in the region. Thailand, with the second-largest economy in Asean, has traditionally been a favourite destination for Chinese tourists - 5 million are expected to visit the country this year - and a key source of imported rice and tropical fruits. It is also a key partner of China in developing the pan-Asia high-speed railway network that will extend from Kunming, the capital of China's Yunnan province, to Singapore. Thailand's ambassador to China, Arthayudh Srisamoot. Photo: Handout alt=Thailand's ambassador to China, Arthayudh Srisamoot. Photo: Handout> "I think right now the creative [and] new industry is quite prominent," Arthayudh. "You know, we're talking about clean energy, management of disposable waste. And there's a lot of Chinese companies making all these waste products into building materials, bricks and walls, and towers." A report by the International Energy Agency last year said the transition to sustainable energy in Asean member states could provide "greater business opportunities" in the emerging clean energy economy. Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong would visit Thailand before the end of next month, the ambassador said, and he hoped both sides could use the opportunity to agree to more cooperation and exchanges. An annual dialogue mechanism between Guangdong, China's top exporting province, and Thailand has been in place for two decades, with an annual meeting elevated to the ministerial level in the past two years. Arthayudh said Thais still mainly relied on cash and credit cards for making payments and pencils or water colours for designing, which made it "a more traditional country" that had "a lot to learn from China in terms of fully utilising the digital concept". "I think countries in Southeast Asia are a little bit more traditional - [if] you go to Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, they still don't know the digital way of life," he said, hinting at great potential for development. "[If] you go to Myanmar, they're still using half-a-century-old techniques ... so I think the way forward is digital." In a meeting with Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong in March, Arthayudh said the comprehensive resumption of exchanges between the two countries at all levels would "deepen coordination and cooperation in multilateral fields including regional cooperation". A World Bank report published on May 16 said innovation in Thailand was hampered by a shortage of technical workers, weak scientific production and limited access to finance that constrained the growth of small and medium-sized companies. "When we look at our relationship with China, it's more than digital or creative industries," Arthayudh said. "Agriculture is an important area of cooperation between Thailand and China. "But of course Guangdong is the province that is focusing on creative industries ... it is the best source for pushing forward the creative agenda." 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 2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Pay phones to remain in Italy's hospitals and prisons. Public pay phones on the streets of Italy will soon become a thing of the past after a decision was taken to begin the process of removing the more than 16,000 phone booths still found around the country. Italy's Communications Regulatory Authority (AgCom) on Friday established that the telecommunications company TIM is no longer required to guarantee the public service. The decision, taken after a public consultation, will lead to the gradual decommissioning of phone boxes and pay phones from streets across the country, according to Italian media reports. The only places where public pay phones will remain is in hospitals, barracks and prisons as well as in remote mountain shelters where there is no mobile cell phone coverage. Public pay phones in Turin. Photo: Claudio Divizia / Shutterstock.com. Italy's first telephone booth was installed in Piazza S. Babila in Milan on 10 February 1952, paving the way for pay phones across the country over the subsequent decades. However their use has decreased dramatically in recent years with the arrival of mobile phones, leading to vintage pay phone tokens and telephone cards becoming collectors' items. In 2019 phone booths in Italy registered an average of 277 calls per cabin, with this number down to just 118 calls per cabin two years later. Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share CAIRO Saudi Arabia and the United States said Friday the warring sides in Sudans conflict are adhering better to a new, weeklong cease-fire following days of sporadic fighting. The truce, brokered by Riyadh and Washington, went into effect on Monday, but fighting continued in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and the western Darfur region. Particularly intense clashes flared up on Wednesday, the two mediators said in a joint statement. The conflict in Sudan erupted in mid-April after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has killed at least 863 civilians, including at least 190 children, according to the most recent numbers from the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate. Advertisement The latest, weeklong cease-fire is the seventh attempt at a truce after the others were violated. A new cross-party committee tasked with monitoring potential violations observed Wednesday the use of artillery and military aircraft and drones, credible reports of airstrikes, sustained fighting in Khartoum and Darfur. Amid the reported calm on Thursday, humanitarian missions were able on to deliver urgently needed medical supplies to several locations in Sudan, the joint statement said. Efforts were also underway to restore telecommunications services in Khartoum and other areas of the country, it said. On Friday, Khartoum residents reported only sporadic gunfire. However, the Sudanese Defense Ministry issued a statement calling on all non-commissioned and retired officers under 65 to re-enlist. It remains unclear if the call-up is mandatory. Advertisement Earlier in the day, Sudan TV had broadcast a military statement asking former soldiers and men capable of fighting to head to the nearest military command to arm themselves for their own self-protection. Over the past six weeks, looting has become widespread across many Khartoum districts, which are also without water and electricity. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned both parties of possible sanctions if the latest cease-fire was not adhered to. The United Nations says that more than a million Sudanese have been internally displaced, while some 300,000 have fled to neighboring countries. The conflict has pushed the East African country to the brink of collapse, with urban areas of Khartoum and its adjacent city of Omdurman disintegrating into battlegrounds. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Friday that the World Food Program has 60,000 people with food and nutrition since restarting distributions including some 180,000 in Darfur. The WFP plans to start distributions also in central Darfur in the coming days and resumed aid in the Blue Nile state on Friday, he said. Dujarric said the World Health Organization has verified eight attacks on health care facilities during the past two weeks, bringing the total to 38 health care facilities attacked since fighting erupted in mid-April. Riyadh and Washington called on the Sudanese military and the RSF to continue to respect the cease-fire. GiftOutline Gift Article Key Insights Institutions' substantial holdings in RenaissanceRe Holdings implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price The top 13 shareholders own 51% of the company Using data from analyst forecasts alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company A look at the shareholders of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR) can tell us which group is most powerful. With 83% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about RenaissanceRe Holdings. See our latest analysis for RenaissanceRe Holdings What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About RenaissanceRe Holdings? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. RenaissanceRe Holdings already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of RenaissanceRe Holdings, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. RenaissanceRe Holdings is not owned by hedge funds. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is currently the largest shareholder, with 9.2% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 8.1% and 4.8%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. Additionally, the company's CEO Kevin O'Donnell directly holds 0.6% of the total shares outstanding. A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 13 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority. While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of RenaissanceRe Holdings While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions. Shareholders would probably be interested to learn that insiders own shares in RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.. The insiders have a meaningful stake worth US$169m. we sometimes take an interest in whether they have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership With a 15% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over RenaissanceRe Holdings. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for RenaissanceRe Holdings you should know about. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here A restaurateur who spent $6 million unsuccessfully battling to keep his St Kilda hospitality venture afloat after repeated COVID-19 lockdowns must pay a former staff member $15,900 in unpaid wages and penalties in a Federal Court order. But Mario Di Nardo and the company behind St Kildas The European Hotel have not yet paid their former venue manager as they failed to attend court and did not have legal representation. Mario Di Nardos The European Hotel is the subject of a Fair Work Australia investigation. Credit: Justin McManus Fair Work Australia (FWA) is also investigating the restaurant complex over unpaid wages. In an article this month detailing the difficulties some in the restaurant industry were having in bouncing back from the lockdown era, Di Nardo told The Sunday Age that he and backers sank $6 million to establish and run The European Hotel in 2019 on the corner of Fitzroy and Princes streets. New data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission shows last year there was a 47.9 per cent rise in reports of classified and online shopping scams on social media. For years, Kelly has been obsessed with the television show Catfish, which investigates fake online personas, and she has watched countless other true-crime documentaries. She decided to do her own sleuthing into Sarah. I did a deep dive, Catfish-style, Kelly said. What she discovered left her feeling like she was starring in her own episode. A doctored photo the scammer sent. Over several hours, Sarah sent two photos of the Aje gown to Kelly, which Sarah claimed she had taken. She tried to build a rapport with Kelly, asking about her upcoming trip to Scotland. But the Melbourne mothers Spidey-senses were tingling. Within an hour of her detective work, Kelly realised Sarah Wren was a fake profile and the person behind it was a fraudster. When I realised she was lying I said to myself, Not today, Satan, not today, Kelly said. I was absolutely furious she had tried to dupe me. Kelly used a Google reverse image search on Sarahs two profile photos and discovered they were stock photos, one lifted from a West Australian tourism website and the other from a site advertising the drink Aperol. She did the same with the photos of the dress and found identical images posted by a legitimate seller. Sarah also refused to use PayPal, insisting Kelly transfer to a bank account owned by a woman named Alana. Curious to see how far the scammer would go, Kelly asked Sarah for another photo of the dress. Sarah obliged, this time sending a photo of the dress with a handwritten note. Scrawled on it was the name Sarah and the date. But eagle-eyed Kelly spotted the name of a dress hire business on the note. She contacted the company, and discovered the fraudster requested the image of the dress from the business. The scammer then doctored the photo to make it look like she wrote the note herself. The brazenness was just horrible, Kelly said. The scammer tried to develop rapport. Australias consumer watchdog received more than 5300 complaints about social media scams last year and reported that losses to online scams soared by 42.7 percent, topping $2.95 million. Kho said Australians were attuned to phishing emails and SMS scams, which meant tactics to build rapport and manipulate people was intensifying in sophistication. The trend we are seeing is now much more targeted, Kho said. They will nurture, 10, 20, 50 relationships at a time and build up that trust and emotional connection. The fraudsters have found fertile ground in luxury and designer buy, swap, and sell groups; and often assume aliases, steal images and doctor photos to dupe people into transferring huge money for items that dont exist. The shame a victim experiences after being scammed means many cases go unreported. Loading But consumers are fighting back. Vigilante-style Facebook pages, such as the Designer Labels Scam Alert community, are warning online shoppers. Such groups are becoming the neighbourhood watch of the internet. They share information and they look out for each other, Kho said. When Kelly accused Sarah of scamming her, she received a heart emoji in response and was then blocked. An exchange between Kelly and the scammer. Wanting to warn others, Kelly posted in the Designer Labels Scam Alert page. She was flooded with responses from women who suspected they had been duped into transferring hundreds of dollars by the same scammer. Others had reported similar frauds to police. They were posting, Oh my god, not this girl again, Kelly said. I thought I had to do something because you cant sit back and let another girl think shes buying her dream dress only to end up with no money and no dress. In the following days, Kelly noticed Sarah, whose profile has since been deleted, was continuing to target women on designer pages on Facebook. Kelly, who is sharing her story to raise awareness of these types of scams, began frantically inboxing people. I was saying, please do not believe this girl, dont part with your money, she said. In the end, she was doing it to so many people. I couldnt keep up. Kho said warning signs included profiles where sellers were based overseas and sales where there was pressure to transfer money into a bank account or hand over personal details. He urged consumers to always pay via PayPal to ensure they could get a refund if the transaction went wrong. If it is too good to be true it probably is, he said. Kelly said her years of binge-watching Catfish finally paid off. Review Melbourne This tiny newcomer is first and foremost a cocktail bar, but Besha Rodell would come here for the food even if there were no cocktails to be found. Archer, a mother of five and former local mayor who worked mostly as a waitress pre-politics, entered parliament in 2019 after winning the marginal seat of Bass from Labors Ross Hart by 563 votes. The first indication of her rebel spirit came in December 2020, when she abstained from the Coalitions legislation to extend trials of a cashless debit card , under which welfare recipients could not buy alcohol, gamble or withdraw cash. Archer, who holds a bachelor of arts in political science and English and a graduate certificate in international politics, felt that quarantining payments was punitive and contravened Liberal Party values. Theres an edge to Archer today. The loss of the heartland Liberal seat of Aston after 33 years emphatically won by Labors Mary Doyle after Alan Tudges retirement has emboldened her and, she believes, proved her point that the Liberal Party is unelectable in its current form. Were joined by Archers key staffer Lucy Mercier, who, one suspects, is in a state of high alert: she knows her boss says exactly what she thinks. Yet Mercier also knows Bridget Archer is, well, authentically Bridget Archer. And therein lies her superpower. (In a later interview I ask Archer how she relaxes. I drink, comes her half-joking answer. I think Ive come out in hives, Mercier responds, slightly horrified.) Archer, who is surprisingly tall and wearing her electorate work outfit of black jeans and low-heeled boots, wonders aloud about the next level on the MP strife scale, as she calls it. Maverick? Rogue? She might want to avoid disgruntled, I say, as that one tends to stick. Disgruntled, she says, mulling the word. And then, eyeing my recorder: Oh, I am disgruntled, dear reader. Outspoken. We discuss this over lunch at Tatler Lane, a restaurant close to her Launceston electorate office, in the states north. Its the kind of eatery coffee roastery, slick design, Instagram-worthy breakfasts that didnt exist in the insular Launceston we knew as teenagers. Were the same age 48 but never met back then. She lived in a low-income suburb but went to Launceston Grammar. I lived out of town and went to a public school. She was expelled during year 12 for sneaking into the boys boarding house. On Saturday nights, in grunty Ford Falcons, Id be doing laps of the CBDs one-way streets, a Launceston cultural experience known as doing blockies. She never did a blockie. I meet Bridget Archer just after the federal Liberal MP lobbed another mini-grenade at her own party. Its the Monday following the April Aston byelection and debate is running hot: what does the seats loss mean for the conservative side of politics? Archer believes she knows exactly what it means and spells it out in the morning papers: I think the party needs to stop ideological dog-whistling and return to centrist Liberal values. And there, alongside her quote, are the words now unshakeably paired with her name: outspoken Tasmanian MP. Weve seen an infiltration and I think its been as insidious as that of right-wing religious conservatism thats infected the Liberal Party and turned it into something it was never conceived to be. She stops for a moment. I dont think [party founder Robert] Menzies would be particularly disappointed with my efforts. No, she says firmly. She describes herself as a small-c conservative who believes in individual aspiration and reward for effort. Im not really a natural fit with the Labor collective. Im not a socialist. But the Liberal Party has gone sideways, she continues, a process she believes began with former prime minister John Howard. Since the May 2022 election, when Archer became the first person in 21 years to be re-elected to Bass the so-called ejector seat of Australian politics she has cut a particularly lonely figure in parliament. Last year she was the only Coalition member to cross the floor to support the Albanese governments carbon emissions target and to censure former prime minister Scott Morrison for his multiple ministries, and to back the national housing fund in February. Last month, Archer declared she would campaign for an Indigenous Voice , putting her at odds with the party room. Her floor-crossing tally now stands at 27, almost pipping Nationals senator Barnaby Joyces record of 28. In March 2021, Archer created a stir again, as the first Liberal woman to publicly confirm her attendance at the Womens March 4 Justice at Parliament House. In November that year, blindsiding the party, she backed independent MP Helen Haines motion to discuss a federal integrity commission. Today you saw, I think, the absolute lioness of the 46th parliament, Haines told the media afterwards. And that woman is the member for Bass, Bridget Archer. In February last year, Archer crossed the floor with fellow Liberal moderates Trent Zimmerman, Fiona Martin, Katie Allen and Dave Sharma to successfully back amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act to abolish the right of religious schools to discriminate against gay and transgender students (in the end, Morrison shelved the legislation). In what universe is spending a f--- tonne of government money on telling other people how to spend their money in any way Liberal? she says after ordering the omelette of the day. The bill narrowly made it to the Senate, which voted to extend the trials for two years. The Whelans bitterly separated when Archer was eight and her mother moved to Launceston. Barry got custody of the kids, but soon after was told he had cancer and six months to live. He died in eight weeks. The children moved to Launceston to live with Marian and her new stepfather but, says Archer, things went from turbulent to more turbulent to more turbulent. The abuse of power, the inappropriate sexual attention and grooming pressure not to tell her mother; treats when hed gone too far began when Archer was eight, during a vulnerable time. Born to a teenage mother in Hobart, Archer was adopted as a six-week-old baby to bank workers Barry Whelan and his wife Marian, who also had a son and daughter. You know, I loved her straight away, says Marian. She was a stunning-looking baby. (In 2014, Archer found her biological mother on Facebook. They regularly messaged and played the online game Words with Friends, but her birth mother died in 2018 while they were still weighing up meeting in person. Archers biological father remains a mystery, as his identifying information was blacked out in her files.) As a teenager, Bridget Archer repeatedly borrowed an anatomy book from the library. Each night, for six months, she copied it out. Even now, her knowledge of body bits and systems is, she says, ridiculous. But Archer studied the book not because it was her dream to be a doctor which it was but as an excuse to stay in her room. This way she could avoid saying goodnight to her late stepfather, a man she describes as an aggressive, emotionally abusive and controlling alcoholic who scared her. When Archer had no excuse to stay in her room, she was expected to wish her stepfather goodnight in his workshop under the house, where he could secretly kiss and touch her inappropriately. He never raped me, says Archer now. But I think that was only because of a lack of opportunity, in the end. Weve seen an infiltration of right-wing religious conservatism thats infected the Liberal Party and turned it into something it was never conceived to be. The party cannot stand by while moderate Liberal voters and potential candidates turn to independent movements like the teals, she says. This is not a sustainable path back to government. Weve got to have a revolution, really, to take the party back, she says. When I suggest this puts her on a collision course with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, she agrees. But its not a personal fight, she says. The fight I am spoiling for is over the future of the Liberal Party. But theres a broader aspect, too. She often thinks about the impact of childhood sexual abuse, and how it fundamentally changes you and is deeply connected to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. (Archer has also spoken openly about her ongoing struggles with panic attacks and anxiety: Ive had a lot of therapy.) She now believes that many Liberal policies in juvenile justice, Robodebt or cashless welfare payments fail to take into account that people with early trauma dont cope in uniform ways. Its like trying to make a fish ride a bicycle were not understanding that peoples capacity to do what you are asking them to do might be constrained by their trauma. Archer tells me this as we drink lattes from the coffee cart in Launcestons quiet Civic Square. From her first speech to parliament, Archer made the decision to acknowledge her history of childhood trauma although she reveals the details here for the first time because she wants to move the conversation forward and chip away at stigma. But her survival of trauma also informs her political views in ways shes only beginning to understand. For a long time, she was puzzled why she felt white-hot anger about the conversation around transgender rights. Theres a moral panic around that issue which is really about people living their own lives in peace yet a complete lack of outrage that one in four kids are sexually abused . And thats happening in their own homes. Thats where people are unsafe. Lillywhite remembers Archer going through a mini-self-destruction at this point. When Archer was expelled for sneaking into the boys boarding house, she had to do her exams at Launceston College (where I was doing them the same year) and flunked year 12. But she got into a law and science degree at the University of Tasmania, thanks to her excellent year 11 results (and that anatomy book). Unsurprisingly, any prospects of doing well enough to get into a medicine degree had evaporated, says Archer. I was in bits. Her schoolmate and best friend, Sarah Lillywhite, describes Archer as a warm, funny and resilient person who was grateful to be at a good school. We just worked bloody hard. There was nothing handed to either of us, says Lillywhite, who was a scholarship student. But things changed when Archer was 15. When the anatomy study didnt give her enough cover, she stopped talking to her stepfather for a year, prompting an ultimatum from him to Marian: either she goes, or I do. Marian, knowing nothing of the abuse, chose her husband, and for year 12 Archer was sent to Grammars boarding house, 10 minutes from home. In year 6, funded by her father and grandfathers wills, Archer was sent to Launceston Grammar. Harbouring the awful secret of her home life, she existed in multiple worlds: her privileged schoolmates would tease her for living in the poorer suburb of Ravenswood, while the neighbourhood kids were scornful of her fancy school. Afterwards, the ramifications came, as Archer expected, and she was called to Morrisons office to explain herself. What few people realised that day was that Bridget Archer had thought about an integrity commission more than most of her colleagues because shed been investigated by one. Even though the Liberal Party trumpets its proud tradition of allowing MPs to cross the floor, Archer knew it was career suicide: You have to pick the hill you are prepared to die on because instinctively you know you are dying. She also knew independent-minded party MPs never really get anywhere in politics, the exception, perhaps, being Barnaby Joyce. The first time Archer crossed the floor , it was an ambush. Determined to achieve maximum impact, and not to have a repeat of the cashless-welfare debate when she says she felt bullied and intimidated for weeks by Morrisons staff she secretly conspired with Haines, who had her own federal integrity commission bill when Morrison was dragging his heels on the issue. In the parliamentary footage of that day November 25, 2021 you can see former Liberal MP Tim Wilson do a surprise swivel in his chair at the chambers central table. He turns to see the stealth bomber, dressed in a forest-green suit jacket and shoulder-length blonde bob, rise to second Haines motion and, speaking in measured tones with no notes her pulse beating in her ears, a sick feeling in her stomach plead with her colleagues to restore trust in elected officials. In retrospect, Archer was always on a collision course with Liberal conservatives; its just that no one saw it coming. If the party just did a nominal amount of homework when they went through candidate selection, they would have realised that Bridget is about values, end of story, says a Bass Liberal branch member who knows Archer well. Bridget is prepared to die on the cross. If she has something she believes in, basically thats it, mate, youre done. Also, she adds, the party can tend to marginalise already marginalised people. It makes us feel better about ourselves. But its not Liberal. Its sort of othering, you know, the way we see ourselves and who our base is, compared to those people or those people or those people. All of those people, in my view, who are just people, they should be the base. Why shouldnt they be? If you go back to your Liberal values about aspiration, all sorts of people have aspiration, now more than ever. Archer speaks with then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in 2021, after she crossed the floor to allow debate on an integrity commission bill. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Steptoe, says Bridget Archer. Hes like Steptoe and Son. Were walking on a farm road in the autumn afternoon sun and Archer is describing her husband Winston Archer, a farmer, and the scene around us. Its a junkyard: old ploughs, abandoned cement mixers, paint tins, concrete pipes, a dumped trailer and a tractor cabin that looks like its been leaning on a tree since 1963. (Winston tells me later that, sentimentally, he also keeps in a shed samples of posters from every one of Archers election campaigns, including her runs for mayor and council.) Theres also a preponderance of dogs: her own three poodles, Roxy, Bobby and Domino, farm dogs, a fresh batch of shut-eyed border collie-kelpie puppies, and ones that she has never seen before. I dont even know who you are, she says to a beagle-like mutt chasing our heels. A 45-minute drive north of Launceston, the 2000-hectare cattle and sheep farm Effingham is just outside George Town, a blue-collar town at the mouth of the Tamar River, home to the Bell Bay aluminium smelter. The Archers are one of the early-colonial landed gentry families of northern Tasmania, descendants of four brothers who set up large homesteads. My mum, whose Pilates teacher is an Archer, is keen to know which Archers Bridget married into the ones who recently sold a single Angus bull for a record price of $240,000? No, they are Winstons third cousins, Bridget Archer says. Nevertheless, the farm has been in Winstons family for five generations and stretches all the way to Bass Strait. But instead of walking that far, we perch on a bit of concrete slab to chat. When Archer came here after marrying Winston in 2008, she felt, for the first time, some sense of being settled. Until then, she says her life was like something out of Days of Our Lives (her staff joke that her biography will read Chapter 73: enters federal politics.) In 1993, aged 17, she fled her stepfather and went to Hobart, where she dropped out of her degree in the first year and went absolutely off the rails. In the midst of heavy partying she worked as a curation assistant at the Tasmanian Herbarium for four years. But also, during this time, in 1998, Archer married her first husband, who was 15 years older. It lasted 51 weeks. Then in 1999, Archer followed a boyfriend to Sydney, where she briefly studied communications at the University of Technology Sydney. She landed a waitressing job at the famous Doyles seafood restaurant on Watsons Bay, which she adored, and worked there during the Sydney Olympics. While at work one day, she slipped some discs in her back and nearly died from a golden staph infection, contracted in hospital after a lumbar laminectomy operation. Loading After that, Archer felt alone in Sydney and realised she couldnt keep partying with such reckless abandon. In 2003, she returned to Launceston but the recklessness had caught up with her: she came home pregnant. The father, a European backpacker, had left the country. Archer hired a private investigator and found his parents, but they refused to put her in contact with their son. I made a decision pretty quickly that it was just going to be the two of us. Being a single mother was hard, she says, but her childhood had left her with a troubling inner world and she needed something bigger to pull her out of the mental mire. I think having Luke probably saved my life. Archer had her mother and Sarah Lillywhite for support, but also bumped into Evelyn Archer, an old boarding-house buddy, at antenatal classes. The pair reignited their friendship and had their sons within a month of each other in 2003. Archer, who finished her degree in 2004 and graduate certificate in 2005, dreamed of a foreign affairs job but drily observes that being a single parent with a young baby was a bit limiting as far as diplomatic postings go. In 2007, Evelyn introduced Archer to her brother Winston. They married the next year. Shes a beautifully rounded person and a decent person, Winston says. The success of our relationship is that weve never told each other what to do. I still love her as much as I ever have. With affection, Lillywhite describes the Archers relationship as no-frills. Hes grounded and humble, hes such a fantastic foil for the world of high-stakes politics. Evelyn and Winstons father, Lawrence Archer, remembers meeting his future daughter-in-law for the first time at her house in Invermay, one of Launcestons poorer suburbs. My first impression was that she was a very nice young lady, he tells me on the phone. The little house was immaculate, wasnt it, Gail? Archers mother-in-law Gail murmurs assent from somewhere in the background. Later in the call I ask Lawrence about Archers strengths and weaknesses. The 73-year-old is extremely proud of his daughter-in-laws floor-crossings but nominates housework as her weakness. The conversation goes like this. Me: I thought you said her cottage was very neat? Lawrence: But now shes got five kids and shes a politician. Me: Why isnt Winston doing the housework? Lawrence: Well, poor Winston, he does a fair bit Its not a criticism, its just a fact of life. Archer with her mum Marian Campbell after re-election in Bass in 2022. Credit: Courtesy of Bridget Archer In the early years at the farm, Winston suggested to Archer who was looking after the books that getting on the local council was a good way to meet people (the Archers had a long tradition of serving on the George Town council). Archer took up Winstons suggestion and was elected in 2009, when her first daughter, Lauren, was 10 months old. (She would go on to have two more daughters, Edith in 2011 and Molly in 2013, and a son, James, in 2014, a birth that almost claimed her life and afterwards saw her suffer a fortnight of acute postnatal depression. Her first child, Luke, is now 19.) After joining the council, Archer was invited to a Liberal Party social function and served as the secretary and treasurer of the partys local branch between 2012 and 2013. At first, she says, her involvement with the party was a social thing, but her commitment deepened as she became impressed with Will Hodgmans state Liberal government, first elected in 2014. (Hodgman and successor Peter Gutwein would become her political mentors, along with the current premier, Jeremy Rockliff.) Archers time on the council was eventful, to say the least. She became deputy mayor in 2011 and endured an awkward period when the police were called twice to remove Winston from council meetings for being disruptive. It was tricky, she says. I couldnt really get involved but at the same time, it doesnt sort of endear you to your colleagues. (Current councillor Tim Harris describes Winston as an angry ant; Winston counters that hes simply committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility. I didnt raise my voice, I just stood my ground at public question time. Recently Winston was elected a councillor, bringing, quite remarkably, the number of Winstons on the council to two.) Archer was voted mayor in October 2014 and inherited a council that was a mess: a revolving door of general managers, controversial development issues, unsustainable finances. In 2017, her response was to employ an approach she would later use in federal parliament: deliberate ambush. She appeared in Launcestons Examiner with the West Tamar council mayor announcing a feasibility study into amalgamation. But shed not breathed a word to her fellow councillors about it. There was a lack of will to do anything that was going to turn the ship around without that bit of a push. Bridget Archer Councillors went on to vote overwhelmingly against amalgamation but faced with the prospect of losing themselves in a merger backed a restructure that found more than $1 million in savings. This, Archer says, was the result she was looking for. There was a lack of will to do anything that was going to turn the ship around without that bit of a push, she says. Despite the lack of consultation over amalgamation, most current and former councillors who speak to Good Weekend back Archers leadership skills. Shes knowledgeable and got a good head on her. And quite a good leader, says former councillor John Glisson. But not everyone was happy with Archers time as mayor. Under its policy for paying councillors costs, the council had paid Archers childcare fees since 2014. At first she claimed for three days a week, but then, for a seven-month period in 2017, when she was busy with the restructure and replacing general managers, the council covered five days a week, which included two children in long day care and two children in after-school care. In the financial year 2016-17, the council paid $22,000 for Archers childcare. In late 2017, an anonymous complaint was made to Tasmanians Integrity Commission and later printed on flyers and delivered to letterboxes around George Town that Archer was using some council-paid childcare for non-mayoral purposes. It also alleged double-dipping: that she was pocketing the federal Child Care Subsidy, when she should have paid it back to the council to offset its costs. The Integrity Commission investigated. In its March 2018 report which Archer passed on to Good Weekend she admitted to using council-paid childcare for private purposes, but said due to the inflexibility of childcare options in George Town and the at-call nature of being mayor, she had no other option than to book her children into long day care in advance. The commission accepted Archers evidence and cleared her of this allegation. In assessing the second allegation of double-dipping, the investigator acknowledged the argument that Archer should have passed on the federal rebate to the council (which would have halved the councils bill, as the rebate covered 50 per cent of out-of-pocket costs). But he decided this should not be required because Archer had been open and transparent about the councils payment of her childcare; that this arrangement was accepted and approved by council staff since 2014; that it was impossible to calculate the proportion of the rebate applicable to mayoral work and private requirements; and that Archer had not claimed childcare when she was just a councillor, and to some extent offset costs by not using a council car or phone (she was paid a fuel and communications allowance instead). There is thus no evidence of misconduct in relation to this allegation, the report found. Loading The council never got to assess the investigators reasoning for itself because it was never given the report. Five years later, serving and retired councillors are still perplexed as to why, leading to all sorts of speculation. George Towns longest-serving councillor, Heather Barwick, is an Archer admirer and mentor She has matured so much and shes capable of standing up to all of them people because she has Tasmania at heart but still believes there was something odd about a report never surfacing. It was a Liberal [state] government at the time. They kept it shut so that they could put her up for election. (Archer calls this a wild conspiracy theory and points out that the commissions report was finalised just after the March 2018 state election, in which she stood in an unwinnable spot as a Liberal candidate in the state seat of Bass.) Will Hodgman, the then premier, did not respond when Good Weekend puts this allegation to him. Archer says the report found that I worked with the policy that was in place and did not claim anything inappropriately. She says she bears no ill will to whoever complained and is glad that, in the aftermath, the council rewrote the policy on childcare allowances to make it clear that all claims are net of subsidy. The stressful experience made her mindful that anti-corruption bodies need to be careful with reputations, but it did not, she says, diminish her support for such commissions. Meanwhile, on the farm, Winston and Luke arrive in an ATV. Winston is wearing a narrow-brimmed khaki hat, a torn green fleece and grease-smeared jeans. He squints against the sun and Archer breaks the news that she has to return to Canberra for a party-room meeting on the Voice. He is disappointed. Geez, cant you Zoom in? The juggle of parliament and family life the kids are aged between eight and 19 and all live at home is not easy. Winston has, says Archer, employed a farmhand to free up time. Archer does the weeks cooking and shopping before leaving for Canberra, and hires a family friend to look after the kids in the afternoons. She also takes one child, who has autism, to Canberra most sitting weeks because she is home-schooled. The sacrifices of her family are partly what fuels the fire in her belly: she wants to make her time in parliament count. Im not here, she says, to keep the seat warm. As we head back to my car, Archer wonders whether Winston thinks her job is a bit of a hobby and whether he hopes shell give it up soon and things will return to normal. If true, Winstons not the only one wondering if Archer will give it up. Theres a posse of people in her own Liberal branches desperately hoping she will. Archer with her family on their 2000-hectare cattle and sheep farm. From left: Molly, James, Luke, Lauren, husband Winston and Edith, accompanied by poodle Roxy and hand-raised pet sheep Barry. Credit: Charles Headlam The next morning, Archer is at the Tramsheds Function Centre in Launcestons Invermay, not far from where she lived as a single mother. Shes handing out certificates to 59 new Australian citizens, from countries as diverse as Ethiopia, South Korea and Nepal. Later, between photographs with excited new Launcestonians, we talk about the citys lack of diversity when we were teenagers. Today is another sign, says Archer, of Launceston changing for the better. Archers message of change for the Liberal Party that it needs to move towards the centre, where she firmly believes the electorate is isnt particularly controversial in Tasmania, where the party is much more moderate. The current premier, Jeremy Rockliff who is campaigning for the Voice is seen as the most moderate in a succession of moderate Liberal premiers. Recently there have been rumblings of moves afoot to disendorse Archer during the seats preselection process next year. For this to happen, however, someone would need to challenge Archer and then win a majority of branch member votes in a plebiscite. Archer admits that some branch meetings have become tense, with a small group expressing their dismay at her floor-crossings. A senior member of the George Town-East Tamar Liberal branch, one of the biggest in Bass and also Archers home base, tells Good Weekend that just over half of its 58 members dont support Archers positions. Bridget is a pretty popular person down here. She works hard But shes upset a lot of members through crossing the floor when she probably really hasnt had to. He names the Morrison censure as an example and adds that he believes the party is waiting to see if shell run as an independent. (Archer says her preference is to run as a Liberal candidate, but that she would consider turning independent if disendorsed.) Another member says the preselection will be a very noisy process that will amount to little. The elderly, ultra-right-wing constituents, they talk a mean game but theyre very light on action. If you go to the branch meetings, its like Australia 30 years ago. They are a bunch of very elderly, very conservative retirees. A Bass Liberal Party branch member And here is the wider problem for the Liberal Party, playing out in Bass but also in branches all over the country: members who go to meetings skew older and more traditionalist, creating a disconnect with the broader Liberal base. If you go to the branch meetings, its like Australia 30 years ago, says one Bass branch member. They are a bunch of very elderly, very conservative retirees. It could seem to some that Archer is on a kamikaze mission that will mark her as trouble and guarantee her own demise. The more and more she goes against the party, the harder its going to be for her, isnt it? says the senior Bass branch member. But Archer faces a big existential challenge in just keeping her seat. At last years election, Archer went backwards on her primary vote, but through preferences slightly increased her margin by 1 per cent to a slim 1.4 per cent. The national trend towards Labor in current polls suggests Bass will be a tough ask to win again in 2025. It could be that the only way she keeps Bass is to continue on her rebel path, distancing herself from the Dutton-led Liberals, just as she distanced herself from Morrison in 2022. She will also be reaping the benefit of a substantially raised profile at the next election. She has a local reputation, says Launceston resident and community brand strategist Rick Marton, for listening to all views. Bridgets seen as a very real person, a very genuine person, he says. Brad Stansfield, a campaign strategist, former chief-of-staff to Will Hodgman and co-host of Tasmanian politics podcast FontCast, says Archer has worked out that Bass quite likes someone who will be up in lights with their electorates name up in lights beside them. There is, after all, a tradition of Tasmanians loving rebel politicians, from Liberal senator Sir Reg Wright, who crossed the floor 150 times, to Liberal Bruce Goodluck, who wore a chicken suit in parliament in 1985, and, of course, the take-no-prisoners Senator Jacqui Lambie. Given her popularity, Stansfield believes that forcing Archer out would be politically crazy because it would martyr her, deliver her the sympathy vote and hand her the seat as an independent. In other words, for the Liberals, he believes, if its bye-bye Bridget, its bye-bye Bass. There is a preponderance of dogs big and small on the farm, with Archer holding Tank, one of the familys new border collie-kelpie puppies. Credit: Clint Leonard Over coffee, Archer ponders the things that dont make sense about the conservative-led Liberal Party. It gets involved in transgender and womens culture-war issues despite its core tenet of respecting individual choice or, as Archer likes to put it: you do you. She contends it values the family circa the 1950s, yet families dont look like that any more. It doesnt talk enough about the environment. How do you call yourself a conservative when youre not interested in conserving anything? Disgruntled, dear reader, she certainly is. A week later after the Voice party room vote she says she feels even more resolute about change, but wonders if its too late. I dont feel like that here in Tasmania. But certainly when I sit in the federal party room, I think maybe its too far gone. David Crowe, chief political correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, says the Liberal Party crisis has a long way to play out, and if Archer can hang on in Bass, shell be well-positioned when the party finds a team to lead it back to government. People shouldnt regard her as merely a backbencher in a marginal seat. She has the capability and the smarts to be on the front bench. Its only a matter of time before Archer and others are elevated to positions of leadership. But first, he says, the party must work out where it sits in relation to mainstream values. Bridget may be out of touch with the party room. But that reflects the fact that the party room may well be out of touch with ordinary Australians. Loading Archers war on the conservatives does look lonely. Her fellow moderate-faction MPs who crossed the floor with her on the Sex Discrimination Act lost their seats at the last election. That election also resulted in Peter Duttons right faction which is driving the conservatism being left as the biggest party room grouping (according to an analysis by The Age and The Sydney Morning Heralds James Massola, Duttons group has 27 members of the 66-member party room, while the loosely organised moderates are a diminished bunch of 14). Dutton declines to be interviewed for this piece, so its difficult to know what he thinks of Archer, although one federal MP tells me the conservatives hate her. She certainly gets feedback from Sky News anchors, who rail against her floor-crossings. In April, host Caleb Bond advised her to grow a spine and join the crossbench. But Archer keeps going, because she knows many Liberals think like her and because she believes the stakes are high. Maybe its bloody-minded of me, but I feel you cant let those divisive, American-style political forces just take over the party without a fight. I just dont want to let them win. To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times. The timber industry has warned that Victorias early phaseout of native forest logging could lead to a shortage of hardwood in Australia, but has rejected calls for a scheme to shore up local supply. The industrys warning came as the federal government backed the continued export of timber from native forests and plantations, which it said was an important economic opportunity for the sector. A logging coupe at Rubicon, in Victorias Central Highlands. Credit: Karena Goldfinch/supplied Conservationists have been calling for an end to native forest logging for decades, with habitat loss a driving factor for native wildlife extinctions. But Australian Forest Products Association chief executive Joel Fitzgibbon said Victorias decision this week to bring forward its 2030 deadline to end native forest logging to January 1 next year could cause global environmental harm by increasing the need for imports of hardwood timber. While it may not be enough for some shareholders, we think it is good to see the Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited (NZSE:FCG) share price up 16% in a single quarter. But if you look at the last five years the returns have not been good. After all, the share price is down 42% in that time, significantly under-performing the market. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. View our latest analysis for Fonterra Co-operative Group While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Fonterra Co-operative Group became profitable within the last five years. Most would consider that to be a good thing, so it's counter-intuitive to see the share price declining. Other metrics might give us a better handle on how its value is changing over time. We note that the dividend has fallen in the last five years, so that may have contributed to the share price decline. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). It's good to see that there was some significant insider buying in the last three months. That's a positive. On the other hand, we think the revenue and earnings trends are much more meaningful measures of the business. This free interactive report on Fonterra Co-operative Group's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Fonterra Co-operative Group's TSR for the last 5 years was -31%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective It's nice to see that Fonterra Co-operative Group shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 45% over the last year. That's including the dividend. That certainly beats the loss of about 6% per year over the last half decade. The long term loss makes us cautious, but the short term TSR gain certainly hints at a brighter future. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Fonterra Co-operative Group that you should be aware of. There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on New Zealander exchanges. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Australias peak medical lobby group is set to lose its veto power over who runs a key regulator as part of efforts to restore public confidence in the integrity of Medicare following a landmark review of non-compliance and fraud in the $38 billion system. The federal government introduced legislation in parliament this week that would strip the Australian Medical Association a union that represents about a third of the countrys doctors of its say over who is appointed as director of the Professional Services Review (PSR). Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney said the AMAs veto power was inconsistent with public expectations and undermined confidence in the regulators independence. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The PSR is responsible for reviewing the Medicare billing practices of 150,000 health professionals. However, it examines only about 100 cases of fraud and inappropriate billing every 12 months just shy of 0.07 per cent of those it monitors. When introducing the bill, Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney said the AMAs veto power was inconsistent with public expectations and undermined confidence in the regulators independence. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Outside a St Vincent de Paul charity store in the southern NSW town of Cooma on Thursday, a television news reporter stops a middle-aged man and asks for his opinion on the death, the night before, of 95-year-old great-grandmother Clare Nowland after she was allegedly Tasered by a police officer. I think its important that someone other than the police conducts the investigation, he says matter-of-factly as reporters shiver in the gathering afternoon chill. A police vehicle drives through the southern NSW town of Cooma, where 95-year-old Clare Nowland died after she was allegedly Tasered last week. Credit: Brook Mitchell Police should not investigate themselves. Behind him, in the darkened window of the store where Nowland, a well-known and highly respected local once volunteered, a sign reads closed in sympathy with the family of Clare Nowland on her passing. Across the road, reflected in the glass, is Coomas police station, where Senior Constable Kristian White, an officer with more than a decade of experience in the force, worked until last Wednesday, May 17. Nowlands death, a week after she was Tasered by White when he was called to the aged care home she lived at because she was holding a steak knife, has quickly become a grim flash point. The premier, Chris Minns, called it a traumatic moment. Police Commissioner Karen Webb, facing easily the most turbulent week of her tenure, has been forced to defend the decision to exclude mention of the Taser in a press release announcing the incident. Advertisement Nowland weighed 43 kilograms and suffered from dementia. She had approached Whites partner, sources say. A senior officer told reporters after the incident that she had been moving slowly and using a walking frame. White was at home, in bed, when he was called back to work in the early hours of Wednesday morning for a job at the council-run aged care facility. The NSW Ambulance had been called by staff to Yallambee Lodge where Nowland, a resident of five years whose dementia waxed and waned, had grabbed the knife. Sources close to the investigation now say White was among those who confronted Nowland in a room and told her to stop, repeatedly, before the great-grandmother raised the knife and slowly moved toward Whites female partner. White allegedly uttered bugger it as he deployed his Taser to stop Nowland advancing further. She fell and suffered serious head injuries. Nowlands case has shone a spotlight on a swath of policing issues, from the training of officers who deal with mental health issues, their presence in aged care homes and the use of Tasers by police. Advertisement But it has also returned focus on an issue that has long percolated among justice advocates and in the legal system: should police be investigating police, and who is in charge of overseeing them? Loading The critical incident investigation into Nowlands death the term used for when a person dies or is seriously injured during a police operation is one of more than 90 on foot in NSW. Another was declared on Thursday, when a man allegedly wielding multiple knives was shot and killed by police in Willoughby on Sydneys north shore. In NSW, the investigations are handled by police from outside the local area of the officers involved, a measure introduced to reduce conflicts of interest. But the investigations have long been criticised by those who do not trust a famously parochial organisation to investigate itself. As the high-profile Sydney lawyer Peter OBrien, who specialises in civil cases against the police, told the Herald, it has been historically, a pointless method of police investigation. Since time immemorial it has been a thoroughly ineffective, unaccountable and unsound means of keeping the police accountable, for obvious reasons, and there are any number of examples to show that, he said. Advertisement In 2017, a review of critical incident investigations found a worryingly low rate of compliance with rules governing those probes, including the officers involved being separated from one another less than half of the time as required. Several coronial investigations have pointed to issues with police-led inquiries. Often officers refuse to cooperate at all because, unlike coronial inquiries, they cannot receive immunity from prosecution. This week a report from the police oversight body, the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, revealed cases where officers had refused to co-operate for between 19 and 24 months. Nowlands case has also raised serious questions about resourcing, both for the police and, in the wake of a royal commission, aged care homes. In 2019 Yallambee Lodge received a $4 million federal government grant to improve its dementia care. Its dementia facilities have yet to be completed. There are no flowers outside the low-slung brick building, no mark of what occurred inside a week ago. The Yallambee Lodge retirement home in Cooma, where Nowland was a resident. Credit: Brook Mitchell As Webb herself said in an interview with the Herald this week, responding to incidents involving dementia patients was not a police officers core business, but weve been called there. People with dementia do require particular care and attention and understanding, she said. Advertisement Sources within NSW Police, some who know White, shared wide-ranging frustrations about the gaps police were expected to fill while battling their own staffing shortfalls. All too often police are used as a bandaid for a broken mental health system, one officer said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. In bygone years a station constable who took that call would have told the nursing home staff to deal with that situation themselves. Police Commissioner Karen Webb; Senior Constable Kristian White; Clare Nowland. Credit: Wolter Peeters; Supplied Another senior officer said high-ranking police, inspectors and above, provided a vital lifeline for officers facing complex or fraught situations, but were thin on the ground late at night. They doubted White would have had many such senior voices to call on when he was summoned to Yallambee Lodge. Kristian White the individual may have tasered [Mrs Nowland], but the system allowed it to happen, or failed to stop it, the police source said. Advertisement Theres a phrase you need to know, in Spanish (because thats easier than the local Basque tongue). Its simply: Cual es su especialidad? What is your specialty? Those four words are your ticket to good dining in the Basque Country of Spain. Spanish pintxos on the counter of the tapas bar in the gastronimical capital of Spain - San Sebastian. Credit: iStock Every bar in this semi-autonomous region will have a dish it is most famous for, or most proud of, and there is no trick to divining what it is. You dont need extensive research, or local knowledge. There is no secret code. You just have to ask the person behind the bar. What is your specialty? And he or she will tell you, straight up. Its this. Order this. Bill Gates alleged mistress was an associate of the notorious Kremlin spy Anna Chapman, raising fresh questions over the Microsoft founders links to Jeffrey Epstein. It emerged last week that the convicted paedophile threatened to expose Gates over an alleged affair he had with Mila Antonova, a Russian bridge player nearly 30 years his junior. Bill Gates and Mila Antonova. Credit: YouTube Epstein, who killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial over further sexual abuse charges, was a financial backer of Antonova. It can now be revealed that Antonova was also an acquaintance of Chapman, a glamorous member of a Russian spy ring who was exposed as a sleeper agent and deported from the US in 2010. For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should. So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Swiss Re (VTX:SREN). Even if this company is fairly valued by the market, investors would agree that generating consistent profits will continue to provide Swiss Re with the means to add long-term value to shareholders. Check out our latest analysis for Swiss Re How Fast Is Swiss Re Growing Its Earnings Per Share? In the last three years Swiss Re's earnings per share took off; so much so that it's a bit disingenuous to use these figures to try and deduce long term estimates. As a result, we'll zoom in on growth over the last year, instead. Swiss Re's EPS skyrocketed from US$2.97 to US$4.72, in just one year; a result that's bound to bring a smile to shareholders. That's a commendable gain of 59%. It's often helpful to take a look at earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. It was a year of stability for Swiss Re as both revenue and EBIT margins remained have been flat over the past year. That's not bad, but it doesn't point to ongoing future growth, either. In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. For finer detail, click on the image. The trick, as an investor, is to find companies that are going to perform well in the future, not just in the past. While crystal balls don't exist, you can check our visualization of consensus analyst forecasts for Swiss Re's future EPS 100% free. Are Swiss Re Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Owing to the size of Swiss Re, we wouldn't expect insiders to hold a significant proportion of the company. But we do take comfort from the fact that they are investors in the company. With a whopping US$66m worth of shares as a group, insiders have plenty riding on the company's success. This would indicate that the goals of shareholders and management are one and the same. Should You Add Swiss Re To Your Watchlist? For growth investors, Swiss Re's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. Further, the high level of insider ownership is impressive and suggests that the management appreciates the EPS growth and has faith in Swiss Re's continuing strength. The growth and insider confidence is looked upon well and so it's worthwhile to investigate further with a view to discern the stock's true value. Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Swiss Re that you should be aware of. Although Swiss Re certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see insider buying, then this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying, could be exactly what you're looking for. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here FREDERICTON - New Brunswicks premier called for calm on Saturday as the province undertakes a contentious review of a policy on sexual orientation in schools. Name calling and intimidation with the intent of shutting down conversation on either side is wrong, Blaine Higgs said in a statement as the province moves forward with consultations. I am calling for calm. We must treat each other with respect while we have these discussions. At issue is a review of Policy 713, which the provinces Education Department introduced in 2020. It lays out standards for schools to ensure safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for LGBTQ students. The province is not removing the policy, but instead reviewing three sections causing confusion and misunderstanding, Higgs said. The sections under review involve transgender participation in sports, access to washroom facilities based on gender identity and the ability for students under age 16 to change their name and pronoun without parental notice. These parts of the policy are vague and causing confusion, he said. One part Higgs highlighted allows elementary school students to choose a different name without the knowledge or consent of parents if the child doesnt want them to know. The school must hide the fact that the child is using a different name or pronoun at school to the point of taking down artwork with the students chosen name on parent-teacher night, he said. Given that parents must give consent to go on a school field trip or to have their picture taken, I can understand why parents are confused by this section. Still, protecting human rights is non-negotiable for the government, Higgs said. We respect and embrace the differences we see in students, he said. We must find a way to do this while still respecting the role parents play. I firmly believe that family has always been the backbone of our society and to ensure that continues, we cannot undermine the importance of the role parents play in their childrens lives. The government has said the policy review was undertaken following hundreds of complaints from parents. New Brunswicks child and youth advocate, Kelly Lamrock, said last week the government provided his office with three complaints when asked for copies of what they received. The review of the provinces school sexual orientation policy and ensuing debate echoes similar processes playing out in other areas related to the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender students. Higgs acknowledged these topics are being discussed nationally and internationally. These conversations are important for our children and their parents, and they are not limited to New Brunswick, he said. We must get this right in our province, and we cant do that if we arent able to talk to one another about it. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2023. By Brett Bundale in Halifax Read more about: SHARE: BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbia on Saturday condemned NATO-led peacekeepers stationed in neighboring Kosovo for their alleged failure to stop brutal actions by Kosovo police against ethnic Serbs, and said that its armed forces stationed near the border will remain on the highest state of alert until further notice. Serbias top political and security leadership, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, met in Belgrade on Saturday following violent clashes a day earlier between Kosovo police and ethnic Serbs that injured more than a dozen people. In response to the clashes, Vucic on Friday ordered troops closer to the border with Kosovo. Due to the brutal use of force by (Kosovo Prime Minister) Albin Kurti and his forces against the Serbian people in Kosovo the armed forces of the Republic of Serbia will remain at the highest level of combat readiness, said a statement after the meeting of the top Serbian leadership on Saturday. The statement also said that an international civilian mission and NATO-led troops, that have been stationed in the former Serbian province since Serbian troops were forced to leave the region in 1999, did not do their job to protect the Serbs. NATO spokesperson Oana Longescu urged institutions in Kosovo to de-escalate immediately and called on all parties to resolve the situation through dialogue. She said on Twitter that NATO remains vigilant & will ensure a safe & secure environment in Kosovo. Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, who are a majority in that part of the country, had tried to block recently elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings on Friday. Last months snap local election was largely boycotted by ethnic Serbs and only ethnic Albanian or other smaller minority representatives were elected in the mayoral posts and assemblies. Serb politicians in northern Kosovo on Saturday called on Serbia to suspend its participation in talks mediated by the European Union and aimed at normalizing relations between the former war foes. Kosovo politician Goran Rakic said that we consider any further negotiations with Pristina completely illogical and also counterproductive. Kosovo police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and let the new officials into the offices. Several cars were set ablaze. The United States and several Western countries condemned Kosovos government for using police to forcibly allow entry to the municipal buildings. Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti on Saturday defended the police action. It is the right of those elected in democratic elections to assume office without threats or intimidation, Kurti said on Twitter. It is also the right of citizens to be served by those elected officials. Participation not violent obstruction is the proper way to express political views in a democracy. This is not the first time that Vucic has warned that Belgrade would respond to violence against Serbs, and he has stepped up combat readiness several times during moments of tension with Kosovo. However, any attempt by Serbia to send its troops over the border would mean a clash with NATO troops stationed there. Vucic on Saturday told a meeting of his ruling populist party that the Albanian regime in Kosovo is conducting terror against our people, with tacit approval of the West. I am certain Serbs will defend themselves if attacked, Vucic said. We must not allow expulsion of the Serbian people ever again. The conflict in Kosovo erupted in 1998 when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died. NATOs military intervention in 1999 eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory. Washington and most EU countries have recognized Kosovo as an independent state, but Serbia, Russia and China have not. ___ AP writer Llazar Semini contributed from Tirana, Albania. SHARE: UAE-based Reportage Properties is launching several of its projects for sale with special offers at an exclusive event to be held tomorrow (May 28) in Abu Dhabi. A key player in the UAE property sector, Reportage boasts a portfolio that includes 25 projects in UAE, Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. Among the key projects on display at the event includes its newly-launched residential development, Bianca, featuring 653 apartments with a mix of 507 two-bedroom, 56 three-bedroom and 90 four-bedroom townhouses. Reportage said it is the 25th project in the group's portfolio and the fifth project in Dubai. At tomorrow's event, the buyers will be given a special offer - including a 10% discount, 10% down payment, and 1% monthly instalments until handover, on all its key projects, it added. CEO Islam Ahmed Suleiman said it aims to organise more sales events, which include various offers and special discounts, that meet the requirements of many buyers. This is reflected in the company's continued robust performance and strong sales in all projects, stated Suleiman. "Reportage Properties achieved sales of more than AED2.3 billion in 2022, compared to sales of AED1.6 billion in 2021, thus registering a growth of 45%," said the top official. "All our projects are implemented as per specified time plans, which enhances the investors' confidence in the company's projects as well as the real estate market in the UAE," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD) shareholders are probably feeling a little disappointed, since its shares fell 4.9% to CA$78.26 in the week after its latest second-quarter results. Revenues were in line with forecasts, at CA$13b, although statutory earnings per share came in 11% below what the analysts expected, at CA$1.72 per share. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. Readers will be glad to know we've aggregated the latest statutory forecasts to see whether the analysts have changed their mind on Toronto-Dominion Bank after the latest results. See our latest analysis for Toronto-Dominion Bank Taking into account the latest results, the consensus forecast from Toronto-Dominion Bank's ten analysts is for revenues of CA$49.7b in 2023, which would reflect a reasonable 2.2% improvement in sales compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are expected to decline 11% to CA$6.96 in the same period. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of CA$50.5b and earnings per share (EPS) of CA$7.51 in 2023. So it looks like there's been a small decline in overall sentiment after the recent results - there's been no major change to revenue estimates, but the analysts did make a small dip in their earnings per share forecasts. The consensus price target held steady at CA$91.98, with the analysts seemingly voting that their lower forecast earnings are not expected to lead to a lower stock price in the foreseeable future. Fixating on a single price target can be unwise though, since the consensus target is effectively the average of analyst price targets. As a result, some investors like to look at the range of estimates to see if there are any diverging opinions on the company's valuation. Currently, the most bullish analyst values Toronto-Dominion Bank at CA$104 per share, while the most bearish prices it at CA$78.00. With such a narrow range of valuations, the analysts apparently share similar views on what they think the business is worth. Of course, another way to look at these forecasts is to place them into context against the industry itself. We would highlight that Toronto-Dominion Bank's revenue growth is expected to slow, with the forecast 4.5% annualised growth rate until the end of 2023 being well below the historical 6.4% p.a. growth over the last five years. Compare this against other companies (with analyst forecasts) in the industry, which are in aggregate expected to see revenue growth of 5.6% annually. So it's pretty clear that, while revenue growth is expected to slow down, the wider industry is also expected to grow faster than Toronto-Dominion Bank. The Bottom Line The biggest concern is that the analysts reduced their earnings per share estimates, suggesting business headwinds could lay ahead for Toronto-Dominion Bank. Fortunately, the analysts also reconfirmed their revenue estimates, suggesting sales are tracking in line with expectations - although our data does suggest that Toronto-Dominion Bank's revenues are expected to perform worse than the wider industry. The consensus price target held steady at CA$91.98, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets. Keeping that in mind, we still think that the longer term trajectory of the business is much more important for investors to consider. We have estimates - from multiple Toronto-Dominion Bank analysts - going out to 2025, and you can see them free on our platform here. Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Toronto-Dominion Bank that you should be aware of. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here NWS Weather Alert NOTE: This information is provided by the National Weather Service. Forecast may differ from local information provided by our own 69News Meteorologists ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 31... The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Wednesday for The Lehigh Valley/Berks County area. A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children...people suffering from asthma... heart disease or other lung diseases...and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles...visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us Tulpehocken Area High School students took part in the school's annual Tractor Day event. More than 20 kids drove their tractors to school for Friday's event. It featured a plant sale, while food trucks were offering treats like Pennsylvania Farm Show milkshakes. BBQ chicken dinners were also available for purchase. Students say Tractor Day has been a tradition for Tulpehocken for many years. "It's totally amazing seeing all of the tractors driving up here, the people able to just come up here and enjoy this event, this amazing event and just have fun," said Landon Davis, a junior at Tulpehocken Area High School. Students say they are always thinking of ways to make Tractor Day better. They say the hope is to improve the event every year. A German shepherd puppy, mixed hound and a 9-year-old Newfoundland, strolling through the parking lot of the Lehigh County Humane Society, highlighted the dog day afternoon. "I will tell you this, the Lehigh Valley is leading the way in humane ordinances, and they have just really taken a stand for animal welfare," said Head of Humane PA Kristen Tullo. She recognized advocates like State Rep. Jeanne McNeill Friday for her role in working to end puppy mills. The state currently has eight, the fourth most in the country. "Dogs and animals mean so much to so many people. And they can be hurt, they can be beaten, they could have health issues, but they never stopped loving and caring and forgiving," McNeil said. Advocate Sheryl Petrillo was recognized for getting Allentown to pass an ordinance banning the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores, after she went undercover and discovered their mistreatment. "Your voice absolutely does matter. As long as you have the passion and the drive to go after what is most important, what is right? Anybody can do that," she said. Hal Warner and the Lehigh County Humane Society were recognized for their role in taking in animals from across the country and world, including dogs saved from a dog meat farm in South Korea. "There's nothing like rescuing an animal, there's no kind of bond that you're ever going to experience that's greater than you'll experience with a rescue dog or a cat," Warner said. Protecting pets is a never-ending mission. "It's the time to give some thought to the cost of our freedom, and cost of our liberty," said Vietnam War veteran David Binder. "We were busy every day and every night." His father was a WWII vet. Binder's dad is one of the many military members David thinks about as Memorial Day weekend approaches, while honoring the men not as lucky as them who never made it home. "Memorial Day is for anybody killed in any war that the United States has been in, from the shots heard round the world at that bridge in Lexington so long ago to yesterday or today," explained Binder. Many see Memorial Day as parties and time off from work, or the unofficial start to summer. But it's also a holiday to remind us about how military men and women risk their lives and to remember those who never made it home from war. "It's so easy to forget that with all the barbeques, picnics, sales, but that is the real meaning of what Memorial Day is," said Binder. SOUDERTON, Pa. - A missing woman from Montgomery County was found dead Wednesday. Christi Troiano's body was found in the rear passenger area of her vehicle, according to a news release from the Souderton Borough Police Department. On April 25, The Souderton Borough Police Department) began an investigation to locate Troiano, 56, who was reported missing from Souderton Borough by her family. According to her family, Troiano left her home in the early morning hours and indicated that she may intend to harm herself. Troiano and her car were entered into NCIC and other missing person databases. Her car was last seen by a license plate camera in Hatfield Township approximately an hour after she left her home, borough police said. Police say there were no other contacts with Troiano or her vehicle after that. Numerous law enforcement and private entities were involved in the search for Troiano. On Wednesday, the Hatfield Township Police Department was dispatched to the Valley Stream Apartments after an employee noticed a suspicious vehicle in one of the rear parking lots of the complex. A check of the license plate showed that the vehicle was Troianos car. Upon investigation, officers could see what appeared to be a body in the rear passenger area of the vehicle, according to the news release. On Friday, the SBPD was notified that a forensic odontologist had compared dental records and the body was positively identified as Troiano, borough police said. At this time, the cause of death is still under investigation by the Coroners Office. POTTSTOWN, Pa. - It has been one year since a house exploded, killing four children and their grandmother in Pottstown, Montgomery County. To this day we still have no official explanation on why it happened. The pile of rubble at the site of the house explosion on Hale St. still remains. It's something Dorothy Auman sees every time she walks out her front door. "Today is one year, and still nothing is really being done. You don't see anybody up there, they don't take time out to clean up the mess. You know, it looks like a dump place right now," said Auman. Auman has new windows on her porch waiting to be installed. "We're still making some repairs," said Auman. "Eventually we're going to have to get the rest of the windows, because we're paying for all this besides what the insurance company had left us, but some of that we have to pull out of our pockets." Auman and her neighbors are still left wondering why it happened. A report from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in March only said the underground natural gas line had nothing to do with it. "My opinion? That's kind of poppycock, that's what I'm going to say," said Auman. Auman believes natural gas did play a role in the explosion because the only other source of flammable gas was a propane tank that we took footage of after the blast. "There was nothing wrong with the propane tank. It was like okay, that was the only thing that was standing after the blast," said Auman. But it's all just guessing until the final report comes out. That's something Auman and her neighbors are still waiting for as they continue to work to rebuild their lives a year later. "I'm hoping maybe we can get something out of this, because we're the ones that had to suffer. We're the ones that have to live with the nightmares," said Auman. All Fire Chief Frank Hand would tell us is he expects to have a result in the investigation in the "near future." He said at that time he plans to hold a news conference to announce the findings. POTTSTOWN, Pa. - It has now been one year since the May 26 home explosion that ended the lives of four kids and their grandmother on the 400 block of Hale Street in Pottstown. The blast left several other homes severely damaged. Some members of the Pottstown community vividly remember that tragic day. "I heard it and felt it and I was confused (be)cause all these fire trucks were going down 422 and then probably about a half an hour later I found out what happened and pretty upset and disappointed (be)cause that's very upsetting to see that happened to a family," said Brandon Bungay, a Pottstown resident. Others were at prom when they heard the sound of the explosion that they say they will never forget. "We were definitely shaken up, confused," said Will Lesko, a Pottstown resident. At the scene of the home's remains, flowers were left to honor the victims. However, to this day neighbors don't know what caused the explosion and members of the community say they need answers to stop another tragedy like this from happening again. "They need to figure and put word out there why it happened so that people like us that live out here understand why it happened," said Bungay. In March, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission said underground natural gas pipelines had nothing to do with the explosion. Acquisition of select Liberty Mutual Insurance Inc. businesses in Brazil , Chile , Colombia , and Ecuador , , , and HDI International moves up to third place in the property and casualty insurance market in Latin America through acquisitions HANNOVER, Germany and BOSTON, May 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Talanx Group rises to become the third-largest insurer by premium income in property/casualty business in Latin America through the acquisition of companies from Liberty Mutual Insurance Inc. The Retail International division of the Talanx Group has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the Liberty Seguros personal and small commercial business in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. HDI is expected to increase its gross written premiums (IFRS 4) in Latin America by around EUR 1.7 billion. With this transaction, HDI reaches pro forma rank 2 in Brazil, rank 1 in Chile, and rank 7 in Colombia. Furthermore, the division's overall portfolio will be significantly better diversified as a result of the increase in Latin American business to approximately 45 per cent. The purchase price is expected to be approximately EUR 1.38 billion (approximately USD 1.48 billion) at the closing date of the transaction, subject to customary purchase price adjustment mechanisms. "With the acquisition of these Liberty Mutual operations we are continuing our success story in Latin America," says Torsten Leue, Chairman of the Board of Management of Talanx AG. "The acquisition fits seamlessly into our strategy of achieving market-leading positions in our core markets through organic and inorganic growth. Alongside Europe, Latin America is one of our core regions in the retail business. We are therefore pleased to be among the top 3 in Latin America with this acquisition. The acquisition will improve our Group net income and our return on equity already in the first year after the expected closing in 2024. The acquisition will further strengthen our primary insurance business and our diversification across business lines." Dr Wilm Langenbach, Member of the Board of Management of Talanx AG with responsibility for the Retail International division and Chief Executive Officer of HDI International AG, says: "The acquisition is an important milestone in the implementation of our strategy to reach a top 5 position in our core markets across the property/casualty business by 2025, to further diversify our portfolio and to strengthen our technical excellence. In addition, the acquisitions will allow us to achieve significant opportunities with our existing business in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. I am very pleased that our future Liberty colleagues will strengthen us with their outstanding expertise and experience in Latin America." "In a world that is rapidly changing, sharpened operational focus across our channels, products and markets is becoming increasingly important for long-term success and will ensure we deliver exceptional value to our customers, brokers, agents, partners, employees, and the communities we serve," says Tim Sweeney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Mutual Insurance. "We thank our Latin American teams of over 4,600 employees for their tremendous commitment and dedication to our business over many years. We're confident in their future with Talanx, which shares similar core values." Liberty Mutual operates in 29 countries, making it one of the largest insurance companies in the world by insurance revenue. Liberty Seguros Brazil holds a top 5 position in motor and a top 10 position in property/casualty after full year 2022. In 2022, the Brazilian company generated gross written premiums of BRL $6.1 billion (EUR 1.1 billion), much of which was generated through a distribution network of 20,000 independent distributors. Liberty Seguros Chile offers non-life products and achieved a gross premium volume of CLP $325 billion (EUR 0.4 billion) in 2022. Liberty Seguros Colombia's gross premium volume in 2022 was COP $1,033 billion (EUR 0.2 billion). Liberty Seguros Ecuador generated a gross premium volume of USD $33 million (EUR 31 million) in 2022. The transaction includes Liberty Specialty Markets direct insurance business in Brazil, Chile and Colombia. The transaction does not include Liberty Specialty Markets facultative reinsurance, Liberty Mutual Reinsurance treaty reinsurance and Liberty Mutual Surety businesses which will continue to operate in Brazil, Chile and Colombia. HDI International AG is already represented in Brazil, Chile and Colombia through its subsidiaries. HDI Seguros generated a gross premium volume of around 4.5 billion BRL (789 million EUR) in Brazil in 2022. HDI Seguros in Chile generated a gross premium volume of 488 billion Chilean pesos (533 million EUR) and HDI Seguros in Colombia 425 billion Colombian pesos (82 million EUR). The closing of the acquisition is expected in the first half of 2024. The transactions are subject to approval by the relevant governmental and regulatory authorities. Rothschild & Co acted as financial advisor and Hogan Lovells acted as legal advisor to Talanx AG and HDI International AG in the transaction. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP provided legal advice to Liberty Mutual in the transaction. About Talanx Talanx is a major European insurance group with premium income of EUR 37 billion (2022, according to IFRS 17) and roughly 24,000 employees worldwide. Based in Hannover, Germany, the Group is active in more than 175 countries. Talanx is a multi-brand provider with a focus on B2B insurance. Its industrial insurance and retail business in Germany and abroad is operated under the HDI brand, which has a rich tradition stretching back about 120 years. Other Group brands include Hannover Re, one of the world's leading reinsurers; the bancassurance specialists TARGO insurers, LifeStyle Protection and neue leben; and Polish insurer Warta. Ampega, one of Germany's largest asset management companies, manages the Talanx Group's assets and is also an experienced provider of asset management solutions for non-group institutional investors. Rating agencies have awarded the Talanx Primary Insurance Group financial strength ratings of A+ ("strong"/Standard & Poor's) and A+ ("superior"/AM Best). Hannover Re Group is rated AA ("very strong"/S&P) and A+ ("superior"/AM Best). Talanx AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, where it is a member of the MDAX, and on the Hannover stock exchange (ISIN: DE000TLX1005, German Securities Code: TLX100). Talanx Together we take care of the unexpected and foster entrepreneurship For further information, please see www.talanx.com. Current photographs and Company logos are available at https://mediathek.talanx.de. About Liberty Mutual Insurance At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people and businesses feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the fifth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2022 gross written premium. We also rank 78 on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the US based on 2021 revenue. As of December 31, 2022, we had $50 billion in annual consolidated revenue. We employ over 50,000 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. For media enquiries please contact: Andreas Krosta Phone: +49 511-3747-2020 E-mail: andreas.krosta@talanx.com Leonie Drees Tel.: +49 511 3747-2106 E-Mail: leonie.drees@talanx.com Liberty Mutual Media Relations E-mail: mediarelations@libertymutual.com For investor relations enquiries please contact: Bernd Sablowsky Phone: +49 511-3747-2793 E-mail: bernd.sablowsky@talanx.com Bernt Gade Phone: +49 511-3747-2368 E-mail: bernt.gade@talanx.com Liberty Mutual Investor Relations E-mail: Investor_Relations@LibertyMutual.com Forward-looking statements This press release, and any related oral statements, may contain forward-looking statements that are based on certain assumptions, expectations and opinions of Talanx AG and Liberty Mutual management and include, but are not limited to, statements that represent the parties' expectations of timing for closing the proposed transaction. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond Talanx AG and Liberty Mutual's control may affect Talanx AG and Liberty Mutual's business activities, business strategy, results, performance and achievements. Should one or more of these factors or risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results, performance or achievements of Talanx AG or Liberty Mutual may vary materially from those expressed or implied in the relevant forward-looking statement. Neither Talanx AG nor Liberty Mutual guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are correct nor does Talanx AG or Liberty Mutual accept any responsibility for the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. Talanx AG and Liberty Mutual neither intend, nor assume any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments that differ from those anticipated. Footnote FX rates as of May 26, 2023, USD/EUR = 1.07 FX rates used to translate 2022 year end premiums are as of December 31, 2022, BRL/EUR = 5.66, CLP/EUR = 915.59, COP/EUR = 5,178.78 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/talanx-becomes-one-of-the-top-insurers-in-latin-america-through-acquisition-of-companies-from-liberty-mutual-301836219.html SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance; Talanx (Bloomberg) -- Chinas decision to bar Micron Technology Inc.s memory chips has escalated tensions with the US, fueling worries over what other technology firms Beijing may target. Most Read from Bloomberg Policymakers in the Asian nation, however, have limited scope to find alternatives to US firms in the semiconductor supply chain that ranges widely from chip design, manufacturing, equipment to materials. For now, itll be almost impossible for China to replace some key products made by top American companies including Qualcomm Inc., Nvidia Corp., Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc., analysts say. The spat over semiconductors between the worlds two biggest economies has been hurting investor sentiment since the US in October imposed a sweeping ban on exports of advanced chips and know-how to China. That said, the scale of decoupling between the two nations is likely to be smaller than feared given Chinas reliance. Head-on against the US in semiconductors is a costly, if not losing move that is not strategically sound for China, said Redmond Wong, a strategist at Saxo Capital Markets based in Hong Kong. China is not seeking decoupling nor deglobalization. It is only seeking gradual changes to the global order to be less American dominant. Logic Chips Logic chips are deemed as the brains of electronics. This segment includes central processing units (CPUs) that are built for general functionality of equipment, and graphics processing units (GPUs) which are optimized for visual displays and AI computation. This sub-sector is deemed as one of the most difficult areas for China to ban American components. The US has a more-than 60% market share in the logic chip segment, according to a Goldman Sachs Group Inc. report. Mainstream components such as Intel processors and mobile phone processors from Qualcomm are integral to PCs and smartphones. However, it seems unlikely they would be banned at this point, given the lack of viable local alternatives, said Robert Lea, Bloomberg Intelligence. Huawei Technologies Co. and other firms have developed their own processors, though Im not sure they are as advanced as US products currently, nor are produced in sufficient volume, said Lea. CPU manufacturer Intel generated 27% of its revenue from China and Hong Kong, while the China exposure of GPU maker Qualcomm and Nvidia is 64% and 21%, respectively. The US banned Nvidia from exporting high-end products to China last year, but its still selling the country low-end chips. Even for the latter, itll be hard to replace, according to Lea. For Qualcomm, China has no domestic capability and it still has to rely on Mediatek Inc., which is Taiwanese. So pick your poison, said Vey-Sern Ling, managing director at Union Bancaire Privee. Chip Design China needs to balance sending a message to the US and hurting its own domestic enterprises, said Ling. It has fairly capable domestic memory chipmakers that can step up to replace Microns supply, but in other areas like chip design, logic chip manufacturing and semiconductor production equipment, China is not able to ban the US without hurting themselves. Another challenging group to replace includes Synopsys Inc. and Cadence Design Systems Inc., which provide software design services for chipmakers. Although they dont generate revenue directly from China, their customers include Intel and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. that get a big portion of sales from there, Bloomberg-compiled data show. Shares of Synopsys and Cadence dropped over two sessions following Chinas decision to ban Micron. All the three stocks had recouped those losses by Thursday, thanks to a rally spurred by optimism over Nvidia Corp.s bullish sales forecast. READ: Asian Chip Stocks Climb Second Day After Nvidia Sparks AI Rally Manufacturing Equipment The US banned China from buying advanced chip-making equipment or employing American citizens without a license late last year, causing firms like Applied Materials Inc., KLA Corp. and Lam Research Corp. to withdraw their businesses from China. The choices left are quite limited for China. Dutch company ASML Holding N.V. is the only manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet machines needed to print every advanced microchip. Japanese companies like Nikon Corp. also make chip-making equipments. In March, Japan said it will expand restrictions on exports of 23 types of leading-edge chipmaking technology to China, though Japans trade minister said the move isnt in coordination with US and wasnt a ban. Japanese chip stocks slid earlier this week as the trade ministry said the previously announced chip curbs would take effect July 23. The Dutch government is seeking a middle ground between the US and China, as it announced plans in March to expand semiconductor export restrictions, though thats seen to fall short of measures the Biden administration took. READ: China Chip Firm Seeking to Rival ASML Is Said to Mull IPO Filing With the US ban, its been quite challenging for China to make breakthroughs in advanced chips below 10 nanometers, said Dale Dai, Taipei-based analyst at Counterpoint Research. Even if they obtained the equipment machines, they still lack the designing capacity. --With assistance from Gao Yuan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Finding a business that has the potential to grow substantially is not easy, but it is possible if we look at a few key financial metrics. Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. With that in mind, the ROCE of IPD Group (ASX:IPG) looks great, so lets see what the trend can tell us. Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for IPD Group: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.27 = AU$21m (AU$136m - AU$57m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022). Thus, IPD Group has an ROCE of 27%. That's a fantastic return and not only that, it outpaces the average of 9.1% earned by companies in a similar industry. View our latest analysis for IPD Group roce Above you can see how the current ROCE for IPD Group compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report for IPD Group. How Are Returns Trending? We like the trends that we're seeing from IPD Group. The numbers show that in the last two years, the returns generated on capital employed have grown considerably to 27%. The company is effectively making more money per dollar of capital used, and it's worth noting that the amount of capital has increased too, by 69%. This can indicate that there's plenty of opportunities to invest capital internally and at ever higher rates, a combination that's common among multi-baggers. On a separate but related note, it's important to know that IPD Group has a current liabilities to total assets ratio of 42%, which we'd consider pretty high. This effectively means that suppliers (or short-term creditors) are funding a large portion of the business, so just be aware that this can introduce some elements of risk. While it's not necessarily a bad thing, it can be beneficial if this ratio is lower. The Bottom Line On IPD Group's ROCE All in all, it's terrific to see that IPD Group is reaping the rewards from prior investments and is growing its capital base. Since the stock has returned a staggering 168% to shareholders over the last year, it looks like investors are recognizing these changes. In light of that, we think it's worth looking further into this stock because if IPD Group can keep these trends up, it could have a bright future ahead. On a final note, we've found 1 warning sign for IPD Group that we think you should be aware of. If you want to search for more stocks that have been earning high returns, check out this free list of stocks with solid balance sheets that are also earning high returns on equity. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUA Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,200 shares, a growth of 176.9% from the April 30th total of 2,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 76,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Stock Performance NYSE:MUA traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $9.95. The companys stock had a trading volume of 46,212 shares, compared to its average volume of 86,419. BlackRock MuniAssets Fund has a fifty-two week low of $9.47 and a fifty-two week high of $13.63. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $10.34 and a 200-day moving average of $10.57. Get BlackRock MuniAssets Fund alerts: BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.0405 per share. This represents a $0.49 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.88%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 12th. Institutional Trading of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Company Profile Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Advisory Services Network LLC increased its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 87.5% during the first quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 7,500 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $79,000 after buying an additional 3,500 shares in the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 4.8% during the first quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 110,264 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,161,000 after purchasing an additional 5,006 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $157,000. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $109,000. Finally, Prospera Financial Services Inc grew its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 6.3% during the first quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 20,061 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 1,190 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.76% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It seeks to provide current income exempt from federal income taxes by investing primarily in a portfolio of medium-to-lower grade or unrated municipal obligations the interest on which is exempt from federal income taxes. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniAssets Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (LON:IAG Get Rating) have been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 178.30 ($2.22). IAG has been the topic of a number of research reports. Peel Hunt reiterated a hold rating and set a GBX 165 ($2.05) target price on shares of International Consolidated Airlines Group in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a GBX 180 ($2.24) target price on International Consolidated Airlines Group in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 200 ($2.49) price objective on shares of International Consolidated Airlines Group in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Barclays set a GBX 170 ($2.11) target price on shares of International Consolidated Airlines Group in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Finally, Bank of America reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 240 ($2.99) price target on shares of International Consolidated Airlines Group in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Get International Consolidated Airlines Group alerts: International Consolidated Airlines Group Stock Down 0.7 % Shares of LON:IAG opened at GBX 156.60 ($1.95) on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of 7.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3,132.00, a PEG ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 2.33. International Consolidated Airlines Group has a 12-month low of GBX 1.83 ($0.02) and a 12-month high of GBX 173.58 ($2.16). The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 149.60 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 147.47. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 988.33. About International Consolidated Airlines Group International Consolidated Airlines Group, SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of passenger and cargo transportation services in the United Kingdom, Spain, Ireland, the United States, and rest of the world. The company operates under the British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American States Water (NYSE:AWR Get Rating) Director Anne M. Holloway sold 636 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.00, for a total transaction of $56,604.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 38,492 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,425,788. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. American States Water Stock Up 2.6 % Shares of NYSE:AWR traded up $2.26 during trading on Friday, reaching $89.99. 170,688 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 161,656. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.45 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $89.63 and a two-hundred day moving average of $92.31. The firm has a market cap of $3.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.83 and a beta of 0.41. American States Water has a 1-year low of $71.22 and a 1-year high of $100.50. Get American States Water alerts: American States Water (NYSE:AWR Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.84 by ($0.34). American States Water had a return on equity of 12.74% and a net margin of 18.12%. The company had revenue of $125.37 million during the quarter. Research analysts anticipate that American States Water will post 2.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. American States Water Dividend Announcement Institutional Trading of American States Water The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be paid a $0.3975 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $1.59 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.77%. American States Waters payout ratio is 59.77%. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quarry LP bought a new stake in American States Water in the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP grew its position in American States Water by 1,000.0% in the 1st quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 363 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in American States Water by 900.0% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 342 shares in the last quarter. Group One Trading L.P. bought a new stake in American States Water in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Vigilant Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in American States Water in the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.09% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently commented on AWR shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of American States Water in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of American States Water from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $90.00 to $94.00 in a research report on Friday, May 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $88.67. About American States Water (Get Rating) Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for American States Water Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American States Water and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of China Limited (OTCMKTS:BACHY Get Rating) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 38,400 shares, a drop of 44.0% from the April 30th total of 68,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 164,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days. Bank of China Stock Up 0.6 % OTCMKTS BACHY traded up $0.05 on Friday, reaching $9.89. The company had a trading volume of 33,487 shares, compared to its average volume of 83,048. The stock has a market capitalization of $116.46 billion, a PE ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 0.27. The firms 50 day moving average price is $9.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.38. Bank of China has a 12 month low of $7.98 and a 12 month high of $10.87. Get Bank of China alerts: Bank of China (OTCMKTS:BACHY Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 30th. The bank reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bank of China had a net margin of 21.54% and a return on equity of 9.32%. The company had revenue of $21.27 billion for the quarter. Bank of China Company Profile Bank of China Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and financial services. It operates through six segments: Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, Treasury Operations, Investment Banking, Insurance, and Other Operations. The Corporate Banking segment offers current accounts, deposits, overdrafts, loans, trade-related products and other credit facilities, foreign currency, derivatives, and wealth management products to corporate customers, government authorities, and financial institutions. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bank of China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Ireland Group plc (OTCMKTS:BKRIY Get Rating) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,300 shares, a growth of 97.6% from the April 30th total of 4,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 26,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Bank of Ireland Group Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS BKRIY traded up $0.12 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $9.54. 8,481 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,469. Bank of Ireland Group has a 52 week low of $5.44 and a 52 week high of $11.44. The companys 50 day moving average price is $10.17 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.78. Get Bank of Ireland Group alerts: About Bank of Ireland Group (Get Rating) Further Reading Bank of Ireland Group Plc is a holding company, which engages in financial and banking solutions. It operates through the following business segments: Retail Ireland, Wealth and Insurance, Retail UK, Corporate and Markets, and Group Centre. The Retail Ireland segment offers financial products and services including current accounts, savings, mortgages, credit cards, motor finance and loans to personal and business banking customers, and is managed through a number of business units, namely distribution channels, customer segments and propositions, products, and business banking. Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Ireland Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Ireland Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BNP Paribas SA (OTCMKTS:BNPQY Get Rating) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 28,800 shares, a growth of 62.7% from the April 30th total of 17,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 274,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. BNP Paribas Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of OTCMKTS:BNPQY traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $30.29. The companys stock had a trading volume of 93,361 shares, compared to its average volume of 134,241. The firm has a market cap of $74.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 1.47. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $30.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $30.74. BNP Paribas has a 1 year low of $20.19 and a 1 year high of $35.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. Get BNP Paribas alerts: BNP Paribas (OTCMKTS:BNPQY Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.79 by ($0.62). The business had revenue of $13.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.61 billion. BNP Paribas had a net margin of 22.04% and a return on equity of 9.17%. Research analysts forecast that BNP Paribas will post 5.29 EPS for the current year. BNP Paribas Increases Dividend BNP Paribas Company Profile The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be issued a $1.7982 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 5.67%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 18th. This is a positive change from BNP Paribass previous dividend of $1.66. BNP Paribass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.72%. (Get Rating) BNP Paribas SA engages in the provision of banking and financial services. The company operates through the following business: Retail Banking and Services, and Corporate Institutional Banking. The Retail Banking and Services business includes the retail banking networks and specialized financial services in France and around the world. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for BNP Paribas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BNP Paribas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC increased its position in General Electric (NYSE:GE Get Rating) by 17.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,352 shares of the conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 954 shares during the period. Checchi Capital Advisers LLCs holdings in General Electric were worth $532,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in GE. First National Trust Co raised its stake in General Electric by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. First National Trust Co now owns 3,655 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $306,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. TFO TDC LLC purchased a new stake in General Electric during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in General Electric by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,539 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $380,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC raised its stake in General Electric by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 9,297 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $779,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heritage Investors Management Corp raised its stake in General Electric by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Investors Management Corp now owns 25,569 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,142,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. 70.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get General Electric alerts: General Electric Trading Up 1.2 % NYSE:GE opened at $102.74 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $111.88 billion, a PE ratio of 13.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.15 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. General Electric has a 52-week low of $46.55 and a 52-week high of $105.94. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $97.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $88.20. Analysts Set New Price Targets General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $14.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.46 billion. General Electric had a return on equity of 9.45% and a net margin of 11.85%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.24 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that General Electric will post 2.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. GE has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on General Electric in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Barclays boosted their target price on General Electric from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. TheStreet upgraded General Electric from a c rating to a b- rating in a research report on Friday, February 10th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded General Electric from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $120.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on General Electric from $109.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $103.20. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Scott Strazik sold 173,873 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.56, for a total transaction of $17,310,795.88. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 56,049 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,580,238.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other General Electric news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 58,292 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.68, for a total value of $6,102,006.56. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 70,537 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,383,813.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Scott Strazik sold 173,873 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.56, for a total value of $17,310,795.88. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 56,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,580,238.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 239,419 shares of company stock worth $24,144,151. 0.67% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. General Electric Profile (Get Rating) General Electric Co engages in the provision of commercial and military aircraft engines and systems, wind, and other renewable energy generation equipment and grid solutions, and gas, steam, nuclear, and other power generation equipment. It operates through the following segments: Aviation, Healthcare, Renewable Energy, and Power. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Electric (NYSE:GE Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC lowered its stake in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Get Rating) by 20.4% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 5,515 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 1,411 shares during the quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $714,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CENTRAL TRUST Co grew its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 9,118 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,019,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Hallmark Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in EOG Resources by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. Hallmark Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,197 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $245,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. PAX Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in EOG Resources by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. PAX Financial Group LLC now owns 2,705 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $302,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. FSM Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in EOG Resources by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. FSM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,018 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $650,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Finally, White Pine Capital LLC boosted its stake in EOG Resources by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. White Pine Capital LLC now owns 3,942 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $511,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.40% of the companys stock. Get EOG Resources alerts: EOG Resources Trading Down 0.3 % EOG opened at $110.12 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $64.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 1.53. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12 month low of $92.16 and a 12 month high of $150.88. The company has a current ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $114.47 and a 200 day moving average of $123.54. EOG Resources Dividend Announcement EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $6.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.28 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 33.83% and a return on equity of 30.34%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 51.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $4.00 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.66 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a $0.825 dividend. This represents a $3.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.00%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is currently 20.64%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have commented on EOG. Mizuho upgraded EOG Resources from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their target price for the company from $150.00 to $146.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $147.00 to $138.00 in a report on Monday, May 15th. Truist Financial increased their price target on EOG Resources from $146.00 to $152.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. TD Securities lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $150.00 to $145.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on EOG Resources from $167.00 to $158.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, EOG Resources presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $149.33. EOG Resources Company Profile (Get Rating) EOG Resources, Inc engages in the exploration, development, production and marketing of crude oil and natural gas. It operates through the United States, Trinidad, and Other International geographical segments. The Other International segment includes China and Canada operations. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EOG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Continuum Advisory LLC decreased its holdings in AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T Get Rating) by 24.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 38,469 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 12,307 shares during the quarter. Continuum Advisory LLCs holdings in AT&T were worth $708,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Arcus Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in AT&T during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Red Tortoise LLC purchased a new stake in AT&T during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Koesten Hirschmann & Crabtree INC. purchased a new stake in AT&T during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC increased its position in AT&T by 75.6% during the 4th quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,881 shares of the technology companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 810 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eisler Capital UK Ltd. purchased a new stake in AT&T during the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 51.86% of the companys stock. Get AT&T alerts: AT&T Stock Performance AT&T stock opened at $15.50 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $18.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $110.81 billion, a PE ratio of -12.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.51. AT&T Inc. has a one year low of $14.46 and a one year high of $21.47. AT&T Announces Dividend AT&T ( NYSE:T Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The technology company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $30.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $30.22 billion. AT&T had a positive return on equity of 15.47% and a negative net margin of 7.52%. AT&Ts revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.77 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that AT&T Inc. will post 2.41 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 10th were issued a dividend of $0.2775 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 6th. This represents a $1.11 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.16%. AT&Ts dividend payout ratio is presently -87.40%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com started coverage on AT&T in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. TD Cowen decreased their price target on AT&T from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on AT&T from $23.00 to $22.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 21st. HSBC raised AT&T from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $21.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on AT&T from $19.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $21.89. About AT&T (Get Rating) AT&T, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of telecommunications media and technology service. It operates through the Communications and Latin America segments. The Communications segment offers services to businesses and consumers located in the U.S., or in U.S. territories, and businesses globally. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding T? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for AT&T Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AT&T and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Creative Planning raised its position in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Get Rating) by 7.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 204,374 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 13,814 shares during the period. Creative Plannings holdings in Accenture were worth $54,535,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ACN. O Brien Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Accenture during the 4th quarter worth approximately $117,000. J.Safra Asset Management Corp increased its holdings in shares of Accenture by 292.0% during the 4th quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp now owns 439 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $117,000 after acquiring an additional 327 shares during the last quarter. Wade G W & Inc. grew its holdings in Accenture by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Wade G W & Inc. now owns 56,881 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $15,178,000 after buying an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Accenture by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 58,167 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $15,522,000 after buying an additional 2,323 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Colonial River Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Accenture by 8.3% during the 4th quarter. Colonial River Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,416 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $378,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.97% of the companys stock. Get Accenture alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently weighed in on ACN. StockNews.com began coverage on Accenture in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Citigroup raised their price objective on Accenture from $300.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Accenture from $340.00 to $325.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Edward Jones upgraded Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Accenture from $311.00 to $314.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Accenture presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $314.00. Accenture Price Performance NYSE ACN traded up $11.84 during trading on Friday, reaching $303.60. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,578,873 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,361,232. The stock has a market capitalization of $191.84 billion, a PE ratio of 27.96, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.25. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $277.88 and a 200 day moving average of $277.37. Accenture plc has a one year low of $242.80 and a one year high of $322.88. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 23rd. The information technology services provider reported $2.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.49 by $0.20. Accenture had a return on equity of 30.73% and a net margin of 11.00%. The business had revenue of $15.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.59 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.54 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Accenture plc will post 11.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Accenture Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 13th were given a $1.12 dividend. This represents a $4.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, April 12th. Accentures dividend payout ratio is currently 41.25%. Insider Transactions at Accenture In other news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total value of $1,448,475.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 26,908 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,423,917.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.06, for a total value of $1,750,375.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 174,084 shares in the company, valued at approximately $48,753,965.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total value of $1,448,475.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 26,908 shares in the company, valued at $7,423,917.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 15,010 shares of company stock valued at $4,180,030. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. Accenture Profile (Get Rating) Accenture Plc engages in the provision of management consulting, technology, and outsourcing services. It operates through the following geographical segments: North America, Europe and Growth Markets. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ACN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao sat down with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Detroit Michigan on Friday, continuing a resumption of high level face-to-face talks on trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. The talks followed Wang's meeting with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Thursday in Washington. Wang's meeting with Tai came on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) session in Detroit. A statement by the Commerce Ministry on Friday said the two sides had "candid, pragmatic and in-depth" exchanges on "economic and trade relations and regional and multilateral issues of common concern while agreeing to continue to communicate". 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. "The Chinese side raised concerns on key issues such as the US economic and trade policy toward China, Taiwan-related issues in the economic and trade field, the Indo-Pacific economic framework, and Section 301 tariffs," it read. Delegates attending the 2023 Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers meeting in Detroit. Photo: Xinhua alt=Delegates attending the 2023 Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers meeting in Detroit. Photo: Xinhua> A read-out from Tai's office said the trade ambassador "highlighted the need to address the critical imbalances caused by China's state-led, non-market approach to the economy and trade policy", while raising concerns about China's actions against US firms operating there. "The importance of the US-China trade ties in the global economy and the need for both sides to continue engaging" was also discussed, it noted, adding that Tai stressed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and building on the engagement between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Indonesia in November. During the news conference at the end of the Apec trade ministers' session later on Friday, Tai reiterated the "benefit of sitting down and having a conversation" to "understand each other better and how we are experiencing the impacts that we have on each other's economies". On Thursday, Wang told Raimondo of China's displeasure over the Biden administration's trade policies that restricted exports of certain semiconductors to China and its plans to bar some US investment there. Like Tai, Raimondo raised the "recent spate of PRC actions taken against US companies operating in the PRC" and also discussed "the overall environment in both countries for trade and investment and areas for potential cooperation", according to the Commerce Department. In 2018, then-US president Donald Trump, complaining that China was stealing American manufacturing jobs and dumping its cheap products in the US, imposed punitive tariffs on Chinse imports and started a trade war. Biden, who became president in 2021, has largely stuck to Trump-era tariff policies while also imposing strict export controls in core technologies like advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence. In apparent retaliation, Beijing last week banned the US semiconductor producer Micron from key infrastructure projects and cracked down on due diligence firms that help multinational companies invest in China. The US Commerce Department said the moves were "not based in facts". At the Apec news conference, Tai refused to comment on Washington's planned response to China's blacklisting of Micron. After months of no high-level communication after the downing of a Chinese surveillance balloon that had transited across the US, Biden predicted a "thaw" during his G7 trip to Japan last week. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who cancelled his visit to Beijing after the balloon incident, is also looking to reschedule. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan this month met with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi for eight hours in Vienna. The talks were described as constructive by both sides. On Monday, Wang Wentao met representatives of American companies operating in Shanghai, including Johnson & Johnson, 3M, Dow, Merck and Honeywell, according to the Ministry of Commerce. "China will continue to welcome US-funded enterprises to develop in China and achieve win-win results," he told them. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is also expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue next week in Singapore. Though US and China seemed to be trying to de-escalate tensions, the Apec trade ministers failed to issue a joint statement when the Russian and Chinese delegations refused to agree with the rest of the member nations on language on the Ukraine war. 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 2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Shares of Currys plc (LON:CURY Get Rating) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 65.76 ($0.82) and traded as low as GBX 53.55 ($0.67). Currys shares last traded at GBX 54 ($0.67), with a volume of 1,477,214 shares. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Numis Securities reissued a sell rating and set a GBX 45 ($0.56) price objective on shares of Currys in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 72.50 ($0.90). Get Currys alerts: Currys Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 80.13. The firm has a market capitalization of 576.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -113.04 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 56.53 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 65.58. Insider Buying and Selling at Currys About Currys In other Currys news, insider Alex Baldock sold 185,731 shares of Currys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 59 ($0.73), for a total value of 109,581.29 ($136,295.14). 11.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. (Get Rating) Currys Plc operates as a retailer of technology products and services. The company operates through UK & Ireland, Nordics, and Greece segments. It offers consumer electronics and mobile technology products and services; and mobile virtual network operator and consumer electrical repair services. The company also sells its products through online; and offers insurance services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Currys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Currys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF Get Rating) updated its FY24 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $1.73-1.76 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.64. The company issued revenue guidance of $705-720 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $637.72 million. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently issued reports on ELF. Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $105.00 to $114.00 in a research note on Thursday. DA Davidson raised their target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $91.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Cowen raised their target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $36.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of e.l.f. Beauty in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $83.00 to $87.00 in a research note on Thursday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, e.l.f. Beauty has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $87.50. Get e.l.f. Beauty alerts: e.l.f. Beauty Trading Down 2.8 % Shares of e.l.f. Beauty stock opened at $101.28 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 91.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a quick ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 2.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $87.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.85. e.l.f. Beauty has a 12-month low of $24.62 and a 12-month high of $104.31. Insider Buying and Selling Institutional Investors Weigh In On e.l.f. Beauty In related news, insider Kory Marchisotto sold 15,515 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.84, for a total transaction of $1,130,112.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 143,885 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,480,583.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . In other e.l.f. Beauty news, insider Kory Marchisotto sold 15,515 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.84, for a total value of $1,130,112.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 143,885 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,480,583.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, CEO Tarang Amin sold 69,703 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.47, for a total transaction of $5,051,376.41. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 286,964 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,796,281.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 252,162 shares of company stock worth $19,624,844 in the last quarter. 8.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ELF. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 37.1% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 357,940 shares of the companys stock worth $29,480,000 after buying an additional 96,770 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 70.1% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 982,807 shares of the companys stock worth $80,934,000 after buying an additional 404,981 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its position in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 15.9% during the 1st quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 86,809 shares of the companys stock worth $7,149,000 after buying an additional 11,904 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty during the 1st quarter worth approximately $773,000. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty during the 1st quarter worth approximately $214,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.14% of the companys stock. About e.l.f. Beauty (Get Rating) e.l.f. Beauty, Inc operates as a holding company, which engages in the provision of cosmetic and skin-care products. The company focuses on the e-commerce, national retailers, and international business channels. Its brands include elf, elf skin, WELL People and KEYS soulcare. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Oakland, CA. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for e.l.f. Beauty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for e.l.f. Beauty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EnerSys (NYSE:ENS Get Rating) announced its earnings results on Thursday. The industrial products company reported $1.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.44, Briefing.com reports. EnerSys had a return on equity of 14.75% and a net margin of 4.74%. The business had revenue of $990.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $953.05 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.20 EPS. EnerSyss revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. EnerSys Price Performance EnerSys stock opened at $98.44 on Friday. EnerSys has a 52 week low of $55.60 and a 52 week high of $98.93. The companys 50 day moving average price is $83.71 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $81.52. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 2.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market cap of $4.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.36. Get EnerSys alerts: EnerSys Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 16th will be given a dividend of $0.175 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.71%. EnerSyss dividend payout ratio is currently 16.43%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On EnerSys Analysts Set New Price Targets Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of EnerSys in the 1st quarter worth approximately $238,000. Vident Investment Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of EnerSys in the 4th quarter worth approximately $231,000. Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of EnerSys in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $225,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of EnerSys in the 1st quarter worth approximately $224,000. Finally, Panagora Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of EnerSys in the 1st quarter worth approximately $212,000. Institutional investors own 95.66% of the companys stock. ENS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com assumed coverage on EnerSys in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on EnerSys from $99.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Friday. EnerSys Company Profile (Get Rating) EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications. It operates through the following segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, and Specialty. The Energy Systems segment combines enclosures, power conversion, power distribution, and energy storage used in the telecommunication, broadband, and utility industries. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for EnerSys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EnerSys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Express (NYSE:EXPR Get Rating) issued an update on its second quarter 2023 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of -$0.60$0.50 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of -$0.11. The company issued revenue guidance of $400.00 million-$450.00 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $449.88 million. Express also updated its FY 2023 guidance to -$1.70$1.50 EPS. Express Stock Down 4.6 % Shares of EXPR traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $0.62. The stock had a trading volume of 2,902,498 shares, compared to its average volume of 943,969. Express has a 1-year low of $0.55 and a 1-year high of $3.17. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $0.79 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.00. The company has a market cap of $45.73 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 0.18 and a beta of 1.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.31. Get Express alerts: Express (NYSE:EXPR Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 24th. The company reported ($0.63) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.72) by $0.09. Express had a net margin of 12.93% and a negative return on equity of 112.84%. The business had revenue of $514.33 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $536.68 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.11 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Express will post -1.6 earnings per share for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes Institutional Inflows and Outflows Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Express from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday. Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP grew its position in shares of Express by 201.6% in the 2nd quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP now owns 46,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 30,748 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Express by 89.8% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 78,720 shares of the companys stock worth $80,000 after purchasing an additional 37,252 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in Express by 24.3% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 70,652 shares of the companys stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 13,792 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new position in Express during the 1st quarter worth $62,000. Finally, American International Group Inc. purchased a new position in Express during the 2nd quarter worth $59,000. 48.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Express Company Profile (Get Rating) Express, Inc is a dual gender apparel and accessories brand. It operates retail and outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, located primarily in high-traffic shopping malls, lifestyle centers, outlet centers, and street locations. The company reports results as a single segment, which includes the operation of its Express brick-and-mortar retail and outlet stores, eCommerce operations, and franchise operations. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Frontline (NYSE:FRO Get Rating) is set to release its earnings data before the market opens on Wednesday, May 31st. Analysts expect Frontline to post earnings of $1.02 per share for the quarter. Frontline (NYSE:FRO Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 28th. The shipping company reported $0.97 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.08 by ($0.11). Frontline had a return on equity of 17.23% and a net margin of 33.05%. The firm had revenue of $530.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.39 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($0.02) EPS. The companys revenue was up 148.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect Frontline to post $3 EPS for the current fiscal year and $3 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Frontline alerts: Frontline Stock Up 5.5 % NYSE FRO traded up $0.79 on Friday, hitting $15.14. 3,379,736 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,432,099. The company has a quick ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 2.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. Frontline has a fifty-two week low of $7.51 and a fifty-two week high of $19.29. The company has a market cap of $3.37 billion, a PE ratio of 7.04 and a beta of 0.21. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $15.49 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.92. Frontline Increases Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 16th were issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 15th. This is a boost from Frontlines previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. Frontlines payout ratio is 199.07%. Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Frontline by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,717,845 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $51,567,000 after buying an additional 214,352 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP raised its position in Frontline by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 4,684,450 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $77,574,000 after purchasing an additional 207,450 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in Frontline by 102.7% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 4,483,826 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $54,434,000 after purchasing an additional 2,271,724 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its position in Frontline by 58.8% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,780,284 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $45,987,000 after purchasing an additional 1,029,442 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in Frontline by 594.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,360,781 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $25,804,000 after purchasing an additional 2,020,869 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 35.91% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on shares of Frontline from $16.50 to $19.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, March 6th. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Frontline from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $17.00 price target for the company. in a report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Frontline in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Frontline Company Profile (Get Rating) Frontline Plc is an international shipping company, which engages in the ownership and operation of oil and product tankers. It also offers the seaborne transportation of crude oil and oil products. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Limmasol, Cyprus. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Frontline Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Frontline and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Future Fund LLC increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Get Rating) by 3.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 242 shares of the restaurant operators stock after buying an additional 8 shares during the period. Chipotle Mexican Grill comprises approximately 1.1% of Future Fund LLCs holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. Future Fund LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $336,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CMG. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 79.5% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 948 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,500,000 after buying an additional 420 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 15.5% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 171 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $271,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 3,032 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $4,796,000 after buying an additional 205 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 777 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,229,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 38.9% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 218 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $345,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.26% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Laurie Schalow sold 3,658 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,066.73, for a total transaction of $7,560,098.34. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,383,237.01. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Laurie Schalow sold 3,658 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,066.73, for a total transaction of $7,560,098.34. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,637 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,383,237.01. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,023 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,695.00, for a total transaction of $1,733,985.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at $39,573,165. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 12,154 shares of company stock valued at $23,791,597 in the last 90 days. 0.96% of the stock is owned by insiders. Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance Shares of CMG stock traded up $13.12 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $2,071.02. The companys stock had a trading volume of 269,380 shares, compared to its average volume of 277,427. The company has a market cap of $57.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.02, a PEG ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 1.34. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 1-year low of $1,196.28 and a 1-year high of $2,139.88. The firms 50-day moving average is $1,866.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1,645.00. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The restaurant operator reported $10.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.89 by $1.61. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 45.01%. The company had revenue of $2.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $5.70 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 18.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 43.9 EPS for the current year. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have issued reports on CMG shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,743.00 to $1,910.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Stephens boosted their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,970.00 to $2,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Wedbush boosted their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,080.00 to $2,200.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,780.00 to $1,870.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $2,021.37. Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile (Get Rating) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc engages in the development and operation of classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. It offers a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads prepared using classic cooking methods. The company was founded by Steve Ells in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, CA. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hollow Brook Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 21,463 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $2,356,000. Abbott Laboratories makes up 1.1% of Hollow Brook Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. JDM Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Arcus Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Elequin Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 283.3% during the 4th quarter. CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. now owns 391 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.93% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Price Performance NYSE:ABT traded up $0.73 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $102.87. 4,911,806 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,994,132. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The stocks 50-day moving average is $105.75 and its 200-day moving average is $106.42. The firm has a market cap of $178.89 billion, a PE ratio of 31.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.58 and a beta of 0.67. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $93.25 and a twelve month high of $118.23. Insider Activity Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $9.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.64 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.73 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, SVP Randel William Woodgrift sold 1,032 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.70, for a total value of $103,922.40. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 52,203 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,256,842.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,786,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Randel William Woodgrift sold 1,032 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.70, for a total transaction of $103,922.40. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 52,203 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,256,842.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 59,937 shares of company stock worth $6,632,764 over the last three months. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $136.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. BTIG Research boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $122.37. Abbott Laboratories Company Profile (Get Rating) Abbott Laboratories engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad and diversified line of health care products. It operates through the following business segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment refers to the international sales of a line of branded generic pharmaceutical products. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Huatai Securities Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HUATF Get Rating) was the target of a large drop in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,764,600 shares, a drop of 28.4% from the April 30th total of 6,652,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1,643.0 days. Huatai Securities Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS HUATF remained flat at 1.25 during midday trading on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of 1.25. Huatai Securities has a 12 month low of 1.12 and a 12 month high of 1.25. Get Huatai Securities alerts: Huatai Securities Company Profile (Get Rating) Recommended Stories Huatai Securities Co, Ltd., a security company, provides financial services in Mainland China and internationally. The company buys and sells stocks, funds, bonds, futures, and options on behalf of clients; and provides various financial products and asset allocation, margin financing, securities lending, securities-backed lending, and margin securities lending services. Receive News & Ratings for Huatai Securities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huatai Securities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. John Wood Group PLC (OTCMKTS:WDGJF Get Rating) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the eight research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $203.50. A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on WDGJF. Berenberg Bank cut John Wood Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, March 31st. Canaccord Genuity Group cut John Wood Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Jefferies Financial Group cut John Wood Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley began coverage on John Wood Group in a research report on Friday. They issued an equal weight rating on the stock. Get John Wood Group alerts: John Wood Group Stock Performance Shares of John Wood Group stock opened at $1.75 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $2.49 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.08. John Wood Group has a twelve month low of $1.19 and a twelve month high of $3.15. About John Wood Group John Wood Group Plc engages in providing project, engineering, and technical services to energy and industrial markets. It operates through the following business segments: Projects, Operations, Consulting, Built Environment Consulting, and Investment Services. It also operates through the United States of America, Europe, and Rest of the World geographical segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for John Wood Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Wood Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG Get Rating) in a research report released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. The brokerage issued an underweight rating and a $20.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock. KRG has been the topic of several other reports. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from $26.00 to $28.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a report on Monday, April 24th. They issued a neutral rating and a $23.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $24.78. Get Kite Realty Group Trust alerts: Kite Realty Group Trust Stock Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE KRG opened at $19.43 on Tuesday. Kite Realty Group Trust has a 12-month low of $16.42 and a 12-month high of $23.10. The stock has a market cap of $4.26 billion, a PE ratio of 647.88, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The company has a 50-day moving average of $20.28 and a 200 day moving average of $21.05. Kite Realty Group Trust Announces Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. Kite Realty Group Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 3,201.07%. A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of KRG. Accurate Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Kite Realty Group Trust during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its stake in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 91.4% in the 3rd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,675 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 800 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 107.8% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,631 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 846 shares during the period. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in the 1st quarter worth $35,000. 96.84% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Kite Realty Group Trust (Get Rating) Kite Realty Group Trust operates as a real estate investment trust. It engages in the ownership, operation, acquisition, development, and redevelopment of neighborhood and community shopping centers in selected markets in the United States. The company was founded on August 16, 2004 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Trade Rep Tai exchanges objections with China's commerce minister in Detroit meeting FILE PHOTO: Illustration shows U.S. and Chinese flags By David Lawder DETROIT (Reuters) -U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai raised complaints about China's state-led economic policies during a meeting on Friday with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who objected to U.S. tariffs and trade policies, their offices said. But statements from the U.S. Trade Representative's office and China's Commerce Ministry both emphasized the need for Washington and Beijing to maintain communication on trade. "Ambassador Tai highlighted the need to address the critical imbalances caused by Chinas state-led, non-market approach to the economy and trade policy," USTR said in a statement released after the meeting on the sidelines of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit. "She also raised concerns about PRC (People's Republic of China) actions taken against U.S. companies operating there," China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement that Wang raised complaints about U.S. economic and trade policies toward China, including U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, economic and trade issues related to Taiwan, and on the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) that exclude China. Tai on Saturday will hold a ministerial meeting of countries in the IPEF talks, which exclude China and aim to provide a U.S.-centered alternative to its influence. Last week, she announced initial trade agreements with Taiwan. China claims the self-governed island as its own territory. USTR is conducting a four-year review of U.S. tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese imports, imposed in 2018 and 2019 by then-President Donald Trump. Tai has long raised objections to China's attempts to dominate certain industries using massive state subsidies and said such issues continue to come up in the relationship. Asked during a press conference whether the U.S. would resort to using further trade tools to address China's practices, such as a new "Section 301" investigation that could lead to more U.S. tariffs, Tai said that "aspects" of the Biden administration's response were already evident in U.S economic policies. "The benefit of sitting down and having a conversation with interlocutors from Beijing is so that we can understand each other better and understand how we are experiencing the impacts that we have on each other's economies," Tai said. CABINET-LEVEL DISCUSSION Wang's meetings with Tai in Detroit and with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Washington on Thursday marked the first cabinet-level exchange in months between U.S. and Chinese officials, following a series of setbacks that raised tensions between the world's two largest economies. Tai stressed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between Washington and Beijing as they spoke on the sidelines of APEC, the U.S. statement said. The Chinese statement was similar in tone to concerns raised with Raimondo about U.S. trade, investment and export policies. U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged more frequent communications at a G20 summit in Indonesia last November to avoid U.S.-China tensions from turning into a new Cold War. But those plans suffered several setbacks, starting with the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon in U.S. coastal waters. These irritants continued through last Sunday, when G7 leaders pledged to resist China's "economic coercion" and Beijing responded by declaring U.S. memory chip maker Micron Technology a national security risk, banning its sales to major domestic industries. (Reporting by David Lawder, Ismail Shakil and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Tim Ahmann, David Gregorio and Grant McCool) StockNews.com upgraded shares of Korea Electric Power (NYSE:KEP Get Rating) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report published on Tuesday morning. Korea Electric Power Price Performance Shares of NYSE:KEP opened at $6.99 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.97 billion, a PE ratio of -0.47 and a beta of 0.76. The firms 50 day moving average price is $7.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.41. Korea Electric Power has a twelve month low of $5.76 and a twelve month high of $9.50. Get Korea Electric Power alerts: Korea Electric Power (NYSE:KEP Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, March 13th. The utilities provider reported ($4.46) earnings per share for the quarter. Korea Electric Power had a negative return on equity of 48.33% and a negative net margin of 34.31%. The business had revenue of $14.37 billion during the quarter. Institutional Inflows and Outflows About Korea Electric Power Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC bought a new stake in Korea Electric Power during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Korea Electric Power by 35.1% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,908 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 1,274 shares during the period. Profund Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Korea Electric Power during the 4th quarter valued at $86,000. UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in Korea Electric Power by 22.8% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 10,074 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $87,000 after buying an additional 1,872 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new stake in Korea Electric Power in the 3rd quarter worth $106,000. 1.45% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. (Get Rating) Korea Electric Power Corp. engages in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. It operates through the following Businesses: Sale of Electric Power, Development of Electric Power Resources, Investment, and Real Estate. The company was founded on July 1, 1961 and is headquartered in Naju, South Korea. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Korea Electric Power Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Korea Electric Power and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Krung Thai Bank Public (OTCMKTS:KTHAF Get Rating) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report released on Tuesday morning, The Fly reports. KTHAF has been the topic of several other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Krung Thai Bank Public in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. They set a neutral rating on the stock. HSBC raised Krung Thai Bank Public from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Get Krung Thai Bank Public alerts: Krung Thai Bank Public Price Performance OTCMKTS:KTHAF opened at $0.54 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $0.49 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $0.40. Krung Thai Bank Public has a 52-week low of $0.45 and a 52-week high of $0.58. Krung Thai Bank Public Company Profile Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited provides various commercial banking products and services. The company operates through three segments: Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Treasury and Investment. It provides various retail banking products and services, including current, savings, and fixed deposit accounts; time and foreign currency deposits; personal and housing loans; debit, travel, cash and top up, and credit cards; investment services; travel, motor, and home asset insurance products; money transfer, payment and top up, foreign exchange, and overseas education services; and e-banking services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Krung Thai Bank Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Krung Thai Bank Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lavras Gold Corp. (CVE:LGC Get Rating) shares crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$0.37 and traded as low as C$0.33. Lavras Gold shares last traded at C$0.33, with a volume of 500 shares trading hands. Lavras Gold Trading Up 1.5 % The businesss 50-day moving average price is C$0.33 and its 200 day moving average price is C$0.37. The company has a market cap of C$13.77 million and a P/E ratio of -4.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07, a quick ratio of 11.12 and a current ratio of 7.63. About Lavras Gold (Get Rating) Lavras Gold Corp. operates as a junior exploration company in Canada. It engages in the exploration and development of the Lavras do Sul gold copper project covering an area of approximately 22,000 hectares located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lavras Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lavras Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Leju (NYSE:LEJU Get Rating) in a research note released on Wednesday. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the financial services providers stock. Leju Stock Performance Shares of LEJU opened at $1.66 on Wednesday. Leju has a fifty-two week low of $1.03 and a fifty-two week high of $9.84. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $1.76 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.52. Get Leju alerts: About Leju (Get Rating) Featured Stories Leju Holdings Ltd. engages in the provision of online-to-offline real estate services. It offers electronic commerce, online advertising, and listing services on new residential property sales. The company was founded on November 20, 2013 and is headquartered in Beijing, China. Receive News & Ratings for Leju Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Leju and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pipestone Energy Corp. (OTCMKTS:BKBEF Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,235,500 shares, a drop of 19.0% from the April 30th total of 1,525,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 86,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 14.3 days. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently weighed in on BKBEF shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Pipestone Energy from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. National Bank Financial cut their price objective on shares of Pipestone Energy from C$4.00 to C$3.50 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Get Pipestone Energy alerts: Pipestone Energy Price Performance BKBEF traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $1.75. 14,035 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 27,526. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $1.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.15. Pipestone Energy has a one year low of $1.65 and a one year high of $5.34. Pipestone Energy Dividend Announcement About Pipestone Energy The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were issued a dividend of $0.0223 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 14th. This represents a yield of 4.07%. (Get Rating) Pipestone Energy Corp. is an oil and gas exploration and production company, which focuses on developing its condensate assets in the Pipestone area of Alberta. The company was founded on January 4, 2019 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pipestone Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pipestone Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HireRight Holdings Co. (NYSE:HRT Get Rating) major shareholder Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 107,145 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.22, for a total value of $1,095,021.90. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 7,208,117 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $73,666,955.74. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Major shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC. Rjc Gis Holdings Llc also recently made the following trade(s): Get HireRight alerts: On Wednesday, May 24th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 41,112 shares of HireRight stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.34, for a total value of $425,098.08. On Monday, May 22nd, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 104,654 shares of HireRight stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.35, for a total value of $1,083,168.90. On Friday, May 19th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 87,917 shares of HireRight stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.17, for a total value of $894,115.89. On Wednesday, May 17th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 60,000 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.03, for a total value of $601,800.00. On Thursday, May 11th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 24,608 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.20, for a total value of $251,001.60. On Monday, April 17th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 86,862 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.29, for a total value of $893,809.98. On Friday, April 14th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 42,669 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.14, for a total value of $432,663.66. On Wednesday, April 12th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 23,194 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.29, for a total value of $238,666.26. On Monday, April 10th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 122,607 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.39, for a total value of $1,273,886.73. On Wednesday, April 5th, Rjc Gis Holdings Llc sold 20,200 shares of HireRight stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.45, for a total value of $211,090.00. HireRight Trading Up 1.8 % HRT traded up $0.18 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $10.26. The companys stock had a trading volume of 377,569 shares, compared to its average volume of 317,835. HireRight Holdings Co. has a fifty-two week low of $6.88 and a fifty-two week high of $18.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.93 million, a PE ratio of -41.04 and a beta of 0.17. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.94. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In HireRight ( NYSE:HRT Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 9th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $175.36 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $171.03 million. HRT has been the topic of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on HireRight from $15.60 to $13.80 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on HireRight from $12.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th. StockNews.com cut HireRight from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Credit Suisse Group cut their price objective on HireRight from $17.00 to $15.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and set a $17.00 price objective on shares of HireRight in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, HireRight currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $12.98. Institutional Investors Weigh In On HireRight Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of HRT. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of HireRight by 14.7% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 66,612 shares of the companys stock worth $1,139,000 after acquiring an additional 8,527 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of HireRight by 55.4% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 15,433 shares of the companys stock worth $264,000 after buying an additional 5,503 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its position in shares of HireRight by 36.7% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 23,900 shares of the companys stock worth $409,000 after buying an additional 6,420 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of HireRight by 2.4% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,006,910 shares of the companys stock worth $17,218,000 after buying an additional 23,943 shares during the period. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL boosted its position in shares of HireRight by 234.9% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 347,435 shares of the companys stock worth $5,941,000 after buying an additional 243,690 shares during the period. 12.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. HireRight Company Profile (Get Rating) HireRight Holdings Corporation provides technology-driven workforce risk management and compliance solutions worldwide. The company offers background screening, verification, identification, monitoring, and drug and health screening services for customers. It provides its services through software and data platform that integrates into its customers' human capital management systems enabling workflows for workforce hiring, onboarding, and monitoring. See Also Receive News & Ratings for HireRight Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HireRight and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of abrdn European Logistics Income (LON:ASLI Get Rating) to a sector perform rating in a research note released on Tuesday, MarketBeat.com reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has GBX 80 ($1.00) price objective on the stock. abrdn European Logistics Income Trading Up 0.9 % LON:ASLI opened at GBX 75.70 ($0.94) on Tuesday. abrdn European Logistics Income has a 52 week low of GBX 66 ($0.82) and a 52 week high of GBX 108 ($1.34). The firm has a market cap of 312.01 million, a P/E ratio of 630.83, a P/E/G ratio of 9.27 and a beta of 0.21. The firms fifty day moving average is GBX 72.55 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 73.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.97, a quick ratio of 4.22 and a current ratio of 4.92. Get abrdn European Logistics Income alerts: abrdn European Logistics Income Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, June 1st will be issued a dividend of GBX 1.23 ($0.02) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.53%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 1st. This is an increase from abrdn European Logistics Incomes previous dividend of $1.20. abrdn European Logistics Incomes dividend payout ratio is currently 4,166.67%. Insider Buying and Selling abrdn European Logistics Income Company Profile In other news, insider Caroline Gulliver acquired 17,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 24th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 79 ($0.98) per share, with a total value of 13,825 ($17,195.27). 3.05% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. (Get Rating) abrdn European Logistics Income plc invests in logistic real estate properties in Europe. Its property portfolio includes mid-box and urban logistics warehouses. As of December 31, 2021, the company's property portfolio comprised 23 assets located across five European countries. The company was formerly known as Aberdeen Standard European Logistics Income PLC and changed its name to abrdn European Logistics Income plc in January 2022. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for abrdn European Logistics Income Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for abrdn European Logistics Income and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schroder Investment Management Group grew its position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) by 36.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 333,738 shares of the retailers stock after purchasing an additional 89,830 shares during the quarter. Schroder Investment Management Groups holdings in Walmart were worth $47,321,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of WMT. AMI Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Walmart by 1.6% in the first quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,269 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,231,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its position in shares of Walmart by 36.8% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 4,820 shares of the retailers stock worth $718,000 after acquiring an additional 1,296 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Walmart by 31.7% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,162 shares of the retailers stock worth $173,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC raised its position in shares of Walmart by 123.9% during the 1st quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 10,566 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,573,000 after purchasing an additional 5,847 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its position in shares of Walmart by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 857,839 shares of the retailers stock worth $127,749,000 after purchasing an additional 13,985 shares during the last quarter. 31.27% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Walmart alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $160.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Walmart from $160.00 to $164.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Walmart from $157.00 to $161.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Walmart in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Walmart from $155.00 to $157.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Walmart has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $166.13. Walmart Price Performance Walmart stock opened at $146.42 on Friday. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $117.90 and a 52-week high of $154.64. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $148.86 and a 200-day moving average of $145.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $394.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.20, a PEG ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Walmart (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.15. Walmart had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 21.30%. The firm had revenue of $152.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.91 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.30 EPS. The firms revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart In other news, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 563,717 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $142.26, for a total value of $80,194,380.42. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 264,873,644 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,680,924,595.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.00, for a total value of $660,625.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 286,617 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,279,167. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 563,717 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.26, for a total transaction of $80,194,380.42. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 264,873,644 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,680,924,595.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 19,763,036 shares of company stock worth $2,801,006,374 in the last ninety days. 47.06% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Walmart (Get Rating) Walmart, Inc engages in retail and wholesale business. The company offers an assortment of merchandise and services at everyday low prices. It operates through the following business segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sams Club. The Walmart U.S. segment operates as a merchandiser of consumer products, operating under the Walmart, Wal-Mart, and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands, as well as walmart.com and other eCommerce brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited (OTCMKTS:BDWBF Get Rating) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,585,300 shares, a drop of 41.8% from the April 30th total of 2,723,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 880.7 days. Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Price Performance Shares of BDWBF stock remained flat at $2.58 during trading hours on Friday. Budweiser Brewing Company APAC has a one year low of $2.15 and a one year high of $3.16. The businesss 50-day moving average is $2.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2.92. Get Budweiser Brewing Company APAC alerts: Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Company Profile (Get Rating) Featured Articles Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited, an investment holding company, produces, imports, markets, distributes, and sells beer primarily in China, South Korea, India, Vietnam, and the other Asia Pacific regions. The company offers a portfolio of approximately more than 50 beer brands, including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Hoegaarden, Cass, and Harbin. Receive News & Ratings for Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Budweiser Brewing Company APAC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge (OTCMKTS:SPXXF Get Rating) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 46,800 shares, a growth of 414.3% from the April 30th total of 9,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge Stock Performance SPXXF remained flat at $8.00 during trading hours on Friday. SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge has a 1-year low of $8.00 and a 1-year high of $8.00. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $8.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $8.00. Get SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge alerts: About SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge (Get Rating) Read More SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge provides banking services to personal and corporate customers in Northern Norway. It operates through Retail Market, Corporate Market, Leasing, and Markets segments. The company offers various savings, lending, insurance, and pension products, as well as payment services. It also provides secured loan financing, real estate leasing and agency, billing systems, and accounting solutions. Receive News & Ratings for SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. COSTA MESA, CA, United States - (NewMediaWire) - May 26, 2023 - (King NewsWire) - Phillip Willms is delighted to announce that Wet Okole Hawaii, Inc, a leading manufacturer of custom car seat covers, is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Wet Okole Hawaii has been a trusted name in the automotive industry for over three decades, delivering unparalleled quality and innovation in custom, fit, thick, and rugged car and truck seat covers. As the company marks this significant milestone, it reflects upon its achievements and looks forward to a future of continued success and customer satisfaction. Since its establishment in 1988, Wet Okole Hawaii Inc has been at the forefront of the custom seat cover industry, consistently exceeding customer expectations with its dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail. The company has become synonymous with quality, durability, and reliability with a diverse range of top seat cover products designed to protect seats and enhance vehicle interiors against stains, scratches, spills, wear and tears. Throughout the years, Wet Okole Hawaii has built a solid reputation for its exceptional car seats and truck seat covers, catering to a wide range of types of vehicles and customer preferences such cars as SUVs, trucks, vans, etc. Using state-of-the-art technology and premium materials, the company's expert craftsmen meticulously create durable, waterproof, functional car seat covers that are also stylish, cool, and comfortable. Whether for personal vehicles, used cars, used trucks, commercial fleets, cars, or specialty applications, Wet Okole Hawaii has been the go-to choice for discerning customers. "Our 35th anniversary is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction," said Phillip Willms, CEO at Wet Okole Hawaii Inc. "We take immense pride in our ability to provide custom seat covers that enhance vehicle interiors to fit and reflect people with individual styles, patterns, and color preferences. It's been an incredible journey, and we're thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our loyal customers and partners." Award-Winning Manufacturer of Car Seat Covers Through its many years, this firm has been honored with numerous awards and industry acknowledgment for its refined products and peerless service. Its committed team of designers, engineers, and customer service representatives has been an elemental component in building the company's position as a pacesetter in the market. By continuously pushing the boundaries of car design and functionality, Wet Okole Hawaii has remained ahead of the curve, adapting its cars to fit changing customer needs and evolving automotive trends. As part of its 35th-anniversary celebration, Wet Okole Hawaii Inc will launch exciting initiatives, store, and various price promotions to express gratitude to its loyal customer base. From exclusive store price discounts to limited-edition store designs, the company aims to make this milestone a memorable experience for new and existing customers. Wet Okole Hawaii Inc: Commitment to its Core Values Moving forward, Wet Okole Hawaii Inc is resolute in maintaining its core values of quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Promising high-quality custom interior solutions, the company looks to explore the automotive industry further while enlarging its product selection. As drivers become aware of the value of protecting and customizing their vehicle interiors, Wet Okole Hawaii is prepared to answer with advanced patterns in stock. For more information about Wet Okole Hawaii Inc and its range of styles of leather custom seat covers, please visit https://www.wetokole.com About Wet Okole Hawaii Inc. For over 35 years, Wet Okole Hawaii Inc. has been a standout in the manufacturing of custom seat covers. They are committed to producing high-grade neoprene pieces and fabric covers that prioritize superior protection, durability, shape, color, exact fit, and comfort, so their product provides quality, fit, and style. With a dedication to customer satisfaction and leading innovation, Wet Okole is the name you can trust when looking for reliable car and truck seat covers. Media Contact Organization: Wet Okole Hawaii, Inc Contact Person: Phil Willms Website: https://www.wetokole.com Email: admin@wetokole.com Contact Number: (714) 434-9000 Address: 1670 Sunflower Ave Costa Mesa, CA 92626 City: Costa Mesa State: CA Country: United States Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS:SUTNY Get Rating) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,100 shares, a decline of 85.6% from the April 30th total of 21,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 166,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Price Performance Sumitomo Mitsui Trust stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Friday, reaching $3.54. The company had a trading volume of 82,776 shares, compared to its average volume of 86,770. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust has a 12-month low of $2.72 and a 12-month high of $3.95. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $3.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $3.45. Get Sumitomo Mitsui Trust alerts: About Sumitomo Mitsui Trust (Get Rating) Read More Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc engages in the management of its group companies with trust banking as its core business operations. Its services include the supervising management strategies, financial management, human resource management, corporate administrative management, operational process management, risk management and compliance management; as well as managing the internal auditing services. Receive News & Ratings for Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sumitomo Mitsui Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SYSTM Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:MDC Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 25,543 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $807,000. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of M.D.C. by 74.6% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 258,677 shares of the construction companys stock worth $9,789,000 after buying an additional 110,564 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. grew its holdings in M.D.C. by 0.7% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 84,150 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,184,000 after purchasing an additional 568 shares during the period. D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its stake in shares of M.D.C. by 21.6% during the first quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 6,200 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $235,000 after purchasing an additional 1,100 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of M.D.C. by 57.6% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 30,993 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,173,000 after purchasing an additional 11,325 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in shares of M.D.C. by 14.0% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 48,738 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,844,000 after purchasing an additional 6,003 shares during the last quarter. 82.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get M.D.C. alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MDC has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wedbush reiterated a neutral rating on shares of M.D.C. in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of M.D.C. from $30.50 to $27.50 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 6th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of M.D.C. in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.50. M.D.C. Trading Down 0.8 % M.D.C. stock opened at $40.25 on Friday. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $27.04 and a one year high of $43.66. The businesss fifty day moving average is $39.60 and its 200 day moving average is $36.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.94 billion, a PE ratio of 5.98 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 9.12 and a quick ratio of 3.43. M.D.C. (NYSE:MDC Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The construction company reported $1.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.64. M.D.C. had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 16.34%. The firm had revenue of $1.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $887.13 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.02 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 17.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. will post 3.39 EPS for the current year. M.D.C. Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.97%. M.D.C.s payout ratio is presently 29.72%. Insider Transactions at M.D.C. In related news, Director David E. Blackford sold 4,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.67, for a total value of $165,015.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,587 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $754,925.29. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other M.D.C. news, Director Herbert T. Buchwald sold 8,349 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.20, for a total transaction of $302,233.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director David E. Blackford sold 4,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.67, for a total transaction of $165,015.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 20,587 shares of the companys stock, valued at $754,925.29. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 337,609 shares of company stock worth $13,923,750 in the last 90 days. 23.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. M.D.C. Profile (Get Rating) M.DC Holdings, Inc engages in proving homebuilding and financial services. It operates through the following business segments: West, Mountain, and East. The West segment includes operations in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. The Mountain segment refers to the operations in Colorado, Idaho, and Utah. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MDC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:MDC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for M.D.C. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for M.D.C. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE:GUT Get Rating) declared a monthly dividend on Thursday, May 25th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.05 per share by the investment management company on Friday, September 22nd. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. The Gabelli Utility Trust Stock Performance Shares of GUT stock opened at $6.74 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $7.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.17. The Gabelli Utility Trust has a fifty-two week low of $6.41 and a fifty-two week high of $8.05. Get The Gabelli Utility Trust alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GUT. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in The Gabelli Utility Trust by 42.2% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 140,360 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,004,000 after purchasing an additional 41,645 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning lifted its holdings in The Gabelli Utility Trust by 233.2% in the 4th quarter. Creative Planning now owns 47,874 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $360,000 after purchasing an additional 33,505 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust during the 2nd quarter worth $196,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its position in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust by 35.4% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 100,139 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $752,000 after acquiring an additional 26,182 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MAS Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust by 17.8% during the 4th quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 169,573 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,273,000 after acquiring an additional 25,640 shares during the last quarter. About The Gabelli Utility Trust The Gabelli Utility Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc It is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets across the globe. It makes its investments in stocks of companies providing products, services, or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, water, telecommunications services, and infrastructure operations. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for The Gabelli Utility Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gabelli Utility Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Merchants Trust Plc (LON:MRCH Get Rating)s stock price passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 573.19 ($7.13) and traded as low as GBX 558 ($6.94). The Merchants Trust shares last traded at GBX 561 ($6.98), with a volume of 385,355 shares traded. The Merchants Trust Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.42. The businesss fifty day moving average is GBX 570.08 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 573.19. The firm has a market capitalization of 803.64 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,853.33 and a beta of 0.91. Get The Merchants Trust alerts: The Merchants Trust Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 20th will be given a dividend of GBX 7 ($0.09) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 20th. This represents a yield of 1.23%. This is an increase from The Merchants Trusts previous dividend of $6.90. The Merchants Trusts dividend payout ratio is 9,333.33%. About The Merchants Trust The Merchants Trust Plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors GmbH, UK Branch. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the FTSE All-Share Index. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for The Merchants Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Merchants Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited (LON:SMIF Get Rating) shares crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 72.31 ($0.90) and traded as low as GBX 71 ($0.88). TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund shares last traded at GBX 71 ($0.88), with a volume of 282,650 shares changing hands. TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Stock Down 0.7 % The stock has a market cap of 172.45 million and a P/E ratio of -415.29. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 72.18 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 74.66. Get TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund alerts: TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th will be given a dividend of GBX 0.50 ($0.01) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 18th. This represents a yield of 0.7%. TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Funds dividend payout ratio is presently -3,529.41%. About TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Numis Securities Ltd. The fund is managed by TwentyFour Asset Management LLP. It invests in fixed income markets of the United Kingdom. The fund primarily invests in less liquid instruments across the debt spectrum, including asset backed securities, bank capital, corporate loans, high yield bonds, and leveraged loans issued by a wide variety of issuers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Creative Planning boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP Get Rating) by 6.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 226,589 shares of the railroad operators stock after buying an additional 12,782 shares during the quarter. Creative Plannings holdings in Union Pacific were worth $46,920,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of UNP. Granite Investment Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 25.7% in the 4th quarter. Granite Investment Partners LLC now owns 14,680 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $3,040,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 62,761 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $12,996,000 after purchasing an additional 2,337 shares during the period. Motco boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Motco now owns 39,208 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $8,119,000 after purchasing an additional 712 shares during the period. Excalibur Management Corp boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Excalibur Management Corp now owns 5,119 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,060,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. Finally, Hall Capital Management Co. Inc. boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Hall Capital Management Co. Inc. now owns 15,558 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $3,222,000 after purchasing an additional 379 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.27% of the companys stock. Get Union Pacific alerts: Insider Transactions at Union Pacific In related news, EVP Elizabeth F. Whited sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $213.00, for a total value of $532,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 39,080 shares in the company, valued at $8,324,040. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Union Pacific Price Performance UNP traded down $0.11 during trading on Friday, hitting $193.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,287,366 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,997,686. The firms 50 day moving average price is $196.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $203.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50. Union Pacific Co. has a 12 month low of $183.69 and a 12 month high of $242.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $117.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.10. Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The railroad operator reported $2.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.57 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $6.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.03 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 57.75% and a net margin of 27.91%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.57 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Union Pacific Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.69%. Union Pacifics payout ratio is currently 45.94%. Analysts Set New Price Targets UNP has been the subject of a number of research reports. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $240.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on Union Pacific from $191.00 to $184.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price target on Union Pacific from $223.00 to $213.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 21st. TD Cowen cut their price target on Union Pacific from $222.00 to $218.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Raymond James raised their price target on Union Pacific from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $217.41. Union Pacific Company Profile (Get Rating) Union Pacific Corp. engages in the provision of railroad and freight transportation services. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Omaha, NE. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Union Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Union Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victoria PLC (OTCMKTS:VCCTF Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 988,600 shares, an increase of 242.4% from the April 30th total of 288,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1,977.2 days. Victoria Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS VCCTF remained flat at $7.06 during trading hours on Friday. Victoria has a 12 month low of $4.19 and a 12 month high of $7.25. The firms 50-day moving average is $6.70 and its 200-day moving average is $6.47. Get Victoria alerts: About Victoria (Get Rating) Recommended Stories Victoria PLC, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and distributes flooring products primarily in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey, the United States, and Australia. The company operates through four segments: UK & Europe Soft Flooring, UK & Europe Ceramic Tiles, Australia, and North America. Receive News & Ratings for Victoria Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wade G W & Inc. lifted its position in The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW Get Rating) by 16.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,811 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after purchasing an additional 976 shares during the quarter. Wade G W & Inc.s holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $1,616,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in SHW. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in Sherwin-Williams by 775.6% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 509,706 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $127,233,000 after buying an additional 451,493 shares in the last quarter. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Sherwin-Williams during the 4th quarter worth about $99,503,000. Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its position in Sherwin-Williams by 523.4% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 485,483 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $99,403,000 after buying an additional 407,609 shares in the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Sherwin-Williams by 169.9% during the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC now owns 571,305 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $116,975,000 after buying an additional 359,600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quadrature Capital Ltd acquired a new position in Sherwin-Williams during the 3rd quarter worth about $52,161,000. Institutional investors own 76.03% of the companys stock. Get Sherwin-Williams alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have issued reports on SHW. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Sherwin-Williams from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $240.00 to $275.00 in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $260.00 to $235.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $220.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $285.00 to $267.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $258.74. Sherwin-Williams Price Performance NYSE SHW opened at $229.14 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $226.46 and a 200 day simple moving average of $233.16. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 52-week low of $195.24 and a 52-week high of $278.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.03, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 1.00. The stock has a market cap of $59.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.12, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.07. Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.84 by $0.20. Sherwin-Williams had a return on equity of 86.29% and a net margin of 9.41%. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.14 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.61 EPS. Sherwin-Williamss revenue for the quarter was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 8.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Sherwin-Williams Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.605 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $2.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.06%. Sherwin-Williamss dividend payout ratio is currently 29.69%. About Sherwin-Williams (Get Rating) The Sherwin-Williams Co engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paint and coatings. It operates through the following segments: America Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coating Group. The America Group segment manages the exclusive outlets for Sherwin-Williams branded paints, stains, supplies, equipment, and floor coverings. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Sherwin-Williams Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sherwin-Williams and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM Get Rating) had its price objective lowered by Robert W. Baird from $130.00 to $125.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports. Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on WSM. Guggenheim reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Loop Capital dropped their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $205.00 to $185.00 in a report on Friday, March 17th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $151.00 to $143.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 17th. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $127.00 to $123.00 in a report on Thursday, May 18th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $135.00 to $126.00 in a report on Wednesday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Williams-Sonoma has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $127.18. Get Williams-Sonoma alerts: Williams-Sonoma Trading Up 2.2 % Shares of WSM opened at $113.61 on Wednesday. Williams-Sonoma has a twelve month low of $106.66 and a twelve month high of $176.89. The company has a market cap of $7.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.46, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.61. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $117.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $121.24. Williams-Sonoma Increases Dividend Williams-Sonoma ( NYSE:WSM Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $2.64 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.41 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $1.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.80 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 12.07% and a return on equity of 72.68%. The firms revenue was down 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.50 EPS. Analysts predict that Williams-Sonoma will post 13.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 21st were given a dividend of $0.90 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 20th. This is a positive change from Williams-Sonomas previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.17%. Williams-Sonomas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.65%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Williams-Sonoma A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 863.6% in the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 212 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the period. Quarry LP lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 229.8% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 277 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 210.0% in the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 310 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 535.1% in the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 362 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares during the period. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. 99.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Williams-Sonoma Company Profile (Get Rating) Williams-Sonoma, Inc engages in the retailing of home products. It operates through the following segments: Pottery Barn, West Elm, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn Kids and Teen and Other. The Other segment includes net revenues from international franchise operations, Rejuvenation and Mark and Graham. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Williams-Sonoma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams-Sonoma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. Xi held talks with Tshisekedi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu] BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) The presidents of China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced on Friday the elevation of the bilateral relationship from a strategic partnership of win-win cooperation to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. China and the DRC are strategic partners with a profound traditional friendship forged in the course of fighting for national liberation and opposing colonial aggression, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his talks with visiting DRC President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo in Beijing. Bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results in recent years, and China has been the DRC's largest trading partner and source of foreign investment for many years in a row, Xi said. The two sides have forged a close community of shared interests and shared future, Xi said. Xi said China's successful experience in its path to modernization shows that developing countries have the right and the ability to explore modernization paths suited to their national conditions, adding that China is ready to synergize its development strategies with the DRC, support each other and promote cooperation and development. He expressed the belief that China's high-quality development will provide more cooperation opportunities and a broader market for the DRC and promote greater development of bilateral relations. China will, as always, help the DRC in its economic and social development, support its industrialization strategy, strengthen cooperation in energy, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing, and tap the potential of cooperation in the digital economy, education, and health, Xi said, adding that China is ready to send agricultural technology experts to the DRC. China hopes that the DRC will provide policy support and service convenience for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the DRC and foster a fair, just, and safe business environment, he said. Xi said China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the DRC in multilateral affairs, jointly practice true multilateralism, and uphold international fairness and justice. Noting that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future, Xi said the two sides need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation more than ever under the current international situation. He called on the two sides to uphold the basic norms governing international relations, oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China firmly supports Africa in pursuing an independent development path and becoming an important pole in the world politics, economy and civilization, Xi said, adding that China is ready to provide new opportunities for African countries with its new development. China will work with Africa to implement the outcomes of the Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Dakar, advance Belt and Road cooperation, support Africa in achieving sustainable development, and build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, Xi said. Tshisekedi congratulated China on the success of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the "two sessions," and Xi's reelection as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and the Chinese president, as well as China's extraordinary achievements in the new era under President Xi's leadership. He said he is convinced that China is sure to realize its Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. Tshisekedi thanked China for its important assistance and valuable support for the economic and social development of the DRC over the past half century. The DRC firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports China's efforts to achieve national reunification, he said. The DRC is willing to work with China to deepen cooperation in economy, trade, resources, infrastructure, medical care and other fields to enrich the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and build a mature, stable and groundbreaking relationship for the benefit of the two peoples, Tshisekedi said. After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in investment, green economy, digital economy, and other fields. Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Tshisekedi at the square outside the Great Hall of the People. In the evening, President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a banquet for President Tshisekedi and his wife Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi at the Great Hall of the People. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. Xi held talks with Tshisekedi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. Xi held talks with Tshisekedi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Liu Weibing] Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and his wife Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi before the talks between Xi and Tshisekedi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. Xi held talks with Tshisekedi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] (Source: Xinhua) There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. Amongst other things, we'll want to see two things; firstly, a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an expansion in the company's amount of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. Ergo, when we looked at the ROCE trends at ViTrox Corporation Berhad (KLSE:VITROX), we liked what we saw. What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)? For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for ViTrox Corporation Berhad, this is the formula: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.34 = RM332m (RM1.1b - RM180m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2023). Thus, ViTrox Corporation Berhad has an ROCE of 34%. In absolute terms that's a great return and it's even better than the Semiconductor industry average of 12%. Check out our latest analysis for ViTrox Corporation Berhad roce Above you can see how the current ROCE for ViTrox Corporation Berhad compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company. What Does the ROCE Trend For ViTrox Corporation Berhad Tell Us? ViTrox Corporation Berhad deserves to be commended in regards to it's returns. The company has consistently earned 34% for the last five years, and the capital employed within the business has risen 138% in that time. Now considering ROCE is an attractive 34%, this combination is actually pretty appealing because it means the business can consistently put money to work and generate these high returns. You'll see this when looking at well operated businesses or favorable business models. The Bottom Line In the end, the company has proven it can reinvest it's capital at high rates of returns, which you'll remember is a trait of a multi-bagger. And the stock has done incredibly well with a 173% return over the last five years, so long term investors are no doubt ecstatic with that result. So while investors seem to be recognizing these promising trends, we still believe the stock deserves further research. Before jumping to any conclusions though, we need to know what value we're getting for the current share price. That's where you can check out our FREE intrinsic value estimation that compares the share price and estimated value. If you'd like to see other companies earning high returns, check out our free list of companies earning high returns with solid balance sheets here. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Dr. Caitlin Bernard is sworn in during a hearing in front of the Indiana state medical licensing board on Thursday. Crowds are flocking to Gower, Missouri - population 1,500 - to witness what some are calling a miracle. (KSHB). The WSWS encourages its readers in the Toronto area to attend the IYSSE sponsored meeting The War in Ukraine and How to Stop It, at the Lillian H. Smith BranchToronto Public Library on June 4 at 2:30 p.m. Click here for more information. The Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government is pursuing a predatory imperialist foreign policy, expressed most clearly in Canadas provocative participation in the US-NATO war on Russia and fulsome support for Washingtons advanced preparations for war with China. A critical aspect of the rapid escalation of Canadian militarism over recent years has been the co-opting of major universities by the military and defence sector, turning them into research agencies for weapons of death and destruction, and the global geostrategic and economic interests of Canadian imperialism. Canadian Army reservists conduct large-scale exercise at Fort Pickett [Photo: Virginia Guard Public Affairs] In a process that has been escalating for years, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has extended its tentacles into higher education. In 2017, as part of an announcement of the Trudeau governments bellicose new national defence policy, the government stated its desire to redouble its efforts to increase cooperation between the military and universities. As part of the initiative, $4.5 million per year was dedicated to the expanded defence engagement program with scholars and $1.6 billion over 20 years for the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEAS) initiative, for developing new cooperative partnerships with the private sector, universities, and academics. The funding from the Department of National Defence (DND) and related programs is designed to provide Canadian imperialism with the intellectual, technological, and scientific know-how it requires to wage war around the world. The government is funding research into high-tech technologies intended to transfer competitive advantages to Canadian big business as trade wars mount, especially in economic areas that bring significant military applications. Relationships developed between the military and Canadian universities include: The Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies and the School of Public Policy, both at the University of Calgary, received substantial funding in 2021 from the DND according to the university. Scholars from both institutes are leading the Canadian Network on Information and Security (CANIS) project. CANIS is in turn funded through the MINDS (Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security) program, designed to increase and diversify research on defence and security issues in Canada. Academics from the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, the University of Quebec and McGill University are collaborating with the DND via $1.5 million pledged in 2022 to inform the development of secure edge computing applications in light of the growth of 5G mobile technology and the Internet of Things. The University of Ottawa is engaged in research on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to help enhance Canadas national security. The projects are funded by the DND through the IDEAS program and is in partnership with the corporation Blackberry, a mobile phone producer. Another research project at the University of Ottawa partners with the DND and the telecom giant TELUS to design artificial intelligence (AI)-backed autonomous decision-making models to provide DND with dynamic resource management. In January 2023, the University of Waterloo announced, in collaboration with Ecole de technologie superieure in Montreal, the University of Regina and several telecommunications companies, the development of 5G mobile networks with $1.5 million in funding from the DND. The aim of the program is to develop methods for detecting and repelling cyber-attacks. While its claimed to be defensive, the insights produced can and will be leveraged in support of offensive cyber warfare. The University of Guelph signed an agreement with Defence Research and Development Canada, an agency of the DND, to conduct social science research in support of the military, aiming to, among other things, develop trust in diverse organizational teams and in cross-cultural settings. These associations highlight the symbiotic relationships being developed between the state, big business and academia which are being increasingly mobilized as the ruling class prepares for war with Russia and China. Advances in the high-tech sector have very potent military uses, such as those related to drone warfare, cyber warfare and surveillance. Militaries around the world have noted their effect in conflicts in Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and now Ukraine. The governments decision to ban Chinese tech giant Huawei from hosting 5G infrastructure in Canada has created a gap that is now being filled in part by domestic firms. The increasing association with the military has been met with little resistance from academics themselves. Even in the recent past, faculty have raised objections to the close ties with the CAF. During the Harper years, as part of the governments efforts to cultivate a jingoistic warrior nation image, the University of Regina participated in Project Hero, which provided free tuition and additional funding for dependents of CAF members killed on deployment. Fifteen professors at the university signed an open letter that denounced the program as a glorification of Canadian imperialism in Afghanistan and elsewhere. The governments determined push to strengthen the militarys presence on university campuses has been hampered by a series of scandals, including rampant cases of sexual assault in the military and the sharp rise in far-right extremism within the ranks. The influential role of far-right forces in the military came to public attention with the 2020 attempted assassination of Trudeau by an army reservist, as well as the revelation that the fascistic Freedom Convoy had widespread support within the military. The ruling class seeks to explain this phenomenon as the product of the infiltration of the armed forces by a handful of isolated white supremacists, not the systematic cultivation through more than 20 years of war and the relentless shift of politics to the right of these elements by the ruling class itself. The DND has enlisted a University of Alberta academic to assess the problem along those lines and no doubt bury the fundamental social factors at play. The increasing collaboration of universities with the military comes as the latter struggles with low recruitment. Apparently 10,000 troops short of its needs, the military has lifted the ban on permanent residents serving in the CAF. The recruitment drive is meant to complement the massive arms build-up underway, with defence minister Anita Anand citing the war in Ukraine as responsible for creating new demands on the army. In the past few years, high-ranking officers have expressed concerns that with recruitment at a low, domestic obligations would hinder their ability to wage war abroad. While disaster relief was routinely referenced, the ruling class no doubt is concerned about whether the military will be able to simultaneously fight its imperialist wars abroad while crushing the opposition that they are certain to generate in the working class at home. Since the coming to power of the Trudeau government in 2015, the ruling class has attempted to drape its predatory policies in identity politics rhetoric, touting its so-called feminist foreign policy. As the World Socialist Web Site has previously noted, An important element in the ruling classs efforts to rally public support for Canadian imperialist rearmament and aggression is to promote the military as a progressive, ethnically and gender diverse institution, incarnating both the diversity and unity of the nation. Under these conditions, the ruling class and its lackeys in academia cannot accept a socialist challenge to these lies. The attempt to censor the anti-war meeting hosted at the University of Waterloo by the IYSSE in March must be seen in this light. The effort to camouflage NATOs role in instigating the war in Ukraine by placing all of the blame for the conflict at Vladimir Putins feet has not produced the support among the public that the government hoped it would and workers are now increasingly connecting their domestic struggles in defence of their living standards with the vast sums of resources being squandered on yet another imperialist bloodbath in Europe. Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). We'll use ROE to examine Victoria PLC (LON:VCP), by way of a worked example. Return on Equity or ROE is a test of how effectively a company is growing its value and managing investors money. In short, ROE shows the profit each dollar generates with respect to its shareholder investments. View our latest analysis for Victoria How Do You Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for ROE is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Victoria is: 13% = UK38m UK295m (Based on the trailing twelve months to October 2022). The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. So, this means that for every 1 of its shareholder's investments, the company generates a profit of 0.13. Does Victoria Have A Good ROE? By comparing a company's ROE with its industry average, we can get a quick measure of how good it is. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, Victoria has a better ROE than the average (10%) in the Consumer Durables industry. roe That is a good sign. However, bear in mind that a high ROE doesnt necessarily indicate efficient profit generation. A higher proportion of debt in a company's capital structure may also result in a high ROE, where the high debt levels could be a huge risk . You can see the 2 risks we have identified for Victoria by visiting our risks dashboard for free on our platform here. Why You Should Consider Debt When Looking At ROE Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. Combining Victoria's Debt And Its 13% Return On Equity It seems that Victoria uses a huge volume of debt to fund the business, since it has an extremely high debt to equity ratio of 3.37. Its ROE is respectable, but it's not so impressive once you consider all of the debt. Conclusion Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, I'd generally prefer the one with higher ROE. But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So you might want to check this FREE visualization of analyst forecasts for the company. If you would prefer check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Transatlantic, inspired by Julie Orringers novel The Flight Portfolio and co-created by Daniel Hendler (Margin Call) and Anna Winger (Unorthodox), is a seven-part series on Netflix. It effectively and movingly recreates the activities of the Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC) as it operated in 1940 from Marseille, after the fall of France. In May 1940, Hitlers forces invaded France, defeated the countrys army and, following an armistice signed June 22, occupied a large portion of its territory. The remaining part was nominally controlled by the so-called Vichy regime headed by the fascist collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain. Marseille, the only major French port city not directly ruled by the Nazi regime, became the primary route for left-wing and Jewish refugees to escape the Gestapo. The series, directed by Stephanie Chuat, Veronique Reymond and Mia Maariel Meyer, concentrates on the efforts of American liberal journalist Varian Fry (Cory Michael Smith) to obtain exit visas for the thousands of desperate enemies of the Third Reich. Cory Michael Smith in Transatlantic Transatlantic opens with a radio newscast: And now the news from Europe. With British forces withdrawn from the continent, the Nazis presently command the English Channel, the Atlantic coast and the north of France, forcing multitudes to flee Paris for the unoccupied zone in the south. The last free port of Marseille teems with refugees from all over Europe, desperately seeking travel visas and funds to depart for the new world. In Marseille, ERC operatives Varian and Mary Jayne Gold (Gillian Jacobs), an heiress from Chicago who is the financial lifeline of the Committee, find little aid or cooperation from the American Consul General Graham Patterson (Corey Stoll). Varian: Innocent peoples lives are being ruined, Mr. Patterson. Theyre being wrongfully incarcerated. Even killed. Last week, two more people on my list committed suicide. These refugees need help, and no one else is lifting a finger. Siblings Albert (Lucas Englander) and Ursula Hirschman (Morgane Ferru) are among the refugees. After an initial escape attempt by sea fails, the refugees are led by Lisa Fittko (Deleila Piasko) through the Pyrenees mountains into Spain. While Ursula continues on to safety, Albert and Lisa return to Marseille to inform Mary Jayne and Varian about the route. Mary Jaynes father disinherits her, threatening the ERCs funding. Furthermore, Article 19 of the Franco-German armistice is being implemented, which stipulates that all German refugees on French soil must be surrendered on demand to the Nazis. Despite the enormous dangers, US Consul Patterson is not sympathetic: No pinkos, no British POWs, no Jews. Do I have to spell it out for you? The ERCs headquarters and lodgings, the Hotel Splendide, is raided by the police, but Varians once and future lover, Thomas Lovegrove (Amit Rahav), obtains the expansive Villa Air-Bel. One of the most remarkable collections of political and cultural figures ever assembled, reduced by the defeats of the working class to a wretched condition, is gathered in Marseille. The refugee luminaries include Surrealist and supporter of Trotsky, Andre Breton (Louis-Do de Lencquesaing); Surrealist painter Max Ernst (Alexander Fehling); prominent German satirical author Walter Mehring (Jonas Nay); German political philosopher Hannah Arendt (Alexa Karolinski); Russian revolutionary, historian and novelist Victor Serge (Emmanuel Salinger); and wealthy American art collector and socialite Peggy Guggenheim (Jodhi May). Among the others helped by Fry were Marcel Duchamp, Andre Masson, Heinrich Mann, Bohuslav Martinu, Arthur Koestler, Siegfried Kracauer, Claude Levi-Strauss, Anna Seghers, Franz Werfel, Jean Malaquais, Jacques Lipchitz and Max Ophuls! The deplorable state of the artistic refugees bore out the warning of the Manifesto for an Independent Revolutionary Art, co-authored by Trotsky and Breton in 1938, that never has civilization been menaced so seriously as today. It substantiated Trotskys own comment, in the same year, that art was the most complex part of culture, the most sensitive and at the same time the least protected. As the drama unfolds, Lisa shepherds a group of refugees, including German literary critic and essayist Walter Benjamin (Moritz Bleibtreu), through the secret mountain pass to Spain. Tragically, Benjamin commits suicide in Portbou in Catalonia, believing he is about to be deported back to France and the Nazis. Transatlantic According to Vice Consul Hiram Bingham (Luke Thompson), anti-immigrant sentiment is growing in the US, and Mary Jayne starts collaborating with British Intelligence in order to obtain funds for the ERC. Another radio announcement: In England, the city of Coventry is burning. Since August, the Luftwaffe have dropped 200 tons of bombs there, murdering hundreds of people and injuring many more. The Germans raided again last night, knocking out utilities and setting the city on fire. The filthy Patterson applauds the Nazis: Fascists in Italy, Spain, Germany, now most of France. This is the new world order. Us and them. Democracy and fascism. Two superpowers. Its not like theyre Communists. At least they still believe in free enterprise. Henry Ford sold over 60,000 Model Cs in Germany in the last five years. We have to work with these people. Patterson gets involved with an executive from a company called ACM, who shows the US official punch cards and explains that they contain data from last years US census, but we can customize it to any clients needs. Data. Age, race, income, marital status. ACM provides the technology. We dont tell them how to use it. The data serves to organize people into groups. Track migration. Predict behavior. As the Hollywood Progressive points out, the fictional ACM resembles the real-life IBM. In his IBM and the Holocaust, Edwin Black writes Jews could not hide from millions of punch cards [produced by an IBM subsidiary in Germany] comparing names across generations, address changes across regions, family trees and personal data across unending registries. Black concludes that IBM placed its technology at the disposal of Hitlers program of Jewish destruction and territorial domination. (In a 2001 review of Blacks book, the WSWS wrote: Black explains that ultimately, IBM helped the Nazis carry through their policy of genocide. IBMs machines were used at all stages of the persecution of the Jews. They collected the necessary information to identify the Nazis victims, first to enforce the bar on Jews working in certain academic, professional and government jobs and later to carry out mass evictions from their homes and into the ghettoes. IBM technology was used to organize the railways, so that millions of Nazi victims could be transported to the concentration camps, where they were immediately led into the gas chambers.) Mary Jayne and Thomas hatch a plot to get British POWs out of a French prison as Hotel Splendide concierges, African brothers Paul (Ralph Amoussou) and Petit Kandjo (Birane Ba) launch a resistance cell. The radio announces that the Nazis continue their virtually unopposed march across the continent, while Americans march to the polls. If reelected for an unprecedented third term in office, President Roosevelt promises to stay neutral, but Republican candidate Wendell Willkie insists his opponent is secretly planning to take the United States to war. A satirical tune is introduced at the villa, which begins The Fuhrer paints a landscape full of blood With his eraser, he deletes all Jews / But his brush is as small as a tiny mouse When Petain and his fascist colleagues pay a visit to Marseille, both the refugees and the ERC members are incarcerated on a ship docked in the harbor, the SS Sinaia. (Mark Polizzottis Revolution of the Mind, a biography of Breton, notes that the Surrealist leader and Fry were put with other men into the ships hold, where the American encountered (to the refugees worried amusement) many of those he was trying to help.) Soon after their release from the ship, Varian and Mary Jayne learn that the Pyrenees route has been compromised because British POWs were caught carrying a map that Mary Jayne provided. Roosevelt wins his third term in office. Varian convinces Vice Consul Bingham to disobey orders and obtain travel documents for the refugees. The latter dodges Pattersons secretary, who is a Gestapo spy. Thanks to the ERC, 257 refugees escape to Martinique. As get-aways from France are blocked, Marc and Bella Chagall (Gera Sandler and Ronit Asheri) finally decide to flee Marseille. They are accompanied by Varian to the US. Transatlantics post-titles inform us that between 1933 and 1945, more than six million Jews and other undesirables were systematically murdered by the Nazis regime and its collaborators in Europe. Between 1940 and 1941, Varian Fry and the Emergency Rescue Committee helped more than 2,000 victims of the Nazi regime to safety across the Atlantic. Armed resistance to the Nazi occupation began in early 1941 supported by Africans from the colonies, and immigrants all over Europe Creator of Transatlantic, Anna Winger, told the Times of Israel that I thought a lot about the fact that people like usartists, Jews, bothhad to leave Berlin as refugees, but now there were so many people coming to Berlin as refugees. Then, just as she started filming Transatlantic on location in Marseille, a new war broke out in Europe. The war in Ukraine started three days into the production, and there was a whole other wave of refugees coming to Berlin, she said. Suddenly we were making it in another refugee crisis. In Berlin, she saw thousands of refugees crowding into the central train station, some without shoes, food or plans for shelter. I think it gave us all a strong sense of purpose, said Winger. Transatlantic is well scripted, well acted and well done overall. It conscientiously organizes and constructs a remarkable, complex drama. The creators have chosen to set a story of determined opposition to cruelty and authoritarianism at one of the most tragic moments in history. The series brings out some of the worst in humanity and some of its best. It reveals treachery, cowardice and political baseness, as well as courage and self-sacrifice. Stoll as Patterson is particularly menacing and personifies the sympathetic response of considerable sections of the ruling elite in Europe and America to the rise of Nazism. The actions of Fry and Gold and their colleagues, on the other hand, speak to the fair-minded and democratic instincts of wide layers of the population. Smith as Fry and Jacobs as Gold propel the tense drama forward with the support of an outstanding cast. Gillian Jacobs in Transatlantic Having paid tribute to the series real and important strengths, it is only fair to indicate such weaknesses as it has. Transatlantic suffers from some of the same problems as so many other contemporary works. It lacks in-depth historical context, a broader grasp of the epoch. The absence of an awareness, or even an intuition, about the specific problems of the era results in a certain blandness in the characterizations of this extraordinary group of human beings. Serge, Breton and others are not made to stand out as they ought to because the filmmakers themselves are not clear about their significance. Furthermore, how did these people end up in this wretched condition? Was the rise of fascism and the disaster in France akin to an unavoidable natural disaster, like an earthquake? In fact, the overthrow of French capitalism was entirely possible in this era, but the policy of the Stalinist Communist Party was consciously directed against the revolutionary seizure of power by the working class. Stalin feared that the victory of the working class, especially in Western Europe, would rekindle the revolutionary movement of the Soviet working class. In 1936-38, the Stalinists helped strangle a revolutionary situation in France, which was touched off by a general strike in June 1936. The Popular Front regime supported by the French Communist Party demoralized the working class and cleared the path for the capitulation of the French bourgeoisie to Hitler in June 1940. Similarly, Orringers book is conscientious but limited. It does takes note, however inadequately, of the complex relationship between Serge, Breton and Trotsky. Moreover, in a dark situation, Varian instigates a little levity: I hate to provide the voice of reason but what are you planning to feed a dozen surrealists? Or does a surrealist dinner party not require actual food? Victor Serge can have the last word. In his Memoirs of a Revolutionary (1951), he writes: If it had not been for Varian Frys American Relief Committee, a goodly number of refugees would have had no reasonable course open to them but to jump into the sea from the height of the transporter-bridge, a certain enough method. Those with the most scars take the shock best. These are the young revolutionary workers or semi-intellectuals who have passed through countless prisons and concentration-camps. They are difficult to rescue, because nobody knows them, because the old conformist parties have no sympathy for them, because the governments of the New World are afraid of them (subversives), because they possess nothing, and because every police force is out to catch them. In a letter issued Friday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen advised the White House and lawmakers negotiating sweeping social cuts in connection with raising the debt ceiling that the deadline for averting a default was now June 5 instead of her previous estimate of June 1. The new Treasury estimate, conveniently announced Friday afternoon before a long Memorial Day weekend, afforded President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy extra time to lock down the votes in their respective parties needed to enact a bipartisan deal to make the working class pay for the war against Russia in Ukraine and the preparations for war against China. President Joe Biden speaks at the Pentagon, Wednesday, February 10, 2021, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] Media reports indicate that Biden and the Democrats have already agreed to Republican demands for a freeze on discretionary spending, with the exception of defense and veterans benefits. Bidens record $1 trillion Pentagon budget, a 3 percent increase over the previous year, will remain intact, while outlays for Medicaid, food stamps, welfare, education, housing, job training, public transit and the environment will be substantially cut. There will be no increase in taxes on corporations or the rich, and money allotted to hire more Internal Revenue Service agents to crack down on wealthy tax cheats will be slashed. In the name of fiscal responsibility, social programs will be ravaged while the financial oligarchy and the military-industrial complex, bathed in blood, gorge themselves. A window into the criminality and plundering of American society by the Pentagon and Wall Street was provided by a CBS 60 Minutes expose that aired this past Sunday. The program featured Shay Assad, a former director of defense pricing and contracting at the Department of Defense. Before working at the Pentagon under the Bush, Obama and Trump administrations, Assad, a Naval Academy graduate, spent 22 years at Raytheon, one of the largest military contractors in the world. In the 60 Minutes interview, Assad said the Pentagon overpays for almost everything. He called the price-gouging that takes place unconscionable. As an example, Assad presented two oil switches. One, with cabling, was purchased by NASA for $328. The same switch, without cabling, was purchased by the Pentagon for over $10,000. In relation to the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, Assad pointed to the exorbitant price being paid for the shoulder-mounted Stinger missile. In 1991, a new missile for the launcher cost $25,000. Today, the same missile, which is supplied only by Raytheon, costs over $400,000. During his time at the Pentagon, Assads team authored reports showing that the Department of Defense had paid a subcontractor, TransDigm Inc., $119 million for parts that previously sold for $28 million. During the Iraq war, TransDigm raised the price of a valve needed for the Apache helicopter by 40 percent, or $737, to $1,830. Assad noted that by 2018, the same valve made by TransDigm was being sold for almost $12,000. He observed that price-gouging within the defense industry increased substantially following an edict issued by the Pentagon in 1993 urging military companies to merge, resulting in the consolidation of 51 companies into five. At the same time, the Pentagon, under the Bill Clinton administration, oversaw a massive reduction in the Civilian Acquisition Workforce, whose job is to negotiate and monitor military contracts. From 1990 to 1999, the workforce within this watchdog, which included negotiators, overseers and engineers, was reduced by over 130,000 people, or more than 50 percent. As in every industry, weapons corporations price-gouging is done for the enrichment of a privileged few. A graphic displayed during the program showed that from 2000 to 2009, the five major US weapons makersLockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, General Dynamics and Northrop Grummanspent about 3.7 percent of their revenue on dividends and share buybacks, while 6.2 percent went for research, development and capital expenditures. In the following decade, from 2010-2019, these same companies nearly doubled the portion of revenue spent on rewarding their major investors and inflating their stock, spending an average of 6.4 percent on dividends and buybacks. R&D fell by 0.3 percent. All five major US weapons makers handsomely reward their executive officers. According to Forbes, in the year 2021 the five weapons companies received over $116 billion in Pentagon contracts while paying their top two dozen executives a total of $287 million. The CEOs of the five companies commanded a combined salary of over $104 million in 2021. James Taiclet of Lockheed Martin received $18.1 million; David Calhoun of Boeing, $21.1 million; Gregory Hayes of Raytheon, $21.8 million; Phebe Novakovic of General Dynamics, $23.5 million; and Kathy Warden of Northrup Grumman, $19.9 million. The average salary of these CEOs, roughly $21 million, is over 466 times the average salary ($45,000) of a US worker. The Cost of War Project at Brown University found that, in order to ensure a steady supply of government contracts, weapons makers have spent $2.5 billion on lobbying since the launching of the War on Terror in 2001. Over the last five years, weapons companies have employed on average, over 700 lobbyists per year, substantially more than one lobbyist for every member of Congress. Beneficiaries of weapons companies stock buybacks and dividends include dozens of members of Congress, who own shares in the same companies to which they award multi-billion-dollar contracts. According to CapitolTrades.com, in the last three years 19 politicians have traded a combined total of at least $1.22 million worth of Lockheed Martin stock; 18 members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, have bought and sold at least $1.29 million of Raytheon stock; 10 lawmakers have bought and sold at least $379,000 worth of General Dynamics shares; 16 members of Congress have traded $2.22 million in Boeing shares; and 13 lawmakers have bought and sold $635,000 worth of Northrop Grumman stock. On February 24, 2022, the day Russia invaded Ukraine, Republican Representative John Rutherford of Florida and Democratic Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon each purchased between $1,001 and $15,000 worth of Raytheon stock. Two days before the invasion, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene purchased between $1,001 and $15,000 worth of Lockheed Martin shares. Greene also purchased Lockheed Martin shares in similar amounts in December and November of 2021. Seeking to present the illusion of accountability where none exists, on Friday a bipartisan group of senators, including Chuck Grassley (Republican of Iowa), Bernie Sanders (Independent of Vermont), Elizabeth Warren (Democrat of Massachusetts), Mike Braun (Republican of Indiana) and Ron Wyden (Democrat of Oregon), announced that they were leading an investigation into price-gouging at the Pentagon. The investigation thus far has amounted to sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin requesting that the Pentagon investigate itself. The senators asked Austin to provide us an update on the Departments efforts to implement outstanding Government Accountability Office recommendations... as well as your efforts to investigate the price-gouging uncovered by CBSs recent reporting. In the second week of May, at least 11 schools partly or completely returned to online learning in New South Wales (NSW), Australias most populous state, due to large numbers of COVID-19 infections among staff and students. Striking NSW teachers marching towards parliament on June 30, 2022 [Photo: WSWS] These outbreaks give an indication of the severity of a new pandemic wave across Australia. At Liverpool Girls High School in Sydneys southwestern suburbs, it was reported that about 20 percent of staff had either tested positive or were experiencing symptoms of COVID. Orange High School, in the states mid-west, also reverted to home learning. In the local newspaper, the relieving principal said the school did not have enough teachers, despite combining classes and hiring every casual available. While some students had COVID infections, the virus had particularly impacted staff. Other schools, while not returning to online learning, asked students and staff to begin masking again. As with earlier COVID waves, working-class areas of Sydney and regional areas of the state are hardest hit. There are also reports of schools returning to temporary online learning or masking in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. NSW Secondary Principals Council president Craig Petersen told the Sydney Morning Herald: Staff absences due to illness, combined with a critical shortage of casual teaching staff, meant some schools had been forced to move to remote learning. Nevertheless, the state Labor government declared its opposition to such moves. Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car said shutting down schools amid COVID outbreaks in classrooms and staffrooms was a thing of the past. The governments advice for teachers is to return to school after a positive COVID test as soon as they are symptom free. One teacher, commenting on a Facebook post, said symptom-free teachers who had tested positive were under pressure to return to the classroom. The Labor governments reaction is a deepening of the profit-driven lifting of COVID safety measures in Australia, which has created the conditions for a new wave of infections and deaths. While this economic reopening was carried out under the former federal Liberal-National Coalition government, it was fully supported by the Labor Party at federal and state levels and has been intensified under the Albanese federal Labor government. Teachers and parents are using social media to report large numbers of COVID cases in schools, not just in NSW but also Victoria, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). One teacher talked of the struggle to get replacement teachers, noting that relief teachers are needed for the relief teachersso many are sick. A parent from Cooma, a regional NSW town, reported: Most days my kids have a *minimum* of 1 Quad. A quad is a period of no learning where anywhere between 20-120 students (out of 450) sit outside in the quadrangle doing nothing. Some read, or play sport, most talk. The reason for quads is so many teachers are out with Covid. My youngest had 5 quads in one day. The remaining period they watched Matilda the Musical. They told me about several kids in different years who have had 6 quads, every one outside, multiple times. So, teachers, who were already short-staffed, are even more short staffed as a portion of them are constantly off sick. The ones that are there are overworked, taking classes they arent qualified for, showing kids movies, or overseeing quads. The parent added: Im not blaming teachers, Im blaming you @AlboMP [Prime Minister Albanese] @AustralianLabor for creating the situation. Youre not concerned with childrens education, or the well-being of children and their teachers, youre concerned with using school as babysitting so parents can go to work/shops. A parent from the ACT, which has a Labor-Greens government, tweeted: For the third time in 12 months one of my kids has caught COVID at schooltheir classrooms are poorly ventilated, windows bolted shut in second-storey classrooms, no air purifiers, no one wears masks. Why are we so worried about vaping but so complacent about COVID? Since its election last May, the Albanese government has ended mandatory isolation periods for individuals infected with COVID and its state counterparts have ended the daily reporting of COVID infections, illnesses and deaths. Access to free PCR tests now require a doctors referral and is limited to people considered at risk. In Labors latest federal budget this month, a $192 million Student Wellbeing Boost program was axed. It had given schools money for the purposes of supporting students mental health and wellbeing through the impacts of COVID19. At the end of 2021, Labors Premier Daniel Andrews in Victoria and the then Liberal-National NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet marched in lockstep to reopen schools. Since the formation of the NSW Labor government in March this year, Premier Chris Minns has extended the let it rip COVID policies. One of Minns first actions was to close down free PCR testing sites. In many NSW country areas, it is impossible to get a PCR test locally, even with the required doctors referral. The Australian Education Union (AEU) and its state counterpart in NSW, the New South Wales Teachers Federation (NSWTF), bear equally full responsibility for this disaster. They have enforced the school reopenings, as well as striking sellout deals with governments for decades that have led to the acute teacher shortage. On May 24, the NSWTF tried to cover its tracks in the eyes of teachers and parents. It suddenly expressed its concern at the case numbers in schools. It blamed the former Perrottet government for ending mandatory isolation periods, while remaining silent on the Labor governments role. It admitted that it had been meeting with the governments education department Crisis Response and Recovery Unit fortnightly. In other words, the union, despite denying any knowledge of the case numbers in schools, has been acutely aware of the impact of COVID on teachers, school staff and children. This is another example of the unions role in the pandemic overall. It has been completely complicit in the return to face-to-face teaching, the removal of safety mitigation measures and the ongoing covering up of the level of infections in schools. The NSWTFs only advice to its members was to take individual steps, such as wearing a mask indoors and contacting the education department if concerned about inadequate school ventilation. If unwell, it advised members to seek a PCR test where possible and, if positive, take at least five days of sick leave, and more if still unwell, apply for additional sick leave which was supposedly available on a case-by-case basis. As the WSWS reported in an article on the Senate inquiry into Long COVID, in February AEU federal secretary Kevin Bates admitted that Long COVID had a significant impact on the health and safety of AEU members across the country and potentially hundreds of thousands of school students had also been impacted. He acknowledged that our members . have experienced COVID infections multiple times, in some cases four and five repeated infections. The resulting crisis in the schools is part of a wider resurgence of the pandemic, facilitated by the governments and unions. Nationally, 41,428 new cases and 193 deaths were reported in the week ending May 25. In NSW, more than 14,400 infections were reported, with cases rising most sharply among 5- to 16-year-old school-aged children and people aged over 90. Similar surges are occurring in other states, with case numbers up by 31 percent in a week in South Australia. The reported cases only show a fraction of the picture, because access to PCR testing has been severely cut. Given the pressure of employers, it is unlikely that even the less reliable RAT tests are being adequately taken or reported. With research indicating that each new infection increases the likelihood of experiencing Long COVID, government and union policies are exposing children and teachers to multiple infections. This is truly criminal. Since the start of the pandemic, the Committee for Public Education (CFPE) has called for proper mitigation measures to ensure the safety of education staff and students, including remote learning where outbreaks erupt. The long-term health and well-being of students and their teachers cannot be left in the hands of governments or the unions. Teachers, parents and students need to form rank-and-file safety committees that will fight for the necessary measures. This requires the development of a political struggle against the Labor governments, which are prioritising the interests of the corporate elite over the health and safety of children and school workers. The CFPE calls for the widest discussion among educators on the necessity for a socialist program, which would involve the establishment of a workers government to implement policies based on social need, not private profit. Contact the CFPE: Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation Twitter: @CFPE_Australia GM-LG Ultium Cells battery plant in Lordstown, Ohio where starting pay is $16.50. [Photo: WSWS] Are you an Ultium Cell worker in Lordstown, Spring Hill or Lansing? Support the Clarios strikers and help break their isolation. Fill out the form after this article to report on conditions in your plant and form a support committee. If further proof is needed that the United Auto Workers apparatus is seeking to isolate and betray the three-week-long strike by 525 Clarios battery workers near Toledo, Ohio, it can be found not far away in Lordstown, Ohio. There, the UAW has not even informed the 1,100 workers at the Ultium Cell factory, who make batteries for General Motors, that the strike is taking place. But when the Ultium workers were told about the strike, they were eager to support their brothers and sisters at Clarios. I definitely support their strike, said one worker who was coming off the day shift. We are all autoworkers. They are doing the same thing here. They [GM and Ford] just want everyone to work for nothing. We are not at full production, but the company is already making millions. There is no reason we cant earn a living wage. The worker said that he used to work for an auto parts manufacturer in Warren, Ohio before being laid off when the plant closed. When I was laid off, I was making $30 an hour. We are not making anything near that here. Ultium does not post the starting wages on their job applications. ZipRecruiter, where many of their jobs are also listed, gives the estimated pay at $16 to $20 an hour, and it lists the companys national average at just $17.67 an hour. Ultium Cell is a joint venture between GM and the Korean electronics manufacturer LG. Many of the workers at the Lordstown plant are contract employees from South Korea. GM, Ultium and the UAW seek to keep the workers in the plant divided along national lines. They have us taking each others pictures all the time, one worker explained. If we think they didnt do something that they were supposed to do, we are to take their picture. If we dont do something that they think we were supposed to do, they take our picture. We are all workers. I just want to do my job and go home with ten fingers and ten toes, and nothing hurts at the end of the day. He explained that this was the same thing that was done when he first started working for GM. I drove a Nissan, and they told me they would turn my car over if I didnt buy a GM car. A group of South Korean workers on the way in stopped to talk. One of the workers explained that he is on a two-year contract and that they would be deported if they are fired. For us, this is good money, and the conditions are fine. I am able to send money home to support my family. A contractor who works for food service explained that she also did not know about the Clarios strike. But when she heard what the workers are fighting for, she expressed her support. They too are being used as cheap labor, she explained. We run the cafeteria and market, nobody is earning enough to live. Prices are going up every day on eggs and bread. With each check, we have to decide which bills we can pay, and which we have to put off. And more and more are getting put off. Everyone needs to stand together and stand up. A former worker who was dropping off a friend said, It is time that people are fighting back. The company just wants to walk all over you. She explained that she was harassed when she worked there. They find anything to pick on you. In addition to the Lordstown plant, Ultium is building a plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, which it expects to have running by the fall of 2023, and another in Lansing, Michigan, which is scheduled to be built by 2025. The company is also considering a fourth plant in Indiana. The plants are vital to General Motors shift towards electric vehicles. GM has invested billions in electric vehicles, and it plans to have a full line by 2025. Its goal is to shift 50 percent of sales to electric vehicles by 2030. They cant make their cars without us, said one worker who didnt know about the Clarios strike but supported what they were fighting for. So, we deserve to be paid a decent wage. In addition to the low pay, workers also expressed concern about safety, scheduling and the way they are treated by management. The auto companies are seeking to finance the conversion to EVs on the backs of the workers through lower wages and the destruction of working conditions. This model is also being followed by Ford, which has announced a multi-billion-dollar investment to develop their line of EVs. Like GM, Ford has announced that it is building its own battery plants. Ford is also in the process of building and or acquiring lithium mines to ensure a steady supply of this metal, which is required for batteries used to power automobiles. In the drive to switch to EVs, GM and Ford have received the full support and cooperation of the United Auto Workers. Late last year, GM announced that it would not oppose the recognition of the UAW at the Lordstown facility. The UAW apparatus is prepared to carry out the same betrayal of workers at Lordstown as they are trying to do at Clarios. The apparatus is an instrument of the corporations, a second layer of management tasked with suppressing the struggles of the workers. The UAW has a long history of collaboration with GM and the other automakers to cut wages, benefits and impose massive job cuts. David Green, the UAW regional director overseeing the attempt to push through a concessions contract at Clarios, was the former president of UAW Local 1112, which now represents the Lordstown Ultium Cell workers. He was president of the local when GM closed its nearby assembly plant, throwing over 3,500 workers out of work. While GM was closing down the Lordstown Assembly Plant, Green and the rest of the UAW leadership sought to divert anger from GM by blaming workers in Mexico. Green supported and helped impose one concessions contract after another, telling workers that taking pay cuts was necessary to compete against workers in Mexico and it would save their jobs. This week, the World Socialist Web Site spoke to autoworkers at Warren Truck outside of Detroit about the ongoing strike of 525 Clarios workers in Ohio. The United Auto Workers (UAW) apparatus is doing nothing to inform other workers about the strike, which is nearing the end of its third week. On Monday, Clarios workers rejected by more than 75 percent a second UAW-backed contract. Clare Nowland died on Wednesday evening, a week after police tasered her in an aged-care home in Cooma, New South Wales (NSW). The 95-year-old great-grandmother had been in and out of consciousness in hospital since she suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain as a result of being tasered. Clare Nowland [Photo by Nowland family] Born in 1928, Nowland lived through the Great Depression, World War II and more than three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 20,000 people in Australia, according to official figures, including more than 5,500 aged care residents. But her near-century of life was ended by police in what Kylie Paske, one of Nowlands 24 grandchildren, described as unfathomable circumstances. Paske remembered her grandmother as a selfless woman who served the community and had love for everyone, she didnt judge. NSW Police, in a stark expression of its callous attitude, noted on Facebook that Nowland had passed away peacefully in hospital just after 7pm this evening. While the post has not been removed, the ability to post comments has been blocked, likely in an attempt to shut down anger and criticism. The bland statement is all the more shocking after the public outcry over a police media release on the day of the tasering of the dementia patient, declaring an elderly woman sustained injuries during an interaction with police. However, peaceful her final moments in hospital may have been, Nowlands death was a direct result of her being shot with barbed taser darts and receiving an electric shock at the hands of police. Earlier on Wednesday, Senior Constable Kristian White was ordered to appear in court on July 5. He is charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the charges may be upgraded in the wake of Nowlands death, but it depends on what happens. White is currently suspended from duty, but still receiving full pay. The incident was recorded on cameras worn by the police. This footage has not been made public, with the NSW Labor government on Wednesday defeating a parliamentary motion calling for its release. But media reports have begun to surface revealing some details of what is contained in the video. According to the Daily Telegraph, Nowland was sitting in a chair, alone in a room, when police and paramedics arrived at the doorway. The footage allegedly shows that White was wearing slash-resistant gloves when the 43-kilogram, 1.6-metre woman stood up as if in slow motion and began moving toward the police with the aid of a walking frame. She was holding a small, serrated steak knife, apparently taken from the facilitys kitchen. Whites female partner, an acting sergeant, reportedly said I can take it off her, but White said, No, bugger it, before shooting Nowland with his taser. The Daily Telegraph alleges this all unfolded in less than one minute. This is reminiscent of the police killing of Courtney Topic in 2015, when the young woman with mental health issues was shot dead just 41 seconds after officers arrived on the scene. That was just one among numerous incidents over recent years of police violence against people with mental illnesses and other marginalised communities. In the most recent example, on Thursday morning, 41-year-old Steve Pampalian was shot dead by police in Willoughby on Sydneys North Shore. The man, who suffered from anxiety and depression, but had no history of violent episodes, was seen shirtless in the street, carrying two chef-style knives. Pampalians brother said police told the family there is no footage of the shooting because officers body-worn cameras were not switched on. In several statements to the media, police chief Webb sought to divert blame for Nowlands death away from police. She said on the Today show, We dont know why the aged care facility called police in the first place, and told the Sydney Morning Herald, Its not a police officers core business, but weve been called there. Webb said she had called for a review of all mental health training. But countless previous reviews, inquiries and inquests into police killings and assaults against people with mental illness have done nothing to reverse the trend. NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns said on Thursday: I take on board what the police commissioner has said and I know that resources are stretched, particularly for NSW Police. Such apologetics underscore the likelihood of a government-police coverup. The safety of the mentally-ill and other vulnerable people will not be improved by making more resources available to the police, the heavily-armed machinery of state oppression. Nor will it reverse decades of cuts to funding for mental health, aged care and other vital social services has led to the increased use of police in circumstances that require compassion, sensitivity and specialist training. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, in 2022, police were deployed 20,738 times to convey/detain people to mental health facilities, 9.1 percent more than the previous year and almost 40 percent more than in 2018. Nearly half the 157 reported critical incident investigations into police conduct resulting in death or serious injury between July 2017 and June 2022 involved people with mental illness. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, which ostensibly oversees this process, released a report on Monday revealing that its monitoring is essentially a sham, as the police force remains permitted to investigate itself. These internal investigations are dragged out for an average of almost two years, if they are completed at all. Lawyer Peter OBrien told the Sydney Morning Herald this was a thoroughly ineffective, unaccountable and unsound means of keeping the police accountable. More often than not, OBrien said, the police are left to investigate themselves under their own purview. This virtually lawless operation of the police has been fostered by successive Labor and Liberal-National governments. This was reflected in Minns attempt to quell public anger over the taser attack on Nowland by urging people to have confidence in the police investigation. The alleged actions of Senior Constable White on May 17 cannot be dismissed as the wrongdoing of an individual bad apple. As the continuing record of police killings shows, the tasering of Clare Nowland is part of a systemic pattern of police violence. Whatever the outcome, any legal proceedings against White will do nothing to prevent future police attacks on the most vulnerable members of society, including those with dementia or other mental illness. The death of Nowland is a particularly shocking expression of the role of the police as an instrument of capitalist rule, enforcing deteriorating social conditions. The victims of police violence have so far been predominantly among those suffering disability or ill health. But such state-sanctioned brutality sets precedents. Increasingly the violence will be directed against unrest in the working class as opposition grows to intolerable living conditions. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Fredericksburg Fairview Baptist Church, 900 Charlotte St., hosts a food pantry on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, 9:3011 a.m., for residents of Fredericksburg, Locust Grove and Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and Caroline counties. Bring ID. 540/373-8377; fairview-baptist.org. Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, 308 Hanover St. Sunday worship times are 8:15, 9:45 and 11:15 a.m., with livestream at 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. Nursery available 811 a.m. Bible study for all ages is 9:45 a.m. Sunday is Graduate & Pentecost Sunday. Pastor Tim Tate will join the church as new senior pastor in June. A new grief education support group starts June 7; email PastorMary@fumcva.org to get connected. Vacation Bible School for rising kindergarteners through fifth grade is June 1923, 9 a.m.noon; register on the church website. Volunteers are welcome as well. 540/973-9021; fumcva.org. Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 2208 Lafayette Blvd., holds Sunday service at 10 a.m. 540/898-2180; hillcrestumc.com. Mount Zion Baptist Church, 309 Wolfe St., has reopened its regular church services. Capacity is limited to 50%; face coverings and social distancing are mandatory. Weekly and Sunday service will be held on Facebook Live at the following times: Bible study at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday worship services at 10:50 a.m. Call in by telephone conference number to 978/990-5000 and enter pin 569693#. 540/371-2878; mtzionfbg.org. Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), 801 Sophia St., worships in person and online each Sunday at 10 a.m. Masks are now optional and available. Worship virtually via Facebook, Shiloh Old Site Live; on the churchs website; or by conference call 1-855/552-4463 ID 3487 96 5653. Breakfast is provided to the homeless/less fortunate every Wednesday, 7:308:30 a.m. The food pantry is open on the second and fourth Friday of each month, 9 a.m.noon, and can be accessed from the glass door in front of the church located on Sophia Street. Follow posted signs for directions and safety procedures. 540/373-8701; shiloholdsite.org. Trinity Episcopal Church, corner of William Street and College Avenue. Worship services are held Sundays at 8 and 10 a.m. A food pantry, Tuesday and Thursday mornings 911 a.m., and financial assistance are available. Call the church at 540/373-2996 to request this help, and someone will return your call. trinity-fredericksburg.org. Turning Point Christian Church, Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St. Sunday worship is at 10 a.m. yourturningpointchurch.org. United Church of Christ of Fredericksburg, 803 Princess Anne St. (Hanover Street entrance), will meet Sunday at 10 a.m. 202/255-3320. Unity of Fredericksburg. Sunday Services are held online through Zoom and YouTube livestreaming on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. Email info@uofva.org for the link. 540/661-7976; uofva.org. Spotsylvania County Christ Episcopal Church, 8951 Courthouse Road. In-person worship is held Sundays at 8 a.m. (Rite I) and 10:30 a.m. (Rite II); 10:30 a.m. worship is streamed on YouTube. Childrens activity bags available. Nursery and Christian education are also at 10:30 a.m.; youth at noon. Celtic Eucharist is offered Wednesdays at noon. The food pantry distributes on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m. to noon. Families unable to come during these hours due to work conflicts may retrieve food from lockers on the church campus; for more information email secretary@christchurchspotsy.com. 540/582-5033; christchurchspotsy.com. Cornerstone Chapel, 4743 Patriot Highway, holds services on Sunday at 11 a.m. 540/663-3398; cornerstonechapel.cc. Eastland United Methodist Church, 10718 Courthouse Road, worships in person on Sunday at 11 a.m.; masks are optional. Services are also livestreamed on the churchs Facebook page. 540/898-6430; eastlandumc.org. First New Hope Baptist Church, 4508 Dickerson Road, Partlow. A young adult virtual Bible study series led by the Rev. Lance Watson, St. Paul Baptist Church, Richmond, continues June 10 and July 8, 67 p.m. at us02web.zoom.us/j/81274567263. Meeting ID: 812 7456 7263 +13126266799. 540/895-5052; firstnewhopebaptist.com. Goshen Baptist Church, 9800 Gordon Road. Worship service is Sunday at 10:45 a.m.; Sunday school is 9:30 a.m. for ages 3 to adult. On Wednesday night, AWANA Clubs and youth group meet at 6:15 p.m., and adult prayer group is at 6:30 p.m. 540/786-7500; goshenbaptistchurch.net. Mercy Hill Community Church, 9215 Courthouse Road, holds Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. Mercyhillcc.org. New Post Church, 1900 New Post Blvd., worships in person on Sunday at 10 a.m. Services are also streamed at facebook.com/newpostchurch. 540/287-4100; newpost.church. Peace United Methodist Church, 801 Maple Grove Drive, worships in person on Sunday at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Services are also streamed on Facebook; search for Family Of Peace. 540/786-8585; passthepeacechurch.org. Potomac Valley Church, 12500 Chewning Lane, worships in person on Sundays at 10 a.m. and provides a childrens ministry. 703/878-6937; potomacvalleychurch.com/contact. Redeemer Bible Church, 7610 Heths Salient St., worships in person on Sunday at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Services may also be streamed on the churchs Facebook page. Resurrection Lutheran Church, 6170 Plank Road, worships in person and online on Sunday at 10 a.m. The service is livestreamed on facebook.com/ResurrectionPeople or resurrectionpeople.org. Bulletins are posted one hour before worship. Prayer requests may be left on the chat on the Facebook page. The church will hold an ingathering of completed and boxed Lutheran World Relief kits and quilts for transfer to the LWRs shipping facility in Maryland. On Thursday and Friday, appointments are available 36 p.m.; on June 3, 14 p.m. Email gltaylor90@gmail.com for an appointment; be prepared to estimate how many boxes you are bringing. 540/786-7778; resurrectionpeople.org. Second New Hope Baptist Church, 3836 Summit Crossing Road, holds in-person, modified praise and worship services on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Congregants will continue to follow CDC protocols. 540/898-9899; secondnewhope.org. Spotswood Baptist Church, 4009 Lafayette Blvd., worships in person on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. (traditional) and 11 a.m. (contemporary). Services may also be streamed at Spotswood.org/watch-live or from the churchs Facebook page. Small groups meet Sunday mornings and throughout the week. spotswood.org. St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8200 Robert E. Lee Drive, hosts a drive-up food pantry and baby closet 26 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to noon Fridays; and 911 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month. Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 7310A Old Plank Road. Worship Sunday in person at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. Join the 10:30 a.m. service via livestream at tabumc.org/watch. Childrens Vacation Bible School is June 59; more information and registration is available at vbspro.events. The Resource Closet provides nonperishable food and paper/personal care items to families in need on the last Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. to noon. 540/786-6162; tabumc.org. Wallers Baptist Church, 4001 Partlow Road, Partlow. A traditional service will be held at 11 a.m. and posted on the churchs Facebook page by 4 p.m. 540/582-5703; wallersbaptist.com. Stafford County Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, 1732 Brooke Road, offers Sunday contemporary worship at 9 a.m. Traditional services are Sundays at 11 a.m., in person and on YouTube. Sunday School for all ages is 10 a.m. Bible study is held Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. 540/659-2461; andrewchapelumc@yahoo.com; andrewchapelumc-staffordva.com. Antioch United Methodist Church, 138 Kellogg Mill Road, worships in person on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., following current guidelines. A food pantry for qualified families is open every other Thursday from 35 p.m. 540/752-3108; antiochumcstafford.org. Aquia Episcopal Church, 2938 Richmond Highway. Sunday worship schedule is 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Broadcasts for morning prayer continue at facebook.com/AquiaEpiscopalChurch on most Sundays at 7:30 a.m. and most weekdays at 8 a.m. Bible studies on most Wednesday mornings and evenings are streamed on Facebook. These events are viewable afterward and can be accessed even without a Facebook account. Aquias Table provides curbside pickup of takeout meals and Aquias Pantry provides curbside pickup of groceries on most Wednesdays, 67 p.m., while supplies last. Both programs will be closed when Stafford County Public Schools announce closings for inclement weather. 540/659-4007; aquiachurch.org. Berea Baptist Church, 28 Fleet Road, will host Vacation Bible School on June 1216, 9 a.m.12:30 p.m. Register at berea-baptist.org/vbs. 540/752-4406. Beth Sholom Temple, 805 Lyons Blvd. Friday evening Shabbot services are at 7:30 p.m. On first Fridays, a family Shabbot service is at 7 p.m. On third Fridays, a tots Shabbot service is at 6:30 p.m., followed by a regular service at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday Shabbot services are at 10 a.m., and Torah study is at noon. Tots Shabbot is only held in person; all other services are held both in person and virtual. 540/373-4834; bstva.org. Bethlehem Baptist Church, 135 Chapel Green Road, will hold in-person services on first, second and third Sundays at 10 a.m.; phone conference call is also available. Masks are required, and temperatures will be checked. Communion is first Sunday. Bible study is Wednesday at 7 p.m., and prayer service is Thursday at noon by conference call to 425/436-6350 code is 245538#. bethlehempbc.net. Ferry Farm Baptist Church, 1 Westmoreland Drive. Summer worship schedule, Sunday through July 30, is Sundays at 10:30 a.m.; services are also livestreamed at ferryfarmbc.org. Bible fellowship for all ages meets at 9:15 a.m. Vacation Bible School for age 4grade 5 is June 1115, 5:308:30 p.m.; supper is at 5:30 p.m. daily. Flourish By The Brook 2023 (Rising Above Ministries), an event for special-needs moms, is June 23, 5:309 p.m., and June 24, 8:30 a.m.3 p.m. For more information or to register for these events, visit ferryfarmbc.org/events. Hollywood Church of the Brethren, 225 Ferry Road. Worship services are Sundays at 11 a.m. in person and on Facebook and YouTube. Sunday school for all ages is 10 a.m. The church hosts a food pantry on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. until noon. Donations are appreciated. Hulls Memorial Baptist Church, 420 Enon Road. Sunday school and adult Bible study are at 9:30 a.m., and Sunday worship is at 10:45 a.m. Childcare/nursery is provided. 540/371-4124; hullsbaptist.org. Mount Olive Baptist Church, 395 Mt. Olive Road, worships in person on Sunday at 11 a.m.; or connect on Facebook or by conference call to 202/602-1295, access code 778-183-179#. 540/752-4296. New Hope United Methodist Church, 164 New Hope Church Road, has resumed in-person worship. A drive-in option is also available. The service can be viewed on YouTube and Facebook. 540/370-4875; newhopeva.com. Oak Grove Baptist Church, 414 Decatur Road. The Restoration Committee is collecting tax-deductible donations for renovations at the church. Donations may be mailed to the committee at the church address. 540/659-4362; oakgrovestafford@comcast.net; oakgrovestafford.org. Rock Hill Baptist Church, 12 Van Horn Lane. On Sunday, Bible study for all ages is at 9:30 a.m.; worship service is at 11 a.m. and available online. Wednesday Bible study is at 12:30 p.m. 540/752-0336; rockhillbaptistchurch.org. St. Lukes Anglican Church, 65 Warrenton Road, Falmouth, offers traditional Anglican worship using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer on Sundays at 11 a.m. Sunday school for adults and children is at 10 a.m. A Holy Eucharist service will be held Tuesday at noon. 540/371-8405; stlukeanglican.org. St. Matthias United Methodist Church, 426 Deacon Road, worships in person Sundays at 10 a.m. 540/373-8759; stmtoday.com. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, 25 Chalice Circle. Sunday service is at 10:30 a.m. in person and online. Zoom and YouTube links may be found at uuffxbg.org. 540/310-4001. KING GEORGE COUNTY Gods Holy Temple, 17192 Kings Highway. Services are held on Sundays at 11 a.m., and Bible study is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Good Hope Baptist Church, 17223 Good Hope Road, worships in person on Sundays at 9 a.m. Masks are required. Little Ark Baptist Church, 15681 Owens Drive, holds Bible school at 8:45 a.m. and worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday; worship is streamed on Facebook Live. Bible study is Wednesday at 6 p.m. The churchs radio broadcast is Saturday at 4:40 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at dmvpoweredgospel.airtime.pro. 540/663-2831; little.arkbc@gmail.com; littlearkbaptistchurch.org. Mountain View Baptist Church, 6713 Passapatanzy Drive. On Sundays, Small Group Bible Study is at 10 a.m., followed by a worship service at 11 a.m. Wednesday activities include Awana, for ages 3 to grade 6, 6:458 p.m.; youth group, for grades 7-12, and adult Bible study are held at 7 p.m. mtnviewbaptistchurch.org. Peace Lutheran Church, 5590 Kings Highway. On Sundays, a contemporary service is held at 8:30 a.m., and a traditional service is held at 10:30 a.m.; Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. View online services on the church Facebook page. 540/775-9131; peacekg.com. Shiloh Baptist Church, 13457 Kings Highway, will host its annual Memorial Day service on Sunday at 11 a.m. A video highlighting the life of Capt. Douglas T. Gray III, U.S. Army, killed in the Vietnam War theater, Dec. 9, 1969, will be shown. The King George High School NJROTC color guard will present colors and Sounds of Praise will perform. Names of those from King George who died on foreign soil since World War I will be read, and a wreath will be placed on Capt. Grays grave in Oak Hill Cemetery. 540/7754646; kgshiloh.org; facebook.com/kgshiloh. St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 5486 St. Pauls Road, worships in person at 8 and 10 a.m., following current health guidelines. 540/663-3085; stpaulskgva.org. St. Stephens Baptist Church, 9142 Comorn Road, worships in person Sundays at 10 a.m. Access the service by conference line at 1-712/832-8330, access code 8055544#, or on Facebook Live. CAROLINE COUNTY First Baptist Church, 9262 Guinea Station Road, Woodford, will hold an in-person service on Sunday at 11 a.m. Minister Anita Ware, associate minister at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Supply, is guest speaker. Masks are optional, and temperatures will be checked. Stream the services at us02web.zoom.us/j/8046334233 (meeting ID: 8046334233). To dial in, call 301/715-8592 (meeting ID: 8046334233). 804/633-4233; firstbaptistwoodford.com. Full Gospel Church, 8488 Paige Road, Woodford, will host a gospel sing on Sunday at 4 p.m., featuring The Kellys and Justified. Food will be available. Outdoors, weather permitting. Chairs available or bring your own. facebook.com/thefullgospelchurch. 804/448-3166. Long Branch Baptist Church, 14297 Long Branch Road, Woodford, holds in-person Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. on Sunday. CDC guidelines are followed. The service is also streamed on the church website and YouTube. Bible study is Wednesdays, 78 p.m.; call in to 605/313-5416, access code 7856145#. 540/373-0690; lbbcwoodford.org. River Rock Church Caroline, Lewis and Clark Elementary School, 18101 Clark and York Blvd., Ruther Glen, worships in person on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Service is also streamed at riverrockcc.com. Community groups meet in person Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and throughout the week; they can be found at riverrockcc.com/next-steps/community-groups. St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 10306 Ladysmith Road. In-church Mass is held Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30 and 11 a.m. The church sponsors a drive-up food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 67:30 p.m. Bring your ID. 804/448-9064; saintmarycc.org. St. Paul United Methodist Church, 25187 Signboard Road, Ruther Glen, meets in person on Sundays at 11 a.m. ORANGE COUNTY Mount Olive Baptist Church, 11251 Tower Road, Unionville. Sundays service is at 10 a.m. CULPEPER COUNTY Beulah Baptist Church, 9297 Eggbornsville Road, Rixeyville, holds in-person Sunday school at 9 a.m. and worship service at 10 a.m. CDC guidelines will be followed. To participate by Zoom, enter meeting ID 69720505050; or call 253/205-0468 and enter meeting ID 6972050505 followed by #; or view on Beulah Baptist Church Facebook or YouTube. The eighth pastoral anniversary celebration and banquet for Pastor Kenneth L. Pitts will be held June 10, 3 p.m., at Germanna Community College, 18121 Technology Drive, Culpeper, VA 22701. Ticket price is $25. 540/937-5563; bbc9297@gmail.com. Christ Episcopal Church, 14586 Alanthus Road, Brandy Station, will hold a regular church service Sunday at 9 a.m. christchurchbs.com. Jeffersonton Baptist Church, 18498 Springs Road, Jeffersonton, hosts Bible study Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the church and online. 540/937-5446; jeffersontonbaptistchurch.org. Oakland Baptist Church, 28348 Eleys Ford Road, Richardsville. Worship in person on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. obcrichardsville@gmail.com; 540/399-1248. St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 115 N. East St. The Food Closet is in need of canned chicken and tuna, ramen and canned soup, PB & J Uncrustables, Lunchables, juice boxes and canned fruit. Drop off donations 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Park at 120 N. Commerce St. For more information, visit ststephensculpeper.net/culpeper-food-closet or contact 540/825-1177 or culpeperfoodcloset@gmail.com. 540/825-8786; ssec@ststephensculpeper.net; ststephensculpeper.net. REGIONAL First Baptist Church, 5340 Tidewater Trail, Loretto, seeks a youth/young adult pastor to lead and organize a life-changing ministry, implementing fellowship, worship biblical teaching, discipleship and evangelism. The candidate must possess a hunger for the things of God and display the ability to follow the vision of the senior pastor. Email resumes to godsservant10133@gmail.com; or mail Box 176, Champlain, VA 22438. The church holds worship services in the gym on Sundays at 11 a.m. Temperature checks, social distancing and masks/face coverings are required. Sunday worship and Wednesday 7 p.m. Bible study is livestreamed at facebook.com/fbcloretto or the conference line, 313/209-8800, access code 2610624#. Moments of Inspiration for Seniors is Thursdays, 66:30 p.m.; call 425/436-6367, access code: 871111. 804/443-5007. Grace United Methodist Church, 13056 Elk Ridge Road. Enrollment is open for Grace Place Preschool for ages 35. Preschool hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with early drop-off available at 8 a.m. at no extra charge. Aftercare available from 15 p.m. For information or to schedule a tour, call 540/684-3535. graceumchartwood.net. Kirk OCliff Presbyterian Church, 16420 Monrovia Road, Mineral, holds services in person on Sundays at 11 a.m. with Sunday school at 10 a.m. 540/854-5525; kirk@kirkocliff.org; kirkocliff.org. Temple of Deliverance, HCG, 5756 Zachary Taylor Highway, Mineral, holds Sunday worship at 11 a.m. Arrive early for temperature check and seating; CDC guidelines will be followed. Sermon is livestreamed at 11:30 a.m. on Facebook Live. The church operates a food pantry every third Thursday, 57 p.m. 540/894-4458; templeofdeliverancehcg.org. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A recent rezoning for an Orange County development is facing a lawsuit from several groups and residents. The complaint asking the court to void the rezoning approval for the Wilderness Crossing proposal was filed in Orange Circuit Court on Wednesday against the county and board of supervisors. The plaintiffs include the American Battlefield Trust, Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, Mark W. Nowacki and Cheryle M. Nowacki, and Robert J. Foster, a trustee of the Robert J. and Joanne S. Foster living trust. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege that the board gave a blank check to undisclosed interests to intensely develop, over several decades, hundreds of acres of forested, undeveloped land adjacent to the Wilderness Battlefield, the location of a key Civil War engagement in 1864, for industrial, commercial and residential uses. The Piedmont Environmental Council issued a statement Friday supporting the lawsuit, saying it believes this rezoning is deeply flawed and that this illegal decision by Orange County has far-reaching ramifications for the entire Va. Route 3 corridor, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, water quality for downstream communities, and Virginias electrical grid. We commend and wholeheartedly support the suit and stand ready to share our expertise and provide assistance, PEC President Chris Miller said in the statement. The Board of Supervisors willfully disregarded the intent of the Comprehensive Plan and violated the countys own zoning provisions and state law. The Wilderness Crossing proposal calls for development of more than 2,600 acres near the intersection of state routes 3 and 20 in Locust Grove, near the Spotsylvania County border. Plans by developer KEG Associates III has a variety of uses, including up to 5,000 residential units and 732 acres of industrial use, according to a May 2 article by The Orange County Review. The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the Wilderness Crossing rezoning at an April 25 meeting, during which 37 people spoke against the proposal. The speakers concerns revolved around water supply and increased traffic, the news report said. The Orange County Review highlighted numerous issues opponents have with the project. One problem involved a previous version of the proffer statement that restricted the footprint of potential data centers at the development to 5 million square feet. The proffer was removed as part of a revision that took place after the planning commissions vote to recommend approval of the rezoning. Several organizations, including the PEC, National Park Service and American Battlefield Trust, cited a lack of communication regarding the proposal. And, in April, the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors sent a letter to the Orange board citing concerns about the project and claiming that the board had not been properly notified of either of the public hearings for the proposal. The lawsuit alleges various problems with the development proposal and rezoning. Among those issues, the lawsuit alleges the county refused to provide legally required disclosures and documents. The suit adds that there were improper conditions granted in the rezoning and material changes to proffers submitted on the day of the public hearing, including up to $24 million more in cash proffers and an increase of the permitted square footage of industrial data center and warehouse/distribution building space from 5 million to 30 million. Developer representatives also provided certain board members materials in an effort to persuade them to grant the Rezoning, which were concealed from the county planning commission and the public, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit states that the Wilderness Crossing property abuts core areas of the Wilderness Battlefield, and includes 411 acres that are study areas for the battlefield, where more than 160,000 Union and Confederate soldiers under the commands of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, U.S.A. (Commander-in-Chief of the Union Armies) and General Robert E. Lee, C.S.A. (Army of Northern Virginia), respectively, fought bitterly in early May 1864. The development also is expected to add more than 60,000 daily vehicle trips to roads used to reach the Wilderness and other battlefields. The suit notes the impact the development would have over a nearly 40-year buildout, with the erection of structures dwarfing the natural scene on land crisscrossed by streams and pocked by inactive gold mines. The proposal also failed to address the impact on water, sewer and electrical service in the rural area, according to the lawsuit, which adds that the rezoning was granted on the back of a fatally deficient rezoning application, without adequate consideration of the effect on neighboring lands, localities, or the roads that unite them, without proper procedure, and over nigh unanimous opposition. Leading sustainable finance and transportation industry experts will be in Abu Dhabi for the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (Evis) where they will discuss the challenges and the opportunities with regard to the electric vehicle innovation. Scheduled to take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from May 29 to 31, the three-day conference will feature high-caliber electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and sustainability experts. A panel discussion on 'Enabling and Financing Electric Vehicle Innovation in the Middle East' will be held on May 30 where the panellists will discuss how to accelerate innovation across the EV value chain and support the creation of new startups, research, and development, as well as the crucial role of green financing in facilitating the transition to EVs. Abu Dhabi's Masdar City, a key player in the sustainability sector, will have a major presence at the event and will highlight its efforts to foster the adoption of sustainable urban transportation. Two of its spokespersons will address key issues, challenges, and opportunities in electric vehicle innovation at Evis 2023. Head of master planning Lukas Sokol will shed light on Masdar Citys pioneering work in introducing electric and autonomous vehicles to Abu Dhabi during his presentation titled 'Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in the Middle East.' Sokol will also discuss the challenges and opportunities EVs face as they play a crucial role in the evolving urban mobility ecosystem and the potential quality of life, efficiency, and sustainability gains that can be achieved through innovation, it stated. At the upcoming event, Director of Growth Steve Severance will highlight practical ways for Abu Dhabi and the regions cities to take advantage of the electric vehicle revolution. During a panel discussion called Enabling and Financing Electric Vehicle Innovation in the Middle East, Severance will provide examples of success stories worldwide that could be tailored for the region. The panel will include several prominent experts including HSBCs senior manager of sustainable finance, Jonathan Keyes; Abu Dhabi Ports director of corporate innovation, Pablo Olivera Brizzio; and Etisalat Services Holdings head of mobility, Khaled Saif. Panelists will also discuss how to accelerate innovation across the EV value chain and support the creation of new startups, research, and development, as well as the crucial role of green financing in facilitating the transition to EVs.-TradeArabia News Service Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Before the national anthem was sung and colors presented, official remarks were offered and a red-white-and-blue wreath was hung in a place of honor, Ricky Castillo stood quietly among the granite markers at the Stafford Armed Services Memorial. As hes done before other such services, held on the Friday that kicks off Memorial Day weekend, the retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant reflected on the path that led him there. He thought about his three brothers who died from service in the Vietnam War, not from mortar shells, but from exposure to Agent Orange. And, he recalled the pact he made decades ago with fellow Marine Sgt. Michael Conner, that if something happened to one of them, the other would look after his family. When Conner was killed in January 1991 in the Gulf War, Castillo kept his word and has remained involved in the lives of Conners two sons and has welcomed their children into the world as well. The words spoken at Memorial Day ceremonies about ultimate sacrifice, duty and honor are more than popular catchphrases to Castillo, 64, and others like him who have lost biological siblings as well as those who are part of the military brother- and sisterhood. It hits home, said Castillo, who lives in Stafford County and comes from a long line of service members. Uncles, cousins, brothers, weve been in this I call it a business because thats what we do since World War II so weve been doing it for a while. During its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Friday, Stafford County paid tribute to all service members whove died in the line of duty with a special focus this year on the Gulf War. When Pamela Yeung, chair of the Stafford Board of Supervisors, asked those in the audience whod lost someone in that conflict, Castillo was the only one in the seated section to stand. But, no doubt, there were others, beyond the seats, standing in somber attention, whod lost fellow service members in conflicts that followed in Iraq and Afghanistan. About a dozen members of the Stafford chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, as well as an equal number from Rolling Thunder, were part of the audience of about 100 people. I think this weekend kind of brings it home for a lot of us, said Eric Rummel, commander of the 27-2 chapter of Stafford Combat Veterans. Its important that we be here for our brothers and sisters. Motorcyclists wore black leather jackets with patches denoting their duty stations or reasons they ride. A popular patch among Rolling Thunder members stated: The price of freedom is written on the wall. The names of more than 58,000 service members are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington. Others wore patriotic ties, hats and bandanas. Julian Haralson, 8, was among the youngest in the group, and he wore a shirt designed to look like the American flag. Their whole family is patriotic, said his mother, Trinette. Her husband, John Haralson III, is a Marine, and Julian wants to follow in his fathers footsteps. Asked what he knew about Memorial Day, Julian answered: That you go to different places and celebrate people that died for our country. Tradition says that flags are to be placed at half-staff on Memorial Day from sunrise to noon in honor of that sacrifice, Craig Crenshaw told the crowd. Hes a retired Marine Corps major general and current Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs who was guest speaker for the ceremony. Then at noon, the flag is raised to full height again, and Crenshaw said thats why Memorial Day gives him a sense of hope. The memories of these brave souls are raised by the living service members every day, he said. They are raised by young troops who look at making a difference in life when they don the uniform of their service. They are raised at memorials such as this when Americans from all walks of life gather together to pay tribute to their sacrifice. He asked those gathered to help further the legacy of the fallen by supporting veterans; assisting families grieving the loss of a servicemember; helping families while service members are on active duty; and by visiting injured service members in VA homes. It takes much more than a screaming sergeant and a captain to make a service member, Crenshaw said. It takes a family. As we remember this day, we must also remember those who have been left behind: the mothers, the fathers, the sons and daughters, husbands and wives who truly understand what the price of freedom really is. Theyre reminded every time they lay a wreath or flag at the headstone of their hero. Fridays event also included the presentation of flags by Marine Corps Base Quantico Color Guard and the singing of the national anthem by Stafford students selected for the all-state chorus. They were led by teachers Barbara Perry of Colonial Forge High School and Joe Eveler from Stafford High School. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A nearly two-year effort by a range of people and organizations in Fremont culminated this week with the city being tabbed as an official Certified Nebraska Creative District, officials announced in a press release. In a press release sent to local media, Angie Olson grant coordinator for the City of Fremont stated that in addition to the certification, the community was awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification Grant. The Fremont Creative District encompasses the historic downtown of Fremont, Nebraska which houses a number of longstanding cultural, commercial and civic buildings, Olson explained in the press release. The district also encompasses John C. Fremont Park and satellite locations which include Keene Memorial Library and Louis E. May Museum. Lindi Janulewicz, executive director of the Fremont Area Art Association, said she and others involved in the multi-year effort are thrilled at the designation and what that means for Fremonts future. It has been a long process. The application process was very involved. The thing I appreciated the most was the fact we had so many people from so many different organizations working toward the same goal. To finally see that goal realized after all the planning, all the hard work it is just very gratifying, Janulewicz said in a telephone interview. We are excited for the community, not only for all the people who worked so hard to make this happen, but also for the people in the community who can enjoy the fruits of our labor. According to the press release, the communities seeking the Nebraska Creative Districts designation are required to go through an intensive application process, which includes submitting a letter of interest; an assessment of eligibility; and offer a strategic plan. The Creative District program has goals, Olson explained in the press release, of, improving a community by attracting artists or creative enterprises; encouraging business and job development; establishing the district as a tourist destination; preserving and reusing historic buildings, and promoting the districts cultural and historical heritage. Janulewicz said the goal is to make the downtown Fremont area a destination for local residents, families and visitors. We worked on a very detailed strategic plan, and that plan calls for us to find out how best to serve our community once we receive the larger part of the grant. But, mostly, we are looking to make a permanent economic impact on our downtown area, she explained. By that, I mean we want to increase restaurants, we want to increase the number of stores and businesses. We want to bring a reason for people to come downtown and to, stay and play. That might look like art installations. That might look like dedicated events. At this point, were just excited to have the resources to start to make those plans. The downtown Fremont area has been undergoing a transformation of sorts in the past several years, with new restaurants popping up amid the already vibrant antique shopping scene as well as scattered boutiques and gift stores such as Wise Olde Owl, Milady Coffeehouse and Fia+Belle. In April, Alto Kitchen and Bar re-opened after a six-month renovation project; and on May 24, the new Semo Pasta+Wine farm-to-table eatery opened its doors. I think we envision more retail outlets, we envision more restaurants and we envision more things to being families and their children downtown, she added. I think the Main Street organization and the Business Improvement District have partnered together to do some really lovely things such as Halloween Hysteria and the Christmas Walk. In our strategic planning, we talked about more things that could be done in the spring and summer months, perhaps an extended farmers market, some type of community art installation. In the press release, Olson stated that Discovery Partners from more than 20 collaborating organizations that encompass the citys business, cultural, arts and education sectors hosted meetings from April 2022 to September 2022, to plan for Fremonts Creative District certification. There were also four public input sessions to gather insight from residents. This project received a lot of interest and commitment from area organizations and individuals, Olson stated in the press release. We hope to further connect our community and support growth within our city through the Fremont Creative District. Among the groups that partnered together were the Fremont Area Chamber; the Fremont and Dodge County Convention and Visitors Bureau; and the Fremont Area Art Association. The more than 20 organizations jointly, developed a strategic plan for the district based on input from the Discovery Partners and community input sessions. Throughout this process we have developed a strong group of Discovery Partners with the passion to turn this idea into a reality, said Molly Paden, executive director of the Fremont and Dodge County Convention and Visitors Bureau who was part of the certification project. Im excited to see the arts and cultural growth to the district area with future grant funding. Currently, the Fremont Creative District strategic plan is being implemented including governance research from other Nebraska Creative Districts, discussions on applying for additional grant funding, plans for an amphitheater within the district and potential public art projects. Certification grant funds will be used for initial marketing of the district. In the press release, Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg express his gratitude for the alliance of organizations that made the distinction possible. This district will allow Fremont to be eligible to receive additional funding for projects that improve the quality of life and develop a stronger community connection with our residents, Spellerberg was quoted as saying in the press release. The Fremont Creative District will give us another tool to help retain and attract younger Nebraskans to live, work and raise their family in Fremont. I am very excited about this announcement. We have a bright future. Justine Triets French courtroom thriller Anatomy of a Fall has won the 2023 Palme dOr for best film of the 76th Cannes International Film Festival. Triet is just the third woman director to win Cannes top honor, but the second in three years, following Julia Ducournau, who took the Palme for Titane in 2021. Jane Campion was the first-ever female Palme dOr winner in 1993 with The Piano. More from The Hollywood Reporter German actress Sandra Huller stars in the film as a German novelist who is put on trial for murder after her husband dies in suspicious circumstances. In his review, The Hollywood Reporters Jon Frosch called Anatomy of a Fall a gripping and gratifyingly rich drama and called lead actress Huller sensational. Jane Fonda presenting this years top honor, noted that when she first attended the Cannes festival, back in the 1970s, There were no women directors competing at that time, and it never even occurred to us that there was something wrong with that. Weve come a long way. Triet used her platform to protest the French governments austerity programs, including major cuts to cultural programs and pension reforms, which have sparked nationwide protests. She said the French system of cultural exceptionwithout which I would not be here today was under threat. This award is dedicated to all the young women directors and all the young male directors: All those who cannot manage to shoot films today. We must give them space, the space I occupied 15 years ago in a less-hostile world, where it was still possible to make mistakes and to start again. Japanese acting legend Koji Yakusho won the best actor prize at the 2023 Cannes Festival, for his role in Wim Wenders Perfect Days, where he plays a toilet cleaner who takes pleasure in the quotidian pleasures of life. Story continues Best actress honors went to Merve Dizdar, the star of the Turkish drama About Dry Grasses from director Nuri Bilge Ceylan. In its review of the film, THR called her an incandescent presence in her role as Nuray, a rural schoolteacher. I would like to dedicate this prize to all the women who are fighting to overcome difficulties in this world and to retain hope, Dizdar said, accepting her prize. This is the most interesting film festival in the world, and you are all so lucky to be part of it, said legendary cult filmmaker Roger Corman, who presented the runner-up Grand Jury prize together with Quentin Tarantino to The Zone of Interest, a bracing holocaust movie from Jonathan Glazer. The British director in his acceptance speech honored the late Martin Amis, whose book the film was based on and who died last week. I was glad were able to show the film to him, Glazer said. Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki won the 2023 Cannes jury prize for his droll romantic comedy Fallen Leaves. His actors accepted on his behalf, reading out a letter from Kaurismaki, who thanked Cannes and then gave a rock-and-roll send-off: Twist and shout! Tran Anh Hung a Vietnamese-born filmmaker based in France, took the best director prize for The Pot-Au-Feu, a period foodie drama starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel. After thanking Binoche and his crew, Hung thanked his cook. A third Asian film, Hirokazu Kore-edas Monster, took best screenplay honors, for the script from Yuji Sakamoto, a careful dissection of Japanese reticence, shame and desire. The prize for best first film went to Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell from Vietnamese writer/director Thien An Pham, which premiered in Cannes Directors Fortnight sidebar. The prize for best short film went to 27 by director Flora Anna Buda. This years jury, headed by Swedish director Ruben Ostlund a two-time Cannes winner, who last year took home the Palme dOr for best film for Triangle of Sadness picked the winners among the 21 films in competition. This years jury also included Brie Larson, Paul Dano, Maryam Touzani, Denis Menochet, Rungano Nyoni, Atiq Rahimi, Damian Szifron and Julia Ducournau. The closing ceremony, which marked the end of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, aired live on French network France 2 and streamed worldwide on the Brut international channel. The awards were followed by the world premiere screening of Disney/Pixars Elemental from director Peter Sohn. In a change this year, the festival had a series of celebrity actors and filmmakers hand out the main 2023 honors. Orlando Bloom handed out the jury prize. Parasite star Song Kang-ho, last years best actor winner for Broker, presented the best actress honor. Cannes 2022s best actress, Holy Spider star Zar Amir Ebrahimi, presented the best actor award. John C. Reilly, president of this years Un Certain Regard Jury, handed out the trophy for best screenplay. Pixar Studios creative director Pete Docter presented the best director prize. The 1994 Palme dOr winner, Tarantino and Corman (my hero said Tarantino), jointly presented the runner-up Grand Prix award, with veteran star Jane Fonda capping the evening with the presentation of the Palme dOr. A full list of winners follows. Palme dOr Anatomy of a Fall, dir. Justine Triet Grand Prix The Zone of Interest, dir. Jonathan Glazer Jury Prize Fallen Leaves, dir. Aki Kaurismaki Best Director Tran Anh Hung for The Pot-Au-Feu Best Screenplay Yuji Sakamoto for Monster Best Actress Merve Dizdar for About Dry Grasses Best Actor Koji Yakusho for Perfect Days Honorary Palme dOr Michael Douglas Camera dOr for Best First Film The Yellow Cocoon Shell, dir. Thien An Pham Palme dOr for Best Short Film 27, dir. Flora Anna Buda. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. On a special occasion, you want to break out a bottle of Champagne, but French officials decided to just break some Champagne. Officials in the country destroyed the nearly 35,000 bottles labeled as Champagne that violated Frances infamously strict naming rules, Forbes reported. They were discovered in October 2021 by custom officials in the northern port of Le Havre; they bore the label Couronne Fruit Champagne and came from Haiti. More from Robb Report They were meant to be sold in France, however a law states that only sparkling wine from the French Champagne region is allowed to use the title Champagne, Forbes reported. In October 2022, the Paris Court of Justice ruled that the marketing of these bottles was likely to infringe the Champagne protected designation of origin, sealing their fate. Some of the bottles can be seen below. Les douaniers du #Havre empechent limportation illegale de 34 499 bouteilles de contrefacon de #Champagne. ces bouteilles contrefaisaient l'appellation d'origine protegee Communique https://t.co/TfqeuMq3Tm pic.twitter.com/zKBNSzJMhs Direction generale des douanes et droits indirects (@douane_france) May 25, 2023 The naming rules originate from Frances Appellation dOrigine Controlee system, commonly referred to as AOC. It gives the country exclusive use of the word in countries that follow EU laws on geographical names. Over 121 countries follow such rules on naming, according to the Champagne trade association. Story continues Charles Goemaere, director-general of the Champagne Committee explained to the BBC why it was important to destroy the bottles. This kind of use contributes to weakening the reputation of the appellation, Goemaere told the outlet. The fight against the abuse of the Champagne name started in 1844 and hasnt stopped since. French customs officials take the job of blocking counterfeit food and alcoholic beverages very seriously. They said in 2021 alone they removed 200,517 counterfeit products from the market, according to Forbes. Foods like cheesesincluding Italian Parmesan and British Stilton blue cheeseare also restricted by similar naming rules. We previously reported on another destruction involving an alcohol Americans are surely familiar with. Miller High Life, which has long since used the branding the Champagne of beers, also upset naming officials. The Champagne Committee had a shipment of 2,000 of the American brew beers destroyed by Belgian officials. So if you want Champagne, drink the genuine article. After all, were here to help you find it. Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Hexvessel Finland's dark forest rockers Hexvessel have announced they will release their brand new album, Polar Veil, through Svart Records on September 22. The new album, the band's sixth, sees them taking a colder, darker approach to their sound, mixing in strands of mianman Mat Kvohst McNerney's musical past such as dark psychedelia, black metal, folk and doom rock. You can watch the video for brand new song Older Than The Gods below. "I built a studio at home in the log hut on our field, surrounded by large trees, called Pine Hill, to escape from everything and everyone," says McNerney. "Polar Veil is what a spiritual home sounds like. "Nature represents freedom, darkness and the call of the wild. Black metal has always been at the borders of my sound and playing, at the heart of everything I do. Tradition, nature, ritual, mythology, mysticism and philosophy, along with clashing and jarring chords have always been synonymous with Hexvessel. It was natural with Polar Veil, finally now as we reach the zenith of the journey, that these influences surface to the human ear, and with the freezing cold guitar sound that the climate here demands. Polar Veil features guest appearances from Chelsea Wolfe collaborator Ben Chisholm on keyboards and strings, Nameless Void from Negative Plane on guitar and Okoi from Blzer on guest vocals. You can view the new album artwork below. Pre-order Polar Veil. The Princess of Wales reveals Prince William's least desirable habit. WPA Pool / Getty Images Kate Middleton and Prince William have been married for 12 years, but that doesnt mean they dont get on each others nerves every now and then. In fact, the Princess of Wales says that her husband has one bad habit that she finds particularly annoyingand it's surprisingly relatable. According to The Mirror, Kates biggest marriage pet peeve is when William eats pizza on the couch. Kate first mentioned the pet peeve while visiting a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus, Greece, in 2018, but the exchange, in which she calls Will a nightmare for the way he eats the meal, has recently resurfaced. After the base opened a new recreational area, William spotted the bright yellow couches and joked, Keep the pizza off the sofas, to which Kate responded, Youre a nightmare with that. Kate's not opposed to her husband eating pizza, thoughjust as long as it's not on their couch. During a recent visit to Wales in April of 2023, Kate and William took part in training activities, like rappelling, medical support exercises, and a search dog rescue demonstration. After working up an appetite, the duo headed to Dowlais Rugby Club to meet members of the community, and they ordered 22 pizzas from the Little Dragon Pizza Van, People reported. The pies included pepperoni, Margherita, barbecue chicken, and goat cheese. Kate and William probably would have polished off the slices themselves, but they shared the meal with the rescue team. Related: The Fun Way Kate Middleton and Prince William Keep Their Marriage Fresh Pool / Getty Images While ordering the pizzas last month, Peter Morris, owner of Little Dragon Pizza Van, said Kate inquired about the ingredients. The princess asked if we make our own dough, he recalled. Kate also shared with the owner that making pizza has become a fun family activity. She said she loves preparing the dish with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Story continues In 2014, reports from Us Weekly resurfaced that pizza was one of Kates cravings when she was pregnant with Princess Charlotte. According to the outlet, the royal mom ordered three very specific pies from Serafina while staying at the Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side. Her choices? Spicy sausage without mushrooms and prosciutto without sliced tomatoes, the publication reported. A source close to the couple revealed to the outlet that William requested two pizzas from Pizza Express to be delivered to the hospital on the day Kate gave birth to Prince George on July 22, 2013. "They both really love their pizza," the insider told the publication. Kate doesnt just order takeout, though. According to the source, shes been buying frozen pizzas at the supermarket for years. Up Next: Creative Ways to Serve Pizza at Your Wedding MANITOU BEACH A health advisory to not make contact with Devils Lake because of a sanitary sewer overflow was lifted Wednesday evening by the Lenawee County Health Department. Based on the results from water testing at Devils Lake, the water is safe to contact and the advisory is no longer in effect, the health department said in a news release. Mondays advisory was put into place because of a discharge from the Rollin Woodstock sanitary drain district into Devils Lake, which originated at about 9:30 a.m. in the area of 6190 U.S. 223 at the north end of the lake and was corrected by 10 a.m. The advisory did not apply to public or private drinking water supplies. The cause of the overflow likely stems from the Rollin Woodstock drainage district which is currently in the middle of a large project to upgrade and replace 18 lift stations in the Devils and Round lakes area, the county said. Based on the location of the sewage overflow and the volume of the spill, Round Lake was not within the affected area, but the advisory went into effect for the entirety of Devils Lake. One of the (lift) stations is currently being bypassed by two portable pumps. Due to an issue with the bypass pumping, a sewer main backed up and was leaking from around a manhole lid and into the adjacent lake, the county explained in a frequently asked questions document issued Tuesday. The leak has been eliminated and sample testing has begun in connection with standards set by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy through the Lenawee County Health Department. This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee County Health Department lifts health advisory for Devils Lake WASHINGTON A proposal for stricter limits on food benefits for unemployed Americans is among the final obstacles to a deal on raising the nations debt ceiling. Republicans have held hostage the governments ability to borrow money to pay its expenses, threatening a risky default in the coming weeks unless Democrats agree to spending cuts and new work requirements in federal assistance programs. In a statement Friday, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said that Republicans were willing to cause a debt default and recession unless they can take food out of the mouths of hungry Americans. GOP lawmakers initially proposed new rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and the tiny Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, or TANF, as well as Medicaid, the federal-state health care insurance program. In public statements, President Joe Biden has seemed to rule out Medicaid changes while remaining open to modifying SNAP and TANF, which provide food and cash benefits. But Bates signaled strong opposition to the SNAP proposal, noting that it would save only $11 billion. He compared that with the $3.5 trillion it would cost the U.S. over a decade to extend a package of tax cuts first implemented under Donald Trumps presidential administration, as Republicans are now considering. The new debt they would force onto the American peoples credit card with this wasteful handout to billionaires and giant corporations is literally 300 times the savings that would be pocketed by making 300,000 of our fellow citizens go hungry, Bates said. A source familiar with the negotiations said SNAP remained a sticking point Saturday afternoon as negotiators from the White House continued to meet with Republicans at the Capitol. More than 20 million households receive monthly SNAP benefits that can be redeemed for food at grocery stores. The program already limits benefits to unemployed adults ages 18 to 49 if they dont have children or disabilities. Republicans want to deny benefits to people as old as 55 unless they work, volunteer or enroll in a training program for at least 20 hours per week. They also want to limit the ability of states to exempt beneficiaries from work requirements or waive them when unemployment is high. Story continues The Congressional Budget Office has said the Republican proposal would reduce SNAP enrollment by 275,000 per month. In a review of research on the impact of SNAPs existing work requirements, the CBO said that although some beneficiaries get jobs as a result of the policy, many more simply lose benefits, and the people in that situation have few or no other sources of income, and many of them are homeless. But as the White House signals its unwillingness to change SNAP, Republicans seem similarly dug in on their own position. Democrats right now are willing to default on the debt so they can continue making welfare payments to people who are refusing to work, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) said Friday. Asked if Republicans would be willing to drop their demand for stricter rules, Graves said, Hell no. Texas attorney general Ken Paxton has been impeached by the GOP-controlled Statehouse in a historic vote. The vote came after Mr Paxton was accused of threatening colleagues with political blowback if they supported his impeachment. State representative Charlie Geren, who like Mr Paxton is a member of the Republican party, said several members of this House while on the floor of this House, doing the state business, received telephone calls from general Paxton personally, threatening them with political consequences in their next election, according to The Texas Tribune. Mr Geren made the claim during the opening remarks in the impeachment hearing in the Texas statehouse. The 73-year-old rejected Mr Paxtons claims that the impeachment is a witch hunt and that the whistleblowers behind a lawsuit against him are political appointees. Mr Geren, who sits on the House General Investigative Committee, repeated what the panel said in the articles of impeachment filed against Mr Paxton, that the committee wouldnt have probed the issue if he hadnt made the request that the legislature greenlight a settlement worth $3.3m to the former members of staff. We are here today because the attorney general asked the state Legislature to fund a multimillion-dollar settlement, Mr Geren said. There was no investigation prior to this time. We wanted to look further into the reasons behind that. Mr Geren went on to say that the settlement was Mr Paxton trying to hide the possibility of wrongdoing. This settlement served to stave off a trial, including a discovery process that could have brought new info to light, he said. Mr Paxton has long been accused of violating the standards of his office, which he has held since 2015, before which he served in the Texas state senate between 2013 and 2015 and before that, the Texas Statehouse from 2003 until 2013. On Saturday, members of the GOP in the Texas House presented their case for impeaching Mr Paxton, arguing that he used his role to benefit himself and a donor to his campaign and that he should be put on trial in the state senate for a range of violations. Its the first vote on the impeachment of a statewide officeholder in Texas since 1917, The New York Times noted. Story continues Mr Paxton is the third statewide officeholder in Texas to be impeached in the almost two-centuries-long history of the state, according to the Associated Press. Former president Donald Trump issued a statement of support for Mr Paxton on Truth Social before the vote, writing that the RINO Speaker of the House of Texas, Dade Phelan, who is barely a Republican at all and failed the test on voter integrity, wants to impeach one of the most hard working and effective Attorney Generals in the United States, Ken Paxton, who just won re-election with a large number of American Patriots strongly voting for him. You would think that any issue would have been fully adjudicated by the voters of Texas, especially when that vote was so conclusive, Mr Trump added. The Republican-controlled bipartisan statehouse committee that advanced the process against Mr Paxton filed 20 articles of impeachment this week, with the panel unanimously finding him unfit to hold office, sending the issue on to the full statehouse. Republican representative David Spiller said Mr Paxton used his office to help a donor, an Austin real estate investor, to his campaign as well as himself. Attorney General Paxton continuously and blatantly violated laws and procedures, Mr Spiller said, according to The New York Times. Today is a very grim and difficult day for this House and for the State of Texas. The impeachment vote only required a simple majority in the House. Mr Paxton, 60, has rejected all allegations of wrongdoing. He has been a vocal supporter of conservative legal issues and a main combatant of the Biden administration on issues such as the Affordable Care Act and immigration. He won a third term last year after beating George P Bush, the son of former Florida governor Jeb Bush and the nephew of former president George W Bush, in a Republican primary in May 2022. The allegations against him became a part of the campaign, and Mr Paxton accused the Republican House leadership of working with Democrats to remove him from office. Mr Paxton will now be temporarily removed from office as the issue heads to the state senate for trial, where a number of his main allies, such as his wife, state senator Angela Paxton, will be jurors. Governor Greg Abbott is now able to appoint a temporary replacement pending the trial. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. LONDON (AP) Twitter has dropped out of a voluntary European Union agreement to combat online disinformation, a top EU official said Friday. European Commissioner Thierry Breton tweeted that Twitter had pulled out of the EU's disinformation code of practice that other major social media platforms have pledged to support. But he added that Twitter's obligation remained, referring to the EU's tough new digital rules taking effect in August. You can run but you cant hide, Breton said. San Francisco-based Twitter responded with an automated reply, as it does to most press inquiries, and did not comment. The decision to abandon the commitment to fighting false information appears to be the latest move by billionaire owner Elon Musk to loosen the reins on the social media company after he bought it last year. He has rolled back previous anti-misinformation rules, and has thrown its verification system and content-moderation policies into chaos as he pursues his goal of turning Twitter into a digital town square. Google, TikTok, Microsoft and Facebook and Instagram parent Meta are among those that have signed up to the EU code, which requires companies to measure their work on combating disinformation and issue regular reports on their progress. There were already signs Twitter wasn't prepared to live up to its commitments. The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's executive arm, blasted Twitter earlier this year for failing to provide a full first report under the code, saying it provided little specific information and no targeted data. Breton said that under the new digital rules that incorporate the code of practice, fighting disinformation will become a legal obligation. Our teams will be ready for enforcement, he said. Joshua Riddle, a counselor for the state Office of Rehabilitative Services and a graduate of Utah State Universitys rehabilitative counseling program, poses for a portrait at his office in Logan on Thursday, May 18, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News For Josh Riddle, earning a masters degree from Utah State Universitys rehabilitation counseling program was a springboard to career advancement. Equally important, it prepared him to better serve clients of the Utah Department of Workforce Services Office of Rehabilitation, an agency that has helped him succeed in life, as a student and as a working professional. When USUs rehabilitation counseling masters degree ranked sixth nationally in the latest U.S. News and World Reports college rankings, Riddle said he was not at all surprised. The program received the highest ranking among all graduate programs in the state of Utah this year. The professionalism, the mindset of the whole crew up at Utah State and the educators up there was second to none. I was just blown away by their knowledge, by the information that they gave, just everything in general, said Riddle, who graduated in 2021. For Riddle, earning his masters degree in rehabilitation counseling brought him full circle. He works with clients with disabilities, helping them to be successful in life and employment. He knows how important that is because he was a vocational rehabilitation services client himself due to disabilities that affect his spine and arms. The agency helped him navigate earning a bachelors degree at Utah Valley University. The thought process of helping folks with disabilities, both mental and physical, on both ends of the spectrum I love it. I love the work that we do and the training that I was able to get, he said. Trenton Landon, associate professor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, attributes the graduate programs success to the strong underpinning of USUs Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, which is among the top-ranked education colleges in the Intermountain West and well-regarded nationally. The college in and of itself is really doing a good job and that were housed within that. said Landon. Story continues The rehabilitation counseling program, which is largely offered online, prepares students at the masters degree to assist persons with physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities to achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals, its website states. Landon said it is also validating that peer institutions recognize the rehabilitation counseling masters degree programs work, he said. So this is our peers in the industry saying hey, This is a pretty solid program, he said. The program is supported by more faculty than weve ever had, Landon said, which is indicative of the support of the college and then by extension, the Legislature and everything that approves those faculty lines. Because of that, we have more people to work with students, more people to conduct research, to do outreach and build a clinic here on campus focusing on chronic illness, disability and adjustment, he said. The program typically attracts nontraditional students, many of whom are working adults juggling school, careers and busy personal lives. Thats why we teach most of our classes in the evening, late afternoon and evening and try to accommodate their work schedules. So they have been working all day and then they come and join us in class sometimes until almost 9:30 at night. I give it to them, its not easy, he said. There are 15 to 20 students in each cohort, Landon said. Some learn of the program while working with people with disabilities in a variety of state agencies and schools, some students are people with disabilities themselves and still others are seeking a counseling degree to pivot into another career. While many people tend to think of disability as related to physical challenges, Landon explained that disability is a broad encompassing term under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and it was meant to be that way. Our viewpoint is, mental health falls under that and we see mental health as the fastest growing disability in the United States, both in terms of work hours lost, and requests for ADA accommodations as a result of mental health. Zoey Hoover, left, and her mother Autumn Hoover pose for a portrait at their home in Logan on Thursday, May 18, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News Zoey Hoover, 14, has received counseling at the on-campus Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Center, which is staffed by faculty and masters degree candidates who are supervised by licensed counselors and therapists. I started therapy because my grandma passed away and she was like my best friend and I was really struggling with that. So I just thought it would be good to have someone to talk to and it definitely was. It has definitely helped me with going through all the emotions of losing a loved one, for sure. And I have severe anxiety and severe depression so that it also helps with that, she said. Hoover, who has spent the last year attending school online, recently registered for high school, which shell attend in person. She said she feels like shes in a good place emotionally to take the next step, having worked on issues of trust, anger and anxiety in a place where she feels safe and heard. I think counseling really helps with being able to work on yourself. I think it also helps you stay accountable to your goals and even say, Oh, like I messed up. I messed up on a goal. Its not like, Oh, youre horrible. Its like, Oh, thats OK. Lets keep working towards this. I think thats whats so amazing about it, she said. Her mother, Autumn Hoover, who is a licensed mental health counselor and a certified rehabilitation counselor, is a clinician with the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Center. Hoover, who is seeking her doctorate degree, said she has experienced USUs rehabilitation counseling program from the perspective of a loved one whose family members have received counseling services there, as a graduate student and also a clinician. Zoey Hoover sits with her mother Autumn Hoover, left, at their home in Logan on Thursday, May 18, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News I think the reason its so awesome is because the people who run it and everybody that works there and its not just a philosophy for the clients its their lived philosophy of care, understanding and acceptance, she said. Riddle, who earned his masters in rehabilitation counseling from USU, said his training has enabled him to better connect clients with disabilities with resources, employment and other opportunities that enhance their quality of life and support them in securing work that is fulfilling and pays a living wage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with disabilities are much less likely to be employed than those with no disability, which holds true across all age groups. Also, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is about double the rate for persons without a disability, according to the bureau. Education plays a key role in outcomes, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. People with disabilities are less likely to have completed a bachelors degree or higher than were those with no disability. But among both groups, those who had attained higher levels of education were more likely to be employed than those who had attained less education, but those without disabilities still fare better. Its why Riddle takes pride in helping connect people with disabilities with meaningful work in industries that they may not have ever considered as options. We get quite a few clients that go in for CDL (commercial driver license) training, he said. Theres a lot of job opportunities available and folks can make a pretty decent wage. The challenge and the joy is connecting a client seeking a job with a salary that enables them to get off government disability payments, Riddle said. Joshua Riddle, a counselor for the state Office of Rehabilitation Services and a graduate of Utah State Universitys rehabilitation counseling program, poses for a portrait at his office in Logan on Thursday, May 18, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News A lot of what we do is assisting people and not just the low-hanging fruit that anybody can go out and get this job or that job, but trying to get strategic in placing these folks with disabilities in a position that that they may not know about, or that might be a little bit more difficult to get and getting that leg up or having specific training for a long-term, successful outcome. Those are the ones that I personally take a lot of joy in, he said. Landon said rehabilitation counseling is an offshoot of the Veterans Administrations response to serving veterans returning from World War I. Over time, it formalized into where were at now, but it was primarily physical disability driven, he said. Professionals now understand a holistic approach is needed to adjust to the physical impacts of disability but also, related mental health issues. Its not just addressing the physical need, but especially with veterans, theres oftentimes PTSD associated with it, he said. Maybe a more contemporary example might be a primary breadwinner in the home thats worked for 20 plus years, gets in an auto accident and is no longer able to continue in the employment that they had. So now as a result of that they have potentially some physical limitations, but also then the loss of a work identity, the loss of a provider identity, and all of these other things that oftentimes lead to depression to anxiety, Landon said. Landon said USUs rehabilitation counseling masters degree program trains students to consider their clients needs holistically. While they are not health care providers, they straddle a middle ground where they need to understand disability from a medical and physical standpoint but also need to be mindful of the mental health effects of disability, whether it is a lifelong condition, the result of an accident or chronic illness. We balance the two so that when we reintegrate, its very holistic, he said. How can we fully help them integrate into society with everything that might be a concern for them? Or as the programs website puts it, graduates of USU rehabilitation counseling program will be educated and trained to help adults take control of their lives. An American soldier was killed in a non-combat rollover accident in Kuwait, U.S. officials said late Friday. Spc. Jayson Reed Haven, 20, of Aiken, South Carolina, died from a rollover accident that occurred in a non-combat situation on Thursday at Camp Buehring in the northwestern desert of Kuwait, about 20 miles from the southern border of Iraq. The fatal incident remains under investigation, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Defense. Further details were not immediately available. The news of Haven's death came just days before Memorial Day, a federal holiday for honoring and mourning those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. PHOTO: Members of the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade wait on the Charleston tarmac before departing for annual training in 2010. (DOD/108th Public Affairs Detachment) "There are no words that can adequately express how deeply saddened I am at the loss of one of our own," Maj. Gen. Van McCarty told Haven's hometown newspaper, the Aiken Standard. "SPC Jayson R. Haven was more than just a member of the South Carolina National Guard; he was family." MORE: 9 dead after 2 Black Hawk helicopters crash in Kentucky Haven, a machine gunner, had received multiple medals and awards during his service with the South Carolina National Guard. He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based in Charleston. He initially joined the U.S. Army in 2020, according to the Aiken Standard. Haven was deployed to Kuwait to support Operation Spartan Shield, an effort to strengthen U.S. defensive relationships throughout Southwest Asia, according to the Army. MORE: Army orders stand-down for its helicopter units following 2 deadly crashes PHOTO: Members of the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade wait on the Charleston tarmac before departing for annual training in 2010. (DOD/108th Public Affairs Detachment) Vehicle accidents involving rollovers are a leading cause of death for the U.S. military. While rollovers only account for a quarter of vehicle accidents, they contribute to 63% of accidents involving a death between 2010 and 2019, according to a 2021 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. That same report found that the military did not take sufficient action during that time frame to reduce the often preventable accidents, which accounted for 123 deaths for the Army and Marines between 2010 and 2019. 20-year-old US soldier dies from rollover accident in Kuwait originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Photo: Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg (Getty Images) New York City fitness professional Robynn Europe worked at an Equinox gym on Manhattans Upper East Side for less than a year. But she claims her time there was so stressful that it affected her health. And when she was ultimately fired, she argued it had nothing to do with her performance. Equinox claims they fired Europe for being late 47 times in 10 months. But Europe called B.S., saying racism and sexism ultimately led to her termination. She took her complaint to court, filing a lawsuit with a Manhattan federal judge, claiming the gym was a hostile work environment and that her firing had more to do with her race and gender than her attendance record. Read more Europe claims that a white male manager who reported to her took issue with her authority and, on several occasions, made offensive comments about Black womens bodies and employees of color at the gym. According to The New York Times, Europe claims the environment was so stressful that the bulimia she struggled with for much of her life worsened and she eventually had to enter an inpatient treatment program for eating disorders. And on May 16, the jury of five women and three men awarded Europe $11.25 million in damages $10 million in punitive damages and $1.25 million for distress. Ms. Europe will also receive $16,000 in back pay. Equinox is standing by its claim that they did nothing wrong, arguing that an investigation found no evidence of discrimination based on race or sex. Instead, they believe the jury seemingly was guided by sympathy and emotion. The gym has filed a motion to have the case reevaluated, not because they dont believe the worker made racist and sexist comments, but because they werent enough to create a hostile work environment for Europe or to justify the amount of the settlement. Story continues She has not produced any evidence she was treated less well or that her employment was terminated because of her race or sex, Equinox said. In a statement, Europes attorney, Susan Crumiller, expressed her satisfaction that justice was served. The jury sent a loud message to Equinox that there are serious consequences for corporations that permit racist and sexist behavior in the workplace. We are also pleased that the jury found Equinoxs racism had a severe and lasting impact on Robynns mental health and that she deserved to be compensated for it. Let this be a warning to all businesses in New York that if you try to brush harassment and discrimination under the rug, you will not get away with it, she said. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Drone Swarms Got Targeting System Updates In Flight In Recent AUKUS Demo photo Drones and ground vehicles showed off new artificial intelligence-driven capabilities to automatically spot and track enemy targets during a recent demonstration by the armed forces of the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The test notably included the live updating of the targeting algorithms on the drones, which were also operating as networked swarms, while they were in flight. Altogether, this highlights still-growing cooperation between the three countries on drones, autonomy, and machine learning and artificial intelligence, as part of the still very new AUKUS defense partnership. The Pentagon, the U.K. Ministry of Defense, and the Australian Department of Defense all issued press releases on what was referred to as a "capabilities trial" today. The event itself took place on April 28 in Upavon in Wiltshire in the United Kingdom and was hosted by the U.K. Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). The test was carried out as part of broader cooperation between the three countries under Pillar II of the AUKUS arrangement, which is centered broadly on "advanced capabilities." "This trial demonstrates the military advantage of AUKUS advanced capabilities, as we work in coalition to identify, track and counter potential adversaries from a greater distance and with greater speed," British Lt. Gen. Rob Magowan, U.K. Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Military Capability, said in a statement. "Service personnel, scientists and engineers from our three nations combined to develop and share critical information to enhance commanders decision making." More specific details about the exact parameters of the trial and the scenarios involved are limited, but it included "more than 70 military and civilian defense personnel and industry contractors," according to the U.K. Ministry of Defense. The drone swarm component consisted of groups of Blue Bear Ghost (a picture of which is seen at the top of this story) and Boeing/Insitu CT220 uncrewed aircraft provided by the United Kingdom and Australia, respectively. Story continues A stock image of a Boeing/Insitu CT22 drone. Insitu Pacific On the ground, the British armed forces provided Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, and Viking uncrewed ground vehicles (UGV) (not to be confused with the Viking variant of the BvS 10 tracked vehicle in service with the Royal Marines). A British Army Challenger 2 tank, with two Warrior infantry fighting vehicles behind it, during operations in Kosovo. Crown Copyright A Viking UGV. Horiba Mira Private contractors supplied 105mm FV433 Abbot self-propelled howitzers and OT-90 derivatives of the Soviet BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle that were made in the former Czechoslovakia. A private-owned ex-British Army FV433 Abbot self-propelled howitzer. The British Army retired its last Abbots in 1995. AlfvanBeem via Wikimedia Czechoslovakia-made OT-90 now on public display. Miaow Miaow via Wikimedia "This is the first instance of jointly developed Australian, UK, and US AI capability being deployed on coalition autonomous systems for an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission as part of Pillar II," the press release from the Australian Department of Defense said. The three countries have already engaged in advanced technology sharing under AUKUS as part of an effort to help the Royal Australian Navy acquire U.S.-made Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines and build examples of a new nuclear-powered submarine design domestically. "The trial achieved several world firsts, including live retraining at the edge of models in flight, and the interchange and use of AI models on AUKUS nations' uncrewed aerial vehicles," the Australian military's release added. The ability to perform various tasks across a broad area quickly is one of the inherent benefits of a fully-networked drone swarm capable of operating with a high degree of autonomy. The ability of that swarm to autonomously fuse and otherwise start processing sensor data it collects, helped by machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, takes that all to a whole different level. A swarm operating in this way could rapidly surveil a designated zone of the battlefield, spotting, categorizing, and geolocating threats and potential threats, and then passing all of that data to other nodes, ranging from nearby friendly units to command centers in the rear. Tactical elements in the field could then use that information to help plan assaults, avoid hazards, or otherwise provide situational awareness. Specialists in rear echelons could combine that data with other intelligence to get a better handle on enemy positions and their activities, and help in predicting what their next moves might be. Data could be exchanged between automated target recognition systems on drones and other platforms, such as the ground vehicle involved in this test. The U.S. Army, among others, is actively exploring adding automated target recognition capabilities to its M1 Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles. A networked capability like this would allow various assets, crewed and uncrewed, to be cued to certain threats, even if they are out of line of sight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGVgwirplNI Machine learning and AI have the potential to help filter that data from the very beginning, reducing the workload for actual human beings, and could eventually even provide suggested immediate courses of action based on that information. U.S. data analytics firm Palantir, which has a long history of working with U.S. Intelligence Agencies and the U.S. military, recently offered a public demonstration of exactly these kinds of capabilities, which it is developing as part of a software suite called the Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP). AIP also includes AI-driven chatbot that operators can engage with directly for advice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEM5qz__HOU The specific mention of "live retraining" of targeting "models" during the April test in the United Kingdom is especially interesting in this context, as well. Automated target recognition systems are only as good as their databases. As such, they could have trouble dealing with the sudden appearance of previously unknown threats or known ones that might appear in unusual ways to sensors due to various kinds of interference or other factors. Being able to reprogram the algorithms to properly recognize those targets and upload them to drones right in the middle of a mission has the potential to make automated target recognition capabilities even more game-changing. The U.S. military, in particular, is already exploring these kinds of capabilities with regard to electronic warfare. In that realm, this is known as cognitive electronic warfare, which you can read more about here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X99k09rVUI The absolute "holy grail" of cognitive electronic warfare envisions the ability of electronic warfare suites to automatically update themselves in real time in response to the emergence of unexpected information. That level of capability, which would be assisted by machine learning and AI technologies, would be similarly applicable to automated target recognition. The U.S. Air Force has already demonstrated an ability to update target recognition algorithms linked to unspecified sensors onboard a U-2S Dragon Lady spy plane in flight. The service has also been testing a podded AI-driven high-volume data processing capability, primarily intended to help sift through large amounts of data, from video footage to radar information to signals intelligence. The U.S. military and the U.S. Intelligence Community, as well as many of their counterparts around the world, such as China's People's Liberation Army, are fielding machine learning and AI-driven technology for a variety of purposes. The same goes for work on various tiers of advanced drones with significant degrees of autonomy and swarming capabilities. The April test in the United Kingdom could have a variety of broader ramifications for further research and development and procurement of these kinds of capabilities, as well as how they are employed operationally, due to AUKUS. The event makes clear that parties to that agreement are already actively exchanging technology in this regard, which could help reduce development schedules and cost burden sharing. Jointly developed capabilities could mean U.S, British, and Australian units in the field might be able to more readily tap into each other's data streams or even pass control of drones and other assets back and forth between them. Members of the US Army, British Army, and Australian Army together during an exercise in 2018. US Army "Accelerating technological advances will deliver the operational advantages necessary to defeat current and future threats across the battlespace,' the United Kingdom's Lt. Gen. Rob Magowan said. "We are committed to collaborating with partners to ensure that we achieve this while also promoting the responsible development and deployment of AI." "This capability demonstration is truly a shared effort and is thus a critical step in our collective initiative to stay ahead of emerging threats," Abe Denmark, the U.S. Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for AUKUS, also said. "By pooling our expertise and resources through our AUKUS partnerships, we can ensure that our militaries are equipped with the latest and most effective tools to defend our nations and uphold the principles of freedom and democracy around the world." Altogether, the capabilities trial last month at Upavon in Wiltshire looks to have demonstrated a number of significant capability developments, including the ability to update targeting algorithms on drones in flight. Beyond that, it underscores the still-expanding cooperation between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, who are already close allies, on various advanced technologies through AUKUS. Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com Geraint Thomas and Primoz Roglic race to the top of Tre Cime Lavaredo The 2023 Giro d'Italia reaches its apex on Saturday with the innovative, daunting, and technically challenging 18.6-kilometre time trial from Tarvisio to Monte Lussari. It's the final chance for Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-VIsma) to erase his 26-second deficit to race leader Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) and the Welshman's last stand in defending his maglia rosa before the sprint-friendly parade in Rome. The start list for stage 20 reflects how decimated the peloton is after multiple illnesses and injuries sending a quarter of the riders home. Just 125 riders are left to contest the final weekend and only two teams still have full rosters: Jumbo-Visma and Bahrain Victorious. Last-placed Nicolas Dalla Valle (Corratec-Selle Italia) will be the first rider down the start ramp just ahead of stage 17 winner Alberto Dainese (Team DSM) at 11:30 a.m. CEDT. The early block also includes Mark Cavendish (Astana) who made it through the mountains and will be seeking a stage win in Rome. Keep a watch on Eritrean Henok Mulubrhan (Green Project-Bardiani) as one of the stronger climbers in the first wave of starters. Stage 8 winner Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) is among the second wave at 2:14 p.m. with Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) - winner of stage 15 - at the start of the final wave at 4:14 p.m. The main contenders get to have a leisurely morning and lunch before gearing up for what will be a brutal effort after 5 p.m. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlUla), Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious), Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) start three minutes apart before Roglic is chased up the mountain by Thomas. Hailey Bieber is soaking up the rays while lounging on a yachtand surfboardin her latest social media photos. Justin Biebers wife struck several poses donning a burgundy bikini with a wet white Got Milk t-shirt over the top, giving a glimpse at her toned abs, while evoking a very 90s summer vibe in the process. She wore her brunette bob wet and slicked backthe most recent go-to style that she debuted back in Januarywhile opting to go bare-faced with no makeup aside from some sunscreen to protect her from the sun. As far as accessories go, the only piece of jewelry she wore was a pair of chunky earrings. In addition to the crisp blue waters, the 26-year-old Rhode Skin founder was also surrounded by picturesque cliffs. She did not provide a location in the post, however, the model was spotted in Barcelona, Spain earlier this week shooting a commercial for Victorias Secret, per the Daily Mail. The influencer was also spotted in London earlier this month as she launched her beauty brand overseas. all I know is, Im about to have the best summer of my life. Bieber captioned her series of sunny shots, which coincided with the Memorial Day weekend summer kickoff. Fans were absolutely smitten with Biebers cheeky look, with Lori Harvey commenting, Umm hellooo?!!?!! . Other comments ranged from SHE IS THE MOMENT to youre so beautiful to that body and YASS Girl. Girlfriends Kendall Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Ashley Graham, and Addison Rae all showed love by double-tapping the photos. Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Achieve tender, just-right results whether you're grilling or roasting. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Judging whether food is done doesnt have to be a guessing game. Familiarizing yourself with temperatures for degrees of doneness (such as rare, medium rare, and poultry) and putting a good meat thermometer to use, you can eliminate that uncertainty. There are two main types of meat thermometers, instant-read and leave-in. Instant-read models are used to spot-check the current state of your food, while leave-in models, which we can divide into subtypes, monitor the cooking temperature over time. Leave-in thermometers can be wired, wireless, or a combination of the two, with app compatibility adding another option to consider. When and Where to Insert a Meat Thermometer The basics of using a meat thermometer are simple: stick it with the pointy end. But getting the correct reading from the right place ensures you get the proper degree of doneness, according to pitmaster and hog farmer Tank Jackson. You want to find the deepest and thickest muscle and penetrate it down to the middle, not touching any bones, he says. Bones in meat are fantastic heat conductors, so youll get an inaccurate reading against the bone or right next to one. If youre roasting a turkey, for example, the best place to check or monitor the temperature will be in the thigh, right by the joint where it joins the body. The dark meat is denser than the white meat, and the upper thigh is the thickest part of the dark meat. In roasting a prime rib, youll want to check the eye in the center of the roast, both end to end and side to side, away from the bones. If youre using an instant-read model, youll want to open the oven, smoker, or grill and get a quick reading. If youre using a leave-in model, youll want to insert the probe before you start cooking. Jacksons guidance applies in either case. Story continues Food & Wine / Will Dickey How to Read a Meat Thermometer Most instant-read models have a digital display on the handle. Stick the meat with the pointy end in the thickest part and wait for the temperature to register. Most leave-in models will have a display on their connecting device; some will also have this on a remote or an app, if not both. Analog (and some instant-read) models have a bulb dial or digital display at the head of the probe. Its a good idea to get two to three different readings from the target area just to ensure youre not getting a false reading from a hot or cool spot. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore How to Calibrate a Meat Thermometer Every thermometer has its own mechanism for calibrating the temperature. But outside of those mechanisms, the basic process to determine if your thermometer requires calibration is to fill a 1-quart container with ice, preferably crushed ice, and then add water. You only want the water to fill the spaces between the ice. You dont want to add so much that the ice lifts off the bottom of the container. Let the ice water sit for about two minutes, then insert your probe. The thermometer should register 32F. If not, follow the directions for calibration from the manufacturer. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Meat Thermometers We Love ThermoWorks Buy on We tested 19 leave-in digital probe and 23 instant-read models to find the very best meat thermometers. The Thermapen ONE is a prime specimen of an instant-read thermometer. Its simple and easy to use but provides fast, accurate results with an easy-to-read display that rotates as you move the handle. Price at time of publish: $104 ThermoWorks Buy on The DOT is a bare-bones leave-in thermometer with a probe that attaches to a small base, hence the name. Its a fantastic entry-level thermometer or good for someone who doesnt want or need a lot of bells and whistles to the interface yet still wants precision and accuracy. Price at time of publish: $45 ThermoWorks Buy on The ChefAlarm is the sophisticated cousin of the DOT, offering more functionality in the display with things like min/max temperature tracking and high- and low-temperature alarms. It provides comparable speed and accuracy to the other two ThermoWorks models listed here at a very reasonable price. Price at time of publish: $65 Amazon Buy on The MEATER Plus is a truly wireless leave-in unit, which can be handy where a wired thermometer would quickly tangle, like rotisserie cooking. For the gadget-minded, the MEATER is completely app-integrated via Bluetooth or WiFi, with an extensive range of features and good-to-great accuracy. Price at time of publish: $191 Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Frequently Asked Questions How does a meat thermometer work? A digital meat thermometer is about as far from an old-fashioned mercury thermometer as you can get. There are two dominant technologies on the market, and neither measures the actual temperature. The first is a thermocouple, most commonly found in instant-read models. Two different metals connect, and heat generates an electrical voltage that calibrates to a specific temperature to give you the reading in degrees. Leave-in models measure the resistance to electrical flow, which changes with temperature. That measurement gets translated through a computer to provide a temperature reading. Can you leave all meat thermometers in the oven? No, not all. Leave-in thermometers are intended for this purpose, so you can track the temperature without opening the oven. The probe stays in the meat and reports via a wire or wireless connection to a base unit outside the oven, keeping the base unit safe from the heat. With instant-read thermometers, all the tech you find inside a leave-in base unit is usually in the handle, and most models cannot withstand prolonged heat without damage. Can you use a meat thermometer for oil? Yes, provided it has the temperature range to measure what youre seeking. Jackson uses a digital thermometer to test the oil when hes making cracklings: I want my oil between 375 and 400 degrees, he says. While there are old-school ways of establishing that temperature, meat thermometers make the task much easier. How do you clean a meat thermometer? Always clean your probes, no matter which model youre using, to remove any accumulated food particles. Then, for food safety, sanitize them with a food-safe sanitizing solution or wipe. You can clean the other parts of most thermometers by wiping them with a cloth or sponge and soapy water. Our Expertise Greg Baker is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and food writer with four decades of experience in the food industry. His written work appears in Food & Wine, Tasting Table, Food Republic, and other publications. For this piece, he interviewed Tank Jackson, pitmaster and hog farmer at Holy City Hogs in Charleston, South Carolina, and co-host of Moonshiners: Smoke Ring on Discovery+. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. New Mexico elected officials signaled support for proposed federal rules aimed at increasing conservation uses on public land. U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) and New Mexico Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard testified in Congress this week in favor of the proposal by the Bureau of Land Management to establish conservation leases on federal land in the U.S. The leases would be used alongside others for industrial uses like oil and gas or agriculture, essentially creating easements by conservationists or outdoor recreation companies, where land could be protected from development. More: Oil and gas 'done right' means higher costs for New Mexico operators, study says The proposal would also allow for interim areas of critical environmental concern (ACEC) designations put in place while they are finalized in updated resource management plans (RMPs) that often take years to fully approve and enact at local BLM offices. Environmental groups cheered the policy as one that would balance federal land by prioritizing environmental needs. During a Wednesday hearing before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Garcia Richard touted her offices ongoing efforts to conserve land and provide revenue to the State while protecting the environment. More: Protests rally ahead of federal oil and gas lease sale in southeast New Mexico Land Commissioner-elect Stephanie Garcia Richard requested the hearing to increase well density in the Blanco-Mesaverde pool in the San Juan Basin to be postponed until she takes office in January. Her request was not granted. Our ability to continue to generate money for education is directly tied to the health and the productivity of state lands, she said during her testimony Conservation leasing must be part of a balanced portfolio of uses as we work to ensure the health and resiliency of our public lands for current and future generations. Against criticism for industry leaders that the rule would lands away from economy-driving industries in New Mexico like ranching or fossil fuels, Garcia Richard said the rule would compliment the array of uses available for public land and strengthen efforts to reduce pollution and save natural resources. Story continues I would also like to emphasize that this rule isnt about taking public lands away. It is about explicitly allowing another type of use, which can often occur alongside other lands uses, she said. There may be times where various uses are incompatible, but there are also going to be many instances where there are not any conflicts. More: $141M Permian Basin oil and gas deal finalized as more companies move into region Garcia Richard also applauded provisions in the proposed rule that she said would increase participation of indigenous organizations and communities. The pressing challenges of climate change cannot be understated, she said. We need more resilient lands and ecosystems. And to get there, we should learn from our traditional and Tribal communities. Stansbury, who serves as the committees ranking member, said the BLMs proposal would take needed action to address climate change and environmental impacts on public land, arguing the federal government so far lacked adequate policy to do so. More: Oil industry buying more public land in New Mexico. Feds hope to prioritize conservation Melanie Stansbury Until now, there has not been an effective mechanism to also ensure effective landscape level and conservation needs, Stansbury said. BLM's proposed rule, which we're here to discuss today, will help to fulfill the congressional mandate of multiple use by creating conservation leases, and by allowing federal lands for mitigation of harms from other developments like energy infrastructure. She said the rule will also help transition the U.S. toward renewable energy, protect cultural resources and protected endangered plants and animals. More: $540M oil and gas deal in Permian Basin latest of fossil fuel investments in region Stansbury pointed to 90 percent or BLM land currently open to oil and gas leasing nationwide, and 60 percent open to grazing, contending the rule could help balance conservation with the needs of private industries. She referred to the Chaco Canyon area in northwest New Mexico, a place sacred to the Navajo Nation but adjacent to heavy natural gas extraction in the San Juan Basin, as one that could benefit from a conservation lease to prevent the degradation of artifacts and cultural important landforms. These are places that are not only sacred and important, they are part of the iconic landscapes that define us as a country, Stansbury said. More: Oil and gas sends $16B to New Mexico's economy, industry reports. Health concerns linger New Mexicos agriculture industry was concerned the rule would impact farming and ranching activities, a key economic driver of the state, according to public comments submitted May 21 by the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau. Bureau President Larry Reagan wrote that the rule would elevate conservation over all other uses, arguing agriculture activities already actively included such practices. We are opposed to the proposed approach which looks to elevate conservation at the expense of multiple use, Reagan wrote. Active management and conservation activities go hand in hand, but the proposed rule looks to pit these efforts against one another by prioritizing a protectionist approach. We strongly urge you to withdraw the proposed rule and begin meaningful conversations with producers and industry members to find long-lasting management solutions for these challenges. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: New Mexico leaders want to block oil and gas on some public lands Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida speaks with patrons at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, New Hampshire, on May 19, 2023. AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty DeSantis said Trump is running from the "left" as the Fla. governor has now entered the 2024 race. In a range of interviews, DeSantis sought to assert himself as the true conservative in the primary. Based on polling, Trump at the moment remains the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida on Thursday wasted little time going after former President Donald Trump after announcing his White House run, accusing the ex-commander-in-chief of "going left" on fiscal and cultural issues. DeSantis, who is widely viewed as Trump's top competitor for the Republican presidential nomination, has used his governorship to champion and enact a range of deeply conservative policies, from limitations on the discussion of race in classrooms to a newly-signed six-week abortion ban, along with the creation of a law enforcement unit that will pursue election crimes and a ban on the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in all K-12 classrooms. In a range of interviews, DeSantis who has made his "Florida blueprint" of conservative governance a defining feature of his candidacy blasted the ex-president over everything from the influence of former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci to the national debt. The governor's direct attacks on Trump are a departure from the past few months, when the onetime ally of the former president was still a prospective candidate. Before jumping into the race, DeSantis generally tiptoed around criticizing Trump by name. That's no longer the case. DeSantis, who took office in 2019, has long been a vociferous critic of COVID-19 restrictions. The governor banned vaccine passports in Florida, and despite having pursued critical resources from the federal government earlier in the pandemic, he later began to question the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines. "He did great for three years, but when he turned the country over to Fauci in March of 2020, that destroyed millions of people's lives," DeSantis said of Trump while speaking with radio host Glenn Beck. "And in Florida, we were one of the few that stood up, cut against the grain, took incoming fire from media, bureaucracy, the left, even a lot of Republicans, had schools open, preserved businesses." Story continues While speaking with radio host Matt Murphy, DeSantis sought to elevate his tenure in office as more rooted in conservatism than Trump. "It seems like he's running to the left and I have always been somebody that's just been moored in conservative principles," the governor said. "So these will be interesting debates to have, but I can tell you, you don't win nationally by moving to the left, you win nationally by standing for bold policy. I never watered down anything I did." "I don't know what happened to Donald Trump," he continued. "This is a different guy today than when he was running in 2015 and 2016 and I think the direction that he's going with his campaign is the wrong direction." DeSantis than sought to paint himself as a Republican candidate who could win a general election against President Joe Biden, pointing to Trump's 2020 loss in Georgia, a Southern swing state that from 1996 to 2016 had backed GOP candidates on the presidential level until the former Democratic vice president's electoral breakthrough. "I do believe that there's a limit to the number of voters that would consider the former president at this point," DeSantis told Newsmax's Eric Bolling in an interview. "I think that there are some people that don't like Biden, but they would like another option. So I think my ceiling is higher in a general election." And while speaking with host Jack Heath on "Good Morning New Hampshire," DeSantis tore apart Trump's fiscal record, stating that the former president "added almost $8 trillion in debt in just four years as president." Despite DeSantis' appeal among many conservatives looking to move past the Trump era, the former president remains the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination. As of May 27, the national polling average on FiveThirtyEight had Trump ahead of DeSantis 53.9%-20.4%. Responding to DeSantis' most recent remarks, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dinged the Florida governor, comparing him unfavorably to former Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, a presidential candidate who has yet to gain significant traction in the GOP race. Cheung called Hutchinson "Ada," which Trump has also done in the past. "President Trump continues to soar in the polls both nationally and statewide," Cheung said in a statement to Insider. "Meanwhile, Ron DeSanctimonious is dropping like a rock and is polling closer to Ada Hutchinson than he is to President Trump." Read the original article on Business Insider It's no secret that yoga is great for your body and beneficial for stress levels. But a new study found that doing yoga for 50 minutes three times a week can significantly improve memory too. In the study, which was published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 86 adults who worked full-time participated in an eight-week moderate-intensity yoga program. Not only did the people who did yoga for 50 minutes three times a week have lower levels of stress and anxiety, but they performed better on cognitive tasks as well, suggesting that yoga can improve memory. But why is this? And can certain poses have a better impact on memory than others? Here's what experts say. Why Yoga May Improve Memory According to neuropsychologist Dr. Karen D. Sullivan, Ph.D., yoga has multiple clear physical and mental health benefits related to increased physical activity, improved mental well-being and the practice of mindfulness that it promotes. And the information from this study isn't totally surprising, she says. "This study falls in a body of literature that suggests further benefit in cognitive functioning likely due to the impact of dual-task training," Dr. Sullivan says. "Dual-task training essentially means trying to do two things at one time, remembering a specific sequence of body postures in your mind and coordinating those movements in your body. Dual-task training has been shown to have a small-to-medium positive effect in several meta-analyses of older adults with cognitive decline." Related: This Is the #1 Habit to Reduce Dementia Risk And, Dr. Sullivan says, some kind of dual-task training is something she recommends to all of her patients who are at risk for developing dementia. "For many people, yoga is the answer as they enjoy the practice and the health benefits," she says. "For the biggest impact in reducing one's risk for dementia, I encourage my patients to engage in a wide variety of activities that address all aspects of their well-being including physical, mental, cognitive and spiritual. Brain health is whole-person health." Story continues Related: How Magnesium Can Reduce Dementia Risk Are Certain Yoga Poses More Beneficial for Memory Than Others? According to Radha Metro-Midkiff, the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute New York, any kind of yoga will likely improve memory, but certain poses can be particularly helpful. Child's pose is one. "Kneel on the floor and sit back on your heels. Lower your torso forward, extending your arms in front of you or resting them alongside your body. Relax your forehead on the mat or a cushion," she says. "This pose helps to calm the mind, relieve stress and improve mental clarity." Related: Bruce Willis' Daughter Makes Heartwarming Post About Dementia Metro-Midkiff adds that any yoga pose that promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and improved focus can indirectly contribute to better memory. "Savasana or the corpse pose is one of the single most effective poses for stress reduction," she says. "However, to take full advantage of the effects yoga can have on the body, it is important to do a backward bending pose (cobra, locust, bow), forward bending pose (head to knee or full forward bend), twisting pose (half spinal twist) and inversion (legs up the wall with support below the buttocks or a shoulder stand or headstand)." These poses activate either the sympathetic or para-sympathetic nervous system, she explains, thus stimulating the vagus nerve and increasing an overall reduction of stress. Even if you're not doing yoga for the sake of your memory, it's probably worth tryingworst-case scenario, you'll end up more flexible and a lot less stressed out. Next up: The True Connection Between Sleep and Dementia Sources Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Saturday HomeStore open, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 701 E. Dodge St., Fremont. The HomeStore sells donated items at discounted prices. Proceeds support the mission of Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous womens heart-to-heart group, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Fremont Eagles Club open, noon to 6 p.m., 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Spiritual 12-Step Recovery Program, 7 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont. Narcotics Anonymous The Lie is Dead meeting, 8 p.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Sunday Alcoholics Anonymous Happy Sober Sunday Group, 9 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Narcotics Anonymous Seekers of Serenity meeting, 10:30 a.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday speaker, 7:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Monday Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont. Memorial Day service, 11 a.m., Fremont Veterans Park, in front of Sidner Ice Arena at 1558 E. Military Ave., Fremont. The public is invited. Those wishing to attend need to enter from the east side of Military Avenue as work is taking place on that street. After the service, lunch will be served at Fremont Eagles Club, 649 N. Main St., The lunch is free to veterans. A small donation is appreciated from others who attend. Opening Day of Splash Station, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., 3809 E. Fremont Drive, Fremont. Admission is $7 for ages 6 and over, and free for ages 5 and under. Opening Day of Ronin Pool, noon to 7 p.m., 17th Street and Somers Avenue, Fremont. Free swimming will be offered on opening day as well as May 30. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Celebrate Recovery, 6:30 p.m., Fremont Church of the Nazarene, 960 Johnson Road. Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous 12x12 meeting, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont. Attorney Paul Skrabanek A new lawsuit reveals the heartbreaking details surrounding an Arbys manager who allegedly froze to death in the walk-in freezer of a Louisiana restaurant. The manager, Nguyet Lea 63-year-old widow and mother-of-fourdied on May 11 after becoming trapped in the long-faulty freezer while opening the restaurant. Her son, Nguyen, who also worked at the restaurant, discovered her body when he arrived later in the morning, according to the court documents. An investigative officer found blood inside the freezer door, leading him to conclude that Le beat her hands bloody trying to escape or get someones attention, the lawsuit reads. Ultimately, she collapsed into a fetal position face down on the frozen floor. Employees summoned police to the restaurant at 6:19 p.m. According to a preliminary autopsy, she died of hypothermia. Le was from Houston, Texas, where she worked at another Arbys Restaurant. According to the lawsuit, she was only at the Louisiana location for a four-week assignment. Her four children, including Nguyen, are now suing Arbys for negligence. Theyre seeking at least $1 million in relief. Also named as defendants are Turbo Restaurants and Sun Holdings, which own over a thousand franchise restaurants across twelve states, including Applebees, Arbys, Burger King, Golden Corral, IHop and Papa Johns. The lawsuit alleges the latch to the walk-in freezer that trapped Le had been broken since August 2022, and employees used a screwdriver to open and close it, as well as a box to prop it open. It also claims that employees showed the issue to a district manager when they personally visited the New Iberia location. Company policy was to keep the freezer at -10 degrees or colder, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Sun Holdings caused Les death by failing to have the freezer repaired and failing to adequately supervise the New Iberia location, and that Arbys was grossly negligent in failing to inspect and train the personnel at the site. Story continues 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. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday touted American sea power and teamwork in the tense Indo-Pacific region, as well as among NATO allies amid Russias war in Ukraine as he addressed graduates at the U.S. Naval Academys commencement. Americas sea power lets us sail and fly and operate alongside our unrivaled network of allies and partners, from the South China Sea, to the Gulf of Aden, to the Caribbean. It lets us project power around the world, Austin said at the ceremony in Annapolis, Md. It helps us secure the sea lanes for the free movement of people, goods, and ideas. More than 1,000 graduates make up the U.S. Naval Academys class of 2023, which now will move on for more advanced training and eventual deployment with the Marines or Navy. This years graduates will enter the force as the U.S. has increased its presence in the Indo-Pacific amid heightened tensions with China, which historically sees self-governed Taiwan as part of the mainland and is building up its military installations across the region. Washington has increased security partnerships with the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, and it plans to step up military drills in the region with both nations. On Friday, Austin also noted the partnership with Australia and the U.K., which is working to shore up Australias defense in the Indo-Pacific Your mission and your leadership will be at the very heart of Americas work to forge a more open, more peaceful 21st Century, he said. The American flag atop a U.S. Navy ship has long been the symbol of hope for a more free and secure world. Austin also mentioned Russias invasion of Ukraine, saying U.S. sailors are operating shoulder-to-shoulder with NATO allies. The Navy has helped to expand Ukraines maritime capabilities as Ukraine fights against Russias cruel and reckless war of choice, he told the graduates. While he noted several critical battles that U.S. Navy sailors have fought, including Iwo Jima in World War II, Austin said the sea force has been historically most powerful in preventing wars and violence. Story continues They deterred conflict, they kept the watch and they reminded the world what America stands for, he said. The Pentagon chief said graduates will now deploy forward and travel the globe to defend our democracy. And you will learn that the lifeblood of the rules-based international order is actually seawater, Austin said. You will defend our democracy with honor, courage and commitment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. San Francisco police officers look on in April of last year near a controversial billboard that warns against fentanyl. San Francisco police officers look on in April of last year near a controversial billboard that warns against fentanyl. This story was produced in partnership with the Garrison Project, an independent, nonpartisan organization addressing the crisis of mass incarceration and policing. In late April, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a massive mobilization of state and local law enforcement agencies aimed at disrupting large-scale fentanyl trafficking in San Francisco. Todays partnership will not seek to criminalize those struggling with substance use and instead focus on holding drug suppliers and traffickers accountable, the governors office said of the partnership, which includes the California Highway Patrol, the California National Guard, the San Francisco Police Department and the San Francisco District Attorneys Office. Several days afterward, in a press conference flanked by Mayor London Breed and members of law enforcement, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins praised the partnership for an unusual reason. She said that many of our criminal defendants in the area of narcotics dealing are asserting a human trafficking defense, and that requires significant evidence on our part in order to rebut that defense. Jenkins said she was very excited at the prospect of having additional resources to be able to dispel the notion that people are not here dealing drugs of their own accord, because that is clearly what is happening. Jenkins ire may have been raised by two recent drug trafficking cases that went to trial in which jurors heard the accused both immigrants from Honduras and their attorneys make a human trafficking defense. The defendants explained that they were forced to sell drugs under fear and coercion from criminal trafficking organizations, and that they owed human smugglers, known as coyotes, considerable sums of money they had to pay back. In both trials, the result was a hung jury and the defendants walked away free from charges. Story continues But according to data provided to HuffPost by the San Francisco Public Defenders Office, those cases are rare indeed theyre exceptions to the rule calling into question one of Jenkins stated justifications for concentrating a massive policing effort on her city. Brooke Jenkins was appointed as San Francisco district attorney last summer, and was elected in her own right in the fall. Brooke Jenkins was appointed as San Francisco district attorney last summer, and was elected in her own right in the fall. Since 2015, just 16 cases involving drugs as the most serious charge went to trial. According to data from the San Francisco DAs data dashboard, the office has brought nearly 5,000 narcotics cases since 2015. So if about 16 out of 5,000 went to trial during that period, that means all but 0.34% of narcotics cases ended in a plea bargain, dismissal, refusal or some other means to resolve the case. In other words, there are just not many instances where mounting human trafficking as a legal defense at trial could have even occurred. Its possible that human trafficking defenses have been asserted more frequently during plea negotiations. The district attorneys office did not return a request for comment clarifying whether this is the case nor did the office respond to questions about the data on narcotics cases and the number of cases in which a trafficking defense was invoked by defense attorneys. Plea bargaining allows prosecutors to expend limited resources in their cases; trials are far more costly and resource intensive. About 94% of convictions in state courts are the result of plea deals, according to the group Fair and Just Prosecution. While its almost impossible to know how often defendants accused of fentanyl trafficking assert a human trafficking defense pretrial, the defense was mounted in just three narcotics cases that actually went to trial since 2020, according to the San Francisco Public Defenders Office. Jenkins comments about trafficking also imply that such a defense is inherently fraudulent, which some experts found troubling. Public prosecutors are supposed to form their own opinions about someones guilt or innocence, but that opinion doesnt tell us what is true or what is just thats the role that juries are supposed to play, said Carissa Byrne Hessick, a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law. Just because District Attorney Jenkins doesnt believe someone, doesnt mean that person should go to jail. The whole point of our constitutional system is that people outside the government jurors are supposed to make these decisions. In one case involving the Honduran immigrants, defense attorneys used Thomas J. Boerman, a Ph.D. who specializes in gang prevention and rehabilitation programs in the U.S. and Latin America and once drafted sections relating to Central American gangs and drug trafficking organizations for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Boerman testified that people from Central America were often lured to the U.S. by the promise of a legitimate job, only to discover that they would be engaged in drug sales. Dean Preston, who represents the Tenderloin neighborhood as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, told HuffPost that its not at all clear what new resources the multiagency fentanyl task force has created. Theres a lot of theater, a lot of publicity stunts, and its very difficult to determine whats new, Preston said. Theres certainly a ramping up of the tough-on-crime, war-on-drugs rhetoric, thats clear. Preston said hes concerned about the prospect of law enforcement and the military descending upon his district, but so far, he said, its kind of a nothing burger. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said energy firms should be taxed more. (Getty) The shadow chancellor has accused energy firms of making "war profits" from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has called for a proper windfall tax. Rachel Reeves said energy firms had benefited with higher profits since the start of the war last February and should be taxed more to help families and businesses with high energy bills. The government imposed a 25% Energy Profits Levy (EPL) on oil and gas producers last May in the wake of soaring energy prices due to the war. The government increased the windfall tax in November to 35%, bringing the UK's total tax rate on the sector to 75%, one of the highest in the world. Read more: BP profits hit 4bn in three months as UK households struggle with energy bills The government imposed a 25% energy profits levy on oil and gas producers last May. (Reuters) Reeves told the BBC: "There needs to be a proper windfall tax on the huge profits the energy giants are making, because while they make huge profits, people are paying huge bills. She added: "Those are the windfalls of war, they should be taxed properly, to help people with a cost-of-living crisis. "They are war profits. The only reason that energy prices rose like that is because of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Labour Party has said it would raise taxes on the energy sector and axe an investment allowance which enables oil and gas producers to offset a large chunk of the windfall tax. There are also calls from Liberal Democrats to close this part of the law. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said this week the government could have chosen to cut energy bills months ago funded through a proper windfall tax. Read more: The intensity is increasing: Ukraine says first steps in counteroffensive have begun The war in Ukraine caused global energy prices to soar. (Reuters) The war in Ukraine caused global energy prices, specifically European gas prices, to soar as Europe and the Kremlin started sanctioning each other. This meant that the supply of Russian gas to Europe dried up, meaning that other suppliers, such as Shell and its rival BP, could profit. Story continues Shell made 7.6 billion in profit in the first three months of the year, joining BP, which announced first-quarter profits of 4b, in reporting expectations-beating results earlier this month. The EPL is not applied to profits from activities outside extracting UK oil and gas, so it does not cover most of the two companies' profits from overseas. A Treasury spokesperson said the windfall tax was being used to help families in the UK. They said: "These funds are being used to hold down people's energy bills and fund one of the most generous cost of living packages in the world- worth 94bn, which is around 3,300 per household this year and last. Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, served as the House Democrats chief budget negotiator during the 2023 spring session. Months of negotiations and revised state revenue estimates came to a head early Saturday in the Illinois House resulting in a passed state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Debate began just after midnight on Saturday on the $50.6 billion spending plan, one that Democrats lauded for its investments in education and initiatives to address homelessness and food deserts. Republicans however warned of unchecked spending amid a possible recession and railed against a failure to be included in discussions with the majority party. The budget language was contained in amendments to Senate Bill 250 and House Bill 3817, known as the Budget Implementation Bill. The BIMP was heard first and passed 73-38 just after 1 a.m., whereas SB 250 also advanced to the governor's desk in the same tallied vote. House Democrat budgeteer Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, said the budget will help all Illinoisans from "cradle to grave." "Whether it be national economic challenges, we have positioned ourselves in an incredibly strong way because we are continuing to build that this will house of the state of Illinois for our future," she said during floor debate, the first Black woman to serve in that role. Major pushes of Gov. JB Pritzker made its way to the final package, including perhaps his signature request a $250 million investment towards the first-year of the Smart Start Illinois initiative, a plan which seeks to provide universal preschool access by 2027 and addresses childcare deserts throughout the state while improving the pay for childcare workers. Other education initiatives include a $1.6 million grant to launch the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program statewide and two $100 million increases to overall public university and community college funding and Monetary Award Program grant funding for college scholarships. Outside of education, an investment of more than $350 million will go towards the Home Illinois program - the state's plan to address homelessness - and another $20 million will head to the Illinois Grocery Initiative, which provides funds to tackle food deserts in rural, suburban, and urban communities. Story continues "This budget reaffirms our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility while making transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois that will be felt for years to come," Pritzker said in a statement after the vote. "I look forward to signing this budget making childcare and education more accessible, healthcare more affordable, and our states business and economic position even stronger. Senate debate: Illinois Senate approves $50 billion budget, now heads to the House The lead-up to budget votes this week was testy primarily due to disagreements on how to fund a non-citizens healthcare program after recent reports found it far out-exceeded the estimate in the governor's earlier budget proposal. That new number was $1.1 billion, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services, nearly $900 million more than the $220 million originally estimated. Instead, discussions between the governor, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Senate President Don Harmon settled with $550 million- a sum Pritzker gives the state the "tools" to properly manage the program. No members of the super-minority party supported the budget in the Senate, meeting the same fate in the House. Even before debate began, the primary reason for their opposition - the exclusion of a needed $75 million tax credit to continue the Invest in Kids program beyond Jan. 1, 2024 - was the subject of several lengthy and fiery speeches by GOP Reps. "We need to be investing in the kids of our state," said freshman Rep. Travis Weaver, R-Edwards. "They need us to throw them a life raft, instead we're throwing them a barbell." Local government impact Rep. John Egosfske, R-Lemont, opposing the fiscal year 2024 budget on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Although short of their goal of fully restoring the Local Government Distributive Fund, municipal leaders expressed support for the increased rate included in the budget. The FY 2024 budget includes north of $112 million, improving the share local governments receive from the state's total income tax revenue from 6.16% to 6.47%. Reaching 10% remains the requested share, Illinois Municipal League executive director Brad Cole said in a statement, but he appreciated the start. That increase would be essentially offset by a $700 million reduction of the state's Personal Property Replacement Fund argued Rep. John Egosfske, R-Lemont, and several other Republicans. Through PPRT, the state sends funds to local governments when they cannot collect property taxes on corporations, partnerships, and other business entities. "This is frankly catastrophic," Egosfske said, the replacement to former House Minority Leader Jim Durkin. "It is a slap in the face to one of our to every one of our elected municipal leaders and more importantly to every one of our residents." Gordon-Booth noted that not every community will get what they want, but added that mayors and municipal leaders had told her the LGDF expansion was appreciated. "We simply don't have the resources to do everything that everyone is asking the things that we're engaging in," she said. "We believe that we can sustain (LGDF) over time." That's all, folks The budget vote was followed up remarks by House party leaders recapping the highlights of the spring session, which officially ended around 3 a.m. on Saturday. Session had originally been scheduled to adjourn on May 19. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said Democrats had failed to keep their promise to make bipartisanship a priority or offer any substantial ethical reform in the wake of the Commonwealth Edison trial. A "new day," she said, is needed when lawmakers return to the Capitol for veto session this fall. Admittedly, there were programs that like Republicans could get behind such as the Smart Start Illinois initiative, she said, but fears of a potential recession along with increased state spending brought their future into question. "So when you keep adding new projects, or things that are not necessary when we're dealing with such an unknown, how successful will good programs like education really be?," she told reporters in a Friday afternoon press conference at the Capitol. Welch, D-Hillside, again championed the work lawmakers made in the prior General Assembly to ban assault-style weapons in Illinois. Like Harmon, he wanted to see a bipartisan vote but believed this year's budget will help Democrats and Republicans alike. "It would take me all night to read the things you'll get to go home with and brag about even though you voted no," he told GOP lawmakers. Contact Patrick Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: 'Moral document': House sends $50.6 billion budget to governor's desk The Rye High School commencement ceremony was held at the school on Thursday, May 25, 2023. It's graduation season in Pueblo and hundreds of local high school kids turned the tassels on their graduation caps this past week while also turning a new page in the book of their young lives. Here's a look at how many students graduated, as well as the top scholars at each school. Congratulations to the Class of 2023! Pueblo West Aiden Moss moves his tassel as a graduate during the Pueblo West High School commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26, 2023. Pueblo West High School once again had the largest senior class in Pueblo County with 282 graduates receiving diplomas at Pueblo West High School Stadium on Friday. Aspen Leng was this year's valedictorian and Aaron Amella was this year's salutatorian. Other graduates included Ivan Kozlov, an exchange student from Ukraine who will be attending Reed College in Oregon on a full-ride scholarship. Pueblo County SEBS Salutatorian Eric David addresses the Class of 2023 during the Pueblo County High School graduation ceremony held at Pueblo County High School on May 27, 2023. Pueblo County High School graduated 212 Hornets on Saturday. David Velarde was recognized as County's valedictorian and Jenna Sharp was recognized as valedictorian of the School of Engineering and Biomedical Sciences. Salutatorians included Tristan Hobbs of Pueblo County High and Eric David of SEBS. Pueblo East Pueblo East High School graduates toss their caps at the conclusion of their commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26, 2023. Pueblo East High School gave diplomas to 212 graduates at the Southwest Motors Events Center on Friday. The graduating class was the largest of any in Pueblo School District 60 this year. Alana Duran and Serena Sharon were recognized as the schools Top Scholars. Altogether, the 2023 class at East High School received nearly $3.5 million in scholarship offers. Rye Gianna Baker, center, gets emotional after leading the tassel change as senior class president during the Rye High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 25, 2023. A class of 48 seniors graduated from Rye High School on Thursday. Among them were Valedictorian Amelia Burbidge and Salutatorian Brianna Prichard. As noted by Prichard, the Class of 2023 at Rye was "like family." A quarter of the graduates had been classmates since 2010 starting with kindergarten at Rye Elementary School, followed by Craver Middle School and later Rye High School. Pueblo South Pueblo South High School graduates toss their caps at the conclusion of the school's commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Pueblo South High School graduated 187 seniors at the Southwest Motors Events Center on Saturday. Alyssa Durning was recognized as the schools Top Scholar. Jonah Harris, son of late U.S. Army Sgt. Blake Harris, was among those to graduate from South this year. Members of Sgt. Harris unit were among those in attendance to celebrate the accomplishments of Jonah and his South classmates. Story continues Pueblo Central Pueblo Central High School graduates clap for a speaker during the school's commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Pueblo Central High School celebrated the graduation of 162 seniors at the Southwest Motors Events Center on Saturday. Kaden Parker was recognized as this years Top Scholar. More than $2.3 million in scholarships was awarded to Wildcats attending college. Many 2023 Wildcat graduates have plans to serve in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy. Pueblo Centennial Pueblo Centennial High School graduates listen to speakers during the school's commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26, 2023. A class of 157 Pueblo Centennial High School Bulldogs embarked on their next adventure following a graduation ceremony on Friday at the Southwest Motors Events Center. Pedro Arrieta was recognized as the Top Scholar of the class. Members of the 2023 Bulldog class will be attending colleges as close by as Colorado State University Pueblo and as far away as the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Pueblo online schools Gabe Duran, a 2023 graduate of D70 Alternative Learning Academy, gives a heartfelt speech during his school's graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, at Memorial Hall. Pueblos two online high schools graduated a total of 172 students in 2023. Dutch Clark Digital Online at Paragon graduated 125 students and D70 Alternative Learning Academy graduated 47. Student speakers included Gabe Duran and Rob Sefcovic of D70 Alternative Learning Academy along with Leiorne Caldwell and Andres Rubio of Paragon. Last year, the two online schools graduated a combined 152 students. Pueblo charter schools Vashti Trujillo addresses her fellow students at the Dolores Huerta Preparatory High School graduation on Friday, May 19. Pueblo's two charter high schools, Dolores Huerta Preparatory High School and Swallows Charter Academy, held their graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 19. DHPH graduated 42 seniors during its ceremony at Memorial Hall. All received college credit, 11 graduated with associate degrees from Pueblo Community College and six received paraprofessional certificates from University of Colorado Denver. Scorpion graduates Samuel Van Hull and Vashti Trujillo served as student speakers. Swallows Charter Academy graduated 22 seniors during its graduation ceremony at Colorado State University Pueblo. The 2023 Spartan class was small, but high achieving. Its students earned a combined 716 credits from Pueblo Community College and 518 credits from Colorado State University Pueblo. Jojo Essenburg received the 2023 Spartan of the Year Award. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Nearly 1,500 students graduate from Pueblo-area high schools Commercial and residential developments around Point of the Mountain in Lehi are pictured on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utahs economy was recently ranked No. 1 in the nation by the American Legislative Exchange Council and U.S. News and World Report. It is now the fastest growing state in the country. This news comes as the state grapples with the natural tension between progress and quality of life. Fortunately, Utah can remain economically competitive and preserve its unique quality of life with an economic development strategy that prioritizes enduring prosperity over unmitigated growth. For decades, Utahs economic strategy largely focused on creating a strong business environment and diversifying industry. This approach worked well, serving to reverse the outmigration and brain drain that Utah experienced in the 1980s. Now, the Beehive State boasts the strongest and one of the most diverse economies in the nation, and since 1980, Utah has grown from being the 36th largest state to the 30th. As Utah continues to grow, how should we approach economic development? Some argue growth should be stopped, fearing communities and quality of life will change for the worse. That concern is understandable no one wants increased cost of living, overcrowded canyons and more traffic. But policies aimed at stopping growth can be counterproductive. For example, in Southern California from the 1960s to 80s anti-growth sentiment led to policies that only shifted development to neighboring areas, producing massive urban sprawl, loss of open space, congested commutes and increased housing costs. Others believe we should slow economic development. What may be surprising is that most companies relocating here bring few employees with them, rather they create new job opportunities for Utahns. States will always compete for jobs, talent and capital investment to thrive and sustain quality of life. More Utahns than not understand if we slow economic development, Utah risks being left behind. A study by Envision Utah found that only 26% of residents believe we should try to slow growth by slowing economic development and not approving new housing developments, while 44% think trying to stop growth will only undermine our economy and drive up the cost of housing. Story continues Related Economic development must continue, but we need to pivot our strategy in three ways. First, we should recalibrate the past pro-growth strategies Utah did well, like corporate recruitment. Utah should focus on recruiting companies that offer a host of benefits to our communities, not just high-paying jobs. These companies should invest in Utahs housing, environment and education through corporate and social responsibility. Utah should also increase efforts to retain existing companies that could be recruited to other states. Second, we need to grow the workforce and extend opportunities to more Utahns by accelerating initiatives to upskill and reengage underserved segments of the labor pool. We can do this through workforce programs that better serve the needs of women, rural populations, immigrants and those whose jobs skills may become less relevant in an ever-evolving economy. Third, we need to create lasting prosperity for all Utahns by ratcheting up efforts to secure more of the $1.9 trillion in federal funding available through various infrastructure bills, as Idaho and Texas are doing. Additionally, the legislature can continue preserving Utahs natural environment as it did with the historic $1 billion in funding appropriated for water resiliency over the last two legislative sessions. These changes help sustain our upward economic trajectory while staying prepared for inevitable market cycles. Utahs journey from a remote frontier land cultivated by impoverished pioneers to become the most vibrant economy in the country today is nothing short of miraculous. The Beehive State is indeed the place of industry, and it must remain so as we enter a new era as a medium-sized state. If we are to leave Utah in a position to succeed, we must build on the strengths of our past pro-growth strategy and recalibrate it to create lasting prosperity for future generations of aspiring Utahns. Scott Cuthbertson is president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. Dave Huprich fights to keep his composure while speaking Saturday about the meaning of the MIA-POW Table during the 10th Annual Operation Flags of Freedom Heroes Remembrance Ceremony at Perry High School in Perry Township. PERRY TWP. More than 70 people gathered Saturday morning to remember the people who gave their lives serving the country. The 10th annual Heroes Remembrance Ceremony at Perry High School featured speaker and U.S. Navy Seal Hershel B. Davis. It was coordinated by the nonprofit Operations Flags of Freedom and the Perry Township Rotary Club. Steve Toohey, president of Operation Flags of Freedom, said the flags posted on the school grounds represent each of the 303 Ohioians killed during military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also dedicated 11 light post banners, each memorializing a Perry High School graduate killed in action. Vietnam veteran Ken McGill of Perry Township sits alone Saturday during the remembrance ceremonies at the 10th Annual Operation Flags of Freedom Heroes Remembrance Ceremony at Perry High School in Perry Township. "May we all remember these men on this Memorial Day and every day," Toohey said. Davis shared a brief history of Memorial Day and statistics that show fewer people have carried the burden of the Global War on Terror, a counterterrorism campaign launched after 9/11 that ended in 2021. Less than 1% of the country's population now are on active military duty. "The average citizen was asked to sacrifice nothing," Davis said. He said the decision itself to serve makes a person part of "an elite group" and military veterans don't need to wonder if they've made a difference in the world. Recording artist Ricky Lee performs for a crowd gathered Saturday at the 10th Annual Operation Flags of Freedom Heroes Remembrance Ceremony at Perry High School in Perry Township. Davis received a standing ovation before Dave Huprich, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, shared the significance of the rememberance table set up for prisoners of war and people missing in action. A POW/MIA poem followed, read by Brian Gunn. "You could've been anywhere else this morning but you chose to be here," Gunn said in appreciation to the audience. Perry Township Ficsal Officer Craig Chessler later read a local "roll call of fallen heroes" with a bell toll after each name. Gold Star Families, who have a family member killed in the line of duty, were then recognized during a somber performance of "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes. Country artist Ricky Lee also performed during the event. Township safety forces laid a wreath at the veterans memorial and a rifle salute and taps followed before the ceremony came to an end. Story continues Brooklyn Barker, 4, of Perry Township keeps her hand on her heart Saturday during the national anthem at the 10th Annual Operation Flags of Freedom Heroes Remembrance Ceremony at Perry High School. "It was such a beautiful, touching service," said Renee Martin, the sister of Perry Rotary President Mark Martin. She said it's a sad occasion but important to take time to honor the lives lost. Jerry Snyder, of North Canton, also attended out of a sense of civic duty. He's been to the service two or three times and said it's always a "nice community function." Ken McGill, a 1966 Perry High School graduate who lives in North Canton, rode a motorcycle he built to honor the Perry graduates killed in action. McGill is a U.S. Army combat veteran who served from 1969 to 1971. He didn't graduate with any of the men but knew four of them personally. "It's a very emotional weekend for me," McGill said of the national holiday to remember his brothers in arms. Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.comOn Twitter: @kbyerREP Keynote speaker Hershel B. Davis, a U.S. Navy Seal, talks to a crowd Saturday gathered for the 10th Annual Operation Flags of Freedom Heroes Remembrance Ceremony at Perry High School in Perry Township. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Perry Township remembers fallen heroes Turkey's all-powerful leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a presidential election runoff Sunday, a victory that means he won the right to extend his rule into a third decade. Without making any concession in our democracy, development nor goals, we have opened the door to the century of Turkey together. From men and women, young and old, workers and retirees, all segments of our nation realized our dreams and excitement together, Erdogan said in a victory speech in Istanbul. Turkey's Supreme Election Council said he won more than 52% of the vote. Erdogan, 69, has repeatedly survived formidable political crises during his tenure including mass demonstrations, an attempted military coup, corruption allegations, a huge influx of refugees from Syria's civil war, the rise and fall of the Islamic State terror group on Turkey's borders, soaring inflation that passed 80% in 2022 and a torrent of criticism over his handling of earthquakes that killed more than 50,000 people. Tight race in Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu head for presidential runoff Turkey's presidential election: What's happening? The Sunday runoff vote between Erdogan and challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu came after neither candidate received at least 50% support from Turkey's 64 million eligible voters in an earlier round. The May 14 election finished with Erdogan receiving 49.5% of the vote; Kilicdaroglu garnered 44.9%. What issues matter most to voters in Turkey's election? During the election campaign, Erdogan portrayed himself as an ally to Turkey's Islamist, religious conservatives and nationalists who have stood up to the West, bolstered Turkey's defense industry, and taken a hard line against militant Kurdish separatists. Kilicdaroglu drew attention to Turkey's economic ruin and the ongoing destructive impact of the earthquakes. Both sides capitalized on anti-refugee sentiment. Why Turkey's presidential vote resonates beyond its borders Turkey is a strategically located NATO ally. Erdogan has raised the country's diplomatic profile by, for example, helping to broker a grain deal between warring Russia and Ukraine and blocking Sweden's membership to the military organization. He has also eroded Turkey's democratic institutions, aggressively consolidated his own power and turned the country into one of the world's biggest jailers of journalists. President Joe Biden has described Erdogan as an "autocrat." Kilicdaroglu, relatively little known outside Turkey, had promised to foster better relations with the West and return the country to a more secular and democratic path. Story continues Turkey on the world stage: Ergodan launches military offensive in Syria after Trump pulls back U.S. troops Erdogan wins, what happens next? He could govern Turkey until 2029. Daron Acemoglu, a professor of economics at MIT and co-author of the book "Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty," wrote in a recent opinion piece that Erdogan's success would be "good news for other right-wing populists and strongmen, such as Narendra Modi in India and Donald Trump in the U.S., who are likely to continue to use similar tactics and aggressive nationalist rhetoric to animate their base and deepen polarization." Acemoglu added, "With authoritarianism often associated with economic mismanagement, what happens in Turkey will not stay in Turkey." Erdogan said in a recent interview that Turkey has a "special" and growing relationship with Russia despite mounting pressure on Ankara to help bolster sanctions against Moscow because of its Ukraine invasion. Dig deeper: Fate of Black Sea grain deal between Ukraine and Russia hangs in balance This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Turkey election runoff: Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared winner A view of a levy separating Steamboat Slough on the left with farmland on the right flooded at high tide in the Blue Heron Slough restoration project in Everett on Sept. 29. The Tulalip and Suquamish tribes, state and local agencies are wrapping up a 30-year project to restore the Snohomish River estuary, which was damaged by industrial pollution. (Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times) Emily Brown, M: 402-612-9267, emily.brown@bhhsamb.com, www.bhhsamb.com - Pristine lake views and boating before the 4th of July? Yes please! This concept, warm modern gem is for sale with the best views that Flatwater lake has to offer and is ready for your family today! This home was fashioned for outdoor living with 2 large second floor decks and a very large covered patio with amazing panoramic views. This home boasts a custom kitchen with Bertazzoni gas and electric stove and appliances and a Frigidaire twin fridge/freezer combo that is sure to impress. The large pantry doubles as a storm shelter. The second floor loft living room and grand entry are features that you and your guests will love. Don't forget about the 4 car garage with lake access for all of your toys and dual furnaces and air conditioners will keep you cool all summer and cozy all winter. Make sure to notice the guest room with a private balcony and ensuite and the size the second floor bedrooms, you don't want to View More Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Health inequities for Black Americans have their roots in a long history of medical racism. Here's a small sample of that history related to every phase of life: Birth: Gynecology James Marion Sims, a 19th century Alabama surgeon heralded as the father of modern gynecology, pioneered a treatment for vesicovaginal fistulas, a condition that affects bladder control and fertility in women. Between 1845 and 1849, Sims carried out the once-experimental surgical treatment on a dozen enslaved women without the use of anesthesia. He has been both defended as a product of his era and panned as unethical and inhumane. Sims' belief that Black people could endure more pain than white people is considered a form of racism and still present in the field of medicine. From medical school students of various racial and ethnic backgrounds to primary care providers of small and large practices, this bias has adversely impacted the health outcomes of Black Americans. It's also a source of Black American skepticism of modern medicine. Childhood: Behavioral treatment Behavioral challenges in Black children, throughout history and typically in educational settings, have been met with inequitable, inhumane and even extreme treatment. Systemic racism in behavioral counseling and psychotherapy for school-age children has meant lifelong adverse consequences for generations of Black children from the funneling of Black students with learning disabilities into special education tracks that lack resources and overreliance on suspension and expulsion to institutionalization and experimental brain operations. Dr. Orlando J. Andy's work at the University of Mississippi Medical School in the 1960s is one example. The neurosurgeon testified that he performed 30 to 40 lobotomies and other brain operations on Black children and other people with behavioral problems who had been institutionalized. Although Andy said his operations were a last resort for patients who lived with uncontrolled destructive hyperactivity, the procedure was performed on institutionalized Black boys as young as 6. Some patients lived the rest of their lives with deteriorated intellectual capacity. Teen years: Adultification Black children and teens are often perceived as much older than they are. Because of this bias known as "adultification," they get viewed as less innocent and less deserving of empathy resulting in harsher, disparate treatment in health care and other systems. The attitudes date back to slavery, when Black children as young as 2 were made to work and punished for developmentally appropriate child behavior, according to scholars Michael J. Dumas and Joseph Derrick Nelson. Research shows these attitudes still drive disparities in outcomes for Black children and teens. A Yale study found Black children are 1.8 times more likely to be physically restrained in a hospital emergency room than white kids, a gap that may be driven by hospital staff's view of Black children. Georgetown researchers have found that adultification of Black girls is linked to them being treated more harshly in school. Adulthood: Studying Black bodies University of Cincinnati researchers led an experiment from 1960 to 1972 that exposed about 90 poor, mostly Black, terminal cancer patients to extreme levels of radiation without their consent. The Department of Defense funded it as part of Cold War radiation experiments, according to Associated Press stories. Dr. Eugene Saenger, one of the chief researchers, said the study was meant to find experimental treatments for patients with inoperable cancer to see if he could stop the growth of tumors. But the patients and their families said they were not fully informed of the risks or asked to sign consent forms. They also weren't told of the Defense Department's involvement or that the results would be used to learn what might happen to troops exposed to radiation. A federal court ruling noted the patients were told they were receiving radiation for their cancer. The families' attorneys said many of the patients died after the radiation or experienced shortened life expectancies. A judge approved a $5.4 million settlement for the families. Death: Stealing Black bodies Even in death, Black Americans haven't escaped racist acts denying them the dignity their final resting places should have afforded them. Graveyard diggers were often hired to exhume and remove the bodies of Black people for the sake of medical research and studies, unbeknownst to family members. Harriet Washington, author of the book "Medical Apartheid," noted that Black graveyards were regularly targeted including by Dr. John D. Goodman, who in 1829 wrote that he paid the manager of a public graveyard "for the privilege of 'emptying the pits' of about 50 to 85 cadavers a month during each 'dissection season.'" Bodies were typically exhumed during the cooler months to align with the academic year. Washington wrote that historian Todd Savitt said Black people were well aware of the grave robbery that occurred, as evidenced by one elderly, enslaved Virginia woman who once said: "Please God, I hope when I die, it'll be the summertime." Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. AgriMin Daea launches pilot programme for drip irrigation for vegetables and potatoes Agriculture Minister Petre Daea in Bechet, Dolj County, on Saturday, launched the pilot programme for drip irrigation with energy independence for one-hectare crops of vegetables and potatoes, for which 40 million euros have been allocated and which will benefit around 5,000 young farmers. According to the data presented by Daea, the objective of this programme is to balance the trade balance with vegetables and stabilise the domestic production of vegetables and potatoes, and the location conditions are near a source of water, near the main irrigation channels or own source of water. CITESTE Citeste articolul mai departe pe stiripesurse.ro Sursa articol si foto: stiripesurse.ro CITESTE Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Tinerii fermieri pot obtine finantare pentru sisteme de irigare prin picurare cu independenta energetica. Programul pilot a fost lansat azi in judetul Dolj, la Bechet, considerat polul secetei din Romania. - Ministrul Agriculturii, Petre Daea, a lansat, sambata, la Bechet, judetul Dolj, programul pilot de irigare prin picurare, cu independenta energetica, pentru culturi de cate un hectar de legume si cartofi, pentru care sunt alocati 40 milioane euro si de care vor beneficia circa 5.000 de tineri fermieri. - Environment Minister launches new session of 'Photovoltaic Green House' programme.Minister of the Environment, Water and Forests Barna Tanczos will hold a press conference on Tuesday on the occasion of the launch of the "Photovoltaic Green House" programme, the ministry announced, told Agerpres. - Agriculture Minister Petre Daea held a videoconference meeting on Friday with Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests Mohamed Sadiki, the topic of the meeting having been Morocco's need to import sheep and the strengthening of cooperation relations - 22 de unitati de invatamant care functioneaza in 14 localitati muresene sunt incluse in Ordinul Ministrului Educatiei Nr. 4871 din 30 august 2022 privind implementarea catalogului electronic in scoli-pilot, a carui aplicare este reglementata de Ordinul Ministrului Educatiei Nr. 3896 din 28 martie 2023 - The Minister of Agriculture, Petre Daea, will discuss on Wednesday with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mikola Solski, about the impact of Ukrainian grain imports and the measures that can be taken to manage this crisis.According to the Minister of Agriculture, Petre Daea, the discussion between the two - Save Romania Union (USR) and the Right Force lawmakers have challenged with the Constitutional Court (CCR) a law under which the staff of the National Integrity Agency (ANI) receive a pay bonus of up to 25% for neuropsychic overload.According to a press release from USR, the law passed last week. - O serie de inovatii romanesti in materie de tehnologie militara, cum sunt avioanele cu comanda de la distanta sau aplicatia de comanda-control din programul Piranha V, sunt prezentate la Targu Mures, la cea mai mare expozitie de tehnica si echipamente militare din Transilvania, organizata cu ocazia Masurile adoptate in contextul minivacantei Pentru ca multi dintre dumneavoastra isi vor alege sa petreaca minivacanta cu precadere in zonele turistice, parcuri de agrement ori in mijlocul naturii, respectarea unor reguli simple, insa foarte importante, vor duce la evitarea producerii unor incidente si nu veti deveni astfel victime ale incendiilor: [citeste mai departe] Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. B&R Stores, the Lincoln-based supermarket chain, has announced another acquisition. The company said Friday that it has agreed to buy Mason's Market in Minden. Terms of the deal, which is scheduled to be finalized on June 19, were not disclosed. The store has been a fixture in Minden since the 1950s, when it was opened by Tom and Edda Mason. Craig Space assumed ownership of the store in 1984 and his son Riley has operated it since 2011. "I would like to thank the community for shopping with my family for many years and thank the employees for their loyal service," Craig Space said in a news release. "The support we have received has been truly remarkable." B&R Stores President Mark Griffin said the store will continue to operate as Mason's Market, and, "We look forward to working with the current employees of the store," he said. "We are proud to have the opportunity to serve the customers of Minden and endeavor ourselves to uphold the same high standards established by Riley and his family," Griffin said. The purchase is B&R Stores' second in as many months. Last month, the company agreed to buy Joe's Market in Loup City. The acquisitions add to B&R Stores' growing portfolio of small-town grocery stores. The company that owns Russ's Market and Super Saver has bought more than a dozen locations in small towns in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri since 2017. 12 Nebraska shops to check out Fort Cody Trading Post Marshall Custom Hats Hollywood Candy Brown Sheep Co. Mill Store Cottage Inspirations Antiquarium Master's Hand Candle Co. North Platte Art And Gift Gallery Park Avenue Antiques The Keeping Room Too Far North Yesterday's Lady The Most Unlikely Place Marah's Treasures Suite Child Aqua York Boot 'N Repair Platte River Outdoors Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. In a split decision Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed Dawes County Sheriff Karl Dailey's conviction for official misconduct for his failure to house a man arrested at his jail over an apparent turf war with the Nebraska State Patrol. The case involves the arrest of Jesse Sierra, a South Dakota man who had been arrested on sexual assault and kidnapping allegations for which he's now serving a life sentence. On July 21, 2019, multiple law enforcement officers started searching for him after his girlfriend showed up at a hospital in Chadron saying he had assaulted her at a motel in Crawford. The Chadron Police Department reached out to the State Patrol and Dawes County Sheriff's Office, but didn't directly contact Dailey. When he learned of the search, he called a State Patrol commander to convey that he "was unhappy (with) how things were unfolding." "According to the commander, Dailey believed that the NSP should have checked with him to make sure it was okay . . . to be assisting the (CPD) in Crawford, Justice Jonathan Papik wrote for the majority. At the motel in Crawford, Dailey told State Patrol troopers they could expect zero cooperation from me and my people in the future, and that, if he could arrange it, "you wont be booking prisoners in my jail anymore; you can take them all the way to Scotts Bluff from now on." In the meantime, a Chadron Police officer found Sierra with a small bruise on his face and limping. He said he'd been run over, so they took him to the hospital in Chadron where he was examined but not admitted. At trial on the misdemeanor, Dailey admitted he was "abusive" toward NSP officers because he was upset. But he said he wouldn't take Sierra because of his high-risk status and the fact that he was injured. The Box Butte County jail and Sheridan County jail also declined to take him. So the State Patrol had to take him 100 miles away to the jail in Scotts Bluff County. After, Dailey was charged with official misconduct for refusing to receive Sierra at the jail. At a bench trial, the judge found him guilty and fined him $750. Dailey appealed to the district court, which found "that Dailey was 'upset' that he was not personally involved in the search for Sierra and 'decided to flex his authority.'" He appealed again to the Supreme Court, which on Friday affirmed his conviction, rejecting Dailey's arguments that as jailer he had authority to decline to take Sierra because he'd been arrested without a warrant or other court order and "by law" sheriffs have discretion to determine who is admitted to jail. "We disagree," Papik wrote. Chief Justice Mike Heavican said, while he agreed with much of the majority's opinion, he wouldn't have affirmed Dailey's conviction because the state hadn't shown that he failed to comply with his obligations as jailer. He said the evidence is uncontroverted that the Nebraska State Patrol did not present Sierra at the Dawes County jail. Nor was evidence presented that Dawes County jail staff declined to take him after he was medically cleared. "Instead, (the State Trooper) concluded, largely based upon Daileys prior statements, that 'Dawes County was not going to take (Sierra),'" Heavican wrote. Douglas County District Judge Kimberly Miller Pankonin, who sat with the Supreme Court on the case, joined him in his dissent. Biggest tornadoes in Nebraska of the past decade Biggest tornadoes in Nebraska of the past decade #15. Apr. 14, 2012 #14. Jun. 12, 2017 #13. May. 26, 2021 #12. May. 27, 2013 #11. Jun. 16, 2014 #10. Jun. 25, 2015 #9. Aug. 19, 2017 #8. Oct. 4, 2013 #7. Mar. 18, 2012 #6. May. 17, 2019 #5. Jun. 17, 2014 #4. May. 11, 2014 #3. May. 11, 2014 #2. Jun. 16, 2014 #1. Oct. 4, 2013 A Southwest Airlines pilot was caught on camera climbing into an aircraft through the cockpit's window. The pilot was forced to do so after the plane's door was accidentally closed by a passenger. As per Fox5's report, the incident occurred at San Diego International Airport. The aircraft seen in the pictures was bound for Sacramento. The picture of the pilot squeezing through the window was captured by a person named Max Rexroad and was shared on social media. It is to be noted that the incident occurred on Wednesday. Sharing the picture, Rexroad wrote, "No joke yesterday last passenger got off plane with no one else on board, he shut the door. Door locked. Pilot having to crawl through cockpit window to open door so we can board." Also read: IndiGo Cancels Bengaluru-Bound Flight, Sends To Dubai; DGCA Probe Demanded As per CBS Sacramento, the gate officials informed travellers that their flight would be delayed and that someone would need to unlock the aircraft from the cockpit. No joke yesterday last passenger got off plane with no one else on board, he shut the door. Door locked. Pilot having to crawl through cockpit window to open door so we can board. @SouthwestAir pic.twitter.com/oujjcPY67j Matt Rexroad (@MattRexroad) May 25, 2023 As per report, Rexroad was waiting at the gate when a gate agent said on the speaker that someone had shut the door to the plane and that there would be a brief delay as they tried to get in. Rexroad was travelling to Sacramento after helping his daughter leave the University of San Diego. Rexroad estimated that there was an eight-minute delay before he could board with the other passengers. According to him, they arrived in Sacramento about seven minutes later than expected. CBS13, Southwest Airlines said in a statement, "During the boarding process, a Customer opened the forward lavatory door and inadvertently pushed the Flight Deck door closed (which locked) while the Pilots scheduled to operate the flight were preparing to board the aircraft. One of our Pilots unlocked the door from a Flight Deck window, and the flight departed as scheduled." After the impressive first season, Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden starrer Citadel will come with its second season. The development was confirmed by Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, 25 May. As per the latest reports, while David Weil will be returning as showrunner for the second season, filmmaker Joe Russo will be helming every episode of season 2. Apart from the lead characters, the second season will also feature Lesley Manville and Stanley Tucci again. Sharing the news on Instagram, Priyanka Chopra said that she looks forward to the show's second season. Priyanka Chopra has also urged fans to watch the finale episode of Citadel Season 1. "S2 is coming!! Looking forward to it. But for now, watch the finale episode on Amazon Prime Video," she wrote. As soon as Priyanka Chopra shared the post, many took to the comment section and cheered in her support. Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan commented, "Interesting" while actress Sameera Reddy wrote, "I absolutely love the first season! You go girl!" About Citadel Season 1 A spy-thriller from Amazon Studios and the Russo Brothers' AGBO, Citadel features Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden in lead roles. The show explores how former Citadel (global spy agency) agents Mason Kane (Richard Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra) go on a mission, years after they were presumed dead during an operation in Italy. The show is currently the second most-watched new original series outside the US and the fourth most-watched worldwide on Prime Video. Presently, all the episodes of the series first season are available for viewers. Speaking on the same, executive producers Anthony and Joe Russo in a statement said that AGBO is thrilled to embark on the "next phase of the spyverse" with Jen, Vernon, and the entire team at Amazon. In the meantime, while the show gears up for the second season, Prime Video has also planned for the Italian and Indian versions of Citadel. The Indian version is said to be directed by Raj and DK and will feature actors Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in pivotal roles. As per a Deadline report, the second season's production is expected to move to California. KEITHELMANBI: The army cordon moved in slowly as darkness set in over the village of New Keithelmanbi some 40 km from the capital Imphal, surrounded on all sides by a dense forest. The army and Assam Rifles personnel who had swooped down on the village in Kangpokpi district on the edge of the Imphal valley on Friday, were searching for arms. "In the last few days, we have observed that communities are attacking each other with firearms. In some cases, people are being killed ? This sudden emergence of arms is delaying the entire peace process," a senior Army official told PTI. In the surprise raid to New Keithelmanbi village, where this PTI correspondent accompanied troopers, a country made pipe gun and huge cache of explosives were recovered along with one air gun and blank packet of cartridge. Armed vigilante groups have been taking the law into their own hands in parts of Manipur, in the wake of ethnic rioting earlier, thus complicating the peace process. At times, militant groups have joined in the fray, creating an even more volatile cocktail of ethnic tension. On condition of anonymity, the army officer said that they are now concentrating on stopping such elements which are threatening the return of normalcy to the state. "Indian Army and Assam Rifles have decided to carry out surprise search operations on villages of different communities. We are not targeting any one particular community. "Our aim is to stop that one individual in the entire village who is threatening the other community by carrying arms. We are seizing such weapons and also apprehending them," said the official, who was sent to Manipur after violence erupted earlier this month. Talking about Friday's operations, the official said that New Keithelmanbi village is adjacent to National Highway-37, which is the only lifeline to Manipur at this moment. "We had reports that people in the village have firearms and explosives. Our prime objective is to protect the highway so that no untoward incident can take place there. Around 250 trucks are using this road every day, carrying essential supplies. "So, we carried out a suprise search and recovered explosives and one air gun. The air gun was, however, returned to village elders as it can be kept without a licence," he added. Visiting the village, nestled on a hillock, the PTI correspondent saw bunkers and trenches that were constructed in order to prevent any attack from the opposite community. Empty packets of cartridges were strewn near one of the bunkers. The road from the hill above the village was completely blocked by placing logs and bushes, though the entry from the highway was still open. The force also videographed the entire exercise of search operations. One woman, whose house was searched, alleged that security personnel came every other day and harassed them in the name of search operations. This however, was denied by army officials who said the raids were conducted on the basis of intelligence inputs and the platoons which were sent out had women soldiers from the Assam Rifles to ensure that women whose houses are searched remain safe. Clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals ? Nagas and Kukis ? constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. The ethnic clashes claimed over 70 lives and some 10,000 army and para-military personnel had to be deployed to bring back normalcy in the northeastern state. NEW DELHI: As many as eight Chief Ministers of opposition ruled states did not attend the crucial eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Modi. The theme of the meeting was 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India'. The meeting was held at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, PM Modi presided over the meeting. According to reports, the key topics of the discussion were related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Among those who attended the meet includes Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Arunachal CM Pema Khandu, Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Reddy, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, among CMs of other states. Union Ministers including Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Home Minister Amit Shah also attended the meeting. Niti Aayog had earlier said that the day long meeting included deliberations on (i) Viksit Bharat@2047, (ii) Thrust on MSMEs, (iii) Infrastructure and Investments, (iv) Minimising Compliances, (v) Women Empowerment, (vi) Health and Nutrition, (vii) Skill Development, and (viii) Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure. While the meeting saw participation from many Chief Ministers/Lt Governors of all States and Union Territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio Members, and the Vice Chairman and Members of NITI Aayog, seven chief ministers skipped the meeting. Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Rajasthan's Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Delhi's CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's CM Bhagwant Mann, Telangana's CM K Chandrashekhar Rao, West Bengal's CM Mamata Banerjee and Bihar's CM Nitish Kumar skipped the meeting. CM Gehlot has cited health reasons for not attending the meeting, while CM Vijayan has not given any specific reason for his absence. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also slammed the Centre over the construction of the new Parliament and said that there is 'no sense' to attend the NITI Aayog meeting and the inauguration ceremony of the new building. Kejriwal has accused the Centre of turning the cooperative federalism into the joke. The Delhi CM and the Centre have been at the odds over ordinance related to administrative control of the national capital. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin could not attend the meeting as he is on an official visit to Japan. As a preparatory prelude to the 8th Governing Council Meeting, the second Chief Secretaries Conference was held in January 2023, where these themes were extensively discussed. "Wide-ranging stakeholder consultations and brainstorming sessions with subject experts, academia and practitioners were held prior to the Conference in order to gain well-rounded grassroots-level perspectives," it further said. Rajinikanth's Statement On Sengol: Tamil actor Rajinikanth today lauded Modi government's move to install Sengol in the new Parliament building. The Tamil superstar, who also heads a political outfit in southern state, said that Sengol (sceptre) is a symbol of 'Tamil power'. "Sceptre (Sengol), the traditional symbol of Tamil power, will shine in India's New Parliament Building. My sincere thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who made Tamilians proud," actor Rajinikanth tweeted. Earlier this evening, the Prime Minister received a Sengol from Tamil Nadu Adheenams (heads of Hindu monasteries) at his residence here on the eve of the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The Prime Minister, in a scathing attack on the Congress, said the 'Sengol' which was a symbol of the transfer of power from the British in 1947 should have gotten due respect after Independence, but it was kept on display as a "walking stick" at Anand Bhawan in Prayagraj. The Adheenams, who arrived from Tamil Nadu earlier in the day, met Modi at his residence and handed him special gifts, including 'Sengols', amid chanting of 'mantras'. Modi sought their blessings and also honoured them. The prime minister will on Sunday inaugurate the new Parliament building, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, amid a boycott by several Opposition parties which insist that President Droupadi Murmu as the head of the State should do the honours. On Friday, Modi said the new Parliament building will make every Indian proud and shared a video of the new complex. Heavy rains with thunderstorms and strong winds lashed Delhi and adjoining areas on Saturday morning, bringing relief from the heat wave that had gripped North India. The India Meteorological Department had forecasted the wet weather in Delhi and its nearby areas on Saturday morning. The entire Delhi, NCR and parts of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh will experience Thunderstorms/Duststorms with light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 40-70 Km/h in the next 2 hours, the India Meteorological Department said. The weather department also said that Delhi will see rain for the next two to three days and there will be no heat wave till May 30. IMD on Friday said that the rainfall in India in June will be Below normal levels and states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, and northern India will face above-normal temperatures. #WATCH | Weather change in Delhi; Rain lashes parts of the national capital. Visuals from Shanti Path. pic.twitter.com/LtaL3x3gLT ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2023 Meanwhile, the Delhi Airport has announced that several flight operation are impacted in wake of the bad weather conditions. Also Read: Weather Update: IMD Issues Heatwave Warning, Yellow Alert In 18 Districts Of Uttar Pradesh Till Monday #WATCH | Delhi witnesses a sudden change in weather and receives rainfall this morning. Visuals from near India Gate. pic.twitter.com/pGZMP3Dn2m ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2023 "In June, the rainfall all over India will be below 92 per cent, which is below normal. In states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Orissa, and northern India the temperature is likely to stay above normal, the probability that temperature will be above normal is 70-80 per cent," news agency ANI quoted RK Jenamani as saying. Also Read: Delhi Weather: Capital Witnesses Rare Fog, Records 3rd Coldest May Morning In 122 Years The IMD earlier said that monsoon is expected to make onset in Kerala on June 4 and that it will most likely be normal this year. New Delhi: 'Mughal-E-Azam: The Musical,' a Broadway-style extravaganza based on K Asif's timeless classic began its 13-city tour of the US with a sensational flash mob in New York's Times Square. The musical, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by Shapoorji Pallonji Group will regale audiences across North America. The 13-city tour kicks off in Atlanta on Friday, May 26. However, it was at Times Square that the dancers gave onlookers a glimpse into the magnificence that has made this musical a long-running success around the world. The vintage score and the lyrical choreography mesmerised people from all nationalities in a location that is known to be the world's biggest melting pot. Says director Feroz Abbas Khan, "A carnival-like atmosphere was created as passersby joined the dancers. It was thrilling to see the unifying power of art and music, bringing so many people together, many of whom may not even have seen 'Mughal-E-Azam' or heard about the musical. This has been a wonderful start and now we are excitedly looking forward to bringing this beautiful story to a diverse global audience in the US." Deepesh Salgia, who helms the Creative & Strategic Vision for the musical adds, "Bringing the cast and crew of more than 150 people to the US has been challenging because of the enormity of this undertaking. Finally, after all the planning and logistical brainstorming, we are here and the welcome that we have received at Times Square is a befitting start to a musical that is all about the power of love." 'Mughal-E-Azam: The Musical,' has won many accolades following its 2016 premiere in Mumbai. In 2017, it won seven out of the 14 BroadwayWorld India Awards, including Best Play, Best Director, Best Costume Design, Best Choreography, Best Original Set Design, Best Original Lighting Design, and Best Ensemble Cast. New Delhi: Malaika Arora is an actress and dancer who needs no introduction. Be it her looks, her fitness levels, or her dance, she never fails to amaze her fans. Each time the actress drops pictures on social media, she leaves everyone completely stunned. Malla is definitely one of those actresses who are aging in reverse. On Saturday, the actress dropped a series of clicks in a black blazer and flared skirt ensemble and fans are in love. Taking to her official Instagram, the actress dropped the clicks where she can be seen effortlessly showcasing her impeccable fashion sense. Her outfit screams Chic and Glam at the same time, she looks marvelous and her fans are calling her that. The stunning combination of cream and black colour perfectly accentuated her curves and exuding elegance. The blazer added a touch of power and made her look like a sassy boss babe. The pictures have left fans wondering if Malaika Arora is aging backward. Soon after she shared the post on social media, fans flooded the comment section complimenting her. Malaika Aroras timeless beauty was on full display as she confidently posed for the camera. Malla is very active on social media and keeps sharing her jaw-dropping clicks with fans. She indeed does the justice with the quote 'Aging like a fine wine.' Meanwhile, on the work front, Malaika Arora recently appeared in the music video Tera Ki Khayal with Guru Randhawa. She was also seen in her debut show Moving In With Malaika which gave her fans an insight into her personal life. Apart from this, Malaika runs a yoga studio by the name of Diva Yoga centre and often urges people to either take to yoga or hit the gym to keep the body, mind and soul balanced. On the personal front, Malaika has been in a relationship with Arjun Kapoor for quite some time now. The two often go out on vacations at exotic destinations together and share photos with each other on social media. Recently, they had gone on a trip to Berlin and Austria. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) on Friday awarded Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Ltd the contract for the operation and maintenance of Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro's line 3, the city's first fully underground corridor. The MMRC, in a release, said the contract was awarded for a period of 10 years, after an international competitive bidding process in which the DMRC emerged as the lowest successful bidder. Also read: Vande Bharat Express To Get 3 Versions By 2024: Chair Car, Sleeper, Metro The DMRC will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the metro line, including management of the operation control centre, depot control centre, stations, running trains, maintenance of trains and all metro systems infrastructure, and ensuring the safety of passengers, the release said. "They will be governed by key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure clean, efficient, and hustle-free services to Mumbaikars," it stated. Awarding the operation and maintenance contract was a "significant milestone for the MMRC in making the line operations", the release said. The DMRC is a pioneer in the metro rail sector in India, having successfully operated and maintained the Delhi metro for over two decades, it said. New Delhi: A court in the US has ordered Google to pay $32.5 million to high-tech audio technology company Sonos, for infringing on the company's smart speaker patent. The verdict by a San Francisco jury found that Google's smart speakers and media players infringed on one of two Sonos patents, reports The Verge, citing the court filing. Jurors said that Google should pay $2.30 for each of the more than 14 million devices sold.In January last year, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Google violated five patents of the high-tech speaker and audio technology company Sonos, relating to smart speakers.A US judge ruled in August last year that Google infringed upon the Sonos patents.In January 2020, Sonos first sued tech giant Google for allegedly copying its wireless speaker design, urging the ITC to ban Google products like laptops, phones, and speakers.Sonos CEO Patrick Spence testified before the US House antitrust committee that Google "blocked the company from enabling both Amazon's Alexa assistant and the Google Assistant from being active at the same time".Google had said, "we do not expect any impact on our ability to import or sell our products". Sonos accused Google of infringing on a total of 100 patents.Google has always maintained that its technology was developed independently and it was not copied from Sonos. The tech giant also sued Sonos, alleging that the company infringed on its smart speakers and voice control technology patents. New Delhi: In a significant development ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, a powerful Congressional Committee has recommended strengthening NATO Plus by including India. NATO Plus, currently NATO Plus 5, is a security arrangement that brings together NATO and five aligned nations - Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea - to boost global defence cooperation. Bringing India on board would facilitate seamless intelligence sharing between these countries and India would access the latest military technology without much of a time lag. The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, overwhelmingly adopted a policy proposal to enhance Taiwan's deterrence, including through strengthening NATO Plus to include India. "Winning the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring the security of Taiwan demands the United States strengthen ties to our allies and security partners, including India. Including India in NATO Plus security arrangements would build upon the US and India's close partnership to strengthen global security and deter the aggression of the CCP across the Indo-Pacific region," the Select Committee recommended. An initiative of the Republican leadership, the Select Committee is popularly called the China Committee. Indian-American Ramesh Kapoor, who has been working on this proposal for the past six years, said this is a significant development. He hoped that the recommendation would find a place in the National Defense Authorization Act 2024 and finally end up becoming a law of the land. Also Read: India 'Most Critical' Partner To Counter China: US Lawmakers Ahead Of PM Modi's State Visit In its set of recommendations, the China Committee said that economic sanctions against China in case of an attack on Taiwan will be most effective if key allies such as G7, NATO, NATO+5, and Quad members join, and negotiating a joint response and broadcasting this message publicly have the added benefit of enhancing deterrence. "Much like we do joint contingency planning for war fighting, we need to coordinate in peacetime with US allies. To that end, Congress should pass legislation similar to the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2023 that mandates the development of an economic sanctions package to be employed in the event of a PRC attack on Taiwan," it said. It should also pass legislation to counter the CCP's economic coercion, including by providing tools to support foreign partners targeted by the PRC's economic coercion. The flip side of economic deterrence is economic engagement with Taiwan. Accordingly, Congress should support efforts to reduce the taxation burden on US-Taiwan cross-border investment as well as broader trade negotiations with a particular focus on developing shared standards and regulations to combat the CCP's unfair economic policies, the committee said. "The United States should strengthen the NATO Plus arrangement to include India. The United States should also strengthen diplomatic deterrence by supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations and amending the TAIPEI Act to provide that the United States, alongside its allies and partners, should publicly oppose any attempts by the CCP to resolve the status of Taiwan's sovereignty by intentionally misusing, misinterpreting, and misleading others on the underlying purpose of UN Resolution 2758 or the United States' One China Policy," it stated. Prime Minister Modi will pay an official state visit to the US next month. Irate passengers have demanded an investigation by civil aviation regulator DGCA following inconvenience suffered by them due to the cancellation of IndiGo`s Mangaluru-Bengaluru flight at the Mangaluru International Airport. The Bengaluru-bound flight was diverted to Dubai on Thursday morning following the grounding of the Dubai-bound Indigo flight after a bird hit. Academician and Lokniti Network`s national Coordinator Sandeep Shastri, in a social media post, said that "the flight was cancelled as Indigo needed the aircraft to service an international flight and they call it the hopelessly vague operational issue. Also read: Delhi-NCR Witnesses Heavy Rainfall; Flight Operations Disrupted At IGI Airport "Request Hon`ble Minister, DGCA to initiate an investigation; over 100 domestic passengers were inconvenienced with no compensation." "My in-laws aged in their 80s and traveling on wheelchairs, received shoddy treatment from Indigo. Their flight to 6E5357 was cancelled 20 minutes before departure. No help or support. I had to get them on the evening flight and book a hotel." He had urged the IndiGo authorities, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and the DGCA to look into the matter. A major tragedy was averted at the Mangaluru International Airport when the Dubai-bound Indigo flight suffered a bird hit while taking off on Thursday. According to sources at the airport, the incident happened at 8.30 a.m. and caused panic among the passengers. However, as per an official statement, "as far as the incident per se is concerned, 6E 1467 IXE-DXB (8.25 a.m. departure) suffered a bird hit as it entered the runway from the taxiway. The pilot informed the ATC and returned to the apron at 8.30 a.m. "The 160 passengers were deplaned, and the aircraft was declared aircraft on ground (AOG) for a thorough engineering inspection. These passengers were later accommodated on another IndiGo aircraft that had arrived from Bengaluru. "The rescheduled Dubai flight left at 11.05 a.m. IndiGo has made alternate travel arrangements for the 165 passengers who were scheduled to fly to Bengaluru on flight 6E 5347 (scheduled departure at 9.10 a.m.). There was no panic, as reported in a section of the media." A senior cardiovascular surgeon from Chandigarh on Friday helped a co-passenger, who had a cardiac arrest onboard a flight from Japan, to survive. This incident took place onboard an Air India flight from Tokyo to Delhi. The flight, on the advice of the cardiologist, was diverted to Kolkata where the patient was taken to hospital and saved but not before five hours of struggle to save the patient with the help of crew. "We were not sure if we could get help if flight was directed to China so it was a daunting task to sustain the patient for five hours with whatever limited medical resources available on flight," surgeon Deepak Puri said on reaching New Delhi. He said it was heartening that this could be achieved with support of the captain and crew of AI 307. "On the heart attack of the patient, I did cardiopulmonary resuscitation and revived him but we were over sea and nearest destination was Kolkata - five hours away - so we had a daunting task of keeping him stable for five hours with minimum resuscitation resources," Puri told IANS. The airlines arranged special permission for landing in Kolkata and an ambulance to take him to nearest cardiac hospital on arrival and was successful in transferring the patient safely. "All the passengers and crew members gave me so much applause... brought tears to my eyes," an emotional Puri added. Chennai: Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan on Saturday called upon the opposition parties, which have given a call for boycotting the new Parliament building's inauguration on May 28, to reconsider their decision and make the event an "occasion of national unity". Stating that he maintains his "dissent" over the President not being invited to the event in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building, Haasan asked the opposition parties to join the event saying that the political disagreements "can wait for a day". As many as 21 opposition parties have announced to boycott the inauguration ceremony on Sunday. "Our republic's new home needs all its family members to reside in it. I believe in participatory democracy and hence call upon all opposition parties who have chosen to boycott the event to reconsider. Any disagreements you may have over the event can be raised in public forums as well as on the floor of the houses of the new Parliament," he said in a statement. Reminding political parties to remember that "there is more that unites us than divides us," Haasan said that the entire country is looking forward to this event. "The eyes of the world are upon us. Let's make the inauguration of a new Parliament an occasion of national unity, our political disagreements can wait for a day," the leader said, adding, "In the national interest, I choose to celebrate the inauguration of the new Parliament, while maintaining my dissent over not inviting the President of India and for not involving opposition parties in the planning of the inauguration." However, the actor-politician also questioned the Central government asking "why the President of India should not attend the ceremony". Asserting that the moment of national pride has become "politically divisive", he said, "I ask my Prime Minister one simple question; "Please tell the country, why the President of India should not attend the inauguration of our new Parliament? I see no reason why the President of India as Head of the State should not be part of this historic occasion." He further asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the conciliatory gesture and invite President Droupadi Murmu. "The new Parliament is no mere ordinary building. It will be the home of Indian democracy for time immemorial. I call upon the Prime Minister to rectify this oversight, which will go down in history as a grave error, and if rectified will become a milestone in political leadership," he added. Notably, Congress and other opposition parties decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building and stated that it "insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution". Earlier TMC, AAP, and CPI(M) decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building on May 28. A total of 21 parties have decided to boycott the inauguration of the new parliament building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will dedicate to the nation the new Parliament building on May 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building on December 10, 2020. It has been built in record time with quality construction. New Delhi: A prominent American lawmaker on Friday introduced a bill in the US Congress to declare Diwali, the festival of lights, a federal holiday, a move welcomed by different communities from across the country. "Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe, and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States, Congresswoman Graced Meng told reporters during a virtual news conference here soon after introducing the bill in the House of Representatives. The Diwali Day Act, when passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President, would make the festival of lights the 12th federally recognised holiday in the United States. Establishing a federal holiday for Diwali, and the day off it would provide, would allow families and friends to celebrate together, and demonstrate that the government values the diverse cultural makeup of the nation, the Congresswoman said. "Diwali celebrations are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year it is easy to see just how important this day is to so many people. America's strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures and communities that make up this nation," she said. "My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day, and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress," Meng said. Also Read: Biden Getting Several Requests For Modi's State Dinner Invite Shows 'Excitement Level': US Welcoming the move, New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said, "This year, we saw our entire state speak with one voice in support of recognising Diwali and the South Asian community." "My extraordinary partner in government Congresswoman Meng is now taking the movement national with her historic legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday. Together, we are showing that Diwali is an American holiday. To the over 4 million Americans who celebrate Diwali, your government sees you and hears you," she said. Applauding Meng for her continued work to increase the visibility of the Asian-American community, New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney said naming Diwali a federal holiday not only honours those who observe but highlights a cultural tradition some Americans do not experience regularly. "Diwali is a special holiday for so many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities," said New York City Councilman Shekar Krishnan. "As the first Indian American ever elected to NYC government, I am so proud to support Congresswoman Meng's legislation to establish 'Deepavali' as a federal holiday. It is crucial that children like my own are able to officially celebrate our holidays with their families in a way that I was not able to growing up," he said. A large number of community members applauded the introduction of the Diwali Day Act in the House of Representatives. Also Read: India 'Most Critical' Partner To Counter China: US Lawmakers Ahead Of PM Modi's State Visit "The recognition of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas is pivotal to enriching the cultural fabric of the United States and fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the rich South Asian diaspora," said Sim J Singh Attariwala, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager of The Sikh Coalition. "Today is a milestone that demonstrates our visibility, our contributions, and the progress we are making in the United States with the Diwali Day Act," said Richard David, Board Member at the Indo-Caribbean Alliance. Congratulation Congresswoman Meng, Coalition of Hindus of North America president Nikunj Trivedi said this joyous festival is celebrated by millions of Americans and symbolizes the victory of good over evil and of light over darkness and brings together people from all backgrounds to cherish goodness, well-being, peace and prosperity - things that everyone can value and benefit from. "As Hindu Americans, we are so glad to see a bill to honour the multitude of celebrations that take place across the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and beyond on Diwali,? said Ria Chakrabarty, Policy Director for Hindus for Human Rights."It is high time to recognise Diwali as a holiday in US public schools," said Dr. Neeta Jain, founder and president of the International Ahimsa Foundation. "Our children should be treated equally. As our children celebrate other cultures, others should celebrate and learn about our culture as well. This is the only way we can teach children to have mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual acceptance," she said. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. This past week was National Police Week. I signed onto the U.S. Senates annual resolution commemorating Police Week and officers that have fallen in the line of duty, as I do each year. Our law enforcement officers in Nebraska and across the country are vital to our countrys flourishing, and Im grateful for the opportunity to honor them. On May 18, the Judiciary Committee passed my bipartisan bill supporting police, the Recruit and Retain Act, by a unanimous voice vote. The police staffing crisis is widespread, straining law enforcement agencies in Nebraska and throughout our country. One study by the Police Executive Research Forum found that agencies are losing police officers faster than they can hire new ones. There were 47 percent more resignations in 2022 than 2019, in addition to 19 percent more retirements over the same time period. Large groups of officers are leaving the force, but few new officers are trickling in. Ive spoken with police officers and sheriffs all over Nebraska, and my conversations with them motivated me to introduce the Recruit and Retain Act. Law enforcement agencies are struggling whether its the many that are severely understaffed or the ones barely hanging on at fully staffed levels. While they are doing their best to keep up with changes, there are some roadblocks we in Congress can help remove when it comes to hiring. The Recruit and Retain Act would make three legislative strides to help police departments. First, it would boost officer recruitment opportunities through the Justice Departments Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring grants. Recruitment expenses like background checks, psychological evaluations, and other tests are not yet included under COPS hiring grants. The Recruit and Retain Act would allow COPS grants to cover those key costs, making it easier to onboard new officers. A lower cost of hiring means that departments would have more of an ability to raise staffing levels quickly. Second, Recruit and Retain would boost police recruitment levels by establishing the Pipeline Partnership Program, an initiative aimed at fostering youth interest in law enforcement careers. Under the bill, police departments would work with local schools to launch mentorship opportunities, job fairs, and other activities that give young people better insight into law enforcement work. This program would open up a stronger local hiring pipeline for departments. Finally, Recruit and Retain would direct the Government Accountability Office to study the causes and effects of the latest recruitment and retention challenges in the law enforcement industry. A study like this would provide more clarity on the public safety ramifications of this staffing crisis. I look forward to the Recruit and Retain Acts advancement in the Senate and the House, and Im hopeful that my colleagues and I can come together in a bipartisan manner to get this bill passed. In addition to Recruit and Retain, I am an original cosponsor of a couple of measures introduced by my colleague Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Act of 2023 would reauthorize the highly effective, bipartisan PSN program through fiscal year 2026. In Nebraska, PSN coordinates enforcement and prosecution partnerships among federal, state, and local law enforcement to bring violent offenders to justice. Additionally, Sen. Cornyns Back the Blue Act would protect police officers by creating new federal criminal penalties for attacking federal law enforcement officers. Another vital area to continue addressing is the mental health of police officers, who face daily stressors from the intensity of their jobs. Im planning to reintroduce a bill soon that would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to create a publicly accessible online dashboard so that law enforcement groups and other organizations can easily search for federal funding opportunities supporting mental health. This bill could serve as a helpful tool for law enforcement agencies to support officers struggling with mental health challenges. This National Police Week, I was proud to honor law enforcement personnel in Nebraska and beyond, who courageously risk their lives every day to keep us safe. But Im not going to leave my appreciation for our selfless, hardworking police officers behind now that Police Week is over. Ill keep backing the blue in the Senate as long as I have the privilege to serve as your senior senator. Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. From our southern border to our own backyard, law enforcement are essential to our safety and security. These courageous women and men in blue make the Good Life we enjoy in Nebraska possible. They put their lives on the line to enforce our laws and keep our streets safe. As we celebrate National Police Week this week, let us recognize the service of those who chose a job that requires the utmost integrity. While other states attempt to defund the police, Nebraskans respect and support the women and men in blue. When I was governor, I signed into law several pieces of legislation to make good on our commitment to law enforcement. We offered incentives to increase the ability of local agencies to recruit and retain officers. We spent $47.7 million to expand the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island to ensure that officers receive training that adheres to the highest possible standards. We also invested $16.9 million to upgrade our State Patrol Crime Laboratory to better process evidence to solve crimes. I am particularly grateful for the work Nebraska law enforcement officers do in keeping deadly drugs like fentanyl off our streets. While the drug situation at our nations southern border has gone from crisis to catastrophe, the Nebraska State Patrol has stepped up. In my last year as governor, troopers confiscated two times as much methamphetamine, three times as much fentanyl, and 10 times as much cocaine as just two years prior. In 2019, Nebraska law enforcement confiscated 46 pills. In the first six months of 2021, that number had grown to 151,000 pills confiscated. As Senator, I am fighting to ensure our federal government also backs the blue. Recently, I co-sponsored Senator John Cornyns (R-TX) Back the Blue Act to increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves. It also creates new federal crimes for assaulting a federally-funded law enforcement officer and for fleeing justice across state lines to avoid prosecution. Finally, it protects the self-defense and Second Amendment rights of law enforcement officers in more federal facilities. Thats why the bill is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). Congress should pass this common-sense legislation without delay. Another way to support our law enforcement is to oppose laws that restrict their ability to do their jobs with excellence. I recently voted to block two different laws passed by Washington, D.C.s City Council that would hinder law enforcements ability to respond to the violent crime that is out of control in our nations capital city. Our Constitution gives Congress oversight authority over Washington, D.C., in recognition of the fact that D.C. belongs to the entire nation. Congress has a responsibility to act when the City Council puts anti-cop, soft-on-crime policies above the safety of the people who live, work, and do business there. I was proud to join a bipartisan group of lawmakers in voting to block these laws and will continue to push back on efforts to undermine the good work police officers do everyday. As a husband and father, I am grateful to each and every law enforcement officer working to protect Nebraskans and Americans. Their bravery should not go unnoticed. We need to back the blue. When you see a woman or man serving in our law enforcement, please join me in expressing our gratitude for their important work not just during Police Week, but each and every day. Along with Senator Fischer and the rest of my colleagues in the Nebraska delegation, my team and I are here to serve you. Contact my team and I anytime by phone at 202-224-4224 or on my website at www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact. I am honored to serve our great state and will continue to work to protect the Good Life from Washington overreach. Assyria: Chronicling the Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire In his new book "Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire" (Basic Books), Yale professor Eckart Frahm offers a comprehensive history of the ancient civilization (circa 2025 BC to 609 BC) that would become a model for the world's later empires. Emerging from the city-state of Ashur, located in modern-day Iraq, Assyria undertook numerous often-violent military campaigns to spread its rule into Babylonia and other regions; but its kings also created a transportation network that made possible the free flow of ideas and goods and established the first universal library, says Frahm, a professor of Assyriology in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations in Yale's Faculty of Arts & Sciences. For the book, Frahm draws on finds from recent archaeological excavations, cuneiform tablets, and Biblical and classical texts to describe what is known about life in the empire -- for royal and non-royal Assyrians alike -- and the circumstances that contributed to its hasty demise. In an interview with Yale News, Frahm discusses what inspired his own interest in this ancient empire, what is known about its people, and why it matters today. The interview is edited and condensed. How did you become interested in Assyria as a scholarly topic? Eckart Frahm I first became interested in Mesopotamia when I was in high school. I took some Hebrew, simply because I wanted to learn a language that was different, and I began to realize that there was a whole world beyond the biblical narrative. The history of Mesopotamian civilization encompasses 3,500 years, of which Assyrian history is an important portion. Later, I had a number of university teachers who were specialists in the linguistic study of Assyrian and who had edited a variety of Assyrian texts. I did my fair share of editorial work myself, but thought at some point I might move beyond philology to instead bring together the many different sources about Assyrian history. There are literally tens and tens of thousands of Assyrian cuneiform texts, from royal inscriptions in which kings describe their military activities or building projects, to letters to royalty by officials or by spies that talk about the military and political challenges the empire experienced. It's possible to paint a very detailed, often exciting, and occasionally entertaining picture of Assyrian history. What is the legacy of the Assyrian Empire? Frahm: Assyria's most important legacy is probably the idea of empire as such. "Empires" have a bad name today, and I have no interest in downplaying their dark sides. Fundamentally, "empire" means that there is some center that rules over a large and somewhat diverse periphery, which is to a significant extent unfree. Empire, however, also offers some advantages, including, for example, greater ease of flow of ideas and of merchandise. Indeed, the Assyrians started off primarily as merchants. When they operated their city-state in the early second millennium BC, long before the imperial period, it was territorially a very small entity. But the geographic horizon of the Assyrian people of this time was already broad: they were engaged in long-distance trade, importing tin from Central Asia and textiles from Babylonia, and trading both for silver in Anatolia. Later on, during the so-called Neo-Assyrian period [ca. 900 BC to 600 BC], the Assyrians created a very sophisticated communication network. The so-called Royal Road is often associated with the Persian Empire, which started off in 539 BC, but it existed already in Assyrian times. I think it is important to stress that, unlike later empires, the Assyrians were not trying to impose their own culture, their own language, or their own religion on any of their subjects. People in the imperial periphery had to pay taxes to the crown and supply labor, but they were allowed and expected to just continue worshiping their own gods and speaking their own languages. In this regard you could say the Assyrians were not super-repressive. What is known about the everyday lives of non-royal Assyrians? Frahm: A great deal is known, particularly about those living in cities, but also about the rural population, which engaged in agriculture, with barley as their main crop. Most of the people in the countryside were probably semi-free. Those who grew crops could keep a share. Another share went to the state, and sometimes a share went to landowners, many of them members of the military. There were also shepherds on the steppe, herding flocks of sheep and goats. A cuneiform letter reveals that, for some seven years, some of these shepherds failed to send a portion of their flocks to the Ashur Temple in Ashur. This draws a complaint from an official of the temple, who tells the king, "If you don't do anything about that, then your authority is in peril." The episode shows us that even though the Assyrian kings were very powerful, they couldn't fully be in charge of everything. We also know a lot about how husbands and wives interacted, sometimes apparently not harmoniously. Cuneiform texts talk about husbands and wives having fantasies of killing their spouses and marrying someone else and so on. But there are also stories of great affection, and of grief when a beloved child would die. Families were essentially, like today, monogamous, with a few children living with their parents in a house, sometimes grandparents as well. The dead would be buried literally under their feet in vaults under the houses. Families would go down there to make sacrifices for the dead on holidays and other special occasions. People also had pets. Some texts include cat omens, which predict what happens when a cat sits on a person's breast or urinates on that person. The latter was considered a good sign, indicating that the individual in question would become wealthy. The fall of the Assyrian empire happened quickly. What caused it? Frahm: That's a million-dollar question, and the answer is still not entirely clear. Two recent theories have tried to pinpoint forces greater than politics; on the one hand climate change, and on the other migration. I'm not entirely sure, though, that these factors were absolutely decisive. In my view, it was a perfect storm that brought the empire down. One issue was that during the empire's last decades, the Assyrian crown experienced a crisis of legitimacy. It had been precipitated by Ashurbanipal, whose long reign [669-631 BC] marked a cultural high point for Assyria -- he created the first universal library and is also famous for the sculpted reliefs that lined the walls of his palaces. But Ashurbanipal didn't live up to the image he tried to project; he wanted to be perceived as a great warrior, for instance, but never went to war. Instead, he stayed home in his palace, where, according to his own texts and later tradition, "he ate, drank, and made merry." This, I think, already sowed some doubt among his subjects about the fitness of their imperial rulers. Then Ashurbanipal dies, and a lot of internal and external strife follows. There's a rebellion in the south by Babylonians, who actually manage to chase the Assyrians out of Babylonia. At the same time, territories in the Levant, in the west, regain their independence. And in the east, the Medes, united in response to the pressure previously put on them by the Assyrians, join the Babylonians in the fight against the empire. In 615 BC, the Medes and the Babylonians embark on a last attack on Assyria. It's the first time in hundreds of years that Assyrian cities are under siege. For a while the Assyrians have some allies, including, unexpectedly, the Egyptians. The conflict escalates into what one could describe as a first "world war," with a cataclysmic series of battles eventually leading to Assyria's collapse. What went wrong? Frahm: The Assyrian cities prove to be not very easy to defend. For example, Nineveh -- the greatest of all the Assyrian cities and the capital at the time -- was built with 18 gigantic gates. This was a strategic liability: the gates were so large that they provided little protection against enemy attacks. Archaeologists actually found the bodies of Assyrian soldiers killed in these very gates when the Medes and the Babylonians in 612 BC got through. Two years earlier, in 614 BC, the Medes had already conquered the city of Ashur, Assyria's religious and spiritual center. And with the fall of those cities, and the city of Harran in 609 BC, comes the fall of the empire and the royal dynasty. Why is Assyria important today? Frahm: One reason is that "empire" is still with us today. The empires of today no longer call themselves empires. But imperial ideologies, of course, are still very much in place. So I think Assyria can be said to mark the very beginning of a chain that runs from the first millennium BC to the modern age. In the Middle East, the Assyrian Empire was followed by others, from the Persian up to the Ottoman Empire. Although empire is a shape-shifting phenomenon, all these geopolitical entities were essentially based on a blueprint that the Assyrians were the first to create. Assyria also teaches us something about how wrong it is to "essentialize" the people of the Middle East. I think it's really interesting to see how Assyria starts off not as a war-prone state but as a pretty peaceful one, with a mixed constitution in place and even some democratic institutions. Later, it becomes much more belligerent and autocratic. When you look at that story, you can see that the peoples of the Middle East can change, and that people in general can change -- that social and political change is possible. Finally, as we are coming out of several years of plague with the COVID crisis, it's interesting to consider what kind of impact epidemics had in ancient Assyria. In the book I argue that, surprisingly, the rise of the Assyrian empire, rather than its fall, is connected to plague. It was in the wake of two bouts of contagious disease -- and the economic and demographic contraction caused by them -- that the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III [744--727 BC] embarked on a series of conquests and annexations at the end of which the Assyrian state was more than twice as large as it had been before. So the great mystery then, is how can it be that the phoenix of empire rises from the ashes of several grim years of plague? I would argue that history is not something predetermined by deterministic rules. If challenges are not too massive, then humans can actually adapt to them and find ways to get out of a crisis. This is what Tiglath-pileser did when he compensated for the loss of life and wealth Assyria had suffered by implementing a new grand strategy focused on annexing foreign lands, extracting their assets for the greater good of the Assyrian center, and deporting hundreds of thousands of people to replenish the work force where it was most urgently needed. Now, this isn't a story for us to emulate. Rather, I think of it as a warning that bad actors may well take advantage of the natural disasters that tend to befall humanity and have befallen us, of course, in recent years with COVID. And we better be aware and be on the lookout for what others may do in such circumstances. Assyria teaches us that there are all sorts of ways to react to historical challenges. Twenty Years Ago This Week: An enraged Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Golden, said she would fight with every breath to stop a subversive plot by the national Republican Party to redraw a district map more favorable to the GOP during a redistricting meeting. This has been a kangaroo proceeding, Fitz-Gerald said. Nothing that transpired in the last 12 hours that we did was real it was all a charade. We send our children to fight in Iraq to promote democracy and yet, the GOP has resorted to the tyranny that our children are sent to fight. But Senate President John Andrews, R-Englewood, responded that he was simply doing what was spelled out in the Colorado constitution: redistricting the state according to the latest U.S. Census data. The latest congressional redistricting map, Andrews said, is a legal attempt to tweak the temporary map which had been mandated by a district court judge in 2002. The year priors district court judgement was the result of the General Assemblys failure three consecutive times to come to an agreement on how to divide the state into congressional districts. But it was the introduction of the Senate Bill 03-352 in the final three days of regular legislative session, leaving little to no time for legislative debate, that had infuriated Democratic legislators including Fitz-Gerald. The traditional rules and rights guaranteed by the State Constitution would be used to stall the passage of SB 03-352 until the Senate was scheduled to adjourn at midnight on May 7, Fitz-Gerald pledged. Senate Democrats had walked out of chambers two days previously after Sen. Andrews refused to recognize Democratic members to speak on the floor of the Senate or an opportunity to debate the business before the Senate. In a historic departure from accepted democratic practice and the rules of the Colorado State Senate, Fitz-Gerald said, Senate President John Andrews railroaded through an unconstitutional redistricting bill. Even in the midst of the Democratic Party strategy, though, Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, held little hope that their political dynamite would work to budge the GOP because Andrews would suspend all rules necessary to ensure the redistricting measures passage. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Republicans used many underhanded tactics to thwart debate, Groff said. Many Senate rules were suspended, and members were not recognized to speak or debate the districting bill. The Senate President refused to allow recorded votes. It is shameful. People have fought and died for the right to vote and I am standing firm against this destruction of democracy. Republicans meanwhile sought to play down the whole episode. To hear Senate Democrats indignation, said Sen. Mark Hillman, R-Burlington, you might think Republicans ended the legislative session by abolishing the constitution and repealing womens suffrage. Of course, we did neither. But we did fulfill our constitutional duty to pass a congressional redistricting map. Republicans, according to Hillman, who had written an opinion editorial published in The Colorado Statesman regarding the matter, had worked diligently since the census data had been published to hammer out a respectable map but that Democrats had adopted a take our plan or well take our chances in court strategy. The matter did indeed go to court and eventually Judge John Coughlin of the Denver District Court did select a map. Republicans regained the Senate majority in 2002 and were determined to enact a new map legislatively. Although the Democrats complained about the timing and threatened to bring the legislature to a grinding halt Republicans chose not to let redistricting interfere with more urgent business like the budget or school funding, Hillman wrote. Hillman argued that nothing in the state constitution says that maps must be drawn to purposefully negate the reality that Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 160,000 statewide. The new map isnt perfect, Hillman wrote, "but it was properly enacted by the legislature and a darn sight better than the court-ordered jigsaw puzzle it replaced. Rachael Wright is the author of the Captain Savva Mystery series, with degrees in Political Science and History from Colorado Mesa University, and is a contributing writer to Colorado Politics and The Gazette. Pulled pork, brisket, smoked turkey... It ain't Texas, but these BBQ joints are still sure to satisfy. According to votes by Gazette readers for the newly released 2023 Best of the Springs magazine, these top 7 barbecue restaurants deliver in the areas of quality ingredients, superb service and overall taste. See where your local favorite lands on the list: run-sauces-bbq-three Firehouse on the Run BBQ offers three house sauces Photo by Kate Jonuska Located at 12480 Black Forest Road, Firehouse on the Run has been locally owned and operated for over 10 years. Try their house made sauces including the local favorite "Burnt Onion." With locations found mostly in Oklahoma and Kansas, Billy Sims at 3330 Austin Bluffs Parkway features smoked barbecue sandwiches and rib dinners. The restaurant is named after Billy Sims, who went to the University of Oklahoma and was a running back in the NFL. He still maintains an active role in the franchise. Broken Bones BBQ Broken Bones BBQ (Located at: 13395 Voyager Pkwy.) Burnt Ends with Okra Tuesday October 2, 2018. Photo by Jeff Kearney. Owner Randy Jensen along with pit master Robert Clark fuse their passion for barbecue at Broken Bones, located at 13395 Voyager Parkway. Give the jalapeno cheddar tots a try! Dickey's Barbecue Pit has many locations scattered across the country, but it all started when Travis Dickey, a World War II veteran, opened the first restaurant in Dallas in 1941. Get a taste of what this long-standing franchise is all about at one of the five locations around the city! Dining Review: Carnivore's delight at Front Range Barbecue Front Range BBQ "Two Timer Combo" - Choose from smoked pork, brisket, sausage or pulled chicken, and 2 sides, including: Creamy Bacon Potato S Located at 2330 West Colorado Avenue, Front Range Barbeque has you covered with BBQ plates, bowls, sandwiches, and don't forget the "homemade fixin's"! Also check out their live music and events, which usually occur on Wednesday nights. Reader comments: "The ribs are top notch!" "Best barbeque in town. Authentic southern style and super delicious." "Great location and a staple for entertaining our out-of-state visitors." 042819-bots-best-BBQ bird dog Bird Dog BBQ Restaurant Bird Dog BBQ Restaurant Regular Plate - Ribs with Baked Beans, Baked Potato and Garlic Bread. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. Looking for Oklahoma style BBQ? Rather than smoking meat with hickory or mesquite, Bird Dog uses oak in order to maintain and enhance the flavors of the meat . Check out one of their three locations around Colorado Springs! Reader comments: "Nothing fancy, just excellent BBQ. Love it!" "Best tender, smoked turkey breast!!! Family also loves their ribs, sausage, brisket. Great crew too!" "Best BBQ in town. As a Texan, this is the only one that passes the test of BBQ." rudy's bbq Mikel Lee slices brisket on the cutter's table at Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q in Colorado Springs, Colo., Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. (The Ga Take a stop off Highway 24 and enjoy some Texas style barbecue from the popular chain founded in Leon Springs, Texas. Also make sure to check out their online shop that includes a Texas smoked brisket scented candle, which was originally an April Fool's joke. Reader comments: "The BBQ is awesome. Full of flavor and different spices." "Best country baked potato in town." "The best BBQ in Colorado Springs, hands down." Mr. President, On Thursday, you have a chance to send a clear message to our newly minted Air Force Academy grads when you speak to them here in Colorado, and by extension to all those in our armed forces: We will not play politics with your lives. Send a strong message, Mr. President, that the men and women who risk their beings in service of our country are above the petty tit for tat of Washington. Tell them our politicians must better serve those who serve us. Make a commitment that will resonate with the 1,000 new cadets for the rest of their lives: Tell them national security must always take precedence over politics. Tell them saving American lives must take precedence over everything. Vividly demonstrate this commitment, Mr. President, by telling them you are undoing a bad, last-minute political decision made single-handedly by former President Donald Trump to move U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama to punish a state that didnt vote for him and reward a state that did. Tell them that vital military decisions like this have to be made for one reason and one reason alone: What will keep America safest? Trump made his decision despite an original recommendation by the Air Force that the command stay put in Colorado, according to our reporting. "I single-handedly said 'let's go to Alabama,'" Trump told a radio interviewer afterwards, despite a raft of now-discredited reports that the Pentagon made the call. It's time to tell our cadets that there is a right and wrong that transcends politics, and what Trump did was wrong. In a recent paper, retired Air Force Gen. Ed Eberhart and retired Army Lt. Gen. Ed Anderson the former top space officers of their respective services said uprooting the command would disrupt its mission to protect U.S. satellites, potentially wasting years of progress along with billions of dollars. "U.S. Space Command was reestablished due to the criticality of its mission," the generals wrote. "Making a location decision without fully evaluating cost and time to achieve full mission capability has resulted in a decision that makes America vulnerable." The decision that will keep America safest is to bring Space Command up to full operational capacity as quickly as possible, and that happens much sooner if it stays in Colorado Springs. Right now is not the time to slow our army down. Defense contractors have a phrase for whats happening to Space Command. Its called the Valley of Death, where the slow pace of government decision-making means contractors bleed out their funding before the original job is completed. This is bureaucratic, 20th-century war fighting, Mr. President. Tell our cadets that were ready to embrace the 21st century, that we are finally putting the plodding military-industrial complex behind us. Tell them we need to bring a high tech, Colorado ethos to the armed services, marrying the innovation, speed and adaptability of private sector startups with the might of our military. Tell them we need a military revolution Mr. President, led by them. Tell them that the only honest decision on Space Command, then, is one that protects and furthers the mission and success of the command. There can be no other consideration. Not politics. Not cost of living. Not some random survey that lists Huntsville as a better place to live than Colorado Springs, exactly a year after the same survey picked Colorado Springs as the best place to live in the U.S. The decision cant be made because of abortion politics either. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Our military men and women need clear-eyed leadership right now, Mr. President. Please tell them that what Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville is doing is an affront to all that these cadets stand for. Sen. Tuberville is holding up more than 200 promotions of Pentagon leaders civilian and enlisted to stop what he calls abortion tourism. Hes upset by a decision the Pentagon announced that existing military policy can allow women to take paid leave to travel for an abortion. Tuberville doesnt want them to. If they are based in a state that doesnt allow abortion, Tuberville wants to make sure they cant get one anywhere. That is a textbook case of playing politics with our military. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado took to the Senate floor recently to say that what Tuberville is doing has never happened in the history of America: As far as we can tell, there is no precedent for what the senator from Alabama is doing. It has never been done, stopping the U.S. Senate from taking up promotions for uniformed military officers. And its happening at an incredibly unusual and difficult time in the worlds history with the biggest land war in Europe since the second world war, China saber-rattling in the Pacific the geopolitical landscape more unsettled than at any point in my lifetime. Please tell the cadets, Mr. President, that when politicians from Alabama say the Pentagon should not play politics with the military, they should practice what they preach. On Thursday, The House Armed Services Committee, spurred on by a different Alabama politician, launched an investigation into what it calls a "politically motivated" delay in the selection of a permanent base for Space Command. He launched his probe after news reports that you, Mr. President, are thankfully reconsidering the political decision that promised Space Command to Alabama in the first place. "I am deeply concerned that the continued delays in making this move final are politically motivated and damaging to our national security," Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., told Fox News Digital, after sending a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and U.S. SPACECOM commander, Gen. James Dickinson. And war is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength. Undoing a politically motivated decision is the opposite of making a politically motivated decision now. Do not let this Alabama obfuscation stand, Mr. President, or we open the floodgates for anyone who wants to hold our service men and women hostage. Budget negotiators shouldnt be playing politics with the military either. The debt ceiling talks that are careening toward another cliff right now are putting the livelihoods of our soldiers at direct risk. More than $10 billion in military pay and retirement benefits and $12 billion in veterans benefits are at risk of default right now between June 1 and June 9 if Congress cant come to agreement on the debt ceiling talks soon. "I think there is no doubt whatsoever that there would be a very significant impact on the readiness, morale and capabilities of the United States military if we defaulted and didn't reach a debt ceiling thing," warned Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lets make up for years of disrespect for our military right here, right now, Mr. President. Tell our cadets the straight, hard truth. Tell them there is a right and there is a wrong, and they should always fight for the right. Tell them they now have a greater responsibility than the rest of us can possibly fathom, that they have pledged their very lives to something larger than themselves. Tell them that on their shoulders from this moment on rest the hopes of mankind. And tell them, Mr. President, we've got their backs. The House Armed Services Committee is launching an investigation into the delay around a decision on a permanent home for Space Command and changes to the requirements for a future headquarters. The permanent home of Space Command, currently in Colorado Springs, has been a contested issue for two years since President Donald Trump announced it would move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama in January 2021. Since then Colorado lawmakers have advocated for retaining Space Command in Colorado Springs, where many other Space Force guardians work and would remain if Space Command moved. In a letter sent Thursday, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, said he was alarmed that fundamental changes had occurred to Space Commands mission and headquarters requirements, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. The secretary told Rogers and other members of the Alabama delegation about these changes in a recent meeting and stated he would launch his own investigation as well, according to the letter. The Department of Defense proposed a new headquarters facility for Space Command that could house approximately 1,800, including contractors in 464,000 square feet of office space, according to the Environmental Assessment. Currently, Space Command is housed in existing office space at Peterson Space Force Base. In those offices, 1,200 people from all services, protect an area 100 kilometers above the Earth to the edges of the universe, Space Command Gen. James Dickinson said previously. The requirements for a new headquarters have changed with the Department of Defense, the letter stated. "These apparently sweeping unilateral changes to policies and posture seem to have been made with zero civilian oversight at the Department of Defense," the letter states. "Secretary Kendall also stated that he was unaware who, if anyone, at the Department of Defense approved expenditures of taxpayer funds to unilaterally change the mission or headquarters requirements of SPACECOM." The letter called on Space Command to stop any "scheme to alter the mission or headquarters requirements." It also asked Kendall and Gen. James Dickinson, head of Space Command, to provide documents related to changes to mission or headquarters requirements and documents related to updating repairing or modernizing the temporary headquarters since Jan. 2021, among other documentation. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The letter calling into question changes to headquarters requirements followed a May 19 letter by Rogers expressing concern that a decision over a permanent headquarters had been delayed two years. The letter said the delay was politically motivated by Biden appointees, citing a news story by NBC. Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper hit back saying that Trump's decision was politically motivated. Trump said in during a 2021 interview with an Alabama-based radio show that he single-handedly picked Huntsville. Facts are facts: Space Command is very nearly at (full operational capability) in Colorado. Moving it to Alabama now would be based solely on politics, Hickenlooper said in a written statement. Space Command expects to reach full operational capability by the end of the summer and that could be a factor in the final basing decision, said Congressman Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, in a statement. "I have continually asked the Air Force to make full operational capability, or FOC, the highest priority for the sake of national defense. If this can be achieved fastest and best by repurposing existing infrastructure at Peterson Space Force Base, this would serve our country best," he said. He noted that Kendall told him the Air Force is repurposing infrastructure in Colorado Springs. An aide for Sen. Michael Bennet's office said that the overall case for keeping the command in town has not changed. Our case has not changed: this decision needs to be rooted in what's best for our national security, the aide said. A wanted man was arrested in a Colorado Springs neighborhood after an hours-long standoff with officers, according to police. Officers spotted Victor Martinez in a driveway at 2490 Illinois Ave., near Fillmore Avenue and Hancock Parkway, around 9 a.m. Friday morning. Martinez was wanted on parole violations, domestic violence warrant and an ongoing investigation, police said. When officers initiated contact with Martinez, he retreated into a residence. Police established contact with the suspect inside the home, where he remained for 2 1/2 hours. Martinez eventually surrendered peacefully and no one was injured during the incident, police said. Gazette media partner KKTV 11 News reported large police presence at the scene, including a tactical vehicle. Crews also saw a man in handcuffs at one point, but he was released after a short period of time. A lieutenant with the Colorado Springs Police Department told KKTV just after 11 a.m. that their officers had been called out to assist with a parole situation after a suspect ran back into the house. Fillmore was blocked off moving in both directions Friday morning. Read the KKTV story here. By Timour Azhari BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq launched a $17 billion project on Saturday to link a major commodities port on its southern coast by rail and roads to the border with Turkey, in a move designed to transform the country's economy after decades of war and crisis. The Development Road aims to tie the Grand Faw Port in Iraq's oil-rich south to Turkey, turning the country into a transit hub by shortening travel time between Asia and Europe in a bid to rival the Suez Canal. "The Development Road is not just a road to move goods or passengers. This road opens the door to development of vast areas of Iraq," Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, told Reuters. Iraq's government envisions high-speed trains moving goods and passengers at up to 300 kilometres (186.41 miles) per hour, links to local industry hubs and an energy component that could include oil and gas pipelines. It would mark a significant departure from the country's existing aged transport network. Iraq's train service currently operates a handful of lines, including slow oil freight and a single overnight passenger train that trundles from Baghdad to Basra, taking 10 to 12 hours to cover 500 kilometres. The Grand Faw Port, which was devised over a decade ago, is halfway to completion, Fartousi said. Passenger transport between Iraq and Europe harkens back to grand plans at the turn of the 20th century to create a Baghdad to Berlin express. "We will make this line active again and tie it to other countries," Fartousi said, noting plans to ferry tourists and pilgrims to Shiite holy sites in Iraq and Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Haj pilgrimage. The project was announced on Saturday at a conference aimed at courting Arab interest, including from Arab Gulf states, Syria and Jordan. A senior government aide said regional investment was on the table. Promises of development are long-standing in Iraq but infrastructure remains decrepit even as the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani makes a push to rebuild roads and bridges. But officials say the Development Road is based on something new: a period of relative stability since late last year that they hope can be maintained. If work starts early next year, the project would be completed in 2029, Fartousi said. "Even if Iraq was absent for a year or two or a decade or two, it must return one day or another. Hopefully these days are the beginning of the return of Iraq," he said. (Reporting by Timour Azhari and Maher Nazeh in Baghdad and Aref Mohammed in Basra; Writing by Timour Azhari; Editing by Mike Harrison) Former President Donald Trump's campaign staff released a lengthy tirade against GOP challenger Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on Twitter on Friday, highlighting similarities in campaigns between the governor and former president and painting DeSantis as having stolen Trump's main campaign points. The account posted tweets that compared the two Republican contenders, with Trump's team saying DeSantis "plagiarized" and stole ideas from the former president, claiming it was the "greatest political plagiarism scandal in American history." BIDEN'S STRONG PICK FOR CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS "For 50 years, no one in Washington had a strategy for how to [rein] in the Deep State before President Trump and his team came up with Schedule F. Now DeSanctis is trying to act like it was him pushing it?" the account tweeted. "What would Ron do without Pres. Trump to come up with all his ideas for him? Americans need an authentic America First warrior in the White House not a sanctimonious copycat candidate. A leader not an imposter. President Trump is the only one who's ready to lead on Day One." The account accused the governor of stealing policy ideas on topics from immigration to firing "woke accreditors" in order to end diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in higher education. It also accused the governor of banning critical race theory in Florida's public schools because Trump signed a ban on critical race theory training in federal programs. "Ron likes to brag about banning CRT but had he ever even HEARD of CRT before Pres. Trump signed the WORLD'S FIRST ban on it when he was in the White House?" the campaign proposed. The thread also included a video that compared DeSantis's mannerisms to Trump, portraying a side-by-side comparison of the duo making the same hand gestures. "Ron says he's 'studied the Constitution.' But that's clearly not the only thing he's studied," the account tweeted. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER DeSantis announced his bid for the White House on Wednesday during a Twitter Spaces event with Elon Musk. However, the launch struggled with technical problems, signaling a rocky start to the governor's campaign. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) also entered the race this week, launching his campaign in South Carolina on Monday. Original Location: Team Trump unleashes Twitter tirade against DeSantis accusing him of ripping off Trump Washington Examiner Videos Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) slammed the public school system in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming he does not know how inner-city school teachers received a college degree. During a guest appearance on Donald Trump Jr.'s podcast Triggered, Tuberville pointed to a recent study that claimed 23 public schools in Baltimore did not have any students who were proficient in math. WHITE HOUSE NOT BUDGING ON WORK REQUIREMENTS, CAUSING AN IMPASSE IN NEGOTIATIONS "The COVID really brought it out how bad our schools are and how bad our teachers are, in the inner city," Tuberville said. "Most of them in the inner city, I don't know how they got degrees." The Alabama senator expanded that he was not even sure if the teachers could "read or write," and he claimed that "work ethic" had been ruined in the United States. Tommy Tuberville. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) "I don't know whether they can read and write. And they want a raise. They want less time to work, less time in school," he said. "It's just, we've ruined work ethic in this country. We don't work at it anymore. We push an easy life. If you can't read and if you can't write, you can't live in a country like this and not have somebody help you make it through life, which is what a lot of this government wants." Public schools have seen test scores drop drastically since the beginning of the pandemic, with eighth grade scores in history and civics this year reduced to 1990s level test scores, according to the Nation's Report Card, which was released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress earlier this year. But scores in math, science, and reading have all tested lower than pre-pandemic numbers. Randall Woodfin, the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, said he was disappointed in the senator's comments in a Twitter thread on Friday. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "The hard working, committed teachers in our community including my mom and step mom give all of themselves to our students, and often serve as more than just educators," Woodfin tweeted. "Sure, we have challenges. What community doesn't? We are working furiously to solve them. And we have never been more proud of the people working so hard for solutions. Our teachers are at the forefront of these efforts. They deserve praise and support not ridicule from all of us including an elected official who previously made millions off the backs of the black students our teachers have produced." Tuberville has come under fire recently for actions pertaining to the military and abortion. Tuberville is currently holding up the promotions of certain military officers as a protest against Pentagon policies related to abortion. One such policy pays for the travel costs and time off of service members receiving abortions. Original Location: Tommy Tuberville slams inner-city schools, saying he does not know how teachers received degrees Washington Examiner Videos An abandoned bear cub was found high in a Colorado Springs tree earlier this week. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the bear was spotted in the tree on Wednesday. It was too high in the tree for the dart gun, so Colorado Springs Utilities' Nick Freedle assisted in the rescue mission by using a bucket truck to raise CPW Officer Travis Sauder to a height where he could make the shot. A catch pole was used to reel in the bear cub and bring it safely to the ground. The bear weighed just 15 pounds, appearing to be small for its age and suffering from neglect. After a period of observation, it was taken to a rehabilitation facility on Thursday morning. The two mayoral candidates facing off in Denver's upcoming municipal election have agreed to pursue changing the way the city awards contracts by considering factors that strengthen the local economy, not just on the lowest qualified bid, a group backing the change said this week. Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough each signed a pledge to put in place what's known as "best value contracting" in their first 100 days in office if they are elected in the June 6 runoff. One Main Street, a progressive, Colorado-based coalition of labor unions, first responders and entrepreneurs, said its proposals are designed to encourage small business growth in Denver. We are excited to see both Denver mayoral candidates commit to One Main Street Colorados economic agenda that strengthens our local economy and creates upward mobility for people of all income levels, said Andrew Short, the nonprofit's executive director, in a statement. This policy agenda can make Denver a national model on how to build us back towards a stronger middle class and become the small business capitol of the country. In addition to enacting a different approach to contracting, the pledge signed by the candidates includes a commitment to upgrade the city's aging infrastructure and "streamlining" the zoning process to encourage more homebuilding. Short said the contracting process it supports is already yielding dividends in Adams County, which adopted a version in 2018. By prioritizing local suppliers and contractors in the procurement process, we can grow our local economy and boost job creation and economic growth for all Denverites by utilizing our local workforce," he said. "That means we are hiring workers that spend their paychecks in our communities, not out-of-state." While the group weighed in on city council races this spring, it isn't making an endorsement for mayor. Johnston and Brough each told Colorado Politics that they take the pledge seriously. In contrast to the often-employed 'lowest responsible bidder' method, best value contracting allows the government to look at factors beyond price in selection of contractors, including staffing, training, safety history, apprenticeship opportunities, and benefits," Johnston said. "This is critical to ensuring the City of Denver leads with its values, and all workers on city projects are treated with dignity and respect in the workplace. Said Brough: "Denver needs to be a city where working families can afford to live. I take this pledge seriously and I do support investing in our own workers, upgrading our infrastructure, empowering women and minority owned businesses, and building more affordable housing. "These goals are ambitious, and we can only achieve it by working together. At the Chamber, I worked to expand small business opportunities and I will bring that experience to the table as mayor." Mr. President, On Thursday, you have a chance to send a clear message to our newly minted Air Force Academy grads when you speak to them here in Colorado, and by extension to all those in our armed forces: We will not play politics with your lives. Send a strong message, Mr. President, that the men and women who risk their beings in service of our country are above the petty tit for tat of Washington. Tell them our politicians must better serve those who serve us. Make a commitment that will resonate with the 1,000 new cadets for the rest of their lives: Tell them national security must always take precedence over politics. Tell them saving American lives must take precedence over everything. Vividly demonstrate this commitment, Mr. President, by telling them you are undoing a bad, last-minute political decision made single-handedly by former President Donald Trump to move U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama to punish a state that didnt vote for him and reward a state that did. Tell them that vital military decisions like this have to be made for one reason and one reason alone: What will keep America safest? Trump made his decision despite an original recommendation by the Air Force that the command stay put in Colorado, according to our reporting. "I single-handedly said 'let's go to Alabama,'" Trump told a radio interviewer afterwards, despite a raft of now-discredited reports that the Pentagon made the call. It's time to tell our cadets that there is a right and wrong that transcends politics, and what Trump did was wrong. In a recent paper, retired Air Force Gen. Ed Eberhart and retired Army Lt. Gen. Ed Anderson the former top space officers of their respective services said uprooting the command would disrupt its mission to protect U.S. satellites, potentially wasting years of progress along with billions of dollars. "U.S. Space Command was reestablished due to the criticality of its mission," the generals wrote. "Making a location decision without fully evaluating cost and time to achieve full mission capability has resulted in a decision that makes America vulnerable." The decision that will keep America safest is to bring Space Command up to full operational capacity as quickly as possible, and that happens much sooner if it stays in Colorado Springs. Right now is not the time to slow our army down. Defense contractors have a phrase for whats happening to Space Command. Its called the Valley of Death, where the slow pace of government decision-making means contractors bleed out their funding before the original job is completed. This is bureaucratic, 20th-century war fighting, Mr. President. Tell our cadets that were ready to embrace the 21st century, that we are finally putting the plodding military-industrial complex behind us. Tell them we need to bring a high tech, Colorado ethos to the armed services, marrying the innovation, speed and adaptability of private sector startups with the might of our military. Tell them we need a military revolution Mr. President, led by them. Tell them that the only honest decision on Space Command, then, is one that protects and furthers the mission and success of the command. There can be no other consideration. Not politics. Not cost of living. Not some random survey that lists Huntsville as a better place to live than Colorado Springs, exactly a year after the same survey picked Colorado Springs as the best place to live in the U.S. The decision cant be made because of abortion politics either. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Our military men and women need clear-eyed leadership right now, Mr. President. Please tell them that what Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville is doing is an affront to all that these cadets stand for. Sen. Tuberville is holding up more than 200 promotions of Pentagon leaders civilian and enlisted to stop what he calls abortion tourism. Hes upset by a decision the Pentagon announced that existing military policy can allow women to take paid leave to travel for an abortion. Tuberville doesnt want them to. If they are based in a state that doesnt allow abortion, Tuberville wants to make sure they cant get one anywhere. That is a textbook case of playing politics with our military. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado took to the Senate floor recently to say that what Tuberville is doing has never happened in the history of America: As far as we can tell, there is no precedent for what the senator from Alabama is doing. It has never been done, stopping the U.S. Senate from taking up promotions for uniformed military officers. And its happening at an incredibly unusual and difficult time in the worlds history with the biggest land war in Europe since the second world war, China saber-rattling in the Pacific the geopolitical landscape more unsettled than at any point in my lifetime. Please tell the cadets, Mr. President, that when politicians from Alabama say the Pentagon should not play politics with the military, they should practice what they preach. On Thursday, The House Armed Services Committee, spurred on by a different Alabama politician, launched an investigation into what it calls a "politically motivated" delay in the selection of a permanent base for Space Command. He launched his probe after news reports that you, Mr. President, are thankfully reconsidering the political decision that promised Space Command to Alabama in the first place. "I am deeply concerned that the continued delays in making this move final are politically motivated and damaging to our national security," Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., told Fox News Digital, after sending a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and U.S. SPACECOM commander, Gen. James Dickinson. And war is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength. Undoing a politically motivated decision is the opposite of making a politically motivated decision now. Do not let this Alabama obfuscation stand, Mr. President, or we open the floodgates for anyone who wants to hold our service men and women hostage. Budget negotiators shouldnt be playing politics with the military either. The debt ceiling talks that are careening toward another cliff right now are putting the livelihoods of our soldiers at direct risk. More than $10 billion in military pay and retirement benefits and $12 billion in veterans benefits are at risk of default right now between June 1 and June 9 if Congress cant come to agreement on the debt ceiling talks soon. "I think there is no doubt whatsoever that there would be a very significant impact on the readiness, morale and capabilities of the United States military if we defaulted and didn't reach a debt ceiling thing," warned Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lets make up for years of disrespect for our military right here, right now, Mr. President. Tell our cadets the straight, hard truth. Tell them there is a right and there is a wrong, and they should always fight for the right. Tell them they now have a greater responsibility than the rest of us can possibly fathom, that they have pledged their very lives to something larger than themselves. Tell them that on their shoulders from this moment on rest the hopes of mankind. And tell them, Mr. President, we've got their backs. The 2023 Legislature is perhaps the most progressive Colorado has seen. Democrats this year achieved the largest majority the state has seen in 85 years and many first-year lawmakers pushed the Capitol to the left ideologically. Despite this, the progressive agenda often faced an uphill battle throughout the session, with key pieces of legislation failing to reach the finish line. It wasnt all bad for progressives. The legislature easily passed nation-leading policy packages expanding abortion protections and increasing gun control that would have been impossibly heavy lifts for the Colorado legislature just five years ago. But some of the years most ambitious bills such as the assault weapons ban led by freshman progressive Rep. Elisabeth Epps ended up dead at the hands of Democrats themselves. With dozens of small victories but more big losses than expected, the success of the progressive agenda ended up being a bit of a mixed bag. But the legislature undoubtedly moved the needle to the left on several major issues. Housing Improving housing affordability was one of the core goals of the progressive wing, as well as the Democratic Party at large. Gov. Jared Polis, Senate President Steve Fenberg and House Speaker Julie McCluskie all named housing as a key issue to address during the session. But the party was seemingly split on how to achieve this. Progressives emphasized providing relief to renters, mostly by cracking down on the actions of landlords. Many of these efforts were successful, including bills to require mediation before eviction for tenants on government aid, limit tenant income requirements and security deposits, cap fees for owning pets, restrict leases from waiving tenant rights and allow the reuse of rental applications without extra fees. But the centerpiece of the progressive housing agenda failed to come to fruition. House Bill 1115, to let local governments enact rent control, passed the House but died in a Senate committee in a 4-3 vote, with moderate Democrat Sen. Dylan Roberts voting with Republicans to kill the bill. Another major bill similarly passed the more left-leaning House only to die on in the Senate: House Bill 1171 to ban evictions and lease terminations without just cause. The bill essentially would have only let landlords evict or refuse to renew a lease if the tenant does something wrong, such as failing to pay rent or violating lease agreements. The loss of these two bills left some progressives calling the session a failure for renters. During a tense caucus meeting on the last day of session, Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, sponsor of HB 1171, shot down claims of victory from other Democrats, saying they didnt do anything to substantially help renters or to keep people in their homes. Rep. Javier Mabrey, sponsor of HB 1171 and HB 1115, echoed this sentiment on Twitter, saying: We failed to adequately address the housing crisis, and we needed to do so much more for renters and housing affordability. Even the governors own housing bills were not safe this session. Polis introduced a pair of bills to ban local housing growth caps and alter the states land use policies to require local governments approve more residential density. While the former passed, the latter failed in the final hours of the session after all-day negotiations failed to find a compromise between the Senate and House versions of the bill. Criminal justice The progressives legislative success regarding criminal justice was even more varied. Not only did progressive bills both pass and fail, but other bills advanced that contradict the progressive ideology. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Some noteworthy achievements include bills to restrict the use of no-knock search warrants, prevent police from lying to minors during interrogations, limit the use of four-point restraints in prisons, make phone calls free for prisoners, expand access to DNA testing after criminal convictions and remove the identities of child victims and witnesses from public criminal records. At the same time, bills passed to increase criminal penalties for several crimes, despite strong pushback from progressive lawmakers who argued that increasing penalties doesnt deter or prevent the root causes of crime. These bills include making it a felony to falsely report a mass shooting, to steal any vehicle regardless of its value, and for an adult to expose their genitals to a child. One of the biggest losses for progressives in this realm was the failure of House Bill 1202. The bill, killed by a Senate committee, would have let local governments allow sites where people can use illegal drugs under supervision of medical professionals, which proponents said would prevent overdoses. And, for the second year in a row, a progressive-backed effort to stop criminally charging kids under 13 was completely gutted. The bill cleared the House but hit a wall in the Senate, where it was rewritten to remove the change in minimum prosecution age. Though the bill managed to get bipartisan sponsorship this year, it faced opposition from law enforcement and from moderate Democratic senators. In a last-minute defeat, Polis on May 6 vetoed the progressives House Bill 1214 after it passed the legislature. The bill would have changed the clemency application process. However, the progressives did manage to kill some of the moderate Democrats bills, too. House committees rejected Senate-approved bills to increase penalties for distributing drugs that lead to death, prohibit people convicted of aggravated vehicle theft from owning a gun, and reauthorize the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. Workers Progressives made numerous efforts to increase workplace protections for employees this session, with many bills finding success but some of the most substantial legislation falling flat. The victorious bills include strengthening and enforcing the states Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, lowering the threshold for workplace harassment, banning employers from asking for age in job applications, banning employers from prohibiting tipping, expanding allowable uses of paid sick leave and protecting public employees from retaliation, discrimination and intimidation from employers. Once again, the highest-profile progressive bills in this arena were rejected. House Bill 1118, known as the fair workweek bill, would have required retailers and companies in the hospitality industry to provide more predictable scheduling and compensation for show up time. The bill, a huge component of the progressive agenda, was killed in its very first committee vote. Other significant defeats sought to let rideshare drivers and customers see how much the drivers earn for each trip, and to require employers pay an allowance for dependents of people on unemployment. But progressives also led several other influential successful policies this session, ranging from capping the costs of EpiPens, to banning local immigration detention agreements, to enforcing price transparency for hospitals. And for the bills that didnt make it through this year, progressives have made it clear that theyll be bringing most of them back next year for another go. We will not give up on this fight, Mabrey said. A whoopsie while using the bathroom at preschool on a cold January afternoon led 4-year-old Riker Price to this conclusion: He needed to go home and change his clothes. The towheaded boy left the restroom, exited the front door of the Learning Center at Woodland Park Community Church and headed toward his neighborhood, which is about a mile away. Riker didn't retrieve his shoes and coat from the classroom; outside, a few inches of snow covered the ground, and the temperature was below freezing. But that didnt deter Riker. He was on a mission, one that he would never complete, but which still prompts people to knock on wood because of its happy ending. His trek nevertheless has left his parents sad, confused and concerned. Theres nothing like the fear of a missing kid, said his mother, Miranda Leilani Price. And the churchs longtime child care center has been forced to make safety, security and training improvements to continue operating and is facing possible disciplinary measures pending a state investigation. Its appalling, Price said. He made it 0.8 miles along a busy highway. Someone could have snatched him off the road and took him. Rikers journey ended safely, but the anguish has continued for his parents, who believe the center mishandled the situation by delaying notification of the missing child not only to them but also to authorities. Riker walked out of the Learning Center and away from the school at 1:37 p.m. Jan. 19, according to an email the center sent to all parents at 4:24 p.m. that same day. A teacher had checked on him a few times when he was in the bathroom, asking if he was OK, and Riker said he was pooping, according to a Department of Human Services report compiled the following day. It was naptime, and the student did not return to the classroom after using the restroom, the directors email to parents said. Teachers noticed the absence and we searched inside the building and notified the parents, it read. The email does not give a timeline or details of the scenario. Video footage shows Riker skipping through a common area before using all of his might to push open the center's front door. Riker was outside the church for eight minutes before any staff member realized he was missing, the human services' Division of Child Welfare report from January states. And, Price said she was not notified that her son was no longer on school grounds until 2:08 p.m. The police were already at the church, prior to the center director calling me, Price said. A 911 call came in at 1:43 p.m., according to the police report, by Samantha Trattner, who lives nearby and was working from home that day. Trattner said she immediately realized something was wrong when she noticed a youngster darting barefoot along a recreational trail that parallels Colorado 67 North. When she ran outside, she learned Riker wasnt allowed to talk to strangers so she started following him, while at the same time calling police to report a runaway child. While on the move in tandem with Riker, Trattner provided police with updates on the boy's location. Various law enforcers responded to the emergency call, including an animal control officer, a Teller County sheriffs deputy and several city police officers. Authorities didnt know who the shivering child was or where he had come from when they caught up with him, the Woodland Park police report says. Riker provided answers about himself that were difficult to interpret, responders reported, as they bundled him into a police car and tried to figure out Rikers identity. One police officer who was combing the neighborhood to determine where Riker lived said in his report that he noticed a woman walking outside Woodland Park Community Church as though she was searching for something. When the officer stopped to ask her if she was looking for someone, she was very reluctant and hesitant to answer me, she finally did, the officer wrote. The woman was a worker at the day care center, and she asked Director Kim Leitner to speak to the police. The director told police the child must have left out the back door after he went to the restroom and that she had contacted the childs mother. Riker's mom, Price, arrived at the center a short time later, the police report said, and the officer told her Riker was safe in a police vehicle and would be returned to the center soon. It was 31 minutes from the time he walked out the door until the director called me, and she had never called me or the police before that, Price said. The center did respond in a timely fashion, said Randy Squires, senior elder, chairman of the Woodland Park Community Church board and head of a working group thats overseeing changes the Learning Center is making. The police were called within 10 minutes of the time we knew Riker was missing, and we have since changed our lost child procedure to 5 minutes, Squires said. Price said the churchs timeline of what transpired does not align with police accounts or Department of Human Services findings. A human services inspection report dated March 6 determined that law enforcement was not contacted regarding lost child within the time frame stated in the facilities policies and procedures. Also, the center did not self-report the mishap to Teller County officials overseeing child abuse and neglect allegations until four days after it occurred. The required timeframe to do so is 24 hours. Police notified Child Protective Services about the event but according to the police report did not file criminal charges against the center or any employees, due to several factors: the good Samaritan rescuing the child, there being no injuries to Riker, the church not having previous incidents of this nature and Price saying she did not want to pursue charges at the time. Price said she was told she could only file charges against the teacher, and she didn't think that was right, so she declined to do so. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Child Protective Services immediately removed Leitner as center director for three weeks and charged her with institutional neglect, Squires said. After an investigation, She was completely expunged through the state, he said. It doesnt show on her record anywhere. Leitner has been back on the job since. She deferred a request for an interview with The Gazette to Squires, who is handling related matters. The event of a child going missing from a child care center is rare, said Robert Tornabene, spokesman for the Colorado Springs Police Department. He said he is unaware of any recent cases in El Paso County, and when such an event does occur, the child might be located quickly and that information most likely would not move its way to our office. As anything involving kids in particular, when there are a large number of them, human error may play a factor when this happens, Tornabene said. It is our hope that these facilities have procedures and measures in place to reduce the risk of a child getting out of a day care center. In its 20 years of operation, the Learning Center has never lost a child before, Squires said. The state inspection report from March identified other licensing violations including: Allowing children to go to the bathroom unsupervised, teachers leaving the classroom unattended, hiring staff unqualified for the position, not following its own lost child policy, not properly training staff on the policy, allowing community members to access to the same bathrooms as the children and lacking emergency drills. The report also noted that the center director interfered or refused to cooperate with a child protection investigation, but did not explain what that meant. The state Division of Child Welfare report from January said during interviews with staff, a caseworker was repeatedly questioned by Ms. Leitner about the validity of the caseworker speaking with certain individuals, which impacted the caseworkers ability to conduct the assessment. The center has taken corrective action, Squires said, to address security, safety and operational faults. We implemented new policies and procedures, we have new cameras and door alarms on all the doors, were getting teachers trained, and we have the oversight board, he said. Weve taken a lot of steps moving forward. The church and child care center are awaiting the outcome of an adverse action report from the state licensing board, which could result in fines, a probationary period, license suspension or revocation. The state also is inspecting the center every 27 days, Squires said. About five weeks after the episode with Price's son, another mother reported to Child Protective Services that she witnessed her 4-year-old son left unsupervised at the church's Learning Center. Stephanie Cline said when she went to pick up her son on Feb. 27, no one answered the doorbell for three to four minutes. The next thing you know, I see my kids head pop up from behind the check-in desk in the front foyer, with no teacher or adult with him, she said. Cline said she rang the doorbell again and waited several more minutes until someone came to let her in. My son was out there at least five minutes, completely unattended, she said. Cline said she requested video footage, which was not made available and which had been recorded over when the state came to investigate. Cline said the church pastor and center director told her that teachers were watching her son from inside the door. If that were true, why did it take so long for someone to open the door for me, she said. If I would have called my son to the door, I would have left with him, and nobody would have known. The Learning Center has had a longstanding state ranking of four on a scale of five top measures for day care centers, Squires said. The church's new operational improvement team is going through everything, looking for potential concerns and problems, and helping get those corrected, he said. We are doing everything possible right now that we can to ensure this doesnt happen again, Squires said. Were pretty serious about making sure all of the bases are covered. For her kind-hearted and important role in reuniting Riker with his parents, Trattner received a citizens lifesaving award from Woodland Park Police Chief Chris Deisler at a City Council meeting in March. The plaque that now hangs in her home office reads: had you not intervened, the outcome of this case is unimaginable. "I definitely put that one on my wall Im proud of it, Trattner said. Ive watched kids being dropped off at school daily, she said. Look out the window, and you never know what you might see. On that terrifying day four months ago, Riker received a police badge, promised he wouldnt do anything like that anymore and apologized for his behavior. Price pulled him out of the preschool and now keeps him by her side at home and while she works as a real estate agent. The fear is still too great, but she said her business has suffered. Riker is supposed to start kindergarten in August, a step Price said she can't even think about yet. After the episode, a few other parents removed their children from the center, Squires said, reducing enrollment to about 60 students. A Division of Child Welfare report dated Jan. 23 said that 65 to 75 children attended the facility on a daily basis at that time. We want to still provide the service we provide to the community; there are not a lot of child care facilities up here, Squires said. Its a good resource to a lot of parents. Colorado Springs has another top ranking to add to its trophy case and one that should interest young people. In a report this week, Zillow, the Seattle-based, online real estate service, has tabbed the Springs as the nations No. 1 market for college graduates to live. Other metro areas in Zillows top 10, in order, were: Spokane, Wash.; Des Moines, Iowa; Phoenix; Buffalo, N.Y.; Albuquerque; Bakersfield, Calif.; Albany, N.Y.; Portland, Ore.; and Little Rock, Ark. Its ranking follows U.S. News & World Reports recent release of its annual Best Places to Live list, where Colorado Springs placed No. 9 out of the nations 150 biggest cities. A new Zillow index combined each metro areas rent-to-income ratio (how much income tenants need to pay their rents), average salary for recent college graduates, job openings and percentage of local population in their 20s. Zillow sought to identify cities that offer graduates promising career prospects and manageable rent burdens. Colorado Springs, with a smaller population compared with other cities, has relatively affordable rents and lots of career prospects that contribute to a high quality of life for college graduates, Zillow said. Typical Springs graduates can expect to earn about $63,000 a year, though theyll spend around 35% of their income on rent without roommates, which is on the pricier side of rent burdens, Zillow said. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Zillows ranking was good news for Colorado Springs, which competes with other cities to woo young, talented workers and needs them to create a quality workforce and to fill jobs many of which are well paid, high-tech positions, Bob Cope, the citys economic development officer, said via email. When you combine economic opportunity with our natural beauty and active outdoor lifestyle, we become very attractive to college graduates and the great employers who follow them here, Cope said. Many longtime Colorado Springs residents might remember the Springs reputation as a place where kids graduated college, but then left town for Denver or other cool cities, Cope said. That is no longer the case, he said. We have created our own cool city as evidenced by all the restaurants, bars, unique venues and environments being built throughout our city. And while Springs rents have soared of late, many cities face similar affordable housing issues, Theresa Metcalf, economic development vice president for the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, said via email. The public and private sectors are working to increase the housing supply, including affordable units, she said. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known for his controversial statements about the war in Ukraine, held talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The bunker president invited Silva to Russia. However, the Brazilian refused to visit the aggressor country. He wrote about this on his account in Twitter on Friday, May 26th. The Brazilian president said that Putin invited him to the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, but it seems that da Silva cannot come to Russia. At the same time, he said that he confirmed to the Kremlin dictator the readiness of Brazil, as well as India, Indonesia and China, to communicate with both sides of the conflict to establish peace. Recall that the President of Brazil was criticized for peacekeeping statements about the war in Ukraine. In particular, he said that Ukraine should cede the occupied Crimea to Russia, and also that the West, by supplying weapons to Kyiv, drags out the war. Lula da Silva also stated that it is time for the States to stop participating in the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. In his opinion, this conflict is of interest only to the heads of two states Zelensky and Putin. In addition, the politician said that third countries could help stop the war through negotiations. He considers it a good idea to create a group of intermediaries like the G20, which will include developed countries with large economies. After a flurry of criticism, Lula da Silva still called Russias full-scale war against Ukraine a mistake in Moscow. He said that he would not make personal visits to either Ukraine or Russia for the time being. As GLOBAL HAPPENINGS reported, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry invited Brazilian President da Silva to visit Ukraine in order to understand the true causes and essence of Russian aggression and its consequences for global security. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. According to the Iowa Sierra Club, the Kossuth County Supervisors on May 8 received a threatening letter from Summit Carbon Solutions ahead of a vote to move forward with a carbon pipeline zoning ordinance. It is appalling to see this outrageous effort to intimidate these Supervisors from protecting their citizens and communities, Sierra Club Iowa Chapter Conservation Program Coordinator Jess Mazour said. Its like Summit is admitting they are losing the battle and have to resort to tactics like this. Its clear Summit does not care about protecting Iowans who are in the path of the proposed pipeline. In a recording at their May 8 meeting, Kossuth County Supervisors could be overheard discussing the email. Supervisors said its better to do it sooner than later. Later in the discussion, the threatening email from Summit was brought up and the Supervisors tabled the decision to move forward with the ordinance. Three of our four Supervisors were supportive of the ordinance before Summit sent the threatening email. Summit is a bully. They will sue, threaten and bully anyone that says no to this carbon pipeline scam, said Matt Dornbier, a would-be impacted landowner in Kossuth County. Supervisors in Montgomery County, which is also considering a zoning ordinance, received a similar letter. The email states It is essential that you consider the potential consequences of enacting ordinances that may infringe upon the jurisdiction of the state and federal governmentsIf found liable for damages, the attorney suggests that the county may resort to raising taxes to pay for those damages. Such an increase in taxes would place an additional burden on hard working Iowans. This situation could ultimately affect the countys financial stability and reputation. Summits pipeline was proposed to be only 300 feet from my home, said Kossuth County landowner Channon Mawdsley. Our Supervisors should be able to protect us without fear of being sued. Our supervisors have totally negated the duties of their job that they were elected to do. We need our supervisors to put Kossuth County citizens safety over threats from the pipeline companies. There currently are no carbon pipeline safety regulations that adequately protect people or property near the pipeline at the federal, state or local levels. Six Iowa counties have been forced to take it upon themselves and have passed zoning ordinances with setback distances from homes, hospitals, schools, livestock facilities, according to an Iowa Sierra Club news release. Four of those counties have been sued by the pipeline companies to throw out the zoning ordinance. At least 12 other impacted counties are somewhere in the process of working on an ordinance. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is kicking off a carbon pipeline safety rulemaking process in Des Moines May 31-June 1. At the PHMSA meeting, landowners, Sierra Club and other organizations will be advocating for PHMSA to issue guidance to the state for a moratorium on carbon pipeline proceedings, the strongest rules possible, and clear guidance on preemption issues. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Email special events to news@registerbee.com. The deadline is noon Wednesday. PENTECOST SERVICE The Remnant Church of Power, 601 Berryman Ave., will hold Pentecost Service at 9 a.m. Sunday with overseer-elect Antonio Fitzgerald. WOMEN MINISTRY DAY New Ephesus Missionary Baptist Church, 375 Ephesus Church Road, Semora, North Carolina, will celebrate Women Ministry Day at 11 a.m. with guest preacher evangelist Gladys Walker, of Majesty on High Ministry. The music ministry of each church as well as the congregation have been invited. The color theme is purple and pearls. Face masks and other health safety precautions remain in place. Attendees may worship in person, use Facebook live, through conference line at 1-978-990-5000 access code 197724 or if in the church parking lot FM radio station 107.3. HEALTH & WELLNESS MINISTRY Shockoe Missionary Baptist Church, 857 Java Road, Java, hosts a monthly Wellness Walking Ministry from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., meeting every fourth Saturday. All ages are welcome to participate. The Health and Wellness Ministry will meet at 9 a.m. before each walking session. For information, contact Kathy B. Ramsey at 434-251-0379 or atbjrk@gmail.com. IN PERSON/ONLINE SERVICES Ascension Lutheran Church, 314 West Main St., worships Sundays at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary and live on Facebook at www.facebook/ascensionlutherandanville. Mount Vernon United Methodist Church offers in-person services at 10 a.m. each Sunday as well as online worship services every Sunday at mtvernonumc.org or www.facebook.com/MountVernonUMC. IN-PERSON SERVICES Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1172 Franklin Turnpike, will have in-house worship services on Sundays at 11 a.m. Free books available anytime from a Little Free Library located on a post next to the driveway. Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 406 Gay St., has in-person services at 10 a.m. for hour of power on the first and third Sundays. North New Hope Baptist Church, 123 Old Piney Forest Road, has resumed in church worship services at 11 a.m. and Sunday school at 9:30 p.m. Mount Sinai Glorious Church of God, 716 Jefferson St., will hold services in the sanctuary with Sunday school at 10 a.m. and morning worship at 10:30 a.m. Participants are asked to wear a mask and to practice social distancing. The service also will be streamed on Facebook. Mount Freeman Baptist Church, 2100 Laniers Mill Road, hosts in-person service at 11 a.m. Sunday. There will be no Sunday school. ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES Sacred Heart Catholic Church will livestream worship service at 9 a.m. Sundays in English and noon in Spanish at www.facebook.com/sheartchurch. DRIVE-IN SERVICES Staunton River Baptist Church, Long Island, will hold drive-in services at 10 a.m. each Sunday. ONGOING SERVICES Sacred Heart Catholic Church celebrates Mass every weekend with a vigil Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday and at 9 p.m. Sunday in English and noon in Spanish. Watson Level Missionary Baptist Church holds Sunday worship services each week at 11 a.m. Because of COVID-19, a face mask is required for all attendees and social distancing is mandatory. Calvary Church of the Nazarene, 2450 Franklin Turnpike, from 6 to 7 p.m. every Sunday, will hold Ladies Need Encouragement, an hour of worship and prayer. Participants are asked to bring a Bible and practice social distancing. The event is for ages 10 and up with adult supervision. For more information, call 540-907-8836. Mount Zion Temple, now located at 503 Hughes St., presents The Word Homelitic Institute at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Transportation is provided by calling Bishop David K. Fuller at 434-429-8960. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A Roanoke man whose house caught fire early Friday morning was one of two deceased males whose bodies were found hours later in the McAfee Knob trailhead parking lot, authorities confirmed. Police also said both victims suffered fatal gunshot wounds, one of which appeared to have been self-inflicted. Roanoke Fire-EMS Department personnel responded at about 3:30 a.m. Friday to two incendiary structure fires that occurred about a mile apart, one on the 800 block of Rorer Avenue Southwest and one on the 30 block of 14th Street Southwest. The department said in a press release that the two fires were connected and the person of interest in the incidents was identified Friday afternoon by Roanoke County police as 62-year-old Lewis James Lambert Jr. Lambert lived at the Rorer Avenue address, according to city real estate records. Police found his body at about 6 a.m. Friday in the McAfee Knob trailhead parking lot on Catawba Valley Drive (Virginia 311). Also found deceased in the parking lot was a juvenile male, whom police have not identified. Both Lambert and the juvenile were found with gunshot wounds, one of them believed to be self-inflicted, police said in a press release. Police are not looking for suspects and there is no danger to the public, police added. Roanoke County Public Information Officer Amy Whittaker said Friday morning that a couple of hikers found the bodies as they were passing through the parking lot and called police. Its going to take a little while, of course, to determine what happened here, she added. Whittaker confirmed that the bodies were found in proximity to each other. The parking lot at Catawba Mountains crest is a hub for Appalachian Trail day and long-distance hikers. Access to the trail remained open, although access to the parking area was limited while investigators were on scene. It looks to be a very beautiful weekend, so we do expect there will be hundreds of hikers, Whittaker said Friday morning. Already, this morning, weve seen a lot of hikers coming through, passing through, heading to the trailhead, parking in the parking lot. Chris Whitfield arrived at the parking lot from Morgantown, West Virginia around 10 a.m. He and two other men had plans to spend the three-day holiday weekend on the Appalachian Trail, hiking the Triple Crown loop, which includes the McAfee Knob, Dragons Tooth and Tinker Cliffs, according to the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Clubs website. You definitely hate to see it. Its Memorial Day weekend. Everybodys out here trying to have a good time, he said. Im told that theres two bodies found, so thats really surprising and definitely not what you want to hear when youre about to start a fun day of hiking. But we drove four hours to get here. Were here now. And were going to do it. Whitfields party struggled to find parking spots in the gravel lot. The parking is crowded, he said. We have two cars here, and weve been here for the last 15 minutes looking for a parking spot for my truck. Whittaker said the heavily traveled McAfee Knob trail and the protruding rocks of the 3,200-foot summit have been the scene of other recent unfortunate accidents. Anyone with additional information about Fridays fires or fatal shootings is asked to contact the Roanoke County Emergency Communications Center at 540-562-3265, the Roanoke Fire Marshals Office Tip Line at 540-853-2406 or the Roanoke Police Department at 540-344-8500. Police have encouraged hikers to use the McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle, which operates from park-and-ride lot off of Interstate 81s exit 140. Visit mcafeeshuttle.com for more information. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. As he sat in front of a computer screen in a van that serves as a mobile crime processing center, Walter Dandridge Jr. talked about what can be done through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. Police were investigating a series of seemingly unrelated shootings over a period of several months, he said in a hypothetical example. Each time, the suspect fled. Shell casings left behind were the only evidence recovered. Computer images of spent cartridges from nine shootings were submitted to the network, known simply as NIBIN in law enforcement circles. Distinctive marks on the casings, made when the gun was fired, were run through a database that compared them to 7.7 million images of other casings recovered from crime scenes across the country. The results linked all of the casings to a single gun. Thats a huge investigative lead, said Dandridge, a forensic firearms examiner with NIBIN. We dont have nine different shooters. We have one shooter who has fired nine different times on nine different days. Dandridge and his van traveled to Roanoke on Thursday, where federal, state and local law enforcement officials spoke at a news conference about the strengths of NIBIN and urged their colleagues to use it more frequently. U.S. Attorney Chris Kavanaugh said his office plans to aggressively prosecute more cases in which a lead was generated by the database. More suspects will be identified, more violent offenders will be charged and more people will be held accountable, he said. Our communities will be safer and our citizens will feel safer, so thats why we are doing this. One locality that has used NIBIN successfully is Danville. Since 2018, evidence entered into the database has produced 369 hits, city Police Chief Scott Booth said. Recently, the system linked two shootings and provided information that led to arrests. NIBIN was established in 1997 by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Since then, the system has generated about 890,000 leads and more than 150,000 hits, which occur when a firearms examiner conducts a microscopic review of the shell casing images. A match happens when one shell is connected to others, or when a firearm used in a crime is test-fired and an image of the spent shell is processed through the database. Similar to a crime-solving DNA database that becomes more effective over time as more samples from potential suspects are collected, the success of NIBIN depends on police agencies submitting all of the ballistic evidence they gather in their investigations. That has not happened as frequently in Southwest Virginia as in other parts of the country. A lack of access to NIBIN resources is one reason. Another is a shortage of time, as police officers scrambling to investigate a murder might be more concerned with tracking down immediate leads than submitting evidence to the database. But if its not being used, were leaving valuable evidence on the table, Kavanaugh said. One solution was announced at Thursdays news conference. A ballistic laboratory than can process shell casings will soon open at the Virginia State Police field office in Salem. To be sure, a NIBIN hit alone is usually not enough for an arrest. Its an investigative tool, said Dandridge, who is based in an ATF crime lab in Maryland. But the forensic evidence can often shed additional light on theories or suspects especially when potential witnesses are reluctant to tell police what they saw or know. When confronted with conclusive information that their gun was linked to other crimes, suspects are more likely to make incriminating statements, authorities say. Charges that come from investigations strengthened by NIBIN will be prosecuted both in state and federal courts, Kavanaugh said. NIBIN is used only for criminal investigations and does not capture or store ballistic information acquired at the point of manufacture or sale. ATF says it maintains and operates the system at no charge to law enforcement partners. Nationally, a number of high-profile cases have been solved through NIBIN. In Cincinnati, a soap factory worker was robbed and shot to death while walking to work in 2016. Cartridge casings recovered from the scene were entered into NIBIN. The following month, Cincinnati police spotted a car with stolen license plates and pulled it over. Two firearms were recovered during a subsequent search of the car. One of them was linked through NIBIN to the factory workers shooting. Armed with that information, police did additional investigative work that eventually led to the arrests of the cars two occupants. Both men were later convicted of murder. The opening of the ballistics crime lab in Salem is part of a renewed emphasis on fighting gun violence, Col. Gary Settle, superintendent of the Virginia State Police, said at the news conference. Tools like NIBIN will allow us to get closer to the finish line of making our communities safer, Settle said. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Three years into the racial reckoning triggered by the death of George Floyd, a Black man handcuffed and suffocated by a white police officer, the landscape particularly in Virginia and elsewhere in the South is being scrubbed clean of emblems of white supremacy of which that caught-on-video moment in Minneapolis became a modern monument. Less obvious symbols ancient, distinctly Southern and almost entirely white in their provenance endure, with one now shared by a nation likely largely unaware of its complicated origin: Memorial Day, when Americans pay tribute to military men and women killed defending the United States at home and abroad. Memorial Day, for the most part, began as a commemoration by Southerners of husbands, fathers and sons who perished in the 19th-century Confederate revolt to preserve Black slavery. The observance sprang from a womens movement made up of what were known as ladies memorial associations that would impress the Union victors of the Civil War, spurring them to formally honor the Northern dead. These volunteer associations, drawing many of their members from the upper and middle classes, would whether repatriating remains to grieving families, creating Confederate cemeteries or organizing flower-bedecked tributes, most of which the Union refused to provide its former enemies help reinvent the Souths crushing defeat as a noble crusade to preserve a way of life. At its core, of course, was the enforced separation of the races, revived barely 30 years after the Civil War, through Jim Crow laws that stripped many Black Southerners of their voting rights and consigned them to the lower rungs of the economy. Into the early 20th century, the associations ultimately overtaken by the better-known United Daughters of the Confederacy, whose Richmond headquarters was damaged by protesters during post-George Floyd unrest in 2020 worked tireless to promote a positive memory of the Confederacy and to cultivate white Southern solidarity, writes Caroline E. Janney, a University of Virginia historian, in her 2008 book, Burying the Dead but Not the Past: Ladies Memorial Associations & the Lost Cause. The associations, however, became political instruments in the post-Civil War push by the Southern white patriarchy to restore its traditional authority. Southern men, says Janney, could claim that these Ladies were disinterested in politics, but women had literally provided a platform from which ex-Confederate men could lament their defeat. This fact was not lost on the Republicans and Union occupying forces and did little to persuade them that these displays had no political content. As a result, she observes, Even in the tender hands of Southern women, Memorial Days and cemetery dedications smacked of unrepentant rebellion. Often overlooked is the racial dimension of these tributes to the Civil War fallen; that many were proposed and perpetuated by whites. An early observance, at Blandford Cemetery in 1867 in Petersburg, site of the bloody, 292-day siege that presaged the collapse of the Confederacy in 1865, is seen by some historians as the impetus for a national holiday, which wasnt officially established until 1971 by an act of Congress five years after a declaration by President Lyndon Johnson, a Southerner and father-in-law of a Virginia governor and U.S. senator, Charles Robb, recognizing Waterloo, New York, as the birthplace in 1866 of Memorial Day. Lawyer-historian John Peters in Blandford Cemetery, Death and Life in Petersburg, Virginia reports that Mary Logan, wife of Gen. John A. Logan, leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union veterans organization, visited Blandford some months after the observance and was moved by the floral arrangements that continued to adorn Confederate graves. The general, taken by her account, directed that local chapters of the Grand Army of the Republic be similarly attentive of Union graves. But like the mists of war, history can confuse and conceal, lending nuanced complexity to the story of Memorial Day initially known as Decoration Day and now a holiday that seems less about war and remembrance and more about the start of the summer travel season and sales by online and bricks-and-mortar retailers. Organized tributes in the South and North to Civil War dead were reported even before the fighting stopped, with flowers cast on soldiers graves. In Charleston, South Carolina, not a month after Lees surrender at Appomattox, thousands of people many of them Black honored with a parade Union casualties who would be exhumed from a mass grave and reburied in individual plots. Virginia incrementally and, often, reluctantly, surrendered the insignia of its Southern character including, in Richmond and other cities, statutes of Confederate military and government leaders. This represents a bow to growth, accelerating suburbanization, nationalized state and local politics, and a population more than half which is non-native. A state holiday honoring Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson it was briefly paired with one for the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. was eliminated in 2020, replaced with Election Day. Three years earlier, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a New York-born Democrat, signed into law legislation by a Black delegate, Delores McQuinn of Richmond, creating charitable trusts to pay for upkeep at often-neglected Black cemeteries. The state had previously helped care for Confederate cemeteries, many created by the ladies memorial associations. Time, too, has obscured the Southern roots of Memorial Day and the paradox that a holiday that is supposed to be about national unity was born of regional revolt. Ritual mourning of war dead is so universal that I doubt whether the Confederate connection could taint Memorial Day for modern Americans or make people reluctant to observe it, says John Coski, a historian retired from the American Civil War Museum in Richmond and an expert in Confederate iconography. I think most people understand the universal need to honor war dead and to make sense of and find meaning in their sacrifice. Close 05-26-1986: Virginia War Memorial on Memorial Day. 05-29-1983 (cutline)L Last year's Memorial Day Festival meant family picnics. 05-31-1968 (cutline): As part of Memorial Day observances yesterday, an avenue of flags was flown in Williamsburg, with each flag representing an area serviceman killed in Vietnam. Tommy Etchberger, a Boy Scout who participated in a memorial service sponsored by Post 39 of the American Legion, poses beneath one of the flags. 05-19-1989 (cutline): Ronnie Harrison (foreground) enjoys a Memorial Day nap at Libby Hill Park picnic. 05-26-1986 (cutline): Re-enactment groups will recall Memorial Day today. 05-26-1990 (cutline): Re-enacters from the all-African American Massachusetts Regiment led the Memorial Day Grand Reunion Parade of Union and Confederate soldiers down cowod-lined Monument Avenue and past the statue of Robert E. Lee. 05-24-1987: Parade on Monument Avenue for Memorial Day included re-enacters. 05-29-1983: Small neighborhood parade goes down 27th street for Memorial Day. 05-29-1979: The Virginia War Memorial on Memorial Day. 05-23-1987 (cutline): Earl Peyton of American Legion Post 242 of Sandston put flags on the graves of servicemen at Seven Pines National Cemetery yesterday. The Memorial Day tradition helps to remind those passing the graves that the holiday is meant to be much more than a three-day weekend. 05-20-1970: Memorial Day. Editor's Note: A total of 1,112 Virginians have died in Vietnam since December, 1961 and 278 of them have died since last Memorial Day. From the Archives: Memorial Day A look back at Memorial Day in Richmond. 05-26-1986: Virginia War Memorial on Memorial Day. 05-29-1983 (cutline)L Last year's Memorial Day Festival meant family picnics. 05-31-1968 (cutline): As part of Memorial Day observances yesterday, an avenue of flags was flown in Williamsburg, with each flag representing an area serviceman killed in Vietnam. Tommy Etchberger, a Boy Scout who participated in a memorial service sponsored by Post 39 of the American Legion, poses beneath one of the flags. 05-19-1989 (cutline): Ronnie Harrison (foreground) enjoys a Memorial Day nap at Libby Hill Park picnic. 05-26-1986 (cutline): Re-enactment groups will recall Memorial Day today. 05-26-1990 (cutline): Re-enacters from the all-African American Massachusetts Regiment led the Memorial Day Grand Reunion Parade of Union and Confederate soldiers down cowod-lined Monument Avenue and past the statue of Robert E. Lee. 05-24-1987: Parade on Monument Avenue for Memorial Day included re-enacters. 05-29-1983: Small neighborhood parade goes down 27th street for Memorial Day. 05-29-1979: The Virginia War Memorial on Memorial Day. 05-23-1987 (cutline): Earl Peyton of American Legion Post 242 of Sandston put flags on the graves of servicemen at Seven Pines National Cemetery yesterday. The Memorial Day tradition helps to remind those passing the graves that the holiday is meant to be much more than a three-day weekend. 05-20-1970: Memorial Day. Editor's Note: A total of 1,112 Virginians have died in Vietnam since December, 1961 and 278 of them have died since last Memorial Day. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. RALEIGH The North Carolina General Assembly is about to make all children eligible for the states Opportunity Scholarship program. They wont all receive the same amounts poor and middle-income families will be eligible for vouchers in the range of $6,500 to $7,200 per student, while upper-income households will receive much less. Nevertheless, both proponents and opponents are quite properly using the term universal to describe the policy, which will go into effect for the 2024-25 academic year. School-choice advocates are ecstatic. Critics are despondent. Although my sympathies here are evident and longstanding, I think it would behoove both sides to temper their expectations a bit. There wont be a gigantic exodus of children from district-run public schools in the fall of 2024. For one thing, North Carolinas current private schools dont have the capacity to absorb such an enrollment boom. One of the best arguments for choice programs is their potential to foster entrepreneurship in education. Just as the creation of charters gave educators, parents, and reformers the capacity to develop new models for public education, voucher expansion will give existing providers the capacity to add new grades and campuses while creating opportunities for new entrants to the K-12 space. It cant all happen in a year, though. It takes time to assemble teams, build or rent facilities, hire faculty, and develop content. Furthermore, while some families will immediately take advantage of scholarships for which theyll be newly eligible, many others will be intrigued but cautious. Theyll do their homework about what private options are already available, where new schools will open, and when they calculate the benefits of transferring their children will exceed the costs (which arent purely monetary, of course). Still other families will have little interest in taking advantage of opportunity scholarships at all, either because theyre satisfied with the education their children are receiving in public schools district or charter or because they dont like the private options available. Many voucher foes are convinced the program is part of an elaborate conspiracy to destroy public schools. Theyre mistaken, but I know they wont take my word for it. Over the coming years, I expect the facts on the ground to make my point for me. The leaders of North Carolinas school districts arent just going to stand around and wait for new or expanding private schools to recruit their students away. Theyre going to try to enhance their services to protect their enrollments. This is not a guess. This is how comparable markets already work. Federal and state taxpayers already subsidize scholarships and loans for students whether they attend private universities or public ones. Patients can spend Medicare or Medicaid dollars at Catholic hospitals if they wish. Parents can use child-care subsidies at church-run preschools. Moreover, we already know from decades of empirical research that when public elementary and secondary schools are subject to increased competition from private alternatives, they improve. They hire better teachers. Their students score higher on reading and math tests. They graduate at higher rates. Before 2023, the General Assembly spent many years debating policy issues in public education. They discussed how to train and compensate principals and teachers, how to teach youngsters to read, and how to shape the curriculum. Nothing that happens this session will end any of these debates. Legislators and policymakers will go on reforming public education, the provision of which will remain a constitutional obligation and a practical necessity. Expanding the Opportunity Scholarship program this session represents only the beginning of a process that will unfold over many years. If you think you know exactly what the resulting market for K-12 education will look like, youre fooling yourself. But if you think that future market for K-12 education promises to be more rigorous, more creative, more accommodating of diverse interests and values, and better suited to helping young North Carolinians thrive and prosper, then you and I agree. Change is coming. But it wont come overnight. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Thomasville hosts its annual Memorial Day Parade in its downtown historic district at 9 a.m. on Monday. Now in its 35th year and billed as the largest such parade in the Southeast, it's a time to remember fallen soldiers. This year's grand marshal is WWII veteran Glenn Ray Leonard. The parade ends at Cushwa Stadium with a paratrooper drop-in. Thomasville is about a 30-minute drive from Greensboro. Call 336-870-8735 for more information. As we mentioned, our bodies have evolved to get used to cold temperatures when necessary. There are three ways our bodies cope with cold: cold habituation : reduction in response to cold; higher skin temperatures metabolic adaptations: creating heat by responses like shivering insulative adaptations: conserving heat via things like fat layers Habituation is the most common response to cold found in humans. This is what most of us experience any time we are out in the cold repeatedly because it doesn't have to be lengthy. We experience habituation even on a cold freezing morning, during a 10-minute dash to the local cafe for a cortado. Advertisement Habituations are like memorization. Instead of wasting valuable bodily energy sending up red flag neurons to your central nervous system every time your body is exposed to the same cold event, it remembers it and responds less. You won't shiver as much and your body gets used to the temp and keeps the skin on extremities, like our hands, warmer for longer. That's why the more Gilbert swims, the longer his sessions can be, over time. Even after 11 years of swimming, though, it always takes a few minutes for him to get comfortable in the water, he says. "Of the hundreds of swims I've had, still to this day, the first few minutes in that cold water is the worst, and I have initial doubts. But you stay in, and you get used to it. Then after about five to 10 minutes, it's like a runner's high; you're euphoric." "Getting used to it" is one way to describe that the body notices the stimuli in this case cold temperature isn't going away and adjusts. Even the best, most adjusted swimmers get too cold and must stop when their body tells them it's time. "Your body keeps warm at the core, so your extremities can get cold, especially your fingers or toes," Gilbert explains. "On longer swims, you'll even see some people get a 'claw hand,' or some people get numb in the lips for a few minutes and slur their words when they get out of the water." Vasoconstriction, another habituation mechanism, is what causes claw hands when blood supply is drawn away from the body's extremities to conserve heat. But a swimmer can't adjust to swimming long lengths in the cold waters of the bay on their first trip; it also requires a process of acclimation. " " A quick polar plunge like this one in Chicago in the frigid waters of Lake Michigan doesn't require acclimation the way cold-water swimming like Gilbert does in the San Francisco Bay. Scott Liebenson/Flickr/(CC BY-SA 2.0) Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A nearly six-hour standoff ended Friday with the death of a Helena man who authorities had tried to serve an arrest warrant for sexual abuse of a child. The death had been reported to law enforcement as self-inflicted, authorities said. Law enforcement found the man deceased around 6:45 p.m. in a residence on the 300 block of Davis Street. All of the family has not yet been notified, so the man's name hasnt been released, officials said. Because both agencies, my office and the Helena Police Department, are actively involved, well be seeking outside agencies to investigate, said Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton. Ill be using an independent coroner. Around 12:36 p.m., authorities responded to a call for service and came to serve a warrant to a man in Helena who was noncompliant and barricaded himself inside a home, Helena police Capt. Randy Ranalli said. The man was wanted for sexual abuse of a child. The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office and Helena Police Department SWAT Team responded to the home. Multiple attempts to make contact with the man were unsuccessful, such as inserting phones into the home, having professional negotiators from both agencies at the scene and more. Officials said that as far as they know, the man was in the house alone. After the scene is processed, Dutton said that the body will be taken to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula for an autopsy. Ranalli said the public is in no danger at this time. Neighbors and passersby milled about outside during the ordeal. Yellow tape blocked off the street, and ambulances stood by. Dutton said the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation would be called into investigate as both the Helena Police Department and his agency were involved in the incident. Independent Record assistant editor Phil Drake contributed to this report Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Tom Pearson stood among about 30 people Saturday morning in the Benton Avenue Cemetery. Most were fellow members of the E Clampus Vitus club, and others were members of the general public including two city commissioners. He pulled a black plastic bag off a newly made cemetery headstone for Albert E. Haskell, who served as a corporal in the Union Army in the Civil War, moved to Helena and died in a hunting accident in 1898. He was 56. Up until Saturday, Haskell was buried in an unmarked grave. I never expected it was going to be this fantastic," Pearson said as he looked at the headstone as audience members applauded and cheered under cloudy skies. It takes my breath away to look at it. For Pearson, it was a moment of mission accomplished. Or, as members of E Clampus Vitus, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of the American West, would say: Satisfactory! a common refrain among the group. Members had a flag raising minutes prior to the unveiling of the grave marker. Those familiar with the Benton Avenue Cemetery said 50 veterans are buried there. Of those, 25 have government tombstones, and 24 have private markers. They said Haskell was the only veteran without a marker. "Haskell had nothing," Pearson said. Pearson said he was able to locate Haskells grave through maps. Haskells parents are buried at the cemetery, as well. It was not known why there was never any grave marker for Albert Haskell, who at one time had a personal estate of $7,000, which Pearson noted was a lot of money for the time. The cost for the stone is $1,750, of which $500 has been donated. An additional $1,250 remains to be raised, organizers said. Pearson said Daren Rummel of Montana Granite had donated $500. Pearson, who is also the secretary/treasurer of the Benton Avenue Cemetery Association, said the headstone was made of white marble from Georgia. E Clampus Vitus members spent Saturday morning putting flags on veterans' graves at the cemetery, as they do every year, then took a break at 11 a.m. to raise the flag and unveil Haskells headstone. Among those in attendance were city commissioners Sean Logan and Andy Shirtliff. Joe Jorge, an E Clampus Vitus member, or, as Pearson calls them, the clampers, said they put out flags every year. (But) this one is special, he said about the headstone ceremony. It is awesome and most satisfactory. This is excellent, said Alex Tyhurst, who also a member, adding that their group avoids recognition but applauded Pearsons accomplishments, saying they wanted to support his efforts. Pearson, 81, repeated a quote from an earlier story on the grave marker when asked how he felt. This pleases me, he said. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The operations and day-to-day control of 121-year-old Montana State Capitol changed hands Thursday, somewhat unceremoniously, coming under primary control of the state Legislature. House Bill 856 from House Speaker Matt Regier, a Kalispell Republican, cleared the Legislature easily; its final vote in the House of Representatives was 95-1. The bill was perhaps the most tangible distillation of the Legislature's efforts to establish equal footing as a branch of state government. The body meets for just 90 days, often less, every two years. And while proposals to move to annual sessions have quieted in recent years, lawmakers have established new duties such as interim finance committees to conduct oversight of agency spending in order to harden its presence throughout the year. The bill landed on Gov. Greg Gianforte's desk May 12. By law, the Republican governor had 10 days to sign the bill into law, veto it or a follow a more passive route he elected to use here taking no action on the bill in that timeframe, allowing it to become law. Since the Legislature adjourned May 2, Gianforte has curbed other efforts by the Legislature to gain ground from its biennial status. The governor vetoed pay raises for lawmakers, which would have raised wages from $16 per hour to $24, as well as a bill to sharpen the Legislature's ability to muscle the executive branch into compliance with its audit functions. The second floor, where the governor and the Secretary of State offices are housed, remains under the executive branch's purview. The arrangement came after some amendments to the bill during the legislative process to ostensibly win over the support of the executive. The Department of Administration, which previously managed operations in the building, raised numerous concerns about the bill during the session, including issues about maintenance, cleaning, liabilities and more. DOA previously handled everything soup to nuts from the snow removal to power, lights, water, internet and emergency repairs like when two basement bathrooms in the Capitol flooded during the session that just ended, department director Misty Ann Giles told lawmakers earlier this year. There's no doubt the legislative and executive branches have enjoyed some harmony over GOP priorities like tax reform and abortion restrictions. Still, tension remains. Early in HB 856's process the governor publicly said he had concerns about the bill and a spokesperson for Gianforte said Thursday the governor's inaction on the bill was intentional. "As with all bills that reach the governor's desk, the governor carefully reviewed HB 856 and chose not to sign it," press secretary Kaitlin Price said in an email. "While there are many successes from the legislative session, from tax cuts to pro-housing reforms to pro-student, pro-parent education reforms, some legislators' commitment to putting Capitol parking space assignments into Montana law and spending $25 million to renovate their space is not on the list." Regier in a phone interview Thursday said the bill was about equal footing as a coequal branch. "I think no matter whos in the Legislature and whos in the exec(utive), Id imagine the executive would want control of everything like they have in the past," Regier said Thursday when asked to respond to comment from the governor's office. "Thats not equitable. Were two branches of government, we should be in control of our space and the executive should be in control of their space and thats the way we set it up." The Capitol complex proposal, drummed up by legislative leadership in both parties before the session, maintained its bipartisan support even during an increasingly divisive session. While the Republican supermajority of the last session had the votes to shepherd the proposal through the Legislature on its own, Democrats made up 46 of the bill's 81 co-sponsors. The bill allocates $50 million to be split between executive and legislative branches for long-range maintenance projects for the Capitol building that will be available by the end of June. The Legislative Council, made up of legislative leadership, will serve as a long-range building committee to recommend construction and remodeling priorities to the Legislature and Department of Administration. "For too long, the legislative branch has ceded too much of its power to the executive branch, including the right to decide how we use our own space," House Minority Whip and Butte Democrat Derek Harvey said in a statement. "With this bill, I'm hopeful we'll be able to bring about changes that make the Legislature more transparent, accessible and open for public participation." "Republican leadership is excited to get to work on long-term planning for better and more efficient use of space in the state Capitol building," a spokesperson for the Senate GOP said Thursday. The speaker said he has no personal rift with the governor's office, but added lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed some frustration with other legislation being vetoed, particularly transparency measures. Earlier this month the governor vetoed House Bill 693, which would have barred state agencies from withholding public records that were part of litigation; Gianforte wrote in his veto letter the bill would only benefit trial lawyers, not bolster the public's right to know. The governor last week shot down a separate attempt by the Legislature to sharpen its oversight of the executive branch by vetoing Senate Bill 73. That proposal, from Sen. Tom McGillvray, a Billings Republican, would have made executive branch officials subject to an official misconduct charge if they withheld materials sought by the Legislature's audit division. The charge was a misdemeanor, but could have resulted in a government official losing their job. During the last interim session, McGillvray and Legislative Auditor Angus Maciver raised concerns about "increasing" resistance from agencies. During the legislative session, the executive branch maintained its opposition to McGillvray's SB 73, even after he had amended the bill to clarify only an intentional withholding of materials could result in an official misconduct charge. In his veto letter on May 19, Gianforte was adamant that the bill could lead to the audit division's work trampling personal privacy rights of state employees. His veto letter was accompanied by a letters from officials with the Department of Administration, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Montana Federation of Public Employees the state employees' union urging him to reject the bill. "The Montana Constitution directs that I, as governor, 'see that the laws are faithfully executed,'" Gianforte wrote. " Giving an unelected bureaucrat such unfettered authority, especially without safeguards for Montanans' privacy interests, is unacceptable." Maciver had, during the bill's hearings, pushed against this notion that the bill would disrupt the status quo. He provided to the committee a contract signed in January for a third-party contractor to review personally identifiable health information in order to properly conduct its claims audit. Despite the Department of Administration's testimony against the bill, he noted, the department had cosigned the audit contract. "That's been occurring for three decades," Maciver told lawmakers. "It's never been an issue that that was how the work was done and it's done that way because it has to be done that way in order for it to be a valid audit. So the idea that were embarking in new territory, I just wanted to make sure the committee understood that this work is going on right now, has been for a long time and we do it in cooperation with the Department of Administration." McGillvray's bill reached the two-thirds support threshold to trigger a poll of lawmakers to attempt a veto override. Regier said several veto override efforts are already underway; he had just returned three votes to override vetoes this week. "I'd like to see that one overturned," Regier said of the veto on SB 73, giving teeth to the legislative auditor. "That's the foundation of good governance." According to the Secretary of State's Office listing online, lawmakers have been polled on 16 bills that were vetoed but met the two-thirds support threshold. The override polls are due back 30 days after the veto. The first round of override polls are due June 2, with following batches of polls due back to the Secretary of State on June 8, 13 and 15. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Whitewater season for skilled boaters has arrived as flows on many of the states top wavy rivers have hit perfect flows for wet, chilly thrills. Perhaps nowhere is the psych higher than on the Stillwater River, a tributary to the Yellowstone River. Last June, the stream hit a record high, blowing out new channels, bridges and houses and dousing the floating season. This year, thankfully, its much tamer with flows at 4,150 cubic feet per second compared to an average of 2,030 cfs. People want to play this summer because theres no flooding, said Merek Rosin, owner of Adventure Whitewater outside Absarokee, noting reservations were solid. Last year at this time, the river was running low because of an unusually cool spring before rain on snow and warm temperatures rapidly changed the dynamics. Right now, its a good level for experienced boaters with the right gear including lifejackets, self-bailing rafts and dry suits on cool days. A dry suit can help ward off the chill of the 48-degree water, which feels fresh off a snow field. Tim Hedin, owner of Boat Werx, ran the upper Stillwater last weekend and said it was perfect. The only strainer now is the Trout Creek Ranch bridge, which sits low on the right side, he said. Hedin encouraged boaters to stay left. On the lower river, last years flood wiped out Beartooth Drop, a notorious plunge just upstream from a bridge known for trapping unsuspecting newbies. But theres now an upstream wave train that has been known to flip unprepared boaters. The lower river has changed so much, Rosin said. Hedin said the river should be good for skilled boaters at flows under 5,000 cfs. Yellowstone The Yellowstone River also saw a historic flood last year that overlapped the highway through Yankee Jim Canyon. Right now, the river is at 18,600 cfs in Livingston, about twice what it normally is at this time of the year but trending downward from a couple of days ago thanks to cooler weather. The Boulder River, outside of Big Timber, was also running higher than usual. At 2,670 cfs, the rocky river is floatable for skilled boaters below Natural Bridge. The window to float the stream is typically narrow because once it drops too much, it is too rocky to negotiate. Downstream farther, the Yellowstone River at Billings was running about twice its normal volume, although also declining a bit thanks to cooler temps. Flood stage near Billings is 13.5 feet and the river on Friday was at 9.6 feet. The river is getting a big boost from the Clarks Fork Yellowstone River, which hit 5,430 cfs on Friday, down a bit from a day earlier. The Clarks Fork Valley was also hammered by flooding last June. The river has about 2 more feet to climb to reach flood stage in the valley. Last year by mid-June it had climbed to 4 feet above flood stage. Elsewhere Other whitewater attractions in the state include the Gallatin, the Blackfoot, Middle Fork Flathead and Clark Fork Rivers Alberton Gorge. Veteran river-runner Mike Johnston, of Montana River Guides, visited the Gallatin last week for a whitewater rescue course and riverboarded the Mad Mile. It was only 3,500 cfs the day he went, but hes done it at levels as high as 6,000 cfs. The river was running at 4,190 cfs on Friday. Johnstons company has been running rafting trips on the Blackfoot River recently, where flows were at 5,800 cfs on Friday, below average for this time of the year. Its going to be a good year for the Blackfoot, Johnston said, even though flows seem to have peaked early, as did the Clark Fork River. As soon as the flows through the Alberton Gorge drop to the low 20s, as in 20,000 cfs, Johnstons crew typically shifts their focus to that area, which is closer to his shop. On Friday the Clark Fork below Missoula had quickly dropped to 19,800 cfs compared to 27,400 cfs on Tuesday. Johnston used to launch at higher flows but has become more cautious after encountering unprepared floaters in bad situations cold, wet, using substandard equipment and too often drunk. Reservoirs Higher water on some rivers, bolstered by recent rainfall, has pushed some reservoir levels up, although it can also add a lot of floating branches and logs to lakes. Fort Peck Reservoir had climbed to an elevation of 2,225 feet by Friday, up about 5 feet since the beginning of March. Last year at this time, the reservoir was trending downward. The lake is fed by the Missouri River, which was running higher than normal for this time of year at 16,900 cfs near Landusky. The Missouri also feeds Canyon Ferry Reservoir, which was at an elevation of 3,789 feet. That's good enough to wet down all of the boat ramps around the lake for the Memorial Day weekend. The Missouri River at Toston, upstream from the lake, was also flowing at higher-than-normal flows for this time of year 17,300 cfs compared to the average of 9,600 cfs. Weather According to the National Weather Service, there is a flood watch for Montana east of Billings in poor drainage and urban areas. Heavy rainfall the last few days has saturated the soil in many locations across the watch area, the Weather Service advised. The risk of thunderstorms with torrential rainfall rates, over ground that is already saturated, will increase the risk of flash flood issues through at least this evening. This watch may need to be extended into the weekend as well for some areas. A reader's video of a flash flood in Golden Valley County on Thursday showed a torrent of water and hail running down a gulley into the Musselshell River. The agency also issued a flood advisory for portions of southwest Montana along the Jefferson River from Twin Bridges to Three Forks. The Jefferson at Twin Bridges was running at an elevation of 7.4 feet. Flood stage is 10 feet. Despite all of the moisture, about 68% of the state remains abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. About 30% of the state is in a moderate state of drought with only 3% of Montana all in the northwest in severe drought. Thats an improvement from a year ago when 94% of the state was abnormally dry and 16% was in extreme drought. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. QUINCY Prosecutors focused on the search history of Timothy Bliefnick's laptop computer and cellphone during the fourth day of testimony of his trial. Quincy Police Detective Erik Cowick testified Friday that in reviewing the cellphone data from Timothy Bliefnick's phone, he found searches including "how to open my door with a crowbar," "can I force my door open with a crowbar if I lock myself out," how many cops in Quincy Illinois," "how to make a homemade pistol silencer," "average Quincy Police Department response time" and "average Quincy Police Department response time." Timothy Bliefnick, 40, a Decatur native, faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion in connection with the Feb. 23 shooting death of his estranged wife, Rebecca Bliefnick. Cowick also testified that the phone was factory reset on Oct. 15, 2021, and was password protected. Data from the laptop between 1 and 2 a.m. on Feb 14 showed that there were searched on license plate lookups, VIN lookups and specific searches with a plate and VIN for a 2021 Toyota Tundra, owned by Ted Johnson, who was romantically involved with Rebecca Bliefnick. Johnson testified Tuesday that he spent the night at Rebecca Bliefnick's home on Feb 13. During cross-examination, defense attorney Casey Schnack had Cowick confirm that he did not know who was accessing either the computer and the cellphone, and that most of the data wasn't timestamped on the cellphone. Cowick also testified that there were Facebook records of a "John Smith" account on the phone. Reviewing messages, the Smith account sent a message about Mongoose mountain bike that appeared to be purchase in October 2022 on Facebook Messenger. A Mongoose mountain bike was found in Timothy Bliefnick's garage in a March 1 search. The account also received a system message of a Schwinn mountain bike from Mike Blaesing, who testified Thursday about selling the bike to a man in October 2022, though he could not identify the man. Cowick also testified that he reviewed the extraction of Rebecca Bliefnick's phone that was found behind the door of the master bedroom. The last activity on the phone was at 12:58 a.m. Feb. 23, when the Facebook app was activated. At 1:11 a.m., the numbers "91126" were dialed. No outgoing activity was reported after that, but there was incoming activity such as text messages. The results of Rebecca Bliefnick's autopsy were presented to the jury. Forensic pathologist Dr. Scott Denton testified she suffered nine gunshot wounds to her torso, three to her right arm and two to her left hand. The gunshot wounds to her right arm and left hand were defensive wounds. Denton said she internally bled to death, but none of the gunshot wounds were immediately fatal. "She would have been alive with these gunshot wounds for at least several minutes," he said, adding it would have been a painful death. At one point during Denton's testimony, a box of tissues was brought to Timothy Bleifnick who appeared to wipe his eyes as autopsy photos were shown to the jury. Court recessed for the day just after noon. Lead Trial Attorney Josh Jones said he plans to call additional experts from the Illinois State Crime Lab Tuesday. Those witnesses were unavailable to testify Friday. The prosecution could rest its case Tuesday. 2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. DECATUR Shemuel Sanders lost his daughter to gun violence three years ago. Since that day, he has continued to reach out to Decaturs youth and the rest of the community in an effort to end the suffering he and other local families have felt. We need to come together as one to fight this crime thats going on in our city, he said. Approximately 100 members of the community, including clergy, community leaders, politicians and youth, participated in Stop the Violence Youth Peace March on Saturday, walking from Hess Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to the Decatur Civic Center. As a Decatur native, Yolanda Minor said she was not intimidated by the 1.5-mile walk. Decaturs not that big, she said. Minor works with youth in the Decatur Public Schools as a district coordinator, and also is vice president of the Shemilah Outreach Center, the host of Saturday's event. But as a marcher, she wanted to show her support for the children and the community. We are unified and we want peace, she said. And Im ready to walk. Stephen Decatur eighth grader Mia Chase was one of the youth taking part in the march. She recently was awarded a Peace Maker award at her school. By being a good person, she said, I like to comfort people and help them out. When people are doing wrong, I tell them that they are in the wrong. It helps. Chase said the march is another way for her to support positive programs. Violence is not the right thing to do, she said. Illinois State Senator Doris Turner is often found marching with groups such as the Shemilah Outreach Program. We have to do everything that we can to engage the community, she said. It gets so many young people involved. They feel like they are part of the solution. Turner admits change takes time. Were not going to see a huge difference overnight, she said. But we cant stop. Illinois Congress recently passed a budget with resources available for violence prevention and a focus on education and workforce development. Thats another avenue for us to address the violence thats in our community, Turner said. The biggest cure to violence is people having a job. Antwane McClelland, who lost two sons from gun violence, has attended several marches alongside Sanders. McClelland continues to work among the youth. Weve got the same common goal, thats to save a kids life, he said. These are our next lawyers, our next doctors, our next athletes. The Rev. Deloyd Sanders wanted to represent Decaturs clergy for the march. Theres one thing to talk it, but another thing to walk it, he said. As CEO and executive director for the Shemilah Outreach Center, Sanders created the center to provide opportunities for youth. Sanders said he stresses the need for youth to be prepared for the future. Maybe my program is not the program for them, but other programs are out there, he said. It takes a village. Shemilah Outreach Center offers programs such as a summer work program, a dance team and tutoring. Saturdays march is one of the projects designed to bring the youth together with positive role models. We have a lot of youth out here that have been affected by gun violence, Sanders said. But because of these peace marches and because of us leaders coming together and giving programs to these youth, its making a difference. Is this your teacher? 13 educator photos from the Herald & Review archives Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The Social Security Administration, the federal agency serving the largest number of Americans, is facing its worst crisis in decades, due to underfunding and under-staffing. SSA currently provides retirement, survivor, or disability benefits to 70 million people each month. The number of beneficiaries went up 21% between 2010 and 2021. Yet, the size of SSAs workforce shrunk by 13%, and the agencys budget has been cut by 17% during this same period, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a nonpartisan research institute. With staffing at its lowest staffing level in more than 25 years, it now takes seven months to get an initial appointment with the SSA according to the CBPP. In addition, more than half of customer service calls go unanswered, and there are 4.2 million backlogged actions. This year, SSA received just 55% of its requested budget increase, leaving it ill-equipped to upgrade outdated systems and improve hiring and retention. As head of the union representing nearly 43,000 SSA employees, I can say for certain that SSA needs more money than the administration requested to rebuild the agency and begin providing citizens with the level of service they expect and deserve. We are urging Congress to increase SSAs budget to $17.4 billion in fiscal 2024. Unfortunately, agency leaders are making the staffing crisis worse by refusing to abide by an executive order issued by President Joe Biden on his second day in office. It requires agencies to negotiate with labor unions over subjects such as staffing, technology, and methods and means of performing work that could help attract more candidates. AFGE Council 215 President Rich Couture, the unions chief negotiator in bargaining that began in April, said the agency is in the midst of the worst public service crisis in memory caused by historic levels of employee attrition due to uncompetitive pay and benefits, exceedingly low employee morale, and overwhelming workloads. A ranking of federal agencies by the Partnership for Public Service named SSA the worst large agency to work for in the federal government. In a recent survey by the American Federation of Government Employees, more than eight in ten employees said they know someone who has sought therapy or medication to deal with work-related stress, while 8% of respondents said they know of a coworker who has committed suicide. Just over half of employees said they will consider leaving within the next year, mostly because of low pay. SSA and Congress must address this crisis and implement solutions focused on employee retention and improved customer service, AFGE Council 220 President Jessica LaPointe told the media in April. Acting Social Security Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi recently acknowledged the struggles facing the agency, admitting that current funding levels are not sufficient to make the improvements we had hoped to be able to make and predicted that the average processing time for disability benefit claims would get longer as the agency works through the backlog. And with deep cuts on the table in default talks, Social Security could be facing steep budget cuts at the worst possible time. By the agencys own estimates, retreating to 2022 funding levels a 6% cut to current funding would force SSA to close field offices, furlough and lay off staff, institute hiring freezes, and increase the average wait time for initial disability claims decisions from seven months to nine months. Its time for Congress to stop starving Social Security of the resources it needs to serve the public efficiently and effectively. SSA leaders must partner with the union to address deteriorating working conditions before more skilled employees walk out the door. Only by working together can we build what we all want an SSA that delivers for the American people. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 89F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. BRISTOL, Tenn. City leaders are interested how the revenue from Sullivan Countys new hotel/motel tax will be invested. Last week the Sullivan County Commission approved the tax which adds an additional 3% tax onto Bristol Tennessees current 5% occupancy tax, charged on hotel room and other short-term rentals. City Manager Kelli Bourgeois explained that she is less concerned about the tax and more interested in seeing what the city and Sullivan County can achieve together in the future as partners. In 2022, the city received more than $527,200 from its occupancy tax. Monetarily, it shouldnt affect us because we still have the ability to continue to charge our tax, Bourgeois said. They have to use whatever revenue they receive for tourism or tourism development. So, hopefully, that will help us in that we can partner and do things collaboratively to bolster our tourism, as well. Under Tennessee code, the 2021 law states revenue received by the county from the tax must be used for tourism purposes. Sullivan Countys new hotel/motel tax also levies a 4% occupancy tax on unincorporated Sullivan County, which has never had an occupancy tax, as well as a 1% tax on Johnson City and Kingsports hotels and motels that lie within county boundaries. Sullivan County Commissioner Zane Vanover, who sponsored the resolution, explained that it has less impact on county residents. Im not for any kind of tax at all. But this is the least intrusive type of tax I could possibly think of where someone from outside our area actually comes and pays the tax for us, Vanover said. The reason for it, actually, is just to create another stream of revenue for our county. For so long, weve been relying on property taxes and sales taxes to fund our government agencies. When asked why Sullivan County was imposing a higher occupancy tax on Bristol than on its sister cities Kingsport and Johnson City, Vanover explained that the highest occupancy tax rate that can be set according to Tennessees 2021 occupancy tax law is 8%; he pointed out that Kingsport already has a 7% occupancy tax. Before we did this resolution, Kingsport was already at seven for their occupancy tax. Bristol was at five, so adding three to the five in Bristol made eight, Vanover said. The most we could do at one time was four, which is what we did in the county. Vanover highlighted that the main reason why Sullivan County did not have an occupancy tax in the past was because of the law. However, the Tennessee legislature passed a new occupancy law in 2021, which has made it easier for counties in Tennessee to set one up. Before the law was changed in 2021, you had to go to our state legislature and get a private act done to allow for an occupancy tax in counties, Vanover said. When the law was changed in 2021, it gave that authority to County Commission to do it without having to go to the state legislature and ask for a private act. So it became much easier and thats why there are so many counties that have one now. Vanover also emphasized that under the definition of hotel in the 2021 law, Airbnbs and other short-term rentals are considered hotels, which means they are also subject to Sullivan Countys new hotel/motel tax. This is a way to try to regulate those a little bit and make sure theyre safe, first of all, and try to give them a chance to contribute to our tourism promotion, and hopefully, theyll have more customers, Vanover said. One of the main concerns that Sullivan County had was that the occupancy tax on Bristol, Tennessee, would push visitors towards seeking lodgings in Bristol, Virginia. However, Bristol, Virginia, just raised its own occupancy tax to 13%, effective July 1. I dont think that gives them an advantage in any way, Vanover said. With the 2024 arrival of the Hard Rock Casino in Bristol, Virginia, Vanover explained that through the occupancy tax on Bristol, Tennessee, rooms. the county hopes to get ahead of the curb of economic development that will inevitably continue to grow as the Hard Rock Casino settles into Bristol, Virginia. That casino its a regional facility now. Its going to affect the entire region, Vanover said. Were just trying to get ahead of the curve a little bit and try to be prepared for future development. Bourgeois emphasized that her big concern is that people who would otherwise would visit the Tri-Cities might be put off by Sullivan Countys occupancy tax. Hopefully, those new taxes dont impact peoples decision whether or not the visit here or Kingsport or Sullivan County in general, Bourgeois said. That would be the only concern is that it gets to the point where people just decide to go elsewhere, where the tax is lower, or theres no tax. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. LEXINGTON, Ky. The foundation of longtime former Bristol area auto dealer C.M. Bill Gatton announced a $100 million gift Thursday to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. The gift, which is the largest to the university in its 160-year history, is contingent upon UK Board of Trustees approval at its June meeting, according to a written statement. Gatton, who died last April, was a 1954 graduate of the universitys College of Commerce. He moved to Bristol to operate a Chevrolet dealership on West State Street where he established the foundation for a successful series of businesses and investments. The college will be renamed as the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment to honor Gattons parents, Edith Martin and Harry W. Gatton Sr. This is a transformational gift that will have a profound impact on CAFE and the University of Kentucky, said UK President Eli Capilouto. It will be a cornerstone in our efforts and our singular mission to advance Kentucky in everything that we do. Like Mr. Gatton did, we dream of a Kentucky tomorrow that is healthier, wealthier and wiser than it is today. This gift reflects his profound belief in this institution to be a partner for progress in our capacity and commitment to advance Kentucky. This latest gift in a series of donations join previous grants to the Gatton College of Business and Economics, the universitys Gatton Student Center, and scholarships for students with unmet financial need through the UK LEADS initiative. Gatton is the universitys largest single donor, with gifts exceeding $180 million. UK vice president for land-grant engagement and UK CAFE dean Nancy Cox expressed gratitude for the generosity of the Bill Gatton Foundation. Our college has served Kentucky and beyond for over 150 years with user-inspired science, aiming to push boundaries in education and service, Cox said. We are grateful for the confidence placed in us by the Gatton Foundation, which will allow us to both accelerate our land-grant mission and create new programs to serve our citizens. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. BRISTOL, Va. Cheers, shouts and applause came from every corner of the Bearcat Den on Friday as Virginia High Schools 153-member graduating class celebrated during its commencement ceremony. The seniors, who endured a global pandemic for some half their time in high school and other challenges during their four years, had much to celebrate. They cumulatively earned nearly $675,000 in scholarships, earned significant sports, music and academic accolades and many of them participated in the new Bearcat Bridge work skills program. As a member of this graduating class, I can honestly say I am proud of every one of you guys, Valedictorian Brenden Michael Lawson said. As you walk across this stage, take your diploma and move on with the next chapter of your life dont be afraid to stand up. And dont live your life in fear of how people see you. In this life we only have one option to keep living for yourself. Dont live for someone else because you only live once Congratulations to the invincible class of 2023. Salutatorian Anna Stacy also expressed her support for her classmates who she termed resilient. These last four years have been anything but a walk in the park. Weve all been faced with so many trials of our own but here we are at the end of the road. However, through it all the good, the bad, the beautiful and everything in between we persevered, Stacy said. While I know youre all so ready to take that next step in your future, lets spend today in the present. Lets celebrate one another. Students who comprised the top 10 academically were recognized during the ceremony. In addition, senior Joseph Field was recognized for also completing a college associates degree while at VHS and six seniors received one-year college certificates. Twitter: @DMcGeeBHC Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. NEWTON A new passenger van has been delivered to In My Fathers House Community Support Services Network. Purchase of the van was made possible with funding awarded to City of Newton by North Carolina Department of Commerces Rural Economic Development Division (REDD) Community Development Block Grant Program. The 15-passenger van was purchased for In My Fathers House to enable the nonprofit to provide transportation for participants in its Queen Esther Youth Development Mentoring Program, which empowers and educates teenage girls on developmental skills and the value of commitment to family and community. The van will also allow In My Fathers House to provide transportation to youth taking part in its afterschool programs and summer camps. We strive to make an impact, one family at a time, said Ivey Robinson, chief executive officer of In My Fathers House. Were so blessed to have been able to serve countless children and their families over the past decade, and this beautiful new van is going to allow us to take our programs for youth to the next level. We are grateful to the city of Newton for their support. We thank Newton city council and staff for the administration of these funds to our organization. The city of Newton was awarded $900,000 in funding through the Community Development Block Grant program. Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry and The Corner Table will also receive funding through the grant award, and a portion of the funds will support installation of Wi-Fi in city facilities. Grant funds were awarded to North Carolina by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support the states COVID-19 response efforts. The allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136. The North Carolina COVID Program is designed to help a non-entitlement municipality or county to prepare, prevent or respond to the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. The activities must be most critical to their locality and primarily for their low- and moderate-income residents. In My Fathers House has been doing good work in our community for many years, Newton Mayor Eddie Haupt said. Were grateful to Ivey and her team for the positive impact theyve had on so many of our neighbors, and were grateful to HUD and the State Department of Commerce for awarding Newton funds to make the purchase of this new van possible. The city of Newton thanks North Carolina Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the grant award. The city also thanks Sherry Long, assistant executive director of Western Piedmont Council of Governments, and WPCOG staff for their continued assistance with administration of Newtons Community Development Block Grant. The city offers its gratitude to In My Fathers House for preparing a place for those in need in the community and across western North Carolina. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. HICKORY The Rotary Club of Hickory held a special ceremony on May 17 to honor the exceptional educators nominated for the 2023 Wilmer M. Jenkins Teacher of the Year award from Hickory Public Schools. The event recognized the outstanding efforts and dedication of teachers from all nine schools within the district. The nominees for the 2023 Wilmer M. Jenkins Teacher of the Year award are as follows: Mary Lee Tosky, Hickory Career and Arts Magnet High School Amelia "Ame" Cross, Hickory High Kimberly Vegter, Grandview Middle Natalie Martin, Northview Middle Chelsea Hartness, Longview Elementary Donna Danner, Jenkins Elementary Jerrica Dula, Oakwood Elementary Sarah Kay, Viewmont Elementary Lisa Gagliano, Southwest Primary Among the nominees, Lisa Gagliano, a pre-kindergarten teacher at Southwest Primary, was selected as the 2023 Wilmer M. Jenkins Teacher of the Year. Originally from Manhattan, New York, Gagliano has been actively engaged in education since 2008. In 2013, she obtained her birth through kindergarten teaching license from the Regional Assistance Licensing Centers (RALC). Since 2017, Gagliano has been an integral part of the Southwest Primary community. Southwest Primary Principal, Erin Sigmon, spoke highly of Gagliano's commitment to her students, stating, "Ms. G is one that goes above and beyond for all students. She remains focused on the student and their growth even in times of frustration with a child. She uses conscious discipline to help students self-regulate and become the very best they can be. She truly is amazing and loved by all students, staff, and parents." The Rotary Club awarded each Wilmer M. Jenkins Award nominee a $500 prize, recognizing their outstanding educational contributions. Gagliano also received a $1,000 reward for her exemplary dedication and passion for teaching. Many thanks to the Rotary Club for this honor in being chosen as the winner of the Wilmer-Jenkins Award for Hickory Public Schools," Gagliano said. "I appreciate all the love and support from my principal, Mrs. Sigmon, AP Mrs. Morningstar, and my Southwest Primary School family, all who continue to encourage me each day. I could not do my job without my dedicated teacher assistants who help make our classroom a safe, happy, inclusive learning environment. The 2023 Teacher of the Year Committee members from the Rotary Club included David Moore, Melissa Aldrich, Mandy Hildebrand, Billy Nesbitt, Kristine Hutton, Paul Caporossi, and Cliff Moone, chair. The gruesome passage quoted above was written by Bruce S. Wright, a Royal Canadian Lieutenant Commander credited with inventing the idea of "frogmen units," SCUBA-diving soldiers who could spy on the enemy from the water. In 1945, Wright took part in the joint British and Indian assault on Ramree Island, which the Allies hoped to capture from the Japanese and use as a strategic airfield. As the leader of his frogman unit, Wright's job was to perform reconnaissance, but he also spent hours documenting the local sea life, which included sharks and octopi. After the war, Wright became a respected wildlife biologist and author. Advertisement Interestingly, it may have been Wright's clout as a naturalist that helped launch the myth of the crocodile massacre into the public imagination. Wright wrote his one-paragraph account of the killer crocodiles in his 1962 book, "Wildlife Sketches: Near and Far." But then the story was picked up by another scientist, the conservationist Roger Caras. In his 1964 book "Dangerous to Man," Caras called the Ramree incident "one of the most deliberate and wholesale attacks on man by large animals that is on record." Caras admits that "had the story come from a source other than Bruce Wright, I would be tempted to discount it. [But] Bruce Wright, a highly trained professional naturalist, was there at Ramree." The problem is that while Wright was technically at Ramree, he wasn't among the witnesses who claimed to have heard the cries of the Japanese as they were mauled by the giant crocodiles. According to a later retelling of the story in his memoir "The Frogmen of Burma," Wright heard the story from British comrades on the boat crews patrolling the island. If you read the passage closely, you see that Wright never said that he personally witnessed the massacre. "That night was the most horrible that any member of the M. L. [motor launch] crews ever experienced," wrote Wright using the third person. But it's precisely because of Wright's reputation as a careful observer of the natural world that his secondhand (and likely embellished) account was accepted as fact. According to US President Joe Biden, he said late Friday night. The governments deal to resolve the debt ceiling crisis appeared very close. The president reported that, according to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, disastrous the default deadline with consequences was pushed back to June 5, and it appeared that negotiations between the White House and Republicans would drag on for another week, writes the Associated Press. Joe Biden spoke optimistically in his speech on Friday evening. He put it like this: the agreement is very close and I am optimistic. Meanwhile, Janet Yellen warned that failure to act by the new June 5 deadline would cause severe hardship for American families, harm our global leadership and raise questions about our ability to protect our national security interests. Republicans with whom the White House is negotiating the debt ceiling previously said: Negotiations are underway. I hope we will find out by tonight if we can reach an agreement. But no deal was reached by the time Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy left the Capitol late Friday night. They may not be able to pay pensions In addition to the Americans, they are also watching the negotiations abroad, which could throw the American economy into chaos and shake confidence in the countrys leadership. Worried American retirees are already making contingency plans in case the government cant pay, as the next Social Security payments are due next week, according to the AP. On Friday, McCarthy said Republican negotiators and the White House were in a crisis situation and were trying to reach an agreement. Any deal will be a political compromise and will need the support of both Democrats and Republicans to pass a divided Congress. Failure to raise the current $31 trillion borrowing limit to pay the bills would send shockwaves through the US and global economy. But many hard-right Trump-allied Republicans in Congress have long been skeptical of the Treasury Departments projections and are urging McCarthy to hold off. While the outlines of the deal took shape on spending cuts in 2024 and a 1% cap on spending growth in 2025, the two sides remained deadlocked on various provisions. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The FBI has increased the rewards offered to capture individuals on the Ten Most Wanted Fugitive list to $250,000. Alejandro Alex Castillo was added to the list in October 2017. Castillo is accused of killing 23-year-old Truc Quan Sandy Ly Le. Her body was found in Cabarrus County, on Aug. 17, 2016. The case initially began as three separate missing person reports for Castillo, Ly Le and another person. The three had worked together at a Charlotte restaurant. The investigation uncovered evidence Ly Le had lent Castillo money. On Aug. 15, 2016, the victim's vehicle was found in Phoenix, Arizona, parked at a bus station. On Aug. 16, 2016, Castillo was seen on surveillance video crossing the border from Nogales, Arizona, into Mexico. Castillo, who is now 24 years old, may be living in the Mexican state of Aguascalientes where he has relatives. FBI agents and CMPD detectives believe someone, perhaps more than one person, has been helping Castillo evade capture. Castillo speaks English and Spanish. A state arrest warrant was issued in the District Court of North Carolina for Mecklenburg County on Nov. 2, 2016, charging Castillo with first-degree murder. On Feb. 10, 2017, a federal arrest warrant was issued in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte, charging Castillo with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. Castillo was the 516th person to be placed on the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. A wanted poster is available on the FBI's website and is posted on various social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. Anyone with information on Castillos whereabouts should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Tips can also be provided online to the FBI. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating the homicide. The FBI is assisting with the international fugitive investigation. The Mecklenburg County District Attorneys Office and the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Western District of North Carolina filed charges against Castillo as part of this collaborative effort to seek justice for the victim and her family. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. CONCORD Children in the Carolinas have had a friend in Charlotte Motor Speedway for more than four decades. That tradition of community giving continued on Friday, when Walmart and Coca-Cola Consolidated presented a $100,000 check to Speedway Childrens Charities Charlotte chapter during the opening day of Coca-Cola 600 race weekend. The funds like all SCC Charlotte donations will go to help children in need throughout the Charlotte community. Thank you for this amazingly generous gift, said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. Unfortunately, there are a lot of kids that suffer all around us. In the Carolinas, we need a lot of help. This $100,000 will be maximized to its full effect. Speedway Motorsports established the first Speedway Childrens Charities (SCC) chapter in 1982. Since then, SCC chapters across the United States have raised more than $65 million in grants for organizations that assist children in need. We are so excited to be partnered with SCC, said Yolanda Horton-Evans, Walmarts regional vice president. It is an honor to be able to share this with you. What you all do to support children in diverse communities is amazing. We want communities to know we are here for them. I appreciate everything SCC has done for us. Sunday marks the 64th running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I cant think of a better way to kick off the weekend than to be here today, added Daniel Holmes, the senior vice president for commercialization and brand marketing at Coca-Cola Consolidated. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. CONCORD Cabarrus County and the local judicial community will commemorate the opening of the new 250,000-square-foot Courthouse with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour. The public is invited to join in the celebration on Wednesday, May 31, at 10:30 a.m. at the courthouse front steps or virtually on the Countys YouTube page (youtube.com/cabarruscounty). Be sure to subscribe and enable notifications to be alerted when the ceremony is live. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held on the fourth floor in Courtroom 407. Ceremony speakers will include N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, Resident District Court Judge Marty McGee, Jason Harris of Messer Construction, Cabarrus District Attorney Ashlie Shanley, Caleb H. Newman of the local Bar Association and Cabarrus County Manager Mike Downs. Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners Chair Steve Morris will officiate the event. This building stands as a symbol of a great collaborative effort to meet a critically mandated need, Morris said. In Cabarrus County, the first four Courthouses signaled steps forward for the community. This beautiful building is no different it will meet the needs of the community now and in the future. Commissioners officially approved the five-year renovation/expansion in 2019. Silling Architects designed the facility and Messer Construction serves as the project manager. The actual construction process kicked off with stakeholder team-building activities. A virtual groundbreaking was held on Aug. 6, 2020, and officials celebrated the final beam raising with a two-day topping off celebration in July of 2021. The project will help alleviate an increase in court traffic. North Carolina statutes require counties to build and maintain court facilities on behalf of the state. According to the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), use of the Cabarrus County Courthouse increased 131 percent over the past three decades. Court filings in 1986/87 totaled 27,506 and by 2016/17 that number jumped to 63,567. The four-story facility features 12 courtrooms, jury assembly and selection areas, attorney/client and attorney/attorney meeting spaces, multiple security queuing aisles and other amenities. An art installation T he Woven Scroll is prominently displayed inside the lobby of the new Courthouse. Developed by Texas-based RE:site, the installation features thousands of individually hand-wrapped colored steel wire sections that are stacked vertically and suspended by a winding array of stainless steel cables. The display features nearly 500 sections, each 12 feet in length. Complimenting the new building is a public plaza constructed on the former Means Avenue. The plaza will connect Union and Church streets, creating access to the developing downtown. Now that the expansion is complete, the existing Courthouse facing Union Street is next in line for renovations. Cabarrus County Courthouse through the years 1792: Cabarrus County is formed. 1793: The first Cabarrus County court sessions are held in the home of Robert Russell. 1796: The first Cabarrus Courthouse is built at the intersection of Corban and Union streets. At 30-square-foot, the frame building offers little space and few comforts. 1826: A traditional column-brick courthouse is built on a corner near the first Courthouse. The building is expanded in 1872, but a fire destroys the structure on Feb. 15, 1875. 1876: The third Courthouse (now known as the Historic Cabarrus Courthouse) is completed. The building is renowned for its classical architectural style. 1975: The three-story, 70,000-square-foot red brick Courthouse opens at the corner of Union Street and Corban Avenue. Today: The community welcomes the 250,000-square-foot expansion/renovation that will ultimately connect to the 1975 Courthouse. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. For the fifth time in 228 years, this community has built a new courthouse a space to resolve disputes and provide justice. Shortly after I became Senior Resident Superior Court Judge in 2015, the county indicated that they wanted to consider moving forward with creating additional space. Prior planning to expand had come to a halt because of the Great Recession. Our current courthouse was completed in 1975. The building initially housed other county governmental offices and had an unfinished third floor. Given the tremendous growth we have experienced, those other governmental offices have long ago been relocated and the third floor has been in use for court business for more than 25 years. Conference rooms and jury rooms now serve as offices. Our courtrooms are overcrowded. I eagerly agreed to help the county move this much-needed project forward. The county, however, does not have to ask the courthouse community to participate in the details. I am comfortable saying that all our courthouse leaders greatly appreciated the opportunity to help shape this building. A team effort in design Our courthouse leaders have collaboratively worked with the county and its architects and builders in the Cabarrus County Courts Way. Our courthouse leaders have given freely of their time, traveled to multiple courthouses to gather ideas, participated in many large and small meetings, viewed mock courtrooms and considered how growth and technology will shape our future. In this endeavor, I am proud to have worked with Chief District Court Judge Christy Wilhelm, former Chief District Court Judge William G. Hamby Jr., former District Attorney Roxann Vaneekhoven, District Attorney Ashlie Shanley, Clerk Bill Baggs, and the various Cabarrus County Bar presidents who served during the planning phase. Others contributed, such as our local judges, clerks, probation officers, attorneys, courthouse security, mediators and more. Ultimately, we hope these efforts helped produce an outstanding product that will serve our community long after our turn has passed. Tom Potts, our lead architect, asked me at the beginning of the project what I thought would be an appropriate vision for this building. I told him that I hope our community would design and build a courthouse that is suited to fulfill its high purpose: a place to provide justice and that our Historic Courthouse should serve as our inspiration. Designed for efficiency The courthouse has been designed for court efficiency, to serve our community for many years, to avoid wasteful expense, to be flexible for changes in technology, and to provide a comfortable and welcoming place for our jurors the members of our community that often have the most difficult and important responsibilities in the building. Indeed, I am especially proud of our jury assembly room, which is the best space in the courthouse. It is a manifestation of the respect due to our jurors for the important role they play in our judicial system The county and the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts have worked together to provide video conferencing technology to modernize the way we hold court while reducing expense and improving safety. The first floor is designed to efficiently address traffic matters and the appointment of counsel in indigent cases. The district attorneys office includes a safe space for witnesses to await their turn on the witness stand. The jury room has been designed to allow jurors to enter and leave the courtroom without commingling with the participants in the cases that they must decide. Private meeting space has been created within the building to allow lawyers and their clients to confidentially confer about family law issues, civil litigation and criminal matters among other things. Our clerk now has a hearing room, instead of a small conference room, in which to conduct estate and special proceedings. Lawyers will be able to meet their incarcerated clients in a secure area during a trial. The building has a convenient place for families to mediate their custody disputes without taking the case to trial. Once we have fully vacated the building, the county will then work on improvements and the creation of shell space in the 1975 courthouse. Within two years or so, some members of our clerks office will return to the first floor. Probation officers will return to the basement of that building. The second and third floor will be turned into shell space for future growth. Ultimately, the hope is that new and old courthouse space combined will serve the community for half a century or more without the need to expand the current footprint. Thank you to current Cabarrus County Commissioners Steve Morris, Lynn Shue, Barbara Strang, Chris Measmer and Kenny Wortman, and former commissioners Diane Honeycutt, Liz Poole and Blake Kiger, for allowing those of us in the courthouse to participate in the planning of this new building. I hope we have been of service in this endeavor. It has been a great experience working with commissioners and county leadership, including Mike Downs, Kyle Bilafer, Todd Shanley, Matt Tardugno and other County staff members, as well as our architects and builders. Thank you all. The ribbon-cutting Wednesday A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on the steps of the new courthouse at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31. North Carolina Chief Justice Paul Newby will participate in the event. Various offices are already transitioning into the building. We anticipate the first day of court in the new building will occur during the week of June 19. Until then, court will take place in the 1975 courthouse. I hope you will attend the ribbon-cutting on May 31. To paraphrase John Adams when he wrote his wife, Abigail, about his hopes for the newly built White House: May none but honest and wise persons work and serve under this roof. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. OAKLAND Military service members returning from the Vietnam War were sometimes spat upon and yelled at during that contentious era. Army veteran Tom Davis said he did not experience such hostile responses as he and other young local service members arrived back in Oakland, but he did encounter a frustrating silence from many fellow community members. "I was ignored. They were not mean to me. They just didn't talk to me," Davis said, adding that he soon resolved not to discuss his Vietnam service in his hometown at that time. In contrast to that silence more than 50 years ago, Davis and other Oakland-area Vietnam veterans were greeted by enthusiastic applause late Saturday morning from a crowd that filled the town square. They were there for the dedication of Oakland's first monument specifically for Vietnam. The monument was overdue but very nice to see, Davis said as he shared the experience of the dedication ceremony with his extended family in this northeast Coles County town. Davis' nephew, Oakland native Lance Craft, held aloft during the ceremony a portrait of his father, Army Vietnam veteran Ronnie Craft, who died in 2015. Ronnie Craft, who was well known locally for owning the former Oakland Pizza Shack, is now listed on the monument along with his brother-in-law, Davis, and all of the other Oakland-area veterans who served in Vietnam or in the service during that era. The monument includes the name of Marine Pfc. Donnie Joe Clough of Hindsboro, the only Oakland-area service member to be killed in Vietnam. He was killed in action on Sept. 9, 1969. During Saturday's ceremony, members of Clough's extended family were presented with honors in his memory. State Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, also announced that a section of Illinois Route 133 in Hindsboro, in southeast Douglas County, has been named the Pfc. Donnie J. Clough Memorial Highway. Vietnam veteran Paul Trenn of Michigan, who served with Clough, spoke at the ceremony, where he was also honored. He said the young Hindsboro man joined his squad as a replacement in January 1969 on a mountaintop in South Vietnam and soon bonded with him and two other Marines. "Over the next eight months, the four of us developed a special bond that only those in combat know. We probably put a boot print in every square foot of Quang Nam province. That bond was special," Trenn said of his friend, who was killed in an ambush while their squad was on patrol at night. Oakland resident Linda Taber, the Oakland VFW post, and other community members helped raise money for a memorial to honor all of the local Vietnam veterans. That black polished granite monument, patterned after the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, D.C., has been installed at the northeast corner of the town square. After Saturday's dedication ceremony, many Vietnam veterans walked over to the monument to read the list of names and have their photos taken with this stone. Those veterans included Oakland native Sandra Duckworth Shockley, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era. "It's beautiful," Shockley said as she looked over the new monument, adding that the ceremony on Saturday was very good. PHOTOS: Follow Mattoon VFW Honor Guard during Memorial Day services 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-1 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-2 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-3.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-4.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-5.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-6.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-7.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-8.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-9.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-10.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-11.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-12.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-13.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-14.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-15.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-16.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-17.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-18.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-19.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-20.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-21.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-22.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-23.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-24.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-25.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-26.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-27.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-28.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-29.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-30.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-31.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-32.jpg 052819-mat-nws-memorial-event-33.jpg We, the undersigned members of the Illinois General Assembly, are expressing our support of the extension of the "Invest in Kids" scholarship fund. This is a shared priority of both caucuses which benefits the education of underprivileged children. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has added this week what it calls guardrails in how it now examines banks that exhibit or fail to correct persistent weaknesses. The OCC said in a statement Thursday that the guardrails are included in an appendix updating of its Bank Enforcement Actions and Related Matters manual. Although the OCC doesnt cite any specific banks, analysts point to Wells Fargo & Co. when interpreting the statement that the new policy is focused on larger and more complex banks the OCC supervises. The OCC said Appendix C provides greater transparency and clarity about how the OCC determines if a bank has persistent weaknesses and the possible additional actions the agency may take to address them. This revised policy promotes strong management by making clear that a banks inability to correct persistent weaknesses will result in proportionate, fair and appropriate consequences, including growth restrictions and divestitures when warranted, Michael Hsu, acting head OCC official, said in a statement. These guardrails are especially important today, as banks grow to better serve their communities, improve their competitiveness and achieve economies of scale, Hsu said. Well-managed banks provide invaluable support to our economy, and this revised policy promotes this result. Wells Fargo has been operating under the shadow of a $1.93 trillion asset cap by the Federal Reserve Board since Feb. 3, 2018. The asset cap represents the highest profile of several regulatory restrictions and fines that Wells Fargo has experience since its customer account scandal erupted publicly in September 2016. In April 2022, Wells Fargo chief executive Charlie Scharf said it could be several more years before the bank resolves enough legal and regulatory issues to be allowed by the Fed to grow its total assets. Fed chairman Jerome Powell has said the asset cap will not be removed until the Fed approves Wells Fargos board of directors remediation plans, the plans are implemented and an independent review of the improvements is done by a third-party group to our satisfaction. Not the first warning The updating comes about four months after Hsu made a Jan. 17 speech before the Brookings Institution that questioned the perspective often held by members of the public and regulators alike that the nations 10 largest banks are simply too-big-to-fail. Bowman Gray IV, a local independent stockbroker, said that the national banks in the U.S. (the nations four largest) were the focus of Hsus speech. They are in order of total assets JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp., Citigroup and Wells Fargo. The large bank category can also include super-regional banks in the $390 billion to $591 billion asset range. They are in order of size U.S. Bancorp, PNC Financial Services Group, Truist Financial Corp., TD Bank Group and Capital One. Gray said Appendix C represents a fortification of accountability, certainly the result of Wells Fargos actions or inactions as the case may be. Forced divestiture of certain divisions would go a long way to streamline most any oversized and malfunctioning institution. Tony Plath, a retired finance professor at UNC Charlotte, said the OCC doesnt do stuff like this just for gaslighting purposes, so of course theres real substance behind their new policy statement. Since its quite unlikely that any future bank would display the sort of extreme regulatory disregard and disobedience thats become synonymous with Wells Fargo over the past five years or so, you might as well call Appendix C here the Wells Fargo Appendix, because clearly, thats the major regulatory offender at whom this new policy directive is focused. Plath said adding Appendix C is Hsu just clarifying what theyve been saying all along about Wells Fargo. At this juncture, about the only tool left to them is breaking the bank up into smaller, and hopefully more manageable, pieces that the regulators believe management can handle. Is the day approaching when that sort of action becomes likely? Yes, and I suspect were very close to it right now. The details The updated manual describes actions the OCC may take against banks that exhibit persistent weaknesses. This could include: requirements that a bank improve its capital or liquidity position; as well as restrictions on the banks growth, business activities or payments of dividends. The OCC also may require a bank to simplify or reduce its operations, including that the bank reduce its assets, divest subsidiaries or business lines, or exit from one or more markets of operation. In determining whether a banks operations are highly complex or otherwise present a heightened risk, the OCC considers the banks size, risk profile, complexity of products and services, and the scope of operations, according to the appendix. Potential red flags would include: A composite or management component ratings that are 3 or worse, or three or more weak or insufficient quality of risk management assessments, for more than three years; Failure by the bank to adopt, implement, and adhere to all the corrective actions required by a formal enforcement action in a timely manner; or Multiple enforcement actions against the bank executed or outstanding during a three-year period. The OCC has a presumption in favor of additional and increasingly severe action(s) when a bank has continuing, recurring or increasing deficiencies for a prolonged period, particularly when a bank has not made sufficient progress toward correcting the deficiencies, according to the appendix. Wells Fargo scandal Wells Fargo confirmed on Aug. 31, 2017, that there could be at least 3.53 million accounts affected by its fraudulent customer accounts scandal that erupted in September 2016, up from the 2.1 million initially announced. Retail-bank employees opened accounts for customers who did not request them, or added non-requested insurance and residential mortgage services. Those moves garnered Wells Fargo tens of millions of dollars in fees. Wells Fargo has said it cannot rule out that at least 38,722 unauthorized customer accounts were established in North Carolina and 23,327 in South Carolina. Depending on which issue is discussed, the scandal period could go back as far as May 2002, with some customers potentially affected into mid-2017. Since October 2016, total regulatory penalties against Wells Fargo have added up to at least $11.54 billion. The CFPB described Wells Fargo as a repeat offender that has been the subject of multiple enforcement actions by the CFPB and other regulators for violations across its lines of business, including faulty student loan servicing, mortgage kickbacks, fake accounts, and harmful auto loan practices. Wells Fargo responded to the CFPB settlement by saying it resolved multiple matters, the majority of which have been outstanding for several years, related to automobile lending, consumer deposit accounts and mortgage lending. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. On this Memorial Day weekend, we tell the story of Henry Johnson of Winston-Salem, a Medal of Honor recipient. Two soldiers from Winston-Salem have been awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism. Lawrence Joel is the better known of the two. In 2015, Sgt. Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the so called Harlem Hellfighters, was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery during World War I. According to research from Fam Brownlee, a local historian, Johnson was born in Winston around 1892. His family moved to Albany, New York, when he was a teenager. War had broken out in Europe in 1914, though the United States did not enter the war until April 6, 1917. He enlisted in the U.S. Army June 5, 1917, and was assigned to Company C, 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment an all-black National Guard unit that would later become the 369th Infantry Regiment, according to an army.mil biography of Medal of Honor recipients. His unit served with a French colonial unit. On May 15, 1918, then-Pvt. Johnson was on sentry duty on the front lines in Western France. He and another soldier were attacked by a German patrol of at least 12 soldiers. The other solider, Pvt. Needham Roberts, 17, of Trenton, New Jersey, was wounded by shrapnel, leaving Johnson to fight off the invaders. Johnson killed one German with a rifle shot, knocked another one down using his rifle as a club, killed two with a bolo knife and killed one with a grenade, according to a story about Johnson on the Defense Departments website. After that fight Johnson had a nickname, Black Death. In his book, Rank and File: True Stories of the Great War, Theodore Roosevelt, a son of President Theodore Roosevelt, wrote that Johnson was one of the five bravest soldiers in the war. Here is Johnsons Medal of Honor citation: While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving significant wounds, Private Johnson mounted a brave retaliation, resulting in several enemy casualties. When his fellow soldier was badly wounded, Pvt. Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces. Private Johnson exposed himself to grave danger by advancing from his position to engage an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat. Wielding only a knife and gravely wounded himself, Private Johnson continued fighting and took his bolo knife and stabbed it through an enemy soldiers head. Displaying great courage, Private Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated. Private Johnsons extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. He was one of the first Americans to receive the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme, Frances highest award for valor. Johnson sustained 21 combat wounds and was not able to return to his pre-war job as a redcap porter at Union Station in Albany. He died July 1, 1929, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He was not awarded the Purple Heart until 1996. He then received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Armys second highest award for valor, in 2002. The Department of Defense reviewed Johnsons war record at the request of politicians and members of the public. After 97 years, President Barack Obama presented Johnsons Medal of Honor to Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Wilson of the New York National Guard in June 2015. Johnson had no known descendants. We are a nation a people who remember our heroes, Obama said during the Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House. We never forget their sacrifice, and we believe its never too late to say, Thank you. In 2022 the commission appointed to recommend new names for military installations that were named for Confederate soldiers announced that Fort Polk in Louisiana will be renamed Fort Johnson for Sgt. Henry Johnson. The New Orleans Times-Picayune said in an April 1 story that the renaming ceremony will be held June 13. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Winston-Salem city government plans to spend up to $750,000 to rehabilitate 10 apartments in a pair of buildings it owns on or near Cleveland Avenue, but one tenant and her supporters blasted the city council last week for promising to hold rent levels the same for only one year. The Winston-Salem City Council approved the repairs on a 6-2 vote, with one of the dissenters, Northwest Ward Council Member Jeff McIntosh questioning whether the city should continue as the property owner. The other vote against was cast by West Ward Council Member Robert Clark. Voting in favor were Council Member Barbara Burke, in whose Northeast Ward the apartments sit, joined by council members D.D. Adams (North Ward), John Larson (South), Kevin Mundy (Southwest), Annette Scippio (East) and James Taylor (Southeast). The city-owned apartment buildings are at 1635 N. Cleveland Ave. and 1200 Willie Davis Drive. Both buildings are a stones throw from Cleveland Avenue Homes, a massive development owned by the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem that is scheduled for gradual demolition and replacement with improved housing. The two city-owned apartment buildings made headlines in February when residents and their supporters staged a protest in front of the building on Willie Davis Drive objecting to the plan the city had at that time to pay residents a stipend to move out so that repairs could be carried out. The residents had support in their protest from Housing Justice Now, an advocacy group for low-income renters. Since then, the citys plans have changed: Under the plan approved by the city council last week, residents wont have to move out at all: Assistant City Manager Patrice Toney said that because two of the 10 units are vacant, the city can do rehabilitation work at a gradual pace: The apartments of two tenants can be renovated while the renters move into the empty units temporarily, and the cycle can be repeated until all the units are fixed. During the councils public comment period last week, Cynthia Herson, a resident at the Willie Davis Drive building, complained about the part of the city plan that freezes rent levels for a year, but leaves residents vulnerable after that time has passed. You all fail to understand that ... everybody who stays there is on fixed income, Herson said. When you all give us one year and think that is acceptable, I dont agree with that. Herson said the city has failed to include residents in discussions about the two apartment buildings, and said Burke should meet with residents in person. Referring to the Cleveland Avenue Homes replacement project which is supported with a $30 million federal grant Herson said the city has enough money to give residents of the two apartment buildings more than a one-year rent guarantee. Renters now pay $420 to $470 per month. Under the plan approved by council, rents would be frozen until the start of June in 2024. Toney said that as well, tenants have been living rent-free since February, when the city learned of the need for repairs. The resolution passed by the city council calls for considering possible incremental rent increases after the year-long freeze. In a statement she issued following the councils decision, Burke said the council should increase the rent amount by no more than $25 after the year-long freeze has expired. However, Burke retracted her statement a day later without giving an explanation. Burke did not respond to a request for comment. Dan Rose, speaking for Housing Justice Now, told council members that the citys goal of getting 750 new units of affordable housing each year cant be met without more public dollars. You cannot rely on the private market to fix a public problem, he said. Phil Carter, another member of Housing Justice Now, also faulted the year-long duration of the rent freeze. One year would make people wonder what is going to happen by the end of the year, he said. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Until youre losing hair, hunched over the toilet, experiencing everyday pains, waking up feeling like you dont want to do anything or talk to anybody without having that experience, most people cant relate, a local person experiencing cancer recently said. The devastation of a cancer diagnosis is all too familiar to many, creating not only emotional upheaval, but also a disruption in economic stability. According to the American Cancer Society, in North Carolina this is an unfortunate reality for nearly 67,000 individuals. In 2020, nearly 2,254 people were projected to be diagnosed in Forsyth County by the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry. Most people dont understand the burden, said Walid, a Winston-Salem resident who was diagnosed with cancer last year. We are employees of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and research fellows at the Spatial Justice Studio in Winston-Salem. The studio is an inter-institutional and interdisciplinary entity in the Center for Design and Innovation that brings faculty, students and the community together to develop meaningful solutions to issues related to spatial (in)justice. We are working on an initiative to define the challenges of people experiencing cancer who are also food-insecure, and to find community solutions to meeting those challenges. One of the sometimes-overlooked burdens faced by cancer patients is reduced access to quality, varied or nutritionally desirable foods. Food insecurity is a reality for approximately 1 in 6 residents of Forsyth County. A cancer diagnosis significantly increases the burden of being food insecure. Cancer patients are forced to reallocate funds to cover medical expenses and time-off-of-work costs. This shift in funds creates shortages in essential areas, which often includes the food budget. Those who do not have supplementary resources find themselves choosing between reducing their food budget or overextending themselves to make ends meet. I had to go back to work because my kids needed things and disability wasnt coming through, Walid said, noting the numbness in his feet caused by working two jobs while undergoing care. Carla, a local community member battling cancer, asked recently, Are there any food banks or food pantries that deliver? This question was important to Carla because, in a month, her mother, who has been helping her since December, will need to return to Pennsylvania. Before her cancer diagnosis in July 2022, Carla was working full time. Now she cant work at all. She is grateful for the support she has received from Cancer Services to get a foothold while she applied for services. Now she supplements her food budget with food stamps, but still worries at times that her food will run out, and even rations food toward the end of the month. According to the 2018 Food Research and Action Center, Forsyth County has one of the highest rates of food hardship in the nation. Forsyth has 21 food deserts, or areas with limited access to a grocery store or supermarket. Predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods may have fewer full-service supermarkets. Convenience stores usually have higher food prices, lower-quality foods, and less variety of foods than supermarkets or grocery stores. Several nonprofits are trying to mitigate the impact of food insecurity in Forsyth County, including Cancer Services, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Positive Wellness Alliance, Clemmons Food Pantry, Community Care Center and H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Eat) of Winston-Salem. For individuals who are unable to access food on site, DoorDash has a new initiative that allows delivery of food boxes at a subsidized rate. The Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Downtown Health Plaza supports pediatric patients food access needs by referring patients to the federal nutrition programs and providing nonperishable bags of food as well as produce with the help of Campus Kitchen, H.O.P.E, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Forsyth Backpack Program. These are just a few of the resources available locally. As nonprofits and other organizations seek to meet the needs of community members broadly, it is important to give consideration to the unique needs of underserved individuals, particularly the medically fragile. There must be a dedicated effort to both assess food needs, and to connect community members with cancer to community resources. As Carla pointed out, Just because the help is out there, doesnt mean I can get to the help. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Earlier this month, more than 1,000 Nebraskans attended the first call-to-action event held by Justice in Action a nonprofit organization formed in 2022 by leaders of Lincoln and Lancaster County faith congregations dedicated to creating community change. "Our philosophy is that there are two types of power in the public arena," said the Rev. Kirstie Engel of First United Methodist Church of Lincoln, who is a Justice in Action co-president. "The first is money and the second is people. We believe in the power of organized people. Organized people have the power to build the collective will to transform our community. That is the core of Justice in Action. In October of 2022, faith congregations across the Lincoln and Lancaster County areas hosted nearly 90 meetings where Nebraskans could share problems they were passionate about and wanted to address in the community. From the eight issues that emerged from those meetings, two were selected by popular vote at a November assembly as the organization's first challenges to tackle: mental health and criminal justice reform. Two issues will be selected annually, allowing the organization to focus their resources more efficiently. "In my professional life, I study criminology and public health," said Lisa Kort-Butler, a member of Horizons Community Church in Lincoln and Justice in Action's research team. "When we, as an organization, decided that those were the things we were going to be focusing on, I thought, 'Hey, that's right in my wheelhouse, this is something I can help with.'" By December, Kort-Butler and nearly 200 other Justice in Action staff and community members were involved in the research process meeting with experts, looking through prior studies and attempting to form specific, measurable solutions to present at May's Nehemiah Action Assembly. "We started meeting with people who we identified as stakeholders in the community, who were experts on these processes," Kort-Butler said. "On the criminal justice side, we met with folks doing prison missionary work, a UNL law professor who specializes in restorative justice, the director of community corrections at the time, the county attorney, and so on." Kort-Butler said the meetings often took the form of large panel interviews where the research teams would ask questions, take notes and learn where Justice in Action could have an impact. "We were very pleased with the response from the different offices we reached out to," she said. "It's been exciting to see positive action for change and to bring people together from all parts of the county who have different points of view, centered around this core value of justice for our neighbors." When all the information was gathered, the two Justice in Action research teams created reports to present to elected officials at the Nehemiah Action Assembly on May 4. The organization invited County Commissioner Christa Yoakum, Councilwoman Sandra Washington, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, County Commissioner Rick Vest, Councilman James Michael Bowers, and County Attorney Pat Condon hoping to gain commitments to implement the proposed solutions and policies. We want everyone to leave here knowing where our elected officials stand and what can happen next, Engel said to the assembled crowd. "We didn't name this group Justice in Words, we named it Justice in Action." Yoakum, Washington and Bowers heard the solution from Justice in Action's mental health committee a navigation program modeled after one in Toronto to increase accessibility to existing mental health resources. Gaylor Baird was unable to attend but sent a representative in her place. "People experiencing mental health issues in Lancaster County are often unable to access timely and appropriate care and end up interacting with the criminal justice system, which is costly and robs them of the opportunity to receive the ongoing care they need to lead productive and positive lives," the report on mental health read. Engel said a navigation program would provide trained personnel to help Nebraska's families navigate available resources based on their specific situations and needs, a program that hasn't existed since the Community Mental Health Center closed in 2014. All three elected officials agreed to meet with Justice in Action and Toronto Navigation representatives in early June to further discuss the program and work to establish a working idea for a Lincoln program by early 2024. We have wonderful nonprofits doing really, really hard work, Yoakum said. But it is a tough system to navigate. On the criminal justice reform stage, Vest heard a proposal to increase the community corrections budget to add staff, eliminate fees for diversion programs and create a real-time online dashboard that publishes data on inmates and individuals in diversion programs. Condon was unable to attend. "County jails are the front door to mass incarceration," the criminal justice reform committee wrote in their report. "A growing number of people are placed or kept in the Lancaster County Jail for nonviolent offenses because the local system doesnt have sufficient tools, discretion, or community-based alternatives to address their needs while maintaining public safety." According to Engel, diversion refers to programs that offer an alternative to arrest, prosecution and incarceration. "Recidivism for those serving time in the Lancaster County Jail is around 60%, while recidivism for those successfully completing a Community Corrections diversion program is only 20%, which means these programs improve public safety, said Engel. Vest said some of the requests, like the dashboard, were already in progress and money for the rest will be there "when the time is right." While he said he couldn't make a commitment while the search for a permanent Community Corrections director continued, Vest pledged to address the budget proposals within 90 days of the new hire. And this won't be the last Lincoln sees of Justice in Action, though the topics may vary over the coming years. "Every year we'll decide on, as an organization, two topics to pursue," Kort-Butler said. "They may be brand new ones, or they may carry the torch forward and make sure action is happening. Our intent is to continue until we see change happening and to hold people accountable to that we're not disappearing in any sense, this is long work that requires endurance and we're in for pursuing this as long as it takes." Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A traditional New York City pizzerias first location outside Brooklyn and Manhattan is coming to Gretna. Williamsburg Pizza plan to open its doors southwest of 168th and Harrison streets June 1. Jimmy Johns franchisee Dean Hodges is backing the pizza business move to Nebraska in a partnership with other investors. The restaurant, which will share a building with a Jimmy Johns location, has geared up for its opening by practicing making pizzas and delivering them to area schools for their end-of-the-year celebrations. Even if theyre not perfectly round or perfectly put together, it will still get the word out, Hodges said. For Hodges, the dough is in the dough. We only opened up the book to do this because of the bread, Hodges said. The crust and quality is so good, just like Jimmy Johns. The recipe for the dough was developed by nine-time world pizza champion Nino Coniglio, who opened the first Williamsburg Pizza location with partners in 2013. Last year, Coniglio won the competitive Food Network cooking show Chopped. Now, a decade later, investors are eager to grow the popular pizzeria to new markets with a twist. In New York, they just find a hole in the wall and fire up the ovens, Hodges said. Were attempting to create a brand with logos and a distinct look inside and out. All that we started with was the pizza. The new Sarpy County restaurant will act as a prototype for the brand moving forward. The restaurant serves two pizza styles, Brooklyn round crust and Grandma square crust, with a build-your-own option. According to its website, Williamsburgs Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano are made fresh daily or imported directly from Italy. The menu also offers salads, garlic knots and hero sandwiches New Yorker slang for a sub sandwich served hot or cold. Hodges company, DKPM Investments Corp. are slotting future restaurants in Omaha. Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill plans to open its first Nebraska location southwest of Interstate 80 and Highway 370 in partnership with the investment company. Were going to do four locations here in the Omaha area and one in Lincoln, Hodges said. I invested with them due to the freshness of their food. The Hawaiian-inspired restaurant doesnt use freezers in their kitchen and ensures no food goes to waste. We only want to associate what we are and what we do with the best of the best, Hodges said. Were all about serving our employees so they serve the best product. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A high-speed chase down Interstate 80 that spanned across several southeast Nebraska counties ended in a fire and the arrest of a 31-year-old Washington woman in northeast Lincoln Friday night, according the Nebraska State Patrol. At around 11:15 p.m. Friday, Nebraska Sate Patrol was notified that Seward County Deputies were in pursuit of a Chevrolet Monte Carlo that had fled a traffic stop, according to a press release from the state patrol. The pursuit was eastbound on I-80 heading into Lancaster County, according to the state patrol. The state patrol took over as the vehicle continued on I-80 through Lincoln at speeds reaching 120 mph, according to the release. At mile marker 412, the driver, Georgina De La Cadena, of Vancouver, Washington, turned around in the median and began traveling westbound on I-80. She exited at the Waverly interchange and began traveling westbound toward Lincoln on Highway 6, according to the release. The NSP AirWing picked up the pursuit from the air and troopers on the ground discontinued their pursuit, according to the release. The vehicle turned southbound on 84th Street, entered a parking lot and drove into a field where it came to a stop. As De La Cadena fled on foot, troopers called for Lincoln Fire and Rescue after the vehicle caused a fire in the fields tall grass, according to authorities. After about a 15 minute search, a state patrol police dog tracked De La Cadena to where she was hiding on the bank of Stevens Creek, according to the release. De La Cadena was arrested on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, and obstructing a peace officer. Additional charges are pending in Seward County. She was lodged in Seward County Jail. Photo: The Canadian Press The UBC sign is pictured at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The University of British Columbia's faculty of medicine is mourning the unexpected death of Dr. Pieter Swart, an anesthesiologist and associate professor, who died on Mount Everest on May 25. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward A Vancouver man has died while trying to pursue his lifelong dream of climbing Mount Everest. The University of British Columbia's faculty of medicine says it is mourning the unexpected death of Dr. Pieter Swart, an anesthesiologist and associate professor at the school. Dr. Hamed Umedaly, one of Swart's colleagues in the university's anesthesiology department, says Swart was a "beloved friend" who had an "insatiable wanderlust." In a post shared online by the university, Umedaly says Swart died Thursday due to a "respiratory event" while descending the mountain. It says he was pursuing a childhood dream of "being on top of the world" and describes Swart as a respected and caring doctor. The post says a memorial will be arranged with Swart's family. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. On this version of Hot off the Wire: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and debt ceiling negotiators have hit crunch time as they strain to make a deal with the White House to raise the nation's debt limit, avert default and cut federal spending. An Army veteran, Jessica Watkins, who stormed the U.S. Capitol in a military-style formation with fellow Oath Keepers members has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison. A political aide familiar with the plans says two-term North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is expected to run for the Republican presidential nomination. The Vatican No. 2 says a fever that a fatigued Pope Francis developed was owed to the fact that the pope greeted a huge crowd of people. An Indiana board has decided to reprimand an Indianapolis doctor after finding that she violated patient privacy laws by talking publicly about providing an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim from neighboring Ohio. A judge has put a temporary halt to South Carolinas new law banning most abortions around six weeks of pregnancy until the state Supreme Court can review the measure. Authorities say Russias southern Belgorod region that borders Ukraine came under attack from Ukrainian artillery fire, hours after two drones struck a Russian city in a region next to the Crimea Peninsula. Two top rights groups say the severe restrictions imposed on women and girls by the Taliban in Afghanistan amount to gender-based persecution, which is a crime against humanity. A London court has rejected an attempt by the publisher of The Sun newspaper to throw out a lawsuit by actor Hugh Grant alleging that journalists and investigators it hired illegally snooped on him. Thanks to recent advances in artificial intelligence, tools that can create lifelike photos, video and audio are now cheap and readily available. A new exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City features dozens of costumes and props from throughout Taylor Swifts career. This week's AP Religion Roundup looks at the Chicago church abuse investigation. President Joe Biden has announced a new government strategy to fight hate, bias and violence directed at Jews. The document released Thursday outlines more than 100 steps the administration and its partners can take to combat an alarming rise in antisemitism. All of Fords current and future electric vehicles will have access to about 12,000 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S. and Canada starting next spring. Just in time for the summer dining season, the U.S. government has given its blessing to restaurants that want to allow pet dogs in their outdoor spaces. About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is a senior producer for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate. Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here. If You Go Nebraska Game and Parks reminds park visitors to plan ahead and be prepared for crowds, construction and other changes at state parks across the state. Here are a few things people should know before they go: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park The park entrance is undergoing roadway improvements. Guests should expect one-lane entry and exit at the Venture Park located halfway between Lincoln and Omaha. Fremont State Recreation Area New boating regulations apply to Victory Lake and Lake 10. Electric motors are no longer allowed, no wake is permitted after sunset, and only one person may be towed behind a boat at a time. These changes are aimed at improving safety at this highly visited park just northwest of Omaha. Lake McConaughy SRA Reservations are required for all camping spots, including beach spots, at this popular reservoir. Reservations should be made prior to leaving home to ensure you have a camping spot. Book online at OutdoorNebraska.gov, via the via the mobile app RA Camping, or by phone at 308-284-8800 during business hours. Fort Atkinson State Historical Park The parks visitor center remains closed as it undergoes remodeling. The grand opening for the revitalized space is set for June 3. Statewide Drought continues to affect large portions of Nebraska. Guests should be prepared for campfire restrictions or closed boat ramps. Low water levels are affecting waterbodies across the state, particularly in the southeast. Guests are encouraged to call the park ahead of time to check their status. While many popular reservation-only spots already have been booked, same-day reservations and first-come, first served sites may still be available at a park location near you. Find a park, plan a trip or make a reservation at OutdoorNebraska.gov. A vehicle park entry permit is required and may be purchased at the park, statewide Nebraska Game and Parks offices or in advance online at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. From a grave situation arose Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The states largest cemetery, for size and souls, dates to 1886 with its first burial of the previous landowner. It was the first in Omaha professionally designed. Its part of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and a bird sanctuary. The need was foreseen in 1883 by one of Omahas pioneers, real estate magnate Byron Reed. Prospect Hill is within the corporate limits and too near the center of population to be available for a permanent cemetery, he said at a City Council meeting. The rapid growth of the city within the past few years proves this beyond question. It will be necessary to discontinue all transient burials at Prospect Hill within the coming year and unless other facilities are provided by that time the public will be put to inconvenience. Expansion of Prospect Hill was out of the question, he said. The adjoining land was more valuable for development. The Nebraska Legislature helped the city think big for its next general-population cemetery. In 1885, it increased the number of acres a cemetery association could own from 100 to 320. West of Florence was the farm of Irish-born John H. Brackin. He came to Omaha by way of Ohio, traveling across Iowa with future Omaha banker Augustus Kountze. Brackin was in retailing in downtown Omaha while farming his preempted land of rolling hills and wooded areas. The Forest Lawn Cemetery Association bought that land after its formation in 1885 and made Bracklin a trustee. James B. Brown was association president, Jacob Denise chairman of the board, Simeon T. Josselyn treasurer and Eben K. Long the clerk. Other trustees were Herman Kountze (Augustus brother and a co-founder of what is today First National Bank of Omaha), William R. Bowen, Charles H. Brown, Orlando S. Wood, Arthur P. Wood, John A. Creighton, John J. OConnor and James Forsyth. After touring the site with Bracklin, an Omaha Bee reporter gushed about the lands attributes: (A) rolling expanse of level land broken by the hills and valleys which serve and furnish diversity to add to the beauties of the landscape. There are about 90 acres of tree growth on the land, consisting of oak, elm, walnut and other varieties. The location is high and dry, and from the various spurs of the hills one commands views of the Nebraska fields and forests on the west and of the Iowa bluffs and prairies on the east, which for grandeur of sweep and scenery, is unsurpassed. It is not at all an exaggeration to say that there could be no site better adapted for the city of the dead, so far natural as attributes are concerned, when art shall have cooperated to tone the rough beauties of lawn and woodland and to supply the few missing points of a perfect landscape, there will be in all of the broad land of America no more beautiful resting place for the dead. Enter Joseph Earnshaw of Cincinnati, the artist of Forest Lawn. Among his works is Hollywood Forever, the final resting place for many a Tinseltown celebrity. Earnshaw spent six weeks in the fall of 1885 laying out Forest Lawn. In the age of horse and buggy, he had the foresight to make the roads wide enough for todays two-way vehicular traffic. His final site visit might have been May 1886, when the trustees opened lots on the most southeasterly eight acres. Lakes were built from a stream that meandered through the grounds. For his efforts, Earnshaw received $2,800. And picked up another project here. South Omaha hired him to design Spring Lake Park. Brackin was the first interred at Forest Lawn. At the time of his death in March 1886, he was working for the Union Pacific and had moved to California for his health, only to succumb from the aftereffects of a bad cold. Note that Forest Lawn wasnt ready for burials. Breckins first gravesite was at Prospect Hill, where his wife and two children were buried. On Sept. 18, 1886, his remains were moved to Forest Lawn as its first burial along with those of his family. Brackin left a request when he went to California that he be buried near an old oak tree on an elevation near the southern limit of the land he farmed. The citys Typographical Union was the first organization to purchase a lot. Less than two months after the Brackins re-interment, Forest Lawns first gravesite service was for printer W.J. Clary on Nov. 12. C.Y. Craig oversaw Forest Lawns construction and was its first superintendent, serving until his death in 1926. So respected was he that that Omaha renamed a street in Florence for him after annexing its northern neighbor. In 1909, he recalled the Clary burial: Clarys mother was heartbroken and her grief was great added to by the lonely and God-forsaken look of the spot where the grave was dug. Not a tree or a shrub was anywhere near the grave, not even a blade of green grass. It looked an unfit place to bury any human being. The mothers anguish was as keen that many were compelled to walk away from the scene, myself among others. Incidentally, the dates of the Brackin and Clary burials are blurred to make incorrect the state historic marker placed at the cemetery during its centennial in 1985. Andrew Larsen was the first to be cremated in the state, in 1913, and the funeral for A.J. Manderson the first held in the cemeterys chapel. The crematory, now retired, and the chapel, returned to service, date to the early 1910s. Omaha architect John McDonald and general contractor Walter Peterson collaborated on the 40-by-60-foot marble-exterior chapel that was built over the crematory. The chapel was renovated in 1990. The cemeterys original gate was at 40th and Forest Lawn Avenue. The road followed Spring Creek to 30th Street. The road first was paved in 1909. Streetcars ran to the cemetery from 1905 to 1947 in early years they went inside the gate before giving way to bus service. That gate was closed in the 1980s when the cemetery relocated its offices and entrance to the west side off Mormon Bridge Road. Those who remember the east gate also may recall the many peony sellers for Memorial Day along the avenue and the Minne Lusa Greenhouse near 30th Street. The burial list is a whos who of the city Kountzes, Paxtons, Barkers, Storzes, Joslyns, Kiewits, Doorlys, Hitchcocks and so many more. Many of the gravesites and their monuments are along the north drive, from which branches off Kountze Circle and its overlook of Forest Lawns earliest resting places. Whos not buried there? Byron Reed. He kept his plot at Prospect Hill. Memorial Day: Remembering Nebraskans loved and lost PFC Leonard F. Preister Gaylord L. Blanc Veteran Edward E. Kimm William E. Phalen Kenneth H. Carnicle Richard L. Monnier Veteran PFC Franklin W. Ritter Pvt. James Svec Fritz Grant Minder William G. Rockel Leslie Clymer and Milton Clymer Lt. James Edwin Kelley Jeffrey Alan Alexander Robert Schenaman E.W. Stevens Cory R. Mracek Frank Stuart Lomax Harry Perkinton Claude A. Fiedler Mike Doheny Lawrence Wilcox Wilfred M. Schutz E.W. Stevens Joseph A. Gilmore Melvin Leroy Fertig Jay Dana Morse Harvey Hubka Hank Krass Clair Geiger Sgt. Jed Marsh Chuck van Rossum Kenneth W. Wright Miguel Beltran Dean Wright Staff Sgt. Patrick Hamburger Sgt. Jason T. Palmerton Pauley, Betty J. Thompson, William Bill Rollin Fritch Wittrock, Raymond R. "Red" "Woody" Bopp, Walter D. Blum, Harry J. Benjamin G. Prange Robert Woody Donald K Schwab Wachtel, C.L. "Vern" Rex Fuller Jess Hartsell Martin, Eugene R. Gayle Eyler Sage brothers Hoppe, Frank Henry Doran, Ivan E. Jack Allsman Hunter Hogan 'Searching for Stanley' Linda Tarango-Griess Staff Sgt. Lillian Clamens Special Agent Nathan J. Schuldheiss Spc. Nathaniel A. Caldwell Pfc. Eric Paul Woods Staff Sgt. Jason Fegler Spc. Dustin L. Workman II Capt. Matthew Nielson Capt. Travis A. Ford Petty Officer 3rd Class David J. Moreno Staff Sgt. Christopher W. Swisher Staff Sgt. Daniel Bader Spc. James R. Wolf Sgt. Dennis A. Corral Sgt. Cory Mracek Pvt. Noah Lee Boye Spc. Dennis Morgan Matthew Henderson Lance Cpl. Kyle Codner Sgt. Jeremy Fischer Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric L. Knott 1st Lt. Edward Iwan Lance Cpl. Shane E. Kielion Sgt. Nicholas Nolte Staff Sgt. Tricia L. Jameson Spc. Darren Howe Capt. Joel Cahill 1st Lt. Garrison Avery Sgt. Lonnie Calvin Allen Jr. Lance Cpl. Brent Zoucha Pfc. Benjamin Slaven Spc. Jeremy Jones Spc. Joshua Ford Staff Sgt. Jeffrey J. Hansen Spc. Germaine Debro Staff Sgt. Scott E. Nisely Lance Cpl. Michael Scholl Staff Sgt. Jeremy W. Mulhair 1st Lt. Jacob Fritz Sgt. Randy Matheny Sgt. Wayne R. Cornell Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Adam McSween 1st Lt. Kevin Gaspers Sgt. Kenneth E. Locker Jr. Cpl. Matthew Alexander Spc. William Bailey III Spc. Adam G. Herold Spc. Val John Borm Spc. Josiah W. Hollopeter Sgt. Jacob Schmuecker Sgt. Justin Duffy Pfc. Michael Jarrett John Douangdara Jeffrey Chaney Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. This Memorial Day weekend, the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation will launch its 2023 WanderNebraska Travel Adventure Program with an expanded list of more than 150 sites across the state. The program, geared toward promoting Nebraskas historical and cultural heritage, will feature an array of attractions including museums, historical societies, parks and libraries. Now in its second year, the program will offer travelers both from inside and outside the state more than five times as many sites as the previous year, in addition to extending the timeframe from a summer only to a year-round program. The expansion, according to Leslie Fattig, executive director at the foundation, was partly due to an initiative to replace and build on last years travel booklet which featured less than 30 sites and served as somewhat of a limited resource guide, according to feedback Fattig received from prior participants. We sat down over the winter and decided to expand and offer it to every historical society (in Nebraska), every museum, (and) in some cases libraries, Fattig said. The result was more than 500 applications sent to different nonprofit organizations across the state by Fattig and her team to encourage participation. This years participants, according to Sue Quambusch, director of special projects at the foundation, were all self-selected. This was partly because they knew they had artifacts or something that the public would want to see, she said. They also wanted to get more visitors, Quambusch added. More visitors equals more donations. To make things easier, the foundation also launched a new website featuring information about all 150 sites, including hours of operation, upcoming events, a map for directions and more. In addition, the program has been divided into seven regions to make it simpler for travelers to plan a trip and visit multiple sites in one area something Fattig has attributed to an emerging concept called "slow tourism," in which travelers are encouraged to slow down, contemplate and even make friends. Were encouraging people to see the real Nebraska and enjoy that local history, Fattig said. Every single one of our sites shows something unique to that area, which I think is very special and very interesting. Fattig added that she and her team were also looking at other ways they could help draw attention to these historical sites. Sites include the Robert Henri Museum in Cozad, the Collection Museum in Falls City, the National Willa Cather Center in Red Cloud and the Stromsburg Public Library. Besides sightseeing, Fattig emphasized the potential economic impact of WanderNebraska on the smaller, less noticeable towns that dont happen to be along Interstate 80. She mentioned the fact that while visitors travel, they often spend money on food, hotels and shopping, all of which could offer a financial boost to these smaller towns. Last years travelers, Fattig said, mentioned that they really liked the fact that "somebody up there was sort of bringing some focus and attention to the smaller amongst us." We just want the general public to know more about Nebraska history and how beautiful the state really is, Fattig added. There is obviously a need, and were fulfilling that need. Photos: Majestic sandhill cranes in Nebraska Aurora cranes Fort Kearny cranes Sandhill cranes on the Platte River in Nebraska Sandhill cranes gather near farm machinery Cranes fly in waves on a cloudy evening A pair of sandhill cranes glide in a clear blue sky Sandhill cranes forage for food in a field Sandhill cranes fly over a field Sandhill cranes silhouetted against the evening sky Sandhill cranes flock near an irrigation pivot Sandhill cranes glide in for a landing to roost for the night Sandhill cranes begin to roost at sundown Sandhill cranes at sunset Viewing sandhill cranes from Richard Plautz viewing site A sandhill crane flies above a field south of Gibbon Cranes in the water Cranes at sunset Cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Pair of sandhill cranes at sunset near Gibbon, Nebraska Sandhill cranes flying high Sandhill cranes on and above a field near Gibbon Sandhill cranes Cranes Cranes Cranes Cranes Cranes The Nebraska Project cranes The Nebraska Project The Nebraska Project Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill crane Sandhill Cranes Sandhill cranes Rowe Bird Sancutary Cranes in January Cranes in January Cranes in January Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Sixteen graduating seniors, including four from Lincoln, have earned awards from the University Honors Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The students were selected from among 300-plus Honors graduates during the 2022-23 academic year. The Honors Program collaborated with Nebraska's undergraduate colleges to recognize an Outstanding Honors Graduate from each college. The nine students who earned this award were selected based on their contributions to, and involvement with, both the Honors Program and their respective colleges. Four students were also recognized for outstanding leadership within one of the Honors Program's registered student organizations: Honors Ambassadors, Honors Program Student Advisory Board, Honors Peer Mentor Leaders and the Dr. Michael W. Combs Honors Scholars. In addition, one student was recognized with the Honors Resilience Award, which acknowledges Honors graduates who have persisted and grown through adversity during their time at Nebraska to achieve at a high level both personally and academically. Following are the Honors Program award winners from Lincoln listed with major(s), graduation term and the award won by each student. - Brett Foster, elementary education, December 2022, Outstanding Honors Ambassador award; - Peter Greff, criminology and criminal justice, May 2023, Outstanding Honors Graduate: UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service; - Zoe Keese, biochemistry, May 2023, Honors Resilience Award; and - Kaylie Trumble, communication sciences and disorders, December 2022, Outstanding Honors Peer Mentor Leader award. For the full list of Honors Program award winners, visit https://go.unl.edu/nvsi. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Ben Chans nine-game streak as Jeopardy! champion ended this week with a misspelling during the Final Jeopardy! round, a decision that riled up the contestants fans. Chan, an assistant professor of philosophy at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin, was off by one letter in his spelling of Benedick, Beatrices lover in Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing. He swapped out the K for a T, a mistake he later chalked up to a miswritten flash card. Chan earned $252,600 throughout his Jeopardy! run before his loss to former museum educator Lynn Di Vito (who did not guess the Final Jeopardy! clue correctly but wagered a lower amount than Chan). He was the first and only champion in Jeopardy! history whose first nine wins were runaway victories, show producer Sarah Whitcomb Foss told him. Its a very memorable miss, she told Foss after his 10th game, which aired Tuesday. If youre gonna go out on a miss, go out on a memorable miss. Jeopardy! viewers, though, were miffed that the show docked Chan for misspelling Benedick. Per the shows rules, the Final Jeopardy! clue doesnt have to be spelled correctly but must be phonetically correct and not add or subtract any extraneous sounds of syllables. Chans spelling Benedict was technically a different name than Benedick and ended on a different sound. That wasnt enough to satisfy fans rooting for Chans winning streak to continue. Several viewers said Jeopardy! was wrong to eliminate Chan on such a small detail and pointed out that resources including the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust have spelled the characters name Benedict. Still, Chans outlook remained positive. I hope that in all the 10 games the way I played showed gratitude and appreciation for what a unique opportunity this is, he said. Chan will return for the series Tournament of Champions, during which the contestants with the longest winning streaks of the year return to face off. Can you answer these real 'Jeopardy!' questions about dogs? Can you answer these real 'Jeopardy!' questions about dogs? Clue #1 Answer #1: What is a Chinook? Clue #2 Answer #2: What is a bloodhound? Clue #3 Answer #3: What is a terrier? Clue #4 Answer #4: What is a Rhodesian ridgeback? Clue #5 Answer #5: What is a poodle? Clue #6 Answer #6: What is an Akita? Clue #7 Answer #7: What is a Doberman pinscher? Clue #8 Answer #8: What is the corgi? Clue #9 Answer #9: What are greyhounds? Clue #10 Answer #10: What is Mexico? Clue #11 Answer #11: What is a Boston terrier? Clue #12 Answer #12: What is the sea? Clue #13 Answer #13: What is a Saint Bernard? Clue #14 Answer #14: What is the tongue? Clue #15 Answer #15: What is a German shepherd? Clue #16 Answer #16: What is the French poodle? Clue #17 Answer #17: What is a collie? Clue #18 Answer #18: What is a boxer? Clue #19 Answer #19: What is a Maltese? Clue #20 Answer #20: What is a Chihuahua? Clue #21 Answer #21: What is the Bouvier des Flandres? Clue #22 Answer #22: What is a borzoi? Clue #23 Answer #23: What is a bloodhound? Clue #24 Answer #24: What is a collie? Clue #25 Answer #25: What is a Saluki? Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. RACINE PUBLIC LIBRARY RACINE The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., is hosting the following events: Lunch Break at the Library, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 31. A rotation of food trucks each week will offer a variety of cuisines. Senior Bingo, for ages 55 and older, 10-11 a.m. Thursday, June 1. Prizes are scratch-offs from the Wisconsin State Lottery. All Together Now: Summer Reading, June 1 through Aug. 31. Get started at RacineLibrary.BeanStack.com. All Together Now: Racine Monopoly, June 1 through Aug. 5. Stop by one of the staff desks to get started. Summer Scares, June 1 through Aug. 31. Visit RacineLibrary.info/calendar and search for Summer Scares to find activities. Summer of Play STEM Challenge, June 1 through Aug. 31. Sign up at racineLibrary.beanstack.com. Author visit, Life from Cabrini Greens: Autobiography of Tyrone Malone, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3. Tyrone Malone will host a panel discussion about his life from adolescence to adulthood, spent surviving the trauma and mayhem of the notorious projects of Cabrini Greens. The Racine Public Library and mobile libraries will be closed Monday, May 29, for Memorial Day. Go to racinelibrary.info/calendar or call 262-636-9217 for storytimes and other ongoing events. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Submit library news to Loreen Mohr, Journal Times community coordinator, at Lmohr@journaltimes.com. The deadline for submission is noon Tuesday to be considered for publication the following Saturday. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. WIND POINT About a month and a half after the April election, the seven-member Wind Point Village Board is finally back to maximum capacity. Herb Beighley was chosen to fill the final vacant trustee seat during a special Village Board meeting Wednesday. Former Village President Susan Sanabria, and former trustees Donald Gloo, Marty Meissner and Mike Rohrer didnt seek re-election to village government after a combined 34 years. Three trustee seats and the president seat were open; Linda Johnson and Elizabeth Waterfall ran unopposed for trustee, leaving one trustee seat open. John Polodna was elected to the open seat as a registered write-in candidate. Former Trustee Alison McCulloch ran unopposed for president. Her trustee term, which expires in April 2024, was then vacant. Six residents were interested in being appointed to the open trustee position and three candidates were interviewed, McCulloch said. Beighley will be sworn in during the Village Board meeting June 8. Board members came away feeling that Mr. Beighley saw the big picture of the issues facing our village and how we fit into the overall community that surrounds us, McCulloch said. We feel he will be a great addition to the current board. Beighley, 69, has lived in Wind Point since 1985 and recently retired from managing senior caregiving services. He described himself as effectively unemployed and underutilized, a situation he said he doesnt like. McCulloch said the board members felt Beighleys depth and breadth of his business and financial experience set him part from the other candidates. He worked for Johnson Wax in U.S. consumer products marketing for nine years before transferring to Johnson Outdoors as director of marketing for six years. Beighley became a partner in Wisconsin Internet, local dial-up and DSL services, in 1997. After selling his share years later, Beighley purchased a Home Instead Senior Care franchise in 2007. While he has never been involved in village government and has never attended village meetings because of a busy work schedule, Beighley said he now has time to contribute to the community and make a difference in his neighbors lives. I can spend a lot of time, and I dont want to waste it, he said. I want to do something thats meaningful, and I want to make a contribution. This seems like an avenue I had been considering (but) didnt have the time to commit to it. I do now. In Photos: 2019 Wind Point Pet Parade Pets on Parade Pets on Parade Pets on Parade Pets on Parade Pets on Parade Pets on Parade Pets on Parade Pets on Parade Pets on Parade Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A Chippewa Falls man faces an attempted homicide charge after he showed up at the Chippewa Falls police station covered in blood Saturday, May 20. Abraham Sanchez-Galicia, 27, faces charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, mayhem and first-degree reckless injury. According to the criminal complaint, at about 1 a.m. a 911 call was placed from the Chippewa Falls police department, and dispatchers accessed the department's security cameras to find Sanchez-Galicia in the front lobby covered in blood. There was a language barrier, which slowed down the process of understanding what had happened, but officers determined there was an injured person at a nearby residence, the complaint states. When police arrived at the residence, they found a man lying facedown in a pool of blood. He was not moving or speaking and was transported to the hospital. Medical providers told police the victim had cuts on his neck, head and arms. The victim had emergency surgery for the cuts on his neck and also had a blood transfusion. The victim told police he believed Sanchez-Galicia was going to kill him. He alleges Sanchez-Galicia assaulted him, but Sanchez-Galicia told investigators that it was actually him who was attacked. Sanchez-Galicia told law enforcement he was attacked by the alleged victim first and that he acted in self-defense. Sanchez-Galicia is being held on a $50,000 cash bond. He will return to court for another bond hearing June 1. Biggest tornadoes in Wisconsin of the past decade Biggest tornadoes in Wisconsin of the past decade #15. Jun. 17, 2014 #14. Jun. 28, 2017 #13. Dec. 3, 2012 #12. Dec. 15, 2021 #11. Jun. 16, 2014 #10. Aug. 28, 2018 #9. Dec. 15, 2021 #8. Oct. 25, 2013 #7. Jun. 15, 2022 #6. Jun. 15, 2022 #5. Jun. 29, 2014 #4. Jun. 16, 2014 #3. Sep. 24, 2019 #2. Oct. 26, 2021 #1. May. 16, 2017 Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. When we read this month the U.S. Department of Agriculture was proposing a ban on chocolate and strawberry milk in the nations elementary and middle school cafeterias, we thought we were in for a food fight. Sure enough, no sooner had the proposal gone out when it was lambasted as an over-reach by the Biden administration and an intrusion on the rights of parents to determine what is best for their children. The goal of the USDA proposal, of course, is to fight childhood obesity, and yes, that is a concern. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 14.7 million youngsters in the U.S. between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese. Some of that, experts say, lay at the feet of sugar consumption and thats why the USDA put a bulls-eye on chocolate milk consumption in schools since the flavored milks, strawberry included, have significantly more sugar than 1% low-fat white milk. In fact, a cup of low-fat chocolate milk has 25 grams of sugar and that is right up there with the 26 grams contained in a cup of Coca-Cola, experts say. But we wondered if a total ban on chocolate milk would mean students would decline a transition to white milk and that has happened according to past studies. And what happens then to the beneficial nutrients found in milk? A cup of chocolate milk has 280 milligrams of calcium, 21 percent of the recommended daily intake. It is the main source of calcium intake which is essential for bone growth. Its also high in vitamin D, potassium and other essential nutrients. By banning chocolate milk is the USDA throwing the baby out with the bathwater? To get some perspective on this debate, we contacted Stacey Tapp, Chief of Communication and Community Engagement for the Racine Unified School District and asked what were the consumption records at our schools and what the districts position was on the ban. Tapp told us, During lunch service in RUSD, we offer 1% and fat free white milk along with fat-free chocolate milk. We find that approximately 80% of the students take chocolate milk with their lunch. She said strawberry milk was offered randomly in prior years as a treat, but dairies have not been producing it in 8 oz. cartons since the pandemic. Flavored milk is popular among students, so our concern would be that by eliminating the flavored milk option, we may experience a reduction in milk consumption. Wed like to see a requirement to reduce the sugar content in flavored milk, Tapp said. That seems to us like a sensible compromise. And, in fact, more than a month ago, the International Dairy Foods Association, announced an initiative to cut added sugars in flavored milk by the 2025-26 school year. The IDFA said it could reduce added sugars in chocolate and other flavored milk to up to 10 grams per 8-oz. serving and that 37 milk producers representing more than 90% of the school milk volume in the U.S. have volunteered for the initiative. While the USDA chocolate milk ban got the headlines, that IDFA proposal would appear hopefully to meet USDA goals. We have often argued here for compromises in order to avoid politically polarized actions. There appears here a good chance that the goal of reduced sugar in chocolate milk could be attained without a total ban and we would urge milk producers and the USDA to work toward that goal. The ultimate test, of course, will be if grade school students and middle school students are receptive to a sugared-down chocolate milk. It might take some getting used to. Photo: Cindy Goodman. Provincial Court Of British Columbia in North Vancouver. Assault charges have been approved against a Langley RCMP officer as a result of the officers interactions with two suspects following their arrests on July 1, 2020, and on Aug. 17, 2020, the BC Prosecution Service said May 26. Two informations, each charging Staff Sgt. Damian Volk with assault, were sworn as North Vancouver provincial court files. The charges were assessed and approved by an experienced Crown counsel with no prior or current connection with the officer, the service said. Volk is due to appear in North Vancouver provincial court on June 23. Charge assessment guidelines used by Crown prosecutors in reviewing all cases are set out in the BC Prosecution Service Crown Counsel Policy Manual. Service guidelines for assessing allegations against police officers are also established in policy. The rise of Jewish gun ownership challenges traditional beliefs and confronts rising antisemitism. "If Someone Comes To Kill You, Rise Up Early And Kill Him First." Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Sanhedrin, Portion 72, Verse 1. (Photo: Supplied.) By Gary S. Branfman. May 24, 2023 The American Jewish community has a long history of broad opposition to civilian firearm ownership. This curiosity aligns with reform Jewish progressive thought. It correlates with the Christian-based philosophy, "Turn the other cheek," a philosophy contrary to Jewish history, scripture, dogma, and survival. The UnJewish ideologies of "progressive" democrats remain the perplexing and self-destructive choice of many of today's Jewish American voters. With congressional kapos like Vermont's Bernie Sanders and Michigan's Andy Levin, it's no wonder that Antisemitic tropes flourish, hatred of Jews fester and condemnation of Israel echoes within our halls of justice. Perhaps Lady Justice needs her blindfold removed. Jewish loathing of fellow Jews epitomizes Pogo's dictum, "We have met the enemy and he is us." (1) Despite the unprecedented antisemitism exuding from the democratic party, Jews continue to vote for and make excuses for Antisemitic anti-gun representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar as well as the sixteen democrats who voted NOT TO CONDEMN BDS. Among these sixteen, six had hoped to harness the 2020 democratic nomination for president! A Shonda indeed. Now for some good news: According to a recent PEW Research Center survey 75% of orthodox Jews identify as republican, and the largest cohort of Jewish-voting republicans are those under thirty. (2) ..... 1. Yes. Other area cities dont restrict the discussion topic. Killeen should relax the rules. 2. Yes. Restricting comments goes against free speech and discourages public discourse. 3. No. Opening up meetings to any topic would be a free-for-all and a waste of time. 4. No. Residents can sign up for the Citizen Petition option and speak on any topic they want. 5. Unsure. Limiting topics makes meetings more efficient, but it may be too restrictive. Vote View Results Killeen, TX (76540) Today Isolated thunderstorms during the morning. Mostly sunny skies this afternoon. High 89F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 67F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. ELWOOD First responders applied emergency medical treatment, but two men died Thursday afternoon from injuries suffered in a two-vehicle head-on collision. The two drivers were identified as Aureliano Macias, 52, of North Platte, and Glen Wolf, 58, of Omaha. According to a Gosper County Sheriff's Office press release, the sheriff's office and Elwood Fire and Rescue Unit were called out at 5:06 p.m. to the scene of the two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 283. "Both men were administered emergency medical assistance but succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead on the scene by the Gosper County Coroner," the sheriff's office said. The accident investigation is continuing. Elwood Fire and Rescue, Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers assisted with emergency safety and traffic control operations. Photo: DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP Insp. Chris Bear meets people who protested outside the Duncan RCMP detachment on Friday, including rally organizer Adrian Sylvester, second right. Community members gathered outside the RCMP detachment in Duncan on Friday to demand better from police in cases involving Indigenous people after the death of a 15-year-old girl. Carsyn Seaweed, who had ties to Cowichan Tribes, was found semi-conscious on May 15, covered in twigs, leaves and a wooden pallet behind a Super 8 motel in Duncan, her mother said. The teen died later in hospital. We have enough missing and murdered women around here and all over Canada as it is now, so we need to stop this, said Adrian Sylvester, who organized the rally. RCMP said Wednesday that investigators believed there was no criminality involved in Carsyns death, but on Thursday said a criminal investigation was underway and was being treated with extreme priority and concern. After Sylvester entered the detachment during the rally, two RCMP officers came out to meet the group of about 40 people, many of whom held Justice for Carsyn signs. We just want you to know that all people matter when it comes to situations like this, Sylvester told the officers, questioning why it appeared Mounties were not conducting a criminal investigation into Carsyns death from the beginning. Insp. Chris Bear said the messaging from police around criminality changed from Wednesday to Thursday because there had been a miscommunication between the North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP detachment and the Island district media liaison. Theres been some miscommunication, which I completely own up that that we had, that it was misconstrued that we arent investigating, Bear said. We have been giving this everything that we have since the onset, and were doing everything that we can for the family. Bear said the investigation was never closed, and he apologized to the family and the community for the miscommunication. Well look to strive to do better and communicate, he said. Bear appealed for witnesses with information regarding the events leading to Carsyns death to call the North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP detachment at 250-748-5522. In an email on Friday, Alex Berube, media relations for RCMP Island District, wrote that Carsyns death is not being investigated as a homicide, but the circumstances leading up to the discovery of the girl are suspicious and therefore being thoroughly investigated. Sylvester said he doesnt believe that RCMP miscommunicated and that the investigation was never closed. If it was any of their relatives that were found, theyd have all the police from all over the Island investigating this. But when its an Indigenous child, its swept under the rug, he said. Monica Jones, from the Comiaken village of Cowichan Tribes, said the death of Carsyn and of other Indigenous people in the region hit her hard because her sisters death in 1977 remains unsolved. Her sister, Catherine Joe, was 27 when her body was found in a ditch in Duncan by a hitchhiker. Jones remembers being treated rudely when visiting the police station to ask for answers. Her experience and the disappearances of several of her nephews led her to help create the group Cowichan Missing and Murdered Women, Men and Children. She and others go out looking for people reported missing and highlight their cases. Jones said police should communicate with the community and media more. They need to expose it out to the community, you know, because theres lots of things that go on in our community thats not talked about, and we need it out there, she said. On Wednesday, a walk for justice for Carsyn and a safer community is planned in Duncan, starting at the Quwutsun Cultural and Conference Centre at 11 a.m. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. ATLANTA When Destiny heard screams, she raced to a hospital room where she saw a patient assaulting a care technician. As a charge nurse at Northeast Georgia Health System, she was trained to de-escalate violent situations. But that day in spring 2021, as Destiny intervened, for several minutes the patient punched, kicked, and bit her. And by the time a team of security guards and other nurses could free her, the patient had ripped out chunks of Destinys hair. We are not protected on our floors, she said as she recapped the story during testimony later that year to the Georgia Senate Study Committee on Violence Against Healthcare Workers. In May, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law that boosts criminal penalties for assaults against hospital workers and allows health care facilities in the state to create independent police forces. The law is a response to that testimony as well as hospital lobbying and data documenting a rise in violence against health care workers. In enacting the law, Georgia joined other states attempting to reverse a rise in violence over the last several years through stiffer criminal penalties and enhanced law enforcement. Nearly 40 states have laws that establish or increase penalties for assaults on health care workers, according to the American Nurses Association. And lawmakers in 29 states have approved or are working on similar laws, as well as ones that allow the creation of hospital police forces. Members of those forces can carry firearms and make arrests. In addition, they have higher training requirements than noncertified officers such as security guards, according to the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety. Groups representing nurses and hospitals argue that such laws address the daily reality of aggressive or agitated patients who sometimes become violent. Still, such interventions are relatively new. Critics worry that establishing hospital police forces will escalate violence in health care settings and could have downstream effects. I worry about all the reasons patients have to not trust me and trust the health care system, said Elinore Kaufman, a trauma surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania. Health care workers are five times as likely to experience violence as employees in other industries, according to federal data. The day after Kemp signed the Safer Hospitals Act into law, a person opened fire in a midtown Atlanta medical office, killing one woman and injuring four others, including workers at the medical practice. Verbal and physical threats, which increased during the pandemic, are exacerbating a dire nursing shortage, said Matt Caseman, CEO of the Georgia Nurses Association. Destiny testified that one of her co-workers left nursing after the 2021 assault, in which the patient smashed the care technicians face into a wall and the floor. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services noted the alarming rise of violence in health care settings last November. The federal agency recommended hospitals implement a patient risk assessment strategy, increase staffing levels, and improve training and education for staffers. There was no mention of boosting law enforcement presence. Having a dedicated police force helps hospitals better train officers to work in a health care setting, said Republican State Rep. Matt Reeves, who co-sponsored the Georgia bill. Officers can get to know staff members and regular patients, as well as the layout and protocols of hospital campuses. If you have a specialized police department, they are more in tune with the needs of the facility, he said. Unlike other businesses, hospitals cant merely throw out patients who misbehave, said Terri Sullivan, an emergency nurse in Atlanta. A patient once punched her in the chest, fracturing two ribs, before running out of the room and trying to punch his physician. Sullivan said that, in her experience, the presence of hospital security can prevent patients from acting out. Still, little data exists on whether such forces are effective at preventing hospital violence. Ji Seon Song, a University of California, Irvine law professor who studies policing in health care settings, worries about the unintended consequences of legislation that boosts the presence of law enforcement in places people receive medical care. You can see where there might be a lot of problems, she said, especially if the patient is African American, undocumented, Latino something that makes them prone to being criminalized. A ProPublica investigation found Cleveland Clinics private police force disproportionately charges and cites Black people. And in March, a video emerged showing police and hospital staff members in Virginia holding down a patient who was experiencing a mental health crisis, leading to his death. In 23% of emergency department shootings from 2000 to 2011, the perpetrator took a gun from a security officer, according to a Johns Hopkins University study. Law enforcement should always be the last resort, argued Kaufman, the trauma surgeon. Our primary lens shouldnt be that our patients are a danger to us, she said. Its a harmful lens and a racist one. We should develop safe and healthy workplaces through other ways. Photos: 1 dead, 4 hurt in shooting inside Atlanta medical facility The Westby Area High School Class of 2023 capped their years in the school district with commencement exercises at the Westby Area Fieldhouse, Saturday May 27. The morning ceremony included addresses by Abby Leis, senior class president, Jayda Berg, valedictorian, Olivia Nedland, salutatorian, and Steve Michaels, district administrator. In addition, Gerry Roethel, school board president, gave comments, Airiel Hamilton, Class of 2025, played the processional Pomp and Circumstance, the WAHS Concert Choir sang Homeward Bound and I Lived, and the seniors sang their senior song, Be Excellent to Each Other. Robert Bothe, high school principal, presented the Class of 2023 and school board members presented the diplomas. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. For 2023, the citys Heritage Preservation Commission released an updated list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Properties in La Crosse. This annual initiative intends to raise awareness and encourage the preservation of historic properties potentially at risk of irreparable damage or demolition due to neglect, natural disaster or redevelopment. Unchanged from last years list is the Rublee-Washburn house at 612 Ferry St. As one of the earliest structures in La Crosse, this Tuscan-villa-inspired home is bound to have an interesting history. Francis M. Rublee, one of the citys earliest settlers, commissioned its construction between 1856 and 1858. He arrived in La Crosse not long after Wisconsin received statehood, when only an estimated five families lived here. Rublee worked as a land developer, the county treasurer, and was also the co-founder of the first sawmill in town. His professional successes allowed him to build what is likely the first structure designed by an architect in the city. Rublee ended up losing much of his wealth in the Panic of 1857, causing him to move west to seek new financial opportunities further out on the frontier. As a result, only a few short years after its construction, Cadwallader C. Washburn became the homes second owner, purchasing it when he moved to La Crosse around 1861. Many consider Washburn the citys most important 19th-century citizen. He is particularly renowned for serving as a Union major-general during the Civil War, retiring from the army in 1865 as Wisconsins highest-ranked officer. Ulysses S. Grant once boasted that Washburn is one of the best administrative officers we have, and Nathan Bedford Forrest even tried to kidnap him during an 1864 raid on Memphis. Washburns other accomplishments include being elected to the U.S. Congress for five terms and holding one-term as Wisconsins governor. He is also famous for founding the company that is today known as General Mills. Upon his death, Washburn bequeathed the city todays equivalent of $1.3 million, which was subsequently used to build the La Crosse Public Library. This Italianate-style home on Ferry Street remained Washburns official residence until his passing and burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in 1882. Originally, this house sat alone, looking down, from atop its knoll, over an entire city block that served as its estate grounds. Other homes were then built around it over time until it became almost hidden from view. Unfortunately, this residence has experienced several unkind alterations over the years and, at one point, was even divided into apartments. Due to these adjustments and its overall deterioration, this historic dwelling is currently in great danger. Unlike some other properties on the endangered list, this house has been known to be historically significant and in peril for some time now. With each passing year, the likelihood of saving this residence looks increasingly bleak as it continues to atrophy further. However, several other La Crosse properties in similar or worse condition have been successfully brought back from the brink, such as the Esperson-Pettibone house at 143 Eighth St. S. and the former bank, Masonic temple, and Buzzs Bikes at Rose and St. Cloud streets on the north side. Restoring the Rublee-Washburn house and its distinctive style would reinstate a valuable piece of La Crosses architectural and social history. There are not many homes of this age and importance still standing in the city, which in itself makes it worth saving. It is currently on La Crosses Local Register of Historic Places, and it could potentially be eligible for the La Crosse Promise program, Mayo employee housing grant, and state and federal historic register tax credits. The entire 2023 Most Endangered Historic Properties list, as well as former years lists, can be found on the citys heritage preservation website at www.cityoflacrosse.org/your-government/departments/planning-economic-development/heritage-preservation. Anyone seeking more information regarding this project or wanting to nominate endangered historic places for future lists can contact Tim Acklin in the City Planning Department at acklint@cityoflacrosse.org or 608-789-7391. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. FREDERICKSBURG, Va. Constance Guthrie is not yet dead, but her daughter has begun to plan her funeral. It will be, Jessica Guthrie says, in a Black-owned funeral home, with the songs of her ancestors. She envisions a celebration of her mother's life, not a tragic recitation of her long decline. As it should be. Constance has lived 74 years, many of them good, as a Black woman, a mother, educator and businesswoman. But she will die of Alzheimer's disease, a scourge of Black Americans that threatens to grow far worse in coming decades. Black people are more likely to develop Alzheimer's than white people in the United States. They are less likely to be correctly diagnosed, and their families often struggle to get treatment from a medical system filled with bias against them. About 14% of Black people in America over the age of 65 have Alzheimer's, compared with 10% of white people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disparity is likely even more, because many Black people aren't correctly diagnosed. And by 2060, cases are expected to increase fourfold among Black Americans. While some risk factors may differ by race, the large disparities among racial groups can't be explained just by genetics. The problems start much earlier in life. Health conditions like heart disease and diabetes are known risk factors. Both are more common among Black populations, because of where they live in relation to polluting industries, lack of healthy food choices, and other factors. Depression, high blood pressure, obesity and chronic stress can also raise the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's. So can poverty. Across the board, Black people don't receive the same quality of health care throughout life as white people. So they don't get high quality treatment or any treatment for all those conditions that are risk factors. Then, at the end, they're less likely to get medication to ease the symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia-related disorders. And there's the insidious impact of a life experiencing racism. Racism is trauma that can lead to increased stress, which can in turn cause health problems like inflammation, which is a risk factor for cognitive decline, said Dr. Carl V. Hill, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer of the Alzheimer's Association. "But because of this structural racism that creates poor access to health, medication, housing, those who experience racism and discrimination are not provided a pathway to lower their risk," Hill said. It is, he said, "a one-two punch." For Jessica, it has meant the final years of her mother's life have been filled not with peace, but heartache and frustration, as she navigates doctors who don't believe her when she says her mom is suffering. In the slow, plodding walk that is her mother's final years, she has few health care partners. "It has been pervasive across multiple doctors, emergency rooms and hospital doctors," Jessica said. "Not being listened to, not believed, not given the full treatment." "To be a caregiver of someone living with Alzheimer's is that you watch your loved one die every day. I've been grieving my mom for seven years." EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of an AP series examining the health disparities experienced by Black Americans across a lifetime. *** The salon was called "Hair by Connie," and for 18 years it was the place to go in Alexandria, Virginia, if you were a Black woman who wanted to look her best. Reigning over the shop was its owner, Constance Guthrie. She traveled the world, attending hair shows. She opened her salon to fashion shows like the "Tall, Full and Sassy" event advertised in an old flyer she now keeps in a box of mementos. She donned dazzling, colorful and flamboyant outfits to match her larger-than-life personality. In the 1990s, she made the difficult decision to move and close her beloved salon. She bought a home in Fredericksburg so her daughter could attend the best schools, and later became a paraprofessional in the local school district, which allowed her to have a schedule where she never missed oratorical contests or choir recitals. She was always there for Jessica, who is her only child. They often stayed up into the wee hours of the night working on school projects together. Despite meager means, Jessica grew up surrounded by encouragement and love. "My mother gave up everything to make sure that I had the greatest support, the greatest opportunities," Jessica Guthrie recalled. "We were like two peas in a pod." Her mother's hard work paid off. Jessica became a teacher and later moved to Dallas to build her own life and chase her dreams, where she was a successful chief program officer for an education service. Then, seven years ago, Constance began her descent into dementia. She started to forget simple things, like where her keys were. She lost her way coming home from work on a familiar route she traveled almost daily for 18 years. She got into a car accident. The frequency of troubling incidents began to increase, worrying Jessica who was still hundreds of miles away in Texas. They tried to use Post-it notes to remind Constance of daily tasks. Some of the colorful notes still line the walls of the family's home. For a woman who had grown accustomed to being so independent, it was hard for her to accept that she needed help. "She spent so long trying to hide it," Jessica said. "Like, 'Oh, I'm good, I'm fine. I just forgot.' But you could tell that a lot of her anxiety and stress was because she was trying to cover this up from other people." She began to wander around her neighborhood. Jessica and nearby loved ones tried to bolt the door to prevent her from wandering. A neurologist confirmed she was suffering early cognitive decline and that it was likely Alzheimer's. She was just 66 when she was diagnosed. Soon after, Jessica made the tough decision to pack up and leave Dallas behind to care for her mother full time. She recently began working remotely again after taking an extended leave of absence to care for her mother. Constance never had diabetes nor high blood pressure which are common risk factors. She was fairly active and healthy, and would often walk around her neighborhood. But in 2015, Constance suffered a transient ischaemic attack, or a "mini stroke," which is a brief disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain. Jessica believes the mini stroke could have been caused in part by the heavy stress her mother endured at her job, where she worked for 18 years as a special education paraprofessional. She also questions the role genetics played in her mother's diagnosis. Her mother's aunts are all living with the disease. Her mother's brother, who was a doctor, has started to experience cognitive decline. *** Lost in her own mind, Constance can no longer testify to the difficulties she endured as a mother, a Black entrepreneur running a business on her own. But her daughter, Jessica, can attest to the struggles she's had, as a Black caregiver, trying to ensure that her mother receives appropriate care. In 2018, her mother started pointing at her stomach, repeatedly, trying to tell her daughter she was in pain. Jessica took her to her primary care physician, who is white and brushed the concerns aside. "My mother couldn't articulate that there was significant pain in the moment and the doctor of the practice basically said, 'Oh, well, you know, sometimes they just come in and put on a show and it seems like she's fine,'" Jessica said. "They asked, 'Are you sure she's in so much pain?'" They sent her home without performing further diagnostic tests. But the pain persisted. Jessica took her mother to the emergency room the next day and a Black male doctor ordered the necessary imaging. She needed emergency surgery to correct a painful, protruding hernia. Then there was the time she took her mother to the emergency room for intense leg pain. She had arthritis in her knee but Jessica suspected something more serious. The doctor told her she likely just needed rehab for her bad knee. Jessica advocated for more testing and it turned out Constance had a blood clot in her leg. "Racism is implicit and deeply rooted in the air that we breathe," said Jessica, who has started an Instagram account to chronicle her experiences. The problems Black people face getting medical care are pervasive. Black people living with serious illnesses get less help managing pain and other symptoms, and they have worse communication with doctors, according to the Center to Advance Palliative Care. Studies show they are less likely to receive dementia-related medication that can help ease symptoms like hallucinations and depression that make the disease particularly terrifying for families. Among non-white caregivers, half or more say they have faced discrimination when navigating health care settings for their care recipient. Their top concern: Because of their race, providers or staff do not listen to them. And there are barriers to even being diagnosed properly. A recent study found that Black participants in Alzheimer's disease research studies were 35% less likely to be diagnosed than white participants. Part of the problem is a lack of Black doctors. Just 1 in 3 of the nation's physicians is Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Asian. That lack of representation has had a compounding effect on the care that Black people receive especially later in life when older Americans suffering from illnesses like Alzheimer's lack the ability to advocate for themselves. All these things put an outsized burden on Black families providing care. Through her Instagram, Jessica regularly hears from other Black caregivers, mostly women, who have eerily similar stories of not being heard, feeling isolated or being denied proper treatment. "I think that part of my journey would have looked significantly different if I were a middle-aged white person or a white male," she said. "I would have been listened to the first time." *** Jessica has spent the past several months preparing for her mother's imminent death, making sure every detail is perfect. But in an unexpected twist, she learned in February that her mother would be discharged from home hospice care in early March. Medicare typically covers hospice care for those who are terminally ill, with a life expectancy of six months or less. Although she remains in the last stage of Alzheimer's disease, Constance has been deemed stable. Both her appetite and water intake are great. Her skin is glowing. She still has glimmers of her sassy spirit. On the surface, this is good news. Jessica's relishing every extra day she has with her mother. Still, the discharge feels like a slap in the face. Several studies have found that Black patients, across various serious illness diagnoses, are less likely to be referred to hospice or use hospice. Losing hospice services means Jessica will lose all equipment and supplies, including the hospital grade bed that her mother sleeps in, the lift she uses to get her out of bed and her wheelchair. She has lost the weekly nurse visits, vital checks, the social worker and the extra services that her mother loved music and massage therapy. Jessica is concerned about how she'll handle the next medical emergency. She'll have to rely on local hospitals that provided her mother with problematic care before. "Everything's gone and it feels like I'm back at square one again," she said. "I feel like the system's failed us and has failed so many other caregivers." It's the latest, but maybe not the last, burden, and it's taking its toll. At 34, many of her friends are married, starting families, traveling and investing money for the future. But she's had to spend money on her mother's care and largely put her life on hold. "When you think about how I spent so long trying not to repeat this cycle of poverty, now I'm sitting in a place where I make a pretty good salary, and yet I'm not setting myself up for the future that I know that I should have," she said. Some days she mourns the life that could have been and everything she has had to sacrifice. She sees undeniable parallels between all that her mother sacrificed and what she now has given up. But she wouldn't change a thing. Her exhausting experience as a caregiver has added purpose to her life. She feels she is also helping other Black caregivers to be seen and heard. For now, she is happy to spend time with the woman she calls "CG." Every morning after Constance wakes up, Jessica flips on the TV in her mother's small room to the gospel music station. "Music brightens my mom. She would sing no matter if she was on key or not." Now, the daughter sings to her mother as she's changing or feeding her. On a recent day Jessica tried making it through "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," as she massaged her mother's fingers, before her voice cracked and her shoulders bounced as she cried. "You saying goodbye?" her mother mumbled. Constance doesn't sing or clap along anymore, but she lightly tapped her feet under her blanket. And she let out a low, steady hum. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Angelica Lyons knew it was dangerous for Black women to give birth in America. As a public health instructor, she taught college students about racial health disparities, including the fact that Black women in the U.S. are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy or delivery than any other race. Her home state of Alabama has the third-highest maternal mortality rate in the nation. Then, in 2019, it nearly happened to her. What should have been a joyous first pregnancy quickly turned into a nightmare when she began to suffer debilitating stomach pain. Her pleas for help were shrugged off, she said, and she was repeatedly sent home from the hospital. Doctors and nurses told her she was suffering from normal contractions, she said, even as her abdominal pain worsened and she began to vomit bile. Angelica said she wasn't taken seriously until a searing pain rocketed throughout her body and her baby's heart rate plummeted. Rushed into the operating room for an emergency cesarean section, months before her due date, she nearly died of an undiagnosed case of sepsis. Even more disheartening: Angelica worked at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the university affiliated with the hospital that treated her. Her experience is a reflection of the medical racism, bias and inattentive care that Black Americans endure. Black women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States 69.9 per 100,000 live births for 2021, almost three times the rate for white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Black babies are more likely to die, and also far more likely to be born prematurely, setting the stage for health issues that could follow them through their lives. "Race plays a huge part, especially in the South, in terms of how you're treated," Angelica said, and the effects are catastrophic. "People are dying." To be Black anywhere in America is to experience higher rates of chronic ailments like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's and, most recently, COVID-19. Black Americans have less access to adequate medical care; their life expectancy is shorter. From birth to death, regardless of wealth or social standing, they are far more likely to get sick and die from common ailments. Black Americans' health issues have long been ascribed to genetics or behavior, when in actuality, an array of circumstances linked to racism among them, restrictions on where people could live and historical lack of access to care play major roles. Discrimination and bias in hospital settings have been disastrous. The nation's health disparities have had a tragic impact: Over the past two decades, the higher mortality rate among Black Americans resulted in 1.6 million excess deaths compared to white Americans. That higher mortality rate resulted in a cumulative loss of more than 80 million years of life due to people dying young and billions of dollars in health care and lost opportunity. A yearlong Associated Press project found that the health challenges Black Americans endure often begin before their first breath. The AP conducted dozens of interviews with doctors, medical professionals, advocates, historians and researchers who detailed how a history of racism that began during the foundational years of America led to the disparities seen today. EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of an AP series examining the health disparities experienced by Black Americans across a lifetime. 'You don't look good' Angelica Lyons' pregnancy troubles began during her first trimester, with nausea and severe acid reflux. She was prescribed medication that helped alleviate her symptoms, but it also caused severe constipation. In the last week of October 2019, while she was giving her students a test, her stomach started to hurt badly. "I remember talking to a couple of my students and they said, 'You don't look good, Ms. Lyons,'" Angelica recalled. She called the University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital's labor and delivery unit to tell them she was having a hard time using the bathroom and her stomach was hurting. A woman who answered the phone told her it was a common pregnancy issue, Angelica said, and that she shouldn't worry too much. "She made me feel like my concern wasn't important, and because this was my first pregnancy, I decided not to go because I wasn't sure and thought maybe I was overreacting," Angelica said. The pain persisted. She went to the hospital a few days later and was admitted. She had an enema a procedure where fluids are used to cleanse or stimulate the emptying of bowels to alleviate her constipation, but Angelica continued to plead with them that she was in pain. "They were like, 'Oh, it's nothing, it's just the Braxton Hicks contractions,'" she said. "They just ignored me." She was sent home, but her stomach continued to ache, so she went back to the hospital a day later. Several tests, including MRIs, couldn't find the source of the issue. Angelica was eventually moved to the labor and delivery floor of the hospital so they could monitor her son's heartbeat, which had dropped slightly. There, they performed another enema that finally helped with the pain. She also was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that can cause severe pregnancy complications or death. Then she began to vomit what appeared to be bile. "I got worse and worse with the pain and I kept telling them, 'Hey, I'm in pain,'" Angelica said. "They'd say, 'Oh, you want some Tylenol?' But it wasn't helping." She struggled to eat dinner that night. When she stood up to go to the bathroom, she felt a sharp pain ricochet throughout her body. "I started hollering because I had no idea what was going on," she said. "I told my sister I was in so much pain and to please call the nurse." What happened next remains a blur. Angelica recalls the chaos of hospital staff rushing her to labor and delivery, putting up a blue sheet to prepare her for an emergency C-section as her family and ex-husband tried to understand what went wrong. She later learned that she nearly died. "I was on life support," recalled Angelica, 34. "I coded." She woke up three days later, unable to talk because of a ventilator in her mouth. She remembers gesturing wildly to her mother, asking where her son, Malik, was. He was OK. But Angelica felt so much had been taken from her. She never got to experience those first moments of joy of having her newborn placed on her chest. She didn't even know what her son looked like. Maternal sepsis is a leading cause of maternal mortality in America. Black women are twice as likely to develop severe maternal sepsis, as compared to their white counterparts. Common symptoms can include fever or pain in the area of infection. Sepsis can develop quickly, so a timely response is crucial. Sepsis in its early stages can mirror common pregnancy symptoms, so it can be hard to diagnose. Due to a lack of training, some medical providers don't know what to look for. But slow or missed diagnoses are also the result of bias, structural racism in medicine and inattentive care that leads to patients, particularly Black women, not being heard. "The way structural racism can play out in this particular disease is not being taken seriously," said Dr. Laura Riley, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. "We know that delay in diagnosis is what leads to these really bad outcomes." In the days and weeks that followed, Angelica demanded explanations from the medical staff of what happened. But she felt the answers she received on how it occurred were sparse and confusing. A spokesperson for the University of Alabama at Birmingham said in a statement to The Associated Press that they couldn't talk about Angelica's case because of patient privacy laws. They pointed to a recent internal survey done by its Obstetrics and Gynecology department that showed that most of its patients are satisfied with their care and "are largely feeling respected," and said the university and hospital "maintain intentional, proactive efforts in addressing health disparities and maternal mortality." Angelica's son, Malik, was born eight weeks early, weighing under 5 pounds. He spent a month in intensive care. He received home visits through the first year of life to monitor his growth. While he's now a curious and vivacious 3-year-old who loves to explore the world around him, Angelica recalls those days in the ICU, and she feels guilty because she could not be with him. "It's scary to know I could have died, that we could have died," Lyons said, wiping away tears. History of gynecology For decades, frustrated birth advocates and medical professionals have tried to sound an alarm about the ways medicine has failed Black women. Historians trace that maltreatment to racist medical practices that Black people endured amid and after slavery. To fully understand maternal mortality and infant mortality crises for Black women and babies, the nation must first reckon with the dark history of how gynecology began, said Deirdre Cooper Owens, a historian and author. "The history of this particular medical branch it begins on a slave farm in Alabama," Owens said. "The advancement of obstetrics and gynecology had such an intimate relationship with slavery, and was literally built on the wounds of Black women." Reproductive surgeries that were experimental at the time, like cesarean sections, were commonly performed on enslaved Black women. Physicians like the once-heralded J. Marion Sims, an Alabama doctor many call the "father of gynecology," performed torturous surgical experiments on enslaved Black women in the 1840s without anesthesia. And well after the abolition of slavery, hospitals performed unnecessary hysterectomies on Black women, and eugenics programs sterilized them. Health care segregation also played a major role in the racial health gap still experienced today. Until Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Black families were mostly barred from well-funded white hospitals and often received limited, poor or inhumane medical treatment. Black-led clinics and doctors worked to fill in the gaps, but even after the new protections, hospitals once reserved for Black families remained under-resourced, and Black women didn't get the same support regularly available for white women. That history of abuse and neglect led to deep-rooted distrust of health care institutions among communities of color. "We have to recognize that it's not about just some racist people or a few bad actors," said Rana A. Hogarth, an associate professor of History at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. "People need to stop thinking about things like slavery and racism as just these features that happened that are part of the contours of history and maybe think of them more as foundational and institutions that have been with us every step of the way." Some health care providers still hold false beliefs about biological differences between Black and white people, such as Black people having "less sensitive nerve endings, thicker skin, and stronger bones." Those beliefs have caused medical providers today to rate Black patients' pain lower, and recommend less relief. The differences exist regardless of education or income level. Black women who have a college education or higher have a pregnancy-related mortality rate that is more than five times higher than that of white women. Notably, the pregnancy-related mortality rate for Black women with a college education is 1.6. times higher than that of white women with less than a high school degree. In Angelica Lyons' home state of Alabama, about 40 mothers die within one year after delivery. The toll on Black mothers is disproportionate. The state's infant mortality rate for 2021 was 7.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. The disparities between Black and white babies is stark: The infant mortality rate in 2021 for white mothers was 5.8, while the infant mortality rate for Black mothers was 12.1, an increase from 10.9 from the prior year. Black babies account for just 29% of births in Alabama, yet nearly 47% of infant deaths. A 2020 report by the Alabama Maternal Mortality Review Committee found that more than 55% of 80 pregnancy-related deaths that they reviewed in 2016 and 2017 could have been prevented. Alabama launched its Maternal Mortality Review Committee in 2018 to investigate maternal deaths. But Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama's Department of Public Health State Health Officer, said work remains to collect a fuller picture of why the disparities exist. "We certainly know that from national numbers as well that Black women have worse maternal outcomes at every income level, which is pretty startling," said Harris said. "Age matters and just overall ZIP code matters. Unfortunately, where people live, where these children are born, is strongly associated with infant mortality. I think we'll see something similar for maternal outcomes." And concerns about access and barriers to care remain. In Alabama, 37% of counties are maternity care deserts more than 240,000 women live in counties with no or little care. About 39% of counties don't have a single obstetric provider. Alabama is not alone in this. More than 2.2 million American women of childbearing age live in maternity care deserts, and another 4.8 million such women reside in counties with limited access to maternity care. Angelica Lyons said she wanted to seek maternal care at another hospital, but the University of Alabama was the only one near her home equipped to handle her high-risk pregnancy, which included high blood pressure near the beginning. Harris acknowledged the lack of access to care is a barrier for Black women who live in the state's rural areas. Much of the state's public health efforts are targeted along the rural Black Belt, which gets its name from the rich soil but it was also a region where many plantations were clustered. Centuries later, the Black Belt continues to be a high-poverty region with a large Black population. More than half of the nation's Black population lives in the South. "We've talked a lot about structural racism and the impact of that on African American women and how it has no place in society," Harris said. "I think we have to publicly call it what it is." 'This is not normal' Angelica Lyons' traumatic birth experience was not the only one in her family. After two miscarriages, her younger sister, Ansonia, became pregnant in 2020, and it was difficult. Doctors told her she was suffering from regular morning sickness, though she was vomiting blood. She was eventually diagnosed with an excessive vomiting disorder, hyperemesis gravidarum, and was extremely dehydrated. Ansonia spent months in and out of the same hospital where her sister had been treated. "They said, 'Welcome to the pregnancy, sweetheart. This is what pregnancy is,'" Ansonia, 30, recalled. "I told her, 'No, this is not normal for me to be throwing up 10 to 20 times a day.' My own primary care wasn't listening to me." Ansonia said throughout her pregnancy she encountered hospital staff that made stereotypical jokes, calling her child's father her "baby daddy," a trope often lobbed at Black parents. "She said, 'So, your baby daddy, where does he work?'" Ansonia recalled. "I said, 'I don't know what a baby daddy is but the father of my child is at work.' She asked where he worked and I told her he had two businesses and she acted like she was surprised." Ansonia said staff assumed she didn't have any health insurance, when she had insurance through her employer. Ansonia has Type 2 diabetes and had issues with her blood pressure and heart throughout the pregnancy. She started to see a cardiologist and by the time she was 21 weeks pregnant, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She was placed on a medley of medications, and her doctors decided to deliver the baby early via C-section. Ansonia was scared, given everything she witnessed her sister go through nearly two years prior. "There were several times I told my boyfriend that I thought that I was going to die," she said. The C-section went well. Ansonia's son, Adrien, was due in July 2021 but he was born at the end of May. He spent his first five days in the intensive care unit, then was hospitalized for another two weeks for some early breathing problems. Cesarean delivery rates are higher for Black women than white women, 36.8% and 31%, respectively, in 2021. Problems continued for Ansonia after the delivery. She ended up needing a blood transfusion and was unable to see her son for his first few days of life. A few months postpartum, she was still vomiting and having fainting spells that led to her being admitted to the hospital off and on. Her arms suffered from bruising from needles used to treat her throughout the pregnancy. She had always been slow to heal from any bruising, a common problem for diabetics. Yet a doctor who had been involved throughout her entire pregnancy questioned why she had bruises on her arms and asked if she "smoked weed" or took any other recreational drugs. The hospital declined to comment, citing patient privacy laws. "I said, 'This is from me being stuck so many times and having to be in the hospital.' I told him I don't do any drugs," she said. He still sent her blood work off to be tested. The tests came back negative. "That just made me not trust them, it made me not want to go back," she said. There are indications that the sufferings of Black mothers and their babies are being recognized, however late. In 2019, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, an Illinois Democrat, and Rep. Alma Adams, a North Carolina Democrat, launched the Black Maternal Health Caucus. It is now one of the largest bipartisan congressional caucuses. The caucus introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act in 2019 and again in 2021, proposing sweeping changes that would increase funding and strengthen oversight. Key parts of the legislation have been adopted, but the bill itself has yet to be approved. President Joe Biden's budget for fiscal year 2024 includes $471 million in funding to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates, expand maternal health initiatives in rural communities, and implicit bias training and other initiatives. It also requires states to provide continuous Medicaid coverage for 12 months postpartum, to eliminate gaps in health insurance. It also includes $1.9 billion in funding for women and child health programs. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra said more must be done at all levels of government to root out racism and bias within health care. "We know that if we provide access to care for mother and baby for a full year, that we probably help produce not just good health results, but a promising future for mom and baby moving forward," he said. Photos: Two Black mothers share harrowing birth stories Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. President Joe Bidens announcement that hes running for another term raises concerns for many Americans. At his potential second inauguration, he would be 82, beating himself in becoming the oldest among American presidents. Aging has changed dramatically over the centuries. Medicine and better lifestyles have significantly diminished the effects of time. In the past, things were much different. In 1783, for example, at age 51, Gen. George Washington resigned his military commission and took a hard look at himself. What he saw was a wreck nearly a Methuselah. He had grown, in his famous statement, not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country. As a biographer of Washington, I can assure you that his well-known description of his condition may have been a bit of an exaggeration. Washington wasnt that old, really, though the average life expectancy in that era was 38. Old people today, so to speak, are much younger than they used to be, especially when they are wealthy. The field of anti-aging is waxing, and data suggests that science might be able to extend not only life span, but also the years a person remains healthy and free from disease. Furthermore, a youthful frame of mind can have a powerful effect, increasing longevity. But no matter what, 82 remains a high number. Old machines were giving way in the 1700s Americans have long nurtured mixed feelings about age and aged leaders. For starters, the men who fought in the Revolution and molded the young nation were themselves very young. Alexander Hamilton, the mastermind behind the Constitution of the United States, was only 30 when he attended the famous Philadelphia Convention, where that document was written. In opposition to the Old England vices, America was envisioned as springing out from the creativity of the young. It represented huge potential. Great Britain has past the Meridian of her Day, wrote Edward Rutledge, at 26 the youngest delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence. And while England was old beyond recall, we are young, he concluded. During a period when medicine and knowledge of human anatomy were all but rudimentary, old age terrified everyone. Our machines have now been running for 70 or 80 years, an old Thomas Jefferson, age 71, explained to an even older John Adams, age 78, and we must expect that, worn as they are, here a pivot, there a wheel, now a pinion, next a spring, will be giving way. People in their 70s were usually decrepit when the American nation was young. But it would be wrong to assume that the founding generation simply despised old age. Young America admired venerable old sages Moses of the Bible, first and foremost. In August 1776, a debate for designing a new great seal for the republic took place. A commission was formed, and Benjamin Franklin, a member of the commission, proposed to draw a Moses, with his wand lifted, in the act of dividing the Red Sea, and the pharaoh, in his chariot, overwhelmed with the waters. Franklin also suggested a motto: Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God. Like Washington and Jefferson, who led a revolution against a tyrannical king and his country, Moses had similarly led a liberty-loving people, the Jews, out of the shackles that tyrannical Egypt had kept them in. Prophetic old age America has repeatedly relied on very old leaders. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Franklin was 81. This senior statesman from Pennsylvania didnt talk much. One of the most charismatic men of the 18th century, Franklin was universally recognized as a prophet, a Moses dressed in American clothing. Despite his extreme age and particularly sensible of his weakness, as James Madison said, Franklin stood out from much younger delegates. His appearance communicated an antique simplicity, a French witness held. He looked like a sage, a living classic contemporary with Plato, as if he had come directly from the age of Cato and of Fabius. While Franklin was much more than just someone performing a task, old leaders, back then, could still look to the future and attend to many types of tasks as well. In 1798, after he had completed two terms as president, a worn-out Washington, age 66, was ready to serve again in a military capacity. War with France was probable, and President John Adams had asked for his help. Washington experienced sensations which means mixed feelings at the prospect of entering, at so late a period of life, the boundless field of public action incessant trouble and high responsibility. And yet he agreed to serve. Fortunately for the country, war didnt come. OUR VIEW: State selloff in Downtown Madison makes sense Gov. Evers is right that half-filled buildings in prime spots can be better used Similarly, what Thomas Jefferson achieved during the last years of his life, in his late 70s, is extraordinary. In what he described as the hobby of my old age he devised, organized and built a public university, the University of Virginia. He worked hard on his last project, which opened to students on March 7, 1825. Jefferson would die one year later, elated by this accomplishment. The University of Virginia, Jefferson believed, would create better leaders who would halt the threatening cloud of fanaticism polluting the atmosphere of our country. Biden is old. His speech is imperfect. For sure, he will execute tasks, but slowly, at his own pace. In many ways, he cant be a match for younger competitors. Whats more, hes neither Franklin, nor Washington nor Jefferson. Yet had he lived in that earlier age, like his more illustrious predecessors, his value would have likely outweighed his deficits in the eyes of his country a youthful country fighting against the ossified leadership of its British colonial overlords, but also aware of the wisdom that certain old leaders could still provide. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Demand for almost all types of housing from for-sale homes to general occupancy rentals to senior units is expected to increase until 2027 in Winona County, according to a county-commissioned housing needs analysis. An aging population, declining college enrollments and the need to maintain historic housing stock are among local pressures affecting the housing market, while national trends, including a slowdown of construction since the Great Recession, add to the crunch. Grant Martin, principal at LOCi Consulting, and Jeff Miller, associate with Hoisington Koegler Group Inc., presented the studys initial findings Wednesday to the Winona County Economic Development Authority. A lot of the housing demand is driven by shifts in different demographics, said Martin. Winona County, along with the cities of Winona, Goodview, Lewiston and St. Charles, requested a housing study earlier this year to inform the 2024 Winona County Comprehensive Plan. A full report, slated to be released in August or September, will contain more in-depth information regarding housing demand, identify regulatory and zoning challenges to new development, and make recommendations on how local government could proceed. Aging population The report forecasts Winona Countys population will decrease by 200 people between 2022 and 2027, landing at just over 49,000 in 2027, while the number of households is expected to increase by 60. Projected household growth is mainly concentrated among residents aged 65 and over. The population estimates closely match projections by the Minnesota State Demographic Center, a state agency that provides demographic data to the state. Minnesota State Demographer Susan Brower said the countys population is forecast to slowly decline through 2040 because the bulk of the current population is above the age of 55. Weve got the reality of this aging population; it just means its a population that doesnt grow as quickly or at all, said Brower. Housing aimed at seniors is projected to be the most in-demand type of housing between 2022 and 2027, with an estimated demand of 380 to 430 units. Affordable senior housing, targeting seniors who make below 50% of the area market income, is projected to generate the most demand of any housing type. What happens in those years, its hard to say, but what kind of transition we see as that group moves out of senior housing and a new group that moves in thats significantly smaller is a challenge, said Martin. Student enrollment Winona County is projected to maintain a high percentage of residents in their early 20s who are largely college students, which shapes the number of renting households in the city of Winona and the county at large. Renters make up over 30% of households in Winona County and 40% in the city of Winona, while the state average sits at 27.7% of households. Wednesdays presentation forecast declining enrollment at Winona State University. Enrollment is also declining at Saint Marys University and Minnesota State College Southeast as part of a national trend, said Miller. Citing interviews with university staff, Martin said student preference drives the majority of Winona State University students to live off campus. With falling enrollment, the future of rental housing aimed at students is also uncertain, and something the county should monitor, Martin and audience members agreed. How will the student market, that is pretty much a segmented market within Winona right now, start to evolve and change and start to become more of a general occupancy rental market as that demand declines for students? said Martin. Affordability The housing needs analysis highlights a tight market for renters and homeowners alike in the county. Winona Countys rental market had a 1.7% vacancy rate in the first quarter of 2023, below the state average of 6.4% and the industry-accepted equilibrium of 5%. There is no vacancy for affordable housing aimed at those making 50% or less of the area median income. Cost-burdened renters those who pay more than 30% of their income in rent make up 44% of renters. Extremely cost-burdened renters, who pay more than 50% of their income on rent, make up 17%. Demand for general occupancy rental units is estimated for 190 to 240 units, largely driven by market-rate apartments with any number of rooms. Houses in a group of southeast Minnesota counties stayed on the market for an average of 31 days, according to the report. That is very low, and it reflects the fact that there is just a lot less inventory on the market than there has been, said Martin. Median sales of existing homes in 2022 were just over $200,000, while new home sales had median sale prices of nearly $335,000 for townhomes and $455,000 for single family homes. Given current rates of building permits and residential lots, there are enough lots for 2.5 to 3 years of building, but new housing is expected to have high price points. Household growth is only expected to increase for those making between $75,000 and $200,000, according to the analysis. The report estimates that newly constructed entry-level homes will start at $275,000, requiring an income of $95,000 to afford without paying more than 30% of income to housing costs. The 2022 median income for Winona County is just over $69,000, according to the report. Entry-level first-time home buyers cant afford ($275,000), said Martin. What were trying to forecast is if youre going to build new construction to supply housing, this is whats being generated right now. The report estimates demand for over 300 for-sale houses, largely driven by demand for entry-level single family homes. Several audience members at the meeting suggested the analysis examine demand for existing housing stock selling at more affordable prices and special-purpose credit programs that prioritize buyers with limited income. It would be wise to include some aspects of the value of preserving those naturally occurring affordable homes, especially when we see a lot of demolition happening on homes like that, said Amanda Hedlund, executive director of Habitat for Humanity serving Winona County. Structures built before 1980 make up over 60% of housing in Winona County, and structures built before 1940 make up around 30%, according to the housing needs analysis. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Seoul, South Korea (CNN) The door of an Asiana Airlines jet opened as it was coming in to land in Daegu, South Korea, on Friday afternoon, leaving wind whipping through the planes cabin as terrified passengers gripped their armrests, video of the incident shows. An airline official said a man in his 30s who was sitting at the emergency seat seemed to have opened the door when the aircraft was about 700 feet (213 meters) above the ground and about two to three minutes from landing in the city 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Seoul. However, company officials told CNN the plane had landed safely. Local police said a man has been arrested. They said he confessed to opening the door, but would not say why he did it. South Koreas Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement that police and the ministry are investigating an individual over violation of aviation law. A total of 200 people were on board, including 194 passengers, according to Asiana Airlines. According to the Daegu Fire Department, 12 people suffered minor injuries from hyperventilation and nine of them have been sent to hospitals in Daegu. The aircraft was identified on the Flightradar 24 tracking website as an Airbus 321. The jet was on a flight from Jeju island, off South Koreas southern coast, to Daegu. Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas of Airline Ratings described the incident as very bizarre. Technically, its not possible to open those doors in flight, he told CNN. Thomas noted that the landing speed of an A321 is about 150 knots (172 mph), meaning winds of that speed are passing the aircraft. The door, behind the wing of the aircraft, opened into that airstream, he said. It seems implausible that the door could be opened in the first place and then against the airstream technically impossible, but somehow or another it has happened, Thomas said. The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry said it had dispatched an aviation safety supervisor to the site to check whether there was an abnormality in aircraft maintenance. Top 10 safest airlines to fly on right now Top 10 safest airlines to fly on right now Hawaiian Airlines Delta Airlines Alaska Airlines American Airlines United Airlines International: Qatar Airways International: Qantas Airways International: Etihad Airways International: Air New Zealand International: Singapore Airlines Safest low-cost airlines in 2023 Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. In 1866 a doctor and his wife moved to Geneva. The doctor had been a surgeon in the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry during the Civil War. The newcomers to Geneva were Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds and his wife Mary Smith Reynolds. They became the progenitors of a family dynasty in Geneva/Lake Geneva that would extend well into the 20th Century. Benoni O. Reynolds was born in Cayuga County, New York on July 26, 1824. At the age of 13 he became an apprentice in a coopers shop. He than taught school for two years. He enlisted in the Army during the Mexican-American War (April 25, 1846-February 2, 1848) but saw no service. After the war he moved to Chicago where he studied medicine at the Rush Medical College, graduating in 1851. In 1854 he moved to Elkhorn where he practiced medicine. He took time out to study at the Opthalmic College of New York City from which he graduated in 1861. When the Civil War broke out in 1861 Reynolds became a surgeon in the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry of which he was a member between 1861 and 1865. After the Civil War ended he returned to Elkhorn. In 1866 he moved to Geneva and opened a practice there which quickly flourished. Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds not only became the leading physician in Geneva but achieved prominence as a politician and as a leader of professional organizations. He was a member of the National Medical Association and of the National Board of Health, and became the President of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin. He was elected as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and as a State Senator. Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds passed away on January 10, 1911. He was 86 years old. Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds, son of Dr. James C. Reynolds, was born in Exeter, Green County Wisconsin on July 17, 1899. As noted above his family had moved to Elkhorn in 1854. James Reynolds attended Beloit College and Racine College and graduated from the Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1870. He then spent five years as a doctor in South Dakota and a year at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. In 1876 he came to Geneva where he became a partner in a medical practice with his father Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds. Very much as his father, Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds had been, Dr. James C. Reynolds became active in political, civic, and community affairs. He was a member of the Geneva Board of Supervisors and the Geneva School Board and in 1884 and 1886 was elected as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly. In 1886 he was elected as a State Senator. Over the next three decades after the Civil War Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds would play a key leadership role in the Village of Geneva. Dr. James C. Reynolds was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia in 1900. During World War I, Dr. James C. Reynolds was a member of the Walworth County Draft Board. He was also a member of the Geneva Lodge #44 of the Royal Arch Masons and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. Dr. James C. Reynolds passed away on September 4, 1933 at his home in Lake Geneva at the age of 84. He was buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery. Dr. James C. Reynolds son, Benoni O. Reynolds, was named after his grandfather, Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds. B.O. Reynolds was born on December 27, 1890 in Lake Geneva. He attended Lake Geneva public schools until he was 13 and then attended the Racine College Military Academy before returning to Lake Geneva High School. He then attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison for two years before enrolling in and graduating from the University of South Caroline Law School in 1914. He was admitted to the bar in Sidney, Montana in 1915 and began practicing law in Sidney. In Montana he organized an Infantry Company in the Montana National Guard and was commissioned a Captain. In 1916 he and Company L of the Montana National Guard were ordered to serve on the U. S. border with Mexico. On February 3, 1917 he purchased and edited the Lake Geneva News. After the U.S. entered World War I in April 1917 B. O. Reynolds organized a National Guard Cavalry Troop in Lake Geneva and was appointed Captain of the Troop. In February 1917 Captain Reynolds was ordered to France where he commanded Battery A of the 121st Field Artillery which was part of the famed 32nd Division. He participated in battles from that of the Marne to that of Argonne Forest. Two days before the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918 he was wounded and suffered shell shock. In 1928 B. O. Reynolds was admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar. He was elected Justice of the Peace in Lake Geneva and was a member of the Lake Geneva School Board. In 1932 he was elected as the Walworth County District Attorney. On September 18, 1933 while discussing legal business with his colleagues in his office at the Walworth County Courthouse in Elkhorn B. O. Reynolds suffered a fatal heart attack. He was only 42 years old. A family dynasty that had existed in Lake Geneva for almost seven decades and three generations had come to a close. Photo: Pexels A 53-year-old man who was tackled and detained by about 10 people after he was caught secretly videoing a woman peeing in a BCIT womens washroom nearly five years ago has been handed a two-year conditional sentence and two years of probation. Jay Winship Forster was in Vancouver provincial court last week to plead guilty to one count of voyeurism and two counts of possession of child pornography. BCIT voyeurism Forster was discovered in a cubicle in a third floor washroom at BCIT's Burnaby campus by a woman using the cubicle next to him, according to Crown prosecutor Jason Krupa. She saw the camera; she screamed and yelled, said Krupa, outlining the agreed facts in the case. He withdrew, took off. She chased him. He pushed her out of the way. Before Forster could escape, however, Krupa said about 10 people tackled him and held him till police arrived. When police searched Forsters phone, they discovered images of the woman who had caught him in the act, as well as videos of a few other people, according to Krupa. A further search also revealed 364 child sex abuse images, including images of girls as young as six engaged in sex acts. Very problematic, Krupa said. Forster, who was 42 at the time of the incident, was charged with voyeurism, assault and possession of child pornography in July 2019. A second secret phone One of the conditions of his bail on those charges was a ban on having more than one cell phone. About a year later, however, his common law partner discovered he had two cell phones and found child sex abuse images on the second, secret phone, according to Krupa. (She) essentially marched him down to the police station, and he turned himself in, he said. Forster was charged with two more counts of possessing child pornography in October 2020. Explaining why its taken nearly five years to deal with the BCIT charges, Krupa pointed to two psychological reports ordered in the case. The first found no evidence of significant or even noticeable mental illness, according to Krupa, but the second one did. Krupa noted Forster had been committed under the Mental Health Act for a time, receiving weeks of treatments, and now sees a psychiatrist regularly. This man is suffering from a significant mental illness, Krupa said. Its documented, and, in my submission, putting him in jail would simply likely lead him to decompensate and not be in the public interest. Banned from BCIT and UBC campuses In a joint sentencing submission, Krupa and defence lawyer Brian Coleman called for a conditional sentence (a jail sentence served in the community) and probation. Judge Gregory Rideout agreed. During the first six months of his two-year sentence, he will be under house arrest, followed by a-year-and-a-half under a curfew. He is banned from the BCIT and UBC campuses and from parks, schools and anywhere else children under the age of 16 are likely to be. He is also prohibited from possessing any device capable of recording and will have his phone and internet access restricted. And he will be placed on the national sex offender registry for 10 years. UBC voyeurism This isnt the first time Forster has been sentenced for voyeurism. In 2013, he was granted a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to one count of secretly observing or recording nudity in a womens changeroom at UBC in the fall of 2012. Scott Ritter Tells Crimeans, To Be Afraid of Speaking the Truth, Is To Be Afraid of Being an American May 26, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)Former weapons inspector and Marine intelligence officer Scott Ritter was interviewed by Crimea24 TV May 22, while visiting Crimea as part of his three week book-presentation tour of Russia. When asked if he were not afraid of the consequences of what he is saying about his governments policies, Ritter gave a lesson in real American citizenship, answering: The United States of America is founded on the concept of freedom, especially of free speech. So for me to be afraid of the consequences of exercising my right to free speech, would mean that I am afraid of being an American. I love my country. Im proud to be an American, and I will defend my right to exercise free speech for as long as I live. Governments come and go. The Constitution is forever. And I took an oath to defend the Constitution, and I will do so by speaking freely, whatever the consequences. He believes that is why the American publicDemocrats, Republicans, Communists, Libertarians, black, white, yellow, brownlisten to him. He told Crimean interviewers that Americans appreciate that he is trying to do his best to report the fact-based truth, regardless of the consequences to them, just as he did when he was an intelligence officer. Ritter has taken his message, that Americans and Russians can repair relations between their nations, as they have done in the past, to audiences all over Russia, from Novosibirsk and Irkutsk in Siberia, to Grozny in Chechnya, as well as to the cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, and Volgograd, among others. British intelligence is not pleased. A hit piece on Ritter May 24, quoted Ukrainian-American journalist Natalia Antonova, former editor of the notorious Bellingcat, titled Why Do Disgraced Americans Like Scott Ritter Spout Pro-Putin Propaganda in Russia? The British agent also went after Oliver Stone and Seymour Hersh, implying they are among the Americans who see a financial and career opportunity by working for and with the Russians. EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR SATURDAY MAY 27, 2023 Pulling Away from the Precipice of Total War May 26, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The tyranny of popular opinion, today, says that there is no credible threat to the human race posed by the rampant inaction of those governed, in the United States and Europe, by a bodyguard of lies, such as that told by the United States and Great Britain about the Nord Stream Pipeline terrorist action; that there is no threat posed by the Malthusian likes of the present occupants of the throne at Buckingham Palace, or the State Department amateur hour that dominates the Presidential process now in the current Washington, D.C. Administration. It is, however, the acceptance of the lie, that snow is blackthat the war in Ukraine was unprovoked by the illegal overthrow of the democratically elected government of Ukraine in February 2014, and its aftermaththat could soon doom the entire human race. An interruption in the lies, by vigorously and publicly shouting the truth from the street corners, at county fairs, and in public places, is the work of true service in the cause of human freedom. Two instances involving the Schiller institute are examples of what is needed in this moment. The OKV, Ostdeutsches Kuratorium von Verbanden, which had organized the Berlin conference of March 27, 2023, has now published a nice paperback book Dialogue Instead of Weapons with 38 speeches and contributions, including those of Helga Zepp-LaRouche, who participated in the conference in her capacity as BuSo chairwoman (Civil Rights Movement Solidarity) in Germany. In addition to that development, yesterday, the Schiller Institute also participated in The African Union at 60, a symposium in celebration of the May 25, 1963 founding of the Organization of African Unity, a project that originated with the founders of African independence such as Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972) of Ghana, the Senegalese physicist and historian Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop (1923-1986), and Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, assassinated by the International Assassination Bureau on Jan. 17, 1961, the same day that President Dwight Eisenhower gave his beware the military-industrial complex Presidential farewell speech. The Schiller institute has done other things as well, and will, in two weeks, hold a symposium on Saturday, June 10,on the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedys American University Peace Speech. That conference, and its emphasis on the assassinated American Presidents 1963 mission to save the world from thermonuclear madness, will come none too soon. The world has clearly entered the highest state of strategic destabilization since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and has, arguably, gone past that point. Where is the point of no return? When Russian intelligence officials read in the New York Times this week that American spy agencies see an emerging picture of a loose confederation of Ukrainian units able to conduct limited operations inside and outside Russia, either by using their own personnel, or partners working under their direction, followed by the not-so-subtle threat, Some of these missions could have been conducted with little, if any, oversight from Mr. Zelenskyy, what must they have concluded? The incalculable Dr. Strangelove war-by-miscalculation potential of the present moment becomes frightfully clear. June 10 must be, not a commemoration, but a mobilization, preceded on Friday June 9 and, where appropriate, the morning of June 10, with Days of Action, in which Helga Zepp-LaRouches Ten Principles for a New International Security and Development Architecture, and her Urgent Appeal by Citizens and Institutions from All Over the World, Including the U.S., to the (Next) President of the United States! are the focal-point documents provided for distribution and deliberation. As forces from around the worldthe Vatican, Brazil, China, six African nations led by South Africainsist that peace is not only possible, but is indispensable to maintaining human civilization, the Schiller Institutes proposals for a new security and development architecture are increasingly finding themselves being presented, formally and informally, in the arteries, veins and capillaries of the body politic. It is our job to stand on the side of voluntarism in history, not on the side of existentialist self-righteous tragic fate. While the statements of former Russian President Medvedev certainly identify the reality and the character of the insanely foolish and irresponsible behavior of the Anglospheres policymakers toward Russia, his assertion that This conflict will last for a very long time. For decades, probably. This is a new realitywhich he stated in Vietnam, of all placesunintentionally converges with another evaluation, promulgated by Victoria Nuland. Nuland spoke at a forum of the Open Ukraine Foundation, moderated by her hand-selected puppet leader Arseniy Yats Yatsenyuk, saying that, Even as you plan for the counteroffensive, which we have been working on with you for some 4-5 months, we are already beginning our discussions ... about Ukraines long-term future ... wherever and however this ends1 year, 6 years, 16 yearswe are not doing this again. This is a coincidence of opposites of the worst, tragic sort. The ideas of the Treaty of Westphalia, of the Council of Florence, not the ideas of the Treaty of Versailles, are what the citizens of the world must demand as the baseline standard of deliberation, required by responsible governments that would have their populations successfully survive even another year. People must therefore come to know those higher ideas; teaching them, even in this cyber New Dark Age, is our job. To those who might believe that such a pathway is too complex, we are reminded of something that the late Lyndon LaRouche once said in response to the idea that his writings were too complicated for the average person to understand. LaRouche responded, Well, perhaps the people that think that, are too uncomplicated to survive. Besides, why be pessimistic? Aside from the fact that nothing will be accomplished through pessimism, there is an harmony of interests that is emerging worldwide. It is present among the 50 nations in attendance at the just-concluded Eurasian Economic Forum. This harmony of interests, catalyzed in the form of a win-win economic policy as it originated in the Eurasian Land-Bridge conferences of the 1990s, and then the 2013 Belt and Road Initiative of China, now in its tenth year, is congruent with The Harmony of Interests: Agricultural, Manufacturing and Commercial devised by Abraham Lincolns economic advisor, Henry Charles Carey. The 19th-century American System economists, Henry Carey and Friedrich List, are today far better known in nations like China, than they are in todays United States. Physical economist Lyndon LaRouches far more advanced work in the field of physical economy, particularly in his idea of the world development corridorwhat is known as the World Land-Bridgeis a fundamental transformation of the already-revolutionary Transatlantic Railroad idea of Carey, List and Lincoln, which the Belt and Road Initiative is an approximation of. Russias collaboration with the United States on railroads goes back to the 1840s and even earlier; West Point civil engineer George Washington Whistler (1800-1849) built the St. Petersburg to Moscow railway system, the first large-scale Russian railway. Win-win diplomacy is also being pursued. Chinas Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui has gone or will go to Kiev, Warsaw, Berlin, Paris, Brussels and Moscow. South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa and the leaders of Egypt, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia, following Ramaphosas phone discussions with Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, will journey to Moscow and Kiev as early as June. The Vaticans peace initiatives have been favorably acknowledged by the Kremlin. A new round of initiatives is beginning within days. In these perilous times, there is a delicate balanceand all our lives hang in that balancethat must be achieved, in order to move from the realm of tragedy, to the realm of hope. Of poet Robert Frost, JFK said, because he knew the midnight as well as the high noon, because he understood the ordeal as well as the triumph of the human spirit, he gave his age strength with which to overcome despair. As FDRs First Inaugural speech energized America into joint, concerted action, and action now to pull away from the Depression, so let us use, in these next days and hours, the JFK American University address to remind Americans, this Memorial Day weekend, why government of, by and for the people gives us the right, and therefore the responsibility, to pull the human race away from the precipice of total war. Artist Jasmine Cho paints images of both well-known and forgotten Asian Americans. But she does not use paper or canvas to create her art. She uses cookies. Cho, who is also a baker, said the sweet treats are the perfect platform for education, activism and healing The 39-year-old Korean American artist calls herself a cookie activist. She said she believes her art comes from a feeling of not belonging when she was young. Cho has gained fans over the last several years for her detailed cookie faces. Actors Awkwafina, Daniel Dae Kim and Tamlyn Tomita are among those who have praised her cookie designs. The city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Cho has lived since 2009, even honored her with a Jasmine Cho Day in 2020. Back in 2016, Cho was busy making cookies for her online bakery, Yummyholic. She decorated cookies with faces for a friends birthday party. The cookies received attention on social media. Soon, others wanted her cookies, too. Cho said, It felt like a sort of superpower. She had an aha moment of how to use her great power with great responsibility. Cho grew up in Southern California and New Mexico. She said she noticed when Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were not represented in movies, television shows or even history books. It made her question her own sense of belonging in America. That was always a pain point for me growing up, said Cho. So, I kind of always had this question: I wonder if I could use this point of joy for me to address this pain point?" Cookies, she said, were the answer. A few months after making her first cookie faces, Cho held her first showing. She made cookies of Asian American Pittsburgh natives like actor Ming-Na Wen. She also made one of Leah Lizarondo, the founder of 412 Food Rescue. The organization decreases food waste in over 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada by giving unsold food to people in need. Lizarondo remembers how surprised she was to find out that Cho had made her into a cookie face. For the Filipino American, the honor was not a waste of food. I shared it as widely as I could as I was so proud to be among the people she did cookie portraits of, Lizarondo said by email. Cho spends between four and six hours on each cookie face. She draws the cookie face by hand, fills it in with icing and then lets it dry. Her art has taken her to interesting places. In 2019, she wrote and drew images for a childrens book, Role Models Who Look Like Me. In the last few years, she has made over 20 virtual and in-person appearances at universities, schools and other gatherings. She also leads cookie-decorating workshops. Her favorite thing is when young Asian Americans feel empowered by her work. They tell me things like, I learned more in your 15-minute talk than I have in my whole class thats about Asian American history, or something like that, Cho said. One of Chos cookie faces is an image of Betty Ong, a flight attendant who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks. Ongs niece found Chos creation on Instagram and contacted her. Cho said, For a family member to reach out and just thank me for sharing her story in the way that I did ... reminding me of the tenderness that comes with this work, the importance of it." I'm Ashley Thompson. Terry Tang reported this story for The Associated Press. Hai Do adapted the story for Learning English. ___________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story cookie - n. sweet, baked goods that is usually small, flat, and made from flour and sugar baker - n. someone who makes food such as bread, cookie and cake platform - n. something that lets someone to tell a large number of people about an idea or product decorate - v. to make something more attractive by putting something on it aha moment - n. a time when something is suddenly seen, found or understood portrait - n. a painting, drawing or photograph of a person icing - n. sweet flavored mixture used to coat baked goods tenderness - n. gentleness and affection The midwestern U.S. state of Kansas is one of the countrys top grain-producing states. But farmers there are having to kill or plow over their winter wheat crop after a bad growing season. Farmers plant winter wheat in the autumn and it grows during the winter and early spring. Harvest time is in the summer. By the month of May, farmers have a good idea about the health of the wheat plants. This years crop has suffered from the extremely dry and cold winter that Kansas experienced. The weather hurt the grain and kept it from growing well. As a result, farmers are choosing to kill, plow over or give up on their wheat fields. That information comes from a recent survey of industry experts and visits to Kansas farms by Reuters reporters. Some farmers will make an insurance claim to get a little bit of money. Others are letting cows walk their fields and eat the plants. Much of the wheat produced in Kansas is used for making bread. This year, many bread makers will have to look for other wheat sources. In nearby states, farmers who planted wheat in late 2022 are also reporting problems. Farmers across the U.S. plan to abandon 33 percent of their winter crop. That is the highest percentage in over 100 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About 19 percent of the winter wheat fields in Kansas will not be harvested this spring. That is up from 10 percent last year and two percent in 2021. Farm experts who recently visited Kansas say the percentage could grow even higher. Justin Gilpin is chief executive of the Kansas Wheat Commission. He said the percentage of abandoned fields could come close to 1989. That year, farmers gave up on 28 percent of their wheat. You have a wheat crop that didnt come up, Gilpin said. Gilpin noted that there is a great demand for hay. Hay comes from the stems and leaves of plants such as wheat. The wheat is cut, dried and sent to farms for animals to eat. Some farmers are cutting the plants early, making hay and then selling it to animal farms. In Kansas, farmers are expected to produce only 191.4 million bushels of winter wheat this year. That would be the smallest wheat harvest since 1963. But the Wheat Quality Council, an industry group, believes the amount will be even lower. Those in the wheat business are not sure of the numbers yet because they do not yet know how many fields will be abandoned. People who work for insurance companies are going around Kansas, looking at fields, and deciding how much they will pay the farmers for their lost crops. Other farmers with dead wheat are thinking of planting sorghum, which could still grow this year even in dry conditions. The wheat-growing problem is not only in Kansas. In the neighboring state of Oklahoma, farmers are also worried about their harvest. In the northern part of the state, close to Kansas, some farmers will only harvest about 35 percent of the wheat they planted last year. Clay Schemm owns land in western Kansas. He said planting wheat in the autumn and then seeing it fail to grow is kind of like watching a loved one go through a terminal illness. The bad wheat season also hurts the businesses in the area, such as hotels and restaurants. When farmers decide not to harvest their wheat, fewer laborers come to the area to help. As a result, not as many people eat at restaurants or stay in hotels. Kansas State Universitys College of Agriculture also suffers. It normally gets about $1 million from the Kansas Wheat Commission for programs and research. However, that money comes from wheat sales. If less wheat is sold, less money comes in. We may not be able to do as much, said the College of Agricultures leader, Ernie Minton. It slows down the whole lifecycle of wheat research. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by Reuters. ______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story survey n. an activity where many people are asked the same question in an effort to gather data about what most people will do or think insurance n. an agreement in which a person makes regular payments to a company and the company promises to pay money if the person is injured or dies, or to pay money equal to the value of something (such as a house or car) if it is damaged, lost, or stolen bushel n. a unit for measuring an amount of fruit and grain that is equal to about 35.2 liters in the U.S. and to about 36.4 liters in the U.K. abandon v. to give up on something terminal adj. a kind of disease that is not curable sorghum n. a kind of tropical grass that is grown for food _______________________________________________________________________ We want to hear from you. Do you think the lack of wheat will cause a problem in the U.S. this year? Here is how our comment system works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about noncount and mass nouns. Question: Dear Learning English, Thank you so much for your excellent programs. How do we know how to use the singular and plural of some nouns like effort vs. efforts? Both show in people's writing. For some nouns, it is very hard to know if they should be used in the singular or plural, like "experience or "faculty. Thank you, Lily Answer Dear Lily, Thank you for your question. These words are in a group called mass or noncount nouns. These nouns are not counted as individual things. They present problems even for native speakers of English sometimes. While there are many noncount and mass nouns, we will provide some general rules to help you use them. Noncount and mass nouns do not have a plural form. For example, sand or milk would be difficult to count. Particles of sand are too small and numerous, and milk is a liquid. Mass nouns or noncount nouns can describe abstract concepts like advice. In some cases, faculty is a collective noun, not a mass noun. Collective nouns describe many individuals who form a group. For example, the faculty is made up of individual teachers. However, if you hear the word faculties, it often is describing a persons powers of the body or mind. The teacher aimed to develop the students faculties of critical thought. Noncount nouns are always singular. There are no plural forms of noncount nouns. Sometimes nouns can be both mass and count nouns. Many people use effort and experience as mass nouns, while describing a concept, but they can become plural when talking about repeating or multiple attempts (efforts) or individual experiences. Her boss noticed her efforts on the project over the past few weeks. (repeating or multiple attempts) The vacation package offers many different experiences like snorkeling, swimming in the ocean or hiking in the rainforest. Another example of a noun that can be a mass or count noun is paper. The teacher collected the students final papers. (count noun referring to the students individual pieces of writing) I need to buy some paper for the printer. (mass noun) Since noncount nouns cannot be counted, numbers are not used with them. We need to add other words if we want to talk about an amount of a noncount noun. We use words like types, slices or pieces. Kelly always has four types of cheese in her refrigerator. The teacher handed the student three pieces of paper to take his test on. I eat two slices of bread in the morning. Lastly, we do not use the indefinite articles a or an with noncount or mass nouns. We do use the definite article the. The rising water flooded the town. Please let us know if these explanations and examples helped you, Lily. What questions do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com And thats Ask a Teacher. Im Faith Pirlo. Faith Pirlo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. ______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story faculty n. the group of teachers in a school or college abstract adj. relating to or involving general ideas or qualities rather than specific people, objects, or actions concept n. an idea about how something work or what it is snorkeling n. the act of swimming underwater with a tube to get air for breathing type n. a particular kind or group of things refrigerator n. an electric device that keeps food cold _______________________________________________________________________ Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. Today we tell a traditional American story called a "tall tale." A tall tale is a story about a person who is larger than life. The descriptions in the story are exaggerated much greater than in real life. Long ago, the people who settled in undeveloped areas in America first told tall tales. After a hard day's work, people gathered to tell each other funny stories. Pecos Bill was a larger than life hero of the American West. No one knows who first told stories about Pecos Bill. Cowboys may have invented the stories. Others say Edward O'Reilly invented the character in stories he wrote for the Century Magazine in the early 1900s. The stories were collected in a book called "The Saga of Pecos Bill," published in 1923. Another writer, James Cloyd Bowman, wrote an award-winning children's book called "Pecos Bill: The Greatest Cowboy of All Time." The book won the Newbery Honor in 1938. Pecos Bill was not a historical person. But he does represent the spirit of early settlers in the American West. His unusual childhood and extraordinary actions tell about people who believed there were no limits to what they could do. Now, here is Barbara Klein with our story. Pecos Bill had one of the strangest childhoods a boy ever had. It all started after his father decided that there was no longer enough room in east Texas for his family. "Pack up, Ma!" he cried. "Neighbors movin' in 50 miles away! It's getting too crowded!" So they loaded up a wagon with all their things. Now some say they had 15 children while others say 18. However many there were, the children were louder than thunder. And as they set off across the wild country of west Texas, their mother and father could hardly hear a thing. Now, as they came to the Pecos River, the wagon hit a big rock. The force threw little Bill out of the wagon and he landed on the sandy ground. Mother did not know Bill was gone until she gathered the children for the midday meal. Mother set off with some of the children to look for Bill, but they could find no sign of him. Well, some people say Bill was just a baby when his family lost him. Others say he was four years old. But all agree that a group of animals called coyotes found Bill and raised him. Bill did all the things those animals did, like chase lizards and howl at the moon. He became as good a coyote as any. Now, Bill spent 17 years living like a coyote until one day a cowboy rode by on his horse. Some say the cowboy was one of Bill's brothers. Whoever he was, he took one look at Bill and asked, "What are you?" Bill was not used to human language. At first, he could not say anything. The cowboy repeated his question. This time, Bill said, "varmint." That is a word used for any kind of wild animal. "No you aren't," said the cowboy. "Yes, I am," said Bill. "I have fleas." "Lots of people have fleas," said the cowboy. "You don't have a tail." "Yes, I do," said Bill. "Show it to me then," the cowboy said. Bill looked at his backside and realized that he did not have a tail like the other coyotes. "Well, what am I then?" asked Bill. "You're a cowboy! So start acting like one!" the cowboy cried out. Well that was all Bill needed to hear. He said goodbye to his coyote friends and left to join the world of humans. Now, Pecos Bill was a good cowboy. Still, he hungered for adventure. One day he heard about a rough group of men. There is some debate over what the group was called. But one storyteller calls it the "Hell's Gate Gang." So Bill set out across the rough country to find this gang of men. Well, Bill's horse soon was injured so Bill had to carry it for a hundred miles. Then Bill met a rattlesnake 50 feet long. The snake made a hissing noise and was not about to let Bill pass. But after a tense minute, Bill beat the snake until it surrendered. He felt sorry for the varmint, though, and wrapped it around his arm. After Bill walked another hundred miles, he came across an angry mountain lion. There was a huge battle, but Bill took control of the big cat and put his saddle on it. He rode that mountain lion all the way to the camp of the Hell's Gate Gang. Now, when Bill saw the gang he shouted out, "Who's the boss around here?" A huge cowboy, 9 feet tall, took one look at Bill and said in a shaky voice, "I was the boss. But you are the boss from here on in." With his gang, Pecos Bill was able to create the biggest ranch in the Southwest. Bill and his men had so many cattle that they needed all of New Mexico to hold them. Arizona was the pasture where the cattle ate grass. Pecos Bill invented the art of being a cowboy. He invented the skill of throwing a special rope called a lasso over a cow's head to catch wandering cattle. Some say he used a rattlesnake for a lasso. Others say he made a lasso so big that it circled the whole Earth. Bill invented the method of using a hot branding iron to permanently put the mark of a ranch on a cow's skin. That helped stop people from stealing cattle. Some say he invented cowboy songs to help calm the cattle and make the cowboy's life easier. But he is also said to have invented tarantulas and scorpions as jokes. Cowboys have had trouble with those poisonous creatures ever since. Now, Pecos Bill could ride anything that ever was. So, as some tell the story, there came a storm bigger than any other. It all happened during the worst drought the West had ever seen. It was so dry that horses and cows started to dry up and blow away in the wind. So when Bill saw the windstorm, he got an idea. The huge tornado kicked across the land like a wild bronco. But Bill jumped on it without a thought. He rode that tornado across Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, all the time squeezing the rain out of it to save the land from drought. When the storm was over, Bill fell off the tornado. He landed in California. He left a hole so deep that to this day it is known as Death Valley. Now, Bill had a horse named Widow Maker. He got that name because any man who rode that horse would be thrown off and killed, and his wife would become a widow. No one could ride that horse but Bill. And Widow Maker, in the end, caused the biggest problem for Pecos Bill. You see, one day Bill saw a woman. Not just any woman, but a wild, red-haired woman, riding a giant catfish down the Rio Grande River. Her name was Slue-foot Sue. And Bill fell in love with her at first sight. Well, Bill would not rest until he had asked for her hand in marriage. And Slue-foot Sue accepted. On their wedding day, Pecos Bill dressed in his best buckskin suit. And Sue wore a beautiful white dress with a huge steel-spring bustle in the back. It was the kind of big dress that many women wore in those days the bigger the better. Now, after the marriage ceremony Slue-foot Sue got a really bad idea. She decided that she wanted to ride Widow Maker. Bill begged her not to try. But she had her mind made up. Well, the second she jumped on the horse's back he began to kick and buck like nothing anyone had ever seen. He sent Sue flying so high that she sailed clear over the new moon. She fell back to Earth, but the steel-spring bustle just bounced her back up as high as before. Now, there are many different stories about what happened next. One story says Bill saw that Sue was in trouble. She would keep bouncing forever if nothing was done. So he took his rope out -- though some say it was a huge rattlesnake -- and lassoed Sue to catch her and bring her down to Earth. Only, she just bounced him back up with her. Somehow the two came to rest on the moon. And that's where they stayed. Some people say they raised a family up there. Their children were as loud and wild as Bill and Sue were in their younger days. People say the sound of thunder that sometimes carries over the dry land around the Pecos River is nothing more than Pecos Bill's family laughing up a storm. This tall tale of Pecos Bill was adapted for Learning English and produced by Mario Ritter. Your storyteller was Barbara Klein. The video was produced by Adam Brock. ________________________________________________________________ Test your understanding of this story by taking this short quiz. Quiz - Pecos Bill Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz For Teachers This lesson plan, based on the CALLA Approach, teaches the strategy classify to help students understand the story of Pecos Bill. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story debate - n. a discussion between people in which they express different opinions about something varmint - n. (chiefly US, old-fashioned + humorous) an animal that is considered a problem lasso - n. a rope with a loop that is used for catching animals (such as cattle or horses) tarantula - n. a large, hairy spider that lives in warm regions scorpion - n. a small animal related to spiders that has two front claws and a curved tail with a poisonous stinger at the end make up ones mind - idiom. to decide on something Photo: The Canadian Press This is a locator map for Afghanistan with its capital, Kabul. (AP Photo) The Taliban and Iran exchanged heavy gunfire Saturday on the Islamic Republic's border with Afghanistan, sharply escalating rising tensions between the two nations amid a dispute over water rights. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted the country's deputy police chief, Gen. Qassem Rezaei, accusing the Taliban of opening fire first Saturday morning on the border of Irans Sistan and Baluchestan province and the Afghan province of Nimroz. IRNA said Iran inflicted heavy casualties and serious damage." Taliban-controlled media in Afghanistan did not acknowledge the fighting. The advocacy group HalVash, which reports on issues affecting the Baluch people in the predominately Sunni province of Sistan and Baluchestan, quoted residents in the area saying the fighting took place near the Kang district of Nimroz. It said some people in the area had fled the violence. Videos posted online, purportedly from the area, included the crackle of machine gun fire in the distance. HalVash later posted an image of what appeared to be the remains of a mortar round, saying that heavy weapons and mortars are being used. A later video from HalVash purported to show Iranian forces firing a mortar. The border forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will decisively respond to any border trespassing and aggression, and the current authorities of Afghanistan must be held accountable for their unmeasured and contrary actions to international principles," IRNA quoted Iran's police chief, Gen. Ahmadreza Radan, as saying. The clash comes as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi earlier this month warned the Taliban not to violate Iran's water rights to the Helmand River. Raisi's remarks represented some of the strongest yet over the long-running concerns about water in Iran. Drought has been a problem in Iran for some 30 years, but has worsened over the past decade, according to the U.N.s Food and Agriculture Organization. The Iran Meteorological Organization says that an estimated 97% of the country now faces some level of drought. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. In the time since, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, depriving them of virtually all their basic rights, according to the U.N. Hunger remains endemic. While not directly accepting the Taliban government, Iran has maintained relations with Afghanistan's new rulers. Tehran also has called on the Taliban to allow women and girls to go to school. Earlier on Saturday, the Taliban's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with an Iranian envoy to Afghanistan to discuss the Helmand River water rights, according to tweets from Afghan Foreign Ministry official Zia Ahmad. IRNA acknowledged the meeting, saying that issues between the two countries will be better resolved through dialogue. But tensions have otherwise been rising. Another video posted online in recent days purportedly showed a standoff with Iranian forces and the Taliban as Iranian construction workers tried to reinforce the border between the two countries. In recent days, pro-Taliban accounts online also have been sharing a video with a song calling on the acting defense minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, to stand up to Iran. Mullah Yaqoob is the son of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Talibans late founder and first supreme leader. We are a government, we have power, the song goes. Our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran or we are not the republics government. We are not slaves, our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. KNOW YOUR MADISONIAN | SID KORN Sid Korn could very well be a walking definition of recovery. Born in New York in 1944, Korn experienced a severe run-in with polio as a young child and throughout his 79 years has dealt with aggressive forms of cancer, medical ailments, alcoholism and trauma, as well as a learning disability and mental health struggles. Throughout his schooling, he was "very socially awkward" and ostracized for his differences. Making friends was difficult, he said, as was finding love at the time. All of that caused great suffering for Korn, who now with his wife, Nancy, has a daughter, also in the area, and a son with four children in Alaska. Korn, who has lived in the Madison area since the early 1990s, said he plans to visit his grandchildren in September. But through that adversity, Korn has traveled various parts of the world, from the coldest parts of Siberia to the majestic landscapes of Israel, as well as Switzerland and Canada. Artifacts and pieces of art from those travels adorn the walls and line the shelves of his Middleton home. One of those artifacts is a boot made of reindeer from an excursion to Siberia, where Korn lived and learned the ways of the native Yakut tribes in Russia's most frigid parts. Another is a ritual cup for drinking fermented mare's milk, or Kourchah, a popular Yakut dessert. Korn also through his suffering discovered the Baha'i faith, which according to its website holds that the crucial need facing humanity is to "find a unifying vision of the future of society." Members of the faith also believe in an elimination of prejudice and that all religions of the world came from one source and "are successive chapters of one religion from God." Baha'is share a common goal of serving others, even going as far as traveling and living among other cultures. Having studied at the now-closed Nasson College in Sanford, Maine, Korn has a background in biology. College is where he had his first bouts with alcoholism "not liking where I was" and "escaping the reality of being lonely." After graduating from college in 1966, after almost flunking his junior year, Korn said he went on to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Missouri, where he tested the carcinogenic effects of oil compounds. He attributes that experience to his later cancer diagnoses. Korn also worked at fisheries in California, where he met Nancy, as well as Alaska, before his pilgrimages as part of his Baha'i faith. Korn didn't find out he had had polio as a young child until the age of 43. Mental health diagnoses, including bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorder, also didn't come until late in life. Korn recalled the medication he took for his bipolar diagnosis as making him "all mind but no heart." His saving grace instead: Korn's faith, and other support groups that have aided in his overcoming alcoholism and cancer. Tell us about your first run-in with a major medical issue besides polio. (In the 1970s) I had a swollen left breast. I knew something was very wrong. (Some doctors) did some X-rays and my whole chest was full of tumors. (The doctors) did a biopsy. Amazingly, it was benign. But (I had to have a major surgery on my chest). I still have the twist ties in there. I remember waking up with a tube down my throat and receiving morphine shots every four hours. I (later) tried to drink the terror away. How did you first discover the Baha'i faith and confront your drinking? We transferred (from California) to a fishery lab in Juneau, Alaska. I was drinking a lot. My wife and I were walking through a park when we encountered a Baha'i musician named Red Grammar, who is well-known for his children's songs. Nancy started to learn more about the faith. I'm from a Jewish background agnostic with all the dogmas and rituals. She finally became Baha'i, and I found out there were people saying prayers for me in a building across the bay. Suddenly I pick up a book and I read (about Baha'i) for myself. Everything made sense. (I saw how) the world has to come together (and agreed) with the total equality of men and women. The elimination of prejudice. No clergy. No drugs or alcohol. Tell us more about getting to know Yakut people of Siberia as part of one of your Baha'i travels. They are some of the most wonderful people. My job was to go to their villages and help teach English. They had never seen foreigners. You'd go to the schools and the students would gather up to ask various questions. When did you get cancer? What was that like? In 2013, I was diagnosed with large B cell lymphoma. I remember I felt kind of tired a year before. Statistically, there was a 50% chance that I could live. I could have freaked out with anxiety and died, but (what I learned in recovery and in my faith) saved my life. (The doctors eventually) cured me with chemo, and life got really good. I found another wonderful support group through Gilda's Club. There's a location (in Madison). There was yet another medical ailment. Can you describe what that was like? The last one was a little over a year ago. I was diagnosed with Merkel's cell carcinoma (a rare disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the skin). This time, I knew to take life one day at a time. I could have died of stress. There's a Baha'i saying that has helped you through your adversity. What is that saying and what does it mean to you? The quote is: "My calamity is my providence. Outwardly it is fire and vengeance. Inwardly it is light and mercy." As a Baha'i in recovery, it all came together. The faith alone wasn't going to work. I needed to seek support. How have all your lived experiences shaped your philosophies around life, death and the human condition? What could Madisonians learn from you? I believe that we are all put on this Earth to help others. I believe I was put on this Earth to help people in need and I've had a lot of opportunities to do that. For fellow Madisonians, some kind of meaningful spiritual life is essential. One of the biggest addictions is to the material. But nothing is solid. Man will never know everything about anything. Everything is infinitely complex. It's amazing. "As a Baha'i in recovery, it all came together. The faith alone wasn't going to work. I needed to seek support." Sid Korn, 79, a recovering alcoholic who has overcome polio and cancer Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. WASHINGTON Two Army veterans who stormed the U.S. Capitol in a military-style formation with fellow members of the Oath Keepers were sentenced Friday to prison terms, a day after the far-right extremist group's founder received a record-setting 18-years behind bars in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Jessica Watkins of Woodstock, Ohio, to eight years and six months behind bars and sentenced Kenneth Harrelson of Titusville, Florida, to four years in prison. A federal jury acquitted Watkins and Harrelson of the seditious conspiracy charge that Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was found guilty of in November. Jurors convicted Watkins and Harrelson of other charges, including obstructing Congress' certification of President Joe Biden's victory. Rhodes' 18-year term is the longest prison sentence handed down so far in the hundreds of Capitol riot cases. The charges against leaders of the Oath Keepers and another extremist group, the Proud Boys, are among the most serious in the Justice Department's investigation of the riot. Mehta agreed with the Justice Department that Rhodes and the other Oath Keepers' actions could be punished as "terrorism," increasing the recommended sentence under federal guidelines. The judge ultimately gave Watkins and Harrelson far less time than prosecutors sought. The Justice Department requested 18 years for Watkins and 15 for Harrelson. The two marched toward the Capitol with other Oath Keepers members in "stack" formations as a mob of Trump supporters clashed with police officers. Harrelson was the group's "ground team lead" on Jan. 6. Watkins, who formed a separate Ohiobased militia group, recruited others to join the Oath Keepers in Washington that day. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Thanks to the efforts of Young Republicans across America, the conservative movement is still alive among the next generation. Young Republicans are standing up against the liberal agenda on college campuses and social media. In Idaho, young people are fighting to preserve the conservative values which make the Gem State great. But these values are constantly under attack, both locally and nationally. It is for this reason that protecting and fostering these young voices is more important than ever. Unfortunately, there are some in our state who wish to quiet the voice of Idaho Young Republicans. The chairman of the Idaho Young Republicans sits on the Idaho Republican Partys Executive Committee as a voting member, representing Republicans between the ages of 18 and 40 (yes, 40 is still considered young!). But their position on the board is currently at risk. There is a movement to remove the Idaho Young Republicans, the Idaho College Republicans, and Idaho Federation of Republican Women from the executive committee, squashing their influence and silencing their voice. This resolution will be voted on at the IDGOP Summer Meeting in June. If these groups are removed, it would leave only one member under 40 on the board. In a time when we should be fostering the youth conservative vote, removing them from the party would be devastating. As the executive board of the Idaho Young Republicans, we are united in our opposition to this rule change. In a world where liberal lunacy is becoming more and more commonplace, Young Republicans are standing up. We are involving ourselves in the infrastructure of our state, advocating for conservative sanity in business, government, and education. But Democrats are far more successful at growing their young base. Democrats outspend Republicans by millions recruiting 18-40 year olds. This is because they know that young people are the future of this nation. This is why we need your help. Idaho Young Republicans are committed to recruiting and growing the next generation of conservative voters. But we cant do it alone. We need the support of the conservative generations that precede us. As young people fighting the uphill battle against a liberal future, we are asking for your support. Dont allow our voice to be silenced within our own party. To all members of the Idaho Republican Party, we are asking for your support in opposing the resolution that would remove the Idaho Young Republicans from the IDGOP Executive Committee. Support the Idaho Young Republicans to protect conservative values for generations to come. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. I hope you arent holding your breath about the debt limit talks. Even if things are settled by the time this column is published, more will come. Those of you who believe that politics is a game like chess and play only to defeat your opponent are annoying those of us who believe politics is the skill of balancing individual interests to a reasonable end. I want to point to our Twin Falls City Council as an example of practical, conscientious decision-making. On May 22, the council had to distribute grants from Municipal Powers Outsource Grants Program funds. The grants were submitted to the city using rigorous standards. Each organization made an oral presentation and fielded questions. When money was still available for distribution after other requests were funded, the remaining two were offered a chance to clarify their submission because they did not meet the published standards. Any time the issue is charity, the feelings are intense. Still, the entire session was businesslike while acknowledging the importance of the outcomes. Two council members recused themselves because they were personally involved with an organization. The questions only pertained to the essential issues of how the grant will improve Twin Falls and what measurements will determine success. The political process should look like this at every level of government. Whenever three or more people are deciding, there is a potential for uneven power to play a part. Unfortunately, too many believe force is the best tool in any situation. The difference between physical, emotional, or strategic force is in the damage inflicted, but there is always damage from forceful actions. It ranges from obliteration to resentment. Idahos Legislature and our nations Congress are examples of an unhealthy political process. Hopefully, the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, is the most extreme example of public harm. However, even small actions by thoughtless individuals can cut away our civic well-being. Quote ... we should not vote for the mighty. We should vote for the skillful. We should vote for qualified politicians who will ensure domestic tranquility. No one should give up virtue when engaging in political activity, but the temptation is substantial. When constituents connive to urge a politician to support an action that gives them an unfair advantage, it is hard to resist when that person could negatively impact your other worthy efforts. This is the attractive rationalization that the ends justify the means. Of course, there is the cynic who looks at politics as a game where the winner gains prestige and profit. We have learned, to our dismay, that Donald Trump is an example, I would say archetype, of that politician. He chose his words to appeal to a wide range of interests, and the hard-working people in his administration fulfilled his promises. However, he exhibited more interest in appearing forceful and widely persuasive. It looks like there will never be a Trump Tower in Moscow. Socialism seems to mean paying attention to social responsibility to its detractors. That is not the words original meaning, but I am guilty of being a socialist in that sense. At the same time, the word seems to convey a feeling that socialists insist that everyone should think the same. The correct term for that is totalitarianism. I believe we are, as the Bible says, our brothers keeper. However, I acknowledge there are multiple ways to fulfill that commandment. Our politicians must not continue supporting a government that has become an oligarchy. Citizens must hold our elected and appointed officials accountable for just and helpful governance. It appears that our nation is fighting over who should be the oligarchs when those whose profession is politics should practice mediation in service to government stability. As individuals, we can have contentious lives. We can fear that somehow might triumphs over right. However, we should not vote for the mighty. We should vote for the skillful. We should vote for qualified politicians who will ensure domestic tranquility. THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has expressed concern over the alarming increase in cases of counterfeit documents being used by overseas-bound travelers. The BI said during the past week, it has encountered several cases of fake documents presented by outbound passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Just recently, a male passenger bound for Bangkok, Thailand, was intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 3 for alleged possession of dubious travel papers. The man initially claimed that he was a tourist, but a thorough examination of his passport revealed a valid Malta Visa stamped CANCEL. Officers doubted the annotation on his visa, and interviews revealed that he had been instructed to pose as a tourist bound for Malta where he was recruited with the help of a relative. Also this week, two female victims of apparent illegal recruitment were interviewed at the NAIA Terminal 1 while attempting to travel to Dubai. They presented counterfeit Saudi Arabia re-entry visas, despite their actual intention to seek employment in Dubai. One of the victims disclosed that she had met a recruiter on Facebook, who provided them with the forged documents just outside the airport shortly before their departure. On May 23, the BI intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 1 two women bound for Poland. They allegedly presenting fake overseas employment certificates (OECs), which acquired through Facebook. The women admitted they paid P500 online for the spurious documents. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said he was concerned and frustrated by the proliferation of fake documents, saying, these syndicates are issuing fake doc ments and sweet-talk our kababayans into agreeing to their illegal schemes. Never agree to these kinds of arrangements, and only apply through the Department of Migrant Workers, he added. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Saudi Arabia has finally earmarked funds to pay thousands of overseas Filipino workers with still unpaid wages. At least 10,000 OFWs who had worked for several Saudi companies that declared bankruptcy following the economic crisis in 2015 would receive full payment, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said in a media briefing. In the same briefing, DMW Secretary Susan Ople said Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi gave us the good news that the funds to pay for the unpaid claims are now with the Ministry of Finance of the Saudi government, Ople said that while she did not inquire about the amount allocated for the unpaid salaries, what is clear is its there and it is sufficient to pay not just the claims of the unpaid [Filipino] workers but all the other claims, including those of their own people. According to Ople, the Saudi government requested a bit more time for the processing of claims, adding that they said that next month, they may be able to give us more details. The government designated Olalia as the focal person for the issue of unpaid wages in the kingdom. Earlier, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia announced that they are developing a joint special hiring program for skilled Filipino workers. Ople said the possibility of the joint special hiring program was raised due to Saudi Arabias push to develop its tourism sector. We discussed the possibility of the Philippines and Saudi Arabia having a joint special hiring program for skilled Filipino workers because they are expecting a huge demand, especially for their tourism sector. They are embarking on expansion plans, and they want to attract more tourists to Saudi Arabia, Ople said at a press conference. We said that perhaps if they give us the numbers and the profile of workers needed, then we will continue to discuss if there is a need for the DMW to work closely with TESDA and other institutions and to put together a special hiring program just to meet the demands and requests of Saudi employers for skilled workers as well as the Saudi government, she added. Saudi Arabia plans to bring investments to the Philippines as well, Ople also said. I also met with the Minister of Investment, and he echoed the same thing. He said he would also like to explore the possibility of bringing Saudi investments to the Philippines, facilitating Saudi investments in the Philippines, and looking at tourism opportunities or exchanges for both countries, she said. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Tut, tut, it looks like another school shooting. Winnie-the-Pooh and the other inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood have been enlisted to provide advice to American children on what to do in case of one of the campus attacks that plague the nation. The beloved bear of very little brain and other characters provide security recommendations in a book called Stay Safe published by a company called Praetorian Consulting. The books distribution to elementary school children in a school district in Dallas, Texas, was first reported this week by Oak Cliff Advocate magazine. The report said some parents had expressed concerns about the book on a Facebook group and believed they should have been informed beforehand that it was being given to their children. The books appearance comes a year after a school shooting in the Texas town of Uvalde left 19 children dead. If there is danger, let Winnie-the-Pooh and his crew show you what to do, the book says on the cover along with the words Run, Hide, Fight. To run, hide or fight is the advice given by security experts to victims of a mass shooting. The Houston-based Praetorian Consulting said on its website that the book is part of its Stay Safe curriculum created by active Texas police officers and teachers. The sole purpose of the Stay Safe learning system is to teach children how to remain safe and protect themselves should a dangerous school intrusion take place, it said. The book provides safety advice in rhyming verse alongside colorful pictures of Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo and other characters. If danger is near, do not fear. Hide like Pooh does until the police appear, one page advises with a picture of Pooh hiding in a honey pot. If it is safe to get away, we should run like Rabbit instead of stay, it adds. Governor Gavin Newsom of California, which has some of the strictest gun control laws in the United States, was among those who voiced scorn over the books publication. Winnie the Pooh is now teaching Texas kids about active shooters because the elected officials do not have the courage to keep our kids safe and pass common sense gun safety laws, Newsom tweeted. Winnie-the-Pooh entered the public domain in 2022. The author of the series, A.A. Milne, died in 1956. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Regional insurtech Igloo expands its blockchain-based parametric index insurance to coffee farmers in Southeast Asia, showing commitment to covering more underinsured communities and industries after successful product implementation with rice farmers. Southeast Asia a part of what is called the coffee belt is one of the biggest coffee producers in the world. While Vietnam and Indonesia are responsible for the majority of global coffee output, the Philippines is also an important global producer with industry revenue expected to reach US$6.7 billion in 2023, according to statistics portal Statista. The local market is also expected to grow annually by 5.69% until 2025. Igloo protects Southeast Asias multi-billion dollar coffee industry with innovative weather insurance for farmers Coffee production is not only a long-term and labor-intensive investment, but it is also one that is constantly under threat of climate hazards which provide difficult growing conditions due to extreme climateaffecting farmers and disrupting supply chains. Weather Index Insurance is a product that we introduced in order to protect farmers and communities across Southeast Asia from unforeseen climate hazards. While initially introduced for rice farmers, weve seen from its success the products scalability to cover other sectors like coffee farms, which is one of the robustly growing segments in the region, said Mario Berta, Igloos Country Manager for the Philippines. Protecting the coffee industry and its farmers There are currently several insurance products on the market for coffee farmers. However, they share a common problem of incompatibility with the real, frequent risks faced by coffee farming families. The damage assessment process is also complex and time-consuming, which creates the risk of additional financial hardship for farmers. The Weather Index Insurance eliminates the need to individually verify claims thereby reducing transaction costs and enabling faster payouts to farmers. This is done by collecting and monitoring rainfall data to calculate claims using pre-assigned values for losses due to natural causes. The business rules governing claims payout being hosted on a public blockchain help leverage the attributes of transparency, consistency, and unbiasedness, thereby making the setup credible. While Weather Index Insurance is currently available in Vietnam for rice and coffee farmers, Igloo expects to roll out Weather Index Insurance to more countries in Southeast Asia including the Philippines soon. The Philippines being an agricultural powerhouse and one that is at a higher risk of suffering from the impacts of climate change, is a country we believe will benefit from having Weather Index Insurance. We are currently working with our partners to make this product available in the country and other markets in the near future. In addition, we are also exploring expanding the products coverage to include other indices such as earthquakes, Mario added. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Grandfather Mountain will begin its summer series Grandfather Presents on Saturday, June 3, at its park along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Avery County. Artist William Mangum will be the first of six different guests this summer and will present North Carolina Beautiful to kick off the summer program. Reservations are now available for the event. The new Wilson Center for Nature Discovery will play host to the free hourlong event, which takes place at 2 p.m. and is included in park admission or with a Bridge Club membership. For many, it will be their first chance to check out the new space and exhibits. In addition to Mangum, the series will have one other Saturday afternoon presenter focusing on nature, adventure or conservation-related topics on a local or regional scale. Curtis Smalling, interim executive director of Audubon North Carolina, will present Aug. 26. From the barrier reefs of the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina is a splendor for all to see. Mangum has celebrated the majesty of the Old North State for more than 40 years with his glorious paintings. Exploring, celebrating and protecting are the essence of his mission. He has created more than 4,000 original works of art from around the world, but it is his beloved state of North Carolina that he considers an artists paradise. With more than a dozen books and two PBS documentaries of his work, Mangum takes folks on a journey though the state as he captures the ordinary and turns it into the extraordinary with the stroke of his brush. From well-known landmarks to colorful out-of-the-way places, Mangums unique perspective leaves the viewer mystified by the variety and substance he captures in each work. He also recognizes the importance of conservation and preservation. Grandfather Mountain is a perfect example of his collaboration with organizations that preserve the crown jewels of North Carolina. Hugh Morton, the late founder of Grandfather Mountain, was not only a fan of Mangums artwork but a leading contributor in his most storied project, Carolina Preserves, a coffee table book and documentary by PBS. The presentation will be held in the Wilson Centers Classroom in the Clouds event space, and guests are encouraged to arrive early or stay after to chat with Mangum. Original paintings and books from the artist will be on sale at the event. Mangum will be donating 10% of his painting sales from the event to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. We are looking forward to hosting Bill Mangum and some of his amazing artwork on June 3, said Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. We know that many people have a deep love and respect for his artistry and the way in which he highlights such exceptional places across the state. We hope this event is special for his fans and those new to his paintings, as well. This seasons Grandfather Presents roster also features five ticketed Thursday evening events with internationally and nationally known presenters who make it their lifes mission to highlight the challenges, opportunities and good work happening around exploration, nature and conservation. The 2023 lineup includes: Award-winning author, photographer and filmmaker Ian Shive, June 8 Emmy Award-winning travel TV host and producer Samantha Brown, July 13 Ornithologist, author and illustrator David Sibley, Aug. 31 Appalachian State University Geology Professor and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Baker Perry, Sept. 7 Chief Meteorologist at WCNC-TV Brad Panovich, Sept. 21 To learn more about Grandfather Presents: William Mangum which is included in park admission or with a Bridge Club membership and to reserve your spot, visit www.grandfather.com/event/william-mangum. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. This is an American history educational moment of those who made a difference during the Revolutionary War era and how they served our country. Most people do not recognize his name, though they are familiar with his paintings. John Trumbull was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, on June 6, 1756. He was the sixth and youngest child of Jonathan and Faith Robinson, a family considered American royalty. After graduating from Harvard in 1773, John worked as a teacher and a topographer. Trumbull sketched American and British military fortifications that gave George Washingtons Continental Army critically needed details. In appreciation, Trumbull was commissioned as an officer in the Army and assigned to General Washington as an aide-de-camp. Trumbull later resigned from the Army to study art and paint-making. This decision took him to England to study at the Royal Academy of Arts with Benjamin West. Over the next decade, Trumbull traveled to and from America and Europe. During a trip to London in 1780, Trumbull was jailed as a political prisoner for revenge because British spy Maj. John Andre was hanged in Tappan, New York. Trumbull was paroled after eight months and continued painting. He was appointed commissioner to John Jay for implementing the Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation, commonly known as Jays Treaty. Congress commissioned John to paint murals for the new federal government. After being shown as a traveling exhibit, these now-famous pictures have remained on the walls of the Capitols Rotunda. The Declaration of Independence painting is actually the presentation of a draft of it to Congress in June 1776. Other pictures Trumbull created for the Capitol are of Gen. Burgoyne, Lord Cornwallis, and Gen. Washington Resigning his Commission. Trumbulls portrait of Alexander Hamilton is on the $10 bill. Trumbulls most famous representation is the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the two-dollar bill, among other banknotes. Because of discrepancies, Trumbulls group paintings received petty criticism. The variations are because his paintings are montage composites describing pivotal events in American History before the cameras advent. Nevertheless, Trumbulls works in the Capitol captivate all viewers and crystallize their memory with the most cherished [artwork] ever painted by an American artist. Though blind in one eye from a childhood accident, Trumbull was a peerless and devoted patriot. He applied his artistic gift by documenting the birth of modern democracy. His legacy continues in the Capitol, Yale, and other notable locations. Please visit the Charters of Freedom setting at the McDowell County Courthouse, 21 S. Main St., Marion. Teachers are welcome to contact Streater at david.streater@mymail.barry.edu for information and complementary student education materials to enhance experiential field trips to the settings. A Charters of Freedom setting consists of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They are on permanent display analogous to the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives, Washington, DC. Visit the website (FoundationForward.com) to learn more about our existing settings. Vance and Mary Jo Patterson are the benefactors of Foundation Forward, a 501(3) nonprofit educational organization that sponsors every Charters of Freedom setting. Thursday morning, McDowell High School students, staff and NJROTC honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Students gathered in the gymnasium to show their respect during the schools Memorial Day service. Principal Melora Bennett welcomed those who attended. Veteran Chad Marsh spoke at the ceremony. Members of NJROTC paid respect to fallen members of each service branch by displaying their appropriate flags. The table ceremony for prisoners of war and those missing in action was performed and each item was described for its relevance to the display. The table is small, symbolizing the fragility of one prisoner along against their oppressors while the white tablecloth represents the purity of their response to our countrys call to arms. The empty chair depicts an unknown face, representing no specific soldier, sailor, Marine or airman, but all who are not here with us today. The table is round to show that our concern for them is never ending. The Bible represents faith in a higher power and then pledge to our country, founded as one nation under God. The black napkin stands for the emptiness these warriors have left in the hearts of their families and friends. The single red rose reminds us of family and loved ones and the red ribbon represents love of country. The yellow candle and its yellow ribbon symbolize the everlasting hope for a joyous reunion with those yet unaccounted for. The lemon reminds of us of their bitter fate. The salt is the tears of their families. The wine glass turned upside down reminds us that our distinguished comrades cannot be with us to toast in the festivities this morning. A moment of silence was held and taps was played. McDowell Highs NJROTC held a similar event at West Middle School and helped with placing flags on veterans graves in McDowell. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Ray McKesson, retired vice president of finance and administration at McDowell Technical Community College and member of the colleges board of trustees and the MTCC Foundation, was recently awarded North Carolinas Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Gov. Roy Cooper. The award was presented in a surprise ceremony at McDowell Tech when McKesson and friends were gathered for a separate dedication ceremony. Members of the McDowell Tech Board of Trustees, Don Ramsey and Nancy Hunter, and attorney Sharon Parker facilitated submission of the award. McKesson has been an exemplary public servant, a devoted community leader and remarkable change agent in McDowell County, said Dr. Brian S. Merritt, MTCC president. We are proud to honor him and recognize his contributions to both the college and our community. Order of the Long Leaf PineThe Order of the Long Leaf Pine is North Carolinas highest civilian honor, reserved for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments. Individuals receiving the award become North Carolina ambassadors and members of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society. Don Ramsey, himself a former McDowell Tech employee and community leader who has served with McKesson on the MTCC Board of Trustees, formally applied for McKesson to receive this distinguished honor with assistance from Nancy Hunter and Sharon Parker. McKesson: The Public Servant After serving as a Spec 5 in the United States Army from August 1970 to August 1973, McKesson completed his associate degree at McDowell Tech in 1975 and his Bachelor of Technology Degree in Business Administration from Appalachian State University in 1977. Shortly thereafter, he became a Medicaid eligibility worker and, later, a social worker at McDowell County Department of Social Services before becoming a purchasing agent and equipment coordinator at McDowell Tech in January 1981. Continuing his education, he received his masters degree in business administration in 1982. In 1989, McKesson was promoted to chief financial officer at the college. During his tenure, he served under the colleges first four presidents: Price, Boggs, Mitchell and Wilson. The college experienced tremendous growth from his first years at the college until his retirement in 2007. On his first day of employment at McDowell Tech, there were approximately 500 curriculum students and the colleges asset base was approximately $2.3 million. The year he retired, there were approximately 1,200 curriculum students and an asset base of $7.1 million. Two new buildings and another building expansion took place during his tenure. Also during that time, the college moved from a quarter system to a semester system, and the first-ever articulation agreement between the North Carolina Community College System and the University of North Carolina System led to a true college transfer degree program at McDowell Tech and throughout the state. As the college grew, so did the number of areas for which McKesson was responsible, including bookstore operations, day care services, maintenance and custodial staff, financial management of the MTCC Foundation, cafeteria services, payroll and business operations. He left the college with a string of clean financial audits. McKesson: The community leader and change agent When he transitioned to official state retirement, McKesson also transitioned to his new role as a community leader. In her nomination of McKesson for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, attorney Sharon Parker focused on four particularly important nonprofit organizations which serve citizens in McDowell County: Hospice of McDowell County, Health Coalition of McDowell County, the McDowell Technical Community Foundation and the McDowell Endowment Board, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. On each of these boards, McKesson held a number of essential committee assignments, including finance and executive committees, and often as chairperson of the boards of directors. Of particular note, McKesson stepped aside from his service on the board of directors for Hospice of McDowell County to serve as interim executive director during a particularly difficult and tumultuous time in the organizations history and did so without pay. As a member and chairperson of the Health Coalition board, McKesson served on the founding committee which secured the first funding for the West Marion Community Forum, where residents are engaged to become leaders and change agents within the community, focusing on racial equity and related issues. The West Marion Community Forum went on to train other empowering strategies to other communities within McDowell County. In addition to the organizations which Parker focused on in her nomination, McKesson also served on the Mission McDowell Hospital board of directors, led the staff parish committee at Addies Chapel United Methodist Church, and led and founded the McDowell Chapter of the NAACP. Our county would not be as vibrant and cohesive today if Mr. McKesson did not give of his time, wisdom and talents, said Parker. Nancy Hunter, retired human resources manager at Western Carolina Center, wife of Judge Bob Hunter, also a member of the McDowell Tech Board of Trustees and MTCC Foundation, also recommended McKesson for the honor he received. Like Parker, who had served with McKesson on several boards, Hunter also served with McKesson on the two college boards, but also served on the board of trustees prior to McKessons retirement at the college. She has known him for many years and also recommended McKesson without reservation as an unparalleled leader in the community. McDowell Tech and McDowell County are most fortunate to have someone of Rays caliber serving our college and the community, said Merritt, the MTCC president. His strength of character, wisdom and tenacious commitment to progress and change, especially on racial equity issues, have made and continue to make a real difference in the lives and success of individuals and organizations in our community. Like Don, Nancy and Sharon, I can think of no one more deserving of this honor and look forward to many more great things from him and his colleagues on these many boards. Congratulations, Ray! The United States has accused the Wagner mercenary group of supplying the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with surface-to-air missiles, thus prolonging the conflict and causing further chaos in Sudan. According to a statement by the US Treasury Department, the accusation that most recently in Sudan, the Wagner Group has been supplying Sudans Rapid Support Forces with surface-to-air missiles to fight against Sudans army, came as the US announced it has rolled out new sanctions against the head of Wagner Group in Mali, a landlocked country in western Africa. Earlier this week, Washington declassified information revealing that the mercenary group was trying to procure weapons for the Kremlin from Africa, specifically Mali. Early in 2023, the US labelled Wagner a transnational criminal organization and imposed sanctions on its top leaders. According to Sudanese and regional diplomatic sources, the surface-to-air missiles have significantly buttressed the RSF, one side in Sudans ongoing conflict, its paramilitary fighters and their leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who had been jockeying for power with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudans military ruler and the head of its armed forces. In bordering Libya, where a Wagner-backed rogue general, Khalifa Haftar, controls swathes of land, satellite imagery supports these claims, showing an unusual uptick in activity on Wagner bases. Satellite images allegedly show one Russian transport plane shuttling between two key Libyan airbases belonging to Haftar and used by the sanctioned Russian fighting group. The fighting in Sudan has claimed hundreds of lives and deprived millions of people from electricity, water, and food. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Mothers and fathers left unprepared for parenthood by government health failures. Credit: University of Southampton Expectant mothers and fathers are being failed by the UK Government's outdated public health plans leaving them unprepared for parenthood, a new report has warned. The review by Children's Alliance, with the University of Southampton, found that women and men are unaware of how poor personal health can impact their babies' early developmentwith many overweight and still smoking or drinking at the start of pregnancy. Findings also show that public health messages about preparing for pregnancy and protecting infants before birth are often overlooked by frontline professionals and not taught by the national school curriculum. The report's authors are now calling for preconception care in the UKwhich supports women prior to pregnancy and parenthoodto be included at all stages of the Government's health strategy. Lead author Helen Clark from Children's Alliance said fixing preconception care would leave a worthy legacy for whichever political party puts it in their election manifesto. She added, "Studies have shown us that parents who practice good health prior to and in pregnancy give their children the best start to life and are more likely to be healthier growing up. Ill health costs money and, as we saw recently from the Office for National Statistics, 2.5 million people are not working due to health problems. "Throwing money at outdated public health policies won't work. Improving preconception care is the smart 21st century approach the NHS should takeindeed a revolution that will cut future waiting lists and won't break the bank either." The new Preconception Care Strategy was jointly created by Children's Alliance together with health professionals and academics at several UK universities, including Southampton, to improve life chances for children. Data highlighted in the study revealed mass inequalities among wealthy and disadvantaged families alikewith 24% of stillbirths attributable to socioeconomic deprivation. As many as nine out of 10 women in England enter pregnancy with at least one indicator that risks the health of the child, while only 27% of mothers take folic acid before conceiving. Other results showed: Women from Black ethnic background in England are one-and-a-half-times more likely to enter pregnancy with obesity compared with white women, People from low-income families are three times more likely to smoke at the time of conception, Women living in deprived areas are nearly two times more likely to have a pre-existing mental health condition. University of Southampton Professor Keith Godfrey, from the National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, was a lead contributor to the report and said, "A child's first 1,000 days is integral to their lifelong physical and mental health, development and resilience." "Preparation for parenthood is crucial for leveling up opportunities for children and can help tackle disparities in their health. However, preconception care remains undervalued in the UK and the Government's health policies have either failed to help people of reproductive age or are too late for women entering maternity care." The report's authors have published a five-point action plan for government and health officials to improve the health of expectant parents. Five-point action plan: The authors have published an action plan for government officials to improve the health of expectant parentsit includes: Make preconception care services available to everyone in the UKto tackle spiraling inequality, Incentivize GPs, maternity services and family hubs to normalize preconception careto improve pregnancy and post-natal care, Add preconception care to the curriculum to teach pupils the importance of healthy pregnancies, Move preconception healthcare into related health policies that address obesity and weight management, alcohol and smoking, Encourage large organizationsincluding the NHSto give staff access to medical or health and well-being professionals before conception. More information: The report is titled "The Preconception Care Strategy." Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Chicago Public Schools has repeatedly violated state law over the use of physical restraints of students, overwhelmingly failed to train its staff properly and continued the practice despite multiple directives this school year from the Illinois State Board of Education to stop, the state agency alleged in a letter to CPS obtained by the Tribune. CPS complete disregard for the health and safety of its students and blatant violation of state law is unconscionable, an ISBE official wrote to CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. Advertisement That was in the midst of a state investigation into CPS use of restraints and student seclusion that wrapped up on April 18 and concluded that, among other violations, the district failed to implement appropriate physical restraints, used the practices without imminent danger and in some cases failed to provide required notice to parents or to report or review such instances. Those violations were outlined in an email sent Friday evening to CPS parents and guardians, which began by stating that ISBE has required the District to distribute the following notice. Advertisement A CPS spokesperson said in a statement Saturday that the district has been actively working with ISBE to address these compliance issues as outlined in the letter sent to families Friday and called student safety and well-being a top priority. The district noted the Board of Education adopted wide-ranging rules and restrictions on physical restraint, isolated timeout and momentary physical intervention last year. The letter from ISBE to Martinez, dated Nov. 30, alleged wide-ranging failures in specific uses of physical restraint, in how the district documented and reported instances and in the training of staff members as mandated by state law, which specifies two days of in-person training before someone is certified to administer physical restraints. CPS admitted that it failed to conduct in-person training at all during (the 2021-22 school year), subjecting 94 students who were involved in 160 incidents to unlawful physical restraint ... that pose significant health and safety concerns to those individual students, the letter states. That included the use of unlawful supine restraint, in which students are placed on their back and held down. For the current school year, CPS provided the legally required in-person physical restraint training to more than 1,000 staff members, but nearly 400 of them only got one day of the mandated two-day training, according to the ISBE letter. Despite those sessions being limited to security guards, the letter said CPS self-reported that numerous administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals and clinicians applied physical restraint on students. This school year through Nov. 10, there were at least 21 incidents where an untrained staff member applied physical restraint to a student, the letter states. And given the lapses in the districts required documentation of incidents of physical restraint and seclusion and of staff training, it is unclear if any physical restraint reported by CPS this year meets this training requirements, ISBE wrote in the November letter. Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Such findings from ISBEs monitoring of CPS prompted the state agency to open a systemic complaint investigation in October alleging several violations of state law related to staff training. At that point, ISBE mandated that CPS stop the use of physical restraint until it could demonstrate that staff who may need to use physical restraint are trained in its safe application, the letter to Martinez states. ISBE contends CPS continued to report the use of physical restraints in the following weeks, despite at least two more warnings from the state education agency. Advertisement CPS provided a wholly inappropriate response on November 9, 2022, to our third directive to halt its unlawful practice physical restraint because it had overwhelmingly failed to train its staff appropriately. CPS continues to defy its legal obligations, ISBE wrote. CPS also didnt disclose the certification of safety care trainers and would not release the training materials to ISBE, according to the letter, signed by ISBE Assistant General Counsel for Student Care Lisa Armonda. More concerning is that the staff who are physically restraining students have not been identified by CPS as staff that require this training, ISBE wrote. Teachers and paraprofessionals are the staff members who most often are called upon to restrain students. ISBEs November letter notes that in 2019, the agency issued a letter to the field stating that the practices of isolated time-out and physical restraint have been misused and overused to a shocking extent; this must stop today. At the time, the state adopted emergency rules that mandated the in-person training before a staff member can administer a physical restraint. Those remained in effect, the letter stated. ISBEs 2019 directive came out a day after the publication of The Quiet Rooms, a Tribune and ProPublica Illinois investigation into the use of seclusion in schools. After a 2020 follow-up report on the misuse of physical restraint in schools, Illinois lawmakers voted to further limit the use of seclusion and the facedown restraint of students. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. As warmer weather encourages snakes to emerge from their dens and bathe in the sun, increasing snake sightings have been reported on Missoula's popular hillside trails. Earlier this month as temperatures reached the 80s, the City of Missoula Police Department advised trail-goers to be careful after a hiker reported almost being bitten by a possible rattlesnake. Yet the majority of those rattlesnake sightings turn out to be bull or more specifically, bullsnakes. Every spring in May and June, its like clockwork: We get a lot of reports of rattlesnake sightings and then we go investigate and it almost always ends up being bullsnakes, said Morgan Valliant, the city of Missoula associate director of ecosystem services. Since its formation in 2007, Missoulas Conservation Lands Management program hasnt found any rattlesnakes, which can be deadly, in any city-owned parks and open spaces, even through studies documenting reptile habitat in the parks. What they have found are several species of non-venomous snakes. That includes garter snakes, North American racers, rubber boas and bullsnakes, which frequent the south face of Mount Jumbo and the North Hills. At this time of year, they can get very territorial and can be more aggressive than rattlesnakes," Valliant said. "They are often far more likely to pounce on you than rattlesnakes." Valliant did note that Marshall Mountain, which the city of Missoula is examining for permanent acquisition, did have a confirmed rattlesnake sighting last year with a rattlesnake den eventually located near Mittower Gulch. And forestry land in higher elevations can serve as home for rattlesnakes, too. Outside of that, Valliant said even Missoulas Rattlesnake Creek doesnt have rattlesnakes and it hasnt for at least a few decades. Chief zoologist of the Montana Natural Heritage Program Dan Bachen said the rattlesnakes like to live in drier, sunnier environments associated with the prairies of Montana, a far more common place for snakes. When getting into these more shaded, more coniferous forests, there is a lot less warmth for snakes, which are exothermic creatures, Bachen said. Snakes are tied to how warm their environment is. In western Montana, we typically see a lot less of those rattlesnakes. Bachen noted bullsnakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes as they imitate a rattle by using their mouths and shaking their tail. Additionally, when preparing to attack, bullsnakes coil up their bodies and flatten their heads like rattlesnakes. Bullsnakes try to imitate rattlesnakes, Bachen said. Even the patterning is a case of evolutionary adaptation where they try to imitate the often striped patterning of the rattlesnake. According to Jeff Gicklhorn, the city of Missoula conservation lands program manager, whether they actually have a rattle is what can help distinguish a rattlesnake from a bullsnake. Gicklhorn advises caution as snakes are sunning on trails and traveling along them. He said recreationists should generally back away and give them space, as rattlesnakes will typically retreat into threatened state after being incited. This is their home. We should respect it, Gicklhorn said. Valliant said fear of snakes shouldnt stop people from enjoying nature this summer. When youre recreating in these front lands, you should keep your head up for wildlife like bears, mountain lions, snakes and others, Valliant said. Its one of the great things about our area is those wildlife interactions and that we can be so close to nature. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Grandfather Mountain will begin its summer series Grandfather Presents on Saturday, June 3, at its park along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Avery County. Artist William Mangum will be the first of six different guests this summer and will present North Carolina Beautiful next weekend to kick off the summer program. Reservations are now available for the event. The new Wilson Center for Nature Discovery will play host to the free hour-long event, which takes place at 2 p.m. and is included in park admission or with a Bridge Club membership. For many, it will be their first chance to check out the new space and exhibits. In addition to Mangum, the series will have one other Saturday afternoon presenter focusing on nature, adventure or conservation-related topics on a local or regional scale. Curtis Smalling, interim executive director of Audubon North Carolina, will present Aug. 26. From the barrier reefs of the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina is a splendor for all to see. Mangum has celebrated the majesty of the Old North State for more than 40 years with his glorious paintings. Exploring, celebrating and protecting are the essence of his mission. He has created more than 4,000 original works of art from around the world, but it is his beloved state of North Carolina that he considers an artists paradise. With more than a dozen books and two PBS documentaries of his work, Mangum takes folks on a journey though the state as he captures the ordinary and turns it into the extraordinary with the stroke of his brush. From well-known landmarks to colorful out-of-the-way places, Mangums unique perspective leaves the viewer mystified by the variety and substance he captures in each work. He also recognizes the importance of conservation and preservation. Grandfather Mountain is a perfect example of his collaboration with organizations that preserve the crown jewels of North Carolina. Hugh Morton, the late founder of Grandfather Mountain, was not only a fan of Mangums artwork but a leading contributor in his most storied project, Carolina Preserves, a coffee table book and documentary by PBS. The presentation will be held in the Wilson Centers Classroom in the Clouds event space, and guests are encouraged to arrive early or stay after to chat with Mangum. Original paintings and books from the artist will be on sale at the event. Mangum will be donating 10% of his painting sales from the event to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. We are looking forward to hosting Bill Mangum and some of his amazing artwork on June 3, said Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. We know that many people have a deep love and respect for his artistry and the way in which he highlights such exceptional places across the state. We hope this event is special for his fans and those new to his paintings, as well. This seasons Grandfather Presents roster also features five ticketed Thursday evening events with internationally and nationally known presenters who make it their lifes mission to highlight the challenges, opportunities and good work happening around exploration, nature and conservation. The 2023 lineup includes: Award-winning author, photographer and filmmaker Ian Shive June 8 Emmy Award-winning travel TV host and producer Samantha Brown July 13 Ornithologist, author and illustrator David Sibley Aug. 31 Appalachian State University Geology Professor and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Baker Perry Sept. 7 Chief Meteorologist at WCNC-TV Brad Panovich Sept. 21 To learn more about Grandfather Presents: William Mangum which is included in park admission or with a Bridge Club membership and to reserve your spot, visit <&underline>www.grandfather.com/event/william-mangum. Lawmakers in several states are looking to loosen child labor laws, even as the federal government cracks down on surging violations. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. PHOENIX Alondra Ruiz Vazquez and her husband were comfortable in Periwinkle Mobile Home Park for a decade, feeling lucky to own their mobile home and pay about $450 a month for their lot in a city with spiraling rents. But now they and dozens of other families have until May 28 to leave the Phoenix park, which nearby Grand Canyon University purchased seven years ago to build student housing. Two other mobile home communities are also being cleared this spring for new developments in a city where no new parks have been built in more than 30 years. I'm here, well, because I have nowhere to go, said Isabel Ramos, who lives at Periwinkle with her 11-year-old daughter. I don't know what's going to happen. The razing of older mobile home parks across the United States worries advocates who say bulldozing them permanently eliminates some of the already limited housing for the poorest of the poor. Residents may have to double up with relatives or live in their cars amid spiking evictions and homelessness, they warn. Mobile homes are a much bigger part of our affordable housing stock than people know, said Mark Stapp, who directs Arizona State University's master's degree program in real estate development. Once its gone, a lot of people will have no place to go. A recent survey by the National Low Income Housing Coalition showed a U.S.-wide shortage of 7.3 million affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters, defined in Arizona as a a three-member household making $28,850 or less. Industry groups estimate that more than 20 million people live in some 43,000 mobile home parks across the United States. We are in the deepest affordable housing crisis weve ever experienced, said Joanna Carr, acting head of the Arizona Housing Coalition. Housing for many people is getting completely out of reach. Its very dire. Ken Anderson, president of the Manufactured Housing Industry of Arizona, said trying to bring an old park up to modern standards can be cost-prohibitive for owners, requiring replacement of electrical and sewage infrastructure for newer homes. At least six such communities have been torn down in Arizona in the last 18 months, he said, adding that Grand Canyon University bent over backwards to help residents more than other park owners. A lot of these parks are 70 years old, said Anderson, noting an uptick in demolitions of older communities for redevelopment. Its going to be a big problem down the line. Efforts under way to revitalize old mobile homes have limits. Despite their name, most aren't truly mobile, and moving them can be very costly. The oldest homes are often too decrepit to move at all. The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced $225 million in grants to governments, tribes and nonprofits to preserve mobile homes, but the money can only be used to replace, not repair dwellings built before 1976, which are common at older parks. Vermont earlier this year announced a mobile home improvement program to be funded by $4 million in federal money. It aims to help park owners prepare vacant or abandoned lots for new mobile homes, and help mobile homeowners install new foundations and make their dwellings more habitable. In Riverdale, Utah, the last of about 50 families at Lesley's Mobile Home Park must leave by the end of May for construction of new apartments and townhouses. The state laws don't protect us," said Jason Williams, who sold his mobile home for half what he asked for and will now live in a motorhome. Cities often don't like older parks because unlike other housing they don't generate property taxes for municipal services. Rundown parks can also be eyesores, depressing the worth of nearby properties even as the value of the land the mobile homes sit on has increased exponentially. In Phoenix, Grand Canyon University said in a statement it waited as long as it could to build new student housing after buying Periwinkle in 2016. Many park residents are Spanish-speaking immigrants earning minimum wage as landscapers or restaurant workers. There are also retirees living on Social Security. The Phoenix City Council this spring decided to let the eviction proceed, but set aside $2.5 million in federal funds to help mobile home park residents facing eviction in the future. CEO Mike Trailor of the nonprofit Trellis, who once headed the Arizona Department of Housing, said the organization is working with the university to help Periwinkle families find apartments and arrange to move mobile homes that can be moved. Still, Phoenix activist Salvador Reza said most families face uncertain futures. Some of them might move in with another family, with an uncle or aunt," said Reza. "Some might go out into the streets and become part of the homeless. A new law in Arizona recently increased state funds for owners forced to move their mobile homes because of redevelopment to $12,500 for a single-section dwelling and $20,000 for a multi-section. Those who must abandon their home because of precarious condition can now get $5,000 for a single-section home and up to $8,000 for a multi-section. Periwinkle resident Graciela Beltran said its not enough. They want my house? she asked, her voice cracking. Give me a house that is equal to mine. I am not asking for anything more. What credit score do I need to buy a house? What credit score do I need to buy a house? How your credit score affects mortgage rates Can you get a mortgage with a bad credit score? How to prepare your credit for a mortgage Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. NEW YORK Two years ago, signing a bill intended to punish Twitter and other major social media companies, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted the platforms as "suppressing ideas during the COVID-19 pandemic and silencing conservative voices. What a turnaround. The new Elon Musk-owned version of Twitter helped DeSantis launch his bid for the Republican presidential nomination Wednesday. Though it was marred by technical glitches and skewered by the candidate's critics, the forum nevertheless underscored Twitter's unmistakable shift to the right under Musk, who bought it for $44 billion and took over in October. The truth was censored repeatedly, and now that Twitter is in the hands of a free speech advocate, that would not be able to happen again on this Twitter platform, DeSantis said during the Twitter Spaces event. Musk, co-hosting the event, responded to the praise by saying, Twitter was indeed expensive, but free speech is priceless. While Musk has promoted his platform as a haven for free expression, the site has been flooded with extremist views and hate speech since he bought it and fired or laid off roughly 80% of its staff. That is raising alarms that Twitter heavily used by candidates and government agencies, including those providing voting information will become an open forum for conspiracy theories, fake content and election misinformation as a bitterly divided country heads into the 2024 presidential election. Many Republicans have hailed Musk's takeover of Twitter as creating one of the last mainstream online spaces where they can share their views without fear of removal. Prominent figures in conservative media, like former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and the podcasts hosts of The Daily Wire, say they plan to start streaming content on the site. Democrats and anti-hate watchdogs, meanwhile, say Musk's partisan comments and policy changes have effectively given a megaphone to far-right extremists. Since Musk bought Twitter, he has overhauled the sites verification system, removing safeguards against impersonation for some government accounts and political candidates. He also has personally indulged in far-right conspiracy theories on the site, reinstated accounts with a history of extremist rhetoric and gutted the team that had been responsible for moderating the content flowing across the platform. That has coincided with a deluge of conspiracy theory rhetoric, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which reported that QAnon hashtags surged 91% on Twitter between May 2022 and May 2023, with about three-fourths of those messages posted after Musk's takeover. Several believers of the baseless QAnon theory, centered on the idea that former President Donald Trump is waging a secret war against deep state enemies and pedophiles, have committed acts of violence, including the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Musks decision to reinstate influential Twitter accounts with a history of spreading extremist views also has created spaces in their tweet reply threads where users are sharing antisemitic tropes, conspiracy theories and other types of hate, the ADL reported Wednesday. The group's vice president Yael Eisenstat, who leads its Center for Technology and Society, said Musks content moderation choices have served to silence marginalized voices by giving harassers and internet trolls free reign. It is one thing to say we want free speech on the platform, she said. Its another thing to say we are going to allow extremists conspiracy theorists to contribute to normalizing this kind of rhetoric and antisemitism and racism. Twitter didnt provide comment after repeated requests. It sent automated replies instead, as it does to most media inquiries. Musk's free speech rhetoric also has attracted conservatives who have been knocked off other platforms or fired, in the case of Carlson. Shortly after his ouster, Carlson went on Twitter May 9 to announce that he would be doing some version of his show on that platform. Its still not clear what that would entail, or when he would start. There arent many platforms left that allow free speech, Carlson said in a two-minute message viewed more than 132 million times. The last big one remaining in the world, the only one, is Twitter, where we are now." Free speech and truth arent the same thing, however, and Carlson had been accused of spreading misinformation on his Fox show, most recently about the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. DeSantis has been a frequent guest on Fox News, and on the night of his presidential campaign announcement he appeared on the network for an interview after the Twitter event. Though DeSantis' Twitter launch was severely delayed with site crashes and strained servers, his choice to debut his campaign on the platform illustrates that Fox will have more competition as a Republican kingmaker. His campaign said it had taken in $1 million online in the first hour after the announcement. Fox's ratings have declined dramatically during its 8 p.m. Eastern hour, which Carlson used to fill. The Daily Wire, whose podcast hosts include popular conservative influencers such as Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens, said Tuesday that it would bring its shows to stream on Twitter starting next week. At the same time, Wednesday's botched live event with DeSantis calls into question whether Musks ambitions to turn Twitter into a destination for politicians, businesses and others to make big announcements is realistic. For one, only about half a million people listened to the DeSantis webcast. A similar announcement on television would attract millions of people. The other snag: Twitters audience size. Less than a quarter of U.S. adults use Twitter, according to Pew Research Center, and most of them rarely tweet, if at all. The sites most active users are power players, politicians, public figures and journalists, which raises doubts about whether Musks desire to reach voters directly, without traditional media as a go-between, can succeed. 29 most anticipated board games of GenCon 2022 The Shadow Planet: The Board Game Twilight Inscription E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Light Years From Home Game Fall of the Mountain King Heroes of Barcadia Final Girl Wormholes Critical: Foundation Cat in the Box Northgard: Uncharted Lands First Rat A Battle Through History My Father's Work Ghosts Love Candy Too Call To Adventure: Epic Origins Fit to Print Familiar Tales Silicon Valley Knight Fall The Top 10 The Top 10 most anticipated games as voted by members of the website BoardGameGeek.com. Excludes reissues and expansions. 10. Skymines 9. Turing Machine 8. Terracotta Army 7. Gutenberg 6. Planet Unknown 5. Brazil: Imperial 4. Starship Captains 3. Ark Nova 2. Septima 1. CoraQuest Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Festival goers shrieked as they prepared to enter the Napa Valley Expo gates on Friday. Soundcheck guitar riffs from the main stage gently accompanied police officers directing traffic and concert stragglers asking for spare wristbands. Welcome to BottleRock 2023. To Fabi Hayes, owner of local sweets business Brigachero, which specializes in a Brazilian treat akin to a chocolate truffle, it all sounds like a good business opportunity. Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. Her stand is set up adjacent to Taqueria Maria and she says that while she applied to be inside the Expo gates she is equally as happy to be outside. I think Im too small for it to be honest, she said. Now, she is set up in prime position to catch the people actually getting out of BottleRock who are desperate for sweets after 9 p.m. Many others who couldnt get inside BottleRock proper are also making the most of the large crowds of potential consumers, such as Henry Wimmer who has come to BottleRock with the goal of linking music lovers to record stores. He runs a record store called Open Mind Music in Oakland and has partnered with Record Times, run by Philip Morris, to build a pop-up record shop and wine tasting bar directly across from the 3rd Street Expo gates. Morris said Record Times is an online record storefront and curation platform connecting and promoting record stores across the country, and that he got the idea while attending BottleRock last year I was walking around and thought everybody here loves music but theres nowhere to buy music, so I thought, duh, lets do a pop-up store next year," he said. The partnership has work from almost all of the artists present at BottleRock for sale as well as a curated selection of staff favorites from Open Mind Music. All proceeds from the tasting lounge, said Morris, will go to San Francisco Community Radio in support of its educational and musical programs. Beyond the permitted sellers around the Expo were, as in years past, numerous, but less official food vendors. Dan, who did not give his last name, has a hot dog cart and says that BottleRock is one of the better places hes run his business. Its nice here, said the Napa resident in reference to how BottleRock greatly improves his sales. Everybodys respectful. He said he's not worried about his quasi-legal status. Police wont stop him or any of the other hot dog vendors as long as we dont cause traffic. Napa police Capt. Fabio Rodriguez confirmed this Thursday, saying that the police are there to ensure public safety, and wont be checking vendors for permits so long as they arent blocking the ingress and egress of the festival or selling something other than food or knick-knacks. Throwback Thursday: The Best of BottleRock Napa Valley BottleRock 2013 BottleRock 2013 BottleRock 2013 BottleRock 2014: Grass Child BottleRock 2014 BottleRock 2015 BottleRock 2015 Bottle Rock BottleRock 2015 No Doubt at BottleRock BottleRock 2015 BottleRock 2015 BottleRock 2016 BottleRock 2016 BottleRock 2016 Gogol Bordello Skyboxes BottleRock 2016 BottleRock 2016 BottleRock 2017 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers BottleRock 2017 BottleRock 2018 BottleRock 2018 BottleRock's 'Little Rockers' Durand Jones & the Indications BottleRock 2019, Day 1 BottleRock 2019, Day 1 BottleRock 2019 Food BottleRock 2019, Day 2 BottleRock 2019, Day 2 BottleRock 2019, Day 2 BottleRock 2019, Day 2 BottleRock 2019, Day 3 BottleRock 2019, Day 3 BottleRock 2021 Day 1 BottleRock 2021 Day 2 BottleRock 2021 Day 2 BottleRock 2021 Day 2 BottleRock 2021 Day 2 BottleRock 2021 Day 3 BottleRock 2021 Day 3 BottleRock 2021 Day 3 BottleRock 2022 Day 1 BottleRock 2022 Day 1 BottleRock 2022 Day 1 BottleRock 2022 Day 1 BottleRock 2022 Day 2 BottleRock 2022 Day 2 BottleRock 2022 Day 3 BottleRock 2022 Day 3 Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The 2023 Napa Valley College graduation ceremony blasted forward with considerable exuberance Thursday evening, with hundreds of students taking to the field of Napas Memorial Stadium to, after hearing from a series of speakers, receive recognition of their degrees and certificates of achievement. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Following a procession of hundreds of graduates onto the field most clad in forest-green graduation robes and caps, though many wore different colors to designate that they were graduating from a particular program at the two-year school NVC superintendent/president Torence Powell welcomed the graduates as well as their family and friends who filled the stadium bleachers. Powell, who also just finished his first year in the role, noted that graduation is a time of both celebration and reflection. As a first-generation community college student himself, Powell said, he understands the great impact NVC has on the lives of its students. But he also asked the students to reflect on the wider role of education in society: the importance of it, how education is understood conceptually and how education is threatened. Reflect on the concept of education, its role in our society, and our role in supporting education, Powell said. At a time when the very concept of a liberal arts education is under threat, when the free exchange of ideas is perceived as a threat to some very influential people in this country, our unwavering commitment to supporting the concept of academic freedom is more important than ever. A community college education is as much a vehicle for social justice as it is for personal and professional growth. The crowd of nearly 300 NVC students represented about half of overall graduates of the school this year. Speaking to the diversity of the graduates, Powell noted at the ceremony that 47% of the graduating class identified as Hispanic or Latinx; that 32% of the graduates are among the first in their family to receive a college degree; and that 64% of the graduating class consisted of women. Powell also referenced the great range of ages among the class the youngest graduate is 17 years old, he said, while the oldest is 69. Keynote speaker Graciela Rodriguez Garcia a graduate of the school who works as a licensed clinical social worker and Napa County mental health supervisor noted that she grew up in a small village in Mexico and immigrated to the United States when she was 17. Rodriguez Garcia said she attended high school and was told by a counselor that there was no way she could learn English and graduate but the counselor was wrong. She went on to graduate with honors, attend Napa Valley College and find a community there. Napa Valley College gave me so much, including the opportunity to meet my best friends and the opportunity to meet the love of my life, Rodriguez Garcia said. Napa Valley College valedictorian Kehaulani K. Auwae McAllister also spoke as a representative of her graduating class. Leading off with an Aloha, she gave a speech centered around comparing life and the college experience to the ocean, noting that the ocean has taught her that everything is connected. Auwae McAllister, who encouraged the graduates to seek to have a positive impact on the world, ended her speech with a Hawaiian proverb: A'ohe pau ka 'ike i ka halau ho'okahi, which she said translates to All knowledge is not taught in one school. This proverb reminds us that education is a lifelong pursuit, and the learning we have done here at Napa Valley College is just the beginning, Auwae McAllister said. As we move forward, we must remember that we are all connected. We are all part of a larger ecosystem and our actions have consequences. PHOTOS: Napa Valley College 2023 graduation ceremony Karabakh President holds meetings with public Bush medicine meets high-tech: Australian plants excel at healing wounds Armenia premier travels to Moldova on working visit. 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Indoor plants remove cancer-causing toxins from air, study finds How long will it take to restore Armenia railway infrastructure? Karabakh army: Azerbaijan fires 7 mine shells on line of contact Economy minister: 10 years ago one tourist spent about $800 in Armenia but now spends $1,200 on average Armenia deputy PM on talks with Azerbaijan: There will be no discussion about corridor assuming any special regime Economy minister: 12.6% growth in Armenia GDP is 4th in world Economy minister: Foreign direct investments amounted to about $1bn for first time in Armenia history New bridge to be built near Armenia village leading to Turkey border (VIDEO) Millions of Android users can be spied on: More than 421 million people downloaded infected programs shamshyan.com: Teen boy killed after shooting at Yerevan sports complex parking lot Al Hilal offers 1.2bn to Messi Karabakh MoD: Artsakh army did not fire at Azerbaijan positions in Askeran, Shushi, Karvachar regions Slovenia parliament speaker arrives in Armenia on official visit (VIDEO) Statement by the Artsakh Foreign Ministry on the Threats Made by the President of Azerbaijan Israel president heads for Azerbaijan on visit Mkhitaryan to be ready for action at Champions League final China successfully launches Shenzhou-16 spacecraft with three astronauts to its space station Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan defense ministry disseminates disinformation again Xavi: Messi and I have developed tactical plan Mayor: UAVs attacked Moscow Man, 30, needs deodorant to be surgically removed from his stomach after losing it when he shoved it up his ass Saturn's moon Enceladus spews plumes of water hundreds of kilometers into space Azerbaijani president is preparing ground for another aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh. MFA A smartphone with a flicker-free screen that outperforms the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 14 Pro: Honor introduce 90 Pro Dollar, euro drop in Armenia Iran announces Israel-linked terrorist teams dismantling in West Azerbaijan Province Armenia, Russia PMs to meet in Moscow in June WhatsApp has a new function: Who can use it? Karabakh ex-minister of state: Azerbaijans Aliyev showed that the concept voiced in Armenia cant be implemented TASS: Turkey invited to European Political Community summit Zatulin: West will turn blind eye to Armenians deportation from Karabakh if Azerbaijan enters into clash with Iran AraratBank presents documentary The will to get back on their feet: self-discovery Nanoscale robotic hand made of DNA could be used to detect viruses ChatGPT fabricates information about precedents and embarrasses the lawyer using it Foreigner found dead in downtown Yerevan hotel had died suddenly, preliminary data say Armenia Security Council head to have panel discussion with Azerbaijan presidential assistant More than 346,000 cars imported into Armenia in last 5 years Armenia PMs son vs. fallen soldiers mother criminal case sent to court shamshyan.com: Foreigner found dead in downtown Yerevan hotel room Stepanakert responds to Aliyev statements addressed to Karabakh president, parliament Lilit Nersisyan, colleagues new method reveals antibiotic response to bacteria in 5 minutes Fly Arna launches new direct flights connecting Yerevan to Kuwait Scientists present a "sweater," thanks to which robots will receive the function of touch (photo, video) Armenia petitions to ECtHR in case into Azerbaijan abduction of 2 Armenia soldiers Jude Bellingham is named 2022/23 Bundesliga Player of the Season UK premier's trade envoy to visit Azerbaijan to discuss projects in occupied territories Armenia premier: Traditional agriculture has no future PM: 11,926 kids were born in Armenia in first 4 months 2023, this is 1,401 more than in same period of 2022 Mockups of all iPhone 15 models have been shown Mass production of iPhone 15 will begin soon Armenia PM: Peace is only thing that guarantees external security An image from the Twitter account of Ron DeSantis on May 24, 2023, shows DeSantis announcing his 2024 presidential campaign. (Ron DeSantis ) Ron DeSantis has finally announced a run for the presidency. Its a crowded field already with Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, the billionaire guy Vivek Ramaswamy, maybe Mike Pence and who knows who else. I fear a repeat of 2016 when so many candidates ran; Trump won not because he was the overwhelming favorite but because the others split the vote so much he squeaked through. Advertisement As for DeSantis, hes not just a mini-Trump but maybe even more dangerous. We know Trumps predilections and his constant out of control rantings, but DeSantis, not so much. His crusade in Florida is, at best, Don Quixote charging the windmill. Hes playing to such a small audience that any hope of winning the general election is just a pipe dream. Dont the Republicans realize they are headed for a disastrous 2024 election if either Trump or DeSantis is the candidate? No normal voter would even consider them. Then theres the alternative, President Joe Biden. Im not a big fan but Id rather endure another four years of Biden than the crazies. Charles Wilt, Cary Advertisement Public union political donations Sen. Laura Murphy of Des Plaines said Illinoisans deserve to be able to trust their elected officials arent being influenced by campaign contributions, and government officials should serve the people not their own financial interests. This was regarding a state bill to stop red light camera companies from being able to provide political contributions. Recently Commonwealth Edison Co. officials were convicted of paying for political influence. Why are public service unions allowed to make political contributions? Brandon Johnson was bought and paid for by the Chicago Teachers Union. After winning and before taking office he was out showing his support for the striking Chicago State University teachers. Political contributions by public service unions to elected officials and politicians that directly determine compensation to public service employees causes our elected officials not to operate in the best interests of our city, state and, not in the best interest of the people as a whole. Tom Barr, Riverside Illinois Native American roots Some letter writers in the paper object to a requirement that Midwestern Native American history be taught in Illinois public schools. (Voice of the People, Ma 22.) Consider: Native Americans were the first peoples in all of North America. Native Americans in the Midwest have been inextricably part of Native Americans in North America. Without Native Americans in the Midwest, there would have been no State of Illinois. Without Native Americans in North America, the European pioneers would not have survived. There would have been no United States of America. The Vikings tried to do it their way in Greenland and LAnse aux Meadows, and did not survive. Whats inherently wrong is not teaching Illinois schoolchildren about the people without whom there would be no Illinois. Jean SmilingCoyote, Chicago Putin is rooting for Trump Vladimir Putin is hoping and praying that Donald Trump will be reelected president of the United States. His rationale is simple. Trump is a huge Putin fan, and Putin knows that if the war in Ukraine is not resolved by the time a second Trump presidency might start, Trump would immediately end U.S. support of Ukraine and dramatically tilt the playing field in Russias favor. For this reason, and others, Russia will actively and aggressively intercede on Trumps behalf with a campaign of misinformation and disinformation to benefit Trump. In a new era of super sophisticated and authentic looking deepfake video and audio productions, the malicious misinformation that Russia can, and likely will, propagate to benefit Trump is prodigious. In 2016, it is plausible to say that it was Russian meddling in our electoral process that helped push Trump over the top. Putin burned us once; we must never let it happen again. Ken Derow, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania Advertisement Church must reexamine celibacy I am an 88-year-old cradle Catholic. I am an active member of a suburban parish. Illinois Attorney Kwame Raouls report is thorough, sad, tragic, devastating and a wake up call. The report details serious repeated abuse of children by Catholic priests and even worse a cover-up, and if there can be anything worse than that, defensive comments by current bishops in charge. This is not good enough. There needs to be conversation of needed change in our church. For the first 1,000 years following Jesus earthly life there was no requirement of celibacy in the Catholic Church. Celibacy for priests was established in 1139 by Pope Gregory for the Latin Catholic Church. Various Eastern Orthodox churches allow priests to marry. I suggest the celibacy requirement be reexamined. Another conversation needs to take place regarding gender identity. The Katie Couric Gender Revolution documentary could be a starting point for conversation in every parish. This conversation might be hard for some but it needs to happen.There are other issues like ordination of women. Advertisement It is my hope and prayer that, out of the tragedy and sadness of the attorney generals report, can be motivation to examine how we are following Jesus. Bill Ryan, LaGrange Park Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. On May 26, at 19:00, the rear supply vehicle operated by 2 servicemen of the RA Armed Forces, which was loaded with food and water intended for combat bases, was found on the inter-positional road. RA Ministry of Defense informs. The rear supply vehicle carrying the two servicemen of the RA Armed Forces, who were delivering provisions and water to combat bases on May 26, at 7 p.m., was found on the inter-positional road. On May 26, the Azerbaijani media outlets, after it the State Border Service of Azerbaijan, disseminated misinformation claiming that the Armenian side made a sabotage-infiltration attempt and two servicemen of the Armenian armed forces had been apprehended. Once again we inform that the release disseminated by the State Border Service of Azerbaijan regarding the Armenian sides allegedly sabotage-infiltration attempt is an absolute false and disinformation. The Armenian side has enough proofs to deny it, which will be presented to the international partners. There is also a weapon of one of the servicemen in the found vehicle, which proves that even if the servicemen got out of the car and were not oriented in the area, the servicemen could not have sabotage objectives. Huge measures are being taken to reveal the circumstances of the illegal abduction of Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan, the statement says. Turkey is very poorly represented in the Central Asian region due to lack of money. Timofei Bordachev, Academic Supervisor of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Program Director of the Valdai Discussion Club, RIAC member, said on May 27, during a speech at a round table on the topic Military-Political Union of Armenia and Russia. We know that they have no money, the Turks, we know that Russia and Azerbaijan give investments. No way can they get into Central Asia. And the British don't have the money to seriously do something there. Now there is an investment hunger in the world, and the investments that are now coming to Central Asia are of Russian or Chinese origin. And we are absolutely sure of ourselves here. Nothing worries us, the Russian expert emphasized. Bordachev also clarified the issue regarding threats to large countries. According to the him, large countries as such Russia, the USA, India, China, can be threatened only by themselves, only by their internal problems. He cited the collapse of the USSR as an example. The Soviet Union was ruined not by the fact that it lost the Cold War to the Americans, but by the fact that it had a deteriorating political system and a dysfunctional economy. That is all. Only internal problems. And Russia, America, potentially anyone can be threatened only by internal challenges," he said. Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Volunteer Ricky Flores, left, uses a rope to control the pinata as Sobrino Luciano, 8, attempts to hit it during a group birthday celebration in a temporary migrant shelter in the Pilsen neighborhood on May 21, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Chicago will receive less migrant aid than city leaders had hoped for in the new state budget deal, a continuation of Springfields recent practice of awarding Chicago far below its funding requests for housing a growing population of asylum-seekers. The $50.6 billion state budget approved by the Illinois Senate late Thursday and the House early Saturday includes $42.5 million to provide services for migrants arriving from the countrys southern border. That provision emerged earlier Thursday following an ask from Mayor Brandon Johnson; however, his administration had pressed for more, and the $42.5 million total will be available to counties and towns statewide, rather than just Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Following news that lawmakers had reached a budget deal, Johnson said Wednesday, I hope the news is as good as we desire regarding migrant services funding. But while his team had been asking for more relief, state lawmakers also have a veto session in the fall in which they can appropriate additional funds. Finding the money to sustain the citys increasingly strained shelter operations for the 10,000 migrants who have arrived in Chicago since August has proven one of the earliest tests of the new administration. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot declared the humanitarian crisis as a state of emergency during her last days in office, while city officials warned there were only enough funds to keep housing and feeding the asylum-seekers through the end of June. Brianyerlis Carreno, 10, holds her 8-month old brother Mateo Vargas, both of Venezuela, outside the Chicago police 12th District station on the day Mayor Lori Lightfoot declared a state of emergency in response to the thousands of migrants who have arrived in the city May 9, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) According to a May letter from Chicagos congressional delegation, the city has spent more than $75 million in the past nine months on the new arrivals, who mostly hail from Central and South America. About $15 million of that aid has been the citys own funds. A proposal to allocate another $51 million toward migrant services from previous budget surpluses was temporarily blocked Wednesday by a group of conservative aldermen but is expected to get a vote in the coming days. The push-and-pull between Chicago and Springfield over how to pay for the influx of migrants continues as both Republican governors and nonprofits at southern border states, particularly Texas, dont appear likely to stop flying and busing asylum-seekers north anytime soon. In a budget hearing this month, city officials said they first requested $53.5 million from the state and only got $20 million. When they asked a second time, for $61.7 million, the state granted just $10 million. On the federal side, the citys $66.7 million request to FEMA was met with a $4.3 million award. Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration has said the state has spent a total of $260 million on shelter and care for asylum-seekers. But the harsh living conditions continue in Chicago, where more than 700 migrants are currently sleeping on the floors of Chicago police station lobbies, thousands more in makeshift shelters, and divisions continue to emerge among communities and local officials over how to handle their needs without neglecting longtime Chicagoans. Indeed, some of the aldermen who have opposed more funding from migrants whether from city or state offers represent Black neighborhoods that they say have long been disinvested and deserve a share of the resources too. It is an early test of Johnsons frequent refrain from the campaign that theres enough for everyone in Chicago. In Springfields latest budget season, Democrats also had to grapple with skyrocketing costs in a program that provides Medicaid-style health benefits for immigrants who are in the country without legal permission or otherwise dont qualify for the traditional insurance program for the poor. That would not apply to the vast majority of new arrivals because they require employment authorization via a federal application process that has been jammed up for months now. Advertisement That means on the county government side, costs are also expected to rise. Through the end of April, Cook County Health provided care to roughly 6,000 asylum-seekers since September 2022, including health screenings and primary care at a Northwest Side clinic, and when needed, specialty or inpatient services at Stroger Hospital. Overall, hospital officials said asylum-seekers had made 28,600 visits to CCH in that span. Between September and January, the state had covered the cost of nursing staff, while CCH covered all other operational costs, including physicians, facility, supplies, and pharmaceuticals, CCH spokeswoman Alexandra Normington told the Tribune in April. The cost was roughly $1.7 million per month at its peak, but dipped to roughly $1.1 million as fewer asylum-seekers arrived. But the state stopped picking up the nursing cost about $1.5 million at the start of February. As demand began to rise again, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle went to Springfield earlier this month to ask leaders to turn the spigot back on. When we were in Springfield two weeks ago, we talked to our legislative leaders including the speaker and the president about the resources we needed to provide health care to folks who have been arriving daily from Texas. That was $8 million for the end of the states fiscal year, which is June 30, then $20 million for the succeeding year, Preckwinkle told reporters Thursday. She said she reiterated that ask during a conversation with the governor at the end of last week. I cant tell you whats going to happen, with funding, she said Thursday, hours before the general assembly passed the deal. She said she had no idea how much the county might receive from the $42 million figure. The Russian side is ready to continue to provide all possible assistance to the Azerbaijani-Armenian settlement and hopes that Baku and Yerevan will be able to sign a peace treaty, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said in an interview with TASS. When asked whether peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is possible today, the Deputy Minister pointed out that "the achievement of a peace treaty largely depends on the progress of all tracks of normalization." This is exactly what our assistance is aimed at, including in the search for balanced compromise solutions that suit both Baku and Yerevan on controversial issues. The talks in Moscow on this topic made it possible to improve understanding between the parties and bring stances closer on a number of issues. We will continue to render all possible assistance to Baku and Yerevan for these purposes. We hope that such regular contacts will make it possible to reach final peace agreements, he said. Galuzin recalled that May 19 in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with his counterparts from Azerbaijan and Armenia Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan in bilateral and trilateral formats. On the sidelines of these events, a separate Armenian-Azerbaijani meeting on a peace treaty was also held. Providing our platform for such discussions is one of the elements of Russia's assistance in achieving concrete results in the peace process between Baku and Yerevan, he continued. We are doing this work in accordance with the trilateral agreements between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia [of November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021, October 31, 2022 and May 25, 2023], which form the foundation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization. UN rejects Sudanese general's criticism of envoy The United Nations says more than a million people have been displaced within Sudan by the conflict and 319,000 have fled to neighbouring countries. File photo: AP Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has accused UN special envoy Volker Perthes of stoking a brutal conflict with paramilitaries, the latest in a series of apparent moves to bolster his war effort. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked" by Burhan's letter, which requested "the nomination of a replacement" to Perthes and accused him of committing "fraud and disinformation" in facilitating a political process which broke down into six weeks of devastating urban warfare. Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, were meant to meet for negotiations facilitated by the UN on April 15, the day they turned Khartoum into a war zone. The meeting aimed to restore a transition to civilian rule disrupted since 2021 when Burhan and Daglo together seized power in a coup before falling out. As their feud worsened, the international community tried to get them to reach a deal on integration of Daglo's RSF into the regular army. Since late last year Perthes and the UN mission in Sudan, which he heads, have been the target of several protests by thousands of military and Islamist supporters who accused Perthes of "foreign intervention" and demanded his dismissal. Similar protests have taken place in the eastern city of Port Sudan since the war started. Perthes had maintained his "optimism" and said the war took him "by surprise". In the letter, Burhan accused Perthes of bias and of not respecting "national sovereignty." He said Perthes presented a misleading picture "of consensus" in his reports to the UN, and "without these signs of encouragement, the rebel leader Daglo would not have launched his military operations". It has never, however, been possible to verify who fired the first shots. The fighting across Sudan has killed more than 1,800 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The United Nations says more than a million people have been displaced within Sudan, in addition to 319,000 who have fled to neighbouring countries, raising concerns for regional stability. (AFP) ATK New Delhi [India], May 27: Credit cards are financial tools that offer a range of benefits and features to provide monetary convenience and enhance your credit score. Among popular credit cards are lifetime free credit cards that do not entail any annual or joining charges. These credit cards eliminate the hassle of paying a card fee every year to continue using your credit card. Axis Bank is a reputed financial institution that has launched some really exciting credit cards with great offers in recent years. With the new financial year just beginning, Axis Bank has announced a few lifetime free credit cards as a limited-period offer. Here are the Axis Bank credit cards that are lifetime free: * Axis Bank MY ZONE Credit Card * IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card Axis Bank MY ZONE Credit Card The Axis Bank MY ZONE Credit Card offers a number of attractive features that you can now get without an annual fee. Through this card you can get instant discounts on online shopping, movies, food delivery and more. Additionally, you can also convert your purchases to EMI, get complimentary airport lounge access and so on. Furthermore, this credit card is equipped with a high-security EMV chip and PIN to ensure maximum protection. Given below are some of the features that the Axis Bank MY ZONE Credit Card offers: Movie ticket perks: * At Paytm Movies, get a second movie ticket at a 100% discount * The maximum discount that you can get every month is Rs200 * You can make use of the coupon code AXIS200 to get the benefit * Movie transactions do no qualify for any reward points Complimentary OTT annual subscription: * Get an annual subscription of SonyLiv Premium worth Rs999 on spending for the first time within 30 days of your card's issuance * If you qualify for this offer, you will receive a voucher code through SMS on the mobile number you've registered with * In the card's anniversary year, you will be qualified for the renewal of your SonyLiv Premium subscription on spending Rs1.5 Lakhs Food delivery deals: * Through the use of your MY ZONE credit card, you can get a discount of 40% on food delivery * You can use the coupon code AXIS40 to get the discount * The maximum discount that you can get per order is capped at Rs120 * This offer is applicable on spending a minimum of Rs200 * You can get this discount for about 4 times per month * This offer is valid on orders from restaurants that are partnered with Axis Bank * Under such a partnership, even third party offers inclusive of banks, wallet or fintech institutes will be included * This offer will not be valid for Haldirams's restaurants Lounge access privileges: * One free access to selected airport lounges within the country * This access is applicable every quarter IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card The IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card offers alluring offers on fuel transactions. With this credit card you can earn rewards points and enjoy surcharge waivers at fuel stations. Moreover, you can get a discount on booking movie tickets through the BookMyShow app or website. Mentioned below are some of the features of the IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card: Welcome benefits: * On the first fuel transaction within 30 days of your card's issuance, you can get a 100% cashback that amount to Rs250 IOCL fuel outlet rewards: * On every Rs100 spent at IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Limited), get up to 4% cashback by acquiring 20 reward points * This offer will be applicable on spending between Rs100 and Rs5000 on fuel transactions every month at IOCL fuel outlets Online shopping rewards: * On every Rs100 spent on shopping online, get a value back of 1% by acquiring 5 reward points * To get this benefit you will need to spend between Rs100 and Rs5000 at online merchant stores Waiver on fuel surcharge: * You can rid yourself off of fuel surcharge through the use of the IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card * This offer will be valid on fuel transactions between Rs200 and Rs5000 at indian fuel outlets * Get a maximum waiver of Rs50 on every statement cycle * The applicable GST on fuel surcharge will not be refunded Waiver on annual spends: * On spending more than Rs50,000 a year, you can get a waiver on the annual fee * Wallet load transactions or rent transactions will not be qualified for the calculation of spends while availing a waiver on annual fee BookMyShow discounts: * On booking movies tickets through the BookMyShow website or app, you can get an instant discount of up to 10% * You will need to access this discount from the offers section of the BookMyShow app or website EDGE REWARD points: * On every Rs100 that you spend using your credit card, you will earn one EDGE REWARD point Dining privileges: * At restaurants partnered with Axis Bank, you can get a discount of up to 15% through the Axis Bank Dining Delights * To get this offer the minimum amount that you'd need to spend on your order is Rs1500 * You can get a 15% discount amounting to Rs500 * This benefit can be enjoyed twice a month to get benefits of up to Rs1000 Now that you know of this limited time offer on Axis Bank credit cards, you can get one today and enjoy exclusive privileges. However, in order to make the most of your credit card, you will need to be mindful of a few aspects. One of them being the Axis Bank credit card payment due date. The failure of your credit card bill payment can result in unnecessary charges. This can be easily avoided if you keep an eye on the due date and make frequent payments. Moreover, the Axis Bank credit card payment procedure is quite simple. All you need to do is head to the Axis Bank portal, type out your credit card number along with the amount and pay. So, why wait? Get an Axis Bank credit card and benefit from its exclusive offers. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India Aizawl [Mizoram], May 27: As part of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) vision of 'Insurance for All' by 2047, the Indian Insurance industry has collectively come together to drive insurance penetration in Mizoram. Tata AIA Life Insurance and IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance are leading the initiative, supported by Life Insurers and General Insurers from India's Private and Public Sectors. Life Insurance offers comprehensive solutions providing cover for one's life, employees, etc. with term insurance as also opportunities to grow wealth with guaranteed income and investment linked plans. Further, the category has pension products to ensure a worry free retirement. On the other hand, General Insurance offers covers for property (vehicle, home) as also health indemnity covers as well as corporate and rural insurance (tractor, crop insurance) solutions. Under the leadership of the IRDAI, a committee of representatives from various Life and General Insurance companies have been working towards increasing awareness and penetration of life insurance in the state. As part of the process to discuss the progress of the initiatives and way ahead, a meeting was held in Mizoram under the guidance of Shri Lalramsanga Sailo, Secretary, Government of Mizoram, Shri Gautam Kumar, Deputy General Manager, IRDAI. Key dignitaries including senior officials from Common Service Centers (CSC), Life and General Insurance companies, Agents and Bank representatives were present in the joint industry level stakeholders meeting. Sharing his keynote at the event, Shri Lalramsanga Sailo, Secretary, Govt of Mizoram, said, "Insurance is one of the most important security cover for any individual, family or business. We are very happy to support the initiative of IRDAI to introduce state-level insurance awareness and penetration drive. We are keen to participate in the initiative and ensure the success of this program. We look forward to Life and General insurance companies making significant contribution to promote the cause of insurance, generate employment and promote entrepreneurship in the State of Mizoram." Speaking at the occasion, Shri Gautam Kumar, IRDAI, said, "IRDAI as the Insurance regulator has envisioned Insurance for all by 2047. We are pleased to obtain the support of the State Government of Mizoram to drive insurance awareness and penetration in the state. Mizoram is one of the most literate and well-to-do states, and hence there is a lot of scope of development of insurance sector. The people of Mizoram will definitely get benefit from the security net of insurance, and it will generate new opportunities of employment and development too." Sharing his perspective as the Lead Life Insurer, Girish Kalra, Chief Marketing Officer from Tata AIA Life Insurance, said, "In line with the vision of IRDAI, Tata AIA is leading the efforts of the life insurance industry and making insurance accessible to every citizen of Mizoram. We have already implemented a mass media campaign in FY23 through digital and social media, reaching over 8 lakh people of Mizoram. Our tie-up with the Common Service Centers (CSC) has enabled us to reach the rural and remote locations of Mizoram. We have further scaled up our efforts for FY24 along with other life insurers and would deepen our reach in Mizoram through multiple initiatives including Village Level Entrepreneur training, Bimarath introduction, tie-ups with MSME associations, etc." Sharing his perspective, Raj Bora, EVP, IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance, said, "We are committed to working towards the goals set by IRDAI. We have already started with the Insurance awareness activities across several districts of Mizoram and plan to ramp up the activities on a bigger scale. Under the guidance of IRDAI and State authorities, along with other insurers we will conduct various training sessions and joint initiatives to increase the reach and awareness of insurance in the state." Digital Campaign - Reached 8 lakh people (60% of the population) Tata AIA along with other life insurers has implemented campaigns through the popular Digital and Social Media that are widely viewed by the people of Mizoram. The focus of this campaign was to improve citizens' awareness and understanding of financial planning. To achieve this goal, a series of videos were developed in Mizo language, using simple story lines and featuring Ka Pu Sanga, a financially savvy middle-aged Mizo resident. The response to these videos has been highly encouraging with high (8%+) engagement among the viewers on digital and social media. These videos explain how life insurance offers comprehensive benefits to people at different life stages - families can be protected from life's uncertainties with term insurance, they can plan for rising costs with guaranteed income plans and ensure a worry-free retirement with pension products. Additionally, these campaigns were linked to a special website in Mizo language, to provide detailed information on the solutions and their benefits. IFFCO-Tokio is also creating visibility for general insurance solutions with the help of outdoor media campaign in identified areas of the state. It will also conduct social campaigns in mizo to increase the digital reach. Rural Outreach through Common Service Centers (CSC) To deliver much-needed life insurance coverage to the people of Mizoram, Tata AIA supported over 50 Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) as part of association with Common Services Centers (CSE), an organisation run by the Ministry of Electronics & IT. Known as the last mile of distribution, a VLE provides essential government and non-government services from CSC outlets for the welfare and development of rural communities. Tata AIA provided permanent visibility at CSC outlets and trained these VLEs about life insurance solutions, to help them solicit life insurance business. IFFCO-Tokio, along with other non-life insurers, plans to conduct insurance seminars and van activations to reach the rural areas of Mizoram. Benefits to the people of Mizoram The initiative launched by IRDAI with the support of the State Government of Mizoram will lead to multiple benefits: A. Security cover to the citizens of Mizoram - life insurance & general insurance coversB. Employment generation with the recruitment of Insurance staff, Advisors across the length and breadth of the stateC. Development of industry, especially MSMEs that form the backbone of India's growth engine. The insurance industry offers specific solutions in the area of business insurance Referred to as the land of the whispering winds and Blue Mountains, Mizoram boasts the second-best literacy rate in India. Its literacy rate at 91.3 per cent is significantly higher than the national average of 74.0%. Despite being India's second least populous state, Mizoram has the unique distinction of having a similar male-to-female ratio across age groups. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 27: Bajaj Markets, a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv, offers individuals the facility to check their credit score for free, so they can understand their creditworthiness. Powered by TransUnion CIBIL, this free service not only reveals one's CIBIL score, but also provides a customised credit report. Using the information on the credit report, one can learn how to improve CIBIL score and qualify for higher and more affordable financing. India is currently experiencing a growth in demand for loans, which is at a 11-year high as of FY23. In this scenario, it has become even more vital for individuals to know what impacts their credit score and how this score affects their chances of approval and the cost of borrowing. With a free credit score check on Bajaj Markets, individuals can do this with ease in just a few simple steps. Alongside this, they get access to a comprehensive credit report that lists important credit-related activities that affect the score. This personalised credit report lists the various aspects of one's credit behaviour such as repayment history, length of credit history, credit utilisation ratio, credit enquiries, type of credit. The financial insights provided can help one improve their credit score. Interested individuals can use this free credit report to improve their credit health and eligibility for financing by running a free credit score check on the Bajaj Markets app or website. One can also get access to various loans and other financial services on this platform. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said the pharma and medical device sector needs "to focus on quality and affordable manufacturing with an increased focus on research and innovation". The minister was chairing a roundtable meeting with the leading chief executive officers of the pharmaceutical industry in the country on the second day of the 8th International Conference on pharma and medical device sector. Lauding the growth momentum of the industry, he said "The industry is progressing at a rapid rate, and to maintain our stature as the 'Pharmacy of the World', we need to focus on quality and affordable manufacturing with an increased focus on research and innovation". S Aparna, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, was also present. Mandaviya urged the stakeholders to capitalise on the current opportunities, stating "substantial investment in terms of production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes as well as upcoming drug parks are bearing fruitful results. To catalyse growth, we must maintain a degree of competitiveness to consolidate our presence in the world." Reiterating the government's commitment and resolve, the Union health minister said "the government is industry-friendly and welcomes opportunities for collaboration. The government and industry, both integral to the nation's progress, must work cohesively to achieve holistic growth," according to a statement from the ministry of health and family welfare on Saturday. Affirming government support, Mandaviya invited the stakeholders to put forth their suggestions addressing the aspects of pricing, regulatory, policy and strategy, with the respective action points in a detailed presentation and due consideration will be given to facilitate further policy support and growth. Underscoring the potential future growth, Secretary S Aparna urged the attending representatives to collate and collectively represent their perspectives adhering to the aforementioned four categories to facilitate policymakers and the government in fostering a stronger ecosystem for all. The roundtable brought together participants from over 60 companies represented by senior leadership, with several key players having a presence in the national as well as international markets. N Yuvaraj, Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals; Awadhesh Kumar Choudhary, Senior Economic Advisor; Vinod Kotwal, Member Secretary, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA); Rajeev Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India; Kamlesh Pant, Chairman, NPPA and various industry stakeholders and representatives of academia and associations were also present in the conference. (ANI) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], May 27: Bajaj Markets, a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv, has partnered with IndusInd Bank, granting easy access to the IndusInd Bank Forex Card. A feature-laden tool, it makes international payments easier and seamless by providing a cashless and secure way to carry foreign currency. This card is particularly handy for Indian citizens travelling overseas either for work or leisure. Accessible through Bajaj Markets, this card allows users to transact in 14 currencies, namely Euro (EUR), Great Britain Pound (GBP), United States Dollar (USD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Australian Dollar (AUD), New Zealand Dollar (NZD), Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), Singapore Dollar (SGD), Saudi Riyal (SAR), Arab Emirates Dirham (AED), Japanese Yen (JPY), Swiss Franc (CHF), Thai Baht (THB), and South African Rand (ZAR) which is accepted across the globe. The entire process is online, which enables the users to avail of the benefits of the IndusInd Bank Forex Card from the comfort of their homes. To enjoy secured international payments from this card, users have to pay nominal fees and charges. Here are the details of applicable fees and charges: Users can get started right away and access this forex card, and its benefits, through the official Bajaj Markets website or smartphone application. Bajaj Markets, a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv, and one of the fastest growing fintech in India, is a one-stop digital marketplace that offers multiple financial products across all categories - Loans, Cards, Insurance, Investments and Payments. Bajaj Markets has partnered with some of the most trusted names to offer choice to its customers and help them achieve their financial life goals. Having started its journey as a fintech, Bajaj Markets has since then, built a very strong business as a techfin. Its technology services businesses are built on its core capabilities in consumer insights, technology and data analytics. Its first B2B SBU, Skaleup, has been created to become the leading digital technology services provider in India through deep domain expertise and execution capabilities. Bajaj Markets has built a new business unit to become the preferred partner for digital technology initiatives across all group companies of Bajaj Finserv. Herein, the strategy is to align with digital technology roadmap objectives of all the group companies of Bajaj Finserv and offer digital technology services and platforms at market competitive rates. Visit www.bajajfinservmarkets.in or download the Bajaj Markets app from Play Store or App Store. With Bajaj Markets, "Ab Choices Hue Aasaan." (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) During a meeting held with a European Union delegation, Union Power Minister RK Singh suggested that India and the EU can do joint pilots in areas such as green steel and other frontier technologies while speaking about the need for alternative chemistries such as sodium ion. Union Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh held a meeting with Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President, European Green Deal, European Union, in New Delhi on Friday. The meeting was held to discuss cooperation under the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership. According to a statement from the ministry of energy released on Saturday, the discussion touched upon energy efficiency; renewable energy, including solar and offshore wind, green hydrogen; energy storage, diversification of global supply chain for energy sector, the International Solar Alliance, India's presidency of the G20 and how India and EU can partner each other on the clean energy transition. The Union minister informed the visiting EU delegation that as India is growing, the power demand is accelerating. While the established capacity in India is 416 GW, it is going to double by 2030. India is accordingly adding rapidly to its power generation capacity. The Minister pointed out that despite India's per capita and cumulative emissions being one of the lowest in the world, it has emerged as a leader in Energy Transition and Climate Action. Touching upon renewable energy, the Union minister informed the delegation of the various steps being taken by India to ramp up renewable energy capacity. He said that the manufacturing capacity for the most advanced solar cells and panels is coming up; and by 2030, total manufacturing capacity of 80 GW will come up. RK Singh said, "This will meet India's requirements and provide surplus for exports. This will address the supply chain issues of the world." The Minister stated that storage is needed in order to provide round-the-clock renewable energy and the transition to Net Zero. The Union minister informed that recognising the need to add storage capacity and the government is coming up with bids for more storage. The government has already come up with a bid for Production Linked Incentive for energy storage; and it is planning to have one more bid. He sought the cooperation of the EU in encouraging other countries too to add manufacturing facilities for energy storage so that the price of storage comes down. The Union minister observed that the industry is switching to green hydrogen and that if the journey is to continue, it will have to be on the basis of free and open trade, without barriers. He told the EU delegation that "we should guard against protectionism". He also said, "We need to increase electrolyser manufacturing capacity if we need to increase use of green hydrogen. India is going to come up with a PLI (production-linked incentive) bid on that." The Executive Vice President of European Green Deal appreciated India for its leadership in renewable energy and energy efficiency and suggested that the two sides find ways to bring the agenda of energy efficiency to the global stage, and help set global energy efficiency targets. The Executive Vice President spoke of the need for global targets in the introduction of renewables and said that "we need to look at developing industrial ecosystems which promote renewables". He said that the EU is developing new generations of solar panels and that green hydrogen is also taking off and Europe will become a truly global market. Given the high costs of transporting green hydrogen, he opined that the places producing green hydrogen will attract industrial investment. RK Singh also spoke about the opportunity for collaboration in batteries for grid-scale storage. He informed that India has come out with a separate Production Linked Incentive for batteries for green mobility. He said that India is going to be one of the biggest markets for green mobility, with 80 per cent of India's two-wheelers, three-wheelers and about 50 per cent of four-wheelers expected to be green by 2030. The Executive Vice President said heat pumps are an area where a lot of innovation is expected to happen, given the rising needs for cooling and heating. He also said that there is a strong consensus in the EU on the need to adopt renewable energy and on making the green transition. The problem of lack of access to energy by 800 million people around the world was discussed. Union Power Minister recalled that even as India and the EU make progress through this collaboration, a large part of the world population, especially in the African continent, suffers from poor energy access. The two sides discussed the role of the International Solar Alliance in bringing solar energy to the millions of people in Africa without access to energy. The Executive Vice President of European Green Deal was accompanied by Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India; Edwin Koekkoek, First Counsellor, Energy and Climate Action, EU Delegation; Sara Zennaro Atre, First Secretary, Trade Section, EU Delegation; Estela Pineiro Kruik, Member of Cabinet; Damyana Stoynova, Member of Cabinet; and Diana Acconcia, Director, International Affairs and Climate Finance, Directorate-General for Climate Action, EU. RK Minister was joined by Alok Kumar, Power Secretary; Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, New and Renewable Energy Secretary; and other officers of the two ministries. (ANI) With the aim to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging solution, Tata Power has collaborated with the Ranchi Airport Authority (RAA) to install two public 30 kw chargers at the Birsa Munda Airport. According to Tata Power statement, the partnership is aligned with Tata Power's commitment to encourage EV adoption in India as well as the government's National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) to support the electrification of private and public vehicles by providing the necessary infrastructure. Level-1 chargers are one of the three-speed levels of charging devices for electric vehicles (EVs), the other two being fast EV chargers and rapid EV chargers. According to the company, a Level-1 charger provides a lower charging rate, between 2.3 kw and 2.5 kw, using standard household electrical outlets like an AC to provide power to the EV. This charging device is more suited to cater to EV owners who come to receive or see off their family or friends or EV cabs and pre-booked cabs while waiting for their passengers. Virendra Goyal, Head Business Development-EV Charging, Tata Power said, "We are incredibly proud to engage with the Ranchi Airport Authority to install EV chargers. We remain committed to bringing EV charging infrastructure to where the customers are; in fact, it is another step towards realising our common commitment to sustainability and lowering carbon footprints. This is also certain to address the range anxiety amongst potential and current EV owners in the city." According to the company, Tata Power has an extensive network of over 3,778 public and captive EV chargers that have been energised across 350 towns and cities, covering shopping malls, recognised highways, and metro stations, among others. It also includes over 39,000 home chargers and 234 bus-charging points. K L Aggarwal, Airport Director, Birsa Munda Airport - Ranchi said, "We are pleased to collaborate with India's most reputable and well-known energy firm. With this initial installation of EV chargers, we hope to serve hundreds of EV operators and families in Ranchi who come to see off or welcome their family and friends at the airport. While waiting, they can charge their vehicle from a trusted source without any hassle." (ANI) Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has created a task force to look for solutions to Chicagos underfunded pensions, asking the group to address one of the citys deepest and most intractable financial problems. Johnson announced the working groups formation late Friday but did not specify who would serve it except that it would include state legislators, the citys Budget Director, the citys Chief Financial Officer, and representatives from the citys various labor unions, including both the police and fire unions. Advertisement As Mayor of Chicago, I am committed to protecting both the retirement security of working people, as well as the financial stability of our government so we can achieve our goal of investing in people and strengthening communities in every corner of the city, Johnson said in a statement. Together, with our state legislative partners in Springfield, I am establishing a working group to collaborate on finding a sustainable path forward to addressing existing gaps in the citys four municipal pension systems (Firefighters, Police, Municipal, and Laborers). Local Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara, meanwhile, released a video in which he said hes working with City Hall on broader solutions. The clip was seen as a positive sign due to the otherwise contentious relationship Catanzara has with City Hall and his claim that swaths of the police force would quit if Johnson were elected. Advertisement Creating a task force will be the easy part, however, as finding money to boost the citys pensions has bedeviled Johnsons predecessors. Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, for instance, pushed plans that were ruled unconstitutional by the Illinois Supreme Court. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot secured a Chicago casino from Illinois lawmakers but was unsuccessful in convincing state officials to take over the citys pensions, a move she floated early in her administration. Ballooning police and fire pensions have long been a political headache for Chicago mayors. Lightfoot failed to stop Gov. J.B. Pritzker from signing a measure in 2021 surrounding the fund structure for firefighters. Now its Johnsons turn to seek solutions to a politically fraught problem with few clear legal remedies. As of the end of 2021, Chicagos pension system for sworn police officers was only 24% funded, with unfunded liabilities totaling more than $11.8 billion. Firefighter pensions were 20.9% funded with $5.6 billion in unfunded liabilities. Lawmakers have long struggled with how to rein in Chicagos retirement benefits, which they can only do for future employees because the state constitution does not allow for existing workers pensions to be cut. Some say that changes from just over a decade ago went too far, however, and denied municipal employees a pension funded at the federally required levels. Lightfoot had argued the 2021 state bill would increase firefighter pension costs and could lead to property tax hikes, but supporters, including sponsor Democratic state Sen. Robert Martwick, said it puts Chicago firefighter pensions on par with suburban and downstate systems. Advertisement The legislation did away with a pension law that stipulates a Chicago firefighter born on or after Jan. 1, 1966, will receive a non-compounding annual 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment to his or her pension, with a lifetime limit of 30%. Firefighters born before that date had gotten a 3% annual increase. The new law removes the Chicago pension differences based on date of birth and eliminates the 30% cap on cumulative cost-of-living adjustments. The system now more closely resembles counterparts outside the city, where firefighters hired before 2011 receive annual 3% compounding increases to their pensions and those hired in the past decade receive a less generous increase. Part of the reasoning was that the city has historically shirked paying the smaller increases to the younger firefighters and instead came to the legislature every few years to push the cutoff birthdate forward. But the city continued to base its contributions on the lesser amount, leading to a perpetual underfunding of the pension system. Still, Lightfoot warned that the change would double pension costs by $18 million to $30 million each year. She argued that a similar bill introduced by Martwick related to police pensions would spike Chicagos annual costs by $57 million to $96 million a year. That bill, which has languished in the Senate, removes an age restriction 55 years and up for an officer to receive an automatic 3% annual increase to their pension that is not subject to the 30% cap. Advertisement On the policing side, the city pays into two funds: one for sworn CPD officers; the other civilian employees. Payments to the Policemens Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago totaled $5.3 billion between 2012 and 2022, according to city budget documents, while that number was more than $330 million for the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund. In 2022, pension payments totaled $832 million for sworn officers and $64 million for civilian employees of Chicago police. Along with $175 million in annual benefits, estimated Police Department costs within finance general top $1 billion. Johnson has not stated his position on Martwicks pending bill on the police pension structure. His deputy chief of staff, former state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, voted yes for Martwicks firefighters pension legislation in 2021. Meanwhile, the plan to bring in a casino to Chicago, negotiated under Lightfoot, is expected to bring a fresh revenue stream for police and fire pensions. The latest projections for the project spearheaded by casino chain operator Ballys show between $56 million to $70 million raised in the next three years after a temporary casino opens at the Medinah Temple in River North. Starting in 2026, revenues are slated to jump to $170 million as the permanent site at the current Chicago Tribune Freedom Center printing press opens, until hitting $246 million in 2028. NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 27: The pride and the feeling of patriotism cannot be measured. Especially, the people in India invoke nationalism like no other. And there's nothing better than cinema that fills the hearts of the audience with utmost love. Bringing impactful and jaw-dropping cinema to the audience, producer Shankar Naidu Adusumilli is excited about his upcoming film 'Bharateeyans'. Calling himself a proud Bharateeyan (Indian), Dr Shankar feels honoured to be the son of Bharat Mata. On various occasions, he has expressed his love for India, and this movie is said to be a tribute to Hindustan. The forthcoming Hindi film is written and directed by Deena Raj and has an ensemble star cast including Nirroze Putcha, Subha Ranjan, Sonam Thendup Barphungpa, Samaira Sandhu, Peden O Namgyal and Rajeswari Chakraborty in lead roles. The first look of the film was unveiled earlier in 2022, and it promises to evoke patriotism. The film's storyline has all the emotional chords which will make the audience feel proud of their country India. As per the sources, 'Bharateeyans' has a perfect dose of love, action, drama and patriotism in abundance. When asked Dr Shankar to shed light on the film, he said, "The primary reason behind producing the film was to tell the audience a power-packed story. The film will show how an ordinary person can turn into a warrior to safeguard the country." With the right emotions and patriotism, 'Bharateeyans' will be the first film to confront China's aggression and wrongdoings against India. Produced under Dr Shankar Naidu Adusumilli's banner Bharat American Creations, the film is slated to release soon. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], May 27: Smytten, India's largest product trials and discovery platform, is taking its fragrance game to the next level by teaming up with the sensational brand, Legend 1942. Armed with a firm grasp on the pulse of India and in partnership with seasoned fragrance makers, none other than the iconic Amitabh Bachchan has lent his vision to the art of perfumery at Legend 1942 to introduce gender-fluid, handcrafted, luxe perfumes that genuinely celebrate the soul of our nation. Starting today, fragrance enthusiasts will have the unique opportunity to experience the exquisite range of Legend 1942 perfumes on Smytten. The brand seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities, creating timeless yet modern scents. Smytten, the preferred destination for lifestyle trials & sampling, offers consumers the chance to discover and try a curated selection of trial packs from the comfort of their homes. Smytten will showcase six perfumes from Legend 1942 in trial sizes on its platform, allowing customers to experience the brand's unique fragrances at minimum cost. The customers can try all six fragrances on Smytten and experience the rich notes, captivating blends and exceptional longevity that make Legend 1942 perfumes a true masterpiece. "We are beyond thrilled to partner with Legend 1942 for an exclusive trial & sampling activation. We have observed a 100 per cent growth in purchase frequency for fragrances in the last year, with 53% of fragrance shoppers opting to purchase post-trial (online/offline). This shows a huge demand for premium fragrances in India, and we are happy to bring more brands to our customers. We believe this partnership will be a great success, and we look forward to working with Legend 1942," says Swagata Sarangi, Co-founder, Smytten. Legends 1942 has already made a name for itself with its exceptional fragrances. The partnership with Smytten allows it to reach out to and build a larger consumer base. The perfume portfolio ranges from earthy, smoky, and vibrant to floral, spicy, and warm to woody, bold and intense, ensuring that every individual has multiple options to choose from. "Bachchan and I are elated to announce the launch of Legend 1942 on Smytten. It's our dream and vision that will now be enjoyed by a wider audience. Get your hands on one of our exquisite perfumes and experience the sheer exuberance of Legend 1942. We couldn't be prouder of this collection and can't wait for you to experience it for yourself," says Anuradha Sansar, Co-founder & CEO, Legend 1942. Immerse yourself in the luxurious experience of these homegrown, long-lasting, tailor-made fragrances for individuals who appreciate refinement and sophistication. The perfume portfolio will be available on Smytten for trial and purchase. Try & Buy exclusively on Smytten: smytten.com/trial/brand/legend-1942/956smytten.com/shop/brand/legend-1942/6289 Smytten is India's largest tech-enabled D2C product discovery & trial platform. Launched by ex-Unilever and Google executives Siddhartha Nangia and Swagata Sarangi, respectively, Smytten is enhancing the way India's online consumers discover, interact with, and try consumer products and services. It hosts 1200+ brand partners on its platform across lifestyle categories, ranging from fragrances, beauty & makeup, male grooming, food & beverages, baby & mother care, and health & wellness. Smytten offers product samples to consumers across these categories to help them make the right purchase decisions. It also provides its brand partners with a suite of services, data & insights needed for scaling up customer acquisition, product development & channel expansion. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 27: Chennai based CHOSEN Store has launched an interactive Sun Protection Factor (SPF) meter on their website to celebrate National Sunscreen Day. The National Sunscreen Day falls on May 27 of every year. This interesting feature resembles a speedometer and is a first-of-its kind interactive SPF meter. The unique SPF meter features a range of SPF values from 2 to 100 with a needle that indicates the selected SPF. Customers can instantly view the corresponding percentage of UVB protection with the movement of the needle. With these efforts, CHOSEN celebrates the importance of sunscreen and its key role in preventing pigmentation and photoaging in Indian skin types. "With the launch of this SPF meter, CHOSEN aims to create awareness among people that the increase in protection becomes less significant after reaching a certain SPF level. It highlights the need to take additional sun protection measures like using oral antioxidants and using physical sun protection measures like wearing protective clothing," said Ms Punitha Vijayakrishnan, Head of Marketing Operations, CHOSEN by Dermatology. "Not many understand the concept and how SPF works. By understanding the actual percentage of UVB rays blocked at different SPF levels, customers can make informed decisions and prioritize their skin's health by choosing the right sunscreen," she added. Easily accessible on the website, this interactive feature allows customers to explore the different levels of sun protection offered by various SPF ratings on sunscreen labels. With the new SPF meter, CHOSEN furthers its mission to educate and empower its customers. The intuitive speedometer-style design facilitates interactive exploration, enables customers to learn more about the meaning of SPF labelling on sunscreens. To create awareness and the importance of SPF, CHOSEN is offering its valuable customers a chance to save on all sun care products this Sunscreen Day weekend. For further information, please visit chosenstore.in. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], May 27: Shri Keshav Cement & Infra Limited (BSE - 530977), engaged in the manufacturing of Cement and Solar Power Generation and Distribution in the state of Karnataka has announced its audited Financial Results for the FY23. FY23 Key Financials at a Glance: * Total Income Rs 125.37 crore * EBITDA of Rs 37.02 crore * EBITDA margin at 29.53% * Net Profit of Rs 2.91 crore * Net profit margin at 2.32% * EPS Rs 2.45 * Operating Cash Flow Rs 33.24 Key Highlights for the year: * During the Year borrowings reduced by Rs 36.02 Cr to Rs 180.16 Cr * During the Year Cement business contributed Rs 93.20 Cr & Solar business Contributed Rs 21.65 Cr * The Company announce fund raises of Rs 45.98 Cr on Preferential basis Commenting on the performance, Venkatesh Katwa, Chairman of Shri Keshav Cement & Infra Limited said, "Despite facing cost pressure, the Company has successfully maintained an EBITDA margin of approximately 30%, which is commendable. However, like the rest of the cement industry, we are also concerned about the rising prices of coal and pet coke. Nonetheless, our strategic initiatives, including the establishment of a captive solar power plant, have enabled us to report a profit for the current year. In addition to our efforts in the cement sector, we have capitalized on the opportunities in the Solar segment. As a result, there has been a rise in the deferred tax for Q4FY23, which has exerted pressure on our bottom line. It's important to note that this adjustment is a one-time occurrence. Looking ahead, we maintain a highly positive outlook for the future growth of our cement business. Our recent investments in the Company will facilitate the modernization of our cement plant. Combining the capabilities of our new cement plant and our captive solar power plant, we anticipate generating one of the best EBITDA per ton figures in the industry. These investments will significantly enhance our operational efficiency and profitability, positioning us for continued success." Incorporated in the year 1993 Shri Keshav Cement & Infra Limited (KCIL), formerly Katwa Udyog Limited) is engaged in the manufacturing of Cement and Solar Power Generation and Distribution in the state of Karnataka India. The Business segments are divided into two verticals 1) Manufacturing of cement 2) Generation of Electricity using Solar Power. The cement plants are located at Bagalkot district, Karnataka and the Solar power plant is located at Koppal, Karnataka. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog, on Saturday said the theme of the Governing Council Meeting was Viksit Bharat and "this is important because India is at a take-off moment". Speaking during a press conference after the NITI Aayog's 8th Governing Council Meeting, the CEO said, "The theme (of the meeting) was Viksit Bharat...Why is Viksit Bharat so important at this point? It is important because India is at a take-off moment. We are not only the largest country by population but also the fifth-largest economy. The fifth is going to become the third in a couple of years." The CEO of the think tank said, "Demography is in our favour not just in terms of the total number of people but also in terms of the number of youthful people." He said India will have about 20 per cent of the world's working-age population in a couple of years and it is going to be the largest provider of working-age people for the next 20 years or so. Elaborating on the working population, he said, "The median age is about 28-29 in our country. The time has come for India to utilise this opportunity. The countries which have crossed this particular level of development actually then go through a rapid period of sustained high-speed growth if the corrections are done." He said India actually has 25-25 period where "if we do the right things and do things the right way, the country can actually make it to its aspirational goals". The CEO also said that the rate of digitalisation in India is extremely high and talked about how all the countries are monitoring this achievement. On the lines of startups, he said, "Our country has the world's third-largest startup ecosystem. We have 90,000 startups, for which the DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) has got records. We have over 100 unicorns." "Given our aspirational population, given our demographics, given GDP which is there at this point, given that we are at the last mile of resolving a lot of basic issues like sadak, bijli, pani," the CEO said, adding, "we are at a point we move from basics and go towards development." (ANI) To mark the occasion on the completion of nine years in office, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s government came out with a nine-year big book -- 9 years of Seva, Sushasan Garib Kalyan -- on Saturday. In the book, the government has detailed its achievement on the lines of 14 important points, Serving the Poor and Marginalised; Ensuring Farmer Welfare; New Momentum For Nari Shakti; Empowering India's Amritpeedhi; Ease of Living for India's Middle Class; Affordable, Accesible Healthcare For All; Nation First- Foreign Policy and National Security; India, A Global Economic Powerhouse; Ease of Doing Business; Infra at Speed and Scale; India's Techade; Northeast - A Growth Engine; Virasat Aur Vikas and Environment and Sustainability. In this context of economic development, the government has also written in detail on the topics -- A Global Economic Powerhouse; Ease of Doing Business and Infra at Speed and Scale in the book. As the global economy recovers from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict and struggles to find its feet, the Indian economy continues to break new ground, the government said in the chapter, titled A Global Economic Powerhouse. In its latest projections on world economic growth, IMF recognises India as the fastest-growing major economy in the world. The government mentioned the robust rise in GST collections, increase in capital expenditure outlay, and record growth in exports are indicative of a vibrant and growing economy that has recovered from the effects of the pandemic. The book said, "This can be credited not only to the Modi government's holistic approach to managing the economic fallout of the pandemic, but also to the consistent efforts since 2014 to strengthen the economy." The chapter also said that the structural reforms initiated by the Modi government have strengthened the Indian economy and enabled it to withstand the unprecedented effects of the pandemic. To make India self-reliant in manufacturing, the chapter in the book also said the Modi government has initiated several programmes under Aatmanirbhar Bharat as well as Make in India. This sector received further impetus with the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The objective behind PLI is to make domestic manufacturing globally competitive and to create domestic leaders in manufacturing. It said the PLI schemes have created lakhs of jobs and placed the Indian economy on a rapid growth trajectory. In this chapter, it also mentioned that the Modi government has made MSMEs, a central focus of its economic policy. "The government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme during the Covid pandemic protected more than one crore MSMEs and saved them from possible permanent closure. Moreover, reforms such as revision of MSME definition and changes in labour and environment laws have allowed MSMEs to expand their operations and grow," it said. According to the book, PM Modi had consistently assured the country's wealth creators adequate support in their efforts towards innovation and making India self-reliant. This is reflected in his personal focus and support for the Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and its vision of building a semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India. India has also emerged as a preferred investment hub under Prime Minister Modi's dynamic leadership with it recording its highest-ever annual FDI inflow of USD 83.57 billion in the Financial Year 2021-22, according to the chapter on economic development in the book, according to the book. The Modi government has also announced a new Foreign Trade Policy to boost Indian exports, as well as to take India's goods and services exports to 42 trillion by 2030. The government said the Indian economy has seen a remarkable transformation in the last nine years, and its impact can be seen in the improved quality of life of all Indians across various sections of society. In the chapter of Ease of Doing Business, the government said, "Today the world is looking at India as an attractive destination for investment and global companies want to establish businesses here." The book said, "One of the greatest examples of improvement in the business climate of the country can be seen in its startups. Before 2014, India had around 350 startups." It said over the last nine years, encouraged by schemes such as StartUp India, there has been a 260-fold increase in the number of startups. Moreover, the country today is home to over 100 unicorns." Since 2014, rent-seeking and red-tapism have been replaced by a red carpet, the chapter in the book said, adding that the government is not an obstacle in the path of risk-takers but is an active-enabler. "Entrepreneurs and investors in India are now delighted by a business-friendly environment and a government that actively addresses their concerns and redresses grievances. This paradigm shift has been made possible through landmark decisions such as removing retrospective taxation, and Angel Tax, and lowering corporate tax," the book in the chapter said, adding, "The National Single Window System now allows obtaining all approvals through a single platform. Moreover, the Modi government has reduced unnecessary compliance burden by repealing more than 1,500 archaic laws and thousands of compliances." It said India's efforts to improve the ease of doing business are being acknowledged on the global stage. "This is evident in consistent improvement in various international rankings. For instance, the country's ranking in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index surged from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2019," the book said. India has climbed six places on the World Bank's Logistic Performance Index (LPI) 2023, now ranking 38th in the 139 countries index. "This is a strong indicator of India's global positioning, with this development being powered by the Government's laser focus on reforms for improving logistics infrastructure through initiatives like PM Gati Shakti and new National Logistics Policy," it said. According to the book, the thrust towards greater transparency and a level-playing field for MSMEs and small businesses is exemplified by the success of the GeM portal, the government purchases through which have crossed Rs 4 lakh crore. Apart from numerous reforms and landmark decisions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully led a mindset transformation, it said. "Unlike previous governments, the Modi government not only considers entrepreneurs as wealth creators but also as partners in national development." It added concerted efforts to improve the Ease of Doing Business have led to a historic expansion in the pool of wealth creators. "This has had a butterfly effect on the country at large- it has increased resources available to the government for its welfare and development programmes, while at the same time enabling job creation, and higher incomes in the country," it added. In the book's chapter on Infra at Speed and Scale, the government mentioned the quality of a country's infrastructure is a key determinant in shaping its economic trajectory. It said quality infrastructure is the key building block for our nation to become a global economic powerhouse. It said the Narendra Modi-led government has kept infrastructure at the front and centre of its development agenda. In the past, infrastructure projects suffered from inordinate delays, it added. But in the last nine years, the book said, "Thinking big and delivering without delay have been the hallmarks of infrastructure development in the country. The Prime Minister has regularly monitored the progress of projects through the PRAGATI platform, which has led to the successful completion of various delayed, as well as newly announced infrastructure projects." In line with its goal of bringing last-mile connectivity, the book said, "the daily average highway construction reached an all-time high and has consistently remained far higher than pre-2014 levels. Similarly, a rapid increase in the construction of rural roads has made access to roads nearly universal in the hinterland. Indian railways also witnessed a massive capacity expansion in the last nine years through line doubling and electrification of railway tracks." The Vande Bharat Express, India's first indigenous Semi High-Speed trains are a 'Make in India' success story, it added. As for air travel, the steps taken by the Modi government, have made it affordable and accessible, the book said. Seventy-four airports have been built and operationalised in just nine years, it said, adding, "further, 68 underserved/unserved destinations which include 58 Airports, 8 Heliports and two Water aerodromes have been connected under the UDAN scheme." Like airports, metro rail also is no longer limited to big cities. In the last nine years, metro rail projects have reached 20 cities, it had mentioned. "In line with this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) which is a transformative approach for integrated and holistic planning across concerned Ministries/ Departments to improve multimodal connectivity, logistics efficiency and to address critical infrastructure gaps for seamless movement of people and goods, with focus on minimising disruptions and ensuring timely completion of projects," the book said. "It is the most extensive plan for infrastructure development in the history of independent India, as the government plans to invest nearly Rs 100 lakh crore in the coming years." It concluded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for infrastructure development will support India's economic growth to the next level. "It will enhance the ease of living for citizens, multiply job creation and achieve the last mile connectivity to bring about inclusive development," it added. (ANI) 'Fanaa' marked a special occasion for Bollywood fans as it brought together two acclaimed actors, Aamir Khan and Kajol. As 'Fanaa' completed 17 years on Friday, actor Kajol revealed how she wore a chiffon salwar kameez at minus 27 degrees in a frozen lake for a song from the movie. Taking to Instagram, Kajol shared a video and wrote, "One of my oh so many "comebacks" but Zooni will always remain special to me simply because I just had to be me without my glasses. #Nerds rock! And since you guys loved my memories let me give you some more.. Poland was -27 degrees centigrade on the first day of shoot and I was wearing a thin chiffon salwar kameez on a frozen lake with the wind chill factor aside... #AamirKhan on the other hand had bought himself a nice thick jacket from the local market just for the shoot. So his face did not have the natural pain that was there on my frozen face!! And the cherry on top of the whole scenario was that the whole song was scrapped and RESHOT when we got back to Mumbai!! Can we all just salute women and heroines all over the world who do these things and much worse just to look good! #17YearsOfFanaa " https://www.instagram.com/p/CssWwFMIAvO/ The video showcased the glimpses from the movies. The movie is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of the beautiful valleys of Kashmir. It tells the story of Zooni, a visually impaired Kashmiri girl, and Rehan, a tourist guide who hides a dangerous secret. Zooni, played by Kajol falls in love with Rehan, portrayed by Aamir Khan. Their love story takes an unexpected turn when Rehan's true motives are revealed, leading to heartbreak, betrayal, and tragedy. 'Fanaa' received positive reviews for its performances, music, and cinematography. Aamir Khan and Kajol's on-screen chemistry was highly praised, and the film's soundtrack, composed by Jatin-Lalit, became popular, especially the songs 'Chand Sifarish' and 'Mere Haath Mein.' Kajol, was last seen in Salaam Venky and Helicopter Eela. She will be seen sharing screen space with Ibrahim Ali Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the remake of Suriya's hit film 'Sarzameen' (ANI) Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju on Friday visited the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and stressed the need to enhance and expand research activities, particularly in the Himalayan region. Union Minister Rijiju stressed the need to enhance and expand research activities, particularly in the Himalayan region, which he believes holds immense potential and demands further exploration. Addressing NCPOR scientists and staff, Union Minister highlighted the growing aspirations of the Indian people and India's increasing prominence on the global stage. "Recognizing NCPOR's contributions to scientific advancement, the Minister lauded the successful expedition team currently stationed in Antarctica and expressed his enthusiasm to interact with them upon their return," the Ministry of Earth Sciences stated. The visit served to familiarize the Minister with the significant activities and initiatives undertaken by NCPOR. "Throughout the day, a series of informative and engaging events were organized to showcase the crucial work carried out by the institution. A key highlight of the visit was an interactive session where the Minister engaged virtually with the dedicated team stationed at Bharati Station in Antarctica," it said. The Union Minister also expressed his belief in the transformative power of science and the need for a rational approach to addressing challenges. He assured the scientific community of his commitment to providing necessary resources, policies, and support to enable them to achieve their objectives, the release said. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of creating awareness and visibility for the work carried out by researchers and urged for increased public engagement and appreciation of scientific endeavours. Director of NCPOR, Dr Thamban Meloth, expressed his gratitude for the Union Minister of Earth Sciences' visit. The Director emphasized that conducting scientific research in polar regions requires exceptional skills in complex logistics and coordination among public institutions, agencies, and departments. He expressed confidence that NCPOR will make significant strides and elevate India's reputation in polar and oceanic research under the Minister's leadership. "Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's visit also included a virtual reality show of the Antarctic region, and a visit to the Ice Core Lab and the Sophisticated Instrumentation Facility where advanced research infrastructure and techniques utilized by NCPOR scientists were showcased," the release said. (ANI) The government's policy think tank NITI Aayog will be organising its Eighth Governing Council Meeting in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on Saturday. While the main theme is 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Role of Team India', the think tank in a statement said prominent themes include Thrust on MSMEs, Infrastructure and Investments, Minimising Compliances, Women Empowerment, Health and Nutrition, Skill Development, and Gati Shakti for Area Development and Social Infrastructure would be also discussed during the day-long meeting. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the meeting, according to a statement from NITI Aayog. Chief ministers or lieutenant governors of all states and Union Territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio Members, and the vice-chairman and members of NITI Aayog will be present. This 8th Governing Council Meeting is also being held in the backdrop of India's G20 Presidency. India's G20 motto 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' conveys its civilisational values and its vision of the role of each country in creating the future of our planet. Meanwhile, CM KCR will meet Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and other MPs in Hyderabad today. Delhi CM Kejriwal will meet his Telangana counterpart K Chandrashekar Rao on Saturday in Hyderabad to seek his party Bharat Rashtra Samithi's (BRS) support against the Centre's ordinance which nullifies the Supreme Court order on services matters in the national capital. "Meeting CM of Telengana on Saturday in Hyderabad to seek support against unconstitutional and undemocratic ordinance passed by BJP govt against the orders of SC," Kejriwal tweeted. (ANI) "The decision of the MP MLA Court of Rampur has been carefully considered by us. The AR committee will prepare a complete report and appeal the matter in court. The points raised by us were not considered," Rajesh Shukla told ANI. "The FIR was not registered under any pressure. FIR was lodged when the words spoken in the election videography were found to be wrong," he said. On Wednesday, the court acquitted the SP leader for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Earlier in October 2022, the Samajwadi Party leader was convicted by a court in Uttar Pradesh in a hate speech case filed against him. A case was registered against Khan in Rampur in April 2019, for allegedly making provocative remarks against the Uttar Pradesh CM and the then District Magistrate of Rampur, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh. (ANI) Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. The House of Representatives during the legislative session at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on May 19, 2023. (Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune) SPRINGFIELD Speaking at a business industry conference in April, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch joked that his title should be listener of the House, citing the 11 different caucuses among his 78 members. Most of my time is on caucus management, he said. I have an open-door policy and they take advantage of it. Advertisement The difficulty in building consensus within the many competing interests among Democrats who control both the House and Senate was on clear display in the waning days of the spring legislative session, as the General Assembly blew a self-imposed adjournment date and once again went into overtime to pass a budget. The session didnt end until about 3 a.m. Saturday, shortly after the House voted 73-38 along party lines to approve a $50.6 billion spending plan that now goes to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who issued a statement saying he intends to sign it. Advertisement In presenting the plan, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria, who this year became the chief budget negotiator for the House Democrats, nodded to the challenges in getting all party members behind the budget. It isnt easy to come together when we have a diverse body, but it certainly becomes the strength that moves us forward, she said. Gordon-Booth also acknowledged during the early morning debate that not everyone would be completely satisfied with the final product, but argued the spending plan seeks to ensure the state can keep its promises. The reality of this budget is that no one in here, no one in communities is going to get everything that they asked for because we simply dont have the resources to do everything that everyone is asking, Gordon-Booth said. The things that we are engaging in we believe that we can sustain over time. The fits and starts that marked the end of the legislative session belied the huge gains Democrats made in November, when Pritzker consolidated his power within the party while Democrats retained their supermajority in the Senate and expanded it to a record high in the House. It also pointed to growing pains under the leadership of Welch. The Democrat from Hillside in 2021 replaced longtime Speaker Michael Madigan, who lost his job after becoming ensnared in a wide-ranging corruption investigation and now stands indicted and awaiting trial on racketeering charges. Welchs election to the speakers post promised a transformational and transparent House operation after years of Madigans tightfisted control over his members. But the delay in approving a state budget showed Welchs leadership remains in a transitional phase. Welch was first forced to push back a self-set adjournment deadline of May 19 because a budget deal could not be brokered, then had to hold off again after standing with Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon on Wednesday to announce a budget deal had been reached, which quickly became clear was not the case. Senate President Don Harmon, left, and House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch stand together during a joint session of the General Assembly on April 19, 2023, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Giving more power to racial and ethnic caucuses and their priorities and confronting a progressive-moderate split as the state faces a contraction in tax revenues, Welch had difficulty navigating the budget lines to try to preserve unity among his members. It didnt help that Greg Harris, the former House Democratic point man on spending and a longtime architect of legislative budgets, had retired, stepping down in January after not seeking reelection. Advertisement Hours before the Senate passed the budget late Thursday in a 34-22 vote, House Democrats gathered privately in a committee room on the first floor of the State Capitol to discuss the budget and other bills they were preparing for floor action. Outside the room, state Rep. Fred Crespo, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates whos been in the House since 2007, acknowledged there were a lot of new players involved that havent done this before. Greg Harris was the one running the show for a long time, said Crespo, a member of both the moderate and Latino caucuses in the House. We have new people running the show. We have a lot of new members in the House. And because of that, youre going to have to go through some growing pains. And weve been through some growing pains. State Rep. Greg Harris speaks on his final day in office at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Jan. 10, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) A key point of contention during budget negotiations was how to manage a state-funded health care program for noncitizens who dont qualify for traditional federal Medicaid. The state-funding program is geared toward immigrants who are in the country without legal permission or who have green cards but havent completed a five-year waiting period. The program was created for people 65 and older in 2020 but has since been expanded to cover those 42 and older. Advocates and some Democratic lawmakers have been pushing to cover people 19 and older. Pritzkers February spending plan estimated the cost of the program at $220 million. But subsequent projections pegged the cost at closer to $1.1 billion, according to the administration, though some Democratic lawmakers and advocates questioned that projection. Democratic lawmakers refused to cut funding in other programs or enact the governors recommended cost controls, such as copays or income limitations, resulting in a deal that allocated about $550 million for the program while, according to the governors office, giving the administration tools to control costs. In effect, Pritzker agreed to assume any political liabilities that come with controlling future costs. Shortly before the Senate adjourned early Friday for the final time this spring, the tension and emotional nature of the issue burst into the open when state Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Chicago Democrat, slammed critics, including those in the GOP, whove questioned the funding for the health care program. Advertisement She talked about how her mother, before she died of cancer, was sick and needed to have surgery. My mother said, Mija, I have you but what about everyone else here who doesnt speak the language or doesnt have the status that we have to be able to handle things, that doesnt have the health insurance that we have to be able to cover the cost of this? Villanueva said. Dont use my communities as political scapegoats and whatever games youre trying to play as a political ploy, and that is for anybody that is continuing to try to insinuate that undocumented people deserve any less, she said. They pay taxes. And they contribute to our economy. Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, left, is comforted by Sen. Celina Villanueva after presenting HB3751, which would allow temporary citizens the ability to apply to the Illinois police force, during the legislative session in Springfield on May 18, 2023. (Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune) During the House debate early Saturday, Republicans voiced their perennial objections about being excluded from budget talks. Rep. Norine Hammond of Macomb, the House GOPs chief budget negotiator, characterized the Democrats plan as another partisan, one-sided budget and suggested there was a lack of interest by the majority party to work with Republicans. This is not a balanced budget, Hammond said. The revenues that are needed for this budget, they are not my money, it is not your money, it is not Republican money, it is not Democratic money. This money belongs to the taxpayers of the state of Illinois and they deserve better. Advertisement In the Senate, however, there was less public friction between Republicans and Democrats than in the past. Moments before the budget passed through the chamber, Republican leader John Curran acknowledged how Democrats included his caucus in budget talks, something he described as a step forward in our working relationships. But he indicated the final product of the budget does not reflect the entire state of Illinois. He criticized the budget for ignoring the overwhelming call for relief from tax and utility costs that he thinks are crushing families and small- and medium-sized businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic. And he said the budget is not friendly to big business, noting companies like Caterpillar and Boeing have relocated offices out of state. The budget presented here today undoubtedly represents a further expansion and growth of state government at a time when Illinois itself is contracted, Curran said. In addition to Curran and all 18 other Senate Republicans voting against the budget, so did three Democrats, Sens. Patrick Joyce of Reddick, Suzy Glowiak Hilton of Western Springs and Doris Turner of Springfield. Sen. John Curran, left, talks with Sen. Scott Bennett at the Illinois state Capitol building on Dec. 1, 2022 in Springfield. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) Confronted by reporters after the Senate adjournment early Friday morning, Turner and Glowiak Hilton each indicated that they werent in favor of the budgets pay raises for rank-and-file lawmakers, which would increase their annual salaries by 5.5% from $85,000 to $89,675. Those raises would come after a separate raise given to lawmakers in January that boosted the annual salaries of rank-and-file lawmakers to $85,000 from $72,906, a nearly 17% increase. Advertisement On Thursday, state Sen. Elgie Sims, a Chicago Democrat and the Senates chief budget negotiator, insisted the Democrats are not trying to hide anything or do anything nefarious with the new raises, saying theyre merely part of a cost-of-living adjustment. Harmon said on the Senate floor he was disappointed that Curran didnt support the budget. This is a budget that invests in our shared priorities. We are investing in schools in red districts and in blue districts. Were investing in hospitals in red districts and blue districts, and health care workers across the state, Harmon said. Hours before the House took the floor on Friday, House Republican leader Tony McCombie criticized not only the costs of the immigrant health care program, but the absence of tax breaks on gas, groceries and school supplies that were in place during 2022s reelection year for Pritzker, the pay raises for lawmakers and uncertainty over anticipated costs related to contract negotiations with the states largest public employee union. We cannot trust the majority party with more money when all they offer is so little in return to tangible benefits for Illinois families all around 102 counties that we represent, McCombie, of Savanna, said during a news conference at the Capitol. We do not want new spending. Now is not the time. We dont know what is happening with the (anticipated) upcoming recession. We dont know how bad its going to be. Aside from the contention over the funding for the immigrant health care program, there were also differences over whether to extend a $75 million tax credit program for private school scholarship donors, which was left out of the final budget package. During the Senate floor debate, Curran lamented the children whose lives have been forever changed by scholarships to schools being excluded from the budget. Talking to reporters after the budgets passage, Sims downplayed Currans remarks, and also appeared to leave the door open on the program, saying we will have until the fall to take this up. Advertisement In his remarks closing the session for the House, Welch confronted Republicans over their votes against the budget, and bet them that theyd soon be talking up the gains it provided for their districts. When you go home (youll) brag about all the money going in your schools, your community colleges, your park districts, your universities that are in your districts, Welch said, gesturing to the Republican side as he spoke. The 7% increase to every university thats in districts you represent that you voted no against. You should be proud and tomorrow I guarantee you will be bragging about it. The Pritzker administration has highlighted elements of the budget that boost education, including an additional $100 million for Monetary Award Program grant funding. Other areas of the budget highlighted by the governors office include an increase of $85 million to support homelessness prevention, affordable housing and other programs related to a vision of ending homelessness in the state. The budget proposal also includes an additional $200 million to the states underfunded pension plans on top of the $9.8 billion required under state law. Pritzkers staff also highlighted a $20 million investment in a new program to expand grocery access to urban neighborhoods and rural towns. The initiative comes after the governor suspended the states grocery tax for 12 months in the current budget that expires at the end of June. The more-than-3,400-page budget that kicks in July 1 also includes $15 million for the states violent crime witness protection program, which is half of the $30 million that Pritzker proposed for the program in February. Also in the budget was a $30 million appropriation for a fund that distributes money to police departments for body cameras and squad car dashboard camera systems. Advertisement Another $15 million was also set aside for grants associated with a youth summer jobs program, geared toward especially benefiting young people in Chicago and other urban areas. And the budget includes a roughly $112 million increase in the share of state income tax revenue distributed to local governments, partially satisfying a request from some suburban mayors, as well as new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. In response to another request from Johnson, the budget would provide $42.5 million to aid migrants arriving from the countrys southern border. The rejiggered plan that came out Thursday, however, would make that money available to counties and towns statewide rather than just Chicago and other parts of Cook County. In the end, it may have been appropriate that one of the major budget implementation bills was shoehorned into legislation that began as an effort to make the soybean the official state bean. Illinois legislators wound up writing their own version of the old saw that people should never see how sausage and the law is made, replacing it with tofu. Petrella and Pearson reported from Chicago. jgorner@chicagotribune.com dpetrella@chicagotribune.com Advertisement hsanders@chicagotribune.com rpearson@chicagotribune.com As many as four people were arrested for allegedly killing a saint (sadhu) in the Kosi Kalan area of Mathura district, said police on Friday. According to the police, the accused have been identified as Narendra, Avtar, Kailash, and Ramhari. The police said that the saint was killed with the intention of looting and his body was found in his ashram on Tuesday morning (May 23). As per the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mathura, Shailesh Kumar Pandey, the deceased sadhu has been identified as Saint Haridas and was living in an ashram near Jav village on Nandgaon Road under Kosi Kalan police station area for the past 20 years. "On May 23, Sadhu's blood-stained body was found in his ashram when one of his disciples went to his room to give him food," added the police. Upon receiving the information, the police swung into action and several teams were formed to arrest the accused. The police said, "During the investigation, one of the accused identified as Avtar opened fire at the police when he was asked to surrender. He also got injured in the scuffle, after which the police took him into custody and sent him for treatment." During interrogation, the accused informed that they knew the deceased sadhu for a long time and were also aware of the deceased's money. When the accused reached the ashram of the sadhu, they found him sleeping on the sofa. They tied his hands and feet after hitting him in the head. Later they took away Rs 50,000 from the deceased's bag. "We have recovered Rs 40,000 in cash, mobile, car inverter battery, and pistol cartridges from the possession of the accused," said the police. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI) At the event at Shanti Van, here in the national capital, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party's General Secretary KC Venugopal and former MP Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes to the former PM. Jawaharlal Nehru was a freedom fighter who played a pivotal role in India's freedom movement. He also went on to become India's first Prime Minister after independence in 1947. Nehru remained at the post for more than 16 years and died due to a heart attack on 27th May 1964. Lal Bahadur Shastri took over as the second Prime Minister of India. Nehru is considered the pioneer of India's Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). For his love for children, Nehru was also called 'Chacha Nehru' and his birth anniversary on November 14, is also celebrated as Children's Day every year in India. (ANI) Taking a jibe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal amid the row over the Centre's ordinance on control of administrative services in the national capital, Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary on Saturday said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor should realise his "mistake of praising" the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) earlier. His remarks came in the wake of the Delhi Chief Minister seeking time from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former MP Rahul Gandhi demanding support against the Centre's ordinance on control of administrative services in the national capital. Speaking to ANI, Anil Chaudhary said, "Congress high command will take a decision on whether they will meet Arvind Kejriwal or not. When all opposition parties were together, he kept praising BJP. Arvind Kejriwal should realise his mistake." The Delhi Chief Minister on May 23 embarked on a nationwide tour to seek support from the Opposition parties against the ordinance brought by the central government on the transfers and postings of bureaucrats in the national capital. So far, Kejriwal has met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. He will also be meeting Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday to seek his party Bharat Rashtra Samithi's (BRS) support against the ordinance. Kejriwal also informed that he will not be able to attend the NITI Aayog meeting to be held on Saturday in the national capital. This comes after the Union government on May 19 brought an ordinance to notify rules for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) regarding the 'transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters'. The ordinance was brought to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and it circumvents the Supreme Court judgement in the Centre vs Delhi case. (ANI) According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, the terror associate was identified as Mohd Ashraf Mir, a resident of Laridoora Chandoosa, Baramulla. During the search, police recovered one grenade from his possession. A case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act was registered against the accused at Chandoosa police station. Acting on a tip-off, the joint forces of Baramulla police and 52 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a search operation in the village Nagbal Chandoosa in Baramulla. "During the operation, one suspect person who was coming from Shrunz towards Nagbal Chandoosa tried to flee while noticing a joint naka party but was apprehended tactfully. During the search, one grenade was recovered from the possession of the accused terror associate and was taken into custody immediately," police said. Police informed that the arrested terror associate is a surrendered terrorist. Further investigation was underway. (ANI) Army Chief General Manoj Pande will be visiting Manipur today to review the security situation in view of the recent violence there, said Indian Army officials. They said the Army Chief would be briefed by the Eastern Command officials on the measures taken to bring the situation under control. Meanwhile, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles have beefed up security across Manipur amid the reports of fresh violence in the state. Both the security teams in Imphal East and Churchandpur prevented the firing incidents between the two communities, where some armed miscreants opened fire and ran towards higher reaches, the Army said. However, there were no reports of casualties and further operations were underway. There have been violent communal clashes in Manipur due to the Manipur High Court (HC) directing the State to pursue a 10-year-old recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the non-tribal Meitei community. Manipur has seen ethnic violence with Chief Minister N Biren Singh stating earlier this month that around 60 people have lost their lives. Houses have also been burnt during the violence with new incidents also reported from some parts of the State. Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Biren Singh informed that additional security forces had been brought into the state and security personnel consisting of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Manipur Police, Manipur Rifles, India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Village Defence Force (VDF) had been deployed at 38 vulnerable areas. Appealing to the public not to have apprehension, the Chief Minister informed that operations had been conducted against armed militants in various areas in the periphery of the State. Efforts are being made to hold peace talks with all sections of people and the Government has been meeting various peace committees formed in the wake of the prevailing situation in Manipur, he added. He further appealed to the people to refrain from violent activities and not to believe or spread any unfounded information rumours, which could create tension among different communities. He sought the support of the public towards Government efforts to bring normalcy. In the wake of the situation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also slated to visit the state for three days. Appealing to people to maintain peace, Shah said on Thursday, "There were clashes in Manipur after the verdict of a court. I would appeal to both groups they should maintain peace, and justice will be done with everyone. I will myself go to Manipur after few days and will stay there for three days and will talk to people of Manipur for establishing peace." (ANI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday slammed the Centre over the construction of the new Parliament and said that there is 'no sense' to attend the NITI Aayog meeting and the inauguration ceremony of the new building. Talking to the reporters in Patna, Kumar said, "What was the need for a new Parliament? The earlier building was a historic one. I have repeatedly said that the people in power will change the history of this country." On May 28th 2023, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the new Parliament building, which is part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. One of the highlights of the event will be the installation of a historic golden sceptre, called Sengol, near the Speaker's seat. The Sengol is a symbol of India's independence and sovereignty, as well as its cultural heritage and diversity. Meanwhile, Kumar also said that he will skip the NITI Aayog meeting today held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There was no sense in attending the NITI Aayog meeting today and the inauguration of the new Parliament building tomorrow," he added. PM Modi will chair the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog on Saturday on the 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India' theme at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, PM Modi will preside over the meeting. Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rajasthan's Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot won't attend the NITI Aayog Council meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Saturday. CM Gehlot has cited health reasons for not attending the meeting, while CM Vijayan has not given any specific reason for his absence. Other than him, Delhi's CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's CM Bhagwant Mann, Telangana's CM K Chandrashekhar Rao, and West Bengal's CM Mamata Banerjee are expected to skip the meeting on Saturday. PM Modi will deliberate on issues related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. "Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long Meeting including Viksit Bharat@2047, Thrust on MSMEs, Infrastructure and Investments, Minimising Compliances, Women Empowerment, Health and Nutrition, Skill Development, and Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure," the NITI Aayog stated. It added, "The Meeting will see the participation of Chief Ministers/Lt Governors of all States and Union Territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio Members, and the Vice Chairman and Members of NITI Aayog". PM Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla will lead the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament building on Sunday, May 28, which will be dedicated to the nation. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired the eighth governing council meeting of the Niti Aayog on Saturday. Themed on 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India', the meeting was held at the new Convention Centre in the national capital's Pragati Maidan. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, PM Modi presided over the meeting, which deliberated on issues related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Chief Ministers of several States participated in the council meeting that was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde were seen at the meeting. "Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long Meeting including (i) Viksit Bharat@2047, (ii) Thrust on MSMEs, (iii) Infrastructure and Investments, (iv) Minimising Compliances, (v) Women Empowerment, (vi) Health and Nutrition, (vii) Skill Development, and (viii) Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure," the NITI Aayog stated ahead of the meeting. "The Meeting will see the participation of Chief Ministers/Lt Governors of all States and Union Territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio Members, and the Vice Chairman and Members of NITI Aayog", it stated. As a preparatory prelude to the 8th Governing Council Meeting, the second Chief Secretaries Conference was held in January 2023, where these themes were extensively discussed. "Wide-ranging stakeholder consultations and brainstorming sessions with subject experts, academia and practitioners were held prior to the Conference in order to gain well-rounded grassroots-level perspectives," it further said. The NITI Aayog further said, "This 8th Governing Council Meeting is also being held in the backdrop of India's G20 Presidency. India's G20 motto 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' conveys its civilisational values and its vision of the role of each country in creating the future of our planet." This will be the guiding spirit of India's inclusive and sustainable vision for the next quarter century. In order to achieve this vision, the 8th Governing Council Meeting would provide a platform for strengthening Centre-State cooperation and forging partnerships for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047. Seven Chief ministers- Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, Bhagwant Mann of Punjab, Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, K Chandrashekar Rao of Telangana, Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan, Nitish Kumar of Bihar and Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala did not attend the meeting of the Niti Aayog. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who is on a visit to Japan and Singapore, was also not present at today's meeting. (ANI) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor sought the support of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) against the Centre's ordinance which the party claims circumvent the Supreme Court order. Kejriwal was accompanied by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann and AAP MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha. The Delhi Chief Minister on May 23 embarked on a nationwide tour to seek support from the Opposition parties against the ordinance. Earlier, Kejriwal had met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. He also informed that he would not be able to attend the NITI Aayog meeting to be held on Saturday in the national capital. This comes after the Union government on May 19 brought an ordinance to notify rules for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) regarding the 'transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters'. The ordinance was brought to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and it circumvents the Supreme Court judgement in the Centre vs Delhi case. (ANI) Delhi Police has beefed up security around the new Parliament building ahead of the inauguration ceremony on May 28, with around 70 policemen deployed in the area. Delhi Police Special CP Deepender Pathak told ANI that enough police deployment will be made for maintaining the law and order situation during tomorrow's event. "Our focus is to maintain law and order situation and carry out the program (inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building) tomorrow. We will ensure enough police deployment for tomorrow's event," he said. Notably, Delhi Police has received inputs that on the day of the inauguration, some miscreants may put up "anti-national and anti-PM" slogans on the walls of the campus. Regarding this, the police have decided to deploy heavy security around the new Parliament building throughout the 24 hours. The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) rank officers are also continuously monitoring the whole situation through CCTV surveillance, the sources said. Earlier on Friday, the police sources had told ANI that Delhi Police has decided to close all borders in order to prevent any protest or gathering. This decision has been taken in the wake of Khap Panchayat's call for a Mahila Panchayat in support of protesting wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in front of the new Parliament building on May 28. According to Delhi Police's top sources, no permission has been given for this panchayat yet. The protestors will not be allowed to hold Khap Panchayat as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the new Parliament on the same day. On May 28th 2023, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the new Parliament building, which is part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. One of the highlights of the event will be the installation of a historic golden sceptre, called Sengol, near the Speaker's seat. The Sengol is a symbol of India's independence and sovereignty, as well as its cultural heritage and diversity. (ANI) Ahead of the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, Rajasthan Minister Mahesh Joshi on Saturday said that President Droupadi Murmu should inaugurate the building as the President of India is the first citizen of the country. Mahesh Joshi said, "I think it is unfair to ignore the President by not getting her to inaugurate the Parliament building. It will be a good thing if she inaugurates it. We believe that the President of India is also the first citizen of the country." Joshi further said that President should inaugurate the Parliament House. "This is my demand," he added. The President is the constitutional head of India, Article 74(1) of the Constitution, provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head to aid and advise the President, who shall exercise his/her functions in accordance with the advice. However, the real executive power is vested in the Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head. Meanwhile, Twenty-one Adheenams have left for Delhi from Chennai to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building. Dharmapuram Adheenam, Palani Adheenam, Virudhachalam Adheenam, Thirukoyilur Adheenam were among the Adheenams who left for Delhi from Chennai to attend the ceremony. At the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will establish the historical and sacred "Sengol" in the Parliament House. Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that the sacred Sengol is the symbol of the transfer of power from the British to India. He said that the Parliament House is the most appropriate and sacred place to install the historic "Sengol". PM Modi took a decision to adopt Sengol as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal. The sceptre Sengol will be presented to PM Modi during the inauguration of the new Parliament building by the 293rd head priest of Madurai Aadheenam. Seers of Dharmapuram Adheenam will present a special gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talking about the installation of 'Sengol', a symbol of justice, Ambalavana Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal of Thiruvavaduthurai Aadheenam said on Friday that it is a matter of pride for Tamil Nadu that Sengol is being given its significance. "Lord Mountbatten got the Sengol and it was given to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947. It's good that PM Modi will place Sengol in the new Parliament. Tomorrow, we are going to Delhi and we'll be giving it to the PM," he said. The Thiruvavaduthurai Aadheenam said that it is a "matter of pride" for Tamil Nadu that Sengol, a symbol of justice, will be installed in the new Parliament building adding that "some people are spreading lies". He said that the then Governor General Lord Mountbatten had given the Sengol to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947, which will now be presented to PM Modi on Sunday. The Home Minister launched a special website (sengol1947.ignca.gov.in), with details and downloadable videos about Sengol on Wednesday. "We want the people of India to see this and learn about this historic event. It is a matter of pride for all," he had said. (ANI) Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. The Kane County coroner Friday afternoon identified an Aurora man as the person killed in a shootout with police on the border of Geneva and Batavia on Wednesday. James Moriarty, 38, was identified by the coroner as the man killed in the incident. Advertisement Moriarty was pronounced dead at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva following the shooting Wednesday. An autopsy was performed Friday and the preliminary cause of death was ruled as multiple gunshot wounds, Kane County Coroners officials said. Moriarty allegedly carjacked a Honda Accord at a Jiffy Lube in Aurora around 1:57 p.m. Wednesday, Kane County Sheriffs officials said. Deputies later spotted the vehicle using license plate readers in the South Elgin area, police said. Advertisement Police initiated a pursuit that ended at Randall Road and Fabyan Parkway on the border of Geneva and Batavia, where the vehicle was stopped by sheriffs deputies. At that point, the man allegedly exited the vehicle and displayed a weapon toward deputies, officials said. A police dog, named Hudson, was deployed and became involved in an active struggle with the man. An exchange of gunfire occurred, officials said, during which the man and the police dog were shot. Both Moriarty and the police dog died during the shootout. The Kane County Major Crimes Task Force is handling the investigation into the incident and asks anyone who witnessed the shooting to call the tip line at 331-385-6314. mejones@chicagotribune.com Slamming the Opposition for boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday congratulated the government for the construction being done in record time. Speaking to ANI, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "I would have surely attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building if I was in Delhi. I completely welcome this decision. The Opposition should have congratulated the government instead of boycotting the inauguration. What they were not able to do, this government has done. I am strictly against the opposition boycotting this". Calling the decision a "much needed" one, he said that even he had wanted a new Parliament building during his tenure as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. "23 years ago, we saw this dream. I was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister then. I had discussed this with Shivraj Patil and also former PM Narsimha Rao. We had even designed a map, but the work couldn't be done. So, if the new Parliament building has been constructed now, that too such a large one, it is very good," he said. Azad added, "This decision was much needed as the number of MPs is going to almost double and the old Parliament is not sufficient for that. I also congratulate the government for completing the construction in record time. Usually, Parliaments are not constructed so fast". The former Congress leader said that it doesn't matter who inaugurates the Parliament and the Opposition should raise issues resonating with the public. "It doesn't matter whether the Prime Minister inaugurates or the President. Moreover, BJP supported the candidature of Droupadi Murmu as the President. If the Opposition had so much respect for her, why did they put a candidate against her," Azad said. He added, "The Opposition is raising irrelevant issues. There are many genuine issues, but the Opposition is not focussing on those. Instead, the Opposition should raise such issues which actually affect the people. It doesn't matter to the public who inaugurates the Parliament". PM Narendra Modi will dedicate the new parliament building to the nation tomorrow, May 28. Along with the PM, the inauguration will be led by Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla. At the inauguration of the new Parliament House, PM Modi will establish the historic and sacred 'Sengol' in the Parliament House, which marked the transfer of power from the British. Leaders of Congress and 20 other opposition parties have accused the government of "bypassing" President Droupadi Murmu for the event and said that they will "boycott" the inaugural ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building on December 10, 2020. It has been built in record time with quality construction. In the present building of the Parliament, there is a provision for the sitting of 543 Members in the Lok Sabha and 250 in the Rajya Sabha. Keeping in view the future requirements, arrangements have been made for a meeting of 888 members in the Lok Sabha and 384 members in the Rajya Sabha in the newly constructed building of the Parliament. The joint session of both Houses will be held in the Lok Sabha chamber. (ANI) Slamming the Opposition parties for boycotting the inauguration event of the new Parliament building, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar called this "petty politics" of the worst level. Stating that this is the first "non-colonial" Parliament built after independence, Chandrasekhar said that no MP with "common sense" would refuse to participate in the festival. Speaking to ANI, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "This is the first time India has got a Parliament, which is not colonial. It is the Parliament of the country and a shining symbol of our democracy. For parties to remain outside of that, which MP with common sense would not participate in the celebration of the first parliament built after independence and which is not made by the British?" "This is petty politics of the worst level, it is the falling of politics even beyond what I would call petty politics. It is desperation, frustration and the absence of anything else that they have to say," he added. Reacting to the row over 'Sengol' being placed in the Parliament, Chandrasekhar accused Congress party of "erasing" its history from school textbooks. "The controversy is that the Congress government hid that fact from the nation that when you talk about independence and the Tryst with Destiny speech of Pandit Nehru, we never learnt anywhere in our school that there was a ceremony where a Sengol was handed over to Jawaharlal Nehru as a symbol of righteousness and just rule in a 'pooja' overseen by C Rajagopalachari. This is erased out of history," he said. He also slammed the Chief Ministers of Opposition parties who didn't participated in the NITI Aayog governing council meeting. "What are they afraid of in participating in a discussion about the future of our country? Are they worried that the future of our country's discussion means they will have nothing to contribute?" Chandrasekhar said. Reacting over the claims of 'Opposition Unity' after the Bharatiya Janata Party's defeat in the Karnataka elections, the Union Minister said, "Adding multiple zeros doesn't make it anything more than a zero. Adding people without any ideology or a common belief in the future of India does not make them a viable alternative to PM Modi's vision of the future of India, just because they are having meals together and press conferences together," he further said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the new Parliament building to the nation on Sunday. Notably, leaders of Congress and 20 other opposition parties have accused the government of "bypassing" President Droupadi Murmu for the event and said that they will "boycott" the inaugural ceremony. (ANI) According to the police, the accused have been identified as Jugal Nayak (29) and Ranjit Bhoi (24). Based on intelligence input, the police said that a raid was conducted by a team of STF Bhubaneshwar on Friday evening with the help of Nayagarh District Police at Itamati against illegal transportation of narcotics drugs. "During the raid two accused with ganja of more than 106 kg, one car and other incriminating materials were recovered and seized from their possession," said JN Pankaj IG STF in a press statement. A case has also been registered under section 20(b)(ii)(c)/29 of the NDPS Act 1985 at Itamati Police Station for necessary legal action. Further investigation into the matter is underway. As per an official release, a special drive against narcotic drugs is continuing. "Since 2020, STF has seized more than 69 Kg of brown sugar/heroin, 202-gram cocaine and more than 114 quintals of ganja/marijuana, and 750 grams of opium and arrested more than 171 drug dealers/peddlers," further read the release. (ANI) National Investigation Agency (NIA) has busted an ISIS-linked terror module in an intelligence-led joint operation with the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of Madhya Pradesh Police and arrested three persons in this regard. The three persons identified as Syed Mamoor Ali, Mohammad Adil Khan and Mohammad Shahid have been arrested from Jabalpur and will be produced in the NIA Special Court in Bhopal today, said an official release. According to the release, the arrests took place after overnight raids were conducted at 13 locations in Jabalpur on May 26-27. A host of sharp-edged weapons, ammunition (including prohibited bore), incriminating documents and digital devices were also seized during the searches, the statement said. "The NIA had, on May 24, registered a case (RC-14/2023/NIA/DLI), during its investigations into the pro-ISIS activities of Mohammad Adil Khan, who came to the agency's notice in August 2022. The NIA learnt that he and his associates were involved in disseminating ISIS propaganda through social media platforms, as well as through on-ground 'Dawah' programmes, in order to unleash violent terror attacks in India at the instance of ISIS. The module had been conducting meetings/Dars in local Masjids and houses and hatching plans and conspiracies to spread terror in the country", the statement read. The release further stated, "Investigations revealed that the three accused were highly radicalised and were determined to carry out violent jihad. They were engaged in collecting funds, disseminating ISIS propaganda material, motivating and recruiting youth, and trying to procure arms and ammunition with the objective of carrying out terrorist acts." As per the statement, Syed Mamoor Ali had created a local group/Tanzeem by the name of 'Fisabilillah' and was also operating a WhatsApp group by the same name. "Along with his associates, he was trying to procure Pistols and was in contact with a Jabalpur-based illegal arms supplier for this purpose", the statement added. The statement further said, "A staunch ISIS follower and supporter, Adil had managed to assemble an active group of Jabalpur-based like-minded radicalised individuals. Some of the module members were already contemplating Hijrat (flight) to conflict theatres, while others had plans to form a local outfit for carrying out violent jihad in India, according to the NIA investigations." "Adil was also running multiple YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp channels for motivating and recruiting youth into the ISIS fold", the release added. Investigations further showed that Shahid had also planned to procure weapons including Pistols, IEDs and even grenades for violent attacks in India, as mentioned in the statement. (ANI) The accused was identified as Ankit Singh, a resident of the Hazratganj intersection in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. According to the Hazratganj police officials, the accused youth living on the eighth floor of the Kasmanda apartment at the Hazratganj intersection was caught flying the suspected drone just one kilometre away from the residence of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Officials said that as soon as information about the suspected drone was received, police officials rushed to the spot. "As soon as the information about the suspected drone was received, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Hazratganj and the local outpost in charge reached the spot and the person flying the drone was taken into custody," said the police. The police further added that the accused youth has been detained for questioning. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI) In a bid to enhance coastal security, the Centre is going to provide 3.5 lakh free-of-cost two-way communication transponders to fishermen which will help in tracking them and also promote their business. "In a phase-wise manner, 3.5 lakh two-way communication transponders are going to be provided to the fishermen along the coastal areas. In the first phase, one lakh transponders would be fitted on boats which are less than 20-metre size. The project is going to be carried out under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana," government officials told ANI here. The transponders are going to be manufactured by the Indian Space Research Organisation which will be made in India and supported by new satellites to be launched for this purpose only by the space agency. Government organisations including the fisheries departments of the states and Centre along with the National Security Council are coordinating for implementation of the project across the coastal areas. The officials said the transponders not only will allow the monitoring agencies to know the location of fishing boats all the time when they are at sea but also allow them to contact agencies from the sea. The transponders would also allow the agencies to send warnings to the fishermen about cyclones or other weather conditions. The fishermen would also be able to contact in distress situations and can be provided help at sea. The pilot project of installing these transponders on sub-20 metre boats commenced with a pilot project in Tamil Nadu. The office of National Maritime Security Coordinator Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar has been working with the state and central agencies to increase the ease of doing business for fishermen as the agencies would allow them to cart the photocopies of their identity cards like Aadhar as it is difficult to carry original documents. The government of India appointed the first national Maritime Security Coordinator in November 2021 under the national security adviser to focus on maritime security with a special impetus on coastal security. National security advisor Ajit Doval addressed the June 2000-2022 meeting of the multi-agency maritime security group which includes all the stakeholders dealing with the maritime zone. "The fitment of the two-way communication transponders on the fishing vessels will help in regulating the activities at fishing, harbours, fish, landing centres, fish, landing points and development of a national fisheries application for a one-stop solution towards dissemination of information to fishing communities and regulation of benefits associated with various schemes for the fishing community, the officials said. Installation of an automatic identification system in fishing vessels was made compulsory after the 2008 attacks in Mumbai where terrorists from Pakistan used a stolen boat to enter Indian waters and launched attacks on multiple targets. (ANI) Interrogation of arrested self-styled supremo of People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), Dinesh Gope, has led the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to seize a huge cache of ammunition delivered in Bihar two years ago. The seizure includes, "1,245 rounds of 7.62 MM and 271 rounds of 5.56 MM ammunition", said the NIA on Saturday, adding the ammunition was seized from a dense forest in Kamdara area of Jharkhand's Gumla district on Friday in the PLFI terror funding case. "The seized ammunition was received at Siksohara, Nalanda (Bihar) about two years ago. It had been carefully stashed away for eventual delivery to PLFI operatives and cadres for carrying acts of terror and violence," said the NIA. Gope, who was arrested on May 21 and is currently in NIA custody, led the NIA team to the place of concealment of ammunition located in the forest during investigations. Gope alias Kuldeep Yadav alias Badku of Khunti district in Jharkhand was earlier chargesheeted by the NIA in a case relating to the recovery of demonetized currency of Rs 25.38 lakhs from the operatives of PLFI (People's Liberation Front of India-- a proscribed Naxal outfit of Jharkhand. Gope had been absconding and was finally nabbed by the NIA from New Delhi on May 21. According to NIA investigations, more than 102 criminal cases are registered against the accused Gope in different districts of Jharkhand. Most of these cases relate to abduction, threats, extortion, murder and raising funds for PLFI, a militant Maoist outfit formed in 2007 in Jharkhand and also a splinter group of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist). NIA had also declared a reward of Rs 5 lakh for leads on Gope, in addition to the reward of Rs 25 lakh announced by the Jharkhand Government. On February 3, 2022, an encounter had taken place between a Gope-led PLFI squad and security personnel in the forest area under the Gudri Police station of West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. "Several rounds were fired in the encounter before the rebels sneaked into the forest and Gope managed to escape. He had been absconding since then, and had been taking shelter at different places while making all efforts to re-establish the PLFI's stronghold in Jharkhand," NIA remarked Gope used to extort money and execute attacks through his PLFI team members to terrorize businessmen, contractors and the public at large, the NIA investigations have shown. The accused, along with his associates, was involved in depositing the demonetized currency in a bank account at a Petrol Pump, to be later collected through levy and extortion. "The illegal money was then invested through banking channels and dubious shell companies in the name of close associates and family members of the accused Gope. The case was initially registered on November 10, 2016, at Bero Police Station in Ranchi, and re-registered by the NIA on January 19, 2018. The Police had filed the first chargesheet against four persons on January 9, 2017. The NIA filed the first supplementary chargesheet in the case against 11 accused, including Gope. Subsequently, the NIA filed the second supplementary chargesheet in the case on July 23 last year against five individuals and three private limited companies. NIA had also attached 14 bank accounts and seized two cars from an accused Shakuntala Kumari, along with some property and cash, in the case. Known previously as Jharkhand Liberation Tigers (JLT), PLFI has been responsible for hundreds of terror incidents in Jharkhand, including several murders using firearms, as per the NIA investigations. The outfit used to lure unemployed youth by providing them with motorbikes, mobile phones and easy money. Extortion is PLFI's major source of income and the outfit has been targeting coal traders, railway contractors and various private entities involved in developmental projects in various districts of Jharkhand, said the NIA, adding "The Naxal outfit had also formed networks and alliances with different criminal gangs to spread their criminal activities and executed several incidents of murder and arson in Jharkhand." Gope was part of a criminal conspiracy to channelize the extorted funds collected from the contractors/businessmen engaged in the developmental projects in Jharkhand. "Gope was involved in investing these funds in dubious Shell Companies like Palak Enterprises, Shiv Adi Shakti, Shiv Shakti Samridhi Infra Pvt Ltd, Bhavya Engicon, formed in partnership with PLFI associates and his family members. The extorted money was also being transferred from Jharkhand to other places through a network of Hawala operators," stated NIA. In July 2007, Masi Charan Purty, a renegade of the CPI-Maoist, along with several of his followers, joined Gope in order to raise PLFI as a Naxal outfit. "Though Masi Charan Purty was subsequently arrested, the PLFI spread its activities under Gope's command. He used to collect huge amounts of extortion money, which was further used to procure sophisticated weapons, including AK 47 and foreign-made Rifles such as HK 33," added the agency. (ANI) After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday amid a row over the Centre's ordinance on control of administrative services in the national capital, the latter said that the centre is not allowing state governments to function. Further slamming the Central government led by PM Modi, he said that the time is worse than the days of emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. "This time is worse than the days of emergency, you (Centre) are not allowing a government elected by people, to function..." said KCR in a joint Press Conference with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He also demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately withdraw the ordinance issued by the Centre. "PM Modi must withdraw the ordinance; we demand it. Withdraw it or else we all will support Kejriwal Ji," KCR said in a joint Press Conference with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He further warned the NDA government in the Centre of using all the strength in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to defeat the ordinance if it is not withdrawn. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor sought the support of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) against the Centre's ordinance which the party claims circumvents the Supreme Court order. Kejriwal was accompanied by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann and AAP MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha. However, Kejriwal said that the support by the Telangana CM has provided strength to his party. "To deliver justice to the people of Delhi, he (KCR), his party and his govt are with us. This is not just about Delhi, but about saving the democracy of the nation...his(KCR) support has provided a lot of strength to us," Kejriwal said here. The Delhi Chief Minister on May 23 embarked on a nationwide tour to seek support from the Opposition parties against the ordinance. Earlier, Kejriwal had met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. This comes after the Union government on May 19 brought an ordinance to notify rules for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) regarding the 'transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters'. The ordinance was brought to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and it circumvents the Supreme Court judgement in the Centre vs Delhi case. (ANI) Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan on Saturday called upon the opposition parties, which have given a call for boycotting the new Parliament building's inauguration on May 28, to reconsider their decision and make the event an "occasion of national unity". Stating that he maintains his "dissent" over the President not being invited to the event in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building, Haasan asked the opposition parties to join the event saying that the political disagreements "can wait for a day". As many as 21 opposition parties have announced to boycott the inauguration ceremony on Sunday. "Our republic's new home needs all its family members to reside in it. I believe in participatory democracy and hence call upon all opposition parties who have chosen to boycott the event to reconsider. Any disagreements you may have over the event can be raised in public forums as well as on the floor of the houses of the new Parliament," he said in a statement. Reminding political parties to remember that "there is more that unites us than divides us," Haasan said that the entire country is looking forward to this event. "The eyes of the world are upon us. Let's make the inauguration of a new Parliament an occasion of national unity, our political disagreements can wait for a day," the leader said, adding, "In the national interest, I choose to celebrate the inauguration of the new Parliament, while maintaining my dissent over not inviting the President of India and for not involving opposition parties in the planning of the inauguration." However, the actor-politician also questioned the Central government asking "why the President of India should not attend the ceremony". Asserting that the moment of national pride has become "politically divisive", he said, "I ask my Prime Minister one simple question; "Please tell the country, why the President of India should not attend the inauguration of our new Parliament? I see no reason why the President of India as Head of the State should not be part of this historic occasion." He further asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the conciliatory gesture and invite President Droupadi Murmu. "The new Parliament is no mere ordinary building. It will be the home of Indian democracy for time immemorial. I call upon the Prime Minister to rectify this oversight, which will go down in history as a grave error, and if rectified will become a milestone in political leadership," he added. Notably, Congress and other opposition parties decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building and stated that it "insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution". Earlier TMC, AAP, and CPI(M) decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building on May 28. A total of 21 parties have decided to boycott the inauguration of the new parliament building.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will dedicate to the nation the new Parliament building on May 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building on December 10, 2020. It has been built in record time with quality construction. (ANI) Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Saturday visited the 187-year-old heritage St James' Church at Kashmere Gate and took stock of the restoration and renovation work being undertaken by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), an official statement said. The restoration of the Church began nearly six months ago and the same is scheduled for completion by June 30. LG was accompanied by Vice Chairman, DDA, Experts and other senior officials. He also visited the Election Museum at Chief Electoral Office, Delhi. LG Saxena, while inspecting the renovation work of the Church, instructed the officials to strictly ensure that the originality of the heritage structure is retained, while curation and restoration took place. St. James' Church (also known as Skinner's Church), is known to be the official church of the British Viceroy of India in Delhi, the statement added. LG stressed that the Church building and its vicinity should be developed in such a way that it becomes a prominent landmark in the city, as it once used to be. DDA officials informed LG that the renovation work would be completed by June 30 and the building would be handed over to the Church management for further rededication to the people of Delhi. St James' Church is one of the oldest churches in the city and is part of the Church of North India Diocese of Delhi. Restoration of the Church assumes great significance as this area has close proximity to several historical monuments in Old Delhi- Walled City and is frequented by thousands of visitors every day. Preservation of the heritage has been a focus area of LG Saxena, who, ever since taking over in May last year, has personally initiated and monitored the restoration of heritage structures like Gole Market, Anang Tal Baoli, Nizamuddin Basti and Mehrauli Archaeological Park among others. LG also visited the Election Museum which is located inside the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, in Old St. Stephen's College Building at Kashmere Gate, the statement said. He appreciated the efforts in establishing the museum which depicts the remarkable journey of Indian elections which has influenced the countries world over, to preserve and cherish the values of democratic governance and the logistics of electoral management, the statement added. LG exhorted the officials to make efforts to encourage and facilitate students from schools and colleges to visit the museum which could be a great learning experience for them. (ANI) Since 2014, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been committed to a model of development that ensures that no one is left behind stated a book titled "9 Years: Seva, Sushasan, Garib Kalyan" issued by the PM Modi-led central government to mark its 9-year anniversary in two successive terms. In the last nine years, the Modi government has launched and implemented several welfare schemes to empower every Indian, the book said, adding that the government was focused on bringing in development that guarantees basic facilities such as drinking water, electricity connections, healthcare, toilets, LPG cylinders, education, and financial inclusion to all, and not just to a select few. According to the book, 80 crore people have been getting free food grains under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana since its inception. "11.72 crore toilets were built under Swachh Bharat scheme while loans of over Rs 7351 crore were given to SC and ST beneficiaries under Stand Up India scheme", the book read. The book further stated that 60 per cent of current ministers belong to SC, ST, or OBC communities. On the education and empowerment of the marginalized communities front, under PM Modi's leadership five times more Eklavaya Residential schools sanctioned since 2014 as compared to earlier and 117 Aspirational Districts have surpassed their respective state average on development parameters, the book stated. The book further emphasized that the PM Modi government provided constitutional status to the National Commission of Backward Classes and carried out cash transfers to 20 crore women during the COVID lockdown. "34.45 lakh street vendors got loans through PM SVANidhi, 39.65 crore loans were allotted to small entrepreneurs under MUDRA Yojana, 11.88 crore households were provided with tap water connections and over 3 crore urban and rural houses were built under PM Awas Yojana", the book read. In line with its welfare programme, the Modi government's historic decision to provide reservations for economically weaker sections offered much-needed support to poor households, the book added. The government's efforts to extend welfare provisioning and poverty alleviation have received recognition from global institutions. A recent IMF paper has credited the Modi government for ending extreme poverty in the country, the book said. The book further stated that the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) has also credited India with a reduction in all ten of its Multidimensional Poverty Indicators. Meanwhile, the book also highlighted the government's efforts to bring about a paradigm shift in the Indian agriculture sector, making it modern, scientific and prosperous keeping the welfare of farmers in mind. "The government has extended income support with PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, providing farmers with an assured cash transfer of Rs 6,000 per year through Direct Benefit Transfer. This supplemental income received through regular instalments has cut out intermediaries and enabled even small and marginal farmers to purchase better quality inputs, improve their land productivity, and increase their income", the book stated. Further, compared to 2013-14, the agriculture budget has witnessed a 5.6-fold rise in 2022-2023, the book said. The book emphasized that nearly 23 crores of Soil Health Cards were distributed, 109.7 per cent growth in non-basmati rice exports was observed from FY 2013-14 to 2021-22, 7350 per cent increase happened in pulses procurement at MSP and a 1500 per cent increase occurred in oilseeds procurement at MSP. Rs 1 lakh crore was allotted through Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, total Fertilizer subsidy increased by 500 per cent in 2022-23 from 2021-22, over Rs 1.33 lakh crore settled in claims under PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Rs 20 lakh crore agriculture credit to be provided in 2023-24, Rs 93,068 crore allocated for PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana for 2021-26 are amongst some key achievements of the PM Modi-led government in the agriculture sector since assuming office nine years ago. The book further said that more than 11 crore PM Kisan beneficiaries have been identified under PM Modi's leadership, and 1,260 Mandis have been now linked through the eNAM scheme and added that the government launched various schemes ensuring the welfare of farmers. (ANI) Meanwhile, JP Nadda on Saturday said that the new Parliament building is a significant milestone in the journey of independent India and symbolises the spirit of India's culture and heritage. He said it represents the people's resolve to make India a developed nation. "The new Parliament Building is a significant milestone in the journey of independent India. This parliament building is not merely an architectural instrument, it actually symbolises the spirit of India's vibrant culture and heritage," Nadda said in a tweet. "It is an ode to the people of India who have continuously upheld the value of democracy. It represents the resolve of our countrymen to make India a developed nation under the visionary leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji," he added. The BJP chief had earlier said that the new Parliament building is a magnificent architectural marvel that embodies the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat and represents the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. "It stands as a symbol of pride for every Indian and showcases the exemplary progress that our nation has been making," he said. At the inauguration of the new Parliament House, PM Modi will establish the historic and sacred "Sengol" in the Parliament House. Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the media earlier this week that Sengol" is the symbol of the transfer of power from the British to India. He said Parliament House is the most appropriate and sacred place for Sengol. Leaders of Congress and 20 other opposition parties have accused the government of "bypassing" President Droupadi Murmu for the event and said that they will "boycott" the inaugural ceremony. BJP leaders have asked these opposition parties to reconsider their decision. (ANI) Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande along with Lt. General RP Kalita GOC-In-Chief called on Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan, Imphal on Saturday to discuss and deliberate over the current situation and future trajectory, in order to restore normalcy at the earliest, a statement said. Owing to the internal security situation in Manipur, the State Administration had been helped by additional security forces to defuse the situation by carrying out active domination of vulnerable and fringe areas, the statement added. Untoward incidents have been drastically reduced with frequent round-the-clock deployment of the security forces. The meeting discussed the prevailing situation and security measures that are put in place to contain/prevent any violent and major untoward incidents in the State, the statement said. The Governor has conveyed the suggestions and complaints received from various delegations of political parties, CSOs and victimised sections of the society to the Army Chief. The Governor instructed to swiftly bring the prevailing situation of the state to normalcy, the statement noted. Meanwhile, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles have launched large-scale combing operations in the aftermath of the fresh violence in the Imphal Valley to restore peace and normalcy in the strife-torn Manipur. The operations have also been launched in the vulnerable flash points and in the higher reaches surrounding Imphal Valley. Army and Assam Rifles launched multiple search operations in areas of Kangchuk, Motbung, Saikul, Pukhao and Sagolmang in the early hours of May 27 in Manipur to track down any armed insurgents operating in these areas. These operations are part of the overall ongoing efforts of the Army and Assam Rifles to restore peace and normalcy in the State of Manipur. (ANI) Indore police arrested seven accused who thrashed a youth after he was caught with a girl from a different community in the city. The incident occurred on Thursday night in the city when the youth was going on a two-wheeler with the girl from a different community after having food at a restaurant in the city. Tukoganj police station in charge Kamlesh Sharma said, "On Thursday night, a youth was going on a two-wheeler with a girl from a different community after having food at a restaurant in the city. During this, youngsters belonging from that girl's community followed them and advised the girl not to roam with that youth." Meanwhile a few youngsters from the different community assaulted that youth. Seeing the matter escalating, some people intervened to resolve the matter but those youngsters injured two persons by stabbing, he added. In the matter, the youth who was thrashed identified as Bhavesh, had registered a case at Chhoti Gwaltoli police station in the city. On the other hand, two persons who were stabbed had also filed a case against the accused under IPC section 307 (murder) at Tukoganj police station. The police arrested seven accused in both the cases and further investigation into the matter was on, Sharma said. Those who have been arrested were identified as Shoaib, Muzammil, Danish, Arbaz, Shavez, Avesh and Aamil, he added. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday launched an attack on the Opposition parties for boycotting the new Parliament building inauguration and said that they (Opposition) oppose anything good done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While talking to the media, CM Dhami said, "Whenever anything good is done under the leadership of PM Modi, they oppose it just for the sake of opposing. People of the country are welcoming it (inauguration). People are seeing their conduct and will oppose them (Opposition) in the upcoming election and they will get lesser seats than they have now." Elaborating on the 8th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, CM Dhami said, "Pilgrims and tourists visit our state throughout the year. This number is 5-6 times more than the total population of Uttarakhand. We need to ensure all necessary arrangements for them. We told the NITI Aayog that financial resources are allocated, this needs to be kept in mind." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired the 8th governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog. Themed 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India', the meeting was held at the new Convention Centre in the national capital's Pragati Maidan. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, PM Modi presided over the meeting, which deliberated on issues related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Chief Ministers of several States participated in the council meeting that was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde were seen at the meeting. "Eight prominent themes will be discussed during the day-long Meeting including (i) Viksit Bharat@2047, (ii) Thrust on MSMEs, (iii) Infrastructure and Investments, (iv) Minimising Compliances, (v) Women Empowerment, (vi) Health and Nutrition, (vii) Skill Development, and (viii) Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure," the NITI Aayog stated ahead of the meeting. "The Meeting will see the participation of Chief Ministers/Lt Governors of all States and Union Territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio Members, and the Vice Chairman and Members of NITI Aayog", it stated. As a preparatory prelude to the 8th Governing Council Meeting, the second Chief Secretaries Conference was held in January 2023, where these themes were extensively discussed. "Wide-ranging stakeholder consultations and brainstorming sessions with subject experts, academia and practitioners were held prior to the Conference in order to gain well-rounded grassroots-level perspectives," it further said. (ANI) Professor Preeti Aghalayam of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Madras praised Behishta Khairudddin, a student from Afghanistan who completed her MTech remotely from the institute amid the political uncertainty in Afghanistan. Talking to ANI, Prof Preeti Aghalayam said, "Her eagerness and positive attitude towards learning made this possible. Her positive attitude was also one of the reasons she got selected in IIT Madras." The professor further said, "Actually she was selected during the COVID pandemic period but during that time everything was online. Somehow that situation favoured both sides. In the second year, the rest of her classmates were on campus, she could not come to campus because of the situation in Afghanistan. That is when we created circumstances to do our work and projects and also help her. Despite being remote we were able to facilitate that". "Her eagerness was all that we got her to focus on. That's all we did to keep us motivated. We kept on insisting on her to study hard. We had interactions through e-mail and online periodically. If her marks weren't good in one exam we encouraged her saying don't worry. I am glad she is able to share her stories with various people. I really hope all her dreams come true", Prof Preeti Aghalayam added. In a statement released by IIT Madras citing Behishta Khairudddin's quote in which she said, "When the live sessions were over, I would go through recordings and try to understand the parts I may have missed. When I compare my two-year programme with my BTech degree, it's totally different from the education I got here. It felt like I was learning something of a high standard in my country. I want to thank IIT Madras, particularly the Office of Global Engagement, for helping me with the scholarship". The institute in its statement said that Behishta waits to visit India and receive her degree in person during the 60th Convocation Day of IIT Madras. Behishta Khairudddin from Afghanistan applied in 2021 to IIT Madras when unfavourable political events began unfolding in Afghanistan. As soon as the Taliban took complete control of Afghanistan they imposed an indefinite ban on university education for women. Even though Behishta had secured an ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) Scholarship, she could not avail of it. The Indian Government invalidated visas given to Afghan nationals as the Taliban had suspended international flights to Afghanistan. Then with the help of IIT Madras' Office of Global Engagement, a scholarship was quickly worked out for Behishta. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Sumer Singh Solanki on Saturday said that the inauguration of the new Parliament building, on Sunday, will be a golden day in the history of India. "Tomorrow will be a golden day in the history of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building. The new Parliament House has been built with all the facilities. The whole country should celebrate it," the BJP MP told ANI. Lashing out at the opposition for boycotting the inaugural ceremony, to be held on Sunday, he said that the protests, happening around are beyond his understanding as the Parliament is a temple of democracy. "PM does not belong to any party, he represents the whole country. When we fielded the country's tribal woman Droupadi Murmu as a presidential candidate, we appealed to the Congress and other opposition parties to make her win but Congress and other parties objected," he said. Notably, Congress and other opposition parties decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building and stated that it "insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution". Earlier TMC, AAP, and CPI(M) decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building on May 28. A total of 20 parties have decided to boycott the inauguration of the new parliament building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will dedicate to the nation the new Parliament building on May 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building on December 10, 2020. It has been built in record time with quality construction. (ANI) Amid the row over the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri on Saturday said the 'Opposition opposes all the decisions taken by the PM'. "There is no controversy, Opposition just opposes the PM in every decision. PM Modi has done all this for the country. The building is so old, but now the ministers will be able to work in a better environment," Bidhuri said. An intense political slugfest has been triggered post the BJP's decision of the PM to inaugurate the new parliament building. Several Opposition parties have decided to boycott the inaugural event over their belief that the inauguration should be done by the President of India instead. The building is scheduled to be inaugurated on May 28. Notably, Congress and other opposition parties decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building and stated that it "insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution". Earlier TMC, AAP, and CPI(M) decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building on May 28. A total of 21 parties have decided to boycott the inauguration of the new parliament building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will dedicate to the nation the new Parliament building on May 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building on December 10, 2020. It has been built in record time with quality construction. However, backing the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Modi, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi took a jibe at Congress' decision to boycott it. She alleged that the new building has been constructed at a much lower cost than what was proposed in the Congress regime. "It was decided during the Congress rule that the country needed a new parliament. Their budget for that was above Rs 3,500 crore. This Parliament building has been built for about 300 crores. It is clear that these people were engaged in making it a big means of corruption... This is the country's Parliament, not the Parliament of any person," Meenakashi Lekhi said. (ANI) After meeting the Adheenams, PM Modi said that he felt very blessed to welcome the priests at his residence. "Feel very blessed that I had the opportunity to welcome the respected Adheenams to my residence," PM Modi tweeted. On the eve of the inauguration of the new Parliament building Adheenams (priests) handed over the sacred sceptre, 'Sengol', to PM Modi. The Adheenams also presented a special gift to PM Modi. PM Modi met the Adheenams, who flew down to the national capital today, at his residence. The Prime Minister also sought their blessings. Earlier in the day, the Adheenams of Dharmapuram and Thiruvavaduthurai arrived in the national capital. At the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will establish the historical and sacred "Sengol" in the Parliament House. As many as 21 Adheenams had earlier left for Delhi from Chennai to participate in the inauguration ceremony. Dharmapuram Adheenam, Palani Adheenam, Virudhachalam Adheenam, and Thirukoyilur Adheenam were among the Adheenams who left for Delhi from Chennai to attend the ceremony. Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that the sacred sceptre 'Sengol' is the symbol of the transfer of power from the British to India. He said that the Parliament House is the most appropriate and sacred place to install the historic 'Sengol'. PM Modi took a decision to adopt Sengol as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal. (ANI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday said that he stands with the opposition parties' call for boycotting the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament on May 28 as the decision was taken without considering anyone. "Even no discussion on anything about the inauguration program was considered. All the decisions were taken without considering anyone. Therefore, some senior Opposition leaders have taken the decision that we should not go for the program and I support their decision," the NCP chief said while talking to reporters here. He further said that he was not spoken about the construction of the new Parliament building although he has been a member of it for years. "I have been a Member of Parliament for years. We used to sit in the House but we got to know about the construction of the new Parliament building through newspapers. While taking such an important decision, the Members should have been spoken to, but that didn't happen," he added. Notably, Congress and other opposition parties decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building and stated that it "insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution". Earlier TMC, AAP, and CPI(M) decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament Building on May 28. A total of 21 parties have decided to boycott the inauguration of the new parliament building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will dedicate to the nation the new Parliament building on May 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building on December 10, 2020. It has been built in record time with quality construction. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that it was the BJP that attacked the state minister Birbaha Hansda's vehicle on Friday in the name of the Kurmi community. Addressing TMC's 'Jan Sanjog Yatra' in West Medinipur she condemned the attack that took place on Friday. Banerjee said, "Minister Birbaha Hansda's car was attacked by the Kurmi community yesterday. I believe BJP did this in the name of the Kurmi community, raised slogans and attacked Birbaha Hansda's car. Kurmi community never does this." TMC chief further said that the BJP's work is to change everything but they cannot end her party. "No matter how hard they try, they can neither end Bengal nor TMC. Sometimes changes in law, characterization, education, religion, and demonetization. Every change comes. Next time they themselves will be changed. They just changed it and now again changed it. Their work is to change everything. Just want that their names remain for lakhs of years. For one who does good work, his/her name remains in the heart. One who does evil works is called evil, atheist, and unfaithful," said Mamata Banerjee. Earlier in the day, Banerjee visited the Egra area of Purba Medinipur district to meet family members of those killed and injured in a blast in an illegal fireworks factory there on May 16 in which 12 people were killed and apologised for the incident. "The Egra incident has opened our eyes, I would like to apologize for this incident. Our government has decided that in the next two weeks, a report will be prepared under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, under which a green firecracker cluster will be formed," she said. (ANI) Responding to superstar Shah Rukh Khan's congratulatory tweet on the new Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the actor has "beautifully expressed" his thought about the "new home for the people who uphold Constitution". "Beautifully expressed! The new Parliament building is a symbol of democratic strength and progress. It blends tradition with modernity. #MyParliamentMyPride," PM Modi tweeted. Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday congratulated PM Modi ahead of the new Parliament Building inauguration. SRK took to Twitter and shared a video showcasing the parliament building. Sharing the video, he wrote, "What a magnificent new home for the people who uphold our Constitution, represent every citizen of this great Nation and protect the diversity of her one People@narendramodi ji. A new Parliament building for a New India but with the age-old dream of Glory for India. Jai Hind! #MyParliamentMyPride." Earlier, Bollywood star Akshar Kumar also posted congratulatory messages. Taking to Twitter, Akshay said, "Proud to see this glorious new building of the Parliament. May this forever be an iconic symbol of India's growth story. #MyParliamentMyPride." While responding to his video PM Modi said, "You have conveyed your thoughts very well. Our new Parliament is truly a beacon of our democracy. It reflects the nation's rich heritage and the vibrant aspirations for the future. #MyParliamentMyPride." Earlier, music composer Ilaiyaraaja and actor Rajinikanth posted congratulatory messages. PM Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday. Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building on December 10, 2020. It has been built in record time with quality construction. The task of constructing the new Parliament building was a mammoth endeavour. It witnessed several key construction activities being done off-site as well. Further, the construction also saw the usage of materials sourced from across the country. As per the government officials, teak wood was sourced from Nagpur, Maharashtra while sandstone (red and white) was procured from Sarmathura, Rajasthan. The carpets to be floored inside the new building were procured from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. The bamboo wood flooring came from Agartala, Tripura. From Rajnagar, Rajasthan and Noida, UP Stone Jali Works were obtained. The material involved in constructing Ashoka Emblem was sourced from Aurangabad, Maharashtra and Jaipur, Rajasthan while Ashok Chakra came from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Some of the furniture acquired was procured from Mumbai. From Lakha, Jaisalmer Lakha Red granite was obtained. Ambaji White marble was procured from Ambaji, Rajasthan. Kesharia Green Stone was procured from Udaipur The stone carving work was obtained from Abu Road and Udaipur, and the stone aggregate was from Kotputali, Rajasthan. The M-Sand was procured from Chakari Dadri, Haryana, and Fly Ash Bricks from NCR Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and the Brass work and Pre-cast Trenches were got from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, while the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha false ceiling steel structures came from UT of Daman and Diu. (ANI) "My hearty greetings for the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the icon of democracy to commemorate the 75th year of Independence," AIADMK General Secretary letter read. "I express my gratitude on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu for installing the historic golden 'Sengol' (sceptre) near the Speaker's seat elucidating the Tamil pride, legacy and cultural heritage," it read. "I wish to convey my appreciation for constructing the Parliament in a record time and also for installing the sceptre, during your tenure as Prime Minister of India," the letter read. PM Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday. PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building on December 10, 2020. It has been built in record time with quality construction. The task of constructing the new Parliament building was a mammoth endeavour. It witnessed several key construction activities being done off-site as well. Further, the construction also saw the usage of materials sourced from across the country. (ANI) "Opposition is unnecessarily opposing the inauguration of the New Parliament Building by PM Modi as PM Modi and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla laid the foundation stone of the Parliament and today they will be inaugurating the Parliament itself. I don't find anything wrong," Goa CM told ANI. "Since the 2024 elections are nearing, they (Opposition) are trying to provoke people," he said. Urging the opposition parties to attend the inauguration of the new Parliament he said, "Today I urge opposition parties across the country to attend the inauguration of the new Parliament building instead of boycotting it as this is not the program of a single party." On the eve of the inauguration of the new Parliament building Adheenams (priests) handed over the sacred sceptre, 'Sengol', to PM Modi. PM Modi met the Adheenams, who flew down to the national capital today, at his residence. The Prime Minister also sought their blessings. Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building on December 10, 2020. It has been built in record time with quality construction. The task of constructing the new Parliament building was a mammoth endeavour. It witnessed several key construction activities being done off-site as well. Further, the construction also saw the usage of materials sourced from across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will dedicate to the nation the new Parliament building on Sunday. (ANI) Karachi police investigators on Friday confirmed that two 'innocent' youths were killed by a mob on May 7 after mistaking them for robbers in the Orangi Town, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. The two youths had been tortured to death by citizens in the Orangi Town area on May 9. The investigating officials told the media that the killed youths were identified as Babar and Nazeer. According to police officials, the three friends were going to attend a wedding ceremony and some people mistook them for robbers and asked the residents to catch them. Later, the mob subjected the three youths to brutal torture. Police said that a video of the brutal torture had also surfaced online in which two youths were killed and their third friend namely Owais sustained injuries. The investigators said that a stolen motorcycle was confiscated from the crime scene while the police nominated the wounded Owais in the case, as per ARY News. Police investigators added that they did not find any connection between the stolen motorcycle and the youths. All three youths turned out to be innocent after the probe. Police said that 150 persons have been nominated with the help of footage and three suspects were arrested. Police added that other nominated persons will be arrested soon. In October 2022, two employees of a telecom company had been tortured to death by an enraged mob in Karachi on the pretext of dacoits. The incident had taken place in Machar Colony, where two employees of the telecom company were tortured to death by the mob when they came to check the signals of the cellular network in the area. (ANI) ARY News is a Pakistani news channel. The Pakistan Supreme Court (SC) issued its ruling on the petitions against the judicial commission on audio leaks constituted by the federal government. The bench, headed by CJP Bandial and comprising Justice Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed, heard the petitions. The top court in its ruling stopped the proceedings of the audio leak commission and issued notices to the parties. The top court will resume the hearing of the petitions on May 31, the written verdict read. The notification regarding the audio leak commission issued on May 19 was also suspended by the SC. As per the order, the constitution of the inquiry commission was challenged in four petitions filed in the Supreme Court. During the hearing, the attorney general raised objections to the bench's constitution in the initial arguments. The attorney general also raised objections to the inclusion of the chief justice in the bench. The order read that it is a constitutional requirement to seek permission from the chief justice prior to acquiring the services of a judge, according to ARY News. It further stated that two judges included in the inquiry commission were chief justices of high courts. The federal government constitution the commission without seeking permission from the chief justice and violated the constitutional principle, whereas, the constitution process was also suspicious. (ANI) People in Gwadar do not have access to electricity even for 3 hours a day, despite the inauguration of 100 MW electricity in the city, Pakistan vernacular media Daily Qudrat reported. Daily Qudrat is an Urdu newspaper in Pakistan. According to the Urdu newspaper, the inauguration of 100 MW of electricity by the Pakistan Prime Minister and the Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chief is a joke with the people of Gwadar. People have been deprived of even the necessities like drinking water. These views were expressed by the Chief of Haq-Do-Tehreek, Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman while addressing the reception ceremony in Gwadar. He said that "I forgive the district administration for filing hundreds of FIRs against me including the violence done to me, but I will never forgive the violence on my mothers, and sisters, including the women and elders in Gwadar." He said that except 9C, all the sections in the law book were filed dishonestly against political workers like us. Rehman said: "Today, I salute all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their duty, but I have to say with regret that some people have tortured women and our mothers and sisters in Gwadar. They tarnished their honour." According to Daily Qudrat, he said that "Today they are deprived of basic human facilities like water and electricity." He said that thieves, dacoits, illegal trawlers, and drug mafia have been given free rein, but political workers fighting for constitutional rights are imprisoned." (ANI) Agnipath is a game-changer scheme for the Armed Forces which will act as a force multiplier for making the Indian military one of the best in the world with a youthful, high-tech and ultra-modern outlook, stated a book titled "9 years: Seva, Sushasan, Garib Kalyan" issued by the PM Modi-led central government to mark its 9-year anniversary in two successive terms. The Government launched the Agnipath scheme on June 15, 2022, to recruit both male and female aspirants into the 'below the officer's rank' cadre of the three services for a period of four years as Agniveers. Candidates between the age group of 17.5 and 21 years are eligible to apply for the scheme. The PM Narendra Modi-led government has envisioned and executed a dynamic and transformative foreign policy that is outcome-oriented, development-focused and in harmony with the government's vision of "sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas and sabka prayas". The book mentioned that one of the milestones of the PM Modi government is the eight-fold surge in India's defence exports. From INR 1941 Crore in 2014, India's defence exports increased and reached INR 16,000 Crore in the year 2022-2023. National security has been a top priority for the Modi government. This can be seen in rescue operations conducted outside India, adopting a zero-tolerance against terror policy at home, as well as a significant reduction in left-wing extremism. The Prime Minister's firm belief that development and national security go hand in hand has led to a push for Aatmanirbharta in Defence. India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant showcases the country's growing prowess for indigenous manufacturing, a government release said. To foster innovation and technology development, the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework was launched. It has played a pivotal role in supporting start-ups and innovators for successful prototype development, a government release said. The primary focus of India's foreign policy remains its immediate neighbourhood, under the 'Neighborhood First Policy'. This is supported by the revitalized 'Act East', 'Think West' and 'Connect Central Asia' policies that seek to enhance our engagement in our extended neighbourhood, the government said in a press release. The Government's vision of 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' - 'SAGAR'- is designed to strengthen ties with like-minded partners to promote a rule-based order across the 'Indo-Pacific'. New initiatives like International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), and International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) have strengthened our multilateral relations with the world. In keeping with the Government's goal to expand India's footprint worldwide, proactive action has also been taken to increase the number of missions, consulates and representative offices. India took over the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022, a government release said. The theme for India's Presidency "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "One Earth-One Family-One Future" is uniquely Indian and has been widely appreciated. India has recently crossed the milestone of 100 G20 meetings. As of April 2023, over 12,300 delegates, from over 110 nationalities have attended G20-related meetings. This includes participation from G20 members, invitee countries and international organizations. Through the use of e-governance tools India's consular operations have been made amongst the fastest, most transparent and user-friendly, globally, a government release said. India has signed Social Security Agreements to protect the interest of Indian workers abroad, Agreements to enhance the joint mobility of students, professionals and researchers and Agreements with several nations to prevent illegal migration. India continues to play a pivotal role as the 'First Responder' during times of humanitarian crises. The setting up of the Rapid Response Cell as a specialized division in the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate efforts during humanitarian crises has made disaster protocols more resilient. India has taken up several significant relief and evacuation operations during the last nine years such as Operation Dost (2023), Operation Ganga (2022), Operation Devi Shakti (2021) and Mission Sagar (2021), to name a few. A dynamic foreign policy and national security policy are essential to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the world today. The PM Modi government has consistently delivered on that front to create a stable, strong, and safe nation. (ANI) Former lawmaker of the Netherlands, Harry van Bommel has called on Pakistan to formally declare the atrocities it committed during the Liberation War as genocide, The Daily Star reported. Bommel headed a three-member European team to investigate the genocide committed by Pakistan in 1971 and also appealed to Islamabad to clear its stance on the issue. The team reached Bangladesh on May 21 and is scheduled to leave today (Saturday). Genocide scholar Dr Anthonie Holslag and political analyst Chris Blackburn are the two other members of the team, according to The Daily Star. The Daily Star is a Bangladesh-based newspaper that made its debut in 1991 and is an independent publication. Reminding Pakistan of its obligations as a civilised country, the former Dutch MP said, "It should be wise for the Pakistani government to come to terms with reality and....formally declare that there was a genocide in 1971." Arguing that internationally renowned institutes have already confirmed it as a genocide using empirical methods based on UN criteria, "It is important for Pakistan to take a clear position regarding the 1971 genocide.... It was not a massacre, it was genocide." The Dutch human rights activist also said that a plan was underway to file a petition with the Netherlands parliament concerning the genocide carried out by the Pakistan occupation forces on Bangladeshis during their 1971 Liberation War and arrange for witnesses to testify before the parliamentarians. "I believe that such actions can be replicated by the international community in other countries to support the recognition of the Bangladesh genocide," Bommel said in an interview with The Daily Star. He added that Bangladesh can work closely with the diaspora communities to effectively raise awareness for recognition. He said, "The Armenian genocide was recognised by 29 countries, thanks to the efforts of the Armenian diaspora in foreign nations." Van Bommel added, "Diasporas can play a significant role by filing petitions in foreign parliaments and organising public debates to bring attention to the issue. Politicians in foreign countries often pay attention to diasporas, particularly when they are a large, vocal, and visible group, such as the European Bangladesh Forum - an organisation working since 2017 for this cause in European countries." He recommended collating statements of witnesses, victims' family members, and other relevant parties and publishing a book about the genocide in Bangladesh to gain support for the cause. Shedding light on the need for international acknowledgement of genocide, the former Dutch politician from May 1998 to March 2017 stated that acknowledgement, particularly on an international level, provides comfort to families who have lost loved ones and become victims themselves. It provides them with a sense of justice and acknowledgement of the crimes they have witnessed. Furthermore, he stated that international recognition can lead to judicial proceedings in which criminals may face criminal prosecution for their international crimes. He also stated that acknowledging the genocide serves as a form of prevention. When offenders are not held accountable for their conduct, it sends a terrible message that such atrocities are acceptable. "By recognising the genocide, we send a message of warning that such acts will not be tolerated in the future, promoting a culture of deterrence." During the 1971 Liberation War, Pakistani occupation forces killed three million Bangladeshis in nine months, the highest number since World War II. They also raped between 2 and 4 lakh women. Their atrocities drove over 10 million people to seek asylum in India. When the war was reaching its end, they also slaughtered thousands of intellectuals with the help of their local collaborators. When asked about Pakistan's continued denial of genocide against the Bangladeshis, Harry van Bommel noted they had seen similar answers from offenders in the past. "These patterns are nothing new." Four prestigious scientific organisations have determined that the horrors committed in Bangladesh in 1971 were indeed a genocide. In accordance with the United Nations genocide convention, it is clear that the events in Bangladesh meet the definition of genocide. The objective was to systematically exterminate or partially eliminate a specific group with a state's participation, which meets the criteria for genocide. Van Bommel also said, "Hence, it falls upon the international community to politically acknowledge this fact, which would then lead to discussions and debates within the United Nations." He added that one reason for this lack of recognition could be attributed to Pakistan's ties with the West during the Cold War. He added, "Despite the passage of time, Pakistan continues to be viewed as an important partner by countries like the US and others, despite the global fight against terrorism and Pakistan's possession of nuclear weapons," The Daily Star reported. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], May 27 (ANI/WAM): The second edition of Mediclinic Abu Dhabi Annual Cancer Conference kicked off today, featuring 18 different speakers from the UAE and from Mediclinic's sister division in Switzerland, Hirslanden. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and the support of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, the one-day event discussed diverse topics and saw attendance of more than 250 medical professionals working in the field of oncology from across the UAE. In his opening address, Sheikh Nahyan said, "Under the wise leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayyed Al Nahyan, we, in the UAE, have assumed a comprehensive approach to health care. Not only do we strive to ensure the best care is provided to patients, but we also stress health promotion and preventative medicine in ensuring the best public health." "Your conference, which carries the name of Abu Dhabi in its title, underscores the fact that Abu Dhabi has emerged as a regional and global center of excellence for health care. With the strong leadership and guidance of His Highness the President, our goal is a health care system that is responsive to the needs of individuals and the community at large. Regarding the scourge of cancer, we strive to attain the most advanced technologies, to detect the disease as early as possible, to implement the most effective treatments and cures, to produce research that is relevant to our region, to improve cancer education and awareness, and to empower all segments of society to support cancer patients and their families. Your annual conference is certainly an important contributor to that effort," he added. "The focus of this conference on a 'Multi-disciplinary Approach to Cancer' reflects the latest strategies for fighting the disease. The fight against cancer has grown more sophisticated. It has increasingly become an information-based science. Rapid advances in bio-informatics, huge leaps in computer processing power, and better understanding of the role of molecular structure in the fight against disease, are transforming the process of medical care. Innovations such as nanotechnology, T-cell therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, precision medicine, cancer vaccines, artificial intelligence, and robotic surgery are helping to prolong lives and energise the fight against this dreaded disease," Sheikh Nahyan went on to explain. "These new methods of treatment are far more effective than a 'one-treatment fits all' approach. Medicine is moving from the traditional assumption that drugs and diseases work the same way in all human beings to customising them at the individual level. Personalised medicine has demonstrated its effectiveness. The results of these information-based, biomedical, and multi-disciplinary approaches are producing new methods for treating the disease through early diagnosis and customised drug treatments." Hein Van Eck, Chief Executive Officer at Mediclinic Middle East, said, "Oncology is an ever-evolving and continuously progressing field, therefore it is of paramount importance that professionals in these areas of medicine stay abreast of the latest new evidence, research findings and tools to provide world class cancer treatments to the communities in which we operate. This educational initiative is also in line with our mission to ensure the safety of the community by raising awareness of public and preventative health. The conference is a testament to the efforts being exerted by all stakeholders to work collectively to combat cancer and promote screening, which leads to early detection of the disease and result in better clinical outcomes." Mediclinic Middle East is steadfast in its commitment to providing comprehensive cancer treatment in the United Arab Emirates and has established two Comprehensive Cancer Centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, operated in collaboration with Mediclinic Middle East's sister platform in Switzerland, Hirslanden. Patients of Mediclinic's Comprehensive Cancer Centres benefit from the sharing of knowledge and experience between some of the leading oncology experts in Europe and the Middle East, as well as have access to the very latest treatment programmes and technologies. (ANI/WAM) Troubles continue to mount for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as the former ruling party finds itself trapped in financial difficulties, leaving its employees without salaries and encountering the predicament of bouncing cheques, The Express Tribune reported. Following the resignation of key PTI officials, the party's financial structure has suffered a severe blow. According to party leaders, employees in PTI's nine regional and district offices across the country are not receiving their salaries, Express News reported. The Express Tribune is Pakistan's internationally-affiliated daily newspaper. Due to the exodus of the central leaders from the party, not a single cheque has been cleared from the party's accounts in the past 17 days, The Express Tribune reported. According to party sources, hundreds of employees running 15 PTI sub-wings are deeply concerned. The party's think tank has also become ineffective, while more than $500,000 earmarked for the martyrs' fund also cannot be disbursed. The party has joint accounts throughout the country. However, they cannot be operated alone by PTI Chairman Imran Khan as at least two signatories are required to clear party cheques. Due to the shortage of funds, the party's social media cell has also weakened, and apprehensive employees, frustrated by arrests and non-payment of salaries, have refused to work, The Express Tribune reported. According to PTI leaders, Imran Khan has been informed about the dire situation caused by the lack of funds. If funds are not received, PTI will have to close down its offices nationwide and lay off hundreds of employees associated with the party. The party finds itself in hot water following the events of May 9, when in an unprecedented show of vandalism, protesters allegedly belonging to the PTI, vandalised public and state properties and even attacked the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the Lahore corps commander's residence, The Express Tribune reported. The attack occurred hours after the paramilitary Rangers arrested PTI chief Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, later retitled as National Crime Agency 190 million scandal - on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau, from the Islamabad High Court premises. The rioting was followed by a harsh crackdown against the former ruling party leaders and workers that still continues. The army termed the events of May 9 a "dark chapter" and announced its intent to try the protesters under relevant laws, including two military laws, the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act, The Express Tribune reported. The decision was backed by the National Security Committee (NSC) - the country's top security panel. It was approved by the federal cabinet wherein it was decided that the protesters who ransacked and vandalised military installations on May 9 would be tried under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act. (ANI) State-sponsored Chinese hackers have infiltrated critical US infrastructure networks, said the United States, its Western allies and Microsoft while warning that similar attacks could be occurring globally, Standard Media reported. Microsoft highlighted Guam, a US territory in the Pacific Ocean with a vital military outpost, as one of the targets, but said "malicious" activity had also been detected elsewhere in the United States. The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, and digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest. The stealthy attack carried out by a China-sponsored actor dubbed "Volt Typhoon" since mid-2021 enabled long-term espionage and was likely aimed at hampering the United States if there was a conflict in the region, it said. "Microsoft assesses with moderate confidence that this Volt Typhoon campaign is pursuing the development of capabilities that could disrupt critical communications infrastructure between the United States and Asia region during future crises," the statement said. "In this campaign, the affected organizations span the communications, manufacturing, utility, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology, and education sectors," the statement said further. Microsoft's statement coincided with an advisory released by US, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and British authorities warning that the hacking was likely occurring globally, Standard Media reported. "This activity affects networks across US critical infrastructure sectors, and the authoring agencies believe the actor could apply the same techniques against these and other sectors worldwide," they said. The United States and its allies said the activities involved "living off the land" tactics, which take advantage of built-in network tools to blend in with normal Windows systems. It warned that the hacking could then incorporate legitimate system administration commands that appear "benign". Microsoft said the Volt Typhoon attack tried to blend into normal network activity by routing traffic through compromised small office and home office network equipment, including routers, firewalls and VPN hardware, Standard Media reported. "They have also been observed using custom versions of open-source tools," Microsoft said. Microsoft and the security agencies released guidelines for organizations to try to detect and counter the hacking. The director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Jen Easterly, said China had been stealing intellectual property and data worldwide for years. "Today's advisory, put out in conjunction with our US and international partners, reflects how China is using highly sophisticated means to target our nation's critical infrastructure," Easterly said. China offered no immediate response to the allegations. But it routinely denies carrying out state-sponsored cyber-attacks, Standard Media reported. China in turn regularly accuses the United States of cyber espionage. (ANI) Clashes broke out on Saturday between Iranian and Afghan Taliban forces at the border between the two countries, Iranian police said without reporting casualties, amid a water dispute between the two neighbours, Iran-based news agency Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. Brigadier General Qasem Rezaei, deputy commander of the national police, expressed grave concern over the unprovoked attack Saturday on the Sassoli outpost, located in the Zabol border regiment near the Afghan frontier. The Taliban forces initiated the assault in contravention of "international law and principles of good neighbourliness", and were met with "a decisive and courageous counteraction from the border guards" of the Islamic Republic, the commander said. Iranian border guards issued necessary warnings after the initial gunfire from the Taliban, but "unfortunately the gunfire resumed hours ago and clashes are ongoing," he added. Following the border skirmishes, Brigadier General Ahmadreza Radan, chief commander of the national police, issued a directive to the border guards, asking them to "defend the borders bravely and decisively and not allow any trespassing or encroachment." Later, the information centre of Sistan and Baluchestan's Border Guard command revealed more details about the border clashes, IRNA reported. It said the Iranian border guards had engaged with "unidentified armed individuals who intended to enter the Islamic Republic of Iran" at the Zabol border. The Iranian border guards inflicted significant damage and casualties on the armed individuals through their heavy fire superiority, the statement added, IRNA reported. Kazemi Qomi told Iranian state TV late on Friday that nearly two billion cubic meters of water flew to Godzareh Lake last year contrary to what Taliban officials have said about the shortage of water in the Helmand River. The diplomat said that the Taliban officials know if they want to establish a stable government in the country, they must have constructive relations with neighbours, including Iran, IRNA reported. He also reminded the ruling group in Kabul that Iran has provided assistance to the people of Afghanistan more than any other country over the past decades. (ANI) Geo News is a Pakistani news channel. Khan in a meeting with journalists and lawyers at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore on Saturday said: "If I am disqualified, Shah Mahmood Qureshi will run the party." The statement comes as the PTI chief has been facing a slew of cases ranging from corruption to terrorism since being ousted from power in April last year, as per Geo News. Khan was on May 9 arrested in a 190 million pounds Al-Qadir Trust case by Rangers personnel in compliance with National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrest warrants. The PTI chief was released after the Supreme Court declared his arrest illegal. Khan's arrest on May 9 triggered countrywide violent protests with supporters ransacking and torching defence and public installations across the country. Subsequently, the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) comprising top civil and military leadership vowed to try rioters under relevant laws including the Army Act, according to Geo News. Khan while commenting on the mass departure of leaders from his party over the May 9 vandalism, said the situation is going to change soon. "I will give a big surprise in the coming days," he added. Khan said some party leaders were leaving the party under compulsion while some had been exposed. Calling the youth a major asset of his party, Khan said the party ticket was their right and added that PTI will win the next general elections despite desertions of the party leaders, Geo News reported. He also called for holding a referendum to gauge the popularity of his party among the masses. (ANI) The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on instructions of party chief Imran Khan, constituted a seven-member negotiation committee for talks with the incumbent government over elections, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. ARY News is a Pakistani news channel. The party (PTI) while taking to Twitter, said that the seven-member committee, which will be headed by Shah Mahmood Qureshi, will decide the plan of action with the government regarding the elections. The committee comprises party vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pervez Khattak, Asad Qaiser, Hammad Azhar, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Murad Saeed and Aon Abbas Buppi. The development came after the PTI suffered major blows as prominent leaders, Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari and Maleeka Bokhari, announced to quit the party. PTI lawmakers and members have following the May 9 violence, parted their ways from the party. During the violence, military installations including General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and Corps Commander House Lahore were attacked after the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan. Meanwhile, The Express Tribune reported that troubles continue to mount for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as the former ruling party finds itself trapped in financial difficulties, leaving its employees without salaries and encountering the predicament of bouncing cheques. Following the resignation of key PTI officials, the party's financial structure has suffered a severe blow. According to party leaders, employees in PTI's nine regional and district offices across the country are not receiving their salaries, Express News reported. Due to the exodus of the central leaders from the party, not a single cheque has been cleared from the party's accounts in the past 17 days, The Express Tribune reported. According to party sources, hundreds of employees running 15 PTI sub-wings are deeply concerned. The party's think tank has also become ineffective, while more than USD 500,000 earmarked for the martyrs' fund also cannot be disbursed. (ANI) Photo: Trismegist san (Shutterstock) When an AI-generated image of an explosion occurring outside the Pentagon proliferated on social media earlier this week, it provided a brief preview of a digital information disaster AI researchers have warned against for years. The image was clearly fabricated, but that didnt stop several prominent accounts like Russian state-controlled RT and Bloomberg news impersonator @BloombergFeed from running with it. Local police reportedly received frantic communications from people believing another 911-style attack was underway. The ensuing chaos sent a brief shockwave through the stock market. The deepfaked Pentagon fiasco resolved itself in a few hours, but it could have been much worse. Earlier this year, computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, referred to by some as the Godfather of AI, said he was concerned the increasingly convincing quality of AI-generated images could lead the average person to not be able to know what is true anyone. Read more Startups and established AI firms alike are racing to develop new AI deepfake detection tools to prevent that reality from happening. Some of these efforts have been underway for years but the sudden explosion of generative AI into the mainstream consciousness by OpenAIs DALL-E and ChatGPT has led to an increased sense of urgency, and larger amounts of investment, to develop some way to easily detect AI falsehoods. Companies racing to find detection solutions are doing so across all levels of content. Some, like startup Optic and Intels FakeCatch, are focusing on sussing out AI involvement in audio and videos while others like Fictitious.AI are focusing thier efforts more squarely on text generated by AI chatbots. In some cases, these current detection systems seem to perform well, but tech safety experts like former Google Trust and Saftey Lead Arjun Narayan fear the tools are still playing catch up. This is where the trust and safety industry needs to catch up on how we detect synthetic media versus non-synthetic media, Narayan told Gizmodo in an interview. I think detection technology will probably catch up as AI advances but this is an area that requires more investment and more exploration. Here are some of the companies leading the race to detect deepfakes. Intel FakeCatcher Screenshot: Intel Chipmaker Intel isnt a stranger when it comes to AI research. Now, the storied tech giant is using that knowledge to create FakeCatcher, a real-time deepfake detecting technology it claims can spot AI videos 96% of the time. Unlike other detectors that look at the raw source code of a file or document, FakeCatcher actually analyzes faces in the media to spot changes in blood flow that it says only occurs in real humans. The system also eye-gazed based detection to suss out whether a subject is human or AI-generated. We ask the question, what is the truth in humans? Intel Labs Senior Staff Research Scientist Ilke Demir said. What makes us humans? Microsoft Photo: Microsoft Long before Microsoft tried to revive its Bing search with ChatGPT integration, Big Tech giant was looking into ways to detect deepfakes. In 2020, the company announced Microsoft Video Authenticator which analyses photos or vidoes and spits out a confidence score judging whether or not the content was digitally manipulated. Microsoft says its detector is able to do this, in part, by detecting fading grayscale elements and minute details possibly undetectable to the human eye alone. Microsofts detector seemed advanced for its time but its unclear how well the same system would stack up against the flurry of new advances in AI image generators that have popped up over the past three years. The company even admitted its detection tools can only go so far since the technology powering deepfake continues to evolve at such a rapid clip. We expect that methods for generating synthetic media will continue to grow in sophistication, Microsoft said at the time. DARPA Team Tartan Rescues CHIMP (CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform) robot uses a hand-held power tool during the cutting task of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Challenge at the Fairplex June 6, 2015 in Pomona, California. DARPA, the US militarys no-holds-bar research and development division, has had a program investigating ways to detect synthetic materials since at least 2019. DARPAs Semantic Forensic (SemaFor) program is focused on creating semantic and statistical analysis algorithms capable of defending against manipulated images to prevent the spread of disinformation. The program is also developing attribution algorithms to determine the origin of a faked image and try to suss out whether it was developed for benign purposes or potentially part of harmful disinformation attacks. OpenAI Photo: Leon Neal (Getty Images) OpenAI has almost single-handily managed to fast-forward mainstream adoption of generative AI with its popular DALL-E image generators and ChatGPT. Now, its trying to develop AI classifiers to prevent those products from getting out of hand. The classifier, which is limited to text, attempts to scan through writing and make a determination as to whether not it was written by a human. So far, it isnt doing great. In its own evaluation, OpenAI says its classifier was only able to correctly identify 26% of AI-authored texts as likely AI written. Worse still, the same system incorrectly labeled 9% of human-authored content as AI-written. Our classifier is not fully reliable, OpenAI wrote. It should not be used as a primary decision-making tool, but instead as a complement to other methods of determining the source of a piece of text. Optic Screenshot: Optic Deepfake-detecting startup Optic boldly claims it can identify AI-generated images created by Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, DALL-E, and Gan.ai. Users simply have to drag and drop the questionable image in question into Optics website or submit it to a bot on Telegram and the company will spit out a verdict. Optic presents a percentage showing how confident its system is that the submitted image is AI-generated. It also attempts to determine which particular model was used to create the image. Though Optic claims its able to correctly identify AI-generated images 96% of the time, its not foolproof. Gizmodo asked Optics model to determine the authenticity of the widely debunked image depicting a supposed explosion near the Pentagon and Optic determined it was generated by a human. GPTZero Screenshot: GPTZero GPTZero is a classification model that claims to be able to quickly detect if text was generated by OpenAIs ChatGPT, GPT3, GPT4, or Googles Bard. After submitting text, GTPZero spits out a score specifying the probability that a document was potentially AI-generated. GPTZero says its tool can be used to analyze a wide assortment of English prose though the most apparent use case appears to be for educators trying to determine if students are using AI to breeze their way through essays. More than 6,000 teachers from Harvard, Yale, and the University of Rhode Island have reportedly used the tool according to The New York Times. Sentinel Screenshot: Sentinel Sentinel works with government and media defense agencies around the world in an effort to create a so-called trust layer for the internet. The company reportedly relies on four different, separate layers of deepfake defense. On the most basic layer, Sentinel scans documents for evidence of hashes (basically digital breadcrumbs) associated with known deepfaked materials. Other deeper layers of defense use AI to analyze faces for signs of visual manipulation and another that looks for changes in audio. My family used to live under the worlds biggest disinformation apparatusthe Soviet Union, Sentinel CEO Johannes Tammekand said. Thats why we know firsthand the consequences of information warfare and why it is one of the biggest threats to democracies. Reality Defender Screenshot: Reality Defender Founded just two years ago, Reality Defender offers enterprise-level tools letting businesses and other large organizations quickly scan audio, photo, and video for evidence of digital manipulation. Its unclear what exact AI models Reality Defender is capable of detecting, however, the company claims its system was used by NATOs Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence to identify deepfakes and other forms of misinformation being amplified by pro-Russian accounts on the social media site VKontakte. Attestiv Screenshot: Attesti Massachussets-based Attestiv uses its own AI to forensically scan photos, videos, documents, and even telemetry data submitted to the company or captured on its apps to detect anomalies that could point to digital manipulation. Once scanned. Attestiv offers up an aggregate tamper score estimating the likeliness of the image being AI-generated or altered. If manipulation is detected Attestiv then stores a digital copy of that image on a blockchain ledger so that it can easily spot cases where the manipulated media occurs again. Blackbird.ai Photo: Bruce Bennett (Getty Images) Initially formed in 2014, Blackbird.AI is one of the older companies in the field using AI to catch potential deepfakes and limit their spread online. Unlike other newer technology companies focused on scanning documents for minute signs of digital manipulation, Blackbird spends most of its energy on identifying and limiting the spread of already identified AI-generated or altered images. Blackbird analyzes social media trends in real-time and investigates numerous media risks, to identify and squash disinformation or influence campaigns before they get out of control. Increasingly, those malicious campaigns may rely on AI-generated images to trick or fool audiences into believing a false narrative like fake pictures of Donald Trumps arrest. Fictitious.AI Photo: Leon Neal (Getty Images) Anyone whose spent time in a college classroom over the past decade knows plagiarism detectors arent anything new. Many of those systems that simply scan for word-for-word text already on the internet were unable to account for ChatGPT and other chatbots which appear to generate new, unique content based on a users prompts. Fictitious.AI is trying to fill that gap. The company, which targets its products specifically towards educators, claims its own AI models can detect lines of text generated by models like GPT4 and ChatGPT. The company provides educators with an interactive console where they can submit a students work and then view the results. What teachers or professors actually do with that score, however, remains up to them. Sensity AI Screenshot: SensityAI Netherlands-based company Sensity AI claims it can detect AI-generated images from models like Dall-E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney as well as text pulled from OpenAIs GPT3. Unlike other companies on this list, Sensity AI also points out that its model can accurately detect instances of digital face swapping. Sensity says face swapping in particular is used by fraudsters trying to impersonate victims and break into accounts locked by face scans or other biometric identifiers. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. From left: the holiday village in Praia da Luz; Kate and Gerry McCann, Madeleine; Christian Brueckner; the Arade dam area There is no doubting the beauty of the Barragem do Arade reservoir, its glistening blue waters a vibrant contrast to the dry reddish soil of its shores, where wild flowers sprout amid orange groves. From single-track roads, footpaths lead off into the expanse that borders the lake, to secluded areas perfect for a picnic and a bonfire, a drink and a smoke, perhaps of something illicit. Or, darkly, for something far more sinister. For this is the area, 30 miles from Praia da Luz, where police this week have been digging and probing for clues in a 16-year-old investigation which has baffled, captivated and tormented those at its heart. Today for Kate and Gerry McCann, whose daughter Madeleine disappeared from the holiday village where the family was staying 16 years ago freezing her forever in our minds as a toddler when today she might be a 20-year-old woman these footpaths may lead to some sort of resolution. Earlier this month, to mark a vigil on the anniversary of Madeleines disappearance, where her 18-year-old sister Amelie lit candles in her memory, they noted: The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough. German prosecutor Christian Wolters, leading the search at the reservoir, put matters more starkly: Of course we are still looking for the body. [But] there are other things too. Portuguese police investigators at Barragem do Arade Reservoir - Getty But the truth is, that after a hunt for a little girl over a decade and a half, that has involved the police forces of three nations, countless missteps, many millions of pounds (the Metropolitan Police have spent 13 million since they started their investigation in 2011 while the spending in Portgual and Germany is not known), appalling accusations and conspiracy theories, these paths may also lead nowhere. Or worse, since the dig team packed up on Thursday night, they may offer up clues only to the what might have been? Now, so long after Madeleine went missing, there is a prime suspect for her abduction, the German 46-year-old convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner, and a key location in her disappearance, and yet despite the samples sent back from the reservoir to forensics labs, nothing may come of it. Because mistakes, and the passage of time, have effaced and eroded so many of the clues that might long ago have incarcerated whoever broke into the childrens room of the McCanns holiday apartment, pulled back their eldest daughters duvet while their younger twins slept on, separated Madeleine from Cuddle Cat, her favourite teddy, and lifted her off into the night. Fifteen years ago, Portuguese police closed the case, saying there was nothing more they could do. Now German police are convinced they have the man they want in their sights. But will they find enough to make a case stick? And if the same rigour had been applied in the years before May 3 2007, the night Madeleine went missing, or even during the hours after, might this whole trauma have been prevented in the first place? Could she have been saved? The list of mistakes, of bumbling, straightforward errors, made in the aftermath of her disappearance is well known: the fact that the so-called golden hour that vital chance in the immediate aftermath of a childs disappearance to find them was spurned by Portuguese police appearing late at the resort; that house-to-house enquiries were haphazard; that delays meant potentially vital CCTV footage from a neighbouring apartment block had been wiped by the time officers got round to checking it; and possibly worst of all, that a series of procedural errors were made in securing forensic evidence from the crime scene. The McCanns apartment, for example, was not taped off until well into the following morning, by which time dozens of people had been in and out. Vital sheets, blankets and pillow cases were reportedly washed by resort cleaners allowed to follow their normal routine. DNA testing was not carried out on Cuddle Cat. Officers performing fingerprint dusting were photographed not wearing gloves themselves. Kate McCann holding Madeleine's favourite toy, Cuddle Cat - John Taylor If not enough effort was spent on these leads, too much time was wasted on others. For example Jane Tanner, a friend of the McCanns, told police she saw a man carrying a slumbering child in his arms at the time. This mystery suspect was a key avenue of the investigation. But when, more than five years later, British police launched their own inquiry Operation Grange they quickly traced and ruled out the suspect merely by checking the records of the resort creche. Yet possibly the most disabling wrong turn was performed by Goncalo Amaral, the detective in the charge of the Portuguese investigation at least until he was removed in October 2007. He, according to one long-time observer of the inquiry, became utterly convinced that the McCanns themselves were guilty partly through DNA traces found in their hire car and began, in this version of events, to prioritise police resources accordingly. Kate and Gerry McCann during an interview with the BBC's Fiona Bruce in 2017 - Joe Giddens/PA Wire Ultimately when you read through the detail of the [hire-car] DNA you see the absolute red herring it was, but it was a dangerous red herring because I think investigators in Portugal thought this was a smoking gun, Jim Gamble, a former top child protection officer, later told the producers of a Netflix documentary. To the horror of their daughters disappearance, the McCanns had to add the horror of being suspects. In 2015, after writing a book about the case, Amaral was ordered to pay half a million euros in libel damages to the McCanns a decision overturned on appeal by a judge who ruled the detectives claims were covered by a right to free speech. Gerry and Kate McCann talk to the press after attending the libel case against former Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral - Tiago Petinga/PA Wire Only when Scotland Yard began their review of the case in 2011 were breakthroughs made. Mobile phones shown to be in the area on May 3 2007 had not been traced to registered owners. In October 2013, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, then leading the Met inquiry, said doing so was tough to do with mobiles acquired six years earlier on a pay-as-you-go basis. But eventually, they did match a phone to a name: Brueckner. The prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, a drifter now serving a seven-year sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman, lived more or less permanently in the Algarve between 1995 and 2007, at times very close to where Madeleine went missing. His first conviction for sexually abusing a child came in 1993, when he was just 17. But after a two-year youth sentence he left Germany for Portugal, mixing casual jobs with petty crime. With an Austrian carpenter called Michael Tatschl, he shared a ramshackle farmhouse near Praia da Luz, with Tatschl later describing him as both a very good burglar who amassed countless passports and valuables by breaking into apartments, and a pervert more than capable of snatching a child. Police search near Praia da Luz where Madeleine went missing - Eddie Mulholland In 2006, the pair were jailed for several months after stealing diesel from lorries, being released in December, just months before Madeleine was abducted. While in jail, another German drifter Manfred Seyferth, with a man called Helge Busching, claim they broke into Brueckners home and stole a gun and a video camera. Footage shot with the camera, they allege, shows Brueckner abusing and torturing a woman as well as a girl in her teens. Seyferth and Busching allegedly disposed of the gun at the reservoir, which Brueckner called paradise and allegedly visited days before Madeleines disappearance. Last October, at a court in Braunschweig, central Germany, prosecutors charged Christian Brueckner with four separate brutal sex offences committed in the area before Madeleine went missing. These alleged crimes include two rapes, forcing a girl to perform a sex act, and exposing himself to a 10-year-old girl. But in April, the charges were dropped after the court declared it had no jurisdiction. Though the charges may be made at another court, it is a sign of how now, whenever the net appears to be tightening, the passage of time and the bureaucracy of a three-nation investigation make it hard to draw close. The result is that somehow Kate and Gerry McCann have to live with the knowledge that, had things been done differently, a known sex offender may not have been free to wander near Praia da Luz on the night of May 3 2007. They have to live with the knowledge that golden hours were lost after their daughter went missing. And they have to live with the knowledge that every day that passes makes a criminal conviction harder to secure. Brueckners current sentence is due to end in a couple of years. Will he then walk free? Those observing the case, watching investigators dig around the idyllic Barragem do Arade reservoir this week, think not. Watch and youll see the Germans will charge him, says one. Brueckner has denied being involved in Madeleine's disappearance and has not been charged with any crime related to it. For their own sakes, Madeleine McCanns parents can only hope that this will not be another opportunity missed. It may be the last one. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Two men from Quincy and Worcester are accused in a large-scale Massachusetts drug trafficking enterprise after state police and U.S. Postal Inspectors intercepted a shipment of three kilograms of suspected cocaine from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts, state police said. Stephen Marsden, 35, of 100 Cove Way, Quincy, and Evans Klimavich, 41, of 4 Allison Circle, Worcester were arrested Friday after investigators executed search warrants at their homes, state police said. Marsden was charged with trafficking in cocaine; possession of a Class C narcotic (THC edibles) with intent to distribute; possession of a Class E narcotic (Xanax) with intent to distribute; unlawful possession of a firearm (5 counts); possession of a firearm in commission of a felony; unlawful possession of ammunition; and improper storage of a firearm. Klimavich was charged with trafficking in cocaine; trafficking in marijuana; and trafficking in Class C narcotics (vape cartridges and mushrooms). Troopers and Postal Inspectors found the cocaine when they executed a search warrant on the parcel after it was delivered on Friday to Marsdens apartment on Cove Way in Quincy, which overlooks the marina. Marsden was arrested and taken to the State Police-South Boston Barracks for booking. He was held on $50,000 cash bail pending his arraignment in Quincy District Court next week, state police said. As part of the investigation, a Trooper from the State Police Detective Unit for Norfolk County also obtained search warrants for Marsdens apartment and his 2015 Infiniti Q50 sedan, as well as for a residence at 4 Allison Circle, Worcester, the home of Klimavich, whom state police called a co-conspirator of Marsdens in the drug organization. The search of Marsdens Quincy apartment yielded five firearms, 143 loose rounds of ammunition, dozens of THC edible packages, approximately 80 Xanax pills, a money counting device, and materials used in the packaging of narcotics, state police said. A check revealed that one of the guns had been stolen during a housebreak in Oxford, North Carolina. Marsden does not have a license to carry firearms. The search of Klimavichs Worcester home yielded another kilogram of suspected cocaine, approximately 50 pounds of marijuana, hundreds of vape cartridges, a quantity of psilocybin mushrooms, and approximately $52,000 in US currency, state police said. Klimavich was not in the house when the search warrant was served around 11:30 a.m. Friday, but arrived home in his car a short time later while investigators were present, state police said. He was placed under arrest and taken to the State Police-Holden Barracks for booking pending bail and expected arraignment in Worcester District Court next week. Investigators also obtained another search warrant for office space rented by Marsden at 7 Oregon St., Fall River, state police said. At that office, investigators found four ghost guns firearms without serial numbers, making them untraceable, assembled privately from unfinished and unregulated parts purchased separately or in kits and large-capacity magazines, state police said. Investigators also seized several pounds of THC edibles and an ATM machine from the rented space and saw other apparent uncompleted ghost firearms in the process of being manufactured from unregulated parts, state police said. An investigation into the ghost guns is ongoing. The investigation involved the State Police Detective Unit assigned to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrisseys office, the State Police Narcotics Section, and the U.S. Postal Service. The State Police Detective Units for Worcester and Bristol counties, as well as the State Police Gang Unit, assisted in executing the search warrants. 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 2 Wendy's superfans had red-dye makeovers to get free chicken nuggets for a year Natalie McMillan and Chris Watts. Simon Jacobs/PinPep Two Wendy's superfans won a year's supply of chicken nuggets after dyeing their hair red. The fast-food chain ran the promotion to coincide with World Redhead Day Friday. The fans are now entitled to a free portion of four-piece chicken nuggets every week. Two Wendy's superfans who dyed their hair to match the fast-food chain's iconic red-headed mascot will get free chicken nuggets for a year. The chain ran a competition for UK fans to dye their hair "Wendy's Red" at a salon in London, offering them a chance to win a free portion of four chicken nuggets a week for a year. Natalie McMillan and Chris Watts, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. McMillan dyed her hair, while Watts dyed his beard to mark World Redhead Day Friday May 26. As they underwent their makeovers, other redheads queued outside of a Wendy's store in Camden to get their hands on their own portion of free chicken nuggets with their orders. Redheads queued outside a Wendy's store in Camden, north London. Simon Jacobs/PinPep "I'm obsessed with Wendy's Spicy Nuggs so winning a years' supply has made my day," McMillan said. " My nearest Wendy's is in Maidstone so I try to visit as much as I can. Whenever I have to work in London, I always make sure to pop into the Camden restaurant." The fast-food chain is rolling out changes to some of its restaurants, including automating its drive-through services by installing a chatbot at its store in Columbus, Ohio, in June. It's also testing out underground tunnels for pick-up orders through a partnership with Pipedream, a startup that builds underground, robot-powered delivery systems. Its plan is to deploy robots to deliver food from its restaurants to customers' cars. A Wendy's representative previously told Insider it will unveil the tunnels at a store in the second half of the year. Read the original article on Business Insider Around 25 soldiers all former prisoners who had been deployed to reinforce a Russian unit in the vicinity of Svatove, Luhansk Oblast, deserted on 25 May. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Quote from the General Staff: "There are increasingly more cases of desertion and non-compliance with commanders orders among the Russian occupation troops. On 25 May, around 20 former prisoners, who had recently completed an accelerated training course and had been deployed to reinforce a unit based in the vicinity of Svatove, stole a Kamaz truck and set off in an unknown direction." Details: The General Staff reported that the deserters whereabouts are unknown and the Russians continue searching for them. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! $38.8 Billion in U.S. Treasury? For These Billionaires, Thats Nothing. The Treasury Department building in Washington, D.C., May 22, 2023. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times) WASHINGTON The Treasury Department said its cash balance fell to $38.8 billion as of Thursday, as the United States inched toward running out of cash to pay its bills. That was significantly lower than the $316 billion the department had in operating cash, which is held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, at the start of the month. Just how empty is the Treasury cash coffer? For comparison, $38.8 billion is on par with the gross domestic product of Bahrain and Paraguay and lower than the net worth of more than two dozen of the wealthiest people in the world. Of course, much of the assets of those billionaires are tied up in stocks, rather than liquid assets. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Here is a list of people with higher net worths than the U.S. cash reserves, according to Bloomberg News Billionaire Index as of Thursday. (Under the news agencys editorial policy, its billionaire owner, Michael Bloomberg, is not considered for the index. Forbes, though, estimates his net worth at $94.5 billion.) Bernard Arnault, CEO of luxury group LVMH: $189 billion Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, Tesla and Twitter: $179 billion Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon: $139 billion Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft: $125 billion Larry Ellison, co-founder and executive chair of Oracle: $116 billion Steve Ballmer, investor and former CEO of Microsoft: $113 billion Larry Page, co-founder of Google: $112 billion Warren Buffett, investor: $111 billion Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google: $106 billion Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Facebook: $92.3 billion Carlos Slim, investor: $90.3 billion Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, heir to the LOreal fortune and company board member: $87.2 billion Mukesh Ambani, chair of energy group Reliance Industries: $83.7 billion Amancio Ortega, founder of Inditex fashion group: $67.1 billion Jim Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune: $66.6 billion Rob Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune: $64.9 billion Alice Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune: $63.8 billion Gautam Adani, founder and chair of Adani Group conglomerate: $63.4 billion Jacqueline Mars, heir to and co-owner of candy maker Mars: $61.7 billion John Mars, heir to and chair of Mars: $61.7 billion Zhong Shanshan, founder and chair of bottled water company Nongfu Spring: $61.6 billion Julia Flesher Koch and family, heirs of businessman David Koch: $60.6 billion Charles Koch, CEO of industrial conglomerate Koch Industries: $60.4 billion Michael Dell, CEO and chair of Dell Technologies: $53.4 billion Alain Wertheimer, co-owner and chair of Chanel: $45.9 billion Gerard Wertheimer, co-owner of Chanel: $45.9 billion Giovanni Ferrero, executive chair of chocolate and confectionery company Ferrero Group, and family: $43.6 billion Zhang Yiming, founder and CEO of technology company ByteDance: $42.3 billion Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, and family: $41.5 billion Klaus-Michael Kuhne, honorary chair and majority owner of transport company Kuehne+Nagel: $40.9 billion Francois Pinault, founder of luxury group Kering: $39.6 billion c.2023 The New York Times Company A Pueblo woman and four juvenile males have been charged by Pueblo police with nearly 40 combined counts of attempted murder in connection with a series of drive-by shootings. Emilia Rodriguez, 21, was the lone adult charged in the shootings, which police claim are connected to the Feed The Family street gang in Pueblo. Rodriguez was charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder and illegal discharge of a firearm. Among the juveniles charged were: a 17-year-old male suspect, who is charged with 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder and illegal discharge of a firearm; a 15-year-old male suspect, who is charged with 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder and illegal discharge of a firearm; a 14-year-old male suspect, who is charged with seven counts of attempted first-degree murder and illegal discharge of a firearm; and a 17-year-old male suspect, who is charged with seven counts of attempted first-degree murder. Pueblo public safety: Pueblo man convicted of homicide in 2019 arrested for allegedly firing gun at police According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Chieftain, one of the teenage suspects admitted to being involved in nine drive-by incidents, including four shootings in December targeting the residences of a teenage girl and her boyfriend. The suspect reportedly told police those residences were targeted after the girl broke up with one of his fellow gang members. The suspect also allegedly identified others involved in the shootings in an interview with police. One of the juveniles who was eventually arrested in connection with the shootings was identified as a suspect through security camera footage provided by the victims, which showed a vehicle police say belongs to one of the suspects' parents. Police say the juvenile who spoke to authorities also identified Rodriguez as the driver in two of the drive-by shootings. Her vehicle was identified through security footage obtained by police, according to the affidavit. Rodriguez initially told a Pueblo Police Department detective she would meet with them to discuss the charges, but police say she did not make an effort to set up a meeting. Relatives of Rodriguez told police that she was advised not to speak without a lawyer present. Family members of the teenage victims whose homes were targeted told police they "lived in fear" following the repeated shootings. Police say one family member stated that a couch she was sitting on minutes before a drive-by on the evening of Dec. 18 was struck by gunfire and that if she had not moved, she would have been hit. The family member stated those who lived at the residence were afraid to go outside at night due to fear of being shot, and that she feared for her life. "It was evident to me that the family members within the (victim household) cannot have a good quality of life since they were always living in fear," Detective Brian Gonzales wrote in the affidavit. Other shootings allegedly committed by Feed The Family gang members include a number of drive-bys against members of other gangs, according to the affidavit. Pueblo Police Department's investigation into the string of shootings is ongoing, and additional arrests are possible, police said. Spent shell casings found at the scene of some of the drive-by shootings matched those discovered in a series of other drive-by shootings across Pueblo, according to the affidavit. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime. More: Former Pueblo County sheriff's deputy pleads guilty to attempted sexual assault Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo police arrest 4 juveniles, 1 adult in series of drive-by shootings 5 firefighters injured in 2-alarm fire at Manchester, NH duplex with illegal bedrooms, officials say Five firefighters are recovering after they were injured while battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday night at a Pearl Street duplex that had three illegal bedrooms and no working smoke detectors, fire officials said. Theyre doing well, said Manchester District Fire Chief Jonathan Starr on Saturday, when asked about the injured firefighters. One firefighter suffered burns to his wrist and was treated and released from a local hospital, Starr said. Four other firefighters were treated for minor injuries at the scene of the fire. No other injuries were reported. Search crews rescued five of six cats and one large lizard from the building, and they were safety returned to their owners. A total of 10 residents were displaced. Emergency crews responded to 317-319 Pearl St. around 8:40 p.m. Friday after receiving reports of a fire at that address. A firefighter rescues a cat during a 2-alarm blaze at a Pearl Street duplex in Manchester, N.H. that injured five firefighters on Friday night, fire officials said. A firefighter rescues a cat during a 2-alarm blaze at a Pearl Street duplex in Manchester, N.H. that injured five firefighters on Friday night, fire officials said. Five firefighters are recovering after they were injured while battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday night at a Pearl Street duplex that had three illegal bedrooms and no working smoke detectors, fire officials said. Five firefighters are recovering after they were injured while battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday night at a Pearl Street duplex that had three illegal bedrooms and no working smoke detectors, fire officials said. Five firefighters are recovering after they were injured while battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday night at a Pearl Street duplex that had three illegal bedrooms and no working smoke detectors, fire officials said. Five firefighters are recovering after they were injured while battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday night at a Pearl Street duplex that had three illegal bedrooms and no working smoke detectors, fire officials said. Five firefighters are recovering after they were injured while battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday night at a Pearl Street duplex that had three illegal bedrooms and no working smoke detectors, fire officials said. Five firefighters are recovering after they were injured while battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday night at a Pearl Street duplex that had three illegal bedrooms and no working smoke detectors, fire officials said. Five firefighters are recovering after they were injured while battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday night at a Pearl Street duplex that had three illegal bedrooms and no working smoke detectors, fire officials said. Five firefighters are recovering after they were injured while battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday night at a Pearl Street duplex that had three illegal bedrooms and no working smoke detectors, fire officials said. When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke billowing from the attic and roof areas. Bystanders told crews that children were still inside the building on the upper floors, officials said. Firefighters began search and rescue operations, while aggressively attacking the interior of the building with hose lines to extinguish the flames. Firefighters were met with several challenges, including heavy smoke, high heat, limited visibility within the building, and limited access to illegal apartments. There was a lot of heat and because of the layout of the building, some of it was a little hard to access and they did have illegal living areas, Starr said of the firefighting effort. The duplex had three illegal bedrooms, two in the basements of the building and one in an attic, Starr said. Fire officials said there were no working smoke detectors in either side of the duplex. A preliminary investigation found the fire started on the upper floors, in the attic of 317 Pearl St., Starr said. Fire officials estimated a property loss of $150,000. Most of the fire damage was contained to the third floor and attic and storage spaces on both sides of the duplex. There was heavy water damage on all levels and in both units, officials said. The fire appears to be accidental, officials said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW For minority business owners who want to become suppliers to local government entities or to bid on other contracts, the process can be daunting. But an annual event sets out to help minority business owners understand the process of bidding for procurement opportunities with entities like the city of Detroit. Toni Stewart-Limmitt, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer for the city of Detroit, presents during the Minority Business Summit in Detroit on May 25, 2023 Called the Minority Business Summit, the event this year was hosted by Detroit's Office of Contracting & Procurement on Thursday at Wayne County Community College Districts Curtis L. Ivery Downtown Campus. There were 63 attendees in person and 47 people viewed presentations virtually. It's important for us to do this as an annual event because we want to make sure that were being inclusive to have Detroiters and minorities that are a part of the opportunities that the city of Detroit has, said Toni Stewart-Limmitt, deputy chief procurement officer for the city of Detroit. Typically, in the past, they haven't had an opportunity to bid on any of our contracts and they felt pushed out. This is just one aspect and one way that we can be more inclusive. The summit covered such topics as the bidding process, getting a business certified, submitting invoices to the city, registering to work with the city and state, and gaining access to training and information. Here are five things to know that can help a minority business owner take part in procurement opportunities in the region: Getting certifications for your business Certifications can help businesses be more competitive when seeking bids, and some certifications offer equalization credits to help boost the chances of Detroit-based businesses winning bids. The Detroit Business Opportunity Program helps entrepreneurs to get certifications that help with equalization credits during the procurement process. The program is under the citys Civil Rights Inclusion & Opportunity department, and Tenika Griggs serves as the director. Each certification lasts for a year. There are 10 certification types: Detroit-based businesses, Detroit-headquartered businesses, Detroit resident businesses, Detroit small businesses, Detroit-based micro-businesses, Detroit startups, minority-owned business enterprises, female-owned business enterprises, mentor venture and joint venture. There are no equalization credits if one is certified as a minority- or female-owned business, however, if a company is seeking one of these types of businesses, the office can direct them to entrepreneurs who are being sought. The application process involves processing which can take up to 45 days a site visit, a certification fee payment and a certification letter. Registering to do business with the city of Detroit Business owners who want to participate in the procurement process should first register at detroitmi.gov/supplier. Once registered, they should then review the open bids. Next, apply for bids that one qualifies for, with the goal to be the lowest recommended bidder or the highest ranked in the system, according to Stewart-Limmitt during presentation during the summit. Lastly, she said, contracts over $25,000 are then sent to be approved by city council and signed by the Office of Contracting & Procurement. A business also is required to have insurance to work with the city, and sometimes a bid bond, depending on the project, said Stewart-Limmitt. Bid bonds are in place to ensure that contractors are able to fulfill their contract obligations, and are often used in construction projects. The city currently has a lot of bids available for grounds services, security, janitorial, demolition, IT, renovations and construction. Using Apex Accelerator to find other government contracts The Wayne State University Apex Accelerator is a free business consulting service that helps entrepreneurs find government contracts. It offers training and outreach to help small businesses grow nationally, and it has an office in Detroit that serves Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw, Livingston and Oakland counties. The training sessions focus on systems for award management, small business programs, finding opportunities, proposal writing and bidding and marketing to the government. Michael Kelly, the associate director of Wayne State Universitys Executive and Professional Development department, presents about the university's Apex Accelerator during the city of Detroit's Minority Business Summit on May 25, 2023. Michael Kelly, the associate director of Wayne State Universitys Executive and Professional Development department, said in order to become a seller to the government, businesses need to be in operation for at least two years. They should also be able to show financial stability and extensive sales. In addition, the following registrations can help you to become eligible to work with the government: System for Award Management to be eligible for federal contracts. Vendor Self Service SIGMA to be eligible for state contracts. Oracle to be eligible for city contracts. Kelly also advises to find the NAICS code for your business, which classifies products and services, and determines the size of a business. NAICS codes (NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System) are required to sign up for the System for Award Management. Opportunities with Wayne County In order to find procurement opportunities with Wayne County, there are a few qualifications and requirements. Arthur Walker, procurement director at Wayne County, said business owners that want to work with the county need to have general liability insurance and a fair employment practices certificate. There are also requirements that change based on what each project entails. Businesses should register with MITN to participate at legacy.mitn.info, which stands for Michigan Inter-governmental Trade Network. More: 2023 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix: What to know about road closures, parking, traffic More: Act now if think your employer should be a Detroit Free Press Top Workplace for 2023 Opportunities with Oakland County Joan Daniels, a buyer who works for Oakland County and handles bids, advised participants to call her to ask questions and get information because the team wants to get to know its contractors. Businesses do not have to be based in Oakland County to win bids, and its offices are located in Waterford and Pontiac. To find information to connect with buyers in Oakland County, go to oakgov.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 5 things minority entrepreneurs learned about being Detroit suppliers This is a locator map for Afghanistan with its capital, Kabul. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The Taliban and Iran exchanged heavy gunfire Saturday on the Islamic Republic's border with Afghanistan, killing and wounding troops while sharply escalating rising tensions between the two countries amid a dispute over water rights. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted the country's deputy police chief, Gen. Qassem Rezaei, accusing the Taliban of opening fire first Saturday morning on the border of Irans Sistan and Baluchestan province and the Afghan province of Nimroz. IRNA said Iran inflicted heavy casualties and serious damage." From the Taliban's view, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor accused Iran of shooting first. Takor said the firefight killed two people, one from each country, and wounded others. He described the situation as now being under control. IRNA, quoting Iranian police, said two border guards had been killed. However, that number may be higher. The semiofficial, English-language newspaper Tehran Times said the fighting killed three Iranian border guards. IRNA said the Milak border crossing with Afghanistan, a major trade route, was closed until further notice over the gunfight. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers dialogue to be a reasonable way for any problem, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khawarazmi said in a statement. Making excuses for war and negative actions is not in the interest of any of the parties. The advocacy group HalVash, which reports on issues affecting the Baluch people in the predominately Sunni province of Sistan and Baluchestan, quoted residents in the area saying the fighting took place near the Kang district of Nimroz. It said some people in the area had fled the violence. Videos posted online, purportedly from the area, included the crackle of machine gun fire in the distance. HalVash later posted an image of what appeared to be the remains of a mortar round, saying that heavy weapons and mortars are being used. Later videos from HalVash purported to show Iranian forces firing a mortar, as well as Taliban troops firing American-made machine guns at an Iranian border post. Other Taliban fighters drove armored vehicles likely left behind by NATO forces. Iran vowed not let the Taliban attack stand. The border forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will decisively respond to any border trespassing and aggression, and the current authorities of Afghanistan must be held accountable for their unmeasured and contrary actions to international principles," IRNA quoted Iran's police chief, Gen. Ahmadreza Radan, as saying. The clash comes as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi earlier this month warned the Taliban not to violate Iran's water rights to the Helmand River. Raisi's remarks represented some of the strongest yet over the long-running concerns about water in Iran. Drought has been a problem in Iran for some 30 years, but has worsened over the past decade, according to the U.N.s Food and Agriculture Organization. The Iran Meteorological Organization says that an estimated 97% of the country now faces some level of drought. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. In the time since, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, depriving them of virtually all their basic rights, according to the U.N. Hunger remains endemic. While not directly accepting the Taliban government, Iran has maintained relations with Afghanistan's new rulers. Tehran also has called on the Taliban to allow women and girls to go to school. Earlier on Saturday, the Taliban's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with an Iranian envoy to Afghanistan to discuss the Helmand River water rights, according to tweets from Afghan Foreign Ministry official Zia Ahmad. IRNA acknowledged the meeting, saying that issues between the two countries will be better resolved through dialogue. But tensions have otherwise been rising. Another video posted online in recent days purportedly showed a standoff with Iranian forces and the Taliban as Iranian construction workers tried to reinforce the border between the two countries. In recent days, pro-Taliban accounts online also have been sharing a video with a song calling on the acting defense minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, to stand up to Iran. Mullah Yaqoob is the son of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Talibans late founder and first supreme leader. We are a government, we have power, the song goes. Our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran or we are not the republics government. We are not slaves, our leader Mullah Yaqoob will stand against Iran. ___ Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez in Islamabad and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. When will Alex Murdaugh be tried on state financial crimes? SC lawyers fight over date A South Carolina judge on Friday set a Sept. 11 date for opposing attorneys to meet to decide when convicted double-murderer Alex Murdaugh should stand trial for a host of alleged financial crimes. Prosecutor Creighton Waters, with the S.C. Attorney Generals Office, told Judge Clifton Newman Friday that he prefers to have a trial later this fall not next year on at least some of the charges against Murdaugh. But Murdaughs attorney Dick Harpootlian said his year is stacked, in part, because of legislative duties given he is a state senator from Richland County and has what is called legislative immunity from court appearances through July. Harpootlian said he also wants to visit his wife, Jamie, the U.S. ambassador to Slovenia, and he hopes this year to dispose of a massive civil case against the state Department of Corrections over alleged neglect of five murdered young children. Since Murdaugh, once a prominent attorney from Hampton County, was just convicted in March of the murders of his wife, Maggie, and youngest son, Paul, it will likely be hard to find an unbiased jury, especially since the trial was televised and viewed by millions of people, Harpootlian told the judge. Alex Murdaugh faces charges in estate theft Murdaugh, 55, in state prison serving two consecutive life sentences for double murder, faces some 100 additional charges, mainly financial, in five separate Lowcountry counties. The crimes involve money laundering, embezzlement, computer crimes, and the theft of more than $9 million in stolen money. Waters told Newman that Beaufort County would be a logical place to have Murdaughs first trial because that county was the site of his biggest alleged theft. Well do whatever we need to do, Waters said. I think Beauforts probably the best place. Beaufort County is where Murdaugh and his longtime friend, Beaufort lawyer Cory Fleming, schemed to steal $4.3 million from the estate of Gloria Satterfield, Murdaughs longtime housekeeper who died in February 2018 after falling at his house. In all, Murdaugh faces state charges involving the theft from numerous victims of some $9 million from 2011 to 2021. Over two years, in 2018 and 2019, Murdaugh and Fleming arranged for his personal liability insurers to send $4.3 million to Satterfields estate, then they stole the money, with Murdaugh getting most of it, according to state charges. Fleming pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to charges involving stealing from the Satterfield estate. He is scheduled to go to trial in state court in Beaufort County also on Sept. 11. He faces 18 state charges in all connected to the Satterfield thefts, including conspiracy, making false statements in an insurance claim, breach of trust, money laundering and computer crimes. Flemings lawyer, Debbie Barbier, declined to comment. Will Murdaugh go to trial on financial crimes in 2023? For Murdaugh, with Harpootlians legislative job that state law exempts him from appearing in court from roughly January to August, theres really only two, three months to try him this year, Waters told Newman. Newman, who presided over Murdaughs murder trial, told the attorneys that he will not be available to handle a trial after Jan. 1, 2024, since he turns 72 this year. Under the states mandatory retirement law, Newman must retire at the end of this year. My calendar will be out of the picture, Newman said. My tenures up Dec. 31. Complicating the picture is the recent federal indictment against Murdaugh, accusing him of more than $7 million of various financial crimes dating back to 2005, including the money stolen from the Satterfield estate. It is not clear how the South Carolina U.S. Attorneys Office and the state Attorney Generals Office will reconcile their schedules in what are parallel prosecutions, since charges by each office cover roughly the same sets of crimes. We enjoy a really good working relationship with the Attorney Generals Office, assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Limehouse told reporters Thursday after Fleming pleaded guilty to one federal count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the Satterfield case. Out of deference to our state partners, Limehouse said that federal prosecutors delayed charging both Murdaugh and Fleming with federal financial crimes until after the state prosecuted Murdaugh on the murder charges. Our main goals are to hold everybody accountable for these crimes and to make the victims whole, she said. This undated mugshot provided by the Richland County Detention Center shows Cory Fleming. The longtime friend of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh admitted Thursday, May 25, 2023, that he helped his old college roommate steal more than $4 million meant for a wrongful death settlement after Murdaugh's housekeeper died in a fall. (Richland County Detention Center via AP) CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) A longtime friend of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh admitted Thursday he helped his old college roommate steal more than $4 million meant for a wrongful death settlement after Murdaugh's housekeeper died in a fall. Cory Fleming, 54, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced at a later date. After Murdaugh's maid, Gloria Satterfield, died following a fall at the family's home, Murdaugh convinced Satterfield's sons to hire Fleming as their lawyer, saying they could help get the family money for a wrongful death settlement. Fleming got $4.3 million from Murdaugh's insurers, according to an indictment. But Fleming and Murdaugh never sent any money to Satterfield's sons, instead splitting it among themselves, prosecutors said. Satterfield's sons later hired different attorneys who have managed to get millions for them. Fleming's plea came a day after federal prosecutors charged Murdaugh with 22 financial crimes for stealing money from the Satterfield family as well as other clients and committing bank and wire fraud. Murdaugh's lawyers said in a statement he is cooperating with federal investigators and suggest the charges will be resolved with a guilty plea.' Murdaugh, 54, is currently serving a life sentence without parole in protective custody at an undisclosed state prison after being convicted in March of the shooting deaths of his 22-year-old son, Paul and 52-year-old wife, Maggie, at their home. Prosecutors said he decided to kill them because his millions of dollars of theft was about to be discovered, and he was hoping their deaths would buy him sympathy and time to figure out a cover-up. The once prominent South Carolina attorney is also awaiting trial on around 100 other state charges including insurance fraud, tax evasion and theft. Fleming is the second person affiliated with Murdaugh's schemes to be convicted in federal court. In November, Murdaugh's banker friend, Russell Laffitte, was convicted of six wire and bank fraud charges. Prosecutors said Murdaugh and Laffitte worked together to take settlement money out of clients' accounts. Laffitte is appealing and has not been sentenced. Not far from this area northwest of Manaus, Brazil, scientists are conducting tests on the Amazon rainforest to determine the impact of global warming Deep in the Amazon, an experiment unfolds that may allow a peek into the future to see what will happen to the world's largest rainforest when carbon dioxide levels rise. It is a simulation to see how the lungs of the world will endure global warming. The AmazonFACE project, co-financed by Brazil and the United Kingdom, is "an open-air laboratory that will allow us to understand how the rainforest will behave in future climate change scenarios," says Carlos Quesada, one of the project coordinators. Quesada stands at the foot of a soaring metal tower that protrudes through the rainforest canopy at a site 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Manaus in northwest Brazil. Sixteen other towers arranged in a circle around it will "pump" CO2 into the ring, replicating levels that may happen with global warming. "How will the rainforest react to the rising temperature, the reduction in water availability, in a world with more carbon in the atmosphere?" asks Quesada, a researcher at an Amazon research institute that is part of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology. - 'Window to the future' - The technology known as FACE (Free Air CO2 Enrichment) has already been used to study the impact on forests in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, but never in a tropical rainforest. By 2024, there will be six "carbon rings" pumping CO2 -- one of the causes of global warming -- at a concentration 40 percent to 50 percent higher than today. Over a decade, researchers will analyze the processes occurring in leaves, roots, soil, water and nutrient cycles. "We will have more accurate projections on how the Amazon rainforest can help combat climate change with its ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Also, it will help us understand how the rainforest will be impacted by these changes," says David Lapola, a researcher at the University of Campinas, who coordinates the project with Quesada. The carbon increase in the atmosphere may lead to creation of grassy plains, or savanna, where Amazon rainforest once flourished, with vegetation better adapted to higher temperatures and longer droughts. But CO2 could also "fertilize" the forest and make it temporarily more resistant to these changes. "This is a positive scenario, at least for a short time, a period for us to get to zero emission policies, to keep temperature increases to only 1.5 degrees Centigrade," Quesada says. The project "is a window to the future. You open the window and look at what might be happening 30 years ahead," he says. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) urged ambitious action to counter global warming again this year. According to its latest March report, global warming will surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius in the decades after 2030, leading to irreversible loss of ecosystems. Coinciding with global warming is the impact of human-caused deforestation in the Amazon. A landmark 2018 study by scientists Thomas Lovejoy and Carlos Nobre found that the Amazon is hurtling toward a tipping point where savannas begin to replace rainforest. They said that would happen with deforestation of 20 to 25 percent of Amazon territory. Currently, deforestation stands at 15 percent. - UK-Brazil cooperation - AmazonFACE, coordinated by University of Campinas and the Brazilian Ministry of Science, has the support of the Foreign Office and the British Meteorological Service (MET office). British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited the facilities this week and announced a new contribution of 2 million pounds (US$2.4 million) to the project, which since 2021 has already received 7.3 million pounds from the United Kingdom. Brazil, for its part, has invested 32 million reais (US$6.4 million). str-mel/app/ltl/tjj/bfm Putin, Biden and Zelenskyy Illustrated / Getty Images Ukraine is taking the war to Russia. U.S. officials say they believe a drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month was the work of Ukrainian operatives, CNN reported, although it's unlikely that senior officials "ordered the attack or knew about it beforehand." The newly revealed intelligence makes it unlikely that the attack was a "false flag" operation by Russia to escalate its attacks on Ukraine. But Ukraine's increasing aggressiveness on Russian territory is clearly making American officials nervous. They're now investigating reports that U.S. military vehicles were used by pro-Ukrainian Russian paramilitary groups during an attack Monday on the Belgorod region, Politico reported. "We've been pretty darn clear: We don't support the use of U.S.-made equipment for attacks inside Russia we've been clear about that with the Ukrainians," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. The United States has provided ample military assistance to Ukraine since the war began early in 2022. The White House has been cautious about sending advanced equipment like tanks and fighter jets to Kyiv, however, for fear of getting more directly drawn into war with a nuclear-armed Russia. The attacks, along with America's recent decision to begin F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots, have renewed questions about that kind of escalation, Mediaite reported. Kirby's response: "We have made it clear that we're not going to encourage or enable Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory." A 'deadly three-way shadow war' The recent Discord leaks offered a picture of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mulling attacks inside Russia, Zeeshan Aleem wrote at MSNBC. That's potentially dangerous to the United States: "If Zelenskyy were to lead an offensive operation in Russia while armed with weapons from NATO, there's a good chance Russia would interpret it as a U.S.-backed action." That, in turn, could raise the odds of a "catastrophic nuclear exchange" between the two powers. While Ukraine's desire to strike Russian targets is understandable, the intelligence leaks suggest America should offer a restraining hand: That's not "weakness, but wisdom." There is a "deadly three-way shadow war between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States," James Bamford wrote for The Nation. The Kremlin drone attack was one sign of escalation in that war, as were assassination attempts one successful on Russian pro-war bloggers. Because Ukraine receives vast amounts of both U.S. equipment and intelligence assistance in its war against Russia, that campaign means "the risk of dragging the US deeper and deeper into an endless quagmire will continue to grow." But the attacks may be accomplishing something, Anna Nemstova noted for The Washington Post: "If the Ukrainians and their allies wanted to rattle the Russian leadership, it's working." There are hints of "chaos and disarray" inside the political establishment: Russia's recent Victory Day celebration was relatively subdued, Wagner Group leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin is talking about a possible revolution, and some "political insiders" are more openly questioning the war. Those are signs of success. "Kyiv is doing its best to keep the Russians off balance once again." "The Biden administration should continue to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion," Anatol Lieven argued for Responsible Statecraft. But it should do so cautiously, remembering that protecting American lives means "keeping the U.S. out of direct involvement in the war." 'Drawing the appropriate conclusions' Russia has warned about the U.S.-Ukraine connection from the start of its war. So it goes with recent developments, Reuters reported. "It is no secret" that U.S. equipment is being used against the Russian military, a Kremlin spokesman said following the Belgorod attack. "And it is no secret for us that the direct and indirect involvement of Western countries in this conflict is growing by the day. We are drawing the appropriate conclusions." Russian officials made similar comments amidst recent reports that Western countries will furnish F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Al-Jazeera reports. "We see that Western countries are still adhering to the escalation scenario," said Alexander Grushko, a Russian deputy foreign minister. "It involves colossal risks for themselves." For their part, American officials are sending public signals that they intend to keep treading cautiously. "Nobody," Kirby said, "wants to see World War III." You may also like Disney hits back against DeSantis Censoring ideas and rewriting history What the shifting religious landscape means for American politics A child is hoisted up as participants take part in the Piu Sik Parade at the Bun Festival in Cheung Chau Island in Hong Kong, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte) HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong's colorful Bun Festival is back after three years of COVID-19 restrictions. Visitors packed the tiny island of Cheung Chau to watch children parade in costumes and to eat buns stamped with the Chinese characters for peace and safety. The festival's highlight is a midnight bun-scrambling competition in which climbers race up a tower covered with plastic buns, trying to grab as many as possible. It was suspended for decades after an accident in 1978 when a collapse injured many, and only restarted in 2005. After COVID-19, the bun scramble has returned, but for this year, its limited to one smaller tower. The festival's comeback is a sign that normal life is returning to Hong Kong after its tight pandemic restrictions. During the parade, children dressed as legendary deities or historic characters are carried on stands above the heads of the crowd through the island's narrow lanes. This year, some wore firefighter costumes to pay tribute to the Hong Kong rescue crews that helped search for earthquake survivors in Turkey in February. Cantonese opera artists also staged performances in a bamboo theater. Everyone is so happy," said Cheung Chau resident Chow Hoi-kiu. "The performers are having a hard day. They started the days preparation early. Im sure its tough and so we are here to watch and support them." There were long lines outside shops selling steam buns and stores stocked with bun-themed souvenirs. Kwok Siu-kan, owner of the Kwok Kam Kee Cake Shop, said she hopes the buns will bring people prosperity. "If you eat the buns, you will have even more peace and safety," Kwok said. The event, also known as the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, has been celebrated for more than 100 years, according to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office. It says that according to folklore, residents started the rituals and traditions to dispel disaster and pray for blessings after the island was devastated by a plague. ___ Associated Press news assistant Annie Cheung contributed to this report. People attend a Chinese tea culture event in Cairo, Egypt, on May 25, 2023. A tea-themed cultural salon was held on Thursday in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, with more than 200 people gathering to taste famous Chinese tea, experience tea-making art, and enjoy cultural performances.[Photo/Xinhua] A tea-themed cultural salon was held on Thursday in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, with more than 200 people gathering to taste famous Chinese tea, experience tea-making art, and enjoy cultural performances. Held under the theme of "Tea: a Gift from China for the World," the gathering was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang, former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, and Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Khalil Ebrahim Mohammed Saleh Althawadi, as well as government officials, media representatives, and tea lovers from both China and Egypt. "Tea is not only the spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation, but also the link and bridge between China and the rest of the world," Liao said in his speech. The ambassador noted that China's traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices, which were inscribed in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022, have become the common fortune of all mankind. He expressed the hope that tea would contribute to strengthening the ties between China and Egypt. In addition to various tea-themed activities, the event also featured performances of Chinese folk dances and Shaolin Kungfu, which received rounds of applause from the audience. Jointly sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and the General Secretariat of the Arab League, the event was the latest stop of a global tour called "Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon" to promote the tradition of tea-making and its rich culture in China. Water cascades down the face of Folsom Dam in April. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) The state auditor has issued a report strongly criticizing the California Department of Water Resources, saying the agency has overestimated the states water supply during drought and continues relying on forecasts that dont adequately factor in the effects of climate change. The report by State Auditor Grant Parks said the Department of Water Resources has made only limited progress in improving its water-supply forecasts to account for climate change, despite acknowledging more than a decade ago that it needed to improve its forecasting methods. The audit also concluded that DWR has not developed a comprehensive, long-term plan for the State Water Project, the system that delivers water from Northern California to Southern California and supplies almost 27 million Californians, to proactively respond to more severe droughts. The auditor said that in 2021, amid the driest three-year period on record, DWR significantly overestimated the states water supply. In February of that year, the report said, the department projected that runoff would be at least twice the volume that actually flowed in the majority of the watersheds that are included in forecasts. DWR has continued to rely heavily on historical climate data when developing its forecasts, the auditor said in the report. DWR has since begun planning to adapt its forecasting model and associated procedures, but it could better ensure that it is using the best approach available if it adopted a formal process for evaluating the quality of its forecasts. The audit found that significant errors in runoff forecasts can cause problems for other water agencies. For example, it said that in 2021 the departments overestimate of inflow into Folsom Lake meant that El Dorado Irrigation District had to forego diverting water into storage that it would have otherwise been able to capture in its reservoir. The report noted that California endured the driest three-year period on record from 2020 through 2022, followed this year by heavy rain, snow and flooding. It pointed out that scientists project global warming will cause more extreme fluctuations in severe weather, including prolonged drought. The state auditor found that in contrast to the Department of Water Resources, some local and federal agencies use forecasting models that leverage additional data that may allow them to better account for the changing climate and its effects on the water supply. It said some of the agencies that incorporate additional data in this way include Turlock Irrigation District, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Merced Irrigation District and the California Nevada River Forecast Center. The audit also found that DWR lacks sufficient records explaining some of its water releases from Lake Oroville, the states second-largest reservoir, and has at times released more water into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta than required under existing flow standards. The report said the agency lacks a formal process for periodically evaluating certain State Water Project operations to identify opportunities for improvement. Among the audits recommendations, the report said the department should: Start to evaluate the accuracy of its monthly forecasts on an annual basis, including an assessment of whether actual runoff matched the range of scenarios. Follow through on a plan to adopt an updated water-supply forecasting model to better account for the effects of climate change. Develop a long-term plan for mitigating and responding to the effects of drought on the State Water Project. Establish procedures to determine monthly and annual plans for operating the State Water Project, including the amount of water that will be held in dams and released. Reevaluate the data the agency relies on in planning reservoir operations at Lake Oroville. The Department of Water Resources disagreed with the reports main findings. DWR has been actively engaged in climate change adaptation since 2008, and we respectfully disagree with the audit's assertion that DWR has been slow in addressing the impacts of climate change, Karla Nemeth, the departments director, said in an email. Nemeth said the conditions in spring 2021 were extreme and outside the bounds of historical experience. DWR reacted quickly to the extreme hydrology and recognized the runoff forecasting error of 2021 as an opportunity to learn, adjust, and improve, Nemeth said. Conditions like those experienced in 2021 speak to the importance of forward-looking forecasting and developing new tools for an era of extremes. In a letter responding to the audit, Nemeth said DWR established a climate change program in 2008 and has since released five updates of its climate plan. While there is always more that DWR can do to adapt to a changed climate, DWR has demonstrated leadership in accounting for the effects of climate change, she said in the letter. Many of the audit report recommendations would layer additional processes and procedures on reservoir operations, Nemeth wrote. No amount of paperwork will solve the challenges of climate change. However, a collaborative team of scientists, academic partners, and water managers dedicated to improved forecasting and water management through extreme flood and drought will help keep Californians safe, with secure water supplies, and that is DWRs approach. State Sen. Melissa Hurtado, a Democrat whose district includes parts of the San Joaquin Valley, said shes concerned about poor data and mismanagement of water supplies, and the report helps identify issues that need to be addressed. I think that the auditor is spot on, Hurtado said. The Department of Water Resources needs to take the recommendations from the state auditor. Hurtado has introduced a bill that would require state agencies to update a report on the feasibility and costs of a coordinated water measurement database, which she says would ensure water-supply forecasts are based on accurate data. Hurtado said DWR needs to break free from a reliance on outdated data to ensure proper water allotments. The report validates criticisms that environmental groups have raised for years about the agencys failure to proactively plan for droughts and failure to adequately account for the effects of climate change, said Doug Obegi, director of the California river restoration program for the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report should be a wake-up call that leads DWR to make significant changes in how they estimate runoff from snowpack and storms, he said, and in developing a proactive plan for droughts, rather than simply waiving environmental protections and sacrificing salmon and other native fish and wildlife during droughts. Yet instead of admitting that there is a problem and working to fix it, Obegi said, DWR rejects the reports findings and believes these recommendations will just lead to more paperwork. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. This is a locator map for Pakistan with its capital, Islamabad, and the Kashmir region. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) GILGIT, Pakistan (AP) A snowy avalanche in northern Pakistan killed 11 people Saturday, including a 4-year-old boy, and injured 25 from a nomadic tribe as they crossed a mountainous area with their goat herds, police said. The avalanche struck the nomads in the Chambeli area of Shounter Pass that connects the Astore district of the Gilgit Baltistan region to the bordering Azad Kashmir region. Four women and a 4-year-old boy were among the dead, said Gilgit Baltistan senior police officer Ziarat Ali. The nomads were taking their herds of goats on foot from the Kel area of Azad Kashmir to Astore, when they were caught in the avalanche of snow in the early morning hours, Ali said. Tufail Mir, a deputy police chief in the region, said rescuers were facing problems in reaching the avalanche-hit area and troops were helping local authorities. A rescue operation that included two military helicopters faced rough terrain and an altitude of some 14,000 feet (4,270 meters) above sea level. The bodies of the dead and injured were transported to ambulances 5 kilometers (3 miles) away, Ali said. Local residents joined the rescue teams in recovering the victims, witnesses said. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in a statement expressed grief over the casualties and directed officials to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured. Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan, Khalid Khurshid, imposed a state of emergency in the hospitals of the main cities in the area, Gilgit and Skardu. Gilgit Baltistan, sometimes referred to as the land of glaciers, has frequently seen avalanches and snow landslides in recent years due to climate change. Rising temperatures are rapidly melting glaciers in Pakistans northern mountain ranges that have resulted in the formation of 3,044 glacial lakes in Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, according to the United Nations. Pakistan is one of the 10 countries that are at high risk of natural disasters due to climate change. The country faced flash floods in the summer of 2022 that killed over 1,700 people and affected 33 million. Flooding and avalanches, climate experts say, are becoming common in Pakistan due to delayed snowfall in April instead of the previous climate pattern of December and January. The late phenomenon does not allow the layers of snow to get tightly packed and crystalized into solid glacial ice. Subsequently, the rising temperatures in May and June result in glacial melting. , A disabled man who has chronicled the entire history of the Russian full-scale invasion on the door of his apartment was also evacuated. He named his chronicle Days and Nights of the War. The last record was made on May 23. It reads: "They crashed the house. Two people remain under the rubble." This residential neighbourhood has been almost completely destroyed as it lies just 400 meters from the frontline. Police have begged the residents to flee, but they only agreed after the May 23 attack. Nine people lived near the ruins where their deadr neighbours lay buried beneath the rubble, the police wrote. Part of the building collapsed due to the May 23 Russian strike. Two people - a senior woman and 93-year-old man - were killed in the last attack. Their bodies still remain under the debris of the house, because it is too dangerous to retrieve them due to the constant shelling. The blast injured three others. The body of another killed woman remained under the rubble of a five-storey building nearby. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ran into a problem when it came time to count Bald Eagles just as the agencys planes were grounded for repairs two years ago. So it tried something new: tapping into a citizen science network. The experiment was a rousing success. The birders network had a vast storehouse of data on where eagles live and breed, based on the listings of some 180,000 people. The survey ended up showing a big jump in the nations eagle population. It also showed the important contribution average people can make in a field long limited to scientists and wildlife officers. Opinion We spent the last two years traveling 25,000 miles researching a book on bird conservation at a time nearly a third of North Americas bird population has withered away over the past 50 years. Half of all species are now in decline. Our travels gave us a close-up look at the many promising missions that counter these pressures. Researchers are creating smaller technologies to track migrations, using sound recordings to analyze where birds get into trouble. Advances in genomics could bring extinct species back to life. But among the most intriguing developments is the outsized role anyone can play in one of the environmental challenges of our times, simply while walking in the woods with a smartphone. The eagle count is a good example of how this works: The citizen science project, started two decades ago by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society, has grown to include 700,000 people, with California by far the leading contributor. Birders record the species they see and hear on a free app called eBird, which Cornell turns into precise maps built on a billion bits of data so far of how birds move around the globe. The Bald Eagle is an especially popular target for birders. Since nearly going extinct from pesticides in the mid-1900s, the eagle has made a resounding comeback. That latest census found more than 300,000 birds have spread to every state on the continent. We heard in interviews with more than 300 people in all stages of the bird world that the next decade or so will be a pivotal time. Plenty is at stake in trying to halt these declines since birds play a central role in the health of the environment: Theyre natures workhorses, spreading seeds, pollinating thousands of plants, eating insects by the tons, fertilizing the land and seas and providing the daily soundtrack of the outdoors. The largest project in the world using sound and artificial intelligence to study wildlife is winding up in the Sierra Nevada range, where the California Spotted Owl is spread out across millions of acres. A consortium of researchers, foresters and timber companies has scattered sound recorders throughout the mountains., to track the birds locations, pinpoint threats and gradually stabilize their numbers. In the Central Valley, Point Blue Conservation Science and The Nature Conservancy pays farmers to leave water on their fields for the peak weeks of migration, creating what they think of as pop-up stopovers for birds. Some of the most forward-looking experiments are borrowing advances in human genetics to apply to birds. California-based nonprofit Revive & Restore has landed a multi-million-dollar contribution to try to bring the long-extinct Passenger Pigeon back to life. These and dozens of other projects are dependent on scientists, wildlife agencies and university researchers. But average people can play a part in this work as never before, by supporting conservation, creating bird-friendly yards and businesses and signing up to join hundreds of thousands of people contributing by simply watching birds. Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal are authors of A Wing and a Prayer: The Race to Save our Vanishing Birds and publish the website FlyingLessons.US: What were learning from the birds. Santa Monica Beach is one of several beaches in Los Angeles County that Department of Public Health officials say have high levels of bacteria in the water. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Public health officials are urging beachgoers to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in the water at several Los Angeles County beaches during the Memorial Day weekend due to high levels of bacteria. Popular beaches were reported to have ocean bacteria levels that exceed California standards and could cause illness to swimmers, especially children and older adults, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. In Malibu, warnings have been issued for Topanga Canyon Beach, Surfrider Beach and Latigo Shore Drive. Swimming in water contaminated by pathogenic bacteria can cause illness and skin infections, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said in an email. Fortunately, while swimming-related illnesses are unpleasant, they are usually not very serious and require little or no treatment. Contamination from runoff water can increase levels of bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, in the ocean, especially near storm drains and creeks, according to county health officials. Here are the rest of the sites included in the countys advisory for the weekend: Marie Canyon storm drain at Puerco Beach Las Flores Creek at Las Flores Beach Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey The Department of Public Health on Friday cleared Escondido Creek at Escondido Beach, Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach, and Pena Creek at Las Tunas County Beach. Recent sample results found water quality levels were within state standards in these areas. Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach and the Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach were also cleared. But officials advised against swimming near the Santa Monica Pier this Memorial Day weekend. Piers can attract birds, which may increase bacteria levels, and plumbing underneath could also release sewage into the ocean. Beaches will have warning signs posted near the contaminated areas until further testing determines that the bacteria levels have decreased to state standards. The county health department collects ocean water samples every Monday at 40 locations stretching from the border of Ventura County to south of Redondo Beach Pier. People are asked to call the beach advisory hotline at (800) 525-5662 for current information about advisories and closures. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Olmec bas-relief Monument 9 of Chalcatzingo is pictured at the Museo Regional de los Pueblos de Morelos Back in Mexico, 'Earth Monster' sculpture points to ancient beliefs The Olmec bas-relief Monument 9 of Chalcatzingo is pictured at the Museo Regional de los Pueblos de Morelos By David Alire Garcia MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A massive stone sculpture carved by Olmec artists more than 2,000 years ago that evokes ancient religious beliefs has returned to Mexico after decades in the United States in a homecoming cheered by officials and scholars. Known today as the "Earth Monster," the sculpture was likely taken from central Mexico during the 1960s, spending time in the hands of private collectors as well as on public display before being seized by antiquities trafficking agents working with New York prosecutors. The symbol-laden artifact weighs roughly a tonne (2,200 pounds) and was likely found several decades earlier at the Chalcatzingo archeological site in Morelos state, just south of Mexico City. U.S. officials coordinated with their Mexican counterparts to repatriate the sculpture earlier this week. It was carved from volcanic rock sometime between 800-400 BC during the heyday of the Olmec civilization, one of Mexico's earliest complex societies with sites mostly clustered around the country's Gulf coast. The Olmecs are well-known for their advanced artistic tradition, including colossal head sculptures. The artifact depicts a mythological mountain and its stylized cave entrance in the form of a cross, according to Mario Cordova, an Olmec archeologist who traveled to the United States as part of the recovery mission. The mountain was also made to resemble the head of a jaguar, ancient Mexico's most fearsome predator, with the cave doubling as its open jaws and the entrance into the underworld. Some have speculated the sculpture may have been used in ritual acts as a sacred passageway. "This is a very important piece," said archaeologist Sara Ladron de Guevara, a scholar of Mexico's Huastec culture, pointing in particular to the cross-shaped open mouth. "I can't remember any other sculptures that include this kind of opening," she said. Other scholars note how the worldview of the Olmecs as seen in the "Earth Monster" sculpture is a recurring theme across ancient Mexico, including up to the Aztecs, who began their rise to power around 1,700 years later and whose main temple also doubled as a sacred mountain. "The mountain-cave-mouth symbolic complex acquired a high iconographic value throughout Mesoamerica from very early times, giving rise over the millennia to increasingly complex sets of images," according to a book written by the father-son scholarly duo Alfredo Lopez Austin and Leonardo Lopez Lujan. Lopez Lujan currently leads excavations at the Aztecs' holiest shrine in downtown Mexico City. The Olmec sculpture's return to Mexico was hailed by Mexico Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who spoke just before it was carefully hauled onto a plane for its trip back home. "This gives us back something that explains where we come from," Ebrard said. (Reporting by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Tom Hogue) The family of Banko Brown, a transgender man shot and killed by a security guard in San Francisco last month, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit over the fatal encounter, their lawyers announced Friday. Browns parents are suing Walgreens, where the fatal shooting took place; private security company Kingdom Protective Services; and security guard Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony. John Burris, the Browns attorney, told reporters they are seeking at least $25 million in damages. This is a young person whose life was taken unnecessarily as a consequence of what Walgreens did by putting in place policies that caused this security officer to think for whatever reason that he could shoot and kill a person over petty theft, Burris said. The fatal shooting happened following a suspected shoplifting incident at a downtown Walgreens store on April 27. Dramatic surveillance video shows a scuffle between Brown and the stores security guard. The killing and lack of criminal charges spurred protests in San Francisco, with demonstrators marching to demand justice for Brown, amid a larger debate over criminal justice, viral smash-and-grab thefts, and homelessness in the city. The lawsuit claims Anthony shot and killed Mr. Brown at least in part because of his frustration with people other than Mr. Brown shoplifting or committing petty theft crimes in his presence. At the news conference, Brown family attorney Ben Nisenbaum said Brown was only responsible for potentially shoplifting the $16 of candy that apparently was in (his) bag. Browns parents attended the news conference but did not speak. Burris said they want the security guard to face murder charges. The filing states Anthony was following a new directive by the store and its security company to forcibly detain suspected shoplifters, a move the suit says changed longstanding security policies of avoiding escalating confrontations with people suspected of minor property crimes into potentially lethal force encounters. Walgreens declined to comment on the lawsuit. Kingdom Group Protective Services, which provided officers in the store, did not weigh in on the lawsuit specifically, but released a statement saying, We are fully cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation of this extremely unfortunate incident and are deeply saddened by the loss of Banko Browns life. At this time, we are not permitted to comment further. According to the lawsuit, Defendant Anthonys killing of the unarmed Mr. Brown shocks the conscience. It was the rash, angry reaction of someone frustrated by the demands of his job, taking it out on Mr. Brown in the worst, most violent way possible. Brown family attorney John Burris said the security officer didn't have to shoot and could have walked away or de-escalated the situation. - KGO Witnesses that were interviewed by the District Attorney, which decided not to file charges against Anthony, said they heard Brown tell Anthony that, Ill fight you on the sidewalk, the lawsuit says. No witness reported any threat by Mr. Brown to use any weapon, and Mr. Brown was unarmed, it added. Brown and Anthony continued to argue as Brown backed toward the stores exit, the lawsuit says. Mr. Brown paused, pointed with right hand toward Defendant Anthonys face and momentarily flexed his chest toward Defendant Anthony, but did not touch him, the lawsuit continues. No one could reasonably believe Mr. Brown was trying to strike Defendant Anthony. An armed security guard must weigh the value of what they are trying to protect with the need for deadly force, Burris told reporters. At the moment of the shooting, Anthonys life was not in danger, he said. The security officer could have walked away or de-escalated the situation, the attorney added. Brown repeatedly threatened to stab Anthony before the shooting, according to a report from the DAs office released last week. Police didnt find a knife in Browns possession, the report states, but prosecutors still determined his fear was reasonable. Given the totality of the circumstances, including the threat that Anthony believed, and could reasonably believe, the evidence shows that Browns shooting was not a criminal act because Anthony acted in lawful self-defense, the report states. Thus, Anthony is not criminally liable for the death of Brown. The report also mentions the policy change for security guards, saying it was recently initiated by the security company. On April 27, 2023, the instructions to guard personnel was to engage in hands-on recovery of merchandise, the report states. The guards were also allowed to request receipts for merchandise, but in any event they were to actively work to retrieve or recover any stolen items once it was clear that the individual who concealed the items intended to leave the store without paying. San Francisco troubled by property crimes CNN has not heard back from Anthony. It is unclear if he has retained an attorney. San Francisco has seen a marked exodus of middle class residents since the Covid-19 pandemic, and a series of brazen property crimes and rampant public drug use has created a sense of disorder, as CNN explored in the recent special, What happened to San Francisco? One such incident was a daytime theft at a Walgreens store in 2021 captured on video in which a suspect casually grabbed items from shelves, tossed them into a black bag and left the store, brushing past the stores security guard and several onlookers. Walgreens said at the time this blatant retail theft was an ongoing problem at its stores, although a company executive said earlier this year maybe we cried too much about the issue. As part of the backlash, the progressive prosecutor Chesa Boudin was recalled by a 55% vote last year. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins was appointed to replace him and pledged to restore accountability and consequences to our criminal justice system, saying this was a moment to take back our streets. She chose not to charge Anthony, saying last week he acted in self-defense when he shot Brown. No criminal charges, but state AG is taking a second look The California Attorney Generals Office said earlier this week it will review the decision not to charge Anthony. We can confirm that our office has agreed to review whether the San Francisco District Attorneys decision not to file charges was an abuse of discretion, the Attorney Generals Office told CNN on Tuesday in a statement. Surveillance camera video of the incident, released by the district attorneys office, shows Brown attempting to leave the store before being stopped by the security guard, identified by police as Anthony. Brown then shoves the guard, leading to a physical altercation, the video shows. Brown is held on the ground by the guard but released after about a minute, the video shows. Brown starts to leave but appears to turn around and move toward the guard who then shoots him, the video shows. Brown repeatedly threatened to stab Anthony during the fight, the security guard said in a videotaped interview with police. I felt like I was in danger. I felt like I was going to be stabbed, he said. The DAs report notes that self-defense applies when a person has a reasonable belief they are in imminent danger of being killed or suffering great bodily harm. There is no evidence to contradict that Anthonys fear was honest, the report states. Jenkins welcomed the attorney generals review and will assist and cooperate as needed, she told CNN in a statement Tuesday. I heard the publics concerns and we released a comprehensive analysis and report that included investigative records, witness statements and video evidence, so the public could see all of the facts and details and understand how we arrived at our decision. We provided the highest degree of transparency possible that we could with this case, she said. Burris said Tuesday his clients are pleased with the decision, as they think a review by another prosecutor is justified. CNNs Veronica Miracle, Taylor Romine and Eric Levenson contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Biden falsely claims he has 'four granddaughters,' again omitting Hunter's child with ex-stripper President Biden on Friday told a crowd gathered at the White House that he has "four granddaughters," but failed to mention his fifth granddaughter born out of wedlock to Hunter Biden and Lunden Roberts. "Look, there's an awful lot an awful lot to be proud of, and the way in which women's sports has come along is just incredible. And you're changing the it's not just in sports. It's across the board, in every single thing, and it's really neat to see since I've got four granddaughters," Biden said during an event celebrating the LSU women's basketball team winning the national championship. HUNTER BIDEN'S TWISTED ATTEMPTS TO KEEP HIS LITTLE GIRL FROM USING HIS NAME ARE NOW IN A NEW REALM President Joe Biden speaks at the LSU Tigers Championship Celebration event at the White House in Washington D.C., United States on May 26, 2023. Biden has repeatedly refused to acknowledge Hunter's estranged 4-year-old daughter whenever he speaks about his grandchildren, most recently during a Take Our Kids to Work Day event at the White House last month. December 2022 marked the second Christmas season in a row that the White House left the granddaughter out of a Christmas stocking display, and before that, in 2020, Biden incorrectly said he and First Lady Jill Biden had five grandchildren, forgetting about then-newborn Beau Biden, but completely leaving out the fifth granddaughter. The stumble later forced a correction from the first lady, who said they have six grandchildren, still leaving out the granddaughter, who would bring their total number of grandchildren to seven. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP WATCH: HUNTER BIDEN IGNORES QUESTIONS ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE DAUGHTER WITH EX-STRIPPER Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, in Los Angeles, Aug. 22, 2022. Earlier this month, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre rebuffed a reporter's question about the granddaughter, saying she was "not going to speak to that" from the podium when asked why Biden has yet to acknowledge her. Roberts met Hunter while working as a stripper at a Washington, D.C. club while he was dating Hallie Biden the widow of his late brother, Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III according to the New York Post. President Biden, left, and his son Hunter Biden, right. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Roberts also reportedly wants the granddaughter to be able to use the Biden surname. Hunter continues to litigiously fight the name change as well. Fox News' Joe Schoffstall and Charles Crietz contributed to this report. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks during a news conference after President Joe Biden and McCarthy reached an "agreement in principle" to resolve the looming debt crisis on Saturday, May 27, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., a key Republican in the debt limit negotiations and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, back right, and Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., McCarthy's top mediator in the debt limit talks, left, look on. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an agreement in principle to raise the nation's legal debt ceiling late Saturday as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and avert a potentially disastrous U.S. default. However, the agreement risks angering both Democratic and Republican sides with the concessions made to compromise. Negotiators agreed to some Republican demands for increased work requirements for recipients of food stamps that had sparked an uproar from House Democrats as a nonstarter. Support from both parties will be needed to win congressional approval next week before the government's projected June 5 debt default. The Democratic president and Republican speaker reached the agreement after the two spoke earlier Saturday evening by phone. The country and the world have been watching and waiting for a resolution to a political standoff that threatened the U.S. and global economies. The agreement represents a compromise, which means not everyone gets what they want, Biden said in a statement late Saturday night. Thats the responsibility of governing, he said. Biden called the agreement good news for the American people, because it prevents what could have been a catastrophic default and would have led to an economic recession, retirement accounts devastated, and millions of jobs lost. McCarthy in brief remarks at the Capitol said that "we still have a lot of work to do. But the Republican speaker said: I believe this is an agreement in principle thats worthy of the American people. With the outlines of a deal in place, the legislative package could be drafted and shared with lawmakers in time for House votes as soon as Wednesday, and later in the Senate. Central to the package is a two-year budget deal that would hold spending flat for 2024 and increase it by 1% for 2025 in exchange for raising the debt limit for two years, pushing the volatile political issue past the next presidential election. Driving hard for a deal to impose tougher work requirements on government aid recipients, Republicans achieved some but not all of what they wanted. The agreement would raise the age for existing work requirements on able-bodied adults without children from 49 to 54, but Biden was able to secure waivers for veterans and the homeless. The two sides had also reached for an ambitious overhaul of federal permitting to ease development of energy projects and transmission lines. Instead, the agreement would put in place changes in the landmark 1970s' National Environmental Policy Act that will designate a single lead agency to develop environmental reviews, in hopes of streamlining the process. The deal came together after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress that the United States could default on its debt obligations by June 5 four days later than previously estimated if lawmakers did not act in time to raise the federal debt ceiling. The extended X-date gave the two sides a bit of extra time as they scrambled for a deal. Biden also spoke earlier in the day with Democratic leaders in Congress to discuss the status of the talks. The Republican House speaker had gathered top allies behind closed doors at the Capitol as negotiators pushed for a deal that would avoid the first-ever government default while also making spending cuts that House Republicans are demanding. But as another day dragged on with financial disaster looming closer, it had appeared some of the problems over policy issues that dogged talks all week remained unresolved. Both sides have suggested one of the main holdups was a GOP effort to expand work requirements for recipients of food stamps and other federal aid programs, a longtime Republican goal that Democrats have strenuously opposed. The White House said the Republican proposals were cruel and senseless. Biden has said the work requirements for Medicaid would be a nonstarter. He had seemed potentially open to negotiating changes on food stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, despite objections from rank-and-file Democrats. McCarthy, who dashed out before the lunch hour Saturday and arrived back at the Capitol with a big box of takeout, declined to elaborate on those discussions. One of his negotiators, Louisiana Rep. Garret Graves, said there was not a chance that Republicans might relent on the work requirements issue. Americans and the world were uneasily watching the negotiating brinkmanship that could throw the U.S. and global economy into chaos and sap world confidence in the nations leadership. Anxious retirees and others were already making contingency plans for missed checks, with the next Social Security payments due next week. Yellen said failure to act by the new date would cause severe hardship to American families, harm our global leadership position and raise questions about our ability to defend our national security interests. The president, spending part of the weekend at Camp David, continued to talk with his negotiating team multiple times a day, signing off on offers and counteroffers. Any deal would need to be a political compromise in a divided Congress. Many of the hard-right Trump-aligned Republicans in Congress have long been skeptical of the Treasurys projections, and they are pressing McCarthy to hold out. Lawmakers are not expected to return to work from the Memorial Day weekend before Tuesday, at the earliest, and McCarthy has promised lawmakers he will abide by the rule to post any bill for 72 hours before voting. The Democratic-held Senate has largely stayed out of the negotiations, leaving the talks to Biden and McCarthy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has pledged to move quickly to send a compromise package to Bidens desk. Weeks of talks have failed to produce a deal in part because the Biden administration resisted for months on negotiating with McCarthy, arguing that the countrys full faith and credit should not be used as leverage to extract other partisan priorities. But House Republicans united behind a plan that resisted any tax increases to curb deficits, and instead cut spending, narrowly passing legislation in late April that was their opening offer in talks with the White House. ___ Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Fatima Hussein, Farnoush Amiri, Seung Min Kim and videojournalist Rick Gentilo contributed to this report. Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer) CLEVELAND (AP) Nobody plays them as close as the Guardians, baseball's tightrope walkers. Shane Bieber worked into the seventh inning, Amed Rosario hit a three-run double and closer Emmanuel Clase survived another stress-filled ninth inning as Cleveland won its MLB-high 23rd one-run game, 4-3 over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. The Guardians are 10-13 in one-run games, and hope the experience helps them for the long haul. When we come out on the positive end of it, it obviously builds character in a positive way, said Bieber, who threw 108 pitches. And when we dont, you try and twist it in your favor and be better for it. Well mix in some routs here and there, but ultimately the goal is to play playoff baseball to go deep to win the last game of the season. So when you do that against great teams, great lineups, you expect close games. So to be good in those is important. Bieber (4-3) didnt have his best stuff, but the right-hander got some run support for baseball's lowest-scoring squad while limiting the Cardinals to two sacrifice flies. Rosarios bases-clearing double in Cleveland's four-run fifth a rare big inning for the scuffling AL Central champs came off St. Louis rookie Matthew Liberatore (1-1). Bieber allowed two runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings before being pulled after walking two in the seventh. He's 9-1 in his career against NL Central teams. Trevor Stephan replaced Bieber and gave up a walk to load the bases, but the right-hander buckled down and got DH Nolan Gorman to foul out and end the seventh, preserving Cleveland's two-run lead. Enyel De Los Santos cleaned up a mess left by Stephan in the eighth by getting a double play. The Guardians then turned to Clase, who hasn't been himself this season. He gave up a one-out RBI double to Lars Nootbaar before striking out Paul Goldschmidt and Gorman, who took a called third strike, for his MLB-leading 17th save in 22 chances. Theyre versatile and they like to pitch, manager Terry Francona said of his bullpen. Those are good qualities. Nolan Arenado and Alec Burleson hit sacrifice flies for the Cardinals, who are 13-6 since May 7. Making just his second start this year, Liberatore held the light-hitting Guardians, who entered the series last or near last in every offensive category, to just an infield single by Mike Zunino in the third inning. However, the left-hander helped ignite Cleveland's big fifth by hitting Andres Gimenez leading off. Zunino and Myles Straw hit singles to load the bases. Steven Kwan's RBI single made it 1-0 before Rosario ripped his double into the left-field corner to give the Guardians some breathing room. It was just fifth time this season Cleveland has scored four runs or more in an inning. It didnt look like a bad pitch, breaking ball down that he stayed on it, Francona said. Well take it. We havent bunched runs together like that, so that was welcome. LEATHER LOVE Kwan robbed Arenado with a leaping catch against the wall in left leading off the eighth, and then nearly caught Nootbaar's drive in the ninth while crashing into the padding. Almost knocked himself out, Francona said of Kwan, who won a Gold Glove as a rookie last season. RARE BIRDS The Cardinals have played just 14 games in Cleveland's Progressive Field. The only ballparks they've visited less are Yankee Stadium (6), Oakland Coliseum (8), Camden Yards (9), Tropicana Field and Rogers Centre (11), Seattle's T-Mobile Park and Minneapolis' Target Field and Metrodome (12). GOOD EYES Despite their offensive struggles, the Guardians came in with the fewest strikeouts (351) in the majors. Cleveland is also first in the AL and third in MLB with a 23% swing-and-miss rate. Only Washington (21.7) and Arizona (22.2) are better. TRAINER'S ROOM Cardinals: Switch-hitting OF Dylan Carlson (sprained left ankle) took swings from the right side Friday and the club hopes he'll do so from the left and begin running in the next few days. Carlson hurt his ankle when his cleat got caught in the dirt at Fenway Park on May 14. ... RHP Jake Woodford (shoulder inflammation) threw a bullpen session and could be nearing a rehab assignment. Guardians: RHP Aaron Civale (strained oblique) will make his third rehab start at Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. It's possible Civale could be activated and return to the rotation next week. ... The team was planning the next steps for RHP Triston McKenzie (shoulder strain) following his latest rehab appearance on Thursday four runs, six hits, six strikeouts in 6 1 /3 innings (68 pitches) for Columbus. UP NEXT Cardinals RHP Jack Flaherty (3-4, 5.29 ERA) makes his first start in Cleveland against Guardians rookie RHP Tanner Bibee (1-1, 3.18). ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports China's power consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, has logged steady expansion since the beginning of this year amid the country's economic rebound. Electricity data especially highlights the growth in the industrial and service sectors, as factories operate at full capacity and consumer demand further expands. Total power use in China grew 4.7 percent year on year to 2.81 trillion kilowatt-hours between January and April, data from the National Energy Administration (NEA) showed. Specifically, the country's power consumption rose 2.3 percent yearly during the first two months. The growth accelerated to 5.9 percent in March and rose further to 8.3 percent in April, forming a solid trend of continuous rebound. April's figure underlined robust recovery in multiple fields of the industrial sector. For example, electricity use in automobile manufacturing surged 33.8 percent year on year, while that for electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing jumped 28.8 percent. Power consumed by China's secondary industry increased by 5 percent in the January-April period. The figure went up 7.6 percent in April, indicating an accelerating recovery of the industrial and construction sectors. Yang Kun, vice president of the China Electricity Council (CEC), stressed the month-by-month power consumption increase of the secondary sector, noting that industrial power consumption growth outpaced the country's average level. "The continuous recovery of production is an important driving force for the sustained expansion of industrial electricity consumption," Yang said. During the first four months, power use in China's manufacturing sector rose 4.5 percent annually to about 1.38 trillion kilowatt-hours. The CEC said that consumption went up 7.1 percent in April. Among various fields in manufacturing, high-tech and equipment manufacturing attracted specific attention with rapid power use growth, indicating China's progress in industrial transformation and upgrade. Data from the CEC showed the combined electricity use of China's high-tech and equipment manufacturing sectors climbed 6.4 percent year on year in the first four months. In April alone, consumption soared 13.4 percent. "China's industrial power use has seen steady expansion since the beginning of this year, and the growth rate has significantly picked up," said Zheng Haifeng, a researcher with the State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid). Zheng expected the growth rate will continue to rise in the second quarter. Similar to the secondary sector, China's service sector also registered considerable expansion in power consumption this year. Statistics showed the sector's electricity use was up 7 percent year on year to 485.2 billion kilowatt-hours in the January-April period, and the growth hit 17.9 percent yearly in April. Several major sub-sectors, including accommodation and catering, transport, warehousing and postal services, and wholesale and retail services, all reported year-on-year power consumption growth of over 25 percent. "A distinctive feature of power consumption in April is the rapid growth of electricity use in the tertiary industry," said Li Xinggui, a China Southern Power Grid manager. "This shows the full recovery of the country's service industry and consumption." For example, power use of the service sector in south China's Guangdong Province climbed 9 percent year on year in the first four months, contributing 54 percent of the province's total power consumption growth. In the same period, electricity use of the service sector accounted for more than one-third of Shenzhen's total power consumption, data collected from the company's service regions showed. Electricity data also tracked the boom in consumer goods production. Power use of consumer goods manufacturers went up 2.5 percent year on year in the first four months, with a pace 1.2 percentage points faster than that in the same period last year, noted State Grid's service data. Ten out of the 13 sector fields recorded year-on-year power use growth, with that for pharmaceutical manufacturing hitting 9.5 percent. Blue Ivy Joins Beyonce For A Stunning Performance In Paris On The Renaissance Tour Blue Ivy Carter and Beyonce Blue Ivy Carter dazzled her fans when she joined her mother on stage in Paris. The 11-year-old accompanied Beyonce as she was performing The Lion King track, My Power, during the Renaissance tour on Friday. Blue, who came out in a silver jumpsuit to match her mother, showed off her dance skills as she marvelously stayed in sync with the choreography. Give it up for Blue, the proud mother told the crowd. The fans certainly responded with a resounding applause. BEYONCE BROUGHT OUT BLUE IVY OMFG ICONIC pic.twitter.com/dgX4Jt10yg (@beyoncegarden) May 26, 2023 Fans also marveled on social media. GAGGED US SO BADDHDNNDND ATEEEEEE (@beyoncegarden) May 26, 2023 Imagine your mom saying what you doing Saturday night and this is what she has in mind Kiril (@KirilMitev) May 26, 2023 you thought you was gone sit at home this summer? you helping out the family business GET TO WORK pic.twitter.com/TZqCdIfbex babylon. (@jayfromtha6ix) May 26, 2023 Thats who take her place. She already has a Grammy! I cant wait to see Blue out here performing! #QueenYaya (@DHQYaYa) May 26, 2023 Beyonce kicked off The Renaissance World Tour with a three-hour show in Stockholm, Sweden, Billboard reported. She will continue the European tour in London, Barcelona, Brussels and Amsterdam. Some of Beyonces biggest supporters showed up to the show in Paris. Selena Gomez, Kris Jenner, Lenny Kravitz, Natalie Portman and Pharrell Williams were among those who attended the concert. Selena Gomez, Kris Jenner, Lenny Kravitz, Natalie Portman and Pharrell Williams are all attending Beyonces concert in Paris today. pic.twitter.com/eAIk3M3Oaq Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) May 26, 2023 Beyonce will finish her European tour on July, then continue the show in Toronto. The Grammy-winning artist will have several performances throughout the summer when she returns to the U.S. Her stops will include Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, New Jersey and New Orleans. Blue Ivy shocked the Beyhive with a surprise performance during Beyonce's Paris concert on the Renaissance World Tour Beyonce performs during the Renaissance World Tour on May 10, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood Beyonce performed in Paris on Friday as part of her Renaissance World Tour. Blue Ivy Carter appeared on stage and danced alongside her mom and her backup dancers. Blue Ivy's grandmother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, said she performed before almost 70,000 guests. Blue Ivy Carter made a surprise appearance at Beyonce's concert in Paris during her Renaissance World Tour. The 11-year-old graced the stage on Friday during two songs: "My Power" and "Black Parade." Videos showed Blue Ivy performing the choreography alongside her mother and the backup dancers. Blue Ivy also emulated Beyonce with her stage outfit, which included a silver top and pants. One video showed Beyonce introducing her daughter to the crowd during "My Power" with the lines "This that kinfolk/this that skinfolk/This that war/this that bloodline." Following the performance, Tina Knowles-Lawson congratulated her granddaughter with an Instagram post. "I am truly amazed by the courage that this brave, talented, beautiful 11 year old exhibited last night! There were almost 70,000 people in that audience," Knowles-Lawson wrote. "She danced with professional dancers, grown folks , she did complicated choreography and moves that they rehearsed for months ! She rehearsed and learned this in a little over a week. She was so smooth with it!" Beyonce kicked off the highly anticipated tour in May in Stockholm, Sweden, and videos of the performance have since gone viral across social media. During the Stockholm concert, a couple got engaged while Blue Ivy, Tyler Perry, and Jay-Z cheered them on. In another video, the audience in Scotland shocked Beyonce after singing her song "Love On Top" word-for-word at the local concert. Read the original article on Insider My boyfriend left me while I was in the shower. Years later, I heard someone recount my wild breakup story at a party I was hosting. null Getty Images Years ago, I was in a tumultuous relationship with a man I lived with. One day while I was in the shower, he unceremoniously left me. I didn't think about our breakup for years until I heard a friend retell the story at my own party. "Are you Vince's friend?" a dark-haired man asked me at our mutual friend's raucous performance at a local dive bar. A sort of hipster bon vivant, I was intrigued immediately, and we hit it off. We started dating quickly, but our courtship was tumultuous. Despite the initial allure, his darker side soon became clear; he had a history of substance abuse, and used everything from alcohol to heroin. Still, we decided to move in together rather than pay rent at two apartments, since neither of us was flush with cash. I was the main breadwinner, working short-term assignments as a secretary. The jobs didn't exactly pay top dollar, and at the time, he was unemployed. We moved in together and created a home We eventually managed to save enough money to move into a small basement apartment in a working-class neighborhood in Brooklyn. The place was dark and moody, and our decorating style included Catholic icons coupled with midcentury chairs and a late-Depression-era parlor sofa. Plus two cats: The black one came when anyone whistled "Ring of Fire," and the enormous white one was built like a small sheep. It was our own little slice of heaven. We fell into our own banal routine. I was overworked, and he asked for Snapple money every morning. I went to my menial office job, and he went to the movies all day to get out of the heat of our non-air-conditioned apartment. I dropped subtle hints about him getting a job; when it became clear my hints were too subtle, I asked him to get one outright. But he was too busy trying his hand at being a musical genius to be bothered with earning real money at a "normal" job. Yet I stayed with him; I trusted that things would change. One day, he left while I was in the shower Then, one week before my 30th birthday, I was getting ready in the morning and everything changed. I stepped out of the shower and walked into our dim living room to complete silence. Though this wasn't too unusual, I couldn't shake the feeling something was off. I looked around our dark-green bedroom to find clothes clean enough to wear for the day, and I slowly noticed a few things were missing. His suit jacket wasn't on the usual hook. There were no men's shoes by the dresser. All of his guitars were removed. After noticing our largest suitcase missing, I realized he was truly gone. Judging from the number of his possessions missing and the length of my shower, I deduced he had slowly, methodically, been moving out over the course of the previous few days without me even sensing anything was amiss. He had done the breakup equivalent of tunneling out of prison, one chip at a time. I turned to the cat looking for answers and was met with the feline equivalent of an eye roll, the implicit message being I should've known better. I learned of his whereabouts after a couple of weeks of frantically calling all our mutual friends. He'd left me and moved in with another woman, who became his wife later that year. I wasn't devastated; in fact, I wasn't even that surprised. But I was a bit annoyed at the cowardly way he went about it, packing up and leaving while I took a shower and it wasn't a long shower; I didn't even shave my legs. He didn't have the decency to have a conversation with me about our breakup. It was especially humiliating given that I had been thinking about leaving him but hadn't gotten around to figuring out what that would look like. I suppose sometimes life makes decisions for you. I didn't think about the breakup for years until I heard someone else telling the story Years later I lived in the Connecticut suburbs with my husband of eight years and our two kids. We hosted Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas and New Year's cocktail parties, and the occasional dinner party. It was at one such cocktail party that my friend's husband started telling a story of a breakup he had heard about. We were all slightly tipsy and the conversation turned to breakups, and we all had a story to tell. When it was my friend's husband's turn, he started telling a story of a breakup he had heard about secondhand: a friend of a friend was dating a drunk musician who left her while she was taking a shower. My ears perked up immediately as the details unfolded. Yes he was telling my breakup story at my own party. He had no clue he was talking about me, of course. He was just contributing to the conversation, telling a funny, shocking tale he had heard somewhere that was good fodder for cocktail parties. I nearly spit out my rum punch. "That was ME!" I squealed between yelps of laughter. "My old boyfriend left me while I was in the shower!" I couldn't believe my tragically humorous breakup story was being rehashed to me, that it was making the rounds on the cocktail-party circuit. Now I look back on my time with my ex with a sort of fond disbelief. I did love him, even though our time together was hard; I knew he had had a difficult past and imagined a future when we would both be stable, successful, and better. His great escape was the fitting end to our tumultuous relationship, and I couldn't imagine a more grand finale. Our relationship helped me develop a keen ability to recognize both good and bad things when I have them. And thanks to him, I will forever be known by a select few as the person whose boyfriend left while she took a blissfully ignorant shower. Read the original article on Insider In Britain, the Ukrainian military personnel is undergoing exercises in conducting defensive combat In the UK, Ukrainian servicemen are undergoing training in fire training, in particular, in firing a small arms unit in defensive combat. Source: European Pravda with reference to the press service of the Ukrainian General Staff on Facebook. "This training allows mastering the necessary tactical skills, increases the security and professionalism of the actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, so that military personnel can skillfully use the necessary tactical knowledge to protect Ukraine," the report says. Ukrainian General Staff Ukrainian General Staff Ukrainian General Staff The training is conducted by instructors of the British Armed Forces under the program of basic combined-arms training of personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of the Multinational Training operation Interflex. Earlier, the General Staff showed photos from exercises in Britain, in which the Ukrainian military personnel practised firing from the NLAW. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Bulgarias long-awaited coalition deal may face collapse, prolonging a years-long political crisis, as the Balkan countrys biggest party put talks to form a government talks on hold. Most Read from Bloomberg The two main parties reached an agreement last week to run the country jointly including exchanging prime ministers on a rotational basis every nine months in a bid to end a stalemate thats led to five inconclusive elections since 2021. The turmoil has hindered Bulgarias goal to join the Schengen area and adopt the euro in 2024, and has delayed European Union recovery funding. Gerb, the party of former long-term Prime Minister Boyko Borissov that won Aprils election, is freezing the cabinet talks with the second-largest faction led by ex-premier Kiril Petkov called We Continue the Change. Gerbs premier-designate, Mariya Gabriel , who was supposed to take over the government in nine months, announced the party decision on Saturday. The move follows the publication of a five-hour-long recording of a discussion in Petkovs party that allegedly showed the partys future strategy of administrative appointments following consultations with other countries embassies. The recording was published by one of Petkovs lawmakers. Petkov and his party leadership havent denied the authenticity of the conversation but have denied wrongdoing. Everything has limits, Gabriel, a former EU commissioner who resigned from her Brussels office to run for prime minister, told reporters. She demanded clear guarantees for adhering to the powers of the institutions and the fundamentals and the principles of the Bulgarian country. Bulgaria has for years been labeled one of the EUs most corrupt countries, facing repeated criticism from both the EU and the US over its inability to meet rule-of-law standards. The ongoing political turmoil was preceded by government graft scandals and months of anti-corruption protests, opening the path to a series of elections that put an end to Borissovs rule, which lasted on and off for more than a decade. Petkov took office at the end of 2021, vowing to tackle corruption problems, but his government lasted less than eight months before it was toppled by one of his coalition partners. Freezing the negotiations means that they can be unfrozen before we put an end, Gabriel said, opening the path for further talks. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Farm to Coffin For the eco-conscious and thrifty a Dutch startup has created a mushroom coffin that will biodegrade in less than two months and costs the equivalent of just $1,000. Dubbed the "Loop Living Cocoon," the fungal sarcophagus is made from mycelium, the thread-like underground structure of mushrooms, and upcycled hemp fibers, according to the company, Loop Biotech. The company grows the coffins, which look like human-size silkworm cocoons, in just seven days in their factory. Compared to a traditional wood casket, which can weigh from 150 to 250 pounds and cost many thousands, the mushroom coffin is light and airy at 66 pounds. Depending on conditions, a regular wood casket will last for decades. But if you are in a hurry to enter nature's cold embrace, the mushroom casket will biodegrade in 45 days. The coffin comes with a bed of moss inside which you can also swap with a sustainable death shroud of linen. Rest in peace! Green Funeral If even $1,000 sounds steep, the company's also selling an even cheaper mushroom urn to store cremated ashes, which the company says you can display in your home or bury it in the ground with a plant in the urn's lid. "Instead of: 'we die, we end up in the soil and that's it,' now there is a new story: we can enrich life after death and you can continue to thrive as a new plant or tree," the company's founder Bob Hendrikx told the Associated Press. "It brings a new narrative in which we can be part of something bigger than ourselves." This isn't the first we've heard of Loop, or more broadly the question of modernized, ecologically sound burial alternatives. In fact, the mushroom coffins might not even be hardcore enough for advocates of human composting, which has been legalized in several US states over the past few years, or even liquefying the remains of the deceased. More on mushrooms: These Researchers Want You to Live In a Fungus Megastructure The College Park building where the office of the president is located on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) A new report reviewing California State University's finances found the system is paying only about 85% of what it actually costs to meet student, staff and institution needs, creating a funding gap of almost $1.5 billion. The months-long review found a 14% disparity between what Cal State spent in its 2021-2022 year and what it actually costs to educate its students, pay faculty and staff salaries and keep its vast 23-campus network running, according to an almost 70-page report released this week. The gap means staffing positions remain vacant and maintenance projects get deferred. To begin to address the shortcomings which are only expected to rise in coming years the report recommended tuition hikes, though the exact amount and timing has yet to be decided. We were trying to understand what it costs to do what we need to do, said Julia Lopez, a CSU Board of Trustees member who helped lead the sustainable financial team that worked on the report. "We have a big gap. ... The costs of operating the CSU is much higher than the revenues were likely to have, or that we will realistically have in the coming years." Lopez recommended that any increases to tuition be "modest, gradual, [and] predictable," and accompanied by improvements to the university's financial aid policy. The report evaluated two potential plans for tuition hikes: one that would implement 3% annual increases for every student until graduating, and another would implement a one-time 5% increase to incoming students. The review found that those increases could boost revenue by 16% to 24% by 2030, Lopez said at a Board of Trustees financial committee meeting this week. It can be a significant bump with a modest increase," Lopez said. The board plans to continue working on tuition hike proposals, with possibility of a final decision by the fall. Cal State Student Assn. President Krishan Malhotra, who assisted on the work group's financial report, said his organization wasn't ready to take a position on any of the proposed tuition hikes. But he said he is hopeful any plan that is adopted is "student-centered" and takes into consideration the effects that additional costs could have on students and enrollment. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis agreed, calling for an analysis of the financial strength of the student body before tuition is raised. Most of our students are struggling to make ends meet," Kounalakis said. "Most of them need more financial aid. But Lopez said those concerns are top of mind, and pointed out that increases in revenue also increase funds available for financial aid and that the majority of CSU students benefit from such support. She also said that raising tuition is the most effective way to improve CSU's economic outlook. We really are at the mercy of Californias very volatile economy," Lopez said. If the economy gets a cold, the general fund will get pneumonia and then were at the mercy of that. Tuition, on the other hand, is stable its predictable revenue for us. Proportion of Estimated Costs Covered by Actual Expenditures (The California State University) The report identified CSU's largest financial shortcomings in student and academic services which were identified as having 32% and 20% gaps, respectively. The report recommended the board adopt a new action plan that would, by 2030, better align the university's revenues with its costs as well as its mission. We know a large proportion of our students, now and coming down the pipeline, are underrepresented minority, first-gen students, students that really do need supports ... both academic and other supports, for them to succeed," Lopez said. Many of these gaps in funding have resulted in vacant staffing positions, out-of-date equipment or ignored infrastructure updates, among other unaddressed costs, the report said. When costs are redirected from one purpose to another, programs have been shortchanged, the report said. Lopez pointed out that the gaps do not take into consideration the almost $750 million in estimated deferred maintenance costs, but instead focused on keeping that level of deferred costs from rising. The financial challenges detailed in the report are not necessarily new for CSU, but highlighted a new level of concerns. Officials have for months been pointing out concerns about CSU's financial stability. The state's legislative auditor found earlier this year that CSU's projected costs would exceed its revenues by more than $100 million for the 2023-2024 year. Yet Lopez remained positive, even with the report's findings. The reality is were strong, compared to our brethren in many other states, compared to the whole dynamic in higher education today, we are in a strong position," Lopez said. "Were continuing this process of taking a good hard look at tough problems were facing." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. California Democrats are gathering this weekend for their state convention amid divisions within the party concerning the future of Sen. Dianne Feinsteins seat. Party officials, delegates, and other attendees are expected to project a show of unity as Golden State Democrats gear up for a fierce battle to win back the House and keep the White House next year. But the convention also comes at a critical juncture for the state party itself, as Democratic leaders in and out of office face rising pressure for Feinstein to retire, and the primary for her seat turns into a battle between the progressive and establishment wings. I know that on an interpersonal level and in small groups, obviously its something that comes up all the time, said Jed Leano, a delegate who is running for state Assembly. How much thats going to be addressed publicly, Im frankly not sure. Primarily, the conference for new delegates is a chance for members of the party to meet in person for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, honor legacy Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and for activists and officials to discuss organizing strategies for the coming year. Its also a forum for Californians to showcase their accomplishments in hopes of directing the national conversation in a more progressive direction, sources in the state say. As the tides turn to 2024, delegates are tasked with bringing issues to the table and rallying grassroots and institutional organizations around them, while also drawing attention to areas that dont always get a big platform. We have to answer some basic fundamental questions about where are we on some big progressive issues like a Green New Deal [and] health care, said Leano. Multiple Democrats in the state pointed to housing and homelessness as their top agenda items, with crime, policing, and public safety as interconnected issues. Rising crime across big cities has dominated the election off-cycle, where Democratic candidates have outlined vastly different strategies to keep people safe. Its become an increased focus in Los Angeles, the site of the Convention Center gathering, as Mayor Karen Bass (D) looks to define the contours of her first term as the citys top executive. All people say that we need housing for all Californians. The challenge is how do we get there? Homelessness is disproportionally a problem in the state of California, and this is a Democratic-run state, Leano added. While Democrats expect Bass, an ally of President Biden and former member of Congress, to draw significant attention, the venue is also a good setting to assess who is ready for prime time. Democrats acknowledge it will be hard to hold such a large public event without addressing the elephant in the room: Feinstein herself. The 89-year-old senators age has raised questions about her competency and timeline to retire from her longstanding perch on Capitol Hill. As she has been away from Washington recovering from a shingles diagnosis, other Democrats have speculated about when she will step down. Those concerns are relevant as key decisions on the Senate Judiciary Committee are left unanswered. A survey released this week by IGS/UC Berkeley shows the topic is on the minds of California residents as well. According to the poll, the vast majority of respondents said the senator is not in a position to continue her duties in office. Two thirds of the registered voters polled (67%) agreed with the statement, Feinsteins latest illness underlines the fact that she is no longer fit to continue serving in the U.S. Senate. Agreement extends to voters of all political stripes, the poll reads. While Feinsteins fitness has been driving talks in Washington and on the West Coast, some say that its likely to be more of a closed-door topic during the convention, the kind of thing that attendees talk about quietly during meeting breaks, rather than addressing it in a formal way. The optics are particularly delicate because theres already a tight and crowded primary underway to fill her seat. For now, the three serious candidates Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee have sidestepped the issue, careful not to draw unnecessary controversy to an already sensitive subject that has divided the party. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a progressive who endorsed Lee, was the first Democrat to call for Feinstein to resign and has been applauded by some on the left. Others, however, have questioned the move and are more cautious about weighing in on her future. The House lawmakers competing to take over her seat, however, are expected to promote their respective candidacies over the holiday weekend. Schiff, who is perceived as the most moderate potential primary candidate, and Lee, who many consider the most liberal, have used the days-long convention as part of a campaign pitch. We have to ask ourselves, are we leading the way on the big-ticket items? To what levels and to what extent are we willing to push for those things? said Leano. The vacancy is a big example of that. Another major figure, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), a rising star and one of the forums biggest draws, has raised his profile by strongly rebuking his Republican counterparts attempts to roll back protections for residents in other places. His efforts to call out governors from a variety of GOP-led states, including Florida, home to newly announced Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R), has been met with a mixed reception within his party, with some saying theyre glad hes sounding the alarm at an important time and others whispering about his motives. Our governor clearly has been out on a national level over the last couple of months speaking out against racism and speaking out against bans on abortion, said Brandon Black, a Sacramento-based strategist and delegate to the California Democratic Party. You see California leaders right now stepping up to the plate being like, hey, no, this isnt okay. This isnt who we are as a country, this isnt who we are as a society, he added. Newsom could take on an important role in 2024, as Democrats say the delegate-rich state will be a critical marker of where the partys values and the majority of voters stand. Its also likely to present a contrast to the GOPs agenda. While our Nation continues to face extreme MAGA Republicans who are working hard to roll back our effort to build progress, the Biden Administration continues to deliver for the American people, a memo outlining the conventions mission reads. One of the most immediate split screens has played out all week, as Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has pushed back against Democrats attempts to reach a debt ceiling deal. Democrats have blasted the GOP California Speaker as harmful to Americans for wanting to add additional requirements to social safety net programs. The back-and-forth has continued with McCarthy being a main target of progressives ire as lawmakers continue to negotiate just days ahead of a default. For this particular convention, youre going to see much more unity, said Black. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. As cancer drug shortages grow, some doctors are forced to ration doses or delay care Widespread shortages of cancer drugs are forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about how to treat their patients, including rationing doses and turning to other treatment options with potentially more side effects. As of Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration listed 14 cancer drugs in shortage. The oncology shortage is especially critical, FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf told NBC News. Im a former intensivist doctor and Im very aware of the consequences if you cant get needed chemotherapy. Carrie Cherkinsky. caption: Carrie Cherkinsky, right, was traveling in Australia in March when she started experiencing severe abdominal pain. Doctors discovered a mass on her right ovary. (Courtesy Carrie Cherkinsky) According to a March report from the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, drug shortages are at record highs. New drug shortages increased by nearly 30% between 2021 and 2022. By the end of 2022, there was a record five-year high of 295 active drug shortages. I dont know of a time thats worse than this, said Dr. Julie Gralow, the chief medical officer and executive vice president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Whats different about this shortage is, I think, its just the broad applicability of these drugs, how important they are, you know, globally, in the U.S., in the treatment of many diseases. Among the drugs in shortage is carboplatin, a chemotherapy agent used as a first-line treatment for a number of cancers. Carboplatin is such an important drug for the treatment of many cancers breast cancer, ovarian, head and neck, lung cancer, among several others, said Dr. Lucio Gordan, a medical oncologist and president of Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, a network of cancer clinics. Gordan said they were completely out of the drug for nearly two weeks. Ive been doing this for 20-plus years. This is the worst Ive ever seen, he said. Florida Cancer Specialists knew that the shortage was coming and tried to prepare. For the last couple of months, theyve been rationing by rounding down doses of carboplatin by 10%, which Gordan said doesnt diminish the drugs efficacy. We have been rounding down for a while, he said. But we just ran out of the drugs, so theres nothing to be rounded. Cancer drug shortages. (NBC News) Carrie Cherkinsky, 41, of Tallahassee, Florida, learned of the shortage from a Facebook support group for women with ovarian cancer. Even so, she was shocked to learn that she wouldnt be able to get her second round of chemotherapy, scheduled for May 15, at Florida Cancer Specialists. Gordan was not involved with her care. Whos going to be held accountable for this? said Cherkinsky, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March. For me not getting the lifesaving treatment? Carboplatin isnt just an effective drug; its also less toxic and causes fewer side effects than other available drugs. One of the issues though with these alternative medications is often theyre not as good, so it may compromise survival outcomes, said Dr. Angeles Alvarez Secord, president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology. In addition, when theres more toxicity, theres more cost to the treatment because youre also dealing with the side effects, or giving additional drugs to try to prevent the side effects, Secord said. So the alternatives often, even though theyre present, are still not meeting the best standard of care. Nationwide, hospitals and cancer centers have been forced to make similar decisions when it comes to cancer care. According to a May survey conducted by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, doctors in at least 40 states have at least one chemotherapy drug in shortage. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a breast and gynecologic medical oncologist at Valley Health System in New Jersey, said the shortages are devastating. Cancer is life-changing as it is but you expect as a patient that youre going to walk into an office and be given the very best that exists, Teplinsky said. And right now we dont have the very best to give in certain cancers. Drug shortages cause extra stress not only for cancer patients, but for medical providers as well. On top of being in a workforce thats already burned out and exhausted from a pandemic, doctors have to scramble to find lifesaving treatments. All the practices in the country, not only in oncology, we have been stressed out much more since Covid, Gordan said. This is another curveball that impedes us to do the best we can. Shortages can sometimes catch providers off guard. Suppliers dont give warning when a drug is about to be in shortage; theyll just stop filling all of their orders, said Andrea Iannucci, the assistant chief pharmacist at UC Davis Health. So we place an order, and we think its going to arrive and it doesnt, because the drug was unavailable, Iannucci said. Keri Carvill, 44, of Sacramento, California, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in March but wasnt able to get her first dose of carboplatin until May 19. Triple-negative breast cancer is a particularly aggressive form of the disease. Its stressful and scary, Carvill said. What led to the shortage and what can fix it? The current carboplatin shortage was caused in part by quality concerns at one manufacturing facility, Intas Pharmaceuticals, in India, but experts say the real problem is more chronic. Unfortunately, the profitability of this industry is very low or nonexistent, Califf said. A number of firms are going either out of business, or theyre having quality problems because of difficulty investing in their technology. Thats the core underlying reason for the shortage that were seeing. In a statement to NBC News, Intas Pharmaceuticals said it is working with the FDA to release existing inventory of carboplatin and other medically necessary products. It is also working with the agency on a plan to resume manufacturing, but added that a date has not yet been confirmed for when that will happen. Califf said the FDA is working with additional manufacturers to make more carboplatin available. Long-term solutions, however, are going to require intervention by Congress and the White House in order to get this industry in the right place, he said, adding that a White House team has been working on the drug shortage issue. Teplinsky, the oncologist in New Jersey, said shes been encouraging her social media followers to reach out to elected officials to advocate for timely production of chemotherapy drugs and long-term policies to ensure this doesnt happen again. Delaying care impacts outcomes, Teplinsky said. And so in this case, either we cant give people what they need, or we have to wait, which we know will lead to negative consequences.Follow NBC HEALTH on Twitter & Facebook. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Canoes land at Lummi Island for the first time in nearly 170 years A traditional voyage is underway in Western Washington, and this year, its something not seen since the 1800s. The Annual Tribal Canoe journey returned in 2023 for the first time since the pandemic. It features dozens of traditional canoes traveling the Salish Sea. Its hosted by a different tribe each year, and this time, its the Lummi Nations turn. To celebrate, canoes landed at Lummi Island for the first time in nearly 170 years on Friday. Four boats arrived for a visit, followed by a cultural exchange with a crew from Hawaii. Another canoe featured National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Fawn R. Sharp. The NCAI is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native tribal organization in the country, Lummi-based Salish Center for Sustainable Fishing Methods Executive Director Riley Starks told KIRO 7. We have been tasked with feeding and sheltering the paddlers before they resume their journey home, Starks added. The canoes are beautiful and the paddlers are in full regalia. A visitor experiences a massage robot at the 2022 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 1, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] From delivering food at the doorstep to picking tea, China has witnessed a remarkable expansion in the utilization of robots across diverse settings, transforming industries and people's daily life. At the seventh World Intelligence Congress held from May 18 to 21 in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, a robot shaped like a mantis climbing up and down caught the attention of visitors. It's the first intelligent tower robot to be rolled out by the State Grid Tianjin Electric Power Company. Guided by a skilled staff member, the tower robot adeptly maneuvers its eight claws. Even when faced with obstacles like nails or tilted timber, the robot effortlessly traverses them. Upon reaching its assigned position, it deftly secures the bolts and nuts, showcasing its exceptional precision and agility. Powered by a built-in lithium battery, the robot can work for more than 10 hours. "The assembly of transmission tower is risky. The robot integrates bionic climbing, intelligent perception, human-computer interaction, and other technologies, which can effectively reduce the risk for on-site workers," said Ma Jun, who works at the State Grid Tianjin Electric Power Company. Today, the use of robots in China has expanded across various sectors, including agriculture, logistics, education and healthcare. An impressive example of this technological advancement was seen in Hangzhou's West Lake scenic spot, located in east China's Zhejiang Province. Here, a tea-picking robot equipped with a sun hat made of solar panels maneuvers through rows of renowned Longjing tea bushes using its agile mechanical arms and caterpillar wheels. The introduction of the 550-kg robot tea picker has been a boon for local tea planters, who have been facing a significant shortage of labor lately. In southwest China's Guizhou Province, robots are used to conduct routine inspections at power substations in remote mountainous areas. So far, 13 robots have been deployed at 10 power substations in the city of Tongren, where they can conduct automatic inspection patrols, according to the Guizhou branch of the China Southern Power Grid. Equipped with high-precision sensors and high-definition cameras, the robots can complete a routine patrol in 50 minutes, compared with 12 hours by humans, who must also spend another 40 minutes traveling to the substation, said Zhou Jingyu, head of the Taiping Power Substation in Tongren. Earlier this year, China said it will strive to double its manufacturing robot density by 2025 compared with that of 2020, according to an action plan issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and 16 other government departments. The use of service and special robots will be significantly increased by 2025, with the capability of the country's robotics industry to promote high-quality economic and social development markedly improved, the plan stated. As for the future application of robots, Hu Yuchen, co-founder of Shanghai Dajie Robot Co., Ltd., said that flexible manufacturing has not been realized in many factories at this stage. "We hope that industrial robots have eyes and also a brain with flexible control to help some heavy and high-polluting industries facilitate machines replacing humans," Hu said. Copies of banned books from various states and school systems. Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Several states are banning books and criminalizing the teaching of controversial topics. What's become verboten? Here's everything you need to know: Is censorship growing? Yes. Recently passed state and local legislation is dictating what schools may or may not teach and what students may or may not read. A record 2,571 different titles were banned or censored by school districts, states and other government entities in 2022, according to the American Library Association a 38% increase from the previous year. Nearly 60% of those bans were aimed at classrooms and school libraries, and most of the targeted books were by or about racial minorities or LGBTQ people. Broad, vaguely defined prohibitions on teaching "critical race theory" and other allegedly divisive topics in classrooms have compelled 1 in 4 U.S. teachers to alter their curricula. In Florida, a textbook publisher even had to completely remove a purely factual passage on George Floyd's murder and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. In at least a half-dozen states, teachers and school librarians now face potential prison time for violating the bans. It isn't just individual books being "removed, restricted, suppressed in public schools" anymore, said Kasey Meehan of the PEN America foundation. "It's a set of ideas, it's themes, it's identities, it's knowledge on the history of our country." Where is this happening? Most of the restrictions enacted this school year have been passed by Republican-controlled legislatures in Texas, Florida, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina. Spurred by conservative groups such as Moms for Liberty, a two-year-old organization that has helped propel hundreds of like-minded candidates onto school boards, these legislatures have passed laws with broad restrictions on topics they deem inappropriate. The mere presence of LGBTQ people in a book can be enough to merit the label "obscene." In Florida and several other states, all books must be screened by official censors before they are deemed acceptable, with wholesale bans on references to sex, race, and gender identity, regardless of context. In Missouri, a new law banning books containing "explicit sexual material" led school districts to junk art history textbooks and nonfiction accounts of the Holocaust. In Texas, which had more book bannings than any other state last year, a bill currently under consideration would ban textbooks that portray U.S. history in anything but a "positive" light. In Florida, new laws pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) have tied educators in knots and emptied some school library shelves. What do Florida's laws say? One law requires every book in a school's possession to be posted on an online database and vetted by "media specialists" to ensure it's "free of pornography." State guidance urges schools to "err on the side of caution" on what they approve. In two large school districts, which contain the cities of Bradenton and Jacksonville, administrators ordered the removal or concealment of tens of thousands of books in their schools; students returned from their winter break to find bookshelves empty or covered with paper. Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" law bans discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten to third grade, while its "Stop WOKE Act" outlaws books that could lead any student to feel race or sex-related "guilt, anguish or other forms of psychological distress." How have teachers responded? Many Florida teachers are "scared to death" to tell students anything about America's racial history, said Charles White, executive director of the Social Science Education Consortium. To pass muster, one textbook publisher even eliminated any mention of race in telling the story of Rosa Parks refusing to change her seat on a public bus. DeSantis insists it's "a nasty hoax" that state laws require broad book bans, and that he is simply fighting "woke" leftists who are "trying to pollute and sexualize our children." What is the impact of these laws? They've made teachers paranoid and deeply fearful about losing their licenses and being charged with crimes. In some states, "tip lines" now exist for reporting teachers who discuss "inappropriate" topics. Arizona now requires parental approval before teachers can include books containing any references to sex. Some educators, such as Stuart, Florida, middle school science teacher Arian Dineen, say the rules are forcing teachers to consider leaving the profession. "It feels like you can be reported by anyone at any time," she said. "It feels very much like '1984' or the McCarthy era." Do most parents support this? No. A Fox News poll released in April revealed that 77% of parents were "extremely" or "very" worried about book bans. Other polls found that about 80% of both Republicans and Democrats say books should never be banned for discussing race, slavery or critical views of U.S. history. Democratic pollster Guy Molyneux said a majority of parents say they are "uncomfortable with some of this [gender] transitional treatment kids are getting, and 'I don't know how I feel about pronouns, but I do not want them banning books.'" Going after publishers Starting July 1, publishers who sell or distribute books with "sexually explicit" material to Tennessee schools face felony charges and fines of up to $100,000 per violation. Lawmakers in Texas and Oklahoma are considering new age-based restrictions on publishers who want access to their public schools. Some companies already are letting state laws influence editorial decisions. Maggie Tokuda-Hall's grade-school picture book "Love in the Library," first published by a small press last year, recounts how her grandparents met in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. When children's book giant Scholastic offered to license it, it asked her to remove references to anti-Japanese racism from her author's note, arguing that teachers might be dissuaded from using the book in this "politically sensitive" moment. The author flatly refused. "I'm typically a very compromising person," she said. "But when you omit the word 'racism' from a story about the mass incarceration of a single group of people based on their race, there's no compromise to be had." This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here. You may also like Disney hits back against DeSantis Censoring ideas and rewriting history What the shifting religious landscape means for American politics BEIJING (Reuters) - China will make concrete efforts for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, the Chinese foreign ministry quoted special envoy Li Hui as saying on Saturday. China has always adhered to an objective and fair position on Ukraine, argued for peace and promoted talks, Li was quoted as telling Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Li, China's special representative for Eurasian affairs and former ambassador to Russia, held meetings and talks with Lavrov, and Deputy Foreign Ministers Andrey Rudenkon and Mikhail Galuzin. The two sides exchanged views on China-Russia relations and a political settlement for the Ukrainian crisis and agreed that President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Russia further deepened political mutual trust, China's foreign ministry said in a readout of the conversation. Li's visit to Russia was the final stop in a multi-country tour that Beijing said was aimed at discussing a "political settlement" to the Ukraine crisis. Li said China will strengthen exchanges and dialogues with all parties, including Russia, according to the readout from the foreign ministry. "China has always followed the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, adhered to an objective and fair position, actively persuaded peace and promoted talks, decided its own position according to the merits of the matter itself, and always firmly stood on the side of peace and dialogue," Li was quoted as saying. The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral strategic coordination and exchanges and cooperation in various fields. (Reporting by Ella Cao and Bernard Orr; Editing by Kim Coghill and Gerry Doyle) BEIJING (Reuters) - China and South Korea have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on semiconductor industry supply chains, amid broader global concerns over chip supplies, sanctions and national security, China's commerce minister said. Wang Wentao met with South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit, which ended on Friday. They exchanged views on maintaining the stability of the industrial supply chain and strengthening cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral fields, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Saturday. Wang also said that China is willing to work with South Korea to deepen trade ties and investment cooperation. However, a South Korean statement on the same meeting did not mention chips, instead saying the country's trade minister had asked China to stabilise the supply of key raw materials, and asked for a predictable business environment for South Korean companies in China. "The South Korean side expressed that communication is needed between working-level officials over all industries", not just for semiconductors, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The source declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media. South Korea is in the crosshairs of a tit-for-tat row between the United States and China over semiconductors. China's cyberspace regulator said last week that Micron had failed its network security review and that it would block operators of key infrastructure from buying from the company. The U.S. has pushed for countries to limit China's access to advanced chips, citing a host of reasons including national security. About 40% South Korea's chip exports go to China, according to trade ministry data, while U.S. technology and equipment are necessary for South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. (Reporting by Ella Cao and Bernard Orr, and Joyce Lee in Soeul; Editing by Kim Coghill) (Bloomberg) -- China said it has agreed with South Korea to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on semiconductor supply chains, amid global tensions over chip technology and supplies. Most Read from Bloomberg Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met South Koreas Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun on Friday and said Beijing is ready to deepen bilateral trade and investment cooperation, according to a statement from Chinas commerce ministry. The two officials met during the 2023 APEC Trade Ministers meeting, and also exchanged views on maintaining the stability of the industrial supply chain and strengthening cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral fields. Seoul Sees US Extending China Export Waivers for its Chipmakers The US has ratcheted efforts to limit Chinese access to key semiconductor knowhow. The tech sector has become a key battlefield over national security between the two largest economies, with Washington having already blacklisted Chinese tech firms, cut off the flow of sophisticated processors and banned its citizens from providing certain help to the Chinese chip industry. Ahn asked Wang to support forming a predictable business environment for South Korean companies operating in China, according to a separate statement. China Bars Micron Chips in Escalation of US Tech Clash --With assistance from Sohee Kim. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. America's secret space plane, the Boeing X-37B, is thought to have inspired China to construct a similar craft. America's secret space plane, the Boeing X-37B, is thought to have inspired China to construct a similar craft. After nine months in orbit, China's mysterious space plane has landed for the second time, making the nation one of the few entities to successfully launch and recover a reusable spacecraft. "The complete success of this experiment marks a significant breakthrough in our country's research on reusable spacecraft technology," Xinhua, a Chinese state media agency, reported earlier this month. However, the Chinese government has released very little additional information about the craft; the details of its design, capabilities and performance remain hazy. Related: 10 facts about US Space Force's secretive X-37B space plane Experts think the Chinese space plane is likely similar to the Boeing X-37B, a U.S. space plane that debuted in 2010. Kevin Pollpeter , a research scientist at the Center for Naval Analyses, told Nature.com that the reveal of X-37B sparked concern within the Chinese government over the craft's military potential. It's possible that this spurred the country's space program, which is closely tied to its military, to start developing its own version, Pollpeter said. Like the X-37B space plane, the Chinese craft appears to be uncrewed and relatively small. It probably first flew in September 2020, making a short two-day stint into orbit before returning to the ground. Its most recent mission began in August 2022, when it took off on a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northern China, according to a report from the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The exact purpose of the mission remains unclear. related stories How deadly is Putin's nuclear 'Satan 2' missile? The 22 weirdest military weapons US Air Force says it will test bizarre 'hypersonic' weapon this month According to the CSIS report, the craft released an "object" into orbit sometime in October. The object apparently disappeared in January, only to suddenly reappear on satellite tracking radar in March. Experts believe this could indicate that the plane has some sort of satellite removal capability, such as a robotic arm. "[The Chinese] have been working a lot with robot arms in other contexts, like the Chinese space station," Jonathan McDowell , an astrophysicist at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, told Nature. If that's the case, then the plane's primary purpose might be to repair damaged satellites or remove orbital debris. However, this does not rule out military capabilities either for the Chinese space plane or for the X-37B. Until more details come out, however, the best we can do is speculate. China's Shandong aircraft carrier is pictured here in April 2023 in the Pacific Ocean, about 300 kilometres (186 miles) south of Japan's Okinawa prefecture Three Chinese ships, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, which an expert said was an "unusual" display of Beijing's military might during a prolonged period of tensions. China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as its territory, and has vowed to take it one day -- by force if necessary. Since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen -- who rejects that the island is part of China -- was elected in 2016, Beijing has ramped up air and sea incursions around the island. The presence of Chinese warships is constantly monitored and announced near-daily by Taipei, but an aircraft carrier passing through the 180-kilometre-wide (112-mile-wide) Taiwan Strait has not been seen since March 2022. "A (People's Liberation Army Navy) flotilla of 3 ships, led by the Shangdong aircraft carrier, passed through the Taiwan Strait around noon today," Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said in a statement, referring to China's navy. The flotilla went "to the west of the median line, heading northward", it added, referring to the unofficial border in the middle of the strait which separates the island from continental Asia. Saturday's latest show of force from Beijing comes more than a month after China launched aerial and naval exercises around the island. During the April war games, Beijing simulated targeted strikes on Taiwan and encirclement of the island, including "sealing" it off, and state media reported dozens of planes had practised an "aerial blockade". The Shandong also participated in those exercises, with J15 fighter jets deployed from it -- though the vessel was not in the Strait, but southeast of Taiwan. The war games were a response to Tsai's meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in early April, an encounter Beijing had warned would provoke strong countermeasures. Taiwan's armed forces said Saturday they have deployed air patrol aircraft, navy vessels and land-based missile systems in response to the sail-through. "We are closely monitoring their movements and will respond accordingly," the defence ministry said on Twitter. In recent days, the island has seen an increased presence of Chinese ships and warplane incursions. The ministry said 33 warplanes and 10 vessels were detected in the 24 hours to 6:00 am Saturday. The day before, 11 vessels were near Taiwan's waters. - 'General pattern' - Steve Tsang, the director of London-based SOAS China Institute, said sailing the Shandong aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait was "very unusual". "But the Chinese have been trying to display their military might around Taiwan in the past six months to a year, so in that context it is fitting into a general pattern," he told AFP. Tsang said it also displayed a "lack of understanding" of modern military warfare. "In the modern era of powerful anti-ship missiles, why would you send a very big ship into a relatively narrow strip of water with limited manoeuvrability?" he said, adding that the sail-by was "a message". China has not issued a statement on the passage through the Strait. The last time officials confirmed the Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait was in March 2022, right before China's Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden held a phone call. Before that, the carrier transited in December 2020, a day after a US warship had passed through. The Shandong also made a sail-by in December 2019, weeks before Taiwanese voters went to the polls. sc-dhc/sco Kimberley Dream was euthanized Saturday after suffering an unrecoverable injury to her left front leg, making her the 12th horse to die on Churchill Downs since the stables reopened for training on March 30, Tonya Abeln, a spokesperson for Churchill Downs said Saturday evening. Kimberly Dream suffered a similar injury to Lost in Limbo, who had to be euthanized Friday. Dr. Will Farmer, the equine medical director for Churchill Downs, confirmed Lost in Limbo "significantly injured his left front leg near the finish of Fridays seventh race," Darren Rogers, spokesperson for Churchill Downs, said early Saturday. More: Brown: Horse racing is at crossroads it needs national standards and these new measures "It is with absolute dismay and sorrow that we report this highly unusual statistic. Our team members mourn the loss of these animals as we continue to work together to discover the cause and determine appropriate investments to minimize, to the degree possible, any avoidable risk in this sport and on our property," Abeln said. Rogers previously said they have not detected any "discernable" patterns in the latest injuries horses have sustained. Belmont Stakes field 2023: What to know about National Treasure, Forte and other contenders Rogers said Dr. Mick Peterson, director of the Ag Equine Programs at the University of Kentucky's Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, analyzed and researched the track on Tuesday and they are still waiting for the results. Peterson and his team conducted engineering analysis in April, ahead of the Kentucky Derby and the results "were consistent with previous testing." Earlier this month, 16 members of Congress called for transparency from the Kentucky-based Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and asked for the necropsy results of the dead horses to be publicized. Rogers said Churchill Downs is still waiting for the necropsies of the horses, which have been transported to the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostics Lab. The latest horse to be euthanized was Swanson Lake, a 3-year-old filly trained by Michael McCarthy, who also suffered a leg injury. Rogers said the Kentucky-based Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission are conducting investigations. More: Racing Louisville FC, led by former NC Courage stars, pushing for first NWSL playoff berth More: KHSAA Eighth Region baseball championship: Shelby County beats Woodford County for title Reach Ana Rocio Alvarez Brinez at abrinez@gannett.com; follow her on Twitter at @SoyAnaAlvarez This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 12th horse dies at Churchill Downs since stables opened in March 30 Camile Lewis, pictured at center, spoke out in March against the city's plan to accept the donation of a "robot dog" to the LAPD. On Friday, she was arrested on suspicion of assaulting another frequent audience member at council meetings. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) A woman who frequently protests during Los Angeles City Council meetings has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with an altercation that broke out at City Hall this week, police said. Police said Camile Lewis, 44, got into an argument with another meeting attendee shortly before Friday's council meeting. During that dispute, Lewis hit the man in the face with a bag that had a laptop in it, causing a "small laceration to the victim's left check," LAPD Officer J. Chaves said. After being struck, "the victim punched the suspect twice in the body before the suspect fled on foot," he said. Police said paramedics were called to the building to treat the victim, who had been in the hallway outside the council chamber when the dispute broke out. Officers apprehended Lewis at the corner of Temple and Spring streets, not far from City Hall, and arrested her on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Chaves said. Lewis did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment. The incident is the latest example of the unruly behavior that has been occurring before, during and after council meetings. On Tuesday, moments after the council voted to allow the Los Angeles Police Department to accept a donation of a robot dog, someone scrawled antipolice graffiti with marker on the walls and doorways outside the council chamber. An officer near the mayor's office confronted the vandalism suspect, prompting him to flee down a stairwell. Officers tried to apprehend the suspect a few minutes later as he attempted to exit the building's Main Street lobby. The suspect ran up a staircase and into the City Hall parking garage, with officers chasing after him. He got away after running out another exit and onto Temple Street, according to police. LAPD Sgt. Dennis Clark, who is assigned to City Hall, said police believe the vandalism suspect spoke during the council's public comment period earlier in the day. The incident is being treated as a felony vandalism case, since city crews will likely need to sandblast a limestone surface where some of the graffiti was scrawled, he said. Another City Hall visitor was arrested three weeks ago, after audience members disrupted a Cinco de Mayo presentation given by Councilmember Kevin de Leon during a council meeting. Audience members have jeered and yelled at De Leon since October, when secretly recorded audio of him and other elected officials was made public. The taped conversation featured racist and derogatory remarks. During the Cinco de Mayo presentation, Council President Paul Krekorian called for the protesters to be removed. Minutes later, police arrested one of the protesters on suspicion of battery on a police officer and obstructing a public business establishment. Police said the suspect slammed the door to the council chamber as he walked out, striking Clark in the head. Another audience member disputed that narrative, saying the audience member had simply closed the door behind him. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Civic Party chairman Alan Leong said the group had failed to find anyone willing to take on its leadership One of Hong Kong's biggest pro-democracy groups, the Civic Party, has voted to disband following a crackdown on dissent by China. Founded in 2006, it was once the second-largest opposition party in the city's Legislative Council. But several of its key members were arrested or fled into exile in recent years. One of its founders said the party's end was "a symbol of the end of Hong Kong's nativistic democracy movement". Speaking to the AFP news agency, Albert Lai said "the failure does not mean the movement was meaningless." The party announced plans to dissolve in December after it failed to form a new executive committee. At the time, chairman Alan Leong told the Hong Kong Free Press he was not surprised nobody wanted to lead the party as there had been no suggestions about how to keep it going at an internal member in September. On Saturday, Mr Leong said all members had voted to disband the party, with one person abstaining. "After going through the last procedure, the Civic Party will disappear from the Earth," he said. In a statement, Mr Leong thanked "all like-minded people" who had joined the party on its "long walk to democracy" and said that while it had "not accomplished what we set out to do, there is a time for everything". The Civic Party was known for representing professionals including lawyers and accountants and was seen as a more moderate alternative to the larger Democratic Party, which is still running. Several members have faced prosecution for taking part in the pro-democracy protests against Beijing's control, which began in 2019. Following the introduction of the controversial national security law, four of its lawmakers were ousted from the Legislative Council in 2020, accused of being "unpatriotic". This triggered mass resignations from other opposition politicians in protest. Some members also took part in unofficial political elections and were charged with conspiracy to subversion. They went on trial with more than 40 others in February. Following an overhaul of Hong Kong's electoral system that meant only "patriots" could hold public office, the party lost dozens of spots on district councils. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China. Under its "one country, two systems" principle, residents are supposed to enjoy certain freedoms unavailable on the mainland - and Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, guarantees the right to public assembly. But these rights have, critics say, been eroded since 2020, when Beijing imposed a national security law in response to widespread pro-democracy protests. Beijing said the law was needed to bring stability to the city - but critics believe it was designed to squash dissent and weaken Hong Kong's autonomy. A corrections officer and a jail nurse have been arrested for allegedly giving contraband to inmates. Officer Tabitha Clifton was booked into the Clayton County Jail just after 3:30 a.m. Friday morning. Nurse Jessica Castellanos was also taken into custody just after 9 p.m. Friday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Both women are charged with giving inmate guns, drugs or alcohol. It is unclear exactly what contraband they are accused of passing to inmates. Clifton is charged with violating her oath of office and Castellanos is charged with obstructing an officer. TRENDING STORIES: This comes less than 24 hours after another Clayton County corrections officer was arrested. Officer Sean Hollinshead was accused of orchestrating an attack on an inmate. Sheriff Levon Allen says Hollinshead placed an inmate into a high-risk housing unit where he was beaten and stabbed. They say he then failed to provide aid to the inmate. Jail records show that Clifton and Castellanos remain in the jail. Hollinshead bonded out just before 5 p.m. on Friday evening. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Climbers top Mt. Everest, Johnstown flood: The News Journal archives, week of May 28 "Pages of history" features excerpts from The News Journal archives including The Morning News and the Evening Journal. May 28, 1973, The Morning News Resorts full despite drip Wind, rain and cold dont keep mailmen from their appointed rounds, and they dont stop tourists from coming to Delawares seashore on a Memorial Day weekend. Like lemmings who hear a mysterious call of nature, they began the trek Friday as drizzle and 30-to-35-mph winds swept across the beaches in 50-degree temperatures. Earlier speculations that a gasoline shortage might be felt in the resort area were proved groundless. Front page of The Morning News from May 28, 1973. Most rooms were taken. State park camping facilities reported a good crowd. The Seashore State Park was full by early Friday, but Cape Henlopen State Park was never quite full and on Sunday afternoon had only 110 of 160 spaces filled The boardwalk was mostly for the young people who walked up and down and stood around in groups. May 30, 1972, The Morning News Gunman kills 3, self, at N.C. political rally A calm gunman shooting at everything that moved killed three persons, wounded eight others and then killed himself outside a shopping mall where Sen. B. Everett Jordan was campaigning yesterday in Raleigh, N.C. Police discounted theories that it was an assassination attempt on the North Carolina Democratic senator who was shaking hands just inside the North Hills Shopping Center. Two of the wounded were little girls. Front pages of The Morning News from May 30, 1972. Witnesses said the gunman, a neatly-dressed black man identified as Harvey Glenn McLeod, 23, opened fire just as Jordan stepped through the plate glass doors. He had been chatting with two women. One was killed and the other critically wounded. The doors were shattered. Witnesses said the gunfire went on for about two minutes. Police Chief Robert E. Goodwin said, When the first siren was heard, witnesses said he turned the gun on himself. The chief said the man was armed with a .22-caliber rifle which he had purchased a few hours earlier, and a revolver. June 1, 1889, Evening Journal An awful flood; Pennsylvania city entirely submerged A telegraph operator in the Pennsylvania railroad signal tower at Sang Hollow, 12 miles below Johnstown, says that 75 dead bodies have floated past him down the river from Johnstown. It is stated that the reservoir above Johnstown broke and the water deluged the town, sweeping away houses by scores and drowning probably hundreds of people. Front page of the Evening Journal from June 1, 1889. Wires are down, and no communication can be had with Johnstown. Pennsylvania railroad officials in Pittsburgh state that they have advices that over 200 dead bodies have been counted floating downstream at Johnstown. Johnstown is described as wholly submerged, only two houses being entirely above the water line. June 1, 2003, Sunday News Journal Neighbors criticize Cherry Island landfill expansion From busy I-495, few east Wilmington landmarks can compete with the massive Cherry Island Landfill, a hulking complex that buries 525,000 tons of waste yearly on a flank of the Delaware River. In coming months, the states busiest landfill will loom large on the political landscape as well. Opponents of a proposed expansion are stepping up public objections, saying the state buries too much waste and should recycle more. Delaware Solid Waste Authority managers say the $60 million project will reduce the risk of a waste-pile collapse and increase the landfills capacity by adding nearly 120 feet to its height limit. Critics in nearby communities have called the site an eyesore and claimed dust, odors and constant truck traffic pose a threat to public health. More on Cherry Island: New Castle Council blocks landfill height increase; now it's Waste Management protesting June 2, 1953, Wilmington Morning News Britons scale Mt. Everest, worlds highest mountain A British expedition has climbed hitherto unscaled Mt. Everest, the worlds highest peak, planting the Union Jack on the icy peak as a coronation gift for Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace announced June 1. Front page of the Wilmington Morning News from June 2, 1953. The conquering party of climbers, who succeeded where 10 previous formally organized expeditions had failed, was headed by Col. John Hunt. Two men of his party New Zealander E.P. Hillary and a famous Sherpa tribesman guide, Tensing Bhutia had reached the more than 29,000-foot-high summit May 29. Word that the party, fighting the snows and icy blasts on the worlds rooftop, had achieved their goal in a third attempt within a month reached the palace last night. Catch up on history: The News Journal archives, week of April 3 June 2, 1953, Journal-Every Evening Elizabeth crowned in ancient pomp; Millions crowd streets of London to hail monarch Britain crowned Elizabeth II today in a magnificent spectacle of ancient pomp and pageantry, before the wondering eyes of her little son Charles, heir to the throne. The thunder of guns and the pealing of bells proclaimed to millions massed in Londons streets the formal accession of Elizabeth the queen, the first coronation of a woman since Victoria, 116 years ago. Front page of the Journal-Every Evening from June 2, 1953 Crowds massed 25 to 35 deep acclaimed the queen going from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and coming home again. Only 7,500 persons were in the abbey, but millions more could see the 2.5-hour ceremony by television, for the first time. The 27-year-old queen, who had looked drawn near the close of the long abbey ritual and once near tears flashed her smile. The queens husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, was beside her. Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Climbers top Everest, Johnstown flood: News Journal archives, May 28 A Columbus Police officer was arrested and charged for allegedly recording up an underage girls skirt in Illinois. >> TRENDING: Springfield shooting injures at least 1; Officers investigate Adam Nguyen, 26, an officer with the Columbus Police Department, reportedly recorded an unauthorized video of an underage girl and then streamed the video live, according to court documents WBNS obtained. The incident reportedly took place in Rosemont, Illinois on Sunday, May 21, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, documents from the Circuit Court of Cook County stated. It was not immediately disclosed why Nguyen was at the convention center. Nguyen was released on recognizance bond Monday, May 21, the very next day. The officer was placed on administrative duty due to the criminal investigation. He worked for the department for two years. We will update this story as more information is released. Community pays respects to Ga. deputy who drowned while doing yard work The Oconee County community gathered on Friday to pay their respects to a deputy who died unexpectedly while doing yard work. Channel 2s Berndt Petersen was among dozens of people who lined the intersection of Mars Hill and Hog Mountain roads. Kayla Cargile and her four daughters joined the group mourning the loss of Lieutenant Scott Underwood. Weve seen him on calls. Its not just the community, its family to us, Kayla Cargile said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Lt. Underwood, 50, served as a deputy for 21 years. I just felt appreciative that Im allowed to come and able to support everything that is happening right now, 10-year-old Savannah Cargile said. Lt. Underwood died last week while doing yard work. The riding lawnmower he was using flipped over into a creek. The procession of the sheriffs office and police cars was a mile long. TRENDING STORIES: Kayla Cargile, a paramedic, says too many refuse to respect those who wear the badge. She says her children know better because shes teaching them. As a person, as a family, and as a community we all need to do better and uplift everybody around us. Were going to teach them what we want them to learn as well, Kayla Cargile said. Deputy Underwood was laid to rest in Farmington Cemetery. The Scott Underwood Benefit Account is set up at Oconee State Bank to help his wife and two children. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Congressional Black Caucus understands the moment that were in, and we also understand the weight of the moment to not have these fundamental rights or freedoms eroded. We will not be silenced, said CBC Chairman Steven Horsford, D-Nev. The Congressional Black Caucus Institute (CBCI) has launched a nationwide summer tour aimed at preserving fundamental rights for Black Americans. This summer, Black congressional members will meet with city leaders and constituents to address how Black Americans can respond to recent attacks on democracy such as the banning of critical race theory and laws restricting voters rights, CBC Chairman Steven Horsford, D-Nev., said during a press conference. The tour, Democracy for the People, will kick off on Saturday, May 27, in Charleston, South Carolina. UNITED STATES MAY 9: Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, conducts a news conference following the CBCs National Summit on Democracy & Race near Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) What were finding is a lot of anti-blackness rhetoric and that rhetoric is now leading to direct attacks on the very existence and survival of Black people in our communities, Horsford told theGrio. The nation is also seeing attacks by the Supreme Court to further undermine the fundamental rights that have been fought for by previous generations, specifically around voting rights, affirmative action and other protections under federal law against discrimination and racism, he added. Horsford told theGrio, he wants this program to show our constituents what the fight is about, taking the fight directly to the people and ensuring theyre a part of the response. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus will also partner with leaders of Divine 9 organizations, civil rights groups, HBCUs and many others to educate voters on what may happen if the Supreme Court overturns key voting rights and affirmative action cases. While speaking with reporters Horsford stated, Its important that we use this opportunity to speak truth to power, to save our democracy, and to make sure all of our voices and the voices of our constituents are heard in the coming weeks. The Democracy for the People tour will host events in 10 cities this summer including Las Vegas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Milwaukee, New Orleans and Houston, as theGrio previously reported. The initiative will conclude in August and will commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington. The chairman told reporters: The Congressional Black Caucus understands the moment that were in, and we also understand the weight of the moment to not have these fundamental rights or freedoms eroded. We will not be silenced. The tours launch comes weeks after the CBC held the National Summit on Democracy and Race which laid out efforts Black Congressional members plan to take to ensure that Black Americans have access to equal opportunities, as theGrio previously reported. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Congressional Black Caucus will soon embark on nationwide tour to protect Black Americans fundamental rights appeared first on TheGrio. American Born Chinese, the new Disney+ show based on Gene Luen Yangs graphic novel of the same name, transports viewers to two distinct realms: Heaven, via iconic Chinese mythology, and Earth, via an American high school. For series costume designer Joy Cretton, that meant creating ensembles that were both grounded and otherworldly. Youre going back and forth between two insanely different worlds, she said in a Zoom interview with CNN. Is it a hoodie? A blinged-out lotus crown? It was interesting to get to have such a drastic contrast in the costumes that we were always working on. Costuming the other The series follows three distinct story lines. The first centers on Jin Wang (Ben Wang), a Chinese American teenager at a mostly White high school. Jin just wants to make the soccer team and fit in, but his plans are derailed with the arrival of Wei-Chen (Jimmy Liu), a new student who lacks the anxiety that comes with being the other. The differences in the two boys personalities are made more apparent through their clothing. Jin, who doesnt want to stand out from his peers, dresses in muted hoodies and T-shirts. Costume designer Joy Cretton said she wanted to make the contrast between Wei-Chen (Jimmy Liu) and Jin Wang (Ben Wang, right) evident through their clothing choices. - Carlos Lopez-Calleja/Disney Wei-Chen, meanwhile, is much more confident and has a unique sense of style (after a student makes fun of his robot shirt in the first episode, Wei-Chen stands up for himself). He wears bold-colored graphic tees, a woven leather belt and socks with sandals. Cretton said she and her team drew inspiration for Wei-Chens outfits from elderly men on the streets of Chinatown in Los Angeles, as well as the art from the original graphic novel. They wanted his clothes to have a thrown-together feel that at first glance, may seem nerdy or not cool. But once you meet him and you see the way he carries himself with so much confidence, you realize that he is cool and that look is cool, and its something that other kids might want to wear too, she added. Chinese mythology, but make it fashion As it happens, Wei-Chen has never had much reason to doubt himself. Hes the son of Sun Wukong (Daniel Wu), or the Monkey King a hero from the classic 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West. Enter the second storyline. Wei-Chen, having stolen his fathers magical staff, is in California in hopes of defeating a celestial uprising. (A third story line features Ke Huy Quan as Freddy Wong, a caricatured Asian character on a 90s sitcom who becomes a viral meme.) One of the storylines of "American Born Chinese" is rooted in classic Chinese mythology. - Carlos Lopez-Calleja/Disney Though characters such as Sun Wukong are familiar to people of Chinese descent, Cretton who grew up on Maui said she didnt grow up with Journey to the West the way that some of the shows cast and crew did. But having so much Chinese and Chinese American representation on screen and behind the scenes proved immensely helpful. Sally Woo, a Chinese American costumer on the show, told Cretton stories about the Monkey King she heard from her mother and grandmother, and shared other media adaptations of Journey to the West for inspiration. Cretton also spoke to the actors playing the gods and goddesses about their characters, which informed the costume design. Cretton said she wanted the look of the gods and goddesses to be recognizable yet fresh. - Carlos Lopez-Calleja/Disney Working with such beloved characters, though, came with other challenges. We wanted the audience that knows these gods and goddesses to recognize them, but we wanted it to be a really new take on them as well, Cretton said. Striking the balance between traditional and modern was a daunting prospect, but Cretton said showrunner Kelvin Yu gave the team permission to play around. A mid-season episode features a Met Gala-like party in Heaven. - Carlos Lopez-Calleja/Disney That creative freedom is on full display in episode four, a flashback episode that sees Sun Wukong and his now rival Bull Demon at a Met Gala-esque party in Heaven. The celestial partygoers are outfitted in sequined blazers, flowy robes and intricate dresses Cretton said she wanted the characters to retain their original essence, but reimagined in a high fashion environment. Cretton collaborated with designers Phillip Lim and Prabal Gurung on costumes for two key characters: Sun Wukong and Guanyin (Michelle Yeoh), the Goddess of Mercy. Lim brought his signature silhouettes to the look of Monkey King for an end result that is regal and sleek. Gurung, known for styling celebrities in glamorous gowns on red carpets, was behind Guanyins ethereal ensembles. Prabal Gurung and Phillip Lim designed costumes for two of the show's main characters. - Carlos Lopez-Calleja/Disney The costuming process throughout the show was highly collaborative, Cretton said. Yeoh provided constant input on Guanyins costumes from the shape of her light blue, lotus headpiece to her gold diamante face covering at the heavenly party. That was something she grabbed in our fitting room, Cretton recalled. We just had all these gold accessories and fabric and cords and things. We were just playing and putting things together, and she put that over her face. And we were like, Yes thats it! Cretton said showrunner Kelvin Yu gave her team "permission to play around" with the costumes on the show. - Carlos Lopez-Calleja/Disney Between the actors input and the close collaboration with designers and the costume department, which Cretton described as a little family, the team behind American Born Chinese was able to bring these fantastical elements rooted in real-life histories to life. Everyone was so excited about the story that we just put in so much extra than than we normally would because we were so determined to get it right and make something really beautiful. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Covington police officer out of hospital days after being shot in the face A Covington police officer who was shot in the face after responding to a domestic incident at a hotel late Tuesday night has been released from the hospital. Officer Rashad Rivers responded to the Oyo Hotel off Alcovy Road around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. Treyvorius Stodghill, 23, was shot during an exchange of gunfire and died from his injuries. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Rivers was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. The officer underwent surgery for his jaw and is expected to make a full recovery from home. Were thankful for the condition that hes in, that hes going home. Hell rest up, hell heal and hopefully hell be back to work soon, Lt. Daniel Digby said before Rivers was released. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Channel 2 Action News spoke with Rivers before a procession escorted him to his home in Covington. He said he feels like a new man and hopes to get back on duty ASAP. Illustration by Blake Cale The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates. Whats happening In the United States, jails and prisons are one of the largest mental health care providers in the country. For decades, those with mental illness have been overrepresented in jails and prisons as roughly 2 in 5 people who are incarcerated have a history of mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Those people do not belong in jails or prisons, Azza AbuDagga, health researcher for Public Citizen, told Yahoo News. Our research [from 2016] showed that county jails have been turned into dumping grounds for people with serious mental illness due to the failure of the mental health system. Civil rights leaders and advocates are highlighting the impact of putting those with mental illness behind bars. Most recently, in May, the family of Lashawn Thompson, a Black man who was in custody at Fulton County jail and suffered from schizophrenia, released the findings of an independent autopsy. According to the familys autopsy, Thompson didnt receive treatment before he was reportedly found eaten alive by bed bugs and insects last September. In March, the death of Irvo Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man who died during intake at the mental health facility in Virginia, sparked outrage, and 10 people have been charged with second-degree murder in his death. Irvo Otieno DIDNT deserve to be smothered to death when he needed help with a mental health crisis! He isnt the first & likely wont be the last person with mental illness to be brutally victimized by police, Attorney Ben Crump said on Twitter. Three days before Otieno died, 31-year-old Najee Seabrooks was shot and killed by police in Paterson, N.J., after he called 911 during a mental health crisis. Incidents like this and others have caused leaders to question if jails and prisons are equipped to adequately care for those with mental illness, especially for Black Americans, who are 2.9 times as likely as white people to be killed by police. That should be alarming to people to realize that we are not handling mental health crises with support, care and compassion. We're handling it with trauma, violence and even fatalities, Zellie Thomas, lead organizer of the Black Lives Matter chapter in Paterson, told Yahoo News in March following the death of Otieno. Why theres debate As 1 in 5 American adults live with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, the debate surrounding mental health behind bars continues to intensify. But not everyone agrees with the contention that inmates who are mentally ill and incarcerated dont get the resources or help that they need. In my opinion, and experience, they are getting good mental health care, Charles Lee, president of the American College of Correctional Physicians and the former medical director at a maximum security prison in California, told Yahoo News. Many of them dont get any mental health care on the outside, [and] theres a fair number of those that are homeless, who dont have insurance, or dont, for whatever reasons, seek to get mental health care. Some say that if a mentally ill person commits a crime they must serve their time behind bars. But in many cases, people with serious mental illness end up in jails and prisons for the same kinds of symptoms that might just as easily have [landed] them ended in psychiatric hospitals or places of treatment, Christine Montross, associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University, told Yahoo News. Even though advocates say incarceration is not the answer for the mentally ill, critics question where else they would go. There are not enough mental health facilities in the communities and this is all over the country, Lee said. More than one-third of Americans live in areas that lack mental health facilities and services. While theres no immediate solution, advocates say the bottom line is that U.S. jails were not built with the mentally ill in mind. There are all kinds of factors that complicate the treatment that someone might receive once they are behind bars. People who serve time in jails and prisons become less psychologically well, just by virtue of living in these dehumanizing conditions, Montross said. Whats next In April, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia launched an inquiry into the conditions of incarceration following the death of Thompson and of Joshua McLemore, an Indiana inmate who allegedly suffered from malnutrition and dehydration before he was found dead in his cell. The Department of Justice has an affirmative obligation to safeguard the civil rights of incarcerated people, whether they are held in federal, state, or local custody, Ossoff wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland. California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced efforts in his state to modernize the Mental Health Services Act and require a yearly $1 billion contribution for behavioral health housing and care for those with mental illness. This is the next step in our transformation of how California addresses mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness creating thousands of new beds, building more housing, expanding services, and more. People who are struggling with these issues, especially those who are on the streets or in other vulnerable conditions, will have more resources to get the help they need, Newson said in a press release. But Thomas says changes to the mental health system for the incarcerated are needed immediately. Until America realizes that policing is failing people going through a mental health crisis, they will be able to continue to create more hashtags, he said. Perspectives Drowning in a mental health crisis I think prosecutor offices are drowning. I think defense attorneys are drowning. I think the court system is drowning in a mental health crisis. This isnt just an issue. Its a crisis. Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley to Fox5 News. Mentally ill people face dehumanizing conditions Reports from jails across the country, from Rikers in New York to Santa Clara Countys main jail comple in San Jose, Calif., have shown that mentally ill people are frequently mistreated. Families have filed lawsuits alleging that corrections officers have severely beaten mentally ill people, or let them starve or freeze to death, Christopher Blackwell, incarcerated writer, in the New York Times. Can police properly respond to those with mental illness? The training [for a correctional officer] really suggests that you should take control, you should maintain control and when you feel like a situation or a person is getting out of control the response is to escalate. For a person with a mental illness, particularly one who is paranoid, this is absolutely terrifying. Its terrifying for anybody. Its intended to be frightening, but for a person with mental illness its incomprehensibly terrifying, and so the result is often that the person with mental illness responds in exactly the opposite fashion ... by lashing out or fighting back, Alisa Roth, author of Americas Criminal Treatment of Mental Illness, to NPR. Mental health and the criminal justice system go hand in hand America has gone without a real system of mental health care for so long that mental illness is often seen as a permanent feature of the criminal justice system. In many prisons and jails, the urgent question is not how to reduce this surging population but how to build larger and better psychiatric units and treatment facilities inside the walls. Alisa Roth, the Atlantic. Caring for mentally ill inmates is expensive for correctional facilities Mental health problems are rampant in local jails, often because the illness was a primary factor in the offensive conduct. The cost of caring for and supervising mentally ill inmates makes them two to three times more expensive to house. Once released, they often stop taking their medications, which lands them in trouble with the law and back behind bars, Editorial, New York Times Criminalizing the most vulnerable This six-decade problem of criminalizing the most vulnerable segment of our society will continue to get worse unless it is taken seriously by public officials at all levels. It is morally unacceptable to keep ignoring it. In the first place, screening programs that prevent people with serious mental illness from ending [up] in the legal system are critically needed. Furthermore, diversion programs to channel those people to the community where they can receive proper treatment and support services are urgently needed. Azza AbuDagga, health researcher for Public Citizen, to Yahoo News. Culture wars make it harder for Latino professors who are few in numbers Some Latinos in academia are assessing the impact of the increasing attacks on and measures against diversity initiatives amid low numbers of tenured Latino professors and a difficult career path. This past semester, Maria Chavez didnt think her assignment for her Latino politics course was controversial. Chavez asked her students to write an op-ed on an issue facing the Latino community. As the class wrapped up, one extra copy of the assignment was accidentally left behind. The next day, Chavez found the spare copy of the homework defaced with rants about illegal aliens and Stop teaching victimization! The paper was unsigned. These are the kinds of actions that people are emboldened to do now, said Chavez, professor of political science at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. The racialization and stigmatization that Latinos experience in the U.S. are often replicated in the classroom. Chavez is part of the relatively small group of Latinos in the academic world. Achieving academic tenure, professors say, is a difficult and challenging process. Now, they're also grappling with how to navigate the increased politicization of education as states like Florida limit diversity initiatives and place controls on educational content and courses, particularly those on race and ethnicity. The direct attack on the knowledge about the experiences about people of color is something that is very antidemocratic, and it is very personally harmful to students in a way that impacts who they are as people, as academics, and as future academics, Chavez said. Maria Chavez (Michael Artime) The political debates about so-called wokeness and critical race theory are just an attempt to silence people of color and our experiences, Chavez said. When academics of color start using theories to understand the experiences that marginalized communities have, its construed as illegitimate, that it shouldnt be taught. Chavez said she would not in good conscience advise her Latino students to pursue a career in academia in the social sciences. You have to constantly balance your personal and professional identity. To Chavez, it's a treacherous time to be teaching American history and politics. There is this backlash against diversity, and my undergrad students are aware of it; there is backlash against any kind of anti-racist education, and that makes it hard for everybody. The increasing politicization of education comes amid significant underrepresentation of Latinos in college faculty. While a record number of Latinos are attending four-year colleges accounting for 1 in 5 college students nearly three-quarters of postsecondary faculty members were white in 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Latinos comprise only 6% of faculty members at colleges and universities. Among full-time professors, Latino representation is lower at just 4%. Amid these low numbers, university faculty are increasingly facing scrutiny from conservatives and Republicans in several states denouncing wokeness, a term broadly defined as being sensitive to racial and social injustice, and critical race theory, a legal theory that explores how racism is embedded in American institutions. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, who launched his presidential campaign Wednesday, recently signed legislation limiting teaching on structural racism, curtailing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and limiting protections for tenured faculty at state colleges and universities. The Texas House recently passed a bill to eliminate DEI programs and offices at state colleges and universities. Irma Montelongo, director of Chicano studies at the University of Texas at El Paso, finds political meddling in education pretty sinister. Politicians are concerned that we are teaching subjects that encourage ethnic communities to hate white communities? That couldnt be further from the truth, Montelongo said. We teach our students to love their communities, to love themselves, to see themselves in history, in stories and in literature. Were not teaching our students to hate anybody. Montelongo called attempts to curtail ethnic studies a total whitewashing of American history. Irma Montelongo, director of Chicano Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso, said that limiting ethnic studies is a When she teaches Mexican American history, Montelongo said her students are enthralled because they have never been exposed to this kind of knowledge. Her students begin to see themselves in history and make connections with their own family stories. They become super interested in the material, and then wonder, why werent we ever taught this before? With GOP lawmakers aiming to restructure some aspects of public education in Texas, Montelongo said she and her colleagues are watching such developments closely. We are paying attention, but no one is freaking out; we have to see how things play out. So far, she has not seen any measure that would lead her, for example, to change her course offerings. Nor does she envision any drastic restructuring of the tenure system because doing so could destroy universities as research-intensive campuses. Louis Mendoza (Lance Graham) 'The funnel needs to be bigger' Most full-time college professor positions require a Ph.D., a process that can take about 8 years; some positions allow a master's degree, which takes about 6 years. Because of this time commitment, many young Latinos, especially from working-class backgrounds, face familial pressure to begin working as soon as possible. Sometimes, your family may not understand why you want to bother getting a Ph.D., said Louis Mendoza, a professor of Latino literary and cultural studies at Arizona State University. They tell you to just be a teacher. Its like you are setting yourself up for a big challenge with both your known community, Mendoza said, and the community you are hoping to enter. Mendoza said Latino professors can face isolation, particularly if they are pursuing a subject matter that is unfamiliar to non-Latino faculty evaluating their work. But being an agent of change in higher ed, and for my peers, is important to me. This lack of Latinos in academia reflects a pipeline problem, according to Patrick L. Valdez, board chair of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. As we look at the figures for educational attainment, the higher we go, the numbers of Latinos become smaller ... so the funnel just needs to be bigger. Colleges need to examine the makeup of their search committees and prioritize recruiting Latinos, according to Patrick Valdez, board chair of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. (University of Kentucky) Valdez, a visiting professor at the University of Kentucky, believes that institutions should make more efforts to recruit and retain Latino academics. Colleges need to ask themselves about the makeup of the search committee, whether they are looking for potential faculty members in nontraditional places, and if they have a strategy to find Latino Ph.D. candidates. When colleges have an awareness of being equity-minded, Valdez explained, then they will be better positioned to attract Latino faculty. Last June, 20 top research universities committed to doubling the number of Latino doctoral students at their schools by 2030 by boosting the number of research opportunities and projects, and they pledged to increase the number of Latino professors by 20%. Antonio Flores, president and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, emphasized the need to start fostering Latinos in academia in the early school years. "We have to create more opportunities and pathways for success beginning as early as high school, or community college, to identify promising Latinos who might consider an academic career," he said. Antonio Flores (Courtesy Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities ) This kind of support can be critical, as many Latinos are the first in their families to graduate college and may not have family and friends to advise them on potential career paths. Even when Latinos attain their career goals in academia, some scholars of color, especially women, often face questions about their credentials and often are evaluated more poorly than white male professors, according to studies. In 2019, Lorgia Garcia-Pena, a renowned ethnic studies scholar, was denied tenure by Harvard University, generating national outrage. Although the school later released a report from a tenure committee that found the system to be structurally sound, by then Garcia-Pena had left Harvard for a position at Tufts University. Last year, Garcia-Pena detailed her experiences at Harvard in a book. In an interview with NBC News last August, she said that the more open conversations we have about what is wrong with academia, the more people can come into these career positions with their eyes wide open and knowing what to expect. 'We are part of the conversation now' Amid the steep path for professors and the increased measures curtailing areas of study and diversity initiatives, UTEP's Montelongo emphasized that she never loses faith in her career path. Many of our students come from groups that have been historically left out of higher ed, and now they are succeeding, she said. They are opening doors for their communities that were once shut. To see the pride in their parents eyes when they graduate, its indescribable. Our students are hungry to learn, not just Chicano studies, but history, creative writing and engineering, Montelongo added. To see them growing and developing, I know we are shaping El Pasos future, and that they will be making the world a better place than it is today. At Pacific Lutheran University, Chavez noted that despite the current political and educational climate, she's optimistic about the future for Latinos in academia. Our numbers may be very small, but we are at the table. I have students who have fought to get to a university, but they are making it though. We are part of the conversation now. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The White House and House Republicans have an agreement in principle on a deal to raise the debt ceiling and cap spending, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy confirmed Saturday, moving the nation one step back from the brink of a historic default. The agreement in principle was reached by President Joe Biden and McCarthy during a phone call Saturday, a source familiar with their call said. Now both leaders face the tall task of selling the deal to their allies in both chambers of Congress, where Republicans control the House and Democrats control the Senate. The deal must get passed before June 5 the crucial date when Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the US will no longer be able to pay its bills. After weeks of negotiations, we have come to an agreement in principle. We still have a lot of work to do but I believe this is an agreement in principle that is worthy of the American people, McCarthy said during a brief statement to reporters. If the deal ends up passing through Congress and being signed into law by Biden before that so-called X date, the White House and House Republicans will have avoided an unprecedented economic crisis. A default by the US government, which has never happened, could spark a global recession and the loss of millions of jobs a scenario that loomed over a last-minute rush of holiday weekend negotiations. House GOP leaders were planning to brief all members on the state of negotiations later in the evening, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation, and the text of the deal will be reviewed overnight by both sides to ensure it lines up with the tentative agreement. Despite the deal in principle, new issues could easily crop up at each step along the way, and each step has the potential to be time-consuming, running out the clock ahead of the debt limit deadline early next month. Stiff opposition is expected from both the left and right. That means its going to require an intense whipping operation and support from both sides of the aisle to get the bill over the finish line. A source with knowledge of the negotiations told CNN earlier Saturday that a provision to impose new work requirements for certain social safety net programs had remained a final sticking point. Republicans had been pushing the issue hard, saying beneficiaries of programs, such as food stamps, who do not have dependents should be forced to follow new rules. Democrats, however, had cast that idea as an attack on poor people. McCarthy had arrived at the US Capitol on Saturday morning after his top Republican negotiators, Reps. Garret Graves of Louisiana and Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, had worked late into the night drafting the final details of a deal from the speakers office. Asked by CNN if he was confident he could get the full House GOP Caucus behind him following an agreement, McCarthy said: Do you ever think youre going to get every single member to vote for it? I didnt get every single member to vote for the first one. I didnt get every single member to vote for me for speaker. But McCarthy maintained hed be able to get the majority of House Republicans on board, telling CNN, I dont think Ill have any problem with that. Plodding progress Spending cuts on domestic programs were another issue that negotiators had worked to sort out late Friday night, but Its unclear to what extent the the dispute has been fully resolved. Energy permitting reform, which aims to cut down the time it takes for new projects to get approved, remained a high priority for Graves. The issue pits environmentalists against the oil and gas industry and has divided congressional Democrats. The two sides have been trying to firm up the legislative text as theyve gone along in a bid to speed up that process. House Republicans have a bill that we passed out of the House to raise the debt ceiling. So we have legislative text that is wide and complete. And so that is a helpful baseline when youre getting into a window like this, McHenry said Saturday. Selling the deal to members will be no small task, with stiff opposition expected from both the left and right. That means its going to require an intense whipping operation and support from both sides of the aisle to get the bill over the finish line. Default looms The pressure on negotiators is intense as the US steadily inches closer to the possibility of a default and the threat of economic catastrophe. In a major development Friday that will give lawmakers more time to reach and pass a deal, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that Congress must address the debt ceiling by June 5 or the government will not have enough funds to pay all of the nations obligations in full and on time. Previously, Yellen had estimated that the earliest possible date a default could occur was June 1. McHenry said the Yellens new date clarifies that our timeline is very tight. House Republicans asked for clarification. Chip Roy and Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds and Dan Bishop, among others, asked for clarification on Secretary Yellens math. She updated her math. Obviously, it was a good request. And I think it clarifies our window for us to actually achieve the deal, he said Saturday. Debt limit predictions, however, arent clear-cut. Rather than a set-in-stone deadline, it is more of a best-guess estimate, which makes it harder to know exactly how much time Congress has to act to avert potential financial catastrophe. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Alayna Treene, Lauren Koenig, Priscilla Alvarez, Tami Luhby and Sydney Kashiwagi contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Biden (R) and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday that the deadline for raising the debt ceiling had been extended to June 5, bumping it back four days from the initial June 1 cutoff date. Yellen's announcement comes as negotiations continued between the White House and congressional Republicans to try and reach a deal. In a letter to Congress, Yellen estimated that June 5 would be the last day that the Treasury would have enough funds to satisfy the U.S. government's obligations. Yellen noted that the government was slated to make more than $130 billion in scheduled payments in the first two days of June, which would leave the Treasury with "an extremely low level of resources." During the week of June 5, the government is scheduled to make an additional $92 billion in payments, Yellen estimated, including Social Security and Medicare payouts totaling $36 billion. However, the Treasury's funds "would be inadequate to satisfy all of these obligations," Yellen concluded. The pushed back deadline gives both sides a bit more wiggle room to negotiate. Even as a potential default looms, President Biden remained optimistic that a deal would be reached. Departing Friday for a Memorial Day weekend at Camp David, Biden told reporters, "It's very close, and I'm optimistic," in regards to a compromise. GOP negotiators left the Capitol building around 2 a.m. Saturday morning, The Associated Press reported, but were expected to return hours later to continue talks. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), one of the GOP's lead negotiators, agreed with the president that a deal was close, but told The Hill that there were "significant challenges ahead" that could take "hours or days" to hammer out. One of the main sticking points, per the AP, seems to be House Speaker Kevin McCarty's (R-Calif.) insistence on expanding work requirements for federal aid recipients, something Biden said is off the table. You may also like Ken Paxton and the scandal splitting the Texas GOP 48 states sue telecom company over billions of robocalls Ron DeSantis 'glitchy' presidential campaign launch mercilessly mocked after Twitter failures Dems make last minute changes to soften criminal penalties in bill intended to save thousands from drug deaths Democrats in Nevada have made last minute changes to a bill intended to crack down on the possession of fentanyl by significantly softening the legislation's threshold of how much someone could possess that would be considered low-level trafficking. The amended bill, SB35, was presented to the state legislature by Nevada's progressive Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford last week, just hours before the deadline for it to pass out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. According to Ford, the amendment came as a "compromise between the many groups with an interest in this issue," and included the drop of the low-level trafficking charge for fentanyl possession from 4 grams to 28 grams. PROGRESSIVE AG FLIP FLOPS ON DEADLY DRUG CRACKDOWN, SUPPORTS STRICTER LAWS AFTER CALLING FOR EASED PENALTIES Then-Democratic Nevada Senate Majority Leader and candidate for Nevada attorney general Aaron D. Ford (D-Las Vegas) speaks during a get-out-the-vote rally featuring former U.S. President Barack Obama at the Cox Pavilion as he campaigns for Nevada Democratic candidates on October 22, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, 28 grams of fentanyl is enough to kill up to 14,000 people, while 4 grams is enough to kill up to 2,000 people. A source familiar with the debate over the bill told Fox News Digital that the back and forth between Democrats over the threshold for trafficking charges included concerns over how the state would prosecute fentanyl being mixed with other substances. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The source added that there was also concern a stricter threshold would be akin to "war on drugs" policies that cracked down on low-level users as harshly as drug traffickers. PERMISSION SLIP TO CARTELS: FENTANYL OVERDOSES ARE SURGING, SO WHAT IS CONGRESS DOING TO HELP? Rainbow fentanyl pills seized by the Drug Enforcement Agency. The push for the new crime bill comes amid a worsening fentanyl crisis and just a few years after Nevada Democrats, with Ford's support, passed a 2019 bill that weakened penalties for larger amounts of drug possession, including fentanyl. The 2019 bill, AB236, made it possible for a person in possession of fentanyl to only be charged with a misdemeanor unless the amount possessed was at least 100 grams, an amount the DEA says could kill between 300,000 and 500,000 people. Prior to this bill's passage, the previous low-level trafficking threshold was set at 4 grams, the amount the new bill would have reverted to until Democrats' last minute changes. CARSON, NEVADA, UNITED STATES - 2021/02/01: Exterior view of the state assembly building. Scenes around the Capitol on the 1st day of the 81st legislative session. As part of the Ukrainian Investment Forum in Copenhagen, the launch of a social program of the Danish investment fund for Ukraine for a total amount of 1 billion Danish kroner (about US$134 million) was announced. Source: European Pravda with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine Quote: "Denmark is one of the leaders in financial aid to Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the total military support amounted to $1.4 billion, and the total humanitarian aid, including macro-financial assistance, amounted to $212 million," Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said. The forum also announced the approval of funding for two pilot projects in the field of agriculture and agro-processing. It will apply to the affected companies of the southern region Nibulon, which will be given a loan of 25 million, and Agrofusion 15 million. Also, loans will be provided to agricultural companies located near the front line in Mykolaiv, which will restore destroyed production facilities by purchasing equipment from Danish exporters. Quote: "There is no need to wait until the war ends. We would like to attract Danish business in the early stages of the reconstruction of Ukraine. We must take action and support the Ukrainian economy," said Danish Minister for Business, Morten Bdskov. Background: At the beginning of May, the Danish parliament approved the decision to allocate a new package of military assistance worth 1.7 billion Danish kroner (over $250 million) to Ukraine. In April, Denmark, together with the Netherlands, decided to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks of German production to Ukraine. In addition, Denmark, together with Norway, agreed to hand over 8,000 artillery shells to Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The DeSantis campaign will test whether Casey DeSantis can bring suburban women back to the GOP after Trump lost them Casey DeSantis, left, looks on as her husband, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaks to a crowd at First Baptist North on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Meg Kinnard/ AP Photo Ron DeSantis' wife, Casey DeSantis, is a chief confidant key to his political rise. The two already held "fireside chats" in early voting states, where she interviewed her husband. Allies see an opening to connect with suburban women, a demographic weakness for Trump. For weeks, as the powerful Trump campaign apparatus bore down on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis before he even made a 2024 run official, the governor's team began painting a striking yet little-covered contrast with their soon-to-be top rival. Suddenly, DeSantis wasn't alone onstage at his promotional book events that were captured on camera. He finished boasting about his "Florida Blueprint," and then his wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, glided onstage. DeSantis held her hand and kissed her cheek. Then, instead of waving and exiting behind the curtain like so many other political couples do, they each picked up a microphone and took a seat across from one another. A lighthearted conversation between the two ensued about falling in love, the irony of getting hitched at Walt Disney World during "the pre-woke era," and the nervousness of living in Tallahassee's stately governor's mansion with three young children who've left crayon marks over 18th Century French wallpaper. The format is unusual, and has charmed Republican audiences, organizers said. The DeSantises performed their so-called "fireside chats" twice in Ohio and twice in South Carolina. In the geography was Casey DeSantis' autobiography: raised in Troy, Ohio, and college-educated at the University of Charleston. Voters didn't just get to know Ron DeSantis; they got to know the woman he called "my better half and the star of the show." While ex-President Donald Trump allies mocked DeSantis over his social skills and table manners, audiences in these forums got to know Ron as a husband and father through Casey's polished storytelling, through a voice perfected during her time as a former talk show host in Jacksonville, Florida. "He's a good dad," Casey DeSantis said onstage about her husband at an appearance in Caucus-first Iowa. "He's a good person. He's in it for the right reasons. He's fighting for our children just as much as he's fighting for your families." All of it signals a point of contrast between the way DeSantis is presenting himself as a father whose young, telegenic family is a centerpiece of his public image and the saturated coverage of Trump as a septuagenarian, twice-divorced man convicted of sexual abuse and indicted over hush-money payments to an adult film actress (he denies both). The DeSantises were showcasing that they have something Trump appears to lack: a wife fully supportive and engaged in her husband's political rise. Together, they'll be stopping at all 99 counties in Iowa, DeSantis said this week. As Florida's first lady, Casey DeSantis' initiatives included childhood emotional resiliency, child welfare, and as a breast-cancer survivor herself cancer research. She even spoke alongside her husband during Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. When DeSantis became governor in 2019, she took the unusual step of setting up her office close to her husband's. "I didn't want to be that proverbial potted plant," Casey DeSantis said at one book-tour stop, invoking one of her husband's go-to criticisms about Republicans he viewed as ineffective. She is anything but. In a lengthy Insider profile, people close to the couple have described her as ambitious, a crucial partner, skilled image maker, and powerful confidant to a man who despite a drop in national polls is still the only Republican who comes anywhere close to rivaling a twice impeached former president. Together, the DeSantises will test the question of whether their equal partnership will be alluring to women voters, especially moms. It's an appeal that could matter against Trump, who lost suburban women in 2020. "I think it's very compelling to young professional women who have young children," Jennifer Stoddard Hajdu, chairwoman of the Dallas County Republican Party, told Insider. "I think they look at her and say, 'That's awesome. She knows what I'm going through. She understands the challenges.'" But the pitch will and has hit criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Polarizing policies in Florida risk undermining the overtures, particularly in a general election and as US suburbs have become more diverse. Some big donors openly worry that DeSantis went too far by signing a nearly all-out abortion ban into law in Florida, or that he risks alienating voters with his ceaseless, bitter crusade against Walt Disney World. Offering a preview of how President Joe Biden would attack DeSantis over his purported pro-family stance, the White House has called the governor "shameful" for loosening gun laws in the wake of another school shooting and "cruel" for using vulnerable migrants, including women and children, in a political stunt. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, and his wife Casey are escorted to their seats for a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, not in picture, at Iikura Guest House Monday, April 24, 2023, in Tokyo. Eugene Hoshiko, Pool/AP Photo 'You can tell he respects her opinion' Casey DeSantis, 42, has long been at the forefront of DeSantis' political and policy operation, ever since she appeared alongside him to knock on doors and drudge up support for his successful 2012 congressional run. During a fireside chat in Butler County, Ohio, the Florida governor said his wife won over more people than he did. "They looked at her and it's like, 'Well, if he was good enough to get her to marry him, he's probably good enough for Congress,'" he said as Casey DeSantis sat beaming across from him. Casey DeSantis is viewed as more politically savvy and likeable than her husband, someone instrumental to his electoral success, Insider previously reported. Together, they're known to be careful about whom to trust. She both softens his image and hardens his positions, echoing his message through her own voice at events and on social media. Reflecting on her husband's successful 2022 reelection campaign before an audience in Spartansburg, South Carolina, Casey DeSantis said women voters were "fired up" about "parental rights in education," a term coined by conservatives to refer to controversial state restrictions in public schools on how LGBTQ topics and racial relations are taught. "They did not want woke ideology shoved down the throats of their five years olds while they were in school," Casey DeSantis said. "They said full stop that they didn't want it. So they were very proud that the governor was standing up for that." She channeled the schools platform in 2022 to mobilize 1.1 million mothers and grandmothers to support her husband through her "Mamas for DeSantis" campaign initiative. Making the political personal, she then starred in an emotional campaign ad about how the governor supported her and took care of their children during her cancer treatment. The result? DeSantis won female voters by 9% over his Democratic challenger, former US Rep. Charlie Crist. "It speaks to her ability to rally, organize, and inspire women and mothers to support her husband," Justin Sayfie, a partner at the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, told Insider. Whether the messaging will play nationally is still an open question. As DeSantis prepared to launch a presidential bid that officially began Wednesday, the rest of the country, and even parts of the world, were just starting to get to know Casey DeSantis. The DeSantises first used the fireside chat format in a Sirius XM Patriot radio interview that kicked off the governor's book tour. In early March, they did it again during a Palm Beach GOP event and another in Dallas, Texas, which has a particularly strong GOP women presence. "You could see him coming home at night, whether as governor of Florida or president of the United States, and saying, 'Casey, this is what happened today. What do you think?' You can tell he respects her opinion," Stoddard Hajdu said of the impression she had following the event in Dallas. Jennifer Carroll, who used to be a guest host on Casey DeSantis' Jacksonville talk show, saw the first lady's fingerprints on the events. "I bet you it was her idea," Carroll, who was lieutenant governor to DeSantis' predecessor now-US Sen. Rick Scott told Insider. Appearing onstage together and traveling to events with their children shows "they are working in unison to take care of their family at the same time as their obligations on the political front," Carroll said. "You still have your traditionalists that want to see a wholesome family, want to see someone without the drama of extramarital affairs and the context that goes along with that," Carroll said. "Those people may gravitate to a DeSantis presidential candidacy and the wholesome appearance of his family. " The press reviews were mixed as the DeSantis presidential campaign neared its launch. At the end of April, Casey DeSantis accompanied her husband on an international trade mission. Tabloids swooned over her glamour and fashion. But other outlets, such as Jezebel, have been unimpressed with her outfits in the past, accusing her of cosplaying as FLOTUS and carrying "the glow of weaponized white female grievance." Indeed, not everyone has embraced Casey DeSantis' deep involvement, and in at least some cases it underscores the delicate balance women in US politics still face in how to present themselves. Politico, for instance, quoted sources complaining she was too influential in her husband's operation. Sexist assumptions about gender roles can arise when a wife is an important and powerful adviser to male politicians, presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky told Insider. "People tend to get uncomfortable with that," when it comes to first ladies, she said. "There's this trope of taking on too much power and authority as though that job has been defined in any way which it hasn't," she said. In a New York Post interview published Monday, Casey DeSantis said she would "move mountains" to help her husband. Asked about criticism regarding her appearance, the cancer survivor brushed it off with, "I'm lucky to even have hair." Florida first lady Casey DeSantis stands next to her husband Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as he campaigns for re-election during a "Unite and Win" rally on the eve of the US midterm elections, at Hialeah Park Clubhouse, in Hialeah, Florida, on November 7, 2022. Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images 'It's very clear she's his closest adviser' Trump is already trying to shatter the DeSantis' carefully crafted family man image. After DeSantis taunted Trump in March, saying he wouldn't know "what goes into paying hush money to a porn star," the ex-president insinuated on Truth Social, without evidence, that DeSantis was gay and involved with minors. It's too early in the election to know whether 2024 voters yearn for the appearance of a picture-perfect family in the White House, or if they'll overlook a politician's personal life and gravitate, as they did in 2016, to Trump. As first lady, Melania Trump famously delayed a move from New York to DC so her son, Barron, could finish his school year. While she took on a "Be Best" initiative focused on bullying and addiction, she admitted in confidence to a former friend that she found certain FLOTUS duties mundane, saying, "Who gives a f-ck about the Christmas stuff and decorations?" The Trump campaign didn't respond to a request for comment. Trump told The Messenger that his wife was "very enthused" about his 2024 run and she provided a statement to Fox News saying Trump had her support. But she hasn't yet appeared at a 2024 Trump campaign rally. His first daughter, Ivanka Trump who took on some of the duties generally associated with a first lady during the Trump administration bowed out of the 2024 contest to focus on her children. The way adversaries and the media portray political couples can be "brutal and unpleasant," Carole Crist, who was married to Crist when he was governor of Florida, told Insider. The job requires spouses to be supportive "through everything," she said. "It's something that maybe on the outside people think is so glamorous, but they forget the grind," she said. "It's a lot of work. It's a big commitment, and it's public service." To Republican women who have organized fundraisers featuring the DeSantises, the prominence of Casey DeSantis is all positive. "Not one negative comment" followed the duo's appearance in Charleston, South Carolina, Tara Wood, who chairs the area's Moms for Liberty group and helped organize an event there, said. "I had some people tell me that, if he were to run, they were questioning whether they would support him," Wood said. "But after that event they were 100% on board. That's how effective it was." Carroll said that, to her, the equal partnership on display sent a positive assurance about DeSantis to women voters, showing he was "confident" and "secure in who he is" in sharing the limelight with his wife. "I don't see any downside," Crist said. "Why wouldn't you want your best friend, your closest advisor, your family, by your side wherever you go? Wouldn't that uplift you and help you do the best job possible?" Casey DeSantis seems to represent a triad of first-lady models that have appeared throughout history: embracing the role of hostess and mother, that of adviser, and also being a political player in her own right, Chervinsky, the presidential historian, told Insider. "What was most obvious to me is how very closely in tune they are to one another," she said of the DeSantises. "It's very clear that she's his closest adviser and they're very much in lockstep. Whether that works for a national campaign, I don't know. But I think as a dynamic it's very much on display." Event organizers shared glimpses behind the scenes with Insider, too. The DeSantis operation couldn't confirm until the last minute that Casey DeSantis would appear in South Carolina, cautioning that if anything were to come up with one of her three children then she would be prioritizing their needs. Her team also reached out ahead of the Dallas event inquiring about places her children might enjoy visiting. "Regardless of your political persuasion, a lot of us are ready for a younger leader," Stoddard Hajdu said. "It really hits home that they're from a different generation." Read the original article on Business Insider Casey DeSantis' mission on the 2024 campaign trail is to bring suburban women back to the GOP after Trump lost them Casey DeSantis, left, looks on as her husband, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaks to a crowd at First Baptist North in Spartanburg, South Carolina, last month. Meg Kinnard/ AP Photo Ron DeSantis' wife, Casey DeSantis, is a chief confidant key to his political rise. The two already held "fireside chats" in early voting states, where she interviewed her husband. Allies see an opening to connect with suburban women, a demographic weakness for Trump. For weeks, as the powerful Trump campaign apparatus bore down on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis before he even made a 2024 run official, the governor's team began painting a striking yet little-covered contrast with their soon-to-be top rival. Suddenly, DeSantis wasn't alone onstage at his promotional book events that were captured on camera. He finished boasting about his "Florida Blueprint," and then his wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, glided onstage. DeSantis held her hand and kissed her cheek. Then, instead of waving and exiting behind the curtain like so many other political couples do, they each picked up a microphone and took a seat across from one another. A lighthearted conversation between the two ensued about falling in love, the irony of getting hitched at Walt Disney World during "the pre-woke era," and the nervousness of living in Tallahassee's stately governor's mansion with three young children who've left crayon marks over 18th Century French wallpaper. The format is unusual, and has charmed Republican audiences, organizers said. The DeSantises performed their so-called "fireside chats" twice in Ohio and twice in South Carolina. In the geography was Casey DeSantis' autobiography: raised in Troy, Ohio, and college-educated at the University of Charleston. Voters didn't just get to know Ron DeSantis; they got to know the woman he called "my better half and the star of the show." While ex-President Donald Trump allies mocked DeSantis over his social skills and table manners, audiences in these forums got to know Ron as a husband and father through Casey's polished storytelling, through a voice perfected during her time as a former talk show host in Jacksonville, Florida. "He's a good dad," Casey DeSantis said onstage about her husband at an appearance in Caucus-first Iowa. "He's a good person. He's in it for the right reasons. He's fighting for our children just as much as he's fighting for your families." All of it signals a point of contrast between the way DeSantis is presenting himself as a father whose young, telegenic family is a centerpiece of his public image and the saturated coverage of Trump as a septuagenarian, twice-divorced man convicted of sexual abuse and indicted over hush-money payments to an adult film actress (he denies both). The DeSantises were showcasing that they have something Trump appears to lack: a wife fully supportive and engaged in her husband's political rise. Together, they'll be stopping at all 99 counties in Iowa, DeSantis said this week. As Florida's first lady, Casey DeSantis' initiatives included childhood emotional resiliency, child welfare, and as a breast-cancer survivor herself cancer research. She even spoke alongside her husband during Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. When DeSantis became governor in 2019, she took the unusual step of setting up her office close to her husband's. "I didn't want to be that proverbial potted plant," Casey DeSantis said at one book-tour stop, invoking one of her husband's go-to criticisms about Republicans he viewed as ineffective. She is anything but. In a lengthy Insider profile, people close to the couple have described her as ambitious, a crucial partner, skilled image maker, and powerful confidant to a man who despite a drop in national polls is still the only Republican who comes anywhere close to rivaling a twice impeached former president. Together, the DeSantises will test the question of whether their equal partnership will be alluring to women voters, especially moms. It's an appeal that could matter against Trump, who lost suburban women in 2020. "I think it's very compelling to young professional women who have young children," Jennifer Stoddard Hajdu, chairwoman of the Dallas County Republican Party, told Insider. "I think they look at her and say, 'That's awesome. She knows what I'm going through. She understands the challenges.'" But the pitch will and has hit criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Polarizing policies in Florida risk undermining the overtures, particularly in a general election and as US suburbs have become more diverse. Some big donors openly worry that DeSantis went too far by signing a nearly all-out abortion ban into law in Florida, or that he risks alienating voters with his ceaseless, bitter crusade against Walt Disney World. Offering a preview of how President Joe Biden would attack DeSantis over his purported pro-family stance, the White House has called the governor "shameful" for loosening gun laws in the wake of another school shooting and "cruel" for using vulnerable migrants, including women and children, in a political stunt. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, and his wife Casey are escorted to their seats for a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, not in picture, at Iikura Guest House in Tokyo last month. Eugene Hoshiko, Pool/AP Photo 'You can tell he respects her opinion' Casey DeSantis, 42, has long been at the forefront of DeSantis' political and policy operation, ever since she appeared alongside him to knock on doors and drudge up support for his successful 2012 congressional run. During a fireside chat in Butler County, Ohio, the Florida governor said his wife won over more people than he did. "They looked at her and it's like, 'Well, if he was good enough to get her to marry him, he's probably good enough for Congress,'" he said as Casey DeSantis sat beaming across from him. Casey DeSantis is viewed as more politically savvy and likeable than her husband, someone instrumental to his electoral success, Insider previously reported. Together, they're known to be careful about whom to trust. She both softens his image and hardens his positions, echoing his message through her own voice at events and on social media. Reflecting on her husband's successful 2022 reelection campaign before an audience in Spartansburg, South Carolina, Casey DeSantis said women voters were "fired up" about "parental rights in education," a term coined by conservatives to refer to controversial state restrictions in public schools on how LGBTQ topics and racial relations are taught. "They did not want woke ideology shoved down the throats of their five years olds while they were in school," Casey DeSantis said. "They said full stop that they didn't want it. So they were very proud that the governor was standing up for that." She channeled the schools platform in 2022 to mobilize 1.1 million mothers and grandmothers to support her husband through her "Mamas for DeSantis" campaign initiative. Making the political personal, she then starred in an emotional campaign ad about how the governor supported her and took care of their children during her cancer treatment. The result? DeSantis won female voters by 9% over his Democratic challenger, former US Rep. Charlie Crist. "It speaks to her ability to rally, organize, and inspire women and mothers to support her husband," Justin Sayfie, a partner at the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, told Insider. Whether the messaging will play nationally is still an open question. As DeSantis prepared to launch a presidential bid that officially began Wednesday, the rest of the country, and even parts of the world, were just starting to get to know Casey DeSantis. The DeSantises first used the fireside chat format in a Sirius XM Patriot radio interview that kicked off the governor's book tour. In early March, they did it again during a Palm Beach GOP event and another in Dallas, Texas, which has a particularly strong GOP women presence. "You could see him coming home at night, whether as governor of Florida or president of the United States, and saying, 'Casey, this is what happened today. What do you think?' You can tell he respects her opinion," Stoddard Hajdu said of the impression she had following the event in Dallas. Jennifer Carroll, who used to be a guest host on Casey DeSantis' Jacksonville talk show, saw the first lady's fingerprints on the events. "I bet you it was her idea," Carroll, who was lieutenant governor to DeSantis' predecessor now-US Sen. Rick Scott told Insider. Appearing onstage together and traveling to events with their children shows "they are working in unison to take care of their family at the same time as their obligations on the political front," Carroll said. "You still have your traditionalists that want to see a wholesome family, want to see someone without the drama of extramarital affairs and the context that goes along with that," Carroll said. "Those people may gravitate to a DeSantis presidential candidacy and the wholesome appearance of his family. " The press reviews were mixed as the DeSantis presidential campaign neared its launch. At the end of April, Casey DeSantis accompanied her husband on an international trade mission. Tabloids swooned over her glamour and fashion. But other outlets, such as Jezebel, have been unimpressed with her outfits in the past, accusing her of cosplaying as FLOTUS and carrying "the glow of weaponized white female grievance." Indeed, not everyone has embraced Casey DeSantis' deep involvement, and in at least some cases it underscores the delicate balance women in US politics still face in how to present themselves. Politico, for instance, quoted sources complaining she was too influential in her husband's operation. Sexist assumptions about gender roles can arise when a wife is an important and powerful adviser to male politicians, presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky told Insider. "People tend to get uncomfortable with that," when it comes to first ladies, she said. "There's this trope of taking on too much power and authority as though that job has been defined in any way which it hasn't," she said. In a New York Post interview published Monday, Casey DeSantis said she would "move mountains" to help her husband. Asked about criticism regarding her appearance, the cancer survivor brushed it off with, "I'm lucky to even have hair." Florida first lady Casey DeSantis stands next to her husband, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as he campaigns for re-election during a "Unite and Win" rally on the eve of the US midterm elections, at Hialeah Park Clubhouse, in Hialeah, Florida, in November. Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images 'It's very clear she's his closest adviser' Trump is already trying to shatter the DeSantis' carefully crafted family man image. After DeSantis taunted Trump in March, saying he wouldn't know "what goes into paying hush money to a porn star," the ex-president insinuated on Truth Social, without evidence, that DeSantis was gay and involved with minors. It's too early in the election to know whether 2024 voters yearn for the appearance of a picture-perfect family in the White House, or if they'll overlook a politician's personal life and gravitate, as they did in 2016, to Trump. As first lady, Melania Trump famously delayed a move from New York to DC so her son, Barron, could finish his school year. While she took on a "Be Best" initiative focused on bullying and addiction, she admitted in confidence to a former friend that she found certain FLOTUS duties mundane, saying, "Who gives a f-ck about the Christmas stuff and decorations?" The Trump campaign didn't respond to a request for comment. Trump told The Messenger that his wife was "very enthused" about his 2024 run and she provided a statement to Fox News saying Trump had her support. But she hasn't yet appeared at a 2024 Trump campaign rally. His first daughter, Ivanka Trump who took on some of the duties generally associated with a first lady during the Trump administration bowed out of the 2024 contest to focus on her children. The way adversaries and the media portray political couples can be "brutal and unpleasant," Carole Crist, who was married to Crist when he was governor of Florida, told Insider. The job requires spouses to be supportive "through everything," she said. "It's something that maybe on the outside people think is so glamorous, but they forget the grind," she said. "It's a lot of work. It's a big commitment, and it's public service." To Republican women who have organized fundraisers featuring the DeSantises, the prominence of Casey DeSantis is all positive. "Not one negative comment" followed the duo's appearance in Charleston, South Carolina, Tara Wood, who chairs the area's Moms for Liberty group and helped organize an event there, said. "I had some people tell me that, if he were to run, they were questioning whether they would support him," Wood said. "But after that event they were 100% on board. That's how effective it was." Carroll said that, to her, the equal partnership on display sent a positive assurance about DeSantis to women voters, showing he was "confident" and "secure in who he is" in sharing the limelight with his wife. "I don't see any downside," Crist said. "Why wouldn't you want your best friend, your closest advisor, your family, by your side wherever you go? Wouldn't that uplift you and help you do the best job possible?" Casey DeSantis seems to represent a triad of first-lady models that have appeared throughout history: embracing the role of hostess and mother, that of adviser, and also being a political player in her own right, Chervinsky, the presidential historian, told Insider. "What was most obvious to me is how very closely in tune they are to one another," she said of the DeSantises. "It's very clear that she's his closest adviser and they're very much in lockstep. Whether that works for a national campaign, I don't know. But I think as a dynamic it's very much on display." Event organizers shared glimpses behind the scenes with Insider, too. The DeSantis operation couldn't confirm until the last minute that Casey DeSantis would appear in South Carolina, cautioning that if anything were to come up with one of her three children then she would be prioritizing their needs. Her team also reached out ahead of the Dallas event inquiring about places her children might enjoy visiting. "Regardless of your political persuasion, a lot of us are ready for a younger leader," Stoddard Hajdu said. "It really hits home that they're from a different generation." Read the original article on Business Insider Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss faulty 2024 launch has raised the question of whether hes really the Republican best equipped to take on former President Trump in the primary. DeSantis announced his presidential campaign on Twitter Spaces on Wednesday alongside Elon Musk, but the event was disrupted by technical glitches and largely mocked by critics afterward. Republicans who would like to see someone other than Trump win the partys nomination largely believe DeSantis has what it takes to win; DeSantiss campaign said he raised $1 million within an hour of launching. Then, Thursday, the campaign revealed it raised a whopping $8.2 million within 24 hours of launching. Thats an enormous haul for the first 24 hours and shows that there are thousands of donors big and small behind the governor, said Dan Eberhart, a DeSantis donor who said he was in the room for the raise. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage But the rocky rollout of his campaign on Twitter, as well as his dwindling poll numbers over the last several months, have dented his reputation and handed some of his rivals an easy opening to attack him. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R), who is trailing much of the primary field in the polls, tweeted a fundraising link Wednesday, writing Just like my policies, this link works. Meanwhile, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haleys campaign press secretary tweeted a video during DeSantiss launch harkening back to our incredible campaign launch. But the attacks on DeSantis from some of the other candidates in the field have been coming since before he launched his campaign. On Tuesday, Haleys campaign released a memo labeling DeSantis as Trump without the charm and accusing him of having an inability to interact directly with voters. The tone of Haleys teams emails to the press has also become noticeably snarkier toward DeSantis. On Wednesday, Haleys team highlighted her next campaign stops in New Hampshire with the subject line Theres TwitterAnd Theres New Hampshire. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy jabbed at DeSantis in a tweet ahead of the announcement for having DeSantis donor David Sacks moderate his conversation with Musk. Interested to know whether [Ron DeSantis] wouldve supported the bailout of Silicon Valley Bank depositors, Ramaswamy tweeted. Since his megadonor [David Sacks] was the most vocal supporter of that bailout & hes moderating the Twitter Spaces with Ron tonight, he should ask. A legitimate policy question for a Presidential candidate. However, DeSantis and his allies are brushing off the criticism for the event. When asked about the Twitter launch in an interview with Newsmax on Thursday, DeSantis said, Im actually not a big social media guy. I would rather watch you than be on some app, but it is important for a lot of people, he said. The governor also noted that there were more people that tried to sign up than even what Twitter had anticipated, which his campaign has touted. On Thursday, the campaign tweeted a link to merchandise, writing Breaking Twitter was just the warmupHelp us break Washington next. The Twitter announcement had roughly 300,000 concurrent listeners and 3.4 million total listeners as of Thursday. DeSantis allies have also pointed to his interview on Fox News, which averaged 2 million viewers, following his Twitter Spaces conversation. I thought the governor did a tremendous job of outlining not only who he is but also his vision for the country, said Republican pollster Robert Blizzard, who is doing work with the DeSantis campaign. When you think about whos the audience here, its Iowa and New Hampshire Republican primary voters. And many supporters and critics of DeSantis have been quick to point out that his conversation with Musk on Twitter likely will not resonate with voters in the early contest states. The handwringing and bed-wetting from a few folks out there is not rational, said Jason Cabel Roe, a Republican strategist. I dont think that there is anyone in the professional political class that doesnt understand that a new platform within the Twitter platform having a technical difficulty is not, per se, Ron DeSantis or his campaigns fault. Its Twitters fault. That hasnt stopped the former president from badgering DeSantis over the event. Trump called DeSantiss launch a disaster in a post on his social media platform Truth Social and posted a doctored video on Instagram of a rocket launching and quickly exploding with Ron! 2024 on it. DeSantis responded to Trumps criticism, telling The Pulse of New Hampshire on Thursday that Trump understands that Ive got a good chance to beat him, because he doesnt criticize anybody else now. Its only me. But others say Trump will likely continue to invoke the Twitter launch in an effort to mar the Florida governor. The issue here is going to be the spin of the event, said Ford OConnell, a Florida-based Republican strategist. If you are the Trump team, youre basically going to say, If he isnt ready to launch, then he isnt ready to run the country. The latest onslaught of attacks from Trump and his team is part of an effort to define the governor for primary voters before DeSantis has a chance to fully reach the Republican primary electorate. It just wasnt the best opening for them. I think theyre going to try to move forward, said one GOP strategist. I think the issue theyre going to have is trying to turn the narrative around thats not going to happen unless they win Iowa. An Emerson College survey published Thursday showed Trump with a massive 42-point lead over DeSantis among Iowa Republican Caucus voters. DeSantiss allies have acknowledged the former presidents lead but say that the race is much tighter than what Emerson College reported. Theres been other polls out there that have the race much tighter, Blizzard said. I dont buy for a minute that thats any semblance of reality in Iowa. I think its been crystal clear for months that this is a two-man race, he said. DeSantiss effort to reach Republican primary voters in early states is just beginning. On Thursday, the campaign announced its first early-state blitz, dubbed Our Great American Comeback Tour. The tour will kick off in Iowa on Tuesday and include stops in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Everybody wants this election to be tomorrow, but its not. Its a primary process, said Alex Stroman, a South Carolina Republican strategist. I dont think that any of the candidates announcements have shown anything except that the race is wide open and wont be decided on cable TV and within the echo chamber on Twitter. Blizzard echoed that point, saying the conversation taking place around the campaign will change by the Iowa Caucuses. Were what, five, six, seven months away from the Iowa Caucus? Blizzard said. I dont think anybody will be talking about this in a week or so. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Donald Trump, both declared candidates in the 2024 presidential election, are swatting back and forth at each other over how each handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Though most critics of Trumps actions during the pandemic have accused him of undermining public health guidance, downplaying the severity of the disease and pushing a litany of unverified treatments, DeSantis claimed during a podcast appearance Thursday that Trump had actually delegated too much power to Dr. Anthony Fauci, then the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, throughout the pandemic. I think he did great for three years, but when he turned the country over to Fauci in March of 2020, that destroyed millions of peoples lives, DeSantis said of Trump on The Glenn Beck Program, a day after announcing his candidacy. And in Florida, we were one of the few that stood up, cut against the grain, took incoming fire from media, bureaucracy, the left, even a lot of Republicans, had school open, preserved businesses. In reality, Florida had the third-highest number of COVID-related deaths in 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In terms of deaths per capita, Florida ranked 18th among the states for that year. In general, blue states had the lower rates of deaths while red states had the highest, data shows. Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis talk to each other at a 2018 Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis talk to each other at a 2018 "Make America Great Again" rally in Tampa, Florida, when DeSantis was running for governor. Trump also repeatedlyignored and undermined Faucis guidance on the pandemic and loudly criticized him when the doctors comments on the health crisis veered from Trumps vision for reopening the economy. In a campaign video Thursday, Trump took his own swipe at DeSantis, saying he was the one who poorly managed the COVID-19 response. When the Ron DeSanctimonious facts come out, you will see that he is better than most Democrat governors but very average, at best, compared to Republican governors, who have done a fantastic job, Trump said in a campaign video. Even [former New York Gov. Andrew] Cuomo did better, Trump hurled at DeSantis, referencing COVID-19 deaths in each state. He shut down everything, including the beaches. From a public health perspective, neither Trumpnor DeSantis did a good job of protecting people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and both put many people at risk for the sake of political gain, critics and infectious disease experts say. DeSantis jabbed at Trump again during an appearance on The Ben Shapiro Show on Friday. He responded [to the pandemic] by elevating Anthony Fauci and really turning over the reins to Dr. Fauci, and I think to terrible consequences for the United States. DeSantis asserted that he would have ousted Fauci had he been in Trumps position during the first years of the pandemic. If Im president somebody like Fauci is in the government, I will bring them in and I will tell them two things. Youre fired, the Florida governor said, even though the president would not actually have the power to directly fire someone like Fauci, who was not a political appointee. Related... DeSantis's team would have 'preferred the internet had not broken' during the governor's campaign announcement on Twitter, leaked audio shows Ron DeSantis. Executive Office of the Governor, State of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's campaign team held a donor briefing on Thursday at Four Seasons Hotel Miami. The event was held a day after the governor's glitch-filled campaign announcement on Twitter. Members of the campaign team gave talking points on how to spin the Twitter meltdown. Ron DeSantis's supporters have been playing up the 2024 candidate's fundraising haul after his glitch-filled presidential campaign launch on Twitter, but his team would have preferred if the servers didn't have a meltdown in the middle of Wednesday's announcement, leaked audio obtained by FloridaPolitics.com reveals. During a donor briefing held on Thursday at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Miami, DeSantis's campaign team responded to a question about the Twitter event that was supposed to kick off DeSantis's highly anticipated 2024 presidential run. Instead, the announcement was marred with crashes, awkward silences, and standby music as nearly 500,000 people attempted to tune in. "We all know we definitely would have preferred that the internet had not broken, without question," a member of DeSantis's campaign team said in the audio. "We didn't script it that way." The rocky launch quickly provided fodder for the governor's main rival, Donald Trump. "Wow! The DeSanctus TWITTER launch is a DISASTER! His whole campaign will be a disaster," Trump wrote on Truth, his social media platform. "WATCH!" Trump's responses also gave a preview of how AI technology will be used to attack candidates. In an Instagram post, Trump shared a video mocking the event by using AI-generated voices of Musk and DeSantis. Other characters featured were George Soros, Adolf Hitler, and "The Devil." But DeSantis' camp has tried to downplay the technical hiccups of the event and focus on the money that was raised following the governor's announcement. In 24 hours, the campaign raised more than $8 million through online donations and donors. DeSantis spokespersons Bryan Griffin and Christina Pushaw shared a New York Times article reporting the numbers. Overall, the campaign has cast the Twitter malfunction as a sign of overwhelming interest in a DeSantis presidential run. By Thursday afternoon, the campaign was selling merch about the event. During the donor planning session and presentation, DeSantis's campaign also provided a few perspectives and talking points to spin the Twitter event as a beneficial moment for the governor. One team member surmised that most candidates would have "melted" under the pressure of people waiting for the announcement to kick off. He also supposed that most campaign teams would have had someone on the phone, speaking to a reporter and "leaking to throw someone under the bus" before the event was over "and that didn't happen." Accounting for the extensive media coverage of the Twitter debacle, a DeSantis campaign team member concluded that the announcement was successful and argued that DeSantis was "willing to engage on substance" regarding policy. "The goal last night was the largest reach possible and we achieved that," he said. A spokesperson for DeSantis did not return a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider On an early January afternoon, a South Korean fishing boat, the Oyang 77, departed from Montevideo, Uruguay, for the plentiful waters off the coast of Argentina. A month later, it would be apprehended by the coast guard for illegal fishing. As it intruded into Argentina's territorial waters, the boat left a telltale digital signature, one that could be used to catch outlaw fishermen across the planet. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. The Oyang 77 headed out to sea before turning southwest to track the Argentine coast. On Jan. 10, 2019, it turned off its location transponder and disappeared. Over the next 17 days, the vessel disabled its transponder eight more times. Its precise whereabouts during the gaps in its location data are unknown. Finally, on Feb. 7, the Oyang 77 reappeared and made a beeline for Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. It was escorted by the coast guard, under arrest for illegally fishing in Argentine waters. Commercial fishermen regularly disable their location transponders, sometimes for innocent reasons, but often to hide illegal activity. Researchers and government officials say the gaps in transponder data can be used to track illegal fishing - and to fight back. Today's high seas are a bit like the Old West: a wilderness too vast to police, offering riches to those with a tolerance for danger and, sometimes, a dubious commitment to the law. Why it matters: - It's bad. In part due to illegal fishing, more than one third of the world's fishery stocks have fallen below biologically sustainable levels, threatening the more than 3 billion people who depend on seafood for animal protein and further imperiling maritime ecosystems already stressed by elevated levels of carbon dioxide. - It's rampant. Seafood is one of the last animal proteins that people hunt in large quantities. Although farmed seafood has grown to more than half of global consumption, more than one hundred million tons are caught in the wild every year. By one estimate, illegal and unreported fishing accounts for one-fifth of that total. - It's on your store shelves. As much as 11 percent of U.S. seafood imports came from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. A stark reality confronts anyone who seeks to rein in bad behavior on the ocean: it is very, very big. To pinpoint where in the haystack to search for needles, a team of data scientists and machine learning engineers called Global Fishing Watch collects data from fishing boats' Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders, whose signals are picked up by satellites and land-based receivers. Recently, the team at Global Fishing Watch had a novel idea: instead of looking for where fishing boats broadcast their positions, what if they looked for where they hid them? "The AIS data tells us a lot, but the absence of it does as well," Tyler Clavelle, a data scientist at Global Fishing Watch, told me. Together with scientists from the University of California at Santa Cruz and NOAA Fisheries, Global Fishing Watch analyzed more than 28 billion AIS signals from 2017 to 2019. The researchers identified more than 55,000 gaps in the data and discovered that disabled transponders hide about 6 percent of the globe's commercial fishing activity. Fishing boats often hide their signals on the edge of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundaries, where countries have the right to exploit the resources within 200 nautical miles off their shoreline. That's just what the Oyang 77 did in early 2019 when it vanished and reappeared near the boundary of Argentina's EEZ. The South Korean-flagged trawler belonged to the fleet operated by the Sajo Oyang corporation, notorious for its record of high seas transgressions, as documented by The Guardian. In recent years, the Oyang 77 had gotten in trouble in New Zealand for illegally dumping dead fish overboard, underreporting catch and failing to pay workers, according to a report from Oceana, a nonprofit focused on ocean conservancy. In February 2019, the Argentine Coast Guard discovered the trawler with its nets extended inside the EEZ. They found more than 310,000 pounds of seafood on board. Leaving nothing to chance, they deployed a helicopter and an airplane to assist the Coast Guard in escorting the Oyang 77 to shore, releasing it after confiscating its fishing equipment and extracting a fine of 25 million Argentine pesos, or about $550,000. Sajo Oyang did not respond to multiple requests to comment. Global Fishing Watch's data did not help catch the Oyang 77, but patrol boats from the U.S. Coast Guard and Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans already make use of it to decide which boats to pursue. Countries inspecting fishing boats in port can use Global Fishing Watch's analytical tools to narrow their search. "You can look up a vessel and see a history of its activity and quickly filter out vessels that appear to be operating above board, or identify vessels that have big gaps in their data or are operating in ways that are suspicious," Clavelle said. Using ships' AIS data to enforce illegal fishing laws is not as easy as it sounds. AIS is not universally mandated aboard commercial fishing boats. Many fleets, including U.S. fishing boats, are tracked with a separate technology called the Vessel Monitoring System, which is visible to authorities but hidden from other vessels. AIS was created in the 1990s as a way to keep oil tankers from crashing. In the 2000s, private companies began launching satellites that could capture AIS signals from space, and a new industry emerged to supply government agencies with ships' location data. Yet even law-abiding fisherman sometimes wish to hide their location, either to conceal good fishing spots from competitors or to avoid capture in waters where pirates lurk. "We thought we might have a pure illegal fishing story," said Heather Welch, a NOAA affiliate and marine biologist at UC Santa Cruz, who led the research with Global Fishing Watch. "And it became very clear that that's not fair to the fishermen, that that's not the story we're seeing here." The researchers used a method of machine learning to separate the innocent AIS disabling from the nefarious. For instance, behavior that could have looked like statistical noise appeared to the researchers' computer program as "loitering," when boats with disabled transponders were motionless long enough to offload their catch to giant floating refrigerators called reefers. This is not always illegal, but it can be a way for boats with illegal catch to get rid of the evidence. "It's a way to launder illegally caught seafood into the supply chain," Welch told me. That makes it harder to know whether the fish at the grocery store was caught legally or not. The analysis could help coast guards pinpoint where and when illegal transshipment is likely to take place. Some in the fishing industry say that the rise of farmed seafood will reduce the opportunities for illegal fishing. The share of seafood from aquaculture grew from 6 percent in 1960 to 58 percent today, according to figures from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. That share is likely to keep rising, said Gavin Gibbons, vice president of communications at the National Fisheries Institute, an industry lobby. "There's only going to be more farmed going forward. Period. End of story," Gibbons told me. "Farming will have to increase in order to feed a growing planet." Yet aquaculture has only kept pace with the growth in seafood consumption and has not replaced wild caught seafood. Since the 1990s, wild seafood catch has stayed steady at about 100 million tons per year. In short, fish farming has not lowered the pressure on wild marine life. Even if aquaculture continues to grow, there will always be demand for wild caught fish, which many people prefer to the farmed variety. If aquaculture is not the solution to overfishing on the high seas, perhaps technology is. Global Fishing Watch and allies like Oceana, which co-founded the project in 2015, have pushed to require AIS on more commercial fishing boats. Global Fishing Watch's next goal is to learn to detect fishing boats directly from satellite imagery, which would reveal far more activity than AIS signals alone. "What gets monitored gets managed," Clavelle told me. "So if you can't see what's happening on the ocean, how do you expect to manage it properly?" Related Content How Michael Phelps learned to make the right calls A year after Uvalde, officers who botched response face few consequences Objection to sexual, LGBTQ content propels spike in book challenges Filmmaker So Yun Um, center, poses for photos before the L.A. premier of her documentary,"Liquor Store Dreams," which features her father, Henry, right, and Danny Park, left. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Asian American political discourse sometimes reminds me of the arguments I had with my parents as a kid. We get angry but it's hard to talk about why. We use the same words but mean different things. Languages get in the way. And the hardest part is just starting the conversation, because sometimes it feels like we don't ever get to know each other on a personal level. So when I saw the documentary "Liquor Store Dreams," it was a balm to these frustrations. The film follows So Yun Um and her father Henry, a liquor store owner in Hawthorne, during a period that includes the summer of protests over the death of George Floyd and the 30th anniversary of the 1992 L.A. riots. The documentary also follows 39-year old Danny Park, another liquor store baby running his parents convenience store in Skid Row, whom I wrote about last year. So films their arguments about the reasons behind property damage at Black Lives Matter protests and anti-Black racism in the Asian American community. I've tried to have these conversations with my own parents, so I know how difficult and messy they can be. But "Liquor Store Dreams" makes these discussions beautiful, entertaining, and even funny. Filmmaker So Yun Um, center, meets with people attending the L.A. premiere of her documentary, "Liquor Store Dreams," at the Gardena Cinema on May 10, 2023. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) So begins the film with her complicated reactions to the '90s-era Hollywood archetype of the racist Korean shopkeeper, referenced in films such as Spike Lees Do the Right Thing and Dont Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, starring the Wayans brothers. She captures her family in unguarded moments of real candor. Some of the documentarys most compelling footage shows Henry, 66, watching the news the night violent protests broke out across Los Angeles in the summer of 2020. They argue, and some of the remembered trauma of being a liquor store owner during the 1992 L.A. riots shows in her fathers fear and anger. But shouting matches are balanced with moments of quiet intimacy, father and daughter balanced on stools, eating home-cooked stew out of plastic microwave rice trays in the back of the liquor store. At times they hand off the camera to each other, trading roles as subject and interviewer. Their fondness for each other shines through the conflict. I met So and Henry at their home in the South Bay earlier this month, just before the Los Angeles premiere of the documentary, now available on demand and streaming on PBS.org starting July 10. So and Henry form a striking contrast. Ive met her a few times for interviews over the past two years, and each time her hair has been a different color today its pastel pink. Henry is dressed for a business meeting, in plain metal-rimmed glasses and a beige suit jacket over a black turtleneck. So is in a black gown with puffy mesh sleeves. Though they understand each other better after making the film, disagreements persist, So said. My dad lives on this principle of, work hard, dont steal and other things. Which is great. But I have to tell him, his experience isnt universal, So said. Henrys days of running the liquor store in a high crime area are still vivid memories, though he closed the store and retired last year. He still wonders how someone could be so thirsty that they would open a drink and start drinking before paying for it. When he came to America and struggled to make a living, he used to go three days without food, and even then, he wouldnt do that. But So appreciates that her father is trying to put himself in the shoes of his customers. He understands that calling the police could have put his Black customers in danger, and he tried to avoid it most of the time. I trust my daughter, no matter what, Henry said. Already when she was young, she was very responsible and mature. In the quest to articulate an Asian American political identity over these past few years, I wonder if we plan to include our parents. More than half of Asian Americans are immigrants who were born speaking a different language. And in large part, these are the people who need the most help. Filmmaker So Yun Eum, right, has produced a documentary called "Liquor Store Dreams," which features her father, Henry, left. She is a second-generation Korean American and the film is about the Korean American merchant class. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) It's immigrants and senior citizens who are most harmed by racism; who are most likely to end up waiting alone at a bus stop at night or working long hours at a liquor store. People who can't speak English can't use social media to voice their concerns or participate in public forums. These people, their neighborhoods and their issues are largely absent from this new era of media representation. There's a persistent disconnect in the ways we define the Asian American community, and these generational divides risk becoming walls. That's why I found hope in "Liquor Store Dreams." If there's any chance of reconciling Asian American political disagreements, it will be through the kind of love and empathy So and Henry share in the film. So knows not everyone can get closer to their parents by making a film. But shes hoping to create some educational materials and work with some Korean churches to disseminate the film in the Korean American community and keep the conversation going. While I was waiting in line for the premiere, I met another liquor store kid, Andy Kim, 45, now a doctor who works in Koreatown. His father ran Tonys Liquor in Mid City and eventually took over the other businesses in the strip mall and ran those too. He was rarely home, and Kim says their relationship was one of those typical Korean parent things where they dont really say anything. The violence of the L.A. riots scared his father, and Andys parents tried to raise him outside of Korean culture because they thought he would be safer. They attended a white church on the Westside and kept him away from the liquor store. Kim never learned to speak Korean properly and hardly knew his father. I was raised white basically. I didnt really have a concept of how bitter race relations were at the time, Kim said. He forged a new relationship with Korean culture as an adult, eventually moving his medical practice from downtown to Koreatown and trying to relearn the language. He reached the age where he began to wonder who his parents were as young adults. One day in 2017, Kim decided to call his father and try to work things out. He apologized for complaining about the liquor store as a kid, and thanked his father for working so hard. His father didnt exactly respond in kind, but Kim is glad that he finally had the conversation. His father died the next day. Everyone said, thats what he was waiting for. That he needed to hear that before leaving. And I hope that he did, Kim said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Ash and smoke billow from Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano In the foothills of Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano, locals have their own beliefs about why ash is recently raining down on them -- and it has little to do with conventional science. According to legend, the spirit of the volcano located 70 kilometers (about 45 miles) southeast of Mexico City is embodied by a man known locally as "Don Goyo." And when he gets upset, "El Popo" starts to rumble as it has for more than a week. "Don Goyo's angry because they didn't put out his offering," said Jose Luis, a 55-year-old charcoal seller in Xalitzintla, the community closest to Popocatepetl. Some residents even report having seen the mountain incarnate appear before them. Jose Marcos said that when he was a child, Don Goyo -- full name Gregorio Chino Popocatepetl -- came to his house for a glass of water and a taco. "We asked him 'who are you?' He said: 'Don't you know me? I'm Gregorio Chino Popocatepetl. I'm the volcano,'" the 77-year-old farmer said. Every year on March 12, residents mark the day known as Don Goyo's birthday. Hundreds of people approach the crater to offer typical dishes, liquor, flowers and clothes, and sing a traditional song. This year, however, authorities restricted access to the site due to the increased danger, dismaying locals who warned that it would anger the mountain's spirit. "We've already asked Don Goyo to wait for us until next year," local mayor Gumaro Sandre Popoca told AFP. - Tragic love story - Life in Xalitzintla, home to about 2,000 inhabitants, revolves around volcanoes. The walls are dotted with images of Popocatepetl and the neighboring Iztaccihuatl volcano. Mediums who claim to communicate with "Don Goyo" are influential figures in the community. One of them, Nazario Castro, blames people who enter the exclusion zone to take selfies for upsetting the volcano. "They're provoking it because they go up" to take pictures and "it starts to thunder," Castro said. Isabel, a restaurant owner in the town, said that as an 11-year-old girl she also saw the man who embodies Popocatepetl. "He comes down from the mountain. He's tall, with white hair and green eyes," she said. "He scared me. I ran home and got under the bed," added the 54-year-old, who did not want to give her full name for fear of being called a "gossip." But she enthusiastically recounted a pre-Hispanic love story involving Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. According to legend, Iztaccihuatl ("white woman" in the Indigenous Nahuatl language) was the daughter of a local chief who fell in love with a handsome warrior called Popocatepetl ("smoking mountain"). But Popocatepetl was sent to war and a lovelorn Iztaccihuatl died of grief. When the warrior returned, he found her body and carried it to the mountain, where both were covered with snow and became majestic volcanoes. For the past week, "El Popo," which awoke from decades of slumber in 1994, has unnerved locals with several explosions and repeated emissions of ash, gasses and molten rock. Authorities increased their warning level to one step below red alert, which, if reached, would mean evacuation for thousands of people living near the volcano. While some residents have already left as a precaution, others prefer to stay. "We're not afraid," said Eufemia de Jesus Ramos, who sells birds at an animal market in San Andres Calpan, about 25 kilometers from Popocatepetl. "If we leave, the thieves will take advantage of it," the 65-year-old said. sem-dr/tjj Donald Trump Jr has shared a seemingly AI-generated clip of Ron DeSantis edited into the role of Steve Carells Michael Scott in The Office in a clip in which the character is mocked for wearing a womans suit. Imagine when next time its not an obvious spoof from The Office but an attempt to depict itself as legitimate and much more nefarious, CNNs Jake Tapper tweeted. Don Jr among others has shared this video. I dont think any of us are ready for this next election online, Alex Thompson of Axios said. Democratic consultant Tim Hogan added that Folks, we simply are not ready for the 2024 GOP primary memes. Rhonda Santis is a perfect drag name, just saying, Mr Hogan tweeted. Philip Germain at the Lincoln Project added: I am once again asking for Steve Carrell to play DeSantis on SNL. I for one welcome the onslaught of election-season deepfakes, Jesse Walker of Reason magazine wrote. Don Jr. among others has shared this video. I dont think any of us are ready for this next election online. pic.twitter.com/LJCNw16VvT Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) May 27, 2023 As the mockery continued of Mr DeSantiss glitch-ridden campaign launch, the Florida governor began to push back. He slammed his main rival for the 2024 GOP nomination, former President Donald Trump, claiming he is a different guy than when he first ran for president. Mr Trump is leading all other Republican candidates for the partys presidential nomination, with Mr DeSantis running in second place, according to polls. Mr DeSantis officially embarked on his own bid for the White House earlier this week in a chaotic Twitter Spaces event with billionaire Elon Musk. The governor told radio host Matt Murphy that he was running to the right of Mr Trump and portrayed himself as more conservative, according to USA Today. It seems like hes running to the left and I have always been somebody thats just been moored in conservative principles, said Mr DeSantis. So these will be interesting debates to have, but I can tell you, you dont win nationally by moving to the left, you win nationally by standing for bold policy. We showed that in Florida. I never watered down anything I did. And Mr DeSantis claimed that Mr Trump is not the same person who first ran for office. I dont know what happened to Donald Trump this is a different guy today than when he was running in 2015 and 2016 and I think the direction that hes going with his campaign is the wrong direction, Mr DeSantis said. And he attacked Mr Trump over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic while in office. I think [Trump] did great for three years, but when he turned the country over to Fauci in March of 2020 that destroyed millions of peoples lives, Mr DeSantis said on a podcast. And in Florida, we were one of the few that stood up, cut against the grain, took incoming fire from media, bureaucracy, the left, even a lot of Republicans, had school open, preserved businesses. Donald Trump Jr. tweeted an AI-generated video of Ron DeSantis as Michael Scott from 'The Office,' in a clip where the character is wearing a woman's suit An AI-generated Ron DeSantis appears in place of Michael Scott. C3PMeme/Twitter Don Trump Jr. re-tweeted a AI-generated clip of Ron DeSantis appearing as Michael Scott in "The Office." In the clip, the character is ridiculed by his coworkers for wearing a woman's suit. CNN's Jake Tapper warned in a tweet that AI images like this could become "much more nefarious." Donald Trump Jr. re-tweeted an AI-generated video showing Ron DeSantis as Michael Scott in a clip from "The Office" where the character is wearing a woman's suit. In a bizarre attempt to insult his father's 2024 presidential competitor, Trump Jr. re-posted the video with the caption, "DeSantis does seem to spend a lot of time in high heels." The clip was originally shared by a meme account called C3PMeme, which regularly posts AI-generated videos. In the clip, Ron DeSantis's face and voice are superimposed over Michael Scott's the character played by Steve Carell in a scene where Scott is being ridiculed at the office for wearing a woman's suit. At the end of the scene, the AI-generated Ron DeSantis as Michael Scott looks to the camera and says, "Negotations are all about controlling things, about being in the driver's seat. And you make one tiny mistake, you're dead. I made one tiny mistake. I wore women's clothes." Then, an outro image of a cartoon meatball appears next to the words "Ron! 2024," in an apparent reference to Donald Trump's repeated jab at DeSantis, who he calls "Meatball Ron." CNN's Jake Tapper also shared the AI clip, but took a much different stance than Trump Jr., writing, "Imagine when next time it's not an obvious spoof from The Office but an attempt to depict itself as legitimate and much more nefarious." Read the original article on Business Insider Driver arrested after allegedly hitting child with car, driving away in Eaton A person is in jail after allegedly hitting a child with their car and taking off in Preble County. Friday, Eaton Police Division posted a photo of a white pickup truck on social media asking for the publics help in finding the driver. Police said the driver hit a 9-year-old on their bike at South Barron and St.Clair streets. >> Springfield shooting injures at least 1; Officers investigate The car then drove away toward town, according to police. An update to the social media post stated that the suspect was found and arrested with help from the Preble County Sheriffs Office. The identity of the person arrested has not been released, or the charges they face. Information about the injuries the child sustained was also not available. We are working to learn more and will update this story as new information becomes available. Driver who crashed into Downing Street is charged over child abuse images The suspect was initially detained on suspicion of dangerous driving and criminal damage after crashing a silver Kia into the metal gates that protect Downing Street - Lucy North/PA A man who was arrested after a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street has been identified and charged with a separate offence of creating indecent images of children. Seth Kneller, 43, who is from Crewe, was charged with one count of making indecent images of children. He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday, May 27, police confirmed. Kneller was arrested by police in Whitehall, on Thursday, May 25 but was released under investigation. The suspect was initially detained on suspicion of dangerous driving and criminal damage after crashing his 14-year-old silver Kia into the metal gates that protect Downing Street. Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor were in the building at the time of the crash. There have so far been no reports of any injuries and the incident, which continues to be investigated by police, is not being treated as terror-related. Witnesses describe bang Witnesses at the time described a loud bang and the sudden appearance of armed officers surrounding the motorist, who was handcuffed with his face to the floor. A video showed the vehicle slowing down while crossing Whitehall as it approached the entrance to the street. The incident occurred at a time when many civil servants were leaving their offices, while tourists were also in the area. Swathes of Whitehall were closed to the public and vehicles in the immediate aftermath, with cordons set up. At the time of the arrest, Scotland Yard said in a statement: The incident is being dealt with by local officers in Westminster and isnt currently being treated as terror-related. One Metropolitan Police source said early indications were that mental health may have played a part in the suspects actions and that it was not being considered as a serious attempt to ram the Downing Street gates. The Telegraph has contacted Scotland Yard for further comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. An explosion in Russia "Early this morning, an explosion damaged the administrative building of the oil pipeline," the message says. No one was injured. Response teams are currently working at the scene. Read also: Video captures powerful explosions in Russian Krasnodar during night attack on Ukraine The attack was carried out using two UAVs, claimed Vedernikov. Also on May 27, a drone attacked a local Interior Ministry building in the village of Maysky, Belgorod Oblast, Russia. Read also: Russia mistakenly bombs its own city Belgorod rocked with powerful explosion On May 26, another drone attacked a Gazprom building also in Belgorod Oblast, dropping an explosive device. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Two kamikaze drones attacked an oil refinery in the village of Yerokhino, Tver Oblast, Russia, damaging the roof and walls and breaking windows. Source: Kremlin-aligned media outlet TASS; Baza on Telegram Details: The first UAV reportedly appeared at 03:15 and crashed into the building of the oil mill, followed by an explosion that damaged the roof and wall of the building. The second UAV appeared half an hour later, crashing to the ground and exploding. There were no casualties, authorities said. Background: The Yerokhino station serves the Druzhba oil pipeline. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Drunk judge to be detained throughout investigation after killing soldier in traffic incident A National Guardsman died as a result of a road accident An intoxicated Tandyr ran over and killed a 23-year-old National Guard soldier at a checkpoint in Kyiv late on May 25, media reported. The judge was detained for violating of the rules of road safety or operation of transport in a state of alcoholic, narcotic or other intoxication, which caused the death of the victim (part 3 article 286-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The judge denied that he was drunk and said he wasn't aware of how a bottle of alcohol appeared in his car. "Maybe, it has been left from the past," he said. Tandyr didn't deny his involvement in the incident and declared his readiness to bear responsibility if his guilt is proven. The judge's lawyer stated that he did not refuse to provide biological samples. The prosecutor clarified that Tandyr voluntarily took only a part of the tests and the results are still pending. The judge will be held in custody for the duration of the investigation, reported Suspilne. The Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office reported earlier that biological samples were forcibly taken from the judge. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine DWP executive placed on leave amid questions about outside bitcoin business The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power headquarters. (Richard Vogel / Associated Press) A top executive at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has been placed on administrative leave while the utility looks into his involvement in the bitcoin mining industry and whether he complied with ethics rules that require employees to obtain permission for outside work. John Chen, who earns $320,688 as director of the DWPs corporate performance office, owns a company that began doing bitcoin mining in Colorado in 2018, court and business records show. Chen, a 30-year veteran of the DWP, also registered as the manager of a mining data center company in North Dakota in 2018, business records show. Chen was placed on leave last month after The Times asked the DWP about Chen's ventures, according to a source at the utility. A DWP spokesperson declined to comment on Chen's administrative leave. Cynthia McClain-Hill, president of the DWP board of commissioners, called the issue of Chen's outside ventures a "concern." "I would expect that employees at DWP, and in particular employees at his level, would be giving their full-time attention to the city and the citys business," McClain-Hill said. Chen, in an interview with The Times, likened the bitcoin businesses to owning real estate or stock and said he didn't need the utility's permission to work on it. Its an investment, he said. Im not running it. Theres outside staff that are running it." Chens lawyer, Michael Faber, said Chen is exploring all of his options, including the possibility of litigation against the DWP. Bob Stern, who helped draft the city's ethics and public campaign finance laws, said Chens bitcoin work is a problem only if he's not able to perform his DWP job. Is he giving L.A. what hes earning? Is he performing 40 hours a week?" Stern said. Court documents, business records, and news stories about Chen's holdings provide some details about the operation. A company owned by Chen paid $13 million to purchase a former Intel Corp. plant in Colorado Springs in 2018. A different company owned by Chen spent $6.5 million to upgrade the property and increase its electrical capacity, according to documents filed in federal Bankruptcy Court in Colorado. (In December 2020, one of Chen's companies filed for bankruptcy. The case was dismissed several months later.) Chen confirmed that he partnered with Chinese and Singaporean companies on the Colorado venture. Chen also secured an economic development deal with Colorado Springs Utilities, a publicly owned electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services utility, in 2018, to get a reduced rate for electricity. Chen said he chose to invest in Colorado Springs because he was able to get a one-of-a-kind building. He secured a very low rate in Colorado Springs for electricity, he said. In 2018, the general manager of energy supplies at Colorado Springs Utilities was Aram Benyamin. Benyamin and Chen worked together at the DWP before Benyamin was hired by Colorado Springs Utilities in 2015. Benyamin rejoined the DWP last year as its chief operating officer, the No. 2 position at the utility. Benyamin, in an interview, said he had no involvement with Chen's company securing an economic development contract in 2018. Chen said he regularly flew to Colorado, but said that he traveled on my own time. Two employees who worked for Chen's company in Colorado Springs told The Times that Chen visited the site sometimes up to twice a month. Chen made no secret of his business in Colorado Springs. When neighbors there complained about the loud noise from computer cooling fans at the bitcoin mining operation, he gave an interview to the Colorado Springs Independent, promising to plant pine trees to muffle the sound. North Dakota news outlets also covered a massive 2019 fire that burned down a Grand Forks, N.D., warehouse. The warehouse was operated by one of Chen's companies, according to a Grand Forks Fire Department report that was reviewed by The Times. The report estimated that the building had $6 million worth of bitcoin mining equipment inside. Chen joined the DWP in 1990. As director of DWPs corporate performance, he is responsible for ensuring that the utility is transparent and accountable in its work. Times researcher David Shen contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Elon Musk's social security number was found in the 'Tesla files' leaked by a whistleblower, report says Elon Musk is CEO of Tesla. Jim Watson/Getty Images German newspaper Handelsblatt said it received private data from a Tesla whistleblower. Among the leaked information was CEO Elon Musk's social security number, the report said. It also included contact details of customers, as well as information such as staff salaries. Elon Musk's social security number was contained in a huge tranche of data leaked by a Tesla whistleblower, a German newspaper reported Friday. Handelsblatt said it received 100 gigabytes of data including more than 100,000 names and salaries of current and former Tesla employees, along with customers' contact details, and information about the EV maker's production. Insider has not independently verified the documents dubbed the "Tesla files." The data also suggested that Tesla had received about 4,000 customer complaints about problems including the "phantom braking" issue that is under federal investigation, per Handelsblatt. The company told employees to only communicate verbally about complaints so there were no written records, the report added. Last summer, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration widened an investigation into the carmaker after receiving more than 750 complaints from owners who said their Teslas would suddenly brake at high speeds. According to Handelsblatt, the leak could breach Europe's General Data Protection Regulation, which aims to protect the collection and processing of European citizens' information, and could result in a big fine for Tesla. The publication quoted a Tesla lawyer who blamed a "disgruntled former employee" for the breach. Dagmar Hartge, an officer for the data protection office in Brandenburg where Tesla's gigafactory is located, said the data leak was "massive," per The Guardian. The leak comes after Reuters reported in April that some Tesla workers circulated videos internally of vehicle owners taken by cameras in the cars. Hartge, Tesla, and Musk didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours. Are you a Tesla employee with insight to share? Contact this reporter at stabahriti@insider.com or by Twitter DM. Read the original article on Business Insider The shadow chancellor is calling for a "proper windfall" tax on the profits of energy companies Energy firms are making "war profits" from the surge in oil and gas prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the shadow chancellor has said. Rachel Reeves has told the BBC that companies should be "taxed properly". Last year, the government introduced a windfall tax on profits made from extracting oil and gas in the UK to help fund a scheme to lower bills. A Treasury spokesperson said the profits are being used to "ease pressure on families" in the UK. "These funds are being used to hold down people's energy bills and fund one of the most generous cost of living packages in the world- worth 94bn, which is around 3,300 per household this year and last," the spokesperson said. The Energy Profits Levy (EPL), introduced in May last year, is set at 35% and together with other taxes takes the rate on oil and gas companies to 75%. The levy applies to profits made from extracting UK oil and gas, but not from other activities, such as refining oil and selling petrol and diesel on forecourts. However, David Whitehouse, chief executive of OEUK, the offshore industry body which represents oil and gas companies in the north sea, said: "This level of tax discourages investment and undermines our companies, our jobs and our communities." The Labour party has pledged to extend the windfall tax further, but has not indicated by how much. In an interview with the BBC's economics editor Faisal Islam for Newscast, Ms Reeves said: "There needs to be a proper windfall tax on the huge profits the energy giants are making, because while they make huge profits, people are paying huge bills. "Those are the windfalls of war, they should be taxed properly, to help people with a cost-of-living crisis," she added. "They are war profits. The only reason that energy prices rose like that is because of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. And the energy companies have benefited with higher profits on the back of that, and everybody else has been saddled with higher bills. "Those are not profits because of the great ingenuity of the companies... that money should go into helping families with their energy bills and helping businesses who have also seen their bills go up." Earlier this month the energy giant Shell reported profits of 7.6 billion for the first three months of the year. BP posted first quarter profits of 4 billion. The vast majority of both companies' profits are earned overseas and are therefore not covered by the UK's windfall tax. A windfall tax is used to target firms which benefit from something they were not responsible for. Energy firm profits have soared recently, initially due to rising demand after Covid restrictions were lifted, and then because Russia's invasion of Ukraine raised energy prices. Ken Laskin, who paid $50,000 for the right to open up as many Burgerim franchised restaurants as he wanted in Oregon, at home in Spring Hill, Fla., May 5, 2023. (Zack Wittman/The New York Times) When Kenneth Laskin flew to California to meet with executives at Burgerim, a startup chain of restaurants, he was made to feel not just like another prospective franchisee, but like part of a family. The companys executives, he said, made a point one evening of highlighting their common Jewish faith by praying with him in Hebrew. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times At the time, in 2017, Laskin believed he was being offered a plum deal. He paid $50,000 for the right to open up as many Burgerim franchised restaurants as he wanted in Oregon. I got an entire state, Laskin recalled. Today, Burgerim has run into trouble, leaving a trail of financial problems, a lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission and broader regulatory scrutiny of whether protections for franchisees like Laskin are adequate. The challenges highlighted by Burgerim come as franchising continues to grow as a way that people are choosing to start small businesses. There has been rising concern about whether franchisees need more protection in their contracts with franchisers. That concern has found a sympathetic ear in the Biden administration and in several state legislatures, and has resulted in multiple proposed limits on franchisers powers. In the end, Laskin opened only one Burgerim restaurant, in Eugene, Oregon, which closed in 2020 during the pandemic. Since then, Laskin has been depleting his savings to pay the bills. Burgerim, which boasted of having inventive high-quality burgers, has been criticized by former franchisees for making grand promises and poor disclosure about business risks. Of the more than 1,500 franchises Burgerim sold, most never opened, the commission said in a lawsuit that the agency filed last year against the company and its founder in U.S. District Court in California. Peter Bronstein, a lawyer for Oren Loni, who was the companys principal executive in the United States, said that Burgerim made some business mistakes but that it was often trying to help its franchisees succeed. The two sides have been in mediation, according to the court file. Even as the pandemic was still bearing down, the number of franchised establishments in the country grew 2.8% in 2021 and 2% in 2022. That number is expected to increase an additional 2% this year, bringing the total to 805,436 franchises, according to the latest data released by the International Franchise Association, an industry group. As the franchising network expands, so does its contribution to the broader economy. Franchises employed 8.4 million people last year, a 3% increase from 2021. There is historical evidence, according to the International Franchise Association, that the first U.S. franchise dates back to Ben Franklin, who created a network of printing partnerships. Today a fundamental symbiosis drives the business model: Franchisees pay an upfront fee to a franchiser like Dunkin Donuts or Applebees, which gets them access to all of that brands suppliers, advertising and technology. The franchisee can lean on these established systems to get their business up and running quickly rather than having to start from scratch. And the franchiser, in turn, receives the franchising fee, typically tens of thousands of dollars, in addition to a regular royalty payment from the franchisee. Franchising has always been an on-ramp for the middle class to open their own business, said Charlie Chase, the chief executive of FirstService Brands, a franchiser of home renovation and painting services. Over the years, Chase, who has served on the board of directors of the International Franchise Association, said he had helped hundreds of successful franchisees get their start. We have created a lot of millionaires, he said. Still, Chase said he was concerned about how some franchisees were being pushed into businesses without understanding all of the risks. He blames aggressive internet advertising for some of this (Laskin learned about Burgerim from a Facebook advertisement, for example), and also a network of third-party brokers that often push prospective franchisees to buy multiple franchises at a time. The Federal Trade Commission, under the leadership of Lina Khan, is looking broadly at industry practices including disclosure and issues such as franchisers unilaterally changing the terms of an agreement with a franchisee. Franchising can be a good business model, but it can also lead to a lot of harm, Elizabeth Wilkins, the director of the commissions Office of Policy and Planning, said. We are concerned about instances where the promise does not match with reality. We believe there is a significant gap that is worth our investigation. In the case against Burgerim, federal officials said that the company executives told franchisees they would refund their franchise fees if their business did not open, but that many people never got their money back. Bronstein, the lawyer for Loni, said offering refunds was not the best way to run a business. In the years since the 2008 financial crisis and mortgage meltdown, regulators have bolstered protections for consumers by improving disclosure by banks and banning certain fees they can charge. But small businesses, including franchisees, have not benefited from the same extensive regulatory scrutiny. There is a view in the consumer protection world that small businesses do not get the same level of protections as other consumers, said Samuel Levine, the director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection. Yet, consumers and small businesses, including franchisees, face many of the same challenges. That is something we are trying to address. As part of that effort, the FTC is looking at how to apply laws like the Robinson-Patman Act, an antitrust law that prevents large corporations from using discriminatory pricing to take advantage of small businesses. The agency also has proposed a rule banning noncompete clauses in employment contracts and may consider limiting the use of noncompete clauses in franchise agreements. When Laskin bought a franchise, he was not looking to become a millionaire, but rather to build a stable middle-class life. He opened his sole Burgerim store in Oregon in September 2019. But the problems started soon after his grand opening, Laskin said. Burgerim had not established a reliable food distribution system in Oregon, he said, forcing Laskin to fend for himself to supply his restaurant. In trying to help new locations get off the ground, the company never collected royalties from the franchisees, which limited its ability to support its restaurant network over the long term, Bronstein said. Still, he added, there are many Burgerim restaurants that operated successfully. Laskin kept the business going during the pandemic by offering take out. But he couldnt find people to work during the lockdowns, which meant he and his wife ran the entire operation themselves. Laskin, who has severe back pain from years of restaurant work, hoped a franchise would offer him the chance to delegate work to employees and spare his back. But some days, Laskin would return from the burger restaurant at night unable to walk the final few yards up his driveway because of the pain from standing on his feet all day. The Burgerim leadership, Laskin said, provided no support during the pandemic. He closed his restaurant in May 2020 and moved to Florida. Laskin, 57, said that his back problems limited the type of work he can do and that it had been difficult finding work after his burger business closed. The struggles of the former Burgerim franchisees were brought to light in 2020 by the publication Restaurant Business, which focuses on the food service industry, in a series of articles. Some franchisees say improving disclosure or increasing regulations on fee structures will not be a panacea in rooting out the industrys troubled actors. Transparency is a great thing, but I am not sure more disclosure is going to change any outcomes, said Greg Flynn, the founder and chief executive of Flynn Restaurant Group, the largest franchisee in the country with 2,400 locations and 73,000 employees, operating brands like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Panera. There are a lot of stories of franchisees buying into a system and then it goes badly for them, he added. I would just suggest that they might have had a similar experience outside of a franchise system. Laskin says it is not just bad timing or circumstances that were to blame. The system is fundamentally crippled, he said. There is too much secrecy. It shouldnt be this difficult. c.2023 The New York Times Company Remote Lands and Aman Resorts teamed up to create three unique itineraries throughout Asia. Courtesy of Aman Two Asian-based travel companies known for ultra-luxury, Remote Lands and Aman Resorts, have partnered up again for a series of newly announced private jet expeditions, all taking flight this fall, mixing personalized service with upscale touch points throughout the journeys. With three itineraries departing between September and November, each trip is an intimate experience with less than 20 guests jet setting between destinations on an Airbus ACJ 319, only staying at Aman properties. And just to show how exclusive these tours are, each pair of travelers will get their own private car, driver, and guide. The first trip, dubbed A Mindful & Cultural Journey, is focused on Asia with stops in Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Sri Lanka on a 14-night trip departing September 29. With stays at five Aman hotels, highlights include dinner with a former United Nations Bhutan ambassador, a tiger safari in India, and a visit to the Taj Mahal. There's also a private helicopter trip to Mount Everest for a champagne breakfast with the grandson of legendary sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, who made history summiting the peak with Sir Edmund Hillary. Courtesy of Aman Led by a philosophy and religion expert Shantum Seth, there will be optional circle meditations and discussions throughout the trip. The goal is to have a deeply meaningful and educational journey, to learn about each country in depth as well as to have fun, drink some champagne, and meet other interesting people, the company explained on its site. The trip starts at $98,888 per person. Next up is Temples, Beaches & Riads: Kyoto to Marrakech, departing October 16 for 18 days. While starting in Remote Lands Asian roots with visits to Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Oman, the trip also touches down in Europe in Turkey and Africa in Morocco, making it an epic three-continent getaway across six Aman hotels, from $155,888 per person. Courtesy of Aman Finally, the Southeast Asia journey takes flight November 5 for 10 nights starting at Vinh Hy Bay in Vietnam for two nights, before heading to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention-listed town of Luang Prabang in Laos for three nights. Then it's off to Siem Reap in Cambodia for three nights before ending in Phuket, Thailand, for two nights and it's all led by the co-founder and CEO of Remote Lands, Catherine Heald. Prices start at $68,888 per person. Applications are now open for the limited spots on all three tours by visiting emailing amanprivatejet@remotelands.com, or calling 212-518-1801. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. FILE - Large parts of the forests are missing in the Taunus region near Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, April 7, 2023. The European Union has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change and the protection of nature for years. But it now finds itself under pressure from within to pause new environmental efforts amid fears they will hurt the economy. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File) BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change and the protection of nature for years. But it now finds itself under pressure from within to pause new environmental efforts amid fears they will hurt the economy. With the next European Parliament elections set for 2024, some leaders and lawmakers are concerned about antagonizing workers and voters with new binding legislation and restrictive measures and are urging the 27-nation bloc to hit the brakes. Since Ursula von der Leyen took the helm of the powerful European Commission back in 2019, environmental policies have topped the EU agenda. EU nations have endorsed plans to become climate neutral by 2050 and adopted a wide range of measures, from reducing energy consumption to sharply cutting transport emissions and reforming the EUs trading system for greenhouse gases. But cracks in the European united front against climate change have emerged in recent months. The first sign was earlier this year when Germany, the bloc's economic giant, delayed a deal to ban new internal combustion engines in the EU by 2035 amid ideological divisions inside the German government. An agreement was finally reached in March, but just weeks later, the bloc's other powerhouse, France, called for a pause on EU environmental regulation, causing controversy. As he presented a bill on green industry earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron said it was time for the EU to implement existing rules before adopting new ones. We have already passed a lot of regulations at European level, more than our neighbors," he said. Now we have to execute, not make new rules, because otherwise we will lose all players. Macron has been particularly concerned by a U.S. clean energy law that benefits electric vehicles and other products made in North America, fearing it will expose European companies to unfair competition. Although Europeans and their American partners keep working to resolve the challenges posed by the U.S. law, Macron's logic basically holds that a pause on environmental constraints would help EU businesses keep producing on home soil, despite competition from countries such as China that have lower environmental standards. Belgian Prime minister Alexander De Croo quickly followed suit, calling this week for a moratorium on the introduction of EU legislation aimed at nature preservation, creating a rift within the governing coalition including green politicians. The law proposed by the EU's executive arm aims, by 2030, to cover at least 20% of the EUs land and sea areas with nature restoration measures, "and eventually extend these to all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050, the commission said. De Croo said that climate legislation should not be overloaded with restoration measures or limits on agricultural nitrogen pollution, warning that businesses would no longer be able to keep up. Thats why Im asking that we press the pause button," he told VRT network. "Lets not go too far with things that, strictly speaking, have nothing to do with global warming. These other issues are important too, but measures to address them must be taken in phases. Macron and De Croo have found allies at the European Parliament, where members of the biggest group, the Christian Democrat EPP, have asked the European Commission to withdraw the nature restoration law proposal on grounds that it will threaten agriculture and undermine food security in Europe. The move came after two parliamentary committees, the Fisheries Committee and the Agriculture Committee, rejected the planned legislation. EPP lawmakers claim that abandoning farmland will lead to an increase in food prices, more imports and drive farmers out of businesses. This is an exceptional step and shows that the Parliament is not ready to accept a proposal that only increases costs and insecurity for farmers, fishers and consumers, said Siegfried Muresan, the vice-chairman of the EPP Group responsible for budget and structural policies. The growing opposition to the nature restoration law has caused great concern among environmental NGOs, and Frans Timmermans, the EU Commission's top climate official in charge of its Green Deal, warned he would not put forward an alternative proposal because there isn't time. You cant say I support the Green Deal, but not the ambition to restore nature. Its not a la carte menu,' Timmermans said. The EU commission has also proposed setting legally binding targets to reduce the use of pesticides by 50% by 2030 and a ban on all pesticide use in public parks, playgrounds and schools. To ease the transition to alternative pest control methods, farmers would be able to use EU funds to cover the cost of the new requirements for five years. If one piece falls, the other pieces fall. I dont see how we can maintain the Green Deal without the nature pillar, because without the nature pillar, the climate pillar is also not viable, Timmermans told EU lawmakers. So we need to get these two together. Errol Morgan Jr. is seen in this undated photo. Morgan was stabbed to death in March 3, 2023 in Phoenix. Facebook messages Jessica Morgan would send her brother often went unanswered. Errol Morgan Jr., 30, would tell Jessica, 29, he wanted to achieve complete self-reliance before immersing himself in correspondence with family back home in Las Vegas. Errol Morgan took odds jobs to maintain that independence, moving from Nevada to Oklahoma in 2018 before settling in Phoenix about three years ago. Then on the morning of May 3, Morgan was fatally stabbed near 48th and Washington streets in Phoenix. Police have said the person who stabbed Morgan argued self-defense and the case remains ongoing. Police informed Morgans 54-year-old mother of his slaying soon after. The family was shaken to learn of Morgans violent death as they knew him as someone who would happily walk away from fights. Hearing that he was stabbed it was hurtful, Jessica told The Republic. Despite the lack of regular communication, Morgans family knows he loved them. He was very sweet and loving to his nieces and nephews, Jessica said, adding that he was an affectionate son who only left Vegas because he wanted to unburden his mother who was caring for his epileptic father. Their dads death from a seizure last year led Errol to depression, further distancing his communication with family, his sister said. Family learns details on Errol's stabbing death According to Jessica Morgan, police told the family Errols heart was pierced by a steak knife wielded by a man her brother approached at a van parked under a bridge. Errol suspected this man had stolen his personal belongings, his sister said police told her. Jessica said an eyewitness to the altercation that left her brother dead has said the killing was not in self-defense. This person, however, is fearful for their safety and has declined to come forward to police with this information, Jessica said. This investigation is ongoing, and detectives are working with Maricopa County Attorney's Office in this case, said Phoenix Police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Bower in a Friday afternoon email responding to questions from The Republic. The man was released by police, and Jessica said they have refused to tell the family whether they are monitoring his whereabouts. Though no arrest has been made, Jessica said the family learned the name of the man who killed Errol. Since no charges have been filed, The Republic is not releasing his name. 'I told him I love him': Sister cherishes last interaction with Errol As the family awaits updates in the investigation of Errols death, his sister is left contemplating a life cut short. He was very ambitious. If he set his goal to do something, he would get it done, Jessica said of Errol. The sibling's birthdays were exactly a year apart, falling on the same day and month. The sister is left embracing one final memory she has of her older brother. On Valentines Day through Facebook Messenger, Jessica sent Errol what would be her last message to him. I told him I love him and if he was my Valentine, I told him I would be really happy. Then he looked at it but he didn't reply, she said. Still, Errol reacted to his sisters message with a heart emoji. It kind of made me feel like he accepted my Valentine, Jessica Morgan said. Reach breaking news reporter Jose R. Gonzalez at jose.gonzalez@gannett.com or on Twitter @jrgzztx. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Family mourns 'sweet and loving' Phoenix man after stabbing death Family of woman fatally stabbed in NYC apartment says police failed to intervene, waited an hour to enter The family of a New York woman who was followed into her apartment and stabbed more than 40 times has filed a lawsuit accusing police officers of idly standing by her door as she was fatally attacked. Christina Yuna Lee, 35, died Feb. 13, 2022, in her Chinatown, Manhattan, apartment. Police have that said Assamad Nash followed Lee into her apartment around 4:20 a.m., stealthily trailing her up six flights of stairs and forcing entry into her unit. Once inside, he repeatedly stabbed her, authorities previously said. Nash has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges. A complaint filed May 12 in New York County Supreme Court by Lee's aunt and administrator of her estate, Boksun Lee, accuses members of the NYPD of negligence in the slow response and failure to provide immediate medical care. The NYPD on Friday said did not comment on the case, citing pending litigation. Neighbors called 911 after hearing Lee's screams, and one of those calls came in at 4:22 a.m., the suit states. Three minutes later, two unnamed members of the NYPD from the 5th precinct, located about three blocks from Lees apartment, arrived to Lees unit and heard her shouting for help until she abruptly stopped screaming, the complaint said. Instead of breaking into the unit, the officers spoke to Nash through the closed door, the complaint said. Despite having reasons to believe Ms. Lees life was in imminent danger, the officers failed to gain entry to Ms. Lees apartment or otherwise provide her with any potentially life-saving police or medical assistance at that time, the complaint said. Seven other members of the NYPD arrived at 5:30 a.m. more than an hour after a neighbor called 911 and the first officers heard the woman screaming, the complaint said. At 5:40 a.m. one hour and 20 minutes after Lee was attacked members of the NYPD Emergency Services Unit forced entry into Lees apartment, the lawsuit said. She was found fatally stabbed and pronounced dead at 5:55 a.m., according to the suit. The complaint said that during and after the attack, responding NYPD members denied and/or reasonably delayed providing Ms. Lee with police assistance and emergency medical treatment causing her pain and suffering and contributing to her death. It also accused New York City of failing to maintain Sara D. Roosevelt Park, located near Lee's apartment, which had "significant public safety conditions." The complaint noted a stabbing death that happened just outside the park Oct. 16, 2021. Court documents said the dangerous conditions in the public park operated by the city contributed to the harm and suffering of Lee. New York City's Legal Department did not immediately return a request for comment. The suit alleges wrongful death, conscious pain and suffering, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, denial or delay of medical care, and negligent hiring, screening, retention, supervision and training of the officers. The suit further says that the defendants violated the New York State Constitution in depriving Lee of her life without due process of law. The family seeks a jury trial, punitive and unspecified compensatory damages. Lee, a Rutgers University graduate, was a senior creative producer at Splice, a digital music platform, Variety reported. Nash, who was not named in the suit, was charged with first-degree murder, burglary and sexually motivated burglar. He pleaded not guilty in March 2022. Prosecutors said that Nash had an extensive record in New Jersey and that at the time of Lees killing, he was out on supervised release in three open cases. If he is convicted, he faces a sentence as long as life without parole. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A farmer who fell in an enclosure of 40 crocodiles was 'pounced' upon by the reptiles and devoured, report says A farmer who fell in an enclosure of 40 crocodiles was 'pounced' upon by the reptiles and devoured, report says Crocodiles rest at a reptile farm in Siem Reap on May 26, 2023, after a 72-year-old man was killed by the animals in the enclosure. Rohany Isa/AFP via Getty Images A Cambodian farmer was devoured after he fell into an enclosure of 40 crocodiles. The victim was using a stick to move a crocodile that had just laid eggs when the reptile grabbed it. The 70-year-old farmer's family said they had urged him to stop raising the animals. A Cambodian farmer was torn to pieces by his crocodiles after he tried to move one of them that was guarding its eggs, police said. The victim, Luan Nam, 72, fell into the crocodile enclosure in Siem Reap while trying to use a stick to move a crocodile that had just laid eggs, according to AFP. The reptile grabbed the stick and pulled him in, and about 40 crocodiles attacked him and left the enclosure drenched in blood. "While he was chasing a crocodile out of an egg-laying cage, the crocodile attacked the stick, causing him to fall into the enclosure," Mey Savry, police chief of Siem Reap commune, told AFP. "Then other crocodiles pounced, attacking him until he was dead," he said. The victim's body bore numerous bite marks, and one of his arms had been bitten off and swallowed by one of the crocodiles, he said. Photos from the scene show the crocodiles in the bloody enclosure, according to The Telegraph. One image reportedly shows the reptiles surrounding the farmer's body, and one photo shows one of the crocodiles chewing on a shoe. Nam, who was the president of the local crocodile farmers' association, had been urged by his family to stop raising the animals, commune chief May Sameth told AFP. Crocodiles are bred in several farms around Siem Reap, the town where the famous Angkor Wat ruins are, and the reptiles' eggs, skins, and meat are harvested to sell and make leather and other products. Nam's family said that they might now sell his stock, Sameth told AFP. This is not the first time someone has come to a tragic death at a crocodile farm, a two-year-old girl was killed by crocodiles in 2019 at her family's reptile farm in the same Po Banteay Chey village, the police chief said. Read the original article on Insider The FBI detailed a threat to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during a visit that she and her husband, Prince Philip, made to the United States in the 1980s in newly release documents. The 102-page document from the FBIs online records vault shows that a member of the San Francisco Police Department learned from a source that a man had made a phone call on Feb. 4, 1983, saying that his daughter had been killed by a rubber bullet in Northern Ireland, and he planned to try to harm the queen. The man said he would plan to either drop an object off the Golden Gate Bridge on the royal yacht, Britannia, while it sailed underneath or try to kill her while she visited Yosemite National Park. The document does not state if any arrests were made related to the call. Authorities had already planned to close the walkways leading to the bridge when the yacht approached. It states that the source was a regular customer of San Franciscos The Dovre Club, which was known as a Republican bar that sympathizers of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) often visited. Queen Elizabeths visit in 1983 came during a three-decade conflict ongoing in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles. The conflict saw intense emotions and protests that at times turned to violence over the countrys status. The Unionists wished for Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, while Republicans and nationalists wanted the country to leave the U.K. and reunify Ireland. The IRA often turned to violence to fight against British rule. The conflict eventually ended in 1998 with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, but attempted and successful assassinations were not uncommon during this period in the area. Louis Mountbatten, an uncle of Prince Philip, was assassinated after members of the IRA placed a bomb on his boat in 1979. The queen and prince visited then-President Ronald Reagan and then-first lady Nancy Reagan at their home, known as Rancho del Cielo, in Santa Barbara, Calif., according to the White House Historical Association. The president and first lady also hosted the royal couple for an official dinner at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco. The document also shows extensive security planning on the part of different law enforcement agencies for protests and potential threats during the queens visit in 1983 and others. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FedEx truck hit as driver tries to beat the train, Platte County authorities say A FedEx truck was hit by a train Saturday morning in rural Platte County after the driver attempted to beat the train but got stuck on the tracks, according to the Platte County Sheriffs Office. The vehicle was struck at a crossing on Oberdiek Lane and Missouri Highway 45 just before 10:30 a.m., Major Erik Holland with the sheriffs office said. The train hit the back end of the truck, Holland said. The train operator, truck driver and one passenger sustained very minor injuries, and no one needed hospitalization. Authorities say a train crashed into a FedEx truck in Platte County, resulting in minor injuries that did not require hospitalization. Oberdiek Lane will remain closed for a few hours for cleanup. The track is operated by BNSF Railway and is designated for freight trains. The crossing i does not have gates or flashing lights to warn drivers. This is the fourth accident at the crossing, according to data maintained by the Federal Railroad Administration. The most recent crash was in 1995, when a train collided with a car, damaging the vehicle but no one was injured. This is the second time a train has crashed into a FedEx truck in the Kansas City area this year. In February, a crash at a crossing without gates in Pleasant Hill killed a 34-year-old Kansas City man. That crossing was only marked by stop signs and signs with a large X that designates a railway crossing. An investigation by The Star published in December found that a dozen people died in Missouri from 2017 to 2022 at public crossings that were on the states waiting list for safety upgrades. This years Venice Architecture Biennale offers new ideas for improving quality of life across the continent. Under the curation of architect and academic Lesley Lokko, this years Venice Biennale of Architecture put a powerful spotlight on the built environment of Africa, in particular on housing, a pressing issue for the continents dense cities as well as its far-flung villages. In a show full of surprises, five exhibitorstheir work ranging from emerging technologies to intriguing historical insightsstood out, offering a panoramic view of the housing scene in Africa today. Ghanaian-Scottish architect and academic Lesley Lokko is this years curator of the Biennale, and the first of African descent. As the founding principle of Atelier Masomi, Mariam Issoufou Kamara, a Niger-born and -based architect, has racked up an impressive list of projects, especially in the countrys capital of Niamey, where her 2016 Niamey 2000 Housing project advanced a new model for high-density living in the city. Kamara and her team used Lokkos invitation as an opportunity to demonstrate the deeper springs of her practice, not just in the housing field but across a range of typologies, creating a mural-like illustration featuring a sampling of their portfolio. A similar tactic, this time rendered in textile, appeared in the installation from the South African-based team of Heinrich and Ilze Wolff, known for their 2013 House in the Mountains among other projects. No less remarkable than the work on display in this years Biennale was the manner in which it was displayed. At the behest of the Biennale curator, participants were encouraged to share their projects via the medium of video, a low-carbon alternative to the larger and more complex installations seen in previous exhibitions. The designer-engineer team of Doudou Deme and collaborators Nzinga Biegueng Mbpou and Cherif Tall responded with "Burnt Ban", a short film documenting their ingenious system for building houses, social projects, and more using an innovative rammed-earth brick technology. One fan of the material is Sir David Adjaye, who has included it in recent projects as part of his mission (as he put it during a public appearance during the preview week) to get architects "serious about building in Africa." With all the challenges facing housing in Africa today, it seems only fitting to ask: How did we get here? From London, an interesting answer came by way of the Victoria & Albert Museum, whose independent installation "Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Power in West Africa" uses video and archival materials to look at the complex cultural exchange between the U.K. and its former African colonies in Ghana after independence. Says the museums Chris Turner, "We wanted to show the power behind the concrete." Moving beyond conventional ideas of the home, designers in Venice explored the broader issues of land use and livability that are key to whats going on today in the global South. "PlugIn Busua" from designers Glenn DeRoche and Juergen Strohmayer is an adaptive-reuse scheme for a multi-functional community facility in the Ghanaian town of Busua, located on a narrow stretch of coast where scarce land and materials for housing leaves little room for collective gathering spaces. "It was about creating a place where the community can come together without these pressures," says DeRoche. Through their collage-like installation, composed of castoff odds and ends, the architect and his partner brought a little bit of Ghana to Italy. Wolff Architects, Tectonic Shifts Portions of the firms extensive catalogue appears in the Venice Arsenale complex in a gorgeous, handwoven tapestry strung high overhead. Juergen Strohmayer and Glenn DeRoche, PlugIn Busua Based both in the United States and in Ghana, the duo of Strohmayer and DeRoche brought an international perspective to the problems of tiny fishing villages in need of a place for local youth to surf, socialize, and relax. They duos exhibit combines a model with video. See the full story on Dwell.com: Five Fresh Perspectives on Africas Housing Challenges Related stories: Take Flight: Heres Where To Travel for Under $450 in June Father and daughter (6-7) playing at beach, smiling This summer will be a rough one for finding a flight deal. Leadership from the top U.S. airline companies say a majority of summer international flights are all booked up. The longer you wait, the more the pickings get slim and the prices go up. Now, this doesnt mean you wont be able to travel. What it means is that you will have to choose carefully and go somewhere where your money can work for you instead of against you. The Caribbean and South America are two regions where you can get a nice deal. Here are four of the best travel deals for under $450 this June. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands: As Low As $185 Round Trip Fort Lauderdale To St. Croix $185 Buy Now Fort Lauderdale To St. Croix Photo Credit: Travel Noire X Expedia Theres so much to love about St. Croix. If you want a beach and Caribbean destination that doesnt require a passport, St. Croix should be your go-to. In addition to visiting Black-owned businesses throughout the island, be sure to visit Estate Mount Washington, take part in a rum distillery tour, and go snorkeling on your St. Croix itinerary. Ready to book a flight? The cheapest departure cities include Nashville, Norfolk, Charlotte, New York City, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. All of these cities have flights for less than $250 round-trip. The cheapest option leaves from Fort Lauderdale on June 7 and returns on June 15. This nonstop flight on Spirit Airlines is just $185 round-trip, according to Expedia. Liberia, Costa Rica: As Low As $226 Round Trip Atlanta To Liberia, Costa Rica $226 Buy Now Atlanta To Liberia, Costa Rica Travel Noire X Expedia Take advantage of flight deals to Liberia, Costa Rica. We dont how much longer they will last. Located in the Guanacaste region, this area is known for its beaches. Playa Hermosa should be at the top of your list of beaches to visit. Its a calm beach known for great swimming. For water sports, head up to Ocotal for scuba diving. Tamarindo is a great place if you want to enjoy the beach and party later because its surrounded by international restaurants and fun nightlife. Flights from Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City will get you to Liberia for less than $300 round-trip. Atlanta, however, is your cheapest option this June. Use June 9 through June 23 as your travel dates for a round-trip ticket on Frontier for $226 round-trip. Hurry! There are not many seats left. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: As Low As $415 Round Trip Miami To Rio de Janeiro, Brazil $415 Buy Now Miami To Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Photo Credit: Travel Noire X Expedia Known for its beautiful landscapes, vibrant culture, friendly people, and of course, its World Wonderthe Christ of the Redeemer statueRio de Janeiro is a bucket-list destination for so many people. Not sure where to start? We have an entire city guide that includes where to stay, what to do, and the most important activity: where to eat! There are three departure cities that will get you to Rio de Janeiro for less than $450 round-trip. If you live in New York City, Fort Lauderdale, or Miami, you are in the cheapest cities to travel from. Miami is the cheapest option for $415 round-trip. Use June 9 through June 21 as your travel dates. Philipsburg, Sint Maarten: As Low As $439 Round Trip Orlando To Philipsburg, Sint Maarten $439 Buy Now Orlando To Philipsburg, Sint Maarten Photo Credit: Travel Noire X Expedia Sint Maarten is a good option if you need a destination to travel to with friends this month. There are a ton of deals from various departure cities that will get you to Sint Maarten for less than $450, including Philadelphia, Nashville, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Boston, New York City, Durham, and Fort Lauderdale. Once there, if you want to experience the best of what the island has to offer, spend the day relaxing by Great Bay Beach, shopping on the main street and exploring the St. Maarten Museum to learn about the history of the island. The cheapest option leaves from Orlando. Use June 17 through June 21 as your travel dates for a round-trip ticket priced at $439 on Spirit and Frontier Airlines. Our editors love finding you the best products and offers! If you purchase something by clicking on one of the affiliate links on our website, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence and Isabelle Huppert are among the stars taking the opportunity to make both sartorial and political statements on the red carpet (Getty/iStock) Of all the places youd expect to see a woman walking barefoot, the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival is probably not one of them. And yet, this has become a somewhat regular occurrence at the annual shindig, where A-list actors, models and directors gather in their finest gladrags. Sure, the festival is ostensibly about celebrating the best of cinema. But it has also become one of the most significant events in the fashion calendar, with stars taking the opportunity to make both sartorial and political statements. However, out of all the trends that have prevailed, from cutout gowns to sheer sequins, the one that continually seems to trump them all is none other than womens feet. And its already made headlines again this year, thanks to the likes of Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawrence and Isabelle Huppert, all of whom have made their own subtle nods to the political powers of their own feet. Traditionally, the Cannes dress code is rather strict: in 2015, a group of women in their fifties were reportedly turned away from a screening because they were wearing rhinestone flats instead of high heels. The story immediately prompted a backlash and accusations of sexism, with the festivals director, Thierry Fremaux, denying that heels are mandatory: The rumour saying the festival insists on high heels for women on the red carpet is unfounded, he wrote in response to critics on Twitter. Nonetheless, female actors were quick to respond, with Emily Blunt saying at the time: Everyone should wear flats, to be honest. We shouldnt wear high heels. The following year, Julia Roberts and Sasha Lane attended Cannes events barefoot. The carpet was for our film and I was dressed in a very elegant gown and theres a ton of stairs, and Im walking around all day so I will go barefoot, Lane said in a later interview. Why is anyone against that? Im still here and well-dressed. Lanes comments were also echoed by Kristen Stewart, who once said of strict female dress codes: I feel like you cant ask people that anymore. If youre not asking guys to wear heels and a dress, you cannot ask me either. The Twilight star famously took off her sky-high Christian Louboutin heels on the red carpet at Cannes in 2018, proceeding to walk the rest of the carpet barefoot. Official rule or not, theres no mistaking that even now, in 2023, the pressures placed on women at black tie events such as Cannes are different to those placed on men. Sartorial convention has long defined occasionwear as anything that leaves your feet uncomfortable. Whether its a pump, sandal, or stiletto, the shoe needs to add some sort of height to your look in order to be considered formal and appropriate. It might seem like a small imposition, but if theres anything this years red carpet has taught us, its that it can serve as a microcosm of much wider inequalities. Take Cate Blanchett, who last weekend at a Cannes party presented an award to the French-Iranian star Zahra Amir Ebrahimi. I am going to take my heels off, in honour of the women of Iran, she told the crowd, before holding up Ebrahimis pointed trophy to joke: This is to stab everyone who stands in the way of womens rights. Up the vajayjay! The sentiment has also been referenced by Portman, Lawrence and Huppert at this years festival. On Saturday, while talking about her new film May December, Portman spoke about the idea of performing femininity, telling attendees that its something shes very curious about. The different ways that we as women are expected to behave at this festival, even compared to men, she said. How were supposed to look, how were supposed to carry ourselves. Jennifer Lawrence sports flip-flops beneath her Dior dress on the Cannes red carpet (Marechal Aurore/ABACA/Shutterstock) Meanwhile, Lawrence arrived on the red carpet for the Bread and Roses premiere in a scarlet Dior gown paired with flip-flops. And as for Huppert, a perennial style maven at Cannes and beyond, she made a subtle nod to the shoe-less protests in a pair of Balenciaga heels that had been specially designed to resemble a bare foot. All this serves as a reminder that despite societal progressions, womens bodies are still firmly policed in the public eye. If its not via their footwear, its via their actual outfits. Think supermodel Irina Shayk, whose outfits at Cannes events this year include a leather two-piece by Mowalola that exposed her entire torso, and a sheer black dress worn over a matching set of Gucci underwear. Elsewhere, weve seen Julia Fox don a completely see-through bodice with a white flowing skirt, while Naomi Campbell walked the red carpet in a scarlet gown with cutouts across her chest. Showing skin is nothing new among the fashion set, particularly given the resurgence of Y2K trends on the runways that continues to maintain its stronghold on the industry. (There has been talk of naked dresses for several seasons now, with influencers and stars all partaking in the art of wearing sheer gowns to formal affairs.) But bringing it to Cannes feels particularly poignant and in keeping with the barefoot brouhaha when you consider just how easily offended people are by such ensembles. The body-shaming prompted by Florence Pughs see-through Valentino frock last summer is just one example that springs to mind. Flashing a foot is, of course, somewhat different to flashing a nipple, but fundamentally the underlying message is the same. Its about subverting the social conventions that oppress us. Its about showing the world that women are fed up of being told what is and is not an acceptable way of presenting their bodies. And its about asking why we should still conform to dress codes informed by sexism when, as Blanchett pointed out, womens rights continue to be subjugated around the world. With all this in mind, were not asking for much. The least people can allow us is to take off our heels or flash a little flesh without it having to be headline news. Florida Board of Medicine set to discuss new rules regarding transgender care Carrying out a new law, a joint panel of the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine is slated next week to discuss rules about treatments for transgender minors and adults. The Joint Rules and Legislative Committee of the medical boards will meet Thursday in Tampa. The Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis this month approved a law (SB 254) that bars doctors from providing treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transgender minors. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<< The law included an exception for minors who had already started the treatments, but it required the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine to approve emergency rules that would spell out standards for the care. The law also created a new requirement for doctors to get informed consent before providing treatments to transgender adults. Read: Mother of man who killed Gabby Petito said in letter she would help son dispose of a body An agenda for Thursdays meeting indicates the joint committee will take up those issues. At the urging of the DeSantis administration, the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine approved rules that took effect in March preventing doctors from providing puberty blockers, hormone therapy and certain surgical procedures to transgender minors. Read: Orlandos Come out With Pride celebration is happening no matter what, organizers say The legislation that passed this month went further by putting the ban in law. The new law and the medical board rules have been challenged in federal court. Read: Sheriffs office takes over authority on the beaches, assists Volusia Beach Safety with crime Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A Florida couple was charged with aggravated manslaughter for allegedly severely abusing their special-needs toddler in a "bone chilling" child abuse case, police say. According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, crews with Bartow Fire Rescue received a call from 24-year-old Takesha Williams at 3 p.m. on May 12. The young mother told phone operators that her toddler's pulse oximeter wasn't working properly, but it was not an emergency. Takesha Williams and Efrem Allen were arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter after Florida police say their child who nearly drowned three years ago died in their care earlier this month. However, when emergency responders arrived, they say they found a 3-year-old boy without a pulse hooked to a ventilator breathing machine. The child was taken to an area hospital where he died, police said. Detectives observed that the 3-year-old boy had suffered from severe injuries including a severely bloated belly which "appeared to have semi-marbling and was green," the affidavit states. MULTI-STATE OPERATION LOCATED 225 MISSING CHILDREN: US MARSHALS They added there were numerous open sores and several abrasions on the childs back consistent with bed sores, and he smelled of decomposition. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "This child was rotting in the bed," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a press conference. According to detectives, the child abuse began years prior when the child had suffered from a near drowning incident while at a vacation home in Davenport, Florida in the summer of 2020. Since then, detectives say the toddler has been connected to a ventilator due to the near drowning incident. FLORIDA MAN ALLEGEDLY BEAT GRANDMOTHER TO DEATH WITH HAMMER THEN CALLED HOUSEKEEPER TO CLEAN UP BLOODY SCENE A free home health nurse had been assisting the child, but switched companies about two months ago and hadnt been back to the home, police said. At the press conference, Sheriff Judd said that when police interviewed the home health company they said that the parents, Williams and 25-year-old Efrem Allen, Jr., began rejecting care last October. Sheriff Judd said the couple would not answer the door or would not be home when the nurse arrived. Homicide detectives observed extensive injuries on the child, including a severely bloated belly and numerous open sores. The nurse with the home health company told police that both parents were taught how to remove and clean their young son's trach. When interviewed by police, Williams and Allen told investigators that they had noticed that their son's stomach was bloated and that he was cold to the touch. GEORGIA FATHER CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED RAPE OF UNDERAGE DAUGHTER Police said that Williams waited hours before calling 911 despite being aware his pulse oximeter was malfunctioning, police said. "They just got tired of him," Judd added. "They got tired of the intensive care this child needed and as a result, this child laid there and suffered and suffered and suffered until finally there was no life left." On May 26, the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court upgraded Takesha Williams and Efrem Allen's charges to Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child. The medical examiner said the toddler has sepsis, pneumonia and stage 5 ulcers. The couple was arrested on May 13 for negligent child abuse causing great harm and those charges were upgraded to aggravated manslaughter on May 26. "Ive seen some truly horrific events in my long law enforcement career, but I have never, ever seen anything as sad, as bone-chilling, and as sickening as what this baby suffered before finally perishing from the despicable acts of these two criminals," Sheriff Judd said. A Florida deputy accused of recklessly deploying a stun gun on a man who was covered in gasoline and became "a human fireball" has been charged in the incident at a gas station last year. Osceola County Deputy David Crawford was charged this week with one count of culpable negligence with personal injury, a first-degree misdemeanor, according to the State Attorney of the Ninth Judicial District. Jean Baretto had second- and third-degree burns to at least 75% of his body after the February 2022 incident at an Orlando gas station. Deputies were pursuing Baretto, who was "accused of violating traffic laws as he 'popped wheelies' in traffic while on his dirt bike," and a struggle ensued, the state attorney's office said. Baretto was pumping gas when Crawford tackled him and "become smothered in gasoline," according to Mark NeJame, Baretto's attorney. Crawford then deployed his Taser, setting Baretto on fire and turning him into "a human fireball," NeJame said. Baretto will require lifelong care, his attorney said, adding that the man has accrued more the $7 million in medical expenses. Jean Barreto. (Courtesy NeJame Law Office) NeJame says the charge "is but a first tiny step." "Law enforcement is supposed to protect us, not incinerate us," NeJame said. "This was a grossly excessive use of force that should of and could have been avoided." The Osceola County Sheriffs Office said it is letting the criminal justice system decide if Crawford committed a crime. "Over a year ago, we investigated this case and sent our findings over to the State Attorneys Office to review. We feel its appropriate to let the criminal justice system determine if Deputy Crawford did a criminal act that could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt," the statement read. Crawford joined the agency in 2012. If convicted, Crawford can face up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000, according to the state attorneys office. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com From flyovers to free BBQs, here are Memorial Day ceremonies taking place in SLO County Community members will gather across San Luis Obispo County this Memorial Day weekend to honor fallen military service members. Here are some of the ceremonies planned. All events are free unless otherwise noted. Darrell Dillard, a veteran from Atascadero, rolls up a flag after the ceremony at a Memorial Day ceremony at Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial in Atascadero in 2021. Atascadero The Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday at the Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial near Atascadero Lake Park. In addition to a speech by U.S. Navy Cmdr. David Brooks, the event features a Welcome Home Military Heroes flag line and color guard accompanied by Central Coast Pipes and Drums. Members of the Atascadero High School Choir will sing the national anthem, with Taps played on the tone chimes by the Joyful Voices For Jesus group. Family members will also lay a wreath in memory of Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sherman Sherm Smoot, who died in a plane crash in September 2022. Three planes piloted by local veterans will soar over the Atascadero ceremony around 11 a.m. in a missing man formation as part of Estrella Warbirds Museums Freedom Flight program. This year, no barbecue will follow the event, according to Cheryl Hertan. Contact her at 805-235-8567 or cheryl@cherylann.net for more information. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2814 will offer graveside services at 11 a.m. at Atascadero Pine Mountain Cemetery off Highway 41. An open house lunch for the public will start at 12:30 p.m. at VFW headquarters, 9555 Morro Road in Atascadero, featuring complimentary hamburgers, hotdogs and potluck side dishes and dessert. Cayucos Community members will gather at the base of the Cayucos Pier at 3 p.m. Monday for a special event honoring military service members, civilians and fishermen lost at sea hosted by a variety of nonprofits, businesses and individuals. James Murphy will officiate at the event, which includes Coast Guard Color Guard, a MIA/POW ceremony with Adrian Hurtado, military and other music, speakers, prayers and tolling of the bells. Ending the event will be a walk to the end of the Cayucos Pier where a wreath will be ceremoniously tossed into the ocean in remembrance of those lost at sea. An Estrella Warbirds flyover is expected about 4 p.m. Military representatives and local students salute the raising of the American flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Cambria Veterans Memorial in 2019. Cambria American Legion Post No. 432 will sponsor an hour-long event beginning at 11 a.m. at the flag stand area of the Veterans Memorial Building, 1000 Main St., with seating provided for about 100 people. The keynote speaker will be veteran Robert Tolan, Jr., leader of Welcome Military Heroes and Honor Flight Central Coast, California. The event will feature patriotic choral music and a remembrance ceremony. The recipient of the annual Mel McColloch award will also be announced and honored during the event. Following the ceremony, the Sons of the Legion and the Auxiliary will provide a barbecue. A $5 donation is requested. For more information, call 805-909-8163. Los Osos Los Osos Valley Memorial Park will host Memorial Day weekend ceremonies at 2260 Los Osos Valley Road on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Saturday at 8 a.m., the public is invited to help place flags on veterans graves. The Avenue of the Flags will be set up. A doughnut breakfast will be served. Sunday at 7 p.m., luminaries will be lit and guests are invited to visit and walk in the park at sunset and during the evening. The Memorial Day ceremony, which will run 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature a guest speaker, a band and vocalist, other guests including first responders and additional events. A free hot dog lunch will be provided. For more information, call 805-528-1500 or email Dalee.Turner@dignitymemorial.com. Flags fly at Los Osos Memorial Park and Mortuary Park during a Memorial Day ceremony in 2019. Oceano The Oceano Train Depot isnt hosting a formal ceremony this year, due to the recent death of the events organizer. The depot, located at 1650 Front St., will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday with exhibits and memorabilia honoring fallen service members. Call 805-489-5446 for more information. Paso Robles The Paso Robles District Cemetery, located at 45 Nacimiento Lake Drive, will kick off its Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. Monday in front of the office area. The ceremony is dedicated to the memory of Thomas A. Flynn. Skip Bellinghausen will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, which will feature a uniformed Camp Roberts honor guard and Supervisor John Peschong and Bellinghausen as the guest speakers. Therell be a rendition of Taps, American Legion Riders Chapter No. 50 will raise the flag and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Laurene McCoy will offer the invocation and closing prayer. An Estrella Warbirds flyover is expected toward the end of the ceremony, around 11:50 a.m. For more information, call 805-238-4544. Estrella Warbirds Museum, located at 4251 Dry Creek Road in Paso Robles, will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. Call 805-238-9317 for details. Pismo Beach A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Monday on the Pismo Beach Pier Promenade at 101 Pomeroy Ave. Representatives of six military branches will attend and four of them will speak. Pismo Beach Police Department and Cal Fire will be represented. Mayor Ed Waage is expected to do the official welcome, and there wil be a rifle volley, Taps and wreath presentation. Call 805-773-7034 for more information. U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Louis DiModica, 15, left and Jeffrey Garino, 14, participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at San Luis Cemetery Mausoleum and Memorial Gardens in San Luis Obispo in 2019. San Luis Obispo Volunteers can join American Legion Post No. 66 on Saturday to place American flags on the graves of veterans at three cemeteries in San Luis Obispo. Theyll gather at 8 a.m. at San Luis Cemetery at the corner of South Higuera Street and Elks Lane. The Post also needs volunteers to collect the flags starting at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. On Monday, the American Legion post and the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum will host the annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony at the museum, 801 Grand Ave. Navy Vice Adm. William Bowes, a Vietnam veteran, is the guest speaker for the hour-long ceremony that starts at 11 a.m. The event includes the Sea Cadets Color Guard flag presentation, a recitation by Boy Scouts Troop 322 about the history of the American Flag, an Armed Forces medley and Taps played by the Cal Poly Brass Quintet and a reading of the Gettysburg Address. A $12 tri-tip sandwich lunch follows at noon at the posts headquarters at 1661 Mill St. Its free for veterans with valid ID, and is open to the public; the Post advises buying tickets in advance (call ticket coordinator at 805-459-4015). Funds raised help send students to California Boys and Girls State. Email Rick Pushies at rpushies@yahoo.com for details. The Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum will be open for free tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. Located at 801 Grand Ave., the museum will feature a special Lost at Sea: Loss and Remembrance exhibit about perilous military conflicts and natural disasters above and below the sea. Three scheduled exhibit talks will happen at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. (The exhibit will remain through the summer.) For more information, call 805-543-1763 or email ccvmm.programs@gmail.com. Santa Margarita Santa Margarita Cemetery, at 606 E Pozo Road, will hold a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Monday with a special tribute to two World War II veterans who died in the past six months. The Estrella Warbirds are scheduled to fly over at about 11:10 a.m. that day. Templeton American Legion Post No. 220 will present a ceremonial color guard at noon Saturday and Sunday at the Santa Margarita Ranch headquarters, 9000 Yerba Buena Drive, during the Best of the West display of thousands of old tractors. Templeton American Legion Post No. 220 will host a brief Memorial Day service at the columbarium area at Templeton District Cemetery, 100 Templeton Cemetery Road, starting at 11 a.m. Monday. Therell be a 21-gun salute, Taps and a short prayer. The Estrella Warbirds in the missing man formation will fly over the Templeton cemetery at about 11:07 a.m. At noon, 200 tickets will be available for a chicken dinner to raise funds to send two students to Boys State, which is now open to young men and women. For more information, call 805-434-3314. Footage appears to show low-flying Russian Su-34s dropping bombs on anti-Putin militias and missing the target, says report A Russian Su-34 jet is seen swooping low and dropping bombs over a border checkpoint in the Belograd region of Russia in May 2023. Twitter Footage appears to show Russian Su-34 jets bombing a checkpoint within their own borders. The video shows two jets dropping high-level explosives from an "ultra-low altitude." Anti-Putin Russian militias briefly occupied territory in Russia's Belgorod region earlier this week, Aerial footage appears to show Russian Su-34 Fullback jets dropping bombs from a low level within the Russian Federation on the border of Ukraine earlier this week, says a report At the Grayvoron border checkpoint, the video shows two Russian jets dropping high-level explosives from an "ultra-low altitude." The video appears to show the jets missing the target, a building at Russia's own checkpoint. According to reporting and analysis by The War Zone journalists Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway, the footage demonstrates "the difficulties of delivering unguided weaponry" at low altitudes, as well as "desperate measures" by the Russian military to thwart a border incursion by Ukrainian-backed Russian militias. The reporters said the Russian jet appeared to be dropping 1,100-pound high-explosive freefall bombs known as the FAB-500ShN. The War Zone is a section dedicated to reporting military affairs and is part of The Drive website. The fourth-generation Sukhoi Su-34 bomber was unveiled in 2017. The Su-34, dubbed "Fullback" by NATO, is rated as one of Russia's most capable aircraft able to engage targets on the ground and in the air and saw extensive service in Syria, according to Insider's Daniel Brown. The footage, posted on social media, has not been independently verified by Insider. Grayvoron is located in the Belgorod Oblast region within Russian borders, and the checkpoint is right on the border with Ukraine. Earlier this week, the Liberty of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), consisting of Russian citizens, claimed they took control of Russian territory in a cross-border raid, Insider previously reported. The Ukrainian-backed Russian militias announced the "liberation" of villages inside Russia. The Kremlin called the incursion "sabotage," according to state-backed media. The legion said it sent units to Grayvoron, and footage purportedly from the checkpoint appears to show armored vehicles taking over the post, The Guardian reported on Tuesday. Last month, a Russian Su-34 accidentally dropped a bomb on its own city of Belgorod, Insider previously reported. Read the original article on Business Insider A former Florida ice cream man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Friday morning for the murders of two men in Ruskin, Florida, nearly 13 years ago in a case of revenge and mistaken identity. A Hillsborough County jury found Michael Keetley, 52, guilty on two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder in late March for a Thanksgiving Day 2010 shooting in which he targeted a group of men playing cards outside of a home, according to FOX 13. Keetley had sought revenge after he was robbed and shot in the hand while working as an ice cream man nearly a year earlier, prosecutors said, adding that the men who were shot had nothing to do with the robbery. Brothers Sergio Guitron and Juan Guitron were killed in the shooting, and four other men were seriously wounded. FLORIDA JURY RECOMMENDS DEATH PENALTY FOR JOSEPH ZIELER IN CASE OF 1990 DOUBLE HOMICIDE Michael Keetley listens to lawyers during his double murder trial in Tampa. Keetleys lawyers had argued that the surviving victims misidentified him as the shooter and a doctor for the defense testified that the injuries to his hand from the shooting during the robbery would have made it nearly impossible for him to have fired shotgun used in the murders. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP FLORIDA MAN ALLEGEDLY BEAT GRANDMOTHER TO DEATH WITH HAMMER THEN CALLED HOUSEKEEPER TO CLEAN UP BLOODY SCENE During cross-examination, however, one of the prosecutors demonstrated that it would be difficult but possible. Michael Keetley's ice cream truck. Keetley faced trial on the same charges in 2020, but a mistrial was declared because of a hung jury. Keetley has 30 days to appeal, according to FOX 13. "I am proud of our talented prosecutors for seeing this difficult case to the end in honor of the victims of this heinous killer," State Attorney Suzy Lopez said of Keetleys conviction. "We appreciate the jury for their time, attention, and dedication to this complicated case. "We hope this verdict provides a level of peace and closure for the families who have had to live through this nightmare for the last 12 years." Former Lawrence police officer accused of rape found not guilty on all charges by jury A former Lawrence police officer has been found not guilty of rape and about 34 other charges by a Douglas County District Court jury, according to court records. Jonathan Gardner, 41, of Tonganoxie, was accused of raping a woman while on duty with the Lawrence Police Department in January 2017. A jury found him not guilty Friday of charges relating to rape, unlawful acts concerning computers and official misconduct, court records said. Lawrence Police contacted the Kansas Bureau of Investigation on Nov. 1, 2022 after a woman alleged Gardner had sexually assaulted her in 2017. The 41-year-old was placed on administrative leave before his next shift, the Lawrence Police Department told The Star in a prior report. As the KBI and Lawrence police investigated, they found Gardner had committed policy violations and misconduct. His employment with the department ended shortly after. Gardner was accused of running unauthorized searches in the Kansas Criminal Justice Information System and internal police department public safety systems between 2017 and 2020. Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart said he was appalled by the alleged conduct of Gardner, in a March 2022 statement. Those alleged actions are not consistent with the values of the department and, if true, Gardner violated the trust of the community he was sworn to serve, he said. Agents with KBI arrested Gardner on March 4, 2022. He was booked into the Leavenworth County Jail and released that same day after posting a $50,000 bond, according to jail records. His jury trial went on for five days, starting on May 22, 2023. He was found not guilty on one count of rape, 17 counts of official misconduct and 17 counts of computer unlawful acts, court records said. Cambridge, Massachusetts No one has ever attended Harvard Law School for its sparkling glass doors or smudge-free countertops. In fact, support staff here say most students never even notice their efforts with one remarkable exception. One day, a student started thanking all of them. "He says, 'I just want to give you a hug and, you know, say hi to you," pantry steward Bonnie Larkin told CBS News. "'Thank you for what you do,'" dining service worker Maria Andino recalled the student saying. "I'm like, what is this kid's angle?" skeptical food service cashier Brione Merchant said. "But once I heard his background, that's just when it all made sense. I'm like, 'Oh, you see us because you're one of us.'" That student, Rehan Staton, graduated from Harvard Law Thursday. Before coming to Harvard Law, he worked in sanitation. "My job was to refurbish the dumpsters," Staton told CBS News. Staton worked for Bates Trucking and Trash Removal in Maryland. "I've heard people literally point to me and point to my coworker and say, 'Don't be like them,'" Staton recalled. "I think it just reminds me to stay humble and just remember I wasn't always standing here." Staton has not only maintained his humility, he has multiplied it. Earlier this year, he started a nonprofit called the Reciprocity Effect. Its mission is to guarantee that from now on, the support staff at Harvard Law will not only be seen, but celebrated. The first-ever Harvard Law support staff awards banquet was held in April. In Academy Awards-like fashion, it honored the custodians, cafeteria workers, and everyone else who make this place possible. "The feeling of knowing that you are appreciated will always go a long way, especially for those who don't know that," Staton said. In the coming days, a lot of graduates will stand high on a stage, a great vantage point, to finally see all those who lifted them there. "I think that's what makes what Rehan did so special, is because you didn't even realize how unseen you were, until you were seen," Merchant said. "And then, all of a sudden, you're like, 'Oh, this is kinda nice!'" Megan Fox opens up about her struggle with body dysmorphia 2024 GOP candidates hit campaign trail As climate change hurts crops, scientists explore new foods Former Trump adviser Michael Flynn is launching an online community for 'COVID-19 unvaccinated people,' where you can find blood donors, surrogates, and 'unvaccinated singles.' A founding membership costs $2,500. Michael Flynn, former national security advisor to former President Donald Trump, speaks on June 3, 2021, in Staten Island, New York. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn was a national security adviser during the Trump Administration. He pled guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contact with a Russian ambassador. His new endeavor is a website called 4ThePURE, which is meant to connect unvaccinated people. Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Donald Trump's former national security adviser who pled guilty to lying to the FBI in 2017, is launching an online community dedicated to people who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19. The community is called 4thePURE, and members can connect with blood donors, sperm donors, breastmilk donors, surrogates, and unvaccinated singles, according to the website. It will also have a directory of "COVID-19 unvaccinated patriot businesses." Studies have shown the vaccine doesn't have "deleterious effects" on semen, nor is it unsafe to donate blood or breastmilk if a donor is vaccinated. It's unclear when the website went live, but the company began tweeting about its service earlier this month. Flynn and a spokesperson for 4thePURE did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of working hours. In an advertisement on the site, Flyyn said 4thePURE's purpose is to"connect liked-minded individuals who courageously stood against the COVID-19 jab." "Our programs will be used for news updates, friendships, dating, and business networking," Flynn, who is described as the founder of 4thePURE, said in the ad. A "full member site" is scheduled to launch in June. A lifetime founding membership will cost $2,500. Companies can purchase 15 lifetime memberships for $25,000. Flynn was Trump's national security adviser for less than a month before he resigned after acting Attorney General Sally Yates warned the White House that the lieutenant general may have lied to officials about his contact with a Russian diplomat. He pled guilty to lying to the FBI in 2017. Trump pardoned Flynn three years later. Since then, Flynn re-emerged into the spotlight to embrace QAnon, a pro-Trump conspiracy theory, and other falsities about COVID-19. Last year, he went on Alex Jones's Infowars show to say that the coronavirus was created by billionaires George Soros and Bill Gates as well Klaus Schwab, the head of the World Economic Forum. While the origins of COVID-19 continue to be under investigation, there is zero evidence to support that the pandemic was a deliberate plot carried out by the world's elites, as some conspiracy theorists suggest. Read the original article on Business Insider Appeals Court Gives Life to Maine Health Care Workers Case NEWS PROVIDED BY May 26, 2023 BOSTON, May 26, 2023 / Christian Newswire / -- The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 3-0 in favor of seven Maine health care workers, ruling that the district court erred in dismissing the First Amendment and Equal Protection claims, in a case brought by Liberty Counsel. The case will now return to the lower court for discovery. In Alicia Lowe, et al., v. Janet Mills, et al, Liberty Counsel argued on behalf of these health care workers in Maine who were terminated because their religious exemptions from Governor Janet Mills' unconstitutional COVID-19 shot mandate were denied. During the argument on May 4, 2023, the judges seemed favorable to Liberty Counsel's case. In fact, at one point, Judge Lynch turned to the attorney for the state, Kimberly Patwardhan, and said, "You obviously have not been reading the U.S. Supreme Court precedent on this, or else you would not have filed your motion to dismiss." As a result, Judges Lara Montecalvo, Bruce M. Selya, and Sandra Lynch have now reversed federal Judge Jon Levy's dismissal of the case on both of the two constitutional claims. Now Liberty Counsel can proceed to obtain discovery. The three-judge panel wrote, "But we conclude that the plaintiffs' complaint states claims for relief under the Free Exercise and Equal Protection Clauses, as it is plausible, based on the plaintiffs' allegations and in the absence of further factual development, that the Mandate treats comparable secular and religious activity dissimilarly without adequate justification." The court further wrote, "We conclude that it is plausible, in the absence of any factual development, that the Mandate falls in this category, based on the complaint's allegations that the Mandate allows some number of unvaccinated individuals to continue working in healthcare facilities based on medical exemptions while refusing to allow individuals to continue working while unvaccinated for religious reasons.[T]he State has not asserted an independent interest in maximizing vaccination rates apart from the public health benefits of doing so, and the Supreme Court has instructed us to assess comparability in the public health context based on the risks various activities pose. The State's argument that it did not independently conduct this type of analysis is, if anything, a reason to be skeptical that dismissal is appropriate absent further factual development." "The cited discussion is insufficient, standing alone, to satisfy the State's burden under strict scrutiny. For example, it does not address the likely effects of including a religious exemption in the Mandate or give reasons why doing so would prevent the state from achieving its public health goals," the court wrote. Liberty Counsel represents these health care workers in Maine who have sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent them from complying with Governor Janet Mills' unconstitutional shot mandate. Despite the violation to the First Amendment, that state mandate coerced health care employees into a tyrannical choice of accepting a COVID-19 shot or being terminated. These same health care workers sacrificed and worked endlessly on the frontlines caring for COVID patients before the mandate. Yet they were given a deadline to become vaccinated by October 1, 2021, forcing them to accept an experimental injection by September 17, 2021, at the latest. Their lawsuit against Governor Mills, health officials of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and five of the state's largest hospital systems, challenges the Maine law that requires employees of designated Maine health care facilities to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 shot. Governor Mills ordered employers to deny all religious exemptions and ignore the federal employment law known as Title VII that affords employees the right to request reasonable accommodation for their sincere religious beliefs. Governor Mills also threatened to revoke the licenses of all health care employers who fail to mandate the shot to their employees. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "We look forward to taking on Gov. Janet Mills and her administration regarding the clear violations of the U.S. Constitution. This administration operates as though it is above the law. No one is above the law. The rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution cannot be set aside. Gov. Janet Mills trashed the health care heroes who were front line responders. But instead of a heroes' parade, Mills forced violated their religious rights and booted them into the unemployment lines. Now, Gov. Mills and her administration will have to defend her actions in the court of law." Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost. SOURCE Liberty Counsel CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org Flash Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Friday, on the sidelines of the two-day 2023 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Detroit, the United States. The two sides had "candid, pragmatic and in-depth" exchanges on the China-U.S. economic and trade relationship, as well as regional and multilateral issues of common concern. The Chinese side raised concerns on key issues such as U.S. policies on economy and trade with China, Taiwan-related issues in the economic and trade sector, the "Indo-Pacific Economic Framework" and the Section 301 tariffs. The two sides agreed to maintain exchanges and communication. During talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Washington on Thursday, Wang also expressed key concerns over U.S. policies on economy and trade with China, and semiconductors, as well as issues concerning export control and outbound investments review. Most voters think artificial intelligence technology will change the way we live in the U.S. in the next few years. Whether that is a good thing or bad remains to be seen. In the latest Fox News national survey, voters were asked their main reactions without the aid options when they think about artificial intelligence. Most often, the response was negative, with the top mentions being afraid and dangerous (16%). Others think it is generally a bad idea (11%) or they cant trust it (8%). FOX NEWS POLL: VIEWS ON THE ECONOMY ARE GOING FROM BAD TO WORSE Voters reveal their first reactions to artificial intelligence There are positive sentiments as well, albeit in smaller numbers. Voters say AI is innovative (7%), and they are impressed or excited (6%) or cautiously optimistic (5%) about it. Voters react to artificial intelligence Seven percent say AI confuses them, 6% think of robots, 6% have mixed feelings and 4% feel it needs more research. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Among most demographic groups, the top response is afraid or dangerous, especially for women, Gen Xers and Republicans. "The power of AI and the speed of its development clearly weighs on the minds of many," says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News Poll along with Democrat Chris Anderson. "Were not quite at the red pill, blue pill stage like Neo, but we are worried about where all this is headed." FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS SAY BORDER SECURITY IS WORSE COMPARED TO TWO YEARS AGO A visitor watches an artificial Intelligence sign on an animated screen at the Mobile World Congress, telecom industry's biggest annual gathering, in Barcelona. In a blog post published Monday, OpenAI leaders wrote, "Its conceivable that, within the next ten years, AI systems will exceed expert skill level in most domains and carry out as much productive activity as one of todays largest corporations." Still, just 4% of voters say AI makes them think it is a threat to jobs. An overwhelming majority agree artificial intelligence will change the way we live in the U.S., and itll be in the next few years (86%). Artificial intelligence was the topic of a new Fox News Poll Forty-three percent feel it will change a lot while another 43% say just some. Twelve percent believe it wont change much (9%) if at all (3%). Over half of voters are concerned about artificial intelligence technology (56%), which lands it in 11th place (and tied with climate change) among a list of 15 concerns. Women, nonwhite voters and voters over age 65 are among those most concerned while men, White voters and voters under age 35 are the least worried. Respondents weigh in on artificial intelligence So who is using artificial intelligence technology like ChatGPT? A quarter of voters overall say they have used it, and 74% say they havent. A Fox News Poll on artificial intelligence Voters under age 35 (44%), men (30%), Hispanic voters (33%), and Democrats (28%) are more likely than voters over age 65 (9%), women (19%), Black voters (21%), White voters (22%), and Republicans (20%) to have used the technology. CLICK HERE FOR TOPLINE AND CROSS TABS Conducted May 19-22, 2023, under the joint direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News Poll includes interviews with 1,001 registered voters nationwide randomly selected from a voter file who spoke with live interviewers on landline phones and cellphones. The total sample has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points. Freed Belgian aid worker lost weight, not sense of humour, during Iran ordeal News conference with the family friends of Belgian aid worker released from Iranian prison By Bart Biesemans BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Freed Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele lost 30 kg (66 lb) but not his sense of humour during over a year in an Iranian jail, his spokesman said on Saturday following his release in a prisoner swap. Vandecasteele arrived back in Belgium on Friday from Iran where he had been accused of spying and sentenced earlier this year to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes. He was swapped for Iranian diplomat Asadollah Assadi who had been imprisoned in Belgium in connection with a failed bomb plot. Vandecasteele, 42, is doing well despite his prison ordeal, his spokesman and friend Olivier Van Steirtegem told reporters. "Maybe it was the adrenaline of the moment, but when we saw him, he still had the friendliness, the sense of humour and the willingness to understand he has always had," Van Steirtegem said." But physically, not surprisingly, he really lost a lot of weight." He said Vandecasteele was not told by the Iranian authorities of his release and thought that they were transferring him to a new detention place on Friday morning. "It was only when he arrived at the airport that he realised that something else was going on. So for him, obviously, it was an extremely hard - I'd say violent - transition from isolation, or near isolation in the prison where he was, to (seeing) his family." Belgium's justice minister said at the time of Vandecasteele's conviction that it was based on fabricated evidence and amounted to retribution for the prison term given to Assadi. The Iranian foreign ministry has said Assadi was illegally arrested. (Reporting by Bart Biesemans; Writing by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Conor Humphries) A Gadsden man arrested for allegedly robbing the Exchange Bank on Noccalula Road on March 31 has been indicted on that charge and another in U.S. District Court. Edward Aliji Muhammad Brown, 41, faces charges of armed bank robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a news release from Prim Escalona, U.S. attorney for Alabamas Northern District, and Carlton Peeples, FBI special agent in charge. The robbery at the bank at 1321 Noccalula Road took place at about 3:50 p.m. on March 31. The robber held tellers at gunpoint, according to the Gadsden Police Department. Surveillance photos of the robber and his vehicle were circulated by authorities, and Brown was arrested the following day. According to the U.S. attorneys release, Brown was convicted in Etowah County Circuit Court in 1999 on a first-degree robbery charge. Maximum penalties in the case are 25 years in prison for armed bank robbery and 15 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The FBI investigated the case along with the Gadsden Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Royster is prosecuting it. This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden bank robbery suspect indicted on federal charges Gallery owner Gloria Luria, whose legacy in Miami led to Art Basel, dies at 97 The Luria name has been a South Florida fixture for more than 60 years. On Friday, matriarch Gloria Luria, who ran her namesake gallery, Gloria Luria Gallery, from 1966 to 1992, died in Coral Gables, her son Peter Luria said. She was 97. Luria was instrumental in bringing Art Miami to the Miami Beach Convention Center, which led to Art Basel in 2002, her son said. Luria was married to philanthropist Leonard Luria, namesake owner of a 53-store jewelry and retail chain, L. Luria & Son, that opened in South Florida in 1961 and ran to 1996. The chain thrived in the 1970s as a leading catalog-showroom retailer of jewelry and discounted home furnishings. Gloria and Leonard Luria were wed from 1949 until his death at 89 in September 2012. They had moved to Miami in 1961. Glorias galleries Gloria Luria opened her first gallery in downtown Miami in 1966 in close proximity to the first L. Luria & Son store that was on 980 SW First St. Her gallerys inaugural exhibition included paintings from her collection and introduced works by artists George Segal, Pat Steir, David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist and Larry Rivers to Miamis fledgling art scene, her son wrote for an obituary he sent to the Herald. In 1975, she moved the Gloria Luria Gallery to Bay Harbor Islands 1033 Kane Concourse. She chose the area at the time because of its location near the Atlantic and its proximity to other galleries in the mid-1970s. We really were making this a gallery area, Luria told the Herald in 1992. I think we really were instrumental at exposing people to very good art. A visual arts writer for the former The Miami News wrote of Luria in 1986, Luria has worked long and hard to expose Miami to the best being done elsewhere, as well as showing the most professional local artists. At the time, Luria was presenting a show featuring some of her favorite artists, including Rauschenberg, who was represented by a fine solvent transfer collage that would grace any museum collection. In June 1992, Luria closed her gallery. She told the Herald at the time that she wanted to coordinate museum and traveling shows. Im ready to do less restrictive things, she said. There are a lot of creative things I want to do. Honored for contributions to art Gloria Luria of her namesake Gloria Luria Gallery on Kane Concourse for nearly 30 years through 1992, loaned to the Center For the Fine Arts a Charles Ginnever 1979 sculpture called the Forth Bridge and is seen in this Oct. 7, 1996, file photo. In February 2019, The Perez Art Museum Miami honored Luria for her contributions to art. Braman Motors CEO and philanthropist Norman Braman and Marty Margulies of Margulies Warehouse of Contemporary Art both of whom collected art purchased from Luria emailed congratulatory notes to her son. He shared their messages with the Herald. Gloria was the first to recognize the Abstract and Pop Art movements. Her openings were happenings in Miami, Braman wrote. Gloria Luria had one of the earliest galleries in Miami. She was ahead of her time, a pioneer. You could walk in and see [the artists] George Segal and Bob Rauschenberg and were always treated with importance, Margulies wrote. Today's International Women's Committee Luncheon honored collector Gloria Luria. The annual event, that focuses on creating a platform to celebrate women and further representation in the arts, was sponsored by @lafayette148ny and @VeuveClicquot. pic.twitter.com/Gejl1C00Dp Perez Art Museum Miami (@pamm) February 20, 2019 Exposure to art My parents, Gloria and Leonard, traveled the world and when we were young dragged my brother, sister and me to every museum and art gallery along the way, Peter Luria told the Miami Herald Saturday. When we grew up and had families of our own, they took all of us on family vacations and exposed our children to some of the worlds most famous art including the Louvre in Paris, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. It had such a profound effect on the grandchildren that two of them work with museums and many of the kids have become art collectors in their own right, said Luria, 71, who traded acting he played a Roman general in the 1973 film version of Jesus Christ Superstar for the presidency of L. Luria & Son. Born Oct. 5, 1925, and raised in Brooklyn, Gloria Luria graduated from Skidmore College in 1947 as a fine arts major. She continued post-graduate work at Brooklyns Pratt Institute and studied at The Art Students League of New York. Ive loved working with the artists and the arts, she told the Herald in 1992. Its been an important part of my life. Survivors, services Lurias survivors include her three children, Peter Luria, Henry Luria and Nancy Luria Cohen, and 10 grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels at Mount Nebo, 5900 SW 77th Ave., Kendall. Memorial donations in Lurias honor may be made to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and The Perez Art Museum Miami. Germany cracks down on far right with raids as hate crimes rise MAINZ, Germany Germanys security services are stepping up efforts to monitor and contain the threat from modern far-right extremists amid a rise in politically motivated hate crimes. Earlier this week, the countrys domestic intelligence service branded the youth wing of the countrys biggest far-right party a dangerous extremist group. The seriousness with which the authorities are taking the issue has increased dramatically in recent years, according to Kai Arzheimer, a professor of politics at the University of Mainz in Germany, who studies far-right extremism. Politicians and the security apparatus have underestimated or downplayed the scale of the problem for decades. Thankfully, this began to change even under the last administration, he said. Germany Far Right Rally (John MacDougall / AFP via Getty Images file) Multiple criminal investigations are ongoing into a small but potentially dangerous group of far-right Reichsburger extremists who allegedly plotted to overthrow the government and install an obscure hereditary prince, inspired by a florid mixture of right-wing conspiracy theories. The countrys domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (known by the German abbreviation BfV), has designated the youth wing of the the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, as extremist. A decade after it was founded as a more conventional party critical of the European Union and integration, the far-right AfD is now firmly a part of the Germany political landscape. An opinion poll from German public broadcaster ZDF on Friday gave it 17% of the national vote enough to become the third-strongest party in the country. German far-right extremism experts tell NBC News that the rise of the far-right is real and dangerous, with ex-military servicemen and active police officers with access to guns allegedly involved in a conspiratorial plot, while the popularity of the AfD has reshaped political thought and dragged centrist parties to the right. The AfD party rose to prominence around the time of the 2015 refugee crisis when then-Chancellor Angela Merkel invited hundreds of thousands of migrants, most fleeing the civil war in Syria, to settle in Germany. More than a million came, leading to anti-immigrant sentiment across Germany and Europe. Its youth wing, the Young Alternative for Germany (known via the German abbreviation JA), which has members as young as 14, is the first German group to be branded as extremist since the Nazi era, its members described as arsonists and cue-givers of hate by BfV President Thomas Haldenwang this week. The AfD as a whole was put under official surveillance by domestic intelligence service in 2021. The AfD may choose to fight the extremism decision in court and despite its well-documented links to even more radical far-right activity, it still has enough support nationally to be considered by some as a mainstream, respectable party, Arzheimer said. The AfD is the strongest party in some regions in the east and commands very respectable levels of support nationally. Their sizable delegations in the Bundestag, European Parliament, and most state parliaments give them legal protection but also access to funds and the media so that their position is quite entrenched. In the former East Germany, which reunified with the West in 1991, it enjoys the support of roughly a quarter of voters, making it frequently the strongest party in eastern regions. Ahead of the 2021 federal elections in Germany, the Bertelsmann Foundation found in a survey that just under 8% of German voters had manifest right-wing extremist attitudes. The figure is almost four times higher among AfD supporters. Bjorn Hocke at one of the AfD events (Bodo Schackow / DPA via Getty Images ) The AfD denies that it fosters extremist views. Neither the AfD nor the Young Alternative responded to NBC News requests for comment. But in a statement posted to the partys website Wednesday, co-leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel said: There is no progressive radicalization in the AfD, adding that the BfVs decision to class the youth wing as extremist was an outrageous action. The rise of the right is felt across society. Of the almost 60,000 politically motivated crimes recorded by German police last year including antisemitic crimes and those targeting asylum-seekers 41% were committed by far-right extremists. The number of recorded hate crimes rose by 10% compared to 2021 and three quarters were inspired by far-right ideology, officials said earlier this month. Unveiling the figures, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said she would be urgently proposing new, tighter gun laws as a result. And 79% of people asked by the German Center for Integration and Migration Research, a state-backed think tank, said German democracy was in more danger today than it had been five years ago. On Tuesday, Germanys federal prosecutors office said it had detained three more suspected far-right anti-democracy extremists linked to an alleged plot by the Reichsburger or citizens of the Reich movement, which is accused of an alleged plot to overthrow the government. The three are suspected of membership in a terrorist organization, the prosecutors office said in a statement. In December, 25 people from the group were arrested in an operation involving 3,000 officers who recovered firearms, bullets and detailed plans. While few believe the group could achieve its goal, experts say it is dangerous. There was a high likelihood of loss of life. With more and more of these groups, we see that they are members of the military or are ex-military or ex-police, said Miro Dittrich, an expert at CeMAS, a German group that monitors right-wing extremism. As with much far-right across Europe, another catalyst for the movement was resistance to pandemic restrictions and lockdowns. A lot of people joined this movement and they said people would rise up, but it never led to anything, Dittrich said. So the inner core of the group believe there is a plan, a conspiracy to terminate Germans and it is war and its legitimate to use violence in a crisis moment. There is a more subtle but no less important aspect to the rise of Germanys far right: a rightward drift in the language and politics of mainstream parties, according to Vicente Valentim, a political scientist at the University of Oxford in England who studies how politics changes social norms. So a part of this increase is not people becoming more extremist, its that people who already had these views are more likely to talk about them in public. It gives voters a cue that there are others who share their views, that they are acceptable, he said. There had also been a concrete shift in voting trends and attitudes in the last 10 years, Valentin OR Valentim argued, but just as significant was the emboldening of those who were already anti-migration and worried about radical Islam and the center right has changed accordingly. It also has affected how other politicians speak the center right takes on some of the rhetoric of the far right. Its a very strong mechanism for changing social norms. We have quite a lot of evidence that once the far right became successful, the remaining parties got closer to their views on migration, he said. Andy Eckardt reported from Mainz, and Patrick Smith reported from London. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The protests took shape after the May 3 and May 4 mass shootings that left 18 people dead and 20 wounded Tens of thousands of people staged the fourth weekly anti-government protest in the Serbian capital Belgrade Saturday after two back-to-back shootings that killed 18 people, half of them children. Carrying flowers, the demonstrators defied heavy rain and ringed the building of the state-run RTS broadcaster, demanding the resignations of top directors and editors. The "Serbia against violence" protests have culminated into some of the largest rallies since widespread demonstrations triggered the fall of strongman Slobodan Milosevic over two decades ago. They have tapped into simmering anger at the ruling party over what protesters say is a culture of violence fanned by the government and the media outlets they control. "I am here because I am fed up with the lies and corruption. Nothing will change here until people realise it is posible and that we do have a choice," 40-year-old Dusan Valent told AFP. The protests took shape after the early May mass shootings that left 18 people dead and wounded several others. Nine of the dead were students at a Belgrade elementary school who were gunned down by a 13-year-old pupil. The demonstrators also want the government to revoke the broadcasting licences of television channels promoting violent content, and a ban on pro-government newspapers that stir tensions by targeting political dissidents. They also want the interior minister and the head of the intelligence service to resign. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic organised a rally of his own supporters on Friday in a show of force against the opposition-led protests. Vucic initially dismissed the protests as a "political" stunt, but seemingly softened the stance towards the demonstrators. "Those who rallied in the past couple of weeks are, for the most part, good, decent and normal people who want what's good for Serbia," Vucic said during a rally on Friday. "Those I cannot appreciate are the politicians, who will make history with dishonour, by abusing the greatest tragedy of our people," he said, referring to the shootings. But Vucic turned down their demand for a transitional government ahead of new elections. mbs/ach Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill rolling back child labor laws in response to business owner complaints over labor shortages. Iowa's unemployment rate was under 3% last month. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks at a campaign event for Senate candidate Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) at Dahl Auto Museum as part of Ernst's RV tour of Iowa on October 31, 2020 in Davenport, Iowa. Mario Tama/Getty Images Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill rolling back child labor protections. Under the new law, 14-year-olds can work in manufacturing and older teens can serve alcohol at night. The bill is one of many targeting child labor laws across the nation, signed largely by GOP governors. Iowa has become the latest state to roll back child labor protections, with Republican Governor Kim Reynolds on Friday signing into law a new bill allowing Iowa teenagers to work more jobs for longer hours. Under the new law, 14- and 15-year-olds may now hold jobs that require them to participate in "light" manufacturing (without machinery) and 16- and 17-year-old teens may serve alcohol as late as 11 p.m. on summer nights with a parent's consent, Insider previously reported. "With this legislation Iowa joins 20 other states in providing tailored, common sense labor provisions that allow young adults to develop their skills in the workforce," ABC News reported Reynolds said in a statement. The Des Moines Register reported Rep. Dave Deyoe, the bill's sponsor in the House, said youth employment leads to "less poverty, money for future education, less delinquent behavior, experience in the workplace and access to mentors and role models, and finally, access to careers that may mean a more successful future." However, the outlet reported the US Department of Labor's top lawyer, Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda, last month criticized bills like Iowa's, calling it "irresponsible for states to consider loosening child labor protections." Vox reported GOP lawmakers say such laws create "a simple solution" to workforce staffing issues. Businesses have increasingly reported labor shortages since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed over 1,127,000 Americans since 2020, according to the World Health Organization. The bill is one of ten tracked across the nation by the Economic Policy Institute in the past two years that have been either introduced or enacted, targeting minimum ages for certain jobs, how many hours minors are allowed to work, and which industries they're allowed to work in. The Governors of Iowa, Arkansas, New Hampshire, and New Jersey have each passed measures introduced in their respective states. Of those, only New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is a Democrat. Representatives for Gov. Reynolds did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. The Iowa Governor's decision to roll back child labor laws is an apparent response to business owners who say they cannot find enough workers. Iowa's April unemployment rate was 2.7%, local outlet KUAZ reported. Arkansas' unemployment rate was 2.8%, New Hampshire's was 2.1%, and New Jersey's was 3.5% the only state that has recently rolled back child labor protections with a higher average than the nationwide 3.4% unemployment rate. Read the original article on Business Insider Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in July 2020 with then-President Donald Trump. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press) This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida fielded what should have been an easy question. He gave a dangerous answer. On a conservative podcast, DeSantis was asked whether, if elected president, he would consider pardoning former President Donald Trump and the Jan. 6 rioters. Instead of saying no, he dangled carrots the first in the direction of conspiracy theorists, as he said a DeSantis administration would look for any example of disfavoured treatment based on politics or weaponization. The second carrot was for any racists listening. If there are other people who did the same thing, but just in a context like [Black Lives Matter], and they dont get prosecuted at all, that is uneven application of justice, and so were going to find ways where that did not happen. And then we will use the pardon power and I will do that at the front end, he said. There is only one reason for DeSantis to bring up Black Lives Matter in a conversation about Trump and Jan. 6: the false-equivalency shell game. Which, sure, is generally an effective political tool, but I think Republicans forfeited this particular maneuver when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in December: The entire nation knows who is responsible for that day. Even Tucker Carlson knew Trump had crossed a line. He may have intended to say that only in private, but he did say it, in texts that have since come to light. So is DeSantis positioning himself further out in the fringe than Carlson? The governors lukewarm defense of democracy and the rule of law was not only a message to Trump supporters but to Trump himself: a warning to the former president that if he gets on DeSantis bad side, and DeSantis makes it to the White House, that pardon might not come to fruition. Ultimately, what DeSantis is dangling is less like a carrot and more like a ticking bomb. Pardoning domestic terrorists is setting up the nation for decades of pain that ought to be put behind us. How do we know? Because its been done before. After the Civil War, President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederate soldiers, and you know what happened? Lets just say the spirit of the rebellion lived on. Or rather, lives on. There was a veteran of the Confederacy serving in the Senate as late as 1921, the same year as the Tulsa r ace m assacre. A century later, on Jan. 6, 2021, a Confederate battle flag was carried into the Capitol a place that flag had not reached during the actual war. Johnsons pardon did not bring healing or justice. It brought Jim Crow laws. Not that Johnson cared. He vetoed a bill guaranteeing the citizenship of Black people immediately after the Civil War. Congress had to override him. Thats not "critical race theory," by the way. Thats just what happened. So no, Gov. DeSantis, this nation cant appease insurrectionists and racists in an effort to kumbaya its way past Jan. 6. If it isnt rooted out ruthlessly, that kind of cancer will always return. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Greater Akron shows stagnant growth in latest Census estimate. Which city grew the most? Kent was one of the fastest growing cities, according to the 2022 Ohio Census With a few exceptions, most communities in Greater Akron are experiencing stagnant population growth or slight declines, according to the latest U.S. Census estimates. The U.S. Census Bureau recently released information on Ohio's population changes from 2021-2022, showing how communities within Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties have shifted in terms of an estimated decline or growth in residents. The college town of Kent in Portage County saw the largest estimated increase in the region by far, jumping 9.6% from 24,778 in 2021 to 27,147 in 2022. The city's population growth coincided with Kent State University students returning to town after retreating to their hometowns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Kent's population still hasn't returned to its 2020 level of 28,182 residents. Meanwhile, Akron's estimated population dropped by 41, from 188,550 in 2021 to 188,509 in 2022. President and CEO of Greater Akron Chamber Steve Millard acknowledged the challenges of growing the Akron's population. "Stagnant population growth is an ongoing challenge for many communities like ours that are adjusting to a new mix of work locations, and a flight of jobs and opportunities, from urban downtowns to suburban and rural communities. These issues require long-term, sustained effort to drive improvement," Millard wrote in an email. "There is work going on every day in our community to increase our visibility and attractiveness as a place to live and work. Whether its connecting young people to information about opportunities within our city for in-demand jobs, to increasing the visibility of the active arts, culture, social, economic, and recreational activities going on downtown every day there is no doubt we must do more to give people in our region access to and opportunities to experience what downtown activities, living and working is all about." Here are some other highlights from the latest Census estimates for the region. Summit County Within Summit County, most communities were estimated to have little to no changes in population from 2021 to 2022 with little to no changes. Cuyahoga Falls lost the most number of estimated residents in the county. The city lost an estimated 208 residents in 2022, falling from 50,863 to 50,655. The city of Twinsburg had the largest population climb, growing by an estimated 74 residents over the 2021-2022 year, climbing from 19,342 to 19,416. The other community in Summit County with an estimated population growth was Northfield, which grew by an estimated four residents to 3,531. Portage County Aside from Kent, Aurora had the biggest estimated population growth in Portage County, increasing about 1% (or 178 residents) to 17,528. Ravenna had the biggest loss of residents within the county. An estimated 47 residents have moved out of the city, dropping the population to 11,298. Medina County For the majority of Medina County, communities tended to remain flat, with the exception of two outliers. Brunswick lost an estimated 153 residents, while Wadsworth gained an estimated 159. City Manager of Brunswick Carl DeForest said he believes that regardless of the numbers, Brunswick continues to remain on an upward path. "Estimates are just estimates. I believe that it's inaccurate...the city has continued to flourish and have been building more homes for the past few years," DeForest said. Stark County A majority of communities in Stark County saw small declines in residents. The biggest decline was found in Canton, which lost an estimated 556 residents, falling from 70,227 to 69,671. One of the few Stark County communities that grew was Massillon, which increased by an estimated 95 residents from 32,197 to 32,292. Wayne County Like the rest of the counties in the region, Wayne County saw flat population numbers. The city of Wooster grew an estimated 1.8% from 26,541 to 27,031, adding an estimated 490 residents within the city. Other Wayne County communities saw their populations change by an estimated 14 residents or less. Heading toward change Millard said he remains confident that Akron and and surrounding communities can grow "Based on the business investment trends we are seeing in Ohio, and the interest in communities and lifestyle options that exist in Akron and Summit County, we are optimistic about the long-term outlook," he said. "While its not easy to reverse these trends, we have the fundamentals in terms of people, job opportunities, work ethic, amenities, and quality of life, that can come together to do so." Want a closer look? Each of the five counties in the Greater Akron area are shown along with the outliers within each county: the largest gain in population and the largest loss in population. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: U.S. Census estimate shows most Akron-area cities face stagnant growth My Greek parents tried Ina Garten's new Greek orzo salad and now they can't stop making it I recently made Ina Garten's Greek orzo salad, and it got my Greek parents' stamp of approval. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider I recently made Ina Garten's Greek orzo salad for my Greek parents. The light and refreshing salad features feta, orzo, chickpeas, Kalamata olives, and red bell pepper. My parents loved the delicious dish, and now they can't stop making it for dinner. I love reviewing Ina Garten's recipes, and often have my parents test them with me. I've been making Ina Garten's recipes for the last few years. Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty Images When the pandemic hit and the US went into lockdown, it was Garten who inspired me to finally improve my skills in the kitchen. And when I briefly moved back in with my parents, they were more than happy to sample my creations. It's since become a tradition, and now I whip up new "Barefoot Contessa" dishes for my parents every time I visit. So when I saw that Garten had a new Greek orzo salad recipe, I knew my Greek parents had to try it. And I decided to have my Greek parents try out her new recipe. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider My parents immigrated to the US from Greece in the 1980s, and they made sure to teach me about Greek culture through food. My dad made his delicious pastitsio (like lasagna, but better) every week, and avgolemono soup was always served for dinner when one of us was sick. Every Christmas was celebrated with a big pan of baklava, and youvetsi was a staple comfort dinner. But my parents are always willing to try something new they tested 15 different "Greek" products from Trader Joe's just to see which ones tasted authentic! So when I told them Garten had a new Greek orzo salad, they were super excited. Garten's Greek orzo salad is packed with fresh ingredients. Garten's Greek orzo salad includes feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and orzo. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider To make Garten's Greek orzo salad, which serves six, you'll need: 1 cup orzo (about 8 ounces) 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained 2 cups baby arugula 4 ounces Greek feta, -inch diced (not crumbled) cup good olive oil cup diced red bell pepper (-inch) cup diced red onion (-inch) cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved lengthwise cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice, plus extra for serving 3 tablespoons capers in brine, drained 3 tablespoons minced fresh dill Garten's Greek orzo salad appears in her most recent cookbook "Go-To Dinners," and was inspired by Round Swamp Farm, a third-generation family farm in East Hampton. "Their prepared food and baked goods are simply outstanding," she writes. "This recipe was inspired by one of their salads; it has all the Greek ingredients that I love orzo, olives, feta, lemon, and dill." The first step to making Garten's salad is prepping the orzo. Bringing water to a boil for the orzo. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider I brought six cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. I added the orzo and one tablespoon of salt to my saucepan. I let the orzo simmer until it was al dente. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider Once you've added the orzo, Garten says you should return the water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for eight to 10 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the orzo is al dente. While my orzo cooked, I began cutting my veggies. My chopped red onion and red bell pepper. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider I diced the red onion and red bell pepper, per Garten's instructions. I also prepped my chickpeas and capers. I also drained my chickpeas and capers. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider I rinsed and drained the chickpeas and made sure to drain my capers. I also halved my Kalamata olives, minced the dill, and diced my feta cheese. i halved my Kalamata olives. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider Garten's Greek orzo salad comes together super quick, the only real work is cutting all the veggies and herbs. I had my dad helping me, so it took even less time. It didn't take long to make the dressing. I mixed lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper for the vinaigrette. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider I just whisked together the lemon juice and olive oil with two tablespoons of salt and one teaspoon of black pepper and voila! It was ready. Once the orzo was al dente, I drained it and transferred my pasta to a large bowl. I drained the orzo and transferred it to a bowl. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider It was time to build the salad. First I poured the vinaigrette over the warm pasta. Pouring the vinaigrette over the orzo. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider I made sure to stir it well so the orzo would absorb all that delicious flavor. Then I added the chickpeas, onion, and bell pepper. Then I added my veggies to the orzo. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider Everything was already looking so colorful. I topped it off with the capers, dill, olives, and feta and gave everything a big stir. I also threw in the dill and capers. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider I used two spoons to help me carefully combine all the ingredients together. I stirred in the arugula just before serving. I gave everything a big mix after adding the arugula. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider Garten says you can enjoy her salad either warm or at room temperature, but make sure you hold off on adding the arugula if you're making it the day before no one likes soggy leaves in their salad. Once you're ready to serve, also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and taste for seasoning. I should also note that Garten advises serving this with sliced lemon. My parents didn't love the idea of whole lemon pieces being in the salad, so we decided to nix it. Garten's Greek orzo salad looked fresh and vibrant. I loved all the color in Garten's Greek orzo salad. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider I always love serving a salad that's full of color, and Garten's Greek orzo salad has plenty. The pop of red from the bell pepper, the fresh green from the arugula, and the bright purple from the onion all worked together to make a beautiful plate. My parents definitely looked impressed as I brought the salad to the dinner table. But would it taste as good as it looked? Garten's Greek orzo salad was super delicious and now my parents can't stop making it. My parents were huge fans of Garten's Greek orzo salad. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider The orzo soaks up so many delicious Mediterranean flavors that are familiar to any Greek the salty chunks of feta intertwining with the rich Kalamata olives, the crisp bell pepper and red onion dancing together, that pop of fresh lemon brightening every bite. Even though there were so many different components to the salad, everything was perfectly balanced. The light and refreshing salad is also really easy to make and still tastes great the next day. It's perfect for a barbecue side, or a main dish on a hot summer night (my dad recommends pairing it with some grilled meats or fish). My parents have already whipped up Garten's Greek orzo salad a couple of times since our last taste test, and I'm not surprised. The lovely dish tastes like something we would've eaten while watching the turquoise waves of the Aegean Sea during our summer trips back to Greece. "Ina must've been Greek in one of her previous lives," my mom declared. Read the original article on Insider Flash Liu Fuxue, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau, gave a speech at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) roadshow on May 26, 2023 in London.(Xinhua/Li Ying) The 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) roadshow held on Thursday was attended by over 200 representatives from the British government, business associations and enterprises. The CIIE serves as a window for China to share development opportunities with the world, and China welcomes the British government and businesses to make the most of the expo to achieve greater success in the Chinese market, Bao Ling, minister of Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom, said. The expo is China's major decision to promote its opening up in the new era and a great action to proactively open Chinese market to the world, Liu Fuxue, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau, said at the roadshow. Several well-known UK brands, such as AstraZeneca, Unilever, Burberry and HSBC, have been keen participants in the CIIE, Liu said. Lise Bertelsen, executive director of the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), said it was imperative for the world's second and sixth largest economies to continue to work together, talk to each other and develop activities. Calling the CIIE an excellent opportunity for UK businesses to enter and expand in the Chinese market, Bertelsen said the CBBC has been and will continue to be involved in the CIIE and would love to deepen the partnership in the future. The 6th CIIE is scheduled to be held in Shanghai, China, between Nov. 5 and Nov. 10. Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday became the first woman to deliver a commencement address at the graduation ceremony at the US Military Academy in West Point, New York, warning graduates they were an increasingly unsettled world where long standing principles are at risk. In the history-making speech, Harris discussed themes of global security and prosperity, arguing that Americas democratic ideals inspire billions. In the face of all these challenges, America plays a singular role of leadership, the vice president told the graduates. Cadets, global security and global prosperity depend on the leadership of the United States of America. And a strong America remains indispensable to the world. Taking aim at Russian aggression in Ukraine, Harris called Moscows unprovoked invasion an attack on international rules and norms that have served as the foundation of international security and prosperity for generations. She also slammed China for modernizing its military and threatening both the freedom of the seas and rules of international commerce. Harris comments come as President Joe Biden is seeking a second White House term next year. To date, the pair has leaned heavily on a message of saving democratic values at home and strengthening alliances abroad, even as relations with Russia and China remain contentious. During Bidens trip to the G7 summit earlier this month, the group of industrialized nations agreed to counter Chinas malign practices and coercion and pledged to choke off Russias ability to finance and fuel its war. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at Michie Stadium to deliver the keynote speech at West Point's graduation ceremony on May 27, 2023 in West Point, New York. Harris is the first woman to give a commencement address in the military academy's 221-year history. - Spencer Platt/Getty Images To the Class of 2023: You join the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen, Harris said Saturday. And in years to come, I promise you, you will be tried, and you will be tested. And I am so very confident that you will rise to each occasion. Whatever comes your way. You are ready. And you are ready because you are true leaders of character. Harris previously made history in 2021 as the first woman to give a commencement address at the US Naval Academy. Last year, she spoke at the US Coast Guard Academys graduation ceremony. Biden is expected to address graduates at the US Air Force Academy on June 1. CNNs Kaanita Iyer contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Heading to the beach? These US beaches will be dangerous or gross this holiday weekend. Memorial Day weekend may mark the unofficial start to summer, but beachgoers in several states are being warned of heavy rain, windy conditions and unhealthy bacterial levels. Even if it's safe to kick off summer at your beach of choice, in some places it's not looking as enjoyable as you might like. Some U.S. beaches are likely to be plagued by cloudy weather or gross mats of seaweed this weekend. More than 42 million Americans are expected to be traveling this Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA, which estimates a 7% increase in travelers compared to last year. If you're headed to the beach, here's what to know: Southern California: Cloudy weather, high bacteria and blue jellyfish From cloudy skies along the coast (not-so) affectionately known as "May Gray" to high bacteria levels, some Southern Californians looking forward to a beach weekend might be in for a disappointment. The National Weather Service in San Diego said marine layer clouds were covering the region on Saturday morning. The first holiday weekend of the (almost) summer is upon us! Nothing but May Gray, below normal temps, cold water, and an increased risk of rip currents. Perhaps not the beach weather you were looking for Either way, 3 day weekend! Not for us though. We'll be here as always. pic.twitter.com/IFTjaFFpQd NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) May 26, 2023 "The sun should make an appearance for most places this afternoon, but it may be pretty brief at the coast," the weather service said in a tweet. Beaches in the region have also been littered with blue jellyfish-like creatures known as by-the-wind sailors or velella velella, which aren't dangerous to humans, that have washed up in recent weeks. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says the slimy creatures can't control their direction and "sail" with the wind, and wash up on shore if blown too close. Thankfully, they're small and unlikely to ruin anyone's trip to the beach. Velella velella, also known as by-the-wind sailors, seen on a San Diego County beach on May 7. The jellyfish are not dangerous to humans, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. They continued to be observed in Southern and Central California into late May. Meanwhile, Los Angeles County officials warned against going in the water at a handful of beaches due to levels of bacteria higher than what is considered safe. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said people should avoid swimming, surfing and playing in the water at the following beaches this weekend: Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach Latigo Shore Drive in Malibu Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach Stormy weather at southeastern beaches as Hurricane Center tracks weather system The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a storm system off the coast of South Carolina this weekend and warned it will cause dangerous riptides and gusty winds along the southeastern U.S. coastline. "Even though development into a subtropical or tropical cyclone is not expected, the system will produce gusty winds and dangerous surf and rip current conditions along portions of the southeastern United States coast through Sunday," the center said. STORMY WEATHER: Hurricane Center watching system near Carolinas. Will it ruin Memorial Day weather? Officials warned about rip currents at beaches including Wilmington and the Outer Banks in North Carolina; Charleston and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Daytona Beach in Florida. See the photos of Florida's sargassum seaweed Southeast Florida beaches have been blanketed with "blobs" of sargassum seaweed, known for being brown and crunchy when it washes up on shore, and floating in island-like masses in the ocean, never touching the floor due to its buoyancy. When it covers beaches, it can inconvenience visitors as they search for a clear spot to sprawl out or have to move the seaweed out of the way. It also rots after washing ashore and can produce a foul smell and even irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Here's what it looks like on Treasure Coast beaches ahead of the holiday: Sargassum seaweed has collected along the shoreline at Jensen Beach Park on Thursday, May, 25, 2023, on Hutchinson Island. The beach is 4191 N.E. Ocean Blvd. Sargassum seaweed has collected along the shoreline at Jensen Beach Park on Thursday, May, 25, 2023, on Hutchinson Island. The beach is 4191 N.E. Ocean Blvd. Sargassum seaweed covers the shore north of South Beach Park at 1702 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach on Wednesday May 24, 2023 around 6 p.m. A few beach goers on May 25, 2023, didnt let the seaweed stop them from coming to Waveland Beach, the southernmost guarded beach in St. Lucie County. The beach is at 10350 S. Ocean Drive in Jensen Beach. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT DELAWARE BEACHES: Headed to the Delaware beaches this Memorial Day weekend? Here's your guide Contributing: Treasure Coast Newspapers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beach plans? Memorial Day to be dangerous or gross on these US beaches FILE PHOTO: Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) East picket outside Peacock Newfront streaming service offices in New York City By Jorge Garcia LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Unions representing teachers, truck drivers and other workers who will be headed soon to the bargaining table turned out in downtown Los Angeles on Friday to support Hollywood's striking film and television writers. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) began a work stoppage on May 2 after failing to reach an agreement for higher wages with media companies including Walt Disney Co, Netflix Inc and Warner Bros Discovery Inc. On Friday, a few hundred members of unions in the tourism and hospitality industries, teachers, logistics workers and public employees rallied in downtown Los Angeles in a show of unity. The participating unions represented more than 200,000 workers with collective bargaining agreements also due to expire in 2023, organizers said. "It's going to be a hot labor summer," Lorena Gonzalez, executive secretary of the California Labor Federation, told the crowd. "It's your strength in standing together that's going to ensure the next generation of workers have the ability to live." Organizers said the unions had universal demands for livable wages amid rising food, housing and transportation costs. Writer Danielle Roderick said she hoped the writers would lead a movement of "everybody not taking it." "Everybody feels like they are getting eaten alive in some way," said Roderick, who attended the rally with her husband, also a writer, and two children. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents major studios, has said it offered "generous" increases in compensation to writers. No new talks between the two sides are scheduled. (Reporting by Jorge Garcia and Lisa Richwine; Editing by Tom Hogue) Just hours after seven inmates wearing gold graduation gowns received their GEDs inside the Richland County jail, another inmate was rushed to the hospital following a fight. Another inmate had been hospitalized the night before with stab wound to his thigh and hands, and wounds across his face. They were the seventh and eighth assaults inside the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center reported by the Richland County Sheriffs Department so far this year. Richland County continues to invest millions of dollars into improving the detention center to try to meet state standards after a critical report by the South Carolina Department of Corrections. But the facility continues to be beset by violence that has proven stubbornly hard to eradicate. Sheriffs department deputies were called to investigate the most recent attack at 2:45 p.m. Friday, just hours after the gradation ceremony for inmates who had completed a 12-week course meant to inspire hope and test them in math, reading, science and social studies. Jail staff reported that two inmates had gotten into a fight during recreation time. During the fight, a 25-year-old male inmate received cuts to his upper body. Three homemade knives were recovered following the attack, according to the Richland County Sheriffs Department. Including the most recent incidents, deputies have reported five hospitalizations for stabbings inside the jail so far this month, an unusually high number even for a jail that has been previously criticized for its lax security. On May 11, three inmates were stabbed in two separate incidents. Just six days later, Cameron T. Darley, a 27-year-old jail employee was arrested and charged with bringing contraband into the jail and misconduct in office. The violence has been widely blamed by attorneys and county officials on chronic under-staffing that continues to plague the jail, which also houses federal inmates and inmates from other counties who are awaiting trial. In a presentation to Richland County Council, interim jail director Crayman Harvey said roughly half of the detention center officer positions were not filled. In a Jan. 19 letter to the county, Blake Taylor, director of compliance, standards and inspections with the Department of Corrections, wrote that the state could mandate specific changes if Richland County did not provide a plan to improve the jail. Since then, the county administration has made significant public pledges to improve the staffing and security situation at the jail. Bonuses for retention and referral are being offered to new employees, and pay is being structured to encourage employees to stay longer. Richland County has also pledged $2.5 million to retrofit the jails locks with a high security Willo Wedge Lock system. All of these things are focused efforts that we are taking to address the concerns at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, county administrator Leonardo Brown said at a press conference in April, shortly after the county administration submitted a 180-page plan to the Department of Corrections outlining proposed improvements to the jail. Introduced in 2017, the GED program is one such initiative that administrators and county officials hope will help reduce violence and improve the lives of inmates. So far, there have been 64 graduates, according to a statement from the Richland County Council, but this is the first commencement ceremony. Youre putting 12 years into three tests for them to achieve their GED. So its a lot of work, Harvey, the jail director, said Friday. Its 12 weeks of work, and in this type of environment that they are in, it has to be very disciplined on their part to be able to achieve what they achieved today. Harvey has previously said that a growing number of inmates were staying incarcerated at the jail for longer periods of time. While theyre here, this is the prime time to give them all the programs and resources they need, he said. So when they do get out, or if they should get out, they wont have to come back to jail. Russia will slash the number of people that Germany can employ in its embassies or institutions in Russia Hundreds of civil servants and local employees working for German institutions in Russia will need to leave the country or lose their jobs in the coming days following an order by Moscow, Germany's foreign ministry said Saturday. Starting from June, Russia will slash the number of people that Germany can employ in its embassies or institutions in Russia in the education and cultural sectors, the ministry said. Several hundred people are affected, including officials from the embassy and consulate, but mostly employees of the Goethe cultural institute in the country, German schools, nurseries and teachers working in Russian schools, it added. Both German and local Russian employees are affected, the ministry said, without giving precise figures on each category of staff. German employees will have to quit the country by June 1. Russian employees should not be required to leave the country, but will lose their jobs since German institutions will no longer be able to employ them, the ministry said -- clarifying initial indications the locals would have to leave too. The news was first revealed on Saturday in the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, which spoke of a "diplomatic declaration of war by Moscow" against Berlin. "This is a unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible decision," the German foreign ministry said in a statement. A close economic partner with Russia before Moscow invaded Ukraine, Germany has since moved away from Moscow, financially and militarily supporting Kyiv in the conflict. Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian espionage in Germany has grown at a rate rarely equalled in recent years, according to German security services. - Expulsions - In mid-April, Germany expelled a number of Russian diplomats "to reduce the presence of intelligence services" which prompted a tit-for-tat response from Moscow which booted out some 20 German embassy staff. The Russian foreign ministry in April set a ceiling for the number of German diplomats and representatives of public organisations allowed to stay in Russia or be employed by German institutions, the German foreign ministry said. "This limit set by Russia from the beginning of June implies major cuts in all areas of (Germany's) presence in Russia," the ministry said. German authorities have tried in recent weeks to get the Russian ministry to reverse its decision, but without success, Sueddeutsche Zeitung said. Berlin will aim to ensure "a real balance" in its response, the foreign ministry said. In spring 2022, Germany already expelled some 40 Russian diplomats which Berlin believed to represent a threat to its security. Before Moscow invaded Ukraine, Russia was Germany's main supplier of gas and a major supplier of oil. However Germany stopped supplies and has since become one of the biggest providers of arms and financial support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, souring relations which had been warming over decades. Last October, the head of Germany's cybersecurity agency, Arne Schoenbohm, was fired after news reports revealed his proximity to a cybersecurity consultancy believed to have contacts with Russian intelligence services. A month later, a German reserve officer was handed a suspended prison sentence of a year and nine months for spying for Russia. ylf/gw/dl/rox U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, pledged another $3.5 million of federal funding for Cahokia Heights faulty sewer system on Friday. The cash from the federal budget will funnel to Cahokia Heights through the Army Corp of Engineers and will help fund an existing project for the citys main trunk line. What its all about is making sure the quality of life is improved for the people who live in this area, Durbin said. Can you imagine dealing with this kind of flooding on a real basis in your home in your home? Its not a once in a lifetime thing; its way too frequent. Last week, the Corps and city officials signed an agreement for the $4.67 million project that officials say will take a few years to complete. Those officials say the project on the 9-mile line will correct pipe deficiencies and ensure reliability. This latest project comes in conjunction with a nearly $10 million project funded by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which will also address the main trunk and the citys 35 pump stations. If that main line, that main conduit, isnt repaired, it affects all the other sewers in the community in a negative way, said Jim Nold, senior project manager at Hurst Rosche, the engineering firm designing the project for the city. Durbin also acknowledged that any repairs to the citys infrastructure wont happen as fast as residents whove long dealt with backed up sewers and standing water in their basements would like to see. They have a right to be frustrated, he said. Durbin visited Cahokia Heights last August, where he announced support from the American Rescue Plan Act for the citys repairs. On Friday, the East St. Louis native said hes interested in moving the project forward by getting state and regional leaders together to discuss how other communities can help solve the issue thats impacted some of the citys residents for a long time. We need regional cooperation in dealing with this, he said. This just isnt a Cahokia Heights problem or East St. Louis problem. Its a regional problem. Weve got to address it in a regional way. I'm the first Filipina to win a Formula 1 Academy race. The barrier-breaking milestone is also a win for my family and my country. I'm the first Filipina to win a Formula 1 Academy race. The barrier-breaking milestone is also a win for my family and my country. Bianca Bustamante celebrates on the podium, holding the Philippines flag, at the F1 Academy Series in May 2023. Adam Pretty - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images Bianca Bustamante made history by becoming the first Filipina to win a Formula 1 Academy race. The 18-year-old racer faced many early barriers because of finances and her gender. Bustamante spoke with Insider reporter Yoonji Han about her road to racing and what the win means to her. This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Bianca Bustamante, an 18-year-old race car driver. In May, she became the first Filipina to win a Formula 1 Academy race. It has been edited for length and clarity. I didn't have a very normal road to motorsports. It's not a household sport in the Philippines, where I'm from, so there weren't many people who could help you get into car racing. It was my dad who introduced me to racing. He was a former race kart driver, and had so much love and passion for it, but unfortunately couldn't pursue it due to financial difficulties. So when he had a daughter, he always wanted to show her this world. The first is something you never forget. The first time I drove a race kart was when I was 3 years old. I could barely walk, could barely say my name, and I already had a steering wheel in my hands. I vividly remember how happy I was driving and how fast I was going. I remember the smile I had on my face. Bustamante as a baby with her father (left); Bustamante as a toddler in a kart (right). Courtesy of Bianca Bustamante Revving up for motorsports Coming from the Philippines, which isn't a very rich country, meant I valued hard work so much. Anything I was given in life, it wasn't on a silver platter. I had to work twice as hard for it. That's especially the case for racing, which is a sport generally reserved for people with money. For example, we had to use an older car, an older chassis, which is the supporting frame of the car, and that sometimes slowed down my progress. But at the same time, it pushed me forward, because I knew that if I were to make it, it would break barriers since money doesn't get you as far as talent. Bustamante gears up for a race at the F1 Academy in Valencia, May 2023. Eric Alonso - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images Another barrier was gender. In Asia, and especially in the Philippines, women don't hold as much power. They're given this sort of stereotype that they're supposed to care about the family, the home, and aren't supposed to pursue a career let alone one in sports. There aren't many female race car drivers. Often, I get criticism from people, who'd say, "Maybe you should dream less so you can make it further in life," or, "Maybe you shouldn't go into this man's world, where you can fail in many million ways." But in my head, I just knew that if I didn't pursue what I loved, then it wouldn't be a life worth living. So I had to shoot for the stars. Making history When you're driving, it's a mental sport as much as a physical one. You reach insane speeds: 0 to 100 kilometers [62 miles] per hour in 3.6 seconds. Your body goes through a lot of things, like g-force and inertia. On top of that, you're engaged in a mental battle: When you're competing with other cars, whoever's the one who's willing to risk it the most will be the one who'll be the most rewarded. The competition doesn't start when the lights go off. It starts weeks in advance. Making my first win in Valencia at the Formula 1 Academy series was exhilarating. Hearing the Philippine national anthem which hasn't been played in motorsports for a very long time was an emotional moment for me. Bustamante tears up on the podium after placing first on an F1 Academy Series race, May 6, 2023. Eric Alonso - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images Racing has taught me a lot outside of sports. It teaches me so many life lessons, like learning how to deal with failure, hindrances, and setbacks. I had to learn how to take defeats. At first it was quite tough, especially when you're young. You lose your race not because it was necessarily your fault, but because the car breaks down or the engine doesn't start. There's a feeling of helplessness; it hurts. But the best ones out there are the ones that don't just focus on results, but focus on growth. That's why it's the thing I most look forward to. To not only be the first Filipina to win a Formula 1 Academy race, but also the only Filipina to win an FIA-sanctioned race, has truly been a great honor. I'm representing my Philippines and breaking barriers, and my parents are cheering for me from the sidelines. The further I go, the further my country goes. Read the original article on Insider Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is enmeshed in fighting with fellow Republicans that may lead to his downfall Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has been a legal thorn in the side of US President Joe Biden, faces removal from office in a state Congress vote on Saturday over years of official complaints about corruption. On Thursday, a congressional investigative committee unanimously adopted 20 articles of impeachment against the attorney general for corruption, misuse of public funds, false statements and obstruction of justice. The indictment alleges that Paxton pressured his staff to protect a friend and donor from prosecution. In exchange, the donor gave a job to a woman with whom the Republican had an extramarital affair and financed work on his house, the document asserts. The elected members of the Republican-led state House are set to vote on the charges after four hours of debate. If passed by a simple majority, Paxton will be suspended from office while the Texas Senate conducts a trial. If two-thirds of senators (who include his wife) agree to impeach him, he would be permanently removed from office. The 60-year-old ultraconservative, who is close to former president Donald Trump, is a divisive figure in his own party, and the outcome of the proceedings is highly uncertain. Elected in 2014 to head the Texas judiciary, he was indicted for financial fraud in 2015, and his trial is pending. This has not impeded him from being reelected in 2018, and again in 2022. Paxton's office has sued the administration of President Joe Biden nearly 50 times, seeking to turn back policies on migration, taxation and the environment, Paxton told the media on Friday. Paxton decried the impeachment drive as "illegal," "shameful," and "unjust," and called on his supporters to rally on his behalf in front of the state Capitol during the vote on Saturday. "The House is poised to do exactly what Joe Biden has been hoping to accomplish since his first day in office: sabotage... my work as attorney general," Paxton added. In 2020, members of his team had warned of his abuse of power, and they were fired. These "whistleblowers" later filed a wrongful dismissal claim. Earlier this year, Paxton reached an agreement to end their lawsuits in exchange for $3.3 million. He had asked Texas to foot the bill, which prompted the congressional committee investigation and could precipitate his downfall. chp/tjj/bfm Two inmates who escaped from an Ohio prison this week did so by concealing themselves in a dumpster, the state department of corrections said Friday as a search for one of the men continued. Bradley Gillespie, 50, who was convicted of two counts of murder and was sentenced to two consecutive 15-to-life sentences in 2016, remained on the loose Friday, and officials in Kentucky were mounting a manhunt. The other inmate, James Lee, 47, who escaped from the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution has been captured, officials have said. Bradley Gillespie. (Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction via AP) The two men escaped from the prison in Lima, around 80 miles northwest of Columbus after concealing themselves in a dumpster, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said in a statement Friday. They were discovered missing during a prisoner count at 11 a.m. Tuesday, the department has said. Officials then determined the men were last seen on surveillance video inside the facility just after 8:40 a.m. Monday, it said. Lee was captured by police in Henderson, Kentucky, on Wednesday after police chased a stolen car that officials believe also contained Gillespie. The car crashed, they fled on foot and Lee was arrested but Gillespie is believed to have evaded police, authorities have said. The search continued in Henderson, a city of around 27,000 on the banks of the Ohio River across the border from Indiana, police there said Friday. "Weve been going around the clock," Henderson Police Chief Sean McKinney said Friday. The search has involved forward-looking infrared, or FLIR, devices on helicopters, ground canvasses and dogs, and five boats in the Ohio River checking islands and the shoreline, McKinney said. Video of the two men at a Home Depot parking lot in Evansville, Indiana, around six hours before Wednesdays pursuit also shows Gillespie with a pronounced limp, McKinney said. It is our belief that he was injured during his escape in Ohio, he said. Gillespie is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, and in the video, he was seen wearing dark pants and a white shirt, but that was several days ago, police said. Meanwhile in Ohio, four corrections department employees have been placed on paid administrative leave as an investigation into the jailbreak continues, the department said. They are a major and three corrections officers. There is an internal investigation by the corrections departmen and a criminal investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the corrections department said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Intel gathered, partisan activity in Moscow, separatist hopes stirred what to make of the Belgorod operation RDK fighters The operation collected "valuable information for Ukrainian military intelligence" which will not be disclosed for obvious reasons, he said. Some of this data, which he briefly characterized as "the emperor has no clothes," was made available to the whole world. Yusov hinted at the exhaustion of Putin's power apparatus and Russia's vulnerability to internal attacks. The current task of Russian partisans is to liberate the state from the Putin regime, he said, adding that the resistance forces operate both in the border villages of Russia and "in the capital region of the aggressor state," meaning Moscow. Read also: Russia abandons several villages in Belgorod Oblast, Russian partisans now fighting in Moscow Oblast HUR "Their task now, if we are talking about Belgorod Oblast, is to liberate these lands from the domination of the Putin regime, which for the inhabitants of these territories representatives of different peoples, different nationalities is obviously a regime of internal occupation," Yusov explained. If we are talking about people who have a higher level of political conscience, then this is not even an internal occupation. It is, in fact, a direct external occupation, for example, if we are talking about the peoples of the Caucasus or Tatarstan. Yusov warned that Ukrainians should not overestimate the Kremlin's reaction to the operation of the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Russian Freedom Legion in Belgorod Oblast in the context of the frontline situation. Russian leadership, however, is still forced to regroup its troops in response to the events in the region. Read also: Russian insurgents publish new video of their Belgorod Oblast raid Yusov called the breakthrough of volunteers across the border an unconditional consequence of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "Geographical and political names of territories can change," he noted. The territory that is currently called the Russian Federation it includes various historical lands that were called differently at different stages today it has this name, but we will see. Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion soldiers held a press conference on May 24, following their raid on Belgorod Oblast of Russia. Here are the key statements: The saboteurs went 42 km deep into Russia and controlled some settlements in Belgorod Oblast for a day. During the raid, the fighters managed to seize Russian armored vehicles and weapons, as well as destroy a certain amount of equipment on the territory of the aggressor state, take prisoners, and take military documents. The active phase of the operation is over, the operation itself continues "in a different format". The saboteurs' losses amounted to two people killed and ten wounded. The RDK and Legion used equipment on the territory of Russia that the aggressor state "once took away from the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Bakhmut" and they "took the trophies back". They claimed to have suffered no equipment losses. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Flash Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with the Speaker of the Parliament of Iceland Birgir Armannsson via video link, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) China's top legislator Zhao Leji held talks with Birgir Armannsson, the Speaker of the Parliament of Iceland, here on Friday, calling for enhanced exchanges between legislative bodies at all levels. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 50 years ago, the two countries have developed bilateral relations based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect. Zhao said China stands ready to work with Iceland to make bilateral relations a model of harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries with different political systems and economic sizes. Noting that China has been Iceland's largest trading partner in Asia for 15 years in a row, and this year marks the 10th anniversary since the signing of a free trade agreement between the two countries, Zhao said it is hoped that the two sides will deepen practical cooperation, expand trade, jointly promote green development, deepen cooperation in renewable energy and other fields, and help their respective countries achieve green and low-carbon development. The NPC of China attaches great importance to friendly exchanges with the Iceland's parliament, Zhao said, calling on both sides to strengthen exchanges between legislative bodies at all levels, enhance experience sharing in legislative supervision, governance and environmental protection, enhance mutual trust, and provide sound legal guarantee for bilateral cooperation in various fields. Armannsson said Iceland is willing to strengthen cultural exchanges and mutual learning with China. He said Iceland hopes to further expand bilateral cooperation on economy, trade, green energy, tourism, climate change and Arctic affairs. The parliament of Iceland is willing to deepen friendly exchanges with the NPC of China and make positive legislative contributions to the development of bilateral relations, he added. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with the Speaker of the Parliament of Iceland Birgir Armannsson via video link, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill Friday that loosens child labor laws by extending the hours that teens can work and the establishments where they can be employed. The state legislature passed the GOP-led bill earlier this month largely along party lines after weeks of fierce debate. Democrats argued that easing the rules would endanger children and distract them from school and extracurricular activities, while the bills backers maintained that it would provide greater job opportunities. Iowa joins several states that have introduced or enacted legislation aiming to loosen child labor laws. With this legislation Iowa joins 20 other states in providing tailored, common sense labor provisions that allow young adults to develop their skills in the workforce, Reynolds said in a statement. In Iowa, we understand there is dignity in work and we pride ourselves on our strong work ethic. Instilling those values in the next generation and providing opportunities for young adults to earn and save to build a better life should be available, she added. Reynolds, whose signature was expected, has been a proponent of expanding youth employment opportunities. Last year, she signed a bill that lowered the minimum age requirement to provide unsupervised care to school-age children in child care facilities to 16. Under the newly signed law, 14- and 15-year-olds are allowed to work two additional hours per day when school is in session, from four to six hours. They are also able to work until 9 p.m. during most of the year and until 11 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day, two hours later than previously allowed. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds are now permitted to work the same hours as an adult. The law also allows teens as young as 16 to serve alcohol in restaurants during the hours food is being served if their employer has written permission from their parent or guardian. It also requires that two adults be present while the teen serves alcohol and for the teen to complete training on prevention and response to sexual harassment. Among the expanded employment opportunities outlined under the new law, 14- and 15-year-olds would be able to do certain types of work in industrial laundry services and in freezers and meat coolers areas that were previously prohibited. The law also gives authority to the directors of the education and workforce development departments to provide an exception to the work hours and some of the prohibited work activities to teens 16 and older who are enrolled in a qualified work-based learning program. As the bill made its way through the state legislature, opponents of the measure argued that it could not only endanger the safety of children but would also target teens from lower-income and minority backgrounds. However, proponents said the bill did not require any child to work and pointed to a provision that eliminates exemptions previously allowing children under the age of 14 to work, including selling newspapers and other items door-to-door. The law is part of a broader effort by states to loosen child labor laws. Arkansass governor signed a bill in March that allows youth under the age of 16 to be employed without a work certificate, and New Jersey and New Hampshire have enacted laws to extend work hours. Several states, including Minnesota and Missouri, have also recently introduced similar bills, according to the Economic Policy Institute. This story and headline have been updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com One firefighter died and six others were injured Friday while battling a fire at Tropical Ridge Apartments off Stoneridge Drive, according to the Columbia-Richland Fire Department and Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford. Rutherfords office identified the firefighter as James Muller, 25, of Columbia. The Columbia-Richland Fire Department said Muller was an Irmo firefighter. Five Columbia firefighters and one other Irmo firefighter were taken to area hospitals, the Columbia department reported on Twitter. Information about their conditions was not available. The fire was reported about 4:15 p.m., and multiple people were rescued, according to the Columbia Fire Department. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our partners at Irmo Fire District and our many dedicated firefighters following this tragic day, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department said on Twitter. The department has said it is investigating the cause of the blaze with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Columbia Police Department and the South Carolina Division of Fire and Life Safety. This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates. ISW explains why it will be difficult for Russia to replace Wagnerites in Bakhmut Further effective counterattacks by the Ukrainian military on the flanks of the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast may complicate Russia's operation to hand over the positions of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) to Russian regular army units, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe. Source: ISW report Details: The report stated that the Russian military bloggers said that Ukrainian forces had conducted successful counterattacks in the area of the settlements of Orikhovo-Vasylivka (11 km northwest of Bakhmut) and Klishchiivka (7 km southwest of Bakhmut). ISW pointed out that one of the Russian military bloggers said that Ukrainian counterattacks in the area of Orikhovo-Vasylivka forced the Veteran PMC units to retreat up to a kilometre from the positions they had previously held in the area. Military bloggers also say that Ukrainian forces have seized high ground along the E40 road (Bakhmut-Sloviansk) near Orikhovo-Vasylivka and that fighting in the area is ongoing. They also stressed that Ukrainian troops advanced towards Klishchiivka and crossed the Siverskyi Donets Canal, likely intending to encircle the settlement and force Russian troops to retreat eastward. At the same time, the report notes that geolocation footage posted on 24 and 25 May indicates that Russian forces may have regained limited positions west of Klishchiivka. ISW's preliminary assessment is that it may be difficult for Russian forces to replace the Wagner PMC forces in Bakhmut, partly due to effective, limited and localised Ukrainian counterattacks. Quote: "The decreased tempo of Russian offensive operations in the Bakhmut area and the reported ongoing relief in place operation are likely further providing Ukrainian forces in the area the initiative to launch a new phase of operations around the city if they so choose," the ISW noted. Background: Yevgeny Prigozhin, financier of the Wagner Private Military Company, said on 25 May that he has begun to withdraw his mercenaries from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut and is handing over their positions to the regular Russian army. This process, he said, would last until 1 June. Ukraines Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said that Russia replaced Wagner PMC units with regular army units in the suburbs of Bakhmut. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A Massachusetts federal judge granted a request from one of Jack Teixeira lawyers to withdraw from the case. Magistrate Judge David Hennessy granted the request from federal public defender Joshua Hayne to withdraw from representing Teixeira. While Hayne withdrew from the case, there are other federal public defenders still representing Teixeira. Teixeira previously worked as a cybersecurity journeyman for the Air National Guard and accused of sharing classified information through a Discord social media server. He was charged with unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information and willful retention of classified documents. PENTAGON LEAK SUSPECT JACK TEIXEIRA WILL STAY IN CUSTODY BEFORE TRIAL: OFFICIALS READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Selfie of Jack Teixeira, the 21-year-old National Guard Airman accused of leaking classified information. Teixeira held a top-secret information security clearance, which granted him information to classified information. Air Force officials allegedly ordered Teixeira previously in September and October 2022, to "cease and desist on any deep dives into classified intelligence information," according to The New York Times, which reported he was caught accessing classified materials before. PENTAGON LEAK SUSPECT JACK TEIXEIRA CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT, TELLS DAD 'I LOVE YOU' Relatives of Jack Teixeira leave John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse following his arraignment on April 14, 2023, in Boston, Mass. Teixeria, a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman was charged on two counts: unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information and unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or material. "Teixeira had been previously been notified to focus on his own career duties and not to seek out intelligence products," a superior wrote in a memo dated Feb. 4, according to the report. Aerial photo of the arrest of Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira by FBI agents for allegedly leaking classified materials. Hennessy ruled May 19 that Teixeira will remain in custody prior to his trial, stating that the suspect has made disturbing online comments and has a "fascination with guns." Fox News Digital's Andrea Vacchiano and Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed to this report. Jacksonville Sheriffs Office responded to a local hospital regarding a person shot. When officers arrived, they found a man was shot multiple times in the lower body. According to JSO, none of the gunshot wounds were life-threatening. The investigation revealed the victim was near the intersection of Ricker Road and Old Middleburg Road North when he shot by an unknown suspect. Read: Suspects on the loose after San Jose armed robbery; fled the scene on motorcycle The victim then drove himself to the hospital. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call us at 630-0500 or they can contact Crimestoppers if they would like to remain anonymous at 1-866-845-TIPS. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: Jacksonville sexual predator sentenced to 16 years in federal prison Read: FHP finds, arrests driver who they say ran over, killed motorcyclist on Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. That Parler logo Troy Smocks was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison and banned from the now-dormant social network Parler after he made violent threats on the app in the wake of the January 6th riots. Now Smocks is suing Parler for $370 million, accusing the company of violating a controversial Texas law which bars social media platforms from censoring users for their political beliefs. Smocks Parler posts advocated for the insurrection on January 6th, 2021, and he rallied for more violence the next day. Over the next 24 hours, I would say lets get our personal affairs in order. Prepare our weapons, and then go getem, Smocks wrote on Parler from a Washington, DC hotel on January 7th. Lets hunt these cowards down like the Traitors that each of them are. This includes RINOS, Dems, and Tech Execs. We now have the green light, he said. Read more Months later, Smocks pleaded guilty to making interstate threats, becoming the second person convicted of crimes related to the attempted insurrection. But the lawsuit accuses Parler of banning Smocks solely because of Plaintiffs selection and vote casting for a political candidate, then United States President Donald J. Trump. The complaint makes no mention of the 59-year olds criminal calls for violence. The lawsuit, spotted in the newsletter Court Watch, names as defendants Parler, its former CEO John Matze, and Rebekah Mercer, the billionaire right-wing philanthropist who secretly funded the company in its early days. Matze told Gizmodo he hasnt been officially served in the lawsuit, and hadnt heard of Smocks before the case. From what I read, I feel like he is having trouble accepting his own life choices and is looking to put the blame on others, Matze said. Parler and Mercer could not immediately be reached for comment. In Smocks home state of Texas, a law passed in 2021 prohibits social media platforms from blocking, banning, or otherwise censoring a user based on their viewpoints. Its a controversial law that experts say flies in the face of the first amendment. The constitution prohibits the government from limiting the free expression of citizens, which includes corporations. Taking down a post or an account is a form of speech. The apparent conflict between the state law and constitutional precedent have not been resolved. It may not matter in this case, however, because the Texas statute makes a specific exception for speech that directly incites criminal activity or consists of specific threats of violence. By Smocks own guilty plea, his posts did exactly that. But again, the lawsuit claims Parler only banned Smocks because hes a Trump supporter. Parler was launched in 2018 as a refuge for conservatives and paid for by Mercer, a major donor to Trumps political campaigns. Smocks is no stranger to the legal system. Hes racked up 17 convictions since the age of 18, many tied to impersonating a member of the military or police. Smocks Parler user name was Colonel007, despite the fact that he was never a colonel (or James Bond). During his trial over his January 6th threats, Smocks, who is Black, argued he was being treated more harshly because of his race. Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, who is also Black, called these claims offensive during the sentencing. Parler was one of several online hubs for the insurrectionists and domestic terrorists who planned the January 6th attack on the Capitol. App data, which included GPS tags, showed Parlers members breaching the Capitol Building. The platform wasnt thrilled about any of this, and Parler reported the activity to the FBI more than 50 times before the riot. That wasnt enough to shield the app from post-insurrection fallout. Parler ran into legal trouble and was temporarily banned from the Apple and Google app stores for failing to moderate its platform. Its another bizarre entry in the history of an app thats earned outsized attention compared to the small number of people who ever used it. Most recently, Parler was purchased by a conservative media company, which took the app offline to reassess the business. Unlike the apps founders, Parlers new owner Ryan Coyne told Gizmodo hes interested in running a profitable tech company, not a political advocacy group. How that attitude plays with diehard conservative users remains to be seen. For a moment, Parler was the darling of conservatives from Sen. Ted Cruz and Alex Jones to extremist groups including the Proud Boys and the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi domestic terrorist network. But after the troubles stemming from January 6th, Parler fell behind other right-wing social media competitors, including Donald Trumps Truth Social. In 2022, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) said he would buy the beleaguered platform, but Parler called off the deal the same day Ye declared his love for Hitler in an interview. In January 2023, Parler laid off nearly all of its employees. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Jeannie Mais Daughter Monaco Was The Definition of Main Character Energy After Being Left Out of Her Parents Vietnam Trip If you need a good laugh today, then look no further than Jeannie Mai-Jenkins daughter Monacos reaction to being left behind from vacay! On May 23, the Americas Test Kitchen host shared a series of photos through her daughter Monacos Instagram page @monacomaijenkins. She shared the hilariously sassy photos with the caption reading, You see this face? Its the face of a family meeting when those two get back. Mom and dad thought it was cute to go to Vietnam without taking me Thank God they checked me into the best accommodations this side of the south.. Pop Pop and Nanas. Finally I can have some real food like grits, biscuits, and essentials like bacon. And ditch the pants if I feel like it Im so over those dry spinach rolls she gets off that tickety tok So go enjoy their lil trip to Vietnam but check back here for main character energy More from SheKnows In the first photo, we see Monaco looking so adorably grumpy in her pigtails, followed by a couple heartwarming videos of her with her grandparents (who were sure are jumping for joy to get some time with Monaco!) In the first video, we see Monaco, who looks absolutely hypnotized, as she bounces her head back and forth while smiling from ear to ear. Then we get another video of her with her grandparents, looking so sassy and happy at the same time! Click here to read the full article. For those that dont know, Mai-Jenkins and her husband Jeezy are on vacation to Vietnam, and Monaco may be feeling a bit left out! But with all the grandparent love shes getting right now, were sure the sass will melt away! In late 2021, Mai-Jenkins confirmed her pregnancy with Jeezy. Then on Jan. 2022, the pair welcomed their daughter Monaco Mai-Jenkins, 1, into the world. While this is their first child together, Jeezy also has two children named Jadarius Jenkins, 26, and Amra Nor Jenkins, 9. In a previous interview with PEOPLE in Dec 2022, she talked about her experience with motherhood. My daughter gives me so much confidence. I like myself more as a mom. I like myself more getting up and taking care of somebody else and tending to her and watching her actually register things that weve worked so hard to teach her. I cant believe, like, thats such an accomplishment. I didnt realize that. Before you go, check out Jeannie Mais best quotes about being a mom. Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. FILE - Jimmie Johnson runs laps during a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Jimmie Johnson has won eight Cup Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, more than any driver in the history of the sport. Yet, he said hes never felt more ill prepared for a race in his life heading into the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 28, 2023.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) CONCORD, N.C. (AP) Jimmie Johnson has won eight Cup Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, more than any driver in NASCAR history. And yet the seven-time champion said hes never felt more ill-prepared for a race heading into Sunday nights Coca-Cola 600. Johnson retired from full-time stock car racing in 2020 but is participating in a few select marquee Cup races this year for Legacy Motor Club, which he co-owns. He's also racing on a number of other circuits, including next month's 24 hours of Le Mans as he works to bring more name recognition to his brand. That means he's had very limited experience in the NextGen car, which debuted in 2022. Johnson ran the Daytona 500 and at Circuit of the Americas this year in the No. 84 Chevrolet, but hasn't competed at a 1.5-mile oval like Charlotte Motor Speedway. And with rain threatening to wipe out practice and qualifying Saturday, Johnson could be stepping into the car cold when the race begins Sunday night, leaving him a bit unsettled. A couple hours (testing) in Phoenix is the only comparable oval experience Ive had," Johnson said. We had 30 to 40 laps in a simulator and thats been it. I want to survive the first stage (Sunday) and go from there. His expectations are modest for a driver who has won the Coca-Cola 600 four times. A top 10 or top 15 would be an awesome finish for us, Johnson said. Johnson said he's excited, invigorated and exhausted since joining Maurice Gallagher last year as co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, the team formerly known as Petty GMS Motorsports. On the track it's been a rough season for the team. Full-time drivers Erik Jones and Noah Gragson are 25th and 32nd in Cup points, and neither has a top-five finish this season. The best performance from that duo is Jones sixth-place finish at Talladega in April. Erik continues to show just how good he is, Johnson said. Hes had challenging circumstances this year and he just stays focused and gets the job done. Noah, from afar, I wasnt sure how seriously he took things. His desire and commitment to his craft is what has impressed me the most. We have a massive effort on our hands to figure out many ways to improve. Im proud of everything going on. I cant ask for more effort from everyone involved. We just need more consistency. The rain, which is forecast to continue throughout the weekend, also threatens to put a damper on Johnson's plans to fly to Paris next week to begin preparations for his latest racing adventure at Le Mans, another of his coveted global marquee events. Its feeling very real, Johnson said. Im very excited for the opportunity. I honestly dont know what to expect. Right now, its great excitement and curiosity. After Le Mans, Johnson plans to return home to continue building Legacys foundation, which will transition to Toyota cars next season. Its been an exciting adventure that Ive embarked on here, Johnson said. Its exciting to be in this new element. I truly feel like that Im part of something thats going to be a force in the future of NASCAR. ___ AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports John Stamos admits he was 'angry' when Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen didn't return for 'Fuller House' John Stamos admits he was 'angry' when Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen didn't return for 'Fuller House' John Stamos opened up about how he really felt when his "Full House" co-stars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen decided not to reprise their roles in "Fuller House." The 59-year-old actor starred alongside the now 36-year-old twins for eight seasons from 1987 to 1995. He played Jesse Katsopolis, the uncle of Mary-Kate and Ashley's character Michelle Tanner. In 2016, Stamos returned for the Netflix sequel but the Olsens were the only main original cast members who never made an appearance during the revival's five season run. "When I did 'Fuller House,' they didnt wanna come back and I was angry for a minute and that got out," Stamos said during a recent appearance on "Glee" stars Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz's "And Thats What You REALLY Missed" podcast. John Stamos revealed that he was "angry for a minute" when Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen decided not to take part in "Fuller House." The "You" star remembered that he and his fellow "Full House" co-star, the late Bob Saget, "didn't really become close" until after the show ended. The comedian, who played Danny Tanner, the father of Mary-Kate and Ashley's character, died in January 2022 at the age of 65. JOHN STAMOS DISAPPOINTED MARY-KATE, ASHLEY OLSEN DIDN'T RETURN FOR FULLER HOUSE READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Stamos went on to recall a conversation that he had with the twins after Saget's death. "He was very instrumental in keeping us all together," Stamos said of Saget and the "Full House" cast. "The twins moved to New York and bought New York," he joked. "I think they own New York now. And I gotta tell you too, one of the only good things to come out of Bobs, well... Mary-Kate and Ashley, we hadn't really seen them much. I mean, we stayed in touch a little bit but Bob really did. And they were so great and they just said all the things" Stamos played Jesse Katsopolis, the uncle of Mary-Kate and Ashley's character Michelle Tanner. The "ER" alum continued, "You hear rumors, 'Oh, they hated their childhood or they hated being on the show or whatever.'" "But they were, like, 'We loved our childhood. We loved being with you. We miss Bob,'" he shared. "They came over to my house. They brought a pork chop and sage. I dont know why, but thank you? It was a frozen pork chop, so that was really nice. We stayed very close." Mary-Kate and Ashley were only 9 months old when they began playing the role of the youngest Tanner daughter, which they shared due to child labor laws. Stamos recently admitted that he got the twins briefly fired from the show due to their incessant crying as babies. "I couldnt deal with it," Stamos said during an appearance on the "Good Guys" podcast , hosted by Josh Peck and Ben Soffer. "I said, This is not going to work.' And so they got rid of them," the California native said. "They bring on these two-red-headed kids. Im sure their parents loved them and thought they were attractive," Stamos added. "It was only a few days, and I said, Bring the Olsens back! These kids are terrible." Stamos shared that he met with Mary-Kate and Ashley after co-star Bob Saget passed away. After "Full House" wrapped, the Olsen twins appeared in movies including "It Takes Two" and "New York Minute" as well the television shows "Two of a Kind," "Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action!" and "So Little Time." However, both decided to retire from acting to focus on their fashion brand The Row, which they founded in 2006. In 2007, the two launched a second apparel line Elizabeth and James, which was named after their siblings. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER In 2016, "Fuller House" executive producer Brad Boyett revealed a conversation that he had with the twins when he approached them to appear in the reboot. "Ashley said, 'I have not been in front of a camera since I was 17 and I don't feel comfortable acting,'" Boyett told People magazine. "Mary-Kate said, 'It would have to be me because Ash doesn't want to do it. But the timing is so bad for us.'" In 2021, Stamos shared his thoughts on their decision to opt out of "Fuller House" during an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen." "We were disappointed, but we understood," the "Grandfathered" actor said. He continued, "I remember Lori [Loughlin] saying to me, They won two or three CFDA Awards [Council of Fashion Designers of America]. Thats like winning two or three Oscars. If you won three Oscars, would you come back and do this? I was like, Eh, maybe not.'" Here's a look at some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of May 21, supported by your subscriptions. The death of a Rhode Island-trained social worker who was killed in an ax attack at a Vermont homeless shelter should serve as a wake-up call for the risks social workers face , Service Employees International Union Local 580 wrote in a letter to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families. The state employees' union, which represents social workers at DCYF and the Department of Human Services, believes more needs to be done to ensure workers don't get hurt. Are they wolves? Coyotes? Dogs? Some kind of mix? The canines found in Warwick garnered plenty of attention during the past couple of weeks as they were captured and sent to a wolf-dog rescue in Ohio and now the DNA tests back revealing just what they are. The answer it turns out is Willow, who formerly was named Bella, is 45% gray wolf, while Wily Coyote, formerly Libby, is 57% gray wolf, according to the test results. But that's not all the dogs are made up of. Summer has unofficially started in Rhode Island and what better way to enjoy the long, summer days than dining al fresco ? From South County to northern Rhode Island there is no shortage of great eateries with a waterfront view to add some ambiance to a great meal and The Journal's Gail Ciampa has them all rounded up in this handy guide. For the latest high school and college sports news go to providencejournal.com/sports . Did you keep up with the week's events? Take our news quiz. Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com: A Johnston police cruiser blocks Ligian Court, the scene of a police investigation. Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. announced that a suspect had been apprehended in a triple shooting. A 52-year-old man who was a suspect in a Johnston double homicide was tracked Wednesday morning to a location near an Interstate 295 overpass, where he was fatally shot after he emerged from a vehicle and pointed a handgun at a group of police officers, authorities said. Details about the victims, including the status of the 15-year-old girl who also was shot, and what happened leading up to the shooting, were released on Thursday. Johnston shooting: Suspect in Johnston double slaying dies during encounter with police Kenan Thompson, "Good Burger 2" and "Saturday Night Live" star stopped into Olneyville New York System Saturday in Providence and took photos with staffer Cliff Scott, Actor and comedian Kenan Thompson ended a Saturday night out like many a Rhode Islander. His last stop was at Olneyville New York System in Providence. Unlike a native, he had a tuna melt and Coke instead of a hot wiener and coffee milk. Thompson, who is in town filming "Good Burger 2," arrived at the Olneyville restaurant at about 11 p.m., said Greg Stevens, fourth-generation owner. Thompson's stops around Rhode Island weren't the only buzz created by the "Good Burger 2" filming as North Providence has become the unlikely filming location for the resurgence of the 1997 comedy starring Kel Mitchell and Thompson of "Saturday Night Live" as fast-food employees hawking patties in competition with a burger joint across the street. Where to eat: 'Good Burger' star stops by Olneyville New York System here's what he ordered Despite a frustrating cannabis ad ban, Mother Earth Wellness, the state's biggest marijuana dispensary, put up a billboard on its building in Pawtucket, but the owners insist it's not a violation. Its not quite the Boston Tea Party, but The Journal's Mark Patinkin was cheering on Joe Pakuris, a Pawtucket businessman who couldnt take it anymore, and I dont blame him. What he did was actually more dramatic than dumping tea. He put up billboards on Interstate 95 telling the world to come to his cannabis dispensary, the biggest in the state. Why is this a defiant act? Because there's a weed ad ban here. For some reason, the state allowed cannabis sales but didnt allow stores to promote themselves. A couple of days later, however, Pakuris would be taking the signs down after the state threatened to fine him $10,000 a day for every day they remained up. Pot in RI: Fed up, Mother Earth Wellness pot dispensary owner is taking on RI's advertising ban Debra Fenley outside her RV parked at the Home Depot parking lot in Coventry. Sakari, a 2-year-old red Siberian husky, and her owner found themselves with an uncertain living situation earlier this week. Debra Fenley, 58, and her blue-and-brown eyed pup moved their motorhome to a parking lot in front of the Coventry Home Depot in December. At the time, two other RVs were parked in the lot, which is tucked back closer to Centre of New England Boulevard. Things were quiet, and nobody bothered them. But, about a month ago, the population of this "village" exploded, growing from three RVs to, at times, more than 20. A few "residents" started leaving junk around their RVs. One emptied their septic tank in the middle of the parking lot. At about the same time, Home Depot management took notice. By Wednesday, residents were ordered to leave the parking lot or their RVs would be towed. RV living: This RV community grew in a RI Home Depot parking lot. Now, they have nowhere to go Scituate Reservoir came at a cost, including lives. Film explores how we're still paying Evan Villari at Scituate reservoir. Six years ago, Evan Villari set out to tell the full story of how the Scituate Reservoir was created a century ago. He wanted to lay it all out: the engineering, the workforce, and the sacrifices of hundreds of people who were forced out of their villages when their property was condemned, including some who took their own lives because of it. Along the way, Villari began to question the effect of using lead pipes to deliver water to a third of the Providence Water Supply Boards 75,000 retail customers. Was there an impact on the product arriving in peoples taps even today? On screen: Scituate Reservoir came at a cost, including lives. Film explores how we're still paying To read the full stories, go to providencejournal.com. Find out how to subscribe here. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: Johnston shooting; 'Good Burger 2' Flash Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks at a rally in front of the Serbian parliament building in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 26, 2023. In front of tens of thousands of supporters at the rally on Friday, Vucic announced he will resign from the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party on Saturday, to promote national unity at a time of crisis. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) In front of tens of thousands of supporters at a rally in Belgrade on Friday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced he will resign from the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) on Saturday, to promote national unity at a time of crisis. The rally brought together government officials, leaders of ruling parties in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungary, as well as public figures and celebrities who came to express their support for the policy adopted by the Serbian president to overcome the crisis created by two mass killings at the beginning of May. "This is the last evening that I am addressing you as the president of SNS, tomorrow someone else will take over my, your, our Serbian Progressive Party, of which I will remain a faithful and loyal member," Vucic said, ahead of Saturday's party leadership meeting to be held in the city of Kragujevac. In response to two separate shootings that claimed 18 lives, mostly of young people and children, and left dozens injured, thousands of protesters took to the streets over the past two weeks to demand social and political changes. In his speech, Vucic invited the opposition and protesters to participate in a dialogue and table their proposals, but stressed that there could be no change of government between elections. He said that he would establish a new political organization "Movement for People and State" by the end of June, to improve the country's unity and political capacity to overcome "the next two or three years of crisis that will prove decisive for Serbia's future." The presidential speech received a warm welcome from the participants of the rally, who were enduring the rain for hours. Vucic was elected as president of the SNS in 2012, and in 2017 he won his first mandate as president of Serbia. Last year, he was re-elected for another five-year term. A Royal Oak judge ruled Friday that a Clinton Township woman charged in attacks against two religious centers in metro Detroit will undergo a competency and criminal responsibility evaluation. Randi Lucille Nord, 35, whose case has garnered national attention in recent weeks from security experts, remains at the Oakland County Jail after appearing via video for a probable cause conference Friday in 44th District Court before Judge Derek Meinecke. Randi Lucille Nord, 35, of Clinton Township, appears from jail via video on a Zoom broadcast during her arraignment May 3 in connection with vandalism of the Woodward Avenue Shul, a synagogue in Royal Oak, Michigan, on April 27, 2003. A Nazi swastika and the word "AZOV" was seen spray painted on the Jewish center. She said she wanted to pin the blame on Azov, a Ukrainian militia, police said. Nord faces a felony charge of ethnic intimidation and a misdemeanor charge of malicious destruction of a building in the April 28 antisemitic vandalism of a Royal Oak synagogue, Woodward Avenue Shul, where a Nazi symbol and the phrase "AZOV" was spray painted on its wall. Nord told police she was trying to pin blame for the attack on Ukraine by trying to implicate Azov, a militia in Ukraine some have said has neo-Nazi beliefs. Nord is also charged in the March 15 arson of a Scientology center in Farmington Hills. In that case, Nord had her bond revoked this month by Judge Nanci Grant of Oakland County Circuit Court. Her court-appointed attorney, Kerry Phillips, said Friday during the brief court hearing that she has been referred for a competency and criminal responsibility evaluation, also known as a psychiatric exam, in the Farmington Hills case. Phillips did not respond to an email this week seeking comment on Nord. Nord lived for two years in Serbia and then returned to Michigan in March, Royal Oak Detective Dan Pelletier testified earlier this month. Her family has said she made violent threats to them and was homeless, Pelletier said. She also said she has traveled to Yemen and Turkey and wanted to foment a war in Hamtramck by importing weapons from Turkey, Ukraine and Russia, Pelletier said. Pelletier said Nord told him: "I'm trying to commit a slew of hate crimes and blame all of them on Azov battalion.'" He testified "Nord explained that she was blaming Azov, 'so that everybody gets pissed at that the United States is involved in Ukraine.' She stated 'I'm trying to get everybody scared and trying to get everybody hyped up.' ... Nord said her goal was, 'pretty much trying to foment a war in a lot of ways.'" More: Police: Woman charged in synagogue vandalism wanted to blame Ukraine, start Hamtramck war Her case has drawn interest because of its ties to the war between Ukraine and Russia. The image in the header of her Twitter profile reads "Visit the USSR." Aric Toler, director of training and research at Bellingcat, a Netherlands-based investigative journalism group whose work has appeared in the New York Times this year on other cases, wrote a thread on Twitter about Nord. Others dug through her various online profiles that indicate her membership in far left groups such as Workers World Party; she gave a speech in 2017 with a conference held by the group criticizing U.S. policy in Yemen. Nord has written often over the years about foreign policy issues for leftist publications such as Mint Press and some Iranian media outlets such as Tehran Times and Press TV, according to her profile on Muck Rack. She was outspoken against the U.S. government's foreign policy and criticized U.S. allies such as Ukraine and Saudi Arabia. In a 2018 interview with the online outlet Black Agenda Report, she described herself as "from a working-class family in metro Detroit." She said she cofounded a media website called Geopolitics Alert. Randi Lucille Nord, 35, of Clinton Township, appears from jail via video during a court hearing on May 12, 2023 in 44th District Court, accused of vandalism of the Woodward Avenue Shul, a synagogue in Royal Oak, Michigan, on April 27. A Nazi swastika and the word "AZOV" was seen spray painted on the Jewish center. She said she wanted to pin the blame on Azov, a Ukrainian militia, police said. Nord said observing people struggle economically in Detroit and Hawaii influenced her politics. "All of this and watching the Iraq war unfold as a teenager really set the anti-imperialist path for me," she said. "I know that US imperialism is really the biggest threat to not only world peace but sustainability and growth around the globe." Pelletier said Nord has a high degree of intelligence and was plotting to attack the Scientology center while in Serbia. Nord was on a tether in the Scientology case, which she cut off when she committed the attack on the synagogue, he said. "Nord stated, 'the whole spray painting thing, that's just one small part, that's more like a propaganda aspect of what I was working on," Pelletier said. "'I was also trying to work on something to import weapons into Hamtramck, like military grade weapons from Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, so I could foment, start an actual war in Hamtramck.' Meinecke said he will later set the next court date for Nord. Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or Twitter @nwarikoo. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Randi Nord appears in Royal Oak court hearing, referred for evaluation Justine Triet celebrates winning the top prize at Cannes, the Palme d'Or, in 2023 French director Justine Triet became the third woman to win the top prize Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday with her gripping and icy "Anatomy of a Fall". Victory for the tense courtroom drama about a writer accused of her husband's murder capped a strong year for women directors at the French Riviera festival. "I have always made films about women and here, I went even further in the idea of showing a woman character who is not easy to understand in the first instance," Triet told AFP ahead of Cannes. The 44-year-old follows two previous women winners of the prestigious Palme d'Or -- Jane Campion for "The Piano" (1993) and Julia Ducournau for "Titane" (2021). Born on July 17, 1978, Triet grew up in Paris and studied arts in the French capital. "My mother had a fairly complex life, worked and raised three children, two of whom were not her own. My father was very absent", she told AFP. She ditched her studies after a few years to devote herself to film and made her first documentary in 2007 about student protests that were taking place at the time. "Anatomy of a Fall" is her fourth feature. Her debut "Age of Panic" was set around the presidential elections in France in 2012 and caused a sensation when it premiered at Cannes the following year. Her next movie, the romcom "In Bed With Victoria" (2016) was nominated for multiple Cesars, France's equivalent of the Oscars. - Activist director - Triet hit a stridently militant note in her acceptance speech for the Palme on Saturday. "The country suffered from historic protests over the reform of the pension system. These protests were denied... repressed in a shocking way," she said. She also criticised the "commercialisation of culture" by President Emmanuel Macron's government. Her speech provoked a swift response from Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak, who said she was "gobsmacked" by Triet's "unfair" comments. Triet co-wrote her Palme-winning film with her partner Arthur Harari, an actor and director. "For a very long time when I watched films, I took myself for the boy, I identified with the male role", she said, referring to the lack of options for women in the industry when she was young. "Anatomy of a Fall" features a show-stopping performance from German actress Sandra Hueller. Hueller also had a brief and comical role in Triet's previous movie "Sibyl", which competed at Cannes in 2019. "Everything that comes out of her is 100 percent strong," Triet said of Hueller, who also starred in the runner-up at this year's Cannes, Grand Prix-winner "The Zone of Interest". "She is an actress who has a real point of view on her character, there is a real exchange." eab/er/fb/rox NEW YORK Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman to deliver a commencement speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, lauded graduating cadets Saturday for their noble sacrifice in serving their country, but noted they were entering an unsettled world because of Russian aggression and the rising threats from China. The world has drastically changed, Harris told the roughly 950 graduating cadets, referring to the global pandemic that took millions of lives, the fraught shifts in global politics in Europe and in Asia, and other challenges. It is clear you graduate into an increasingly unsettled world where long-standing principles are at risk, she said. The vice president highlighted the pursuit of international security and prosperity, and reminded the cadets that Americas democratic ideals inspire billions. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to cadets during the graduation ceremony at West Point May 27. (Bryan Woolston/AP) In the face of all these challenges, America plays a singular role of leadership, she said. Cadets, global security and global prosperity depend on the leadership of the United States of America. And a strong America remains indispensable to the world. The vice president also singled out Russia and China for criticism. New approach at West Point has cadets attacking future war problems She called Russias invasion of Ukraine, the first major ground war in Europe since World War II, an attack on the lives and freedom of the Ukrainian people and an attack on international rules and norms that have served as the foundation of international security and prosperity for generations. And she warned cadets to be wary of China because it is modernizing its military and threatening both the freedom of the seas and rules of international commerce. At the same time, autocrats have become bolder, the threat of terrorism persists, and an accelerating climate crisis continues to disrupt lives and livelihood, Harris said. Gen. James C. McConville, the Army chief of staff, arrives for the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point May 27. (Bryan Woolston/AP) Harris touched on the importance of having institutions reflect the diversity of the broader United States. Our military is strongest when it reflects the people of America, she said. When the graduating cadets first arrived at West Point in 2019, 23 percent were women. The class was 71% Caucasian, 15% Black, 12% Hispanic and 8% Asian. Defense secretary tells Naval Academy graduates theyre ready to serve West Point dates to 1802. Since then, the college has educated many future military leaders including Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. George Patton and Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Harris was joined at the commencement by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, who in 2021 became the first woman to hold the military services top civilian post, and Gen. James C. McConville, the Army chief of staff. Upon graduation, the cadets were commissioned as Army second lieutenants. West Point cadets arrive for their graduation ceremony at the U.S. Military Academy May 27. (Bryan Woolston/AP) To the Class of 2023: You join the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen, Harris said. And in years to come, I promise you, you will be tried, and you will be tested. And I am so very confident that you will rise to each occasion. Whatever comes your way. You are ready. And you are ready because you are true leaders of character. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at Michie Stadium for the graduation ceremony of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2023 on May 27. (Bryan Woolston/AP) Army Times staff contributed to this report. Its been five years since Jeremey Joyners family first started looking for answers after he went missing and was later found dead. When they didnt get them, they came together at Riverwalk in Bradenton for a candlelight vigil in 2019 donning shirts that read Justice for Jeremey, please bring Jeremey home! Five years later, and the family is still looking for answers and still holding vigils. Jeremey Allen Joyner went missing on May 25, 2018, at age 36 after failing to show up to take a family member to a doctors appointment. Three weeks later, his vehicle, a white Jaguar, was found in a parking lot in the 600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. His personal items were still inside, according to the sheriffs office. At the time, investigators believed this to be suspicious but had no evidence of foul play. On Halloween 2018, a man looking for bamboo sticks in a field found the remains of Joyners body off 16th Avenue East and 61st Street East in Palmetto. A Palmetto resident walking through a field discovered the remains of Jeremey Joyner in 2018. Investigators estimated the body had been out in the field for at least a few months. The first vigil had come and gone by the time a DNA test confirmed the body was Joyners. It was no longer a missing persons case. Detectives began investigating it as a homicide. The news, which was what the family had feared all along, came as a mixture of heartache and relief, they said. His family is still looking for their answers, and justice. And they want the communitys help. While the Justice for Jeremey shirts are now a little more faded, their message still rings true. On Saturday, near the fifth anniversary of his death, they again planned to hold a candlelight vigil to raise awareness, gather support, and most of all, to call upon the community for answers that have shifted from where is Jeremey Joyner to who killed Jeremey Joyner? And why? The remains of Jeremey Allen Joyner were found by a man walking through a field off 16th Avenue East and 61st Street East in Palmetto on Oct. 31, a news release from the sheriffs office said. The idea is for everyone to come together friends, family or anyone who may want to pay their respects, said DeJanee Joyner, his niece. My uncles life was lost, but there are others out there who are facing the same thing and have lost someone they love to a violent crime. This is really just a plea on behalf of our family to get some answers because we know theyre out there. DeJanee Joyner said Jeremy was a father figure to her, and she described him as a jokester and a true Manatee County man. She said she will keep fighting to find out what happened because she knows he would do the same for her. If I was having a bad day, I could always call my uncle, she said. He believed in me so much, more than I even believed in myself. Thats love. The Joyners have had to endure a lot of heartbreak over the years, and it has taken its toll on the family. Jeremey Joyners older brother, Dariel Joyner, died in 2005 when a drunk driver ran a stop sign and hit him near the intersection of 28th Avenue East and Fifth Street East in Bradenton. Jeremey Joyner, who was riding with him that day on a separate motorcycle, was left with scars on his arms, legs and foot. The drunk driver, Javier Armando Martinez-Irias, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the related driving under the influence charges. Leverne Joyner, mother of Jeremey and Dariel Joyner, died in 2020 without knowing who killed her son. But DeJanee Joyner is still hopeful that the community her uncle loved will help uncover the mystery which has haunted her family for half a decade. Jeremey Joyner I honestly believe that things will come to light eventually. Praying it doesnt take another five-plus years, but either way justice will prevail in my uncles case. He was and is loved too much for justice to not prevail for him, she said. She, much like Leverne Joyner did before her passing, believes theres a possibility Jeremey Joyners murder could have been committed by someone he knew. They planned to keep the vigil simple Saturday, setting up a table with some pictures and candles while letting people come up and share their experiences with gospel music in the background. Then the planned to release 42 Chinese lanterns into the sky, which is how old he would be if he were still alive today. Randy Warren, public information officer for Manatee County Sheriffs Office, emphasized that the case is not closed. They, like the Joyners, are calling on the community for help. We consider it a cold case homicide and are seeking any information that will help us find the person or persons responsible for his death. There have been no new leads and it remains a mystery as to who killed him and why, he said. We are confident Jeremey was murdered. We are also very confident that someone in our community knows what happened to him. We hope talking about this case again will encourage people to share any details they may have previously withheld from investigators. Jeremeys family deserves closure. The Manatee County Sheriffs Office and the Gold Star Club of Manatee County is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Call 941 747-3011, or to remain anonymous, contact Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866 634-8477 or online at manateecrimestoppers.com. Jeremey Joyner Orcas have reportedly attacked and sunk three boats off the coast of Spain in apparent acts of revenge that experts worry other whales in their pod might copy. "The little ones shook the rudder at the back while the big one repeatedly backed up and rammed the ship with full force from the side," Werner Schafelberger told German publication Yacht. "The two little orcas observed the bigger one's technique and, with a slight run-up, they too slammed into the boat." Hundreds of incidents between orcas and boats off the Iberian coast have occurred since May 2020, with all but a handful resulting in only minor injuries or damage. However, the attacks have grown more frequent and a few have led to the boats sinking the latest such attack happening just this month. Marine biologist Alfredo Lopez Fernandez told Live Science that the lead whale, a female orca scientists have called White Gladis, suffered a "critical moment of agony," likely a collision with a boat or entanglement with a fishing line, that turned her more aggressive. FLORIDA MAN'S ARM AMPUTATED AFTER 10-FOOT ALLIGATOR ATTACKS OUTSIDE BAR NEAR POND Orca killer whale, Galapagos, Isabela Island, Ecuador. The whales approach the boats from behind, striking the rudder or hull of the boat, sailors and other eyewitnesses have said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "That traumatized orca is the one that started this behavior of physical contact with the boat," Fernandez said. "We do not interpret that the orcas are teaching the young, although the behavior has spread to the young vertically, simply by imitation, and later horizontally among them, because they consider it something important in their lives," he added. PENNSYLVANIA TEENAGER SURFING IN NEW JERSEY SUFFERS INJURIES FROM POSSIBLE SHARK ATTACK: REPORTS Fernandez speculated that the orcas might perceive the behavior as "advantageous" despite the risks associated with such brazen attacks. He said that four orcas from the same subpopulation have died since May 2020. The behavior may have spread even beyond that population, with a British couple recently sharing their own experience of an orca attack near the coast of Morocco. Janet Morris and Stephen Bidwell of Cambridge, in eastern England, were enjoying a sailing course off the coast of Morocco recently when they spotted a pod of orcas, they said. GREAT WHITE SHARK SPOTTED FEASTING ON SEAL CARCASS NEAR CAPE COD The attack lasted for an hour as the whales repeatedly bumped the boat, but the crew managed to navigate to calmer waters and safety. Morris said that he was worried they were "sitting ducks." "We were amazingly calm but underneath we were thinking, Oh my God," Morris told British news service SWNS. Scientists have documented orcas exhibiting violent behaviors and appearing to teach them to others, according to Marine Mammal Science: One incident saw a group of orcas attack, kill and eat blue whales. Fox News Digitals Maureen Mackey contributed to this report. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) analysts believe that the Kremlin is reviving its information campaign "to coerce the West into forcing Ukraine to accept concessions and negotiate on terms favorable to Russia". Source: ISW report from 26 May 2023 Details: On May 26, the Kremlin claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed "the openness of the Russian side to dialogue on the political and diplomatic track, which is still blocked by Kyiv and its Western sponsors" in a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Quote from the ISW: "Putins statement does not indicate that Russia is interested in pursuing negotiations with Ukraine, and the Kremlin has not established any serious grounds for negotiations nor abandoned its maximalist goals to force the Ukrainian government to capitulate. The Kremlin is likely attempting to intensify its false claims about its readiness to negotiate with Ukraine amidst the arrival of the Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui in Moscow on May 26 to discuss a negotiated settlement to Russias war in Ukraine." Details: The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Li had previously called on European officials to facilitate a ceasefire in Ukraine by recognising occupied territories of Ukraine as Russian. According to the WSJ, the diplomat told Li that freezing the conflict was not in the interest of the international community, and that Europe will keep supporting Ukraine. According to the WSJ, another diplomat said that Chinas main priority is to ensure Russia wins the war but does not deploy nuclear weapons. "The claimed interaction likely indicates that China may be attempting to push the West to influence Ukraine into accepting a ceasefire. The Kremlin is likely amplifying its false interests in negotiations ahead of the planned Ukrainian counteroffensive in order to discourage continued Western aid to Ukraine," the ISW wrote. ISW has previously reported on Russias peace negotiation information operations to deter Western support for Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! FILE PHOTO: A Ukrainian service member prepares to fire a mortar at a front line near the city of Bakhmut Ukraine says Russia eases Bakhmut attacks, Kyiv talks up counteroffensive FILE PHOTO: A Ukrainian service member prepares to fire a mortar at a front line near the city of Bakhmut KYIV (Reuters) -Russian troops have temporarily eased attacks in and around the besieged eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut to regroup and strengthen their capabilities, a senior Kyiv official said on Saturday. Separately, senior Ukrainian officials indicated their forces were ready to launch a long-promised counteroffensive to recapture territory taken by Russia since the start of the war. Russia's Wagner private army began handing over positions to regular troops this week after declaring full control of Bakhmut following the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. Kyiv though has insisted that its forces still control a small part of the city. In a statement on Telegram, Ukraine Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said Russian troops were continuing to attack but that overall offensive activity had decreased. "Yesterday and today there have not been any active battles - neither in the city nor on the flanks," she wrote, adding that Moscow's troops were instead shelling the outskirts and approaches to Bakhmut. "(Russian) troops are being replaced and regrouped," Maliar said. "The enemy is trying to strengthen its own capabilities." Kyiv is expected to launch a highly anticipated counteroffensive soon to retake Russian-occupied territory. Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, told the British Broadcasting Corporation that the push could begin "tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week". Presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak, speaking to Britain's Guardian newspaper, said preliminary operations such as destroying supply lines or blowing up depots had already begun. The governor of the southern Russian region of Belgorod said he had come under artillery fire on Saturday when trying to enter the town of Shebekino, which is only about 7 km (4.5 miles) north of the border with Ukraine. "I couldn't even get out of the car. Shells were exploding in a neighbouring street," Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on Telegram. This week Ukraine-based ethnic Russian fighters launched a cross-border raid into the region. Ukraine's top general, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, posted a sleekly produced video on Saturday showing Ukrainian troops swearing an oath and preparing for battle. "The time has come to return what is ours," he wrote. (Reporting by Dan Peleschuk and David Ljunggren; Editing by Conor Humphries, David Gregorio and Daniel Wallis) (Bloomberg) -- Leaders and companies in Europes biggest markets are increasingly balking at the ambitious pace of the continents green push as they confront the massive costs associated with economic transformation. Most Read from Bloomberg The European Unions drive to make the continent climate-neutral has coincided with emergency rules to mitigate the effects of an energy crisis and increasing competition from the US and China. This has put great pressure on governments and companies, sparking calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders for a slower pace. Countries including France and Germany have started to chip away at parts of the EUs so-called Green Deal that have the potential to negatively impact their voters. EU officials worry that Berlin and Paris have opened the door to those seeking to soften the climate package, potentially hobbling the overall proposal and putting the time line no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 in jeopardy. Christian Egenhofer, a senior researcher at the CEPS think tank, said the EUs plan is extremely ambitious and people are just now starting to realize the scope of the challenge. Climate policies are now affecting family sectors such as housing, mobility or food, making them more controversial and more prone to domestic political risks, he said. Politicians are waking up to the fact that they need to mobilize everything from money to skills to enact the shift. The EU is locked in a tussle with the US over President Joe Bidens green subsidy law, which will offer some $369 billion in handouts and tax credits over the next decade for clean-energy programs in North America. At the same time, the EU is seeking to reduce its dependence on China for critical materials and technologies key to the green transition. Politically, the huge costs of the EUs climate plans are starting to become a more immediate reality, with an estimated 470 billion ($504 billion) of additional investment needed. Officials and lawmakers are increasingly concerned about the issue in the run up to European Parliament elections due next year. This is very worrying on different levels, said Chiara Martinelli, director of Climate Action Network Europe, a coalition of climate NGOs in Brussels. Its fueling the narrative that climate policies are a kind of burden on society, while in fact inaction will cost the EU more than implementing the Green Deal. Macron, whose popularity has cratered after pushing through an unpopular reform to the pension system, recently called for a pause to new EU climate regulations. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo praised the Green Deal but urged caution. Reducing CO2 is the number one target and our industry is going to be an important part of that, but that means that we cannot ask them to do everything at the same time, De Croo said in an interview. But it was Germany that may have done the most damage to the spirit of the Green Deal. Earlier this year, it exercised a last-minute veto on the EUs combustion-engine ban. The auto industry in Germany employs about 786,000 people. While brands like Porsche and BMW defined the combustion-engine era, Germanys electric cars have struggled. BYD Co. overtook VW to become the best-selling car brand in China last quarter. Key to its push was an electric model that costs around a third of VWs ID3, but offers greater range and connectivity with third-party applications. Earlier this month, France helped block the passage of a critical renewable energy reform thats seen as a key element of the Green Deal over a domestic political concern how nuclear energy is treated in the EUs climate strategy. EU diplomats see the French and German maneuvering as a harbinger of a broader debate about how to make the clean overhaul affordable, that will be discussed by leaders. The campaign to soften the clean overhaul has already reached the European Parliament, where lawmakers this week recommended weakening a proposal on industrial emissions and threatened to reject rules on pesticides and re-wilding land and seas. Michael Bloss, a German MEP from the Greens group, said what he called an attack on the Green Deal risked stopping the necessary modernization of European industry. A push to slow the pace of reforms pits the lawmakers backing a softer approach against the European Commissions climate chief Frans Timmermans. He has repeatedly said that implementing the shift and mobilizing both public and private finance will be bloody hard and complicated, but a failure to act will only lead to higher costs later. One cannot ignore that Timmermans is doing too much at the same time, said Peter Liese, the lead lawmaker on environment for the European Peoples Party. The EUs plan for a green transition is important and I will insist on the strict implementation, but you cannot do everything that green and NGOs support and you can definitely not do it in the next two years. In Poland, which is heading for parliamentary elections in October, ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said last week the EU climate package was promoting irrational solutions. He vowed the government will fight for a just transition for the country. Pollution Rules Poland recently joined a push by the Czech Republic, France, Italy and four other nations earlier this week against draft exhaust pollution rules, which would come on top of the carbon dioxide limits for cars. This new regulation, proposed by the commission in November and due to kick in from July 2025, could divert crucial investments needed for decarbonizing the auto industry, according to the governments. For now, the most urgent task for Europe is to resolve the spat with France over the renewable energy law, a key element of the so-called Fit for 55 package. Sweden, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, aims to win approval for the measures from national governments by June. For investors, such hiccups risk hurting the very regulatory stability that the EU is betting on in the green shift and that Macron wants to protect. If certain leaders start signaling last-minute hesitations about the direction of the green transition amid months of negotiations, it could undermine investments in clean technologies and ultimately the EU policy objective of fast-tracking decarbonization, said Laurent Donceel, acting managing director at the Airlines for Europe association. --With assistance from John Ainger, Chiara Albanese, Andra Timu, Natalia Ojewska, Lyubov Pronina and Gina Turner. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A Colorado high school senior is taking legal action against her school district after officials denied her request to wear a sash with an image of the U.S. and Mexican flags during her upcoming graduation. The districts decision is a violation of Naomi Villasanos constitutionally protected right to free speech, according to a lawsuit filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), a Latino legal civil rights organization, and the Greenberg Traurig, LLP, law firm. Naomi Villasano. (Daisy Jasmin Estrada Borja) According to the lawsuit involving Garfield County School District 16, Grand Valley High School Principal Kelly McCormick told Villasano, who's 18, that she couldn't wear the sash despite acknowledging that the school, located in the town of Parachute, didn't have a specific written policy about regalia worn on or over the graduation gown. Garfield County School District Superintendent Jennifer Baugh followed up by emailing Villasano and writing, The district didnt permit flags on regalia because it didnt want to open the door to a student wearing a Confederate flag pin or flag that would cause offense, the lawsuit stated. Villasano, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, argued before the school board that she's a 200 percenter 100% American and 100% Mexican, and stated in the MALDEF news release that it is important for me to represent my culture not only for myself but for my family." The lawsuit claims she is being denied her right to free speech and calls upon the defendants to let her wear the sash at her graduation on Saturday. We live in an age of increasing threats to the First Amendment in public schools, said Thomas Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel. Here, the district has wrongly concluded that it is allowed to discriminate against certain students and their heritage while honoring that of other students; our Constitution does not permit such obvious discrimination. The district's superintendent, school board members and the Grand Valley High School principal are listed as defendants in the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Responding to an email from NBC News, Superintendent Baugh said in a statement: At this time, the District does not have a comment on the pending litigation." Villasano said shes fighting against the ban in hopes of making a change, not just for Latinos, but for all future graduates so that nobody else has to go through what Ive been through, according to the statement. A graduation is supposed to be a moment of celebration, but Garfield County School District 16 is depriving Naomi of the opportunity to celebrate her Mexican American heritage during one of the most important moments of her life, said Kenneth Parreno, a staff attorney at MALDEF in the press release. The United States Constitution and Colorado law protect the rights of students to express their heritage, and schools cannot pick and choose what types of cultural heritage can be celebrated. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A lawsuit filed with hopes of stopping construction of Vineyard Wind 1, expected to begin installing turbines soon in waters about 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard, was recently dismissed from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Brought to court in August 2021 by Nantucket Residents Against Turbines - which also goes by ACKRATS - the suit was filed primarily out of concern for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, as well as other marine animals and the marine ecosystem, in the offshore wind development area designated in federal waters on the outer continental shelf. The Nantucket residents also cited concern about impacts on Nantucket's historic landmark status. Touted as the nation's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm, Vineyard Wind, under development by Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, is on track to generate 800-megawatts of electricity annually, powering more than 400,000 homes, starting later this year. Plans call for 62 General Electric Haliade-X turbines, spaced 1 nautical mile apart. Cape Cod wind farm guide: Offshore wind farms off Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard: What to know. The North Atlantic right whale known as Musketeer frequents the waters south of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, Georges Bank, and the Great South Channel, according to researchers at the New England Aquarium in Boston. A Nantucket-based lawsuit seeking to protect right whales by stopping construction of an offshore wind farm was dismissed May 17 in federal court. In response to the court's dismissal, Nantucket Residents Against Turbines' founding director Val Oliver said his group was disappointed. "We are taking a few days to weigh our options," she said Wednesday. In a statement, Avangrid Chief Operating Officer Sy Oytan said the company "is pleased that the ruling issued by the U.S. District Court acknowledges the rigorous and thorough administrative review that the project underwent over the last many years." The Nantucket residents' lawsuit claimed federal agencies' environmental reviews were inadequate. The Nantucket group's motion for summary judgement challenged pivotal federal environmental approvals granted to the project specifically the biological opinion given by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the final environmental impact statement issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo were also named in the suit. Asserting that the federal agencies failed to give the project adequate review according to the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, the Nantucket group hoped to convince the court to toss both the biological opinion and the final environmental impact statement. The group then hoped the court would issue an injunction to protect the right whales until the agencies complied with the laws. North Atlantic right whale bracket Whale matriarch Wart voted Cape's favorite In a statement issued in January, the Nantucket group specifically maintained that the agencies "issued a legally defective biological opinion, ignored increased stress on right whales, failed to complete an adequate Environmental Impact Statement and issued illegal 'incidental take authorizations' that would jeopardize this critically endangered species." A federal judge disagreed, noting federal protections for right whales and other marine animals. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani was not convinced. In a May 17 memorandum and order she found no evidence that the agencies fell short in their duties of protecting of the marine ecosystem, including right whales. In her conclusion, she wrote that the Nantucket group "failed to demonstrate that NMFS or BOEM violated the Endangered Species Act or the National Environmental Policy Act in considering and issuing the 2021 biological opinion or the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Vineyard Wind Project." Talwani's 52-page finding further pointed out numerous terms and conditions the agencies spelled out with an eye toward protecting right whales and other marine animals. As the biological opinion acknowledges, Talwani wrote, "numerous mitigation measures are designed not only to protect right whales from harassment, but also to protect other species." Offshore wind and Cape Cod fishing Cape Cod fishing alliance wants more research on effects of offshore wind Here's how marine life is protected during wind turbine construction. Among the measures are vessel speed restrictions and a seasonal restriction on pile driving that prohibits turbine pile driving from Jan. 1 through April 30 "to avoid the time of year with highest densities of right whales in the project area." Another measure requires Vineyard Wind to employ qualified protected-species observers to monitor marine mammals during pile driving, with at least two observers stationed on the pile driving vessel at all times, as well as 60 minutes prior to, and 30 minutes after, pile driving. Passive Acoustic Monitoring is also required to record ambient noise and marine mammal vocalizations in the lease area before, during, and after construction "to monitor project impacts relating to vessel noise, pile driving noise, (wind turbine) operational noise, and to document whale detections" in the wind development area. North Atlantic right whales off Cape Cod Only about 340 right whales remain worldwide. Many visit Cape Cod Bay. Meet eight of them. What about whale deaths near wind turbine projects off New York and New Jersey coasts? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, of which the marine fisheries service is a part, is worried about whale deaths off New York and New Jersey, where other offshore projects are in development. "At this point, there is no evidence to support speculation that noise resulting from wind development-related site characterization surveys could potentially cause mortality of whales, and no specific links between recent large whale mortalities and currently ongoing surveys," according to the agency. The agency said it will continue to gather data to determine cause of death and how human activities impact marine mammals. Heather McCarron writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world, in addition to news and features in Barnstable, Brewster and Falmouth Reach her at hmccarron@capecodonline.com, or follow her on Twitter @HMcCarron_CCT Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Nantucket resident lawsuit to pause offshore wind project dismissed Flash Nearly 26 years after Hong Kong's return, Britain still hasn't woken up from its colonial dream and continues seeking to interfere in Hong Kong affairs through a misleading "report", which has gravely violated the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday. "We strongly deplore and reject this," spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press briefing. Mao made the remarks when asked for comments on a so-called six-monthly report issued by the British government on Hong Kong on Thursday, which asked for the "removing of the National Security Law" and said that Britain will continue to monitor the proposed electoral changes to Hong Kong's District Council. Mao said that the so-called report is steeped in ideological bias and inconsistent with the facts. Noting Hong Kong residents now enjoy far more rights and freedoms in accordance with law than they did before 1997, Mao said that the effective implementation of the law on safeguarding national security and the new electoral system has enabled Hong Kong to enter a new stage in which Hong Kong has restored order and is set to thrive. "The United Kingdom has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of 'supervision' over Hong Kong after its return to China," said Mao, adding that the legal basis for the Chinese government's governance of Hong Kong is China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. "Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. To smear Hong Kong or talk down its prospects will not sway China's steady course of advancing 'one country, two systems'," Mao said. It's a rhythmic handshake that feels like a coded high-five, ending with a warm yet masculine embrace. It's a fist bump morphed into a climatic snap of the fingers and clasp of hands. Sometimes it gets intricate, even athletic, depending on the people in play, the occasion, the environment. Which is easy for a decades-old form of endearment. A dap photographed by LaMont Hamilton as part of his project, Five on the Black Hand Side The dap, once banned and objectified, is now as near universal in America as combo meals and streaming services. Co-opted and watered down a generation ago but still maintained in urban dwellings. Its origins, though, are found in the midst of the political turbulence and racial unrest of the 1960s as the Vietnam War unfolded. In a land far away from home, Black soldiers found a way to express solidarity and transmit messages of trust and rapport as they faced danger from the enemy and racial discrimination within their own ranks. Soldiers fought in integrated units, even as the fight for desegregation and civil rights took place at home in the U.S. Dap stood for dignity and pride. "Black GIs, sailors and Marines understood that when they dapped, whites balked at the disruption and watched with a mixture of 'consternation, curiosity, and resentment,'" Kimberley L. Phillips wrote in the 2012 book, "War! What is it good for?: Black Freedom Struggles and the U.S. Military from World War II to Iraq." She wrote that "Many commanders considered the dap and the abandonment of military deference as a display of mass subordination, others considered it nonsensical and disruptive." Not everyone saw it that way. I saw it as a source of morale and esteem and pride among the African American soldiers, and some of the white soldiers picked it up a little bit, too, said retired Lt. Col. Joseph B. Anderson, 80, who is Black, served in Vietnam and now lives in Detroit. Anderson's tours in Vietnam were depicted in the Academy Award-winning documentary "The Anderson Platoon." More than 300,000 Black Americans served in Vietnam, representing 16.3% of the armed forces when 12% of the U.S. population was Black, according to the African American Veterans Monument. They made up 25% of enlisted troops, but just 2% of officers. A nearly universal sign with particular roots Nowadays, it's not uncommon to see athletes of all races embrace the handshake. Middle school girls. Strangers. Well, with exceptions: There's also the infamous Key & Peele comedy sketch depicting President Barack Obama using the dap-style handshake following a speech, changing the style as he greets members of varying races. "It's an acknowledgment of a shared cultural identity," said Hasan Jeffries, an associate professor of history at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He's the younger brother of Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader of the U.S House of Representatives. Michael Eric Dyson, a renowned national author and professor at Vanderbilt University, said the dap is an extension of Black male rituals of handshaking, a means of nonverbal identification. So much, Dyson added, that it's "become part of the larger language and vocabulary of America." LaMont Hamilton, a multidisciplinary artist, photographer and documentary maker, said it's important to preserve the history of the dap. Hamilton served as a consultant for the 2020 Spike Lee film "Da 5 Bloods" which tells the fictional story of a group of Black soldiers returning to Vietnam hunting for treasure they left behind. Hamilton served as a 2014 research fellow with the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. He said it's important to draw a distinction between the camaraderie-driven daps born out of the Vietnam War and what he refers to as the "expressive handshakes" in wide use today. After all, he said, the original dap created special bonds in perilous moments and their unique history needs to be preserved. "I know I can trust you. I know I can trust you with my life, and you know you can trust me." A simple handshake today, Hamilton added, doesn't have life and death connected to it. USA TODAY Network Staff writer Angele Latham contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dap: During the Vietnam War, trust often starting with a hip handshake With an Erdogan win, Turkey would continue to play both sides of the U.S.-Russia divide People watch from a cafe window as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses supporters during a campaign rally Friday in Istanbul. (Chris McGrath / Getty Images) For the last several years, Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has played both sides of the global geopolitical divide: It belongs to the Western NATO alliance but has also nurtured ever-closer ties with Russia. A NATO stalwart for more than seven decades, Turkey served inside the alliances peacekeeping missions in various war zones, but then more recently purchased military equipment from Russia and refused entry to new NATO members that might offend Moscow. Turkeys unique and seemingly contradictory position has become amplified since Russia invaded neighboring, pro-West Ukraine 15 months ago, with Erdogan again leveraging himself as a valuable ally to both the U.S. and Europe on one side and to Russia on the other. He has often seemed to land with Russia over his Western partners. The question now is how much or whether Turkey's place on the world stage will change following Sundays presidential runoff election, in which Erdogan is widely expected to prevail but only after conquering unprecedented opposition. "He will continue to play an important but uncomfortable role from the Western perspective," said Emre Peker, Europe director for the Eurasia Group, a risk-analysis organization. Joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization less than three years after it was founded in the ashes of World War II, Turkey was until recently the only Muslim country in the alliance. With a population of 85 million and a massive land area that literally straddles East and West, it has the alliance's second-largest army. Before Erdogan became president in 2014, Turkey was staunchly secular, so much so that the wearing of headscarves by women was banned in many official venues. But Erdogan has steadily pushed the nation into a more religious sphere, while seizing more autocratic powers. Those shifts have taken him and the country slightly out of step with NATO and, in the view of the president and his closest advisors, freer to strike deals and allegiances with dire enemies of the U.S. and NATO, including Russia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, talks with President Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a round table meeting at a NATO summit in Madrid in 2022. (Manu Fernandez / Associated Press) Privately, some Biden administration officials say they would relish the election of someone other than Erdogan, who has not been invited to the White House since President Biden took office. During a visit Erdogan made to Washington during the Trump presidency, his guards beat up peaceful protesters and quickly left the country to avoid criminal prosecution. Sen. Robert Menendez, the New Jersey Democrat who chairs the body's Foreign Relations Committee, has long been critical of Erdogan and his overtures to Moscow. "Will [Turkey] after the election be the NATO ally we always wanted it to be, or will it be in turmoil?" he said in a speech last week in New York. No doubt, one person who would be happy to see Erdogan reelected is Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine and spurred a firestorm of sanctions on his countrys economy, Turkey has become a primary lifeline for Moscow, with the pugnacious Erdogan insisting on maintaining economic and diplomatic links. We are not at a point where we would impose sanctions on Russia like the West have done, Erdogan said in an interview with CNN last week. "We are not bound by the Wests sanctions. We are a strong state and we have a positive relationship with Russia," he said. "Russia and Turkey need each other in every field possible. At the same time, Erdogan portrays himself as valuable to the West. He claims he could be key in negotiating peace, and he helped bring Putin on line in last year's Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal brokered by the United Nations that allowed grain exports from Ukraine to continue and ameliorated a surge in food prices. He also helped negotiate a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. In some ways, Erdogan and Putin make an odd pair. They supported opposing sides in the civil wars in Syria and Libya as well as in the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Relations reached a nadir in 2015 when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian-Turkish border. Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2022. (Alexandr Demyanchuk / Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via Associated Press) But rather than driving a wedge between the two leaders, the war in Ukraine has only deepened their relationship. Russia is the largest supplier of energy to Turkey, providing a third of its oil and gas imports. Earlier this month, Moscow agreed to delay some of Turkeys natural gas payments a move seen as a favor to Erdogan ahead of the election. The two countries are also working together on Turkeys first nuclear power plant, which is set to open later this year. The closure of the Nord Stream pipeline, which would have conveyed oil from Russia to Germany and Western Europe, has also prompted Russia to push for Turkey to become a regional gas hub for trade with the European Union. Bilateral trade, meanwhile, topped $62 billion last year, and Turkey remains the top choice for Russian tourists more than 5.2 million visited last year. And with Europe all but sealed to Russian citizens, Turkey has become a prime destination for Russian expats to live and work a development one can see every day on the streets of Moda, a trendy neighborhood on Istanbuls Asian side, where Russian couples with baby strollers are a frequent sight and cafes are filled with Russian men and women hunched intently over their laptops. For the last year? All our clients have been Russians, said Dehlan Agirman, a longtime real estate agent there. The influx, she said, had spurred a doubling of rental prices in the district. Normally I would have three deals a month or something," she said. "Now its more than seven. Most are young couples, with remote work. And theyre willing to pay three or six months in advance. Turkey has provided drones and other materiel to Ukraine, but the country under Erdogan shares much of Putin's dislike of the West, and that has made him a prickly partner in NATO. In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both Sweden and Finland which have long staked out an official position of neutrality sought membership in the transatlantic alliance. The decision to admit new members must be unanimous, and both cases came down to Turkey, which eventually conceded to Finland but not to Sweden. Erdogan claims that Sweden harbors Kurdish activists tied to the Kurdistan Workers Party, a group both Turkey and the United States consider a terrorist organization. The U.S. Congress punished Turkey for blocking Sweden by preventing it from buying American-made F-16 warplanes. Turkey's purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defense system around 2021 had already cost it access to F-35s because of concerns that Russia could rig the system to spy on the West. Erdogan's opponent in Sunday's runoff, 74-year-old Kemal Kilicdaroglu, has said he would improve Turkey's relationship with the West and move to restart a long-stalled bid to join the European Union. He has also lambasted Erdogan for being too close with Putin. Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave Turkish flags during a campaign rally in Istanbul on Friday. (Francisco Seco / Associated Press) But most analysts predict that Erdogan will triumph. In the initial electoral round two weeks ago, he garnered 49.5% of the 50% needed to win outright. Kilicdaroglu took 44.9%, but the third-place finisher, who won 5.2%, has since endorsed Erdogan. Whoever wins will face the instability of a flagging economy and the aftermath of February's cataclysmic earthquakes that ravaged the countrys south, killing at least 50,000 people and leaving millions homeless. Erdogan's populist maneuverings ahead of the election, including raising the minimum wage and pensions and offering free gas to citizens, are expected to add further pressure on state coffers, even as the Turkish lira remains at a historic low. One school of thought is that the need for Western aid will push him into more moderate positions seen more favorably by the U.S. and Europe. But Gonul Tol, founding director of the Turkey program at the Middle East Institute, a Washington think tank, takes a different view. "I don't see how Western money is going to all of a sudden start pouring into Turkey, in a country where Erdogan is probably going to double down on repression at home," she said, referring to the president's crackdown on thousands of dissidents and other perceived opponents. That could prompt him to reach out more eagerly to Russia, Qatar or Saudi Arabia to finance any budgetary shortfalls. "Usually, when autocrats face more instability at home, they tend to pursue a more unpredictable anti-Western nationalist foreign policy," Tol said. Times staff writers Bulos reported from Istanbul and Wilkinson from Washington. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Texas House of Representatives voted to send articles of impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton to the Texas Senate. The vote came after hours of debate on the articles, that Senate began Saturday with members of the House General Investigating committee laying out their case that Paxton abused his office and broke the law. The committee members and those who oppose the impeachment resolution had a set amount of time to present their arguments and debate the coming historic vote. The embattled attorney general, who took office in 2015, has faced legal troubles for years: Troubles that were outlined by a panel of House General Investigating Committee lawyers who addressed lawmakers in an hours-long Wednesday hearing. Paxton has been under felony indictment for securities fraud since 2015, but has not gone to trial in the case. Separately, the FBI is investigating him for allegedly abusing his office to aid a campaign contributor, real estate investor Nate Paul, the Associated Press reported. The former employees who reported him to the FBI for corruption also filed a whistleblower lawsuit. The committee, it was revealed Tuesday, had been investigating Paxton for months after he agreed to settle that lawsuit with $3.3 million in taxpayer dollars. Money for the settlement is subject to legislative approval. If impeached, the Senate, where Paxtons wife Sen. Angela Paxton serves, would then hold a trial. Members of the committee Rep. Andrew Murr, a Junction Republican, Rep. Ann Johnson, a Houston Democrat, Rep. Charlie Geren, a Fort Worth Republican, Rep. Oscar Longoria, a Mission Democrat and Rep. David Spiller, a Jacksboro Republican took turns taking the stand to address their colleagues who watched from their desks on the House floor. No one person should be above the law, Spiller said. We each took an oath of office, he said. Attorney General Paxton took an oath of office. He violated that. He put the interests of himself above the law of the state of Texas. He put the interests of himself over the established laws, policies and procedures of the Office of the Attorney General. Paxton also put his interests over the advice of his staff, over the lawful functions of law enforcement agencies and over the interest of Texas citizens, Spiller said. Members it brings me no pleasure to be standing here today in front of you dealing with this matter, Spiller said. I know that its not pleasant for you either. But we have a duty and obligation to protect the citizens of Texas from elected officials that use their office and power for personal gain. As the proceedings began, most seats in the gallery overlooking the chamber were full. Onlookers were quiet, as were the lawmakers down below, as the debate began and members of the committee spoke. Though some cheered later in the day when opponents of the resolution had their turn to address their colleagues. Members, one of the key responsibilities of the general investigating committee is to look beyond partisan affiliation in order to take the necessary steps to protect the institution that is our state government, Geren said. He soon added, I would like to point out that several members of this House while on the floor of this House doing the state business, received telephone calls from General Paxton personally, threatening them with political consequences in their next election. Johnson closed the opening remarks: If millions of Texans cant trust us to do the right thing right here, right now, then what are we here for? she said. Next up were those lawmakers with concerns about the impeachment proceedings. A sad day for our chamber Rep. Tony Tinderholt, an Arlington Republican, called Saturday a sad day for our chamber as he took the front podium to speak in opposition of the impeachment resolution. He and others who spoke against the measure raised concerns about the process and quick turnaround of the impeachment proceedings. Tinderholt said the process has lacked transparency, careful deliberation and is about politics. He raised concerns that Paxton hadnt been interviewed as part of the investigation and that an attorney general office staff member wasnt able to testify as a resource witness earlier in the week. He said that instead of questioning witnesses in a hearing, investigators were allowed to summarize and potentially editorialize their findings. If you think this is how we best serve Texans, youre gravely mistaken, Tinderholt said. When you vote today, dont listen to the bullies inside or outside this building that try to intimidate you into submission. Rep. John Smithee, a Amarillo Republican, and Rep. Brian Harrison, a Midlothian Republican, joined Tinderholt in giving statements opposing the impeachment proceedings. Before they addressed the House, a couple lawmakers had time to ask questions of Murr, who chairs the House Investigating Committee. Matt Schaefer pressed Murr about whether members of the committee had asked questions of witnesses personally. Murr said attorneys and investigators did that on their behalf. Murr, responding to a question, also noted that witnesses werent placed under oath. In criminal proceedings that typically happens during a trial, he said, and in this case that would happen during the Senate trial. Schaefer also asked if the committee had spoken with Nate Paul, the political donor at the center of much acts that led to Paxtons potential impeachment. Murr replied that the committee started its investigation by reaching out to participants in the whistleblower lawsuit and then extended it to witnesses identified by the whistleblowers. The committee has not reached out to Paul or subpoenaed documents from him, Murr said. Tinderholt questioned the credentials of the investigators and questioned why lawmakers werent given more time to consider the impeachment decision. I feel like its rushed, he said. I perceive that it could be political weaponization. During a part of the discussion dedicated to debate on the resolution, Rep. Harold Dutton, a Houston Democrat, said hed be voting present not voting on the resolution because hes concerned about a lack do due process. At another point in the day, Rep. Jeff Leach, a Plano Republican who chairs the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, said Paxton had a standing invitation to appear before the committee and did not. Leach spoke in support of the resolution. Committee investigated Paxton for months The articles of impeachment against Paxton came just hours after the House committee investigating Paxton recommended his impeachment. He would be the third official in Texas history to be impeached and the first since 1975. This is serious, said Rep. Craig Goldman on Thursday, a Fort Worth Republican who chairs the House GOP caucus. Its historic, and theres not one member who takes this lightly. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, told WFAA TV he couldnt comment on whether there are the votes to convict Paxton, were the impeachment articles sent to the chamber. I dont cast a vote. The 31 members cast a vote. I preside over it, Patrick said in the interview. But we will all be responsible as any juror would be if that turns out to be, and I think the members will do their duty. Paxton discredited the committees lawyers findings in a Thursday statement as hearsay and gossip, parroting long-disproven claims. He also said his office hasnt had an opportunity for rebuttal. Longoria said a report issued by Paxtons office related to the whistleblower lawsuit serves as Paxtons defense. By attacking the Office of the Attorney General, corrupted politicians in the Texas House, led by liberal Speaker Dade Phelan, are actively destroying Texass position as the most powerful backstop against the Biden agenda in the entire country, he said. On Friday he called it a illegal impeachment scheme, again touting his record taking on the Biden administration. The attorney general offices General Litigation Division Chief Chris Hilton has said Paxtons impeachment would violate state law because conduct predates the most recent November election. The committee in the Friday memo said the code he cited doesnt apply to impeachment. For this crucial work to continue, the political theater must come to an end, Paxton said. Chris Hilton, the General Litigation Division chief in the attorney generals office, told reporters a proposed impeachment can only be for conduct since the most recent election. The code he cited states an official cannot be removed from office for an act the official may have committed before the officers election to office. It doesnt specify if that means when the official was first elected or the most recent election. The committee in the Friday memo said the code he cited doesnt apply to impeachment. The scandal surrounding Paxton was highlighted by both Republican and Democratic political opponents while on the 2022 campaign trail, but Paxton won the statewide election in November with 53% of votes. What do the articles of impeachment say? The document includes 20 articles: Seven for disregard of official duty, three for false statements in public records, two for constitutional bribery, two for obstruction of justice, one for conspiracy and attempted conspiracy, one for misapplication of public resources, one for misappropriation of of public resources, one for dereliction of duty, one for unfitness for office and one for abuse of public trust. Among the findings, the resolution laying out the articles says Paxton fired employees for reporting his unlawful actions to law enforcement. He misused public resources when he had employees conduct a sham investigation into the whistleblower complaints. Paxton concealed wrongful acts connected to the whistleblower complaints when he entered the settlement agreement, delaying the discovery of evidence and trial testimony which deprived the electorate of its opportunity to make an informed decision when voting for attorney general, one article reads. Paxton benefited from having Paul, the campaign donor and real estate investor, employ a woman with whom Paxton was having an affair. Paul in turn got favorable legal assistance or special access to the attorney generals office, the document reads. Paxton also engaged in bribery when a man named Nate, presumably Nate Paul provided Paxton home renovations in exchange for legal help and access, says another article. Paxton had his staff intervene in a lawsuit against Paul, harming a charitable organization, and had his office issue an opinion to help Paul avoid sale foreclosures on some of his properties or businesses. He also had an outside attorney look into a business complaint to benefit Paul, for which he issued more than 30 grand jury subpoenas, an article says. Those subpoenas were ultimately quashed, according to Wednesdays testimony. Paxton obstructed justice when he benefited from the filing of a lawsuit by a political donor that disrupted the pay of prosecutors in the criminal case against Paxton, causing delays in the case, the document reads. Paxton also made false personal statements to the State Securities Board, the Texas Ethics Commission and in public comments responding to whistleblower allegations, it says. The final article says Paxton brought the attorney generals office into scandal and lowered the publics confidence in Texas government. CHILLICOTHE Jill Covey, Realtor, a local Homes for Heroes Specialist with Realistar, gave donuts, pizzas and goodie bags to local community heroes, thanking them for all they do in celebration of For Heroes Day. Homes for Heroes' mission is to thank every hero in the nation and For Heroes Day is a one-day celebration to do something special. Local realtor Jill Covey, a Homes for Heroes Specialist with Realistar, gave back to Adena Health System on For Heroes Day. This year, Covey showed appreciation for the services and sacrifices of our community heroes by delivering donuts, pizzas and gift bags to the following hero locations to celebrate For Heroes Day: Adena Hospital Emergency Room, Chillicothes Ohio State Highway Patrol, Chillicothe/Ross County Sherriff Police Department, Chillicothe High School, VA Hospital in Chillicothe, Chillicothe Fire Department Station House 1, Columbus Fire Department Station House Station 17, Adena Urgent Care, and a Military Recruiting Office The month of May has special hero observances all month long and we wanted to kick it off right by doing something special for them this year. Our firefighters, law enforcement, military, teachers and healthcare professionals do so much for this community and the challenges they have battled over the past year have been tough. We hope some of what we provided on For Heroes Day shows our enormous appreciation and gratitude for what they do every day, said Covey. Local realtor Jill Covey, a Homes for Heroes Specialist with Realistar, with Ross County Sheriff George Lavender on For Heroes Day. Homes for Heroes, Inc. is the largest nationwide network of affiliate real estate, mortgage and local business specialists committed to providing easy ways for heroes to save on a home. Shortly after 9/11, Homes for Heroes, Inc. was established to give back to firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military, healthcare professionals and teachers. Since 2009, Homes for Heroes, Inc. has helped over 60,000 heroes save more than $113 million and donated over $1.2 million to heroes in need through the Homes for Heroes Foundation. Learn more at HomesForHeroes.com. This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Local realtor gives back to teachers, firefighters and law enforcement on For Heroes Day Air travel this summer is projected to climb to levels not seen since the pandemic drove passengers to all but abandon the skies and it couldnt come at a worse time. Airline and air traffic controller workforces are strained, leaving passengers waiting and stranded at airlines even on normal days. The industry is grappling with a spate of near-collisions. And amid it all, the Federal Aviation Administration is about to lose its acting head, with no permanent leader in sight. Even before the Memorial Day weekend started, travel volumes spiked a post-Covid record 2.6 million travelers passed through the Transportation Security Agencys checkpoints on Sunday. Travel this summer is expected to balloon to levels not seen since 2019, posing a significant test for a system that suffered rampant meltdowns last summer, when air passenger numbers were 25 percent less than whats expected this year. I think all of us have airline stories from last summer and the disruptions that took place then cancellation and delay rates were at unacceptable proportions last year, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at a press conference this week. And it's important that that not happen again. Airlines say they can avoid a repeat of last summer, where on-time rates hovered below 75 percent across the board, to Congress annoyance. They have hired tens of thousands of people since last year and staffing levels are more than 9 percent higher than they were pre-pandemic. And this summer, the Federal Aviation Administration has encouraged airlines, perhaps paradoxically, to fly fewer planes that can fit more people. That strategy could help ease the burden on airlines and the air traffic control system, which still has a shortfall in employees, but will mean fewer options for passengers trying to plan travel or rebook after a canceled flight. The airlines acknowledge its just a short-term solution. Im not sure thats a model that can last forever, but for now well make do, said Nicholas Calio, president and CEO of the trade group Airlines for America. But unlike last summer, which turned into a game of finger-pointing between the airlines and FAA over who was more to blame for delays, this time airlines and the Biden administration say theyre taking steps to collaborate. In March, the FAA announced it would allow airlines to fly fewer flights in the New York City area without penalty, and many airlines volunteered to cut down their daily traffic, with about 87 fewer flights in the New York City area in June and more than 100 fewer flights in July and August. John Heimlich, chief economist for the aviation trade group Airlines for America, said that commercial carriers are planning to add about 2 percent more seats for the summer travel season while cutting dozens of flights per day, particularly in the New York City area. The hope is that fewer flights will ease the burden on overworked controllers and create more slack in the system so airlines can play catch-up when weather or staffing issues creep up. Buttigieg struck an optimistic note at a news conference on Tuesday, pointing out that cancellations were down in the early part of 2023 compared to last year. Flying has gotten better, slowly If we look at the numbers so far this year were seeing improvements, but I dont think were out of the woods yet, Buttigieg said in an interview last month, referring to flight cancellations. The training gaps and the hiring gaps that happened because of Covid will take more than the one year weve had so far to work their way through the system. So far this year, airlines have canceled only about 1.5 percent of flights, and 77.1 percent of flights have arrived on time, which the DOT defines as within 15 minutes of the posted arrival time, said Heimlich. Those are better numbers than last summer, and Heimlich said spikes in cancellation rates during the last month were mostly due to weather, such as major thunderstorms in Houston early this month. Calios message to passengers is that they should pray for good weather every day, a nod to the fact that the vast majority of delays and cancellations are weather-related and outside anyones control. But staffing of the FAAs air traffic controllers remains a major problem, according to Paul Rinaldi, a former president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. He said staffing in the New York City area is operating at 66 percent of its ideal workforce, with other towers and control centers operating around 78 to 80 percent of the ideal. Operating on margins that thin means it doesnt take much for shortfalls to affect a control tower. For instance, the FAA confirmed that a spike of sick air traffic controllers at Denver International Airport spurred two days of flight delays this week. Though the delays were relatively minimal, theyre emblematic of the lack of slack in the system. A controller cant take anything stronger than Advil, Rinaldi said, adding that a sip of Nyquil will take a controller off the job for at least 60 hours. Near-misses spur new worries The FAA maintains that flying is safe, pointing out that U.S. airlines have enjoyed their safest decade ever. But safety investigators say that the FAA could be doing more, particularly after an airplane in Austin, Texas, came 115 feet away from landing on top of another plane in February. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates accidents, has chastised the FAA for leaving open several of the boards pending safety recommendations. Those include two that have come up in recent incidents the board has called for more airports to install radar-based collision prevention systems, and for cockpit voice recorders to hold longer recordings instead of being overwritten after two hours. But she also acknowledged that the FAA is often stretched thin when it comes to investing in technology. We have to make sure that all these upgrades to safety can be funded, Homendy said at a summit her board held recently on near misses. We are quick to point at FAA when something goes wrong but then we dont follow up with why. Is it because they didnt have sufficient resources? Labor unions for pilots and other aviation workers warn that too little training or training that was rushed to staff up post-Covid has contributed to the recent near misses. We need to get back to basics at least two pilots in the cockpit concentrating on the task at hand," said Air Line Pilots Association President Jason Ambrosi, making the point that two pilots in the cockpit can better spot potential dangers. "When you have a lot of new in the system, you need to exceed the minimum." Searching for a permanent FAA leader As the FAA and airlines work to hire and train additional air traffic controllers, pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and others, the agency itself has a vacancy at the very top. It has gone more than a year without a Senate-confirmed leader and now, former airline pilot and safety expert Billy Nolen is stepping down as the FAAs acting administrator. Nolen intends to depart this summer, creating a bigger leadership void that will ripple through the top ranks of the agency. The White House has said it plans to have another acting administrator in place before he leaves, but so far a permanent nominee has been elusive. President Joe Bidens original nominee for the job, Denver airport CEO and longtime transit executive Phil Washington, withdrew in March after facing tepid Democratic support and fierce attacks from Republicans who accused him of lacking significant aviation experience. The administration has also made a push to improve flying for travelers, particularly after Southwest Airlines suffered a meltdown that canceled thousands of flights during the 2022 holiday season. DOT is investigating Southwests scheduling practices, and Buttigieg has said the department is taking a two-fold approach toward the airlines: Collaboration where that is appropriate, pressure where it's necessary." Some lawmakers have accused Buttigieg of being too lenient in cracking down on poorly performing airlines after the Southwest debacle, though recent actions from the administration have blunted some of that criticism. In recent weeks, DOT began promoting an online dashboard that shows each U.S. airline and the benefits they provide for aggrieved passengers. Frontier Airlines, for example, is the only major U.S. airline that doesnt guarantee a complimentary hotel stay for an overnight cancellation. The administration has also pledged to impose rules that would eliminate so-called junk fees, such as charges for seating a child next to an accompanying adult. And it has taken an aggressive stance recently against airline consolidation, including suing to block a proposed merger between JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines. But new rules and lawsuits will take months, if not years, to resolve and are unlikely to play a major role in the summer travel season. Airlines have made operational and technological changes in response to last summers struggles and Southwests meltdown, said Jim Higgins, a former pilot who teaches operations at the University of North Dakotas well-regarded aviation program. But any improvements could be wiped out by increased demand, he said. Hopefully the airlines have had a year to learn, Higgins said. The trick is going to be, have we learned enough to overcome the additional travelers were going to see this summer? If I had to guess, my guess is it would be similar to last summer. Tanya Snyder contributed to this report. Lori Vallow Daybell was convicted of murder. Her attorneys are asking for a new trial. Lori Vallow Daybell is asking for a new trial. The 49-year-old mother whose childrens disappearance and fringe religious beliefs garnered national attention was convicted by a 12-person jury of murdering two of her children two weeks ago. The trial concluded in mid-May after six weeks and just shy of seven hours of deliberations. Vallow Daybell, who moved to Idaho from Arizona in the summer of 2019, was also convicted on four additional felonies including three conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charges for the children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old JJ Vallow, and Tammy Daybell, the then-wife of Vallow Daybells husband. She was also found guilty of grand theft for continuing to collect the childrens Social Security and child care benefits after they were dead. Chad Daybell, Vallow Daybells husband, is also charged with over half-a-dozen felonies related to the murder of JJ, Tylee and Tammy Daybell. His trial date hasnt been set but its expected to take place next year. In the motion for a new trial, Vallow Daybells attorneys said one of the jurors knew about evidence that wasnt presented during the trial. The motion also said the instructions given to the jurors were confusing. In addition to the charges in Idaho, authorities have said they believe Vallow Daybell, along with her brother Alex Cox, conspired to kill her fourth husband Charles Vallow. In July 2019 roughly two months before the children went missing Cox shot and killed Charles Vallow in Chandler, Arizona. Cox, who died in December 2019, initially told police that he shot Charles Vallow in self-defense, but Vallow Daybell has now been charged with a felony for conspiring to murder Charles Vallow. Shes also been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the attempted shooting of Vallow Daybells nieces ex-husband Brandon Boudreaux. Jim Archibald and John Thomas, Vallow Daybells attorneys, are referring to an East Idaho News interview with Saul Hernandez, or Juror No. 8. In the interview, Hernandez said police in Arizona had some significant red flags and had they followed up on some things maybe there wouldnt have been a trial in Idaho. East Idaho News reporter Nate Eaton, in the interview, then asked Hernandez if he was referring to after Charles Vallow was shot, to which Hernandez responded before and after. Eaton then responds that Hernandez is right and refers to body camera footage of Charles Vallow in January 2019 seven months before he was killed where he tells the Gilbert Police Department that Vallow Daybell has lost her reality and that he was worried about Tylee and JJs safety. The motion argued that Hernandezs comment about Arizona police wasnt part of the evidence presented during the trial which it wasnt but that both Hernandez and Eaton refer to it in the interview. Hernandez during the interview doesnt specifically mention the footage but slightly shakes his head in agreement when Eaton mentions it. The interview took place on May 17, which was five days after a verdict was reached. While the jurors were not allowed to read or watch any news related to Vallow Daybell during the trial, nothing prevented them from researching the case after they reached a verdict and the trial was done. We can only conclude that the juror relied on information not presented in court to reach his conclusion that Arizona dropped the ball and should have done more, even before Charles Vallow was shot and killed by Alex Cox, the motion said. Defense attorney says juror instructions confusing Hernandez during the interview also said that it was clear to the jurors that testimony and evidence related to Arizona were only for demonstrative purposes. But, in the motion, the defense pointed out that any evidence regarding Arizona wasnt admitted for demonstrative purposes but instead was admitted to show that any alleged crimes went toward the prosecutions ability to prove motive, opportunity or intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident. The evidence cannot be admitted to prove a persons character, according to Idaho Rules of Evidence. To confuse demonstrative evidence and character evidence is easy to do; hence, the defense objections should have been sustained, Vallow Daybells attorneys wrote in the motion. Vallow Daybells defense team objected to several witnesses who spoke about the death of Charles Vallow along with the attempted shooting of Boudreaux throughout the trial. The motion also cited two additional reasons why Vallow Daybells conviction should be vacated and she should receive a new trial. Vallow Daybells attorneys in the motion alleged that the court misdirected the jury about the law in regard to the three conspiracy charges. In the indictment, prosecutors alleged that the Daybells, Cox and other co-conspirators, both known and unknown conspired to kill the children and Tammy Daybell. But during the trial, the government alleged that the conspiracy was only between two people: the Daybells, Vallow Daybell and her brother, or Chad Daybell and Cox. To have the government and the court permit a conspiracy of just two people instead of five was prejudicial and unlawful, and should require a new trial, the motion said. The motion added that the jury was again misdirected because the court allowed the prosecution to amend the indictment nearly two years after it was filed. The prosecution will have a chance to file an objection to the motion and then Judge Boyce could schedule a hearing. Vallow Daybell is expected to be sentenced at 9 a.m. July 31 at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho. Love always wins: Mural to be unveiled at Orlando Museum of Art showing Pulse stories The Orlando Museum of Art will unveil a new mural titled Inspiration Orlando United next month. The museum will also host a free community event on June 12 to honor lives lost during the Pulse nightclub tragedy in 2016. Artists Michael Pilato, Yuriy Karabash and Chimene Hurst created the mural. OMA described the mural as visual storytelling with inspirational quotes and themes of leadership, courage, compassion, love and hope. Read: Orlandos Come out With Pride celebration is happening no matter what, organizers say Pilato said he is proud to present the mural to the community. It is an honor to be invited to join hands with the Orlando community and support the mural as it continues to breathe hope, justice, healing, and a passion for peace, he said. It is important that we remember the 49 loved ones lost and the lives forever changed as the world rose united in saying, love always wins. Read: Organization applauds decision to not have memorial located on Pulse property OMA said the mural, which is 44 feet wide and 14 feet high, will be a work in progress as artists tell new stories. Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, Curator and Interim Head of Collections & Exhibitions, said this mural is crucial to their vision. It was important to us at the Orlando Museum of Art to honor the lives that were forever changed and offer a place of solace for our community, she said. We hope this event provides an opportunity for heartfelt reflection and inspires unity, support, and advocacy. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Love at first sight: Bella Thorne announces engagement to boyfriend Mark Emms after nine months of dating Bella Thorne and her boyfriend Mark Emms have announced their engagement. The former Disney Channel child star, 25, known for playing CeCe Jones in the sitcom Shake It Up, shared a romantic picture of her TV producer fiance hugging her as she holds her diamond engagement ring up to show the camera. "My love," the 25-year-old captioned the Instagram post, which also included a series of photographs of her with Emms throughout their nine-month relationship. In one photo, Emms is wearing a wig that matches the colour of Thornes signature red hair. The pair met last year on the beach in Ibiza at supermodel Cara Delevingnes birthday party. Thorne toldVogue that it was love at first sight as the sun rose. Bella went Instagram official with Emms on Valentines Day, writing on Instagram: Find someone u want to share ur candy with. Ps.this sexy tall British man is mine so get yah own cuz I feel like kickin Ass today. Emms, who is an entrepreneur and the producer behind Netflixs series Bad Vegan, proposed at Thornes home in California on 13 May, the magazine reports. Her ring is a 10-plus-carat emerald-cut diamond ring with baguettes in the centre stone. The Blended star is said to be imagining a countryside wedding at a manor in the UK and reportedly has her eye on a vintage Schiaparelli or Dior dress for her wedding outfit. This is not the first time Thorne has been a fiancee she was previously engaged to herTime Is Up co-star Benjamin Mascolo. She announced the engagement in March 2021, but the pairs split was reported in June 2022. Bella Thorne and Benjamin Mascolo have parted ways, calling off their engagement of over a year, a source told People at the time. Their conflicting schedules led to a lot of time apart that eventually resulted in the breakup, but the two have parted ways amicably. This week in travel: transport woes, new Global Geoparks, Mediterranean islands you need to know about, plus the terrifying moment a passenger opened the airplane emergency door mid-air. Planes, trains and strains Funny how life goes. When Lufthansa decided in 2019 to sell nearly half of its A380 fleet back to Airbus, it didnt know a pandemic would strike the next year. Or that just a few years later, because of the steep rise in customer demand and the delayed delivery of ordered aircraft, it would do an about-face and bring the worlds largest passenger plane back into service. Or that while the six A380s earmarked for sale were in storage, theyd suffer storm damage and nearly $14 million would have to be knocked off the $337 million price tag. That last detail was spotted by the sleuths at aviation magazine aeroTELEGRAPH, while poring over Airbus annual report. But the German flag carrier isnt the only European transport provider to be getting hit in the wallet of late. Pity poor old Britains rail networks. While France has been rebooting its TGV trains and spearheading a continent-wide rail revolution this week taking the step of banning some short-haul flights where high-speed rail alternatives are available in England, train customers might soon not even be able to check their emails. A Department of Transport spokesperson confirmed to CNN that free Wi-Fi could be first to face the chop in cost cuts because our railways are currently not financially sustainable. Worse things happen at sea, the saying goes. And that seems to be the case with a new three-year cruise that was scheduled to sail from Istanbul in November. Just a few months after bookings were opened, the voyage appears to be in crisis, with questions about the ship and passengers requesting refunds. Summer (unofficially) kicks off Its Memorial Day weekend in the United States the unofficial start of summer. If this weekends travel forecast is any indication, its going to be a very busy season for travelers. The good news? Some experts seem to think that it will be less hellacious at US airports than it was last summer. Once you jostle with the masses, theres usually plenty of room to stretch out on the best US beaches. Just be careful in the surf. The least-visited US national parks are also primo locations for breathing easier. New Global Geoparks In Northern Ireland's Mourne Mountains, you can have the ancient vistas all to yourself. - CreativeDream/E+/Getty Images For those about to rock, we salute you. UNESCO has just announced 18 new Global Geoparks, landscapes honored for their outstanding geological heritage. The UKs newest one is Northern Irelands Mourne Gullion Strangford. This mountainous terrain has a 400-million-year history, but in this most recent blip in geologic time, its best known as a key Game of Thrones location and inspiration for C.S. Lewis Narnia books. New Zealand and the Philippines are first-timers on the list. Waitaki Whitestone, on New Zealands South Island, provides evidence of the Earths eighth continent, Zealandia, formed 80 million years ago, of which 94% remains submerged. Bohol Island in the Philippines is famed for its karstic geosites, including caves, sinkholes and the cone-shaped Chocolate Hills. Law and order We regret to inform you that airline passengers are at it again. A belligerent woman was cited after hitting a Frontier Airlines flight attendant with an intercom phone; a husband sparked outrage after flying first class and leaving his wife and kids in economy; and a man somehow opened the emergency door mid-air as an Asiana Airlines plane was coming in to land. See the terrifying footage here. And in another reminder that wild animals are not our playthings, rangers at Yellowstone National Park were forced to euthanize a bison calf that had been rejected by its herd after it was handled by a park visitor. Finally, Floridas Zoo Miami has ended kiwi encounters petting experiences after video footage caused outrage in New Zealand, where the animal is the national bird. Malta, Gozo and Comino Valetta - aapsky/iStockphoto/Getty Images The Mediterranean nation of Malta is made up of three inhabited islands, where you can enjoy everything from the worlds oldest prehistoric temples to family-friendly beaches and top-class scuba diving. Best portable Bluetooth speakers We shouldnt have to compromise on sound quality when it comes to listening to our favorite music or podcasts when far from home. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have tested 17 Bluetooth speakers to find the best for your needs and budget. In case you missed it An empty sand plot in Dubai sold for a record $34 million. Youd think sand was easy to come by in the desert, but this stuffs on a luxury island. A 93-year-old woman made history as the oldest living person to visit every US National Park. And her grandson was with her for the whole seven-year ride. Sure, regular plane-spotting is cool But have you ever tried it from a Japanese hot spring? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Im not climbing. New report sheds light on Hollywood plane crash that killed pilot A recently released investigative report revealed new details surrounding the fatal and fiery banner plane crash in Hollywood last week. The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on the May 17 crash that killed 28-year-old pilot Mitchell Knaus on a Friday afternoon. Bystanders called him a hero as they say he tried to divert the plane from crashing into nearby buildings and instead landing in the street at 450 N. Park Road. Whoever it was truly was a hero and went out of their way to not hurt anybody else, Karen Schiff, a physical therapist at Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness and Rehabilitation Center near the crash, told the Miami Herald at the time. Knaus was flying a single-engine Piper PA-25-235, owned by Aerial Banners Inc. Another of the companys planes crashed at North Perry Airport on Thursday. The pilot was trapped but didnt sustain significant injuries. Knaus plane was manufactured in 1966 and logged a total of 6,326 aircraft hours, the report revealed. It recently underwent an inspection on April 4, the results of which were not detailed in the report. NTSB investigators examined the accident site and plane, some of which was consumed in flames and could not be tested. The report detailed multiple portions of the aircraft worked normally or as intended. However, the planes propeller and crankshaft flange had signs of torsional overload. More specifics on Knaus flight history were also included in the report. He had a commercial pilot certificate that allowed him to fly single-engine, multi-engine and instrument planes. He had 324 hours of flight experience, 15 of which were in the type of plane he crashed in. He was hired by Aerial Banners Inc. five weeks before the accident, the report read. The company training process puts new-hires through 40 to 80 hours of classroom, ground and flight training. Records show Knaus completed several written and practical examinations. Everything OK? You are descending rapidly. On May 17, Knaus was scheduled to fly a banner for about an hour and a half along Fort Lauderdale beach, the report read. He took off around 12:25 p.m. from North Perry Airport and picked up the banner shortly after. Shortly after an airport tower controller ask Knaus if he was OK because the airplane was not climbing, the report read. Banner 430AB [Knaus callsign], everything OK? You are descending rapidly, the controller said. Im trying to uh ... keep climbing, Knaus replied. Knaus director of ground operations, who supervised the beginning portion of the flight, said the plane had a high nose-up pitch attitude that was more than needed and preventing it from climbing. About two minutes later, he told the controller he was good and starting to climb again before he frequency changed to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport tower controller. The NTSB said he did not tell the new controller there was an emergency or any concerns. Later in the flight, Knaus radioed to the controller that he might have to drop this banner. Im not climbing. The controller asked if he would like to return to North Perry Airport, which Knaus replied, Im at 400 [feet]. I gotta drop this banner over a lake. ... Im going to be over these oil tanks with like a lake next to it. That was the last thing Knaus communicated. Videos showed the final seconds of the flight when the banner was released and the plane rolled, descended vertically, rolled again and then entered a steep spiraled descent, the report said. You are here: World Flash At the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe Frederick Shava will pay an official visit to China from May 27 to June 2, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Friday. A British couple has claimed they found a makeshift shrine to missing Madeleine McCann at the Portuguese reservoir searched by police last week. The couple, named only as Ralf and Ann, told the Mail on Sunday they found the strange shrine seven months after the toddler vanished 16 years ago, and reported it The shrine consisted of a row of stones pointing to a picnic site which was dug up by police last week, a bouquet of white lilies and a photograph of the missing toddler. The retired couple, who regularly visit their holiday home near the Algarve reservoir, reported the shrine to police after suspect Christian Brueckner was identified by German police in 2020, and gave a formal statement. Ralf, 66, described the shrine as very strange. Ann, 67, said: Thinking about it now gives me goosebumps because when we saw where the police were searching the past few days you could see thats where the row of stones was pointing to. Officers concluded their search of the Algarve reservoir on Thursday, where Christian Brueckner reportedly visited some days after the three-year-old vanished on May 3, 2007. Key Points Relevant clue found in search of reservoir How the search was completed Key suspect Christian Brueckner visited reservoir days after disappearance Portugal police give update as search of reservoir closes to an end Shrine found at Algarve reservoir searched by police 08:49 , Martha Mchardy A British couple has claimed they found a makeshift shrine to missing Madeleine McCann at the Portuguese reservoir searched by police last week. The couple, named only as Ralf and Ann, told the Mail on Sunday they found the strange shrine seven months after the toddler vanished 16 years ago, and reported it The shrine consisted of a row of stones pointing to a picnic site which was dug up by police last week, a bouquet of white lilies and a photograph of the missing toddler. The retired couple, who regularly visit their holiday home near the Algarve reservoir, took photographs of the shrine and sent them to Portuguese police in 2007, but never heard back. The couple then reported the shrine to police after suspect Christian Brueckner was identified by German police in 2020, and were contacted by German detectives to give a formal statement. Ralf, 66, said German police wanted to know everything that we had seen and then they asked me to send them the pictures and they sent a map of the reservoir, asking me to point out where the stones were. The German police were very interested in what we had. The 66-year-old described the shrine as very strange. Ann, 67, said: Thinking about it now gives me goosebumps because when we saw where the police were searching the past few days you could see thats where the row of stones was pointing to. Back then when we found it the whole thing was just so weird. At the time I thought, has someone dumped Madeleine in the water and then come back to make a shrine in her memory? It was so odd. Officers concluded their search of the Algarve reservoir on Thursday, where Christian Brueckner reportedly visited some days after the three-year-old vanished on May 3, 2007. Brueckner has denied any involvement. How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Saturday 27 May 2023 21:37 , Sam Rkaina The fresh search at the reservoir one of six in the Algarve is the first in Portugal since 2014, and comes as the Metropolitan Police were granted a further 110,000 by the Home Office to fund their search for Madeleine, who would turn 20 this month. It brings the total amount spent on the search for the Leicestershire-born girl, codenamed Operation Grange, to just shy of 13.1m since 2011, and is significantly less than the more than 300,000 approved by the Home Office the year prior. While the costs incurred by German and Portuguese authorities are unknown, Lisbons then-attorney general Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro said in 2012 that the search for Madeleine had been the most expensive in the countrys history. (PA Media) Investigators downplay hopes of breakthrough after search Saturday 27 May 2023 20:29 , Sam Rkaina As police concluded their three-day search on Thursday, they confirmed materials collected had been sent to Germany for analysis. But a source close to the investigation told Reuters there was nothing tangible to report, while German prosecutor Christian Wolters played down hopes of a breakthrough, saying: Of course, there is a certain expectation, but it is not high. He added that the investigators were looking for a body, but also for anything that could help the investigation, such as clothing. Mr Wolters said he did not expect the results of the studies of the collected samples to be announced any time soon. Timeline of the search part 3: The 2020s Saturday 27 May 2023 19:32 , Sam Rkaina 2020 June 3: Police reveal that a 43-year-old German prisoner, later named as Christian Brueckner, has been identified as a suspect in Madeleines disappearance. June 4: Scotland Yards Operation Grange, which had received 12.3 million in funding up to April 2020, is still a missing person inquiry as detectives have no definitive evidence whether Madeleine is alive or dead. 2021 May 4: Kate and Gerry McCann post a statement on the official Find Madeleine campaign website saying they still cling to the hope of seeing their daughter again as they prepare to mark her 18th birthday on May 12. 2022 April 21: Christian Brueckner is made an arguido, a formal suspect, by Portuguese authorities. May 3: The McCann family say it is essential they learn the truth of what happened to their daughter on the 15th anniversary of her disappearance. October 11: Brueckner, now 45, is charged with three counts of rape and two charges of child sex abuse, unrelated to Madeleines disappearance. 2023 May 3: Kate and Gerry McCann mark the 16th anniversary of Madeleines disappearance by saying she is still very much missed and that they await a breakthrough. May 22: An area near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz, is sealed off as police prepare to start searching on May 23. May 23: Searches begin with police divers in the water, and teams including officers with sniffer dogs and rakes and metal poles seen working on the banks. Media and onlookers are kept a mile away from the main search area and a no fly zone is imposed over the water. May 25: Police end their three-day search and say materials unearthed during the hunt for evidence over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann at the remote reservoir in Portugal are being sent for analysis. Timeline of search part 2: the 2010s Saturday 27 May 2023 18:35 , Sam Rkaina 2011 May 12: Mrs McCann publishes a book about her daughters disappearance, on Madeleines eighth birthday. Scotland Yard launches a review of the case after a request from Home Secretary Theresa May, supported by then-prime minister David Cameron. 2012 April 25: Scotland Yard detectives say they believe Madeleine could still be alive, release an age-progression picture of how she might look as a nine-year-old, and call on the Portuguese authorities to reopen the case, but Portuguese police say they have found no new material. 2013 July 4: Scotland Yard confirms it has launched its own investigation, Operation Grange, into Madeleines disappearance two years into a review of the case. It has genuinely new lines of inquiry and has identified 38 people of interest, including 12 Britons. October 24: Portuguese police confirm that a review of their original investigation has uncovered new lines of inquiry, and they reopen the case. 2014 January 29: British detectives fly to Portugal amid claims they are planning to make arrests. June 3: Sniffer dogs and specialist teams are used to search an area of scrubland close to where Madeleine went missing. December 12: Detectives begin questioning 11 people who it is thought may have information on the case. 2015 September 16: The Government discloses that the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine has cost more than 10 million. October 28: Scotland Yard cuts the number of officers working on the inquiry from 29 to four. 2017 April 30: The McCanns prepare to mark 10 years since their daughters disappearance with a BBC interview in which they vow to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to find her. 2019 May 3: Local media reports say Portuguese detectives are investigating a foreign paedophile as a suspect in the abduction of Madeleine. Timeline of main events since Madeleine McCann disappeared: part 1 Saturday 27 May 2023 17:27 , Sam Rkaina As the three-day hunt for evidence in and around a reservoir in Portugal has ended, here is a timeline of key events since the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. 2007 May 3: Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, leave their children asleep in their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in southern Portugal while they dine with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant. Nothing is amiss when Mr McCann checks on the youngsters just after 9pm, but when his wife goes back at about 10pm she finds Madeleine missing. Jane Tanner, one of the friends dining with the McCanns, reports having seen a man carrying a child earlier that night. May 14: Detectives take Anglo-Portuguese property developer Robert Murat in for questioning and make him an arguido, or formal suspect, but this is later withdrawn. August 11: Exactly 100 days after Madeleine disappeared, investigating officers publicly acknowledge for the first time that she could be dead. September 7: During questioning of Mr and Mrs McCann, detectives make them both arguidos in their daughters disappearance. September 9: The McCanns fly back to England with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie. 2008 July 21: The Portuguese authorities shelve their investigation and lift the arguido status of the McCanns and Robert Murat. The three-day search in pictures Saturday 27 May 2023 16:32 , Tara Cobham Police officers are seen at the site of a remote reservoir where a search was underway for evidence related to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann (REUTERS) Portuguese Judicial Police (PJ) criminal investigation unit members leave the base camp set near the Arade dam in Silves on May 25 (AFP via Getty Images) Portuguese police investigators dismantle base camp at the end of the three-day search for remains of Madeleine McCann (Getty Images) Analysis of materials discovered will take several weeks' Saturday 27 May 2023 14:13 , Tara Cobham The analysis of the materials gathered in the new search in the Madeleine McCann investigation will take several weeks, according to a German prosecutor. Speaking to the BBC, Braunschweig prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters also said there had been good reason to scour the Arade reservoir area in the Algarve He continued: We work continuously on this case but not everything we do is made public. We continuously investigate and interview. There are repeated searches, not all of them are in the eye of the public like this one was. Much of what were doing you wont notice. And he added: Nothing has changed with regard to our suspect in the last three years. We have found nothing in the last three years that would contradict our suspicion. We havent found anything which would exonerate him. Weve found nothing which would rule him out. We havent yet disclosed all the evidence against him and we dont want to do that now. Of course, you can rightly assume that within the last three years various pieces of the puzzle were added but its not the right time for us to publish that. ICYMI: Who is suspect Christian Brueckner? Saturday 27 May 2023 09:31 , Tara Cobham Madeleine McCanns disappearance has puzzled detectives for more than 15 years but in 2020 a new potential suspect emerged. Now, police are searching a remote reservoir in Portugals the Algarve that he used to visit in a renewed effort to shed further light on the case. German prisoner Christian Brueckner was first named in connection with the unsolved mystery that summer, and officially named as a suspect last year. His yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly identified as having been near to the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing on May 3, 2007. Three-year-old Madeleine disappeared from the bed of her holiday apartment while her parents and family friends dined 180 feet away. Her two-year-old twin siblings were also in the apartment she went missing from. Madeleines parents Kate and Gerry McCann have been searching for answers ever since. The Metropolitan Police took over the investigation, Operation Grange, in 2011 but they hit dead ends. There has not been another significant suspect in the case since 2007 until Brueckner. Lucy Skoulding reports: All we know about Madeleine McCann suspect Brueckner and the accusations against him ICYMI: Police leave holes two feet deep as reservoir hunt ends Saturday 27 May 2023 00:00 , Martha Mchardy Police hunting a remote reservoir in Portugal for evidence linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have left holes around two feet deep. As part of this investigation, police dug holes of around 60cm and these have been left, along with piles of soil, now that authorities have left the digging area. The surrounding woodland showed pathways had been cut by heavy machinery, leading to the main flattened 160 square foot excavation area. Broken rocks were also scattered around the site in Portugal, after pickaxes were seen used by personnel over the course of three days. Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports: Police leave holes two feet deep as Madeleine McCann reservoir search ends In pictures: Scene of Madeleine McCann police search Friday 26 May 2023 23:00 , Martha McHardy Portuguese police investigators dismantle base camp at the end of the three-day search for remains of Madeleine McCann (Getty Images) Holes dug apparently for soil samples in the area around Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algave, Portugal, after the area was reopened to media (PA) The area around Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algave, Portugal (PA) ICYMI: Madeleine McCann police give update as they end search of Portugal reservoir Friday 26 May 2023 22:00 , Martha Mchardy Police have said materials unearthed during a three-day hunt for evidence over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann at a remote reservoir in Portugal are being sent off for analysis. Authorities have been scouring Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve this week, using sniffer dogs and cutting down trees as part of the search inland from the coastal resort where the then-three-year-old went missing in 2007. As police concluded their three-day search on Thursday, they confirmed materials collected had been sent to Germany for analysis. A source close to the investigation told Reuters there was nothing tangible to report, while German prosecutor Christian Wolters played down hopes of a breakthrough, saying: Of course, there is a certain expectation, but it is not high. William Mata reports: Madeleine McCann police give update as they end search of Portugal reservoir How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Friday 26 May 2023 21:00 , Martha Mchardy The fresh search at the reservoir one of six in the Algarve is the first in Portugal since 2014, and comes as the Metropolitan Police were granted a further 110,000 by the Home Office to fund their search for Madeleine, who would turn 20 this month. It brings the total amount spent on the search for the Leicestershire-born girl, codenamed Operation Grange, to just shy of 13.1m since 2011, and is significantly less than the more than 300,000 approved by the Home Office the year prior. Andy Gregory reports: How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Madeleine McCann case: Timeline of the missing childs disappearance Friday 26 May 2023 20:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Here is a reminder of the events of the case: The story began when the McCanns affluent doctors Kate and Gerry, their three-year-old daughter Madeleine and her two-year-old twin siblings joined a group of seven family friends and their five children on holiday at the Ocean Club in the village of Praia da Luz on the southwestern tip of Portugal on 28 April 2007. After a pleasant spring break by the sea, the adults in the party went out for dinner at the resorts open-air tapas bar on 3 May, gathering at 8.30pm. The children were left behind sleeping in their respective apartments with the doors unlocked and a rota system in place among the parents to ensure that someone returned every half-hour to check on them. When Kate McCann took her turn and returned to her apartment at 10pm, she raced back to the restaurant screaming Madeleines gone! Someones taken her! The police were quickly called and 60 staff and fellow guests searched the complex, calling out the girls name in vain until daybreak the following morning. Madeleine McCann: Timeline of the missing childs disappearance In pictures: Portugal reservoir where three-day search took place Friday 26 May 2023 19:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain (PA) (REUTERS) Watch: Footage shows holes in the ground in Portugal as search ends Friday 26 May 2023 18:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain ICYMI: German prosecutor says clues to McCann child disappearance possible at Portuguese dam site Friday 26 May 2023 18:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain In case you missed it... Police searching for clues regarding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the British child who went missing in 2007 in Portugal, were concentrating operations Wednesday in several areas around a dam, including one where media reports say a lead suspect in the case often stayed. The latest search for clues regarding the disappearance started Tuesday following a request by German authorities. Some 30 Portuguese, German and British police are taking part in the operation at the Arade dam, which is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the resort of Praia da Luz, where the 3-year-old girl was last seen 16 years ago. Madeleine McCann search area mapped as police focus on reservoir in Portugal How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Friday 26 May 2023 17:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Sixteen years after Madeleine McCann vanished from the Algarve holiday apartment where she was sleeping next to her infant twin siblings, police have launched a major new search for evidence. After laying dormant for several years since David Cameron kickstarted an ultimately fruitless Metropolitan Police inquiry in 2011, the case of the missing three-year-old was revived once more in 2020 when German prosecutors revealed a new suspect. But three years on, 43-year-old convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner who denies any connection to the missing youngster is yet to be charged, as he languishes in a German prison for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman two years prior to Madeleines disappearance at the same resort. How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Why has the Madeleine McCann case resurfaced? Friday 26 May 2023 17:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Despite the best efforts of investigators, the McCann case had lain dormant for several years before it suddenly exploded back into life in June 2020. German media revealed that Christian Brueckner, a prisoner, now aged 45, with a track record of child abuse and drug trafficking, had been identified as a new suspect by the public prosecutor of the German city of Braunschweig. He was reportedly living in a Volkswagen camper van in the Algarve at the time of Madeleines disappearance. German investigators have classified their probe into his movements as a murder inquiry, saying they are working on the assumption that Madeleine is dead. They reported in July 2021 that they had found an abandoned cellar beneath his former allotment near Hanover where she could, theoretically, have been held captive. A search dingy navigates in the Arade dam near Silves, Portugal (AP) Madeleine McCann reservoir search: What do we know about Portugals Barragem do Arade? Friday 26 May 2023 16:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Police in Portugal investigating the disappearance of British citizen Madeleine McCann 16 years ago have begun searching a reservoir in the Algarve known to have been frequented by the latest suspect in the case. Ms McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, was just three years old when she went missing from an apartment complex at the Ocean Club holiday resort of Praia da Luz in the municipality of Lagos on 3 May 2007. Her case remains unsolved and is still the subject of intense public and press interest. What do we know about the reservoir being searched by Madeleine McCann investigators? Madeleine McCann search: Police leave holes two feet deep as reservoir hunt ends Friday 26 May 2023 16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Police hunting a remote reservoir in Portugal for evidence linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have left holes around two feet deep. The three-day search was concluded on Thursday after officers were instructed to stand down at the Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve. The remote dam is located around 31 miles from the Praia de Luz resort- the hotel where Madeleine vanished while her parents were at dinner in a tapas bar with friends around 100 yards away from their holiday apartment. Police leave holes two feet deep as Madeleine McCann reservoir search ends Madeleine McCann case: Timeline of the missing childs disappearance Friday 26 May 2023 15:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Madeleine McCann, a three-year-old girl from Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from the Portuguese holiday resort of Praia da Luz on the Algarve on 3 May 2007, a case still unsolved and still the subject of intense interest among the public and press. Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, posted a statement on the Find Madeleine website on 3 May 2023 marking the latest anniversary of their daughters disappearance, reiterating their hopes of being reunited with her one day and posting a poem, The Contradiction by Clare Pollard, to express their feelings. Today marks the 16th anniversary of Madeleines abduction. Still missing... still very much missed, they wrote. The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough. Thank you to everyone for your support- it really helps. Madeleine McCann: Timeline of the missing childs disappearance Who is Christian Brueckner? Madeleine McCann suspect and the accusations against him Friday 26 May 2023 14:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Madeleine McCanns disappearance has puzzled detectives for more than 15 years but in 2020 a new potential suspect emerged. German prisoner Christian Brueckner was first named in connection with the unsolved mystery that summer, and officially named as a suspect last year. His yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly identified as having been near to the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing on May 3, 2007. Brueckner is a prolific burglar and has been previously convicted for sex crimes against young girls. He was born in Germany in 1976 and moved to Portugal in his late teens. It is believed he lived there between 1995 and 2007 working in the food industry. Brueckner is described as being about 6ft tall, slim and white with short blond hair. (Reuters) ICYMI: How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Friday 26 May 2023 14:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Sixteen years after Madeleine McCann vanished from the Algarve holiday apartment where she was sleeping next to her infant twin siblings, police have launched a major new search for evidence. After laying dormant for several years since David Cameron kickstarted an ultimately fruitless Metropolitan Police inquiry in 2011, the case of the missing three-year-old was revived once more in 2020 when German prosecutors revealed a new suspect. But three years on, 43-year-old convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner who denies any connection to the missing youngster is yet to be charged, as he languishes in a German prison for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman two years prior to Madeleines disappearance at the same resort. How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Madeleine McCann reservoir search: What do we know about Portugals Barragem do Arade? Friday 26 May 2023 13:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police have said materials unearthed during a three-day hunt for evidence over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann at a remote reservoir in Portugal are being sent off for analysis. Authorities have been scouring Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve this week, using sniffer dogs and cutting down trees as part of the search inland from the coastal resort where the then-three-year-old went missing in 2007. Madeleine McCann police give update as they end search of Portugal reservoir Police flatten area of woodland and dig holes in Madeleine McCann searches Friday 26 May 2023 13:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police have flattened a concentrated area of woodland and dug a number of holes near a remote reservoir in Portugal as part of their three-day hunt for evidence in the Madeleine McCann case. Huge piles of soil and broken rock were left next to the 160 sq ft area close to the banks of the Barragem do Arade, where officers were seen with shovels for a number of hours on Wednesday afternoon. Portuguese police confirmed the search concluded on Thursday, and said materials had been sent to Germany for testing. The surrounding woodland showed pathways had been cut by heavy machinery, with large branches lining the routes towards the area of focus. The small section of woodland was clearly marked out by officers over the course of their three-day search in Portugal. The cordon around the site, which had been in place since Tuesday morning to allow officers to scour the area with rakes, pickaxes and sniffer dogs, has since been lifted. Police were given the go-ahead to search the area after German prosecutors received certain tips about the case. A few kilometres away from the search, blue tents had been erected for briefings to take place. German prosecutor plays down hope of a breakthrough Friday 26 May 2023 12:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar A source close to the investigation told Reuters there was nothing tangible to report, while German prosecutor Christian Wolters played down hopes of a breakthrough, saying: Of course, there is a certain expectation, but it is not high. He added that the investigators were looking for a body, but also for anything that could help the investigation, such as clothing. Mr Wolters said he did not expect the results of the studies of the collected samples to be announced any time soon. Madeleine McCann case: Timeline of the missing childs disappearance Friday 26 May 2023 12:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Kate and Gerry McCanns eldest daughter vanished from Portuguese holiday resort 16 years ago but emergence of new suspect has brought fresh hope of answers and closure: Madeleine McCann: Timeline of the missing childs disappearance Madeleine McCann search: Police leave holes two feet deep as reservoir hunt ends Friday 26 May 2023 11:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Police hunting a remote reservoir in Portugal for evidence linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have left holes around two feet deep. The three-day search was concluded on Thursday after officers were instructed to stand down at the Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve. The remote dam is located around 31 miles from the Praia de Luz resort- the hotel where Madeleine vanished while her parents were at dinner in a tapas bar with friends around 100 yards away from their holiday apartment. Police leave holes two feet deep as Madeleine McCann reservoir search ends Portugal police end latest search for clues into missing McCann child case, no results released Friday 26 May 2023 11:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police in Portugal have ended the latest search for clues regarding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the British child who went missing in 2007 in southern Portugal. Authorities gave no details about the results of the search Thursday. A statement by Portugals Judiciary Police said some material had been collected and would be handed over to German authorities for examination. The search around a dam some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the Praia da Luz resort, where the three-year-old girl was last seen 16 years ago, began Tuesday following a request by German authorities. A German man who is a suspect in the case is currently in jail in Germany for a different case. Portuguese, German and British police took part in the three-day operation during which detectives probed the banks of the Arade reservoir and also used sniffer dogs and a drone. Portugal police end latest search for clues into missing McCann child case, no results released Madeleine McCann police cut down trees as they search suspects little paradise in Portugal Friday 26 May 2023 11:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police have cut down trees and swathes of undergrowth as they continued to search Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckners little paradise in Portugal. Officers were working with strimmers and heavy machinery at the Barragem do Arade on Wednesday, around 30 miles from where Madeleine went missing in 2007. On the second day of the latest hunt for the missing girl, the search team were morning focusing on a valley slightly north of a secluded clearing behind trees near where three tents were put up on Monday. The dense vegetation meant they had to use tools including chainsaws to remove trees to access the water properly. Officers are also understood to be searching the reservoir for the pink pyjamas Madeleine was wearing when she vanished, sources close to the investigation have said. Madeleine McCann: Sniffer dogs and pickaxes used to scour reservoir Friday 26 May 2023 10:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Who is Christian Brueckner? Madeleine McCann suspect and the accusations against him Friday 26 May 2023 10:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Madeleine McCanns disappearance has puzzled detectives for more than 15 years but in 2020 a new potential suspect emerged. Now, police are searching a remote reservoir in Portugals the Algarve that he used to visit in a renewed effort to shed further light on the case. German prisoner Christian Brueckner was first named in connection with the unsolved mystery that summer, and officially named as a suspect last year. His yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly identified as having been near to the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing on May 3, 2007. All we know about Madeleine McCann suspect Brueckner and the accusations against him How the search was completed Friday 26 May 2023 09:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar As part of this latest three-day investigation, police dug holes of around 60cm and these have been left, along with piles of soil, now that authorities have left the digging area. The surrounding woodland showed pathways had been cut by heavy machinery, leading to the main flattened 160 square-foot excavation area. A no-fly zone was also imposed over the reservoir for the first two days. In a statement, police in Portugal said: [The search] resulted in the collection of some material that will be subject to the competent expertise. The material collected will be handed over to the German authorities. The new searches come as the Home Office granted an extra 110,000 in funding this financial year for the Metropolitan Police to assist with finding Madeleine, down from just over 300,000 last year. The total funding given to Operation Grange has been just under 13.1 million since 2011. Police flatten area of woodland and dig holes in Madeleine McCann searches Friday 26 May 2023 09:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police have flattened a concentrated area of woodland and dug a number of holes near a remote reservoir in Portugal as part of their three-day hunt for evidence in the Madeleine McCann case. Huge piles of soil and broken rock were left next to the 160 sq ft area close to the banks of the Barragem do Arade, where officers were seen with shovels for a number of hours on Wednesday afternoon. Portuguese police confirmed the search concluded on Thursday, and said materials had been sent to Germany for testing. The surrounding woodland showed pathways had been cut by heavy machinery, with large branches lining the routes towards the area of focus. The small section of woodland was clearly marked out by officers over the course of their three-day search in Portugal. The cordon around the site, which had been in place since Tuesday morning to allow officers to scour the area with rakes, pickaxes and sniffer dogs, has since been lifted. Police were given the go-ahead to search the area after German prosecutors received certain tips about the case. A few kilometres away from the search, blue tents had been erected for briefings to take place. Madeleine McCann police give update as they end search of Portugal reservoir Friday 26 May 2023 08:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police have said materials unearthed during a three-day hunt for evidence over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann at a remote reservoir in Portugal are being sent off for analysis. Authorities have been scouring Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve this week, using sniffer dogs and cutting down trees as part of the search inland from the coastal resort where the then-three-year-old went missing in 2007. As police concluded their three-day search on Thursday, they confirmed materials collected had been sent to Germany for analysis. A source close to the investigation told Reuters there was nothing tangible to report, while German prosecutor Christian Wolters played down hopes of a breakthrough, saying: Of course, there is a certain expectation, but it is not high. He added that the investigators were looking for a body, but also for anything that could help the investigation, such as clothing. Relevant clue found in search of reservoir Friday 26 May 2023 08:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain A three-day search of a remote Portugal reservoir has resulted in the reported discovery of a relevant clue linked to the disappearace of Madeleine McCann. Officers concluded their search of the Algarve reservoir on Thursday, where key suspect Christian Brueckner reportedly visited some days after the three-year-old vanished on May 3, 2007. Using sniffer dogs and a tractor-based tree-cutter, authorities scoured Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve - around 31 miles inland from where the McCanns were staying in the Praia de Luz resort. During the search, a relevant clue was found which led to police officers concentrating on a specific paper, according to the Correio de Manha newspaper. Police in Portugal said: [The search] resulted in the collection of some material that will be subject to the competent expertise. The material collected will be handed over to the German authorities. (REUTERS) How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Friday 26 May 2023 08:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Sixteen years after Madeleine McCann vanished from the Algarve holiday apartment where she was sleeping next to her infant twin siblings, police have launched a major new search for evidence. After laying dormant for several years since David Cameron kickstarted an ultimately fruitless Metropolitan Police inquiry in 2011, the case of the missing three-year-old was revived once more in 2020 when German prosecutors revealed a new suspect. But three years on, 43-year-old convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner who denies any connection to the missing youngster is yet to be charged, as he languishes in a German prison for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman two years prior to Madeleines disappearance at the same resort. How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? ICYMI: Madeleine McCann police cut down trees as they search suspects little paradise in Portugal Friday 26 May 2023 07:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police have cut down trees and swathes of undergrowth as they continued to search Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckners little paradise in Portugal. Officers were working with strimmers and heavy machinery at the Barragem do Arade on Wednesday, around 30 miles from where Madeleine went missing in 2007. On the second day of the latest hunt for the missing girl, the search team were morning focusing on a valley slightly north of a secluded clearing behind trees near where three tents were put up on Monday. The dense vegetation meant they had to use tools including chainsaws to remove trees to access the water properly. Officers are also understood to be searching the reservoir for the pink pyjamas Madeleine was wearing when she vanished, sources close to the investigation have said. German prosecutor plays down hope of a breakthrough Friday 26 May 2023 07:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar A source close to the investigation told Reuters there was nothing tangible to report, while German prosecutor Christian Wolters played down hopes of a breakthrough, saying: Of course, there is a certain expectation, but it is not high. He added that the investigators were looking for a body, but also for anything that could help the investigation, such as clothing. Mr Wolters said he did not expect the results of the studies of the collected samples to be announced any time soon. Portugal police end latest search for clues into missing McCann child case, no results released Friday 26 May 2023 06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police in Portugal have ended the latest search for clues regarding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the British child who went missing in 2007 in southern Portugal. Authorities gave no details about the results of the search Thursday. A statement by Portugals Judiciary Police said some material had been collected and would be handed over to German authorities for examination. The search around a dam some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the Praia da Luz resort, where the three-year-old girl was last seen 16 years ago, began Tuesday following a request by German authorities. A German man who is a suspect in the case is currently in jail in Germany for a different case. Portuguese, German and British police took part in the three-day operation during which detectives probed the banks of the Arade reservoir and also used sniffer dogs and a drone. Portugal police end latest search for clues into missing McCann child case, no results released How the search was completed Friday 26 May 2023 06:00 , William Mata As part of this latest three-day investigation, police dug holes of around 60cm and these have been left, along with piles of soil, now that authorities have left the digging area. The surrounding woodland showed pathways had been cut by heavy machinery, leading to the main flattened 160 square-foot excavation area. A no-fly zone was also imposed over the reservoir for the first two days. In a statement, police in Portugal said: [The search] resulted in the collection of some material that will be subject to the competent expertise. The material collected will be handed over to the German authorities. The new searches come as the Home Office granted an extra 110,000 in funding this financial year for the Metropolitan Police to assist with finding Madeleine, down from just over 300,000 last year. The total funding given to Operation Grange has been just under 13.1 million since 2011. Who is Christian Brueckner? Madeleine McCann suspect and the accusations against him Friday 26 May 2023 05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar German prisoner Christian Brueckner was first named in connection with the unsolved mystery that summer, and officially named as a suspect last year. His yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly identified as having been near to the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing on May 3, 2007. Three-year-old Madeleine disappeared from the bed of her holiday apartment while her parents and family friends dined 180 feet away. Her two-year-old twin siblings were also in the apartment she went missing from. Madeleines parents Kate and Gerry McCann have been searching for answers ever since. The Metropolitan Police took over the investigation, Operation Grange, in 2011 but they hit dead ends. There has not been another significant suspect in the case since 2007 until Brueckner. All we know about Madeleine McCann suspect Brueckner and the accusations against him Police flatten area of woodland and dig holes in Madeleine McCann searches Friday 26 May 2023 05:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police have flattened a concentrated area of woodland and dug a number of holes near a remote reservoir in Portugal as part of their three-day hunt for evidence in the Madeleine McCann case. Huge piles of soil and broken rock were left next to the 160 sq ft area close to the banks of the Barragem do Arade, where officers were seen with shovels for a number of hours on Wednesday afternoon. Portuguese police confirmed the search concluded on Thursday, and said materials had been sent to Germany for testing. The surrounding woodland showed pathways had been cut by heavy machinery, with large branches lining the routes towards the area of focus. The small section of woodland was clearly marked out by officers over the course of their three-day search in Portugal. The cordon around the site, which had been in place since Tuesday morning to allow officers to scour the area with rakes, pickaxes and sniffer dogs, has since been lifted. Police were given the go-ahead to search the area after German prosecutors received certain tips about the case. A few kilometres away from the search, blue tents had been erected for briefings to take place. Madeleine McCann police give update as they end search of Portugal reservoir Friday 26 May 2023 04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police have said materials unearthed during a three-day hunt for evidence over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann at a remote reservoir in Portugal are being sent off for analysis. Authorities have been scouring Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve this week, using sniffer dogs and cutting down trees as part of the search inland from the coastal resort where the then-three-year-old went missing in 2007. As police concluded their three-day search on Thursday, they confirmed materials collected had been sent to Germany for analysis. A source close to the investigation told Reuters there was nothing tangible to report, while German prosecutor Christian Wolters played down hopes of a breakthrough, saying: Of course, there is a certain expectation, but it is not high. He added that the investigators were looking for a body, but also for anything that could help the investigation, such as clothing. How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Friday 26 May 2023 04:00 , William Mata Sixteen years after Madeleine McCann vanished from the Algarve holiday apartment where she was sleeping next to her infant twin siblings, police have launched a major new search for evidence. After laying dormant for several years since David Cameron kickstarted an ultimately fruitless Metropolitan Police inquiry in 2011, the case of the missing three-year-old was revived once more in 2020 when German prosecutors revealed a new suspect. But three years on, 43-year-old convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner who denies any connection to the missing youngster is yet to be charged, as he languishes in a German prison for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman two years prior to Madeleines disappearance at the same resort. Click here for more information Pictures: Search for Madeleine McCann continues Friday 26 May 2023 03:00 , William Mata Personnel at Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algave (PA) Vehicles and tents of Portugal's investigative Judicial Police are seen at the site of a remote reservoir where a new search for the body of Madeleine McCann is set to take place, in Silves (REUTERS) Police officers are seen at the site of a remote reservoir where search is underway for evidence related to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann (REUTERS) Personnel at Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algave, Portugal, as searches continue as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann (PA) Madeleine McCann case: Timeline of the missing childs disappearance Friday 26 May 2023 02:00 , William Mata Madeleine McCann, a three-year-old girl from Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from the Portuguese holiday resort of Praia da Luz on the Algarve on May 3, 2007. For more than 16 years the case has gripped the public attention but while there have been some signs of progress, the investigation has remained unsolved. Here is a reminder of the events of the case. Madeleine McCann (Getty) Watch: Sniffer dogs and pickaxes used to scour reservoir Friday 26 May 2023 01:00 , William Mata Who is Christian Brueckner? Madeleine McCann suspect and the accusations against him Friday 26 May 2023 00:00 , William Mata German prisoner Christian Brueckner was first named in connection with the unsolved mystery that summer, and officially named as a suspect last year. His yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly identified as having been near to the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing on May 3, 2007. Three-year-old Madeleine disappeared from the bed of her holiday apartment while her parents and family friends dined 180 feet away. Her two-year-old twin siblings were also in the apartment she went missing from. Madeleines parents Kate and Gerry McCann have been searching for answers ever since. The Metropolitan Police took over the investigation, Operation Grange, in 2011 but they hit dead ends. There has not been another significant suspect in the case since 2007 until Brueckner. Read the full story here. Christian Brueckner (Reuters) How the search was completed Thursday 25 May 2023 23:00 , William Mata As part of this latest three-day investigation, police dug holes of around 60cm and these have been left, along with piles of soil, now that authorities have left the digging area. The surrounding woodland showed pathways had been cut by heavy machinery, leading to the main flattened 160 square-foot excavation area. A no-fly zone was also imposed over the reservoir for the first two days. In a statement, police in Portugal said: [The search] resulted in the collection of some material that will be subject to the competent expertise. The material collected will be handed over to the German authorities. The new searches come as the Home Office granted an extra 110,000 in funding this financial year for the Metropolitan Police to assist with finding Madeleine, down from just over 300,000 last year. The total funding given to Operation Grange has been just under 13.1 million since 2011. Personnel at Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algave, Portugal, as searches continue as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann (PA Wire) German prosecutor plays down hope of a breakthrough Thursday 25 May 2023 22:00 , William Mata A source close to the investigation told Reuters there was nothing tangible to report, while German prosecutor Christian Wolters played down hopes of a breakthrough, saying: Of course, there is a certain expectation, but it is not high. He added that the investigators were looking for a body, but also for anything that could help the investigation, such as clothing. Mr Wolters said he did not expect the results of the studies of the collected samples to be announced any time soon. Hans Christian Wolters, spokesman for the public prosecutor's office in Braunschweig, Germany (Martin Meissner/AP) Madeleine McCann police give update as they end search of Portugal reservoir Thursday 25 May 2023 21:01 , William Mata Police have said materials unearthed during a three-day hunt for evidence over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann at a remote reservoir in Portugal are being sent off for analysis. Authorities have been scouring Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve this week, using sniffer dogs and cutting down trees as part of the search inland from the coastal resort where the then-three-year-old went missing in 2007. As police concluded their three-day search on Thursday, they confirmed materials collected had been sent to Germany for analysis. Members of the media at Barragem do Arade reservoir in Portugal after the area was reopened to media (PA Wire) Officers photograph excavation site before police told to stand down Thursday 25 May 2023 14:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Police were seen photographing an excavation site near the banks of a remote reservoir in Portugal as the fresh Madeleine McCann searches entered a third day. Officers maintained their focus on an area of woodland on a peninsula at the Barragem do Arade on Thursday after a digging operation was commenced on Wednesday afternoon. Heavy machinery, which had been used to cut through the vast undergrowth, was removed from the search area on Thursday afternoon amid reports that officers had been told to stand down by 4pm. A large section of the Barragem do Arade has been cordoned off since Tuesday morning, around 30 miles from where Madeleine went missing in 2007. Officers used shovels to excavate their area of focus, and sniffer dogs and pickaxes have also been deployed over the course of the searches. As some concentrated on the digging site, others used rakes and shovels to scour the surrounding area, slowly making their way through the recently trimmed undergrowth. The operation is being carried out at the request of German investigators who believe their prime suspect, convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner, 45, kidnapped and murdered the youngster. (PA) How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Thursday 25 May 2023 14:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Sixteen years after Madeleine McCann vanished from the Algarve holiday apartment where she was sleeping next to her infant twin siblings, police have launched a major new search for evidence. After laying dormant for several years since David Cameron kickstarted an ultimately fruitless Metropolitan Police inquiry in 2011, the case of the missing three-year-old was revived once more in 2020 when German prosecutors revealed a new suspect. But three years on, 43-year-old convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner who denies any connection to the missing youngster is yet to be charged, as he languishes in a German prison for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman two years prior to Madeleines disappearance at the same resort. How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? ICYMI: Who is Christian Brueckner? Madeleine McCann suspect and the accusations against him Thursday 25 May 2023 14:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Madeleine McCanns disappearance has puzzled detectives for more than 15 years but in 2020 a new potential suspect emerged. Now, police are searching a remote reservoir in Portugals the Algarve that he used to visit in a renewed effort to shed further light on the case. German prisoner Christian Brueckner was first named in connection with the unsolved mystery that summer, and officially named as a suspect last year. His yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly identified as having been near to the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing on May 3, 2007. All we know about Madeleine McCann suspect Brueckner and the accusations against him In pictures: Scenes at Portugal reservoir today Thursday 25 May 2023 13:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain (REUTERS) (PA) Watch: Madeleine McCann: Sniffer dogs and pickaxes used to scour reservoir Thursday 25 May 2023 13:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Portugal reservoir search to end in hours as police told to stand down' Thursday 25 May 2023 12:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain The Madeleine McCann search is expected to end in hours as Portugal police have been ordered to stand down at the Algarve reservoir. An investigation has been taking place since Tuesday this week after German detectives were informed by a very credible source that key suspect Christian Brueckner visited the reservoir some days after Madeleine vanished. However, The Mirror reported that a police souce said: The GNR has received instructions to stand down at 4pm local time. The Barragem do Arade is around 31 miles from the Praia da Luz resort where Maddy disappeared. Investigators believe the 45-year-old killed Madeleine, then aged three, after abducting her from a holiday apartment. ICYMI: Madeleine McCann police searching remote location visited by key suspect Thursday 25 May 2023 12:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police looking for Madeleine McCann are to begin a major search of a remote Algarve reservoir visited by main suspect Christian Brueckner. The scene is some 30 miles from the Praia da Luz holiday resort where the three-year-old vanished in May 2007. A mile-long peninsula jutting into the reservoir was sealed off just after midday on Monday, with several local council lorries spotted there as tents and other structures were erected. Just under a mile away, Portuguese civil protection workers and police were seen setting up large blue tents. An onlooker said: There are around two dozen Policia Judiciaria officers who seem to be supervising things at this stage. Portugals judiciary police confirmed reports of the German-led investigation on Monday evening, with German and British officers expected to reach the area imminently. Live: Portugal's police continue search in dam for Madeleine McCann on third day Thursday 25 May 2023 12:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Watch the livestream of Portugals police searching the Algarve reservoir on the third day of the Madeleine McCann search. Live: Portugal's police continue search in dam for Madeleine McCann on third day Madeleine McCann case: Timeline of the missing childs disappearance Thursday 25 May 2023 12:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Kate and Gerry McCanns eldest daughter vanished from Portuguese holiday resort 16 years ago but emergence of new suspect has brought fresh hope of answers and closure: What happened to Madeleine McCann? Officers photograph digging site on day three of Madeleine McCann search Thursday 25 May 2023 11:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Police have begun photographing an excavation site near the banks of a remote reservoir in Portugal as the fresh Madeleine McCann searches entered a third day. Officers maintained their focus on an area of woodland on a peninsula at the Barragem do Arade on Thursday after a digging operation was commenced on Wednesday afternoon. Heavy machinery continued to cut through vast undergrowth at the site, while a mixture of uniformed and plain-clothed officers raked the ground. A large section of the Barragem do Arade has been cordoned off since Tuesday morning, around 30 miles from where Madeleine went missing in 2007. Officers used shovels to excavate their area of focus, and sniffer dogs and pickaxes have also been deployed over the course of the searches. As some concentrated on the digging site, others used rakes and shovels to scour the surrounding area, slowly making their way through the recently trimmed undergrowth. The operation is being carried out at the request of German investigators who believe their prime suspect, convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner, 45, kidnapped and murdered the youngster. He is currently in prison in Germany for the rape of a woman in Praia da Luz in 2005, and is suspected of further rapes and child sexual abuse committed in the area between 2000 and 2017. German authorities have not revealed what triggered the latest search operation, but prosecutor for the city of Braunschweig Christian Wolters said they were acting on the basis of certain tips. (PA) How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Thursday 25 May 2023 11:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Sixteen years after Madeleine McCann vanished from the Algarve holiday apartment where she was sleeping next to her infant twin siblings, police have launched a major new search for evidence. After laying dormant for several years since David Cameron kickstarted an ultimately fruitless Metropolitan Police inquiry in 2011, the case of the missing three-year-old was revived once more in 2020 when German prosecutors revealed a new suspect. But three years on, 43-year-old convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner who denies any connection to the missing youngster is yet to be charged, as he languishes in a German prison for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman two years prior to Madeleines disappearance at the same resort. How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Madeleine McCann reservoir search: What do we know about Portugals Barragem do Arade? Thursday 25 May 2023 11:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police in Portugal investigating the disappearance of British citizen Madeleine McCann 16 years ago have begun searching a reservoir in the Algarve known to have been frequented by the latest suspect in the case. Ms McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, was just three years old when she went missing from an apartment complex at the Ocean Club holiday resort of Praia da Luz in the municipality of Lagos on 3 May 2007. Her case remains unsolved and is still the subject of intense public and press interest. Her parents, doctors Gerry and Kate McCann, continue to campaign for her return and recently posted a poem remembering her on their Find Madeleine website, reminding readers that she is still missing ... still very much missed. What do we know about the reservoir being searched by Madeleine McCann investigators? Who is Christian Brueckner? Madeleine McCann suspect and the accusations against him Thursday 25 May 2023 10:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Madeleine McCanns disappearance has puzzled detectives for more than 15 years but in 2020 a new potential suspect emerged. Now, police are searching a remote reservoir in Portugals Algarve that he used to visit in a renewed effort to shed further light on the case. German prisoner Christian Brueckner was first named in connection with the unsolved mystery that summer, and officially named as a suspect last year. His yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly identified as having been near to the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing on May 3, 2007. All we know about Madeleine McCann suspect Brueckner and the accusations against him ICYMI: Sniffer dogs and pickaxes used by police in fresh Madeleine McCann searches Thursday 25 May 2023 10:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police have combed the banks of a reservoir in Portugal with the help of sniffer dogs, rakes and pickaxes as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Emergency service divers were seen on a rigid-hull inflatable boat early on Tuesday morning at the Barragem do Arade around 30 miles from Praia da Luz, where the three-year-old went missing in 2007. Officers concentrated their search at one area of the reservoir erecting white tents on a hill on the banks. Further around the water, emergency services and officials from Portugal, Germany and the UK were seen holding briefings near blue police tents. In the search area, uniformed and plain-clothed officers spent a number of hours scouring the banks hammering away at the ground with pickaxes and combing through small rocks with rakes and spades. Sniffer dogs and pickaxes used by police in fresh Madeleine McCann searches In pictures: Search for Madeleine McCann continues at Portugals reservoir Thursday 25 May 2023 09:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Authorities gather at a Judiciary Police (PJ) makeshift base camp in the Arade dam area as the Madeleine McCann search continues. (EPA) (EPA) (EPA) Madeleine McCann police searching Portuguese lake for her pink pyjamas Thursday 25 May 2023 09:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Police are searching a Portuguese lake for the pink pyjamas Madeleine McCann was wearing when she vanished in 2007, sources close to the investigation have said. Officers are searching the Barragem do Arade reservoir in Portugal for any fragments of clothing or old rags that could be related to Madeleines disappearance, according to reports. Investigators suspect that 45-year-old German prisoner Christian Brueckner killed Madeleine, then aged three, after abducting her from a holiday apartment. Madeleine McCann police searching Portuguese lake for her pink pyjamas Madeleine McCann case: Timeline of the missing childs disappearance Thursday 25 May 2023 09:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar Kate and Gerry McCanns eldest daughter vanished from a Portuguese holiday resort 16 years ago but the emergence of a new suspect has brought fresh hope of answers and closure: What happened to Madeleine McCann? Watch live: Police scour reservoir for second day in Madeleine McCann search Thursday 25 May 2023 08:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Watch live as police search a reservoir in Portugal for a second day on Wednesday, 23 May, in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Portuguese authorities, assisted by German police, set up tents an area near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, around 50km (31 miles) from where the toddler went missing aged three in Praia da Luz in 2007. Searches are being conducted at the request of German police in the presence of British officers. Watch live: Police scour reservoir for second day in Madeleine McCann search Alan Leong Kah-kit, Chairperson of the Civic Party, speaks to the media announcing the party's disbandment in Hong Kong Major Hong Kong democratic party disbands amid China security clampdown Alan Leong Kah-kit, Chairperson of the Civic Party, speaks to the media announcing the party's disbandment in Hong Kong By James Pomfret and Jessie Pang HONG KONG (Reuters) - One of Hong Kong's biggest democratic parties said on Saturday it would disband after a vote by its party members, dealing another blow to the city's already beleaguered democratic opposition under pressure from China. In recent years, Hong Kong's opposition has been hit by a China-imposed national security law and overhaul of the electoral system that has largely sidelined democrats from local politics. Alan Leong, one of the Civic Party's founding members and the current chairman, told reporters that 30 of 31 members had voted to wind up the party, with only one abstaining. "The world is ever changing. History will tell. Today, the Civic Party is bidding Hong Kong farewell. We hope Hong Kong people will live in the moment with a hopeful and not too heavy heart. Live in truth and believe in tomorrow," Leong, a senior barrister, wrote in a statement. The Civic Party, founded in 2006, had been a major democratic force in the financial hub that returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997, alongside the Democratic Party, performing strongly in local legislative and district polls. The party was known for representing professionals in Hong Kong including lawyers, accountants and scholars, and was considered a more moderate democratic voice that appealed to the city's large ranks of middle class voters. China's imposition of a sweeping national security law in Hong Kong in 2020, however, saw a number of its members arrested including former lawmakers Alvin Yeung and Jeremy Tam. Yeung and Tam have been detained for over two years and denied bail in an ongoing national security case, while another senior member, Margaret Ng, was convicted of unlawful assembly. Others have fled into exile. Following on the heels of the national security law, China in 2021 revamped Hong Kong's electoral system, further reducing democratic representation while introducing a mechanism to vet politicians' loyalty to Beijing. The measures were part of what critics such as the United States say are Beijing's efforts to consolidate its increasingly authoritarian grip over the global financial hub, and to further erode the city's democracy and freedoms that were guaranteed for at least 50 years when it returned to Chinese rule. "We had our eyes fixed on the benchmark of democracy," Leong added in the Civic Party statement. "While democracy is yet to be accomplished, we hope the concepts of accountability and open government have been adequately introduced to the people." Hong Kong and Chinese authorities described the electoral revamp as a progressive democratic step to ensure only pro-China "patriots" govern Hong Kong. (Reporting by James Pomfret and Jessie Pang, Joyce Zhou; Editing by Kim Coghill) A man has been convicted in the murder of a scientist shot dead on a family camping trip while sharing a tent with his young daughters in a California state park. Anthony Rauda, 46, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Tristan Beaudette, 35, who was fatally shot in June 2018 at Malibu Creek State Park. He was also convicted of multiple burglaries and three counts of attempted murder: two counts related to opening fire in the direction of Beaudettes daughters and a third related to shooting a Tesla driver, the Los Angeles Times reported. The defendant, who has been convicted of attacking two sheriffs deputies since his arrest in late 2018, declined attendance at trial but will be present for sentencing next month. Tristan Beaudette pictured with his wife, Erica, and their two young daughters (GoFundMe) Prosecutors painted a picture of Raudas pattern of stalking and preying upon campers. He had been charged with seven other counts of attempted murder but was acquitted this month after he could not be definitively tied to the scenes. Mr Beaudette had been sleeping in a tent with his daughters, aged two and four, in the early morning hours of 22 June 2018. when he was fatally shot in the head. During the trial, his brother-in-law emotionally described awaking to hear one of his nieces crying and saying Wet, wet, ABC7 reported. He attempted to wake up his brother but found his own hand covered in blood, realising in shock that he should remove Mr Beaudettes girls from the tent. I noticed there was nothing in his eyes, he said of his brother-in-law. Anthony Rauda (AP) Mr Beaudette, a research scientist from Irvine, was the last of 11 people Rauda was accused of shooting at over the course of two years, the LA Times reported. In several instances, Rauda shot at moving vehicles or at campers in hammocks, wounding people on more than one occasion, prosecutors said. Most of the early attacks involved the use of what prosecutors described as an improvised shotgun filled with pellets that did not cause anyone life-threatening injuries, the paper reported, but the defendant at some point upgraded to a sawed-off rifle, the weapon used in each of the counts he was convicted of Friday. Prosecutors said that Rauda sought to kill victims in creative ways during his spree. Hes actively trying to do something that you know would cause death when he researches how to blow up a car by shooting out a gas tank, and then you see that he shoots at a BMW, LA County Deputy District Attorney Antonella Nistorescu said in closing arguments, according to the LA Times. Rauda is due in court on 7 June for sentencing. Mr Beaudette, who met his wife in high school, had been planning to move with his family to the Bay Area the week following the shooting. His widow, Erica Wu, filed a lawsuit against the sheriffs department, State Parks and others following her husbands murder, alleging authorities had failed to adequately warn the public at shootings in the area where Mr Beaudette was ultimately killed but a judge in 2021 ruled against her. Man charged with sex-related crimes involving children arrested in Gaston County A man charged with sex-related crimes involving children has been arrested by the Gaston County Police Department. Police said Cory Ray Thomas was arrested Thursday near Farm Gate Circle in Dallas. ALSO READ: Matthews EMT charged with child sex crimes Thomas had six outstanding felony warrants for second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and six felony warrants for third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Though police said the charges came from an investigation by the departments Criminal Investigations Unit, they did not say what led to the charges. Thomas was taken to the Gaston County jail and given a $500,000 bond. No further information was released. (WATCH BELOW: Source: Music teacher arrested in Gaston County; accused of child sex crime in Texas) Man found guilty of dragging kitten behind car in 2017 now charged with stabbing A Springfield man, who as a teenager pleaded guilty to pulling a kitten behind a Jeep until it died, is back in jail after prosecutors charged him with first-degree assault in a Thursday night stabbing. According to a probable cause statement, multiple people witnessed Kyle W. Williams, 24, stabbing a man multiple times with a steak knife outside the John B. Hughes apartments in Springfield late Thursday night. A total of six witnesses, some who knew Williams and others in the complex that heard a disturbance, gave police similar stories about what they saw, though there's little explanation of why a stabbing occurred. Kyle Williams According to the statement, Williams was in a verbal disturbance with a woman in one of the apartments. She told police she called someone else to come over because of Williams' behavior. That person later arrived at the apartment with the victim at the same time Williams was leaving. That person told police she heard Williams say he was going to kill the victim. Some witnesses said they first thought Williams was simply punching the victim, but later saw the knife or heard the victim say he was being stabbed. One witness told police they heard Williams say, "I kill (racial slur) like this every day." Multiple witnesses said they saw Williams flee the scene before being arrested by Greene County deputies. More: Man deliberately drove SUV into motorcyclist causing life-threatening injuries, police say Police later observed the victim and saw multiple wounds, including to the lower back and abdomen. They also said he was reluctant to talk about the incident but seemed upset about being assaulted. Police say Williams is a larger threat to the community because of his past offenses and was on supervised release at the time of the incident. Back in 2017, Williams was arrested and charged after police determined he killed a kitten by dragging the feline behind a vehicle. Officials said he "tied a rope around a cat's neck and to the bumper of a vehicle." "Williams then drove the vehicle while unknown friends filmed the cat run behind the vehicle until it could not run anymore," the probable cause statement said. "The cat died behind the vehicle and the individuals continued riding around laughing as the cat tossed and turned behind the car." For subscribers: Witness: Ex-MSU instructor resembled a 'zombie' after stabbing colleague to death Officers found Williams after he posted the fatal footage to Facebook. "Upon review of the video the animal appears healthy and scared as the rope is placed around its neck," the statement said, adding that laughing and somebody saying "this will be funny" were audible in the footage. Williams was charged with felony animal abuse and armed criminal action, charges he pleaded guilty to in 2018. In charges filed Friday, Williams faces first-degree assault and armed criminal action. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Man found guilty of dragging kitten behind car in 2017 charged again A grand jury in Harris County, Texas, on Thursday indicted a man on a murder charge in connection with last years shooting death of Takeoff, a member of the rap group Migos. Patrick Clark, 33, was arrested in connection with the death in December. Takeoff, 28, was shot to death outside a private party at 810 Billiards and Bowling in Houston on November 1, authorities said. There was an argument outside the bowling alley which led to the shooting, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said at the time. Another man, Cameron Joshua, was arrested and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon in relation to the shooting. Police described Takeoff as an innocent bystander to the argument that preceded the shooting. In the arraignment document, the state claims Clark unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly commit the felony offense of deadly conduct by knowingly discharging a firearm at and in the direction of Takeoff. Clarks defense attorney, Letitia Quinones-Hollins, told CNN that the indictment was expected. We would ask people to remember that getting an indictment requires meeting a very, very minimal standard of proof, she said in a statement. When we get inside a courtroom and in front of a jury, where we will be able to put on our evidence and cross-examine the states witnesses where the standard of proof is guilt beyond reasonable doubt we expect the jury will come back with a verdict of not guilty. Clark remains under house arrest on $1 million bond. Takeoff was the youngest member of the trio Migos, alongside his uncle Quavo and rapper Offset. Artists including Justin Bieber and Drake remembered Takeoff as a talented rapper and loving friend and family member at his memorial last year. CNNs Chris Boyette contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LONDON (Reuters) - London police said on Saturday that a man arrested after a car collision into the gates of Downing Street, the site of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office, had been separately charged with making indecent images of children. The 43-year-old appeared in court on Saturday in relation to the images and was remanded in custody to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on June 23, police said in a statement. He had been taken into custody on Thursday on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving after the Downing Street incident, in which no injuries were reported. Police said he had been released pending further investigation into that incident before giving details of the other charge. London police reiterated the collision was not being treated as "terror-related" but said officers from its counter-terrorism wing were supporting its investigation. Police placed a cordon outside Downing Street on Thursday after a vehicle approached the gate at a low speed. The main gate had appeared undamaged after the incident. (Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Alison Williams) A hot new conspiracy theory has dropped and this one is a faked-Moon-landing-level doozy. This particular deranged rumor suggests that the International Space Station, which has been orbiting the Earth for well over two decades, is actually an underwater Hollywood soundstage. Social media users have been flooding comments sections, including ones on Futurism's own Facebook page, suggesting NASA set up a massive rig to fake the orbital outpost. "Must have been a great swim," one user commented on a recent Futurism post about a crew of tourists visiting the station. "What a great dive," another user wrote. Clips being passed around online purport to show the damning evidence: "air bubbles" being released by astronauts during spacewalks, or hidden wires or harnesses being worn by crew members as they float around the station. The rest, they claim, is just greenscreen and CGI trickery. A quick search for the terms "air bubbles" and "space" on TikTok brings up a whole host of videos, some with tens of thousands of views, suggesting that NASA was conspiring to fake astronaut footage in a pool. A lot of these videos also make use of the hashtag "flatearth," suggesting there's considerable overlap with the persistent and idiotic conspiracy theory that the Earth is flat, not round. Understandably, NASA wants nothing to do with these theories. "At no time have props, green screen, wires or simulated underwater facilities substituted for actual real-time operation on the space station," Sandra Jones, a Houston-based spokesperson, told the Associated Press last month. "None of it remotely has merit," Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell told the AP, adding that to "suggest its faked is just silly and ignorant." YouTuber Dave McKeegan recently debunked the astronaut footage theorists have offered up as proof that the ISS isn't actually in space in a thorough takedown. Spoiler alert: the harnesses and wires are a figment of their imagination and can easily be explained by video compression, noisy video feeds, and artifacts. Experts are also pointing out that these "air bubbles" are likely dust or ice particles that free themselves from the astronauts during spacewalks. "Bubbles of gas moving through a fluid do not follow a perfectly straight line as they rise to the surface," Joshua Colwell, a planetary scientist at the University of Central Florida, told the AP. Yet these purported bubbles "fan from a common point of origin, and they move at a constant speed and in perfectly straight lines," Colwell added. Then there's the matter of why NASA would be doing all of this in the first place. And if space travel was faked, wouldn't they make it a little more exciting, instead of filled with boring protocols and downtime? It's difficult to wrap one's head around the belief that the space agency, which spends about $3.1 billion a year on the space station program, would bother creating an elaborate and uninspired-looking soundstage. To actually believe such a thing would require not only suspending one's belief in recorded footage but in one's very own eyes as well. You don't even need a telescope to spot the space station from the ground, as it circles the Earth 16 times every 24 hours, though a pair of binoculars could prove helpful. The station is the third brightest object in the sky after the Moon and Venus, thanks to its massive size, reflective quality, and proximity to the ground. Some have argued that this kind of skepticism has deep roots in the wider crisis of trust in the government, which in the US was exacerbated by events like the Pentagon Papers or the Kennedy assassination. With the advent of social media, these theories have found a solid new foothold online, allowing them to reach new audiences. Combine that with algorithms that have perfected new ways of accelerating their spread, it's easy to see why they persist to this day even if that reality is frustrating. More on flat Earthers: Flat Earthers Puzzled by Why People Don't Fall Off "Bottom" of Globe Israelis protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government to overhaul the judicial system, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/ Ohad Zwigenberg) TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered on Saturday for the relentless weekly protests against their governments plans to overhaul the legal system. The mass protests entered their 21st week. This weeks rallies come days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist parties passed a new two-year budget. The main protest took place in Tel Aviv, drawing thousands of flag-waving protesters. The passing of the new budget could grant some stability to Israels most hard-line government ever. However, it also appeared to fuel the protesters' views that Netanyahu appeals to his religious allies rather than address the wider economic woes of the broader society. If Israel takes too much power for its own, (our country) will basically become like Poland or Hungary, and we dont want that, said Aylon Argaman, a protester. Organizers of grassroot protests bill them as a movement to save democracy. They say the governments plans to weaken the Supreme Court would destroy the countrys system of checks and balances and compromise Israeli democracy. Proponents of the judicial overhaul say it is needed to rein in an overzealous Supreme Court. Netanyahu delayed the proposed changes in March, but protest organizers say they want to keep the demonstrations up until the plans are scrapped. The government may think we're starting to get tired after 21 weeks, but even if we are tired, democracy is still more important to us, said Omer Kidron, another protester. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Reuters/Disney This is a preview of our pop culture newsletter The Daily Beasts Obsessed, written by editor Kevin Fallon. To receive the full newsletter in your inbox each week, sign up for it here. This week: Good for You, Melissa McCarthy After seeing The Little Mermaid, the ambitious new take on the beloved 1989 animated classic, I have come to an irrefutable conclusion: The best live-action Disney reboot is still Aladdin. (I am right, and I will not apologize for saying it.) There are definitely elements of The Little Mermaid that surpassed my admittedly low expectations, and there are others that are about as dismal as I expected. Halle Bailey is as sensational as youve heard as Ariel, and Daveed Diggs voice work as Sebastian is a comedic tour de force. Its a shame that Sebastian, as well as Jacob Tremblays Flounder and Awkwafinas Scuttleall meant to be photorealistic but just not quite real-looking enoughmore resemble those traumatizing Chuck E. Cheese animatronics than any sort of CGI triumph. Its especially bad when theyre talking, with their mouths basically just flapping open and shut. And the scenes of Ariel on land were unexpectedly moving and gorgeously shot, while everything under the sea was a dour drabnot great when the movie is, uh, The Little Mermaid. Walt Disney Studios For all the controversy over casting (so much uproar over a Black Ariel, but not a peep about the blasphemous decision to make Prince Eric British), the movie was admirably diverse, by Hollywoods poor standards. So what surprised me is that its the most obvious and boring casting decisionMelissa McCarthy as Ursulathat most blew me away. There didnt seem to be anything inventive in casting McCarthy. In fact, it came off as lazy to choose the industrys most famous, bankable plus-sized actress over a more creative choice; it elicited a shrugging of course. But she is deliciously good in the film, subverting expectations (at least mine) for what youd think Melissa McCarthy-as-Ursula would be like. McCarthy modulates her voice down a register, eschewing over-the-top, villainous histrionics for something more sinisterwhich, in turn, allows for Ursulas cheekiness and campier moments to be even more twistedly funny. Her Ursula is a clear and necessary homage to original voice actress Pat Carroll, but its also original enough so that its not a pale imitation. And, of course, its a performance in tribute and respect to Divine, the legendary drag queen who inspired the Ursula character in the first place. Walt Disney Studios McCarthys press tour for the film has been flawless and thrilling to me, especially, because of her insistence on speaking about Divine, Varla, and the countless drag queens that made Poor Unfortunate Souls a staple of their acts. You can tell that history is personal to McCarthy, which is evident in her performance. And while Divines inspiration for Ursula is well-known to a contingent of Disney fans, and certainly to the LGBT community, that McCarthy has been adamant about publicizing it and making it common knowledge now is unmistakably important. At a time when drag and LGBT pride are at the center of an outrageous and shameful culture war, shes ensuring that all the families seeing the movie this weekend are aware that they are celebrating the art and community of drag. The Marvelous Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Finale After this weekend, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Succession, and Barry will be over for goodand a few days later, depending on what Apple TV+ decides to do, Ted Lasso may be as well. (Season finales for Yellowjackets and Somebody Somewhere are also airing this weekend, with the former, at least, guaranteed to return, and the latters renewal hopefully comingif there is such a thing as a God.) The TV programmers really said, Have a lovely long weekend, America! Except for you, TV journalists. Dont even think about making plans. In these past few years, a slew of pivotal, era-defining series have ended. It makes for a strange momentfor the industry, but also for me, a person who writes about TV and how it relates to him. Im not sure yet what this moment means but it means something! Prime Studios I do think that Mrs. Maisel really stuck the landing. I found its finale episode to be spectacular, with the perfect amount of fan service, while still doing justice to character arcs. (Plus, there was a random scene in which Broadway star Leslie Kritzer cameos as Carol Burnett singing Shy from Once Upon a Mattress, which I like to think was added to the episode just for me.) And while I often find quoting the title within a project to be hokey, there is a moment when Midge is called the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel for the first time, and I did cry. Moreover, the series ended with a scene of laughter, which I wont spoilbut know that it just felt right. Tits up! The Barbie Bonanza Is Just Getting Started A new Barbie trailer came out this week, this one with actual details of the plot. Gauging by the overwhelming reaction on social media, it previews what will be a cinematic masterpiece unlike the human race has ever experienced before. (Personally, it made me more skeptical of it possibly meeting high expectations. But, like Prince Harry, I cant afford my own security detail, so I will not be elaborating any further, for fear of the internet mob.) There are, however, two moments from the trailer that have gone viral, and which I am obsessed with. This line that Barbie blurts in the middle of a group dance routine, is endlessly relatable. Warner Bros. Pictures And this isnt just Ryan Gosling being epically hot as Ken, but it also raises an important question: How tall does this screengrab suggest Ken/Gosling is?!?! Warner Bros. Pictures Marry Me? A TikTok user named @throatgoatnancyreagan attended a recent concert of Taylor Swifts Eras tour and posted a video montage of himself eating a new hot dog each time Swift transitioned to a new era of her career on her setlist. TikTok More From The Daily Beasts Obsessed This is the best deep-dive Ive read into why everyone hates Vanderpump Rules star Raquel Leviss, a participant in the infamous #Scandoval, so damn much. Read more. The new Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game sets a new high bar for video-game excellence, and apparently has been monopolizing all of my colleagues time. Read more. Ahead of the Succession finale this weekend, read this excellent take on the Kendall Roy characters, and why hes doomed to commit the same sins of his father. Read more. What to see this week: The Little Mermaid: If I had to witness the horrors of Scuttlebutt, we all must. (Now in theaters) Platonic: Seth Rogen? Charming and funny. Rose Byrne? Charming and funny. The two of them together? Youll never believe it: charming and funny! (Now on Apple TV+) Kandahar: Gerard Butler keeps making the most Gerard Butler-iest of movies. (Now in theaters) You Hurt My Feelings: This Julia Louis-Dreyfus starrer is one of my favorite movies of the year. (Now in theaters) What to skip this week: FUBAR: Believe it or not, Arnold Schwarzenegger deserves better. (Now on Netflix) 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. Melissa McCarthy says she was 'really nervous' to meet Javier Bardem, her co-star in The Little Mermaid, but once she did, he was like a 'walking warm hug' Melissa McCarthy and Javier Bardem at the world premiere of "The Little Mermaid" in Hollywood, California. Matt Winkelmeyer/GA/Getty Images Melissa McCarthy told The Hollywood Reporter that she was "really nervous" to meet Javier Bardem. But, she said her nerves went away immediately once she did, because he's like a "warm hug." McCarthy and Bardem play siblings Ursula and King Triton in Disney's remake of "The Little Mermaid." Melissa McCarthy says she was "really nervous" to meet Javier Bardem, her co-star in Disney's new live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid" but once she did, he was like a "walking warm hug." In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, McCarthy who plays the sea witch Ursula in the film said, "I was really nervous to meet him, but the nerves went away within two seconds. The second you meet Javier, he's like a walking warm hug." McCarthy's role alongside Bardem who plays Ariel's overprotective father King Triton was her first time working with the iconic actor, though she told THR she had "dreamed of" crossing paths with him. "I've always wanted to [work with Bardem], so this is quite a thrill for me," McCarthy told THR. Bardem echoed McCarthy's sentiment, telling THR, "Working with Melissa is a joy and a gift." "I had a moment where [Melissa] was delivering some pretty heavy lines and they made my spine [shiver]," Bardem added, according to THR. "I felt the energy." Bardem and McCarthy also joked to THR about wanting to do a spinoff movie together about Ursula and Triton, who are siblings in the film. But for now, you can see them in "The Little Mermaid," which hit theatres nationwide on Friday. Read the original article on Insider Residents across the High Plains from west Texas to the Dakotas are in for a continuation of the stormy pattern to close out the holiday weekend, which can undoubtedly impact Memorial Day celebrations and services. The Great Plains have experienced quite a wild month of May thus far, with many cities recording rainfall totals that are above what typically occurs. In addition to the rainfall, a slew of hazardous conditions have accompanied the rain as well. Massive hailstones, extreme wind gusts, tornadoes and flash flooding have all occurred on a near-daily basis recently across west Texas, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas, and that is expected to continue right into Memorial Day. As expected, thunderstorms on Saturday produced severe conditions along a north-south strip of the High Plains, with numerous instances of wind or hail damage from West Texas into western North Dakota. Over a half-dozen tornadoes also occurred, pending official confirmation. INTENSE hail core punch south of Silverton, Texas pic.twitter.com/h6jQbODNVl Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) May 29, 2023 On Sunday, storms were focused on the southern half of the Plains, stretching from Nebraska to Texas. Storms were particularly intense in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, where hail over the size of golf balls was common. Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer had a close encounter with this hail, driving through the core of a strengthening severe thunderstorm. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Into the day on Monday, Memorial Day, the risk for severe thunderstorms is expected to become more localized across the Plains, focusing primarily across the Dakotas and into southern Canada. While there could be pockets of rain and thunderstorms across the rest of the Plains, the extent of severe thunderstorms will likely be limited. In addition to bursts of heavy rain and frequent lightning, hail and damaging winds will br the primary hazard from these storms. Heading into Tuesday, forecasters caution that a similar region, albeit slightly farther south, will be in line for severe storms. Cities such as North Platte, Nebraska, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota are included in this region. Much like the day prior, hail and damaging winds can occur in the most intense thunderstorm activity. With an increase in wind shear, an isolated tornado or two also cannot be ruled out. While the exact placement is still to be determined, additional severe storms are likely on Wednesday. A broad swath of the High Plains, from western Nebraska to southwest Texas, could be in this area threatened by strong storms. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. A Monroe County Circuit Court jury this week found a Milan man guilty on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct. Moses Ralph Aikens, 44, was found guilty of criminal sexual conduct involving force or coercion committed between July 24, 2018, and July 28, 2018, a news release said. On Tuesday, a jury found Aikens guilty before Circuit Judge Daniel S. White of all five counts against him. Aikens was convicted of two counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, all with with force or coercion. Because he was convicted as a third-offense habitual offender, Aikens faces a maximum sentence of 30 years' incarceration. Sentencing is scheduled for July 20. Yorkey in an email declined to provide details about the case in order to protect the privacy of the victim. However, he said third-degree criminal sexual conduct involves penetration and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involves inappropriate sexual touching. Senior Trial Attorney Leah Hubbard prosecuted the case for the people of the state of Michigan. She was assisted by law clerk Ryleigh Treirweiler and victims rights coordinator Alana Horkey. Attorney James P. Bartlett of Monroe represented the defendant. The case was investigated by detectives John Gurganus and Patrick Davison of the Monroe County Sheriffs Office. Yorkey commended the hours of preparation by Hubbard, Treweiler and Horkey, "the courage of the victim in this case and the impressive efforts of law enforcement, specifically the Monroe County Sheriffs Detectives," the release said. Yorkey also said "he appreciated the outstanding efforts of the jury who attentively listened to all of the evidence and carefully deliberated the case before reaching their verdict." This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Milan man convicted of multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct FILE -Bob Hickingbottom speaks at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Miss., Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, when he was a constitution party candidate for Mississippi governor. A judge ruled Friday, May 26, 2023, that the Mississippi Democratic Party had improperly excluded Hickingbottom from running for governor as a Democrat in 2023. If the state Supreme Court agrees with that ruling, Democrats would have an August primary with Hickingbottom and Brandon Presley seeking the party nomination for governor. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi could have a Democratic primary for governor in August because a judge ruled Friday that the party improperly excluded a candidate from the ballot. The state Democratic Party immediately filed notice that it will ask the Mississippi Supreme Court to overturn the judge's ruling on the candidacy of Bob Hickingbottom. I appreciate the court's consideration. We hope to get a more favorable ruling on appeal, the committee's attorney, Gerald Mumford, told The Associated Press. The state Democratic Executive Committee decided in February that Hickingbottom could not be on the ballot as a Democrat. Hickingbottom, who has described himself as a political operative, ran for governor as a Constitution Party candidate in 2019. The executive committee also excluded Gregory Wash from running for governor this year, after he ran a low-budget campaign for governor in the Democratic primary four years ago. The party's decisions left Brandon Presley, a four-term public service commissioner, as the only Democratic candidate for governor. Wash did not challenge the party's decision, but Hickingbottom filed a lawsuit. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is seeking a second term, and he faces two challengers in the GOP primary military veteran David Hardigree and physician Dr. John Witcher. Mississippi primaries are Aug. 8, and the general election is Nov. 7. Presley campaign spokesman Michael Beyer on Friday responded to questions about a potential Democratic primary by focusing on a welfare misspending case that developed while Reeves was lieutenant governor. We welcome any legally qualified candidate to enter the race, and our campaign will continue to focus on Tate Reeves failed record of allowing criminals to misspend $77 million of Mississippians hard-earned taxpayer dollars meant for working families on luxury cars, steak dinners, and even a volleyball stadium," Beyer said. Judge Forrest A. Johnson Jr. wrote that the Democratic Party was not allowed to reject Hickingbottom's candidacy on grounds that Hickinbottom has failed to file an economic interest statement with the Ethics Commission. Johnson wrote that Hickingbottom meets the qualifications to run for governor, which are in the state constitution: A candidate must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen at least 20 years and a resident of Mississippi at least five years before the election. Hickingbottom is Black, and Presley is white. Attracting support from Black voters is an important part of winning a Democratic primary. Presley's campaign did not mention race Friday, but Mississippi Republican Party chairman Frank Bordeaux did. Brandon Presley and his Democratic Party allies corruptly pushed his African American opponent off the ballot, Bordeaux said in a statement. A judge just ruled their actions are illegal and unethical, and now Presley faces a primary challenge. Why did Brandon Presley work so hard to prevent an African American candidate from accessing the ballot? HIckingbottom filed a campaign finance report this month showing he raised and spent no money through April. Presley reported $1.6 million in his campaign fund. Reeves reported $9 million in campaign money, while Witcher reported about $21,000 and Hardigree reported no money. Monmouth officer who snuck drugs into jail in potato chip bags gets 5 years in prison Monmouth County Jail, Freehold Township. FREEHOLD An 18-year corrections officer who smuggled drugs into the Monmouth County Jail in bags of potato chips received a five-year prison sentence Friday and permanently forfeited his six-figure job. Superior Court Judge Jill G. O'Malley imposed the prison term on Bryant Mack, 55, of Shamong, Burlington County, and permanently barred him from public employment in the state, said Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. Mack, who worked at the Monmouth County Jail for 18 years, came under investigation on Sept. 4, 2021, when two inmates were caught in their cells with synthetic marijuana and other contraband, Santiago said. An investigation by the prosecutor's office and the jail's Special Investigations Division revealed that Mack would hide drugs and other contraband in potato chip bags and smuggle them into the jail to an inmate who would facilitate distribution of the items throughout the facility, Santiago said in a news release. Mack pleaded guilty in November to second-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, admitting then that he had an agreement with that inmate to smuggle the synthetic marijuana into the jail in exchange for payment, the news release said. Mack earned an annual salary of $119,136 in 2021, records show. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutors Melanie Falco and Kimberly Gilhooly. Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth corrections officer gets 5 years in prison for drug smuggling Myrtle Beachs Ocean Boulevard crowded with traffic despite weather. Heres what to do Traffic is getting jammed around Ocean Boulevard as thousands of visitors travel to Myrtle Beach, despite the stormy weather. In particular, the stretch from 39th Avenue North down to 9th Avenue is slow. You can check real-time information on traffic patterns on the South Carolina Department of Transportation website. Ocean Boulevard is being handled as a single-lane road, causing some of the delays. Northbound lanes are being reserved for emergency response vehicles. Specific entry points are along Ocean Boulevard to Kings Highway, at 29th Avenue North, 21st Avenue North, Ninth Avenue North, Third Avenue South, Ninth Avenue South and 13th Avenue South. Law enforcement may divert pedestrian and vehicular traffic as needed, so be mindful of the extra police presence as you drive. Where to view live traffic cameras The South Carolina Department of Transportation keeps a list of live traffic cameras on its website. You can view the traffic on US 17 Bypass North at Joe White Avenue, 29th Avenue, 38th Avenue and US 501 here. Officials are also encouraging drivers to use wayfinding apps, such as Waze and Google Maps, to help navigate traffic patterns. The city will update its traffic patterns that can be accessed on such apps. Myrtle Beach roads to be crowded Memorial Day weekend. Heres where to avoid a traffic jam Rapid Response of the Border Police Unit of Kosovo patrol the Kosovo-Serbia border area in Bernjak BRUSSELS (Reuters) -NATO on Saturday urged Kosovo to dial down tensions with Serbia, a day after its government forcibly accessed municipal buildings to install mayors in ethnic Serb areas in the north of the country. The resulting clashes on Friday between Kosovan police and protesters opposed to the ethnic Albanian mayors prompted Serbia to put its army on full combat alert and to move units closer to the border. "We urge the institutions in Kosovo to de-escalate immediately and call on all parties to resolve the situation through dialogue," said Oana Lungescu, a spokeswoman for the transatlantic military alliance, in a Twitter post. She said KFOR, the 3,800-strong NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, would remain vigilant. Things were still tense in the north part of the country where heavily armed police forces in armoured vehicles were guarding municipality buildings. Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti defended police actions in escorting the new mayors the previous day. "It is the right of those elected in democratic elections to assume office without threats or intimidation. It is also the right of citizens to be served by those elected officials," Kurti said on Twitter on Saturday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday criticized Kurti's government for its actions in the north, saying they "unnecessarily escalated tensions, (were) undermining our efforts to help normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia and will have consequences for our bilateral relations with Kosovo." Almost a decade after the end of a war there, Serbs in Kosovo's northern region do not accept Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia and still see Belgrade as their capital. Ethnic Albanians form more than 90% of the population in Kosovo, with Serbs only the majority in the northern region. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; additional reporting by Fatos Bytyci in Pristina; Writing by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Conor Humphries) Nepal PM Dahal to visit India next week, hold talks with Modi FILE PHOTO: G20 summit in Bali NEW DELHI/KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kumar Dahal will visit India next week and hold talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to strengthen the historically deep ties between the two countries. The visit will further strengthen the age-old, multifaceted, and cordial relations between Nepal and India, Nepals foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The trip will be Dahal's first official foreign trip since he was elected prime minister in December 2022. He has visited India three times before as prime minister in previous tenures. Dahal, a 68-year-old former Maoist rebel leader who goes by the name Prachanda, meaning "fierce", will also meet other senior Indian officials, including President Droupadi Murmu. As a sign of the strong ties between New Delhi and Kathmandu, Dahals visit follows the convention of Nepali prime ministers making New Delhi their first international port of call after assuming the office. The four-day visit will begin on May 31 and will also include visits to the temple town of Ujjain and Indore. The visit continues the tradition of regular high level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of our Neighbourhood First policy. The bilateral relations between the two countries have significantly strengthened in the last few years in all areas of cooperation, Indias foreign ministry said. Modi has visited Nepal five times since becoming India's prime minister in 2014, the last in May 2022. (Reporting by Krishn Kaushik in NEW DELHI, Gopal Sharma in KATHMANDU; Editing by Kim Coghill) Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty During my usual morning perusal of news, I came across an article in The Daily Beast entitled, A Doctor Published Several Research Papers With Breakneck Speed. ChatGPT Wrote Them All. As a researcher, I was intrigued. Im not against the idea of using AI to help in generating research or even in writing papers, but as I read through the article, a disheartened shudder arose throughout my body. The focal researcher of the piece, University of Tennessee radiologist Som Biswas, had submitted an article to the journal Radiology that was written largely by ChatGPT. Biswas was upfront with the editor about the authorship; it underwent peer review and then was published. Following this initial success, he used OpenAI to write several more papers over four months and published five of them in various journals. Sanitizing Problematic Old Books Doesnt Protect Anyone While I can certainly see the value in OpenAI assisting in research and even, perhaps, writing for those who struggle with producing quality prose, there is an undercurrent in the ideas of Biswas and others that is summed up well in an article written by a group of French rheumatologists called ChatGPT: When Artificial Intelligence Replaces the Rheumatologist in Medical Writing. With an optimistic tone, the authors state: for researchers who are already prolific now, one can imagine that with AI, their output could be doubled or even tripled. The authors go on to conclude that AI represents a major step forward in helping to produce original scientific work (emphasis added). I dont argue that there is necessarily something wrong with using AI to help with writing research papers. (Im simply unsure about this, at the moment.) However, I see the mindset in the article as representing yet another cog in the neoliberal machine aimed at quantifying research and emphasizing volume at the expense of quality. Its a truism to state that citation counts and numbers of publications are the primary metrics by which research faculty are measuredalong with perceived prestige of journals attached to impact factors. The use of OpenAI to increase productivity thus assessedwhich is only conceptualized in terms of volume of publications, rather than the quality of whats publishedserves to further support neoliberal practices that are polluting institutions of higher education and eroding the quality of research output. If widespread use of OpenAI becomes the norm in research publication, the ongoing assault on quality will intensify. There will be more predatory journals chasing junior scholars, in particular, for research papers, so that they can appear productiveeven if the journals in which they publish are worthless. And the already exploitative for-profit academic publishing industry will become even more intense as the supply of papers overwhelms demand, pushing up fees publishers can charge authors for the fruits of their labor. Indeed, OpenAI will intensify the ways such publishers obtain much of the labor (in the form of peer-reviewers and authors) needed to produce their products without paying those doing the work. Elon Musk Is a Sentient Poop Emoji Under the current neoliberal regime in higher education, the use of OpenAI will push research increasingly into a zero-sum game structure in which those who are most productive in terms of cranking out AI-generated research papers will be winners in the competition over merit increases, promotions, and research grantsall based on performance measures that overwhelmingly privilege quantity over quality. In The Daily Beast article, Brett Karlan, a postdoctoral fellow in AI ethics at Stanford University, points out that, [g]iven the truly crushing pressure to publish, I think academics are going to start relying on ChatGPT to automate some of the more boring parts of writing, and it would be very likely that the same people who churn out barely publishable papers and send them off to predatory journals are going to figure out workflows that automate this with ChatGPT. Karlan is right on the mark with this assessment. But the problem isnt with the researchers nor with ChatGPT, its the system of performance assessment that reinforces the neoliberal obsession with profit and quantification. As publishing companies profit from their source of free labor, research institutions measure performance of those same laborers on the basis of numbers of publications. This pushes researchers to publish more, which lowers quality and increases exploitation by publishing companies. OpenAI is perfectly positioned to reinforce a pernicious system that is already doing great damage to the research endeavor, as well as to the mental health of researchers under extreme stress to publish more, and more, and more. We Need to Stop Freaking Out About AI Deepfakes OpenAI is being touted as an academic game changer. I agree. And the new game is one in which quality will be almost entirely subordinated to quantity as vast numbers of new journal articles are constantly churned out, many of which no one will have the time to read. That may be okay, since many of those same articles wont be worth reading in any case. But what needs to happen now is for institutions of higher education to begin developing a system of professional ethics that shapes how OpenAI is used in publicationand that is worked into how scholars think about academic integrity. Open AI isnt going away, but if academic institutions dont address the problems with this in relation to research and publication now, it will do further damage to an already badly damaged system. Unfortunately, this will require higher education administrators to do something they may find both frightening and uncomfortablethey are going to need to assess not only OpenAI, but the neoliberal values and expectations that are profoundly undermining the quality of research and education. 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. By Josh Smith and Sudev Kiyada SEOUL (Reuters) - For North Koreans, the country's northern frontier long offered rare access to outside information, trade opportunities, and the best option for those seeking to flee. But as the pandemic gripped the world in 2020, Kim Jong Un's regime embarked on a massive exercise to seal its borders with China and Russia, cutting off routes plied by smugglers and defectors. Since then, Pyongyang has built hundreds of kilometers of new or upgraded border fences, walls and guard posts, commercial satellite imagery shows, enabling it to tighten the flow of information and goods into the country, keep foreign elements out and its people in. (To see the satellite imagery, go to ) The project's scale is evident in the imagery analysed by Reuters and the U.S.-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, as well as accounts from seven defectors, activists and others familiar with activity along the border. "The traditional North Korea-China route is now effectively over, unless there is a major change in the situation," said Kim, a South Korean pastor who has helped North Koreans defect. He and others who conduct sensitive work on the border spoke on the condition of partial or full anonymity, citing concerns for their safety and a desire to protect their networks. Only 67 defectors made it to South Korea last year, compared with 1,047 in 2019, official data show. The figure had been declining even before the pandemic due in part to tighter restrictions in China, the preferred route for defectors. North Korea's government and state media have said little about the construction at the border, and its embassy in London did not answer calls from Reuters. But official North Korean organs have noted increased security to keep out the coronavirus and other "alien things". In a speech declaring victory over COVID-19 last year, Kim Jong Un ordered officials to "ensure perfection" of an "overall multiple blockade wall in the border, frontline and coast areas and in the seas and air". The sealing of the border is likely to have lasting effects, including for North Korea's nascent mercantile class and in the towns where thriving informal trade previously offered many people, particularly women, a chance to make their own way, said Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein, a non-resident fellow at the U.S.-based Stimson Center who researches North Korea's economy. Those towns "benefited from formal and informal trade since the famine in the 1990s, but really don't have many other economic advantages," he said. "So the crackdowns are hitting two vulnerable groups, women and the population of the geographic periphery." CHOKING A LIFELINE Reuters and Middlebury examined Google Earth Pro satellite imagery of North Korea's northern frontier, taken at various stages between 2019 and early 2023. Constraints such as incomplete imagery, geographical features and weather conditions meant that not all of the roughly 1,400 km border with China and 18 km border with Russia could be examined, including about 353 km for which updated imagery was not available. Images from satellite operator Maxar Technologies Inc. were used to analyse half a dozen key areas in detail. New or expanded security infrastructure could be seen along at least 489 km of the border, including simple wire fencing, robust concrete walls, double fencing, and additional guard posts, said Middlebury research associate Dave Schmerler. He noted that other areas also showed apparent changes, but limitations in the imagery prevented conclusive determinations. Many of the installations appeared to be around populated areas without natural obstacles such as mountains, Schmerler said. But there were also new features in flat, agricultural areas near the northeastern border along the Tumen River. "Those areas don't necessarily have larger city or village infrastructure but lack the natural boundaries that could act as a barrier from getting into or leaving the country," Schmerler said. Defectors, human rights activists and sources in China involved in smuggling goods or people across the border said the new security features were choking economic lifelines for vulnerable people, closing paths of escape from the authoritarian country, and further limiting North Koreans' access to outside information. One defector who works along the border in China told Reuters that security cameras have been placed at regular intervals, and multiple layers of fencing installed, including barbed wire and electric fencing. His descriptions matched with features visible in the satellite imagery, as well as photos and video he took from the Chinese side and shared with Reuters. Smugglers can sometimes get out of North Korea, but it is nearly impossible to get back in, leaving a number of people waiting in China, the defector said, adding that additional specialized border troops have been deployed as guards on the North Korean side. China's foreign ministry said in a statement to Reuters that it was not aware of the situation, but that "China and North Korea have been maintaining communication and working together to maintain the security and stability of the border". North Korea has also ordered border guards to shoot anyone trying to cross, according to official notices issued by Chinese authorities in 2020 that warned residents of the risks. Kim, the pastor, and human rights organisations have said the orders to shoot remain in effect. The U.S. Treasury Department in December sanctioned North Korea's Border Guard General Bureau for human rights abuses, "including land mines and shoot-on-sight orders that have resulted in the deaths of numerous North Koreans". A November report by the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch examined a 7.4 km section of the border around Hoeryong city on the Tumen River, an area that in 2019 already had substantial fencing and five watchtowers. By April 2022, authorities had built another 169 guard posts and more than 9 km of new or improved fencing along that section, it said. "The North Korean government has been using COVID-19 as an excuse to build these new fences, guard posts and other infrastructure," said Lina Yoon, senior Korea researcher at Human Rights Watch. EXERTING CONTROL The new border barriers come as Kim Jong Un strengthens his grip inside the country, which is under international sanctions because of its nuclear-weapons development. Recent changes include increased national control over the "Party Life" mechanism, a form of social credit system that evaluates citizens' loyalty. Tightening control of international trade, both official and unofficial, is a way for Pyongyang to exert influence over the military and other party members far from the border who might otherwise build power bases and pose a threat to the leadership, said J.R. Kim, a former South Korean government official who is now vice president at the Council on Diplomacy for Korean Unification in Seoul. The early years of Kim Jong Un's rule saw the rise of a class of entrepreneurs known as donju, which loosely translates as "masters of money". Now, he seems to be trying to ensure those "petite bourgeoisie" stay in their place, J.R. Kim said. "Controlling the border is key to this because most of these people make money through working on border smuggling," he said. Up to 80 percent of North Koreans depend on informal markets known as jangmadang for daily necessities, according to a report released in March by Elizabeth Salmon, the United Nations independent investigator for human rights in North Korea. But these markets have had their activities sharply curtailed, she wrote, noting that the border closures have forced a vulnerable population "to the brink". Food shortages in North Korea have worsened in recent months, due in part to the border closures, according to international experts. Kim Jong Un in February called for a transformation in agriculture and stressed the need to hit grain production targets. Meanwhile, remittances sent by defectors to relatives in North Korea have declined since 2019, but requests for money from North Koreans have increased, suggesting that the border closures have not only made the process harder but have fueled demand for financial aid, the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights said in November, citing its annual survey of defectors in South Korea. Sokeel Park of Liberty in North Korea, an organization that works with defectors, said the border tightening would slow down "positive changes" of recent years such as improved access to outside information, while increasing hardship. Still, he said, there were reports of foreign shows such as the South Korean hit "Squid Game" finding their way into North Korea. But as time goes by and the pandemic subsides, the government may find it harder to justify the restrictions, he added. "It's all the more reason for the international community to step up efforts to support North Korean rights," he said. (Reporting by Josh Smith in Seoul and Sudev Kiyada in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; editing by David Crawshaw and Anand Katakam) Ohio cop pursuing man in Ky. allegedly drove off after suspect was involved in fatal crash An Ohio police officer has been indicted on a reckless homicide charge after he allegedly pursued a suspect into Kentucky, then drove away when the man crashed. The suspect died of injuries sustained in the collision. Kentucky State Police said Caleb Savage, an officer with the police department in Ripley, Ohio, began following Ryan Mitchell on March 12, while Savage was trying to find a vehicle that was suspected to be involved in a property crime, according to a news release. Savage saw Mitchell driving a Dodge Charger and getting on the ramp to the bridge heading into Kentucky. State police said Savage drove about a mile into Kentucky and then activated his emergency equipment to try to stop Mitchell, but Mitchell did not stop. The chase continued for about two miles on Ky. 3056 before Mitchell lost control, and the Charger crashed off the right side of the road, state police said. Officer Savage continued on KY 3056 and returned to Ripley, Ohio, the news release stated. The Mason County coroners office pronounced Mitchell dead at the scene. State police said Savage has been indicted by a Mason County grand jury on charges of reckless homicide, failure to render aid and leaving the scene of an accident. A representative of the Ripley Police Department said in an emailed statement that Savage has resigned from his position with the police department. The Ripley Police Department has fully cooperated with the Kentucky State Police throughout their investigation into this matter prior to charges being filed and will continue to do so, the statement says. The Village of Ripley Police Department will not comment further until this matter is fully resolved by the judicial system. Ripley sits along the Ohio River near Maysville. State police said the Mason County sheriff contacted them for help with the investigation March 15, and state police said they conducted an extensive investigation with help from the sheriffs office, Maysville police and commonwealths attorneys office. Mitchell was a 22-year-old construction laborer, according to an obituary. Pittsburgh Public Schools announced that Oliver Citywide Academy will continue to learn remotely through June 5, after a student was shot and killed outside the school earlier this week. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 15-year-old charged in fatal shooting of student outside of Pittsburgh school Originally, it was announced that Oliver Citywide students would learn remotely until May 30, but the district made the decision to extend that by a week. As Superintendent, it is my duty to care for the students, teachers, staff, and families during this difficult time. All schools should be a safe place for teaching and learning, said Dr. Wayne Walters. Pittsburgh Oliver needs time to grieve, reflect, and heal. And while I cannot control the timeline for this course, I can provide them with the space and resources to begin that process. Derrick Harris Jr., 15, was killed in the shooting just one week before his 16th birthday. Another student, Jaymier Perry, also 15, is accused of shooting and killing Harris. Related coverage: Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: How to keep your yard tick-free as summer approaches School delays ceremony after only 5 of 33 seniors meet graduation requirements Tina Turner cause of death: The singer talked about kidney issues months before her death VIDEO: Flames, heavy smoke billow from Perry South house fire DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts One person fatally shot near 83rd Street and Troost Avenue, Kansas City police say A male victim died hours after being shot in southeast Kansas City Friday night, police say. Just before 10 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting on the 1200 block of East 83rd Street, according to Capt. Corey Carlisle, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department. There, officers found the wounded victim. He was transported to a hospital nearby, where he died several hours later, Carlisle said. Further information about the shooting or the victims identity has not yet been released. On Tuesday, 16-year-old Zechariah Washington was shot outside the Village Apartments on the 8200 block of Forest Avenue, just a few streets away from the Friday night shooting. This is the 69th homicide in Kansas City this year, according to data tracked by The Star. Kansas City has seen 10 gun violence deaths so far this month. Last year was the citys second deadliest, with 171 homicides, and 65 killings by this time last year. Anyone with information about Friday nights shooting is asked to call homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information which leads to an arrest in the case. One stabbed, man arrested after altercation outside Dorchester grocery store One man has been stabbed and one arrested after an altercation outside a Dorchester grocery store. According to Boston Police, around 10 p.m. on Friday, two adult male suspects were involved in a physical altercation, causing one to be stabbed outside the South Bay Stop & Shop in Dorchester. Officers arrested a 39-year-old male from Dorchester, he is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The victim walked into a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is 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 Over the past 13 years, Tim Taylor and Christine Dennison have scoured the ocean floor using autonomous underwater robots to discover and document the wrecks of seven US submarines lost in World War II. But their most recent discovery, of which they are releasing video footage and photos in anticipation of Memorial Day, has a particularly personal resonance. Sebastien Roblin - Courtesy Sebastien Roblin The USS Mannert L. Abele, which the explorers found 4,500 feet under the Pacific Ocean and 81 miles from the nearest landmass, was the first American ship sunk by an unusual type of rocket-powered Japanese kamikaze plane. Part of Taylors interest in undertaking the search stemmed from knowing that his father had cheated death when an explosive-laden Japanese kamikaze plane bounced off the bulwark of his own ship near the coast of Okinawa. He was on the deck and had come out to get supplies, Taylor recounted to me. As he opened the hatch, the kamikaze was heading right at him. His buddy on the 40-millimeter gun struck it. Not everyone was so lucky. Taylor pointed out that We lost over 12,000 men at Okinawa. Taylor and Dennison are ensuring that more families of those lost know where their loved ones deep-water graves reside. They are racing against time as underwater development threatens many of these wrecks. On Memorial Day, some people remember history, but Taylor and Dennison do them one better by fighting to preserve it. Budget constraints hinder the Navy from devoting resources to undertaking these kinds of searches, according to Taylor, and his team is showing how private groups can fill the gap. While its understandable that the Pentagon doesnt devote more funding to recovering historic remains given its needs for the present and future, its also unfortunate that such important work doesnt have stronger public support. For Taylor and Dennison, its important to preserve the history of these wrecks and respect the sanctity of those entombed within them. And as the ranks of those alive during World War II have shrunk, its vital to give those who remain closure while its still possible. As a society we have got to remember that these men are out there and that they did what they did. And these sunken ships are war graves, Taylor said. He noted that the ocean is getting smaller as it gets colonized by human activity such as mining, cables being laid, gas work and other industrial output so that now, These graves are in jeopardy. They can be dug up in fact, in some cases commercial interests are harvesting some of these for steel. The Abele was northwest of Okinawa when she met her terrible fate on April 12, 1945. In October 1944, Japan had begun the large-scale use of kamikaze attacks, in which pilots crashed their planes into Allied ships so they could be sure of reaching their target even though the pilot would die in the process. The US Navy realized the radars on their large warships for troop transports and aircraft carriers didnt give them enough warning time to intercept the suicidal attack craft. So the Navy began setting picket stations of relatively smaller destroyer-type warships dozens of miles away from the main fleet to detect approaching kamikazes. Of course, destroyers comprising the picket stations like the Abele didnt have their own pickets. Of the 101 destroyers assigned to picket duty during the battle, 42 were hit by kamikazes and 10 sunk. An estimated 7,000 Allied service members died from kamikaze attacks in total, nearly 5,000 of them at Okinawa. Japanese kamikazes were detected swarming towards the the Abele that afternoon, as detailed in the book Three Minutes Off Okinawa by the ships electronics officer, Roy S. Andersen, and the official Navy history. Though the Abele managed to shoot down two aircraft and damage or fend off others, at six minutes in, a Japanese fighter plunged into the destroyers engine room and exploded, cutting off all electrical power. Just a minute later, another, much more unusual, plane slammed into the destroyers hull. The Abele had been struck by a unique rocket-propelled kamikaze plane called the MXY7 Ohka (Cherry Blossom), which due to its very short range had to be carried under the belly of a larger bomber until close to US ships, whereupon it was released to soar toward its target at immense speed. The detonation of this manned missiles 1.3 tons of explosives caused the ship to seemingly break into two and begin sinking. View of a captured Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka attack plane, Okinawa, Japan, June 1945. - PhotoQuest/Archive Photos/Getty Images In a matter of minutes, 84 sailors and officers had been killed. Japanese aircraft strafed the surviving crew as they jumped into the oil-slick water, but two smaller landing craft escorting the Abele shot down two more planes and beat off the rest, managing to rescue 255 crew members. Nearly eight decades later, modern robotics technologies allowed Taylor and Dennison to find the destroyers submerged hull. In the past, Taylor noted, it would have been practically inconceivable for a small, private team to have undertaken the cumbersome search process that, Taylor estimated, would have taken four to five times as long and cost significantly more money. While a philanthropic private investment group funds the expeditions, according to Taylor, the pay for the subsequent efforts to contact families and educate the public comes from Taylor and Dennison, as well as the nonprofit Ocean Outreach. Even with funding, the stars have to align to organize such expeditions they need ships available within acceptable range of the search area, an available crew, the possession of necessary permits and acceptable weather conditions. Even then and with the fairly good historical records of the Abeles sinking finding its exact location was far from guaranteed. Back then it wasnt like today with GPS, Taylor said of those who tried to record the place it met its demise. A mile off under the sea takes a lot of looking! It was also in a very volcanic area, so there was a lot of activity on the sea floor. Time is our enemy. Its still a big ocean. It was on their last remaining day of a more-than-month-long search, just before bad weather would force them to conclude the expedition, that they spotted the Abeles wreck. Taylor and Dennison worked closely with the Navy after they made the discovery. They waited for the Naval History and Heritage Command, responsible for preserving, analyzing and sharing the services history, to authenticate the discovery of the Abele before announcing it to the public, not wanting to give families false hope. They are releasing footage and photos of the downed ship to reach more of those families and so others can join in honoring those lost on Memorial Day. Were not treasure hunters, Taylor told me. Were looking to keep the story of these guys alive. World War II is a time in our history where we fought the bad side of human nature and won. Taylor and Dennisons years of work represent an ideal form of commemoration one aimed at honoring the sacrifices of the past and preserving what otherwise risks being lost to memory, but also looking forward and thinking about how rediscovering the past can be used to help us heal and build a better future, as they hope to employ the special autonomous underwater technology they created to help others map the ocean floor for environmental and other purposes. This is the best sort of historical inquiry: not an exercise in nostalgia for past triumphs or bitter ax-grinding over defeats, but an honest excavation of transformative events with an eye on how they impact us today and can hold lessons for the future. Its an effort we should undertake with renewed vigor every Memorial Day. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Rhashan Stone (Tambo) and Daniel Ward (Bones) in Tambo & Bones at Stratford East (Aaron Imuere) For a theatre programmer, its no small feat to have your production become the talk of the nation. Write-ups in major publications, hundreds of mentions on social media, and even a primetime discussion in front of millions on Good Morning Britain? A publicity dream! But for the team behind Tambo & Bones at Stratford East, the level of attention directed their way in the past week has likely been more of a nightmare. From Friday 16 June, the east London theatre will host American playwright Dave Harriss acclaimed satire about two Black performers who go from being stuck in a minstrel show to becoming rap superstars. With topics including the exploitation of Black culture and the historical complexities of performing for white audiences, its a play that intimately explores the nuances of race and racism. So, for one performance of the shows month-long run, the theatre will host a Black Out night. While not restricting anyone from attending, the performance on 5 July is specifically organised to welcome Black audience members to watch the play together as a community, artistic director Nadia Fall explains. Despite it being designed as a positive measure, it didnt take long for a few bad faith reads to make this a topic of national interest. After an article reduced the singular performance as one in which white theatregoers were being urged to stay away, rather than highlighting the 28 other performances that welcome all whod like to see the show, the ever-flickering flames of right-wing culture war outrage were fanned. Some involved in the show have had to publicly defend their actions with op-eds, as well as others locking their social media accounts to protect themselves from a barrage of racist abuse. As exhausting as this debate is, it isnt entirely surprising. Its a distraction tactic that hinders the very necessary discussion about discrimination in theatre. The idea of a Black Out night is not unique to Tambo & Bones. In 2019, decorated young playwright Jeremy O Harris came up with the idea for his polarising three-act epic Slave Play, a show about race, sex and power dynamics in interracial relationships. For the 2022 London run of Harriss next work, Daddy, the Black Out night returned, and has been a continued part of plays on both sides of the Atlantic ever since. Over the last few years, a number of playwrights and directors in the US and the UK have created private and safe spaces for Black theatregoers to experience productions that explore complex, nuanced race-related issues, Tambo & Bones director Matthew Xia explained on the Stratford East website. I felt that with a play like Tambo & Bones, which unpicks the complexity of Black performance in relation to the white gaze, it was imperative that we created such a space. The growing popularity of Black Out nights speaks to the benefit some audiences get from the experience. Though there are continued moves forward for greater levels of diversity and a more inclusive atmosphere in theatre, it has been a white-centred medium for generations. For a show that directly tackles matters that are directly relevant to Black people, a specific moment for that intended audience to appreciate the work in a protected space makes sense. Marginalised people need to have environments to experience art together, free from the fear of potential microaggressions or ignorant misunderstandings. The concept would apply just as well to a play about male violence against women advertising for a women-only audience, or a play about transphobia only inviting trans people to attend. But for some, this progressive initiative is flattened into a simplistic matter of unnecessary outrage and whataboutery. During Good Morning Britains debate about the topic, co-host Richard Madeley offered a take from a viewer who wondered what the response would be if a theatre would express the desire for only white people to attend. Of course, this hypothetical scenario ignores the fact of the general whiteness of theatre that already exists. A 2022 report by Arts Council England found that 93 per cent of audience members at theatres that receive their funding are white. Theres no need to imagine what an all-white theatre audience might look like; often, its already the case. Yet, even having to dismantle this false equivalence feels like treading familiar ground. Whenever there are strategies that centre the experiences of a demographic that is not usually the focal point, there are cries of wokeness gone mad from those who very likely had no desire to take part at all. No longer is the conversation concerned with how Black people might feel more included or comfortable in a space that has long felt exclusive; the larger point is sidelined. Its a distraction that does much more harm than good. At the time of writing, Tambo & Boness Black Out night has sold out, more than a month ahead of time. In June, the Lyric theatre in Hammersmith will host a similar night for the UK premiere run of Jocelyn Biohs play School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Black Out nights arent going anywhere anytime soon, but you can guarantee this wont be the last time that a measure like this will have naysayers talking. Next time, instead of getting distracted by pointless debates, everyones energy would be much better used to understand why interventions like these are so needed in the first place. Over 1,500 arrested at climate protest in The Netherlands Extinction Rebellion activists blocked a section of a motorway in the centre of The Hague in protest More than 1,500 people were arrested during a protest by the Extinction Rebellion climate group in The Hague on Saturday, Dutch police said. Activists blocked a section of a motorway during the afternoon in protest against Dutch fossil fuel subsidies. Police said they had used water cannon to disperse activists blocking a major road in the city, and arrested "a total of 1,579 people... 40 of whom will be prosecuted" on charges including vandalism. One of the activists bit a policeman during his arrest, police said. According to Extinction Rebellion, some 7,000 people gathered to join the demonstration. Anticipating the water cannon, some wore swimsuits or carried umbrellas as they sat in protest across the A12 motorway, holding banners and signs. The protest marks the seventh organised by Extinction Rebellion in the same section of motorway at The Hague, close to the parliament and main ministry buildings. But Saturday saw the highest number of people arrested at a protest yet, according to Dutch news agency ANP. "We're going to stay here until they drag us away," said postgraduate student Anne Kerevers, 31. "Climate change is an unfolding crisis and we know the cause and it's still being subsidised by our government and it needs to stop," she told AFP. Several Dutch celebrities were among the protesters, including actor Carice van Houten, best known for her role as Melisandre in the hit TV series "Game of Thrones". Van Houten posted a video on Instagram showing herself wearing a red poncho, getting drenched from a water cannon. ANP reported that she was arrested and later allowed to return home, but did not specify whether she was among those who will be prosecuted. - 'Broad support' - Police said they had repeatedly "given activists the opportunity to end their action and leave" before using the water cannon and making arrests. "We've been coming back every month, or every two months, and every time the number (of protesters) has doubled," said Aaron Pereira, a spokesman for Extinction Rebellion. "There is broad popular support for real climate action and people are waking up to the fact that the government is actively going against this by subsidising the fossil fuel industry." The environmental campaign group, shortened to XR, has become known for the disruptive and headline-catching stunts which have become their trademark. In recent years the group has caused huge disruption, hitting roads, airports and other public transport networks with direct action protests against climate change. But in January it called a temporary halt to its high-profile stunts, and instead promised to mobilise huge numbers against what it sees as government inaction against global warming. In April it held four days of action in London, including mobilising thousands to rally outside the UK parliament. In recent months it has also rallied at airports across Europe, including protests at Eindhoven airport in The Netherlands in March. This week it joined other groups in demonstrating against Europe's biggest private jet sales fair in Geneva. Some activists chained themselves to the planes on display, and air traffic was briefly disrupted at the airport due to people on the tarmac. cvo/rox/lcm Artwork from the label of Exile Brewing's popular Ruthie beer. The Iowa Supreme Court won't intervene in the years-long dispute over the name of one of Iowa's most popular locally brewed beers. Exile Brewing Co., maker of Ruthie lager, has been in court since 2020 defending itself against claims from the family of the beer's namesake, the famous Des Moines bartender Ruth Bisignano. She and her husband both died long before Exile opened in downtown Des Moines brewery and restaurant in 2012, but her husband's nephew sued the company on behalf of her estate, saying Exile had misappropriated her name, likeness and trademark, among other claims. The case has resulted in extensive litigation in state and, more recently, federal court. While the main lawsuit was ongoing, Exile separately argued that the Iowa probate court had wrongly allowed the nephew, Fred Huntsman, to reopen his uncle and aunts' estates. The probate court, however, ruled Exile had no right to intervene. More: 4 Iowa breweries earn medals at the World Beer Cup in Nashville. One from Des Moines won 2. Friday's unanimous decision in Exile's appeal of that case, written by Justice Matthew McDermott, sides with the probate court. The brewing company is in no way a beneficiary of the estates, McDermott wrote, but rather is a potential debtor, and must argue in the related civil lawsuit whether it actually owes anything to Bisignano's estate. "The probate court didnt rule that Huntsman inherited Ruths intellectual property rights," McDermott wrote. "Exile is free to raise in the civil lawsuit whether there are any name, image, and likeness rights and whether any such rights are inheritable." The probate court had also ruled that, even if Exile were entitled to intervene, Huntsman had a solid legal basis to seek to reopen the estates. Because the Supreme Court affirmed on the question of standing, it did not address the merits of the estates' reopening. "We will not turn the probate courts simple reopening of the estates into a second litigation over whether or to whom the potential debt is owed where Exile has no other connection to the estates," McDermott wrote. The court did side with Exile on one point, affirming the probate court's ruling that the estates were not entitled to force the company to pay their attorney fees. The original lawsuit, meanwhile, remains pending in federal court, with a trial date set for January 2024. From October: Mediation fails as legal fight over Iowa craft beer Ruthie heads toward trial Key to the dispute is whether Exile violated any rights when it named its beer in 2012, packaging it with artwork showing Bisignano performing her famed trick of pouring two beers balanced on her ample chest. Bisignano died in 1993, followed by her husband three years later. Exile claims it searched and found no children, no trusts in her name, and no other products using her name or likeness before choosing the name for its beer. The company has held a federal trademark for the name since 2021. Although Friday's ruling is a setback for Exile, the decision makes clear that the federal litigation should be judged entirely separately from the narrow question of the probate estate. "We advance no views and take no position on the existence or inheritability of Ruths name, image, and likeness rights," McDermott wrote. Related: Iowa state senator Tony Bisignano embroiled in legal fight over 'buxom barmaid' of the 1950s Attorneys for Exile did not respond to messages Friday seeking comment. Attorney Scott Wadding, representing the estates, said his clients were pleased with the decision. "We look forward to the opportunity to present this chapter of Ruthies story at trial in January," Wadding said in an email. William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com, 715-573-8166 or on Twitter at @DMRMorris. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Supreme Court lets Ruthie beer naming lawsuit continue The Wider Image: Rising sea levels are forcing Fiji's villagers to relocate. They want polluters to pay instead By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pacific island leaders will meet South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Monday, their third summit in a week with a large economy as the region seeks stronger action on climate change as it becomes a focus of geopolitical power attention. The Pacific islands span 40 million square kilometres of ocean between the United States and Asia, and Western allies have moved to boost their engagement amid concerns over China's security ambitions for the strategic waters and economic leverage among the small island states. Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles will attend the first Korea-Pacific Islands Summit, his office said on Saturday, adding it would show cooperation between the 18 members of the Pacific Island Forum and South Korea for a secure region. "Australia welcomes Korea's interest in deepening ties with the Pacific, and looks forward to building on our foundation of shared values to promote our mutual interest in a prosperous and resilient Pacific," he said in a statement. South Korea is Australia's third-largest export market, with trade dominated by exports of gas and coal. Marles will also hold a bilateral meeting with Korean Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup. Australia and New Zealand are the largest members of the forum, a bloc of mostly small island countries at risk from rising sea levels caused by climate change and reliant on aid from development partners. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged more trade and development assistance in a summit with a dozen Pacific island leaders in Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Monday. The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a defence agreement with PNG after a Pacific summit there on the same day. The back-to-back meetings with major economies were a "massive boost for recognition of our priorities", said Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna in a statement. The island states, which are seeking greater funding for climate change mitigation, have taken a collective approach to dealing with major powers. Forum Leaders see this as vital to addressing the challenges facing the Blue Planet, to planning and owning our development agenda, and to deepened climate resilience, Puna said. In Seoul, climate change, investment and fisheries are expected to feature in talks. The Pacific islands has the world's largest tuna fishery, where South Korea's long distance fleet has been fishing since 1958, catching 255,226 tonnes in 2021 under licence schemes controlled by the forum members. France, which has Pacific overseas territories, will also join the Seoul meeting. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Kim Coghill) At least 11 people from a nomadic tribe, including a four-year-old boy, have been killed in an avalanche in northern Pakistan. The snow struck as the group crossed a mountainous area in the Shounter Pass with their goat herds. A further 25 people have been injured and a rescue operation is ongoing. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the deaths, and said incidents such as avalanches were increasing due to climate change. The avalanche happened in the early hours of Saturday in part of the pass that bridges the Astore district of the Gilgit Baltistan region to neighbouring Azad Kashmir, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Four women and a four-year-old boy were among those who died, senior police officer Ziarat Ali said, as quoted by the Associated Press news agency. Rescue teams have faced challenges in reaching the area due to its remote location and difficult terrain. Troops have been helping local officials with the rescue operation, and two military helicopters were scrambled. According to witnesses, local residents also joined the effort to rescue people trapped under the snow. In a tweet, Prime Minister Sharif said the disaster had "caused great grief and loss of precious lives". "Due to the effects of climate change, such incidents are increasing in Pakistan. The whole world has to fulfil its responsibilities to protect developing countries like Pakistan from these harmful effects." Pakistan's northern areas are vulnerable to climate change and have been experiencing frequent extreme weather events. The northern region is sometimes referred to as part of the "third pole" because it contains more glacial ice than anywhere in the world outside of the polar regions. Some of these immense glaciers are already melting due to climate change, creating more than 3,000 lakes. And last year, the country saw devastating floods that killed more than 1,700 people. Paramilitary soldiers deploy outside an anti-terrorism court before the arrival of former Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan With military courts, intimidation of the press and mass arrests, Pakistan's rulers are seeking to destroy former prime minister Imran Khan's support ahead of elections, analysts say. Khan's brief arrest earlier this month sparked days of street protests freighted with anger at the powerful army perceived to have orchestrated his downfall. Islamabad has labelled the violence "anti-state", justifying huge roundups and the revival of army courts to try civilians who targeted government and military buildings. Journalists, lawyers and activists in Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party report campaigns of intimidation and influence which they blame on the "establishment", a euphemism for the military backing the civilian government. "They want to make it clear to Imran Khan that he can't fight with the establishment," said analyst Hasan Askari. "People are being broken," he told AFP. "By exerting pressure in different ways, they are trying to put the politicians in their place." The military's media wing did not respond to repeated requests for comment by AFP. - Quashing opposition - Since Khan was ousted last year in a parliamentary no-confidence vote, he has levelled unprecedented critique at the military - long-regarded as Pakistan's powerbrokers who analysts say backed his rise to power in 2018. Pakistan's most popular politician has been tangled in dozens of legal cases he claims are fabricated to quash the PTI and bar him from contesting elections due this autumn. In the days following the protests, more than a dozen of his senior leadership were repeatedly arrested and released on allegations of instigating the violence. In press conferences after being freed, some of his closest aides condemned the violence and announced they were parting ways with Khan. "They have put everyone in jail," Khan complained in an address. "If you say the magic words, 'We are no longer in PTI', then you will be released." Thousands of rank-and-file supporters have also been rounded up under the anti-terrorism act. In Khan's power base in the eastern city of Lahore, a grassroots PTI supporter said her son was arrested after protesting peacefully. "It was clear that he had been beaten and was visibly scared," the housewife told AFP on condition of anonymity. "He hasn't set foot outside the house since then. He's received calls from unknown numbers warning him that he's being watched." Amnesty International said "overly broad and vague anti-terrorism provisions" are being used and "a pall of fear hangs over Khan's supporters following the arbitrary arrests of many opposition leaders". "It is a familiar story. A political party, thinking it can take on the country's all-powerful establishment, crosses a red line and quickly finds itself losing a ruthless, one-sided war of attrition," said an editorial in the Dawn newspaper. "The only way out is to do exactly what you are told." - Censorship - Journalists in Karachi told AFP they were being sent streams of briefings by the army public relations wing targeting Khan's reputation. "We get a lot of smearing news from the 'big brothers' on WhatsApp, which are supposed to be off the record and we are obliged to broadcast without any attribution," a TV reporter said on condition of anonymity, using a euphemism for the army. Another TV journalist said stories were previously sent to them once or twice a week, but the frequency has now increased to five or six times daily. "We observe self-censorship voluntarily to avoid any nuisance," one more reporter admitted. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Amnesty International have said prominent pro-PTI reporter Imran Riaz Khan has been missing since being abducted by military intelligence agencies two weeks ago. Media has been saturated with pro-army content since Khan's arrest, including a "Martyrs' Day" hastily announced on Thursday, where children showered the graves of slain soldiers with petals and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif framed Khan as an insurgent against law and order. Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center said it was "not a surprise that the army would want to apply a PR blitz". "It's suffered major blows to its popularity and even its credibility because of Khan's anti-army narratives," he added. - Fighting the courts - Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has openly criticised the Supreme Court after they ruled Khan's arrest on graft charges illegal and ordered him freed, calling it a "funeral of justice". Supreme Court barrister Gohar Ali Khan -- a member of Khan's legal team said the judiciary was facing an "extraordinary situation". "Police behaviour, delaying tactics, and other legal complications purposely created by the authorities are a hindrance in the way of quick justice," he told AFP. The government has meanwhile approved the use of military courts to try protesters accused of damaging military or state buildings during the riots - a power last used to try civilians suspected of militancy. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said it was "the consequences of Mr. Khan's actions". "I believe that if the writ of the state is established, if law takes its course, we will be able to work toward political stability," he told AFP earlier this week. As the simultaneous confrontations play out between Khan and the army chief, and the government and the judiciary, the former leader is becoming increasingly isolated. "My bottom line view is that the top civilian and military leadership appears to be all in on this goal of dismantling the PTI altogether," said analyst Kugelman. ak-kf-sjd-jts/ecl/ssy Pasco names 5 finalists for next fire chief, these 3 are from the Tri-Cities The City of Pasco announced Friday the five finalists for the soon-to-be vacant fire chief position. The list includes three local leaders in firefighting: Kevin Crowley, Todd Roper and Nickolus Thomas. Pasco Fire Chief Bob Gear is retiring May 31, capping off a career that spanned nearly 50 years and brought him to the doorstep of some of the Mid-Columbias most devastating fires. The chief position oversees 103 city employees and firefighters across five fire stations, a training center and other facilities. The five candidates were identified through a comprehensive national search conducted by the Western Fire Chiefs Association, according to a news release from the city. The city will make its final candidate selection in early June. All five candidates bring a wealth of fire service experience, and I look forward to discussions with each of them along with our interview panels, said City Manager Adam Lincoln in a prepared statement. Passenger says he was suffering job-loss stress when he pulled open a plane's emergency door mid-flight causing panic, report says An Asiana Airlines Airbus A380. Philip Pilosian / Shutterstock.com A man who opened the door of a plane in mid-air said he "wanted to get off quickly." A South Korean news agency reported that the man also told police he felt "suffocated." Some passengers were hospitalized due to breathing issues following the incident. A man who opened the door of a plane while it was in mid-air said he did so because he "wanted to get off quickly," according to the South Korean news agency Yonhap News Agency. The agency reported that the man, who was in his 30s, told police he felt "suffocated" and was struggling with stress after losing his job. He was reportedly arrested on Friday after pulling the emergency door lever on the Asiana Airlines Airbus A321 during a flight from Jeju Island to Daegu International Airport. The flight had 194 passengers on board, 48 of which were primary and middle school children on their way to a sporting event. The man has yet to be named. Video footage of the incident showed wind roaring through the cabin as the door hung open while the plane was coming into to land, per Yonhap News Agency. None of the passengers sustained serious injuries, but 12 passengers showed signs of breathing issues, with some taken to hospital, Yonhap News Agency reported. "The children were shaking, crying, and frightened. Those sitting near the exit must have been shocked the most," the mother of one of the pupils told Yonhap. Read the original article on Business Insider Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega has intensified his crackdown on dissent Surrounded by fallen trees and languid cows, illegal cattle rancher Chacalin surveys a clearing deep inside one of Nicaragua's largest remaining protected rainforests. "When I came here, I knew it was a reserve. I just stole the land. I didn't pay for it," he says calmly, staring away from the camera. "If they take me out of here they can take me off the land, but I don't lose money. That's how we operate." Beginning in 2016, and over several years, filmmakers Camilo de Castro and Brad Allgood visited the Indio-Maiz Biological Reserve for a documentary about the threats of deforestation and indigenous rights violations. The roughly 1,000-square-mile (2,600 sq km) tropical rainforest bordering Costa Rica is a biodiversity haven, and the sacred home of the indigenous Rama people, but despite legal protections, it has seen a rapid influx of illegal settlers. After violent protests erupted in the Central American nation in 2018 -- in part triggered by fury over the government's failure to tackle a massive fire in the reserve lit by an illegal settler -- investigative journalist de Castro had to flee his home country. In his absence, the situation in Indio-Maiz has only worsened, and President Daniel Ortega's intensifying crackdown on dissent has made it too dangerous for the filmmakers to return. This February, de Castro was one of 94 dissidents stripped of their citizenship -- along with his mother Gioconda Belli, a prominent writer -- and he now lives in exile in Costa Rica. Relying on Nicaraguans within the country to send updates and images via the encrypted Signal app, the directors are now premiering "Patrol" at the Mountainfilm documentary festival in Colorado, hoping to draw attention to the situation from afar. "This is probably the last independent documentary that's gonna come out on Nicaragua in who knows how long," said de Castro. "The government basically has put up a wall around the country so that people inside can't hear anything coming from outside, and can't share information about what's really happening in the country." - 'Colonization' - The documentary follows indigenous Rama and Afro-descendent Kriols as they patrol their lands via canoe and on foot through dense, treacherous jungle, avoiding blood-sucking ticks and predatory jaguars. It chronicles their encounters with ever-swelling ranks of newly arrived illegal settlers. Many are in the pocket of wealthy cattle ranchers living outside the reserve, and are paid to clear the land before the cows arrive. During the filming, an indigenous patrol encounters a large, sophisticated ranch that has sprung up in the rainforest, and leaders report it to police and Nicaraguan government officials. But they are told they must pay up if they want police to investigate, while a meeting with a minister fails to materialize. While rampant deforestation is not unique to Nicaragua, Allgood said the situation is different from places like the sprawling Amazon, because Indio-Maiz is a "small area" where "it would not be difficult to put up a barrier to prevent people from going in." The government is "turning a blind eye -- it's in plain sight, but nobody pays attention." Meanwhile, the land conflict has spilled into violence. Nicaragua has recently seen a string of murders of indigenous people by settlers, many of which go unpunished. "There's a lot of racism involved," said de Castro. "I would say we're filming the last stage of 500 years of colonization in Nicaragua." - 'Uphold the law' - Ninety percent of deforestation in the region is driven by illegal cattle ranching, according to Christopher Jordan, Latin American director for conservation group Re:wild. "Government corruption allows them to steal and deforest the land without consequences," he says in the film. Beef is one of impoverished Nicaragua's largest exports. This tiny country, the size of Mississippi, is the United States' sixth-biggest global supplier. Since 2015, a US law requiring beef to carry a "country-of-origin" label has been dropped, meaning consumers rarely know if their burgers or steaks come from animals reared on Indigenous forest lands. While many importing companies claim to check the origin of their beef back to its original farm, de Castro and Allgood say this is not possible in Nicaragua, where the traceability process is too opaque. "We talk about oil, we talk about mining... but the food industry is still not something that's getting enough attention," said de Castro. "What we want is for consumers to be more wary, to ask questions when they buy beef at the supermarket." As for the Nicaragua government? "What we need is political will, to really make them make an example of some of these illegal cattle ranchers and throw them in jail," he said. "Once they throw a few of them in jail, people will think twice about going in. That's what we want. We want the government to uphold the law." amz/hg/tjj/smw Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former president Donald Trump slammed the impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Ken Paxton. Both shared their feelings on social media. For the last nine years, Ken has been the strongest conservative AG in the country. Bar none, Cruz wrote Saturday morning in a post on Twitter. No attorney general has battled the abuses of the Biden admin more ferociously and more effectively than has Paxton. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, former president Donald Trump show support for AG Paxton Trump, in a post on TruthSocial, said he hoped that House Republicans would see the impeachment proceedings as an unfair process. The RINO Speaker of the House of Texas, Dade Phelan, who is barely a Republican at all and failed the test on voter integrity, wants to impeach one of the most hard working and effective Attorney Generals in the United States, Ken Paxton, who just won re-election with a large number of American Patriots strongly voting for him, Trump wrote. You would think that any issue would have been fully adjudicated by the voters of Texas, especially when that vote was so conclusive. When youre thinking of the desert, cacti, sand and relentless heat often spring to mind, perhaps with images of a cartoon coyote chasing a roadrunner sprinkled in. The outdoor deck comes complete with a soaking tub so you can relax while enjoying the view. But elegant? Chic? Sophisticated? Perhaps not so much. The indoor-outdoor floor plan flows effortlessly through each room. However, your opinion of the desert may shift dramatically when looking at this 1,280-square-foot home thats listed for $779,000 in Joshua Tree, California. Oh, hey a guitar. The solitude may inspire the musician in you. Beautiful minimalist retreat featuring 2.5 large acres with forever views in gorgeous Joshua Tree, the listing on Realtor.com says. Exquisitely reimagined by the architect / owner in a desert-luxe style; this 3 bedroom, 2 bath turnkey daydream in the Hi-Desert will take your breath away. Enjoy this premier location with pristine desert landscape and gorgeous views of the Joshua Tree National Park mountains. A bathroom with a view The home shows that desert houses can come with peace and quiet and the vast blue sky. Thats one elegant bathtub But apparently, that wasnt always the case. The current owner bought it as a fixer, listing agent Faisal Alserri told Realtor.com. Shes done quite a lot of work. Bedroom Features in and around the home include: Retracting sliding glass doors Stargazing deck with soaking tub Chefs kitchen Aluminum doors Aluminum windows Concrete floors While the homes location offers seclusion, along with a few, you know, desert bushes and a tumbleweed or six, its still close to society, the listing notes. Just minutes from the Village cafes, restaurants, and boutiques, and a short drive to the Joshua Tree National Park main gate.. A kaleidoscopic wonderland hides inside Missouri house that looks normal from outside A Pennsylvania nurse is accused of administering lethal doses of insulin to two patients, the state attorney general said. Heather Irene Pressdee, 40, of Natrona Heights, allegedly gave the patients "overdoses of insulin" while a registered nurse at Quality Life Services, a skilled nursing facility in Chicora, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General said in a news release. A criminal complaint says she was employed at the facility from May 23, 2022, to November 28, 2022. One patient died Dec. 4 and the other on Dec 25. They were 55 and 83 years old, the office said. A third patient, a 73-year-old man, was given an unhealthy amount of insulin on Aug. 31, 2022, but survived following emergency hospitalization, officials said. Two of the three patients were not diabetic. Their names have not been released. Pressdee was arrested at her home Wednesday on homicide, attempted murder, aggravated assault, neglect and reckless endangerment charges, according to the state AG. She was arraigned Wednesday night and is being held at the Butler County Prison without bail. Its not clear if she has obtained an attorney. Attorney General Michelle Henry said the nurse was supposed to care for the patients but "intentionally and maliciously injected them with insulin to kill them." "The allegations in this case outline the callous abuse of incredibly vulnerable patients by a professional nurse," Henry said in a statement. "As the charges indicate, these were deliberate and intentional acts perpetrated by a caregiver who was trusted to care for these victims." Quality Life Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. Authorities launched an investigation after a victim's relative alleged in a complaint that the nurse was involved in the improper administration of insulin to patients under her care, according to a criminal complaint. All three victims were transported to the hospital because of low blood sugar immediately after a shift in which Pressdee cared for them, it says. One of the patients who died was nonverbal, according to the complaint, which identified him as J.B. He was taken to the hospital in October 2022, and a medical team determined he had critically low blood sugar, it says. He was treated and sent back to the facility. On Nov. 20, 2022, J.B. was again hospitalized for low blood sugar and died two weeks later. A nurse at the facility told authorities that Pressdee allegedly said J.B. would be "better off dead," the complaint says. The other victim who died, identified in the complaint as J.C., was a hospice patient and suitemate of J.B. He was taken to the hospital 10 minutes after J.B.'s November hospitalization, according to the complaint. J.C.'s family opted to have him transferred back to the facility, where he died on Christmas Day, according to the complaint. The third victim, identified as E.A., was found seizing in his bed shortly after receiving care from Pressdee, the complaint states. He was taken to the hospital and sent to another facility. Pressdee told investigators that E.A. was in Covid isolation and had asked her to "kill him," according to the complaint. She allegedly said she removed insulin from the medication cart and gave him one syringe in his stomach. "She stated that he began showing symptoms and that she did not address the symptoms, and the oncoming shift sent him to the hospital," it says. When asked about the other two victims, Pressdee allegedly said their quality of life was not good, the complaint says. She is accused of injecting each of them with 60 units of short-acting insulin. The complaint states that Pressdee has an alleged pattern of "being disciplined for abusive behavior towards patients and/or staff" at several other facilities and either resigned from them or was terminated. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com 1 dead in crash involving pedestrian in southeast Charlotte, CMPD says The outbound lanes of East Independence Boulevard in southeast Charlotte were shut down Friday night after someone was struck and killed by a vehicle, police said. >>Watch Channel 9s LIVE STREAM wherever you are, at this link It happened near Sardis Road North. Avoid the area. This is a developing story, check back with wsoctv.com for updates. VIDEO: At least 1 hurt in southeast Charlotte crash, MEDIC says Phillip Schofield left his role on This Morning last week following reports of a rift with co-star Holly Willoughby ITV has said it investigated rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and a younger employee in 2020 - but both repeatedly denied it. Schofield quit ITV on Friday after admitting he had had an affair with a younger male colleague at the network and had lied to cover it up. The TV presenter said the relationship had been "unwise, but not illegal". Some former ITV daytime figures said the revelations raised questions about how much the network's managers knew. An ITV spokesperson said: "Further to our statement last night, ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020, ITV investigated. "Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours, as did Phillip's then agency YMU. "In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour. "Phillip's statement yesterday reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship." Former ITV daytime presenters including Eamonn Holmes and Dan Wootton have suggested ITV bosses have questions to answer about how much oversight they had on one of their most high-profile broadcasters. Schofield and Willoughby presented ITV's This Morning and Dancing on Ice together before his departure Schofield released a statement to the Daily Mail on Friday, saying: "I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning." He was still married to his wife Stephanie Lowe at the time of the affair. They separated in 2020, after he came out as gay. Schofield said he was "so, very, very sorry" for being unfaithful to his wife, and for lying to his colleagues, agents, employers, friends, the media, the public and his family about the relationship. He continued: "Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship. "That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over." He also said he would "reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it". It follows significant online speculation over several months about Schofield's personal relationships. 'Bad judgement' The 61-year-old's exit from ITV means he will no longer present the British Soap Awards next month. He will also not front a new prime-time series which the network said last week they were developing with him. An earlier statement from ITV said: "Phillip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down." Dermot O'Leary, who presents This Morning on Fridays opposite Alison Hammond, declined to discuss the matter on Saturday. "I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment, especially without any knowledge," he told reporters outside BBC Radio 2, where he presents a weekend show. Phillip Schofield was still married to Stephanie Lowe (pictured in 2020) at the time of the relationship The latest revelations come just a week after Schofield left his role at This Morning, following reports of a rift with co-star Holly Willoughby. Schofield had presented This Morning since 2002, with Willoughby joining him as a co-presenter in 2009. In his statement on Friday, Schofield said his departure from the show was unrelated to the affair with the colleague, who the BBC is not naming. His final appearance on This Morning was on Thursday 18 May, and he announced his departure from the show that weekend. ITV's statement came after presenter Eamonn Holmes (second right) said bosses had questions to answer about oversight Cover presenters Hammond and O'Leary paid tribute to Schofield at the start of Monday's programme. Willoughby is currently on holiday but is set to return to the show on Monday 5 June. Talent agency YMU has also cut ties with the presenter following his announcement about the affair. In a statement to the BBC, Schofield said: "It is with the most profound regret that after 35 years of being faultlessly managed by YMU I have agreed to step down from their representation with immediate effect." In May, his brother Timothy Schofield was jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of sexually abusing a boy. Police: No evidence Bryan Kohberger is tied to the death of Pennsylvania woman A Pennsylvania police department in a public statement said that Bryan Kohberger, a Pennsylvania resident accused of killing four students in Moscow, Idaho, isnt connected to the disappearance of a 45-year-old woman. Dana Smithers, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, went missing in May 2022. Nearly a year later, in April, the Stroud Area Regional Police Department discovered her remains, according to a news release. NBC reported that the cause and manner of Smithers death are undetermined. Smithers was last seen in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, which is about 15 miles from where Kohbergers parents live. While police are still investigating Smithers death, theyve made it clear, according to a news release, that her disappearance isnt in any way tied to Kohberger. The 28-year-old former grad student has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbings of the University of Idaho students. He chose not to enter a plea at his arraignment and instead chose to stand silent, so 2nd District Judge John Judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. The Pennsylvania police departments statement came after several news outlets, including CNN, reported that Kohbergers parents were asked to testify at a grand jury proceeding in Pennsylvania. CNN reported its unclear the potential crime that jurors are investigating and that, by law in Monroe County, grand jurors can only look into crimes that allegedly occurred within the county. Stroud Area Regional Police Chief Jennifer Lyon didnt respond to questions from the Idaho Statesman seeking clarity about the grand jury. Grand jury proceedings are secret. A Facebook page, initially created to help locate Smithers, had several posts speculating about Kohbergers alleged involvement. Stacey Anne, Smithers sister, in January before her sister was found dead thanked those who reached out on the Facebook page regarding the possibility of the suspect in the horrific murders in Idaho having been in our area around the time of her sisters disappearance. She added that she passed along the information to local law enforcement. After the alleged connection between the two cases hit several national news outlets, a woman who helped raise awareness about Smithers case posted on the Facebook page asking people to stop speculating and bombarding the Smithers family with questions. LinkedIn app. Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images Here are three of the week's top pieces of financial insight, gathered from around the web: Robinhood's late-night trading buzz Robinhood has started offering 24-hour weekday trading of popular stocks and ETFs, said Michael P. Regan in Bloomberg Businessweek. The brokerage app announced recently that shares of "43 of the most active U.S. exchange-traded funds and individual companies such as Tesla, Amazon and Apple" can be bought and sold "anytime from 8 p.m. New York time Sunday to 8 p.m. on Friday." Robinhood joins Interactive Brokers, which offers all-night trading for 79 stocks and ETFs. The brokerage is catering to its fast-trading retail clientele; however, "much like the service and clientele at your local all-night diner," the market behaves a little more strangely at night. Fewer buyers means lower liquidity, which "can lead to abrupt, volatile changes in stocks and wider spreads between bid/ask prices." Firms back down on return to office "The return to the office has stalled," said Peter Grant in The Wall Street Journal. Commercial landlords were encouraged at the start of the year when "average office-occupancy rates surpassed 50% for the first time since the pandemic." But since then, those rates have "barely budged." Despite efforts by many employers to coax (or even force) workers back to their desks, most companies "have settled into a hybrid work strategy that shows little sign of fading." In fact, "the number of companies that require employees to be in the office full-time has actually declined to 42% from 49% three months ago." A significant majority (58%) of companies now allow employees to work a portion of their week from home, according to software firm Scoop Technologies. Polishing your LinkedIn profile Make sure your LinkedIn profile is keeping up with the times, said Donna Svei in Fast Company. The career site is now the first stop for recruiters, but many job hunters miss potential red flags. Some LinkedIn tips haven't changed. For instance, the headline needs to highlight your strengths, and recruiters scroll past poorly written ones. But there are new rules, too. Don't tag your job as remote, or you create doubt about your "willingness to show up on-site at least occasionally." Also, LinkedIn profiles are now "the public version of your resume" and any mismatches between the profile and the resume you email will be a red flag. One more tip: Follow any companies you want to work at. That gets highlighted when the firm's recruiters search for candidates. This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here. You may also like Disney hits back against DeSantis Censoring ideas and rewriting history What the shifting religious landscape means for American politics Florida boasts hundreds of miles of beaches, warm temperatures year-round and is home to Walt Disney World, the worlds most famous theme park. Tourism is a major driver of the states economy, bringing in an estimated $101.6 billion, according to Visit Florida, as well as supporting over a million jobs. But political battles that have been heating up in recent months could cast a shadow over the Sunshine States tourism appeal. A recent travel advisory by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) warning that Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans is one of several advisories issued by minority groups. Equality Florida, the Human Rights Campaign and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) have also cautioned against travel, citing a host of laws that demonstrate how the state is hostile to the communities they represent. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who officially announced his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday, has implemented a conservative agenda while in office, including bans on teaching about critical race theory, sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and loosening restrictions on concealed-carry weapons. While its too soon to say whether the tense political climate will have a substantial impact on the states tourism industry, some travelers are factoring advisories and policies into their decisions. Some industry experts say the advisories could backfire hurting minority groups who make their living through tourism. Travel boycotts often impact the wrong people Matt Berna, Intrepid Travel president and managing director for the Americas, said his company unequivocally condemns Governor Ron DeSantis recent policies, but that Intrepid doesnt believe in travel boycotts. While the intention behind a boycott in Florida is to do the right thing, the reality is that travel boycotts often impact the wrong people. Travel boycotts often isolate vulnerable people even more, including many of our close partner BIPOC owned businesses that rely on those tourist dollars and are by no means hostile in their approach to other BIPOC travelers. The Future of Black Tourism, Blacks in Travel & Tourism and the Black Travel Alliance also criticized the travel warnings saying they would hurt Black businesses. The NAACPs travel advisory contradicts with the efforts of industry organizations and initiatives such as the Future of Black Tourism, Blacks in Travel & Tourism, Black Travel Alliance, and others that have been intentionally working to level the playing field for small Black businesses in Florida and across the country, they said in a joint statement on Monday. The efforts of these organizations have led more Black travelers and others to be intentional in seeking out and doing business with Black businesses in the industry to help sustain and scale this underrepresented segment of travel and tourism, the statement added. Kelley Robinson, president of Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for LGBTQ+ equality, has criticized DeSantis and his frenzied appeal to extremists. Robinson said the organization saw issuing an advisory as a duty to provide guidance to our community. Walt Disney World and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have been locked in conflict. - John Raoux/AP DeSantis called the advisories a political stunt on Wednesday during the announcement of his candidacy on Twitter Spaces. He said Florida has just had its highest quarter for tourism in its history, and our view is we want everybody to succeed regardless of their skin color. Dana Young president and CEO of Visit Florida, the states official tourism marketing corporation echoed calling advisories a political stunt that would impact the hardworking hospitality professionals in Florida. It is disappointing when partisan organizations attempt to weaponize travel in pursuit of political ends. Travel advisories issued with blatant factual misrepresentations are a disservice to the traveling public and are disrespectful to the incredibly diverse visitors and residents that are proud to call Florida home, Young said in the statement, adding that Florida had the largest market share of any state in the country among African American vacationers with 21.4% last year. Ive consciously stopped traveling to Florida There are some would-be visitors who refuse to travel to Florida while DeSantis and his politics remain as they are. David Wagner of Pennsylvania is one of them. Every week, theres new legislation more shocking than the last, and Im genuinely concerned about the legislative changes driven by the Florida Governors office. These changes appear politically motivated and dont seem to align with the wishes of the majority of residents - and I have a huge problem with this trend generally in our politics, Wagner says. Its alarming to see more and more representative offices become partisan battlegrounds instead of serving the needs of the people. As much as I adore Miami and usually visit Florida three to four times a year, Ive consciously stopped traveling to Florida to express my opposition. While the travel advisories may be making headline news, theres no indication yet that they will translate into less tourism traffic on the ground. In 2022, Florida welcomed 137.6 million visitors, the most in the states history, according to Visit Florida estimates. Just last week, the governors office touted that the state attracted a record 37.9 million visitors between January and March 2023. Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com an airfare tracking site says hes seen no impact so far in demand for flights to Miami or Orlando, both in the top 10 for US tourist destinations. Miami Beach's Ocean Drive is a magnet for tourists. - Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Florida has seen insatiable demand for travel, especially in the past few years, and that doesnt appear to be reversing, he said. Furthermore, big destinations such as Tampa and Orange County, where Orlando is located, have been quick to mitigate any fallout by making it known that all tourists will be welcome. The day after the NAACP issued its advisory, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor tweeted: As Mayor of Tampa, I can absolutely assure anyone and everyone considering a visit or move to Tampa that they will be welcomed with open arms. Diversity and inclusion are central to what makes Tampa one of Americas greatest and friendliest cities. That will never change, regardless of what happens in Tallahassee. Similarly, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings Office issued a statement saying, Hate is never welcome here. We look forward to working with the NAACP to reassure them and others that Orange County is a caring, compassionate and welcoming community. The politics dont help The travel advisories have made some minority communities more determined to travel to Florida. New York resident, Michael Galbe, who had booked his travel before the advisories were released, said he never considered changing his plans. I especially feel like I want to be MORE out and proud in Miami to give visibility to the gay tourism dollar, said Galbe. But dings to the states tourism credentials may end up being more of a trickle than a flow, and may fall on both sides of the political divide. Pete Werner, owner of Dreams Unlimited Travel, a Disney-centric travel company based in Orlando, says his business hasnt seen many cancellations but the handful that have, have been people who dont like Disneys politics, or LGBTQ+ travelers who dont want to spend their money in Florida. Disney has been in a long-running feud with Floridas governor since the company objected to legislation that DeSantis signed last spring dubbed by critics as the Dont Say Gay bill. It restricted the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. Students hold a rally outside an Orange County School Board meeting on May 24, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. - Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/TNS/Getty Images Werner sees the travel advisories as political hyperbole on both sides but says, the politics dont help. He attributes most of the decline hes seen in bookings to Disney World as a reaction to the companys increase in prices, rather than their politics, because his bookings for Disney Cruise ships have doubled since last year. Where Werner does see cause for concern is with international visitors, who he says have been hurt by the increase in prices and strong dollar, and who have voiced concerns to him about gun violence and Floridas lax gun laws. As a Florida resident, though, Werner says nothing has changed. Im a gay man, Ive lived in Orlando since 1998, while I dont feel my government is very welcoming or accepting of me, my life on the ground hasnt changed. There is concern about what will happen next Other Floridians agree that they havent noticed any big changes in tourism yet, but some are concerned about where the state may be heading. Kristen Panebianco, a 31-year-old woman who lives in Miami, says she sees the travel advisories as less about minority groups being in more danger in Florida, but as organizations taking a stand against an extremist viewpoint that seems to be taking hold in the state. She explains how DeSantis crackdown on things such as drag shows through his signing of SB 1438 diverts attention from the real issues at play in the state, such as gun legislation. Men dressed up as women on the street is not dangerous to children and families, but guns are. What makes Miami particularly special is how diverse and eclectic it is. People are worried that there is a small minority of people who are making decisions that are not necessarily representative of the state, trying to whitewash it, and there is concern about what will happen next, especially when it comes to schools and legislation, Panebianco adds. African-American travel blogger Jameela Malcolm, who lives in Fort Lauderdale and blogs about places to see throughout the state, says shes seen no impact to her business so far. While she is concerned about how these advisories could affect her community, she says shes determined to not let it impact her ability to travel. Malcolm says she wants to encourage others to follow her lead and come explore the various communities and cultures that make Florida beautiful. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Prince Joel, a descendant of the Ethiopian prince who was buried in the UK, says the palace's refusal to return his remains is hurtful and makes it sound like they 'can't be bothered' Prince Joel attends the 2022 AfriCon Festival Africa Day Celebration on May 25, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. Robin L Marshall/Getty Images Buckingham Palace has refused to release the remains of an Ethiopian prince buried in the UK. Prince Alemayehu, born in 1861, was taken to the UK as a child and died at the age of 18. Ethiopia's Prince Joel said the palace's decision is hurtful and offensive to Ethiopians. Ethiopia's Prince Joel has released a statement questioning Buckingham Palace's refusal to release the remains of his ancestor who was buried in the UK. Officials at the palace declined a request to release the remains of Prince Alemayehu, who was born in 1861 to Tewodros II, Emperor of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia), Insider reported on Tuesday. Alemayehu was taken to the UK as an orphan at the age of seven by British soldiers following the battle of Maqdala. The prince died from pleurisy at the age of 18 and was buried at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, a 900-year-old residence that's occupied by the British royal family. In a statement shared with Insider, a spokesperson for the palace said "it is very unlikely that it would be possible to exhume the remains without disturbing the resting place of a substantial number of others in the vicinity." "It's unfortunate that Buckingham Palace has yet again denied the request to return the remains of our royal ancestor," Joel said in a statement shared with Insider. "His life story was already so sad, him being displaced from his homeland at such a young age, living in a distant land, and dying there. And Ethiopia and its people have requested his return so many times because our people want to see him returned and buried in his homeland," he added. As The Guardian reported in 2018, the late Queen Elizabeth II refused the Ethiopian president's request to return Alemayehu's remains back in 2006. According to the Ethiopian embassy, the Lord Chamberlain replied in a letter on behalf of the Queen, writing that while the monarch was "in favour of repatriation," identifying the remains of the prince wouldn't be possible, The Guardian reported. Joel added that while the reasons for the palace declining the request are certainly "plausible," he also believes the palace should do everything in its power to return the remains given how important it is to Ethiopians. "It almost sounds like they can't be bothered, or that they don't want to go through the trouble. But they should, because as long as they deny the request, Ethiopians will find it hurtful and offensive," Joel said. Joel was born in Ethiopia and now resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Princess Ariana. Together, the couple run a production company Old World/New World, which focuses on telling Black stories through TV, film, and books. Joel previously told Insider that the company, founded in 2017, is working on a TV pilot similar to "The Crown," but with a focus on the Ethiopian monarchy. The series will tell the story of Haile Selassie, Joel's great-grandfather who was emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, according to Britannica. Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment regarding Prince Joel's statement. Read the original article on Insider Ada County property assessments will decrease, on average, this year for the first time since 2012. After some unprecedented years of up to 30% increases in property values in Ada County, the market has slowed. This year, most Ada County residents will see a decrease in their property assessments, according to the Ada County Assessors Office. Brad Smith, Ada County chief deputy assessor, said on average residential property assessments decreased by 14.6% from last year. The median decrease was 16.2%, meaning half the residential parcels will be decreasing more than 16.2% and the other half will not be decreasing as much, Smith said, in an email. There are some properties where the assessed values did increase this year, Smith said. This year also marks the first time since 2011 that some of the property tax burden will shift from homeowners to commercial properties. The property tax burden is shared each year by homeowners and commercial property owners, with homeowners share increasing in recent years. The past several years saw large property value increases in residential properties and slower increases in commercial properties. That changed this year. This change of course for 2023 trend is caused by residential values decreasing while commercial values are increasing, Smith said in an email. Still, homeowners are expected to absorb 74.3% of the property tax burden in 2023. That number was 62.1% in 2012, according to assessors office data. Property assessments are based on market activity. We are simply responding to/translating market participants behavior, Smith said. The housing market slowed in Ada County between mid-2022 and Jan. 1, 2023, Smith said, and commercial activity did not. To determine assessments, the county assessors office looks at median home sales prices in an area, such as the Boise Bench, and then applies those percentages to all homes in that area. Individual homeowners can expect to see their property assessments in the mail after the first week of June. However, they can look them up now at adacounty.id.gov/assessor. Homeowners wont know their property tax bills until taxing districts, like cities, counties and school districts, set their budgets, which usually happens in August. Local taxing jurisdictions are limited by state law in how much they can raise taxes each year. Any taxing district can reduce its levy rates the percentage of a propertys value that the particular local government will collect to offset the assessment increase on residential property. In Boises proposed budget, city officials plan to increase taxes by 2%, rather than the allowable 3%. The Idaho Statesman previously reported that the city budget would result in an 8.7% reduction in property taxes for the average homeowner, or about $138 in savings, according to budget director Eric Bilimoria. That took into account the expected dip in assessed values. For a breakdown on how much assessments changed this year by neighborhood, visit the Ada County Assessors data dashboard on the county website. Russia is plotting a large-scale provocation at a nuclear power station it occupies in the south-east of Ukraine to disrupt an imminent counteroffensive, Kyivs military intelligence has claimed. A statement from the intelligence directorate of Ukraines defence ministry claimed Russian forces will strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe. It will then report a radioactive leak in order to trigger an international probe that would pause the hostilities and give them the respite they need to regroup. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant will be targeted, its claimed (AP) In order to make that happen, Russia disrupted the rotation of personnel of the permanent monitoring mission of the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that was scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. It did not offer evidence to back up any of the claims. The IAEA said it did not have any immediate comment on the allegations and Russian officials did not immediately comment on the Ukrainian claims. The White House said it is watching the situation closely and has seen no indication radioactive material has been leaked. It comes as Moscows military in Ukraine braces for a looming counteroffensive by Kyivs forces, which has not started yet but could begin tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, told the BBC. A Ukrainian soldier near Bakhmut (AP) He said the government in Kyiv had no right to make a mistake on the decision because this is a historic opportunity that we cannot lose. The Zaporizhzhia station is one of the 10 biggest nuclear plants in the world. It is in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in south-eastern Ukraine. The plants six reactors have been shut down for months but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features. Firefighters hose down a Policlinic following a Russian attack in Dnipro on Friday Fighting near it repeatedly disrupted power supplies and has fuelled fears of a potential catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, where a reactor exploded in 1986 and spewed deadly radiation, contaminating a vast area. In other developments on Saturday, Russia reported more attacks on its territory, with drones crashing in its western regions and areas on the border with Ukraine coming under shelling. Two drones attacked an administrative building of an oil company in Russias western Pskov region that borders Belarus, Latvia and Estonia, Pskov governor Mikhail Vedernikov reported on Saturday. The building was damaged as the result of an explosion, Mr Vedernikov said. An officer of Ukraine's 59th Motorized Brigade controls a drone from a shelter in the suburbs of Donetsk (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Another drone went down in the Tver region about 90 miles north of Moscow, local authorities said. Russias Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine came under multiple rounds of shelling on Saturday, killing one person, according to its governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. In the neighbouring Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine, one person was killed by cross-border mortar fire, its governor Roman Starovoit said. And a 60-year-old man was killed by Russian shelling in the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, about 20 miles from the Russian border, Ukraines national police said. Ukrainian servicemen fire a Partyzan multiple launch rocket system towards Russian troops near a frontline in the Zaporizhia region (REUTERS) Meanwhile, Russias ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin warned his country was yet to act very seriously in the conflict. Mr Kelin told the BBC that Moscow had enormous resources and the country was 16 times bigger than Ukraine. He said: Sooner or later, of course, this escalation may get a new dimension which we do not need and we do not want. We can make peace tomorrow. In addition, the British military said on Saturday that Russias private military force, Wagner, is withdrawing from areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut that Moscow claims to have captured earlier this month. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier this week announced the pullout, saying Wagner would hand control over the ruined city over to the Russian military. Some were sceptical, however. Mr Prigozhin is known for making unverifiable, headline-grabbing statements on which he later backtracks. But Britains Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a series of tweets on Saturday that Wagner fighters have likely started to withdraw from some of their positions around Bakhmut. The Ukrainian deputy defence minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town, it added. Additional reporting by agencies Rain keeps bikers from roads on first night of Black Bike Week, but doesnt dampen spirits Its about 4 p.m. Friday and 300 to 400 people have already showed up at a house party along Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach. There are motorcycles parked in every space available under the bottom of the condos. And yet, motorcycles continue to pull up to the party, only to be directed away to park along nearby side streets and along the roadway. The party is being hosted by the motorcycle group Tru Ikonz, which has chapters all over the country, including Myrtle Beach. The group rents the condos every year for the Atlantic Beach Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival. The festival, also known as Black Bike Week, happens through Sunday and normally brings thousands of people to the Myrtle Beach area. Last year was the first year back for the Bike Fest after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus. Tru Ikonzs party was one of the few places where the rain and 61 degree weather didnt put a damper on the first night of Bike Fest. Were not going to stop, club member Marcus Colbert of Augusta, Georgia, said of the weather. As the music by a DJ boomed, people mingled and danced. There were a lot of hugs and wide smiles as people greeted each other. Colbert said he loves to come to the Bike Week each year because it allows members to intermingle and they get to see people they have never met before. Weather has nothing to do with it, said Steve Jones, one of the founders of Tru Ikonz, whose home base is in Augusta. But the weather did have a lot to do with keeping bikers off the main roadways and at Atlantic Beach, where the annual festival takes place. Sheledia Cade singis Tina Turners Whats Love Got To Do With It with other members of the social group Soul Survivaz as she waits for her food order in Atlantic Beach, S.C. Unseasonably cool temperatures and drenching rains put a damper of Atlantic Beach Bike Week on Friday, May 26, 2023. Rain doesnt stop dancing, checking out vendors At Atlantic Beach, vendors and food trucks lined the street leading down to the oceanfront, and people made their way along the road checking out the offerings. Sheledia Cade is singing Tina Turners Whats Love Got To Do With It with other members of the social group Soul Survivaz as she waits for her food order. The New Jersey resident said she comes to Bike Fest almost every year. Near the large stage that sits oceanfront along Atlantic Beachs main drag, a DJ plays music. Nicole McReynolds of South Carolina and Nonie Jones and Francis Smith, both of Chicago, are holding their umbrellas, dancing in the rain. McReynolds drove 17 hours to Chicago to pick up her friends so they could be at Bike Week. It was all worth it, she said of the long drive. Dwayne Todd cooks a pig outside the Carolina Knight Riders clubhouse in Longs, S.C. while waiting on members to arrive at the club on Friday evening. May 26, 2023. Local motorcycle group celebrates founding of Bike Week Aaron Cox and several other members of the Carolina Knight Riders have set up camp in the parking lot of their clubhouse in Longs. Its the motorcycle groups home away from home and a place that Cox said fellow motorcyclists should visit if they are attending this weekends Bike Fest. The festival was started in 1980 by the Carolina Knight Riders. Several members and those from other motorcycle clubs gathered Friday at the clubhouse, shooting pool and having drinks. Cox steps outside to check on food that is being smoked in smokers out back for a party set later that evening. Coxs relationship with the motorcycle club has been a lot longer than his 13-year membership. His oldest siblings were in the club from the the beginning and his oldest brother was one of the first members. I grew up in the area, the now North Carolina resident said. I attended events and stuff like that. Some of those events included a meet and greet at the Clubhouse Friday night, as well as free concerts all weekend in Atlantic Beach. The clubhouse will also have an anniversary party Saturday night. Rainy weather expected to continue this weekend The festival continues Saturday and Sunday. However, the wet and windy weather is expected to continue on Saturday. The National Weather Service said a there will be significant marine, wind and rain that will impact Memorial Day weekend in the Myrtle Beach area. Wind gusts could be up to 45 mph, and gale force winds are expected. Jacy Nittolo is remembering her late fiancee, Ray Liotta, on the one-year anniversary of his death. Nittolo paid tribute on Friday with a reflective Instagram post that contained six photos of their time together and a mournful caption that ended in solemn acceptance. A year ago today I was on a flight home from the Dominican Republic by myself in shock, she wrote Friday. My entire world unexpectedly turned upside down. Ill never forget the beautiful woman, a complete stranger, who sat next to me and didnt say a word. She gently grabbed and held my hand the entire flight as I cried and looked out the window, she continued. When we landed she looked at me and said everything is going to be ok. Your going to be ok. I walked off the plane and met Rays sister for a connecting flight to LA. I dont know what I would have done without Linda that night, Nittolo added. Liotta died in his sleep at 67 while filming a movie called Dangerous Waters in the Dominican Republic. His cause of death was revealed only a few weeks ago as heart failure and respiratory system issues. For Nittolo, the last year has been emotionally tumultuous. Its been a heavy year of pain, heartache, healing, growing and accepting what is, she wrote Friday. Learning to smile at what was. It supposedly gets easier with time. No time will change a loss so great. You just learn to live with it and keep going, trusting that all will be ok. Nittolo, who previously said she and Liotta were inseparable, also reflected on a previous loss. Karsen, Dax, Chazz, Jade and Joey. You keep me going every single day, she wrote. 20 years ago today of all days my grandmother passed away. She helped raise me. She was the other love of my life and one of my favorites of all time. Both on 5/26. Liotta received a standing ovation led by his Black Bird co-star Paul Walter Hauser at the Golden Globes in January, and in February was honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Goodfellas actor is also survived by his daughter, Karsen. An actor herself, she called her late father one-of-a-kind during the Walk of Fame ceremony and said everyone deserves a Ray in their life. Related... Hueller starred in Cannes hits 'Anatomy of a Fall' and 'The Zone of Interest' She may not have won an award, but many will agree that the big winner at Cannes this year was German actress Sandra Hueller, who starred in the festival's top two films. Hueller confirmed her reputation as one of Europe's most versatile and fearless actresses as she gave a gripping performance in courtroom drama "Anatomy of a Fall", which won the top prize Palme d'Or for French director Justine Triet on Saturday. She also starred in Holocaust drama "The Zone of Interest" by Britain's Jonathan Glazer, which won the runner-up Grand Prix. "I think about human beings as vessels for all sorts of feelings and emotions... it's just a question of how to channel that and show that," Hueller told reporters. Triet praised Hueller, telling AFP: "Everything that comes out of her is 100 percent strong. "Due to her theatre training, she has a completely different way of working. When she arrives, she has already been working for months on the film so her first takes are very strong," she said. "She is an actress who has a real point of view on her character, there is a real exchange." - 'A responsibility' - Born on April 30, 1978, in East Germany, Hueller trained in theatre in Berlin after the end of the Cold War. She gained international acclaim for "Requiem" (2006), playing a woman with epilepsy in a religious community that believes she is possessed, which won her the best actress award at the Berlin Film Festival. Her lead role in black comedy "Toni Erdmann" (2016) confirmed her status as a star of the festival circuit, showing she had comic timing to match her dramatic chops. Many felt "Toni Erdmann" was robbed of the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, but that was more that compensated in 2023. Her performance in "The Zone of Interest" was particularly disturbing as she took on the role of Hedwig Hoess, wife of Auschwitz camp commandant Rudolf Hoess. She told reporters in Cannes that she "felt a responsibility as a German" to play the role. "There was no real way to do it right," she said. "It was never about being good at something or doing something extraordinary. It was so little to do with acting, but with presence, with listening, being respectful for those around us." Both films at the festival showcase Hueller's "flinty intelligence, her emotional ferocity and her utter fearlessness," wrote the Los Angeles Times, calling her the "queen of Cannes". Hueller said the two directors were "completely different" in their approach. "But both are so focused on what they do," she added. "Some directors are a bit manipulative... don't give you all the information you need for a character, but with these two everything was on the table -- what they wanted to achieve, what they wanted to tell." Also known for her stage work, Hueller has collaborated frequently with renowned theatre director Thomas Ostermeier, trying her hand at everything from Shakespeare to avant-garde experimentalism. er/eab/lcm After a proposal that would have raised Redmonds City Councilmember salary from $19,000 to over $115,000 a year, the commission considering the plan has now been disbanded by the citys mayor. Redmond Mayor Angela Birney made the announcement Friday afternoon, basing her decision on the Salary Commission members demonstrating their inability to follow the required guidelines and processes. Mayor Birney went on to detail a list of other issues, saying that members of the commission have attempted to proceed via special meetings with short notice to staff and the community without a comprehensive analysis of council salaries in comparable cities, details on the fiscal impact such a salary change might have on the city budget or how it might effect staff layoffs to account for the 600% increase in pay, and without giving the community enough time to submit feedback. The commission was scheduled to vote on the potential pay increase next week. If members had approved the raise, it would have gone into effect in 30 days barring a referendum from Redmond residents. In Redmond, state law dictates that city council jobs be part-time, and members can devote as many or few hours as they deem appropriate, Birney noted. A raise for each councilmember to the proposed full-time $115,294 salary would have required the city to cover over $870,000 in additional budget costs every year. Councilmembers in similar-sized cities like Marysville and Sammamish make between $15,000 and $17,000 a year. Seattle has the highest paid city council salary in Washington at around $129,000 a year. Rejection of NATO, EU and Russian as state language: Russian Foreign Ministry lists new conditions for peace Red Square, Moscow Read also: There can be no lasting peace with Russia until Ukraine liberates Crimea - opinion The deputy to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine must: Refuse to join NATO and the EU Commit to a neutral, non-aligned status End the resistance of its Armed Forces Cease the supply of Western weapons Recognize the new territorial realities (Moscows euphemism for the illegal occupation of Ukrainian lands) Make Russian a state language at the legislative level He also characterized Russias genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine as the realization of the right of peoples to self-determination, co-opting decolonialist language from the United Nations. Read also: Russia abandons several villages in Belgorod Oblast, Russian partisans now fighting in Moscow Oblast HUR While these positions are obviously unacceptable to Ukraine even before the thousands of war crimes Russia has committed against Ukrainians Galuzin listed them as conditions for achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace. Galuzin claimed that the Kremlin has not changed the initial goals of its criminal war, falsely labeling them as "protecting the residents of Donbas, demilitarizing and denazifying Ukraine, and eliminating threats to Russia's security that originate from its territory." Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeatedly reiterated that peace through territorial concessions is impossible, and that the war can only end based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders as of 1991. In addition, Ukraine does not accept any proposals that would involve the loss of territory or the freezing of the war. The decision to join the EU and NATO is a sovereign choice of Ukraine, which, against the backdrop of the war with Russia, is supported by a record number of Ukrainians since independence. Ukraine considers the peace plan outlined by Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G20 summit in Bali in the fall of 2022 to be the only option for a settlement. This includes, among other things, a demand for reparations from Russia and punishment of Russian war criminals and those responsible for starting the war. Read also: EU-China relations will suffer if Beijing does not nudge Moscow towards peace, Borrell says In a new report, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War suggested that Moscow is now probably trying to reinforce its false claims of readiness to negotiate with Ukraine against the backdrop of the arrival of China's Special Representative for Eurasia, Li Hui, in Moscow on May 26, including to discuss a negotiated settlement of Russia's war in Ukraine. According to The Wall Street Journal, in the days leading up to his tour of Europe, Hui urged European officials to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, but to preserve Russia's right to the illegally occupied territories. The WSJ also reports that China sees its main interest in ensuring Russia's victory and in preventing Russia from using nuclear weapons, citing a European diplomat. China may be trying to push the West to influence Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire, said ISW analysts. Read also: Ukrainian victory prevents Chinas global domination Ambassador Herbst The Kremlin is likely stepping up its ostentatious and false "interest" in the talks ahead of a planned Ukrainian counteroffensive to hinder Western assistance to Ukraine, the Institute concluded. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Passenger opens plane door mid-air on Asiana flight A passenger opened an emergency exit on an Asiana Airlines flight as it was preparing to land on Friday, the carrier told AFP, adding that the plane landed safely but several people were hospitalised. An opened door of an Asiana Airlines plane is seen at Daegu International Airport in Daegu on May 26, 2023, after it was manually opened by a passenger just 200 metres above the ground before landing causing some to have breathing difficulty but with no major injuries. The plane was carrying nearly 200 passengers as it approached the runway at Daegu International Airport in South Korea, about 240 kilometres (149 miles) southeast of Seoul, on a domestic flight. When the plane was around 200 meters (650 feet) above the ground, a passenger sitting near the emergency exit "opened the door manually by touching the lever", the carrier's representative told AFP. The incident caused some passengers to have breathing difficulties, and several people were taken to a hospital after the landing, Asiana said, adding that there were no major injuries or damage. Daegu police told AFP that they had taken in a man in his 30s for questioning over the incident. South Korea's transport ministry said 12 people had been taken to hospital after the plane landed to deal with "discomfort and breathing issues". The ministry confirmed that the plane door had been deliberately opened by a passenger while the plane was still in flight. "Police are questioning him jointly with the land and transport ministry over aviation safety laws violations," they said in a statement. "Under these laws, a person who opens a plane door without authorisation is subject to a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison." - Passengers buffeted - A short video of the incident shot by a passenger on board the Airbus A321-200 was broadcast by South Korea's Yonhap News Agency. The footage showed wind ripping through the open door in mid-air, with fabric seat-backs and passengers' hair flapping wildly as some people shouted in surprise. Another video shared on social media showed passengers sitting in the emergency exit row next to an open door being buffeted by strong winds. The two male passengers, wearing their seatbelts, were wincing as the wind whipped around them, while they clutched the armrests and tried and turn away from the door. A 44-year-old passenger told Yonhap that it was "chaos" on the flight after the door was opened. "It was chaos with people close to the door appearing to faint one by one and flight attendants calling out for doctors on board through broadcasting while others were running down the aisle in panic," the passenger said. "I thought the plane was blowing up. I thought I was going to die like this." A transport ministry official on the aviation safety team told AFP that this was "the first such incident" they were aware of in Korean aviation history. South Korea's aviation industry has a solid track record for safety, experts say. Asiana, which was established in 1988 as a rival to flag carrier Korean Air, was involved in a major crash in San Francisco in July 2013. At that time, Asiana Flight 214 from Seoul clipped a sea wall with its landing gear, then crashed and burst into flames, killing three people and leaving 182 injured. The troubled carrier is currently set for a takeover by Korean Air, which said in 2020 that it would buy out Asiana for $1.6 billion as the Covid pandemic wreaked havoc on the worldwide aviation industry. The EU has expressed concern about the deal, saying it could reduce competition on passenger routes and cargo services. With the sunset of the widows tax earlier in 2023, Gold Star families are turning to a new fight: changing a law that takes away survivors benefits for spouses who remarry before age 55. With the so-called remarriage penalty being reevaluated in Congress, an advocate shares the latest updates and military widows share their personal experiences. About the guests: Linda K. Ambard is a retired community support coordinator. She retired from Kadena Air Force Base, Japan. Ambard started working for the Air Force in 1986 at the Mountain Home Air Force Base swimming pool. She has held a variety of positions to include Child Development Center director, Youth Programs director, Family Child Care coordinator, DoDEA teacher, and community support coordinator. During her community support coordinator tenure, led the youth resiliency effort at AFMC, created a training video still in use for training casualty officers, and was published for her research in positive trauma growth. Furthermore, Ambard was featured in many public forums to include television, radio and newspaper for her efforts in resiliency and military loss awareness. Ambard was the voice on the Gold Star Air Force training video. Kaanan Fugler, surviving spouse of Staff Sgt. Matthew Mackey, visits his grave with her children. (Courtesy of Kaanan Fugler) Kaanan Fugler is the healthcare navigator in the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Department for Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana. She is the surviving spouse of Staff Sgt. Matthew Mackey, who died 18 days after an active duty accident on July 28, 2010. She is also the mother to five Gold Star children. In 2017, she remarried and became the wife of a disabled veteran, Joshua. She holds a bachelors degree in political science from Southern New Hampshire University and a masters in public administration from Louisiana State University. Before joining the VOA staff, she had spent the last 13 years advocating to protect and improve the rights and earned benefits of surviving families and veterans. She has spent much of her free time making phone calls to legislative representatives advocating for a change of policies that have impacted countless veterans and military surviving families. She continued this advocacy after graduation where she joined others to rally Congress to fix the military widows tax. She has written several testimonies about the impacts of current laws on her family that the Transition Assistance Program for Survivors has read and written for testimony before the Veterans Affairs Committee for the U.S. House of Representatives. The most recent was testimony supporting the Love Lives On Act. Through her remarriage, she brought attention to the need for surviving spouses to maintain DoD access to minor childrens records upon remarriage. It was part of the most recent NDAA. She is active in several Gold Star communities and sat on the Gary Sinise Foundations Alumni Committee for Snowball Express last year. She has spent time in the past traveling for the Folds of Honor Foundation as an event speaker, helping raise donations that support scholarships for families of the fallen and wounded service members. At VOA, she advocates for and assists homeless and at-risk veterans in obtaining the resources necessary to obtain and maintain permanent housing. About the podcast: The Spouse Angle is a podcast breaking down the news for military spouses and their families. Each episode features subject-matter experts and military guests who dive into current events from a military perspective everything from new policy changes to research on family lifestyle challenges. The podcast is hosted by Natalie Gross, a freelance journalist and former Military Times reporter who grew up in a military family. Follow The Spouse Angle on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe on Spotify. Subscribe on Stitcher. Want more perspectives like this sent straight to you? Subscribe to receive our Commentary & Opinion newsletter once a week. Researchers think other orcas are imitating a single killer whale that first started targeting boats, leading some to sink Two Southern Resident killer whales. David K. Ellifrit/Center for Whale Research, permit number: NMFS 21238. Killer whales near the Iberian peninsula are colliding with, and sinking, boats. Researchers think they may be imitating the behavior of a single female named White Gladis. It's possible White Gladis was triggered after being hit by a boat, or that the behavior is playful. Killer whales are targeting boats near Spain and Portugal, and researchers say it may be because they are imitating the behavior of one specific orca. The concerning encounters between boats and the orca population off the Iberian Peninsula began in 2020. Three years later, researchers have documented hundreds of incidents in which an orca directly approached or collided with a boat. In these encounters, the orcas' behavior generally follows the same pattern: approaching the back of the ship and hitting the rudder until successfully causing the boat to stop. Most of the interactions have caused minimal damage, but in three separate cases, the whales have caused sailboats to sink. The behavior may trace back to a single female killer whale named White Gladis. A killer whale eyes a sea lion on Patagonia beach. iStock / Getty Images Plus Alfredo Lopez Fernandez, a biologist at the University of Aveiro in Portugal who is studying the orcas, told LiveScience that one leading theory for why this is happening is that White Gladis experienced a "critical moment of agony," perhaps by colliding with a boat, and then took to assaulting them. "That traumatized orca is the one that started this behavior of physical contact with the boat," Lopez Fernandez said. The orcas might be trying to play Killer whales are highly intelligent, social creatures, and are known to learn and pick up behaviors from each other, intentionally or not. It's clear to researchers that the behavior is spreading, and that an increasing number of orcas in this specific population are participating. "We do not interpret that the orcas are teaching the young, although the behavior has spread to the young vertically, simply by imitation, and later horizontally among them, because they consider it something important in their lives," Lopez Fernandez told LiveScience. Another expert told Insider that the behavior may indeed be the result of imitation, but perhaps with a different intent: play. Orcas swimming in a pod in Southeast Alaska. Ron Sanford/Getty Images Andrew Trites, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia in Canada, said he thought it may not be accurate to say the orcas are "attacking" the boats, even if it feels that way to the people sailing in them. "They're very tactile. They have a sense of touch," Trites said of orcas, explaining that they are known to rake their teeth over the body of another killer whale, as well as rub and bump into each other. He thinks the interactions with boats are likely a "playful activity that's gotten way out of hand." If White Gladis was indeed struck by a boat and traumatized, he thinks if anything she would go out of her way to avoid colliding with one again, rather than ram into them. He also said the fact that other orcas are mimicking and adopting the behavior suggests they are benefitting from it or gaining pleasure from it, which also indicates play. The behavior is unlikely to spread to other orca populations Even if all the orcas in the Iberian population, around 39 at last count, end up imitating and adopting this behavior, it's unlikely it will spread to killer whales elsewhere, such as populations around North America. "There's very little chance of them learning from the group in Spain and Portugal, in part because the different ecotypes of killer whales around the world don't interact with each other. They keep apart," Trites said, noting that orca populations represent different ecotypes that eat different foods and display different behaviors. The three ecotypes found in British Columbia, for instance, don't socialize. "They're not hanging out, swapping stories," he said. But if more and more orcas of the Iberian population continue to clash with boats, it could eventually result in serious injury or death to a person or a whale. Or, Trites said, the killer whales might just get bored with the boats and stop taking part. Read the original article on Business Insider A restaurant owner rallied his staff and said 'it doesn't matter' after TikTok star Keith Lee gave the hot-chicken shop a low review Keith Lee reviews Chicken Fire in Orlando, Florida, on TikTok. Keith Lee/TikTok;Kwambetv;TikTok Keith Lee is a TikTok-famous food reviewer with nearly 13 million followers. Lee gave an Orlando-based restaurant low reviews, prompting the owner to speak out on TikTok. TikTok users have applauded the owner's response and videos of him rallying his staff. TikTok food influencer Keith Lee gave a Florida hot-chicken restaurant a low review, prompting the owner to respond in a now-viral video. On May 18, Lee reviewed the Orlando-based restaurant Chicken Fire, gaining more than 12.4 million views in just over a week. Although Lee said the staff was friendly and accommodating, he was less impressed with the food, giving the "soulful" chicken tenders a 5.6 out of 10 because they were "more wet and soggy than juicy." He also ranked chicken tenders with "meek" seasoning a 3.5 out of 10 and gave a chicken sandwich a 3 out of 10. "Just because I'm not a huge fan don't mean you won't be," Lee said during the review. "You might try it and you might love it. This might be your favorite chicken spot." He added that he had "zero malicious intent" and dissuaded his 12.7 million followers from leaving hate comments. Lee's reviews often make waves both online and in real life. While he gains millions of views per video, businesses that receive a glowing review see their popularity skyrocket and receive an influx of customers. His less-enthused review of Chicken Fire left some of his followers surprised, with one person adding, "I love chicken fire, this makes me sad." On Google, Chicken Fire has nearly 1,000 reviews and a 4.6 average rating. The restaurant has similar rating on Facebook with 226 reviews. One week after the review, Chicken Fire owner Kwame Boakye shared a TikTok video of him reacting to Lee's video. Instead of calling Lee out, Boakye applauded his staff and acknowledged that Lee's criticisms were "fair." #chickenfire #restaurantlife original sound - KwameB @kwamebtv Our closing meeting at @Chicken Fire the night of the @Keith Lee viral #foodreview of Chicken Fire - Our teams work really hard and I sincerely believe they performed to the best of their collective abilities that day as they do most everyday. At the end of the day, we've never aimed to please everyone - that's impossible; instead, we have always strived to be an excellent fit for all the right people (and thankfully, there are many of them). Not everyone will like or appreciate what we do, and many criticize it, and some even hate on it. That's alrightsuch challenges come with the territory in our line of work. Personally, I remain unfazed by any negativity, but I was fully aware that this particular review (due to it's virality and massive reach) could easily affect our team members directly. That's why it was crucial for me to address the issue immediately that night. I made it clear to our amazing team that I wasn't upset, disappointed, or discouraged. As the owner/operator, they are an extension of me, and their work reflects directly on me. I stood unwaveringly by them, and I wanted them to do the same for one another. I have complete confidence in what we do, what we stand for, and the continuous growth we're experiencing. As we approach our fourth year, we are incredibly fortunate to have an extraordinary family of loyal and supportive guests that sustains us. At this point, no single opinion can truly harm us. Regardless of their ultimate opinion, we value and appreciate everyone who walks through our doors, whether they visit once or a hundred times. We have so much to be proud of, and there are countless opportunities on the horizon. We aren't wasting our time dwelling on one less-than-satisfactory review, regardless of its magnitude. Much love, respect and appreciation to Keith for coming out and trying us and for sharing us with his audience #keithlee In a second video, Boakye showed his kitchen workers sounding dismayed over the review. "I'm surprised," one staffer said. "I thought he was going to give a good review. We did a really good job." He later appears on screen to give the Chicken Fire staff a pep talk by yelling, "it doesn't matter what the review was!" "I stand by this team. Those that were here, those that weren't here," Boakye said. "I know every single person did what they were supposed to do, did their part, and put out the best product that we can reasonably provide." In a conversation with Insider, Boakye said it was "so important" to capture the intimate moment with his team. "I want it to be immortalized for our current team and any future teams. They are an extension of my family. I will always uphold them and stand by them because, at the end of the day, I am nothing without them," Boakye said. "It was important for them to know that I was not upset, I was not disappointed, and I was not discouraged. I 100% believe they executed and did what they were supposed to do." Boakye, who also owns The Wing Spot, added, "The same hospitality that we would show towards a guest is the exact same hospitality we need to show towards our team." "Every single person on our team needs to always feel valued, appreciated, and respected. I value each and every single person's contribution," he said. When asked if he was surprised by the review, Boakye said he respected Lee's opinion and had no expectations beforehand. He added that Chicken Fire typically receives positive reviews, so one opinion won't dissuade him or his staff. "The only way perfection could exist is if you eliminate preference and subjectivity," Boakye said. "You can never make something that's going to please anybody. I know any given day, there are going to be people that don't like what we do. I'm a restaurant owner and operator every single day, I get feedback." TikTok users praised Boakye's response in the comment sections of his recent videos, calling him a "great leader." "I think you handled it well," one person wrote. "You gathered your team to ensure the review did not discourage them or affect their work ethic! Still a win! Nice job." This month, Lee also tried comedian Kevin Hart's vegan restaurant and said he was "shocked" by how much it tasted like chicken. He's also collaborated with the world's biggest YouTuber, Mr. Beast, who gave one restaurant owner $10,000 in February. Read the original article on Insider Roger Waters says dressing as SS officer on stage in Germany was clearly anti-fascist statement Roger Waters has said he is the subject of a smear campaign after being criticised for dressing as a Nazi SS officer on stage in Berlin. The Pink Floyd musician shocked revellers who were attening his show in Germany earlier this month when he performed while wearing a long black jacket, gloves, and a red armband adorned with hammers, rather than the Nazi swastika. Waters, who is currently under police investigation due to the matter, has now commented on the controversy, stating on Saturday (27 May): My recent performance in Berlin has attracted bad faith attacks from those who want to smear and silence me because they disagree with my political views and moral principles. According to the musician, the costume was quite clearly a statement in opposition to fascism, injustice and bigotry in all its forms. His show starts with a statement saying he condemns antisemitism unreservedly. Waters continued: Attempts to portray those elements as something else are disingenuous and politically motivated. The depiction of an unhinged facist has been a feature of my shows since Pink Floyds The Wall in 1980. I have spent my entire life speaking out against authoritarianism and oppression wherever I see it. He added: When I was a child after the war, the name of Anne Frank was often spoken in our house, she became a permanent reminder of what happens when fascism is left unchecked. My parents fought the Nazis in World War II with my father paying the ultimate price. Waters father was killed at Aprilia, during the Battle of Anzio, in 1944 when he was just five-months old. Regardless of the consequences of the attacks against me, I will contineue to condemn injustice and all those who perpretrate it, Waters concluded his statement. Police chief inspector Martin Halweg told Jewish News: The State Security Department at the Berlin State Criminal Police Office has initiated a criminal investigation procedure regarding the suspicion of incitement of the people (140 Paragraph four of the German criminal Code). Roger Waters responds to Nazi uniform controversy (Twitter) The context of the clothing worn is deemed capable of approving, glorifying or justifying the violent and arbitrary rule of the Nazi regime in a manner that violates the dignity of the victims and thereby disrupts public peace. After the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Berlin Public Prosecutors Office for legal assessment, the police chief added. Earlier this year, some Jewish groups called for the cancellation of Waters German shows. Frankfurt city council called off a planned date for the artist, claiming that he is considered one of the most far-reaching antisemites in the world. Ron DeSantis Wants To Take His 'War On Woke' National. Theres One Big Problem: The Constitution. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his bid for the Republican presidential nomination Wednesday by promising to bring the suite of culture war policies hes signed into law in Florida to the whole nation if hes elected in 2024. The woke mind virus is basically a form of cultural Marxism, DeSantis said in an appearance on Fox News the same day he announced his campaign. At the end of the day, its an attack on the truth. And because its a war on truth, I think we have no choice but to wage a war on woke. This war on woke serves as the central justification and argument for DeSantis bid for the GOP nomination. By challenging the supposed liberal tilt in American culture as expressed in schools, the media and the corporate workplace culture, this war, and the legislation behind it, shows DeSantis as a culture fighter who gets things done. But theres one big problem for DeSantis war: the U.S. Constitution. Broad swathes of DeSantis anti-woke agenda from restrictions on the teaching of social science about race in colleges and universities, to bans on corporate diversity training to limits on public protests have been temporarily suspended by judges who found them very likely to be in violation of the first and 14th amendments. In suspending these laws, federal judges called them positively dystopian and the defenses presented in court wholly at odds with accepted constitutional principles. The suspended provisions of the laws may yet be upheld as they move through appeals courts and, possibly, U.S. Supreme Court review, but, at the moment, DeSantis offensive against the woke mind virus has been partially reversed. These multiple losses in court put a constitutional blemish on DeSantis claims of success as a culture warrior who can deftly enact the social conservative agenda. In April 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs HB 7, known as the In April 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs HB 7, known as the "Stop WOKE Act," whose acronym stands for Wrongs to our Kids and Employees. One of the laws partially suspended is the pillar of DeSantis war: The Individual Freedom Act, popularly known as the Stop WOKE Act, prohibits the promotion or advancement of eight concepts related to race in public schools, colleges and universities and in private-sector corporate trainings. The definitions of the prohibited concepts are based on a Trump administration executive order banning government contractors from engaging employees in certain diversity training programs. In response, a group of university professors, students and corporations filed three lawsuits challenging the laws prohibitions on teaching race-based concepts or using them in diversity trainings for private-sector employees. The two lawsuits challenging the laws application to colleges and universities were heard as a single case. In each case, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in northern Florida, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, suspended the laws application with strong language. The State of Florida lays the cornerstone of its own Ministry of Truth under the guise of the Individual Freedom Act, declaring which viewpoints shall be orthodox and which shall be verboten in its university classrooms, Walker wrote in his November 2022 decision on the laws provisions governing colleges and universities. Recently, Florida has seemed like a First Amendment upside down, Walker wrote in suspending the provisions governing private corporations. Normally, the First Amendment bars the state from burdening speech, while private actors may burden speech freely. But in Florida, the First Amendment apparently bars private actors from burdening speech, while the state may burden speech freely. In both cases, Walker determined that the law improperly allowed the state to discriminate against speech based on viewpoint: Professors or corporate trainers were banned from discussing the race-based concepts if they could be seen to be advancing or promoting them but not if they were criticizing or disparaging them. Its pretty black-letter law that if the government is saying you may not offer a training that espouses one viewpoint but you can offer a training that espouses the opposite viewpoint, that that is pretty blatant viewpoint discrimination, said Shalini Agarwal, a lawyer at the nonprofit Protect Democracy who serves as counsel for the private-sector plaintiffs. Further, the laws language in describing the eight banned concepts is incredibly vague, which Walker ruled likely violates the 14th Amendments Due Process Clause. A law cannot pass constitutional muster if the people that are supposed to be following them do not understand whats prohibited conduct and whats permitted conduct, said Greg Greubel, a lawyer at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression representing some of the university professors and students. Walker notes this in his decision by pointing to the fact that one banned concept contains a confusing triple negative. Attendees of the Miami Pride parade protest DeSantis' Parental Rights in Education law, more commonly known as the Attendees of the Miami Pride parade protest DeSantis' Parental Rights in Education law, more commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" law. The law bans instruction that states Members of one race, color, national origin, or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race, color, national origin, or sex. (Emphasis added.) Such vague and contradictory language results in a cacophony of confusion that is bordering on unintelligible, Walker writes. The laws provisions were also deemed unconstitutionally vague because they allow discussion of the prohibited concepts if they are given in an objective manner without endorsement. Since no definition of objective is provided, the professors and corporate trainers would be, according to Walker, at a loss on how to discuss concepts like white privilege, systemic racism, and white supremacy without simultaneously endorsing the notion that such prejudice should be overcome. When teaching history it is very difficult to teach in an objective manner if the state says you cannot promote these things but you can denigrate them, Greubel said. Due to Walkers decisions, the Stop WOKE Acts provisions limiting college and university classroom discussions and corporate trainings are on hold. As of March 16, an appeals court panel upheld Walkers injunction on the college and university prohibitions. However, the Stop WOKE Acts prohibitions on teaching the eight race-based concepts in primary and secondary education remain in effect. These are not the only pieces of DeSantis anti-woke war that have been blocked. Walker also blocked an anti-protest law, enacted in response to Black Lives Matter protests, from going into effect, ruling that a provision allowing prosecutors to charge anyone present at a protest where a handful of people commit acts of violence against people or property created a chilling effect on protected First Amendment activity. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upheld the injunction on the law until the Florida Supreme Court rules on the definition of the laws vague terminology. Both a U.S. district judge and the 11th Circuit ruled that a law banning large digital media platforms from taking down accounts, removing or appending notes to posts and shadow-banning users is unconstitutional. DeSantis had described the law as necessary to prevent digital corporations from discriminating in favor of the dominant Silicon Valley ideology. The challenge is now before the U.S. Supreme Court after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upheld a similar law in Texas. DeSantis dismissal of former Hillsborough County prosecutor Andrew Warren was deemed a violation of Warrens First Amendment rights by the courts. DeSantis claimed that Warren, a reform-minded prosecutor, was improperly refusing to prosecute certain crimes when he removed him from office. A U.S. district judge ruled that DeSantis allegations were false and there was not a hint of misconduct in Warrens actions. Warren is now petitioning in federal court to be reinstated. Students and others attend a walkout on April 21 outside Orlando City Hall to protest Florida education policies. Students and others attend a walkout on April 21 outside Orlando City Hall to protest Florida education policies. The only major lawsuit that has gone DeSantis way has been a challenge to the Parental Rights in Education law, also known as the Dont Say Gay law, that bans certain discussions of gender and sexuality in primary and secondary schools. That lawsuit failed after the parents and students who sued were denied standing by U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor, a Donald Trump nominee. The plaintiffs have since filed an appeal. And, of course, theres Disneys recent lawsuit alleging that DeSantis efforts to strip the company of governance of the Florida special district where Disney World resides amounted to illegal retaliation violating the companys First Amendment rights. While such retaliation cases are often hard to prove, Disneys lawsuit contains copious evidence from public statements and DeSantis own book highlighting how his actions were driven by a desire to punish the company for speaking out against the Dont Say Gay law. DeSantis responded to Disneys lawsuit by calling it political and without merit, and he asked the court to disqualify the judge assigned to the case, Mark Walker, due to his previous decisions that went against the governor. That lawsuit is pending. More lawsuits are expected to come after the latest legislative session expanded the Stop WOKE Act and the Dont Say Gay law and banned gender transition health care for minors. Though the federal courts have increasingly tilted toward conservatives since the Trump administration, protecting the First Amendments free speech rights remains an area where the judicial wings of both parties can find agreement. The conservatives on the Supreme Court have been especially protective of the free speech rights of corporations, a key target of DeSantis war. I am very very confident in our position, Greubel said. Still, this broad effort to limit First Amendment rights by imposing restrictions on what may be discussed in colleges, universities and the private sector raises concerns among those who work to protect those rights, especially as DeSantis looks to take this war national in his presidential campaign. It seems really un-American, a lot of the targeting of protester speech rights, the targeting of private employer speech rights, the targeting of speech rights on college campuses, Agarwal said. A lot of it is not what Americans recognize as within the bounds of the law. Related... A small high school in rural Texas has postponed its graduation ceremony after an end-of-year review revealed only five of the schools 33 seniors had met the requirements to graduate, according to the school districts superintendent. Marlin High School has announced that high school graduation will be rescheduled for June, the Marlin Independent School District said in a letter posted on Facebook. The decision by the high school to postpone graduation will provide more time for students to meet necessary requirements for graduation. Many students at the school, which is about 25 miles southeast of Waco, did not meet requirements due to attendance or grades, the letter stated. The school district added in the notice that it has affirmed its commitment to providing necessary resources and support for students. Superintendent Darryl Henson called a mandatory meeting for parents of seniors last week. The state of Texas has guidelines for graduation, Henson said at the Wednesday meeting. This is not a dance floor. Its not a homecoming pep rally. This is graduation. After students worked this week to make up classroom hours and assignments, 17 additional students were made eligible for graduation in June, according to Henson. The community planned an informal graduation ceremony to celebrate the seniors at a church Thursday, the day the students were originally meant to graduate, according to CNN affiliate KWTX. Some family members flew in from as far as Mexico for the canceled graduation and would be unable to make a second trip for the rescheduled ceremony in June, KWTX reported. According to Marlin High Schools Texas Schools report card, 98.7% of the schools students come from an economically disadvantaged background. A total of 229 students were enrolled at the school in the 2021-2022 school year. The Marlin Independent School District serves 880 students in Marlin, Texas, along the Brazos River. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russia abandons several villages in Belgorod Oblast, Russian partisans now fighting in Moscow Oblast HUR The Russian authorities left some settlements in the Belgorod region Russian volunteer fighters are now also operating in Moscow Oblast of Russia, he pointed out. Read also: Spring and early summer will be decisive in the war with Russia HUR "There are several villages on the border from which the ruscist authorities have actually fled, in principle, there is no government there now," Yusov said. If we talk about the activities of the resistance movement and Russian representatives of the rebel volunteers, they are now active, including in Moscow Oblast. Ukrainian intelligence and the whole world have become convinced that the Kremlin regime is exhausted and cannot organize the defense of its own borders. Read also: Russia didnt respond to Belgorod Oblast incursion because its special forces were killed in Ukraine expert "The uprising is only gaining momentum," Yusov stated. We will see the confrontation with regular troops later. The Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) and the Freedom of Russia Legion earlier reported that during the raid they went 42 km deep into Russia and controlled some settlements in Belgorod Oblast for a day. According to them, they lost two people in action, 10 more were wounded, and they allegedly destroyed several dozen Russian security forces officers and about 10 armored vehicles, as well as took trophies. RDK fighters announced on May 25 that they had re-entered Russian territory. The Freedom of Russia Legion announced on May 22 that, together with the Russian Volunteer Corps, it had "completely liberated" the village of Kozinka in Russias Belgorod Oblast, passed the village of Gora-Podol, and entered the village of Grayvoron and began storming it. Local authorities declared a "counterterrorist operation" and, according to the governor, most residents of the Grayvoron district were evacuated. Read also: War will endure until Putins hanged body decorates the walls of the Kremlin Russian Volunteer Corps The Russians claimed to have killed most of the saboteurs and "pushed the rest back" to Ukrainian territory. RDK and Legion fighters denied the losses. Ukraines Main Intelligence Directorate called the actions of the Legion and the RDK in Russia's Belgorod Oblast "the creation of a security strip" to protect Ukrainians. The raid in Russias Belgorod region was carried out exclusively by Legion and RDK fighters, who are Russian citizens, Yusov clarified. Ukraine had nothing to do with the actions of the RDK and Legion in Belgorod Oblast, confirmed Presidential Office advisor Mykhailo Podolyak. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Japan's new Chief of Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu announces new cabinet members, in Tokyo (Reuters) - Russia on Saturday accused Japan of "cynical, unscrupulous speculation" over Tokyo's comments around the nuclear threat Moscow poses and promised to respond to Japan's latest round of sanctions imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno on Friday said Japan would place additional sanctions on Russia after the Group of Seven (G7) summit Tokyo hosted last week agreed to step up measures to punish Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Matsuno also condemned Russia's plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, saying it would further inflame the situation and that Japan would never accept "Russia's nuclear menace, let alone its use". Russia's foreign ministry said it was assessing the implementation of Japan's sanctions on its national security and economy and would not leave Tokyo's "illegitimate actions" unanswered. The ministry also took issue with Matsuno's casting of Russia as engaging in "nuclear blackmail". "The desire to attribute the non-evident intention to use nuclear weapons in relation to events in Ukraine to Russia is nothing more than cynical, unscrupulous speculation," the ministry said. Russia earlier on Saturday dismissed criticism from U.S. President Joe Biden over Moscow's plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, saying Washington had for decades deployed such nuclear weapons in Europe. The foreign ministry urged Japan to show similar "concern" towards U.S. deployments in Europe. (Reporting by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Conor Humphries) View of Zaporizhzhya NPP from Nikopol At 12:15 a.m. a message on the radio network used by Russian invasion forces near Enerhodar received a message saying that "chemical weapons may be released from copters." At 12:44 a.m., another message was heard about the possible "discharge of chemical elements" from a UAV. Ukrainian intelligence emphasized that Ukraine does not employ chemical weapons and uses only conventional means. According to HUR, the aggressor state is preparing large-scale provocations "to create a center of radiation danger in order to accuse Ukraine." "The real victims of the enemy provocation will be soldiers of the Russian occupation army," the intelligence warned.The aggressor state plans to use the traces of chemical weapons on their bodies as fake evidence to accuse Ukraine. The Russians are trying to disrupt the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian defenders using this provocation, HUR says. The day before, Ukraines Defense Intelligence warned that the Russian military could organize a large-scale provocation at the ZNPP and announce a leak of radioactive substances, and then blame Ukraine for their actions. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhya NPP, was seized by Russian troops after the fighting in the town of Enerhodar on March 4, 2022. ZNPP buildings were damaged by Russian shelling in several places, and the plant's employees were taken prisoner. The Russians have since deployed military equipment, ammunition, and their troops at the plant. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russia begins talking about peace again, seeking "recognition of territorial arrangements" and cessation of Ukrainian forces' actions The Russian Foreign Ministry, represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, has once again reiterated its demands for "peace", noting that it wants to seize the occupied territories. Source: Galuzin in an interview with Kremlin-aligned news agency TASS; Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office, on Telegram Quote from Galuzin: "In order to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, Ukraine must restore its neutral, non-aligned status, as enshrined in the 1990 Declaration of its State Sovereignty, and refuse to join NATO and the EU. The new territorial arrangements that have emerged through exercising the right of peoples to self-determination must be recognised." Details: He also stated that the traditional "denazification and demilitarisation" were necessary and that "a settlement is possible only if the Ukrainian Armed Forces cease hostilities". Afterwards, Yermak wrote on social media, without mentioning the Russian Foreign Ministry, that Kyiv would not talk to Russia while its forces were on the territory of Ukraine. Quote: "There is no force that will make Ukrainian society and the state leadership talk to the Russians today while Russian troops are on our territory." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! (Reuters) - Russia on Saturday blamed Kosovo, the United States and European Union for escalating tensions in the Balkans and said it was watching with concern after violent clashes between Kosovan police and protesters opposed to ethnic Albanian mayors. The United States and allies on Friday rebuked Kosovo, saying the use of force to install mayors in ethnic Serb areas undermined efforts to improve troubled relations with neighbouring Serbia. NATO on Saturday urged Kosovo to dial down tensions. The clashes led Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday to place the army on full combat alert and ordered units to move closer to the border. "We decisively condemn Pristina's provocative steps, which have brought the situation close to the hot phase and directly threaten the security of the whole Balkans region," Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. "The responsibility for this lies fully with the United States and the European Union," she said, adding that rebukes of Kosovo by "Western mediators" had come too late. Serbia and its traditional ally Russia do not recognise Kosovo's independence, and Moscow has blocked the country's bid to become a member of the United Nations. Serbia still considers Kosovo part of its territory. (Reporting by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Conor Humphries) The wreckage of the Iranian Invading Russian troops killed a civilian in Kherson Oblast. They shelled regional settlements 45 times in the past 24 hours. 193 rounds were launched by artillery, mortars, tanks and aircraft. Drones were also involved in the attacks. Read also: Two civilians killed in morning Russian air strikes on Kherson Oblast The city of Kherson alsocame under fire twice in the past day. Russians targeted residential neighbourhoods, an elevator in Zolota Balka, and a farm equipment warehouse in Zmiivka. Mykolaiv Oblast's air defence forces intercepted two enemy Shahed-131/136 attack drones late in the night on May 26, regional governor Vitali Kim reported on Telegram. Read also: Civilians dead and injured in Russian drone and artillery attacks in five Ukrainian oblasts Russia shelled Mykolaiv District in the past 24 hours. Several artillery attacks hit the city of Ochakiv and the sea nearby. No victims of the Russian attacks were reported in the past day. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russia wants Ukraine to give up occupied territories, NATO and EU membership to start peace talks Mikhail Galuzin, Russian deputy foreign minister, said in an interview with the Russian state-controlled TASS news agency that to achieve "comprehensive, just and durable peace," Ukraine should not join NATO and the EU. Galuzin also said Ukraine must recognize the "new territorial realities," meaning it should give up Russian-occupied territories. Following Galuzins claim, President Volodymyr Zelensky's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram that Ukraine would not hold any peace talks with Russia as long as Russian troops are on Ukrainian territory. Belgorod incursion: Meet the anti-Kremlin militia behind the attack inside Russia Editors Note: The Kyiv Independent, together with a number of journalists, was taken to a location in northern Ukraine to interview the members of the units that took part in the military operation inside Russia. Not revealing the exact location was the only precondition for the interview. Norther The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima Despite frequent calls from public figures and world leaders for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate a ceasefire, Ukraines leadership has made it clear that such negotiations must start after the complete restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity. In November, Zelensky outlined his main terms. Restoration of territorial integrity, respect for the UN Charter, compensation for all damages caused by the war, punishment of every war criminal and guarantees that this will not happen again, he said. Zelensky has also said that Ukraine is open to negotiations with Russia, but only with a president other than Vladimir Putin. Russian attack on Dnipro: three more people still missing The Ukrainian authorities have reported that search and rescue operations have been going on at the site of the tragedy the whole night of 27 May, with the number of victims rising to 32. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "90% of the debris has been cleared so far. Three people who could have been in the struck building at the time of the hit are still missing. Emergency workers found body fragments there. Forensic experts are engaged at the scene". Details: The official pointed out that the latest reports indicate that a total of 32 people were injured, 13 of whom are receiving necessary care in medical facilities. Five are in serious condition. Update: Ukraines State Emergency Service later reported that emergency workers had finished clearing away the rubble. Background: On 26 May, Russian forces launched a missile attack banned by the Geneva Convention on an outpatient clinic and veterinarian clinic building in the city of Dnipro, killing at least two people. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukraine prepares 'for a new phase of the war' as counteroffensive appears imminent KYIV, Ukraine Ukraine has entered a new phase of the war, a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday as speculation about its long-anticipated counteroffensive ratcheted up. Now we see the intensifying attacks on the Russian rear supplies, Mykhailo Podolyak said in an interview, adding that preparations were taking place to strike back at the Kremlin's forces. We are preparing the battlefield for the new phase of the war. Its going on now. It is a large number of measures in different sectors of the front line, he said, conceding that preparation was well underway. During the interview, Podolyak also praised a slickly produced video posted on Telegram on Saturday by Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces. It showed Ukrainian troops training, swearing an oath and preparing for battle, alongside the caption The time has come to return what is ours. Ukraines top general is suggesting that hell have a good reason, Podolyak said, calling it very good. He added that it showed that Ukraine maybe almost ready to start a big operation aimed at the liberation of its territories. He tweeted the other day that the counteroffensive was not a single event that will begin at a specific hour of a specific day with a solemn cutting of the red ribbon. Meanwhile, at the scene of some of the wars heaviest fighting in the besieged eastern city of Bakhmut, Ukraines deputy defense minister said Saturday that Russian attacks had decreased. Yesterday and today there are no active battles there neither in the city, nor on the flanks, Hanna Maliar said in a Telegram post. Instead, the enemy is actively shelling the outskirts of the city. After an intense monthslong battle for the city that came to embody Ukrainian resistance, the Kremlin declared full control of the city last week after months of fighting not seen in Europe since World War II. But the celebrations were dismissed in Kyiv, where officials insisted that the city was not completely under Russian control and that the battle was far from over. Maliar said Saturday that Ukrainian troops firmly hold the heights overlooking Bakhmut from the north and south, as well as a portion of the outskirts of the city, but had not advanced over the past two days to focus on other tasks. Russian forces had made a bet on conducting air strikes and intensive artillery fire, she said. The decrease in the enemys offensive activity is due to the fact that troops are being replaced and regrouped, she added. The enemy is trying to strengthen its own capabilities. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraines ground forces, posted a video Saturday that he said depicted Ukrainian special forces operating inside the ruined city. NBC News has not been able to independently verify the video. Elsewhere, Britains Defense Ministry in its daily intelligence briefing Saturday, that forces from the Wagner mercenary group whose fighters led the costly Russian push for Bakhmut, had likely started to withdraw from some of their positions in the city. Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagners millionaire owner with longtime links to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Thursday that his forces had started pulling out and were handing over control to the Russian military. Prigozhins Bakhmut triumph delivered a badly needed victory for Putin, whose invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has lost momentum. Elsewhere, an attack by two drones caused an explosion in Russias Pskov region near the border with Belarus, local governor Mikhail Vedernikov said on Telegram on Saturday. An oil pipelines administrative building was damaged, he added. Vedernikov did not point the finger at Ukraine, but Moscow has previously blamed Kyiv for similar incidents. Molly Hunter reported from Kyiv and Leila Sackur from London. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Russian military escaped with weapons near occupied Soledar, some of them were found Seven former convicts that are now in the Russian army have left the military unit without permission near the town of Soledar in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast. Source: TASS, a Russian Kremlin-aligned news outlet, referring to a source in Russian law enforcement agencies; Baza, a Russian independent Telegram channel Quote from TASS: "Seven former convicts, now servicemen of one of the units, have escaped from the military unit with weapons near Soledar. Three of them were detained in the area of Brianka on the territory of the 'LPR' [self-proclaimed and non-recognised formation in Luhansk Oblast Luhansk Peoples Republic ed.]." Details: The source has said that the men were in a cafe in Brianka and were drunk. Another deserter was shot dead by the escapees themselves because he wanted to surrender. "Thus, three people are currently being searched for, in particular in Rostov Oblast," law enforcement agencies said. The detainees are being questioned. Later, Russian law enforcement agencies reported that law enforcement officers had detained two more escapees from the military unit. "Two more have been detained. We are searching for one more," the agency's source said. At the same time, the Baza Telegram channel has reported that the soldiers who were targeted could have escaped in a Kamaz truck and a Mitsubishi pickup truck. The police also received a description of a dozen cars with Ukrainian licence plates (several Nissan and Hyundai, as well as German and American cars), which could also have been stolen by the escapees. According to preliminary information from Baza, the escape itself took place on 24 May. In total, more than a dozen soldiers are wanted, and they may be armed. The whereabouts of the other escapees and their identities are still unknown. An interception plan was introduced in Rostov Oblast. Background: On the morning of 27 May, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that about 20 convicts who had recently arrived to reinforce a unit near Svatove in Luhansk Oblast had escaped from the ranks of the Russian occupation army on 25 May. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! FILE PHOTO: A security guard stands next to the Trinity icon at a cathedral in Sergiyev Posad Russian Orthodox Church fires Archpriest for 'obstruction' of icon transfer FILE PHOTO: A security guard stands next to the Trinity icon at a cathedral in Sergiyev Posad By Alexander Marrow (Reuters) - Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, on Saturday dismissed his expert on art and restoration for obstructing the transfer of a historic 15th-century Trinity icon to the Church from a Moscow museum. Russian President Vladimir Putin had decided that the icon be handed over to the Church from Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery because of its importance to believers, the Kremlin said this week. Archpriest Leonid Kalinin, head of the Moscow Patriarchates expert council on church art, architecture and restoration, told the Interfax news agency this week that dialogue between the museum and the church was being conducted "in good faith", after experts determined that the icon needed restoration work. On Saturday, Patriarch Kirill decreed that Kalinin be dismissed from his post "in connection with the obstruction of bringing the icon" to Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Kalinin was also banned from the priesthood, according to the note published on the Russian Orthodox Church's website. "Seemingly, I made some mistake," the TASS news agency quoted Kalinin as saying on Saturday. The Church, whose conservatism Putin has espoused as part of his vision for Russia's national identity, is one of the most ardent institutional supporters of Russias war in Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill said last year that those who died fighting in Ukraine would be purged of their sins. Icons are stylised, often gilded religious paintings considered sacred in Eastern Orthodox Churches. Andrei Rublyov's Trinity, one of the holiest and most artistically important Russian icons, is thought to have been painted to honour Saint Sergius of Radonezh in Sergiyev Posad, near Moscow. It depicts three angels who visited Abraham at the Oak of Mamre in the Book of Genesis, the first of the Bible. The icon has been transferred several times during periods of internal strife. In 1929, the authorities of the officially atheist communist Soviet Union put it in the Tretyakov Gallery. During World War Two it was put into safe storage for a time. (Reporting by Alexander Marrow; edited by Clelia Oziel) On Saturday, a woman was killed and a man was wounded as a result of shelling in the village of Shypuvate in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, on Telegram Quote: "The enemy continues to shell civilians in Kharkiv Oblast. Unfortunately, civilians are dying. Today, as a result of the shelling of the village, a 61-year-old woman died in Shypuvate, Kupiansk district. In addition, a 60-year-old man suffered shrapnel injuries and was hospitalised. Currently, doctors are providing assistance to the victim." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Here are the sale items to buy and the ones to skip Memorial Day weekend Memorial Day weekend is here and so are the deals. This weekend is a great opportunity to save money on big-ticket items, but experienced shoppers say there are some sales youll want to avoid. Consumer blogger Andrea Woroch explains which items to buy nowand which ones to skip. WHAT TO BUY Home Appliances- Woroch said the best time to buy pricey home appliances is over long holiday weekends like Memorial Day where you can find big savings and financing deals. For example, Woroch said May is Maytag Month from now through May 31, offering up to 30 percent off Maytag appliances at Lowes, Home Depot, Best Buy and local retailers. Plus, you can get a $200 rebate when you buy three select appliances, she said. Woroch found $400 off this Pet Pro Top Load Washer and $800 off this 36-inch French Door Refrigerator. I see a lot of retailers also offering additional savings if you buy more than one appliance, she said. Mattresses- Woroch said you can find major savings on a new mattress like $325 off the Saavta Loom and Leaf Memory Foam mattress and 50% off this Beautyrest Plush Pillow Top Mattress at Mattress Firm. She said many mattress retailers will also throw in discounts on frames and bases, free delivery and 0 percent financing. You can earn cash back, like 9.5% at Mattress Firm through CouponCabin.com, Woroch found. Memorial Day has historically offered a lot of good deals on mattresses so if thats something youve been considering upgrading, now is the time to do it, Woroch said. Home Furniture- Woroch said home furniture retailers offer big price cuts during Memorial Day. Ashley Furniture has listed their Spotlight Deals with 50% off select furniture like $500 off this Rawcliffe 3-Piece Sectional. Keep an eye out for more sales from Wayfair and specialty home good stores like West Elm and Pottery Barn, she said. Winter & Spring Apparel- As spring fashion takes a back seat, Memorial Day offers clearance deals on spring and winter clothing. Woroch recommends you prep for next winter by sizing up for your kids. For example, Woroch said you can score this Patagonia Girls Fleece for 45 percent off at BackCountry.com and this Athleta Mendocino Coat for $99, originally $229. Expect clothing brands like GAP, Old Navy and The Childrens Place to run an additional 50 to 75 percent off their clearance styles, Woroch said. WHAT TO SKIP Electronics- Amazons Prime Day predictions suggest the popular two-day sales event will launch around July 11, when you can find a wide selection of discounts on personal gadgets like headphones, tablets and smartwatches, and deals on home electronics like TVs and speakers, Woroch said. Laptops- Retailers release back-to-school sales on laptops starting in mid-July through the end of August, making this the best time to buy a new model. Woroch said during this time, expect sales from brands like Dell, Apple and HP and consider refurbished models to save even more. You will see some small sales on electronics and laptops over Memorial Day but the real deals will come in the summer and thats because Amazon Prime Day typically hits around mid-July, Woroch said. Outdoor Entertaining Essentials- With the beginning of summer around the corner, Woroch said stores know people have outdoor entertaining on their minds. You may see a few small sales on select grills and patio furniture to make you think these goods are on sale, but most are at their peak price point. Wait until end of summer for the best savings, Woroch said. Summer Clothing & Sandals. You may see some small sales of 10 to 20% off summer clothing and sandals but the real deals will hit mid-summer, around the 4th of July, Woroch said. Get by with what you have or grab a used option from resale sites like Poshmark for now, she said. Try to hold off. The better dealsif you can waitwill be over the Fourth of July weekend and of course at the end of the summer. Make do with what you have now, Woroch said. 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 San Francisco International Airport has hired a 14-year-old cat, Duke Ellington Morris, onto its team of therapy animals Duke Ellington Morris is the newest member of SFO's Wag Brigade. Photo courtesy of SFO A 14-year-old cat, Duke Ellington Morris, is now a therapy animal at the San Francisco International Airport. He's part of the Wag Brigade, a group of animals meant to relax passengers before their flights. Duke was rescued as a kitten and also works as a therapy animal in different California hospitals. Say hello to San Francisco International Airport's newest therapy animal: 14-year-old cat, Duke Ellington Morris. The feline has been added to SFO's Wag Brigade, which, according to the airport's website, is a program bringing "trained dogs to the terminals to make passenger travel more enjoyable." The Wag Brigade has been around for almost a decade, and while it was initially just for dogs, in recent years a pig named LiLou joined the squad, along with a rabbit named Alex, and now Duke. These animals travel around the airport and can be spotted wearing vests labeled "Pet Me!" Duke's addition to the Wag Bridge is not his first foray into animal therapy work. In an interview with SFGate.com published Friday, Duke's owner, Jen Morris, spoke about his backstory. In the interview, Morris says she adopted Duke, a feral cat found in San Francisco, in 2010 when he was a year old. Given his relaxed demeanor, Morris got him certified to be a therapy cat, and he started working with patients at different hospitals. "He used to go to UCSF for visits at the ICU. And they would wheel him in on a cart and people who wanted to pet him got approval from their doctors," Morris told the site. "They would give them a nice scratch underneath the chin. His work did not go unnoticed and Duke was featured in a 2016 KPIX news story about him cheering up patients at UCSF Medical Center's ICU. He was also profiled by the popular animal website The Dodo. Per SFGate.com, Duke was originally named Tai Chi Tuxedo, but Morris later renamed him after the jazz legend of the same name. Read the original article on Insider The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County and Manatee County advised residents on Friday of a confirmed case in a person who spent considerable time outdoors. SARASOTA The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County and Manatee County announced in a news release that the health department had one confirmed case of malaria in a person "who spent extensive time outdoors." The agency said the person "was promptly treated at a hospital and has recovered." No other information about the circumstances of the case, including when or where the infection may have occurred, was offered in the release Friday evening, and officials said Tuesday there were no updates. According to information available at https://www.flhealthcharts.gov, the most recent malaria cases of any type in Sarasota or Manatee counties occurred in 2019. There was one case in each county. The most recent data in that chart is 2021, with cases logged based on the zip code where the individual resides. Health officials said they were working closely with local governments and county mosquito control. Aerial and ground mosquito spraying is being conducted "to mitigate the risk of further transmission." This type of malaria was identified as the P. vivax species, which is not considered as fatal as other strains. What to know about malaria The federal Centers for Disease Control reports that about 1,500 to 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Most involve travelers and immigrants returning from countries where malaria occurs, including sub-Sharan Africa and South Asia, the CDC web site reports. A published health journal on the National Institute of Health web site reports four outbreaks of malaria have been reported in the U.S. since 2000, with the most recent being in Palm Beach County in 2003. Health officials noted that malaria is not transmitted from person to person. Only infected Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria to humans. "Effective treatment is readily available through hospitals and other health care providers. Individuals in this area with symptoms of fever, chills, sweats, nausea/vomiting, and headache should seek immediate medical attention," the release stated. How to protect against malaria To protect yourself from any mosquito-borne illness, the health department advised the following prevention steps: Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET (10-30 percent), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535. Wear long sleeves and pants. Check and repair screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. To help reduce the population of mosquitos around your home, drain and cover areas around your home. Mosquitoes reproduce in freshwater from rainstorms, sprinklers and other source. Drain pools of freshwater around your home and yard. Empty pet bowls, garbage cans, garbage can lids, bottles, tires, and anything where freshwater has accumulated. More: Sarasota County crews battling pesky mosquitoes Residents of Sarasota and Manatee counties were advised to contact their local government for more information about specific mosquito control. More information on mosquito prevention in Florida can be found through the health department. More information about malaria worldwide can be found through the CDC. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota health officials report malaria case in person who recovered One firefighter is dead, and six other crew members were taken to a hospital Friday in a three-alarm blaze at the Tropical Ridge apartments in Columbia, South Carolina, ABC affiliate WOLO reported. Fire officials told WOLO they rescued several people from the burning building. Nineteen people, including some who were also taken to a hospital, were displaced. READ: Crews respond to fire at freightliner plant in Rowan County Our hearts and prayers go out to the Columbia-Richland Fire Department, and the family of the loved ones of James Muller. We will continue working with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department to fully investigate this fire, the coroner said in a statement. The mayor shared a statement with WOLO mourning the loss of Muller, saying flags in the town would be flown at half-staff. Firefighter J. Michael Muller exemplified the spirit of selflessness and bravery that defines our firefighting community, the statement reads. He fearlessly put himself in harms way to protect the lives and property of others, demonstrating unwavering dedication to his duty as a firefighter. We are forever indebted to him for his service and sacrifice. There is no word on what caused the fire. This is a developing story, check back with wsoctv.com for updates. VIDEO: Crews respond to fire at Daimler Freightliner plant in Rowan County The claim: Image shows boy, dog missing from various locations A May 21 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a photo of a boy crying while a small white dog lies in his lap. HELP!!! #GreatFalls My son Brandon Smith took off this morning with our dog hank, the post reads. He is autistic and has been missing for eight hours if anyone sees him please PM me please re-post on any sites. I already contacted police. The post was shared nearly 100 times in four days. Other versions of the claim, including one that said the boy was missing in Elkhart, Indiana, were shared hundreds of additional times. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False Police in the cities mentioned in the posts said they had no reports of a missing child matching the post's description. The photo in the post went viral in 2020 and is unrelated to a missing person report. The posts are examples of copy-and-paste schemes used by scammers to identify potential targets. Photo went viral in 2020, does not show missing boy Two police departments in areas mentioned in the posts told USA TODAY the claims are false. We do not have any active missing children cases at this time, said Adrienne Ehrke, a spokesperson for the Great Falls Police Department in Montana. Ehrke also said the Facebook group where the claim was made is full of posts from fake profiles and scammers. The Elkhart Police Department in Indiana also had no reports of a missing person fitting that description, according to spokesperson Jessica McBrier. Fact check: Photo of abandoned baby is from Chicago in 2021, not recently in Kansas City The photo used in the posts dates back to 2020 and shows a boy crying while holding his dog as it was about to be euthanized. The image went viral at the time, as reported by WKMG-TV in Florida. A nearly identical caption was used in a similar claim about a missing boy named Brayden Johnson, which USA TODAY also debunked. Photo illustration of yellow law enforcement line with police car and lights in the background. Such posts are examples of copy-and-paste scams, which misinformation expert and University of Cincinnati professor Jeffrey Blevins previously told USA TODAY are used by scammers to find potential future targets. Its a gullibility check, he said. Theyre likely to circle back with you later on to see what youre willing to share, or they might try to engage you one-on-one, get you to accept a friend request, that kind of thing." Other indications of a scam include a new account making the post and having the comments disabled. USA TODAY reached out to several users who shared the claim for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Claims of missing boy in various cities are scams | Fact check Graphic, unedited crime scene videos from Alex Murdaugh's double murder were accidentally sent to Netflix, but a South Carolina judge ordered that they are to remain sealed, according to a report. Bodycam footage from responding deputies in the Colleton County Sheriff's Office wasn't properly labeled as sealed exhibits when inventoried during the trial, a source with knowledge of the situation told News 4. Judge Clifton Newman, who presided over Murdaugh's double homicide case, issued a clarifying order on Friday that those videos cannot be publicly released, despite the mistake, according to KATV.com. Edited videos that blurred disturbing images shown during the trial were cleared for release to the public. ALEX MURDAUGH TO FACE QUESTIONING IN MALLORY BEACH BOATING DEATH CASE Alex Murdaugh is led out of the Colleton County courthouse after receiving a double life sentence on Friday, March 3, 2023. Murdaugh was convicted yesterday of the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul in 2021. On March 2, a jury found Murdaugh guilty of murdering his 52-year-old wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, 22, and he was sentenced to life in prison. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Murdaugh continued to deny any wrongdoing, despite the conviction. ALEX MURDAUGH: TIMELINE OF THE ONCE POWERFUL SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYER'S SPECTACULAR DOWNFALL Judge Newman excoriated him for his wicked deeds and "duplicitous conduct" before handing him two life sentences to be served consecutively. "I know you have to see Paul and Maggie during the nighttimes when youre attempting to go to sleep. Im sure they come and visit you. Im sure," the judge said. Alex Murdaugh was found guilty on all four counts at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Thursday, March 2, 2023. That capped a six-week trial that included testimony from 76 witnesses. Murdaugh took the stand himself, which was the final nail in the coffin. "We already know that hes a lawyer. Hes able to be emotional with cases," one of the jurors, James McDowell, said. "Hes able to be emotional with himself. He knows when to turn it on and off. So I think that we were able to read right through that." ALEX MURDAUGH'S PRISON HOUSES SOUTH CAROLINAS MOST DANGEROUS INMATES The jury deliberated for about three hours before returning with the guilty verdict. Murdaugh still faces several tax evasion indictments and a civil case in the wrongful death case of 19-year-old Mallory Beach, who died during a boat crash in 2019 while Alex's son, Paul, was driving. Alex will be made available for deposition in that case, which is scheduled for Aug. 14. Consequences of the Russian attack on a medical clinic in Dnipro Two people were killed and 32 wounded, 13 of whom are still hospitalized, with five in serious condition. Read also: Russias overnight attack: all targets neutralized above Kyiv, while Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv hit Three people are still missing. Search operations went through the night and are still ongoing. As of this morning, 90% of the rubble had been removed. "The fate of three people who could have been in the affected building at the time of the hit is still unknown," Lysak said. Rescuers found body fragments there. Forensic experts are working. On May 26, Dnipro Mayor Boris Filatov told reporters at the scene that the city authorities are trying to find three doctors who could have been in the medical facility at the time of the strike, which occurred during a change in the doctors shift. Read also: Russias using strategic bombers to attack Ukraine how many and what type do they have? Yesterday evening and this morning the enemy again struck Nikopol district with artillery, and Marhanets community was shelled, said Lysak. "This time we were lucky. All the targets are intact. We are still investigating. Read also: Russian missile strike at Dnipro destroys family, kills three-year-old and her young mother Russian troops fired an Iskander ballistic at the medical facility on May 26, the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced on May 27. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (Bloomberg) -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stepped down as the head of his political party in a concession seen as symbolic amid swelling street protests. Most Read from Bloomberg Vucic, who has led the Progressive Party for 11 years, told reporters Saturday his Defense Minister Milos Vucevic will replace him as party president. Vucic remains president of the country. Our politics wont change, we will remain the engine of development of our homeland, said the Progressive Partys president Vucevic, according to state news agency Tanjug. Srdjan Milivojevic, a lawmaker from the opposition Democratic Party, told the N1 news outlet the change in leadership shows the ruling party is one big family business. Previously, the president had raised the possibility of holding early elections as he seeks to defuse rising street protests in the wake of mass shootings that shocked the nation. A fourth opposition protest is scheduled for Saturday. Two massacres this month, including Serbias first in a school, killed 18 people, most of whom were students, and wounded 20, triggering protest marches by tens of thousands of people in the Balkan countrys biggest cities. The ballot would be Serbias third since 2020, pitting the center-right Progressive Party against a fractured opposition. Liberal parties are calling for Serbia to join European Union sanctions against Russia to move closer to membership in the bloc, while conservatives and nationalists are opposed. Since starting EU membership talks in 2014, the country of 7 million has balanced its historic ties with Russia with the proclaimed goal of joining the bloc. Serbia relies on Russia for gas supplies and for support in challenging independence of Kosovo, which broke away in 2008 after a war. Vucic has dismissed the opposition-led protest marches as attempts to exploit the fatal shootings for political gain. Hes launched a national campaign to hand over illegal as well as licensed guns to reduce the risk of such attacks. (Adds Vucevic, opposition comments in third paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's resignation as party leader is seen as part of a plan to return his hold on power, analysts say Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stepped down as the leader of his party on Saturday after more than a decade at the helm, but he is widely expected to remain the most powerful political figure in the Balkan country. Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won parliamentary elections by a landslide last year, but has been regularly accused of corruption, as well as recently coming under increased pressure from mass protests over two shootings. Despite no longer being party chief, Vucic will remain Serbia's president and the country's most influential politician -- just as he did when he stepped down from being prime minister and became president in 2017. The 53-year-old, who has served as SNS chief since 2012, said he will not leave the party he helped found. "Whatever you do, I will always be with you and by your side," Vucic told party members during a televised convention. "I just think a slightly different approach is needed to unite a greater number of forces of those who want to fight for the victory of a patriotic, successful Serbia." - Plans for new movement - Vucic has already announced plans to form a nationwide movement that is planned to include prominent intellectuals, artists and other public figures, and is expected to gradually combine with the SNS. According to analysts, Vucic is significantly more popular than his party, which is regularly the target of accusations of corruption, and a fresh coalition would help rebrand the side, potentially avoiding poor election results in the future. "It's a way to overcome a crisis that could potentially brew inside the Serbian Progressive Party," Bojan Klacar, the head of the independent election monitor CESID, told AFP. "By creating a new movement, he wants to secure himself another mandate in the office," Klacar added. Vucic's opponents accuse him of increasingly relying on autocratic measures to keep the opposition in disarray and media outlets and state institutions under his thumb. Vucic's ruling party has also been under rising pressure over the last month, after back-to-back shootings triggered a mass movement against the government which brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets. Defence Minister Milos Vucevic, the former mayor of Serbia's second largest city Novi Sad, was elected as the new president of the SNS party, and he immediately rebuffed the protesters. The new SNS leader shot down a request from some of the protesters for a transitional government ahead of new elections, saying the government cannot be elected "off the streets and through violence". mbs/dl BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stepped down as leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) at a party congress on Saturday, saying a new approach was needed to unite the country, but said he would remain head of state. The move came a day after tens of thousands of people from across Serbia and from neighbouring Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia rallied in the centre of Belgrade in a show of support for Vucic following big anti-government protests over two mass shootings that killed 18 people earlier this month. Another anti-government protest is scheduled for later on Saturday. Leaders of the SNS accepted Vucic's resignation offer at the party congress in Kragujevac, central Serbia, and appointed defence minister Milos Vucevic to replace him, as Vucic had proposed. Vucic told the congress he believes "a slightly different approach is needed to unite a greater number of those who want to fight for the victory of patriotic Serbia ... a successful Serbia that will focus on its citizens, for a country that will not look for reasons for division, but for unification and togetherness." Opposition parties and rights watchdogs have long accused Vucic and the SNS of autocracy, stifling media freedoms, violence against political opponents, corruption and ties with organised crime. Vucic and his allies deny the accusations. PARTY MEMBER Vucic told the congress he would stay head of state and would remain a party member. "I will never leave this party, I am proud to have led the best party all these years," he told cheering delegates. After his appointment, Vucevic confirmed the SNS will join an umbrella political organisation which Vucic plans to create on June 28. "If Vucic is a locomotive of that movement, the first railcar would be the SNS," Vucevic told reporters. Vucic announced the new movement for the SNS and its allies, unofficially named the People's Movement For The State, in March. Vucic became president of the SNS in 2012, replacing Tomislav Nikolic who held the post since 2008 when the party was formed as an offshoot of the ultranationalist Serbian Radical Party. He first served as the deputy prime minister and prime minister, and was then elected president in 2017 and in 2022. His second and last term expires in 2027. Along with its allies, the SNS holds a majority of 164 seats in the 250-member parliament. A nationalist firebrand during the wars in the 1990s, Vucic later embraced pro-European policies, proclaiming Serbia's membership in the European Union its strategic goal. He also maintains close ties with Russia and China. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by David Holmes) CAMBRIDGE A single-vehicle crash claimed the life of a 58-year-old Senecaville resident Friday night. According to the Ohio State Patrol, Jeffery Hill was traveling southbound on Ohio 285 near milepost 4 in Guernsey County. He was driving a 2007 Dodge pickup truck, pulling a trailer with hay bails on the back of it. Hill traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck the guardrail, and a road sign before coming to final rest against the guardrail. He was transported from the scene by EMS to Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. There was one other occupant inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, Tammy Hill, who was not injured as a result of the crash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on the scene by Old Washington EMS, Lore City Volunteer Fire Department, and the Guernsey County Sheriff's Office. The crash remains under investigation. The Ohio State Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists to buckle up. This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Single-vehicle crash takes the life of Senecaville man Miami Marlins' Jorge Soler, left, gestures as he scores after hitting a solo home run as Los Angeles Angels catcher Chad Wallach kneels at the plate during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 26, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Jorge Soler homered for the fourth straight game, Bryan De La Cruz had four hits including a two-run homer and the Miami Marlins snapped the Angels' four-game winning streak with a 6-2 victory Friday night over Los Angeles. Miami finished with a season-high 16 hits and everyone in the starting lineup got at least one. The Marlins have also had at least 11 hits in a club-record six straight games. Even though weve had a tough road trip win-loss wise, our offense has been feeling pretty good this month, Miami manager Skip Schumaker said after his team improved to 3-5 on its 10-game trip. We just keep moving the needle. De La Cruz is putting together solid at-bat after at-bat. ... Soler just feels so confident. Mike Trout had an RBI single, Brandon Drury homered and Gio Urshela had three hits for the Angels. Jesus Luzardo (4-3) allowed one run in five innings and struck out seven. The Marlins left-hander has a 1.64 ERA and 21 strikeouts in three games, including two starts, at Angel Stadium. He had our number last year, too. He's really talented, and when he throws strikes like that he's hard to hit, Angels manager Phil Nevin said. We had 10 hits and drew a couple walks. We just didn't get a big one to get runs across. Soler became the first Marlins player in six years to homer in four consecutive games with a solo shot in the third. The outfielder crushed a changeup down the middle by Reid Detmers (0-4) a projected 425 feet over the batter's-eye hedges in center field to extend Miami's lead to 3-0. The longest homer streak in the majors this season is five games, shared by the Cubs' Christopher Morel and Cardinals' Nolan Arenado. Soler is second in the majors with 16 home runs. He has 11 in May, one off the team record shared by Giancarlo Stanton and Dan Uggla. I think I'm more patient at this time, selecting my right pitches and then just letting out a little more damage, Soler said through a translator. Everyone is taking good pitches and getting all those hits together. Miami got three straight hits with one out in the second inning, including a bloop RBI single to center by Jean Segura. The Marlins hit four singles in a row to start the sixth, including Nick Fortes' RBI base hit, to make it 3-1. Drury brought the Angels within one run with a solo shot in the sixth before the Marlins answered in the seventh on De La Cruz's two-run homer. STREAKING Trout's base hit to drive in Chad Wallach in the fifth extended the Angels' streak of not getting shut out to 93 games, the longest active run in the majors. ROCKY DEBUT Angels pitcher Sam Bachman became the first top-10 pick from the 2021 amateur draft to play in the majors when he came in for the eighth inning. Bachman, the ninth overall selection by the Angels out of Miami University in Ohio, struck out four in two innings, but also allowed one run on four hits, including an RBI single by Luis Arraez in the eighth. The 23-year-old right-hander threw 47 pitches, 27 for strikes. He issued two walks. LOADED SECOND The Marlins and Angels both had the bases loaded with two outs in the second, but were unable to get a run across. Miami's Jon Berti flied out and Los Angeles' Zach Neto struck out. TRAINER'S ROOM Marlins: OF Jesus Sanchez (hamstring) went 0 for 3 in the first game of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville. ... LHP A.J. Puk (left elbow nerve irritation) will throw a 20-pitch bullpen Saturday. Angels: 3B Anthony Rendon (groin) swung a bat for the first time in nearly two weeks. UP NEXT Marlins: RHP Edward Cabrera (3-4, 5.05 ERA) has seven straight games with at least five strikeouts. Angels: RHP Shohei Ohtani (5-1, 3.05 ERA) pitched seven shutout innings and struck out 10 in a start against Miami last season. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Sprouts Farmers Market looks to hire staff for their newest Orange County location Sprouts Farmers Markets grand opening isnt until this summer in Orlando, but the specialty food store is already looking to hire a full staff. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<< The healthy grocer wants to hire 95 full-time and part-time employees when it opens on August 4. The newest location will be at 12500 Lake Underhill Rd. in Orlando at the Waterford Lakes Town Center. Read: Man in his 20s dies after shooting in Orange County, deputies say Those who are interested in applying to work at Sprouts virtually should visit the career portal on June 7 and use reference Store 651 to apply online. An in-person team member hiring event will take place on June 21, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando-East located at 12125 High Tech Ave. Read: SEE: Come Out With Pride unveils its new logo The grocery store offers wholesome, organic, plant-based, and gluten-free products. There are 380 stores nationwide, including 39 in Florida. Read: Orlando International Airport expects busiest travel day during Memorial Day weekend For a list of stores visit this website. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry, Deacon-in-Charge at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in downtown Canton, will be formally ordained as an Episcopal priest on June 3. CANTON The Rev. Robin Woodberry, deacon-in-charge at St. Pauls Episcopal Church at 425 Cleveland Ave. SW, will be formally ordained as a priest at 10 a.m. June 3. Bishop Mark Hollingsworth Jr., head of the Diocese of Ohio, will officiate. Upon ordination, Woodberry will become priest-in-charge of the historic downtown Canton church she has been serving for the past year. Deacon makes history at St. Paul Meet Robin Woodberry, deacon-in-charge at St. Paul's Episcopal Church A native of Youngstown and a second-generation pastor, Woodberry was licensed in the Baptist tradition in 1995 and ordained 10 years later at New Bethel Baptist Church. She holds a doctorate in ministry from the Southern Bible Institute and Seminary in Augusta, Georgia. Woodberry is the former nominating chairperson for the National Board of Church Women United, and executive director of the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches. She joined the Episcopal Church in 2017, and began her seminary studies at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California. She completed her field studies at Christ Church in Hudson before being ordained last May as a transitional deacon (a step toward the priesthood) and coming to St. Pauls. She completed her studies at Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago. She has been elected to the Episcopal Community Services Committee and serves on the churchs Commission for Racial Understanding. In Stark County, she is involved with the Interfaith Violence Prevention Coalition and the Interfaith Clergy Study Group. Woodberry and her husband, Anthony, have five children and are grandparents to six. Her mother, the Rev. Gena Thornton, is a retired pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. St. Pauls is one of the oldest churches in Canton, celebrating 154 years at the same location, and the 100th year of its current sanctuary. It has been a key partner in efforts ranging from Courageous Conversations on Race Relations to Thanksgiving Baskets Downtown. St. Paul's is one of 79 Northeast Ohio parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Clergy of all denominations are invited to process and wear white robes and red stoles for the ordination, which will be followed by a reception in the St. Pauls Guild Hall. This article originally appeared on The Repository: St. Paul Episcopal's Robin Woodberry to be formally ordained June 3 Jean Macean pictured at his competency hearing before Judge Elizabeth Blackburn at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. The man accused of stabbing a couple to death during Bike Week in 2022 is now mentally competent in his own defense and no longer requires commitment to a state psychiatric facility, according to medical staff. Jean Macean no longer meets the criteria for involuntary commitment, according to a letter from the Florida Department of Children and Families. Macean, 33, of Orlando, has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon while acting with premeditation in the killings of Terry Aultman, 48, and Brenda Aultman, 55, according to the indictment. Bike Week murders: Competency hearing wraps up, decision expected this month 'This is a nightmare': Daughter of Daytona Beach slaying victim thanks police in search for motive Bike Week murders: Psychologist says suspect is incompetent to proceed Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Macean is scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday before Circuit Judge Elizabeth Blackburn for a hearing about his competency at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach. The Aultmans were stabbed repeatedly while riding their bicycles home in the early morning of March 6, 2022, after attending Bike Week festivities on Main Street, police said. Their bodies were found at the corner of Riverview Boulevard and North Wild Olive Avenue. Blackburn ruled on Feb. 13 that Macean was incompetent to proceed and ordered that he be committed to the Department of Children and Families. Maceans competency was the topic of hearings on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1. At the hearings, Blackburn said Macean had been diagnosed at the jail as having a mental illness, an unspecified psychosis. He is being treated with medication at the jail. And jail records reflect that he had auditory hallucinations and disorganized thoughts when he was first arrested. Blackburn noted that both defense experts testified that it was likely Macean could be restored to competency within 90 days. An order to transport Macean to the hearing on Tuesday also instructs the jail medical staff to collaborate with department physicians to ensure changes in medication do not harm Maceans mental health status or his ability to proceed in the legal case. It also states that the final authority regarding medication for an inmate rests with the jails physician. The order states that the jail should notify the court immediately if Macean refuses to take any medication. The court file also contains a confidential psychological evaluation which is not available for public view. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Accused Daytona Beach Bike Week killer found competent to stand trial Student loan payments, balances up in air as court nears ruling on Biden plan: What to know Crunch time is drawing near for millions of Americans who applied for or were otherwise eligible for COVID-19 student-loan debt relief, including a half-million or more borrowers in Arizona. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in February about President Joe Bidens student debt-relief program after a lower-court ruling put the program in limbo and halted further applications for relief. The high court is expected to release a decision on the fate of the massive debt-forgiveness proposal before it recesses for its summer break. The Biden student loan debt relief plan has two distinct parts. The high court decision will affect the forgiveness or cancellation of debt for some borrowers. Separately, all borrowers haven't had to make loan payments for the past three years because of a pandemic-era "pause." Payments had been scheduled to resume later this year, and the tentative debt-ceiling deal negotiated by President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy affirms that. Payments are likely to start up again by around the end of August, though uncertainty remains on the exact timing. The Biden administration's plan was intended to help eligible borrowers transition back to making regular payments as temporary pandemic-relief support winds down. In addition to this pause, or delay, in required payments, the plan would forgive or cancel up to $20,000 in such debts for some low- and moderate-income borrowers. More: Women account for two-thirds of US student loan debt. Here's how it affects them. That piece of the puzzle is still up in the air, pending Supreme Court action. The U.S. Department of Education has promised to alert borrowers before they need to start making payments again. Loan payments put on hold for courts to decide legal issues The Biden administration has extended the loan-repayment pause several times. "It isn't fair to ask tens of millions of borrowers eligible for relief to resume their student debt payments while the courts consider the lawsuit," Biden said in a November video. No one with a federally held loan has had to make loan payments since Biden took office. While litigation is preventing us from providing the relief needed to avoid these harms, we dont think its right to ask you to pay on loans you wouldnt have to pay were it not for the lawsuits challenging the program, according to a statement from the Department of Education. Conversely, critics have argued that former students should be required to make good on their payments, as other types of borrowers must. Student-loan borrowers haven't had to make such payments since March 2020, but starting them up again could be a struggle. Various phase-in measures such as rolling out the process gradually could apply. These policies generally apply to federally held student loans, not all such debts. Millions could benefit from debt relief. Some could get $20K erased According to the White House, 26 million borrowers either applied for student-loan debt relief or had already provided sufficient information to the Department of Education to be deemed eligible. Applications for relief from more than 16 million borrowers were fully approved by the department and sent to loan servicers. However, the department in November put the program on hold and stopped accepting applications as a result of two separate lawsuits brought by opponents. Loan servicers have been prevented from discharging any debts. Nationally, more than 40 million borrowers would qualify for the debt-relief program, according to the Biden Administration. More than 600,000 Arizonans could be eligible, including 496,000 who already applied for or were deemed eligible for relief. Of these, 314,000 Arizonans were set to have their debts discharged, of more than 16 million people nationally who applied, before that aspect of the program was halted. If the Supreme Court sides with critics and requires student-loan payments to resume without providing debt relief, the Department of Education expects a surge in delinquencies and defaults. Even before the pandemic, many borrowers had trouble making payments. For example, 42% of Pell Grant recipients have defaulted at least once on their loans, according to department undersecretary James Kvall. Pell Grants typically are given to undergraduate students facing significant financial need, and recipients include many people of color. The Biden proposal would provide up to $20,000 in debt relief to Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the department and up to $10,000 in relief to non-Pell loan recipients. Borrowers would be eligible for debt relief if their income is below $125,000 for individuals or $250,000 for couples. What will the Supreme Court decide on debt relief? Some legal and other experts have said they dont expect the Supreme Court to approve the debt-relief program, given the conservative leaning of the high court. That could drive up delinquencies and defaults, they fear. "The most likely outcome is that the Supreme Court will rule that the federal government does not have power to forgive debt without an act of Congress," said Andrew Housser, co-CEO of digital personal-finance company Achieve, which has a large office in Tempe. "Regardless of the outcome, though, forbearance of student loans ends on June 30, which is going to create payment shock for millions of Americans." How to prepare if student loan payments resume With student loan forbearance coming to an end, more people likely will face financial stress, Housser said. Many already are struggling. In a recent Achieve poll of Americans generally, 66% of those surveyed said they were living paycheck to paycheck and 51% reported having less than $1,000 set aside for emergencies. Housser said borrowers with student-loan debts should put together budgets covering at least the next 12 months. Some debtors, including those grappling with credit-card balances, also might need to look at debt resolution services, a debt-consolidation loan or other options, he said. Consequences of defaulting on a student loan include no longer being able to work out a new repayment plan, possibly having wages garnished and facing the possibility of the Internal Revenue Service holding income-tax refunds, Kvall said in written testimony before a House committee. Defaults would be reported to credit bureaus, making future credit and loans more costly and difficult to obtain. What else should borrowers watch out for? As the topic heats up again with Supreme Court action imminent, many borrowers might struggle to get accurate, updated information. The Department of Education warns the public to be aware of scam artists offering help in getting a loan discharged, canceled or forgiven for a fee. You never have to pay for help with your federal student aid, the department said. Reach the writer at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Student loan relief court ruling expected soon. How to prepare Claymont High School English students had the chance to speak with author Trang Moreland, on screen, after reading her autobiography, "Just Smile and Say Hello." UHRICHSVILLE Claymont High School students in English classes taught by Jessica Klingler and Nicole Sankey had the opportunity to meet Trang Moreland after reading her autobiography, "Just Smile and Say Hello." Autobiography: Vietnamese immigrant publishes rags-to-riches life story First local author chosen: Autobiography of Dennison's Trang Moreland selected as 13th One Book, One Community title An immigrant's story: Vietnam native finds life is like a box of chocolates The book traces her life from perilous circumstances in war-torn Vietnam to the happy life she has today as a real estate investor, wife, mother and author. She formerly owned a beauty salon and a restaurant. The title of the book, "Just Smile and Say Hello," comes from the advice her widowed mother gave her when she left for America on a fiance visa, not knowing any English. A Dennison-area resident, Moreland spoke to the students via Zoom on Monday. She answered questions they had prepared. Moreland spoke of her home and family in Vietnam, the transition to America, and her current endeavors as she lives in America. Students asked her about her writing experience. Moreland replied that the entire process took her nearly five years. I really enjoyed hearing her story from what she had to go through. It was really nice meeting her. It was a very fun experience, said freshman Audrey Parrish. Mrs. Moreland has been so kind to meet with our students each year we study her novel," Klingler said. "The students love this part of the curriculum because its rare to get to meet the author they study in school. She is such an inspiration to our students and they have looked forward to this meeting with her since we started reading her novel. Claymont High School English classes had the chance to speak with author Trang Moreland after reading her autobiography, "Just Smile and Say Hello." Having an opportunity to read Mrs. Morelands novel and learning more about Vietnamese culture has been a welcomed addition to our curriculum," Sankey said. "The students really seem to connect to the book and be inspired by Trang, her experiences, and her work ethic. It was wonderful to meet her, and I hope everyone gets the opportunity to read her inspirational story. Morelands book tells the story of her life: growing up in South Vietnam, moving to the U.S. at age of 21, and her successful businesses in America. Her book is available for purchase at Walnut Creek Amish Flea Market and on Amazon. Moreland will sell and sign her books from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 27 at Canal Town Book Fest on the corner of Wooster Avenue and Third Street in Dover. This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Students speak with author after reading her autobiography Succession Style Is Changing How People Shop and Dress, According to New Data After four seasons, Succession will finally say goodbye this Sunday, and perhaps with it an entire discourse about quiet luxury and stealth wealth. But before things wrap up, new data suggests that these trends maybe werent just buzzwords after alland that show had actual influence over viewers shopping habits this year. More from Robb Report According to numbers from eBay, there were several brands and items made popular by some characters that resonated with viewers on the platform. For instance, the total number of sales in the U.S. and Canada of Loro Pianamade popular by Kendall Roywas up over 70 percent in April vs. March this year. The brand has seen a resurgence over the course of the show thanks to its stealth wealth associations and a sense of discrete luxury that billionaires like the Roys adhere to. As Robb Report previously covered, Jeremy Strong revealed that Loro Piana made him custom gear for the final season, working with costume designer Michelle Matland to ensure that they got the sartorial touches just right. The eBay data also revealed that total searches in the U.S. and Canada for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vousa watch sported by Logan Royare up nearly 60 percent over the same period. The watch includes an automatic movement with a sapphire case back revealing the watchs technical complexity; delicately crafted finishing touches; a face with fine Guilloche or covered in mother-of-pearl and the constant shine of its precious stones. Finally, the data also noted that Cartier Panthere watchesthe ones favored by Shivhad sale increase by 60 percent in the U.S. and Canada for the same period. The panther remains an iconic, desirable design, Christies international head of jewelry, Rahul Kadakia, previously told Robb Report. Cartier created it and made it their own. Others have made panthers, but you wouldnt buy one elsewhere, just like you wouldnt buy a Kelly bag anywhere but Hermes. Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. UN special envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes said the war took him 'by surprise' Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has accused UN special envoy Volker Perthes of stoking a brutal conflict with paramilitaries, the latest in a series of apparent moves to bolster his war effort. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked" by Burhan's letter, which requested "the nomination of a replacement" to Perthes and accused him of committing "fraud and disinformation" in facilitating a political process which broke down into six weeks of devastating urban warfare. Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, were meant to meet for negotiations facilitated by the UN on April 15, the day they turned Khartoum into a war zone. The meeting aimed to restore a transition to civilian rule disrupted since 2021 when Burhan and Daglo together seized power in a coup before falling out. As their feud worsened, the international community tried to get them to reach a deal on integration of Daglo's RSF into the regular army. Since late last year Perthes and the UN mission in Sudan, which he heads, have been the target of several protests by thousands of military and Islamist supporters who accused Perthes of "foreign intervention" and demanded his dismissal. Similar protests have taken place in the eastern city of Port Sudan since the war started. Perthes had maintained his "optimism" and said the war took him "by surprise". In the letter, Burhan accused Perthes of bias and of not respecting "national sovereignty." He said Perthes presented a misleading picture "of consensus" in his reports to the UN, and "without these signs of encouragement, the rebel leader Daglo would not have launched his military operations". It has never, however, been possible to verify who fired the first shots. The fighting across Sudan has killed more than 1,800 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. - 'We cannot look away' - The United Nations says more than a million people have been displaced within Sudan, in addition to 319,000 who have fled to neighbouring countries, raising concerns for regional stability. George Clooney, the actor and longtime advocate for human rights in Sudan, called on the international community to "up its focus". "We cannot look away," he said. In a statement from UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres said he was "shocked by the letter" from Burhan and "proud of the work done by Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative". The US State Department voiced its "strong support" for Perthes and its "concern" over Burhan's letter calling for his resignation. A one-week ceasefire brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia expires Monday night. The two nations called on the warring parties to continue talks on extending the ceasefire to help in the "delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance" to civilians, according to the official Saudi Press Agency. In a joint statement on Friday, the mediators "noted improved respect for the agreement" but said there was nevertheless "isolated gunfire in Khartoum". Burhan last week officially sacked Daglo as his deputy in the ruling Sovereign Council, replacing him with former rebel leader Malik Agar. But even after reports of Burhan's letter emerged, Agar said he had spoken to Perthes about "ways to resolve the crisis and end the war". The army is now also seeking to reinforce its ranks. On Friday the defence ministry called on "army pensioners" and reservists to head to command units, which the RSF called a "dangerous decision". - Islamist 'litmus test' - Perthes is currently in New York, where last Monday he briefed the Security Council on Sudan. He responded to those who "accuse the UN" by saying those responsible are "the two generals at war". Perthes "may not be allowed back into Sudan," according to Sudanese analyst Kholood Khair, founder of Khartoum-based think tank Confluence Advisory. "His visa will be a litmus test to gauge the resurgence of the Islamists," she wrote on Twitter. She and other analysts have said the international community, in its efforts to broker a political solution for Sudan before the war, was guilty of appeasing the two generals. Pro-democracy voices have long accused Burhan of being a Trojan horse for Islamists from the regime of strongman Omar al-Bashir, whom the military ousted in 2019 after mass protests. Several high-ranking officials from the Bashir era have found roles in Burhan's administration since the coup. During the fighting Burhan's backing has only grown clearer, including "a web of crony-capitalist corporations, from banks and telecom companies owned by Islamists and intelligence officers to companies owned by the military itself," according to Sudan expert Alex de Waal. Daglo himself has called Burhan an "Islamist" and a "coup plotter" intent on reviving "the vestiges of the old regime". Daglo, whose RSF are descendants of the notorious Janjaweed militia unleashed by Bashir in Darfur, has links to gold mines and de Waal has said he has thrived in an environment "where money and guns determine everything." bur/it/hkb/tjj/mca Sunday shows preview: Pressure is on to raise the debt ceiling, even with extension With just over a week until the U.S. potentially goes into default, the down-to-the-wire negotiations to raise the debt ceiling will likely dominate the Sunday talk show circuit once again. The White House and Republican lawmakers had yet to announce a deal as of Saturday afternoon, but both sides suggested on Friday night that they were nearing a compromise. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday gave lawmakers a hard deadline of June 5 to raise the debt ceiling and prevent a potentially catastrophic default. Yellen had previously said the country would run out of money to pay its bills in early June, possibly as early as June 1. While this gives negotiators some breathing room compared to the June 1 date, it also represents a hard deadline. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who is set to join Fox News Sunday this weekend, vowed on Saturday that Congress will meet the June 5 deadline. However, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), a top Republican negotiator, warned that it could be hours, or days until an agreement is reached, as a narrow set of sticking points remain between the two sides. Nothing is done, he said on Saturday. The interplay between all the issues on the table makes even a short list more complex, because weve tried to balance this in a smart way, recognizing that a Democrat president has to sign this thing. Further complicating the timeline, McCarthy has promised to stick to the 72-hour rule he agreed to during his Speakership fight earlier this year, meaning that the full text of the legislation will need to be available to lawmakers for three days before it can go to a vote. Everybody wont like what is the end of the agreement on both sides, McCarthy said. But at the end of the day, I think people should see what that product is before people vote on it. Democratic lawmakers have also warned that they wont automatically back any deal that President Biden reaches with McCarthy. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is set to join CBS Face the Nation this weekend, said on Thursday that it would be a miscalculation to assume that such a deal would trigger a sufficient number of Democratic votes, especially if it undermines our values. Were not going to take a deal that hurts working people, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said on Wednesday. Jayapal will make an appearance on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this weeks Sunday talk shows: ABCs This Week Preempted for coverage of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix NBCs Meet the Press Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.); former Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) CBS Face the Nation Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.); Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft; Austan Goolsbee, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago CNNs State of the Union New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R); Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.); Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Fox News Sunday Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.); Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Reps. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures Reps. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) and Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas); former national security advisor Robert OBrien; Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON A 94-year-old woman who lost her home, a student who could barely read after more than a decade of schooling and a couple fighting to build a house in Idaho all have something in common: They've all won recent unanimous Supreme Court rulings in their battles with local and federal government. It is too soon to draw conclusions about the Supreme Court's current term, which is turning toward its finale next month, but the justices have so far sided with individual plaintiffs and businesses against the government in roughly seven of 10 non-criminal cases. While that may not be surprising for a court on which conservatives hold a 6-3 advantage, many of the early opinions have also drawn at least some support from the liberal wing. Those include the case of a transgender Guatemalan woman fighting deportation, an Arizona company known for making the Taser stun gun that wants to sue the Federal Trade Commission and two neighbors in rural Montana who have been battling with the U.S. Forest Service for years over a road that runs through their property. Case tracker: Race, religion and debt: Here are the biggest cases pending at the Supreme Court In the shadows: Should Americans worry about the Supreme Court's 'shadow' docket? This expert says yes. "We're talking about basic issues of fairness that, in a polarized era, I think do bring the entire court together," said Larry Salzman, director of litigation for the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation, which represented two clients who won their Supreme Court cases against the government this week. The implications of some of the recent decisions have triggered sharp debates, perhaps none more so than the decision Thursday to significantly curb the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to police pollution flowing into wetlands and small streams that feed into larger bodies of water. While all nine justices sided with the Idaho couple in their fight against the EPA, they split 5-4 on the standard that will be used in such cases going forward. "It's going to be devastating for clean water protections throughout the country," said Nick Torrey, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, who said much of the impact would hit disadvantaged communities. Michael and Chantell Sackett of Priest Lake, Idaho, pose for a photo in front of the Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 14, 2011. "Wetlands are essential for protecting disadvantaged communities, which are often in low lying areas, from flooding," he said. "You're going to see those disadvantaged communities bearing the brunt of this decision." Such heated disagreements about the impact of the decisions will almost certainly become more acute as the court wraps up its nine-month term in June, answering consequential questions such as whether universities may consider race in admissions, whether President Joe Biden's administration had the power to forgive an estimated $400 billion in student loan debt and whether the court will further weaken the Voting Rights Act in a case dealing with Alabama's congressional map. Here's a look at some of the cases this term in which Supreme Court plaintiffs have beaten the government: The Supreme Court Building on April 19, 2023. Fighting the government at the Supreme Court and winning Common theme? 'Significant concern' for property rights The EPA case decided Thursday was the first the Supreme Court debated at the beginning of this current term, back in October. Tyler's case, about the equity in her condo sold by the county, was the last set for argument in late April. Although the cases dealt with vastly different legal issues, both involved clients challenging the government over property a type of claim that has been viewed favorably by the high court in recent years. "This is a court that cares about property rights," said Jonathan Adler, a professor at Case Western Reserve School of Law. "You see a significant concern for the impact of environmental regulation on landowners, and the impact of the government on property rights more generally." EPA: 'Significant repercussions.' Supreme Court limits government power to curb water pollution Property: Supreme Court sides with grandmother who lost home, equity because of back taxes The EPA lawsuit turned on Michael and Chantell Sackett, who purchased their lot in a residential subdivision in 2004. The couple obtained county permits needed to develop the site but were informed by the EPA after they began construction that the agency viewed the land as subject to its review because it contained wetlands a few hundred feet from Priest Lake. In the Supreme Court's decision, a 5-4 majority set a new standard that will bar the EPA from regulating pollution unless the water at issue has a "continuous surface connection" that makes it indistinguishable from a larger body of water. In another case decided in March, the court sided with two Montanans fighting the federal government over a road that runs through their property and that the Forest Service opened to the public. The government claimed a 12-year statute of limitations had run out but the Supreme Court, in an opinion written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, allowed the case to continue. The neighbors were also represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation. Geraldine Tyler Looking ahead to June The Supreme Court traditionally announces its most significant decisions in late June. And while cases like those filed by Perez and Tyler may unify many on the left and right, the upcoming rulings such as a challenge to Biden's student loan program and the use of affirmative action are far more likely to divide the court and the nation. One of those cases involves Gerald Groff, a former U.S. Postal Service employee and evangelical Christian who wanted to take Sundays off for church and rest. That presented a scheduling conflict and a burden on his colleagues, the government argued after the Postal Service started delivering Amazon packages on Sundays. Some of the court's conservatives appeared sympathetic to Groff during oral arguments last month. Several African American voters, meanwhile, are at the center of a lawsuit challenging Alabama's recently redrawn congressional map, in a case that will be decided next month. The state's map includes one district out of seven with a majority of Black voters even though African Americans make up 27% of the state's population. The case could have sweeping implications for whether and how states take account of race as they draw congressional districts. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Divisive Supreme Court wetlands decision is win for property rights Taiwan says Chinese warships pass through Taiwan Strait as Beijing keeps up pressure on island FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2019, file photo provided by Xinhua News Agency, the Shandong aircraft carrier is docked at a naval port in Sanya in southern China's Hainan Province. Taiwan's defense ministry said Saturday that it detected three ships from the Chinese navy, one of which was the Shandong aircraft carrier, passing through the Taiwan Strait. (Li Gang/Xinhua via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) BEIJING (AP) Taiwans Defense Ministry said Saturday that it detected three Chinese warships, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, passing through the Taiwan Strait, as Beijing keeps up pressure on the self-ruled island it claims as its own. The ministry said it was monitoring the movements of the ships and will respond accordingly. In a tweet, the ministry said that the three vessels were headed north along the Taiwan Strait at noon and were steering along the west of the median line an unofficial boundary once tacitly accepted by both sides. China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan in recent months amid deteriorating U.S.-China ties. China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary and regularly sends ships and warplanes into airspace and waters near the island. The ministry also said that in the 24 hours from 6 a.m. Friday to Saturday, it detected 33 of China's People's Liberation Army aircraft and 10 navy vessels around Taiwan. Twelve of the aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered the island's air defense identification zone. In response, Taiwan's armed forces deployed aircraft, navy vessels and land-based missile systems. In April, the Chinese military said it was ready to fight after completing three days of large-scale combat exercises around Taiwan that simulated sealing off the island in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens trip to the U.S. Last August, China intensified war games around Taiwan, with missile firings and incursions into Taiwanese waters and airspace following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei. Republicans Tony Tinderholt of Arlington and Nate Schatzline of Fort Worth were the only Tarrant County area lawmakers to vote no on the articles of impeachment against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday. Tinderholt, speaking in the House before the vote, said it was a sad day for our chamber as he took the front podium to speak in opposition of the impeachment resolution. He and others who spoke against the measure raised concerns about the process and quick turnaround of the impeachment proceedings. Tinderholt said the process lacked transparency, careful deliberation and is about politics. He raised concerns that Paxton hadnt been interviewed as part of the investigation and that an attorney general office staff member wasnt able to testify as a resource witness earlier in the week. He said that instead of questioning witnesses in a hearing, investigators were allowed to summarize and potentially editorialize their findings. If you think this is how we best serve Texans, youre gravely mistaken, Tinderholt said. When you vote today, dont listen to the bullies inside or outside this building that try to intimidate you into submission. Schatzline said he had nothing but respect for the committee and its chairman, Rep. Andrew Murr of Kerriville, but said he was concerned because members were not given access to evidence or allowed to question witnesses. If Im going to make a judgment call thats going to potentially create precedents and future impeachment, then I want to make sure that Im doing so off of good faith and offer good knowledge of the actual evidence and being able to ask questions myself, he said. And so for me, thats why I voted no. It had everything to do with the procedure and the process. Republican Rep. Giovanni Capriglione of Southlake said he was one of the first representatives to endorse Paxton when he initially ran for attorney general. He voted in favor of the resolution. This decision weighed heavily on me, and it brought me no joy, he said in a statement. The resolution passed with a significant majority. Let me clarify that the primary objective of impeachment is to safeguard the state and entrusted with the responsibility to assess whether there was sufficient evidence to warrant further legal proceedings. Having watched the committee hearing, scrutinized its transcript, and devoted hours to listening to testimonies and debates, there is no doubt that the evidence against the Attorney General is substantial and compelling. By Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE (Reuters) - Tens of thousands braved rain and wind in Belgrade on Saturday in an anti-government protest over two mass shootings that killed 18 people, blaming the deaths on a culture of violence that critics say authorities have allowed to permeate society. On May 3 a teenage boy killed nine pupils and a security guard in Belgrade in the first school mass shooting in Serbia, and a day later a 21-year-old man killed eight outside the city. Opposition parties, which organised the rally, blame the government led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of failing to rein in media that have promoted violence and to act against criminal elements in society. It was the fourth such protest in as many weeks, with demonstrators turning up in similar numbers to the previous three rallies despite bad weather. The crowd filled the streets around a compound housing the state broadcaster RTS, calling on President Aleksandar Vucic, Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic and Aleksandar Vulin, the director of Serbia's security agency to resign. They also demanded more media freedoms. "We have had enough and it is high time something changed," said Janko, a protester from Belgrade. The government denies opposition parties' allegations, and accuses them of staging protests for political gain. On Friday, tens of thousands of people bussed-in from across Serbia, neighbouring Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia and North Macedonia rallied in the centre of Belgrade in a show of support for Vucic. "We are completely opposite to the people that were here yesterday ... we are promoting entirely different values and we strive for change," said Jelena, a woman in her 30s. Opposition parties and rights watchdogs have long accused Vucic and the SNS of autocracy, stifling media freedoms, violence against political opponents, corruption and ties with organised crime. Vucic and his allies deny the accusations. On Saturday Vucic stepped down as leader of the SNS, appointing defense minister Milos Vucevic as his successor. Vucic said he will remain the head of the state. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Clelia Oziel) Tesla instructed employees to only communicate verbally about complaints so there was no written record, leaked documents show Documents leaked to a German newspaper indicate Tesla instructed employees to avoid taking a written record of customer complaints. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A Tesla whistleblower leaked thousands of internal company files to a German newspaper. Handelsblatt published a series of stories detailing unreported customer complaints and possible data mishandling. One of the leaked documents contained a Tesla policy to only discuss customer complaints verbally, not in writing. Thousands of documents leaked to a German newspaper indicate Tesla enforced a company policy that discouraged creating a written record of customer complaints involving acceleration, braking, and crashes. According to Handelsblatt, the outlet received about 100 gigabytes of data from a Tesla whistleblower in the form of at least 23,000 files including PDFs, spreadsheets, and emails. The leak includes employee and customer data, as well as thousands of complaints involving Teslas accelerating on their own, crash reports, and allegations of emergency braking caused by faulty collision warnings. The files also reportedly include a piece of Tesla employee policy that mandated employees communicate only verbally with customers about the details of their complaints, specifically instructing them not to put the reports in writing in emails, or leave details on voicemails. "They never sent emails, everything was always verbal," one California doctor reportedly told Handelsblatt. The doctor reported an incident in 2021 claiming their car accelerated on its own and crashed into concrete pillars. In a translated portion of the Handelsblatt story reported by The Verge and Jalopnik, Tesla employees were reportedly told to mark reviews and complaints as "for internal use only" and only correspond verbally with customers. "Each entry also contains the note in bold print that information, if at all, may only be passed on 'VERBALLY to the customer,'" the translation reads."'Do not copy and paste the report below into an email, text message, or leave it in a voicemail to the customer,' it said. Vehicle data should also not be released without permission. If, despite the advice, 'an involvement of a lawyer cannot be prevented', this must be recorded." "Do not copy and paste the report below into an email, text message, or leave it in a voicemail to the customer," Tesla instructed employees, according to files leaked to Handelsblatt. Robert Alexander/Getty Images Handelsblatt's editor-in-chief, Sebastian Matthes, posted a note alongside the story explaining the outlet's decision to publish the contents of the leaked data, which could violate European Union privacy law, after months of investigating the files and interviewing customer complaints. "The data paints the picture of an electric car pioneer who seems to have far greater technological problems than previously known," Matthes wrote, according to a translation of the note. Many of the complaints which spanned from 2015 to 2022 involved US-based incidents, with some coming from across Europe and Asia. Handelsblatt reported conversations with dozens of those affected by the complaints, including some who showed reporters video of the incidents or their communications with Tesla. Tesla did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. In a response to Handelsblatt, the company urged the outlet to delete the "stolen" data and threatened legal action against the paper and the allegedly "disgruntled former employee" they believed to be responsible for the leak. Reuters and Handelsblatt reported that investigators from Germany and the Netherlands, where the company's data was stored, are considering whether the leak of employee and customer data including the potential leak of Elon Musk's own social security number warrants an investigation. Federal regulators have investigated issues with Tesla's self-driving software and accidents caused by other technical malfunctions reported across the US for years. The carmaker has also recalled and issued software updates for millions of cars and trucks following reported incidents. Read the original article on Business Insider Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks outside in Washington, DC.on U.S. Supreme Court on November 01, 2021. Credit - Drew AngererGetty Images Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was impeached from the Texas House on Saturday, following a House committees months-long investigation into his misconduct. More than half of House Republicans voted to impeach Paxton in a 121 to 23 vote, going against the wishes of leading conservative figures such as former president Donald Trump. Paxton is now suspended from office and will face a trial before the State Senate, where he could be permanently removed from his position and barred from holding elected office in the state of Texas. On Thursday, the bipartisan, but Republican-led General Investigating Committee unanimously recommended that Paxton be impeached and removed from office, over allegations of bribery, obstruction of justice and other abuses throughout his years in office. House Republicans have brought forth 20 articles of impeachment in total. Paxton, 60, referred to the impeachment vote as illegal, unethical, and profoundly unjust, saying that he hoped for a quick resolution in the Senate, where he has several allies, including his wife, Angela Paxton. The case marks the first impeachment hearing of a state official in the House in almost 50 years. More from TIME Heres what to know: Who is Paxton? Paxton, who has been a driving force behind Texass culture wars, was first elected to office as a House representative in 2002, where he went on to spend 12 years in the legislature. After Texas Governor Greg Abott vacated his role as the states attorney general in 2014, Paxton ran for the open position, winning by a landslide. Over the years, Paxton has strongly allied himself with hard-line conservatives. He was involved in Trumps efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results, as well as other legal challenges against the Biden administration and efforts to loosen migration and border restrictions. Paxton was re-elected for a third term in November by a sizable majority. He has spent most of his tenure as attorney general under investigation. His first year on the job in 2015, he received felony charges over securities fraud for allegedly misleading investors. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleges that he raised over $800,000 by selling shares from software company Servergy to clients, without disclosing to them that he was receiving additional stock shares from the company in return. Paxton denied wrongdoing, claiming that he received the stocks as a gift, and has yet to go to trial over the charges. Why was Paxton impeached? Paxtons impeachment mainly centers around Paxton illegally using his political power to benefit his friend, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, who donated $25,000 to Paxtons 2018 campaign. Paul allegedly received favorable assistance or access to the attorney generals office after employing a woman Paxton allegedly had an extramarital affair witha form of bribery. Paul denies that he hired the woman to benefit Paxton. Paxton also authorized an investigation into the 2019 F.B.I raid of Pauls property. At the time, Paxton said, he wasnt motivated to protect a political donor or to abuse this office, nor will I ever. Investigations into Paxtons actions were spurred by an October 2020 letter from several of Paxtons top aides, accusing the attorney general of bribery and abuse of office. Four aides were fired in the fall of 2020 after the letters release, leading them to file a lawsuit accusing Paxton of retaliation. He challenged the suit, but after a Texas appeals court ruled against him, he agreed to pay $3.3 million in settlement to the aides in February 2023. Paxton asked the state legislature for funding to pay the multi-million dollar settlement, but House Speaker Dade Phelan opposed the use of taxpayer money for it. The House opened an investigation into the allegations against Paxton to gather intel over his funding request, according to Phelans office. A House committee voted Thursday to make the first judgment over the allegations. Legislators said there was enough evidence against Paxton to start the process of removing him from office. What the impeachment means The vote against Paxton is evidence of rising tension within the Texas Republican party, which has controlled both the House and the Senate since 2003, according to the Texas Tribune. Some, like House Rep. John Smithee saw impeachment proceedings against Paxton as a process that lacked serious evidence. Today it could be General Paxton, and tomorrow it could be you, Smithee said. Others, such as Rep. Andrew Murr (who led the committee investigation against Paxton), noted that they had to abide by notions of integrity and honesty in their vote. Because of the impeachment vote, Paxton is temporarily absolved from his office. Gov. Abbott has the authority to appoint an interim attorney general, though if he does not do so, the duties of the attorney general will fall to the next most senior official, the New York Times reports. The power to permanently remove Paxton for office lies in the hands of the State Senate, where two-thirds of legislators would need to vote in favor for removal. If they fail to reach that margin, Paxton would immediately resume his position. The date for the impeachment trial will be set by Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick, who has not yet revealed when the trial will happen. Texas attorney general Ken Paxton has been impeached by the GOP-controlled Statehouse in a historic vote. The vote came after Mr Paxton was accused of threatening colleagues with political blowback if they supported his impeachment. State representative Charlie Geren, who like Mr Paxton is a member of the Republican party, said several members of this House while on the floor of this House, doing the state business, received telephone calls from general Paxton personally, threatening them with political consequences in their next election, according to The Texas Tribune. Mr Geren made the claim during the opening remarks in the impeachment hearing in the Texas statehouse. The 73-year-old rejected Mr Paxtons claims that the impeachment is a witch hunt and that the whistleblowers behind a lawsuit against him are political appointees. Mr Geren, who sits on the House General Investigative Committee, repeated what the panel said in the articles of impeachment filed against Mr Paxton, that the committee wouldnt have probed the issue if he hadnt made the request that the legislature greenlight a settlement worth $3.3m to the former members of staff. We are here today because the attorney general asked the state Legislature to fund a multimillion-dollar settlement, Mr Geren said. There was no investigation prior to this time. We wanted to look further into the reasons behind that. Mr Geren went on to say that the settlement was Mr Paxton trying to hide the possibility of wrongdoing. This settlement served to stave off a trial, including a discovery process that could have brought new info to light, he said. Mr Paxton has long been accused of violating the standards of his office, which he has held since 2015, before which he served in the Texas state senate between 2013 and 2015 and before that, the Texas Statehouse from 2003 until 2013. On Saturday, members of the GOP in the Texas House presented their case for impeaching Mr Paxton, arguing that he used his role to benefit himself and a donor to his campaign and that he should be put on trial in the state senate for a range of violations. Its the first vote on the impeachment of a statewide officeholder in Texas since 1917, The New York Times noted. Mr Paxton is the third statewide officeholder in Texas to be impeached in the almost two-centuries-long history of the state, according to the Associated Press. Former president Donald Trump issued a statement of support for Mr Paxton on Truth Social before the vote, writing that the RINO Speaker of the House of Texas, Dade Phelan, who is barely a Republican at all and failed the test on voter integrity, wants to impeach one of the most hard working and effective Attorney Generals in the United States, Ken Paxton, who just won re-election with a large number of American Patriots strongly voting for him. You would think that any issue would have been fully adjudicated by the voters of Texas, especially when that vote was so conclusive, Mr Trump added. The Republican-controlled bipartisan statehouse committee that advanced the process against Mr Paxton filed 20 articles of impeachment this week, with the panel unanimously finding him unfit to hold office, sending the issue on to the full statehouse. Republican representative David Spiller said Mr Paxton used his office to help a donor, an Austin real estate investor, to his campaign as well as himself. Attorney General Paxton continuously and blatantly violated laws and procedures, Mr Spiller said, according to The New York Times. Today is a very grim and difficult day for this House and for the State of Texas. The impeachment vote only required a simple majority in the House. Mr Paxton, 60, has rejected all allegations of wrongdoing. He has been a vocal supporter of conservative legal issues and a main combatant of the Biden administration on issues such as the Affordable Care Act and immigration. He won a third term last year after beating George P Bush, the son of former Florida governor Jeb Bush and the nephew of former president George W Bush, in a Republican primary in May 2022. The allegations against him became a part of the campaign, and Mr Paxton accused the Republican House leadership of working with Democrats to remove him from office. Mr Paxton will now be temporarily removed from office as the issue heads to the state senate for trial, where a number of his main allies, such as his wife, state senator Angela Paxton, will be jurors. Governor Greg Abbott is now able to appoint a temporary replacement pending the trial. A year ago, Tony and Shawna Hayess youngest son graduated from high school and moved out of their home in Houston. They realized they were about to have a lot more free time on their hands and they knew what to do with it. We realized we were going to be empty nesters, Shawna Hayes said. It was almost immediate we looked at each other and said, we can volunteer full-time. It was just like, thats what youre supposed to do if you have free time. Tony and Shawna sold their home and almost all of their belongings and bought a truck and a fifth-wheel camper. They began driving across the country doing volunteer work in March 2023, spending every month in a new city. Throughout May, theyve been volunteering around Columbia, donating food and supplies, delivering and serving meals and roofing a house. People think that volunteering requires some big, huge commitment or that they need to know a bunch, have a bunch of skills or ... have a bunch of time or a lot of money, Shawna said. You dont have to have anything except a willingness to show up and say Im here, what do you need me to do? Shawna Hayes tosses a push broom up to her husband Tony Hayes while volunteering with Home Works of America on Saturday, May 20, 2023. While Tony was on the roof removing shingles, Shawna gathered the detritus. Tony, 52, and Shawna, 48, got married in August 2020 and made it a point to do volunteer work whenever and wherever they traveled. Tony is a retired Army veteran, and Shawna now works remotely, part-time, at a nonprofit that donates underwear to children. Many of their friends thought they were crazy when they told them what they were planning to do, they said. People thought we were a little nuts, Shawna said. People didnt really understand what we were saying until we were actually gone. The couple will sign up to do any kind of work, she said they have walked dogs, built habitats at wildlife reserves, worked with single mothers and homeless individuals. At Oliver Gospels Tobys Place shelter for women and children, Shawna has worked as the receptionist, while Tony has worked in the organizations thrift store. Its been just like a breath of fresh air in here, Mardi Jordan, administrative assistant at Tobys Place, said. Its allowed the residents to also see what I (describe) as living a God-called life and what that looks like. Some of Tony and Shawnas work has been regularly scheduled, such as picking up Meals on Wheels routes on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Some have been one-offs, like when they helped put a new roof on a home in Lexington County on May 20 with Home Works of America. They came out and just absolutely were the poster child volunteers of just having a warm smile and being willing to do anything, Joe Huggins, executive director of Home Works, said. What we do is hard. What we do is hot. What we do is nasty. So it takes a special volunteer to come alongside us and they were just absolutely wonderful. The couple has also volunteered with Foodshare South Carolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank and at the Rosewood Crawfish Festival during their month in Columbia. Besides getting to travel, the Hayes are also hoping to inspire other people, and especially other married couples, to spend time volunteering. I think theres so many opportunities to help people in a simple way and people just dont even realize, they think its this big scary thing and it doesnt have to be, Shawna said. Thats what we want to encourage people if you have 30 minutes in a month, I guarantee someone needs that 30 minutes. Theyve documented their journey on social media, using the hashtag Marriage On A Mission. Theyve heard from people both online and in-person who say they are interested in doing something similar, Tony said. Thats all we want to do, he said. Were just going to encourage people to give their timeIt doesnt have to be on a grand scale. Shawna Hayes disposes of old shingles while volunteering with Home Works of America on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The Hayes are trying to visit cities theyve never been to they spent March in Pensacola, Florida, and April in Memphis, Tennessee. Volunteering gives them a chance to get a more in-depth look than just sightseeing, they said. People (in Columbia) are amazing, the food is good, Tony said. They love markets, and Soda City is in the top two theyve seen, they said. Weve loved it here and we just want to continue to do our best to please God in whatever we do, in our small way and make a difference, Shawna said. The Hayes are pulling their fifth-wheel out of their West Columbia campground on May 31 and heading for Jackson, Mississippi. Afterwards, theyre spending a couple of weeks in Houston before a six-week stint in Alaska, then to Seattle and Sacramento, California, and back to Houston for Christmas and to plan for next years trip. People always ask how long are you gonna do it? Shawna said. Until God says different, well do it as long as we can. And when we cant do it this way, were still gonna do it, it just might look different. Texas Girl Born in Jail Heading to Harvard After Graduating at the Top of Her Class Aurora Sky Castner plans to study law when she attends Harvard University in the fall Academy for Science & Health, Conroe ISD/Facebook Aurora Sky Castner A Texas girl who was born in jail is making a name for herself after graduating from high school at the top of her class, with plans to attend Harvard University. Eighteen years after she was born in the Galveston County Jail, Aurora Sky Castner graduated third in her class at Conroe High School on Thursday night, The Courier reported. Castners mother was in jail when she gave birth to her. She has not played a role in her daughter's life since the day Castner's father picked her up as a newborn from the prison, raising her as a single father, the outlet said. According to the Courier, Castner opened her application essay to Harvard with the sentence, "I was born in prison." She was later accepted into the Ivy League through early action, and the teen plans to study law when she attends the school in the fall. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Getty Images Harvard University's Harvard Yard Related: Tom Hanks Receives Honorary Degree from Harvard 'Without Having Done a Lick of Work' Growing up, Castner moved around a lot with her dad, but always stayed in Montgomery County, the Courier reported. When she was in elementary school, members of the staff saw potential in her, but felt she could use some guidance from CISDs Project Mentor program, which partners community volunteers with students. In came her mentor, Mona Hamby, who told the Courier, I was given a paper about her. Her hero was Rosa Parks, her favorite food was tacos from Dairy Queen and she loved to read. I thought this sounds like a bright little girl. I still have that paper today. After Castner told Hamby about her parenting ordeal, the woman told The Courier she felt as though the now-teenager "needed more" than just a guide for school activities, but personal moments as well. So Hamby helped Castner with things like picking out glasses and getting her first salon haircut, according to the outlet, while dentists, orthodontists and other community leaders helped Castner with her teeth and to enjoy important childhood experiences, such as summer camp. It was a very different environment than I grew up in and thats not a bad thing, Castner said. Everything that Mona taught me was very valuable in the same way that everything that I went through before Mona was very valuable. Related: 24-Year-Old Student Who Collected Garbage to Pay for College Is Admitted to Harvard Law School Hamby and her husband, Randy, toured the Harvard campus with Castner in March 2022, which helped solidify the teen's decision to attend the university later this year. After that trip, I saw her love for the school intensify, Hamby said. Alongside Hamby, the Courier reported that Castner also relied on James Wallace, a professor at Boston University, who helped her prepare her Harvard application. He helped me to tell my story in the best way possible, she told the outlet. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A Texas House committee accused Ken Paxton of some serious misconduct. Now it wants the Trump-backed attorney general impeached. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton testifies in front of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, just a few days before a grand jury indicts him on three felonies. Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton could soon be out of a job after being accused of several crimes. The Texas House will vote on an impeachment resolution on Saturday. If it passes, Paxton will immediately be suspended from office and could eventually be impeached. After years of investigations, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face impeachment vote on Saturday. A Republican-led investigation in the Texas House on Wednesday accused the scandal-prone attorney general with close ties to former President Donald Trump and Governor Greg Abbott of breaking multiple laws while in office. On Thursday, the committee investigating him filed 20 articles of impeachment, including allegations of bribery, obstruction of justice, false statements in official records, and unfitness for office. Paxton has vehemently denied the allegations and the move to impeach him as an "illegal impeachment scheme." "They have denied me the opportunity to present the evidence which contradicts their politically motivated narrative," Paxton said during a press conference Friday. Representatives for Paxton did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. 'Paxton and crooked are synonymous' Paxton has been facing a criminal indictment and multiple investigations since being sworn into the attorney general's office in 2015. Olivia Julianna, a Texas-based activist and political strategist who Paxton once blocked on Twitter, told Insider that in Texas "Ken Paxton and crooked are synonymous." Paxton blocked the activist, who publicly criticized him for his FBI investigation, after agreeing to stop blocking critics as part of a First Amendment lawsuit. "He's always been shrouded in some kind of criminal conspiracy or criminal controversy," Julianna told Insider. "So it's not surprising in the slightest that we've gotten to this point now where he's starting to feel the flames on his feet, because the higher they are, the harder they fall." A letter and an FBI investigation In 2020, members of Paxton's staff reported their boss to the FBI in a letter that was later obtained and published by the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV. In the letter, staff members alleged that Paxton might have committed serious crimes, including bribery, to help friend and political donor Nate Paul after the FBI raided Paul's home in 2019. Investigators did not publicly disclose the reason for the raid. Following the raid, Paxton made unusual steps to investigate the FBI on behalf of Paul, who accused the bureau of mistreating him, by using an outside attorney. There were also other allegations that Paxton had used his power to benefit Paul in his real estate dealings, and that Paul had hired a woman Paxton had an extramarital affair with as a favor. Paxton and Paul also denied these allegations. The letter led to an ongoing FBI investigation in the attorney general's use of his office. Paxton later fired some of the whistleblowers who wrote the letter, which led to a lawsuit by said staffers that was settled in February. A lawsuit settlement with taxpayer funds Paxton owed four former staffers $3.3 million as part of the settlement and implored the Texas House Appropriations subcommittee in February to increase the budget for the attorney general's office to pay off the settlement. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan was vocally opposed, calling it an improper use of taxpayer dollars. Phelan then helped lead a House Investigation into the allegations against Paxton due to the funding request, a spokesperson told The New York Times. Then on Wednesday, they presented their findings a day after Paxton called for Phelan's resignation after accusing him of being drunk on the floor of the House. In a Friday announcement of the impeachment resolution vote, set for Saturday, Phelan noted that the investigation would not have happened "but for Paxton's own request for a taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct." Julianna told Insider that she believes that the moves from House Republicans to impeach Paxton is more about political strategy than holding him accountable as the Texas Republican party begins to experience a split. "I think it's that Ken Paxton antagonized the wrong people knowing that he had a lot of skeletons in his closet," Julianna said. On Saturday, Paxton will face a vote on the impeachment resolution. He will immediately be suspended from office if it passes while the Senate deliberates his fate. Read the original article on Business Insider Texas Republican-led House voted Saturday to impeach the states Republican attorney general, Ken Paxton, finally moving to show him the door after a long series of scandals and possible crimes. Lawmakers introduced 20 articles of impeachment against the three-term attorney general, whose antics have roiled the Texas GOP. The affirmative 121-23 vote means Paxton will be suspended as the states top law enforcement officer pending the outcome of a trial in the Texas Senate, with Gov. Greg Abbott (R) given the option of appointing an interim attorney general. The timing of a trial is uncertain, however, given that the current Texas legislative session ends Monday. Paxton is the first person impeached in the state of Texas in nearly half a century. A Republican-led investigatory committee earlier this week spelled out the various ways Paxton is accused of abusing the power of his office through bribery, retaliation and a culture of fear. The committee recommended Wednesday that Paxton be impeached at a hearing that sparked an indignant response from the attorney general, who accused Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan of being a liberal who was drunk on the job and needed to resign. Phelans office told local outlet KDFW that the attorney general was just trying to save face. Meanwhile, the Texas Republican Party Chair, Matt Rinaldi, came down on Paxtons side in the impeachment and accused Phelan of trying to stop the conservative direction of our state by working with Democrats. Paxton has been a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and styled himself a conservative culture warrior. He has proven popular with Texas voters. Trump himself threatened state lawmakers if the vote goes against his ally, writing on social media, I will fight you if it does. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called the impeachment proceedings a travesty. Paxton is accused of using his office to help a political donor, the Austin-based real estate developer Nate Paul, navigate legal entanglements in exchange for an elaborate home remodel for Paxton and a job for a woman with whom Paxton allegedly had an affair. In 2020, a group of Paxtons top aides came forward to accuse the attorney general of abusing his power. Weeks later, several of them were fired. The whistleblowers promptly sued Paxton, and that case reached a $3.3 million settlement agreement back in February. There is tension over how the money will be paid out, however; Phelan and other lawmakers are against using taxpayer funds to cover Paxtons misconduct. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at then-President Donald Trump's rally on Jan. 6, 2021, just before rioters stormed the Capitol. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at then-President Donald Trump's rally on Jan. 6, 2021, just before rioters stormed the Capitol. Texas state Rep. Ann Johnson (D) likened Paxton to a criminal during the roughly four hours of statements and debate that preceded the vote. Criminals have an M.O. ... where they have patterns that develop over time, she said, adding that Paxtons pattern was to do wrong until confronted. A decade ago, Paxton pocketed a $1,000 Montblanc pen from a courthouse security bin when its owner had been in a hurry, then returned it once the rightful owner had looked through security footage. In 2015, he was charged with felony securities fraud in a case that is still playing out eight years later because of continued procedural delays. Last spring, he was slapped with a professional misconduct lawsuit from the State Bar of Texas over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election with supposed evidence of voter fraud. Paxton retaliated by forbidding his staffers from speaking at any events organized by the state bar, according to the Texas Tribune. In September, he ran out of his house and hopped into a truck driven by his wife to avoid being served a subpoena to testify in a lawsuit relating to one of Texas severe anti-abortion laws. About four hours of statements and debate preceded the vote. Multiple Republican legislators alleged that state House investigators had not handled the allegations on the level of a criminal trial. But they did not need to the state House is meant to determine whether there should be a trial on the merits of the accusations, akin to a grand jury. The state Senate handles the trial, which determines whether the official will be ejected from their role. I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I have full confidence the process will be fair and just, Paxton said in a statement following the vote. There's one big reason why workers don't want to go back to the office 5 days a week Many workers think commuting is a waste of both time and money. Getty Images Few workers enjoy the hassle of commuting to the office five days a week. Studies show that commuting is the main reason many don't want to stop working from home. The daily travel grind is costly, time-consuming, and can be mentally draining. While Elon Musk may think remote work is "morally wrong," the pandemic proved that being in the office is not essential to doing a wide range of jobs. But many businesses have nevertheless started to make workers come back to the office at least a few days a week, with Amazon, Apple, Google, and Twitter leading the way. However, many aren't interested in giving up working from home completely and some would even take a pay cut to keep that flexibility. And studies suggest that commuting is the main reason employees don't want to go back to the office full time because reclaiming commuting time has allowed many to spend more time on hobbies or with friends and family. The toll of commuting Public transport, especially in places like New York City or London, can be painfully expensive. In NYC, a single subway ticket costs $2.75, and a monthly MetroCard is $127. In London, a monthly pass will set you back anywhere from $193 to $353 a month, depending on where you live. Those who drive to work don't fare much better. American drivers spend an average of $1,771 a year on insurance alone, while those in New York also spend about $764 on gas, according to Bankrate, a mortgage-comparison website. A recent report by the Centre for Cities, a UK think tank, suggested that policymakers "encourage the benefits of office working while reducing the costs to workers of doing so." But Paul Swinney, its policy-and-research director, told Insider that employers could say that salaries cover commuting costs, leaving companies "reluctant to set a precedent." Some have suggested satellite offices as a compromise that would still allow workers flexibility. However, Swinney said these offices don't always equal face time with colleagues and could mean paying "the cost of travel without getting the benefit." Passengers on the London Underground. Shutterstock But many workers don't just regard commuting as a waste of money. They also see it as a "complete waste of time" too, according to Mark Dixon, the CEO of the flexible-office company International Working Group. "They don't want to do it," he told CNBC in March. In 2019 the average journey took 27.6 minutes, according to the US Census Bureau, while almost 10% spent at least an hour traveling. Commuting can also affect mental health, according to Psychology Today. It reported that commuting had "significant psychological and social costs," adding that "commuters can experience boredom, social isolation, anger, and frustration from problems like traffic or delays." A 2016 report from the UK Royal Society for Public Health found that more than half of those surveyed said their commutes caused them increased stress. Regaining some of this lost time may help tackle some of these issues and give people time to focus on more important things in their lives and improve their mental health. Read the original article on Business Insider Man poses as DeKalb apartment complex maintenance worker after waking up teen during break-in A DeKalb County woman is fearing for her safety after she says a man posing as a maintenance worker broke into her home while she slept just a few feet away. Nina Alford told Channel 2s Veronica Griffin that she and her 13-year-old son were asleep inside their home at the Avana City North apartments early Thursday morning. She says her son woke up and found a man looking around the apartment. When he woke up, he said the guy saw him sit up. Thats when he came by his room and said, Hey, Im done, Alford said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Alford says she had not requested any repairs. The apartment manager confirmed to Alford that they had not sent anyone to her apartment. After the man left, she noticed her purse had been turned inside out and her credit cards, debit cards and car keys were gone. I was scared, I was disturbed, I was angry. He spoke to my son, so I had a range of emotions, she described. Im super angry. Shortly after he left, Alford got an alert that someone tried using her debit card at a nearby store. TRENDING STORIES: She says detectives told her that she was far from the thiefs only victim. Alford also told Channel 2 Action News that detectives called her on Friday night and told her that they had arrested the suspect. Police have not confirmed that arrest. When asked whats next for her, Alford shared her plans. Moving, she replied. Im not staying over here...I dont feel safe. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS Thieves steal ATM machine in Amador County but they only got away with $100, deputies say The Amador County Sheriffs Office is looking for suspects in connection with an ATM that was stolen from a grocery store. Shortly after 3 a.m. Friday, deputies received reports that an automated teller machine was being taken from the Pokerville Market on the 18000 block of Highway 49 in Plymouth. Deputies were told that the thieves were driving a large pickup truck, according to a news release from the Sheriffs Office. The California Highway Patrol located the truck three hours later about 45 miles away in El Dorado County. Deputies said it had been abandoned after colliding with a tree. It was towed to the Sheriffs Office for processing. Deputies said the stolen ATM was recovered about 11 a.m. near Steiner Road, roughly 7 miles away from the grocery store. It had been smashed open but deputies reported only $100 was inside the machines safe. The investigation is ongoing, and the Sheriffs Office asks anyone with information to call 209-223-5614 or the countys anonymous line at 209-223-4900. 'The time has come to take back what is ours': Ukraine signals counteroffensive is coming Ukrainian officials are fueling speculations about when a massive, much-anticipated counteroffensive against Russia may begin. "The time has come to take back what is ours," General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces, wrote in a Saturday morning Telegram post. On Twitter, the Armed Forces of Ukraine released an "informational support campaign" video honoring its military forces and encouraging people to join in order to "raise the banner of our victory." Ukraine has yet to officially announce the start of the counteroffensive. But Ukrainian security official, Oleksiy Danilov, told the BBC in an interview Saturday it could begin "tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week." Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has said the counteroffensive would not be "a single event that will begin at a specific hour of a specific day." "These are dozens of different actions to destroy the Russian occupation forces in different directions, which have already been taking place yesterday, are taking place today and will continue tomorrow," Podolyak said Thursday. A Ukrainian army, German self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery fires toward Russian positions at the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, May 27, 2023. Developments: Battleground updates: Explosions in Mariupol, shelling in Dnipro Crews were finishing clearing debris Saturday after a devastating attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Friday. The Russian strike killed two people and wounded 30 others, including two children, Ukrainian officials said. Here are more recent battleground updates: Mariupol: Three explosions were reported in Mariupol, a southern Ukrainian city occupied by Russia, Petro Andriushchenko, an adviser to the city's Ukrainian mayor, wrote Saturday on Telegram. Smoke could be seen rising from the side of a railway station, Andriushchenko said. Donetsk: A Russian S-300 missile hit a dam in the Karlivka district of Donetsk province in eastern Ukraine, threatening nearby settlements with flooding. Sudzhansky: A construction worker was killed when Ukrainian forces shelled the Russian border district of Sudzhansky, the regional governor claimed on Telegram Saturday. Pskov : An explosion damaged the administrative building of an oil pipeline in Russia's Pskov region, near the country's border with Belarus, local governor Mikhail Vedernikov said Saturday, claiming the building was attacked by two drones. There were no casualties, Vedernikov said. Belgorod: Russia's southern Belgorod region came under attack Friday from Ukrainian artillery fire, mortar shells and drones, authorities said. Four houses, a store, a car, a gas pipeline and a power line were damaged, Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Workers clear debris as firefighters intervene at a medical facility, the site of a missile strike, in the city of Dnipro on May 26, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Wagner leader says Ukraine could push Russia out of occupied territory Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Wagner, Russias mercenary army, said he could envision Ukraines upcoming offensive pushing Moscows troops out of occupied territory including Crimea and warned of harsh days ahead. Prigozhin said Russia should be under no illusion it can simply outlast Western support for Ukraine. In an interview Thursday, he called Ukraines much-anticipated counteroffensive "a pessimistic scenario." "The Ukrainians are given missiles, they prepare troops, of course they will continue their offensive, try to counterattack," he said. "They will attack Crimea, they will try to blow up the Crimean bridge, cut off (our) supply lines. Therefore, we need to prepare for a hard war." Contributing: The Associated Press; Trevor Hughes and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine updates: Officials signal counteroffensive against Russia It's time to take back what's ours Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has posted a video of Ukrainian military personnel in which they ask for the "decisive offensive" to be blessed. Source: Zaluzhnyi on social media Quote from Zaluzhnyi: "Its time to take back whats ours. This is a prayer for Ukraines liberation. With such words and thoughts [as these], our heroic soldiers are going on the offensive to liberate Ukraine from the Russian occupiers and raise the Banner of Victory." Details: Zaluzhnyi said the videos creators were inspired by the Prayer of a Ukrainian Nationalist written by Osyp Mashchak in the 1920s, but the words of the prayer in the video are different. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! For Christi Brown, it's the legacy of her son, Judah, who died at 3 years old in a drowning accident, that keeps her moving forward. "He was a little firecracker," she said of her son. "So curious about everything. He loved 'Paw Patrol,' Matchbox cars and Legos and wrestle with his brothers. He was a joyous spirit." On Sept. 24, 2016, the Brown family -- Christi, husband Mark, Judah, 3, and his six older siblings, went for a swim and a barbeque at a friend's apartment complex near their home in Houston, Texas. That day, Christi found Judah floating face down in the water. He died two days later. Though he was not wearing a flotation device at the time of the tragedy, Brown feels strongly that it was a floatation device known as a puddle jumper that contributed to his death. On the Facebook page of a charity founded in Judah's honor, the Judah Brown Project, Brown wrote a post shared almost 1,800 times on why she believes a puddle jumper contributed to her son's drowning -- one reason being the position in which the device places a child. "Puddle jumpers automatically put children in a vertical position in the water... and that is the drowning position," she wrote. "Puddle jumpers teach children muscle memory for that position so that when they get in water, they will automatically go vertical, whether they have the device on or not. This makes drowning faster," Brown believes. PHOTO: Christi and Judah Brown. (Christi Brown ) Puddle jumpers are life vests for children which also serve as swimming aids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 people drown every day. According to the World Health Organization, the highest drowning rates are among children 1 to 4 years old. September 24, 2016 On the day of the accident, Judah, his mom said, as with every other time he was in the water, wore a puddle jumper. "I knew I wanted to keep him safe around the water," Brown told "Good Morning America," on how she came to decide on the device for Judah. "I knew that included swimming lessons (which she took with Judah, though she said they were focused on getting used to water as opposed to learning what to do in the water). "I talked to moms, everybody was recommending puddle jumpers. [They] seemed safe and I got one and started him in a puddle jumper from the time he was about a year old." MORE: The controversial water safety technique that could save a baby from drowning "I knew I still needed to watch him around the water but I felt like the puddle jumper was that one extra layer of protection," Brown told "GMA." That September day, while Christi and her friend sat next to the pool supervising all the children and their husbands barbequed nearby, Judah got out of the pool and said he was cold. Brown said he came to her for a towel which she originally tried to put over the puddle jumper but it made the child uncomfortable, she said. He sat next to her without the device, wrapped in a towel. Brown said she and her friend turned their attention back to supervising the children still in the pool. "We were counting heads. When I looked down to check on Judah, he had already slipped off. I didn't hear him slip away, I didn't see him. It was quiet, the way toddlers do. I started panicking and my friend and I jumped up, we were looking around the pool. I thought he had gone to this water feature he was interested in, there was this little waterfall in the pool area. He wasn't there. I ran around the pool screaming his name, I found him lying face down at the shallow end of the pool, right next to the stairs." PHOTO: Judah Brown. (Christi Brown ) Brown estimates less than two minutes passed between the time she is sure Judah was still next to her until she found him in the pool. Her husband, and then the husband of the other couple, performed CPR waiting for an ambulance. Judah was brought to a local Pediatric Intensive Care Unit but died on Sept. 26, 2016. A false sense of security The issue with the puddle jumper, and all flotation devices, Brown said, is they give a false sense of security. MORE: 1 simple thing parents can do at pool parties to help keep kids safe "What happened with Judah is he would go into the water with the puddle jumper on every single time. He always had it on. Through the process of always having that on, he never learned what his body could and couldn't do in the water. He assumed, in his 3-year-old brain, that he could swim when he couldn't. He thought 'I can go to the water and I'll float,' because every other time he went to the water, he did. He didn't understand it was the device that was keeping him up." In her Facebook post, Brown wrote, "Puddle Jumpers teach children to bicycle their arms and legs in order to propel through the water. This expends huge amounts of energy and contributes significantly to drowning incidents because it cannot be sustained for very long." The organization Parents Preventing Childhood Drowning wrote on its website on the topic of puddle jumpers, "Toddlers do not have the cognitive capabilities to understand that they need the device to float in the pool. Thus, the problem occurs when the child is not wearing the puddle jumper. The child is now conditioned to believe that not only can they can swim alone in the pool, but they are supposed to do so in an upright position. Both of these are very dangerous. Most toddler drownings occur during a non-swim time when the child is in the care of one or both parents." Michael Oostman, the President, Oostman Aquatic Safety Consulting, Inc. a company that is, according to its web site "dedicated to the prevention of drowning and catastrophic aquatic injuries through education, mentoring, and forensic investigation services," says personal flotation devices are crucial. He has investigated more than 900 drownings in his career. PHOTO: Christi Brown with her son, Judah. (Christi Brown ) "Until a person is able to rescue themselves in the water there is a huge risk of major injury or fatality if they enter into a body of water without floatation device on," he told "GMA." For that reason, he is a proponent of PFDs, puddle jumpers included, as one of many safeguards parents need to take to ensure safety of their children in the water. But, Oostman said, with the habitual use of PFDs can come potential unintended consequences - the inability to practice and develop swimming skills. Until the ability to self rescue is in place, an adult should be within one arm length of a child in the water at all times. Oostman also stressed the importance of swim lessons from early in life. "And not just one session," he said, "The lessons should be ongoing and as skills develop some of the redundant protective measures [like PFDs] can begin to be removed." A spokesperson for Puddle Jumper Life Jackets wrote in an email to "GMA," "Puddle Jumper Life Jackets serve as a U.S. Coast Guard life jacket. Our life jackets go through rigorous in-water testing requirements to earn the U.S. Coast Guard safety certification. "Puddle JumperLife Jackets are designed to provide safety in any water situation (pools, lakes, beaches, and etc.), when properly used, helping to protect children learning to swim. We stand behind our products and promote teaching children proper swimming and floating techniques, even with the use of a Puddle Jumper Life Jacket. Children should always have active adult supervision when on, in or near the water, and the use of a Puddle Jumper Life Jacket or any other flotation device should not replace swim survival lessons and water safety education." The U.S. Coast Guard told "GMA" they while they do approve PFDs, including puddle jumpers, that "meet a set of minimum construction, performance, and manufacturing requirements" they do "not evaluate or approve 'learn to swim' devices, swim aids, or other pool toys. PFDs only provide protection against drowning when they are worn." The Judah Brown Project What started as a way to raise money for hospital and funeral expenses by Judah's preschool teacher has grown in the last few years. "We wanted to do more," said Brown. "I didn't want another family to go through this." The first thing they came up with was a brochure to educate parents and caregivers about drowning prevention. It is now in 350 pediatricians' offices around the country. Next, they started getting into schools to educate kids from preschool to elementary age about water safety. The Judah Brown Project now travels to seven school districts in the Houston, Texas, area. Most recently, the organization offers low- and no-cost CPR lessons for parents and caregivers. They also offer scholarships to children for survival swim lessons, a type of swim lesson, of which Brown said she is a big proponent. "It teaches you how to save yourself if you accidentally fall in the water," she said. Her commitment to the Judah Brown project keeps her son's memory alive. "I always say I get to carry his legacy with me," she said. "I get to talk about him and say his name. It helps my heart and helps me continue to walk through each day." And each time Brown sees a child learn to swim, she said knows his legacy lives on. "Every time I see a child that has gotten one of our scholarships floating and swimming I am always thinking of Judah. I say to him, 'this is what you're doing, baby boy. You're saving these little lives.'" Editor's note: This was originally published on July 15, 2020. My toddler drowned. Here's my warning about puddle jumpers originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com By Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir DUBAI/CAIRO (Reuters) -Khartoum was calmer on Saturday as a seven-day ceasefire appeared to reduce fighting between two rival military factions although it has not yet provided the promised humanitarian relief to millions trapped in the Sudanese capital. A truce signed on Monday by the two fighting parties - Sudan's army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - aimed to secure safe passage for humanitarian aid and lead to wider talks sponsored by the United States and Saudi Arabia. The conflict, which erupted on April 15, has killed at least 730 civilians and caused 1.3 million Sudanese to leave their homes, fleeting either abroad or to safer parts of the country. On Saturday, witnesses said that Khartoum was calmer, although sporadic clashes were reported in the afternoon and evening in the city's southern districts and across the Nile in western Omdurman, a key entrypoint to the capital. In a statement, the RSF accused the army of violating the ceasefire and destroying the country's mint in an air strike. The army had accused the RSF on Friday of targeting the mint. It also late on Saturday said it would engage in talks aimed at extending the ceasefire, which is due to end on Monday night. The army said meanwhile that its call on Friday for army reservists was a partial mobilisation and constitutional measure, adding that it expected large numbers to respond to the call. Those who remain in Khartoum are struggling with failures of services such as electricity, water and phone networks. Looters have ransacked homes, mostly in well-off neighbourhoods. Food supplies are dwindling. On Saturday, Sudanese police said they were expanding deployment and also called in able retired officers to help. "Our neighbourhood has become a war zone. Services have collapsed and chaos has spread in Khartoum," said 52-year-old Ahmed Salih, a resident of the city. "No one is bothered to help the Sudanese people, neither the government nor internationally. We are humans, where is the humanity?" he added. The UN and aid agencies say that despite the truce they have struggled to get the bureaucratic approvals and security guarantees to transport aid and staff in safer parts of the country to Khartoum and other hot zones. Warehouses have been looted. The UN World Food Programme on Saturday tweeted that it had begun providing food aid to people in Khartoum, but added that "safety, security, and access are critical so we can increase our support to 500,000 people". RAPE REPORTS Fighting also flared in the city of Al Fashir, capital of North Darfur state which had remained calm in recent weeks after a separate local truce there. Heavy artillery could be heard near the central market and eastern districts, forcing many residents to seek refuge elsewhere in the city, said local human rights monitor Mohamed Suleiman. Several people were injured, he said, but Reuters could not confirm the number. Outside of Khartoum, the worst hit city is El Geneina, on the border with Chad, which has seen an onslaught of militia attacks that have destroyed its infrastructure and killed hundreds. The governmental Combating Violence Against Women and Children Unit said late on Friday it had received reports of 25 cases of rape of women and girls in Darfur and 24 reports of rape in Khartoum since the conflict erupted. It said that victims had described 43 of the men as wearing RSF uniforms and either riding vehicles with RSF licenses or located in RSF-controlled areas. "The unit expresses its grave concern over reports of gang rape, kidnapping ... and reports of women and girls facing sexual assault as they go out to seek food," it said. The RSF has denied reports that its soldiers are engaged in sexual assaults or looting. Reuters could not independently verify the unit's allegations. (Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Dubai and Nafisa Eltahir and Adam Makary in Cairo, writing by Nafisa Eltahir, editing by Frances Kerry, Clelia Oziel and Chizu Nomiyama) In the recesses of the internet where some of Donald Trumps most fervent supporters stoke conspiracies and plot his return to the White House, suspected con artists have been mining their disappointment over the last presidential election for gold. Theyve been peddling Trump Bucks, which are emblazoned with photos of the former president, and advertising them online as a kind of golden ticket that will help propel Trumps 2024 bid and make the real patriots who support him rich when cashed in. John Amann told NBC News he bought $2,200 worth of Trump Bucks and other items over the past year only to discover they were worthless when he tried to cash them in at his local bank. So hes gone on Twitter to warn other Trump supporters not to fall for this scam. Alert if you purchased any of the TRB SYSTEMS ITEMS, YOU GOT SCAMMED. THE TRB VOUCHERS, DJT GOLDEN CHECKS, DJT DIAMOND CHECKS, TRB GOLDEN CHECKS have no monetary values they are COMMEMORATIVE ONLY. John Amann (@JohnAma34828664) February 3, 2023 NBC News has identified the Colorado-based companies behind the Trump Bucks as Patriots Dynasty, Patriots Future and USA Patriots and reviewed dozens of social posts, online complaints and hundreds of misleading ads for the products. Additionally, NBC News has found at least a dozen people like Amann who say they invested thousands of dollars after watching the pitches on Telegram and other websites that strongly suggested that Trump himself was endorsing these products. Now Im questioning whether he is aware of this, Amann said of Trump. Repeated attempts to reach a spokesperson for Trump and his re-election campaign by email have gone unanswered. No evidence suggests the alleged scammers are connected to Trump or his re-election campaign. In addition to tweeting a warning to others about the scam, Amann said he posted a review on TrustPilot, a website where consumers can rate and review businesses. The Federal Trade Commission, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from NBC News, confirmed it has received one fraud complaint against Patriots Dynasty that was filed in January. But it provided no further details about the single complaint or who filed it. The Better Business Bureau has given the companies, which operate out of an industrial center in the Denver suburb of Aurora, an F rating, and the 33 complaints on the BBB site are unsparing in their criticism of the company. Repeated attempts to reach representatives for the companies by phone and email were unsuccessful. But Bank of America spokesman Bill Halldin said hes heard reports from bank employees of customers coming in to exchange their Trump Bucks for actual cash, but the bank routinely turns them down. Its hard to put a number on how many people have come in, Halldin said when asked for more specifics about who these people are and where they are located. BOA, as a matter of course, is continually on the lookout for fraudsters and circulates information in-house about possible scams, Halldin said. Thats little comfort to Amann, who is 77 and lives in Houston. Theres no way to cash out what I have, he said. What it is Since 2020, when Joe Biden defeated Trump in the presidential election, internet hucksters have been selling pro-Trump products like coins, checks and cards and marketing them as novelty items. The fine print on the websites offering these items usually notes that they are memorabilia. But on social media and in promotional videos many featuring faked celebrity endorsements the sellers have tapped an audience that believes Trumps ouster was part of a great conspiracy and that by investing in the Trump Rebate Banking System, or TRB for short, Trump will reward their loyalty by making them rich. Those who buy these items, the ads from Patriots Dynasty, Patriots Future and USA Patriots suggest, will be rewarded when Trump unveils a new monetary system that will turn these products into legal tender worth far more than the purchase price. A booklet, a check and a collection of coins an Alabama grandmother bought when she invested $1,500 in Trump Bucks. (Dan Anderson for NBC News) Invest in a TRB membership card issued by Donald Trump, the ads from Patriots Dynasty, Patriots Future and USA Patriots claim, and the purchaser who spent, say, $99.99 on a $10,000 Diamond Trump Bucks bill will be able to cash it in for $10,000 at major banks and retailers like Walmart, Costco and Home Depot. TRB system membership cards are official cards issued by Donald Trump to allow Trump Bucks holders to use Trump Bucks as legal tender and deposit them in banks such as JP Morgan Chase, the Bank of America and Wells Fargo, a narrator identified only as John that appears to be a computer-generated voice says in one YouTube ad just moments after cautioning viewers that Trump Bucks are not legal tender. Wells Fargo has no affiliation with this product, and cannot accept it for deposit, a bank spokesperson said. JP Morgan Chase did not immediately respond to an email from NBC News seeking additional comment. Its a get-rich-quick scam that is catnip to a certain kind of Trump supporter including QAnon believers and others who believe the former president is the only solution to Americas problems. NBC also reached out to representatives for Walmart, Costco and Home Depot by email to see if theyve had customers come in to try to cash in their Trump Bucks. We dont have any connection to this, and it isnt a problem were seeing at our stores, Home Depot spokesman Terrance Roper said in an email to NBC News. Walmart spokesman Robert Arrieta said we have not heard of this scam. An Alabama grandmother holds one of the coins she bought online in her apartment in Mobile on May 19. (Dan Anderson for NBC News) We dont have any program that resembles this, Arrieta said and referred a reporter to the companys fraud alert page. Michael J. Clark, a former FBI agent who teaches criminal justice at the University of New Haven, said its likely many of the victims have not yet figured out theyve been conned. If this is indeed a scam, the victims have not had enough time to realize they have been scammed as they will be awaiting the result of the 2024 presidential elections to receive the benefit of their initial outlay of money, Clark said via email. How it spreads Fawning reviews are posted on dozens of websites with the headlines SCAM OR LEGIT that can stack Google with positive results and in hundreds of YouTube videos. In AI-generated promotional videos shared on social media and in chat groups, celebrities and politicians, including Trump, appear to endorse the scam. In one, Trump appears to announce the launch of the TRB system on Fox News. Lets make America wealthy again, the artificially generated voice of Trump says. In another, Twitter-owner Elon Musk appears to say That Trump certificate is not a joke, its real. Everyone needs to get as many as they can. I spend one million dollars on Trump certificates and this week Im going to cash out my Trump items. Soon I will be the richest person on the planet again. In reality, the advertisement features footage lifted from Musks appearance at a TED event in 2022. The video ends with a slide advertising a free app that promises to make your favorite celebrity say anything. Its so pervasive that even pro-Trump websites and Trump supporters have been sounding the alarm. Blogger Noah Christopher, who is the moderator of the WeLoveTrump Telegram group with 26,000 subscribers, has urged his followers more than 30 times this year alone to not get conned. The faked videos have been posted relentlessly by fake social media accounts on Facebook, TikTok, and in Telegram groups catering to devoted Trump supporters, Noah wrote last month. Unreal how pervasive and aggressive this scam is. Christopher did not respond to an email from NBC News seeking additional comment. One 75-year-old Alabama grandmother, who consented to having her picture taken but asked not to be identified by name for fear of internet harassment, told NBC News the message she got from watching the pitches on the internet was that Trump was going to make her rich. But the grandmother, who describes herself as a real patriot, said what she got for the $1,500 she invested in Trump Bucks turned out to be fools gold. An Alabama grandmother said a Bank of America teller told her that she'd seen dozens of people coming in to cash the products. (Dan Anderson for NBC News) I saw all these ads on Telegram that had Trump pushing coins and checks that he endorsed and how you can cash them in after a year and make a profit, the grandmother, who lives in Mobile, told NBC News. I was told how you can go to Bank of America or Target or Amazon to cash them in. About six months ago, the grandmother said, she gathered up the Trump Bucks and commemorative coins she had purchased and drove 60 miles east to the nearest Bank of America branch she could find in Pensacola, Florida. There, she said, she was greeted by a teller who told her shed been scammed. When we get there the lady tells me shes seen dozens of people coming in to cash these checks and they have nothing to do with this, the grandmother said. A Florida woman who lives north of Tampa, and who also asked not to be identified by name because she fears internet harassment, said her 77-year-old mother-in-law was also fooled into investing tens of thousands of dollars in Trump Bucks. My mother-in-law has always been conservative and prone to believe in conspiracy theories, she said. But after Trump lost the election, she went down the internet rabbit hole with this. This isnt the first time her mother-in-law has fallen prey to a Trump-inspired scam. Several years back, she got into Nesara, which says that a radical reset of the U.S. economy is coming and all debts are going to be wiped out, the Florida woman said. She thinks shes getting all the money back and that shell make a huge profit too. First, the Florida woman said, her mother-in-law started buying all this support Trump memorabilia from a website that clearly states it's memorabilia. Patriots Dynasty, Patriots Future and USA Patriots claim purchasers will be able to cash in coins and checks like these at major banks and retailers like Walmart, Costco and Home Depot. (Dan Anderson for NBC News) From there, she went to other sites which has all sorts of people claiming that if you buy these Trump coins or these Trump checks for, say, a hundred dollars, youll be able to take them to a bank and cash them in for thousands of dollars. To prove to her mother-in-law that she had been swindled, the Florida woman said she drove her to a nearby bank and urged her to try to redeem the Trump Bucks in her possession. We thought she got it, she even admitted she got scammed, the Florida woman said. But then giant boxes arrived at the house full of Trump checks and other stuff that she bought for $500 and that would supposedly be worth $6 million one day. We tell her shes getting scammed and she says, Just wait, Trump will make all the patriots rich. Its like shes in a cult, the Florida woman said. Who profits? Good question. Its not clear who concocted the TRB system scheme or created the fake promotional videos. A 2022 New York Times investigation reported a Romanian marketing company to be at the origin of so-called Trump coins which had been wildly popular in 2022 and were also fraudulently marketed as a kind of alternative currency. Most of the posts and videos for the TRB system currently link to websites registered with the company names Patriots Dynasty, Patriots Future and USA Patriots, whose listed address can be traced to Shipoffers.com, a shipping center in Aurora, Colorado. Shipoffers warehouse manager Josh Pier said the center ships Trump-related products but said it doesn't manufacture them. He declined to discuss what those products are and would not confirm the names of the companies it ships for. The company handles shipping for a variety of companies, he said. Pier was echoed by Tony Grebmeier, one of the Shipoffers owners, who said he was unaware of any problems with any of the products the company ships and said if he was aware of any issues hed take care of them. Responding to overwhelmingly negative Google reviews, Shipoffers tells unhappy buyers that it doesn't actually make the products or bill customers. The TRB products are purchased through online retailers ClickBank and Digistore24, which are affiliate marketing networks based in Idaho and Florida that connect would-be promoters with products to sell and earn commissions. The unique links posted across social media and in the captions of YouTube videos contain the usernames of these affiliate marketers, who get a cut from each sale generated by the fraudulent ads. A list of URLS for just one website, shows hundreds of affiliate marketers associated with a TRB membership booklet, a product falsely marketed as necessary to redeem the TRB products for real money. NBC News has also reached out to ClickBank, Digistore24 and ShipOffers for comment. When an NBC News reporter called the Patriots Dynasty phone number, she got a busy signal. There was also no response to an email sent to the address associated with Patriots Dynasty. The Alabama grandmother said she initially thought the products were a good investment but realized later they were worthless. (Dan Anderson for NBC News) The Alabama grandmother says she was initially fooled by the AI version of Trump she saw in the ads. She trusted Trumps supposed business acumen and thought this was a good investment to have something to leave behind for her children. Now I realize, well, that was stupid, she said. But I bought them because I believed President Trump, because he knows all about finance, and he was going to help the real Trump Patriots get rich. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com In a Twitter spat between spokespeople for the top two candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, the military service of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared to be used as a cudgel against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Trump spokeswoman Liz Harrington tweeted on Saturday: Ron Dee-Santis has run for 4 different offices in the past 7 years. Thats not someone whos in it for the country, its someone whos in it for himself. The DeSantis War Room Twitter account then responded, saying that the Trump campaign said @RonDeSantis is not someone whos in it for the country. Heres our response, they added, sharing images of Mr DeSantis in his Navy uniform and from his time serving in Iraq, a clear dig at former President Donald Trump, who avoided joining the military by claiming that he had medical issues that prevented him from serving. Ms Harrington then replied by only posting an image of the transportation secretary in his military gear, seemingly in an attempt to denigrate the service of both Mr Buttigieg and Mr DeSantis. Mr Buttigieg served as an intelligence officer with the US Naval Reserve and was deployed to Afghanistan for seven months. The response prompted criticism from Twitter users, who slammed the spokeswoman for appearing to use the Democrats military service to criticise Mr Trumps main rival for the GOP nomination over Memorial Day weekend. Great way to dump on veterans and people in uniform... You nailed this one Liz, one Twitter user said. Lets mock vets over Memorial Day weekend. Im sure that is a great strategy, another added, to which a third referenced Mr Trumps criticism of late Arizona Senator John McCain, who spent five years in captivity in Vietnam. Mr Trump once said he only liked soldiers who werent captured. Ron Dee-Santis has run for 4 different offices in the past 7 years. Thats not someone whos in it for the country, its someone whos in it for himself pic.twitter.com/eBEKbW7AW4 Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) May 27, 2023 The official Trump campaign chooses Memorial Day weekend to tweet that men and women who served in uniform should be viewed with suspicion, Donny Ferguson added. Serving your country is dishonorable because libs do it is an interesting campaign message, one Twitter user said. Why would the spokeswoman for Cadet Bone Spurs think shes in any position to talk? another account holder added, referencing Mr Trumps draft dodging excuse. JERUSALEM The first-ever presidential runoff election in Turkey will be decided Sunday, and two competing visions for the important NATO-member country will affect relations between Ankara and Washington. The current strongman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, known for his brand of populist political Islam, squares off against his social democratic Republic Peoples Party challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Kilicdaroglu hails from the largely secular party of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and is a bespectacled soft-spoken former civil servant. Turks will celebrate the 100th year of the founding of modern Turkey this year and the famous slogan of Ataturk, "Peace at Home, Peace in the World," remains an elusive goal for the Muslim-majority nation that straddles Europe and the Middle East. TURKEY ELECTION: PRESIDENT ERDOGAN, CHALLENGER ARE HEADED TO MAY 28 RUNOFF Massive inflation has gripped the economy, and Turks are still recovering from a devastating earthquake that killed over 50,000 people in early 2023. The opposition accused Erodgans government of inertia and incompetence in response to earthquake rescue efforts. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Critics argue Kilicdaroglu has injected xenophobia into the charged election, declaring he will deport the more than 3 million Syrian refugees to their war-ravaged country. "I am announcing here that I will send all refugees back home once I am elected president, period," Kilicdaroglu recently said. Turkeys foreign policy is mired in an occupation of northern Syria and repeated attacks against Kurdish forces who fought with the U.S. to oust the Islamic State. The U.S. Congress has blocked sales of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey until Erdogan ratifies NATO membership for Sweden and Finland. Turkey recently green-lighted Finlands entry, but Swedens admission is in limbo. The U.S.-led North American Treaty Organization is a critical military alliance in the effort to stop Vladimir Putins jingoism in Europe, advocates of NATO argue. Turkey wants Sweden to crack down on Kurdish opposition groups and dissidents in the northern European country who it says are part of the Turkey-designated terrorist organization, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Earlier this week Politico reported that National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he was "not aware of any assurances one way or the other about" a post-election change in Congress about permitting the sale of 40 F-16s to Ankara. The military F-16 deal amounts to $20 billion. Pro-Erdogan Turkish media outlets added their own interpretation to Kirby's comments claiming he said "The president's position has not changed. We still would like to move forward on that. My recommendation would be to maybe talk to Sen. (Bob) Menendezs office or folks on the (Capitol) Hill to talk about what their expectations are." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing criticism over the lack of earthquake preparedness by his government. (Greg Palkot/Fox News.) ENES KANTER FREEDOM BLASTS ELON MUSK OVER TWITTER RESTRICTING CONTENT IN TURKEY: 'BOWING DOWN TO DICTATORSHIP' Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute, told Fox News Digital, "The biggest impact of the election on U.S.-Turkish relations is continuity. And if Erdogan wins and it looks like he might because he is leading in the polls and also has incumbency advantages, including near complete control of media that allows to him write any kind of narrative that he likes. " The Associate Press reported that Erdogans message and power are amplified by his tight control over the media. The state-owned broadcaster TRT Haber devoted more than 48 hours of airtime to Erdogan since April 1, compared to 32 minutes given to Kilicdaroglu, according to Ilhan Tasci, a member of Turkeys radio and television watchdog. Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman and Presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu delivers a speech under heavy rain during an election campaign rally in Ankara, Turkey, on May 12, 2023. "For example, the whole country is focused on how he has made Turkey a great military-industrial power, and there is no discussion of the earthquake, economic problems or human rights violations," Cagaptay added. "For the U.S., Erdogan has embraced a transactionalist foreign policy in recent years, and the U.S. has responded to that." The margin of a Erdogan victory will likely determine Erdogans reaction to the U.S., said Cagaptay. LAWYERS CALLS FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHT CRIMES COMMITTED BY TURKEY The Turkish expert continued that if Erdogan wins narrowly "he will lean more on Putin for financial flows that came before elections." A tight Erdogan triumph might mean he will not vote on Swedens accession to NATO, he noted. Cagaptay sees that the most "plausible scenario" is where Erdogan keeps a balance between Putin and Biden. In early May, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told Fox News Digital Turkey "is a long-standing U.S. ally and partner. We will continue to work together with the government chosen by the Turkish people to deepen cooperation around shared priorities." Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, and former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani pose for a photo during their meeting at the presidential palace April 4, 2018, in Ankara, Turkey. Ghanem Nuseibeh, an expert on the Muslim Brotherhood and founder the of London-based Cornerstone Global Associates, told Fox News Digital, "Erdogan has proved that he is not fully aligned with NATO. For a country with such strategic importance to the U.S., Erdogan had demonstrated he is not a true American ally." "Erdogan has reached out to Putin and has made some deals that are contrary to the Wests interests. Regionally, he has supported Islamic extremists. And whilst American and Western pressure has forced him to reduce his closeness to the extremists, he remains a strategic threat." Uzay Bulut, a Turkish political analyst and research fellow of the Philos Project, told Fox News Digital, "For many years, the Turkish government has been an obstacle before the U.S. governments fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). From left: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, U.S. President Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg pose for pictures at the start of the first plenary session of the NATO summit in Madrid June 29, 2022. "Turkey is a NATO member and an EU candidate. But its foreign policy choices are far from being in line with the values and principles of Western nations or institutions. And his government's foreign policy actions will continue to be in opposition to the U.S. values and goals in the region." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Two people arrested in connection to armed robbery in Dorchester Boston Police arrest two suspects in connection to an armed robbery of two adult males overnight in Dorchester. Davon Sanon, 23, of Medford, and a 16-year-old male from Dorchester were arrested just before 12 p.m. on Friday for allegedly robbing two men in the area of 231 Talbot Avenue early Friday morning. During the incident, the juvenile suspect displayed a firearm, according to police. Later, a credit card that was stolen during the robbery was used by Sanon and the teen. Both men were placed in custody without incident based on multiple investigatory elements. Sanon and the teen are facing charges of armed robbery, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and larceny/improper use of a credit card. They will be arraigned in Dorchester District Court next week. 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 LOS ANGELES California Gov. Gavin Newsom may soon earn the rare distinction of having selected both of his states senators but hes not happy about the prospect, according to those close to him. As Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 89, charts an uncertain path in Washington after having returned to work following a health issue, the fight over whether she should remain and the fate of the Senate seat she occupies have devolved into an ugly proxy war in California among the three high-profile Democrats vying to replace her, with Newsom stuck in the middle. Feinstein has already announced she intends to retire at the end of her term next year, setting up a crowded primary fight. But if she were to vacate the seat before then, Newsom would name someone to finish the term a selection that would be seen as tipping the scales in the primary. Image: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., returns to the Senate Judiciary Committee following a more than two-month absence at the Capitol on May 11, 2023. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP file) Two years ago after he picked Sen. Alex Padilla to fill an empty seat, Newsom promised on MSNBC to select a Black woman for any future vacancies, which was widely understood to be a nod to Rep. Barbara Lee. That, however, was before Lee jumped into the Senate race; before powerful Democrats like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi went all in for one of her rivals, Rep. Adam Schiff; and before some of Newsoms own allies went to work for the third candidate in the race, Rep. Katie Porter. Newsom always says that he hates these appointments, said a California Democratic strategist who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. He talks about how you make one person temporarily happy and piss off a million others. I didnt really believe him on the others but I do believe him on this one. "Any decision pisses off someone important," the strategist added. "There's more of a downside than upside to just about anything you do." Newsom, who gets lobbied about the Senate seat everywhere he goes, is sure to be inundated by opinions at the California Democratic Party's convention in Los Angeles this weekend, which will bring together thousands of delegates, activists and power brokers from across the massive state. Emails, calls, texts, people stopping me. Im not kidding, Newsom said in an interview with KTTV of Los Angeles this month about the lobbying efforts over the Senate seat which, to be clear, remains occupied. This is one of the biggest topics here, and it was one of the biggest topics when I was in Alabama, even Jackson, Mississippi. Three years after he appointed Padilla when Kamala Harris vacated the seat to become vice president he understands why people are wary of his possibly doing it again. For those that say enough of Newsom making those picks I get it, Im with you! Newsom said. The decision to select Padilla was far less controversial, but it nonetheless frustrated powerful Black Democrats key allies the ambitious Newsom doesnt want to alienate as he eyes a potential future presidential campaign. The California Democratic Partys Black Caucus was incredibly hurt and disappointed in the governors decision to replace the only Black woman in the Senate with a Latino man, the groups chairperson, Taisha Brown, said at the time. Through a stroke of a pen, his actions have denied a Black female representation in the United States Senate. This time, the stakes are even higher. Many Black Democrats are doing everything they can to push Newsom to stick by his pledge to appoint a Black woman, by which they typically mean Lee. But other California Democrats, especially those allied with Schiff or Porter, insist on the opposite just as vehemently. They argue that Newsom would unfairly be putting his thumb on the scale of the primary by elevating Lee, a less well-known lawmaker from Oakland, a critical boost in statewide name recognition and the power of incumbency. Meanwhile, Newsoms kitchen cabinet of outside political advisers is divided among all three candidates, making it difficult for him to fully trust their advice. A former spokesperson works for Porter, another runs a super PAC supporting Lee, and the powerful firm run by Newsoms consultants manages a pro-Schiff super PAC. Many party insiders wonder whether Newsom regrets having made his pledge before the race kicked off, but Rusty Hicks, the state Democratic Party chairman, said, I have no doubt the governor will honor his commitments. Some have floated other ideas to try to defuse the situation. What about a different Black woman? Or a caretaker, like former Sen. Barbara Boxer? I saw Barbara recently, and I cant imagine her agreeing to that. She loves her semi-retired life in Palm Springs! She and Stewart were happy and thriving, said Boxers former campaign manager, Rose Kapolczynski. And Newsom has seen firsthand that caretakers cant necessarily be counted on to stay in their assigned roles. When Newsom was elected lieutenant governor in 2010, he cleared the path for San Franciscos Board of Supervisors to replace him as mayor with a caretaker, Ed Lee, who had promised not to run in the upcoming election. The next year, Lee changed his mind and ran for and won a full term as mayor. Of course, there are plenty of other qualified Black women in California, but Lee allies are trying to enforce solidarity on her behalf. It will be very difficult to find a Black woman to take that seat as an appointment when they know that the only reason theyre being appointed is just to block another Black woman from holding that seat long-term, said the chairman of the California Progressive Caucus, Amar Shergill, a vocal Lee supporter. So the pressure is on to make sure that never happens. Meanwhile, the behind-the-scenes sniping has turned nastier. Lee supporters accuse Schiff and his so-called establishment allies, like Pelosi, of manipulating the ailing Feinstein to stay in office to block Lee, which they have denied. Pelosi says she wants to let Feinstein make her own decision, seeing sexism in the push to force her to retire. Feinstein's allies have pointed to men in similar health who weren't pushed out of the Senate. Feinsteins standing with Californians continues to deteriorate as questions mount about her physical and cognitive health. Two-thirds of registered voters agree she is no longer fit to continue serving in the U.S. Senate, according to a new poll from the University of California, Berkeleys Institute of Governmental Studies. Just 27% said she should stay in office. But voters were split over whether they want Newsom to make an appointment to replace her and whether she should somehow be forced out of office. The poll clearly shows that while support for Sen. Feinstein has waned considerably since 2018, there is no clear consensus about how the process should play out, said the surveys co-director G. Cristina Mora. Inside the cavernous Los Angeles Convention Center, the partys grassroots faithful were also divided over how to handle the situation, with even some Feinstein critics resigned to the fact that path of least resistance might be for her to stay. Jacob Rodriguez, 23, a delegate from Imperial County, was considering introducing a resolution that would diplomatically ask Feinstein to step down. He knows its a long shot and would likely just be symbolic, but he said its past time for a younger person to take over. It sounds mean, but its a chamber thats in charge of the whole country. They should all be of sound mind, Rodriguez said. But Charlene Lefaive, 71, and Sherry Chavarria, 66, delegates from Tulare County in Central Californias agricultural belt, said Feinstein shouldnt go anywhere. To take a person and judge them based off their health issues is absolutely horrific," Lefaive said. Added Chavarria: Shes wonderful. We still need her. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A row of shutdown e-passport scanners at London's Gatwick Airport. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Airports across the United Kingdom were thrown into chaos on Saturday after the country's electronic passport gates stopped working. This caused significant delays at immigration as border agents were forced to manually check the passports of arriving passengers. The U.K.'s Home Office said in a statement it was "aware of a technical nationwide border system issue affecting arrivals into the U.K. We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are liaising with port operators and airlines to minimize disruption for travelers." It is unclear what caused the electronic gate outage, but photos circulated on social media showed massive lines as immigration stations were backed up at airports across the country. Lucy Morton, from the British Immigration Services Union, told BBC News that anywhere from 60% to 80% of people entering the U.K. typically use the electronic gates to scan their passports, as opposed to waiting in line for a manual check. This helps speed up an often slow process by using facial recognition software to confirm a passport holder's identity. Morton added, though, that there was "no impact on national security" as all passports would still be checked by immigration officers. However, she noted that "it will build queues and that in itself builds its own set of problems. People become frustrated, they take it out on the staff." Many of these delays were seen at London's Heathrow Airport, though the airport tweeted that the issue was "impacting a number of ports of entry and is not Heathrow specific." The problem arose as many Britons planned to fly for a spring bank holiday on Monday, during what was estimated to be a busy start to the summer travel season. The issue also comes just a day after British Airways was forced to cancel dozens of flights at Heathrow following an unrelated IT outage. You may also like Disney hits back against DeSantis Censoring ideas and rewriting history What the shifting religious landscape means for American politics (Bloomberg) -- Gay British soldiers were subjected to electric shock treatment in an effort to cure them of their homosexuality, according to a damning investigation into historic homophobia in the UK armed forces. Most Read from Bloomberg Military personnel were still being referred to doctors for conversion therapy as recently as the 1990s, according to anonymous testimony in a government-commissioned review seen by Bloomberg and slated for publication next month. The study contains more than a thousand anonymous submissions detailing the use of electrodes, blackmail and sexual assault against gay personnel between 1967 and 2000. I was sent to see a psychiatrist at a hospital where they put these electrodes in my head and showed me pictures of men and gave me nice feelings and they then showed me pictures of women and gave me electric shocks, one unnamed victim of the policy said. I had some type of bruising/burn marks where they put the electrodes. The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on specific allegations included in the report, which they said had been submitted to ministers. We are proud of our LGBT+ veterans and grateful for their service in defense of our nation, a government spokesperson said. The shocking revelations cast light on the damage inflicted on thousands of gay, lesbian and trans personnel over more than three decades by a ban on them serving in the military, despite homosexuality being legal since 1967. The report piles moral pressure on Sunak to publicly apologize for the historic policy, and to compensate those affected by it for loss of earnings, distress caused, and denial of their pension rights. Read More: Sunak Told to Apologize for UK Treatment of Gay Veterans Another veteran, who served in the Royal Air Force, testified that they were sent to a psychiatric ward to be interrogated about their sexuality while seated on a commode. Electrodes were attached to their head and used to take a reading of their brain while medical staff drank lager. They were told they had a shadow on their brain, which explained their sexuality. Referrals of young male personnel for what was referred to as the cure were still taking place as recently as the mid-1990s, according to testimony from a civilian doctor who served at various military bases from 1993 to 2004. The medic recounted how a sergeant accompanied one of the men, who explained hed told his superiors he was gay and had been told to book medical treatment. The doctor refused to provide such treatment and sent him on his way, but never knew what became of the young recruit. Traumatized The review was commissioned last year during Boris Johnsons premiership, with a remit to take testimony from those affected by the blanket ban on gay people in the armed forces that ran until January 2000. Terence Etherton, the cross-bench member of the House of Lords who led the probe, said in the report that military personnel were told if they consented to taking drugs and undergoing electro-compulsive treatment to convert them, they may be permitted to remain in the military. It left many severely traumatized as a result, he said. Though the government has promised to introduce a law banning conversion therapy, its yet to publish a draft bill. An Equality Hub spokesperson for the government said it remains committed to protecting people at risk from conversion practices. Uncomfortable Past The report into homophobia in the military follows a trend in recent years of the UK unpicking its often uncomfortable history spanning recent years and past centuries. The legacy includes slavery and colonialism as well as misogyny and racism and touches on some of the nations most famous institutions. In March, the owner of the Guardian newspaper issued an apology for the role played by the newspapers founders in transatlantic slavery and announced a decade-long program of restorative justice. In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement sparked calls to remove the presence of statues of figures from the Britains imperial past, resulting in the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol being pulled down, triggering a row over the countrys colonial legacy. Also in March, an investigation found that Londons Metropolitan Police is a breeding ground for racism, sexism and homophobia, while this year the countrys biggest business lobby group, the Confederation of British Industry has been engulfed in a scandal that includes allegations of rape and sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have voiced concerns about racism in the Royal Family, while the Koh-i-Noor diamond thats featured in previous coronations but is now widely seen as a symbol of the UKs colonial past was excluded from King Charles IIIs coronation earlier this month. Blackmail, Assault Its an issue that divides politicians even within Sunaks own Cabinet. Home Secretary Suella Braverman last week criticized those who favor decolonizing the curriculum, demanding reparations, denigrating our heroes, tearing down statues, in a speech widely seen as a pitch to be the next Conservative Party leader. The latest report includes a core recommendation that Sunak should make a public apology in Parliament for the historic ban on gay and trans military personnel. Some of the testimony details the after-effects on veterans of their treatment by the military. One woman who joined the navy at 17 in 1991 said she was discharged in 1997 after disclosing she was gay. It led to alcohol-dependency and gravely affected her mental health. Another female veteran said she was assaulted by two senior male colleagues, and was placed into a psychiatric ward and later dismissed after she complained. Another said that when her superior tried to assault her, he told her he would have her kicked out of the Army because he knew she was gay. Interview Techniques Other veterans said they were followed by military detectives, even while off-duty. One recounted how in 1995, on a visit to their hometown to see friends at a local gay pub, military police officers showed up, seemingly looking for gay soldiers. Another veteran described being interviewed by the Special Investigation Branch for eight hours and wasnt allowed to access the toilet or get water until she admitted she was gay. The accounts paint a vivid picture of overt homophobia at all levels of the armed forces...and of the bullying that inevitability reflected it, according to Etherton. A spokesperson for the government said it will carefully consider the findings and respond in due course. They didnt say whether the prime minister would accept the recommendation to apologize. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Taurus missiles Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed this matter in early May. Read also: Ukraine excelling in the use of UK-made Storm Shadow long-range missiles Retired Bundeswehr colonel and opposition MP from the Christian Democratic Union, Roderich Kiesewetter, called on Germany to transfer the Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine on May 23. The Taurus KEPD 350 is a Swedish-German air-to-surface high-precision guided cruise missile with a more than 500-kilometer (310 miles) flight range. They are used for attacking heavily fortified and underground targets without exposing the aircraft to opposing air defense. Read also: France may transfer SCALP long-range missiles to Ukraine These missiles are in service in Germany, Spain and South Korea. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine BERLIN (Reuters) - Ukraine has asked Germany to supply it with Taurus cruise missiles, an air-launched weapon with a range of some 500 km (310 miles), a spokesperson for the defence ministry in Berlin said on Saturday. Germany received the request several days ago, the spokesperson said, confirming a report by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. She declined to provide further details or say how likely it was that Germany would supply the missiles to Ukraine. If it supplies the missiles, Germany would be following in the footsteps of Britain, which earlier in May became the first country to publicly provide Kyiv with long-range cruise missiles. The United States has so far declined to supply Ukraine with the 297-km range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles amid concerns that Ukraine could use them to strike inside Russia's internationally recognised borders. Ukraine has been asking for months for this kind of weapons, but support from Western allies has focused on shorter-range weapons. Taurus is built by European missile maker MBDA and has similar features to the British Storm Shadow. It can be used to hit high-value targets, troops or fuel dumps deep behind the front lines and has the capability to destroy hardened targets such as bunkers buried deep underground. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Editing by Conor Humphries) Ukraine has managed to bring back 17-year-old Viacheslav, who was forcibly deported by the Russians from the occupied city of Mariupol. Source: Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Quote: "This time, 17-year-old Viacheslav has been rescued from the occupiers. The boy grew up without parents. He studied in Mariupol. The occupiers deported him to Shakhtarsk, Donetsk Oblast. However, the strong-minded and clever boy found a way to make himself known. There, there was a lot of hard work by volunteers and government agencies. And today Viacheslav has arrived in Kyiv." Details: The Ministry of Reintegration has noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Service for Childrens Affairs of Desnianskyi District of Kyiv, Alina Dolzhenko who is the chief specialist of the Department of Guardianship/Care, Adoption and Family Forms of Education, Daria Kasianova who is the programme director of SOS Children's Villages Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Childrens Rights Network have been involved in bringing the boy back. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- A top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected the idea that Kyiv must recognize new territorial realities as a pathway to potential peace with Russia. Andriy Yermak was responding to comments by Mikhail Galuzin, Russian deputy foreign minister, who also told Tass that Ukraine should give up its hopes of joining NATO and the European Union, recognize Russian as a state language, and stop taking weapons donations from the West. Ukraines foreign minister said no frozen conflict and not making territorial concessions is a key principle of continued dialogue with China. Most Read from Bloomberg With attention focused on Ukraines potential counteroffensive, army commander in chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi posted a video on social media proclaiming that the time has come to reclaim what is ours. The bid to retake occupied territory is ready to begin and could start tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week, said Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, told the BBC. We must get to the day when we can say that we are ending this war with our victory, Zelenskiy said on Telegram. Ukraines military intelligence claimed, without offering evidence, that Russia plans large scale provocations around the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Hundreds of German government employees based in Russia will be expelled in the latest round of diplomatic tensions between the two former major trading partners. Zelenskiy signed a decree to impose sanctions on 220 Russian and Belarusian entities as well as 51 individuals. Latest Coverage Ukraine Says One Dead, 23 Hurt in Russian Strike on Hospital Ukraine Pressures Germany to Provide Long-Range Missiles Lula Declines Invite to Russia After Failing to Meet Zelenskiy China Envoy Meets Russian Foreign Minister Over War in Ukraine Ukraine Black Sea Crop Exports Slowest Since Corridor Opened: UN Russia Expels Hundreds of German Government Employees Coming Up NATO foreign ministers meet in Oslo from Wednesday UN nuclear watchdog expected to brief Security Council on the Zaporizhzhia atomic plant on Tuesday Markets Oil rose Friday and posted a modest weekly gain. Supply dynamics remain in focus, with Saudi Arabia and Russia having offered conflicting statements this week on the potential for more production cuts from OPEC and its allies. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. HIMARS M31 launch ukraine At the frontline and online, Ukrainian forces appear to be making final preparations for the long-awaited counteroffensive, with the help of Western-supplied equipment, after surviving the Russian onslaught through the winter. Having blunted Russias winter offensive in the Donbas and enduring near-endless waves of air raids on targets across the country, top Ukrainian officers and spokespersons are putting the word out that the counteroffensive isnt just ready, its already begun. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in an interview with The Guardian that preliminary operations were already underway. https://twitter.com/guardian/status/1662443000625082370 Its a complicated process, which is not a matter of one day or a certain date or a certain hour, Podolyak told The Guardian. Its an ongoing process of de-occupation, and certain processes are already happening, like destroying supply lines or blowing up depots behind the lines. The intensity is increasing, but it will take quite a long period of time. Oleksiy Danilov, Ukrainian Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council said in an interview with the BBC that the counteroffensive could begin tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or in a week, but that Ukraine cannot afford to make a mistake in beginning its attack too soon. https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1662475012907909121 Ukrainian Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the subject of numerous Russian conspiracy theories over his alleged demise, posted a blunt, short statement to Twitter and Telegram with an accompanying video. The time has come to take back what belongs to us. https://twitter.com/CinC_AFU/status/1662451731261796353 The video could not be more cinematic, a boisterous Ukrainian rally cry calling for the blessing of its counter-offensive and to join the armed forces. The clip features multiple Leopard 2 tanks, M777 howitzers, and M142 HIMARS in an almost fire-breathing montage. As far as Ukrainian recruiting videos go, its a far cry from the much-publicized 2014 armed forces video Each of Us, which debuted only months after the war in the Donbas began as fears of full-scale Russian attack persisted. The 2014 video showed a nation reluctantly thrust into war with an uncertain future it was ready to defend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOCbW1hc6Ng But Saturdays video shows a proud, vengeful, and well-armed country ready to turn the wars tide. The video is as much a shaping operation as Ukraines strikes and cross-border raids. This is textbook information warfare, propaganda designed to ready Ukraine and its allies for the battle to come and to terrify Russian soldiers with the weapon systems theyve come to fear, namely the Leopard 2 and HIMARS. The Ukrainian counteroffensive may not begin with sudden simultaneous attacks, but rather a crescendo to the beat of shaping operations to prepare the battlespace over several days or even weeks. Each strike deep behind the lines, each raid pulling Russian forces away from the front, and indeed each piece of psychological warfare is another step closer to Ukraines artillery and mechanized units starting their assaults. Before we head into the latest updates from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here. The Latest In its most recent intelligence update, the British Ministry of Defense has confirmed the likely withdrawal of Wagner Group PMC forces from some of its positions around Bakhmut. Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin previously stated the mercenary group would hand over its positions to the Russian Ministry of Defense while Wagner reconstitutes its combat strength after months of brutal assaults on the now-ruined city. https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1662337489334419458 The update further noted it appears separatist forces of the Russian-backed, self-proclaimed, Donetsk Peoples Republic have entered Bakhmut for clearance operations, while the Russian Airborne VDVs 31st Brigade has reinforced positions on Bakhmuts flanks. Ukraines counterattacks on Bakhmuts flanks captured some 20 square kilometers, and their threat to pockets of Russian forces around the city will likely force Wagner to make a controlled retreat. https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1662285913152536578 Despite the ongoing feud between Prigozhin and the Russian Ministry of Defense, its reportedly likely that Wagner will be used in further offensive operations in the Donbas once it has reconstituted behind the lines. However, the Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) reported Wagner Group swapped 106 Ukrainian prisoners of war for an unknown number of Russian POWs on May 25, possibly independently of the Russian Ministry of Defense. https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1662291282100895744 Prigozhins separate but related feud with Igor Girkin, Russian mil-blogger and founding member of the far-right Angry Patriots Club, may soon come to a head as Girkin accused Prigozhin of preparing for a Wagner-led coup. Girkin specifically suggested Prigozhin may take advantage of the political chaos that could envelop Russia should the Ukrainian counteroffensive succeed. https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1662429293719298049 A sizable explosion rocked the Bakhmut frontline after a reported Ukrainian strike on a Russian position, leaving a towering mushroom cloud over the countryside. Some have suggested that this was a JDAM-ER strike, which would make some sense. https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1662206980847435777 Video from fighting in the citys ruins shows just how chaotic and apocalyptic the battles were. In the below clip, two Wagner fighters can be seen trying to suppress a Ukrainian position, only to come under mortar fire and flee into cover when its believed theyre shot by friendly fire. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1662193033155080193 Theres also intense footage showing a high-speed supply run by the Ukrainian 93rd Mechanized Brigade down the Road of Life connecting Bakhmut to friendly lines to the west. In what looks like a civilian vehicle, the Ukrainian troops flee the city through smoke, dust, and debris from artillery fire, with occupants taking and returning small arms fire as the driver speeds through the streets. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1662205726779998209 In its Saturday control of terrain assessments, ISW noted that Russian forces had made marginal gains along the Svatove-Kreminna highway. https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1662292643513081860 The frontline has remained largely stable in this sector northwest of Severodonetsk since last fall. Recent Russian attacks in the area reportedly targeted the Kupyansk direction, the city where Ukrainian forces crossed the Oskil River in their Kharkiv counteroffensive rout. Fighting in the Donbas remains intense, with a combat montage from Ukraines 28th Mechanized Brigade showing firefights along the Donets-Donbas Canal near the village of Kurdyumivka. Troops can be seen hitting a Russian position with 84mm Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles, 30mm 2A42 autocannon fire from a BMP-2, and lofted shots from a T-72s 125mm 2A46M main gun. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1662302522902560768 Russian forces also destroyed the dam at Donetsk Oblasts Karlivka Reservoir. The video showed water from the reservoir rushing downstream, and the dam carried the main road connecting Ukraines frontline positions near Pisky on Donetsks outskirts. https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1661793021241819142 On that note, another video shows shells falling at the Belgorod Reservoirs dam across the border from Kharkiv, as the war increasingly comes to Russias border regions. https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1662459196137144320 Video posted to Telegram shows audible gunshots and explosions in Russias Belgorod Oblast, reportedly as Ukrainian-backed operations continue there. Clips appear to show fires burning near the city of Shebekino, and there was a reported Ukrainian drone strike in the village of Maiskii. https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1662193599771975680 https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1662194125746184193 The Liberty of Russia Legion has also released a video summary of its recent incursion into Belgorod Oblast, claiming to show the Russian garrison fleeing into abandoned homes before being targeted by artillery. https://twitter.com/legion_svoboda/status/1662084249854377984 To the northwest, there are reports of gun battles near the Ukrainian border in Bryansk Oblast in and around the village of Sushany. https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1662429903667462147 Also behind Russian lines, it appears Russian air defenses may have downed another of its own aircraft near the Morozovsk Airfield in Rostov Oblast. The base housed the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment (559 BAP) with 36 Su-34 Fullback bombers before the war, but its unclear what aircraft can be seen burning in the video. https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1661819867941445649 Two Su-34s made a much-maligned low-level attack run on the Grayvoron border crossing, reportedly during the Belgorod incursions last week. Russian Telegram channel Fighter Bomber (@Fighterbomber) commented the attack run was at too low an altitude and without pre-flight preparation. You can read our initial report on the video of these strikes here. https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1662390251933892608 Two sizable explosions were reported in Mariupol near the former Azovstal steel plant. The facility fell to Russian forces after a vicious siege on May 20, 2022. https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1662151286303621131 https://twitter.com/IntelCrab/status/1662165439764365333 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1662152024228495360 https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1662148462413070343 The strikes are rumored to be the latest use of the British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles, with another explosion reported in the occupied port city of Berdyansk. https://twitter.com/666_mancer/status/1662439290708557826 https://twitter.com/GeoConfirmed/status/1662480232102633478 Video in the city of Donetsk reportedly shows the panicked aftermath of a HIMARS attack on a Russian target in the city, with soldiers and civilians seen running off the street into shelters. https://twitter.com/DenesTorteli/status/1662000822404673536 Ukraine commissioned its first new Project 58155 Gyurza-M class armored gunboat since the war began, the BK-08 Bucha, named for the city ravaged in Russias Kyiv offensive in March 2022. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1662204694784081920 In riverine camouflage, the Bucha is armed with two 30mm autocannons, twin Stugna-P anti-tank missile launchers, and a 30mm automatic grenade launcher, formidable armament for combat on and along the lower Dnipro River. Ukraine will receive 43 AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles from the Royal Canadian Air Force, per a statement from the Canadian Department of National Defense. The missiles will likely find their way into Ukrainian-crewed NASAMS air-defense launchers, which can fire both the AIM-120 AMRAAM and the AIM-9X. That being said, we do not have a confirmation of this at this time and it's possible the AIM-9 is being integrated onto Ukraine's Soviet-designed fighter aircraft. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1661989966279241728 Theres new footage of the Slovenian Valuk wheeled armored personnel carriers in Ukrainian service. Slovenia sent 20 of the 6x6 vehicles as part of its aid to the Ukrainian war effort. https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1662048607757910016 Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov also showed off two of Ukraines Bogun all-terrain vehicles, the box-like vehicles seen demonstrating amphibious capabilities in a swamp. https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1662086252496076801 A pair of Russian ZALA Lancet loitering munitions damaged a Ukrainian 9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko) transporter-erector-launcher-and-radar (TELAR) after drone operators watched the vehicle move into a shed. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1661984723726487552 The first Lancet blows a hole in the roof and prompts several crew members to flee the structure before a second kamikaze drone goes through the opening. The footage cuts to a burning Osa fleeing under its own power. Ukrainian drones, however, remain busy in more than just attack and recon roles. Sling-load fans rejoice, as a video shows a Ukrainian DJI T30 six-rotor drone retrieving the remains of a downed Russian Orlan-10 UAV that fell in a minefield. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1662223894437298177 Elsewhere, it looks like Ukrainian drones from the 54th Mechanized Brigade managed to destroy a disabled and abandoned Russian T-90M tank near Soledar using a number of VOG grenades. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1662261185012543488 Drones helped Ukrainian artillery gunners take out Russian D-20 152mm howitzers and a Diabazol mobile electronic warfare system on the Dnipro Rivers left bank across from Kherson. https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1662501679973949442 First-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones continue to terrorize Russian troops, as a pair of clips show drones targeting Russian trucks, with the occupants and nearby soldiers trying to flee before impact. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1662268961528971264 https://twitter.com/666_mancer/status/1662370032993566720 On a related note, theres a new tank sporting a cope cage; well, not a new tank, actually one of the first T-72s to enter Soviet service in the 1970s. The original T-72 has been covered in explosive-reactive armor (ERA) bricks for added protection, with more of the bricks on an overhead cope cage as well. Exactly how much protection this arrangement provides or danger to the tank's crew remains unclear. https://twitter.com/AndreiBtvt/status/1661895431893164033 If youre into scarves with modern self-propelled howitzer profiles on them, youll love this silk scarf CNN's Senior International Correspondent Frederik Pleitgen (@fpleitgenCNN) found in Ukraine. The purple silk scarves feature side profiles of the German-made PzH 2000 155mm self-propelled howitzer. https://twitter.com/fpleitgenCNN/status/1662062235827535874 Theres video of Ukrainian troops riding and firing a sidecar motorcycle with a 73mm SPG-9 recoilless rifle mounted to the frame. The design harkens back to those used by Nazi German troops for reconnaissance and scouting duties in the Second World War. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1662514368834068481 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1662514370608234497 In liberated areas of Ukraine, returning civilians are adjusting to life in what was a fierce battlefield only months earlier. Photos from the Kyiv Post show Anna Plichtchynska, 67, and her cow, Lana, having returned to their farm in liberated Kherson, where Anna checks the fields for mines and unexploded ordnance left behind from the fierce fighting. https://twitter.com/GoldenR_Fella/status/1661835959241941016 In the growing subgenre of Ukrainian wildlife on the frontlines, a video shows a small bird at a table where Ukrainian troops appear to be assembling drone-dropped munitions with plastic explosives. Before being shooed away, the bird seems rather interested in making a snack out of the explosive material, with the Ukrainian soldier joking the birds could replace drones if they figured out how to mount fuses. https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1662217665379979264 Thats it for now. Well update this story when theres more to report about Ukraine. Contact the author: stetson.payne@thewarzone.com Over the course of the past day, Ukraines defence forces killed 480 Russian soldiers and destroyed 3 Russian tanks and 22 artillery systems. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 27 May 2023 Details: Total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 27 May 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses ed.]: 206,200 (+480) military personnel 3,799 (+3) tanks 7,442 (+7) armoured combat vehicles 3,406 (+22) artillery systems 572 (+2) multiple-launch rocket systems 329 (+1) air defence systems 310 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft 296 (+0) helicopters 2,941 (+31) operational-tactical UAVs 1,025 (+10) cruise missiles 18 (+0) ships/boats 6,172 (+11) vehicles and tankers 449 (+3) special vehicles The data is being confirmed. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukraine's Foreign Minister denies that Chinese envoy called on European countries to recognise Ukrainian territories as belonging to Russian Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has denied the information posted by the media that Chinese Ambassador Li Hui, as part of his European tour to promote the "resolution" of Russia's war against Ukraine, offered to call for an immediate cease-fire by way of recognising the Russian occupation of Ukraine territory. Source: Kuleda during his video address published on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Ukrainian Foreign Minister noted that after this information appeared, he contacted his European colleagues from the capitals which Li Hui visited, and none of them confirmed it. Quote: "None of them confirm that there have been announcements or talks about recognising the territories on which the Russian Federation is currently present in Ukraine as Russian. I urge you to keep a cool head, rationality, and not to react emotionally to every publication. We control the process, no one will do anything against us behind Ukraine's back," the minister emphasised. He added that Ukraine will continue to conduct talks with China, but "it will be conducted in accordance with three basic principles": mutual respect for territorial integrity, Ukraine will not consider any proposals that involve territorial concessions, no frozen conflict. Background: Earlier, The Wall Street Journal, with reference to European diplomats, reported that Li Hui called for an immediate ceasefire, recognising the occupied Ukrainian territories as those belonging to Russia. The previous week, Li Hui visited Ukraine and met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of a European tour that Beijing called an effort to promote peace talks and a political settlement. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A Ukrainian serviceman inspects Russian positions after a battle, near Bakhmut, May 11, 2023 "During our counterattack actions at some positions, our units were able to advance 350 to 450 meters," he said. Ukrainian forces managed to kill 54 enemy troops and wound another 84. The troops destroyed a Grad multiple rocket launcher, three cannons, three UAVs, a 2C4 Tulpan self-propelled mortar, and two field ammunition depots. "Near Bakhmut, we are actually observing a lower level of enemy activity," said Cherevatyi. There were two combat engagements over the last day, and one to three the day before. This is much less compared to the enemy's behavior over the previous months. However, the intensity of fire at our positions remains high. The enemy fired 465 times at our positions with various systems and calibers. There were two air raids. He attributed the decline in enemy activity mainly to "severe defeat" and losses over several months. "Every day the enemy lost more than 100 occupiers in killed and about the same number lightly more, in wounded," he explained. We predicted two months ago that if such losses were maintained and personnel not replenished, the enemy would be defeated. This is what happened. Cherevatyi confirmed that the Russian forces are conducting "certain rotational actions," which is a factor in the decrease in hostilities. Healso called the statements of Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin about leaving the city "a latent surrender of his criminal group." "It will take some time to verify how many and if at all criminal units he will withdraw, as they still remain in Bakhmut itself," he said. Read also: Wagner mercenaries remain in Bakhmut, while being replaced by the Russian army in the suburbs Defense Ministry Ukrainian Armed Forces still hold the previously occupied dominant heights around Bakhmut, while the advance was suspended yesterday and today to accomplish other tasks, said Ukraines Deputy Minister of Defense, Hanna Malyar. She emphasized that the pace of the Russian offensive around the city continues to slow. Prigozhin claims that Wagner troops continue to hand over positions in Bakhmut to Russian Defense Ministry troops and withdraw from the city. The regular Russian army is to replace Wagner units in and around the city by June 1, he said. Analysts of the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War have not yet observed evidence that regular Russian forces have taken over Wagner's positions in Bakhmut itself or that Wagner PMC is leaving the city. Continued successful limited counterattacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the flanks of the Bakhmut front could complicate the Russian operation to replace the [Wagner] forces with other occupation forces in Bakhmut itself, ISW analysts predict. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine As a result of the operation in Belgorod Oblast, where representatives of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and the Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL) penetrated on 22 May, important information for Ukrainian intelligence was collected. Source: Andrii Yusov, representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence, on the air of the New Countdown project, the website of the Ministry of Defence reports Details: According to Yusov, as a result of the operation in Belgorod Oblast, valuable information for Ukrainian military intelligence was collected, which for obvious reasons will not be disclosed. However, part of this data, which he briefly characterised as "the king is naked", was received by the whole world. As Yusov explained, it is about the exhaustion of the power apparatus of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russia's vulnerability to internal attacks. According to the representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence, now the task of the Russian resistance is to liberate the state from Putin's regime, and the resistance forces operate both in the border villages of Russia and in the capital area of the aggressor country. The intelligence representative warned that Ukrainians should not overestimate the Kremlin's reaction to the FRL and RVC operation in Belgorod Oblast in the context of the situation at the front. However, according to him, the Russian leadership is forced to regroup its troops in response to events in the oblast. Background: On 22 may, RVC and FRL, groups of Russians claiming to fight for Ukraine, announced the "liberation" of several settlements in Belgorod Oblast of the Russian Federation from Putin's regime. On 23 May, the Russian authorities announced the defeat of the fighters of the RVC and FRL, who are called "saboteurs" in Russia, and the completion of the "counter-terrorist" operation in Belgorod Oblast. The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggested that fighters of the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion have probably retreated closer to the border with Ukraine after the clash with Russian troops in Belgorod Oblast, Russia. On 23 May, the Russian Volunteer Corps said that the Russian Ministry of Defence is spreading false information about the alleged destruction of a convoy of their equipment in Bryansk Oblast, Russia. The Ukrainian Defence Intelligence confirmed that it cooperates with the Russian Volunteer Corps, including exchange of information. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The first group of about 400 Ukrainian servicemen began training in the operation and maintenance of American M1 Abrams tanks in Germany. Source: Lieutenant Colonel Garron Garn, the representative of the Pentagon, reports European Pravda, referring to The New York Times. Details: About 200 soldiers about one armoured battalion began training on Friday at training grounds in Grafenwohr and Hohenfels, Germany. The training covers basic soldier tasks such as marksmanship and medical skills, as well as platoon and company-level training and eventually more extensive training involving battalion units that oppose each other. According to Colonel Garn, the remaining 200 Ukrainian soldiers began training on how to refuel and maintain tanks. Representatives of the Defence Department stated that about 31 tanks would be sent to Germany for use in the training programme of Ukrainian troops, which is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks. Officials said that combat-ready tanks might appear on the battlefield in Ukraine by the fall. The start of tank training under the leadership of the 7th Army Training Command came a week after President Biden told US allies that he would allow Ukrainian pilots to be trained on American F-16 fighters. Background: The Biden administration announced its intention to send tanks to Ukraine in January. It took this step after months of insisting that they were too complex and challenging to maintain and repair to encourage Germany to supply Leopard tanks. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukrainians not being released from prisons in Belarus even after their term ends Belarus does not release Ukrainians from prisons even after the end of the term under the pretext that it cannot deport them, said the editor-in-chief of the site Charter'97 Some Ukrainians who were abducted by Russia and forcibly moved to Belarus could be imprisoned there because it is dangerous to actively support or show solidarity with Ukraine there, she said during the interview. Read also: Last European bank leaving Belarus "We're not aware of how many Ukrainians are in prisons (in Belarus). One has to realize that it's a completely closed system. I consider it to be within the Ukrainian embassys scope of responsibility. It is still in Minsk," the Belarusian journalist said. Belarusian political prisoners who were released from prisons "said that they had met Ukrainians in prisons [and] that they were in a very unenviable position," Radina added. "Ukrainians are not released on parole. Even if their sentence has come to an end, they are not released. Because they say: Your country is at war, we have to release you and deport you. But we will not deport you, as we can't. That's why many Ukrainians remain in prison," she said. Read also: Russia remains committed to Belarus security, Peskov says Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin are creating a so-called union state of Russia and Belarus. Russia already controls almost all the Belarusian state, said Francisak Viacorka, Senior Advisor to the Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine UN special envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked" by a letter from Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, reportedly requesting the replacement of special envoy Volker Perthes amid a brutal war with paramilitaries. Guterres "is proud of the work done by Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative", a statement from UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said late Friday. "The Secretary-General is shocked by the letter he received from General Al-Burhan," currently at war with his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The rival forces are currently in the fifth day of a one-week ceasefire brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia, during which they have repeatedly accused each other of truce violations. Neither the army nor the UN have released official copies of Burhan's letter, which reportedly requested the dismissal of Perthes as Guterres' envoy to Sudan. It is the latest in a series of moves by Burhan, who last week officially sacked Daglo as his deputy in the ruling sovereign council, pooled hardline military supporters into his inner circle and is now seeking to reinforce army ranks. Sudan's defence ministry on Friday called on "army pensioners... as well as all those capable of bearing arms" to head to their nearest military command unit and "arm themselves in order to protect themselves," their families and their neighbours. A statement later in the day walked back the call to just army "reservists" and "pensioners". Perthes and the UN mission in Sudan have been the target of several protests by thousands of military and Islamist supporters who have repeatedly accused Perthes of "foreign intervention" and demanded his dismissal. Similar protests have taken place in the eastern city of Port Sudan since the war started on April 15. The fighting across Sudan has killed more than 1,800 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The United Nations says more than a million people have been displaced within Sudan, in addition to 300,000 who have fled to neighbouring countries. Perthes is currently in New York, where he briefed the Security Council on the situation in Sudan earlier this week. There is no information on when he is due back in Sudan, where authorities have not given out visas to foreign nationals since the war started. bur/jsa BEIRUT (Reuters) - The United Nations has delayed a decision to give Syrian refugees in Lebanon cash help partly in U.S. dollars after objections from senior Lebanese officials that this could exacerbate tensions with hard-pressed locals. In a statement on Saturday the U.N. said that following Lebanese requests a decision had been made to temporarily pause the use of dollars alongside Lebanese pounds for next month's disbursement of cash assistance to refugees, while discussions continue on the appropriate way to give aid. Lebanon's local currency has lost more than 98% of its value since an economic meltdown began in 2019, straining both Lebanese families and the around 800,000 Syrians registered with the U.N.'s refugee agency. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza and other U.N. officials had on Tuesday said their agencies would begin distributing aid to refugees in both dollars and Lebanese pounds. They said the "rapid depreciation" of the pound, fluctuations of the exchange rate, and the logistical challenges of securing large amounts of local currency had made it "impossible for the United Nations and partners to continue to disburse cash assistance only in Lebanese Pounds." But the same agencies reversed course after meetings on Friday with Lebanon's caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati and social affairs minister Hector Hajjar. Hajjar had told a press conference his ministry had not been properly informed of the decision to provide aid in dollars, which he said would increase tensions between refugees and Lebanese. A government source said Mikati, too, had not been aware of the "dollarization" of aid. The U.N.'s reversal comes amid heightened social tensions in Lebanon over the issue of refugees. Officials have said the country can no longer bear to host Syrians as it struggles to cope with its own financial crisis. The Lebanese army has carried out raids on camps and homes where refugees live. A humanitarian source told Reuters that more than 2,000 have been arrested and more than 1,400 deported to Syria. Security sources say the army is seeking out Syrians with invalid papers, but relatives of deported Syrians say they face arrest and army conscription once back in their homeland. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by David Holmes) Alexis Patterson disappeared on her way to Hi-Mount School in Milwaukee on May 3, 2002. She was 7. The latest season of Unsolved, a true-crime podcast for USA TODAY and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, examines the case. The episodes feature exclusive interviews with Alexis' family and more details about the police investigation than has ever been made public before. Unsolved is available on all podcast platforms. During the making of Unsolved, a possible connection emerged between Alexis Patterson and a Wisconsin native named Eric Robert, who was later executed in South Dakota. Here's what to know: Who is Eric Robert? Eric Robert was a Wisconsin native who later began a life of crime in South Dakota. In 2005, he posed as a cop and pulled over a teenage waitress. He told her to get out of the car and then pushed her into the trunk. But he didn't realize she had a cellphone, which she used to call for help. He was convicted of kidnapping and sentenced to 80 years in prison. Eric Robert appears in a Sioux Falls, S.D., court on Oct. 14, 2011 What is Robert's connection to Alexis Patterson? A woman from Cable, Wis., who worked with Robert at the old Telemark Lodge in the 1990s, says she saw Robert rescue a little Black girl who was running into the road on the afternoon of May 3, 2002, the day Alexis disappeared. He also drove a red truck, which some witnesses reportedly saw outside Alexis' school in the weeks before she vanished. Alexis Patterson was 7 when she disappeared in 2002. Could Robert have abducted Alexis Patterson? The police don't think so. The woman who suspected Robert of taking Alexis said the idea had come to her as part of a repressed memory. South Dakota reporter John Hult said on the Unsolved podcast that a Wisconsin detective had asked Robert about a kidnapping here, but Robert denied involvement. Are repressed memories real? The theory of repressed memories was popular back in the late '80s and early '90s. The idea is that people can subconsciously block out traumatic things that have happened to them. And after a time often years something triggers the memories to come back into the persons consciousness. It's a controversial idea that hasn't been proven with scientific evidence, according to Elizabeth Loftus, a psychologist at the University of California, Irvine who is considered one of the nation's leading experts on memory. Why were Robert and Rodney Berget executed? The two were convicted of killing prison guard Ron "R.J." Johnson during a failed escape attempt on April 12, 2011. It was Johnson's 63rd birthday and he was supposed to be off that day, but he had agreed to cover a shift for a sick co-worker. The two convicts hit Johnson over the head with a metal pipe and covered his face with plastic wrap to smother his screams. Robert put on Johnson's uniform and tried to leave the prison pushing a laundry cart, in which Berget was hiding. Both Robert and Berget were sentenced to death. Robert was executed in 2012. Berget died by lethal injection in 2018. Learn more about the Alexis Patterson case by listening to the true-crime podcast Unsolved. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Eric Robert was executed for homicide. Did he kidnap Alexis Patterson? WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Los Angeles residents have been charged with acting in a Beijing-directed scheme targeting U.S.-based practitioners of the Falun Gong group that is outlawed in China, the U.S. Justice Department said on Friday. John Chen, also known as Chen Jun, and Lin Feng were arrested in California over allegations they supported Chinese efforts to strip the tax-exempt status of a U.S. entity run by Falun Gong practitioners, the department said in a statement. The department described the scheme as part of a broader campaign by China's government to target its U.S.-based critics. The charges were announced a month after federal agents arrested two New York residents on suspicion of operating a Chinese "secret police station" in Manhattan's Chinatown district. A complaint against Chen and Lin was filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York, the department said. Reuters was not immediately able to reach them or their lawyers for comment. China's embassy in Washington did not immediately provide comment. Chen and Lin in 2023 attempted to bribe an undercover federal agent acting as a U.S. tax official to advance a complaint that would strip the Falun Gong entity's federal tax exemption, the department said. The two paid $5,000 in cash bribes and promised to pay substantially more to advance the complaint with the Internal Revenue Service's Whistleblower Program, it said. The bribes were intended to carry out China's aim of "toppling ... the Falun Gong," the department quoted Chen as saying on an intercepted call. Stripping the entity's exempt status would increase its federal tax obligation. Falun Gong, based broadly around meditation, was banned by China in 1999 after 10,000 members appeared at the central leadership compound in Beijing in silent protest. The group has called for people to renounce the ruling Chinese Communist Party. China's government has described the group as a cult organization that threatens national stability. (Reporting by Rami Ayyub; Editing by Grant McCool) Two U.S. residents accused of acting as unregistered agents for Chinas government have been federally charged in New York on bribery and money laundering counts, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a release. John Chen, 70, and Lin Feng, 43, were arrested Friday in Los Angeles and charged with conspiring to bribe and bribing a public official, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in an effort to target people who participate in the spiritual practice of Falun Gong at the direction of Chinas PRC government. Falun Gong is banned by Chinas government, which sees it as a threat to its rule. "John Chen and Lin Feng allegedly waged a campaign at the behest of the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to influence a U.S. Government official in order to further the PRC Governments repression of practitioners of Falun Gong," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. "Efforts to manipulate and use the arms of the U.S. Government to carry out the PRC Governments autocratic aims are as shocking as they are insidious. My Office will work vigorously to protect against malign foreign influences." CHINA ENTERS WATERS OFF VIETNAM NEAR RUSSIA GAS BLOCK IN WORRYING ESCALATION Falun Gong protesters near the U.S. Capitol in 2018. Chen and Feng are accused of attempting to strip the tax-exempt status of a Falun Gong entity by filing a whistleblower complaint with the IRS and then allegedly attempting to bribe an undercover agent posing as an IRS agent earlier this month with $5,000, and promises of more than $50,000 if the agent advanced the complaint by opening an audit. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Neither Chen nor Feng notified the U.S. attorney general that they were acting as Chinese agents allegedly starting in January of this year. CHINA'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO THE US EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN WASHINGTON TUESDAY ON HEELS OF G-7 SUMMIT: REPORT Chen allegedly said in a recorded call that the PRC-funded bribes had the explicit aim of "toppl[ing] . . . the Falun Gong." In another call intercepted through an authorized wiretap, both men discussed acting with the "direction" of a specific PRC official, deleting the official's instructing to avoid detection and "alert[ing]" and "sound[ing] the alarm" if the IRS meeting didnt go as planned. They said the PRC official was the one "in charge" of the scheme, according to the DOJ. Chen and Feng allegedly met with the undercover agent on May 14 in Newburgh, New York, with Feng initially giving the agent $1,000 and promised $50,000 plus 60% of any whistleblower compliant reward received if the complaint was successful for opening an audit. Four days later, Chen allegedly met the agent at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport, and gave them an addition $4,000. Chen is a U.S. citizen and a former Chinese citizen and Feng is a current Chinese citizen. Both are U.S. residents living in Los Angeles. Chen and Feng were both charged with one count of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General and to bribe a public official, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of bribing a public official, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of conspiring to commit international money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The U.S. interior secretary on Friday declared that Mexico has failed to halt the illegal wildlife trade threatening the world's smallest porpoise, the critically endangered vaquita, a move that opens the path for a possible trade embargo. The vaquita, native to Mexico's Gulf of California, is imperiled by black market fishing for an endangered fish called the totoaba, whose bladder is highly valued in Asia for use in traditional medicine. Mexico's government has been under pressure to crack down on this illicit fishing. "The government of Mexico has failed to stem the illegal harvest and commercial export of totoaba," U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland wrote in a notification letter to the U.S. Congress. "This illicit trade has direct negative impacts on the survival of the vaquita." Under U.S. law, the president may embargo wildlife products and limit other imports from nations deemed by the interior secretary to engage in trade that undermines the effectiveness of any international treaty protecting endangered species to which the United States is a party. Haaland's letter did not mention a possible trade embargo. Under U.S. law, the president must notify Congress within 60 days of any action aimed to encourage conservation. Mexico's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Thursday, the government said "immediate work" was being done on an action plan to protect the vaquita. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in March said Mexico had failed to deliver an appropriate plan to protect its the totoaba. Fishing for the totoaba has brought the vaquita to the brink of extinction because the marine mammals can get tangled in nets cast by illegal fishers. Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the non-profit U.S.-based Center for Biological Diversity, said trade sanctions are crucial because without strong and immediate international pressure the vaquita could be lost forever. The United States imported about $798 million of fishery products from Mexico last year, the group said. (Reporting by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Will Dunham and Sarah Morland) Revelers flock to Salem, Massachusetts, the site of a mass hysteria about witches in the 17th century, every year on Halloween The US state of Connecticut has exonerated 12 people convicted of witchcraft in colonial America almost 400 years ago following a campaign to clear their names. Eleven of the accused witches were hanged after trials in the northeastern state of Connecticut in the mid-1600s, with one receiving a reprieve. Lawmakers in the New England state passed a resolution on Thursday proclaiming their innocence and condemning the deaths of the nine women and two men as a "miscarriage of justice." It followed a campaign by the CT Witch Trial Exoneration Project, a group that includes descendants of some of those killed. The group said in a statement that it was "ecstatic, pleased, and appreciative" of the senators who voted 33-1 in favor of the move. They noted that the decision came on the eve of 376th anniversary of the first witch-hanging in New England -- that of Alice Young. "We are grateful to descendants, advocates, historians, legislators of both parties and many others who made this official resolution possible," said the statement. Hundreds of people, mostly women, were accused of witchcraft in New England in the 17th century -- most famously in Salem, Massachusetts -- as the area was gripped by fear, paranoia and superstition. Dozens were ultimately executed. The Connecticut witch trials occurred between 1647 to 1663, ending around 30 years before the Salem witch trials. Some 34 people were indicted for witchcraft in Connecticut, according to the CT Witch Trial Exoneration Project. They group added that it "will continue to advocate for historical education and memorialization of the witch trial victims." States and countries have made moves in recent years to clear the names of accused witches. Last year, Massachusetts formally pardoned Elizabeth Johnson, the only person convicted in the Salem trials who had yet to be exonerated. She had been granted a reprieve and died in her late 70s in the 1740s. Last year, Scotland's government issued a formal apology to thousands of women who were executed centuries ago. Some 4,000 people were accused of witchcraft in Scotland between the 16th and 18th century, with more than 2,500 executed. They were mostly strangled and then burned, after making confessions that were often extracted under torture. pdh/jh Lesley Lokko, the curator of the Venice Architecture Biennale From nomads to deforestation, this year's Venice Architecture Biennale focuses on Africa and the impact of colonisation on the development of a continent undergoing the most rapid urbanisation in the world. Away from the national pavilions, the main exhibition put together by Biennale curator Lesley Lokko shines a light on the enduring impact of the colonising Europeans who upended traditional ways of life. Mounir Ayoub, a 40-year-old Tunisian architect based in Geneva, has long been interested in the phenomenon in Tunisia of forced settlement. Before being colonised by France in 1881, the North African country of his birth "was mostly a country with a nomadic population -- 600,000 nomads and 400,000 sedentary (settled) people", he told AFP. But through his collection of photos, documents and video testimony from the few remaining nomad families, he argues that France initiated a policy that eventually left the Tunisian desert depopulated. "The desert was not empty, it was a rich ecosystem with a huge culture. The desert was populated, it was a place of immense civilisation," he told AFP at the exhibition at Venice's former shipyards. But "France created new cities with oases where water was extracted deep in the desert in order to settle the nomads, to control them, in fact, to start setting up borders", said Ayoub. The policy continued even after Tunisian independence in 1956, he said, with Tunisian nomads definitively settled by the 1970s and 1980s. Pointing to places on a map that he said once teemed with life, he lamented that "now there is almost nothing left... even though the whole of Arab civilisation comes from the desert and nomadism". The end of nomadism was a cultural loss but also an environmental one, as the travelling families had "a minimal impact on the environment", said Ayoub. The exhibit includes a nomadic tent -- "organic architecture in the first sense of the word: goats, sheep and camels provide hair that is woven into tents". - No return to 'pure state' - The number of cities in Africa has doubled since 1990, with their combined population increasing by 500 million people, according to the African Development Bank. But urban and economic growth has been not only at the expense of Africa's vast deserts but also the continent's forests. Sammy Baloji, a photographic artist from Lubumbashi, a city in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo, charted the depletion of his country's rainforests in his project for the exhibition. He says the process began with Belgium's rule over his country, as part of a colony also including Rwanda and Burundi, when traditional methods of cultivation were abandoned in favour of intensive agriculture. Baloji said his project, "Debris of History, Issues of Memory", examines "all this human activity from which global warming stems, through the colonisation and devastation of this original vegetation". The basin of the Congo River is a huge rainforest, second in size only to the Amazon, that absorbs more carbon than it releases -- an environmental benefit threatened by deforestation. "The question is not to return Africa to its pure state," said Baloji. "What is interesting is to observe what has been done so far: has it been done taking into account the local populations, their knowledge? Or has it been a devastation of that system to impose another system?" - Past trauma, future visions - The exhibition is the brainchild of Lokko, a Ghanaian-Scottish architect who curated this year's Biennale. She invited 89 participants to contribute to "The Laboratory of the Future", with more than half of them from Africa or the African diaspora. "We're looking at the more painful aspects of the past, and using that trauma and that vulnerability around questions of identity, migration... which are generally questions architects don't deal with, to inform new visons of the future," Lokko told AFP. "Our relationship to the environment is a cultural relationship, it's not only a scientific or transactional relationship." The job of every architect, she said, is "to look at the past in order to project an idea about the future". glr/ams/ar/dl/leg Over 500 spectators of the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater stood in a deep silence before the start of a performance of the "La Bayadere ballet in late April. Some of them had tears in their eyes. The audience was commemorating the opera's late ballet dancer, Rostyslav Yanchyshen, who stepped in to defend Ukraine during the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion and was killed in combat on April 19. "Rostyslav was a very noble man," Harry Sevoyan, the head of Rostyslav's ballet troupe, told the Kyiv Independent. "He was a professional dancer who loved his country. An example of a true patriot." Rostyslav joined a paramilitary volunteer formation that reports to the Territorial Defense Force in his native western Ukrainian city of Kamianets-Podilskyi shortly after Feb. 24, 2022, the start of Russias full-scale invasion. For nearly a year, he was tasked with guarding critical infrastructure and checkpoints in his hometown. In late January, he was drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. For his first combat mission, Rostyslav was deployed near Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest fighting of the full-scale Russian war, where both sides have reportedly suffered extremely high casualties. Just a day after he was deployed to the front line, Russian mortar fire killed the 31-year-old. His older brother, Ukrainian soldier Dmytro Yanchyshen, 34, says Rostyslav underwent nearly two months of military training, becoming a skillful shooter and grenade launcher operator. "He was an excellent shot," Dmytro says. "Though he did not have combat experience, those who did were ready to follow him to the battlefield," he adds. "I learned about it only after his death since he never bragged about anything." Remembering first fallen US volunteer fighter buried in Ukraine At first, everything about the small, solemn gathering in the grounds of Kyivs St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery had all the signs of a traditional Ukrainian military funeral. A guard of soldiers, a Ukrainian flag held over the coffin, the rolling verse of Orthodox prayers, the national The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell Since the government does not disclose Ukraine's military losses, it is still unknown how many soldiers have been killed over the year of Russia's all-out war. But the casualty numbers are expected to be high. In September, President Volodymyr Zelensky said around 50 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in action every day. In December, an advisor to the head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, Mykhailo Podolyak, said, citing Ukraine's military, that the country had lost from 10,000 to 13,000 soldiers. These figures do not include the 4,619 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russia's war in eastern Ukraine in 2014-2022. The calling Growing up in Kamianets-Podilsky, the two brothers took Ukrainian folk dance classes in their childhood, "just like most of the children back then," says Dmytro. Upon graduating from school, Rostyslav surprised his family with the decision to study choreography in college. He soon entered the Serzh Lyfar Dance Academy in Kyiv. "He was very good at it," Dmytro says. "Rostyslav was very tall and in perfect shape," he continues. "He also loved it a lot." Studying in Kyiv, Rostyslav switched from folk dance to ballet and went on his first tour abroad after graduation in 2012. Dmytro says he spent almost a month in Lebanon and went straight to Odesa upon return, looking for a job at the opera theater there. "I met Rostyslav 11 years ago when he applied for a ballet dancer job," says Sevoyan. "We did not hesitate to hire him. He had great professional skills." Rostyslav Yanchyshen, a ballet dancer turned soldier, was killed in combat near Bakhmut on April 19, 2023. He was 31 years old. (Courtesy) Sevoyan and Rostyslav instantly became good friends through their work. Rostyslav was a "very kind and caring person who always helped others, according to Sevoyan. "I can not talk about him without a lump in my throat." Sevoyan says that Rostyslav was engaged in the "current repertoire of all ballet performances," such as the iconic ballets "Don Quichotte," "Giselle," and "La Bayadere." His brother says that Rostyslav traveled "half of the world" on tours with his ballet troupe. He visited the U.S. and Canada twice and hoped to perform there more often. He also wanted to take their parents abroad and "show the whole world to them," Dmytro says. He and their mother often visited Odesa to see Rostyslav performing. Dmytro says their mother was very proud of him and immensely enjoyed watching her son dance on stage. According to Dmytro, Rostyslav was also a patriot who was deeply concerned about Ukraines future. He participated in demonstrations in Odesa when downtown Kyiv was ablaze with massive protests against then pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych during the EuroMaidan Revolution in 2014. When Russia attacked peaceful Ukrainian cities in the early morning of Feb. 24 last year, the two brothers saw no other choice but to join the fight for the freedom of their homeland. Rostyslav Yanchyshen (L) was awarded the Southern Operational Command honors in 2016. Yanchyshen was a member of the Right Sector a Ukrainian nationalist movement and participated in demonstrations in Odesa during the EuroMaidan Revolution in 2014. (Dmytro Yanchyshen) The sacrifice While Rostyslav continued his volunteer service in Kamianets-Podilskyi for nearly a year, Dmytro, drafted just two days after joining the territorial defense unit in his hometown, was sent to the sites of heavy fighting across the front line. "I saw what war was like, and I did not want my younger brother to see it," he says. "I told him that I would fight for both of us." In late January, however, Rostyslav was drafted as well. "He called me and said: 'This day has finally come,'" Dmytro recalls. Dmytro says that during training everyone noticed how strong Rostyslav was but at the same time, wondered why a ballet dancer would want to go to war. According to Dmytro, Rostyslav was deployed to serve with the 56th Motorized Brigade, based near Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast. April 18 was the first trip to the front line for Rostyslav. "He hadnt fought before," Dmytro says. "I told him everything I knew about where and how to hide (from fire). I also told him he needed to survive." Rostyslav tried calming down his loved ones, saying everything would be fine. He did not tell his mother about the combat mission. Overnight, Dmytro sent Rostyslav a text message which he never responded to. "I told him to have my phone number as his emergency contact but not our mother's," Dmytro says. Ballet dancer Rostyslav Yanchyshen was drafted into the Armed Forces in late January after he had spent a year serving at a voluntary paramilitary unit in his native western Ukrainian city of Kamianets-Podilskyi. He was killed during his first combat mission on April 19, 2023. (Dmytro Yanchyshen) A couple of hours later, Dmytro received a phone call telling him that his brother had been killed. Rostyslav's commander told Dmytro it was "the heaviest mortar attack he has experienced in years." Out of 20 people from Rostyslav's unit, 13 were wounded, and he was the only one killed. "When I went to the war, I thought dying would be the hardest part. No one ever told me that dying is, in fact, nothing. But losing people is the most terrifying part," Dmytro says. "I lost so many fellow soldiers, good ones, and I lost my brother," he adds. "My life is different. It is so empty now. I no longer smile." Rostyslav was buried in his native Kamianets-Podilsky on April 26. "He sacrificed himself (for Ukraine), and it was a conscious sacrifice of his," Dmytro says. "I'm sure that even if he knew what would happen, he would still go and fight for Ukraine." Russia takes Bakhmut: Taking stock of the wars bloodiest battle so far CHASIV YAR, Donetsk Oblast Ten months after Russias assault on the once-flourishing city in Donetsk Oblast began, Bakhmut has now been effectively occupied by Russian troops. This hasnt been confirmed yet by Kyiv, but is evident based on both official statements and those made by soldiers on th The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell Note from the author: Hi! Daria Shulzhenko here. I wrote this piece for you. Since the first day of Russia's all-out war, I have been working almost non-stop to tell the stories of those affected by Russias brutal aggression. By telling all those painful stories, we are helping to keep the world informed about the reality of Russias war against Ukraine. By becoming the Kyiv Independent's patron, you can help us continue telling the world the truth about this war. Veteran of Iraq War shares insights on importance of honoring fallen heroes this Memorial Day Veteran of Iraq War shares insights on importance of honoring fallen heroes this Memorial Day For many people nationwide, Memorial Day is associated with a weekend at the lake or beach, cookouts with friends and family, and nearly endless shopping sprees. For Fred Minnick, however, the holiday looks much different than that. The 44-year-old war veteran spent time in Kuwait and Iraq from December 2003 to February 2005 as an Army photojournalist. MEMORIAL DAY BY THE NUMBERS: FACTS ABOUT THE SOLEMN AMERICAN HOLIDAY In an interview with Fox News Digital, Minnick said he photographed an array of incidents and events everything from car bombs that killed civilians to politicians greeting civilians and schools being built. "In Iraq, I traveled all over the country with special forces, infantry, Strykers, Civil Affairs and Iraqi forces documenting the war with my camera," he said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Minnick is a 44-year-old war veteran based in Kentucky who shared his insights into the real meaning behind Memorial Day. Now a resident of Louisville, Kentucky, he said returning home from war was a war in and of itself he said that at one point, he was on the verge of suicide, homelessness and incarceration. THE HONOR FOUNDATION HELPS AMERICA'S HIGHLY TRAINED MILITARY SUCCEED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE UNIFORM "When I first came home, so much of being a veteran was fighting a new war," he said. Minnick spent a year in Kuwait and Iraq photographing an array of situations and events. It was "a war within me caused by the memories of war and loss of friends," he said. Minnick said in order to move forward, he had to process the demons within. Through years of therapy, Minnick was able to deal with his PTSD through accepting his experience and his new life for what it was, he said. With Memorial Day nearly here, Minnick admitted that he used to get frustrated with the cliche meanings of the day such as barbecues, boat parties and mattress sales. THIS MEMORIAL DAY, GARY SINISE SHARES HIS PERSONAL LIFE MISSION TO HONOR AMERICA'S MILITARY "If I had not gotten therapy, I would have eventually thrown a brick through a car dealership promoting 0% car deals," he recalled. Fred Minnick is shown sitting in a hummer during a Scout Platoon mission in Mosul, Iraq. Minnick said the real meaning of Memorial Day is to honor our fallen heroes, not to thank veterans noting there is little education happening on the day today. "This is not Veterans Day This day is about reflecting and honoring the people who died in service of their country the United States of America," he said. Minnick said he's found strength on Memorial Day holidays of the past by connecting with former military friends saying he plans to spend his holiday learning about heroes from across the country and calling his friends to talk about what the day means. Minnick said he spends Memorial Day reflecting on his time at war and honoring America's fallen heroes. "I hug them tight and [will] probably cry," he said. The veteran said he hopes Americans can take just an hour of their holiday to reflect and remember the fallen heroes who fought for this country. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "People died for this country; remember them." Minnick said that to him, being a veteran means he carries an internal armor with him every day noting that the military gave him confidence toward everything hes ever needed. An Iraq war veteran shared insights into Memorial Day and why the meaning behind the holiday is so important. "Ive walked the path with great men and women who were relentless in battle and comforting in loss," he said. "The truth is, for many of us, every day is Memorial Day." Minnick is a seven-time book author and the creator of the Bourbon & Beyond Music Festival as he has a love for good whiskey. The 2023 Bourbon & Beyond Music Festival takes place in September in Louisville, Kentucky, featuring Bruno Mars, The Killers, Train, Luke Grimes and more. A visitor pauses at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. AP Photo/J. David Ake, File Memorial Day, a national holiday to honor the 1.17 million men and women who have died to create and maintain the freedoms outlined in our Constitution, is not the only Memorial Day. The holiday emerged from the Civil War as a celebration almost exclusively for veterans of the Union Army to remember those who had died. Veterans and their families from Confederate states held their own celebrations. Thus, it remains fraught with conflict and ambiguity. In 2017, seven states Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia chose to also celebrate some form of Confederate Memorial Day. Its usually celebrated on April 26 the day associated with the surrender of General Joe Johnston, nine days after General Robert E. Lees surrender at Appomattox at the end of the Civil War. How can we overcome these deep divides? Having served 28 years in the U.S. Army and as a teacher and researcher who studies the roles veterans and their family play in society, I believe poems written by veterans that focus on honoring those who have died may give us a clue. Bridging divisions Tension between North and South remains. We see it not only on days dedicated to remembrance. It surfaces daily as communities such as New Orleans wrestle with whether or not to keep memorial statues honoring Confederate leaders like Robert E. Lee. Seaman Daniel Odoi of the Navy Operational Support Center of New York City presents the American flag on Memorial Day 2013. AP Photo/John Minchillo One poet who does not ignore these divides is Yusef Komunyakaa, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 and earned a Bronze Star. He is now a professor at New York University. In Facing It, a poem about visiting the Vietnam War Memorial, Komunyakaa, an African-American, confronts the wall and issues linked to war and race. He writes: My black face fades / hiding inside the black granite. But he is also a veteran honoring those who died; he is balancing the pain of loss with the guilt of not being a name on the wall: I go down the 58,022 names, / half-expecting to find / my own in letters like smoke. / I touch the name Andrew Johnson; / I see the booby traps white flash. The poem ends with two powerful images that offer a glimmer of hope: A white vets image floats / closer to me, then his pale eyes / look through mine. Im a window. / Hes lost his right arm / inside the stone. In the black mirror / a womans trying to erase names: / No, shes brushing a boys hair. The image of the speaker becoming a window addresses how two vets, one white and one black, bridge the racial divide and become linked through shared acts of sacrifice and remembrance. Yet even with such a positive affirming metaphor, the speakers mind and heart are not fully at ease. The next image creates dissonance and worry: Will the names be erased? The concluding line relieves that worry the names are not being erased. More importantly, the final image of a simple act of caring calls to mind the sacrifices made to protect women and children by those whose names are on the wall. As a result, their image in the stone becomes a living memorial. Memory and reflection We can also learn from Brock Jones, an Army veteran who served three tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He named his award-winning book Cenotaph, the name for a tomb to honor those whose graves lie elsewhere. By using the name of a monument for those not present, a monument with historical ties to ancient Greece and Egypt as well as our own culture, Brock highlights how honoring the dead goes beyond culture and country. Jones poems do not focus outward toward social strife, but inward. They address languages inability to capture or express loss linked to memories of war. They also point to how those remaining alive, particularly those who have not served, might come to understand the depth of the sacrifice expressed by memorials and, by extension, Memorial Day. In Arkansas, a poem that takes place at the Arkansas pillar, one of 56 pillars at the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speaker remembers a journey with his grandfather: dead eight years ago this summer / to the Atlantic pavilion engraved / with foreign names he never forgot. / Bastogne. / Yeah, we was there. / St. Marie Eglise. / We was near there. The poem ends with the grandfather described as a hunched figure, in front of ARKANSAS. Still, in front of ARKANSAS. The grandfather is burdened by memories he carries, memories that render him still (motionless), memories that will remain with him still. Memorial from a Park Bench offers a broader perspective, one that any visitor sitting on a bench in front of a memorial might experience. For the visitor, the memorial becomes an opened book, a place where A word loses its ability to conjure / trapped inside a black mirror. The words are names, which could be lines / of poems or a grocery list. / They could be just lines. But they are not just lines. At poems end, when all is contemplated, Here are names and black stone / and your only reflection. Jones shifts the emotional and intellectual burden from the person on the bench to the poems readers, and thus to broader society. These words cannot be just lines or lists; they become, by being memorialized in a black stone, a mirror, the readers and thus societys reflection. All on the bench are implicated; the names died for us, and, as a result, are us. Memorial Day and mindfulness Memorial Day may have official roots honoring Union dead, but veteran poets of recent wars serving a United States have found ways to honor all those who have died in battle. Our country may be divided, but by taking a moment to pause and reflect on names etched on monument walls or gravestones, everyone on benches may see their own reflections, and in so doing further the task President Abraham Lincoln outlined in his 1865 Second Inaugural Address to bind up the nations woundsto do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. By being mindful, we might understand what Robert Dana, a WWII vet wrote in At the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.: that These lives once theirs / are now ours. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters. It was written by: James Dubinsky, Virginia Tech. Read more: James Dubinsky received funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities to put on a three-week Summer Institute for faculty on Veterans in Society. He is affiliated with Virginia Tech Veterans Caucus. WEST POINT - Vice President Kamala Harris gave West Point's class of 2023 an enthusiastic send-off as they received their diplomas and embarked on their military careers following graduation Saturday. Harris, this year's commencement speaker, said when the cadets complete their basic officer training and meet the first platoon they will lead, the soldiers under them will look into their eyes for guidance. "You are ready to lead them," Harris assured the cadets. "You have graduated from the pre-eminent leadership institution in the nation." Vice President Kamala Harris enters Michie Stadium for the 2023 Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony on the campus of U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Harris observed that the world has changed a lot since the graduates first arrived at West Point 47 months ago. The world endured the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, the United States ended its longest war and Russia launched the first major war in Europe since World War II with its attack on Ukraine, she said. "You are graduating into an increasingly unsettled world," Harris said. 'Defending our nation's highest ideals' A strong America, Harris said, "remains indispensable to the world." "Our military is the strongest in the world," Harris said. "It underwrites global stability. You will play an essential role in defending our nation's highest ideals." Harris also spoke to the cadets, who were about to take an oath as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, about the importance of that oath. "You take an oath not to a person or a political party," Harris said. "You take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America, and by extension, to support and defend our most sacred ideals." Harris said she has personally witnessed the Army in action doing just that around the world, from defending the NATO alliance in Europe, to standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Harris has the distinction of being the first woman, the first Black American and the first South Asian American to be elected vice president. Restraining order Court order temporarily bans new migrants, asylum seekers from entering Dutchess County New service: Stewart Airport to offer nation's first nonstop service to the Faroe Islands Who are the West Point graduates? An estimated 941 cadets received their diplomas and took their oaths as second lieutenants in the Army in Saturday's ceremony at West Point's Michie Stadium. Among them were 216 women, 89 Black Americans, 65 with Asian or Pacific Islander ancestry, 152 Hispanic or Latino individuals, and six Native Americans. Eleven are combat veterans. Nine are international cadets who will return to their native lands to perform their military service there. Those nations include Columbia, Egypt, Honduras, Jordan, Mongolia, Romania, Rwanda, Thailand and The Gambia. Cadets salute during the 2023 Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony at Michie Stadium on the campus of U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Saturday, May 27, 2023. While the parents and other family members and friends cheered loudly for many of the graduates, the newly-minted second lieutenants saved their loudest cheers for Braheam Shaeed Murphy, this year's class goat - the graduate with the lowest grade point average. Those cheers represent the other graduates' gratitude for sparing them that distinction. Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record, Poughkeepsie Journal and The Journal News/lohud. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com or on Twitter @mikerandall845. This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Kamala Harris addresses West Point class of 2023. What she said Wagner regroups in 3 areas following Bakhmut withdrawal Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, has reported that Wagner Group fighters have withdrawn from Bakhmut but continue fighting against Ukraine. Source: Oleksii Danilov in an interview with the BBC Details: When asked whether Wagner Group mercenaries were withdrawing from Bakhmut, Danilov confirmed that they were. Quote from Danilov: "Yes, that is happening. But it doesn't mean that they will stop fighting with us. They are going to concentrate more on other fronts they are regrouping to other three locations." Details: Danilov supported the Ukrainian armys decision to remain in Bakhmut for many months. He explained that Bakhmut is part of Ukrainian land, and Ukrainians have to defend it. Dabilov also stressed that Bakhmut "has played a big role in this war". Quote from Danilov: "If we start leaving every settlement, that could get us to our western border as Putin wanted from the first days of the war." Background: UK Defence Intelligence reported that Wagner Group forces have probably begun to withdraw from some of their positions around the city of Bakhmut. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Block parties can be a fun way to build neighborhood ties and resilience. (Getty Images / iStockphoto) Its a sunny day and the smell of carne asada is wafting from the grill. Kids are racing up and down the block on their scooters, and your neighbors are gathered in conversation. Youre envisioning a block party. The name explains it all one block is closed to traffic so the neighborhood can come together. The block partys origin story is in New York, first held to bid a celebratory farewell to neighborhood soldiers leaving to the First World War . They've been neighborhood staples since and even have a place in the founding story of hip-hop. It seems as though something that ingrained in American culture would be easy enough to organize, gathering your neighbors in the street for an afternoon. Unfortunately, its a little complicated. In Los Angeles County, you have to get permission from your city if your city even allows this type of event and make sure your neighbors are on the same page. The latter might be tough, considering most Americans dont even know their neighbors. A 2018 Pew Research Center study found that about 24% of urban and 28% of suburban dwellers know all or most of their neighbors, compared with 40% of residents in rural communities. And even though more rural residents know their neighbors, Pew found that didnt mean they interacted with them more. The study also discovered that among Americans who reported knowing at least some of their neighbors, 1 in 4 said they have face-to-face conversations with them at least several times a week. A lot has changed since those data were published five years ago. So if the pandemic has inspired you to get to know your neighbors to build community and to be resilient in the face of an emergency what better way than to throw a block party? The Times contacted all 88 cities in L.A. County, as well as the county itself to account for unincorporated areas, to find out the rules for hosting block parties. Here's what you need to know to get started. The basics of hosting a block party A majority of cities in Los Angeles County allow block parties. Cudahy, Downey, Glendora, Lancaster, Rolling Hills, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Walnut and West Hollywood do not. Some cities don't have a specific permitting process for block parties but will work with you on getting permission, except for San Dimas. But that shouldn't stop interested party planners from starting the conversation with San Dimas; residents can contact City Hall. The City of Industry, which is mostly commercial and has a population of less than 300, said it has never had a block party. Some cities don't allow block parties on certain streets. For example, Redondo Beach doesn't allow block parties on Hawthorne, Aviation, Redondo Beach and Torrance boulevards (check the city website for the complete list). Other cities, such as La Mirada, don't allow block parties unless it's in a cul-de-sac on the Fourth of July. In cities that do allow block parties, hosting one starts with a conversation among your neighbors. Knock on peoples doors, leave a note with your contact information or start a group text message whatever method of communication makes you and everyone else comfortable. Its ideal to get a positive consensus on having the party and setting a date. Those are two crucial pieces of information youll be providing to your city government some cities will require you to collect signatures from a certain percentage of your neighbors, or all of them, before approving the party. When your group picks a date, keep in mind that most cities require at least 30 days' notice. Depending on each citys process, you might be filling out an application for an encroachment, block party, temporary use, special event or street closure. Whatever the permit is called, its typically not free. Some cities charge a few hundred dollars; Bell's fee is the highest in the county at $900, followed by West Covina at $800. Some cities allow you to request or petition for a fee waiver or subsidy. If that doesnt give you sticker shock, maybe knowing there are additional costs to hosting a block party will. A majority of cities require that you purchase event liability insurance. Event insurance can help protect you from financial loss as a result of liability for damages, injuries and accidents at your gathering, said Teny Josephbeck, a member of the Allstate Insurance Co. media team. As an event organizer, you should check for limits and coverages required by the city in which your event is being held to ensure that you have adequate protection, Josephbeck said. Event insurance can be purchased with your homeowner's insurance or separately and costs about $100, depending on the provider. Other costs can include renting barriers to block traffic and in some cases law enforcement or traffic control. And that's all before you rent tables and chairs and buy food! The city of Azusa, which does not offer a way to waive or subsidize its $222.50 permit fee, suggested asking participating neighbors to chip in what they can toward funding the event. The state of block parties in California David Galaviz, USCs associate vice president of government and community relations, works closely with students to help them get permits from the city of Los Angeles to host holiday-related or fundraising events in the street. The students are going through the same process L.A. residents would to host a permitted block party. Galaviz said they have to work with different city departments to get approvals and permits and to pay associated fees, as well as communicating with the surrounding neighborhoods. The biggest barrier, he said, is cost. Second is the complexity. No offense to the city or any local government, but its also just the larger the city, the harder it is to get these permits, in my view, he said. So the trend Galaviz is seeing is that block parties are going from being organically organized by neighbors working together to being more professionally planned by nonprofits or others outfits that can devote more time and resources to an event. It's the same intention. Its that they're designed to bring people together and provide that kind of feeling of community, he said. There is one city in Sacramento County thats working to make block parties simpler. Citrus Heights, population 80,000, launched its block party trailer program in February. It was able to do so with a portion of a $15-million grant awarded to the city under the American Rescue Plan. Very early on, the city committed to using that funding to advance the community's shared goals, said Meghan Huber, economic development and community engagement director for the city. Huber said the city conducted a lot of community outreach to define residents' priorities, and it came down to four things: Community image (preventing homelessness, blight abatement and beautification). Economic development. Infrastructure. Community connection. As we were coming out of COVID, we had really conclusive data that our community was hungry to reconnect and have fun together, Huber said. That's where the block party trailer program comes in, with Citrus Heights finding inspiration from similar programs in Arizona and Texas, Huber said. The program had two things the city wanted that would encourage neighborly engagement: accessibility and ease. So Citrus Heights created three easy steps a one-page reservation application and $500 refundable deposit; applying for a street closure permit (if the event is in the street); and event insurance that can be acquired through the citys risk management division. The fun part, Huber says, is whats in the trailer. Its equipped with tables, chairs, trash receptacles, coolers, a sound system, pop-up tents, barricades and yard games. All residents need to worry about, after the permitting process, is bringing the people and the food. Since its program launch, Citrus Heights has had one reservation for the trailer. Huber said the city is finding that even though they have this accessible tool, they're still working on building awareness. "You can't just launch it in a vacuum and expect it to be fully utilized, so for us it's still something that we're working on amplifying every day," she said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Wave of lawsuits against US gun makers raises hope of end to mass shootings As Americas gun crisis shows no sign of abating, there is some hope for reducing the number of mass shootings and killings. The emerging wave of lawsuits against gun makers echoes previous successes against the car industry, opioid companies and big tobacco. Related: Gun violence is top public health concern for quarter of Americans poll In New York, California, Delaware and other states, new laws aim to provide ways around a near 20-year immunity provided to gun manufacturers and distributors. In Indiana, a lawsuit brought by victims of the 2021 mass shooting at a FedEx facility aims to hold a gun manufacturer accountable for the horror wrought by one of its weapons. Lawsuits like the Indianapolis action, brought by two survivors of the shooting and the family of a man killed, broadly argue that gun manufacturers, gun sellers and gun distributors bear responsibility for gun crimes because of the way they design, market and distribute their products and there is evidence the litigation could work to combat gun violence. The arguments are similar to some of those brought against car, opioid, asbestos and tobacco industries in recent decades, which led to companies acknowledging the danger of their products and pushed them toward more responsible practices. Those lawsuits exposed the true extent to which company executives were aware of the harmfulness of their products. Huge financial penalties were imposed which eventually compelled more responsible behavior. The door was effectively opened for gun litigation last year, when the families of five adults and four children killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting settled with Remington, which manufactured the AR-15 style rifle used in the massacre, for $73m. A woman looks at a memorial for the victims of Sandy Hook elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, on 18 December 2012. Photograph: Joshua Lott/Reuters The families argued that Remington had violated a Connecticut trade law by irresponsibly marketing its AR-15 Bushmaster rifle to young, high-risk males, through militaristic marketing campaigns and first-person shooter video games a similar tactic is seen in the Indianapolis lawsuit. Definitely reasonable gun laws need to be passed, said Philip Bangle, a lawyer representing the FedEx shooting victims. [But] thats a policy issue and that is a different avenue. What were trying to do through litigation is just encourage responsible conduct, and make it beneficial for gun manufacturers and dealers to start implementing responsible conduct. Lawsuits against gun companies have become rare but in the 1990s a number of them were sued by individuals affected by gun violence and by cities seeing the impact of firearms in neighborhoods. By 2000 more than 30 cities, and the state of New York, were suing the gun industry, seeking damages and improved gun safety standards. But that avenue soon closed. Rather than improve their standards, the gun industry, including the National Rifle Association, lobbied hard for protection from such litigation. That led to the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which effectively granted gun manufacturers and sellers immunity from lawsuits related to harm resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of guns. Unlike other industries, the gun industry was now largely free to act as it chose. What were trying to do through litigation is just encourage responsible conduct Philip Bangle It would be like if the car industry didnt have any safety features and then thought that they had this cloak of immunity around them, like the gun industry thinks they do, and just started making things like tanks. Or Formula 1 cars that would fly through the streets, Bangle said. Its not just acting irresponsibly, like: Were selling products, were going to make a profit and now were going to face some responsibilities so were going to make changes. Its: Were selling a product and now weve got a free pass to act anyway we want to make the profit as large as we can. In the last decades, some states have begun to push back against the gun industrys immunity. PLCAA allows some exceptions for lawsuits when state laws are broken and states including New York and California have used that to allow legal action to proceed. New York passed a law in 2021 that allows firearm sellers, manufacturers and distributors to be sued by the state, cities or individuals for creating a public nuisance that endangers the publics safety and health. Late last year, Buffalo, New York, took advantage of the new law when it sued gun companies including Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Glock, Remington and Bushmaster for their conduct in fueling gun violence in the City of Buffalo. In April the state of Washington passed a law which similarly cleared the way for lawsuits against gun makers and sellers, while a California law passed in 2022 requires that gun manufacturers adhere to state standards for the safety and marketing of their products, opening the way for lawsuits. People pay tribute to the victims of the mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images Gun lobbyists are already challenging those laws, and the immunity of gun companies could ultimately end up in the US supreme court. But even if litigation is unsuccessful, it can be beneficial. Timothy Lytton, distinguished professor at Georgia State University College of Law and editor of the book Suing the Gun Industry: A Battle at the Crossroads of Gun Control and Mass Torts, said litigation can help to push the issue of gun violence to the front of the publics minds and also reframe the discussion of Americas gun crisis. Instead of focusing a lot of attention on the criminal shooters or mental health issues this litigation has focused attention on gun manufacturers, in terms of their design decisions, their distribution decisions and their marketing strategies, Lytton said. In addition, the litigation process itself could help to expose any egregious or cynical business decisions made by gun manufacturers. It compels [gun] industry defendants to disclose information that regulators may not have. The civil discovery system is a powerful way to force companies that do not want to disclose proprietary information to disclose that information, Lytton said. That might include decisions about how they think about gun design, who they think their market is, their awareness of siphoning of their products to illegal markets. It compels [gun] industry defendants to disclose information that regulators may not have Timothy Lytton Lytton said there are comparisons between those lawsuits and the impact of lawsuits on the opioid industry. Victims of opioid addiction both addicts and their families began to file lawsuits against opioid companies in the 2000s, Lytton said, as did states and local health departments. They made the same legal arguments that people suing gun companies are using: that the design, marketing and distribution of opioids was having an impact on people in the US. We have now seen both verdicts and settlements in the tens of billions of dollars against pharma companies, they have changed the design of these products, theyve changed their marketing strategies of these products. Theyve scaled back distribution and they police their distribution channels of these products. Theyve completely revolutionized the way they do business with regard to opioids and essentially taken responsibility for a large-scale, nationwide crisis in public health. The Giffords Law Center, which was founded by Gabby Giffords, a former Arizona congresswoman who was shot in the head in a shooting that killed six people in 2011, is among the groups that has worked with shooting victims and states to enhance peoples ability to sue the gun industry. Guns are the only consumer product thats not regulated, said Adam Skaggs, chief counsel and vice-president at the Giffords Law Center. People are losing their lives at the same time that the industry is cashing in record-breaking profits. And so these cases are incredibly important Adam Skaggs Folks that are trying to treat the gun industry just like any other industry. Theyre not trying to single it out for special negative treatment or to impose higher standards on the gun industry than any other industry, Skaggs said. Theres simply an effort to say: guns are a product, like cars, like medicine, like cigarettes, and we should have the same tools at our disposal to confront abuses within that industry. There is a long way to go, but if lawsuits can have the same impact as litigation against opioid companies, it could be a great leap toward creating something approaching safer gun use in the US. People are losing their lives at the same time that the industry is cashing in record-breaking profits. And so these cases are incredibly important, Skaggs said. Its important that lawsuits achieve judgments, that they win punitive damages awards against companies that are established to be engaging in unlawful and unethical business practices. Because its that financial incentive that leads companies to change their behavior, he said. But its also important that these lawsuits are used to shine a light on the business practices and the decisions that these companies have made. he official website of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill's residence in Peredelkino has been hacked into. Source: Patriarch Kirill's website; Ukrainska Pravda SCREENSHOTS OF THE WEBSITE: UKRAINSKA PRAVDA Details: The main page of the official website of the Patriarchs residence in Peredelkino near Moscow contains texts in support of the Ukrainian army's counter-offensive and plays a video released earlier by the Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Quote: "Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia blesses the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counter-offensive." More details: It also contains the text of a prayer for the Ukrainian counter-offensive in Ukrainian: "Oh Lord God of strength, God of our salvation, You alone work miracles. Look in mercy and compassion on the humility of Your servants and listen to us in humanity and have mercy on us, as our enemies have gathered against us to destroy us and destroy our state and our holy places. Help us, oh God, our Saviour, and liberate us, for the glory of Your name, and may the words spoken by Moses be fulfilled: be brave, stand firm, and see salvation from the Lord, for the Lord fights for us. Glory to Ukraine!" The website also contains the captions "We believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine", "Victory is for God and Ukraine", "Support the Armed Forces and Ukraine", etc. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! This week in politics: Washington closes in on debt ceiling, Ron DeSantis shakes up 2024 GOP primary The White House and House Republicans look to be closing on an agreement to ensure the government can continue paying its debts as the country fears hitting the debt ceiling as early as June 1. The exact details of the deal have yet to be hashed out, and it is unclear when an agreement would be unveiled, but President Joe Biden has reiterated he thinks defaulting is not an option. They're making progress," Biden said in remarks Thursday. "I've made clear time and again that defaulting on our national debt is not an option." Outside of Washington, the worst-kept secret in the 2024 Republican presidential race is out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis officially announced his presidential campaign Wednesday in a major shakeup to the GOP primary. Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott also formally announced his own White House bid Monday. And CNN announced it will be hosting two town halls with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence after the networks controversial town hall with former President Donald Trump. Stay in the conversation on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter U.S. President Joe Biden announces his intent to nominate Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. to serve as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during an event in the Rose Garden of the White House May 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. What happened this week in politics? Debt ceiling talks continue: 'We've got to make more progress now' With less than a week before June 1, the earliest date the U.S. could run out of cash to pay its bills, negotiators for the White House and House Republicans look like they are nearing an agreement to raise the debt ceiling. Among the possible compromises is a cap on annual discretionary spending for the next two years instead of the six years House Republicans have been pushing for, in addition to keeping spending levels flat for domestic programs. The House adjourned for the long Memorial Day weekend on Thursday, but if a deal is reached, lawmakers could be called back into Washington to vote on the agreement to avoid a default. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters Friday negotiators made progress last night but weve got to make more progress now. Related: Could the 14th Amendment solve the debt limit standoff? White House says it's not a fix Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks to reporters about the debt limit negotiations as he arrives at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, May 26, 2023. Ron DeSantis announces 2024 presidential campaign Perhaps one of the worst-kept secrets in the 2024 GOP primary race came out Wednesday when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis formally announced he was running for president. Decline is a choice, success is attainable and freedom is worth fighting for, DeSantis said in an announcement video. Righting the ship requires sanity to our society, normalcy to our communities and integrity to our institutions. DeSantis campaign held an unconventional campaign launch on Twitter in a conversation with billionaire Elon Musk, albeit with technical difficulties. The event, originally scheduled for 6 p.m, crashed on Twitter Spaces and was mired in other glitches. His opponents jumped at the opportunity to take a quick jab at DeSantis. The Biden campaign tweeted a link to its fundraising page that said This link works, and Trump called the launch a DISASTER! on Truth Social. But the buggy campaign kickoff was just a blip in what is expected to be a heated primary race for DeSantis highly anticipated campaign. In the first 24 hours since the announcement, his campaign announced it raised $8.2 million a massive sum that establishes DeSantis as one of the main contenders to topple Trump and lead the GOP. Twitter glitches. No rally. No Trump: 3 surprises about DeSantis' campaign rollout Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during an event on his nationwide book tour at Adventure Outdoors, the largest gun store in the country, on March 30, 2023 in Smyrna, Georgia. 2024 Republican presidential primary is heating up DeSantis entrance into the 2024 GOP primary was not the only major news for the race this week. Tim Scott announced his presidential campaign Monday after a monthslong consideration. Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, is looking to be the first African American to win the GOP nomination. Scott has anchored his campaign in his unyielding faith and an optimistic message the American dream is still achievable. May the Lord bless us for another thousand generations, may he be gracious towards us. I believe the next American century starts today, Scott told supporters Monday at his hometown in North Charleston, South Carolina. CNN also announced two town halls with Haley and Pence in Iowa after its controversial event with Trump. Haleys town hall is slated for June 4, and Pences is scheduled for June 7. A Christian 'above all things': How a Ten Commandments fight shaped Tim Scott Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott delivers his speech announcing his candidacy for president of the United States on the campus of Charleston Southern University in North Charleston, S.C., Monday, May 22, 2023. Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes sentenced to 18 years in prison for role in Jan. 6 2021, Capitol attack Rhodes, founder of the right-wing militia group Oath Keepers was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 3 years of supervised release Thursday for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy last year in November in a trial where prosecutors depicted Rhodes and the Oath Keepers as the ringleaders behind the pro-Trump mob that breached the Capitol. "I never have said this to anyone I have sentenced: You pose an ongoing threat and peril to our democracy and the fabric of this country, Judge Amit Mehta, who oversaw the case, said on Thursday. Related: Oath Keepers are being sentenced for the Capitol riot. What to know about the far-right group members This artist sketch depicts the trial of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, left, as he testifies before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta on charges of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, Nov. 7, 2022. Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy on Nov. 29. Supreme Court rules against EPA, limits government authority to address water pollution The Supreme Court made a major decision Thursday limiting the federal governments ability to address water pollution. The court sided with a couple who have been battling the Environmental Protection Agency over a property development plan in the Idaho panhandle. The case centered on the 1972 Clean Water Act and what the EPA could and could not regulate when it comes to the waters of the United States. In an opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, joined by four other conservative justices, the court ruled the Clean Water Acts vagueness on what types of water it covered was too confusing for property owners. The opinion has major implications for what types of water the EPA will be able to regulate. The EPA now can only regulate wetlands with a continuous surface connection to a larger body of water in a way that makes them indistinguishable from said bodies. Related: Supreme Court sides with grandmother who lost home, equity because of back taxes The US Supreme Court is seen in Washington DC on May 25, 2023. Contributing: Joey Garrison, Phillip M. Bailey, Ella Lee and John Fritze, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Week in politics: Washington nears debt deal, DeSantis shakes up 2024 A weekend for remembering our veterans and reflecting on our community connections My thanks to Lennie, who was kind enough to send this note recently about my Sunday columns: They are timely and down to earth with no preachiness. A Church who is not too preachy. I like that. Others will disagree, but Im on #TeamLennie this week. Ill take praise when it happens. Its a long weekend for many in the Triangle, so Ill attempt to minimize the preachiness and offer two suggestions: Remember the military veterans in your family, especially those who died in service to our country. Wake County has the largest number of veterans in the state. The News & Observer is in the business of informing and engaging with the Triangle audience. But the Triangle is a complex region, and your interests vary exponentially. Because youre busy, let me summarize three stories from The News & Observer that might be worth your time during this extended weekend: The Canes are the Triangles team The Carolina Hurricanes are no longer in the championship hunt. No joy. No hugging the Stanley Cup this year. You cant deny fans for processing the season in different ways. Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin offered this Tweet to Caniacs: I am going to focus on the positive. An incredible season. A great Stadium Series. The loudest fans in the @NHL!Thank you @Canes for a memorable year ... You have turned Raleigh into one of the best hockey cities in the country! The N&Os Luke DeCock, Chip Alexander and Robert Willett covered road and home games during the playoffs. They endured the travel grind that comes with constant flights and forgettable meals. And they offered context of what every win and loss meant for the franchises legacy. Luke DeCocks column summarized the season in Lukes distinctive way: Another year has passed. Another opportunity gone. Another sweep in the conference finals, the third straight since 2006. Another year ticks by for this core, which came closer this season than any to justifying the excitement that has built around it, only to come to this most ignominious end. Bill Church, Executive Editor of The News & Observer Pollutants and the states approach We recommend spending time with Exposed & Overlooked, an exclusive investigation from The Charlotte Observers Gavin Off and The News & Observers Adam Wagner. Readers have consistently told us they want locally relevant investigative journalism; the stories from Gavin and Adam are as important as the air you breathe and the water you consume. This passage is illuminating: ... when the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality considers air, water or other permits to allow the release of limited pollution, it rarely assesses all of the other pollutants close by. Nor does it usually assess how adding a new pollution source could disproportionately burden people living in the area. Their data dive shows that where North Carolinians are clustered, so are potential pollutants. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., left, and Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., right, speak with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in the House chamber on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. NC lawmaker in national spotlight What if the United States defaults? And who is going to keep it from happening? This national political drama is both a local and state story because of Rep. Patrick McHenrys significant role. The N&Os Danielle Battaglia is marvelous at finding ways to stand out in a crowded D.C. press corps. She got McHenry to speak exclusively about his role in the negotiations. This quote from Danielles story illuminates McHenrys impact: I think the fact that (House Speaker Kevin McCarthy) asked Patrick McHenry to be in the room shows his confidence in him, said Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from Southern Pines and chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee. I think hes become a very trusted member of the Republican conference, and I think thats good for North Carolina. Thanks for your consideration. May this weekend be about reading, reflecting and remembering that despite our differences we are connected by community and country. Am I being preachy? A bit. But you didnt have to thumb through the hymnal to find these verses. Bill Church is executive editor of The News & Observer. Hes proud to have been raised in an Air Force family. Rebecca F John thinks that stories from Wales are universal, and have the potential to have a great impact internationally A prize-winning author believes Welsh literature could do with a "champion" like Hollywood actor Michael Sheen. "In Wales we do really well with our publishing," said Rebecca F John. "It is world quality, so there is no reason why it can't reach a wider audience." Publish Wales is a new trade organisation representing publishing houses to grow literature's profile. Its acting chair Ashley Drake said: "It is important for publishers from Wales to have a presence across the world". Sheen is known for enthusiastically promoting Wales, and the author, who lives on the outskirts of Swansea, believes someone like him could give literature a lift. "I think the main problem is probably exposure and very often exposure comes with money and we don't have a lot of that in Wales," she said. "We need to be a lot more confident in what we do," said the writer. Her book The Haunting of Henry Twist, published in 2017, was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, and her short stories regularly feature on BBC Radio 4. "We need to look at other models such as Irish publishing and see what they are doing really well." Book fairs and literature festivals like Hay are essential for reaching a wider audience, but she believes a big name pushing the cause would help. Rebecca F John's The Haunting of Henry Twist was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award "Perhaps we need a Michael Sheen of literature who has got a bigger platform and can put the word out there a bit more perhaps," Ms John said. She believes that getting on the "world stage" is hugely important to most writers. "We are telling stories that are universal, and there is no reason why they shouldn't appeal to a wider audience. They are about love, friendship, history - all of those things that people read about from authors from all over the world." "We need to attend international book fairs such as London and Bologna, to meet the companies to help us sell our books around the world," says Ashley Drake Mr Drake said: "It is important for publishers from Wales to have a presence across the world." But he admits that breaking through on the international stage is difficult. "To do that we need to attend international book fairs such as London and Bologna, to meet the companies to help us sell our books around the world". There are already a host of Welsh authors whose books are selling to international readers, but Mr Drake said that could be increased. "We need to build on that and sell more of our titles through those channels right around the world." Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones says getting books accepted for translation is important There is a network of people and organisations helping in the effort to promote and sell books abroad. Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, director of the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, said: "Our key role is to put people in contact with each other and to make those connections. "We select a bookshelf every year of around 20 titles that we think might work in other countries. So we connect with publishers from different parts of the world usually in book fairs." Getting a book accepted for translation immediately opens doors for Welsh writers and publishers, she said. "It means that your stories and work as a writer can be read by a wider audience. It means your work can travel to other cultures." Publishing Wales member Penny Thomas, from children's publisher Firefly Press, said: "There are so many outstanding authors from Wales, and books published by Welsh publishers that can and should reach an international audience. "Since Firefly employed a rights agent a few years back our international rights sales have grown hugely and we've sold rights everywhere from the US to Europe and China. "But there is still so much work to do to present books from Wales on an international stage, at fairs such as Bologna and Frankfurt. "And given the small size of individual companies, working together is the obvious way to do this." Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the graduation ceremony of the U.S. Military Academy class of 2023 at Michie Stadium on Saturday, May 27, 2023, in West Point, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston) NEW YORK (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman to deliver a commencement speech at West Point, lauded graduating cadets Saturday for their noble sacrifice in serving their country, but noted they were entering an unsettled world because of Russian aggression and the rising threats from China. The world has drastically changed, Harris told the roughly 950 graduating cadets. She referred to the global pandemic that took millions of lives, as well as the fraught shifts in global politics in Europe and in Asia. It is clear you graduate into an increasingly unsettled world where longstanding principles are at risk," she said. As the U.S. ended two decades of war in Afghanistan, the longest in the country's history, the vice president said, Russia soon launched the first major ground war in Europe since World War II when it invaded Ukraine. At the same time, autocrats have become bolder, the threat of terrorism persists, and an accelerating climate crisis continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods," she added. She advised cadets to be wary of China, as it rapidly modernizes its military and muscles for control over parts of the high seas, ostensibly referring to the brewing disputes over the South China Sea. She spoke about the country's military might and its need to innovate, including the adoption of new technology to change how wars are fought even using artificial intelligence to predict enemy movements and to guide autonomous vehicles. Harris made no mention about the ongoing skirmishing in Washington, where the White House and congressional Republicans are trying to avert a debt crisis. Harris visit is her first to the U.S. Army academy. Commencement speakers at the countrys military academies are usually delivered by the president, vice president or high-ranking military official which until Harris election meant speakers have always been men. Harris was joined at the commencement by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, who in 2021 became the first woman to hold the military services top civilian post. Harris, the first woman to serve as the country's vice president, noted the 75th anniversary of 1948's Womens Armed Services Integration Act, which gave women the right to serve as permanent members of the military. It was also 75 years ago when President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order banning segregation in the Armed Forces. However, her address was delivered to an institution that has made slow progress diversifying its ranks in the four decades since the first class of female cadets graduated. Today, about one quarter of the student body are women. Only a few dozen graduates each year are Black women, like Harris, though the number has ticked up in recent years. The academy didn't admit women until 1976 and had its first female graduates in 1980. Upon graduation, the cadets will be commissioned as Army second lieutenants. West Point dates to 1802. Since then, the college has educated future military leaders including Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. George Patton and Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. While Harris visited West Point, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of Manhattan, President Joe Biden heads to Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Thursday to address graduates at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III addressed the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Friday. Last year, Harris addressed graduates at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that the weapons provided by Western countries to Ukraine must be used strictly on Ukrainian territory. Source: Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, citing Scholz during a joint press conference in Tallinn, Estonia, with the leaders of the Baltic States Quote: "Russia invaded Ukraine. This is why Ukraine has the right to defend itself. We are supporting Ukraine, also with arms. And not only Germany, the US and many others do so too. At the same time, it is very clear that the weapons that we have delivered can only be used on Ukrainian territory. The weapons that we deliver are supposed to be used for defending Ukrainian territory." Details: When asked about the possibility of the hostilities moving to Russia, the heads of the Baltic states were less categorical than Scholz. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stressed that, according to the UN Charter, every country has the right to defend itself. "And this also means that Ukraine can use the weapons that have been given to them. Ukraine does not have any wish to invade Russia. That is very clear. In this case, there is one aggressor and one victim," she emphasised. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins pointed out that "its very clear that Ukraine is not in the business of attacking Russia. Ukraine is in the business of defending its own country." And Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonite said that "its quite strange to think that the war can only be in that other territory that you invaded, there might be incidents that happen on your own territory, as a matter of fact". Background: In February, Olaf Scholz stated that there was a consensus with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that weapons provided by the West would not be used to attack Russian territory. The United States is investigating whether the US equipment received by Ukraine was indeed used during the "invasion" of the territory of Russias Belgorod Oblast. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The White House on Friday dug in with its opposition to Republican calls for stronger work requirements to be included in any budget agreement that would be paired with a debt ceiling increase. House Republicans are threatening to trigger an unprecedented recession and cost the American people over 8 million jobs unless they can take food out of the mouths of hungry Americans, deputy press Secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement. This would be done through new, additional work requirements designed to tie the most vulnerable up in bureaucratic paperwork, which have shown no benefit for bringing more people into the workforce. The issue of work requirements has emerged as one of the biggest remaining hurdles for reaching an agreement between negotiators for the White House and House Republicans. Earlier Friday, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a top GOP negotiator, was adamant that Republicans will not drop their demand for tougher work requirements as part of a final agreement. Hell no, hell no!, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) told reporters outside the Capitol. Republicans believe adopting tougher work requirements for social benefit programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will discourage recipients from abusing the payments and becoming reliant on government largesse, while helping understaffed businesses with a new pool of low-income workers. Democrats have argued social benefit programs already have work requirements in place, and making them more stringent would only hurt low-income people who depend on SNAP and other federal programs for necessities. Bates noted that some moderate House Republicans have been reluctant to support stronger work requirements as part of an emerging budget deal. He also cited a Pew Research poll that showed a plurality of Americans support providing more aid to the poor, as opposed to reducing aid. President Biden was asked as he departed the White House for Camp David whether he would bow on work requirements, the president responded: I dont bow to anybody. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday warned lawmakers that the government will likely run out of funding by June 5 if Congress does not act to raise the debt ceiling by that date. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. 'The White Lotus' creator Mike White says he isn't ruling out an all-star season: 'It would be fun' Mike White accepts the Best Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film award for "The White Lotus" onstage at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. Rich Polk/NBC via Getty Images "The White Lotus" creator Mike White has hinted he's open to an "all-star season" of the show. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, White said it "could be fun" to try if there are more seasons. That could mean the return of several fan-favorite characters, such Daphne and Lucia. Fans of "The White Lotus" rejoice: Creator Mike White is now on the record saying an all-star season could be on the cards. White, 52, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the possibility of revisiting multiple characters in the HBO show in the future. So far, two seasons of "The White Lotus" have aired and a third season already appears to be in the works as White was spotted scoping out locations for the upcoming season in Thailand in March, Variety first reported. The first two seasons of "The White Lotus" follow the relationships between guests and employees at the fictional White Lotus resort. The first season was filmed in Hawaii and the second was filmed in Italy, both at Four Seasons resorts. Murray Bartlett, Jolene Purdy, Natasha Rothwell, and Lukas Gage in season one of "The White Lotus." Mario Perez/HBO The series has starred an array of actors including Aubrey Plaza, Murray Bartlett, and Jennifer Coolidge, whose character, Tanya, died in the finale of season two. While fans of the show may differ on what characters they loved most, White's suggestion means everyone could have an opportunity to see their favorites onscreen again. "If the show goes on for a couple of seasons, it would be fun to have an all-star season," he told the outlet. "It would be easy to just be full-on anthology, but I think it's more fun to have little threads through the show," White added. So far the only character from previous seasons that is largely speculated to return in season three is Belinda, the spa manager for the Hawaiian resort who Tanya Coolidge's character gravitates towards. Jennifer Coolidge in "The White Lotus." HBO Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Coolidge said that she predicts White has an agenda in mind for Belinda. "Mike must have some juicy stuff for her," she said. "I think that will be the most interesting storyline of all: whatever's happened to Natasha's character. But, yeah, I also want to see Greg get it." Read the original article on Insider Cuban immigrants living in Russia have joined the countrys military to fight with the troops invading Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill to grant citizenship to those who enlist, Russian media reported. Local news outlets from the Ryazan region in central Russia reported that several Cubans were already taken Wednesday to the zone of the special military operation Russian medias euphemism to refer to the war zone in Ukraine after signing a one-year contract to join the Russian army. Ryazan Gazette said the Cubans and others who signed the contract to fight in Ukraine will receive one-time payments in rubles equivalent to $2433 from the federal budget and another $2500 from Ryzans regional budget. They will also receive a monthly salary of $2545, the report adds. In a separate announcement last week, Belarus Deputy Defense Minister for International Military Cooperation Valery Revenko said he discussed the training of Cuban military personnel in Belarus with Cuban officials, including Cubas military attache in Russia and Belarus, Col. Monica Milian Gomez. Most attention was given to the training of Cuban military personnel in the Republic of Belarus and the promotion of military cooperation between the two countries in a planned manner, Revenko said in a Tweet in Spanish. According to a brief statement by Belarus Ministry of Defense, the meeting took place on the sidelines of a military weapons exhibition. The developments came after a notable increase in high-level security and diplomatic exchanges between Cuba and Russia and a flurry of recent economic announcements cementing the two countries alliance amid the war in Ukraine. Cuban officials have justified the Russian invasion of Ukraine in public comments and have abstained from votes to condemn Putins actions at the United Nations and, more recently, at the World Health Organization. In a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko last week, Cubas appointed president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, ratified his governments unconditional support to Russia in its clash with the West. Though there are few other details available, the official statements about the training of Cuban military officers in Belarus which borders Ukraine and is being used by Moscow as a launching ground for the war and where Putin is positioning tactical nuclear weapons have already caught the attention of Latin America observers. Belarus definitely does appear to be strengthening its outreach to anti-U.S. actors in Latin America in recent months, said Evan Ellis, a Latin American Studies research professor at the U.S. Army War College. Belarus might be doing so, he said, to decrease its international isolation. Or it may also be acting as a surrogate in areas like military training, where Russia does not currently have capacity due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. With so little available information, Ellis said its hard to know what types of training could be offered to the Cubans. It could be anything from cyber to intelligence to special operations training or just an initial exchange to explore broader support, he said. Belarus may be doing this for Russia because Russia doesnt have the capacity right now. Theres a third scenario too, he added: that Belarus may be a coordinating site where Cubans and others can meet with Russians and possibly other actors. A very remote possibility is that the Russians want to let the Cuban military be at the table when they train their Belarusian colleagues up on the use of tactical nuclear weapons, Ellis said. On Thursday, Belarus ruler Alexander Lukashenko said that Russia had already begun moving tactical nuclear warheads for storage in his country and hinted they could already be on Belarusian territory. The optics do not bode well for Cuba, a European diplomat said. News about Cubas intensifying military cooperation with Belarus during an ongoing military aggression where Belarus has clearly sided with Russia and is currently in the process of hosting Russian nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory is certainly not welcomed by NATO, EU and the G7, nor the 141/143 UN member states who voted in March and October 2022, respectively to condemn Russia, said the diplomat, who asked for anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. So far, there are no public indications that the Cuban government is militarily involved in the conflict. But the news about its nationals risking death to gain Russian citizenship also speaks of the desperate situation on the island, where almost 300,000 people left last year to come to the United States to flee repression and poverty. During the Soviet era, many Cubans studied in Russia, and some settled there after the socialist system collapsed. Russia does not require visas for Cubans who travel there, making it a popular destination in recent years for those seeking to migrate onward to Europe. But many Cubans have also remained in Russia. Citing official government data, The Moscow Times reported that 28,000 Cubans traveled to Russia in 2019. But Cubans living there have complained on social media that gaining legal status to remain is very difficult. Last week, Putin signed a decree to grant expedited citizenship to those signing one-year contracts with the Russian army to fight in Ukraine. The benefits also extend to their spouses, children and parents. The Cuban migrants expressed their desire to take part in the special military operation on the territory of Ukraine, the outlet Ryazan Gazzete said. It is worth noting that after that, the inhabitants of Cuba will be able to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation. First it was thousands of bottles of American Miller High Life beer. Now, its a popular Haitian soft drink. Haitians are aghast that France, their former colonizer, has destroyed 35,000 bottles of Kola Couronne Fruit Champagne, the sweet orange soda that always reminds Haitians of home and of their childhood. Wait a minute, one Twitter used tweeted in Creole, followed by an expletive. Its fruit champagne, OK, not Champagne. But to Frances Appellation dOrigine Controlee, the trade association for the champagne industry and the only one under European Union laws that can grant use of the word champagne on labels, it would seem that taste doesnt matter. The Haitian soda, roughly 1,200 cases of 24 bottles each, were destroyed by French border police after being seized in October 2021 and a court in Paris ruled that they infringe on the regulation dictating who has the rights to use the word champagne, said the British Broadcasting Corporation, which first reported the story. The decision comes amid increased vigilance by the trade association. Last month, Belgium destroyed 2,352 cans of Miller High Life beer after the association complained that the maker was improperly labeling its product as Champagne. The beers slogan is The Champagne of Beers. Champagne, the trade association argues, should only be for sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France by a traditional method and that Champagne is prestigious label and should not be taken lightly or used by just anyone. The Haiti-based bottler of the soda, Couronne, has not made any public statements about what happened. But a source with the Port-au-Prince bottler told the Miami Herald that the company does not export the soda, and surmised that a homesick Haitian mgith have shipped the soda in a container to France. The soda can be found in supermarkets throughout Miami that cater to Haitians. It is bottled locally in the United States where there is a demand from the growing Haitian population especially now that they cant easily fly to a Haiti and bring cases home. The Haitian company has been in existence for over 70 years, and while there are other versions of fruit champagne sodas in the Caribbean, such as Jamaicas Kola Champagne, the Haitian bottler insists that Haitis is something special. This is our formula. Its a precious formula and its different, he said. Its been part of Haitian life, and the Couronne is part of the culture of Haiti. Its one of the best fruit champagnes, he added. People really love the flavor, because its special. Why are Prigozhin and other Russian propagandists suddenly praising Ukraine? Yevgeny Prigozhin and two of his fighters in Bakhmut, May 25, 2023 They produce "different scenarios" in order to confuse people, according to her. In recent interviews, Prigozhin has high praise for Ukraine, like "Ukraine is a worthy opponent," "Ukraine has a chance," and "Ukraine has one of the best armies in the world. "I don't believe it was a coincidence that they are speaking in unison. That means it was a clear directive, and they all are following it, especially to justify their future failures ahead of an upcoming real (Ukrainian) counteroffensive not one that they've made up on their own. It is the first thing, Moroz said. The second is they need some explanation for the failures and losses they've already suffered. This idea of danger foreseen is half avoided is pretty typical for recent Russian propaganda. Russian propagandists have been explaining for a year already why it (theinvasion) didn't happen like it was supposed, she added. Prigozhin praised the Ukrainian army and criticized Russian troops in a lengthy May 23 interview. He admired, in particular, a high level of organization, training, intelligence, and various weapons of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He predicted that Russia would lose a full-scale war against Ukraine .The Russian establishment and people in the Kremlin understand that their prospects are "so-so." They are looking for scapegoats and trying to "organize their political life in the post-Putin reality," Ukrainian Military Intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov said. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine China, DRC upgrade ties to comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership Xinhua) 09:26, May 27, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. Xi held talks with Tshisekedi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The presidents of China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced on Friday the elevation of the bilateral relationship from a strategic partnership of win-win cooperation to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. China and the DRC are strategic partners with a profound traditional friendship forged in the course of fighting for national liberation and opposing colonial aggression, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his talks with visiting DRC President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo in Beijing. Bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results in recent years, and China has been the DRC's largest trading partner and source of foreign investment for many years in a row, Xi said. The two sides have forged a close community of shared interests and shared future, Xi said. Xi said China's successful experience in its path to modernization shows that developing countries have the right and the ability to explore modernization paths suited to their national conditions, adding that China is ready to synergize its development strategies with the DRC, support each other and promote cooperation and development. He expressed the belief that China's high-quality development will provide more cooperation opportunities and a broader market for the DRC and promote greater development of bilateral relations. China will, as always, help the DRC in its economic and social development, support its industrialization strategy, strengthen cooperation in energy, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing, and tap the potential of cooperation in the digital economy, education, and health, Xi said, adding that China is ready to send agricultural technology experts to the DRC. China hopes that the DRC will provide policy support and service convenience for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the DRC and foster a fair, just, and safe business environment, he said. Xi said China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the DRC in multilateral affairs, jointly practice true multilateralism, and uphold international fairness and justice. Noting that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future, Xi said the two sides need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation more than ever under the current international situation. He called on the two sides to uphold the basic norms governing international relations, oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China firmly supports Africa in pursuing an independent development path and becoming an important pole in the world politics, economy and civilization, Xi said, adding that China is ready to provide new opportunities for African countries with its new development. China will work with Africa to implement the outcomes of the Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Dakar, advance Belt and Road cooperation, support Africa in achieving sustainable development, and build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, Xi said. Tshisekedi congratulated China on the success of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the "two sessions," and Xi's reelection as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and the Chinese president, as well as China's extraordinary achievements in the new era under President Xi's leadership. He said he is convinced that China is sure to realize its Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. Tshisekedi thanked China for its important assistance and valuable support for the economic and social development of the DRC over the past half century. The DRC firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports China's efforts to achieve national reunification, he said. The DRC is willing to work with China to deepen cooperation in economy, trade, resources, infrastructure, medical care and other fields to enrich the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and build a mature, stable and groundbreaking relationship for the benefit of the two peoples, Tshisekedi said. After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in investment, green economy, digital economy, and other fields. Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Tshisekedi at the square outside the Great Hall of the People. In the evening, President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a banquet for President Tshisekedi and his wife Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi at the Great Hall of the People. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. Xi held talks with Tshisekedi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. Xi held talks with Tshisekedi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and his wife Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi before the talks between Xi and Tshisekedi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. Xi held talks with Tshisekedi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liu Ning) Widow's ashes sat for months in a funeral home. Now, military honors for this RI veteran Veteran Janice Lentz will finally get the funeral service she deserves, thanks to the kindness of a neighbor. Lentz, who served in the Army and Air Force, lived alone in a condominium in Warwick before she died at 83 last September. A widow, Lentz had no children. She has a brother who is in his 90s and in failing health. Her body was cremated, but a service was never scheduled. Her ashes were held at Quinn Funeral Home in Warwick. Neighbor Daryl Ann Cachina got to know Lentz, because Cachina serves as a board member of the association for the 120-unit condominium complex where they both resided. Lentz would sometimes contact the association with a question. "I was happy to get to know Janice," Cachina said. Lentz grew up in Rhode Island, graduating from East Providence High School, but lived in Florida for many years before returning home. She was a widow and told Cachina her husband had also been in the service. Memorial Day: Parades and ceremonies around RI this weekend honor those who gave all Even at an advanced age, Lentz maintained a military bearing. "She was a tough cookie," Cachina said. "And you could tell that was the military in her." "Once you got to know her, you realized she was a really nice woman," Cachina said. A few months before she died, Lentz broke her hip. Cachina went to visit her in the rehabilitation facility. Lentz's face lit up when Cachina walked into her room. "I never saw her smile like that before," Cachina said. "It melted my heart." Ashes sitting in a funeral home After Lentz died alone in her condominium, Cachina kept looking for an obituary for information on a service, but she found nothing. Months passed, and when Cachina learned Lentz's condominium was being auctioned, she wondered again what had happened. She started making phone calls, ultimately connecting with Steven DiLorenzo, a director at Quinn Funeral Home, who told her Lentz's body had been cremated but family hadn't contacted the funeral home to arrange a service. "This is a woman who served her country, and her ashes sat in that funeral home since September of last year," Cachina said. "All this time I was thinking she had gotten the [funeral] she wanted." More: She wanted a comfortable retirement and made all the right plans. How did it go so wrong? 'Now she's got a community' Working with DiLorenzo, the Rhode Island National Guard and the Rhode Island Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Cachina was able to help set up a service with military honors for Lentz at 10 a.m. June 3 at the cemetery in Exeter. Taps will be played for Lentz, a three-shot volley will be fired in her honor, and the American flag will be presented to Cachina, DiLorenzo said. In spreading the news, Cachina went on social media to invite people to the service as part of a "surrogate family" for Lentz. She received a lot of positive feedback but doesn't know how many people can actually make it. Cachina will be there with her husband, Joe. DiLorenzo will be there, too. "If 10 people show up, that's wonderful," Cachina said. Social media helped Cachina make some connections and learn a little more about Lentz. Somebody who'd served with Lentz described her as "a great lady and a very proud American." He said she had "a heart of gold." Lentz had served with a Judge Advocate General's Corps unit in Florida. She enjoyed talking over her ham radio and had been active in veteran organizations after her retirement. "I want to make sure she gets what every military veteran gets," Cachina said. "She's going to be taken care of. People are going to pray for Janice. Now she's got a community that's become a part of her family." This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI veteran who died alone will get military funeral thanks to community Welcome, folks, to Week in Review (WiR), TechCrunch's regular column that rounds up the week in tech news. Dunno about y'all, but it's felt like a long one -- and I'm thankful for the extended weekend. For those observing Memorial Day, do enjoy. Those not, take the time off where you're able. We all need rest here and there. First, a few PSAs. This week, TechCrunch Live hosted Flint Capital and Sensi.AI, a startup using audio-based software to monitor patients and assist medical staff and family members with care. To those of you who tuned in, many thanks. But if you missed it, not to worry -- we'll have the recording up shortly. Then, in September, there's Disrupt, TC's annual conference. Whether youre a startup rookie learning the ropes, a seasoned investor searching for the next big thing or a founder hell-bent on changing the world, Disrupt will deliver the tools, knowledge and connections to help you make it happen. Now, on with the news. most read After 28 years, Windows gains RAR support: Devin writes about Microsoft bringing native support for the RAR archive format to Windows. Miraculously, it took the better part of three decades for the .rar file to finally be supported in Windows without any kind of additional software. That's longer than I've been alive, dear readers -- not to date myself! Netflix begins password crackdown: After a delayed launch, Netflixs crackdown on password sharing is now beginning to roll out to U.S. subscribers and other global markets. The streamer had originally planned to introduce "paid sharing" to U.S. subscribers in the first quarter of this year but pushed the start date back to the summer after seeing cancellations in markets where it had already launched the changes. More layoffs at Meta: Meta is waging its latest round of layoffs on Wednesday, estimated to impact about 6,000 people. These cuts are part of the companys so-called Year of Efficiency, in which Meta is being massively restructured to save money and flatten the organization structure. EU orders Meta suspension: In other Meta news, Meta was hit this week with a formal suspension order requiring it to stop exporting EU user data to the U.S. for processing. Today, the European Data Protection Board announced that Meta has been fined 1.2 billion (close to $1.3 billion), which the Board confirmed is the largest fine ever issued under the blocs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Meta forced to sell: Meta, dominating the headlines once again this week, sold Giphy the animated GIF search engine it acquired for $400 million three years ago to Shutterstock. The sale wasn't voluntary, necessarily; seven months ago, the U.K.s antitrust authority issued a final order for Meta to sell Giphy, on the grounds that the merger reduced competition. WhatsApp adds message editing: WhatsApp announced one of the app's most anticipated features this week message editing. WhatsApp users can now modify a message within 15 minutes of sending the message. The edited messages will have an edited tag next to the time stamp to mark the change. The problem with paid verification: The fake Pentagon attack hoax that went viral this week shows the perils of Twitter's paid verification scheme. The gist? The combination of paid blue checks and generative AI makes it all too easy to spread misinformation -- and quickly. Investing in India: Amazon plans to invest $12.7 billion into its cloud business in India by 2030, the e-commerce group said Thursday, as it pushes ahead to scale up the AWS infrastructure in the key overseas market at a time when it has pared back several other services in the region. Bigger and better: Amazon launched its biggest tablet this week. Called the Fire Max 11, it has an 11-inch screen. The company is pricing the device at $229.99 -- offering a cheaper option for users than the 10.9-inch iPad and the new Pixel tablet with a similar-sized screen. AI to build websites: This week at its annual Build conference, Microsoft launched Copilot in Power Pages an AI-powered assistant for Microsofts low-code business website creation tool in a preview for U.S. customers. Given prompts, Copilot can generate text, forms, chatbots and web page layouts and can create and edit image and site design themes. TechCrunch (virtually) in Atlanta Image Credits: Bryce Durbin (opens in a new window) On June 7, TechCrunch will host City Spotlight: Atlanta. We have a slate of amazing programming planned, including a fireside chat with Ryan Glover, the co-founder of the fintech Greenwood, as well as a panel that examines the venture ecosystem within the Atlanta region and identifies the best ways to raise and meet with local venture capitalists. But thats not all. If you are an early-stage Atlanta-based founder, apply to pitch to our panel of guest investors/judges for our live pitching competition; the winner gets a free booth at TechCrunch Disrupt this year to exhibit their company in our startup alley. Register here. audio In need of a podcast (or several)? You've come to the right place -- there's no shortage of options out of TC HQ. This week on Found, the crew was joined by Sarah Sandnes, the co-founder and CTO of SafetyWing, which is creating a global safety net for remote workers. TechCrunch Live, meanwhile, featured Mark Rostick from Intel Capital and Garima Kapoor from MinIO, a startup that found a niche selling object storage while competing directly with Amazon S3. TechCrunch+ TC+ subscribers get access to in-depth commentary, analysis and surveys which you know if youre already a subscriber. If youre not, consider signing up. Here are a few highlights from this week: Profitability over growth: In this piece by Kate, five investors explained their mantra for South Korean startups. Kate spoke to select investors who make investments in the South Korean market to hear their predictions for 2023, their investment strategy, which sectors excite them and more. Cybersecurity downturn: Alex writes about how, on the back of pretty strong earnings reports and valuations, public cybersecurity companies are outperforming the broader technology segment. Yet, funding for cybersecurity startups has flatlined. Startups in the enterprise AI race: Another piece by Alex explores whether startups have a shot in enterprise AI. Given how lucrative selling software to large corporations can prove, he notes, the players aren't chasing a small market. Experts believe the site was used to forge tools and weapons Archaeologists have begun a dig at an ancient ironworks where they hope to discover whether it dates from the Roman or Viking period. Local experts believe the Egremont site in Wirral, Merseyside was used to forge tools and weapons. Dr Brian Atkin, from Wirral Archaeology, said they hoped to find items that "can be subjected to dating and chemical analysis". He said they would provide information about the era when the site was set up. "If it is found to link to the Roman era, this would add to the body of evidence supporting a Roman presence on this part of Wirral," he said. "Or it may provide information about the Viking presence in the north of Wirral, which up to now has left few traces apart from the wealth of Norse place names." The Romans built forts in the wider region, some decades after invading southern England in 43 AD. Local archaeology digs have found evidence of roundhouses and jewellery from the Roman period in north Wirral. Viking settlers The region is also famously full of places with Scandinavian-rooted names, dating back to arrival of Viking settlers in 902 AD. With locations such as West Kirby and Irby, it has one of the highest concentrations of areas suffixed with "by" - a Viking term for settlement or farmstead - in the UK. Archaeologists hope to uncover the structure of the ancient Egremont site during low tide over the coming weekends. They said it hosted a bloomery, where softened iron - known as bloom - was hammered into tools after being heated in a process powered by charcoal and bellows. Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk Railroad Station, in Saukville MADISON Police in Wisconsin say the fentanyl-laced drugs that killed one person and caused three more to overdose in a village north of Milwaukee were bought at a state lawmakers tavern that has been the subject of multiple calls to police in recent years. Republican Rep. Rob Brooks has owned the Railroad Station in Saukville since 2007 and said he was aware of issues with drugs at the bar shortly after purchasing it but thought they had been addressed. A regular patron of Brooks bar sold cocaine laced with fentanyl to 28-year-old Nick Hamilton and three friends attending a birthday party there on May 5, Village of Grafton Police Chief Jeff Caponera said Monday. Hamilton overdosed that night and died in the hospital on May 8. Brooks said he was not at the bar that weekend. Its a tragedy what happened, no doubt, and well do everything within our power to ensure nothing like this happens again, Brooks said on Thursday. Were not running a bad establishment. But Joe Hamilton, Nick Hamiltons father, questioned Brooks sincerity. Brooks has not reached out to the family or responded to their calls and did not publicly comment on the recent death or answer questions about the bar until Thursday. It ticks me off. It seems like he doesnt care, like he doesnt care about the community, Joe Hamilton said on Wednesday. State Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, sits during the Assembly's session on June 22, 2021, at the Capitol in Madison, Wis. Police say the drugs laced with fentanyl that killed one person and caused three more to overdose on May 5, 2023, were purchased at a bar owned by Brooks. While Brooks has sponsored measures to crack down on drug distribution as a member of the Assembly, police have been called for drug-related complaints at his bar. In 2018, an undercover informant told Ozaukee County Sheriffs deputies that a patron regularly dealt drugs at the Railroad Station on Thursday evenings, according to police reports obtained by The Associated Press. Officers searched for the man at the bar and other locations but did not find him. Brooks said he was not aware of the 2018 police report and had no reason to suspect drugs were being used or sold at his bar in recent years. In the incident tied to the bar this month, Nick Hamilton and three friends overdosed in the early morning hours of May 6 at a home in Grafton. One of the victims called police after realizing that Nick Hamilton was not breathing and that another victim had been mauled by a dog while unconscious. Officers performed CPR and administered Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses, according to a police statement. Police have not named the surviving victims but said two were expected to recover quickly and the woman who was mauled had received surgery for wounds on her face. Joe Hamilton called on Brooks to do more to deter drug activity at the bar, including installing surveillance cameras and keeping a closer eye on the business. Brooks questioned the usefulness of cameras but said Thursday that he does plan to install them. Security cameras are not going to prevent something like this, he said. We cant put security cameras in bathrooms or other areas or cover every square inch of the property. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin, is highly addictive and can be lethal in doses as little as 2 milligrams, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Experts have attributed a national surge in overdose deaths in recent years to fentanyl being laced into many other illicit drugs. The state Department of Health Services said roughly 1,280 people in Wisconsin died from fentanyl overdoses in 2021. Brooks and fellow Wisconsin Republicans have pushed for harsher criminal penalties to crack down on fentanyl distribution. Brooks cosponsored a bill in February that would set a maximum prison sentence of 60 years for someone convicted of reckless homicide for providing drugs that led to a fatal overdose, up from the current 40. The bill passed the Senate and is awaiting a vote in the Assembly. Whats he going to do now? Promote it more because of the loss of my son? In reality, four people couldve died, and they almost did, Joe Hamilton said. Can I say Robert Brooks knew? No, I cant honestly say that. But I know that hes been there enough. When asked about other incidents police have responded to at the Railroad Station, Brooks said, Were a bar, and there is alcohol served. Last year, officers arrested a regular patron of the bar after he allegedly beat the son of the bars former owner for calling Brooks a racist. The victim told police that a patron repeatedly punched and kicked him in the bars parking lot, breaking three ribs and a bone in his face as well as puncturing his lung. Brooks was not at the bar when the fight took place. A case in 2014 reached the Wisconsin Supreme Court after an off-duty Railroad Station employee ejected an intoxicated man who had been ordered to leave. The off-duty employee allowed a man to fall down concrete steps and then dragged him onto the grass outside the bar, according to court filings. The man suffered head injuries and hypothermia from the cold weather. Brooks owns several other businesses in the Saukville area, including a restaurant and rental properties. He was first elected to the Assembly in 2015. A bill he authored that was signed into law in his first term allows landlords to evict tenants with five days notice for using, making or selling drugs at a rental property. Brooks stepped down from a top legislative leadership position in 2018 amid backlash over racial and sexual comments he made to female lawmakers. He ignored calls from former Republican Gov. Scott Walker to resign from office, saying he made stupid comments while under the influence of alcohol. Harm Venhuizen 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. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin lawmaker defends his bar where overdose victims bought drugs A woman sold her apartment and furniture to join a much-hyped 3-year cruise. Now, she and others have demanded refunds with the ship's future in flux. MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises A cruise that was announced in March, with plans to sail the world, is now in limbo. Prospective passengers paid down payments on rooms costing up to $109,000 a year, per CNN. Customers are now demanding refunds amid internal uncertainty, a prospective passenger told Insider. Customers who spent thousands of dollars on a multi-year cruise billed to hit every continent are demanding their money back after issues with the cruise company's founding staff arose, months after the venture was announced. The first-of-its-kind cruise MV Gemini Cruise, announced in late February, was set to launch from Istanbul in November, with plans to visit all seven continents and 135 countries. The voyage is now plagued with management issues that are leaving customers wary of hopping aboard. The MV Gemini cruise was organized by Miray Cruises and its subsidiary company Life at Sea Cruises. However, ties between Life at Sea at Miray for the project were severed this month, according to CNN, citing the former managing director of Life at Sea Cruises. In a press release on March 10, Miray Cruises mentioned that the ship would be "overhauled" ahead of the trip, now months away. Miray Cruises did not immediately return Insider's request for comment but said in a May webinar for passengers that the trip was still going ahead, per CNN. Kimberly Arizzi was among the first to sign up in March, and sent a $5,000 down payment for the cruise at the time, interfacing directly with the Life at Sea sales team, Arizzi told Insider. But the uncertainty over the ship and the staffing shakeup made her and other prospective passengers walk back their plans. "I thought I had my life set up for the next few years," Arizzi told Insider. "It's not only the furniture I lost, it was the boat-topia the idea of being in a like minded-community, all doing something together for the first time ever." One woman sold her apartment ahead of the trip Arizzi, who lives in Chicago, sold thousands of dollars worth of clothes, furniture, and her TVs, in preparation for the cruise. She recently retired and had also sold her apartment, moved to a park trailer, she said. Jim Cremer, another prospective passenger, told Insider that the voyage was initially a "dream trip," but that right now, he is "not yet confident that Miray can pull it off." In a Facebook group for the Life at Sea community with almost 800 members, Mike Petterson, Life at Sea's former managing director, wrote that his company issued refunds after a split with Miray, and cast doubt on whether it would be ready to sail by November. Arizzi's deposits were refunded on April 20, she told Insider. Prospective customers have through the end of June to send deposits amid the fracas, according to Petterson. Petterson did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. The two companies organizing the trip have parted ways Arizzi echoed that there had been a breakdown between Life at Sea and Miray, with parent company Miray holding two to three webinars a day to quell customer concerns about the future of the trip, she told Insider. The webinars have also left some with mixed feelings, she added. "It was like a press conference where astronauts go to the moon and look really sullen, but should look excited," Arizzi told Insider. "They promised so much, and perhaps over promised." Arizzi told Insider that Miray is planning to go forward with the cruise, inviting customers to Istanbul three days early to party on the boat. She won't be attending, or making another deposit for at least the next year. She decided to board a shorter-term cruise until the summer "and see what's out there for next year." "I believe the Gemini ship will go on," she said, "but I just don't think I'll be happy on it." Read the original article on Insider Pakistani military personnel stand beside a Shaheen III surface-to-surface ballistic missile during Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, in March 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood Global Firepower ranked 145 countries based on their military power. It said the US, China, and Russia rank highest, with some surprises further down the list. See below for the world's 25 strongest militaries in 2023. Global Firepower's 2023 Military Strength Ranking lists 145 countries in order of their overall strength. The ranking considers factors including the amount of military equipment and troops each country has, as well as their financial standing, geography, and avaliable resources. It uses these factors to generate a PowerIndex score, with a score closer to zero indicating a more powerful military. Here's how the top 25 countries stack up: 25: Germany Soldiers of German armed forces Bundeswehr in Altengrabow, Germany, in January 2023. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch While 25th overall, with a PowerIndex score of 0.3881, Global Firepower ranked Germany in the top 20 globally in areas including total aircraft fleet strength, helicopter strength, and its total armored fighting vehicle fleet. It said that as of January 2023, Germany had around 601 aircraft, 266 tanks, and 287 helicopters. The country also had the fifth-highest defense budget, of around $52.3 billion, behind only the US, China, Russia, and India. It also benefits from being a core part of NATO. 24: Thailand Thai soldiers march through Bangkok's financial district as they clash with anti-government protesters in May 2010. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj Global Firepower ranked Thailand in the top 20 in terms of total available population fit for military service, and total available active military manpower. As of January 2023, Thailand's available manpower was over 36 million people, Global Firepower said, resulting in a PowerIndex score of 0.3738. Understandably, given its long coastlines, Thailand has a strong navy, and while it has no aircraft carriers, its total naval assets (292), which includes six corvettes and seven frigates, are the 8th largest in the world, Global Firepower said. 23: Taiwan Taiwan's special forces move through colored smoke during a military exercise in Taipei. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File Global Firepower ranked Taiwan first in terms of total available reserve military manpower, with around 1.5 million reserve personnel as of April 2023, the equivalent of 6.4% of the country's population. Taiwan, which was given a PowerIndex score of 0.3639, also ranked highly in terms of air power, with 285 fighter aircraft and 91 attack helicopters, both the 8th largest fleets of those kinds in the world, according to Global Firepower. 22: Saudi Arabia Graduating soldiers from the Saudi special forces demonstrate their unarmed combat skills in Riyadh, June 2010. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed Global Firepower ranked Saudi Arabia second when it came to its total aerial tanker aircraft fleet strength, and in the top 20 in areas including total helicopter strength, total oil production, natural gas production, and total available active military manpower. The country had 22 aerial tanker aircraft as of January 2023, with Saudi Arabia the second-biggest oil producer in the world, after the US. Its defense budget of $46 billion was also the eighth highest in the world. Global Firepower gave the country a PowerIndex score of 0.3626. 21: Spain Members of the Spanish Navy in Tyre, Lebanon, in September 2006. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi Global Firepower ranked Spain as having the 21st most powerful military in the world in 2023, and a top-20 power in areas including its total transport fleet strength, total fighter/interceptor aircraft strength, number of submarines, and also its number of available ports. Spain is also one of the few countries in the world with a helicopter carrier, and its fleet of 11 frigates places it 7th globally in that category. The country, which was given a PowerIndex score of 0.3556, also had 140 fighter aircraft and two submarines as of January 2023. 20: Poland A Polish soldier stands guard in front of a pile of burning illegal narcotics in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, November 25, 2008 REUTERS/Shir Ahmad Global Firepower ranked Poland in the top 20 in areas including its total helicopter strength, its armored fighting vehicle fleet strength, its total number of mine and countermine warfare ships, and its total number of submarine craft. It said that as of December 2022, Poland had 208 helicopters and more than 50,000 armored fighting vehicles, giving it a PowerIndex score of 0.3406. 19: Vietnam Vietnamese soldiers during a welcoming ceremony for South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, in March 2018. REUTERS/Kham/Pool Global Firepower ranked Vietnam in the top 10 in areas including total available active military manpower and its total Self-Propelled Gun vehicle fleet strength. It said that as of January 2023, Vietnam had more than 53 million people who count as available military manpower, with an estimated 470,000 active military personnel (9th highest in the world), in addition to 2.5 million reserves. It gave Vietnam a PowerIndex score of 0.2855. 18: Israel A military flyover as part of an aerial show organized for Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations, in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 26, 2023. REUTERS/Corinna Kern Eighteenth overall, Global Firepower ranked Israel in the top 20 in areas like its total fighter/interceptor aircraft strength, its total aircraft fleet strength, and its total available reserve military manpower. It said that Israel, which it gave a PowerIndex score of 0.2757, had 601 military aircraft as of January 2023, with 241 of those being fighters. It also had 2,200 tanks, as well as a stock of 650 pieces of self-propelled artillery. Israel ranks low when it comes to naval assets, with just 67 vessels, of which 45 are offshore patrol vessels, though its fleet of five submarines is the 16th largest in the world, according to Global Firepower. 17: Iran The commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force Gen. Kioumars Heidari among Iran-made drones on April 20, 2023. Iranian Army via AP Global Firepower ranked Iran in the top 10 in areas including its total combat tank fleet strength, total self-propelled Multiple Launch Rocket Projector vehicle fleet strength, and its total available active military manpower. It said that as of January 2023, Iran had more than 4,000 tanks and more than 1,000 rocket projectors. Its active military personnel of 575,000 was the seventh largest in the world. Overall it gave the country a PowerIndex score of 0.2712. 16: Australia Two Australian Defence Force (ADF) S70A-9 Blackhawk helicopters fly in formation along Sydney's Parramatta River in 1999. REUTERS With the sixth highest defense budget in the world, Global Firepower ranked Australia in the top 10 in areas including its total aerial tanker aircraft fleet strength, total number of helicopter carrier warships, total natural gas production, and its number of roadways, airports, and major ports. While its active military personnel was just 60,500 (61st largest), the country has two helicopter carriers (4th) and six aerial tanker aircraft, making its fleet the eighth largest in the world It gave Australia a PowerIndex score of 0.2567. 15: Ukraine Ukrainian soldiers in a trench on the Vuhledar frontline in Donetsk Oblast, January 5, 2023. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Getty Images Global Firepower said Ukraine increased its ranking compared to last year due to its response to Russia's invasion, and the military help, including weapons, it is getting from its allies. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, expecting to take the country in a matter of days. Instead, it was pushed back to the east, where both sides are now grinding it out on the battlefield, with no signs the conflict will end any time soon. Global Firepower ranked Ukraine 10th overall for its number of self-propelled Multiple Launch Rocket Projectors, saying that as of April 2023 it had 647 of them. It gave the country a PowerIndex score of 0.2516. 14: Egypt Egyptian soldiers in front of the Great Giza pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo, February 9, 2011. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El-Ghany Global Firepower ranked Egypt in the top 10 in areas including total available active military manpower, available paramilitary force strength, and total available reserve manpower, as well as the strength of its aircraft fleet. It said Egypt had more than 1,000 military aircraft as of January 2023, and that it had 300,000 people who can be considered part of its paramilitary forces. It gave Egypt a PowerIndex score of 0.2224. 13: Indonesia Indonesian army soldiers during a rehearsal for the 70th anniversary of Indonesia's military in Cilegon, Banten province, in October 2015. REUTERS/Beawiharta Global Firepower ranked Indonesia in the top 5 worldwide in areas including its total available population fit for military service, total available population reaching military age on an annual basis, and its total number of offshore patrol boats and corvette warships. It said that, as of January 2023, more than 112 million Indonesians were eligible for military service, 40.7% of the country's population. It gave Indonesia a PowerIndex score of 0.2221. 12: Brazil A soldier stands guard outside the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa in September 2009. REUTERS/Eliana Aponte Global Firepower ranked Brazil in the top 5 in areas including its available population that is fit for military service, its total transport fleet strength, and its number of total serviceable airports. The country has over 4,000 airports, the second-highest in the world, as well as 17 ports and trade terminals, the fifth highest in this category. Global Firepower said that Brazil had more than 87 million people fit for military service as of January 2023, 40.3% of the country's population. It gave Brazil a PowerIndex score of 0.2151. 11: Turkey Turkish marines land near the Greek village of Kyparissia during a phase of the NATO "Dynamic Mix" exercise in June 2000. REUTERS Global Firepower said Turkey is "undoubtedly a rising military power, relying evermore on local industry to satisfy equally-local defense requirements on land, on sea, and in the air. " It ranked the country in the top 10 in areas including aircraft fleet strength, transport fleet strength, and helicopter strength. It said Turkey had 1,065 military aircraft as of January 2023, giving it a PowerIndex score of 0.2016. 10: Italy Italian Ariete tank of NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group fires during military exercise "Silver Arrow" in Adazi, Latvia, in September 2021. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins Global Firepower ranked Italy in the top 10 in areas including its aerial tanker aircraft fleet, total helicopter strength, attack aircraft strength, and its total number of aircraft carrier warships. It said Italy had 404 helicopters, including 58 attack helicopters, and two aircraft carrier warships as of January 2023. It gave Italy a PowerIndex score of 0.1973. 9: France Armored cars drive down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris during the annual Bastille Day parade, July 14, 2005. REUTERS Global Firepower ranked France, ninth overall, in the top 10 in areas including total aerial tanker aircraft fleet, total helicopter fleet, and number of destroyer warships, as well as its total transport fleet strength. It said France had 438 helicopters, including 69 attack helicopters, and 10 destroyer warships as of January 2023, giving it a PowerIndex score of 0.1848. 8: Japan A soldier from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force participates in a beach invasion drill at Camp Pendleton, California, in February 2019. REUTERS/Mike Blake Global Firepower ranked Japan in the top 10 for its aircraft fleet strength, total helicopter strength, and armored fighting vehicle fleet strength. An island nation, Japan was the highest-ranked nation when it came to major ports, and with four helicopter carriers it ranked second in that category, as well as second (behind only the US) when it came to the strength of its special-mission aircraft fleet platforms specifically developed to undertake an over-battlefield role "by utilization of advanced onboard equipment or specialized trait." Global Firepower said that Japan had more than 1,400 military aircraft, and more than 111,000 vehicles as of January 2023, with a PowerIndex score of 0.1711. 7: Pakistan Pakistani military personnel stand beside a Shaheen III surface-to-surface ballistic missile during Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, in March 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood Pakistan rose from ninth overall in 2022 to seventh on the list in 2023. While Pakistan had more than 3,700 tanks, 1,400 military aircraft, nine submarines, and 654,000 active military personnel as of January 2023, Global Firepower said its rise was also due to this year's rankings having a bigger focus on natural resources and shared borders. Pakistan neighbors Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran, and has a lot of coal, as well as some petroleum and natural gas fields. Global Firepower ranked Pakistan in the top 10 in areas including its total available population fit for military service, total available active military manpower, and total aircraft fleet strength, with a PowerIndex score of 0.1694. 6: South Korea US and South Korean marines take part in an amphibious landing drill called the 'Ssangyong' exercise in Pohang, South Korea, in March 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji The strength of South Korea's military is no surprise giving its decades-old tensions with North Korea. Global Firepower ranked South Korea in the top five for its aircraft fleet strength, armored fighting vehicle fleet strength, and its helicopter strength. It said the Asian nation had more than 133,000 vehicles and 739 helicopters, including 112 attack helicopters, as of January 2023. Overall, it gave South Korea a PowerIndex score of 0.1505. 5: UK Graduating cadets are seen prior to inspection by Britain's King Charles III on April 14, 2023. Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP Global Firepower said the UK's position was boosted by its strengths in manpower and airpower, as well as its strong financial position. "It is also one of the few powers to operate more than one aircraft carrier," it added. The UK currently has two aircraft carriers, equal to the number that China, Italy, and India have, but far fewer than the 11 that the US operates. Global Firepower ranked the UK in the top 10 in areas including its total number of available ports and its total aerial tanker aircraft fleet strength, giving the country a PowerIndex score of 0.1435. 4: India An Indian army soldier shouts commands to his colleagues in October 2007. REUTERS/Danish Ismail India's strength lies in the size of its population. Global Firepower ranked India second for available manpower, total available active military manpower, and paramilitary force strength. It said India's avaliable manpower was more than 653 million people, 47% of the country's population, as of January 2023. It also said that India had almost 1.5 million active military personnel. It gave India a PowerIndex score of 0.1025. 3: China Warships and fighter jets of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy take part in a military display in the South China Sea in April 2018. REUTERS/Stringer Global Firepower ranked China first for available manpower and for the strength of its naval fleet. China has a "distinct advantage economically and by way of sheer manpower and has placed a decided focus on increasing (primarily through local means) naval, airpower, and land warfare capabilities," Global Firepower said in its latest ranking. If the trend continues, it added, China "will become the primary global military adversary to the United States." According to Global Firepower, China has available military manpower of more than 761 million people as of April 2023, along with 50 destroyer warships and 78 submarines, among many other military assets. It gave China a PowerIndex score of 0.0722. 2: Russia A military parade on Victory Day in Red Square, Moscow, May 2022, to mark the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina While its military's reputation has taken a hit since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia retained its second-place spot on Global Firepower's ranking. Russia's invasion of Ukraine "showcased key limitations in Russian military capabilities despite its quantitative manpower and material advantage over neighboring Ukraine," Global Firepower said. It added that China was moving closer to taking the runnerup spot. Global Firepower ranked Russia second in areas including total aircraft fleet strength and total transport fleet strength. It said that, as of January 2023, Russia had more than 4,100 military aircraft. While Russia has faced a number of military setbacks since it launched its invasion of Ukraine, losing considerable quantities of equipment, notably tanks, its airforce and navy has largely avoided damage. Overall, Global Firepower gave Russia a PowerIndex score of 0.0714. 1: US Members of the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army at Pope Field ahead of deployment to Poland from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in February 2022. AP Photo/Nathan Posner Global Firepower said the US took the top spot as it "showcases commanding numbers in key material, financial, and resource categories." The US, which was given a PowerIndex score of 0.0712, leads the world technologically, it said, and is advanced in key medical, aerospace, and telecom sectors, while maintaining an edge in several major industry markets "allowing for a certain degree of self-sustainment." With 92 destroyers, 11 aircraft carriers, 13,300 aircraft, and 983 attack helicopters, as of April 2023, the country was ranked first in many areas, including the size of its aircraft fleet, number of warships, and its transport fleet strength. It also had by far the largest defense budget, of $761.7 billion, more than triple that of China in second place, which had a defense budget of $230 billion. Read the original article on Business Insider Its a day seared into Americas collective memory: December 7, 1941. The day Imperial Japanese warplanes launched a devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, sinking or damaging 19 US Navy ships, destroying 180 US aircraft and killing more than 2,400 Americans, servicemen and civilians. A day that will live in infamy, in the words of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. And as the history books have it, the day that dragged the United States into World War II. But the first Japanese sinking of an American warship was not on that day, or even that year and it was nowhere near Pearl Harbor, or even US soil. It was four years earlier, on a much less remembered date, thousands of miles from Hawaii, on a river deep in China. The USS Panay, at right, of the US Navy's Yangtze River Patrol is shown in Shanghai, China, in 1928. - National Museum of the US Navy On December 12, 1937, the US Navy river gunboat USS Panay and three Standard Oil Company tankers were evacuating American citizens trapped by Japans invasion of Nanjing when they were targeted from above in an attack that, like Pearl Harbor, stood out both for its mercilessness and the fact that the US and Japan were not at that time at war. Nine Nakajima fighters strafed the convoy with machine gun fire, shooting even on its lifeboats, while three Japanese Yokosuka rained down at least 20 132-pound bombs. Four people died two US sailors, an oil tank captain, and an Italian journalist. More than 40 servicemen and civilians were injured. So shocking was the unprovoked attack that many expected Washington to declare war then and there. Had it done so the Panays place in history might not have been eclipsed by the events of four years later. But historians say the sinking of the Panay was a seminal event nonetheless, one that helped turn the tide of American opinion in a conflict seen by some academics as the beginning of World War II in Asia and one that strains relations between Tokyo and Beijing to this day. It also sowed the seeds of Japans destruction in the global conflict that was to come, helping spur the massive increase in US naval spending that funded the very warships that would eventually put an end to Japans imperial ambitions. Indeed, some historians say that to fully understand that day of infamy in Pearl Harbor, one must first understand what happened to the USS Panay. This is its story. The war before the war, the Nanjing Massacre and an ill omen While its common in America to think of World War II as starting with Roosevelts declaration the day after Pearl Harbor, elsewhere in the world its viewed it as starting much earlier. In Europe, its commonly considered as beginning with Nazi Germanys invasion of Poland in 1939; in Asia, many see it as stretching even further back, to Imperial Japans invasion of China. All out war between the two Asian countries broke out in 1937, some six years after Japan invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria. Having swept through Beijing and Shanghai, the Japanese Imperial forces set their sights on what was then the Chinese capital of Nanjing, where they went on to commit one of the most notorious wartime atrocities of the 20th century. The Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanjing, occurred during the six-week period following the Japanese capture of the city of Nanjing, the former capital of the Republic of China, in 1937. - Pictures from History/Universal Images Group/Getty Images The Nanjing Massacre, in December 1937, saw Japanese troops kill more than 200,000 unarmed men and civilians and rape and torture tens of thousands of women and girls, according to the post-war Judgment of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. China puts the number of dead at more than 300,000. Organized and wholesale murder of male civilians was conducted with the apparent sanction of the commanders on the pretense that Chinese soldiers had removed their uniforms and were mingling with the population. Groups of Chinese civilians were formed, bound with their hands behind their backs, and marched outside the walls of the city where they were killed in groups by machine gun fire and with bayonets, tribunal documents quoted by the United Nations say. It was into this crucible that the Panay sailed. The river gunboat USS Panay steams on the Yangtze River near Nanjing, China, in December 1937. As the Japanese Imperial Army bore down on Nanjing, reports began flooding in to the US Embassy of attacks on American citizens and Chinese working for US firms. The Panay was called in to help the evacuation. Built in a Shanghai shipyard and launched in 1927, the ship was part of the US Navys Yangtze River Patrol, a force set up to safeguard Western interests along the great Chinese river, and was therefore an obvious choice for the mission. But to some, it was not an auspicious one. As the historian Bernard Cole pointed out in the February 2000 issue of Naval History magazine, the launch of the 191-foot gunboat had stalled when it became stuck on its slide into the water. Poor quality tallow, the animal fat used to grease the skids, was blamed. As Cole noted, a fouled launching is considered an ill omen. And the Panays luck was about to run out Attacked from above Still, the 14 US and foreign civilians taken aboard the US Navy gunboat on December 11 had more immediate concerns as they headed up river. All of us stood and watched the burning and sacking of (Nanjing) until we had rounded the bend and saw nothing but a bright red sky silhouetted with clouds and smoke, Norman Alley, a press cameraman aboard the Panay, is quoted as saying, in a 2012 article for Naval History magazine by Frank Roberts Jr. But they were about to become more than merely spectators to the violence. The next day the convoy was stopped by a group of Japanese soldiers on the riverbank, five of whom boarded the Panay with bayonets fixed. A Japanese officer asked where the boat was going and why, and for locations of Chinese troops. The former queries were answered, but (the American gunboats commander) politely refused to answer the last one. The officer then asked to search the Panay and the tankers for Chinese troops, but again was refused, Roberts wrote in Naval History. After a tense few moments, the Japanese troops left, but the bad omens for the Panay were building up. That afternoon, the Japanese Imperial Navy ordered its aircraft to strike any and all ships in the Yangtze upstream of Nanjing, according to the US Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC). At this point, the Panay should have been safe; Japan was fighting the Chinese, not the Americans, and US warships should have been treated as neutral, not subject to attack. To underline that point, the Panays commander, Lt. Cmdr. James Hughes, had taken the precaution of painting large American flags on the gunboat to prevent any mistaken fire. Japanese warplanes dive on the USS Panay on the Yangtze River and the crew fire back. It didnt matter. Two waves of Japanese Yokosuka B4Y Type-96 bombers attacked the Panay and the tankers, dropping at least 20 bombs according to the NHHC, while nine Nakajima A4N Type-95 fighters strafed it with machine gun fire. The Panays crew, at least one scrambling to the deck without pants, fired machine guns back at the Japanese attackers but hit none. The Japanese bombs found their mark. The Panays pilot house and forward gun were destroyed. Leaks developed in its hull. Dozens of people aboard were wounded, among them Cmdr. Hughes and Lt. Arthur Anders, the Panays executive officer, who was hit in the throat by shrapnel. Left unable to speak, Anders whose 4-year-old son was ashore in Nanjing gave the abandon ship order writing in pencil on a blood-stained piece of paper. The order is given to abandon ship, and crew and passengers leave the floundering USS Panay in the Yangtze River on December 12, 1937. As its crew took motorboats to the riverbank, they continued to come under fire. Behind them, the USS Panay settled in the Yangtze. Three men died in the attack the Panys storekeeper First Class Charles Lee Ensminger, Standard Oil tanker captain Carl H. Carlson and Italian reporter Sandro Sandri with coxswain Edgar C. Hulsebus dying later that night. Forty-three sailors and five civilians were wounded. It was the first US Navy vessel lost in action since World War I and the first ever to be sunk in combat by an aerial attack, Roberts wrote. And in the course of its sinking, according to the Heritage Flight Museum in the US state of Washington, Anders had become the first US naval officer to order open fire on Imperial Japanese Army troops. Taking on water due to damage from Japanese bombing, the USS Panay sinks into the Yangtze River. The brink of war As word of the sinking reached the White House, influential voices were calling for revenge. Navy Secretary Claude Swanson argued that war with Imperial Japan was inevitable, so best to fight while Tokyo was still stretched trying to occupy much of China, according to an account by Douglas Peifer in the November 2018 International Journal of Naval History. Or as Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr. reportedly put it to a subordinate: Theyve sunk a United States battleship and killed three people.Youre going to sit here and wait until you wake up in the morning and find them in the Philippines, then Hawaii, and then in Panama? Where would you call a halt? If anything, the sense of injustice was only compounded by the fact that, in a story not short of bad omens, the US ambassador to Japan, Joseph Grew, had predicted such a tragedy almost three months earlier when he complained to Tokyo of the reckless disregard for US lives and property its troops in China were showing. The ambassador blamed young, hotheaded Japanese aviators, according to Peifer, writing in his diary that having once smelled blood they simply fly amok and dont give a damn whom or what they hit. Pointedly, he reminded Japanese officials of how the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898 had sparked the Spanish-American War. That a similar outcome to the Maines sinking was avoided with the Panays was one of those finely balanced moments on which much of history turns. USS Panay is seen in trials in off Woosung, China, in 1948. - National Museum of the US Navy Imperial Japan, not wanting to fight the US and still needing American raw materials for its war machine, quickly accepted responsibility. It insisted the attack was a case of mistaken identity and poor communications, despite a US Navy inquiry finding that its dive bombers which came within 600 feet of the Panay must have seen its US flags. Just over two weeks after the attack, on December 25, the Roosevelt administration agreed to accept Tokyos offer of $2.2 million the equivalent of $47.4 million today to settle the dispute. It was a decision that, within just a few days, some in Washington would begin to question. Attack escape captured on film In 1937, there was no internet, satellites or even jet aircraft. News pictures traveled slowly, on propeller-powered planes. So it was not until December 31 that Roosevelt administration officials could gather to watch cameraman Alleys footage of the attack that had arrived in the DC area only a day earlier. The mood was grim, Peifer wrote. Alley had captured the full scope of what had befallen the Panay and those aboard it. His footage showed the Japanese planes bearing down on the gunboat, the crew firing back, the bloodied wounded abandoning the Panay, the ragged group of survivors moving inland to avoid further Imperial Japanese attacks and find help for their wounded. And at the end they saw the coffins of the dead Americans loaded on a rescue boat, covered by the American flag. In commentary added later, a narrator says, The Panay survivors will never forget those hectic, horrible hours when American blood was shed by war-crazed culprits. Newsreel footage shows the survivors of the USS Panay aboard another gunboat on the Yangtze. The images were enough to reignite calls for war by some in the Roosevelt administration, but ultimately there was little appetite for conflict in 1937 America. Isolationism was the more popular sentiment of the time. There were a few demands that the Fleet should be sent at once to the Orient. There were many more demands that we should withdraw completely from China, Roosevelts secretary of state, Cordell Hull, later wrote in his memoirs. Legacy of the Panay While Washington stepped back from the brink, the attack on the Panay would come back to haunt the Japanese military years later, after the US joined World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Imperial Japans actions in China, including the sinking of the Panay, spurred the Roosevelt administration to push the Naval Act of 1938, which mandated a 20% increase in the size of the US fleet, boosting spending by an estimated $1 billion ($21.4 billion in todays money). Among the ships that amount bought was the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, the ship that launched the Doolittle Raid the first US bombing raid on Tokyo and helped turned the tide of the Pacific war in Americas favor at the Battle of Midway in 1942. The boost also funded three Iowa-class battleships, including the USS Missouri, the ship on which Imperial Japans leaders formally surrendered to the allies in Tokyo Bay in 1945. On September 2, 1945, Japan signs surrender documents aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. - Keystone/Getty Images Then there are the many personal legacies, among them that of William Anders, the 4-year-old ashore in Nanjing as his father was shot in the throat. He grew up to graduate from the US Naval Academy, becoming a pilot and later an astronaut. In 1968, he became one of the first three men to orbit the moon on Apollo 8. Meanwhile, more than 80 years after the Panays sinking, while the ship itself has become a footnote of US history for most, the wartime event in which it played a part remains a seminal piece of Chinese and world history and continues to color Sino-Japanese relations to this day. China has made clear that the atrocities of that time will not be forgotten. In 2014, it designated December 13 the date Nanjing officially fell to the Japanese as a national memorial day. And in more recent years both its state media and government officials have drawn parallels between the massacre and the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Two Japans But there is also another, perhaps more hopeful sense in which the legacy of the Panay endures. While the events of that time may never be completely forgotten, hidden deep in the archives are the first green shoots of forgiveness that made possible the eventual rapprochement between the US and Japan two countries that now describe themselves as among the strongest of allies. Those green shoots can be found in the Japanese publics response to the Panays sinking. Unlike the questionable excuses offered by Japanese government officials, many responded with heartfelt sympathies. Ambassador Grew said the US mission in Tokyo was deluged by delegations, visitors, letters, and contributions of money, all expressing regret and remorse on behalf of Japan and its military, according to a 2001 report by Trevor Plante in Prologue, the magazine of the US National Archives. The outpouring illustrated what the US envoy called two Japans, one that represented the horrific scenes in Nanjing and the other the average citizen, according to Plante. That side of the incident, at least, is profoundly touching and shows that at heart the Japanese are still a chivalrous people, Grew wrote in Ten Years in Japan, his book on his time as ambassador. Plante quotes one letter in particular, from a 13-year-old girl: We want to tell you how sorry we are for the mistake our airplane[s] made. We want you to forgive us. I am little and do not understand very well, but I know they did not mean it. I feel so sorry for those who were hurt and killed. Video from Universal Studios For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Zoe Petersen, Deseret News I have never understood people who claim theyre not relationship people. What does that mean, exactly? Sure, one could assume that theyre referring to romantic relationships, but from what Ive seen, such people pride themselves on a lack of any attachment. Such a statement might evoke images of a lone wolf, bravely weathering lifes storms without companionship. But Ive always pictured the classic bouncing DVD screensaver: aimless. Untethered. Presumably sad. Incredibly bored and wholly unsatisfied, never hitting the coveted, comforting corner. As Sari Cooper, couples counselor and AASECT certified sex therapist, director of Center for Love and Sex in New York City, told me, people (especially young folks) tend to romanticize these unattached, lone wolf types. I think American society has always glorified the rugged individual who succeeds on their own. The underdog who becomes a billionaire, the immigrant who succeeds in winning some great prize in their field, said Cooper in an email. Some younger people tend to mistakenly believe that to make it you shouldnt express vulnerability or get tied down with one person as your partner. Americans have always idealized independence. But not only can this indicate to young folks that yes, they can achieve success a completely worthy pursuit in itself but that they should isolate themselves to do so. Success, society seems to believe, is best received, and perhaps most achievable, alone. Even these terms are enlarged cartoon-like versions of how allowing oneself to be vulnerable and relying on others and being accepting of others leaning on you, can actually increase ones resilience when things dont go your way in life, Cooper continued. Related Research seems to support what Cooper has observed. Social psychologist Sara Konrath conducted a study exploring attachment styles among college adults over time. The study, according to The Atlantic, yielded some disturbing results. Konrath and her team found a 56% increase in dismissive attachment styles. There was an 18% uptick in fearful or anxious attachment styles. According to The Atlantic, both attachment types are associated with lack of trust and self-isolation. As a certified young person, I found this unsurprising. Ive spent many nights with friends, full of vulnerable revelations and heart-to-hearts, confessing and dissecting our attachment styles. All were either dismissive or anxious. This shift in attachment styles among the young makes sense especially if young people associate success with independence as Cooper theorized. It was what researchers revealed in their meta-review that I found the most disturbing: Compared with college students in the late 1980s, a larger proportion of students today agree that they are comfortable without close emotional relationships. Why cant people connect emotionally? According to a 2019 study, entitled The Friendship Report, 1 in 10 people dont have a best friend. One in five are completely uninterested in having friends at all. As Miriam Kirmayer, therapist and doctoral candidate in psychology specializing in interpersonal relationships, said in The Friendship Report, it can be easy to convince yourself that you dont need connections. It can be so difficult to sit with the discomfort, loneliness and shame that comes with feeling like we dont have enough friends or social connections, Kirmayer said. For some people, instead of tolerating this discomfort or using it as motivation to seek out new connections and strengthen existing ones, they react by putting up walls and convincing themselves that they dont need friends. This behavior, according to Kirmayer, invalidates our universal need for genuine human connection. Its also often associated with insecure attachment styles. In The Friendship Report, Wolfgang Kruger, German psychotherapist and author of The Difficult Luck of Friendship, said that those with few friends suffer mentally, emotionally and physically. People who have very few or zero friends tend to suffer from anxiety, depression, and are sick more often. Long-term studies have shown that their life span is decreased by 20%. These people are less happy because happiness is mainly based on the steady foundation of friendship, Kruger concluded. People have less time As The Friendship Report noted, many young people dont form strong connections because theyve convinced themselves they dont need them. Another factor fueling isolation is a lack of time. A 2019 study found that good friendships can form by spending 120 to 160 hours together over the course of three weeks. But it takes 200 or more hours, over six weeks, to create a close friendship. But Americans only spend 41 minutes on average socializing a day which is a third of the time they spend watching TV or commuting. Given significant constraints on free time, especially among working adults and parents, researchers wrote in their study, How many hours does it take to make a friend?, individuals must budget their time wisely to make time for friends. As Kate Leaver, journalist and author of The Friendship Cure, said in The Friendship Report, friendship requires investment in time and emotional energy. People are less trusting Whats more, people have become less trusting. In a 2011 study, researchers found that Americans trust no more than 20 people. And that number might be shrinking another study found that our personal networks are getting smaller. The number of those who said that there is no one with whom they discuss important matters almost tripled from 1985 to 2004. Meanwhile, the number of confidants Americans have decreased by about a third between 1985 and 2004. The extensive time it takes to create close friendships, plus the level of trust required to cultivate emotional closeness, makes friendship feel like an investment and a potential risk. Is it any wonder that more young people have insecure attachment styles? Younger people lack relationship practice In Coopers opinion, younger peoples perception of close relationships, and lack thereof, comes from a lack of practice. Because young people have had only a few long-term relationships, theyre simply less practiced in the expectations and reactions to the interplay of (emotional attachment), she said. According to Cooper this hesitation comes down to, perhaps unsurprisingly, anxiety commonly found in insecure attachment styles. I would guess that todays college students higher anxiety levels contribute to their hesitance to get too emotionally close to others, Cooper said. This hesitancy ends up hurting young people, according to Tianna Soto, a lifestyle journalist specializing in psychology. As humans, were wired for connection. Were designed to be in connection with other people, Soto told me. And we all have this innate desire to be loved and seen and affirmed. Why are we pulling that back, if it should be something that should be celebrated? What are attachment styles? Its time that we fully address a concept that has come up multiple times in connection research: attachment styles. It feels like, as of late, attachment styles have been looming over our collective heads. Menacingly. Attachment styles were developed by John Bowlby in the 1950s, per The Attachment Project, but discovering ones attachment style has only recently become cool, especially among the young. Countless quizzes are dedicated to discovering ones attachment style. Only a lucky few will find themselves securely attached. As The Atlantic recently proclaimed, America is in its insecure-attachment era. What are the four attachment styles? Our attachment style arises from emotional bond(s) from early childhood, per The Attachment Project. Think of it as the lens we wear to navigate our relationships, the filter through which we sift our interactions. There are four attachment styles, according to The Attachment Project: Anxious, also known as preoccupied According to The Attachment Project, People with this attachment style value their relationships highly, but are often anxious and worried that their loved one is not as invested in the relationship as they are. Those with an anxious attachment style often have a fear of abandonment and perceive the attention and care they receive from their partner as the remedy for their anxiety. Avoidant, also known as dismissive According to The Attachment Project, those with avoidant attachment styles see themselves as lone wolves. They often have high self-esteem and, per The Attachment Project, dont want to depend on others, have others depend on them, or seek support and approval in social bonds. Adults with an avoidant attachment style often actively avoid close relationships. Disorganized, also known as fearful-avoidant The Attachment Project describes those with disorganized attachment as displaying unstable and ambiguous behaviors in their social bonds. According to Cooper, Their style of attachment is a mixture of a longing for closeness, but when one gets the intimacy one craves, then becoming frightened and withdrawing in an avoidant fashion to protect their sense of vulnerability. Secure While the past three attachments were insecure, a secure attachment style implies that a person is comfortable expressing emotions openly, per The Attachment Project. Those with secure attachment styles thrive in their relationships, but also dont fear being on their own. How do you deal with attachment insecurity? Most young people today have insecure attachment styles. So what can they do? Luckily for those young folks, there is a path to healing, according to the experts. Heres how to follow it: 1. Understand your attachment style The first step to dealing with your insecure attachment style is understanding your insecure attachment style. There are a few ways to do this: you can take The Attachment Styles quiz, dig into Bowlbys attachment theory or even read Attached, which analyzes adult attachment, according to Greater Good Magazine. According to BetterHelp, By learning more about yourself and why you are who you are in a relationship, you can take control of your destiny. 2. Go to therapy Often, when it comes to insecure attachment styles, you cant heal on your own. Thats why its best to seek out an experienced professional who understands, and has had experience with, insecure attachment styles. Greater Good Magazine recommends asking any prospective therapists if theyve ever had a patient or client who theyve seen make the leap from insecure to secure attachment. Once you find a good fit, your therapist can guide you to better relationship and attachment health. 3. Build your self-esteem Most insecure attachments, except for avoidant, both rely on their partners or friends and generate anxiety from their relationships. The best way to combat this, says Soto, is to build your sense of self. I find that building your sense of self and your independence, or your own self esteem separate of what your partners actions are, can be huge, Soto said, adding that there are many ways to do that. According to BetterHelp, you can do the following to increase self-love: Care for yourself: This includes investing your money and time into making yourself happy. Practice gratitude towards yourself: BetterHelp recommends that you remember that you are a valid and worthy soul with much to give. Set boundaries: According to BetterHelp, a good measure of someones self esteem is found in the way they allow others to treat them. Make sure to set boundaries with those around you. 4. Put yourself elsewhere If you find yourself with an anxious or disorganized attachment, Soto recommends putting your anxieties and emotions into a particular hobby or activity. I find that sometimes it helps to find a place to put that care and that energy, thats not just one person. So for me, its writing, music, art, even consuming things that will allow you to feel, Soto said. Because if youre trying to have it all exist in this vacuum of your relationship, in this container, it can just be too much to handle. No one person, I think, can feed all the emotions that we have, Soto concluded. Is there any hope? Research might paint a bleak portrait of relationships among young people today, but theres still cause for hope. Those with insecure attachment styles can change as therapist Michael Hilgers told The Atlantic, hes helped many of them do it. And while younger generations seem to be more comfortable without close relationships, those who do have close relationships depend on them for love. As The Friendship Report puts it, Younger generations are increasingly relying on friendships for happiness and love. It noted that after socializing with their friends either in person or online, people reported feeling loved, supported and happy the most. An article in The New York Times touches on platonic love in a way we dont often discuss: deep, enveloping and extraordinary. Its that type of love, I suspect, thats quietly waiting for young folks if theyre willing to wade through the waters of insecure attachment and emerge on the other side. While musing about friendship for The Atlantic, writer Katherine Smyth discovered the words of Emily Dickinson in a letter she wrote to a friend. The quote, Smyth concluded, spoke of the sense of fulfillment that I sometimes suspect our friendships alone can provide. My only sketch, profile, of Heaven, is a large, blue sky, Dickinson wrote, bluer and larger than the biggest I have seen in June, and in it are my friends all of them every one of them. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced large-scale sanctions packages and a strong week for cooperation with partners. Source: Zelenskyys nightly speech Details: Zelenskyy has mentioned the sanctions imposed on Saturday against 220 companies and 51 individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex. Quote: "Not all of them operate on the territory of the terrorist state, some of them operate in other countries. But all of them will receive global pressure. Step by step, we are collecting complete data on everyone who works for aggression directly or indirectly. Each such person will be blocked, and our Ukrainian sanctions are either already synchronised or will be synchronised with those of the free world. When Russia started this aggression, they looked at the world as if it were a mirror. They thought that everyone in the world was as cynical and supposedly despised people as much as the masters of Russia. But the world is different the world helps us protect life. And anyone who goes against the world will be marginalised. Russia will gain nothing and lose everything. Along with those who are still trying to help it in its terror. We will continue our sanctions steps, and there are new sanctions packages in the pipeline, even more extensive." Details: Zelenskyy has also thanked Japan, Finland, Germany, Canada and Iceland for their decisions to help Ukraine this week. "We will also make the next week strong in terms of our cooperation with partners, we are not losing a single week," he said. Background: On 27 May, Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on more than 200 Russian and Belarusian companies, including many repair plants. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed sanctions on more than 200 Russian and Belarusian companies, including many repair plants. Source: Zelenskyys decree Details: Zelenskyy imposed sanctions against 51 Russian individuals, including scientists and plant CEOs. In addition to individuals, sanctions have been extended to 220 legal entities associated with Russia. The list includes structures within the mobile network operator MTS and Russian Railways, as well as Belarusian companies such as the Minsk Automobile Plant, the Vavilov Minsk Mechanical Plant, the Monolit Vitebsk Radio Components Plant, and the Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant. Russian plants have also been sanctioned, including the Elektrodetal Karachev Plant, the Sarapul Radio Plant, the Chelyabinsk Forge-and-Press Plant, and others. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Nearly eight years after announcing his retirement as Amherst County Sheriff, Jimmy Ayers has the county Republican Partys endorsement to run for that seat again in the Nov. 7 election. Ayers, 60, a lifelong county resident and current District 3 member of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors, recently announced his campaign for the countys chief law enforcement position he formerly held from 1996 to 2015. Sheriff E.W. Viar, who has served the past eight years, recently said he is retiring from the post and endorsed Major Eric Elliott, the offices second-in-command. At Mondays mass meeting of the Amherst County Republican Committee, a large crowd gathered to hear from Ayers, Elliot and Mike Robinson, a former Amherst County Sheriffs deputy also running for the seat. After each gave five-minute speeches, Ayers received the GOP endorsement with 37 votes; Robinson received 20 votes and Elliott, 15 votes. On June 4, 2015, Ayers announced he was retiring from the sheriffs office after 30 years of service and he stepped down at the end of the year. He first joined the office in 1985 at age 22 as a corrections officer and said he was humbled when the citizens first elected him in November 1995. In an interview eight years ago upon announcing his retirement, Ayers said he would miss the people the most but not the political side of it, which he said he hated and didnt want to deal with again. He said he is running again because since his retirement he has been concerned with the direction the sheriffs office has taken under his predecessor. This election is not about me, Ayers said. Its about our community. He said he was honored and blessed to serve as sheriff for two decades and if elected again, he will restore programs and implement new ones to benefit the health, safety and welfare of residents. I promise to be relentless on drug enforcement, Ayers said. I consider the illegal drug market to be one of the most negative impacts on the community. Our department will be run as a proactive agency and not a reactive agency. Ultimately I want to restore the peoples confidence in our sheriffs office. Ayers and his wife Nancy live in the Wares Gap community and have two children who serve as paramedics for the county. In a lengthy Jan. 30 social media post, Ayers strongly criticized the handling of a county homicide investigation involving Justin Jay Sales, who was formerly charged with first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding in connection with a June 25, 2019 shooting that left 92-year-old Doris Puleio dead and severely injured her daughter, Trudy Goetz, at a residence on Bobwhite Road in Amherst. The charges against Sales were dropped in Amherst Circuit Court on Dec. 8, 2021, in large part because of evidentiary-related issues with proceeding to trial. Amherst County Commonwealths Attorney Lyle Carver, who also received the county GOPs endorsement Monday and spoke a few minutes before Ayers, has said the case remains an active investigation and charges can come back. Carver, in a statement shortly after Ayers Jan. 30 Facebook post, released a statement that criticized the former sheriffs comments as reckless, selfish, inaccurate and misleading and said because the case is active he cant further comment on evidentiary-related matters Ayers was critical of in the social media post. During his speech, Carver said truth matters and he tries cases in the courts of Amherst County, not social media. Since his December 2021 release from custody Sales moved to New Hampshire where he has been convicted in a sexual assault case and awaits sentencing. Ayers during his speech said the Sales case is a driving factor in his decision to run again. Goetz and two of her family members were present during the GOP meeting in support of Ayers. This is the only case that I speak about but there are others, Ayers said. These families and the citizens of Amherst County deserve better than this. Ayers asked those at the GOP mass meeting to not make a politically correct decision. The right decision is to support the victims and their families when they find themselves in tragedies such as these, Ayers said. He also urged the Amherst GOP to endorse Richard Gillman, a local attorney running against Carver. Later during the meeting, Carver was endorsed by Republicans with 39 votes over Gillmans 33 votes. I would greatly appreciate the ability to serve my community once again and to represent those victims of crime I pledge to you I will my best and give my all, Ayers said during the meeting. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Nearly 50 townhomes are cleared to begin construction on White House Road in Moneta following approval from the Bedford County Board of Supervisors this week. The board voted 6-1, with Supervisor Bob Davis opposed, to allow a special use permit for the 7-acre site zoned Agricultural Village Center in close proximity to the Downtown Moneta neighborhood on Virginia 122. The applicant, Rustburg contractor Joey Dawson, seeks to bring 47 townhomes on property that was formerly used as the Mayberry Drive-in movie theater and diner as well as a farmers market. Russ Nixon, engineer for the project, told supervisors that Dawson is working to meet a housing shortage in the Smith Mountain Lake area. I think we as a developer and as a designer have a great thing for the area, Nixon said. The average price point for the three-bedroom townhomes is targeted at $250,000, Nixon told the board. He said he and Dawson fish in tournaments and regularly hear from other fishermen about the lack of housing in the lake area. We expect some for short-term rentals, Nixon said. Were not going to ignore the fact thats a big thing today, especially in our area. Marcie Dawson, the applicants wife and Realtor with Elite Realty in Lynchburg, said of 41 home listings for sale in Bedford County as of May 22 only three were valued under $300,000. The townhomes will fill a void in the market for such housing, she said. Right now, we are in a historic low inventory, Marcie Dawson said. If you are looking for a townhome, it went from low inventory to no inventory. Theres really not a lot here to encourage movement within the county. This would be a great opportunity to provide some good affordable housing for folks to encourage growth in Bedford County. Bob Flynn, a county resident, said during Mondays public hearing he is not for or against the project, which he called a game changer for that area of Moneta. Supervisor Charla Bansley said housing is needed for the workforce looking for quality but affordable places to live and $250,000-priced homes are attractive for couples. Davis said he doesnt think the concept works for that rural, agricultural area of the county. One of the things that make Bedford County special is our views, Davis said. Why do we need townhomes in Bedford County? This is an agricultural county. Why do we want to ruin our best assets by putting townhomes in there? Davis also expressed concern with additional traffic on White House Road, which he described as already crowded enough. Joey Dawson said his goal is for people he builds for to be super proud of their home and he hears a lot from those who want to build for under $300,000. This is an opportunity to help me scratch that itch for those folks, he said. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A second man has pleaded guilty for encircling counterprotesters with torches on the evening before the deadly 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. Tyler Bradley Dykes of Bluffton, South Carolina, agreed Thursday to a six-month active sentence, and prosecutor Lawton Tufts pronounced his office satisfied with the term because the 25-year-old has no criminal record. Taking that into account, we thought this was an appropriate sentence, Tufts said in court. Also, the fact that he accepted responsibility. Under the plea agreement approved by Albemarle Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins, the full term of the sentence is five years, with five years of mandated good behavior and one year of supervised probation. One month ago, another judge heard that Dykes was recently accused of pasting swastika stickers in his home state and denied him bail. On Thursday, Dykes again appeared in the striped jumpsuit that is the uniform of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail and wearing waist chains and leg irons. The 6-foot-5 young man stood straight as he answered without hesitation the judges volley of questions about his signed plea deal: Yes, your honor. I am, your honor. I have, your honor. I did, your honor. Tufts told the court that on the evening of Aug. 11, 2017, Dykes was among the group of white nationalist torch-bearing marchers who encircled a handful of counterprotesters gathered at a statue of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson in front of the University of Virginia Rotunda. They had just marched down the Lawn shouting neo-Nazi slogans including Blood and soil and Jews will not replace us. The defendant was towards the front, said Tufts. The defendant was multiple times throwing the Nazi salute. Then, Tufts alleged, the defendant allegedly swung his extinguished torch in the direction of some counterprotesters. We dont want him to be in this community because of the nature of the charges, said Tufts, urging the judge to return Dykes to South Carolina after the conclusion of the jail term. Neither Dykes nor his attorney, Bryan Jones, offered any statement on the allegations, but Dykes asked the judge to ensure that his parole officer permits him to travel for his work as a computer technician. I have clients in the Savannah, Georgia, area, which is about a 35-minute drive from my home, said Dykes. I work in computers and basically do tech support. Higgins agreed to endorse that request in his file. She also agreed to another defense request to give Dykes credit for time served since his March 17 arrest in South Carolina. Despite it being read in open court Thursday, the plea agreement must be sealed for up to a year, Higgins ordered. To prevent a repeat of Virginias notorious past as a haven for the racial terror group the Ku Klux Klan, Virginia criminalizes the use of fire for racial intimidation with penalties that can reach five years. Another man charged under this law accepted a plea deal earlier this month, according to Albemarle County court records. Will Zachary Smith, of Nacona, Texas, was released after signing his sealed plea and ordered to return for sentencing on Aug. 7. Three other men have been indicted for the 2017 event and await adjudication. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Pottawattamie County residents are expected to have the opportunity later this year to decide how county supervisors are elected. The Western Iowa Labor Federation and the Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County announced Friday that they believe they have collected enough signatures to trigger a special election. The election would ask voters to decide the voting method for electing their Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors members. Supervisors are currently elected at large, meaning everyone in the county can vote for all the supervisor positions, regardless of where they or the candidate lives. The county has two other options for how to elect supervisors, both of which would divide the county into five districts of roughly equal population. Under the first equal population option, voters would still be able to choose among all the candidates, but the candidates themselves would be restricted to running within the district they live in. The second equal population option and the one that two advocacy groups are encouraging would also require candidates to only seek election in the district they live in and would restrict residents to voting only for the candidates in their district. Redistricting will help working families throughout the whole county of Pottawattamie by having their voices heard through establishing equal population districts, Jen Pellant, president of the Western Iowa Labor Federation, said in a release. The groups will submit the signatures to the county auditor on the morning of Wednesday, May 31. At that point, the auditor will verify that there are enough signatures, and that the signatures are from county residents. If those requirements are met, the special election would be held Aug. 1. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to effect change for the generations to come, said Lisa Lima, program director for the southwest Iowa chapter of the National Alliance Mental Illness and member of CCPC. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Its time to once again take the plunge for summer fun. The Council Bluffs outdoor swimming season begins Saturday, May 27. Last year, I thought we had good crowds and Im hoping for another successful year this summer, said Mike Bond, the citys aquatics director. Council Bluffs has two outdoor public pools: Katelman Water Park, 1230 16th Ave., and Pirate Cove Water Park, 915 N. 21st St. Registration for private pool parties at either pool begin at 8 a.m. Saturday with public swimming starting at noon, Bond said. The pools hours during the Memorial Day weekend are from noon to 4 p.m. Beginning Tuesday, May 30, the hours extend from noon to 6 p.m. The city was able to hire enough lifeguards to man the pools during regular swimming hours, Bond said. There will also be enough to staff private parties. However, there arent enough lifeguards to completely staff the swimming lessons at Katelman, Bond said. The first class session there, set for the week of June 5, had to be canceled for lack of lifeguards. A decision has not yet been made on whether to go ahead with the second class session the following week, Bond said told The Nonpareil on Friday. However, there are enough lifeguards for the swim lessons at Pirate Cove. A special event is being planned for late July at Katelman, but details have yet to be finalized, Bond said. Pool fees have remained the same as last year, he added. Admission is $5 ($6 for slides at Pirate Cove) or $40 for a 10-swim punch card ($50 for slides at Pirate Cove). Pool parties are available for purchase on a first come, first served basis at each respective pool. One party registration per adult. Parties run from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Up to 30 guests are included in the fee, plus an additional $4 per guest beyond 30. Rates are $225 at Katelman and $250 at Pirate Cove. Swim lessons are $30 with registration opening Saturday at each pool. Classes start at 8:20 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 10:20 a.m. and 11 a.m. There are seven swim-lesson sessions: June 5-9 (Pirate Cove only), June 12-16 (possibly Pirate Cove only), June 19-23, June 26-30, July 10-14, July 17-21 and July 24-28. Classes run for 35 minutes, except Level 1, which is 30 minutes. As a reminder, due to the Iowa Smoke Free Air Act, smoking is prohibited during any and all events taking place in the city pools. Spanish authorities have seized lately 322 kg of cocaine at Algeciras Port (Cadiz). The cocaine, worth several million US dollars, was concealed in a container coming from Brazil and heading to Oran, Algeria. The new seizure confirms international intelligence reports saying that Algeria has become a gateway for South American drug cartels seeking access to the European market as the country remains under the grip of powerful and corrupt military junta. This is not the first time European customs and Police intercept huge cocaine shipments en route to Algeria. Few years ago, nearly half a ton of cocaine was intercepted on container ship transporting frozen meat from Brazil to Oran. The container ship was ordered by Dounia Meat, Algerias largest importer of frozen meat, owned by businessman Kamel Chikhi nicknamed El Bouchi (The Butcher) and his brothers. Chikhi and three other members of the company were arrested. The Cocaine-gate led to the dismissal of high-ranking officials including former national security director General-Major Abdelghani Hamel and other top brass. Media report about a series of digital intrusions against key Kenyan ministries and state institutions allegedly carried out by Chinese hackers has sparked debate in the East African country about the security of the nations systems. The report about China, Kenyas largest creditor, carrying out hacking attacks on the East African countrys government that was published by Reuters last Wednesday May 24 left many Kenyans in disbelief and wondering how secure actually their systems are and how prepared they are to repel similar attacks. The report claimed that, based on information from three sources, cybersecurity research reports and Reuters own analysis of technical data related to the hacks, from 2019 until late 2022, Chinese hackers infiltrated Kenyan government networks as its debt piled up. A senior Kenyan security official on Thursday dismissed the Reuters report as propaganda, while China, through its embassy in Kenya, has debunked the claim that it funded a cyber-espionage campaign against the government in the East African nation, calling it an attempt to sow discord between Beijing and Nairobi. After President William Ruto took office in September 2022, Kenya began to reduce borrowing from Beijing even as the latter began adopting a more cautious lending approach post-Covid-19 over concerns about debt piling for African countries. As of January 2023, Kenyas external debt stood at $34 billion, a sixth of which was owed to China, which remains the East African nations largest creditor after the World Bank. China has been criticized in recent years for what is known as debt-trap diplomacy, the art of leveraging the debt burden of its debtors to expand its influence abroad. In 2017, bugs were found at the headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, five years after its investigations revealed that classified data belonging to the AU were being copied to servers in Shanghai. The Chinese government funded large portions of the Kenyan Fiber Optic backbone, which was built by Huawei. China also co-funded the Pakistan, East Africa, Connecting Europe (PEACE) undersea cable as part of the Digital Silk Road Project The African Union (AU) used the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Africa Day this week to warn the continent not to become a geo-strategic battleground for global powers and also to promote the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Africa must not become a geo-strategic battleground for global powers, as it grapples with several threats to its own peace and security, AU leaders have warned while celebrating Africa Day. The African continent has found itself at the center of a struggle for influence among the major powers, which has redoubled since the Russia-Ukraine war started in April 2022. In this international context of confrontation of divergent political interests, the will of each side threatens to transform Africa into a geo-strategic battleground, thereby creating a new Cold War, AU Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat said in an address at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa. The AU also used Africa Day to promote the AfCFTA agreement and push for the acceleration of its implementation to bring greater prosperity to the continent of 1.3 billion people. Among other aims, the AfCFTA is projected to lead to job creation, poverty alleviation, improved welfare and sustainable development and overall industrialization of the continent. The World Bank has estimated that by 2035, real income gains from full implementation of the AfCFTA could be nearly $450 billion. The annual celebration of Africa Day serves as a significant occasion to raise awareness about Pan-African ideals and educate the population on the rich history of the continent. This year, the day was marked under the theme The Africa We Want which highlights continents journey towards achieving socio-economic and political development while shaping a positive narrative for the future. No, Joe Biden didnt invent the trillion dollar coin. Atlanta lawyer Carlos Mucha did. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos from Getty About a dozen years ago, a pseudonymous commenter on a financial website, writing under the name Beowulf, presented an unusual solution for a debt-ceiling standoff: If the federal government was at risk of default, and Congress couldnt agree to either cut spending or raise the borrowing limit cleanly, couldnt it simply mint a trillion-dollar coin? Beowulf had come across a 1997 law that, in response to requests from coin collectors, gave the Treasury the power to mint platinum coins of any denomination. (Collectors had complained that even coins available at the time with the smallest face values were still too expensive to afford.) The law started as a way to make collectible coins cheaper, but unlike every other law regulating new coins, this one did not establish a specific face value or limit the number of coins produced. Congress screwed up, Beowulf wrote. By passing the law, it had given the president the authority to direct the secretary of the Treasury to mint a coin of any value say, $1 trillion and deposit it in the Federal Reserve, which would be legally obligated to accept it. Ultimately, the coins deposit would result in $1 trillion in government revenue or, with a coin of a different denomination, however much was needed to continue to pay its bills and avoid a default. The catch is, its gotta be made of platinum, Beowulf wrote. Ditto the balls of any president who tried this. In the time since, the idea has gained an unexpected acceptance among policymakers and economists. In 2013, Representative Jerry Nadler said that the idea sounds silly, but its absolutely legal. Shortly after, Paul Krugman asked himself in the New York Times if the president should be willing to mint the coin to avoid default. His response? Yes, absolutely. Phillip Diehl, a former director of the Mint and Treasury chief of staff who co-wrote the 1997 law, allowed that a coin with a specific denomination of $1 trillion was an unintended consequence but maintained that the possibility was always conceivable. In principle, there is nothing new, he has said. Any court challenge is likely to be quickly dismissed. In 2020, Representative Rashida Tlaib sponsored a plan to mint two coins to fund pandemic aid, and this year both Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell have faced questions about using the coin to end the standoff. Each registered objections, but neither would rule it out. As it turns out, Beowulf is not an economist or a professional policy wonk. Hes a Georgia lawyer named Carlos Mucha. Criminal defense, shareholder disputes, a little of everything, he told me recently. Hes a tinkerer Jack of all trades, master of none, he says and his frequent visits to the comments sections of a set of financial websites were a kind of hobby. What got me thinking about it was that I was reading that people were using their credit cards to buy tens of thousands of U.S. dollar coins from the Mint just to get the credit-card points, he said. At the time, the Mint had free shipping and handling, and since its from the government, the coins are tax free. They would charge $10,000, get ten thousand one-dollar coins, and use the coins to pay off their card. This really happened one such dollar coiner told The Wall Street Journal that he took 15,000 coins straight from the delivery truck to the trunk of his car, to more easily drive them to the bank. You dont have to do that too many times to get a free first-class ticket, Mucha said. A few savvy points hounds found a way to create free flights out of thin air. But Mucha was more fascinated by the other side of the transaction. The more interesting point is that after all the expenses and the shipping and handling, the Mints profit on every dollar coin was 80 cents, he said. The path of a coin from the Mint to your pocket goes like this: The Mint creates a dollar coin, then sells it to the Federal Reserve at its face value, which, in turn, sells it to a bank, where it enters the broader economy. In these transactions, the bank and the Fed spend a dollar to get a dollar. But the Mint receives a dollar for a coin that cost only about 20 cents to make. The difference between the face value of the coin and the cost of producing it, known as seigniorage, is 80 cents revenue that would appear on the Mints books and could be sent to the Treasury to pay down the deficit. This is sometimes called making money by making money. Muchas coin would work on the same principle. You dont think about it, but one of the powers of the government is to create money by the stroke of a pen, minting coins, he said. Mucha felt especially vindicated by the responses from Yellen and Powell earlier this year when asked about the possibility of minting a trillion dollar coin. Yellen simply said it was up to the Federal Reserve. It truly is not by any means to be taken as a given that the Fed would do it, she said. Its up to them. A few days later, a reporter followed up with Powell to ask if the Fed would do whatever the Treasury directs to resolve a crisis, or if it would perform its own analysis first. All he said about it was that we are Treasurys fiscal agent, and Ill leave it at that, Mucha said. Thats a very lawyerly answer. An agent works for a principal. So basically, he was saying, If they deposit money, we gotta take it. It was an extremely diplomatic game of passing the buck, but the subtext was clear: The chairman of the Federal Reserve, the most powerful monetary official in the world, had been asked to reject an idea hatched by a pseudonymous blogger in 2010, and his sense of professional duty wouldnt let him do it. An idea like the coin gets momentum in Washington only when the people who really run the government from the inside start to take it seriously. Initially, people think in terms of norms, and they think the norms are actually the rules, said a former Treasury official who worked on the debt-ceiling standoff in 2013 and requested anonymity to speak candidly. The first time you hear of something new, youre like, No, you cant do it it wouldnt work. You start to go through the reasons, he said: Is there a legal constraint? Is there an operational one? Would it actually work the way its being described? The coin doesnt come to Washington unless Washington comes to the coin. The former Treasury official began to see arguments about the coin in what he called a broad public forum on blogs, at think tanks, among reporters and cable-news pundits, on Twitter. Inevitably, current and former officials, they see that, he said. As a deeper dive takes place, you realize its mostly about norms as opposed to the actual operational rules. When you start seeing daylight between those two things, you begin to wonder when did a norm become a norm. What he and some of his colleagues have come to realize, he continued, is that a lot of the norms came about during a very narrow time in history, and prior to that a lot of Treasury and Federal Reserve officials were rather creative and thoughtful and realized a lot of things they were attempting were being done for the first time anyway. So if theres no operational constraint and you have a pretty good sense that theres not a legal constraint, why are we flirting with this Armageddon of a default? As people become more comfortable with that, it becomes debated among policymakers. Not publicly, but its debated, the former official said. Former officials with current officials, current officials with each other. A former policy adviser at the Federal Reserve sees the coin as the obvious answer to an artificial crisis. The debt ceiling, theres kind of no reason for it except that it might serve as a bargaining chip, as its doing now, to elicit certain types of government spending cuts, he said. I think Carlos is an underappreciated genius, actually. An economist at the University of Texas, James K. Galbraith, came across the idea of the coin around the time an endorsement by a professor at Yale Law appeared in the Washington Post in mid-2011. I really am very hesitant with direct communication with people who have policy responsibilities, he said. If Im going to say something, I generally try to write it, get it edited carefully, put it in the public sphere, and they can pick it up if they want. In 2011, though, he sent a note to a White House economist he knew: Have you been briefed or alerted to the implications of section 5112(k) of the coinage statutes? If not, and if youre interested, I can brief you and an email would take no more than five minutes of your time. The White House economist wrote back, Whats the gist? Diehl, the former Mint director, has himself become an outspoken respondent to what he calls the myths that have been spun around the coin. I wrote the bill that created the trillion-dollar coin, he said flatly at a conference earlier this year. Sometimes the question is brought up: Well how did you do that? You werent a member of Congress. The fact of the matter is, members of Congress dont write bills. Bills are delivered to their office, sometimes by lobbyists, sometimes by agencies, sometimes by committee staff. As the head of the U.S. Mint, he said, I had very specific objectives in mind. I was appointed by a Democratic president, Bill Clinton, and I worked with bipartisan committee chairs. This was a bipartisan effort, and together we passed that bill. And the fact that it can have a trillion-dollar denomination on it was absolutely part of the intent. The former Treasury official sees this statement of intent from the bills author as enormously important. It is completely crazy that Diehls comments are not dominating Congresss discussion, he said. This is a very serious man. Our predecessors at Treasury did this for a reason. Lately, Mucha has been tinkering with other solutions to impossible problems: a few non-coin debt-ceiling alternatives; a small, technical change to appropriations language that he argues would make Social Security and Medicare indefinitely solvent; legal precedents that have ruled the housing market to be interstate commerce, which means that local housing shortages could be resolved federally. Stephanie Kelton, a former chief economist to the Senate Budget Committee and an economic adviser to Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer, as well as the now-famous populizer of modern monetary theory, has begun following Muchas work, discussing it with him, and touting it to public officials. I have DMed people in the Senate, Kelton says. Ill just say, I hope you are following this guy because he regularly puts out really smart content that could be useful to you. Rohan Grey, a law professor at Willamette University, hadnt even begun law school when Carlos first posted about the coin. He has since become another high-profile advocate for MMT, which offers a more capacious framework for government spending than traditional economic theory and is popular mostly in progressive circles. He and Mucha are an unlikely pair. I know hes not as progressive as the MMT economists, Grey said. Carlos is a Republican lawyer from Georgia who voted for Ron Paul. And I like him, were friends. (Mucha declined to confirm or discuss his political affiliation.) In 2011, the coin was the furthest edge of the furthest edge of crazy, Grey said. And then we had multiple debt-ceiling debates, and then we had Trump, and then we had January 6, and then we had Dobbs. What were talking about is not letting twenty people in the Freedom Caucus pull the entire economy to shreds. At a certain point, you just have to sound less ridiculous than the other thing thats on the table. The world has really met us halfway. Halfway may not be far enough. As the debt-ceiling standoff continues, President Biden has gestured at executive action but dismissed the coin. I dont think anyone has studied the minting-of-the-coin issue, he said this month. Speaking at the G7 conference earlier this week, Biden reiterated that the only way to move forward is with a bipartisan agreement. Congressional Republicans opened the negotiation with proposals to trade a debt-ceiling increase for new work requirements for Medicaid and food stamps, a repeal of Bidens student-debt-relief plan, reduced IRS funding, rollbacks to investments in sustainable energy, and other cuts to domestic programs. They also pushed to increase the military budget an odd argument if the goal is to reduce spending. The Treasury has been using so-called extraordinary measures to meet government debt obligations since January. A true default, Yellen has warned, may come no later than the first week of June. Minting the coin, in a strict sense, would cost a trillion dollars. What will be the cost, Mucha might argue, of not minting it? Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Auburn University recognized Memorial Day a few days early this year with a Friday morning ceremony at Cater Hall where they reflected on the 20th anniversary of the War in Iraq and those who lost their lives. Opelika City councilman Todd Rauch was the keynote speaker at the event. AU honored Beth Hiller, the Gold Star mother of soldier Dusty Hiller. A total of 4,599 flags were planted in the lawn in front of Cater Hall in remembrance of every U.S. service member who scarified their life during the Iraq War. Rauch, a retired military officer who also fought in the war, recounted the events of the 9/11 attacks. He spoke about Alabamians who lost their lives and the War on Terror, including Auburn alumni and CIA agent Johnny Michael Spann. Rauch said Spann was the first American casualty in the War on Terror. In the desert of Iraq, these men and women faced harsh conditions enduring scorching heat, dust storms and the constant threat of enemy fire. They carried the weight of heavy gear and weapons, never faltering in their determination. Moving forward step-by-step knowing that their actions would shape the course of history. Ladies and gentlemen, there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest. Every day, we are reminded about what we were liberating, Raunch said. Rauch said the day was the somber anniversary of the death of Pfc. Jeremiah Smith. He was the first recorded U.S casualty of an Improvised Explosive Device. Rauch was driving the Humvee directly behind Smiths vehicle when the attack happened. We lift up Jeremiah Smiths memory on this solemn day, and we honor the sacrifice that was so costly laid at the altar of freedom, he said. Rauch recounted his own story of being wounded in a battle in Iraq two months after Smiths died on April 4, 2004. He encouraged those listening to embrace the spirit of American resilience, and not lose sight of the ideas that service members fought and died for. He said Memorial Day was a time to reflect on the sacrifices of fallen heroes and ensure their legacy lives on. During the event, Jamie Popwell, a marine veteran and founder of Flags for Vets, presented Beth Hiller with flowers and a flag in honor of her son. Popwell also presented flowers and a flag to Hillers sister, Ashleigh Hawkins-Hentschel, and his niece, Dani Hentschel. The Hiller family lost a courageous soldier, said Curtis Pippin of the Veterans Resource Center. Spc. Hillers courageous actions in the face of a determined enemy shall always be remembered. Hiller was one of eight killed on Black Sunday during the Siege of Sadr City in Iraq. Pippin said the siege marked the beginning of an 8-month battle that liberated 2.2 million Iraqis. Paul Puck Esposito, director of the AU Veterans Resource Center, said everyone who raised their hands and swore to defend the constitution wrote a blank check to their country. Sometimes... Esposito said as he choked back tears, Sometimes that check gets cashed. And that hurts. I think you could ask the Hiller family. Additionally, Dr. Taffye Benson Clayton, vice president and associate provost for Inclusion and Diversity, called Veterans an integral part of the Auburn Family. Liyah Stewart, a member of the Auburn Student Veteran Association, sang the National Anthem. Chaplain Gary Riddle of the Alabama National Guard gave the invocation. Drew Lufkin, president of the Auburn Student Veterans Association, laid the wreath. Taps were performed by Jerry brown. After the Memorial Day event, Beth Hiller took a few minutes to talk about her son. She said she wasnt excited about him joining the military, but he knew what he wanted and had his plans laid out. She said the military has continued to show support for her family. I was going to support him all the way, Hiller said. I think of the good times with Dusty. I can talk about him, but when I really focus on him, then Im going to get teary. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A 41-year-old man will serve two life sentences and an additional 20 years in prison for sexually abusing a child in Lee County for years. James Bubba McCluskey was convicted of two counts of sodomy first degree and a sexual abuse charge. He will serve the sentences consecutively through the Alabama Department of Corrections. He will start at the Kilby Correctional Facility near Montgomery before the ADOC assigns him to a prison in the state, said Lee County District Attorney Jessica Ventiere. Because of the victims age, its mandatory by state law that McCluskey serves every day of his sentence, according to the Lee County District Attorneys Office. We are so thankful these children finally received the long awaited justice they deserve, Ventiere said. Healing from trauma of child abuse takes a lifetime, and we pray these children experience peace. McCluskey was convicted by a Lee County Jury in April for two counts of sodomy first degree and a sexual abuse charge. Senior trial attorneys Cathey Berardi and Garrett Saucer presented this case to the jury. According to the release, McCluskeys crimes occurred for years in multiple counties and different states. This case first began in Fairhope with reports of him sexually abusing of two children. During the Fairhope Police Departments investigation, the children were interviewed at the Baldwin County Childrens Advocacy Center. While there, one of the victims stated he also abused him in Lee County for 11 years. Fairhope police arrested McCluskey for that incident in 2018 and plead guilty in Baldwin County. He has already served his sentence for that incident. In regards to the first victim, McCluskey was sentenced in Baldwin County to 10 years split to serve one year. In regards to the second victim who was attacked in Baldwin and Lee County, McCluskey received a one-year sentence in Baldwin County. Ventiere said these sentences were concurrent, so McCluskey served a total of one year of jail time. In 2020, McCluskey was arrested by the Opelika Police Department for the charges against him in Lee County. The charges that he had in Baldwin County are for crimes that he committed in Baldwin County. He committed additional separate crimes in Lee County, and so he was prosecuted for those difference crimes in Lee County, Ventiere said. Each judicial circuit in Alabama can prosecute for the crimes that are committed within their jurisdiction. Multiple agencies worked together on this case including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Fairhope Police Department, Baldwin County Sheriffs Office, Lee County Sheriffs Office Investigations and the Baldwin County Childrens Advocacy Center. For more information on preventing child abuse visit Twin Cedars Child Advocacy Center of East Alabama Facebook page. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. East Alabama Arts new Open Book group will put on two summer productions, a reading adapted from Doug Segrests A Storm Came Up book and the dark comedy Just A Giant Cinderella. The productions are free to the public, but donations will be accepted. The first staged reading will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m. while the dark comedy has been scheduled for June 22 at 7 p.m. Kristy Meanor casted the members of Open Book for the reading of A Storm Came Up, which will be an adaptation of Segrests novel. The play made its debut at Wetumpka Depot this year. Its currently a finalist for the American Association of Community Theatre Fest 2023 and will be performed at nationals on June 11. Meanor and Segrest will be coming to watch the production in Opelika, which will be their first time seeing another group read their play. Theyll also share their story behind adapting the novel. The second production will feature the play written and performed by Martina Schabron, Just A Giant Cinderella. Described as a dark comedy about dying (almost) to fit in, Martinas play explores the challenges of mental illness with an abundance of humor, the East Alabama Arts said. Melaine Bennett, a leader of the Open Book group, said that she hopes these stage readings will drive more community interest in the Open Book group. She is also in the process of planning writing workshops in the fall. Open Book will begin reading plays Wednesday nights again starting next January. More productions will also be planned for the summer of 2024. The East Alabama Arts established the Open Book group in early 2023 to create a space for community theater artists and enthusiasts to come together to read and discuss plays. Bennett and Steve Bice, the leaders of the new Open Book, started holding meetings once a week from January to March where they read about four plays with the members including, Water Spirits, by Alicia Kester, which will have a staged reading performance in Auburn on June 8. Our goals through Open Book is to read the plays, talk about the plays, encourage people to read plays themselves, but really also to take a look at new work, Bennett said. And we want people to think about telling their own stories or writing plays themselves. Bennett has been involved with theater and acting most of her life. Shes worked in theaters across the country as a fundraiser and manager. She began acting again when she returned to Opelika. She recently completed two short films in Atlanta People and Guacamania! After working on a local production with Bice, associate artistic director of Auburn Area Community Theatre, they developed the idea for Open Book and together they made it happen. Martin Scorsese: I take this film as an offering to the Osage people and from our hearts Scorsese met with Osage News for an exclusive interview following his triumphant return to the Cannes Film Festival and the premiere of Killers of the Flower Moon https://t.co/pnMkPWLgsm Osage News (@OsageNews) May 25, 2023 'Flowers of the Killer Moon' is a theatrical version of the same-named novel based on real events. The adaptation follows members of the Osage Native American tribe of Osage County, Oklahoma, were murdered in the 1920s after oil is discovered on their property which prompted the FBI to launch an investigation.Osage Nation Journalist Shannon Shaw Duty has long been a lover of films, even those directed by Martin Scorsese. While in Cannes, Shaw Duty had the opportunity to interview Scorcese for Osage News.I was attracted to the story itself, which of course I knew very little about, I had heard about it a long time ago, and for me at this stage in my life Ive been fascinated by Indigenous people and I have been learning over the years because I grew up in the 1940s and 50s and the Indigenous people were represented certain ways in film. Just by the attempt in the early 50s that tried to make a change. Devils Doorway, Anthony Manns film, Broken Arrow, a beautifully looking film, Drum Beat, Apache and others.In any case, Native Americans were the heroes although they were played by whites. But, it changed the point of view. When they gave me the book, I felt that the juxtaposition of the words Killers and Flower Moon, theres something there.I said theres something tragic, and powerful, and beautiful. I said Lets explore this.I was fascinated too by how the FBI, at that time the Bureau of Investigation came in, I was interested in their background. How J. Edgar Hoover tried to, well, he did, made a name for himself and the bureau with this case. I did understand that it was a career move. (laughs)No, he would have looked bad, he had to go settle it. But, he was not the J. Edgar Hoover he became 20 years later, but they did get in there and I became fascinated by all the characters. Particularly this John Joseph Mathews. I read some of his stuff and he really values the values of the Osage. The values to me were really fascinating and as I got older, as I become older, they become values I learn to respect and try to respect and appreciate more in life, having gone through 80 years of life now. I find I was very much attracted to that.We tried to compose a script that was structured on the book by David Grann. People usually say and that he really did a good job on this book. And there were so many facets, so many as we got further and further into research on this book. Texas Rangers and this and that. Leo DiCaprio was going to play it, Tom White, and Eric Roth and I were trying to find a way into Tom White.The problem I ran into, and it was purely a stylistic one at first, it was really a police procedural.I tried my best, but I couldnt see myself directing it. Because, quite honestly, the minute you see anybody playing Bill Hale and you add that anybody is Bob De Niro, you know its him. opens in theaters October 20, 2023Source: The United States has a power line problem. In order to meet its climate goals by 2050, the country will have to expand its existing power transmission infrastructure at an unprecedented scale and pace. But a litany of challenges from a Kafkaesque regulatory process that causes interstate power line projects to fall behind by full decades to pushback from bleeding heart environmental activists and deeply red NIMBYs alike. Present estimates figure that more than a million miles of additional transition lines will be needed to prepare the grid for the renewable revolution, meaning that the current system will have to increase by two or three times its current size in just a couple of decades. The current power grid was constructed over more than a century, The New York Times recently reported. Building what amounts to a new power grid on a similar scale in a small fraction of that time is a daunting challenge. The grid as a whole will need a major facelift, which will require huge investments along with strong policy support, but power lines alone represent one of the single biggest hurdles to the United States green transition. What makes the target virtually impossible to hit is the byzantine approval process that typically includes separate reviews by every municipality and state through which a power line will pass, as well as a host of federal agencies, reports the Times. As a result of this process, the average regulatory review of renewable energy projects for approval takes about 3.5 years, but in more than one case, a single transition line has taken well over a decade to be completed. In one particularly egregious instance, the TransWest Express project took a whopping 18 years to finally get approved and is expected to take another five years to be completed. Related: Will OPEC+ Surprise The Market With Another Output Cut? Now, another major transmission line, the Greenlink West project, is facing a whole other set of roadblocks. The project aims to build a 470-mile-long transmission line crossing the whole of Nevada, with the goal of bringing clean energy from the Las Vegas area in the south of the state to Reno in the north. Although the project doesnt cross any state lines, which should significantly shorten the bureaucratic process of approval, it has nonetheless faced serious challenges. This time, the problem is slightly more unique and comes in the form of wooly mammoths, giant sloths, and ancient American camels. Dead ones, that is. The proposed transition line would cross straight through one of the countrys richest areas of ice-age fossils, the 23,000-acre Tule Springs Fossil Beds monument. As a result, conservationists have given the project a lot of pushback. While many commend the effort to expand clean energy infrastructure, they feel that the proposed project was too hastily developed, to the detriment of the monument. As Sherri Grotheer, president of the Protectors of Tule Springs Fossil Beds, told the Guardian, Sometimes knee-jerk reactions can cause unintended consequences and we know there are innumerable fossils left here, there is evidence of fossils everywhere just under the surface. [...] Its one of the most significant fossil sites in the continental US and maybe beyond, said Grotheer. Its just very cool. I just want them to look at alternative routes. There is also the concern of putting projects like this in national parks, because then you think where does this end? The tension between activists and clean energy infrastructure is not an isolated phenomenon. Meeting decarbonization goals in time to avoid climate catastrophe will require massive projects that will inevitably be disruptive to some and eyesores to others. As a result, grassroots movements against different clean energy projects have emerged from both sides of the aisle. The expansion of energy transition lines has already caught flack from such disparate groups as conservation groups, concerned citizens and fossil fuel interests, spanning across the country, from New England to the Arizona desert. The complaints against these projects are generally extremely understandable. But ultimately, time is of the essence, and reducing the time needed to develop these kinds of projects has to be shortened significantly if the United States is to have any hope of meeting its emissions targets. When each project is looked at individually, there is no shortage of areas for improvement. But writ large, the clean energy transition is a herculean effort that will require unprecedented re-imagining and re-building of existing systems and infrastructure, and make no mistake, it will often be messy. But there is no alternative. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Colombia has been locked in a vicious multiparty civil war for control of the countrys vast natural wealth, including fertile agricultural land, fossil fuels, and gold, for over six decades. It is the strife-torn countrys substantial oil and coal resources that have been at the center of that bloody struggle after a series of major discoveries during the 1980s. Allegations of collusion between Colombias government, corporations, including mining as well as oil companies, and rightwing paramilitaries to suppress organized labor and opposition to energy projects have swirled for decades. This includes claims that Colombias armed forces trained and armed paramilitary units while corporations, including national oil company Ecopetrol, financed their campaigns of intimidation and murder. The explosive testimony of former senior paramilitary commander Salvatore Mancuso, who was second in command of the United Self-defense Forces of Colombia (AUC Spanish initials), and statements from other fighters have once again put those allegations under the spotlight. In Mancusos controversial testimony (Spanish) before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP Spanish initials) he accuses major corporations, including Chiquita Brands, Coca Cola, Drummond, and Ecopetrol, of financing paramilitary groups. The JEP is a transitional justice mechanism established as part of the 2016 peace agreement with Colombias largest guerilla group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC Spanish initials). Former combatants from the FARC, Colombias armed forces, and third parties who have participated in Colombias bloody low-level asymmetric civil war, such as paramilitaries, are eligible to be investigated and tried by the tribunal. The JEP is a restorative justice mechanism designed to provide answers and where possible justice for victims of the conflict while imposing alternative penalties to prison for perpetrators. Mancuso, who was once second in command of the AUC, revealed in his testimony how energy companies (Spanish) Drummond, a U.S. coal miner, and Ecopetrol maintained lengthy financial relationships with paramilitaries. This was done in exchange for the protection of their operations from attacks by leftist guerrillas. The former paramilitary commander went on to detail how security chiefs from those companies provided the names of unionists who were then murdered by paramilitary fighters. Mancuso further alleged paramilitary units were used to intimidate as well as even murder local community leaders, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and environmental protectors opposed to energy projects. According to Mancuso, Colombias former internal security agency the Administrative Department of Security (DAS Spanish initials), police and army, provided the AUC with lists containing the names of potential targets who were believed to be guerrilla sympathizers. Related: Oil Markets On Edge Ahead Of OPEC Meeting And U.S. Debt Deadline Mancuso is not the only former paramilitary to level accusations at Drummond (Spanish) and its involvement in financing what were essentially rightwing death squads operating extra-judicially with the backing of the Colombian state. Former paramilitary Jairo de Jesus Charris Castro, who is serving a 30-year sentence for homicide, testified to the JEP in April 2023 (Spanish) about the 2001 murder of three trade unionists from Sintraminergetica, Colombias mining union. Charris alleges those killings (Spanish) were conducted at the behest of U.S multinational coal miner Drummond, which since 1985 has been operating in Colombia. Drummond holds three mining concessions with two operational coal mines, Pribbenow and Descanso in Cesar department, along with another three operations in development. The exploitation of coal, like oil, became an important economic driver for Colombia with the fossil fuel emerging by 2000 as the Andean countrys third largest export by value behind coffee and petroleum which was, and still is, the largest legal export. Coal mining was not only a lucrative industry for Colombia with, indeed, politicians including departmental governors profiting from it, but also was lucrative for miners willing to risk investing in the strife-torn country. Colombian media reported Charris saying that Drummond had established a relationship with the northern bloc of the AUC for several years. Charris asserted that the murders were ordered by company owner Gary Drummond, former World President Mike Tracey and Colombias President Augusto Jiminez Meija. He further alleged that retired Colombian Army generals and colonels, who were employed by or associated with Drummond, participated in the meetings where the murders were planned. This is not the first time that Drummond has been connected to the murders of union organizers in Colombia or accused of taking sides in Colombias long-running multiparty civil war. In a 2007 U.S. civil case, lodged by the United Steelworkers Union and International Labor Rights Fund on behalf of the families of the slain union leaders, Drummond was accused of aiding and abetting the AUC. The case was ultimately dismissed in 2012 by the U.S. District Court, an action which was affirmed by the Federal Court of Appeal in 2014. The U.S.-based coal miner asserted that the allegations are false and there is a cartel of false witnesses (Spanish) who along with Colombian and U.S. lawyers are seeking to enrich themselves by lying about its role in Colombias civil war. The allegations against Drummond by Mancuso and Charris are not an isolated example. In 2016, Colombias Attorney Generals office charged 194 local and international companies with crimes against humanity for their financing of paramilitary death squads. That included prominent national and international companies including Colombian brewer Bavaria, domestic beverage company Postobon, Coca-Cola, Chiquita Brands, and Ecopetrol. It has even been alleged that former President Alvaro Uribe, credited with successfully suppressing leftist guerrillas in Colombia and restoring a semblance of law and order to what was a violent near failed state, had connections to the AUC (Spanish). Mancuso alleges that Ecopetrol provided financing to paramilitaries in exchange for a range of undertakings. This includes the national oil companys employment of paramilitaries to suppress unionists, environmental defenders, and communities opposed to energy projects through intimidation, kidnapping, and murder. The collusion between paramilitaries and Ecopetrol focused on the strategically important city of Barrancabermeja, which is at the heart of Colombias oil industry and contains the countrys largest oil refinery. There are allegations that paramilitary units collaborating with Colombias army and now the now-defunct DAS, regularly raided neighborhoods in the city where there were believed to be civilian supporters of leftist guerrillas. Those activities purportedly reached their peak when President Uribe ordered the restructuring of Ecopetrol in 2003 to make the company more efficient, profitable, and competitive with a view to a stock market listing, which finally occurred in 2007. Mancuso asserted in his testimony that Ecopetrol made monthly payments to the illegal armed groups essentially contracting them to protect (Spanish) the Cano Limon Covenas pipeline from attacks by leftist guerrillas. Colombias oil industry was viewed as a legitimate target by the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN Spanish initials) and FARC. By the late-1980s oil companies operating in Colombia had become lucrative targets for extortion with the ELN and FARC eliciting large sums of money in exchange for not attacking wellheads, kidnapping employees or sabotaging industry infrastructure. The 220,000 barrel per day Cano Limon pipeline, which connects the Cano Limon oilfield in the Arauca Department to the Caribbean port of Covenas, was a favored target with it regularly attacked by guerrillas. After commencing operations in 1986, the pipeline had suffered over 900 attacks by 2003. Those assaults significantly impacted Colombias oil production and export volumes because the Cano Limon field, which delivered first oil in 1986, was among the strife-torn countrys most prolific oilfields. Suppressing guerilla attacks on the pipelines, wellheads and other infrastructure was crucial for Colombia to boost petroleum production and exports while attracting the capital required to develop the countrys oil resources. It was President Uribe who was responsible for developing Colombias oil industry into the major economic contributor that it is today by implementing favorable industry policies, encouraging foreign investment and removing legal, regulatory and community obstacles. Between 2002, when Uribe entered office, and 2010 when he left, Colombias oil output grew from under 600,000 barrels daily to 800,000 barrels per day the highest level since 1999. According to the U.S. EIA, it was a sharp reduction in attacks on oil pipelines, with only 31 such incidents recorded during 2010 compared to over a hundred annually during the early 2000s, that was responsible for the surge in production. Those numbers highlight how the intervention of paramilitary groups allowed Colombia to build oil production and hence valuable exports which underpinned an economic boom in the strife-torn country at a time when the military proved incapable of protecting energy assets, many of which were vulnerable to attack because they are located in remote regions. Mancuso alleges that a key method used by Ecopetrol to pay for the activities of paramilitary groups was allowing them to steal fuel through illicit valves (Spanish) attached to hydrocarbon pipelines. Officials at the national oil company would leave pumps running, despite pipelines being tapped, thereby allowing paramilitaries to extract fuel which was then sold in the underground economy. Mancuso even went on to allege that Ecopetrol supplied the required dyes to facilitate the sale of the fuel to gas stations. This method of payment is believed to have delivered millions of dollars of income to the AUC and associated paramilitary groups. Colombias leftist President Gustavo Petro recognized Mancusos claims (Spanish) stating that Ecopetrol (was) allowed to finance the paramilitaries with public resources, means that the genocidal para-militarism has been financed by the Colombian State." ADVERTISEMENT By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Colombias first-ever leftist president emerged victorious from the July 2022 election run-off after running a broad reform-based campaign with a focus on transitioning the Andean country away from a reliance on fossil fuels. This includes plans to ban hydraulic fracturing and end awarding new contracts for oil and natural gas exploration. That sparked considerable concern because Colombia is highly reliant upon petroleum which is the largest export by value while natural gas is a key source of energy domestically. Colombia was already battling a natural gas shortage with aging mature fields, low proven reserves, and a lack of hydrocarbon exploration success all weighing on supply at a time when demand for the fossil fuel is expanding at a solid clip. Those developments coupled with Petros plans to ban fracking and end hydrocarbon exploration have sparked fears that Colombias energy security is at risk. Natural gas is a key source of energy in Colombias energy mix. According to the U.S. EIA, the fuel was responsible for 28% of all energy consumed in the Andean country in 2021, and that portion is expanding. That makes natural gas the second largest source of energy consumed in the Andean country behind crude oil, at 31%, and ahead of hydroelectricity which is responsible for 22%. Consumption of natural gas in Colombia has been rising at a steady clip over the last decade. By 2017, the Andean country was consuming more natural gas than it was producing with growing demand for gas-fired electricity the key driver of soaring demand domestically. As a result, later that year Colombia started receiving the first bulk LPG imports at a specialized LPG import terminal in the Caribbean port city of Cartagena. Related: U.S. Shale Production Is Set For A Rapid Decline Colombia is highly reliant on hydroelectric plants for electricity production and a series of droughts saw water levels at those facilities decline sharply causing electricity output to plunge and leading to power shortages. In order to combat the risks posed by droughts and the impact they have on electricity production due to Colombias reliance upon hydroelectric plants, the national government in Bogota boosted the number of gas-fired power plants. The volume of gas-fired plants also grew because the previous administration of Ivan Duque viewed natural gas as a necessary transitional fuel for Colombias progression to utilizing clean renewable sources of energy. It is not only the rising use of natural gas for electricity generation that is driving surging consumption of the fossil fuel in Colombia. Natural gas is also a main source of energy for Colombian industry and households, which are responsible for 29% and 15% of domestic consumption respectively. Rising manufacturing activity and a growing young population are responsible for the increased demand for natural gas in Colombia. Household consumption of the fuel is expanding at a steady pace because it is an important affordable source of energy in a country where 39% of the population lives in poverty. There is a public policy push to transition those households burning wood, coal, and even garbage for cooking as well as heating, which has expanded significantly since the sharp rise in poverty, to natural gas, but that can only occur if supply expands, and prices fall. It isnt only the rapidly rising consumption of natural gas that is responsible for an emerging energy crisis in Colombia. Meagern proven gas reserves and declining domestic production are weighing on domestic natural gas supply and have done so for some time. At the end of 2022, Colombias proven gas reserves (Spanish) were 2.82 trillion cubic feet, which was not only 11% lower than the 3.16 trillion cubic feet reported a year earlier but also the lowest level in 17 years. The fuels proven reserves are only sufficient for another 7.5 years at the current rate of production. By March 2023 Colombias natural gas production averaged 1.065 billion cubic feet per day which was 1.5% less than a month prior and 1.2% lower year over year. There is a very real risk that Colombias natural gas reserves and production will continue declining. The strife-torn countrys current reserves are predominantly composed of minor reservoirs making them difficult to efficiently extract and leading to greater wastage when being exploited. Colombia is not enjoying a high rate of exploration success like neighboring Ecuador and Venezuela, despite claims that the Andean country possesses considerable hydrocarbon potential. There have been no world-class or significant oil or natural gas discoveries in Colombia since the 1990s. The Chuchupa Ballena Riohacha complex, located in the Guajira offshore and onshore basins, which are the principal natural gas-producing fields in Colombia, were the last significant discoveries. Chuchupa and Ballena are mature fields that have been pumping natural gas for decades. As aging fields pass peak production they are nearing the end of their productive life with their output impacted by high decline rates. Chuchupa delivered first gas in late-1979 with output peaking in 2010 at over 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Since then, production has been in terminal decline falling to around 17,600 barrels of oil equivalent per day during 2022 with output expected to plummet to 9,588 barrels of oil equivalent daily by 2029 when commercial production will end. Production at the Ballena field commenced in 1977 and peaked in 2014 at just over 10,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. By 2022, output had fallen to around 4,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily and will continue declining with commercial production expected to end during 2039. With the Chuchupa and Ballena fields responsible for a significant portion of Colombias natural gas production their declining output is sharply impacting domestic supply. It is for this reason that over the last decade, successive Colombian governments have enacted policies and industry reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment in the hydrocarbon sector, especially for natural gas exploration and development. These included tax as well as other regulatory concessions and paying a wellhead price that is significantly higher than the North American Henry Hub benchmark. This attracted a flurry of investment, especially after the industry regulator the National Hydrocarbon Authority (ANH Spanish initials) opened-up blocks off Colombias Caribbean coast. As a result, a series of offshore gas discoveries were made including the Kronos, Gorgon-1 and Purple Angel finds between 2015 and 2017. The latest are Shells August 2022 find with the Gorgon-2 exploration well on the COL-5 Block and Petrobras September 2022 discovery with the Uchuva-1 wildcat well on the Tayrona Block. As production and reserves decline Colombia is at risk of facing a natural gas crisis with the countrys energy security being compromised. That risk is magnified by Petros pledge to cease issuing new hydrocarbon exploration contracts as part of Colombias clean energy transition and reducing the countrys dependence on fossil fuels. While there was considerable speculation Bogota would not proceed with such a controversial plan, particularly after increasing its dependence on oil revenue by hiking industry taxes, the latest announcements indicate otherwise. In the Energy Ministry's declaration on hydrocarbon reserves (Spanish) Minister Irene Velez stated, "From the Government of Change we will continue with the policy of greater efficiency in existing contracts and we will continue working with the hydrocarbon sector so that offshore projects materialize. Velez went on to tell journalists at the Natural Gas conference in the northern port city of Barranquilla, "This is a clear demonstration that higher efficiency at existing contracts is the route,". Nonetheless, according to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo Velez avoided answering whether or not new exploration contracts will be awarded. While Petros government is committed to respecting those exploration and production agreements already in place, they are likely incapable of ensuring that Colombias proven gas reserves and production will meet growing domestic demand. Indeed, the countrys peak oil industry body the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP Spanish initials) estimates that as a result of Petros energy policy Colombia will be forced this decade to import up to 30% of fuel (Spanish) to cover consumption. Liquefied petroleum gas imports quadrupled during 2022 to make up for an ever-wider shortfall between domestic gas production and demand. This not only causes prices to rise impacting impoverished households but also affects a sensitive balance of payments for a fiscally stretched national government. Petros contentious plan to import gas from Venezuela to compensate for any shortfall in production appears unachievable. ADVERTISEMENT By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: The OPEC+ voluntary production cuts, on paper promising curtailments amounting to 1.66 million b/d, should have been the main story for May. Regrettably for many in the Middle East, just as participating countries were preparing to curb output, the overall market sentiment worsened greatly. First it was refinery margins that forewarned of difficulties ahead, then data on Chinese manufacturing depressed markets even further and protracted negotiations on the US debt ceiling put the icing on the bearish cake. As Middle Eastern producers were thinking of formula prices for their cargoes loading in June, they did not necessarily see the scope of the headwinds that they were up against. There was still no mention of ouching, of punishing market short-sellers and there was hope that the negative trends in market positioning could be turned around once the reality of OPEC+ production cuts brakes through the clouds. Things have taken an awkward turn, however, and clouds have been the mainstay for the regions main exporters. Chart 1. Saudi Aramcos Official Selling Prices for Asian Cargoes (vs Oman/Dubai average). Source: Saudi Aramco. Saudi Arabias national oil company Saudi Aramco has cut all its Asian formula prices for June-loading cargoes going to Asia, simultaneously ramping up the OSPs for European destinations. For Asia, the month-on-month downward revision was expected. Despite the slight increase in the Dubai cash-to-futures spread, up $0.15 per barrel compared to March, refinery margins have been in freefall throughout April and that gloom has set the sentiment for prices. Surprisingly, the biggest month-on-month drop (down $0.90 per barrel compared to May OSPs) came for Arab Heavy, a grade that saw the biggest increases in the past months, whilst Arab Light was only cut by $0.25 per barrel to a $2.55 per barrel premium vs the Oman/Dubai average. Considering the substantial pricing decrease and Saudi Arabias pledge to cut 500,000 b/d from its production targets, it might come as surprise that Saudi Aramco vowed to allocate full requested volumes to Asian customers. Assuming Aramco will cut output, this can only mean that demand for Saudi barrels is getting weaker amidst recessionary pressures. Chart 2. Formula prices of US-bound cargoes by selected grades (vs ASCI).Source: Saudi Aramco. Saudi exports to the United States have halved year-on-year so far, averaging a meagre 230,000 b/d this year, according to Kpler tracking data. Not only that, the Gulf Coast is no longer the key region for whatever remaining volumes still are delivered to the US as crude-strapped refiners in PADD 5 have been ramping up their purchases recently. Saudi OSPs have been at their highest in years and remain well above any other Middle Eastern exporter for some time already. The difference between a Basrah Medium and an Arab Medium cargo into the US Gulf Coast stands at an unbelievable $8 per barrel, even though the latters quality is only marginally better than the formers. Despite its pricing, Saudi Aramco profits fell 19% year-on-year to $31.9 billion, declining in unison with the average realized crude price that dropped to $81 per barrel in the January-March period. Related: Oil Prices Stuck Between Debt Ceiling Uncertainty And More OPEC+ Cuts Chart 3. ADNOC Official Selling Prices for 2017-2023 (set outright, here vs Oman/Dubai average). Source: ADNOC. The headache of setting official selling prices in such a volatile market is no longer there for ADNOC as its formula prices are set by the Murban contract which came in at $84.11 per barrel, up almost $5 per barrel from May. Whilst the flat prices have moved up, the weakness of light grades globally has also seep into Middle Eastern pricing as the regions main benchmark has been gradually getting closer to Murban, finishing the month at a meagre $0.71 per barrel discount to the UAE grade. This is a notable feat considering in early 2023 the same Murban-Dubai spread ticked in at around $5 per barrel. As Dubai was strengthening on the heels of the upcoming OPEC+ cuts, the UAEs other key export grade Upper Zakum finally edged nearer to Murban with its differential hiked $0.40 per barrel to a $0.70 per barrel discount. Considering Dubai was trading almost neck-to-neck to Murban in the first half of May, Upper Zakum should see further increases when the time will come for July 2023 formula prices. The other light grades Umm Lulu and Das saw only marginal changes as their quality characteristics are very similar to Murban. Chart 4. Iraqi Official Selling Prices for Asia-bound cargoes (vs Oman/Dubai). Source: SOMO. For Iraq, the fact that Turkey seems to be stalling the resolution of the Kurdish issue (at least until the second round of presidential elections is over) has been an unnecessary hindrance to the state oil marketing company SOMO. Should President Erdogan get re-elected in the second round, the resumption of exports will most probably be a matter of several weeks if not days. After all, the debts that Turkey owes the Iraqi federal government were all incurred in the Erdogan era. For its Asian buyers, SOMO decided to roll over Basrah Medium prices (quite the contrast to Saudi Aramco which cut every single Asia-bound grade) and increase Basrah Heavy formula prices by $0.10 per barrel compared to May, placing it at a -$3.30 per barrel discount to Oman/Dubai. Chart 5. Iraqi selling prices for Europe-bound cargoes (vs Dated Brent). Source: SOMO. Mirroring Saudi Aramco, SOMOs European formula prices are much more in line with the overall Middle Eastern trend. For Iraq, a downward pricing correction has been long overdue as the levelling out of Brent Dated and ICE Brent (the former is used by SOMO, the latter is used by Saudi Aramco) has rendered Iraqi barrels much cheaper than its peers. To take but one example, Basrah Medium is some $4 per barrel cheaper than Arab Heavy, despite being less sulphurous. Despite such discrepancies, Iraqi exports into Europe didnt pick up and have been hovering around the same 600,000 b/d for most of this year and even the halting of Kurdish exports failed to boost Europe-bound outflows above this level. Chart 6. Iranian Official Selling Prices for Asia-bound cargoes (vs Oman/Dubai average). Source: NIOC. ADVERTISEMENT Iran has been enjoying a surprisingly undramatic 2023 so far, with a prospective Iran nuclear deal being completely scrapped from the geopolitical agenda of the day. Enjoying a period of strong exports with monthly outflows coming in above 1 million b/d every month of the year so far, Irans authorities also claim that production has surpassed the 3 million b/d mark for the first time since late 2018. The figures came from Javad Owji, Irans oil minister, and are more some 400,000 b/d above consensus figures provided by OPEC secondary sources. Perhaps reflecting this increasing confidence, Irans national oil company NIOC has the formula price of its Iran Light grade to Asia 5 cents per barrel above Arab Light, for the first time this has happened since November 2020. Overall, Iran has followed Saudi Aramcos pricing strategy and cut its Asian OSPs by $0.20 per barrel and $0.80 per barrel, respectively for Iran Light and Iran Heavy. Chart 7. Kuwait Export Crude official selling prices into Asia, compared with Arab Medium and Iranian Heavy (vs Oman/Dubai average). Source: KPC. Kuwait has managed to bounce back from the series of hard knocks it has endured last month, restarting the second CDU of the al-Zour refinery after month-long repairs. Seeking to start up the third (and last) distillation unit of the 615,000 b/d refinery in June-July, Kuwait might finally be reaching that point when all its capacity is at last commissioned. As Kuwaiti exports continue to decline and currently are some 200,000 b/d below the 1.8 million b/d average of 2022, the ramp-up of al-Zour is set to shrink crude availability even further. As for formula prices of Kuwaiti crude in June, the state oil company KPC lowered its Kuwait Export Crude OSPs to Asian customers by $0.70 per barrel to a $1.70 per barrel premium vs the Oman/Dubai average. With this, Kuwaits pricing changes were more modest than Saudi Aramcos hikes for Arab Medium and Arab Heavy, a trend that was also reflected in KPC increasing Europe-bound cargoes by $0.50 per barrel, half the Saudi increases to European customers. By Gerald Jansen for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. CLEVELAND Mary Lamar had been searching for a job that was a good fit. She worked for a time as a nursing assistant but found it boring. A stint as a shipyard welder ended because she could no longer bear the winter cold. Then Lamar had what she described as a "rift" in her life. That rift led her to plead guilty to robbery in 2019 and to serve time in prison. Now Lamar, who lives in Cleveland, operates a stamping press, churning out thousands of specialty metal washers each day at Talan Products, a local manufacturer. "I've always been mechanically inclined," she said. "My mom told me I should have been an engineer.'' Lamar got her job through a program developed by business and community leaders with help from philanthropy to match people of color, women, and formerly incarcerated people with manufacturing jobs. Manufacturers in Cleveland and other cities, including Buffalo, Chicago, and Milwaukee, are dealing with a retiring workforce that's left thousands of jobs unfilled. Nationally, the industry's job gap is projected to hit 2 million by 2030, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. The Cleveland region has an estimated 10,000 manufacturing job openings. By diversifying their job ranks, Cleveland-area manufacturers also hope to improve communities left behind as plants closed or moved to the suburbs. And now with $5 million in federal stimulus money, they expect to help create thousands of new manufacturing jobs over the next few years. Philanthropy is investing millions of dollars in the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network, a Cleveland nonprofit consulting group that's leading the hiring push. The nonprofit offers adult training and high-school internships. The Cleveland Foundation has given $2.5 million as a capital building grant to the nonprofit and to help it set up the internships. Giving from foundations and nonprofits groups has leveraged millions of dollars in public funds, said Ethan Karp, CEO of the manufacturing nonprofit. The nonprofit has helped manufacturers here hire several hundred employees and interns in recent years. While that's not nearly enough to ease the job crunch, a major expansion is underway with plans to train and hire about 3,000 workers by 2025 using the federal stimulus money. Manufacturing remains an economic pillar in Northeast Ohio, despite a half century of plant closings and layoffs. The industry still employs more than 270,000 workers in a 21-county region, but it struggles to find enough workers. Most job openings are entry-level, but others are in engineering, computing, and data analysis. A national emphasis on college over vocational education has squeezed the pipeline of talent to the industry, which many still perceive as a dark and dirty business, even with the rise of automation and technology. Meanwhile, some communities in large manufacturing cities have little access or exposure to the industry even as they experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Another program supported by the Cleveland Foundation is the manufacturing nonprofit's highschool internship program, Early College, Early Career. Students like high-school senior Kyren Lewis divide time between school and training. Lewis works at Lincoln Electric, a welding-equipment manufacturer. He's among 29 students, including five women, enrolled in the paid internship program. Training in manufacturing lifts the job skills of Clevelanders, builds wealth, and makes the city's work force more attractive to business, said Bishara Addison, director of job preparation for the Fund for Our Economic Future, an alliance of funders that contributed to the new center and helps fund the manufacturing nonprofit's operations. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. CAPITOL RIOT WASHINGTON Two Army veterans who stormed the U.S. Capitol in a military-style formation with fellow members of the Oath Keepers were sentenced Friday to prison terms, a day after the far-right extremist group's founder received a record-setting 18-years behind bars in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Jessica Watkins of Woodstock, Ohio, to eight years and six months behind bars and sentenced Kenneth Harrelson of Titusville, Florida, to four years in prison. A federal jury acquitted Watkins and Harrelson of the seditious conspiracy charge that Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was found guilty of in November. Jurors convicted Watkins and Harrelson of other charges, including obstructing Congress' certification of President Joe Biden's victory. Rhodes' 18-year term is the longest prison sentence handed down so far in the hundreds of Capitol riot cases. The charges against leaders of the Oath Keepers and another extremist group, the Proud Boys, are among the most serious in the Justice Department's investigation of the riot. Mehta agreed with the Justice Department that Rhodes and the other Oath Keepers' actions could be punished as "terrorism," increasing the recommended sentence under federal guidelines. The judge ultimately gave Watkins and Harrelson far less time than prosecutors sought. The Justice Department requested 18 years for Watkins and 15 for Harrelson. The two marched toward the Capitol with other Oath Keepers members in "stack" formations as a mob of Trump supporters clashed with police officers. Harrelson was the group's "ground team lead" on Jan. 6. Watkins, who formed a separate Ohio-based militia group, recruited others to join the Oath Keepers in Washington that day. Mehta said that while Watkins was not a top leader, she was more than just a "foot soldier," noting at least three others charged in the riot wouldn't have been there if she hadn't recruited them to join. Watkins tearfully apologized for her actions before the judge handed down her sentence. She also condemned rioters' violence against police. Harrelson told the judge he went to Washington after another Oath Keeper offered him a "security job," but said he never voted for a president in his life and doesn't care about politics. "I have totally demolished my life," he said as he broke down in tears. "I am responsible, and my foolish actions have caused immense pain to my wife and our children." Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. WASHINGTON Phoenix retiree Saundra Cole has been watching the news about the debt limit negotiations in Washington with dismay and limiting her air conditioning use to save money just in case her monthly Social Security check is delayed due to a default. For her, air conditioning is no small thing in a city where the average daily high hits 94 degrees in May. If the government can't make good on its obligations, she says, I would be devastated. What Im worried about is food banks and electricity here because you know, weve had deaths with seniors because of the heat, says Cole. Politicians in Washington may be offering assurance that the government will figure out a way to avert default, but around the country, economic anxiety is rising and some people already are adjusting their routines. Government beneficiaries, social service groups that receive state and federal subsidies and millions more across the country are contemplating the possibility of massive and immediate cuts if the U.S. were to default on its financial obligations. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned last week that a default would destroy jobs and businesses, and leave millions of families who rely on federal government payments to likely go unpaid, including Social Security beneficiaries, veterans and military families. A default could cause widespread suffering as Americans lose the income that they need to get by, she said. The number of people potentially impacted is huge. According to the Census Bureau, in 2020 roughly 35% of U.S. households included someone receiving Social Security benefits, 36% received Medicaid benefits and more than 13% of the total population received food stamps. A recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 66% of Americans said theyre very or extremely concerned about the impact on the U.S. economy if the debt limit is not raised and the government defaults, though only 21% said theyre following the debate closely. Robert Gault, 63, who depends on a $1,900 monthly Social Security disability payment, says an economic default would make life so real awfully hard on me. The former longtime factory worker from Bradford, Pennsylvania, said he suffers from chronic back pain caused by degenerating disks in his spine. He hasn't made any drastic changes to the way he lives, but said, I'm more conscientious of everything and I think about everything I do now. Negotiations between the president and congressional leaders are down to the wire as they try to break an impasse. GOP lawmakers have been pressing for spending cuts in exchange for agreeing to increase the government's borrowing authority and President Joe Biden wanted a clean debt ceiling increase without conditions. Without a deal, the U.S. could default as soon as June 1, according to Yellen. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was asked Monday if people should start preparing for default, and insisted no, no, no, no. But people on fixed incomes and organizations that serve the poor are bracing for a potential debt default that would deal an overwhelming blow to their finances. Clare Higgins, executive director of Community Action Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts, said demand at the organization's food banks has skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic, and is growing again. With a possible debt default, she said, she's seeing more demand for food from the three pantries that the organization either runs or financially supports. "Yes, demand has gone up but it was already up before," she said. We're already behind the eight-ball in what we're able to pay teachers, she said of the organization's head start and early learning programs. William Howell, a political science professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, said the notion of older people and recipients of government benefits doomsday prepping for disruptions every time budget season comes around is symptomatic of a dysfunctional democracy. Its not how a healthy democracy handles its business, he said, adding that the consequences of the brinksmanship will impact the government's ability to function and plan in coming years. In this era of hyper-polarization, the way you get compromise is walking right up to the edge of economic catastrophe and threatening default on the other side we have a president almost threatening to invoke the 14th Amendment to do away with the debt ceiling," he said. This is the stuff of partisan politics." At the Kids' Stop Learning Center in Rome, Georgia, Lance Elam, owner of the family business that has been in operation since 1984, says hes not worried that a default will actually occur. But he still has done the calculation on how long operations could last without the subsidies that the organization receives for its three locations in Rome and Cartersville, Georgia. We have enough liquid funds to carry on for six to eight months, he said, adding that state and federal funds helped the Kids' Stop Learning Center stay in business through the pandemic. We have so many kids on our waiting list, he said, that the center would likely begin dropping kids who couldn't pay without subsidies and prioritize families that can pay out of pocket. 10 states where inflation is hitting the hardest 10 states where inflation is hitting the hardest National outlook: Southern states are among those struggling the most #10. Connecticut #9. Florida #8. Arkansas #7. Texas #6. New Mexico #5. Alabama #4. Nevada #3. Oklahoma #2. Louisiana #1. Mississippi Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Omahas electric utility will consider a $2 billion expansion proposal next month to meet unprecedented energy needs, and electric bills are likely to go up to pay for it. Officials say a mix of residential, business and industrial growth has sparked a need for the Omaha Public Power District to quickly increase energy production. And it appears data centers are major drivers of these new power demands. OPPD expects that its peak energy load will increase at a rate of about 100 megawatts each year for the foreseeable future. Thats the equivalent of adding about 65 metro area high schools or midsize hospitals in just one year, according to the utility. OPPD has a plan to prepare for that need, but it wont come cheap. The plan calls for a capital investment of more than $2 billion in OPPDs infrastructure. While exact numbers are yet to be determined, rate increases could range from 2.5% to 3% each year from 2027 to 2030, totaling 10% to 11% by 2030. OPPD President and CEO Javier Fernandez put the Omaha areas growing energy needs into perspective during a recent board meeting of the public utility. Less than five years ago, OPPDs annual energy growth was about four megawatts per year. Soon it will be 100MW, he said. People are moving to the state, people are building homes, businesses are expanding, new businesses are moving into the state, Fernandez said. Energy consumption is expected to grow across commercial, industrial and residential classes with industrial customers expected to increase the most. In 2022, the industrial class made up about 36% of the utilitys energy sales. That share is expected to rise to 57% by 2032, according to a presentation shared during an OPPD committee meeting. The main reason: data centers. They are predicted to account for roughly two-thirds of all growth. Data centers are one of the most energy-intensive building types, consuming 10 to 50 times as much energy per square foot as the commercial office building, according to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Demand for data increased significantly during the COVID pandemic as employees and students went remote. Demand for data storage also has increased as new technology, artificial intelligence and virtual reality expands. Energy consumption by data centers has exploded over the past decade, said Ryan Wishart, a Creighton assistant professor whose research includes environmental politics. Wishart estimates that a typical data center, which uses more than 100 megawatts of electricity, has about the same power usage as 41,667 average OPPD residential customers. The increase in electrical consumption has prompted campaigns by environmental groups to pressure large tech companies, including Google, Facebook and Amazon, to commit to buying enough renewable energy to cover 100% of their consumption, Wishart said. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is one example. The company opened a data center in Sarpy County in 2019 and expanded to 4 million square feet of space last year. The Facebook facility is supported by 100% renewable energy, made possible by investments in wind energy, and thanks in part to a wind farm in Dixon County in northeast Nebraska. Meanwhile, in October 2019, Google broke ground on a $600 million data center in Papillion and has announced the opening of a northwest Omaha data center in 2022 and an expansion in 2023. The tech giant has pledged to meet 100% of the power they use through renewable sources 24 hours a day by 2030. In practice, however, these facilities may need to pull energy from multiple sources. Data centers draw power from the grid 24 hours a day, whether solar and wind energy they buy is being produced or not. They can cause utilities to burn more fossil fuels to meet their needs, Wishart said. Those emissions dont go away just because they pay for more solar than they actually use the next day or week to try to balance the numbers out. Booming development and data centers will combine with another factor driving the projected energy increase. The Southwest Power Pool, a regional transmission group that OPPD belongs to, last year increased its planned reserve margin, or the energy generation amount needed beyond the utilitys peak energy need, from 12% to 15%. OPPD needs to increase its capacity to meet this requirement. To handle future demand, OPPDs proposed energy generation plan calls for 1,000 to 1,500 megawatts of renewables (wind and solar), which would include generation from the utilitys previously approved Power with Purpose effort. The plan also includes up to 125 megawatts of battery storage, 600 to 950 megawatts of thermal power (such as natural gas), at least 32 megawatts of demand response (shifting or shedding electricity demand to help balance the grid) and approximately 320 megawatts of added fuel capability and fuel oil storage at existing generation facilities essentially, upgrading current facilities to allow for additional capacity during winter and extreme conditions. All told, the proposed expansion represents a massive increase in OPPDs ability to generate power. Its taken us almost eight decades to build what we have today, Fernandez told the board. And these additional resources that were going to ask the board to consider for approval next month, were nearly going to double the current generation capabilities. While the plan does include some renewable power generation, some people feel its not enough. Theyre moving much faster on their promises of fossil fuels than they are on clean energy, said David Corbin, the Nebraska Sierra Clubs energy committee chair. The Sierra Club would like to see what the group calls smart growth, including support for building codes that require energy efficiency and sustainable construction materials. In public health and medicine, we say uncontrolled growth is cancer, Corbin said. Theres a difference between good growth and growth for growth sake. OPPD board members are scheduled to consider the plan during their June 15 meeting. No public hearing is planned, but more information on generation needs, proposed plans and opportunity for public comments can be found at OPPDCommunityConnect.com. A listening session hosted by OPPD Board President Eric Williams also is planned for June 5 at 5 p.m. at the Fontenelle Park Pavilion, 4407 Fontenelle Blvd. In 2019, OPPD launched Power with Purpose, a plan that sought to add solar power and natural gas to meet load growth through 2026. Those projects have added to OPPDs energy generation, but the utility still needs to fill a gap, Fernandez said. We dont have enough generation today to serve all the requirements that we have from customers who want to move in and begin service really, really fast, Fernandez said. We have to now talk to those large customers and tell them: Yes, we can serve. Yes, we are open for business. But give us a little bit of time. Current projects that support this work include new Standing Bear Lake Station and Turtle Creek Station natural gas facilities. A utility-scale solar array is also being built at the Platteview facility. The projects are on schedule and working through the federal regulatory approval process, according to OPPD. Its not going to be easy. Its not going to be cheap. Its not going to be fast. But we need to do this to really show up for Nebraska, Fernandez told board members. We need to make sure that we continue to be the economic engine that powers this amazing state of ours, he said. All the way from the Panhandle to the Missouri River, we are growing like weve never been. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2023 Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. KYIV, Ukraine Russia's southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine came under attack Friday from Ukrainian artillery fire, mortar shells and drones, authorities said, hours after two drones struck a Russian city in an area next to the annexed Crimea Peninsula. Moscow's forces, meanwhile, struck a building containing psychology and veterinary clinics in the city of Dnipro, in central Ukraine, killing two people and wounding 30, including two children, Ukrainian officials said. Video released by regional Gov. Serhiy Lysak showed fire engulfing the three-story building that appeared almost destroyed, with only parts of a wall standing, as firefighters battled the flames. A Russian S-300 missile hit a dam in the Karlivka district of Donetsk province in eastern Ukraine, threatening nearby settlements with flooding. The town of Graivoron in Russia's Belgorod region, more than 4 miles from the Ukrainian border, came under fire for several hours, damaging four houses, a store, a car, a gas pipeline and a power line, Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov reported. Closer to the frontier, a recreation center, a shop and an empty house were damaged in the village of Glotovo. One woman was wounded when nearby Novaya Tavolzhanka was shelled, Gladkov said. Earlier this week, the Belgorod region was the target of one of the most serious cross-border attacks from Ukraine since the war began 15 months ago. Details of the raid were murky. Russia blamed the Ukrainian armed forces, but two Russian groups said they were involved, with the aim of bringing down Russian President Vladimir Putin. Officials in Russia's southern city of Krasnodar, in the region of the same name bordering Crimea, said two drones struck there. Witnesses told local media they heard something like the sound of a moped and then two explosions. The blasts smashed a hole in the roof of one building and blew out windows in an apartment building. "We just went to bed and then there was such a strong, terrible boom," resident Tatiana Safonova said. "We ran outside. There were people running, but nothing else was going on." She said described the sound beforehand "like a growling, noisy moped driving by." Krasnodar regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev wrote on Telegram that there were no casualties and while some buildings were damaged, essential infrastructure was unharmed. Krasnodar Mayor Yevgeny Naumov said a residential building and an office building were damaged. Drone attacks against Russian border regions have been a regular occurrence since the start of the invasion in February 2022, with attacks increasing last month. Earlier this month, an oil refinery in Krasnodar was attacked by drones on two straight days. Ukraine's Defense Ministry on Thursday published video that appeared to show a marine drone heading for Russia's Ivan Khurs reconnaissance ship in the Black Sea. The video didn't show the drone hitting the ship. The video followed reports by Russia's Defense Ministry on Wednesday that Ukraine launched an unsuccessful attack on the Ivan Khurs using three unmanned speedboats, with all three destroyed prior to reaching the ship. Moscow released video allegedly showing the destruction of one of the marine drones. At a meeting in Estonia, German and Baltic leaders played down concerns about fighting spilling over into Russia. "Russia attacked Ukraine, and so Ukraine can defend itself," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. "It is clear that the weapons we have delivered will only be used on Ukrainian territory." Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas noted "Ukraine does not have any wish to invade Russia," and Lithuanian Prime Minster Ingrida Simonyte added: "I'm somewhat puzzled by the worry of Russia, because Russia is at war so it's quite strange to think that the war can only be in that other territory that you invaded." In Moscow, China's special envoy Li Hui met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and they exchanged "opinions on the situation around Ukraine and prospects for resolving the conflict," according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Lavrov cited "serious obstacles to the resumption of peace talks created by the Ukrainian side and its Western handlers," the statement said, but it did not disclose what Li said or proposed. Li visited Kyiv earlier this month. Chinese leader Xi Jinping's government says it's neutral and wants to serve as mediator in the conflict, but has supported Moscow politically. Beijing released a proposed peace plan in February, but Ukraine's allies largely dismissed it, insisting that Putin must first withdraw his forces. At least two civilians were killed and three others wounded in Russian attacks on Ukraine in the previous 24 hours, the Ukrainian president's office reported Friday. Late Friday, officials in the Russian-held sector of Donetsk reported two missile strikes on the city of Mariupol, where a monthslong siege early in the war left much of the city in ruins. Russia's state news agency Tass cited an unnamed official as saying the missiles were long-range Storm Shadows, which the United Kingdom delivered to Ukraine this month. US Army under gun to make more ammo for Ukraine Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) The U.S. government can keep using chemical retardant dropped from aircraft to fight wildfires, despite finding that the practice pollutes streams in western states in violation of federal law, a judge ruled Friday. Halting the use of the red slurry material could have resulted in greater environmental damage from wildfires, said U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen in Missoula, Montana. The judge agreed with U.S. Forest Service officials who said dropping retardant into areas with waterways was sometimes necessary to protect lives and property. The ruling came after came after environmentalists sued following revelations that the Forest Service dropped retardant into waterways hundreds of times over the past decade. Government officials say chemical fire retardant can be crucial to slowing the advance of dangerous blazes. Wildfires across North America have grown bigger and more destructive over the past two decades as climate change warms the planet. More than 200 loads of retardant got into waterways over the past decade. Federal officials say those situations usually occurred by mistake and in less than 1% of the thousands of loads annually. A coalition that includes Paradise, California where a 2018 blaze killed 85 people and destroyed the town had said a court ruling that stopped the use of retardant would have put lives, homes and forests at risk. This case was very personal for us, Paradise Mayor Greg Bolin said. Our brave firefighters need every tool in the toolbox to protect human lives and property against wildfires, and todays ruling ensures we have a fighting chance this fire season. State and local agencies lean heavily on the U.S. Forest Service to help fight fires, many of which originate or include federal land. Fire retardant is a specialized mixture of water and chemicals including inorganic fertilizers or salts. Its designed to alter the way fire burns, making blazes less intense and slowing their advance. That can give firefighters time to steer flames away from inhabited areas and in extreme situations to evacuate people from danger. Retardant lasts and even works if its dry, said Scott Upton, a former region chief and air attack group supervisor for Californias state fire agency. Water is only so good because it dries out. It does very well to suppress fires, but it wont last. The Oregon-based group Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics argued in its lawsuit filed last year that the Forest Service was disregarding the Act by continuing to use retardant without taking adequate precautions to protect streams and rivers. Christensen said stopping the use of fire retardant would conceivably result in greater harm from wildfires including to human life and property and to the environment. The judge said his ruling was limited to 10 western states where members of the plaintiff's group alleged harm from pollution into waterways that they use. After the lawsuit was filed the Forest Service applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for a permit that would allow it to continue using retardant without breaking the law. The process could take several years. Such a permit could require tighter restrictions on when retardant could be used or for officials to use less-toxic chemicals, said Andy Stahl with Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics. It's certainly a good first step, Stahl said. Christensen ordered federal officials to report every six months on their progress. Forest Service spokesperson Wade Muehlhof said the agency believes retardant can be used without compromising public health and the environment. The Forest Service is working diligently with the Environmental Protection Agency on a general permit for aerially delivered retardant that will allow us to continue using wildfire retardant to protect homes and communities, Muehlhof said. Climate change, people moving into fire-prone areas, and overgrown forests are creating more catastrophic megafires that are harder to fight. Almost 150 million gallons (567 million liters) of fire retardant were dropped on National Forest lands between 2013 and 2022, according to the Department of Agriculture. Retardant drops onto forests in California accounted for 49% of the total volume. Health risks to firefighters or other people who come into contact with fire retardant are considered low, according to a 2021 risk assessment. But the chemicals can be harmful to some fish, frogs, crustaceans and other aquatic species. A government study found misapplied retardant could adversely affect dozens of imperiled species, including crawfish, spotted owls and fish such as shiners and suckers. Forest Service officials said they are trying to come into compliance with the law by getting a pollution permit but that could take years. To keep streams from getting polluted, officials in recent years have avoided drops inside buffer zones within 300 feet (92 meters) of waterways. Retardant may only be applied inside those zones when human life or public safety is threatened. Of 213 instances of fire retardant landing in water between 2012 and 2019, 190 were accidents and the remainder were necessary to save lives or property, officials said. Many areas of the Western U.S. experienced heavy snowfalls this past winter, and as a result fire dangers are lower than in recent years across much of the region. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Twenty years ago, the town of Haigler didnt have a single museum. Fast forward to today, and the town of about 150 people known as the cornerstone of Nebraska or the place where the borders of Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska intersect has a complex of museums that covers half a city block. Theres a country schoolhouse museum, an old filling station, an art house and the Cornerstone Museum all run by volunteers. Its part of keeping this part of Nebraska alive and well for the future, Haigler resident LaNeta Carlock said of the museums. Carlock said visitors are amazed at whats happening in the small rural community thats rich in history. Its also a beautiful countryside, especially at night. We have beautiful night skies, Carlock said. Many, many stars. Haigler is just one of the many towns and cities across the state participating in the 2023 WanderNebraska Travel Adventure Program. The program is put together by the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation and kicks off this Memorial Day weekend. The program, which is in its second year, increases awareness of what is found in the local sites along Nebraskas backroads and in communities that are often overlooked by the typical tourist, a press release said. The program begins this weekend and runs through May 2024. This year, 150 organizations from around the state are participating. Theres a lot to see out there, said Leslie Fattig, executive director of the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation. The foundation raises money in support of the cause of history, including projects of History Nebraska. Nebraska already has a popular travel program, Nebraska Passport, which encourages people to get out and visit the states hidden gems. Unlike that program, WanderNebraska is specifically focused on museums, historical societies and libraries although some of the locations have appeared on both lists. There is no paper booklet for the WanderNebraska stops. Instead, information about all the stops, their hours of operation, contact information, a map and list of nearby stops can be found at wandernebraska.com. They all have a story to tell, said Sue Quambusch of the stops on the list. Quambusch is the director of special projects for the foundation. Theres just so much to do out in Nebraska when you get off I-80, she said. To help people plan their trips, the state is broken into seven regions. The idea is visitors will slow down and check out other spots and explore what these cities, towns and villages have to offer. In the programs Lewis and Clark Trailhead region is the Angel De Cora Museum and Research Center. It is the official museum of the Winnebago Tribe, and visitors can learn tribal history and see the work of past and present artists. The 1840s-era Florence Mill is in Omaha in the programs Heartland Hub region. Built of timber from a mill the Mormons used during the 1840s Winter Quarters encampment, the restored structure is home to a museum with a history of the Mormons and the mill. Visitors will have to schedule appointments to see some spots on the list, like the Angel De Cora Museum. Many of the museums and historical sites are run by volunteers who have other jobs and rely on donations to keep going. That volunteerism is also why Fattig and Quambusch said WanderNebraska comes with a caveat. Its about the survival of our history, Fattig said of the program. Its about the preservation of these community histories that are so important. Some of the museums featured on the list are run by people in their 70s and 80s who want their museums to continue but cant make that happen on their own. Theyre looking for younger people in their area to learn from them and then take over the reins of the artifacts, the museums, Quambusch said. Maybe WanderNebraska will create more interest in the museums in order to keep them open for the next generation or two. Were hoping this program helps, Fattig said. With 150 stops on the list this year, the program has more than five times the number of stops as last year. Some places, like Falls City, have multiple stops on the list. The citys stops include the John Philip Falter Museum. Falter, a graduate of Falls City High School, was a world-renowned illustrator. The museum features his Philadelphia studio, a collection of his 129 Saturday Evening Post magazine covers and more. Dobey Falter Haws, who helps run the museum, said the museum has been featured on Nebraska Passport in the past and hopes participating in the WanderNebraska program will encourage more people to come see Falters work. More than that, Falter Haws and others organizing and participating in WanderNebraska want Nebraskans to explore different parts of the state. We need to preserve our shared history, Fattig said. This is our effort to do so. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2023 Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Parts of southwest Nebraska saw heavy rain Friday morning that led to flash flooding that closed several highways as well as a state park. McCook, in Red Willow County, had officially received more than 6 inches of rain as of 1 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a flash-flood warning for the northwestern part of the county. The weather service said U.S. Highway 83 south of McCook was underwater. There were reports of more than 7 inches in Wauneta in Chase County. The Dundy County Sheriff's Office posted on social media that several roads were closed as of Friday afternoon and were likely to stay that way for days, including Nebraska Highway 61, which it said was underwater. The Sheriff's Office also reported that a bridge was out on Max-Wauneta road, which runs north and south between the two towns. In Hayes County, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission temporarily closed the Frenchman Wildlife Management Area north of Palisade on Friday. The commission said in a press release that the road leading into the area was flooded, as were parts of the park. "These conditions are dangerous for guests, as well as Nebraska Game and Parks employees," the press release said. Police detectives from the Lagos State Command have arrested a 32-year old lady, Ijeoma Iwegue, for allegedly conspiring and swindling a financial company, Flutterwave Technologies Solution Limited, to the tune of N2.9Bn in two days. P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Ijeoma Iwegue and her accomplice, now at large, unlawfully logged into the financial portal of Flutterwave Technologies Solution Limited and fraudulently transferred the said money between 5th and 7th February, 2023. According to the Police, the suspect perfected the plan and transferred the money from the companys portal without any trace and it took several days before the company later discovered. The matter was reported to the Police. The operatives moved into action and later arrested Ijeoma while her accomplice escaped and is now at large. She was detained, interrogated and then found culpable for swindling the company to the tune of such huge amount of money within the said period and escaped. She has been charged before the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos for alleged conspiracy and fraud on a three-count charge under the Criminal Laws of the State. The Prosecuting Counsel, A. O Nwabueze, told the Court that Iwegue and one other still at large committed the offences on 5th and 7th February, 2023 at Plot 8, Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, by unlawfully logging into the financial portal of the company and siphoning the money. The prosecutor further told the Court that the defendant allegedly made transfers to several cohorts and investigations showed that she received the total sum of N821 million into two separate account numbers. The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offence Act 2006 and punishable under Sections 314 and 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. She pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned. The prosecutor then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since she pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that she actually committed the alleged offence. If she was alive today, Prof. Sophie Oluwole would have been brimming with smile, she would have been grinning from ear to ear because I had inserted the Yoruba word Omoluwabi to the tittle of this article. Prof. Oluwole of blessed memory, who was a consistent figure in the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos. Everybody in the Faculty knew her and her ways. She usually frowned at people for quoting European or American philosophers, sayings or idioms in articles. For her, Africans, especially Yorubas, have more than enough philosophers, philosophies and wise sayings to use in garnishing any piece of writing. Now to my topic: Pastor Umo Eno is many things to many people, but there is no doubt that he is the kind of man that the Yorubas will call Omoluwabi. An Omoluwabi is a person of honour who believes in hard work, respects the rights of others and gives to the community in deeds and action. In addition, an Omoluwabi is a person of integrity. Omoluwabi translates to that person who is a paragon of excellence in character. Some of the principles usually exhibited by an Omoluwabi include: wisdom in the use of words, respect, compassion, truth, bravery and intelligence. If we consider all these traits of an Omoluwabi, no one can argue that Pastor Umo Eno fits the bill perfectly, and Akwa Ibom is lucky to have such a man as Governor-elect. From a very humble background, Pastor Eno began life in the barracks. His father, a police officer, died when he was finding his way in the world and thus, he had to grow up quickly. When his mates left secondary and went on to higher institutions, he had to work to eke a living and augment the income of his parents. So a lot of people, in todays political arena, who have enjoyed what is now known as the soft life cannot relate to his kind of situation. They think it is odd for one to leave secondary school and bag a university degree 20 years later! Pastor Eno had no hesitation putting his personal wants, aspirations and goals in abeyance and that was the Omoluwabi ethos at play. For those who dont know, after working for years, rising to the position of Group General Manager, he started his own business, Royalty Hotel, from scratch and has built it into a conglomerate of businesses, called Royalty Group. His trajectory can be traced. He did not come into sudden wealth through government contracts or inherit wealth, he worked his way to the top through painstaking hard work, focus and the grace of God. He was at a time the second highest employer of labour after the state government and very few people knew him. He was savouring his busy but private life and enjoying his time as a seasoned entrepreneur, committed Church shepherd, dedicated father and grandfather. When he was invited to become Executive Director, Directorate of Agricultural Investment, Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation by Governor Udom Emmanuel, he gave it his very best. One of his major achievements in the course of that assignment was the enumeration of all farmers in the state. He thought that he would quickly conclude that duty like he did under Governor Victor Attah, when he was appointed Chairman, Akwa Ibom Hotels & Tourism Board and return to his normal life without drama. That was not to be because not too long after, he was made Commissioner of Lands and Water Resources and even given the mandate to set up Ibom FADAMA Microfinance Bank. As Board Chairman, he helped midwife the bank. It was barely one year in that office, that everything changed. While some were busy telling everyone that the position of governor was Ogun mi ni (It is my inheritance) and others were shouting emi lo kan (It is my turn) . Pastor Eno was probably humming some part of the refrain in Evangelist Ebenezer Obeys popular song, Aimasiko, where the legendary musician sang, O ro mi lowo Oluwa lo wa (My destiny is in Gods hands) Indeed, God changed the whole course of Pastor Enos life on January 30, 2022, when as he had promised, Governor Udom Emmanuel declared to a hall filled with Akwa Iboms creme de la creme that God has revealed that his successor will be Pastor Umo Eno. Immediately the announcement was made that Sunday evening, the naysayers went to work. First, they queried the reason he had to kneel down to greet his political father, the governor. They made so much hullabaloo over the picture. Pastor Umo did not say a word. Like an Omoluwabi, he knows full well what it is to be respectful and give respect to whom it is due. The next line of attack was body shaming. He was said to be too fair-skinned. Imagine? Anyway, at her birthday thanksgiving service, his dear wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno openly declared that his traducers can call him whatever, but he is her Golden Boy! The narrative changed immediately. What they thought would be used derisively, became a positive and popular sing song. The moniker has stuck till today. That was not all, they claimed that a man who was Senior Prefect in his Victory High School, did not attend the school or possess a WAEC certificate. How preposterous! The certificate lie, as laughable as it seemed, was taken all the way to the Supreme Court by a PDP aspirant and I am told that in the history of the state, no candidate has faced the avalanche of court cases that Pastor Umo Eno has faced. Just imagine a man which such a sterling reputation and pedigree being riddled with all manner of nasty and hurtful lies. Despite all the attacks, as an Omoluwabi, he was the one urging his supporters and campaign team to sheath the sword. He consistently told them to steer clear of any negative narrative and he too stayed on message. He must have told himself that this assignment is bigger than himself, it is for the good of all and meant to connect the dots, while furthering peace and prosperity in the state. Truth be told, Pastor Umo Eno was the hardest working candidate. Despite being from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is the dominant party in the state, he took nothing to chance. He began by paying consultation visits to prominent indigenes, political leaders, religious fathers and traditional rulers. He visited all three Senatorial Districts more than once in the course of the campaign. Early enough as a man of vision, he gathered a team of experts and shared his thoughts about his aspirations for the state. Those forward-looking ideas were encapsulated in an economic blueprint document called the ARISE Agenda. ARISE stands for Agricultural revolution, Rural development, Infrastructural maintenance/advancement, Security management & Educational advancement. According to the document, he wants to expand and encourage Agri-business, create food security and sufficiency. Invest in crop, fishery and animal husbandry from raw material production, processing, off-taking, complete with storage and delivery facilities. While also exploring the huge job and wealth creation benefits of the blue economy. Being a tourism investor, he wants to develop the shoreline for tourism purpose and make the state a tourists haven and hub. His target is to ensure people come and spend their money in the state. He is very keen on rural development, women and youth empowerment and intends to stem the tide of rural-urban drift by providing facilities and incentives in the rural areas.. He believes that a secure environment is a fertile ground for growth and investments. It is also a fertile ground for sound ideas. Therefore, security will be a major priority. His plans also include skills development and support for SMEs, while creating a conducive environment for investors to thrive. His agenda also involves a deliberate policy of training people to fit into strategic sectors to ensure that available jobs are taken up by Akwa Ibomites. A more efficient and purpose-driven public service is also part of his plan. For Pastor Umo Eno, all he wants to see is a big leap in the economic wellbeing of the people. He was the first candidate to make his people-centered vision public, a sign that he is a man of more action, less talk. Little wonder that when he was asked why he settled for Pastor Eno, in a February 2022 interview, Governor Udom stated confidently: We were looking for my successor not a surrogate and he fits the bill. Umo Eno is a highly respected person; he has enormous capacity, is an epitome of humility, and is blessed with the common touch, a compelling story and is God-fearing. He is a successful entrepreneur who has employed our people, lifted thousands from poverty to prosperity. He has an economic blueprint that will further guarantee employment. His life story resonates with the story of most ordinary Akwa Ibom people. Governor Udom was spot on about his assessment because this serial investor is a man with competence, capacity, character and above all, compassion. He is a serious-minded achiever, and that is why immediately after filling out and submitting his nomination forms, he again set up a body of experts who went round the LGAs on a needs assessment 6 Perhaps drawing from his experience as a Rotarian and member of Rotary International, he knows full well that by delivering projects that communities desire, he will be impacting their lives significantly and also ensuring sustainability of such a project. He was therefore well informed when he began his campaign. He went to all 31 LGAs and each time, hit the mark with his message. He also visited critical organisations and groups, rounding it off with a bus tour. No other candidate achieved that feat. It was no surprise therefore, that his victory was overwhelming. Despite the fact that the people spoke loudly and clearly on March 18, 2023, he immediately extended a hand of friendship to all, as an Omoluwabi. His effort at rapprochement has been accepted by some, while others have gone to the tribunal to regurgitate worn out pre-election issues. Though his olive branch is being rebuffed, he has remained cool and calm. The reason for his cool mien could have been explained by Prof. Oluwole as Pastor Eno showing his traducers that Bi bi re o se fo wo ra , meaning, good upbringing or breeding is priceless. It cannot be bought with money. Thus, because of his upbringing and parental training, as they go low, he, as Michelle Obama stated, has decided to go high. As he prepares for his inauguration and swearing in on May 29, 2023, Pastor Eno, his Deputy Governor-elect, Senator Akon Eyakenyi and team are firmly focused on the task of ushering in the golden years and creating the enabling environment for the people to enjoy happy hours of achievements in different spheres of their lives. For him as a true Omoluwabi, it is forward ever, backward never. Effiong, a journalist, is the Editor, Ovation International Magazine Finally, the Police Service Commission (PSC) is set to wield the axe that will see the pruning of the rank of the Nigeria Police Force. The category of officers to be affected by the impending demotion are those whose promotions were regarded as lopsided or unmeritorious. Investigations reveal that the plenary session of the PSC, which took place Tuesday and Wednesday, came to final decision to approve the demotion of the affected officers The session also approved the promotion of deserving officers, who were earlier denied promotion. Alhaji Musiliu Smith, PSC Chairman and retired Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who chaired the session, had on assumption of office in July 2018 allegedly been confronted with myriad of petitions from aggrieved police officers over the issue of promotion. Daily Independent had exclusively reported in August and September, 2018 that Smith then vowed not to sweep the petitions under the carpet. In the report, a source at the PSC was quoted to have hinted that the new PSC leadership cannot ignore the petitions. We are going to critically examine the petitions. It is not going to be a total swipe, those who merit their promotions will retain their ranks. To lend credence to the planned demotion exercise, Smith reportedly viewed the weight of the petitions and decided not to treat them with levity. He subsequently appointed retired Supreme Court Justice, Clara Ogunbiyi, to head a committee responsible for the review of the lopsided promotions. In another Daily Independent report, our source was quoted to have hinted that the committee had called for the nominal roll of the entire police force. The committee was mandated to review all promotions from 2016 to July 2018, it added. Ogunbiyis committee was not given a specific time-frame to submit its report, because of the volume of work; that is why they were not given a time-frame, the PSC source disclosed. They are expected to do a thorough work, so that tomorrow nobody will say he or she was victimised. To assure the former IGP Ibrahim Idris that he meant business, Smith stated during a meeting with the police management team that henceforth, result of performance of officers from appropriate training courses must be attached to the recommendation to the commission for promotion, if not, the recommendation will not be considered. The former IGPs insistence that the demotion shall be carried out to redeem the battered image of the police and to ensure equity, is said to have pitched him against the immediate past IGP Idris. Invest In Social Force & Get 50% Click HERE >> To Buy Cheap MTN & GLO Data Click HERE >> Godwin Emefiele yesterday assumed duty for a fresh five-year term as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor after subscribing to the Oath of Office administered by the banks Secretary/Director, Corporate Secretariat Department, Mrs. Alice Karau. This followed the confirmation of his re-appointment by the Senate as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari. Emefiele served out his first five-year term on Sunday. A statement from the CBN said that Emefiele will unfold a new road map for the apex bank and the local economy at a news conference in the coming days. The statement reads: He will unfold a new road map for the bank and the economy, in the days ahead, after series of consultations with critical stakeholder groups. He charged all stakeholders to strengthen efforts at building a healthy and stable system in the best interest of the country. Read also: CBN retirees urge Emefiele to honour pension review agreement Emefiele also reiterated his goal to make the CBN more people-focused, adding that the bank remains resolute in the belief that the bank must play an active role in supporting job and wealth creation in Nigeria. In reviewing the various efforts taken by the bank to reduce weaknesses in the financial system as well as support improved productivity of the Nigerian economy, Emefiele said more work still needed to be done in building a stronger economy for the benefit of all. According to him, the pace of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth remained fragile and was below the rate of Nigerias annual population growth at 2.7 per cent. He pledged that the bank would continue to collaborate with the fiscal authorities to strengthen growth and wealth creation. Emefiele said: We must strengthen our efforts over the coming years to stimulate growth and job creation in critical sectors of the economy, which will help insulate our economy from shocks in the global eeconomy. We must also work to build a healthy and stable financial system that contributes to the growth of our economy, while preserving price stability. The CBN boss was ushered into the bank by the four deputy governors, and he was visibly elated by the turnout of excited staff that thronged the venue of the oath-taking ceremony chanting his name, the statement said. Emefiele expressed gratitude to God; the President, for nominating him; and the Senate for confirming his appointment. He also thanked the management and staff as well as the media for all their support during his first term in office. Father Opara, who is in charge of Man of Order and Discipline of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri , was abducted on Friday evening alongside three other occupants of his car along Ejemekwuru-Ogbaku Road housing Oguta. Another Catholic priest, Rev Fr Mathias Opara, has been kidnapped by gunmen in Imo State. Father Opara, who is in charge of Man of Order and Discipline of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, was abducted on Friday evening alongside three other occupants of his car along Ejemekwuru-Ogbaku Road housing Oguta. SaharaReporters learnt that the priest was driving back to Owerri, the Imo State capital after a burial when he was abducted. His abduction came barely five days after a priest in charge of Christ the King Catholic Church at Ezinachi/Ugwuago parish of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, Rev. Fr. Jude Maduka was kidnapped on Sunday just moments before he went for a Sunday Mass. Also, the incident came less than 24 hours after the gruesome murder of a traditional ruler of Orsu Obodo community in Oguta local government area and a traditional prime minister of Mgbele community in the same area. According to an eyewitness who gave his name Casmir Chidebube, the priest popularly known as Owu Ujo was double-crossed while driving back to Owerri, the state capital after the burial rites of the father of one of his colleagues at Izombe community in the Oguta LGA. Chidebube said, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara popularly known as Owu Ujo has just been kidnapped along Ejemekwuru/Ogbaku Road. He was kidnapped alongside others he was in the same vehicle with. The incident happened right before us. We were also coming back to Owerri from the funeral rites of the father of another Catholic priest at Izombe in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. When contacted, the Director of Public Communications of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Rev Fr Raymond Ogu confirmed the Kidnap of the priest. The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 29, 2023, as a work-free day for all employees to commemorate the inauguration of Nigerias 16th elected President. The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the announcement in Abuja on Friday, said the public holiday was declared for the inauguration of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu. In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Shuaib Belgore, the Minister extended his congratulations to all Nigerians on this momentous occasion. Aregbesola commended their unwavering faith in democracy, as demonstrated by the nationwide election that resulted in the President-elect and his Deputy taking office, as well as all elections held throughout the nation. The Minister urged citizens to continue their support for and promotion of democracy by upholding the rule of law and preserving democratic institutions. He emphasized that democracy is an ongoing process, and its development and ability to serve as a vehicle for good governance and the welfare of all people depend on adhering to its principles. These principles include the rule of law, support for democratic institutions, the promotion of a free and responsible press, and the advancement of freedom for all individuals. Ogbeni Aregbesola also encouraged Nigerians to foster ideals of peaceful coexistence and love for their neighbors. He emphasized that the practice of democracy and enjoyment of its benefits can only thrive in a peaceful environment. The Minister expressed his appreciation for the relentless efforts of all Nigerians in establishing a continuous civilian rule and successfully transitioning governments since 1999. Furthermore, he called upon citizens to support and collaborate with the incoming administration, recognizing that the boundless energy of the people is the nations greatest strength. By harnessing this energy positively in service to the nation, Nigeria will reach its highest potential. The Minister emphasized the importance of rejecting violence and any other form of misconduct. He reassured the people that with everyone working together, the future holds great promise, and the nation will achieve greatness in all aspects of human development. KanyiDaily recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday took Bola Tinubu around on a tour of the offices in the State House ahead of the May 29 inauguration. Related The Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman Baba, has affected the redeployment of some Public Relations Officers and appointment of new ones. The redeployments and new appointments, involving 15 officers, was contained in a signal sighted by National Daily. The signal was dated May 25, 2023 and copied to several Senior Police Officers, including the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a Chief Superintendent of Police. Among those affected are Isah Gambo, a Chief Superintendent and spokesman of the Katsina State Police Command, who has now been moved to Zone 4, Katsina; Stifanu Sunday Bako, PRO of Zone 7, Abuja, now to serve in the Force Criminal Investigation Department; SP Ihunwo Joseph of Zone 13, who is now PRO Zone 13; SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, PRO Ogun State, now moved to Oyo State; and a new appointee, SP Odutola Omolola Tawakalitu, who now heads the Ogun State public relations office. READ ALSO: IGP Baba tasks CSOs, ADCs on professionalism, commitment Others are Deputy Superintendent of Police Mustapha Bello Abdulkadir of the Force Public Relations Office, now PRO Zone 7, Abuja; Assistant Superintendent of Police Shehu Suleiman, who was of Zone 14 in Katsina State, now to head the Katsina State Police Command public relations office; another new appointee serving in Katsina State, ASP Abubakar Sodiq Aliyu, now PRO Katsina State Command; ASP Hussain Suleiman of POLAC, now PRO POLAC; ASP Ewhubare Ovie Kenneth of Imo State Command, now FPRO (PCB); ASP Chinaka Chioma Maureen,now spokesperson of the Abia State Command; and ASP Yazid Abubakar of Zamfara State Command now to serve as the spokesperson of the Command. ASP AladeJare Adebola of the Ondo State Command was appointed to serve in the Office of the Force Public Relations Officer in charge of Social Media, and ASP Ekpenyong Essien from Edo State State, to oversee Dawn Newspaper in the Office of the FPRO. The signal, signed by the Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Habu A. Sani, added: Warn and release the officers to proceed to their new Commands/Formations, please. A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday summoned Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Managing Director, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad and four directors of private companies. The charges of breach of Public Procurement Act were pressed by Donnington Ltd against Velocity Logistics, Winslow Logistics, Equal Logistics, Sahams Crystal Investment, and Antaser Nig Ltd. The other defendants are Alkali Habib (a Director in TAJ Bank), Edwin Iyk Anyadigibe, Abdulmumini Haruna and Innocent Nwobodo. Ahmad and the rest are facing a 10 count-charge bordering on violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act including non-declaration of companies financial transactions. Their alleged offences violated Section 5 (1) (a) (I) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011, and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act. The prosecution counsel, Bala Sanga said the plaintiff relied on the 2022 decision of the Supreme Court in the case of RAPHAEL OBIJIAKU V CHIEF JOE OBIJIAKU which empowers citizens to prosecute crimes. Defence lawyer to Antaser, Abdul Mohammed argued against the propriety of the case, saying it was not within the power of the plaintiff to prosecute without a fiat from the Attorneys-General. However, counsel to Velocity Logistics, Winslow Logistics, Equal Logistics and Sahams Crystal Investment, Mohammed Ndarahi (SAN) pleaded for time to open their case, citing late commission by his clients. Justice James Kolawole Omotosho adjourned the case concerning Velocity Logistics, Winslow Logistics, Equal Logistics and Sahams Crystal Investment to June 19. The judge also ordered that their directors be physically present on the day, while he fixed June 29 for that of Antasar and its director, Nwobodo. The plaintiff had, through its MD, Mohammad Sani, narrated how they got a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari to take up the newly-introduced Cargo Tracking Note. The note is aimed at securing seaports and shorelines against terrorism, shipments of illegal weapons, other sharp practices and also generate revenue for the federal government. Notwithstanding our financial commitment and satisfying all the legal procurement requirements, the Bureau of Public Procurement refused us the Certificate of No-Objection, in defiance of the Attorney-Generals directive. Instead, the BPP Director-General issued the No-Objection Certificates to the five companies that were not in the picture from inception. The plaintiff urged the government not to condone contraventions of the Money Laundering Act and non-compliance with statutory provisions by company directors chasing government contracts. A a suspected notorious kidnapper, identified as John Ijeh, who is popularly known as Oyibo, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command. Oyibo according to sources was arrested in his residence in Ugboba, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State by security operatives following a petition by a concerned indigene to the State Commissioner of Police. The alleged notorious criminal who has been a nightmare and has been terrorizing the entire community met his Waterloo at 1am on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 when security operatives surrounded his residence following intelligence gathering and reports. One of the sources told SaharaReporters that the suspect was arrested in 2013 in connection to the assassination attempt on Mr Victor Ochei, the then Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. How he evaded justice remains a mystery, said the community people. A security source told SaharaReporters on Saturday that the suspect had been involved in the kidnapping of a minor at the popular market in Asaba known as Ogbogonogo and he was apprehended by security operatives. Unfortunately, he evaded justice to the amazement of every one. Meanwhile, a community source also told SaharaReporters that the suspect who prides himself as a seasoned political assassin on different occasions had claimed to be stronger than the state police command and the law. Barely one week before his eventual arrest, he had threatened to assassinate the King of Ugboba community. Meanwhile, the people demanded that the Nigerian government ensures that justice is served this time around to ensure the community is not consumed by full blown terrorism. They insisted that the Delta State Commissioner of Police must not leave any stone unturned in this matter, warning that any attempt to release him under any pretext will be met with massive resistance by the entire community and its neighbours. Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has discussed her tenure as the first lady and the performance of her husband in office. During an interview with The Sun on Saturday, Aisha said Buhari has fulfilled half of his campaign promises and tackled insecurity. She praised her husbands achievements, particularly in areas such as road constructions, bridges, and infrastructure development. Compared to what we met on the ground, he has done wonderfully well. But if one is to compare with the zeal that we came into power, we have achieved 50 percent in all the areas captured in his campaign promises. Especially in the areas of works like road constructions, bridges, you know, infrastructure in general. He has made a lot of difference, Aisha said. Regarding security, Aisha gave the president a score of 70 percent, noting that most kidnappings were perpetrated by family members for mischievous purposes. He said, I think maybe we scored 70 percent on security. I say so because before now, there were a lot of barricades, a lot of roadblocks, but now there are no more roadblocks, nothing. Even the kidnapping that is happening now is being organised among the family members. It is a deliberate thing, you know. And then the insurgency or the banditry may be organised by some local people, you know. But if there is no connivance, I can say that we have achieved 90 percent on security. Aisha said the president received Nigeria intact, and he is going to hand over Nigeria intact. Although she admitted to not being mentally prepared for her role, the first lady said she was relentless in supporting her husband and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians. The presidents wife said she openly criticised decisions that were taken for the interest of one person and not for the general publics interests. She said some decision-makers were oblivious to the fact that her husband was elected because of the love Nigerians have for him. Aisha said, So, I told myself we cannot afford that, I just knew my husband needed help. That is why I am here as a First Lady and as a wife. I dont like people who want to make money to rubbish the image of the family, the hard-earned name of my husband, you know, and then we keep quiet and look at the person. So thats why I normally step in and speak up. KanyiDaily recalls that the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola had claimed also that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari brought improvements to the country. Related Since the start of the year, self-proclaimed project artist, AYL has been teasing the release of his third body of work, dntdlt. Well, its finally here, and the outstanding 10-track mixtape a worthy follow-up to Insert Project Name is a testament to him rediscovering himself. dntdlt commences with AYLs characteristic musings over soft keys, before he begins serenading the latest girl on his mind. Oscillating between singing and rapping, AYLs vocals on I listen to you are sexy and alluring a wonderfully enticing start to the tape. With slow keys signing out the stunning album opener, Odunsi and Le Mavs captivating percussive beat on Paris! offers a brilliant contrast to the mellow I listen to you. After Paris!, comes another familiar number: the Psycho YP and Fasina-assisted Sassy. With the two lead singles done, AYL guides us into uncharted territory with the trap-leaning Pretty Mama!. Produced by AYL himself, it seems the multi-hyphenate handles the production work on the projects most dynamic tracks xozhu,City on Lights and IMWTWOTF. [embedded content] When it comes to featured artists, AYL gets it all right. Although he doesnt enlist big names, guests such as Fasina (Sassy), Myquale (Pretty Mama!) and MOJO (Indo Smkn) all offer indelible assists, with the standout being Sugarbana on City on Lights!. Opening with a news broadcast of the heartbreaking Dana Airlines plane crash in 2012, the powerful City on Lights! is a deeply moving track that touches on death, as AYLs mourns the loved ones hes lost a stark contrast to the love songs that litter this tape. The uplifting final track of the project, Alive and Breathing (dntdlt), also veers off AYLs usual romantic course, as he talks about all the trials hes been through and with Chesos spirited chorus, I know Im a champion, just cause Im alive, AYLs affirms that he is a conqueror. Speaking with Konbini about how the name of the mixtape came about, AYL explains: dntdlt is inspired by how I delete everything, literally and figuratively whole projects, whole identities. I forget the totality of my being; I delete ideas, I delete friends, plans, twitter accounts, online publications, my old catalogues All [the] things Ive done. But at some point you have to stop dont you? You have to stake your claim or whatever they say. Rediscovering his magic through this mixtape, the projects final track, Alive and Breathing, is a proclamation that he has gotten to where he wants to be. AYL continues: So, in the end, the name reflects the idea of a journey back to self, after having lost all confidence. So when I get to Alive and Breathing Im exclaiming that yeah, I am no longer trying to delete myself. With such a hypnotic and authentic tape, we are incredibly pleased to hear that AYL has finally overcome his habit of deleting all his works. Were hoping that this means well be getting more frequent singles and projects from the immensely gifted star from now on. Listen to dntdlt right here: Four Nigerian businessmen are among African richest, according to Forbes 2020 version of its latest billionaires ranking. The list included Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who occupied the top spot, Mike Adenuga, Abudulsamad Rabiu and Folorunsho Alakija. According to the latest ranking, Dangotes net worth is now estimated at $10.1 billion. The sixty-two-year industrialist occupied the top spot in 2019, with an estimated net worth of $10 billion. He is now building what has been adjudged the largest refinery in the world the Dangote Refinery which is expected to further boost wealth once it becomes operational. Much like in the 2019 ranking, Dangote is followed closely by Globacoms Mike Adenuga who took the third spot. Mr. Adenuga has an estimated net worth of $7.7 billion according to Forbes. This marks a significant reduction from the $9.2 billion he was estimated to have been worth last year. Little wonder his ranking had dropped from the number two position in 2019 to number three this year. The sixty-six-year-old billionaire amassed his wealth through ventures in telecommunications and oil and gas. His telecommunications outfit Globacom Nigeria is one of the top players in the field. ALSO READ: Make Nnewi full manufacturing hub, Moghalu advises FG The third Nigerian on the list is Abudulsamad Rabiu. He is the Chairman of BUA Group, and has an estimated net worth of $3.1 billion in 2020. This marks a rise from last years estimate of $1.6 billion. To this end, the billionaire was ranked the 8th richest person in Africa. He amassed most of his money through his cement manufacturing business. Folorunsho Alakija who occupied the 20th position in this years African billionaires ranking has an estimated net worth of $1 billion. She had amassed her wealth through his oil and gas ventures. These are the only Nigerians on the 2020 Forbes richest African billionaires list. They were the only Nigerians on the list in 2019. Aliko Dangote has been topping the list over the last nine years. South Africa and Egypt have the most billionaires represented on the list, with five each. This is followed by Nigeria which had four billionaires represented, and then Morroco with two billionaires. This is Bala Haruna, the stuntsman from Bauchi State who bath himself inside gutter to celebrate the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the just concluded presidential election in Nigeria. The news that this young has died as a result of his misadventure went viral, such that even reputable newspapers have reported it. Fake news on the frowl, even giant media house like The Guardian has fallen prey. Firstly, Bala Haruna is not dead. Secondly, his name is not Bala Haruna. His name is Aliyu Muhammad Sani (aka Aliyu Gayu). On hearing about the news of his death, I took it upon myself to come down to Bauchi to console and condole his family, only for me to see this young man not only alive but healthy. The guy is sound, and spoke eloquently. His looks and mien are those of a gentleman. He doest smoke, he doesnt take pills. The guy was simply driven by mad love for a person he considers the best Nigeria birthed so far. In spite of all these, I warned him seriously about such misadventures in future. Share this: The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar, says the federal government considers Nigerians who buy N100 call credit as poor and will ensure they get relief cash. The minister, who earlier confirmed that N-Power beneficiaries were being paid their stipends, spoke in an interview with State House correspondents on Tuesday. NAN quoted her as disclosing that urban poor dwellers with an account balance of N5,000 or less will be among the beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme. Farouq said the prospective beneficiaries would be part of the additional one million households approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in his national broadcast Monday night. You are also aware that Mr President in his broadcast directed that we expand the beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer by one million. In this regard, we are going to focus more on the urban poor. These are people who depend on the informal sector to earn their livelihood. They are daily wage earners and these are people we are really going to focus more on as well as people living with disabilities, she stated. Farouq explained that aside the National Social Register, Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and previous record of purchase of recharge cards by mobile phone owners formed part of criteria to identify Nigerians that will get the cash transfer. We are also using the mobile network, people that top up their phones with maybe N100, N200. These are the people we consider to be poor and vulnerable, the minister added. Nigerians have been condemning the methods of the federal governments disbursement of cash and food items. Likewise, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticized President Muhammadu Buhari for failure to provide palliatives to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. PV: 0 Shonde (right) was sentenced to death The Lagos State High Court on Friday sentenced Lekan Shonde to death by hanging for killing his wife, Ronke, Punch Metro reports. Lekan Shonde, a depot worker in the Apapa area of Lagos State, was found guilty of the murder of his wife. It had been reported that 51-year-old Lekan allegedly beat his wife to death at their home in the Egbeda-Idimu area of Lagos State. He was alleged to have locked the door on the corpse and their two children before the incident was discovered by a housekeeper and later reported to the police. The marriage, which was blessed with two children, aged six and four, was said to have been marred with domestic violence. He accused Ronke of sleeping with one Kayode, the general manager of a publishing company. Delivering the judgement on Friday, Justice Josephine Oyefeso sentenced Lekan to death based on the conviction that the convict killed his wife, Ronke. Details later Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. BLOOMINGTON A McLean County judge is weighing whether to grant a Bloomington woman, who is serving 55 years for murder, a new trial on a related charge. Misook Nowlin, 57, was convicted in 2012 of first-degree murder in the strangulation death of her mother-in-law, Linda Tyda. Before her trial began, she pleaded guilty to one count of concealment of a homicidal death. Nowlin has asked the court to conduct an evidentiary hearing and ultimately vacate her guilty plea on count four of the indictment and set that matter for a new trial, according to a petition submitted by her attorney, Jeff Brown. During a hearing on Friday, Nowlin testified that she thought her trial attorney, Brian McEldowney, had told her she would be sentenced to two years in prison if she pleaded guilty to the concealment charge. She also said she did not understand that her sentence on that charge, which was five years, would be served consecutive to the sentence on the murder charges, for which she is serving 50 years. According to the petition, she did not understand these elements because she was not advised by her counsel or admonished by the court. Nowlin, whose first language is Korean, said if she had understood that the sentence could not be served at the same time as the murder sentence, she would have gone to trial on the concealment charge rather than pleading guilty. In 2015, she was given the option to move to withdraw her guilty plea or to move to reconsider the sentence, according to court documents. McEldowney testified Friday that he had advised her to choose to file a motion asking Judge Robert Freitag to reconsider her sentence and that she agreed. The evidence on that count was substantial, he said, explaining that she had made a detailed admission to police that she had hid Tydas remains and showed officers where to find them. Tydas body was found Sept. 12, 2011, in a shallow grave near a forest preserve off Interstate 55 around Des Plaines, according to court documents. McEldowney said he advised his client to plead guilty to that charge before the trial began because he hoped that Nowlin taking responsibility for what she did in regards to the concealment would increase the credibility of her self-defense claim as part of their trial strategy. He said he did not promise a specific sentencing outcoming, though he had hoped for two years on the concealment and acquittal or a lesser conviction of second-degree murder because he argued that she was justified in the killing. Although she had a right to file a motion to withdraw the guilty plea, it wouldnt have changed the strength of the states case. The evidence was still overwhelming, McEldowney said, adding that he believed she would have been convicted on the concealment charge had it gone to trial. After McEldowney told the presiding judge that they would seek reconsideration of the sentence, Nowlin filed a post-conviction petition without an attorney, wherein she alleged her right to effective assistance of counsel was violated when she was not reasonably informed with respect to direct consequences of pleading guilty to concealment of a homicidal death, according to the petition. Freitag denied the motion to reconsider the sentence. Nowlin appealed that ruling, claiming her guilty plea to concealment of a homicidal death should be vacated," said Brown, her current attorney. In 2017, an appellate court dismissed the appeal, saying it did not have jurisdiction in the matter because McEldowney did not file a motion to vacate the guilty plea. Noting this, Brown argued Nowlin had ineffective assistance of counsel: The only motion that would have adequately addressed her identified defects, which were in the record in the form of a rather lengthy post-conviction petition would have been the motion to vacate the guilty plea. If the correct motion had been filed, Brown said, theres a reasonable probability that it might have been granted and she might have had another crack at this. Brown said Nowlin voiced her concerns regarding the outcome of the case in her post-conviction petition, but that wasnt considered by McEldowney when he sought instead to have her sentence on the concealment charge reconsidered. She should have had her day in court if she wanted her day in court, Brown said. Assistant States Attorney Mary Koll asked Judge Scott Kording to deny Nowlin's petition. To prove ineffective assistance of counsel, she said, the petitioner must meet a two-pronged burden known as the Strickland test. Under those standards, Nowlin would need to prove that her trial attorney's performance was objectively deficient, and if so, the performance affected her case essentially showing that the outcome would have been different with a different attorney. Koll said McEldowneys performance was reasonable and sound trial strategy, considering Nowlin confessed to killing a frail and small elderly woman, although she raised various claims that she was acting in self defense. Then she described in detail that she concealed that body in a way that was extremely degrading to this deceased victim. She noted that Nowlin did not object to McEldowneys advice and it was ultimately Nowlins choice, after the judge had reviewed the options with her at length, to pursue a motion to reconsider the sentence. This was a lose-lose situation. Ms. Nowlin was not going to get a better outcome; there was almost zero chance of that if she had proceeded with a motion to withdraw, Koll said, adding that she believed Nowlin certainly would have been convicted again had the concealment charge gone to trial. Kording questioned the advantage of asking for a reconsidered sentence rather than a vacated plea, which could result in two chances at a lesser sentence, because of the appeals process. On the deficiency prong, whats the upside for the defendant to only pursue the sentence reconsideration motion? he asked. After some back and forth, Koll said that in terms of practicality, a downside of a motion to withdraw would be wasting all parties time because the end result of conviction and sentencing would have been the same. She also noted that the motion to withdraw was not what Nowlin was asking for, so if McEldowney had pursued it initially, he would have been going against his clients wishes. Even if Nowlin proved that her attorney's performance was deficient, Koll argued, she does not and cannot demonstrate prejudice. Given the strength of the evidence on the concealment charge, there was simply no defense to that count, she said. If Nowlin had vacated the guilty plea and proceeded to trial, ... I cannot imagine a scenario where the defendant now not taking responsibility of that conduct would leave (Freitag) to give her a lesser sentence. Kording said he would review the evidence presented Friday, which included multiple transcriptions from previous court proceedings. He plans to issue an oral motion on this issue on Aug. 11. READ THE DOCUMENTS: Close Don Wang, husband of convicted murderer Misook Nowlin, holds a photograph that is at the top of a school project of his son, Donovan, as he presents a victim's impact statement for the state as he testifies at the sentencing heariing for Nowlin, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, listens as evidence in presented in her sentencing hearing, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law. Nowlin's public defender, Brian McEldowney, left, listens to proceedings. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, listens as she is sentenced, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law. Nowlin's public defender, Brian McEldowney, left, listens to proceedings. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, listens as Judge Robert Frietag imposes a 55 year sentence for the death and coverup of her mother-in-law, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin's public defender, Carla Barnes, listens to the sentence. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Lawrence Tyda, husband of Linda Tyda, listens as his victim impact statement is read at the sentencing of Misook Nowlin, convicted in the killing of LindaTyda, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, is escorted into the courtroom for her sentencing hearing, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law. Nowlin's public defender, Brian McEldowney, left, prepares for proceedings. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Public defender, Brian McEldowney, left, composes himself before his client, Misook Nowlin, is sentenced, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law, Linda Tyda. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Judge Robert Frietag hands down a sentence of 55 years in prison to Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, during her sentencing hearing, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Public defenders Brian McEldowney and Carla Barnes confer after the sentencing of their client, Misook Nowlin, at her sentencing hearing, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Photos: Misook Nowlin sentencing 3/1/2012 Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, receives a 55 year sentence for the death and coverup of her mother-in-law, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Don Wang, husband of convicted murderer Misook Nowlin, holds a photograph that is at the top of a school project of his son, Donovan, as he presents a victim's impact statement for the state as he testifies at the sentencing heariing for Nowlin, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, listens as evidence in presented in her sentencing hearing, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law. Nowlin's public defender, Brian McEldowney, left, listens to proceedings. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, listens as she is sentenced, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law. Nowlin's public defender, Brian McEldowney, left, listens to proceedings. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, listens as Judge Robert Frietag imposes a 55 year sentence for the death and coverup of her mother-in-law, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin's public defender, Carla Barnes, listens to the sentence. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Lawrence Tyda, husband of Linda Tyda, listens as his victim impact statement is read at the sentencing of Misook Nowlin, convicted in the killing of LindaTyda, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, is escorted into the courtroom for her sentencing hearing, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law. Nowlin's public defender, Brian McEldowney, left, prepares for proceedings. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Public defender, Brian McEldowney, left, composes himself before his client, Misook Nowlin, is sentenced, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. Nowlin, 47, was sentenced for a total of 55 years for the slaying and coverup of the death of her mother-in-law, Linda Tyda. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Judge Robert Frietag hands down a sentence of 55 years in prison to Misook Nowlin, convicted in the slaying of Linda Tyda, during her sentencing hearing, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Public defenders Brian McEldowney and Carla Barnes confer after the sentencing of their client, Misook Nowlin, at her sentencing hearing, Friday, March 1, 2013, at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber) Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. CHICAGO With Springfield still in the middle of a sweeping federal corruption probe that most recently saw convictions in the ComEd Four trial, Illinois lawmakers, under pressure to act on ethics reform, passed a measure seeking to curb abuses tied to the red-light camera industry. Under the bill now on Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers desk, companies that provide equipment or services for automated traffic law enforcement such as red-light cameras, automated speed enforcement, or automated railroad crossings are prohibited from making a campaign contribution to any political committee established to promote the candidacy of a candidate or public official. The legislation, which was approved by the House 106-0 Thursday evening after earlier being passed without opposition by the Senate, also applies to large investors, high-level employees at the companies and their immediate family members as well as any political action committees created by the companies. Additionally, county and local officials would be prohibited from going to work for or receiving compensation from red-light camera companies for two years after leaving office, which is much stronger than the six-month prohibition on state lawmakers becoming lobbyists that just took effect this year. Illinoisans deserve to be able to trust their elected officials arent being influenced by campaign contributions, Democratic Sen. Laura Murphy of Des Plaines who proposed the bill said in a statement. Government officials should serve the people not their own financial interests. Among those voting yes on the bill in the Senate was Chicago Democratic Sen. Emil Jones III, who last year was hit with federal bribery charges alleging he took $5,000 from a red-light camera company executive to kill legislation requiring traffic studies for automated camera systems, then lied to federal agents about it. Jones has pleaded not guilty. He won reelection in November in an uncontested race. In 2019, a federal raid on the statehouse office of Jones former Senate colleague, Chicago Democrat Martin Sandoval, led to Sandoval pleading guilty to a bribery charge and agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors. Sandoval died in late 2020 of COVID-19 complications. The investigation also led to a prison sentence of more than five years for political operative Patrick Doherty, once chief of staff to Jeffrey Tobolski, a former Cook County commissioner and mayor of suburban McCook. Tobolski pleaded guilty to charges related to the probe, and other suburban mayors whove been convicted of related charges include Louis Presta of Crestwood and Tony Ragucci of Oakbrook Terrace. If the measure is signed by Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Transportation would be able to revoke a countys or municipalitys authorization for red-light cameras if a local official or employee is charged with bribery, official misconduct or similar crimes related to the placement of the cameras. Also, municipalities would no longer be allowed to outsource the issuance of citations to their camera system vendors. Legislators faced calls to do something about ethics in light of the convictions earlier this month of former top Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists in a case tied to longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan has pleaded not guilty in a separate racketeering case and is scheduled to go on trial in April. Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term Archbishop The founder and leader of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare has come under heavy criticism following his a sermon to his congregation on May 24, 2023. The Archbishop on the third day of the Supernatural Summit held at the headquarters of Perez Chapel in Accra, preached about divine protection and the existence of evil forces where he cited several examples to support his teaching. In the course of his preaching, Agyinasare recounted an incident where his team received spiritual attacks for hosting a crusade in the Volta Region. During this crusade in Aflao we slept at Agbozume, that was where our hotel was and you have to go through Nogokpo. And Nogokpo is the demonic headquarters in the Volta Region. We only have not said it but the second night I made Bishop Yaw Adu talk about witchcraft and we disgraced the witches and wizards. When we were driving from Aflao to Agbozume, immediately we got to Nogokpo, Bishop Yaw Adus four-wheel drive, the tyre came out from under the car, he recounted. Following the publication of the video online, the church leader has come under heavy criticism online including from the handlers of the Nogokpo shrine. Reacting to the Archbishops post in a Facebook post shared on Thursday, May 25, 2023, the Nogokpo shrine warned the clergyman against making derogatory statements about their religion. It said that some pastors of Agyinasare come to the place he is denigrating for powers to grow their churches. Dear Archbishop Charles Agyinasare our religion does not accept lies, fake prophecies, defrauding people under false pretence, extorting monies from people in the name of taking them to heaven which does not exist, taking taxpayers and innocent citizens money to build worthy homes, burry things or make sacrifices to get more members, we do not lose our focus to be preaching other religions rather than focusing on our ethics. We will rather advice you to focus on making your members understand your religion rather than attacking others. He who beats the war drum must be ready to dance accordingly. The same demonic headquarters are the places your pastors come to for more members and powers to do your 'church businesses', parts of the post read. If you dont have a topic to preach about then we will advise you close your church and come for proper education on our religion first. The last time we check, theres freedom of religion and worship. For us, we will never say ill things about someones religion and see ourselves as holy. Your bible even says DO NOT JUDGE., it added. 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. Featured Video The Chief Justice nominee, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has said the management of the Judicial Service was in talks with the striking workers to call off their strike action. She told parliament on Friday that she has been part of the team engaging the striking workers from the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and there was nothing to be worried about. Justice Torkornoo said courts will soon be opened to the public. Indeed, although the workers were on strike, the courts were opened on the instructions of management. Answering a question from Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, MP for Odododiodio, on intimidation of workers and threats of being sacked, the nominee said there was nothing like that. She was being vetted to become the 15th Chief Justice of Ghana. Strike The Judicial Service said it was committed to resolving the matter and had agreed to meet with the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, over the issue. The Judicial Service urged JUSAG to call off the strike in order to participate in the meeting. JUSAG declared the indefinite strike last Wednesday in protest of the governments failure to implement a January 2023 agreement on salary and allowances. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Michael Kpessa Whyte, has been cited for contempt by the Supreme Court over comments he made on social media platform Twitter allegedly calling the apex court stupid. The University of Ghana lecturer is to appear before the highest court of the land on May 30, 2023, to show cause why he should not be punished for the comments which sought to bring the court disaffection and denigrate its reputation. The summon issued by the court alleges that Prof. Kpessa Whyte on May 19, 2023, made disparaging comments on his Twitter handle, including one which read: The highest Court of the Land has been turned into a Stupid Court. The alleged comments were made two days after the Supreme Court directed Parliament to expunge the name of now disqualified Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, from its records, declaring his election null and void. The summons also list among others, comments such as: They have succeeded in turning a Supreme Court into a Stupid Court. Common sense is now a scarce commodity. A major element in the death of democracies is partisanship in the delivery of justice. Our judges need lessons in political philosophy and ethics. Time will tell. Attached to the summons are a series of publications by online portals resulting from the unsuccessful Shai Osudoku parliamentary candidate hopefuls posts. Apology Although Prof. Kpessa White is yet to appear before the court, he has issued an apology and retracted the comments and had gone ahead to delete the tweets. I have observed that Ghanaweb and other media publications sought to associate my tweet with the decision of the Supreme Court in the Assin North matter as stated on the face of the Summons to show cause, but honestly at the time of my tweet, I had no knowledge of the Supreme Courts decision as at 9: 59am when I did the tweet, he indicated in a statement. He further indicated that Sincerely, the tweet was not done with the intent to scandalize or denigrate a revered institution such as the Supreme Court of Ghana for which I have tremendous amount of respect and admiration. These are consequences I never intended, although I do accept responsibility that, I could have exercised better judgment in my choice of words. Please permit me to state unequivocally that I have no reason to slander our Supreme Court and I hereby sincerely apologize unreservedly for any pain and discomfort my tweets may have caused the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court and the entire judiciary, Prof. Kpessa White added. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Deputy General Secretary of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Koku Anyidoho has criticized Prof. Michael Kpessa-Whyte for his unwarranted tweet and subsequent apology to the Supreme Court for speaking ill of the highest Court of the land. In a tweet in response to the former NDC parliamentary aspirant for Shai Osudoku constituency, the former Director of Communications at the Presidency during the late Prof. Mills' administration said he did it just to please his cult hero who is abroad having fun. "You unwisely insulted the revered Supreme Court of Ghana just to please your cult hero who is abroad having fun. Now, you are hot, and writing letters of pology trying to use the back door to beg for forgiveness. Did you have to get yourself into such mess in the place?" Koku Anyidiho tweeted. Prof. Kpessa-Whyte's Apology The former NDC parliamentary aspirant for Shai Osudoku constituency and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof. Michael Kpessa-Whyte, has issued an apology for speaking ill of the Supreme Court through a tweet. Following a recent Twitter post where he referred to the Supreme Court as a Stupid Court, Dr. Kpessa-Whyte has expressed remorse for his remarks. The summons issued alleges that he posted the following; The highest Court of the Land has been turned into a Stupid Court. They have succeeded in turning a Supreme Court into a Stupid Court. Common sense is now a scarce commodity. A major element in the death of democracies is partisanship in the delivery of justice. "Our judges need lessons in political philosophy and ethics. Time will tell. Dr. Kpessa-Whytes tweets came shortly after the Supreme Court ordered Parliament to remove the name of NDC Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson from its records due to procedural breaches during his nomination and election in 2020. The Supreme Court has summoned Prof. Kpessa-Whyte to explain why he should not be held in contempt for describing the nations highest judicial body in such a manner. Source: Alex Ofei-Kwayisi/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party, John Boadu says there is absolutely nothing wrong with party leaders publicly declaring their support for their favorite candidate to win the party's impending Presidential primaries. John Boadu dissented to arguments by some social commentators that the trend where party leaders make it known to their party supporters the candidate they prefer to lead them is a bad sign for the party. To him, it is very okay for a leader to make his or her intentions known about a candidate if only he or she isn't breaching the rules and regulations of the party. He stated that the only thing that can limit a leading member from supporting a candidate publicly is the party's rules and regulations, thus if the rules don't allow them to do so. "If the person is a leader and the rules and regulations don't prevent him from campaigning for one person or the other and his campaign doesn't bring divisions but rather only supporting his candidate, what is wrong?", he questioned while making his submissions on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' morning show. He found it hypocritical to condemn this trend where executives or Ministers among other party leaders show the party supporters who he or she hopes to win the primaries. "Sometimes, we must be brutally frank and just also clear some of this hypocrisy going on. You see the Members of Parliament; all the candidates who are contesting worth their sort have gone to them one by one seeking their support," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/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. Featured Video " " This portrait of a Budai was taken at a public shrine in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In Thailand, the 'Laughing Monk' is believed to represent a god of happiness and plenty. Gabriel Perez/Getty Images There he is, seated next to the cash register at your local Chinese restaurant. A shiny bronze statue of a pot-bellied, bald man with a laughing grin on his face, the same jolly fella immortalized in keychains, paperweights and other trinkets sold in Chinatown tourist shops. That's the Buddha, right? Advertisement Nope, but you're in the right religious ballpark. Westerners can be forgiven for mistaking the ubiquitous chubby figure as the Buddha, since he's also called "the Laughing Buddha." But the true story behind the Laughing Buddha is nearly as complicated as Buddhism itself. Denise Leidy is curator of Asian art at the Yale University Art Gallery and held the same position at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for 22 years. She's no stranger to the confusion over the Laughing Buddha statue. "In Christianity, there's this one guy. So when people see this corpulent, fun guy, they think, 'That's the Buddha,' but it's not," says Leidy. "The Buddha, in the singular, is Siddhartha Gautama. But the Buddhist religion over time has become so complicated and has added multiple layers of deities, many of whom have multiple avatars. So it's gotten mind-boggling complicated and only crazy people like myself spend their lives figuring it out." The Buddha, as Leidy mentioned, was a man named Siddhartha Gautama who lived around the 6th century B.C.E. in India. Born a wealthy prince, he chose to live as an ascetic in search of the meaning of existence, which he found while meditating for 49 days under the Bodhi tree. " " This giant statue in Thailand of the Buddha shows a slimmer physique. David Buffington/Getty Images After achieving nirvana, which is the escape from the endless cycle of suffering, death and rebirth, Siddhartha Gautama became Buddha or the "awakened one." Over the centuries, his teachings spread throughout India, into China, across Asia and eventually around the world. Today, there are an estimated 376 million followers of Buddhism worldwide. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Discarded clothing is responsible for millions of tonnes of plastic waste each year. Credit: Yudhistira99/Shutterstock Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Over 100 million tons of plastic enters the environment each year, with more than 10 million tons ending up in our oceans. These plastics break down into harmful microplastic particles so small they can be consumed by wildlife. We all recognize discarded bottles and bags as plastic waste. But the synthetic fibers that are woven into our clothingpolyester, nylon, acrylic and othersare equally problematic. Every year, more than 60 million tons of plastic fabric is produced, a considerable amount of which ultimately finds it way to landfill. One promising approach to tackle this crisis is the use of "biodegradable" plastics. These plastics are designed to break down naturally into gases and water, which are then released back into the environment without causing long-lasting damage. But the reality of biodegradable plastic (or "bioplastic") falls short of meeting our expectations. New research, led by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California, has found that a popular bioplastic material called polylactic acid does not break down in the environment nearly as quickly as hoped. The researchers suspended fiber samples from both bio- and oil-based plastic materials, as well as natural fibers such as cotton, in coastal waters and on the seafloor. Over time, they examined these individual fibers under a microscope to see if they were breaking down. While cotton fibers began to break down within a month, synthetic fibers, including bioplastic materials such as polylactic acid, showed no signs of breaking down even after 400 days submerged in the ocean. Finding their way into the sea The plastic pollution that stems from clothing is a particularly tricky area. Clothes are often not recycled or even recyclable, and they release tiny plastic fibers into the environment through gradual wear and tear. Disintegration time in days for five types of material exposed to coastal waters. Credit: Royer et al. (2023), CC BY-NC-ND Clothing fibers can reach our oceans via multiple pathways. Clothes that are washed into the sea, for example, will be broken up physically by wave action or friction with sand particles. This process leads to the release of fibers as the garment frays. Even by just wearing our clothes, plastic fibers are discharged into the environmentsome of which may eventually settle in the ocean. And during the process of washing our clothes, fibers become dislodged and are carried down our drains, also potentially ending up the sea. No matter what we do, clothing fibers will inevitably find their way into the environment. So, it is sensible to give serious consideration to what happens to these fibers once released. Why does this matter? Research has found evidence that polylactic acid microfibres are potentially toxic to marine organisms, including jellyfish. The jellyfish studied changed their pulse frequency when exposed to high concentrations of these plastic fibers, potentially reducing their ability to hunt, avoid predators, and maintain orientation in the water. The presence of polylactic acid fibers in the marine environment may cause jellyfish numbers and behavior to change. Such changes could have far-reaching implications for marine ecosystems. Jellyfish are widely distributed across all oceans and play a crucial role in the marine food web, both as predators and prey. The longevity of polylactic acid fibers in the marine environment is another concern. The longer these fibers remain in the environment, the more likely it is they will be eaten by marine organisms. A compass jellyfish drifting off the Welsh coast. Credit: JDScuba/Shutterstock Bioaccumulation, where microplastics and their associated chemicals accumulate across a marine food web, is then likely to occur. Research has found evidence of microplastic bioaccumulation across multiple species and microplastic types. Tackling plastic pollution No matter how the plastic enters the environment, solutions are needed to tackle plastic pollution. Biodegradable plastics are one potential option, but only if they are made from materials that are truly able to break down quickly in the natural environment. They would reduce the time in which plastic materials spend in the environment. As with conventional plastics, though, bioplastics must still be disposed of correctly. But research has found that the labels and instructions on many biodegradable products are often confusing and misleading. In a study of 9,701 UK citizens, many reported not having understood the meaning of the labels of degradable, compostable and biodegradable plastics. This could lead to biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastics being disposed of incorrectly. Plastic that is released into the environment may not decompose, and will instead break down into small pieces of microplastic. Polylactic acid can break down in specialized industrial composting plants. But even then, not all composting processes can handle every type of bioplastic. The plastic material has to meet specific criteria and produce compost of a minimum standard. As the world uses more biodegradable plastic, we need to make sure this material's environmental footprint is minimized. With that in mind, improving labeling and disposal instructions and improving access to industrial composting could all help. More information: Sarah-Jeanne Royer et al, Not so biodegradable: Polylactic acid and cellulose/plastic blend textiles lack fast biodegradation in marine waters, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284681 Journal information: PLoS ONE This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Shutterstock Coastal ecosystems can absorb or emit the three main greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. We explored how coasts in ten regions of the world differ in greenhouse gas uptake and emissions. Our research published today in Nature Climate Change finds that, globally, our coastal ecosystems are a net greenhouse gas sink, but smaller emissions of potent methane and nitrous oxide gases reduce some of the carbon dioxide uptake. We found coasts in Europe and Russia are net emitters, while coasts in Southeast Asia and North America have a large uptake of these gases. Like upland forests and rainforests, ecosystems like coastal wetlands can take up atmospheric CO and turn it into new leaves, roots and other organic matter. When some of this carbon is stored long-term in deep sediments, it can help battle rising CO levels in our atmosphere. The coastal net greenhouse gas uptake should not be confused with carbon storage. Only part of the coastal greenhouse gas uptake is stored long-term in coastal sediments, while another part is transported to the ocean where it might be stored or released back to the atmosphere. Not all coasts are the same Africa and Australia have large swathes of sandy coastline and coastal wetlands. By contrast, Europe and Russia's cold coastline lacks mangroves or tropical coastal wetlands. These differences drive the changes we found in how different coasts take up or emit greenhouse gases. The strongest coastal greenhouse gas sink is Southeast Asia, because of its extensive and productive tropical mangrove forests and seagrasses which soak up large amounts of CO. North America's coast is another excellent sink for greenhouse gases, with its salt marshes, mangroves, seagrassesand Canada's fjords, glacier-made valleys filled with seawater. While Australia and New Zealand have long stretches of coastal wetlands soaking up CO, this is offset by a large number of estuaries, many of which are a source of greenhouse gases produced by decaying organic matter. Coasts in Europe and Russia actually release more greenhouse gases than they absorb. Their many polluted tidal estuaries release greenhouse gases, but the colder climate means this region has fewer coastal wetlands to soak these gases back up. But across the three main greenhouse gases, eight out of the ten world coastal regions are a net greenhouse gas sink. This figure shows the net fluxes of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in estuaries (yellow arrows), coastal vegetation (peach arrows) and combined (red arrows) in 10 regions around the world. Southeast Asia (9), North America (1) and Africa (4) are strong coastal greenhouse gas sinks. South America (2), Australasia (10), and West Asia (6) are moderate sinks, while East Asia (7) and South Asia (8) are weak sinks. Europe (3) and Russia (5) are weak coastal sources of greenhouse gases. Credit: Rosentreter et al. (2023) Nature Climate Change, CC BY Some coasts soak up greenhouse gases while others emit more The world's coastal ecosystems are enormously diverse, ranging from tropical lagoons to polar fjords to coastal mangrove forests to underwater seagrass meadows. This sheer variety means they differ greatly in how they take up or release greenhouse gases. For example, we show that fjords around the world take up around 40% of CO that would otherwise be released from tidal systems, deltas and lagoons. Most (86%) of this important CO uptake by fjords comes from the North America region. By contrast, salt marshes and mangroves are home to trillions of microorganisms which live in deep, oxygen-free sediments, eating dead organic matter and emitting methane and nitrous oxide. Some of these gases reach the atmosphere, making many coastal waters a source of methane and nitrous oxide. Coastal wetlands release more than three times more methane than all estuaries in the world. But coastal wetlands, also called coastal "blue carbon" wetlands, can be strong sinks of CO and some also take up nitrous oxide. On balance, these coastal ecosystems become a net greenhouse sink when we consider the net effect of these three most important greenhouse gases. What does the big picture look like? Globally, our research shows our coasts' ability to take up CO is offset between 9% and 20% by coastal methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Why is this knowledge important? If we understand how our coastal ecosystems take up or emit greenhouse gases, we can target the most crucial ecosystems for preservation or restoration. That's why many researchers are interested in blue carbon as a way to boost long-term carbon storage. By protecting and restoring mangroves and salt marshes in nations rich in blue carbon, such as Indonesia, we can expand their ability to take these gases back out of the atmosphere and ultimately store some of the carbon long-term in their sediments. And by reducing nutrient overload, organic matter and wastewater flows into our coastal waterways, we can cut the greenhouse gases emitted by polluted estuaries. We shouldn't just see our coastal ecosystems as a boon to carbon credit markets. They have much more to offer, including many valuable ecosystem services. Our coasts protect our shorelines from severe weather and tides. They are a nursery for many fish and plants. And they're vital to us as a place to be in nature. Protecting our coasts is good for us, for nature and for the earth system as it plunges into the climate crisis. More information: Judith A. Rosentreter et al, Coastal vegetation and estuaries are collectively a greenhouse gas sink, Nature Climate Change (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-023-01682-9 Journal information: Nature Climate Change This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Businesses from around the area gathered at the Fort William Henry Carriage House on Thursday to celebrate their selection as Best of the Region. There were 738 winners out of over 5,700 businesses nominated and more than 220,000 votes cast. Michelle Rice, president of local sales and marketing for The Post-Star, congratulated the winners. To see the results, visit poststar.com/special-section. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. LAKE PLACID On a cold, dark morning in late February of last year, a 14-year-old boy named Yehor woke up before sunrise at his home in Kharkiv, Ukraine. I woke up pretty early in the morning to do my homework because I like to do my homework in the morning, Yehor explained, and I heard strange sounds, which I had never heard before. They were rockets, I could hear rockets. Russian rockets were bombing his hometown, marking the start of the war in Ukraine. Yehor and his family fled their home and spent the next night at his grandmothers house, where they thought theyd be safe. But Yehor remembers watching that night as fiery rockets flew over their neighborhood. I survived this night, but I learned that houses down the street were just destroyed, said Yehor. His school was also destroyed. At the time, Yehor was preparing for a national math competition. Math is Yehors favorite subject, but the war took that opportunity away from him. It also took away his safety and his childhood. So his big brother Dan got to work, writing to schools in the U.S., looking for a spot for Yehor. The moment I got Daniels letter, it certainly pulled at my heartstrings, said Bill Newman, head of admissions at the North Country School. We got to find a way to make this happen. The North Country School, a junior boarding school in Lake Placid, issued Yehor a student visa and offered him a full ride. Yehors friends and family raised money for his plane ticket. On Easter Sunday of last year, Newman drove five hours to Boston to pick Yehor up from the airport. I remember he had his older brothers clothes on, so we had cuffs folded up to the knee, so it was obvious we needed to get him to a place where we could get him clothing appropriate for the Adirondacks, Newman explained. It took a lot of work by a community of people in Lake Placid just to get Yehor out of Ukraine and settled into school in the U.S. Hes one of more than a million young Ukrainians to be displaced by the war. After he was settled in at the North Country School, Yehor said it took a while for it to feel like a place where he could learn and grow. In the start, it was really hard, said Yehor. I didnt know any English and I couldnt communicate with people. I couldnt do my homework properly because I just couldnt understand what was going on, but North Country School has offered me many opportunities. The North Country School has a working farm on the campus. Students help raise sheep and chickens, which they later harvest for food. On a recent cloudy, spring day, Yehor walked into the barn and picked up a little gray cat named Mercury. Hes a barn cat, Yehor explained. Hes a really friendly cat and he loves people and animals. Erica Burns, barn manager at the North Country School, believes that involving students in animal care and requiring them to do barn chores teaches them important lessons. It teaches kids how to do hard things, how to do things with consistency and how to be responsible, said Burns. I think Yehor has also come to this conclusion a lot faster than a lot of people, his love and appreciation for the barn. Yehor loves riding and grooming the schools horses and spending time with the barn animals. Growing up in the second-largest city in Ukraine, Yehor said theres no way he could have imagined his life today in rural, upstate New York. I never thought that I would change water for the sheep, give them grain or milk the goat, because I have milked the goat and its pretty hard, said Yehor. Over the last year, Yehor has proven he can do hard things hes learned English, taken AP calculus, and gone mountain biking. Also I have learned how to ski, said Yehor, and Bill Newman was one of my teachers who taught me this, and it was amazing. The head of admissions took him to Whiteface, where Yehor said he skied black diamond trails. Hes also had a host family take him on vacation, and hes spent time with a few other Ukrainians in the Lake Placid area. As the war in Ukraine rages on, Yehor says he tries not to think about it too much, its too hard. I miss my family, said Yehor. My mother came to visit me during this summer, but I have not seen my father, I have not seen my grandparents, which is really sad. But Yehor, who is now 15 years old, has found a way to keep going. Hes got a full ride to another boarding high school in New York, where hell start this fall, and then wants to go to college in the U.S. Eventually, though, Yehor wants to move back home to Ukraine. I hope that I can start an anti-war organization. Also, Im thinking to volunteer to help with other global issues such as climate change. Yehor has big, grand plans. But first, hes focused on the summer. After he graduates this Saturday from the North Country School, Yehor hopes to travel back home to Ukraine to visit family, for the first time in more than a year Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. MAYS LANDING Corey San Chirico faced numerous challenges growing up with autism, but at 38, he hasnt let the neurological condition keep him from enjoying his best life. However, hes now wearing a makeshift badge around his neck, conveying to the public he isnt the sex offender people believe he is, in an attempt to prevent being screamed at or put into stressful situations. He gets like verbally assaulted, and its been causing him a lot of anxiety lately to the point where hed come home and start digressing, said Stefan San Chirico, Coreys brother. He doesnt understand why people are doing this. Corey San Chiricos family says hes being confused with Talal Aridi, a former township resident who is listed on the states sex offender registry. Their long hair and bushy beards have likely caused the confusion. At least 12 times over the past six months, hes been screamed at by people mistaking him for Aridi. A few weeks ago, his mother said, a person came up to her neighbor, a police officer, telling her they thought he was the sex offender for which hes been mistaken. Mays Landing man indicted on child luring charges MAYS LANDING A Hamilton Township man was indicted last week for allegedly trying to lure t Other times, police came to her house asking for Coreys identification because he was spotted walking near the Joseph Shaner School down the street. Camille San Chiricos phone number is listed on Coreys badge, should a passerby feel it necessary to call his mother for verification. The fact that Corey has repeatedly been mistaken for Aridi has his mother distraught, trying also through social media to get people to stop screaming at her son. The case of mistaken identity has progressed to police involvement, the family says. Its like, Here we go again, now I have to explain this again, said Camille San Chirico. Ive had the cops come here a few times for the mistaken identity. Police Chief Greg Ciambrone said his officers have received several calls mistaking Corey for Aridi. The department knows who he is, but they have to follow through on calls, confirming callers did, in fact, not spot Aridi when they dialed police. 35-year-old Mays Landing man charged with child luring A 35-year-old Mays Landing man was charged with luring after he asked an 11-year-old girl fo If we keep getting calls, were going to go out, Ciambrone said. Our officers know very well who he is. Aridi, whom the family says it knows through Aridis fathers medical practice, was charged with trying to lure an 11-year-old girl into his car in 2018. Aridi stopped his vehicle on Berry Drive, asked the girl for her phone number and whether she needed a ride, took pictures of the girl and followed her to a friends house. Aridis listed address is an apartment in Lindenwold, Camden County, according to the New Jersey Sex Offender Registrys website. It was unclear whether Aridi has an attorney that can speak on his behalf. San Chiricos family said someone started a rumor about Aridis return to the township after spotting Corey walking near the Shaner School on Third Street. They learned through a security guard about the mistaken identity. Hamilton Township Superintendent Jeff Zito declined to comment. Pleasantville school celebrates autism awareness PLEASANTVILLE The North Main Street School celebrated Autism Awareness Month on April 20 w A lot of it happens at Wawa because he likes to go to Wawa, Stefan San Chirico said, referring to the convenience store on Route 50 in downtown Mays Landing. The staff knows him, but plenty of customers dont, making the situation stressful, the family says. Wawa said Wednesday it worked quickly to help the family and community resolve the misperception. We are committed to making sure our stores maintain an environment that is positive and welcoming, Lori Bruce, a senior public relations manager for Wawa, said in a statement. Aggressive encounters can be detrimental to an autistic person who doesnt always understand certain social situations, the family says. The stress of getting approached in such a manner has boiled over, the family says. Egg Harbor Township Wawa employee honored for kindness, friendship on Wawa Day EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP A local Wawa employee is being recognized for her kindness and befrien Aridi, 38, faces new charges he allegedly used his phone to photograph a teenager walking to her bus stop in the area of Pine Glen Drive and Jarvis Road in Sicklerville last year. The case has yet to go before a grand jury, state court officials said. The mistaken-identity incidents extend beyond the past six months. His mother remembers a situation at The Cove beach at Lake Lenape during the summer where a man forced his daughters from the water, urging them to avoid Corey, believing him to be Aridi. Learning about Corey San Chiricos disability and having an autistic son himself, the man apologized, Camille San Chirico said. His mother wants everyone to know her son isnt a threat, posting to social media with messages explaining his condition and urging people who see him around town to be kind. While it hopefully prevents further encounters that could aggravate Coreys anxiety, its one they shouldnt have to take, altering his life to stay safe, Camille San Chirico said. Its frustrating, and then you get so mad that you want to go out to people yourself and say, What the hell? she said. Ive had to do this since he was a baby because of his autism. People would say, Whats wrong with him? People didnt even know what autism is, and I had to explain it and bring it to the school because I always wanted him to go to a regular school. Atlantic County Police Chiefs launch Blue Envelope Program ATLANTIC COUNTY To improve interactions between police and individuals with autism spectru Corey San Chirico has grown up in the township nearly all his life, going through the school system and briefly attending Atlantic Cape Community College. He began showing signs of autism as a young child, using shorter words and phrases when he spoke. He also would be found spending time alone, not interacting as much with others, Camille San Chirico said. Camille wants Corey to be known most for his artwork, some of which dates to when he was 5. Several pieces of his are hung around their home on Fourth Street. He also enjoys exploring the woods nearby and being environmentally friendly in his spare time, retrieving recyclables from the forest and disposing of them. We live in the age where everything is false information, and it spreads so easily, Stefan San Chirico said. It seems like nobody has their own mind anymore to make their own conclusion on something. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. UPPER TOWNSHIP Bike path routes, rogue ATV riders and house-shaking explosions were all part of the discussion during a recent meeting of the Township Committee. These were not the implosions that shook the region as part of the ongoing demolition work at the former B.L. England power plant, but rather explosions in the woods behind a residents property. Seth Pashley was one of the residents who came to discuss plans for a bike path. While some property owners have expressed concerns about security, privacy and property values, he said he fears there could be more explosions near his home if it is easier to reach the wooded area. There have been many explosions that kids and adults have set off on the train tracks, he told committee members. Easier access to (the area) is not going to help with the explosions. There have been numerous explosions that have actually shook my house, no exaggeration. They were definitely not fireworks, he said. You think somebodys shooting Tannerite or something? asked Committee member Curtis Corson. Massive implosion destroys another Beesleys Point landmark UPPER TOWNSHIP About 1,000 pounds of explosives will tend to make an impression. Thats probably what it was, Pashley said. That would be my guess. Tannerite is a brand of target that will produce an explosive effect. It has been used for special effects, and even for gender reveal parties, or just to add excitement to target shooting. Described as a brand name for a binary explosive, Tannerite includes oxidizers and aluminum powder, which are each inert when shipped separately. When combined as directed in the container and struck by a high-velocity bullet, the product explodes dramatically. The manufacturer describes it as a shot indicator, meaning you would have no doubt if you hit or missed the target. The company recommends firing from at least 1,000 yards away from targets of up to 1 pound, or 2,000 yards from 2-pound targets, available for $17.99. Shooting with a handgun or a shotgun will not cause the reaction, according to the site. It wont go with a lit fuse or with electricity, either. It needs to be struck by a bullet traveling faster than sound. The companys website cautions against placing the targets on the ground, where the blast might throw stones or other debris, or enclosing the targets. But a quick Google search results in multiple videos labeled Tannerite gone wrong, with exploding trucks, cars and rider lawnmowers. In some instances around the country, there have been serious injuries from people combining multiple targets or standing too close. Its actually crazy that its legal, said Corson after the meeting. He said he has shot the targets, when he has vacations in remote areas in the mountains. Campground damaged by fire expected to reopen later this week UPPER TOWNSHIP A campground devastated by a large fire that torched close to two dozen cam But Pashley was at the meeting to discuss bike path plans, not the nearby explosions. Other residents also had concerns. Resident Mike Scanlon worried about new access to his neighborhood, which is set back from Route 9. Most of the people spent a lot of money to buy back there and build back there. One of the reasons is the lack of public access, he said. The roads are publicly accessible now, but not many people even know that the neighborhood exists. He said the children in the neighborhood are now free to go out and play, telling committee members that would not be the case if the bike path route includes his street. Scanlon raised several security concerns. Youre basically giving getaways for smash-and-grabs, he said. The project is a long way from being built, said Committee member Kim Hayes. The route has not been finalized, she said, and there will be chances for public input. Cape May County campground fire caused by propane explosion, resort says UPPER TOWNSHIP A two-alarm fire at a Cape May County campground was sparked by a propane e This is by far not done or written in stone yet, Corson said. The South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization is working with Cape May County on the feasibility of creating a bicycle and pedestrian trail connecting with the existing county bike route, which ends in Dennis Township. It would tie the route to Atlantic County, and could become part of miles of bicycle routes that extend across South Jersey. Multiple studies have found no connection between bike paths and increases in crime, but security remains a consistent concern for neighbors when bike paths have been considered. Pashley said he hears ATVs running through the woods near his house, but told the committee they have not been a major problem. Not everyone has the same reaction. Joe Cotton, of the Marmora section of the township, says he is as close as he can be to an area that attracts many ATV riders, a former sand pit. The area has been the subject of multiple discussions in the township. Officials say there have been problems with ATV riders for decades. Cotton said he cannot use his backyard because of the noise. NRA supporters are blowing up Yeti coolers. Yeti says it's all a big mistake. Yeti coolers are the hottest coolers around. They are also wildly expensive, between $250 and $1,300, depending on the size. So a discount on a Yeti, like the company offered to the NRA and other organizations, is no small thing. The noise that I hear every single day, including when I left to come here, is outrageous, he said. I hear it every day, responded Mayor Jay Newman. I have the same issue with kids in our neighborhood. It has been an issue for as long as I can remember. He said there are new limits on what State Police can do, describing troopers as handcuffed, and saying state directives prevent officers from chasing riders. In earlier interviews, State Police officials have said it is too dangerous to chase someone operating an ATV, which could run the risk of someone crashing and being seriously injured. Committee member Mark Pancoast, who is a police officer in Ocean City, said property owners have laid trees across the trails, only to find them cut with chainsaws and removed. Theyre driving down the highways in Philly, Pancoast said. The township has installed signs, and plans to take further steps to control access, including installing new barricades. But part of the area includes private property, township officials said, and it can be tough to keep out vehicles that have all terrain right there in the name. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A Davenport man is facing charges after he allegedly sexually abused a 10-year-old girl, police said. Randy Allen Schutters II, 31, is charged with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse. Each of the charges is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years. According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Detective Sean Johnson, on March 7, Davenport Police took a report of a sexual assault that had occurred. According to the affidavits, Schutters sexually abused a girl multiple times since November of 2022. Johnson stated in his affidavit that the victim was between 10- and 11-years old when the abuse occurred. Schutters was arrested Friday on a warrant and booked into the Scott County Jail. Former East Moline firefighter pleads guilty to federal child pornography charge A former East Moline firefighter entered a guilty plea to a federal child pornography charge during a hearing Thursday in U.S. District Court, Davenport. During a first appearance on the charges Saturday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Cynthia Taylor scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for June 6. Schutters was released Saturday from the Scott County Jail after posting 10% of a $50,000 bond through a bonding company. Sex offender's petition to get off sex offender registry denied A Davenport mans petition to be removed from Iowas Sex Offender Registry was denied by a Scott County judge after hearing Thursday. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Former President Donald Trump will hold events in Iowa next week, shortly after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis holds a campaign kickoff in Des Moines, a campaign official said. Trump will speak June 1 at a meeting of the Westside Conservative Club, a group of Polk County Republicans that regularly meets and hears from local and national Republican figures. The club's meetings are held at the Machine Shed in Urbandale. Trump will also meet with faith leaders while in Iowa, and the campaign will hold a training for caucus volunteers, the official said. DeSantis will make his first visit to Iowa as a declared candidate next week, holding an event Tuesday in Des Moines and events in Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Pella and Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. Also on June 1, Trump will participate in a televised town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity, the network announced this week. The event will be pre-taped in Des Moines earlier in the day and air at 8 p.m., according to The Hill. It will be Trumps second town hall on a major cable network after sitting down with CNNs Kaitlan Collins earlier this month. Former South Carolina governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence will participate in CNN-hosted town halls in Des Moines next month. Scott releases ad, plans Iowa town hall South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican contender for president, launched an ad Friday, depicting America as a place where anyone can succeed on grit and merit. The ad features clips from Scotts speech on Monday in which he announced his candidacy for president, saying America is the land of opportunity and not a land of oppression. We are not defined by the color of our skin. We are defined by the content of our character, and if anyone tells you anything different, they're lying, Scott says in the ad. The ad began airing in Iowa on Friday. Scott, the first Black senator from the South since reconstruction, has criticized notions of systemic racism and victimhood in campaign speeches. Scott says in the ad he is the candidate the far left fears the most. I disrupt their narrative. I threaten their control, he says. The truth of my life disproves their lies. Scott will also join U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra for a town hall at 5:30 p.m. on June 2 in Council Bluffs, his campaign announced Friday. On June 3, Scott will join several other Republican presidential candidates at U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's annual Roast and Ride fundraiser. Scott is hovering in the low single digits in Iowa Republican caucus polls, according to FiveThirtyEight. The 2024 presidential field, in the order they've announced Donald Trump, Republican Nikki Haley, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican Marianne Williamson, Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Democrat Larry Elder, Republican President Joe Biden, Democrat Asa Hutchinson, Republican Tim Scott, Republican Ron DeSantis, Republican Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday announced staffing changes in her office. Reynolds named Steve Blankinship as her senior legal counsel following the departure of Michael Boal, who has served in the role since 2020. Boal is returning to private legal practice, according to a news release from the governors office. Blankinship served as a district court judge in New Mexico and as senior counsel to former New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. Molly Severn, legislative liaison and lobbyist for Reynolds, will serve as her deputy chief of staff following the departure of Stephanie Groen. Groen, who had served in that role since 2021, left to take a position as policy director with the Republican Governors Public Policy Committee. Severn will continue to serve as legislative liaison for the governors office in addition to serving as Reynolds deputy chief, according to the release. Lillie Brady will join Reynolds office as an agriculture and energy policy adviser effective June 9. Brady previously served as a senior associate at Cornerstone Government Affairs, as well as in several positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. APPOINTS ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY AS DISTRICT JUDGE Reynolds on Friday appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Dupuich, of Coralville, as a district judge for Iowas 6th Judicial District. Dupuich, who works for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Iowa, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and her law degree from the University of Southern California Law School. She fills a vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of District Court Judge Paul Miller. The judicial district includes Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Tama counties. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. MATTESON A 9-year-old boy was fatally shot and a 20-year-old woman wounded during an altercation outside a home in a suburb south of Chicago, police said Friday. Officers responded about 6 p.m. Thursday to a report of a shooting in Matteson, according to police in the city. A caller told 911 dispatchers that her grandson had been shot. The boy suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen and died at a hospital, police told reporters at a news conference. The woman's wounds were not considered life-threatening. Police did not release further details of the shooting. The Cook County medical examiner's office identified the boy as Omuiri Jones Brown, according to WMAQ-TV. Denise Jones the boy's grandmother, told WBBM-TV that her granddaughter had a fight with another girl at school. The other girl and some of her friends then drove to Jones' home. They fought outside, and a teenage boy who was with the group of girls began shooting, Jones said. She described her grandson as an honor roll student who loved to dance. The boy had been staying with Jones after his mother moved to Chicago, she said. "His mom moved out and he stayed here because he didn't want to go to Chicago, because he was afraid of getting shot," Jones said. Photos: Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - File Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 MANILA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- A photo of a boy begging in the Philippine capital using a QR code went viral on social media, prompting a government body to warn about the possibility of syndicates using street children to scam people. A netizen, who ran into the boy, said the beggar whipped out a QR code when told they had no coins. "We laughed at first, so we checked if the QR code works, and it was real, named after a certain Beverly," the netizen said in his Facebook post. The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) on Friday warned the public that a criminal syndicate might be behind the scheme. "There are syndicates behind these activities. The syndicates haul these beggars in vans, deploy them in the streets, and collect them at night," NAPC vice chairperson Reynaldo Tamayo told local television. Tamayo said parents of children begging in the streets could face a fine and not more than two years imprisonment if proven guilty. The Philippine Statistics Authority said 18.1 percent of the Philippines' nearly 110 million population live below the poverty line. Beggars in Manila streets become highly visible during the Christmas holidays, knocking on car windows for spare change. Every year, the government's social welfare department provides "basic needs" to beggars and keeps them out of the streets before returning them to the province. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. DES MOINES Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a slate of education bills on Friday into law, including a bill limiting LGBTQ instruction topics through sixth grade and barring books with sexual content from school libraries. The bill, Senate File 496, was a top priority of both Reynolds and legislative Republicans this session. They said it will expand parents' rights and give them more input over their children's education. This legislative session, we secured transformational education reform that puts parents in the driver's seat, eliminates burdensome regulations on public schools, provides flexibility to raise teacher salaries, and empowers teachers to prepare our kids for their future, Reynolds said in a statement. Education is the great equalizer and everyone involved parents, educators, our children deserves an environment where they can thrive. The bill institutes a wide range of education requirements and restrictions, including: Instruction related to sexual orientation or gender identity will be barred in kindergarten through sixth grade; Books depicting or describing sex acts will be banned from school libraries. Religious texts will be exempted; Schools will need to notify parents if a student requests changing their name or pronouns; Schools must put their library catalog online and allow parents to review certain instructional materials, providing a policy to request removal of any classroom materials; The bill codifies parents rights and requires parents permission before a student takes a survey that asks about political affiliation and mental health problems, among other things. The bill also allows students to transfer to a different building in the same school system if they experience harassment or bullying and allows home-schooled children with special needs to dual enroll at their home school district for special education instruction. The bill passed the legislature this year with only Republican support. Democrats said the bill was unnecessary, stifled teacher and student freedoms and further ostracized LGBTQ students. But Republicans said the bill limited what they described as a political agenda out of schools and put parents in charge of their children's education. "For all the LGBTQ+ kids and families who feel targeted by the Governor and her allies this session, we see you and we love you," Iowa Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, said in a statement. "You deserve the freedom to be yourself and be happy without interference from politicians. Were going to keep fighting for you." The law was also opposed by the Iowa State Education Association, the states largest teachers union. Today, with her veto power, Governor Reynolds had an opportunity to support the thousands of great education professionals who work hard to educate, support, and elevate the students in their care, ISEA President Mike Beranek said in an emailed statement. She chose not to exercise this power, and instead, cemented laws that are designed to intimidate, censor, and harm the educators and students who work in and attend our public schools. It was also opposed by LGBTQ rights organizations, who said it would put transgender youth in danger. Senate File 496 is anti-child, anti-parent and anti-educator, Iowa Safe Schools Executive Director Becky Taylor said in a statement. With the stroke of a pen, Governor Reynolds has punctuated her crusade against LGBTQ youth this session." School regulations Reynolds also signed a bill into law loosening regulations at public schools, including the requirements for graduation, how classes must be taught and who may teach them. Senate File 391 was another bill Reynolds introduced, which she said would remove burdens from schools, allow flexibility and cut costs. Starting in the next school year, schools will be able to do the following: No longer report a comprehensive improvement plan to the state Hire a public librarian to be a school librarian, rather than a certified teacher librarian Teach multiple sequential units of the same subject in the same classroom Allow community college instructors to teach more classes The law changes the number of classes schools are required to teach, requiring two years of a foreign language instead of four and two years of fine arts instead of three. Students will also have more options for P.E. waivers and will not be required to take financial literacy classes. Schools will not be able to deliver more than 30 hours of instruction online per year. Between the two laws, schools will also no longer be required to teach about HIV and AIDS or HPV and the availability of an HPV vaccine. Schools are still required to teach about sexually transmitted diseases, but teaching about those specific diseases will be optional. Other laws Reynolds signed five other education bills into law on Friday, dealing with teacher licensing and discipline, the state Board of Educational Examiners and more. House File 430 will change the makeup of the state Board of Educational Examiners, putting more parents on the board that licenses and disciplines teachers in the state. The 13-member board will be made up of the following members: Four members of the public who have never held a teachers license, including two parents with a child currently enrolled in school, and one current or former school board member. Eight licensed practitioners, including three administrators and one employee of a nonpublic school The final member will be the Department of Education director or their designee The board is currently composed of two members of the public, the department director, and nine licensed practitioners. House File 135 requires the state Board of Regents to publish income and debt data for college graduates and provide that information to undergraduates. House File 604 seeks to address violence in schools, House File 672 changes background checks and renewal requirements for teachers and House File 614 allows teachers licensed in another state to receive an Iowa teaching license. How K-12 public school funding has changed over the past decade How K-12 public school funding has changed over the past decade Education revenue has increased overall since 2012 For the last decade, education expenditures have been greater than education revenue The percentage of education revenue coming from federal sources has decreased in most states Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. SPRINGFIELD Lawmakers in Springfield have unanimously approved a measure that would place new restrictions on the red-light and speed camera industrys involvement in state and local elections and government. House Bill 3903 would ban automatic traffic enforcement companies or their officers from donating to candidates for public office at the state and local level. It would also prevent state and local government officials from accepting jobs or contracts with those companies while in office or for two years after leaving office, a kind of revolving door ban. Sponsors praised the bill as much-needed ethics reform after several public officials in the past decade have been caught by federal investigators engaging in bribery deals and kickback schemes involving red-light camera companies. What this does is it tightens up the ethics surrounding the red-light camera corruption and scandals, Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, said during the House debate on Thursday. Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, called the two-year revolving door ban a good step. HB 3909 received unanimous approval in the House on Thursday after a similar unanimous vote in the Senate last week. The bill would also grant the Illinois Department of Transportation new authority to review and either approve or revoke approval for automated traffic enforcement systems under certain circumstances, such as if a public official is charged with bribery. The measure would also require that local governments review the safety impacts of automated enforcement systems every two years. Local governments would also have the sole authority to decide to issue tickets, ending their current ability to delegate that decision to the red-light and speed camera companies they contract with. Bribes in the legislature, local government The spate of indictments and convictions of public officials caught up in bribery schemes with automated traffic enforcement companies was alluded to during debate on the bill at the Capitol. Weve had issues with this and I think the bill is a great first step, Sen. Jil Tracy, a Quincy Republican and member of the legislatures ethics commission, said. Tracy has seen two of her Senate colleagues indicted on such charges in the last four years. In September of last year, Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, was charged with bribery for a scheme connecting him to red-light camera company SafeSpeed LLC in exchange for shielding the organization from a study of red-light systems in the state. Jones has pleaded not guilty and remains in the Senate. He voted in favor of the measure last week. The late Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, also admitted to accepting bribes from the company and falsifying tax returns in 2020. Sandoval died of COVID-19 complications later that year while he was awaiting sentencing. The public deserves to have the utmost trust in their government and their law enforcement, bill sponsor Sen. Laura Murphy, D-Des Plaines, said in a news release. We need to ensure that there is accountability and honesty on all levels. Two former suburban Chicago mayors, a former Cook County commissioner and his chief of staff have also pleaded guilty to charges involving bribes or kickbacks from SafeSpeed. In 2016, former assistant Chicago transportation commissioner John Bills was convicted of accepting lavish gifts and $600,000 in exchange for pushing the city to accept contracts from the red-light camera company Redflex. Bills received a 10-year prison sentence, the longest sentence so far handed down to an Illinois official in connection with a red-light camera company. Federal prison records show hes moved on to a halfway house. A first step? The General Assembly is facing pressure to enact ethics reforms in response to federal probes beyond those involving red light camera companies. Earlier this month, three ex-lobbyists and the former CEO of electric utility Commonwealth Edison were convicted of orchestrating a bribery scheme to curry favor with former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who was himself indicted on related corruption and racketeering charges last year. In mid-May, former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn made an appearance in Springfield to call for a special legislative session to consider ethics reform, noting that the ComEd verdict revealed a grievous breach of public trust. If you take a look at the indictments that have been made that are going to be tried next year, the allegations include violations of conflict of interest, Quinn said. Thats just not right. Its not right for anybody in Illinois whos a taxpayer to have legislators voting on bills where they have a financial interest. Ryan Tolley, the policy director for the government reform group CHANGE Illinois, noted that HB 3909 marks the first time the legislature has enacted a two-year revolving door ban, an idea that was contentious even when the General Assembly passed a six-month ban on lawmakers leaving for lobbying gigs in 2021. Hopefully this can be a first step moving forward, Tolley said in an interview. Tolley noted that he believes further action is needed on ethics reform, such as giving the Legislative Inspector General, the General Assemblys top ethics official, more independent authority to investigate potential wrongdoing. Former LIG Carol Pope cited her lack of power to conduct investigations or impose sanctions as a reason for her 2021 resignation, calling the office a paper tiger. Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The federal government has a treaty obligation to fund tribal law enforcement on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, a federal judge ruled Tuesday almost four months after a two-day court trial in Rapid City presented competing arguments on the issue. "We are hopeful the United States abides by the courts direction immediately, and provides the tribe with the resources needed to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis on the Pine Ridge Reservation as soon as possible," Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out wrote in a statement on Friday. Chief Judge Roberto Lange's ruling laid out in a 78-page document denied the government's motion to completely dismiss the tribe's lawsuit. The government argued the United States had no treaty duty to provide funding for law enforcement, which the judge disagreed with. "The United States has a treaty duty unique to the tribe to provide protection and law enforcement cooperation and support on the reservation," Lange wrote. Lange did not, however, completely rule in favor of the tribe's case, which asked for the court to not only rule that the government had a treaty obligation to fund law enforcement, but to also fund an adequate law enforcement presence at least 120 officers, according to the OST. "The tribe has not shown at this stage that a duty extends to entitle the tribe to the level of funding or support that it sought in its law enforcement and criminal investigations proposals," the judge wrote. The split ruling established the basis for the tribe's argument to receive more law enforcement funding, but did not determine the level of funding the government should provide. The court ordered the government to reevaluate the tribe's requested funding, reassess its 1999 service population estimate which is the basis for current funding amounts and address the "underfunding" from the use of the data. "(The government) may neither abandon altogether funding support of the tribe's law enforcement, nor act arbitrarily and capriciously, or otherwise in disregard of that duty," Lange wrote. Star Comes Out said if the government does not honor its treaty-based duties, "the tribe will look forward to proving at trial that the United States has violated its treaty obligations to fund law enforcement at Pine Ridge and that the Tribe is legally entitled to adequate funding for 120 fully-equipped law enforcement officers." The judge encouraged the government and the tribe to "work together to promptly figure out how to more fairly fund tribal law enforcement." The law enforcement crisis on Pine Ridge coupled with the federal government's denial of the tribe's requests for additional funding prompted the lawsuit. Pine Ridge's law enforcement is funded through the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), which provides the ability for tribes to take over services administered by the Secretary of Interior, including law enforcement. Prior to 1998, the Bureau of Indian Affairs provided the tribe with law enforcement through the Tribal Priority Allocation system (TPA). Through the TPA system, the federal government provided a lump sum of money based on priorities laid out by the tribe. In the late 1990s, the tribe had access to non-BIA grants for law enforcement that bolstered a larger law enforcement force, so they were able to use their TPA funds for programs other than law enforcement. In 1999, the BIA changed it's funding mechanism for law enforcement and separated it from the TPA system. However, when they calculated the amount OST needed, they based it off the artificially small number the tribe used through the TPA system because they had funding through other sources. When the additional grants dried up in 2006, the tribe lost roughly half of its police officers. The reduction has caused a law enforcement crisis on the reservation, according to the tribe and testimony during the trial. Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Chief of Police Algin Young testified his 33 patrol officers cannot respond to all 911 calls, work an average of 80 hours of overtime a week and are "exhausted." Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. ST. ANTHONY - Many rural cemeteries in the Mandan area are maintained yearlong by a committee, but theres one that gets some extra care right before Memorial Day. The Rural Union Methodist Association Cemetery, or simply the Rural Union Cemetery, is north of St. Anthony. A small Methodist church built in 1949 by the Unkenholz family stands beside it. Graves from the early 1900s are found there. And bright vibrant flowers can be found on every tombstone right before Memorial Day, thanks to the descendants of the Schauss family. The tradition started over 50 years ago. Members of the Schauss family grew up and went to church in south Mandan. Sisters Dorothy, Clara and Arlene would come out to the cemetery to maintain their grandparents graves. It started with just their familys tombstones. But since they were already there, the sisters began to clean more and more of the surrounding area. Lynn Crouse, daughter of Dorothy, came out to the cemetery once when she was teenager with her mother and aunts. It usually was just the three of them in the beginning, she said. Only after the sisters died did Crouse and her cousins Wanda Guenthner, Kim Hust, Bonnie Petryszyn, Colette Barth and Danielle Pulkrabek begin to take over their mothers work. Now, every year before Memorial Day, they send out an invite to members of the family the cousins spouses, children and grandchildren. They notify the cemetery committee that theyll be in charge for cleanup in May. Memorial Day is the time when you remember those who have passed, Crouse said. The family brings in riding mowers, push mowers and weed whackers sometime in mid-May. They wash the stones and trim around them. Newer graves are left alone since some of those families are still around. But older graves most likely dont have family in the area anymore, and the Schauss family descendants will place flowers on those tombstones. They get their flowers via donations. Crouse's grandparents and parents are buried in town, and the Schauss family descendants will bring the older flowers from those grave sites to Rural Union Cemetery when the town gravesites get new flowers. Everything is recycled. The family has a potluck afterward. They bring sandwiches and salads. Pulkrabek, who died last year, would bring chicken that her nieces and nephews always looked forward to. Around 10 people usually show up to help and spend time with family, according to Crouse. One year around 20 people attended. If they can make it, they make it, Crouse said. They have a good time, too. And of course the little kids love running around, hanging on the gate. For the family its not just a way to keep up the tradition, but to also keep in contact. Crouse and her cousins hope that their children will carry on the tradition. Crouse mentioned that as she and her cousins are getting older, its harder to work in the cemetery. This year it was particularly hot. The cleanup took more than two hours instead of the usual hour and a half. The oldest grave in the cemetery dates to 1903, and stones of the ones from before the 1940s have sunken into the ground. But even though the family doesn't know any of them, We just need to remember those people," Crouse said. "Thats where we came from. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Police have asked the public with help locating a man connected to the shooting of a 6-year-old child Friday morning on East Signal Drive in Rapid City. "The Rapid City Police Department is currently seeking the public's help to locate Lyle Blue Legs III in connection with the shooting that injured a six-year-old male," Rapid City Police wrote on Facebook Friday evening. "Blue Legs also goes by the nickname "Yamni." The public is asked not to approach the suspect." A 6-year-old child was shot inside a residence on the 100 block of East Signal Drive Friday morning, the Rapid City Police Department said in a post to social media. Police responded to a report of a shooting at about 9 a.m. When they arrived, they found a child had been shot. "On arrival, police located a 6-year-old male with a serious, non-life-threatening gunshot wound," police said. "The child was transported to the hospital via ambulance for treatment." The suspect was seen on camera fleeing the area. RCPD has released a copy of the image and also included the image in the post asking for help finding Blue Legs. Anyone with any information about Blue Legs' whereabouts should contact the Rapid City Police Department at 605-394-4131. An anonymous tip can also be submitted by texting the letters 'RCPD' and the information to 847411. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The body of missing 32-year-old Christopher McCown of Hamilton has been located following a multi-agency search. Hamilton Police Chief Steve Snavely and Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton reported on Friday that McCown's remains had been located west of Hamilton on Tuesday, May 23. The preliminary investigation indicates that McCown died due to a fall. Hamilton Police officers, Ravalli County sheriff's deputies and search and rescue personnel located McCown's remains. McCown was reported missing on May 16. The last confirmed sighting of McCown was on May 11 in the Hamilton area, and a witness reported seeing a male matching his description on a trail west of Hamilton on May 12 according to law enforcement. The Hamilton Police Department and Ravalli County Sheriff's Office extended their "sincere condolences" to McCown's family and friends in a statement released on Friday. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. As the church bells chimed signaling the start of early afternoon, Oregon Hill came alive. The heat of the summer air coaxed kids out of their homes and into yards to play. Mothers took a break from lunch to relax on front porches. A special memorial event brought more visitors than usual to Hollywood Cemetery, and cars lined bumper to bumper up and down neighboring streets. When a siren began to sound shortly after, curiosity drove most everyone in the neighborhood out of their homes and into the road to see what was going on. All the while, at the end of the hill on South Cherry Street, two men lay under the cover of ivy and brush, hidden from view. A few hours prior, unbeknownst to the neighborhood, the pair had made a daring attempt at freedom and had succeeded. Now, they just needed to wait until nightfall to complete their grand escape. Their prospects were good. They had managed the unthinkable: They had escaped the notorious Virginia State Penitentiary. Their hope was lost, however, when the sounds of bays filled the air. The pair had not accounted for the bloodhounds. After hours of freedom, convicted robber Ralph Stony Stonebreaker and convicted murderer Robert McDonald were drawn out of hiding and surrendered without incident. By smashing open a heavily-barred gate with a four-ton motor truck, two long-term prisoners at the State Penitentiary made a sensational escape shortly after mid-day yesterday, only to be captured a few hours later by city police, read the Thursday, June 23, 1932, edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. For nearly two centuries, Richmond housed the Virginia State Penitentiary, which welcomed some of the states most infamous criminals. Its basement was home to the states execution chambers, and many of Virginias death row inmates met their fate within its walls. The prison complex occupied the block bordered by Byrd, Spring, Belvidere and South Second streets a few blocks east of what is now Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Cary & Belvidere Residence Center. While it saw numerous prisoners come through its doors, it rarely saw them leave. But that was not for lack of trying. Throughout its stay in the city, the Virginia State Penitentiary saw its fair share of prison breaks. While many tried, few were successful with most ending in recapture and some in tragedy. Among the most infamous included Stonebreaker, who made it his mission to leave the prison by any means necessary. Stonebreaker, a West Virginia native, found himself living in Newport News when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. While stationed at Fort Eustis, he traded his military career for a life of crime. In 1931, Stonebreaker, along with Charles Panella, another Fort Eustis recruit, began holding up convenience stores and filling stations across the Peninsula and in Richmond before they were apprehended in Warwick County. The local police were engaged in a search for two unmasked gunmen who held up and robbed two filling stations here and then escaped by automobile, the Richmond News Leader reported in its Oct. 6, 1931, edition of the paper. The pair were both sentenced to decades-long terms to be served at the state penitentiary. While Stonebreaker had already had a prolific career as both a criminal and an escapee, the notion that a jailbreak could be successfully accomplished came, in part, from Panella. In January 1932, just two months into his sentence, Panella saw an opportunity and took it. While in the prison yard, he climbed up and over the wall while hundreds of inmates cheered him on. About this story "From the Archives" is a series of stories exploring the history of Richmond and the region through the files of the Times-Dispatch. Have a topic you'd like us to check out? Email reporter Em Holter at eholter@timesdispatch.com and visit richmond.com to see more from the archives. On the other side of the wall, he climbed down a barred window, scaled the outer wall and fled, all while taking gunfire from the guard towers. The 23-year-old former boxer ran down an alley near Fourth and Canal streets and was not seen again for four months. Two months later, inspired by his partners escape, Stonebreaker made his first attempt when he and McDonald hatched an ill-formed plan and stole a prison truck carrying sheet steel used to make license plates. Stonebreakers escape resulted in a few hours of freedom before capture. And it would not be his last attempt. On June 16, 1936, around the four-year anniversary of his first attempt, Stonebreaker led another prison break. This time, he had help. As hundreds of prisoners made their routine trip to the yard, the plan of Stonebreaker and seven other inmates was unfolding. While prison guard Robert Reams was making his rounds, one of the eight inmates grabbed Reams from behind and placed a knife to his throat. Reams was taken to the prisons automobile lot, bound and thrown into the back of a van. There, he found head guard Powhatan Bass and prison trustee Oscar Field in a similar fashion prone, with their hands bound. Inmates Debie Coleman; Texas robber Bill Lynn; convicted murderers George Ferguson and Burley Wright; convicted bank robbers Talmadge Feazell, Ed Veal and John Price; and Stonebreaker piled into the van and took off across the yard. The plan, reminiscent of Stonebreakers earlier plot, was to ram the van through the same gates, now reinforced with a steel beam, and drive away from the prison. But they never made it to the door. At the top of the guard tower, veteran prison guard H.C. Smith stood watching the prison grounds. When the van filled with eight prisoners and three hostages came barreling across the yard, Smith quickly realized that this was an escape attempt. From his post, Smith, unaware of the presence of hostages, opened fire on the van. First, he unloaded his service pistol; after this, he fired six buck shots into the vehicle. Despite being riddled with bullet holes, the van continued barreling toward the gates that stood between the inmates and freedom. In a last-ditch attempt to stop the van, Smith dropped the shotgun and picked up a submachine gun, unleashing a long burst of .45-caliber bullets. As the final rounds broke through the metal frame and peppered its sides, the van slowed and lost momentum before stopping completely in front of the gate. The doors slowly opened, and Stonebreaker, Wright, Veal and Price stood, their jumpsuits splattered with blood, with their hands in the air. Inside the van, sunlight poured through the bullet holes. On the floor, Bass lay dead with numerous gunshot wounds to his head and body. In the front seat, inmate Coleman lay unconscious with a head wound. Lynn, who was among five other inmates who plotted an escape two years prior, and Ferguson were both shot in the back and in the leg. Prison trustee Fields was shot in the stomach, and Reams was hit in the mouth and the hip. Outraged by Bass death, District Attorney Gray Haddon charged all of the unharmed prisoners with murder, stating he would seek the death penalty. In the years that followed, numerous trials were held for Stonebreaker and the three other inmates who had come away unscathed. Ultimately, jurors ruled in favor of the inmates. In the years following, Stonebreaker continued to make escape attempts albeit, with a different approach primarily through the appeals court. For five years, he led a court battle arguing he was denied due process during his first arrest. Ultimately, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in his favor and his charges were dismissed. Stonebreaker served nine years and was released at age 37. His partner Panella was captured months after his escape after robbing a convenience store in Newport News. The Virginia State Penitentiary faced many more escape plots in its tenure before it shut its doors in 1991. The execution chamber was moved to the Greensville Correctional Center near Jarratt. The prison was demolished in 1992. Stonebreaker died the same year. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Two new School Board members will begin their tenures in Hanover County in a little over a month. The start of Greg Coleman and Whitney Welshs terms on the board coincides with a tumultuous period for the panel as a long-time board member and the current chairman is being replaced, and also coming off a school year that saw several heated political debates. Hanover is one of around 15 localities in Virginia that appoints its School Board members through the Board of Supervisors. Each supervisor chooses a nominee for their respective districts, to be approved by the rest of the board. In the Beaverdam District, supervisors voted to appoint Coleman to the board at the recommendation of Supervisor J. Robert Monolo. Coleman, an Air Force veteran, is an account manager and sales representative for Alson, a medical equipment manufacturing company. He and his wife have three children in countys school system. Coleman told supervisors that he has a servants heart and that he takes a great deal of pride in his work for a health care system supporting doctors and nurses. He was chosen as the appointee from a pool of eight candidates from the county who came forward looking to fill the seat. While I had several outstanding candidates, after interviewing them all I nominated (Coleman) because he is a strong Christian with leadership experience and he has kids in Hanover schools, giving him firsthand knowledge of the issues faced by parents of school children, Monolo said. I felt he would do the best job advocating for parents and children in our schools. In the Henry District, Welsh was appointed at the recommendation of Supervisor Sean Davis. Welsh is a retired business owner who graduated from Atlee High School. She has two children at Rural Point Elementary School. She said she was humbled and excited to serve on the panel. The new appointees are being injected into a School Board that has been an epicenter for dispute in recent years. The board debated a number of topics that have mirrored political controversies at the national level, including transgender student policies, the renaming of schools named for Confederate leaders and, more recently, school book policies. School Board Chairman John Axselle III who represents the Beaverdam District and is being replaced by Coleman has been one of the more heavily criticized county residents. In April, he supported an effort to give a consolidated elementary school the name Ashland Elementary after it appeared that the school was settled to be named after John M. Gandy, a historical Black educator. Critics said it was political retribution for the boards earlier decision to rename schools that were named after Confederates. Last year, Axselle was accused of violating federal student privacy law by using his personal email to send private student information to Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal advocacy organization. At the time, the board was considering a policy that would require transgender students to submit written requests asking for access to school facilities that align with their gender identity. That policy passed 4-3 and was largely written by the ADF. Axselle has served as School Board chair nine times and as vice chair four times during his 28-year tenure. In the Henry District, Welsh will replace George Sutton, who has often voted along the same lines as Axselle. Hanover NAACP President Pat Hunter-Jordan, who has opposed Axselles views during most of these controversies, announced in August that the Hanover NAACP was calling for his removal. Hunter-Jordan said she is hoping the new board members will be more receptive when she and other residents raise concerns about school policies, though she said she is upset that diversity on the board is changing very little. To me, it looks like they are appointing the same (ideas). There is no difference, Hunter-Jordan said. We just dont know whats going to happen. Supervisors, she said, had a chance to appoint people of color, but passed up those options for the current appointees. Officially, Axselle will retire from his position on July 1 when Coleman and Welsh assume their posts. The Board of Supervisors previously heard a presentation from County Attorney Dennis Walter concerning the legal process for removing a School Board member. The presentation made no reference to any specific board member, though it was given after allegations that Axselle violated a students privacy. Monolo and Davis signaled their intent to issue proclamations thanking the outgoing School Board members for their time on the panel. The citizens may not have always agreed with (Axselles) approach to things, but he served the county well over those years, Monolo said. Through Our Lens: Outdoor adventure along the James River Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency was overdue to take a second look at a sweet, colorless gas used by industries nationwide. The concern was that it might be more toxic than previously known. The agencys concerns were founded. Ethylene oxide or ETO was found to be at least 60 times more carcinogenic than believed. Workers coming into daily contact with the gas were reporting leukemia and breast cancer at abnormal rates. Last fall, the EPA published a list of 25 U.S. counties where ETO has been leaking into the atmosphere. On that list: Henrico County. Henrico has been home to a sterilization facility for medical equipment since 1990. The EPA now says the company, Sterilization Services of Virginia, is releasing roughly nine times the acceptable level of ETO in a radius of up to five miles from its location off Charles City Road. On Thursday, residents and environmental scientists met and voiced their concerns, wondering aloud if their health issues were caused by the gas and if they were near enough to the facility to be worried. Ive had headaches for the past two years, said Brandy Covington, who said she lives off Charles City Road. The sterilization facility in question sits near Richmond International Airport in an industrial park between the neighborhoods of Montrose and Varina. It uses ETO to clean medical equipment like catheters and stents that are too delicate to be cleaned using heat. Sterilization Services of Virginia is one of three facilities run by parent company Sterilization Services; the others are in Memphis, Tennessee, and Atlanta. The company is owned by Altair Engineering, a publicly traded group based out of Michigan, according to EPA filings. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reached out to the facility several times this week but did not receive a response to questions. David Connor, the facilitys general manager, did not return calls for comment. Typically, sterilizers like SSV bring pallets of medical gear into a sterilization chamber, which is then flooded with ETO. Afterward, much, but not all, of the ETO is removed using a scrubber. The remainder leaks into the atmosphere, to the tune of thousands of pounds each year: 5,000 pounds leaked in 2021, federal data shows. The EPA has said an area as wide as five miles from the facility was at an elevated risk, with the risk significantly higher if one lives closer to the facility. As news of the EPAs warning broke last fall, Richmond-Henrico Health Director Elaine Perry said the risk from the gas is small and that only residents living within two to three miles could face potential long-term impacts of prolonged exposure to the chemicals, she told TV news station WRIC. But at least four child care centers are within a mile of the sterilization center. Schools like Montrose Elementary, Church Hill Academy and Sandston Elementary School are within three miles of the leaking gas. The harm of ETO is greater in children than in adults. The neighborhoods affected by the sterilization facilitys leakage are predominantly Black. On average, residents make three-fourths of the income that their counterparts earn on the western side of the county. The EPA has said addressing ethylene oxide remains a major priority for the agency. The agency has identified 25 hot spot counties and, in some, it has held meetings to teach residents about the potential cancer risk, although it has yet to hold such a meeting in Henrico. This April, the EPA pushed out rules that it says would cut emissions from commercial sterilizers by 80%, including at facilities like Henricos. Those rules are in a public comment phase now. They will likely take several years to go into effect, assuming they are not tied up by legal challenges. Already, such groups as the American Chemistry Council have lobbied against the rules. In April, the group claimed the EPAs science was severely flawed and that regulating commercial sterilizers would increase health care costs on cash-strapped hospitals. Overly conservative restrictions on the production of ethylene oxide could put the needs of the healthcare sector at risk, the lobbying group said. The ACC lobbies heavily in states across the country, including Virginia, against environmental regulations perceived to harm businesses. EPA spokesperson David Sternberg said the facility last modified its safety controls in 2009 and has not updated them since, despite a disclaimer suggesting otherwise on the EPAs own site. Aaron Proctor, the spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, said the facility had agreed to update some controls ahead of the EPAs timeline. DEQ hopes these voluntary controls will be operational by September, Proctor said. At the Varina Public Library on Thursday, environmental advocates walked through the EPAs findings on ethylene oxide. Darya Minovi, senior research analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists, presented to around 30 environmentalists and residents, many of whom live within a few miles of the sterilization facility. The event was held in partnership with the Sierra Club. Many people dont even know that they have one of these facilities in their community, Minovi said. Theres been no communication with the communities about this. The information thats been published is pretty vague, and theres no clear description of what the risks are now. The group is pushing the EPA and the DEQ to act quickly and thoroughly with regulating sterilizers across the country. Organizers believe the EPAs regulations are a good start, but that they dont go nearly far enough in that they will continue to ask sterilizers to self-report their own emissions data. Thats a problem, said Gustavo Angeles, acting director of the Sierra Clubs Virginia chapter. But thats the law. Jessica Thomas, an organizer with UCS, encouraged residents to submit their own written comments to the EPA rule-makers. EPA needs to hear from you, Thomas said. They need to hear about the smells that youre smelling, the headaches that youre having. They need to see the human side of this. 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As Virginians mark Memorial Day, Richmond Fire Station 13 Capt. Brian Dalrymple urges caution around the James River, saying the danger can be found in the rivers tricky currents as well as in the overconfidence of river-goers. Hundreds are expected to flock to the James to cool off or to paddle. The biggest mistake that most people make, Dalrymple said, is overestimating their swimming skills. Last year, 70 Virginians died by drowning, with 43% of the fatalities occurring between June and August, state data shows. In 2021, the deaths reached 99, with 42% coming in the summer months. Earlier this month, a rafter died on the James after a storm left debris on the river. Dalrymple said the victim was an experienced rafter but died after she got trapped in the rapids, adding that he nearly lost members of his own water rescue team as they tried to rescue her. A year ago, two women, Lauren Winstead and Sarah Erway, drowned at Boshers Dam on the James. Richmond is a recreational hub for water sports. The fire station responds to well over 100 water rescues per year, with a few dozen on the James River. Dalrymple said these numbers are uncommon nationally because few U.S. cities have a river with rapids running through the heart of the community. There are very few places that have whitewater Class III, Class V, through downtown. Thats unheard of, Dalrymple said. You have rivers that are often distant that have that, but not downtown metro thats what makes Richmond very unique. The rapids that run along the James are rated as low Class I, or the safest and go as high Class V, which are considered difficult rapids to navigate. Other mistakes that people make include not being familiar with the rivers geography, such as the rapids or dams, and using poor equipment, Dalrymple said. The most problematic spots on the river are the Hollywood Rapids, Pipeline Rapids and Pony Pasture Rapids, he said, adding that, at one part where the James comes into Richmond, there is a 105-foot elevation drop. You need to have a healthy respect for the risks that are associated with where you are, Dalrymple said. But we dont want people to be discouraged to enjoy the river. Even though summer is not yet in full swing, there was already a close call in the state. In Virginia Beach on May 14, a family wound up in the surf and had to be rescued even though red caution flags were flying and the water was obviously rough. The multiperson rescue took 15 to 20 minutes after two adults and a child were caught waist-deep near rock jetties far away from lifeguard stands, said Tom Gill, Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service chief and vice president of the U.S. Lifesaving Association. The Virginia Beach lifeguards average 400 to 600 rescues per summer, depending on the weather conditions. This year already started with a couple of exciting rescues during the first weekend that guards watched the beach, according to Gill. This summer is looking like it might be a little bit more active, he said. We just need the weather to cooperate a little bit more for us. The ocean is dynamic and dangerous, so the best advice is to swim near lifeguards and stay visible to them, Gill said. When lifeguards are off duty, he advised, stay out of the water. Rip currents are the greatest safety risk at the beach, according to Virginia Beachs ocean safety and beach rules. The city instructs visitors to never swim alone, under the influence or beyond 50 yards from shore. Water can be deceptive. Even when a river current runs at 2 mph, it is still moving more quickly than most people can swim, according to Mike Clark, the director of member training at Freedom Boat Club on the Potomac River. Clark, who trains people on water and boat safety, explains that there are many ways to stay safe, including proper instruction, using lifejackets, understanding water conditions and weather, and not diving into murky waters without a visible bottom. Most of it is about making good decisions on the water, he said. 60 historic photos from American military history 60 historic photos from American military history 1868: Sioux Wars 1862: Abraham Lincoln at Antietam during Civil War PhilippineAmerican War 1915: Mexican Border War 1927: US occupation of Nicaragua 1934: US occupation of Haiti 1917: Welcoming 1918: Service for war dead 1918: Newspaper headlines on Armistice Day 1919: Ship of soldiers returning home 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor 1942: Battalion of army engineers Circa 1940s: Women building a bomber 1943: Lockheed P-38 Lightning 1943: Medal of honor 1943: Sailor rescuing pilot from a plane wreck 1944: Paratroopers preparing for D-Day 1944: Operation Overlord 1944: Tuskegee Airmen Circa 1940s: Burial at sea for USS Intrepid casualties 1945: Women's Army Corp 1945: Raising the flag on Iwo Jima 1945: Marine charging during Battle of Okinawa 1945: Sharing food 1945: Leaving Nordhausen 1945: Manhattan skyline 1945: Japan surrenders First Indochina War Circa 1950: Bed of shells 1951: The Mighty Mo 1962: Kennedy and military leaders 1965: US combat unit in Vietnam 1965: US infantry 1965: American soldiers arriving in Vietnam 1967: US Army rifleman charge Viet Cong 1967: Soldiers engaged in long crawl to crest 1968: Soldier shaving colleague's head 1968: Hill Timothy 1969: Naval patrol craft 1975: The fall of Saigon 1975: Evacuation 1989: US soldiers look into a prison cell 1990: Operation Desert Shield 1990: Persian Gulf War 1991: USS America 1991: US soldiers watch oil refinery burn 1991: Kuwaitis with American soldiers 1991: The border Kow in Saudi Arabia 1992: Intervention in Somali Civil War 2003: Shock and awe 2003: Oil fires burn in Iraq 2003: Families mourn soldiers killed during war with Iraq 2003: The fall of Baghdad 2005: 1st Marine division honors comrades killed in Iraq 2006: Marines return after one-year deployment to Iraq 2008: US Army battles Taliban in Kunar Province 2017: United States in Afghanistan 2014: Airstrikes targeting Islamic State group US leaves Afghanistan US sends aid to Ukraine TEHRAN, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Saturday rejected as "baseless" the Ukrainian president's claims about Iran supplying Russia with drones for use against Ukraine. Nasser Kanaani made the remarks in a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website, in response to a recent call by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tehran to stop "its supply of combat drones to Russia." Kanaani reiterated Iran's opposition to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and is very sorry about the Ukrainian people's pain and suffering, adding Iran stays ready to provide assistance to the finding of a political solution to end the crisis at the earliest possible time. He stressed that the Ukrainian president's repeated "baseless" claims is in collusion with the West's anti-Iran "propaganda and media war" and is aimed at attracting further financial and arms supports from Western states. He said Iran's readiness to continue expert-level negotiation with Ukraine on solving relevant dispute, however, the Ukrainian side has refrained from holding further talks, which proofs "baselessness" of its claims and "political objectives and motives" behind its anti-Tehran accusations. In a nightly video address on Wednesday, the Ukrainian president urged Iran to reconsider what he called "its supply of combat drones to Russia" in order to stop its slide into "the dark side of history." Ukraine and Western countries have accused Iran of exporting suicide drones to Russia for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Iran has repeatedly rejected the accusations as "baseless," saying it had only given "a limited number" of drones to Russia months before the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. On the issues, the three Democrats competing for the party nomination for a Richmond seat in the House of Delegates do not have many differences. But the candidates in the 79th District Rae Cousins, Ann-Frances Lambert and Richard Walker have plenty of differences over money, name recognition and experience in a primary campaign in a heavily Democratic district rooted entirely in the city of Richmond. Independent candidate Eric Sundberg recently entered the race for the general election in November, but veteran Richmond political analyst Bob Holsworth said the Democratic primary is tantamount to the election. Cousins, 43, is a lawyer and fourth-generation Richmond resident who is a newcomer to running for office, but she has the clear advantage in political fundraising and party organization with the June 20 primary less than a month away. Her campaign war chest exceeded $300,000 at the end of March, fueled primarily by the Clean Virginia Fund, founded by Charlottesville millionaires Michael Bills and Sonjia Smith, and a related political action committee. Based on money and organization, Holsworth said, she would have to be the favorite. But money is not everything in a June primary that typically has low voter turnout, he said. Name recognition also counts. Lambert, 47, is a small-business owner serving her first term representing the 3rd District on the Richmond City Council. Her father, the late state Sen. Benjamin J. Benny Lambert III, represented the city for more than 30 years in the General Assembly. Experience is another wild card. Lambert is the only one who has been elected, but she took office just two years ago. The difference between us is experience, she said of Cousins. Walker also has some political experience. He ran for the House two years ago as a long-shot challenger of Del. Jeff Bourne, D-Richmond, a North Side political veteran who decided not to run for reelection this year after being paired with two other Democratic incumbents in another newly drawn district. He says he is relying on life experiences that transcend politics and touch the people he is trying to reach criminal offenders seeking restoration of their voting and civil rights after serving their time, minority communities in the path of natural gas pipelines and other environmental threats, and people with mental health and substance use problems. Ive walked in the shoes of the folks Ill be representing, said Walker, CEO of Bridging the Gap in Virginia, a nonprofit. All of the candidates take similar positions on issues that Democrats care most about protections for abortion access and other reproductive rights, promotion of affordable housing for people with low incomes, investment in public schools and teachers, job training and support for youth that could keep them out of the criminal justice system, more restrictions on firearms, restoration of felons voting rights, and better treatment of people with mental and behavioral health issues. For Cousins, a Church Hill native who now lives in North Side, the top issue is public education. Her mother, Charlene Cousins, is a John Marshall High School graduate who taught at the former George Mason Elementary School, now named for Henry Marsh, a former state senator and civil rights leader who was Richmonds first Black mayor. Her father, Raymond Cousins, graduated from the former Armstrong High School and spent his career in workforce development in a local youth outreach organization, the Virginia Employment Commission and the Virginia Community College System. Modernization of school buildings is at the top of my agenda, said Cousins, echoing Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, who shared that priority as a state senator before her election to Congress this year. Cousins touts her years of experience as a volunteer after returning to Richmond from Howard University Law School in 2010. She has volunteered for more than six years at Oakwood Arts, a Church Hill nonprofit that introduces middle and high school students to potential careers in film and other creative arts; and the Anna Julia Cooper School, a faith-based independent school next to the Fairfield Court public housing community. But foremost, Cousins said she supports public schools, which she calls the generators of opportunity. Lambert, who grew up in Battery Park and Ginter Park in North Richmond, says the election is about an affordability crisis in housing, child care, taxes and other costs of living. She wants Richmond to promote economic development that boosts city revenues to relieve financial pressure on residents. She voted with the City Council for the Diamond District development along North Arthur Ashe Boulevard and a renewed push for a casino resort proposed in South Richmond. We need development thats going to bring in revenue, she said about the proposed casino, which city voters rejected in 2021. We need revenue. Why say no to a development that isnt going to cost the city anything? Lambert also said Richmond needs to reestablish its credibility in the legislature. The General Assembly looks at City Council and Richmond like we dont know what the hell were doing, she said. Thats got to change. Walker, who moved to Richmond more than eight years ago and lives in Highland Park, casts himself as a grassroots organizer who rejects corporate funding. He does not care whether it comes from Dominion Energy with whom he fought over the energy giants failed attempt to build a natural gas pipeline through the Union Hill community in Buckingham County that his great-great-grandparents helped to found after the Civil War or Clean Virginia, which has pledged nearly $700,000 this year to candidates who refuse contributions from Dominion and other public utilities. In one case, Im not fighting an opponent Im fighting money, he said in a swipe at Cousins, whose campaign received $100,000 from Clean Virginia and $55,000 from Smith, wife of founder Bills, last year. Smith gave an additional $20,000 to Cousins in the first quarter. She and Commonwealth Forward, a related political action committee, also made more than $32,000 in in-kind donations to the campaign. Walker said the donations would give the organization undue influence over legislative decisions. Theyre going to have control over the General Assembly, just like Dominion would do, he said. Clean Virginia Executive Director Brennan Gilmore responded with a statement that voiced deepest respect for Walkers work to prevent construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline through Union Hill, but strongly defended the organizations contributions to Cousins campaign since she announced her candidacy more than a year ago. Since that time, we have been deeply impressed by Cousins extensive policy background and commitment to our core issues of clean, affordable energy and good governance, Gilmore said. She demonstrated early on a viable path to victory, and we are honored to endorse her. Walker also dismissed Lambert for riding on the coattails of her father. Im hoping and believing these two women cancel each other out and I squeeze through, he said. But Walkers campaign had raised just $3,742 through March 31. If you dont have the resources and you dont have the organization, its not as easy to succeed, Holsworth said. Lambert also has an uphill battle financially. She raised $19,348 through March 31, including a $10,000 loan she made to the campaign. Yeah, Im behind, she said. And I probably will be behind because I have donations from the people. At the end of the day, Im doing the best I can with what Ive got. Profiles: Meet the candidates in Virginia's June 20 primary election This is a collection of stories about races in Virginia's primary elections on June 20. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. IN THE NEWS The Washington County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted against paying claims filed by relatives of a California family killed by catfish police officer Austin Lee Edwards. Edwards, 28, worked for the Sheriffs Office in November when he went to Riverside, California, to meet a 15-year-old girl he met online. Authorities said he killed three family members and took the girl hostage before getting in a gun battle with police and killing himself. A damage claim was filed against the county for "an unspecified amount for negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, survival and other damages resulting from this incident. A lawyer for the county said the Sheriff's Office is a separate entity and that the county cannot accept responsibility for employees of the sheriff. Edwards previously was a Virginia state police trooper and lived in Chesterfield County. Lawyers for the surviving family members have said they plan to sue the state as well. SCHOOL: The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond in a 2-1 ruling Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of a new admissions policy at an elite public high school. The decision overturns a ruling from a federal judge who found that the Fairfax County School Board engaged in impermissible "racial balancing" when it overhauled the admissions policy at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. For decades, Black and Hispanic students have been under-represented, while Asian Americans made up about 70% of the student body. The admissions policy was overhauled in 2020. Critics said it discriminated against Asian American applicants. ODDS AND ENDS WEATHER: The National Weather Service's radar in Wakefield will be dark for two weeks as crews upgrade equipment. Other radar units in Sterling and Roanoke; Morehead City and Raleigh, North Carolina; and Dover, Delaware, will provide coverage during the project. About $135 million is being spent through a federal program to install new equipment. AIRCRAFT CARRIER: The USS George Washington departed Monday from Newport News Shipbuilding for sea trials. The aircraft carrier since 2017 has been undergoing an overhaul that includes refueling the ships two nuclear reactors, as well as significant repairs, upgrades and modernization. The project is set to finish this year. THEY SAID ... "Youngkin isn't making it any easier on himself by tossing out hints every other day about the presidency. It is a reflection of his over-weaning ambition." Larry Sabato, president of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, about Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Axios reported that Youngkin is reconsidering a presidential run in 2024. I prefer Titos anyway." Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares on his preference for Texas-made Tito's Handmade Vodka after he was included in a list of 500 Americans banned from Russia. Last year, 1,000 Americans, including U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, were banned from the country. BY THE NUMBERS 1,665 Square footage of the roof at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Most Magnificent Ceilings and Domes list for 2023. The hotel was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989. 17.4 Weight, in pounds, of Atlantic Sheepshead that fisherman Todd Elder caught near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a new record for the International Underwater Spearfishing Association. That one fish, it was just pure luck, said the 38-year-old from Virginia Beach. IN THE NEWS PENTAGON: An image of black smoke billowing next to a bureaucratic-looking building spread across social media Monday morning, with the claim that it showed an explosion near the Pentagon. The posts sent a brief shiver through the stock market as they were quickly picked up by news outlets outside the U.S., before officials jumped in to clarify that no blast took place and the photo was a fake. Experts say the viral image had telltale signs of an AI-generated forgery, and its popularity underscores the everyday chaos these now increasingly sophisticated and easy-to-access programs can inflict. ANIMALS: Exotic animals may be banned in Richmond. The City Council on Monday advanced an ordinance to forbid the sale, purchase or ownership of any warm- or cold-blooded animal born in the wild, including primates, raccoons, possums, skunks, wolves, coyotes, squirrels, foxes, leopards, panthers, lynxes, caracals, bobcats, lions, tigers, bears, venomous or poisonous reptiles and any member of the crocodilian family. Christie Peters, who oversees Animal Care & Control, said the restrictions are badly needed. She said the department started looking into it when someone came to the shelter to ask about how to get a permit to own a black panther. We have a house right now where we know raccoons are living in it, Peters said. We want something in city code that ... we can move forward with when we know there is someone living with 20 raccoons in their house. BOOKS: Additional books are coming to two Virginia prisons. St. Brides Correctional Center and Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake are getting 24 "Freedom Libraries" in housing units. The program was started by 2021 MacArthur Fellow and Yale Law School graduate Reginald Dwayne Betts, who was sentenced in Virginia to nine years in prison at age 16. The libraries are stocked with books featuring poets, novelists and essayists alongside classic works from Homer's "Odyssey" to the "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass." Cozumel cops book four for possession after reports of armed subjects Cozumel, Q.R. Police in Cozumel have jailed four men on possession charges after locating over 100 bags of drugs. In a briefing, Cozumel Police reported that elements of the Municipal Police and members of the Secretary of the Navy attend to citizen reports of armed subjects in the Felix Gonzalez neighborhood where, after an operation, four men with different types of narcotics are arrested. The men were taken into custody at 11:06 a.m. after receiving a 911 report of the armed men. When officers arrived at the Gregoria Franco Aguilar Street address, they observed several males in the area, so they approached confirming that they coincided with the characteristics provided, the police report said. Upon inspection, police located bags of marijuana, crack cocaine, powdered cocaine and bags of street-ready crystal meth. Cozumel Police say the four men were formally detained and will face charges. INM reports Cancun International considered main point of entry into Mexico Cancun, Q.R. The National Institute of Migration (INM) says Cancun International is the most busy airport in the country and also the main point of entry. During his Wednesday visit, INM Commissioner Francisco Garduno Yanez reported over 13.7 million people have used the airport during the 2022-2023 tourist season. He said that it is considered the main point of entry into Mexico followed by the Mexico City International Airport. Garduno Yanez said that since the E-Gates became operational in Mexico City and Cancun in December of 2022, 824,233 people have used them. Of that figure, 568,619 or 70 percent were in Cancun and 255,614 or 30 percent in Mexico City. Francisco Garduno Yanez, center, tours the INM facilities at Cancun International. Photo: Courtesy Francisco Garduno Yanez May 24, 2023. Garduno Yanez was at the Cancun International Airport this week to supervise and evaluate migration flows. His stop was part of a regional tour due to the significant increase in passengers. In the first four months of this year, the entry of people into Mexican territory through its 66 international airports and 535 migration verification filters increased by 31.9 percent, he reported from Terminal III of the Cancun International Airport. Cancun International has become the main point of entry into Mexico. Photo: Courtesy Francisco Garduno Yanez May 24, 2023. He says Cancun International is considered the main point of entry into the country with 13,736,495 tourists in the 2022-2023 period followed by the Mexico City International with 10,555,845. Man who hired Cancun babysitters through app charged with rape Cancun, Q.R. A man who lured women online with babysitting needs has been charged with rape. The Quintana Roo State Attorney Generals Office says Erick F will stand trial for the rape of a young woman who responded to his need for a babysitter through an app. According to the state agency, Erick F was picked up on an arrest warrant earlier this week. He is accused of raping an adolescent who was hired for a babysitting job. The unidentified young woman posted her services online through an app. On the occasion of May 5, 2023, Erick F reportadly made contact with the young woman, hiring her to babysit. When she arrived at the agreed upon location, Erick F drove her in his car to a mountainous area where he raped her several times. The FGE said that after Erick F made contact with his victim, he deleted his social media and digital app profiles so as not to be located. The state agency said that Erick F is also being investigated for a second rape victim with whom he deceived in the same manner. His hearing is scheduled to begin in three months. Nichupte Lagoon bridge scheduled for April 2024 opening Cancun, Q.R. The new vehicular bridge of the Nichupte lagoon is scheduled for delivery in April of 2024. Governor Mara Lezama says the 8.8 kilometer-long bridge is being constructed to connect the Cancun Hotel Zone with the city. She says construction on the bridge is being done around the clock with hundreds of workers in 24/7 shifts. This project will be emblematic, not only because of its spectacular architecture and the incredible landscapes that it will give us it will become an example of how the will of a humanist government that works by and for the people can finally deliver a project that has been stalled for more than 20 years come true in a year, Lezama said. She said that as part of the New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo, she managed more than 7 billion pesos directly with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador so that this iconic project can transform the urban image of Cancun. Support pillars for the bridge are being built toward the lagoon. Photo: CGC May 23, 2023. At the construction site, Mara Lezama reiterated that the new Nichupte bridge will be a point of development for mobility. This is one of the multiple and historic projects that demonstrate the profound transformation that we are carrying out in Quintana Roo, she said. At the beginning of May, Guido Mendiburu Solis, the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation Infrastructure (SICT) of Cancun, reported that construction work in the lagoon has also been started. U.S. Consul General visits Quintana Roo Congress Chetumal, Q.R. The Consul General of the United States in Merida, Dorothy Ngutter, visited the headquarters of the Legislative Branch of Quintana Roo in Chetumal. Renan Sanchez Tajonar, President of the Government and Political Coordination Board of the XVII Legislature, held a work meeting with Ngutter in order to join efforts and strengthen cooperation for the benefit of the promotion of Quintana Roo and Cozumel. During the meeting, the legislator emphasized the importance of continuing to promote tourism with the United States to improve the economy of Quintana Roo families. Likewise, he placed special emphasis on Cozumel, the head of the district he represents, as it is the main cruise destination in Mexico. He stressed its many great natural beauties, stressing the importance of working together so that more visitors continue to arrive, which benefits island families. At the meeting, it was stated that five of the 10 most used commercial air routes between Mexico and the United States have Quintana Roo as their destination. He said for this reason, it is important to diversify the offer at the Cozumel and Chetumal airports in addition to continuing with the consolidation of arrivals in Cancun. Sanchez also agreed to manage training in legislative matters in order to continue promoting the professionalization of the Legislative Branch, since he pointed out, that an efficient and well-prepared Legislative Branch is essential for the development of the state. Sanchez delivered the document to Ngutter that details the Legislative Agenda of the H. XVII State Legislature 2022-2024, so she understands the issues and initiatives of law or of reforms that the Congress of Quintana Roo is working on. " " Members of the National Guard patrol Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles on May 31, 2020. They were among the thousands of National Guard troops that were deployed to several major U.S. cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality boiled over into arson and looting. JAVIER TOVAR/AFP via Getty Images The National Guard serves a dual role in the U.S. military by serving the community and its country. Most of the time, it's under the control of individual states, with the state governor acting as commander in chief. When this occurs, guard units are used to supplement the U.S. Army, bolstering its forces with additional combat units. The Guard responds to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. However, the president can activate the National Guard and place it under federal control. Soldiers in the National Guard train one weekend each month, with one two-week training period each year. They're typically called into action by a state governor, who can send them to the site of any officially declared emergency in the state. This is usually a weather-related emergency, but civil unrest or terrorist attacks are other emergencies they may respond to. Advertisement For example, the death of George Floyd (during his police custody in Minneapolis) was followed by mass protests, arson and looting in cities across the U.S. in May 2020. National Guard personnel were activated in 23 states and the District of Columbia [source: Soucy]. In June 2020, 600 to 800 National Guard members from five states were requested to augment the D.C. National Guard in dealing with civil unrest in the nation's capital [source: Browne and Starr]. Guard troops can also be used for security details at borders and airports. While state governors command their state's guard troops, each state has an adjutant general who acts as a liaison, interpreting the governor's orders into specific tactical decisions. When the president federalizes National Guard troops, they can be used in domestic emergencies much like they are used in state emergencies. However, the troops are not limited to emergencies within their home states. For example, in 2005, National Guard units from all 50 states were used to aid in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. There were actually more out-of-state National Guard personnel deployed to Louisiana and Mississippi than those states' own National Guards provided [source: Congressional Research Service]. " " A National Guard Humvee departs the New Orleans Superdome in Louisiana to patrol the streets after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city leaving thousands stranded. The National Guard/U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class (AW) Brien Aho Federalized Guard troops can also be folded into the U.S. Army and be called upon to active service in military operations overseas. In fact, 40 percent of the U.S. Army's current combat capacity, including 43 percent of its piloted and unmanned aircraft are National Guard members [source: Soucy]. The National Guard played a critical role when the U.S. entered World War I, with the 27th "Empire" Division, composed mostly of New York National Guard members, and the 30th "Old Hickory" Division from Tennessee and the Carolinas helping to break through Germany's Hindenburg Line during the 1918 Somme offensive [source: National Guard Bureau]. From 2001 to 2016, the National Guard had 780,000 individual overseas deployments [source: Soucy]. One out of six U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq came from a National Guard Unit. Most of the time, when someone refers to the National Guard, they're talking about the Army National Guard. However, the Air Force has a National Guard as well. The Air National Guard is a separate organization with the same functions as the Army National Guard, but units (usually wings) can be activated to supplement the U.S. Air Force. The two guards were split in this way by a reorganization of the U.S. military after World War II. The National Guard's existence is ensured by the Constitution, which has a series of clauses outlining the states' rights to create militias and the federal government's right to utilize those militias. These are a long chain of federal laws, the most important of which are the 1903 Militia Act and the National Defense Act of 1916. A more recent law, the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act of 2007, expanded the president's authority to activate guard units during a natural disaster, terrorist attack, epidemic or other public health emergency, even without the approval from the states' governors [source: Melnyk]. But presidential power to use the National Guard still has limits. Federal law still restricts the president's use of National Guard forces to enforce federal laws within U.S. borders, unless it's to suppress an insurrection [source: Congressional Research Service]. About half of the states in the United States also maintain a state defense force. These forces are more like militias all of the troops are volunteers, they receive no federal funding and often have to purchase their own uniforms and equipment. A state defense force is separate from the state National Guard, though they may be organized in parallel. Technically, the president has the authority to call on these state militias when needed, but in practical terms, state defense forces are largely immune to federal activation. For more information on the National Guard and related topics, check out the following links: " " Born from the ashes of cremated oxen, the legendary Hodag have roamed the northwoods of Wisconsin for more than a century, avenging abuse suffered at the hands of their masters. Wikimedia Commons (CC BY SA 3.0) To use a simple definition, "cryptids" are animals whose existence is unproven. Is there, for example, a winged beast with cloven hooves and the head of a goat stalking the New Jersey Pine Barrens? The answer is almost certainly "no." Advertisement Reported sightings of this so-called "Jersey Devil" go way back. It's said that Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother, encountered the thing sometime in the 19th century. Yet no corpse or live specimen has ever been documented by the scientific community. That matters. Take it from skeptic Michael Shermer, who wrote the following breakdown in his foreword to "Abominable Science: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie and Other Famous Cryptids" by Daniel Loxton and Donald R. Prothero: In order to name a new species, taxonomists [scientists who name and classify organisms] must have a type specimen a holotype from which a detailed description can be made, photographs taken, models cast, and a professional scientific analysis published. How then should we deal with cryptid claims and anecdotes? Shermer writes that "until a body is produced, skepticism is the appropriate response." Still, whether you believe in any of these unverified creatures or not, nobody can deny their cultural significance. Some cryptids are economic powerhouses, drawing tourists to places that might otherwise get overlooked. Cryptids have also been immortalized by soap brands, Minor League Baseball teams and low-budget Disney movies. Heck, at least one of them prompted an official memo from the U.S. Embassy in Nepal. From Mongolian Deathworms to Mokele-mbembe, here are seven cryptids who've garnered celebrity status. TEHRAN, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Armed clashes erupted on Saturday between Iranian and Afghan border guards on the common border, the Semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. The clashes occurred on the border between Iran's southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province and Afghanistan's southwestern Nimruz Province, the report said. According to Tasnim, the two sides used "light and semi-light weapons and artillery" against each other, but no missile has been employed by the Iranian side despite the "false" reports claiming that. No casualties have been announced yet. The report added the reason for the skirmish, which has already ended, is not known yet and the Iranian Embassy in Kabul and Afghanistan's Taliban-run acting Ministry of National Defense have started correspondence and phone calls to investigate the cause of the tension. In addition, officials of the Iranian and Taliban border guards have held a meeting to discuss the issue and determine its cause, it said. According to Tasnim, reports claiming that Iranian forces have targeted Zaranj Airport in Nimruz province are "false" and the clashes have occurred only in the areas around the Iranian Sasuli and Hatam villages and Makaki region in Afghanistan's Kang District. According to Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), following the eruption of the conflict, Iranian border guards closed Abrisham (Silk) Bridge above the Hirmand River connecting the two countries. The clashes come as tensions between the two neighbors have escalated during the past weeks over Iran's "unpaid" water share from the Hirmand River, known as Helmand in Afghanistan, under a 1973 treaty between Tehran and Kabul that entitles the former to receive 820 million cubic meters of water from the river per year. In remarks on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that his country does not recognize Afghanistan's caretaker Taliban government and insists upon the formation of an inclusive government in the country, according to ISNA. The Taliban government also issued a statement last week, saying Iran's frequent requests for water and "inappropriate" comments on media are "harmful," adding it is committed to the 1973 treaty. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. Nearly three-quarters of more than 100 law enforcement agencies across much of the U.S. dont reflect the racial makeup of their communities, data supplied by the departments to Lee Enterprises shows. As part of a seven-month investigation by Lee and Type Investigations, agencies were ranked based on the gap between the proportion of officers and leadership in the agency who identify as people of color and the percentage of people of color in the communities they serve. Lee reporters sent survey forms to more than 170 law enforcement agencies and then zeroed in on diverse communities, defined in this research as places where at least 10% of the residents are nonwhite. Of 105 agencies that provided demographic data and served diverse communities, 76 underrepresented the percentages of people of color in their communities by 10 points or more. Some had gaps of more than 30 percentage points. Diversity underrepresentation in policing Data gathered from October 2022 to May 2023 from nearly 120 law enforcement agencies in 14 states shows frequent disparity in the racial and ethnic makeup of the agencies compared to the communities they are hired to protect and serve. Data gathered from October 2022 to May 2023 from nearly 120 law enforcement agencies in 14 states shows frequent disparity in the racial and ethnic makeup of the agencies compared to the communities they are hired to protect and serve. These are among several key observations drawn from data submitted by state and local law enforcement agencies largely in the Midwest and East, near areas where Lee properties are based. The data show that thousands of people of color live in communities where the force looks nothing like them, despite calls for increased law enforcement diversity that echoed through U.S. streets three years ago following the murder of George Floyd. Twenty of the 105 agencies serving diverse communities have no people of color or only one such person on the force. Also, in nearly half of the 93 agencies serving diverse communities that gave data on leadership, there were either zero or only one person of color in leadership. Why police diversity matters Experts within and outside law enforcement say the continued representation gap the subject of discussions that go back decades underscores existential questions about how police protect and serve people of color. A study released in November by the Bureau of Justice Statistics that collected data in 2020 about interactions with police over the previous year showed that Black people were three times more likely than white people 6% vs. 2% to have experienced the threat of force or use of nonfatal force during their most recent police contact. The report also showed that during that time frame, Black people had the highest likelihood of experiencing any type of police misconduct (5%), more than double that of white people and Hispanic people combined. While improving diversity doesnt solve issues like excessive force or biased policing, it can begin to cause a shift. The more diverse we are as it relates to race and ethnicity, the more diverse we are also in life experiences, which helps agencies to better inform policies, also better inform their training, and better inform their support systems as well, said Darryl McSwain, chief of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police force and a 2021 finalist for the post of top cop in Lincoln, Nebraska. So I think thats why its so crucial that we continue to diversify. Most agencies surveyed underrepresent communities of color The Lee law enforcement survey is an update and expansion of a similar effort launched in the Midwest in the summer of 2020 as the nation was reeling from weeks of protests after Derek Chauvin, a white then-police officer in Minneapolis, pressed his knee to the neck of Floyd for more than 9 minutes, according to prosecutors who won a murder conviction against Chauvin. For the current investigation, police and sheriffs departments along with state patrols in more than a dozen states responded to a two-page survey seeking data on topics including the demographic breakdown of the sworn personnel and leadership, the use of body and dashboard cameras, and the number of racial profiling and excessive force complaints. Nearly 120 agencies provided demographic information on race and ethnicity. Most also provided information on the gender breakdown of the department. In 14 of the communities, people of color identifying as Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American/First Nation and Asian American/Pacific Islander made up less than 10% of the population served. Not surprisingly, the law enforcement agencies there were all or largely white. Lee also received demographic data from 105 agencies serving diverse areas based on 2020 U.S. Census data, which Lee also used to draw comparisons with their respective police-force demographics: Seventy-six of the 105 agencies, or about 72%, underrepresented their communities of color by 10 percentage points or more. In Martinsville, Virginia, more than half of the community roughly 57% was composed of people of color, while people of color accounted for about 12% of the force. The largest agency to respond to the survey was the 4,741-member New York State Police. People of color made up about 45% of the population in the departments jurisdiction and 12% of the force a gap of 33 percentage points. Twenty-eight departments came within 10 percentage points of matching the diversity levels of their communities. They range in size from the seven-member Hebron Police Department in Indiana to the 488-member police department in Madison, Wisconsin. In Hebron, about 12% of the population and 14% of the force were people of color. In Wisconsins capital, 28% of the community and 23% of the force were made up of people of color. As a group, the 119 agencies police departments, sheriffs offices and state police that supplied diversity data appear to skew whiter than local law enforcement across the U.S. overall. This is based on part- and full-time personnel numbers provided by the 119 agencies compared with the latest law enforcement demographics for full-time personnel collected by the Department of Justice in 2020. In the 82 police departments in the group, nearly 79% of sworn members identified as white vs. about 69% of full-time sworn officers in local police departments in 2020. Lee found similar disparities among the 31 sheriffs departments in the group. Eighty-seven percent of sworn members identified as white, 16 percentage points greater than the roughly 71% of full-time sworn officers in sheriffs departments nationwide who identified as white in 2020, according to the DOJ. So what do all these numbers mean? In Martinsville, Virginia, which describes itself as a city without limits, the lack of diversity on its police force has not gone unnoticed. Of a force of 41 sworn members, the Martinsville police department has four Black officers and one Hispanic officer, said Maj. Chad Rhoads, part of the departments leadership team. I certainly do acknowledge the gap, said Rhoads, who is part of the departments leadership team. Its certainly not representative of the community, but we want to get it there. But its just something that weve always struggled with. Rhoads said the department tried attending job fairs at nearby historically Black colleges and universities but got no applicants, a problem it has experienced at college job fairs in general. He said the department does not have a specific program to recruit people of color. It relies on grassroots efforts including using school resource officers to forge connections with students. Of course, Martinsville is far from the only city with a force that does not reflect the population. Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, a police trainer and spokeswoman for the National Police Association, an educational and advocacy group, links the quest for diversity to law enforcements challenge of attracting applicants overall. Since 2020, American law enforcement, we, have (had) a very difficult time just recruiting and retaining police officers of any race and any gender, said Brantner Smith, who was a police officer for 29 years beginning in 1980. So right now, as a country were just trying to get people to come to the law enforcement profession. People are leaving in record numbers. They are leaving prior to receiving their retirement, and its becoming a real crisis. Departments are increasing their use of technology and social media and beginning to recruit more broadly to boost ranks, Brantner Smith said, but whether were talking post-George Floyd or were talking in general, not everyone is attracted to this profession. Call for police diversity reaches zenith after Floyds death Long before Floyds death sent thousands of protesters into the streets, community activists and private citizens had called for a more just and representative law enforcement system. That chorus reached a crescendo after Floyds Memorial Day 2020 death and included a 21 pillar proposal outlined in 2021 by the National Urban League, which, among other demands, called on communities and law enforcement leadership to increase diversity and equity in both the leadership and ranks of local, state and federal law enforcement. Most law enforcement leaders and experts interviewed for this story listed similar reasons to push for more diversity in police forces, including helping to establish better relations with diverse communities and having role models who can attract other diverse candidates. If we want to have a relationship with our community, and we want our community to be a part of this ecosystem of public safety, then we want our police force to be reflective of the communities that were in, said Regina Holloway, vice president of community impact for Axon, maker of equipment for law enforcement, notably Tasers and cameras. I think its not impossible by any stretch. We want all officers to be equitable across the board, but I do think that theres this opportunity for an officer of color a Black officer, a brown officer to have lived experience that they can relate to community members that are having challenges around public safety, challenges in the community, right? Theres going to be a kinship there, possibly, that will create a deeper relationship at the on-site of that interaction. Holloway referred to a study of the Chicago Police Department, published in Science magazine, examining data on officer demographics and behavior from 2012 to 2015 that found that when compared with white officers, Black and Hispanic officers made far fewer stops and arrests and used force less often, especially against Black civilians. What we know is that Black and brown officers are less likely to stop people for low-level offenses, Holloway added. And theyre less likely to have sort of these negative interactions with community. High-profile deaths in 2023 fuel debate over biased culture That assertion fueled major debates earlier this year in two highly publicized deaths of Black citizens following interactions with law enforcement members, most of whom were people of color. In late April, the family of Tyre Nichols filed a $550 million federal lawsuit against the city of Memphis, the citys police department, and what the suit described as unqualified, untrained and unsupervised officers who severely beat the 29-year-old Black man after a traffic stop and brief foot chase Jan. 7, according to news reports and video that was later shared with the public. He was hospitalized and died three days later. Five former Memphis police officers all Black were fired within weeks of the death. Each faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression, according to news reports. In Virginia, in a death that conjured images of Floyd pinned beneath Chauvins knee, Henrico County deputy sheriffs piled onto Irvo Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man in shackles suffering a mental health crisis, as he was being admitted to Central State Hospital. He died of asphyxiation, a medical examiner found. Otieno, whose family said he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, died March 6 while in custody of the Henrico County Sheriffs Office. Hospital video shows the group pinning him down for close to 12 minutes, and theres no audio. The sheriffs office told Lee it does not use body cameras. Of the seven sheriffs deputies charged with second-degree murder in the case, five are Black, two are white. In fact, Henrico Countys sheriffs office was among the most-diverse departments in the Lee survey when compared to the population of the county. People of color made up 49% of the population and about 68% of the force, for an overrepresentation of nearly 20 percentage points. In the Nichols case, Benjamin Crump, a noted civil rights attorney representing the Nichols family, told ABC News that he believes Nichols was a victim of an implicit bias police culture that exists in America. Crump said Nicholss death occurred despite recent police reform in Memphis because of the institutionalized police culture that makes it somehow allowed that they can use this type of excessive force and brutality against people of color. And it doesnt matter if the officers are Black, Hispanic, or white. Its part of the culture, this biased culture that said this is allowed. Leaders seek change, professionalism and better data Attempts to steer departmental culture in a more inclusive direction often fall to the chief or sheriff. It can be a daunting task regardless of their ethnicity. Jamal A. Simington, chief of the Bloomington Police Department in Illinois, identifies as African American and is the only person of color in leadership in his 123-member department, with less than 10% of the force composed of people of color. Thats in a community where 27% of residents are people of color. Simington, who said he has been called the N-word and Uncle Tom, thinks leaders must foster and model a culture of professionalism regardless of race. You need the representation with high levels of professionalism, said Simington, who was drawn to law enforcement by family members who served. When asked about the roles of officers of color in the deaths of Otieno and Nichols, Simington said, It does reflect horrible on the badge. It tarnishes everything we stand for, right? Its supposed to be a noble occupation. So the nobility comes from our capability and our mindset on how to treat people [in a way thats] fair and appropriate. Thats if youre a person of color or not. There has been limited research on the role of officers race on their interactions with citizens. The latest report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics on encounters with police did not list the race of the officers involved. A database by the Washington Post tracking fatal police shootings since 2015 shows that Black Americans, who account for about 14% of the population, are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans. The database also does not list the race of officers. The Lee survey asked agencies to share numbers for excessive force and racial profiling complaints logged between 2017 and 2022. More than 100 responded. Some declined to provide data or suggested other sources for it. Thirty-nine agencies surveyed said they had no complaints fitting in either category in any of those years. There is also variation in how each agency categorizes complaints. Some responded with numbers for allegations described in broader terms such as biased policing and use of force. The Greensboro Police Department in North Carolina, which is nearly 70% white in a community that is less than 40% white, had 121 biased-based policing allegations, including bias other than race, between 2017 and 2022. It also had 14 allegations of excessive force during that same period. Allegations are not always sustained by the department once investigated. In an email, the department said its investigations found that three of four allegations of excessive force were found to be valid in 2021-22, and no allegations of biased policing initiated by citizens were sustained in that period. Stephanie Mardis is captain of the Greensboro Police Departments Professional Standards Division, which handles matters related to internal affairs. She told Lee she recognizes the need for improving diversity in the departments ranks. Having a force that was more representative of the community may not necessarily mean that our complaints will decrease, she said. It may not necessarily mean that we will have less use of force, but on its face, if a police department reflects the community in itself, it inherently gains trust with people from all walks of life. The department gives the public access each year to its complaint numbers via an annual report; however, it does not list the race or ethnicity of the officer. Tracie L. Keesee is COO, president and co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity, which uses data and science to help law enforcement look at harm reduction when it comes to issues of race and reimagine public safety in a way that centers community. She feels there should be more robust, peer-reviewed studies that look closely at the differences in negative outcomes for people of color when interacting with diverse vs. non-diverse departments. The science is so scant, she said. For starters, Keesee said, law enforcement agencies need to better track both the diversity of their members and how they interact with citizens. We want law enforcement departments to start collecting data appropriately, and we want to make it available to everyone so we can do exactly what youre talking about, she added. So we can look at and be able to try to begin to answer those questions. Lee Enterprises reporters Alison Burdo, Lauren Cross, Lizzie Kaboski , Analisa Trofimuk and Patrick Wilson contributed to this report. Research by Emma Davis of Type Investigations. Karen Robinson-Jacobs is a member of the Lee Public Service Journalism team and a Type Investigations reporting fellow. FINAL STROLL: Area seniors take one last walk through their former campuses If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). 8784% Now TV CEO 361 1.94% 11 19% Model YCorolla 6 2% 5PMI48.8 250 1 510% 936 0.97% 1.23% 2100 4 AI Bowtie1 6% 0.24% 1.5%15% Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. COLUMBUS, Ohio To her students who need the most support, India Strother is rarely just "Ms. Strother" she's a family figure they call "Mom," a trusted guide as they negotiate their teenage years. They open up to her about their dating lives. About pregnancy scares. About their fights with their parents, about the trauma they experience outside school. She keeps a mental list of those at risk of self-harm or suicide, and checks to see how they are doing. It's just part of the job of being a counselor at any American high school. But at predominantly Black schools like the one in Columbus, Ohio, where Strother works, students' mental health is further tested by pressures and discrimination they endure because they are Black, as well as poverty and violence in some communities that have faced years of disinvestment. "Anytime you deal with African American mental health, you're not dealing with one thing," Strother said. "It is several things. It is trauma that has not been addressed." The drivers of the mental health crisis for Black children begin early and persist through a lifetime. Black children's first encounters with racism can start before they are even in school, and Black teenagers report experiencing an average of five instances of racial discrimination per day. Young Black students are often perceived as less innocent and older than their age, leading to disproportionately harsher discipline in schools. Black adolescents are far less likely than their white peers to seek and find mental health care. In part, that's because Black families often distrust the medical system after generations of mistreatment from lack of access to care to being subjected to racist practices and experimentation like the Tuskegee Study. The country also has a shortage of providers who understand the roles that racial identity and racism play in shaping young Black people's mental health. Research and health surveillance data point to a growing mental health crisis among Black youth over decades. Between 1991 and 2019, Black adolescents had the highest increase among any racial or ethnic group in prevalence of suicide attempts a rise of nearly 80%. About 53% of Black youth experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression, and about 20% said they were exposed to racial trauma often or very often in their life. These disparities and lived experiences have systemic roots, including discrimination in housing, education and health care, and they have led to Black people experiencing higher rates of poverty and being underinsured. But financial stability does not shelter Black youth from the toll of racism on their mental health, said Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble, a psychologist and founder of the AAKOMA Project, a mental health nonprofit focused on youth of color. "Socioeconomic status adds another layer to it, but that's not the thing that's driving a lot of the behaviors that our young people are experiencing," she said. "It's the fact that people make assumptions about Black kids, based purely on their stereotypes." EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of an AP series examining the health disparities experienced by Black Americans across a lifetime. *** For 17-year-old Lillian, navigating a predominantly white school as a high-achieving Black girl wore heavily on her mental health. The AP is only publishing her first name to protect her privacy in discussing sensitive topics. At its worst, anxiety isolated Lillian from her close-knit family. She sometimes went days without sleeping, kept awake by her schoolwork and the pressure she put on herself to excel. All the insensitive comments and racial microaggressions felt relentless, and often came just as she was starting to become closer friends with someone. This school year alone, at least four people have tried without warning to touch her hair, which she loves wearing in puffs, braids and other natural styles. Others told her she didn't seem like what they expected, leaving her wondering what exactly they expected of Black girls like her. With few teachers who were people of color at her school, she often felt like she had to work harder to prove herself capable and deserving of the same opportunities and recognition that white students easily received. But in advocating for herself, she worried about coming across as too aggressive. "I think in predominantly white spaces, we naturally code switch. We're softer," Lillian said. "I had to have this large patience for things that I wouldn't normally have. Because it was my school, it's like if I'm so aggressive, and it becomes known that I'm the aggressive Black girl, it's gonna be terrible, and it's gonna follow me." Although many of Lillian's family members supported her in seeking more intense support for her anxiety she was ultimately diagnosed with two anxiety disorders others were less receptive, dismissing her mental health as a need to focus more on her faith. As young as 4 to 6 years old, children of color begin to experience race-based traumatic stress, said Dr. Steven Kniffley, a licensed psychologist and senior associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Racism affects mental health on multiple levels. Besides direct hostility and microaggressions, experts said seeing people of color subjected to racist violence also takes a toll. Called vicarious racism, research has found it can result in greater symptoms of depression and anxiety. "When we think about our young folks specifically, because of the strong influence of social media on their lived experience, they're constantly inundated and really overexposed to all the bad things that are going on in our society," Kniffley said. "You see a police shooting, and they're retraumatized over and over again." In the Columbus area, where Lillian goes to school, the killing of 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant brought the feeling close to home for Black girls in the city. Bryant was holding a knife during a confrontation with a woman at her foster home when police shot the teen. But Bryant's family later revealed it was Bryant who had called for police to come to the scene, saying she was being attacked and needed help. The shooting made Fran Frazier, founder of the Columbus-based Black Girl Rising, want to do something for Black girls in the city, who she said felt denied of their girlhood and "adultified" viewed as older and less innocent. She bought time on a radio station and asked Black women in the area to read love letters to Black girls on the air. "Our girls have the assumption that, 'If we don't look like you think we're supposed to look, then you can address us as adults,'" Frazier said. "'You're not thinking about us as actual girls.'" Frazier led a 2011 study into the lives of Black girls in Ohio that forms the basis of her work now with young Black women around mental health, leadership and resilience. Through the Black Girl Think Tank, Frazier said participants identified six key areas affecting Black girls' mental health: colorism, bullying, body shaming, lack of conflict resolution skills, depression and LGBTQ+ issues. While nearly all the girls who responded said they liked being Black, and liked being a girl, they felt they had been treated unfairly for being both. "When you are walking around every day, being reminded that you are a female, that you are a female of color, and nobody in the world actually likes you, that helps you see what the future could be like," Frazier said. "Our girls have a lot of hope, but not necessarily what they need to get there." Suicides for all Black youth between the ages of 5 and 17 climbed between 2003 and 2017 but the increase was sharpest for girls and 15- to 17-year-olds. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey found that 22% of Black youth had considered suicide in the past year. For Black youth who are also LGBTQ+, that number was 44%, according to the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization. If you or someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK, text 741741 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Individually and systemically, barriers to accessing mental health care disproportionately deter Black teens from getting the support they need. The cost of care sometimes hundreds of dollars for a single therapy session if providers don't take insurance, and many do not can make services inaccessible, but poverty and insurance rates do not fully explain the disparate outcomes. The fear of being misunderstood or even mistreated by the medical establishment is not without foundation. Most mental health care providers are white only 4% of psychologists are Black, according to the American Psychological Association. And 80% of mental health providers are not trained in treating race-based trauma, said Kniffley, the psychologist. Racist treatment of Black people in medical care dates to slavery, and psychiatry and psychology are not exceptions. In 1851, physician Samuel Cartwright hypothesized that mental illness was what drove enslaved Black Americans to escape to freedom. Termed "drapetomania," the belief was rooted in the idea that slavery was such an improvement to Black peoples' lives that only those who were mentally ill would wish to escape. And in 1968, psychologists Walter Bromberg and Franck Simon developed the theory of "protest psychosis," the idea that Black male participation in the Civil Rights Movement caused violent, schizophrenic symptoms. "That legacy has contributed to a mistrust that Black and brown folks have where their experience has been pathologized," Kniffley said. Psychologists have taken steps to acknowledge their profession's history. In 2021, the American Psychological Association issued a public apology and resolution noting psychology's roots in eugenicist and racist ideas and the negative impact that the field has had on communities of color. Though Black parents, activists, clinicians and teens said in interviews that while they feel the stigma of mental health has lightened overall, individual experiences are still shaped by pressure to keep personal struggles private. A distrust of formal systems still lingers among Black Americans in response to decades of medical mistreatment, said Dr. Michael Lindsey, professor of social work at New York University. In response, families may seek support through informal systems in their communities such as churches, Lindsey said, rather than speaking of their personal affairs to people outside the family. Society still treats those struggling with mental health differently, Lindsey said. And for people of color who are already marginalized because of their identity, admitting they are struggling with their mental health adds a "double consequence," he said. Counselors and therapists must overcome those hesitations with young people before they open up about their needs. But in schools often the only places where many teens can access mental health support social workers, psychologists and counselors are frequently overwhelmed by the number of students in their caseloads. In Columbus, there are an average of 465 students for each school counselor, which is not uncommon in U.S. schools, even though the recommended ratio is one counselor per 250 students. Even if students say they're ready for more intensive mental health support, staff still may face resistance and distrust from parents. One girl told Strother, the counselor, that she thought fighting with her mother at home might be the root of her anger issues and that therapy might help. Strother told the girl she was brave to advocate for herself, and the girl's face lit up. But when Strother said she needed her mom's permission, the girl's face dropped. The girl had asked her mother about counseling before, but was told no. Strother called the mother but got no answer. And when she eventually returned Strother's call, it was to say her daughter was just being dramatic and didn't need counseling. "And at that point, what do you do?" Strother said. "You can't harass a parent to make them give their child counseling." *** Through hip-hop, Archie Green hopes to create a safe space for young Black men to unpack their lives. In 2021, he started a 10-week program called Cope Dealer for young boys in Kent, Ohio, offering them a space to discuss how gender, race and mental health intersect for Black boys and men and ways to cope with daily stressors. "For Black men, it's so hard for us to open up, to be vulnerable to know it's OK to cry," Green said. "It's OK to feel." Schools should be that safe space for kids. But symptoms of depression, anxiety and traumatic stress in Black students are often viewed by adults as disobedience, anger or insubordination. Those perceptions lead to Black students being policed or disciplined rather than protected in schools, said Tai Collins, associate professor of school psychology at the University of Cincinnati. "Oftentimes in schools, students have these racialized experiences," Collins said. "And they don't experience a safe space where they can be supported." On the first day of the Cope Dealer program, officers entered a room where participants gathered and arrested a boy, who was between homes, for having an unloaded pellet gun that he used for protection. And on the last day, the group was accused of stealing a wallet that had gone missing at the school. "Of course, they're gonna knock on the door where all these Black boys are meeting, to profile us as if we're automatically the suspects," Green said. Program participants have grown in their mental health and their ability to speak up for themselves, he said. "They were very vocal with the principal and the police officer, saying: 'We don't feel served or protected'," Green recalled of the wallet accusation. "And they were very diplomatic in their approach. And when our facilitator asked them again, 'All right guys, how are you feeling?' One of them said, 'I think we handled that better than last time.'" Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned two men's murder convictions and life sentences for a 2018 home-invasion robbery that left a 36-year-old Lincoln woman dead. The ruling had to do with how Tawhyne Patterson Sr. and Damon Williams Jr.' cases were charged for Jessica Brandon's killing, and a U.S. Supreme Court decision that came down after their convictions in a similar case. On July 31, 2018, Patterson Sr., Williams and his younger brother, Dante Williams, kicked in the front door of the home where Brandon and Michael Robertson lived, Patterson and Damon Williams with guns in tow. The brothers went from room to room zip-tying Brandon's children, a friend and the girls' grandmother and taping their mouths shut as Patterson fired off 13 rounds into the stairwell, where Brandon, 36, suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Prosecutors said the men were trying to steal marijuana and money from Robertson but left empty handed. At trial in 2021, they alleged Patterson and Damon Williams had killed Brandon with a firearm during a crime of violence, specifically an attempted robbery under the Hobbs Act, which makes it a federal crime for anyone to impede or affect interstate commerce "in any way or degree" by committing robbery or extortion. The jury found them guilty of murder, two counts of attempted robbery and a firearms conspiracy. (Dante Williams pleaded guilty on the eve of trial for his role in the crime and got 55 years in prison.) But last year, the Supreme Court held in a similar case in federal court in Virginia, United States v. Taylor, that a Hobbs Act robbery or robbery attempt does not qualify as a crime of violence as defined by statute. By then, the Nebraska case was on appeal to the 8th Circuit, after U.S. District Judge John Gerrard sentenced them to life in prison on the murder charge, plus 20 years on the attempted robbery and gun charges. Following the ruling, both sides agreed Patterson's and Williams' convictions and sentences on the murder charge should be vacated in light of the Taylor decision. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods argued the firearms conspiracy should stand. On the other side, defense attorneys Michael Tasset and Korey Reiman argued it should be vacated, too, because the government's case had focused on the attempted Hobbs Act robberies to prove it. In a decision this week, an 8th Circuit panel (Judges Duane Benton, Jane Kelly and Ralph R. Erickson) ultimately sent the case back to district court and directed the judge to dismiss the murder counts and resentence the men on the remaining three counts: two counts of attempted interference with commerce by robbery based on attempted break-ins July 30, 2018, and July 31, 2018, and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime or crime of violence. In a generally concurring opinion, Kelly said she would've vacated the firearms conviction, too. It wasn't immediately clear if Patterson's and Williams' attorneys would ask for the full panel to review the decision, which is possible. And the U.S. Attorney's Office in Nebraska didn't respond to a request for comment on the decision and what their next steps may be. Nor did Brandon's mother. As things stand, Patterson, 30, and Damon Williams, 31, would face up to 20 years on each of the three remaining counts at their resentencing, which hasn't yet been set. There is no parole in the federal system. Remembering Lincoln's homicide victims of 2023 1. Julian A. Martinez 2. Rudy Requejo Jr. 3. Ronald Gonzalez Rivas 4. Christopher Karmazin 5. Damien Brave 6. Mark Kruger Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. A former employee at South Platte High School in Big Springs was sentenced Thursday for first-degree sexual assault of a child. Joel Foster, 39, was sentenced to 20 to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty and confessing to having sexual encounters with an underaged female student, according to a press release from the Nebraska Attorney General's Office. The assault occurred between January and June of 2022. The victim was 15 years old at the time, according to court documents. Foster will receive credit for the 253 days he has already served in jail. Gift this article Share this article paywall-free. WASHINGTON (AP) For all the concern over just when the government might run short of money to pay its bills, it turns out that no one can be absolutely sure exactly when the country will default what officials are calling the X-date if there's no deal to raise the debt limit. Calculating when the country is going to run out of money requires monitoring major fluctuations in cash flowing into and out of the Treasury and factoring in the timing and size of big payments coming due, among other factors. Now, with only days left for the White House and congressional leaders to negotiate a deal that would allow the government to borrow more money before the U.S. hits the statutory debt ceiling, knowing the drop-dead date is crucial. And amid all the squabbling over the debt, the X-date itself has inevitably become a subject of political rancor. WHAT IS THE X-DATE? The X-date arrives when the government no longer has enough of a financial cushion to pay all its bills, having exhausted the extraordinary measures it's been using since January to stretch existing funds. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's latest estimation is that the U.S. could default by June 5 if there's no deal to raise the legal borrowing limit to support bill paying. In addition to Treasury, several outside groups and companies try to independently pin down the date, including the Congressional Budget Office, Moodys Analytics and the private Bipartisan Policy Center, by poring over public data on government cash flows and changes in debt. Their estimates are all within a few days of Treasury's projections. Shai Akabas, from the Bipartisan Policy Center, helped coin the term "X-date" along with future Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell back in 2011. We defined it as the day after which the federal government would not be able to meet all of its obligations, meaning that if policymakers didnt act by the X-date, then the default would occur the next day. And we quickly realized that that was incredibly difficult for people to understand, Akabas said. It was then revised, supposed to be known as the day on which the government doesnt meet all of its obligations, he said. HOW IS THE DATE CALCULATED? This is where bureaucrats really wonk out. They study things like the Daily Treasury Statement, which offers a detailed accounting of the governments coffers and provides insight into the movement of money. Treasury's Office of Fiscal Projections works with career staff from the Offices of Tax Analysis, Economic Policy and Debt Management to produce a forecast of when the government will exhaust its resources. Just like everyday Americans who tally up their upcoming bills, the government knows a lot about its coming obligations. And it's not just about servicing its existing debts. For instance, on June 1, Treasury will have to pay out $47 billion in Medicare payments, $12 billion in military and civil retirement benefits and $12 billion in veterans benefits, according to a BPC analysis of Daily Treasury Statements. On the next day, the agency will have to pay out $27 billion in Social Security and Medicaid payments. WHAT ELSE CAN AFFECT THE X-DATE? All sorts of factors even the weather. This year, for example, taxpayers in areas that experienced weather disasters including California, New York and large swaths of the South have been granted filing extensions for the 2022 tax season. That means delayed income tax payments coming in that can reduce cash flow. A big infusion of quarterly tax payments is expected to come in on June 15, which could help tide the country over for weeks if the Treasury can hold out that long. But that's looking increasingly less likely. WHO'S QUESTIONING THE X-DATE? Some Republicans are openly questioning Yellen's calculations on when the government might no longer be fully able to pay its bills. How far are lawmakers willing to go to test that theory? Are they less willing to compromise if they dont believe an economic calamity is right around the corner? Everybodys relying on Janet Yellen to tell us this magical day. Show us. Show us the math," said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. When asked if that sentiment was in the back of his mind during negotiations, Donalds replied, I think its in the back of everybodys mind. After Yellen on Friday moved her projection of the earliest date that the U.S. could default from June 1 to June 5, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., took to Twitter to complain, saying: Yellen said it was June 1 earlier this WEEK. Republicans wont be intimidated by her manipulation tactics. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., asked about the X-date by Larry Kudlow on Fox Business on Wednesday, said that whoever is the secretary of the Treasury, Im going to take whatever date they say. Another lead GOP negotiator, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., said he, too, believes Yellen. Shes a straight shooter and I dont think theres any wiggle room for us, McHenry said. Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.